A “sensational” Manchester United player is now one step away from an exit, amid a contract stand-off, and there is a feeling he could join a rival Premier League club, according to a new report.
Major rebuild needed at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim has pulled no punches when talking about the squad he’s inherited, making a big statement after his side’s 3-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion back in January.
“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know you [media] want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.”
Since then, there have been very few signs of improvement, with the Red Devils languishing in 14th place and exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Fulham, so it is clear that a major revamp will be needed in the summer.
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ByDominic Lund Mar 12, 2025
There have been widespread recent reports suggesting Casemiro’s time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end, while there is also doubt lingering over Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, who haven’t exactly been prolific in front of goal this season.
However, Man United may also have to brace for another departure that is likely to sting a lot more, with a report from Spain revealing Kobbie Mainoo is now one step away from an Old Trafford exit.
Manchester United's KobbieMainooin action with Leicester City's Boubakary Soumare
There is an ongoing contract stand-off with Mainoo, who is keen on a big new contract as a reward for his solid performances, but the lack of progress could push him towards seeking a move elsewhere.
Chelsea could be waiting in the wings to sign the midfielder, having identified him as an ideal target, and former scout Mick Brown has revealed United could be willing to accept a £70m bid to raise funds for other transfers.
"Sensational" Mainoo would be a big loss
It is a major flaw of the PSR system that Premier League clubs are often forced to cash-in on their academy graduates for ‘pure profit’ to comply with financial rules, and if United do decide to accept a £70m bid, the 19-year-old could be a real loss.
Sky Sports’ Joe Thomlinson has lauded the central midfielder as “sensational” this season, having received regular game time whenever fit, although he’s had a stop-start campaign due to injury issues, which means he hasn’t really managed to kick on.
Mainoo’s performance in the FA Cup final last season showcased just how good he can be on his day, however, receiving the Man of the Match award after playing a huge role in United triumphing over rivals Manchester City.
Given the financial issues United are facing, it could be tempting to cash-in for a £70m fee, but it would be painful to see Mainoo in a Chelsea shirt.
David Moyes has been nothing short of a revelation since returning to the Everton dugout in January after nearly 12 years away, with Saturday’s salvaged draw against West Ham United making it eight games unbeaten in the Premier League.
Everton managerDavidMoyesbefore the match
14th in the standings, relegation fears feel a long time ago, the Toffees now looking to create a base from which future successes can be achieved.
West Ham, with whom Moyes lifted the Conference League in 2022/23, changed their fortunes at the pit of the Premier League with the Scotsman in place, and The Friedkin Group will no doubt harbour early excitement that a similar rise can be achieved on Merseyside, at Bramley Moore.
Moyes has reportedly been informed he will hold the keys to the transfer chest this summer, and while there are certainly areas already in need of investment this summer, Everton already boast several stars threatening to make plenty of noise in higher spheres in the top-flight over the coming years.
Everton's most valuable players under David Moyes
Everton’s market business while controlled by Farhad Moshiri left plenty to be desired, with relegation concerns seemingly an every-year issue in recent times.
But while TFG, Moyes and incoming Director of Football Angus Kinnear herald a new era at Bramley Moore, there are of course some stars who stand out above the rest and could remain important parts of the second Moyes era.
Jarrad Branthwaite stands out chief among them.
Everton rejected a series of offers from Manchester United for their prized defender, staying firm on their £75m valuation. Top clubs will be sure to return in the future, a marker of the young Lion’s potential.
Further up the field, Iliman Ndiaye is the cream of last summer’s recruitment, joining from Marseille for £15m and scoring eight goals from 28 matches this season, including three in a row to help Moyes toward his brilliant start.
Were suitors to emerge this year, you’d bank on the Blues fielding enquiries with a far higher financial floor, if at all.
The goals may have dried up for Beto over the past few weeks, but his upswung form since January has reminded the Everton faithful of the thrill of having a powerful and prolific goalscorer.
That £26m fee paid to Udinese in August 2023 is beginning to become more understandable, with potential interest this summer likely to be turned away without some willingness to enter that ballpark.
Beto
Though he’s not properly on the books yet, Moyes might just have struck gold with another rising star, one who was picked to be a part of the fledgling project by the man himself and may become one of the most valuable members.
Moyes can strike gold with Everton's rising star
Remarkably, Moyes has transformed Everton since replacing the resigned Sean Dyche three months ago with nominal spending in the winter window, instead polishing and re-energising his existing options.
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Alcaraz had had previous experience in the Premier League with Southampton in 2022/23, suffering relegation but demonstrating his budding ability after scoring four goals and laying on two assists across 13 starting appearances.
