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All is not well at Manchester United, with Saturday afternoon’s defeat at the Gtech against Brentford keeping Ruben Amorim on nine lowly Premier League wins across 33 matches in the competition.

It’s not good enough, and the ice has worn thin indeed. For INEOS to sack their prized appointment would be an ignominious thing, a real loss of face, but we are approaching the latest critical juncture, and it’s a big one.

Amorim’s candid nature and self-criticism have been both refreshing and blunt, too blunt, across the span of his tenure, but he is capable of picking apart the faults within his Red Devils project. The question is, how much longer can this continue?

Man United host high-flying Sunderland this weekend. The newly-promoted outfit simply have to be put to the sword, else Amorim will join a long list of post-Fergie managers whose tenures became untenable, and they were dismissed.

Already, rumours have cranked up, with the recently sacked West Ham United manager Graham Potter emerging as a candidate. That said, he’s not the only one on their radar.

Man Utd considering recently sacked manager

Potter lasted less than a year in the West Ham hot seat. The Londoners have been in disarray since they parted with David Moyes after the 2023/24 campaign, but there’s no denying the English tactician left plenty to be desired.

Clashes with first-team Irons, including a scepticism over captain Jarrod Bowen’s ability to lead the team, made the 50-year-old’s prospects of turning things around difficult.

Potter is, however, an experienced Premier League manager, something Amorim is not. Described as “a genius” by journalist Sam Morton, the former Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea boss is known for his intricate passing patterns and build-up play, but this didn’t materialise in the desired shape at the London Stadium.

Potter would hope, however, that an ostensibly higher level of technical skill would do the trick at Old Trafford, but there are bound to be reservations over a manager who has failed to hit the mark with each of his past two outfits in the top flight.

Spanish sources suggest INEOS and Jason Wilcox are mulling over making their move if Amorim is sacked, and while it would be a contentious appointment, there’s an even more concerning alternative who has been added to the shortlist.

Man Utd's Potter alternative could be worse than Amorim

Even the most ardent defenders of Amorim’s tactics and expertise as an elite coach would concede that it has been a tumultuous relationship.

And now, the Portuguese boss is running out of time, surely just one or perhaps two bad results away from dismissal, should form not change.

And if push comes to shove, it’s not just Potter on Man United’s radar, with talkSPORT revealing that a three-man shortlist has been compiled, and former Three Lions manager Sir Gareth Southgate is in the running.

It’s actually understood that the Premier League side have been in direct contact with the 55-year-old in recent weeks, even with the hierarchy hesitant to bite the bullet and sack Amorim.

Southgate transformed the feeling around the England Men’s team across his eight-year stint, reaching a World Cup semi-final and falling short in successive Euro finals. Across 102 matches in charge, he achieved an average of 2.08 points per game.

However, there have long been questions over Southgate’s command of the technical side of managing, with former French World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit even labelling the one-time right-back as “boring”.

Given that Man United are engulfed in Groundhog Day, walking in the same old familiar territory in the early phase of a season that saw Erik ten Hag dismissed last year (bearing an identical Premier League record after six matches), there can be no more mistakes.

At the 2024 European Championship, England showed off their mentality by reaching the final against the odds, but they flattered to deceive on the tactical front, with critics even struggling to understand what Southgate’s plan was.

This sounds an alarming echo to Amorim’s own situation at Manchester United, and given that Southgate, who parted ways with Middlesbrough in 2009, has been outside of club management for so long, there is very little to suggest that he would turn the ship around and keep it afloat against the club’s big-hitting rivals in the Premier League.

Typically fielding a more conventional 4-3-3 formation than Amorim’s controversial set-up, Southgate would at least provide some semblance of typicality on that front, and that might do the players good. But would it be enough for it to be a successful appointment, and that after having spent £12m to relieve Amorim of his duties?

Southgate has his perks, for sure. He knows the English game like the back of his thumb, and his man-management skills and ability to cultivate a positive working environment are two facets that would potentially smooth out big wrinkles in the United fabric.

