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Rangers could finally be closing in on a new manager and the 49ers have now reportedly set a new timeline in their pursuit of Shanghai Port boss Kevin Muscat.

Rohl drops out of Rangers manager race

It’s been a chaotic international break for those at Ibrox. They’ve watched on as the likes of Kevin Thelwell and the rest of the board have attempted to replace Russell Martin, who they made the shortest-serving manager in the club’s history after sacking him just 123 days in.

It looked as though it could be Steven Gerrard – he was certainly their leading candidate – before the Liverpool legend handed them the most frustrating rejection. And he’s not been the only one to withdraw from contention. As reported by Ben Jacobs, former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has also dropped out of the race to become the next Rangers manager.

It’s the second time that the 36-year-old has been up for the Ibrox job and the second time that the 49ers will be looking elsewhere. Whether they’ll regret not pushing for his signature will be the big question in the coming weeks.

Rohl’s decision has very much left the door wide open for other candidates. The likes of Graham Potter and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have been mentioned in the last week, for example, and may yet receive their chance.

That said, the current favourite to take the job remains Muscat and with the Gers set to return to action this weekend, the Gers have reportedly taken a key step towards his arrival.

Rangers set Muscat timeline

According to Football Insider, the 49ers now want to strike an agreement with Muscat in the next 48 hours. There is reportedly growing confidence at Rangers that the 52-year-old will be the next man to take the reins and talks are advancing, even though it will mean convincing him to take a pay cut.

However, it remains to be seen just when Muscat will take charge. As things stand, he’s still got four Chinese Super League games to play at Shanghai Port, who sit top of the tree and two points clear.

Related "Brilliant" former assistant to Hansi Flick wants to be Rangers manager – report

He’s eager to get going…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 15, 2025

On course to win silverware and end an era in style, the Rangers manager candidate may not be keen to take the reins until the current Chinese season ends in mid-November.

If that does prove to be the case, then Rangers will have to appoint an interim until Muscat is available next month, with Neil McCann thought to be the likely option. Given where they find themselves in the Scottish Premiership – 11 points behind shock leaders Hearts – more disruption is the last thing that the Gers need.

Nonetheless, Muscat remains the favourite and most likely to take the job now that Rohl has removed himself from contention. After failing to get the job ahead of Philippe Clement in 2023, the former Rangers player could now finally get his chance to step into the Ibrox dugout.

This season feels like a hugely important one for Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca did an excellent job winning the Conference League and securing Champions League football last year, but his side need to take another step forward over the next ten months.

At the very least, the Blues should be looking to win another trophy and stay in the Premier League title race for longer than they did in 24/25.

Fortunately, the team is stronger today and has an array of incredibly talented youngsters coming through, including one who could rival Lamine Yamal in the not-too-distant future.

Chelsea's hotbed of young talents

Their transfer strategy has come in for plenty of criticism over the last few years, but Chelsea now have an abundance of incredible young talent in their squad.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, just this summer, Maresca has been handed one of the most promising defenders in Europe, Jorrel Hato.

The Dutchman is still just 19 years old but made an astounding 111 senior appearances for Ajax before his move last month.

Appearances

111

Starts

102

Minutes

9121′

Goals

4

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.11

Minutes per Goal Involvement

701.61′

Points per Game

1.86

Moreover, he captained the Amsterdam outfit on several occasions and has even won six senior caps for the Netherlands national team.

Likewise, despite turning 21 just last month, Jamie Gittens had already made 107 appearances for Borussia Dortmund before his move to Stamford Bridge.

In those games, the “explosive” Reading-born winger, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, was able to score 16 goals and provide 13 assists, and was described as “England’s best left winger in 2024/25” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley.

Last but by no means least, the West Londoners also got their hands on Alejandro Garnacho.

The former Manchester United ace might be something of a controversial player, but his talent is undeniable, and even though he played in a historically poor Red Devils side last season, he was still able to rack up 21 goal involvements.

Yet, while all three of these youngsters could be superstars for Chelsea, there is another prospect on the club’s books who feels like he could rival Yamal for the Ballon d’Or in the future.

