Everton could now sign a new defender for just £20m this summer, having identified a target who could be a great fit for the Premier League, according to a report.
Speculation continues to mount about the long-term future of Jarrad Branthwaite, with Manchester United willing to shell out £50m for the defender, while Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid have also previously been linked with moves.
As such, David Moyes may be tasked with bringing in a replacement during his first summer transfer window back at Goodison Park, and the manager recently conducted a personal scouting mission to watch Burnley’s Maxime Esteve over the weekend.
Another option could be Juventus’ Federico Gatti, with the Toffees being handed fresh hope of signing the Italian defender, given that contract talks have been delayed until the end of the campaign, which could open the door for a move elsewhere.
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Gatti is not the only Serie A defender on the shortlist, however, with a report from Football Insider revealing Everton hold an interest in Koni De Winter, and there has been a positive development in their pursuit, as Genoa are now happy to sell the defender.
There is widespread interest in De Winter’s signature from the Premier League and across Europe, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Inter Milan in the picture, but a move to Goodison Park could be on the cards, should Moyes’ side be willing to fork out £20m – £25m.
A bid in that region would be accepted by the Italian side, in news that will come as a boost for the Toffees, who are looking to sign a new centre-back regardless of whether Branthwaite moves on this summer.
The Genoa defender’s physicality could make him an ideal fit for the Premier League, and it looks like a move could now be possible for a reasonable fee.
Everton’s upcoming Premier League fixtures
Date
Liverpool (a)
April 2nd
Arsenal (h)
April 5th
Nottingham Forest (a)
April 12th
Manchester City (h)
April 19th
Chelsea (a)
April 26th
"Imperious" De Winter could be a fantastic signing
The 22-year-old has been a key player for Genoa for quite some time, having previously received high praise from journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who described him as “imperious” last season.
Tavolieri also hailed the Belgian as his nation’s “best” right-footed centre-back, and he has since gone on to establish himself at international level, receiving his second cap last month.
The 6-foot-3 colossus has used his imposing height to his advantage on many an occasion, ranking in the 93rd percentile for aerials won per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the 95th percentile for non-penalty goals, when compared to his positional peers.
With Michael Keane’s contract set to expire in the summer, it is important Moyes bolsters his defensive options this summer, and the Genoa star is showing plenty of signs that he would be a good fit at Goodison Park.
Manchester United played out a tame 0-0 draw at home to cross-city rivals Manchester City in the Premier League. The game was one of the more passive Manchester Derby clashes, with neither side having too many chances of note.
The first half went by with few moments to write home about. City’s best efforts came from long-range, with Phil Foden early on and Ilkay Gunodgan towards the end of the half, firing shots wide of Andre Onana’s goal. As for Ruben Amorim’s side, their best opportunity fell to Alejandro Garnacho. However, he squandered the chance, failing to fire Diogo Dalot’s cross into the back of the net.
The second half picked up slightly more, although each side was still fairly passive. Omar Marmoush saw two shots saved by Onana; one was a well-struck free kick, and the other was a ferocious volley that was parried away by the Cameroonian.
Joshua Zirkzee came close to scoring for United at the death. He hooked Patrick Dorgu’s cross goalward, and had it not been for an excellent reflex save from Ederson, the Dutchman might have won the game for his side.
As far as Manchester derbies go, this was not a memorable one. There were certainly some poor performances on the pitch, with Manuel Ugarte one player who struggled.
Ugarte’s stats vs. Man City
It is fair to say that Ugarte struggled to have any impact on the game against City. Too often, he dove into tackles but did not see much success in those. He also struggled to retain possession for United in midfield.
In fact, his stats from Sofascore suggest that he did struggle to control the game in the centre of the park. The Uruguay international made just 17 passes from 22 he attempted, a pass accuracy of just 77%. He also lost the ball seven times and won just two from six ground duels.
Samuel Luckhurst, writer for the Manchester Evening News, gave Ugarte a 5/10 for his efforts on Derby Day. The journalist was critical of his ability in possession, describing him as ‘erratic with the ball’ against City.
The former Sporting midfielder did go close for United in the second half, though. His volley from outside of the box was sweetly struck but ended up going wide of Ederson’s left-hand post without troubling him.
