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Arsenal’s transfer plans continue to evolve as we approach the first mini-window deadline on June 10, and while it remains to be seen if the Gunners officially confirm any new signings before that cut-off date, Andrea Berta is conducting plenty of work behind-the-scenes.

Mikel Arteta has admitted that the club are set for a “busy” summer window, after they missed out on this year’s Premier League title to Liverpool by 10 points, and they appear set to add to their £487 million net-spend on transfers since the Spaniard first took charge.

Arsenal talks could advance in "next few days" as Berta eyes £59m signing

The Gunners have been in contact this week.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 5, 2025

A lot has been made of their need for a new striker in recent weeks, with Arsenal currently working on deals for both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, before they decide which centre-forward is their most viable option (BBC).

Arsenal scored just 69 Premier League goals in 2024/2025, which is far a lesser number than the previous two seasons where they fiercely challenged Man City for the title, so supporters are understandably keen for Berta to solve their striker problem soon.

Bukayo Saka’s three-month injury layoff midway through the campaign also hamstrung Arteta’s options out wide, so Berta is believed to be actively working on signing a new winger as well.

Arsenal were in talks over a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, but that has since stalled due to wage demands. Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma is believed to be among the alternatives on Berta’s shortlist, but they face stiff competition from Bayern Munich.

Interestingly, reports from Turkey in the last seven days have revealed that Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz is another target for the wide area.

Arsenal prepared to make "bold" bid for Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz

Turkish football.com reported late last week that Yildiz was emerging as a “prime target” for Arsenal, and that same outlet has provided a further update.

The 20-year-old can play on both flanks and as a second striker, with that versatility appealing to Arteta.

According to their information, Yildiz is a top contender to reinforce Arsenal’s attack in the eyes of Berta and his recruitment team. What’s more, Arsenal are ready to make a “bold” bid for Yildiz this summer, with Juve setting an asking price of around £86 million.

It is unclear whether Arsenal are willing to get anywhere near this number with any proposed offer, but it’s evident why they’ve taken a serious liking to the Turkey international.

Yildiz bagged nine goals and seven assists in all competitions last term, finishing the season as Juve’s highest-performing player by average match rating in Serie A (WhoScored).

Will West Bromwich Albion be promotion challengers again when the 2025/26 season gets underway in the Championship?

That’s the question likely wracking the brains of Baggies fans far and wide, with nobody quite sure how Ryan Mason will deal with the pressures of the Hawthorns hot-seat, considering experienced manager Tony Mowbray struggled back at the helm last campaign.

Mowbray, unfortunately, sank the West Brom ship instead of steadying it as a playoff spot slipped disastrously out of their grasp.

On the contrary, Mason will hope he can guide his new side to a top-six finish or even higher, with the sparkling potential addition of a seasoned Championship pro helping his chances as a rookie boss.

West Brom have former Championship star on their radar

As per a new report from TEAMTalk, West Brom have ex-Derby County star Tom Lawrence very much on their radar.

His free agent status after walking away from Rangers has alerted numerous clubs to his services, however, with both Wrexham and Coventry City named as other suitors eyeing up the 31-year-old.

The ambitious Red Dragons could well be in the driver’s seat over landing his signature, considering Lawrence does hail from Wrexham, but West Brom are said to still be keen even as Phil Parkinson’s men sniff around.

How Lawrence could be their next Wallace

If West Brom were to knock Wrexham off their pedestal and win his services, Mason could be about to land the Baggies’ next Jed Wallace, with the accomplished attacker arriving at the Hawthorns back in 2022 with plenty of EFL know-how to show off, much like Lawrence will be desperate to provide.

Wallace would also enter into his new environment all those years ago on a shrewd free transfer, with Millwall left to curse the 31-year-old running his contract down at the Den.

The Lions’ short-term agony ended up being West Brom’s gain, however, with an impressive tally of six goals and eight assists mustered up by Wallace during his debut league campaign in the West Midlands.

His output has since dwindled, with only two goal contributions coming his way across the entire course of last season, but there will be hope that Lawrence’s experience of the Championship, which is of the same stature as Wallace’s, means he can instantly hit the ground running with Albion if he signs.

