All posts by h716a5.icu

Manchester United have a conundrum in midfield which needs to be solved sooner rather than later.

Ruben Amorim’s infamous 3-4-2-1 system, which he is insistent on sticking to, operates with a double pivot. Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro are his first choices in that role this season.

That has left a few players out in the cold this season, without regular minutes. The two players who have tended to be left on the sidelines are Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte. The England international is yet to start a Premier League game this season, and former Sporting man Ugarte has not been able to get into the side over Casemiro.

It seems as though the Red Devils are targeting a new midfielder who can slot into the side.

Man Utd looking to sign England international

The Manuncian side have already begun a mini-revolution in the centre of the park. They have recently signed young Colombian Cristian Orozco, who will perhaps start in the youth team but could well be considered a first-teamer in the future.

Elliot Anderson is a name who is regularly linked with a move to Old Trafford but he’s not the only England international in the crosshairs of INEOS.

Indeed, according to a report from Football Insider, Atletico Madrid and England midfielder Conor Gallagher is a player the club continue to ‘monitor’ ahead of the January transfer window.

There has been previous interest in the former Chelsea star from Premier League clubs. Crystal Palace wanted him last summer, and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested.

However, Amorim’s side are described as ‘frontrunners’ for Gallagher. As far as a fee is concerned, it has been reported that a bid in the region of £26m could be accepted.

Why Gallagher would be a good signing

The signing of Gallagher could well be a strong addition to United’s midfield. Described as a “warrior” in the middle of the park by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, he would bring Premier League experience.

Indeed, Gallagher has made 136 appearances in the English top flight, for boyhood side Chelsea, as well as loan spells at Crystal Palace and West Brom. That ready-made experience in the Premier League could be vital for Amorim, as he would need little to no adaptation period.

Of course, over the last 18 months, the former Chelsea star has been plying his trade in La Liga for Atleti. He’s played 69 times for Diego Simeone’s side, chipping in with six goals and six assists. That included a strike against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.

If the Red Devils were to sign Gallagher this winter, he could prove to be the long-term replacement for Casemiro. United’s Brazilian midfielder is out of contract soon, and it seems like he could be on his way at the end of the campaign.

Indeed, he is a hard man to replace. The former Los Blancos star has been a key figure in that midfield pivot for Amorim, making 12 appearances and chipping in with three goals.

That included this effort against Gallagher’s former side, Chelsea, at Old Trafford.

Replacing Casemiro in that United midfield would not be easy for Gallagher. Aside from his potent threat in the final third, the Brazilian, of course, is a master at breaking up play and winning the ball back.

However, when looking at the stats, it suggests that the Atleti star possesses the skills to do just that. For example, he’s averaged 4.12 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes this season, compared to just 3.6 each game for Casemiro.

Progressive passes

3.73

5.07

Key passes

0.59

0.93

Progressive carries

2.75

0.67

Tackles and interceptions

4.12

3.60

Ball recoveries

4.71

5.60

Finding the man who can eventually step into Casemiro’s shoes was never going to be easy for Amorim. Yet, in Gallagher, United may have landed upon the perfect player. He still has plenty of quality on the ball and final third threat, whilst also being an efficient ball winner.

Furthermore, he’s also got energy, something Casemiro lacks. Indeed, he has been described as an “intensity monster” and as “one of the best midfielders in the sport when it comes to running long distances” by one notable analyst on social media.

£26m is a small fee in the current market, and should the Red Devils choose to pay it, they could have finally found the perfect player to replace Casemiro.

The new Garnacho: Man Utd ready £131m bid to sign the "best in the world"

Manchester United could be about to smash their transfer record in the upcoming January transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 30, 2025

The 2025 MLB season is fully underway but there's always an eye toward the future. To this end, MLB officials are reportedly already preparing for the next round of negotiations with the MLB Players Association for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. The current CBA is set to expire in December 2026, so talks on a new CBA will likely begin following this season.

