All posts by z3u9t.icu

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now set to make an enquiry for £50 million Liverpool ace who could be a key player for Vitor Pereira, according to a new report.

Wolves step up summer transfer plans

The Midlands side already look set to lose one key player this summer, as Matheus Cunha allegedly edges closer to a move to Manchester United. Therefore, not only will Cunha’s departure bring money to the club, but it also means Wolves will need to enter the market to sign at least one new striker.

Wolves want "incredible" 25 y/o Atletico Madrid star who may replace Cunha

The Brazilian forward could depart this summer.

ByTom Cunningham May 4, 2025

Already the Old Gold have been linked with a move for Jamie Vardy, who is set to become a free agent once his contract at Leicester City expires. But as well as looking at Vardy, Wolves are also interested in signing Phil Harres from Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel, and club chiefs have also held internal talks over signing Cameron Archer from Southampton. Archer has been in and out of the Southampton team this season, and given their relegation to the Championship, he could be available for a transfer.

As well as looking for a new number nine, Ben Jacobs revealed last week that Wolves could sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea. The midfielder has really struggled since moving to Stamford Bridge, and he could be available for a transfer this summer, given his lack of game time, and the Midlands side could be tempted to make a move.

Wolves set to make enquiry for £50m Liverpool ace

But Dewsbury-Hall is not the only Premier League midfielder on the radar of Pereira and co, as according to Give Me Sport, Wolves are ready to make a move to sign Harvey Elliott from Liverpool, as he looks set to leave Anfield.

The report states that the Midlands side are likely to make an enquiry over signing Elliott, as he’s been identified as someone who can replace Cunha. Wolves are not put off by the fact that Liverpool have placed a £50 million price tag on the midfielder’s head.

GMS add that Wolves want to make Elliott a ‘centrepiece’ of their plans under Pereira if they manage to find an agreement with Liverpool. They are not the only team chasing Elliott, though, as Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Brighton and teams from overseas are all interested in a potential deal for the England U21 international.

Apps

91

Goals

4

Assists

12

Elliott, who has been described as “special” by journalist Bence Bocsak, has struggled for regular game time this season. The 22-year-old has played 25 games in all competitions, but only five have come as a starter, and Elliott has managed just one start in the Premier League, and that came on Sunday in the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Wolves will hope the fact they want to make him a key part of their plans under Pereira will be enough to tempt him to leave Anfield and move to Molineux, despite the fact he hasn’t made up his mind if he wants to leave the Premier League champions.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have seen a whole host of top attacking stars grace the Molineux pitch in recent years, with the likes of Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez immediately sticking out.

Between them, the potent pair managed to tally up 101 goals when donning an Old Gold strip, leading to both players still being held in high regard in the West Midlands.

Vitor Pereira and Co will be hopeful that any new strikers that enter the building this summer can be as memorable as both Jota and Jimenez were, with Wolves now being linked to a load of fresh centre-forwards.

Wolves' pursuit of a new striker

The in-form Premier League side might well be keeping their options wide open just in case Matheus Cunha does decide to jump ship, considering the spellbinding Brazilian is being linked incessantly with a switch to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.

Already, the Old Gold have been tipped to make moves for breakout Holstein Kiel striker Phil Harres, alongside Leicester City veteran Jamie Vardy, but now they have allegedly thrown their hat into the ring to land deadly Irish marksman Troy Parrott.

As per journalist Ben Jacobs when recently appearing on the Wolfpack podcast, Pereira’s men are keen on snapping up the lethal AZ Alkmaar attacker when the transfer window reopens, with Parrott presumably up for a move back to English shores himself after a testing time with former side Tottenham Hotspur.

If Wolves were successful in their pursuit, the Old Gold could be about to land their next iteration of Kevin Doyle, with Doyle also coincidentally a striker that hails from Ireland who knew how to excite the masses with electric attacking displays.

Why Parrott could be Wolves' next Doyle

Minus the geographical similarities, Parrott has proven himself across many a season now in the Netherlands that he possesses the same goalscoring prowess as the ex-Wolves number 29.

Doyle, across 179 appearances at Molineux, would chip in with a respectable tally of 34 goals and 22 assists. Parrott, for his current employers, already boasts 20 strikes from 45 games, which is a hefty total that follows from his 17-goal heroics when starring for Excelsior elsewhere in the Eredivisie.

He’s even managed to excel on the international stage for the Republic of Ireland, much like Doyle before him, with five goals picked up from 28 caps for his nation – again bolstering his reputation as a feared goal machine.