But we cannot ignore the concerns over the depth of his tactical understanding, nor can Southgate’s near two-decade absence from Premier League management be overlooked.

If Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co do decide to part ways with Amorim in the coming weeks or months, it is imperative that they welcome the right successor to the Theatre of Dreams.

The likelihood of Southgate being the one for the job in the long run feels somewhat slim.

Ten Hag sold Man Utd talent for just £10m, now he's outperforming Bruno

Manchester United may have made a mistake in allowing one player to depart Old Trafford.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 29, 2025

Praise continues to flood in for Manchester City phenomenon Erling Haaland, who surpassed 10 Premier League goals in the first eight games of a season for the third time in his career with both goals in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Everton at Etihad Stadium. The 25-year-old has already scored an astonishing 23 goals in 13 matches for club and country this season.

• Haaland continues to smash records

  No player other than Haaland has achieved the feat of reaching double figures in Premier League goals by match number eight, but the Norwegian powerhouse has achieved it in three of his four years for City. If he continues scoring at his current rate, he will score an unprecedented 52 goals this season. Logic dictates that is nigh-on impossible, but logic clearly has not met Haaland.

  The 25-year-old could conceivably reach 100 Premier League goals by early November, his total of 96 leaving four goals to go ahead of matchups with Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Liverpool and a Champions League clash with former club Borussia Dortmund sandwiched in between. The fastest player to the landmark is currently the division’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer, who managed the feat in 124 games – Haaland has played just 105 so far. He is a truly generational goalscorer, and then some – the greatest that English football has ever seen, according to Jamie Carragher.

  Though Haaland himself still feels he has a challenge on his hands to win the European Golden Boot ahead of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

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• Getty Images
  

  Nevin and BBC Sport pundits heap praise on Haaland

  "The man is an absolute phenomenon," former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "He was walking about and looking fairly disinterested in the game. We had hardly mentioned his name. The ball has landed to him twice and never for a millisecond do you think it's going to end up anywhere but the goal.

  "The thing with Haaland when you see him at his very best is that he just looks like a grown man playing with kids. He has got that back again hasn't he? People just bounce off him, his pace is extraordinary and he looks superhuman. He is alive again."

  Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray said on Final Score: "The scary thing is, he has become more complete this season. He is a better footballer than when he arrived at Manchester City and scored all those goals. He was just a goalscorer then, I think his all-round game is improving."

  The aforementioned Shearer added on BBC Match of the Day: "If you are building from scratch what you want as the ideal centre-forward. Look at Haaland. He has goals, pace, strength, is good in the air. Doesn't mind being roughed up, it doesn't bother him if he doesn't have many touches. He is almost perfect."

• 'I'm disappointed he did not score five!' – Guardiola

  City boss Pep Guardiola said of Haaland following Saturday's victory: "Sergio [Aguero] scored a lot of goals with his head but the presence from Erling, his stature is huge. I am really pleased, not just for the incredible threat to the opponent but [that] we found him much more than the first half. That is really important, when you have these players you have to use them. Erling lives for it. Our delivery of passes has been better and Erling is our key man right now.

  "[I'm] disappointed he did not score four or five," Guardiola added. "All jokes aside, really pleased but we cannot rely on just him, we need other players [to score]. Wingers, attacking midfielders. They have to make a step up and score goals. We play to provide Erling with quality and passing but other players have to step up. The chances were clear, and they have to score. At this level they have to demand themselves. Chances from Savinho and Jeremy [Doku] and Tijjani [Reijnders] – they have to score. They have to do it otherwise we can't do what we want to do."

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  Haaland continues to haunt opposition managers

  Toffees manager David Moyes explained a conversation he had with Haaland at full-time: "I wish he had been somewhere else! Most managers will be thinking the same."

  He added: "I thought in the main we did a really good job. But then how can you say that? He scored two goals. The second one was a bit scruffy and we had not given him too many opportunities.

  "Later on in the game, I give great credit to our goalkeeper, the way he defended Haaland one-v-one because we had opened up trying to get a goal."

