Liverpool are always on the lookout for offensive talent and may have found a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah at Anfield who they could now target.
Liverpool face anxious wait on Ibrahima Konate future
Undoubtedly, the only minor concern at Anfield right now comes in the form of Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain Liverpool contract situation, which has drawn interest from Real Madrid, who are thought to be in advanced talks over a potential move to the Bernabeu.
With his deal set to expire next summer, the La Liga giants could enact a repeat of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s acrimonious exit, which looked set to occur on a free transfer before Los Blancos shelled out £8.4 million to land the England international, ensuring he was on board in time for the Club World Cup.
Ibrahima Konate warming up for Liverpool
Addressing Konate’s situation, Redmen TV’s Ste Plunkett has admitted that he could envisage Konate leaving to join Real Madrid, admitting the pull of playing for the world heavyweights may prove difficult for the Liverpool man to turn down.
He told BBC Sport: “If we get a notification from Konate that his intention is to go to Real Madrid in the summer, then we are forced to do whatever it is we need to do to fill that gap, and then we have to find one more.
“I fully expect him to leave. He’s won trophies with the club; there is a big coming together of French talent at Real Madrid, you’ve got five or six of them, and that will continue. All the best French players will end up gravitating over there, and he wants to go and be a part of that.”
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Nevertheless, Liverpool’s pursuit of a new central defender after their late attempts to sign Marc Guehi isn’t the only matter on the agenda for Arne Slot, who is now said to be lining up a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool eye Malick Fofana as Mohamed Salah successor
According to reports in Spain, Liverpool see Lyon star Malick Fofana as a long-term successor to Salah and remains on their radar despite opting to stay in France during the summer window.
Rivals Everton were actually in talks to sign Fofana over the summer, but the £43m-rated star stayed put at Lyon.
The Reds had shown interest in taking him to Anfield and his versatility is said to be a key reason why, alongside his speed and high level of end product in the final third.
Lauded by Man City star Rayan Cherki for his explosiveness, Fofana registered 11 goals and six assists in 41 appearances across all competitions last term, and he has continued that form in 2025/26, notching two goal contributions in three games.
With Salah at a point where consultation will begin in the next couple of years over his eventual replacement, Fofana appears to be of a similar mould and supporters will be keeping a keen eye on his situation as Liverpool continue to probe for his signature.
The Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end.
On Thursday, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old would step down as Executive Chairman after 25 years in charge, with the ownership believing change was needed to bring greater sporting success.
Appointed in March 2001, Levy was the longest-serving chairman in Premier League history and a divisive figure throughout his tenure.
Regularly the subject of supporter protests, his reputation was split between financial prudence and a failure to translate infrastructure into silverware.
Levy’s final months brought a rare high and an equally stark low. Spurs won the Europa League in May, ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.
Yet the triumph was underpinned by a disastrous league campaign that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League.
He will nevertheless be remembered for delivering the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that transformed the club’s commercial revenues.
Hosting NFL games, concerts and boxing events, the stadium has become a global landmark.
On the pitch, however, Levy’s managerial decisions often defined Spurs’ fortunes more than infrastructure ever could.
This summer’s spending spree, with marquee signings like Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons, hinted at ambition, though Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.
Vinai Venkatesham, appointed Chief Executive in April, now must take the reins and implement a new vision while the search for Levy’s replacement is ongoing.
Ange and the many Managers of Levy’s Spurs
Few chairmen have hired and fired as many notable managers as Levy.
Ange Postecoglou, adored at times by supporters for his bold attacking football, was the latest casualty.
TottenhamHotspur managerAngePostecoglu applauds fans after the match
Sacked just weeks after lifting the Europa League, his dismissal came amid dire league form – 22 top-flight losses in 2024/25 – underlining Levy’s reputation for ruthless decision-making.
Thomas Frank has since arrived from Brentford to steady the ship. Postecoglou’s departure was far from Levy’s only high-profile axing.
José Mourinho was dismissed just a week before Spurs faced Manchester City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, a move that baffled many supporters.
Ryan Mason stepped in as caretaker manager, but Spurs ultimately lost the final.
Antonio Conte’s short but combustible tenure saw him openly question his players’ mentality, though he did guide them to Champions League qualification in 2021/22.
Levy also experimented with Nuno Espírito Santo, a project that fizzled out within months, and was also known to turn to well-known figures like Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood in the past.
Yet one name defined Levy’s Spurs more than any other, both in success and in the bitterness of his departure.
Sacking Pochettino was Levy's biggest mistale
Mauricio Pochettino’s time in North London was transformative.