It was certainly a tough day at the office for the United number 25, although he was not the only player who struggled against their East Mancunian rivals.
The other United player who struggled vs. Man City
It has been a tough season for Rasmus Hojlund, with Sunday afternoon’s clash against the Citizens summing that up in many ways. The Dane really struggled to impact the game and barely had any involvement throughout the 71 minutes he was on the pitch.
Indeed, the stats really reflect just how tough he found it at a sunny Old Trafford. Hojlund had just 15 touches in that time and completed just seven passes from an attempted nine, a 78% accuracy. He also lost the ball four times.
Hojlund stats vs. Man City
Stat
Number
Touches
15
Pass accuracy
78%
Passes completed
7/9
Number of times ball lost
4
Duels won
1/4
Shots
0
Stats from Sofascore
Luckhurst also seemed to think the United number nine struggled against City. He gave Hojlund a 4/10 for his performances, the lowest of any United player. He explained that the Dane ‘showed why he has to be replaced up front in the summer’, a scathing assessment indeed.
With a huge game next up in the Europa League for United, Amorim will need to get his selection right. They face a trip to French side Lyon, who pose a tough challenge, and Hojlund’s recent form may well leave him with a selection headache.
Zirkzee seems to be the only viable option to replace Hojlund in the starting lineup, given that Chido Obi is unavailable in the Europa League. The Dutchman will certainly bring technical excellence and the ability to link up play.
It is a big call for Amorim, who cannot afford to lose this tie; it certainly feels like United’s whole season rests on their European campaign. Perhaps rotating Hojlund out of the side for Thursday is the right call, given his tough run of form in recent weeks.
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It’s been evident for a while, but even the most determined of anti-Liverpool observers would have a hard time arguing against Arne Slot’s side being the ones to lift the Premier League title in the coming weeks.
Liverpool have been expected to win the division for several months, such has been their dominance.
Arsenal have wobbled through inconsistencies and injuries while four-in-a-row champions Manchester City finally fell by the wayside and are embroiled in a desperate fight just to reprise their place in the Champions League.
All this is true, but Reds fans have known heartbreak before and have beeen rightly hesitant to jump ahead of the whistle. However. The shiny Premier League trophy has hove into view, with Sunday’s win over West Ham United putting them potentially within one win of a coronation, should results favour them next weekend.
Virgil van Dijk ensured it would be so, smacking his head against Alexis Mac Allister’s last-gasp corner to make amends and bag three points. The skipper looks set to continue his Anfield journey, but it was Mohamed Salah whose fate has already been sealed, and he repaid his city’s faith with a stunning trivela assist for Luis Diaz to open the scoring.
There’s life in the old dog yet. However, Liverpool are going to need to address their issues at centre-forward this summer, lest Salah be worn down by the chains of responsibility that might be too much to repeat in his twilight.
Most Goals + Assists 24/25 (Europe’s Top 5 Leagues)
Player
Matches
Goals
Assists
G/A
Mohamed Salah
32
27
18
45
Harry Kane
27
23
9
32
Omar Marmoush
27
21
11
32
Mateo Retegui
30
23
5
28
Ousmane Dembele
26
21
7
28
Data via Transfermarkt
The 32-year-old has scored 32 goals and laid on 23 assists in all competitions this season, a matchless feat across the continent. That said, Liverpool desperately need a new source of goals up top, and they’ve found their dream signing.
Liverpool ready to sign new centre forward
Darwin Nunez won’t make Slot’s second grade, and neither is Diogo Jota proving himself to be of the highest station at number nine this season. Now that contractual bother has effectively been wrapped up, full attention will turn on signing a focal superstar.
And who better than Alexander Isak? According to Spanish reports, FSG are willing to break the Premier League transfer record to sign the Newcastle United striker, with a mammoth €150m (roughly £130m) offer prepared.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsak
Isak, 25, is Liverpool’s priority, but he’s also Magpies’ property and they will fight in trenches to keep him at St. James’ Park. Much hinges on Champions League qualification, but such a staggering offer might just hold sway at the negotiating table.
