Tag Futebol

A “tremendous” Liverpool player is now in advanced talks over a move away from the club in the near future, in a potential big blow for the Reds.

Liverpool star Konate coy over his future

The Premier League champions enjoyed a summer transfer window to treasure, bringing in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for club-record amounts, and also signing the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike, among others.

That said, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz were among the Liverpool players to move on, and there are also doubts surrounding the futures of some other current stars.

One of them is Ibrahima Konate, with the 26-year-old continually linked with a move to Real Madrid in the near future, and he discussed his future during the summer, playing down an exit but also not exactly committing himself to the Reds.

“You know, I just want to say one thing: Everything you saw on social media is completely fake. I didn’t even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it. The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end…I want this, all of it is completely fake.

“And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: ‘Ah, they have more information than me!?’ Because it was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment.”

Konate in advance talks to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid

According to Marca journalist Jose Felix Diaz on YouTube, Liverpool centre-back Konate is now in “very advanced” talks to join Madrid in 2026.

The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of this season, and he is yet to commit his future to the Reds by signing a new long-term deal at the club.

This is clearly a worrying situation for Liverpool, with the lure of Madrid great for any player, and Kylian Mbappe could be doing his utmost to persuade his international colleague to join him at the club, as well as Alexander-Arnold.

Konate may have made a patchy start to the season for the Reds, admittedly performing well in the 1-0 win over Arsenal, but he is a key man who remains a great foil for Virgil van Dijk, being hailed by Micah Richards in the past.

“I watched him a lot at Leipzig – there’s so much potential. There’s all these things he’s tremendous at – last ditch tackles he can do that, he can get back in, pace – no problem at all. To go to the next level now if he can just concentrate a little bit more and be a bit more assured on the ball.”

Granted, Konate isn’t irreplaceable, and he is guilty of having lapses in form from time to time, but keeping hold of him makes far more sense than selling him.

Signed for £5m, sold for 450% more: Liverpool hit gold with the original Wirtz

Liverpool’s original version of Wirtz was sold for a healthy profit.

ByWill Miller Sep 9, 2025

In fairness to the France international, he deserves to be earning more than his current £70,000-a-week wages, and if Liverpool aren’t offering him what he wants, there is an inevitability about what will happen next.

Pakistan had to wait for nearly three decades for a global tournament to return to their country, but New Zealand spoiled their party on the opening day of the Champions Trophy, handing the co-hosts a 60-run loss in Karachi. In a short, sharp tournament, where each team plays just three group-stage games, a defeat like this might jeopardise Pakistan’s chances of making the semi-finals. Will Young and Tom Latham were the architects of their team’s victory, both batters scoring outstanding hundreds to set up the dominance that followed but there was also a little bit of luck.Two balls into the game, Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury while chasing a cover drive from Young and was forced off the field for large parts of the first innings. As result of the time spent off the field, Fakhar, whose big hitting is exactly what was necessary for a big chase, could not open the batting in their pursuit of 321. And when he came out to bat at No. 4 – Pakistan were 22 for 2 in ten overs at the time – he was visibly hampered while running between the wickets. New Zealand’s offspinners, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips, kept hiding the ball away from his reach and made life even more difficult for him. Fakhar’s tortured stay eventually ended when Bracewell bowled him with a non-turner for 24 off 41 balls.Just like Fakhar, most of the Pakistan batters failed to get out first gear, including Babar Azam who needed 81 balls for his fifty. New Zealand’s attack was depleted by the injuries to Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, but their spinners made up for that on a pitch that offered turn and variable bounce. The spinners were so good that New Zealand didn’t need Nathan Smith, their third seamer, until the 31st over. By then Pakistan’s asking rate had almost touched ten an over.New Zealand were also depleted by the injury-enforced absence of Rachin Ravindra, but Young and Latham scored tone-setting hundreds before Glenn Phillips provided an electric finish. In all, New Zealand plundered 113 off their last ten overs to finish with 320.That total, however, had looked so far away when New Zealand were reduced to 40 for 2 in the ninth over and then 73 for 3 in the 17th over. That’s when Young got together with Latham to repair the early damage and then boss the middle overs.Young has spent much of his international career on the fringes. He might not have played this game had Ravindra been fit and despite his maiden international hundred away from home, he might make way for Ravindra once the allrounder recovers. In Kane Williamson’s absence, Young had emerged as the Player of the Series in New Zealand’s historic 3-0 sweep of India in India but was left out for Williamson in New Zealand’s very next Test against England at home. However, whenever Young gets an opportunity, he’s ready to take it, like he demonstrated once again on Wednesday.After Devon Conway was undone by a carrom ball from mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for 10 and Williamson fell for his first single-digit ODI score in six years, in the next over, Young reined himself in and saw off challenging spells from Abrar and Naseem Shah.Tom Latham and Will Young paced their centuries perfectly•Associated Press

