With just days until they’re forced to file their accounts for the Premier League’s PSR deadline, Aston Villa are now reportedly prepared to sanction the sale of a 16-goal star in ruthless fashion.
Aston Villa closing in on PSR deadline
It’s been a summer full of frustration for those in the Midlands thus far, but things will only get worse if they fail to comply with PSR regulations by the time that Monday arrives. As things stand, it looks as though Villa still need to sell at least one player before the deadline even if Philippe Coutinho completes his move to Vasco da Gama in that time.
It is, therefore, time to get ruthless. As the deadlines closes in, Villa Park chiefs have been desperately attempting to find a way past the rules and are even reportedly considering the sale of their women’s team – following Chelsea’s previous methods in doing so.
More question marks would arrive about PSR rules if Aston Villa managed to navigate a way past any sanctions by selling their women’s team like Chelsea decided to do not so long ago. And it wouldn’t be the first time that questions have arrived about the rules, either.
Aston Villa’s co-owner, Nassef Sawiris told reporters last year: “Some of the rules have actually resulted in cementing the status quo more than creating upward mobility and fluidity in the sport. The rules do not make sense and are not good for football.”
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No matter what Sawiris or anyone else thinks about the rules, however, Aston Villa must ensure that they comply by Monday and may need to get ruthless in attempting to do so.
Aston Villa prepared to sell Louie Barry
With the likes of Emiliano Martinez already linked with a move away, the Villans could now lose a talented gem this summer. According to Hull Live, Aston Villa are now prepared to sell Louie Barry this week in an attempt to meet PSR requirements. The young forward’s sale would count as pure profit thanks to his homegrown status and would go a long way to solving Villa’s problems as a result.
louie-barry-aston-villa
As wise as his exit would be on the PSR front, that doesn’t take away from the frustrating blow that it would deal those in the Midlands. At 22 years old, Barry is a product of Villa’s academy and showed impressive potential on loan at Stockport County last season – scoring 16 goals in all competitions.
Injury then disrupted a later loan spell at Championship side Hull City but the academy graduate more than showed his talent in the first-half of the season.
Praised for a “superb” season by scout Jacek Kulig, it looks as though Barry could be part of Aston Villa’s PSR sacrifice as Monday’s deadline looms.
It looked as if it would go right down to the wire, but Wrexham would clinch automatic promotion out of League One with a game to spare in the end.
The match that would finally seal their unbelievable leap up to the Championship was an unforgettable 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic, with the opening goalscorer on the day being midfield maestro Oliver Rathbone.
He cemented his place in Red Dragons’ history when powering home a fantastic effort early into the first half, and he will hope he can kick on in a Wrexham shirt even more when the challenge of the Championship officially arrives in North Wales.
That said, one new addition could potentially usurp him in that midfield pecking order…
Latest Wrexham transfer news
This off-season could see the Red Dragons conduct their business in a cutthroat manner, with goalscoring icon Paul Mullin rumoured to be on the move to Wigan Athletic, despite boasting a bumper 105 goals in total at the Racehouse Ground.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Welsh giants move away from solely relying on Rathbone for creativity in the middle of the park, with journalist Graeme Bailey now revealing that Wrexham are monitoring Tom Cairney’s situation as they hunt more second-tier-ready stars.
Bailey does suggest that Cairney’s preference is to stick it out with his long-term employers in Fulham, but Wrexham haven’t buried all their hope just yet when it comes to landing the skilful 34-year-old, knowing full well he would significantly enhance their options in the middle.
Rathbone, in particular, might need to watch out.
Why Cairney would be an upgrade on Rathbone
Wrexham entertained League One audiences all campaign long, as the likes of Sam Smith, Elliot Lee, and Steven Fletcher all stood out in the attacking positions.
Rathbone’s name will also be chucked into the mix as another captivating performer, with the former Manchester United youth product ending his own memorable individual season with eight league goals next to his name, which is the same amount both Fletcher and Lee managed, and was only bettered by 18-goal hero Smith.
Moreover, the 28-year-old would tally up a further three assists as a creative machine in the middle, alongside also showing off his grit and determination by averaging 5.3 successful duels per second-tier contest.
Whilst Rathbone is undoubtedly a gem in the lower reaches of the EFL, he hasn’t been as comfortable when jumping up to the Championship in the past, with just a mediocre eight goal contributions collected from 80 appearances at the level when on the books of Rotherham United. To further pile on the misery, he has also been relegated from the unforgiving division.
