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Manchester United are making their mark in the transfer window and could now turn their attention to a prolific marksman with plenty of history in the English top-flight, per reports.

Manchester United set to rejuvenate their blunt forward line

Following a miserable campaign that Ruben Amorim will be glad to see the back of heading into the summer window, Manchester United’s need for attacking reinforcements is more evident than ever.

Rasmus Hojlund’s well-documented inconsistencies have become an unwelcome subplot in conversations at Old Trafford. The Denmark international scored ten times in 52 matches in 2024/25 and appeared to be a player struggling for confidence throughout.

Reports in Italy suggest Inter Milan could offer Hojlund an escape route to turn around his fortunes. However, the Champions League finalists are said to be holding out for a bargain price before committing fully to a pursuit.

Joshua Zirkzee had some impressive moments and began to settle into handling the expectations needed to thrive at Manchester United. Still, seven goals in 49 appearances is another fairly unconvincing return, albeit he isn’t a conventional centre-forward.

Matheus Cunha arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers is a major bonus for the Red Devils in the forward areas. His 15 strikes across the Premier League campaign all came from open play, and they could also be boosted by a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, who would prefer a move to Old Trafford over his other suitors.

Nevertheless, they will need support to fill both the creative and goalscoring brief at Old Trafford, which could be hampered further if Bruno Fernandes opts for a big-money £100 million move to Al Hilal.

The club captain choosing to depart would leave a bitter taste in the mouth, though his exit could provide the cash flow needed to sanction an exciting swoop for one of Amorim’s newest reported targets.

Manchester United consider surprise move for Aleksandar Mitrovic

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United are considering a surprise swoop for Al Hilal forward Aleksandar Mitrovic after he was told he will be allowed to leave the Saudi Pro League outfit, provided they can sort a replacement before the Club World Cup.

Fulham and West Ham United have also put their hat in the ring following the Serbia international’s tally of 68 goals in 79 games since completing a £50 million move to the Gulf Region from Craven Cottage back in 2023.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Jun 1, 2025

Available for £40 million, Mitrovic would be willing to take a pay cut from his £400,000 per week wages to seal a return to English shores before the window closes.

Unfortunately, Manchester United will need to filter players out before pushing forward in their efforts to sign the former Newcastle United man, a scenario that is likely imperative to soliciting a deal.

Either way, Mitrovic has scored 38 Premier League goals and has made over 100 appearances at the top level and his experience could be vital in Amorim’s hunt to restore the Red Devils at the top of the English pyramid.

Being kicked out of a major tournament isn’t something that happens very often in football. In fact, it’s an incredibly rare event, but it has happened.

From match fixing scandals, to financial foolishness, to plain stupidity, here are 10 times clubs were kicked out of various competitions.

1 Club Leon (2025) Denied place in expanded Club World Cup

FIFA expanded their Club World Cup to include 32 teams from 2025, but Mexican side Club Leon were booted out of the competition after falling foul of the rules regarding multi-club ownership.

They had qualified via winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2023, with rivals Pachuca – who are also owned by Grupo Pachuca – winning the tournament a year later.

With these clubs unable to participate in the same competition, Leon were eventually booted out. FIFA created a play-off match between MLS outfit LAFC and Mexican side Club America to decide which team will take their place.

2 Juventus (2006) Relegated to Serie B

The Calcipoli scandal shook Italian football, but no club was more affected by the consequences than Juventus. Uncovered in May 2006, it was a major sports controversy in Italy’s Serie A and Serie B football leagues. It involved several clubs, executives and football bodies, including Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio, Milan and Reggina.

The scandal was revealed through telephone tappings, exposing relations between club executives and referee organisations during the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons, with accusations of referee selection to favour specific clubs.

Juventus, the league champions, were severely penalised, being stripped of the 2004/05 Serie A title, relegated to Serie B, and downgraded to last place in the 2005/06 season.

While popularly known as a match-fixing scandal, no match-fixing violations were found for Juventus in intercepted calls. The club was absolved of wrongdoing, but sporting executives Luciano Moggi and Antonio Giraudo received lifetime bans.

A subsequent investigation implicated other clubs, though they weren’t put on trial due to the statute of limitations.

Legal battles ensued, with damage claims and appeals, leading to controversy and ongoing debates. Juventus returned to Serie A, eventually dominating with a record nine consecutive league titles.

3 Marseille (1994) Relegated to Ligue 2

After winning the Champions League the season before, Marseille were kicked out of Ligue 1 in 1994 after a bribery scandal that changed French football forever. The French football bribery scandal, known as Affaire VA-OM, unfolded during the 1992/93 French Ligue 1 season in a match between Valenciennes and Olympique de Marseille.

Marseille president Bernard Tapie and general manager Jean-Pierre Bernès sought to influence the game by bribing Valenciennes players, including Jorge Burruchaga, Jacques Glassmann and Christophe Robert.

The aim was to ensure Marseille’s players remained fresh for the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Milan. Glassmann refused the bribe, exposing the scandal. Despite winning the match and the league title, Marseille faced severe consequences.

The scandal led to Marseille being stripped of the title, but runners-up Paris Saint-Germain declined to be named champions, resulting in no official winner for the 1992/93 season. Tapie, Bernès, Burruchaga, Jean-Jacques Eydelie and Robert were convicted of corruption in subsequent trials.

