Nottingham Forest’s sublime season in the Premier League might well have run out of steam towards the back-end – with only one league victory coming their way in May – but Nuno Espirito Santo’s men still have the Conference League to look forward to next campaign after finishing in a fantastic seventh spot.

Espirito Santo’s Tricky Trees won’t just be content with one unbelievable season in isolation, however, with an ambitious approach during this summer transfer window perhaps allowing Forest to upgrade all over the pitch ahead of European football coming to the City Ground.

Already, Forest are flexing their muscles as they aim to finalise a deal for Botafogo attacking sensation Igor Jesus, but they might not be done there when adding in some exciting options up top.

Forest's search for a striker

As per a report by the Athletic, Forest remain keen on a deal for Brentford ace Yoane Wissa, having previously been interested in the Bees sharpshooter back in January.

At that time, the Premier League high-flyers were put off by the 28-year-old’s steep £40m valuation, resulting in a £22m bid for his services falling flat.

Now, a move could be back on the cards, even as Forest edge closer to landing the aforementioned Jesus from Brazil.

Worryingly so for the South American hotshot, Wissa’s arrival in through the door could see Espirito Santo and Co. win themselves an instant upgrade on the one-time Arsenal target, with the Congolese international very much a revered marksman in the Premier League.

Why Wissa would be an upgrade on Jesus

Wissa could soon go down as a fan’s favourite at City Ground, even though the long-standing Brentford servant would score this delightful effort only last month versus Forest to seal a 2-0 away success.

Still, they won’t be turning their noses up at adding Wissa to their attacking arsenal alongside Chris Wood, with that breakaway effort just one of 20 strikes the 28-year-old would fire home last season for Thomas Frank’s regular overachievers – 19 of which came in the top-flight.

To add context, the much-talked-about New Zealand powerhouse would tally up that exact amount last season in all competitions, meaning the pair working together in unison could be a dynamite duo.

But, away from any potential partnerships forming, the electric Bees number 11’s dependable record in the Premier League means he would instantly get the first-team nod over Jesus, with the experienced top-flight presence never looking back after entering the level in 2021.

Wissa’s PL G/A record by season

Season

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

24/25

39

19

5

23/24

34

12

4

22/23

38

7

3

21/22

30

7

1

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Looking at the table above, Wissa has gradually improved by season by season at the daunting level, with that tally of 19 league strikes last season his most lethal return in the top-flight to date.

On the contrary, whilst Jesus is an entertaining watch with a hefty 3.5 total shots averaged on goal in Brazilian top-flight action this year, he doesn’t possess that same potency Wissa has in abundance, with a weaker output of seven goals coming his way from 24 Brasileirão Betano contests.

He does have an additional eight goals next to his name playing for Botafogo from 55 total appearances, but the concern will be that the four-time Brazil international could struggle to immediately make an impact in the English game.

Wissa wouldn’t have any of these issues to contend with, with the clinical number 11 once even labelled as “unbelievable” by his Brentford boss for his blistering goalscoring prowess.

Adding in both strikers could well be the dream scenario here, with Jesus able to bounce off a Premier League-recognised striker to up his standards.

After all, Forest might as well aim to strike up as many golden deals as possible whilst the club is on an all-time high.

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Leeds United have plenty of time ahead of them to dip into the summer transfer window to bolster their options ahead of a season in the Premier League.

The Whites know that they will have to recruit well to avoid the drop in their first year back in the top-flight, as the last six sides to go up have come straight back down again.

One player who does not appear to be on his way to Elland Road this summer, however, is winger Manor Solomon, who spent the 2024/25 season on loan in West Yorkshire.

Journalist Graeme Bailey told The Boot Room: “I am told that Solomon still thinks he can break into the first team at Tottenham. He has gained so much confidence from his spell at Leeds and now feels fully adapted to English football. He is a very interesting option, Spurs like him and are ready to let him prove himself during pre-season.”

Solomon produced 12 goals and ten assists in the Championship this season for Leeds to help them on their way to the league title, and this update suggests that he will not be joining on a permanent basis.