As a result, Phil Parkinson might well deem it necessary to seal an upgrade on Rathbone to win his team a more accomplished Championship pro centrally, with Cairney ticking all the right boxes.
After all, unlike Rathbone, Cairney has tasted lots of success at the punishing level in the past, with an unbelievable three promotions coming his way from his mammoth tally of 318 Championship outings.
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He might just be what Parkinson’s men need to adjust to their difficult new terrain swimmingly, with the two-time Scotland international amassing a mightily impressive 96 goals and assists combined across his many seasons at the level too.
Hailed as “outstanding” by Scott Parker when the pair were together at Craven Cottage, Cairney has even kicked on to become a Premier League-calibre performer in West London, with two of his 16 goal contributions in the elite league coming about just last season, irrespective of the Fulham veteran now being 34 years of age.
Rathbone won’t be completely chucked to one side, but if it’s a toss-up between the 28-year-old starting or Cairney starting, the reliable Cottagers servant will come out on top every single time, especially as Wrexham aim to consolidate their status as a Championship-capable outfit.
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Tottenham Hotspur find themselves under a new manager in Thomas Frank and he could now pounce to bring one of his favourites to N17, according to a report.
Frank's aim to build on Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League success
Winning the Europa League was a watershed moment for Tottenham after 17 years of waiting, but the mission for all connected with the club now is to build on the foundations that Ange Postecoglou laid come next term.
Daniel Levy took exception to a poor Premier League points tally from the Australian. However, Thomas Frank now has a magnificent platform to build on, courtesy of Spurs qualifying for the Champions League off the back of their success in Bilbao.
Opting not to sugarcoat things, Chris Sutton proposed the theory that Frank will be under pressure to deliver immediately at Spurs, claiming the different expectation levels Brentford and Tottenham leave the Dane with little leeway to work with in N17.
He stated: “Thomas Frank has done a brilliant job at Brentford, but this is a whole different kettle of fish. Because of the expectation at Tottenham, Frank won’t get time to get his feet under the table. He will be under pressure from the off.”
Later, he added: “The aim for Frank will be to keep them in the Champions League, and whether that is by making the top four or five, that is not going to be easy.”
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Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa could join Tottenham, if Frank opts to go down the route of raiding his former club for talent, though it is hard to imagine the Bees letting either of their star men leave on the cheap.
Nevertheless, it appears that the 51-year-old could instead look to another of his favourites at the Gtech Community Stadium if reports are to be believed.
Tottenham preparing bid to sign Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard
According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham are preparing a bid for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard and the Denmark international is viewed as a priority addition by Frank to strengthen his engine room.
Spurs are set to submit an offer between the £17-20 million mark, though the Bees are reluctant to see the 31-year-old depart this summer and could inflate his price to ward off interest.
Christian Norgaard’s reliability under Thomas Frank
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Winning an extraordinary 163 duels on Premier League duty last term, the Brentford captain is someone who has an ‘exceptional’ understanding of Frank’s system, making him indispensable in West London regardless of who is in charge.
Portugal's Bruno Fernandes in action with Denmark's Christian Norgaard and Portugal's RafaelLeao
Stockpiling in key areas would be a wise idea for Spurs amid their injury crisis last season, which rarely saw Postecoglou having a full-strength side to pick from in a tumultuous campaign.
Norgaard is a symbol of reliability for Brentford, and it makes sense to recruit experience if circumstances allow for it, though the Bees may prove to be too tricky to deal with in the end.
With the transfer window now open, Vitor Pereira has reportedly asked Wolverhampton Wanderers chiefs to sign a Brazilian defender who has a release clause worth £22m.
Matt Hobbs leaves the club
Whilst Wolves will be keen to get their summer business underway as soon as possible, especially after losing Matheus Cunha and watching on as Rayan Ait-Nouri attracts interest from Manchester City, the departure of Matt Hobbs may delay things. Without their sporting director, the Midlands club are set to restructure behind the scenes ahead of Pereira’s first summer in charge.
The club released a statement on Hobbs’ exit, which read: “Wolves can confirm that sporting director Matt Hobbs has left the club by mutual consent as part of a wider restructure of the football department.
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“Hobbs, who joined Wolves in 2015, has spent the past decade working across a number of key football roles at the club, including chief scout, head of recruitment and most recently as sporting director.