Appointed in May 2014 as Spurs’ tenth manager in just 12 years, he brought stability, style and belief.
Over five years, he nurtured talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, built a fearless team around high pressing and rapid transitions, and took Spurs closer to glory than they had been in decades.
The pinnacle came in 2019 when Spurs reached the Champions League final.
Their run included an unforgettable semi-final comeback against Ajax, capped by Lucas Moura’s last-minute hat-trick strike.
Though they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, it was a defining achievement.
In the league, Pochettino’s side finished second in 2016/17 with 86 points – their best finish since 1963 – only seven points behind champions Chelsea.
And yet, just months after that Champions League final, Levy made his most infamous call. With Spurs struggling at the start of the 2019/20 season, Pochettino was sacked.
Matches
499
Wins
240
Draws
113
Losses
146
Points
833
It was a decision even more brutal than the one that ended Postecoglou’s reign. As journalist Alex Keble described him, Pochettino was a “genius” and a “very rare example of a manager genuinely being too good for a club.”
The Argentine later admitted he was shocked by Levy’s departure this week, reflecting fondly on their “very good” relationship.
After leaving Spurs, he managed PSG and then Chelsea, before taking charge of the US men’s national team.
His tactical philosophy remains consistent: a 4-2-3-1 built on pressing, playing out from the back, and suffocating opponents with relentless energy.
Pochettino gave Spurs an identity that carried them to the edge of greatness. Levy’s decision to sack him months after their greatest modern achievement left scars that arguably linger to this day.
MauricioPochettinocoach of U.S. during the match
It is unclear where Spurs go from here, but they undoubtedly have the commercial base to become something new altogether.
The ENIC plan that "weakened" Levy before he was "pushed" out of Tottenham
The Lilywhites chief announced his shock exit on Thursday.
Chelsea have now joined the race to sign a “sensational” £34m major Ballon d’Or contender, but there could be fierce competition from rival Premier League clubs, according to a report.
Chelsea set to continue summer spending spree after Club World Cup win
The Blues certainly haven’t been afraid of splashing the cash under the helm of Todd Boehly, having made significant losses over the past four seasons in terms of net spend.
Season
Net spend
2022-23
£-486m
2023-24
£-157m
2024-25
£-37m
2025-26
£-191m
However, despite spending big up to this point, with the likes of Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens sealing moves to Stamford Bridge, there is still one problem position, which Enzo Maresca is yet to strengthen.
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Throughout the 2024-25 campaign, Maresca had issues with his goalkeepers, with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen each being given runs in the side, indicating the manager has major doubts about both players.
As such, the west Londoners may have to bring in a top-level goalkeeper this summer, should they have a real ambition of competing for the Premier League title next season, and they have now identified a new target.
That is according to a report from France, which states Chelsea have joined the race for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is set to make a decision on his future now the Club World Cup has reached its conclusion, with the Blues securing a 3-0 victory over the French giants on Sunday night.
Italy's GianluigiDonnarumma, Nicolo Rovella and Destiny Udogie react
However, there could be fierce competition for Donnarumma, with the shot-stopper also attracting the attention of Manchester City and Manchester United, which could pose a problem.
The 26-year-old’s contract is set to expire next summer, which has alerted a number of clubs to his potential availability, however, despite a reported asking price of £34m, his main priority is to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes.
"Sensational" Donnarumma vying to win the Ballon d'Or
PSG have enjoyed unparalleled success under the helm of Luis Enrique, most notably winning the 2025 Champions League after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final, meaning Ousmane Dembele and Donnarumma are among the main contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
While the Italian managed to shut-out Inter in the final, he was particularly impressive in the semi-final against Arsenal, with NBC Sports’ Joe Prince-Wright suggesting he was a real difference-maker over the course of the two legs.
The PSG star made two huge saves to keep the Gunners at bay, and his experience at the top level would make the Italy international an ideal signing.
That said, while Chelsea were recently crowned Club World Cup champions, it could be difficult to lure Donnarumma away from PSG, given his willingness to sign a new deal.
There is never a moment to catch your breath with Chelsea.
One second, the Blues are lifting the Conference League trophy, and the next, they’re making it to the next round of the Club World Cup.
It’s not just on the pitch where the West Londoners seem to work at breakneck speed either, as it’s been a busy summer of transfer business so far, with the likes of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr already through the door, and links to Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho refusing to go away.
Garnacho
Fortunately, there are other reports suggesting the club are preparing an offer for someone who’d be a far better signing than the Argentine.