On Thursday, CNBC reported league officials have been looking into a significant change ahead of those negoations. Per Alex Sherman and Lillian Rizzo, those at MLB have considered introducing a salary cap and a salary floor into the next CBA.

"MLB owners as well as Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office have begun privately contemplating what a new league economic structure could look like as the league heads toward a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with players, according to people familiar with the matter," Sherman and Rizzo wrote. "MLB officials have discussed adding both a salary cap and a salary floor, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. The Major League Baseball Players Association, however, has long been against a salary cap, and the group says its position hasn’t changed."

It would be a huge change. The Los Angeles Dodgers have become one of the most dominant teams in baseball in part because there is no limit on how much money they can spend to sign the best players. This has frustrated other owners, presumably on the basis that they don't have as much cash to throw around; it's gotten to the point where they are "agitating" for a cap to limit the financial imbalance.

The MLBPA, understandably, is not interested in any machinations that put a cap on how much money is getting thrown around to its players— which is where the salary floor comes in, a minimum amount of money every MLB team must spend annually. Introducing both would shrink the gap between the highest-spending and lowest-spending teams around the league, which has grown to be quite dramatic in recent years. For 2025, the Dodgers lead the league in spending with a $331 million payroll. The lowest-spending team in the league? The Miami Marlins, with $68 million in payroll.

Potentially big changes are down the road for the game of baseball.

Next season will be huge for Arne Slot during his reign at Liverpool, looking to build on the success he endured after taking over from Jürgen Klopp last summer.

Very few people would’ve predicted that the Reds would win the Premier League title at the first attempt, especially after only signing one player in the form of Federico Chiesa.

However, with Jeremie Frimpong already arriving at Anfield and a whole host of other European stars linked with a switch to Merseyside, the 2025/26 season will bring new pressure on the manager.

The club will have gone from the hunters to the hunted, and with huge funds being splashed, it will place added pressure on the side to perform in their attempts to claim back-to-back title glory.

After the arrival of the Dutchman, Slot has continued to pursue players to help improve his first-team squad, with numerous names constantly linked with a summer switch to the Reds.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new additions

Over the last couple of days, players in a whole host of positions have been linked with a move to join Liverpool, further showcasing Slot’s ambitions for his second year at the helm.

The likes of Marc Guehi, Victor Osimhen and Rayan Cherki have all been touted with a move to Anfield, but as of yet, there appears to be little to no movement on any of those deals.

However, the same can’t be said in a deal for midfielder Xavi Simons, with the Reds keen on a move for the RB Leipzig star, according to TEAMtalk’s latest report.

Their update claims that the Reds have noted the 22-year-old as a viable option ahead of the summer window, following his impressive year in the Bundesliga, which saw him register 10 goals and seven assists.

It also states that Slot is a huge admirer of his compatriot, but they will have to pay a fee in the region of £65m to prise him away from the German outfit during the off-season.

Why Liverpool’s £65m target is the dream Wirtz alternative

It’s been no secret that attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz has been a key target for Liverpool over the last couple of weeks, even placing a £110m bid for the Bayer Leverkusen star.

Whilst such an offer was rejected for the 22-year-old, the Reds are set to return to negotiations with the Bundesliga outfit, willing to pay up to £130m – a fee that would break the English record set by Moises Caicedo back in 2023.

It would be a huge statement from the hierarchy that the club are serious about cementing their place at the top of the table next season after the recent title triumph.

However, given the fact that negotiations have slowed down over recent days, it leaves the door open to a potential move elsewhere for other players also on their radar.

Simons could be the perfect alternative, costing half of the fee that Leverkusen are demanding for Wirtz, whilst also offering a better option in numerous areas.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from this season, the Dutchman has outperformed him in multiple departments, demonstrating why he is “one of the best 10s in the world”, in the words of one analyst on social media

Simons, who’s also been labelled “exceptional” by Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists this season, but has registered a higher goal per shot on target rate – having a more clinical edge than the German.