Why Liverpool should sign Alexander Isak
Sporting director Richard Hughes will have his work cut out, all right, but he’s shown his skills through securing Van Dijk and Salah’s immediate futures as Slot looks to transition away from Jurgen Klopp’s blueprint and toward his own vision.
Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah
Isak would be the perfect poster boy to lead Liverpool through this exciting new era. Hailed by Jamie Carragher as “the best striker in the Premier League,” the Sweden native has been immense, notching 24 goals across 36 season appearances.
Goals are great, but it’s the overall play that has left Isak earning such acclaim. He moves like a cheetah, loping gait and deadly menace that blends with a sharp intelligence, giving rise to darting runs and clever passes to improve Newcastle’s wider attacking fluency.
As per FBref, the 6 foot 3 striker actually ranks among the top 11% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 6% for both of progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.
Quite the player, one whose dynamic ability could certainly elevate Salah’s already considerable numbers over the next couple of terms. In fact, Isak may well find himself eclipsing the Egyptian King’s numbers across the 2024/25 campaign, should he nestle into a talismanic role in Slot’s system.
No team has created more big chances than Liverpool over the past five seasons, something that emphasises the joy Isak would find on Merseyside. Albeit, their creative flair will take a hit when Trent Alexander-Arnold completes his expected free transfer to Real Madrid, but the club will be able to adapt, no problem.
Hailed as “world-class” by Alan Shearer, Isak, for sure, will rival Salah as Liverpool’s chief goal-getter, but his high rate of shot creation and overall playmaking talent suggest that he could shake a fair haul of assists into the mix.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their second goal
He is, after all, touted as Thierry Henry’s heir apparent, thus capable of the Arsenal legend’s incredible campaign of 2004/05 reaping 24 goals and 20 assists, the latter of which still stands (for now).
Most Assists in a Single Premier League Season
Player
Season
Apps
Assists
Thierry Henry
02/03
37
20
Kevin De Bruyne
19/20
35
20
Mohamed Salah
24/25
32
18
Kevin De Bruyne
16/17
36
18
Mesut Ozil
15/16
35
18
Cesc Fabregas
14/15
34
18
Frank Lampard
04/05
38
18
Data via Statmuse
Salah will have his eye on beating that long-standing record before the season’s up, but in Isak, Liverpool might just get their hands on a versatile and potent striker capable of emulating the all-time great.
FSG will have to break the bank, but if two of Nunez, Jota or Diaz are cashed in, it might not be the most ridiculous idea in the world.
He was better than Van Dijk: Liverpool star is now as undroppable as Salah
Liverpool overcame West Ham United 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Glasgow Rangers need to change their transfer strategy if they wish to compete domestically next season.
Celtic will wrap up their fourth successive Premiership title soon, and if the Light Blues don’t change things this summer, the drought could go on for much longer.
Of course, much will depend on who becomes the new manager of the Ibrox side this summer as Barry Ferguson’s interim spell looks set to end in a few weeks.
Last summer, Philippe Clement signed players such as Hamza Igamane, Clinton Nsiala, and Jefte. This trio could potentially make the club plenty of money when the time to cash in arrives.
Signing a few experienced squad members is still important this summer, but the vast majority of transfer business should be focused on those who are yet to hit their peak.
With Lyall Cameron already making the move from Dundee to Rangers this summer, it appears the Gers are looking at raiding the Dens Park side for the second time in a matter of months.
Rangers target move for Josh Mulligan this summer
Journalist Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review has recently stated that the Light Blues are interested in making a move for Mulligan in a bid to add more Scottish talent to their squad.
The 22-year-old’s contract is set to expire this summer, which means the club won’t have to pay a penny in order to secure his signature.
This type of move is one that could offer plenty of rewards for the Gers for such a low-risk signing, something which needs to happen more often.
With James Tavernier’s future uncertain as he enters the last year of his deal in Glasgow, Mulligan could be an ideal heir for the Englishman.
Why Josh Mulligan would be a great signing for Rangers
The Scottish U21 international can play across a range of positions. For Dundee this season, he has played in the centre of the midfield, on the right flank, and at right-back.
While he might not be able to match Tavernier for goal contributions – five assists across 36 matches this season for Dundee – Mulligan still has plenty to offer going forward.
