Heading into this campaign, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City must have felt confident that they could clinch a jaw-dropping fifth Premier League title in a row.

Unfortunately for the Citizens, Arne Slot’s Liverpool would go against this foregone conclusion and romp home as champions themselves, but the sky blue half of Manchester still have the FA Cup final to look forward to in an attempt to lift some form of silverware.

Then, a rebuild of sorts could be on the table at the Etihad, with midfield reinforcements perhaps needed considering Kevin De Bruyne is exiting City when the season is over, on top of an equally ageing Ilkay Gundogan leaving a lot to be desired.

Man City's transfer targets in midfield

A whole host of names have been churned out subsequently, seen in the likes of Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White being linked as statement buys that could enhance Guardiola’s men in the number ten spot.

Another target thrown into the mix recently has been ex-Norwich City man Gabriel Sara, with reports from France even stating that contact has already taken place between City and Sara’s current side, Galatasaray, over a move.

But, the FA Cup finalists might well seek out alternative targets away from solely landing Sara, with The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards now reporting this week that the Premier League giants are interested in striking up a deal with Newcastle United ace Sandro Tonali.

After all, the Magpies number 8 would be seen as an upgrade on Sara if he was to join, especially when you consider Tonali has been classy performer throughout his St James’ Park stay to date.

How Tonali would be an upgrade on Sara

Whilst Sara has tasted English football in the past when on the books of the Canaries, he has never notched up any minutes in the intense Premier League across his career to date.

On the contrary, Tonali has been a top-flight regular for Eddie Howe’s men ever since his bumper £55m move from AC Milan back in 2023.

This season alone, the 24-year-old star has tallied up 32 league appearances for the Toon, with his consistent, classy performances from the middle of the park seeing him described as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by his agent Giuseppe Rossi, having picked up three goals and two assists.

Whilst Sara can boast heftier numbers in terms of output when starring in the Turkish top division this season with eight goal contributions overall next to Tonali’s five, the Galatasaray number 20 does still come up short in certain aspects of their respective midfield games.

Tonali’s league numbers (24/25) vs Sara’s (24/25)
Stat (* = per 90 mins)	Tonali	Sara
Games played	32	27
Goals scored	3	2
Assists	2	6
Touches*	51.5	60.1
Accurate passes*	33.7 (85%)	35.9 (83%)
Ball recoveries*	5.1	4.1
Total duels won*	3.7	3.4
Tackles *	1.4	0.9
Interceptions *	0.9	0.6
Stats by Sofascore

As can be seen looking at the table above, Tonali – who has even be hailed as “world-class” previously by football journalist Carlo Garganese – would be able to give City lots of energy from the middle of the park away from simply chipping in with goals and assists, with more ball recoveries and duels won on the end of the Italian than Sara has managed in the Super Lig.

Forceful in approach on top of stylishly spraying the ball about, the 24-year-old might well be the perfect midfield addition as City go about revamping all over the pitch, with a steady Premier League purchase helping Guardiola’s side to shore up away from a vibrant Omar Marmoush bombing forward.

Reports do suggest that Tonali is happy to stick it out with the Toon, but if an opening presents itself soon to snap up the Italian over Sara, City need to go all in for the Magpies fan favourite.

The new Bernardo: Man City in contact to sign "ridiculously talented" star

With Bernardo Silva potentially set to leave Manchester City this summer, could Pep Guardiola have his eye on a “ridiculously talented” replacement?

By
Ben Gray

Apr 30, 2025

Newcastle United have been a force to be reckoned with since Eddie Howe arrived in the north-east, but could that be about to change following recent developments?

Newcastle United aim to establish themselves among Premier League elite

Undoubtedly, Newcastle’s focus has shifted significantly in the last few years as PIF aim to bring them in line with the Premier League elite on and off the pitch.

Recruitment has been an avenue where the Magpies have excelled in recent seasons, and Eddie Howe deserves major credit for creating far more success stories than underwhelming signings on Tyneside.

The 47-year-old has placed Newcastle in an encouraging position to secure Champions League qualification this term, while their lengthy trophy drought also came to an end after a heroic EFL Cup victory over Liverpool in March.

