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The mood on Tyneside is restless. Newcastle United, still in a state of shock after a summer of transfer near-misses and a simmering fallout with star forward Alexander Isak, are moving swiftly to secure attacking reinforcements before the window closes.

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Their opening Premier League fixture against Aston Villa looms large, but Eddie Howe will go into it without a conventional striker to lead the line.

The club’s prolonged stand-off with Isak – who has refused to reintegrate with the squad following Liverpool’s interest – has left the Magpies scrambling for a replacement.

Isak’s £140,000-a-week pay packet continues to be honoured, but his unwillingness to train or play has created a pressing need for a solution.

Benjamin Šeško’s decision to join Manchester United has already stung, and while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson remains a player of interest, Newcastle’s focus has now shifted to a target who has the scoring touch to immediately slot into Howe’s plans.

After completing the £40m capture of Jacob Ramsey and bringing in Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Aaron Ramsdale on loan, Newcastle’s hierarchy is confident of landing one more key piece.

Someone who could channel the spirit of a Tyneside great from the 1990s.

The latest on Newcastle's striker search

That player is Yoane Wissa.

According t and the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, the Brentford striker is expected to sign for the Magpies, ‘in the coming week’, ensuring a conclusion is near in this long-running saga.

That has been corroborated by talkSPORT, with Newcastle increasingly confident of agreeing a deal in the near future, as the Bees demand a fee in the region of £40m.

Brentford, having already rejected two bids, are close to sealing a £42.5m move for Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara as Wissa’s replacement.

The Bees have endured a turbulent summer, losing manager Thomas Frank along with key figures Mark Flekken, Christian Nørgaard, and Bryan Mbeumo, and are reluctantly preparing to part ways with one of their most consistent performers.

Transfer Focus

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

Wissa, who turns 29 in September, enjoyed the best season of his career last year—scoring 19 goals and providing 5 assists in 35 appearances.

Only Mohamed Salah netted more non-penalty goals in the Premier League.

It’s this presence in the air, coupled with composed finishing, that has drawn comparisons to Les Ferdinand.

Like ‘Sir Les,’ Wissa is joining from a London club at the same age Ferdinand arrived on Tyneside in 1995, following his arrival from Queens Park Rangers.

Ferdinand’s two-year spell yielded 41 goals in 68 games and a near-miss in the Premier League title race, cementing his place as one of Newcastle’s most beloved forwards.

Wissa will be eager to follow that example—both in goal output and connection with the fans.

Why Wissa could be a risk worth taking

Although his age means he falls outside Newcastle’s preferred recruitment profile of 24 and under, the urgency of replacing Isak has shifted priorities.

Howe values Wissa’s proven Premier League pedigree and believes his experience will help mentor younger players like William Osula and Sean Neave.

From a sporting perspective, Wissa’s arrival appears a shrewd fix to an urgent problem.

Newcastle need goals and a presence in the box – all qualities the Brentford forward provides.

His market value of €32m (£28m), as per Transfermark, suggests the £40m fee is reasonable in the current climate, particularly for a player who has hit double figures in two of his four Premier League seasons.

According to FBref, the DR Congo international is equally comfortable running the channels as he is holding up play, with data showing he outperformed Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland in pass completion (76.5%) and produced more shot-creating actions per 90 minutes than Dominic Solanke.

He also averaged 34.1 touches per game – more than Liam Delap or João Pedro – demonstrating his ability to stay involved in build-up play.

However, there are caveats. Wissa missed six games last season with an ankle injury and could be absent for several weeks in early 2026 due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

For a side aiming to challenge on multiple fronts, including a return to the Champions League, any prolonged absence from an already limited frontline could disrupt momentum.

Still, with Isak’s future all but sealed away from St James’ Park, Newcastle have little choice but to act.

Wissa’s eagerness to join, despite interest from Nottingham Forest and Saudi Pro League side Neom SC, speaks to the pull of Champions League football and the club’s trajectory under Howe.

The Magpies’ approach this summer has been aggressive.

Backed by their Saudi ownership, they have addressed several key areas, adding defensive stability through Thiaw, creativity via Ramsey, and depth in attack with Elanga.

Landing Wissa would complete a transfer window that, while not without its frustrations, could set Newcastle up for another strong campaign.

The Les Ferdinand parallels will inevitably bring a weight of expectation, with the pair notably alike due to their prowess in the air. The ex-England international scored 13 headers during his time at St James’, as per Transfermarkt, while Wissa scored four in the Premier League alone last season.

