Liverpool have “made contact” with a rival Premier League attacker over a move to Anfield in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool in need of Nunez and Jota upgrade
The Reds are expected to have one of their busiest summers in years, with upgrades needed in various positions, despite their Premier League title win.
In attack, a new centre forward is badly needed, with neither Darwin Nunez nor Diogo Jota representing the solution in that area now. The former simply hasn’t kicked on enough in three seasons, while the latter is an injury-prone player who cannot seem to stay fit for a whole season.
Liverpool's DarwinNunezcelebrates after winning the Premier League
Eintracht Frankfurt ace Hugo Ekitike has been linked with a move to Liverpool various times, and could stand out as the most exciting No.9 option this summer, especially considering Newcastle United look highly unlikely to allow Alexander Isak to leave.
Brighton attacker Joao Pedro has also been mentioned as an option for the Merseyside, as has Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz, who could potentially be used in a false nine role, even though it isn’t his most common position. Now, a big claim regarding the Reds signing another attacking player has emerged.
Liverpool make contact with Premier League attacker
According to Foot Mercato‘s Santi Aouna on X, Liverpool have made contact with Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku over a summer move to Anfield.
There would have to be question marks about Liverpool signing the £195,000-a-week Nkunku, considering he hasn’t exactly been a roaring success in a Chelsea shirt since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2023, only making nine starts in the Premier League this season.
Signing the 27-year-old would feel like a gamble by the Reds – one they don’t need to take – even though Thierry Henry has admitted he loves watching him play, and he has been lauded by former Chelsea and England centre-back Gary Cahill, who hailed him as a “very strong” player.
If Richard Hughes and Arne Slot truly feel that Nkunku is the best option to bring in this summer, they need to be trusted, but given his injury record and form at Chelsea, it would be a surprise if that was the case.
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Liverpool’s primary goal this summer remains signing a new centre-forward.
ByAngus Sinclair May 16, 2025
Liverpool would be far wiser to look to sign Ekitike, who is five years his junior and seemingly on an upwards trajectory, following a great season for Frankfurt that has seen him score 15 goals in 30 Bundesliga starts.
Liverpool are making some shrewd moves in the market as they look to build on winning the Premier League title and could now strike for a world-renowned star with talks having already taken place, per a report.
Jeremie Frimpong set for Liverpool medical
Arne Slot and his squad are still basking in the glory of becoming top-flight champions, but there has already been significant movement on the transfer front at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is joining Real Madrid on a free transfer, which has pivoted focus to who could potentially replace the academy graduate’s phenomenal attacking output at right-back.
Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies in action with Bayer Leverkusen'sJeremieFrimpong
Reports suggest Jeremie Frimpong is the answer and is set to undergo a Liverpool medical on Monday before he completes his £29.5 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Commenting on the Reds’ transfer plans this summer, Slot stated: “So, there’s always an ongoing process and we have to make sure that we are prepared if we can strengthen the squad.
“But it’s difficult to strengthen this squad. There’s a reason why we won the league – because we have so many great players.”
Liverpool now completing detailed work to sign "elite" Huijsen alternative
The Reds have officially missed out on Huijsen.
1
By
Tom Cunningham
May 18, 2025
The Dutchman may have a point. However, it would be naive not to expect Liverpool not to try and capitalise on their status as Premier League champions.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has become a known target at Anfield, giving an inkling towards the type of smart recruitment that is expected to occur at Anfield this summer.
Typically, Liverpool have a distinctive style of adding to their squad that is more in line with squad synchronisation as opposed to star appeal.
However, there can be room for both if the Reds’ latest pursuit under is anything to go by.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Florian Wirtz hold discussions
According to The Mirror, Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has held talks with Liverpool boss Slot to discuss his summer transfer plans as interest begins to mount in the Germany international.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also touched base to find out more about where he envisages landing and the Citizens are said to be plotting a double swoop for the 22-year-old and Tijjani Reijnders before the Club World Cup.
Labelled “world-class” by Gerhard Struber, Wirtz has registered 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season, which may go some way to explaining why his valuation sits at a figure in excess of £100 million.
Becoming one of the most talked about stars in Europe, he has excelled as the foil for the main attacker and could now emerge as a source of creative inspiration for the likes of Mohamed Salah should he move to Anfield.
