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Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin did not do himself any favours with the fanbase when he said that he was happy that the team did not lose against Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday.

In isolation, the comment was understandable because the Light Blues were 1-0 down, with ten men, until James Tavernier’s penalty in the 92nd minute rescued a point.

However, it is not what a lot of supporters wanted to hear after a 1-1 draw at Ibrox against Dundee in the first home match of the Scottish Premiership season, especially after a draw with Motherwell on the opening day.

Whilst the team’s performances in the Champions League qualifiers have shown plenty of promise, there is clearly a lot of work that still needs to be done to get the team to a place where they can realistically compete for the title.

Part of that process will be continuing to use the transfer market to improve the team with new signings before the summer transfer window officially slams shut.

The Gers have already done some good work to bolster their squad in recent weeks and months, as Djeidi Gassama is now the role model for new signings to look at.

Rangers have hit gold with Djeidi Gassama

Rangers reportedly splashed out a fee of £2.2m to sign the 21-year-old attacker from Sheffield Wednesday on a permanent deal to bolster their options on the flanks last month.

It is fair to say that Gassama has not taken very long to become a loved figure among the supporters at Ibrox, thanks to his quick feet and quick start to life in Glasgow.

The French winger has hit the ground running with four goals in five appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, with all four of those goals coming in Champions League qualifiers.

Minutes

15

34

90

83

90

Shots

1

1

N/A

2

2

Goals

1

1

2

0

0

Key passes

0

0

N/A

1

2

Dribbles completed

2/2

0/1

N/A

2/3

2/3

As you can see in the table above, Gassama has also provided quality as a dribbler for the Hoops with his ability to take on opposition full-backs effectively.

The former PSG youngster also won the penalty, of course, against Dundee with a brilliant dribble into the box to draw a foul, which led to Tavernier’s equaliser.

The task for Martin and the rest of the team, now, is to ensure that Gassama is platformed in a way that gets the best out of him, by getting him the ball in the best positions.

Part of that means having a left-back who can complement and support the French whiz down the left side, and the Gers may be on course to lose their current option in that role.

Rangers in talks to sell Brazilian star

According to Globo Esporte, as relayed by Sport Witness, Palmeiras are interested in a deal to sign Glasgow Rangers full-back Jefte this summer.

The report claims that the Brazilian side are currently in talks with the Light Blues over a potential transfer for the 21-year-old defender in the coming weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

It adds that Palmeiras are set to lose their left-back, Vanderlan, and that they have identified the Rangers dynamo as their ideal replacement for him.

The outlet states, though, that it will not be an easy deal for the Brazilian outfit to get over the line because the Gers are set to demand a fee of up to around £5m for the full-back.

It also points out that there are unnamed clubs in England keeping tabs on his situation, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will enter the race for his signature before the end of the summer window.

Why this could be great news for Djeidi Gassama

This could inadvertently be great news for Gassama and the future of how the left side of the pitch looks for Martin moving forward, if Palmeiras are able to strike a deal with Rangers for Jefte.

It was clear in the opening matches of the campaign that the manager was not too fond of the Brazilian full-back, as he played Max Aarons, a right-footed right-back, at left-back for the first three games.

Jefte, who was described as “suspect defensively” by Maurice Ross last season, has been at Ibrox for a year now, yet has not taken big steps in his development defensively or offensively as of yet.

The Brazilian defender only completed one of his five attempted crosses and one of his four attempted dribbles as a starter against Dundee, whilst he did not create a single ‘big chance’ for his teammates, which shows that he struggled to produce quality in possession.

Whilst Jefte has shown signs of promise with his technical ability at times, his performances in the Premiership in the 2024/25 campaign also lacked a cutting edge all too often.

Appearances

33

Starts

30

Goals

1

Big chances created

4

Key passes per game

1.0

Assists

4

Pass accuracy

84%

Dribble success rate

46%

As you can see in the table above, Jefte only created four ‘big chances’ in 33 appearances in the division, which shows that he did not provide a constant threat in the final third.

