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Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side fell to a disappointing defeat on Saturday afternoon, with Liverpool running out 1-0 winners at St James’ Park.

The Magpies had some of their own chances, but if it were not for Martin Dubravka’s highly impressive display between the sticks, the scoreline may well have made much worse reading, with the 33-year-old making a whopping nine saves throughout the match.

However, despite the result, it was not only the Slovakia international who turned in an impressive display for Newcastle against the Reds, with Matt Targett being “on point again” – in the words of Jamie Carragher – against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Targett impressed for Newcastle

Indeed, over his 90 minutes on the pitch, the 26-year-old was imperious in a defensive capacity, making three clearances, one interception and six tackles, blocking one shot and winning eight of his 12 duels – a success rate of 67%.

While the £35k-per-week talent did not offer much going forwards – a story which was consistent throughout the majority of the Magpies side – he still had 62 touches of the ball (the second-most for Newcastle) while also completing 21 passes and two long balls.

These returns saw the £15.3m-rated left-back earn an impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.2, ranking him as Howe’s joint second-best performer on the day behind Dubravka. The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder also awarded the defender an eight in his own player ratings, in addition to stating: “A solid display with half a dozen successful tackles. Did well.”

Indeed, from this performance, it is easy to see why the 44-year-old Magpies boss is reportedly eager to make Targett’s temporary stay at St James’ Park a permanent one this summer, as the former England under-21 international has already proven himself to be a key part of Howe’s first-team squad since his January arrival.

AND in other news – Forget Almiron: “Sloppy” 18-touch Newcastle passenger failed Howe against Liverpool

West Ham are looking to make a bid for defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, who is on loan at Stuttgart from fellow Premier League side Arsenal.

What’s the word?

German news outlet Kicker have reported that the Hammers are currently preparing to make a bid of £21m for the Greek defender, with his market valuation currently sitting at £15.3m.

However, Stuttgart appear to hold the upper hand when it comes to any possible transfer, as they could sign the player for just £2.5m due to a clause in his loan contract. This may mean that Arsenal will lose out on a massive transfer fee from West Ham for the centre back.

West Ham must move for Mavropanos

Mavropanos moved to Arsenal in 2018 from PAS Giannina for £1.89m but it hasn’t really worked out for him in north London, making just eight senior appearances in all competitions.

His spell at Stuttgart has been productive so far this season, playing 30 matches and scoring five goals as he looks to impress Mikel Arteta, but it looks like his Arsenal days may be completely behind him given this transfer news.

West Ham urgently need a central defender, with Angelo Ogbonna a long-term injury absentee, Kurt Zouma and Issa Diop also spending time on the treatment table, and Craig Dawson (32 next Friday) the only other natural option in that role.

Indeed, the Greek defender may well be an upgrade on the exit-linked Diop, having played 15 matches more than the Irons centre-back this season and registering an impressive 64 tackles compared to just nine for the Frenchman. Mavropanos is also competent at starting attacks from the back, completing 16 successful dribbles, whereas Diop hasn’t completed any so far this season.

These figures show the 24-year-old could be a significant upgrade for West Ham, and the “gladiator” – as his Stuttgart boss Pellegrino Matarazzo once called him – could be a tremendous coup if he joins the Hammers in the summer.

AND in other news, Moyes can axe “superb” £50m ace with WHU swoop for “one of the most exciting talents”

Newcastle United have been a nightmarishly difficult team to predict this season.

One week they might look like one of the best teams in the country, and then the next they’ll struggle to win a match they’re favourites for.

Fortunately, Eddie Howe’s side showed the positive side of themselves on Saturday afternoon, demolishing Everton 4-1 away from home.

There were sensational performances across the board for Newcastle, particularly from Malick Thaw and another starter who is starting to prove he is one of the best in the Premier League in his position.

Newcastle's best performers against Everton

While it is hard to single out players following their performance on Saturday night, there are a few who stood out just that little bit more, like Lewis Miley.

Chalkboard

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

The academy graduate made just his fifth start of the season against the Toffees, and even though he’s still just 19 years old, he looked like a seasoned veteran.

Practically everything he tried came off, and on top of providing an assist, he scored his first goal of the season just 25 minutes into the match.

