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da realbet： Andrea Berta has only been in his role as Arsenal’s sporting director for a matter of months but he is already faced with one of the most important summer’s in the club’s recent history.

da aviator aposta： While injuries, bizarre officiating and a lack of firepower have all contributed to the Gunners’ perplexing season, the fact of the matter is they have regressed.

Their title challenge petered out in January and although they did go further in Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, their reason for exiting was the same as last year; they lack players capable of scoring goals.

So, with that in mind, it’s just as well Arsenal are signing a midfielder first…

The latest on Arsenal's pursuit of Martin Zubimendi

We jest, of course, but Arsenal are now already on the verge of securing their first major addition of the Berta era.

The Gunners have been hot on the tail of Martin Zubimendi for a while now with reports emerging in January that they were set to get a deal over the line.

However, the Real Sociedad midfielder has been here before. Liverpool thought they had signed him last summer, only for the Spaniard to stay in LaLiga.

A year on, and it does look as though the 26-year-old will finally be leaving Spain behind with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Saturday that Arsenal have ‘agreed a deal’ to sign the player this summer, now set to trigger his €60m (£51m) release clause.

It’s reported that the midfielder has ‘verbally agreed’ to sign a long-term deal.

Despite all of that excitement, according to reports, Zubimendi isn’t the only player they are working on right now.

Arsenal move closer to striker signing

This weekend has been a pretty frantic one as far as transfer news is concerned, with Arsenal also looking to improve their options in the final third.

While the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak continue to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, it’s Viktor Gyokeres who seems to be the most likely at the moment.

Transfer Focus

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

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Indeed, according to reports in Portugal, via Sport Witness, Arsenal have ‘submitted’ their first official offer for the Sporting CP striker, a bid worth €75m (£63m).

It’s suggested that fee is unlikely to be accepted with the club’s president, Frederico Varandas, believing he can get more for a player with an €100m (£85m) release clause.

While that might dampen the spirits of those at Arsenal, there is hope that a deal can be struck with Gyokeres actually having already agreed personal terms with the club.

Why Gyokeres is more exciting and important than Zubimendi

With Jorginho leaving north London behind at the conclusion of his contract and the ageing Thomas Partey yet to pen new terms, signing a new midfielder this summer is actually of utmost importance, particularly one who can play just in front of the defence.

It’s safe to say that Zubimendi can do that perfectly. It was he who was subbed on for Rodri in last year’s European Championship and the fact Spain went on to win it without the Manchester City midfielder on the pitch speaks volumes of how good the Sociedad star was.

During that game, he completed 92% of his passes and won all five of his ground duels. While Zubimendi isn’t as physical as someone like Partey, he’s very Jorginho-like in his play style. He dictates the game, presses well and rather crucially, would give Declan Rice the freedom to play as the attacking number 8 on a more regular basis.

But, for all the positives of signing Zubimendi, it’s Gyokeres who is the most important deal here.

Why? Well, the plain and simple fact is that Arsenal absolutely have to sign a new striker this summer if they want to challenge next season.

Even before Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus got injured over the winter, the Gunners needed more in attack but that has only been made even more obvious over the last few months.

While Leandro Trossard has been used as centre-forward on a few occasions, it’s Mikel Merino who’s largely been tasked with playing as a makeshift attacker.

To his credit, he’s done a solid job, notably scoring against Real Madrid. That was one of six goals he’s scored in 11 matches so far up top.

However, it’s pretty clear this isn’t sustainable and that was made more obvious against PSG. Merino didn’t have a poor second leg but time and time again Arsenal put a dangerous ball into the six yard box, only for no one in red and white to be there.

Well, in comparison, Gyokeres is always in the right place at the right time. Previously of Coventry City, where he scored 22 in 50 outings during the 2022/23 campaign, he’s only hit another level after moving to Sporting.

Race for European Golden Boot – 2024/25

Player

Goal tally

1. Viktor Gyokeres

38

2. Mo Salah

28

3. Harry Kane & Robert Lewandowski

25

4. Biereth, Mbappe & Retegui

24

5. Alexander Isak

23

6. Dembele, Haaland & Marmoush

21

Stats via Transfermarkt.

The Swedish sensation has been the most profilic forward in Europe during his time in Lisbon, bagging a whopping 43 goals in 50 games last season and finding the net on 52 occasions in another half a century of matches this term.

Very few do it better than Gyokeres and whether or not his profile is the most ideal for Arsenal, perhaps they just need to keep things simple. Arsenal need goals more than anything else and the “monster” striker – as he was described by journalist Alex Turk – does goals.

