Sky Sports pundit Kevin Phillips has warned Sunderland of a ‘horrible’ let-down if they get too complacent following the celebrations for reaching the League One play-off final.
The Lowdown: Route to Wembley
The Black Cats went into the second leg of their third-tier play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday with a 1-0 lead following Ross Stewart’s goal at the Stadium of Light, but the game looked set to be going to extra-time at Hillsborough after Lee Gregory found an equaliser for the Owls on 74 minutes.
However, winger Patrick Roberts came up with the goods for Alex Neil’s outfit by adding a winner in stoppage time to give Sunderland the 2-1 aggregate victory, meaning that they will now head to Wembley to take on Wycombe Wanderers in the ultimate showdown on May 21st.
The Latest: Phillips reacts to celebrations
After seeing his former side’s epic celebrations at Wednesday, Phillips has urged them to remain fully focused, telling ChronicleLive: “Enjoy tonight, rightly so and they get ready and start preparing for a week Saturday which is so important because you don’t want to go there and let you down.
“I’ve been there with Sunderland and it’s horrible to lose in a play-off final but believe me when you do win a play-off final it’s one of the best ways to get promoted and I hope these guys feel that on the 21st.
“They’ve [Sunderland] been stuck in it [League One] for four years, they’ve got another opportunity on the 21st to get out of it, but it’ll be a tough tough match. Everyone will make Sunderland the favourites.
“Ultimately, as Clinton [Morrison] will tell you, when these moments come around, you have to enjoy them. Definitely go and have a beer tonight, enjoy yourselves tonight and tomorrow and then come back in whenever you do refocussed to go again.”
The Verdict: Neil’s the perfect man for the job
Alex Neil first joined the Black Cats on an initial 12-month rolling deal back in February where he took over as Lee Johnson’s successor following their 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Bolton Wanderers, which ultimately saw his time at the club come to an end.
The 40-year-old took charge of the last 15 league games of the season after arriving and has quite literally transformed Sunderland’s record, having won eight, drawn six, and lost just one of those outings, as per Transfermarkt, so it’s no wonder they managed to secure a play-off place after displaying such scintillating form.
The Bellshill-born manager already has experience of being in this position having guided Norwich City and Hamilton up through the play-offs and there’s no reason why he won’t be able to do it again later this month.
In other news… a finance expert has dropped a huge claim regarding the club’s potential takeover.
Newcastle United are planning to recruit between four and six players this summer, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards says.
The lowdown
Newcastle are gearing up for their first summer transfer window since their Saudi-led takeover went through in the autumn.
In January, the new owners sanctioned a record £90million spend on five new players – Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and loan signing Matt Targett.
Edwards has previously reported that they’re unlikely to shell out quite that much in the summer market.
The goal may now be to secure at least a top-half finish after Eddie Howe guided his bolstered squad away from relegation trouble.
Edwards tweeted on Monday afternoon that ‘multiple sources have confirmed’ Newcastle’s ‘plan’ to bring in ‘between four and six’ new faces ‘to boost first team strength’.
The amount the club can generate through sales will be important, he adds.
They’re also ‘looking closely’ at the loan market and are ‘likely’ to dip into it for ‘at least one’ player ‘towards the end of the window’.
The verdict
Who might some of the new faces be at St James’ Park? Well, one likely addition appears to be Targett on a permanent deal.
Transfer insider Dean Jones said recently the Aston Villa-owned defender had become their ‘number one’ target and that they were looking to swiftly tie up a deal that could be worth £15million.
And according to The Daily Mail, they’re also working on a deal for Jesse Lingard, who wouldn’t demand a transfer fee as he reaches the end of his Manchester United contract.
Predominant frugality could theoretically allow the Magpies to make one blockbuster addition and stay within the confines of their budget.
In other news, Frank McAvennie warns Newcastle against this mooted move.
Adam Jones has been left stunned by what Mason Mount did which saw him get a yellow card for Chelsea against Everton in the Premier League this afternoon.
The Lowdown: Mount cautioned
The 23-year-old found himself cautioned by the referee after he appeared to push Yerry Mina to the ground after a collision between the two players in the first half.