After all, the free agent is only 82 appearances shy of Wallace’s hefty 346 appearances in the intimidating division, with his goal and assist numbers across those 264 clashes even closer to the esteemed Baggies’ captain’s bumper haul.

Much like Wallace, who had to wait to find his groove with Millwall, Lawrence really kicked into gear as a devastating Championship-level attacker with Derby County, as seen in him amassing 59 of his overall 90 goal contributions donning Rams white.

To add context, his equally experienced counterpart boasts 14 more goal contributions in total in the second-tier, with 76 of those coming about in South East London.

Hailed as an “excellent” professional by Rangers coach David McCallum, with a promising 12 strikes next to his name at Ibrox even as he enters the twilight years of his playing days, this could be a move that reawakens a beast out of Lawrence to cause Championship defences headaches all over again.

Better signing than Moore: West Brom must land £45k p/w “monster”

West Bromwich Albion might prioritise landing this monster over snapping up Mikey Moore.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 14, 2025

Sheffield United are making progress in their hunt for new signings and Ruben Selles is now advancing for his latest target, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Failing to claim promotion to the Premier League will have carried a sting in the tale for the Blades, though inevitable departures can often pave the way for fresh hunger ahead of the new campaign.

With Ruben Selles now in the door and facing up to that task, Don Goodman has had his say on Vinicius Souza’s Sheffield United departure as he prepares for an imminent move to Wolfsburg, claiming that he is surprised there wasn’t Premier League interest in the midfielder.

He stated: “The biggest surprise for me, should Vini Souza depart Sheffield United this summer, is that a Premier League club hasn’t taken a chance on him, and I say that with the greatest respect to Wolfsburg.”

He added: “it was up to the players who had almost let themselves down in the Premier League to wipe the slate down and go again, and he certainly was one of those who did that. When he wasn’t in the team, they missed him (when he was), he was outstanding.”

Nevertheless, Sheffield United are active on the transfer front and could look to bring in Tyler Bindon, who has previously worked with Selles while on loan at Reading last campaign.

Sheffield Utd now make contact to sign "unbelievable" star ahead of rivals

The Blades want to take advantage of his contract situation…

2

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jun 8, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur pair Ashley Phillips and Alfie Devine could yet end up at Bramall Lane, indicatting that the club are searching far and wide for reinforcements ahead of the new campaign.

Now, Selles and company have their eye on a central defender from the continent who could add some much-needed solidity at the Yorkshire outfit.

Sheffield United hold "concrete interest" in Etienne Kinkoue

According to Fabrizio Romano on social media platform X, Sheffield United hold ‘concrete interest’ in Le Havre defender Etienne Kinkoue, who is set to leave his current employers this summer, with his deal at the Ligue 1 side set to expire in 2026.

Valued at around £4.3 million, Burnley and FC Köln are also said to be in pursuit and the 23-year-old wants to take his next career step elsewhere.

Standing at 6ft 5in, Kinkoue made 28 appearances across all competitions last campaign and helped his side to remain in the top-flight, though he could now be set for a new challenge away from the comfort of his homeland.

Sheffield United have been in the market for central defenders this summer and Kinkoue is clearly someone who would fit the bill ahead of another tilt at promotion.

Everton have made contact with another Premier League club over the signing of a £25m-rated youngster, according to a new transfer update.

Everton targeting attacking reinforcements

A new era is on the horizon for the Blues, with life at their new Bramley Moore Dock stadium beginning next month, hopefully heralding the beginning of a more positive period in the club’s great history.

New signings are vital if David Moyes’ Everton side are to kick on in 2025/26, however, and plenty of players are being linked with moves, including Ipswich Town winger Omari Hutchinson. It is claimed that he would love the chance to remain in the Premier League, following his relegation to the Championship back in May.

The Blues are also believed to have held talks with Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz over a summer switch to Merseyside, which could be a fantastic piece of business. The Brazilian was a huge hit at Aston Villa, so Moyes doesn’t have to worry about him adjusting to the pace and power of the Premier League.

It is clear that extra attacking quality is needed at Everton, especially following the departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and now a hugely talented young player has been revealed as a target.

