It might be a tired cliché, but this summer looks set to be Arsenal’s most important in years.

After failing to win the Premier League at the third time of asking and coming painfully close to the final of the Champions League this season, Mikel Arteta’s side have to deliver one or the other next year.

To help them do that, new Sporting Director Andrea Berta and Co have to deliver the goods in this summer’s transfer window by signing ready-made stars to help them win now.

However, while the focus has to be on those who can make an immediate impact, there is always room to pick up a few future stars, and based on recent reports, Arsenal may be about to sign someone who could be their own Rayan Cherki a few years down the line.

Arsenal transfer news

It was just over a month ago that Arsenal were linked with a £30m move for Cherki, and it’s not hard to see why some fans would love him to make his way to the Emirates.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, in 44 appearances for Lyon this season, totalling 3097 minutes, the young Frenchman scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.37 games, or every 96.78 minutes.

However, the stories touting him for a move to N5 soon dried up, and now it looks like Manchester City are going to be the ones who sign the 21-year-old, with transfers expert Fabrizio Romano confirming yesterday morning that the club had agreed personal terms with the player.

While missing out on the Lyon star isn’t ideal, the good news is that Arteta and Co might soon have their own incredibly exciting youngster on the books in Konstantinos Karetsas.

Yes, according to a recent report from Greece, Arsenal are incredibly interested in signing the Genk gem.

In fact, in something of a surprise, the report has revealed that the North Londoners are ‘very close to an agreement’ for the player, which will see them pay the Belgian outfit around €45m, which is about £38m, and leave him on loan with the team for next season.

It’s undoubtedly a lot of money to pay for someone so young, but based on his ability and potential, it may well be worth it, especially as he could be the club’s own version of Cherki a few years from now.

Why Karetsas could be Arsenal's Cherki

So, the first thing to say, and it’s an important qualifier, is that Karetsas is not at the same level as Cherki at the moment, and fans should not expect him to be.

After all, the Greek prospect is four years the Frenchman’s junior and, as a result, is much further behind in his development.

However, with some key similarities between the pair, it’s not hard to see a world in which the 17-year-old follows his development and eventually becomes a truly top-level player.

The first of these similarities is where they play, as while the Lyon ace has just about spent more time off the right this season, his most played position across his career has been in attacking midfield.

Likewise, the incredibly exciting Genk gem is primarily an attacking midfielder but has made a few appearances out wide, and according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, his “1v1 ability and 2 footedness will make him deadly on the wings.”

That description of the youngster sounds an awful lot like the City-bound star, who has more than proven his own 1v1 ability and is unquestionably brilliant with both feet.

Furthermore, on top of his dribbling, Mattinson highlights the Genk-born talent’s ability on the ball, describing him as someone capable of playing “defence splitting passes” and saying that he should not be given any “space anywhere near the box on either side as he’ll hit the corners.”

In short, Mattinson’s description of the youngster as someone who “has it all” doesn’t feel too wide of the mark, and his underlying numbers from this season further back up that assessment.

According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the next 14 competitions for carries, total carrying distance and fouls drawn, the top 3% for key passes, crosses and shot-creating actions from dead-balls, the top 5% for expected assists and shot-creating actions, the top 6% for take-ons attempted and more, all per 90.

Karetsas’ Scout Report
Statistics	Per 90	Percentile
Carries	48.80	Top 1%
Total Carrying Distance	327.41	Top 1%
Fouls Drawn	3.41	Top 1%
Carries into Final Third	3.80	Top 2%
Key Passes	3.18	Top 3%
Crosses	7.37	Top 3%
SCA (Dead-ball Passes)	1.47	Top 3%
Progressive Carrying Distance	148.03	Top 4%
Expected Assists	0.31	Top 5%
Shot-Creating Actions	5.66	Top 5%
Touches	65.09	Top 6%
Take-Ons Attempted	5.74	Top 6%
All Stats via FBref

Ultimately, while it’s a lot of money to spend on someone so young, it might end up being an incredible bit of business a few years from now, as, just like Cherki, Karetsas looks like he has everything a number ten or winger would need to succeed at the very highest level.

