All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Unsurprisingly, given their immense success, Chelsea have been blessed with some utterly sensational players over the last two decades.

The likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba all cemented themselves as club and Premier League legends in the 2000s and early 2010s.

Then, after them, came another crop of world-class title-winners, with perhaps two of the most entertaining being Cesc Fàbregas and Eden Hazard.

Both players were absolute magicians with a football, and so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea to someone who has shades of both in his game.

Chelsea target international with shades of Cesc & Hazard

It’s been a brilliant summer for Chelsea so far this year, as on top of their successes on the pitch, the Blues have been efficient and intelligent with their transfers off of it.

Transfer Focus

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

BlueCo have sold incredibly well so far, and brought in players who should be able to make a real difference for Enzo Maresca this season, like Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato.

However, with the window still open for another two weeks, the West Londoners appear intent on making at least one more addition to the team and are targeting a player who reminds us a little of Fabregas and Hazard.

At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has confirmed that Chelsea are still incredibly keen on Xavi Simons.

The Italian journalist has revealed that the Blues are still in talks and “working on the deal with Leipzig,” but have yet to reach an agreement with the German outfit.

Romano doesn’t mention how much the Dutchman is likely to cost the West Londoners, but stories from earlier this summer claim that the Bundesliga side want around £61m for him.

So, while it could still be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, Simons has proven he’d be worth the effort for Chelsea, especially as there are shades of Fabregas and Hazard in his game.

How Simons compares to Fabregas and Hazard

At their peak, both Fabregas and Hazard were near enough unplayable at times for Chelsea, and so even though fans should not expect Simons to be at that level from the word go, we don’t see a reason why he couldn’t get there, especially as there are some evident similarities between his game and theirs.

Starting with the Spaniard, the most apparent element of his game that we see in the Dutchman is his vision.

At times, the former Arsenal star was a conductor from the middle of the park, seeing passes before anyone else and playing balls in behind that opposition defences could do little about other than watch on.

This is something the former PSV Eindhoven gem can do as well, as, according to FBref, he sat in the top 1% of midfielders in the Bundesliga last season for through balls, the top 2% for passes into the penalty area and the top 5% for shot-creating actions stemming from live passes, all per 90.

In other words, the 22-year-old magician was incredible at passing the ball into dangerous areas for his teammates to exploit, which helps to support one analyst’s bold claim that he’s “one of the best 10s in the world.”

However, the Amsterdam-born dynamo is not just a creator, as he’s just as much of a goal threat, which is one of the traits he shares with Hazard, who left the Blues with a strong record of 110 goals in 352 games.

For example, despite playing just 33 games for Leipzig last season, Simons managed to score 11 goals to go along with his eight assists, which works out to a goal every three games – not a million miles off the Belgian’s rate of return for the Pensioners.

Appearances

33

Minutes

2763′

Goals

11

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

Minutes per Goal Involvement

145.42′

Moreover, while the La Masia graduate can play in the middle of the park, he’s also more than comfortable playing out on the left, where he can really demonstrate another trait he shares with the former Real Madrid ace: his close control.

We can see this by once again looking at FBref, as they ranked him in the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Bundesliga last season for carries into the final third and the top 8% for fouls drawn, both per 90.

These numbers help to show that he’s not only elite at dragging the ball up the pitch and into dangerous areas, but that opposition defenders struggle to get it off him without committing a foul.

Ultimately, while it might take him some time to reach the levels of Fabregas or Hazard, Simons looks to be on his way, and therefore, Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign him as soon as possible.

26-year-old star holds talks to join Chelsea alongside Simons and Garnacho

He’s set to leave his club.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 13, 2025

Ryan Mason has undergone a lot of pre-seasons as a player.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder turned West Bromwich Albion boss is now close to completing his first summer in football as a rookie manager, with all the pre-season fixtures done and dusted ahead of Championship action kicking back off.

Mason will be hoping he’s the spark from the dug-out that guides the Baggies back up to the promised land of the Premier League, with West Brom deep into their fifth straight season as a second-tier outfit when matches get back underway.