Ferdinand’s heading ability, powerful frame, and relentless work rate made him a perfect fit for Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ and Wissa will be measured against that yardstick from the moment he steps onto the pitch.

If he adapts quickly and delivers the kind of form he showed last season, Wissa could do more than just replace Isak – he could write his own chapter in Newcastle’s modern history.

And should he hit the ground running, the Toon Army might just have another hero to salute from the Gallowgate End.

He's like Isak & Wood: Newcastle have explored move to sign £65m PL striker

Newcastle United turn to Scandinavian striker amid Alexander Isak saga fallout

1 ByWill Miller Aug 15, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Athletico anunciou que o lateral-esquerdo Pedrinho e o volante Bryan García foram desligados do clube por conta da operação Penalidade Máxima.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSites de apostasCódigo de indicação KTO [auto_last_update format=”Y”]: use LNMAX no cadastroSites de apostas03/12/2025Futebol InternacionalManchester United x Wolverhampton: onde assistir, horário e escalações do jogo pela Premier LeagueFutebol Internacional12/05/2023

Em reportagem do jornal O Globo, os nomes dos jogadores do Furacão apareceram em uma lista de apostadores. Apestar dos nomes citados, ambos não foram denunciados.

Inicialmente, a dupla foi afastada para que o clube pudesse apurar os fatos com mais cuidado. Após uma reunião da diretoria, a opção foi o desligamento e demissão por “justa causa”

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Confira a nota emitida pelo Athletico:

“Comunicamos que na data de hoje foram desligados os atletas Bryan García e Pedrinho. O Club não se manifestará mais a respeito, inclusive por meio de seus profissionais, por entender que a questão deve ser tratada pelas autoridades competentes.

A integridade e a ética são valores irrenunciáveis ao Club Athletico Paranaense. Mais que um esporte, o futebol é manifestação cultural do nosso povo. E por isso, entendemos ser dever de todos, principalmente daqueles que praticam e orbitam o futebol, preservar e proteger este patrimônio, combatendo duramente toda e qualquer conduta que ameace sua dignidade e credibilidade.”.

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Darwin Nunez is held in high regard at Liverpool. It’s perhaps the fanbase’s predilection toward their Uruguayan, once billed as a club-record man, that has kept him on the books for so long. Another personality to have followed his pathway might not receive the same warmth, encouragement.

Certainly, he flattered to deceive across his maiden term in the Premier League, only scoring nine goals after being entrusted with a starring role by Jurgen Klopp, who was enamoured by Nunez’s 2021/22 Champions League campaign with Benfica.

He improved the following year, notching 32 goal contributions across all competitions and lifting the Carabao Cup during a resurgent year for club and player. But there was still something missing.

The arrival of Arne Slot bespoke a new chapter, and it was something Nunez needed to harness. However, the 25-year-old is now for sale after his third term on Merseyside, having scored only seven goals last season, awarded just the one start in the league since Boxing Day.

At times unstoppable; always unpredictable. But Nunez is a maverick even to the inner workings of his own mind, and he’s proved a nut too tough to crack even for Slot.

Liverpool need a new striker. That’s clear.

Liverpool planning to sign a new striker

It was something of a surprise when news broke on Monday evening that Newcastle United are looking to close a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool fans might be excited by this, even though Ekitike has been among FSG’s top targets this summer, for it casts Alexander Isak’s future at St. James’ Park into some kind of doubt. Could the two truly cohabit at number nine for the Magpies?

But the Sweden star is valued at £200m, and the Reds might have been inclined to turn their attention to Viktor Gyokeres, who had scored 97 goals across two seasons for Sporting Lisbon.

Alas, Isak’s international teammate is bound for Arsenal.

However, Liverpool’s list of options at the front of the ship extends further than the aforementioned, with one of Europe’s most prolific marksmen on the radar.

Indeed, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, that list has Victor Osimhen’s name on it, with Napoli desperate to offload the Nigeria international this summer. A breakdown in his relationship with the Neapolitan outfit led to the forward’s departure on loan to Galatasaray last summer.

Osimhen is believed to have a price tag in the region of £60m, and while Galatasaray are pushing to seal the 26-year-old on a permanent deal, Liverpool’s financial and sporting advantages could hold sway, should sporting director Richard Hughes wish to take the interest up a gear.

Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen

Liverpool know that Luis Diaz could leave Anfield this summer, with Bayern Munich having seen an official proposal knocked back and the Colombian hoping to complete a move away.

If he goes, Liverpool will need to sign a high-cost replacement. That plays into the attractiveness of a deal for Osimhen, who is comparatively affordable.

Moreover, he’s proven across a number of years in Ligue 1 and the Italian top flight, actually winning the Serie A in 2022/23, crowned the Italian Players’ Player of the Year after his 26-goal campaign.

Last season, the 27-year-old Gyokeres, on paper, might have outstripped his African positional peer somewhat, but Osimhen still forged a stunning season for himself, and he’s proven at a higher level than Arsenal’s new recruit, who is older besides.

In fact, take Ekitike into the equation too, and you can see that Osimhen really might be the one to go for between the two.

League Stats 24/25 – Osimhen vs Ekitike vs Gyokeres
Stats (* per game)	Osimhen	Ekitike	Gyokeres
Matches (starts)	29 (27)	33 (31)	33 (31)
Goals	26	15	39
Assists	5	8	7
Touches*	26.4	35.0	40.0
Shots (on target)*	4.7 (1.9)	3.5 (1.5)	4.2 (2.4)
Big chances missed	25	16	23
Accurate passes	7.9 (67%)	14.5 (76%)	15.0 (73%)
Big chances created	11	12	11
Key passes*	1.1	1.3	1.9
Dribbles*	0.8	1.6	1.8
Duels (won)*	5.7 (55%)	4.2 (41%)	5.5 (50%)
Data via Sofascore

Liverpool might be frustrated by Newcastle’s ostensible advantage in the race for Ekitike, but the Frenchman is a raw and unfinished article, albeit one with plenty of blank script to write a glowing career for himself.

But Osimhen is proven, tried and tested. He’s one of the best in the business, with statistician Statman Dave even declaring him as “the best striker on the market” earlier in 2025.

Signing one of Ekitike or Isak is no doubt a tantalising thought for those of a Liverpool persuasion, but it’s one which may not come to fruition.

And even so, with sights set on Osimhen, who is without a doubt more complete and accomplished than Ekitike at this point in time and has the tools to rival Newcastle’s talisman on English shores.

It’s what Liverpool need to stay ahead of the curve. They’ve had high potential. They’ve invested in Nunez. And now, with the Uruguay international heading off for pastures new, the Reds need someone capable of leading the line with the conviction and quality of a world-class player, willing to throw down the gauntlet and challenge Gyokeres, Isak and Erling Haaland for that prized position.

He’s a “monster” in the final third, as described by analyst Ben Mattinson, with a strong-sinew physicality and a deceptively mobile approach which denotes his suitability in Slot’s system, willing to interchange and create required, creating some layered and shifting frontline that will overwhelm opponents, keep defenders guessing.

It would be a mistake to enter the new season with Nunez still inserted as Liverpool’s leading striker. Oh, he’s well-liked and at times a chaotic bundle of energy, but Slot must be ruthless if he’s to defend his Premier League title, with rivals only strengthening this summer. Gyokeres is evidence of that.

Luckily, Liverpool’s head coach has had no problem making a tough call for the greater good of his team thus far.

Better than Wirtz: Liverpool preparing £113m bid to sign superstar winger

Liverpool could sign another marquee player this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 15, 2025

Manchester City had a catastrophic 2024/25 campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side went trophyless, finishing third in the Premier League and losing the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. It was far from the dominance they have shown under the legendary Spanish manager over the past few years.

Naturally, it has been a busy summer transfer window already for the East Mancunian outfit. The Citizens have dipped into the market four times to strengthen in all areas of the pitch and improve their fortunes ahead of next term.

Indeed, Goal noted the prices for three of their four signings so far, with Marcus Bettinelli joining from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. Rayan Cherki cost £34m from Lyon, Tijani Reijnders was £46m from AC Milan, and Rayan Ait-Nouri joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £31m.

Those four are options for Guardiola’s side going into the first three games of the Premier League season. They start off with a trip to Ait-Nouri’s old hunting ground at Molineux, before hosting Tottenham Hotspur and travelling down to Brighton and Hove Albion for the final game of August.

But, what might the rest of City’s side look like ahead of their first game of the season against Wolves and beyond? Well, here’s a look at what their dream squad could look like in 2025/26 if everything goes according to plan.

