Everton manager David Moyes has personally picked out his priority focus for the summer transfer window, according to reliable journalist Patrick Boyland.
Moyes set to be backed by Everton's owners
The new Premier League season may not be too far away, but there is still plenty of time for the Blues to conduct some important transfer business.
In fact, a positive claim from journalist Miguel Delaney has even suggested that Everton’s owners, The Friedkin Group, could make as much as £150m available for new signings, as Everton look to move away from being a relegation threatened team year upon year.
Everton manager DavidMoyesreacts
The likes of James McAtee, Douglas Luiz, Maghnes Akliouche, Merlin Rohl, Takefusa Kubo and Georgios Vagiannidis are all mentioned as options by Delaney, ahead of what could be exciting next month or so.
Elsewhere, Everton are said to be in contact with Atletico Mineiro defender Lyanco over a summer move to Merseyside, while they have also enquired about the availability of Rangers striker Hamza Igamane, as Moyes looks to add more attacking quality to his squad after the exit of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Moyes wants key position strengthened at Everton
Now, according to The Athletic‘s Boyland, Everton boss Moyes is targeting a new right winger as a priority during the summer transfer window.
It is claimed that it “will be top of their list” ahead of the new season, especially after the double exit of loanee pair Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, who have returned to their parent clubs.
David Moyes
A new right-sided option makes perfect sense for Everton, with the position standing out as one that lacks quality and depth currently.
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On the left flank, Iliman Ndiaye has been a revelation for the Blues, wowing with his creative brilliance and scoring nine league goals last season, and they need to look to sign a player with similar levels of ability.
Unfortunately, rumoured Blues target Johan Bakayoko has completed a move to RB Leipzig, acting as a blow to Moyes, but there should still be plenty of options out there.
The aforementioned Kubo could be the perfect alternative choice for Everton, having impressed in Spain and even been dubbed “The Japanese Messi” in his homeland of Japan, such is his quality and style of play.
Japan
50
10
Japan Under-23s
4
0
Japan Under-22s
1
0
Japan Under-21s
2
0
Japan Under-20s
5
0
Japan Under-19s
5
1
Japan Under-17s
7
3
Japan Under-16s
12
4
Japan Under-15s
5
8
The 24-year-old has 41 goal contributions (23 goals and 18 assists) in 137 appearances for Sociedad, and while most adept at cutting inside from the right flank onto his left foot, he can also thrive across the attack. For that reason, he should be considered the Blues’ No.1 right-sided target.
Stepping up their push to seal his signature, Bayern Munich have now reportedly submitted their opening offer to sign a Liverpool star who is now keen on an Anfield exit.
Latest Liverpool exit news
Having already spent big to welcome Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong as well as picking up Freddie Woodman on a free deal, it could now be time for Liverpool to balance the books with a number of exits.
Already, both Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher have sealed departures to Bayer Leverkusen and Brentford respectively, but the exit news may not be done there. After forming a squad now filled to the brim with talent, Liverpool could also sanction exits for the likes of Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott this summer.
For Nunez, all signs point towards a move to Napoli if he is to leave Liverpool ahead of next season. The Serie A champions reportedly see the South American as their dream Victor Osimhen replacement and talks are ongoing over a deal between the two clubs.
Elliott, meanwhile, is another player who could leave. The young, versatile midfielder enjoyed an excellent tournament with England at the U21 Euros – winning the Player of the Tournament – and has now reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers as a result.
Salah's dream CF: Liverpool make contact to sign "incredible" £85m talent
Liverpool are hoping to sign a centre-forward in the summer transfer market.
1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 10, 2025
Although the Reds are willing to let their young gem leave in pursuit of game time this summer, the same can’t be said for another player even as Bayern Munich step up their reported chase.
Bayern Munich submit opening £45m bid to sign Diaz
According to Christian Falk of Sport Bild, Bayern Munich have now submitted an opening offer to sign Luis Diaz worth €52m (£45m). Liverpool, however, have reportedly told the German giants that the winger is not for sale this summer and will reportedly demand around €80m (£69m) if that stance does change.
Into the final two years of his current contract with no fresh deal on the table, Diaz is reportedly keen on an Anfield exit to join the Bundesliga winners this summer in what could cause quite the clash with Liverpool’s sale stance. Whether the Colombian now pushes to join Bayern this summer will be the big question in the coming weeks.
