Despite winning the Premier League in the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool are incredibly active in the summer transfer window in an attempt to bolster their squad.

The window officially opened for business on Sunday and the club have already confirmed Netherlands international Jeremie Frimpong as their first signing of the year.

He has come through the door as the direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has completed a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup.

Liverpool are also reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, as David Ornstein has claimed that the Germany international is keen to make the move to Anfield.

The 22-year-old star delivered 16 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Leverkusen during the 2024/25 campaign, which suggests that the Reds could be bringing in an influential figure at the top end of the pitch.

These new signings coming in could provide added competition for the existing stars at Anfield, and one player who may need to be on his toes is Ibrahima Konate.

Why Ibrahima Konate could be concerned this summer

The France international started 30 of his 31 appearances in the Premier League during the 2024/25 season, as the main partner for Virgil van Dijk at the back.

However, it did not always look like that was going to be the case for the former RB Leipzig star. Last summer, Football Insider reported that Arne Slot was not convinced by the centre-back, due to his performances on the pitch and in training, as well as his injury record.

That was seemingly backed up by the Dutch head coach’s decision to go with Jarrel Quansah next to van Dijk ahead of Konate on the opening day against Ipswich Town. However, the English youngster endured a difficult half against Liam Delap and was replaced by the French titan at half-time.

Konate then went on to be a regular starter in the Premier League, despite those early concerns about his place in the side, but there were still moments that could throw his long-term future into doubt.

Appearances

31

Starts

30

Ground duel success rate

61%

Aerial duel success rate

71%

Error led to shot

2

Error led to goal

1

As you can see in the table above, the French colossus was largely dominant in duels on the deck and in the air, but was also no stranger to making a mistake at the back.

Errors crept into his performances, with three errors leading to shots or goals for the opposition, in the Premier League, and that is why the club’s reported interest in a new central defender could leave him concerned this summer.

Liverpool eyeing deal for new centre-back

According to Football Insider, the path has been cleared for Liverpool to pursue a deal to sign RB Leipzig central defender Castello Lukeba in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the German side’s seventh-placed finish in the Bundesliga, which means that they will not be playing European football next season, has cleared the path for the Reds to swoop in for the centre-back, making them one of the favourites to secure his signature.

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

It states that the French star has a release clause of £74m in his contract with Leipzig, and that Liverpool are on high alert after his team failed to qualify for Europe.

The report adds, however, that the Premier League giants will attempt to use the situation to negotiate a lower fee for the 22-year-old titan, which means that they could sign him for less than the £74m release clause.

Konate could, now, be concerned by this news because another centre-back arriving at Anfield this summer could create competition for his place that could see him drop out of the starting XI on a regular basis.

If Liverpool can get a deal over the line for Lukeba in the coming weeks or months, Slot could have a centre-back on his hands who has the potential to be an upgrade on his current partner for van Dijk.

Why Castello Lukeba could replace Ibrahima Konate

Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as the “perfect” left centre-back slash left-back hybrid, which could mean that he could move over to the left side of the pairing with the captain on the right in order to replace Konate.

The Leipzig star’s reliability, first and foremost, is what may attract Slot to him. In 103 appearances in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga for Lyon and Leipzig combined, the 22-year-old star has not made a single error that has directly led to a goal for the opposition.

On that evidence, it’s hardly a surprise that Mattinson has also referred to him as “one of the best defensive prospects in world football” and one of “the best U21 centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues.”

In comparison, Konate has made five errors leading to goals in just 82 appearances in the Premier League, which suggests that he is nowhere near as reliable as Lukeba in that sense.

This means that Slot could rely on the £74m-rated star more to deliver consistent performances without making critical mistakes that create chances for the opposition.

Appearances

31

23

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.8

2.0

Dribbled past per game

0.3x

0.3x

Ground duel success rate

61%

65%

Aerial duel success rate

71%

65%

Error led to shot

2

0

Error led to goal

1

0

As you can see in the table above, Lukeba also made slightly more tackles and interceptions per game on average at league level this season, whilst also winning a higher percentage of his ground duels.

Konate appears to have the edge over him when it comes to winning aerial duels, although the Leipzig star is not weak in that respect, but overall, the Liverpool defender comes out second-best.

These statistics indicate that the Reds number five should be concerned about his place in the starting XI if Lukeba walks through the door, because the young titan has the qualities to displace him next season.