Now, the question is how his side plan to take their incredible rise over the last few years even further. Looking towards the summer window, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has become the Magpies’ number-one target, and he could be available for in excess of £60 million.

Girona’s Angel Herrera could also arrive at St James’ Park, though Newcastle will also need to deal with any PSR-related discrepancies to avoid coming into conflict with regulations.

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Stretching ambition levels to the limit has to be the aim for Howe and company. The Englishman has earned the right to take the club forward, but there will always be lingering questions over what the future could hold beyond his reign.

In surprise fashion, Newcastle have now reportedly made an approach for a manager who has a habit of winning silverware on a regular basis.

Newcastle approach former Barcelona boss Xavi

According to Football Transfers, Newcastle have made an approach for former Barcelona boss Xavi to gauge whether he would be interested in becoming the club’s next manager.

The 45-year-old is said to be enthused by the prospect of coaching in the north-east, while the initial contact has come from an internal source that believes Xavi has a global appeal and gravitational pull that Howe doesn’t possess.

Xavi’s trophy-laden spell in management – nine trophies in total

Barcelona

La Liga x1, Supercopa de Espana x1

Al-Sadd

Qatar Stars League x1, Qatar Cup x2, Sheikh Jassim Cup x1, Emir of Qatar Cup x2, Qatari Stars Cup x1

That said, there is an acknowledgment that relieving Howe of his duties would cause an unwanted level of controversy at this moment in time.

Xavi is open to taking on a high-profile project, and his approach is believed to align with the long-term vision the Magpies are looking to roadmap.

Nevertheless, it feels as if any notion of Howe departing for pastures new is some way off, which is a testament to the job he has carried out since arriving in 2021.

This season has been an undeniably strange one for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side are a game away from potentially making it to only their second Champions League final ever, but they have also completely fallen away in the Premier League.

One of the Gunners’ obvious weaknesses this year has been a lack of clinical finishing up top, but arguably, a lack of creativity has been just as much of a problem; Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea all creating more big chances in the league.

Fortunately, the club seem to be well aware of this problem as well, and, based on recent reports, could be set to sign an incredibly creative attacker from the continent, who could be their own Bruno Fernandes.

Arsenal's transfer targets

With it clear that Arsenal want to add more creativity to the team this summer, it’s worth looking at a couple of their other targets, such as Rayan Cherki and Nico Williams.

The former could be available for around £30m, which would be a bargain, as in just 41 appearances, totalling 2894 minutes, the 21-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided 19 assists.

Williams, on the other hand, would cost significantly more, at £50m, but he too has enjoyed a great campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 44 games.

Transfer Focus

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

However, recent reports have now touted another creative attacker for a move to the Emirates: Francisco Trincão.

According to a recent report from the Portuguese newspaper Record, as relayed by the Metro, Arsenal are one of three Premier League sides to have begun talks with Sporting CP for the dynamo.

Manchester United are reportedly one of the other teams incredibly interested in the Portuguese international, who has a release clause in his current deal worth around £66.5m.

It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Trincão’s immense ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could be Arsenal’s own Fernandes.

Why Trincão could be Arsenal's own Fernandes

So, if Arsenal can beat the Red Devils to Trincão’s signature this summer, what is it that could make him like their Fernandes?

Well, to start with, there are several more surface-level similarities between the pair, such as them both being Portuguese, both coming from Sporting CP, moving to one of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ and doing so at 25 years old.

However, there is another far more significant similarity between the two players, one that transcends their positional differences: their creativity.

For all the criticism that has been levelled at Fernandes in recent years, one thing that hasn’t been questioned is his technique and ability to either produce assist after assist or score goals himself.

For example, in 285 appearances for United, he has scored 98 goals and provided 85 assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.55 games.

Appearances

50

28

Goals

9

15

Assists

18

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.54

1.03

Moreover, in his final half-campaign with Sporting, the 30-year-old scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists in 28 appearances, which was an average of 1.03 goal involvements every game.

Now, while the incredibly “exciting” Trincão, as dubbed by former Wolverhampton Wanderers technical director Scott Sellars, hasn’t quite hit those heights this term, he’s still seriously impressed, scoring nine goals and, more importantly, providing 18 assists in 50 appearances, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.85 games.

