All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Everton are beginning to make big changes after a positive end to the season and could now have an advantage in the race for a prolific striker, per a report.

Everton announce departures after victory at Newcastle United

In the immediate aftermath of an impressive triumph at Newcastle United last weekend, Everton have announced that loanees Jack Harrison, Armando Broja, Orel Mangala and Jesper Lindstrom have returned to their parent clubs.

Carlos Alcaraz is still in discussions over a permanent move to the Toffees, while confirmation on others is expected shortly as the end of the campaign enters full swing.

Ashley Young will leave the building before a new era begins at the Hill Dickinson Stadium that could see a spate of new arrivals to excite supporters ahead of pre-season.

In controversial fashion, Liverpool winger Ben Doak is a surprise target for Everton and could complete an unexpected move across Merseyside, breaking a 33-year record since the last time the two rivals conducted business.

Lindstrom and Harrison’s departures have left the Toffees light on the right-hand side, so it is reasonable to suspect there will be movement across the front four positions.

Moyes already has Everton's Doucoure replacement in future "top PL player"

With Abdoulaye Doucouré set to leave Everton after Sunday’s visit to Newcastle, does David Moyes already have a ready-made replacement?

ByBen Gray May 23, 2025

Centrally, Everton could now have a major advantage in their efforts to bring in a prolific striker following recent developments that have left the man in question impressed.

Liam Delap could join Everton after positive meeting

According to journalist Simon Phillips on Substack, Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has been impressed by Everton’s pitch to him after a meeting over the England Under-21 international’s future, which still hangs in the balance.

His camp are set for a fresh round of talks with Newcastle United, and a decision on his next destination is expected this week as clubs battle to win the race for his signature amid his £30 million relegation release clause, but the striker was very happy after speaking with Goodison chiefs.

Liam Delap in 2024/25 – Premier League

Shots

68

Shots on target

32

Chances created

21

Expected Goals

9.34

Successful dribbles

40

Exceeding his expected goals total, Delap registered 12 goals in the top-flight this term alongside two assists in 37 appearances, which is a fine total in a first debut season for a side that eventually got relegated.

There is plenty of competition for his signature, but a likely shot at being the leading Everton striker in competition with Beto would see the former Manchester City star gain plenty of opportunities to continue developing under David Moyes.

Delap clearly likes what he sees from the Toffees’ initial discussions over a move to Merseyside, so it will be intriguing to see if a deal can be thrashed out between all parties.

Leeds United know that they face an incredibly difficult task of avoiding an instant relegation from the Premier League when they take to the field next season.

The three teams promoted from the Championship have all been relegated from the top-flight in each of the last two campaigns, and the teams currently above the drop zone are concerning to teams coming up.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, both teams who have never been relegated from the Premier League, are currently 17th and 16th in the division, which means that Leeds will have to hope that other teams drop off and decline next term to give them a chance of staying up.

The Whites, who won the Championship title with a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season, will have to bolster their squad significantly to make the step up to compete with the likes of West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Fulham.

Daniel Farke and his staff may have one eye on what happens in the play-offs in the next couple of weeks because the club have previously been linked with Gustavo Hamer, who is starring for Sheffield United in the post-season tournament.

What Gustavo Hamer would bring to Leeds United

It was reported last summer that the Whites were interested in a deal to sign the Dutchman from the Blades, and that they went as far as to submit an official offer for his services, but they were unable to snap him up.

Hamer did not join his former teammate Jayden Bogle in switching Bramall Lane for Elland Road and went on to win the Championship Player of the Year award for Chris Wilder’s side with his impressive performances in midfield.

The former Coventry City star, who can provide a threat from free-kick situations, won the award by providing goals and assists on a regular basis for the Blades on their way to a third-placed finish in the division.

Hamer also created four chances and won four of his five duels in his side’s 3-0 win over Bristol City in the first leg of their play-off semi-final last week, off the back of his impressive performances during the regular season.