Slot could improve his team by signing the French star to provide a more reliable presence at the heart of the defence in comparison to Konate, due to his lack of errors in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, which is why this could be an excellent addition for the club.

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Manchester United have now directly “called” the agents of a “phenomenal” £68m striker, with the race for his signature still “open”, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd eager to bolster attacking options

Man United have already secured the signature of Matheus Cunha, and with Bryan Mbeumo, who could cost around £70m, still in their sights, it is no wonder there is a great deal of skepticism about how they will be able to fund their summer transfer business.

However, football finance expert Kieran Maguire has revealed that INEOS have been using a different company for PSR purposes, and the transfer fees for any new arrivals will be spread across the entire length of their contract.

As such, the Red Devils are £100m better off PSR-wise, which could free up the required funds to sign a new striker alongside Cunha and Mbeumo, and Romano has revealed they have made renewed contact over a deal for Viktor Gyokeres.

The transfer expert said: “It’s an open race for Gyokeres. He remains on Arsenal’s list in case the Sesko deal doesn’t happen, Man United have called his agents again over the weekend.”

Having held direct talks with Gyokeres’ agents, there is clearly a great deal of interest on United’s behalf, and the Gunners appear to be prioritising a move for Benjamin Sesko, which could open the door for the Sweden international to move to Old Trafford.

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However, a deal for the Sporting star may not be cheap, with it recently being revealed the Portuguese club have now hiked their asking price to £68m.

"Phenomenal" Gyokeres could push for summer move

Sporting boss Rui Borges will no doubt be disappointed to lose the 27-year-old, should he move on this summer, having singled the centre-forward out for praise back in April, saying: “Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”

However, Borges may have an unsettled player on his hands until a bid is accepted, with it being revealed the former Coventry City man has been left furious by Sporting’s decision to raise their asking price.

It is no wonder the Stockholm-born striker is seeking a move to one of Europe’s top leagues, as he found it all too easy in Portugal last season, outscoring Arsenal target Sesko by a considerable margin.

As such, while it is unclear whether the talks with Gyokeres’ agents were positive, it is promising news that Man United appear to be stepping up their interest, and they will be hoping the Sporting star is keen to reunite with former manager Ruben Amorim.

It wasn’t the most thrilling spectacle to take in for the scattered array of Chelsea supporters watching on, but the Blues did start their Club World Cup campaign with a relatively straightforward 2-0 victory over LAFC on Monday evening.

Enzo Maresca named a very strong lineup for the clash with Steve Cherundolo’s challengers, and, for the most part, it was a smooth match for the likes of Cole Palmer – who was donning the no.10 for the first time – and Moises Caicedo, among many other strong first-team personnel.

There would have been some worries in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium that the game could peter out into a dire clash with no goals scored within the first 30 minutes. Thankfully, Pedro Neto managed to raise the excitement levels when he broke the deadlock in the 34th minute.

The game was then tied up in the second half by Enzo Fernandez popping up with a goal of his own, but away from the goalscorers stealing the limelight, there were several top performers on the night, alongside others putting in slightly more subdued displays.

Chelsea's best performers vs LAFC

The most logical place to start is with Neto’s standout showing, with his blistering solo run and tricky feet resulting in the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers winger getting Chelsea’s account underway in the competition.

Away from this sublime effort beating former Spurs captain, Hugo Lloris, Neto also fired another shot off the woodwork, with his constant livewire presence clear for all to see even more when completing a hefty five successful dribbles.

Neto wasn’t the only bright spark from Chelsea’s perspective, however, with Fernandez also sticking out in the second half when winning two duels alongside his goal. Involved in that second strike was debutant Liam Delap, who scampered down the right and delivered an inch-perfect cross for the Argentine to bury.

Starring alongside Fernandez was the ever-reliable Moises Caicedo.

He was also persistently involved in play when notching up 101 touches, but not every blue shirt trudged off at the end delighted with their efforts.

Chelsea's worst performers against LAFC

Romeo Lavia struggled to get going before Maresca hooked him off at the half-time interval, yet there was one underperformer throughout that will be worried for his Club World Cup starting spot now and his future as a regular starter at Stamford Bridge after offering very little in the Atlanta heat.