“The club extends its sincere thanks to Matt for his contributions throughout his time at Wolves and wishes him the very best for the future. Further updates on the new football leadership structure will follow.”
Of course, it’s not the only change taking place in the Midlands. Having already lost Cunha to Manchester United, reports are now indicating that Wolves are likely to lose Ait-Nouri to Manchester City in the coming weeks.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' RayanAit-Nouri
Losing arguably their two best players in the same summer, Wolves must now get things right on the incomings front. Pereira will be desperate to see his first season in charge build on the progress that he’s already made at Molineux and that means a mid-table finish instead of another nervy relegation battle.
The one positive is that Wolves should have money to spend and money that Pereira is already reportedly keen to put to good use.
Pereira asks Wolves to sign Renan
According to UOL, as relayed by Molineux News, Pereira has now directly asked Wolves to sign Robert Renan, who he worked with during his time in Saudi Arabia and at Corinthians. The 21-year-old defender now reportedly has a release clause worth £22m at Zenit St. Petersburg and, after spending the season on loan at Al-Shabab, could yet be on his way to the Premier League.
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Still just 21 years old, Renan has found himself at the centre of impressive praise for how he’s risen through the ranks in recent seasons. That includes from U23 scout Antonio Mango, who praised the defender for his “great mobility and acceleration” in 2023.
Two years on from that praise, the young centre-back has only upped his game, which could leave him in line for his biggest opportunity yet. Pereira knows him well and Wolves have money to spend, which means that Renan’s arrival could make perfect sense for all parties this summer.
Having reportedly requested the Brazilian’s arrival, it will certainly be interesting to see whether Pereira gets his wish at Wolves in the coming months.
Liverpool transitioned from one era to another with the artful ease of champions. Now they are vindicated, proven right in their appointment of Arne Slot, who last month became a Premier League-winning manager. And in his first year at that.
Few saw it coming. None, perhaps, other than some optimistic Reds supporters around Merseyside and beyond. As Jurgen Klopp packed up and left last summer, Feyenoord’s boss stepped into his shoes after FSG were given an emphatic no when they sought to pull Xabi Alonso, now Real Madrid-bound, from Bayer Leverkusen.
Dubious heads abounded. Some Liverpool supporters would have held reservations, for sure, but the view from the rest of the Premier League was that the Dutchman was a stop-gap, a temp tasked with absorbing the leaden rain which would inevitably hit Anfield after the departure of a iconic, irreplaceable figure.
But then, Slot hasn’t replaced Klopp, not really. The managerial position is gone, archived for now. In its place, that of a head coach, with Slot working in a more focused role, his modus operandi angled toward that of tactics and the first team.
Transfers, not so much. He still has a significant say, of course, but he reports to overseer Richard Hughes, who wields the power but, in turn, reports to Michael Edwards, FSG’s footballing overlord.
Richard Hughes and Arne Slot
However, it’s a hierarchy with the promise of success. Liverpool have held off on big-money moves over the past year, but the current interest in Florian Wirtz is genuine, all right, and the powers that be are unanimous in their desire to bring him to Merseyside.
Why Liverpool want to sign Wirtz
Last week, Manchester City withdrew from consideration. They admire Wirtz greatly and need his type of profile, given Kevin De Bruyne will play his final game for the club this weekend, but deemed the full package to be too expensive.
That’s not the case for Liverpool, who are aware Bayern Munich believe they sit in the driving seat but are working tooth and nail toward securing a deal all the same. With Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid, Slot needs a new creative centrepiece and has green-lit the prospective transfer for Wirtz.
Bayer Leverkusen feel they have a generational talent on their hands, and though he’s approaching the penultimate year of his contract, are seeking a staggering €150m (£126m) figure for his release.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtzreacts
The 22-year-old was crowned last season’s Bundesliga Player of the Season after leading Leverkusen to their maiden top-flight title. Xabi Alonso’s side also lifted the DFB-Pokal, completing both domestic feats without a single blemish of defeat.
It’s easy to see why the German playmaker is such a hot commodity: as per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal contributions, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.
Wirtz’s talent level goes through the roof, but he also marries his prowess, his skill, with a fixed baseline that has allowed him to maintain potency through the fledgling years of his career. As you will see below, consistency is key.
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Anfield’s data analysts probably had a field day upon realising a deal could be struck. Should FSG prevail, though, some shuffling would need to be done.
To put it another way, a beloved talent would be sold this summer.
