Aston Villa struggled to recruit efficiently during the summer amid PSR concerns, though they could now be about to make a controversial move for a star who is at Monchi’s former club.
Aston Villa move on after goalless stalemate with Everton
Four Premier League matches have passed this season and Aston Villa are yet to score a goal, which is something Unai Emery will be desperate to see change over their coming run of fixtures.
Stagnation is a trap that can be hard to evade, and even with the Villans’ late deals to sign Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliot adding some impetus, it is quite clear the Villans are a mile off where they need to be from an offensive standpoint.
Echoing these sentiments, Emery claimed in his post-match press conference that more needs to be done for his side to start regularly putting themselves on the scoresheet.
He told Match of the Day: “Tactically we have to try to help offensively to try to get better positions. Offensively we need more. We need to try to help out strikers, wingers and midfielders, but I’m happy because we competed and this is the first step forward. We are going to work and we know inside the problem we have.”
With a quick turnaround leading his side into their EFL Cup Third Round tie away to Brentford on Tuesday evening, pressure is growing as the Villans look to secure their first victory of the campaign in London.
Clearly, Ollie Watkins could use some help as the focal point in attack, and Aston Villa are reportedly planning to sign Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta if they can fend off competition from elsewhere.
January is a notoriously difficult window to push deals over the line, but Monchi may have a crucial part to play in helping the Villans secure another target from his former club.
Aston Villa eyeing controversial move for Rubén Vargas
According to reports in Spain, Aston Villa are looking to make a controversial move for Sevilla winger Ruben Vargas, who plies his trade at Monchi’s former club.
In a swoop that could spark feelings of “betrayal” from the La Liga outfit, there is a realisation from his current employers that the Villans could put up an offer that may be too good to refuse from a financial perspective.
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Deemed as a similar player to Anthony Elanga, per FBRef, the Switzerland international has made an impressive start to the campaign with three assists in as many appearances across all competitions.
Capable of playing on the right flank or as an attacking midfielder, Vargas has also created five chances and delivered four successful crosses in the Spanish top-flight, via Fotmob, coming under the microscope as a player who could help Aston Villa’s mission to create more in the final third.
For now, Emery’s men appear to be leading the race for his signature, though it remains to be seen whether they can force a deal over the line in January.
After signing their sixth arrival of the summer in Anton Stach, Leeds United have now reportedly initiated contact to sign another midfield star ahead of their Premier League return.
Stach "excited" to get going at Leeds
As the new campaign closes in, Sunderland and Leeds have continued to make plenty of transfer statements. Both sides, alongside Burnley, will be desperate to end the trend of promoted teams heading straight back down to the Championship, which all the last six have done. And splashing the cash represents a good start towards doing exactly that.
So far, those at Elland Road have welcomed six new signings, with the most recent being Stach from Hoffenheim. The midfielder joins Jaka Bijol, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmunssson, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lukas Nmcecha on Leeds’ list of incomings.
Leeds aren’t done there, either. The Whites have already set their sights on Igor Paixao and have now reportedly made their first move towards signing a midfield star.
Leeds hold talks with Gustavo Hamer
As Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News, Leeds have now opened talks to sign Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United this summer.
The midfielder reportedly wants to leave the Blades following last season’s promotion failure and a race between the Whites and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven is now forming.
Bailey told Leeds United News: “Hamer is assessing his options, he has had talks with Leeds and PSV Eindhoven – but I am told nothing is imminent, but it is clear he wants to leave Sheffield United this summer and will.”
Sheffield United's Gustavo Hamer celebrates scoring their first goal
Hamer, perhaps more than any other member of Sheffield United’s squad, is Premier League ready and missing out on promotion was always likely to initiate his desire to leave the club.
After scoring 10 goals and creating another eight in all competitions last season, former manager Chris Wilder often had nothing but positives to say about Hamer.
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He described his midfield star as “outstanding” after he won Sheffield United’s Player of the Season last time out, before they ultimately fell short in the play-offs.
Despite the heavy spending Liverpool have completed this summer, Arne Slot’s backline looks rather light.
Aside from the 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the latter of whom is being courted by Real Madrid, the Reds are short on centre-backs, having sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m in June.
But the Premier League champions are in fantastic shape after adding genuine firepower to their ranks. And that’s without even addressing the potential arrival of Alexander Isak.
But. The fact remains. Liverpool’s defensive line is rather light. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have both signed and are terrific talents, but centre-backs they are not.