Chalkboard

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It’s clear from the rampant transfer rumours coming out of West London that Chelsea are in the market for a new left winger figure, with Jamie Gittens one of the main targets being lined up to replace the recently departed Jadon Sancho.

After the 2-0 win over LAFC, it’s even more abundantly clear that the Blues need urgent reinforcements down the left flank, with Noni Madueke having a torrid time of things when chucked out to this unfamiliar position on the pitch.

A large portion of Chelsea supporters took to social media to voice their frustrations at Madueke’s dire showing, with the 23-year-old largely ineffective throughout when powering just one paltry on-target effort at Lloris’ goal.

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Moreover, Neto’s eye-catching trickery on the ball down the right just didn’t rub off on the out-of-sorts number 11 on the left, culminating in just one unmemorable successful dribble being registered.

Madueke’s performance in numbers

Minutes played

64

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

43

Accurate passes

25/27 (93%)

Shots

2

Possession lost

10x

Total duels won

3/7

Stats by Sofascore

On top of those already grim statistics, Madueke also gave away possession ten times, alongside only winning a disappointing 42% of his duels.

Therefore, going forward, Maresca must not continue playing Madueke down the left, with a low 5/10 match rating handed to him by Football.London’s Bobby Vincent after the match adding insult to injury.

Tyrique George is the only other option the former Leicester City boss can rely upon on the left channel, with Chelsea needing to act fast now to add someone like Gittens to their squad.

If this were in a far more pressurised contest, Madueke could have ended up costing his side dear.

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Arsenal’s biggest strength this season, and arguably last season as well, was their defence.

Mikel Arteta’s side may have scored 17 goals fewer than Liverpool in the Premier League, but then, even though they finished ten points off top spot, they managed to concede seven goals fewer than the Reds.

While this genuinely impressive solidity is partly thanks to the entire team, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to describe William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as the chief architects of the Gunners’ almost impenetrable backline.

So, fans should be delighted about recent reports linking the club with an international defender compared to both of them.

Arsenal searching for another defender

Before getting to the star in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other defensive titans linked with Arsenal in recent weeks and months, such as Jorrel Hato and Marc Guehi.

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The former seems to be on the radar for a lot of big teams this summer, at a price of around £42m, and it’s not hard to see why, as at just 19 years old, he’s already established himself as a crucial member of Ajax’s defensive setup.

Likewise, Guehi is just as, if not more important, for Crystal Palace, making 44 appearances across all competitions and winning the FA Cup with them this season, which makes his supposed £50m valuation seem more than reasonable.

However, while both of these players are brilliantly talented, another defender who could be an even more exciting acquisition has now entered the frame: Ousmane Diomande.

According to a recent report from Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, as relayed by Caught Offside, Arsenal are now in the race for the Sporting CP star.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that London rivals Chelsea are also keen to bring the Ivorian to the Premier League this summer.

While the report makes no mention of how much the centre-back might cost, reports from last month reaffirm claims that he has a €80m release clause in his current deal, which amounts to about £68m.

It would, therefore, be a costly and likely complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Diomande’s ability and the comparisons to Saliba and Gabriel, it’s one Arsenal should fight for.

How Diomande compares to Saliba and Gabriel

So then, given just how sensationally well Arsenal’s defensive duo have played in recent campaigns, it is undoubtedly a bold claim to suggest that Diomande is not just similar to one of them but both.

However, that is just the claim respected analyst Ben Mattinson made when he described the Ivorian international as “a hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba” just last season.

Now, when it comes to his similarity to the former, you can look at things from the fact that the Brazilian is just an inch taller at 6 foot 3 to their goalscoring ability, with the Sporting star finding the back of the net twice in 32 league games to the Gunners’ titan getting one more in 28 games.

How about the Frenchman, then?

Well, interestingly, the most convincing argument for how similar the Abidjan-born star is to the former Saint-Etienne ace comes from FBref, which compared players in similar positions in the Champions League this season.

It then created a list of the ten most comparable players for everyone who participated in the competition and concluded that the Bondy-born titan was the number one most similar centre-back to the Sporting ace.

The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying numbers in which the pair ranked closely, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, passing accuracy, expected assists, live passes, interceptions and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.01

0.03

Progressive Carries

0.36

0.36

Passing Accuracy

93.2%

92.2%

Expected Assists

0.01

0.01

Live Passes

58.8

56.5

Interceptions

0.96

0.91

Finally, while Saliba is now three years older, he was also being spoken about as one of the most exciting emerging defensive talents at 21, so there will be some shared experiences between him and the Sporting gem should he move to the Emirates this summer.