Their own Kane: Arsenal begin talks to sign "exceptional" £42m goalscorer

The promising poacher could develop into something special at Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 5, 2025

Everton manager David Moyes desperately wants to bring a “special” Premier League player to the club this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Everton eye attacking reinforcements

The Blues have been linked with lots of players since the 2024/25 season reached its conclusion, but few rumoured signings have caught the eye more than Ben Doak. The Liverpool teenager is reportedly the subject of interest from several top flight clubs, as the Blues look to seal the first direct senior signing between the two Merseyside rivals since 2002, when Abel Xavier traded Goodison Park for Anfield.

The Reds have a big decision to make with Doak, who spent the season on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough, as they weigh up whether they think he is good enough to make the grade in the years to come, or cash in on him for a healthy amount of money this summer.

Plenty of clubs are hovering if they do decide to sell the 19-year-old, and for Everton supporters, the idea of snapping up a bright Liverpool talent will be a mouthwatering prospect. Now, there has been a fresh development in the saga, as Moyes looks to work his magic.

Doak now Everton's leading winger target

According to TEAMtalk, Doak is now a “leading target” for Everton to sign this summer, as their interest in the Liverpool youngster shows no sign of going away. It is claimed that Moyes is a “huge admirer” of the £30m-rated Scottish wide man, as they look to complete a memorable piece of business.

This has to be considered an encouraging update regarding Everton’s pursuit of Doak, not least the fact that Moyes would seemingly love him at the club.

The Scotland international is exactly what the Blues are crying out for on the flank, with the Liverpool man possessing blistering pace, an ability to both cut inside and hit the byline, and also an enormous amount of long-term potential.

Doak is admired by so many, including former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has said of him: “Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers really, this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kind of things.”

The biggest downside to this whole situation is that the Reds may be unwilling to sell to Everton, given the risk of one of their own players becoming a star for their local rivals, which could put paid to a move.

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ByBrett Worthington Jun 5, 2025

If the Scot likes the idea of playing for the Blues, though, not least as it would mean not having to move away, Moyes and those high up at the club must pounce while they have the chance.

Newcastle United have only gone from strength to strength since Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce at the helm in November 2021, currently preparing for their second Champions League campaign in three years.

Last season, the Magpies also won the Carabao Cup, ending 70 years of desperate searching for domestic silverware. The club are riding the crest of a wave, but need to consolidate their enviable position by making impactful summer signings ahead of a crucial year.

However, there’s no denying there have been several setbacks for Howe and co to contend with since wrapping up a successful 2024/25 season.

Joao Pedro has signed for Chelsea for £60m after being locked in United’s sights. Compounding this, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has informed his club he will only leave for Manchester United this summer, in spite of Newcastle’s interest.

While this has rocked a transfer window that fans awaited with fervour as the season wound down, a big effort is now needed to prove to the faithful that they will watch several exciting new stars plying their trade in black and white soon.

And there’s one in particular who the outfit are pushing to sign.

Premier League star wants to join Newcastle

Newcastle cashed in on Miguel Almiron in January, selling the 31-year-old winger back to Atlanta United in the MLS for around £8m.

Though Jacob Murphy has been exceptional on the right flank, it’s clear that the Toon need more depth, and that they have indeed been pushing to sign a fitting upgrade on the departed Paraguayan.

Well, Newcastle’s persistence might just pay off, in regard to Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, that is.

According to i News, Newcastle are aiming to kickstart their window with the acquisition of the Sweden international, who is thought to want the move.

Newcastle are still in dialogue with the Tricky Trees after seeing an opening £45m offer knocked back in June.

Transfer Focus

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

Forest qualified for the Conference League after an extraordinary season, and have made it known that they will only consider offers in excess of £60m.

What Anthony Elanga would bring to Newcastle

Two years ago, Nottingham Forest signed Elanga from Manchester United in a deal worth just £15m.

Having struggled for minutes at Old Trafford, the wideman’s decision to move has been vindicated and then some, having settled into his role as a key part of an ambitious project.

Across his two seasons at the City Ground, the 23-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted 21 more, racking up 17 goal involvements across Forest’s recent Premier League season alone, earning praise for his “special” ability from his manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

You can only imagine how effective the forward’s playmaking might be under Howe’s wing. As per FBref, Elanga finished the 2024/25 Premier League campaign ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders for assists and the top 3% for crosses per 90.

Paired with Anthony Gordon on the attacking flanks, Newcastle might just find themselves in with the ideal attacking duo to dynamise a frontline that is already so proven, so fluent.

