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Everton are in the infancy of their summer transfer window plans but could be about to step things up a notch after making an approach for a Club World Cup star, according to reports.

Everton close in on Thierno Barry and announce new contract

David Moyes and his side have been slow off the mark this summer as they take time to assess where to strengthen before advancing, though supporters will be relieved to hear the Toffees are closing in on a deal to sign Villarreal striker Thierno Barry.

Set to arrive for around £30 million, he could kickstart a period of significant change for Everton as they finally begin to experience life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Michael Keane has also put pen to paper on a one-year extension on Merseyside and will help shore up Moyes’ backline after rejecting interest from elsewhere to stay at the club.

Upon renewing his terms, the 32-year-old stated: “I love Everton and have been massively proud to play for this club since the day I joined so I’m delighted to extend my stay here. The manager wants a competitive squad and I still feel I have a lot to give to Everton.

“We’ve been through a difficult few years but it’s an exciting time ahead for us as players and our brilliant fans. We’ve got a world-class new stadium to play in, and our form under the manager last season shows there’s a lot of reasons to be positive. I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

Everton’s first five Premier League matches

Leeds United (A)

Elland Road

Brighton & Hove Albion (H)

Hill Dickinson Stadium

Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)

Molineux

Aston Villa (H)

Hill Dickinson Stadium

Liverpool (A)

Anfield

While some things stay the same, Everton’s latest target could open up the possibility of a change in the guard involving a key position if reports are to be believed.

Everton rival Man Utd for Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor

According to Globo, Everton have made an approach to sign Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor to compete with Jordan Pickford for a starting slot after losing Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia this summer.

Manchester United are also keen on his services, and both clubs have moved to sound out his camp over a potential swoop amid recent reports he may be available for only £6 million.

Everton hold advanced talks to sign "superb" free agent in bargain deal

The Toffees have stepped things up…

ByTom Cunningham Jul 5, 2025

Labelled a “warrior” by Botafogo counterpart Philipe Sampaio, John has kept ten clean sheets in 29 appearances this campaign and was instrumental in Botafogo’s run to the last 16 stage of the Club World Cup.

Naturally, his displays have created a wealth of interest in his services, though it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to battle it out with club icon Pickford for the number one jersey under Moyes.

Either way, Everton are beginning to motor in their hunt for signings, and it feels like the Friedkin Group’s reign in charge could be about to take off.

West Bromwich Albion’s action-packed summer has been full of change so far.

Obviously, the first notable change occurred in the dug-out when Ryan Mason was finally unveiled as Tony Mowbray’s late successor, but more alterations have taken place since.

Centre-back titan Semi Ajayi has exited the Hawthorns for Hull City, on top of Grady Diangana reportedly looking as though he’s heading to Valencia in Spain.

Mason could instantly soften the blow of Ajayi departing the West Midlands by securing the signature of Nat Phillips, with reports now suggesting that the Liverpool colossus will move to West Brom permanently this summer.

Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the only major loss Mason will have to stomach as the enthralling transfer window chugs along, with rumours already coming back to the surface that first-team star Tom Fellows might also be off.

Fellows' future at West Brom

It did feel as if it was going to be inevitable that any interest in Fellows would be reignited, with the England U21 international very firmly back on the radar of David Moyes’ Everton, as per a report by TEAMtalk last week.

The exciting attacker is just fresh off a breakout Championship season that saw him collect a jaw-dropping 14 assists in league action, on top of also powering home four strikes for his failed playoff-chasing outfit.

Therefore, it’s not a shock to see the Toffees chasing him, with Mason desperate to keep hold of him as he aims to guide the Baggies to promotion, especially as Josh Maja – who linked up with Fellows to devastating effect last season – edges closer to being back from injury.

But, Fellows might well feel he’s ready for the step-up to the Premier League now, as a reported price-tag of £10m begins to be circulated.

Whilst bolstering their centre-back numbers was a top priority in the wake of Ajayi upping and leaving, adding in more dynamic, creative attackers will be seen as more paramount if Fellows does exit.

West Brom's ideal Fellow replacement

According to a report by the Express and Star, West Brom could soon swoop in for AFC Bournemouth ace David Brooks on a loan basis, with Mason and Co just one of several Championship clubs keeping close tabs on the Welshman’s situation at the Cherries.