But since making his mark with a goal and assist apiece against Crystal Palace in early February, the 22-year-old has proved he is a more complete player, bringing a combative streak to match his natural danger in attacking situations.
As per Sofascore, he’s completed 60% of his dribbles, averaged 3.6 successful duels and 1.6 key passes per game while also completing 83% of his passes.
Described as a “special talent” by journalist Antonio Mango, Alcaraz’s tactical flexibility was one of the major selling points when he was welcomed in January, initially brought in on loan from Brazilian Serie A side Flamengo, with a mandatory £12m purchase clause active at the end of the campaign.
Everton midfielder Charly Alcaraz
It’s early days yet, but tying him down with such a small price tag might prove to be a bona fide bargain down the line. While still at Southampton, Alcaraz moved on loan to Juventus for the second half of the 2023/24 term, with an option to sign him for £40m.
This didn’t come to fruition, but it still stands as a yardstick for the South American’s potential, something that may even be realised in the conditions created at Everton since Moyes’ arrival.
Central midfield
74
10
5
Attacking midfield
19
4
2
Right winger
14
4
2
Centre-forward
10
2
2
Defensive midfield
9
1
0
Left winger
7
1
2
Right-back
1
0
0
His versatility is a massive plus. Alcaraz enjoyed success against the Irons on Saturday, creating three key passes, making three tackles and winning nine duels, as per Sofascore, compensating for continued injury absences as Jesper Lindstrom dropped to the bench.
Owing to his technical quality and invariably tenacious approach, the Argentina talent may still be a loanee but he’s proving the £12m investment may well be worth it, in fact proving to be a shrewd deal indeed in the future.
If he can put in the hard work, Alcaraz may even become more valuable than the lion’s share of Everton’s standout players, eclipsing the worth of those such as Beto.
Everton striker Beto
Alvarez might have missed a gilt-edged chance in the closing stages against West Ham, but his performances since joining from Brazil have suggested he has what it takes to become a high-class midfielder in the Premier League.
The Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley still felt it was just to hand him a healthy 7/10 match score, praising the ‘glimpses of quality’ that bespeak a potential future in some high-level conversations.
Charly Alcaraz in action for Everton
Juventus have already been interested in snapping him up for a £40m figure, and if he continues to show his skills as he has been doing, getting him down as a permanent part of this fast-changing Everton squad seems like a no-brainer.
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The Championship has seen some brilliant youngsters over the years, from Jude Bellingham coming through at Birmingham City to Archie Gray’s breakthrough campaign at Leeds United.
The second tier once again has a plethora of young talents on show, some of whom are plying their trade on loan at clubs in the Championship. Others are permanent members of teams in the division, and here at Football FanCast, we’ve looked at 15 of the most exciting Championship youngsters aged 21 or younger at the time of writing.
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1 ByCharlie Smith Feb 14, 2025 1 Jobe Bellingham Sunderland
Sunderland 'sJobeBellinghamin action
Looking to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jobe Bellingham has been making a name for himself at Sunderland in recent years.
Still just 19 years of age, Bellingham swapped Birmingham for Sunderland in 2023, and the attacking midfielder isn’t far away from making 100 appearances for the Black Cats.
To reach that figure, Sunderland may need to be promoted in 2024/25, as this season could be Bellingham’s last in the Championship with Premier League sides previously circling.
2 Chris Rigg Sunderland
Sunderland'sChrisRiggand Wilson Isidor celebrate after the match
Another extremely exciting young Sunderland midfielder catching the eye is Chris Rigg, who will turn 18 in June.
Coming through the Black Cats’ academy, he is attracting serious interest from Manchester United as a result of his starring displays in red and white, with the Red Devils looking to build for the future under INEOS.
Rigg has made already made more than 50 senior Sunderland appearances before his 18th birthday and looks destined for the top.
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1 ByRoss Kilvington Feb 27, 2025 3 Tom Fellows West Brom
An exciting right-winger who could go on to play for England is Tom Fellows of West Brom, who has turned into something of an assists machine during the 2024/25 season.
He already had 10 Championship assists before the turn of the year and was wanted by Everton in January as a result. Should West Brom fail to win promotion, Fellows could be a wanted man once again.
4 Shea Charles Sheffield Wednesday
Midfielder Shea Charles signed for Southampton in the Championship in 2023 and helped the Saints win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
However, the following year, Charles was loaned back to the second tier with Sheffield Wednesday and has been making a big impact at Hillsborough, so much so that rivals Sheffield United were looking at a move in January.