Matches (starts)

38 (31)

34 (28)

Goals

6

6

Assists

11

5

Shots (on target)*

1.2 (0.6)

1.7 (0.6)

Big chances missed

6

10

Pass completion

78%

81%

Big chances created

9

6

Key passes*

1.3

1.5

Dribbles*

0.7

0.

Ball recoveries*

2.3

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

0.7

1.1

Duels won*

3.0

4.4

Gordon and Elanga actually bring similar attacking qualities to their respective flanks, with both being positionally versatile too. Howe’s tactics are tuned toward swift transitional play, and this is something the Forest star excels at, declaring himself to be “one of the fastest players in the Premier League”.

Though his meagre dribble return across the 2024/25 campaign fails to illustrate this quality, the eye test proves that he is indeed perfect for the brand of football Howe implements on Tyneside. Gordon is a testament to that.

The England international utilises his rapidity to a similar effect, claiming on Three Lions duty last summer that he’s a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against due to his electric movements and tenacious attitude.

Though Gordon produced a campaign that left plenty to be desired, struggling to replicate his incredible 2023/24 term, notching 26 goal contributions and winning United’s Player of the Year, he could be back to his rip-roaring best if fielded alongside a maverick like Elanga.

With all-consuming striker Alexander Isak set to stay put, The Athletic’s David Ornstein even claiming there’s “no chance” he leaves St. James’ Park this summer after Newcastle got their feet back under Europe’s elite table, this could be a strike-force to be feared, such dynamic skills and blistering speed combining with the striker’s devastating finishing ability and rounded game.

While Newcastle have been dealt several blows across the window so far, Howe still has a clear vision in mind and will raise his team’s attacking level by adding Elanga to the ranks. After all, he hoped to complete a deal for the winger last year, only to see a late-stage offer rebuffed.

In any case, United’s perseverance might just seal the deal here, giving the manager a vibrant wide duo to propel the club even further forward.

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ByBen Gray Jul 3, 2025

عبر كيليان مبابي، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، عن سعادته الكبيرة باللعب في إسبانيا، مدافعًا في الوقت ذاته عن مدرب منتخب فرنسا ديدييه ديشامب بعد الانتقادات.

فرنسا تستعد لمواجهة آيسلندا يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، ضمن منافسات تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026، في كندا والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية والمكسيك.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مبابي يتوقع الفائز بالكرة الذهبية 2025 بين يامال وديمبلي

وقال مبابي في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الأحد عبر “تيلي فوت”: “أشعر أنني بحالة جيدة، لقد قضيت إجازة، وتمكنت من العمل بجد، والعودة بذهن صافي، إنها مجرد بداية الموسم، إنها بداية جيدة، كان لدي المزيد من الوقت هذا الصيف للاستعداد، أشعر أنني بحالة جيدة وأنا سعيد، لقد تأقلمت مع وصولي إلى مدريد ومن الرائع اللعب هناك، إسبانيا تكن لي احترامًا كبيرًا وأنا محظوظ لوجودي هناك”.

وعن ديشامب: ”إنه رمز لكرة القدم الفرنسية، لطالما حارب الانتقادات وحافظ على مبادئه، سنبذل قصارى جهدنا من أجل الفوز بكأس العالم مرة أخرى والعودة بالنجمة الثالثة”.

وأوضح عن كأس العالم: ”لم يتبق الكثير من اللاعبين الذين حصلوا على كأس العالم في قائمتنا الحالية، وهذا يظهر مدى كثرة المواهب في كرة القدم، نسعى دائمًا للفوز، كأس العالم بطولة مميزة وعلينا أن نبذل قصارى جهدنا لنحظى بأدنى فرصة للفوز بهذه البطولة”.

وحول مدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو: “هناك الكثير من الوضوح من قبله، إنه متطلب للغاية ومتعطش للنجاح وينقل لك هذا التعطش، لا يزال علينا التحسن وعلينا جميعًا العمل”.

وبشأن الكرة الذهبية: “عثمان ديمبلي؟ بالنسبة لي، يستحقها، أتمنى أن يفوز بها، لقد دعمته منذ البداية وهذا طبيعي، سنرى لاحقًا، الأمر لا يعتمد علينا وكانت هناك أصوات للجائزة، سنرى وآمل أن يكون أشرف في مركز متقدم، سيكون ذلك رائعًا للمدافعين، يامال لاعب جيد جدًا، لكنه من برشلونة (يضحك)”.