Chelsea moving to sign Garnacho upgrade
The first murmurings of a potential transfer to Chelsea for Garnacho appeared just ahead of the winter transfer window this season, but as we know today, those links never amounted to much more than rumour.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Things are a little different this summer, though, as with it now known that the young winger has been told to leave United, the links to Chelsea in recent days feel like they carry a little more weight, especially as some have claimed that contact has been made.
However, it would be fair to say that this is not a move that many supporters want to see happen.
So, fans should be particularly excited about the intensifying links to a far better alternative: Jamie Gittens.
Yes, according to a recent report from talkSPORT, Chelsea have maintained their intense interest in the Borussia Dortmund star this summer, despite seeing a number of offers for him already rejected.
In further good news, the story claims that the West Londoners are in advanced talks and are now preparing a third bid for the player worth around £45m and hope it will be enough to convince the German side to sell.
It’s a lot of money to spend on a youngster, but Gittens looks like he could be something special, and he’d undoubtedly be a better signing than Garnacho.
Why Gittens would be a far better signing than Garnacho
There are a few key reasons why Gittens would be a far better signing for Chelsea to make than Garnacho this summer, and the first stems from their respective output this season.
Appearances
49
58
Minutes
2803′
3568′
Goals
12
11
Assists
5
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.34
0.36
Minutes per Goal Involvements
164.88
169.90′
For his efforts, the United ace was able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances, totalling 3568, which comes out to a reasonable enough average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or every 169.90 minutes.
However, the Dortmund star has a better minutes-to-goal involvement ratio of 164.88, as in his 49 games for the German giants this year, totalling 2803 minutes, he scored 12 goals and provided five assists.
The second reason for signing the Englishman over the Madrid-born star is the fact that his slight advantage regarding their respective output becomes far more significant when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
While the eight-capped Argentine does do better in a few areas, like progressive passes and carries, he is massively outperformed by the former Manchester City prospect in so many other, arguably more important metrics.
Non-Penalty G+As
0.56
0.33
Progressive Passes
2.13
2.22
Shots
2.58
3.61
Goals per Shot
0.16
0.06
Shots on Target
1.06
1.22
Goals Per Shot on Target
0.39
0.16
Expected Assists
0.20
0.12
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.20
1.05
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.27
0.17
Shot-Creating Actions
3.57
3.63
Goal-Creating Actions
0.45
0.37
Tackles
1.44
1.05
Tackles Won
0.79
0.65
Blocks
0.89
0.77
Interceptions
0.48
0.45
Clearances
0.38
0.37
Successful Take-Ons
3.57
1.31
Carries into the Final Third
2.96
2.93
Carries into the Penalty Area
3.06
3.04
For example, not only does the Reading-born gem score more goals from his shots, but he also creates more opportunities by completing more passes and crosses into the penalty area or being the far more accomplished dribbler.
Moreover, he is an incredibly hard worker, as evidenced by the fact he makes more tackles, blocks, interceptions and clearances than his potential competitor per 90.
Jamie Gittens
Ultimately, while Garnacho is a talented player, he’s simply not as good as Gittens, with the latter outperforming him when it comes to raw output and everything that goes on under the hood as well, which is why Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign the Dortmund star this summer.
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The Hill Dickinson Stadium will begin life in the Premier League by playing host to Brighton & Hove Albion, one week after Everton’s season opener away to newly-promoted Leeds United.
David Moyes deserves all the plaudits for his remarkable work on Merseyside this year, replacing Sean Dyche in January and taking a weary 16th-place outfit, one point above the drop zone, up and up towards 13th, some 23 points above relegated Leicester City.
The shift has been profound, but now Moyes must sustain and indeed advance his progress in a new setting, retaining the magic and feeling that Goodison Park and its crowd instilled through to the pitch.
Everton manager DavidMoyes
So much uncertainty. More than a measure of anxiety. However, tenfold that amount in regard to the excitement of a new age. Of course, Everton need signings to make it happen, with a striker right at the top of the wish list.
Everton chasing new striker
As per Spanish outlet AS, Everton are interested in striking a deal for Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, although it must be said that Atletico Madrid are also in the race and have actually established contacts with the Brasileiro Serie A side.
Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto
Thankfully, Alberto isn’t the La Liga side’s priority, and if the Toffees put in the groundwork over the coming weeks, they might find themselves stealing ahead.
Valued at €20m (about £17m), Everton are joined by Roma – also owned by the Friedkin Group – in their bid for the Brazilian, as they line up a swoop for the striker.
What Yuri Alberto would bring to Everton
Described as “clinical” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, the club could strike gold by winning the race to sign Alberto, who at 24 is finally ready to settle on the European stage and improve a Toffees team looking to progress toward the upper echelon of Premier League football.
