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Manchester United are now determined to sign an “incredible” Barcelona star, having identified him as a top target for the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Man Utd in need of summer rebuild

Harry Maguire’s late winner to send Man Utd through to the Europa League semi-final was undoubtedly the best moment since Ruben Amorim’s arrival, but the high was short-lived, with a 1-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers following at the weekend.

With United just two points clear of 17th place, it is clear a rebuild will be needed this summer, and with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to deliver in front of goal, a new striker is of particular interest.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are among the potential targets, but striker is not the only position in which Amorim is looking to strengthen this summer.

New Cantona & Berbatov: Man Utd on the verge of signing £90k-p/w "maverick"

Man Utd appear to be closing in on what could prove to be a real marquee move

By
Robbie Walls

Apr 22, 2025

Signing a new central midfielder is also on the agenda, and there have even been suggestions they could make a move for Scott McTominay, who has been thriving since moving to Napoli last summer.

According to a report from Spain, however, Man United’s top target for the summer transfer window is Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong, and they are determined to get a deal done, which means they are willing to make a huge offer for his services.

De Jong has been identified as the ideal option to upgrade United’s midfield, and there are plans to force Barca to the negotiating table with a tempting offer, despite the La Liga club’s insistence that he is not for sale.

The Red Devils are set to step up their pursuit in the coming weeks, but for a deal to transpire, the Dutchman’s entourage would have to change their stance, with the move not currently of interest.

"Incredible" De Jong impressing at Barcelona

It is no surprise to see the 27-year-old being linked with a move to Man Utd once again, given that he has been a long-term target, and he has continued to impress for Barcelona in La Liga this season.

After overcoming an ankle injury early in the season, the Netherlands international has received regular game time for the title-chasers, picking up two goals and two assists in La Liga, while he also ranks highly on some other key metrics for midfielders over the past year.

Former United boss Erik ten Hag is also a huge admirer of his compatriot, saying: “Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality.”

That said, a move does not seem likely this summer, given that Barcelona are unwilling to part ways with their £313k-per-week midfielder, so Amorim may be forced to move on to alternative targets.

Arsenal have now asked Real Madrid about signing a highly-rated forward and his teammate, amid Los Blancos’ serious interest in star defender William Saliba, with a potential part-exchange deal mooted this week.

Arsenal cruise into Champions League semi-finals after triumph over Real Madrid

Mikel Arteta made history this week with a stunning 5-1 Champions League aggregate victory over Real Madrid, cruising into the semi-finals after putting the final nail in Carlo Ancelotti’s coffin on Tuesday night.

Not just Rice: Arsenal's 8/10 star showed why he'd walk into Madrid's XI

Arsenal secured a place in the Champions League semi-final after a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 17, 2025

Goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli cemented a 2-1 win for Arsenal at the Bernabeu during their return leg, and it was an impressive performance from the Gunners, who largely kept Real quiet on home turf.

Now, Arsenal take on Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semis, and there is every chance they can go on to win the competition. Clinching their first ever European Cup would be quite an end to 2024/2025, with Arteta hopeful that his side can go from challengers to victors.

“It’s certainly another massive step,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s chances of winning the Champions League.

“Where we finished last year and the way we’re doing it this year, the teams with their eyes on us and the competition, it’s incredible. Big credit to [Madrid}, it was my first time as a coach in that dugout, and today I realised after three minutes in this stadium, anything is possible. They are specialists of creating such chaos and belief, and it’s very difficult to understand what is really going on in the game and have certain certainty about how we controlled it. I think they showed a lot of maturity.”

Off the field, business could be conducted between both sides this summer, as Real hold a strong interest in Saliba and have done for months.

The France international is an integral part of Arteta’s backline and arguably one of world football’s best central defenders, so new sporting director Andrea Berta and the Arsenal manager are highly unlikely to give him up without a serious fight.

Arsenal ask Real Madrid about signing Endrick in Saliba talks

According to reports out of Spain, Arsenal have floated the idea of a player-exchange if Real Madrid do want Saliba, otherwise they’d have to fork out a minimum of £86 million.

