£27m Arsenal ace agrees terms to leave with Gunners now ready to take loss

Chiefs have now flown into London for talks, following an important Arsenal player agreeing terms to leave the club this summer, according to a report.

Gunners could sanction departure to help fund Madueke move

The Gunners are now closing in on a deal for Noni Madueke, as well as Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca recently confirming the winger has decided to make a move across the capital.

However, with the north Londoners reportedly set to spend £52m on the Chelsea ace, fans appear to have been left less than impressed by the news, with ‘Arteta Out’ graffiti even appearing at the Emirates Stadium over the past few days.

While the reaction is excessive, given that Mikel Arteta has turned his side into consistent Premier League title challengers, the decision to sanction a significant outlay on the winger can be called into question, considering he is yet to establish himself at the highest level.

As such, Arsenal may have to sell one of their current forwards to soften the blow, and a report from The Boot Room has revealed that Fenerbahce chiefs were set to fly into London for talks over a deal for Leandro Trossard this weekend.

Trossard is said to have agreed terms in principle over a move to the Turkish club, with the Gunners willing to cash-in on their £27m signing this summer, despite him featuring in every single Premier League game in the 2024-25 campaign.

Their own Huijsen: £16m "monster" now wants to join Arsenal after Madueke

Arsenal could sign their answer to Dean Huijsen.

ByBen Gray Jul 13, 2025

Arteta’s side are willing to take a loss on Trossard, with a price tag of £17m being demanded, although Fenerbahce are currently unwilling to spend that much, meaning some aspects of the deal still need to be ironed out.

"Magician" Trossard could still have part to play at Arsenal

It could be a mistake to sanction the Belgian’s departure this summer, given that he is a versatile option for Arteta, able to play on the left-wing and through the middle, while he also amassed 16 goal contributions in the Premier League last season.

Arsenal fans will know all too well the importance of having a big squad, given that Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz getting injured arguably derailed their Premier League title pursuit in the 2024-25 season, and the 30-year-old has proven himself as a reliable source of goals and assists.

That said, despite the recent outrage, Madueke’s arrival could soften the blow of losing Trossard, given that the Chelsea ace is much younger than the Fenerbahce target at 23-years-old, while he has also been dubbed “fearless” by scout Antonio Mango.

Not only that, but Arsenal also remain interested in a forward with more experience at the top level, with recent reports suggesting they are leading the race for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

Derby now set to sign "fantastic" star in £7m package after Batth & Weimann

Having already welcomed both Danny Batth and Andreas Weimann this week, Derby County have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign an impressive international forward.

Derby confirm Batth and Weimann arrivals

The Rams are wasting no time ahead of their second season back in the Championship. After kicking their summer transfer window off by signing Carlton Morris from Luton Town and Richard O’Donnell from Blackpool, those at Pride Park have since stepped things up even more by welcoming both Weimann and Batth on free transfers from Blackburn Rovers.

After putting pen to paper to join the club, Batth told Derby’s official website: “When I got the call, I was excited [by the opportunity] and I’m glad to be here now and ready to get down to work.

“I just think it was a great opportunity for me to come and help the team and the club. I’ve played against Derby over the years. I know what an occasion it is when you play at the stadium and the support the club gets.

“I just wanted to be part of that. It’s a real project, and I think the foundations were set last year. The club is now looking to move forward, so I want to be a big part of that.”

Offer submitted: Derby make £5m+ bid to sign "great" new player for Eustace

He wants to join the Rams.

2 ByBrett Worthington Jul 2, 2025

Weimann shared that same excitement after rejoining the club for the first time since leaving for Bristol City in 2017. The forward particularly singled manager John Eustace out for praise, saying: “I think there are a couple of factors, to be honest.

“Obviously, one is the manager. I loved working with him last year, I have known him for a long time and played with him at Watford when I was a teenager.”