This sparked a brawl between both teams on the pitch, as things started to get a little heated at Goodison Park.
The Latest: Jones reacts
Taking to Twitter, Liverpool Echo journalist Jones gave his instant reaction to Mount’s antics, claiming that it was ‘very strange’ and ‘unnecessary’ from the England international.
In response to the incident, he tweeted: “Very strange one, that. Looked very off-the-ball and unnecessary.”
The Verdict: Unnecessary
As Jones rightfully points out, Mount pushing Mina back to the ground after their collision was completely unnecessary, and almost warranted the yellow card more than his actual challenge.
Still, the Colombia international did not let that faze him, as Everton got to half-time on level terms, before Richarlison gave them an early lead in the second half.
Nonetheless, the important thing was that Mina did not react to Mount’s antics, instead keeping his cool as the Toffees fought for all three points to close the gap on both Leeds United and Burnley.
In other news, find out what big Everton injury blow has now emerged
According to Football Insider, Celtic full-back Boli Bolingoli will be on the lookout for a new club during the summer transfer window.
The lowdown: Exiled star
Signed for a reported £3million from Rapid Vienna in 2019 (BBC), the Belgium youth international made a promising start to life at Parkhead, making 28 appearances in a breakthrough campaign.
However, following a Covid-19 breach in August 2020 and a subsequent three-game ban, Bolignoli has spent time on loan at Istanbul Basaksehir before a recent stint in Russia at FC Ufa.
Since that spell was cut short, the 26-year-old has been training alone at Lennoxtown and it appears that the writing is on the wall…
The latest: FI makes claim
As per a Celtic source at FI, Bolignoli is seen as ‘surplus to requirements’ in Glasgow and is ‘expected to leave’ in the summer.
The report claims that the former capped Belgium Under 16 starlet is ‘free to find a new club’ as Ange Postecoglou green lights cutting ties with the out of favour left-back who was once described as a ‘real asset’ by Alan Hutton amidst departure talks.
It’s also stated that the Bhoys ‘do not expect’ him to play for the club again.
The verdict: The right decision
Ultimately, this was the only sensible outcome for all parties having become an outcast at Celtic Park.
Despite impressing in some of his fleeting 31 outings for the Hoops, the 18 months in the wilderness and the emergence of Greg Taylor this season means Bolignoli is rightfully up for sale having not featured since October.
Valued at £1.35million and under contract until 2023 (Transfermarkt), the hierarchy will be hopeful of receiving close to their original £3million expenditure back if possible.
In other news, Frank McAvennie is in awe of one Celtic player’s development. Find out who it is here.
Chelsea are weighing up the possibility of an early January move for one ‘magnificent’ forward with an agreement already in place for his arrival next year.
Liam Delap succumbs to another Chelsea injury blow
Liam Delap’s Chelsea career has descended into frustrating misfortune following another significant injury setback.
The 22-year-old suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder during Saturday’s goalless draw at Bournemouth, leaving the field in obvious discomfort after landing awkwardly following a challenge with Marcos Senesi.
Medical staff immediately applied a makeshift sling before Delap trudged directly towards the tunnel, his arm immobilised to prevent further damage.
Enzo Maresca then delivered a concerning post-match update that confirmed initial fears.
Reports suggest Delap faces approximately six to eight weeks sidelined, which comes as another devastating blow for the young forward after he was previously out of action for weeks with a hamstring injury.
Chelsea signed Delap from relegated Ipswich in June, beating the likes of Man United and Newcastle to his signature after an impressive maiden Premier League season.
The Winchester-born striker finished as Ipswich’s leading scorer with twelve goals across thirty-seven appearances last term, accounting for thirty-three percent of their total output despite their eventual drop to the Championship.
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Delap also earned a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination and convinced Maresca – who previously managed Delap during his tenure overseeing Man City’s Elite Development Squad – that he represented an ideal target man.
However, the Englishman has since struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, managing just sporadic appearances whilst failing to register a single Premier League goal for his new employers.