Chelsea's Yamal rival

It’s hardly a controversial opinion to consider Yamal as already being one of the very best players in world football.

After all, the young Spaniard has won the European Championships with his country and La Liga titles with Barcelona, all before even turning 18.

So, if Chelsea have a player who could one day rival him for the very top honours, the youngster in question has to be something really quite special.

Fortunately, from what we have seen so far, and his performances back in Brazil, Estevao looks like the real deal.

The Blues signed the incredibly gifted 18-year-old from Palmeiras in the summer of 2024, but due to his age, he had to wait another year to officially join up with Maresca’s squad.

That extra year in his homeland might have been good for the Franca-born gem, as in just a few appearances for the Blues, he is already looking like the “future Ballon d’Or winner” that respected analyst Ben Mattinson claimed him to be.

For example, he came off the bench and added some much-needed dynamism to proceedings against Crystal Palace, and then when he was tasked with starting again against West Ham United in place of Cole Palmer, he was near unstoppable.

The Hammers seemingly had no way of stopping him, leading to panic every time he decided to take a defender on, which is also how he registered his first official assist for the club.

The dynamic winger is also now a regular face in Brazil squads and scored his first international goal in just his second start against Chile during this international break.

Ultimately, it might take him a season or two to really get up to speed, but Estevao looks like the potentially world-class talent so many expected him to be, and therefore, he could soon be challenging the likes of Yamal for future Ballon d’Ors.

Chelsea have struck gold on "insane" star who's worth more than Simons

The international star is going to be hugely important for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 9, 2025

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has lavished praise on another player after the Gunners’ dramatic late win away to Athletic Bilbao.

Mikel Arteta’s side opened their Champions League account for the season with a 2-0 victory in Spain on Tuesday evening, courtesy of goals from super subs Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard — emphasising the importance of strength in depth.

Leandro Trossard

8.1

Gabriel Martinelli

7.9

Jurrien Timber

7.4

Riccardo Calafiori

7.4

Cristhian Mosquera

7.3

via WhoScored

The attacking duo have been linked with Arsenal departures regularly even after the summer window closed on September 1, but their presence in the squad was vital as Arsenal kickstarted their European campaign by beating an in-form Bilbao side.

Martinelli’s burst of pace and excellent close control allowed him to get a yard on Bilbao’s defence, after bringing down a clever flick-on from Viktor Gyokeres, before driving through and slotting the ball home from close range.

The Brazilian then set up fellow substitute Trossard for Arsenal’s deflected second after a great run down the left, wrapping up what turned out to be a hard-fought victory at the San Mames.

It was a match-winning performance by the 24-year-old amid the constant criticism and uncertain future hanging over his head, with Arteta reserving special praise after the 90.

While Martinelli’s performance has understandably grabbed most of the headlines, Keown expressed how impressed he is with summer signing Cristhian Mosquera too.

Martin Keown praises Cristhian Mosquera after Arsenal win against Bilbao

The young Spaniard has deputised for the injured William Saliba to great effect, and is currently making the initial £13 million paid for his signature look like an absolute bargain.

Mosquera played at right-back against Leeds, but in the absence of Saliba, the 21-year-old has looked assured and composed at such a young age. His value has reportedly tripled already, with Keown praising Mosquera after Arsenal’s win in Bilbao.

Amid the noise surrounding Noni Madueke’s electric start at Arsenal, the impressive showings of Martin Zubimendi and Gyokeres’ goal return, Mosquera has perhaps gone under the radar.

Cristhian Mosquera to star for Arsenal

According to some reports, Arsenal believe Mosquera could be one of the best in the world in a few years, and if he carries on like this, the centre-back could hit that landmark sooner than anticipated.

The 21-year-old is good with the ball at his feet, able to play out of defence without panicking and is comfortable in multiple positions — whether that be in the middle or as a full-back.

Last season, Mosquera had the highest true tackle success rate out of any La Liga centre-back last season with over 76.7 per cent — which shows just how strong he is in one-on-one duels (Opta).