If you go back to the last successful left side for Rangers, Borna Barisic created 14 ‘big chances’ from left-back in the 2020/21 campaign, whilst Ryan Kent scored 12 goals and delivered 11 assists on the wing.

Gassama is similar to Kent in the sense that he is also a right-footed player who likes to drift inside to score and create, which is why he may need a Barisic-esque left-back option to support him.

Having an offensive left-back who can draw attention away from the opposition’s defence to free up space for Gassama could get the best out of him in the Premiership moving forward, as defenders do not currently have to worry too much about the threat, or lack thereof, Jefte offers.

Big Danilo upgrade: Rangers make "lethal" £5m gem one of their top targets

Rangers have made this striker one of their top transfer targets, and he would be a big upgrade on Danilo.

ByDan Emery Aug 8, 2025

That is why selling Jefte could end up being great news for the French winger, as it would provide the club with an opportunity to dip into the market to find a player with a profile that suits playing alongside the ex-Owls man the best.

After defeat in their Premier League Summer Series opener on Saturday night, West Ham United supporters are extra eager to see their side make signings.

At the weekend in East Rutherford, the Hammers were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United at MetLife Stadium, with Jarrod Bowen halving the deficit in the second half, but this failed to spark a full-scale comeback.

Of course, it’s only pre-season, so the results are essentially meaningless, but a front two of Bowen and Niclas Füllkrug, with Luis Guilherme the only attacking player introduced as a substitute, underlines Graham Potter’s need for reinforcements.

With that in mind, are the Irons about to sign a “brilliant talent”?

West Ham's search for a new attacker

The most notable transfer news of West Ham’s summer so far is the departure of Mohammed Kudus, sold to fierce rivals for a reported fee of £55m, which will certainly make the London derby between the two on 13 September an interesting affair.

The departure of Kudus certainly leaves an enormous void in terms of quality in the Hammers’ forward line, so are they about to address this?

Well, according to a report by Julien Laurens of ESPN, West Ham are ‘keen’ to sign Amine Adli from Bayer Leverkusen, with Wolves also interested.

He adds that the 25-year-old is ‘open to a move’ to the Premier League, valued at around £23m by die Werkself.

So, could he soon swap North Rhine-Westphalia for East London?

How Amine Adli would improve West Ham

Adli began his senior career at Toulouse, scoring eight Ligue 1 goals in 2020/21, on top of seven assists, for les Violets, thereby earning a move to Bayer Leverkusen.

Since, in 142 appearances for die Schwarzroten, he’s racked up 23 goals and 24 assists, helping Bayer win the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal double unbeaten in 2023/24, claiming the club’s first-ever Meisterschale.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “electric” talent while Fintan O’Reilly of Total Football Analysis describes him as a ‘versatile’ attacker who favours playing on the right, thereby able to cut inside onto hs left foot.

Meantime, Phenom Akpan of Breaking the Lines notes that he is ‘a fantastic ball carrier’ who possesses ‘intelligent movement’ and sublime ‘pace’, all attributes that sound reminiscent of a certain outgoing Kudus, do they not?

So, let’s assess how the duo compared to one another last season.

Goals

0.3

0.2

Shots

1.6

1.6

Shots on target

0.9

0.8

Shooting accuracy %

53.85%

47.83%

Chances created

1.4

1.1

Passes attempted

37.6

26.7

Successful dribbles %

48.4%

48.4%

Touches

59.5

52.2

Average SofaScore rating

6.87

6.82

As the table outlines, on a per-90 basis, Adli’s statistics last season were more impressive than Kudus’, albeit the Moroccan international did only play 759 minutes in the Bundesliga, starting just six times, hence why he’s seemingly set to be on the move.

The numbers also underline why West Ham may have identified Adli as the ideal Kudus replacement, given how similar their statistics are in terms of shooting, chances created, touches and, most notably, dribbling.

Thus, everything suggests that Adli would be an excellent addition for West Ham, something for their downbeat fan base to get very excited about.

