Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim now personally holds a strong interest in signing an “unbelievable” star, who is open to a move to the Premier League.
Amorim looking to improve squad amid mounting pressure
Amorim was given the benefit of the doubt after a poor first season at Old Trafford, perhaps in light of the fact the manager was working with a squad that wasn’t really his own, having replaced Erik ten Hag in November.
However, the 40-year-old is running out of excuses after spending big in the summer transfer window, with Owen Hargreaves bemoaning the fact that a lot of problems still remain.
Time running out: 5 ways that Ruben Amorim can save his job at Man Utd
INEOS are running out of patience.
ByTom Cunningham Sep 17, 2025
Hargreaves said: “Where do you want to start? There are a lot of issues. How Kobbie Mainoo doesn’t play in this team I’ll never know. He came on for that game and in half hour he was probably their best player, by a country mile. So first of all he’s got to play.
“Sesko is not ready. He scored a lot of goals in Germany but he didn’t look ready today. You look at Haaland, the way he ran about and pressed, he just wasn’t active enough, I know he didn’t get much service but he’s got to be more active.”
Sesko is yet to get off the mark in a Man United shirt, which raises concerns over the signing of the 22-year-old, while it is also very strange that Mainoo isn’t receiving much game time, given that he is a more natural central midfielder than Bruno Fernandes.
The 20-year-old is yet to start a Premier League game this season, but rather than reintroducing the youngster to the side, it now appears as though the United boss is looking to strengthen his midfield.
According to The Daily Briefing (via Football365), Amorim is a fan of Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, and holds a strong interest in signing the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man, who could be available for as little as €20m (£17m).
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also named as potential suitors for the central midfielder, who is said to be willing to return to the Premier League.
"Unbelievable" Neves could excel at Old Trafford
Man United have made a point of signing proven Premier League players in recent times, having signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and the Al-Hilal maestro fits the bill in that regard, having impressed during his time with Wolves.
The 60-time Portugal international has also caught the eye at Al-Hilal over the past year, particularly impressing with his passing and tackling, while also finding the back of the net on a regular basis.
Statistic
Average per 90
Non-penalty goals
0.19 (91st percentile)
Tackles
3.21 (94th percentile)
Passes attempted
74.89 (93rd percentile)
Pass completion %
91.8% (97th percentile)
At 28-years-old, Neves may still have a lot left to give in the Premier League, and at just £17m, he could be a bargain addition to Amorim’s squad.
Newcastle United are searching for a striker before the window closes and could now make a surprise late move for a goalscorer from the continent, according to a report.
Newcastle United draw a blank at Leeds United
With speculation mounting that Alexander Isak could be on his way to Liverpool, away supporters made their feelings known after the Magpies drew a blank against Leeds United at Elland Road in a 0-0 draw.
William Osula started through the middle, and Newcastle struggled to create many chances of note, though Nick Woltemade’s arrival from Stuttgart has offered one part of the solution for Eddie Howe moving forward.
Speaking on Saturday, the former Bournemouth manager welcomed the towering German striker, signalling his belief that he could be a useful addition once he adapts to life in the Premier League.
“I think I like his different dimensions to his game. Of course, he’s a big presence, he’s a big man but he has really good technical skills and really good creative ideas around the box. If he was playing today he would’ve helped us in that respect, seeing what other players can’t.
“He’ll need a period where he adapts and he understands what we ask of him and the test the Premier League will bring him but I think he will score goals and he’ll hopefully be a fantastic addition for us.”
Imagine him & Bruno: Newcastle lodge bid for "one of the world's best DMs"
Newcastle are looking to sign one of the best midfielders on the planet to partner Bruno Guimaraes
By
Will Miller
Aug 31, 2025
Brentford striker Yoann Wissa has been a long-term Newcastle target and it remains to be seen whether he is drafted in before the deadline to add goals at the top end of the field. However, there is a chance that the Magpies look elsewhere to find clinical firepower amid recent developments.
Newcastle make late Artem Dovbyk move
According to The Sun, Newcastle are in talks over a deal to sign Roma striker Artem Dovbyk that could take the form of a loan-to-buy agreement between now and the close of play in what they describe as a ‘surprise’ deadline move.
