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Chelsea are in ongoing negotiations over the signing of an “incredible” forward, and it is believed winger Jadon Sancho could now be used as leverage to make a deal happen for the player.

Chelsea targeting new winger for Enzo Maresca this summer

A new winger is believed to be one of BlueCo’s main transfer priorities this summer.

£200k-a-week Chelsea ace could now join De Zerbi with sale real possibility

It would be a big decision.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 29, 2025

This year, there will be two separate windows for Chelsea to conduct transfer business, with one open from June 1st to June 10th. This will allow them to sign players before their Club World Cup campaign, which is seen as important by many, given the prize money available.

Chelsea could obtain a £97 million windfall by winning all of their group stage games and the tournament itself, based on various factors, so it is clear to see why Stamford Bridge officials won’t be taking their participation lightly.

It could be very lucrative indeed for Enzo Maresca’s side, prompting reports that the west Londoners will be active when the pre-CWC transfer window opens.

One of the key items on their agenda is bringing in an exciting new wide player (Simon Phillips), with uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Sancho.

Mudryk is currently serving an on-field ban after testing positive for banned substances, while there are suggestions Chelsea are open to selling Madueke as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and Aston Villa consider deals.

Chelsea are obliged to sign Sancho on a permanent deal from Man United, after triggering his £25 million clause, with the Blues now guaranteed to finish above 15th in the table.

Chelsea could still opt out of this by paying a £5 million penalty to United, but it now appears they could hatch a different plan for Sancho, involving top target and Borussia Dortmund sensation Jamie Gittens.

Chelsea could offer Jadon Sancho in "separate" swap deal for Jamie Gittens

Chelsea opened talks to sign Gittens earlier this week, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, and now TEAMtalk have shared another update.

The outlet claims Chelsea are in “active talks” to sign Gittens, and preferably want a deal for the Englishman finalised before the CWC commences. While Gittens is valued at around £35 million, they have ways to bring the overall cost down.

Dortmund loanee Carney Chukwuemeka is also valued at £35m, and could head the other way permanently to cancel out the fee needed for Gittens. However, so soon after triggering his £25m clause, TT write that Chelsea could offer Sancho in a separate deal for Gittens as well.

While both transfers would be apart from one another on paper, this is essentially a swap deal, just not in the traditional sense, and it is a further example of just how common player-trading is becoming in the market now – as clubs seek to navigate their way around PSR.

Gittens has been a mainstay for Dortmund this term, despite his very young age, with the 20-year-old scoring 12 goals and assisting five others across 45 appearances in all competitions.

He could well be worth all of this effort, with ex-Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin describing him as an “incredible” one-v-one attacker.

The Premier League has been honoured by plenty of iconic midfielders since its creation back in 1992. Whether it be no-nonsense defensive midfielders, passing maestros who control the game or attacking midfielders who score as many goals as some strikers, plenty of legends have come and gone.

But who is the best midfielder in Premier League history? Ranking such an accomplished group of players is no easy task…

Ranking factors

• Honours
• Appearances
• Goals
• Assists
• Teams played for
• What others have said about them

20 best midfielders in Premier League history: in pictures

20

Gareth Barry

Aston Villa, Man City, Everton, West Brom

Starting the countdown is the Premier League’s record appearance holder – Gareth Barry. Playing more than 650 top flight games, Barry was a reliable figure during his career and was known as a more defensive-minded midfielder who could also chip in with goals in the early stages of his career.

The Englishman earned a marquee move to Man City from Aston Villa in 2009 and would go on to win the top flight and the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium.

19

James Milner

Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Man City, Liverpool, Brighton

Another long-lasting central midfielder who has been the engine for numerous sides he has played for is James Milner.

After bursting onto the scene at the age of 16 for Leeds United in 2002, Milner has gone on to have an extremely successful career, winning multiple honours with Man City and Liverpool.

At the age of 39, Milner, who has played in a variety of midfield roles throughout his career, is currently still going with Brighton and may have his eyes on breaking Barry’s record.

18

Paul Ince

Man Utd, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolves

Paul Ince had the perfect blend of attacking and defensive qualities as a central midfielder, even managing to squeeze in a stint with Inter Milan between playing for Man Utd and Liverpool.