And with Joe Gomez forced into leaving Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Asia due to injury, the need for more defensive depth has been accentuated.
Liverpool lining up Gomez replacement
In Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving first-team player, Slot has an invaluable asset. He is fiercely versatile, remarkably so, having won the 2019/20 Premier League title as Van Dijk’s central partner, having played plenty at right-back and sometimes on the left too.
Centre-back
117
–
2
Right-back
102
–
6
Left-back
33
–
2
Defensive midfield
2
–
–
But the 28-year-old has picked up a minor Achilles injury, meaning he might not be fit for the start of the season, having last featured for Liverpool in December due to sustaining a hamstring twinge.
Given that Gomez has been linked with a transfer away on several occasions over the past year too, it might not be unwise to push ahead and try and sign a long-term replacement.
Liverpool have been touted with a move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is out of contract at the end of the 2025/26 season, but there are no guarantees that they will get that one over the line, especially with Tottenham Hotspur showing a vested interest of their own.
As such, FSG have drawn up an alternative pick, and that man is Giovanni Leoni.
As per InterNews, the Parma centre-half, who is only 18, has been the subject of enquiries from Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham, though Inter Milan remain in the driving seat after their sustained efforts to sign him.
The talented defender may yet attract further suitors, so the time to act is now, and the Reds are said to be readying their bid. It’s mooted that he would cost something in the region of €35m (£30m).
Why Liverpool should sign Giovanni Leoni
It wouldn’t be the first time Liverpool have signed a young prospect from Serie A and nurtured them into a superstar. Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah are both defining features of this illustrious era on Merseyside, although both arrived as refined players.
Philippe Coutinho, however, was but a hatchling on the senior stage. Liverpool signed the Brazilian midfielder from Inter Milan for just £8.5m in January 2013, and he went on to score 54 goals and provide 44 assists across 201 matches before signing for Barcelona in an obscene £142m package in January 2018.
So began the glory days. You know how it goes.
Former Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho.
Coutinho was a one-of-a-kind playmaker, so silky and special, but when he was first welcomed to Anfield as a 20-year-old, the promise was scattered and hazy. He required a hefty amount of fine-tuning.
Don’t worry, we haven’t lost our marbles. This is not advocacy of Leoni slotting into that number ten role, placing surgical passes through to the forwards with the finesse of a maestro in their pomp. This, instead, shines a light on Liverpool’s success in identifying and signing up-and-coming talents from the Italian game.
Napoli's Romelu Lukaku in action with Parma's GiovanniLeoni
And with sporting director Richard Hughes boasting a connection with the Italian scene, fluent in the language and well versed in the footballing culture, having begun his days as a professional with Atalanta in Serie A and spent time as an Italian football analyst, he’s likely on the money when drawing a conclusion that Leoni is a talent worth chasing.
And anyway, he’s not alone in his admiration. The suitors are piling up, and talent scout Jacek Kulig has said that he is “one of the most complete teenage centre-backs in Europe.”
His breakout season in the Serie A attests to that.
Matches (starts)
17 (14)
Goals
1
Assists
0
Touches*
46.9
Pass completion
89%
Key passes*
0.1
Ball recoveries*
2.0
Dribbles*
0.2
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
Clearances*
3.6
Duels (won)*
2.5 (61%)
Errors made
1
Leoni can, yes, be defined already by his all-encompassing grasp of the defensive game, as well as his dominance in defensive situations. The fact that he won 61% of his duels in the league last season suggests as such.
It’s a rather promising base, in any case. The scope for improvement is vast and exciting.
Just look at Coutinho. Liverpool remember him as a shining light through testing times, a magician who played a fundamental role in his golden era at Anfield.
But he was only a prospect when he first alighted in Liverpool, having scored once and started thrice in Italy across the half-season that preceded his transfer.
He soon found his footing. And Leoni could too. The young Italian defender would serve as Van Dijk and Konate’s understudy, and Gomez’s too, should the English star bounce back from his present injury.
It’s clear that Liverpool need to sign a centre-back, and in Leoni, they might just land themselves a star in the making.
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Yet again in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Manchester United are in the midst of a pivotal, ‘transitional’ summer under a new manager, with Ruben Amorim needing to oversee a sizeable rebuild at Old Trafford.
Fresh from the disappointment of a 15th-place Premier League finish and a limp Europa League final defeat, a fresh start is needed in Manchester. What better way to kickstart a new era than with new signings.
