The Wales international became Palace’s record signing as they desperately searched to improve Oliver Glasner’s squad in the January transfer window.

However, the 24-year-old has failed to impress when called upon at Selhurst Park and has yet to find the net and remains behind Ismaila Sarr in the pecking order.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace could cut their losses on Johnson if a club makes a significant offer for him.

While suitors may be hard to find given his likely asking price and the face he is under contract until 2030, but Crystal Palace could accept an offer should one arrive.

Is Brennan Johnson right for Crystal Palace?

Brown told Football Insider in December that Crystal Palace were making moves for Johnson, although he questioned whether the deal would be right for the Eagles.

Johnson frustrated once more as Crystal Palace beat Newcastle 2-1 last time out, with his withdrawal part of a triple change at 1-0 down as Glasner looked to inspire a comeback.

His role in the side has been questioned as a result of his disappointing displays, and their imminent change in manager could alter the situation, but he could also be moved on.

“Brennan Johnson has had a poor start at Crystal Palace,” Brown told Football Insider.

“And the worst thing about it is that I can’t remember him putting himself out too much, he doesn’t look like he’s making an effort to try and impact the game.

“That’s a concern I’ve had with him for a while, I went to watch him playing for Wales, their Under-21s I believe, once and everybody who was anybody in the scouting world was there.

“But he was jogging around the pitch, didn’t look particularly bothered, wasn’t putting in much effort and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“So after that, I must admit I wasn’t his biggest fan, but I thought maybe this move to Crystal Palace might get the best out of him.

“They’ve been disappointed with him so far because he’s hardly made an impact and if everybody is fit and available, he doesn’t get into the starting XI.

“If the opportunity came up for them to cut their losses in the summer, I expect they would be willing to do it, make their money back and look elsewhere.

“It might be a bit soon, and they’ve got a new manager coming in, but all those concerns I’ve had about him are showing already and that’s not a good sign.”

Could clubs make moves for Johnson already?

Despite what has been a difficult start to life at Crystal Palace, Johnson has a number of long-term admirers in the Premier League who have previously considered moves.

Both Everton and Bournemouth made offers to Tottenham before the Wales international ultimately decided a move to South London would be the best move.

Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed that both Ipswich and Brentford were interested in Johnson and were prepared to rival Palace for his signature.

Should Palace take extreme steps and make the winger available in the summer, those previously interested clubs could be tempted to reignite their moves.

He remains highly rated among a number of clubs for his previous displays both for Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, and his Palace form could be overlooked.

The post 'They've been disappointed' - Expert: Crystal Palace could 'cut their losses' on big-money flop appeared first on Football Insider.

The Toffees were forced to put up with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury issues for years at Goodison Park, and despite a change of stadium, the club’s issues have followed them across the city.

Moyes’ side are making a charge for Europe, and while Beto and Thierno Barry are ranked first and second in terms of Everton’s goalscorers, they only have 13 goals between them in the Premier League.

Everton’s transfer chiefs will be gearing up for an exciting summer transfer window, and it would appear that links are already emerging at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton in the race for Mohamed Amoura

Football Insider understands that Everton are eyeing a deal for Ivan Toney, but given his importance in the Saudi Pro League, it could take an eye-watering amount of money to drag him back to England.

As well as the England international, the Toffees are keeping tabs on Egypt international Mohamed Amoura, with the Wolfsburg star’s valuation dropping from £35million to £26million [L’Equipe].

While it has been a difficult campaign for the 25-year-old, he has still managed to record eight goals and seven assists in all competitions, even with the Africa Cup of Nations in between.

While Amoura is relatively inexperienced in the top leagues, featuring in the Europa League with Union St Gilloise in 2023-24, Hugo Ekitike, Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland have all proven that a successful switch to the Premier League is possible.

Who must David Moyes fend off for Amoura’s signature?

With Wolfsburg also at huge risk of being relegated from the Bundesliga this season, there is an extra incentive for the Toffees to go all-in for his signature once the summer window opens.

However, Leeds have also been linked with Amoura, and Daniel Farke would likely welcome him to the squad with open arms. Moyes’ side must jump ahead of the queue for the striker.

With Everton just five points below the Champions League qualification spots, thanks to an extra team for next season, there is a very real chance of Moyes taking the club back to Europe.

That should help draw some bigger names to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the summer, and Amoura could make an expected switch to England, with Merseyside his potential destination.

The post David Moyes can finally solve Everton striker problem as Mohamed Amoura valuation drops appeared first on Football Insider.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding season so far in the Championship and there is a growing feeling he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

Southampton currently sit fourth in the table, just three points shy of second place, but if they miss out on promotion they may be forced to let their star players leave.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Leeds are one of multiple Premier League clubs ready to make a move for Scienza.

While any deal is likely to depend on Southampton’s promotion bid, Leeds are determined to strengthen their squad and view the winger among their top targets.

Leeds Untied boosted in pursuit of Leo Scienza

Football Insider revealed on 8 April that Southampton will be unable to keep Scienza if they are not promoted to the Premier League this summer.

Alongside Leeds, the likes of Everton and other mid-table Premier League clubs are believed to have been impressed by the winger’s performances.

Should Leeds secure Premier League survival in the coming weeks after placing themselves in a strong position, they will be well-placed to make a move.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “There’ll be a number of clubs who will look at Leo Scienza. He’s been one of the best players in the Championship this season.

“A real great pick up from Southampton when they signed him from Heidenheim in Germany, he’s been outstanding for them since his arrival.

“If Southampton remain in the Championship, they will find it hard to keep hold of the 27-year-old.

“There will be Premier League clubs, not just Leeds, who’ll be willing to offer the skilful winger that chance to play at the highest level as well.

“Southampton’s focus right now is on seeing if they can secure promotion, but if they miss out on promotion to the Premier League, it will be difficult.”

Who else has joined Leeds in the race for Scienza?

As previously mentioned, Everton are among a number of clubs who have joined Leeds in the race to sign Scienza should Southampton miss out on promotion.

A host of mid-table Premier League sides are also keeping tabs on his progress, but Football Insider recently shared reports that Aston Villa also want Scienza.

Should Unai Emery’s side opt to firm up their interest in the winger, they would likely have a significant advantage over the rest of the chasing back.

Villa are currently fourth place in the Premier League and on course to qualify for the Champions League, while they have progressed into the Europa League semi-finals.

Should they make a move for Scienza, they would likely rank higher than the likes of Leeds and Everton in their pursuit, and believe they could get a deal done.

The post Sources: Leeds willing to buy 'one of the best players in the Championship this season' appeared first on Football Insider.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, after McCoist claimed Celtic were running Scottish football.

McCoist could not believe that Celtic would host Hearts on the final day of the season, whilst Rangers would travel to Falkirk for a third time.

The fixture list though ensures that all teams in the league play 19 home games and 19 away matches, with the Scottish Premiership title still all to play for.

Rangers are currently second in the league table, just a point below leaders Hearts, with the two sides set to meet again at Tynecastle next month.

Ally McCoist claim labelled as ‘rubbish’

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes McCoist’s comments have lost him a “little bit of credibility.”

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that there has been “no bias” in the fixture schedule.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We all like Ally McCoist to a degree, but I’m afraid this is rubbish.

“I looked at the mathematical formulas around the scheduling of these post-split games. And there is no bias whatsoever in this at all. And it is the classic Rangers, Celtic Divide, I’m afraid.

“If somebody said it was black, the others would say it was white. And that’s the case it is. I’m afraid McCoist has lost a little bit of credibility in saying that. I thought he was above all that sort of partisanship.

“You can’t take it out on him. He’s blue through and through. But I’m afraid he’s wrong in this case, and if he had a look at the mathematics, he’d understand the case behind it.”

Rangers could be the team to beat in title race

Wyness also told Football Insider that Rangers are the team in form in the Scottish Premiership heading into the final five fixtures.

The title race is still too close to call, but the Gers have won their past four league matches and scored six against Falkirk last time out.

Martin O’Neill’s experience of winning titles could give Celtic the edge, although the Hoops’ performances of late suggest they could drop points again before the end of the season.

Hearts continue to lead the pack, and Derek McInnes’ side are chasing history if they can beat the Old Firm to the title.

The post 'Rubbish' - Ex-Aberdeen chief blasts Ally McCoist over his Rangers outburst appeared first on Football Insider.

Palace have been assessing a number of options to replace Oliver Glasner since January, and feel their Conference League progress will put them in a strong position.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, announced this week that Andoni Iraola will leave the Vitality Stadium this summer and are keen to secure his replacement quickly.

However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Coventry City are relaxed about Lampard’s future and confident he will stay.

The former Chelsea boss’ stock has risen as a result of Coventry’s Championship title push, but there is a growing feeling he will remain at the CBS Arena this summer.

Could Frank Lampard join Crystal Palace or Bournemouth?

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Lampard would snub a move away from Coventry despite Crystal Palace’s attempts to snatch him.

Bournemouth are the latest side to have considered his future after announcing Iraola’s departure, but it looks like the answer will be the same.

Coventry and currently in a very strong position to achieve promotion to the Premier League, and they hope Lampard will remain in charge next season.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I would be very surprised if Lampard was to leave Coventry City now.

“You’ve got the likes of Bournemouth who are looking for a new manager, Crystal Palace looking for a new manager, I’m sure Lampard is somebody who has been under consideration.

“But Coventry are quite hopeful and quite relaxed that Lampard will want to continue with them in the Premier League.

“He is still part of their project, they want to have Lampard leading them out in the Premier League next season and then consolidating them in the future.”

Do Coventry have plans if Lampard leaves this summer?

While it remains highly unlikely that Lampard will leave Coventry, it has been suggested he could be lured away should the Chelsea job become available.

Liam Rosenior is facing growing pressure on his position at Stamford Bridge, and the former Blues boss has been linked with a surprise return if that takes place.

As a result, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 9 April that Coventry have plans in case Lampard leaves, with a number of alternatives on their radar.

The Sky Blues view John Eustace as a top contender to potentially replace their current boss as he ranks highly on their shortlist of options.

The Derby County boss is believed to be ready to jump at the chance to take over at Coventry, although it remains unlikely that any change will take place as things stand.

The post Sources: Crystal Palace consider hiring ex-PL manager as Oliver Glasner replacement appeared first on Football Insider.

The Friedkin Group look fairly powerless to do anything about Senesi’s move to Tottenham, which is said to be progressing well.

The Bournemouth centre-back is set to become a free agent this summer, and would have fit the bill for what David Moyes is looking for, with the Blues also missing out on a cheap transfer masterclass.

There is one stumbling block in Senesi’s proposed move, as it currently depends on Tottenham’s ability to maintain their Premier League status.

However, Everton don’t have time to waste with Gatti, who could be the next best option.

Reasons for Federico Gatti’s potential sale will interest Everton

Senesi isn’t 100 per cent guaranteed to join Tottenham due to the uncertainty of their top-flight status, but even then, the Toffees would have to battle it out with Leeds and other interested Premier League clubs.

The centre-back has been in fine form for the Cherries these last two seasons, and would have no doubt been some pick up by the Friedkin Group.

However, Juventus are said to be open to selling Gatti this summer due to financial reasons, as the Toffees may be able to strike some shrewd business anyway.

According to David Ornstein, this Friday, Tottenham are in “advanced talks” for Senesi, who will walk away from the Vitality as a free agent this summer, but nothing is finalised yet.

Everton have reported interest in Gatti, which dates back to 2023, and it may be finally time for the defender to leave Serie A for the Premier League this summer.

Everton still unlikely to sell centre-backs; here’s why

Everton have the likes of James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jake O’Brien, and Michael Keane on their books heading into the summer window.

Branthwaite would have most likely demanded transfer interest this summer, but a season of injury issues will most likely keep clubs at bay.

O’Brien has played the majority of the campaign as a right-back, but with the Toffees close to European qualification, his versatility could be vital for different competitions next season.

Keane and Tarkowski are unlikely to leave Hill Dickinson, while the need for another central defender is still there.

Gatti isn’t a priority, but if the Friedkin Group see an extreme need for a new centre-half, then the Italian could be a good option instead of Senesi.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post View: Everton to ramp up plans for Serie A defender as another target in 'advanced talks' with PL club appeared first on Goodison News.

With European dreams still well and truly alive, Everton return to action this weekend to take on Liverpool off the back of their Champions League exit.

Pressure is mounting on Arne Slot to keep his job, while the Toffees could move up to sixth with a win against their rivals.

Everton have failed to win any of their last three clashes with the Reds, last securing victory in 2024 when Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were on the scoresheet.

However, Beto’s recent upturn in form for Everton may hand them a boost to end that run, and to always rewrite his own history against Liverpool.

Beto’s record against Liverpool

Beto has been in excellent form lately, as showcased by the fact that he has had a hand in five goals in his last five appearances for the Toffees.

However, if he is to add to that this weekend, he will need to do something he has only ever done once before.

In the four encounters that Beto has had with Liverpool, he has managed just one goal, but the biggest concern is that he has never been on the winning side.

Three of those have ended in defeat, while the other was a 2-2 draw last season, in which Beto was on the scoresheet.

It may be a small sample size, but Beto has never lost against Liverpool when he has scored against them, and that could happen again this weekend.

David Moyes is one game away from repeating Carlo Ancelotti trick

A win for the Toffees would be huge for their chances of Europe, but it would also see them hit the 50-point mark.

The last time Everton achieved that was back in the 2020-21 season, when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge.

Everton accumulated 59 points by the end of that campaign, meaning they would need to pick up 13 or more points from their last six games to reach that tally.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

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David Moyes has confirmed that the Argentine midfielder is back in training, with the Blues boasting an almost fully fit squad for the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 19 April.

Jack Grealish is the only player still sidelined at the Toffees after picking up a long-term injury and it remains to be seen whether he will play any part in the final six games of the season.

As things stand, the Scottish manager finds his team five points behind fifth-place Liverpool and are fully focused on climbing further up the table to qualify for Europe.

Myes can get the better of Arne Slot in L3 and put more pressure on the Dutch manager, whose future remains uncertain after a disappointing campaign with the Reds.

David Moyes handed Tyrique George dilemma for Everton vs Liverpool

The pressure is on Moyes to win the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium and solidify the Toffees’ chances of qualifying for Europe.

Against Brentford, Tyrique George came on and changed the game as Dwight McNeil struggled to have much of an impact in the 2-2 draw away from home.

Iliman Ndiaye also didn’t look his best playing on the left-wing at the Gtech Community Stadium, leaving the Scottish manager with a decision to make over shifting the Senegalese attacker to the right and bringing the Chelsea loanee into the starting lineup.

The 20-year-old could possibly provide a constant threat to Liverpool’s backline by taking on defenders and cutting inside to take shots, and the extra yard of pace he possesses over McNeil may come in handy.

Speaking to the media on 17 April, Moyes said, “Alcaraz is back training now. I think we’re as much close to full fitness as we possibly can be.”

Hill Dickinson Stadium have obvious new hero in Premier League

Beto has been instrumental in Moyes’ recent success at Everton, pipping Thierno Barry in the pecking order.

The Guinea-Bissau striker has cemented his place in the starting lineup and could be the catalyst to push the Toffees further up the table.

Having started the last five Premier League matches, the 28-year-old has scored four goals and provided one assist, becoming the target man the Scottish manager has been crying out for.

With Beto leading the line in fine form, fans in L3 will anticipate the Blues to be a serious goal threat as Liverpool visit a raucous Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post David Moyes shares Everton team news vs Liverpool as player back in training appeared first on Goodison News.

The Toffees played out a 2-2 draw with Brentford last time out, keeping the two sides locked on points as they battle for a continental spot.

Goals from Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would see David Moyes‘ side come from a goal down twice, after a brace from Igor Thiago.

Sitting eighth in the standings, they host Merseyside rivals Liverpool for the first time at their new stomping ground.

Heading into Sunday’s derby, Opta’s supercomputer has made the prediction that a big statement is on the cards for the Blues.

Everton are most likely winners vs Liverpool

Last season, Everton secured a big result on home soil against the Reds, with James Tarkowski rattling in a late equaliser, sending Goodison Park into raptures in the final derby at the iconic venue.

This season, they would fall to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield in the reverse fixture, and will be looking to avenge that result on Sunday.

Before the international break, the Blues finally ended their run without successive wins at their new stadium, with a 3-0 triumph against Chelsea following a 2-0 win against Burnley.

And with this in mind, Opta’s supercomputer has made the prediction that Moyes and his men are about to extend that run to three in a row.

Having not lost to Liverpool on home soil since 2022, the verdict is that Everton are set to get the perfect derby start at Hill Dickinson Stadium, while making a huge statement regarding their European ambitions.

Everton have a base to build on after a fantastic season

At the start of the campaign, Blues fans would have snapped your hand off for a relatively simple and stress-free mid-table finish.

After a turbulent period battling at the wrong end of the division, a term without relegation worry would have provided a complete reset after making their long awaited stadium move last summer.

Instead, the Toffees are now aiming for their first European adventure in almost a decade, indicative of just how good a job Moyes has done since rejoining the club.

With European football potentially on the cards, Everton have the opportunity to keep building, with rewards coming in the form of finance and stature.

A big win on Sunday would set them up for a strong end to what has been a fantastic season, while showcasing the ability to compete against the established elite in the Premier League.

Moving forward, the Toffees could well be set for further progression that sees them compete higher up the standings on a consistent basis, and a positive run from here to the end would get the ball rolling quickly.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post Supercomputer predicts Everton vs Liverpool outcome in Merseyside Derby showdown appeared first on Goodison News.

The Argentine midfielder turned his loan into a permanent stay last summer, but it has been miserable for all parties.

The former Southampton man has made just 18 appearances in all competitions this season, with one goal and one assist.

The Blues want to bring in Kebbal from Ligue 1 side Paris FC, and he would cost under £11million, according to a report from L’Equipe on 16 April.

If Everton bring the Algerian star to Merseyside, it will surely spell danger for Alcaraz and his future in L3.

Why Kebbal interest may end Alcaraz’s time at Everton

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is Alcaraz’s main competition at Everton at the moment, and he cannot get into the team over the former Chelsea ace.

If Kebbal, another attacking midfielder, is added into the mix, then surely there will be no need for the 23-year-old anymore.

David Moyes may well decide that the best move for all parties is to allow the Argentinian to depart, his days may well be numbered.

How do Kebbal and Alcaraz compare?

Kebbal compares favourably to Alcaraz, as he has scored eight goals and notched four assists in 24 Ligue matches this season.

The current Toffees ace has failed to score and notched one assist in 16 league matches, which is a dismal record by comparison.

The Algerian also comes out on top in underlying metrics, as he takes more shots per game (1.9) to Alcaraz’s 1.1 and more key passes per game (2.0) than the Blues star’s 0.6.

Kebbal also contributes defensively, with 1.3 tackles per game and 4.7 ball recoveries, compared to Alcaraz’s figures of 0.8 and 2.6 in those respective metrics.

The four-cap international looks like a huge upgrade on the outcast, and it would make perfect sense to bring him in and try to sell the underperforming flop, especially given the fee that he is available for.

Alcaraz has just not hit the heights expected of him, and it is time for the club and the player to move on, as there are clearly better, more experienced options on the market for the Merseysiders.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

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Nico O’Reilly will be available for Manchester City’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal on Sunday.

The City academy graduate has been in wonderful form in recent weeks, scoring twice against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final in March.

After helping his side keep a clean sheet in the 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool in the FA Cup, the left-back was on the score sheet again last time out against Chelsea, scoring another header to spark a second-half drubbing of the Blues in west London.

10 minutes after his goal against Chelsea, O’Reilly went down clutching his left hamstring with Rayan Ait-Nouri brought onto replace him.

Pep Guardiola did not provide an update on the youngster’s condition after that game.

But speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, he told reporters his young star is ‘fine’ and available for selection.

O’Reilly has started 24 of City’s Premier League matches this term, predominantly at left-back.

If passed fit, he is expected to slot in beside Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi who are set to continue at centre-half with Ruben Dias ruled out.

The Portugal international has missed City’s last four games and remains unavailable this weekend with an ankle injury.

Josko Gvardiol remains a long-term absentee with doubts over the fitness of John Stones, who has been limited to just 15 appearances this season.

After Arsenal’s slip-up against Bournemouth last weekend, a victory for City will see them reduce the gap at the summit of the Premier League to just three points.

Guardiola’s side also have a game in hand still to play – against Crystal Palace on a date still to be confirmed.

The Lilywhites are now said to be in advanced talks to sign Senesi, who is out of contract with the Cherries this summer.

Tottenham have had the 28-year-old high up on their transfer list in the past couple of months, and an agreement will depend on their ability to avoid Premier League relegation.