The 33-year-old has been well-backed in the transfer window, with a whopping £4.7m solely splashed out on landing the clinical Aune Heggebo from Brann, as the lavish spending looks set to potentially continue in the centre-forward department.

West Brom could go back in for £4.3m star

The proof will soon be in the pudding as to whether that amount was too steep to fork out for Heggebo.

However, his numbers playing in his native Norway do not lie, with a mightily impressive 51 goals coming his way for Brann from 146 appearances. Subsequently, Mason is now spoiled for choice up top between his new, shiny 24-year-old and West Brom’s main marksman, Josh Maja.

He could have even more options to call into action if reports from Spain are to be believed, with a new update coming to light on West Brom’s previous centre-forward target, Chris Ramos.

Indeed, Diairo De Cadiz has stated that the Cadiz attacker is generating plenty of interest this summer in his services, but there is no rush to offload him just yet.

The La Liga 2 club is waiting for an offer in the £4.3m region to consider parting ways, having had a far lower £2.1m bid from the Championship side come their way in recent times.

The hope will be that the 6-foot-3 Spaniard can go on to be Mason’s very own Salomon Rondon, with the lofty striker often a physical brute when powering home goal after goal for Cadiz, much like the imposing Venezuelan was at the Hawthorns.

How Ramos can be Mason's own Rondon

Of course, when Rondon was leading the line as a formidable centre-forward, West Brom were seen as Premier League regulars, rather than second-tier promotion material.

While the now 35-year-old was never the most clinical or the most eye-catching – with a reasonable 28 strikes coming his way from 120 Baggies outings – nobody could speak ill about his commitment to the cause, as his final season at the Hawthorns saw him win a dominant 7.7 duels on average per Premier League clash.

Ramos has shown off a similar prowess in the air for Cadiz all across his ongoing stay at his hometown club, with this powerful effort above showing off the 28-year-old’s ability to head home under pressure in a similar vein to Rondon.

Staggeringly, Ramos wasn’t too far off Rondon’s duels won total either when plying his trade in La Liga during the 2023/24 campaign, as the Spanish forward averaged a mighty 7.1 successful duels per match, even as Gaizka Garitano’s side succumbed to relegation.

Games played

37

37

Games started

30

24

Goals scored

5

10

Scoring frequency

Every 525 minutes

Every 223 minutes

Big chances missed

16

15

Total duels won*

7.1

5.1

West Brom do need an option up top that can throw themselves about with conviction, especially with Daryl Dike now back in the treatment room, with Ramos also a reliable source of goals for Cadiz across his last two breakout seasons, as seen in his tally of 15 strikes in all competitions.

While Ramos might struggle initially to instantly break into the first-team ranks, possessing a striker with such strong physical attributes will be an effective weapon for Mason to have up his sleeve across the long EFL season to come.

If he does go on to be a success, the Cadiz number 16 could retrace Rondon’s footsteps even more by becoming a tough, no-nonsense attacker for the West Midlands outfit in the luxurious Premier League.

Perfect for Fellows: West Brom weigh up offer for PL "huge talent"

West Bromwich Albion could soon bring in this exciting talent to partner Tom Fellows.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 4, 2025

Newcastle United are preparing for a significant shake-up in their forward line.

As uncertainty continues to surround Alexander Isak’s future, the club’s recruitment team have been working behind the scenes to line up a replacement.

The player they’ve identified won’t command the same fee as Isak, nor is he yet a household name in English football.

But what he does offer is an athletic profile and goal-scoring instinct that aligns with Eddie Howe’s system and, crucially, with Newcastle’s newest attacking addition: Anthony Elanga.

Big-money striker on the horizon for Newcastle

According to reports from Italy, Benjamin Šeško has agreed to personal terms with Newcastle on a contract that would keep him at the club until 2030.

The report reads that ‘Sesko has an agreement in principle’ at St James’ Park, but the club are now focused on reaching an agreement with RB Leipzig, where Šeško is under contract until 2029.

Newcastle have admired Šeško for some time, and it’s easy to see why their interest has reignited, even if he is valued at around £60m.

