Category Uncategorized

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have opened the 2025/26 season in a way that underlines both their potential and their limitations.

Their early form has mixed defensive solidity with attacking struggles.

A goalless draw with Aston Villa on the opening day was followed by a chaotic 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool, sealed by a 100th-minute Rio Ngumoha strike.

Stalemates against Leeds and Bournemouth sandwiched a narrow 1-0 win over Wolves, leaving Newcastle searching for rhythm at both ends of the pitch.

In attack, the void left by Alexander Isak has been evident.

New arrivals Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa were brought in to fill the gap, but Woltemade is still adjusting to Premier League intensity, while Wissa was sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury on international duty.

The lack of fluidity has shown up in the underlying numbers: Newcastle have generated just 4.6 expected goals (xG) – better only than the newly promoted clubs, Wolves and Aston Villa.

Defensively, though, the platform looks elite. Newcastle boast the league’s lowest xG conceded at 2.5, with Arsenal next-best at 3.3.

Newcastle United

2.5

Arsenal

3.3

AFC Bournemouth

3.6

Liverpool

4.0

Crystal Palace:

4.7

This means that Howe’s side already have a strong foundation from which to grow. What is striking, however, is that the tactical emphasis has shifted.

Howe, once reliant on direct transitions, has been experimenting with a more possession-heavy approach, with structured build-up play central to his long-term vision.

That shift has placed the spotlight firmly on the man in goal.

Why Nick Pope needs to be dropped

Nick Pope remains Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper and has been a dependable figure since arriving from Burnley in 2022.

Now 33, he has made over 100 appearances for the Magpies, including keeping goal in their Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool last season.

His England experience – ten caps – underlines his status as a high-level shot-stopper. So far this campaign, Pope has kept four clean sheets, leading the Premier League Golden Glove race.

His shot-stopping ability is reflected in his numbers: 3.07 saves per 90 with a save percentage of 71.7%, significantly above league average.

Yet, the flaws in his game are equally obvious.

Pope’s playing profile jars with Howe’s evolving tactical plan. While Newcastle are attempting to construct attacks patiently from the back, Pope looks uncomfortable when pressed with the ball at his feet.

Whenever the ball cycles back to him, Newcastle’s possession often stalls, with centre-backs reluctant to involve him under pressure.

It is not that Pope lacks bravery, but rather that his technical ceiling is lower.

Against teams who press high, this becomes a liability.

As Howe tries to embed a possession-first style, Pope’s skillset increasingly feels at odds with the project.

Howe already has the perfect Pope replacement

This summer, Newcastle moved to address the issue by signing Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan from Southampton.

At 27, he remains in his goalkeeping prime and was one of the few Saints players to emerge with any credit last season.

His arrival followed Martin Dubravka’s move to Burnley, giving Howe a goalkeeper with very different attributes to Pope.

Ramsdale is far more comfortable with the ball at his feet.

He touches the ball 43.8 times per 90 (compared to Pope’s 31.1) and completes passes across a much greater distance, with a progressive passing distance of 566.4 per 90 – almost double Pope’s output.

He is proactive in distribution, unafraid to break lines and feed midfielders under pressure.

His higher volume of completed passes per 90 (25.8) makes him far better aligned with a possession-oriented strategy.

Statistically, Ramsdale lags behind Pope in pure shot-stopping.

He makes more saves per 90 (4.00 compared to Pope’s 3.07) but his save percentage is lower at 67.6%, while his goals against per 90 (2.20) reflects Southampton’s struggles last year.

Clean sheet percentage is another weakness, sitting at just 10.0% compared to Pope’s 28.6%.

Yet, context matters – Ramsdale played behind one of the league’s most porous defences, whereas Pope has benefited from Newcastle’s defensive structure.

Ramsdale has already impressed Newcastle supporters in flashes.

During pre-season he saved a penalty against Espanyol, a reminder of his shot-stopping pedigree, while also displaying the technical quality that Pope cannot replicate.

Fans are increasingly calling for him to be given a run in the league, believing that his attributes would unlock Newcastle’s attempts to play more expansively.