Tapie and Eydelie served jail terms, while Bernès, Burruchaga, and Robert received suspended sentences. The aftermath included Marseille’s relegation to Division 2 for the 1994/95 season due to financial difficulties. Glassmann, who refused the bribe, was honoured with the 1995 FIFA Fair Play Award.

4 Ismaily (2019) Kicked out of CAF Champions League

In 2019, Egyptian club Ismaily were disqualified from the competition following the disruption of their fixture against Club Africain.

The disqualification stemmed from Ismaily fans hurling stones and water bottles at match officials and players from the visiting Tunisian club, leading referee Neant Alioum to call for the teams to retreat to the changing rooms during stoppage time, with Club Africain leading 2-1.

CAF’s decision to expel Ismaily from the competition parallels a previous disqualification of Algerian side Entente Sportive de Setif in 2016 after a similar episode against Mamelodi Sundowns. As a result of Ismaily’s expulsion, their results in Group C were nullified.

The club was eventually reinstated after CAF overturned the decision, stating there was no evidence of an invasion or targeted aggression towards the visiting team.

5 Fenerbahce & Besiktas (2013) Banned from European football

Turkish football clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas faced UEFA sanctions following a domestic match-fixing scandal from 2011. UEFA banned Fenerbahce from European football for two seasons and imposed a suspended third-season ban.

Besiktas received a one-season ban from UEFA competitions. Both clubs were implicated in a 2011 Turkish league scandal, leading to convictions for 93 individuals, including Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim. Yildirim received over six years in prison but was released pending an appeal.

The UEFA disciplinary panel considered evidence over several months and ruled that Fenerbahce would miss the upcoming Champions League and any subsequent European competitions. Besiktas, implicated in the 2011 Turkish Cup final, were excluded from the next Europa League.

The Turkish Football Federation had previously imposed bans on players and officials but took no action against clubs involved in the scandal.

6 Lazio & Milan (1980) Relegated to Serie B

After a match-fixing scandal, Milan and Lazio were relegated to Serie B, while three Serie A and two Serie B clubs faced five-point deductions. The Italian Football Federation banned 20 players, half of whom had represented the Italian national team.

Notably, Paolo Rossi, a key figure in the Azzurri team that won the 1982 World Cup, received a reduced two-year sentence. Milan’s president, Felice Colombo, was initially banned for life but later received a six-year suspension.

The scandal originated in the state-run Totocalcio competition era, leading a struggling merchant, Massimo Cruciani, to approach a restaurant owner, Alvaro Trinca, with a match-fixing scheme. The Totonero black market in football betting facilitated their plan.

Despite facing heavy losses, Cruciani and Trinca filed a complaint, leading to arrests and subsequent sanctions by the Italian Football Federation, casting a dark shadow over Italian football.

7 Real Madrid (2015) Disqualified from Copa del Rey

Real Madrid were disqualified from the Copa del Rey in 2015 for fielding an ineligible player, Denis Cheryshev, during the round-of-32 match against Cadiz on December 2. Cheryshev scored the opening goal in a 3-1 victory, but it was later revealed that he should have been serving a one-match suspension.

Despite Real Madrid’s appeals, the Spanish Football Federation maintained its decision. The competition judge acknowledged that Cheryshev was not personally notified about his ban, a crucial requirement for the suspension to take effect.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insisted that the club received no communication from the federation regarding Cheryshev’s suspension and vowed to take the matter to appeals and the arbitration court. Cheryshev had incurred a one-game ban after receiving his third yellow card in the 2014/15 Copa del Rey campaign while on loan at Villarreal.

8 5 Armenian football clubs (2023) Massive Armenian match-fixing scandal

This match-fixing scandal was so audacious, we can’t help but wonder how these clubs thought they would get away with it. The Armenian Football Federation (FFA) has just suspended the country’s second tier and disqualified five teams due to evidence of their involvement in match-fixing.

Around 45 individuals, including club owners, players, and coaches, have received life bans, with an additional 13 individuals banned for varying periods for their roles in match manipulation. The FFA cited “undeniable evidence” from international organisations and law enforcement agencies for its decision.

Club owners with Russian passports, Russian players and coaches, as well as Ukrainian, Latvian and Belarusian footballers, were reportedly among those banned. Teams such as Lokomotiv Yerevan, Aragats, Torpedo Yerevan and Masis were disqualified from the championship following suspicious results, including scorelines like 12-0, 0-12, 1-8, 9-2, 0-7, 0-8, and 8-2.

FC Yerevan, which had withdrawn from the 2019/20 Premier League due to financial and technical problems, were also disqualified for match-fixing.

9 Parma (2015) Relegated to Serie D

Parma used to be a real force in Italian football. Players like Hernan Crespo, Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluigi Buffon were just a few of the greats to wear their beautiful kits. Unfortunately, in 2015, it all came crumbling down for the old giants.

The two-time UEFA Cup winners were relegated to the fourth tier of Italian football due to their inability to secure a new owner. The club declared bankruptcy and had been seeking a buyer to address their financial troubles.

Parma’s relegation followed a series of financial challenges, including a late tax payment that led to their exclusion from the Europa League during the 2014/15 season.