Rated at around £30 million, the Ukraine international scored 17 times in 45 appearances last term, though is yet to strike in two outings this term amid speculation over his future.
Labelled “elite” by Zach Lowy, Dovbyk may be allowed to leave Roma this summer, providing they can fetch a sizeable loan fee, which could push Osula out of the door as part of a striker merry-go-round.
Callum Wilson’s departure has left two holes to be filled in light of the Isak situation. Bringing an experienced forward to the North East with a proven track record would be a pleasing outcome for supporters.
SRH hit 178 sixes in 2024, the most by any side in an IPL season. Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers will have their work cut out in what is a rematch of last season’s second qualifier
Himanshu Agrawal22-Mar-20253:01
How will Ishan Kishan fit into the SRH line-up?
Big Picture: Samson to start as batterIn a video uploaded by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday, Heinrich Klaasen, batting in the nets, belts every ball he faces out of sight. Travis Head, his equally big-hitting team-mate, keeps swinging his his head around to try and follow the ball into the distance. Leading into IPL 2025, it was a throwback to Klaasen, Head and Abhishek Sharma’s merciless six-hitting last season. The three combined to smash 112 sixes out of SRH’s 178 in 2024 – the most by any side in any IPL season.Related
'We have to let go of the past' – Samson keen to work out strengths of new-look Royals
Vettori: 'Whatever ground we go to, our batting is going to be aggressive'
Parag to lead Royals for first three games, Samson to play as batter
IPL to allow one ball change on demand to counter dew
Stats – All the records that can be broken in IPL 2025
Ahead of IPL 2025, SRH retained the explosive trio with no questions asked, alongside their captain Pat Cummins and emerging allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. SRH now begin their new season by facing the team they had knocked out in last year’s Qualifier 2.Rajasthan Royals (RR), like their opposition on Sunday, have retained their core group of Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag (alongside Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel and Sandeep Sharma). Samson has been RR’s go-to batter – he has 300-plus runs for them in seven successive seasons – but he will begin this season as an Impact Player, giving up keeping and captaining duties as he recovers from an injured finger. Parag will be lead RR in their first three games, a clear sign that at only 23 he’s already part of their leadership group.Hetmyer is RR’s only overseas batting option, and that leaves them with a potentially all-Indian top five of Jaiswal, Samson, Parag, Nitish Rana and Jurel. With Hetmyer to follow, the batting still looks formidable, but RR are short on Indian bowling options. They will hope Jofra Archer (who is back with RR after five years), new imports Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana and Sandeep can challenge SRH’s ultra-aggressive approach.New loyaltiesLast year, both Hasaranga and Fazalhaq Farooqi were with SRH. But while Hasaranga pulled out due to injury, Farooqi didn’t get a game. Now they are both with RR, and have been in great form since the last IPL. While Hasaranga has 64 wickets at an average of 16.15 in all T20s since then, Farooqi has 62 at 15.17. Farooqi’s run included being the joint-highest wicket-taker at the T20 World Cup 2024. So, this time, SRH could get to see what they missed last season.Adam Zampa, meanwhile, withdrew late from the IPL last year after being retained by RR. This time, he’s at SRH, and heads into the IPL on the back of 62 wickets in 39 T20s since the last IPL. SRH have some consolation after all.
