It would be fair to say that it’s been a reasonably successful transfer window for Manchester United so far this summer.

On top of shipping off a few unwanted stars, like Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, they’ve massively improved Ruben Amorim’s attack.

The triumvirate of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo has the potential to be one of the very best in the Premier League, although even with them in the side, there are a couple of areas that still need addressing.

Fortunately, it looks like the Red Devils are closing in on another signing who has been compared to Eric Cantona and could be viewed as a Mbuemo repeat.

Manchester United target their new Catona

According to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United remain interested in signing Emiliano Martínez.

Transfer Focus

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

In fact, the Italian journalist goes further, revealing that personal terms have now been agreed and that the Argentinian shot-stopper now “wants to join” the Red Devils.

Romano does not state just how much Aston Villa might want for their £150k-per-week star, but reports from earlier in the summer claimed that the Aston Villa ace may cost around £40m.

Even then, for a player of his quality, that may well be a price worth paying, especially as he has been compared to Cantona and could be seen in a similar light to Mbeumo.

How Martínez compares to Catona and Mbeumo

Before examining the reasons Martinez could be considered another Mbeumo for Manchester United, it’s worth looking into this comparison to Cantona, as the retired goalscorer is a legend of the club and English football.

In this instance, it stems from Sky Sports analyst Dougie Critchley, who boldly described the Argentine as the “Cantona of his generation.”

It might sound like a wild take, especially as the two internationals play, or played, in totally different positions, but when you take where they played out of the equation, it starts to make a lot more sense.

Outside of scoring for fun, what was the Frenchman known for? Arrogance and bravado.

Now, that might sound like a bad thing, and outside of football it may well be, but in the context of the beautiful game, it is most certainly a positive, and a massive one at that.

The former United magician was a natural-born entertainer and someone who thrived on the biggest stage, which is exactly how you would describe the World Cup-winning Villa man.

On top of pulling out world-class save after world-class save in the biggest games, he is a natural entertainer, someone rival fans love to hate, but would love to have at their club.

With that cleared up, why could he then also be another Mbeumo for Amorim and Co?

Well, this comparison is all down to the club signing a ready-made Premier League-proven superstar who could come right into the starting line-up for the next game.

Appearances

213

Goals Conceded

257

Clean Sheets

70

Points per Game

1.63

After all, the former Arsenal ace has won two of the last two Yashin Trophies and won two of the last three FIFA Best Goalkeeper awards.

As if that wasn’t enough, he also won last 24/25’s Premier League Save of the Season for his magnificent stop against Nottingham Forest.

Ultimately, Martinez possesses the same swagger and confidence as Cantona, and the proven track record of Mbuemo, so even if his price tag is a little high, Man United should do everything in their power to bring him to Old Trafford before 7pm.

West Ham in shock talks for "one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history"

Potter is in a desperate situation.

ByCallum Kemp Aug 27, 2025

After keeping wicket for 20 overs on a hot afternoon, Buttler scored an unbeaten 97 off 54 balls

