Leeds United are now interested in signing a “unique” Premier League striker, but there could be competition for his signature from fellow promoted Championship side Burnley, according to a report.

Leeds planning for next season after sealing promotion

Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League was confirmed on Monday night, courtesy of Burnley defeating Sheffield United 2-1 at Turf Moor, and they have already started to make plans for their first season back in the top flight.

Surprisingly, there have been widespread reports the 49ers are considering sacking manager Daniel Farke, perhaps in light of the fact the German has struggled during his previous stints in the Premier League with Norwich City.

Not only are the 49ers considering bringing in a new manager, but there is also a strong desire to upgrade the playing squad, and there has now been a new update surrounding the Whites’ potential transfer business.

A dream first deal after promotion: £15m star wants to sign for Leeds

The player is reportedly keen to secure a permanent move to Leeds United this summer.

ByDan Emery Apr 23, 2025

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed there will be a focus on bringing in players with Premier League experience, in order to give Farke’s side the best chance of avoiding the drop, and they are particularly interested in signing a new goalkeeper and striker.

Amid plans to bring in a new striker, Leeds have now swooped for Ipswich Town’s George Hirst, according to a report from Football Insider, but it could be hard to prise the 26-year-old away from the Tractor Boys.

Ipswich are desperate to keep hold of Hirst, given that fellow striker Liam Delap is expected to leave this summer, and they are now keen to tie the Scot down to a new deal to extend his stay at Portman Road beyond 2027.

Burnley are also interested in signing the forward, and it remains to be seen whether Ipswich are able to ward off interest from the two soon-to-be Premier League clubs.

"Unique" Hirst is dominant in the air

The Scotland international arrived at Portman Road for just £1.5m during Ipswich’s League One days, picking up 18 goals and 11 assists in 76 appearances for the club, with two of those goals coming in the Premier League this season.

Unsurprisingly, the Sheffield-born striker has found it difficult to displace Delap in the starting XI, often being utilised as a substitute, while he also missed a large portion of the season due to a knee injury.

As such, it is difficult to assess whether the former Portsmouth man would be capable of being the first-choice striker for a club with aspirations of avoiding the drop, with manager Kieran McKenna describing his skill-set as “unique”.

At the very least, Hirst could be a solid option as a target man off the bench for Leeds, given that he stands at a towering 6 foot 3 and ranks in the 97th percentile for aerials won per 90 over the past year, when compared to other strikers.

Manchester United are keen on signing a “super” striker, who is now likely to be available for just £30m this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd stepping up striker pursuit after derby stalemate

Man United’s attacking issues were glaring during the 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby, failing to create a big chance in the entire match, which indicates Ruben Amorim may have to bring in a playmaker during the summer transfer window.

However, striker has also been a problem position for far too long, and United are now stepping up their pursuit of some top forwards from across Europe, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen reportedly being identified as their number one target.

However, there have been conflicting reports about which striker the Red Devils are most interested in signing, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap also thought to be one of the main options for the summer transfer window.

Man United's striker targets…

Player	Current club	Potential cost
Victor Osimhen	Napoli	£62.1m
Matheus Cunha	Wolverhampton Wanderers	£62m
Viktor Gyokeres	Sporting CP	£64m
Lorenzo Lucca	Udinese	£25m
Liam Delap	Ipswich Town	£30m

Previously, Delap had been valued at around £40m, with a number of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, also expressing an interest in the English forward, but there has now been a suggestion he could be available for even less.

That is according to an update from Romano on X, with the transfer expert stating the striker’s release clause will drop to just £30m in the event of relegation, which is looking increasingly likely, with Ipswich now 12 points from safety.

United are said to remain “keen” on the striker, alongside Chelsea, with Man City set to receive 20% of the proceeds from any transfer.

£65m price drop: Man Utd and Amorim increasingly keen on "special" forward

The Red Devils are set to battle it out for a winger, whose price tag may have dropped considerably.

1

By
Dominic Lund

Apr 9, 2025

"Super" Delap could be exactly what Man Utd need

United took a risk bringing in Hojlund for £72m, given that the young Dane had no experience in the Premier League, and it would be fair to say the move hasn’t worked out thus far, having scored just 24 goals in 84 games.

Delap, on the other hand, has proven himself in the Premier League this season, scoring 12 goals in 30 games, which is a very impressive return, given that his side are near certain to be relegated to the Championship.

Pundit Danny Murphy has also spoken very highly of the Ipswich star, saying: “I just don’t see a weakness for him. He has scored enough goals in a struggling side really, but if he gets a lot of chances he will score more. He has just got that lovely balance between physical and technical [ability] and rarely do you get both. He is a super talent.”