The 22-year-old striker enjoyed a successful season at Leipzig, scoring 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, including 13 in the Bundesliga.

Bundesliga

13

DFB-Pokal

4

UEFA Champions League

4

This return is all the more impressive when you consider Leipzig’s underwhelming campaign: a seventh-place finish domestically and an early Champions League exit.

Why Elanga and Sesko makes sense

Elanga’s arrival from Nottingham Forest has already added a new dimension to Newcastle’s attacking patterns, scoring in their clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

Well, at Forest, Elanga found chemistry with Chris Wood.

While the Kiwi striker offered a traditional physical presence, it was his understanding of Elanga’s timing and delivery that allowed the pair to combine effectively.

“He’s so good at taking out his opposite number and then finding me,” Wood said. “We’ve developed a great partnership; he anticipates my movements and I his.”

Newcastle now appear to be betting on a similar dynamic – only this time, with a more mobile and higher-ceiling version of Wood.

At 194cm tall, Šeško offers a commanding physical presence, but his game is more than just height and strength.

He possesses impressive acceleration and mobility for his size, a rare combination that has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland.

Compared to Isak, Šeško trails in some attacking metrics. He recorded 18 goal involvements to Isak’s 29, with non-penalty expected goals of 8.4 to Isak’s 17.2.

According to data from FBref, his shot on target percentage (43.9%) actually slightly edges out Isak’s (43.2%), while his per-90 metrics for touches (36.2 vs. Isak’s 35.7) and shots on target (1.10 vs. 1.34) show he is consistently involved in forward play.

Šeško’s style complements Elanga’s perfectly. With his aerial dominance and ability to make sharp near-post runs, he becomes a natural target for Elanga’s whipped deliveries.

Last season, the Sweden international quietly posted some of the most creative numbers in the Premier League: 11 assists, with per-90 metrics placing him in the 94th percentile for both assists (0.40) and crosses (6.66), and the 93rd percentile for corners (3.09).

Šeško’s physicality means he can pin defenders and create space for Elanga to operate in wide areas, much like Wood did at Forest, but with more pace and finesse.

That pairing has the potential to be devastating. Elanga thrives when he has a clear reference point to aim for, a striker who knows how to time his movement and get across defenders.

Šeško, for all his physical gifts, has also shown sharp spatial awareness in the box.

His knack for finding space between centre-backs was a constant theme in his Bundesliga goals, and if he can build rapport with Elanga, Newcastle could unlock a new attacking avenue.

Under Howe, whose team press high and look to create quick attacking moments, Šeško’s physical tools and directness could be better leveraged.

What’s also enticing for Newcastle is the long-term potential. Still just 22, the Slovenian is younger than Isak.

His statistical profile is promising, but not yet polished, meaning Newcastle have the chance to mould him into a true Premier League forward.

With the striker reportedly ready to take the next step in his career, a Premier League move feels timely.

For now, the negotiations continue. But should Newcastle seal the deal, they won’t just be replacing Isak. In Šeško and Elanga, they could be assembling a modern-day duo with real chemistry – one that could trouble even the Premier League’s strongest defences.

Better signing than Wissa: Newcastle open talks to sign "the new Haaland"

With Alexander Isak potentially set to leave, and a move for Yoane Wissa now off the table, Newcastle have enquired about signing a “powerful” striker

ByBen Gray Jul 28, 2025

It’s been an absolutely frantic last 48 hours at Tottenham, and that isn’t just concerning their dramatic move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White after confirming the arrival of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

Tottenham talks held with £50m star amid Gibbs-White chase, Frank's a fan

Spurs have discussed another potential deal.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 10, 2025

Spurs announced Kudus’ signing in a deal worth £55 million on Thursday evening, with the versatile Ghanaian becoming the first player to swap West Ham for the Lilywhites since Scott Parker in 2011.

The 24-year-old has already promised to excite supporters on the field when speaking in his first interview as a Tottenham player, and there was a real expectation that Gibbs-White would immediately follow Kudus to N17.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Tottenham talks for the England international accelerated rapidly on Thursday, with reliable media sources reporting that the 25-year-old was all set to join Thomas Frank’s side and a medical had been scheduled for Friday (Fabrizio Romano).