Ekanth19-Apr-20251:30

Rayudu: Prasidh a great prospect for India going forward

It got tight for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the end, but Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 97 ensured their first successful chase of a 200-plus total in Ahmedabad. It was also the first time Delhi Capitals (DC) ended up being unsuccessful in defending a 200-plus total.Buttler stitched partnerships of 60 with B Sai Sudharsan and 119 with Sherfane Rutherford after keeping wicket for 20 overs on a hot afternoon.Mukesh Kumar’s wide yorker dismissed Rutherford and left GT needing ten off the final over. The tension was short-lived as Starc missed the wide yorker and Rahul Tewatia slog swept the first ball of the last over over midwicket for six. He then squeezed the next ball past the keeper for four to complete the chase with four balls to spare.Buttler takes down StarcButtler was hit on the groin early in his innings by a length ball from Starc, but he overcame that blow and cleared the boundaries.When Axar brought Starc back in the 15th over, hoping for reverse swing from around the wicket, there wasn’t any. The lengths were good, and the line was outside off, but Buttler scythed the ball with ease, finding gaps in front of and behind point.A change of angle made no difference. Starc went full and was driven through mid-off. A bouncer drew a top-edged pull, but it did not carry to Vipraj Nigam running in from deep backward square leg. That 20-run over brought the required rate down to nine from 11.GT’s top order sets the platform againGT are top heavy. Their plan is for one of the top three to bat deep into the innings, and it was Buttler’s turn today on a batting-friendly pitch.He came in early in GT’s chase of 204 after Shubman Gill had gifted his wicket looking to pinch a quick single to Karun Nair at midwicket. Buttler then set up exhibition of fours through the off side alongside Sai Sudharsan.Axar and Vipraj came on to bowl in the powerplay but did not find turn and were taken for three sixes and a four. Sai Sudharsan got boundaries off front and back foot against Mukesh Kumar as GT scored 67 in the powerplay.Kuldeep Yadav had Sai Sudharsan pulling to deep midwicket with his third ball. Rutherford then started slowly as the required rate rose.The mounting pressure was released when Rutherford sliced a drive against Kuldeep that sailed over long-off. Mohit Sharma was introduced in the 13th over to replicate the role he performed for GT in previous years. He started with two slower bouncers but they sat up and Rutherford pulled them for sixes.Buttler drilled a full ball from Mohit through mid-off to bring up his 32-ball fifty.Capitals start well on a belterGill won the toss in the afternoon and put DC in to bat. With Faf du Plessis not having recovered and DC leaving out Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC paired up Abhishek Porel with Karun Nair at the top.Porel’s boundaries in the first over – drive on the up over mid-off and help-along flick behind square – showed that the bounce on the pitch was even. Porel, though, couldn’t capitalise on the start as he fell to a full toss from Arshad Khan.KL Rahul’s shift in approach then kept DC ticking. Rahul cut Siraj for four and pumped him down the ground for six. His innings, though, was cut short on 28 off 14 balls by an outswinging yorker from Prasidh Krishna. Nair fell for 31 off 18 balls when he glided Prasidh to deep third.A pristine cover drive from Tristan Stubbs off Prasidh brought up DC’s hundred in the ninth over. But he and Axar were relatively sedate after that during their 53-run stand off 36 balls. They were happy to take Rashid Khan and Ishant Sharma for ones and twos.Rashid bowled quicker and at the stumps in his first two overs. When he slowed the pace down in his third, Stubbs took him for six down the ground but then miscued a swipe across the line. Rashid ran back but couldn’t hold onto the catch near mid-on. GT reached 150 in 15 overs.Pacers contain DCIshant was struggling in the heat and went off the pitch after two overs. Siraj returned and removed Stubbs, who reverse-swept a yorker and the ball lobbed to short third.GT’s death bowlers attempted a lot of yorkers with short balls peppered in between. It nearly worked at the start of the 17th over, but Rashid dropped Axar.The DC captain could not hit a boundary in his last nine balls and was out caught behind for 39 off 32 balls. He charged at Prasidh and tried to slap a length ball over cover and got an edge. Prasidh then got rid of Nigam next ball, thanks to a brilliant diving catch from Buttler.Ashutosh Sharma gave DC the finishing kick they were looking for. He scored a six and a four off Arshad early in his innings and hit two sixes off Prasidh later. R Sai Kishore – whose only over was the final one of the innings – went for just nine, but it was enough for GT to cross 200.

كشفت تقارير صحفية تطورات جديدة بشأن الثنائي الذي يراقبه ليفربول للحصول على خدمات أي منهما لتعويض محمد صلاح.

وبحسب “فوتبول إنسايدر” البريطانية فإن ليفربول يراقب عن قرب الثنائي أنطوان سيمينيو جناح بورنموث وأنتوني جوردون نجم نيوكاسل يونايتد.

ويستهدف ليفربول التعاقد مع الجناحين اللذين يقدمان أداءً رائعًا مع بورنموث ونيوكاسل على الترتيب هذا الموسم.

ويحظى سيمينيو وجوردون بتقدير كبير من جانب فريق التعاقدات في ليفربول، ويثير الثنائي إعجاب مسؤولي الريدز بقدراتهما على اللعب في مراكز متعددة في خط الهجوم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سبورت: هل تضاءل دور محمد صلاح مع ليفربول؟

ويأتي إعجاب ليفربول بضم الثنائي انطوان سيمينيو أو أنتوني جوردون وسط شكوك حول مستقبل محمد صلاح مع الريدز مع اقتراب سوق الانتقالات الشتوية في يناير.