A fee of just £30m for the 22-year-old could be an absolute steal, and Man United should look to capitalise on Ipswich’s relegation by securing a bargain move for the forward.

Monday was the day. Leeds United officially confirmed their promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking at the start of this week.

The Whites knew that they had a chance to get out of the Championship if they beat Stoke City, and they ran out emphatic 6-0 winners against the Potters.

Five of their goals came in the first half, before Wilfried Gnonto got in on the act in the second 45, and that result meant that they could cheer Burnley on against Sheffield United in the evening kick-off.

The Clarets beat the Blades 2-1 at Turf Moor in a result that confirmed Leeds and Burnley’s places in the Premier League for the 2025/26 campaign, whilst the two teams must still battle it out in the final two matches to see who wins the title.

Daniel Farke can now start to think about his preparations for next season and how his team will attack the top-flight; the players who will remain key to the starting XI, and those who may not be up to the task of stepping up.

One player whose future will be interesting to see unfold is centre-forward Joel Piroe, who has struggled at times this season but provided a reminder of his quality against Stoke.

Why Joel Piroe could be replaced this summer

The former Swansea City marksman is a terrific finisher at Championship level, that cannot be denied, as he has scored 19 goals from 16.41 xG and only missed 12 ‘big chances’ in the division this term.

Piroe scored four goals from four shots, totalling 1.35 xG worth of chances, against Stoke on Monday, showcasing his ruthless edge in front of goal.

However, he found himself completely unmarked in the box for all four of those chances, as the Stoke defenders left a lot to be desired with their performances, and the striker may not get that kind of time and space in the Premier League.

The left-footed forward had failed to score in his previous nine Championship starts, leading to doubt about his place in the team before his exceptional showing on Easter Monday, and Farke may question whether or not he has the attributes to be the club’s starting number nine in the top-flight.

Appearances

44

Dribbles completed per game

0.3

Dribble success rate

33%

Ground duels won per game

1.7

Ground duel success rate

27%

Aerial duels won per game

0.6

Aerial duel success rate

20%

As you can see in the table above, Piroe’s work off the ball has left a lot to be desired in the Championship this term, as he has been dominated by opposition defenders on the ground and in the air.

The 25-year-old striker is too lightweight at times, as shown by his dreadful success rate in duels, and that is a big concern ahead of a Premier League season where Leeds will be with their backs against the wall and fighting to avoid relegation.

All three newly-promoted teams, assuming Ipswich do not win all five of their remaining games and West Ham lose all of theirs, are being relegated from the Premier League this year, as they were the year before, which illustrates how difficult it will be for the Whites.

This means that Leeds will likely need a centre-forward who can alleviate pressure on the team by holding the ball up, duelling with defenders, and by running the channels to stretch the play and open up space for the midfielders to work.

Chalkboard

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

Unfortunately, Piroe’s physical data suggests that he will not be cut out for thatrole in the Premier League, which is why Farke could replace him with a new signing this summer.

One star from the 6-0 win over the Potters who should not be replaced in the starting XI for next season, though, is right-back Jayden Bogle, who has been an even better signing than Piroe.

Why Bogle has been a better signing than Piroe for Leeds

The English full-back was reportedly signed for a fee of £5m from rivals Sheffield United last summer, whereas Piroe was signed from Swansea for a reported fee of more than £10m in the summer of 2023.

Despite costing less than half as much as the Dutchman, Bogle has been far more consistent in his performances over the course of this promotion-winning campaign at right-back, showing that the club hit the jackpot with their deal for the defender.

Piroe has dipped in-and-out of the team at times, coming off the bench on ten occasions, and has gone through dry spells, with zero goals in nine games prior to the Stoke match, as well as struggling with his lack of physicality consistently throughout the season.

Bogle, on the other hand, has started all 42 of his appearances in the division, averaging 87 minutes played per game, which illustrates how much Farke has relied on him week-in-week-out.

Tackles + interceptions

3.2

xG

5.09

Ball recoveries per game

3.5

Goals

6

Ground duel success rate

55%

Big chances created

9

Aerial duel success rate

53%

xA

5.63

Error led to goal

0

Assists

4

As you can see in the table above, the 24-year-old full-back has shown that he can mix defensive quality and strength with outstanding attacking contributions from a defensive position.

Bogle, whose pass to Piroe against Preston was dubbed “tremendous” by Aidy White, has the drive and quality to motor down the right flank to deliver goals and assists – assisting Piroe’s second against Stoke.

The ex-Sheffield United star has also won the majority of his duels on the ground and in the air, without making any errors that have directly led to goals against for Leeds.