Just imagine if Arsenal had a player that creative in the team this season; there is a real chance that they’d have at least been in the Premier League title fight for a little while longer.

Ultimately, while it would cost a lot, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Trincão this summer, as he would add some much-needed creativity to the team, and could even become their own Fernandes.

Mega Kiwior upgrade: Arsenal initiate talks for "superb" £34m monster

The experienced international could be just what Arsenal need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 2, 2025

Since Mikel Arteta took charge of Arsenal in December 2019, he’s got more things right than wrong.

After all, the club were languishing in tenth place when he was handed the reigns, and he has turned them into perpetual challengers in the Premier League and now the Champions League.

Moreover, while he has made his fair share of dud signings – see wingers from the blue half of West London – he’s been key to securing some of the team’s current stars, like Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya.

However, when it comes to one player who was arguably allowed to leave too easily, many fans will point to Granit Xhaka, but if recent reports are to be believed, the club are now looking to sign someone with plenty of similarities to the Swiss international.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other midfielders linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, like Martin Zubimendi and Morgan Rogers.

Transfer Focus

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

The former received the Fabrizio Romano ‘here we go’ treatment on Saturday morning, so he looks like he will be on his way to the Emirates in the summer, and given his vast experience with Real Sociedad and Spain, £51m feels like a fair deal. treatment on Saturday morning

On the other hand, Rogers remains a rumour at this stage, but with 14 goals and 14 assists to his name in 52 games this season, his reported £100m valuation doesn’t feel too absurd.

However, neither of these players could really be described as being similar to Xhaka, unlike Andrey Santos.

Yes, according to a recent report from France, Arsenal are now incredibly interested in signing the Chelsea ace, who’s currently on loan with Racing Club de Strasbourg.

The report claims that French giants Paris Saint-Germain are also keen to secure the Brazilian’s signature this summer but that the Gunners are ‘hard at work’ to bring him to the Emirates.

A price is not mentioned in the story, but according to a report from last month, the midfielder could be available for around £43m.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Santos’ ability and potential, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he shares some key similarities with Xhaka.

How Santos compares to Xhaka

So, before looking at some of the other reasons Arsenal might want to sign Santos this summer, what about his game makes him similar to how Xhaka was at his best in North London?

Well, the first thing is that, like the Swiss international, the Brazilian talent has the ability to play deeper as a six but is currently thriving as a more box-to-box midfielder who’s involved in everything from defence to attack.

For example, respected analyst Ben Mattinson claimed the Blues gem has “everything you want in a CM,” from “top tackling ability” to a real level of “composure in front of goal.”

We can see this in his underlying numbers, as according to FBref, the 21-year-old sits in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals and tackles, showing that he really can do both parts of the role incredibly well, as the former Gunners’ ace did in his final campaign in England.

Furthermore, if underlying numbers aren’t your cup of tea, then he’s got the raw output to back up the praise he’s received for his attacking prowess as well.

Appearances

33

Minutes

2934′

Goals

10

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.45

Minutes per Goal Involvement

195.6′

In just 33 appearances for Les Bleu et Blanc, totalling 2934 minutes, the 5 foot 11 “duel monster,” as dubbed by Mattinson, has scored ten goals and provided five assists, coming out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.2 games, or every 195.6 minutes.

Ultimately, Santos would play second fiddle to Rice for a while, but given how incredibly well he has played in France this season, he would be the perfect backup.

Therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him, as he might just be their next Xhaka.

He's a dream for Saka: Arsenal doing lots of work to sign £67m "monster"

The sensational striker would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 13, 2025

Newcastle United’s campaign hangs in the balance, the uncertainty cloaking the gateway back into European competition.

Fourth in the Premier League, two points behind sixth-place Nottingham Forest (who sit just outside a Champions League-qualifying spot), Eddie Howe’s Carabao Cup champions need to hold their nerve over the final few weeks, with fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton looming.

It’s a good position the Magpies hold, though, and Howe will be confident that he can get back into the big time and convince some exciting players to join the St. James’ Park cause.