وواصل: ”الفوز بالكرة الذهبية حاضر في ذهن كل لاعب، ويأتي ذلك من الحصول على الألقاب مع الفريق، لا أكسر أي قيود لهذه الجائزة، إذا كان لدي موسم ناجح وفزت بالألقاب، فأنا أريد الفوز بها أيضًا، يجب أن أركز على مساعدة فريقي والفوز بالألقاب”.

وعن ارتداءه الرقم 10 مع ريال مدريد اختتم مبابي: ”كان لدى النادي فكرة إهدائي هذا الرقم هذا الصيف ووافقت، الأمر بهذه البساطة”.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin on course to depart as a free agent, Everton are now reportedly keeping a close eye on an impressive striker who Erling Haaland believes is “incredibly talented”.

Calvert-Lewin set to leave Everton

After nine years at the club, Calvert-Lewin remains on course to leave at the end of his current contract this month. Everton confirmed that they are still in talks with his representatives, but a resolution at this stage does not seem likely. The Toffees, instead, must turn their focus towards replacing their forward or perhaps even finding the perfect upgrade.

Appearances

273

Goals

71

Assists

22

The 28-year-old’s best work undoubtedly came under Carlo Ancelotti, as is the case for most players, but he hasn’t been able to reach the same quality ever since. Without the Italian, the forward’s Everton career can be summed up by looking at a frustrating injury history which often stood in the way of a talented forward ever truly reaching his potential.

In need of a replacement, the Toffees have already been linked with moves for the likes of Hamza Igamane from Rangers and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson. The latter would be a like-for-like replacement for Calvert-Lewin given his stature and ability to use that stature to his advantage whilst possessing an impressive technical ability.

In many ways, Ferguson would be a throwback to the player that Calvert-Lewin once was – a young, tall forward full of potential. The Irishman will be desperate to head down a more successful path, however, and getting his career back on track by joining David Moyes in Merseyside may be the perfect first step.

Alternatively, Everton could also turn their attention towards a Bundesliga talent who has already earned high praise from the likes of Haaland and would replace Calvert-Lewin’s goalscoring prowess from the wing.

Everton keeping close eye on Nusa

As reported by Caught Offside, Everton are now keeping a close eye on Antonio Nusa. The RB Leipzig winger has shown glimpses of his talent since swapping Club Brugge for the German side and is now reportedly valued as high as €45m (£38m).

Whether Everton are in a position to pay that price is the big question. At 20 years old, there’s no doubt that Nusa has the potential to turn that price tag into a bargain deal in years to come.

The Leipzig star stole the headlines whilst on international duty with Norway recently when he scored a sensational goal against Italy and it’s not the first time that he’s impressed for his country.

Just last year, Nusa earned impressive praise from Haaland. The Norway forward and Manchester City star told reporters: “He’s exceptional. We need to be careful not to put too much pressure on him, even though he’s incredibly talented. His continued development is what matters most.”

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BySean Markus Clifford Jun 13, 2025

The praise in Norway doesn’t get much higher than that. Simply put, Nusa is not someone that Everton should want to miss out on this summer.

Australia’s multi-format stars have been handed their best red-ball preparation for a summer in five years, with players to have up to four Sheffield Shield matches to fine tune for the Test series against India.Cricket Australia announced the schedule for the domestic summer on Thursday, which includes the new women’s T20 competition before the WBBL. As has been the case in recent seasons, the Sheffield Shield while the men’s one-day cup sits at seven matches each.Related