Player
Pedro
Guiu
Delap
Games
18
8
11
Minutes
1377′
280′
453′
Goals
4
1
1
Assists
3
1
0
His only Chelsea strike this season arrived against Barcelona in the Champions League, providing brief optimism before this latest injury.
Marc Guiu replaced Delap against Bournemouth but was rusty throughout, highlighting Chelsea’s lack of alternative options, and it has led to suggestions that Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha could arrive earlier than anticipated.
Chelsea weigh early January move for Emanuel Emegha
According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea chiefs are evaluating whether to bring forward Emegha’s arrival from their sister club following Delap’s injury blow.
The Blues confirmed a deal worth around £22 million several months ago, that was scheduled to deliver Emegha to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Emmanuel Emegha for Strasbourg
However, Delap’s absence has prompted internal discussions about accelerating that timeline to January.
Strasbourg initially resisted any mid-season departure for their captain, but circumstances have shifted considerably.
Argentine forward Joaquin Panichelli has emerged as Liam Rosenior’s first-choice striker, demonstrating excellent form which suggests the Ligue 1 side could accommodate Emegha’s premature exit.
The 22-year-old Netherlands international stands at a towering 6 foot 5 and recently earned his maiden senior caps for his country, establishing himself as one of France’s most promising attacking talents.
Should Chelsea trigger the January switch, they would also likely compensate Strasbourg by funding an immediate replacement through BlueCo’s multi-club network.
Emegha, who’s been called ‘magnificent’ by critics, scored 14 French top flight goals last season and ended the campaign as one of Ligue 1’s top scorers.
He’s also bagged seven goals across 11 appearances in all competitions this season, so he’s a man bang on form right now regardless of Panichelli’s rise.
All is not well at Manchester United, with Saturday afternoon’s defeat at the Gtech against Brentford keeping Ruben Amorim on nine lowly Premier League wins across 33 matches in the competition.
It’s not good enough, and the ice has worn thin indeed. For INEOS to sack their prized appointment would be an ignominious thing, a real loss of face, but we are approaching the latest critical juncture, and it’s a big one.
Amorim’s candid nature and self-criticism have been both refreshing and blunt, too blunt, across the span of his tenure, but he is capable of picking apart the faults within his Red Devils project. The question is, how much longer can this continue?
Man United host high-flying Sunderland this weekend. The newly-promoted outfit simply have to be put to the sword, else Amorim will join a long list of post-Fergie managers whose tenures became untenable, and they were dismissed.
Already, rumours have cranked up, with the recently sacked West Ham United manager Graham Potter emerging as a candidate. That said, he’s not the only one on their radar.
Man Utd considering recently sacked manager
Potter lasted less than a year in the West Ham hot seat. The Londoners have been in disarray since they parted with David Moyes after the 2023/24 campaign, but there’s no denying the English tactician left plenty to be desired.
Clashes with first-team Irons, including a scepticism over captain Jarrod Bowen’s ability to lead the team, made the 50-year-old’s prospects of turning things around difficult.
Potter is, however, an experienced Premier League manager, something Amorim is not. Described as “a genius” by journalist Sam Morton, the former Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea boss is known for his intricate passing patterns and build-up play, but this didn’t materialise in the desired shape at the London Stadium.
West Ham
24 (01/25 – 09/25)
0.92
Chelsea
31 (09/22 – 04/23)
1.42
Brighton
134 (05/19 – 09/22)
1.28
Swansea
51 (07/18 – 05/19)
1.45
Potter would hope, however, that an ostensibly higher level of technical skill would do the trick at Old Trafford, but there are bound to be reservations over a manager who has failed to hit the mark with each of his past two outfits in the top flight.
Spanish sources suggest INEOS and Jason Wilcox are mulling over making their move if Amorim is sacked, and while it would be a contentious appointment, there’s an even more concerning alternative who has been added to the shortlist.
Man Utd's Potter alternative could be worse than Amorim
Even the most ardent defenders of Amorim’s tactics and expertise as an elite coach would concede that it has been a tumultuous relationship.
And now, the Portuguese boss is running out of time, surely just one or perhaps two bad results away from dismissal, should form not change.