The other Premier League player who was on loan at Elland Road in the 2024/25 campaign was Joe Rothwell, and the club should not be looking to bring him back.

Why Leeds should not sign Joe Rothwell

The Whites should look elsewhere in the transfer market instead of attempting to bring the English whiz back from Bournemouth, because he is not suited to the physicality of the Premier League.

Rothwell arrived in West Yorkshire to provide valuable back-up in the central midfield positions for Daniel Farke in the 2024/25 campaign, and that is exactly what he did.

Appearances

36

Starts

24

Big chances created

4

Assists

4

Key passes per game

1.7

Pass accuracy

91%

As you can see in the table above, the 30-year-old maestro offered a reliable presence with the ball at his feet, completing 91% of his attempted passes, and provided creativity with his ability to assist his teammates.

However, Leeds will need different attributes when they are battling against relegation from the Premier League next season, and that is why the club should avoid a deal to bring him back.

In the 2023/24 Premier League season, Rothwell lost 53% of his overall duels and 100% of his aerial battles for Bournemouth across 11 appearances, whilst being dribbled past six times in three starts.

This suggests that he does not possess the physical attributes required to thrive in the top-flight, hence why the Cherries opted to loan him to the second tier, and Leeds are now being linked with a star who would be a huge upgrade in that position.

Leeds pushing to sign Premier League star

According to reports in France, Leeds United have identified West Ham United central midfielder Tomas Soucek as a target for the summer transfer window.

The report suggests that the West Yorkshire outfit are now ‘pushing’ to bring the Czech international over to Elland Road to bolster the manager’s options in the middle of the park.

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It is said that there is a chance that the former Slavia Prague star leaves the Hammers this summer, and the Whites are looking to potentially take advantage of that.

Leeds have added the 30-year-old titan to their list of targets and are seemingly set to pursue a deal for the midfielder, given that they are ‘pushing’ for him.

The report further claims that the Championship champions are looking for experienced options to bolster their efforts to stay in the Premier League, and Soucek – who is valued at £19m by Football Transfers – is a player who fits the bill perfectly.

Why Leeds should sign Soucek as a Rothwell upgrade

The midfield star has racked up 194 appearances in the Premier League in his career with the Hammers so far, and 245 appearances for the club in all competitions.

This shows that Soucek is an experienced player who has proven that he can perform on a consistent basis at the top level in England, as shown by how long his career at the London Stadium has been, which is not the case for Rothwell.

Soucek is also a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, with a return of 36 goals in his top-flight career, whilst Rothwell – who is also 30 – has never scored at that level.

Sky Sports commentator Andy Hinchcliffe described him as the most “dangerous” player in the box in the clip above, as he scored one of his nine Premier League goals this season against Wolves in December.

Appearances

35

xG

6.85

Goals

9

Duels won per game

5.0

Duel success rate

53%

Aerial duels won per game

2.9

Aerial duel success rate

57%

As you can see in the table above, Soucek also provides a level of physicality that Rothwell would not, as he wins duels at an efficient rate and is particularly impressive in the air.

As aforementioned, Rothwell did not win a single aerial battle in the 2023/24 season for Bournemouth in the Premier League, which shows that the West Ham star would be a major upgrade on him from an aerial perspective.

Soucek would add an imposing and physical presence to the Leeds midfield, with his ability to win duels and compete in the air, whilst the Bournemouth loanee would seemingly be a brittle option in the top-flight.

Therefore, hopefully, Leeds will win the race for the Czechia international this summer as a huge upgrade on Rothwell in the middle of the park, as he is a proven Premier League performer who can offer goals and physicality.

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Whereas, the Cherries outcast has not proven himself in the top-flight and does not offer enough physically to perform week-in-week-out at that level, which is why avoiding a deal for him in order to pursue Soucek would be a great move by the Whites.

Rangers supporters surely can’t wait for this miserable season to finally end.

On Wednesday night, Barry Ferguson’s side fought back from a goal down win 3-1 at Ibrox, with Cyriel Dessers scoring twice, before Nicolas Raskin made the points secure for Rangers late on.

