All posts by n8rngtd.top

Sunderland have a tricky February ahead with their Championship automatic promotion credentials no doubt put under the microscope across the course of the frantic month.

Two difficult away games up against Middlesbrough and Leeds United will really test the Black Cats who will enter into this set of fixtures slightly low on confidence after an underwhelming 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle closed out January.

Regis Le Bris will still feel his side has enough to keep up the pace with the top two positions in the taxing league, however, especially if the Wearside outfit manage to keep Jobe Bellingham on their books past the transfer window shutting.

Bellingham's importance at Sunderland

Even with Bellingham failing to score or assist in his side’s last six league matches, he has shone in recent weeks for his team as a keen battler.

During his side’s recent hard-fought away win at Derby County, Bellingham would win four duels and block one effort to ensure his team got over the line to secure a slim 1-0 victory, away from showing off his attacking expertise.

At the peak of his powers this season, however, the 19-year-old has been a joy to watch up top with four goals and three assists coming his way.

Off the back of these bright spells in the Black Cats first team, Bellingham has begun to be linked with a major move away to the likes of Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, with Le Bris and Co bracing for some last-minute bids between now and Monday’s deadline as those elite clubs try and tempt the talented teenager away from the Stadium of Light.

Le Bris will be praying that Bellingham stays put as lots more could still come from the 19-year-old as the season chugs along, with the Sunderland number seven perhaps even welcoming in this new teammate soon.

Sunderland could land a bigger talent than Jobe

As reported by journalist Gokmen Ozcan last week, Sunderland are believed to have submitted a loan-to-buy deal for promising Besiktas attacker Semih Kilicsoy.

The switch would only become permanent if Le Bris’ men were successful in their aims to reach the Premier League, however, with a fee in and around the €20m (£17m) mark allegedly on the table.

Having been linked with a whole plethora of strikers this window including Emil Riis Jakobsen among others, Kilicsoy – who analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed a “physical monster” – could well be the best option available, with the Istanbul-born attacker arguably an even more exciting prospect than Bellingham.

After all, other interested parties looking at the Turkish hotshot include Aston Villa and Newcastle United according to further reports, with his explosive goalscoring record in the Super Lig for his current employers meaning he could well become a similarly clinical goal machine when making the move to England.

Kilicsoy’s first full season in the senior mix at Beskitas saw him fire home a blistering 11 strikes from 35 games, with the 19-year-old’s unselfish ability to tee up his teammates for chances – away from being an ice-cold finisher – coming to the forefront more so this season with six assists tallied up.

Bellingham has 11 goals overall during his senior career to date – when contrasting his numbers next to the 5 foot 11 forward’s breakout 2023/24 season – with the potential here for Kilicsoy to only get better surrounded by the likes of the aforementioned number seven and other exciting young attackers such as Eliezer Mayenda if he does end up leaving his native country behind.

Once heralded as a “fantastic” star for the future by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Beskitas number nine would love to take the English game by storm if a move did get finalised, with Wilson Isidor potentially fearful for his first team spot as Sunderland prepare to go all guns blazing for promotion.

Sunderland could finally replace Stewart by signing "terrific" striker

Sunderland will hope they can snap up this clinical striker shortly.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jan 27, 2025

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been warned it is "almost impossible" for his Ballon d’Or dream to come true, despite moving to Real Madrid.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Leaving Anfield as a free agent
• Ready to embrace a new challenge
• Wants title of 'best in the world'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international defender has confirmed that he will be severing ties with boyhood club Liverpool when his contract expires this summer. While he is heading towards free agency, it has been suggested that Real are ready to pay a small fee for Alexander-Arnold in order to acquire his services ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 26-year-old is ready for a new challenge after winning Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup honours at Anfield. He is aware of Real’s rich history when it comes to securing Ballons d'Or for the brightest of stars at Santiago Bernabeu.

• WHAT FERNANDO MORIENTES SAID

  Alexander-Arnold is being praised for setting the loftiest of targets, but has been told that he may be left disappointed. Ex-Liverpool and Real striker Fernando Morientes has told : “Using what I know historically about the Ballon d’Or, I see that as very complicated. If Trent Alexander Arnold has an exceptional season in every sense, it means he's attacking a lot, that he'll score a lot of goals.