For now, Howe has stuck with Pope – who he has previously labelled as “one of the best shot-stoppers” he’s worked – valuing his reliability and the clean sheets he has delivered.

Chalkboard

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

But with Newcastle increasingly defined by their ability to dominate possession and progress the ball, the pressure is mounting to hand Ramsdale his chance.

The tactical shift may eventually demand it.

Howe must now drop Newcastle flop who was worse than Willock

This Newcastle United attacker struggled as much as Joe Willock did away at AFC Bournemouth.

1 ByKelan Sarson Sep 21, 2025

انتقد مدير نادي برشلونة السابق، قائد نادي ريال مدريد، دانيال كارفاخال، وذلك على هامش تصرفات الظهير الأيمن خلال مواجهة الكلاسيكو الأخيرة بين الريال والبارسا بالدوري الإسباني.

ريال مدريد حسم قمة الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى وحقق الانتصار على برشلونة يوم الأحد الماضي بهدفين مقابل هدف على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

لكن كارفاخال دخل في مناوشات مع لامين يامال، نجم برشلونة، مما جعل الأمور تشتغل بين لاعبي الفريقين عقب نهاية اللقاء.

ويرى توني فريسكا، مدير برشلونة السابق، أن كارفاخال تصرف بجبن مع يامال، حيث قال في تصريحات إلى “الشنجريتو”: “تصرف داني كارفاخال بجبن”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيراتي عن فوز باريس بدوري الأبطال بعد رحيل مبابي: انظروا ماذا يفعل في ريال مدريد

وأضاف: ”من السهل جدًا أن تفعل ذلك عندما تفوز بمباراة في ملعبك والجميع يصفق لك، أن تذهب إلى طفل وتقول له هذا، فيرى الجميع ويحفظونه بعيدًا عن غرفة الملابس”.

فريسكا سبق وأن هاجم كارفاخال عبر “تويتر” عقب نهاية الكلاسيكو، حيث قال: “يا له من عار ألا أكون لاعبًا في برشلونة وأن يأتي كارفاخال إلي بكلام فارغ، هم لا يعرفون الخسارة ولا الفوز”.

وجعل هذا الفوز ريال مدريد يعزز صدارته في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، وبفارق خمس نقاط كاملة عن برشلونة صاحب المركز الثاني.

وكان يامال قد ألغى متابعة كارفاخال عبر “إنستجرام”، قبل أن يعود الجناح الشاب ليتابع مواطنه أمس الأربعاء.

A manager who Jurgen Klopp once described as “incredible” is now the leading contender to replace Graham Potter at West Ham United.

Potter under serious pressure after Crystal Palace defeat

Potter would’ve been hoping the 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest could be a turning point in the season, but there has been a return to the mean since the end of the international break, with West Ham suffering defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.

Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed that the West Ham hierarchy have started looking at new managers, saying: “Internal talks are taking place with eventual replacements being assessed. Decision could follow soon.”

A number of managers with Premier League experience have been identified as potential targets, including Gary O’Neil, Slaven Bilic, and Sean Dyche, but it has since emerged that a different manager is now the frontrunner for the job.

Related West Ham now weigh up concrete approach to sign £17m England international

West Ham now weighing up concrete approach for £17m England international.

Posts ByDominic Lund Sep 21, 2025

That is according to a report from The Mirror, who reveal that West Ham are seriously considering parting ways with Potter, following their terrible start to the Premier League season, collecting just three points from their opening five games.

Nuno Espirito Santo is named as the leading contender to replace Potter, with the former Nottingham Forest boss being dismissed by Evangelos Marinakis earlier this month, despite leading the Tricky Trees to Europe for the first time in 30 years.

The upcoming fixture against Everton is likely to be crucial in deciding Potter’s future, with the Toffees set to travel to the London Stadium next Monday night.

"Incredible" Nuno could be major upgrade on Potter

Potter has experienced success in the Premier League in the past, impressing enough at Brighton & Hove Albion to get the Chelsea job, but the 50-year-old’s performance in his last two roles leaves a lot to be desired.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, the Englishman averaged just 1.42 points per match, lasting less than seven months, before going on to struggle considerably at West Ham, receiving widespread criticism from the fans after the recent defeat against Spurs.