10 Rangers Relegated to Scottish Third Division

In 2012, Rangers as we knew it ceased to exist. They had to start anew from the fourth tier after a financial crisis led to their expulsion from the Scottish Premier League.

The decision by Scottish Football League clubs marked a significant downturn for the Gers, who faced administration before a takeover led by Charles Green.

Rangers had initially wanted to join the second tier, but 25 out of 30 clubs voted for them to begin at the bottom of the footballing hierarchy in Scotland. This move contrasted sharply with Rangers’ historical prominence and average attendance of over 45,000 at their Ibrox stadium.

The club have since made their way back to the top of Scottish football, winning their first title since their relegation under Steven Gerrard in 2020/21.

Liverpool have now made contact over a move for an “unbelievable” £126m star, who they are interested in bringing to Anfield this summer, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.

Reds stepping up summer transfer plans

The summer transfer window isn’t officially open until June, but the Reds have already made progress towards securing an early signing, with a deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong now believed to be close.

Frimpong has been identified as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the right-back set to join Real Madrid this summer, and while Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to the Reds, Arne Slot is also keen on strengthening in the centre of defence.

AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is among the more ambitious targets, but amid interest from Real Madrid, talks have now been opened over a deal for Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo.

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Posts ByDominic Lund May 14, 2025

There is also a sense that Slot is keen on improving his squad in more attacking areas this summer, having opened talks to sign Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, who could be available for just £19m.

Cherki’s low asking price could make signing the Frenchman an attractive proposition, but Liverpool also have their eye on a much more expensive target, namely Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, with a deal for the German likely to amount to around £126m.

Taking to X, Jacobs has now provided a new update on the Reds’ Wirtz pursuit, stating “contact” has been made over a deal for the attacking midfielder, who they are “interested” in bringing to Anfield.

However, the reporter also clarifies that an in-person meeting hasn’t taken place, contrary to other reports, with Slot’s side of the belief the 22-year-old will either join Bayern Munich or stay at Leverkusen, rather than moving to the Premier League.

Wirtz could be "unbelievable" signing for Liverpool

Leverkusen have been on a real journey under Xabi Alonso, winning the Bundesliga title without losing a game in the 2023-24 campaign, while once again qualifying for the Champions League this season.

The 22-year-old has played an integral role in their success, picking up 57 goals and 65 assists in 196 first-team appearances for the German side, bagging six goals in nine Champions League outings this season.

As such, the Germany international places extremely highly on some key attacking metrics over the past year, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Successful take-ons

2.88 (96th percentile)

Assists

0.37 (92nd percentile)

Progressive passes

6.91 (94th percentile)

Wirtz is exhibiting world-class potential, but it appears as though a move to Bayern is the more likely scenario, and Liverpool would have to break the bank to get a deal done, given his £126m price tag.

Mikel Arteta decided to star Leandro Trossard up top again for Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth on Saturday, and it would be fair to say it didn’t really pay off.

While not terrible, the Belgian international was pretty anonymous throughout the match, failing to score or assist a goal and fully deserving of the 6/10 match rating he received from the Standard’s Simon Collings.

Like most of his fellow attackers, it’s not been as good of a campaign for the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace as it was last season, when he managed to rack up a tally of 20 goal involvements in 46 games.

So, it’s not surprising to see the club linked with an exceptional international winger ahead of the summer transfer window, a winger who’d be a significant upgrade on Trossard.

Arsenal's winger search

With their attack being the biggest problem this season, Arsenal have been linked with a number of top wingers in recent weeks, such as Nico Williams and Francisco Trincão.

Transfer Focus

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

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The former, who has racked up 11 goals and seven assists in 44 games this season, has been a long-term target, and with a £50m release clause in his current deal, could finally make the move to North London this summer.

The latter is a more recent target, and while his reported £66.5m price tag seems steep, he’s been nothing short of spectacular for Sporting CP this season, chalking up a tally of nine goals and 18 assists in 51 games.

However, to take the club to the next level, the Gunners might have to make a statement signing and bring in an established superstar, someone like Rodrygo Goes.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have inquired about the £204k-per-week star, who Real Madrid are actually considering selling.

Alongside the North Londoners, the report has revealed that Premier League rivals Manchester City are also keen and that the winger should be available for around €100m, which is about £85m.

It would be a costly and potentially complicated transfer to get over the line, but it’s one Andrea Berta and Co should push for, as Rodrygo is one of the “best players in the world” in the eyes of Carlo Ancelotti.

How Rodrygo compares to Trossard

While Rodrygo’s most played position is right wing, he’s also incredibly accomplished playing off the left, and, with Bukayo Saka being as essential as he is to Arsenal, the left is undoubtedly where the Brazilian would play.

Therefore, one of his primary competitors for a starting berth would be Trossard, so who comes out on top when we compare them?

Well, when it comes down to their output, it’s the Real ace who emerges victorious.

For example, in 50 appearances, totalling 3290 minutes, the 24-year-old has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.17 games, or every 143.04 minutes.

In contrast, the Belgian has scored ten goals and provided eight assists in 52 appearances, totalling 3241 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.88 games, or every 180.05 minutes.