However, in an absolutely stunning turn of events, Forest put a stop to the deal and are considering legal action against Spurs, over what they perceive to be an illegal approach for their star forward.

While Gibbs-White’s move could still happen, with the expectation being that Forest can’t completely block it, this transfer will at the very least be delayed, as first reported by Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett.

With Tottenham now braced for a legal saga surrounding their potential deal for Gibbs-White, the club do remain in the market for other transfer targets, and they still maintain a serious interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.

Yoane Wissa pushing to leave Brentford amid Tottenham interest

Reports earlier this week claimed that Tottenham have made contact with Wissa’s representatives, with talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook now sharing an update on the situation.

Crook states that Wissa is keen to reunite with Frank at Spurs, and the Congolese centre-forward is now “pushing” for an exit from the Gtech Community Stadium as he seeks a high-profile move.

The 28-year-old is currently in his prime and in the form of his life, having netted 20 goals in all competitions last season, and this has motivated Brentford chiefs to slap a £50 million price tag on his head.

Brentford have already lost a few key men this summer, including Frank, with Christian Norgaard joining Arsenal and Man United still locked in talks over a deal for Bryan Mbeumo.

The Bees will likely dig their heels in when it comes to letting yet another “exceptional player” leave, but Wissa would come as an excellent potential replacement for Richarlison, who’s reportedly attracting interest from Brazil.

Fulham have now made an approach to sign a “top striker”, having expressed a “concrete interest” in securing his signature, Sky reporter Sacha Tavolieri has revealed on X.

Cottagers eyeing new striker amid Rodrigo Muniz uncertainty

Rodrigo Muniz’s future at Craven Cottage is in doubt, with the striker attracting interest from Premier League rivals Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur, with Thomas Frank’s side said to have made an offer for the Brazilian.

Losing the 24-year-old could be seen as a real blow for Marco Silva, given that he was a regular starter throughout the 2024-25 campaign, picking up a total of eight goals and one assist in 31 Premier League appearances.

However, the Cottagers should be able to pocket a tidy fee for the forward, should they choose to sanction a departure, given that Spurs’ bid was believed to amount to £32m, which would provide them with adequate funds to sign a top replacement.

Talks held: Fulham now approach agents of "incredible" £34m UCL finalist

The Cottagers have come forward to sign a midfielder…

ByDominic Lund Jul 2, 2025

In a recent update on X, Tavolieri has now revealed that Fulham are assessing potential options to replace Rodrigo, stating they hold a “concrete interest” in signing KRC Genk striker Tolu Arokodare, but there could be competition for his signature.

Alongside Fulham, a number of other Premier League clubs have made approaches for Arokodare, although the Sky Sports reporter appears to indicate Silva’s side are leading the race for his signature, with a move to Craven Cottage deemed the “most concrete possibility”.

A move may hinge upon Muniz leaving the club, however, with the Nigerian viewed as a “serious option” in the event of the former Flamengo man exiting Craven Cottage this summer.

"Top striker" Arokodare could be ideal replacement for Muniz

The Genk striker is yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s top leagues, but he has maintained a solid goal record throughout his career so far, and the 2024-25 campaign was by far his most prolific to date.

Season

Appearances

Goals

Assists

2021-22

40

13

2

2022-23

34

10

4

2023-24

52

15

3

2024-25

45

23

7

The Nigeria international’s exploits last season suggest that he could now be entering his prime, indicating he could make an instant impact at Craven Cottage, and Genk manager Thorsten Fink clearly holds his star player in very high regard.

Fink said: “Tolu is a top striker. He is fast, strong in the air, left and right-footed, and he scores. What more could you want as a coach? Moreover, he now also carries out his defensive duties, which he didn’t do before.”

With Genk looking to hold out for a fee of £25m, a deal for Arokodare will be affordable, should Fulham decide to cash-in on their Brazilian star this summer, and he has all the tools to be a success in west London.