Fullkrug upgrade: West Ham agree personal terms to sign "incredible" star

West Ham have reached an agreement to sign a new number nine…

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 27, 2025

So far this summer, West Ham United have signed just three players. With just weeks left until the 2025/26 Premier League campaign gets underway, Graham Potter must act swiftly to bolster his squad.

Last season, the Irons finished 14th in the top flight, having the sixth-worst attacking record in the entire division.

As such, signing another striker or two wouldn’t go amiss this summer. The question is, who would be a perfect fit for Potter and his style at the London Stadium?

West Ham’s search for a striker

At the time of writing, Niclas Füllkrug is the only senior centre-forward available to Potter after the club released Danny Ings and Michail Antonio at the end of the season.

The Irons have been linked with Harvey Elliott recently, yet he isn’t a striker, despite scoring five goals for England U21s as they won the European Championship this summer.

According to talkSPORT, meanwhile, Callum Wilson has agreed terms with West Ham ahead of a proposed move. The 33-year-old striker is available on a free transfer after being released by Newcastle at the end of last term.

Despite his advancing years, Wilson could provide a decent option for Potter over the next 12 months and potentially beyond. He must remain fit, however.

If he does, then the Englishman could be an upgrade to Fullkrug.

Why West Ham want to sign Callum Wilson

Fullkrug joined the club last summer from Borussia Dortmund after enjoying an excellent spell in the Bundesliga.

He netted 15 times for the German side throughout 2023/24, but struggled with injuries in his debut campaign at West Ham, making just 20 appearances last season.

When he was on the pitch, the striker scored only three goals, hardly worth the £27m investment that was splashed out on him.

Wilson has endured his own injury issues, but if you compare his 2023/24 campaign in the Premier League to Fullkrug’s stats from last term, the Englishman would be a significant upgrade.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2024/25

22

1

0

2023/24

26

10

1

2022/23

36

18

5

2021/22

18

8

0

2020/21

28

12

5

Indeed, that season, Wilson scored nine league goals and grabbed an assist for the Magpies. Fullkrug scored three times and grabbed two assists for the Irons.

Wilson also averaged more total shots (1.8 vs 0.9), scored more frequently (110 minutes vs 263 minutes) and even succeeded with more dribbles (0.7 vs 0.1) comparing their respective league campaigns.

Eddie Howe once described Wilson’s importance to Newcastle as “incredible” and it now seems as though he is set to enjoy an Indian summer in London.

Should Wilson return to full fitness, he would be a massive boost to Potter and his attempts to take West Ham back into the top half of the Premier League table, having already netted 88 times in England’s top flight. Fullkrug, by contrast, scored just 56 times in Germany’s top tier.

The signing may well be a gamble, but given Wilson won’t cost a penny in transfer fees, it couldscore 12 times in 16 meetings turn out to be a shrewd one indeed.

West Ham fans will be hoping the striker can replicate the form which saw him win nine England caps and has seen him score 12 times in 16 meetings against them. That’s a certainty.

Scouts sent: West Ham now enter race to sign £12m Richard Rios alternative

The Hammers aren’t the only club interested…

ByTom Cunningham Jul 26, 2025

Amad Diallo is a player who has had to switch up his game over the last couple of months due to the implementation of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system at Old Trafford.

The Ivorian has largely operated in a right wing-back role when fit, having a huge impact on the side and arguably taking his career to the next level as a result.

He managed to register eight goals and six assists in the Premier League last season, potentially having to feature in such a position once again throughout 2025/26.

The addition of Matheus Cunha and the potential signing of Bryan Mbeumo would likely see the pair operate in the number ten positions, which could see Amad drop back into a deeper position.

However, the hierarchy could land numerous targets this summer, with many of which benefiting the former Atalanta star in his quest for success at Old Trafford.

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

Over the last couple of days, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has been named as a possible addition for the club throughout the current window.

The 32-year-old may be allowed to depart Unai Emery’s side ahead of 2025/26, with the player himself wanting a move, but he could cost in the region of £40m.