Rodrygo vs Trossard

Statistic

Rodrygo

Trossard

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.37

0.44

Non-Penalty G+As

0.60

0.48

Progressive Passes

4.68

3.75

Progressive Carries

5.06

2.76

Shots

2.64

2.62

Shots on Target

1.02

0.86

Passing Accuracy

85.7%

74.5%

Key Passes

2.08

1.38

Passes into the Final Third

2.88

1.86

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.12

1.65

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.10

0.36

Shot-Creating Actions

4.56

3.15

Goal-Creating Actions

0.42

0.42

Successful Take-Ons

2.15

1.14

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season

The one-sided nature of the comparison continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

For example, in almost every metric, the “spectacular” Champions League winner, as dubbed by manager Carlo Ancelotti, comes out ahead, including but not limited to non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, key passes, shots and shots on target, passes into the final third, shot-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Trossard remains a useful player for Arteta and Arsenal, it’s clear that, in practically every way, Rodrygo is a massive upgrade and, therefore, someone the club should be going all out to sign this summer.

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Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 5, 2025

It would be fair to say that prior to last night, this had been Tottenham Hotspur’s worst season for a generation.

However, now that Ange Posteocoglou’s side have secured a place in the Europa League final, there is a chance to make history.

One of the stars of both legs was Dominic Solanke, who scored a crucial penalty in the first game and then slotted home the opener last night.

The Englishman has come in for some criticism since joining the club, but with his goal tally starting to rise, it feels like he’s justifying his club-record fee.

Yet, even still, Daniel Levy and Co may regret selling a former academy gem who’s outscoring him and another of the club’s transfer targets.

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Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Expand Collapse Spurs' striker search

With the domestic season going the way it has this year, Spurs have understandably been linked with a number of exciting strikers in recent weeks, from LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David to Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Tim Kleindienst.

However, one of the more exciting and just as realistic targets the North Londoners have been linked with has been Liam Delap.

According to reports from earlier this week, the club have been considering a move for the Ipswich Town star, who has a release clause worth £30m in his contract now that the Tractor Boys have been relegated.

While that certainly isn’t cheap, it would probably represent good value in the current market, as the Lilywhites would be getting a young, Premier League-proven striker who’s homegrown and has arguably been one of the Suffolk sides’ best players.

For example, even though he’s been playing for the third-worst team in the competition, the Winchester-born marksman has managed to rack up a decent tally of 12 goals and two assists in 37 appearances, of which 34 have come in the Premier League.

Yet, as with Solanke, the former Manchester City prospect is being outscored by a forward sold by Levy and Co.

The former Spurs gem sold by Levy

So, while the player in question joined a club abroad, he’s actually faced Tottenham three times this season, coming out on the losing side each and every time.

We are, of course, talking about Troy Parrott, who is a product of Hotspur Way and even has four Spurs appearances to his name, but he currently plays his trade in the Netherlands for AZ Alkmaar.

The Irish international joined the Dutch outfit last summer for a fee of around £6.7m after a stellar 23/24 campaign on loan with Excelsior Rotterdam, in which he scored 17 goals and provided five assists in just 32 games.

This season has been just as successful for the “phenomenal” forward, as dubbed by former manager Ryan Lowe, aside from the games against the Lilywhites, that is.

For example, in 45 appearances, totalling 3411 minutes, the 23-year-old dynamo has scored 20 goals and provided five assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.8 games, or every 136.44 minutes.

Parrott vs Solanke vs Delap

Players

Parrott

Solanke

Delap

Appearances

45

42

37

Minutes

3411′

3221′

2569′

Goals

20

15

12

Assists

5

8

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.55

0.54

0.37

Minutes per Goal Involvement

136.44

140.04

183.5

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For comparison’s sake, Solanke has managed to score 15 goals and provide eight assists in 42 appearances, totalling 3221 minutes this term, which comes out to a slightly worse average of a goal involvement every 1.82 games, or every 140.04 minutes.

Now, to be clear, we are not suggesting that the Dublin-born poacher would outscore the former Bournemouth star in the Premier League, but it does raise a question about how he might have fared as Postecoglou’s second-choice striker, as Richarlison’s hardly done much when he’s played.

Ultimately, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and selling Parrott to AZ was probably the right thing to do for his career, but we can’t help wondering how he would have fared in North London this season.

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Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 9, 2025

At some point this week, Liverpool could be crowned champions of the Premier League, should Arsenal lose at home against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening or Anfield claim three points against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Of course, neither juncture could turn the Reds toward the title, but there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Redmen’s romp toward the finish line has turned into a procession.

The Premier League is lauded by many as the toughest, most competitive and most prevalently entertaining division in the world, and while some would claim that the top flight has lulled this term, Liverpool have capitalised emphatically to defy pre-season predictions and move Arne Slot within touching distance of the crown in his first year.

It’s quite the feat, especially since he entered an outfit dealing with three contractual conundrums which have itched at Liverpool’s campaign all year long.

Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have penned extensions, but there’s been radio silence from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, noise from the media suggests that his move to Real Madrid on a free transfer is a matter of when, not if.

What Liverpool will miss when Alexander-Arnold leaves

Alexander-Arnold scored the winner against Leicester City at the weekend, and his celebration felt like a farewell of sorts, hanging his shirt on the corner flag.

While the most optimistic Liverpool supporters are holding onto hope that the 26-year-old will pen a new deal with his boyhood club, Fabrizio Romano and the rest have confirmed that Trent’s camp and Los Blancos are working toward an agreement on a summer move.