Arsenal supporters are desperate to see new faces come through the door this summer and Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on their latest pursuit.

Arsenal look to find title-winning formula in transfer window

The Gunners have plenty to be optimistic about heading into the new season as they finally look to claim the Premier League title for the first time in over 20 years.

However, Sporting Clube de Portugal president Frederico Varandas has hit out at Arsenal and Manchester United regarding the bidding process for star striker Viktor Gyokeres, making his feelings clear on the way negotiations will be handled.

He stated: “I see the agent in the press releasing information. I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word. Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.

“Now, blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10. As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres.”

Of course, Gyokeres isn’t the only target Mikel Arteta has identified to bring to North London; the Gunners’ pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko is still very much on the agenda.

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The Gunners could land a long-term target…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jun 16, 2025

Real Madrid star Rodrygo is also being pursued by the Gunners, albeit bringing the Brazilian to the club would be a tall order in light of the financial details needed to make that happen.

The La Liga giants have been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal in the past. Nevertheless, Arteta may need to concede defeat for another target following recent reports.

Romano: Arsenal target Brahim Diaz set to pen new Real Madrid terms

Recently, reports in Spain suggested that Arsenal were willing to offer roughly £42.6 million to sign Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid having made an approach to tempt the Morocco international to the English capital.

However, despite being seen as a cheaper alternative to Rodrygo, Romano has now confirmed that he is set to sign a new deal at the Santiago Bernabéu, quashing any rumours of a switch to North London.

Diaz has already said ‘yes’ to new terms in Madrid, and finding an agreement is set to be nothing more than a formality, which may leave one or two Gunners fans feeling frustrated.

The man himself registered six goals and seven assists in 52 appearances across all competitions last term and is now involved with Real Madrid at the Club World Cup, so it may have taken Arsenal a while to get their hands on him anyway.

New Rangers manager Russell Martin is willing to sell a “brilliant” player in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer update.

Martin eyeing first signings as Rangers boss

The Martin era at Ibrox is officially underway, with the former Southampton boss hoping to bring plenty of success back to the club, having had to watch rivals Celtic dominate the Scottish Premiership over the past decade or so.

The 39-year-old is clearly extremely excited to get started, admitting as much soon after his confirmation as Rangers’ next manager: “It’s an incredible feeling. I’m really grateful to the board, to Patrick (Stewart), to Kevin (Thelwell), for their faith in me. It’s been a tough and rigorous process and it’s taken some time, but that’s what you expect when you want to be manager of a club of this stature, size and expectation. I’m desperate to get started and I’m excited about what’s to come.”

It’s now a case of Martin being backed in the transfer market, with the Englishman signing players who he sees as ideal for him, and Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes could reportedly be his first addition. He knows the player well from his spell in charge of Saints, and he could add quality in possession, having completed 90.8% of his passes in the Premier League in 2024/25.

That said, some current Gers players could depart before next season gets underway, and a key update has dropped regarding one individual.

Martin could sell McCauslandAccording toThe Daily Record,Ross McCausland's Rangers future is up in the airbecause Martin is considering listening to offers for him.It is stated that Championship side Cardiff City are the latest club to show an interest in signing him this summer, with the 22-year-old preferring to stay put at Ibrox.

It’s ruthless from Martin, should he dispatch of McCausland in the summer window, considering the Northern Irishman is a talented young player who has been lauded by Lee McCulloch in the past.

“McCausland was absolutely brilliant. Bubbly, has pace, technical first touch. Tremendous. Playing in this cauldron, given the magnitude of this game, he looked full of confidence. I think the fans really took to him. He really gave the stadium a lift.”

However, McCausland was limited to only four starts in the Scottish Premiership last season, suggesting he isn’t seen as a key man moving forward, so the club do have a big decision to make this summer.

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By
Ben Gray

Jun 8, 2025

He only has two years remaining on his current deal, so time is running out before his price tag starts to drop, and if Martin feels like he is an expendable figure, moving him on now makes the most sense.