Whilst a new contract remains unlikely, Diaz is still an important member of Arne Slot’s Liverpool squad after an excellent campaign helped the Reds win the Premier League title last time out.
Appearances
50
Goals
17
Assists
8
Dubbed “really special” by former manager Jurgen Klopp, it’s no surprise that a side of Bayern’s calibre are interested in Diaz’s signature, but it’s also, therefore, no shock that Liverpool have so far retained their stance that he is not for sale this summer.
Chelsea have missed out on a transfer target, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano sharing news that the player is poised to remain at his club instead.
Enzo Maresca has watched BlueCo orchestrate a fairly productive transfer market thus far.
Maresca is now pushing Chelsea to sign £150k-per-week World Cup winner
The Italian and his staff are big fans.
2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2025
The Blues sealed a £30 million move for highly-rated young English striker Liam Delap, who’s already got on the scoresheet with his first-ever goal for Chelsea at the Club World Cup, and it is believed that optimism is growing over a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
They haven’t had it all their own way, though, as Dortmund rejected three bids from Chelsea for the 20-year-old before the last transfer deadline on June 10.
Chelsea also failed with an attempt to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, with the Rossoneri insisting on a far higher price tag than Maresca’s side were willing to pay, and talks surrounding a pre-CWC move for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké didn’t go anywhere either.
Maresca’s side are in the market for a centre-back too, but according to Romano, they’ll have to move on from Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite – who’s now been added to the list of players who Chelsea won’t be signing.
Jarrad Branthwaite set to reject Chelsea and sign new Everton deal
Earlier this month, journalist Simon Phillips reported that Chelsea were planning to push for Branthwaite, and there was a possibility that the 23-year-old could ask to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
“Chelsea intend to push for him [Branthwaite] again and there is a possibility that they offer players to Everton in an attempt to get the fee down and make the deal more appealing on both sides,” said Phillips.
“We’ve also heard that he is a little frustrated, on Everton putting such a big valuation on his head. We had initially heard that Branthwaite would not actively push for a move. But it has now transpired that he is keen on Chelsea and could end up asking for the move.”
However, despite Chelsea’s intention, the £70 million-rated centre-back has just been put out of Maresca’s reach.
Romano confirms that Branthwaite will commit his future to Everton by signing a new long-term deal until 2030, dealing a blow to Chelsea and other suitors, who are poised to miss out on the Englishman tipped for a very bright future.
The former PSV Eindhoven loanee was also a wanted man at Tottenham, according to some reports, but any potential move to London will have to be put on the back-burner for a long while.
Newcastle United have yet to show their hand in the summer transfer market, though Eddie Howe and his transfer coterie are hard at work as they look to strengthen the first-team squad.
Heading back into the Champions League, the 2024/25 Carabao Cup champions are looking for new forwards.
João Pedro is the focus of expected talks with Brighton & Hove Albion, but Chelsea have also reportedly opened communications with a view toward signing the Brazilian forward.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
Newcastle chasing new forward
It’s not just focal frontmen on the Tynesiders’ agenda. Howe needs more wingers to strengthen his side, and he is currently mulling over a move for one of the Premier League’s most prominent figures.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are monitoring Jack Grealish’s situation at Manchester City as he prepares to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.
A host of further clubs – like Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Serie A champions Napoli – are all keen, with Everton also interested in pursuing a loan move.
Given Pep Guardiola has issued confirmation of the Three Lions star’s looming exit, Newcastle may well find a smoother path toward agreeing on a financially acceptable deal, one that might set them back around £40m if prior reports are to be believed.
Why Newcastle should sign Grealish
When Manchester City signed Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021, they broke the British transfer record, landing the England international for a fixed £100m fee.
Not quite defined by his prolific output, Grealish’s grasp of the game’s technicalities, his faculty for tricks and flicks and a “little touch of magic”, as has been noted by journalist Henry Winter, set him apart from most other attacking midfielders, bringing something every bit as important as a rifle-crack shooting ability.
But something’s gone awry under Pep Guardiola’s leadership. Now, the 29-year-old is not so much a magician as a machine, limited to a mechanical, structured role that promotes possession play but has clipped the wings of a high-flying player.
Across 157 performances for Man City, Grealish has scored 17 goals and supplied 23 assists. Of course, he’s also won the treble (in perhaps his finest year at City), and many more titles besides.