Wirtz would end star's Liverpool career
As Liverpool gear up for a title-defending campaign, Slot will know his side no longer wear the cloak of an underdog. Now, watchers will have heightened expectations.
With the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and rivals abroad all strengthening, Liverpool’s burning desire to add Wirtz to the ranks makes a lot of sense, even if it would break the bank. That’s why Harvey Elliott needs to be sold.
Liverpool player Harvey Elliott
Elliott, 22, has been around for a while, leaving Fulham as a 16-year-old to move to Merseyside and join his boyhood club. Since his arrival, the creative midfielder has played 145 times for the men’s team, scoring 15 goals and providing 20 assists.
His fatal flaw lies not in technical quality but in athleticism. Elliott doesn’t win enough duels, nor is he mobile enough in the centre of the park to convince Slot he deserves regular starting roles in this high-flying, competitive Liverpool team.
It’s a shame, for Elliott is a “machine” when it comes to output, as per Liverpool writer Sam McGuire, ranking among the top 2% of positional peers this season for goals and assists combined per 90 (FBref).
But Slot simply hasn’t given the rising star the game time he wants or deserves this term, with Elliott making only his second Premier League start of the season during last weekend’s defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. He, of course, bagged a goal and an assist.
He’s now open to leaving, unlocking a door he certainly won’t want to step through but has grown accustomed to the cold reality that Slot will not give him the minutes he needs to develop at this formative stage of his professional career.
As per Football Insider, Nottingham Forest want to replace Morgan Gibbs-White with the England U21 international, while Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have also registered their interest. The Reds hope to bag around £50m for his departure.
Liverpool will no doubt rue losing one of their own, a player whose potential stretches high above most others. Klopp did say, at the end of his illustrious Anfield tenure, that one of his biggest regrets was failing to give this nifty little playmaker more action.
But time’s have changed. Liverpool are Premier League champions once more and need to defend their trophy.
Wirtz
Wirtz is exactly the type of statement signing they need to make, and though Dominik Szoboszlai’s contrasting, tireless style denotes a prominent role for years to come, it’s hard to argue against Wirtz being an upgrade on Elliott, who could fetch a decent sum this summer to help with the investment.
All of a Liverpool persuasion would be sad to see Elliott go, but maybe a little touched too, waving goodbye like proud parents as their eldest heads out on their own for the first time.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
If Slot can’t offer the young midfielder the playing time he needs to fully foster his skills, cashing in for a sizeable fee would be a good move.
Replacing him with Wirtz would soften the blow – just a tad.
Dream Wirtz alternative: Liverpool plot move for "generational" £34m star
Liverpool can forget about a move for Florian Wirtz, with another name entering the mix this week.
Everton signed off at Goodison Park with a rip-roaring victory over relegated Southampton, marking a historic and unforgettable day for Blues across Merseyside and beyond.
With no hyperbole, the emotion was palpable as the Premier League match entered the dying embers.
It was an emotional farewell, one which was always going to end with three points for the hosts. It was Southampton, but it could have been anyone unfortunate enough to be swallowed into the noisy sea of Everton support.
Everton say goodbye to Goodison Park
The Toffees have weathered some storms in recent years, and no mistake, but with David Moyes back at the helm, there’s something cyclical about this change of scenery.
It’s a new beginning, but one which shouldn’t see the club lose their sense of place, nor their deep-rooted ‘Evertonism’ as they finally close the door at Goodison Park for the final time.
And what a send-off. The fans were out in force, and so too were some club legends and former icons. Tim Cahill, Peter Reid and Graeme Sharp were all there as special guests, as was Wayne Rooney.
Rooney might not have played the prime years of his career out on Merseyside, but he was reared in the city and raised to the professional level by Moyes before signing for Manchester United in a £30m deal, aged 18.
One of the Premier League’s superstars, Everton may well have found their new version of the Three Lions legend, and he took centre-stage on Sunday.
Everton's new Wayne Rooney
Moyes elevated numerous players when he replaced Sean Dyche at the helm in January, and while this could be said for Iliman Ndiaye, the Senegal international had proved the bright spark for the Merseysiders across the first half of the season.
Iliman Ndiaye scores for Everton
Signed from Marseille for £15m last summer, Ndiaye has been a pillar of strength for Everton throughout the campaign, and while he’s the top scorer with nine goals from just 28 starting appearances, his slickness and thrilling movements suggest he could become a talisman in the mould of Rooney, one who could actually devote some of their finest years to the club.