And if push comes to shove, it’s not just Potter on Man United’s radar, with talkSPORT revealing that a three-man shortlist has been compiled, and former Three Lions manager Sir Gareth Southgate is in the running.
It’s actually understood that the Premier League side have been in direct contact with the 55-year-old in recent weeks, even with the hierarchy hesitant to bite the bullet and sack Amorim.
Southgate transformed the feeling around the England Men’s team across his eight-year stint, reaching a World Cup semi-final and falling short in successive Euro finals. Across 102 matches in charge, he achieved an average of 2.08 points per game.
However, there have long been questions over Southgate’s command of the technical side of managing, with former French World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit even labelling the one-time right-back as “boring”.
Given that Man United are engulfed in Groundhog Day, walking in the same old familiar territory in the early phase of a season that saw Erik ten Hag dismissed last year (bearing an identical Premier League record after six matches), there can be no more mistakes.
At the 2024 European Championship, England showed off their mentality by reaching the final against the odds, but they flattered to deceive on the tactical front, with critics even struggling to understand what Southgate’s plan was.
This sounds an alarming echo to Amorim’s own situation at Manchester United, and given that Southgate, who parted ways with Middlesbrough in 2009, has been outside of club management for so long, there is very little to suggest that he would turn the ship around and keep it afloat against the club’s big-hitting rivals in the Premier League.
Typically fielding a more conventional 4-3-3 formation than Amorim’s controversial set-up, Southgate would at least provide some semblance of typicality on that front, and that might do the players good. But would it be enough for it to be a successful appointment, and that after having spent £12m to relieve Amorim of his duties?
Southgate has his perks, for sure. He knows the English game like the back of his thumb, and his man-management skills and ability to cultivate a positive working environment are two facets that would potentially smooth out big wrinkles in the United fabric.
But we cannot ignore the concerns over the depth of his tactical understanding, nor can Southgate’s near two-decade absence from Premier League management be overlooked.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co do decide to part ways with Amorim in the coming weeks or months, it is imperative that they welcome the right successor to the Theatre of Dreams.
The likelihood of Southgate being the one for the job in the long run feels somewhat slim.
Ten Hag sold Man Utd talent for just £10m, now he's outperforming Bruno
Manchester United may have made a mistake in allowing one player to depart Old Trafford.
Manchester United have endured yet another topsy-turvy start to the season, but Ruben Amorim is determined to turn things around and remains stubborn in his belief that his cast-iron system will remain the philosophy implemented.
For better or for worse. The Red Devils welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday evening as they look to claim a second Premier League win of the season, and it’s crucial that they indeed score some points on the board and climb away from the foot of the division, having so shockingly finished 15th last year.
Having been trounced in the Manchester derby last weekend, Amorim will be feeling rather hot under the collar, aware that more misery might spell the end of his turbulent tenure, less than a year after his appointment.
The Portuguese tactician has been buoyed, however, by Matheus Cunha’s return to fitness, with the Brazilian forward having injured his hamstring before the September international break.
Why Cunha's return is so important
He’s yet to get off the mark for Manchester United this season after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a bumper £62.5m package this summer, but Cunha, 26, has only played two full 90s in the Premier League so far, forced off after only half an hour with a hamstring injury against Burnley.
Described as having the qualities to be “one of the most transformational United players” by writer Wayne Barton, Cunha is the real deal, proven within the English game and boasting one of the most dynamic attacking skillsets across Europe.
United might have sold Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea – a warm welcome back to the Theatre for him on Saturday – and loaned Marcus Rashford out to Barcelona, but this versatile attacking force, usually out on the left but called into a number nine berth across the opening weeks of the term, has the chance to erase such former stars from the fanbase’s mind with a string of impressive showings.
We’ve already seen what he can do in a red shirt, and having been confirmed fit for this forthcoming fixture, all eyes will be riveted on him when the ball is claimed and space is found in the danger area.
However, he’s not the only one who could make an impact, and Amorim should consider unleashing his new version of Rashford on Enzo Maresca’s Blues.
Amorim's new version of Rashford
Rashford was once a superstar under the Old Trafford lights, but there’s no doubt that he ebbed and he flowed, and that his finest days as a Manchester United man passed some time ago.