Games played

25

31

Goals & assists

17

22

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.2

Pass accuracy

79%

78%

Key passes completed

2.2

2.1

Carries into final third

3

2.7

Aerials won

42%

20%

Fouls won

2.4

1.4

He’s also completed more key passes and carries into the final third per 90, having the creative side to his game that could allow other players around him to thrive to Anfield.

The Dutch star has also won more aerials and won more fouls per 90, offering a constant threat to the opposition backline, handing Slot an impressive option within attacking areas.

There’s no denying that Wirtz is the main option in such a department, but a deal for Simons could prove to be a better signing, costing half the fee but providing just as, if not more, of an impressive option.

Should a deal fall through for the Leverkusen star, the Leipzig youngsters should be the club’s main priority, needing to act quickly to avoid him being snapped up by a divisional rival.

Their own Mbappe: Liverpool make £150m star their dream target after Wirtz

Liverpool could be about to make another huge move for a player during this summer’s transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 4, 2025

Arsenal’s search for a striker is set to dominate headlines as we enter the first mini-summer transfer window, and it’s an area of the squad which sporting director Andrea Berta is working hard to address.

Arsenal in ongoing talks for Benjamin Sesko in search of striker

Gabriel Jesus’ ACL rupture in their FA Cup defeat to Man United, and Kai Havertz’s lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury, crippled Mikel Arteta’s options up front during the second half of 2024/2025, prompting the Spaniard to utilise Mikel Merino in an emergency striker role.

Arsenal given fresh Martin Zubimendi worry as Sociedad president speaks out

The north Londoners are reportedly closing in on a deal for him.

ByEmilio Galantini May 30, 2025

Merino performed well, but that injury crisis up front brought yet more attention to Arteta’s glaring need for a prolific centre-forward.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

A proven number nine has long been touted as the final missing piece of Arteta’s jigsaw, and Berta is said to be laying the groundwork on deals to bring Arsenal’s long search for a new striker to an end this summer.

Arsenal have held talks over signing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, according to some reports, and they were heavily linked with a move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, until this week at least.

Now, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has entered pole position to become Arsenal’s answer to their goalscoring woes, and “concrete” talks are underway after Berta’s meeting with Leipzig director Marcel Schafer in London.

The Gunners are said to be putting their focus on a deal for Sesko, and discussions are centered around a payment structure for his £67 million release clause.

While Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg claims Gyokeres is still high on Arsenal’s list despite these Sesko talks, Spanish media sources claim their negotiations for the Slovenian have put an end to their chase for Sporting’s serial goalscorer.

Arsenal pull plug on Viktor Gyokeres deal after opening Sesko talks

According to reports from Spain, cited by Football 365, Arteta has now ‘ruled out’ an Arsenal move for Gyokeres, and they’ve now ‘withdrawn from the bidding’ to sign him – which could open the door for other linked sides like Man United and Barcelona.

This follows their decision to up the ante in pursuit of Sesko, so going by this update, it appears the 22-year-old is now their priority target.

Given the costs involved when it comes to a deal for Sesko, we wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal pull a U-turn on this call, especially considering that Gyokeres could leave Sporting for just £60 million.

The “quality” ex-Coventry City star is fresh off the back of an exceptional campaign, scoring 54 goals in all competitions, and there are reports in Portugal that Arsenal have already offered Gyokeres a contract, so he could just be on the back-burner for now.

“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games,” said Sporting boss Rui Borges about Gyokeres.

“The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”

The Premier League has had some of the best passers in recent history, such as Paul Scholes, Xabi Alonso and David Beckham.

Pass completion percentage is now a big part of the modern day’s data-driven analysis, with possession-based styles being adopted by more and more managers.

But who was statistically the best passer in England’s top flight during the 2024/25 season? Using data from football analytics site FBref, we’ve listed the top 10 Premier League players by pass completion rate. (Note: players have to have played at least 30 minutes per match to be counted.)

Top 15 Fastest Football Players in the World in 2024 (Ranked)

Who has recorded the fastest speeds this year?