Everton like a Brazilian forward, having reaped the rewards of signing Richarlison from Watford way back when, but they have probably missed the 28-year-old’s fiery personality and dynamism after selling him to Tottenham Hotspur for £60m in 2022.
As per FBref, Alberto ranks among the top 10% of forwards during this year’s Serie A season for goals scored per 90, as well as pass completion and aerial duel success rate. His roundedness and dominance as a focal point suggest he could be the man Everton are looking for to front their project.
2025
35
13
1
2024
57
31
7
2023
63
15
9
2022
44
18
6
2021
55
19
4
Alberto knows his way around a finish, make no mistake. The mobile and determined striker would add a bit of flair to Moyes’ side, raising the threat levels in front of goal, moreover.
There’s no doubt that he’d prove an upgrade on the Dominic Calvert-Lewin we’ve come to know over the past couple of years, but maybe he could be the manager’s own version of Richarlison too.
Though Iliman Ndiaye has restored the thrill factor for the Blues, Richarlison’s tenacity and hunger gave Everton something special and distinctive across four consistent seasons, wrapping up his time at the club with 53 goals and 15 assists across 152 appearances.
Once tipped by Carlo Ancelotti to become “one of the top strikers in Europe”, Richarlison’s time at Tottenham has left plenty to be desired.
Still, his Brazilian tenacity has remained a core part of his skill set, and now Alberto could emulate that quality under Moyes’ wing, having been described by talent scout Jacek Kulig to be a “complete forward” with a “powerful, athletic” build.
Richarlison injured for Tottenham
Richarlison, physically imposing, good with his head and endowed with a natural prolificness, might have been linked with a return to Merseyside in recent months, but Everton have entered a new chapter and would instead be better off pursuing a fresh and younger face.
Still, Alberto can become the club’s next version of their South American maverick.
Their best attacker since Lukaku: Everton lead race for £50m star on loan
Everton are in the market for another maverick attacker
Everton have been put through the wringer over the past several years, but the return of David Moyes in January has turned the club back in the right direction.
The Friedkin Group have a daunting task ahead, with so many players out of contract at the end of the month. But it’s also a golden opportunity to redesign the Toffees squad as they step into a new home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton manager DavidMoyes
New CEO Angus Kinnear, who left Leeds United to replace Kevin Thelwell in May, has got his work cut out, but Everton are willing to entrust their senior figures with the big decisions, and understandably so, given Moyes has identified an exciting new option to strengthen the frontline.
Everton make their first move
According to Turkish outlet A Spor, Galatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz has been approached by Everton as they look to add depth and dynamism to Moyes’ squad.
Yilmaz can play across both attacking flanks and thus would fit the bill as to what the manager hopes to add. It’s understood that the Merseysiders will soon present an opening £16m offer, but that the Istanbul club are holding out for a figure closer to £29m.
With Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom both returning to their parent clubs after difficult loan spells at Goodison Park, this could be a shrewd signing indeed for the Blues.
What Yilmaz would bring to Everton
Everton’s Premier League pedigree has at times felt threatened by the turbulence at the club over recent seasons, by the dysfunction that has led to palpable fears of relegation.
Moyes, though, transformed the club when arriving in January, after 12 years away. Everton finished comfortably in 13th place, and if they can get things right during the off-season, bringing in players such as Yilmaz, they could be headed for a new level of success.
Baris Alper Yilmaz for Galatasaray.
Yilmaz, a silky and talented winger, would certainly ease the burden on Iliman Ndiaye’s shoulders, the Senegalese star hailed by pundit Jamie Redknapp for his “dynamite” qualities after joining from Marseille for £15m last summer.
He could even prove an upgrade on Dwight McNeil, taking his place in the starting line-up as Charly Alcaraz makes the number ten spot his own, especially after notching 20 goal contributions from 48 matches for Gala last season.
That came after a EURO 2024 showdown with the Netherlands, which led Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk to declare his adversary “difficult for every defender”.
The Turk’s constant running and unrelenting intensity suggest he’d be a fantastic addition to the Premier League, potentially even capable of keeping McNeil on the bench.
Everton’s industrious playmaker started the 2023/24 season off with aplomb, but a knee injury ruled him out for the entirety of the midseason. Still, the one-time Burnley talent finished the year with four goals and eight assists from 21 top-flight fixtures, 15 starts.