Still very young, the ex-Valencia sensation will only get better, and from what we’ve seen so far, the sky really is the limit.

Barcelona have abandoned the European Super League project, leaving Real Madrid isolated in their push to challenge UEFA. The Catalan giants believe UEFA’s Champions League reforms now meet their demands, ending their pursuit of a breakaway competition. The move marks a dramatic shift in stance that leaves Florentino Perez as the last pillar keeping the project alive.

• Barcelona drop Super League stance after UEFA reforms

  According to , Barcelona have decided to distance themselves from the European Super League, believing that the Champions League’s new format addresses many of the concerns that originally pushed them towards the breakaway idea. The Blaugrana are said to be satisfied with increased revenues and structural changes promised by UEFA, and no longer see the need for a rival competition.

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  Real Madrid left alone in battle against UEFA

  The Super League, first unveiled in 2021 by clubs including Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, collapsed under intense fan backlash and regulatory threats. While English sides swiftly pulled out, Madrid and Barca were among the last to cling to the concept. With Joan Laporta’s club now publicly satisfied with UEFA, Florentino Perez is left as the lone figure still pushing for the controversial tournament.

• Improved relations with UEFA boost Barcelona’s confidence

  Relations between UEFA and Barcelona have warmed in recent months, with Laporta’s administration believing they are being listened to more seriously. Aleksander Ceferin’s appearance in the Montjuic stadium during Barca’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain symbolised that improved relationship. Even though a legal ruling could favour the Super League’s promoters soon, Barcelona are set to let the project fade quietly, using the decision only as leverage to keep UEFA on their toes.

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  What lies ahead for Barca and Madrid

  Barcelona will now shift focus fully back to the pitch, preparing for a difficult away clash against Sevilla following their 2-1 Champions League defeat to PSG. Real Madrid, meanwhile, head into a La Liga clash against Villarreal after thrashing Kairat Almaty 5-0 in Europe. With Barca stepping away, the Super League looks increasingly like a fading dream but Perez’s persistence means the debate over UEFA’s dominance may not disappear anytime soon.

While they’ve faced more than a few questions over the transfer policy in recent seasons, Chelsea have built a squad stacked with sensationally talented gems.

Enzo Maresca has some incredible players all throughout his squad now, but it’s still easy to point to his most important: Cole Palmer.

The Englishman has only been at the club for two seasons, but has already amassed an unreal haul of 43 goals and 29 assists in 98 games.

When fit, the former Manchester City gem is the first name on the teamsheet, and so fans should be delighted about reports linking Chelsea with someone who could be their new Palmer.

Chelsea chase their new Palmer

In a shock to nobody, Chelsea have had another busy summer when it comes to transfers this year.

Transfer Focus

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

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On top of selling a host of players for a tidy profit, the Blues have made a number of exciting additions to Maresca’s Conference League-winning side.

The likes of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap should make the frontline far more potent, while Jorrel Hato looks like he could be one of the club’s star defenders in a few years.

Yet, with the window still open until Monday night, the West Londoners appear intent on adding more quality to the squad, and could be in with a chance of landing someone who may well be their new Palmer.

At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which has reaffirmed Chelsea’s interest in Kobbie Mainoo.

More than that, though, the report has revealed that the Manchester United gem is now open to the idea of leaving Old Trafford after being left on the bench against Arsenal and Fulham.

While a price has not been mentioned in the report, other updates from this week revealed that the Red Devils could allow the Englishman to leave for just £45m.

It remains to be seen if Chelsea will be able to work out a deal for Mainoo in time, but if they do, they could be getting themselves their new Palmer.

Why Mainoo could be Chelsea's new Palmer

Now, while Palmer and Mainoo tend to play in different positions on the pitch, there are several other reasons why the latter could be seen as Chelsea’s new version of the former.

The first is the simple fact that, like the former City prospect, this potential transfer would see the United gem move from Manchester to West London after being deemed not good enough to play regular first-team football by his current manager.