ByStephan Georgiou Oct 18, 2024

Data correct as of 25th May 2025

1

William Saliba

Arsenal

94.3%

2

Manuel Akanji

Man City

93.6%

3

Ruben Dias

Man City

93.5%

4

Curtis Jones

Liverpool

93.1%

=5

Andre

Wolves

92.9%

=5

Ezri Konsa

Aston Villa

92.9%

7

Jan Bednarek

Southampton

92.7%

8

Mateo Kovacic

Man City

92.6%

9

Leny Yoro

Man Utd

92.4%

10

Jack Stephens

Southampton

92%

Here's a detailed look at the top 10 Premier League passers in 2024/25… 10 Jack Stephens (Southampton) 92% pass completion

Southampton defender Jack Stephens, though the centre-back had an injury-impacted campaign as he only started 17 times.

He still scraped into the top 10 come the end of the season, squeezing ahead of Premier League-winning captain Virgil van Dijk in the process.

9 Leny Yoro (Man Utd) 92.4% pass completion

Manchester United may have endured a dreadful season, but one of the brighter elements of the campaign perhaps came in the form of Leny Yoro’s emergence in the first team.

The Frenchman took time to make his mark at Old Trafford after getting injured soon after signing, but ended the season as one of their most reliable players – made all the more remarkable given his age of 19.

Interestingly, another new signing was United’s next-best passer – Matthijs de Ligt clocked an average of 89.9% successful passes throughout 2024/25.

8 Mateo Kovacic (Man City) 92.6% pass completion

With numerous injuries at the Etihad Stadium, Mateo Kovacic was able to get more game time with Man City than he was perhaps expecting last season. He took his opportunity, whether that be in the form of scoring goals or his general all-round play.

As to be expected in a Guardiola side, Kovacic is tidy on the ball played a big role in the absence of Rodri.

Why Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d'Or

Not even a season-ending injury could stop Manchester City’s Rodri from claiming football’s biggest individual prize.

ByBarney Lane Oct 28, 2024 7 Jan Bednarek (Southampton) 92.7% pass completion

Southampton’s possession-based style saw Saints centre-back Jan Bednarek end up in the top 10.

The Saints may not have got anywhere near enough points on the board, but Bednarek’s pass completion rate was a rare positive sign at St Mary’s.

6 Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) 92.9% pass completion

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has been a regular under Unai Emery and offers the versatility of being able to play at right-back and centre-back.

The Englishman has now made over 200 appearances for Villa and is clearly comfortable on the ball.

5 Andre (Wolves) 92.9% pass completion

Arguably a surprise name on the list is Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Andre.

The Brazilian midfielder arrived from Fluminense ahead of the 2024/25 season but wasn’t a nailed-on starter under Gary O’Neil. He had been in and out of the starting lineup, but started more regularly under Vitor Pereira, showing his true worth to the Old Gold during this time.

4 Curtis Jones (Liverpool) 93.1% pass completion

One of the players who starred under Arne Slot during his first season as Liverpool manager was midfielder Curtis Jones.

Jones had the best pass completion rate of any Reds star and started 19 games last term as his rise in the first team continues.

3 Ruben Dias (Man City) 93.5% pass completion

Another Man City star on the list is Ruben Dias, with the Portugal international a mainstay in the Man City side.

Dias has found himself in the opposition half for plenty of City’s Premier League games due to their dominance, and he’s kept possession most of the time when on the ball. In fact, both of City’s centre-backs were exceptional last term…

2 Manuel Akanji (Man City) 93.6% pass completion

The top Man City passer last season was Manuel Akanji, who also occasionally chipped in at right-back as injuries bit hard at the Etihad Stadium.

The Switzerland international has seemingly nailed down a centre-back role under Pep Guardiola, becoming a trustworthy player in the absence of John Stones and Nathan Ake – particularly on the ball, if these stats are anything to go by.

1 William Saliba (Arsenal) 94.3% pass completion

Topping the charts this season is Arsenal star William Saliba, reaching over 94%.