Amazingly, his 20-goal return for AZ this season actually betters Cunha’s unbelievable rich vein of form for Pereira’s men, with a hope in the air that signings such as Parrott’s getting over the line softens the potential blow of the 25-year-old departing for Old Trafford.

Games played

45

32

Goals scored

20

17

Assists

5

6

Games

28

29

Goals

14

15

Goal frequency

157min

156min

Assists

2

6

Big chances missed

18

2

Big chances created

4

12

Key passes

1.1

1.8

Indeed, the table above shows off Parrott’s impressive goalscoring numbers even more, with Cunha falling short of his Irish counterpart’s output by three goals in all competitions, albeit from 13 fewer clashes.

Lauded as “phenomenal” by ex-manager Ryan Lowe when the duo were together at Preston North End, it’s clear that the former Spurs youngster is ready for a taste of the Premier League again to put his goalless stint in the men’s team in North London firmly behind him.

Wolves might well give him that platform to strut his stuff soon, with the potential there for the Dublin-born striker to be the club’s next Doyle if everything goes swimmingly.

The next Jimenez: Wolves eyeing up "remarkable" £8.5m CF alongside Vardy

Wolverhampton Wanderers could soon land their next Raul Jimenez with this striker purchase.

ByKelan Sarson May 1, 2025

Newcastle United’s squad have immortalised themselves this season, defeating Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup and end a 70-year domestic drought.

However, PIF won’t want that success to be a fleeting thing, a flash-in-the-pan. To reinforce this exciting position, Eddie Howe’s Magpies simply have to finish in the Premier League’s top five and secure a gateway back into the Champions League.

For sure, United have demonstrated in recent years their ability to overcome setbacks, to bounce back stronger, but there’s little question that the financial ramifications and bargaining power in keeping key players at St. James’ Park will weaken considerably if not seated at Europe’s elite table.

Should they cross the finish line in the desired position, Newcastle will not only be able to retain their top players, but sign some new superstars. There’s one such player already in the pipeline as the summer market beckons.

Newcastle chasing new forward

This feels like a deal only attainable if financial parameters are widened through Champions League qualification, but Newcastle are in the running for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha.

Transfer Focus

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

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who was being quizzed on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness show.

He revealed that Newcastle will look to strike a deal with Molineux for their star forward, who has a £62.5m release clause in his contract. The transfer insider has commented that Howe and co believe the 25-year-old would be “perfect” for the project.

However, the Toon have got their work cut out, with Manchester United are reportedly leading the race for his signature after a bunch of positive talks between the respective parties.

It’s worth noting that Newcastle’s sporting director, Paul Mitchell, led player recruitment at RB Leipzig when the German side signed a teenage Cunha back in 2018. Food for thought.

Why Newcastle should sign Matheus Cunha

Off the bat, Man United might feel that they are making headway in their efforts to sign Cunha, but if they fail to win the Europa League, Old Trafford’s 2024/25 campaign will be limited to solely the domestic front.

Newcastle, conversely, may well be returned to the Champions League theatre after a trophy-winning campaign. Should finances hold up, there’s no reason why Howe can’t tempt Cunha to move to Tyneside.

And what a signing it would be. The Brazil international has been hailed by BBC Sport’s Micah Richards for his blend of quality and intelligence on the field, the pundit saying: “His football IQ is absolutely sensational. He’s the one who can unlock the doors. He finds the little pockets of space and makes the right decisions at the right times.”

Cunha is positionally dynamic, something which suggests he could slot square into the running of things within Howe’s operation. However, given the make-up of Newcastle’s starting 11, he may well prove to be an upgrade on Harvey Barnes on the left flank.

Barnes, 27, has been in fine fettle of late, superseding Anthony Gordon following the latter’s red card against Brighton in the FA Cup. He’s racked up six goal involvements in his past five Premier League fixtures, with at least one during every fixture.

Matches (starts)

28 (25)

28 (12)

Goals

14

9

Assists

4

4

Shots (on target)*

3.2 (1.3)

1.7 (0.6)

Big chances missed

2

5

Pass completion

78%

82%

Big chances created

12

7

Dribbles*

2.0

0.7

Ball recoveries*

4.1

1.6

Tackles + interceptions*

1.8

0.8

Duels won*

4.8

2.1

Barnes has a natural talent for goals, for assists. However, he lacks the completeness of his Brazilian counterpart, which is largely why he’s been unable to displace the more dynamic Gordon for much of his Newcastle career.

If the Magpies were to succeed in their effort for such a winger, one who can play across a range of positions, it may well be the perfect piece needed for a team moving back into Champions League competition next year – and this time, with a newfound title-winning quality about them.