However, he’s not the only defensive option currently on their radar, with PSG star Lucas Beraldo a key target for Amorim’s side, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report claims that the Brazilian centre-back could be allowed to depart the French outfit during the off-season, opening the door to a move to the Red Devils.

Transfer Focus

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

It also states that Jason Wilcox and Co are preparing a bid for the 21-year-old in the coming days, potentially adding further depth to the backline, but also providing quality elsewhere in the squad.

He could be available for a fee of around £25m, according to reports in France.

Why United’s latest target would be perfect for Amad

Whilst injuries somewhat plagued his progress throughout last season, Amad managed to produce numerous impressive moments in what was a huge year for the star personally.

He was seen as a squad player by former boss Erik ten Hag, but the arrival of Amorim saw him become a key member of the side, as seen by his assist for Marcus Rashford in the 40-year-old’s first game at the helm.

Other key outings saw him register a hat-trick against Southampton, whilst also netting the winner against local rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.

Undoubtedly, given his setbacks with various injuries, he will be hoping to put a run of games together and replicate his best form in the club’s charge up the table next year.

If he is to be a success, he could be aided by defender Beraldo, who could hold the keys to the Ivorian reaching the next level despite his current defensive role.

When delving into his stats from the previous campaign in Ligue 1, the Brazilian thrived in and out of possession, offering a real top-level talent to Amorim’s side as a result.

Beraldo, who’s been labelled “incredibly eye-catching” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, managed to complete 95% of the passes he attempted last season, 5.9 of which per 90 were progressive – subsequently handing Amad the chance to impress when he receives the ball.

Games played

25

Goals & assists

1

Pass accuracy

95%

Progressive passes

5.9

Passes into final third

7.5

Passes into opposition box

0.6

Tackles won

1.4

% of tackles won

62%

Aerials won

2.1

Aerial success rate

68%

The youngster’s impressive ability on the ball is further reflected by his tally of 7.5 passes into the final third per 90, a figure that puts him in the top 2% of the division – having the ball-playing ability to allow Amad to torment the opposition.

However, the defender has also been a key defensive option for the Parisians, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 along with a 68% aerial success, which could massively bolster the options currently on the books at Old Trafford.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for his signature would cost this summer, it’s evident that any deal would be a superb one, having the potential to improve further given his tender age.

If he can transfer his skillset to England, he would have the quality needed at both ends to impress, potentially allowing Diallo to reach the next level as a result.

Needed more than Watkins: "Cantona of his generation" wants to join Man Utd

Manchester United appear to be edging closer to landing the signature of another star.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 16, 2025

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the charge to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s ranks this summer, with the Gunners determined to end their two-decade-long-plus wait for a Premier League title.

Arsenal have "submitted an offer" to sign "strong" £30m Premier League star

The north Londoners are opening talks.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 2, 2025

Berta officially unveiled his first signing as Edu Gaspar’s replacement earlier this week.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Kepa Arrizabalaga is a now-confirmed Arsenal player after completing his medical at the club last week (Sky Sports), and the 30-year-old David Raya back-up joins from Chelsea for just £5 million.

“We are really happy to have Kepa joining us,” said Arteta about Kepa’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium.

“He is a player we know, having come up against him many times in recent seasons. He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win.

“Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his teammates, and we are really excited about his future with us.”

Arsenal are likely to announce Martin Zubimendi’s signing at some point this week too, with Brentford captain Christian Norgaard also expected to undergo his medical in the next few days (The Athletic).

Arsenal also want to sign a new attacking-midfielder/winger, amid talks for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, but supporters are especially keen to see Berta end the club’s long wait for a prolific star striker.

While there have been tentative links to the likes of Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, two big names stand out as Arsenal’s top centre-forward targets – RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Sesko, fresh off the back of his best Bundesliga campaign to date, was a top target for Arsenal last summer and in January (Ben Jacobs), with Berta holding talks over the £94,000-per-week Slovenia international again this summer.