Transfer Focus

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

He might well come in, therefore, and be a necessary short-term option for the Baggies to get over their homegrown product’s departure.

Indeed, the 27-year-old’s last electric loan spell away from Bournemouth down in the EFL resulted in Southampton clinching promotion at the close of the 2023/24 season.

Fellows might well even attempt to follow in Brooks’ footsteps if a Premier League switch soon opens up for him, with the 27-year-old – away from firing home two strikes for the Saints during that campaign – first getting to grips with the senior game in the Championship with Sheffield United.

Rising through the ranks with the Blades, he scored three goals and supplied eight assists in South Yorkshire.

As a result, a bumper £11.5m to the South Coast occurred, and whilst he does have a healthy 11 goals and six assists next to his name too in the luxuries of the Premier League, it’s his productive numbers in the second tier overall that will be solely catching Mason’s eye.

23/24

17

2

5

21/22

7

1

0

20/21

32

5

6

17/18

30

3

5

In total, Brooks has a sterling collection of 11 goals and 16 assists at the challenging level, with that assist haul particularly eye-catching as West Brom aim to effectively replace Fellows’ creative flair.

Hailed as “sublime” by Eddie Howe during his early Bournemouth days, this is a signing that will be seen as a statement to the rest of the Championship.

Throw Phillips into the mix and West Brom might well be deemed as serious promotion candidates, irrespective of high-profile exits souring the mood.

West Brom could sign a "fabulous" Diangana replacement who's an EFL veteran

While Grady Diangana nears to a move away from West Bromwich Albion, the Baggies could be about to land his ideal replacement.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 20, 2025

Chelsea are potentially closing in on their next summer signing for Enzo Maresca after an already-busy transfer window.

£50m Chelsea player in "advanced" talks to leave, could be done imminently

It would be a boost for BlueCo.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 26, 2025

They’re expected to be one of the most active Premier League sides in terms of recruitment and player sales before deadline day on September 1, having already sealed a £30 million deal for Liam Delap whilst trying their hand at a host of other men.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Chelsea held talks with AC Milan over signing goalkeeper Mike Maignan before the pre-Club World Cup transfer deadline on June 10, but couldn’t quite find an agreement with the Rossoneri, prompting them to leave negotiations for now.

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike was also a top target for Maresca’s side recently, and they again held negotiations with the Bundesliga side in an effort to acquire him before June 10.

However, Eintracht’s lofty £85 million asking price appears to be a major roadblock as things stand, even if Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg recently insisted that he could still be one to watch for Chelsea as we head later into the window.

Chelsea tried to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens before the CWC deadline too, seeing three bids rejected for the 20-year-old, but talks have been ongoing ever since.

Reports suggest that talks have become much more positive between the clubs, and Chelsea are believed to be closer to signing Gittens despite their many failed offers earlier this month.

Chelsea ready six-year contract offer to Jamie Gittens

Now, as per TEAMtalk, Chelsea are ready to offer Gittens a six-year contract with the option of an additional season – and his signing could be done imminently.

The outlet reported yesterday afternoon that a deal may be struck in the ‘next 24 hours’, with Chelsea apparently “on the verge” of finally reaching an agreement for the Englishman, who’s bagged 12 goals and five assists in 49 appearances for Dortmund this season.

If Chelsea do get Gittens over the line, with talks “now advancing”, he won’t be able to feature for them at the CWC, even if Maresca can add new players to his squad thanks to a unique registration window open from today until July 3.

This is because Gittens has already featured for Dortmund at the tournament, so he’ll have to wait to make his Chelsea debut until after the CWC’s conclusion.

While the ex-Man City youngster is seen as a player with vast potential, there is an err of caution from critics surrounding this potential move, especially for a reported fee of around £45 million.

“I think it might be a slight worry given the [reported] fee that’s being discussed here, £45million,” said talkSPORT’s Olly Clink, when asked about Gittens falling down the pecking order at Dortmund recently.

“I know we live in inflated times, but I think you could argue with some of the transfers Chelsea have made in recent times that they have certainly overpaid. It will be another very long contract again as well for Gittens.

“With any player like this, there is potential that they have maybe a brief period where they’re fantastic, and it’s all very exciting, and they’ve got loads of potential, but we’ve already seen a few of those transfers go wrong for Chelsea already, and with these extremely long contracts it then becomes a little bit more difficult to get them off the books.”

