After crashing out of the Champions League on Wednesday night, it looked like Arsenal were set to end the week with a humbling at the hands of Liverpool at half-time on Sunday afternoon.

Fortunately, Mikel Arteta’s team talk seemed to do the trick, and his side came out, fought back to parity and ensured the travelling fans at least had something to celebrate.

While a fair few of the Gunners’ starters put in a good showing in the second 45, Gabriel Martinelli was the most impressive, and thanks to his goal and general centre-forward play, he was awarded the man of the match award.

However, even though the 23-year-old looked bright, his time in the starting lineup could be coming to an end, as recent reports have linked the club with another Premier League star who’d be a significant upgrade on the Brazilian.

Arsenal's winger search

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other wide players who have been linked with moves to Arsenal this summer, such as Nico Williams and Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

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

The former is set to be available for just £48m thanks to a release clause in his contract, and, just like last year, has enjoyed a stellar campaign in which he’s scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 44 games.

Likewise, Rodrygo has been relatively effective for Real Madrid this season, scoring 13 goals and providing ten assists in 50 appearances, although with a reported price tag of £85m, he might be a little out of range if Andrea Berta and Co also plan to invest heavily in a striker.

Moreover, the Gunners might want a Premier League-proven winger to come in and bolster the team, which is where Antoine Semenyo comes in.

According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have maintained their interest in the Bournemouth star.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that due to growing problems in the North Londoners’ attack, their pursuit of the 25-year-old, who is valued at €50m – £42m – has now gained momentum.

While he might not be the big name some fans are after, Semenyo is a sensational footballer and one Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign, even if his arrival could spell trouble for Martinelli.

How Semenyo compares to Martinelli

Now, one of the really significant advantages of signing Semenyo is that, thanks to him being so strong with both feet, he’s able to play in a multitude of positions on both sides of the pitch.

However, while this would certainly allow Arteta to rest Bukayo Saka more often, there is no way that the Bournemouth star would replace the Englishman on the right on a permanent basis.

Therefore, to get regular game time, the Ghanaian international would have to start on the left, putting him in direct competition with Martinelli, but how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, when it comes to the most important metric of all, raw output, it’s the Cherries ace who comes out ahead.

For example, in 40 appearances this season, totalling 3382 minutes, he’s scored 11 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.22 games, or every 187.88 minutes.

In contrast, the former Ituano gem has scored ten goals and provided six assists in 49 appearances, totalling 3403 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.06 games or every 212.68 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Gunners’ ace, the one-sided nature of this comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.43

0.40

Progressive Passes

3.18

1.88

Progressive Carries

4.08

4.71

Shots

3.60

2.07

Shots on Target

1.15

0.93

Passing Accuracy

73.1%

71.0%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.78

2.82

Goal-Creating Actions

0.39

0.23

Tackles Won

0.99

0.53

Successful Take-Ons

1.99

1.53

Ball Recoveries

4.52

3.15

Aerial Duels Won

1.85

0.65

For example, in almost every relevant metric, the “unplayable” 25-year-old, as dubbed by journalist Ed Aarons, comes out top; metrics such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, passing accuracy, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, aerial duels won, tackles won and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Martinelli could certainly still be an incredibly valuable squad player next season, it’s evident that Semenyo is the superior winger in practically every way. Therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him this summer.

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Manchester United now expect to complete the transfer of an “unplayable” striker target who Chelsea have already made a bid for, according to a new report.

Man Utd chasing reinforcements ahead of busy summer

This summer is expected to be a busy time for the Red Devils – several contracts are up and plenty more players are expected to depart, as Ruben Amorim tries to put a squad together that suits his system and his system only.

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Christian Eriksen looks set to leave United, and there are still doubts over whether Casemiro will remain beyond the summer. Both players leaving would open the door for a new midfielder at least, and United have their eyes on one or two players they would like to sign. Over the weekend, the Red Devils were linked with a move for Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, who would be able to leave the Italian side for £34 million.