The goalkeepers Ederson stays as City's number 1

City made one signing in the goalkeeper department already, with Bettinelli joining from West London giants Chelsea. He joins Ederson and Stefan Ortega as shot-stopping options for Guardiola next season.

Brazil international Ederson was the first choice last season, and conceded 26 goals in as many Premier League games, keeping ten clean sheets along the way. He did struggle with injuries at times and was sidelined for eight games in total.

One of the real upsides to Ederson is his ability with the ball at his feet. This is perhaps best showcased by the fact that he assisted four goals, including this sublime ball to Erling Haaland against Chelsea, which was well finished by the striker.

As for Ortega, the 32-year-old played 13 Premier League games, but conceded 18 goals in that time. In the Champions League, he kept a clean sheet in both appearances last term. He is certainly an excellent number two for Guardiola to have at his disposal.

Full list of goalkeepers – Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Marcus Bettinelli.

The defenders New full-back options for Pep on both sides

If there is one area of the pitch that City are certainly not short of options, it is in defence. They have incredible versatility, with Josko Gvardiol being the best example. He predominantly played as a left-back last season and chipped in with six goals across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt. In reality, he is more naturally a centre-back.

He is one of three main options at left-back for City, with Ait-Nouri also offering an excellent attacking outlet. He contributed four goals and seven assists for the Old Gold last season. Nico O’Reilly is a less experienced option, but he excelled last season, too. Naturally a number 10, he managed five goals and two assists in all competitions.

On the right flank, City have recently been linked with Denzel Dumfries by one Spanish outlet. He is said to have a £21.5m release clause, with City currently deciding whether ‘to take a chance’ on the Dutchman. His contributions in the Champions League semi-final last season, across both legs, were memorable.

With Kyle Walker now officially a Burnley player, Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis are the only other right-backs at the club. Both like to invert into midfield, which is no surprise for Nunes, given he is, by trade, a midfielder.

At centre-back, City have not made any new inclusions since the January window, where they signed Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

Ruben Dias played 44 times last season and Manuel Akajani 40, suggesting they are the first-choice options for Guardiola. However, he still has the experience of John Stones and Nathan Ake to call upon.

Full list of right-backs – Denzel Dumfries, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis

Full list of centre-backs – RCB (Manuel Akanji, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey); LCB (Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake)

Full list of left-backs – Josko Gvardiol, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nico O’Reilly

The midfield Rodri's return and KDB's replacement

The huge news in the centre of the park for City recently is that Rodri is back from his long-term injury. The current Ballon d’Or holder misses several months of the season, making just eight appearances. His involvement, or lack thereof, was noticeable in City’s torrid campaign.

City’s new addition in midfield this summer is Reijnders, who featured three times in the Club World Cup, with Nico Gonzalez, a January addition, also an option for the East Mancunians. He was dubbed a “mini Rodri” earlier in the season by his manager.

Transfer Focus

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

There is plenty of experience in the middle of midfield, too. Treble-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan is remaining at the club this summer. He played 54 times in 2024/25, two more than new club captain Bernardo Silva.

City also have Mateo Kovacic to call upon, who played a huge role last season in Rodri’s absence. Kalvin Phillips is still at the club, but after spending the last one and a half seasons out on loan, it doesn’t seem likely he will stay.

In the number 10 spot, this is where things get interesting for City. Kevin De Bruyne has now, of course, departed the club, joining Napoli, meaning someone has to step up in his absence, not at all an easy thing to do.

Perhaps that will be Phil Foden. The England international was not at his best this season, contributing to 13 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances. However, there is no doubt about his quality. This is a former PFA Player of the Year we are talking about. He could be the guy City are looking for to step up in De Bruyne’s absence this season.

Alternatively, City had been linked with Morgan Gibbs-White. Football Insider claimed the player ‘has agreed personal terms’ ahead of a possible move but he’s now on his way to Spurs instead

The 25-year-old was sensational for Forest last season, scoring seven times and grabbing ten assists in just 34 league games. That included a superb headed effort against Leicester City.

With Gibbs-White seemingly off the table, Foden is not the only option Guardiola has in the number 10 role. Youngsters Oscar Bobb and Claudio Echeverri, who made his debut in the FA Cup final, are also attacking midfielders he could call upon. The future of James McAtee, who scored seven times last season, is up in the air.