Moreover, it would be another example of the Blues signing an academy graduate from one of the Manchester sides, and one that is widely considered to be tremendously exciting, even if Ruben Amorim does not seem to rate him.

On top of that, both midfielders are English, although instead of signing someone who was thriving in the youth setup, the Blues would be getting their hands on someone who has shone in the senior side this time.

However, perhaps the most important way in which Maresca could be getting his hands on another Palmer is that Mainoo could well develop into a world-beater at Stamford Bridge.

After all, even though he is still young and has been out of the Red Devils’ side since Amorin took over, the 20-year-old has already shown us that he could be something really quite special.

For example, FBref rank him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions stemming from his take-ons, the top 2% for tackles in the attacking third, the top 4% for carries into the penalty area, the top 5% for take-ons attempted, and more, all per 90.

Mainoo’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

SCA (Take-On)

0.38

Top 1%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.71

Top 2%

Carries into Penalty Area

0.65

Top 4%

Take-Ons Attempted

2.77

Top 5%

% of Dribblers Tackled

63.9%

Top 6%

Touches (Att Pen)

2.88

Top 8%

Successful Take-Ons

1.19

Top 10%

Progressive Passes Rec

3.42

Top 16%

Passes Completed (Short)

24.88

Top 19%

GCA (Live-ball Pass)

0.27

Top 19%

All Stats via FBref

What these numbers show is that, even though he’s still young and not getting the game time his talent warrants, he’s a sublime ball-carrier and someone who can help break up attacking high up the pitch.

In other words, he has the tools to be an elite all-action midfielder, and as teammate Rasmus Hojlund described him, looks to be a “generational talent.”

Ultimately, while it might be difficult, Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign Mainoo before the window shuts next week, as they could just land themselves another Palmer-esque gem.

Related Better deal than Lopez: Ornstein expects £50m "diamond" will join Chelsea

As Chelsea make a move to sign Fermín López from Barcelona, will the Blues also snap up a “diamond” attacker for £50m who is an even bigger talent?

Posts ByBen Gray Aug 27, 2025

Richard Thompson, the ECB’s chair, has revealed a target to raise at least £350 million in the Hundred’s sales process – a target that he believes the board will surpass “comfortably” when deals are signed off early next year.The private equity group Bridgepoint made a lucrative offer to buy a majority stake in the whole competition two years ago, which was turned down due to the ECB’s desire to retain control of the Hundred. Thompson said the offer had informed the benchmark that the ECB are attempting to clear during its ongoing sales process.The ECB is selling 49% stakes in each of the eight teams in the Hundred, which will be turned into franchises and will initially be run as joint-ventures with host counties (or, in the case of London Spirit, MCC). The sales process launched in early September and has progressed into the second of three rounds, with a final target deadline in January 2025.Thompson said last month that the pool of prospective investors was “way broader and bigger” than the Raine Group – the US investment bank who are running the process – had anticipated. The ECB have not previously committed to a projected figure from the sale in public, but Thompson has now revealed that £350 million is seen as the minimum target.Related

• Richard Gould: ECB 'unapologetic' about attracting top talent to Men's Hundred

• Richard Gould: Hundred equity sale can future-proof county cricket for '20-25 years'

• Top Men's Hundred salaries to rise by 60 percent in 2025

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• Lalit Modi pours scorn on 'overambitious' Hundred in leaked financial projections

“Our target was to raise £350 million from sales,” Thompson told . “I think we’re going to exceed that comfortably, but we’ve still got some way to go. I think all of us have been genuinely shocked over the quality and quantity of interest… There’s hardly anyone in sport that isn’t at the table.”The ECB was questioned last week by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee on the sale of the Hundred. Chief executive Richard Gould responded in writing to a letter from the committee’s chair Caroline Dinenage and defended the sale after questions around its likely impact on English cricket.”This process presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a significant capital injection into cricket in England and Wales,” Gould wrote. “It is a rare moment when we have the collective power to ensure that these funds are utilised fully in ways that will provide long-term financial sustainability for the whole game.”Gould also revealed that the ECB will soon establish a ‘Hundred committee’ designed to “lead, scrutinise and monitor the administration, operation and commercialisation” of the competition. Its members will comprise ECB non-executive directors, representatives from the franchises and independent appointments.