A member of the first squad to ever win the Premier League, Ince would win the trophy again in 1993/94, with his last Premier League appearance coming for Wolves in 2004.

Former teammate Christian Ziege once said of Ince: “He goes forward looking to score goals and goes backwards to defend his own goal with the same determination. Not a lot of players have that – good at defending and going forward.”

17

Luka Modric

Tottenham

Arguably one of the best signings Tottenham have ever made in the Premier League is Luka Modric, who would spend four years in north London before Real Madrid came calling in 2012.

The Croatia icon caught the eye with his exceptional passing and playmaking ability, and even though he didn’t win the league with Spurs, is still regarded as a great.

Modric went on to become a Ballon d’Or winner, which wouldn’t have surprised Harry Redknapp, who called the midfielder Tottenham’s one “world-class player” back in 2010.

16

Xabi Alonso

Liverpool

Another midfielder who could dictate the tempo of the game was Xabi Alonso, who signed for Liverpool in 2004 from Real Sociedad.

The Spaniard, who was Rafael Benitez’s first addition at Anfield, would go on to form a brilliant partnership with Steven Gerrard on Merseyside and help win the Champions League in 2005.

In the Premier League, Alonso may not have lifted the title, however, he was called “by some distance, the best central midfielder” Gerrard has played alongside.

15

Claude Makelele

Chelsea

Chelsea legend Claude Makelele was so good as a defensive midfielder during his career that it is now well known as the the “Makelele role”.

The Frenchman actually only moved to England and the Premier League at the age of 30, but during those five years at Stamford Bridge, won two titles under Jose Mourinho.

Recently, Mourinho named Makelele in his best XI of players he’s worked with, which just shows the impact he had on the iconic manager.

14

Michael Carrick

West Ham, Tottenham, Man Utd

Despite winning five Premier League titles with Man Utd, Michael Carrick is arguably a midfielder who went under the radar during his career.

After coming through at West Ham and joining Tottenham for two years, the Red Devils made their move in 2006, with Carrick spending 12 years at Old Trafford.

Known for his passing qualities and ability to control a game, Sir Alex Ferguson even called Carrick “the best English centre-midfield player” in 2014.

13

Rodri

Man City

One of the best defensive midfielders in the current modern-day era, Rodri has been Man City’s most important player since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Replacing Fernandinho at the heart of the City midfield, Rodri has even come up with some crucial goals, including netting the Champions League final winner to complete a treble for Pep Guardiola’s team in 2023.

A four-time Premier League winner, Rodri has also lifted the Ballon d’Or at the Etihad Stadium and has been called a “reference point for every aspiring midfielder in the game”.

12

N’Golo Kante

Leicester City, Chelsea

Arriving in England for just over £5m in 2015, N’Golo Kante would go on to star in his first Premier League season, helping Leicester City shock the world to win the title.

The Frenchman made more tackles and interceptions than any other player in 2015/16 and would move to Chelsea a year later, where he would lift the title again at Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard and Joe Cole even said that having Kante is like having “two” in his position due to his engine, and he has gone on to become a world-class midfielder.

11

David Beckham

Man Utd

One of the best set-piece takers in Premier League history, David Beckham was a quality right-midfielder at Man Utd in the top-flight between 1995-2003.

The Englishman won six league titles during that time and was named as the Ballon d’Or runner up in 1999, highlighting the impact he made at Old Trafford.

A global icon, Beckham was only 20 years of age when he became a regular under Sir Alex Ferguson, who called the right-midfielder “magnificent” before he left for Real Madrid.

While buying the right players remains a key point of concern at Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, it could be argued that there has been just as much difficulty with regard to selling players in recent times.

Indeed, the £10m profit made on Daniel James in 2021 showcases a rare example of the Red Devils actually making an astute move in the market, with the club having far too often let talents go on the cheap – the £500k sale of £40m man Donny van de Beek a notable example.

There is a sense, however, that things are perhaps beginning to change, with the last few years seeing the Old Trafford hierarchy allow numerous academy graduates to be sold, namely Anthony Elanga (£15m), James Garner (£15m), Dean Henderson (£20m) and, of course, Scott McTominay.