Ultimately, it’s a lot of money, but with how highly rated he is and the fact he’s been compared to two of their very best players, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Diomande this summer.

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Aston Villa have now submitted a bid in the region of £40m for a “top” goalkeeper, with Emi Martinez looking likely to be heading for the exit door, according to a report.

Martinez's days could be numbered at Villa Park

Martinez has taken his game to the next level at Villa Park, scooping up the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award for the second time in three years last December, while also recently winning Premier League Save of the Season for a fantastic stop against Nottingham Forest.

As such, Unai Emery will no doubt be hoping to keep hold of his goalkeeper beyond the summer, but it appears as though the Argentina international could be heading for pastures new, with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid expressing an interest.

According to a report from Spain, Martinez has now ‘confirmed’ that he will leave Villa this summer, which means a replacement will be necessary, and recruitment chiefs haven’t wasted any time identifying a suitable heir.

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It is added that Aston Villa have made a bid of around £40m for Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who could be the ideal replacement for their current shot-stopper, given his impressive performances in Ligue 1 throughout the 2024-25 season.

There is a belief that Chevalier could be a good fit in Emery’s squad, and negotiations over a deal are now underway, with news of whether the Villans’ move is successful expected to come in the next few weeks.

"Top" goalkeeper Chevalier is "similar" to David Raya

Football scout Ben Mattinson was left impressed by the Lille shot-stopper during the 2024-25 campaign, singling him out for high praise and comparing him to Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

It is little wonder the Frenchman is held in very high regard by Mattinson, given that he ranks in the 81st percentile for his save percentage per 90 over the past year, while also putting in some top performances for Lille in the Champions League last season.

The 23-year-old made a number of “world-class” saves to keep Borussia Dortmund at bay in March, which will no doubt go into the compilation alongside several fantastic stops in Ligue 1.

Aston Villa will no doubt be looking to bring in a goalkeeper who is proven at the top level to replace Martinez, and Chevalier certainly fits the bill in that regard, so it is exciting news they have now submitted a bid to bring the Lille star to Villa Park.

Tottenham Hotspur’s frontline has impressed throughout the 2024/25 campaign, posting some impressive figures despite their lowly Premier League standing.

The Lilywhites posted a total of 64 league goals in their 38 outings – an average of 1.68 per game, with only six teams in the division scoring more throughout the same period.

Brennan Johnson finished as the club’s top scorer with 11 goals, securing an impressive turnaround after criticism from the supporters led to the Welsh international deactivating his social media accounts.

His £47.5m switch from Nottingham Forest was seen as a huge investment, but given his goal in the Europa League final, it now looks to be money well spent by the hierarchy.

They have the opportunity to land another deal of that magnitude this summer, with new boss Thomas Frank undoubtedly needing funds to transform the squad ahead of 2025/26.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of weeks, new attackers have been on Spurs’ radar, as the hierarchy look to further boost the options currently available in the final third.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has constantly been touted as a potential option for the club, with the Lilywhites in a battle with Manchester United for the Ghanaian’s signature.

However, another name has been mentioned over the last couple of days, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa also on the club’s radar, according to The Guardian.

They report that the hierarchy have held internal talks over a move for the DR Congo international, who netted 19 league goals in 35 appearances under Frank this campaign.

It also states that they could face competition from Nottingham Forest, after Nuno Espírito Santo’s side once again entered the race after having a £22m bid rejected back in January.

Why Wissa would be a better signing than Mbeumo for Spurs

After the arrival of Frank from Brentford last week, it’s no surprise to see some of the Dane’s former players linked with a move to North London during the off-season.

Alongside Wissa, winger Bryan Mbeumo has also been mentioned as a potential target, unsurprisingly so given his 20-goal season for the Bees in 2024/25.

The Cameroonian has been one of the most dangerous attackers this season, being one of only five players in the division who have achieved such a feat.

However, Frank will face stiff competition from Manchester United for the 25-year-old’s signature this window, with the London outfit demanding a fee in the region of £70m to part ways with him this summer.