While Isak – valued at £150m in some circles – is reportedly the dream signing, Gyokeres is more prolific and he’s more cost-effective.

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da poker： In what could be their best move yet under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United are now reportedly ready to launch their move to sign a Barcelona star for a discounted price this summer.

Amorim not shying away from Man Utd critics

da bwin： Whilst some managers may have been quick to defend Manchester United even as they fell closer to the relegation zone than the Premier League title, that is not Amorim’s preferred style. The former Sporting Club boss has been refreshingly, but ruthlessly honest since arriving at Old Trafford and that continued earlier this week in the build-up to the Athletic Bilbao game.

Amorim told reporters when asked about Manchester United’s European ambitions: “For me, in that moment and you look at Premier League, we are the worst team since I arrived in terms of results. That is my idea. In the end of the season, we can be the worst team in Premier League history with a European title.

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“So we will not change anything. We know that this season was disappointing. Nothing is going to change, in that moment, I have to think a bit more but I felt that. I still feel that this season was the worst in the last 50 years.”

Amorim, arguably more than those before him, seems to be well aware of just how great a task he has on his hands at the club. The Red Devils have fallen lower than ever in the Premier League and are struggling to maintain their place as a top six club on the pitch as well as off the pitch when it comes to finances.

There must be wholesale changes in the summer and that could commence with the arrival of a Barcelona star. United’s move, on paper, looks ambitious but reports indicating a major discount in pursuit should hand them plenty of hope.

Man Utd readying Araujo move

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now readying their move to sign Ronald Araujo following news that he is now available at the discounted price of just €50m (£42m). Alongside Juventus and Bayern Munich as the club in the strongest position to sign the Uruguayan, the Red Devils will be relieved to see his price drop to such a price, considering that previous reports indicated that Araujo could cost as much as €80m (£68m) this summer.

With Barcelona seemingly ready to show their defender the door after his performance in their stunning 7-6 aggregate defeat against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final, any deal could also be fairly simple to get over the line for those at Old Trafford. Barcelona’s reported decision is about as ruthless as it gets at the top level, especially given the praise that Araujo has received at the club.

Even Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has had positives to say about his countryman, telling reporters when asked to choose the most difficult defender that he has faced: “It has to be Araujo, who has defended me best. He is very good and very strong, that’s why he plays for Barca.”

da esoccer bet： Manchester City are racing a number of other Premier League sides for an “insane” midfielder, whose club are now demanding €60m (£51m) for his services, according to a report.

City set sights on new midfielders

da fezbet： Pep Guardiola is expected to continue the rebuild of his squad this summer, given their drop-off in the Premier League, although they still have a good chance to make a success of the campaign by winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.

One area in which Guardiola is keen to strengthen is midfield, with Kevin De Bruyne set to leave at the end of the season, and the Blues are preparing to make a super offer for River Plate attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono.

There may also be a desire to overhaul the central midfield options, given that Ilkay Gundogan is in the twilight years of his career at 34, while Mateo Kovacic is set to turn 31 in just a few days’ time.

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Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara has recently emerged as a surprise target, with the Blues making contact over a deal for the Brazilian, and they also have their eye on a Bundesliga star.

That is according to a report from Germany (via Sport Witness), which states Man City are now racing a number of their Premier League rivals for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson.

A deal for Larsson will be on the relatively expensive side, however, with the report stating that Frankfurt are set to hold out for a fee of €60m (£51m) for his services.

Frankfurt are keen to keep hold of the Swedish maestro, but it may be difficult to turn down a big offer from one of the Premier League’s top clubs, with Arsenal and Liverpool also in the race for his signature.

"Insane" Larsson compared to Gundogan

Football scout Ben Mattinson has compared the 20-year-old to Gundogan, claiming he is “similar” to the German midfielder due to his ability to make late runs into the box and score goals.

Scoring goals is clearly the Sweden international’s forte, given that he ranks in the 90th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers, but there are signs that he is a well-rounded midfielder.

Mattinson claims the youngster has “insane running power & stamina”, while also singling him out for praise due to his ability to win back possession.

With Gundogan now in the latter stages of his career, Guardiola may be keen on bringing in a like-for-like replacement, and there are plenty of signs that Larsson could be exactly that.

da poker： Manchester United now appear to have one foot in the Europa League final after claiming a 3-0 triumph over Athletic Club in the semi-final first leg away from home.

da mrbet： Bruno Fernandes’ double and Casemiro’s header secured the triumph for Ruben Amorim’s side ahead of next week’s return leg at Old Trafford – needing to hold on to secure their place in the final.