Lobotka is not the only Napoli midfielder United could sign, as they have been offered the chance to sign Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who is set to become a free agent in the summer. United are not alone in the race, as Manchester City have also been offered the chance to sign the player via his entourage.

Meanwhile, the Premier League side are also keeping a close eye on Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A. The Brazilian could also be available for a relatively low fee.

Man Utd expect Gyokeres to pick them over Chelsea

Signing a new midfielder may have to wait until United have addressed their forward options, as Amorim is desperate to sign a new striker to end the misery in front of goal. According to Football Insider, Man United are now confident they are going to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer.

The report states that United have been working hard in the background to reach an agreement, and they are now in a good position to complete the transfer of Gyokeres. The Sweden international is considered a top target at Old Trafford and has been since Amorim was appointed head coach.

United will hope securing Champions League football by winning the Europa League will give them the advantage they need, as Chelsea have made a bid worth £64 million for Gyokeres already, and they are yet to know if they will be playing in Europe’s biggest competition. It is believed Amorim’s relationship with the forward has swung it in United’s favour, and they are now confident it’s a “done deal”.

Viktor Gyokeres’ Sporting CP stats
Apps	98
Goals	95
Assists	27

Gyokeres, who has been dubbed “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou, has scored a staggering 38 goals in 30 Liga Portugal games this season, as well as a further six in the Champions League. United may hold another advantage in the race for Gyokeres, as the Swedish striker has the same agent as current United defender Victor Lindelof.

Manchester United haven’t been shy of spending money over recent years, as seen by their window back in the summer of 2022 under former boss Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman was in charge and spent upwards of £200m in his first window to try and transform the fortunes of the side after numerous years of failure at Old Trafford.

Players such as Casemiro, Lisandro Martínez and Antony all arrived to join the Red Devils, arguably costing too much given their lack of impact since arriving.

The latter is currently spending the rest of the campaign out on loan at Real Betis, registering just one goal for the Red Devils up until January, leading to his subsequent temporary stint elsewhere.

Ruben Amorim will likely have funds available at his disposal this summer to improve their Premier League standing, needing to avoid a repeat of such a window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

With just a couple of weeks remaining until the summer window opens, United will have a huge task to try and right the wrongs of this season and build a competitive squad ahead of 2025/26.

Various players in different positions have all been targeted already, with the likes of Liam Delap, Ederson and Matheus Cunha just three names mentioned with a switch to Manchester.

However, another name has entered the mix, in the form of Monaco’s right-back Vanderson, that’s according to GIVEMESPORT’s latest update on the transfer front.

It confirms that the Red Devils are considering a move for the Brazilian this summer, with the Ligue 1 outfit demanding a fee in the region of £30m to offload the 23-year-old.

It also confirms that options are being considered across all areas of the pitch, with Amorim tempted to land a new right wing-back to help fit his 3-4-2-1 system in which he’s implemented since taking the reins.

Why United’s £30m target could be their own Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong has been a name massively mentioned across England in recent weeks, appearing to be edging ever closer to a switch to the Premier League.

It’s been reported that the Dutch international has approved a move to join fellow top-flight outfit Liverpool this summer, with Arne Slot’s side needing to trigger his £29.5m release clause.

The Bayer Leverkusen star would be the direct replacement for the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold, handing the Red Devils’ rivals another impressive option.

However, United will be hoping to close the gap to the Merseyside outfit next campaign, with Vanderson offering Amorim’s men their own version of the full-back.

When comparing their respective figures from the ongoing campaign, the Brazilian has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas – showcasing how much of a superb addition he would be at Old Trafford.

The right-back, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has registered more progressive passes and completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted – highlighting the impressive nature he possesses with the ball at his feet.

He’s also won more tackles per 90 and made more interceptions per 90 – handing Amorim an excellent option at both ends of the pitch, something which is perfect for a wing-back in his system.