  “But if he scores a lot of goals, then Kylian Mbappe will score a lot of goals, Jude Bellingham will score a lot of goals, Vinicius will score a lot of goals.

  “It seems to me that this Ballon d'Or is designed for midfielders and attackers. Very rarely do we see defenders or goalkeepers. In fact, Fabio Cannavaro comes to mind in our time and little else, and everything else is scoring midfielders and forwards or exceptional players.

  “Can Alexander Arnold win the Ballon d'Or at Real Madrid? Yes. Is it very difficult? It is very difficult. I see it as almost impossible, but it's good that he comes with those expectations. This means he has very high ambitions.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD?

  It has been suggested that Alexander-Arnold will sign a five-year contract in the Spanish capital, taking him through to 2030. He will be linking up with a Los Blancos squad that is preparing to welcome a new manager on board – potentially ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso – and one that has seen La Liga and Champions League titles slip through their grasp.

Bournemouth have got Everton’s number, with the Toffees losing their fourth match in succession against the South Coast side on Sunday, bowing out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.

This isn’t the be-all and end-all for David Moyes’ rejuvenated team, having clinched three successive wins in the Premier League to create ample breathing room at the bottom end of the table.

Everton are battling injuries, stripped of bodywork but still producing coherent and determined performances that look a world away from the colourless football under Sean Dyche’s wing.

How Moyes is combating injuries at Everton

Everton’s deficiency on the fitness front is concerning, to be sure, but recent results in the Premier League do highlight the club’s strength in a new system.

The lead-up to Moyes’ appointment saw the Merseysiders fail to score across eight of ten Premier League matches, and they have bagged eight goals from four fixtures since.

This is all the more impressive when considering the forwards are dropping like flies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja, Youssef Chermiti and Dwight McNeil all sidelined.

Every cloud though, ay. With McNeil not expected to return just yet, new recruit Charly Alcaraz may be tasked with fighting from the opening whistle once again in the coming days – with Liverpool heading to Goodison for a crunch top-flight contest.

Moyes may have a star in the Argentine midfielder.

Chalkboard

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

Moyes could have Everton's new Tim Cahill waiting in the wings

It’s safe to say that Everton must be sick of the sight of Bournemouth, with their Saturday win at Goodison extending the Toffees’ record against the Cherries to eight defeats from ten fixtures in all competitions.

However, Alcaraz’s debut was hailed by the likes of correspondent Paddy Boyland, who praised the dynamic ace for giving Everton “something different in midfield.”

His swashbuckling style is characterised by throttle-shaking movements and a desire to drive play into dangerous areas, where he or his teammates can find space to shoot.

Everton might have failed to address issues at centre-forward and on the right flank, but this signing adds impetus and depth to a side that has walked with strong footing over the past few weeks, no longer pressed within the thickness of the relegation zone.

And given that he was signed on loan with an obligatory £13m buy option at the end of the season, this might prove to be a shrewd deal indeed given that Juventus were keen on snapping up their former loanee for a £40m fee last year.

Replacing the less mobile Abdoulaye Doucoure for the final 25 minutes in the FA Cup, the 22-year-old hit the woodwork from a free-kick, took 23 touches, won his only contested ground duel and placed two key passes for teammates, as per Sofascore.

Typically playing off the striker’s back, Alcaraz’s style almost gives rise to memories of Tim Cahill, one of Everton’s finest Premier League stars and a linchpin throughout the bulk of Moyes’ first regime.

With 226 games and 56 highlight goals to his name in the English top flight, the retired Australian star was described as Everton’s “talisman” by Phil Neville, who continued to stress that the versatile player was “right up there” with the best of the best in the club’s storied modern history.

Competent as a box-to-box midfielder and dangerous as a makeshift striker, Alcaraz could certainly do worse than take a leaf from the Aussie star’s book, and given that Moyes has been behind the new Everton signing, it feels like he’s looking to repeat his own trick in dynamising the Everton attack.