Nothing has been finalised, as per David Ornstein, this Friday, and other top-flight clubs have interest in the Argentine.

Tottenham are leading the race to sign Senesi, and it all but confirms that Romero will be on his way out of North London shortly.

Marco Senesi is a superior defender to Cristian Romero

It goes without saying, but Spurs have had an awful season, but things could look much brighter next term, if Premier League security is confirmed.

Part of the reason for Tottenham’s struggles has been Romero’s stupidity and recklessness both on and off the field.

Romero is said to have multiple clubs interested in his signature, and it’s already been announced that he will likely leave Hotspur Way this summer.

However, considering that Tottenham could be signing a better defender in Senesi, they will benefit for multiple reasons.

A major bonus would be that Romero could be sold for big money, while Tottenham could get an improvement for free.

The now-injured Spurs defender is headed for a sour exit from N17, and fans will be quick to move on if Senesi joins.

What does Roberto De Zerbi value in his centre-back’s?

The club weren’t lying when they said that Roberto De Zerbi is here for the long-term, as they are nearing a first signing for the Italian.

Though it may entirely depend on their Premier League status, Senesi would be a perfect fit for the former Brighton boss’s system.

De Zerbi values defenders who can invite pressure while being able to play short incisive passes to break forward and midfield lines.

Lewis Dunk was a good example of this for Brighton, who had big shouts for an England call-up when under the management of De Zerbi.

Senesi could be the same, but it may come down to Premier League survival.

The post Cristian Romero will be another forgotten name as Tottenham emerge frontrunners for Marcos Senesi appeared first on Tottenham Hotspur News.

Daily Record journalist Keith Jackson believes the Gers came close to making a monumental mistake, as the Belgium international could have been sold for cheap after an apparent falling out with Russell Martin.

There’s also a possibility that the Light Blues may get automatic qualification to the Champions League’s League Phase next season if they win the William Hill Premiership title, and the 25-year-old midfielder will arguably play a major role in achieving that.

Playing in the UCL could possibly bring in around £60million, and add the loss they arguably would have made by selling Raskin prematurely, the American owners barely avoided a massive error at Ibrox.

There’s no doubt Cavenagh will now back Danny Rohl again in the summer after what the Glaswegian outfit have been able to achieve in the current campaign, but things could have been drastically different had the Govan side’s hierarchy listened to Martin.

Nicolas Raskin takes initiative as Rangers in dreamland

It was Raskin who turned up to training under Martin and decided that he wanted to stay at the Gers.

The Belgian ace has now scored five goals and provided seven assists in the league, leading the Light Blues to victory in the 6-3 comeback win over Falkirk.

At one stage of the season, Hearts were 13 points clear of the Govan side, but Rohl has closed the gap to just one with five games to go post-split.

If the Glaswegian outfit win every game until the end of the campaign, the title will be theirs, something that wasn’t conceivable at one point.

Speaking on Hotline Live on 16 April, Jackson said, “If you put yourself in Cavenagh’s shoes today, he must be thinking, ‘Wow, how close was that?’ One, about his potential transfer value in the market this summer or after the World Cup.

“And two, imagine Rangers do manage to get over the line and Raskin is the guy that drives this over these next five days. It’s looking more and more like, with each passing week, that Rangers would then go automatically into the Champions League.

“You’re looking at a mistake that would be made there that ultimately could be the difference. What’s it now for the Champions League? It’s £60m just for the Champions League alone and then if you look at whatever millions Martin would’ve wiped off the transfer value, it’s astonishing. And that’s how close Rangers came to a monumental mistake.”

Andrew Cavenagh laughing all the way to the bank at Ibrox

Raskin can lead Rangers to glory in Scotland and could then be part of the Belgium national team’s plans as they look to pull off something special at the 2026 World Cup.

The midfielder has the opportunity to catch the eye on the international stage, and if he succeeds, Cavenagh may have a multi-million-pound player on his hands.

In the summer of 2022, Calvin Bassey became the Gers’ record player sale, moving to Ajax for £19.6m, but Raskin could potentially shatter that record.

Cavenagh is slowly starting to get things right in Govan and fans are anticipating exciting times ahead at the Glaswegian outfit.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.

The Gers are battling for the championship with Derek McInnes’ side, with just one point between the sides heading into the split.

A lot of neutrals want the Jambos to pip the Light Blues and Celtic to the crown, as they are sick of the Old Firm sides dominating.

However, McCoist is not one of them, and he fired back after the ex-Chelsea man claimed that the Bears legend would want McInnes to lift the title.

McCoist’s loyalty to Rangers is unquestionable, and he made that clear with his response.

What did Morris and McCoist say about Rangers title chase?

McCoist was vocal about his concerns on Rangers and Celtic’s fixtures after the split, but he is resolute in his desire for his former side to win the league.

Morris used the former Scotland international’s connection with the Tynecastle boss to try to argue that he would like him to win it over the Gers, but he was having none of it, and stuck with the club that he loves.

Speaking on talkSPORT on 17 April (08:46 am), he said: “I know you’re Rangers, but you must want Hearts to get over the line, come on, he is our mate.”

McCoist hit back, saying: “There’s something happening with the line mate, you’ve lost your marbles if you think I want the Jambos to win the league before the Teddy Bears, come on Jody, man, no chance.”

Morris ended his point, saying: “Listen, I am Rangers as well, but I definitely want Del to get over the line, what an amazing job he has done, we are lucky to be pals with him, it would be brilliant if they could split the Old Firm up for one year.”

The one scenario that would have McCoist rooting for Hearts

There is only one scenario where McCoist would want his pal to win it all.

If the G51 side are out of contention on the final day, then he will surely not want Martin O’Neill’s side to be holding the trophy up at the end of the campaign, and to go ahead of them, with both sides on 55 titles at the moment.

Hopefully, that does not happen, and Danny Rohl‘s side are firmly in with a chance on the final day, but if it was not the case, a Jambos victory is the only acceptable outcome for the Auchenhowie side.

No matter what happens, there is plenty to be excited about in the blue half of Glasgow, as Rohl has completely changed their fortunes, and he will be backed by the 49ers Enterprises group and Andrew Cavenagh to improve his squad further in the summer.

If the Gers win the title, it will be a brilliant achievement, but if they do not, it is not all doom and gloom.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.

Chelsea could reportedly still have a chance of beating Brighton to the potential transfer of FC Koln forward Said El Mala.

The talented young German attacker looks like an exciting prospect with a big future ahead of him, and it could be that we’ll be seeing him in the Premier League soon.

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According to Christian Falk in his CF Bayern Insider column, Brighton have been working on signing El Mala, but they might struggle to meet Koln’s demands for the 19-year-old.

This could allow Chelsea back into the mix, according to Falk, who says El Mala could cost around €50m.

Chelsea given Said El Mala transfer boost

Discussing El Mala’s future, Falk made it clear that Brighton are still leading the race for his signature, though nothing is done yet and that means Chelsea can’t be ruled out.

“It is TRUE: Brighton are in the lead for Said El Mala,” Falk said. “But it could be that other interested clubs still have a chance in this race, like Newcastle and Chelsea.

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“That’s because the Brighton offer was about €35m plus €4m in add-ons, and Cologne want €50m. If they don’t get this money, perhaps they’ll be open to talking with Chelsea again. This could happen.

“At the moment, the way is clear – El Mala looks very likely to be playing Premier League football next season. Now we have to see whether he ends up at Brighton, which is the current plan, or if FC Köln say it won’t work because of the money on the table.”

Chelsea could do with changing things up in attack

CFC would surely do well to land a talent like El Mala to give them something a bit different in attack, with some of their recent signings struggling.

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There could well be doubts about the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, who have not had anywhere near the kind of impact that the club will have hoped.

El Mala could be an upgrade, and it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can get there ahead of Brighton, though even that might point towards a future move for the west London giants given how much those two clubs have done business in recent times.

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Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon is reportedly attracting serious interest from Bayern Munich, with the German champions adding the England international to their shortlist of attacking targets.

According to German journalist Christian Falk, Bayern’s recruitment team view Gordon as a highly versatile option capable of strengthening multiple areas of their forward line.

While Bayern are not yet at the stage of submitting formal offers, their growing interest highlights Gordon’s rising reputation across Europe.

After establishing himself as one of Newcastle’s most energetic and effective attackers, the 25-year-old is now being considered by one of the continent’s biggest clubs, a sign of just how far his career has progressed in recent seasons.

Why Bayern Munich see Gordon as a valuable multi-role option

One of the biggest reasons behind Bayern Munich’s interest is Gordon’s flexibility in attack.

The club are believed to be targeting players who can cover multiple positions, ensuring depth across their frontline during a long and demanding season.

Gordon primarily operates as a left winger, but he has shown he can also play on the right side when needed.

That versatility makes him particularly appealing to Bayern, where squad rotation is essential due to the heavy workload of competing in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League.

At Bayern, Gordon could provide support for attacking stars such as Luis Díaz and Harry Kane, while also offering cover for wide players like Michael Olise.

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Gordon’s rise has caught attention of top clubs

Gordon’s development since joining Newcastle United has been one of the more notable success stories in the Premier League.

Initially seen as a promising but inconsistent talent during his time at Everton, he has matured into a reliable attacking presence capable of influencing matches consistently.

That form and consistency has seen clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool take notice of his performances.

Both the Premier League sides are closely monitoring the England international as they plan to strengthen their wide attacking position in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Gordon will have several offers on the table if he is made available for transfer by the Magpies.

It remains to be seen if he wants to continue his career in the Premier League or follow the foot steps of England striker Kane.

Bayern Munich eye impressive Premier League striker as potential back up to Harry Kane

The post Confirmed: Bayern Munich hold genuine interest in £80m Arsenal and Liverpool target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly rivalling Chelsea and other big clubs for the potential transfer of Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga.

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The Gunners are said to be long-term admirers of the 16-year-old, who can play as a winger or central attacking midfielder.

That’s according to the Telegraph, who add that Arsenal are keen on Monga after keeping tabs on him as he’s become regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the country.

Our information in recent months has been that Chelsea are also interested in Monga, but it may now be that Arsenal are moving ahead in the race for his signature.

Jeremy Monga could be a smart signing for Arsenal’s future

The Telegraph reports that Arsenal want to smarten up their recruitment of young players, so it certainly makes sense that Monga is on their radar.

The teenager is behind Arsenal stars Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman as the third youngest Premier League player ever, and he’s played alongside the latter of those for England at youth level.

Monga could do well to link up with Dowman at the Emirates Stadium, though one imagines he might also be tempted by Chelsea due to their current project that’s focused so much around developing young talents.

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Monga will likely have a lot of options, and AFC fans will just have to hope their club can come out on top here and land this huge prospect for the future.

It sounds like Monga could be a fine investment, and someone the Gunners could surely sell for a profit later on even if he didn’t end up making it as a regular in their first-team.

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At the end of the season, all the attention at Manchester United will turn towards their next permanent manager.

Interim manager Michael Carrick has so far done a brilliant job to save their season by taking them closer to Champions League qualification.

Initially brought in as a temporary, steady-the-ship interim fix, the 44-year-old has completely transformed the mood around Old Trafford.

And if the latest whispers are anything to go by, his temporary gig is on the verge of becoming permanent.

According to journalist David Ornstein, Carrick is now the clear-cut favorite to take the full-time reins this summer.

Michael Carrick in pole position for Man United job

Shedding light on the Old Trafford boardroom dynamics, Ornstein recently dropped a major update.

He noted that while formal interviews haven’t officially kicked off just yet, the club’s extensive background checks and agent conversations are essentially complete.

Sporting Director Jason Wilcox is spearheading the entire recruitment process, and according to Ornstein, Carrick currently sits firmly in “pole position.”

He said:

“I hear United have completed all of their background work and no doubt spoken to representatives, although I’m told no interviews with candidates have taken place yet.

“It’s a huge call for United and their sporting director Jason Wilcox — he’s leading the process and will make a recommendation to the board. As things stand, it might feel like Carrick is in pole position.”

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Other options are diminishing for the Red Devils

Thomas Tuchel has officially penned an extension with the England national team, Carlo Ancelotti is fully committed to leading Brazil into the 2026 World Cup, and Julian Nagelsmann remains heavily locked into his ongoing project with the German national setup.

That leaves Carrick as the favourite to get the job permanently at Old Trafford.

Fortunately for Carrick, you simply can’t argue with his initial impact. Since stepping into the high-pressure cauldron in January, he racked up an impressive seven wins in his first 11 Premier League matches, catapulting the Red Devils up to third in the table.

He instantly won over the Stretford End with massive, tactical masterclasses that resulted in statement victories over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

The honeymoon phase has shown a few slight cracks recently, with United stumbling to two defeats in their last four fixtures.

Reports of Man United talks with Bayern Munich speedster refuted by reliable journo

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Tottenham are reportedly making serious progress in their pursuit of Marcos Senesi, with talks advancing over a potential free transfer this summer.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Spurs are currently leading the race to sign the Bournemouth centre-back, although the move remains dependent on Tottenham maintaining their Premier League status.

Senesi, who is set to become available without a transfer fee, has quickly become one of the most attractive defensive options on the market.

His availability has drawn attention from several clubs, including Manchester United, who were previously believed to be among the frontrunners.

However, Tottenham’s recent push appears to have shifted momentum in their favour.

Why Marcos Senesi has become a popular target

Senesi has quietly built a reputation as one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League during his time at Bournemouth.

The 28-year-old Argentine centre-back is known for his strong tackling, positional awareness, and composure under pressure, qualities that have made him a consistent performer at the heart of Bournemouth’s defense.

Since arriving from Feyenoord, Senesi has adapted well to the physical demands of English football.

His leadership at the back and ability to play the ball out from defense have earned praise.

Another factor making Senesi appealing is his experience. At 28, he is entering the prime years of his career, offering a balance between maturity and physical capability.

For clubs looking to strengthen defensive depth without spending heavily, securing a proven Premier League defender on a free transfer represents a valuable opportunity.

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Tottenham need defensive reinforcements

Tottenham’s strong interest in Senesi shows their ongoing need to strengthen their defensive line.

Injuries and inconsistency at the back have been recurring challenges in recent seasons, forcing the club to explore dependable solutions ahead of the new campaign.

Reports suggest that Tottenham view Senesi as a player capable of stepping into the starting lineup immediately.

His experience in English football means he would require minimal adaptation time, a crucial factor for teams competing across multiple competitions.

However, the deal is not without conditions. Tottenham’s ability to finalise the transfer reportedly depends on their Premier League status.

If the club were to face relegation, financial constraints and squad restructuring could impact their recruitment plans significantly.

Tottenham midfielder on Bayern Munich & Liverpool radar, relegation could ease exit

The post Tottenham move ahead of Premier League rivals to sign free-agent defender appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young talents linked with a potential summer move, with both Bayern Munich and Liverpool reportedly monitoring his situation closely.

According to Daily Mail, the 20-year-old could become available if Tottenham face the possibility of relegation from the Premier League, a scenario that would likely force the club into difficult transfer decisions.

Gray has built a reputation as one of England’s most promising midfield prospects, and the uncertainty surrounding Tottenham’s league position has only increased speculation about his future.

Should Spurs fail to retain their top-flight status, several young stars could be placed on the market, making this summer a potentially transformative period for the North London club.

Gray’s rise has caught the attention of Bayern and Liverpool

Gray’s rise through English football has been impressive. After breaking through as a teenager, he quickly demonstrated maturity beyond his years, showcasing composure on the ball and strong tactical awareness.

His ability to operate both as a central midfielder and in deeper defensive roles has made him highly valued.

He has shown the ability to dictate tempo, break up opposition attacks, and contribute to forward movements, qualities that have impressed top clubs like Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

Their interest suggests they see Gray as someone capable of growing into a key role at the highest level of European football.

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Tottenham could be forced to sell the young midfielder

Tottenham’s current league struggles have created uncertainty around the club’s financial planning and squad stability.

Relegation from the Premier League would significantly reduce revenue, potentially forcing the club to consider selling valuable assets to balance finances.

In situations like this, young players with high market value often attract the most attention from bigger clubs. Gray fits that profile perfectly, a talented midfielder with years of development ahead of him.

Reports also suggest that teammate Lucas Bergvall could attract offers if Tottenham’s situation worsens.

The Swedish midfielder has reportedly drawn interest from clubs such as Chelsea and Aston Villa, both of whom are keen to strengthen their squads with technically gifted young players.

Confirmed: Bayern Munich hold genuine interest in £80m Arsenal and Liverpool target 

The post Tottenham midfielder on Bayern Munich & Liverpool radar, relegation could ease exit appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Recent speculation linking Manchester United with a summer move for Alphonso Davies has been firmly dismissed, with journalist Christian Falk stating that reports of talks between the two parties are simply not true.

Despite the rumours circulating across several outlets, there has been no confirmed contact between United and the Canadian left-back regarding a transfer.

However, while those specific claims have been denied, the wider picture surrounding Davies’ future at Bayern Munich remains interesting.

The German giants are believed to value the player highly, but certain factors, including his injury record and salary, mean that a move elsewhere cannot be completely ruled out under the right circumstances.

No Alphonso Davies talks with Man United

Man United, who have been reviewing their options at left-back due to injuries and inconsistent availability in recent seasons, were quickly linked to the Bayern star.

But Falk has clarified that there have been no official discussions between Man United and Davies’ camp.

This suggests that the speculation may have been driven more by general interest in strengthening United’s defense rather than concrete negotiations.

That said, it’s no secret that United, like many top clubs, are constantly evaluating elite players capable of improving key positions.

Davies, widely regarded as one of the fastest and most dynamic full-backs in world football, naturally fits the profile of a player many teams admire.

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Vincent Kompany admires the Canadian full-back

Davies remains a highly valued member of the squad. Manager Vincent Kompany is said to be a strong admirer of the Canadian international, particularly because of the speed and attacking threat he provides from the left flank.

Before the current season began, Bayern made it clear during contract discussions that they saw Davies as a crucial part of their long-term plans.

Kompany reportedly emphasised how important Davies’ pace is to his tactical philosophy, especially in systems that rely on quick transitions and overlapping full-backs.

When fully fit, Davies offers qualities that few defenders in world football can match. His ability to recover defensively, burst forward in attack, and create chances from wide areas has made him one of Bayern’s most recognisable players.

This makes the idea of letting him leave far from straightforward.

If Davies remains healthy and delivers consistent performances, Bayern’s willingness to consider offers would likely decrease. On the other hand, ongoing injury concerns or contract developments could influence future decisions.

Man United join Premier League rivals Arsenal in race for in-demand Brazilian

The post Reports of Man United talks with Bayern Munich speedster refuted by reliable journo appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester City have reportedly been dealt the blow that Ruben Dias will not be fit in time to play against Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.

The Portugal international has been an important player for Man City down the years, but he also missed the Carabao Cup final victory over the Gunners.

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In truth, Pep Guardiola has a lot of depth in that area of his squad, with Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Nathan Ake all available as perfectly solid options for City.

There’s not yet been an update on Nico O’Reilly, who went off injured in the win over Chelsea last weekend, but the Manchester Evening News report that Dias is out of Sunday’s match at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City’s other injury issues

Josko Gvardiol remains out of action with a long-term injury that has derailed his campaign, while John Stones is also out for the time being.

Overall, though, City have a strong squad that should be able to cope, even if fans will be eagerly awaiting an update on O’Reilly, who has been such a key player for them this season.

The 21-year-old has shown himself to be an outstanding talent, and scored twice against Arsenal in that Carabao Cup final last month.

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Arsenal facing injury crisis ahead of City trip

Arsenal are in a much worse situation with injuries, with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka missing a lot of games recently.

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There are also concerns about Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, and Gunners supporters will hope Mikel Arteta has positive updates on these key players ahead of the trip to Manchester.

A full-strength Arsenal XI should have what it takes to get a result at the Etihad, but if they again find themselves under-strength then it could prove crucial to allowing Guardiola’s men back into this title race.

The post Manchester City dealt injury blow ahead of crucial Arsenal game appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool have reportedly done extensive background checks on Crystal Palace central midfielder Adam Wharton as they prepare a summer move.

The Reds are eager to strengthen in the middle of the park ahead of next season, with Wharton identified as one of their top targets and being discussed internally by the club.

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That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states that Liverpool could get a deal done for the England international for around £70m.

That would represent Palace’s biggest ever sale, with the Eagles likely to be keen to hold on to Wharton for a bit longer if possible.

Still, we’ve seen a lot of big names leave Selhurst Park in recent times, such as Eberechi Eze to Arsenal last summer, and Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January.