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But for the first time in a long time, multi-format players will have a long stretch of Shield games to prepare for the Test team’s bid to win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Australia’s last overseas white-ball commitment this year is on September 29 in England, giving players a week before the beginning of the Shield season on October 8. Even if the quicks are rested from the first round, each state will play another three fixtures before players enter camp for the first Test against India starting November 22.Pat Cummins is missing the entire limited-overs tour of the UK in September while Mitchell Starc will only feature in the ODI series against England. Josh Hazlewood has been included for both formats.While Starc played matches for NSW during the 2020-21 bubble, Cummins and Hazlewood have not played Shield before the first Test since November 2019. Mitchell Marsh, meanwhile, has only played two Shield matches since 2019.Availability of multi-format players for the Shield will likely be impacted by the limited-overs visit of Pakistan with the ODI series starting on November 4. The proximity of the T20Is (November 14-18) to the start of the India series means only players not featuring in the Test will likely be selected. There are also two Australia A-India A matches from late October which will pull players out of domestic cricket.The glut of Shield matches will also provide an opportunity for the likes of Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft a chance to push their selection causes.While Australia’s Test team is largely set for now, they will want to take a reserve batsman into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Chief selector George Bailey said in March there was no longer a front-runner to one day replace Steven Smith or Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, after each of Renshaw, Harris and Bancroft missed out on national contracts.Bailey has indicated that a specialist opener will be the one to eventually replace Smith or Khawaja in the long-term future, after the former was moved into the role to replace David Warner last summer.In total six Shield rounds will be played before the BBL break, before each state plays four more matches in February and March. Shield fixtures will again be interwoven with the one-day cup, which starts on September 22, with Western Australia aiming for a fourth consecutive title in both competitions.The Shield final will take place between March 26-30 while the 50-over finals will take place on consecutive days – the Marsh Cup on March 1 and WNCL on March 2.The 50-over WNCL tournament, where Tasmania are bidding for a hat-trick of titles, again has 12 matches per team, while the newly introduced T20 series for women includes four games each as a result of the shortened WBBL.Each of the eight WBBL teams will feature as well as the ACT Meteors, with the tournament to run while Australia’s big-name players and overseas stars are in Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup.

Lamine Yamal this, Lamine Yamal that. Arsenal have their very own budding wonderkid in the effervescent Ethan Nwaneri.

Making his Premier League debut in 2022 at the age of just 15, making him the top-flight’s youngest-ever player, Nwaneri has now become a household, truly bursting onto the scene in 2024/25.

The teenager is now 18 and has cemented himself as one of the best young players in Europe, having scored nine goals in his 37 senior appearances last season.

He scored in the Champions League, he scored against Manchester City and now he’s rivalling teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly for the PFA Young Player of the Season award.

Nwaneri then crowned his campaign off by winning the U21 European Championships with Lee Carsley’s England a week ago.

So, surely he’ll go on to become a modern-day Arsenal great, right? Well, he could actually leave.

The latest on Ethan Nwaneri's future at Arsenal

Cast your mind back to the summer of 2023, before Nwaneri signed his first professional deal at the Emirates Stadium, and there were rumours that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City could land the talented youngster.

Thankfully for those of an Arsenal persuasion, Nwaneri stayed to develop under Mikel Arteta’s watchful eyes.

However, his first pro deal actually expires in a year’s time and according to Fabrizio Romano, he wants assurances over game time before committing his future to the club.

It’s a worrying development for the Gunners, particularly as Romano actually reveals that Chelsea have been showing interest in the player and could move if he fails to agree a new deal in north London.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Well, with assurances over playing time in mind, perhaps signing another creative midfielder might not be the best idea if they want to keep him.

Arsenal targeting move for a new no.10

One of the club’s main targets this summer has been Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Some reports suggest that personal terms have already been agreed but club-to-club talks are yet to take place.

A potential alternative could be RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons. That’s according to Italian journalist Orazio Accomando, who has revealed that Andrea Berta is ‘working to deliver another coup’ for Arsenal.

He reveals that ‘talks are ongoing’ with Leipzig over a deal and although no fee has been mentioned, previous reports have indicated it may take £68.8m to prise him away from the Bundesliga.

Why Xavi Simons is bad news for Ethan Nwaneri

While a certain Emmanuel Eboue isn’t always the voice of football, he has delivered one statement that reveals why Arsenal need to do all they can to keep hold of Nwaneri.

“I think Ethan can be better than Yamal if he works hard and respects the game,” the former Arsenal defender once commented.

Whether or not you believe that remark, it shows the considerable amount of hype the teen has been generating.

“The touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi,” Joe Cole also once said.

Losing him, therefore, would be a colossal blow. So, Arsenal need to present him with game time. Where is that most likely? Well, at the moment, he’s done a mighty fine job playing second fiddle to Saka on the right wing but he’s an attacking midfielder by trade, a central player blessed with close-touch control and a goalscoring ability.