Full list of central midfielders – Rodri, Tijani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic.

Full list of attacking midfielders – Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb, Claudio Echeverri, James McAtee

The attackers Versatility and a new look front 3

One of the best things about this City team is the versatility they possess, and that is personified throughout the attack. Number nine, Erling Haaland, is the player who can only play in one role. Of course, when you have someone of his quality up front, that is no problem. He scored 34 goals in 48 games last season.

Omar Marmoush, however, is an incredibly versatile player. Another January signing, the Egyptian attacker can play on either flank, as a centre-forward or a second striker. He played 25 games for the Citizens in 2024/25, scoring eight times and assisting three.

On the right-hand side, City fans can surely get excited about watching Rayan Cherki. The 21-year-old Frenchman is an electric attacker who can play as a number 10 or on the right wing. Last season for City and Lyon, he contributed to 13 goals and 21 assists in 48 games.

Just look at his underlying numbers on FBref from the last 365 days. He averaged 8.88 progressive passes and 6.8 shot-creating actions per game. Both of those numbers place him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers.

Goals and assists

0.95

97th

Progressive passes

8.88

99th

Key passes

3.69

99th

Shot-creating actions

6.8

99th

Take-ons completed

2.5

90th

Brazilian Savinho is another option on the right-hand side for Guardiola. He managed to score three goals and registered an impressive 13 assists in all competitions, and can also play on the left-hand side if need be.

Speaking of the opposite flank, Real Madrid star Rodrygo, described as a “future icon” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, could be on his way to the Etihad Stadium. TBR Football recently confirmed that the Brazilian’s representatives ‘have now been in discussions’ with City over a move.

It would not come cheap, with one Spanish outlet suggesting Los Blancos would want upwards of £77m for their winger. In 2024/25, he scored 14 goals and assisted 11, including six Champions League goals, bringing his tally for the competition up to 25.

Jeremy Doku is another option for City on the left. A brilliant one-vs-one winger, he contributed to 17 goals last season and adds a unique element to Guardiola’s attack. Jack Grealish would also be someone who can slot in on the left-hand side, but he fell out of favour at City and seems set to leave the club.

Full list of strikers – Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush.

Full list of wingers – Rayan Cherki, Savinho, Rodrygo, Jeremy Doku.

Bigger talent than Reijnders: Pep driving Man City move for £43m sensation

Following the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders, Man City still want to bolster their midfield options, reportedly interested in making a £43m signing.

Jul 4, 2025

Arsenal are planning to hold talks with a club chairman about signing another forward, after their £50 million deal for Noni Madueke, with sporting director Andrea Berta making serious statements in the transfer market.

Eze's dream CF: Arsenal in talks to sign £69m "monster" & it's not Gyokeres

Arsenal could still change their mind on Viktor Gyokeres.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 10, 2025

Madueke is poised to make the switch to north London and will become the latest in a long line of deals between both Chelsea and Arsenal. The England international specifically comes as the seventh player to move from Cobham to London Colney in the past six years, not to mention the second in this window alone, following Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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

25/26 – summer

£75m

After opening formal club-to-club talks earlier this week, Arsenal reached a swift agreement for Madueke, worth over £50 million including add-ons. The 23-year-old agreed personal terms over this move a while ago, but Berta has now managed to convince Chelsea to sell their winger too.

Madueke joins Kepa, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard as Arsenal’s fourth signing in total this summer, and takes the club’s expenditure to around £125 million.

Arsenal are also in advanced talks to sign striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, with there being no sign of this deal collapsing just yet as Berta looks to end their long wait to bring in a prolific goalscorer

The Gunners could yet another attacking midfielder after Madueke too, as links still surround Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

The 27-year-old would join Mikel Arteta’s side in a separate deal to his international teammate (Fabrizio Romano), following another electric campaign at Selhurst Park, where he racked up 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

Eze’s FA Cup-final-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Man City at Wembley ended the club’s history-long wait for a major trophy, but Palace face the very real prospect of losing their star man before deadline day on September 1.

Arsenal plan to contact Steve Parish over Eberechi Eze deal

The attacking midfielder joined Palace in a deal worth around £20 million from QPR in 2020, and he’s since justified that price tag time and time again.

His value has now more than tripled, with the Eagles holding steadfast in their demands for his full £68 million release clause to be paid.