Explosiveness has been in short supply on the blue half of Merseyside over recent years, and with Orel Mangala now sidelined until the end of the season, sorting this deal out felt significant.

Alcaraz, moreover, isn’t quite a player who excels in possession-based systems, instead powering forward and unleashing his will onto the pitch, be that through his ball striking or playmaking skills.

Alcaraz may not be an aerial monster in the same vein as Cahill, but he’s electric, powerful and creative with his attacking tools, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers over the past year for shots taken, the top 4% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed Alcaraz for being “one of the biggest talents in Argentina” following his breakout with Racing Club before he transferred to Southampton and looks set to explode now back in English football.

Still only 22, Alcaraz has crucial Premier League experience to his name with the Saints and indeed brings something different to Moyes’ midfield, thunderously purposeful and proving himself to be multi-dimensional against Bournemouth as he skidded back into deeper positions and looked composed as he turned play back toward Everton’s offensive third.

Toward the end of the dysfunctional Farhad Moshiri era, Everton repeatedly fanned the flames of their support base’s frustrations, but Moyes is back and has already begun to remind English football of why he’s such a revered figure at Goodison Park.

More work is needed on the transfer front, but in Alcaraz, a combative and energetic new midfield force has been welcomed to the fold.

Moyes might just have signed his future talisman, very much in the mould of Cahill.

Even better than Ndiaye: Everton must regret selling "exceptional" PL star

Everton must rue selling a player who is shining for his current club in the Premier League.

1

By
Ross Kilvington

Feb 9, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr continues to follow in the footsteps of his famous father, with the teenager requesting one of CR7's iconic haircuts.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Portuguese icon often changes his look
• Son taking inspiration from one of those styles
• Hoping to emulate efforts of all-time great

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Portuguese superstar has changed his look on a regular basis over the course of a record-setting career. From an early braid at Manchester United to highlights with Real Madrid, Ronaldo has set trends on and off the pitch.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Whatever style he has gone for, the goals have flowed for Ronaldo. He hit over 100 for the Red Devils, before going on to become Real’s all-time leading scorer – as he found the target on 450 occasions through 438 appearances.

  A surprising move to Juventus was made in 2018, with CR7 also becoming a centurion for the Serie A giants. During his time in Turin, the five-time Ballon d’Or sported several haircuts – with one of those catching the eye of his eldest son.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO JR SAID

  Cristiano Jr requested a do from 2020 – shortly after competitive action resumed after the Covid-19 lockdown – when paying his own visit to the barbers. The teenager said: “I want my hair like this guy”, before producing a picture of his history-making father.

Whilst the transfer deadline has passed in the Premier League to bring to an end any incomings, Wolverhampton Wanderers are still busy on the exit front with one player now reportedly set to complete his move.

Wolves transfer news

It’s been a busy few days for those in the Midlands, welcoming two late reinforcements in Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga, who will be looking to make instant impacts in a Wolves side desperately searching for Premier League survival.

The latter, whilst not their first choice, should provide fellow fresh face Emmanual Agbadou with a much-needed defensive partner, whilst the former represents a key midfield arrival.

Munetsi’s arrival should prove to be particularly important in the face of January exits and after putting pen to paper at Molineux, he was quick to express his delight – telling the club website: “I’m very excited. It’s probably going to be the first time I’ve had a big opportunity to be representing a bigger club.

“Nothing against Reims, but now you’re going to be playing in the Premier League, playing for Wolves. Also, we have a greater population in England for Zimbabwean, I think I will feel even more at home than what I was doing in France.”

Worth more than Munetsi: Wolves have hit the jackpot on "high-energy" star

Wolves would make great profit if they sold this player

By
Joe Nuttall

Feb 4, 2025

That aforementioned January exit comes in midfield, of course. According to journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu as relayed by Sport Witness, Mario Lemina is now travelling to finally complete his exit away from Wolves to join Turkish club Galatasaray before their 7pm deadline.

The former captain has looked destined for the exit door since being stripped of the armband and although it looked for some time as though his next destination would be Saudi Arabia, Galatasaray have come swooping in for his signature.