Such a fee seems a little steep, with any pending arrival taking playing time off top scorer Johnson, which could be a controversial decision given his form this campaign.

As a result, Wissa would be a better addition, with the “unbelievable” forward, as labelled by Frank, offering a central option – a position that has been a struggle since Harry Kane’s departure.

When comparing his stats to those of current talisman Dominic Solanke, he’s managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing the need to pursue a move for the Congolese star.

Games played

35

27

Goals & assists

23

12

Shot-on-target accuracy

46%

40%

Pass accuracy

77%

70%

Passes into final third

1.4

1.1

Aerials won

46%

43%

Progressive carries

1.9

1.2

He’s massively outscored the club-record signing, whilst also posting a higher shot on target rate – showcasing his clinical nature when in the final third.

The Bees star has also completed more passes and made more passes into the final third, handing the likes of Johnson to improve their own tallies in 2025/26.

His all-round quality is also reflected in his aerial success rate and progressive carries per 90, able to play as a focal point or play on the shoulder of the defender if needed.

It’s unclear how much the Bees would demand for his signature this summer, but he’s proven that he’s a top-level Premier League forward who could further improve Spurs’ fortunes.

Given his impact, the hierarchy need to look past Mbeumo and focus on Wissa, with his addition handing Frank another attacking star in his quest in North London.

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One club are willing to sell their star midfielder to Tottenham Hotspur this summer and plan to replace him with Sunderland ace Jobe Bellingham, according to an intriguing report this week.

Tottenham target midfielder after 2024/2025 injury crisis

Ange Postecoglou was left desperately short of options in numerous areas throughout 2024/2025, which undoubtedly played a key role in their lowly 17th-placed finish and record number of Premier League defeats.

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Injuries threatened to dampen their Europa League final success as well, particularly in midfield, with Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison both forced to sit out of their eventual 1-0 win over Man United in Bilbao.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Star midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has suffered fairly frequent lay-offs over the last two campaigns as well, and the South American’s presence is always missed when unavailable.

Postecoglou or any new manager is also facing the looming threat of AFCON midway through 2025/2026, with both Pape Sarr (Senegal) and Yves Bissouma (Mali) set to compete at the tournament in Morocco.

The Lilywhites face being left very short in the middle through a combination of possible injuries and international obligations, leaving little surprise that chairman Daniel Levy reportedly has his eyes on new options.

Lille midfielder Angel Gomes is a reported target for Tottenham, with the England international recently confirming that he’s set to quit his club this summer after his contract expires.

“After four unforgettable years at LOSC Lille, it’s time for me to say goodbye,” he said.

“This club has been more than just a team – it’s been a family, a home, and a place that has shaped me both on and off the pitch. Like any journey, there were ups and downs, highs and lows, but I’m truly grateful to my team-mates and the fans for sticking with me throughout.”

Gomes’ availability at zero transfer cost makes him a prime candidate to reinforce Spurs’ midfield, but he’s by no means their only target.

Eintracht Frankfurt prepared to sell Larsson to Tottenham

According to GiveMeSport, Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Larsson is on their radar as well, following his very productive campaign with the Bundesliga side.

GMS report that Eintracht are “prepared” to sell Larsson to Tottenham, if Levy pays the required £50 million to secure his signature, and Dino Toppmoller’s side are targeting Sunderland’s Bellingham as a replacement for the 20-year-old.

However, while the door is described as open for Spurs to move ahead with negotiations, the £50m asking price could still prove to be a sticking point, despite the riches acquired from qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The Sweden international could be considered an elite midfield technician, having registered an 87.4% passing accuracy in the Bundesliga this season (WhoScored), and he’s even been compared to Balon d’Or winner Rodri by some.

His “skillfulness” and “close control” also has shades of Man City legend Kevin de Bruyne, as per the Bundesliga website, so Spurs risk missing out on a potentially world-class talent.

West Bromwich Albion have boldly put their faith in the unknown ahead of next season as Ryan Mason embarks on his first proper managerial gig at the helm of the Baggies.

Mason has taken charge of Tottenham Hotspur previously on an interim basis, but this is an entirely different kettle of fish for the 33-year-old to get used to, with a hope hanging in the air that his fresh approach can finally guide the West Midlands side back up to the Premier League.

To boost his chances of securing promotion right away, Mason will no doubt be busy in the transfer market when it comes to incomings to stamp his mark on his new side, with experienced signings akin to the success story of Jonny Evans potentially in the offing.