Indeed, Newcastle have already put an offer on the table for one player searching for a way back into the Champions League.

Newcastle eyeing up new midfielder

Although Alexander Isak’s departure from St James’ Park this summer now looks unlikely, it hasn’t stopped a whole wave of new attackers being linked with a move.

Bryan Mbeumo is one hot topic in the Toon right now, with recent reports suggesting Newcastle ‘can afford’ to get a deal over the line if they were to push hard enough 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.

While strengthening in attack will be key, particularly if Howe’s men reach the Champions League, they must not neglect other areas.

According to Spanish reports, Newcastle have put a firm offer on the table for Girona midfielder Yangel Herrera, with the La Liga club open to the 27-year-old’s sale this summer.

Whether the proposal, worth about €25m (£21m), will be enough to convince Girona to part with Herrera remains to be seen, especially with Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest also keen on a deal.

What Yangel Herrera would bring to Newcastle

Howe likes his midfield to pack a punch. Bruno Guimaraes is silky, stylish and all the superlatives, but he’s also a combative little player, tenacious in the tackle.

Sandro Tonali also has a certain bite to his game, interspersing defensive efforts between the many long, stroking passes that define his style. According to Sofascore, he’s won 1.4 tackles per top-flight fixture this term, winning 54% of his ground duels.

Then there’s Joelinton. A raging bull of a midfielder, he’s a fantastic asset, so much energy and flair as he lopes around the pitch, winning duels, recovering loose balls and generally just menacing his opponents.

That’s not to negate his technical ability, of course, but it’s clear where Joelinton’s strengths lie. Such strengths are hard to replicate, but Newcastle could do just that with Herrera, who for the past three seasons has played for Girona, the first of which he was a loanee, sent out by Manchester City.

Like Joelinton, Herrera likes to get forward and score, ranking among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and the top 13% for touches in the attacking box per 90, as per FBref. He also ranks among the top 9% for aerials won per 90. He’s been described as a “monster” of a player by Opta journalists Jamie Kemp and Robbie Dunne.

The Newcastle midfielder’s data follows a similar track. He ranks among the top 18% for goals, the top 9% for shots, the top 8% for touches in the box and the top 5% for aerial battles won per 90 (also FBref).

Such similarities have actually seen the stat-driven site record Joelinton as Herrera’s most comparable player, hardly that surprising after collating the two pieces of data.

League Stats 24/25 – Joelinton vs Yangel Herrera
Stats (* per game)	Joelinton	Herrera
Matches (starts)	29 (29)	26 (24)
Goals	4	4
Assists	3	3
Touches*	51	52.7
Pass completion	84%	84%
Key passes*	0.8	0.7
Dribbles*	0.5	0.7
Ball recoveries*	5.1	3.7
Tackles + interceptions*	2.8	3.3
Duels won*	5.7 (45%)	7.0
Stats via Sofascore

It’s curious that the players’ metrics are so closely aligned, and it’s more interesting still that Herrera actually outstrips Joelinton across defensive areas. The 27-year-old is a real La Liga menace, and one who could complete Newcastle’s midfield next season, blending that technique and combativeness that Howe likes so much.

With the Champions League on the cards once again, Newcastle have an attractive project which could convince the Girona man to jump ship.

Liverpool could sign dream Trent successor who's 'one of the best in the PL'

Alexander-Arnold’s decision has left Liverpool in search of a new right-back.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 6, 2025

Somewhere in Germany, in a Red Bull Group office complex, Jurgen Klopp perhaps unleashed a few fist bumps when Liverpool thrashed Tottenham Hotspur to seal the Premier League trophy.

Klopp’s self-defined “heavy metal football” left with him at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, replaced by something smoother and cooler in the form of Arne Slot.

Both approaches have borne dividends for Liverpool, Klopp creating a dynasty before his successor took the reins and won the Premier League in his first year in the dugout.

Slot has dealt with adversity this term and emerged on top, but now must contend with the loss of Liverpool’s focal creative source, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Why losing Alexander-Arnold is such a big blow

Alexander-Arnold has been at Liverpool for two decades, moving up and up through the youth floors before knocking on Klopp’s door in the early years of his tenure.