Young brought up his third fifty-plus score in nine innings in Pakistan and converted it into a century. He got there in 107 balls in the 35th over, with Ravindra warmly applauding him from the dressing room.As for Latham, he rattled off his own hundred off 95 balls and remained unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls. It capped a remarkable turnaround for him after he had come into the tri-series final on the back of three ducks, stretching back to the Auckland ODI against Sri Lanka in January. After being assisted by multiple reprieves on his way to 56 in the tri-series final against Pakistan, Latham reminded the world of his full range. He played a variety of sweeps, including the reverse, off a variety of lengths to disrupt Pakistan’s spinners. Fifty-two of his 118 runs came square or behind square on the leg side.After Young holed out for 107, Latham forged 125-run partnership with Phillips for the fifth wicket off just 74 balls. Having been on 10 off 18 balls, Phillips surged to his fifty off his next 16 balls. He had launched Shaheen for back-to-back sixes and then when he shaped to ramp Haris Rauf over short third, he ended up toe-ending it to the fielder for 61 off 39.Phillips wasn’t done though. He produced the play of the day when he leapt to his left from point, stuck out one hand above his head and held onto a screamer to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan for 3 off 14 balls on the last ball of the first powerplay. Will O’Rourke had already dismissed Saud Shakeel, the makeshift opener in place of Fakhar, for 6 in the fourth over. Matt Henry, who had missed the tri-series final with a knee niggle, also kept it tight in the first powerplay, which yielded Pakistan only 22 for 2.It was Pakistan’s lowest score in the first ten overs since March 2019 and third lowest in the history of the Champions Trophy. There would be no way back for them, despite late blows from Khushdil Shah, who hit 69 off 49 balls, and the lower order. Pakistan were ultimately bowled out for 260 in the 48th over.In his first match at a global event as New Zealand captain, Santner came away with three wickets though he took some tap at the end. For the third time in a space of two weeks, New Zealand put Pakistan away with ruthless efficiency and embellished their status as title contenders.

Newcastle United’s hunt for a striker is still ongoing, and Alexander Isak’s future has still not been resolved. Of course, the Magpies played against Liverpool on Monday night, the club that their striker wants to sign for this summer, and after the game, Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X that the Sweden international still wants his move to Anfield.

Regardless of what happens to Isak in the final few days of the summer window, Eddie Howe’s side are still in the market for a centre-forward. Callum Wilson departed the club at the end of his contract, and with Isak’s situation ongoing, William Osula is the only recognised striker at the club.

With days left in the window, the situation will need to come to a head soon.

Newcastle’s hunt for a striker

One of the names that has consistently cropped up concerning the Magpies’ hunt for a new centre-forward is Brentford star Yoane Wissa. However, they have already seen two bids rejected for the DR Congo international.

Transfer Focus

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

Now, it seems like the North East side could turn their attention to Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. According to a report from the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, the Norwegian star was subject to a bid from Howe’s side. It was said to be worth £55m, but that was rejected by the higher-ups at Molineux.

However, that is not going to stop Newcastle in their pursuit of Strand Larsen. Hope revealed that they are “weighing up” another bid for the striker, who is said to be “keen” on switching to St James’ Park.

As for the price, Wolves could demand as much as £70m, according to a recent report.

Why Strand Larsen would be a good signing

Should Newcastle pull off a deal for Strand Larsen, they would be signing a striker who is already used to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. Last season, Magpies legend Alan Shearer described him as a “superb” striker on Match of the Day, and he certainly knows what he is talking about.