Therefore, Bogle is a complete full-back who seems to have the qualities required to make the step up to the Premier League in Farke’s current team, because he has the physicality and the technical ability to deal with the step up.

Better signing than Gunn: Leeds plot bid for "unbelievable" £10m star

Leeds are plotting a bid to sign a Premier League star who would be even better than Angus Gunn.

ByDan Emery Apr 20, 2025

This is why he was an even better signing than Piroe because he can handle both sides of the game, making him a player with top-flight potential, and he cost less than half as much, which shows that Farke hit the jackpot by signing him from the Blades.

Victory in the Merseyside derby appears to have been a false dawn, with Liverpool’s late-season decline very much still here after an error-strewn display saw Fulham claim victory over Arne Slot in the Premier League.

It was actually the first time that Liverpool and Slot had tasted defeat on the road in this term’s top flight, but stepping into the bracing summer air feels a distance away yet, for Fulham benefitted from some elementary defensive mistakes from the away side’s experienced and successful defenders.

Virgil van Dijk’s concerning but perhaps overblown dip in form continued, rarely at ease against the Londoners’ frontline and notably turned inside out by a Bergkamp-esque touch from Rodrigo Muniz, who proved to seal the win by scoring Fulham’s decisive third goal before the break.

However, Van Dijk, 33, is still one of the – if not the – best centre-backs in Europe; tying Liverpool’s captain down to one final contract is crucial.

The same can’t be said for Andrew Robertson, whose unwavering belief in his ability is admirable, but not enough given errors and a startling drop in athleticism and creativity have put his performances under a microscope this year.

Why Andy Robertson needs to be replaced

Robertson joined Liverpool way back when. Hull City’s talented full-back couldn’t save the Tigers from relegation in 2016/17, and so Jurgen Klopp saw an opportunity, swooped in and snapped him up for a cool £8m fee.

Now, he’s entering the twilight stage of his trophy-adorned career. Aged 31, Robertson has spent many years playing expertly in a high-octane, big-expectation outfit, but he’s past his best, with the defeat at Fulham the latest game in which he’s been culpable for a “dreadful error,” as was remarked by The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Scotland captain also ceded possession on 12 occasions despite failing to complete a single key pass to help Liverpool’s attacking fluency, as per Sofascore.

It would be unfair to rebuke Robertson too harshly. He might be something of a weak link but he’s still been an important part of Liverpool’s campaign and is heading toward his second Premier League title.

But he needs replacing, for sure.

Plans have been mapped out already, it seems like Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is one of FSG’s most pressing transfer targets ahead of the summer window.

However, Robertson’s not the only player who showed in the capital that they need to be sold, with a ‘world-class’ star potentially having played his last.

Liverpool need to sell "world-class" star

Replacing Robertson would be for the greater good of Slot’s project, but there are one or two more regular starters on Merseyside who might also be cashed in this summer.

Caoimhin Kelleher being one of them. The goalkeeper has been brilliant as Liverpool’s back-up between the sticks, featuring 67 times in total for the first team, but his unconvincing performance against Fulham underscored the reasoning behind FSG’s decision to allow him to move away, to sign a replacement.

Fulham put three past their opponents at the weekend despite only accumulating an xG total of just 0.79, which basically means that Liverpool should really have prevented two, if not all three, of the strikes.

It’s becoming clear that Kelleher needs to be sold, having risen from Liverpool’s academy graduate to achieve a sort of cult status, so instrumental in winning domestic cups over the past few seasons.

Praised as a “world-class” shot-stopper by his skipper, Van Dijk, Kelleher cannot abide another campaign playing second fiddle and fair enough to him. A swarm of clubs were intrigued in signing the £35m-rated star last year, but he ultimately stayed put.

However, the Irishman has pulled no punches in expressing his desire to take the next step in his career and “leave and be a number one.”

However, he’s hardly failed to earn any attention at Anfield. Slot, to whom Alisson is “the best goalkeeper in the world,” has been forced to make do without his number one on many occasions this season. In fact, the 26-year-old’s skills have been called into play regularly over the past couple of years.

24/25

20

9

23/24

26

5

22/23

4

2

21/22

8

4

20/21

5

2

19/20

4

2

With Alisson unable to shake persistent injury problems, Kelleher has featured 46 times since the start of last season. His Brazilian counterpart has featured 60 times over the same period.

The Liverpool Echo certainly weren’t impressed, handing Kelleher a 5/10 match rating. While correspondent Ian Doyle noted that the Ireland international could do little about Ryan Sessegnon’s parity-restoring strike, there’s a case to be made that the following strikes could have been prevented, albeit with Iwobi’s shot taking a nicking deflection off the guilty Robertson.