Appearances

41

xG

5.66

Goals

9

Key passes per game

1.8

Big chances created

11

Assists

7

As you can see in the table above, the attacking midfielder provided an efficient goal threat whilst also creating 11 ‘big chances’ for his side, which shows the kind of impact he can have at the top end of the pitch.

This means that Hamer would bring goals and assists from an attacking midfield position for Leeds if they were able to sign him from Sheffield United, although that seems unlikely if the Blades win the play-offs and join them in the Premier League.

Farke, however, could have his own version of the Dutch sensation if the 49ers can wrap up a deal for one of the club’s reported transfer targets.

Leeds eyeing deal for Premier League star

According to The Sunday Mirror, as relayed by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign James McAtee from Premier League giants Manchester City.

The report claims that the 49ers are lining up a move for the England U21 international as they look to bolster Farke’s squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

It also reveals that Manchester City are looking for a fee in the region of £25m to cash in on the attacking midfielder, despite his current contract being due to expire next summer.

The Sunday Mirror adds that Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, and Crystal Palace are among the other teams keen on a deal for the English starlet, which shows that there is set to be plenty of competition for his services.

If Hamer becomes unattainable due to Sheffield United winning promotion to the Premier League, the 49ers must push to win the race for McAtee as a dream alternative.

Why McAtee could be Leeds United's own Hamer

The Manchester City youngster, like Hamer, is a diminutive and technically gifted attacking midfield player who can provide quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals, whilst buzzing around the pitch to link up play.

Whilst McAtee is slightly different, in that he is a left-footed player who can operate on the right or centrally, rather than the mirrored version that Hamer is, he fulfills a similar tactical role as an attacking midfield player who can make an impact in the final third.

The England U21 international, once dubbed a “special” player by Pep Guardiola, has only started three of his 15 appearances in the Premier League for City this term, but has still plundered three goals and created two ‘big chances’.

McAtee also scored three goals and provided three assists in 20 starts in the top-flight on loan at Sheffield United in the 2023/24 campaign, which came after his season on loan at Bramall Lane in the Championship.

Appearances

37

Starts

21

Goals

9

Big chances missed

2

Big chances created

6

Chances created

33

Assists

3

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed dynamo caught the eye in the 2022/23 Championship season with a return of 15 goals and ‘big chances’ created in 21 starts for the Blades.

These statistics show that he is similar to Hamer in the sense that he is a midfielder who can chip in with goals and assists at a decent rate, and they have both proven themselves in the second tier and the Premier League with Sheffield United.

The £25m-rated star has shown that he can find the back of the net efficiently in the top two tiers, given his return of three goals in three league starts for City this term, and that suggests that he could be a difference-maker for Leeds in the final third.

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2 ByDan Emery May 10, 2025

At the age of 22, McAtee would also arrive at Elland Road with plenty of time left on his hands to develop and improve in the seasons to come, which is why he could be a shrewd investment at £25m, as Farke’s own Hamer and as a quality addition to the squad.

Manchester City’s Premier League title success at the end of the 2023/24 season feels like a lifetime ago now with their reputation as English football’s dominant force taking a bruising this campaign.

Indeed, Arne Slot showed no fear coming up against Pep Guardiola’s assured outfit during his debut season at the Liverpool helm with top spot secured in style by the Dutchman. Moreover, Newcastle United would reign supreme in the EFL Cup, away from City getting their hands on another honour.

There is still the FA Cup up for grabs for the Citizens – alongside a space inside the Premier League top five – but it’s fair to say it’s been a big reality check for Guardiola and Co regardless. To potentially regain their position as the top dog soon, a handful of new signings could well do the trick this summer.

The latest on Man City's transfer plans

Even though their stature isn’t quite what it used to be, City do still have plenty of spending power when it comes to transfers into the Etihad.

After all, in January alone, Guardiola’s men managed to splash out a whopping £180m on new recruits, with faces being linked to the building now in the form of Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz not coming in on the cheap side either.