Should the Red Devils reach such a stage, it would be a superb achievement, especially considering the side was on the brink of elimination with a handful of minutes to go against Lyon in the previous round.

It’s the perfect opportunity for the manager to claim his first trophy in the role after taking the reins back in November, potentially securing a place in the Champions League as a result.

Numerous players produced performances to remember in Spain last night, playing a huge role in the success which led them to a three-goal advantage after 90 minutes.

United’s star performers against Athletic Club

As previously mentioned, captain Fernandes managed to get himself on the scoresheet twice, taking his goal tally to 19 goals across all competitions in 2024/25.

However, his underlying stats from the win were just as impressive, making 12 passes into the final third, along with three chances created – enabling other players the opportunity to impress in attacking areas.

Manuel Ugarte was another player who starred in Bilbao last night, registering two assists for Casemiro and Fernandes – offering a presence at both ends of the pitch for Amorim.

He also managed to win 100% of the tackles he entered, along with five recoveries and five ground duels won – highlighting his impressive showing in Spain once more.

However, despite the performances of the aforementioned duo, one other Red Devils talent failed to deliver, putting his position within the side at huge risk with the summer rapidly approaching.

The United dud who’s becoming the new Van de Beek

Midfielder Donny van de Beek joined United in the summer of 2020, looking to be a key player in the side’s ambitions of returning to former glory.

However, the Dutchman, who cost a remarkable £40m, would make just 62 appearances during his four years at Old Trafford, with injuries also preventing him from being a regular.

He would depart the club in the summer of 2024, joining Spanish side Girona for just £500k, seeing the side lose 99% of their investment, highlighting how poor their business has been in recent years.

Amorim may have unearthed another version of the midfielder in the form of Mason Mount, who has massively failed to deliver since his £60m move from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

Like Van de Beek, injuries have hampered his progress, making just 41 appearances in the last two seasons, but also failing to deliver when fit – as seen in his showing against Athletic Club last night.

He was brought on with 25 minutes remaining, but could only muster a total of 23 touches, completing a tally of just 12 passes – unable to have the desired impact.

Mount also failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles or his attempted crosses, losing possession seven times – looking wasteful when having the ball at his feet.

Mason Mount’s stats for United against Athletic Club

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

25

Touches

23

Passes completed

12/16 (75%)

Dribbles completed

0/1 (0%)

Crosses completed

0/1 (0%)

Possession lost

7x

Fouls committed

1

Stats via SofaScore

The 26-year-old picked up a booking to top off his showing off the bench, before being handed a measly 5/10 match rating by Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst – highlighting his lack of impact off the bench.

Throughout this season, Mount has been unable to make an impact, especially since Amorim’s arrival, often being injured but also unable to provide the goods when fit – as seen with his cameo last night.

Given his decline, the club desperately need to sell him this summer, avoiding a repeat of Van de Beek and losing a whole load of money on their investment, with any funds allowing the manager to make the changes he desires.

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da brwin： While the mood around the club has dramatically improved following their Europa League win on Thursday night, Tottenham Hotspur have had to deal with plenty of problems this season.

da premier bet： The most significant has been the near-endless stream of injuries, which has made it impossible for Ange Postecoglou to field his first-choice defence for much of the campaign.

So, it’s not surprising to hear that Daniel Levy and Co are looking to add to their defensive ranks in the summer.

In fact, recent reports have touted a former Premier League player with a move to N17, a player who’s been compared to Cristian Romero.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

It looks like it will be a big summer for Spurs this year, so before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at a few of the club’s other targets, such as Oihan Sancet.

Transfer Focus

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

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The Athletic Bilbao monster will reportedly cost around £69m in the coming months, and while that is a lot, it might well be worth it, as in just 30 appearances, he has scored 17 goals and provided three assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.30 games, almost exclusively from midfield.

An even more expensive signing could be Matheus Cunha, with reports from earlier this month claiming that the North Londoners would be willing to spend £75m to secure his services ahead of the chasing pack.

Again, it’s an enormous sum of money, but given the fact that the Brazilian international has scored 16 goals and provided four assists in 30 appearances this season, it might well be value for money.

However, as mentioned above, bringing in some more defensive cover appears to be one of the club’s priorities this summer, which helps explain their interest in Eric Garcia.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Tottenham are interested in signing the former Manchester City gem, who is currently on loan with Girona, from Barcelona.