With Giorgi Mamardashvili set to arrive from Valencia in the summer, it makes perfect sense to bank a fee for Kelleher before his deal expires in 2026.

Especially when the Georgian goalkeeper, still only 24, is putting in performances like that of last weekend, when Real Madrid was foiled in their own backyard.

Football is a fickle game and revisionism must be ignored as Liverpool enter this final stretch of the campaign a little sapped and disjointed.

If anything, such a dip would have told Slot more about his tools than the hitherto strength that allowed him to carve through so many of his club’s opponents for the lion’s share of the season.

Liverpool have suffered a few blots on the copybook of late, but make no mistake, this is an extraordinary feat acheived down Anfield Road. The Reds are heading toward the Premier League title, but change is sure to be afoot in the market this summer.

In west London, Kelleher, like Robertson, may well have shown why he needs to be sold this summer.

Worse than Salah: Slot must axe 5/10 Liverpool ace who made just 2 passes

Liverpool suffered just their second Premier League defeat of the season this afternoon.

2 ByEthan Lamb Apr 6, 2025

Liverpool and high-class forwards have long stood in a productive affinity, even before Jurgen Klopp changed Anfield’s direction, previously spiralling out of control under Brendan Rodgers’ wing.

There have been many. Mohamed Salah is the cream of the Premier League’s attacking pool right now, indeed one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history, but Arne Slot’s recognised strikers, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, have been beset with problems this year.

Nunez, in particular, has been a massive let-down. No transfer figure spent in Liverpool’s long history stretches north of the Uruguayan, who joined from Benfica for £85m in 2022 but, now aged 25, is set to depart this summer having failed to ever reach his potential.

He certainly hasn’t succeeded in replacing Bobby Firmino, one of the greatest modern forwards to grace Merseyside.

Why Bobby Firmino was so special

Liverpool signed Firmino from German club Hoffenheim for £29m in 2015, months before Klopp’s appointment changed everything.

Silky and stylish, he was perfect for Klopp’s gegenpressing style of football, an industrious worker, an intelligent technician and a balletic dancer across the frontline.

Distinctive and the connecting axis from which Salah and Sadio Mane swooped and struck from either flank, the Brazilian left at the end of his contract in 2023 with a legacy that most players could only dream of.

His brilliance is all the more sorely missed due to Nunez’s failure to live up to the billing, and Liverpool appear to yearn for that presence at number nine, ramping up their interest in the next version of the South American star.

Liverpool lining up their next Firmino

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are looking to repeat their Firmino trick in signing an up-and-comer from the Bundesliga this summer, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike in FSG’s scope.

Ekitike has been one of the most talked-about forwards of the current campaign, with his performances catching the eyes of numerous high-profile suitors. Liverpool scouts, indeed, were in attendance when he scored against Tottenham in the Europa League one week ago.

And it’s thought that Liverpool are now moving the 22-year-old up to the top of their summer shopping list, though they would be required to fork out €85m (about £73m).

Why Hugo Ekitike would be perfect for Slot

Alexander Isak would be the dream. But dreams aren’t often bedded in reality, and Newcastle United’s £150m demands are sure to act as a strong repellent on FSG.

And that’s completely fair enough, especially when Ekitike – who data-driven site FBref record as one of Isak’s most statistically similar players – is ostensibly available for half the price.

One of the most attractive parts about Isak’s skill set is that he can marry varying parts of the striker’s game, unleashing himself as a truly dynamic and fearsome force.

Ekitike can be that focal point for Liverpool, indeed replicating Firmino in the process.

Ekitike, like Bobby Dazzler, would be signed from Germany as an up-and-coming attacking talent, albeit with a higher stock.

But the likeness doesn’t end there. Ekitike is not just “one of the best strikers out there,” according to analyst Ben Mattinson, but his protean approach mirrors that of Firmino’s, with Frankfurt correspondent Christopher Michel piling on the praise and claiming “his technique is one of the best in Europe and his foot is like glue for the ball.”

Having struggled to get going as a youngster at Paris Saint-Germain moved on loan to Frankfurt for the latter half of the 2023/24 season before signing permanently for a reported €35m (£30m) fee.

The first impression at his new home was one of promise. He struggled to acclimatise as winter turned to spring, though he finished the campaign off on firm footing, firing home in four of Frankfurt’s final five league matches of 2023/24, assisting in the other.

This season, the seeds of success have bloomed, with the France native having posted 21 goals and nine assists across all competitions, showcasing a balance of output that Firmino would be proud of.

Let’s look at how the players compare. Firmino didn’t play all that much during his final season at Liverpool but you can clearly see the similarities between the two silky forwards, with Ekitike actually proving he has a charged athleticism that could outstrip the Brazilian even in his heyday.