Having so often been poor sellers, can fans and pundits alike really be too critical of the club trying to strike while the iron is hot with regard to cashing in?

The problem is, however, that the woes of a side who could still finish 17th in the Premier League table have been heightened by the success of those who have moved on, with McTominay playing a vital role in steering Napoli to the Serie A title.

The MVP in that stunning Scudetto charge, the 28-year-old is the man of the moment. Why did the Red Devils ever let him go?

Why Man Utd sold Scott McTominay

McTominay’s heroics in Naples are a sight to warm the heart, with the 6 foot 4 sensation scoring 12 goals en route to league glory, including a remarkable bicycle kick on Friday night to help clinch the title.

Sold for a reported fee of £25m, the Scotland star is seemingly a player that Erik ten Hag “didn’t want” to sell by his own account, although he was almost “forced” into doing so amid the club’s financial woes. Those funds were subsequently used to help seal a move for fellow midfielder, Manuel Ugarte.

Therein lies the problem, with that latter deal now looking like something of a mistake, with Ugarte on course to soon emulate Van de Beek, not least after sitting out Wednesday’s Europa League final.

With McTominay netting ten times in all competitions last season, his impact would likely have been far greater than the Uruguayan, a player who has scored just twice this term under Ruben Amorim.

Yes, McTominay himself at times looked “not good enough” alongside Fred, as per club legend Roy Keane, although he was a valued squad member who stepped up when needed. Who can forget his remarkable long-range strike in the Manchester Derby in March 2020?

While not always a guaranteed starter – having started just 27 times in 2023/24 across all fronts – here was a player who had “Manchester United in his veins”, according to Ten Hag. A player looking set to be a future “captain” of the club, in the words of Ralf Rangnick.

As it is, a love story is now brewing between the people of Naples and their new shining star. Back at Old Trafford, it could be time for Amorim and INEOS to acquire a suitable replacement.

Man Utd could land their next Scott McTominay

Amorim is set to stay put despite United’s midweek woes, although change is afoot elsewhere, not least with Alejandro Garnacho having reportedly been told he can leave the club this summer.

The Argentine winger – who was dropped to the bench for the showpiece in Bilbao – may not be the only high-profile exit from the Theatre of Dreams, with speculation still rife regarding the future of talismanic skipper, Bruno Fernandes.

That uncertainty has come amid concrete interest in the 30-year-old from Saudi Arabian side, Al Hilal, with Fernandes having admitted following the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur that he would accept it if United did decide to cash in.

While that still remains an unlikely prospect, if the playmaker does indeed move on this summer, the Red Devils have already drawn up plans for a replacement, a player perhaps in the mould of the aforementioned McTominay.

Indeed, it was reported earlier this month that the Premier League outfit are lining up Athletic Club star, Oihan Sancet, should Fernandes depart, with the 25-year-old having a £67m release clause in his current contract with the Basque side.

The Spain international was absent from the Europa League semi-final meeting with Amorim’s side due to injury, although it has been an otherwise standout campaign, amid his return of 17 goals in all competitions.

That includes 15 goals in LaLiga from only 19 starts, with the attack-minded star boasting that “box-crashing” impact that McTominay has shown for both Napoli and United, as noted by analyst Ben Mattinson.

A player capable of operating as a number ten or as a second striker, much like the Lancaster-born giant, Sancet also mirrors McTominay in being something of an unsung hero, having been described by Mattinson as “one of the most underrated players in Europe” right now.

That is a suitable statement considering that the Athletic star ranks in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals this season, as per FBref. For context, McTominay ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in that same metric.

A slightly more advanced, attack-minded option than the ex-United man, an added bonus is also Sancet’s superior quality on the ball, as evidenced with regard to his progressive carries and progressive passes record.

To be able to combine a McTominay-esque instinct in front of goal with a composed presence in possession could be an ideal mix as far as Amorim is concerned, with Sancet looking a perfect fit for one of the Portuguese’s two number ten berths.

A man who has risen up through the youth ranks to sparkle for the Basque outfit, much like McTominay in Manchester, the £67m man would be a worthy addition for the new INEOS regime this summer.

Yes, there may be more glamorous, highly touted names out there, but as the Red Devils found with the case of McTominay, never overlook such an invaluable, ‘underrated’ goal threat.

