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Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign a centre-back who’s having a “monstrous” season, amid a new update on Marc Guehi’s future.

Guehi underlines his importance to Palace once again

Palace are under no illusions as to just how important Guehi is, having cancelled their captain’s move to Liverpool on deadline day, and he once again put in a top performance against Fulham last time out.

The Eagles bounced back from the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United by securing a late 2-1 win at Craven Cottage, with the centre-back scoring a late winner and receiving a 7.9 SofaScore match rating, the highest of any player.

The 25-year-old has been a real threat going forward in the Premier League this season, having found the back of the net twice and chipped in with three assists, with his latest goal sending Oliver Glasner’s side up to fourth in the table.

However, according to a new update from TEAMtalk, Guehi is set to either leave for a cut-price fee in the January transfer window or on a free transfer in the summer, and Crystal Palace have now identified Lens’ Samson Baidoo as a potential replacement.

Baidoo’s stand-out performances in Ligue 1 this season is one of the reasons Lens have defied expectations and currently sit top of the table, meaning he has now attracted the attention of a number of clubs, with West Ham United also keen.

Lens have the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, and the 21-year-old has also impressed on an individual basis, exhibiting plenty of signs that he could be a shrewd addition for the Eagles…

Baidoo enjoying "monstrous" season in Ligue 1

Journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos has been extremely impressed by the youngster’s showings since moving to Ligue 1 in the summer, lauding him as a “beast”, while also stating the starlet is having a “monstrous” season and may not be at Lens for long.

Related Crystal Palace keen on £11m "absolute star" wanted by two Champions League clubs

The Eagles have joined the race for a new forward.

Posts ByDominic Lund Dec 4, 2025

The Austrian has proven himself from a defensive point of view over the past year, while also, much like Guehi, catching the eye going forward, which suggests he could be a like-for-like replacement for the England international.

Samson Baidoo’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Non-penalty goals

0.12 (94th percentile)

Assists

0.06 (85th percentile)

Blocks

1.88 (97th percentile)

Tackles

1.94 (84th percentile)

The Graz-born defender is enjoying a fantastic debut campaign in Ligue 1, which suggests he may soon be ready to test himself in the Premier League, but Lens should be in a strong negotiating position, as the starlet is under contract until 2030.

Of course, Crystal Palace will be very reluctant to see Guehi leave, and with Glasner’s side making a push for Europe, they shouldn’t sanction a January departure, but Baidoo could be a fantastic replacement next summer.

Will Rangers be busy in the January transfer window?

Well, new manager Danny Röhl will certainly demand that they are, having taken over a complete mess, following Russell Martin’s short but ill-fated tenure.

Well, after spending around £30m on 13 new recruits in the summer, Rangers reported annual losses of £14.8m in their latest accounts on Friday, despite seeing revenue increase to £94.1m, a club record.

Despite this, the club are still expected to be busy in the January transfer window, but sporting director Kevin Thelwell will be tasked with finding gems in the market, so has one already been identified?

Rangers' search for a new attacker

One of Rangers’ many issues this season so far has been a lack of attacking firepower.

Across all competitions, only captain James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama have scored more than three goals, with youngster Findlay Curtis and Danilo the only players on three.

Thus, according to a report in Kazakhstan, Rangers are attempting to sign winger Galymzhan Kenzhebek.

They note that “negotiations began” between his representatives and the Glasgow-based giants, while Dundee United and Aberdeen as well as clubs in Slovakia, Russia, Greece are also in the race.

Transfer Focus

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

So, could he soon become the first Kazakh player to represent Rangers, with Kazakhstan thereby becoming the 67th different nationality represented at Ibrox?

What Galymzhan Kenzhebek would bring to Rangers

Despite the fact he is only 22 years old, Galymzhan Kenzhebek has had something of a journeyman career to date.

After bouncing around various Kazakh clubs including Kairat Almaty, a name that’ll send a shudder down the spine of any Celtic fan, and then did something few of his compatriots do by venturing abroad, enjoying stints with Akritas Chlorakas​​​​​​​ in Cyprus and Košice in Slovakia.

He did return home in June, joining Yelimay Semey, for whom he was on fire, scoring six goals in his final nine Kazakh Premier League appearances before the season concluded on 26 October, firing his team up to fourth, thereby qualifying for a major UEFA competition for the first time ever.

However, by the time they play that historic Conference League qualifier in August, it seems unlikely that Kenzhebek will still call Semey home.

The Rangers Journal labels him a “very pacy and direct” winger, also praising his “goal-scoring instincts” and outlining that he is a high-volume winger who “loves to just get the ball and commit defenders”.

Meantime, Kai Watson was also impressed, noting that he is a “quality ball carrier” and could add quality to the Rangers squad at a pretty low price.