Burnley have now submitted an enquiry to sign a “talented” midfiedler ahead of rival interest from Ipswich Town, according to a new report.

Burnley’s Trafford set for Man City move

Since the end of last season, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford has been linked with a move away from Turf Moor. The England under-21 international played a significant role in the Clarets’ promotion, as he kept a staggering 29 clean sheets in 45 Championship games, conceding just 16 goals in the process.

Burnley want £8.6m attacker after scouting trips to see star in person

Burnley are interested in an attacking midfielder who has impressed club scouts.

By
Brett Worthington

Jul 23, 2025

Newcastle United have been chasing Trafford for a while and even made an offer in the region of £40 million. However, the Magpies have lost out in the race, as Manchester City have now agreed a deal with Burnley to sign Trafford. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have triggered their buyback clause, which is under £40 million, and the player himself has now given the go-ahead to the move.

The Clarets are now expected to enter the market to find a replacement for Trafford, with it being reported earlier in the transfer window that they were interested in signing goalkeeper Daniel Peretz from Bayern Munich, as they look to use their connection with old manager Vincent Kompany to get an understanding of a possible transfer.

But the Lancashire side are not solely focusing on a new goalkeeper, as they are now challenging a Championship rival for the signing of a midfielder with experience at the highest level.

Burnley submit enquiry for Cajuste

According to reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Burnley have submitted an enquiry to sign midfielder Jens Cajuste from Serie A champions Napoli.

The Clarets hold a “genuine” interest in the 25-year-old, as they appreciate his profile, but they are not the only team working on a transfer. Cajuste spent last season on loan at Ipswich, and chairman Mark Ashton has revealed that talks have been held over re-signing the midfielder.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are also interested in signing Cajuste, as Napoli are willing to let the Sweden international leave for a fee of around £8.5 million.

The defensive midfielder joined the Serie A giants back in August 2023, and while he played 35 times in all competitions during the 2023/24 season, he wasn’t needed under Antonio Conte.

Jens Cajuste’s 24/25 Premier League stats
Apps	30
Starts	25
Minutes per game	66
Goals	1
Assists	1
Touches per game	36.3
Passes per game (accuracy)	21.0 (86%)
Tackles per game	1.5
Dribbled past per game	0.9

Last season, Cajuste, who was labelled “talented” by Kieran McKenna, played 30 times in the Premier League, 25 of which came as a starter, and he scored one goal in the process, which came against Nottingham Forest back in March. Cajuste did rather well in the Premier League, and therefore, Scott Parker may now see him as someone who can bring something different to his midfield options.

The Clarets do already have the likes of Josh Cullen, Josh Laurent, Hannibal and Aaron Ramsey, but Cajuste would add some steel and Premier League experience, which can be hard to find, especially at a relatively low cost.

Newcastle United look to have beaten Tottenham to the signing of a talented young gem, having reportedly reached an agreement with him.

The latest on Newcastle's attacking situation

Alexander Isak’s Magpies future has continued to dominate the headlines in recent days, with Liverpool seeing a £110m offer for the Swede rejected on Friday.

Newcastle will now be bracing themselves for a second bid for Isak’s signature from the Premier League champions, but they are unlikely to budge until a replacement is sorted, rather than risking getting themselves into a mess.

That could potentially be RB Leipzig marksman Benjamin Sesko, with one report even claiming that the Magpies have beaten Manchester United to his signature.

Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa is another strong target, while Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson have also been mentioned as options.

At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi has been linked with a move to St James’ Park, with a new defender hugely important for Eddie Howe this summer.

Newcastle reach agreement with young English ace

According to NUFC Blog, Newcastle have reached an agreement with West Brom teenager Muawiya Gjhanem, pipping Tottenham and others to his signature in the process. The Magpies have actually beaten several ‘big six’ clubs.

The midfielder will “soon arrive on Tyneside” to complete the transfer, with the Magpies continuing to “bolster their academy ranks” with top young English talent.