Man Utd's "outrageously good" flop has been better than McTominay in 24/25

INEOS must terribly regret letting this player leave Old Trafford.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 25, 2025

Chelsea have reportedly submitted their opening offer for a Serie A star who’s openly admitted that he’ll consider offers to leave his club, with Enzo Maresca’s side expected to move quickly in the transfer market after their Conference League victory.

Chelsea seal Real Betis comeback to win first trophy under Maresca

The Premier League heavyweights were tipped as heavy favourites to lift this year’s Conference League trophy, but Real Betis threatened to give them a major shock.

Chelsea offer £21m striker a 6-year contract, agreement "just a matter of time"

He’s been clocked as the fastest player in his league.

2

By
Emilio Galantini

May 28, 2025

Former Real Madrid star Isco gave them a hard time in the first-half, with Moises Caicedo struggling to contain the Spaniard, and it didn’t take long for Betis to secure a surprise early lead through Abde Ezzalzouli on the nine-minute mark.

Chelsea failed to kickstart any sort of momentum until midway through the second period, when Maresca’s side suddenly came to life and sparked a tremendous comeback against Manuel Pellegrini’s underdogs.

Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Caicedo, in the space of just half an hour, put the result beyond all doubt, with Chelsea taking home the Conference League spoils and confirming Maresca’s first piece of silverware since taking over as manager last year.

“We’ve improved a lot since we started,” said Maresca about Chelsea’s evolution in the last few weeks.

“We also started to win games in an ugly way. That is something with a young squad that you struggle to do that, but I think, for instance, in the Nottingham Forest game we won in a little bit of an ugly way. We found the way to win the game, that was very, very important.

“And then the best picture for me for tonight that made me understand that we were in the right direction is when we scored the first two guys to celebrate was Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile. The two that we changed. And this, probably sometimes we judge games, but this for me, for a manager, when you change players that they are not playing good and they are the first that they enjoy the celebration, that means a lot.”

Palmer in particular was vital in their comeback against Betis, putting in a genius attacking display, and BlueCo reportedly have every intention of providing the England international with quality new teammates this summer.

Chelsea submit opening bid for Lazio star Mario Gila

One of the key items on their agenda is the signing of a centre-back, according to Simon Phillips and other reliable sources. Chelsea held rounds of talks with Dean Huijsen before his switch to Real Madrid, but they haven’t given up on their chase for a new defender after missing out on the 20-year-old.

According to newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio centre-back Mario Gila has now found his way onto Chelsea’s shortlist of targets as they seek an alternative to Huijsen.

The 24-year-old was a mainstay of Lazio’s backline throughout 2024/2025, with only midfielder Matteo Guendouzi playing more league minutes for them than Gila. However, he may well have played his final game for Marco Baroni’s side, and admitted midway through the campaign that he’s ready to listen to other offers despite becoming a “special” figure in Rome.

“I am very happy. Since last year, I started playing midway through the season, and everything is going very well. For a player, being a special figure is very important,” said Gila.

“At this moment, I am happy to be here. After that, whatever happens, I am ready to listen to everything. I have ambitions, and if there are options, I will listen to them and evaluate them. But I am very happy here; the team values me.”

Now, it would appear the Blues have taken him up on this.

Il Messagero reports that Chelsea have made an offer of around £29 million for Gila, but Lazio value him somewhere closer to £44 million, given his key player status and the fact Real Madrid possess a 50% sell-on clause – meaning they’d get half of any transfer fee received for the Spanish defender.

Gila is a reliable centre-half, possessing a unique blend of youth and experience at the top level, which leaves little surprise that Maresca’s side are now expressing a serious interest.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also set to have a major say in sporting director Andrea Berta’s transfer plans, and the Spaniard is pretty keen for his new transfer chief to instigate a deal for one high-earning forward.

Arsenal targeting new winger alongside a striker

Talks over Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko have dominated the headlines around N5 for the last few weeks, but Berta remains in the market for a new winger as well.

Arsenal submit "concrete offer" to sign star who wants over £250k-per-week

The Gunners have lodged their opening bid.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 13, 2025

Arsenal were thought to be genuine contenders to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, and even held talks with the German’s representatives.

However, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the north Londoners communicated their desire for Sane to stall on his decision, with Galatasaray ultimately moving ahead of Arsenal and winning the race for his signature.

“There were many offers. But Galatasaray as a whole impressed me greatly,” Sane said after his switch to Turkey was confirmed, with Galatasaray supporters waiting to catch a glimpse of his arrival at the airport for hours on end.

“I was very impressed by the atmosphere, by the size of the club, by how much they wanted me, by how much interest they showed in me. That’s why I’m here at Galatasaray.

“I’m very grateful to the fans. It means a lot to me that they came here at this hour. I’m really looking forward to my first game in front of these fans.”

The 29-year-old was by no means Berta’s only wide target, though. The Italian has apparently held “numerous” talks over wingers, and one of them is believed to be £204,000-per-week Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

The Brazilian remains high on Arsenal’s shortlist after weeks of links, especially when it comes to Arteta.

Arteta wants Rodrygo with Arsenal set for "crucial" meeting

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are set for “crucial” internal talks over a deal for Rodrygo this week, as they attempt to figure out how they can land both the 24-year-old and Sesko.

Financially, the transfers will be hard to pull off, so Gunners chiefs will debate how to get Sesko and Rodrygo through the door without damaging their balance sheet.

Negotiating a fee below Sesko’s £68 million release clause will be key to this, and it is believed Arteta is “convinced” that Arsenal should sign Rodrygo as well as the Slovenia international.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Real star is a “dream” target for Arsenal, which is hardly surprising considering his experience at the top level and flashes of excellent form under Carlo Ancelotti last season.

However, the arrival of new Real boss Xabi Alonso will likely have a major say on whether Arsenal can indeed pull off a move for Rodrygo.

Newcastle United rode into the summer transfer window on the crest of a wave, having finished the 2024/25 campaign as Carabao Cup champions, also sealing their place back in the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League.

All told, Eddie Howe will be a happy man after his side’s success, but the onus is now on improving across the next few months ahead of the fresh term, when expectations will be heightened.

Efforts have certainly been made at this early stage to go from strength to strength. As per The Telegraph, the Magpies have singled out England centre-back Marc Guehi and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, although the latter has reportedly chosen he wants to join Manchester United.

A right-sided forward is still at the top of the agenda, and Newcastle might just have identified the perfect man for the job.

Newcastle open talks for new right winger

No, it’s not Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, although the 23-year-old is admired by senior Newcastle officials.

Transfer Focus

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

Instead, the man of the moment could be West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, with The Athletic revealing talks have been held among senior Magpies officials to ascertain the potential of a summer signing.

Kudus has an £84m release clause in his Hammers contract and is expected to leave east London this summer.

After a difficult campaign, however, it’s thought Graham Potter’s side would be open to a more agreeable £65m fee.

Why Newcastle should sign Kudus

Kudus only scored five times in the Premier League last season, also assisting three goals, but he hit four goal contributions across his final eight appearances, and presents one of the most menacing profiles out there.

Though Elanga, Newcastle’s other top wide target, chalked up six goals and 11 assists across the league campaign, Kudus may yet hit a new level of prolific progress, which would see him soar away from the Tricky Trees star’s capacity.

Despite his struggles, the Ghana international has still maintained his ball-carrying quality across the past year, with Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku the only man to produce a greater regularity of successful dribbles.

This metric is further underscored by data-driven site FBref, who recorded that Kudus ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion, and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.

And you’d think that Howe could restore Kudus’ finest level. When comparing his 2023/24 campaign, under David Moyes’ wing, against Elanga’s at Forest over the past year, it becomes a little clearer that Kudus’ ceiling stretches higher.

Given that Forest would be looking to bank in excess of £50m for the sale of Elanga, it might be more worthwhile to invest in a star such as Kudus, who, when at his rip-roaring best, has been regarded as a “generational talent” by those such as journalist Gary Al-Smith.

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

Newcastle are looking to make sweeping changes as they step back into the Champions League.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 10, 2025

Glasgow Rangers now know who they will be playing in the Champions League second qualifying round, and it isn’t the easiest of tasks.