But in Amad Diallo, Amorim might be guiding the new version to the fore.
Amad is still only 23, and came into his own as a United first-teamer last term, notching 21 goal involvements across 43 matches in all competitions.
69 games he has played in total for the club, posting 14 goals and 13 assists. Singled out by Sky Sport pundit Jamie Carragher for his “sensational” performances in a poor team last season, he must be unleashed in a role fit for his skillset against Chelsea, who boast an overload of firepower themselves.
Described as a “wizard” of a winger by journalist James Copley, Amad’s fast, furious dribbling style and innate potency have allowed him to cement a place in Amorim’s matchday squad. A strong grasp of the technical side of the attacking game is what he has, that and an eye for the spectacular.
Remind you of anyone? Was it not Thursday evening that Rashford rifled in from range to sink the Magpies around St. James’ Park? It was a bittersweet one to watch for those of a Man United persuasion, but not all that surprising for those aware of exactly what the Three Lions star is capable of.
As per FBref, the Ivorian winger ranks among the top 4% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 16% for shot-creating actions and the top 10% for progressive carries per 90, emphasising his ball-carrying skill, yes, but also the creative spark which could be crucial in serving a forward such as Cunha with ammunition from which to strike on goal.
Amad’s tactical range has been showcased across his years as a professional so far, but if Amorim opts to deploy him alongside Mbeumo in a more advanced berth than the wing-back role he has been placed in three times already this season, his attacking strengths could be maximised, thus providing United with the balance and fluency they need to finally make things tick.
Right winger
128
42 (35)
Attacking midfield
33
10 (3)
Centre-forward
22
9 (1)
Left winger
20
9 (4)
It’s curious that the nifty forward manages to maintain a degree of prolificness no matter where he is positioned across the frontline, and that’s something Amorim has clearly latched onto.
Rashford, too, could play in different berths, and though each prefers a different foot, there is much the same about their shared directness and natural goalscoring sense.
In November 2024, with United at a low ebb, only Rashford and Amad were in the positive in regard to xG totals, as per Statman Dave.
Given that that trend has continued into the current campaign, with no Premier League side having created a higher xG total than 14th-placed Man United, someone of Amad’s clinical calibre must now stand up and turn things around for Amorim and the club.
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Manchester United may now be regretting letting go of one former star who’s better than Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal are ready to spend big this summer and could now gain the upper hand on Chelsea in pursuit of a talented star plying his trade at the Club World Cup, according to a report.
Arsenal ready to make statement signings
The Gunners hope to establish themselves as a frontrunner in the race for the Premier League title and Mikel Arteta is set to be backed this window as high-profile targets are identified at the Emirates Stadium.
In an honest assessment of his former side’s hunt for a striker, Arsenal icon Theo Walcott has pointed out that the club need to pursue someone in Liam Delap’s mould as they search for a new source of goals.
Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are Arsenal’s two main striking targets, and the latter has given his priority to Arteta’s side following an excellent campaign at Sporting.
That development comes in spite of interest from Manchester United, which will undoubtedly provoke optimism among a support desperate to see the final piece of the jigsaw added over the coming months.
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However, it has to be taken into account that signing a forward isn’t the only requirement to exceed their rivals’ points tally next season; you also need an effective foil to maximise attacking output across the board.
With that in mind, Arsenal now have a winger on their radar that they could steal from under the nose of rivals Chelsea, according to reports.
Arsenal prepare bid to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens
According to reports in Spain, Arsenal are preparing a bid to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, and he is viewed internally as someone who would fit their philosophy to develop talent over the long-term.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
Berta and company are ready to put forward an offer that could amount to roughly £42.5 million, while Chelsea have also been heavily linked with Gittens and came close to signing him before the Club World Cup registration window closed. There have even been claims the Blues still want him and could make a new bid in days.
Jamie Gittens in 2024/25 – Bundesliga (FBRef)
Shot-creating actions
73
Goals-creating actions
10
Progressive carries per 90
5.53
Touches in opposition penalty area per 90
5.53
Successful take-ons per 90
3.57
Labelled “fantastic” by Nuri Sahin, the England Under-21 international registered 12 goals and five assists as Borussia Dortmund left it late to secure Champions League qualification.