Having said that, Manchester City’s hunt to replace Kevin De Bruyne could be a roadblock as he deliberates before deciding on his next desitination.
Leeds United’s transfer business over the last couple of years has been nothing short of sensational, playing a massive role in their ability to secure the Championship title.
After their failure to win the play-offs in the 2023/24 season, multiple key players departed Elland Road for a move to the Premier League, resulting in the loss of numerous star men.
Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray were all sold, bringing in over £100m in player sales – a simply staggering feat for a side in England’s second-tier.
However, such funds allowed for the arrival of the likes of Ao Tanaka and Jayden Bogle, with both players playing a vital role in Daniel Farke’s side this campaign – as seen by their EFL Team of the Season inclusions.
If they are to secure survival in 2025/26, the hierarchy will need to replicate such dealings, handing the manager the funds to land quality talents who can further bolster the ranks in Yorkshire.
Leeds’ activity in the transfer window ahead of the summer
Even though the window is yet to open, Leeds have already been active in the market, looking to land multiple players to provide depth to multiple areas of Farke’s side.
The midfield department has arguably seen the most interest generated, with Manchester City’s James McAtee and Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes just two names thrown into the mix.
The latter could be available for a fee in the region of £30m after the Saints suffered an immediate return to the Championship, with the Whites looking to take advantage of such a situation.
As for the forward line, Jamie Vardy has been a name mentioned in recent weeks, with the 38-year-old to be a free agent this summer after announcing he would be departing Leicester City at the end of his current deal.
However, if any player does complete a switch to Yorkshire in the coming months, they will have high standards to live up to, based on the displays produced by multiple players during their previous stint in the top-flight.
The Leeds star who could be sold for more than Phillips
Kalvin Phillips came through the Leeds academy ranks and built a name for himself, playing a vital role in the previous promotion-winning season before becoming a mainstay in the Premier League.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The 29-year-old made a total of 234 appearances for the Whites, including 49 in the top-flight, being a key reason why the side finished 9th in their first season back in the top-flight back in 2020/21.
Such displays didn’t go unnoticed, leading to various England call-ups and featuring under Gareth Southgate for the national team at Euro 2020.
He would ultimately leave in a £45m deal to join Manchester City in the summer of 2022, earning the club a huge sum of money, with his career rapidly declining ever since, as seen by his loan spell at now-relegated Ipswich Town.
However, the club have another talent in the form of Wilfried Gnonto, who could leave for a higher figure if he continues on the current trajectory he’s on at Elland.
The “electric” ace, as labelled by statistician Statman Dave, has starred in Yorkshire over the last couple of years after his £3.8m transfer from FC Zurich in the summer of 2022.
He’s managed to find the net on 22 occasions in his 118 appearances, including one against Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season, securing the club the Championship title as a result.
Such performances and tallies have led to interest over the last couple of years, with numerous sides across the globe registering interest in landing the Italian talent.
Most notably, Gnonto was the subject of huge interest from Saudi Arabia back in January, but the Whites refused to sell the 21-year-old, demanding a fee in the region of £50m for his services.
Rank
Player
Team
Fee
1.
Raphinha
Barcelona
£55m
2.
Kalvin Phillips
Manchester City
£45m
3.
Archie Gray
Tottenham Hotspur
£40m
=
Georginio Rutter
Brighton & Hove Albion
£40m
4.
Rio Ferdinand
Manchester United
£30m
5.
Crysencio Summerville
West Ham United
£25m
The return to the Premier League this season hands him the platform to thrive once more, after previously registering four goals and two assists in his last season in the top-flight.
Should he manage to build on his previous term in England’s top-flight, his price tag would certainly increase further over the coming months – having the potential to be a club-record departure.
No supporter will want to lose such a talent in the near future, with the 21-year-old having the chance to build on his success in Yorkshire and play a key role in their survival hopes.
However, it once again highlights the superb work done by the hierarchy in recent times, with such business needing to be replicated during the upcoming window.
Leeds could sign £13m ace who was one of the best young players in the world
Newcastle United have made contact over the signing of a superb defender likened to Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, with a move worth over £34m mooted.