Even if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League this summer, PSR will hang over St. James’ Park like an ominous shadow. It’s for this reason that the club are at least open to the prospect of selling a player like Barnes, as reported by Football Insider.

If this ameliorates financial concerns, carving space for the £90k-per-week Cunha in the process, it’s something of a no-brainer. Think of Barnes’ recent purple patch as a stock raiser ahead of an exciting chain of events.

Best signing since Isak: Newcastle hit the jackpot on "world-class" star

Newcastle’s signing has turned into one of the best players in the Premier League.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 18, 2025

After the chaos and jubilation of Thursday night, Manchester United returned to their usual selves on Sunday afternoon, as the Red Devils slipped to a 15th Premier League defeat of the season at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In many ways, it was the same old story for the hosts at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim forced to watch on as his lacklustre side squandered a litany of chances, before being punished late on by a sublime Pablo Sarabia free-kick.

Indeed, on a different day, Alejandro Garnacho could well have walked away with a hat-trick of assists, having picked out both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount inside the box, while also seeing Rasmus Hojlund come agonisingly close to getting on the end of his clever pull-back.

The struggling Dane – who has scored just once in all competitions since mid-December – also failed to pick out Kobbie Mainoo when advancing into space in the second-half, with Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer subsequently stating that the “damaged” 22-year-old “isn’t ready” to be United’s starting striker.

24 goals in 88 games for the Red Devils makes for grim reading for the £64m man, with it no surprise that the addition of a new centre-forward is high on the agenda this summer – alongside the capture of Wolves talisman, Matheus Cunha.

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

With all of United’s eggs now in the Europa League basket, there remains an anxious wait as to whether or not INEOS will have a Champions League budget to work with next season, with so much resting on success on the continent.

Regardless of what happens between now and the end of May, however, it does appear that the Old Trafford hierarchy are intent on adding Cunha to their ranks, with Fabrizio Romano outlining that the Red Devils are leading the race for the Brazilian’s signature.

The 25-year-old has scored 14 goals in the league this season – including against Amorim’s side on Boxing Day – with The Athletic previously outlining that he is viewed as a solution for one of the two number ten berths in the 3-4-3 set-up.

Transfer Focus

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

That same report had indicated that Ipswich Town starlet, Liam Delap, is being considered as a potential upgrade at centre-forward, although the Englishman is evidently not the only candidate, as revealed by Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst.

As Luckhurst has noted, United have remained in contact with the agent of RB Leipzig sensation, Benjamin Sesko, having previously missed out on the Slovenian superstar back in the summer of 2022.

The interest in the 6 foot 5 striker – who has a £58m release clause in his current deal – appears to extend even further back than that, with prior reports outlining that the Red Devils rejected the chance to sign him for just £2.5m from NK Domzale as a teenager back in 2019.

This summer could then finally see the 21-year-old arrive at the Theatre of Dreams, with Sesko potentially set to represent the perfect upgrade on both Hojlund and Delap.

How Man Utd could upgrade their centre-forward ranks

For all United’s success in Europe – as they currently remain unbeaten in the Europa League – the fact of the matter is they have been simply abject domestically, having found themselves just two points above 17th-placed West Ham United.

A key issue has been the club’s woes at the top end of the pitch after scoring just 38 times in 33 top-flight games – almost half of what champions-elect Liverpool have recorded at the summit (75).

With Hojlund and the now stricken Joshua Zirkzee scoring just six league goals between them, the need of a new number nine is bordering on desperation – enter, Sesko.

Described as a “monster” of a striker by analyst Ben Mattinson, the 41-cap international has enjoyed another fine campaign in Germany, netting 20 times in 41 games in all competitions, including four goals in eight Champions League appearances.

Including his time at sister club Red Bull Salzburg, Sesko has now scored 12 league goals or more in each of his last three seasons. The 22-year-old Delap, for instance, has only broken into double figures for the first time in 2024/25, in what is his first campaign in a top-tier league.

Games (starts)

29 (27)

32 (29)

Goals

12

12

Big chances missed

10

10

Goal frequency

182mins

198mins

Assists

5

2

Big chances created

5

3

Key passes*

0.6

0.6

Pass accuracy*

67%

62%

Successful dribbles*

1.3

1.2

Aerial duels won*

56%

45%

As indicated in the table above, it is the Leipzig star who comes out on top too across a string of attacking and defensive metrics, showcasing just why United have been wise to maintain contact with his representatives in recent years.

A player with “incredible potential” – in the words of Jurgen Klopp – what particularly stands out is Sesko’s venomous shooting ability, having already chalked up a stunning catalogue of long-range, pinpoint efforts in his career thus far.