He will be missed. Not only is the emotional connection strong, but Alexander-Arnold is one of the most distinctive players in the game.

The unique advantage that the right-back offers, sparking attacking play with such frightening consistency from an unconventional ball-playing position, has helped Liverpool maintain their place as the Premier League’s most creative team for the past five seasons.

Most Big Chances Created in the Premier League (past 5 years)

Season

1st-place Team(s)

Stat

*24/25

Liverpool

97

23/24

Liverpool

102

22/23

Liverpool & Man City

103

21/22

Liverpool

97

20/21

Liverpool

82

Data via Premier League

Conor Bradley may well get the nod as Slot’s first choice at right-back next season, but Liverpool are going to need to replace Alexander-Arnold’s ball-playing genius somehow.

Liverpool lining up potential Trent replacement

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Liverpool could make a move for two full-backs, namely Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen and Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina.

Yet, could Slot replace Trent’s creativity from a different area of the pitch instead?

Transfer Focus

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

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Well, according to Spanish sources, Liverpool are ready to compete with Manchester United for the signing of Xavi Simons this summer, with the RB Leipzig magician now said to be a ‘top target’ for the Reds.

A transfer fee might prove a sticking point, though, with the Germans looking to bank around €100m (£87m) for the 21-year-old this summer, just one year after buying him from Paris Saint-Germain for a €50m (£43m) fee.

However, if sporting director Richard Hughes can move discussions into a more agreeable zone, this could be a stunning capture for Liverpool.

What Xavi Simons would bring to Liverpool

Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting Simons could take Alexander-Arnold’s berth at full-back. However, the little Dutchman is one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the business, and he’s still got plenty of development left to complete.

However, the Netherlands international does have a similar sort of ball-playing strength that could be utilised and unleashed to preserve Liverpool’s slick offensive play, maybe even unlocking a new dimension.

Xavi Simons – Bundesliga Stats 24/25

Stats (* per game)

#

Matches (starts)

21 (21)

Goals

9

Assists

5

Pass completion

84%

Big chances created

10

Key passes*

2.2

Dribbles*

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

Duels won*

4.4

Data via Sofascore

He’s a complete midfielder, capable of shifting into flanking positions too. Simons’ 2.2 key pass average this term actually stands taller than Alexander-Arnold’s 1.9 average, further evidence that he has what it takes to thrive at Anfield.

But to emphasise it more clearly, the Dutchman ranks among the top 13% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 19% for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for progressive passes and the top 7% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

There’s a reason Simons is shaping up to be such a hot commodity with his talent for picking at the seams of opposition defences, something Liverpool could make good use of, especially if Alexander-Arnold leaves.

Simons’ playmaking superiority over the Liverpool man may in part be down to positional placement but it doesn’t detract from his being a high-level “game-changer” with his passing and flair, as has been said by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

It’s exactly the kind of quality that Liverpool will need. Trent has scored 23 goals and racked up 90 assists across his 350 career appearances as a Liverpool player, described as a “genius” by reporter Neil Jones.

Simons may still be young, but his 41 goal involvements across 72 Leipzig games, partnered with the underlying creative metrics that speak in his favour, do suggest that Slot could make good use of his countryman’s qualities, transferring Liverpool’s playmaking hub to a more central area.

It’s possible that Liverpool have accelerated their plans to sign Simons due to the growing sense that Alexander-Arnold is going to leave the club this summer. Maybe, tacitly, those in FSG’s head offices already know the outcome.

With plans already being drawn up for a new centre-forward, it might be worthwhile to sign such a player to sit in behind, jockeying with Dominik Szoboszlai for a regular starting berth and enhancing the overall fluency of the Anfield side.

In any case, it might be good for Slot to steer the creative heartbeat toward the middle of the park, with Simons, who has been described as a “superstar” in the making by analyst Ben Mattinson, capable of anchoring Liverpool’s inventiveness behind the frontline, reorienting toward a more conventional well of supplementation.

Truth is, though, it’s far simpler: the Dutchman is a brilliant young player, one who could do really well in Slot’s Liverpool team.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Apr 22, 2025

Manchester United have now moved ahead of their rivals in the race for an “incredible” striker, having submitted an enticing offer, according to a report.

Man Utd stepping up striker pursuit

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee once again failed to make an impact at the weekend, with Man United succumbing to a 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United, and it is now looking increasingly likely a new striker will be brought in this summer.

The Red Devils are considering a number of options from within the Premier League, with talks recently being opened over a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha, who has a release clause of £62.5m.

Ruben Amorim’s side are also becoming more confident they would be able to sign Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer, should they make a move, and they have now expressed a concrete interest in signing the 27-year-old.

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The Red Devils are in pursuit of a playmaker, who is set to leave his club on the cheap this summer.

Posts ByDominic Lund Apr 15, 2025

However, Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap has been identified as Man United’s top striker target for the summer, following his breakout season with the Tractor Boys, and there has now been a positive update on their pursuit of the Englishman.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, United have now surged ahead of rival suitors in the race for Delap, given that the offer they have made is “far more solid” than Chelsea’s, which could play a crucial role in deciding the striker’s future.

Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Everton have also been named as potential suitors for the forward, whose agent has fielded a number of calls in recent weeks, but it appears as though the Red Devils are now leading the race for his signature.