Newcastle continue to eye attacking signings
Eddie Howe will know the importance of strengthening his squad all over the pitch this summer, but it does look as though attacking signings are at the forefront of the manager’s thoughts.
Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has been linked with a move to Newcastle, with an offer of £50m reportedly likely to be accepted by the Premier League club. The former Manchester United man enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 season and could add much-needed youth and quality to the right-hand side of Howe’s attack.
Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga
In terms of potentially audacious signings, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is right up there for the Magpies this summer, considering he has been among the best in the world in his position over the past decade. He could provide outstanding competiton to Nick Pope.
Newcastle are also thought to be among the favourites to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, as has seemingly been the case for some time now, and he could be a perfect addition at the heart of the defence, coming in as an immediate key man. Now, another central defender has been mentioned as a concrete target.
Newcastle make contact over "superb" £34m+ defender
According to LaRoma24 [via Sport Witness], Newcastle, and by extension PIF, have made contact over the signing of Roma defender Evan Ndicka this summer.
The Ivorian is likely to cost over £34m, with Arsenal in the same position as the Magpies, and the player’s representatives are said to have been informed that he could leave ahead of next season.
Ndicka is exactly what Newcastle could require at centre-back this summer, with the 25-year-old at a great age to come in and hit the ground running from the off.
The Ivory Coast international started all 38 Serie A games for Roma last season, averaging 3.8 clearances per game, and football talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “superb player”.
Appearances
38
Starts
38
Minutes played
3420
Clearances per game
3.8
Aerial duel wins per game
1.6
Interceptions per game
0.9
Tackles per game
0.8
Goals
0
Assists
1
Ndicka is now an experienced footballer who has racked up 45 appearances in the Europa League and won 16 caps for the Ivory Coast, and it is easy to see him excelling in a Newcastle shirt.
He has been likened to Liverpool centre-back Konate, which bodes well given the Frenchman’s impact at Anfield, and he could ultimately be a cheaper alternative to Guehi at St James’ Park this summer.
Looking to get their summer business underway, Everton are now reportedly battling to sign a Premier League winner who would instantly become their highest earner.
Everton set to miss out on Liam Delap to Chelsea
Although the summer transfer window is yet to officially get underway, Everton have already reportedly been handed their first rejection courtesy of Liam Delap. The Toffees presented their project to the Ipswich Town star in an attempt to convince him that a step towards David Moyes’ side would suit this stage of his career rather than an instant jump into the Premier League’s top six. As right as that argument could prove to be, however, it was not enough to convince the talented striker.
Set to turn Everton and Manchester United down as well as others in favour of a move to Chelsea this summer, Delap’s decision will disappoint those in Merseyside who would have seen their frontline transformed.
Moyes even confirmed Everton’s interest in Delap earlier this month, telling reporters when asked about Delap: “He spoke to three or four clubs. He’s given us our opportunity to pitch our case. We’re probably a little bit behind the black ball but hopefully, you never know what happens.”
Now, however, the Toffees must turn to alternative options in pursuit of improving Moyes’ frontline this summer. And whilst names such as Gustavo Hamers have already been mentioned, Everton could first push to sign a Premier League-winning attacking addition when the transfer window swings open.
Everton keen on signing Liverpool "monster" who could rival Branthwaite
Everton are lining up a couple of audacious transfer swoops this summer.
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Angus Sinclair
May 27, 2025
It would be some statement from the Friedkin Group and one that could instantly ease Everton’s Delap woes.
Everton now looking to sign Jack Grealish from Man City
According to The Boot Room, Everton are now battling AC Milan and a host of other clubs to sign Jack Grealish this summer, with Manchester City willing to allow the attacking midfielder to leave on loan in the coming months. Alongside the Toffees and Milan, Aston Villa, Napoli, Newcastle and West Ham are also keen, as are clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The former Aston Villa star has won all there is to win at the Etihad, including three Premier League titles, but may look back on his spell at Manchester City with slight frustration, having never truly hit the heights that his £100m price tag suggested he could. Now, after being left out of Pep Guardiola’s squad on the final day of the Premier League season, an exit seems increasingly likely.