Rooney’s capacity to excite, especially in his earlier iterations, was something that differentiated him from other talented up-and-comers.
Though Ndiaye is 25, he bears a likeness to the English great in this regard, as evidenced by his underlying data this term. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 20% of positional peers in the Premier League for goals, the top 17% for pass completion, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 1% for ball recoveries per 90.
There’s certainly a spring in his step. Ndiaye has been hailed for his ability to produce “magic” moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson, and if Moyes and the owners can get it right in the transfer market this summer, there’s every chance he could hit the next level in his development and truly establish himself as one of the country’s heaviest hitters.
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Were Everton to end up selling their silky star, he would also fetch a large transfer fee, like Rooney. Whichever angle you look at it from, Moyes has hit the absolute jackpot with this one, and must ensure he retains his services for the upcoming campaign at the least.
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David Moyes will look to bring in one or two exciting names to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It’s been coming. Liverpool have enjoyed the most incredible of campaigns, FSG hitting the jackpot with their appointment of Arne Slot, but in keeping with the yearly routine, the season has produced a bitter pill for the fanbase to swallow.
Last year, it was a tired Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down after nearly nine illustrious years at the helm. 12 months earlier, Liverpool waved goodbye to Bobby Firmino, with the core of Anfield’s midfield all departing too.
Now, Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract this summer, and while it hasn’t been set in stone, he will sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Why Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool journey has been synonymous with the club’s ascension under Klopp’s wing. The German gaffer birthed Trent onto the senior stage, handing him his debut across every competition for the Reds.
He’s won it all, but the 26-year-old’s decision to leave Liverpool and the peak of their (and his) powers is something that many fans aren’t going to be able to accept.
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FSG did everything in their power to keep him on the books, reportedly offered him a healthy upgrade on his £180k-per-week contract, showcased an ambitious plan led by Slot, whose tactical grasp Trent has been dazzled by.
In the end, he just wanted to leave.
We could pick at it all day but the truth is that Alexander-Arnold feels he has given two decades of his life to his football club and won the lot. He believes that this is the right time for a change, and Real Madrid usually get what they want.
Sky Sports have even suggested that playing in Los Blancos white is something of a lifelong ambition for the England international, whose sights have likely been set on a move for a few years now, in one way or another.
Sporting director Richard Hughes will take his time in working with Slot and deciding on the best route forward at right-back. For now, though, he is looking to sign another defender nice and swiftly.
Liverpool lining up new defender
The Premier League champions are gearing up for a big summer, and the perfect way to put Alexander-Arnold’s decision in the background would be to win the race for Dean Huijsen.
Bournemouth’s star centre-back has been one of the breakthrough stars of the season, thriving on the South Coast. He has a £50m release clause in his contract and is being pursued by all of England’s heaviest hitters.
Certain reports have suggested Chelsea have the edge but according to Fabrizio Romano, the race is very much on, and Liverpool are in need of a new up-and-coming defensive star.
Why Dean Huijsen could be a bigger talent than Trent
Huijsen hasn’t been in the Premier League for long, but he’s already being head-hunted by the best of the best and this is all down to his performances on the pitch.
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen
How Juventus must regret their decision to sell the 20-year-old to Bournemouth in a £15m deal last summer, for he has featured prominently in a Cherries side chasing Europe, with journalist Henry Winter even noting that he “shackled [Alexander] Isak on ground and in the air” back in January.
Sofascore record that Huijsen has won 61% of his aerial battles in the Premier League this season, also averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game, so it’s clear he’s able to produce the goods against the best of the best with consistency. One analyst has already declared that he’s going to be “world-class” in the coming years.
His latest showstopping game, a 2-1 win over Arsenal away from home, highlighted many of the qualities that have piqued the interest of so many clubs, notably scoring the equalising goal.
It was a statement display, not just the architect of the Emirates fall through his headed goal, but an all-round display that negated much of the Gunners’ attacking play.
A big-game player, dynamic as they come, Huijsen is already demonstrating an ability that could see him slot right into Liverpool’s starting line-up, fostering his talents over the coming years to eventually become an even bigger star than Alexander-Arnold.
With some suggesting that he has everything he needs to become “the ultimate modern-day centre back,” Huijsen could actually rise to an even higher level than Alexander-Arnold, should he make the move to Liverpool.
That’s not actually to detract from the Three Lions star’s skill set: Trent is a one-of-a-kind player, with a celestial range of passing that has been so important across a sustained period of success at Anfield.