League Stats 24/25 – Hugo Ekitike vs Bobby Firmino
Stats (* = per game)	Ekitike (24/25)	Firmino (22/23)
Matches (starts)	28 (26)	25 (13)
Goals	14	11
Assists	5	4
Touches*	34.9	31.2
Shots (on target)*	3.6 (1.4)	1.6 (1.0)
Big chances missed	12	6
Pass completion	77%	80%
Big chances created	9	4
Dribbles*	1.6	0.5
Ball recoveries*	3.1	4.7
Tackles + interceptions*	0.8	1.0
Duels won*	4.0	2.0
Stats via Sofascore

This energetic and clinical quality would give Liverpool exactly what they need next season, easing Salah’s burden while giving the likes of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz (should he stay put) greater license to strike on goal and raise their scoring numbers.

Ekitike is what Liverpool thought Nunez would be, and while he hasn’t yet step foot on Premier League grass, the talented Frenchman has the perfect skill set to front Slot’s system and the data to back it all up.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 9% for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for all of progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

To put that another, more digestible, way: Ekitike is technically gifted, an able runner who not only drives his way into dangerous positions but maximises his chances of making things happen once arriving at such crucial junctures.

Transfer Focus

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

He’s got Liverpool written all over him, and while £73m or thereabouts would put him among the Anfield side’s most expensive signings in history, the pointers suggest this would be a road worth heading down.

Imagine him & Van Dijk: Liverpool lead race for 'world's most in demand CB'

Liverpool are looking to sign one of football’s biggest talents this summer to partner Virgil van Dijk

By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 17, 2025

Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought Chelsea in 2022 after a much-publicised process. The sense then was that the Blues would need to brace themselves for a very different era compared to under Roman Abramovich.

Under Abramovich, Chelsea had spent unbelievable amounts of money to put themselves at football’s top table. There was no expectation that anything like that could follow without his wealth.

And yet, if anything, things have been even crazier. Chelsea have broken the English transfer record on multiple occasions, racking up record spending and completely changing their squad. And that’s despite Premier League finishes of 12th and 6th under Boehly.

So what exactly have they done? Football FanCast has detailed every Chelsea transfer since Todd Boehly’s consortium set foot in west London.

Related Todd Boehly's worst transfers at Chelsea… so far

There are plenty to choose from, but who has been Boehly’s biggest mistake at Stamford Bridge?

Posts 2 ByStephan Georgiou Aug 23, 2024 1 Denis Zakaria – £2.5m (loan)

Zakaria is Chelsea’s cheapest signing to date – though, he wasn’t a permanent one. The Blues brought him in on a season-long loan from Juventus but he never really became a regular.

The Athletic claims it cost them around £2.5m upfront and while there was an option to buy, Chelsea never looked like using it.

2 Gabriel Slonina – £8m

Chelsea signed teenage goalkeeper Slonina for £8m, per The Athletic, and immediately loaned him back to the MLS side. He did finally join up with the Blues in January but is yet to play a senior game for them. He’ll now spend this season on loan with Belgian club Eupen. Still only 19, there’s a long way to go with Slonina.

3 Joao Felix – £8.8m (loan)

The second, and final, loan deal on this list. Chelsea moved to sign Felix last January, paying £8.8m (The Guardian) to have him for only five months.

It was a surprising deal on the face of it but then, it wasn’t long ago that the Portuguese playmaker was considered one of the best young players on the planet. He was decent enough at Chelsea, but not to a point where they’d fight to keep him permanently.

4 David Datro Fofana – £10m

Fofana arrived at a time when Chelsea desperately needed goals. He barely featured after joining, however, starting only one Premier League match and playing a total of 68 minutes in the top flight.

The Blues just didn’t seem to rate him after the £10m transfer (BBC). He’s now off on loan in Germany with Union Berlin where he’ll hope to get back on track.

5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10m

Aubameyang arrived from Barcelona to be the striker who scored the goals for Chelsea last season. However, it did not work out that way.

The former Arsenal star made only 15 Premier League appearances and scored just once – so no one was shocked when he left on a free this summer.

It was a strange deal to sign him, too, with Chelsea paying £10m plus full-back Marcos Alonso, says Sky Sports. Just one that didn’t work at all.

6 Angelo – £12.95m

Angelo has had some hype around him for a while – and certain numbers show why. He’s the youngest player in the history of Brazil’s top flight, having debuted at 15, while he boasts well over 100 senior appearances at only 18.

Chelsea have an exciting one here, and it’s no wonder they paid £12.95m to get him (The Athletic).