Howe could bring him back to the fore. In fact, if the Newcastle boss can unlock the door which has barred Grealish’s better football, he might even find a new star man in attacking midfield, better even than Anthony Gordon.
Gordon is an electric and dynamic winger whose performances on Tyneside have been instrumental to the side’s success of recent years, but Grealish at his finest is a cut above.
The City star has a natural bent for the artful side of the game, and it grew his reputation to a record-breaking level at Aston Villa, earning him that mammoth move to Manchester.
Matches (starts)
26 (24)
35 (34)
Goals
6
11
Assists
10
10
Shots (on target)*
1.9 (0.7)
2.3 (0.9)
Big chances missed
4
9
Pass completion
83%
82%
Big chances created
14
16
Key passes*
3.2
1.6
Dribbles*
2.5
1.5
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
1.8
Total duels (won)*
8.9 (61%)
5.3 (49%)
Here we have Grealish’s Premier League data from his final season in a Villan shirt matched against Gordon’s from 2023/24, his first full term as a Magpie, when he was awarded the club’s Player of the Season.
Bringing power, energy and enthusiasm, Gordon was a “nightmare for anyone” he came up against, something he claimed himself while at EURO 2024.
That’s all well and good, but given that Grealish is the “closest thing to Paul Gascoigne” in the eyes of talkSPORT’s Troy Deeney, Howe might just find he could add a new attacking star who’s more nightmarish yet.
Grealish’s desire to win duels, outfox opponents and create for his teammates is exactly the kind of skill set Newcastle need, especially since their Merseyside-born winger has just come off a less-than-perfect year at St. James’ Park, posting six goals and six assists apiece in the Premier League.
Still, though rumours of Gordon’s summer sale float about, there’s no reason why these two mavericks can’t play in conjunction at Newcastle next season.
Manchester City's JackGrealishbefore the match
PIF’s current target earns a pretty penny, taking home £300k per week, and thus would need to reduce his earnings if he wants to find his finest football once again, but if he demonstrates the willingness to do so, who better than Howe to bring him back to his zenith as United look to build on their recent success?
Dream Gordon replacement: Newcastle eye up move for £40m "big-game player"
Newcastle might need to replace Gordon if he joins Liverpool
Celtic are looking to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window in order to bring even more trophies back to Parkhead in the 2025/26 campaign.
The Hoops have already officially confirmed their first signing of the window, with Kieran Tierney due to return to Glasgow after his contract with Arsenal expires at the end of this month.
The Scotland international will join the club on a free transfer to compete for a spot at left-back in Brendan Rodgers’ team next season, whilst Greg Taylor is out of contract this summer and looks to be on his way out of Parkhead.
Tierney will not be the only player to come through the doors before the window slams shut, though, as the Hoops are also reportedly closing in on a new striker.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reports that Fulham centre-forward Callum Osmand has agreed terms to join the Scottish Premiership champions from the Premier League side, and the English team will be due compensation for the 19-year-old attacker.
What Callum Osmand could bring to Celtic
It was reported earlier this week that the teenage attacker is set to be a part of the first-team set-up because Rodgers rates him and wants to provide the youngster with an opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in the squad next season.
That is despite the fact that Osmand has yet to make a single senior appearance in his career to date. He has not been out on loan and has not been selected in the first-team by Marco Silva in Fulham, as he has had Carlos Vinicius, Rodrigo Muniz, and Raul Jimenez ahead of him, three seasoned Premier League number nines.
Rodgers has clearly seen something in the young striker, as he did when Moussa Dembele arrived from the Cottagers in a similar deal back in 2016, and Osmand’s statistics at youth level may explain what the manager has seen in him.
The Wales youth international scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 22 games for the Premier League side’s academy teams during the 2024/25 campaign, and he has been prolific throughout his youth career.
24/25
22
11
4
23/24
29
21
6
22/23
21
11
2
21/22
1
0
0
Total
73
43
12
As you can see in the table above, Osmand has been a reliable goalscorer at youth level for Fulham for several years, and now he is set to have an opportunity to showcase his quality at first-team level in Scotland.
This means that he could bring a goal threat off the bench for Celtic, as a back-up to the likes of Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda, if he can adapt to senior football.
Meanwhile, though, the Hoops are also eyeing up a deal for another player from England who could be an even more exciting addition for Rodgers.