Having also smashed Aberdeen 4-0 on Sunday, the Gers have secured back-to-back home wins for the first time since 2 February; they were without a win in seven successive matches at Ibrox beforehand.

The Light Blues will conclude the campaign against in-form Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday lunchtime, but most Rangers supporters are more preoccupied with wondering who their next manager will be.

Well, could we find out very soon?

The latest on Davide Ancelotti to Rangers

Earlier this week, a report by Madrid-based outlet AS claimed that Davide Ancelotti is one of the front-runners to become the new Rangers manager.

Anthony Evans of the Daily Record noted that it has ‘taken us all by surprise’ that Ancelotti is the ‘leading contender’, even if Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes he is ‘one of the most sought-after’ coaches in world football.

On Monday, it was confirmed that his father Carlo, will become the new Brazil manager, with Davide now hoping to pursue his own managerial career.

Nevertheless, it would surely be a major risk at this juncture for the new 49ers ownership group to appoint a 35-year-old with no prior experience of being a head coach, so here’s who they should hire, or should we say re-hire, instead.

Who should be the new Rangers manager?

According to a report by Mick Brown of Football Insider, Rangers are ‘set to step up their efforts’ to re-hire Steven Gerrard as manager, adding that the board are eager to appoint a new manager ‘quickly’ ahead of the transfer window opening and then pre-season.

Mike McGrath of the Telegraph has previously documented that Gerrard is on the 49ers ‘longlist’ of candidates, but could he now be at the front of the queue to secure an Ibrox return?

The 44-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Al-Ettifaq in January, with John Duerden of the Guardian describing his time in the Saudi Pro League as ‘mostly underwhelming’, winning just 19 of 55 matches in charge of the Dammam-based outfit.

However, the Liverpool legend was significantly more successful during three and a bit years as Rangers boss, as the table below outlines. His reputation became “amazing” in the words of former England defender Glen Johnson and it’s not hard to see why.

2016/17

3rd

67

SF

SF

Did not qualify

2017/18

3rd

70

SF

SF

Qualifying round

2018/19

2nd

78

QF

SF

Group stage

2019/20

2nd

67*

QF

F

Last 16

2020/21

1st

102

​​​​​​​QF

​​​​​​​QF

Last 16

2021/22

Gerrard departed after 13 Premiership games.

*season curtailed due to Covid

Indeed, Gerrard led Rangers to their only Premiership title since 2011, going the entire league campaign undefeated, winning 32 of 38 matches.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout describes Gerrard’s tenure as “impressive” considering he took on a “very difficult” job, while Ewan Murray of the Guardian documents how he was ‘adored’ by the Rangers support, despite requiring three attempts to ultimately topple Celtic, historically preventing ten-in-a-row in 2021.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Rangers legend Ally McCoist believes Gerrard “would be welcome back”, adding that a return could be best for all involved.

So, having proved he can deliver silverware in the past, Gerrard is surely the perfect candidate to be re-appointed.

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Sunderland were always going to face challenges venturing up to the Premier League, but the Black Cats will find their journey up to the big time to be even more unnerving now that Jobe Bellingham has left the club.

Bellingham has followed in his esteemed brother’s footsteps and joined German behemoth Borussia Dortmund, leaving Regis Le Bris with a lot of work to do this summer to plug his noticeable gap.

The Wearside underdogs could look to bring in an entertaining EFL star as a replacement for the skilful 19-year-old.

Sunderland eyeing up move for EFL star

As per a new report by the Daily Mail, Sunderland are eyeing up a potential swoop for Leeds United outcast Sam Greenwood to enhance their attacking options.

Whilst he has struggled for large patches of his Elland Road career, Greenwood has shone away from West Yorkshire on loan with Preston North End and Middlesbrough in the Championship, with Sunderland now keen on winning his services.

Leicester City are also in the race to land the 23-year-old ahead of the Foxes heading back to the second tier, but the Black Cats’ newly obtained Premier League status – on top of the fact Greenwood actually hails from Sunderland – should surely give them a favourable advantage.

Before heading to Leeds, he was actually on the books of the Sunderland and Arsenal academies.