7 Djordje Petrovic – £14m

With Edouard Mendy in Saudi Arabia and Kepa Arrizabalaga in Madrid, Chelsea have turned to twice-capped Serbian international Djordje Petrovic to come in and challenge Robert Sanchez for the number one spot at Stamford Bridge.

The 23 year old has been impressing in the USA for MLS side New England Revolution for a couple of years, making 43 appearances for The Revs in the league.

It was obviously enough to impress the higher-ups at Chelsea as the club spent £14m to secure his signature, tying him down to a seven year deal (BBC Sport).

8 Deivid Washington – £17m

At just 18 years old, Deivid Washington joins the ever-growing list of exciting young Brazilians who have opted to join Chelsea this summer as they make their way to Europe to further their footballing careers.

That said, Washington isn’t just here to make up the numbers, as despite making just nine Serie A appearances for Santos, Chelsea had seen enough to convince them that a £17m (Sky Sports News) offer would be money well spent on the youngster.

With just hours left of the transfer window, it would appear that the former Santos youngster will be staying in West London this season, potentially allowing him to show the league just what he can do.

9 Andrey Santos – £18m

Santos is very highly rated in Brazil, having shone for Vasco as a teenager. It was enough that Chelsea paid £18m (BBC) to sign him in January – despite the fact he couldn’t get a work permit.

Instead, the midfielder went back on loan to Vasco in March until rejoining the Blues this summer. Hopefully, we’ll see what all the fuss is about soon.

10 Diego Moreira – Free

As of the end of the 2024/25 season, Diego Moreira has only made one senior Chelsea appearance, coming early in Mauricio Pochettino’s reign during an EFL Cup win over AFC Wimbledon in August 2023.

Since then, the Belgium-born Portugal U21 international has been on loan at Lyon and Strasbourg, being a regular starter in Liam Rosenior’s impressive outfit, who may yet find themselves in a Champions League qualification place.

As for Moreira’s Chelsea future, it remains to be seen whether his progress in the French top flight will be enough for Enzo Maresca to want him hanging around the first team.

With just a couple of games to go in the Premier League this season, Chelsea sit in a superb position to claim a top-five place and secure a Champions League spot.

The Blues are two points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, but could be set for a last-day showdown with the Reds at the City Ground – in what will undoubtedly be a nervy affair.

However, regardless of what happens between now and the end of the campaign, Enzo Maresca deserves tremendous credit for the work he’s done during his first year in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian has achieved a 60% win rate in the role, with the prospect of winning the Europa Conference League firmly within their own grasp ahead of tonight’s semi-final second leg against Djurgarden.

However, given their previous work in the transfer market, it would be no surprise to see them spend big again to take the side to the next level under the manager’s guidance.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for new signings this summer

Since Maresca took the reins back in the summer of last year, he’s desperately been in the market for a new talisman to help lead the line and take Chelsea to the next level.

Liam Delap has been one player who’s been on their shortlist over the last couple of weeks, potentially moving to the Blues after his £30m relegation release clause became active.

However, he’s not the only attacking player in their sights, with AC Milan winger Rafael Leao once again emerging on their shortlist, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report claims that the Blues have begun talks with the 25-year-old’s representatives over a move to the club after registering 23 combined goals and assists across all competitions this campaign.

It also states that the Portuguese international is seen as a top-level reinforcement for Maresca, taking the side to the left level as a result – but it’s previously been reported he could cost in the region of €80m (£64m).

Why Chelsea’s £64m target would be a better signing than Gittens

Over the last couple of months, Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move to land Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens this summer, but no deal has yet been agreed with the Bundesliga side.

The 20-year-old has impressed in Germany this campaign, registering 12 goals and three assists to date, with other English sides such as Liverpool and Arsenal also interested in his signature.

The former Manchester City youngster looks almost certain to return to England this summer, but the Blues should look to swerve a deal despite their keen interest.

Such an interest in Leao proves the club are evaluating all options to improve their attacking department, needing to make the right call over whom to land to fill the void in the final third.

When comparing the Milan star’s stats with those of Gittens, he’s managed to outperform in numerous key areas, highlighting what a superb addition he would be to Maresca’s side.

Leao, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has registered more combined goals and assists than the Dortmund star’s, whilst also completing more take-ons, showcasing the threat he possesses in attacking areas.

He’s also managed to complete more progressive carries per 90, along with more passes completed into the final third – having the tools to aid other people in improving their own tallies in the final third.

Games played

33

30

Goals & assists

16

11

Progressive passes

3.6

2.1

Passes into final third

1.5

0.8

Shot-creating actions

4.4

3.7

Take-ons completed

46%

45%

Aerials won

57%

41%

His all-round dominance doesn’t stop there, winning more of the aerial duels he’s entered, potentially offering Maresca an added option in central areas should they fail to land a new striker.