Adam Wharton transfer race hotting up

This is not the first story we’ve heard about Wharton in recent times, and it probably won’t be the last, with the 22-year-old showing himself to be a top talent with a big future.

An intelligent and technically gifted player, Wharton has a real knack for dictating play from a deep midfield role, and that could be something very useful to this LFC side.

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Still, they could also face competition for his signature as Chelsea are also interested, according to a recent report from Simon Phillips.

Manchester United are also in the market for a new midfielder, with the Daily Mail mentioning Wharton as one of a few different names on the Red Devils’ list.

Adam Wharton looks ideal for Liverpool

Liverpool would do well to land a talent like Wharton, who gets a high score with our Transfer Fit rating system (read more about how these are calculated here)…

Given his surprisingly low £70m asking price, current career trajectory, and the fact that he’d surely be an upgrade on Alexis Mac Allister, this deal ticks all the boxes for Arne Slot’s side.

The post Deal discussed: Liverpool carry out extensive work on potential £70m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham continue to teeter on the brink of relegation disaster in the Premier League, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL what the “minimum” time frame for a return to Champions League contention would be if the worst were to happen in 2026. Championship football could be on the agenda before elite European competition returns to north London, with a remarkable fall from grace being endured.

France legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL that Kylian Mbappe will have “had nightmares” about Paris Saint-Germain winning the Champions League without him and Ousmane Dembele landing the Ballon d’Or. Mbappe headed to Real Madrid in a bid to collect those honours, but has been warned that a trophy drought in Spain could last up to four years.

Arsenal have been left with several selection issues before facing Man City in the Premier League title showdown

Gunners have some major question marks ahead of crunch title showdown at the Etihad

A draw would keep Arsenal in charge of the title but a win for Manchester City would mean they could knock the Gunners off top spot

“I’d put it like this – even in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup we held our own well. In the end Bayern showed the quality they have. You could see it in the first Bundesliga game this season [when Stuttgart lost 5-0] as well. We have to play like we did in the first half. We have to really stand up to them and somehow try to stop their individual quality. I think we can manage that. Of course, it’s going to be very difficult.”

Bundesliga: How many risks can you afford to take against Bayern?

“I do think you have to play with courage. In Munich especially you have to be very brave, but not reckless, because they punish basically every mistake, and they’re doing that consistently this season. You mustn’t lose your head, but still play with a lot of courage.”

Bundesliga: What can you learn from Bayern’s record-breaking attack?

“A lot, actually. The finishing of those three in attack [Harry Kane, Luis Díaz and Michael Olise] is unbelievable – the composure and conviction with which they put chances away is definitely something you can learn from. But also, their interplay and how they set each other up is world-class. You can take something from that too. Of course it’s difficult, but you can maybe add one or two things to your own game.”

Asllani: “I’m proud of myself because not many people would have expected me to be where I am now a year and a half ago. I never stopped working, even when things didn’t look promising, and in the end I’ve been rewarded for that.

“I just try to enjoy everything – to enjoy football and have fun. I don’t focus on things off the pitch. I just want to perform and enjoy myself, because when I’m enjoying it, I play my best football.”

Watch: The best of Fisnik Asllani

But Eta, who was previously in charge of the Berlin club’s U19 side, has not appeared unduly flustered by all the attention. For her, all that matters is halting a run of form which ultimately led to her predecessor, Steffen Baumgart, being relieved of his duties last weekend.

Nigeria will face two of Zimbabwe, India and Jamaica at the Unity Cup in London where the Super Eagles will look to defend the title they won last year.

Similar to the 2025 edition, Chelle has decided against inviting Super Eagles regulars for the invitational tournament.

The Malian tactician plans to deploy NPFL players and fringe Super Eagles stars for the games.

While there may be more openings for NPFL stars in the final 23-man squad, Soccernet.ng have identified five of the standout performers of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season as of mid-April 2026.

The most exciting NPFL stars on Eric Chelle's watchlist

Joseph Arumala (Ikorodu City FC)

• Age: 21 (Born: November 8, 2004)

Arumala is having a breakout debut top-flight season and has been a delight to watch for Lagos fans and neutrals (as well as a nightmare for opposing defenders). The youngster has recorded 12 goals and 2 assists in 32 appearances. He recently hit the 12-goal mark with a strike against Warri Wolves.

Thanks to his goals, Ikorodu City currently sit 3rd in the NPFL with 55 points after 34 matches and are firmly in the title conversation. They are the league's most potent attack, having scored 37 goals (and reportedly up to 60 across all competitions/records this term).

Emerging from the NNL with the “Oga Boys,” Arumala has transitioned seamlessly into a premier goal-scoring winger. His rapid rise makes him a prime candidate for the NPFL Golden Boot and potential interest from foreign scouts. Coach Eric Chelle needs not look far for an under-study for Moses Simon.

Jonathan Mairiga (Wikki Tourists)

• Age: 25 (Born: June 12, 2000)

Mairiga has reached 10 goals in his debut campaign in the NPFL. The most productive midfielder in the division, he has 14 goal contributions (10 goals, 4 assists) in 32 appearances, often operating from a central or attacking role.

He has been an ever-present shining light for a Wikki Tourists side that occupy 18th place with 40 points. Despite their struggles, they were a top-four team earlier in the season before a significant dip.

Mairiga was instrumental in Wikki's promotion from the NNL. His ability to score from midfield has maintained his reputation as a standout player even while his team fights relegation. He may not bench Alex Iwobi in the current Super Eagles but even Chelle can't snub a player who guarantees goals from midfield.

Daddy Abdulrahman (El-Kanemi Warriors)

• Age: 22 (Born: May 15, 2003)

A disciplined central midfielder and one of the brightest young talents in the NPFL, Daddy Abdulrahman is the gem of a vibrant Plateau United.

The 22-year-old has scored 10 goals this season (including a brace against Plateau United) and provided 2 assists. He is a regular starter, known for his work rate that complements his relatively high scoring volume.

He has played a key role in getting El-Kanemi Warriors to 11th in the NPFL standings with 46 points.

Abdulrahman joined El-Kanemi in August 2025 after a stint with Shooting Stars. He is viewed as a rising box-to-box midfield talent, providing stability for the Maiduguri-based side. The Super Eagles miss the energy of Oghenekaro Etebo but Abdulrahman can step in that gap for Chelle.

Vincent Temitope (Plateau United)

• Age: 22 (Born: December 10, 2003)

Temitope has netted 10 goals and added three assists this season, serving as a primary attacking threat from the left wing. Imagine him to be a more goal-focused version of Samuel Chukwueze.

Thanks to his effectiveness in front of goal, Plateau United currently sits 8th on the log with 46 points.

Temitope joined the Jos side in 2024. His physical presence (1.85m) and versatility to play as a center-forward or winger have made him one of the league's most difficult attackers to mark.

Ayobami Junior (Shooting Stars SC)

• Age: 27 (Born: December 24, 1998)

Known as the “midfield maestro,” Ayobami leads the league’s playmaking charts with 11 assists and has also chipped in with at least 1 goal. Junior may be the oldest on this list but the visionary midfielder is certainly the brain-box of the whole division. One of his standout displays this season saw him record a hat-trick of assists in a 4-2 win over Warri Wolves.

Junior has been inspirational for a Shooting Stars (3SC) side that currently sit 5th in the NPFL with 51 points.

Already a veteran of the league, Ayobami has become the creative heartbeat of 3SC. His intelligence and two-footed ability have solidified his status as one of the best technical midfielders in Nigeria.

Nicknamed ‘Frank the Tank', Onyeka has featured in 11 league games for Frank Lampard's side, and eight of those have ended in victories, prompting praise from his teammate and English midfielder Jack Rudoni.

Coventry City are currently ten points clear at the top of the EFL Championship, with four league games left to play, and a victory against Blackburn Rovers will send them to the Premier League.

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Coventry: Jack Rudoni lauds Frank Onyeka's strength

The former Midtjylland midfielder has formed a strong relationship with Rudoni since making the switch from the Gtech Community Stadium back in January.

They've been seen making jokes when giving the man of the match or player of the week awards, alongside their hilarious post-match interview sessions.

However, outside of their relationship, the 24-year-old Englishman revealed Onyeka's importance to Coventry's midfield.

“Tank's [Onyeka], is like my new best mate. I love him, we have so much quality on the pitch,” Rudoni said in the presser ahead of the game against Blackburn Rovers.

“I've been in there with Tank and Grimesy in midfield, we have a good relationship. I can always stand in the pocket, and wait for Frank to demolish someone and give me the ball.

“It makes my life easy playing with him. He's such a physical presence and he's so good at winning the ball back and upping the tempo in a press, winning the ball as quick as possible.

“He's a top player, played several Premier League games, and that experience shows. Off the pitch, he's a chill guy as well,” the ex-Huddersfield man concluded.

Onyeka will sign for Coventry City permanently when they seal promotion to the English Premier League.

The 21-year-old has spent much of the season on the bench, injured or not even registered, amid a difficult start to life in England.

On Thursday, however, the Brazilian was brought into the starting line-up as Nottingham Forest beat FC Porto 1-0 to qualify for the Europa League semi-finals.

The home side had an immediate advantage when Jan Bednarek was dismissed for a late and high tackle on Chris Wood. Morgan Gibbs-White’s winning goal would come just four minutes later.

Nottingham Forest’s good form appears to come at the perfect time, with Vitor Pereira’s side now set for a Europa League semi-final clash against Aston Villa.

Jair Cunha proves his worth vs FC Porto

Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider last month that Liverpool are keen to sign Murillo this summer.

The centre-back has been hugely impressive for Nottingham Forest again this season and will attract a sizable fee if he leaves, with three years left on his contract.

Decision-makers at the City Ground will be desperate to keep hold of Murillo, but they will also know that they may well have a ready-made replacement in Cunha.

Thursday was just the defender’s eighth appearance in a Nottingham Forest shirt, and it came in one of their biggest games of the season.

With Nikola Milenkovic sitting on the bench, the 21-year-old was starting on merit, and proved exactly why.

Cunha was composed and confident, completing 91 per cent of his passes, all four of his attempted long passes, and even creating a chance on the night.

And defensively, he was dominant. The centre-back made two tackles, two clearances and won all but one of his duels.

Despite the slow start to Cunha’s Nottingham Forest career, £10m is starting to look like an extremely good piece of business.

Nottingham Forest fans applaud Cunha

Sean Dyche’s lack of trust in Cunha led many Nottingham Forest fans to believe that the 21-year-old was not ready for action yet.

Opportunities since the arrival of Pereira have called those decisions into question, however, with fans left massively impressed after Thursday’s display.

“Didn’t notice him at all… which is just about the biggest compliment I could pay a CB,” wrote one supporter on X about Cunha. “Absolute gem of a signing!”

Another wrote: “Jair Cunha is going to the very, very top, absolute star boy”.

The post Nottingham Forest: Jair Cunha’s superb stats vs FC Porto prove he was well worth the wait appeared first on Football Insider.

City were interested in versatile midfielder Maza last summer, but he instead made the move to Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin for a fee of around £10.5million.

The 20-year-old has featured regularly throughout his debut season at the BayArena, with five goals and assists each in 38 appearances across all competitions so far.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, City remain interested in Maza and could make another move to sign him this summer.

Man City’s plans to sign Maza could accelerate after news of Bernardo Silva’s impending exit went public earlier this week.

Man City weighing up Ibrahim Maza move for second successive summer

Recent reports have claimed that other Premier League clubs are also interested in Maza, but he seems most likely to end up at the Etihad Stadium this summer due to City’s existing interest.

He has also impressed on the international stage this season, with two goals and an assist at the Africa Cup of Nations for Algeria in December, and Pep Guardiola could give the green light to a move in the coming months.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “(Maza) is a player that’s been on the radar for a while now.

“They did look at him last summer before he ended up moving to Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin, and I’m sure they’ve continued to keep tabs on his progress at Leverkusen.

“They saw him up close and personal when he played against City in the Champions League earlier this season. He set up a goal for Patrik Shick in their shock win at the Etihad.

“They’re well aware of Maza, who has had a really good season for Bayer Leverkusen.”

Tijjani Reijnders among three senior stars who could leave Man City

Changes are afoot in midfield for Guardiola’s side as Silva prepares to depart and Rodri is linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Sources have exclusively told Football Insider that Reijnders could leave Man City this summer alongside the likes of Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

The Netherlands midfielder started the season strongly after his big-money move from AC Milan, but has failed to nail down a place in Guardiola’s midfield over the last few months.

He could be moved on as City look to cut their losses, with Maza being a potential replacement, as they both play in similar positions.

The post Revealed: Man City ready summer move to sign Bundesliga star they've watched 'up close and personal' appeared first on Football Insider.

That is according to former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who believes the club would prefer to sell to PSG rather than a Premier League rival.

The Villans have no plans to let Rogers depart, but their financial restrictions in the transfer market mean the funds would boost their position with profit and sustainability rules.

Rogers could demand a big price tag, as the 23-year-old has been a standout performer for Unai Emery’s side this season.

Champions League qualification could strengthen Aston Villa’s position to keep Rogers at the club, with Emery’s squad currently on track to achieve that aim.

Aston Villa ‘walking PSR tightrope’ as ‘big’ Morgan Rogers bid expected

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Rogers could flourish at PSG.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Aston Villa will prioritise the sales of other players over Rogers.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “If they are forced to cash in, then it’ll be for the highest price.

“I’ve heard from a good source that PSG are the ones that will make the big bid and come in for Morgan Rogers. Now that makes sense to me.

“Rogers is their style of player. He would benefit really well in the Champions League with PSG. I could imagine a Morgan Rogers in that squad playing that type of football that PSG have been playing. So that makes some sense to me.

“Certainly domestically, Villa would loathe to sell to another rival, certainly in the top half of the table. Of course, Villa will be doing all they can not to sell Morgan Rogers, and they’ll be looking to see how they can make that up with other sales.

“They’re walking that tightrope just now with PSR, and we’ve just got to see, but if he has to go then that big number will come from PSG.”

Aston Villa plot contract talks with star

If Rogers leaves Villa Park, then it could be important for the club to tie Emi Buendia down to a new contract.

Sources have told Football Insider that Aston Villa will hold contract talks with Buendia at the end of the season, with his current deal expiring in 2027.

The 29-year-old has forced his way back into Emery’s plans this season, and has contributed seven goals and seven assists in all competitions.

The Argentine could play a greater role if Rogers departs, whilst he has the versatility to play in the number 10 position or out wide.

The post 'I've heard from a good source....' - Keith Wyness drops Aston Villa intel on 'Big Bid' for summer transfer appeared first on Football Insider.

The Lilywhites are said to be in advanced talks for the signing of Bournemouth defender Marco Senesi on a free transfer this summer.

The 28-year-old has starred for the Cherries this season, and is the subject of interest throughout the Premier League.

Roberto De Zerbi’s team could still be relegated and currently sit in the drop zone, with the move subject to the North London club’s Premier League status.

Tottenham transfer chiefs hope to equip their new manager with a strong squad next season, but will be currently working on the basis of two different shortlists depending on their fate.

Cristian Romero set for Tottenham exit

Football Insider exclusively revealed last week that Romero is attracting interest across Europe, after it was revealed that he has a release clause in his Tottenham contract.

The defender’s father revealed the clause in an interview earlier this month, with several clubs monitoring the situation.

Romero’s season was brought to an end last weekend when he was injured in Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Sunderland.

The Argentine has picked up a knee injury and is expected to miss up to eight weeks with a partial tear of his MCL, placing his chances of going to the World Cup with Argentina in doubt.

The immediate concerns will be with Tottenham’s safety. Romero has been a liability at times this season, picking up needless red cards and making frequent mistakes.

He remains among their most important players, however, and they are undoubtedly a better team with him at the back.

But after Friday’s news, the 27-year-old may well have played his final game for Tottenham. David Ornstein reports that decision-makers are in “advanced talks” to sign Senesi, with the North London club seen as the leading contender.

Marco Senesi is a calmer replacement

Senesi shares a nationality with Romero, and the pair could still be on the same plane to this summer’s World Cup.

The similarities stop there, however. Senesi lacks the aggression of Romero, preferring to bide his time before making a tackle.

He may well be the better-suited partner for Micky van de Ven, although it remains to be seen how he would adapt to De Zerbi’s style.

On the face of it, Senesi’s ball-playing ability would make him a perfect candidate. Years of playing under Andoni Iraola will have prepared him for exactly that.

Where the 28-year-old boasts strong ability alongside Romero, he lacks the Tottenham captain’s leadership. That will not be so easy to replace.

The post Cristian Romero has played his last game for Tottenham as ‘advanced talks’ for Marco Senesi begin appeared first on Football Insider.

That is according to former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, who exclusively told Football Insider the EFL should “make an exception” for the Championship club.

Sheffield Wednesday will be playing in League One next season following their relegation, having been deducted 18 points for breaching the EFL’s regulations after going into administration.

Arise Capital Partners, which comprises Storch, his son Michael and Tom Costin, was granted preferred bidder status to seal a takeover at Hillsborough last month. 

However, Storch has now confirmed the Owls will begin next season with a 15-point penalty in League One. 

How Sheffield Wednesday are being punished for Dejphon Chanisiri’s mistakes

In a statement on Wednesday (15 April), Storch said his group wants the EFL to recognise the “unique” nature of Sheffield Wednesday’s situation, adding that they “fundamentally disagree” with the decision.

The 15-point penalty will be enforced due to Arise’s offer not meeting the league’s requirement to repay creditors 25p in the pound, with former owner Dejphon Chansiri needing to be paid £15million of the £60m he loaned the Owls to avoid a points deduction. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Wyness discussed the decision to hand the South Yorkshire club a further points deduction next season.

“The EFL will probably say that this is the way that they want to apply the rules consistently across all situations,” said Wyness.

“However, this is punishing the club and not punishing a bad owner in Chansiri. That is the attitude that they have got to take. They are now actually doing everything that the EFL and the new independent regulator said they don’t want to do.

“This is about supporting football clubs and rescuing football clubs, and now what they are doing is making that harder and harder.” 

Why EFL clubs should be supporting Sheffield Wednesday

Wyness insisted Chansiri should not receive any help to recoup his funds following his failed ownership at Hillsborough.

“Although Chansiri did try hard at the start, he proved to be a bad owner in the end,” said Wyness.

“He should not be rewarded or given any help with his investment.

“I’m afraid that the EFL has got to look at the rulebook and find a way to make an exception in this case, and that should be welcomed by other clubs in the EFL. 

“That is the way forward, to support clubs themselves and make sure the punishment is not on the club but is on the owner that creates the problem.” 

The post Club adviser blasts EFL over Sheffield Wednesday latest, they 'said they don’t want to do' that appeared first on Football Insider.

Real Madrid will not be appointing Jurgen Klopp as manager this summer, despite strong interest from Los Blancos in recent months. Advisor Anas Laghrari has been advocating for the German’s appointment for a number of years, but it seems this will not be the summer he arrives at Real Madrid either.

After Xabi Alonso’s sacking in January, Klopp was cited as the first choice for Real Madrid to take over in the summer. Having retired 18 months earlier from management, Klopp has on several occasions denied any intention to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu, albeit there were some reports that he could consider an offer ‘under the right conditions’ from Germany.

Klopp is not an option for Real Madrid this summer

For the first time, the reports coming out of Spain have ruled out the signing of Klopp. He himself had spoken about it on several occasions, but rumours from the Spanish capital continued that he was in consideration. El Chiringuito have explained that while Klopp is liked by everyone at the club, he is no longer in consideration for the job, and is not an option to take over this summer.

EXCLUSIVA de @jpedrerol

"ARBELOA NO ESTÁ FUERA, FLORENTINO tiene que HABLAR CON ÉL".

"KLOPP NO ES UNA POSIBILIDAD". pic.twitter.com/kJAHgzBeFe

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 17, 2026

Alvaro Arbeloa meeting to happen in coming days

The expectation is that Real Madrid do need a replacement for Arbeloa, but on Thursday night, reports emerged that Arbeloa still has hope of retaining his job next year. El Chiringuito assure no decision has been taken on his future, and that he will meet with President Florentino Perez in the coming days.

In that meeting, Arbeloa and Perez will analyse the mistakes made by him, by Xabi Alonso, which players performed and did not, and the atmosphere in the dressing room. From those discussions, a decision will be made, but it is noted that the players are behind Arbeloa, and they are in favour of his continuity.

The post Jurgen Klopp not an option for Real Madrid ahead of Alvaro Arbeloa meeting appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona have harboured doubts about their full-back positions this season, and while it remains to be seen whether that will lead to action in the transfer market, they are assessing their options. One name that has been frequently linked with the Blaugrana is former La Masia product Alejandro Grimaldo.