How Greenwood could replace Bellingham

There would be a lot of pressure on Greenwood’s shoulders to come in and fill the void left behind by Bellingham, but it’s clear from his flashes of excellence in the EFL’s elite league that he’s deserving of some more game time in the top-flight, away from being a reserve face at Daniel Farke’s outfit.

After all, much like Bellingham caught the eye with classy displays galore at the Stadium of Light, Greenwood has consistently entertained fans in the EFL when moved out on loan from Leeds.

Amazingly, the 23-year-old even amassed more goals last season in the Championship than Bellingham, with five goals collected come the end of his stay at Deepdale, compared to his now Dortmund counterpart’s four.

By the end of his loan stint in Lancashire, Greenwood scored seven strikes in total from 45 clashes, with this tally just beating his overall Boro count, which stood at five. Alongside that, he also has six Championship assists next to his name, with a chance for him to shine in the level above perhaps coming soon with Le Bris and Co.

Away from offering the same firepower as Bellingham, the “unbelievable” attacker – as Farke once described him – is also similar to the Bundesliga-bound midfielder in offering lots of versatility, with the ex-Arsenal youth starlet capable of playing in a whole host of positions like Bellingham, away from simply lining up as a number ten.

CF

48

20

3

AM

37

9

9

RW

19

9

3

LM

17

4

2

SS

15

9

4

LW

13

2

2

CM

11

1

1

DM

1

0

0

Greenwood actually boasts more career goals and assists lining up as a centre-forward with the 23-year-old potentially offering Le Bris another striker presence, therefore, away from the Frenchman solely depending on Wilson Isidor.

But, he can also line up as a winger and as a central figure, much like Bellingham, with everything pointing in the direction that this could be a smart move for Sunderland to make to try and patch over their star man’s exit.

Greenwood even has a goal and four assists next to his name when utilised sparingly in the Premier League by the Whites, meaning he could really kick on under Le Bris’ guidance if given plenty of action in the wake of Bellingham’s sad departure.

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Leeds United aren’t gripped with dread this summer that a whole host of their star players could be exiting Elland Road.

That was the overwhelming emotion last summer, however, after Daniel Farke’s Whites heartbreakingly lost the Championship playoff final to Southampton. Now, with a title success under their belt, the West Yorkshire giants don’t have that same level of worry to contend with.

Old wounds could soon be reopened by their emergence into the Premier League, though, as the likes of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville potentially line up against their former employers next season for Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United respectively.

Alongside that magic duo, ex-Thorp Arch product Archie Gray could also clash with Leeds, having also shone in glimpses for new side Tottenham Hotspur.

Gray's sad Leeds exit

Amazingly, the versatile 19-year-old has already collected silverware since donning Spurs white, memorably lifting the Europa League recently, which is some feat just one season into his North London adventure.

This would have been one key factor as to why he left his boyhood employers behind after just one mere season in the senior ranks, knowing he could cut it at an elite level already.

There was clearly a hunger to succeed up a level, whilst Farke and Co. were left to battle away again to try and finally get out of the unforgiving Championship.

Gray’s numbers for Leeds by position (23/24)
Position played	Games	Goals	Assists
RB	30	0	2
CM	10	0	0
DM	6	0	0
AM	3	0	0
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Still, there is a lack of visible bad blood on Leeds’ end as Gray gave everything across the 2023/24 season for the cause, with the teenage sensation lining up wherever needed and impressing under Farke’s stewardship.

The Whites would have at least been glad to get £30m out of Ange Postecoglou’s men, but there will be a worry that Gray left prematurely, and he will soon become even more of a classy talent for the Lilywhites, away from Elland Road.

History could unfortunately repeat itself too if Leeds were to sell an equally exciting youngster who has shown flashes of his obvious quality during their promotion-winning heroics.

£10m attacker may never play for Leeds again

Whilst Farke was the boss to gift Gray his first tastes of senior action in West Yorkshire, the German might not be prepared to be as charitable up a division when handing equally promising starlets more chances.