Indeed, in the Premiership this season, he has created eight big chances while also averaging one key pass and one successful dribble per game in the top flight.
A move to Ibrox would allow Mulligan the chance to play for a team that will fight for domestic trophies, plus giving him the chance to feature in European competition, whether it be the Champions League or Europa League.
Josh Mulligan’s market valuation at Dundee
According to Transfermarkt, Mulligan is currently worth €600k (£500k) at the time of writing.
Given his impressive performances for a relegation-threatened Dundee side, this value will surely increase in the next few months, especially if he moves to Rangers and showcases his talents.
If, and it’s a big if, Mulligan shines at Ibrox and becomes the player everyone expects of him, he will make the club millions in profit.
At this moment in time, however, there is another Scottish youngster in the first-team squad who is currently worth a lot more than Mulligan – Connor Barron.
How Connor Barron has performed for Rangers this season
In one of the worst-kept secrets last summer, Rangers finally announced the signing of Barron after weeks of rumours.
The midfielder left Aberdeen upon the expiration of his contract, duly made the move south to Ibrox, and was essentially seen as an ideal replacement for Ryan Jack.
Following 76 appearances for the Dons, it was clear that Barron was looking like a solid signing. He clearly knew how to perform in the Premiership and had made six appearances in the Conference League for the Pittodrie side last season.
His performances were hailed by Scott Gemmill, Barron’s U21 manager at international level, who said: “Connor is very impressive on and off the pitch the way he conducts himself.”
It didn’t take long for him to make his mark at Rangers, starting both of the Champions League qualifying matches against Dynamo Kiev, along with operating in the starting XI for the first 13 league games.
Connor Barron’s stats for Rangers this season
Metric
Europa League
Premiership
Accurate passes per game
22.7
40.1
Pass success rate
80%
90%
Tackles per game
2.3
2.1
Balls recovered per game
4.3
3.4
Possession lost per game
7.9
7
Via Sofascore
2025 hasn’t been as productive, however, as Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande have established themselves as the main midfield duo at Ibrox in recent months.
This has left Barron resorting to appearances from the bench in order to get playing time. He did feature for 83 minutes in the recent 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead and was even made captain for the 2-2 draw against Aberdeen a few weeks ago.
Overall, it has been a solid debut campaign in Glasgow for the young midfielder. In the Premiership, Barron averages a 90% pass success rate, makes 2.1 tackles, 1.1 clearances, and recovers 3.4 balls per game.
Furthermore, he loses possession only seven times per game and wins 50% of his ground duels each match for the Ibrox side, which suggests that he is reliable on and off the ball.
Connor Barron’s market valuation at Rangers
Although Barron initially arrived at Rangers for nothing, the Gers were forced to pay a fee of around £640k for the midfielder after they were due compensation because his career began at Aberdeen.
This still looks like it could become a bargain transfer for Rangers, especially considering his market value has increased recently.
Indeed, according to Transfermarkt, Barron is now worth €2.5m (£2m) following an impressive debut season in Glasgow.
This means that he is currently worth even more than Mulligan, who is valued at £500k, and that illustrates how much the Gers hit the jackpot with the Scotland international.
Much will depend on who the new manager will be, but Barron has laid the foundations for a potentially successful spell at Rangers.
He is worth a lot more than Mulligan, and this valuation should rise exponentially as time goes on.
Whatever happens, it appears as though the club are looking to bring in the best of Scottish talent this summer. With Barron and Cameron now part of the squad, Mulligan could be the next player to link up with Rangers.
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As rumours continue to arrive over Arsenal’s summer transfer plans, new sporting director Andrea Berta is now reportedly keeping a close eye on a somewhat cheaper attacking option who has scored 25 goals this season.
Arsenal looking to ease goalscoring woes
Whilst it’s easy to list the absurd number of injuries that Arsenal have suffered throughout the current campaign, their Premier League form since the return of Bukayo Saka has highlighted their clear problems for all to see. And Berta must address those issues in his first summer in charge.
Arsenal’s last 5 Premier League games
Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
Ipswich Town 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Even though their form has come at a time when the Premier League title has drifted away from them and into Liverpool’s grasp as official champions, Arsenal still have Champions League qualification to worry about. Mikel Arteta, with three games to go, simply has to seal a place in the top five amid concerns that a disappointing campaign could still turn disastrous.