Matches (starts)
32 (29)
21 (15)
Goals
12
4
Assists
3
8
Touches*
46.9
39.4
Shots (on target)*
2.4 (0.9)
1.2 (0.5)
Pass completion
75%
83%
Big chances created
8
12
Key passes*
1.4
1.8
Dribbles*
1.4
1.1
Ball recoveries*
3.0
3.6
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
0.9
Duels won*
6.3
2.8
Though McNeil is evidently the more naturally creative player, Everton could add a new dimension to their attacking efforts by bringing Yilmaz in.
Everton, let’s not forget, finished 13th in the chance creation standings last season (63 big chances created) but only scored 42 goals, fewer than all but the three relegated outfits.
Dwight McNeil for Everton
Ultimately, it would serve Moyes well to have both players in the team next season, but Yilmaz’s pace and directness offer shades of Ndiaye, and we’ve seen how well he took to life in the Premier League when signing for Everton.
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The Champions League final is the pinnacle of any football season. With the showpiece finale set to bring the curtain down on another dazzling European campaign, it brings around a chance to look back at some of the best finals from years gone by.
While finals can often be drab affairs – the last four editions have all been decided by a single goal – the Champions League final has been no stranger to some of the most dramatic affairs over the years. Here is Football FanCast’s attempt at ranking the very best finals since the first one in 1956, based on the drama and significance of each match.
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Rank
Final
Year
Milan 3-3 Liverpool
2005
Man Utd 2-1 Bayern Munich
1999
Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea
2008
Benfica 1-4 Man Utd
1968
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid
2014
Bayern Munich 1-1 Chelsea
2012
Real Madrid 7-3 Frankfurt
1960
Celtic 2-1 Inter
1967
Steaua Bucharest 0-0 Barcelona
1986
Bayern Munich 0-1 Aston Villa
1982
Milan 4-0 Barcelona
1994
Liverpool 1-1 Roma
1984
Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Real Madrid
2002
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
2018
Barcelona 3-1 Man Utd
2011
15 Barcelona 3-1 Man Utd (2011) Guardiola's stars beat United in the final again
Barcelona’s class of 2011 are considered one of the greatest club sides of all time, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta bringing Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka philosophy to life.
The 2011 final, held at Wembley Stadium, pitted the same finalists as in 2009, when Barca overcame United 2-0 in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
First-half goals from Pedro and Wayne Rooney suggested this would be a more even contest, but the second half saw Barcelona’s star men come alive.
Messi put Barcelona back in front shortly after the interval, while David Villa sumptuously curled home to seal the match and the Catalans’ third Champions League triumph in six seasons. The only surprise is that their dominance didn’t exactly endure after this.
14 Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool (2018) Karius clangers and Bale wonder-strike completes Euro hat-trick
While maybe not the most spectacular of matches, this game did provide one of the most spectacular goals in a Champions League final, while also including one of the most bizarre. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius gifted Karim Benzema the opener in Kyiv by inexplicably rolling the ball into his path before Sadio Mane equalised for the Reds.
Gareth Bale came off the bench to score an incredible overhead kick, before the Welshman finished the job with the help of another Karius mistake. It was a third consecutive Champions League triumph for Real Madrid – a feat that hadn’t been achieved for over 40 years.
Date
26th May 2018
Venue
NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv
Attendance
61,561
Goalscorers
Benzema 51′, Bale 63′, 83′ / Mane 55′
13 Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Real Madrid (2002) Zidane's worldie wins Los Blancos' ninth CL
Another sensational Champions League final goal; another sensational volley and another Madrid victory. This time it was Zinedine Zidane who scored one of the most iconic goals in the competition’s illustrious history, sending a luscious, looping effort into the top-left corner from just inside Leverkusen’s penalty area at Hampden Park. Zidane’s goal on the stroke of half-time proved the winner, with Lucio having cancelled out Raul’s early opener.
Date
15th May 2002
Venue
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Attendance
50,499
Goalscorers
Lucio 14′ / Raul 8′, Zidane 45′
12 Liverpool 1-1 Roma (1984) Reds win on penalties to upset hosts and favourites Roma
It won’t have been often that Liverpool headed into a European Cup final as underdogs, but Joe Fagan’s Reds were up against it as they prepared to take on Roma in their own backyard, in what was just the hosts’ second European final, having won the Fairs Cup in 1961.
Phil Neal put Liverpool ahead before Roberto Pruzzo levelled things up before half-time. The teams could not be separated, leading to a penalty shootout. It is perhaps best known for Bruce Grobbelaar’s ‘spaghetti legs’ antics in goal, with Francesco Graziani blazing his effort over, handing the Reds match point.
Alan Kennedy netted the winning spot-kick, making Liverpool European champions for a fourth time.