Indeed, the 25-year-old impressed during his first-ever season in the Premier League. He played 35 games in the top flight, finding the back of the net on 14 occasions and assisting four goals, too.

The 2025/26 season has already started off well for Strand Larsen, too. The former Celta Vigo striker bagged two goals in Wolves’ Carabao Cup second-round win over West Ham United, showing excellent instinct in the penalty box for each strike.

There is certainly a case to be made that bringing the Norwegian star to St James’ Park would be an even better addition than that of Wissa.

That is despite the obvious progression shown by the Brentford striker, who has impressed for the Bees over the past couple of seasons.

The DR Congo star bagged 19 goals last term for Thomas Frank’s side, the second time he has hit double figures in the Premier League after scoring 12 the previous season, although that was less than Strand Larsen’s 13 for Celta Vigo in the 2023/24 La Liga season.

An article from BBC Sport highlights one area in which Strand Larsen is better than Wissa, and in fact, most other strikers in the Premier League. As of March last year, his 69% shot accuracy was the most accurate in the top flight, making him one of the most efficient strikers.

The underlying stats from the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons also make for interesting reading. For example, in that time, Strand Larsen averaged 1.12 shots on target per 90 minutes, compared to Wissa’s tally of 1.08 shots on target each game.

Goals

0.45

0.52

Shots on target

1.12

1.08

Goals per shot

0.2

0.2

Shot on target %

50%

41.4%

Aerial duels won

2.31

1.13

It is easy to see why Strand Larsen could be considered an upgrade on Wissa. Not only is he a more accurate and efficient striker, but he has the goals to back it up in the Premier League, doubling Wissa’s tally from his first season of top-flight English football.

£70m is a huge investment for Newcastle, but one they need to make this summer to add to their striking options.

Gordon upgrade: Al-Rumayyan in talks to sign £65m "nuisance" for Newcastle

Newcastle are approaching crunch time in their drawn-out bid to sign a striker this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 26, 2025

Chelsea have now reached a verbal agreement for one of their next potential signings of the window, but must wait for Christopher Nkunku to leave before finalising the deal.

The west Londoners are not exactly strapped for cash, and estimate that Chelsea are currently enjoying a profit margin of around £108 million when it comes to their balance sheet.

Enzo Maresca’s side have brought in around £388 million through player sales (£220m), Club World Cup prize money (£87.5m) and qualifying for the Champions League combined (£80m), with around £280 million spent on summer transfers.

This puts them in superb stead when it comes to the Premier League’s PSR laws, but they remain forced to sell players due to their pact with UEFA.

Chelsea reached an agreement with UEFA last month after breaking their separate FFP rules, and, as part of their settlement, it was agreed that BlueCo must produce a positive transfer balance by September – or risk not being able to register new players for their European A-list squad.

Essentially, Maresca’s squad must be balanced out financially with outgoings to make up for their plethora of incomings.

Chelsea are currently in talks to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, according to widespread reports, so they must make headway when it comes to selling more undesired players pretty soon.

Chelsea completed exit deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu earlier in the window, but more are certain to follow.

Maresca confirmed that Nicolas Jackson isn’t part of the squad for their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace, stating the Senegalese will be allowed to leave Cobham, while Bayern Munich are currently in talks to sign Nkunku, who’s keen to join them.

The Frenchman bagged 15 goals in all competitions last season, finishing 2024/2025 as one of their top scorers, but he struggled to earn a consistent starting place under Maresca despite some impressive showings.

Nkunku displayed flashes of his quality at the CWC too, though his future appears far away from west London, especially since his exit could “unlock” a long-awaited deal for Simons.

Chelsea reach verbal agreement to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons

That is according to journalist Rudy Galetti, who wrote on X this week that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign the Dutchman.

However, they’re currently waiting for Nkunku to leave before formalising the deal – making his exit imperative.

The 22-year-old playmaker bagged 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions across 24/25, prompting Leipzig to reward Simons with a £192,000-per-week contract – making him the highest-paid player in their history.