In fact, the report goes a step further, claiming that the Lilywhites are ready to make an offer of around €15m for the Spanish defender, which amounts to about £13m.

It could be a bargain for a relatively young centre-back who has plenty of experience playing at a high level, and he’s already won comparisons to Romero.

How Garcia compares to Romero

So, before getting into the other reasons Spurs might want to sign Garcia this summer, it’s worth exploring this comparison to Romero and where it comes from.

Well, in this instance, it stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one and, in this instance, has concluded that the Argentine star is the fourth most similar centre-back to the Spaniard.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots on target, passes into the penalty area, live passes, goal-creating actions, tackles, blocks and more, all per 90.

Garcia & Romero

Statistics per 90

Garcia

Romero

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.16

0.14

Shots on Target

0.40

0.53

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.48

0.53

Live Passes

73.4

71.5

Goal-Creating Actions

0.32

0.26

Tackles

2.06

2.17

Blocks

1.35

1.18

Aerial Duel Win %

55.6%

60.6%

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

On top of winning comparisons to the World Cup-winning Lilywhites ace, the £99k-per-week “monster,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, also has some seriously impressive underlying numbers in his own right.

For example, FBref places him in the top 1% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues for goals, goals plus assists, shots on target, non-penalty expected goals, penalties won and tackles in the middle third, the top 3% for long pass completion and passes into the final third, the top 5% for progressive passes and much more, all per 90.

Ultimately, even if he cost more than is being reported, Spurs would be smart to sign Garcia, so if they can get him for around £13m, then that would be a no-brainer, as he’d be an ideal backup for Romero and Micky van de Ven at the very least, if not a competitor for game time.

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da heads bet： Wolverhampton Wanderers are all but safe from Premier League relegation following their 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town last weekend.

da dobrowin： Although it isn’t mathematically confirmed yet, it would take a miraculous series of events for the Tractor Boys to stay up at Wolves’ expense.

Vitor Pereira has done what he was brought in to do, but next season there will be a clean slate and the pressure to take the Old Gold into the top half of the league table.

Keeping Matheus Cunha at Molineux will be crucial in his bid to do so. That’s a certainty.

Matheus Cunha’s future at Wolves is uncertain

The Brazilian has scored 15 goals and registered four assists this season for Wolves. Given where they are in the table, if it weren’t for these contributions, the club would surely be facing the drop heading into the final few games of the campaign.

Not only does he rank in the top 2% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.55) in the top flight when compared to his positional peers, but the former Atlético Madrid star also ranks in the top 7% for total shots per 90 (3.61) and for carries into the final third (3.11), showing his class in the final third.

Manchester United were linked with a move for the attacking midfielder, while Arsenal also showed interest during the January transfer window.

Matheus Cunha’s PL stats for Wolves since joining

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

2

12

13

Assists

0

7

4

Big chances created

1

7

12

Shots per game

1.5

2.3

3.3

Key passes per game

0.4

0.9

1.7

Via Sofascore

It appears as though he could be on his way out of the Old Gold this summer and with a £62.5m release clause in his contract, the club stand to make a decent return on the player.

If he does leave, will Pereira use this fee to bring in a replacement or two? Or will he strengthen other areas of his squad?

It could be the latter, as U21 starlet Ty Barnett could be the club’s homegrown answer to the 25-year-old star.

Ty Barnett could be Wolves’ next superstar

Barnett tends to either play as a left-winger or an attacking midfielder, while the youngster has a decent eye for goal, netting 12 across 59 matches for the youth teams at the Old Gold.

This season, he has even featured as a centre-forward and this positional versatility mimics that of Cunha, who can operate across a few attacking positions.

The 19-year-old signed an extension to his contract in 2023 which will keep him in the Midlands until at least 2026, being praised by Jon Hunter-Barrett, the academy manager, in the process.

“We’re all delighted to agree on new terms for Ty. He has the ability to create and score and is very good in one v one situations.”

The teenager showed glimpses of his talent in the Football League Trophy this season. In three matches for the U21s, Barnett averaged two shots per game, scored once, and succeeded with 80% of his passes.

Given his team was playing against senior opposition in Wrexham, Port Vale, and Salford, it certainly wasn’t a bad set of displays by the talented forward, as he showed that he has the ability and maturity to play at first-team level.

This suggests that the potential is there for him to make the step up at Wolves and that is why he could be a future star for Pereira in the senior set-up if given an opportunity this season, or next term.

With Wolves virtually guaranteed survival, might Pereira give him his senior debut? Only time will tell.