Leeds United will be looking to offload some deadwood ahead of venturing back up to the Premier League.

Indeed, Daniel Farke will know he needs everyone singing off the same hymn sheet to be a success in such a daunting division, meaning personnel such as Illan Meslier and Maximilian Wober could soon be on the chopping block, following Junior Firpo – who headed for Real Betis – out of the exit door.

Patrick Bamford could also be another reserve figure that the German is tempted to part ways with this summer.

But, if the injury-prone 31-year-old was to stay put, he might well be a valuable option for the Whites still, based on his flashes of brilliance in the Premier League previously.

Bamford's previous form in the Premier League

The long-standing Leeds servant did let the entire 24/25 campaign pass him by without scoring a single strike, but he has displayed signs of his class in the big time before.

Bamford has netted all but one of his 24 top-flight strikes donning Leeds white, with the wonderfully taken goal above one of three strikes he managed against Aston Villa to bag a Premier League hat-trick all the way back in 2020.

Of course, it would be extremely bold to expect the 31-year-old to recapture his Premier League best, especially as a goalless season under Farke’s wing is still so fresh.

Yet, he could still be utilised as an impact option off the bench if necessary, with the four goals he bagged the last time he was at the intimidating level, coming about from just 18 starts.

Whilst the veteran still has some credit left in his bank, this other attacker has been stuck on the periphery at Elland Road for some time now without ever looking likely to redeem himself, with a loan exit this summer looking to be nailed on.

The Leeds star who is worse than Bamford

Leeds supporters will always possess a soft spot for Bamford, considering he has two Championship titles under his belt now with the West Yorkshire outfit, away from his favourable output of 60 strikes when at the peak of his powers.

In the curious case of Joe Gelhardt, however, his excellent displays at Elland Road have been even more fleeting than the 31-year-old’s, with the Liverpool-born forward last powering home a strike for the club way back in August of 2023 against Shrewsbury Town. Bamford, on the other hand, last scored in April of 2024 when Farke’s men were hunting down promotion.

24/25

3

0

0

23/24

13

1

0

22/23

19

0

3

21/22

22

2

4

That goal against the Shrews didn’t even come about in league action either, meaning Gelhardt hasn’t actually fired home a meaningful strike in the bread and butter of league football for Leeds since the 21/22 season.

The 23-year-old did amass a promising collection of five goals last season out on loan with Hull City, but Farke will hold zero confidence in Gelhardt being able to transition to Premier League life smoothly. Whereas, with Bamford, he will at least have some crumbs of comfort on his side that he can compete, even if it’s from a bit-part role.

Therefore, instead of killing the 23-year-old’s confidence even more, Leeds will likely loan Gelhardt back out to the Championship, with journalist Graeme Bailey revealing that Wrexham and Birmingham City are interested in the out-of-sorts striker’s services.

The reporter claims that the Premier League side have told the forward that he is free to move on from Elland Road this summer, which has attracted interest from the second tier.

It will be intriguing to see what happens past this next step for Gelhardt, with Jamie Carragher once branding the former England U20 international as a “special” when he was making a name for himself in the senior side while Jamie Redknapp suggested he was “really exciting.”

Now, his future at Elland Road is arguably on even more unstable ground than Bamford’s, even as Farke begins to eye up some fresh stars up top to help Leeds adjust back to their unnerving new level.

Farke's own Phillips: Leeds schedule talks to sign "phenomenal" £30m star

Leeds United could be about to land themselves a top-level Premier League talent.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 13, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now set to open talks over a deal for an “unbelievable” star, who is one of their top attacking targets for the summer transfer window, according to former scout Mick Brown.

Spurs set out to bolster attacking options

While Tottenham’s season was saved by the Europa League final triumph over Manchester United, there will still be major concerns over their Premier League form, finishing in 17th place after collecting just 38 points.

The forward line was not the problem for Ange Postecoglou’s side, who scored 64 goals across the campaign, which is as many as fourth-placed Chelsea, but it appears as though the manager is now keen to upgrade his attack in the summer.

Having secured qualification for next season’s Champions League, Spurs should be in a strong position to attract some top players, and they are the favourites to sign Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane, despite rival interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Tottenham plotting bid to sign £195k-per-week France forward on loan

Spurs are eager to bolster their attacking options.