Interestingly, the Ipswich star will remain keen on a move to Old Trafford regardless of whether European football is on offer next season.

"Incredible" Delap could be fantastic signing

Ipswich are almost certain to be relegated from the Championship, but it cannot be put down to a lack of effort on their striker’s behalf, having netted 12 Premier League goals.

That total is very impressive, given that the 22-year-old is playing for a side now 14 points from safety, and he has received high praise from reporter Alex Howell, who described him as “incredible” back in March.

Not only has the Winchester-born striker displayed a keen eye for goal, but he has showcased his ability to drive at opposition defences, ranking in the 90th percentile for successful take-ons, and the 86th percentile for progressive carries per 90 over the past year.

It is well-documented that Man United may not have a great deal of money to spend this summer, given their financial issues, which could make Delap the perfect addition at striker, considering he is set to be available for just £30m.

Phil Foden has failed to match the high levels of performance he produced for Manchester City last season, resulting in a decrease in game time over the last few months.

The England international notched a total of 39 combined goals and assists in his 53 appearances across all competitions, subsequently claiming the PFA Player of the Year award.

However, this time around, he’s currently only on 15 goal contributions, undoubtedly a contributing factor to the club’s drop in the Premier League, which has seen them struggle in large periods.

Pep Guardiola is tasked with the challenge of helping the 24-year-old return to the levels he’s previously demonstrated at the Etihad over the last couple of years.

He certainly will face more responsibility in the North West next season, especially after the news that emerged out of the squad earlier on this afternoon.

Kevin de Bruyne announces his City departure

It was confirmed earlier today that Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne would be departing City at the end of the season when his current contract expires.

The 33-year-old became the club’s record signing back in 2015 after joining in a £54m deal from German side Wolfsburg – with the former Chelsea ace excelling beyond all expectations.

He’s racked up over 400 appearances in his decade as a Citizens player, scoring 106 times and registering 159 assists, cementing himself as one of the best midfielders to ever grace England’s top flight.

De Bruyne has been known for his phenomenal passing ability, but has unfortunately declined over the last couple of months, with injuries plaguing his final couple of seasons in Manchester.

However, his departure leaves Guardiola with the huge task of replacing the talent at the Etihad, something which may appear to be a tricky quest given his time at the club.

The player who could be City’s perfect KDB replacement

Whilst Foden would undoubtedly be the first choice to replace the Belgian in the current first-team squad, his form over the last couple of months could cast doubt over his ability to fill the void.

There’s no denying his quality, as seen by the numbers he produced last season, but he’s been unable to achieve such heights on a consistent basis.

Such form could allow fellow academy graduate James McAtee to stake his claim for a regular starting role – building on the progress he’s made over the last couple of months in 2024/25.

After multiple loan spells at Sheffield United over the last couple of years, Guardiola decided to keep the 22-year-old within his side, handing him frequent opportunities to impress – something which he has taken with both hands.

He’s made 23 appearances to date, scoring six times across all competitions, including two goals in the Premier League during his first year at such a level.

McAtee, who’s been labelled “superb” by one analyst, is yet to start a single league outing this campaign, but given his output and underlying stats produced in 2024/25, he’s more than deserving of a consistent run next season.

James McAtee’s stats for Man City in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

11

Goals & assists

2

Conversion rate

29%

Pass accuracy

86%

Duels won

63%

Goals per game

0.2

Expected goals (xG)

1.37

Stats via SofaScore

De Bruyne’s place in the squad could free up the youngster to gain more valuable minutes to continue his upward trajectory, enabling him to showcase his talents further.

Whilst Foden will likely fill the void vacated by the Belgian, Guardiola must give McAtee a fair chance to stake his claim to make the position as his own – potentially saving the Citizens millions of pounds in the process.

The youngster has previously been subject to interest from various sides for his signature over the last couple of months, but it’s pivotal that the hierarchy stand firm and keep hold of the star who’s destined for big things in the future.

Related Move over Nunes: Man City begin work on signing the new Joao Cancelo

Manchester City could land their next Joao Cancelo in this attack-oriented defender.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Apr 2, 2025

Vipers were the only team to bid for Pakistan players a day after the PCB suspended all no-objection certificates for overseas leagues

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2025

R Ashwin found no takers in the ILT20 auction•TNPL/TNCA

R Ashwin, the only player with a base price in six figures, went unsold in the inaugural ILT20 player auction in Dubai. The former India spinner didn’t reappear in the accelerated auction, but there’s a possibility that he can still feature in the upcoming season as a wildcard. Two franchises, MI Emirates and Desert Vipers, are yet to complete their wildcard signings.Vipers were the only team to bid for Pakistan players a day after the PCB suspended all no-objection certificates for players who want to participate in T20 leagues outside Pakistan. No reason has been given as to why this action was taken.Vipers snapped up Fakhar Zaman (USD 80,000), Naseem Shah (USD 80,000) and Hasan Nawaz (USD 40,000) all at their base prices.Vipers also picked the Afghanistan pair of Qais Ahmad and Faridoon Dawoodzai.West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Andre Fletcher fetched the highest bid of USD 260,000. MI Emirates outbid rivals to retain him for a fourth successive season.Related

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ILT20: Dinesh Karthik joins Sharjah Warriorz