Well, as well as starring for his club, Kenzhebek has also made the breakthrough at international level this year too.

He scored his first-ever international goal at the Borisov Arena against Belarus in a friendly in June, before netting twice during a 4-0 demolition of Liechtenstein last month, thereby starting each of Kazakhstan’s last six World Cup qualifiers, including Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Belgium, a famous point, a match Nicolas Raskin also started.

So, could Kenzhebek replicate Daizen Maeda’s success from across the city?

Well, when the Japanese international arrived at Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos on a bargain deal in January 2022, he was a complete unknown, but his skillset sounds very reminiscent​​​​​​​ to that of Kenzhebek, as a pacey forward who typically operates off the left flank.

While an “inconsistent finisher” right now in the view of Watson – much like the at-times erratic Maeda was when he arrived in Glasgow – Rangers will hope their potential new recruit can go on to eventually prove equally as clinical in Glasgow derbies.

Hibernian

15

7

Kilmarnock

13

7

Hearts

12

6

Livingston

7

6

Rangers

22

5

Motherwell

12

5

Aberdeen

11

5

St Johnstone

10

5

Ōita Torinīta

6

5

So, while Kenzhebek is not proven at an elite level, he is seemingly worth the risk and, at a low fee, could prove to be a masterstroke in recruitment?

Thelwell can upgrade on Souttar by signing £8m defender for Rangers

With Danny Röhl in need of defensive reinforcements, could Rangers sign an “aggressive” £8m-valued star better than John Souttar and Nasser Djiga?

ByBen Gray Nov 20, 2025

Allrounder also takes two wickets as concerted bowling display helps set up return to Finals Day

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Sep-2025Lancashire Lightning are through to Finals Day and – 10 years on from their first – will get the chance to win a second Vitality Blast title next Saturday having beaten Kent Spitfires by three wickets chasing 154 in an engaging Emirates Old Trafford quarter-final.England fringe fast bowler Luke Wood struck with the first ball of a contest which saw the Spitfires scramble to 153 all out in 20 overs, the left-armer finishing with an excellent 3 for 29.No Kent batter reached 30 and they were unable to deny a Lightning side also including star man Liam Livingstone, James Anderson and Phil Salt a 10th Finals Day appearance.Like Wood, fellow England international Livingstone was key to Lancashire’s victory in front of a 12,000-plus crowd. Having returned 2 for 21 from four overs of spin, he helped recover their chase from 5 for 2 with a brilliantly destructive 85 not out off 45 balls with seven sixes. The hosts won with nine balls remaining.Livingstone is the only member of this Lancashire team to have won the Blast in 2015.Lightning made the perfect start, as Wood had Tawanda Muyeye caught at mid-off with the first ball of the match. It was the second time he had struck with the first ball of an innings in this campaign.Kent then scored runs at a decent rate but lost wickets at key moments. Daniel Bell-Drummond miscued Anderson to backward point, Zak Crawley was caught behind having gloved a pull at Jack Blatherwick and Livingstone’s first ball ousted a sweeping Sam Billings caught at deep square leg, leaving the score at 71 for 4 in the ninth over.Joe Denly had started nicely, including lofting Blatherwick’s first ball for six over long-off. But he also fell – on 28 – to strengthen Lancashire’s grip at 81 for 5 after 10 overs, miscuing a similar shot to long-off against Tom Hartley’s left-arm spin.The trend continued. Joey Evison muscled sixes off the spinners but fell for 27 to a smart boundary catch at long-off from Wood off Livingstone with the score on 115 in the 15th.Grant Stewart also hit two sixes in a brisk 25 before playing on to Tom Aspinwall, who struck twice with his seamers. And Kent had to try and bat the overs out, which they did. Still, their total had the feeling of being well short after Wood struck twice in the last over to remove Fred Klaassen and Nathan Gilchrist caught at deep midwicket.But visiting hopes were raised as they reduced the Lightning to 5 for 2 inside two overs of the chase as Stewart’s seam had Salt caught at deep backward square leg pulling and Klaassen’s left-armers forced Luke Wells to play on off his thigh pad.Klaassen was superb for 3 for 14 from four overs.Livingstone, on 15, top-edged a pull at Gilchrist into the back of his neck shortly afterwards and underwent a concussion check but carried on.He lost captain Keaton Jennings caught on the scoop against the outstanding pace of Klaassen – 31 for 3 in the fifth over – before taking the sting out of the situation in dynamic fashion.He took on the legspin of former county colleague Matthew Parkinson, three times smashing him over long-on for six in the ninth over as he reached his first fifty of this season’s Blast off 25 balls and took the score to 84 for 3.Experienced Australian Ashton Turner holed out off Evison almost immediately afterwards, but Kent desperately needed Livingstone’s wicket.It didn’t arrive, and even Parkinson getting Michael Jones for 28 off 16 balls and Hartley in the 14th over, leaving Lancashire 118 for 6, wasn’t enough to turn the game.Livingstone hammered Parkinson over long-on – and over The Point conference building – for six more, and his knock confirmed that Lancashire will play Somerset or Birmingham Bears in the semi-final at Edgbaston.