Indeed, it is believed Arsenal have asked Real Madrid about signing Endrick, not to mention Arda Güler, in exchange for Saliba’s services. However, as things stand, their president Florentino Perez is unwilling to part company with either player.

Endrick, who could end up costing Perez around £62 million in add-ons and other clauses after his 2022 transfer from Palmeiras, has struggled for game time under Ancelotti this season – bagging seven goals in 31 appearances but mainly as a substitute.

Despite signing for Real nearly three years ago, this is the “special” 18-year-old’s first full season at the Bernabeu, having made the transfer when he came of age last summer.

This summer presents Liverpool boss Arne Slot with an opportunity to strengthen his squad and build on the success endured in his first campaign at the helm.

He’s already managed to claim the Premier League title in his debut year in charge, but will want to make additions to the side to aid their ambitions of retaining their glory next time around.

Handing new contracts to Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk is undoubtedly the best business they will conduct this summer, keeping hold of two of their star men from their title-winning side.

Despite their success in recent months, if they are to have the best chance of being involved in a title race again during 2025/26, they will need to be joined at Anfield by new signings.

With the transfer window rapidly appearing on the horizon, Slot and the hierarchy have already wasted no time in identifying potential additions, with numerous names already appearing on their shortlist.

An update on Liverpool’s hunt for new signings this summer

Over the past few months, Bournemouth duo Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen have both appeared on the club’s shortlist, looking to bolster the Reds’ defensive department.

Both players have starred in the Cherries’ success over the last few months, leading to huge links to a potential double switch to Merseyside during the off-season.

However, attacking options have really been the talking point, with a new centre forward desperately needed – leading to links with Atlanta forward Mateo Retegui, according to Anfield Watch.

Their report states that the Reds’ hierarchy have been keeping a close eye on the 26-year-old’s progress, excelling in Serie A, as seen by his tally of 24 goals and five assists in his 32 outings.

It also claims that the board feel he has the quality to deliver the goods at Anfield, potentially leading the line for Slot’s side and providing the added quality they’ve been hunting for.

Why Liverpool’s target could be Slot’s own Luis Suarez

Luis Suárez is just one talent who’s captured the heart of most during his spell at Anfield, registering 82 goals in his 133 appearances during his three years at the club.

The Uruguayan joined the Reds as an unknown quantity to many after completing a switch from Ajax back in 2013, but his endless goals quickly saw him become a fan-favourite.

From multiple hat-tricks against Norwich City to numerous Merseyside Derby goals, the striker had it all, going down as one of the best forwards to ever play for the club.

His unpredictable nature made him such a hit with the fanbase, potentially having the chance to land their next version of the talisman in the form of Retegui this window.

The Italian has been labelled as a ‘pit bull’ type forward by analyst Ben Mattinson, following the style of Suarez, with both possessing an instinctive nature in the final third – as seen by their respective goalscoring tallies.

When comparing his stats to current striker Darwin Núñez, Retegui has massively outperformed the Uruguayan in multiple key areas, showcasing why he would be a superb option for the Reds this summer.

The Atalanta star, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers” by The Overlap’s analyst, has massively outscored Nunez, whilst also posting a higher shot-on-target rate – further proving his abilities in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more of his attempted passes, along with more aerials won, handing Slot the all-round centre-forward he’s craved since taking control of the side.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal would set the hierarchy back this summer, he’s proven that he has the tools to be a success in the Premier League and possibly emulate Suarez’s success.

If he manages to get anywhere near the level produced by the Uruguayan at Anfield, he will be a monster hit with the supporters in the club’s attempts to continue their success domestically and push for continental glory.

He'd be amazing with Gravenberch: Liverpool preparing £34m bid for new CM

Liverpool could make a shrewd addition to their midfield this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 4, 2025

Glasgow Rangers’ struggles this season can be attributed to a few factors. Philippe Clement clearly wasn’t the man to take the Ibrox side forward, and he failed to implement a tactical philosophy during his time in charge.