£64m may appear to be another hefty fee to splash out on a new signing, but Leao has proven in Serie A this campaign that he has all of the qualities needed to improve the Blues squad.

As a result of the latest transfer story, the hierarchy should look to forget about any deal to land Gittens in the coming months, subsequently putting all of their focus into a deal for the Milan star.

The perfect Jackson upgrade: Chelsea ready to bid for £76m "complete CF"

Chelsea are looking to add a new striker to their ranks this summer

ByJoe Nuttall May 7, 2025

Arsenal have now joined the race for a Premier League forward who has “X-factor pace”, but they may have to pay at least £43m for his services, according to a report.

Gunners set sights on new winger

After progressing past Real Madrid last week, the Gunners have a golden opportunity to win the Champions League for the first time, but Mikel Arteta’s side have been hampered in their Premier League title pursuit by a number of injury issues.

Bukayo Saka’s long-term absence arguably hit the north Londoners the hardest, with the inexperienced Ethan Nwaneri being given the nod at right-wing while the talisman was sidelined, underlining the need for Arteta to bolster his wide options this summer despite Nwaneri’s clear potential.

Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams appears to be among the main targets, with a bid for the Spanish winger now being formulated, while talks have also been held over a deal for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who could be available for a fee of just £25m.

Arsenal hold initial talks to sign bargain striker with 176 career goals

Mikel Arteta’s side have reached out to another player.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 20, 2025

Williams has been a long-term target for Arteta, given the level of his performances for club and country, while Cherki has been in remarkable form for Lyon this season, amassing 12 goals and 18 assists in all competitions.

However, with neither player proven in England, Arsenal are also monitoring a winger who has performed very well in the Premier League this season, namely Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, according to a report from Caught Offside.

Elanga has caught the eye for the Tricky Trees, meaning a whole host of Premier League clubs are also in the race for his signature, including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and former employers Manchester United.

Forest haven’t put the winger up for sale, and they are considering offering him a contract extension, but there is a feeling they could be open to bids of at least €50m (£43m).

"Powerful" Elanga impressing for Europe-chasing Forest

Forest’s Champions League hopes have recently taken a hit, having lost their last two Premier League games, but they remain in a strong position to qualify for Europe next season, and the 22-year-old has been one of their most important players.

The Forest star has six goals and eight assists to his name in 32 Premier League outings, having predominantly featured at right-wing, although the Swede has often featured on the opposite side throughout his career, indicating he could push for Gabriel Martinelli’s starting spot.

The former Man United man has also impressed both Andy Reid and Jamie Redknapp this season, with the former particularly impressed by his “X-factor pace”.

Elanga’s displays for Forest indicate Man United made a mistake letting him leave, and with Arteta in need of more attacking depth next season, the Sweden international’s versatility could make him an ideal addition to the squad.

Leeds United have held internal talks to sign a £20m+ striker who Robbie Keane has compared to himself.

Leeds clinch Championship title thanks to late Solomon winner

The Whites won the Championship title on Saturday afternoon in dramatic fashion after a late winner from Manor Solomon gave them a 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle.

Wilfried Gnonto cancelled out a Sam Byram own goal which gave the hosts the lead at half time before Solomon netted in stoppage time to give Daniel Farke’s side the trophy.

Both Leeds and Burnley ended up on 100 points for the season, and talking after his late heroics, Solomon said: “I can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now. It’s a dream come true for me to score the winning goal and to take this championship.

“I think throughout this season we showed that we deserve it, we deserve this trophy, we deserve to finish in the first spot and we’re super happy. I’m so glad it happened.”

Solomon has reportedly said yes to a permanent Leeds move, and more attacking reinforcements in the Premier League appear to be on the agenda for Leeds, despite scoring 95 goals in 46 Championship games.

Leeds make advances in move to sign "top-class" 243 career-goal striker

The Whites are in the hunt for attacking reinforcements.

2 BySean Markus Clifford May 3, 2025

Now, a new target has emerged to rival Championship Golden Boot winner Joel Piroe at Elland Road next season.

Leeds chasing move to sign £20m+ Troy Parrott

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are looking at a move to sign AZ Alkmaar centre-forward Troy Parrott this summer.

The Whites have held internal talks over a potential transfer but have yet to firm up their interest with an enquiry or offer to the Dutch side.

Signed from Tottenham, Parrott has been starring for AZ, scoring 20 goals in 2024/25, and an offer of up to €25m (£21.2m) could tempt them into selling.

Patrick Bamford is expected to leave Leeds, meaning Parrott, who is 23 years of age, could come in as his replacement at Elland Road.