He’s now one of the driving forces behind a sustained period of success at Anfield. Liverpool are a team of many parts, but Trent has been one of the most important cogs in the system, with his peerless passing and eagle-eyed vision making so many opponents pay over the years.

Having won the full gamut, the 26-year-old will depart a fundamental part in putting the Reds back on their perch. He’s played 352 matches for Liverpool, scoring 23 goals and laying on 92 assists.

Real Madrid are the expected destination, and Liverpool now need to find a way to replace their chief playmaker’s output. As per FBref, the Three Lions star ranks among the top 1% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and the top 5% for shot-creating actions per 90.

1

Trent Alexander-Arnold

64

2

Andy Robertson

59

3

Leighton Baines

53

4

Graeme Le Saux

44

5

Kieran Trippier

38

Alexander-Arnold’s one-of-a-kind talent is not something that Liverpool can replicate at right-back. Bradley is an exciting player, but he’s not Trent.

However, Liverpool aren’t against sourcing a new means of elite creativity, having found an interesting solution in another area of the pitch.

Liverpool make proposal for Premier League legend

As per Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Liverpool have made a surprise contractual offer for Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, whose deal at the Etihad expires at the end of the season.

While Napoli are also pushing, Liverpool have a financial advantage over the Serie A’s first-placed side and could blow them out of the water, should they continue to insist upon a pre-contract arrangement.

De Bruyne, a boyhood Liverpool fan, turned 33 this year and has been frustrated by injuries in recent seasons, but still retains an artistry to his creative approach, which is among the finest Europe has seen.

Why Liverpool should sign Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne may not know where he’s going to end up but he has made it clear that he’s still got mileage in the engine and isn’t against winding up at another Premier League club.

It’s been quite the career in English football for the Belgian, who fell by the wayside as a Chelsea prospect before finding a new home in Belgium and then finding his feet and then some at Manchester City, joining from Wolfsburg in a £55m deal in 2015.

He’s one of the most accomplished and decorated Premier League players of his generation, even described as “one of the greatest midfielders ever” by his manager Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne might be approaching the twilight years of his career, but he’s certainly still got it. FBref have recorded that he ranks among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues and the top 3% for passes attempted, progressive passes and shot-creating actions per 90.

Now, why would Liverpool want to pursue an ageing attacking midfielder such as De Bruyne? After all, Slot already wields the energy of Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott’s natural spark.

Well, the answer is obvious. Liverpool need signings, and they need quite a few. Left-back, centre-back. Ryan Gravenberch could do with some competition at number six, and Darwin Nunez certainly needs replacing at the front of the ship.

Sporting director Richard Hughes has got some juggling to do, all right, and bringing De Bruyne over to Liverpool could be a fantastic, stop-gap sort of way to plug a hole and retain the giddy support levels that Alexander-Arnold will be taking with him over to the Santiago Bernabeu.

De Bruyne still has the requisite quality in his locker. As per Sofascore, he’s created 14 big chances in the league this year, despite starting only 17 times. Moreover, he’s averaging over two key passes per game.

This all adds substance to the argument for his arrival. De Bruyne has scored six goals and provided eight assists in all competitions this season, with ten of those 14 contributions coming since the start of the calendar year.

Alexander-Arnold might be leaving, but Liverpool will endure. With surgery required across a range of areas for the Reds, this would be the perfect way to add some new creativity, some Alexander-Arnold levels of creativity to Slot’s team and help him relocate Liverpool’s playmaking hub to a more conventional area in the middle of the park.

For Anfield simply won’t succeed in finding another player like Trent on the right side of the backline.

Dream Trent replacement: Liverpool make bid for "one of the best in Europe"

Liverpool could be about to end their hunt for a player who could fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

ByEthan Lamb May 8, 2025

There will be plenty of change at Ibrox this summer after Glasgow Rangers confirmed that several players will be moving on from the club ahead of next season.

A new head coach will also be in the dugout when the 2025/26 campaign gets underway, as the Light Blues have confirmed that Barry Ferguson will not be getting the job on a full-time basis after his interim spell.