Gaining the German’s services looks especially tricky, with anything below £127m deemed as unsatisfactory on Bayer Leverkusen’s end, meaning alternate targets in attack are being lined up.

One of those targets is Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo. According to reports from Spain, it’s stated that City are planning to come forward with a bid for the captivating Brazilian.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s noted that City’s ‘strategy is clear’ as they go about launching an offer and engaging in talks with Madrid.

If previous rumours are anything to go by, a more modest – but still excessive – £85m could be seen as acceptable here.

Amazingly, acquiring the sensational South American could see City still win their own answer to Wirtz, with the 24-year-old similar in play style to the £100m+ man according to FBref, despite not lining up as a primary number ten option like the Leverkusen ace.

Why Rodrygo could be Man City's answer to Wirtz

Of course, Rodrygo hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders for Madrid as of late, with the 33-time Brazil international letting the last 12 La Liga games pass him by with no goals or assists being picked up.

Yet, he still has an encouraging total of 23 combined goals and assists this season from 50 overall clashes, which included one assist even being notched up against Guardiola’s side in Champions League knockout action back in February.

City will be very familiar of his “world-class” ability – as he was once lauded by revered teammate Luka Modric – away from just this assist, with four strikes also tallied up from nine appearances against his potential new employers.

But, away from his explosiveness in-front of goal being similar to Wirtz’s – who has amassed 16 goals himself in both the Bundesliga and Champions League for Xabi Alonso’s giants this season – both stars in question are capable of being flexible to fit their team’s needs, seen in the many different attacking positions they can slot into at a moment’s notice.

AM

Rodrygo

3

0

1

CF

Rodrygo

82

22

8

RW

Rodrygo

145

43

30

LW

Rodrygo

78

23

16

CM

Rodrygo

0

0

0

SS

Rodrygo

1

0

0

CF

Wirtz

11

4

4

RW

Wirtz

11

4

3

LW

Wirtz

9

2

3

CM

Wirtz

5

0

3

SS

Wirtz

4

3

3

As can be seen glancing at the extensive table above, both players can pop up in a wide array of positions, with Rodrygo’s varied game in particular seeing him accumulate 69 goals and assists combined as a winger across his career to date, away from just lining up as a central option up top.

Whilst Wirtz might well be their more desired target, an opportunity to land Rodrygo – who has openly been lauded as “special” in the past by Carlo Ancelotti – would be too good an opening to reject, especially if he’s a slightly more price-savvy alternative to the in-demand 22-year-old.

Man City target who Pep loves not happy with £5m salary offer at PSG

Man City are now ready to sign a big name…

ByBrett Worthington May 7, 2025

Everton are planning to buy this summer, but David Moyes is already presented with something of a dilemma. Not only are 15 of his club’s senior stars out of contract in the coming months, but one of his Toffees linchpins is attracting interest from some high-profile suitors.

Jarrad Branthwaite is one of Everton’s most important players, but the 22-year-old is also an attractive option and may well be sold to deepen the transfer purse this summer.

Multiple additions are needed, after all.

The latest on Jarrad Branthwaite's Everton future

Branthwaite is a monstrous defender, still so young yet rocketing up to the top level on English shores.

He’s kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League this term, winning 72% of his ground battles and averaging an incredible 6.6 clearances per game, as per Sofascore.

His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

Caught Offside reported last month that Manchester United are looking to reignite their interest in the Three Lions defender and will test Everton’s resolve with a £50m offer. Chelsea are also keen.

He’s important, but Everton seem to be resigned to losing him at some stage, for the right price, of course.

Moyes and his team will hope to retain his services, but he’s not the only one, with a much older Toffees teammate actually proving himself to be indispensable in the fold, with a fresh contract being prepared.

Everton veteran is more important than Branthwaite

While Idrissa Gana Gueye is 35 years old, his tough-tackling, combative style in the middle of the park has been instrumental for Everton across two tenures this season.