The Spain international, who has been a key player in recent years for Bayer Leverkusen, has been keen on a return to Spain for some time. The 30-year-old has voiced as much, and was linked to all of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid last summer, but none made a decisive move for him.

FC Barcelona are accelerating negotiations for Alessandro Bastoni, considered the "priority signing" to lead the defense next season. The Italian centre-back has already given the green light to the operation, and the club aim to finalize the agreement before the World Cup.… pic.twitter.com/SirK9oDgAz

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 17, 2026

Grimaldo available for just €12m this summer

With just a year left on his deal, Fussballdaten (via Sport) claim that Leverkusen will consider his exit for just €12m this summer, to avoid losing him for free. Their information goes on to say that Juventus and Milan are also looking at his signing. Last summer Barcelona reached an agreement on personal terms with Grimaldo, but decided not to push ahead with a €15m deal.

Cancelo interest could complicate Grimaldo move

However it is not clear if Barcelona will move for a left-back, and it appears he is not first choice. The Catalan side intend to reinforce their ranks with a central defender, which may move Gerard Martin back to left-back, his original position. Equally, the word is that Barcelona want to keep loanee Joao Cancelo beyond the summer, albeit they have a difficult negotiation ahead with Al-Hilal to do so.

Grimaldo would be a solid signing, but unless Alejandro Balde leaves, then it would seem that Barcelona are covered at the left-back position. If the Cancelo deal cannot be completed – the Saudi Arabian side reportedly want €15m for him – that could open the door to a move for Grimaldo.

The post Barcelona can sign left-back target for just €12m this summer appeared first on Football España.

After exiting the Champions League on Tuesday at the hands of Atletico Madrid, and with the La Liga title very much within Barcelona’s hands, the focus in the Catalan capital is already turning to the summer transfer window. With the promise, at least from President Joan Laporta, of being within their salary limit, it is shaping up to be a busier transfer window.

There are major doubts about the futures of Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski at the club, while Marc Casado looks as if he will almost certainly exit this year. On the other hand, Barcelona have already returned to talks for defender Alessandro Bastoni, who they will try to sign from Inter.

Debate of Roony Bardghji future

According to Sport, Barcelona are debating the future of Roony Bardghji too. The Swedish talent impressed early on in the season with some good performances, but in the second half of the season has seen very limited opportunities. Something that Bardghji complained about while on international duty in March.

The Blaugrana value the fact that Bardghji takes up little room in the salary limit, but has contributed when called upon in a role behind Lamine Yamal. The club are keen for him to continue as a result, believing him to have the talent to succeed at Barcelona, but it is not clear whether he will be willing to accept a similar role next season.

Héctor Fort has recovered from his shoulder injury, and will be available for Elche FC during the final stretch of the season. [@mundodeportivo] pic.twitter.com/UD0y3NOTAq

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 17, 2026

Barcelona receive three enquiries for Bardghji

In addition, there will be a temptation to cash in on him. There was talk that he could leave on loan last summer, after arriving for €2.5m from Copenhagen, with a 20% sell-on fee. That could be a solution, but the Catalan paper say that Barcelona have also received enquiries from Porto, Stuttgart and AS Monaco for him. The intention is that if Bardghji is keen to leave, then they will consider a loan move, rather than a permanent transfer, as they see him as a long-term bet.

Were Barcelona to receive a large offer for Bardghji, it is not hard to visualize a situation where the Catalan club decide to sacrifice Bardghji though. It would not be difficult to replace the 616 minutes he has played, with Lamine Yamal rotating less rather than more. If Barcelona find themselves in need of more funds for their other transfer priorities, Bardghji could be a casualty.

The post Barcelona debate sale of forward after receiving three enquiries appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona are looking to bring in a centre-forward this summer, and for some time it has been reported that their preferred choice for the number nine spot is Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez. For some time, Los Colchoneros have been adamant that he is not for sale, but now it seems the Catalan side have taken an interest in another Atletico forward.

As reported by Marca, Barcelona hold an interest in signing Alexander Sorloth. The imposing Norwegian has a strong record against Barcelona, and a decent return of goals in his two seasons at Atletico, and the Blaugrana have made a formal enquiry for him. Matteo Moretto explains that with Robert Lewandowski potentially leaving, Barcelona like Sorloth’s similar physical profile and ability to adapt immediately to Hansi Flick’s system.

Barcelona looking for cover due to Lewandowski uncertainty

The plan at Barcelona was to retain Lewandowski for another season, offering him a one-year extension with a large wage cut, and a back-up role at Camp Nou. However the Polish veteran, who turns 38 in August, is still considering his options, and reportedly is no longer prioritising the offer from Barcelona. There is a chance that he leaves at the end of the season, leaving only Ferran Torres as a number nine.

Rafael Leão has once again 'reopened' the door for a move to Barça. The AC Milan winger, whose future in Italy is uncertain despite a contract until 2028, has made a new nod to the club by posting a photo of Ronaldinho's time at FC Barcelona on his Instagram.[@mundodeportivo]… pic.twitter.com/jpwDLCZSoK

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 17, 2026

Sorloth’s record against Barcelona

Barcelona are all too familiar with Sorloth’s capabilities, with the 30-year-old enjoying himself against the Catalans. In 15 appearances, he has seven goals and three assists. Sorloth has two years remaining on his Atletico deal, and has 17 goals and an assist in his 47 appearances, despite only starting 24 of those games.

Giuliano Simeone plays his first final for Atlético Madrid tomorrow. What a journey it's been for him so far! pic.twitter.com/J83iQEgH4u

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) April 17, 2026

Starting number nine or alternative?

With a move for Alvarez seemingly out of reach, Barcelona have been linked with Victor Osimhen, but there have been few links to other players that could fill the number nine position. Torres is the alternative, but the talk at Barcelona has been of a star name that could occupy the position for some time to come. Sorloth would be a lower profile option than the likes of Alvarez or Osimhen.

The post Barcelona interested in shock move for second Atletico Madrid forward appeared first on Football España.

Written by David Smith

Rayo Vallecano have qualified for their first-ever European semi-final, narrowly escaping
the sharp talons of AEK Athens. In a tough night away from home, Rayo went three-nil down in the 51st minute, surrendering their three-goal advantage from the first leg. The ‘Franjirrojos’ fielded the same starting XI from the previous encounter against the Greeks but Inigo Perez encountered various problems throughout the first half.

The game kicked off shrouded in the flares that had been lit up by the 1,500 Rayo fans who
had made their way to Athens. The hosts had a shaky start to the game, forfeiting
possession easily and being vulnerable to Rayo’s counter-attacks. Andrei Ratiu missed a sitter in
front of goal after the goalkeeper had spilled Isi Palazon’s shot from outside the box. Alvaro Garcia also went through on goal but was unable to hit the target. From then on the
confidence of AEK kept growing. Angolan forward Zine rifled one in from a throw-in and then
doubled their lead from the spot.

Between the two goals, Rayo were dealt an injury blow, as Garcia limped off to be replaced by Pacha Espino. The Greek side had effectively managed to box in their guests, with Rayo unable
to progress the ball forward, constantly giving away set pieces and aimlessly clearing the
ball. AEK focused on getting the ball out wide and had won the majority of duels and second
balls. Drastic change was called for from the Rayo bench.

Perez brought on Alemao for Ilias Akhomach, who provided a focal point in attack and permitted his teammates to advance further up the pitch, winning a good chunk of his duels.
AEK came out strong in the second half, winning a free-kick just outside the box and then netting their third goal, wiping out Rayo’s once hefty advantage in just 51 minutes. But the game started shifting in Rayo’s favour. With belief surging across the ground, AEK rode their energy hoping to get a fourth but left themselves vulnerable on the counter. Despite struggling to get numbers forward, the big moment came.

Pedro Diaz, who had just come on five minutes prior, was played through by Ratiu and had
space to drive the ball forward and play a pass across to Isi, aided by the gap Alemao’s off-the-ball movement had created. He scored the all-important decisive goal to send Rayo through. He jumped onto the advertising board, to celebrate with the ‘Rayista’ faithful. If there is one thing Rayo did not lack throughout, from fans to players, it was belief. The singing never stopped, despite a nightmarish opening hour to the game. A banner was unveiled right before kick-off along with a tifo. The banner read ‘El barrio en el barco, el barco sin dueño’ – The neighborhood on the ship, the ship without an owner.

It is a popular phrase used by the Bukaneros to express the sentiment of independence, that
despite the issues the fanbase has had with owner Raul Martin Prensa, the club is ultimately
manned by its supporters.

The road ahead is tricky for Perez and his squad. They sit three points off the
relegation zone. Perez admitted after Sunday’s three-nil defeat away to Mallorca that he
would agree to being knocked out by AEK if it meant ensuring survival in the top tier. The
dilemma continues as they now face Strasbourg for a place in the Conference League final.

The post Rayo Vallecano survive AEK Athens talons to make first ever European semi-final appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona are keen to improve their backline after conceding in every single one of their Champions League games this season, and their primary target is Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni. The Catalan side are trying to find ways to bring the price tag down for the Italy international though, with Inter reportedly looking to bring in €60-80m for him.

It has been suggested that they could work on a ‘player-plus-cash’ deal,  with Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres supposedly players that Inter might be interested in. However on Thursday it emerged that the Catalan side were keen to include young right-back Hector Fort in the deal. Barcelona have already been in talks with Bastoni, and have agreed a contract with the 26-year-old.

Robert Lewandowski: "We still have a little time. The club know what I think and I have had time to think. I don't want to talk about offers and my future. The remaining matches and the goals are more important. That something new comes out in the press every day is not… pic.twitter.com/P7NaWpDBWi

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 17, 2026

Inter ‘very interested’ in Hector Fort

As explained by Matteo Moretto on RadioMarca, Fort is a player that Inter are ‘very interested’ in. The 19-year-old has shown flashes of talent going forward for both Barcelona and Elche in his young career, registering two goals and two assists in just 12 appearances this season. He is currently on loan at Los Franjiverdes, after a season without much game time under Hansi Flick last year. Moretto adds on Twitter/X that Inter have been following Fort for some time, and believe he has a bright future.

El Inter está muy interesado en Héctor Fort, ya que lo considera un joven talento con futuro.

El club nerazzurro lleva tiempo siguiéndole la pista y cree que tiene las cualidades necesarias para convertirse en un futbolista importante. https://t.co/dEWWkxVgWw

— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) April 17, 2026

Fort eyeing return from injury for Elche

Fort’s season has been marred by injury though, with a broken shoulder keeping him out for the past three months. The teenage defender is on the verge of a comeback though, and is set to be available for Elche’s game against Atletico Madrid. Speaking to Elche’s club media, he confirmed he was eager to return to action.

“I’m very happy, I was really looking forward to it. It’s been a long three months, but the important thing is that I’m back now,” MD quote.

The post Inter ‘very interested’ in Barcelona player as part of potential swap deal for Alessandro Bastoni appeared first on Football España.

Real Madrid are assessing the damage of a season without silverware, with their La Liga hopes in the doldrums. It could well have major consequences for some members of their squad too, as Los Blancos work out how to strengthen ahead of the summer window.

That will start with manager Alvaro Arbeloa, with Real Madrid yet to make a call on his future, but there are also a number of players that will also be in danger of a sale. Dani Ceballos and David Alaba seem likely to depart, but another could be Raul Asencio.

Raul Asencio could leave Real Madrid

As explained by The Athletic, Asencio is considered as transferable this summer. The 23-year-old was promoted to the first team last season, and earned a starting spot at various points, but has fallen out of favour of late. Asencio also signed a new contract until 2031, and has always maintained that his goal is to triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Asencio falling out with Alvaro Arbeloa

Part of the reason that he has fallen out of favour is a falling out with Arbeloa. It came as a surprise when Asencio was omitted from Real Madrid’s trip to Munich this week due to illness, despite training normally beforehand. Prior to their game against Girona, Asencio had sat out the previous five games, and was not in the squad for three them. The games missed in March he was also fit for.

Arbeloa was not best pleased when he was forced to use Antonio Rudiger due to a last-minute injury, and did not restore Asencio to the matchday squad until the defender apologised to his teammates. If Arbeloa does remain beyond the summer, the differences between them could impact Asencio’s chances of staying. Castilla centre-backs Diego Aguado and Joan Martinez are also tipped for first-team involvement in the future.

The post Real Madrid open to selling player after spat with Alvaro Arbeloa appeared first on Football España.

Written by Harry Gillies.

“What did you think of the sending off?”

The Spanish press lobbed the question at Bayern’s manager, as they had to every passing player, but Vincent Kompany just smiled and said, “If you look at the game we can talk about some other situations as well.”

Not that his words will get through to them. No, the Spanish journalistic line dutifully follows the questioning of referee Slavko Vincic, who had the temerity to give Eduardo Camavinga a second yellow, “handing” Bayern the 4-3 victory over Real Madrid. In the coming weeks, as the outrage dissipates and Real Madrid’s season ends in a trophyless whimper, journalists in the Spanish capital will turn their criticism towards Los Blancos.

Some praise might be granted to Bayern, who in honesty, were superior over both legs. From Harry Kane’s all-round, exceptional forward play, to the blend of zeal and artistry displayed by Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, Bayern have the most refined and potent attacking force in Europe. Each player in the Bavarian side knows his place and role. Madrid are a mismatch of superstar players that don’t quite click together, lacking the creative genius that Luka Modric and Toni Kroos once provided in midfield.

pic.twitter.com/ABlbwGLSez

— @UtdAbzy (@AbzyMedia1) April 15, 2026

Los Blancos still have dazzling individuals, and by channeling the spirit of past European comebacks, they took the lead three times. Arda Guler looked destined to be a saviour, scoring twice in the first half. The Turkish midfielder’s night ended in disgrace, shown red for harassment of the referee. He was not alone. Forming a pack, the Galacticos barked their collective grievances – some quite aggressively – at the disinterested Vincic. Spain’s royal club could have at least gone out with some decorum, but chose indignity in defeat.

Then there were the few who still acted in a kingly manner. Kylian Mbappe did not chase the officials, only lingering to offer a congratulatory handshake to Bayern’s players and applaud the travelling fans. But as he solemnly paced the grass, the French superstar surely would have reflected on the cruel irony of his Real Madrid career so far. Two seasons of individual brilliance, but no major trophies, while his former side Paris Saint-Germain – the defending European champions – face Bayern in the semi-finals. Continuous defeat was not what the boy from Bondy envisioned for himself when he lay in his bedroom, walls covered in Cristiano Ronaldo posters.

But if he were to compare himself now to his Portuguese idol, he would feel hope, not despair. It took Ronaldo five seasons to lift his first European Cup for Real Madrid, and he went on to win three more.

When Barca mathematically seal the league title, it will mark the first time in 16 years that Madrid have endured two consecutive seasons without winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey or the Champions League. Sometimes in a disastrous campaign, there are players who thrive instead of shrink, as has been the case with Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder plays with an indomitable spirit, showing with every performance why he wears the armband. The skinny kid from Penarol, who joined Castilla in 2016, has transformed himself into the exemplary Real Madrid player. For Endrick Felipe and Franco Mastantuono – South American talents whose careers have stalled in the Spanish capital – there is no greater inspiration than the Uruguayan’s rise.

"El REAL MADRID NO hará PASILLO al BARÇA si gana LaLiga"

EXCLUSIVA @marcosbenito9 pic.twitter.com/Qb8ArZOZ5J

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 16, 2026

The breakthrough of academy talents gives fans a little light during times of darkness. Striker Gonzalo Garcia was the sensation of the Club World Cup and showed signs during the season that he could recapture that level. Thiago Pitarch greatly impressed against Manchester City, but in Munich, the midfielder only got the last three minutes, while Garcia was left on the bench. Club legends Raul Gonzalez and Iker Casillas progressed from the academy to lead the Galacticos over decades, but maybe that idea of Real Madrid is lost to a romantic past.

And of course, there are the two men who it is too late to blame it all on now, nor would it be fair. Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa might have always seemed disposable in the eyes of President Florentino Perez, with their youth and even nationality not helping their case: 2003 was the last time a Spanish manager lifted a trophy for Los Blancos, Vicente del Bosque hoisting La Liga.

It was irrelevant that Alonso was halfway into his first season and still had them fighting for three major trophies. Nor did it matter that his side only narrowly lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. He made the egregious mistake of losing a final to the hated Catalans, and that was the final straw. Perez’s callousness is universally known, as evidenced by the fact that Alonso’s cachet seems to have suffered only minor damage after his sacking.

As for Arbeloa, he will likely be demoted back to Castilla, portrayed as the interim that failed to turn things around. Few will remember him as the man that reeled in the egos, got players onside, and produced a fantastic run in March, only for everything to collapse in the last four games. The affable coach clearly took the job out of genuine love for the club, knowing that he could be thrown to a hungry mob if he failed, or succeed, and still not be rewarded – a club  man who they could hang out to dry.

Andoni Iraola has become available this summer. Evidence suggests that this bright, young Spanish manager would be wise to stay clear of La Casa Blanca. Real Madrid will most likely revert to a ‘wise old dog‘ appointment, with Didier Deschamps and Massimiliano Allegri having both been linked in recent months.

What is left this season? Los Blancos might be expected to form a guard of honour for Barcelona before El Clasico on the 10th of May, something they refused to do after the Super Cup Final. With nothing left to fight for, humility could set in – a virtue this squad might consider learning if they hope to bring glory back to the Bernabeu.

The post Analysis: As Real Madrid career towards premature end to season, what’s left at the end of it? appeared first on Football España.

David Moyes’ side are keen to bring in new recruits in the summer to continue their ascent up the Premier League table.

The Blues are among a number of clubs that are interested in the Paris FC attacking midfielder, per L’Equipe.

The report on 16 April states that it would take between £8.7-10.5million to seal a deal for the 27-year-old.

Everton could do much worse than bringing Kebbal in, as he has notched eight goals and four assists so far this season.

Who is rivalling Everton for Kebbal transfer?

Everton have rivals for the majority of their transfer targets, and that is the case again with the Algeria star who will cost less than £11m.

The report claims that English clubs such as Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham are also interested in his services.

It also states that Rennes, Monaco and Lyon, along with Saudi Arabian clubs, are also attracted by the player.

Why Kebbal would be a brilliant signing for Moyes

Moyes would love to work with Kebbal as the report describes him as “one of the most tireless players in our league.”

The Scotsman loves a player who is willing to fight for the team, and put in the effort required to make sure that the team get the result that is required.

It seems like the Algerian would fit right in at the Hill Dickinson Stadium if the Blues decide to make their move and can beat their rivals to his signature, which will not be an easy task.

He is not just a workhorse, though, as he is also labelled as a creative and flair player, which is similar to Jack Grealish, who has become a fan favourite on Merseyside very quickly.

Perhaps Kebbal could do the same if he ends up in L3, donning the famous blue shirt, but only time will tell whether that is the case, or he signs for someone else.

The Toffees may be able to offer European football, which some of the other clubs in the running would not be able to do, so that could be an advantage that tempts him to pick Moyes’ side.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

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Heading into Sunday’s fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton appear to be in a somewhat tranquil state, whereas all is not well at Liverpool.

After being dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League this month, pressure is ramping up on Arne Slot, as question marks mount over his future.

A win for the Dutchman against Everton would go a long way to allaying those fears, but David Moyes‘ side will feel the Reds are ripe for the picking.

Everton will fancy their chances against Liverpool, but the Toffees will not underestimate a side that are three places and five points better off than them.

Everton’s unwanted statistics

According to BBC Sport, eighth-placed Everton have won just one of their last 14 Premier League home games against Liverpool, but 10 of those have been draws.

Indeed, this is their first meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Everton hoping that their new stadium can be their lucky charm.

Heading into this contest, Everton have won a measly five of their last 52 Merseyside derbies in the league since the start of 2000. They have a 9.6 per cent win rate, with 20 draws, and 27 losses.

Incidentally, Liverpool have won at 59 of the 61 grounds they have visited in the Premier League.

If they beat Everton, who have had a mixed record at home this term, they will become the first team to win at 60 different stadiums in the history of the Premier League.

Victory for Everton would see them hit the 50-point mark in a Premier League season for the first time since Carlo Ancelotti achieved that in the 2021-22 season (59 points).

And a defeat for Liverpool would see them lose more than 10 league games in a season for the first time since 2014-15, when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

Europe on the line for both teams

A win for either side will greatly boost their chances of playing in Europe next season, with Everton most likely to qualify for the Conference League, while Liverpool are targeting the Champions League.