Lemina finally gets his move

For a moment, there may have been concerns that Lemina was set to stay put at Wolves after his Saudi move collapsed. As things stand, however, the £45,000-a-week man is indeed set to get his move courtesy of Galatasaray. All being well, it’s a resolution which suits all parties and one that Wolves can move on from having already welcomed a replacement in Munetsi.

In a different reality, Lemina could have been destined for greater things in the Midlands. It wasn’t so long ago that he was the man with the captain’s armband and he was the player sacrificing himself to fill in at centre-back.

Months later, however, unsavoury scenes against West Ham United took that armband away and Vitor Pereira’s arrival signalled the end of the midfielder’s time in a Wolves shirt.

Now 31 years old, Lemina has the chance to get back on track courtesy of Galatasaray in a move which could bring an end to his time in the Premier League altogether. As Wolves look to stay afloat, meanwhile, they’ll hope to see Munetsi thrive where Lemina ultimately failed.

Mic'd Up: The Apple TV+ analyst talked all things Club World Cup, and why MLS clubs could capitalize on the tournament

Taylor Twellman didn't know how to answer when asked about Leagues Cup in 2023. Back then, the competition, contested between MLS and Liga MX clubs, was still something of an unknown. How would this expanded thing work? Would anyone care? Twellman answered honestly: he had no idea.

But then things changed. Lionel Messi arrived at Inter Miami, led them to the trophy in his first season, and suddenly, the tournament was meaningful.

"I was asked that question about Leagues Cup in 2023. And I didn't know that answer," he tells GOAL. "I was like, 'Yeah. I mean, I know there's a rivalry with Mexico and the U.S. and all that.' I answered it very honestly, but then Messi showed up, and then it became this phenomenon."

Tellman, the former New England Revolution and USMNT forward has the same attitude about the upcoming the Club World Cup. FIFA's shiny new expanded tournament will come to the United States this summer, and although there is skepticism in some corners, Twellman thinks a similar thing could happen – especially given the caliber of teams coming to play.

"If the interest isn't there, I would be shocked," he adds.

It could be a particularly beneficial tournament for MLS, in particular. FIFA's pre-tournament transfer window for participating CWC teams might benefit the likes of Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders and LAFC (should they qualify) make some moves in the transfer market. Meanwhile, any exposure to American soccer is a good thing.

"Do Seattle and Miami, and potentially LAFC, need a little bit of extra help for the tournament? So yeah, I mean, that gains my interest just naturally… All three clubs are usually aggressive in signing players," Twellman says.

And, perhaps most importantly, this thing could be good fun. Criticize in any way you will, but there is definitely an appeal to seeing two clubs that would otherwise never play each other meet on a big stage.

"It's like playing FIFA or EAFC online. You're like 'Let's play a random game, you'll be Atletico Madrid, and I'll be Seattle Sounders.' But, like, it's really going to happen," Twellman says.

The Apple TV analyst talked all things Club World Cup in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

• Getty
  

  ON FAN INTEREST IN THE CLUB WORLD CUP

  GOAL: On the Club World Cup, will anyone care?

  TWELLMAN: Such a good question. My answer is yes, but I don't know to what extent. I'm excited as an American that lives here because Major League Soccer, their stadiums, their venues, their infrastructure, the clubs, the fan bases, a new fan base is going to be exposed to Major League Soccer – and what we're doing over in this country. So that part, on a personal level, I'm excited for. Do Real Madrid or Man City fans need to care? I don't know that answer.

  GOAL: Right, but there's the money on the line. Will that have an impact?

  TWELLMAN: I mean the amount of money for their clubs to win should, just on a natural level, gain interest because that may mean a different purchase when the transfer window opens up. That's so simplistic, but isn't that what it is? And who knows? Maybe the fifth edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, we're all going to remember the first one.

  GOAL: That is true.

  TWELLMAN: I was asked that question about Leagues Cup in 2023. And I didn't know that answer. I was like, "Yeah. I mean, I know there's a rivalry with Mexico and the U.S. and all that." I answered it very honestly, but then Messi showed up, and then it became this phenomenon. So I don't know. If the interest isn't there, I would be shocked.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  ON THE PRE-TOURNAMENT TRANSFER WINDOW

  GOAL: What do you make of the transfer window just before the Club World Cup? Is that of interest to you?