Arsenal are well-stocked all over the pitch and boast one of the finest squad depths in England, yet they continue to be linked with high-profile transfers ahead of January.

Arsenal overcome Brentford to go five points clear

On the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s side maintained their commanding lead at the Premier League summit with a professional 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory extended their unbeaten streak to an incredible 18 matches across all competitions, with Arteta seriously rotating his squad following a recent demanding triple-header against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze were all rested from the starting lineup, but the Gunners’ strength in depth showed with Ben White and Noni Madueke combining brilliantly down the right throughout.

The opener arrived early on when White delivered an inviting cross that found Mikel Merino, who powered a header past Caoimhin Kelleher for his fifth goal of the campaign.

The Spaniard, who Arteta never expected to be the proficient going forward, has now netted 21 times in 2025 for club and country, showcasing his remarkable goalscoring form.

Arsenal suffered a blow before the interval when Cristhian Mosquera limped off with an ankle injury, compounding their defensive concerns with both Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba already sidelined. Timber then replaced the injured defender as Arteta juggled his limited centre-back options.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews introduced Igor Thiago, Mikkel Damsgaard and Jordan Henderson from the bench after an hour, while Arteta countered by bringing on Saka and Eze.

Arsenal controlled proceedings but missed several opportunities to seal the contest earlier.

Arsenal hold new talks with Juventus star who Alonso has recommended to Real Madrid

The Gunners are ‘captivated’ by him.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 3, 2025

To add further injury worry after Mosquera, Arsenal’s arguable player of the season, Declan Rice, departed late with a calf problem, with Arteta now sweating over his fitness ahead of a hectic Christmas schedule and the clash with Aston Villa.

Saka finally made the points safe in stoppage time, latching onto Merino’s perfectly weighted pass before finishing past Kelleher despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the effort.

Given Arsenal’s injury curse which has plagued them since last season, sporting director Andrea Berta will be attentive to any unmissable transfer market opportunities.

Enter Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who is reportedly up for sale this winter after playing a bit-part role under Xabi Alonso.

Rodrygo expresses wish to join Arsenal as agents open talks

Arsenal have already been linked with a move for the Brazil international heading into January, following exploratory talks over a deal last summer.

The 24-year-old has managed just three La Liga starts this term, making the vast majority of his appearances off the bench, with Rodrygo believed to be in the process of finding a new club.

That is according to TEAMtalk and reporter Graeme Bailey, who also state that Rodrygo has ‘expressed a wish’ to join Arsenal among four other Premier League sides he’s also interested in.

Crucially, though, the ex-Santos star’s agents have apparently reopened talks with Arteta’s side, who also ‘pushed hardest’ to sign him in the summer window.

However, Arsenal will need a minimum £70 million to strike a deal, with a loan appearing unlikely as things stand.

Berta and co, meanwhile, are believed to be monitoring his situation closely, which isn’t hard to see why given their bad luck with injuries, not to mention the uncertainty surrounding Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

The latter wingers are both out of contract in under two years, and with no sign of an extension for either, Arsenal need to think about long-term succession planning.

Rodrygo’s £282,000-per-week salary would put him in line with Arsenal’s highest earners, so it is an expensive transfer to pull off beyond just his club fee.

That being said, Rodrygo is also a player of proven quality, having racked up 68 goals and 53 assists in under 300 appearances for Los Blancos.

The 2025/26 season has been one full of inconsistency for Newcastle United. Whether it be on the field or in the treatment room, they cannot seem to string a positive period together.

After drawing 2-2 in last-gasp fashion with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening, it meant that Eddie Howe’s men have not won back-to-back games since the end of October.

In the Premier League, they are yet to win consecutive fixtures all campaign long. This cannot go on forever and sooner rather than later, the Magpies are going to need to sustain a period of form.

They have, of course, been hampered by Alexander Isak’s departure but in their bid to replace the iconic Swede, they have not been helped by Yoane Wissa. Signed from Brentford, the DR Congo striker is yet to be seen in the famous black and white stripes due to injury.

That said, he is nearing a return. Perhaps the former Bees forward could be the man to spark some extra life in this Newcastle team.

The tactical tweaks Eddie Howe needs to make at Newcastle

To cut Howe some slack, he has not been helped out by a number of his chief lieutenants this season.

