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Leeds United have submitted an enquiry over a deal for a “world-class” player, who could push for a move to Elland Road within days, according to a report.

Leeds set sights on new midfielder

Leeds have already made major improvements to their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League next season, agreeing deals for centre-backs Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw and striker Lukas Nmecha, and they have now turned their attentions towards signing a new midfielder.

Daniel Farke appears to be particularly keen on bringing in an attack-minded midfielder, capable of providing a threat on the front foot, having identified a range of different targets from within the Championship and Ligue 1.

Player

Current club

G/A last season

Himad Abdelli

Angers SCO

7

Habib Diarra

Strasbourg

9

Gustavo Hamer

Sheffield United

18

However, there is also a desire to bring in a more defensive option, with it recently being revealed the Whites are keen on signing Juventus defensive midfielder Douglas Luiz, having doing their “due diligence” on the Brazilian.

There has now been a new update on Leeds’ pursuit of Luiz, with a report from Italy (via MOT Leeds News), revealing they have now submitted an enquiry over a deal for the midfielder, who could push for a move to Elland Road within days.

Leeds leading Fulham in race to sign £8.5m defender alongside Bornauw

Leeds United are now in a race to sign a defender who has been impressing in Germany.

ByBrett Worthington Jul 1, 2025

Indeed, should the Serie A side be knocked out of the Club World Cup by Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, the maestro could seek a swift move away from Juventus, with his agents currently evaluating potential options.

There is a possibility that a deal could initially be a loan, including an obligation to buy, which may be on the expensive side, given that the 27-year-old arrived at Juventus for a fee of £42m just over a year ago.

"World-class" Luiz could be real coup for Leeds

The Brazil international has featured just once for Juventus at the Club World Cup, indicating he isn’t held in the highest regard by his current employers, but the central midfielder’s previous exploits in England indicate he could be a top-quality signing for Leeds.

The former Aston Villa man flourished during his time in the West Midlands, receiving very high praise from John McGinn, who described his former teammate as “world-class”.

Although most well-known as a defensive midfielder, the ex-Villa star proved himself as a real all-rounder during his stint at Villa Park, capable of making a real impact on the front foot.

As such, Leeds should not pass up the opportunity to sign Luiz, despite failing to kick on since moving to Juventus, and he could be a difference-maker in the battle for survival next season.

Tottenham Hotspur are set for a very intriguing summer transfer window, which has been made all the more important after their qualification for the Champions League next season.

Tottenham preparing bid for £30m colossus wanted by Napoli, Milan and Inter

Spurs could scupper Antonio Conte in the race for his signature.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

Spurs were handed a monumental boost both on and off the field after their triumphant Europa League final win in Bilbao last month, with Thomas Frank set to reap the rewards as he prepares for his first-ever job managing an elite-level club.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

The financial windfall gifted to Tottenham, not to mention the greater player-pull they now possess as a result of competing in Europe’s most prestigious competition, will play an absolutely pivotal role in attracting the club’s top transfer targets to N17.

However, that isn’t to say that they’re guaranteed to keep their best players.

Son Heung-min may well have already played his final game for Spurs, with sides in Saudi Arabia expressing a serious interest in the South Korean, while Atlético Madrid continue to sniff around star defender Cristian Romero.

The 27-year-old was crowned UEFA’s official Europa League Player of the Season and was vital for Ange Postecoglou throughout the tournament, helping Spurs to end their 17-year wait for a piece of major silverware.

Romero is also a leader in the dressing room, according to teammates like Micky van de Ven, who showered praise on the Argentine for helping his transition to Premier League football.

“For me, he is world-class. He is a leader. He is always one hundred per cent. He is a top-class player with the ball and without the ball when defending,” said van de Ven to Optus Sport.

“I can promise you he is not scared of anyone. He keeps going every game. From day one here he has helped me. He is just a world-class player.”

With Tottenham facing the prospect of losing their imperative defender, who’s reportedly told chairman Daniel Levy he’s keen to leave the club this summer (Marca), reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold has taken a look at who could replace him.