ByEmilio Galantini May 31, 2025

Sane is, of course, experienced in the Premier League, having picked up 25 goals and 30 assists in the top flight for Manchester City, but the north Londoners also have another winger on the shortlist, who has experienced success in England more recently.

According to Brown, in an interview with Football Insider, Tottenham are now set to open talks over a deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who has been identified as one of their top attacking targets for the summer.

Brown said: “Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Eze,”

“I hear his agent has a few contacts there so I have no doubt they’ll be speaking to him, that’s where a lot of moves of this type start.”

However, it could be difficult to lure the England international away from Palace, as the winger is thought to be “happy” at Selhurst Park, and he is protected by a £68m release clause.

Eze could be "unbelievable" signing for Tottenham

Eze was, of course, instrumental in Palace’s shock FA Cup triumph, scoring the only goal against Manchester City in the final, while he has previously been lauded as “unbelievable” by Statman Dave.

As such, it is little wonder Tottenham are so keen on the 26-year-old, who picked up 14 goals and 11 assists for Palace in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign, more goal contributions than any of Postecoglou’s players.

Considering the forward is happy at Selhurst Park, the only way to stand a chance of securing his signature may be triggering his £68m release clause, but his recent performances suggest an outlay of that amount would be justifiable.

With Son Heung-min set to turn 33-years-old this summer, it could be important for Postecoglou to bring in a long-term replacement this summer, and Eze’s performances for Palace suggest he could be the ideal heir to the South Korean.

Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has backed reports that Arsenal are interested in signing a £126 million centre-forward, with the north Londoners desperate to bring in a world-class goalscorer this summer.

Arsenal's striker shortlist for Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s current striker shortlist appears to have two main faces on it as things stand – Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal tipped to sign class striker after Zubimendi as Arteta pressures board

The Spaniard has made his wishes clear to Emirates Stadium transfer chiefs.

ByEmilio Galantini May 29, 2025

Arsenal have held “concrete talks” over a deal for Sesko, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, while some reports in Portugal are even claiming that Gyokeres has received a five-year contract offer from the Gunners.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

The former ended 2024/2025 with 21 goals in all competitions for Leipzig, bettering last season’s tally of 18, while Gyokeres’ sublime campaign saw him net 54 strikes in 52 appearances.

If signed, either man would spark major excitement among the fanbase, and especially after Arsenal’s struggles to find the net consistently enough in comparison to the previous two seasons.

Arteta especially wants Arsenal to complete a deal for Sesko, while new sporting director Andrea Berta is reported to be more of a fan of Gyokeres (Simon Phillips), so it remains to be seen which number nine they eventually agree upon.

However, they do have other targets on their shortlist, and one of them is Atlético Madrid star Julian Alvarez.

The Argentine has won nearly everything there is to win despite being just 25-years-old, and he’s fresh off the back of a fantastic debut season at Atlético. Alvarez bagged 29 goals and seven assists in 54 appearances across all competitions in the season just gone, perhaps justifying Berta’s decision to reportedly insert a £126 million release clause into his contract when he was their director.

It was in fact Berta who signed Alvarez for the La Liga side from Man City in 2024, to the tune of around £82 million, but he’s now understandably attracting interest from the Premier League again.

Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal are keen on Julian Alvarez

Spanish newspaper Marca and journalist David Medina reported earlier this week that Arsenal are one of the favourites to sign Alvarez in their pursuit of a new striker.

When asked about these reports involving the Gunners and Alvarez, speaking in a GiveMeSport newsletter, the ever-reliable Romano suggested that there is some weight to this information.

Romano states it is “true” Arsenal are interested in Alvarez, but the problem lies in Atlético’s willingness to sell, with Diego Simeone’s side determined to keep their star striker and Berta arguably very unlikely to trigger his mammoth rumoured release clause.

“Atletico Madrid absolutely want to keep Julian,” said Romano when asked if Alvarez was a target for Arsenal and Liverpool, as has been suggested.

“There’s interest from Premier League, it’s true for sure but Atléti insist on keeping him.”

The South American has his credentials as a prolific goalscorer and big-game player. It is also hard to remember Alvarez ever having a bad game for City, with Erling Haaland’s presence arguably the only reason he never quite got a consistent run in the striker role under Pep Guardiola.