Derby County manager JohnEustace

Now that Weimann and Batth are official, however, Derby have reportedly turned their attention towards the likes of Callum Brittain as well as finalising another impressive deal.

Derby reach agreement to sign Agyemang

According to GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert, Derby have now reached an agreement to sign Patrick Agyemang from Charlotte FC in a package worth a total of $10m (£7M) this summer.

The American international, who has scored five goals in just nine appearances for his country, represents an exciting arrival for Derby and arguably their best yet this summer.

The 24-year-old has unsurprisingly been at the centre of praise whenever he has starred for his country, including from USA manager Mauricio Pochettino. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss told reporters last month after victory over Haiti: “Patrick is doing a fantastic job for the team.

“All that he gave to the team today and the previous games also, he’s a fantastic striker. Still room to improve, but we are so happy with him.”

Better than Onana: INEOS open talks to sign the "young De Gea" for Man Utd

As the summer transfer window rumbles on, one thing that is clear is that Manchester United are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper to replace Andre Onana. And whilst Emiliano Martinez’s name has been mentioned aplenty, INEOS have now reportedly contacted an alternative option.

Monaco interested in Andre Onana

As Manchester United look to replace their struggling shot-stopper, it could be AS Monaco who hand Onana a much-needed lifeline this summer. The Ligue 1 club are reportedly interested in signing the former Inter Milan man and, in doing so, freeing up room for those at Old Trafford to sign a new No.1 this summer.

An exit for Onana is something that should suit all parties. The Cameroon international was supposed to bring forth a new era in between the sticks when he arrived to replace David de Gea in 2023. He was billed as the ultimate modern-day goalkeeper and even arrived fresh from a Champions League final with Inter Milan, albeit one he lost against Manchester City.

The ultimate modern-day goalkeeper is not what Manchester United got, however. Onana’s struggles in possession quickly became apparent and what made matters worse were his endless mistakes on the shot-stopping front to sum up a debut season to forget. And since then, things haven’t got much better.

Aston Villa'sEmilianoMartinezreacts after Paris St Germain's Nuno Mendes scores

Now, United are on the hunt for an upgrade and that hunt has taken them towards the Midlands. According to recent reports, Emiliano Martinez is keen on completing a move to Old Trafford this summer, whilst Premier League rivals Aston Villa could have no choice but to sell the World Cup winner amid PSR concerns.

The Argentina international isn’t the only name on the list, though, with fresh reports now suggesting that INEOS have made their first move to sign a younger alternative.

Man Utd make contact to sign Carnesecchi

According to Caught Offside, INEOS have now made contact with Marco Carnesecchi over a summer move to Manchester United. The Atalanta goalkeeper has impressed in Italy and has now caught the attention of those at Old Trafford, but it’s not a deal that will come cheap, with reports indicating that it will take a lucrative offer for Atalanta to sell their No.1 in the coming months.

Starts

34

34

37

Clean Sheets

13

9

8

Saves per 90

2.85

2.59

2.7

Save Percentage

75.2%

68.9%

69%

When compared with Martinez and Onana, it is Carnesecchi who stands out. The Atalanta man kept more clean sheets, made more saves per 90 and maintained a better save percentage than both of his counterparts. The more that he is looked at in detail, the more Man United should be tempted to make that lucrative offer.

Their own Haaland: Wilcox plotting big Man Utd move for "remarkable" £44m CF

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could emulate Erling Haaland’s success.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 20, 2025

Dubbed a “young De Gea” for his shot-stopping by analyst DanieIscouting, Manchester United would be landing an impressive solution to their goalkeeper problems by signing Carnesecchi this summer.

Amorim's own Carrick: Wilcox preparing Man Utd move for £20m "monster"

Over the years, Manchester United have landed countless young talents who have joined the club and made a huge impact on the first team at Old Trafford.

Amad Diallo is just one player who falls into that category, costing £37m from Atalanta back in 2020, before spending various loan spells at the likes of Rangers and Sunderland.