The former PSG ace only made his move there a permanent one in January, but if he has his way, Simons could soon become one of the Premier League’s newest stars.

The last two Premier League seasons have seen all three of the newly promoted sides get instantly relegated, but Sunderland are making some big moves in the transfer market in an attempt to break the pattern.

Of the Black Cats’ ten biggest signings, six of them have come in this transfer window. The most expensive of the bunch has been 21-year-old midfielder, Habib Diarra, who joined from Strasbourg for £30 million.

Regis Le Bris has brought in a good mix of players who are varied in their positions and their age profiles. Unproven youngsters like Noah Sadiki and Chemsdine Talbi have been balanced with seasoned pros like Granit Xhaka and Reinildo Mandava.

These new signings integrated with Le Bris’ playoff-winning squad already make a team that are well-situated to fight for survival, but Sunderland aren’t finished there, as it has been revealed that they have been pushing to bring in a Premier League-proven striker.

Sunderland made shock move for Calvert-Lewin

TalkSport’s Alex Crook has reported that Sunderland approached Calvert-Lewin earlier in the window. Calvert-Lewin is currently a free agent after his contract with Everton expired. While Sunderland have already displayed a willingness to be bold this transfer window, a move for an England-capped player would be a big statement.

Crook’s report indicates that at this moment in time, the negotiations between the two parties have stalled due to Calvert-Lewin’s desire to play for a club higher up the table. The Englishman has also been linked with moves to Manchester United and Leeds; however, Ruben Amorim’s side appears on the verge of signing Benjamin Sesko, and Leeds were put off by his wage demands that were reportedly around the £100,000 a week mark.

At £5.2 million a year in wages plus a potential signing-on fee, a move for the striker looks feasible for Sunderland, given how much they’ve already been willing to spend this window. Interestingly, When Calvert-Lewin was being linked to a move to Old Trafford, Alan Pardew controversially said that “on their day there’s not much between” him and Arsenal’s new striker, Viktor Gyokeres.

Since these negotiations took place, Sunderland have signed Chelsea’s Marc Guiu on loan, but as Calvert-Lewin is a free agent, they could easily go back in for him if he doesn’t find a preferable club.

Calvert-Lewin's defensive value

Many Sunderland fans may question why they are looking to sign a striker who hasn’t registered more than 11 goal involvements in any of the last four seasons. However, as Calvert-Lewin’s danger in front of goal has decreased, his abilities as “the first defender” have improved.

In comparison to some of the best strikers in the league, Calvert-Lewin has outperformed them drastically in numerous defensive actions.

Average Tackle Success

77.8%

48.4%

41.7%

55.6%

Duels Won

7.09

3.88

2.16

5.84

Ariel Duels Won

4.8

3.1

0.88

1.16

Times Dribbled Past

0.22

0.26

0.33

0.13

Le Bris may not see Calvert-Lewin as a striker who will score bags of goals and keep Sunderland up, but as a rotation player who can see out games and defend from the front, helping ensure that Sunderland don’t concede too many late goals.

In this sense, the signings of Guiu and Calvert-Lewin could work well together as they provide Le Bris with multiple options depending on the situation.

Rabada, Maharaj, Nortje, Jansen, Shamsi, Miller and Klaasen not included in any of the squads