Nuno, on the other hand, is vastly more experienced in the Premier League, with Klopp once praising the Portuguese manager for the work he did at Wolverhampton Wanderers, saying: “Nuno’s doing an incredible job. They are a talented team, the quality is big. It’s really rare, but apart from two or three games they played exactly the same three players in the last line the whole year, that’s unbelievable.”

The Sao Tome-born manager, who favours a 4-2-3-1 system, subsequently went on to be a success at Forest, averaging 1.48 points per match and guiding the Tricky Trees to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

West Ham have spent a number of seasons in Europe in recent times, winning the UEFA Conference League in 2023, and there are clear indications Nuno could be capable of bringing European nights back to the London Stadium.

Surrey 365 (Foakes 92*, Burns 73, Harmer 4-83) and 9 for 0 trail Essex 582 for 6 dec by 208 runsBen Foakes defied his former county for four hours and 41 minutes but could not prevent Essex asking reigning champions Surrey to follow-on in the Rothesay County Championship at Chelmsford.The one-time England wicketkeeper, an Essex academy graduate, stood resolutely while wickets fell all around him to remain not out 92 as Surrey were dismissed for 365 in their first innings, 217 runs in arrears. Second time around Surrey had reduced the requirement to make Essex bat again by nine runs without loss in six overs at the end of day three.It could have been worse for the visitors. They collapsed from their overnight 109 for 1 to 180 for 6, undone by a spell of three wickets in 15 balls amid pre-lunch mayhem in which five wickets fell and the guts were ripped out of the middle-order.Simon Harmer led the way for Essex with 4 for 83 from a marathon 47 overs, 34 of them bowled in the day. It was a welcome return to form for the South African offspinner, who failed to add to his 35 five-fers and ten 10-wicket hauls for the club during an uncharacteristically disappointing 2024 season.At the start of an eventful day under clear, bright skies, Ollie Pope lasted just seven balls before he was beaten all ends up by a delivery from Porter that flicked his off-bail. It ended a 103-run stand with Burns for the second wicket.Jamie Smith made his presence felt with three quick boundaries off Porter, including a straight drive that brooked no argument. However, five balls after cutting Shane Snater’s first ball decisively to the square-leg boundary, Smith essayed a cover-drive, missed and kept walking as his off stump went cartwheeling.That brought in Foakes, but before he could settle Surrey lost their second wicket in two balls. This time Harmer induced an outside edge off Burns’s bat for a caught-behind for 73. And it became three wickets with just eight runs added as Dan Lawrence’s six-ball stay ended when Harmer got one to jump up with the resultant involuntary edge deviating to slip.Ryan Patel looked completely bamboozled by Harmer. He faced 23 deliveries from the offspinner, barely getting near any of them, let alone scoring a run, before nudging one into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.In addition to his wickets, Harmer was parsimonious in terms of conceding runs, so when Foakes pushed him through the covers it was only the second boundary he had conceded in 26 overs.The scoreboard clicked rapidly when the new-ball was taken with 40 runs coming from the first six overs, moving Surrey to their first of two batting points in the process, before Jordan Clark’s freewheeling 45 from 88 balls was ended by Cook.Foakes reached his fifty when he edged his eighth four just wide of slip off Snater. He had put on 55 for the eighth wicket with Matt Fisher before losing his fifth partner, the recruit from Yorkshire being bowled by one from Harmer that kept low.James Taylor joined Foakes in a time-consuming 22-over stand worth 50 runs before Matt Critchley switched ends for one over and removed Taylor with a googly. He then swapped back to his previous end to account for Kemar Roach lbw and end the innings.

After finishing 15th last season, Manchester United required a major squad overhaul which they got, well in two specific areas of the team anyway.

On deadline day, the Red Devils signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for a reported fee of £22m including add-ons, certainly a big fee for a 23-year-old who has made just 64 senior appearances for the Belgian club.

Nevertheless, goalkeeper was certainly a position of need, given André Onana’s calamitous performance at Grimsby last Wednesday, as they were dumped out of the EFL Cup by fourth-tier opposition for the first time ever, while Altay Bayındır has not covered himself in glory during his three Premier League appearances either.