Illustrating his influence, Gueye is part of the bloated ranks currently awaiting the end of their contract this summer, but Football Insider have recently reported that TFG have opened talks with the star over a new deal.

Gueye’s age has not detracted from the level of his performance, with such commanding displays vital for the success of Moyes’ system. The level of his displays does suggest that he’s becoming increasingly important, maybe even more so than Branthwaite.

Described as Everton’s “heartbeat” by Sky Sports reporter Ben Grounds, Gueye might be getting on a bit but his performances have been nothing short of exemplary this season.

It’s not as if his athleticism has deserted him, having covered much ground and flown in with so many tackles for his team this season. More tackles, in fact, than any other player in the Premier League, just rubberstamping his importance to the cause.

1.

Idrissa Gueye

Everton

123

2.

Daniel Munoz

Palace

109

3.

Noussair Mazraoui

Man Utd

102

4.

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea

100

5.

Joao Gomes

Wolves

99

With so much change mooted to be afoot this summer, it makes a whole lot of sense to renew the £120k-per-week veteran’s deal, having benefited greatly from his presence.

Gueye, indeed, has started every one of Everton’s Premier League matches since Moyes returned to the helm, providing monstrous support for Branthwaite and co while contributing offensively too, completing a dribble and a key pass every two matches, as per Sofascore.

The Senegalese midfielder has racked up three assists this season.

It’s clear that Gueye – who was described as a “monster” by former teammate Presnel Kimpembe – has more left in the tank, and it’s a good thing that efforts are being made to extend his deal for another year.

He earns a pretty penny but his value is too great to part with at this critical juncture.

He could finally replace Onana: Everton lead the race for £10m "machine"

David Moyes is hoping to make a host of impactful signings at Everton this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 29, 2025

Celtic forward Daizen Maeda continued his sensational season with yet another goal in the club’s 5-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership last weekend.

The Hoops romped to a comfortable victory in front of their home support to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat away to St. Johnstone in their previous outing in the top-flight.

A close-range strike from Maeda, as well as some stunning goals from Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers, helped the Scottish giants on their way to all three points.

Brendan Rodgers’ Japanese marksman has been in phenomenal form in front of goal throughout the 2024/25 campaign, notching his 31st goal of the season against Kilmarnock.

The experienced forward has scored 31 goals and provided nine assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops so far this term, which shows that he has provided a regular threat in front of goal as both a scorer and a creator for Celtic.

Rodgers needed him, and others, to step up at the top end of the pitch after the club sanctioned the sale of proven goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi in the January transfer window.

How much Rennes paid for Kyogo Furuhashi

Shortly after Celtic’s 1-0 win over Young Boys in the Champions League, there was talk about a possible move to France for the Japanese forward before the deadline.

Six days on from that victory, which turned out to be the striker’s last appearance for the club, Rennes officially completed the signing of Kyogo for a reported fee of £10m.

Deciding to move on from the Japan international midway through the campaign was a gamble by the Scottish giants, given the quality that he had provided over the years in Glasgow.

Kyogo joined the club from Vissel Kobe on a permanent transfer in the summer of 2021 under the management of Ange Postecoglou, and hit the ground running with 20 goals in all competitions in the 2021/22 campaign.

24/25

32

12

4

23/24

50

19

5

22/23

50

34

5

21/22

33

20

5

As you can see in the table above, the Japanese centre-forward was a consistent goal threat for the Scottish giants throughout his time in Glasgow, scoring at least 12 goals in all four of his seasons at Parkhead.

His best year in a Hoops jersey was, as is obvious by looking at the table, the 2022/23 campaign as he plundered a staggering 34 goals in all competitions for Celtic.

His form in front of goal over those seasons eventually allowed the club to rake in £10m for his services in the January transfer window, but he is not the most expensive striker sold by the Hoops in the past decade.