While there may be fears over enduring something of a Hojlund repeat, considering the potential price tag and age of the Slovenian hero, Sesko – unlike the current United man and Delap – has proven himself at the elite level over a number of seasons now.

He would represent the high-potential talent that Amorim and co are craving, who can make an instant impact.

For the third campaign in a row, the Red Devils look set to dip into the market for a new number nine – they simply can’t afford to get it wrong again…

He's a lot like Cunha: Man Utd hopeful of signing "frightening" £50m star

Manchester United are eyeing up a deal for a star who could be their own Matheus Cunha.

ByDan Emery Apr 21, 2025

Everton responded well at the weekend, clawing back to draw against Arsenal after losing the Merseyside derby at Anfield, a result which ended David Moyes’ nine-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Things have changed at Goodison Park, which is preparing for its emotional swansong not in the throes of a relegation battle but instead playing with a freedom that has come from Moyes’ return to the dugout and the consequent tactical and mental improvements.

However, Everton’s owners, The Friedkin Group, know that a range of signings are needed this summer, and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and loanee Armando Broja both set to leave in a few months, bagging a striker has got to be the first port of call.

Everton join race for coveted striker

It’s an ambitious one, but TEAMtalk have revealed that Everton have joined the race for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, with neighbours Liverpool also keen, along with many more top-flight sides.

Transfer Focus

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

Indeed, both the Toffees – and Brighton and Hove Albion – are said to have gathered ‘updated information’ on the youngster in recent days, with the two clubs keeping ‘close tabs’ on his situation.

Delap has been one of the Premier League’s breakout stars this season despite his team’s woes. That plays into the forward’s suitors’ favour, though, for his £40m release clause activates upon the Tractor Boys’ relegation.

And Ipswich will be relegated. Valiant fight, but the gulf in quality between England’s top two tiers continues to yawn wider, and now a team like Everton could strengthen further at their rival’s expense by stocking up with a young striker, 22, who’s demonstrated his high-ceilinged potential superbly this year.

Why Everton want Liam Delap

Tussling with such high-profile competition, you’d be forgiven for taking the news that Everton are interested in Delap with a pinch of salt.

Ipswich have played well in the Premier League this season, competitive after back-to-back promotions, but it has proved a step too far for Kieran McKenna’s men, whose defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday has stretched the gap from safety to 12 points.

Delap, of course, got his name on the scoresheet in that 2-1 loss, and it was a fine goal at that. The 6 foot 1 striker is powerful and athletic, ranking among the top 17% of positional peers across Europe over the past year for progressive carries and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Is it any surprise that the Manchester City youth product has been described as a “wrecking ball” by Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones? These talents highlight exactly why the Toffees should make a concerted push for his signature, especially since FBref have suggested that Moise Kean is among his most tactically similar players.

Kean flopped hard during his stint on Merseyside but has built himself back up in Italy, thriving for Fiorentina. He’s scored 22 goals and provided five assists for La Viola this season, also hailed for his “remarkable” hold-up play by Serie A reporter Marco Messina.

Matches (starts)

28 (27)

30 (29)

Goals

17

12

Assists

3

2

Shots (on target)*

3.1 (1.4)

2.0 (1.0)

Big chances missed

14

10

Pass completion

72%

62%

Big chances created

4

3

Dribbles*

1.4

1.2

Duels won*

4.8

4.7

Above, you can see Kean and Delap’s statistics across respective league campaigns this year. Both rank similarly across clinical, ball-carrying and duelling metrics.

It’s also important to note that Delap is competing within the Premier League, an ostensibly tougher division, for imperilled Ipswich, whereas Kean’s Fiorentina are eighth, fighting for European qualification.

Delap boasts a profile that seems perfect for Moyes’ dynamic but gritty system, and if TFG manage to pull this off, it might just go down as one of the biggest coups in Everton’s modern history.

Everton struck gold on “constant threat” who’s worth more than Longstaff

Everton made a good investment with the signing

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 7, 2025

Glasgow Rangers gave their supporters a moment to remember last time out in the Scottish Premiership when they beat Dundee 4-3 away from home.

A last-gasp winner from Cyriel Dessers to complete a comeback from 3-1 down to win 4-3 last weekend was a joyous moment for the travelling support, but it was still a game that illustrated the team’s flaws.

The club’s city rivals are inching closer to a fourth successive Premiership title, as they sit 13 points clear of the Light Blues as it stands, and the Gers have to do something to change the tide next season.

Sky Sports reported last month that a takeover including US investors Andrew Cavenagh and San Francisco 49ers Paraag Marathe has been agreed in principle, which suggests that the dawn of a new era at Ibrox is a matter of months away.