In the last few weeks, Nick Pope has become something of a calamity between the sticks and even if he is now injured, it would not be a surprise to see Aaron Ramsdale replace Newcastle’s no.1 long-term. That feels like a necessary change if they are to improve at the back.

The defence has not been helped by injury either. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have both missed games and if Howe can now keep the English duo injury-free, they will be key to any improvement Newcastle make in the future.

Hall, in particular, has been outstanding since returning. He was hailed as the “best player on the field” against Spurs by BBC North East correspondent Andy Sixsmith and looks every bit a left-back who should be in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad next summer.

Hall’s return has led to one key tactical tweak. Dan Burn is no longer playing at left-back. In that position, he had floundered and flattered to deceive, notably described as “the stuff of nightmares” in that role.

It’s in midfield and up top where Howe has struggled to find the most consistency. Summer arrival Anthony Elanga is still without a goal since arriving and Wissa’s injury problems are well-documented.

Anthony Gordon is arguably in the worst form of his Toon career too, scoring just once in nine league outings throughout 2025/26. It’s just as well they also have Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes to choose from in wide areas.

Gordon has been one of the biggest scapegoats of the ongoing campaign but there’s a bigger one in the middle of the park and it’s time for Howe to drop him to the bench.

Newcastle's long-term servant must no longer start regularly

This has been a hugely frustrating season for the likes of Elanga and Gordon but it’s arguably been a worse one for Joelinton, whose performances in the middle of the park are waning.

Signed as a striker by Steve Bruce in a then club-record deal, Howe has worked wonders with the Brazilian, turning him into a no-nonsense midfielder who loves a duel.

He’s been one of the most important components of Howe’s squad throughout the year, delivering his ‘greatest performance’ for the club during that League Cup win at Wembley last term.

Since then, however, it’s been a tale of woe for the former Hoffenheim man. Excusing his first term in England, this is arguably his worst since moving from Germany.

Chalkboard

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

In the words of journalist Mark Douglas in mid-October, he has been “nowhere near his best” in recent memory, leading to sections of the fanbase calling for him to be dropped from the XI.

He remained on the bench in the defeat to Marseille in Europe but has started the last three league games. His form, however, is not getting much better.

Journalist Charlie Bennett noted that Joelinton was “very sloppy” on the ball during Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Spurs on Tuesday. The club’s number seven lost the ball 11 times out of 49 touches and had a pass accuracy of only 83%.

Minutes played

90

Touches

49

Accurate passes

29/35 (83%)

Key passes

1

Crosses

0

Shots

1

Dribbles

0

Possession lost

11x

Duels won

3/12

Judging by recent performances, which have been gritty but lacking composure, the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock must be wondering what they need to do to start more games.

There is no dislodging the likes of Sandro Tonali and skipper Bruno Guimaraes but there is an extra slot that is being filled, perhaps undeservedly, by Joelinton.

Willock, signed from Arsenal in a deal worth £25m has barely been seen this term. He’s fallen behind in the pecking order and the days of him running riot during that famous loan spell are now a distant memory.

Likewise for Ramsey. He joined from Aston Villa in the summer for a whopping £40m and even if he has struggled with injury, he should now be starting more matches.

The fact that error-prone Joelinton is starting ahead of them on a regular basis should leave the pair rather angry. Newcastle needed some extra drive and the ability to hold onto possession. Ramsey, in particular, with his ability to surge through midfield, could have offered this against Spurs.

Lewis Miley has started the odd game recently and was one of their best players in the win over Everton last weekend. Even he had a right to be fuming that Joelinton has started more games than him.

It’s time for a regular spot on the bench for the big Brazilian.

Fewer passes than Ramsdale: Howe must drop 6/10 Newcastle star after Spurs

Newcastle United were denied another Premier League win by Tottenham Hotspur last night.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

Playing South Africa for the first time, and playing at the new Namibia Cricket Ground for the first time, the hosts won a last-ball thriller

Firdose Moonda11-Oct-2025Namibia made history in more ways than one in the one-off T20I as they inaugurated the new Namibia Cricket ground, played their neighbours South Africa for the first time in any international format, and then beat them in a thriller for good measure.The upset came against a patchwork South Africa side, with most of the first-choice T20I players currently in Pakistan, where they will play a Test starting tomorrow. But Namibia won’t care what kind of South Africa team they earned their first win against. They celebrated in front of a 4000-capacity crowd at the NCG (you read that right), complete with a lap of honour. South Africa are the fourth Full Member to be defeated by Namibia, after Zimbabwe, Ireland and Sri Lanka.On a slow surface and sluggish outfield, batting was tricky for both sides and Namibia had South Africa in trouble at 82 for 6 in the 13th over thanks largely to good catching. South Africa left it late to string partnerships together and their most profitable stand was 37 off 35 balls for the seventh wicket between Jason Smith and Bjorn Fortuin. Smith was the highest scorer with 31.Similarly, Namibia’s innings started badly and they were 84 for 5 in the 13th over. In what was close to an exact mirroring of South Africa’s batting, their seventh-wicket pair put on 37 but off just 21 balls. Zane Green’s unbeaten 30 off 23 balls on his birthday sealed the win.