How much Celtic paid for Odsonne Edouard

In the summer of 2018, Celtic decided to splash the cash on a new centre-forward to bring Odsonne Edouard from Paris Saint-Germain to Paradise in a club-record £9m transfer.

The French marksman had spent the 2017/18 season on loan in Glasgow, scoring 11 goals in 28 matches, and that convinced the board to sign the attacker on a permanent deal in a record transfer ahead of the following campaign.

Edouard followed that up with a return of 22 goals and eight assists in 52 matches in all competitions during the 2018/19 season, including 15 goals in the Premiership – as shown in the highlights above.

The former PSG starlet went on to be a reliable threat at the top end of the pitch for the Scottish giants for several years, racking up 87 goals and 37 assists in 179 outings for the club in all competitions.

These statistics show that Celtic hit the jackpot by splashing out a club-record fee to sign him on a permanent deal because he went on to become a prolific scorer for the Hoops in his three seasons in Glasgow as a permanent player.

The Hoops then went on to strike gold on the centre-forward by making a significant profit on the attacker when they sold him to Premier League side Crystal Palace ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

How Celtic hit the jackpot with Odsonne Edouard

The English side swooped for his services in the summer of 2021, as they looked to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch, and they agreed a reported deal worth up to £18.5m.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Eagles chairman Steve Parish described Edouard as a striker with “proven quality”, based on his time with Celtic, and that is why Palace were willing to commit a huge sum of money to sign him.

The French centre-forward’s value, therefore, soared by a whopping £9.5m during his spell with the Hoops, from the £9m that they initially paid for him, and that shows that they hit the jackpot with him.

Odsonne-Edouard

Edouard was also sold for £8.5m more than Kyogo was in January, despite his impressive goal return for the Bhoys, which speaks to how well the club did to rake in that fee from Palace.

Celtic also hit gold with the sale of the Frenchman because he has only scored 21 goals in all competitions in his four years in England to date, with all 21 of those coming for Palace and none in his current loan spell with Leicester City.

August 2021

£18.5m reported fee

December 2021

£14.6m

September 2022

£12.8m

November 2022

£14.6m

October 2023

£17.2m

May 2024

£15.4m

December 2024

£12m

March 2025

£8.5m

As you can see in the table above, his market value has plummeted from £18.5m to £8.5m in the last four years as a result of his lack of goals for Palace and Leicester since his move away from Parkhead.

This suggests that the Scottish giants played a blinder by cashing in on him in the summer of 2021 because he has regressed since leaving Glasgow and is now worth even less than the initial £9m that the Hoops paid to sign him from PSG.

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ByDan Emery Apr 16, 2025

Glasgow Rangers are set to miss out on the Scottish Premiership title for the fourth season running, and only an Ianis Hagi equaliser against Aberdeen prevented it from having already happened.

The Gers came back from 2-0 down against the Dons to secure a point away from Ibrox, when a defeat would have seen their city rivals crowned once again.

Rangers know that they have to improve significantly to compete for the title in the 2025/26 campaign, and that means that they will have to move on from some players who have failed to show their worth, including Ross McCausland.

Why Rangers should sell Ross McCausland

The academy graduate made his first-team breakthrough last season under Philippe Clement, but he has failed to kick on and establish himself as a key figure for the Gers.

McCausland, who was sent off for two yellow card offences against Aberdeen, has produced three goals and five assists in 42 appearances in the Premiership in the last two seasons.

The Northern Ireland international has as many red cards as goal contributions (one) in 13 outings in the Premiership so far this term, which illustrates his lack of impact at the top end of the pitch.

Chalkboard

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

This is why Rangers should finally move on from the 21-year-old attacker. However, he is not the only attacker who should be ruthlessly ditched by the Gers, as Oscar Cortes should also be on the chopping block.

Why Rangers should move on from Oscar Cortes

The Colombian winger is currently on loan to the club from Lens, as he has been since January of last year, but the Scottish giants have an obligation to make that deal permanent this summer.