The Ivorian has now registered over 60 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring on 14 occasions – including the winner in the Manchester Derby back in December.

However, the off-season presents Ruben Amorim with an opportunity to invest in more young talents who can make an immediate impact for the Red Devils, whilst also keeping an eye on the future.

Numerous names have been mentioned as potential targets ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, especially as the club looks to return to their former glory.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Youngsters have been a key focus over the last couple of weeks, setting them up for potential long-term success, which aligns with the current project in operation.

Benjamin Sesko, Rodrygo and Yann Bisseck are just three names mentioned with a summer switch to join the Red Devils, all of whom are under the age of 24, having the ability to star in Amorim’s revival.

However, another name has been added to the mix over the last couple of days, with Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney the latest on their radar, according to GIVEMESPORT.

They claim that the Championship are willing to part ways with the 22-year-old after United’s interest, led by Jason Wilcox, demanding a fee in the region of £20m to sell the academy graduate.

The report also states that they face tough competition from the likes of Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Spurs and West Ham for the midfielder, who made 43 appearances in the league last season.

Why United’s £20m star could be Amorim’s own Carrick

Midfielder Michael Carrick was a superb servant during his spell as a United player, racking up over 450 appearances for the club over a 12-year period at Old Trafford.

The Englishman joined the Red Devils way back in 2006 in a £13m deal from fellow top-flight side Tottenham Hotspur – a fee that would prove to be a bargain given his time at United.

During his time as a player, the now-43-year-old won five league titles, one Europa League and one Champions League, along with 11 other trophies – offering a consistent presence during Sir Alex’s reign.

He became known for his excellent work ethic and superb passing ability, which saw him register a total of 35 assists and 24 goals – an impressive tally from his deep-lying position.

However, in the present day, Amorim could be about to land his own version of the midfielder in Middlesbrough’s Hackney, with the youngster having the tools to follow in his footsteps.

Hayden Hackney for Middlesbrough.

The 22-year-old, who’s been labelled a “monster” by one analyst, has been able to learn from the United legend, after plying his trade under him for multiple years at the Riverside Stadium.

He’s also been dubbed a “young Carrick” by the Second Tier Podcast, further showcasing the potential he has to explode should he move to the North West this summer.

When delving into the youngster’s stats, he’s managed to impress with the ball at his feet, further indicating how he can replicate the 43-year-old’s achievements at the Theatre of Dreams.

Hackney has managed to complete 10.4 progressive passes per 90, with 8.6 of which going into the final third – handing those ahead of him the opportunity to impress at Old Trafford.

Games played

43

Goals & assists

8

Pass accuracy

84%

Progressive passes

10.4

Passes into final third

8.6

Tackles won

1.3

Blocks made

1.5

He’s also won 1.3 tackles per 90, whilst making 1.5 blocks per game – subsequently having the defensive talents to be the perfect deep-lying option in Amorim’s midfield.

£20m could prove to be an absolute steal for the Red Devils, signing a youngster who can easily cement his place at the heart of the side for many years to come.

Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

However, given the interest from elsewhere, they will have to work tirelessly to avoid missing out on his signature and subsequently improving a divisional rival ahead of 2025/26.

McTominay repeat on the cards: Wilcox now happy to sell £34m Man Utd star

Manchester United could be about to sell a star who could follow in Scott McTominay’s footsteps.

3 ByEthan Lamb Jun 11, 2025

Thomas Partey gives Arsenal ultimatum as AC Milan submit "concrete offer"

Arsenal have been in talks over a contract extension for star midfielder Thomas Partey for weeks, but as the clock ticks down towards June 30, manager Mikel Arteta faces the very real prospect of losing him for nothing.

The Ghanaian’s resurgence, after a 2023/2024 campaign blighted by injury, has been nothing short of exceptional.