Additionally, the Gers’ performances against clubs they are expected to beat were poor, losing games against Aberdeen, Hibs, St Mirren and Motherwell, which knocked the club out of a Premiership title race.

At the time of writing, Rangers have conceded 38 goals in the league already. Indeed, this is the most the club have conceded since they won the league title during the 2020/21 campaign.

With three games left, this number could still increase. The defence has been a big part of the problem throughout the season. John Souttar has been a reliable option when fit, but he still makes the odd mistake, having made two errors leading to a shot and given away two penalties in the league this term, as per Sofascore.

Leon Balogun is arguably the finest centre-back at Ibrox, but he will be 37 by the start of next season.

Clement signed Robin Propper last summer as a replacement for Connor Goldson. With experience in the Eredivisie and being the captain of FC Twente, he was deemed to be a solid signing.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite worked out for him.

Why Rangers must sell Robin Propper

For a fee of just £1.5m, Propper made the move to Glasgow last August, but it soon became clear that the rough and tumble of the Scottish top flight would be a problem for him.

He struggled physically against teams that used big, bulking centre-forwards, with Propper being bullied off the ball on a constant basis, having admitted himself that he perhaps “underestimated” the Premiership.

Indeed, he ranks in the lowest 40% for duels won percentage per game (62.1%) in the Premiership while also ranking in the bottom 50% for interceptions per 90 (1.02).

It isn’t just domestically where Propper struggles. When compared to his peers in the Europa League, the Dutchman ranks in the bottom 75% for pass completion percentage (82.8%), progressive passes (2.08) and progressive carries (0.13).

On this evidence, Rangers should be looking to move him on this summer under new management, especially as they might be able to recoup nearly all that they paid.

Improving the defence will be a main priority for the new head coach when he arrives at Ibrox.

Hopefully, this means new arrivals will shortly be on their way to Glasgow.

Rangers search for a new defender

According to Foot Mercato, the Gers are expected to make a bid for Estoril defender Kevin Boma when the transfer window opens.

Boma has only been with his current club for a single season, but has impressed significantly to begin attracting interest from the continent.

FC Basel are keen on making an offer for the youngster, as are Bundesliga side Union Berlin, suggesting the Light Blues have plenty of competition for the centre-back.

Estoril value Boma at between €6m and €7m (£5.1 and £6m) should anyone attempt to make a bid for the player.

Much will depend on the money that is available to the new boss this summer, but there is no doubt that Boma fits the profile of what the club urgently require.

If a few players can be sold when the window opens, funds should be ready this summer.

Why Rangers must sign Kevin Boma

A year ago, Boma was playing in the French second tier with Rodez, making a total of 26 appearances for the club before moving to Portugal for a fee in the region of just £200k.

This certainly looks to have turned into a bargain for Estoril, especially considering they are set to make a lucrative profit on the defender.

Boma has featured 28 times for the club in all competitions, scoring once, and his performances have been impressive in the Portuguese top flight.

Indeed, the 22-year-old ranks fourth in the first-team squad for accurate passes (34.7) and tackles (1.7) per game in the top flight, along with ranking third for clearances (4.1) and for interceptions (1.5) per match.

Boma’s physicality could be a huge asset for the club at the heart of the defence, especially as he wins 5.4 total duels per game – a success rate of 63% – in the league this season for Estoril.

Strong, quick and tall, all the qualities that the club require at the heart of the defence and Boma possesses them all.

Kai Watson, scout and analyst, profiled the defender amid the club’s recent interest in him, taking to X to say that “the 22-year-old is incredibly athletic and has caught the eye at Estoril this season.”

He may not be at his peak just yet, but with plenty of time to improve, Boma will continue to get better and better as time goes on.

Transfer Focus

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

On the surface, signing Propper looked like a wise move. One experienced centre-back came in to replace a player who had departed.

After a few months, it soon became clear that the Dutchman wasn’t up to the required standard for Rangers, yet Clement still persisted with him at the heart of his defence.

Changes must be made this summer, no matter how ruthless. This includes selling deadwood who are either not contributing enough or have missed too many matches through injury. In their place, young players with the capability to develop into sellable assets should arrive in Glasgow.