That might be why Mateo Joseph is eyeing up the exit door this summer, with a new report from French outlet L’Equipe stating that Liam Rosenior’s RC Strasbourg are keen on adding the raw Spaniard to their camp if he does fancy an exit route out of England.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has also weighed in on the speculation surrounding Joseph by exclusively revealing he is considering his options and is now ready to bid farewell to the Whites, despite looking at home in a Leeds starting lineup on occasion, especially when he bagged this quickfire brace against Chelsea last year.

He also showed off his clinical edge in the Leeds first team last season when sparingly handed minutes by Farke, with a standout tally of three goals and three assists coming his way in league action, despite only being gifted 11 starts.

Much like Gray, this is undoubtedly an impressive season for an academy product who had only experienced youth football before this big leap under the ex-Norwich City boss.

But, with £10m bids reportedly coming Leeds’ way for Joseph’s services from the likes of La Liga outfit Real Betis, Leeds could soon cash in on another of their top youth players before they have fully blossomed.

These added funds might well boost Leeds if they are keen on adding in some star quality for the Premier League, yet in the long term, Joseph could go on to establish himself as a top attacker elsewhere in another regrettable Gray-style repeat.

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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.

Sunderland are in the mix to complete the signing of one of Europe’s most sought-after young players, according to a fresh transfer claim.

Sunderland to use Bellingham money for new signings

The Black Cats have been dealt the rather predictable blow of losing Jobe Bellingham this summer, with the teenager off to Borussia Dortmund, copying the career path of his brother, Jude Bellingham.

While not having the midfielder in their ranks in the Premier League next season is a big blow, Sunderland will at least receive around £30m+ for him, which can be spent on new signings who can aid Regis Le Bris’ side’s battling to avoid a speedy return to the Championship.

Manchester City youngster Charlie Gray has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Bellingham ahead of the 2025/26 season, with the 19-year-old struggling with opportunities at the Etihad. He is predominantly a defensive midfielder, but he can take up more attacking roles, too.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham has been linked with a return to the Stadium of Light this summer, with the 27-year-old now an experienced head who should still remain at his peak for the foreseeable future.

Sunderland battling Newcastle for young star

According to On The Minute, Sunderland have joined the race to sign Djurgarden defender Keita Kosugi in the summer window, with rivals Newcastle also among those in the mix to snap him up for around £8m.

The report says that the 19-year-old is considered “one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe”, highlighting his potential, and the Black Cats are trying to snap him up, along with Nottingham Forest, Celtic, Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta.

Kosugi may not yet be known to British football fans, but his long-term potential makes him such an exciting option for Sunderland, who need to find the right blend of youth and experience when the new Premier League campaign gets underway in August.

The teenage left-back won 10 caps for Japan’s Under-17s during his younger days, and he has already made 45 appearances for Djurgarden, scoring five goals and registering two assists in that time. Meanwhile, video scout Elijah Michiels has described him as “excellent”.

Kosugi can come in and provide competition for Dennis Cirkin at left-back straight away, starting off as a squad player who hopefully matures into a key man as time passes.

He is already more experienced than his age arguably suggests, coming up against Chelsea in the semi-finals of UEFA Europa Conference League, and if he reaches his possible ceiling, Sunderland could have an absolute gem of a signing on their hands.

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Le Bris has shown faith in youth already, from Bellingham to Chris Rigg, and if he believes Kosugi is good enough to feature regularly from the off, he should be trusted.

Will Newcastle United be busy in this transfer window?

The Magpies snuck into the Champions League places on the final day of the Premier League season, thankful that Manchester United beat Aston Villa simultaneously, given that Eddie Howe’s side suffered a shock home defeat at the hands of Everton.

So, as the Toon Army prepare for a second Champions League campaign in just three seasons, they’re forecast to spend big this summer, with a new winger near the top of their agenda.

Newcastle chasing a new wide-attacker

The Toon are on the prowl to add Premier League-proven players to their squad this summer with reports over the last week or so signalling that they have made an enquiry for Brighton’s Joao Pedro.

Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, one of the fastest players in the top-flight this season, is also on their radar, but perhaps they could seal a better signing than both of those players.