How Vanderson compares to Frimpong in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Vanderson

Frimpong

Games played

28

33

Goals & assists

4

10

Progressive passes

4.5

2

Pass accuracy

78%

76%

Passes into final third

3.3

1.1

Shot-creating actions

2.6

2.5

Tackles won

2.1

0.9

Interceptions made

1.8

0.3

Take-on success

50%

29%

Aerials won

46%

33%

Stats via FBref

His talents don’t stop there, registering more shot-creating actions and winning more aerials than Frimpong – having the tools to be an excellent option should the club pursue a move for his signature.

£30m for Vanderson appears to be a superb price for a star who could easily slot into life in the Premier League, handing Amorim his own version of the soon-to-be Liverpool talent.

If United are to return to their former glory in the coming months, shrewd additions are needed to progress, with the Brazilian having all the tools to be a success at Old Trafford.

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Newcastle United are now planning to hold face-to-face talks over a summer deal for an “unbelievable” forward this week, according to a report.

Magpies eyeing new forwards with Wilson heading for exit

It would be fair to say Callum Wilson has been a fantastic servant to Newcastle, with the striker making 129 appearances for the club, but it looks as though his time at St. James’ Park is now set to come to an end when his contract expires this summer.

The Englishman has suffered with injuries throughout the campaign, while often being limited to appearances as a substitute, and he is now starting to attract attention from elsewhere, with Leeds United believed to be leading the race for his signature.

As such, Eddie Howe’s side have now started to run the rule over potential replacements, with the manager particularly keen on signing versatile Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, who is among the Premier League’s top scorers this season.

Player

Premier League goals

Mohamed Salah

28

Alexander Isak

23

Erling Haaland

21

Chris Wood

19

Bryan Mbeumo

19

Mbeumo is not the only Premier League forward of interest, however, with a report from talkSPORT revealing Newcastle are now planning to hold face-to-face talks over a deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this week.

Delap is planning to hold in-person discussions with all his potential suitors ahead of the summer window, and the Magpies are the latest English side to express an interest in triggering the £30m release clause in his contract.

Howe is keen on bringing in another striker to ease the goalscoring burden on Alexander Isak, with the manager looking to strengthen his squad in a number of different areas this summer.

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Understandably, Wilson’s game time has been very limited this season, given that Isak has enjoyed his best season to date in a Newcastle shirt, leading his side to EFL Cup glory and scoring 27 goals in all competitions.

However, the Ipswich star has also started to make a name for himself this season, finding the back of the net 12 times in the Premier League, with teammate Luke Woolfenden lauding him as “unbelievable”.

Howe has also been impressed by the start the 22-year-old has made to life in the Premier League, saying: “He’s a pivotal player for [Ipswich], there’s no denying that. I think he’s had a very good season. “He’s got big strengths, very strong, powerful runner.”

The only concern for Newcastle will be that Delap may not be tempted to move to St. James’ Park this summer if he doesn’t have guarantees of being a regular starter, and that is unlikely to be the case unless Isak decides to move on.

Liverpool are believed to have submitted an offer for a £50m player with a big future in the game, according to an exciting transfer update.

Liverpool set for Arsenal guard of honour as FSG make summer plans

The Reds are preparing to host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, which promises to be a fun occasion for anyone associated with the Reds. Arne Slot’s champions will be given a guard of honour by a Gunners side who many fancied to go all the way in the league back in August, but have instead gone another campaign without a trophy. In truth, the result is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but Liverpool will still want to open up their lead at the top to a whopping 18 points.

The Reds also continue to be linked with new summer signings, with Slot and FSG well aware that they can’t afford to rest on his laurels, and a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has been mooted. The Argentine has experience of the Premier League from his Manchester City days and could be a fantastic signing if Darwin Nunez departs.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo has been mentioned as a target for Liverpool, following a superb season at the heart of his side’s defence, helping them push for an unlikely Champions League finish.