Everton make contact for McAtee signing

According to a new report from The i Paper, there “has been dialogue” between Everton and Manchester City over a summer move for James McAtee.

The Englishman is valued at £25m and Moyes is said to be a “big admirer”, with the attacking midfielder fresh off the back of European Championship glory with England’s Under-21s.

This feels like it could be a perfect move for everyone concerned, allowing McAtee to be a regular starter away from City, and getting him off their wage bill in the process.

The 22-year-old is too talented to be warming the substitutes’ bench most weeks, and he showed his quality at the aforementioned recent Euros, scoring once and helping Lee Carsley’s side go all the way in the tournament.

Meanwhile, former Sheffeld United striker Carl Asaba has even compared him to Arsenal star Martin Odegaard, saying: “He’s a bonus player in that he plays midfield and you have an extra number in there but then he can just attack. He’s like Odegaard. You play him in midfield so he’s defending for you, he’s another body for them to try and navigate away from but he likes the ball 30 yards out because he can go past you like you’re not there.”

There are few negatives to Everton signing McAtee, with his price tag far from extortionate, and the fact that Moyes rates him highly can also only be a good thing.

Ndiaye 2.0 for Moyes: £35m star 'would love' to sign for Everton

David Moyes is looking to sign another attacking player this summer at Everton.

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 8, 2025

The City youngster would add much-needed guile in the No.10 role, scoring and creating at will, and he could grow into an elite footballer as the years pass.

It’s safe to say that Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar’s squad building at Arsenal hasn’t been the greatest.

Yes, the Gunners have been able to put together a starting XI capable of challenging for both the Premier League and Champions League.

Yet, amid injuries and suspensions last season, they struggled to maintain their form post-Christmas.

While the semi-finals of the Champions League were reached, their domestic form took a turn for the worse, ultimately finishing ten points behind Liverpool in their quest for the title.

To rubberstamp Arsenal’s at times puzzling strategy in the transfer window, they have signed six players from Chelsea in the last seven years, the latest of which saw Kepa Arrizabalaga arrive as David Raya’s back-up in a £5m move.

Incredibly, the north Londoners have now also signed more goalkeepers since Arteta’s arrival than wingers and strikers.

So, it’s clear they need to do better in the ongoing market and what better way to do so than by handing the manager a wealth of new forwards.

Here’s what Arsenal’s dream squad could look like if everything goes according to plan this summer.

The goalkeepers

Raya vying for the Golden Glove again

Having won the Golden Glove in consecutive years, Raya is the undisputed number one at Arsenal now.

His arrival back in 2023 was undoubtedly a strange one. Arteta claimed that he had two number 1s and that Raya and Aaron Ramsdale would battle it out.

Sadly for the latter, he was rather cast aside by the Spaniard, eventually sold last summer to Southampton, who became one of the worst Premier League sides in history.

Neto came in as backup, but after playing just one game while on loan, he has departed Colney and has now been replaced by the aforementioned Kepa.

Signed from Chelsea, the Spaniard enjoyed a pretty decent time of it on loan at Bournemouth last season and his error-ridden days appear to be behind him. Now 30 years of age, he’ll provide strong competition for Raya.

Full list of goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Karl Hein.

The defence

New centre-back signs to compete with Gabriel & Saliba

Undoubtedly, the strongest point of this Arsenal team in the last two years has been their defensive record. No side has shipped fewer goals than Arteta’s men in 2023/24 (29) and 2024/25 (34).

Any success this team have next season will be built on strong foundations again and with Gabriel Magalhaes having already signed new terms in recent months, Arsenal will be hoping they can swap William Saliba away from the jaws of Real Madrid by tying him down too.

Gabriel’s stand-in, Jakub Kiwior, has been linked with a move away, but having stood out during the Brazilian’s absence through injury, deserves his place in this squad now. He could be joined, however, by young Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. The 20-year-old “wants” Arsenal in the words of Fabrizio Romano and a deal could be done for a cheap fee of £17m.

At full-back, while Jorrel Hato of Ajax has been touted with a switch, it’s unlikely that move goes through if Mosquera arrives.

