Everton’s search for a match-winning centre-forward is heating up.

The club’s recruitment team are pushing hard to secure a signing who can both lead the line with authority and bring a clinical edge in front of goal.

The profile they are targeting is clear: a striker in the mould of Romelu Lukaku – a player who can bully defenders with physicality and convert chances at a prolific rate.

The Toffees have been crying out for a reliable forward since the Belgian’s departure in 2017.

Now, with David Moyes at the helm and a summer recruitment strategy shaped by ambition, Everton appear ready to act decisively.

Everton's looking at signing their new Lukaku

The club have already turned heads with the loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City, adding star quality to their forward line.

But there is a growing acceptance that, without a proven striker to convert those chances, Everton’s attacking rebuild will be incomplete.

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

The latest target fits the brief, and reports suggest the Merseyside outfit are prepared to make a significant financial commitment to get their man.

According to Football Insider, Everton have submitted a £37m bid for AS Roma’s powerful Ukrainian striker, Artem Dovbyk.

Dovbyk, 28, has been the subject of widespread Premier League interest this summer, with clubs such as Leeds United, West Ham United and Sunderland all linked to him.

However, Everton appear to be leading the race, aided by the fact that Roma are also owned by the Friedkin Group.

The striker is reportedly keen on a move to England, just 18 months after joining Roma from La Liga side Girona.

His final audition came in a 1-0 pre-season win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Dovbyk featured for 80 minutes.

The Lukaku Comparison

Everton’s interest in this “elite target man”, as he’s been referred to by European football expert Zach Lowy, comes alongside other forward-thinking moves in the market.

They are keeping tabs on right-wing options such as Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, both of whom could operate alongside the Ukrainian in a new-look attack.

Dovbyk’s arrival would also provide valuable mentorship to 22-year-old French striker Thierno Barry, recently signed from Villarreal for £27.6m and boasting a similar physical style of play.

The comparison to Lukaku is an obvious one – and for good reason.

Both players stand at over 1.88 and combine their physical power with an instinctive eye for goal.

Career Goals

Romelu Lukaku

286

Artem Dovbyk

131

Source: FBref

Dovbyk’s stats from his 2023/24 season with Girona underscore just how effective he can be.

The Ukrainian scored 24 goals and provided 8 assists in 36 league appearances, helping the Catalan club secure Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.

According to FBref, he ranked in the 97th percentile for goals per 90 (0.83) and the 97th percentile for expected goals per 90 (0.84), demonstrating the kind of consistency that Everton have been missing for years.

Crucially, Dovbyk isn’t one-dimensional. His link-up play is strong, as shown by his 82nd percentile ranking for expected assists per 90 (0.13), and he is deceptively adept with the ball at his feet, completing 68% of his take-ons.

He also wins nearly half of his aerial duels, adding to his utility as both a hold-up player and a set-piece threat.

When comparing him to Lukaku’s time at Everton, the parallels are striking.

Lukaku scored 87 goals in 166 appearances for the club, registering double figures in the league for four consecutive seasons.

His best campaign, the 2016/17 season, saw him score 25 league goals and claim six assists – earning him Everton’s Player of the Season award.

Like Dovbyk, Lukaku thrived on using his physicality to dominate defenders.

Dovbyk offers a similar promise – a striker who can be the focal point of the attack, hold off multiple defenders, and still find the back of the net with regularity.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The timing of this potential transfer could be transformative for the club.

Moyes’ side start their Premier League campaign on Monday against Leeds United and adding a striker of Dovbyk’s calibre before the window closes would give the squad a major psychological lift.

The prospect of linking him with Grealish, as well as emerging talents like Barry, hints at an Everton attack that could be both physically overwhelming and tactically versatile.

Furthermore, Everton’s recent struggles in front of goal have been as much about chance creation as finishing.

With Grealish capable of threading passes through tight defences and potential additions on the flanks to stretch play, Dovbyk could find himself in the kind of service-rich environment that allows him to replicate his Girona numbers.

For Everton, this feels like more than just another signing.

It’s a chance to reconnect with an identity that once made them a feared opponent – a team built around a powerful, relentless striker who can decide games almost single-handedly.

In Dovbyk, they may have found their next Lukaku.

Related Better move than Grealish: Everton looking to sign "unstoppable" £17m CF

As Everton look to bolster their forward options, with Jack Grealish potentially on his way, the Toffees could also sign an “unstoppable” £17m striker

Posts ByBen Gray

Celtic have been chasing a striker all window and could now be set to land an experienced goalscorer who has his heart set on a move to Parkhead, according to a report.