De Kock’s short-lived comeback

The stage was set for one of the most highly anticipated returns in the global game when Donovan Ferreira won the toss and chose to bat with Quinton de Kock carded at No. 1. But his return was short lived. Namibia’s captain Gerhard Erasmus opened the bowling and de Kock brought out the pull first up. He got a single to midwicket, then missed one that went down leg, and then tried to smash it over square leg but miscued to Ruben Trumpelmann, who took a simple catch to end de Kock’s stay at the crease in the opening over. De Kock also returned behind the stumps and took the only chance he had, but it was off a no-ball in the first over of the Namibian chase.Jason Smith top-scored for South Africa with 31•Cricket Namibia

Namibia hold on to everything… until they don’t

Trumpelmann’s catch didn’t require much more than being in the right place, but he created more difficult opportunities that his team-mates took. In his first over, Reeza Hendricks tried to hit him over deep square but Malan Kruger sprinted in from the rope to take a tumbling catch and remove Hendricks for 7. By his second over, Rubin Hermann, who looked in good touch for his 23, was rushed by extra bounce as he tried to hit Trumpelmann over deep midwicket. Ben Shikongo claimed a good low catch to give Trumpelmann a second.Debutant Max Heingo had Lhuan-dre Pretorius caught behind off the glove and Ferreira at midwicket before Shikongo was rewarded by smart bowling and smarter hands. He followed Andile Simelane as he backed away to clear mid-off and sent the ball high. Erasmus got the skates on again and took a stunning catch to his left to leave South Africa 82 for 6.Smith and Fortuin steadied things but with only one boundary in 30 balls between the 13th and 18th overs, had to try and force things. Smith tried to hit Heingo over long-on and should have been caught by Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton but he put it down. In the next over, Smith tried to clear him at long-off but again, didn’t have the distance, and JJ Smit took a simple catch.Later in the over, Fortuin offered Smit a similar chance but he shelled it. Namibia finished things off with another catch as Gerald Coetzee tried to go big but found Louren Steenkamp at deep third.

Coetzee’s nightmare over ends in injury

Coetzee was brought on first change and made an early impact. He started off too straight and was flicked for four but quickly adjusted his length to Lourens Steenkamp and even surprised him with a bouncer before bowling him. Namibia were 28 for 2 after three overs.But then things started to go wrong for Coetzee. He started his second over with a wide down leg, then got hit for four by Erasmus, and then bowled three more wides. He had his hands on his hips in frustration and the next ball whizzed past Erasmus but avoided the edge.Whatever extra effort Coetzee put into that ball seemed to do some damage and he left the field with three balls remaining in the over. Ferreira completed it and in the end it cost 12 runs. A CSA update said the injury was likely of the pectoral muscle.

A fitting finale

Namibia stayed in the hunt with contributions from Erasmus (a run-a-ball 21) and Kruger (18 off 21 balls) but South Africa’s attack didn’t let any of them get too far away to set up the perfect finish.Namibia needed 32 runs off the last three overs with four wickets in hand. They took nine runs off the 18th over, with Trumpelmann getting four off an inside edge, and 12 runs off the 19th, as Green started with a lofted cover drive and then ran hard with three twos in the over.That left 11 to get off the final over and Simelane was tasked with defending it. His first ball was short, Green got underneath it and sent it over fine leg for six and then took a single. Trumpelmann ran hard for two and then drew scores level. Green sent the last ball – a low full toss – over midwicket for four to complete the win.

Manchester United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has found himself in a difficult position under head coach Ruben Amorim this season.

The England international has not started any of his seven appearances in the Premier League in the 2025/26 campaign, as Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte have all been preferred ahead of him in the XI.

Mainoo started 19 Premier League games last season and 24 in the 2023/24 campaign, per Sofascore, which shows that he has been far more integral to the side in previous terms.

On top of his current struggles for game time, the Red Devils and the INEOS regime are reportedly interested in signing another midfielder who would also be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Man Utd eyeing move for Premier League midfielder

The January transfer window is eight weeks or so away from opening for business, and the Premier League giants are looking at possible targets to bolster their squad.

Transfer Focus

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

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According to Football Insider, Manchester United are one of the clubs eyeing up a move for Nottingham Forest central midfielder Elliot Anderson ahead of the January window.

The report claims that the England international, who has emerged as a key player for Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions, is United’s number one midfield target.