Celtic in the running to sign Championship wing wizard
Pink Un journalist Connor Southwell has revealed that Celtic are one of a number of clubs in the running to land Blackburn Rovers winger Tyrhys Dolan in the summer transfer window.
In the Pink Un’s Q&A, a Norwich City supporter asked reporters if the English attacker was an option for the Canaries this summer, and was met with an unfortunate response.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Southwell answered: “One they like. But so does most of the Championship and the big two in Scotland. I think the level of competition around him has made that a very unlikely prospect, if I’m being honest.”
The journalist stated that Liam Manning’s team are unlikely to sign the 23-year-old winger, whose contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of this month, due to the level of interest from elsewhere.
Celtic and Rangers, along with a host of other teams in the English Championship, are in the running to land the winger, and their interest looks set to end Norwich’s chances of signing him.
Why Dolan would be more exciting than Osmand
Whilst Osmand looks set to be an exciting addition to the club due to his academy record, the young Fulham striker is very much an unknown quantity due to his lack of senior experience in football.
Dolan, on the other hand, has played 210 matches for Blackburn by the age of 23. This means that he is an incredibly experienced operator, despite his relatively young age, and that Celtic would know what they are getting from him.
The English wing wizard, who was hailed as “terrific” by journalist Elliott Jackson, has been there and done it at a good level in the Championship in England, which is why he would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand.
Dolan’s performances in the second tier for Blackburn were very promising in the 2024/25 campaign, and suggest that he could make a big impact at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops immediately if they were to sign him this summer.
Appearances
44
Touches per game
38.1
Goals
7
Conversion rate
14%
Big chances created
7
Key passes
44
Assists
6
As you can see in the table above, Dolan racked up 14 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined for Rovers this season, and that is despite them not being one of the top teams in the division.
Blackburn only averaged 49.1% per game in the Championship, compared to Celtic’s 75.1% possession per match in the Premiership. This suggests that the winger would have more chances to showcase his quality in the final third due to the share of the ball that the Hoops have week-in-week-out.
Tyrhys Dolan in action for Blackburn Rovers.
Now, imagine what Dolan could do in a dominant and front-footed team after he has already proven that he can deliver goals and assists in a midtable team in the Championship. That is an exciting thought!
That thought is also why the Blackburn star would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand, who is yet to prove himself at senior level, as he could hit the ground running by making an instant impact in the Premiership next season.
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Leeds United have now joined the race to sign a “spectacular” goalkeeper, having missed out on Caoimhin Kelleher, according to a report.
Leeds looking to sign new GK amid Meslier concerns
Some of Meslier’s performances in the 2024-25 campaign were cause for major concern, with the Frenchman making a number of key errors, which could’ve been costly in Leeds’ push for promotion, although they were ultimately able to get over the line.
Perhaps most memorably, the 25-year-old made a huge blunder to gift Sunderland a late equaliser at the Stadium of Light back in October, while there were also suggestions his time at Elland Road could be over after being dropped for Karl Darlow in April.
Daniel Farke ultimately opted to give Darlow the nod in goal for the remainder of the campaign, highlighting a lack of trust in Meslier, and with the Whites going on to achieve promotion, they have set out to sign a long-term replacement between the sticks.
A report from Leeds United News has revealed that a new target has entered the frame, namely Santos goalkeeper Brazao, with Farke’s side now making efforts to try and sign the Brazilian shot-stopper.
The 24-year-old only returned to his home country in 2024, leaving Inter Milan, but he could now be set for a return to Europe, although Leeds are not the only English club in the race for his signature.
Santos' GabrielBrazaoreacts during the match
Indeed, Chelsea have also set their sights on the goalkeeper, with the Blues expected to make a formal offer for his services in the near future, which could pose a problem for the Championship winners.
Leeds now "one to watch" in race for "outstanding" £25m Premier League ace
The Whites are in the running for a midfielder, who has a plethora of Premier League experience.
ByDominic Lund Jun 3, 2025 "Spectacular" Brazao could be Meslier upgrade
Once lauded as “spectacular” by former coach Carlos Amadeu, the Santos shot-stopper has put in some impressive performances since returning to his home country, keeping 21 clean sheets in 57 matches.
Not only that, but there are signs the former Inter Milan man could be an upgrade on Meslier, having maintained a better save percentage per 90 than the former Lorient man over the past year.
At the start of April, it was revealed the Leeds goalkeeper had single-handedly cost his side 10 points, which could’ve been extremely damaging in their quest for promotion, and he simply cannot be trusted in the Premier League.