Brendan Rodgers responds to Celtic transfer speculation

Brendan Rodgers has been asked plenty of times about transfer speculation this window and the questions aren’t about to stop any time soon, given his side need to secure arrivals to prepare them for a two-legged Champions League playoff against Kairat Almaty.

Speaking after his side saw off Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup last week, the Irishman stated in his press conference that he is hopeful arrivals will come in sooner rather than later to bolster his squad.

He said: “Hopefully would be the answer to that. We have right up until, I believe it’s the day before the game, to change our squad so hopefully that can be the case. We hope that we can improve it, and hopefully by then we will do.”

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s loan from Manchester City was the last signing Celtic made, albeit West Ham United star Andy Irving is open to joining the Bhoys if he is allowed to leave the London Stadium before the end of the window.

Royal Antwerp star Michel-Ange Balikwisha is also on the Bhoys’ radar and may be a solution out wide. However, it remains to be seen how the Scottish Premiership champions go about strengthening in the forward areas.

Plenty of work remains to be done ahead of the close of play, and Celtic could now be well in contention to land a striker who has seen and done it all across his distinguished career.

Jamie Vardy has his 'heart set' on move to Celtic

According to The Sun, Jamie Vardy has his heart set on a move to Celtic and is reportedly desperate to reunite with Rodgers before the window closes, with the Hoops boss hoping to make a move.

West Ham United, Wrexham and Brentford are also keen on the free agent, who has enlisted the help of a personal trainer to keep fit since his departure from Leicester City.

Related Deal close: Nottingham Forest in advanced talks to sign Celtic "sensation"

The youngster has already captained his national team.

Posts ByCallum Kemp

The ex-England international believes he can play on for another season or two and will hope to replicate his goalscoring exploits south of the border, where he has netted 244 times across all competitions for club and country.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Last term, he hit the net ten times in 36 appearances, showing he still has plenty left to give in someone’s forward line despite turning 38 at the start of the year.

Now, it remains to be seen if Celtic can push a deal over the line, though the fact Vardy is seemingly relishing a shot at life north of the border will fill supporters with optimism.

Other Premier League sides did more business, but Chelsea still had a busy end to the summer transfer window.

The club finally got their hands on Alejandro Garnacho, opted against signing Fermin Lopez, and made a surprise move to bring in Facundo Buonanotte on a season-long loan – without an option or obligation to buy.

Additionally, the Blues decided to cancel Marc Guiu’s loan to Sunderland following the recent injury to Liam Delap.

However, that’s a decision they might not have needed to make, as they’ve already got an incredibly talented youngster who could’ve filled in.

Chelsea's striker situation

There is plenty of optimism around Chelsea and what they could achieve this season, and rightly so, but things are currently far from ideal in the striker department.

In the win over Fulham on Saturday, Liam Delap started up top, and while he looked lively in the opening exchanges, he had to come off in just the 14th minute with a hamstring injury, which will keep him out of the action for eight to ten weeks.

The sudden setback for the Englishman caused the club to momentarily stop Nicolas Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich, only for the Senegalese striker to make it quite clear he wanted to go.

Now, Maresca does still have a fit Joao Pedro to call on, but until Cole Palmer is fit enough to come back into the side, the Brazilian is likely to continue as the team’s ten or second striker.

So, with there being minimal options on the market, the West Londoners decided that the best route to take was to cancel Guiu’s loan to Sunderland.

After all, the young Spaniard did score six goals in 16 appearances for the side last season, and had already bagged one in three games for the Black Cats.

However, while that might serve Maresca in the short term, it could limit the 19-year-old’s long-term development, and it might not have even been necessary, as there is a youngster in the academy who deserves a chance to fill in.

The Chelsea youngster who should be in the squad

Few, if any, top academies can match Cobham for the sheer number of quality players it produces, and it looks like the next success of the production line could be Shumaira Mheuka.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Expand Collapse

It’s almost certain that fans outside of Chelsea have little to no idea who the 17-year-old gem is, but fans of the club would have seen him make several first-team appearances last season.

Maresca trusted the Birmingham-born gem to come off the bench four times in the Conference League and even once in the Premier League, at home to Southampton.

He might not have got onto the scoresheet in any of those cameos, but do not get it twisted, the youngster looks to be a lean, mean goalscoring machine.