ويعد سيمينيو أحد أبرز اللاعبين في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم تحت قيادة أندوني إيراولا، وسجل اللاعب ستة أهداف في الدوري هذا الموسم وصنع ثلاث تمريرات حاسمة.

ولم يسجل جوردون أي هدف في الدوري الإنجليزي مع فريق نيوكاسل تحت قيادة إيدي هاو، لكنه تألق في أوروبا، وسجل أربعة أهداف في ثلاث مباريات.

MatériaMais Notícias

A resposta para a pergunta ‘Quais são os times mais ricos do Brasil’ é relativa. Tendo em vista os diferentes critérios utilizados para a realização de levantamentos, é provável que os resultados encontrados sejam diferentes. Porém, uma pesquisa chegou bem perto da resposta ‘ideal’. De acordo com balanço da SportsValue referente ao ano passado, Flamengo e Palmeiras são os clubes mais valiosos do país.

RelacionadasFora de CampoEx-jogador manda recado para Pedro, do Flamengo: ‘Parece um garoto de 16 anos’Fora de Campo31/07/2023Futebol NacionalValor e prestígio – Flamengo e Fluminense no Campeonato BrasileiroFutebol Nacional31/07/2023Palmeiras‘Zerado’ na janela, Palmeiras é o clube da Série A que menos contratou na temporadaPalmeiras31/07/2023

+ Corinthians coloca Alexis Sánchez no radar, Flamengo aumenta proposta por Wendel… O Dia do Mercado!

O levantamento utiliza os seguintes critérios: valor de marca, os jogadores, os direitos esportivos e os ativos (fixos, correntes e intangíveis). A pesquisa também leva em conta todas as atualizações dos números de valorização dos clubes, com a recuperação após pandemia, inflação e taxa de câmbio (R$-US$).

Ao final de 2022, o valor do Rubro-Negro era de 685 milhões de dólares (cerca de R$ 3,7 bilhões), enquanto o do Verdão era de 617 milhões de dólares (cerca de R$3,4 bilhões).

Confira o ranking dos 10 clubes mais valiosos do Brasil (levantamento referente a 2022):

1. Flamengo – R$ 3,7 bilhões
2. Palmeiras – R$ 3,4 bilhões
3. Atlético-MG – R$ 3,1 bilhões
4. Corinthians – R$ 2,9 bilhões
5. Internacional – R$ 2,3 bilhões
6. São Paulo – R$ 2,2 bilhões
7. Athletico-PR – R$ 2 bilhões
8. Santos – R$ 1,41 bilhões
9. Grêmio -R$ 1,4 bilhões
10. Fluminense – R$ 1,39 bilhões

+ ‘Zerado’ na janela, Palmeiras é o clube da Série A que menos contratou na temporada

Um outro estudo, também realizado pela SportsValue, mostra quais são os 20 clubes de maior receita no país durante o ano passado. A soma dos cinco maiores faturamentos é de R$ 3,9 bilhões, superando o valor dos demais 15 times, que, juntos, somaram aproximadamente R$ 3,5 bilhões. Flamengo e Palmeiras lideram o levantamento, assim como na pesquisa anterior, tendo faturado altos valores especialmente com premiações.

1. Flamengo – R$ 1,77 bilhão
2. Palmeiras – R$ 856 milhões
3 Corinthians – R$ 779,1 milhões
4. São Paulo – R$ 657,2 milhões
5. Internacional – R$ 466,6 milhões
6. Atlético Mineiro – R$ 429 milhões
7. Athletico Paranaense – R$ 370 milhões
8. Bragantino – R$ 350,2 milhões
9. Fluminense – R$ 347,2 milhões
10. Santos – R$ 341,9 milhões
11. Grêmio – R$ 340,1 milhões
12. Fortaleza – R$ 267,9 milhões
13. Ceará – R$ 173,2 milhões
14. Coritiba – R$ 164,1 milhões
15. Cruzeiro – R$ 155 milhões
16. América-MG – R$ 148,6 milhões
17. Cuiabá – R$ 133,3 milhões
18. Bahia – R$ 108,3 milhões
19. Goiás – R$ 106,7 milhões
20. Atlético-GO – R$ 100,2 milhões

It wasn’t just incomings that Liverpool were focused on this summer and one Reds star has now revealed he had the chance to leave the club.