Bukayo Saka’s injury issues throughout the campaign demonstrated that additional depth is needed for the Gunners to juggle domestic and European endeavours. Taking that into consideration, what better way for Arsenal to secure another talented outlet out wide than to beat Chelsea to Gittens’ signature.
Until the official announcements are uploaded, Florian Wirtz beaming into the lens as he confirms his ecstasy at having signed for the Premier League champions, Liverpool fans would be forgiven for holding onto their jubilation.
According to German reports, Bayer Leverkusen have on Monday morning rejected Liverpool’s second official bid for Wirtz, worth around €130m (£110m).
The negotiations were never going to be easy, even if this saga is moving forward with comparative swiftness. Wirtz is “probably the best midfielder in the world”, according to former Werkself striker Patrick Helmes, but all parties anticipate a resolution in the coming days or weeks.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz
With Jeremie Frimpong already completing his move from Leverkusen to Anfield and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in advanced talks to sign for Liverpool, things are looking good on Merseyside.
However, there’s even more for sporting director Richard Hughes to do ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Liverpool's attacking transfer plans
Darwin Nunez got lost in the celebrations as Liverpool won the Premier League, and these will be the memories he takes with him as he leaves this summer.
It’s not set in stone, but the Uruguayan is expected to leave this summer, with interest rising from Spain and the Saudi Pro League.
Liverpool's DarwinNunezcelebrates after winning the Premier League
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has been touted as the man to replace him, but Chelsea also have a vested interest in the forward and are considered by BILD reporter Christian Falk to be leading Liverpool in the race.
Believe it or not, even more change may be afoot. Luis Diaz enjoyed a productive campaign, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions, but he has reportedly emerged as a priority for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. Barcelona also maintain a long-standing interest.
Liverpool have utilised the dynamic forward’s qualities across wide and central berths this season, and if he was indeed to be sold, the club would surely need to bring in an out-and-out striker as a matter of urgency.
Liverpool enter race for new striker
According to Sky Sports, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is on Liverpool’s shortlist of targets at centre-forward with the Anfield outfit ‘looking’ at him alongside widely reported names like Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig.
Interest in Alexander Isak also remains, but he’s off the cards after Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed
Osimhen has just completed a successful season-long loan with Galatasaray after efforts from Chelsea and Saudi suitors fell through last summer, and there’s no way back for the Nigerian in Naples after an acrimonious divorce.
Napoli would be allegedly looking for a £60m fee, so a deal could certainly be agreed in the coming months, especially if FSG succeed in offloading Nunez.
Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen
Osimhen is one of the finest finishers in the game, hailed for his “world-class status” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley. He’s tenacious, layered and physical, surely the perfect fit for Slot’s Liverpool system.
24/25 – Galatasaray
41
37
8
23/24 – Napoli
32
17
4
22/23 – Napoli
39
31
5
21/22 – Napoli
32
18
6
20/21 – Napoli
30
10
3
Though he was forced away from Europe’s top-five leagues this season, Osimhen’s time in the Turkish Super Lig has proved a clinical success, instrumental in Galatasaray winning the league and the Ziraat Turkish Cup.
Aged 26, this would be the time for him to try his hand at Premier League football, and FSG chiefs must seriously consider prioritising him over Sesko and Ekitike, who are both talented but raw and undeveloped.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen
As per FBref, Osimhen ranked among the top 3% of centre-forwards across Europe in 2024/25 for goals scored, the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area, and the top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90, emphasising his elite-level threat.
Sesko, who has a £70m release clause in his contract, and the £84m-rated Ekitike, conversely, still have something to be desired in regard to their prolific output. Across 48 matches this year, Frankfurt’s man bagged 22 goals from 48 matches, while Sesko has posted 27 goals from 64 appearances in the German Bundesliga since signing for Leipzig two years ago.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
Coined by analyst Ben Mattinson a “transitional monster” and a “beast in the air”, Osimhen is the real deal, all right, and would provide Liverpool with a ridiculous focal point from which Salah, who turns 33 this month, can ease his burden and the inbound Wirtz can forge a deadly partnership.