This late move aside, the only other new additions to Rúben Amorim’s squad have all been attackers, splurging a combined £207m to sign an entirely new-look front three.

However, could one of these forwards ultimately prove to be a bargain, especially when compared to the prime target Man United missed out on?

Manchester United's midfield situation

To the surprise of many, Manchester United have not signed a new midfielder this summer, leaving a situation that is a complete mess.

Earlier in the window, it was reported that Manchester United had held initial talks with Brighton over the possibility of signing Carlos Baleba, but the Seagulls would only be willing to sell for around the £115m Chelsea paid to sign Moisés Caicedo two years ago, which quickly ended this as a possibility.

As the Cameroonian international did not arrive at Old Trafford, it would appear likely that Bruno Fernandes, alongside Casemiro will remain Amorim’s first-choice midfield combination, much to the chagrin of Kobbie Mainoo.

Having seen zero minutes during the first two Premier League fixtures, he was introduced at halftime against Burnley on Saturday, the England international submitted a loan request last week, but this was unequivocally rejected by the club.

Considering Man United’s next fixture is away at the Etihad, bringing Mainoo into the team appears to be a no-brainer, given that the 20-year-old has the capabilities to solve a lot of problems, as he did for England during their run to the Euros final.

So, perhaps the Red Devils didn’t need Baleba after all, not willing to smash their transfer record to secure his signature, but could one of their summer signings prove to be a bargain?

Manchester United's shrewd investment

At the start of the window, Old Trafford certainly did not appear to be Benjamin Šeško’s most likely destination.

After RB Leipzig finished seventh in last season’s Bundesliga, thereby failing to qualify for any European competition, it was clear that the Slovenian would depart Saxony.

Arsenal appeared to be the front-runners to secure his signature but, partially put off by Leipzig’s humongous asking price, elected to sign Viktor Gyökeres instead.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Then, as the Alexander Isak saga escalated, Newcastle agreed a fee to sign Šeško before, after the Magpies had done all the legwork, Manchester United swooped in and convinced him to sign for them instead of moving to Tyneside.

Upon his arrival, Man United’s sporting director Jason Wilcox asserted that the striker “possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders”, believing he will fulfil his “world-class potential” at the club.

The final fee paid for Šeško is £66.3m plus £7.4m in add-ons which, even if all met, is still below his estimated transfer value of £108m, according to the CIES Football Observatory.

Meantime, they also believe that Baleba is worth around £75m, supporting the decision Man United made in not progress any further with that deal, given Brighton’s sky-high demands.

So, even though Šeško is yet to get off the mark, time is on his side, considering he’s just 22 years old, while he has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer, bagging 39 across two seasons at Leipzig, on top of the 14 he’s netted for Slovenia.

Thus, while Manchester United have not been particularly smart in the transfer window for a decade and more, they might have just struck gold here, certainly improving their existing options.

Lost the ball 15x: Man Utd's 8/10 ace is already looking like another Bruno

Bruno Fernandes’ last-gasp penalty secured a valuable win for Manchester United at home to Burnley…

1 ByRobbie Walls Aug 30, 2025

Everton are now going to step up their efforts to complete the signing of a “magnificent” attacking player this summer, according to a fresh transfer report.

Everton suffer Dibling transfer blow

Late last week, the Blues saw a £27m bid for Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling rejected, having been linked with him during the summer transfer window.

Everton clearly see the 19-year-old attacking midfielder as an exciting long-term option, with the Englishman catching the eye for Saints in the Premier League last season, despite their eventual relegation to the Championship. He scored twice in the league and generally looked like a class act who was playing with a maturity beyond his years.

It remains to be seen if the Blues will table an improved offer for Dibling in the coming days, but it would be a surprise if he didn’t leave Southampton before the window closes on September 1st, considering he is too good to be playing in the Championship.

Everton will know that alternative options are needed for the Saints ace, though, should they miss out on him, with Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo one right-sided player who has been mentioned as an option for David Moyes. Now, another winger has been touted as a target.

Everton step up efforts to sign "magnificent" ace"

According to Football Insider, Everton will now push to sign Lyon star Malick Fofana this summer, seeing him as an alternative option to Dibling.