How are Newcastle United going to fare next season? Around the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, the skyrocketing ascent under Eddie Howe’s wing had been stunted by a disappointing transfer window, following failure to qualify for European football.

But United marched back into the Champions League despite the setbacks, finishing fifth in the Premier League. Moreover, Howe led his team to glory, to the Carabao Cup.

Now, the focus is on building, particularly towards a move for Anthony Elanga.

Newcastle in talks for new forward

Elanga has been the subject of a rejected £45m offer, Newcastle’s second in as many summers, and while Nottingham Forest don’t want to play ball, redoubled efforts might just seal the Sweden star’s signature.

Such a player is duly needed. Miguel Almiron’s winter flight over the pond has left Jacob Murphy somewhat isolated on the right. Elanga will add athletic quality and widen the dimensions of Howe’s frontline. So could Joao Pedro.

Transfer Focus

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

Indeed, as per GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle remain intent on signing Brighton & Hove Albion star Pedro, who is anticipated to leave the AMEX this summer.

Saying that, Tony Bloom isn’t likely to budge on his £60m valuation, the 23-year-old being one of the most talented rising stars in the Premier League, and eyed by Chelsea besides.

However, Newcastle have been engaged in productive talks with the south coasters and could move to the advanced stages soon. Previously, the Toon have been regarded as favourites for Pedro.

What Joao Pedro would bring to Newcastle

Newcastle plan to open contract talks with Alexander Isak as interest mounts in the world-class striker’s services. United’s £200m price tag, frustratingly, hasn’t dissuaded Liverpool and the like from keeping on Isak’s trail.

But the nine is not expected to be going anywhere this year, and Pedro would arrive offering competition and the prospect of a new attacking combination from his shadow or out on the left.

The Brazilian forward, who joined Brighton from Watford for around £30m two years ago, has symmetrically posted 30 goals and ten assists across 70 matches.

Centre-forward

119

34

18

Left winger

40

14

0

Attacking midfield

27

11

1

Right winger

5

0

0

Principally a central player, Pedro is swift and purposeful on the ball, endowed with some of that Seleção style too, hailed by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard for his “magical” ability on the ball.

Elanga, too, is good on the ball, but he’s also absolutely rapid – the third fastest player in the league as it happens – and he could use his pace to latch onto the technical range that Pedro expands his team’s capacity with.

The fastest & slowest players in the Premier League (2024/25)

As per FBref, the Seagulls star ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90.

He also created 11 big chances in the Premier League last year, as per Sofascore, and averaged 1.1 dribbles and just shy of five duels per game.

Over at the City Ground, Elanga has coined himself “one of the fastest players in the Premier League”, and no doubt would marry such rapidity with an increased potency in Howe’s system, having impressed with six goals and 11 assists for Forest last year.

If Newcastle can strengthen their ranks with both of these Prem-proven stars, there’s no question that Howe will have the tools to fashion even greater success next year and beyond.

Dream Pedro alternative: Newcastle advancing move for £40m "goal machine"

Newcastle plan to make a series of attacking signings this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 25, 2025

The last few seasons have seen Chelsea completely overhaul their squad.

While there have been a few mistakes along the way, it would be fair to say the club look like they now have a team full of incredibly talented players.

Arguably, the most exhilarating of the lot has been Cole Palmer, who, since his arrival from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, has been nothing short of world-class for the Blues.

So, fans should be tremendously excited about recent reports linking the West Londoners to another talent who has won comparisons to the game-changing Englishman.

Chelsea target Premier League signings

Chelsea have already made a few signings from outside England this summer, but, if reports are to be believed, the club are also looking at several stars from the Premier League, such as Joao Pedro and Murillo.

Transfer Focus

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

The former could reportedly cost up to £60m, and while that is a significant amount of money, he was fairly effective in limited minutes this season, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists in 30 appearances, totalling 2,136 minutes.

Murillo, on the other hand, could cost the Blues up to £80m, but given his incredible performances at the back for Nottingham Forest this year, that once again may well be a fee worth paying.