A guaranteed starter for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta, Saliba’s place at the top of the game for some time is all but assured. Part of the reason for that is his calmness in possession, as evidenced by his high pass success rate.

The Best 15 Centre-Backs in World Football Ranked (2025)

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 20, 2025

Manchester United haven’t been shy of spending money over recent years, as seen by their window back in the summer of 2022 under former boss Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman was in charge and spent upwards of £200m in his first window to try and transform the fortunes of the side after numerous years of failure at Old Trafford.

Players such as Casemiro, Lisandro Martínez and Antony all arrived to join the Red Devils, arguably costing too much given their lack of impact since arriving.

The latter is currently spending the rest of the campaign out on loan at Real Betis, registering just one goal for the Red Devils up until January, leading to his subsequent temporary stint elsewhere.

Ruben Amorim will likely have funds available at his disposal this summer to improve their Premier League standing, needing to avoid a repeat of such a window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

With just a couple of weeks remaining until the summer window opens, United will have a huge task to try and right the wrongs of this season and build a competitive squad ahead of 2025/26.

Various players in different positions have all been targeted already, with the likes of Liam Delap, Ederson and Matheus Cunha just three names mentioned with a switch to Manchester.

However, another name has entered the mix, in the form of Monaco’s right-back Vanderson, that’s according to GIVEMESPORT’s latest update on the transfer front.

It confirms that the Red Devils are considering a move for the Brazilian this summer, with the Ligue 1 outfit demanding a fee in the region of £30m to offload the 23-year-old.

It also confirms that options are being considered across all areas of the pitch, with Amorim tempted to land a new right wing-back to help fit his 3-4-2-1 system in which he’s implemented since taking the reins.

Why United’s £30m target could be their own Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong has been a name massively mentioned across England in recent weeks, appearing to be edging ever closer to a switch to the Premier League.

It’s been reported that the Dutch international has approved a move to join fellow top-flight outfit Liverpool this summer, with Arne Slot’s side needing to trigger his £29.5m release clause.

The Bayer Leverkusen star would be the direct replacement for the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold, handing the Red Devils’ rivals another impressive option.

However, United will be hoping to close the gap to the Merseyside outfit next campaign, with Vanderson offering Amorim’s men their own version of the full-back.

When comparing their respective figures from the ongoing campaign, the Brazilian has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas – showcasing how much of a superb addition he would be at Old Trafford.

The right-back, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has registered more progressive passes and completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted – highlighting the impressive nature he possesses with the ball at his feet.

He’s also won more tackles per 90 and made more interceptions per 90 – handing Amorim an excellent option at both ends of the pitch, something which is perfect for a wing-back in his system.

Games played

28

33

Goals & assists

4

10

Progressive passes

4.5

2

Pass accuracy

78%

76%

Passes into final third

3.3

1.1

Shot-creating actions

2.6

2.5

Tackles won

2.1

0.9

Interceptions made

1.8

0.3

Take-on success

50%

29%

Aerials won

46%

33%

His talents don’t stop there, registering more shot-creating actions and winning more aerials than Frimpong – having the tools to be an excellent option should the club pursue a move for his signature.

£30m for Vanderson appears to be a superb price for a star who could easily slot into life in the Premier League, handing Amorim his own version of the soon-to-be Liverpool talent.

If United are to return to their former glory in the coming months, shrewd additions are needed to progress, with the Brazilian having all the tools to be a success at Old Trafford.

He'd make Bruno unplayable: Man Utd enter talks for "unbelievable" star

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could make Bruno Fernandes unplayable.

ByEthan Lamb May 16, 2025

Chelsea chiefs are informed that a Premier League forward who Atlético Madrid are pushing to sign wants to join Enzo Maresca’s side – with a transfer battle potentially brewing against the La Liga side.

Chelsea preparing for another very active summer window

With Chelsea participating in the Club World Cup, BlueCo are expected to be busy right from the off this summer, and could take full advantage of the early window, which opens from June 1 to June 10.