Team news & likely XIIsJoining the SRH batting party this time is Abhinav Manohar. He was the second-highest run-getter in last year’s Maharaja T20 Trophy, the Karnataka-based T20 league, where he slammed 52 sixes, 22 higher than the next batter on the list. As for SRH’s fourth overseas player, they have options in Zampa, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder and Eshan Malinga. They could opt for Mendis if they choose to lengthen their batting line-up, or Zampa if they want to include a second frontline spinner alongside Rahul Chahar.Sunrisers Hyderabad (probable): 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 Aniket Verma, 7 Abhinav Manohar, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Rahul Chahar, 11 Mohammed Shami, 12 Adam ZampaIn Samson’s absence from the field, Jurel will likely that over the wicketkeeping gloves. Depending on the pitch and the conditions, RR might have to choose between Theekshana and Farooqi. They have only Hasaranga in the allrounder bracket in a squad otherwise full of specialist batters and bowlers.Rajasthan Royals (probable): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Sanju Samson, 3 Nitish Rana, 4 Riyan Parag (capt), 5 Dhruv Jurel (wk), 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Shubham Dubey/Akash Madhwal, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Maheesh Theekshana/Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11 Sandeep Sharma, 12 Tushar DeshpandeBig questionTwo quicks who have had injury issues will be in action in Hyderabad on Sunday.Cummins is set to return after missing the Tests in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy due to the birth of his second child and an ongoing ankle issue. He will be leading SRH for the second season running.Archer, on the other hand, had an injury-free 2024 for England after chronic elbow and back problems. But given his history of injuries, and England’s big Test series against India and Australia to follow later this year, he might have to manage his workload a bit.In the spotlight: Nitish Reddy and Yashasvi JaiswalOne of IPL 2024’s big finds was Nitish Kumar Reddy. His captain Cummins called him “awesome”, and Reddy, a rare pace-bowling allrounder in India, so impressed the national team’s management that he was handed a T20I later in the year and then flew to Australia to face Cummins’ side in Test cricket. A Test century in Melbourne brought tears to his father’s eyes, and he will be hoping to keep making him proud this IPL.Yashasvi Jaiswal took the IPL by storm in 2023, when he cracked its fastest fifty – off 13 balls. He tallied 625 runs at a strike rate of 163.61, including a century. The next year, although he scored 435 runs, that number still seemed to have fallen short of expectations. Jaiswal was part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad just after that, but didn’t get a game. He has remained on the fringes of India’s T20I side, and with immense competition from Abhishek and Samson, he will need an impactful IPL to change that.3:14
Cricinformed – SRH’s six-hitters set for a new IPL high?
Key stats The SRH vs RR rivalry is nowhere near as popular as CSK vs RCB, or CSK vs MI. But the cricket, of late at least, has been tight and exciting; SRH lead the faceoff against RR 11-9, with two of the last three games between them being high-scoring, last-ball thrillers. Thirty-two batters faced at least 200 balls last season, of which Abhishek (204.21) and Head (191.55) led charts for strike rate. Klaasen was seventh with 171.07. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a major part of SRH’s line-up from 2014 to 2024. Sunday will be the first time since October 2021 that SRH will be playing a match without him in the side.Pitch and conditionsThe average run rate in Hyderabad last year was 10.54, the second-highest among the 13 grounds. SRH’s ultra-aggressive attitude with the bat – they even chased down 166 against LSG within ten overs – took the pitch out of the equation.Hyderabad is expected to be hot on Sunday afternoon, with hardly any chance of rain. So expect big scores again, and the ball flying to all parts of the ground.Quotes”I think it’s a pragmatic answer to a difficult problem, [dew] doesn’t affect every ground. Don’t think we experience dew here [in Hyderabad] at all, Chennai and Mumbai [are affected with dew] in particular. It’s a nice solution for everyone to come up with, I think it’ll work really well.” Next three fixturesSRH host Lucknow Super Giants four days after hosting RR. They then have back-to-back away games against Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.Three days after playing SRH, RR host Kolkata Knight Riders, and three days later they have a home game against Chennai Super Kings – both in Guwahati. With a five-day gap after that, RR fly to Mullanpur to play Punjab Kings.
حقق منتخب السعودية فوزًا مهمًا على حساب نظيره إندونيسيا، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات التصفيات النهائية الأسيوية المؤهلة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026.
وأقيمت مباراة السعودية وإندونيسيا، في الجولة الأولى من المجموعة الثانية لمباريات المرحلة الرابعة النهائية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم بأمريكا وكندا والمكسيك العام المقبل.
وفاز الخُضر بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين، في المباراة التي جمعتهما مساء اليوم الأربعاء، في تمام الساعة الثامنة والربع مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة في تصفيات كأس آسيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم
وكانت 6 منتخبات حسمت التأهل بشكل رسمي إلى نهائيات كأس العالم، من المرحلة الثالثة، وهي إيران وأوزبكستان وكوريا الجنوبية والأردن واليابان واستراليا.