Tottenham could replace Cristian Romero with Marc Guehi

As per Gold, Tottenham have been fans of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi for a “long time”, and he’s a potentially “obvious” candidate to step into Romero’s shoes.

Spurs made a very public £70 million bid for the England international in January, which was rejected out of hand by Palace chairman Steve Parish, who had precious little time to source a replacement for the defender.

Gold warns that, while Tottenham could offer Guehi Champions League football, any move would depend on defensive sales as Frank is currently stocked with centre-backs, and by the time they agree to some sales, the 24-year-old may have already found a new club.

Arsenal are believed to be “very keen” on Guehi, as are Liverpool, so Spurs may even have their work cut out for them in this instance. He’s about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park, but Palace will still demand around £50 million, according to GiveMeSport.

Sunderland’s defenders really did lead by example all across the Black Cats’ dramatic playoff fixtures.

Without Daniel Ballard, Regis Le Bris’ men might well have crashed out of the lottery of the Championship playoffs at the semi-final stages, but, thankfully, the Northern Ireland international connected with Enzo Le Fee’s corner kick delivery expertly to seal Sunderland’s place at Wembley after beating Coventry City.

At Wembley itself, the defenders had to dig deep once more, with Chris Mepham stepping up to the mark in Luke O’Nien’s injury absence by winning four duels and registering 12 clearances to keep Sheffield United largely at bay.

But, with Mepham now gone, Sunderland could look to add some fresh centre-backs for the testing mission of the Premier League to come, with O’Nien one figure who might well have to drop into the reserves despite being a loyal Wearside servant.

O'Nien's heroics at Sunderland

This is the cutthroat nature of the beast after all, with those who are deemed dependable in the Championship perhaps not cut out for the gruelling step-up to the Premier League.

O’Nien has only ever tasted EFL football all across his drawn-out career to date, with the ex-Wycombe Wanderers defender’s no-nonsense approach making him a firm fan favourite at the Stadium of Light from day one.

Indeed, as Sunderland shot up the leagues from League One obscurity to the brink of top-flight football, so did the quality of O’Nien’s performances, with the Black Cats veteran now up to 314 appearances for the Wearside giants, on top of collecting 23 goals and 16 assists along the way.

However, the versatile Sunderland mainstay – who can also play in central midfield – isn’t without his limitations, with a stacked list of 52 yellow cards when donning a Black Cat jersey a major concern, especially if a skilful player in the division above brings out this hot-headedness in him.

Moreover, his complete lack of experience in the top-flight could also come back to bite Le Bris and Co. Therefore, if a move is soon to be on the table for a Premier League-ready centre-back to join the ever-growing camp, it’s a move that must be pursued.

The "outstanding" PL star who is a big O'Nien upgrade

That isn’t to say O’Nien won’t still play a part in Sunderland attempting to keep their heads above water, with his captain-like bravery a real asset to have around the building.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

But, the Premier League can eat promoted teams whole when it comes to leaky defensive displays creeping in, as seen in previous playoff winners Southampton shipping a league-high total of 86 strikes last season, leading to them finishing rock bottom of the pile.

This is where Liverpool colossus Joe Gomez could come to the rescue, with a recent report by the Guardian speculating that the newly promoted side are locked in an intense race to sign the Reds defender, alongside Newcastle, Aston Villa, Burnley, Leeds United, and various others.

The wide array of names here taking a look at the 28-year-old might well make it a tall order for Sunderland to win his coveted services, but if they were to land the ex-England international’s in-demand signature, they won’t feel as nervous as they do right now about their defensive options jumping into the elite league.

Just one quick glance at Gomez’s “outstanding” top-flight numbers – as he was once labelled by Reds teammate Virgil van Dijk – is enough to know why Sunderland would be immediately put at ease.

Notably, the London-born centre-back has only conceded 106 top-flight goals across his 149 appearances to date.