  TWELLMAN: You're talking about Messi's team in Miami. Naturally, you're like, "OK, who does that mean? What does that look like? Do Seattle and Miami and potentially LAFC need a little bit of extra help for the tournament? So yeah, I mean, that gains my interest just naturally, because of the potentially three clubs that are in the tournament. All three clubs are usually aggressive in signing players, you know. And the rumor is Angel Di Maria's going to end up being in Miami. Until that gets over the line, you don't know. But, you know, there's always a question of, who's the next player?

• Getty Images Sport
  

  ON HOW FANS WILL RESPOND

  GOAL: Do you think it'll bring more fans into the game?

  TWELLMAN: I do, just because, when was the last time the African champions are going to be playing the European clubs? You know what I'm saying? I just feel like, because of how grand and big and how many clubs and from where they're coming, all over. It's going to be no different than what the World Cup does, in the sense of, there are some fans that are going to watch games that they've never dreamed in their lifetime they're going to see.

  GOAL: Right. Normally, why would most people in the U.S. randomly watch Urawa Reds, for example?

  TWELLMAN: I would never see them play. It'd be hard to watch them. It's impossible to watch every football game around the world. And yet, I'm the same way as you are. I will find a way to watch that random game just because it's in our country, it's in the time zone. And I've never seen them play, and they were going to be playing someone that they never thought they'd be playing.

  GOAL: Do you think MLS clubs probably feel the same way?

  TWELLMAN: Did we ever think Seattle Sounders would play Atletico Madrid? That's kind of where I'm coming from. It's an unknown. But it's like playing FIFA online. You're like "Let's play a random game, you'll be Atletico Madrid, and I'll be Seattle Sounders." But, like, it's really going to happen.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  ON WHO WINS THE CLUB WORLD CUP

  GOAL: And finally, who wins the Club World Cup?

  TWELLMAN: I'll be stunned if it's not one of the five to six biggest clubs in the world. I think they're deeper, they're stronger, they're more experienced. However, the only caveat I have to that is you're talking about some real tired legs, yeah, especially with those bigger clubs. And so that may lend to someone else surprising people. But you know, if I'm really looking at the odds, I'm looking at the top five or six favorites, it would have to be them.

Glasgow Rangers may have won 3-1 over the weekend to return to winning ways after their shock Scottish Cup defeat last week, but the performance was far from pretty.

Philippe Clement’s side laboured to the victory, which saw Hearts player Jamie McCart score two own goals during the game.

At this stage, it certainly feels as though the Ibrox side are going through the motions, with no clear philosophy being shown on the pitch. Will this be allowed to continue? Or is the Belgian’s time in Glasgow coming to an end?

Things don’t look like they are going to improve anytime soon, and they are as bad, if not worse, than when Michael Beale was in charge between December 2022 and October 2023.

The Englishman wasn’t the right man to lead the Gers, that’s a certainty.

Michael Beale’s spell at Rangers

Beale was Steven Gerrard’s first team coach during his three-and-a-half-year spell in charge of the Gers, and he was widely praised for his tactical approach, which saw the club win their first Premiership crown in a decade.

Beale followed Gerrard to Aston Villa before taking his first steps into management with QPR at the start of the 2022/23 season. When Giovanni van Bronckhorst was sacked in November of that same campaign, Beale was appointed as the new Rangers manager just a couple of weeks later.

He managed the Light Blues for a total of 43 matches, winning 31 and losing eight, averaging 2.26 points per game. He ended his time in charge of the club by winning 72.1% of his games, which ranks him – statistically anyway – as the second-best manager in the club’s history.

Of course, in terms of actual football and the fact he failed to strengthen the team, wasting money on players such as Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers, his time in Glasgow was a disaster.

He did sign Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell, however, and the two were arguably his best signings.

Todd Cantwell’s Rangers statistics

Once valued at £40m by Norwich City, Cantwell had fallen down the pecking order at Carrow Road, which allowed the Gers to sign him in January 2023.