But Huijsen, too, is showing himself to be a unique player. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of defenders in the Premier League this season for goal contributions, the top 16% for progressive passes, the top 13% for progressive carries, the top 6% for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for blocks and clearances per 90.
It’s not difficult to see why Liverpool (and all the rest) have a vested interest in securing his services as he steps toward footballing maturity.
Surpassing Alexander-Arnold’s legacy would take quite an effort from a young Spaniard like Huijsen (born in the Netherlands), but the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have already arrived as foreigners and established themselves as heroes for the ages.
Huijsen could repeat the trick, outstripping Alexander-Arnold in doing so.
Better than Rogers: Liverpool could see £65m bid accepted for 18-goal star
Liverpool are in the market for new forwards this summer.
Manchester City have not set the Premier League alight by their lofty standards this season, but there are still some positive green shoots beginning to appear.
Indeed, the likes of Nico O’Reilly and Omar Marmoush have settled in swimmingly to first-team life in Manchester, with the exciting academy product a first-team regular now, alongside his entertaining Egyptian teammate who already has six Premier League goals to his name.
That’s the case despite the City number seven only being on the books of Pep Guardiola’s men since January, meaning there will plenty of optimism in the air that deals happening this coming transfer window can be equally as impactful.
How Man City could replace De Bruyne in the transfer window
The main area of the pitch that could do with some reinforcements is the number ten spot with Kevin De Bruyne edging ever closer to exiting the Etihad the more the season ticks away.
This has led City down the path of pursuing some statement buys with both names such as Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White on their agenda to try and adequately replace the constant heroics of De Bruyne.
But, Guardiola’s titans could plug the gap left behind by their iconic Belgian by snapping up Sporting winger Francisco Trincao instead, despite the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers man’s main preference to line up down the flanks.
The Portuguese was linked with a move to the Etihad earlier this week but it won’t be an easy deal to get over the line.
That’s because top four rivals Newcastle United and Arsenal are also after the wide forward, while city rivals Manchester United have a vested interest too.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Why Trincao could replace De Bruyne's creativity
If Trincao were to relocate back to the Premier League, he would have a burning desire to prove any naysayers wrong after a turbulent stint at Molineux.
After all, the 25-year-old attacker – who was once hailed as “special” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – has proven himself to be an assist king ever since returning to his native Portugal, which could lead to De Bruyne’s sad exit being quickly forgotten about.
The on-fire Sporting number 17 was more cold than hot donning a Wolves strip, with Trincao only capable of picking up a mere three goals and one assist from 30 appearances for the Old Gold, before then retreating to a more comfortable environment in Lisbon.
Sporting Club's Francisco Trinaco and Viktor Gyokeres.
Now, he is front and centre of Sporting’s devastating attacking arsenal alongside goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, with this season alone seeing the reinvigorated forward pick up a substantial 18 assists from 51 total contests.
His career total of 53 assists – away from this season’s count – is some way off eclipsing De Bruyne’s unbelievable 177 tally at the Etihad, but the powers that be at City will just pray he can be as classy as the departing 33-year-old when cutting defences open if he joins, having also once been openly praised as “really exciting” by Wolves technical director Scott Sellars.
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To further back up Trincao as a likely heir to De Bruyne’s playmaking throne, the Portuguese superstar has also shown across his career to date that he can shine in multiple different positions.
Of course, the assist-heavy Belgian is most commonly known as lining up as a number ten for Guardiola’s giants, but he has lined up in eight different positions during his lengthy stay at the club, including as a main striker in recent times, a role Trincao can fulfil too.
Therefore, this is yet another box that Trincao ticks if he’s going to be the next ace up Guardiola’s sleeve, similar to De Bruyne’s high standards.
Adding in a player of the 25-year-old’s creative calibre can only be a positive for those at City, with a further low price-tag next to his name of just £34m making this potential summer move a must to complete.
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has now dropped some early team news ahead of Bodo/Glimt, and he has hinted that a key player may not be available.
Europa League or bust for Ange
It was always going to be a daunting task travelling to Anfield to take on a Liverpool side that needed just one point to clinch the Premier League title, but it was yet another dismal performance from Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, suffering a crushing 5-1 defeat.
Courtesy of a third defeat on the spin, Spurs are 16th in the table with just four games left to play, but it appears as though Postecoglou’s job could be safe for the time being, given that his side are in a strong position to win the Europa League.