Much like O’Nien, too, the Liverpool number two can slot into multiple different positions on a pitch if needed, with Gomez potentially offering Le Bris cover in the left-back and right-back positions, alongside also being capable as a defensive midfielder.

With two Premier League titles glistening next to his name as well, snapping up Gomez would definitely show Sunderland mean business when stepping up a division, rather than settling for what they already possess.

Le Bris' next Rigg: Sunderland make approach to sign "outstanding" EFL star

Sunderland could be about to win their next Chris Rigg if they successfully sign this EFL ace.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 18, 2025

Celtic supporters are starting to get very excited about next season.

On Tuesday afternoon, in one of the worst-kept secrets in the history of Scottish football, Kieran Tierney’s return to the club was confirmed, six years after he was sold to Arsenal for £25m, still to this day a joint-club record.

So, with a true club icon and fans’ favourite on his way back to Paradise, Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment staff can turn their attention to other targets, but are the Premiership champions set to miss out on their dream centre-forward?

Latest on Celtic's pursuit of Mathias Kvistgaarden

According to a report by Michael Gannon of the Daily Record, Celtic’s interest in Mathias Kvistgaarden has cooled, with the 22-year-old, who is valued at £12m, set to join either West Ham United, Eintracht Frankfurt or Lazio instead.

The striker scored 23 goals this season for Brøndby, who finished third in the Danish Superligaen, and his performances have earned widespread praise.

Farzam Abolhosseini of Tipsbladet labels him “magical”, scout António Mango believes that he is “absolutely sensational” and Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout forecasts that Kvistgaarden will only continue to improve.

However, his £12m price-tag was always likely to prove prohibitive, considering Celtic’s record signing remains the £11m paid to sign Arne Engels last August.

So, with the Hoops now focusing on other targets, one in particular stands out.

Celtic's search for a new number nine

As has been previously reported, Celtic are one of many clubs interested in securing the services of Youssef El Kachati.

The 25-year-old is available as a free transfer, having left Telstar following the expiration of his contract.

Despite that, he departs Sportpark Schoonenberg a bona fide club legend, having scored 25 goals this season, firing the White Lions back into the Eredivisie for the first time in 47 years, netting five times in six play-off matches, on target home and away as Telstar defeated Willem II in the final.

So now, Martin McMillan of the Glasgow Times claims that El Kachati has turned down the chance to join German second-tier outfit Hannover, with Anthony Evans of the Daily Record reporting that Celtic are ‘supremely confident’ of making this deal happen.

The Dutch-born, Moroccan youth international’s performances in the Eerste Divisie have yielded plenty of praise, including from writer Martin Bjerke, who notes that El Kachati “combines physical presence with dynamic movement”, adding that he is “technically gifted”.

So, let’s assess how he compares to Kvistgaarden.

Appearances

45

38

Minutes

3,517

2,542

Goals

25

23

Assists

6

7

Shots on target %

40.5%

48.8%

Shots per 90

3.86

3.58

Shots on target per 90

1.56

1.75

Goals per shot

0.14

0.21

First and foremost, worth stating up front that, according to Global Football Rankings, the Superligaen is the 13th strongest league in the world, with the Dutch second division down in 70th, which is obviously worth considering.

That caveat aside, the pair do have similar statistics this season, with El Kachati scoring two more goals, albeit in around 1000 more minutes, while registering slightly more shots per 90.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Thus, it goes without saying that Kvistgaarden is a massive talent, and it is a blow that Celtic are seemingly set to miss out on him, but El Kachati certainly offers a low-cost, low-risk and potentially high-reward alternative.

Sinclair 2.0: £4.6m star who "wins games on his own" is Celtic's top target

Celtic are eyeing up a deal for a winger who could be their next Scott Sinclair.

ByDan Emery Jun 10, 2025

The transfer window has been open for a week now, and Arsenal need to kick into gear.