Farke’s side may have gotten away with slipping up in the Championship, but with the Whites looking to avoid relegation next season, every single point will be valuable.
As such, Brazao could be an upgrade on Meslier, having impressed for Santos in recent times, but there may be some concerns over the fact he is unproven in a major European league, and Leeds will undoubtedly be disappointed to have missed out on Brentford-bound Kelleher.
Good news, Arsenal fans, the season is finally over.
The last nine months have been particularly draining for the North Londoners, as, for the third year running, Mikel Arteta’s side have had to settle for second place in the Premier League, only this time to Liverpool.
However, with the transfer window about to open, fans can forget all about that and start dreaming about the stars who could soon be making their way to the red side of North London.
With that said, the Merseysiders also seem determined to strengthen their already imposing squad in the coming weeks and months, with Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz seemingly close to joining them.
The German would be an incredible signing for the Reds, but interestingly, one of Arteta’s signings is worth millions more than him.
Market Movers
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Why Wirtz will be a serious problem for Arsenal
Arsenal’s one advantage over Liverpool this season has been their defence, as across the 38 games, they conceded just 34 goals to the Reds’ 41.
However, the champions’ attacking advantage was even greater, with a sensational 86 goals scored to the Gunners’ 69, and with Wirtz in the side, that difference could grow even greater.
For example, even though he’s only just turned 22, the German monster was able to score 16 goals and provide 15 assists in 45 games for Leverkusen this season, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.45 games.
In contrast, Martin Odegaard, the North Londoner’s chief creator, scored six goals and provided 12 assists in 45 games, which comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.5 games.
Unfortunately for the Premier League runners-up, this comparison remains in the future Liverpool star’s favour even when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.37
0.52
Non-Penalty G+As
0.40
0.78
Progressive Passes
9.11
6.62
Progressive Carries
3.54
4.60
Shots
1.88
2.85
Shots on Target
0.53
1.30
Passing Accuracy
82.8%
79.9%
Key Passes
2.36
2.37
Shot-Creating Actions
4.73
5.53
Goal-Creating Actions
0.69
0.87
Successful Take-Ons
0.95
2.89
Carries into the Penalty Area
1.15
1.97
Ball Recoveries
3.66
4.19
For example, while the Norwegian does come out ahead in some metrics, the Bundesliga winner comes out on top in more, such as expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
In short, Wirtz looks like he could become one of the very best creators in the league next season and, therefore, is likely going to be well worth the reported €100m – £84m – Liverpool has already offered for him.
Yet, there is already an Arteta signing in the Arsenal squad that is worth more than that.
The Arsenal star worth millions more than Wirtz
So, while there are a few genuine superstars in this Arsenal squad, like Williams Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, the player we are talking about is a fellow graduate from Bayer Leverkusen’s academy: Kai Havertz.
Yes, before he moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2020, the Aachen-born star was the talk of German football, and for good reason.
In his final season with Leverkusen, he managed to rack up an incredible haul of 18 goals and nine assists in 45 appearances, which came out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.66 games – not much worse than Wirtz’s average of one every 1.45 games this term.
Appearances
45
45
Goals
18
16
Assists
9
15
Goal Involvements per Match
0.6
0.68
While we know things did not work out for him following his £71m move to West London, things have dramatically improved for the German since his £65m move to the Emirates in 2023.
While he struggled in his initial midfield role and hasn’t really looked comfortable there since, he has turned into a more than useful striker for the club.
For example, in just 47 appearances up top, the “sensational” 25-year-old, as dubbed by Arteta, has scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games.
This impact, combined with his age, profile and contract situation, saw the CIES Football Observatory value the number 29 at a staggering €130m earlier this year, which comes out to about £109m, or £25m more than Wirtz could cost Liverpool.
Ultimately, while some may disagree with such a valuation, Havertz has been an incredibly useful player for Arsenal over the years, and just like the soon-to-be Red star, he also enjoyed a brilliant start to his career at Leverkusen.
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Right from the moment Arne Slot got to work in his new job at Liverpool F.C., there was a sense that FSG had appointed a coach who knew his stuff.