Liverpool make offer for Dean Huijsen

According to Cadena SER [via Sport Witness], Liverpool and FSG have made an offer for Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, having been linked with him constantly in recent months. Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are all in the same boat, too, with Real Madrid also firmly in the conversation.

The Spaniard has a £50m release clause in his current Cherries contract, with the Reds clearly seeing him as a potential big part of their future. The English clubs are ahead of Madrid in the race, but the player’s father has passed over negotiations with them to a law firm in Spain, as they look to potentially strike a deal.

Huijsen has to be considered just about the strongest centre-back Liverpool could sign, in terms of his long-term promise as a footballer. He has averaged 5.9 clearances per game in the league this season, which is more than any Reds player.

At just 19, the Bournemouth ace already looks like a top-level player, producing brilliant performances for the Cherries, leading former Bournemouth man Joe Partington to say: “Huijsen seems to be the name on everybody’s lips if you’re a top football club in Europe at the minute.”

If Liverpool could pip their rivals to the signing of Huijsen ahead of next season, it would be a major statement of intent, with centre-back a key area of focus for them.

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An eventual successor to Virgil van Dijk needs to be found at Anfield, and if the Bournemouth man continues on his current trajectory, he could be the perfect man to fill that huge void.

Arsenal have now been contacted by the entourage of a Manchester United star, ahead of a potential summer move, according to a report.

Gunners stepping up winger pursuit

With Mikel Arteta’s side poised to finish second for the third year on the bounce, the board are set to spend big in the upcoming window, and The Mirror’s John Cross has revealed there are two key areas in which the manager is looking to strengthen.

Bukayo Saka’s lengthy spell on the sidelines this season underlined his importance to the Gunners, but there may be some concerns about Gabriel Martinelli’s attacking output, with the Brazilian hardly setting the world alight in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old picked up just eight goals and four assists in the 2024-25 campaign, and the north Londoners could now be presented with the opportunity to raid one of their Premier League rivals for a potential replacement.

Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, the agents of Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho have now been in contact over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the left-winger set to be sold.

Garnacho is frustrated about not being included in the starting XI for the Europa League final, and having accepted he needs to leave Old Trafford this summer, the Argentine is keen on a switch to Atletico Madrid, while Napoli are also in the picture.

It remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old is tempted by a move to Arsenal, but any deal is expected to amount to around £51m.

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ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2025 "Generational" Garnacho needs summer move

Much like a whole host of other top players, the Argentina international’s career has stalled at Old Trafford, picking up just six goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, but there are plenty of signs the youngster could be a success elsewhere.

Lauded as “generational” by Statman Dave, the starlet holds the record for most goal involvements by a teenager in United’s history, while he has also received praise for his ability to create chances.

That said, Arsenal have identified a number of other winger targets, and it would be a risk to take a punt on Garnacho, rather than a player who is more proven at the top level.

Player

Current club

Potential cost

Rafael Leao

AC Milan

£145m

Nico Williams

Athletic Club

£49m

Ademola Lookman

Atalanta

£55m

Rodrygo

Real Madrid

£85m

Arsenal are reportedly nearing a potential agreement for one marquee transfer target this summer, with all parties on the same page when it comes to personal terms.

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By
Emilio Galantini

May 6, 2025

Mikel Arteta and the Gunners lost out on the Premier League title to Liverpool by some distance this season, and a few critics have blamed their failed challenge on Arsenal’s lack of a potent centre-forward.

Arsenal’s final Premier League games	Date
Liverpool (away)	May 11th
Newcastle United (home)	May 18th
Southampton (away)	May 25th

Gabriel Jesus enjoyed a real purple patch of form before his season-ending ACL injury, and Kai Havertz has put in some excellent displays in a makeshift striker role. However, neither man is seen as a guaranteed 20-plus goals-per-season style of forward for the long-term, with pundit Ally McCoist claiming Arteta is crying out for a prolific number nine up top.