Matheus Cunha
£62.5m has already been spent on Wolverhampton Wanderers star, Matheus Cunha, while the Red Devils are also confirming the £7m capture of Paraguayan teenager, Diego Leon, having struck a deal with Cerro Porteno in January.
If improvements are to be made on a dismal few years at Old Trafford, those deals must surely mark the beginning, rather than the end of the club’s dealings this summer, not least with a gruelling set of fixtures to kick things off.
When Arsenal come to town on 17 August, Amorim could do with having everything settled and sorted, avoiding the typical deadline day drama and desperation. If everything does go to plan, here’s how Man United’s dream squad could look for 2025/26…
The goalkeepers Onana & Bayindir ruthlessly replaced
It might not be the priority, but if funds are available, there should well be a drastic overhaul in United’s goalkeeping department, with both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir in need of a fresh start elsewhere.
In the case of Onana, the former Ajax and Inter man has been tipped for a move to Saudi Arabia after enduring a miserable two seasons in English football, having made five errors leading to a goal across the Premier League and Europa League last term.
Bayindir fared little better, shipping four against both Brentford and Newcastle United at the tail-end of last term, having got away with one against Aston Villa on the final day.
With veteran Englishman Tom Heaton set to stay, and promising academy star Radek Vitek returning from a loan spell at Austrian side BW Linz, two solid backups are already at Amorim’s disposal.
As for a new number one, a £50m move for Lille’s Lucas Chevalier has been touted, with the Frenchman regarded as “one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Full list of goalkeepers – Lucas Chevalier, Radek Vitek, Tom Heaton
The defence Strength in depth despite limited recruitment
With so much work to be done at either end of the pitch, it could be argued that the defensive unit is of least concern heading into the new season, with Amorim blessed with strength in depth – provided everyone is fit and available.
The signings in attack could see Amad slip back into a right wing-back role, with the Ivorian memorably providing the assist for the first goal of the Amorim regime from that starting berth against Ipswich Town.
Lining up at right centre-back, exciting teenager Leny Yoro emerged as a real shining light in the back end of last term, with the experience of Harry Maguire – described as “perfect” for this system by his manager – likely to be invaluable next to him.
While long-term target Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new deal at Everton, United already boast a handful of options at left centre-back, with both Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw set to be in the frame, fitness permitting, while young Ayden Heaven will also be pushing for a more prominent role.
Amorim could also have three options to rotate at left wing-back, with January signing Patrick Dorgu likely to compete with the teenage duo of Harry Amass and recent arrival, Leon – the latter of whom has been described as like a “stream train” by analyst Ben Mattinson.
Full list of right wing-backs – Amad, Diogo Dalot
Full list of centre-backs – RCB (Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui); CB (Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt); LCB (Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw)
Full list of left wing-backs – Patrick Dorgu, Harry Amass, Diego Leon
The midfielders One key signing could make all the difference
With Cunha likely to be Amorim’s first-choice pick as a number ten, that acquisition may have sealed Bruno Fernandes’ fate, with the United skipper seemingly destined for a long-term role in one of the two midfield berths.
Again the chief creator in the division last term, the talismanic playmaker has shunned Saudi interest to remain in Manchester. Now all that is needed is a suitable partner.
Bruno Fernandes
91
Cole Palmer
89
Mohamed Salah
89
Enzo Fernandez
79
Bryan Mbeumo
70
Dejan Kulusevski
65
Martin Odegaard
63
Mikel Damsgaard
63
Leif Davis
61
Yourie Tielemans
61
Manuel Ugarte has prior experience working under Amorim, although his lack of involvement in the Bilbao showpiece outlined his initial struggles. Casemiro, meanwhile, could be kept on for his experience and leadership, but at 33, he should no longer be a regular starter at Premier League level.
Thankfully, the academy has produced the likes of Toby Collyer and teenage sensation, Jack Fletcher, for Amorim to lean more heavily on next term, although Fernandes’ first-choice partner could arrive in the form of Douglas Luiz, with talks reportedly being held with Juventus over a potential deal.
The Brazilian only left Aston Villa for £42m last summer, yet amid a testing time in Turin, a return to the Premier League could be on the cards. As United legend Roy Keane previously stated, he is a “quality” talent and has already proved himself in England. Box ticked.