That said, even on loan, a deal to sign Grealish may not come cheap. If he completed a summer switch to Everton, for example, then he would instantly become their highest earner by some distance at £300,000-a-week.
Everton’s highest earners compared to Jack Grealish
Salary per week
Jack Grealish
£300,000
Jordan Pickford
£125,000
Idrissa Gueye
£120,000
James Tarkowski
£100,000
Michael Keane
£80,000
Earning over double what Pickford earns at Everton, the pressure would certainly be on Grealish to perform. In regards to how difficult a deal could be to complete, meanwhile, things are likely to be made that much easier by the fact that the Manchester City man is represented by the same CAA Stellar agency as Jordan Pickford.
Celtic’s pre-season plans are starting to take shape, but will they get any new signings over the line before then?
On Monday, the club announced a green and white hoops Clásico, facing Portuguese champions Sporting at Estádio Algarve on 16 July, before confirming they’ll also take on Queen’s Park at Lesser Hampden 12 days earlier.
Celticmanager BrendanRodgerscelebrates with the trophy after winning the League Cup
With trips to Cork, Como and now the Algarve already in the calendar for July, from a destination perspective, this is poised to be an exciting pre-season schedule for the Celtic support, but will they have a new midfielder to assess by then?
Celtic's continued interest in Lennon Miller
As has been widely reported, Celtic remain interested in midfielder Lennon Miller, with French outlet L’Équipe reporting that the 18 year old is valued at around £7.5m by Motherwell, amid interest from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
On Monday evening, Miller made his full-senior debut for Scotland, assisting Ché Adams’ second goal during the 4-0 demolition of Liechtenstein at Rheinpark Stadion, with his performance earning rave reviews.
Thomas Duncan of BBC Sport noted how the teenager exuded calmness while, speaking during the BBC’s coverage, Celtic legend Scott Brown said that “Lennon is really special…nothing fazes him”, adding that he undoubtedly has the quality to break into the Celts’ first team.
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However, with countless other clubs courting Miller this summer, should Celtic turn their attention to another midfield target instead?
Celtic's dream Miller alternative
As previously reported last week, Celtic have ‘already initiated’ talks to sign midfielder Demir Ege Tıknaz.
Demir Ege Tıknaz (Tiknaz)Demir Ege Tıknaz (Tiknaz)
As Mustafa Akgün of Karabük Postası outlines, Tıknaz spent last season on loan at Rio Ave from Beşiktaş, but the Portuguese club have an obligation to buy for around £4.2m, planning to do just that before selling him for roughly double that amount.
The 20-year-old, who is currently with the Türkiye national team squad in America for friendlies against the United States and Mexico, is reportedly being courted by many big European clubs, including Celtic and Sporting CP, so the Scottish champions will need to act fast.
In an interview with the Athletic, Tıknaz compared himself stylistically to Sergio Busquets, stating “I always want to have possession… I’m kind of a playmaker”.
Meantime, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout compares him to another Spaniard, namely Rodri, labelling him a midfield “anchor”, praising his “passing, vision and football IQ”.
Analyst Ben Mattinson agrees, stating that Tıknaz ‘reads the game well’, praising his ‘timing of tackles’ and ability to ‘steal the ball’.
As a result, according to Aryan Suraj Chadha of Goal, he has become one of the most ‘sought-after talents across Europe’, making 33 appearances for Rio Ave of the Primeira Liga this season, scoring four goals and registering two assists.
Nevertheless, the key question remains. How does he compare to Miller? Well, let’s find out.
Demir Ege Tıknaz vs Lennon Miller 2024/25 comparison
Statistics
Tıknaz
Miller
Appearances
33
39
Minutes
2,340
3,398
Goals
4
4
Assists
2
8
Big chances created
2
12
Tackles won (per 90)
2.1
1.8
Interceptions (per 90)
1.7
1.3
% of ground duels won
51.1%
57.9%
% of aerial diels won
53.1%
41.2%
Possession lost (per 90)
7.3
17.4
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and SofaScore
As the table outlines, while Miller is more of an all-rounder and an attacking threat, Tıknaz does come out on top for the vast majority of defensive metrics, namely tackles, interceptions and aerial duels, giving away possession significantly less frequently too.