ومن خلال المرحلة الرابعة التي تم تقسيمها إلى مجموعتين من 6 منتخبات، كل مجموعة تضم 3 منتخبات، سوف يتأهل المتصدر من كل مجموعة لاكتمال عدد المنتخبات من قارة آسيا.
وتقام مباريات المرحلة الرابعة بنظام الدوري من دور واحد، وتلعب مواجهات المجموعة الثانية في السعودية، بينما المجموعة الأولى ستلعب في قطر. ترتيب مجموعة السعودية في تصفيات كأس العالم بعد الفوز على إندونيسيا
Still looking to spend big this summer, Everton have now reportedly made contact to sign a Champions League-winning star for David Moyes.
Everton announce Aznou arrival
Resuming their summer business for the first time since welcoming Mark Travers from Bournemouth, Everton officially announced the arrival of young left-back Adam Aznou earlier this week. The former Bayern Munich gem has arrived in a deal reportedly worth around €12m (£10m) with add-ons included and represents an impressive coup by all involved at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Speaking for the first time since putting pen to paper, the 19-year-old told Everton’s official website: “I’m so happy to be here. I’m so proud to be part of this team.
“The project they gave me is really good. The Premier League is the best league in the world so I’m really excited to start. The stadium is really nice. It gives you a good feeling and it’s good for our fans to support us. It’s perfect for us. I just have to say I’m really thankful to be here. I’m really proud so I will give everything in every training session and every game.
“[Moyes] talked with me, he spoke with me about the team and how he wants me. So I decided directly when I spoke with him. I decided really quickly because of the words he gave me. He gave me confidence, so I decided to sign.”
Bayern Munich's Adam Azou on loan at Real Valladolid.
Even after the Bayern Munich youngster, however, Everton are not done there on the transfer front. The Friedkin Group still have money to spend and have reportedly set their sights on welcoming their most impressive addition yet as a result.
Everton hold concrete talks to sign Grealish
As reported by AreaNapoli and relayed by Sport Witness, Everton have now made a serious first approach to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City this summer after identifying the Champions League winner as a key target.
The England international has looked destined to leave Manchester City for at least a year now and it became clearer than ever that his future lies elsewhere when Pep Guardiola left him out of his Club World Cup squad earlier this summer.
Their new Gordon: Everton set to hold talks over signing big-money PL star
Everton eye sensational transfer for Manchester City’s treble-winning winger
By
Will Miller
Jul 30, 2025
City’s trash could quickly become one of Everton’s most prized assets, however. At his best, Grealish played a pivotal part in City’s historic treble win in the 2022/23 campaign and remains a talented serial winner despite recent struggles at the Etihad.
On top of that experience, the £16m-a-year star, who is represented by the same agent as Jordan Pickford, is also a player who starred at international level under Gareth Southgate.
The former England boss told reporters in 2020 after defeat against Belgium: “I thought Jack Grealish had an absolutely outstanding game. Losing Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, we lose a lot of speed. But I can’t fault the attacking play until the last chance.
“I saw what I knew I would see from Jack, someone with the bravery to play. He took the ball in tight areas, his technique was good, we knew he would buy a lot of free-kicks.”
Everton are now said to have entered the race to complete the signing of a “talented” midfield player during the summer transfer window.
Everton make call to sign star winger
The Blues still have over a month to bring in new signings, ahead of an exciting era at the club, with PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko emerging as an eye-catching target.
Everton are believed to be among a host of clubs who have “called” about a potential move for the 22-year-old Belgian, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Bakayoko is far from the only young target for the Blues, however, with talks reportedly taking place with Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee over a move to Merseyside.
He played a key role in England’s Under-21s winning the European Championships earlier this summer, and could be a fantastic long-term option for Everton, providing so much guile and quality.
Everton make contact sign "talented" midfielder ahead of Roma
Now, according to a fresh report from TEAMtalk, Everton have “joined the race” to sign highly-rated Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui this summer ahead of AS Roma.
The 24-year-old is valued at £26m by his current club and there could now be a tug of war between two teams who have the same owners in The Friedkin Group. Everton have been in contact over a deal by recently asking for information regarding a transfer.