According to a report by Caught Offside, Newcastle are ‘keen’ to sign Justin Kluivert this summer, who they claim is valued at around £50m by Bournemouth, with Manchester United also noted as ‘long-time admirers’.

​​​​The 26-year-old scored 13 goals across all competitions for the Cherries this season, the most he has ever managed in a single campaign across his entire senior career, most memorably bagging a hat-trick at St James’ Park back in January.

Manager Andoni Iraola labelled his performance that day as “amazing”, while Kluivert’s form earned him a recall to the Dutch national team, starting against Bosnia in Zenica last November, thereby earning a first Netherlands cap for over six years.

So now, could Justin follow in the footsteps of his father Patrick by moving to Tyneside?

How Justin Kluivert compares to Bryan Mbeumo

As noted by Lee Ryder of the Chronicle back in January, Newcastle’s dream wide-attacking signing this summer is Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo but, according to David Ornstein of the Athletic, the Cameroonian ‘has decided he wants to join Manchester United’, with the Bees holding out for his £60m valuation.

Following Thomas Frank’s appointment as the new Tottenham manager, Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport now believes that Spurs are ‘interested’ in securing Mbeumo’s signature but, either way, it appears unlikely that Newcastle will land their first-choice target.

So, would Kluivert be the ideal alternative for the Magpies?

Well, safe to say both these wingers really impressed in the Premier League this season, so let’s assess how they compared to each other.

Appearances

34

38

Minutes

2,356

3,417

Goals

12

20

Assists

6

8

Shots per 90

2.19

2.08

Shots on target %

40.4%

43%

Shot-creating actions

3.88

3.80

Big chances missed

6

9

Take-on success %

41.4%

46.8%

Touches per 90

42

47

As the table outlines, Mbeumo did score more goals and register more assists this season, albeit the Cameroonian did finish top of the goals – xG metric in this season’s Premier League, which may suggest his productivity is not sustainable.

Meantime, Kluivert registered more shots and more shot-creating actions on a per-90 basis, while his other statistics are comparable across the board, including shots on target percentage and touches per-90, while missing fewer Opta-defined big chances.

He was also praised for his ‘unplayable’ displays for the Cherries this season, having taken his game to a new level.

Thus, while Mbeumo may be Newcastle’s dream target, Kluivert would appear to be a very exciting alternative.

So, as Howe seeks to bolster his squad, hoping that the Magpies will be able to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League concurrently during the next campaign, Kluivert would certainly add quality to their forward line.

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David Warner has predicted England’s last two Ashes destroyers loom as far different prospects on the slower T20 World Cup wickets of the Caribbean.Australia will meet England for the first time in any format since last year’s tense Ashes series on Saturday [Sunday AEDT] in Barbados, in each side’s second game of the World Cup.Related

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• Jofra Archer: 'I had a bit of a cry' on return to action in Barbados

Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are expected to play for an England side desperately needing a win after a washout against Scotland.Archer has not played Australia since the 2020 white-ball series in England, which took place during Covid, having made his mark against them in his debut Test series in 2019. Wood was also England’s most hostile bowler in the 2023 Ashes, coming in at Headingley and helping the hosts go from 2-0 down to a 2-2 draw.Both are among the quickest in the world at their best, but the slow pitches of the Caribbean are far removed from their home conditions. Throw in the fact it is a T20 rather than a Test match, and Warner believes this is a very different scenario.”You just have to use their pace,” Warner said. “Test cricket they set different fields, different balls. In Twenty20 cricket, you only have to get half an edge on it and it can go. So there’s a fair difference.”David Warner played an important innings against Oman•Getty Images