However, as transformational as these two players could be for Maresca’s side, neither one can really be compared to Palmer, unlike Harvey Elliott.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are one of a number of teams interested in the Liverpool gem this summer.

Alongside the Blues, the report claims that Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, and Borussia Dortmund are all keen on the 22-year-old talent.

However, alongside the intense competition for his services, the West Londoners will have to pay a substantial sum of money to secure their man, with the report claiming that the Reds want at least £50m.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Elliott’s ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he’s won comparisons to Palmer.

How Elliott compares to Palmer

In this instance, the primary comparison to Palmer originates from FBref, which looked at players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, and came to the conclusion that the Chelsea gem has been the eighth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to Elliott over the last 365 days.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.69

0.68

Goals per Shot

0.06

0.09

Goals per Shot on Target

0.25

0.25

Key Passes

2.44

2.45

Interceptions

0.24

0.31

Successful Take-On %

44.4%

45.1%

Carries into the Penalty Area

1.22

1.15

The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked incredibly closely, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, goals per shot and shot on target, interceptions, carries into the penalty area and more, all per 90.

However, the similarities extend beyond the statistics, as the young Liverpool gem, like the Blues star, has demonstrated an ability to play in multiple positions, with attacking midfield and right-wing his most played.

Moreover, should this transfer go through, then it would be another example of the West Londoners bringing in a younger talent from one of their rivals who’s just not getting the game time he deserves at the moment.

On top of that, even though he’s had to play a bit-part role at Anfield this season, the 22-year-old “machine,” as dubbed by journalist Sam McGuire, has still got some seriously impressive underlying numbers, which suggests that were he given more regular game time, he could seriously explode.

For example, FBref places him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals, the top 2% for progressive passes and passes attempted, the top 8% for non-penalty expected goals, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, there would undoubtedly be some risk in signing Elliott this summer, but there was also plenty of risk in signing an unproven Palmer in 2023, and thanks to their similarities, this feels like a risk Chelsea should take.

Chelsea ready to offer six-year deal to £45m player, talks "now advancing"

The west Londoners could make their next signing soon.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 27, 2025

Manchester United have now held talks with the agent of a “sensational” player, who is among the main contenders for the Ballon d’Or, according to a report.

Man Utd's pulling power called into question

The Europa League loss against Tottenham Hotspur means, of course, that Champions League football has once again eluded Man United, and Roy Keane has suggested his former club no longer have the pulling power to attract top players.

However, Old Trafford clearly remains an attractive destination, even though European football will not be on offer next season, with it recently being revealed that Bryan Mbeumo would still prefer to join United ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

Man Utd now open talks to sign "world-class" £103k-a-week Barcelona player

He’s won 20 trophies in his career so far.

ByDominic Lund Jun 11, 2025

There have also been suggestions that Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres remains interested in a move, despite the highly sought-after striker attracting the attention of some other top clubs, suggesting the Red Devils clearly still have pulling power.

As such, Man United have now stepped up their pursuit of the highly-regarded Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, making contact with his agent, Enzo Raiola, in order to discuss a potential summer move.

Donnarumma’s PSG contract is set to expire next June, meaning he could be on the move this summer, despite expressing a willingness to remain at the French club, saying: “My priority is to stay at PSG. I don’t think there will be problems in the negotiations.”

Ruben Amorim is keen to bring in an upgrade on Andre Onana, but it could be difficult to tempt the goalkeeper into a move, considering his desire to remain in Paris, and Champions League finalists Inter Milan could provide competition for his signature.

"Sensational" Donnarumma emerges as Ballon d'Or contender

With just one year left on his deal, the Italian could be available for just £34m this summer, which could be a bargain fee for a player vying to win the Ballon d’Or, currently ranked fourth in the 2025 Power Rankings.

In recent times, a player from the Champions League winners has often scooped up the prestigious award, and the 26-year-old kept a clean sheet in PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter in the final, although Desire Doue was arguably the star of the show.

Not only did the PSG shot-stopper impress in Munich, but he also caught the eye of Joe Prince-Wright in the semi-final against Arsenal, with the reporter suggesting the Italy international was one of the main reasons his side progressed past the Gunners.