It adds that Liverpool are also interested in the £120m-rated midfielder, which shows that there will be competition for his signature at the turn of the year.

However, it now remains to be seen whether or not United or Liverpool are willing to pay the money that it would take to sign him from Forest in January.

Why Man Utd should sign Elliot Anderson

The Red Devils should push the boat out to sign the England international because he could arrive at Old Trafford as a big upgrade on Mainoo in the middle of the park.

The chart above shows that Anderson has outperformed Mainoo in a host of metrics over the past 365 days, particularly as a defensive force and as a progressive passer.

Whilst the counterargument to that would be that Mainoo has not had enough minutes on the pitch to showcase his quality this season, England boss Tuchel has also decided to go with Anderson over the United man in his midfield at international level.

On top of that, the Nottingham Forest star, who was hailed as “incredible” by journalist Miles Starforth, also outperformed the Red Devils academy graduate in the Premier League last season, when the midfielder started 19 of his 25 appearances.

24/25 Premier League

Kobbie Mainoo

Elliot Anderson

Appearances

25

37

Goals

0

2

Assists

0

6

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

3.3

Duels won per game

4.4

6.5

Ground duel success rate

47%

49%

Aerial duel success rate

38%

66%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Anderson provided more quality to his team in the middle of the park with both his play in and out of possession for the Tricky Trees, offering more protection to his defence and making a bigger impact in the final third.

These statistics, on top of the aforementioned statistics over the past 365 days, suggest that he would be a better option for Amorim than Mainoo in the middle of the park in the second half of the season.

This means that a move for Anderson in the January transfer window could leave the English midfielder in a precarious position at Old Trafford, because he could be behind Bruno, Casemiro, Ugarte, and Anderson for two midfield positions.

That could then force the academy graduate to consider his long-term future at the club under Amorim and INEOS, as he may not want to sit on the bench at United when he could be playing regular games elsewhere.

Related Carragher said Man Utd star was "terrible", now he's Amorim's key player

Manchester United now have a talent who has managed to transform his career at Old Trafford.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025

Manchester United could break their transfer record to sign an “amazing” midfielder, who has now emerged as one of their top targets.

Man Utd looking to sign new midfielder who could replace Casemiro

Casemiro has emerged as one of Man United’s most consistent performers this season, making 12 appearances in the Premier League, during which time he’s picked up three goals and one assist, and the Brazilian put in another eye-catching performance against Crystal Palace.

The former Real Madrid man made three interceptions and three tackles, the highest combined total of any player, as the Red Devils fought back to secure a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park, after a concerning opening 45 minutes.

Indeed, Palace went into the break a goal to the good, and it was much-deserved, having recorded an xG of 1.59, compared to 0.92 from the visitors, with Jean-Phillippe Mateta opening the scoring from the spot.

Mateta won the penalty after being played through by Adam Wharton, with the Englishman giving Casemiro the run-around in the first half.

With the Brazil international’s contract set to expire next summer, Man United are now searching for a new midfielder, and they could break their club-record transfer fee by signing Wharton, who has now been identified as a top target alongside Elliot Anderson.

That is according to a report from Manchester World, which states United view strengthening their midfield options as a priority, and INEOS are aware it will take a huge fee to sign an elite option, with Crystal Palace set to hold out for over £100m, which would smash the £89m spent on Paul Pogba.

The need to sign a new midfielder could also be exacerbated by Bruno Fernandes deciding he wants to leave next summer, while Kobbie Mainoo is now unhappy at Old Trafford due to a lack of game time.

Wharton could be "amazing" signing for Man Utd

Lauded as “amazing” by journalist Raj Chohan, the Palace maestro has put in some top performances in the Premier League as of late, impressing against United and picking up an assist in his side’s 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous match.

The 21-year-old ranks in the 82nd percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, having averaged 0.17, while Gareth Southgate has praised his composure, saying: “He played as he’s trained, he receives well, he’s very composed, he plays forward.

“That sounds simple but it’s not a simple thing to do. He plays a lot of one-touch football, he sees a picture when the ball arrives to him.”

Wharton clearly has what it takes to reach the very highest level, so it is exciting news that Man United could break their transfer record to get a deal done.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson reveals he has not spoken to team-mate Mohamed Salah following the Egyptian's public outburst against the Reds and manager Arne Slot. After being left out on the bench for the third consecutive Premier League game against Leeds United last weekend, the Reds star went on an explosive rant in front of the media as he hinted he could even exit Anfield in January.

• Salah experiencing difficult 2025-26 season

  After years of consistency in terms of scoring goals and breaking multiple records for Liverpool, Salah has experienced a sudden dip in form in the 2025-26 campaign. So far this season, Salah has scored five goals and provided three assists in 19 matches across all competitions.