As well as the Scottish interim boss, Rangers have revealed that three first-team players will be leaving Glasgow as free agents at the end of this month.

The Rangers players being released this summer

Rangers have announced that Tom Lawrence, Leon Balogun, and Ianis Hagi will not have their contracts renewed, making them free agents ahead of the summer transfer window.

They are three experienced operators who will be moving on from Ibrox, and two of them – Balogun and Hagi – were part of the 2020/21 title-winning campaign under Steven Gerrard.

Hagi, in particular, played a big role on the pitch this season with four goals and five assists in 24 appearances in the Scottish Premiership after coming in from the cold.

These three stars are not the only experienced players who should be ruthlessly ditched by the 49ers, once the takeover is completed, and Kevin Thelwell this summer, however, as Robin Propper should also be on the chopping block.

Why Robin Propper should be sold this summer

The Gers swooped to sign the Dutch defender from FC Twente to bolster their backline in the summer transfer window last year after Connor Goldson moved on from Ibrox.

Unfortunately, the 31-year-old centre-back does not seem particularly suited to the physical nature of the Scottish Premiership, as opposition forwards have found it too easy against him at times.

Rangers only conceded nine goals in the 11 matches that he did not feature in and 32 in the 27 that he did play, which suggests that they were better defensively without him.

Appearances

30

27

Goals conceded

22

32

Dribbled past per game

0.2x

0.4x

Ground duel success rate

73%

62%

Aerial duel success rate

67%

64%

Fouls per game

0.7

0.9

As you can see in the table above, the Light Blues made their team worse by replacing Goldson with Propper, who has failed to offer more quality in the centre-back position, as shown by the stark contrast in goals conceded.

Chalkboard

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

Back in December, pundit Neil McCann outlined how concerning Propper’s performances were in the Premiership. He said: “Propper is struggling. He’s been pretty vocal over the last couple of weeks that he’s finding it tough in our league. He’s been asked the question early on. It’s quite worrying when you see him struggling as bad as that. Look at the body language – he’s looking for a way out already.”

This is why the 49ers must ruthlessly axe the central defender from the squad in the summer transfer window, if there are any clubs interested in snapping him up, because he has not adjusted well to Scottish football.

Whilst he is not the only player in the defence, it is worrying that there has been a huge drop off in defensive form since he was signed to replace Goldson, and that the team has a better defensive record without Propper in the side.

Therefore, Rangers must move on from Propper in the summer transfer window after they have already made the ruthless decisions to release Balogun, Hagi, and Lawrence.

Rangers looking at "outstanding" English coach who's better than Gerrard

Rangers’ six-man managerial shortlist has been revealed, and the 49ers should hire an “outstanding” coach rather than going back to Steven Gerrard.

ByBen Gray May 21, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now submitted an opening bid for a defender who “never puts a foot wrong”, but there could be competition from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Wolves looking to kick on under Pereira

Vitor Pereira’s arrival last season marked a change in fortunes for Wolves, with the manager overseeing a major improvement in results, which meant relegation fears were quashed way before the business end of the season.

Pereira has stated he wants to “do better” next season, however, which means some new arrivals may be needed this summer, particularly with Matheus Cunha on his way to Manchester United, and there have been suggestions Nelson Semedo could follow the forward to Old Trafford.

Quite rightly, the manager may also be keen to strengthen his backline this summer, given that the Old Gold conceded the most goals of any side not to be relegated from the Premier League last season.

Club

Final position

Goals conceded

Tottenham Hotspur

17th

65

Wolves

16th

69

Manchester United

15th

54

West Ham United

14th

62

According to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), Wolves have now made an offer for Lazio defender Mario Gila, but there could be competition for his signature from their Premier League rivals, with Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion also keen.

Lazio’s failure to qualify for Europe could have a big impact on their summer transfer window, and there is now growing interest in Gila, with the Italian club looking to hold out for a fee of €50m (£42m) for his services.

However, the Old Gold only appear to be willing to fork out €35m (£29m) for the centre-back’s signature, so the two clubs remain some way apart at the moment, and he is thought to be keen on playing for a top club next season.