That is according to The Guardian and journalist Ed Aarons, who also report that Arsenal are planning to contact Palace chairman Steve Parish directly about signing Eze, and he is unlikely to accept any proposal below the clause.

Reports suggest that Arsenal have held productive talks with Eze’s camp already, but formal negotiations are yet to open with the south London club, so this could be one to watch in the coming weeks.

Called a “sensational” footballer by members of the press, Sky Sports state that Arsenal are targeting their ex-academy ace to complement club captain Martin Odegaard in an attacking midfield, rather than out wide.

It’s the start of a new era for Rangers.

On Thursday, Russell Martin was unveiled as the Ibrox club’s 20th permanent manager, appointed 102 days after Philippe Clement was sacked in February.

At his introductory press conference, Martin vowed to “prove people wrong”, acknowledging he is under pressure to deliver a winning team instantaneously, so could the signing of a “world-class” new centre-forward aid Rangers’ cause?

Rangers looking to bolster their attacking option

As previously reported by Tom Victor of the Daily Mirror, Rangers are hoping to sign Jamie Vardy on a free transfer this summer, claiming that the England international is ‘weighing up’ an offer from the Glasgow giants.

Vardy has spent the last 13 seasons with Leicester City, with whom he won the Premier League, the FA Cup and a Community Shield, scoring exactly 200 goals in 500 appearances for the Foxes, very aesthetically pleasing round numbers.

Now a free agent, countless clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, Como, Wrexham and New York Red Bulls have all been touted as potential suitors, but could Martin convince his compatriot to make the move north of the border?

Should he do, it could be a Morelos-like move for Rangers.

How Vardy could replicate Morelos at Rangers

During six seasons at Rangers, Alfredo Morelos scored 124 goals in light blue, with the Colombian, almost unquestionably, the club’s best striker since suffering liquidation in 2012.

Of these goals, 29 came in UEFA competition, meaning Morelos is Rangers’ all-time record scorer in Europe, smashing the record previously held by Ally McCoist, one that had stood since 1997.

But is Morelos really Rangers’ best centre-forward of the modern era? Let’s find out.

Selected Rangers strikers 2016-present
Players	Tenure	Games	Goals	Mins per goal
Igamane	2024-present	46	16	166
Dessers	2023-preesent	109	51	134
Danilo	2023-present	48	12	165
Morelos	2017-23	269	124	152
Roofe	2020-24	102	38	127
Čolak	2022-23	39	18	123
Sakala	2021-23	92	24	199
Defoe	2018-22	74	32	100
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As the table outlines, no Rangers striker in the post-promotion era has come anywhere close to the 124 goals Morelos managed, even if Jermain Defoe, Kemar Roofe, Antonio Čolak and current forward Cyriel Dessers do actually boast better minutes per goal ratios, helped by their smaller sample sizes.

So, could Vardy be the club’s best centre-forward since el Buffalo? Well, let’s assess his statistics this season to answer that question.

Jamie Vardy 2024/25 Premier League statistics
Statistics	Vardy	PL rank
Goals	9	26th
Expected goals	11.2	14th
Shots	56	40th
Shots on target	23	33rd
Shots on target %	41.1%	48th
All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As the table shows, Vardy’s Premier League statistics this season do not immediately leap off the page, but it is worth considering that he was playing in a generally hopeless Leicester side, who won just six matches all season and were relegated.

Thus, the fact that Vardy still ranked 14th for expected goals and only 25 players managed to score more goals than him is impressive.

Writer Henry Winter believes Vardy is still a “world-class finisher”, while Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who knows a thing or two about scoring goals, believes “he is still producing”, describing his captain as a “leader”.

Also worth noting that, the previous campaign in the EFL Championship, Vardy netted 20 times across all competitions.

This underlines the fact he would be able to produce for Rangers given that, according to Global Football Rankings, England’s second-tier is the 11th strongest league in the world, while the Scottish Premiership is ranked at 43rd.

Thus, if the Gers can convince Vardy to move to Ibrox, possibly using the allure of potential Champions League football, he would surely be an excellent addition.

After all, this is a goal machine we’re talking about here, someone who bagged 145 Premier League goals.

As bad as selling Raskin: Six English clubs want to sign Rangers star

Rangers selling this star would be as bad as cashing in on Nicolas Raskin this summer.

By
Dan Emery

Jun 3, 2025

Leeds United now want to sign a new goalkeeper who keeps a clean sheet every three games, and a deal will cost less than what the 49ers Enterprises paid for Ao Tanaka.