While a move to a Champions League team is the 20-year-old’s preference, with Liverpool linked with a move, their focus on signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United means that the Blues “could seek to use that to their advantage” and snap him up instead.

Fofana is a player who has been backed to join Everton earlier in the summer, and it is easy to see him being a fantastic signing, having been described as “magnificent” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Fofana can flourish on both wings, immediately giving Moyes extra attacking depth in key areas, and his end product is far superior to Dibling, averaging 0.47 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, almost five times more than the Saints gem’s rate of 0.10.

At 20 years of age, the Belgian is still raw, but six goals in the Europa League last season shows what he is capable of. He could prove to be a cheaper option than Dibling because he isn’t a young English player, but one who has just as much potential moving forward.

Teen prodigy Sam Konstas has a chance to score his third century of the summer, after helping NSW navigate a wet day at the SCG

AAP07-Dec-2024

Sam Konstas has helped New South Wales survive a tricky 20-over session, taking the Blues to 137 for 1 at stumps on a wet day two of the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia.After rain washed out the opening five hours of day two at the SCG, NSW were asked to contend with an 80-minute period before stumps on Saturday.The Blues lost one wicket, Blake Nikitaras edging speedster Lance Morris to Cameron Gannon in the gully on 38.Otherwise NSW got through unscathed, with Konstas 80 not out and the Blues moving closer to Western Australia’s first-innings total of 211.After Konstas rocketed to 55 by stumps on Friday, he was far more circumspect in Saturday’s shortened period.The opener squeezed out two boundaries behind point in one over against Gannon, and used his feet to hit Corey Rocchiccoli back down the ground for four.He offered one half-chance late, sweeping Rocchiccoli in the air to deep square leg, only for a tough diving chance to be put down by Brody Couch.Tanveer Sangha also navigated through 28 balls, after being sent in as a nightwatchman at No.3 following the fall of Nikitaras.Konstas’ runs continued a serious purple patch for the opener, who scored 107 against a Test-quality Indian attack for the Prime Minister’s XI last week in Canberra.He also began the summer with twin Shield tons against South Australia, shooting him into the conversation for a Test debut.The 19-year-old has made no secret of the fact he feels ready for the game’s toughest level, keen to challenge himself as soon as this summer.A century on Sunday will only strengthen his case, with he or Josh Inglis likely to be next in line if Australia make changes to their top order.Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster is also in Australia’s squad after three sparkling years with the bat in the Shield, but his chance is more likely to come if a vacancy opens up at No.6.Konstas’s runs have also come at a good time, with this the last round of the Sheffield Shield before the BBL break.It means he and other hopefuls will not play another Shield game until February, by which time Australia’s Test side will be in Sri Lanka for a two-match series.

The left-arm quick first played for them in 2023 and then helped them to the Division Two title in 2024

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2024

Jaydev Unadkat will continue his association with Sussex after extending his contract with them for the 2025 and 2026 County Championship seasons. He will be available for the final run-in in both seasons.”When I came to Hove last year, I wasn’t sure what was on offer in the County Championship and how would I adapt to it. But after a few games now, I can definitely say Hove is my home away from home and Good Old Sussex by The Sea has my heart,” Unadkat was quoted as saying in a release by the team.”Everyone at Hove is very pleased and excited that Jaydev [Unadkat] has signed a two-year extension and will be returning to the Club for the next two seasons,” Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace said.”Jaydev’s quality on the pitch has been so evident for everyone else to see, but just as importantly his qualities as a person make him one of the most popular and nicest guys any team could wish for.”Unadkat first signed for Sussex in 2023, and took 11 wickets in three matches. He returned to the team in 2024 and took 22 wickets at an average of 14.40 in five games, helping Sussex win the Division Two title.Unadkat is currently leading Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, which got underway on Friday.

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

Having lay dormant over the last year or so, Liverpool’s recruitment team have sprung into life this summer, enjoying a simply remarkable start to the window to only bolster Arne Slot’s already imperious outfit.

In deals akin to a Football Manager save, the Anfield side have moved swiftly and efficiently to strengthen their hand, having already confirmed marquee deals for Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez – alongside the goalkeeping duo of Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman.