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da blaze casino： Manchester City’s success over the last few years has been largely down to Pep Guardiola and his recruitment in bringing in players who have thrived under his guidance.

da dobrowin： The Spaniard has won four successive Premier League titles at the Etihad, but is set to miss out this season with the main fight now to secure Champions League qualification.

Regardless of whether the side secure a top-five place between now and the end of May, an overhaul of the first-team squad is desperately needed to push the club closer to the summit of the division.

Incomings are most certainly needed in the summer, continuing in the vein of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov, who all arrived at the Etihad in January.

However, if they are to afford such additions, Guardiola may have to offload multiple players, including one who’s unfortunately failed to live up to the hype he arrived with.

Why Matheus Nunes must be sold by City this summer

Matheus Nunes joined City from Wolves back in the summer of 2023 for a reported £53m, looking to inject added quality into an already impressive midfield department.

However, nearly two years on from his move to the Etihad, the 26-year-old has struggled to maintain a regular starting role in his natural position, subsequently shifting to right-back.

Whilst he’s notched 33 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, if the side are to reach the next level after the summer, reinforcements are needed in such a department.

His fate in Manchester also looks to be decided, with Guardiola recently quoted saying that he doesn’t think he can feature in the middle of the park due to not being “clever enough” in such a role.

Such comments could lead to a departure in the summer should an acceptable offer present itself, possibly joining another player out of the door in the process.

The player who could leave City alongside Nunes this summer

Nunes has ultimately been unable to have the impact he would’ve imagined upon moving to City, with a fresh start arguably needed for both parties in the coming months.

Some deals have been worthwhile, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva cementing their places in the heart of the side during Guardiola’s reign.

John Stones was another player who cost a pretty penny, joining the Citizens for a reported £50m back in 2016 from fellow Premier League outfit Everton.

The 30-year-old has been key to their success under the Spaniard, notching 277 appearances in his near nine-year stint in the first team at the Etihad.

He’s also won 13 major honours during such a timeframe, including six Premier League triumphs, with four in a row coming before the ongoing campaign.

However, over the past couple of seasons, the England international has been plagued by various different injuries which have prevented him from making a huge contribution at the Etihad.

John Stones’ stats by season at Manchester City

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2016/17

41

2

0

2017/18

29

3

0

2018/19

39

0

1

2019/20

24

0

1

2020/21

35

5

0

2021/22

27

2

0

2022/23

34

3

3

2023/24

28

1

2

2024/25

20

3

2

Total:

277

19

9

Stats via FotMob

He’s only made 11 league appearances during the current campaign, once again sidelined with a thigh issue which could rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Stones currently earns a reported £250k-per-week, a mammoth figure given his recent lack of minutes, with his total earnings during his nine years at the club totalling £78m.

When coupled with his transfer fee, the 30-year-old has cost the hierarchy around £128m – a staggering amount of money, with the club needing to brutally sell him given his proneness to injury.

He’s been a phenomenal servant to the Citizens, but, unfortunately, he’s been unable to extract his best performance levels in recent years, with fresh blood needed.

It may seem to be a harsh decision, but the world of top-level football is a cutthroat industry, with major calls needed if Guardiola is to lead the side back to Premier League glory next season.

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da betano casino： In 2022, Liverpool broke their transfer record to reel in Darwin Nunez, a talented and robust centre-forward who had made quite the name for himself at Benfica.

da fezbet： Having scored 34 goals across 41 matches in 2021/22, he clearly had the trappings of an elite-level striker. Jurgen Klopp was convinced after he scored against the Reds in the Champions League knockout stage after firing three goals in against Bayern Munich and Barcelona earlier in the term.

We’re now three years on from all that, three years on from Klopp’s decision to agree to a deal worth £85m for the Uruguayan ace. It hasn’t worked out, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that Nunez is set to be sold this summer after a winter move to Al-Nassr fell through.

It’s important that FSG get it right this summer, pick out the perfect successor. The name on fans’ lips is Alexander Isak, but that might not be a deal worth pursuing.

Why Liverpool shouldn't sign Alexander Isak

Arne Slot has worked wonders this season, leapfrogging Arsenal, four-in-a-row champions Manchester City, and the like to move, inexorably, toward the Premier League title.

Since signing Ryan Gravenberch in August 2023, Federico Chiesa has been the only first-team signing made, bearing testament to the team that Klopp assembled over so many years and his successor’s ability to whip them into an even finer shape.

The summer ahead is expected to be a big one, though, and The Athletic are among those to have confirmed Liverpool’s interest in Isak, who has been hailed as “the best striker in the Premier League” by Jamie Carragher.