Date
30th May 1984
Venue
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Attendance
69,693
Goalscorers
Neal 13′ / Pruzzo 42′
11 Milan 4-0 Barcelona (1994) Johan Cruyff's Barcelona swept aside by brutal Milan display
Miguel Angel Nadal (l) had a tough night against Milan.
Johan Cruyff’s swashbuckling Barcelona side were expected to wipe the floor with a Milan team shorn of several key players, including Marco van Basten and Franco Baresi, due to injury.
Those expectations could have not ended up being further from the truth, with the Rossoneri delivering one of the finest team performances in a single game in the history of the competition to win 4-0 and claim their fifth European crown. Dejan Savicevic’s exquisite lob over a helpless Andoni Zubizarreta was the pick of the goals as Milan ran riot in Athens.
Date
18th May 1994
Venue
Olympic Stadium, Athens
Attendance
70,000
Goalscorers
Massaro 22′, 45′, Savicevic 47′, Desailly 58′
10 Bayern Munich 0-1 Aston Villa (1982) Peter Withe winner upsets odds as Villans reign in Europe
Not very often does the European Cup final pit a David and Goliath together, but that’s what we got in 1982 when an unfancied Aston Villa set up a grand finale against Bayern Munich.
Bayern were three-time European Cup winners and boasted international stars such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner in their starting XI.
In contrast, Villa had somewhat surprisingly won the First Division a year prior, and were forced to substitute their first-choice goalkeeper nine minutes into the final, leaving Nigel Spink – who had one first-team appearance to his name – to make his European debut for a Villa side decidedly lacking in star names.
That did not deter them, and they made the breakthrough midway through the second half through Peter Withe’s strike from Tony Morley’s cross, sparking jubilant scenes on the pitch and in the stands.
Bayern then had a late equaliser ruled out for offside as Tony Barton’s side held on to create history.
9 Steaua Bucharest 0-0 Barcelona (1986) Duckadam saves four in incredible shootout
You’re probably wondering what a goalless draw is doing in a best finals piece. Well, in a great example of not needing goals to have drama and heroics, Steaua Bucharest’s only European Cup triumph can be put down to an unbelievable goalkeeping display from Helmuth Duckadam.
The Romanian saved all four of Barcelona’s spot-kicks to win the European Cup for his team. The shootout itself ended 2-0 in favour of Steaua after a goalless draw, with each of the first four attempts saved before Marius Lacatus finally converted.
Granted, some of the penalties weren’t the best, but there’s no denying the greatness of Duckadam’s exploits.
Date
7th May 1986
Venue
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville
Attendance
70,000
Goalscorers
None
8 Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (2014) Real blitz Atletico in extra time to earn La Decima
Real Madrid hammered Atletico Madrid in 2014.
Madrid had to wait 12 long years to claim ‘La Decima’, their tenth top-level European crown. They got the job done in style in 2014, though, beating city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1.
Diego Godin put Atletico ahead, but Diego Simeone’s stubborn rearguard was not enough. Sergio Ramos sent the game to extra time with a last-minute equaliser, in which Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored to complete the rout for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
7 Celtic 2-1 Inter (1967) Lisbon Lions come from behind to become first British champs
Members of Celtic's 1966-67 squad parade the European Cup in 1998.
The famous Celtic side of 1967, dubbed ‘The Lisbon Lions’, triumphed over Inter to become the first British side to win the European Cup.
Celtic went behind through an early penalty, but from then on, it was an onslaught of green and white, with goals from Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers getting the job done. Incredibly, all but two of Celtic’s squad were born within a 10-mile radius of the club’s ground – just one of the reasons that team is still revered today.
Date
25th May 1967
Venue
Estadio Nacional, Lisbon
Attendance
45,000
Goalscorers
Gemmell 63′, Chalmers 84′ / Mazzola 7′ (p)
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ByRobin Mumford May 14, 2025 6 Real Madrid 7-3 Eintracht Frankfurt (1960) Ten-goal final hands Madrid fifth European crown on the spin
We’ll level with you: we didn’t watch the 1960 European Cup final. But its significance remains, as does its status as one of the greatest football matches of all time.
High-scoring games weren’t as rare back in the day, with both Real Madrid and Frankfurt reaching the final having put 12 goals past the likes of Jeunesse Esch and Rangers respectively – the latter coming in two brutal semi-final demolitions.
That theme continued into the final, with four-time winners Madrid – who had won every edition of the competition to this point – responding to Frankfurt’s opener by striking six times, while there was still time for Erwin Stein to bag a consolation double either side of Ferenc Puskas’ fourth goal of the final.