“I think it’s a crying shame, actually,” McCoist said to talkSPORT earlier this year.

“The amount of games I’ve been at, particularly at the Emirates, and I see that ball flashing across the six-yard box. I think Havertz is an excellent footballer, I really do. But I think Havertz would score the same amount of goals whether he plays centre forward, number ten or comes off the side.

“I think he’ll get 10 goals, whereas a centre forward playing in that position gets you 20, 25 (goals).”

The signing of a striker is one of Arsenal’s top priorities for the summer, according to various reports, and a succession of high-profile names have already been linked with moves to the Emirates.

One of them is Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, who is widely expected to depart the Primeira Liga after yet another exceptional campaign. The Sweden international has scored 52 goals across 49 appearances in all competitions this term, and regardless of what league you play in, numbers like that are guaranteed to turn many heads.

Arsenal "edging closer to finalising" deal for Viktor Gyokeres

Gyokeres is a top target for Arsenal heading into the summer, with some reports claiming Berta is personally driving a move for the ex-Coventry City star (GiveMeSport).

Now, Football Transfers claim good progress is being made on a potential swoop, and Arsenal have scheduled fresh talks with Sporting, which will take place after the Portuguese Cup final later this month.

What’s more, it is believed Arsenal are “edging closer to finalising an agreement” for Gyokeres, with the Gunners and his camp “already aligned” on personal terms and the contract package he would receive in north London.

However, they’re yet to reach any agreement with Sporting themselves, prompting the imminent negotiations in late May. Rui Borges’ side are expected to demand a large chunk of Gyokeres’ transfer fee up front, though, or even the full amount.

The 26-year-old’s contract includes an £85 million release clause, and Portuguese news outlet A Bola recently reported that the presence of Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich and English rivals in the race for Gyokeres’ means Sporting could demand close to that figure.

Arsenal may have to make Gyokeres one of their most expensive ever signings as a result, but he could well be worth the investment.

“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games,” said Borges about Gyokeres.

“The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”

Manchester United restored some sense of pride on the final day of the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen, who scored from the spot, both got on the scoresheet to secure three points for the Red Devils after their disappointment in Bilbao.

Ruben Amorim delivered his speech to the supporters inside the ground after the full-time whistle and stated that Manchester United can overcome any situation and that they will strive to bring success back to the club next term.

United ended the 2024/25 campaign with no trophies added to the cabinet, and they will be without European football next season, which could also be seen as a potential positive to ease their schedule and allow them to focus on domestic success.

In order to get the club competing at the top of the table again, though, Amorim will need to be backed by the board to improve his squad, as the current players have simply not delivered enough on the pitch.

One player who should be replaced, as a regular starter at the very least, is centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund, who has not done enough to suggest that he can be relied on.

Why Manchester United need to replace Rasmus Hojlund

The Danish marksman arrived from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 in a deal that was reported to be worth up to £72m, which immediately put high expectations on the striker.

However, Hojlund had only scored nine goals in the Serie A during the 2022/23 campaign and arrived at Old Trafford as a young striker with the potential to improve, rather than a ready-made star who was likely to hit the ground running.

Unfortunately, the 22-year-old attacker has not kicked on in the way that the club would have hoped for when they decided to splash a significant amount of money on his services two years ago.

Rasmus Hojlund (Premier League)

23/24

24/25

Appearances

30

32

xG

7.64

5.24

Goals

10

4

Minutes per goal

217

506

Big chances created

0

4

Assists

2

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Hojlund had a fairly decent first year in the Premier League with a return of ten goals in 30 games, but he has regressed throughout his United career to date, scoring just four times in the league this season.

A return of four league goals and zero assists in 32 appearances is simply not good enough. Not good enough for the Red Devils, and not good enough for a striker who was signed for £72m two years ago.

This is why Amorim must look to replace Hojlund as a starter, either with a player in the squad or by dipping into the summer transfer window. However, one player who may not come in to replace him is reported target Viktor Gyokeres.