PCB suspends player NOCs for overseas T20 leagues

UAE wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind, who was with MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals in the past, was the first player to attract a bid in the auction, also going to Vipers for USD 10,000.Pakistan-born UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddique triggered a bidding war, with Gulf Giants bidding up to USD 170,000 for him, but Sharjah Warriorz used their RTM to match that bid and bring him back to their franchise. Siddique’s recent form is particularly encouraging: he was the third-highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup with nine strikes in three games at an average of 6.33 and an identical economy rate.Akshay Wakhare, a former Ranji Trophy winner with Vidarbha, earned a gig with Dubai Capitals while former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand, who has now moved to the USA, went to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.A day before the player auction, Warriorz unveiled former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as a replacement for Kusal Mendis.The ILT20’s fourth season, to be held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, begins on December 2 this year, and will run until January 4, 2026, featuring six teams across 34 matches.JP Duminy raises the paddle for Sharjah Warriorz•ILT20

SquadsAbu Dhabi Knight Riders (Total Spent: USD 1,457,000)
Auction Signings: Michael Pepper (USD 40,000), George Garton (USD 10,000), Brandon McMullen (USD 110,000), Ibrar Ahmed (USD 22,000), Ajay Kumar (USD 10,000), Adnan Idrees Muhammad (USD 10,000), Abdul Manan Ali (USD 10,000), Mayank Chowdary (USD 10,000), Khary Pierre (USD 10,000), Shadley Van Schalkwyk (USD 10,000), Unmukt Chand (USD 40,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Olly StoneDesert Vipers (Total Spent: USD 1,617,500)
Auction Signings: Vriitya Aravind (USD 10,000), Fakhar Zaman (USD 80,000), Naseem Shah (USD 80,000), Qais Ahmad (USD 40,000), Sanjay Pahal (USD 10,000), Bilal Tahir (USD 10,000), Faisal Khan (USD 10,000), Hasan Nawaz (USD 40,000), Tom Bruce (USD 80,000), Matiullah Khan (USD 10,000), Tawanda Muyeye (USD 40,000), Faridoon Dawoodzai (USD 10,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Dan Lawrence, Max Holden, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Curran, Andries GousDubai Capitals (Total Spent: USD 1,475,000)
Auction Signings: Muhammad Farooq (USD 10,000), Tymal Mills (USD 80,000), Scott Currie (USD 250,000), Mohammad Nabi (USD 80,000), Farhan Khan (USD 10,000), Anudeep Chenthamara (USD 10,000), Usman Najeeb (USD 10,000), Ritesh Mallikarjuna Grandhi (USD 10,000), Shayan Jahangir (USD 10,000), Rushil Ugarkar (USD 10,000), Naveen Bidiasee (USD 10,000), Toby Albert (USD 10,000), Akshay Wakhare (USD 10,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Jordan Matthew Cox, Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Jimmy NeeshamGulf Giants (Total Spent: USD 1,471,000)
Auction Signings: Asif Khan (USD 26,000), Zuhaib Zubair (USD 10,000), Sean Dickson (USD 10,000), Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000), Liam Dawson (USD 170,000), Fred Klaassen (USD 40,000), Haider Razzaq (USD 50,000), Meet Bhavsar (USD 14,000), Ishtiaq Ahmad (USD 16,000), Lorcan Tucker (USD 10,000), Chris Wood (USD 40,000), Tom Moores (USD 40,000), Ramon Simmonds (USD 40,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Aayan Afzal Khan, Mark Adair, Gerhard Erasmus, Blessing Muzarabani, Moeen Ali, James Vince, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah GurbazMI Emirates (Total Spent: USD 1,868,000)
Auction Signings: Muhammad Rohid (USD 140,000), Jordan Thompson (USD 48,000), Naveen-ul-Haq (USD 100,000), Andre Fletcher (USD 260,000), Nosthush Kenjige (USD 10,000), Mohamed Shafeeq (USD 10,000), Zain Ul Abidin (USD 10,000), Usman Khan (USD 10,000), Ackeem Auguste (USD 10,000), Arab Gul (USD 10,000), Tajinder Dhillon (USD 10,000), Zahoor Khan (USD 10,000), Shakib Al Hasan (USD 40,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tom Banton, Romario Shepherd, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, AM Ghazanfar, Muhammad Waseem, Kamindu MendisSharjah Warriorz (Total Spent: USD 1,664,000)
Auction Signings: Junaid Siddique (USD 170,000), James Rew (USD 10,000), Nathan Sowter (USD 100,000), Dwaine Pretorius (USD 120,000), Jayden Seales (USD 80,000), Harmeet Singh (USD 10,000), Wasim Akram (USD 55,000), Mohamed Nawfer Mohamed Aslam (USD 14,000), Raees Ahmad (USD 10,000), Richard Ngarava (USD 10,000), Shubham Ranjane (USD 10,000), Ethan D’Souza (USD 10,000), Taskin Ahmed (USD 80,000), Abdul Salman Khan (USD 10,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Dinesh Karthik, Sikandar Raza, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tim David, Johnson Charles, Tim Southee, Saurabh Netravalkar

The Asia Cup final went down to the wire as Tilak calmly helped India chase down 147

Alagappan Muthu28-Sep-20253:17

Which Indian spinner had the biggest impact?