This could mean that there is a longer-term replacement for Philippe Clement than Barry Ferguson, but it is not just the management side of the team that should be looked at.

If Rangers want to get back on top in Scottish football then they may need to kickstart their new era by moving on from some of their experienced players who have become used to finishing second, including Jack Butland and James Tavernier.

Why Rangers should move on from Jack Butland and James Tavernier

The Gers captain has been a terrific servant for the club over the years, scoring 130 goals in 504 appearances in all competitions, but he has only won one Premiership title in his career.

Tavernier has also lost a whopping 25 of his 40 appearances against Celtic, winning just ten of those games, and Rangers may need new leadership if they are to progress and move past the Hoops, as he has become used to being behind the club’s rivals on the pitch.

Therefore, it could be time to move on from the 33-year-old veteran, who has lost possession 20.8 times per match in the league this term, to make room for new leaders to step up and lead the team forward.

Butland, meanwhile, has been error-prone in the Premiership this season and it could be time for Rangers to find a new number one to provide more stability between the sticks, after two years of the Englishman at Ibrox.

Appearances

25

Save success rate

69%

Goals prevented

-0.37

Error led to shot

2

Error led to goal

2

Penalties committed

1

As you can see in the table above, the former Stoke City star has underperformed as a shot-stopper and made too many unforced errors to gift shots and goals to the opposition in the league, which is why Rangers should consider moving him on this summer.

The issue for the Light Blues, however, may be finding suitors to buy Tavernier and Butland, as the veteran stars are no longer among the most valuable talents at Ibrox.

The top ten most valuable Rangers players

As per Transfermarkt, both English players are worth £2.5m at this moment in time, and that does not earn either of them a place in the top ten most valuable stars at the club.

Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny is currently the most valuable player at the club, at a whopping £7.6m, and it remains to be seen whether or not the Gers will be able to keep hold of him beyond the end of his current loan spell.

The Czechia international has provided a regular threat at the top end of the pitch, racking up 17 goals and four assists, in the Premiership and the Europa League to earn his valuation.

Vaclav Cerny

£7.6m

Mohamed Diomande

£5.9m

Nicolas Raskin

£5.5m

John Souttar

£3.8m

Cyriel Dessers

£3.4m

Dujon Sterling

£3.4m

Danilo

£3.4m

Nedim Bajrami

£3.4m

Jefte

£3.4m

Hamza Igamane

£3.4m

As you can see in the table above, Rangers have many players on a market value of £3.4m, which is still £900k more than Tavernier and Butland are currently valued at.

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?

Some of those players could play key roles moving forward, into the dawn of a new era at Ibrox, and one of those the club have hit the jackpot with in recent years is versatile defender Dujon Sterling.

Dujon Sterling's soaring market value

The Scottish giants swooped to sign the English talent in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer after he had been released by Premier League side Chelsea.

It was an opportunistic signing by the Gers, as they took advantage of his contract situation, because he was valued at £2.4m by Transfermarkt at the time, which shows that the club landed a £2.4m-rated talent for £0.

His first season at Ibrox, in the 2023/24 campaign, was a struggle because Michael Beale and Clement utilised him in a multitude of positions, with his appearances stretched between right-back, left-back, right midfield, defensive midfield, left midfield, and right wing.

This meant that Sterling did not have a chance to build any consistency in his performances because he was constantly being moved around the pitch to fill different holes in the team.

The 25-year-old star has had slightly more clarity in his game this term, however, as the vast majority of his starts have come as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, which has allowed him to build a rhythm in the middle of the pitch.

Starts

7

Centre-back starts

7

Clearances

37

Blocks

5

Tackles

12

Duels won

31/44 (70% success rate)

As you can see in the table above, Sterling has started at centre-back in seven of his last eight league appearances and provided a dominant presence at the back for the Gers, winning 70% of his duels in those matches.

His overall form for the club and his success in finally nailing down a consistent position on the pitch has led to his market value soaring up to £3.5m, which shows that Rangers hit the jackpot when they signed the defensive ace.

The Light Blues snapped him up for £0 and he has turned out to be an incredibly valuable player, with his quality at centre-back and versatility to play in other roles, as well as being an asset that continues to grow in value.

Rangers must sell Ibrox star who was "one of the best talents in Europe"

As Rangers prepare for a massive squad overhaul in the summer, they should sell a star Gerrard once said was “one of the best talents in Europe”.

Apr 3, 2025

He is now among the top ten most valuable players at the club, making him worth even more than the likes of Tavernier and Butland, and the defender could have a big future as a centre-back at Ibrox if he can continue his current, dominant, form.