As a result, despite Kieran Tierney’s exit and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s likely departure, the right and left side of defence will have a familiar ring to it. Expect Myles Lewis-Skelly to dazzle again after being rewarded with a new contract. Here’s hoping Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori can stay fit too.

Full list of centre-backs: William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior.

Full list of right-backs: Jurrien Timber, Ben White.

Full list of left-backs: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori.

The midfielders

Two new signings arrive

There could be big changes in the middle of the park this summer with the Gunners moving quickly to fill gaps in the squad.

Martin Zubimendi is due to arrive from Real Sociedad for just over £50m, having been billed by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente as “one of the best midfielders in the world”.

Vying for a spot as the holding midfielder will be Brentford captain Christian Norgaard. A surprise transfer is in the works for the Dane to come to Arsenal for £10m and he is likely to play second fiddle to Zubimendi.

Transfer Focus

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

Elsewhere, Arsenal do lack genuine depth for Martin Odegaard but a sliver of minutes could be handed to Max Dowman, the current poster boy for the Hale End academy.

Declan Rice will be the standout option as the left 8 but expect Mikel Merino to continue impressing after his strong end to the 2024/25 campaign.

Full list of midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Max Dowman.

The forwards

A big improvement for Arteta

Here we go, then. Just what can Arsenal do to bolster their tame forward line this summer? The fanbase are expecting that a shiny new centre-forward arrives but before we get there, let’s evaluate options out wide.

The Gunners have long needed cover for star boy Bukayo Saka on the right wing but the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri last season is set to save them a bucket load of cash on finding a deputy.

Nwaneri is one of the finest young talents in the game and will be ready to make a splash again after scoring nine goals in his 37 first-team outings.

The left-hand side is where big improvements are required. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are decent options but after scoring ten goals apiece last season, failing to really stand up when the likes of Saka and Kai Havertz were injured, Arteta needs to be ruthless.

Arsenal have been linked with several wide forwards, notably the likes of Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers but we expect Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Crystal Palace superstar Eberechi Eze to arrive.

The club have flirted with making a move for Rodrygo this summer and it’s reported that positive talks have been held. Yet, with a possible £85m fee lined up, it’s not an easy deal to do. Still, the Brazilian should be pushing for a move having played just 88 minutes at the Club World Cup so far. He’s clearly not in new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans.

David Ornstein has reported that Arsenal’s pursuit of Eze is separate from their chase of a winger and if they could get both deals over the line here, it would significantly improve their forward line. Once rejected by the Hale End academy at 13, the Eagles star has dreamed of playing for the first team and that could become a reality in 2025/26 if his £68m release clause is activated .

At long last, we come to the striker position. This is where Arsenal need to improve big time and failing to get a new centre-forward in this summer would be a disaster.

Viktor Gyokeres, the scorer of 54 goals in 52 games last season, remains a key option and reports this week have suggested he’s already agreed a five-year deal to sign. Still, there remains a gap in what Arsenal are willing to pay and what Sporting want to receive.

A deal for Benjamin Sesko, billed as “the new Haaland” by scout Jacek Kulig, remains in the works and reports this week suggested that they are moving closer to an agreement with Leipzig on what could be a £64m fee.

While the Slovenian is not as prolific as Gyokeres, scoring 21 goals last term, he’s got an amazing profile that consists of pace, power, height and goalscoring. There are few better options out there and he could truly explode in Arsenal colours.

Full list of wingers: Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Rodrygo, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard.

Full list of strikers: Benjamin Sesko, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus.

£100m star & the "new Haaland" sign: Arsenal's dream summer

Andrea Berta is in for a big summer at Arsenal; here’s how it could play out.

By
Matt Dawson

Jun 29, 2025

Celtic are in the market to add another winger to their first-team squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign after they sold Nicolas Kuhn to Italian side Como and lost Jota to injury.

The Hoops have reportedly placed Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha at the top of their wishlist to fill their need for a new flanker this summer.

If the Scottish Premiership giants can get a deal over the line for the Belgian winger, who produced four goals and three assists in 12 Pro League starts last season, Brendan Rodgers could have a strong threat on the left flank.