This is a good time for Everton to play Liverpool, particularly with striker Hugo Ekitike suffering a long-term injury.

For Everton, they want to return to European football for the first time since 2018. For Liverpool, not making it into Europe’s elite competition is likely to signal the end for Slot at Anfield.

If Moyes’ side comes out on top, they could even dream of Champions League football. Either way, a raucous atmosphere is expected on the blue side of Merseyside on Sunday.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

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The Blues are looking to compound the negativity currently swirling around Liverpool at the moment. After crashing out of Europe, the Reds will no doubt be vulnerable.

Arne Slot’s side have been hit with a major injury blow to Hugo Ekitike as well, with Alexander Isak’s fitness still unclear. He was only able for 45 minutes midweek.

It is the perfect opportunity for the Toffees to get one over their city rivals and perhaps send Liverpool tumbling as the season comes to a close.

David Moyes’ side are in the fight for Europe, and three points in the Merseyside derby would go a long way, and Sutton originally thought they could do it.

What did Chris Sutton predict for Everton vs Liverpool?

There are plenty of season-defining games on throughout the whole of the Premier League from both the bottom and top ends of the table this weekend.

However, for both Blues and Reds, the only focus will be on Sunday’s clash with more than just bragging rights on the line.

Both sides can inflict damage to the other’s season while boosting their own chances. It is a perfect outcome for whoever comes out on top.

However, while Sutton did originally think Everton would secure the three points, he has now admitted to backtracking on his thoughts.

Writing in his BBC Sport prediction column, Sutton stated: “An Everton win was actually my first thought here, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to sit on the fence instead.”

In the end, he predicted a 1-1 draw.

With rumours circulating around the future of Liverpool’s manager, Everton could hand a brutal blow to Slot, if they end up completing Sutton’s initial prediction.

History is on Chris Sutton’s favour for Merseyside derby prediction

Recent history does suggest that Sutton is right to lean away from a Liverpool win. In the last three home derbies, Everton are unbeaten.

However, over the last 14, 10 of those have ended with the spoils being shared and the Toffees winning just one.

All signs certainly point to another stalemate in that regard, but this time, feelings around both sides are flipped, even if Jordan Pickford is not looking too much into the Reds’ form.

Over the last few years, it has been Everton’s rivals that have come into these matchups with more positivity, but now it is the Blues with the optimism.

That could ultimately be a difference maker, and the chance to make Hill Dickinson a ground Liverpool hate to visit is another reason why Everton could have more to play for.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post 'I've changed my mind' - Chris Sutton torn on Everton's Merseyside derby chances appeared first on Goodison News.

Joe Cole has named Robert Lewandowski and John Stones his two dream signings for Chelsea this summer after urging the club to change their transfer policy.

Under the BlueCo ownership led by Behdad Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly, Chelsea have targeted elite young talent on long-term contracts with their oldest recruit last summer Joao Pedro at the age of 24.

While the club did return to the Champions League this season, their swift and brutal last 16 exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain underlined the gulf in class between them and Europe’s elite. Having lost their last three Premier League games on the bounce, Liam Rosenior’s side are now in a desperate scrap to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition again next season.

With the current recruitment policy perhaps not paying off, Egbhali has suggested the club will target ‘ready-made’ players this summer to take the Blues ‘to the next level.’

Cole, who won three Premier League titles during Chelsea’s most successful era, believes the current squad is crying out for experience and leadership in defence and up front.

Lewandowski is coming to the end of an extraordinary career with his contract at Barcelona expiring at the end of the current campaign. At 37, the former Bayern Munich star is still a potent goal threat with 17 in 40 appearances to his name this season.

Stones meanwhile has been an integral figure under Pep Guardiola at City but is another who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

While injuries have limited him to just 15 appearances, this term, Cole believes the 31-year-old can still play a key role on guiding a young Chelsea defence.

‘We need experience, someone to come in and support the young players,’ Cole exclusively told Metro when asked for his dream signings this summer.

‘I would be looking at Lewandoski. If his contract is up at Barcelona, get him in for a year.

‘That could work, someone to come in and help the young players. He is a big name, has that stature and would be a huge presence in the dressing room. I think he could really help Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

‘John Stones as well maybe if City let his contract expire. He is another who could be an big presence in the dressing room, to help and nurture the great young centre-halves we have at Chelsea. He might not be able to play 50 or 60 games anymore but will improve players around him.’

Arsenal and Manchester City have led the way in getting football operations off the pitch right in recent years with Manchester United getting their act together somewhat last summer.

While Cole believes a change in how Chelsea go about their recruitment would produce results, he is not convinced it starts this summer.

‘I would welcome it but I don’t think it will happen,’ he said. ‘They will be financial decisions again. Arsenal and Manchester City have been run smoothly to build a football team on the grass. Obviously there is business in place these days because clubs are huge cooperate entities. But unless Chelsea do that fully, they will struggle.

‘You still have to get the right players in. If the right players is 28 years-old and costs a fortune, you buy the right player. Buy the right players to build the team.’

Cole has partnered up with Samsung for their Raise The Bar initiative to lead a search for local pubs needing a TV upgrade in time for England’s World Cup campaign this summer.

‘Nothing beats live sport, especially when it is England and international football,’ Cole said. ‘We are calling on fans to nominate their local to win thousands of pounds worth of new tech so they can hopefully watch England lift the trophy in style this summer.’

To get behind your local and ‘Raise the Bar’ for its World Cup coverage, people can vote here: watchitonasamsung.com

Manchester City will be without Ruben Dias in their Premier League showdown against Arsenal this weekend.

City host the Premier League leaders at the Etihad on Sunday with just six points separating the two.

Dias, 28, has missed City’s last four games, including the Carabao Cup final victory over the Gunners in March.

The Portugal international was ruled out of the FA Cup victory over Liverpool and last weekend’s league win at Chelsea with Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov forging an impressive partnership at the back in those two outings.

While there had been hope Dias would be recover in time to be available for the visit of the Gunners, the Manchester Evening News report an ankle injury will keep him sidelined.

City also remain without long-term absentee Josko Gvardiol with doubts over the fitness of John Stones, who has been limited to just 15 appearances this season.

Nico O’Reilly has been in stunning form as of late, scoring twice in the Carabao Cup final before coming up with another valuable goal against Chelsea last time out.

The City academy graduate picked up a hamstring injury 10 minutes later which forced him off. Guardiola is expected to provide an update on O’Reilly’s fitness later today.

Arsenal have injury concerns of their own with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori all doubts.

Declan Rice shook off a bout of illness to play the full 90 minutes against Sporting CP on Wednesday night with Mikel Arteta admitting his midfielder was ‘shattered’ by the end of it.

Noni Madueke was also forced off that evening with what appeared to be a knee injury.

Gary Neville has urged Declan Rice to step up and be the player to secure the Premier League title for Arsenal this weekend when they take on Manchester City.

After defeat to Bournemouth last week, the Gunners head to the Etihad with a six-point lead at the summit of English football after City took full advantage with a crushing win over Chelsea.

Arsenal are now looking over their shoulder and defeat to in-form City on Sunday would half that deficit with Pep Guardiola’s side holding a game in hand – against Crystal Palace on a date still to be confirmed by the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won just one of their four games since the international break ended having also lost the Carabao Cup final to City last month.

But a win, or even a draw, in Manchester on Sunday would go some way in easing the considerable pressure piling on the north Londoners.

Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night with Rice in the side having been a major doubt ahead of kick-off.

The England international has been the heartbeat of the Arsenal team this season, completing the full 90 minutes against Sporting despite being ‘shattered’.

Former Manchester United captain Neville, still regretful over his old’s side failure to sign him while he was playing for West Ham, believes Rice is the man who must step up again this weekend.

Arsenal have not won at the Etihad since 2015 but Neville has urged Rice to have his ‘Roy Keane or Steven Gerrard moment’ on the blue half of Manchester and send Arsenal towards title glory.

‘I do think Declan Rice is someone… When he went to Arsenal for £100 million, I was gutted. I think he’s a Manchester United player,’ Neville told The Overlap.

‘He’s the player, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, that Manchester United would have always signed back in the day. You don’t let Declan Rice go to any other club.

‘To me, on Sunday, he is the player I am looking at. This is not me putting pressure on him, by the way. This is me expecting that this is the Roy Keane moment, the Gerrard moment.’

Bruno Guimaraes could make his long-awaited return for Newcastle United against Bournemouth this weekend.

The Brazil international has not been seen in action since picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-1 win over Tottenham in mid-February.

Newcastle were hopeful he would be able to return from his 11-game absence following this recent international break last weekend against Crystal Palace.

Illness delayed those plans, but Eddie Howe has seen plenty of positive signs in training this week.

While he stopped short of confirming the Brazilian’s availability, Guimaraes is pushing to make the squad for Saturday’s game against the Cherries.

‘There is a chance [he will be available],’ Howe told a press conference on Friday.

‘We’ve seen him in training. He’s pushing really hard to be back involved.

‘The medical team are trying to hold him back – there’s always that tug because the player desperately wants to play. I love that about Bruno.

‘I’ll make a decision based on what I see today in training. But there’s a possibility.’

Newcastle are heading into a huge summer with a number of their key players linked with moves away.

Anthony Gordon has reportedly decided his future lies elsewhere with Sandro Tonali a target for Manchester United.

‘I discuss things with players all the time. I don’t necessarily discuss transfer speculation unless I feel it’s got to a point that I have to,’ Howe said.

‘After I had the chat with Sandro (Tonali), the biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training because if I see that the player will perform. That will be same with Anthony and every player.

‘One thing I’m not going to do is play any player if I don’t feel they’re 100 per cent committed to the club and it’s future.’

Although winning the league qualifies you for Europe’s premier competition, it is not guaranteed the Gers will be put straight in.

If Danny Rohl’s side taste domestic success, they could have to feature in the play-off rounds to reach the Champions League’s league phase.

However, those worries could be cast aside based on results throughout the remaining games in European competition this season.

More specifically, Rangers’ auto Champions League hopes could rely on Crystal Palace making the Conference League final.

How Crystal Palace could affect Rangers’ auto Champions League qualification

Crystal Palace will have a massive role to play in Rangers’ chances of being put straight into the Champions League phase.

Based on UEFA coefficients, as it stands, if the Gers win the Scottish title, they will not have to feature in the play-off rounds which saw them knocked out by Club Brugge this season.

There are only a set amount of these auto-spots open, and with Olympiacos currently trailing in their league, it is an advantage to the Gers.

However, the rise of Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League threatens to overtake the Glasgow outfit.

If the Ukrainian side makes the final, they could already be above Rangers or have the chance to do so.

According to Football Meets Data, the Ukraine side would have a higher UEFA coefficient than the Bears if the following happens in the final rounds of the Conference League:

• Shakhtar win one game and draw one game
• Shakhtar draw three games (Draw both semi-final legs and win on penalties and win the final on penalties)

So, there will certainly be many Rangers fans cheering on Crystal Palace as the season begins to come to a close.

Of course, the Gers will have to get their side of the deal done as well by winning the Scottish Premiership.

Jack Butland will be egging his former teammates on at Crystal Palace

Jack Butland still has many teammates at Selhurst Park from his three-year stint for the London side, including the likes of Jean-Phillipe Mateta.

The Rangers goalkeeper will no doubt be watching on as his former employers chase European glory. Three years on from leaving, the Eagles will have yet another say in his career.

Hopefully, all can go well, and Rangers fans will have no fears about their Champions League participation.

Avoiding a repeat of the Club Brugge clash would be ideal as the Gers have failed to get past the qualifying stage in four of their last five Champions League runs.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.

The 23-year-old completed a temporary switch to Ibrox in the summer to add to Russell Martin’s defensive options at the time.

He came in and has played a semi-regular role after facing competition from the likes of Dujon Sterling and James Tavernier.

Things have certainly turned around for the Light Blues since the introduction of Danny Rohl, and the full-back has played a role in that.

Just as things have got going, Meghoma will soon return to Brentford after his loan spell ends, as we assess what we know about his current deal at the Gtech Community Stadium.

What is Jayden Meghoma’s contract situation at Brentford?

The 19-year-old came in from the Bees in the summer as another young loanee from the Premier League alongside Mikey Moore.

After initial frustration over bettering the other side’s young talent, fans have taken to the full-back somewhat as the season has gone on.

The Englishman has already made 42 appearances for the Gers and could have a key role between now and the end of the campaign.

It is a make-or-break period for Rohl’s side, and the loanee has to continue to perform if he wants to secure a Scottish Premiership title.

That could all happen before his Brentford return, where his future seems secure as his current deal lasts until the summer of 2028, with the option of a further two years.

As part of that deal in West London, he is reportedly paid a weekly wage of £15,000 and a yearly salary in the region of £780,000.

Meghoma still has work to do at Rangers, but there will be questions over a potential return heading into the summer window.

Could Meghoma sign for Rangers permanently?

There have been mixed reviews of the young defender this season, but he certainly has room to grow.

That may be enough to tempt the Light Blues in over the summer if there is a deal to be done with Brentford.

An alternative for James Tavernier will be required at some stage, as he isn’t getting any younger, but Meghoma may not be that guy.

It will ultimately be interesting to see what Rohl wants to do and whether he thinks he can find another Tuur Rommens in the summer.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.

The Belgian midfielder has been one of the Gers’ best players this season, but he was not a part of Martin’s plans at the start of the season.

He featured just 14 times under the Englishman after a dramatic dispute between the two parties, and it looked like he would leave Ibrox.

Luckily, the former Southampton manager was dismissed from his post in October after a disastrous reign, and Raskin stayed put.

Rangers are now reaping the benefits, as he transformed into a world-class operator for Danny Rohl‘s side.

What did Ferguson say about Raskin/Martin beef at Rangers?

Ferguson has previously called the decision to bomb Raskin out of Rangers squad as “crazy”, and he has now gone into further detail.

He revealed that while the 11-cap international is not the easiest player to deal with, he could not understand and was baffled by the call from Martin.

Speaking to the Daily Record on 17 April, he said: “Nico’s a brilliant boy, but he is someone who will question you at times, and I like that.

“It showed me that he wanted to learn. He was interested in getting the answers.

“Obviously, that became an issue when I left and the next manager took over and Nico has spoken about that this week.

“All coaches have their own way of playing and that’s fine, but what took me aback was the realisation that Nico probably wasn’t going to be a part of his plans going forward, I genuinely couldn’t understand what he was thinking.

“Look, was Nico a teacher’s pet or was he easy to work with at times? No, he wasn’t, and, yes, there were times when I wanted to kick him up the backside!

“but I loved working with him and I could see there was so much more to get out of him, deep down he’s a brilliant kid with brilliant attributes and I didn’t like seeing how he was being treated earlier this season.”

How has Raskin performed this season?

Rohl has brought the best out of Raskin since he replaced Martin in the dugout, and the midfielder will play a key role in the title chase.

He has featured a total of 33 times under the German, with five goals and five assists in those matches, showing that he has gotten the best out of him in a more advanced role.

Raskin averages 1.5 shots per game, 1.4 key passes per game and loses possession 12.3 per game, according to Sofascore.

He also helps out defensively, making 2.5 tackles per game, 4.7 ball recoveries per game and 1.9 clearances per game.

In terms of duels, he wins 55% of his battles on the ground and 53% in the air, showing that he is not afraid to fight for the ball.

His development under Rohl has been magnificent and makes Martin’s idea to throw him out of the squad look even more ridiculous.

Thankfully, the Belgium star stayed put, and the manager who nearly ended his Light Blues career was given the boot, as it would have been dismal if it were the other way around.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.

Spurs have just six games left to save their Premier League status, but with all of the teams around them in form, it’s certainly looking like their fate is already sealed.

Nevertheless, De Zerbi will be looking to do what the majority of recently appointed Tottenham managers have done in their first home game in charge, which is to seal victory, and this time, against his former club.

The Seagulls are in fine form heading into the clash, while Spurs are looking just as lacklustre as they have all season.

However, Sarr’s inclusion in Tottenham’s starting 11 could make all the difference this weekend.

Pape Matar Sarr omission was a huge error vs Sunderland

You can look at the decisions that went against Tottenham in their defeat to Sunderland all you like, but the truth of the matter is that they did not do enough to warrant a result.

And the majority of that stemmed from their inability to control the game in midfield, which was dominated by Granit Xhaka.

The Spurs midfield lacked bite, which changed completely when Sarr was introduced to the game, albeit far too late to have an impact.

He won two duels in the 29 minutes he played, which was only one fewer than the starting midfield combined.

Sarr also completed 15 passes, which was over double what Lucas Bergvall achieved, and just three fewer than Archie Gray.

The 23-year-old may not be a game-changer, but he is the type of midfielder who can get control in a game, which will be needed against Brighton.

Who could Sarr replace vs Brighton?

The most obvious choice would be Bergvall.

While the Swede has had an excellent season individually, he was comfortably the most anonymous player on the pitch against Sunderland, and at this stage, Spurs can’t afford to carry anyone.

Sarr’s inclusion would improve their ability to defend transitions, while also adding a calming influence in possession.

It’s a clear call to make, but whether it is one that De Zerbi is willing to make in his second game in charge remains to be seen.

The post View: De Zerbi must avoid Tottenham error vs Brighton after horror show vs Sunderland appeared first on Tottenham Hotspur News.

There is reportedly some tension brewing inside Anfield amid uncertainty over Arne Slot’s position as Liverpool manager.

The Reds have just been knocked out of the Champions League, losing 4-0 on aggregate to PSG to confirm that their season will finish trophyless.

As fans now look ahead and prepare for buying Everton vs Liverpool tickets for the upcoming Merseyside Derby, there’s also increasing pressure on Slot to ensure his side don’t miss out on Champions League qualification.

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One imagines this result could be crucial for Slot as he needs some confidence-boosting performances and results between now and the end of the season.

Liverpool board split over Arne Slot

According to the latest from X journalist Indy Kaila, one issue with Slot is that he doesn’t have the full backing of the Liverpool board.

Richard Hughes seems to be the main one pushing for the Dutch tactician to stay, while Michael Edwards, who is more senior, is less sure about keeping him.

Indy Kaila posted: “Richard Hughes is really the key player in keeping Arne Slot at Liverpool. He’s all in on Slot for next season and has plans to bring in two pacey wingers to shake things up.

“Now, Michael Edwards is still on the fence about Arne Slot, which adds some tension. Since Hughes is calling the shots on football decisions, it puts Edwards in a tricky spot. If Michael Edwards wants to move on from Slot, he’d have to go against Richard Hughes, and that could really sour their close relationship.

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“Will Hughes get his way, or will Edwards make a bold move to override him? All information above has come from reporter who works closely with us.”

It will be interesting to see how this pans out, but Slot certainly doesn’t seem to be in the most secure situation.

Who could replace Arne Slot as Liverpool manager?

The most obvious name that will come to mind is Xabi Alonso, who is a former Liverpool player, and who is available after being sacked by Real Madrid earlier this season.

Still, these links have also been played down to a certain extent, with the Times reporting that one issue LFC have with Alonso is his commitment to playing three at the back.

That would be a big change from how Liverpool have played under Slot and under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, while it’s also generally not a system that has much of a history of succeeding in English football.

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Still, there could be other names out there, such as Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, who will be leaving the club at the end of this season.

Cesc Fabregas could also be on the move to a bigger club soon after doing an impressive job at Como, while there will also surely be eyes on the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, and Julian Nagelsmann, depending on how they do at this summer’s World Cup.

The post “Tension” at Liverpool as key board figures split over Arne Slot future appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United have reportedly made formal contact over a potential transfer move for Benfica midfielder Richard Rios.

The Colombia international has shone during his time in Portugal, and it seems he’s been identified as a potential replacement for Casemiro in Man Utd’s midfield.

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That’s according to a report from Fichajes, which states that the Red Devils could face paying around €35m for Rios, which is not too bad in this market.

United will no doubt be keen to invest in new signings in midfield as Casemiro is coming towards the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has largely flopped during his time at Old Trafford.

That could mean MUFC realistically need to make more than one new addition in that area of their squad.

Manchester United preparing multiple midfield moves?

Rios is the latest name to be linked with United, and he’s one of the cheaper options out there if recent transfer rumours are anything to go by.

See below as Florian Plettenberg has been among the reporters to claim that Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is a top target for United, though he could cost £100m or more…

??? Forest expect Elliot #Anderson to join either Manchester United or Manchester City if he leaves this summer.

So far, no club has made direct contact with Forest. A fee in the region of £100-120m is being demanded. #MUFC #MCFC @SkySportDE ??????? pic.twitter.com/jot9pvCcvp

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) April 8, 2026

If United can win the race for a world class talent like Anderson, then that wouldn’t leave them with much more to spend, so a cheaper option like Rios could be ideal.