That’s not to say Ekitike and Sesko couldn’t make their mark too, but Liverpool are set to undergo some rather drastic changes in the offensive department, and a striker proven to be one of the best in the world would be a sure-fire way to ensure Slot’s finely-woven system remains in place.
Osimhen, furthermore, is more than just a goalscorer. His nifty footwork, swift-limbed and purposeful with his passing and link-up play, suggests there’s a real player in there who could, by turns, make the net bulge himself and feed Salah and co.
Given that, at £60m, Osimhen would come at a cheaper price than Liverpool’s other major striker targets, it feels like a bit of a no-brainer, one that could see the Reds retain their Premier League title and maybe get their mitts on some silverware across other fronts.
One thing’s for certain: all three transfer targets would prove to be upgrades on Nunez, who has sadly fallen by the wayside in Slot’s set-up, and Liverpool cannot afford to have a misfiring number nine fronting the project once again.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates scoring their first goal
Regarded as “the best striker on the market” by data journalist Statman Dave, Liverpool need to make this one happen; Osimhen might just prove to be the final piece of the puzzle for an Anfield side looking to consolidate their position at the very top of the global game.
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Arsenal face the prospect of losing a “big player” for Mikel Arteta in the next few weeks, as it is believed he’s now keen to leave the Emirates, and one club has already made an “official move”.
Arsenal players on the way out this summer
A good portion of Gunners squad members are already poised to end their time at N5, including some pretty considerable names.
£359k-per-week striker would join Arsenal "immediately", Berta wants him
He’s apparently very keen.
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Brazilian Serie A side Flamengo, who’ve agreed to sign Jorginho from Arsenal, are now set to formally land the Italy international before their Club World Cup campaign begins on June 17, with Arteta’s side green-lighting his earlier-than-anticipated exit (Fabrizio Romano).
Left-back Kieran Tierney is also set to re-join Celtic after shaking hands on a pre-contract with the Scottish champions, as was confirmed all the way back in February. The left-back scored in his last ever game for Arsenal against Southampton on Sunday, after getting the starting nod from Arteta, with Tierney signing off on his north London career in style.
Some reports in Italy claim that left-back Nuno Tavares is on his way to Lazio on a permanent deal, with the Serie A side paying around £4 million for him after an impressive debut season at the club overall – even taking into account the Portuguese’s injury problems over the second half of 24/25.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is also very likely to leave again this summer after spending this season on loan at Sevilla, and there are still questions surrounding the future of star midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian recently entered talks with Arsenal over a new deal, indicating his willingness to stay, but it is far from a guarantee, with some sources believing that the £200,000-per-week midfielder would have to take a pay-cut (ESPN).
Arteta, for his part, is very keen on the 31-year-old extending his stay, after what has arguably been his finest season at Arsenal since joining from Atlético Madrid in 2020.
“Yeah, in regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it’s been his best season,” said Arteta when quizzed about Partey’s future.
“I think the way he’s played, performed, his availability has been exceptional, and he’s a really important player for us.”
Thomas Partey keen to leave Arsenal as Besiktas hold talks
Now, as per Turkish news website Fanatik, the midfield general is actually becoming more tempted by the exit door.
They report that Partey is eager to leave Arsenal and start the next chapter of his career, and Besiktas are the first club to make an “official move” for him. The Süper Lig giants apparently held “positive” talks with Partey’s main representative, and he is top of Besiktas’ list of targets.
Depending on terms, the far east of Europe could be a tempting landing spot, and this isn’t the first time that clubs from Turkey have been linked with a move for Partey, as he reportedly attracted interest from the Turks and Saudi Arabia last year.
Called a “big player” by Arteta, Partey has proved that time and time again throughout this term with some exceptional midfield displays, and his injury problems have now also become a thing of the past.
Losing such an experienced and proven member of the Arsenal squad would undoubtedly come as a blow, especially on a free, so it is unlikely that Andrea Berta will give up easily when it comes to tempting him with an extension.