Charles was recalled by Southampton but then loaned back to Wednesday midway through the 2024/25 campaign.
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ByRoss Kilvington Feb 3, 2025 5 Wilfried Gnonto Leeds United
Wilfried Gnonto made an impact in the Premier League after signing for Leeds United as a teenager back in 2022, when he was already an Italy international.
Now 21 years of age, Gnonto has made more than 100 appearances for the Whites and is into double figures for goal contributions in 2024/25.
6 Ben Doak Middlesbrough
Ben Doak in action for Middlesbrough
On loan from Liverpool, Ben Doak has impressed in what is his first full season playing senior football at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick.
The winger has been a regular at the Riverside on the right-hand side, and like Gnonto, he is also into double figures for goal contributions.
Liverpool will surely be enjoying what they have seen from the 19-year-old in the Championship.
7 Luca Koleosho Burnley
Luca Koleosho swapped Espanyol for Burnley in 2023 and was part of the side that suffered relegation from the top flight last season.
He did show his quality in glimpses and scored an early-season winner at Leeds United this term.
Still just 20 years of age, Koleosho can play on either wing and appears to be an exciting attacker at Turf Moor.
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ByCharlie Smith Feb 19, 2025 8 Callum Doyle Norwich City
Manchester City full-back Callum Doyle is now into his fourth EFL loan spell away from the Etihad, and appears to be going from strength to strength as he looks to become a Premier League regular.
After spells with Sunderland, Coventry City and Leicester City, Doyle is now with Norwich City and has been a regular at left-back at Carrow Road under Johannes Hoff Thorup.
9 Ollie Arblaster Sheffield United
He may be sidelined through injury at this moment in time, but Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster appears to have a hugely bright future ahead of him.
The Blades ace came through the club’s academy and was a regular under Chris Wilder, making 12 Premier League appearances last season. Arblaster even captained United multiple times in 2024/25 before suffering a serious injury.
10 Alfie Gilchrist Sheffield United
The Blades also have an exciting young defender on their books for 2024/25 in Alfie Gilchrist, winning the race to secure his services on loan from Chelsea last summer.
Since then, Gilchrist has been a regular at right-back at Bramall Lane in what has been his first full season as an ever-present figure at senior level.
Whether or not his long-term future is at Stamford Bridge remains to be seen, though.
Chelsea are now in a strong position to win the race for an “unbelievable” forward whose price tag has recently dropped by £79m, but there will be competition for his signature from Barcelona, according to a report.
Maresca set to strengthen attacking options
Enzo Maresca is keen to strengthen his attacking options in the summer transfer window, amid doubts over Christopher Nkunku’s future, and Barcelona’s Ferran Torres is the latest player to be named as a target, with a £25m offer currently being prepared.
The Blues are trying to prise Torres away from Barca, and they are also set to battle the La Liga side for the signatures of a number of forwards at the end of the season.
Liverpool’s Luis Diaz has caught the eye of both clubs, with the Colombian viewed as an ideal acquisition, although he remains keen on agreeing new terms to extend his stay at Anfield.
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The Blues have been approached over his potential availability.
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Another winger being eyed by Barcelona and Chelsea is AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, with a report from Spain revealing both clubs are interested in a summer deal, but the Premier League side could hold a major advantage (via TEAMtalk).
The Blues are said to be in a strong position to win the race for Leao’s signature, as Barca’s financial issues could pose a problem, and the AC Milan winger will not be cheap, although his price has recently dropped significantly.
AC Milan's RafaelLeaoreacts
Previously, Milan had informed interested parties to pay the £145m release clause in the Portugal international’s contract, but they are now willing to sanction his departure for a fee of £66m, with the asking price dropping by £79m.
The 25-year-old is seen as an ideal fit for Maresca’s squad, and he is now set to be available for a much more affordable price at the end of the season.
"Unbelievable" Leao could take Chelsea's attack to next level
Journalist Sam Tighe has lauded the AC Milan star as “unbelievable”, and for good reason, given how influential he has been for the Serie A side for a number of years, having regularly contributed with goals and assists.
Season
Serie A appearances
Goals
Assists
2019-20
31
6
2
2020-21
30
6
6
2021-22
34
11
10
2022-23
35
15
10
2023-24
34
9
10
2024-25
23
5
6
The Portuguese forward has proven himself at the highest level, having scored three Champions League goals this season, so there is every indication he would be an excellent addition for Chelsea in the summer.
After exhibiting some promising signs at the start of the Premier League season, Jadon Sancho’s form has gone downhill recently, with the Manchester United loanee picking up just one goal contribution in his last 11 matches.