Full list of central midfielders – Bruno Fernandes, Douglas Luiz, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Toby Collyer, (Jack Fletcher)
The forwards Major moves made to upgrade limp forward line
They say goals win games, but defence wins titles – well, right now, United are more concerned with the former, rather than the latter, having been so desperately poor last term.
It’s time for out with the old and in with the new, with Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony all in need of a fresh start, alongside Inter Milan target, Rasmus Hojlund.
If everything goes to plan, the Red Devils could be strengthened by three players who netted 51 Premier League goals between them last term, in the form of Cunha (15), Bryan Mbeumo (20) and Ollie Watkins (16).
Man United dream squad
A deal for the £70m-rated Mbeumo continues to rumble on, while reports have outlined that an approach has been made for Villa’s Watkins, with Viktor Gyokeres looking destined to end up at Arsenal. Watkins, it has been said, could fetch around £60m this summer.
While it is Brentford’s “mini-Salah” – as hailed by talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy – who enjoyed the more fruitful 2024/25, his former Bees teammate has been Mr Consistent in the top-flight for half a decade now, after reaching double figures for league goals in each of his five seasons at Villa.
A new look triumvirate could then lead the line under Amorim next term, and with the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo in reserve, the Old Trafford faithful could finally have something to shout about.
Full list of number tens – Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo
Full list of strikers – Ollie Watkins, Joshua Zirkzee, Chido Obi
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Four new faces could be in the side against Arsenal in August.
Wrexham are reportedly interested in completing the signing of a “brilliant” England international defender this summer, as they eye some massive pieces of business.
Wrexham linked with some huge signings
Phil Parkinson’s side are preparing for life in the Championship next season, following a third promotion in a row that saw them get out of League One automatically, in an incredible achievement by the club.
Financially, Wrexham appear to be in a healthy position, which is why they are being linked with some exciting players, with a shock move for Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy mooted. While that may not happen, it is a sign of the ambition of co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
A new striker appears to be high up on their list of summer options, with former Liverpool ace Danny Ings and Leeds United attacker Joe Gelhardt also both mentioned as choices. Speaking of the Reds, young left-back Owen Beck is believed to be a target, too, with Milos Kerkez’s arrival at Anfield possibly paving the way for him to leave Merseyside.
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan’s future at Hillsborough is up in the air currently, especially with the club failing to pay players’ wages on time, and the Scot has been mentioned as an eye-catching target for Wrexham who could add so much quality in the middle of the park, even during the autumn of his career.
Wrexham eyeing move for £80k-p/w Premier League defender
Now, according to a fresh claim from Sports Boom, Wrexham want to sign Everton centre-back Michael Keane this summer, with the England international out of contract at the end of this month.
The Welsh outfit are “hoping to entice the experienced centre-back to join their ambitious push for promotion”, although the fact that he may want to remain in the Premier League acts as a potential stumbling block. It is added that Keane ‘could be tempted by a move to Wrexham given the club’s ambition to win promotion straight into the Premier League’.
Everton defender Michael Keane
The £80,000-a-week Keane would be an audacious addition for Wrexham, in a signing that many supporters could only dream of a few years ago.
Granted, he is now 32 years of age and arguably not quite at his peak, but he is a hugely experienced footballer who has now racked up 253 appearances in the Premier League, not to mention winning 12 caps for England.
Keane has been described as “absolutely brilliant” by presenter Jeff Stelling, while David Moyes heaped praise on him last season, saying:
“Michael Keane, who has had some difficult times, played so well today and was immense for the goal off the corner. He’s a great boy and showed his professionalism as we’ve had injuries to (Jake) O’Brien and (James) Tarkowski and we looked different at the back.”
Everton
230
16
10
Burnley
108
7
5
Leicester City
27
3
0
Blackburn Rovers
13
3
0
Derby County
8
0
0
Manchester United
5
0
0
There are few negatives to Wrexham signing Keane, and while it will be hard to pull off, getting a deal over the line would feel like a major statement of intent.
Reports pertaining to Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak just won’t go away; for Newcastle United fans, this isn’t that dissimilar to an incessant fly tracking your ice cream on a hot summer’s day (much like this one).
The thing is, though, Isak’s going nowhere. Eddie Howe masterminded triumph in the Carabao Cup last season, also restoring the Magpies’ fluency and venom from 2022/23 and creating a stunning run of form through and beyond the new year, which ultimately sealed their place in next term’s Champions League.
Isak will play in the Premier League once again next season, and he will play on Tyneside. The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed the Sweden striker “is going nowhere” after his 27-goal campaign, with PIF pricing him north of £150m.