There may be another, longer window in which to confirm deals after the Club World Cup, but Mikel Arteta and Co risk falling further behind their Premier League rivals should they waste any more time.

For example, Manchester City have already received the ‘here we go’ treatment for Rayan Aït-Nouri and worse than that, Liverpool look insistent on signing the incredibly exciting Florian Wirtz as soon as possible.

However, the good news is that recent reports have linked Arsenal with another sensationally creative talent who could be their answer to the German international.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the star in question, it’s worth going over some of the other brilliantly talented players who have been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks and months, like Morgan Gibbs-White and Xavi Simons.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former could cost the Gunners a whopping £100m, although, given his undeniable importance to Nottingham Forest, the fact he’s Premier League proven and his tally of seven goals and ten assists in 34 PL games, that fee is hardly surprising.

On the other hand, Simons would cost substantially less at £65m and has arguably had an even better campaign for RB Leipzig this year, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.

Yet, there is another target who has now entered the picture, someone who’d be a better signing than both players above: Morgan Rogers.

Yes, according to a recent report from Charlie Gordon of the Express, Arsenal are now very interested in signing the Aston Villa star.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the North Londoners have already made contact over the English talent, although the Midlands club could demand a fee ‘well in excess of £70m.’

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rogers’ incredible ability and boundless potential, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he’d be the perfect answer to Wirtz.

Why Rogers could be Arsenal's Wirtz

So, while it’s certainly a bold claim to suggest that Rogers could be Arsenal’s own Wirtz this summer and beyond, there are a few reasons why we feel more than comfortable making it.

The first is that even though the German did have marginally better output this season, both players produced very similar numbers in this regard, and the Villa ace in a league UEFA ranks as the toughest in Europe – with the Bundesliga coming as the fourth hardest.

For example, the Bayer Leverkusen star scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in 45 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.45 games.

Appearances

54

45

Goals

14

16

Assists

15

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.53

0.68

In comparison, the Villans’ creative “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, managed to score 14 goals and provide 15 assists in 54 appearances, which comes out to a still impressive but ever-so slightly worse average of a goal involvement every 1.86 games.

On top of their output, the pair are both 22 years old and while they can play in a number of positions – the “unstoppable” Claret and Blue gem, as dubbed by Jamie Carragher, being particularly adept at playing out wide – they are undoubtedly at their best as the most attacking midfielder in the team.

Finally, if these deals do go through, then both internationals would be moving to two of the favourites for the title next season and would almost certainly be doing so with the intention of revolutionising their respective sides’ creativity and attacking style.

Ultimately, while he’s not as big a name and has a lower price tag, Rogers looks like he could be Arsenal’s own Wirtz this summer and beyond, so Arteta and Co should do everything they can to bring him to the club as soon as possible.

Arsenal very close to signing £50m star who's a Saka & Rodrygo hybrid

The uber-talented international could be just the winger Arsenal need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 6, 2025

Glasgow Rangers and 49ers Enterprises could be a marriage made in heaven. Of course, things are still very much in the pre-wedding phase.

The club were crying out for new investment and this summer can see the beginning of a new era for the Light Blues. First of all, a permanent manager must be appointed, preferably sooner rather than later, especially given the size of the task at hand.

It remains to be seen just how big a budget the manager will be given this summer to improve the squad. It might be the case that he will have to sell a few players in order to raise funds and reduce the wage bill.

Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, and Rafael Fernandes have all returned to their parent clubs following their respective loan spells at Ibrox.

Elsewhere, Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence, and Leon Balogun have all departed following the end of their contracts. Balogun and Hagi were both part of the squad that won the Premiership title in 2021.

A new era indeed. Regardless of who the new boss is, players such as Ben Davies and Kieran Dowell could be sold, especially after strong loan spells at Birmingham City.

Robin Propper must be another player who has to go this summer.

Why Rangers must sell Robin Propper

Last summer, Philippe Clement sought several signings that would turn his side from also-rans to title winners.