Liverpool's transformative summer defined by clever selling

Liverpool have been accused of standing still when crowned Premier League champions in the past, almost settling for what they had earned. This time, such accusations would be incredibly far-fetched. Sat atop their throne after becoming champions last season, the Reds have enjoyed a transformative summer — spending over £400m and ruthlessly selling a number of stars to fund it.

In came Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz , Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong, and out went Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez , plus more. It was about as ruthless as it gets from Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, who have created a side capable of enjoying an era of dominance at Anfield, keeping Liverpool second in the net spend pile despite breaking the British transfer record twice.

A lot has been made of Liverpool’s spending and why they’ve suddenly spent more than ever, but one look at their summer sales will provide an emphatic answer. They’re one of the smartest clubs in European football and that was on show for all to see in the summer window.

Forget Leoni: Liverpool already have a Guehi upgrade in Slot's "monster"

Liverpool missed out on Guehi, one of their top summer transfer targets, on deadline day.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 5, 2025

The Reds didn’t just sell for any offer that came in, either. They were tactical. The likes of Nunez and Diaz were seen as players that should be moved on, but only for the right price, with the club even happy to let Diaz run his contract down rather than sell too soon for too little. Hughes and Edwards simply waited for that price to come before cashing in.

What Diaz’s move allowed them to do was also keep hold of another star, who has now spoken about interest from Bayern Munich.

Gakpo admits Bayern interest was "difficult"

Whilst it was Diaz that moved on in the end, the story could have been very different. Cody Gakpo has admitted that Bayern Munich “did come” in for his signature, but he chose to stay put at Liverpool in a “difficult” saga.

It’s a decision that would have been a relief to Arne Slot too, given just how emphatically the Dutchman has started the current campaign.

For all of Liverpool’s standout business, keeping hold of Gakpo will prove to be of underrated importance, with the Netherlands star signing a new contract that will keep him in red until 2030.

The winger has scored once and assisted twice in just four Premier League games this season and will be looking to keep hold of his place following the arrival of Isak on deadline day.

AC Milan captain Mike Maignan is still yet to sign a contract extension at the San Siro, giving Chelsea or Man United a chance to sign him for free in 2026.

The France number one is classed as one of the world’s best shot-stoppers, and his availability on a free transfer next year is putting Premier League clubs on red alert.

Chelsea have long been after Maignan and attempted to agree a cut-price deal in the summer window.

Enzo Maresca also personally asked Chelsea’s hierarchy to sign a world-class new goalkeeper to replace Robert Sanchez (Graeme Bailey), with the Blues previously sensing an opportunity to go for Maignan to grant their manager’s wish.

Appearances

168

Bookings

8

Red Cards

1

Goals conceded

172

Clean sheets

63

Minutes played

14,963

via Transfermarkt

However, a major difference in pricing saw Milan refuse to sanction his move to Stamford Bridge, despite the 30-year-old’s eagerness to join them. Chelsea wanted him before their Club World Cup campaign, but snubbed the Rossoneri’s attempts to demand an extortionate fee because of that.

A deal for Maignan ultimately wasn’t revisited before deadline day on September 1, with Max Allegri since captaining the shot-stopper as Milan potentially give him something to think about.

They’re just three points behind Serie A leaders and Italian champions Napoli after three consecutive wins, and if Milan continue in this fashion, who knows, Maignan could be tempted to pen an extension.

In the meantime, though, he is set to leave for free at the end of the season, and reports suggest that Chelsea are ready to offer Maignan a pre-contract in January to end their reliance on Sanchez, who was sent off against Man United last weekend.

Mike Maignan decides whether he wants to join Chelsea or Man United

Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils are also after a reliable keeper, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Maignan wants to join Chelsea next year as things stand.