So, while Miller is unquestionably a big talent, possibly to such an extent that Celtic will ultimately miss out on him, the Hoops should therefore make signing Tıknaz a priority.
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Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin has plenty of challenges facing him in his new role at Ibrox.
First and foremost, strengthening the squad is a priority. Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence and Leon Balogun all left at the end of last season following the expiration of their contracts.
Elsewhere, the likes of Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo and Kieran Dowell may also be surplus to requirements ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, after spending time out on loan last year.
Ben Davies
Add in the fact that Vaclav Cerny, Rafael Fernandes and Neraysho Kasinwirjo all returned to their parent clubs. This leaves Martin short in several areas, notably in defence.
At the time of writing, the only senior centre-backs at the club are John Souttar, Leon King, Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala.
King and Nsiala are only 21 and played just 18 games between them during 2024/25, highlighting the need for another centre-back or two this summer.
Russell Martin watches on whilst in charge of Southampton.
How Martin would love to call upon a player who could command the backline with their sheer presence. Someone who would strike fear in opponents due to their sublime defensive abilities and excellent reading of the game.
Someone like David Weir, for example…
Why Weir was one of Walter Smith’s best Rangers signings
Smith made a host of superb signings during his two spells in charge of the Glasgow giants. Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup and Stuart McCall, to name a few, are all legends at the club who were signed by Smith.
Fast-forward to his second stint and Smith landed talents such as Lee McCulloch, Nikica Jelavic and Pedro Mendes, among others. They all played their part as the Gers won three league titles in a row between 2009 and 2011.
Weir, however, must go down as one of Smith’s most important signings. The veteran centre-back arrived at Ibrox in January 2007 after he left Everton.
David Weir
It was only meant to be a six-month deal in order to help Smith steady the ship. What followed is the stuff of legend.
Weir made a total of 226 appearances for the Light Blues between January 2007 and January 2012, scoring five goals in the process.
His leadership traits eventually led the club back to the summit of Scottish football, while he was a key part of the team that reached the UEFA Cup final in 2008, playing 61 matches that campaign.
Season
Games
Goals
Trophies
2011/12
1
0
0
2010/11
53
0
2
2009/10
51
0
2
2008/09
44
2
2
2007/08
61
3
2
2006/07
16
0
0
Never one blessed with pace, Weir was wonderful at reading the game and didn’t have to rely on matching an opponent for speed, especially with his excellent footballing brain.
While Weir is an anomaly, Martin could look to repeat Smith’s transfer masterclass by moving for a veteran defender who has spent the previous few years playing in England.
Rangers search for a new defender
Since Martin was appointed as the new Rangers manager, several defenders have been linked with a move to the club.
Harry Darling – who played under Martin at MK Dons and Swansea City – was one. As to was Ipswich Town centre-back Cameron Burgess.
While both would be solid signings, adding some depth to a problematic area, the Gers are interested in someone who has far more experience than those two.
According to Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie, the Gers are keen on a move for English defender Conor Coady, with a deal said to have already been “explored”.
Wolves defender Conor Coady.
While Coady echoes Weir in terms of leadership and a solid ability on the ball, at 32, might Martin perhaps take a deeper look into younger targets.
Weir, however, didn’t do too badly when he signed at the age of 36. Might Coady follow in his footsteps?
Why Rangers must sign Conor Coady
Souttar needs someone next to him who can play to his strengths. Last season, Propper struggled to cope with the physicality of Scottish football, making mistakes and often being rag-dolled by opposition forwards. He himself admitted he had “underestimated” the demands of Scottish football.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Coady shouldn’t have a problem in this regard. The Englishman played 22 times in the Premier League last season for Leicester City.
While the Foxes may have been relegated, Coady finished the season with a 91% pass completion percentage, along with winning 53% of his ground duels and losing possession just 4.7 times per game for the club.
When compared to his positional peers across the top five European leagues, Coady’s pass success rate ranked him in the top 15%, while he also ranked in the top 5% for shots blocked (1.26) per 90.
Considering the fact that he was playing in a poor team, plus his advancing years, there is still plenty to like about Coady and what he could offer Rangers next season.
The defender has plenty of experience at the highest level and even won ten caps for England under the leadership of Gareth Southgate.