Shields pushing Chelsea to sign £90m Villa star amid belief price may drop

The Stamford Bridge recruiter is very keen.

ByEmilio Galantini May 10, 2025

A host of players face uncertain futures at Chelsea – including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Renato Veiga, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, João Félix, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi – who are all away on loan spells right now and seemingly out of Maresca’s plans.

Chelsea will likely attempt to find buyers for all the aforementioned crop, all while the west Londoners reportedly target a new centre-back, winger and striker as the priority signings on their agenda (Simon Phillips).

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

Depending on their qualification for the Champions League next season and how many unwanted players they can ship out the door, it is also believed that Chelsea could go for a second centre-back (who can play at left-back when required), an attacking midfielder and a goalkeeper (Simon Phillips).

All signs point towards a very busy off-season for the Chelsea recruitment team, and new forwards appear to be high on their to-do list.

Chelsea have held talks over Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens already, while reports in Italy claim Milan star Rafael Leao is also a target for the west Londoners.

However, another player who remains in their thinking is Man United’s Alejandro Garnacho.

Alejandro Garnacho wants to join Chelsea this summer

The Argentinian has scored 11 goals and assisted 10 others in all competitions so far, featuring regularly under new manager Ruben Amorim, but he could still make the move away from Old Trafford.

Chelsea did work on signing Garnacho in January, but a move for him ultimately couldn’t come to fruition. Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has told the Chelsea Chronicle that he could join Maresca this summer instead.

Indeed, it is believed Garnacho is also keen on a move to Chelsea, and the Blues are serious fans of the “huge talent”.

“Garnacho is very much still on Chelsea’s radar – they are looking for someone to operate from that left side, and they have done work on a lot of names,” said Bailey.

“I am told that the three at the top of their list are currently Jamie Gittens, Nico Williams and Garnacho.

“Chelsea are not set on one target and Garnacho is someone they like a lot, they tried to sign him in January. They know the player is keen on the move. And he is a huge talent, they think he would be a good fit. He seems to have been around forever, but he is still just 20.”

The South American would reportedly cost around £65 million, and Bailey has also written that Atlético are “pushing hard” to sign Garnacho as well, so he won’t be an easy capture by any means.

Burnley are now in a transfer battle with Leeds United as they both want to sign a “unique” Ipswich Town star, according to a recent report.

Burnley begin transfer plans as they eye midfield reinforcements

The Clarets only confirmed their promotion to the Premier League on Monday evening, but already Scott Parker and club chiefs are working on transfer business ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

Burnley want to sign Fulham ace who previously won promotion under Parker

Burnley are now looking to sign a player who has worked with their manager before.

ByBrett Worthington Apr 24, 2025

It’s been claimed by EFL pundit Lee Hendrie that Jonjo Shelvey will likely not be at Turf Moor next season. The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the campaign, and it is likely that he will not be offered a new deal, according to Hendrie.

That might be because Burnley already have his replacement in mind, as according to Give Me Sport, the Clarets are now interested in signing Harrison Reed from Fulham, a player who Parker knows well from his time working at Craven Cottage.

Fulham are said to be looking to strengthen their midfield this summer, and Reed could be allowed to leave should they receive the right offer. This has alerted Burnley, who are looking to strike a deal as the Clarets try to bring Premier League experience to their team.

Burnley in transfer battle for Ipswich star Hirst

But it is not just the midfield that the Clarets are looking to strengthen, as according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Burnley are interested in signing George Hirst from Ipswich this summer.

O’Rourke states that as well as the Lancashire side holding an interest in Hirst, Championship rivals Leeds are also keen on securing a deal for the striker, as the Tractor Boys look set to return to the second tier in English football.

However, while both sides can offer Premier League football, Ipswich are not willing to let Hirst just leave, as O’Rourke states that the Tractor Boys are desperately looking to tie the striker down to a new contract to ward off the interest, with Liam Delap expected to leave Portman Road this summer.

Hirst currently earns £27,500 a week at Ipswich, so the interested parties may have to stump up a significant increase to better whatever his current employers are offering.