Indeed, Greek side Panathinaikos will be the opponents as the Ibrox side aim to make it through to the third round of qualifying.

The two teams have met four times previously, with Rangers failing to win a single match. In the 2003/04 Champions League group stages, the clubs drew 1-1 in Greece, before Panathinaikos secured an impressive 3-1 win at Ibrox.

After being knocked out of Europe’s premier club competition at the group stages in 2007/08, the Gers found themselves in the UEFA Cup.

A 0-0 draw in Glasgow against the Greek giants was followed by a 1-1 result in Athens courtesy of a late Nacho Novo goal. Of course, the away goal rule was in place back then, seeing the Light Blues make their first step towards the final that year.

The game will be Russell Martin’s first competitive match in charge of the club, and the supporters will be hoping for a positive result.

Given what is at stake, Martin must wish he had a couple of previous Ibrox stars available at his disposal. The lack of an excellent striker has been the club’s biggest weakness in recent years, but imagine how good it would be to see a prime Nikica Jelavic at Rangers once again?

Nikica Jelavic’s Rangers statistics

Rangers have enjoyed an affinity with Croatian centre-forwards since the turn of the century. Dado Prso must go down as one of the modern cult icons in the club’s recent history, forging an impressive duo with Novo during the 2004/05 season.

A few years ago, Antonio Colak spent a year at Ibrox. While not everyone’s cup of tea, the striker still managed to score 18 goals in 39 matches across all competitions.

It is Jelavic, however, who will go down as one of the most clinical strikers the club has had since 2000. Despite his stay in Glasgow lasting just 18 months, the former Rapid Vienna forward netted 36 goals across just 55 matches for the Gers.

Not one for having plenty of simple tap-ins within his repertoire, Jelavic was a master at making something from nothing.

Take his overhead kick against Aberdeen towards the end of the 2010/11 season, for example. The stunning effort secured a vital three points in the club’s efforts to chase down Celtic at the top of the table.

Just weeks earlier, Jelavic had scored a delightful winner in extra time against the Parkhead side to seal the League Cup for the Light Blues.

And who can forget the scenes at Rugby Park on the final day of the 2010/11 campaign? With Rangers needing a win to secure a third league title in a row, Jelavic scored a sublime free-kick and grabbed an assist in a 5-1 victory.

Rangers and Croatian centre-forwards go together like Lennon and McCartney. Could Martin be eyeing up another one during the summer transfer window?

Rangers searching for a new striker

It looks as though Cyriel Dessers might be the first big sale by Martin this summer, although there could be a slight hitch with the final transfer fee amid interest from AEK Athens.

Should the Nigerian international leave, another striker or two will be sought, especially with the clash against Panathinaikos just five weeks away.

According to a Turkish reporter, the Ibrox side are tracking Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Igor Matanović, with regard to bringing him to Glasgow.

The player still has another four years left on his contract with the Bundesliga outfit, but due to a lack of gametime, he could be available for a fee of around €5m (£4.2m).

That could be within Kevin Thelwell’s budget at Ibrox if he can move Dessers on for a substantial fee, should a move to Athens go through in the coming days or weeks.

Matanovic is still only 22 and could be an ideal signing for the new manager to bolster his attacking department. Dare I say it, but might he be the next Jelavic?

Why Rangers must sign Igor Matanovic

Amid the recent link to the youngster, analyst and scout Kai Watson profiled Matanovic on X, saying:

“Matanović struggled for game time in the Bundesliga last season at Frankfurt but excelled in 2.Bundesliga the season before for Karlsruher on loan.

“Tall (6’4), powerful, technical, dare I say, Jelavić-esque?”

Taking a look back, Jelavic was one of the club’s finest strikers from a technical point of view. He could score from anywhere, and his movement in and around the box was excellent.

Matanovic appears in a similar mould. While he netted just twice for Frankfurt last term, it was a loan stint with Karlsruher that showed his true talents.

That season, he only scored one tap-in, scoring a mix of headers, counter-attacking, and goals from outside the six-yard box.

The 22-year-old scored every 167 minutes in the German second tier, while also finishing the season with an 18% conversion rate, creating six big chances, and succeeding with 55% of his dribble attempts.

Like Jelavic, the Frankfurt star loves creating opportunities for others and is keen on using his dribbling abilities to take on opposition defenders.