That has all come before the start of July, with the Premier League champions impressively improving, rather than weakening, their ranks, even amid Trent Alexander-Arnold’s eventual departure.

And there could be more to come yet. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, now with just 12 months remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park, remains a top target for the Reds. A replacement for the seemingly departing Darwin Nunez will also need to be found.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, doubts over the future of Luis Diaz could spark the need for a new option on the flanks, with work already being done on that front…

Latest on Liverpool's search for a winger

Had things worked out differently, the Merseysiders may well have signed off on a particularly statement deal a year ago, with a move for Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon – which would have seen Joe Gomez head in the opposite direction – failing to come to fruition.

Despite subsequently adding Federico Chiesa to the fold instead, the desire for a new winger has certainly not abated, with recent reports suggesting that Liverpool could be among a raft of clubs in the mix for Lyon starlet, Malick Fofana.

Transfer Focus

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

According to TEAMtalk, while it is Everton who appear to hold the strongest interest in the 20-year-old, Liverpool – alongside the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – have also made an enquiry too, ahead of a potential swoop.

The race for the Belgian’s signature is said to be ‘open’, with top-flight clubs lining up to pounce on Lyon’s current woes, following their recent relegation from Ligue 1.

That dramatic drop into France’s second tier has left suitors hoping that they can secure Fofana’s signature for below the previous €50m (£42m) asking price, ensuring a potential bargain could be up for grabs.

Why Liverpool should pounce for Malick Fofana

For all the wisdom of looking within the Premier League for a ready-made figure like Kerkez, there is a real intrigue over plucking an exciting young talent from abroad, with the Reds already raiding the Bundesliga for one of their brightest stars, in the form of Wirtz.

Still just 22, the £116m man has arrived in English football off the back of a stunning stint at Bayer Leverkusen, having registered 122 goals and assists in just 197 games for the German side. In the words of The Athletic’s Bundesliga correspondent, Seb Stafford-Bloor, the playmaker is “already one of the best footballers [he’s] ever seen live”.

What also stands out regarding the rising star is his innate versatility, having showcased his ability to feature off either flank, as a number ten, or even as a false nine for both club and country to date.

That flexibility is seemingly shared by the “explosive” Fofana – as hailed by data analyst Ben Mattinson – with the former Gent ace having also operated on the left or right wing in his senior career thus far, as well as a centre-forward or attacking midfielder.

Where the Belgian is also akin to Wirtz is in their dribbling prowess, with the Lyon man ranking in the top 2% of his peers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, while his German counterpart ranks in the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund

8

4

12

Kenan Yildiz – Juventus

7

5

12

Eliesse Ben Seghir – Monaco

6

3

9

Malick Fofana – Lyon

5

4

9

Antonio Nusa – RB Leipzig

3

4

7

Jean-Matteo Bahoya – Frankfurt

2

3

5

Jesus Rodriguez – Real Betis

2

1

3

Mamadou Diakhon – Stade Reims

2

1

3

Yan Diomande – Leganes

2

1

3

Bazoumana Toure – Hoffenheim

0

3

3

Of course, the latter man is the superior talent – as his record of 22 goals and assists in the league showcased last term – but Fofana has also dazzled when given the chance, providing five goals and four assists in Ligue 1 in 2024/25, despite starting just 16 games.

That solid return has ensured that Fofana ranks in the top 10% of his European colleagues for non-penalty goals, at an average of 0.47 per 90, with that actually placing him ahead of Wirtz, who averaged 0.38 for that same metric.

Much like the ex-Leverkusen man ranked among the brightest stars in the Bundesliga, Fofana is a diamond in his own right in Ligue 1, having even been noted as being ‘Eden Hazard-like’ due to his ability to weave his way past defenders.

And so, having already forked out for one exceptionally exciting talent in the form of Wirtz, Liverpool and Slot could now raid another of Europe’s top five leagues in similar circumstances.

Worth more than Guehi & Kerkez: Slot has hit gold on Liverpool "superstar"

Liverpool have already hit the jackpot on this shrewd Jurgen Klopp signing.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 28, 2025