Wolves can sign their new Raul Jimenez with "extraordinary" £29m star

Wolves will need to replace Matheus Cunha this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 25, 2025 Gila "never puts a foot wrong" in defence

Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare was full of praise for the Spanish defender upon signing him from Real Madrid, saying: “He is fast, intelligent and never puts a foot wrong. He can become one of the top 3-4 defenders in the world and it wouldn’t surprise me if Real wanted him back.”

The Barcelona-born defender has since emerged as a key player for Lazio, making 32 Serie A appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, and CBS’ Matteo Bonetti believes he could be in line for a move to a top club due to his “unique” profile.

As such, Gila could be a real coup for Wolves, but given that European football will not be on offer next season, it would be a surprise to see him move to Molineux.

Crystal Palace now have Europa League football to look forward to next season, and already the club are planning for the summer as they eye up a move to sign a “superb” Bundesliga midfielder, according to a recent report.

Wharton’s Crystal Palace future in doubt despite FA Cup win

Adam Wharton has been a standout performer since his arrival in SE25, and his performances have caught the attention of teams at home and abroad. Despite missing a large chunk of this season through a groin injury, Wharton has played 20 times in the Premier League and was a huge part of the Eagles’ FA Cup glory.

Heading into the summer transfer window, he is now very much a wanted man, as teams start to circle with significant interest. Last week, it was reported that Man United boss Ruben Amorim is personally driving the Red Devils’ move to sign Wharton. It’s claimed that United are in the strongest position to sign the Englishman this summer, but they are not the only team chasing the midfielder.

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Posts ByBrett Worthington May 19, 2025

Newcastle United have also been heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old, while Arsenal are said to have joined the race to sign Wharton, as they plan to close the gap at the top of the table.

Liverpool are also interested in Wharton, and it’s been reported that they are planning to make a £60 million bid to sign the Palace man. However, given the Eagles have qualified for the Europa League, their stance has tightened, and it’s been claimed they wouldn’t consider any bid less than £80 million.

Crystal Palace eyeing move to sign "superb" £15m+ midfielder

And while the hope will of course be to convince the England starlet to stay put, according to Sky Germany, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Nadiem Amiri from Bundesliga side Mainz 05, making plans to buff up their midfield ranks just in case.

Sky Germany report that Amiri’s exit from Mainz is a possibility this summer, as Palace, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing the midfielder, as well as teams in Serie A.

The 28-year-old was asked about his future after Mainz’s final game of the season over the weekend against Bayer Leverkusen, which they drew 2-2, and the German didn’t give much away: “Go on holiday now; then we’ll see.”

Nadiem Amiri’s 24/25 Bundesliga stats

Apps

30

Goals

7

Expected goals

5.47

Assists

5

Shots per game

2.1

Key passes per game

2.1

Interceptions per game

0.5

Tackles per game

1.7

Amiri, who has been dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, with this report claiming he could cost between 18 and 20 million euros, which is roughly £15-16 million.

The midfielder, who can operate as a number ten or more defensively, is under contract until 2028, and the fact that Mainz have qualified for Europe next season will toughen their stance, given Amiri has been an important player this season with seven goals and five assists in 30 Bundesliga games.

You have to wonder whether Manchester United’s decision to keep hold of Erik ten Hag after winning the 2023/24 FA Cup played into Daniel Levy’s decision to sack Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.

Added to the long list of managers at the Tottenham helm since Levy assumed ownership of the club in 2001, Postecoglou would be forgiven for feeling aggrieved after winning the Europa League last month, ending 17 years of searching for silverware.

But he has paid the price for the year-long suffering in the Premier League, the injury-hit Londoners slumping to a 17th-place finish, one above relegated Leicester City.