Evans was a regular in the heart of the defence when the Baggies were routinely competing in the Premier League, and for good reason too, with the Northern Irishman very rarely putting a foot wrong at the Hawthorns.

Evans' successful stint at West Brom

The 37-year-old is still amazingly going strong so late into his playing days, with seven Premier League appearances notched up for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United last season.

He might well have just been released by the Red Devils, but that doesn’t taint his successful stint with the Baggies at all, as Evans ended up tallying up 96 appearances for the then top-flight club over three seasons.

Evans’ PL numbers at West Brom by season
Stat – per 90 mins*	15/16	16/17	17/18
Games played	30	31	28
Goals scored	1	2	2
Assists	1	1	2
Interceptions*	3.0	2.4	1.7
Tackles*	2.5	1.4	1.0
Clearances*	3.5	4.9	4.5
Total duels won*	5.8	4.4	4.3
Clean sheets	7	4	4
Stats by Sofascore

In total, Evans would collect a rock-solid 15 clean sheets across his three Premier League campaigns at the Hawthorns, with the dependable centre-back also chipping in with an impressive five goals and four assists, away from competently completing his defensive duties.

West Brom could be about to win their next Evans-style figure with this defensive target; therefore, with the colossus in question a similar under-the-radar presence to the 37-year-old when also consistently putting in sharp, yet unspectacular, performances at the back.

West Brom could land the new Evans

Mason will hope that adding in gritty battlers to this camp can help make their instant promotion dreams a reality, with the long-term goal that the Baggies end up being a Premier League regular again, like they were during Evans’ stint.

Nathaniel Phillips might well be what Mason and West Brom desire in attempting to land an up-to-date version of the Northern Irishman, with the Liverpool centre-back reportedly on West Brom’s shopping list as per The Athletic.

The £1.7m-rated brute has often had to make do with a background role at Anfield, but he has shown off his brilliance on occasion for the Reds, with this stylish piece of skill away at the San Siro one standout moment from his Liverpool career to date.

Away from that isolated clip, the 6-foot-3 “monster” – as he was once labelled by Jurgen Klopp – has also collected a favourable seven clean sheets from his sparing 19 top-flight appearances on Merseyside, on top of also showing off his strengths as a defender more widely when out on loan in the EFL.

Phillips’ league numbers on loan with Derby (24/25)
Stat – per 90 mins*	Phillips
Games played	32
Goals scored	1
Assists	3
Ball recoveries*	2.6
Clearances*	5.0
Total duels won*	6.0
Clean sheets	5
Stats by Sofascore

This season just gone, in particular, the 28-year-old would shine bright on loan with Derby County, with an imposing average of six duels won per Championship contest helping the Rams stave off the relegation positions in the division.

He would be expected to come in and be as strong for Mason’s men, but with promotion their main end-goal, over seeking out survival.

This wouldn’t be a jaw-dropping pick-up that gets Hawthorns spectators out of their seats, but Phillips could be just what West Brom need in defence to strengthen ahead of a promotion run-in. With prior experience at an elite Premier League club – like Evans – he could well be a worthy addition.

If he’s steady and slots in well, he could even go on to star for the Baggies in the top-flight, much like Evans did all those years ago.

West Brom in talks to sign their best striker since Maja for £0

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The former India opener met the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee on Tuesday

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Jun-20241:52

Is Gambhir the right fit to be India head coach?

Gautam Gambhir, the frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid as India men’s head coach, has formally applied for the position and attended an interview on Tuesday, ESPNcricinfo has learned. Gambhir interacted with the BCCI’s cricket advisory committee (CAC), which is the panel entrusted by the BCCI to shortlist applicants.The CAC comprises former India cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik.It could not be confirmed how many applications the BCCI has received, but it has been learnt that WV Raman, the former India batter who was India women’s head coach from December 2018 to May 2021, has also been interviewed*.The BCCI, which had set May 27 as the deadline for applications for the post, had held informal discussions with Gambhir during IPL 2024, when he helped Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title after returning to the franchise as mentor in November 2023.The KKR job was Gambhir’s second such stint; he had been a mentor at Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, helping the team qualify for the playoffs both times.Gambhir had sought time to take a final call during the IPL, but speaking at an event in Abu Dhabi on June 1, he expressed his desire to coach India. “Look, I would love to coach the Indian team,” Gambhir said. “There is no bigger honour. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians. And more across the globe as well. And when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?”Gautam Gambhir mentored Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title•CAB