Leeds eyeing new goalkeeper to replace Meslier

Daniel Farke’s decision to drop Illan Meslier for the promotion run-in spoke volumes, with Karl Darlow being trusted to do a job between the sticks at the back end of the 2024/25 season.

Darlow received high praise for his performances during the promotion charge, with the Welsh goalkeeper proving to be a dependable option, helping the Whites secure the Championship title on the final day.

However, long-term replacements have been under consideration for quite some time, with Meslier heavily linked with an Elland Road exit this summer.

Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen is among the targets, as are more proven Premier League goalkeepers, including the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Caoimhin Kelleher.

According to a report from Fotboll Direkt, Leeds also want to sign 6 foot 4 Mjallby goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist, who is being watched by several clubs from England and Sweden ahead of a potential summer swoop.

Tornqvist could be an affordable option for the Whites, as Mjallby are looking to hold out for a fee of just £1.5m, far less than the £25m it would take to lure Ramsdale to Elland Road, and the reported £40m asking price for Kelleher.

Farke’s side are unwilling to give up in their pursuit of the shot-stopper, but it remains to be seen whether they make a move, given that a number of more proven goalkeepers on the shortlist.

Signing Tornqvist would be a risk as Leeds No.1

While a deal for the Mjallby goalkeeper would be on the cheap side, it would still be a risk for Farke to bring him in as the new number one, given that he is unproven in a major European league.

That said, the Swede has put in some impressive performances in his home country, and he retains a record of a clean sheet every three games for his current employers, shipping a total of just 83 goals in 78 games.

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As such, Tornqvist could be a savvy signing for Leeds as a back-up or long-term addition, given Darlow’s performances at the back end of last season indicate. The 23-year-old is still young for a goalkeeper, so he’d have plenty of time to adapt to life in the Premier League, potentially repalcing Meslier in the process.

By spending just £1.5m on a goalkeeper, less than the £3m the Whites spent on 24/25 Players’ Player of the Season Tanaka, Leeds should also have available funds to strengthen other areas of the squad, and they are clearly very keen on signing a new striker, with Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson among the targets.

Celtic played their final away game of the Scottish Premiership season on Wednesday night and secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Aberdeen.

Brendan Rodgers named a much-changed side and got the win thanks to goals from Maik Nawrocki, Hyun-jun Yang, Luke McCowan, Johnny Kenny, and Adam Idah.

It was a night for the rarely-seen Celtic players, including the likes of Viljami Sinisalo and Paulo Bernardo, and Nawrocki is certainly one of those who grasped his chance.

Why Rodgers should be impressed by Nawrocki

The Polish defender made just his third start of the Premiership campaign and caught the eye with an impressive display at the heart of the defence.

Playing on his favoured right side for the first time this term, Nawrocki completed an eye-catching 130 of his 136 attempted passes on the night and only lost possession nine times in total, as well as scoring the opener from a corner.

Defensively, the former Legia Warsaw star made five clearances, two blocks, and two interceptions to keep Aberdeen at bay, including one huge sliding block when facing a one-on-one in the box in the second half.

Chalkboard

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

Rodgers should, therefore, have been impressed by his combination of composed play in possession and stoic defensive work, but the manager should have been encouraged by Johnny Kenny’s display in the centre-forward position.

Why Johnny Kenny is now unsellable

The young marksman had not had many opportunities to impress in the second half of the season, with just six substitute appearances in the league, and his lack of game time may have led to question marks over his future heading into the summer transfer window.

However, the 21-year-old striker was finally given a chance to show his quality from the start and showed why he should be unsellable this summer for the Hoops, with a performance that shows that he can be part of the first-team squad next season.

Celtic need another number nine option to compete with Idah and Daizen Maeda, and Kenny’s showing against Aberdeen suggests that he can be that man.

Minutes

70

Shots on target

2

Goals

1

Passes completed

8/11

Duels won

3/4

Aerial duels won

3/3

As you can see in the table above, the Ireland U21 international scored with one of his two shots on target, with a well-placed header from McCowan’s cross, and showcased his physicality by winning all of his aerial duels.

Kenny scored 13 goals in 19 starts in the Irish Premier Division in 2024 on loan at Shamrock Rovers, and has now shown a glimpse of the kind of goalscoring quality he can bring to Celtic.