Not a lot is understandably known about Ghanem, given his age and vast lack of experience, but signing top emerging talent has to be seen as a priority for Newcastle, allowing them to build into the future.

The 15-year-old predominantly operates as a No.8 in midfield, and he could learn so much from afar if he was at the same club as the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

The report states that Ghanem has “been invited to England’s talent ID camps, showing he is very much on the Young Lions’ radar”, and it looks like the only way is up for him currently.

Better than Sesko: Newcastle eyeing £40m striker who's "turning heads"

Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing a star who could be even better than Benjamin Sesko.

ByDan Emery Aug 3, 2025

The fact that Newcastle have seemingly pipped a number of big clubs to the Englishman’s signature speaks volumes about the strides they have made as a club in recent years, with young stars seeing them as an exciting place to move to.

Chelsea are set to welcome two more new signings, with Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro poised to join Enzo Maresca’s side from Borussia Dortmund and Brighton respectively, but this £100m-plus double deal means that outgoings simply have to be sorted out sooner rather than later.

Chelsea offered £337k-per-week ex-Aston Villa star with decision made

They once came close to signing him.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 1, 2025

The Blues were given an almighty boost when their fourth total bid for Gittens was accepted by Dortmund, and the Englishman will now undergo a medical after Chelsea finally shook hands on a £55 million deal with the Bundesliga side.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season	Average match rating
Cole Palmer	7.33
Moises Caicedo	7.02
Enzo Fernández	6.95
Nicolas Jackson	6.88
Noni Madueke	6.82
via WhoScored

Chelsea will also add another new striker to their ranks after their £30 million move for Liam Delap, with Pedro sealing a switch to west London for an initial £55 million, which may rise to £60 million if certain add-ons are met (Fabrizio Romano).

The moves take BlueCo’s total outlay for the window to around £140 million at least, and they now face some pressure from UEFA after allegedly breaking their financial fair play rules.

Chelsea and Aston Villa are apparently facing UEFA FFP breaches, with clubs required to limit spending on wages and transfer fees to around 80 per cent of revenue. They’re also permitted a loss of around £77 million over three years, less than the PSR threshold of around £105 million in that same timeframe, and this has sparked additional pressure on Chelsea’s recruitment team to raise money.

Maresca’s side are set to be fined this week as they attempt to reach a settlement, according to the i paper, so Chelsea may need an influx of cash from player sales to help balance the books.

Europe’s financial regulations are generally tighter than England’s, and they’re under more pressure in that regard, as Chelsea’s £200m sale of the women’s team to a separate company, Blueco 22 Midco Ltd, has not been permitted as a viable source of revenue by UEFA for 24/25 – despite being allowed by the Premier League.

Christopher Nkunku pushing to leave Chelsea

Even when taking into account the financial side of things, this influx of new attackers has also left Maresca awashed with too many final-third options, so the squad needs to be balanced out with key exit deals.

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, £195,000-per-week Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is a prime contender for the Stamford Bridge exit door, and the club will indeed be forced to sell players in the coming weeks.

The Frenchman bagged 14 goals in all competitions last season but ultimately failed to break into Maresca’s starting eleven on a regular-enough basis, and he’s been regularly linked with an exit since January.

Nkunku is “pushing” to leave Chelsea right now as he seeks to embark on the next chapter of his career, as per O’Rourke, and their Premier League rivals have been credited with interest.

Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Nkunku, according to some reports, while the reliable Ben Jacobs reported in May that Tottenham made an enquiry over the 27-year-old’s availability.

While Nkunku has struggled to fit into a highly competitive squad, he has largely chipped in when required, and the former RB Leipzig sensation’s current teammates rate him very highly.

“Yeah, he’s a top player, we all know his quality, how he is as a player,” said João Félix last season.

“We already saw him doing amazing things at Leipzig. And yeah, I like to play with him. I think we think the game kind of like the same way. So I think he already know what I’m going to do, and I know what he’s going to do. I think it’s pretty easy to play with him. I think we connect very well.”