Southgate handed Coady the captain’s armband during just his second appearance for England in October 2020. Against Wales, he scored his first-ever England goal and was even dubbed “infectious” by the boss following his display.
The 32-year-old has just one more year left on his contract at the Foxes and, with their relegation to the second tier, will he be willing to drop a division, especially with plenty to offer?
Martin should act accordingly in order to try and secure a deal for the defender this summer, as he could well have competition for his signature.
On a short-term deal, Coady could potentially have the same sort of impact that Weir had upon arriving in Glasgow in 2007.
It sounds like a real no-brainer of a signing and one that could ease Martin’s fears about the state of the defence heading into the Champions League qualifiers.
Watch this space.
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Newcastle United’s qualification for the Champions League next season will give Eddie Howe hope that he can lure some high-profile players to Stamford Bridge.
One player they are showing interest in is Jadon Sancho. The Manchester United winger looks set to depart Old Trafford this summer.
The Englishman could cost the club around £25m, and he would certainly bolster their wide options, given his return of five goals and eight assists for Chelsea this season.
It would be a massive statement of intent if Howe could secure a deal for the former Borussia Dortmund starlet. While adding wingers will help the club next season, perhaps it is other positions that require strengthening first.
Newcastle enter the race to sign Barcelona star
One position that Howe must improve is his goalkeeping department. The club conceded 47 Premier League goals last term, the worst defensive record out of any side in the top five.
Thus, bringing in a top-class goalkeeper ahead of another Champions League campaign makes perfect sense.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
According to reports in Spain, Barcelona’s keeper Marc-André ter Stegen could be set to leave the club following the arrival of Joan Garcia.
PSG, AC Milan, Manchester City, and Juventus have all expressed interest in the German international, but Newcastle are also entering the race.
Beating these clubs to the signature of Ter Stegen would be a major coup for Howe; that much is certain. Indeed, he would be an even better signing than Sancho.
Why Newcastle must sign Marc-André ter Stegen
Signing Sancho could prove to be a massive gamble. For Man United, the winger scored just 12 goals across 83 matches for the club. His loan spell at Chelsea didn’t exactly see him sparkle either.
His 41 matches for the Blues saw only five goals netted, and it was no surprise that they declined to sign him permanently. Given the fact that Newcastle can call upon players such as Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, and Jacob Murphy on the wing, do they need to splash out to sign Sancho? Especially with the risks involved with his lacklustre form.
Jadon Sancho for Chelsea
In this instance, making a move for Ter Stegen would be seen as the smarter approach. That’s for sure.
Last season, Nick Pope kept just eight clean sheets from 35 appearances, while Martin Dubravka kept five clean sheets across ten domestic matches for the Magpies.
If Howe is serious about progressing far in the Champions League next season, making a move to bring Ter Stegen to England would be a very shrewd move indeed.
Metric
Pope
Dubravka
Clean sheets
8
5
Saves per game
3.1
2.9
Touches per game
34.8
38
Goals conceded
35
12
Goals conceded per game
1.3
1.2
Pass success rate
65%
76%
He played just nine games last season for Barcelona, keeping a solitary clean sheet. The German has been with the La Liga giants since the summer of 2014, playing over 400 competitive matches in the process.
A total of 175 clean sheets have been kept throughout that period. While he may not have featured much this term, in La Liga during 2023/24, he was excellent.
Across his 28 matches, Ter Stegen made 2.7 saves per game – a success rate of 74% – while he was also successful with 100% of his runs out per game.
FC Barcelona's Marc-AndreterStegenlifts the trophy with teammates afterwinning LaLiga
He was comfortable on the ball, as evidenced by his average of 40 touches per game, while a 94% pass accuracy in his own half suggests the German moves the ball on effectively.
The player was lauded as “ice cool” by popular X page Goalkeeper.com for the way he snuffed out an opponent’s attack in the Champions League in September 2023.
Given the fact that he has a contract until 2028 with the Catalan giants, a move would cost the club, although it hasn’t been determined just how much Hansi Flick will demand for his player.
Sancho would be a fine signing, no doubt, but bringing Ter Stegen to the north-east would certainly turn heads.