RC Lens'NeilElAynaouishakes hands with Juma Bah
El Aynaoui could be a strong addition for Everton, at a time when midfield reinforcements are important, given the fact that Abdoulaye Doucoure has moved on and Idrissa Gueye is now well into his 30s.
The Moroccan operates mainly as a box-to-box midfielder, but is also adept at taking up a more disciplined role in the middle of the park, with journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter describing him as a “highly talented” player.
Last season, Aynaoui scored eight goals in just 17 starts in Ligue 1, highlighting the level of end product he is capable of from his midfield role, but he also averaged 1.6 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game at the same time, showing that he can be a force both in and out of possession.
Everton battling to sign Italian midfielder who's lined up for England move
The Toffees will be keen to win the race…
BySean Markus Clifford Jul 13, 2025
That is exactly what Everton need this summer, and at 24 years of age, the Lens ace is likely to have his peak years ahead of him, which David Moyes would no doubt love to see happen under his management. It feels like a deal that is very much worth pushing hard to get over the line.
Southern Brave fall short after three wickets in seven balls derails chase
Matt Roller18-Aug-2024Saqib Mahmood put two years of injury hell behind him at Lord’s, winning the Hundred final for Oval Invincibles with a devastating spell of reverse-swing. With Southern Brave’s chase of 148 in the balance, Mahmood removed Leus du Plooy, Kieron Pollard and Laurie Evans to take 3 for 1 in seven balls, a timely reminder of his talents on the biggest stage in English domestic cricket.It meant the Hundred’s best team won their second successive title, as the Invincibles’ men of 2023-24 matched their women’s achievement of 2021-22 by retaining the trophy. That they had retained Mahmood despite him missing consecutive seasons with back stress fractures confirmed their success in building the clearest identity of any side in the men’s competition.They have not quite lived up to their moniker, but the Invincibles have lost only three games across the last two seasons. Sam Billings and Tom Moody, their captain and coach, have built their team around three allrounders – Will Jacks and the Curran brothers – in the top seven, giving them unrivalled balance.”Saqib Mahmood came and changed the game with that set of 10. That was a turning point,” Billings said. “It’s been a real team effort throughout, probably even better than last year… Your career goes past very quickly and these are the nights to really remember and cherish, as a group of mates as much as colleagues. Winning trophies is what it’s all about.”Mahmood’s England reminder The Invincibles can boast the Hundred’s most prolific spin attack, with 34 wickets between them this season after Adam Zampa, Nathan Sowter and Jacks snared four more in Sunday’s final, in front of a full house at Lord’s.Zampa made a crucial breakthrough in his second set of five, bowling Alex Davies with a googly for 35 off 23 following a bright start in the Powerplay. Having himself set the game up for the Invincibles with 37 off 22 balls, Jacks then roared in celebration after dismissing the season’s leading run-scorer in James Vince, bowled looking to hack leg-side.Will Jacks claimed the wicket of James Vince•Getty ImagesBut after Evans tucked into Zampa, slog-sweeping consecutive balls for four and six, the Brave needed a manageable 53 off 30 with seven wickets in hand. Du Plooy launched Mahmood past Dawid Malan’s sprawling dive at extra cover, but backed away to the following ball and lost his leg stump as Mahmood went full and straight.Mahmood had the old ball moving both ways and stayed on for a second consecutive set of five from the Nursery End after three dots to Pollard. Fresh from a breather at the strategic timeout, Mahmood went full and straight to smash Pollard on the knee roll, then had Evans chipping to short cover to leave the chase in disarray.With Australia touring in September for three T20Is and five ODIs, Mahmood’s impact will have nudged England’s selectors. He has not played international cricket since March 2023 and would not have featured in Sunday’s final if Spencer Johnson had been fit, but looked back towards his brilliant best.Chris Jordan, fresh from a match-winning hand in the ‘Super Five’ which decided Saturday’s eliminator, was the Brave’s final hope. When Zampa, the season’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 19, cleaned him up third-ball, the Invincibles’ name was on the trophy once again.Jordan Cox kept Oval Invincibles pressing towards a big total•Getty ImagesJacks sets Invincibles up The Invincibles recovered from 34 for 5 during their comeback win over Manchester Originals in last year’s final, but made a serene start this time around thanks to Jacks. He raced to 31 off 14 balls with early sixes off Jofra Archer, Craig Overton and Akeal Hosein, and was then given a reprieve when Pollard dropped a straightforward chance at long-on.Archer, playing at Lord’s for the first time since his Test debut during the 2019 Ashes, looked sharp with the new ball, with Jacks top-edging a short ball into his helmet. He had Malan caught at deep midwicket for 7 and Tymal Mills removed his opening partner Jacks seven balls later for 37, his full toss slipping under the bat and crashing into middle and off stumps.Sam Curran and Jordan Cox added 46 for the third wicket, but Hosein then sparked a mini-collapse during a set of 10 consecutive balls delivered from different ends. Curran skied to cover, Billings played around a straight one, and Donovan Ferreira holed out to Pollard on the long-on boundary. When Cox top-edged Mills’ short ball through to Alex Davies, the Invincibles had lost 4 for 9.Tom Curran, the star of their 2023 triumph, crashed 24 off 11 balls to keep the innings moving – including one outrageous punch for six over extra cover off Archer – before falling to an excellent catch from James Coles at deep square leg, and Tom Lammonby added 16 from No. 8 in only his third innings of the season. Their 147 looked just above par – and so it proved.