For example, in 53 appearances for the West Londoners’ youth sides, the young ace, whom one analyst has dubbed one of the “brightest young strikers in England,” has scored 26 goals and provided six assists.

That comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.65 games, which is a more than encouraging rate of return.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It’s also better than Guiu managed in his youth team days, as in 25 games for Barcelona’s junior sides, he scored eight goals and provided four assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.08 games.

Mheuka vs Guiu at Youth Level

Players

Mheuka

Guiu

Appearances

53

25

Goals

26

8

Assists

6

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.60

0.56

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Now, it would be absurd to expect the youngster to come into the side and make loads of appearances, but he could certainly fulfil the role as a backup and someone who plays in the less important games.

After all, how is he going to take the next step unless he is exposed to more senior football, and with respected talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbing him “the future of Chelsea and English football,” Maresca might want to get him in the squad as soon as possible, in case another team comes along and offers him just that.

Ultimately, while it would have been something of a risk, the Blues should have let Guiu remain out on loan for his own development, and used Mheuka as the backup option – he deserves a shot.

Related Jamie Carragher has named the Chelsea summer signing he's "not a fan" of

The Sky Sports pundit is already skeptical about one of Enzo Maresca’s new additions.

Posts ByDominic Lund

The Manchester Derby may have lost its sense of glitz and glamour in recent years, not least for those of a Manchester United persuasion, although this is a fixture that has often provided a headline-grabbing moment.

Be it the image of Michael Owen tearing away in celebration, with a furious Mark Hughes watching on from the touchline. Be it Paul Scholes’ last-gasp header – and that subsequent Gary Neville kiss.

Be it even Amad Diallo lofting the ball over Ederson before squeezing home from the angle last season, sparking a rare highlight in an otherwise dour tenure for manager Ruben Amorim.

The Portuguese coach – who has lost just once in five meetings with Pep Guardiola – is in need of similar magic on Sunday afternoon. That said, the Red Devils head to the Etihad to face a Manchester City side who are actually below them in the Premier League table.

The hosts are amid something of an injury crisis, although United have issues of their own…

Latest Man Utd team news

How do you solve a problem like Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount?

Yes, Amorim confirmed the frustrating news on Friday afternoon that both men will be absent for Sunday’s tussle, albeit while having failed to provide an update on just when the pair can be expected to return to action.

In the case of Cunha, the Brazilian was forced off on the hour mark in the most recent 3-2 win over Burnley, appearing to pull his hamstring just days after playing the full 90 minutes in the drab penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby.

The other part of a fluid forward line in the early weeks of the season, excluding fellow new recruit Bryan Mbeumo, had been Mount, with the Englishman notably starting the first three league games of the campaign. For context, he started just eight top-flight games in total last term, and only five the year prior.

Unfortunately for United’s number seven, he too was withdrawn against the Clarets in what looked to be a cautionary move, although the news of his confirmed absence marks yet another setback in his stop-start Old Trafford career. Indeed, it was the Etihad which halted his early progress under Amorim back in December.

Usual ever-present Diogo Dalot has also been ruled out after sustaining a muscular injury during the international break, yet the major concern is likely to be how to reconfigure the forward line in Cunha and Mount’s absence.

How Amorim can replace Cunha and Mount

With Dalot forced to watch on from the sidelines, the expectation would be for Patrick Dorgu to slot in at left wing-back, while a decision will need to be made on either the returning Noussair Mazraoui or the aforementioned Amad on the opposite flank.

Chalkboard

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

Expand Collapse

The sensible selection might well be to propel the Ivorian speedster back into the forward line, having thus far looked somewhat uncomfortable operating as a right-wing back.

Indeed, both he and Mbeumo have looked to operate in similar areas, a fact showcased none more so than on the opening day against Arsenal, as they got in each other’s way inside the area.

Amorim may be better served utilising Amad as one of the two number tens, with Mbeumo in a false nine role, then leaving the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes as an option to fill the remaining void.

Benjamin Sesko, of course, may be in the equation, although with the Slovenian yet to fire in his embryonic United career, it could be viewed as too much of a gamble to unleash him from the off.