Boma is the ideal signing, despite the price tag. The 22-year-old has even been capped at international level by Togo, proving how impressive his displays have been this season.

First things first, the 49ers Enterprises must appoint a manager who can take the club back to the summit of Scottish football.

Forget about Cerny: Rangers could land the "next Sadio Mane" for just £1.7m

Rangers will need to sign a winger or two this summer

By
Ross Kilvington

May 10, 2025

Liverpool have now submitted a concrete contract offer to sign an “insane” player who could cost an absolute fortune, and he has already spoken to Arne Slot about a summer move, according to reports.

Reds set for busy summer despite title triumph

The Reds may have wrapped up the Premier League title quite some time ago, but it looks as though there could be a busy summer transfer window on the horizon, with Slot looking to bolster his options in a number of different areas.

A deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is thought to be close, while AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has been heavily linked on the opposite side of the defence, and there have also been suggestions Slot should bring in a new number 10.

Speaking earlier this year, former Red Jamie Carragher said: “I’m not Dominik Szoboszlai’s biggest fan, but he’s got great athleticism. He gets talked about as Liverpool’s no.10 and people say he’s great off the ball, but he’s a no.10 and only scored three goals,”

In recent days, Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has been touted as a potential option for Liverpool, with it being revealed the German has held direct talks with Slot over a summer Anfield move, and there has now been a further development.

According to a report from Kicker (via Give Me Sport), Liverpool have now submitted a concrete contract offer to sign Wirtz, who is attracting a lot of attention ahead of the summer transfer window, with Bayern Munich also keen.

The Reds are said to be in a very good position to win the race, and there has been another recent boost in the pursuit of the 22-year-old, with Manchester City thought to have cooled their interest, amid concerns a deal could amount to €300m (£252m) all in once the fee, contracts and bonuses are finalised.

Sky Sports: Liverpool may sell "amazing" £50m player after transfer twist

He played in the 3-2 defeat away to Brighton on Monday night.

By
Henry Jackson

May 20, 2025

"Insane" Wirtz would be statement signing for Liverpool

FSG aren’t exactly known for being big spenders, so it seems likely they will also have reservations about Leverkusen’s huge asking price, but there are signs the Germany international could be a huge upgrade on Szoboszlai.

Carragher may have concerns about the Hungarian’s output, but he is likely to be impressed by the Leverkusen maestro’s attacking numbers last season, picking up 16 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.

In fact, the Pulheim-born attacker has been a constant threat on the front foot for the past year, as showcased by the number of attacking contributions he has averaged per 90, when compared to other attacking midfielders.

Lauded as “insane” by football writer Robin Bairner, Wirtz could be a fantastic signing for Liverpool this summer, but the huge asking price could prove to be prohibitive.

Already seemingly closing in on Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool have now reportedly opened talks to sign another Bundesliga star and one that would instantly solve their striker problem.

Frimpong travels to complete Liverpool move

With Trent Alexander-Arnold on his way to join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer, Liverpool have acted swiftly and are reportedly closing in on signing Jeremie Frimpong. The flying fullback has already travelled to complete his move to Anfield in what looks set to be the first of a number of fresh faces making their way to the home of the Premier League champions in the coming months.

Whilst Alexander-Arnold’s goodbye tears are still drying, the Reds have acted in rapid fashion to find his replacement. But they’re not done there. Reports have also revealed that Liverpool are in pole position to sign Frimpong’s Leverkusen teammate, Florian Wirtz.

It initially looked set to be a battle between Manchester City and Bayern Munich for the German’s signature, only for Liverpool’s call to push Wirtz towards rejecting other interested parties. Now, with their first offer submitted, it could just be a matter of time before those at Anfield land one of the earliest and likely one of the biggest deals of the summer transfer window.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has also confirmed Liverpool’s interest, recently telling reporters: “It’s currently an open subject with Florian. There is concrete interest from Liverpool, but there’s no more to say right now. Florian is our player.”