Newcastle United have Bayer Leverkusen to overcome this week in the Champions League, but there’s a far more tantalising fixture sticking out across the busy December period.

The Premier League’s first Tyne-Wear showdown since 2016 arrives on the calendar next weekend, with Sunderland’s electric start out of the blocks in the top-flight this season no doubt ramping up the nerves on the end of the Magpies.

Eddie Howe will also be fearful of a loss when you consider Newcastle have lost their last four meetings in this tense rivalry, with Leverkusen in midweek the perfect opportunity to collect a confidence-boosting victory, before facing off against Regis Le Bris’ tricky Black Cats.

In particular, Howe will hope he sees a lot more from the likes of Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga at the BayArena, with both high-profile summer recruits failing to settle so far on Tyneside.

The numbers behind Wissa & Elanga at Newcastle

£250m in total was forked out on summer signings at St James’ Park, with £110m of that excessive spending landing both Wissa and Elanga.

There was a method behind Newcastle’s madness here, with the former Brentford man and the Swedish winger amassing a stunning 41 goal contributions between them last season in the Premier League.

Unfortunately for the £55m striker, though, he has only lined up for a paltry 16 minutes in Toon black and white so far, with his first appearance for the club coming last time out against Burnley, 96 days on from him signing on the dotted line.

He is far from a lost cause, however, with a hope he can add to his 45 Premier League goals shortly with sustained time in the first team, as he potentially prepares to start versus Leverkusen. If he doesn’t get up and running soon, with his hefty £140k-per-week salary also added to the equation, he will definitely be dismissed as a rash waste of money.

Elanga doesn’t have a troubling injury record to fall back on when it comes to his critics, with just two assists and no goals next to his name from 22 appearances on Tyneside, making his £55m price tag already feel extremely extortionate.

Still, there will also be a hope in the air that the £100k-per-week forward is simply a work in progress, having previously shone with Nottingham Forest, away from negative labels coming his way that he is a “massive overpay” in the words of Raj Chohan.

Staggeringly, despite £110m being dropped on the underwhelming duo in question, they’re not deemed as big a waste of money as this other high earner, who Howe must now swiftly axe ahead of key games to come in December.

Howe must now drop £120k-per-week Newcastle man

At least with Wissa and Elanga, Howe and Co would have known they were paying a premium price for talents who were consistent top performers in the Premier League.

In the case of Jacob Ramsey, though, £43m was forked out on a star who had a rollercoaster stay at Aston Villa, having only collected a mediocre eight goal contributions across his final two top-flight seasons in the West Midlands, leading to him falling out of Unai Emery’s first team plans.

Ramsey’s flashes of brilliance at his hometown club did see journalist Charles Watts once herald him as a “special” talent for the future, but eyebrows would have been rightly raised when the £43m move was finalised, with his £120k-per-week wage also making him an immediate higher earner than St James Park stalwarts such as Dan Burn, who pockets £70k-per-week, on the contrary.

In the here and now, too, it feels like an awfully long time ago since the 24-year-old was generating lots of hype at Villa Park, with a rare first-team start against Burnley last time out seeing Ramsey look rather timid.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

73

Shots

1

Accurate passes

56/60 (93%)

Accurate crosses

0/1

Key passes

1

Successful dribbles

1/2

Penalties given away

1

Indeed, it doesn’t make for pretty reading on Ramsey’s end, with the 24-year-old’s general game going down as largely uneventful, until he gave away an unnecessary penalty via a handball, with only one shot, one key pass, and one accurate dribble registered.

With no goals or assists next to his name from 11 clashes, it isn’t the wildest shout to suggest he’s a bigger waste of money than both Wissa and Elanga, with Wissa needing more time to acclimatise, while Elanga at least has two assists to cling onto and showed what a dangerous talent he can be last season..

Moreover, with both Joe Willock and Lewis Miley also at Howe’s disposal in midfield in the reserve ranks, there doesn’t seem to be a long-standing space for the ex-Villa man in his starting XI, as the forgettable number 41 likely just turns into an expensive background figure that can’t be redeemed.

The new Anderson: Newcastle could see £13m bid accepted to sign "special" star

Newcastle United could win themselves a cut-price Elliot Anderson alternative with this £13m star.

ByKelan Sarson 4 days ago

As they do every year, Chelsea made their fair share of signings in the summer.

Some of them have been hits, like Joao Pedro and Estevao – even if he was technically signed last year – but others have struggled, like Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap.

Then there are a few who sit somewhere in between, like Alejandro Garnacho, who hasn’t lit the world alight, but has popped up with goal involvements here and there.