Fabrizio Romano has stated the Blues are locked into making Sancho’s stay a permanent one, with a £25m deal on the cards, but if his performances don’t improve between now and the end of the season, Leao should become a major target.
Leeds United’s attack has played a huge role in their success in the Championship this season, helping the Whites sit at the top of the table heading into the last few months of the season.
Daniel Farke’s side have netted 66 times in just 32 outings, 16 more than any other side in the division, with Middlesbrough the second-highest scorers on 50.
Joel Piroe has had his critics during his time at Elland Road but has proved countless people wrong this campaign, registering 14 goals and sitting as the club’s top scorer.
It’s safe to say he’s nailed down the number nine spot given his recent form, starring alongside Dan James and Manor Solomon within the final third as the Whites look to end their two-year Premier League exile.
Such a run of form will make it almost impossible for one player to dislodge him from the side upon his return to action from his latest injury setback in Yorkshire.
Patrick Bamford’s stats for Leeds United
Striker Patrick Bamford joined Leeds in a £7m deal from Middlesbrough back in the summer of 2018, looking to provide that star figure at the top end of the pitch the club had desperately been hunting for.
He would register double figures in each of his first three seasons, two of which included the promotion-winning campaign alongside the Whites’ first year back in the Premier League.
The Englishman had taken his game to the next level under Marcelo Bielsa, so much so that it earned him his maiden England call-up to Gareth Southgate’s side because of his form in 2020/21.
However, he’s failed to reach the same levels since the Argentine’s departure, only scoring 17 goals across the last four seasons, failing to find the back of the net in any of his 11 outings during the ongoing campaign.
His lack of form coupled with his injury run has seen him linked with a move to Wrexham, potentially bringing his time at the club to an end, whilst also seeing another player’s value hugely surpass that of Bamford’s.
The player who’s worth nearly 6x more than Bamford
It’s been a sad decline for Bamford over the last couple of years after his heroics in the top flight, but the 31-year-old now appears to be third choice at Elland Road after his recent troubles.
Piroe undoubtedly remains the number one option for Farke, with 21-year-old Mateo Joseph the backup to the Dutchman, having the potential to develop into a key player in Yorkshire.
The Spaniard joined the club in a deal close to £1m from LaLiga side Espanyol in 2022, making six Premier League appearances after his move during his debut year with the Whites.
Last season saw the youngster gain more minutes after their relegation back to the second tier, featuring 26 times, scoring three goals, including two superb efforts against Chelsea in the FA Cup.
The form of Piroe in 2024/25 has again restricted him to substitute appearances, starting 11 times in the league, registering a combined total of six goal contributions.
Given his tender age, he still remains a long-term project for the club, having plenty of time to grow into a key player – already featuring for Spain’s under-21 side, highlighting the potential he possesses.
Games played
31
Goals & assists
6
Pass accuracy
78%
Shots taken
2.9
Chances created
1.3
Duels won
4.1
Touches in opposition box
5.9
The hierarchy rejected an offer of £10m for his services from Real Betis during the closing stages of the window, undoubtedly not wanting to lose such a high-potential talent, but the fee does showcase the development he’s made in such a short period.
When taking the subsequent offer, he’s now valued at nearly six times more than fellow striker Bamford, with the injury-prone forward now only valued at £1.7m by Football Transfers.
The club certainly made the right call in rejecting the bid for Joseph, with the 21-year-old having all of the tools to continue his progression and be an important part of Farke’s side in their hunt for promotion.
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However, the same can’t be said for Bamford, with the higher ups needing to cash in on him in the summer, with new options needed, especially if the club are to return to the Premier League in the coming months.
Chelsea had another busy January transfer window, but instead of plenty of incomings, it was very departure-focused, with Cesare Casadei being sold, and six players being loaned out, with Axel Disasi, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chillwell and Caleb Wiley all heading out the door.
The Blues have spent heavily in the past, but in order to do so, they have always been relatively good at extracting good fees for their own players, whether it is youth academy products, top talents who have just tipped over their prime, or even players who have struggled for form.
Chelsea have the highest net spend in the past five seasons, with a -€924.86m (-£773.8m), making some big sales in order to fund their squad rebuild, signing the most talented youngsters from around the world, looking to kick-start their new era.
But as we mentioned, this isn’t necessarily a new thing, as Chelsea have always been good at making timely sales to reinvest their funds. However, with this, of course, comes the odd mistake of selling someone who goes on to become a world beater, and there are a few examples of that for the South West London club.