The 25-year-old might not be the kind of glamorous name that a lot of Red Devils supporters are craving, but he’s a solid defensive midfield player who can also contribute going forward.

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Rios has an impressive record of eight goals and six assists in all competitions for club and country this season, as per WhoScored stats.

Benfica often sell their best players when big enough offers come along, and one imagines Rios might be keen to now try testing himself in a more competitive league.

The post Talks held: Manchester United in contact over €35m transfer for 14 G/A midfielder appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is once again proving his value on the pitch for Crystal Palace, but questions about his long-term future at Selhurst Park are refusing to go away.

The French striker has returned to scoring form after a difficult few months, yet uncertainty surrounding his contract and a collapsed transfer earlier this year means his situation could become one to watch closely as the summer approaches.

According to Sky Sports, Mateta was on the verge of joining AC Milan during the February transfer window, only for the move to fall apart after concerns were raised during his medical.

Now, after battling back to fitness and rediscovering his scoring touch, the 28-year-old has given Palace fans a timely reminder of what he brings to the team, just as his international ambitions are also gaining momentum.

Mateta has returned to goal scoring form

Mateta’s winter transfer saga was one of the more surprising stories this year.

AC Milan had identified him as a potential attacking option, but the deal reportedly collapsed late on Deadline Day after medical tests revealed issues related to his knee.

While setbacks like that can derail momentum for many players, Mateta responded in the best possible way, by focusing on recovery and getting back onto the pitch.

His return to action last month was an important milestone, but it was his performance in the UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg against Fiorentina that really grabbed attention.

Starting his first match since the failed transfer, Mateta delivered a statement performance by scoring twice, showing sharp movement and clinical finishing that highlighted his importance to Palace’s attack.

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Crystal Palace star has ambitions to play for France

With his 29th birthday approaching in June, Mateta is also pushing hard for international recognition.

He made his debut for France in October and wasted no time making an impression, scoring three goals in his first two appearances.

That early impact has put him firmly in the conversation for a potential place in France’s squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Recent developments in the French squad could also play in his favor. Injuries to other forwards, including the unfortunate setback suffered by Hugo Ekitike, may open up opportunities for players like Mateta to strengthen their case.

For Mateta, continuing to score consistently at club level will be key if he hopes to secure a place in the international setup.

Despite his recent form, uncertainty remains around Mateta’s long-term future at Crystal Palace.

His current contract is set to expire at the end of next season, placing the club in a tricky position.

Crystal Palace poised to bank additional £26m from Michael Olise transfer 

The post Crystal Palace star’s long term future remains uncertain despite goal scoring return appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United have been advised to sign Brentford striker Igor Thiago this summer by former England manager Sam Allardyce.

The Red Devils made a lot of changes up front last summer, bringing in an entire new front three in the form of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.

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However, Sesko has perhaps been a bit underwhelming so far, so Man Utd could do well to bring in Thiago as an upgrade after his superb performances for Brentford this season.

The Brazil international has 24 goals and one assist in all competitions so far, with only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scoring more than him in the Premier League.

Manchester United advised to sign Igor Thiago

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce praised Thiago’s performances and suggested he was the obvious choice for United in this summer’s transfer window.

“I mean, who’s going to buy Brentford’s centre-forward, Igor Thiago?” Allardyce said.

“Manchester United need to look no further as far as I’m concerned. He’s hit the 20-goal mark, you don’t need to look any further.

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“I thought they’d go for [Jean-Philippe] Mateta, but maybe with his age they thought better of it.

“But this Brazilian lad [Thiago], he’s scored 20 goals already and has got Brentford almost pushing for Europe.”

Who else could be in the mix for Igor Thiago transfer?

Thiago’s fine form will surely mean he has plenty of suitors in this summer’s transfer window, so it might not be easy for United to get a deal done.

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The 24-year-old has been linked with Chelsea by TEAMtalk, while we’ve also previously been informed that Liverpool have him on their list.

For now, it seems nothing is concrete or advanced over Thiago’s future, and it will be interesting to see if he can star for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup to add a bit more to his potential price tag this summer.

The post Manchester United advised to sign 25 G/A Premier League star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to a report from The Sun, Chelsea are already open to selling Alejandro Garnacho this coming summer.

The Argentine winger joined the Premier League side from Manchester United in a £40 million move last summer.

However, his time at Stamford Bridge has been difficult and the winger has been mainly used as a back up option.

Even when he has been given the opportunities to impress, Garnacho has struggled with consistency and that could force the Blues to cash in on him just one year after signing him.

Chelsea have failed with the Garnacho gamble

When Chelsea swooped in to rescue Garnacho from Old Trafford, it looked like a genuinely shrewd piece of business.

The 21-year-old had flashed moments of absolute brilliance in Manchester, and signing a highly-rated, Premier League-proven attacker for £40m felt like a rare bargain for the Todd Boehly regime.

However, the transition to life in the capital has been anything but smooth.

Displacing Chelsea’s already bloated options of wide forwards has proven to be a monumental task.

Instead of becoming the electrifying focal point of the attack, Garnacho has frequently found himself lost in the shuffle, reduced to brief, frustrating cameo appearances off the bench.

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Blues boss has doubts about the Argentine winger

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has reservations about Garnacho and his ability to become an asset at the club.

The youngster has only scored one Premier League goal all season, a poor return from a player who joined the club after experience in the league.

Garnacho has only started 21 of Chelsea’s 51 games this season and the Premier League side believe that it is the right time to offload him this summer before his value goes down.

If Chelsea officially put him on the market, expect a host of top-tier European clubs, particularly in La Liga, where his style of play would arguably be a much more natural fit, to heavily monitor the situation.

While there is no denying his raw talent and massive ceiling, the volatile, high-turnover environment at Cobham is notoriously difficult for young players trying to find their rhythm.

Chelsea looking to beat Man City in stunning swoop for £87m wonderkid – report

The post Chelsea ready to sell expensive flop after signing him last summer from Premier League club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal reportedly have an eye on a player who’s been compared with club captain Martin Odegaard as they’re linked with Eirik Granaas.

The 16-year-old looks like an outstanding prospect as he’s already playing first-team football with Fredrikstad, and he’s been on Arsenal’s radar for almost a year.

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That’s according to the Sun, who also claim that RB Leipzig are interested in Granaas, who is from Drammen, the same city as Odegaard.

It seems clear that the teenager is going to be one to watch in years to come, so Arsenal would do well to move for him quickly if possible.

Arsenal would have to wait to sign Eirik Granaas

One issue, however, is that Brexit rules mean Arsenal would not be able to sign Granaas until he turns 18, as noted in the Sun’s report.

That might end up favouring any other European clubs that come into the equation, while somewhere like Leipzig generally looks like a good destination for young players like this anyway.

The Bundesliga side have done great work in recent years when it comes to developing young players and giving them a chance to play before cashing in on them for significant profit.

Perhaps a more likely scenario here is that Granaas goes to somewhere like Leipzig first, and ends up being a target for Arsenal again later on in his career if he continues to progress well.

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The Gunners could do with investing in more young talent, however, as one area they’ve struggled in in recent times is making enough money from player sales.

Building a competitive team is one thing, but in the modern era of Financial Fair Play it’s also vital for clubs to be able to sign players on the cheap and then sell them for more money later in order to balance the books.

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The post The next Martin Odegaard is on Arsenal’s radar but transfer faces one complication appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United’s midfield has been crying out for a massive structural reset for quite some time now.

With the legendary Casemiro officially confirming he will be packing his bags when his contract expires at the end of June, the desperate search for his long-term successor has started.

The Red Devils are in desperate need of midfield additions and a number of midfielders are on their radar ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to highly reliable transfer guru David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Red Devils are now firmly in the hunt for Atalanta’s 26-year-old Brazilian powerhouse, Ederson.

Man United midfield needs an overhaul

With Manuel Ugarte currently struggling to nail down a spot and potentially facing the Old Trafford exit door himself, adding a versatile, combative anchor like Ederson makes perfect sense.

However, the Red Devils will face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal to sign the Serie A midfielder.

Since the Brazilian’s current contract expires next summer (June 2027) and he has absolutely no intention of renewing, Atalanta are reportedly holding out for around £44 million.

However, seasoned suitors believe a deal could realistically be struck closer to the £35 million mark.

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Red Devils face competition to sign Ederson

Both Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have shown serious, concrete interest. However, the stars seem to be aligning beautifully for Man United.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico have recently hit a massive impasse regarding the player’s personal terms, effectively pausing their pursuit.

That leaves Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as the main threat. But here is where United hold the ultimate trump card: guaranteed playing time.

If Ederson moves to the Emirates, he faces the monumental task of trying to displace elite, established starters like Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, heavily restricting him to a frustrating rotational role.

At Old Trafford, Casemiro’s departure leaves a gaping, immediate hole in the starting XI.

For a 26-year-old entering the absolute peak years of his career, the promise of being the main man in the Premier League is a game changer.

Expert claims Man United have concrete interest in signing star with £32.6m release clause

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Manchester United reportedly have a concrete interest in signing Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, whose release clause is a bargain £32.6m.

The 25-year-old has really caught the eye in the Bundesliga in recent times, leading to talk of Man Utd being keen on him from a variety of sources.

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TEAMtalk have linked Stiller with United, while we’ve also previously received information about him being one of a number of names on the Red Devils’ list.

Now our colleague Christian Falk has confirmed interest from MUFC in his latest exclusive column for CF Bayern Insider, with details on his release clause and how it could change.

Angelo Stiller a concrete target for Manchester United

Discussing Stiller’s situation, Falk admitted United could sign him on the cheap, but also made it clear that Stuttgart have the option to increase the Germany international’s current buy-out clause.

“There is a lot of interest in Stiller from the Premier League; Manchester United are concretely interested,” Falk said.

“The Red Devils were there last summer but didn’t clinch a deal because they came too late in the transfer window. But this could be a serious option for them this summer.

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“The 25-year-old has a release clause in his contract (€37.5m [£32.6m]), but VfB Stuttgart can buy this option from Stiller (for an amount between €2m-4m). Then, they’d have the idea of selling the midfielder for €50m [£43.5m].

“There are a lot of things that could happen, but I can say that there’s still a chance Stiller would leave Stuttgart in the summer.”

Would Angelo Stiller be a good fit for Man United?

Using our Transfer Fit rating system, we argue that Stiller looks a strong fit for United, with a high score of 19/25.

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It’s clear that Stiller ticks a lot of boxes in terms of being affordable, as well as proven, but still not too old, whilst also clearly strengthening a position United are weak in.

One downside with Stiller is his lack of Premier League experience, but he’s played in the Champions League, so he’s no stranger to playing at the very highest level.

The post Expert claims Man United have concrete interest in signing star with £32.6m release clause appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea are likely to accept transfer offers for Enzo Fernandez this summer as he’s become increasingly unsettled at the club.

As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, the Argentina international is ideally someone the Blues would try to keep, but there’s also an acceptance that he’s not happy.

There is also genuine interest from Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants long being in the market for that profile of midfield player.

Fernandez now looks like an opportunity for Los Blancos, and he would also be keen to explore this option if possible.

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As ever, though, an agreement is needed between the clubs, and Chelsea surely won’t let the former Benfica man go on the cheap.

What sources are saying about Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid transfer

Having spoken to numerous well-placed sources in the industry, there’s definitely the sense that Chelsea are prepared to let Fernandez go if the money is right.

As previously reported, CFC have also already begun work on replacing the 25-year-old, though it won’t be easy for them to see off competition from the two Manchester clubs for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

“There’s been uncertainty surrounding Enzo for some time,” one source said. “Chelsea would rather not sell, but they’re at the stage now where they’ll have to accept big offers because it’s just not worth keeping an unhappy player.”

“There haven’t been any direct talks yet, but clearly Enzo has caught wind of Madrid’s interest and he seems keen to explore that opportunity,” another source said.

Should Chelsea let Enzo Fernandez go?

Fernandez is one of the big faces of this Chelsea project, having joined in an exciting big-money move from Benfica a few years ago.

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However, it would perhaps also be fair to say that he’s been a bit underwhelming overall, and if he’s not happy then it might be a good time to accept his departure and find a replacement who could do a better job anyway.

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Chelsea fans will probably have mixed feelings about this as it’s taken them so long to build this squad, so they won’t want to see more upheaval this summer.

It also surely depends on what other players are realistically available in the months ahead, with someone like Anderson looking somewhat unrealistic, while others like Adam Wharton will also surely have a lot of suitors too.

The post Sources: Chelsea likely to accept transfer bid for “unhappy” superstar appeared first on CaughtOffside.

After an absolutely legendary career and a massive initial impact at Manchester United, Casemiro’s legs are starting to look undeniably heavy.

With his exorbitant, reported £350,000-a-week wages burning a massive hole in the club’s finances, it is easy to see why the midfielder is being allowed to leave the club at the end of the season.

Naturally, the hunt for his long-term successor is starting and a number of players are being linked with a move to Old Trafford to become a part of Man United’s midfield.

While big names across Europe are being touted, a massive push from prominent pundits and fans is urging the club to look much closer to home.

Former Man United striker Louis Saha wants the Red Devils to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the summer transfer window.

Man United told to replace Casemiro with Newcastle star

‘I’ve always been a big fan and defender of Casemiro,’ Saha said, as reported by Metro.

‘He was asked to do one too many roles in the last two years, but that’s been cut and now he’s settled and his role is defined. He’s proved he’s a world-class player and I understand why the fans want him to stay.

‘United need aggressiveness and someone that will dictate the midfield. I see someone more like [Sandro] Tonali or [Bruno] Guimaraes, who are two monsters in midfield.

‘With players like [Kobbie] Mainoo, you need someone alongside him who has the experience and vision to manage the transition when Casemiro goes. You need that experience, directness and decisiveness. It’ll be hard to replace.

‘If you bring in a young player, it’s a disruption. It’s great for the future, but you need experience. If Casemiro goes, I think a combination of [Adam] Wharton and Guimaraes would be great because Guimaraes is more of a captain.’

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Red Devils need to get their transfer business right

The glaring issue for United’s revamped recruitment team, now spearheaded by the INEOS regime and key figures like Jason Wilcox, is absolutely avoiding the expensive mistakes of the past.

Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain was supposed to solidify the center of the park, it hasn’t quite yielded the dominant, game-breaking partnership with wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo that everyone prayed for.

Guimaraes could be the ideal midfield player for Man United but he may cost in the region of £100m.

The Magpies are known for playing hard ball over their players, as seen with Alexander Isak’s transfer saga last year.

Guimaraes is one of the best and most consistent midfielders in the Premier League right now and he could work wonders for Man United.

Buying a Premier League-proven asset means they already understand the blistering pace and intense physicality of the division, completely bypassing the frustrating adaptation period.

Talks held: Manchester United in contact over €35m transfer for 14 G/A midfielder

The post Man United urged to raid Premier League rivals to replace departing Casemiro appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Real Madrid scout Manolo Romero has launched a scathing attack on Vinicius Junior following the Spanish giants' dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich. The veteran talent-spotter questioned the Brazilian’s footballing intelligence and clinical edge after a chaotic 6-4 aggregate defeat ended Madrid’s European campaign.

Eduardo Camavinga has apologised to Real Madrid supporters after his red card in the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. The French midfielder accepted responsibility following Madrid’s quarter-final exit as his dismissal proved a decisive moment in a chaotic night in Munich.

The Italian’s departure violated a club policy, it transpires

Liverpool splashed up to £204m on Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, but after the French forward’s season-ending injury, Slot hopes the Swedish international’s return can prove timely in the battle to finish inside the top five

In the fourth episode of our new World Cup podcast, Copa Independent, Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly discuss the highs and lows of USA 94 and the tournament’s lasting legacy

That led to the departure of Lukas Kwasniok as head coach, with René Wagner replacing him, and the switch has already had an impact. Against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 28, the Billy Goats fell 2-0 behind, but showed fantastic resilience to fight back and earn a point. A week later, they dealt with the high-pressure situation of a match-up with fellow strugglers Bremen to register a comfortable victory.

Watch: Cologne 3-1 Werder Bremen - highlights

The 28-year-old joined Los Colchoneros for €35m during the winter transfer window after a brilliant AFCON 2025 outing with the Super Eagles in Morocco.

Since joining Atletico, Lookman has scored six goals and provided three assists in 17 games, turning up in big games and finding the back of the net against Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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Ademola Lookman credits Diego Simeone for massive improvement

The former Leicester City forward arrived at the Metropolitano with a huge pedigree, having won the UEFA Europa League, a CAF Player of the Year award, and two AFCON medals.

However, he's revealed he's currently learning a lot and evolving several aspects of his game, all thanks to Argentine manager Diego Simeone.

“It's incredible here. The technical ability of everyone here is awesome. For me, that's the best way to play football,” the London-born Nigerian said in an interview with ESPN.

“Simeone, I think just wants more of everything from me. Defending, attacking, and helping the team in certain moments. Being part of the play, he demands more from me.

“It's a pleasure you know, because I have someone who sees more in me, pushes me, and wants more from me.

“I have to keep working, and keep demanding more from myself too, it's what I want to do, to be the best I can for the team and myself,” the FIFA U-20 World Cup winner concluded.

Advantage for Super Eagles

Without a doubt, Nigeria play well whenever Lookman plays well, and Simeone's demands of the Super Eagles attacker is an advantage for Eric Chelle's side.

The ex-RB Leipzig star had the most goal contributions at the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, scoring three goals and setting up four.

When he arrived at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Simeone mentioned that Lookman is an exceptional attacker, but also opined that he needed to improve on helping his team defensively.

While he's clearly improved in that aspect, the former Inter Milan midfielder still wants more from him, and should that energy be conveyed into the Super Eagles setup, Nigeria will clearly concede lesser goals, in upcoming crucial fixtures.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will participate in the 2026 Unity Cup in London, before taking on Poland and Portugal in June.

​Over the past few weeks, uncertainty had mounted over Team Melli’s participation in the tournament, which is set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These doubts stemmed from the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

​The ongoing war has resulted in significant loss of life and has begun to destabilize the global economy. The US President Donald Trump has further complicated the situation, as he recently stated that he could not guarantee the safety of the Iranian team should they choose to compete in the tournament.

​Despite these tensions, Infantino has clarified that Iran remains a central part of the World Cup schedule. This confirmation follows a report originally shared by Sabir Rehman.

​A Blow to Nigeria’s World Cup Hopes

​The news serves as a significant disappointment for Nigerian football fans. Since the Super Eagles failed to advance past the continental playoffs, supporters had been holding out hope for a backdoor entry into the competition.

​Many fans speculated that if Iran were to withdraw or be disqualified due to geopolitical tensions, their vacant slot might be reassigned to the Super Eagles. While FIFA does not have a definitive, standing rule on how a vacated slot is filled in such unique circumstances, the possibility—however slight—kept Nigerian hopes alive.

​This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Nigeria will miss, following their absence from the 2022 edition in Qatar. For one of Africa's football powerhouses, the sting of disqualification will likely intensify once the tournament kicks off this June.

Morgan Gibbs-White scored the only goal of a tense affair as the Premier League side recorded a 1-0 victory to advance 2-1 on aggregate, after a 1-1 draw in Portugal in the first leg last week.

Nottingham Forest vs Porto: What happened? 

Nottingham Forest entered the clash chasing a first European semifinal since 1984 and continued their journey towards a first-ever Europa League crown.

Porto started brighter and nearly took the lead early on, but Terem Moffi was denied by a solid save from Stefan Ortega.

The game took a major turn in the eighth minute when Porto were reduced to 10 men. Jan Bednarek was initially shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Chris Wood, but after a VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a red. Wood was unable to continue and had to be substituted.

Forest wasted no time making their advantage count. Just four minutes later, Nicolás Domínguez picked out Gibbs-White, whose effort took a deflection off Pablo Rosario and wrong-footed Diogo Costa in goal.

With the extra man, Forest dominated large spells of the first half and kept pushing forward. Aina was heavily involved, making marauding runs down the right and contributing at both ends. He even helped create a chance for Igor Jesus, although the Brazilian could only shoot straight at Costa.

Porto came out much improved in the second half despite being a man down. They went close twice, hitting the woodwork through William Gomes and Alan Varela, but Forest held their nerve to see out the win and book a historic semi-final spot, which marks their first in Europe since 1984.

Nigerian player ratings: Aina, Awoniyi, Moffi, Sanusi

While Aina enjoyed a decent night for Forest, Awoniyi was not involved, as he is not registered for the Europa League.