The Bundesliga seems to be where it’s at for Liverpool this summer too, amid rumours that they’re already lining up a move to sign what could be their third player of the summer from Germany’s top division.

Liverpool open talks to sign £84m Hugo Ekitike

According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool are also in talks to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer and are serious contenders to sign the Frenchman alongside rivals Chelsea.

Michael Edwards and Arne Slot are fans of the forward but, like Wirtz, the deal won’t come cheap with Frankfurt looking to receive around €100m (£84m) to sell their star.

Mac Allister 2.0: Liverpool working on another amazing signing after Wirtz

Liverpool could be about to replicate a deal for Alexis Mac Allister durng the upcoming summer window.

By
Ethan Lamb

May 28, 2025

Liverpool’s interest should come as little surprise. Slot, despite securing the Premier League title at the first time of asking, lacked a natural No.9 all season, with Luiz Diaz often asked to play the role amid Darwin Nunez’s continued struggles. Now, with the latter likely to depart, the Reds could make their move to sign a replacement that analyst Sam McGuire dubbed a “shot monster”.

After ending the season with 22 goals to his name for Frankfurt, all signs are pointing towards a top European move for Ekitike this summer and a deserved one at that.

La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid are said to be targeting another Arsenal star, amid their strong links to William Saliba, coming as new contract talks with the former take a negative turn.

Real Madrid still eyeing William Saliba despite signing Dean Huijsen

Some Gunners supporters may have been optimistic at one stage that Real’s signing of defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth would spell the end of their interest in Saliba, but this is unfortunately far from the truth.

Barcelona plan to pay La Liga star's release clause after offer from Arsenal

The Gunners appear set to compete with Hansi Flick’s champions for an “exciting” player.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 27, 2025

The France international, who’s been a vital presence at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence since 2022/2023, having formed an indomitable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, will leave the Emirates for nothing in 2027 as things stand.

Arsenal have opened talks with Saliba over a new contract in an effort to ward off Real, and while some outlets even claim an extension is all but agreed (Football Transfers), this appears to be wide of the mark for now.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Saliba remains a “dream” signing for Real, regardless of their Huijsen deal, and they remain watchful of developments regarding the 24-year-old’s contract situation.

“The dream target has always been William Saliba,” said Romano on his YouTube channel.

“My information is that Real Madrid understood at the beginning of May that Saliba this summer was impossible to reach as a target because, for Arsenal, he is a crucial player and they are discussing a new contract with William Saliba.

“So Real Madrid’s position on Saliba is clear – they will sign Dean Huijsen now, but Saliba remains a dream target for them. Arsenal will have the ball in their court to close the agreement, keep Saliba at the club and extend his contract. Otherwise, if this contract won’t be extended, Real Madrid will be there.”

Real Madrid eye Myles Lewis-Skelly as Arsenal contract talks go sour

In more concerning news for Arteta, it is now believed that Real are also keeping a very watchful eye on breakout star Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Hale End academy graduate made the left-back spot his own this season, putting in some truly exceptional displays which have also resulted in Thomas Tuchel’s nod for the England squad.

The 18-year-old’s form is turning heads at the Bernabeu as a result, with journalist Jonathan Wilson telling The Guardian’s ‘Football Weekly’ that Arsenal’s talks over a contract extension for Lewis-Skelly have been going sour.

“They’ve got to sort out Myles Lewis-Skelly’s contract which expires next summer and I think talks have not been going well from what I hear,” said Wilson.

“Real Madrid are sort of sniffing around there. Imagine Real Madrid wanting a highly-rated Premier League fullback for free. Almost unimaginable, isn’t it?”

Losing the teenage sensation to La Liga, especially on a free, would be a truly dire situation for Arsenal, and it is little surprise Real are considering a Trent Alexander-Arnold-esque deal to bring in one of England’s brightest young defenders at no transfer cost.

Tying down Lewis-Skelly will now be even higher up Andrea Berta’s to-do list, especially considering the newly-found interest from Xabi Alonso’s side.

A £2.5m Rangers player has agreed terms with a new club to leave Ibrox as he doesn’t feature in Russell Martin’s plans.