Firdose Moonda09-Sep-2024

Lungi Ngidi will lead South Africa’s pace attack•AFP/Getty Images

South Africa will rest several first-choice players on their tour of the UAE this month, where they face Afghanistan and Ireland in white-ball matches, as their Champions Trophy preparation gets underway. None of Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller or Heinrich Klaasen will feature in either the ODI or T20I squads. The management has widened the player pool instead with some fresh names.Allrounder Jason Smith, who made his T20I debut in West Indies last month, has been given a maiden ODI call-up alongside legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, who has recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Caribbean tour. The other new face is 21-year-old seam-bowling allrounder Andile Simelane, who has been part of South Africa Emerging and ‘A’ sides recently and has been named in both the ODI and T20I squads against Afghanistan.South Africa ODI squad vs Afghanistan, Ireland•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Lungi Ngidi, who suffered a right calf injury during the Caribbean tour, has recovered and is expected to lead the attack but Quinton de Kock, who has not confirmed his retirement from T20Is, does not feature. Kwena Maphaka, who made his debut against West Indies, has not been included as he completes his final school examinations. Donovan Ferreira is the only other player from the West Indies T20I series who will not be on this tour, while Matthew Breetzke has been included in the T20I squad.Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks and Simelane are part of the ODI squad against Afghanistan, but not for the ODIs against Ireland. Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton are present only for the Ireland ODIs.South Africa T20I squad vs Ireland•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months,” Rob Walter, South Africa’s white-ball coach, said in a statement. “This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027.”South Africa ODI squad against AfghanistanTemba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqabayomzi Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.South Africa T20I squad against IrelandAiden Markram (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad WilliamsSouth Africa ODI squad against IrelandTemba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams

Crystal Palace are now on the verge of sealing a deal to sign an “elite talent”, who is excited by the prospect of playing in the Premier League, according to a report.

Decision looms over Palace's Europa League spot

Palace were due to find out whether they will be allowed to play in next season’s Europa League on Monday, however, UEFA have once again delayed the verdict, stating they need more time to come to a final decision.

Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol added: “Players such as Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta are in demand and this latest UEFA delay will only add to the uncertainty surrounding their futures at the club.

“Palace cannot plan and prepare properly when they do not know which competitions they will be playing in next season.”

Should the Eagles not be allowed to compete in Europe next season, it could lead to the departures of some key players, while it may also impact the calibre of player Oliver Glasner is able to attract this summer.

Crystal Palace submit £8.5m bid to sign 21 y/o who wants Selhurst Park move

Palace have submitted a bid to sign a new striker…

ByBrett Worthington Jun 30, 2025

However, there has now been a promising update on Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande, with a report from Portugal (via Sport Witness) revealing they are now closing in on a deal for the centre-back.

Palace are nearing an agreement, which is set to amount to €55m (£47m), with that figure likely to include bonuses, and the two clubs are now negotiating the final details, including the percentage Sporting will receive from a future sale.

Personal terms are unlikely to be an issue, with Diomande attracted by the project on offer at Selhurst Park, where he will receive a ‘millionaire salary’, and excited by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.

"Elite talent" Diomande could excel at Selhurst Park

Some top clubs have been linked with moves for the starlet as of late, including Premier League rivals Chelsea, but a move to South London could make perfect sense, given that the youngster is likely to receive more game time.

There are also signs the 21-year-old could excel at Selhurst Park, with the ace very highly-rated by scout Jacek Kulig.

It is clear that Palace will need to sign a new centre-back this summer, with Liverpool closing in on a deal for Guehi, and given the Sporting defender’s age, he could be a perfect long-term replacement.

Having already made 101 first-team appearances for Sporting, including nine in the Champions League, Diomande could make an instant impact at Selhurst Park, and it is exciting news that a deal is now close to completion.

Reports pertaining to Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak just won’t go away; for Newcastle United fans, this isn’t that dissimilar to an incessant fly tracking your ice cream on a hot summer’s day (much like this one).

The thing is, though, Isak’s going nowhere. Eddie Howe masterminded triumph in the Carabao Cup last season, also restoring the Magpies’ fluency and venom from 2022/23 and creating a stunning run of form through and beyond the new year, which ultimately sealed their place in next term’s Champions League.

Isak will play in the Premier League once again next season, and he will play on Tyneside. The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed the Sweden striker “is going nowhere” after his 27-goal campaign, with PIF pricing him north of £150m.

He will need some more attacking support, however, and Newcastle are circling on their chosen target.

Newcastle open contacts for new forward

A number of talented forwards have been touted with a move to St James’ Park in recent weeks, namely Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga. But, their efforts at improving the forward line do not stop there.

As per The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Newcastle are on the brink of opening talks with Brighton & Hove Albion as they look to sign Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who is valued at £60m.

Brighton are willing to sell Pedro, 23, after a training altercation in May with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke, and Newcastle’s recent setbacks in trying to sign forwards such as Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo appear to have prompted them to accelerate their interest.