Speaking of goalscorers, summer signing Nick Woltemade was back in amongst it.

He got the Magpies’ third on the night with an audacious chip from close range and then could have had another were it not for a good save from Jordan Pickford in the second 45.

However, when it comes to the man of the match, it’s hard to look past Thiaw.

The German defender was monstrous at the back and more than made his mark going forward as well, scoring in the first minute to get things underway, and then grabbing a second in the second half.

Unsurprisingly, the five-capped international left quite the impression on the watching press, with Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder awarding him a 10/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he ‘Rose like Shearer twice.’

Yet, there was another starter who put in a performance that, like Thiaw, shows he should be considered among the best in his position in the Premier League.

Not just Thiaw: Newcastle star has become one of the league's best

On top of those already mentioned, the Newcastle starter who deserves immense credit for his performance against Everton and has to be considered among the best in the league is Lewis Hall.

The former Chelsea gem was incredible on Saturday night and practically flawless in every aspect of the game, be that attacking or defending.

For example, it was his cross in the 56th minute that led to Thiaw’s second strike, and he certainly wasn’t to blame for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s consolation goal.

The Chronicle’s Ryder was just as impressed with the full-back, writing that he ‘oozed class down the left’ and awarded him a 9/10 match rating at full-time.

While that might sound a little hyperbolic, it certainly isn’t, and the 21-year-old’s statistics prove as much.

In his 89 minutes of action, he produced an expected assists figure of 0.49, won 100% of his tackles, blocked one shot, recovered the ball twice, created two big chances, completed 50 passes, took 87 touches, completed three dribbles, and took one shot.

It was the sort of performance that lends real credence to talent scout Jacek Kulig’s claim that the Englishman is “one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.”

Minutes

89′

Expected Assists

0.49

Assists

1

Tackles (Won)

2 (2)

Clearances

1

Blocked Shots

1

Recoveries

2

Ground Duels (Won)

7 (5)

Big Chances Created

2

Key Passes

2

Touches

87

Dribbles (Successful)

4 (3)

Shots

1

However, while the wider league might only be waking up to that fact now, the Toon faithful have known this to be the case for some time.

After all, the team haven’t lost a game in which he has started this season, and it could be argued that he’s not even back to his very best yet after suffering from a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign.

Ultimately, he is still young, but there is no denying that Hall is an extraordinarily talented footballer, and so long as he keeps performing as he did on Saturday, it’ll become increasingly difficult to deny that he is one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

“Special" Newcastle signing is now becoming the biggest disaster since Wood

Newcastle may have got this one wrong in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2025

Crystal Palace have now expressed an interest in signing an “extraordinary” forward, who has made a fantastic start to the 2025-26 campaign.

Palace looking to sign another top-level forward after Pino

It was always going to be a tall order to replace Eberechi Eze, after losing the attacking midfielder to Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but the statement signing of Yeremy Pino from Villarreal went some way to allaying Palace fans’ fears about losing the talisman.

Pino led the Eagles to victory in their opening Europa Conference League match, chipping in with two assists in the 2-0 victory, and the Spaniard is not the only forward off to an impressive start, with Ismaila Sarr already on three Premier League goals.

Despite Oliver Glasner already being blessed with a number of top-quality attacking options, however, it has now been revealed the Eagles have expressed an interest in another forward, with Steve Parish proving he means business.

According to a report from Spain, Crystal Palace are now keen on signing AS Monaco star Ansu Fati, following his impressive start to the season, but there could be competition for the 22-year-old’s signature, with Everton and Newcastle United also keen.

It is unclear what sort of fee Monaco would be looking to receive for Fati, but FC Barcelona have a buy-back clause of around €28m (£24m), which provides a potential reference point.

Palace are said to be looking to bolster their squad with young talent, meaning the Monaco forward would be an ideal addition, and his displays in Ligue 1 this season suggest he could make a real impact at Selhurst Park…

Crystal Palace now eyeing move to sign "incredible" Marc Guehi replacement

The Eagles have joined the race for a new centre-back, with their captain expected to leave on a free in the summer transfer window.