Obviously, he’d be nice to have in the ranks, but Newcastle are very much aware of their talisman’s talents and have slapped a £150m transfer fee on his name.

Liverpool shouldn’t go near a deal if the Magpies won’t budge on that valuation this summer. There are other options available and this would exhaust resources at a critical juncture.

This might feel a bit pragmatic, but Liverpool’s structure is firmly rooted in realism, and it’s paid dividends over the years.

See, for example, the decision in April 2023 to end interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and instead sign a range of talented midfielders to pack the Anfield midfield back together.

Those midfielders are on course to win the Premier League after lifting the Carabao Cup last year.

Liverpool do need a new number nine though. Luckily, Isak’s not the only elite marksman on the market.

Liverpool chasing top striker

As per Sky Sports, Liverpool have compiled a shortlist of strikers – including Isak – to replace Nunez this summer, and fans may be interested to note that Victor Osimhen is on the club’s radar.

Athletic, powerful, and deadly in front of goal, the Napoli forward, who is on loan at Galatasaray, is expected to leave Naples for good at the end of the season after relationships broke down and prompted him to move temporarily to Turkey.

Last year, Napoli set demands of a fee north of £100m for the Nigeria striker, but hopes have been tempered as he approaches the final year of his deal, with separate reports suggesting the 26-year-old could be available for £63m.

Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen

Firstly, Liverpool should consider signing Osimhen because he’s one of the most prolific strikers in Europe and has the perfect profile to thrive in the Premier League.

His career with Napoli might have ended unceremoniously but Osimhen was the driving force behind the club’s incredible Scudetto success of 2022/23, scoring 31 goals from 39 matches in all competitions.

Last season was one of frustration for the Nigerian, whose injury issues exacerbated the Serie A champion’s dramatic decline.

However, he’s back among the goals with Galatasaray, indeed proving to be one of Europe’s most potent centre-forwards.

Standing at 6 foot 1, Osimhen has the frame and the strength to lead Liverpool’s line in the Premier League, bring goals, and a powerful focal presence to enhance the performances of those around him.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 10% of strikers in Europe over the past year for goals scored, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area and shots taken and the top 7% for aerial duels won per 90.

It’s a fine representation of his quality, so active and present in the striker’s spot. Comparing him against Nunez, whose erratic and enigmatic style has left him isolated in the Premier League, and you can see why Liverpool are ramping up their interest.

Victor Osimhen vs Darwin Nunez (24/25)

Stats (* per game)

Osimhen

Nunez

Matches (starts)

22 (20)

24 (8)

Goals

20

5

Assists

4

2

Shots (on target)*

4.5 (1.8)

1.3 (0.2)

Big chances missed

17

6

Key passes*

1.1

0.4

Dribbles*

0 5

0.3

Duels won*

5.3

2.3

Stats via Sofascore

It goes without saying that Osimhen is more clinical than Nunez, but his goalscoring quality is built upon the dynamic and rangy skill set that has led BBC journalist Alex Brotherton to hail him as “unstoppable.”

His creative spark – having created ten big chances in the Turkish Super Lig, is something that could hold sway when Slot and Liverpool’s chiefs devise a transfer strategy.

Of course, Osimhen hasn’t been restricted to domestic success this term either, with his overall tally of 28 goals from 32 matches this season owing to a prolific burst in the Europa League, notably dismantling Tottenham Hotspur in the group stage.

This, if you refer back to the ‘goals scored’ graphic above, places him ahead of Isak, truly underscoring how prolific a goalscorer Liverpool could get their mitts on.

If Nunez is to be sold, this man would mark a significant upgrade, one who could make all the difference in keeping the frontline firing next year as Liverpool chase down more success under Slot’s wing.

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da pinup bet： Liverpool were rocked by the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave his boyhood club and join Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer.

da luck： Rocked, but not toppled. The 26-year-old’s decision is exactly that: his decision. Liverpool will endure, and clinching the Premier League title (Arne Slot’s side are firm favourites to do so) will soften the blow and then some.

But Alexander-Arnold will need replacing, for he is one of the most gifted footballers on the planet. While nothing is yet set in stone, reputable sources near and far have extinguished any feeble hopes that the vice-captain will extend his contract at Anfield.

It’s too early for anything more than conjecture, but pointers suggest Jeremie Frimpong is right at the top of the list for sporting director Richard Hughes.

Why Frimpong could replace Trent

Bayer Leverkusen’s right-flanker has been an instrumental part of his squad’s success over the past several seasons, so destructive as he bounds up the wing with the speed and strength of a cheetah.