Man Utd – Predicted XI

Position

Player

GK

Altay Bayindir*

RCB

Leny Yoro

CB

Matthijs de Ligt

LCB

Luke Shaw

RWB

Noussair Mazraoui

CM

Kobbie Mainoo

CM

Casemiro

LWB

Patrick Dorgu

RAM

Amad

LAM

Bruno Fernandes (C)

ST

Bryan Mbeumo

*confirmed to start

The former RB Leipzig man is a risky inclusion, although in Amad, Amorim knows what he’s getting, having seen the best of the diminutive left footer against City last season.

Having first won the penalty after cleverly drawing a foul from Matheus Nunes late on in that 2-1 victory, the £37m signing then produced a moment of magic to complete the comeback, having latched onto Lisandro Martinez’s ball before, well, you know the rest.

Following that statement performance, the 23-year-old drew notable plaudits from a certain Gary Neville watching on, with the United legend even drawing comparisons between the winger and the great Wayne Rooney, due to the pair’s street footballer vibe:

Such praise has also been followed up by Rooney’s former teammate Louis Saha, with the Frenchman noting that Amad has “the same dedication” and “the same desire” as the likes of ‘Wazza’, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs.

Rooney at his pomp was simply a menace in the derby, not just for that overhead kick stunner, having scored 12 times in 31 career meetings with the Etihad side, as per Transfermarkt.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Like a rampaging bull leading the line, the ex-England skipper appeared to relish the big occasion. On the evidence of the last few seasons, so too does Amad.

And so, with the wing-back experiment yet to take off, and with both Cunha and Mount in need of replacing, Amorim surely must turn to the former Atalanta starlet to provide that relentless, Rooney-esque fight from the front.

Related "Exceptional" Man Utd gem was ahead of Amad, but Ten Hag let him go for £0

Manchester United certainly made some questionable decisions during Erik ten Hag’s tenure.

Posts ByEthan Lamb

In almost 25 years as Tottenham Hotspur chairman, to say that Daniel Levy wasn’t known for his deep pockets would be an understatement. Unlike those around them, Spurs were often criticised for putting profit at the centre of their ambitions rather than silverware throughout his tenure.

Meanwhile, when Spurs did spend big, it didn’t always go to plan. They unlocked financial freedom after selling Gareth Bale in 2012, as Real Madrid secured the Welshman for a staggering £85m fee. But what came next was transfer flop after transfer flop. It could even be argued that they only managed to replace Bale eight years later when they signed the man himself on loan from Real Madrid.

The fact is, from Roberto Soldado to Vincent Janssen as well as many in between, Levy rarely spent well in North London. So much so, that we’ve now ranked the worst signings that he made during his time at Tottenham.

10 Clinton N'Jie (£12m)

Whilst Clinton N’Jie is far from the most expensive player on his list, he is one of the most disappointing. The 22-year-old arrived as a player full of potential in 2015, with Mauricio Pochettino at the peak of his powers. He was billed as a player destined for big things and seemed as though Spurs landed the ultimate transfer coup as a result.

In what turned into quite the trend, however, Levy guessed wrong. N’Jie went on to make just 14 appearances for the Lillywhites before leaving for Marseille just two years on from arriving. Failing to score and assisting just one goal in those 14 appearances, it’s fair to say that the winger never lived up to the hype.

9 Yves Bissouma (£30m)

A more recent inclusion, Yves Bissouma, is the topic of much frustration in North London. The talent is quite clearly there. At his best, he is exactly the midfielder that Tottenham hoped to sign for just £30m in 2022. But ability isn’t the issue.

There were many questions about Bissouma’s discipline when Ange Postecoglou suspended the midfielder from club duties last season, forcing the former Brighton man to earn back his redemption and those concerns have only increased under Thomas Frank.

A fresh start provided Bissouma with a clean slate that he has already mudded with disciplinary issues. Frank told reporters after leaving him out of his Super Cup squad to face Paris Saint-Germain: “Bissouma isn’t here because of disciplinary reasons. He has been late several times, the latest one too many.”

8 Bryan Gil (£22m)

There was a brief moment when Bryan Gil was Tottenham’s longest-serving player in the summer and that just about sums up Levy’s transfer struggles in North London. The Spaniard spent four years at the club despite spending much of that time out on loan and never making his mark under several managers.

Like N’Jie years prior, Gil was signed as a player for the future and has since become a transfer flop. That said, at 24 years old, it could be argued that the Spaniard never truly received a fair chance in North London and he could yet thrive at Girona. From a transfer flop at Spurs, it would only compile the Lillywhites’ misery if Gil went on to become the world-beater that they thought they signed four years ago.