He had been answering a question on whether he saw himself helping India win a World Cup.”How can I help India win the World Cup – I think it’s not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians that will help India win the World Cup,” Gambhir said. “If everyone starts praying for us, and we start playing and representing them, India will win the World Cup. The most important thing is to be fearless and yes, I would love to coach India.”Gambhir became the frontrunner for the job once his former India team-mate VVS Laxman told the BCCI last year that he was not interested in the head coach job. Laxman is currently the director of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.Dravid had taken over from Ravi Shastri after the T20 World Cup in November 2021, initially signing on for two years until the 2023 ODI World Cup. He then accepted the BCCI’s request to extend his tenure until the ongoing T20 World Cup.The BCCI had said the new head coach would be appointed for for three-and-a-half years, from July 2024 to December 2027, and would helm the team in all three formats.

Manchester United have a huge summer ahead of them to try and transform their fortunes on the pitch next season and subsequently avoid a repeat of this campaign.

The Red Devils finished in a measly 15th place in the Premier League, with Ruben Amorim unable to transform their fortunes after taking the reins in November following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.

However, it appears as though the 40-year-old will have some serious money to spend throughout the summer in a bid to improve the current players at his disposal.

He’s already splashed over £60m to complete the signing of Brazilian international Matheus Cunha, with a deal also heading in the right direction for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

It’s likely that the summer activity won’t end there, which could lead to various big-money additions making the switch to Old Trafford ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, under the watchful eye of sporting director, Jason Wilcox.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions

Warren Zaire-Emery is one of the latest names on their radar this window, with the Red Devils entering talks with PSG over an £85m move for the teenage midfielder.

He’s not the only name mentioned in recent days, as West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus has been of interest after an enquiry was made for the 24-year-old’s signature.

However, another new name has entered the mix over the last few hours, with Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak appearing on their radar, according to Italian outlet Tutto Juve.

They claim that United have been closely monitoring the Swedish international, potentially plotting a move after he scored 23 times in his 34 league appearances this campaign.

It also states that Chelsea and Arsenal are in the race to land the 25-year-old, but the Magpies are preparing a new contract for the forward, who’s currently valued at around £150m.

Why United’s £150m target would be a better signing than Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres has been a player in their sights over recent seasons, but their interest has skyrocketed after Amorim’s arrival – understandably so given his time with the striker at Sporting CP.

The Swede has registered a staggering 54 goals in his 52 outings in 2024/25, leading to a whole host of English sides being linked with a move for his signature.

Arsenal appeared to be leading the race this window, but it appears as though the Gunners have moved on to different targets, subsequently bringing Amorim’s side back into the picture.

His rumoured £68m fee would undoubtedly tempt the hierarchy given his staggering goalscoring record, but they should look past a move for Gyokeres and put their attention on a deal for Isak.

Whilst the Sporting talisman has registered more goals this season, the Newcastle star has consistently thrived in England’s top flight – having the skillset that would make him an immediate success at Old Trafford.

When comparing their underlying stats from the current season, Isak has dominated, further showcasing why he would be the better option ahead of 2025/26.

The Magpies attacker, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Thomas Hammond, may have been outscored, but has posted a higher goal per shot on target rate – showcasing his clinical edge in front of goal.

Games played

34

33

Goals scored

23

39

Goals per shot on target

0.5

0.4

Pass accuracy

75%

71%

Progressive passes

2.9

2.1

Passes into final third

1.2

0.5

Take-on success

46%

45%

Carries into final third

1.4

1.3

He’s also completed more passes and more passes into the final third, having the tools to provide the players around him at Old Trafford with the opportunities to thrive.

Isak has also completed more take-ons and made a higher tally of carries into the final third per 90, having the skillset to create his own opportunities rather than be dependent on other options around him.

The £150m price tag would be a club and English record, but the deal could prove to be worth every penny, especially if he can carry his form from St James’ with him to Old Trafford.

Gyokeres may still be some supporters’ first choice this window, but it’s evident that Isak would be the better option for the Red Devils and Wilcox in their pursuit of rising up the table in 2025/26.

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