Barcelona’s treble-winning 2008-09 team is often considered the greatest club side of all time, as they won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

The best football team of all time

Spain dominated football between 2008 and 2012. The Spanish national side achieved a historic three-peat of consecutive major international tournaments, being crowed European Champions in 2008 and 2012, either side of their success at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Legendary players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique weren’t satisifed with only international success however. Barcelona won four La Liga titles in a five-year period between 2008 and 2013, while also wining the Champions League twice, in 2009 and 2011.

Barcelona's 2008-09 team in pictures

Central to both teams’ greatness was the iconic midfield trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets, which formed the model for how managers across the globe tried to build their midfields for years to come.

The elegance and playmaking of Iniesta combined with Xavi’s control and tempo along with the security of Busquets, who was simulataneously suave and destructive, seemed virtually impossible to beat or replicate.

One of the only teams who gave Barca a run for their money during the late 2000’s was Manchester United, led by one of the greatest managers of all time in Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Devils had won the Champions League title in the 2007-08 season, beating Chelsea in the final on penalties, and made their way to the last two again the following year, only to fall 2-0 to goals from Messi and Samuel Eto’o.

United’s famous ‘class of 92’ were coming to the end of their period of dominance, and one of their greatest ever players, then 34 year-old Paul Scholes, was only able to play the final 15 minutes of the final as a substitute. That may have been a big let off for the Spanish giants, as Xavi once claimed Scholes was the best and most complete midfielder he has ever seen.

Xavi: Scholes was the best midfielder in the world

Speaking in 2011, Xavi heaped praise on Scholes, revealing the England international was on a par with the iconic Spain and Barcelona trio.

Scholes won 11 Premier League titles with Manchester United, and is widely regarded to be one of the best midfielders in Premier League history.

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By
Charlie Smith

May 8, 2025

Many have argued over the talent in midfield of England’s ‘golden generation’, with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and Chelsea goal machine Frank Lampard often put on a pedestal alongside Scholes. One thing is for sure though, there is only one of them who Xavi wanted alongside him in Catalonia.

Burnley are now showing interest in signing a “superb” £10m defender, who is keen on a move to the Premier League in the summer, according to a report.

Clarets set to strengthen after promotion

The Clarets have made Championship history this season, becoming the first-ever side to reach the 100-point mark twice, sealing a return to the Premier League at the first attempt in the process.

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Leeds and Burnley recently made second-tier history.

By
Charlie Smith

May 17, 2025

Scott Parker will, of course, be delighted to have sealed promotion to the top flight, but the 44-year-old will be well-aware that his most difficult task awaits, having been sacked by AFC Bournemouth in August 2022 following a 9-0 battering against Liverpool.

Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton being relegated this season also proved that it has not gotten any easier to avoid the drop after going up from the Championship, so Parker will need to improve his squad this summer.

Despite maintaining a stellar defensive record last term, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now told the Boot Room that Burnley are looking to upgrade their defence in the upcoming window, having joined the race for Union Berlin right-back Josip Juranovic.

Juranovic, who joined Union Berlin from Celtic for £10m in 2023, is attracting the attention of several English clubs, with Fulham, West Ham United and Leeds United also in the frame, and he would be keen on a move to the Premier League.

As such, the Clarets should stand a good chance of signing the versatile defender, who is of great appeal to the interested clubs due to his versatility, having proven himself at left-back for Union Berlin during the 2024-25 campaign.

"Superb" Juranovic has proven himself at the top level

The former Celtic man may be yet to prove himself in the Premier League, but he has 11 Champions League appearances to his name, while also catching the eye with some impressive performances for his country at the 2022 World Cup.

Indeed, the Croatian received high praise from Jurgen Klinsmann during the quarter-final against Brazil, with the former Tottenham Hotspur man saying: “He is basically telling Vinicius Jnr, ‘I’m in charge, I’m the boss here.”

Alex Scott also hailed the defender for a “quality” first-half display, and Croatia went on to win the game on penalties, following a number of important defensive contributions from the now Union Berlin man.