The promotion-winning campaign for Leeds United will live long in the memory of all supporters, taking them back to the Premier League after a two-year absence.
Daniel Farke was the man to lead the Whites back to the top division of English football, finishing top of the table and subsequently claiming the title on goal difference ahead of Burnley.
Such a feat was made all the more impressive after the sales of Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, who all departed after the play-off final defeat the year prior.
However, such departures allowed the likes of Ao Tanaka to move to Elland Road, securing his place at the heart of the side and subsequently being named in the division’s Team of the Season.
The Japanese international could be about to be partnered by another star at the base of the side, as the hierarchy looks to strengthen the side ahead of their top-flight return.
The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new signings this summer
Over the last couple of days, Leeds have ramped up their efforts in the market as they look to provide Farke with the tools to survive next campaign.
His side have had an offer for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol rejected, but it appears as though they are set to return with an improved offer to force the Italian side into selling the 26-year-old.
However, he may not be the only summer arrival from Serie A, with Leeds also having keen interest in a deal to sign Juventus star Douglas Luiz, according to GIVEMESPORT.
The report claims that the Brazilian international has been offered to the Whites this summer, with the hierarchy set to schedule talks over a potential deal with the Old Lady.
It also states that he could be sold for just £30m this summer, only 12 months on from his move from Aston Villa, after making just 26 appearances across all competitions throughout 2024/25.
Why Luiz could be Farke’s very own Phillips
Midfielder Kalvin Phillips was a crucial part of the Leeds squad back in their previous stint in the Premier League, operating at the heart of the side after emerging through the club’s academy.
Kalvin Phillips for Leeds United
The 29-year-old spent 12 years with the Whites in Yorkshire, amassing a total of 234 appearances in the first team, being a mainstay in the side and enjoying a huge rise to stardom under Marcelo Bielsa.
Such form led to the midfielder being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championships back in 2020, as they fell at the final hurdle and lost in the final to Italy.
However, he would depart his boyhood side in a £45m deal to join Manchester City – a move that would subsequently ruin his career, only featuring 31 times in the last three years, with multiple loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town.
From a business perspective, it was great business for the club, with such funds allowing Farke to potentially have his own version of the Englishman in the form of Luiz.
Douglas Luiz in action for Juventus.
When comparing their respective stats from Phillips’ final season at Elland Road, the former Villa star massively outperformed him, showcasing why he would be the manager’s own version of the fan favourite.
The Brazilian, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, registered more goals and assists, having the attacking threat to contribute to the Whites’ ambitions within the final third.
How Luiz compared to Phillips in the PL (2021/22)
Statistics (per 90)
Luiz
Phillips
Games played
34
20
Goals & assists
5
1
Pass accuracy
83%
80%
Key passes
1.2
0.5
Through balls completed
0.3
0.06
Tackles won
1.5
1.4
Fouls won
1.4
1.1
Aerials success rate
45%
37%
Stats via FBref
He also managed to complete more passes and more key passes, subsequently aiding attackers ahead of him, as demonstrated by his assist tally back in 2021/22.