7 David Bentley (£15m)

Some went as far as to suggest that David Bentley could be the next David Beckham and that’s all the convincing that Levy needed. He and Spurs swooped in to welcome the Blackburn Rovers star in a deal worth £15m in 2008. At the time, that was no small price, either. Big things, as a result, were expected.

David Bentley

Tottenham Record

Appearances

62

Goals

5

Assists

11

After five years at the club and just 62 appearances, Bentley retired at Tottenham. From Beckham comparisons, the midfielder became one of the most disappointing transfer flops of the Levy era.

6 Davinson Sanchez (£37m)

When thinking about Davinson Sanchez, it’s hard not to remember the time when İlkay Gündoğan left him flailing to score for Manchester City. That in itself summed up his struggles at Tottenham. It wasn’t all bad, of course, but for a £37m player, many expected more.

The central defender thrived at Ajax and showed initial potential in North London, before ultimately failing to replicate the success of Jan Vertonghen or Toby Alderweireld.

Failing to replace star players has been an ongoing trend at Spurs too. They failed to replace Bale many moons ago, failed to replace Vertonghen and Alderweireld, and are yet to really replace the quality of Harry Kane. In a new era without Levy, that must change.

5 Paulinho (£17m)

Paulinho is one of the most memorable Tottenham flops. Mostly because he somehow found his way to Barcelona years later. In North London, things simply didn’t click for the Brazilian, who arrived for as much as £17m in 2013. One of the incomings that Tottenham welcomed with the Bale money, the midfielder was part of arguably the worst transfer window in Levy’s tenure.

In a two-year spell at White Hart Lane, Paulinho made 67 appearances, scored 10 goals and assisted another seven. As impressive as 16 goal involvements may look from midfield, however, those numbers simply papered over the cracks for a player who simply wasn’t good enough in the Premier League.

4 Giovani Lo Celso (£55m)

What was Levy thinking here? Giovanni Lo Celso, to his credit, remains a talented player. Alas, what he is not is a player worth £55m. Once again, those in North London were attempting to finally replace a key player – this time Christian Eriksen – and once again, they failed to do so. In 108 appearances, Lo Celso was involved in just 18 goals.

As Xavi Simons could be about to prove, a player worth around £55m simply must do better. But what makes Levy’s deal to sign Lo Celso so much worse is that he then sold the Argentine back to Real Betis in 2024 for less than £10m.

In the space of five years, the Tottenham chief handed the Spanish club £55m for their best player, watched him struggle, and then handed him back for a bargain price.

3 Vincent Janssen (£15m)

When AZ Alkmaar sold Vincent Janssen to Tottenham in 2016, it was the advice of ‘Moneyball’ baseball expert Bill Beane which saw the Dutchman’s price tag rise to as much as £15m. Unlike Beane’s baseball stars, though, Janssen was not the genius signing that many expected. He was the total opposite.

In 46 appearances, the striker managed just six goals and four assists. He remains one of the worst strikers in Spurs’ Premier League history and his presence only enhances the reputation of Harry Kane, who bailed Levy out after his transfer mistake.

2 Roberto Soldado (£26m)

If Tottenham fans thought Janssen was bad, then it may be best to avoid their verdict on Roberto Soldado. Signed for around £26m, using a large chunk of the Bale money as a result, the forward never quite got going in a Spurs shirt. More than anyone, he summed up Levy’s failure to spend well when handed the chance.

By the time that their big-money striker had departed, he had just 16 goals and 11 assists to his name. From the brilliance of Bale, Spurs endured attacking flop after attacking flop until one of their own stepped in to end the most frustrating trend.

1 Tanguy Ndombele (£54m)

If covering distance wasn’t a much-needed asset for any central midfielder, then Tanguy Ndombele may well have gone down as one of the best players to have signed during Levy’s reign. On a technical level, he was outstanding. He was almost a throwback to Moussa Dembele with just how press resistant he was. Physically, meanwhile, he could hold almost anyone off when he was in the mood.

Alas, that mood rarely appeared and José Mourinho’s criticism was never going to help. Some Spurs fans may persist that under a different manager, Ndombele could have thrived. Mourinho was the man in charge, however, and for all his clear talent, the midfielder remains the biggest flop of the Levy era.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has put striker Will Osula on red alert for the Premier League after seeing him score twice as the holders booked their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 4-1 win against Bradford.