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He’d be quite the addition to Arteta’s dressing room.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 17, 2025

Partey was a mainstay under Arteta throughout last season, impressing in a variety of roles at right-back and in midfield, going on to finish the year with 52 appearances under his belt across all competitions.

His stellar form over the last 10 months prompted Arsenal to open talks with Partey over fresh terms, with the club announcing that they were in dialogue about a new deal by not including the African on this year’s official retained list.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arteta also confirmed in a press conference that he wants the £200,000-per-week veteran to remain right where he is, after what was arguably his best-ever season at the Emirates Stadium.

“Yeah,” said the Arsenal manager when asked if he wants Partey to stay.

“In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it’s been his best season. I think the way he’s played, performed, his availability has been exceptional, and he’s a really important player for us.”

However, talks have been going since late April, and there has still been no official confirmation from Arsenal that Partey has indeed extended his stay in N5.

Naturally, the 32-year-old is attracting serious interest from elsewhere. Both Fenerbache boss José Mourinho and AC Milan’s Max Allegri have personally held talks with Partey, according to CaughtOffside.

Thomas Partey gives Arsenal ultimatum amid "concrete offers"

The outlet also reports that Fenerbache and Milan have made Partey “concrete” proposals to join them, so Arsenal have major competition in their bid to keep him.

CaughtOffside have shared that Partey’s agent has given an ultimatum to Arsenal during new deal talks, namely that the ex-Atlético Madrid star will leave if they don’t increase their salary offer.

Arsenal are currently determined not to increase their initial offer, so talks are now at a roadblock and in serious danger of collapsing.

Arteta will be hoping for a swift resolution. Even taking into account the pending arrival of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, who’s still expected to join Arsenal with a deal agreed, the Gunners are poised to be a star midfielder short if Partey does leave, given Jorginho’s free transfer to Flamengo.

Arteta needs a rejuvenated and star-studded squad if he wishes to close the gap on English champions Liverpool, and losing Partey would be a disastrous summer blow ahead of what is a crucial campaign for Arsenal’s head coach.

The pressure is truly on for him to win a piece of major silverware, five years after their FA Cup final triumph in 2020, so keeping a player of Partey’s quality/experience is a must.

The dream XI Newcastle can build: No Gordon; Joao Pedro & £120m trio sign

Ready to go again? Newcastle United supporters have to wait for several interminable months until their team will be competing competitively once again.

But when Eddie Howe does lead his team back out onto the field, he will be doing so having ended the club’s 70-year wait for major domestic silverware after deservedly beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

Moreover, the Magpies’ efforts across the Premier League campaign led to the euphoria of final-day success in the top flight, sealing a fifth-place spot and unlocking the doorway back into the Champions League.

Newcastle did it all having endured a miserable 2024 summer transfer window, also starting the campaign off on weak footing. Now, PIF are in a better position for compliance with PSR, and signings are to be expected.

While incomings are expected, one or two may need to go. Chiefly, Anthony Gordon could be at risk, with Liverpool interested and United listing him at £80m.

Newcastle United manager EddieHowebefore the match

Let’s have a look at how the Magpies boss might pull it all together.

1 GK – James Trafford

James Trafford for Burnley.

Nick Pope has been a fantastic servant for Newcastle, but a conclave has been held to determine whether a new face is needed between the sticks, and James Trafford has been deemed the right fit.

Reports claim Newcastle have prepared a £20m offer for the Burnley shot-stopper, whose manager Scott Parker has hailed him for his “world-class” ability.

2 RB – Tino Livramento

Alexis Mac Allister challenges Tino Livramento

Manchester City’s bid for Tino Livramento has hit a standstill, and let’s hope it stays that way, for the robust and dynamic full-back is shaping into one of the best in the business.

As journalist Zach Lowy put it: “Livramento isn’t just one of the best right backs in England, but one of the best left backs too.”

3 CB – Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts

Last summer, Newcastle failed with not one, not two, not three, but four bids for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

Now, the Toon are back in for the Three Lions star, who won the FA Cup in May and is just one year away from free agency.