But, perhaps, even FSG’s chiefs hadn’t expected such a startling ascension to the peak of the English pyramid; not 12 months into his role, Slot clinched the Premier League, he won it with dominance, Liverpool’s quest never really in doubt after Manchester City peeled away before a harsh winter dragged them down further still.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotcelebrates after winning the Premier League
There’s no question sweeping changes are now needed: Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving for Real Madrid on a Bosman, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is on the verge of joining as his replacement.
Plenty more, such as a striker, since Darwin Nunez is leaving, is needed. However, numerous areas could be strengthened.
Liverpool only brought Federico Chiesa into the fold, signing the injury-prone Juventus star for a cut-price £12.5m fee. Chiesa, sadly, hasn’t kicked on, only starting one top-flight fixture.
The right-sided Chiesa was always up against it, for Mohamed Salah has just produced a talismanic campaign for the ages.
Mohamed Salah's historic season
Salah scoring goals is no new thing on the English scene. The Egyptian has been one of the most destructive forwards in European football since signing for Liverpool in 2017, leaving AS Roma for a £34m fee.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah
The 32-year-old’s season rubber-stamped his reputation as one of the finest to do it. Journalist Uri Levy has even said, “Mohamed Salah has a very good chance to go down in history as the greatest Premier League player of all time.”
And for good reason. Football is a team sport, but Salah has dragged his side toward gold. Across all competitions this season, he’s scored 33 goals and provided 23 assists across 51 matches.
His 28-goal return in the Premier League has also seen him break into the division’s top five goalscorers in history. With a two-year extension penned last month, Salah has a golden opportunity to overtake Harry Kane as the second-highest scorer of all time, behind only Alan Shearer.
1.
Alan Shearer
441
260
2.
Harry Kane
320
213
3.
Wayne Rooney
491
208
4.
Andy Cole
414
187
5.
Mohamed Salah
300
185
He’s a true great, and Liverpool will struggle to replace him. Indeed, it would take an incredible feat to find a bigger talent than the winger, but FSG might just have found such a player ahead of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool make staggering offer
Spanish outlet Sport have made something of a bombshell claim concerning Liverpool and Barcelona, the latter of whom wish to sign Luis Diaz this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Standing in the way of La Blaugrana’s bid is Florian Wirtz, with the Bayer Leverkusen sensation at the top of FSG’s shopping list. The report actually reveals that Liverpool have presented an ‘astronomical offer’ to Wirtz as they look to beat Bayern Munich to the 22-year-old’s signature.
Signing Wirtz won’t be easy, even though Manchester City have pulled out of the running. Firstly, Bayern consider themselves favourites to sign the player, keeping him in his homeland, while Leverkusen are also looking to fetch a sum of €150m (£126m) for their star man.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtzreacts
For now, a waiting game, with the ball very much in the attacking midfielder’s court.
What Florian Wirtz would bring to Liverpool
Wirtz is a young and up-and-coming talent. Oh, he’s also one of the most talented and effective in the game. Former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has even called him “the best midfielder in the world.”
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz
Debatable? Certainly. Unfounded? Certainly not. Wirtz might only be 22 but he’s already racked up 197 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring 57 goals and providing 65 assists.
He’s not just a goal-getting machine, either (not that that’s a bad thing). As per Sofascore, Wirtz has created 29 big chances across the past two Bundesliga campaigns, with his athleticism underlined by physical metrics: he’s averaged 2.6 dribbles and 5.2 successful duels per game in 2024/25.
Given the Germany international’s skyrocketing journey to the highest echelon of European footballers, still so young, he could prove to be the best attacking player the club has seen in a very long time, maybe even eclipsing Salah.
Though ‘The Egyptian King’ has cemented himself in immortality, he was once discarded by Chelsea after failing to make his mark at Stamford Bridge. A career revival with two clubs in Italy propelled him back to the Premier League, but it wasn’t until he was 25 that Jurgen Klopp came calling.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz andJeremieFrimpongapplaud fans with teammates after the match
Moreover, Wirtz has been described by journalist Zach Lowy as a “world-class” player who “could win the Ballon d’Or one day.”
From a wider, longer lens, Wirtz’s minutes will need to be managed to ensure he doesn’t burn out toward his thirties, having featured prominently across his fledgling years and having already overcome an ACL injury.
But his startling output and indeed the staggering £126m fee that Liverpool may have to pay highlight a ceiling that might not even be there. That is to say, Wirtz’s potential is boundless; with such talent and athleticism, he truly could become one of the greatest contemporaries in the Premier League and supercharge the Slot era toward a sustained spell of dominance, both domestically and abroad.