According to Sky Sports, Liverpool have already held internal discussions to sign the Dutchman, who is valued at €50m (about £42m) and, aged 24, could serve as a major player at Anfield for a long while.

While Frimpong operates as more of an attacking wing-back for Xabi Alonso, he has played ample football in a more traditional right-back berth (125 career appearances) and would certainly add a dimension to Slot’s Liverpool team.

He differs greatly to Alexander-Arnold, but could bring a new sense of attacking quality to the right flank, ranking among the top 2% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as per FBref.

Well, maybe new isn’t the right word. Indeed, Liverpool already have a player who boasts many of Frimpong’s talents while also offering, perhaps, a more complete skill set.

You know who…

Liverpool already have their own Frimpong

The anguish relating to Alexander-Arnold’s expected move away from Anfield is tempered somewhat by Conor Bradley’s meteoric rise over the past 15 months or so.

Bradley, 21, burst onto the scene in Jurgen Klopp’s outfit last season after previously excelling out on loan with Bolton Wanderers.

Alexander-Arnold actually singled out the “absolutely phenomenal” Bradley after his electric start to life in the big league, scoring a wonderful goal against Chelsea in the Premier League while chipping in with a handful of assists across the new year months.

His performances left Liverpool in awe, immediately placating fans as Trent’s possible (but still inconceivable at the time) departure simmered on the back burner.

Rewarded for his efforts with a Carabao Cup winners’ medal, the right-back will hope to play for Liverpool for many years. According to reports from Belfast, he may well be on the way to achieving this, for talks have begun for a new contract on Merseyside.

Slot seemed to have answered in the affirmative when quizzed on whether Bradley has it in him to step up to the plate in Alexander-Arnold’s absence, and you’d have to say that a signing such as Frimpong surely couldn’t expect to just walk into the line-up.

It was a somewhat coy response, but one which carried a subtle undertow relating to his thoughts on Liverpool’s second-choice right-back. Indeed, Bradley is probably cut from a more conventional cloth than his English teammate, whose creative skills are tantamount to “having Kevin De Bruyne playing at right-back,” as said by pundit Jamie Carragher.

It’s an irreplaceable skill set, but Liverpool do have someone who can fit into the position and make it his own. Bradley is that man. Frimpong’s differing style to Trent may well actually help his case, but there’s already a man in the area who can match much of the Bundesliga star’s quality.

Sadly, injuries have reduced Bradley to more of a bit-part role this season, but you need only peak at the data collected across his stunning breakout campaign to see that he’s the real deal.

Conor Bradley – Premier League Stats (23/24)

Stat

Per 90

Percentile

Goals

0.12

Top 14%

Assists

0.36

Top 3%

Shot-creating actions

3.23

Top 10%

Touches

79.00

Top 15%

Passes attempted

63.35

Top 21%

Progressive passes

3.47

Top 51%

Progressive carries

4.18

Top 2%

Successful take-ons

1.55

Top 4%

Ball recoveries

5.98

Top 12%

Tackles won

2.99

Top 1%

Stats via FBref

As you see, quite the assortment of skills from the Northern Ireland international. Hailed as a “special character” by The Athletic’s Andy Jones, known for his “fearlessness” (Bradley, not Jones), he’s shown himself to have the mark of a future superstar.

Bradley’s pace and impressive athleticism suggest he’s got a big future ahead. Not afraid to fly in with crunching challenges, he’s also endowed with an offensive spirit that has been evidenced through his ten goal involvements across only 50 senior showings for Liverpool.

He’s something rather special, this one. Though Liverpool would be wise to bolster the right-back position if Alexander-Arnold does leave, you could argue that Liverpool already have a player who shows similarities to Frimpong while actually bearing the template to leap above the Netherlands star.

Reporter David Lynch even suggested last season that the 21-year-old would get into Liverpool’s strongest starting XI. A bold, maybe even brazen, claim, but one which does shed light on the ability of this wonderful player.

Alexander-Arnold may well leave this summer, but there’s a sense of security about Liverpool right now, with academy-fashioned talents such as Bradley populating the club and easing the financial strain that Hughes and Michael Edwards must adhere to within FSG’s self-sustainable business model.

If Leverkusen look to play hardball over Frimpong, Liverpool need not worry. They already have a right-back with enough quality to nail down a starting berth for many years to come.

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da bet esporte： Despite the heavy spending Liverpool have completed this summer, Arne Slot’s backline looks rather light.

da esoccer bet： Aside from the 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the latter of whom is being courted by Real Madrid, the Reds are short on centre-backs, having sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m in June.