Evidently, Donnarumma could be a fantastic signing for Man United, but it seems unlikely that he would be willing to leave the European champions to move to Old Trafford.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have not only lost Matheus Cunha to Manchester United this summer, but they look set to sell Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Manchester City are reportedly closing in on sealing a deal worth around £36.3m for the left-back and this will leave a gaping hole in the Wolves’ defence.

Vitor Pereira will have money to spend, that’s for certain. The onus now is for him to bring in a suitable replacement for the Algerian star.

Wolves looking to sign Ait-Nouri replacement

With another season in the Premier League to look forward to, it won’t be hard to find a player who can step up to the mark and succeed in England.

Recent reports suggest the club are turning towards Barcelona for a player who could replace Ait-Nouri. How much will he cost, however?

Transfer Focus

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

It was reported last week that the Old Gold were showing plenty of interest in Barcelona defender Gerard Martin.

Now, a new report from Spain has emerged, stating just how much the Catalan side are willing to sell their left-back for this summer.

Barcelona are open to selling Martin for a fee in the region of €12m (£10m), which is certainly a bargain deal for the Molineux outfit. The report further states that Wolves are set to make the player an offer that will significantly improve his salary.

Having come through the club’s famed La Masia academy, Hansi Flick will make a profit on the defender, and given Barcelona’s still precarious financial situation, it is a deal they are willing to consider.

With money not an issue in this regard, Pereira will be hoping to secure his signature as soon as possible.

Why Wolves must sign Gerard Martin to replace Ait-Nouri

Ait-Nouri ended his most productive season at Wolves since joining in 2020. Across 41 matches in all competitions, he scored five goals and grabbed seven assists.

He also created eight big chances, averaged 1.3 key passes and succeeded with 1.7 dribbles in the top flight for the Old Gold, signifying his attacking presence.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2024/25

41

5

7

2023/24

38

3

4

2022/23

27

2

1

2021/22

27

1

6

2020/21

27

1

2

This will be missed, of course, but Martin looks like a ready-made replacement ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Indeed, he might have only started 11 of his 28 La Liga appearances, but the 23-year-old still managed to score once and provide three assists domestically.

Arguably, his finest performance came against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final second leg last month.

Although Barcelona lost the tie, Martin provided two assists during the game, as well as delivering nine crosses, winning seven duels and creating two big chances for the club. Essentially, it was a very Ait-Nouri-esque display.

This impact on the biggest stage of all should convince Pereira that Martin is the correct replacement for the departing Algerian, no doubt about that.

Football writer Zach Lowy recently stated that while Martin was still “quite raw”, he “has tremendous upside and character” and Wolves could be an ideal place for him to become a starting left-back.

For a fee of just £10m, it is unlikely the club will do much better throughout the transfer window.

Wolves could sign dream Cunha replacement who's "Bruno Fernandes-esque"

Wolves are seeking a replacement for Matheus Cunha this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jun 8, 2025

Brendan Rodgers made a bold decision in the January transfer window when he sanctioned a Celtic exit for centre-forward Kyogo Furuhashi.

The Japan international completed a £10m move to Ligue 1 side Rennes midway through the season, and shortly after the Hoops had qualified for the play-off round of the Champions League.

Kyogo, who scored 34 goals in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign, had scored 85 goals in 165 appearances for the Scottish giants before his move to France.

The Japan international had scored 12 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions during the 2024/25 season for Celtic as Rodgers’ first-choice centre-forward more often than not.

However, the Northern Irish head coach opted against a move to sign a direct replacement for him before the end of the January transfer window, instead opting for Daizen Maeda, Adam Idah, and Johnny Kenny as his three striker options.

Celtic could be in the market for a replacement for Kyogo in the summer, though, and Rodgers could be on the lookout for his next Odsonne Edouard.

How Celtic hit the jackpot with Odsonne Edouard

The Scottish giants initially signed the French marksman on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017, at the start of the current Celtic manager’s second season in charge.