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The Spaniard recently had his say on Liverpool’s title win and the Gunners’ failure, telling reporters: “Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons. With the points of the past two season we have two Premier League [titles].”
What would certainly help ensure that Arsenal are in the right moment in the right place, however, is the arrival of a pure goalscorer this summer. Amid links to the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko, those in North London must get things right this summer and solve Arteta’s greatest problem.
Meanwhile, if it’s a question of money, then Berta may yet turn towards a cheaper options who could turn into the summer’s best bargain if all goes to plan.
Arsenal plotting £34m Patrik Schick move
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are now plotting a move to sign Patrik Schick from Bayer Leverkusen this summer with Berta keeping a close eye on the Czech Republic forward. Valued at around €40m (£34m) by the Bundesliga club, the Gunners could swoop in and solve their attacking problems for far cheaper than if they signed Isak or Sesko.
Despite his bargain price, Schick has enjoyed a season worthy of a far higher valuation – scoring 25 goals in all competitions – and could yet prove that in the Premier League. At 29 years old, the only concern for Arsenal should be his age, but as Chris Wood has proved at Nottingham Forest this season, players are more than capable of making the difference even when outside of what are considered prime years.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Patrik Schick
Leandro Trossard
Minutes
1,562
2,354
Goals
19
8
Assists
0
5
Expected Goals
11.5
6.8
Smashing his expected goals in the Bundesliga this season, Schick is the pure goalscorer that Arsenal have so desperately lacked all season. His name wouldn’t steal the same headlines as an Isak or Sesko, but he would arguably be just as clinical. Previously dubbed “great” by former Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo, Schick is one to watch this summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have avoided relegation back down to the Championship and will be competing in the Premier League once again next season.
Vitor Pereira has left the club to safety and will now have the chance to bring his own players to Molineux in his first summer transfer window with the Old Gold.
The Portuguese head coach, however, may also have to contend with some of his star players moving on from the club, including Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Why Rayan Ait-Nouri could leave Wolves
The Telegraph recently reported that Wolves want to offer the defender a new deal, but that there is still doubt over his future at the club due to interest from elsewhere.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha celebrate for Wolves.
It was revealed that Manchester City and Liverpool have both sent scouts to watch the Algeria international, who is valued at £50m by Wolves, in action this season.
Ait-Nouri, who produced three goals and two assists in all competitions last season, has improved his output at the top end of the pitch, with a return of five goals and seven assists for the Old Gold this term.
His form has attracted interest from two of the best teams in the Premier League, which is why he could be on his way out of the club in the summer if significant bids come in for him.
Journalist Graeme Bailey recently revealed that Wolves are keeping tabs on Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin, and a move for the Englishman could allow the club to forget all about Ait-Nouri.
Why Wolves should sign Dennis Cirkin
Wolves should swoop to sign the Black Cats star in the summer transfer window because it would ease the blow of losing the Algerian left-back to Liverpool or Manchester City.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Cirkin, who was hailed as “eye-catching” by pundit Sam Parkin, was described as “the best full-back in the Championship” by journalist Josh Bunting, which speaks to how impressive the full-back has been in the second tier.
The 23-year-old ace, who has helped his side to keep 11 clean sheets in 30 starts, is an excellent defender who could offer more solidity down the left flank than Ait-Nouri currently does for Pereira.
24/25 season
Ait-Nouri (Premier League)
Cirkin (Championship)
Appearances
34
36
Tackles per game
2.4
2.5
Interceptions per game
0.7
1.2
Clearances per game
1.7
2.6
Ground duel success rate
55%
55%
Aerial duel success rate
42%
44%
Red cards
1
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Sunderland dynamo has the potential to offer more to the team from a defensive perspective because he makes tackles, interceptions, and clearances more frequently, while also winning a higher percentage of his aerial contests.
Cirkin can also maraud forward to make an impact at the top end of the pitch, having scored three goals and provided two assists in the Championship this term, which means that he could still offer a threat going forward as well.
Of course, the caveat is that the former Spurs youngster is currently playing in the second tier and is an unproven quantity in the Premier League, but he is a young player with time left ahead of him to develop and improve and has shown plenty of promising signs in a Sunderland shirt.