He’s got all the tricks and plenty more flicks besides, but Wirtz is also a focused and intelligent player whose decision-making and application have led talent scout Jacek Kulig to praise his “sensational blend of flair and creativity.”
And he’s only just getting started. With Slot tinkering away at the player’s skill set, we may well see him go from strength to strength and become one of the deadliest players in Europe, if he’s not already.
It’s a high bar to reach for, but he might just prove himself an even bigger talent than Salah.
Their best LW since Mane: Liverpool prepare move for "world-class" £50m ace
Liverpool could be about to land a star who could follow in Sadio Mane’s footsteps at Anfield.
There’s just something about Liverpool. While other competitors ebb and flow with football’s ever-changing tide, Anfield stays strong despite ostensible blows.
Jurgen Klopp left at the end of the 2023/24 campaign and many thought it spelt the end of Liverpool’s success in and around the highest level of the continent’s scene, but Arne Slot has worked his magic and the Reds are cruising toward the Premier League title.
One year before, an entire midfield was washed away, four new parts brought in. Each quadrant of that dramatic rebuild has proven instrumental in one way or another, winning the Carabao Cup last season and now on the brink of loftier acclaim.
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates for Liverpool
This ability to leap over hurdles is something that predates Klopp’s arrival, but it was refashioned upon the German’s appointment. It was his arrival which ensured the loss of the club’s prized possession, Raheem Sterling, would not prove to be the crushing blow that most anticipated.
Why Raheem Sterling left Liverpool
In 2014, Luis Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona for £75m, a bitter blow after the Uruguayan’s brilliance wasn’t enough to get Brendan Rodgers’ outfit over the Premier League finish line in first place.
One year later, Sterling followed, forcing his way out aged 20 in a £49m deal, signing for Manchester City. Steven Gerrard admitted he was “disappointed” in the youngster, who had refused to travel on Liverpool’s pre-season tour after City’s opening bid was rejected.
Liverpool recruited Sterling from Queens Park Rangers’ academy, nurtured him toward the senior stage. It felt like there was so much more to give, and his sale did feel, at the time, like a crushing blow for a Liverpool side sliding back toward mediocrity.
Sterling’s departure was a blow, but so was Philippe Coutinho’s over three years later. Looking back now, neither proved to be to the detriment of Liverpool’s future success – the opposite, in fact.
Man City
339
131
89
Liverpool
129
23
18
Chelsea
81
19
15
Arsenal
26
1
5
At this later stage of a long and storied career, Sterling’s time at Anfield will be little more than an afterthought in his mind, a notion sure to be reciprocated by the Reds fanbase.
But when the memory of Sterling playing in red is dredged up at Liverpool, it’s hardly met with fondness. Indeed, boos can still be heard when the England international collects the ball at his former stomping ground.
Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho
Suarez, Sterling, Coutinho. A common theme through all these disappointing departures is Liverpool’s powers of endurance, their ability to absorb the impact of the loss and bounce back even stronger.
That’s not going to be any different this summer, with the club’s new version of the winger now materialising.
Liverpool's new version of Raheem Sterling
Liverpool fans may have begrudged Sterling his decision to leave the club and join Manchester City, but he has forged a fantastic post-Merseyside career for himself, and Trent Alexander-Arnold may well envisage similar heights.
Of course, he missed out on the chance to play under Klopp’s wing, missed out on the chance to be part of a staggering rise from the rubble, up and up and up to the top echelon of football, where Anfield perches to this day.
Praised for his “world-class” quality by Klopp, Alexander-Arnold has devoted far more of his career to Liverpool than his Three Lions teammate, but that’s not to say his move is any less controversial.
Real Madrid are one of Liverpool’s biggest European rivals. Klopp, for all his glory, tasted two Champions League final defeats against Los Blancos, with Alexander-Arnold starting at right-back both times.
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. It certainly feels like that is applicable when considering Alexander-Arnold’s situation.
Nothing in football is certain, but title-winning success is commonplace at the Santiago Bernabeu, and while things aren’t quite clicking for the Spanish giants this season, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to depart in the coming weeks and Xabi Alonso is touted as his successor.
It’s a new era, one which will excite Trent massively, joining a close friend in Jude Bellingham and many of the world’s best players besides.