Chelsea's biggest mistakes when selling players
One of the biggest transfer mistakes in Chelsea’s history was letting Kevin De Bruyne leave to join Wolfsburg in Germany back in 2014, after signing the Belgian from Genk in 2012. The reported fee he was sold for was around £16.7m, after only making nine appearances for the Blues.
However, just 18 months later, Manchester City then purchased De Bruyne for a fee of around £54.5m, becoming the second-highest fee paid by a British club at the time. The 33-year-old has gone on to win six Premier League titles, making 406 appearances, scoring 104 goals, providing 173 assists and totalling 30,006 minutes played.
Another player the Blues sold in 2018 for a fee of around £35m, was Thibaut Courtois, who joined Real Madrid that summer. The Belgian shot-stopper made 154 appearances for Chelsea, keeping 58 clean sheets and conceding 152 goals.
1
Eden Hazard
£89m
Real Madrid
2019
2
Kai Havertz
£65m
Arsenal
2023
3
Oscar
£60m
Shanghai SIPG
2017
4
Alvaro Morata
£58.3m
Atletico Madrid
2020
5
Diego Costa
£57m
Atletico Madrid
2017
6
Mason Mount
£55m
Man Utd
2023
7
David Luiz
£50m
PSG
2014
8
Nemanja Matic
£40m
Man Utd
2017
9
Juan Mata
£37.1m
Man Utd
2014
=10
Ian Maatsen
£35m
Aston Villa
2024
=10
Thibaut Courtois
£35m
Real Madrid
2018
The 32-year-old has gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world, whilst Chelsea are struggling to decide on their number one, with Robert Sanchez currently in error-stricken form, and a host of other young options yet to fully prove themselves.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The biggest blunder Chelsea have made
There is one more sale that could perhaps be the worst in their history, which came in 2016, as the Blues let go of a player for a fee of around £15m, who then returned to haunt them in the Premier League from 2017 onwards.
It is, of course, Mohamed Salah who joined Chelsea from Basel in 2014 for a fee of around £11m, going on to make just 19 appearances for the Blues, scoring two goals, providing three assists and totalling 882 minutes. Due to his lack of playing time, the Egyptian went on a few loans to Serie A, before moving on a permanent deal to Roma in 2016.
But much like the De Bruyne case, just one year after leaving Chelsea on a permanent deal, Liverpool decided to sneak in, completing the £34.3m signing of Salah. The rest is history as the Egyptian has gone on to make 382 appearances for the Reds, scoring 236 goals and providing 105 assists, becoming a Premier League legend.
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When comparing Salah to Chelsea’s two right-wing options this season, Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, you can see the 32-year-old is, unsurprisingly, simply on another level, doubling their goal and assist output, having the best goals/shot ratio, still producing the most creative actions with key passes and shot-creating actions, whilst being the primary goalscorer for his side.
Goals
0.81
0.36
0.27
Assists
0.55
0.31
0.11
xG
0.78
0.48
0.09
xAG
0.43
0.22
0.21
Progressive Carries
4.35
6.73
5.95
Progressive Passes
4.32
3.21
1.98
Shots Total
3.60
4.04
2.10
Goals/Shot
0.16
0.09
0.13
Key Passes
2.23
1.51
1.67
Shot-Creating Actions
4.69
3.71
3.49
Successful Take-Ons
1.47
1.70
1.75
Even in the few areas that Salah doesn’t rank top, such as progressive carries (topped by Madueke), shots per 90 (topped by Madueke) and successful take-ons (topped by both Chelsea wingers), the margins are extremely close, whereas many of the areas Salah dominates in, he is clear of the others.
The decision to sell him is compounded by the fact that Salah is outscoring every single Chelsea player this season too, even Cole Palmer, who has been a revelation for the Blues.
Palmer has netted 39 goals in 71 appearances since joining Chelsea in 2023. Over the same time frame, Salah has scored 50 goals in 77 outings, currently leading the Premier League for both goals and assists throughout 2024/25.
His ex-Liverpool coach, Jürgen Klopp, labelled Salah an “all-time great” when praising his “absolutely exceptional” goal tally, and naming him one of the best players he has ever coached. The complexion of Klopp’s great Liverpool attack, including Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino could have been very different had the Blues never let go of the Egypt international.
With Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, the wingers have very important roles, looking to help the team defend when in deeper areas, allowing the fullbacks to shift more centrally, but then having to stretch the pitch high and wide when they are on the ball, looking to isolate fullbacks in 1v1 scenarios, and provide goals and assists for the team.