Luiz’s dominance doesn’t stop there, winning more tackles per 90 and coming out on top in more aerial battles, having the tools to star out of possession for the Whites.
£30m for a player of his quality in today’s market is an absolute bargain, with the 27-year-old having the experience to thrive in such a division should he return to England.
It remains unclear whether he would be open to a switch to Elland Road, but Farke and the hierarchy must work tirelessly to convince the international star to move to Yorkshire this summer.
He'd be Farke's own Jansson: Leeds preparing bid for "monstrous" talent
Leeds United are set to make a move for a star who could become a fan favourite at Elland Road.
Chelsea are set to make contact and hold negotiations with an in-form forward, who Serie A heavyweights Juventus wish to sign more than anyone, with BlueCo seemingly looking to spoil the Old Lady’s transfer plans.
Chelsea targeting new forward as main summer priority
Enzo Maresca and the club will look to sign a new forward as one of three main transfer aims this summer, alongside the additions of a new centre-back and winger (Simon Phillips).
£200k-a-week Chelsea ace could now join De Zerbi with sale real possibility
It would be a big decision.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 29, 2025
Depending on their Champions League qualification and player sales, they could also go for a second centre-back, left-back, new goalkeeper and attacking midfielder (Simon Phillips), but supporters will be particularly keen to see a forward arrive at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool (home)
May 4th
Newcastle (away)
May 11th
Man United (home)
May 16th
Nottingham Forest (away)
May 25th
Nicolas Jackson scored his first Premier League goal of 2025 in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Everton over the weekend, with the Senegalese largely struggling to replicate his previous scoring form since the turn of the year.
Christopher Nkunku is also likely to leave Chelsea this summer, either on loan or permanently, according to reports, after the Frenchman agreed personal terms on a move to Bayern Munich in the January window.
Taking this into account, it is clear to see why we could definitely expect an overhaul up front. Sky Sports revealed earlier this month that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, Lille star Jonathan David, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké and Napoli outcast Victor Osimhen are all targets for Maresca’s side.
Delap is said to be a key target for Chelsea and will now be available at around £30 million, due to the release clause in his contract tied with Ipswich’s relegation, but there is no guarantee they will complete a deal with the major competition for his services. This is where a potentially fruitful alternative comes in – Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.
Chelsea set for Ademola Lookman talks in bad news for Juventus
The Nigerian’s 18-goal haul in all competitions has piqued interest from England’s elite, including Chelsea, who are now believed to be eyeing up a move.
That is according to CaughtOffside, who state that Chelsea are planning to open talks with Lookman ahead of the summer. This comes as bad news for Juve in particular, who are described as “prioritising” a move for the 27-year-old.
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman in action with AC Milan'sEmersonRoyal
The versatile attacker, who can play as a second striker, centre-forward and on the left-flank, as he has done under Gian Piero Gasperini this term, could be a great option to reinforce multiple areas, with chairman Todd Boehly apparently pushing the need for versatile signings behind-closed-doors (Simon Phillips).
He would cost up to £55 million, as per CaughtOffside, and given Chelsea’s need to bring in players with more experience, Lookman may well be one to keep an eye on.
“He’s [Lookman] a top player,” said Gasperini about Lookman. “In terms of character, there are perhaps players who have more continuity and are more solid, but that’s normal.
“Even his role is difficult. He always has to be very fit, but he has become a truly extraordinary player, among the best in Europe and the world. Because he has improved his consistency and in some ways, he has started to be an important Atalanta player.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers have achieved what they set out to do after appointing Vitor Pereira as manager in December 2024 – avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Old Gold are on an excellent run of form that has seen them win their previous four league matches, taking them further away from the drop zone in the process.
Pereira will now be thinking ahead to the summer transfer window and just exactly how he can bolster his team for the 2025/26 season. There is no doubt that he has a squad capable of pushing towards the top half of the league table next season, although that much might depend on whether he can keep several key players.
Will Matheus Cunha depart in the summer? If so, the manager might have to spend big in order to find a suitable replacement.