Unfortunately for the Argentine, that might not be enough to save his place in the team, as reports are now linking Chelsea to someone who’d be a massive upgrade.

Chelsea target Garnacho upgrade

It might be around a month and a half until the transfer window officially opens, but that hasn’t stopped the reports linking Chelsea to a number of talented Premier League stars.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, despite being well stacked in the middle of the park, the Blues have been linked with both Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton in recent days.

Now, both of them would undoubtedly improve Enzo Maresca’s squad, but they certainly cannot be described as Garnacho upgrades, unlike Antoine Semenyo.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are interested in signing the Bournemouth star.

However, they are not the only ones, as the report also claims that the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool are also all vying for the Ghanaian’s signature.

Fortunately, even though the competition is far from ideal, another story from The Athletic has revealed that the Cherries star has a £65m release clause in his new contract, which will be active for part of January.

It will be a complicated transfer to get done, but given Semenyo’s immense game-changing ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he would be an upgrade on Garnacho.

How Semenyo compares to Garnacho

As Chelsea have lofty ambitions of challenging on all fronts in the coming season, the best place to start when comparing Garnacho to Semenyo is their ability to score or assist goals.

Unfortunately for the former Manchester United ace, doing this makes it quite clear that he is second best when it comes to output.

For example, so far this season, he has scored twice and provided two assists in ten appearances, which comes out to a goal involvement every 2.5 games.

The Bournemouth star, on the other hand, has scored six goals and provided three assists in 12 appearances, which translates to a far better average of a goal or assist every 1.33 games.

Even last season, the Ghanaian international came out ahead as, in 42 games, he scored 13 goals and provided seven assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.1 games.

In contrast, the Blues’ new winger produced 21 goal involvements in 58 appearances, which comes out to a less impressive average of one every 2.76.

The bad news for the Madrid-born ace is that he also comes out as a clear second best when you take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.28

0.22

Progressive Passes

3.55

1.32

Shots on Target

1.09

1.05

Passing Accuracy

69.4%

77.3%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.28

3.15

Goal-Creating Actions

0.64

0.79

Tackles

1.64

1.32

Successful Take-Ons

1.91

1.32

Ball Recoveries

5.27

2.89

Aerial Duels Won

2.36

0.26

For example, while he’s not ahead in every metric, he performs better in the majority of them, including some key ones, such as non-penalty expected goals, progressive passes, shots on target, successful take-ons, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, with all this in mind, it is clear that the Cherries ace is a better player than the West Londoners summer signing, and that Chris Waddle might not be too far off the mark with his claim that he’s currently “the best winger in the country.”

Therefore, while it won’t be easy, Chelsea should do all they can to sign Semenyo in January, as he’s an exceptional player and a clear upgrade on Garnacho.

Their next Caicedo: BlueCo have signed a "world-beater" for Chelsea

The sensational talent could become Chelsea’s next Moises Caicedo.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

Manchester United have now reportedly made contact to sign 18-year-old Salvador Blopa from Sporting CP in an attempt to jump ahead of Real Madrid in the race for his signature.

Those at Old Trafford have kept an eye on the transfer market ever since the summer window slammed shut and with things looking up on the pitch, they could be well-placed to welcome a number of upgrades in 2026.

Ruben Amorim’s side entered the November international break without a defeat in five games, having drawn twice and won three to move up to seventh in the Premier League.

Whilst their wait for five wins in a row is ongoing, there’s no doubt that the Red Devils have taken a significant step. Whether that continues after the international break is the big question.

Man United will play host to Everton in what should be seen as a winnable game at Old Trafford against former manager David Moyes. They then face struggling sides West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in two of their next five games in a run that should see them push on even further.

Amorim’s not getting ahead of himself, however. After rescuing a late draw against Tottenham last time out, he told reporters that his side still have plenty of problems to solve.

It’s a sign of the high standards that the Man United boss holds and INEOS could yet help him to meet those standards by turning to the transfer market once again in 2026.

Man Utd have 'held conversations' to sign Blopa

As relayed by TeamTalk, Man United have now ‘held conversations’ to sign Blopa from Sporting CP and jump ahead of Real Madrid in the transfer race in the process. The 18-year-old can play right midfield, right-back and left midfield as one of the most versatile players that Sporting have to offer.

Out of all those positions, he’d likely solve Amorim’s right wing-back problem. As things stand, it’s Amad Diallo or Noussair Mazraoui in the role, but Blopa’s emergence could quickly cause United a much-welcomed selection headache down that side.

£150,000-a-week La Liga star who Amorim wants is now open to Man Utd move

The Man Utd boss has given the green light.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 15, 2025

The interest from Real Madrid and those at Old Trafford in Blopa should also come as little surprise. The teenager scored twice on his Sporting debut and earned praise from current manager Rui Borges, who told reporters: “Tactically he gave us what we wanted.