Madueke has shown he has the ability to score goals for Chelsea from wide areas, arriving in the box on time, but Salah has clearly become the master of providing G/A (goals + assists) from wide areas, which ultimately begs the question as to how different things would be if he stayed at Stamford Bridge.
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As one Bundesliga club look to make instant profit, it’s Manchester United who could reportedly take full advantage in a deal that could cost them as much as £67m this summer.
Man Utd transfer news
The Red Devils struggled on the reinforcements front during the January transfer window – only welcoming Patrick Dorgu and young Ayden Heaven – and must now turn their attention towards much-needed improvements in the summer.
That winter failure was there for all to see against Leicester City in the FA Cup too, as Ruben Amorim’s side were forced to win late on against a struggling Leicester City side courtesy of Harry Maguire’s contentious winner.
Sat in the bottom half of the Premier League, Amorim desperately needs a summer of additions if he is to turn what has so far been an Old Trafford nightmare into a gradual rise into the dream move he may have envisioned.
With that said, the Red Devils could take full advantage of one club’s pursuit of profit this summer. According to Christian Falk via Caught Offside, Manchester United are plotting a summer swoop to sign Xavi Simons.
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The German reporter explained that despite only just completing a permanent move to RB Leipzig last month, the Bundesliga club could look to sell their star man for instant profit of just over £25m this summer.
Falk told Caught Offside: “It was a little bit surprising that Leipzig committed to a permanent deal with Simons. At the beginning, they didn’t think they’d get this chance, but they did it for €50m (£41m), which isn’t a lot for this kind of player. His contract, of course, isn’t that long, running just until 2027.
Xavi Simons for RB Leipzig
“So, you see, his stock is rising! Leipzig are thinking they have signed a player for €50m (£41m) who has the potential to be an €80m (£67m) player, so they could earn a lot of money on a potential sale. I’m sure there’s a gentleman’s agreement or a release clause, which would see Simons sold in the summer.”
Simons would solve Amorim's frustrating problem
The story of Amorim’s Manchester United tenure so far has been square pegs in round holes in a system which simply hasn’t suited the squad that Erik ten Hag left behind. Simons’ arrival may well spell the beginning of the end of that narrative, however.
In Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system – which operates with two advanced midfielders – the Dutchman would be the perfect candidate to slot straight in alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes and finally sharpen a blunt Old Trafford attack.
Starts
12
23
Goals
4
5
Assists
2
6
Key Passes P90
1.95
2.29
Dubbed a “crazy” talent by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, 21-year-old Simons would certainly be a worthwhile investment to kickstart the Amorim era at Old Trafford this summer.
Leeds United are in the market to make further additions to their first-team squad to bolster their options across the park ahead of their Premier League campaign.
The Whites made their first signing of the off-season earlier this month when they completed a free transfer for Germany international Lukas Nmecha, who will officially join when his contract with Wolfsburg expires at the end of this month.
Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the 26-year-old centre-forward has scored five goals in 24 appearances for Wolfsburg in all competitions, including three goals in 19 Bundesliga games this season.
The new Whites striker could be competing with Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, and Mateo Joseph for a place in the starting XI, along with any other number nines the club opt to bring in.
Nmecha is not going to be the only player signed by the Championship champions before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
Leeds have been linked with plenty of different attacking players, from the domestic market and abroad, and Brighton & Hove Albion playmaker Facundo Buonanotte is one name that has been mentioned as a target.
Why Leeds may want to sign Buonanotte
It was reported earlier this month that Leeds were confident of closing a £30m deal to sign the attacking midfielder, but there has not been an update on that situation since the initial report.
Buonanotte spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Leicester City in the Premier League and caught the eye with some promising performances, despite their relegation back down to the Championship.
Appearances
31
36
Starts
14
28
xG
3.93
3.86
Goals
5
1
Big chances created
7
5
Assists
2
3
As you can see in the table above, he was more impressive than Brenden Aaronson was in his season in the Premier League with Leeds, which suggests that he could provide an upgrade on what Daniel Farke currently has in the number ten position.
That came after the left-footed magician scored three goals and provided one assist in 27 appearances in the division in the previous season, which shows that he improved during his time at the King Power Stadium.
Leeds may, therefore, want to sign the 20-year-old starlet because he has already showcased his qualities, as both a scorer and a creator in the Premier League, and could improve Farke’s options in the middle of the park.
However, the Whites are now reportedly eyeing up another couple of attacking midfield options, and one of them, in particular, could be even better than Buonanotte.