No doubt, the thought of pinging balls into the path of Vinicius Junior, of Kylian Mbappe, is an arresting thought indeed, and no doubt a major part in the ball-playing defender’s thought process.
The difference, however, is that the veteran winger left a Liverpool team in transition, not yet christened into Klopp’s dynasty and instead on the ostensible decline after the agonising miss of 2013/14, of Suarez’s flight to Barcelona, of Gerrard’s retirement from the European scene.
Many fans will accept Alexander-Arnold’s decision – which, mind, has not yet been set in stone – but many more will lament his decision to leave his boyhood club, to renounce his status as ‘the Scouser in Liverpool’s team.’
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldapplauds fans after the match
Slot is skipping toward the Premier League title in his first season at the helm; Liverpool have renewed the contracts of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, now set to turn their financial cannon toward significant investment in the summer transfer market.
What more could Alexander-Arnold want?
This situation harkens back to a quote from Klopp when Coutinho was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, now indelibly etched into the Liverpool fanbase’s mantra: “I told him stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour. Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more.”
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jurgen Klopp
Football is a tribal sport, somehow giving rise to the fiercest and purest form of passion. Alexander-Arnold’s decision is his to make, but he runs the risk of ceding a spot alongside the legends of his team, should he leave on a free transfer this summer.
Many will remember him in a bracket closer to those who left before him, rather than among Liverpool’s legendary figures. Perhaps the poignant part is that such a status is there for the taking, merely a scribble away.
He's more creative than Trent: Liverpool make £87m "superstar" a top target
Arne Slot could reshape Liverpool’s creative structure by completing this statement signing.
Manchester City are back in action once again in the Premier League this evening as they prepare to travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.
The Cityzens come into this match off the back of a 2-0 win over Leicester City at The Etihad last time out in the top-flight, thanks to goals from Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush.
Pep Guardiola will still be without star striker Erling Haaland, due to an ankle injury, but the Spanish head coach knows that he can now rely on Marmoush to step up in that position.
Why Omar Marmoush has been a worthwhile signing for Man City
The Egypt international joined the club from Eintracht Frankfurt in the January transfer window and has hit the ground running in Manchester as a versatile forward, who can play out wide or through the middle as a striker.
He started as the centre-forward against Leicester and showed off his goalscoring instincts and technique to pounce on a mistake by Mads Hermansen and fire the ball in off the crossbar.
Marmoush
The 26-year-old sensation has now scored five goals and created three ‘big chances’ for his teammates in seven starts in the Premier League this year, which shows that he has provided an instant threat in the final third as both a scorer and a creator.
These statistics illustrate why he has been a worthwhile signing for City already, because he has made an impact right away and offered quality in front of goal in the absence of Haaland.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Guardiola must, now, unleash Kevin de Bruyne from the start – for his last Manchester derby before he leaves in the summer – to partner Marmoush in attack this evening.
Why Kevin de Bruyne should start against Man Utd
There is, of course, the sentimental angle in the sense that this will be his last chance to play in the derby before his contract expires at the end of the season, so it could be a good moment to bring him back into the XI to have one last dance with the Red Devils.
The Belgian whiz, who has scored three goals and provided six assists against Man Utd in his career, was an unused substitute in the win over Leicester, which could allow him to come into this game fresh and raring to go.
De Bruyne, as you can see in the clips above, has been a sensational creative force for the Cityzens over the years, with his ability to pick out sublime passes and crosses to assist his teammates.
The Belgium international, who Frank Lampard claimed “plays like a superstar”, has consistently created ‘big chances’ for his fellow attackers to find the back of the net throughout his Premier League career with the club.
24/25
12
11
23/24
15
21
22/23
28
31
21/22
25
16
20/21
23
19
19/20
32
33
18/19
11
11
17/18
36
19
16/17
33
24
15/16
22
8
As you can see in the table above, de Bruyne tends to create ‘big chances’ when he starts matches for City in the top-flight, which is why he should be unleashed this evening.
Jeremy Doku, who did not contribute to a goal or an assist last time out, could drop to the bench with Grealish moved out to the left, allowing the Belgian star to play centrally behind Marmoush.
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Manchester City are facing “serious competition” from Premier League rivals as they seek to sign a “world-class” star to replace Kevin De Bruyne.
Apr 4, 2025
This would, hopefully, allow the Man City legend to provide the Egyptian star with the ‘big chances’ he needs to add to his growing collection of Premier League goals since his move to The Etihad in January.