In came players such as Nedim Bajrami, Hamza Igamane, and Cerny, but it was the defence that the club really needed to strengthen.

Connor Goldson was sold after six years at Ibrox and a new centre-back was identified as being a priority for Clement ahead of the season.

This led to the Gers bringing in FC Twente captain Propper, who had made over 100 appearances for the Dutch side. On the surface, it looked like a shrewd signing, especially as the club paid just £1.5m to secure his signature.

After a few months, however, it was evident that the Dutchman was struggling to cope with the physicality of Scottish football. He was regularly being out-muscled and outfought by strikers of teams further down the table, while his lack of pace didn’t help either.

He delivered worse performances in the Europa League, and when compared to his positional peers in the competition, his statistics are poor to say the least.

Accurate passes

57.9

Tackles

1.6

Clearances

4

Total duels won

5.6

Possession lost

8.5

Balls recovered

3.3

Indeed, he ranks in the bottom 75% for pass completion percentage, progressive passes, progressive carries, and tackles per 90 in the Europa League. The defender just cracks the top 45% for blocks and clearances per 90 for the Light Blues.

While Rangers may have reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, they might have gone further had Propper not been part of the team.

He will turn 32 in September, and it is obvious that his best days are behind him, based on his disappointing performances for the Gers this season. Depending on the style of play of the new manager, Propper must surely be aiming to look for another team this summer.

With Balogun already departed and Ben Davies likely to be sold as well, signing a centre-back or two during the transfer window is imperative, and the arrival of a new one could result in Propper’s exit.

Could the 49ers turn to the Premier League to bring someone in?

Rangers eye swoop for Premier League defender

Last week, Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie delivered some transfer news on X surrounding the club’s interest in Ipswich Town centre-back Cameron Burgess.

He posted: “Rangers are interested in Ipswich defender Cameron Burgess as they seek to bolster their defence ahead of the new season.

“29-yo has played 18 times in the Premier League this season.”

The link certainly came out of the blue, but it was a welcome one. With Ipswich suffering relegation from the top flight, now could be the perfect time for the Gers to make a move for the Australian.

If so, the manager must axe Propper.

Why Rangers should sign Cameron Burgess

Across his 18 Premier League appearances for Ipswich Town this term, Burgess has won 3.6 total duels per game – a success rate of 68% – while also making an impressive 6.9 clearances and 0.9 tackles per game for the Tractor Boys.

It wasn’t enough to see them slip back into the second tier, but Burgess wasn’t the problem, far from it.

Burgess has showcased his talents when compared to other defenders in the Premier League, ranking in the top 21% for aerial duels won (2.57), the top 2% for clearances (7.48), and in the top 5% for percentage of dribblers tackled (81.8%) per 90 this season.

Scottish scout and analyst Kai Watson hailed the defender amid the links to Rangers, saying: “Cameron Burgess may not be the most exciting signing on paper but he’ll bring necessary experience to the back, particularly if Balogun departs.

“He’s 6’4, left sided, an Australian international and uses the ball well (Ipswich struggled to keep it which impacts his %s).”

As Watson mentions, Burgess uses the ball well at the back, but what Rangers need is a defender who is physically capable of getting the better of opposition forwards in the penalty area.

Too often have the club seen opposition players get plenty of time in the final third, which has given clubs such as Motherwell, St Mirren and Hibs chances to secure victory against the Glasgow side this season.

Propper was a big factor in some of these defeats. By signing Burgess, the Gers will be getting someone who is currently at the peak of their powers.

His contract expires in a couple of weeks, which means he won’t cost the Light Blues a single penny, making the move all the more attractive.

Perhaps not the big-name signing many of the supporters are hoping for, but the Australian would offer some solidity to a backline which has struggled throughout 2024/25.

He won’t demand a massive wage either. Everything points to this being a smart piece of business by the club; that much is certain.

Gerrard's next Defoe: Rangers could sign PL "living legend" this summer

Rangers must make a move for a current Premier League striker this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 24, 2025

It’s been an unusual season for Arsenal this year.