India blinked. They were 20 for 3 chasing 147. Their world-beating batting line-up was panicking as Pakistan came at them – this time for every reason because there was a title on the line.A collapse of 9 for 33 had left Salman Agha’s men with no room for error and for the most part they coped with it. They got rid of Abhishek Sharma early. That sent jitters through a middle-order that was upended to accommodate Shubman Gill.A straightforward chase was going pear-shaped. And Tilak Varma felt all of this out in the middle. The quiet of the stands. The belief among the Pakistan players. The doubts of a billion people back home. Somehow he absorbed it all and produced a really special half-century.Concentrating as hard as he had to, there wasn’t a single moment through the innings where Tilak showed emotion. But once it was done, he yelled, he punched, he made little heart signs with his hands and basked in the glory of winning India their ninth Asia Cup title.Farhan’s opening salvoThis entire Asia Cup has been a referendum on Pakistan’s decision to move on from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. There is credence to the theory that they do not push hard enough when they bat up the order, and the powerplay is not a time to be shy.Sahibzada Farhan went for his shots early•Getty Images

Sahibzada Farhan took that to heart and although he didn’t always come up with the goods, he never stopped swinging. A series of slogs took him to 26 off 21. And those same series of slogs – when they started connecting – brought him 50 off 35.The Pakistan collapseFarhan and Fakhar Zaman were able to put one of India’s bankers – Kuldeep Yadav – under pressure. The left-arm wristspinner’s first two overs went for 23. That prompted Suryakumar Yadav to turn to Varun Chakravarthy, whose mystery Pakistan have just not been able to solve. As if on cue, he took down both of Pakistan’s top scorers. Farhan and Fakhar were the only two to cross 15.On the back of Varun’s incisions, his team-mates came into their own. Axar Patel took two wickets in back-to-back overs. Kuldeep took three in one single over. Pakistan were 107 for 1 with 44 balls to play. They were bowled out with five balls remaining. A large part of their innings involved the batters going for slogs. In the front 10, they either made good contact or just plain missed. So just one wicket fell. In the back 10, the big hits were all mis-hits. So nine wickets fell.Tilak’s methodWhere all his team-mates tried to force the issue, Tilak found ways to trust himself. He was 24 off 26. But he didn’t seem to care. Early in his innings, he hit a back foot punch though extra cover for four off Ashraf. There was no pace on that ball. The only way he could find the boundary was if he timed the ball perfectly. And for that to happen, he had to have the measure of this pitch down pat. He did.Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube’s brisk stand lifted India•Getty Images

That confidence fuelled the rest of his innings, reminding him that he needn’t over-exert himself. India had to settle for either singles or dots through the eighth and ninth overs of the chase as Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub stuck to the basics – keeping the stumps in play and asking India to take risks if they wanted to score quickly. Tilak rose to that challenge but even then, he was careful to go after the full one, the one that he could get to the pitch of and negate the turn. All that good work meant even with long-on in play, the ball went for six.In the 15th over, Tilak did another cool thing. With wickets falling around him, he had shown he was ready for a fight. In rebuilding India’s innings with barely a false shot, he showed he was in the zone. Now, seeing Haris Rauf running in, he showed a mind for problem-solving. He had seen how hard it was to hit with pace off the ball. Now that Pakistan were offering pace, he took full toll. Seventeen runs came from that 15th over and changed the complexion of the game. From needing 64 off 36, India needed 47 off 30.Dube cameoIndia were without their first-choice seam-bowling allrounder. Hardik Pandya was nursing a quad niggle and couldn’t make the XI. Shivam Dube did, after resting the last game. He was responsible for two absolutely vital sixes. The first of those showcased his spin-hitting ability as he tonked Abrar down the ground. The second exemplified how well he reads the game. He had faced, and watched from the other end, as Ashraf in the 19th over, tried to hide the ball outside off stump. So when he got back on strike, he indulged in an exaggerated trigger movement across his stumps to get closer to the ball and launch it over wide long-on. Dube contributed 33 off 22 to a momentum-shifting, match-winning, fifth-wicket partnership that yielded 60 runs off 40 balls. He also had to open the bowling for the first time in any format of cricket, finishing with 3-0-23-0. It was a splendid day’s work.The finishThese three India-Pakistan games have taken place under the shadow of far greater events. The two countries were in military conflict earlier this year. The two teams have not shaken hands. The two captains have even been avoiding eye contact. Rauf was fined for making gestures that seemed to point to those cross-border tensions. Jasprit Bumrah used the same gesture – hand pointed down, arcing to the floor – to give it back to Rauf after bringing down his stumps with a yorker.Tilak Varma celebrates a tense victory•AFP/Getty Images

The highly charged atmosphere that has been taking focus away from the cricket now added to it. The two coaches – Mike Hesson and Gautam Gambhir – would not accept being left on the sidelines, sending out messages to help the teams as the equation grew tighter. 30 off 18. 17 off 12. 10 off 6.With eight to get off five, Tilak launched a six over square leg – once more showcasing just how well he had grown accustomed to tough batting conditions and Rauf once again falling short by putting pace on the ball. Everything that happened after that will be turned into a meme. Tilak making the heart sign. Rinku Singh haring off into the distance. Gambhir banging a desk. This was an India-Pakistan classic worth the 41-year wait both teams needed to make the final of the Asia Cup.