Alfredo Di Stefano also netted a hat-trick for Los Blancos as they stretched their historic run in front of well over 100,000 fans at Hampden Park. As the highest-scoring final, it just had to be on this list.
Glasgow Rangers have had their takeover officially confirmed, with Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises taking a 51% stake, and the investment group have put £20m in to begin with.
New sporting director Kevin Thelwell has also officially started his job at Ibrox, having joined from Everton, and he will assist with finding the club’s next head coach to replace Barry Ferguson after his interim spell came to an end.
Despite there still not being any official word on who the next manager is going to be, work will be going on in the background to identify targets to bolster the squad.
The summer transfer window opened for business on Sunday and the Light Blues will be looking at players who have the potential to improve the team ahead of next season.
49ers eyeing first Rangers signing
Cyriel Dessers ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of six goals in his last five matches in the Scottish Premiership, yet his goal burst did not stop him from underperforming against his xG.
The Nigeria international scored 18 goals from 19.73 xG in the Premiership and three goals from 5.3 xG in the Europa League, which shows that he consistently underperformed over the course of the season.
This may be why, according to the print edition of the Daily Mail (2 June, page 69), as relayed by IbroxNews, the 49ers are interested in a deal to sign Jamie Vardy this summer.
The report claims that the Gers are one of a number of clubs to have expressed an interest in signing the former England international on a free transfer, after he confirmed his exit from Leicester City.
Transfer Focus
It remains to be seen, however, whether or not the Foxes legend would be willing to make the move up north to Ibrox to have a crack at Scottish football.
If the 49ers can make Vardy the first signing of the new era in Glasgow, though, then the next Rangers manager could have an upgrade on Dessers on their hands.
Why Jamie Vardy would be an upgrade on Cyriel Dessers
The Leicester icon, who was described as a “living legend” by manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy, may appear to be at the wrong end of his career, at the age of 38, but the striker still plundered nine Premier League goals this season.
Vardy ended his Leicester career with 200 goals in 500 matches, including 145 in 342 games in the Premier League, which shows that he has been prolific throughout his time in England.
The experienced marksman scored 145 goals from 142.02 xG in the top-flight, illustrating how clinical he is in front of goal, whilst finishing chances efficiently has clearly been a problem for Dessers with his xG underperformance.
Appearances
35
xG
17.07
Goals
18
Minutes per goal
99
Big chances missed
16
Assists
2
As you can see in the table above, Vardy played for a Leicester team chasing the title in the 2023/24 Championship season and led them to the trophy with 18 goals from 17.07 xG.
This suggests that, despite his age, the prolific attacker is still at the top of his game as a finisher and has the potential to be a lethal forward option for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership next season.
Vardy also offers a physical presence in the centre-forward position, having won 48% of his ground duels and 48% of his aerial duels in the Premier League this season. Whereas, Dessers only won 34% of his ground battles and 31% of his aerial contests in the Premiership.
This shows that the English star would provide the team with a better outlet in the number nine position, as he is better than the Nigerian lightweight when it comes to duelling with opposition centre-backs.
Rangers eye manager who Arne Slot said creates top build-up and pressure
Aston Villa will be busy this summer in the transfer market, even if they miss out on Champions League qualification.
As it stands, the club need to win their final game of the campaign and hope for Chelsea, Newcastle United or Man City to suffer a slip-up.
If so, the riches of Europe’s top-tier competition will fill the coffers once again, allowing Unai Emery to sign high-profile players this summer.
Signing a new goalkeeper might be a priority heading into the transfer window, especially with Emiliano Martínez’s future in doubt.
Aston Villa’s search for a new goalkeeper
According to Football Insider, the enigmatic Argentinian is expected to depart Villa Park this summer for a new challenge.
He has been with the club since 2020, turning 33 at the start of the 2025/26 campaign, suggesting Emery is right to cash in now.
As such, this means the club will need a new goalkeeper to take them forward, and according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, it appears as though Lucas Chevalier is the preferred candidate.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Midlands side have approached the youngster regarding a potential move to the Premier League, although no transfer fee has been reported as yet.
The 23-year-old has a contract with Lille until 2027, which means now is the ideal time for the French club to sell. Will Villa make their move soon? Especially if Martinez is seeking a quick exit.
Why Aston Villa must sign Lucas Chevalier
Martinez may have made over 200 appearances for Villa, but a few mistakes have crept into his game this season. Indeed, he’s made five errors leading to a shot in the Premier League, as per Sofascore.
His mistake against PSG saw Villa exit the Champions League, while he parried a shot directed straight at him by Bernardo Silva into the Villa net during the recent defeat to Man City.