It has felt as if Mikel Arteta’s side have simply gone from one disaster to another, and yet, as things stand, they look set for a second-place finish in the Premier League and almost made it to the final of the Champions League.

However, while challenging is nice, the North Londoners have now done that for three campaigns on the bounce, and fans are understandably demanding that they get across that finishing line next season.

Fortunately, the board seem intent on making the signings to help them do that this summer, with recent reports now linking the club to a prolific goalscorer who could be an ideal Viktor Gyokeres alternative and a massive Kai Havertz upgrade.

Arsenal's striker search

While Arsenal have been linked with a host of sensational strikers in recent weeks and months, perhaps the most significant have been to Sporting CP star Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Swedish international was touted for a move to North London last summer, and now, in recent weeks, it appears as if new Sporting Director Andrea Berta has really stepped up the club’s pursuit of the former Coventry City man.

In fact, reports from the last week or so have gone as far as claiming that the player has already agreed terms with the Gunners, while others have asserted that the North Londoners have submitted a bid in the region of £63m.

However, for all the goals Gyokeres has scored this season – 53 in all competitions – Arteta and Co might prefer to sign someone who could be even more of a sure thing, someone Premier League-proven, someone like Bryan Mbeumo.

Yes, according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal have an ‘active interest’ in the Brentford star, whose raw output, versatility and underlying numbers have left the recruitment staff impressed.

However, given the Cameroon international’s importance to the Bees and the interest from other sides like Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Newcastle United, he wouldn’t come cheap, with the West Londoners expected to demand around £60m for his services this summer.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Mbeumo’s sensational ability, it’s worth pursuing, especially since he could be an ideal Havertz upgrade.

How Mbeumo compares to Havertz

So, the first to say is that while Mbeumo has primarily played off the right for Brentford, he’s no stranger to playing down the middle either, making 42 appearances as a second striker and 32 as a centre-forward.

Therefore, with that in mind and the fact that Bukayo Saka is near-enough undroppable when fit, it seems likely that Arsenal would sign the Bees ace primarily with the intention of starting him up top, in turn placing him up against Havertz for game time.

With that said, who comes out on top between the two attackers?

Well, when it comes to their raw output, which is, of course, what matters more than anything else for a striker, it’s the “unplayable” Cameroonian, by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who comes out miles ahead.

For example, so far this season, he has scored 19 goals and provided nine assists in just 41 appearances, totalling 3487 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games, or every 124.53 minutes.

In contrast, the Gunners’ number 29 has scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 35 appearances, totalling 2790 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.75 games, or every 139.5 minutes.

Unfortunately for the former Chelsea ace, the one-sided nature of this comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

Goals + Assists

0.70

0.64

Progressive Passes

3.74

2.95

Progressive Carries

3.41

1.46

Shots

2.06

2.83

Shot on Target

0.93

1.11

Key Passes

1.84

1.08

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.54

0.49

Passes into the Final Third

1.71

1.53

Shot-Creating Actions

3.82

2.24

Goal-Creating Actions

0.54

0.15

Successful Take-Ons

1.38

0.49

Ball Recoveries

4.04

2.09

For example, the “monster” forward, as dubbed by presenter Beth Tucker, comes out on top in the majority of relevant metrics, such as goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries shot and goal-creating actions, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while he might not be the biggest name around, Mbeumo has shown this season that he has what it takes to score bags and bags of goals in the Premier League, and therefore, Arsenal should sign him, even if it would be bad news for Havertz.

Their original Zubimendi: Deal done for £110k-per-week ace to leave Arsenal

Arsenal are set to lose one or two midfielders this summer.

ByMatt Dawson May 20, 2025

Nottingham Forest have endured a season that the supporters will remember for a lifetime, still having the opportunity to secure Champions League football with four games left of the season.

The Reds have gone from relegation strugglers to European hopefuls in just one campaign under Nuno Espírito Santo’s guidance, which has undoubtedly been one of the stories of the year.