Apps

76

Goals

18

Assists

11

The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed “unique” by Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, has had to be very patient this season, starting just three of the 21 Premier League games he’s played. Hirst has scored two goals in the process, his latest coming in the 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in March.

The Scotland international is still under contract until 2027, so Ipswich still have time on their hands, but Burnley and Leeds can both offer the forward another chance of playing in the Premier League, and this may be too hard for Hirst to turn down.

Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal Premier League campaign continued with a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home on Sunday.

Vitor Pereira’s side have been battling relegation throughout the season and moved to within two points of Spurs with their impressive victory at the weekend.

As you can see in the highlights above, the goals were largely down to poor defensive work from several Tottenham players, rather than them being cut open by quality play.

There is no hiding from the fact that Ange Postecoglou’s side have not been good enough defensively this season, as they have conceded 49 goals in 32 matches – more than any other traditional top-six side in the Premier League.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

As you can see in the graphic above, though, it was one of Tottenham’s attacking players – Dominic Solanke – who was one of the worst-rated performers against Wolves on Sunday.

The England international joined the club from Bournemouth for a reported fee of £55m, with a further £10m in potential add-ons, and has endured a frustrating first season in North London.

Why Dominic Solanke has been a flop for Spurs

For the money that was spent on him last year, Tottenham should expect instant quality from the 27-year-old marksman in his first year at the club.

Solanke arrived as an experienced player, aged 26 at the time of his move, with plenty of Premier League football under his belt for Bournemouth, which meant that he did not have to adjust to the league or the country in order to perform for Spurs.

Despite that, the English dud has failed to deliver goals on a consistent basis for Postecoglou, with a return of just 11 goals in 37 matches in all competitions.

The former Bournemouth star has averaged less than a goal every three games on average, which speaks to his lack of ruthlessness in the final third, and that has also been the case in the Premier League.

Starts

23

xG

9.92

Goals

7

Big chances missed

11

Minutes per goal

290

Assists

3

Duel success rate

39%

As you can see in the table above, Solanke has only scored seven goals in 23 Premier League outings for Spurs this term, underperforming his xG by roughly three goals.

A goal every 290 minutes and a negative xG differential for a £65m-rated, prime-aged, centre-forward is simply not good enough, which may be why the club are now reportedly looking to bolster their attack ahead of next season.

Spurs willing to spend big on Premier League star

According to a report from Spain, Spurs are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The outlet claims that there are six Premier League teams showing an interest in the Brazil international, who scored against Tottenham in the 4-2 win for his side on Sunday.

Transfer Focus

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

It reveals that Aston Villa, Spurs, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest are all eyeing up a swoop for the ex-Atletico Madrid star.

The report states that the Premier League sides are willing to spend big on the Brazilian dynamo, as they are prepared to pay £75m to land the impressive attacker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

It does not, however, claim whether or not Wolves would be willing to part ways with him for £75m, or whether or not Cunha would be interested in joining Tottenham, or any of the other teams that are reportedly interested in him.

Spurs must, now, push to convince the forward to join them this summer because he could come in as the huge upgrade that they need on Solanke at the top end of the pitch.

Why Cunha would be a huge upgrade on Solanke

The £75m-rated star would improve Tottenham’s team based on his form for Wolves, who are currently below Spurs in the table, in the Premier League this season.

Cunha has scored 14 goals from 7.27 xG in the top-flight for the Old Gold, which means that he has scored twice as many goals as Solanke despite having fewer high-quality xG chances to find the back of the net.

This shows that he is a ruthless finisher who does not need many high-quality opportunities to score goals at Premier League level, which is not the case with the ex-Bournemouth forward.

As you can see from the goal above, which was described as “Bergkamp-esque” by pundit Ashley Williams, the Brazilian magician has immense quality in the final third and the capacity to score amazing goals.

These statistics, and the nature of his goals for Wolves, suggest that he would be an upgrade on Solanke as a goal threat, by offering a clinical presence in front of goal, rather than being as wasteful as the English flop has been.