The Croatia international, who has been lauded as “superb” by former teammate Joe Hart, has since gone on to establish himself as an important player for Union Berlin when fit, making 62 appearances for the German side.

The only concern over the signing of Juranovic is likely to be his injury record, having been limited to just 17 Bundesliga appearances last season due to a number of setbacks, but his experience at the top level means he could still be a solid signing for Burnley.

Arsenal have now seemingly held some initial talks over signing a Real Madrid star, with sporting director Andrea Berta looking to the Bernabeu for potential reinforcements this summer.

Arsenal set for busy first summer window under Berta

According to reliable media sources, like Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have already reached an agreement with Martin Zubimendi to become Berta’s first major signing of the next transfer window, following months of reported negotiations.

Arsenal's most expensive signings of all time

The Gunners have spent generously in recent years.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 5, 2025

The Gunners are expected to trigger Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause and seal their replacement for exit-bound Jorginho nice and early, with Berta making a fire-start to his tenure as sporting director.

The 26-year-old’s arrival in north London, as per Ben Jacobs, could even be confirmed by the end of this month, even if there is still an err of caution at the Emirates Stadium.

“Zubimendi, I’m told it is pretty much agreed in principle. I’d be surprised if May ends, and we don’t hear that Zubimendi is an Arsenal player,” said Jacobs.

“Internally at Arsenal, they basically think that one is done. The caution around letting that slip is because Liverpool thought it was done as well.

“Until it’s signed, Arsenal are super cautious, but in terms of contract length, terms, payment around the clause and triggering the clause, all of that Arsenal feel is there and ready to go. It’s a case of saying, ‘OK, let’s get this signed.’ I think we have a very high percentage chance of, in the next few weeks, Zubimendi being confirmed as an Arsenal player.”

After Zubimendi, it is believed Arsenal are looking at signing a second-choice keeper, full-back, right-winger, left-winger and new striker (GiveMeSport), with Mikel Arteta’s side also among the many contenders for Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen’s signature.

Arsenal are said to have already made a formal offer to Huijsen, according to some reports from Spain (Cadena SER), as they look to get ahead of Real Madrid and tempt the 20-year-old with an alternative home in the Premier League.

Arsenal make contact over signing Real Madrid striker Rodrygo

According to Diario AS journalist Eduardo Burgos, £202,000-per-week Real Madrid forward Rodrygo is also in their thinking when it comes to attacking reinforcements.

Berta is widely tipped to sign a new striker when the window reopens, with Arsenal having some contact over signing Rodrygo and are among the sides most interested in his services.

The versatile Brazilian, who’s played on the right-wing, left-wing and as a striker under Carlo Ancelotti this season, has 13 goals and 10 assists to his name from 50 appearances in all competitions – so he’d likely cost a marquee fee if Real even entertain the notion of him leaving.

“He is a special striker, he can play in all positions,” said Ancelotti about the 24-year-old. “He is fast, smart and effective one on one. The learning is over. He is a Real Madrid player for all purposes.”

Today, Liverpool fans, may well be the day Anfield erupts as Arne Slot’s brilliant squad of brilliant players clinch the Premier League title.

It’s in Liverpool’s hands. This afternoon, the Reds must simply avoid defeat against Tottenham Hotspur to put the trophy out of Arsenal’s reach and officially end four years of Manchester City dominance, tying Merseyside red ribbons onto the cup for a record-equalling 20th time.

Liverpool have consumately steered their way through the 2024/25 campaign, Slot’s first in the dugout, with such balance and equipoise, such quality oozing across every corner of the pitch.

It’s been a long time since Liverpool started a Premier League matchweek below the division’s summit – it was the term’s ninth round of fixtures, in fact, before City stumbled.

Spurs and Liverpool have played out some memorable matches at Anfield in recent years, but this could be the pick of the bunch, should the hosts hold their nerve and professionally get the job done.

Slot and his coterie have managed to keep Liverpool treading above the water on the injury front this season, and there aren’t too many setbacks to disrupt this potentially watershed occasion.