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Therefore, Wolves could forget all about Ait-Nouri, and sanction a sale for the defender, if they can strike an agreement with the Black Cats to bring the impressive Cirkin to the Molineux this summer.
With a deal to sign Matheus Cunha reportedly at an advanced stage, INEOS have now reportedly opened talks with another Manchester United target who could join the Brazilian at Old Trafford.
Man Utd advancing in deal to sign Cunha
As revealed by Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United’s deal to sign Cunha is still at an advanced stage, with the Red Devils now working on details of the agreement to sign the forward. The deal, itself, is unlikely to be a cheap one for the Red Devils, given the forward’s reported £63m release clause, but it is one that should hand Ruben Amorim an attacking solution once and for all.
United’s interest in Cunha certainly makes sense with Amorim at the helm too. The Manchester United manager has often struggled to get success out of his 3-4-2-1 system during the first six months of his spell in charge, but the arrival of Cunha would go a long way towards helping that system function.
Likely to play in one of the two advanced midfield roles behind the one forward, Cunha could form quite the partnership with Bruno Fernandes to finally sharpen what has been a blunt Manchester United frontline for far too long. What’s more, with 15 Premier League goals to his name in all competitions this season, it’s fair to say that the Wolves star knows exactly where the back of the net is.
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That said, he may not be the only one to join Amorim’s attack this summer. Reports have also indicated that INEOS have set their sights on another impressive Premier League attacker.
Man Utd open talks for Semenyo
According to talkSPORT, INEOS have now opened talks with Antoine Semenyo, who could find himself on his way to Manchester United alongside Cunha in the coming months. The Bournemouth winger has enjoyed an excellent season under Andoni Iraola to earn the attraction of clubs of the Red Devils’ stature. Now, he looks set to have a decision to make.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Matheus Cunha
Antoine Semenyo
Rasmus Hojlund
Starts
28
34
21
Goals
15
9
4
Assists
6
5
0
Expected Goals
8
9.5
5.2
When compared to Rasmus Hojlund, it’s clear that both Cunha and Semenyo would offer Amorim two much-needed upgrades this summer. When it comes to goal involvements, both targets have outperformed the Dane, whose output has been disappointing and record of underperforming his expected goals even more frustrating for those at Old Trafford.
Dubbed “strong” by analyst Ben Mattinson, whether Semenyo is willing to leave Bournemouth – a side fighting for European qualification – for a struggling Manchester United side is the big question.
Antoine Semenyo in Premier League action for Bournemouth.
It’s one that the winger must ask himself and one that United must be honest about with themselves. After such a disastrous campaign, that’s the position that they’re in.
Worryingly, every team that seals promotion up to the Premier League immediately knows they’ll be up against it trying to stay afloat in its choppy waters. That will be the main concern now for Burnley.
Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton are going to fall back down to the Championship after one fleeting campaign in the tough division, with the Clarets hopeful, yet definitely apprehensive that they can buck this dismal trend when they reenter the top league shortly.
Scott Parker’s attempts to solidify the Clarets as a top-flight worthy side once more will be made a lot harder if Josh Brownhill were to depart Turf Moor, with the experienced midfielder’s future still up in the air heading into the hectic summer transfer window.
Brownhill's future at Burnley
Already, the Clarets are having to stomach the prospect of CJ Egan-Riley leaving the club for pastures new with RC Strasbourg.
Unfortunately, Brownhill could be next for the exit door if rumours are to be believed, with Turkish sides Trabzonspor and Besiktas now eyeing up the soon-to-be out-of-contract attacking gem, away from earlier interest from the likes of Everton and West Ham United.
Losing Egan-Riley is already a damaging body blow for Parker’s newly promoted outfit, but adding Brownhill into the mix would be nothing short of disastrous, considering the 29-year-old would hammer 18 goals in league action last season to help seal automatic promotion.
Moreover, the Manchester-born star – who is also reportedly on the radar of Wolverhampton Wanderers – possesses experience of the Premier League to further boost the Clarets, but there’s a worry he could now up and leave before top-flight football officially returns to Turf Moor.