This comes as an almighty boost for the west Londoners, as Maignan is an arguably unmissable opportunity.

Why Chelsea need to sign Mike Maignan

All Premier League title-winning sides have one thing in common — the presence of a truly commanding star between the sticks.

Chelsea acknowledge that Sanchez has displayed improvements lately, but the jury is out on whether he can still be Maresca’s main point of call if they’re truly serious about ending their long wait for a top flight crown.

Maignan, available at zero cost, is set to become Europe’s most available, high-pedigree keeper next year, with the former Lille favourite possessing years of top-level experience and proven ability.

He’s also highly-rated by his peers, like Liverpool’s Alisson, who recently explained why Maignan is one of the best in the world.

Hosts on top despite Northeast fifty as bowlers made to toil at Bristol

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay12-Apr-2025

Sam Northeast’s fifty steadied Glamorgan in the face of a mammoth total•PA Photos/Getty Images

Bowlers on both sides were made to strive hard for wickets on the second day of Gloucestershire’s Rothesay County Championship Second Division match with Glamorgan at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.The hosts began by extending their overnight first innings score of 368 for 3 to a mammoth 546 all out, claiming four bonus points to Glamorgan’s two. Miles Hammond contributed 54 and Graeme van Buuren 48, while Zain-ul-Hassan was the pick of the Glamorgan attack with 2 for 66 from 24 overs.In reply, the visitors had reached 146 for 3 by the time bad light ended play at 5.40pm, Sam Northeast making exactly 50. They still require a further 251 to avoid the possibility of following on, but can sleep soundly in the knowledge that a third-day Bristol pitch is unlikely to offer any greater challenges.Gloucestershire soon made their intentions to score quick runs clear at the start of play as Hammond, unbeaten on 37 overnight, took two boundaries off the second over, sent down by Asitha Fernando. But nightwatchman Matt Taylor fell cheaply with the total advanced to 379, caught at third slip by Kiran Carlson, pushing forward to Timm van der Gugten.Hammond went to an attractive half-century off 62 balls, with eight fours, before van der Gugten forced a ball between bat and pad to clip the stumps. The 400 was brought up in the 108th over, leaving Gloucestershire too short of time to claim a fifth batting bonus point.James Bracey looked in good touch, producing the shot of the morning with a glorious on-drive for four off van der Gugten and following up with an equally impressive square-driven boundary in the same over.It looked as though Glamorgan would have to settle for one bowling point when the final ball of the 110th over was reached with Gloucestershire 423 for 5. But it saw van Buuren and Bracey attempt a quick single to backward point and Bracey run out for 24 by Ben Kellaway’s rapid throw to wicketkeeper Chris Cooke.Chris Dent was next to the crease in the unfamiliar role of No. 8. The experienced opener made a brisk 24, helping van Buuren take the total to 466 before edging a back-foot forcing shot off Ned Leonard through to Cooke.At lunch, Gloucestershire had progressed to 491 for 7, having scored 123 in the session for the loss of four wickets. That became 506 for 8 soon after the interval when Tom Price, on 21, was pinned lbw falling across his stumps by Zain.It was a well-deserved wicket for the seamer, who had bowled without any luck on day one. He quickly followed up by having Zaman Akhter caught at slip for 15, and the innings finally ended when van Buuren, who had clipped Zain off his toes over deep backward square for six, holed out to long-off to give Shoaib Bashir a second wicket of the innings.Glamorgan had been in the field for 137.5 overs and began their first innings facing severe scoreboard pressure. Openers Eddie Byrom and Zain took the total to 44 before the latter edged to wicketkeeper Bracey pushing forward to Tom Price and departed for 28.Byrom followed for 23 with the score on 84, getting a nick to a back-foot defensive off Taylor for Bracey to take a second straightforward catch. But Northeast had settled in and survived just one major scare, a confident lbw shout by Price, on 46 before moving to a 77-ball half-century, with nine fours.That was as good as it got for the Glamorgan skipper who fended at a ball from Ajeet Singh Dale that hurried onto him and edged to Cameron Bancroft at second slip.Carlson and Colin Ingram then batted with few alarms until, with a possible 11.1 overs left in the day’s play and the floodlights on, the umpires decided conditions were no longer fit for play.