Gyokeres, meanwhile, is at the centre of a public fallout with Sporting and president Frederico Varandas, and the 27-year-old is believed to be very keen on a move to Arsenal, whilst being worried that his price tag could jeopardise a move (Record).

Sesko and Gyokeres eyeing Arsenal moves as Berta leads talks

As per GiveMeSport and reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, Arsenal’s intentions are clear when it comes to a deal for either man.

Berta has “advanced talks” for Sesko and Gyokeres, as widely reported elsewhere too, and Jacobs says that they would both welcome a move to north London. However, the key for a deal to be done is, of course, down to their final price tags.

Arsenal’s aim is to sign Sesko or Gyokeres for around £60 million, but personal terms shouldn’t be a problem for either really, especially considering the latter is only on around £40,000-per-week in Portugal right now.

Given the likes of Man United are also hunting for a top striker, amid links to Gyokeres in particular, Arsenal cannot afford to dilly-dally for too long here.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a huge task ahead of him in the 2025/26 campaign, potentially coming under serious pressure should he fail to win a trophy.

The Spaniard has now been in the role at the Emirates for five and a half years, with his only trophy coming in the FA Cup back in his first season at the helm.

In the Premier League, the Gunners have finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons, being unable to make that final step and end the two-decade wait for a league triumph.

Investment is needed from the hierarchy during the off-season if they are to finish at the top of the table next time around, handing the manager the tools he needs for success.

With the transfer window now in full swing, countless names have been mentioned as options for Arteta, leading to moves being made on various deals.

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

A striker has been firmly on their radar over recent weeks, leading to talks being held with the representatives of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, but no agreement has yet been reached.

Moves have also been made to sign PSG wonderkid Warren Zaire-Emery, looking to take advantage of his situation in France which has seen him losing his starting place in Luis Enrique’s side.

However, they may look past a deal for the teenager, given the progress that has been made to sign Sevilla star Lucien Agoume, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature, with fellow English sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also firmly in the race for his signature.

It also states that the 23-year-old is available for a fee in the region of £20m this summer, potentially forming an excellent partnership with one other talent in North London.

Why Arsenal’s £20m target would be perfect alongside Zubimendi

Over recent months, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been the name on all supporters’ lips after he’s been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal.

It was confirmed back in January that a deal had been agreed to land the 26-year-old this summer, but such a move has been quiet over the last couple of weeks.

That was until Fabrizio Romano confirmed that a deal is imminent with the midfielder still set to make the move to the Emirates despite interest from Real Madrid.

It’s been reported that the hierarchy are set to pay just over his €60m release clause in his contract, securing the deep-lying option Arteta has been crying out for.

However, he could thrive alongside Agoume in North London next season, with the Frenchman having all the tools to star in the middle of the park and giving the Gunners a new dimension.

Agoume, who’s been labelled “one of the most talented defensive midfielders” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has completed 83% of passes and achieved a dribble success rate of 76% – subsequently able to drive forward after Zubimendi regains possession for the side.

He’s also created 1.2 chances per 90, showcasing his ability his progress the play and aiding the attackers in front of him to thrive and bolster their title credentials.

Games played

35

Goals & assists

4

Passes completed

83%

Dribbles success

76%

Chances created

1.2

Tackles won

1.4

Interceptions made

1.7

The 23-year-old’s talents continue without the ball, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 and making 1.7 interceptions per 90, handing Arteta an added ball-winning option alongside Zubimendi and taking some of the pressure off his shoulders as a result.

£20m in today’s market would be a superb piece of business by the hierarchy, landing a young player who could improve massively in the years ahead given his tender age.

The prospect of a partnership between Agoume and the Spaniard at the heart of the side is certainly an exciting one, handing Arteta the strength and depth he needs to push for the title in 2025/26.

He's the next Timber: Arsenal submit offer to sign "insane" £43m star

After Jurriën Timber proved to be such a revelation this season, could Arsenal return to the Eredivisie to sign an “insane” defender worth £43m?

ByBen Gray Jun 21, 2025

Chelsea have made a winning start to their Club World Cup campaign.