ByDominic Lund Oct 12, 2025 "Extraordinary" Fati fulfilling his potential at Monaco

Once widely regarded to be the next big thing, the former Barcelona man flattered to deceive at the Camp Nou, but he has since gone on to prove he still has the potential to become one of the best wingers in the world since signing for AS Monaco.

Indeed, the Spaniard has made a flying start to the 2025-26 campaign, scoring six goals in five matches in all competitions, including his side’s only goal in a 4-1 defeat against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

The left-winger has also received high praise from Xavi in the past, with the ex-Barca manager once lauding him as “extraordinary”, which suggests he has the ability to be a real difference-maker for Palace.

With it being widely reported that Parish has held talks with Glasner about a contract extension, making a statement signing in January could play a major role in convincing the Austrian to stay, and Fati could be an excellent addition to the squad.

Few clubs experienced as turbulent a summer as Aston Villa.

After finishing sixth last season and reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, expectations were high.

Yet concerns over Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) quickly took over.

Rumours emerged that Villa would have to sell before they could buy, casting doubt over their ability to compete at the top level. The biggest worry was losing key players.

Emiliano Martínez looked destined for Manchester United at one stage, while Ollie Watkins became the subject of interest from both the Red Devils and Newcastle.

Both stayed, but uncertainty persisted until deadline day.

Villa did manage to add fresh faces, bringing in Evan Guessand alongside the high-profile arrivals of Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho, but the feeling lingered that Villa’s business was reactive rather than strategic.

That instability has been reflected on the pitch. The team are still searching for their first league win, finally scoring their opening goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

With just three points from their opening fixtures, Villa currently sit in the bottom three.

It is an ominous start for a club balancing the demands of Europe and domestic competition.

Remembering Christian Benteke's Aston Villa stint

For many Villa supporters, the situation evokes memories of Christian Benteke, whose meteoric rise at the club ended with a high-profile departure.

Signed from Genk in 2012 for £7 million, Benteke became an instant success.

His debut season saw him score 19 Premier League goals, effectively saving Villa from relegation and cementing his place as one of the league’s most feared strikers.

Over the next three seasons, Benteke scored 49 goals and added 12 assists in 101 appearances, numbers that underlined both his importance and consistency.

Yet while his goals lit up Villa Park, his ambition proved equally significant.

Just a year into his stay, he handed in a transfer request before signing a new contract that included a £32.5 million release clause.

It was a clear indication that Benteke wanted to keep one eye on the Champions League. That clause was triggered by Liverpool in 2015, shortly after Benteke helped Villa reach the FA Cup final.

His time at Liverpool included flashes of brilliance – none more so than his overhead kick against United – but he struggled in Jürgen Klopp’s pressing system and was eventually sold to Crystal Palace.

The Benteke saga left a lasting impression. It showed Villa’s capacity to identify elite talent, but also their vulnerability when those players set their sights elsewhere.

That lesson still resonates a decade later, particularly with how this current squad is shaping up.

Why Morgan Rogers could be the modern echo of Benteke

Fast-forward to the present, and another star may be heading down a similar path: Morgan Rogers.

At just 23 years old, Rogers has already become indispensable for Aston Villa, operating as an attacking midfielder.

Leaving Manchester City in 2023 in search of regular football, he joined Middlesbrough before Villa swooped just six months later for £8 million.

Since then, this “magician” – as described by pundit Micah Richards – has been on the rise.

Last season, he played 54 matches in all competitions, including 37 in the Premier League, where he scored eight goals and registered 11 assists.

His contributions extended to Europe too, as he played 12 times in Villa’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals, adding four goals and three assists.

The data highlights just how central Rogers has become.

Matches Played

37

Goals

8

Assists

10

Progressive Carries

113

Progressive Passes

123

Last season, he was involved in 18 goals, and his creativity was backed up by an average of 3.55 progressive passes per 90 minutes.

He also drove Villa forward with the ball at his feet, averaging 3.29 progressive carries per 90.

In the final third, his impact was telling: he attempted 1.59 shots per 90, with 0.58 hitting the target, producing a shot accuracy of 36.4%.

Rogers is not only a volume player but also efficient.