Warner also does not expect consistently high bounce as seen elsewhere in the world.”I’ve played a lot of cricket over here,” Warner said. “You are expecting it to be low rather than bounce, unless it is real short. The variation in bounce is what surprises you. Because when they pitch the ball that eight-metre [from the stumps] length, your natural instinct is to pull it. But you have to go back to targeting straight, backing yourself, and if it does bounce, so be it.”Warner hit a steady 56 from 51 balls to guide Australia to a winnable score in their first match against Oman to begin his last international tournament. The runs came after a disappointing IPL, prompting questions from critics over whether he deserved a final hurrah ahead of rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk.”It [the criticism] doesn’t fuel me. It’s in one ear, out the other,” Warner said. “I don’t understand why it’s all about myself. There are 11 players in the team. I don’t get it.”People feel like they have to keep criticising the way I play. I don’t know what it is. I have no answer as to why people write that. I have had it my whole career. I don’t listen to it.”Sunday’s Group B clash has gone from near irrelevant to crucial for England, after their shared points with Scotland. A loss to Australia would spell disaster for the defending champions, after Scotland beat Namibia on Friday. If England are beaten, it would leave open the prospect of a net run-rate shootout between them and Scotland to be the second team to advance from the group.

So much change has occurred at West Bromwich Albion in such a short space of time.

It doesn’t feel too long ago since Carlos Corberan was still situated in the Baggies dug-out, with Tony Mowbray going on to face the wrath of the Hawthorns hierarchy after the much-loved Spaniard departed for Valencia.

Fast forward to this summer and Ryan Mason is now tasked with attempting to put West Brom back on the map by guiding them up to the Premier League.

This will be no easy feat for a manager still learning the ropes – but unlike Mowbray – he should have a fully fit Josh Maja at his disposal from the second football gets back underway, which is a definite boost for a team attempting to accelerate out of the traps.

Maja's explosive form for West Brom

Despite only lining up for a mere two league games in total during an injury-ravaged 2025, the former Sunderland marksman would still be crowned West Brom’s top goalscorer of the season when the dust had settled.

Maja bagged a deadly 12 strikes from only 26 clashes, with a clinical brace picked up against Preston North End on New Year’s Day his final meaningful contributions during an up-and-down campaign.

When performing at the peak of his powers, the explosive Maja would constantly be linking up with assist king Tom Fellows to terrorise Championship defences, culminating in the homegrown winger registering a colossal 14 assists.

Mikey Johnston was the second most effective assist maker for the Baggies with a lesser five next to his name, with the addition of a new, entertaining attacker perhaps getting even more out of Maja in the long run when considering their previous blistering exploits in the EFL’s top division.

The "fabulous" talent who could be a dream partner for Maja

Of course, as Fellows became more well-known for being a creative menace, the pressure significantly ramped up on his shoulders.

Consequently, the exciting Hawthorns prodigy would only pick up two goals and three assists across his last eight Championship appearances of the season. To add more context, it would only take Fellows three games right at the start of the season to reach the same assists tally.

This is where former Derby County ace Tom Lawrence could come to the rescue in lessening the burden on Fellows to solely create, with a recent report by TEAMtalk suggesting that Mason and Co. are keen to add the free agent to their ranks this summer, alongside competitors to his signature in Wrexham and Coventry City.

Maja will already be raring to go ahead of next season as he pushes his injury issues hopefully to one side.

But, if he knows he also has Lawrence as a potential teammate feeding him chances, alongside Fellows and many other stars at Mason’s disposal, the potent number 29 will be aiming for an even heavier goal return than the 12 he just managed.

21/22

39

11

5

20/21

23

3

2

19/20

40

10

5

18/19

38

7

5

17/18

42

6

8

Whilst his celebrated stint with the Rams did see him score plenty of audacious strikes – as seen in his 37 goals from 185 appearances – the ex-Derby captain would also go on to amass a healthy 25 assists at Pride Park across five memorable campaigns.

More specifically, 22 big chances would be created on the end of the Wrexham-born forward across his five Championship seasons in Derbyshire, with the potential here for Lawrence to recapture this previous EFL best if he moves to West Brom shortly.

With a thunderous effort like this one up his sleeve also, the “fabulous” midfielder – as he was once labelled by ex-Rams boss Gary Rowett – could even compete with Maja at the top of the goalscoring charts, with Mason fancying his team’s chances at promotion even more if the free agent was to relocate to the Hawthorns.

Wallace 2.0: West Brom want to sign free agent with 50 Championship goals

West Bromwich Albion could soon snap up their next Jed Wallace by landing this experienced Championship performer.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 16, 2025