Losing him for nothing would also be very painful for the Lancashire side, considering his estimated worth currently stands at around the £9.5m range according to Football Transfers.
But, there is a midfield teammate of Brownhill’s who actually now boasts a heftier worth than the stand-out 29-year-old after an impressive debut season under Parker’s wing.
The Burnley star who is now worth more than Brownhill
In their bid to immediately return to the promised land of the Premier League, Burnley surprisingly didn’t splash obscene masses of cash.
Indeed, £15.4m was the most spent on a single player in the form of Mike Tresor. Whilst Tresor would unfortunately fade into the background, another of their summer purchases would shine as ex-Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri ended up relocating to the Clarets for a modest £5.4m fee.
He wouldn’t be an immediate success in his new location as he got up to speed, but Hannibal’s importance to the cause would be seen when crucial promotion games came thick and fast.
Indeed, his well-taken strike got the ball rolling for Parker’s nervy Clarets against Norwich City, while he also registered two assists when Burnley flawlessly won their last five league contests to finish inside the top two.
Lauded as an “absolute baller” during his time at Man United by scout Antonio Mango, he’s now finally living up to that immense potential.
Hannibal’s numbers for Burnley
Stat
Hannibal
Games played
39
Goals scored
1
Assists
5
Value when joining
£5.4m
Value now
£9.7m
Value increase
£4.3m
Sourced by Transfermarkt/Football Transfers
The Tunisian hasn’t blown anyone away with constant vibrant displays, but it’s clear the 22-year-old could only get better with time at Turf Moor, with this promise seen in his transfer value already increasing to a high £10m just a season into his Burnley move.
This is a small jump up from 18-goal hero Brownhill’s own valuation, with Parker praying that both Hannibal and the more seasoned head of the 29-year-old can link up with each other in the top-flight.
If that doesn’t happen, however, the ex-Fulham boss will know Hannibal will be raring to prove himself in the elite division, having already picked up the pieces with the Clarets after his Old Trafford departure.
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There have been a lot of players who have tormented Arsenal over the years, from Roberto Firmino to Jamie Vardy and Mohamed Salah.
However, when it comes to the striker who has scored more goals against the North Londoners in the Premier League than anyone else, it’ll come as no surprise to most that it is Harry Kane.
The former Tottenham Hotspur star scored 14 goals against the club in 17 appearances before moving to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, and then added another in the Champions League quarter-finals last season.
So, the Gunners faithful should be excited about reports linking them to a free-scoring striker who’s won comparisons to the England captain.
Arsenal's striker search
With Arsenal’s need for a striker this summer practically undeniable, the last few weeks have seen the club linked with a host of talented options, from Benjamin Sesko to Evann Guessand.
The club are reportedly in talks for the former at the moment, who could cost around £67m, which might just prove to be a bargain price, as in 45 appearances for RB Leipzig this season, the 22-year-old dynamo was able to score 21 goals and provide six assists.
Coming in with a cheaper price tag that is said to be around the £25m mark, Guessand would be the more economical option, and with a tally of 13 goals and ten assists in 42 games, it would be a tempting one at that.
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Yet, there is now another forward whose price fits nicely between both and has been compared to Kane: Nick Woltemade.
According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several teams incredibly interested in the VfB Stuttgart poacher.
In fact, the report reveals that the Gunners, as well as Liverpool, have made contact with the German outfit over their star striker, who could be available for around €50m, which comes out to about £42m.
He might not be a known quantity to fans in England, but given Woltemade’s ability and potential, this is a deal worth pursuing – with the comparison to Kane a nice bonus.
How Woltemade compares to Kane
Now, there are several reasons why Arsenal might want to go out and sign Woltemade this summer, but before getting to them, it’s worth examining this comparison to Kane and where it originated from.
Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade
In this case, it stems from FBref, which compared players in similar positions in the Bundesliga this season and came to the conclusion that the Englishman was the second most similar forward to the German.
The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is by looking at some of the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, live passes, expected assists, passes into the penalty area, tackles won and more, all per 90.