Alvarez’s start to life at Atlético puts his quality beyond all doubt, and he’d almost certainly upgrade Arteta’s options. However, he doesn’t appear to be going anywhere any time soon.

Liverpool won the title in stunning fashion just a few weeks ago, soaring far above Arsenal and Manchester City.

Since then, it’s been a tale of both woe and excitement as far as the transfer window is concerned.

The market isn’t even open yet, but it has been a hubbub of activity at Anfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold announcing his decision to leave and a swift replacement now set to arrive in the form of Jeremie Frimpong.

But, their dealings with Bayer Leverkusen may not stop there with Florian Wirtz a priority target too.

The latest on Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz

News broke earlier in the week, courtesy of The Athletic’s David Ornstein, that Liverpool are interested in signing Wirtz this summer.

Yet, there are some complications, not least that he could cost over £100m, but the fact that Bayern Munich (the current favourites) and Manchester City also want to acquire his signature over the forthcoming weeks.

It’s said that Leverkusen would rather sell abroad – understandable given their recent title rivalry with Bayern.

According to reports, Wirtz has spoken to Slot but whether he can convince the German to move to Anfield just as he did with Frimpong remains to be seen.

Liverpool's finest Wirtz alternative

As a result, the Reds may turn their attentions elsewhere. Reports have suggested that the out-of-contract Kevin De Bruyne is one option, while other claims indicate Lyon’s Rayan Cherki wants to move to the Premier League this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Another option could be Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono who currently plays for River Plate in his homeland.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester United have already held talks over signing the 17-year-old, potentially set to trigger his £38m release clause.

Despite United’s huge interest in the player, the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have also cast their eyes in the direction of the attacking midfielder.

How Mastantuono compares to Wirtz

It goes without saying that Wirtz would be the better addition at this current moment in time. However, for a fraction of the price, Slot could sign a very similar player who potentially has an even brighter future in the game.

In the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, Mastantuono has a “wand of a left foot able to unlock defences and create moments of magic”. Capable of playing off the right and through the middle, it’s clear to see where the Wirtz comparisons emerge from.

The German superstar is also left-footed, someone capable of playing off the right or behind the striker. He has been nothing short of sensational this term, scoring 16 goals and supplying 15 assists in 45 outings, a goal involvement every 1.4 games.

By way of comparison, Mastantuono six goals and four assists in 17 matches in 2025, a contribution every 1.7 matches. For someone so young, that’s a fantastic return.

At the same age, Wirtz was also making strong headway in the professional game. In the 2020/21 season, the young German caught the eye by scoring five times and assisting six in 29 matches.

Mastantuono may not be doing that in Europe just yet, but the “special, special talent” in the words of Mattinson has all the tools to become a genuine elite talent.

Further hailed as a “world-class talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Argentine stacks up well compared to his older positional peer.

Goals

0.36

0.38

Assists

0.38

0.46

Shots

4.94

2.84

Key passes

2.77

2.18

Progressive passes

3.37

6.74

Shot-creating actions

6.87

5.67

Successful take-ons

3.73

3.14

Progressive carries

4.94

5.02

While Wirtz’s output for goals and assists is currently better, you can see the sheer level of potential that the River Plate starlet has here.

Despite his raw age, he’s already having more shots per 90 minutes and his rate of shot-creating actions are through the roof.

He will only continue to get better and once he matures and develops further, this is a goal and assist machine in the making. Let’s just say he could rival Wirtz for one of the best attacking midfielders in the game in a few years’ time.

He'd be their best CM since Fabinho: Liverpool plan bid for £60m "machine"

Arne Slot is looking to strengthen his Liverpool side in the transfer market this summer.

2 ByAngus Sinclair May 18, 2025

After such a dismal season in 2024/25, Manchester United have a huge opportunity to end the campaign on a high with the Europa League final on the horizon.

Ruben Amorim’s men face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on Wednesday night, looking to claim his first trophy in charge and secure a place in the Champions League next year.

Such an achievement could be vital in their pursuit of landing new talent this summer, with the manager already targeting new additions to help revitalise his current squad.