Liverpool are the reigning Premier League champions, but are they resting on their laurels? Absolutely not.

£116m man Florian Wirtz is in the building, joined by the exciting duo of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, signed for £29.5m and £40m apiece. The top-flight’s second-best defence in 2024/25 will seemingly have a fresh feel to it next season.

Indeed, Kerkez looks destined to usurp the long-serving Andy Robertson at left-back, while Frimpong will battle Conor Bradley to replace he-who-shall-not-be-named on the right flank.

With Giorgi Mamardashvili also set for his belated arrival at Anfield, there could even be a decision to be made in the sticks, not least with current number one, Alisson, having been beset with injury problems in recent years.

A further shake-up could also lie in store with regard to Virgil van Dijk’s new partner at centre-back, with the uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate’s future only heightening the need for competition at the heart of the defence.

Van Dijk aside, there is a chance for Arne Slot to deploy an almost completely new-look defensive unit for 2025/26, with the search for a new centre-back still underway.

Latest on Liverpool's centre-back search

With Konate attracting interest from Real Madrid, with just a year left on his current deal, the Reds must surely acquire a senior centre-back for the first time since the Frenchman’s own arrival in 2021 – not least with Jarell Quansah joining Bayer Leverkusen.

Marc Guehi, skipper down at Crystal Palace, is currently the name on everybody’s lips, with recent reports even going as far as to suggest that personal terms have been agreed with the 24-year-old Englishman.

That said, alternatives are still being considered according to further speculation, with the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones noting that the Merseysiders are plotting whether to proceed in talks for Guehi or Ajax starlet, Jorrel Hato.

Transfer Focus

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

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The latter man – who is reportedly valued at around £40m – has previously been touted with a move to Anfield, with now perhaps the chance to ramp up that interest in the highly-rated 19-year-old.

Guehi, of course, provides proven Premier League quality and experience, but the young Dutchman must just be even better…

Why Hato could be an upgrade on Guehi

It’s fair to say that the Reds have already reaped the rewards of signing a Dutch talent schooled in the Netherlands, with former Groningen starlet Van Dijk making his way to Merseyside in January 2018, via stints at Celtic and Southampton.

Now the captain and leader of Liverpool, the 6 foot 5 titan has been a truly monstrous figure for the club to date, with former striker Michael Owen even going as far as to suggest that the 33-year-old is the “best centre-half of all time”.

While Hato – who operates at left centre-back like Van Dijk, as well as left-back – has some way to go to reach the levels of his compatriot, the likeness between the pair has already been noted, including by journalist Jorn Alders:

Tipped to follow in Van Dijk’s footsteps, Hato has been praised for his “immense” quality by talent scout Jacek Kulig, having already made 111 appearances for Ajax before turning 20. For comparison, the aforementioned Guehi was 19 when he made his debut at senior level for Chelsea in the League Cup.

Hato’s League stats in 2024/25

Stat (*per game)

Record

Games (starts)

31 (30)

Goals

2

Assists

6

Big chances created

6

Key passes*

0.6

Pass accuracy*

90%

Tackles & interceptions*

2.6

Balls recovered*

4.2

Dribbled past*

0.3

Stats via Sofascore

Not only more versatile than the Englishman due to his ability to feature at full-back, the teenager also appears to possess greater composure and quality in possession, as shown by his 90% pass completion rate in the Eredivisie last term, as per Sofascore, alongside averaging 0.6 key passes per game. Guehi, meanwhile, averaged 84% and 0.5 for those same two metrics, respectively.

While both men made 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game in 2024/25, interestingly, Hato appeared the more resolute defender, having been dribbled past on just 0.3 occasions, while the Palace captain averaged 0.5 in that regard.

Arguably “one of the most talented CBs of his generation in Europe”, according to Kulig, the Netherlands U21 star is already shining at the age of just 19, with it truly exciting to imagine what he can go onto achieve.

Guehi, of course, may represent a ready-made solution, but as potentially the man who could prove to be the next Van Dijk, Hato may well have the higher ceiling.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 1, 2025