The latest Liverpool team news

Joe Gomez is set to miss out once again as he continues his recovery from injury. The versatile defender is, however, expected to feature before the end of the season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored an emphatic off-the-bench winner at Leicester City, but Conor Bradley may well reprise his place at right-back.

Tyler Morton is still out, bogged down by an ongoing shoulder issue. It’s unlikely the young midfielder would have featured anyway.

Fringe stars such as Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa will be hoping for minutes, but with Liverpool in need of a professional performance to clinch the title, Slot isn’t likely to make drastic changes.

However, the Dutchman might make one or two tweaks, with Dominik Szoboszlai in line to be dropped from his position standing proud of the central midfield.

Why Slot should drop Dominik Szoboszlai

Szoboszlai has been a regular feature throughout Slot’s first season at the helm, starting 25 times in the Premier League. He ebbed and flowed last year under Jurgen Klopp, but looks more focused and confident in his football.

However, Szoboszlai still hasn’t mastered the art of scoring, of creating goals for his teammates. Across 89 total Liverpool appearances, the Hungarian has only scored 14 times and supplied 11 assists.

Having now gone five Premier League games without notching a goal contribution, the 24-year-old should be dropped; Szoboszlai brings a load of energy and tenacity to Liverpool’s first team, but pundit Jamie Carragher has recently remarked that the Reds “can improve” in attacking midfield, citing the minimal output as a potential issue going forward.

While he’s not a dramatic upgrade from a prolific standpoint, the hosts might want to consider unleashing Curtis Jones from the outset against Ange Postecoglou’s struggling side, with the England international’s

Jones, also 24, has been hailed for his “special” qualities and “complete” approach by Slot, having played an important role this season as he threads things together in the centre while adding a dimension on the edge of the danger area, driving even further forward when he can.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goal involvements, the top 2% for pass completion, the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area, and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.

This is quite the array of strengths across the sweep of the midfield game, certainly highlighting Jones’ ability to influence a match.

With three goals and seven assists across 41 matches in all competitions this year (just 24 starts), Jones’ ball-playing ability clearly lends itself to a playmaking strength that could spark Mohamed Salah and co back into goalscoring action.

It’s no wonder he’s earned his keep in the Three Lions set-up, impressing on the international stage too.

Not only is Jones crisp in possession, incredibly completing 94% of his passes in the Premier League this season, but he’s also proven himself to be a highly efficient ball carrier, succeeding with 67% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Getting at this shaky Spurs defence will be crucial later this afternoon, for Liverpool’s frontline haven’t been in the sharpest form as a collective, and they will need support from behind.

Jones has also shown his passion, his devotion, toward Liverpool’s cause, and that is a factor which is bound to come into play against the Lilywhites, with the boyhood star certain to be desperate for a standout performance in a match which could close the title-challenging chapter and indeed send Liverpool back to the top of the English pyramid.

That’s not to say Szoboszlai wouldn’t bring his own brand of burning intensity to the contest, but it may be that Jones is the best option to play alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in this one, freshening things up ahead of what might just prove to be a momentous day for Liverpool.

Liverpool want world's "best player" in £77m deal who'd be Slot’s own Mane

Liverpool are planning to strengthen Arne Slot’s frontline in the transfer market this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

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Newcastle United are planning talks with a “scary” attacking player ahead of a potential move to St James’ Park this summer, according to a new update.

Newcastle plan transfers in line with Champions League push

The Magpies picked up three more important points in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, easing to a relatively straightforward 3-0 win at home to Ipswich Town despite a slow start to the match.

While Newcastle’s season hasn’t always been perfect, winning the EFL Cup was a huge moment in the club’s long history, and qualifying for the Champions League would be another significant achievement for Eddie Howe and his players.

The Magpies sit third in the Premier League table with four matches remaining, and while Nottingham Forest will overtake them if they win their game in hand this week, they are still in a wonderful position to finish in the top five.