His 73.2% pass completion may not sound high at first glance, but when paired with a progressive passing distance of 96.2 metres per game, it reflects a player constantly looking to take risks and break lines.

He is also a reliable creator, averaging 3.04 shot-creating actions per 90, a number that places him among the most effective attacking midfielders in the league.

However, in a recent interview, he appeared to hint that his ambitions may lie beyond the Midlands, discussing the shirt number he could take at a new club:

Indelicate phrasing has sparked inevitable comparisons with Benteke’s path.

For Villa, the concern is obvious.

Rogers may not be actively seeking a move now, but his words were enough to stir unease among supporters who still remember the pain of Benteke’s exit.

Whether history repeats itself will depend largely on Villa’s ability to match the ambitions of their brightest star.

For now, the echoes of the past feel uncomfortably loud.

Best signing since Watkins: Aston Villa struck gold on "unstoppable" star

This Unai Emery signing has been a revelation for Aston Villa.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 20, 2025

This summer was very much the transfer window of striker moves and Manchester United were involved heavily within that.

While Alexander Isak was at the centre of his spat with Newcastle United, eventually joining Liverpool, the likes of Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, Yoane Wissa, Nico Woltemade, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko were making big-money moves of their own.

For a host of those names, they’ve made impressive start to life at their new clubs.

With three goals in four matches, Gyokeres is already the division’s second-top scorer behind Erling Haaland while Pedro and Ekitike have scored two apiece in the Premier League. Woltemade even netted on his top-flight debut for the Toon on Saturday afternoon.

For Sesko, however, it’s been a troubled start. Perhaps the writing was on the wall when he was listed as United’s tenth penalty taker in the shoot-out defeat to Grimsby Town a few weeks ago.

His first start, which he was rewarded with in the Manchester derby on Sunday, also wasn’t filled with much glory.

Sesko first start for Man United in numbers

When United signed Rasmus Hojlund, he was listed as a project striker. When Joshua Zirkzee signed at Old Trafford, he was also listed as a project striker.

Therefore, what Ruben Amorim needed this season was a proven figure, someone like an Ollie Watkins who has been there and done it in the Premier League.

Chalkboard

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

What did they do? Well, they splashed out £74m on Slovenia forward, Sesko. Acquired from RB Leipzig, the big centre forward has already been described as “the new Erling Haaland” and it’s easy to see why.

He’s got a strong shot on him, has lengthy strides and above all else, he’s got power in abundance.

The issue is, he’s still very raw, something that 13 Bundesliga goals last term sum up well.

Since moving to United, it’s been a tale of woe for the Slovenian who doesn’t look at the races at all. His display against City, albeit a formidable opposition, showcased that.

The Manchester Evening News noted how the young attacker was “quiet” in the second half, and while he did have United’s only attempts at goal in the first half, he was ultimately replaced on 80 minutes, having managed an expected goals tally of just 0.03.

Sesko only had one shot and completed just 54% of his passes, outlining a frustrated and isolated figure at the top end of the pitch.

To sum up his woes, he had fewer touches (19) than goalkeeper Altay Bayindir (37), a statistic that rubberstamps his dreary day at the office at the Etihad.

Minutes played

80

Touches

19

Accurate passes

7/13 (54%)

Shots

1

Key passes

0

Dribbles

0

Ground duels won

0/1

Aerial duels won

3/8

That said, he was rather starved of service and it wasn’t all his own fault.

Two Man United players were to blame for Sesko's performance

Two of the bright sparks in this United team so far this season are new signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

While Cunha is yet to find the net since trading Wolverhampton for Manchester, Mbeumo has scored, bagging in the win over Burnley prior to the international break.

Mbeumo once again looked like one of very few bright sparks in Amorim’s side on Sunday but he and Sesko were arguably let down by a lack of service.

Indeed, with Mason Mount and Cunha absent through injury, it meant a rare start for Amad in the Premier League this term in a more advanced role.

The Ivorian has featured at right-wing back more often this season, a role unfamiliar to him. Yet, with Mbeumo having signed, a player who has similar traits and tendancies, it’s unlikely he’ll feature in an attacking role on too many occasions.