Rangers have to sign him permanently at the end of his loan spell, and Football Insider recently reported that those inside the club now see that as a ‘gamble’, due to his lack of success on the pitch to date.

Cortes (£6k-per-week) earns even more than McCausland (£4.7k-per-week), as per Salary Sport, and has offered even less than the Northern Irish forward in the past 18 months.

Appearances

6

8

Starts

3

4

Goals

1

0

Key passes per game

1.2

0.5

Big chances created

1

0

Assists

1

0

As you can see in the table above, the Colombian flop – who pundit Michael Stewart claimed has a “heart the size of a pea” due to his lack of desire – has rarely been available to make appearances in the Premiership, playing just 14 times in almost a season-and-a-half.

Cortes, who has dealt with several injury issues this season, was given an opportunity from the start against Aberdeen last weekend and was withdrawn at half-time after losing five of his six duels in the first 45 minutes.

Like McCausland, the 21-year-old attacker has failed to prove that he has the quality, or the availability, to be a key player for a team that wants to compete for the title in the Premiership.

This is why Rangers must immediately, and ruthlessly, move on from Cortes as soon as they officially sign him on a permanent deal, whether that means loaning him out to another team to go and attempt to play regular football, or to another team on a permanent basis.

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ByDan Emery Apr 16, 2025

Rangers need reliable players who can perform week-in-week-out to put themselves in contention for the biggest trophies, which is why McCausland and Cortes should be axed this summer.

Manchester City have endured somewhat of a disappointing campaign in 2024/25, with any hopes of retaining their Premier League title out of the window with just eight games remaining.

Pep Guardiola’s side only remain in the FA Cup, but will face an in-form Nottingham Forest side, who have recently beaten them, to have any chance of ending the season on a high.

A rebuild is desperately needed at the Etihad this summer, with groundwork being done in January after the arrivals of Abdukodir Khusanov, Victor Reis, Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez.

However, if it is to continue this summer, the Spaniard will have to brutally part ways with numerous fan-favourites who have helped the club achieve the heights they have in recent years.

One of which could be set for a switch in the coming months, potentially cashing in at the right time and ending his eight-year stint in the Citizens’ first-team.

Real Madrid plot summer move for Manchester City star

According to Spanish outlet DefensaCentral, Real Madrid are keen on a summer move for City midfielder Bernardo Silva – a move that could kickstart any rebuild in Manchester.

The Portuguese international has been a regular in Guardiola’s side since his transfer from Monaco back in the summer of 2017, often being a dependable figure in their success.

However, with Bernardo turning 31 this summer and his deal expiring in 2026, it could provide the right time to part ways and allow for fresh blood at the Etihad.

The report states that the LaLiga giants are huge admirers of Silva and keen to make a move this window, but won’t pay over the odds given his age and contract scenario.

Whilst on the face of things, offloading a player who’s made 40 appearances this season may seem like a big call, the time has ultimately come for the next generation to stake their claim in the first-team.

Why City should look to sell Bernardo to Real Madrid this summer

There’s no denying that Silva has been a modern-day icon for City, racking up just shy of 400 appearances, and winning a total of 14 major trophies during his stint at the club.

However, despite his huge tally of outings this season, the midfielder, who’s valued at £46m by Football Transfers, has ultimately failed to match his usual high standards, with Guardiola needing to inject more energy into the heart of the side.

This summer could prove the last chance for the hierarchy to gain any money back on their investment, risking losing the “world-class” star, as labelled by Statman Dave, for nothing next January – with other clubs able to agree a pre-contract for his signature.

Games played

33

26

Goals & assists

15

6

Pass accuracy

90%

87%

Chances created

2.3

1.8

Dribble success

65%

52%

Duel success rate

50%

47%

Touches per 90

81

68

Gonzalez has already shown glimpses early on in his City career that he’s capable of being a key member for years to come, with a plethora of other young talent waiting in the wings.