During the 2023/24 season, his final as an academy player, Nwaneri played 18 times as a no.10 and scored 13 goals in the process. His best position is clearly there but he has to get past Martin Odegaard first.

Ethan Nwaneri career by position

Position

Games

Goals

Assists

Attacking midfield

45

20

7

Right wing

20

4

2

Centre-forward

9

11

2

Left wing

1

0

1

Stats via Transfermarkt.

Despite scoring just three Premier League goals last term, the club captain isn’t going to be moved aside very easily. Thus, if the Gunners sign Simons too, Nwaneri surely isn’t going to get much of a look in his favoured role.

That isn’t to say the Dutchman wouldn’t be a good signing though. Born out of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, Simons was once a wonderkid with the world at his feet, just like Nwaneri.

However, after never making the grade as a senior pro at Barca and struggling for game time at PSG after moving to France, he’s gone the long way round to find a home in senior football at Leipzig.

During his time with the German outfit, the 22-year-old has cemented himself as “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one data analyst.

Why? Well, he’s not only a brilliant creator, but he’s also full of goals. In 2023/24, the young Netherlands international scored ten and supplied 15 goals. In 2024/25, he found the net on 11 occasions and registered eight assists.

Simons vs Nwaneri in 2024/25 – League only

Stat (per 90 mins)

Simons

Nwaneri

Goals

0.42

0.40

Assists

0.40

0.20

Shots

2.09

2.42

Key passes

2.13

1.62

Progressive passes

5.86

3.33

Shot-creating actions

4.52

2.93

Progressive carries

3.56

4.65

Successful take-ons

1.38

3.74

Stats via FBRef.

On that evidence, he is the ideal player to provide competition for an out-of-form Odegaard.

Now, while he would certainly add an undoubted amount of extra quality to the Arsenal side, Arteta and Berta must weigh up what this move means for Nwaneri, particularly with Chelsea registering an interest.

The Gunners feel like they’re in a win the title at all costs scenario, but they must think of the long-term here too. Either way, it’s not as though Nwaneri, one of England’s best young prospects, couldn’t help them win a title now either.

Just look at Lewis-Skelly. Also aged 18, he is now a regular starter and starred in the Bernabeu as Arteta’s men defeated Real Madrid.

This will be an intriguing dilemma should Arsenal decide to further their interest in Simons.

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Things are moving apace. Liverpool have already replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong and are advancing with deals for Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

Talk about a show of intent. Talk about ambition. FSG have faced their criticisms across their time at the head of the Liverpool table, but the American owners are backing Arne Slot to the hilt this summer after the Dutch coach secured a Premier League title in his first term at the helm.

With a much-anticipated move for Wirtz, which could rise to a British-record £116m, set to be finalised in the coming days, hopes are morphing into expectations that the Reds will be right there in the title battle next season, throwing the heaviest punches and swerving the blows from Arsenal, Manchester City and the like.

What, then, should be Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes’ next move in the transfer market? Well, for all Anfield’s impressive dealings, the glaring point of contention still hasn’t been addressed: Liverpool need to part with Darwin Nunez and bring in a new number nine.

Why Liverpool need to sell Darwin Nunez

As far as statement signings go, Liverpool usually hit the nail on the head. However, Nunez has proven to be a blot on the copybook, never living up to the fixed £64m fee and actually regressing under Slot’s jurisdiction.

Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool Career (all comps)
Season	Apps	Goals	Assists
24/25	47	7	7
23/24	54	18	15
22/23	42	15	4
Data via Transfermarkt

Back in February, Slot stated he “can’t accept” Nunez’s work rate following a slew of games which had turned little personal reward for the Uruguayan. Previous versions of the 25-year-old invariably provided a tenacious

A maverick, Nunez is powerful and instinctive, but consistent finishing has always eluded him throughout his time on Merseyside, and if it were not for Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary 2024/25 campaign, the striker’s woes might have been hung under a brighter, more blinding light.

Salah scored 34 goals and assisted 23 more across all competitions last season. Extraordinary. The Egyptian King turned 33 this month, though, and needs a more reliable frontman to keep him performing at his peak.

Well, Liverpool are acting with ambition, hoping to sign a star who might just prove to elevate the legend. Who knows, he may even surpass Salah’s greatness.

Liverpool line up new striker

According to Ben Jacobs for GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are ready to place a record-breaking bid for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak this summer.