Rangers announce Martin as new manager

The Gers finally brought their long-running search for a new permanent manager to an end on Thursday, with Martin unveiled to the media as Philippe Clement’s successor.

Martin, who had a brief spell on loan at Rangers during his playing days back in 2018, has signed a three-year deal in Glasgow and is confident he can silence the critics.

Looking to win just Rangers’ second Scottish Premiership title in 15 years in 2025/26, Martin has plenty of work to do in a short space of time, with the Gers’ first Champions League qualifier scheduled for July 22/23.

With the transfer window now temporarily open, Rangers will be looking to make their mark in the window, having recently been linked with a move to sign South American midfielder Vicente Pizarro as the first signing of the Martin era.

Rangers can sign best striker since Morelos in move for "world-class" star

Now that Russell Martin has officially been appointed the new Rangers manager, could they sign a “world-class” striker on a free transfer?

By
Ben Gray

Jun 6, 2025

However, there could also be a number of Ibrox departures ahead of the new season, and an update has emerged on Robin Propper amid claims he is looking to leave the club.

Propper agrees three-year deal to leave Rangers for FC Twente return

According to reports in the Netherlands, relayed by Sport Witness, Propper, who joined Rangers last summer from FC Twente, could be about to make his return to the Eredivisie side.

The Gers paid £2.5m to sign Propper, however, they are now ready to sell the centre-back for half of that figure, with the player himself already agreeing a three-year deal to return to Twente.

An agreement between Twente and Rangers is expected to be finalised quickly, with Propper not in Martin’s Ibrox plans.

As can be seen, Propper featured regularly under Clement and interim boss Barry Ferguson, but his days in Scotland look numbered.

A move will be one to keep an eye on, especially as the transfer window is set to shut on June 10 and re-open again on June 16.

Birmingham City fans will be counting down the days now until the bumper Championship fixture schedule is released, with the full set of matches finally out in the open for eager Blues fans next Thursday.

Then, it will be full steam ahead with pre-season matches galore, as the expectant St. Andrew’s masses clamour to see some new, major signings in the flesh.

So far, only Phil Neumann has hopped on board the Birmingham train, but there will surely be more fresh purchases to come, especially as the clock gradually starts to tick down to the start of the hotly anticipated second-tier season.

Chris Davies and Co. could be about to land a surprise new signing from the Eredivisie if reports are correct, away from ongoing pursuits of former heroes such as Demarai Gray.

Birmingham offered chance to sign Eredivisie talent

Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Birmingham have been offered to chance to snap up Finnish talent Oliver Antman this summer.

Bailey does further state that Blackburn Rovers have also been offered up the same opportunity, but the Blues will hope they can flex their muscles once more in the market by snapping up the standout Go Ahead Eagles winger over Valerien Ismael’s men.

The Finland international has been a top performer in the Netherlands for some time now, and whilst there is a lot of sentimentality attached to Birmingham wanting to bring Gray back to St. Andrew’s, landing the services of Antman instead could be seen as an even more exciting purchase.

Why Antman could be a more exciting signing than Gray

After all, it’s not as if the former Blues winger has been setting the world alight in the Saudi Pro League as of late.

Transfer Focus

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

Worryingly, his output across 2024/25 so far for Al-Ettifaq has only seen the Jamaica international collect a solitary assist from 25 games, with no goals coming his way.

Therefore, the declining 28-year-old might not be cut out for the pressures of Championship football anymore, irrespective of his previous eight goals and four assists at the level with his hometown side.

On the flip side, when assessing the table above, Antman looks more than ready to cause havoc in the demanding division, with the 23-year-old very much at the peak of his powers in the Dutch top-flight currently.

Whilst Gray has unfortunately receded into his shell in the Middle East, the ex-FC Nordsjælland attacker has exploded into life on the books of the Eredivisie side, with a mammoth 16 big chances created across his 32 league clashes, away from tallying up a stellar record of six goals and 15 assists.

To add further context, the waning Al-Ettifaq number 11 only managed to create four big chances across the same period, with Birmingham needing to cut all emotion from their transfer dealings if they want to significantly strengthen their options.