Transfer Focus

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

When compared to his positional peers in the Europa League last season, Matanovic ranked in the top 9% for shots on target (1.55) per 90, along with ranking in the top 12% for touches in the defensive third of the pitch (4.64) per 90, indicating how well he can help out the team when they are under attack.

Bringing in a player of this quality as soon as possible would certainly make Martin’s job easier when it comes to making progress in the Champions League.

There is still time, but with July edging ever closer, the manager must start integrating players into the first team sooner rather than later.

Jelavic was certainly one of a kind. But from Matanovic’s statistics in recent seasons, he could be a wonderful signing who will only get better and better as time goes on.

The clock is ticking.

He'd be better than Darling: Rangers open talks to sign "immaculate" star

Having missed out on signing Harry Darling, Rangers have made an approach to land a new defender.

By
Ben Gray

Jun 19, 2025

Away from Nathaniel Phillips joining Ryan Mason’s ranks, it’s been somewhat of a quiet summer so far at West Bromwich Albion as far as incomings are concerned.

It’s definitely been hectic surrounding outgoings, however, with Grady Diangana, John Swift, and Semi Ajayi all exiting one after the other, having failed to agree on extended contracts at the Hawthorns.

The brand-new Baggies boss must have thought he’d won himself his second big buy when it was reported that AFC Bournemouth winger David Brooks was likely to join his camp.

But, no such deal has got off the ground, leaving the promotion hopefuls back at square one with who to bring in to boost their chances of moving up to the Premier League.

Brooks' collapsed West Brom deal

In a drastically sharp change of events, Brooks – who had reportedly completed a medical at the Hawthorns – has now seen a move to West Brom fall through.

This would have been an ideal signing for Mason to strengthen his numbers in attack in the wake of Diangana leaving the building, with the Welshman a top performer in the Championship in the not-so-distant past.

Just two seasons back, the AFC Bournemouth number seven proved himself to be an instant hit out on loan at second-tier promotion chasers Southampton, as seen in a whirlwind return of two goals and six assists coming his way from just 20 outings at St. Mary’s.

That bumped up his overall tally in the division to a sublime 11 goals and 16 assists, with Brooks’ adaptability to play as a left winger or as an attacking midfielder making him even more of a sterling, short-term pick-up.

An unfortunate twist in the tale has stopped this promising deal from occurring, though, but the Baggies could win themselves a dream alternative if this exciting starlet is loaned in instead.

West Brom's "fearless" Brooks alternative

Mason might as well put his Tottenham Hotspur connections to good use from the Hawthorns hot seat.

This might well prove to be a great weapon on West Brom’s end, with rumours circulating last month that Spurs’ teenage sensation Mikey Moore is being eyed up by the West Midlands side.

Moore is arguably cut from the same cloth as the Cherries forward, with Brooks held in high regard ever since breaking through at Sheffield United aged just 19. In the case of the North London prodigy, he’s already making waves at Thomas Frank’s men at the tender age of 17.

Indeed, a terrific solo strike against Elfsborg last year was his first ever senior strike for his boyhood employers, shining so much in the Europa League that teammate James Maddison suggested he was “like Neymar.”

Much like his Welsh counterpart would have been capable of, the teenage sensation could go on to be a superb talent for the Baggies across various attacking positions, with a lethal 11 goals coming his way across his fledgling career as a centre-forward, away from shining as a left or right winger like Brooks.

The worry would be that Moore might not instantly take to his new Championship terrain, having only ever been in that bubble of youth football at Spurs.

Yet, having recently also been hailed as “fearless” by Maddison when leaping into the Tottenham first-team, this should be another hurdle he’s able to overcome, with West Brom’s failed pursuit of Brooks quickly forgotten about if he goes on to be a success.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 3, 2025

Everton supporters are starting to get excited ahead of the new season.

Star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite signed a new five-year contract last week, which is great news for Evertonians everywhere.

Meantime, it is being widely reported that striker Thierno Barry travelled to Merseyside on Tuesday, ahead of finalising a £32.5m move from Villarreal.

Now, could David Moyes bolster his midfield options as well?