Indeed, with Chelsea also hot on the case, Howe won’t want to see this one slip through his fingers, especially when considering the partnership that could be forged with Isak.

Why Newcastle want Joao Pedro

Callum Wilson, 33, remains in negotiations with Newcastle for an extension on his current deal, scheduled to expire at the end of the month, but even if the veteran renews, injuries limited him to 18 Premier League appearances in 2024/25, with just two starts and not a single goal involvement.

Enter Pedro. The attacker is a man of style and dynamism, rhythmic on the ball and intelligent with his out-of-possession movement. Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has actually declared him “magical” when with the ball at his feet.

Sure, he has a volatile streak, but Howe would bang him into shape and the talent bespeaks a deserved place within the Toon squad, ranked among the top 1% of Premier League forwards last year for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Two years ago, Brighton signed Pedro from Championship side Watford in a deal just shy of £30m, and his Premier League performances over two years point toward a combativeness and creative core which would see him dovetail right into the United squad, playing off the left, behind Isak or covering him at number nine.

Matches (starts)

31 (19)

27 (23)

Goals

9

10

Assists

3

6

Shots (on target)*

2.4 (0.8)

1.7 (0.7)

Big chances missed

9

7

Pass completion

83%

75%

Big chances created

9

11

Key passes*

1.2

1.1

Dribbles*

1.4

1.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.4

0.9

Duels won*

5.6

4.9

Pedro can perform as an out-and-out striker, but his on-pitch approach, making a high number of forward passes and creating plenty of chances, suggests he could improve Newcastle’s supply line and ensure their talisman reaches an even loftier tally next year and beyond.

It might be needed. Even though Howe has guided Newcastle to silverware and back through the Champions League doorway, they only created 81 big chances, putting them eighth on that chart. The term before, United ranked joint-second with Manchester City (97 big chances created).

Make no mistake: here is a phenomenal player, one whose pedigree in England’s top flight has been verified over the past few years – and his best is yet to come.

Isak will remain at St. James’ Park, hopefully beyond just one season, and with Pedro added to the mix, he might just reach levels not yet achieved in black and white. Just imagine that.

Dream Mbeumo alternative: Newcastle keen to sign "unplayable" £55m winger

With Bryan Mbeumo seemingly on his way to Manchester United, have Newcastle identified a dream alternative described as “amazing”, worth £55m?

ByBen Gray Jun 15, 2025

When it comes to brilliant players, Tottenham Hotspur have been blessed with more than their fair share over the last ten years.

The likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were genuinely world-class for the Lilywhites and, as a result, formed one of the best attacking partnerships the Premier League has ever seen.

Likewise, Mousa Dembélé and Cristian Eriksen were sensational in midfield, but someone who arguably doesn’t get the credit he deserves anymore is Dele Alli.

While the Englishman is still struggling to find form in Italy at the moment, he was near enough unstoppable for several years at Tottenham, and based on reports from the last few weeks, Daniel Levy and Co could sign the club their next Dele.

Dele's Spurs career

In February 2015, Tottenham agreed to pay then-League One side MK Dons £5m for an incredibly exciting 18-year-old prospect by the name of Dele.

Transfer Focus

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

While it usually takes youngsters a number of years to get up to speed in a top-flight team, the Milton Keynes-born gem took no time at all and, by the end of his first campaign in the capital, had racked up an astonishing tally of ten goals and ten assists in just 46 appearances.

Such an explosive start to life at the highest level saw him win the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and he did not stop there, as his sophomore season with the Lilywhites was even better and saw him score 22 goals and provide 12 assists in 50 appearances – enough to win a second successive Young Player of the Year award.

For a while, it looked like the youngster was going to become one of the very best players in the world, someone capable of playing in multiple positions at the highest standard.

However, as we know, that didn’t happen, and after a few seasons of increasingly disappointing performances, Dele moved to Everton in February 2020 – almost five years after signing for the North Londoners.

Appearances

269

Minutes

19162′

Goals

67

Assists

58

Goal Involvements per Match

0.46

Minutes per Goal Involvement

153.29′

The club haven’t had a player like the 37-capped international, but there is a chance they could do so soon.