Edouard enjoyed a fairly impressive debut campaign in Glasgow with a return of 11 goals and four assists in 29 appearances in all competitions, including nine goals in 22 outings in the Scottish Premiership.

His form for the Hoops in that season convinced the board to smash the club’s transfer record with a reported £9m swoop for his services in the summer of 2018 to bolster Rodgers’ options at the top end of the pitch.

The Premiership champions were willing to splash the cash to ensure that Edouard remained at Parkhead after his impressive debut campaign, and it turned out to be a terrific decision as they hit the jackpot with the French star.

Edouard scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in 52 appearances in his first season as a permanent Hoops number nine, and followed that up with a stunning return of 29 goals and 17 assists in 47 outings in the next campaign.

Celtic hit the jackpot with the former PSG star because they smashed their transfer record in the hope that he would progress and develop as a player, which is exactly what happened with his rising goal tallies each year.

As you can see in the graphic above, Edouard ended his Celtic career with two Golden Boots and four league titles in four seasons, before signing for Premier League side Crystal Palace in a transfer that could rise to £18.5m.

This shows that the Hoops hit the jackpot with the striker in more ways than one, as they landed a terrific player on the pitch and ended up making a significant profit on him, and they could repeat that masterclass with their interest in a new forward this summer.

Celtic considering club-record swoop for striker

According to the Daily Mail, Celtic are one of a number of teams eyeing up a move to sign Brondby centre-forward Mathias Kvistgaarden in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that they are facing plenty of competition for the attacker’s signature, as West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt are also interested in a swoop for the Danish marksman.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that Celtic enquired about a deal for the 23-year-old star in January, as he is a long-term target for the club, and that they are now weighing up a move to sign him this summer.

The Daily Mail’s report adds that any teams wanting to sign Kvistgaarden this summer would need to shell out a fee in excess of £12m, which would break the £11m transfer record set by Arne Engels’ move from Augsburg last year.

It claims that Celtic would have ‘no issue’ with smashing their transfer record to sign the striker, which illustrates the kind of money that Rodgers will have to spend in the coming months.

Whilst the Hoops are now weighing up this club-record move for the Brondby star, is Kvistgaarden worth splashing the cash on ahead of next season?

Why Celtic should sign Mathias Kvistgaarden

The Premiership champions should smash their transfer record to sign the Danish attacker, as he could be Edouard 2.0 at Parkhead, a centre-forward worth breaking the bank for.

As aforementioned, Celtic hit gold with the French striker because they were willing to pay big money to bring the talented attacker to Parkhead on a permanent basis, and they got back the quality that they paid for.

That could also be the case with Kvistgaarden because he is coming off the back of an impressive season in Denmark with Brondby, which has attracted interest from teams in the Bundesliga and the Premier League, as well as Scotland.

The former Denmark U21 international ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 23 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions, which shows that he provided a huge threat in the final third on a regular basis.

Appearances

29

FotMob rating

7.29

xG

13.99

Goals

17

Chances created

19

Assists

5

As you can see in the table above, Kvistgaarden was particularly lethal in the Superliga with 17 goals from just 13.99 xG, which speaks to his efficiency in front of goal as he can outperform his expected return.

Meanwhile, no Celtic player managed more than 16 goals in the Premiership. Adam Idah (14.77) and Daizen Maeda (14.95) both had a higher xG than the Danish sensation, but only managed 13 and 16 goals respectively, which suggests that the £12m+ striker could come in as an upgrade on what Rodgers currently has at his disposal.

Denmark boss Brian Riemer recently described the attacker as a “tormentor for the opponents’ defences”, and that is backed up by his impressive form for Brondby this season with a constant stream of goals across all competitions.

He could be a tormentor in Scotland in the 2025/26 campaign as a lethal and consistent goalscorer for the Scottish giants, which is why he could be Edouard 2.0 as a club-record signing with the potential to make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch for many seasons to come.

He's like Gareth Bale: Celtic eyeing "Rolls-Royce" who'd be Johnston 2.0

Celtic are eyeing a Gareth Bale-esque star who could be Alistair Johnston 2.0.

ByDan Emery May 28, 2025