Qualifying for the biggest club competition in Europe could hand the Red Devils a boost of offering top-level talents an exciting project despite their lowly Premier League standing.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, work has already been done behind the scenes to hand Amorim with the tools needed to be a success at Old Trafford.

The latest on United’s pursuit of new talents this summer

Matheus Cunha appears to be edging ever closer to completing a switch to join United this summer, with the deal entering its final stages, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 25-year-old has already accepted a proposal to move to Old Trafford this summer, with the hierarchy ready to trigger his £62.5m release clause in four instalments.

However, he could be joined at the Theatre of Dreams by one of his compatriots, with Atalanta’s Ederson the latest player on their radar, according to reports in Italy.

They claim that the Red Devils have been in contact with a move to land the Serie A star, currently having the advantage over Manchester City and Juventus in the race for his signature.

The journalist also confirmed that the 25-year-old would cost a fee in the region of £50m this summer, but that the hierarchy are set to enter negotiations after the Europa League final.

Why United’s £50m target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Paul Pogba still holds the club-record for the highest fee paid for a player, costing £89m from Juventus back in the summer of 2016, just a couple of years after departing on a free transfer.

The Frenchman made over 200 appearances during his second spell at Old Trafford, helping them win the Europa League – something which Amorim could hope to replicate this week.

The midfielder caught the eye in his box-to-box role for the Red Devils, often producing a moment of magic with the ball at his feet, resulting in countless excellent strikes in the North West.

Despite leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, his spell at the club was a success, potentially replicating such a deal with a move for Ederson in the coming months.

The Atalanta star could follow in Pogba’s footsteps by completing a switch from an Italian outfit, also possessing a similar skillset, which could make him a key component in Amorim’s overhaul at the club.

When comparing his stats to those of Pogba’s from his first year at United, the Brazilian has managed to star at both ends of the pitch, making him a superb option as a box-to-box in the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Ederson, who’s been labelled “monster” by The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor, has achieved a higher pass completion rate, handing other players at Old Trafford the chance to improve their own tallies.

Games played

36

30

Goals & assists

5

9

Shot-on-target accuracy

31%

23%

Goals per shot-on-target

0.4

0.3

Pass accuracy

86%

83%

Tackles won

1.6

1.3

Interceptions made

1.2

0.8

Despite registering fewer combined goals and assists, the Brazilian has notched a higher shot-on-target rate along with a better goal-per-shot-on-target rate – highlighting the clinical edge he possesses in attacking areas.

He’s also won more tackles per 90 and completed more interceptions, offering Amorim the added defensive cover he needs within the midfield department at Old Trafford.

£50m may seem to be another hefty investment from the hierarchy this summer, but it’s one that would drastically improve the options currently at Amorim’s disposal.

Should he manage to reach similar levels to those produced by Pogba, it would be an excellent pickup, potentially playing a key role in any success down the line under the current management team.

Man Utd flop who should be "fourth choice" has been even worse than Onana

This Manchester United flop has been an even worse signing than Andre Onana.

ByDan Emery May 20, 2025

While things look somewhat bleak at the moment, the future could be especially bright for Tottenham Hotspur.

It might be true that Ange Postecoglou is currently overseeing the club’s worst domestic campaign for over a generation, but one thing is undeniably true: the squad has some seriously exciting young talents in it.

The likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore all look like they could develop into sensational players down the line, and if Mathys Tel makes his move permanent, then that is yet another mega prospect on the books.

Moreover, Hotspur Way is brewing a handful of exceptional talents, including one youngster who could be their best since Harry Kane and a future superstar for England.

Harry Kane's rise

Now, practically everyone knows that when he was a child, Kane was a part of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, but in what might be one of the worst decisions the Gunners ever made, they let the future superstar go at just 12 years old.

A few years later, the Lilywhites decided to bring him to Hotspur Way, and about five and a half years after that, he was sent out on his first loan move to Leyton Orient, where he scored five goals in 18, mostly substitute appearances.

Over the next few years, the incredible goalscorer would go out on further loans to Millwall, Norwich City, and Leicester City while also making more appearances for the U21 side, where he netted nine times and provided nine assists in just 13 appearances.

While he did play the odd first-team game here and there during this period, the Walthamstow-born marksman was given his first proper opportunity in the first team in the 14/15 season under then-new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Across 51 appearances, totalling 3682 minutes, the future superstar found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided another six assists to boot.