Spurs' potential new Dele

The last few weeks have seen many talented players linked with moving to Spurs, but perhaps one of the most exciting names, and someone who could be the club’s new Dele, is Xavi Simons.

According to reports from late last week, the North Londoners are ‘favourites’ to land the incredibly talented international from RB Leipzig, although doing so would cost up to £67m.

Described as “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one analyst on social media, what is it about the Dutchman that means he could be the Lilywhites’ new Dele?

Firstly, he is incredibly versatile and can play on either wing, up top, as a second striker and in attacking and central midfield areas, so just like the Englishman, he could thrive just off the centre-forward or deeper if required.

Moreover, just like the former MK Dons gem in his early seasons in North London, the Amsterdam-born “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is an output machine.

Appearances

43

Goals

10

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

Appearances

33

Goals

11

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

For example, in 43 appearances last season, he scored ten goals and provided 15 assists, and in 33 appearances this season, he scored 11 goals and provided eight assists, coming out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 and 1.83 games, respectively.

Finally, and this is rather difficult to prove with statistics, but just like the Englishman was, the former PSG gem is capable of some utterly sublime bits of skill and has scored more than his fair share of brilliant goals for Leipzig and PSV.

Ultimately, Spurs have been crying out for another young talent to come in and have the sort of effect Dele did when he first joined almost a decade ago, and while he’s a little older, Simons could be just that player.

Massive Tel upgrade: Spurs ready £38m offer to sign "unstoppable" star

Spurs could sign an upgrade on Tel for £38m this summer.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 27, 2025

Celtic have the chance to win the domestic treble for the second time in the last three seasons when they face Aberdeen in the final of the SFA Cup.

Brendan Rodgers clinched his second Scottish Premiership title in as many seasons last weekend when his side swept Dundee United away with a 5-0 win.

The Hoops will want to continue their dominance for seasons to come, and have already swooped to make one high-profile signing in the form of Kieran Tierney.

Why Kieran Tierney is an impressive signing

The Scotland international will officially join Celtic on a free transfer when his contract at Arsenal expires at the end of June, returning to the club after six years in England.

As you can see in the graphic above, the academy graduate enjoyed a phenomenal first spell in Glasgow, winning five league titles and making 170 first-team appearances.

At the time of writing (01/05/2025), Transfermarkt currently values Tierney at £8.5m, which is a drop from the £25m he was sold for, but that still means that the club are signing an £8.5m-rated asset for £0. He is an impressive addition for the Hoops because he is a proven Premiership star and a valuable asset.

Celtic do, however, have numerous valuable assets at the club, in what is a very talented squad, and one of those who is worth even more than Tierney is Daizen Maeda.

Celtic have hit the jackpot with Daizen Maeda

The Hoops swooped to sign the Japan international, who was described as a “snip” by pundit Chris Sutton, for a fee of just £1.6m, in the summer of 2022 from Yokohama F. Marinos.

Maeda, who was recently hailed as “brilliant” by Rodgers, has soared in value over the past three years in Glasgow, and is currently enjoying his best season at the club.

The 27-year-old forward has plundered 33 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions, which is a tally of 44 goal contributions that beats his return of 14 and 18 in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, respectively.

Date

Market value

March 2025-present

£9.3m

December 2024

£6.8m

October 2024

£6.3m

May 2024

£5.9m

December 2023

£5.5m

June 2023

£5.1m

December 2022

£4.2m

June 2022

£2.9m

Valuations via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Maeda’s value has skyrocketed as a result of his improved output at the top end of the pitch in the current season, going from £5.9m last summer to £9.3m at the time of writing.

His current market valuation of £9.3m also means that his value has soared by 481% from the £1.6m that Celtic paid for his services back in 2022, and that he is now worth even more than Tierney, who was once sold for £25m.

This shows that the Scottish giants have hit the jackpot with Maeda because he has provided sensational performances on the pitch this term, and the Japan international is now an incredibly valuable asset who is worth even more than a big summer signing.

Related Worth less than Nawrocki: Celtic must axe flop who "wants to be at the club"

Celtic must ruthlessly bin this player who is now worth even less than Maik Nawrocki.

Posts ByDan Emery Apr 29, 2025