On Monday night, Enzo Maresca’s team easily swatted aside MLS outfit Los Angeles FC 2-0 in Atlanta, with Pedro Neto breaking the deadlock on the cusp of half time, before Enzo Fernández, teed up by debutant Liam Delap, made the points secure.

The major talking point was all the empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with around 22,000 in attendance, but this is not a good look in a venue that holds up to 75,000; for context, Atlanta United average around 45,000 in Major League Soccer this season.

Nevertheless, Maresca won’t care about that one jot, as his team prepare to take on Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday, after the Brazilian outfit were also 2-0 winners on Monday, beating Espérance Sportive de Tunis in Philadelphia.

Back at home, Chelsea continue to be busy in the transfer market, so are they about to land yet another wide-forward?

Chelsea's search for a new winger

Signing new forwards is clearly the order of the day for BlueCo this summer with Delap already in the door and Hugo Ekitike also touted with a move to Stamford Bridge.

Now, the Blues have another target in mind according to the latest reports.

As per David Ornstein of the Athletic, Chelsea ‘have made a verbal enquiry’ as they seek to sign Olympique Lyonnais winger Malick Fofana.

Meantime, French outlet L’Equipe add that Lyon value the forward at around £50m.

Transfer Focus

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

The 20-year-old began his senior career at Gent, before joining les Gones for a reported fee of £14.5m in January 2024, making 62 appearances for Lyon to date, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “magnificent winger prospect”, so could he be set to swap France for West London?

Why Chelsea should sign Malick Fofana not Jamie Gittens

After deciding not to make Jadon Sancho’s loan from Manchester United permanent, paying a £5m penalty fee as a result, Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian reports that Chelsea are ‘prioritising’ signing a right-footed left-winger this summer.

Well, BBC Sport claimed last week that the Blues had seen a £42m rejected by Borussia Dortmund for 20-year-old Englishman Jamie Gittens, who they claim has already agreed personal terms.

But now, are the Blues turning their attention to Fofana, and who is actually the bigger prospect? Let’s find out.

Appearances

41

48

Minutes

2,280

2,790

Goals

11

12

Assists

6

5

Goals – xG

+5

+6.7

Expected assists

4.4

3.5

Shots on target %

54%

40.3%

Progressive carries

157

161

Attempted take-ons

83

232

Take-on success %

39.8%

44.8%

Shot-creating actions per 90

3.43

3.57

Goal-creating actions per 90

0.61

0.45

Average SofaScore rating

7.24

7.05

As the table outlines, Gittens is much more of a prolific dribbler; in fact, across Europe’s top five leagues, only six players attempted more take-ons, according to FBref.com.

However, Fofana is a significantly more of a direct goal-threat, underlined by the fact he registered more assists and a higher amount of expected assists, as well as goal-creating actions per 90 and a better shots on target percentage.

​​​​​​​

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believes the Belgian international possesses “enormous potential” and has a “big future ahead”, while Brandon Liss of Total Football Analysis outlines how Fofana likes to hold width on the left side, tasked with taking on opposition full-backs, “working tirelessly” and demonstrating “excellent work rate”.

Meantime, Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines asserts that Fofana ‘has huge potential’, describing him as an ‘explosive winger​​​​​​​’ who ‘combines well with teammates’ and is a threat in front of goal.

Lyon are currently under pressure to sell and fast because they have been provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial irregularities, a situation that remains up in the air.

Thus, if Chelsea are able to take advantage of Lyon’s predicament and get a deal done, Fofana is unquestionably a top-class talent.

Maresca must sign an upgrade on 5/10 Chelsea dud who lost the ball 10 times

Chelsea beat LAFC 2-0 in their first game of the Club World Cup.

3 ByKelan Sarson Jun 17, 2025

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is now in the final month of his contract, although it remains to be seen whether he will stay with the club.

The striker has been with the Toffees since 2016, and if his near-ten-year association with the club was to end this summer, David Moyes will have big shoes to fill.

By all accounts, he endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign and, judging by that form, he might not be too much of a miss.