Starts

23

24

xG

9.92

7.27

Goals

7

14

Big chances created

6

12

xA

1.15

4.58

Key passes per game

0.6

1.7

Assists

3

4

As you can see in the table above, Cunha has significantly outperformed the £65m Spurs signing, who has failed to offer consistent quality as either a scorer or a creator of goals in the top-flight this term.

These statistics suggest that the Wolves sensation would also provide more creativity at the top end of the pitch, given that he has created twice as many ‘big chances’ and more than three times as much xA for his teammates in just one more start.

Therefore, £75m – only £10m more than the deal agreed for Solanke – could be a bargain deal for Spurs if they manage to win the race for his signature in the summer transfer window, because he has the potential to offer twice as much in front of goal, as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

100% duels lost: Spurs flop is in danger of becoming Jack Clarke 2.0

The Tottenham Hotspur defender is in danger of becoming the new Jack Clarke.

ByDan Emery Apr 14, 2025

Cunha would arrive as a Premier League proven star, with room to grow still at the age of 25, and Daniel Levy must, now, push to get this deal done to bolster Postecoglou’s squad for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

Manchester United are set to axe a £65,000-a-week player this summer who Ruben Amorim called out in his first game in charge.

Man Utd and Amorim preparing for summer after another defeat

The Red Devils can still salvage their season by lifting the Europa League, however, it has been a disappointing campaign on the whole.

Last time out in the Premier League, Man Utd suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United, with Amorim critical of his side making numerous mistakes.

Man Utd making moves to sign "incredible" assist king for bargain £20m fee

The Red Devils are in pursuit of a playmaker, who is set to leave his club on the cheap this summer.

ByDominic Lund Apr 15, 2025

“We did a lot of mistakes and they were better than us, stronger than us. Suffering the second goal in the beginning of the second half hurt us a lot and then we did mistakes during the game that helped Newcastle to win the game.

“It’s a team thing [and not about individuals]. We are doing a lot of mistakes in certain games that give confidence to the opponent, give goals, and then it’s hard to cope with everything. We had the first chance, we didn’t score, [then] they have their chance, they score. Then they took control of the game. We scored to draw but then second half, we were suffering in the second play of the game, it’s hard for our team and we did a lot of mistakes.”

Man Utd vs Lyon

April 17

Man Utd vs Wolves

April 20

Bournemouth vs Man Utd

April 27

Brentford vs Man Utd

May 4

Man Utd vs West Ham

May 10

One player who was dropped for the trip to St James’ Park was Andre Onana, and there have been plenty of rumours that the goalkeeper is unsettled at Old Trafford and looks set to be sold over the coming months.

There is interest from Saudi Arabia in Onana, whereas Man Utd are looking at replacements and have recently shown an interest in Anders goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

More Old Trafford exits are on the cards, though, and Fabrizio Romano has shared another Man Utd exit update.

Jonny Evans set to leave Man Utd – Fabrizio Romano

As per transfer expert Romano, Man Utd defender Jonny Evans and third-choice keeper Tom Heaton are both set to depart the club this summer when their contracts expire.

Evans, on £65,000-a-week, returned to the Red Devils in 2023 and has made 42 appearances in all competitions under Erik ten Hag and Amorim in recent years.

Now 37 years of age, the experience centre-back started Amorim’s first game as United boss against Ipswich Town back in November.

That was actually Evans’ last top flight appearance for United, with Amorim critical of the defender after the 1-1 draw.

“If you see the first half, we were a little bit afraid. The No.5 [Sam Morsy] was always alone, we have to jump on him. Hutchinson was always in the dead space, Jonny Evans should be pressing his guy, but when we don’t have the training and it’s hard to see say all the reactions to the players. We had two days, they are confused a little bit. If you stay here, you don’t run, you defend but you don’t run.”

Now, it looks as if Evans will be one of a number of Old Trafford players to depart, something that won’t come as a huge surprise due to his age and contract status.