Six goals and five assists between February and May 2023 proved that Cantwell was turning into an excellent signing for the club. Someone who could perhaps be the fulcrum of the team ahead of 2023/24.

Unfortunately, while he may have registered 15 goal contributions during his only full season at Ibrox, Cantwell often went long spells without showing enough, and it soon became clear that he wasn’t part of Clement’s plans going forward.

Rangers showed interest in a host of players during Beale’s time in charge. Might things have been different if he was able to sign a couple of players who popped up as targets?

One player who was linked during the January transfer window in 2023 has established himself as one of the best attackers in the Premier League – Cole Palmer.

Rangers's pursuit of Cole Palmer

Beale was keen on bolstering his squad during the winter window, just weeks after taking the reins at Ibrox.

While Raskin and Cantwell eventually joined, the it was reported that the Light Blues had a loan bid rejected by Manchester City for a then relatively unknown Palmer.

The attacking midfielder had featured only sparingly under Pep Guardiola during the first half of the season, failing to score or assist, but there was no denying his enormous talent.

A loan spell in Scotland could have given Rangers a major boost. Who knows, he might have spurred the club on to a trophy. In the end, the move didn’t materialise and Cantwell was the sole attacking player who joined the club.

One that got away

Whatever happened to Palmer anyway?

Cole Palmer's current market value

Palmer helped City win a treble of Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League during the second half of the 2022/23 season, and it appeared as though his future was looking bright at the Etihad.

That summer, a bid of £40m arrived from Chelsea, and it was duly accepted. Securing a fee like this for a player who had featured only 41 times for City looked like it was too good a deal to turn down.

18 months later, Palmer has emerged as one of the best players in the top flight, starring for the Stamford Bridge side under both Mauricio Pochettino and now Enzo Maresca.

Indeed, under the Argentinian, the 22-year-old was perhaps the brightest spark of an otherwise disappointing season. Across all competitions, the Englishman scored 25 goals and grabbed 15 assists, leading the Blues to a sixth-place finish.

In the Premier League, he averaged 3.2 shots per game along with creating 17 big chances and averaging 2.1 key passes per match, showcasing his talents across a range of metrics.

He made the England squad for Euro 2024, going on to score in the final against Spain and this set him up for another excellent season.

At the time of writing, Palmer has registered 20 goal contributions while Guardiola, his former manager, Guardiola, even dubbed the youngster a “machine” following City’s victory over Chelsea earlier this season.

These performances have seen his market value soar since arriving in London for what now seems like a paltry £40m.

Indeed, according to Transfermarkt, Palmer is now worth a staggering €130m (£110m), indicating that Chelsea will stand to make a huge profit on him should they decide to cash in.

Imagine how good he would have been for Rangers if he joined the club on loan two years ago.

Instead, Cantwell was signed. The former Norwich starlet enjoyed several purple patches at the Gers, but rarely demonstrated his true potential.

He is currently back in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers, having left Glasgow last summer.

Rangers must regret selling £500k star who is worth more than Igamane

Rangers sold a player last summer who is now worth more than Hamza Igamane.

By
Ross Kilvington

Feb 15, 2025

INEOS sent scouts to watch a Europa League tie on Thursday, as Manchester United eye a 19-year-old defender who struggled and was substituted at half time.

Man Utd plan attacking transformation in summer transfer window

There are a number of positions that the Red Devils need to strengthen this summer, but none more important than the forward line, as the lack of goals has become a real issue in the last two seasons.

Man Utd now ready to offer £33m to sign Real Madrid player; he wants out

Man United are ready to make a formal offer to sign a forgotten star at Real Madrid.

By
Brett Worthington

Mar 6, 2025

Rasmus Hojlund continues to lead the line for United, but the Denmark international has struggled all season to find his scoring touch, as the games without a goal continue to stretch. Therefore, it is no surprise to see the Premier League side looking to sign a new striker, and according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Man United have expressed an interest in signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

With a release clause worth £66 million and competition from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, United may need to sell a few players before this deal can happen or focus on alternative targets.

In addition to looking at Sesko, United are also looking to improve their wide options and are planning to make a £25 million bid to sign Geovany Quenda from Sporting. United are said to have already agreed personal terms with the 17-year-old, so they are now planning to make a formal offer, as Ruben Amorim looks to reunite with one of his former players.