“In the B team he sometimes plays on the right and other times on the left, sometimes higher and sometimes lower. He’s a kid with very unique characteristics, athletic, and physically he’s going to grow immensely more.”

The Red Devils have built a reputation of turning Sporting’s stars into world stars and the versatile defender could be next.

Now worth more than Anderson: Man Utd star is the "nearest thing" to Zidane

Newcastle United could do with an injection of positivity after the November international break, having slumped their way down to 14th place in the Premier League after 11 matches.

Gone is the easy fluency of last season, and Eddie Howe has a task on his hands to rekindle the spark at the heart of his Tyneside squad.

While the impending return of Yoane Wissa from injury will add that extra dimension in attack, Howe will be concerned that this current international pause might inflict injury on one of his players in a similar fashion to when Wissa damaged his knee back in September, before he had even kicked a ball for the Toon.

No such bad news at the moment, though watching England defeat Serbia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier has issued a sombre reminder that PIF must do all that they can to bring Elliot Anderson back to St. James’ Park. How about that for an injection of positivity?

The latest on Newcastle's interest in Elliot Anderson

Anderson, 23, left Newcastle for Nottingham Forest in 2024, arriving at the City Ground after a fee in the region of £35m had been agreed.

How PIF must regret that PSR-influenced decision, with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel recently hailing Anderson as being “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” before his latest performance alongside Declan Rice, impressing as England claimed a professional 2-0 win.

So combative, cultured and composed in the middle of the park, the Tyneside-born talent never managed to spread his wings for his boyhood club, but he has made such impressive progress since leaving and forging his own path.

Howe, it should go without saying, would love nothing more than to bring Anderson back home, having expressed last month how the sale “didn’t sit right with me”, and intimating his desire to strike a transfer down the line.

It won’t be easy, though; far from it. Anderson’s all-encompassing qualities in the engine room have been picked up by some of the Premier League’s finest, with Arsenal and Manchester United among those looking to complete a deal for the £100m-rated midfielder.

Whether Newcastle manage to bring him back is anyone’s guess, but they must not let the same thing happen again, especially when there’s a new Geordie talent looking to break into the first team.

The Newcastle talent who could be bigger than Anderson

Newcastle will look for ways to bring Anderson back to St. James’ Park, but sadly there is no certainty that they will win the race for his signature.

That’s why they must prove they have learned from their blunder and ensure Sean Neave has a clear pathway from the academy to the first team.

The 18-year-old has been prolific right from the get-go this season, and his mature, confident displays are beginning to see a level of noise rise around him, with Howe sure to be considering handing him a professional breakthrough before long, should the right opportunity arrive.

While Neave hasn’t featured for the senior side yet, he was involved in Newcastle’s pre-season preparations this summer and is clearly viewed as having the potential to wedge his way into the fray.

Moreover, he was this week awarded an award during the annual Sport Newcastle ceremony for ’embodying the Newcastle spirit’, with Dan Burn taking the cake for the men’s team.

Though it’s a big leap from the world of development football to the major stage, Neave is nothing if not clinical, with an ease and accuracy in the final third that should lend itself to success in the Premier League for the seniors, albeit with physicality and maturity further elements that must be woven into the youngster’s game.

But given that he’s only just entered adulthood, there is every reason for United fans to get excited by this one. Magpie Media have already described him as “the best Geordie striker prospect in a long, long time”, after all.

If Neave reaches even the rim of what his potential suggests is possible, there’s every chance that Newcastle could have an even bigger talent than Anderson on their hands, and one who must not be allowed to leave for new pastures before being handed a shot at the big time.

Newcastle have already paid for that mistake, and they may pay more still if they succeed in re-signing Anderson. That would be a rousing transfer for the club, but one which would come at what could have been an avoidable financial cost.

Lighting surely won’t strike twice. Neave’s goalscoring efforts for the development teams underscore his quality and the importance of easing him into the first-team action under Howe’s wing.

Newcastle U18

37

21 (7)

Newcastle U21

21

9 (4)

Newcastle YL

9

2 (1)

Newcastle

–

–

With a brace netted against Burnley last week, Neave is finding his feet for the U21s, and it’s surely only a matter of time until he is unleashed in the Premier League, just searching for that extra steel in his physicality to prove he’s every bit as talented as Anderson, maybe even more so.

One of "Newcastle's best signings" under Howe is now on borrowed time

Newcastle’s need for change has gone beyond making tactical tweaks.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 14, 2025