Why Dominic Calvert-Lewin must leave Everton

The centre-forward reportedly has other Premier League clubs showing interest in him, Newcastle among them.

Last season was a major struggle for the Englishman. Across 26 league matches last term, Calvert-Lewin scored just three goals and grabbed two assists.

He finished the season with an 8% goal conversion rate, while missing 16 big chances, averaging just 0.8 shots on target per game and creating one big chance.

In this form, moving on his massive £120k-per-week wages would surely give Moyes plenty of room for manoeuvre in the transfer window.

2024/25

26

3

2

2023/24

38

8

3

2022/23

18

2

1

2021/22

18

5

2

2020/21

39

21

3

2019/20

41

15

1

2018/19

38

8

3

2017/18

44

8

5

2016/17

11

1

0

If so, the Scot would be looking to bring in a striker or two to replace the 27-year-old ahead of next season.

It appears as though the Merseyside outfit have enquired about the availability of a player who has attracted plenty of attention…

Everton looking at Calvert-Lewin replacements

Recent reports have suggested that Everton are looking at Villarreal striker Thierno Barry with an approach having been made to sign him last week. If a deal cannot be done there, who’s the alternative?

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to the Mirror, Everton have made an enquiry regarding striker Adama Bojang, although West Ham United and Brentford are also keen on the youngster.

The Gambia starlet played for Swiss side Grasshoppers on loan last term and could be available for as little as £11m this summer.

Given his potential and room for development, this could be a shrewd move by Moyes, no doubt about that. But, might Bojang emerge as an ideal replacement for Calvert-Lewin?

The 21-year-old certainly impressed for Grasshoppers last term. Across 26 league games, he found the back of the net on six occasions, while registering two assists in the process.

Like Calvert-Lewin, he was hardly prolific, but a young fresh face could be precisely the direction Moyes needs to head in. After all, he’s already been hailed as the “Gambian hurricane” and also lauded as an “insane talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango. So, Adama’s future looks incredibly bright.

He scored once every 212 minutes in the Swiss Super League last term, while finishing the season with a 15% goal conversion percentage, far better than Calvert-Lewin’s.

The striker also created five big chances for his teammates, missed just eight big chances and succeeded with 0.5 dribbles per game.

Raw, certainly, but it is evident that he has the tools required to make an impact in a big five European league.

£11m is a drop in the ocean for a club the size of Everton, and by signing Bojang, they will be getting a player who could see their value increase in a short space of time.

He might take a while to adjust to life in the Premier League, but as seen by his statistics last term, he performed better than Calvert-Lewin across several metrics. It is surely a no-brainer for Moyes.

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Leeds United have now joined the race to sign a “spectacular” goalkeeper, having missed out on Caoimhin Kelleher, according to a report.

Leeds looking to sign new GK amid Meslier concerns

Some of Meslier’s performances in the 2024-25 campaign were cause for major concern, with the Frenchman making a number of key errors, which could’ve been costly in Leeds’ push for promotion, although they were ultimately able to get over the line.

Perhaps most memorably, the 25-year-old made a huge blunder to gift Sunderland a late equaliser at the Stadium of Light back in October, while there were also suggestions his time at Elland Road could be over after being dropped for Karl Darlow in April.

Daniel Farke ultimately opted to give Darlow the nod in goal for the remainder of the campaign, highlighting a lack of trust in Meslier, and with the Whites going on to achieve promotion, they have set out to sign a long-term replacement between the sticks.

A report from Leeds United News has revealed that a new target has entered the frame, namely Santos goalkeeper Brazao, with Farke’s side now making efforts to try and sign the Brazilian shot-stopper.

The 24-year-old only returned to his home country in 2024, leaving Inter Milan, but he could now be set for a return to Europe, although Leeds are not the only English club in the race for his signature.

Indeed, Chelsea have also set their sights on the goalkeeper, with the Blues expected to make a formal offer for his services in the near future, which could pose a problem for the Championship winners.