The Eagles know they are fast running out of time to cash in on their £50m-rated superstar.

4 CB – Sven Botman

Newcastle defender Sven Botman.

Sven Botman has endured another injury-wrecked campaign, but he’ll be hoping to build up his fitness across the off-season and form a rock-solid partnership with Guehi over the coming years.

However, with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar still in the mix, Howe could certainly have a wealth of talented defensive options to choose from.

5 LB – Lewis Hall

Newcastle's Lewis Hall

Sidelined since March following ankle surgery, Lewis Hall proved one of Newcastle’s biggest success stories last season, producing performances of age-belying completeness to solidify himself as one of the best young players in the Premier League.

A shining endorsement of United’s recruitment set-up.

6 DM – Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle could stake their case to having the finest midfield in the Premier League, and Bruno Guimaraes has been the linchpin.

The complete package and then some, signing the Brazilian general from Lyon for £40m was one of PIF’s first moves back in January 2022.

1.

Bruno Guimaraes

154

1=

Fabian Schar

154

3.

Dan Burn

149

4.

Jacob Murphy

137

5.

Sean Longstaff

134

No Newcastle player has featured more regularly than Guimaraes under Howe’s wing.

7 CM – Sandro Tonali

One of Newcastle’s best players across the 2024/25 campaign – if not the best – Sandro Tonali’s redemption arc has been a thing to behold, such an elegant and intelligent part of United’s build-up play, of their backline protection.

The decision to place the Italy international in the deep-lying midfield role in lieu of Guimaraes last autumn kicked off the free-winning run of results, creating a foundation for glory further down the line.

8 CM – Joelinton

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Newcastle need to make a series of signings this summer, but the centre of the park is one area where moves should be catered toward depth, rather than high-profile investment, with Joelinton’s brutish energy adding the perfect counterpoint to Tonali’s class and Guimaraes’ all-influencing ability.

9 RW – Anthony Elanga

Anthony Elanga scores vs Spurs

Nottingham Forest signed Anthony Elanga from Manchester United in 2023 and he hasn’t looked back, with his performances across 2023/24 leading Newcastle to launch a swiftly rejected £50m bid on transfer deadline day last summer.

While Bryan Mbeumo has opted to join the chaos at Old Trafford this summer, Newcastle can still bag themselves a high-level winger in the 23-year-old Elanga, hailed for his “special” qualities by Nuno Espirito Santo.

24/25 – Forest

38

6

11

23/24 – Forest

36

5

9

22/23 – Man Utd

16

0

1

21/22 – Man Utd

21

2

2

20/21 – Man Utd

2

1

0

Making the move to the City Ground proved a career-defining move for the Sweden star in the best sense, and now he must take the next bold step in his development, with the Magpies lurking.

10 LW – Joao Pedro

Brighton forward Joao Pedro

If Newcastle sell Gordon, they will bank up to £80m. Redirecting that toward a dynamic forward, such as Joao Pedro, would be a sure-fire way to keep the club firing on all cylinders.

According to The Telegraph, the Tynesiders have identified Pedro – who could fetch £59m – as the perfect man to join the club after missing out on Mbeumo.

He’s scored 30 goals and added ten assists across 70 appearances for the Seagulls, and at 23, is only going to get better and better.

Pundit convinced England international wants Tottenham move with decision soon

Tottenham Hotspur’s pull in the transfer market, not to mention the finances available for crucial signings, have undoubtedly been boosted by their spot in the Champions League for next season, with chairman Daniel Levy and the Lilywhites recruitment team set for a very intriguing summer window.

Ange Postecoglou vows better Premier League finish for Spurs

Spurs confirmed their place in Europe’s most prestigious competition by reigning triumphant in the Europa League final last week, an historic night for both the club and under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham hold negotiations over signing 6 foot 5 defender in last few days

The Europa League champions are making their first moves of the transfer window.