Newcastle accelerate pursuit of £60m striker who now wants move to Tyneside
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Arsenal are now ready to make an opening offer for a “fantastic” striker who’s “always a threat”, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
Gunners' search for a striker continues
It appears as though Mikel Arteta may finally be about to bite the bullet and bring in a new striker this summer, with the Gunners being credited with an interest in several different forwards from across Europe, including Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, however, has made the bold claim that any new striker will eventually end up being dropped for Kai Havertz, given how important the German is to Arteta’s style of play.
That prediction follows on from Carragher’s comments back in March, when he suggested that a lack of creativity was the real issue for the north Londoners last season, rather than not having a top striker at their disposal: “The problem they have is not a finishing problem. It’s a creation problem.
“They don’t create enough chances. That’s the biggest problem that they’ve got right now.”
Regardless, Arsenal appear to be continuing their pursuit of a new centre-forward, and Nixon has now revealed they are ready to offer Blackburn Rovers more than £1m for 17-year-old Igor Tyjon.
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The Gunners are now prepared to make an opening bid for Tyjon, who is a highly-rated young striker, although he only featured twice for Blackburn in the Championship last season, indicating that he could be some way off Premier League level.
"Fantastic" Tyjon could be a future star
While he is yet to make an impact at first-team level for Blackburn, the teenager has received high praise in the past, with former manager John Eustace saying: “Igor has been a standout young player since I have been at the football club. He had a fantastic pre-season. He’s just played for England in the week. I was delighted to give him his debut today. He has worked, very, very hard.”
“He’s a 16-year-old boy and we have to remember that. He is certainly one for the future.”
Blackburn U21s boss Mike Sheron has also been left impressed by the starlet, adding: “I love his bravery and his positivity. We asked him to play off the left tonight and he’ll receive the ball in any situation.
“He’ll turn, he’ll try to go forward, he’s positive, he looks after it, he’s always reliable in possession and he’s always a threat.”
As such, Tyjon could be a shrewd signing for Arsenal this summer, and he may one day be capable of leading the line, but their primary goal this summer should be to bring in a proven top-level striker, in order to compete for the Premier League title next season.
Back in the Premier League and on the hunt for reinforcements, Leeds United have reportedly made contact to sign a young Manchester City defender on loan for the season.
Leeds vying to commence summer business
Although it’s still very early days and July is yet to even arrive, Leeds have already reportedly set their sights on a number of potential reinforcements. The Whites will be well aware of the importance of getting the transfer window right. After all, none of the last six promoted sides have survived the following season in the Premier League. With the 49ers’ backing, however, Leeds could be well positioned to put an end to that worrying trend.
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49ers chairman Paraag Marathe spoke about Leeds’ summer plans last month, reiterating that they will spend as much as they can in the coming months. He told reporters: “Whatever they will let us spend, we’ll spend. I can comfortably say that we are going to spend the very last penny that we can. I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be easy, there’s a widening gap.”
Just who arrives with that said is the big question. Names such as Japhet Tanganga and even Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz have threatened to grab the headlines in recent weeks and there’s no doubt that signing the latter would make quite the statement.
Since leaving Aston Villa last summer, Luiz has struggled to establish himself at Juventus and has looked destined to depart for some time. A return to the Premier League would certainly be one way to revive his career, with Leeds now reportedly an option ahead of next season.
Douglas Luiz in action for Juventus.
It’s not just experience that Leeds are after, however. Those at Elland Road have also been linked with some emerging stars who could discover their potential in Yorkshire and keep Daniel Farke’s side afloat in the Premier League in the process.
Leeds express interest in Juma Bah loan move
As reported by Africa Foot, the 49ers have now expressed interest in signing Juma Bah on loan from Manchester City in January. The 19-year-old defender arrived in January before heading straight out on loan to RC Lens. Now, six months on, he’ll reportedly be granted the chance to complete another loan move amid interest from Leeds and relegated Southampton.
Described as a “powerhouse” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Sierra Leone centre-back could find himself wearing the white of Leeds before he even has the chance to represent Manchester City for the first time.
Having impressed on loan at Lens though, the natural next step for Bah should be a Premier League loan move, be it to Elland Road or elsewhere this summer. A player full of potential, the 49ers would be wise to snap up the defender if only for the season.