Nico O’Reilly has demonstrated in recent weeks that he’s capable of stepping up to the plate, staking his claim for a regular starting role after notching two assists against Bournemouth – helping the club reach the next stage of the FA Cup.

Whilst the 20-year-old operated at left-back against the Cherries, he’s primarily a central midfielder, with Silva’s potential departure opening the door for him to thrive in his natural position.

As for James McAtee, he’s also waiting to get a consistent run in Guardiola’s side, only being restricted to substitute appearances within the Premier League this season.

However, the 22-year-old has still managed to notch two goals to date, showcasing he has the talent to become a regular should the Portuguese international depart in the coming months.

Whilst losing Silva would be a huge call, it’s one that is needed if the side are to return to the top of the English top division, needing new blood to take the side back to where they belong.

Investment from the hierarchy could help soften the blow, but it’s important that the manager hands the likes of O’Reilly and McAtee the opportunity to fulfil their potential at their boyhood outfit.

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ByBen Gray Apr 3, 2025

West Ham could now be back in for a former transfer target who they were on the verge of signing for Julen Lopetegui in 2024, according to a new report.

West Ham poised for active January transfer window

According to recent reports, the Hammers are poised for an active January transfer window amid their battle against relegation, and could sign a defender, midfielder and striker for Nuno Espírito Santo.

Reliable club insiders like ExWHUemployee have backed this up as we fast approach the turn of the year, while former West Ham scout Mick Brown has claimed that Nuno is planning a major overhaul.

West Ham have undergone a mini revival under Nuno recently, losing just one of their last six Premier League games, but it is clear they need strength in depth across the pitch.

Niclas Füllkrug is set to leave the London Stadium in January following his lacklustre stint in England, so West Ham are believed to be looking at strikers to replace him.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

Man United 1-1 West Ham

Brighton 1-1 West Ham

In terms of the midfield area, James Ward-Prowse, Guido Rodriguez and Lucas Paqueta have all been linked with mid-season exits, so the prospect of a new name in the engine room hasn’t been ruled out either.

Meanwhile, Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell is back on the club’s radar after coming close to joining in the summer, with the Irons planning to ‘reignite’ talks for his signature (ExWHUemployee).

Sticking at centre-back, West Ham could now be back in the hunt for a familiar name — Cruzeiro centre-back Fabricio Bruno.

The 29-year-old made 51 appearances in all competitions for Cruzeiro in the recently-concluded 2025 Brazilian campaign, and his recent form has even earned him a recall to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad.

Bruno featured in all of Brazil’s last three friendlies against Japan, Senegal and Tunisia, with the towering defender well in contention to be selected for next year’s World Cup.

Belief West Ham have rebid for Fabricio Bruno after near-2024 move

The former Flamengo stalwart was actually on the verge of joining West Ham in 2024.

Fabrizio Romano even gave his famous ‘here we go’ to the transfer and claimed he would be Lopetegui’s first defensive signing, but the transfer ended up collapsing.

Now, as per South American journalist Jorge Nicola, there is every reason to believe West Ham may have rebid for Bruno.

According to his information, a mystery English club has submitted a £13 million offer for the player, and Nicola theorises that the most likely candidate is Nuno’s side given their very advanced talks nearly two years ago.

Bruno’s move to West Ham apparently didn’t happen because of the player’s salary demands, but the Premier League door may now be back open following what has been a stellar 2025 for him.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender David Luiz, who was on the books with Bruno at Flamengo, once said he has the ‘quality to play for any team in the world’.

However, given Cruzeiro only signed him in early 2025, they may be reluctant to part ways.

It might not have been pretty, but Liverpool have that winning feeling again, having ended their recent rut with a deserved 1-0 win away at Inter Milan on Tuesday evening.

There few highs, but also – more importantly – few lows at San Siro for Arne Slot’s side, with the reigning Premier League champions looking far more comfortable than they did just days earlier amid the chaos at Elland Road.