Celtic are not only looking to sign an attacker for the left side of their team, though, as the club are also looking for another left-back option to compete with Kieran Tierney.

Celtic exploring deal for new left-back

The Scotland international has missed 45 games through injury in the last two seasons combined, which means that it is likely that the Hoops are going to need a high-quality second-choice left-back to step in when required.

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 Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, Rodgers has identified Cercle Brugge left-back Flavio Nazinho as a candidate to come in as the back-up to Tierney next season.

The journalist claims that the Hoops are exploring the possiblity of a deal to sign the 21-year-old defender, who played for Portugal at the U21 Euros this summer.

Joseph adds that the Premiership champions are yet to make an offer for the left-footed starlet, but they are interested in signing him and watched the defender in action for his country at the U21 Euros.

Why Celtic should sign Nazinho

The Hoops should press ahead with a swoop for the Cercle Brugge full-back this summer because he could be a fantastic back-up to Tierney and a dream signing for Balikwisha.

As a right-footed left-winger, Balikwisha is a forward who likes to cut inside from the left to score and create goals on his favoured foot, which is why Celtic need to partner him with a left-back who carries an overlapping threat to draw attention away from opposition defenders.

Nazinho is the perfect profile of left-back to allow Balikwisha, and Jota when he returns from his injury, to thrive at the top end of the pitch, as he has the quality to cause problems for defenders with his runs forward.

As you can see in the table above, the Portuguese gem showcased his ability to get forward in the Pro League last term, with nine goals and ‘big chances’ created in just 18 starts, which shows that he likes to bomb on and provide a threat in the final third on a regular basis.

The 21-year-old talent, who was described as an “exciting” young prospect by the Daily Record’s Keith Jackson, also showcased the defensive side of his game at the U21 Euros, winning 76% of his duels and making 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game across four appearances.

Nazinho is a left-back, therefore, who can combine defensive solidity with attacking work rate and flair, which is why he would be a dream signing to come in alongside Balikwisha this summer.

His attacking qualities could make opposition right-backs think twice about what to do when Balikwisha has the ball and Nazinho is bombing down the left on the overlap, potentially creating more space for the winger to cut inside onto his right foot.

Celtic can land this summer's Engels by signing a star who's "like Ronaldo"

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be this summer’s Arne Engels.

1

By
Dan Emery

Jul 13, 2025

Therefore, the Hoops should be pushing hard to bring in both Nazinho and Balikwisha this summer because, at the ages of 21 and 24, they could be a pairing that brings success down the left flank for many years to come at Parkhead.

Wolverhampton Wanderers may have lost Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha this summer, but Vitor Pereira has recruited wisely.

In come Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez, while Jorgen Strand Larsen has joined on a permanent deal following his season-long loan spell at Molineux, one that saw him end the campaign as one of the top scorers in the division.

The supporters will be keen on more moves to occur over the coming weeks, especially as the new Premier League season draws ever closer.

There are several positions that the Portuguese manager will be keen on bolstering and the latest news surrounds a Bayer Leverkusen winger.

Wolves’ search for a winger

Despite Arias and Lopez linking up with the squad, it is clear that Pereira is still looking to sign someone who could replace Cunha on the left flank.

According to German outlet BILD, Wolves are keen on landing Leverkusen winger Amine Adli this summer and he has already received a ‘concrete offer’ to move to the Midlands.

He is reportedly keen on having talks with the Old Gold, and it would take a bid of around €30m (£26m) to secure his signature.

The report goes on to mention that despite the player being attracted to the project at Molineux, it is unsure whether the club are willing to meet their demands for Adli.

If a move can be struck, Pereira would be signing an excellent player who was even compared to Bayern Munich sensation Jamal Musiala last season…

Why Wolves want to sign Amine Adli

During the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, Musiala was the ninth-most comparable player in the German top-flight to Adli, according to FBref.

Indeed, the duo also registered a host of similar statistics across a range of attacking metrics, including shots per 90 (2.35 vs 3.4), successful take-on percentage (46.9% vs 51.1%) and carries into the final third (25 vs 48) in the German top flight last season.

Furthermore, Musiala and Adli both have strengths, including key passes, through balls and even defensive contribution according to WhoScored.