Former Manchester United star Michael Carrick is in frame to take over as Rangers manager after Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard decided to step away from the race to replace Russell Martin at the Scottish club. After a poor start to the 2025-26 campaign, which saw fans protesting against Martin and demanding his removal, the head coach was finally sacked from his position earlier this month.

• Rangers sacked Martin after massive fan protest

  Martin, an ex-MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton manager, only took charge at Ibrox this summer. His ball-playing philosophy was considered to be a good fit for Rangers, but many fans had their doubts from the beginning. Those fears proved to be well-founded, with Martin stumbling out of the blocks and never getting into his stride. A 1-1 draw with Falkirk proved to be the final straw, with Rangers left languishing in eighth spot on the league table, after picking up just eight points from seven top-flight fixtures this season. 

  They have just one league win to their name and are already 11 points adrift of table-topping Hearts, while they trail Old Firm arch-rivals Celtic by nine points. Before the manager's sacking, the Rangers fans had made their feelings clear when they went public with their protest against the boss as they visited the Ibrox for a Scottish League Cup quarter-final clash with banners, which read: "Russell out – worst manager in history." They also hurled balls onto the pitch, which led to a delay in the start of the game.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Gerrard walk out of race after emerging as favourite to replace Martin

  After Martin's departure from Ibrox, Anfield icon Gerrard emerged as the favourite candidate to replace him. Gerrard, who had previously worked with Rangers and had even guided them to a league victory in 2021, was tipped to return to Glasgow. Gerrard held positive talks with the club hierarchy, however, journalist reported on Saturday that the 45-year-old is no longer keen on accepting the manager's role at Ibrox Stadium. 

  The report added that the former England international is not quite ready to take up a new assignment as head coach at the moment. further claims that Gerrard had told Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chair Paraag Marathe that he wanted to have full control over the transfers, but he later opted out. 

• Man Utd legend in contention to accept Rangers jon

  Now that the Gerrard chapter is over, the Daily Mail further claims that Rangers officials have started looking at other options, including Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, while Sheffield Wednesday head coach Danny Rohl is also being considered by sporting director Kevin Thelwell, CEO Patrick Stewart and Gretar Steinsson of 49ers Enterprises. But the name that has stood out is United legend Michael Carrick, who is currently without a job. 

  The 44-year-old was sacked from his first permanent managerial job at Middlesbrough in June this year. Carrick was appointed as the club's head coach in 2022 and he immediately took the team up the table and secured a play-off place, only to see his team beaten in the semi-finals. Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on a top six in the following two campaigns, leading to Carrick's dismissal ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. The former England midfielder has also managed the Red Devils on an interim basis in the past. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Carrick linked with a move to United

  Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim's future at Old Trafford has come under scrutiny after the club's ridiculously slow start to the 2025-26 campaign, which has seen them lose three out of their first seven matches to currently occupy 10th position in the league table. Despite spending heavily in the summer transfer window, especially to bolster the team's attack, Amorim's men are still not looking convincing.

  Carrick was closely linked with a move back to his old club last month to replace the underperforming Ruben Amorim, although INEOS chief and club minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear, recently, that Amorim is here to stay for the long run, as the billionaire provided a three-year cushion to the Portuguese coach. 

Liam Delap was on course to join Manchester United this summer before the transfer to Old Trafford collapsed. Instead, the former Ipswich striker joined Chelsea, although he has since sustained an injury that has kept him out of action in recent weeks. According to reports, Delap's move to Manchester was '90 per cent done'.

Delap deal all but sealed

It was no secret that the Red Devils were on the hunt for a new striker last summer. They eventually landed on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, who joined for £74 million (€85m) to replace the outgoing Rasmus Hojlund. However, it has now been revealed that United were in the hunt to bring former Manchester City youth product Delap to the Theatre of Dreams, only for the deal to collapse in the final stages.

Delap had a £30m relegation release clause after failing to help Ipswich remain in the Premier League under Kieran McKenna, with a handful of top-flight clubs in the race to secure his signature. According to the Daily Mail, a move to United was as much as '90 per cent' completed. 