While some labelled him a one-season wonder, we all know what happened next, and by the time he left for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, the Spurs legend had amassed a haul of 280 goals and 62 assists in 435 games, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer in the process.

So, with all that said, fans should be seriously excited about a certain youngster who might be the club’s most exciting prospect since Kane.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Spurs' most exciting prospect since Kane

So, while there are several promising prospects at Hotspur Way at the moment, such as Tyrese Hall, the youngster in question is Lucas Williams-Barnett.

While few fans would have been aware of the 16-year-old at the start of the season, he has now become potentially one of the most talked-about players in youth football.

It’s not hard to see where the hype has come from, though, as in just 18 appearances, totalling 1465 minutes, the Luton-born prodigy has scored a whopping 19 goals and provided nine assists.

Appearances

18

Minutes

1465′

Goals

19

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

1.55

Minutes per Goal Involvement

52.32′

In other words, the goalscoring machine, who’s set to be one of the club’s future “superstars,” per analyst Ben Mattinson, is averaging 1.55 goal involvements every single game, or one every 52.32 minutes.

On top of his unreal club form, the teenage “cheat code”, as dubbed by Spurs’ expert John Wenham, is also performing for the national side.

For example, in just six appearances for the England U17 team, he’s already scored two goals, despite being just 15 when he made his debut.

Ultimately, Williams-Barnett is, without a doubt, Spurs’ most exciting prospect since Kane, and just like the striker, he looks like he’s going to be a superstar for club and country.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 25, 2025

The last few years have been nothing short of a roller coaster for Ipswich Town.

Kieran McKenna has led the team from mid-table in League One all the way up to the Premier League for the first time in two decades.

However, while it’s been a fairy-tale rise for much of that time, this season has been something of a brutal reminder of just how tough the top-flight can be.

That said, while it’s looking like the Tractor Boys will be back in the Championship next season, they have the players to bounce right back up, including one who might be a future England star, who is their version of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Ipswich's future England stars

So, before we get to the star who could well be the next Trent, it’s worth looking at a couple of Ipswich players who have a chance of breaking into the England squad in the future, starting with Omari Hutchinson.

Now, we will admit that this does feel like something of a longshot at this point, but there are a couple of reasons why the former Chelsea ace could one day find himself with the Three Lions on his chest.

The first is that, despite still being just 21 years old, he has established himself as an important member of a Premier League side and, on top of being able to play in a few positions, has racked up a reasonable tally of 22 goal involvements in 78 appearances for the Tractor Boys.

Furthermore, he is already a part of England’s U21 side, starting the last game against Portugal and already amassing a haul of four goal involvements in four games.

Now, the Blues star who seems destined to break into the senior side sooner rather than later is Liam Delap, who is also a part of the U21 side and now has a tally of five goal involvements in 12 games for them.

Moreover, and more importantly, he’s one of the most exciting strikers in the Premier League and, despite playing for a bottom-three side, has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 30 games in the competition this year.

However, Delap is not the only Ipswich star who seems like he will get a cap at some point, as there is another first-teamer who’s been with the club since the League One days who could be their own Trent.

Ipswich's own Trent

While there are a few decent defenders in McKenna’s squad this season, like Dara O’Shea and Axel Tuanzebe, when it comes down to which is most like Trent, there is only one answer: Leif Davis.

Now, we are not saying that the “unbelievable” 25-year-old, as dubbed by journalist Harvey Davies, is as good as the Liverpool star, as that would be somewhat absurd.

However, we are saying there are similarities between the two defenders and that the former Leeds United gem is exceptionally talented.

The most important similarity between the pair is how often they bomb forward and how effectively they get the ball into dangerous areas for their teammates.

For example, in his 118 appearances since moving to Portman Road, the Blues gem, whom writer Harvey Davies claims has “got better every year”, has scored six goals and provided 38 assists in 119 appearances, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.70 games.

Appearances

119

349

Goals

6

22

Assists

38

87

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

0.31

For his efforts, the Liverpool-born international has scored 22 goals and provided 87 assists in 349 appearances, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.20 games.

Ultimately, not only is Davis more than good enough to help Ipswich get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking next season, but he’s also good enough to make it into an England squad one day, and could well be the left-sided Trent in the future.

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