Ange Postecoglou

Jul 23 – Jun 25

101

1.53

Antonio Conte

Nov 21 – Mar 23

76

1.78

Nuno Espirito Santo

Jul 21 – Nov 21

17

1.65

Jose Mourinho

Nov 19 – Apr 21

86

1.77

Mauricio Pochettino

Jul 14 – Nov 19

293

1.84

Tim Sherwood

Dec 13 – May 14

26

1.65

Andre Villas-Boas

Jul 12 – Dec 13

80

1.91

Harry Redknapp

Oct 08 – Jun 12

198

1.73

Juande Ramos

Oct 07 – Oct 08

54

1.35

Martin Jol

Nov 04 – Oct 07

147

1.62

Jacques Santini

Aug 04 – Nov 04

13

1.46

Glenn Hoddle

Apr 01 – Sep 03

102

1.35

There’s no question Tottenham’s trophy-winning European campaign has been at variance with their wretched top-flight term, but given the schism that has been created through Levy’s latest dismissal, it’s crucial that they get the next appointment right.

And you’d have to say, Thomas Frank would be a brilliant signing.

Why Spurs want Thomas Frank

Emerging as the clear frontrunner in the bid to replace Postecoglou at Tottenham, Brentford boss Frank is being pursued, although official contacts with the Bees have yet to take place.

Taking Brentford into the Premier League and establishing them as a solid unit with an attractive brand of football, the Danish tactician has proved his durability, adaptability and flexibility during his time in London, hailed for creating an “extraordinary team” by Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

Frank’s nuanced tactical approach is perhaps the definitive factor behind Levy’s desire to get the deal done, with Postecoglou, for all his exciting attacking play, perhaps a little one-dimensional at times.

However, there’s no certainty that Tottenham will make the appointment. Indeed, an alternative approach for Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi underscores that point.

And Lilywhites chairman Levy may even be ready to sign an alternative.

Spurs line up Frank alternative

According to BBC Sport, Frank might be the favourite for the vacant manager position at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is also in the frame.

Iraola has been a revelation since joining the South Coast club in July 2023, and he’s since led the Cherries to their two biggest points hauls in Premier League history (48 in 2023/24 and a whopping 56 last season).

With Frank holding a sizeable release clause in his Brentford contract, Iraola might be a fantastic alternative to turn to, not least because his Bournemouth side finished a place above Frank’s in the top flight.

What Andoni Iraola would bring to Spurs

Iraola has shaped Bournemouth into one of the easiest-on-the-eye teams in English football, with former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha commenting on the “incredibly impressive” start to life at the Vitality Stadium, instilling a clear identity.

The 42-year-old’s typical 4-2-3-1 formation is also something that would suit Spurs’ current crop well, retaining the attacking style Postecoglou will leave embedded but taking it and shaping it into something more fluent and organised.

Iraola’s success could even see him prove a better fit for Tottenham than Frank, who has been described as “one of the best in the league” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

His ability to transform Bournemouth from a pragmatic outfit expected to fight to stave off relegation into a slick team capable of knocking on the European door showcases how he could improve Tottenham, who will need some transformative coaching after their wretched domestic campaign.

Raising the ceiling is something both Frank and Iraola have proved themselves capable of doing since taking their respective posts in England, but Iraola may also help a more seamless transition away from Ange’s high-line, big-risk, high-intensity possession-based game.

Indeed, as per FBref, Bournemouth only averaged 48.5% of possession in the Premier League last year (putting them 11th), but Brentford were even less active on the ball, 15th with a 47.9% average.

This may feel like something of a regression in tactical expansion, but it would actually be a move rooted in progressive pragmatism, scaling back from the high-stakes gambling played by Postecoglou.

Moreover, Iraola’s teams have earned praise for their organisation and togetherness when out of possession, further highlighting the issues Tottenham have been beset by and how they could fix this.

Still, the two managers aren’t diametrically opposed, and Iraola’s intense physical demands would allow him to dovetail into the Tottenham milieu.

While Frank is a proven manager in the Premier League, Iraola is also showing himself to be a nuanced and dynamic tactician, and could be the right man for the job.

Fans will understandably be concerned that Tottenham are stuck in something of a circular motion, winning some silverware, yes, but continuing to churn through managers.

Manager Focus

Such back-and-forth threatens to isolate the success, leaving it as a flash in the pan. However, Iraola is a fantastic and intelligent manager, and if given several years to inculcate his teachings onto the north London squad, this could be a real corner for Tottenham.

He's another Bergvall: Spurs enter race to sign "extraordinary" wonderkid

The promising youngster could be a star at Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 7, 2025