Their low-block and counter-attacking style has taken countless Premier League sides by storm, allowing them to produce the performances and results that have catapulted them to huge success.

No one could’ve predicted the rise endured by the club in the last few months, with many pundits across the United Kingdom predicting Nuno’s men to get relegated before a ball was kicked.

Numerous players have stepped up to the plate in the last few months, aiding their unlikely ambitions of securing a place in the Champions League and looking to be worth every penny of the fee paid for their signature.

Sangare & Anderson’s stats for Forest in 2024/25

Ibrahim Sangare joined Forest in a £30m deal from Dutch side PSV, looking to nail down his place at the heart of the midfield, but nearly two years on, it’s safe to say things haven’t gone as planned.

The Ivorian has massively struggled with injuries, making just 30 appearances in his two seasons, 12 of which have come this term after missing six months with a hamstring issue.

The same can’t be said for £35m signing Elliot Anderson, who’s been a crucial player to Nuno this campaign, featuring in all but one Premier League outing to date.

He’s managed to notch eight combined goals and assists during his first season at the City Ground, leading to admiration from Liverpool – highlighting his development in the East Midlands.

At just 22, Anderson has bags of time to improve further throughout his career, potentially having a huge role to play in any European tour endured throughout 2025/26.

Despite the aforementioned pair being the two most expensive additions in their history, one other first-team member is now worth more than the duo, showcasing his own rise under Nuno at the City Ground.

The Forest star who’s now worth more than Sangare & Anderson

The next couple of weeks are vital to Forest, with the financial benefits of securing Champions League football massively boosting their ambitions of recruiting top-level talent.

Such a qualification would also boost their current PSR standing, pulling them further away from any form of breach, which would result in yet another points deduction.

However, any chances of finishing within the top five could rely on winger Anthony Elanga, with the Swedish star producing countless moments of magic in recent times to help the side reach their current standing.

The 23-year-old joined the club from Manchester United for just £15m back in the summer of 2023, looking to be an absolute bargain given the levels produced since his transfer.

He managed to achieve a total of five goals and nine assists in all competitions during his debut season on Trentside, before notching six goals and ten assists in the current campaign – leading to journalist Simon Stone labelling him as “superb”.

Arguably, his most iconic effort of the year was his 85-yard run and goal against his former employers, helping Nuno’s side secure a 1-0 victory in the East Midlands back in April.

He’s only played a maximum of 45 minutes in four of the Reds’ last five outings in all competitions, with the four losses during that time appearing to be no coincidence.

Games played

34

Goals & assists

15

Pass accuracy

77.4%

Chances created

1.8

Dribbles completed

0.96

Fouls won

1.47

Recoveries made

3.44

Crosses completed

1.34

As a result of his impressive showings since his transfer, Elanga is now valued at £30m by Transfermarkt, doubling the fee they paid for his signature in 2023, highlighting his rise since joining the club.

Such a figure is higher than those of Sangare and Anderson, who are now both valued at £23m and £25.5m respectively – with the latter being extremely harsh given his impressive season in 2024/25.

His tally of 30 combined goals and assists for Forest showcases how threatening he’s been in the final third, having the ability to play a key role in their potential Champions League campaign next year.

However, if they are to finish the job in the next couple of weeks, Elanga must start each one of the remaining fixtures, with his inclusion massively increasing the club’s chances of ending their fairytale season on a high.

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Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have now identified a 30-year-old who they could sign in a £34 million transfer, according to a recent report.

Ruben Amorim confirms Diogo Dalot injury blow

Ahead of United’s next Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth, Amorim has revealed that his side have suffered another injury blow. Defender Diogo Dalot has suffered a calf injury and could potentially miss the rest of the season.

Amorim said in his press conference on Friday: “He has a problem with his muscle in his calf. He had a sequence of games; he played all the time. We tried to manage, but some of the players have to play a lot of minutes, and we have to protect the ones that we think are not so ready to cope with that, but Dalot felt something.”