The 22-year-old Dane scored the Magpies’ second and final goals against the League One leaders at St James’ Park to highlight his development, and with record signing Nick Woltemade still coming to terms with English football and Yoane Wissa injured, he has been told he could get his chance amid a hectic schedule.

Asked how close Osula, on £25,000-a-week, is to starting a league game, Howe said:

Howe impressed with Newcastle forward Osula in training

Osula, rarely seen this season with just over 200 minutes of game time, arrived at the club from Sheffield United as a raw youngster last summer, and Howe and his coaches have since gone to work with him on the training ground.

Newcastle largely dominated throughout and the game was effectively over when Joelinton and Osula struck after 17 and 19 minutes respectively.

However, thanks to the efforts of City goalkeeper Sam Walker and some sub-standard finishing, they had to wait until the 75th minute for the Brazilian to make it 3-0, and although lifelong Magpies fan Andy Cook reduced the deficit, Osula scored again at the death to wrap up a comfortable win.

Howe said: “It was always going to be a difficult game. Nobody makes anything easy for you. Bradford are top of their league and full of confidence, so we needed an element of patience in our performance. But once we got into our groove, we were good.”

Related Worse than Miley: Howe must drop Newcastle flop who lost 100% of his duels

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe should drop this flop who was worse than Lewis Miley.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery

Opposite number Graham Alexander, who played under Howe during his spell in charge at Burnley, was happy with much of what he saw from his side on a difficult night on Tyneside.

Asked what they had learned, he said with a smile: “We learned what a Champions League team looks like up close.”

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

On Cook’s goal, he added: “He’s a proper lad, he’s been a big player for this club for the last three or four years and everyone knows about his support for Newcastle, but he’s also got a massive bond with our club as well, so it was a special night for Cooky just getting on the pitch.

“But that’s a goal he’ll be talking about for the next 50 years, I expect.”

Manchester United are looking for consistency on the pitch and Ruben Amorim is at the centre of plenty of debate as INEOS aim to build for the future at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim firm on his future as United cruise past Sunderland

The Red Devils are hoping to climb their way up the Premier League table despite suffering an inconsistent start to the campaign, moving into the top half courtesy of a smooth day despite the blustery conditions against Sunderland.

Benjamin Sesko scored his second goal of the season and first at Old Trafford after a fine finish, after Mason Mount had given the hosts the lead on a windy Saturday afternoon.

As expected, the former Sporting boss is adamant that he is the man to take the club forward and won’t leave of his own accord, claiming that he will give ‘everything’ to succeed under the pressure of the job.

He stated before his side took on Sunderland: “No, that is a decision of the board. I cannot do that (resign). Sometimes I have that feeling and losing is hard, not to create the momentum. It’s so frustrating when you create the momentum, go to the next game, something happens. That feeling sometimes hurts me a lot. Also the players and especially the staff here.”

Later, he added: “It’s a dream to be here and I want to continue here and I want to fight for this. But the problem is now what makes me suffer is to lose games, not to lose my job. You fear to lose your job when you have to pay the bills and I don’t have that feeling.”

On the pitch, calls for Kobbie Mainoo to be a regular Manchester United starter moving forward are amplifying, and it remains to be seen if other changes are made to build momentum once the international break concludes.

Nevertheless, contingency planning is an important part of football, and the Red Devils could turn to an internal face who is a renowned name at Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher could take over at Man Utd

According to The Sun, Manchester United Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher could succeed Amorim on an interim basis after his impressive start to life with the academy outfit.

Making a positive impact with his dynamic style of play, the former Scotland international has internally wowed Old Trafford chiefs and could make a surprise return to the Old Trafford scene, this time in the dugout.

Related "First class" manager who brings "fun factor" to training speaks about links to Man Utd

Ruben Amorim is under increasing pressure…

Posts ByBen Goodwin

Of course, that will only happen if Amorim were to move on. It would cost the Red Devils £12 million to make a change, which isn’t the type of capital they would throw around lightly as they aim to bring in reinforcements once the New Year comes around.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Either way, there appears to be a plan in place if option A is scrapped, albeit it remains to be seen how the situation plays out at Manchester United.

Crystal Palace are now rivalling Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of a former Real Madrid player, who “never puts a foot wrong.”

Palace keen on new centre-back with Guehi set for exit

Marc Guehi was hardly short of suitors before the international break, with the centre-back’s move to Liverpool falling through on deadline day, but the Englishman has once again put himself in the shop window courtesy of his performance against Wales.