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ByDominic Lund Jun 3, 2025 "Spectacular" Brazao could be Meslier upgrade

Once lauded as “spectacular” by former coach Carlos Amadeu, the Santos shot-stopper has put in some impressive performances since returning to his home country, keeping 21 clean sheets in 57 matches.

Not only that, but there are signs the former Inter Milan man could be an upgrade on Meslier, having maintained a better save percentage per 90 than the former Lorient man over the past year.

At the start of April, it was revealed the Leeds goalkeeper had single-handedly cost his side 10 points, which could’ve been extremely damaging in their quest for promotion, and he simply cannot be trusted in the Premier League.

Farke’s side may have gotten away with slipping up in the Championship, but with the Whites looking to avoid relegation next season, every single point will be valuable.

As such, Brazao could be an upgrade on Meslier, having impressed for Santos in recent times, but there may be some concerns over the fact he is unproven in a major European league, and Leeds will undoubtedly be disappointed to have missed out on Brentford-bound Kelleher.

What was set to go down as Tottenham Hotspur’s worst season in a generation just a few days ago will now go down in history for all the right reasons.

Ange Postecoglou’s side might still have seriously underperformed in the Premier League, but nobody is going to remember that following their Europa League heroics on Wednesday night.

The North Londoners might not have been at their free-flowing best against Manchester United, but they were stubborn, hard to break down and came out with a European title as the reward.

Two of the best players on the night were Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, and yet, Spurs might already have found themselves an even bigger talent.

Van de Ven & Romero's heroric showing

One can only wonder how Spurs’ season would have turned out had Van de Ven and Romero been fit for more of it, as against the Red Devils, they were both sensational.

The former didn’t even have to rely on his breakneck speed too much, as he was consistently in the right place at the right time, so much so that he was able to clear Rasmus Hojlund’s header off the line midway through the second half.

Likewise, Romero was a rock at the back, making ten clearances, blocking one shot and making another tackle for good measure.

Moreover, while he committed one foul and found himself winding up Harry Maguire at almost every opportunity, the usually hot-headed World Cup winner kept himself on the referee’s right side and fully deserved his Man of the Match award.

It’s almost impossible to overstate just how important both defenders are to Postecoglou’s system, as when he does instruct his team to play a high line, it’s the Flying Dutchman’s rapid pace that ensures they aren’t caught on the counter too easily.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

Moreover, as the team isn’t regarded as being particularly tough, it helps to have the former Juventus ace in the backline, instructing his teammates and giving 100% in every challenge.

Yet, as utterly brilliant as both Romero and Van de Ven are, it looks like Spurs might have already found another young defender who could be an even bigger talent than both.

Spurs' incredibly exciting talent

It would be fair to say that, for everything that has gone wrong this season, Spurs have a number of really exciting youngsters in their ranks, like Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Mikey Moore.

In The Pipeline

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

There will likely be another name added to that list for next season: Luka Vušković.

The Croatian teenager was signed by the Lilywhites back in September 2013 but has spent the last year and a half on loan with Radomiak for the latter half of the 23/24 season and then Belgian outfit KVC Westerloo for this season.

Described as a “freak talent” with a “scary ceiling” by respected data analyst Ben Mattinson, the 18-year-old has been nothing short of spectacular in Belgium this year.

It might sound hyperbolic, but it’s really not, as in just 35 appearances, the “monster of a CB,” as dubbed by Mattinson, has managed to score seven goals and provide three assists, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.5 games.

Appearances

35

Clean Sheets

5

Goals

7

Assists

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.28

On top of being a huge attacking threat, the 6 foot 5 titan is no slouch when it comes to the defensive side of the game either.

According to FOTmob, he sits in the top 7.7% of centre-backs in the league for aerial duels won and blocks, the top 8.8% for ball recoveries, and the top 23.1% for overall duels won – which is undeniably outstanding for someone so young.

Ultimately, while it’s still incredibly early in his career, Vušković looks destined to reach the top of the game, and based on his already rapid development, he looks like a bigger talent than Van de Ven and Romero.

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