1 ByEmilio Galantini May 26, 2025

Domestically, Spurs finished one place outside the relegation zone in 17th, breaking their all-time record for most Premier League defeats in a single campaign, and this has resulted in a major dilemma for Levy when it comes to deciding Postecoglou’s long-term future.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Their Europa League triumph represents a significant milestone for the north Londoners, who ended their 17-year wait for silverware and secured their first European trophy since 1984, with Postecoglou highly suggesting that he wants to stay at Tottenham during their trophy parade last week.

The final call on that won’t rest with the Australian, though, who also vowed to put Spurs in a much stronger position domestically if he’s given the chance next term.

“From my perspective, I made decisions that I felt were giving us the best chance of achieving the goal we needed to achieve this year and that has affected our league form,” said Postecoglou after Tottenham’s 4-1 loss to Brighton on the final day.

“If people don’t want to take that into account, then there is nothing I can say to explain it any better than that.

“I came to the club and we had finished eighth. I didn’t take over a club that had finished second. They had no European football to speak of. Lost the one player who probably guarantees you European football. That was my starting point. At the end of two years, I’ve got the club a trophy it has been crying out for, Champions League football, we finished fifth last year. Either people are saying ‘last year it was a huge anomaly for us to finish fifth or this is what we deliver right.’

“I have got no doubt next year we will be in a much stronger position, challenging for the top places.”

If Postecoglou does stay for 2025/2026, there is little denying he needs to be backed in the transfer market with Tottenham’s newly-found Champions League riches this summer.

Pundit convinced Angel Gomes wants to join Tottenham

Injuries left Postecoglou hamstrung at various points over the course of 24/25, emphasising the need for Spurs to strengthen across the board.

Their greater pull could also help them to land Europe’s most coveted free agents, like England international midfielder Angel Gomes, who is set to leave Lille when his contract expires on June 30.

Tottenham have been tipped as one of the favourites to sign Gomes on a free this summer, with pundit John Wenham telling Tottenham News that he’s convinced the 24-year-old would jump at the chance to join Postecoglou’s side.

“Tottenham are going to be playing in the Champions League next season,” Wenham said.

England'sAngelGomesin action

“Therefore, when it comes to the pecking order of options Gomes has, I’m sure that Tottenham would be near the top of the list if they were to make an offer.

“I’m sure Gomes wants to come to Tottenham and live in London and play Champions League football with the current Europa League holders. As a result, I’m sure a decision will be made on that soon.”

The former Man United gem has impressed in Ligue 1 since his switch there in 2020, so much so that he was awarded his first call-ups to the Three Lions squad late last year.

He could be an astute option to reinforce Tottenham’s midfield, which was left desperately short at points last season and crippled their chances of success.

More exciting than Frimpong: Liverpool make enquiry for "world-class" star

Over the last couple of days, Liverpool have appeared to make huge progress in the transfer window, looking to land a replacement for the outgoing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Englishman is set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, with Jeremie Frimpong emerging as Arne Slot’s number one target to replace him.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Reds are in talks to land the Dutch international, who currently has a £29.5m release clause in his deal with Bayer Leverkusen.

Manchester United transfer target Jeremie Frimpong in action for Bayer Leverkusen.

It’s also been reported that he’s keen on a switch to Anfield in the coming months, with the hierarchy working tirelessly to provide the manager with the tools he needs to build on his Premier League triumph.

However, he’s not the only player on their radar, with groundwork being laid for another signing who could prove to be a more exciting addition than the right-back.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new additions

Even though the summer transfer window is yet to open, Liverpool have already wasted no time in making moves for multiple players in multiple areas of the pitch.

The likes of Murillo, Rodrygo and Tomas Araujo have all appeared on their list in recent weeks, as Slot looks to provide added depth to his squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson celebrates scoring their first goal with Nikola Milenkovic andMurillo

However, the aforementioned trio aren’t the only ones on their radar, with Lyon star Rayan Cherki attracting huge interest from the Reds, according to French outlet Le Parisien.