Leeds weighing up moves for attacking midfielders
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds are keen on signing one of Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia in the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Leeds United News, Bailey said: “What we’re seeing in the no.10 role is that Leeds are able to be picky. There’s no need to jump in with both feet on a Hamer or a Buendia.
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“They are weighing up options but I firmly believe Leeds will sign a no.10 and I also believe the front-runners are those two. It will be one of those and we know Farke likes both of them.”
The Whites are weighing up whether to go for Buendia or Hamer to bolster their options in the attacking midfield position, and CaughtOffside recently reported that the former is valued at £20m by Aston Villa.
With all of this information in mind, Farke should push for the West Yorkshire outfit to snap up the Villans outcast because he would be an even better option than Buonanotte.
Why Leeds should sign Emiliano Buendia
Buendia is a proven Premier League performer who is experienced but also has plenty of years left ahead of him to give the Whites many years of quality performances.
The 28-year-old playmaker has produced ten goals and 15 assists, and created 25 ‘big chances’, in 121 appearances in the English top-flight for Norwich City and Aston Villa combined, which shows that he knows how to provide goals and assists at that level.
He has also played 121 times for Farke during their time together at Norwich, playing every game for the Canaries with him in charge, and delivered 24 goals and 41 assists.
His best season in a Yellows shirt came in the 2020/21 Championship campaign under the German head coach, as he racked up 15 goals and 16 assists, along with 18 ‘big chances’ created in the second tier.
The Argentina international, who was once lauded as “magical” by analyst Liam Henshaw, knows how to play in Farke’s system, with his style of play, and has shown that he can be incredibly effective at the top end of the pitch.
Non-penalty goals
0.38
Top 7%
Assists
0.41
Top 2%
xAG
0.36
Top 1%
npxG + xAG
0.65
Top 1%
Shot-creating actions
6.46
Top 1%
Progressive passes
7.82
Top 1%
Passes into the final third
5.81
Top 1%
Passes into the penalty area
2.17
Top 1%
As you can see in the table above, Buendia was hugely influential in possession in virtually every way possible, in scoring goals, creating chances, assisting goals, progressing play with passes, getting the ball into the final third, and getting the ball into the penalty area.
This suggests that he could be a far more effective option for Leeds in the final third than Buonanotte, who has failed to deliver more than six goals or three assists in a single season in his career to date.
Buendia, who scored two goals and created two ‘big chances’ in 11 Bundesliga appearances on loan at Bayer Leverkusen this season, could hit the ground running as an attacking midfielder who knows the Premier League and Farke.
Whereas, Buonanotte has not worked with the Leeds head coach in the past and could need time to adapt to the system and way of working, which is why the Villa attacker could be a much better option for the Whites as they look to start strong in their bid to avoid relegation.
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Manchester United might have fallen by the wayside under Ruben Amorim’s leadership last season, but INEOS are acting with intent in the transfer market to get Old Trafford back on course.
While Erik ten Hag’s dismissal last October was the right decision, a belated decision, a wholly different tactical plan issued by Amorim sank United further into their troubles, leading to a 15th-place Premier League finish and defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
But the Red Devils are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and their peerless pull is still intact. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha has already been signed, and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo wants the move despite rival interest carrying the promise of Champions League football.
And once again, another Premier League star with their feet higher placed up the league ladder wants to move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer.
Man Utd in talks for PL star
As per Football Insider, Man United are engaged in daily talks with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who is anticipated to be switching clubs this summer.
Aston Villa'sEmilianoMartinezreacts after Paris St Germain's Nuno Mendes scores
The 32-year-old bid an emotional and cryptic farewell to Villa Park in May and is valued at £40m. This is a sizeable figure for a goalkeeper, but the need to replace the beleaguered Andre Onana is clear for Amorim, and it must happen.
Atletico Madrid are also keen, as are numerous clubs over in the Saudi Pro League. Still, United are working tooth and nail to get this one over the line.
Why Man Utd must sign Emi Martinez
Described as being “genuinely world-class” by Sky Sports’ Dan Bardell, Martinez would be exactly the type of upgrade Man United need to spark their desperately needed resurgence.
An Arsenal career largely on the backbenches and out on loan in lower divisions ended when Aston Villa paid the Gunners £17m for the shot-stopper in 2020. The rest, as some say, is history.
Aston Villa
212
256
70
Argentina
53
23
37
Arsenal
38
41
16
Arsenal U21
37
41
11
Reading
18
23
5
Wolves
15
19
5
Sheff Wed
15
19
2
Rotherham
8
10
2
Getafe
6
9
2
Oxford United
1
3
0
United have already raided England’s Midlands for one of the region’s most talented footballers, signing Cunha for £62.5m, and now they can repeat the trick between the sticks, upgrading on Onana in the same way that the Brazilian forward has replaced Marcus Rashford and soon-to-be-sold Alejandro Garnacho.