Everton targeting a new midfielder

Ahead of moving into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, much of the positivity is rooted in Moyes, considering the Toffees won eight of 19 Premier League matches following his reappointment in January, including each of the last three.

The 62-year-old returned to the club 13 years after leaving for Manchester United, having enjoyed so much success during his first stint at Goodison.

As the table outlines, under Moyes, the Blues regularly finished in the top six of the Premier League, something they’ve not achieved for 11 years, and he enjoyed having countless top-class players at his disposal during this period.

One of the best players during Moyes’ later years at Goodison was Marouane Fellaini, more on the big Belgian shortly, so are Everton about to sign Moyes’ best midfielder since him?

Well, as reported by TEAMtalk, Everton have ‘made an enquiry’ to Juventus over the possibility of signing Douglas Luiz.

They add that the Brazilian ‘has been transfer-listed’ by la Vecchia Signora, with the Italian giants willing to sell him for half of the £43m fee paid to Aston Villa just 12 months ago, with Manchester United and Fulham also showing ‘strong interest’.

So, could Luiz swap Turin for Hill Dickinson Stadium?

How Douglas Luiz would improve Everton

The reason Luiz is on the market this summer is because, as described by Juventus legend Alessio Tacchinardi, the Brazilian’s transfer to I Bianconeri has been a “disaster”.

Since making the move from Villa, the 27-year-old has racked up just 877 minutes of action in a black and white striped shirt, starting just nine Serie A matches.

Before that though, brand strategy consultant Adam Gilks asserted that he was “one of the best sixes in the Premier League”, while Alex Keble of the Premier League added that he had become ‘the most important Villa player’ towards the end of his time in the Midlands.

So, let’s assess that assertion.

As the table outlines, during his final season at Aston Villa, Luiz ranked highly for most passing metrics, but also out of possession metrics too, namely ball recoveries, underlining his all-action style and hence, why Owen Hargreaves once described him as an “elite” defensive midfielder.

These statistics are certainly more impressive than those of any current Everton midfield options, namely Idrissa Gana Gueye, James Garner, Carlos Alcaraz or Tim Iroegbunam.

Thus, one would have to go back to Moyes’ first stint in charge to find an equally pivotal central midfield, and the star of the 2012/13 side was the aforementioned Fellaini.

After a sequence of impressive performances in 2010, Moyes asserted that “Marouane is probably the best midfielder in the country at the moment”.

Meantime, Barney Ronay of the Guardian outlined how Fellaini’s ‘sheer physical scale tended to generate a buzz’, but that he can be ‘unplayable’ at times, believing he remains one of the most unique players to ever grace the Premier League.

While, in terms of stature, demeanour and playing style, Luiz and Fellaini could hardly be much more different, but should the Brazilian arrive this summer, he would almost unquestionably be the best midfielder Moyes has worked with on Merseyside since the unmistakable Belgian.

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By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 7, 2025

Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ordered to pay a tax bill of £300,000 after losing a court battle. Zinchenko, who was struggling for game time under Mikel Arteta at Emirates Stadium, joined Nottingham Forest on loan during the summer transfer window.

• Zinchenko loses court battle
• Will also have to clear accountants' bill
• Zinchenko joined Forest on loan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , the HMRC has ordered Zinchenko to settle a tax bill worth £300,000. The details of the tax amount emerged after the Gunners loanee put his Alex Zinchenko Image Rights firm into voluntary liquidation. HMRC had approached the High Court to shut down the firm. Zinchenko was the only stakeholder in the company until Ukraine FA official Artemijs Rjabovs took over and renamed it Ozir Ltd. 

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Zinchenko will also have to pay off bills worth £35,000 to his accountants. The Ukraine international completed a loan move to Forest during the summer transfer window, after he fell out of favour under Arteta and struggled for minutes on the pitch during the 2024-25 campaign. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Forest were forced to leave Zinchenko and record summer signing Omari Hutchinson out of their 2025-26 Europa League squad due to UEFA’s homegrown quota rules.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ZINCHENKO?

  With Ange Postecoglou all set to replace Nuno Espirito Santo as Forest boss, Zinchenko will hope to impress the Australian manager and feature regularly in his starting lineup this season. Forest next face Zinchenko's parent club Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League.