The Three Lions haven’t conceded a single goal in World Cup qualifying, with Guehi helping his side continue their fantastic defensive record against Wales last week, while also assisting England’s opening two goals.

The 25-year-old has remained a consummate professional, having not downed tools in order to force through a move, but it appears as though an exit is inevitable, given that the Palace captain was left very unhappy with his move to Anfield breaking down.

Consequently, Crystal Palace have now started looking at potential replacements for the defender, and they have now joined the race for Lazio defender Mario Gila, who is also being targeted by Tottenham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states all the aforementioned Premier League clubs are keeping close tabs on Gila, who could command a huge transfer fee.

Related Crystal Palace now plotting move for £31m "freak of nature" to replace Wharton

The Eagles are looking to sign a new central midfielder, amid widespread interest in Adam Wharton.

Posts ByDominic Lund

The Italian club are only willing to listen to offers in the region of €45m – €50m (£39m – £43m), which is regarded as an affordable fee for Spurs, but would be a club-record signing for Palace, eclipsing the £32m spent on Christian Benteke back in 2016.

Gila could be exciting replacement for Guehi

Of course, no Crystal Palace fan will want their FA Cup-winning captain to leave, but given that he has shown no interest in signing a new contract, it is wise to start thinking about potential replacements.

Moreover, the Lazio defender could be an exciting option, given that he is experienced in Europe, having featured in the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League with Lazio.

The ex-Real Madrid man has also received plaudits from Lazio sporting director Igli Tare, who seemed to suggest he is destined for the top level, saying: “He is fast, intelligent and never puts a foot wrong. He can become one of the top 3-4 defenders in the world and it wouldn’t surprise me if Real wanted him back.”

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

As such, it would be a real coup if Palace were able to sign Gila, but the capture of Yeremy Pino in the summer showed that Selhurst Park is now becoming an attractive destination for top players.

Tottenham Hotspur have now entered talks to sign an “elite” new striker, with sporting director Fabio Paratici a big fan, it has been revealed.

Spurs looking to sign new striker amid Tel and Solanke concerns

Dominic Solanke has struggled on the injury front ever since his arrival at N17, with the striker suffering knee, thigh and ankle issues during the 2024-25 campaign, and he has been unable to put the problems behind him at the beginning of this season.

Solanke is set to be out of action for a prolonged period, with it emerging that Thomas Frank may not be particularly fond of the English striker, who was Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice option at centre-forward last season.

With the 28-year-old on the treatment table, Mathys Tel has led the line for Frank’s side in recent weeks, but Jamie O’Hara has not been impressed, and the former midfielder singled the Frenchman out for criticism after the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa.

As such, Tottenham are now ramping up their pursuit of a new striker, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states they have now opened talks over a deal for FC Porto star Samu Omorodion.

Paratici is a big fan of Omorodion’s versatility, and Spurs have held discussions over the possibility of an initial short-term deal with an option to buy, but the Portuguese club’s huge asking price has proven to be a major issue.

Indeed, the Liga Portugal side are set to hold out for a huge fee for the 21-year-old, with it being revealed they are unwilling to let him leave for below the €100m (£87m) release clause in the youngster’s contract.

Related Tottenham join hectic race to sign £75k-p/w star who Redknapp called "tremendous"

The Lilywhites could beat Chelsea to the deal…

Posts ByTom Cunningham "Elite" Omorodion could take Tottenham's attack to next level

Scout Ben Mattinson has made it clear he believes the Porto striker is able to play at a much higher level, having already established himself as a Liga Portugal star.

The three-time Spain international has made a flying start to the campaign, scoring eight goals in ten matches in all competitions, off the back of scoring 19 league goals, in what was a very impressive 2024-25 campaign.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

With Tel struggling, and Richarlison finding the back of the net 23 times in 103 games for Tottenham, it would make sense for Frank’s side to bring in a new striker, and Omorodion has proven he could be a fantastic option.

Over the past five years, Newcastle United’s fixtures with Brighton & Hove Albion have become a compelling Premier League rivalry defined by fine margins, contrasting styles, and tactical discipline.

The Magpies have often found Brighton’s fluid attacking shape difficult to contain.

Their 3–0 defeat in March 2021 under Steve Bruce was a low point in the club’s modern history – a result that underlined the growing gulf between a stagnant Newcastle and an ascendant Brighton.

Eddie Howe’s appointment marked a turning point, and by March 2022, Newcastle struck back with a 2–1 victory at St James’ Park, signalling their resurgence.