Their report claims that Slot’s men have made an enquiry to land the 21-year-old who’s registered a staggering 12 goals and 19 assists across all competitions in 2024/25.

It also states that he could be available this summer for as little as £19m, with the Ligue 1 outfit prepared to let him depart during the off-season due to their financial issues.

Why Cherki would be a more exciting signing than Frimpong

There’s no denying that Liverpool’s current squad is full of talent across various areas, playing a massive role in their title success during Slot’s first campaign at the helm.

The Dutchman has only made one first-team addition this season in the form of Federico Chiesa, with the Italian only featuring for a total of 41 league minutes, highlighting the impressive squad he took over upon taking the reins.

However, if they are to sustain such levels of success, additions will be needed this summer, with Frimpong and Cherki just the two latest names thrown into the mix.

Whilst the Leverkusen star would fill a huge void given Trent’s pending departure, a move for the French youngster would inject added life and creativity into an already potent front line.

The attacker, who’s been labelled “world-class” by talent scout Jacek Kulig and as a “future Ballon d’Or winner” by The Athletic’s Alex Barker, has excelled this season, enjoying the best year of his professional career – with his figures backing up his success.

Rayan Cherki

His tally of 18 combined goals and assists in Ligue 1 to date is the fifth-highest of a player who doesn’t play for PSG, showcasing how impressive he’s been for Lyon.

His underlying stats are just as impressive, averaging 3.2 chances created per 90, along with 2.1 successful dribbles, with his subsequent tallies allowing the likes of Mohamed Salah to build on their own impressive season in 2024/25.

Ousmane Dembélé

28

21

6

27

Bradley Barcola

33

14

10

24

Mason Greenwood

33

19

4

23

Jonathan David

31

16

5

21

Arnaud Kalimunedo

32

17

3

20

Gaetan Perrin

33

10

10

20

Rayan Cherki

29

8

10

18

He’s also averaged 6.4 touches in the opposition box per game, as well as 1.9 shots per 90 – having the ability to find the back of the net on his own should he need to.

Cherki’s flair and creativity make him a joy to watch, with his reported £19m fee a bargain for a 21-year-old who could explode into life in the Premier League over the next few years.

Despite the interest from elsewhere, the Reds should be working tirelessly this summer to complete a deal for Cherki, with the youngster having the tools to thrive in Slot’s system and bolster their chances of retaining their title next year.

A dream Huijsen alternative: Liverpool open talks to sign £67m defender

Liverpool could be about to forget about Dean Huijsen with a move for another defensive star.

ByEthan Lamb May 14, 2025

Delegation travels to Sunderland amid imminent talks to sign 19 y/o

A “wonderful” Sunderland player continues to be the subject of strong interest from a huge club, with exit talks now expected to begin soon, according to a new transfer update.

Sunderland set for Coventry showdown

The Black Cats face one of their biggest matches of the season on Friday evening, as they take on Coventry City in the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final tie. Regis Le Bris’ out of form side make the trip to take on Frank Lampard’s men fresh off an emotional final day of league action, so it will be difficilt to bring a positive result with them back to the Stadium of Light.

It has been a long and gruelling season for Sunderland, who started the campaign on fire and threatened to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League, only to tail off as the months continued to pass. In fact, they have lost their last five matches, which is clearly a concern despite the manager’s claims to the contrary.

Sunderland manager RegisLeBrisbefore the match

It looks like they will face Sheffield United in the final at Wembley if they do get past Coventry, following the Blades’ 3-0 win at Bristol City on Thursday. Promotion would be huge for Sunderland for so many reasons, not least in terms of keeping hold of key men, and a new update has now emerged regarding the future of one such individual.