Liverpool’s current interest in the Sweden striker can be traced back to the start of March, when The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed the Reds had him at the top of their shopping list.

The Magpies, who won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League last term, would want north of £150m for Isak, but GMS claim FSG would be willing to offer £100m plus add-ons, which would eclipse the fee agreed for Wirtz.

How Isak could surpass Salah at Liverpool

Liverpool need a striker, all right, and Isak is their dream target. If sporting director Richard Hughes could pick any number nine across the globe, this is the man he’d move for.

Coming off the back of a 27-goal campaign with Newcastle, Isak, who has been hailed as “the best striker in the world” by analyst Raj Chohan, could be the most incredible addition to a Liverpool side already jam-packed with attacking quality.

Isak’s prowess, always improving, could even see him become a goalscoring machine under Slot’s wing above that of Salah, whose 34-goal season was frankly ridiculous.

Alexander Isak – Past Five Seasons (all comps)
Season	Apps	Goals	Assists
24/25 – Newcastle	42	27	6
23/24 – Newcastle	40	25	2
22/23 – Newcastle	29	11	3
21/22 – Sociedad	41	10	3
20/21 – Sociedad	44	17	2
Data via Transfermarkt

Moreover, his unique approach to the attacking game could see him reach that pedestal on which Salah perches, surmounted above the rest of the Premier League’s attacking talent.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 16% of strikers last season for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.

This protean attacking quality could see him join the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres as one of the most complete and electric number nines the Premier League has ever seen.

Would this make him a more dangerous forward than Salah? Who knows, but Isak definitely has the perfect style to dovetail into Slot’s system and bring a new level of direct goalscoring threat.

And it must be said, Liverpool have certainly felt the force of the Sweden striker’s skills, Isak having scored a stunning goal against them at St. James’ Park last year before bagging in the Carabao Cup final, a strike which proved definitive.

But it’s not just his goalscoring. Isak has the capacity to outstrip even Salah’s ridiculous goal per game rate at Liverpool (0.61), with his Newcastle average currently at 0.57.

As he continues to go from strength to strength, Isak could hit a truly staggering flow, especially given that he would be playing among some of the best in the business (including Salah, whose playmaking has hit another level over the past couple of years).

Whether Isak would finish a potential Liverpool career with a greater legacy than Salah is tantamount to splitting hairs. In all likelihood, he’d fail on that front, for Salah has transcended pure quality on the field to immortalise himself in Liverpool lore.

However, Isak’s ability to score is a special thing – pundit Alan Shearer has described him as a “world-class assassin” – and if signed to the Liverpool cause and allowed to foster relationships with Salah and Wirtz, his goalscoring record could form something not witnessed on Merseyside.

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Fernando finishes with nine in the match to wrap up innings-and-204-run victory