Clearly, these are different players indeed, but both stand as pillars in their respective Premier League positions, instrumental for their respective ‘non-big-six’ outfits.
Underscoring his credentials on the biggest stage, Martinez was only beaten seven times in the Champions League last term, finishing Villa’s European campaign with an 83% save percentage. By contrast, Onana finished the season with a 63% save rate in the Europa League, leaving a trail littered with errors.
Martinez is a proven Premier League and Champions League goalkeeper who just so happens to have won the World Cup too, coming up trumps against Randal Kolo Muani in extra time before crucially saving from Kingsley Coman during the shootout.
He’s exactly what Amorim needs, blessed with good distribution and elite shot-stopping skills.
United have already raided the Midlands this summer for one of the Premier League’s biggest stars; it’s time to do it again.
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Sunderland’s summer transfer window has been choppy so far, with both Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson deserting the Black Cats after the ecstasy of promotion.
It hasn’t been all doom and gloom for Regis Le Bris and Co, however, as Enzo Le Fee has at least put pen to paper on a permanent Wearside stay to bolster the midfield areas.
Still, the Frenchman will want more and more new signings to enter the Stadium of Light in their unlikely bid to survive in the Premier League.
The former Lorient boss will surely be prioritising some defensive additions to help his team navigate the frightening step-up in quality, with a new, imposing target now reportedly on their agenda.
Sunderland interested in former Leeds colossus
As per a report from French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Sunderland are interested in landing former Leeds United centre-back Charlie Cresswell this summer, off the back of his impressive stint out in Ligue 1 with Toulouse.
It’s stated that Le Bris wants young, solid players who are already seasoned at the highest level, with Cresswell ticking those boxes for sure, considering he was also in and around the senior picture at Elland Road during the Whites’ brief stays in the Premier League.
Charlie Cresswell for Leeds United
Japhet Tanganga s also very much on the Black Cats’ radar as they look to add in some new defensive bodies here and there, with the Millwall brute perhaps gaining somewhat of an advantage when you glance at his modest £1.2m valuation.
But, if Sunderland are willing to pay a few million on top of Tanganga’s price-tag, they could win themselves an upgrade on the ex-Tottenham Hotspur youth product in Cresswell, with the 22-year-old no doubt champing at the bit to return to England to prove himself further.
Why Cresswell would be an upgrade on Tanganga
Cresswell has settled into life in the top division in France swimmingly, meaning he could be ready to take the plunge back into the English game with the newly promoted Black Cats.
This season for Toulouse, Cresswell would chip in with four strikes when putting his lofty 6-foot-3 frame to effective use, alongside also coming away from his 31 appearances in Ligue 1 with a respectable tally of nine clean sheets.
Charlie Cresswell in action for England Under-21's.
Tanganga did end up with 14 clean sheets of his own in the Championship, but he was present for nine more games at the heart of defence for the Lions than Cresswell was for Carles Martínez Novell’s men, away from falling short of the 22-year-old’s goal total by one.
Regardless, Cresswell has actually shown off his strengths as a no-nonsense centre-back option at the Den himself away from Tanganga’s standout campaign, with the table below further backing up why he might be worth the extra cash at around the £8m ballpark, as per Transfermarkt.
Games played
28
31
Goals scored
4
3
Assists
2
1
Touches*
53.5
63.3
Accurate passes*
28.1 (71%)
41.2 (83%)
Total duels won*
7.6
4.9
Clean sheets
5
9
Indeed, the table proves that Cresswell can battle it out in England, away from just his spells in the Leeds senior mix, with a ridiculous 7.6 duels won on average during his breakout 22/23 campaign in South East London. To add context, Tanganga only won 5.8 last season, on the contrary.
Moreover, with a full Ligue 1 season now under his belt which saw him collect nine clean sheets – which is two more than his former Spurs counterpart ever managed in North London in the elite division – Sunderland could now direct all their focus on attempting to land the Preston-born youngster, over winning a cut-price deal for Tanganga.
Currently out with England at the U21s Euros, where he’s rubbing shoulders with the likes of Premier League regulars Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson, the “outstanding” star – as he’s been glowing labelled in the past by Leeds content creator Joe Wainman – will believe the time is right for him to make this next move.
Sunderland will be hopeful he can be one key part of the puzzle that secures survival.
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