With Cunha absent, however, it gave the 23-year-old an opportunity to showcase his skills in the final third. Sadly, he did not showcase them very well. Listed as a left winger on the team sheet, on a regular basis in the second half Mbeumo and Amad ended up on the same wing.

Even when the former Sunderland loanee was on the left, he failed to create anything of note for Sesko. By full-time, he had failed with both of his dribble attempts, not completed an accurate cross and only provided two key passes.

Behind him, wing-back Patrick Dorgu also did very little to help their new striker who was eagerly waiting inside the area, with the two of them combining to lose possession a whopping 25 times.

Dorgu did provide three key passes but in the words of MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, “he had chances to service Sesko but his crossing was abject.”

The goals will flow for the big-money signing at some stage but he will undoubtedly need a better supply line than he was given by Amad and Dorgu on Saturday.

Sesko was poor but it wasn’t all his own fault. Truth be told, the whole United side are being let down by Amorim’s system. That’s a story for another day, however.

Worse than Sesko: Amorim must drop Man Utd flop who was "nowhere near it"

Manchester United should drop this flop who was even worse than Benjamin Sesko in the derby.

1 ByDan Emery Sep 14, 2025

Lionel Messi is in the conversation for the greatest sportsman or athlete of all time, but the Argentina legend has revealed who he thinks is the real ‘GOAT’.

Tiger Woods called Messi the "greatest soccer player I've ever seen"

Messi secured his legacy as perhaps the greatest football player in history when Argentina were crowned World Cup champions in 2022, beating France on penalties in the final.

Ahead of that game, Tiger Woods claimed Messi is ahead of the rest: “He’s the greatest soccer player I’ve ever seen, I mean, you say Pele and Maradona but I just still think that what Messi does with the ball is stupid. It’s stuck to his foot.

“He makes people miss [and] with that left foot of his it’s made many a goalkeeper look bad.”

The Barcelona legend has won the most Ballon d’Or awards in history with eight, 12 major top flight titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues, as well as a whole collection of other trophies, cups and individual awards.

Legendary manager Pep Guardiola has repeatedly said Messi is the “best player ever”, comparing him to superstar figures in other sports, including Woods.

The type of player whose artistry transcends beyond just what we see on the pitch, Messi was even called “amazing” and “magic” by his greatest competitor, Cristiano Ronaldo.

There are plenty of superstar athletes who would throw their hat in the ring for the ‘GOAT’ throne, but Messi himself believes one man stands above even his own accomplishments.

Messi: Michael Jordan is the Greatest Athlete Of All Time

Speaking on the Clank! Podcast in 2024, Messi revealed he believes NBA legend Michael Jordan is the one true ‘GOAT’.

Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, incredibly holding a 6-0 finals record and being named the finals MVP in all six, while he also won the regular season MVP award on five occasions, which is second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Points per game

30.1

Assists per game

6.2

Rebounds per game

5.3

Steals per game

2.3

Blocks per game

0.8

NBA Championships

Six

NBA MVPs

Five

The 62 year-old was known for his sheer will and competitiveness, driving his teammates to succeed through brute force if necessary, with Scottie Pippen admitting he was a “difficult person to deal with” but a “great teammate” because he was “competitive 24/7”.

Messi’s former PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappe, believes that LeBron James is the best ever, but Jordan’s reputation and impact as one of the first true globally recognised superstars puts him alone on the pedestal.

Kylian Mbappe named NBA 'Greatest Of All Time' as his idol – not Michael Jordan

The Real Madrid superstar has had his say…

ByBen Goodwin Jun 26, 2025

If there is one area of the team Arsenal need to strengthen this summer, it’s the attack.

While Mikel Arteta’s side finished a distant second to Liverpool in the Premier League this season, they ended the campaign with a better defensive record than anyone in the league but with 17 fewer goals scored.

So, with this apparent weakness compared to their title rival, it’s hardly surprising to see the club linked with a host of talented strikers, like Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Ollie Watkins, in recent weeks.

However, the North Londoners could also do with more options off the left, which would help to explain the links to a player who could be their next Lukas Podolski.