But the Premier League champions are in fantastic shape after adding genuine firepower to their ranks. And that’s without even addressing the potential arrival of Alexander Isak.

But. The fact remains. Liverpool’s defensive line is rather light. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have both signed and are terrific talents, but centre-backs they are not.

And with Joe Gomez forced into leaving Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Asia due to injury, the need for more defensive depth has been accentuated.

Liverpool lining up Gomez replacement

In Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving first-team player, Slot has an invaluable asset. He is fiercely versatile, remarkably so, having won the 2019/20 Premier League title as Van Dijk’s central partner, having played plenty at right-back and sometimes on the left too.

Joe Gomez – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Centre-back

117

–

2

Right-back

102

–

6

Left-back

33

–

2

Defensive midfield

2

–

–

Stats via Transfermarkt

But the 28-year-old has picked up a minor Achilles injury, meaning he might not be fit for the start of the season, having last featured for Liverpool in December due to sustaining a hamstring twinge.

Given that Gomez has been linked with a transfer away on several occasions over the past year too, it might not be unwise to push ahead and try and sign a long-term replacement.

Liverpool have been touted with a move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is out of contract at the end of the 2025/26 season, but there are no guarantees that they will get that one over the line, especially with Tottenham Hotspur showing a vested interest of their own.

As such, FSG have drawn up an alternative pick, and that man is Giovanni Leoni.

As per InterNews, the Parma centre-half, who is only 18, has been the subject of enquiries from Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham, though Inter Milan remain in the driving seat after their sustained efforts to sign him.

The talented defender may yet attract further suitors, so the time to act is now, and the Reds are said to be readying their bid. It’s mooted that he would cost something in the region of €35m (£30m).

Why Liverpool should sign Giovanni Leoni

It wouldn’t be the first time Liverpool have signed a young prospect from Serie A and nurtured them into a superstar. Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah are both defining features of this illustrious era on Merseyside, although both arrived as refined players.

Philippe Coutinho, however, was but a hatchling on the senior stage. Liverpool signed the Brazilian midfielder from Inter Milan for just £8.5m in January 2013, and he went on to score 54 goals and provide 44 assists across 201 matches before signing for Barcelona in an obscene £142m package in January 2018.

So began the glory days. You know how it goes.

Coutinho was a one-of-a-kind playmaker, so silky and special, but when he was first welcomed to Anfield as a 20-year-old, the promise was scattered and hazy. He required a hefty amount of fine-tuning.

Don’t worry, we haven’t lost our marbles. This is not advocacy of Leoni slotting into that number ten role, placing surgical passes through to the forwards with the finesse of a maestro in their pomp. This, instead, shines a light on Liverpool’s success in identifying and signing up-and-coming talents from the Italian game.

And with sporting director Richard Hughes boasting a connection with the Italian scene, fluent in the language and well versed in the footballing culture, having begun his days as a professional with Atalanta in Serie A and spent time as an Italian football analyst, he’s likely on the money when drawing a conclusion that Leoni is a talent worth chasing.

And anyway, he’s not alone in his admiration. The suitors are piling up, and talent scout Jacek Kulig has said that he is “one of the most complete teenage centre-backs in Europe.”

His breakout season in the Serie A attests to that.

League Stats 24/25 – Marc Guehi vs Giovanni Leoni

Stats (* per game)

#

Matches (starts)

17 (14)

Goals

1

Assists

0

Touches*

46.9

Pass completion

89%

Key passes*

0.1

Ball recoveries*

2.0

Dribbles*

0.2

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

Clearances*

3.6

Duels (won)*

2.5 (61%)

Errors made

1

Data via Sofascore

Leoni can, yes, be defined already by his all-encompassing grasp of the defensive game, as well as his dominance in defensive situations. The fact that he won 61% of his duels in the league last season suggests as such.

It’s a rather promising base, in any case. The scope for improvement is vast and exciting.

Just look at Coutinho. Liverpool remember him as a shining light through testing times, a magician who played a fundamental role in his golden era at Anfield.

But he was only a prospect when he first alighted in Liverpool, having scored once and started thrice in Italy across the half-season that preceded his transfer.

He soon found his footing. And Leoni could too. The young Italian defender would serve as Van Dijk and Konate’s understudy, and Gomez’s too, should the English star bounce back from his present injury.

It’s clear that Liverpool need to sign a centre-back, and in Leoni, they might just land themselves a star in the making.

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