That resurgence peaked in May 2023, when Howe’s side thrashed Brighton 4–1 in one of their most complete performances of the season – a result that helped secure Champions League qualification.

But since then, Brighton have regained the upper hand.

Evan Ferguson’s stunning hat-trick in September 2023 sealed a 3–1 win at the Amex, while the Seagulls edged a dramatic 2–1 FA Cup victory after extra time at St James’ Park in 2025.

When the sides met in October 2024, Brighton’s 1–0 away win continued their dominance, meaning Newcastle have managed just one win in their last six meetings.

The rivalry has become symbolic of Newcastle’s fluctuating form – moments of brilliance offset by costly lapses – and no player embodies that sting of regret quite like Yankuba Minteh.

Why Yankuba Minteh was sold by Newcastle

Minteh’s story is one that still frustrates many Newcastle fans.

The Gambian winger, just 21 years old, joined the Magpies from Odense BK in 2023, instantly impressing with his blistering pace and low centre of gravity.

But due to the club’s rush to remain PSR compliant in the summer of 2024, he was sold to Brighton for a fee of around £30m – a decision that has since come back to haunt them.

Since making the move to the south coast, Minteh has thrived.

This season, he has already played seven times for Brighton, registering one goal and two assists, while his underlying performances show his growing maturity.

Yankuba Minteh – 2025/26

Matches

7

Minutes Played

591

Shots

11

Progressive Carries

37

Progressive Passes

7

Source: FBref

His dribbling, directness, and unpredictability have made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting young wingers.

The most symbolic moment came last season when he scored against his former club in Brighton’s home win over Newcastle.

His celebration – part praise, part provocation towards the travelling Toon Army – encapsulated both his passion and his defiance.

It was a reminder of what Newcastle had lost: a young winger capable of changing games.

Minteh’s 2024/25 campaign ended with six goals in 32 appearances, establishing him as a key piece in Fabian Hurzeler’s system.

Internationally, he continues to shine for Gambia, scoring seven goals in 19 caps since making his debut in 2022.

His evolution at Brighton highlights Newcastle’s biggest frustration – selling a player they had barely begun to utilise.

And now, as the two clubs prepare to meet again in the 3pm kick-off this Saturday, Minteh stands as both a warning and an inspiration for Eddie Howe: talent must be trusted early, or it risks flourishing elsewhere.

Newcastle's answer to Minteh

While Minteh is thriving in Brighton blue, Newcastle may already have their answer in Anthony Elanga.

The Swedish international has endured a mixed start to life on Tyneside since his move from Nottingham Forest, but recent performances suggest he’s turning a corner.

Elanga, 23, has been central to Howe’s efforts to reignite Newcastle’s attack.

Though the Magpies have been solid defensively – keeping six clean sheets already this season – their forward line has struggled to find rhythm.

Elanga’s energy, pace, and ability to stretch defences could be the key to unlocking that potential.

His performances have improved as the season progresses: sharper off the ball, more decisive in transition, and increasingly willing to take on defenders.

It’s that blend of directness and discipline that earned him the tag of “dangerous” by analyst Ben Mattinson – traits that made Elanga a standout at Forest and once an attacking outlet under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Much like Minteh, Elanga thrives when given space to run at full-backs, but his tactical versatility has allowed Howe to use him both wide and centrally.

His developing chemistry with Nick Woltemade gives Newcastle new dimensions going forward.

Crucially, Elanga represents something Newcastle lost with Minteh – fearless attacking intent.

The Swede’s willingness to press high, carry the ball aggressively, and exploit space behind defenders fits perfectly into Howe’s transition-heavy system.

With Brighton’s full-backs pushing high, Elanga’s pace could prove decisive in this weekend’s clash.

If he can produce the kind of form that once made him one of Manchester United’s brightest young prospects, Newcastle may finally have their revenge.

He already dazzled last term with 17 goals and assists in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest, as per Sofascore, far eclipsing Minteh’s own record of ten goal involvements on the south coast.

For Howe, this fixture is more than another Premier League match – it’s a test of progress, identity, and belief in youth.

Minteh’s success elsewhere may still sting, but in Elanga, Newcastle have a player ready to define their future rather than haunt their past.

Related Newcastle are brewing the homegrown Elanga in 18-year-old "huge talent"

Newcastle’s attack has struggled this season, but rising star could be the future spark they need

Posts ByWill Miller