Aina delivered a very solid performance. He played the full 90 minutes, recorded 88% passing accuracy, created one chance, made eight defensive contributions and won all of his ground duels. His display earned him a 7.4 rating on Sofascore, one of the highest on the pitch.

It was a tougher night for Porto’s Nigerian duo. Zaidu Sanusi struggled to influence the game and was chalked off at halftime, while Moffi also had a disappointing outing in front of goal. The striker, who joined the club earlier in the year, managed just one shot on goal and missed two big chances.

He also picked up a yellow card and was taken off in the second half as Porto searched for a way back. He finished with a 5.6 rating after an ineffective display.

Next up for Nottingham Forest is an all-English clash against Aston Villa, who cruised into the semi-finals after thrashing Bologna 7-1 on aggregate.

The 23-year-old is expected to be ruled out until 2027 in what has come as a major blow to Arne Slot’s plans ahead of the summer transfer window.

This comes as Alexander Isak has also suffered a long-term injury this season, while the Reds are bracing to lose Mohamed Salah, and concerns are mounting.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Liverpool are determined not to enter next season with Isak as their only recognised centre-forward.

The recruitment team at Anfield have already begun working behind the scenes to identify potential replacements for Ekitike in what will be another busy window for Liverpool.

How will Hugo Ekitike absence impact Liverpool?

Football Insider reported on 15 April that Liverpool expect Ekitike to miss around nine months through his latest blow after being stretchered off against PSG.

An achilles rupture is a notoriously difficult injury to come back from, but Reds fans can take solace from the likes of Eberechi Eze, who returned to his best at Crystal Palace.

However, while there are concnerns about the long-term impact of the injury, Liverpool are being forced to consider their options to replace him immediately.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “It was a serious injury to Hugo Ekitike, I feel for the player because he’s facing a long spell on the sidelines.

“It’s a major blow to him because he’ll miss out on the World Cup and he was having a great debut season at Anfield as well.

“Liverpool have had their injury problems as well, Alexander Isak has missed a large chunk of the season after picking up that bad injury as well.

“With Mohamed Salah leaving this summer, his departure and Ekitike’s injury does leave Liverpool very short of attacking options.

“The recruitment team don’t want to be going into next season with just one recognised number nine in Isak, and they won’t really want to take any risks in case anything happens to him, so I’m sure it’s something they will be looking at.

“It’s a big concern for Liverpool and it does definitely affect their transfer plans because the injury to Ekitike does leave them very short up front.”

Which attacking reinforcements are Liverpool considering?

Given the short time since the injury blow, not many out-and-out strikers have been linked with the Liverpool move, but they have already considered some options.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool want to sign Anthony Gordon, having been long-term admirers of his.

While he has previously been viewed as a replacement for Salah rather than Ekitike, the Newcastle star has also filled in through the middle at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side have struggled with their own striker concerns, forcing Gordon to fill in, and he could provide a makeshift option for Liverpool if needed.

There is a growing feeling he could be allowed to leave Newcastle this summer, and with Liverpool already keen, Ekitike’s injury could force their hand.

The post Sources: Liverpool set sights on new striker signing after Hugo Ekitike blow appeared first on Football Insider.

With Premier League survival almost secured, Daniel Farke is now preparing for the upcoming campaign.

A new striker is reportedly one of their biggest targets in the summer transfer window, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s form falling off.

Now, Calcio Mercato.it has claimed that Leeds are showing interest in Openda, in what could be a loan deal with the option to buy.

While his form has dipped dramatically in the last couple of seasons, Farke’s work with Calvert-Lewin proves that Openda could be a sensational Leeds signing.

Daniel Farke could turn Lois Openda into a star

There is no question that Openda has fallen off in recent seasons.

The 26-year-old has only found the net twice this campaign for Juventus, and netted only 13 goals last season for RB Leipzig.

In comparison, in each of his previous three seasons, he found the net at least 21 times.

However, if Leeds do go through with the transfer, there is every chance that he would become a hit.

Upon the Peacocks bringing in Calvert-Lewin in the summer, the striker was in a similar situation and had not scored double-figure goals for four straight campaigns.

🚨⚪️⚫️ The obligation to buy for Lois Openda at Juventus has been authomatically activated.

€46m package deal for RB Leipzig between loan fee and permanent transfer, plus salary coverage.

Juve will still try to find an exit solution for Openda this summer. pic.twitter.com/maQbDkkhkR

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 13, 2026

So far for Leeds, he has netted 11 times, and there is still plenty of time left this season for this to increase further.

Therefore, Farke has already proven that he can take an out-of-form striker and turn him into a massive asset, and this could easily happen with Openda.

What do Leeds’ striker ambitions mean for Joel Piroe

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Joel Piroe will be allowed to leave Leeds in the summer.

Piroe has struggled for opportunities at Leeds this season, despite firing them to the top flight last term with 19 league goals to win the Championship golden boot.

To date, he has only played 13 times in the Premier League, with only two of these being starts.

As a result, if a new striker, such as Openda was to move to Leeds, his game time would only be slashed further.

Therefore, it looks extremely likely that the star will be moved on from Elland Road this summer.

The post Leeds United: Daniel Farke’s work proves Lois Openda transfer can be massive success despite dwindling form appeared first on Football Insider.

The two Premier League sides join Braga and Freiburg in the semi-finals after their victories on Thursday.

Now, Villa will be preparing to face Forest in their semi-final, with at least one English team set to get to the final.

However, with Unai Emery being a European specialist, and the Birmingham outfit doing well in the Premier League, many have tipped them to overcome Forest and win the competition.

Opta on 16 April agrees with this assessment as Villa continue to progress with ease.

Aston Villa backed to win Europa League

It is no secret that Villa have found the Europa League fairly simple this season.

The club came second in the league phase, and have now simply dispatched Lille and Bologna to reach this stage.

As a result, Opta have insisted that they are heavy favourites to go on to lift the trophy come the end of the season.

The supercomputer has given them a 44.29 per cent chance of winning the competition, the highest by far.

Four stellar match ups in Europe 💫 pic.twitter.com/h7EGPWsyu2

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Following this is Freiburg at 20.10 per cent, with Nottingham Forest closely behind at 18.44 per cent.

Braga are seen as the least likely to win the trophy at 17.17 per cent, despite their recent comeback against Real Betis.

How much have Aston Villa earned from the Europa League?

Football Insider exclusively revealed that Villa have bagged around £24million after beating Bologna on Thursday, with a place in the semi-finals earning them an extra £3m.

The Europa League hands out prize money for each round you get to, plus where the club finished in the league phase and how many victories they picked up.

As a result, the Birmingham outfit could land themselves with millions more if they can get into the final in a few weeks, or even win the competition.

This would no doubt be a big boost for Villa, especially after they missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last season.

However, it remains to be seen if Emery can pull this feat off and finally end Villa’s major trophy drought in the coming weeks.

The post Europa League: Supercomputer predicts winner after Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest results  appeared first on Football Insider.

The match is a massive game for Daniel Farke’s side, as they could all but secure survival with a victory.

Monday’s 2-1 win over Manchester United has seen the club go six points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in 18^th, and this could be extended to nine points by the end of the game week.

However, while many players at Old Trafford were fantastic, Dominic Calvert-Lewin left much to be desired as he missed several fantastic opportunities.

As a result, Farke must take a gamble on Piroe for Leeds’ vital clash against Wolves.

Joel Piroe needs to start in Leeds United vs Wolves

Piroe has had a tough time at Leeds since their promotion to the Premier League.

Despite being a vital player last season, scoring 19 goals, he soon found himself benched for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench.

However, with the England international now struggling for form, now is the perfect chance to give Piroe a start.

While the game is no doubt a must-win, Wolves are a poor side and could have their relegation confirmed on the weekend.

Therefore, given their leaky backline, there is every chance Piroe will have a decent chance to end his goalless streak on the weekend.

💬 𝗗𝗙 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀: “Everyone who was available for the last game are ready for this game. Joe Rodon, Daniel James and Anton Stach are not back in team training yet.” pic.twitter.com/424k7JCrc9

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 16, 2026

The long-term implications of him getting a goal are massive as well. It is looking increasingly likely that he will be sold in the upcoming summer transfer window as Leeds target another striker.

As a result, if Piroe can net against Wolves, his price tag could increase as well.

Where could Piroe move to in the summer?

Ex-Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that Piroe could move to Rangers in the summer.

The striker has been linked with a move to Ibrox in the past, with the club having attacking troubles.

Given that both teams are linked by the 49ers, it could be a relatively simple transaction if it went ahead.

However, it remains to be seen if Farke would be willing to let Piroe go in the summer, especially if he hits form in the remaining matches of this season.

The post Leeds United must take Joel Piroe gamble vs Wolves amid Dominic Calvert-Lewin concern appeared first on Football Insider.

The victory sealed the club’s place in the Europa League semi-finals in style as they blew away the Italian side.

As a result, Villa have edged closer to a first major trophy this millennium as they look to secure Champions League football.

However, the game also showed how valuable Watkins can still be for the Birmingham outfit, as his early goal allowed the floodgates to open.

With Watkins linked with a sale in the summer, Villa simply cannot let him depart, and his recent performance showcases why.

Ollie Watkins was superb vs Bologna

While the striker’s goal was perhaps the easiest he will ever score, tapping the ball into the net mere yards from the goal line, it was yet another one to add to the tally for the England international.

The 30-year-old has now scored four times in his last four games, and continues to impress in Europe in particular.

According to Fotmob on 16 April, on top of his goal, he had a great game, only misplacing one pass, creating one chance, completing all of his dribbles as well as 75 per cent of his ground duels.

While Villa have been linked with a sale of Watkins, this simply must be blocked.

Against Bologna, the striker has shown across two legs that he can still perform to a high standard against European opposition, and this is something that the club is inevitably going to need next season.

Who wants to sign Watkins?

Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that Everton were looking to sign Watkins.

The Toffees have had troubles up top themselves this season and are without a consistent scorer in their lineup.

With Everton also battling to qualify for Europe, a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium may be appealing to the striker.

However, it remains to be seen if Villa will let Watkins go in the summer, especially to a fellow Premier League rival such as Everton, who could be fighting them for a European place next season.

The post Ollie Watkins: Stats vs Bologna show why Aston Villa simply cannot sell England international appeared first on Football Insider.

With just six games to play, Everton are sitting eighth in the Premier League table, just five points behind bitter rivals Liverpool in fifth.

As such, Moyes’ men will know that a win in the Merseyside derby this Sunday would go a long way to helping them secure their place in Europe for next season.

Everton supporters probably won’t mind which competition that’s in either, as it’s been almost a decade since they last saw their team take on the continent’s best.

But with the competition really bunched up for those few spots, every point won or dropped could make all the difference for Everton between in this final run-in of games.

Everton’s 2016-17 team compared to David Moyes’ 2025-26 side

European football would be financially huge for Everton, as well as giving their supporters the chance to follow their team on some unique and brilliant away days across the continent.

With three wins from their last five and their only defeat in that time coming to Arsenal, this 2025-26 team are certainly ending the season in the right way to get into one of those coveted spots.

Indeed, it was Koeman’s team of 2016-17 that were the last Everton side to qualify for Europe, finishing seventh on 61 points that year.

So, how does that team compare to Moyes’ team of 2025-26, and are there any similarities between the two that helps points toward why the Toffees will make Europe this season?

As per Sofascore, the 2016-17 team averaged 1.6 goals per game, had 5.0 shots on target per game, kept 13 clean sheets and conceded 1.2 goals per game.

Meanwhile, Everton’s 2025-26 side have averaged only 1.2 goals per match, registered just 3.7 shots on target per game, have kept 11 clean sheets but have the exact same goals conceded per game average of 1.2.

Koeman’s team also had an awful lot more possession, with 52.1 per cent compared to 43.6 per cent from this Moyes side, but were also considerably more direct too, with 29.1 accurate long balls per game to the current team’s 12.1 respectively.

Do Everton’s 16-17 and 25-26 teams have personnel similarities?

On the face of it, seeing Everton’s 2016-17 team have higher possession stats as well as being significantly more direct than this current side looks confusing, but it’s actually fairly clear as to why that was the case.

Firstly, Koeman had Romelu Lukaku leading the line that season, and his 25 league goals that year were second only to Harry Kane’s 29, as the gameplan was to get the ball to the powerful striker as much as possible.

However, in central midfield, the Toffees had an engine room that consisted of the likes of Gareth Barry, Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin – all of whom were defensive minded and excellent ball retention players.

Ahead of them you had Ross Barkley though, and he was Everton’s creative node through middle of the pitch.

In central defence, Everton’s current pair of Michael Keane and James Tarkowski were similar to Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka in that Koeman side: big, tough, no-nonsense.

Obviously, Gueye is still turning out for Everton in midfield, so there’s an obvious connection there too, whilst Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish are both cut from a similar cloth to Kevin Mirallas, with all three of them being aggressive, skilful and fearless wingers.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has a bit of that early Barkley feel to his game this season as well, and so there are definitely some comparisons to be drawn between some of the players that made up these two teams.

Both Moyes and Koeman’s philosophies of being strong at the back and launching fast attacks are similar too, but the former does so mainly through quick passing counter-attacks, whereas the latter was more direct through the air.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post View: Everton's last European 16-17 team have similarities to Moyes' current side appeared first on Goodison News.

The Toffees are preparing to play host to their Merseyside rivals on Sunday in the first derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

After the recent struggles that Arne Slot’s side have faced, the Blues come into the clash hopeful of sealing all three points.

David Moyes’ men are firmly in the hunt for European qualification and need to maintain their recent progress if they are to achieve their goals.

Things may not be straightforward for Everton against Liverpool, especially if Mykolenko’s struggles continue in L3.

Vitalii Mykolenko struggled vs Liverpool last time

The Ukraine international isn’t the most-loved figure on the blue side of Merseyside, as he is seen as an upgradeable area of the current squad.

That hasn’t stopped him from being a regular this season and throughout his career after joining the Toffees from Dynamo Kyiv.

His showings are steady and have helped maintain a consistent backline under Moyes since his return.

That wasn’t truly the case in the last Merseyside derby as the 26-year-old was taken off early in a 2-1 defeat at Anfield.

He misplaced seven passes and had a zero per cent cross accuracy, despite swinging in four attempts.

That isn’t helped by a failure to complete any of his attempted dribbles, while also losing five duels and committing three fouls.

Mykolenko has recently been out injured for Everton, so a match-up against Mohamed Salah may represent a concern in L3.

Mohamed Salah can target Mykolenko vs Everton

The Egypt international may not have scored against the Blues last time, but he still has a stellar record in the derby.

In 14 appearances, he has scored eight and assisted three, while winning seven and drawing five, representing a true villain for Everton.

The 33-year-old also found the net with an excellent effort in his latest Premier League outing, so he will be keen to add to his six-goal tally for the season.

Considering he has already done well against Mykolenko this season, there have to be concerns over the Ukrainian in the upcoming clash.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post View: Everton star poses risk for Moyes after previous form vs Liverpool appeared first on Goodison News.

The Blues announced that the Hill Dickinson Stadium is set to be taken over by Upper Deck Golf from 16 July to 19 July.

The stadium will be transformed into an interactive golf experience, and there will be coverage of The Open Championship, which takes place at Royal Birkdale, just a few miles away.

Fleetwood, a Toffees supporter, and Rose will be competing in that tournament, and the latter suggested they should play in the L3 arena first.

Everton have made a clever move, given that it will coincide with the competition.

What did Rose say to Everton fan Fleetwood?

Fleetwood is one of the most prominent celebrity Everton fans, and he may well fancy the challenge given his association with David Moyes‘ side.

Rose took to X on 16 April to send a message to Fleetwood, claiming the Blues will likely sort them a time to play.

He said: “I’m in the area that week!!

“Fancy a match Tommy Fleetwood, before The Open??

“Sure, Everton can sort us a tee time!!”

How the Friedkin Group pulled off another masterclass

The Friedkin Group have constantly shown their business acumen since taking over on Merseyside, and they have done it once again, making the most of the new stadium.

Golf is a very popular sport in the United Kingdom, and given that The Masters has just finished and the Open Championship is held locally this year, they have tapped into that and will probably make a decent profit.

It is not a surprise that they are in touch with the sport, as they run the Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina, which has held events for the PGA Tour.

The ownership has shown that they are willing to do whatever it takes to secure extra revenue for the L3 club, especially when it comes to using the stadium to their advantage.

It is brilliant to see competent decision-making that uses the facilities that are available to make the most money that the club can from its state-of-the-art arena, as they should.

Hopefully, it will all work out and Moyes’ side will qualify for Europe this campaign, only increase their commercial opportunities, and get to a point where they are challenging for the biggest honours once again after years of misery.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post Justin Rose sends Tommy Fleetwood message after Everton announcement appeared first on Goodison News.

Keith Wyness believes that the price rises were enough to raise eyebrows in L3, insisting that it was somewhat unnecessary given the increased revenue from the new stadium.

Despite that, David Moyes has also transformed Everton into a squad fighting for European qualification instead of battling relegation in the Premier League.

Everton take on Liverpool next, before Manchester City and Sunderland travel to Merseyside for the final home games of the season.

Let’s hope European football is secured to justify the change in prices.

Everton price rises called out at Hill Dickinson

Wyness insists that the prices over 12 months have increased significantly compared to others, but most in the Premier League are doing the same right now.

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, the ex-Everton CEO admitted that, despite it being somewhat unnecessary, he believes the Friedkins will get away with it.

“Well, it’s caused a few little raised eyebrows, but then again, nearly every club that I’m seeing in the Premier League is coming out with these sorts of issues right now,” Wyness said.

“I think the biggest one that sort of made me think twice was that if you’re going to pay over 12 months, and by the way, a lot of people will have to pay over 12 months because it’s a big chunk now, the season ticket.

“They’ve charged you now, got up from £30, I think, to £69, which is a pretty big increase. And of course, if you’re paying over 12 months, you’re already strapped for cash.

“I didn’t really see the need for that sort of increase. But then again, that’s that one.

“Overall, it’s coming up, I think the increase is coming up to about £2 a game overall. So probably livable.

“Now, of course, you know the problem, of course, for fans have got is that if the teams play well they’re going to want to be there next season, if there’s European games coming up they’re going to want to be there next season, so of course that’s where everybody plays praise on this loyalty and so we’re going to have to see but overall I think there could have been a few little adjustments.

“They’ve kept the young prices low as well.

“So overall, I think they’ll get away with it. There isn’t as much animosity towards this as there is certainly at the Liverpool side of things. And I think if they win the derby on Sunday, then I think all the fans will be happy, and they’ll be there next season.”

Everton fans will still show up in their numbers

With that record turnover of nearly £200million set to increase even further with the new stadium, it seems highly unnecessary that these changes were made.

Football is a business, though, and unfortunately, the die-hard loyalty of fans is usually exploited, but that isn’t a new thing in the Premier League.

One thing is for sure: Everton fans will be packing out the Hill Dickinson Stadium every week, regardless.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

The post 'I didn't really see the need' - Ex-Everton CEO: Friedkins will likely get away with change if Liverpool beaten appeared first on Goodison News.

Alan Shearer has revealed his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures including the ‘huge’ game between title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta takes the Premier League leaders to title-chasing Man City on Sunday in what Shearer has described as ‘the biggest game of the season’.

Arsenal boast a six-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side but the title will be in Man City’s hands should they beat the Gunners as they have a game in hand to play.

Elsewhere there is another important game in the race for Champions League football as Manchester United take on Chelsea.

United have climbed to third in the Premier League under caretaker boss Michael Carrick while Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea have slipped to sixth following a difficult run.

Spiralling Tottenham will be desperate to return to winning ways at home to Brighton while fellow relegation-battlers West Ham take on London rivals Crystal Palace.

As ever, England legend and Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer has provided his Premier League predictions to Metro.

Brentford v Fulham

I was pretty disappointed with Fulham last week at Liverpool. I thought they could have gone for it a little bit more so, for that reason, I’m going to say, Brentford at home.

I mean, they drew with a late equaliser from Everton, but I think they’ll have enough to beat Fulham this weekend, so Brentford home win.

I’ve been hugely impressed with Igor Thiago this season. I know they got him the season before, but he got an injury and didn’t play too many games, and I think for what Brentford did in selling who they sold in Wissa and then Mbuemo, for him to come in and only be one goal behind Erling Haaland is remarkable.

He’s really horrible to play against. It’s not just his goals, he does a lot of work off the ball, running in behind, bringing people into the game.

The goals are obviously an added bonus, but there’s no doubt here he’ll feature in the Premier League team of the Season.