The Lilywhites picked up a rare clean sheet against Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the quarter-final, advancing to the final four after a 1-0 victory in Germany, and on paper they have a kind route to the final in Bilbao.
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Postecoglou’s side are set to face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final, with the Eliteserien champions becoming the first Norwegian side ever to reach the semi-finals of a European competition after defeating Lazio over two legs in dramatic fashion.
The Norwegian side defeated the Italians on penalties at the Stadio Olimpico, progressing to the semi-finals despite losing 3-1 on the night, so they will be confident they are capable of causing Tottenham problems.
As such, Postecoglou will be hoping to have Son Heung-min available for the crucial match, but the manager has now hinted the forward may not be available for the first leg, saying: “It’ll be touch and go for Thursday. He’ll try hard. If [he’s not ready] for the first game we think he’ll be ready for the second game.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming fixtures
Date
Bodo/Glimt (h)
May 1st
West Ham United (a)
May 4th
Bodo/Glimt (a)
May 8th
Crystal Palace (h)
May 11th
Aston Villa (a)
May 18th
"Incredible" Son would be big miss for Spurs
Tottenham may have seriously underperformed in the Premier League this season, but Son has continued to catch the eye with some of his performances, picking up seven goals and ten assists in 28 appearances.
The £190k-per-week forward has impressed throughout the Postecoglou era, with his manager previously lauding him as “incredible”, and he could be a big miss if he is unavailable for the crucial encounter against Bodo/Glimt.
Tottenham Hotspur'sSonHeung-minreacts
That said, Spurs should have more than enough to progress past the Norwegians regardless, given the disparity between the Premier League and the Eliteserien.
There have been suggestions that Postecoglou is set to face the sack regardless of whether Tottenham win the Europa League, but if they come up short in the semi-final, it would surely be the end of the road for the Australian.
Newcastle United are on course to qualify for Europe for just the second time since the 2012/13 season.
The Champions League campaign in 2023/24 didn’t quite go to plan for Eddie Howe’s side, but if they do return, the club will be more mature in their bid to reach the knockout stages.
Prior to this, the last time Newcastle played on the continent was in the Europa League during the 2012/13 season, reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.
Their star player back then was Yohan Cabaye and the Frenchman became something of a cult icon during his spell at the club.
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In the summer of 2011, the Magpies signed Cabaye from Lille for a fee in the region of just £4.3m, and it soon proved to be a bargain.
His first season was a magnificent success, registering four goals and grabbing six assists in the Premier League as the Toon secured European qualification for the first time in nearly a decade after a fifth-place finish.
While the following season saw the club drop to 16th in the top flight, Cabaye continued to impress, and he was beginning to attract plenty of attention.
This ability to both score and create chances caught the eye of PSG, who swooped to sign him in January 2014 for £20m, ensuring Newcastle made a profit on the player.
18 goals and 12 assists in 93 matches for the club was impressive indeed but has Howe now found the club’s new Cabaye?
Newcastle's next Yohan Cabaye
Newcastle have made plenty of superb signings since PIF completed their takeover of the club, notably Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.
However, the underrated Sandro Tonali deserves his flowers too having now proven himself to be one of the best signings the club has made in years when he joined from AC Milan two years ago.
That being said, it did not start in the best possible way. Indeed, a ten-month ban came into force in October 2023 after he was found guilty of betting on matches involving Milan.
Since returning to the first-team fold earlier this season, however, Tonali has been in excellent form, proving himself to be well worth the reported £55m fee they shelled out.
Goals
3
Assists
1
Big chances created
1
Key passes per game
0.4
Total duels won per game
3.7
Tackles per game
1.5
Across 38 matches in all competitions for the club, the Italian has scored five times and chipped in with two assists, the last of which came on Sunday against United.
Cabaye was the fulcrum for Newcastle during 2011/12 as they finished fifth, and it appears as though Tonali is embracing a very similar mantle under Howe, aiming to drive the Toon towards another stint in continental football..
The £120k-per-week midfielder has been dubbed as a “big game player” by talent scout Jacek Kulig previously, and he is exuding these talents this term.
His three league goals have all come during vital wins over Southampton, Brentford and Manchester United this season, highlighting how good he is when the pressure is on.
If he continues his recent form over the final few games of the campaign, Newcastle will secure a spot in the Champions League group stages for the second time in three seasons.
It’s safe to say they struck gold on this one.
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