He will need some more attacking support, however, and Newcastle are circling on their chosen target.
Newcastle open contacts for new forward
A number of talented forwards have been touted with a move to St James’ Park in recent weeks, namely Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga. But, their efforts at improving the forward line do not stop there.
As per The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Newcastle are on the brink of opening talks with Brighton & Hove Albion as they look to sign Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who is valued at £60m.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro
Brighton are willing to sell Pedro, 23, after a training altercation in May with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke, and Newcastle’s recent setbacks in trying to sign forwards such as Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo appear to have prompted them to accelerate their interest.
Indeed, with Chelsea also hot on the case, Howe won’t want to see this one slip through his fingers, especially when considering the partnership that could be forged with Isak.
Why Newcastle want Joao Pedro
Callum Wilson, 33, remains in negotiations with Newcastle for an extension on his current deal, scheduled to expire at the end of the month, but even if the veteran renews, injuries limited him to 18 Premier League appearances in 2024/25, with just two starts and not a single goal involvement.
Enter Pedro. The attacker is a man of style and dynamism, rhythmic on the ball and intelligent with his out-of-possession movement. Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has actually declared him “magical” when with the ball at his feet.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
Sure, he has a volatile streak, but Howe would bang him into shape and the talent bespeaks a deserved place within the Toon squad, ranked among the top 1% of Premier League forwards last year for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
Two years ago, Brighton signed Pedro from Championship side Watford in a deal just shy of £30m, and his Premier League performances over two years point toward a combativeness and creative core which would see him dovetail right into the United squad, playing off the left, behind Isak or covering him at number nine.
Matches (starts)
31 (19)
27 (23)
Goals
9
10
Assists
3
6
Shots (on target)*
2.4 (0.8)
1.7 (0.7)
Big chances missed
9
7
Pass completion
83%
75%
Big chances created
9
11
Key passes*
1.2
1.1
Dribbles*
1.4
1.1
Tackles + interceptions*
1.4
0.9
Duels won*
5.6
4.9
Pedro can perform as an out-and-out striker, but his on-pitch approach, making a high number of forward passes and creating plenty of chances, suggests he could improve Newcastle’s supply line and ensure their talisman reaches an even loftier tally next year and beyond.
It might be needed. Even though Howe has guided Newcastle to silverware and back through the Champions League doorway, they only created 81 big chances, putting them eighth on that chart. The term before, United ranked joint-second with Manchester City (97 big chances created).
Make no mistake: here is a phenomenal player, one whose pedigree in England’s top flight has been verified over the past few years – and his best is yet to come.
Isak will remain at St. James’ Park, hopefully beyond just one season, and with Pedro added to the mix, he might just reach levels not yet achieved in black and white. Just imagine that.
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Liverpool have agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz (£100m, which may eventually rise to a British-record £116m).
Trent Alexander-Arnold look his preternatural playmaking skills with him to Real Madrid, but Liverpool’s creative fluency will remain intact, or maybe even hit another level, with the German number ten in Arne Slot’s squad.
Excitingly, The Times report that more signings should be expected for the Merseysiders, who won the Premier League last season. However, one or two sales may have to take place, with Luis Diaz attracting interest from Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League.
If the Colombian, who was so important last season, does leave, Liverpool would need to sign a replacement, and FSG appear to have one in mind.
Liverpool chasing Luis Diaz replacement
According to Football Insider, Liverpool have been informed that a bid worth around £75m will be enough for Newcastle United to authorise the transfer of Anthony Gordon.
Anthony Gordon
Gordon, 24, was wanted by Liverpool last summer before the Magpies found less damaging ways to avoid a PSR-related punishment,
Whether Liverpool are willing to spend a king’s ransom on the player will be dependent on Diaz’s future, but if their 28-year-old forward does leave, this appears to be the player at the top of Slot’s list.
Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon
When Liverpool tried to sign Gordon one year ago, he had just been crowned Newcastle’s Player of the Season after posting 28 goal contributions.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
A “nightmare for anyone” he plays against, as Gordon has said himself, the Three Lions star is “always trying to make things happen.” Typically playing off the left flank, signing him would make perfect sense if Diaz does indeed head off for pastures new.
He might not have produced the same effect last year, but Gordon has still shown us the scale of his qualities, and you wouldn’t bet against him levelling up once more under Slot’s wing.