In the January transfer window, Periera brought in players such as Emmanuel Agbadou, Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga. Two of these signings were defenders, and it looks as though the Molineux side are targeting another centre-back when the window finally opens in a couple of months.
Wolves want to sign Ligue 1 defender
According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, AJ Auxerre defender Clement Akpa is beginning to attract plenty of attention after enjoying an excellent campaign for the Ligue 1 side.
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Wolves are just one team who are keen on the Ivory Coast international, with interest also coming from the likes of Everton, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim, and VfB Stuttgart monitoring his performances of late.
An asking price hasn’t been stated yet, but given their situation, Auxerre won’t be able to resist any team making a decent offer for the player.
The Old Gold have enjoyed plenty of success shopping in the French top flight since they were promoted back to the Premier League in 2018.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Boubacar Traore moved from France on permanent deals in the summer of 2023, while Mario Lemina and Pablo Sarabia linked up with the club in January 2023.
Arguably, the best signing from France, however, was that of Rayan Ait-Nouri, especially given the impact the defender has had in the Midlands.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s Wolves statistics
Wolves signed Ait-Nouri from Angers on a permanent deal ahead of the 2021/22 campaign following a successful loan spell at Molineux.
“He proved last season that he’s a very talented player, with lots of potential – I thought he did well and kicked on towards the end of the season,” Wolves technical director Scott Sellars said, and the move has turned out extraordinarily well.
WolverhamptonWanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri celebrates scoring their first goal
Indeed, the Algerian has since gone on to make over 150 competitive appearances for Wolves, registering 28 goal contributions in the process. Not a bad total for a left-back, that’s for sure.
Ait-Nouri has been highly influential for Wolves in the Premier League this term. His ten goal contributions – four goals and six assists – is his best in a single campaign for the club, showcasing his effectiveness in the final third.
The 23-year-old has also won 55% of his total duels contested in the top flight, along with making 2.5 tackles and recovering 4.2 balls per game. His all-around abilities have ensured he can contribute whether Wolves have possession or not.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2023/24
38
3
4
2022/23
27
2
1
2021/22
27
1
4
2020/21
24
1
1
Via Transfermarkt
Ait-Nouri has also been attracting interest from elsewhere due to these impressive displays and it won’t be long before the club decide to cash in.
Could Akpa become the next version of the current Old Gold star? A player with immense potential who goes on to become a key player at the club?
Why Wolves want to sign Clement Akpa
Akpa has missed just three Ligue 1 games for Auxerre this season in what is their first season back in the top flight after winning Ligue 2 in 2023/24.
The club have exceeded expectations and currently sit 11th in the table and have even defeated Marseille twice while holding champions PSG to a 0-0 draw during the first half of the season.
Akpa has played a big part in this success throughout the current season. In Ligue 1, the 23-year-old defender has been a rock at the back. Not only has he won 64% of his total duels in the league this term, but the centre-back also lost possession just eight times while making two tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game for Auxerre.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Akpa’s defensive qualities are further highlighted.
Indeed, he ranks in the top 8% for tackles (2.2), in the top 17% for interceptions (1.47) and in the top 18% for blocks (1.6) per 90 across the previous 365 days for his club.
Clement Akpa
Elsewhere, the youngster also ranks in the top 15% for progressive carries (1.08) per 90 when compared next to his peers, and it proves that while he is superb at the heart of the defence, Akpa is also able to bring the ball out of his own half with ease in order to start attacks.
French journalist Sebastien Denis hailed the player as a “defensive revelation” amid his superb season for Auxerre, and he could be a solid signing for Wolves this summer.
The likelihood is, Ait-Nouri may well be sold in order to secure a major profit on the former Angers starlet. If so, Pereira will have funds to spend this summer as he targets a top-half finish in the Premier League.
Akpa could go on to become Ait-Nouri 2.0 should he move from Ligue 1 to the Premier League in the next few months.
He still has to hit his peak, while exposure in one of the best leagues in the world will allow the defender to go from strength to strength.
Much will depend on the fee that Auxerre demand for one of their prized assets, but if Pereira makes a decent offer, he could snap him up sooner rather than later.
"Unbelievable" £10k-a-week Wolves player is expected to leave this summer