Eventually, the 22-year-old opted to join rivals Chelsea, where he has since made three appearances and is yet to score for his new side in the Premier League.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportChelsea project more exciting for England striker

Delap pulled on the famous blue shirt and immediately got his hands on silverware, winning the Club World Cup with his new side. It was instant justification for his decision, and it came after admitting the Chelsea project was one that excited him. 

Upon joining Enzo Maresca in west London, Delap hinted that a move elsewhere was on the cards. He said: "You never know if it is going to be the right decision but you've just got to go with your gut and hope it works out. You've got to take your time. I took a few days to speak to people and decide my future.

"I've got a good relationship with the manager," he said of Maresca. "I know how he plays. I've played in this system before. It's very similar now but with little tweaks. I know a lot of the players here and the project of the club, how they see the future. That's what excited me."

Lack of Europe moved the needle

After digging into the reasons why Delap did not end up at United, several reports claimed it was due to their lack of European football. The Red Devils were defeated by Tottenham in the Europa League final back in May, denying them the opportunity to play in the Champions League this term. 

On top of that, Delap revealed he spoke to close friend Cole Palmer, who he rose through the ranks with before following in his footsteps and swapping City for Chelsea. He added: "I asked him what I needed to ask him, he told me what I needed to know. But I don't like too much information. Ultimately it was my decision so I kind of just want my head to be clear."

Although there is no doubt that Delap would have been a smart signing for Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils so far seem to have pulled off a better deal by bringing Sesko in. Despite costing the club a significantly higher amount than the ex-Ipswich star would have demanded, Sesko is starting to find his rhythm in the Premier League. 

The Slovenian has made eight appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals. That is two more than Delap, who is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

(C)Getty ImagesSour grapes or a lucky break?

Delap has now had two long-term injuries in his short career at the top level. During a loan spell with Hull, he missed 16 games after picking up a knee issue. He has already been sidelined for 14 Chelsea matches, despite only joining in the summer. United fans will claim they have done better business in recruiting a striker based on the lack of impact so far from Delap, but there is still plenty of time for the young forward to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. 

He is expected back by the end of 2025, when he can then start chasing down the 12 Premier League goals that he netted for Ipswich in 2024-25 that earned him a move to one of Europe's powerhouses.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has challenged his side to back up their first win of the season with consistency after a 1-0 Europa League victory over Bologna.

Villa scored their first goal at home this season after 12 minutes when John McGinn fired into the bottom right corner from outside the area. Ollie Watkins had a second-half penalty saved by Lukasz Skorupski as he failed to open his account for the campaign.

Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot was busy in the second half as Bologna piled on the pressure and he scrambled across his goal to keep out Martin Vitik’s header in stoppage time to ensure the hosts clung on to all three points. Emery says his side now have something to build on heading into Sunday’s Premier League match with Fulham.

He told TNT Sports: “At home I felt always here, in three years since I arrived, strong and confident. Creating and building a great atmosphere with energy with the players and supporters and today I felt it again.

“Bologna played well, they demanded us a lot, but then we adapted and tried to dominate and I think we deserved the win. Today we won and it is important we have to try and keep consistent on Sunday. Different match and rival, but a lot of things tactically we have to keep on building.

“Today this win will help us to try and continue working and being positive, but each match coming is a challenge, to fight to try and prepare as best as possible, be demanding with the players. This year I am excited, positive and motivated about the Europa League, but I know how difficult it is to win.”

Watkins struggles again as Villa Park gets tense

Watkins came off the bench in the 58th minute and looked lively, but his goal drought extended to seven games with the penalty miss. Emery is confident the forward will return to form, though. He added: “He worked today like he is (confident) and this is the first step to recover confidence.

“Then he had a penalty and he created chances as well, but the most important is to recover confidence and do your tasks like he did today. Today was the first step and he did fantastic.”

Defender Ezri Konsa admits the Villa Park crowd have been “tricky” to deal with following a tough start to the season but wants to use Thursday’s win as a starting point for their season. He said:

Related Journalist reveals how Monchi leaving will impact Emery's Aston Villa future

A journalist has explained how the recent off-field issues at Villa could affect Unai Emery.

Posts ByDominic Lund Sep 25, 2025