Why Man Utd may not sign Viktor Gyokeres

Despite working with the United boss at Sporting, the Sweden international may not be a realistic target for the Premier League giants this summer after they failed to secure European football.

Prior to the Europa League final, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano suggested that moves for Victor Osimhen and Gyokeres could be taken off the table by a failure to land a Champions League place due to financial limitations.

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

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The reporter said: “He loves Gyokeres and Gyokeres loves Amorim, for sure. But for Man Utd we say it for [Victor] Osimhen and for Gyokeres too – it depends on the budget, how much they can invest, how much they can spend and what happens with European football.”

Sporting’s star number nine has been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, who will both be in the Champions League next season, which could make it incredibly difficult for United to outbid them or convince the striker to pick a move to Old Trafford over playing European football.

Failing to sign Gyokeres would be a shame, given that the 26-year-old star has scored 96 goals and provided 28 assists in 101 matches for Sporting, but Amorim could forget about Hojlund and the former Coventry City ace by unleashing Kobbie Mainoo in a new role.

The new role Kobbie Mainoo should play for Man Utd

Whilst this may sound like a crazy idea at face value, playing a central midfielder up front as an alternative to signing a striker with 96 goals in 101 games, it is a tactical move that could make sense for United in the short-term.

Teams have been successful in the past without having a natural number nine who scored 20-plus goals. Roberto Firmino, for example, only scored more than 12 Premier League goals in one of his seasons at Liverpool, and they won the title and the Champions League during his time there.

The Brazil international was so effective for Jurgen Klopp because he brought technical quality and ingenuity in a false nine role, which was perfectly complemented by having two inside forwards, in Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, who could deliver goals on a regular basis.

Mainoo, who was described as a “generational talent” by Hojlund, is a technically excellent footballer who can offer similar qualities to Firmino in that role, and United are reportedly closing in on Matheus Cunha, who would be perfect to play alongside the England international as part of a Klopp’s Liverpool-esque front three.

24/25 Premier League

Matheus Cunha

Kobbie Mainoo

Appearances

33

25

Starts

29

19

xG

8.63

0.77

Goals

15

0

Big chances created

13

4

Assists

6

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Wolves star has the goalscoring and creative quality to be a terrific addition as one of the number ten options behind the striker, which could make him the Salah or Mane to Mainoo’s Firmino.

Whilst the United star’s haul of zero goals and four ‘big chances’ created may not immediately catch the eye, he did create those chances in just 19 starts whilst mainly playing as a central midfielder, and the star showcased his composure and quality in the box against Lyon int the Europa League.

Mainoo scored three goals from just 0.89 xG in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, which suggests that he does have the potential to finish chances efficiently, and he would have more opportunities to find the back of the net whilst playing as a false nine.

Therefore, United could forget about Hojlund and Gyokeres by unleashing the academy graduate in a new role next season, utilising his technical quality and intelligence to combine with the goalscoring quality that Cunha and Bruno Fernandes can provide behind him.

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This could be a cost-effective, short-term, solution to Amorim’s Hojlund problem, due to the financial blow of missing out on Europe, and save the club from having to spend money on a less-than-ideal striker alternative to their big targets, which could set them up to go big on a new number nine next year if they work their way back into European football.

Rangers may have to brace for the departure of one of their key players, as two clubs could soon table serious bids for his services, according to a report.

Summer of change on the horizon at Ibrox

It is set to be a summer of major change at Ibrox, with the 49ers on course to complete their takeover of the Scottish club, and the prospective new owners are also tasked with installing a new manager to replace interim boss Barry Ferguson.

Not only that, but with the Gers currently 17 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, there are clear signs the new manager will need to make major changes to his squad in the summer window, and potential targets have already been identified.

The 49ers are plotting the statement signing of a new midfielder, with Troyes’ Metinho in their sights, amid concerns over the future of Nicolas Raskin, who the Light Blues are determined to keep hold of despite growing interest in his signature.