Newcastle’s remaining matches are taxing, however, with a crucial home clash with Chelsea on the horizon, as well as trips to both Brighton and Arsenal, so there is still plenty of work to do in the coming weeks. Being in the Champions League will help them attract top names to the club, and one such player has been mentioned as a summer target.

Newcastle planning talks to sign "scary" attacker

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle and Paul Mitchell plan to hold talks with Ademola Lookman over a move to the club, as they look to entice the Nigerian away from Serie A side Atalanta.

The 27-year-old has plenty of potential suitors, however, with new Premier League champions Liverpool mentioned as an option, and Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all in the mix, too. While Juventus also get a mention, they are unlikely to be able to afford the £55m being demanded for his signature.

Lookman could be a brilliant signing for Newcastle ahead of next season, hopefully coming in as competition for Alexander Isak, rather than a replacement for him, The former Everton man has scored 50 times for Atalanta, including 18 goals this season, and the best moment of his career to date was a memorable hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman has been described as “scary in tight spaces” by Tuttosport, while Gian Piero Gasperini has hailed him as “truly extraordinary” and “among the best” there is in the world currently. Indeed, he has been somewhat of a late bloomer, going from failed Everton flop to emerging as a truly top player in Europe now at the age of 27.

Attacking reinforcements are a must for Newcastle in the summer, with more firepower required after arguably too much pressure on Isak’s shoulders this season, and the Atalanta ace could be a perfect addition, given he would also provide depth on both wings.

Romano: Newcastle "keen on signing" £70m "tank" with same agent as Gordon

They’ve wanted him for ages.

By
Barney Lane

Apr 27, 2025

The Nigeria international has Premier League experience, making 96 appearances in the competition, and he is at a great age to come in and be a star man for the Magpies straight away.

A player who has been really important for Rangers this season could now be tempted to leave Ibrox in the summer and join Besiktas, according to a new report.

Rangers announce new sporting director

Wednesday was a busy day for the Gers, as they confirmed a deal that they hope can help transform them on and off the pitch, as they look to close the gap on arch-rivals Celtic. Rangers are in the middle of trying to find a new manager, but before that appointment is made, they have announced that Kevin Thelwell is joining as their new sporting director.

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By
Brett Worthington

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The 51-year-old will join Rangers once his contract with Premier League side Everton expires at the end of the season. The Gers stated that finding a new sporting director was made a priority in their football review, and Thelwell has stated that it is a “huge honour” for him to join the club.

“This is a huge honour for me to be joining a club with the size, stature and expectations of Rangers. From the first conversations, it was clear to me how ambitious the club is, and I’m excited to play a part in shaping its next chapter.

“I know how much Rangers means to so many people, and that brings both responsibility and motivation. Rangers needs to win. That’s the bottom line. There’s a strong foundation already in place, and I look forward to working closely with the teams across the men’s, women’s and academy programmes to build something that delivers consistently.

“Of course, there’s important work ahead, especially in the men’s first-team structure, but we’ll approach it with energy and purpose. While change takes time, I’m confident that we can make real progress. I can’t wait to get started.”

Rangers star could be tempted to leave Ibrox and join Besiktas

Thelwell is not yet through the door at Ibrox, but he already has a lot of work ahead of him, as according to Turkish outlet A spor, via Inside Futbol, Besiktas have added Rangers’ Vaclav Cerny to their list of targets ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

The report states that Cerny has emerged onto Besiktas’ radar after impressing for the Gers, especially in the Europa League this season. Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in charge of the Turkish outfit, and the club’s board are keen to back him with signings over the summer.

The 27-year-old joined the Scottish side on a season-long loan deal from German side Wolfsburg in the summer, and as part of that deal, Rangers do have the option to make the deal into a permanent switch. It is unclear how much he will cost, but given he has scored 11 goals in 28 league games, it is a deal that Rangers are likely going to want to proceed with.

However, it does state that Cerny could be convinced to join Besiktas, and if the Turkish outfit manage to secure European football for next season, it could strengthen their bid to sign the Czech Republic international.