ECB Reporters Network02-Jul-2024

Ben Coad ripped through Derbyshire’s second innings•Getty Images

A six-wicket haul by Ben Coad carried Yorkshire to a crushing victory over Derbyshire by an innings and 204 runs on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match at Chesterfield.The pace bowler marked his return from a back injury by taking 6 for 30 with Sri Lankan paceman Vishwa Fernando claiming 4 for 58 to finish with 10 wickets in the match.Derbyshire were bowled out for 171 before tea with the only real resistance coming from skipper David Lloyd with 57 and Ross Whiteley who bludgeoned five sixes in his 52.Jonny Tattersall made 107 before the visitors declared on 451 for 9 leaving Derbyshire to score 375 to make Yorkshire bat again but Coad and Fernando ran through them in less than 43 overs.It was the first time Yorkshire had won back-to-back championship matches by an innings since June 2015 when they beat Nottinghamshire and Durham.The overcast conditions made it a good day for bowling but Yorkshire batted on to secure a fifth batting point and to allow Tattersall to complete his third first-class hundred.He reached three figures by steering Daryn Dupavillon behind point for his 13th four before the fall of three wickets for four runs left Yorkshire in danger of missing out on maximum bonus pointsJordan Thompson was lbw playing across the line at Luis Reece who then beat Coad’s big swing in his next over.When Tattersall pulled Dupavillon into Reece’s hands at mid-wicket, Yorkshire were still three runs short but an edge by Fernando to the third man boundary achieved their first target of the day.Derbyshire’s objective was to show some fight after the debacle of the first innings but they lost both openers without a run on the board.The first ball from Coad was in the channel forcing Mitch Wagstaff to play and Tattersall dived across to hold the edge.When Fernando trapped Reece on the crease in the next over, Derbyshire’s hopes of taking the game into the fourth day were already crumbling and by lunch, they were staring at a crushing defeat.Brooke Guest was pinned in front by another full length ball from Coad and after Lloyd pulled Fernando for six when he switched ends, the Sri Lankan struck again by trapping Wayne Madsen lbw.At lunch, Derbyshire were 57 for 4 but Lloyd showed some defiance after the interval, cutting and driving Fernando for two fours in an over before driving George Hill back down the ground on his way to a 73 ball 50.Lloyd and Aneurin Donald shared Derbyshire’s first 50 stand of the match but it ended when Donald played down the wrong line at Coad and had his off stump knocked back.Whiteley survived a sharp chance when a leading edge off Coad flew high to third slip but in his next over, he moved one away to have Lloyd caught behind.Coad completed a five wicket haul by swinging one back in to have Alex Thomson lbw and the next ball took the edge as Zak Chappell pushed forward to give Tattersall another catch.Sam Conners narrowly survived the hat-trick ball at which point Whiteley decided to go down swinging, driving Coad for a big six before dispatching Dan Moriarty for two more maximums.The left-arm spinner was driven and pulled for two more sixes in his next over but Whiteley then pulled Fernando to mid-wicket to give Yorkshire a memorable victory.

Everton have enjoyed plenty of success when it comes to signing players from the EFL since 2004.

Tim Cahill was the first real star to move from the Championship to Everton that summer, before the likes of Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Dwight McNeil have followed throughout the years.

It is a place where talented players can be signed for a reduced fee, especially if a club has just suffered relegation.

The transfer window is already weeks old and only Carlos Alcaraz has signed permanently. The Toffees faithful will be hoping David Moyes can change this sooner rather than later by welcoming in another player from the EFL.

Everton eyeing Championship starlet

A move for Villarreal striker Thierno Barry looks close to being sealed and this could act as a catalyst for more incomings.

Barry looks set to cost around £34.5m, but there is no doubt that he is exactly the type of signing Everton needs.

Now, according to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, a move for Ipswich Town starlet Omari Hutchinson could be next.

The journalist stated the player would love the chance to return to the Premier League, with the publication specifically name-checking the Toffees as one possible destination.

The Englishman has a release clause in his contract worth £35m and this is surely an enticing proposition for Moyes.

Considering the club’s success at poaching talented players from the Championship in recent years, this is a move the Toffees should be all over in the coming weeks.

With Iliman Ndiaye on one wing and Hutchinson in the middle, Everton could provide Barry with plenty of opportunities next term.

Why Omari Hutchinson could be Ndiaye 2.0 at Everton

Ndiaye was particularly impressive for the Toffees last term. Following his summer arrival from Marseille, the Senegal international scored 11 goals, including nine in the Premier League.

These efforts played a huge part in the club preserving their top-flight status, and he will be key for Moyes next season.

Hutchinson, who was hailed as “dazzling” by Statman Dave in 2024, is cut from a similar cloth and despite not being able to get on the ball as much during Ipswich dismal Premier League campaign, he did shine for England at the U21 European Championships this summer.

Goals

1

Assists

1

Key passes per game

1.8

Big chances created

3

Successful dribbles per game

2

Shots per game

1.5

He scored in the final against Germany, which saw his country defend their title, and a move back to the Premier League now seems inevitable.

Interestingly enough, Hutchinson could perhaps become Ndiaye 2.0, as the Senegal star is his fourth-most comparable player according to FBref.

Last season, the pair registered similar statistics across a range of metrics, including shots (1.57 vs 1.3), shot-creating actions (2.82 vs 2.41) per 90 minutes, successful take-ons (51 vs 68), touches in the attacking penalty area (92 vs 83) and carries into the penalty area (37 vs 32), suggesting the pair offer plenty in the final third.

Ndiaye settled in nicely at the club last term, eventually ending it as their top scorer across all competitions.

Should Hutchinson swap East Anglia for Merseyside, there is every chance he could sparkle under the tutelage of Moyes next term.

It could turn into an excellent signing. That much is certain.

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