Instead of going after Gray, they must prioritise a move for Antman, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig even going on to hail the 23-year-old’s “creative” prowess recently.

With seven goals under his belt too on the international stage with Finland, it feels as if the Go Ahead Eagles ace could soon take the English game by storm.

Antman’s creative excellence will also be music to the ears of the likes of Jay Stansfield and Alfie May, as a new, exciting Championship campaign begins to hurtle into view.

Stansfield 2.0: Birmingham City keen on signing "dynamite" £10m forward

Birmingham City would seriously improve their attacking options in the Championship by snapping up this promising talent.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 19, 2025

Everton need to sort out some of their players’ contract situations before it is too late. The Toffees could lose four experienced figures at the end of the month when their contracts expire, according to the Liverpool Echo. Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could all leave on a free.

The report says Gueye and Coleman have both ‘been offered the chance to extend their stays’ at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although it is unclear what their decision will be. It would certainly be a loss for both to leave, given the experience they provide to David Moyes’ side.

Indeed, if Gueye was to depart the club this summer, the Toffees could already be lining up his perfect replacement.

Everton's Gueye replacement

It will certainly be hard for Everton to replace Gueye this summer. He is a player with bags of experience and is a key figure for Moyes in the middle of midfield. They certainly need to replace him with someone who adds that know-how.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, perhaps Everton’s latest midfield target, Fenerbahce star Fred, is the man who can do just that.

According to a report from Turkish outlet Fanatik, the former Manchester United star is a key target for the Toffees. They explain that ‘Moyes wants to see the Brazilian star as one of the key names in the midfield’ in 2025/26.

However, Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho ‘will not give up easily’ when it comes to keeping Fred at the club.

They are reportedly set to ask for £17m to let the midfielder go this summer, although the 32-year-old ‘continues to insist on transferring’, which looks positive for Everton.

Why Fred would be a good signing

Fred’s game has certainly evolved in the last few years, and his time in Turkey seems to sum that up. A genuine box-to-box midfielder, he is someone involved in all phases of the game, and can make an impact in any third.

Last season for Fenerbahce, Fred played 45 games, contributing five goals and eight assists, highlighting the impact he has in attack. In the top flight of Turkey, the Brazil international contributed to 11 goals in just 31 appearances.

Of course, let’s not forget the contributions he made in a Man United shirt. A key part of the Red Devils’ midfield for a number of years, Fred played 213 times, scoring 14 times and grabbing 19 assists. 22 of those 33 goal involvements came in his final two seasons at Old Trafford, further highlighting that more advanced role he now plays.

The 2025/26 campaign is a huge one for those on the Blue side of Merseyside. They are moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium and will be looking to build on the momentum gathered under Moyes last season.

Well, Fred could be the perfect player to help guide them through these huge months. Described as a “big-game player” by Statman Dave, he is prone to stepping up in those big moments. Take this strike for United in the Europa League back in 2022/23 against Barcelona, during a game in which his side were behind.

The Brazilian would be a key replacement for Gueye next term, if he were to leave. The Senegal international played 37 times in the Premier League, featuring in every single one of Moyes’ games in charge.

He provides experience and a sense of calm at the base of the midfield in that famous Blue shirt, although he does play a slightly different role to Fred. Gueye tends to sit at the base of Everton’s midfield. Last season, he made the most tackles in the top flight, with 133.

Yet, the numbers via FBref from Fred’s most recent Premier League season, compared to Gueye’s stats from this term, are not too dissimilar. For example, the Brazilian averaged 4.75 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes compared to the Everton star’s 5.32 each game.

Losing the experience and guile of Gueye in midfield would certainly be a blow to Moyes, but Fred could be an apt replacement. The Brazilian is versatile and can sit a bit deeper to help screen the back four, or can operate in advanced areas to a great degree of success.

Adding experience and Premier League quality for a fee of £17m seems like a good deal for the Toffees. Fred could well be the dream Gueye replacement if he departs this summer.

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By
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