Metric
Ligue 1
Champions League
Goals conceded
36
13
Clean sheets
11
1
Saves per game
2.8
3.2
Goals conceded per game
1.1
1.3
Touches
36.4
39.7
Signing Chevalier could be an upgrade on the former Arsenal keeper, especially when comparing their domestic statistics this season.
Indeed, the Frenchman has conceded fewer goals than Martinez this term (36 vs 45), while also conceding fewer goals per 90 (1.06 vs 1.29), having a higher save percentage (74.6% vs 67.9%) and keeping more clean sheets (11 vs eight) across their respective domestic seasons.
Add in the fact that the current Lille number one is nine years younger than the Argentinian, making a move for him in the coming weeks could be shrewd business by the club.
Following an excellent 2023/24 campaign for the Ligue 1 side where he made 2.8 saves per game and conceded just 32 goals in 33 games, talent scout Jacek Kulig lavished praise on him, saying Chevalier was “one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe.”
If Emery manages to lead Villa into the group stages of the Champions League, it will do his chances of landing Chevalier the world of good.
Lucas Chevalier for LOSC Lille.
He kept a clean sheet against Real Madrid in the competition earlier this season, proving he has what it takes to star at the highest level. Much will depend on the Frenchman’s price tag, but signing Chevalier must be a priority this summer.
Atletico Madrid want to sign Aston Villa "destroyer" alongside Emi Martinez
Atletico Madrid could seal quite the double swoop.
Whilst Leeds United lapped up most of the praise in the Championship this season, winning the second-tier title, Scott Parker’s Burnley were more than worthy challengers to the West Yorkshire side’s throne.
After all, Daniel Farke’s side only clinched the title on the final day via goal difference, with the Clarets hoping and praying for a shock Plymouth Argyle victory in Devon, but Parker’s men had to make do with the tag of being runners-up despite also achieving a remarkable haul of 100 points.
Still, there would be celebrations aplenty as the Lancashire side instantly returned to the promised land of the Premier League.
Burnley certainly have their unbelievable defensive record to thank for sealing automatic promotion, with James Trafford a formidable option in between the sticks all season long.
Trafford's standout season in goal for Burnley
Unfortunately for the Turf Moor side, some of their standout performers could still depart for more luxurious pastures this summer, even as the Clarets return to the elite league.
Trafford definitely fits into this category, with rumours circulating that Newcastle United are keen on adding the ex-Manchester City stopper to their roster off the back of his unerring quality in the second tier.
Unbelievably, the Carlisle-born ‘keeper would only concede 16 goals across Burnley’s triumphant 46-game marathon, leading to a jaw-dropping 29 clean sheets being tallied up.
Parker has even gone as far as labelling Trafford as “world class” off the back of such a memorable campaign for his promoted side, but he isn’t the only standout figure in the Clarets camp that is attracting deserved Premier League action.
James Trafford for Burnley.
Indeed, there was a performer who was just as lively, albeit at the complete opposite end of the pitch.
The Burnley "superstar" who is ready for the Premier League
Parker will already be wary about the difficult challenge ahead, considering he has only picked up nine career wins at Premier League level as a manager.
But, he will be slightly less hesitant about diving back into the tricky division if he can keep Josh Brownhill situated at Turf Moor, with the 29-year-old keen to make an impression on the top-flight again after taking the second tier by storm in 2024/25.
Staggeringly, the experienced EFL head managed to bag more goals in Championship action this season than Trafford would ship, with a bumper 18 goals coming his way to help his team soar into the top two spots.
With six assists also next to his name, the midfield “superstar” – as he was previously labelled by one of his former bosses in Lee Johnson – will be raring to go in the top-flight next season with or without his current employers.
The likes of Everton and West Ham United are reportedly taking an interest in the skilful Clarets captain to boost their own options centrally.
Championship
231
41
25
Premier League
111
6
6
League One
67
8
4
After all, even with the table above confirming that Brownhill’s most comfortable location is the Championship, he has shown flashes of his immense quality in the Premier League before even whilst Burnley have struggled, with his 2023/24 output seeing him pick up six of his overall 12 goal contributions.
This is why both the Toffees and the Hammers are presumably keen, but if Parker and Co are serious about staying put in the top-flight for the long-term, losing Brownhill would be a disaster.
The much-loved number 8 does already have two top-flight relegations on his CV, but after such a sensational personal season alongside the strong Trafford, he could be just what the Clarets need moving forward to return back to their former Premier League glory days.
Burnley make contact to sign ace with "great potential" amid Kompany talks
The Clarets are on their way back to the top-flight.