He is an exciting young striker with the physical qualities, as shown by his statistics against Aberdeen, and the goalscoring record to develop into a fine option for Rodgers, as proven by his performance on Wednesday.

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Therefore, the club should not look to move him on this summer, despite his general lack of game time in the last few months, and the manager should, instead, make him a regular player off the bench and occasionally from the start.

Crystal Palace have now made contact over a move for an “aggressive” defender, who could be available for just £5m, according to a report.

Palace eyeing defender amid Marc Guehi uncertainty

Marc Guehi’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026, which means the upcoming transfer window will be Palace’s last chance to cash-in on the defender, and a number of Premier League clubs are in the race for his signature.

Chelsea are determined to win the race for Guehi, although the Blues may face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who had a £70m bid knocked back in January, while Liverpool have also held talks over a potential deal.

As such, Oliver Glasner is likely to be tasked with bringing in a replacement this summer, and a number of targets have been identified, with IF Elfsborg’s Terry Yegbe recently becoming the latest player to be shortlisted.

Crystal Palace’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Manchester City (a)

April 12th

Newcastle United (a)

April 16th

AFC Bournemouth (h)

April 19th

Arsenal (a)

April 23rd

Nottingham Forest (h)

May 5th

The Eagles are leading the race for Yegbe, while they also hold an interest in Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof, who is set to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

As we approach the summer transfer window, Palace are not short on centre-back targets, and a report from Argentina (via The Hard Tackle) has revealed they have now made contact over a deal for Independiente De Avellaneda’s Kevin Lomonaco.

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Lomonaco could be a low-cost addition to Glasner’s squad, given that he is valued at just €6m (£5m), and the south Londoners are keen on securing his signature, although they may face competition.

London rivals West Ham United have also made an approach for the 23-year-old, with the race for his signature starting to heat up ahead of the summer transfer window.

"Aggressive" Lomonaco impressing in Argentina

There are some signs the centre-back could be an exciting acquisition for Palace, given that he has received high praise from an Argentine football expert.

The “aggressive” defender is an imposing figure at a colossal 6 foot 4, which he clearly uses to his advantage in aerial situations, but it is also important that he seems to be good with his feet, which is important for any modern-day centre-back.

It would, of course, be a gamble to sign Lomonaco, given that he is unproven outside Argentina, but at just £5m, it could be a risk worth taking for Palace, who are in need of a replacement for Guehi.

Stats highlights from New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep of England in the ODI series

Sampath Bandarupalli01-Nov-202510 Consecutive bilateral ODI series wins at home for New Zealand since losing to India in January 2019 – the second longest winning streak in men’s ODIs after South Africa’s 17 consecutive series wins between 2002 and 2007. New Zealand surpassed England’s streak of nine series wins between 2016 and 2020.2 Instances of New Zealand whitewashing England in a series of three or more matches across formats. The previous instance was also in a three-match ODI series at home in 1983.10 Consecutive defeats for England in ODIs away from home, their longest losing streak.ESPNcricinfo Ltd22.3 Strike rate of New Zealand’s bowlers in the series against England, the second best for any team in a men’s ODI series or tournament where they took at least 30 wickets. South Africa’s bowlers had a strike rate of 21.5 against Zimbabwe in a three-match series in 2018.New Zealand’s fast bowlers took 26 wickets against England at a strike rate of 19.8, the best for any team in a series or tournament for a minimum of 20 wickets.84 Runs scored by England’s top four across the three ODIs in New Zealand – the fewest by any team’s top four in a men’s ODI series or tournament where they batted at least three times. The previous lowest was 89 by Bangladesh in the 1988 Asia Cup.England’s top three scored 58 – Jamie Smith (18), Ben Duckett (11) and Joe Root (29) – in the three ODIs. Only one team has had fewer runs in an ODI series or tournament (minimum of three matches), while playing with the same top three: 46 by Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal (40), Junaid Siddique (1) and Mushfiqur Rahim (5) in the 2009 Tri-Nation Tournament in Bangladesh.ESPNcricinfo Ltd104 Runs added by England for their first four wickets in this series, having lost their fourth wicket at scores of 10, 63 and 31 in the three matches – the fewest runs added by a team for their first four wickets in a men’s ODI series or tournament (minimum of three games).156 Runs scored by Jamie Overton are the most in a three-match series while batting at No. 8 or lower, going past Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 141 runs against India in 2022.