Dortmund delegation travels to Wearside for Bellingham

According to Ruhr Nachrichten [via Sport Witness], Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham is “concrete”, with a summer move becoming more and more serious.

A delegation was sent to the North East on Wednesday to discuss the signing of the 19-year-old, whose brother, Jude, spent three years with the Bundesliga giants. They still have to negotiate with the player, his representatives and the Black Cats, though, with those talks expected to begin soon.

Keeping hold of Bellingham has to be a priority for Sunderland this summer, but it will be hard for them to retain him, especially if they fail to seal promotion. The midfielder may like the idea of moving to Dortmund, enjoying a similar path to his brother, with the teenager hailed by teammate Luke O’Nien earlier this year.

“Listen, Jobe’s a wonderful player. I’m one of his biggest fans, more than his dad. Don’t tell him that. I think Jobe’s wonderful. He’s a wonderful addition. He even comes in at half-time to give his perspective. That’s how much he’s grown into the game. Even though he’s not playing, he’s in at half-time. We’re asking for his perspective on the game because he’s a leader in our team.”

Bellingham’s brilliance was outlined by him winning the Championship’s Young Player of the Season award, so Sunderland losing him would be a crushing blow.

Uh oh: Worrying injury update emerges on Sunderland star ahead of Coventry

The Black Cats are set to be without an important player in their play-off semi final.

ByDominic Lund May 8, 2025

There does have to be some realism involved with the Black Cats, however, who will know that they may have to cash in at some point, with the report stating that they want £21m for his signature.

39 y/o Rangers manager target loved by Guardiola very keen on Ibrox move

A former Premier League manager is interested in taking over at Rangers, and is now just awaiting a call from the club’s hierarchy about a move to Ibrox, according to a new report.

Rangers slip up again as Celtic claim Scottish Premiership title

It was a weekend to forget for Rangers fans as rivals Celtic clinched their fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title — and a 13th in 14 seasons — while the Gers slipped to another draw.

Celtic cruised to a 5-0 victory over Dundee United to seal the title, while Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling St. Mirren — results that highlight the contrasting fortunes of the two sides this season.

After the draw with St. Mirren, Rangers caretaker boss Barry Ferguson described his team’s performance as “not good enough.”

“I know it’s a difficult place to come, but when you take the lead twice, you need to maintain that lead,” he told BBC Scotland. “That’s been a problem all season, and that’s the reason we have not been challenging. You can do all the work on the training ground and say all the right things in meetings, but when you cross that white line, you have to deal with it yourself.”

On Celtic’s title triumph, he added: “It’ll be painful for my staff, it’ll be painful for the supporters. And I want it to be painful for my players. Because you’re at Rangers, and we need to start challenging, properly challenging, for trophies.”

Martin "interested" in Rangers move

Though Ferguson has undoubtedly been an improvement on former boss Philippe Clement, he may not stay in charge beyond the end of the season — meaning the Gers and the 49ers will need to find a new man to take the reins at Ibrox.

According to The Scottish Sun, that man could be former Southampton boss Russell Martin. Martin was sacked by the Saints earlier this season after a disastrous Premier League campaign that ultimately ended in relegation. However, he is a target to take over from Ferguson at Rangers.

The Sun reports that Martin is very interested in the job and is simply awaiting a call from the club’s hierarchy about filling the position.

Despite his poor record with Southampton, Martin received heavy praise from one of the game’s greatest managers — Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Speaking after City’s 1-0 win over Southampton back in October, Guardiola said of the former MK Dons boss: “It’s a good game to learn as a manager. I am going to learn a lot with Russell because they did really well.”

On how Martin set Southampton up that day, Guardiola added: “They are really good. I’m a spectator. I prefer the players to get the ball to feet, not the teeth.

“When I see the opponent do the things I like to do with my team and they do it really well, I make a compliment. I’m sure I will learn; there were some movements, the reasons why they do things, the movements they make to link to the striker. It’s not easy.”

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