Woltemade & Kane
Statistic per 90
Woltemade
Kane
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.70
0.70
Goals per Shot
0.22
0.16
Expected Assists
0.19
0.21
Live Passes
26.5
23.4
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.28
1.36
Tackles Won
0.39
0.42
Successful Take-On %
43.7%
43.4%
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Bundesliga Season
However, while the comparison to England’s captain and one of the best strikers in the game is certainly encouraging, it’s not the only reason the Gunners should be looking to sign the Stuttgart star.
For example, despite playing for a midtable side, the “exceptional” marksman, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was able to rack up an impressive haul of 17 goals and three assists in 33 appearances, totalling 2039 minutes.
That means the 23-year-old goalscorer maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.65 games this year, or every 101.95 minutes, which is undeniably impressive.
On top of that, the Bremen-born star comes in at a massive 6 foot 6 but remains agile and quick on his feet, so not only could he interchange with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard at the Emirates, but he’d add even more height and physicality into the Gunners’ squad.
Ultimately, Woltemade has been incredible this season, and his goalscoring abilities combined with his physical characteristics make him someone Arsenal should not miss out on – the comparison to Kane is just another reason they should be going all out to sign him.
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Russell Martin is the 20th permanent manager in Rangers’ 153-year history, but he’s got plenty of work to do if he’s going to be a success at Ibrox.
Last season, the Gers finished second in the Premiership, a whopping 17 points adrift of the champions, and ended the campaign trophyless, most notably dumped out of the Scottish Cup having suffered their first-ever home defeat against lower-league opposition in the competition.
So, if the Light Blues are going to be ready for the start of Champions League qualifying next month, Martin is going to want to be very busy in the transfer market, so could he be reunited with a player for the third time?
Rangers targeting a new centre-back
According to a report by EFL Analysis, Rangers remain interested in signing centre-back Harry Darling, labelling this potential move to Glasgow a ‘very intriguing prospect’, with Norwich City also pursuing the defender.
The 25-year-old is a free agent, having left Swansea City, and has twice played for Martin before, first at Milton Keynes, before the new Rangers manager signed Darling three years ago when he was in charge of the Swans.
Recently-appointed Norwich boss Liam Manning, who replaced Martin at MK, described Darling as “outstanding”, adding that he is more than “capable” of playing at a high level, so could he turn down the Canaries and reunite with Martin once more?
How Harry Darling compares to Robin Pröpper
According to reports in the Netherlands, Robin Pröpper is set to re-join FC Twente this summer, with the Eredivisie side willing to pay around half of the £2.5m they received for the centre-back a mere 12 months ago.
The Dutchman made 43 appearances during his first, and potentially only, season at Rangers, scoring during victories over both Celtic and Dundee United, but more notably getting sent off just 13 minutes into the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club.
Pröpper himself admitted that “maybe I underestimated” the level of competition one faces in the Scottish Premiership, with his performances often widely criticised, including by Aaron Nijjar of Football Insider, who noted that his ‘struggles continued’ following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in December.
Meantime, Ewan Paton of the Rangers Review believes that Scottish football is ‘too quick and physical for his capabilities’, suggesting that supporters would be pleased to see the back of him.
But, would Darling be an upgrade? Let’s assess the pair’s respective statistics to answer that question.
Darling vs Pröpper 2024/25 comparison
Statistics
Darling
Pröpper
Appearances
39
43
Minutes
3,337
3,210
% of dribblers tackled
56.5%
55.6%
Tackles per 90
0.8
1.2
Interceptions per 90
0.6
0.9
Clearances per 90
5
3.8
Ball recoveries
152
36
% of aerial duels won
64.2%
54%
% of ground duels won
66%
53.25%
Average Sofascore Rating
7.23
6.69
Stats via Transfermarkt, FBref, Sofascore
As the table outlines, pretty much across the board, Darling comes out on top for the vast majority of defensive metrics included.
Worth considering that also, according to Global Football Rankings, the EFL Championship is the 11th strongest division in the world, with the Scottish Premiership down in 43rd, albeit 11 of Pröpper’s outings did come in either Champions League qualifying or the Europa League.
Writer Kai Watson believes that Darling would be ‘perfect’ for Martin’s system, labelling him ‘very comfortable on the ball and a brilliant passer’, underlining that this deal is a no-brainer for Rangers, especially considering he’s a free agent.
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