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This is a big blow for Amorim and United, as the Portuguese international has been a persistent starter for the Red Devils this season, cementing that right wing-back spot as his own.

His absence from their Premier League matches isn’t much of a concern, given there isn’t anything riding on those games, but Amorim will be hoping he can have his defender back for the Europa League, even if it is the second leg or final, should United get there.

Man Utd want to sign 30 y/o compared to Matic in £34m transfer

As Amorim tries to deal with his latest injury blow, according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, relayed by Sport Witness, Man Utd are now interested in signing midfielder Stanislav Lobotka from Napoli.

The report states that his performances for Antonio Conte’s side have caught the attention of United, who have ‘expressed a desire’ to hold talks with the player’s agent. It goes on to add that Napoli may look to move the player on this summer, as they see it as their last chance to earn a lot of money from his exit, as he is under contract until 2027.

Given that Lobotka will turn 31 soon, Conte believes his value will only go down and therefore are willing to do business should they receive an offer of €40 million, which is roughly £34 million.

Interest from United comes as they may look to move Casemiro on at the end of the campaign, and therefore, a replacement will be needed, and Labotka could be that person, as he is someone who is very similar to Nemanja Matic, a player United fans know very well.

Lobotka

Matic

Apps

29

25

Assists

1

1

Progressive carries

29

33

Progressive passes

112

132

Passes attempted

1619

1243

Passes completed

1463

1080

Tackles (Won)

43 (28)

35 (28)

Interceptions

20

12

Clearances

57

27

However, the Red Devils are not the only team chasing his signature, as Barcelona have been linked with the midfielder a few times, and French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping an eye on the player. Labotka has really impressed this season, so much so that former Arsenal midfielder and now Como manager Cesc Fàbregas has labelled the midfielder as someone who can “make you win games”.

Fabregas said: “Napoli have many players who won the league, like Lobotka. Please, give me Lobotka. What a player, Mamma Mia. He is marvellous. Players like this make you win games for their ability to understand football and recover many balls. I go crazy for players like this.”

Tottenham Hotspur are now pushing hard to sign an “incredible” midfielder, and they are confident they will win the race for his signature, according to a report.

Tottenham eyeing reinforcements in multiple areas

Barring an unlikely triumph in the Europa League, the 2024-25 campaign is likely to go down as a season to forget for Tottenham, with it looking increasingly likely they will finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Injuries no doubt haven’t helped their cause, but the fact Spurs have fallen way below expectations indicates several reinforcements may be needed in the summer, and they are eyeing players in multiple positions.

A new striker is of interest, with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison suffering their fair share of injury problems this season, and the Lilywhites are now making moves to sign Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while they are also stepping up their pursuit of Lille’s Jonathan David.

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With Cristian Romero potentially in line to leave Tottenham this summer, a new centre-back may also be required, and they are incredibly keen on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, who is set to be available on a free transfer.

Tah is not the only free agent that Tottenham are eyeing, however, with a report from The Boot Room revealing they are determined to sign Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, whose contract is set to expire this summer.

Spurs are pushing hard to get a deal for Gomes over the line, having been leading the race for his signature for quite some time, and they are confident they will be able to strike an agreement.

London rivals West Ham United have also been linked with a move for the 24-year-old, but widespread reports state he has turned down a move to the London Stadium.

Signing "incredible" Gomes could be shrewd business

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has made it clear Tottenham will have to be clever with how they operate in the transfer market this summer, saying: “We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club,”

“Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.”

As such, it would be financially prudent to pursue free agents this summer, and signing Gomes could be a shrewd bit of business, given how impressive he has looked in a Lille shirt, notably impressing with his long-range passing last season.

The England international has also been lauded as “incredible” by Carlisle United midfielder Callum Whelan, indicating he could be a fantastic addition for Tottenham, who may be in need of at least one new midfielder, with Yves Bissouma’s future in doubt.