Arsenal's winger search

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth going over some of the other wingers who have been linked with Arsenal this summer, like Nico Williams and Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

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

The former has been a long-term target for the club and has a release clause worth around £50m, which doesn’t seem too unreasonable for a 22-year-old international who racked up 18 goal involvements in 45 games this season.

Rodrygo, on the other hand, could cost as much as £85m, but considering he’d be moving from Real Madrid and has produced 24 goal involvements in 51 appearances this year.

However, while both players would be excellent additions to the Gunners’ squad, neither one can really be compared to Podolski, unlike Leroy Sané.

Interestingly, according to a recent report from German outlet BILD, the Bayern Munich star, who is out of contract this summer, could be on the move, and when it comes to English clubs, he would only be interested in joining Arsenal, with his desire to join North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur ‘low.’

It would appear as if there is some degree in the player from the Gunners as well, as earlier this week, it was fairly widely reported that talks had taken place between his representatives and the club.

It might not be the most exciting transfer, but Sané has more than proven himself over the years, and there are certain elements to this potential deal that could make him become a new Podolski for the club.

Why Sané could be Podolski 2.0

So, before getting into some of the other reasons why Sané would be a good signing, it’s worth addressing why we look at him as a potential Podolski 2.0.

The first is that both players would have joined the club from the Bundesliga as German internationals, and furthermore, while the former Gunners ace joined from Koln in 2012, he too had spent time and won titles with Bayern Munich.

Secondly, both players are positionally versatile, with the Bayern star mainly playing off the left but being able to play off the right as well, while the 40-year-old was also primarily a left-winger at the Emirates but has spent more time up top in his career.

On top of that, the pair are both left-footed, and while they can easily create and score goals, they have tended to favour the latter throughout their careers.

For example, the former Manchester City ace, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “world-class,” has scored 133 goals and provided 125 assists in his 496 appearances, while the Koln legend has found the back of the 238 times and provided 138 assists in 700 games.

Appearances

200

210

Minutes

12501′

15482′

Goals

51

70

Assists

47

37

Goal Involvements per Game

0.49

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

127.56′

144.69′

Appearances

90

60

Minutes

6089′

3268′

Goals

25

19

Assists

30

12

Goal Involvements per Game

0.61

0.51

Minutes per Goal Involvement

110.70′

105.41′

Last but not least, given the fact he’s 29 years old and would be joining for free, the Essen-born international could have a similar impact as his senior compatriot did at the club, in the sense that he could come in, spend a couple of seasons as a useful offensive option and then move on, without being a significant financial burden.

Ultimately, Sané is still a brilliant footballer, and considering he’d be available for free, bringing him to the club feels like a no-brainer for Arsenal.

Their own Kane: Arsenal begin talks to sign "exceptional" £42m goalscorer

The promising poacher could develop into something special at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 5, 2025

Wingers have played a key part in Liverpool’s success over recent years, helping them win multiple domestic and continental trophies under various managers.

Mohamed Salah has been a key part in the success endured throughout 2024/25, undoubtedly being the star in Arne Slot’s side that claimed the Premier League title.

The Egyptian has registered 28 goals and 18 assists in his 37 appearances – the highest of any player within the division, highlighting his importance.

His new two-year contract at Anfield will enable him to be a star for multiple more campaigns, potentially adding to the two league triumphs he’s already won on Merseyside.

However, there’s only so much work he can do on his own, with the 32-year-old needing to be joined by reinforcements within the final third to sustain any long-lasting success.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Over recent weeks, Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, looking to secure a move away from the Bernabeu this summer.

The Brazilian, who also has admirers from Arsenal ahead of the transfer window, has registered 23 combined goals and assists this campaign – undoubtedly handing Slot the added quality he desires.

However, such a deal could prove to be too expensive in the coming months, with Athletic Club’s Nico Williams emerging as a key target, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report states that the Reds have been monitoring the 22-year-old for a number of months and are considering a move for the winger, who’s registered 18 goals and assists in 2024/25.

It also claims that the LaLiga outfit won’t stand in the Spaniard’s way in the coming months, as long as any interested party forks out the entirety of his £50m release clause.

Why Liverpool’s £50m target would be Liverpool’s best LW since Mane

Sadio Mané is a player who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his spell at Liverpool, proving to be one of their best signings of the modern-era at Anfield.