Matches (starts)
35 (34)
34 (28)
Goals
11
6
Assists
10
5
Shots (on target)*
2.3 (0.9)
1.7 (0.6)
Pass completion
82%
81%
Key passes*
1.6
1.5
Big chances created
16
6
Dribbles*
1.5
1.1
Ball recoveries*
3.6
2.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
1.1
Duels (won)*
5.3 (49%)
4.4 (52%)
Especially if Liverpool pull off an audacious move for Alexander Isak, who has forged such a seamless connection with the England winger over the past several years.
Isak needs no introduction, having been on Liverpool’s radar for a while now. However, with Newcastle securing a place back in Europe, the Toon will be looking for around £150m.
The elite goalscorer isn’t just the guy who finishes moves off. He created 11 big chances in the Premier League last season, thus perfect for the electric-paced Gordon to latch onto, as Newcastle fans would attest to.
If Liverpool manage to bank some funds through player sales over the coming weeks, it might just be that a deal for Isak becomes more plausible, and if Gordon’s signature is also secured, a fluent and fearsome frontline could dovetail into the Anfield brood, with Salah sure to jump at the chance to work with such partners.
Gordon even went as far as to say that the Sweden striker is “the best in Europe”. With such an innate connection forged across the past two terms, Liverpool may well hit the jackpot by pulling off this double signing, surely sealing their place as one of the continent’s finest outfits across the coming age of football by doing so.
After Wirtz: Liverpool enter race to sign "world-class" £64m Gordon upgrade
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Leeds United have had some brilliant academy products down the years, but one youngster they’ve had on their books has not reached his potential after being likened to Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney at youth level.
Leeds’ best ever academy products
The Whites have been responsible for producing a number of well-known Premier League players over the last 30 years from their famous academy. Some, as a result of the club’s well-documented financial problems in the early 2000’s, made their name known at first team level elsewhere.
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Meanwhile, others have impressed at Elland Road before being snapped up in the transfer market, the latest being Archie Gray, who joined Tottenham in 2024 in a deal thought to be worth £40m.
Leeds’ best academy products in pictures
Right now, Leeds have Archie’s younger brother, Harry Gray, coming through the ranks, and he actually made his first-team debut at the age of 16 years, 6 months, and 13 days.
1
Peter Lorimer
15 years, 9 months and 19 days
2
Tom Elliott
16 years, 2 months and 25 days
3
Aaron Lennon
16 years, 4 months and 7 days
4
Harry Gray
16 years, 6 months, and 13 days
5
James Milner
16 years, 10 months and 6 days
6
Neil Aspin
16 years, 10 months and 8 days
7
Aidy White
16 years, 10 months and 16 days
8
Simon Walton
16 years, 10 months and 25 days
9
Jimmy Greenhoff
16 years, 10 months and 26 days
10
Ryan Edmondson
16 years, 11 months and 16 days
Those in Yorkshire will be hoping they can keep hold of the forward, who is already being likened to Michael Owen and Harry Kane, but one attacker who hasn’t lived up to the hype has been Joe Gelhardt.
Leeds talent set to be sold after Gerrard and Rooney comparisons
Many expected big things when Leeds swooped to sign Gelhardt from Wigan Athletic in 2020 under Marcelo Bielsa following the club’s promotion to the Premier League. A deal for the exciting teenager cost the Whites just £1m, and he would progress into the first team, making his top flight debut in 2021.
Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt.
The attacker has gone on to score just three goals for the Whites, one of which being a stoppage-time winner against Norwich City, while he also produced a piece of brilliant skill which helped keep Leeds in the Premier League in 2022.
However, Gelhardt has struggled for consistency and has been sent out on loan to Sunderland and Hull City, and now looks set to be sold on a permanent basis in 2025 if a club comes in with an offer in the region of £3m-£4m.
Long-time Merseyside Boys’ manager Tim Wyatt even said that Gelhardt caught the eye just as much as Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney did when they were all 14 years of age.
Wigan’s former head of academy and now sporting director Gregor Rioch was also full of praise for Gelhardt while he was at the Latics, saying he “had the X-factor”.
It’s a case of what could have been for Gelhardt at Elland Road, and still just 23 years of age, he’ll be looking to get his career back on track elsewhere.
In what could see them continue their early flurry of potential arrivals, Liverpool and Michael Edwards have now reportedly made preliminary contact to sign a Serie A contract rebel ahead of Barcelona.