Due to their attacking abilities and the fact that they like to dribble often, both wingers get fouled a lot, meaning their respective teams usually have free kicks in dangerous areas of the pitch.

While not having quite the level of talent as Musiala, for £26m, Wolves could be getting a bargain in Adli.

Prior to his move to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2021, talent scout Jacek Kulig lavished plenty of praise on the youngster, stating that he had “electric pace & acceleration” along with having “superb dribbling skills” and these are abilities that the winger has developed over time.

It might take him time to settle into the Premier League, but if given the chance under Pereira, Adli could showcase his talents in the Midlands.

His comparisons to Musiala from a statistical point of view, suggest that the Old Gold could have an excellent attacking talent on their hands.

Wolves will be eyeing a place in the top half of the table this season amid a solid second half of 2024/25. Adli could certainly add something extra to the final third, that’s for sure.

Wolves in race to sign £17m+ striker who has been likened to Olivier Giroud

The teenager could be the next big thing…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jul 24, 2025

Casemiro's agent has revealed the Brazilian's three closest Manchester United team-mates as he has taken new signing under his wings. Since Ruben Amorim's arrival at United, Casemiro has taken on the role of a key veteran in midfield alongside club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Brazilian was linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabia in the summer, but he is happy to continue at Old Trafford.

• Casemiro's best friends at Man Utd

  Casemiro is a key figure in Amorim's dressing room and he is playing the role of a senior player perfectly at Old Trafford. According to the , the Brazilian midfielder shares a close bond with compatriot Matheus Cunha, who joined the club from Wolves this summer, and is like an elder brother to another new signing in Diego Leon. He is also on very good terms with Red Devils skipper Fernandes. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Casemiro refused Al-Nassr's offer to stay at Man Utd

  Casemiro had received a lucrative offer to join old Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr this summer, but he opted to stay at United as he felt that playing in the Premier League will give him the best opportunity to represent Brazil at the World Cup next year.

• 'Casemiro gets along well with all the players'

  Speaking to , the Brazilian star's agent, Oscar Ribot, said: "He gets along well with all the players, he is very well liked. Casemiro ignores criticism. In fact the only criticism he listens to is that of his own demands. He is a player who is valued very highly by everyone and fans have shown him incredible affection in every game, as well as on the streets of Manchester."

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  When will Casemiro next play for Man Utd?

  Casemiro will be back in action for United on Sunday as they take on rivals Manchester City in a crucial Premier League clash at Etihad Stadium.

Will West Ham United be busy in the remaining weeks of the transfer window?

Their supporters and Graham Potter alike will certainly hope so.

So far, the Hammers have brought in both Callum Wilson and Kyle Walker-Peters on free transfers, also spending a reported £19m to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague.

Nevertheless, a lot more needs to be done if the Irons are going to improve on last season’s 14th place finish, so could they be about to make a splash in the market?

West Ham's need for firepower

The most noteworthy transfer from West Ham’s summer so far, sadly for them, is an outgoing, with Mohammed Kudus controversially sold to fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £55m.

Kudus scored 19 goals and registered 13 assists during 80 appearances for the Irons, winning the Europa League goal of the season award for this stunning sole effort against Freiburg in 2023/24, so the Ghanaian leaves a rather large void at the London Stadium.

As they seek to replace him, Daniel Feliciano and Dean Jones of Give Me Sport report that Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey remains West Ham’s ‘top target’, willing to spend £30m to secure the signature of a 24-year-old they label a ‘dynamic midfield player’.

Well, Mark Brus of Caught Offside claims that Ramsey is valued at closer to £43m by the Villans, with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham also interested, the latter in the race after it was confirmed on Thursday that James Maddison had suffered a long-term anterior cruciate ligament rupture during a pre-season friendly in Seoul.

Transfer Focus

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

Speaking on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, Dan Bardell notes that Aston Villa will almost certainly need to sell a “big player” to comply with the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability rules this summer, thereby suggesting Ramsey could be sacrificed, so could he swap Villa Park for East London?

What Jacob Ramsey would bring to West Ham

Ramsey joined Aston Villa at the age of six, making his senior debut for the club against Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Championship in February 2019; Villa have come along way since then!