  His dip in form prompted Arne Slot to drop the star winger from the Reds' starting lineup in their last three Premier League fixture. The experienced attacker remained silent and waited patiently for his opportunity until the Leeds United clash. After being left out as an unused substitute in yet another game, Salah burst out in front of the media as he said: "I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. 

  "Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That's how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club."

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  Alisson reveals he has not spoken to Salah since Saturday

  Speaking about the incident, Reds' star goalkeeper Alisson said: "This isn't a situation that makes us happy. On a personal level we all love Mo and he's a hugely important player for the team. He is a wonderful human being and a spectacular footballer. He has been very important for the club and has produced some incredible numbers. He's won everything there is to win in his career. The situation isn't nice. We were a little bit caught by surprise but we know it's a personal situation, so we are leaving it to him and the club. It doesn't matter what we think. 

  "What we want is for him and the club to reach an agreement which is in the best interests of him, the club and all of the playing staff. As for tomorrow night's match, we want to play our best. You can expect a Liverpool side that wants to show the will to win and improve the current situation. Play good football and winning football. It won't be in any way easy, we are well aware Inter are a very good side. We know it's a huge challenge."

  Alisson also showed support for Arne Slot, amid talks that the Dutch manager could face the axe, as the Brazilian said: "Of course, yes. The Premier League last season. Before Arne came in, everyone was talking about the huge challenge. It looks like everyone takes for granted what we achieved last season. That should be enough but we believe in his knowledge, his style of playing, that he is capable of helping us to turn around this situation. It's not only about ourselves but that's the situation with the club as well, they trust him. It's not only his responsibility, as a player, I also share it with him. Of course, he's the man responsible for how the team plays, but we are taking the responsibility and are the ones who take action and can change everything. It doesn't make the situation any easier, but we are trying to do that. We have the desire to change the situation and the manager does as well. To get us back on track for the football we were playing last season."

• Salah left out of Champions League squad

  Following his rant against the club and manager, Liverpool have taken the extreme step of omitting Salah from their travelling squad to Italy for the Champions League fixture against Inter in midweek. The Premier League champions have made clear to their star player that everybody – regardless of their standing at Anfield – must earn their place in the team. Salah will be left to reflect on that stance when his team-mates line up against Inter on Tuesday. 

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  Slot responds to Salah's comments

  Reacting for the first time since Salah's outburst, the Dutchman told reporters: "I don't feel that my authority has been undermined. It's not the way I feel it. It's not about me, if my life is difficult, yes or no, that's not very important in a situation like this. It's if it is more difficult for the team and for the club. No one likes us to be in the situation we're in at the moment. First of all, it's difficult to see staff members who work so hard affected by the situation we're in now. Mainly because of the results. I'm the manager, I have to pick a team so to a certain extent I'm important, but my focus is on the team and not on me."

Was this Trinity Rodman’s last match for the Spirit – and is Gotham’s quiet confidence about to reshape the league? Here’s what comes next for both finalists after a dramatic NWSL final.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Trinity Rodman’s mermaid hair drew attention, but the real statement on Saturday came from Gotham FC. The New York/New Jersey side quieted doubts with a disciplined, composed performance, capped by Rose Lavelle’s decisive 80th-minute finish. In a match defined by defensive control rather than flair, Gotham’s poise consistently stood out, even as the Spirit produced the flashier moments.

Their mix of belief and smart, efficient soccer ultimately carried them to the title. And, as with any championship, it leaves both teams facing significant questions about what comes next.

For the Spirit, will Rodman stay? Is there pressure on manager Adrián González after questionable late decisions with substitutions? From a squad standpoint, questions will remain on whether the team can keep its midfield together. 

For Gotham, this is a second title in three years, which naturally raises the question: how do they push for a third? The club navigated injuries and setbacks throughout the season, so the challenge now is whether two-time NWSL champion Juan Carlos Amorós can sustain this standard – and keep marquee talents like Jaedyn Shaw in the fold.

• Spirit fall short again in NWSL Championship

  For the second straight year, the Washington Spirit fell short in the NWSL Championship. Last season, Orlando beat them with two late strikes; this time, a single tense moment in a chippy, defensive match denied them another shot at the trophy.

  The Spirit entered the final with everything seemingly aligned: Rodman was off the injury list, Croix Bethune looked back to her dynamic self, and Tara McKeown – fresh off Defender of the Year honors – anchored the back line. But the team lacked its usual attacking spark, and a sloppy transition, compounded by a poor clearance, opened the door for Gotham’s 80th-minute breakthrough.

  "We had a hard time keeping it and being patient in the final third," Rodman said after the match. 

  The Spirit forward admitted she wasn't 100 percent in the Championship match. 