Games

45

Goals

20

Assists

5

Minutes played

3,411

Interestingly, former Leeds forward Keane, now manager of Ferencváros, recently praised Parrott and said they are “similar” in playing styles.

“I have a lot of time for Troy. We are very similar in terms of how we play and also our upbringing. I completely respect what he is doing. I know he had a couple of loans, some did okay, but he is playing in Europe and for a really good team.

“You learn a lot more about yourself [at a European club]. When I went to Italy at 19, 20 years of age, even in that short space of time I learned a lot in terms of how to play.

“Look at Troy now, he is still young, still learning his trade. As a young player you have to go on these journeys. Take a few loans. Take a few hits and then go to a club where you feel valued and are the main guy.”

Now, a move back to the Premier League with Leeds could be one to keep an eye on for Parrott.

While significant success is still yet to come, Arsenal have been blessed with some seriously talented players during the Emirates era.

The likes of Mesut Özil, Santi Carzorla, Robin van Persie and Cesc Fàbregas, while not all as popular as each other, were some of the most impressive players in the Premier League during their time.

Likewise, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are just some of Mikel Arteta’s current squad who are in the conversation for some of the best the stadium has seen.

However, when it comes down to the player who hit the highest individual heights at the Emirates, it’s hard to look past Alexis Sanchez, and now the club are looking at a player who shares some similarities with the Chilean superstar.

Arsenal transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other potential superstars Arsenal are said to be looking at ahead of the summer, such as Raphinha.

Transfer Focus

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

The Brazilian goal machine has been in sensational form for Barcelona this season, and, as of writing, has amassed an outrageous tally of 30 goals and 23 assists in just 50 appearances, making his reported £86m price tag seem entirely reasonable.

A slightly cheaper, but nonetheless game-changing signing the Gunners could make this summer is that of Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swedish international has racked up an even more incredible haul of 52 goals and 12 assists in just 48 appearances for Sporting CP, making his reported £58m fee look like a bargain.

However, the player who could become the North Londoners’ new Sanchez is someone who’s not had such a good campaign: Christopher Nkunku.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of the teams ‘weighing up a bid’ for the Chelsea flop, who looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

However, alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Barcelona and several Bundesliga sides are also keen on the Frenchman, who’d be available for just £40m.

It might not be a deal that goes down well with fans initially, but prior to his stint in West London, Nkunku was a highly-rated attacker, so if Arsenal can get the best back out of him, he may be a bargain, and then there are the similarities he shares with Sanchez.

Why Nkunku could be Arsenal's new Sanchez

Okay, so before the pitchforks come out, the first thing to say is that, at the moment anyway, there are no comparisons to be made between Nkunku’s output and Sanchez’s when he was at his peak in North London.

However, if Arsenal are going to splash the cash to sign the Frenchman, it won’t be off his time in West London – even though he has 21 goal involvements in 42 games – but due to his record in Germany, where he was undeniably brilliant.

For example, in his final campaign with RB Leipzig, the “amazing” attacker, as dubbed by Joao Felix, managed to score 23 goals and provide nine assists in just 36 appearances, totalling 2733 minutes.

That means the 14-capped international averaged a goal involvement every 1.12 games or every 85.40 minutes throughout the season.

With that said, it’s not just the fact he was a free-scoring player that makes him similar to a peak Sanchez, but also his playstyle and versatility.

Nkunku’s positional versatility
Position	Games	Goals	Assists
Attacking Midfield	66	30	23
Central Midfield	66	12	9
Second Striker	57	35	19
Left Winger	40	9	9
Centre-Forward	38	11	2
Right Winger	17	6	4
Right Midfield	9	2	0
Left Midfield	8	0	2
Right-Back	1	0	0
All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in his career to date, the Blues ace has played all across the frontline, in attacking midfield and also as a second striker, which is the same as the former Barcelona star during his time in North London.

Moreover, like the Chilean icon, his “movement and pace is an unstoppable combination” in the words of European football expert, Zach Lowy, and he can be just as effective at creating chances as scoring them.

Indeed, during his time in Germany, he managed to rack up 55 assists in 172 appearances to go along with his 70 goals.

Ultimately, while we think it’s unlikely that Nkunku would even hit the incredible heights that Sanchez did at Arsenal, there are some unmistakable similarities between the pair, such as their versatility and ability to create and score goals.

Therefore, if Arteta and Co believe they can get the best back out of him, and he’s available for a price that won’t impact their other summer plans too much, then this is a transfer that makes a lot of sense.

Worth more than Zubimendi & Partey: Arteta hit gold on Arsenal "monster"

The international star is an essential member of Arsenal’s first team.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 29, 2025