Liverpool close in on Kerkez, Frimpong and Wirtz
After Liverpool won the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign, they failed to take advantage of their status as champions and endured a fairly disappointing transfer window. As a result of that and, of course, a major injury crisis, Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled in the season that followed and were forced to battle all the way in the race to secure a Champions League place.
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Fast-forward five years, and it looks as though the Reds have learned from that harsh lesson. With Arne Slot in the hot seat these days and Michael Edwards alongside sporting director Richard Hughes behind him, those at Anfield are seemingly in the mood to keep hold of their crown this time around.
Not even a week on from the conclusion of the Premier League campaign, those at Anfield have set their sights on an impressive triple swoop. All three are fairly open secrets too, with Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong all on Liverpool’s radar. The latter has even reportedly flown in to complete his move, whilst the champions are pushing to seal deals to sign Wirtz and Bournemouth’s Kerkez in the coming weeks.
What should frighten the rest of the Premier League are the reports indicating that Liverpool will still not be done there, with their focus now seemingly shifting towards signing a Serie A star.
Liverpool make preliminary contact to sign £52m Ederson
According to CalcioMercato, as relayed by Tutto Atalanta, Edwards and Liverpool have now made preliminary contact over a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta this summer. The impressive Brazilian is yet to sign a new deal at the Italian club and ‘does not seem to be willing to renew his contract’.
Therefore, Ederson is set to become a free agent next summer as things stand. With that being the case, a move could certainly be possible in the coming months, with Barcelona, Newcastle and Man Utd also named with an interest in Ederson in the report.
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring their third goal withEdersonand Matteo Ruggeri and completes his hat-trick.
A move for the midfielder would be another important one for Slot’s side too. As good as Ryan Gravenberch was throughout the season, there were times that he did drop off and needed a rest. That’s where a player of Ederson’s calibre could have seamlessly slotted in.
Minutes
2,881
3,160
Progressive Passes
216
181
Tackles Won
32
35
Ball Recoveries
186
193
A player who can keep up with Gravenberch out of possession whilst progressing play in similar fashion to Alexis Mac Allister, Ederson would provide Slot with the perfect added option in the middle of the park.
Dubbed “strong” by South American football expert Tim Vickery, Ederson, who has recently been valued at £52m by Atalanta, could be one to watch as he continues to stall on a new contract at Atalanta.
With Pep Guardiola personally pushing for his signature, one Manchester City target now reportedly has representatives in Manchester to discuss a deal to sign for the Citizens.
Kevin De Bruyne preparing for ultimate farewell
Whilst Manchester City do have one eye on the summer transfer window, they must first bid farewell to one of their greatest ever players in Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian is set to depart as a free agent after winning everything there is to win at The Etihad and earning his place as one of the best to ever do in the Premier League, not just at Manchester City.
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He won’t want to bow out without a trophy, however. As one last trip to Wembley awaits in City’s sky blue, De Bruyne has the opportunity to enjoy one last moment of magic and take his side to victory against Crystal Palace. All of a sudden, from what looked like a season destined to end in disaster, City could yet finish as high as second and win silverware along the way.
Following the FA Cup final, De Bruyne will have just two games left in a City shirt with his final game at The Etihad coming against Bournemouth just three days after a trip to Wembley.
These aren’t meaningless games for Guardiola’s side, either. They’re must-win affairs if they want to secure their place in the Champions League ahead of next season. The last thing the Manchester club needs is to lose the FA Cup final before crashing out of the top five in a disastrous final couple of weeks.
Manchester City's KevinDeBruynecelebrates after the match
By securing Champions League football, the Citizens – like others around them – would be in a far stronger position to attract their top target and perhaps pull off quite the hijack.
Wirtz's representatives travel for talks
According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Florian Wirtz’s family are now in Manchester to hold talks with Manchester City over a move to The Etihad this summer. Whilst it’s been Bayern Munich in the driving seat for much of the transfer saga, it doesn’t look like City are willing to give up anytime soon and could use Bayer Leverkusen’s reluctance to sell to a rival to jump ahead of the queue.
With Guardiola personally pushing to sign his De Bruyne replacement, Manchester City will be desperate to beat Bayern to a player described as “incredible” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season.
Indeed, Wirtz will be one of the most interesting players to watch this summer, having been praised as “probably the best midfielder in the world” by former striker Patrick Helmes, who believes he could one day end up at Real Madrid.