  "As much as I don't want to admit it, I still don't feel like I was my full self tonight, which sucks. I feel like this is the second year I've gone to a final, not feeling myself. So it just makes me sad. But yeah, for me, I was just trying to go out there and do what I could. I definitely underperformed."

  After conceding, Washington struggled to generate urgency. Even with late substitutions injecting some energy, Gotham managed the closing stages and saw out the win. Spirit coach Adrian Gonzalez acknowledged he could have handled Hal Hershfelt's late substitution better. 

  "Obviously took maybe more time than we were expecting, but a player like her, she always wants to play, and I can imagine that in a final you always want to play, and you don't want to get subbed," he explained after the match. 

  "But it is circumstances that we need to learn [from]. But obviously she wanted to be with the team and with that, obviously now we can say that maybe the sub was late but she was trying to push and that's the only reason."

  The loss stings even more for a Spirit side that believed this was their year after last season’s near miss. Fans also wondered whether this might be Rodman’s final appearance for the club amid reports of overseas interest. Rodman said afterward that nothing has been decided.

  "Like I've always said, we're sisters forever," she said. 

  The Spirit still boast a deep roster – Gift Monday, Hal Hershfelt, Aubrey Kingsbury, and others – so the question now is whether they reassess the group or continue building on the core they’ve established.

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  Will Rodman stay go or go?

  The question hanging over championship week was whether Trinity Rodman will leave the Spirit after this season. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman told reporters the league would “fight for her” to stay, while Rodman fielded speculation throughout the week with steady answers like, “I’ve made no decisions.”

  After the match – and the sting of another final loss – Rodman was asked whether the result might influence her choice. She didn’t hesitate: “Every team loses,” she said.

  Rodman has been linked with a potential move to Europe – a shift that could be hard for Washington to counter, especially with the WSL operating without a salary cap. There have also been reports connecting her to a possible move within D.C., with the USL’s D.C. Power seen as an alternative destination. The USL also doesn't have a salary cap. 

  It’s been a rollercoaster season for Rodman, marked by injuries and stops and starts, yet her impact when available has been unmistakable. Even her nine-minute cameo in the semifinal was enough to lift the Spirit’s energy and help push them through.

  Throughout the week – from the NWSL Awards to Media Day to training sessions – Rodman appeared focused and upbeat, fully present with her teammates. But with her contract expiring this offseason, key decisions await.

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  Gotham win second NWSL Championship in three years

  With everything on the line – and plenty of setbacks along the way – it would’ve been easy for Gotham to bow out early in the NWSL playoffs. Instead, there was a quiet assurance within the group that they had more to give. Emily Sonnett acknowledged the team knew it played under expectations during the regular season but rallied once they got into the postseason.

  "It wasn't a secret that we underperformed," Sonnett said in an interview with CBS's Good Morning America. "Making the playoffs was definitely that reset moment that this team needed."

  Gotham entered as the eighth seed, but carried an unspoken belief that they could surprise people. They went on to knock out two of the league’s best teams, the Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride, earning a second NWSL Championship appearance in three years. Washington had the better regular-season record and were coming off a finals run of their own, but Gotham were peaking at the right moment. Their late-season addition of Jaedyn Shaw proved pivotal, while the return of Rose Lavelle – plus major contributions from rookies like Lilly Reale, Sarah Schupansky, and Sofia Cook – added balance and depth.

  Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós has now guided Gotham to two titles, a significant achievement and a reflection of the standard he has set. 

  “We worked so hard for this moment,” he said  “To become a champion is the moment the referee blows the whistle. Until that moment, you’re trying to be a champion – and then you’re a champion forever.”

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  'We have such a special group'

  Gotham's win can’t be discussed without looking at Lavelle’s overall impact. The U.S. international has been part of plenty of contenders, but an NWSL Championship had always eluded her – until Saturday night at PayPal Park. Her decisive goal sealed Gotham’s second title in three seasons and earned her MVP honors in the process.

  This year marked a long-awaited return for Lavelle, who spent more than a year recovering from ankle surgery. Once she was back, she quickly reestablished herself for both Gotham and the U.S. women’s national team.

  Her impact was immediate. Lavelle brought a creative spark and technical sharpness that both club and country had been missing – and on Saturday, that blend proved to be the difference.

  Lavelle joined Gotham in 2024 after leaving Seattle Reign, arriving alongside U.S. national team teammates Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn, and Tierna Davidson. She has settled quickly with the Bats and often highlights the collective effort behind their postseason run.
  "We have such a special group, and I'm so excited to be able to win this with them." She said. 

  With an established core, led by Lavalle, the future looks bright in the New York metro area for the NWSL side. 

  "The sky's the limit. We can do so much with this group. So, I think we really leaned on that during this playoff run, and it worked out," she told ESPN.