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2

By
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May 15, 2025

There has now been a new update on Raskin’s Rangers future, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing they have been rocked by major interest in the midfielder, having attracted the attention of soon-to-be Premier League side Leeds United.

Aston Villa, who made it to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, have also registered their interest in the Gers star, and there is now a feeling that a serious bid could be made for his services over the next few weeks.

The Belgian’s current £19k-a-week contract is set to run until 2027, and the Ibrox outfit are now ready to offer him a new deal, in an attempt to ward off the interest from elsewhere, and to make sure his market value is protected.

Rangers must keep hold of "phenomenal" Raskin

Having barely managed to even compete in the Scottish Premiership title race this season, the Gers may be looking to re-shape their squad this summer, but the Belgian maestro is undoubtedly one of the players they should be looking to keep hold of.

Scottish football analyst John Walker has been particularly impressed by the 24-yerar-old’s performances, having lauded him as “phenomenal” earlier in the campaign, while also claiming the central midfielder improved the entire team after returning from injury.

The Liege-born maestro has four goals and ten assists to his name in all competitions this season, most notably scoring in his side’s 3-2 victory against bitter rivals Celtic back in March.

That said, while Rangers should be looking to tie Raskin down to a new deal, he may be unwilling to commit to fresh terms, which means it could make sense to cash-in at the end of the campaign, as they should be able to command a good fee for his services this summer.

After losing Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers have now reportedly set their sights on signing an impressive Championship forward this summer.

Cunha officially joins Man Utd

In one of the earliest, though perhaps least surprising moves of the summer, Cunha has now officially swapped Wolves for Manchester United. In truth, as soon as the Brazilian’s £63m release clause came to light, his exit seemed inevitable. For Wolves, it’s now more important than ever that they spend the money well and replace their talisman in seamless fashion. That, however, is easier said than done.

Matheus Cunha at Wolves

Record (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

92

Goals

33

Assists

15

Cunha’s record speaks for itself. The former Atletico Madrid man particularly found his best form throughout the 2024/25 campaign and replacing his impact will undoubtedly be Wolves’ toughest task this summer.

Whilst it’s easy to assume the worst, Wolves already experienced a glimpse of life without Cunha throughout the season when he was missing through injury and suspension. It was then that Vitor Pereira’s side proved that they’re more than just the Brazilian, securing three of their six impressive consecutive wins to send a statement in the battle to secure their Premier League status.

With that top-flight status secured and £63m to spare, Wolves should ensure that life without Cunha remains blissful rather than the nightmare many have envisaged in the past.

To that end, who could arrive remains to be seen. Stars such as Harvey Elliott have already threatened to steal the headlines in recent weeks and signing a Premier League champion would certainly do no harm.

Whether the former Fulham gem is capable of producing the same output as Cunha is the big question, though. Instead, Wolves could push on to sign a proven goalscorer in the coming months.

Wolves "monitoring" Ivanovic

According to South London football reporter Richard Cawley, Wolves are now “monitoring” Mihailo Ivanovic following his excellent debut season at Millwall. The Serbian striker scored 12 goals in his first Championship campaign and only looks set to get better at just 20 years old.

Given how he starred in his first season, Millwall may naturally be reluctant to let their forward leave so soon after he initially arrived. But the Premier League call is certainly a difficult one to turn down.

Millwall manager Alex Neil has been among those full of praise for Ivanovic in recent months, telling reporters in April: “Any 20-year-old that leads the line in the Championship and can get nearly [10 goals], and he’ll get double figures before the end of the season.

“If you do that, that’s an unbelievable season and it won’t be surprising me if people start talking about him. I’ve already seen something the other day talking about the top 10 young talents in Europe – he’s one of them.”

Having lost a top talent in Cunha, if Wolves managed to sign one of the top 10 young talents in Europe – as Neil believes Ivanovic is – then that should be seen as excellent business.