Overall, he’s accumulated 17 goals and 19 assists for the club in 167 appearances, bagging six Premier League goals during both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, his progress blighted by various injuries more recently.

Nevertheless, David Astill of Total Football Analysis praises his versatility and ability to create from numerous positions on the pitch, while Joseph Odell of Breaking the Lines is impressed by his ‘brilliant footballing intelligence’ as well as his ball-carrying ability and capacity to ’cause chaos’.

So, let’s compare him to the player he could be replacing at West Ham, Kudus.

As the table outlines, despite playing around 500 fewer minutes across all competitions, Ramsey’s statistics were, pretty much, more impressive than those of Kudus across the board last season.

The Englishman provided more assists and created exponentially more chances and big chances, as well as completing a significantly higher proportion of his take-ons.

What is also made clear is the fact that the duo are, stylistically, quite different, with Kudus liking to operate high and wide, while Ramsey is more of a box-crashing central player.

One player he is similar to is a certain Jude Bellingham, who was born just 18 miles west across the Midlands. That likeness has been noted by journalist Ryan Taylor, who said Ramsey is of “similar ilk” to his Real Madrid-based compatriot. With that in mind, let’s compare this pair.

As the table underlines, while Bellingham’s percentiles are, for the most part, higher than Ramsey’s, they’re both all-action midfielders who contribute all over the pitch.

Ramsey ranks higher for progressive carries, percentage of successful take-ons and ball recoveries, simply needing to increase his attacking output to be on-par with one of the world’s very best midfielders.

With that in mind, he would represent a massive coup for West Ham, if they’re able to convince him to join.

Better deal than Wilson: West Ham reach verbal agreement for £9m "warrior"

After securing the signing of Callum Wilson on a free, West Ham might have a better deal on the cards…

By
Ben Gray

Aug 5, 2025

Juventus fought back with two stoppage-time goals to draw 4-4 with Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday's Champions League thriller, but coach Igor Tudor was furious after the game. The Croatian blasted referee Francois Letexier and VAR for missing a first-half handball that he felt should have given his side a penalty that would have changed the course of the game.

• Vlahovic and Kelly’s stoppage-time heroics rescue Juventus

  After a cagey first-half, the game exploded in the second. Dortmund netted through Karim Adeyemi, Yan Couto and Ramy Bensebaini’s penalty, while Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic kept Juve alive. Trailing 4-2 deep in stoppage time, Vlahovic struck in the 94th minute and set up Lloyd Kelly’s dramatic equaliser two minutes later.

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  Tudor slams referee and VAR over missed handball decision

  Speaking after the game, Tudor slammed the officiating, saying his side should have been awarded a spot kick in the first half. However, after an intense derby win against Inter at the weekend, his players were struggling by the end of the first 45 minutes.

  "Clearly, it's a positive thing. If this match had been played on Saturday, a week after Inter, it wouldn't have ended like this," he said in a press conference. "At half-time, I saw the players' faces were white, they were dead. The goals we conceded are the result of fatigue. Bremer is playing after a long injury, [Andrea] Cambiaso had been out for a while, and Yildiz was so tired he should have been taken off at half-time. They lack freshness, the energy to get there first."

  He added: "This referee damaged us; there was a penalty for us in the first half. This has to be said, because with the penalty for us and without the one for them, it could have ended 4-2. He wasn't having a great night."

• Defense remains a major issue despite Juventus fightback

  Juventus showed plenty of fight, but their defensive problems were clear once again. Tudor admitted they conceded "two or three easy goals that could have been avoided," blaming both fatigue and lapses in concentration. 

  "We also missed [Francisco] Conceicao due to our style of play, Cambiaso played his first game in 15-20 days, Bremer is coming off a long layoff: all these issues matter, but I have a great squad and we accept this point. It was the best we could do," he added.

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  Juventus turn focus to Verona trip after Champions League thriller

  After a thrilling home draw in the Champions League, the Old Lady will now prepare for a Serie A trip to Verona on Saturday. Tudor’s side has made a strong start to the season, winning their first three games and sitting second behind Napoli on goal difference.