Man Utd send scouts to watch Fenerbahce defender Akcicek

The Red Devils also want to improve their defence, and according to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, relayed by Sport Witness, Man United had scouts watching Fenerbahce defender Yusuf Akçiçek in action on Thursday evening.

The report states that the Red Devils are keeping an eye on Akcicek, who has been a regular for Fenerbahçe this season. The Turkish giants were defeated 3-1 at home by Rangers on Thursday, as Akcicek was hooked at half time while 2-1 down having registered zero tackles, interceptions, blocks or clearances on the left of a back three.

The Turkey under-19 international made his senior debut for Fenerbahçe last season, but this 2024/25 campaign he has become an important figure in José Mourinho’s team. Akcicek has now played 14 times in all competitions, six of which have come in the Europa League, and he did complete 40 out of 42 pass attempts on Thursday, highlighting some impressive ball-playing traits.

Akcicek is under contract until 2028, but an offer from United could tempt Fenerbahçe into a sale, and with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans both expected to leave Old Trafford come the end of the season, younger replacements will come in.

Signing Akcicek fits into United’s desire to sign the top young players in football, and his arrival alongside Leny Yoro could be exciting for the Premier League team.

Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez believes it is highly unlikely that goalkeeper Joan Garcia will join rivals Barcelona amid Premier League links.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Keeper Garcia set to leave Espanyol
• Linked with Man Utd, Arsenal & more
• Manager casts doubt on Barca move

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Garcia appeared to confirm his future was away from Espanyol after saying he can leave with his "head held high" at the weekend. While the 24-year-old – who played a key role in maintaining their La Liga status – hasn't ruled out a move to local rivals Barcelona, his manager has rejected the idea of a crosstown switch.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT GONZALEZ SAID

  He said on : "Maybe he’s already sold, but the club hasn’t told me anything. Personally, I highly doubt he’ll sign for Barcelona. I’m not saying I’d cut off one of my hands to guarantee it, but nearly."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Garcia may be the most in-demand keeper in the world right now. The Spaniard has been linked with Arsenal, Bournemouth, Barcelona, Aston Villa, Newcastle and more, but it remains to be seen where this coveted stopper will head for the 2025-26 season.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  If Garcia does move on, it is up in the air what his price tag will be. Reports suggest he has a €25 million (£21m/$28m) release clause, which will rise to €30m (£25m/$34m) for the last 15 days of the summer transfer window. But other outlets say he could leave for as little as €15m (£13m/$17m) to balance Espanyol's books before June 30.

Santiago Gimenez has revealed that Christian Pulisic warned AC Milan fans would "crucify" him if performances and results did not go as planned.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• El Tri frontman moved to Italy in February 2025
• Struggled for a spark alongside many at San Siro
• Fans demanding better from everyone next season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Unfortunately for Gimenez and Pulisic, the 2024-25 campaign proved to be a forgettable one for the Rossoneri as a collective. They did savour Super Cup glory, but came unstuck in the Coppa Italia final and stumbled their way to an eighth-place finish in Serie A.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mexico international Gimenez was acquired in the winter transfer window to deliver more firepower for Milan, but the 24-year-old striker managed just six goals through 19 appearances in all competitions.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Pulisic, in contrast, found the target on 17 occasions as he posted more personal bests. The American has become a popular figure at San Siro, with efforts being made to get him tied down on a new contract.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT SANTIAGO GIMENEZ SAID

  Gimenez is aware that he and many others in Milan will need to raise their game next season, telling of the expectation that he is performing under: “Milan are a club that has won seven Champions Leagues and I don’t know how many other cups, so many. It’s one of the most important clubs in history and the fans are used to winning.

  “They don’t settle for second place. Last season they came in second and Pulisic told me that people would crucify them anyway. Imagine now… it’s a very complicated situation for Milan.

  “But that’s the measure with which Milan fans judge you. Being champion or not being champion, and this responsibility makes you a winner. It infects you, the people infect you. Next season is simply this: thinking about winning the Scudetto.”