The Senegalese international, who joined from Southampton for £36m in the summer of 2016, spent six years on Merseyside, producing countless moments of magic along the way.

He registered a staggering 120 goals in his 269 appearances for the club, an average of one every 2.2 outings – undoubtedly leading them to their title triumph in 2019/20.

However, he would leave for German giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, leaving a huge hole within the first team setup – something which they’ve failed to replace in the three years since.

Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have been the two players to often fill the void over the last couple of seasons, having various levels of impact as seen by their total of 23 league goals combined in 2024/25.

Both have shared the role in the title-winning campaign, but could find themselves with decreased game time next season should Williams arrive at Anfield.

When comparing his stats to those of the aforementioned duo since Mane’s departure, the Bilbao star has outperformed them in numerous key areas, handing Slot the club’s best option since the departed winger.

Games played

95

89

104

Goals & assists

36

37

56

Progressive carries

5.7

4.2

2.7

Carries into final third

2.7

2.4

1.8

Shot-on-target accuracy

40%

36%

39%

Crosses completed

5.7

1

3.5

Take-ons completed

3.1

2.2

1.6

Williams, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Zach Lowy, has registered slightly fewer combined goals and assists, but has registered a higher shot on target rate – showcasing his threat in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more progressive carries per 90 and completed more carries into the final third, handing Slot an added threat when driving into the final third at Anfield.

He’s also completed more take-ons than current first team members Diaz and Gakpo, whilst completing more crosses – handing other options on the books the opportunities to improve their own tallies.

It would be a superb addition should the club trigger his £50m release clause this summer, having the potential to improve massively in the years ahead, given his tender age.

Should he reach the levels produced by Mane on Merseyside, it would be one of the best additions they could make in the near future, setting them up for added success during the Dutchman’s tenure.

Dream Wirtz alternative: Liverpool plot move for "generational" £34m star

Liverpool can forget about a move for Florian Wirtz, with another name entering the mix this week.

1 ByEthan Lamb May 22, 2025

Manchester United are thought to be increasingly confident of completing the signing of a “very quick” defender on a free transfer this summer, according to a new update on Sunday.

Europa League final vital for future Man Utd signings

The Red Devils’ Premier League season is effectively over, and has been for many weeks, following a hugely disappointing performance in the competition.

United can still save their campaign by winning the Europa League later this month, however, with a final meeting with Tottenham on the horizon in Bilbao on May 21st. Ruben Amorim will know the importance of winning the trophy, not only because it will add to the club’s silverware collection, but because it will also secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Returning to Europe’s biggest club competition will allow the Reds Devils to attract a higher calibre of player this summer, with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford, which wouldn’t go down well at St James’ Park.

Elsewhere, Wolves forward Matheus Cunha continues to stand out as one of United’s most likely signings before the upcoming window comes to a close, in what has the potential to be a hugely exciting piece of business.

Man Utd confident of signing Jonathan Tah

According to The Sunday Mirror [via United In Focus], Manchester United are now increasingly confident of signing Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah at the end of the season. The 29-year-old will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer, and he is believed to like the idea of testing himself in the Premier League.

A new centre-back is a must for United in the summer, even though Harry Maguire has enjoyed a good spell of form and Leny Yoro looks like a player with enormous potential. Maguire isn’t getting any younger, and is flawed in terms of a lack of pace, while Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt are injury-prone players.

In Tah, United have a great option to bring in, with the German winning the Bundesliga with Leverkusen last season, as well as making 400 appearances for them in total and winning 35 caps for Germany.

Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has heaped praise on him in the past too: “He’s a young player with a lot of potential. He’s physically strong and very quick. Everything is possible.”

At 29, he admittedly isn’t a young signing for United, but he is still at an age where he could easily remain in and around his peak for the next three or four years.

Man Utd readying shock £85m offer to sign "excellent" Premier League rival

They could steal plenty of headlines…

ByTom Cunningham May 11, 2025

Added competition in defence is vital for Amorim moving forward, and the fact that Tah is keen on trying his luck in the Premier League acts as a further boost to them getting their man.