Prediction – Brentford win

Leeds v Wolves

If Leeds win this, then they’re staying up. That’s the way they’ll view it, and I think the confidence that the win against Man United will give them, will carry them through and be enough.

It’ll be a cracking atmosphere at Elland Road. They know what’s at stake and I think they’ll beat Wolves. Wolves have been poor. They’ve had a little pickup, but still away from home, I think they’re vulnerable.

Prediction – Leeds win

Newcastle v Bournemouth

I’ve got no belief in Newcastle winning. That’s the problem. I don’t know what Newcastle are going to turn up. When they get into the lead, they can’t get that second goal, and that’s hurt them so many times this season.

I was massively impressed with Bournemouth last weekend with how they played at Arsenal. Some really top performances from a lot of players, and their recruitment’s been good.

I know Iraola’s announced he’s not going to be there next season. That will be a huge loss for them. I just think his style of play, how brave he’s been, and that was summed up at going to Arsenal last weekend.

They press ridiculously high, do it really well and make it difficult for the opposition. After selling so many of their players at the end of last season, or the beginning of the season, to get through and get the recruitment that they have done is a huge plus for him and for Bournemouth, so they’ll miss him, definitely.

As much as I’d love to see a Newcastle win, I don’t feel confident in saying that, so I’m going to say a draw.

Prediction – Draw

Tottenham v Brighton

Brighton have been in superb form, I think they’re in ninth at the minute, and they’ve got a chance of getting into a European place, and they have picked up, and they’re in some good form.

I don’t have any belief in Spurs, either. I think what we saw last weekend at Sunderland, it wouldn’t fill me with confidence that they can get something at home under huge pressure. I’ve got no belief in them so I’m going to say a Brighton away win.

Prediction – Brighton win

Chelsea v Manchester United

It’s a huge game and probably one that Chelsea have to win if they want to play Champions League football next season.

I was disappointed with Man United on Monday evening, they were really flat and are struggling defensively with Maguire out and Martinez out. I think I’m going to go for Chelsea to win this one, Chelsea to win at home.

Chelsea do look a bit lost, I think. I’m not convinced defensively Rosenior’s got them doing the right things, and he made his point with Enzo Fernandez, it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts, and how he takes to that, and how the rest of the squad take to that.

I think they might just have enough to beat Man United this weekend, though.

Prediction – Chelsea win

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Sunderland, I know they’ve beaten Newcastle away from home, but they haven’t been great in large parts of the season away from home. And I think Villa, with the way they’re going, I think Villa will have enough to beat them at home.

Villa dropping points last week has put them back under a bit of pressure for those Champions League spots, that’s why they have to win, particularly their home games, and that’s why I think they’ll win this game.

Prediction – Aston Villa win

Everton v Liverpool

It’s a tough one. You know what I’m like when it comes to derby games. I’m going to sit on the fence and say it’s going to be a draw. I was going to say to keep both fans happy, but I’m not sure they will be.

Everton are having a brilliant season whereas Liverpool are not, so I think it’ll be a draw. Liverpool playing in midweek should not affect them because it’s a derby game, and we know what derby games are like, and there’s always an added, extra atmosphere.

The midweek game is no excuse at all for Liverpool because of the size of this game and what it means to the people.

Prediction – Draw

Nottingham Forest v Burnley

I think a home win here for Nottingham Forest. If they want to stay up, then they have to be winning these games.

I think Burnley will make it as tough as possible for them, but Burnley are done and have been for a while so I’ll go for a home win.

Prediction – Nottingham Forest win

Manchester City v Arsenal

The whole season effectively comes down to this game. I think it’s huge and the biggest game of the season for both clubs.

Confidence and momentum is such a big thing, which is why I’m going to say a Man City home win. I think the belief they’ll get from beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and the performances of the last couple of weeks.

I think a draw would be a good result for Arsenal, but I think City might have too much for them. Arteta knows there’s been no panic from Pep, has there?

It’s always been pretty consistent, and they always cone good at this time of the year, and it looks as if they are. They’ve won their first trophy and could even end up getting the treble.

I just think with the momentum that they’ve got and the confidence that they’ve got, I think they might have too much.

It’d be really interesting to see what Arsenal do, whether they sort of sit back or try to take the game to City, but I think City might just have too much for them.

Prediction – Manchester City win

Crystal Palace v West Ham

Crystal Palace beat Newcastle last week; they brought the three key players on for the last half an hour or so which won them the game. And they are in Europe.

Having said that, I’ve got a sneaky feeling West Ham might go there and nick something. I don’t think West Ham will be beaten.

Depending on what team Glasner wants to put out, because obviously they have a European game, I’m going to say a West Ham away win which doesn’t bode well for Tottenham. I’ve tipped all the other teams to win other than Tottenham.

Prediction – West Ham win

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Chelsea will listen to offers for Alejandro Garnacho this summer – just a year on from his arrival from Manchester United.

Garnacho and United had an acrimonious split last summer with the Argentina international heading to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £40million.

The winger has a respectable haul of eight goals and four assists this season but has struggled to consistently hold down a place in the first-team.

Garnacho has started just 21 of Chelsea’s 51 games this term, 14 of those coming in the Premier League. Just one of his eight goals have come in the top flight.

Since Liam Rosenior’s appointment at the start of January, Garnacho has started just four times in the league with The Sun reporting the Chelsea boss is believed to have reservations over the former United winger.

The club are open to selling the 21-year-old at the end of the season should the right offer come in.

In an interview with Premier League Productions last week, Garnacho admitted he regretted the manner in which he left United in the summer having been exiled by Ruben Amorim for comments he made following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

‘I remember in the last six months I was just not playing like before at Manchester United,’ Garnacho told Premier League Productions.

‘I started to be on the bench, it’s not a bad thing, I was only 20 years old, but in my mind it was like I had to play every game.

‘In my mind, maybe it is also on me, I started to do some bad things.

‘But yes, it was just this moment in life and sometimes you have to make decisions and I am really proud to be here and still in the Premier League at a club like this.

‘Everyone knows the team we have and the things we can do. Sometimes, we have better moments or worse moments, I am proud to be here but with United, I have nothing wrong to say about the club, no one in the club or the team-mates.

‘It’s just a moment in life that changes and life continues. I have no regrets.’

Arne Slot’s time at Liverpool is starting to feel a little like the slow end to a loveless marriage.

The Dutchman’s honeymoon period at Anfield was longer than usual after he led the Reds to the title with ease last season. Expectations soared after they spent big on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz during the summer and reached the moon after five dramatic wins in their first five games.

And while there have been plenty of mitigating factors to point at for their inconsistent and sometimes disastrous form since then, recent results against Manchester City and PSG have left even the most patient Liverpool fans feeling like a change is needed.

Indecision has cost Liverpool this season

There’s a long list of reasons which most people will be aware of: poor squad building last summer, a huge drop off in performances from the best players and the impact of Diogo Jota’s death have all contributed.

However, in recent months one of Slot’s best qualities has started to become his biggest weakness.

The Dutchman was praised to high heaven last season for his decision making and ability to tweak things on the pitch during games to find ways to win.

That knack has all but left him this time around.

Take the constant changes to where Dominik Szoboszlai plays, for example, or the insistence on picking Alexis Mac Allister despite the fact he hasn’t looked fully fit once all season.

Substitutions have become panicked and the approach to both legs of the Champions League quarter-final proved to be badly misjudged.

The warning signs can be traced all the way back to Slot’s third competitive game in charge at Liverpool.

The Reds hosted Nottingham Forest and completely dominated the game, but were unable to create any meaningful chances against what was then Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a great goal in the 72nd minute against the run of play and Slot made changes to try get back into the game. Ibrahima Konate went off and midfielder Curtis Jones came on. Players were thrown forward and Virgil van Dijk was left to fend for himself at the back.

There’s logic to the changes – Slot desperately wanted to get back in the game – but the panicked feeling they induced meant what had been a controlled performance turned into a frantic one, with players being shunted around into different positions as each tweak was passed onto the pitch.

That feeling was visible again at Anfield on Tuesday night, and not for the first time this season. As Slot has tried to find a system and combination of players that works, each decision has felt less and less confident.

The club’s hierarchy don’t seem to think a change is needed, with all the noise coming from Anfield pointing towards Slot still being in charge next season. Take that with a big pinch of the finest salt – there’s little doubt that Liverpool’s owners are at the very least planning for a change, even if they’d prefer not to make one.

And while there is a world where Slot stays on, with Ekitike’s horror injury, Mohamed Salah set to leave and the shadow of Isak only now starting to look like he’s played football before, Liverpool’s short-term future now rests on the expensive shoulders of Wirtz.

I do seem to remember a certain former club hero getting the best out of him in Germany… if Liverpool were to file for divorce this summer, a rebound fling with Xabi Alonso would make everyone feel alive again.

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Since Roberto De Zerbi was appointed as Tottenham’s new head coach last month, not much has gone right for Spurs.

Before his first game in charge, Mohammed Kudus suffered an injury setback after being sidelined since early January with a quad problem. And in the 1-0 loss to Sunderland, Cristian Romero picked up a knee injury of his own.

That is in addition to being without the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, and more.

As Tottenham hope for some more positive injury news, some less favourable updates have emerged at Palace as Spurs cling on for any positives over their rivals.

Advantage West Ham over Tottenham

Tottenham haven’t won in the league since 28 December, with their current 14-game winless run their worst stretch since 1935.

That spell, which has seen Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor dismissed, has seen an injury-hit Spurs fall to 18th in the Premier League, two points behind West Ham in 17th.

With six games to go, Tottenham need everything to go their way. One downside for Spurs was that Palace have just a few days to recover from their Conference League exploits away at Fiorentina on Thursday.

The Eagles went through to the last four but ended up losing defender Maxence Lacroix and midfielder Adam Wharton to injury in the first half.

Both played a key role in Palace’s FA Cup success last season, with the pair among a contingent of vital players for Oliver Glasner’s team.

Naturally, many Tottenham fans have despaired at this turn of events as Palace’s chances of beating a much fresher West Ham take a hit on Monday evening.

Moreover, striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta did not return for the second half after starting ahead of Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Palace have won three of their last five league games, but this is a big blow for the south London outfit and maybe an even bigger one for Tottenham.

Tottenham seek unwanted history

Tottenham are the only Premier League side without a win in 2026, drawing five and losing nine from 14 matches.

Their current run is nearly as bad as Swindon Town in 1993 (15), Sunderland in 2003 (17), and Derby County in 2008 (18).

To make matters worse for Tottenham, all three of those teams were relegated in those respective campaigns.

Tottenham’s wretched run is one of the worst in the club’s storied history. Many pundits keep saying Spurs will stay up, just maybe because of the size of the north London outfit.

But at this rate, they seemed destined to go down. They need inspiration and fast.

The post Tottenham’s bad luck continues as Crystal Palace stars suffer injuries ahead of West Ham showdown appeared first on Tottenham Hotspur News.

Tottenham a throwing a De Zerbi reunion party in N17 this Saturday, as he welcomes one of his former employers in Brighton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, there won’t be much of a party feel inside the ground come kick-off, as Spurs fans are pretty fed up with this team at the moment, and just want to see three points no matter what.

That’s going to be easier said than done though, as Brighton are in excellent form in the Premier League at the moment, with five wins from their last six.

Tottenham are 14-matches without a win in the league, which is the second longest in the football club’s history, and so they’ll take a good omen of a victory wherever they can find one heading into the weekend.

What is Tottenham’s record with Stuart Attwell as referee?

Brighton are favourites to beat Tottenham for fairly understandable reasons, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side the in-form team in the division right now.

The two sides played out a 2-2 draw at the AMEX back in September last year, and whilst that wouldn’t be the worst result in the world for Spurs this time round, three points would be a whole lot better.

So, with the odds stacked against Tottenham against the Seagulls, any nugget of hope is worth holding on to ahead of Saturday.

And, in Attwell’s refereeing record in Tottenham games, Spurs fans and De Zerbi have found one.

That’s because of the 25 times Attwell has taken charge of Spurs matches, the Lilywhites have won 16 times, with only five defeats and four draws.

His very first Tottenham game in which he took charge of came all the way back in December 2009, when he oversaw a 1-0 loss to Wolves in the Premier League.

Remarkably, Spurs went on a seven-game winning run with Attwell as referee between February 2022 to January 2025, which included their League Cup semi-final first leg victory over Liverpool last year.

Since then, however, Tottenham have failed to win their last to with Sunday’s referee in charge, with a defeat to Fulham on matchday 13 of this season followed by a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on 4 January this year.

What is Brighton’s record with Attwell as referee?

Heading over to Tottenham’s opposition then for this Saturday, do Brighton have a similarly strong record with Attwell when he’s refereed their games?

Well, it’s not bad, but it’s certainly not as good as Spurs’, with the Seagulls winning 13, drawing seven and losing 10 of their 30 matches with him in the middle.

He’s also shown Brighton players five total yellow cards in that time, whereas he’s never produced a single card of that colour to any Tottenham player, as per Transfermarkt.

Albion have also lost their last three-straight with Attwell as referee, with their last win under his watch coming against Bournemouth in November 2024.

The post View: De Zerbi will be happy with Premier League decision for Tottenham vs Brighton appeared first on Tottenham Hotspur News.

Danny Rohl‘s side are pushing hard to be the first Rangers team to lift the Scottish Premiership title since 2021, but they’re being made to work for it by Hearts and Celtic respectively.

Gers’ fortunes have changed drastically since Rohl arrived at Ibrox last October, and he was the toast of the Ibrox faithful after his brilliant tactical tweaks saw his side run out 6-3 winners over Falkirk last time out.

However, as we now reach the split, things are getting very real indeed at the top of the table, with one misstep from anybody likely to cost them their chances of being crowned champions.

So, with just five games to play, there are a number of Rangers stars who definitely have more riding on how they finish the season than others.

James Tavernier needs to convince Rangers of contract extension

Tavernier’s Rangers contract expires this summer, meaning we could be witnessing the final five games of one of the all-time great Ibrox careers.

Now 34, the evergreen right-back has started 23 of his 31 league outings this season, contributing eight goals and four assists to the cause.

Despite perhaps not being at his brilliant best for Rangers this season, he’s still performing at a very good level for a player of his age.

However, there’s a chance Ibrox chiefs don’t see it that way, and with his age and potentially a desire to embrace the future at that position this summer, Tavernier isn’t guaranteed to be handed a new deal.

But, he could very much shift the odds in his favour with a big final five games, especially if he can inspire Rangers to a Premiership title.

Mohamed Diomande needs to win starting role back

A player who has split opinion among Rangers fans since he first signed on loan back in January 2024, Mohamed Diomande has endured a down year at Ibrox in 2025-26.

Having started 16 of his 26 league appearances, the Ivory Coast international has lost his grip on a starting role over recent weeks.

Indeed, his last inclusion in Rohl’s starting XI was against Celtic in the Scottish Cup quarter-final on 8 March, whilst he’s not started in the league since the 1-1 draw with Motherwell on 11 February respectively.

Contracted with Rangers until 2028, the 24-year-old shouldn’t fall into the trap of feeling safe in a long-term contract, as Rohl has a plethora of midfield options at his disposal now moving forward.

Therefore, unless he can win his starting role back before the end of the season, or at least show some form, then Diomande could well be on the chopping block this summer.

Andreas Skov Olsen’s Rangers transfer is hanging in the balance

Signed on loan from Wolfsburg with a permanent option in January, Andreas Skov Olsen hasn’t quite had the impact many Rangers fans were hoping to see from him.

The 26-year-old is now in the prime years of his career, and has some top pedigree with the likes of Wolfsburg, Club Brugge and Bologna on his CV respectively.

However, the Danish international has blown hot and cold for Gers so far, with one goal and three assists from his eight league outings so far a solid return, but certainly by way of goals, more was expected.

And, with the likes of Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama for company on the right, Skov Olsen needs to enjoy a big end to the season if Rangers are to feel confident of triggering his costly permanent option this summer.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.

Tottenham are already prepared to listen to offers for Conor Gallagher this summer, according to Football Insider.

26-year-old England international who only just arrived in North London a few months ago could now be heading out of the club after failing to impress following his move from Atletico Madrid.

Snapping up Gallagher in January looked like an incredibly shrewd piece of business for Spurs.

His relentless motor, aggressive pressing capabilities, and box-to-box tenacity felt practically tailor-made for the high-octane, front-foot demands of Premier League football.

Conor Gallagher was expected to be a hit at Tottenham

Displacing an established engine room that boasts the dynamic energy of Pape Matar Sarr, the tempo-setting of Yves Bissouma, and the technical grace of Rodrigo Bentancur has proven to be a massive mountain to climb.

Rather than immediately becoming the beating heart of the midfield, Gallagher has frequently found himself utilised as a rotational impact sub.

For a player desperate to cement his spot in the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, sitting on the bench simply isn’t an option.

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It likely comes down to ruthless squad optimisation and the ever-present reality of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Unsurprisingly, several top-flight clubs are already aggressively circling.

Midfielders with Gallagher’s Premier League pedigree are a rare commodity, and ambitious teams hovering around the European spots, would jump at the chance to build around him.

The midfielder is reportedly on high wages in North London and that is also one of the reasons why Spurs are looking to offload him in the summer transfer window.

After seeking out long-term stability with his January move, the absolute last thing he probably expected was to be packing his bags again just six months later.

Tottenham handed huge boost as James Maddison return timeline revealed amid relegation fears 

The post Tottenham ready to cash in on January signing after disastrous spell at the club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Following a bruising Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich and a frustrating La Liga campaign that sees Los Blancos languishing nine points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, the patience of the boardroom has seemingly run dry.

According to Daily Mail, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is already preparing for life after Alvaro Arbeloa, pinpointing two absolute heavyweight candidates to take over: Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino.

If Pérez has his way, Klopp is the ultimate dream appointment.

Jurgen Klopp is wanted by Real Madrid

Since stepping away from the emotional pressure-cooker of Liverpool back in 2024, the German tactician has been serving in a strategic oversight role within the Red Bull football empire.

However, Madrid is a club that currently desperately needs a transformative, charismatic figure capable of uniting a fractured dressing room of superstars and delivering major honours.

Klopp is a proven culture-builder and a serial winner. The only massive question mark is whether he is genuinely ready to step back into the relentless, exhausting grind of elite-level management.

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Mauricio Pochettino is another manager on their radar

Pochettino is a highly attractive and practical alternative.

Currently gearing up to lead the United States Men’s National Team into the massive 2026 World Cup on home soil, the Argentine’s stock has remained surprisingly high in Madrid.

Los Blancos have previously courted him during his stints at Tottenham and Chelsea, but the timing never quite matched.

Pochettino’s proven track record of nurturing elite young talent makes him a perfect mentor for Real Madrid’s rising phenoms like Arda Güler and Francisco Mastantuono.

The writing seems to be firmly on the wall for Arbeloa. Promoted from the Castilla youth setup just a few months ago in January to replace Xabi Alonso, the enormous step up to the first team simply looks like a bridge too far for the 43-year-old.

The sheer weight of a potentially trophyless season is an unforgivable sin in Madrid.

Whether it’s the high-octane passion of Klopp or the tactical, talent-nurturing approach of Pochettino, a massive managerial change is expected soon at Real Madrid.

Saudi sources optimistic over Liverpool raid despite initial approach being rejected 

The post Two Premier League icons on Real Madrid radar as they look for a new manager appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Saudi sources reportedly remain optimistic about landing Liverpool director Richard Hughes at some point despite an initial approach being rebuffed by the Reds.

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Al Hilal are keen to bring in Hughes from Liverpool to work on their recruitment, but for now it looks like he’s set to stay at Anfield, according to talkSPORT.

Hughes’ current Liverpool contract runs until the end of next season, so it seems the Reds remain in control of the situation for now, but perhaps not for much longer.

Even if Hughes is not currently heading to the Saudi Pro League, it seems their sources are confident he will make the move eventually, according to the report.

Richard Hughes facing important summer for Liverpool

Even if Hughes is highly regarded inside Anfield, there will surely be a lot of pressure on him and other senior figures this summer after a disappointing season.

While there has been a lot of focus on the performance of manager Arne Slot, it’s also worth noting that the club’s recruitment last summer has ended up looking really poor.

LFC invested huge amounts of money in a lot of new signings, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz both costing record-breaking figures but proving underwhelming on the pitch so far.

It’s vital that the Merseyside giants have a better window this year to correct some of these mistakes, with Hughes sure to have a key role in improving the squad.

Liverpool could also face Michael Edwards uncertainty

The report from talkSPORT adds that another key figure in Liverpool’s recruitment, Michael Edwards, is also out of contract at the end of next season.

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