Perhaps that speaks to the gulf in quality that has opened up between the Champions League and England’s top flight, although, regardless, seeing off last season’s losing finalists is no mean feat. Slot needed that.

Having been vindicated in his decision to leave out Mohamed Salah for the trip to Italy, the title-winning Dutchman’s ruthless streak might well be beginning to pay off.

The issue is, the Egyptian isn’t the only problem still to be solved, with more members of last season’s glorious side still looking way off the pace.

Liverpool's worst performers against Inter in numbers

Now, this isn’t to try and pop the balloon following what was a much-needed victory for Slot and co, although the former Feyenoord boss himself would admit that his side were far from perfect on the night.

Indeed, a string of absences – and not just that of Salah – saw the Reds lineup with something of a new-look forward line, albeit with it taking a controversial Dominik Szoboszlai spot-kick to eventually settle the affair.

All eyes were on the pairing of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike – with the night marking just their second start together all season – yet, perhaps as to be expected, there was little in the way of fluency or dynamism, even with the visitors posing the greater threat during the first half, in particular.

Isak, in particular, endured yet another frustrating outing to continue his Merseyside woes, with the £125m Swede regularly failing to make things stick through the middle, losing the ball on eight occasions from just 25 touches, as per Sofascore, prior to being withdrawn on the 68-minute mark.

While the price tag may suggest otherwise, the 25-year-old shouldn’t necessarily be the only avenue for concern, with it also proving a difficult outing for Joe Gomez at right-back.

Accurate passes

Jones (67)

Duels won

Mkhitaryan (8)

Aerial duels won

Van Dijk (3)

Successful dribbles

Ekitike (5)

Touches

Bastoni (94)

Key passes

Akanji (3)

Possession lost

Dimarco (17)

The Englishman was safe and steady, although he provided little attacking flair, having lost the ball 11 times himself, while failing to provide a single successful cross or key pass, having won just a solitary duel all night.

The Anfield side looked far more progressive and threatening with substitute Conor Bradley unleashed down that side, with the hope being that the Northern Ireland star can remain injury-free heading into a hectic festive period.

Slot will surely wish to bring the academy graduate into the starting lineup on a regular basis, although one man who could fall out of the reckoning is last season’s star, Alexis Mac Allister.

Liverpool's new Joe Allen & Lucas Leiva

Central to what made Slot’s side so impressive last term was the midfield unit, with the Dutchman reinvigorating Ryan Gravenberch in that deep-lying role, while also finally getting a tune out of Szoboszlai in an advanced, attacking berth.

Chalkboard

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

It was also, however, another fine campaign for that man Mac Allister, with the 2023 summer arrival from Brighton having cemented his status as “one of the best signings” that the club had made in the FSG era, in the view of DaveOCKOP.

The World Cup winner was the key, the glue keeping it together in the centre of the park, having also showcased his attacking flair with 13 goals and assists in all competitions.

From that knack for delivering clutch moments, the Argentine has frustratingly tailed off this time around, with his effort against Real Madrid earlier this season having been his only goal to date in 2025/26.

With just two assists also added into the mix, the 26-year-old is morphing into Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen territory at present, representing a solid but unspectacular option at the heart of the midfield.

Indeed, neither man was particularly adept at making the difference in a creative sense, with Allen scoring just seven goals in 132 games during his time at Anfield, while cult figure Leiva also netted just seven times himself, albeit from 346 total games.

To compare Mac Allister to such a limited pairing might appear hyperbolic, although again on Tuesday night, he was distinctly lacking any spark or flair, having failed to provide a single key pass, nor attempt a single shot or dribble.

He did win six of his seven ground duels, while losing the ball just five times, but again, there was that risk-averse feel to his performance, echoing those sorry days of Allen and Leiva lining up in the Brendan Rodgers and early Jurgen Klopp era.

As already stated, Mac Allister’s prior work ensures he remains one of FSG’s “best signings”, not least considering his bargain £35m fee, although like many of his teammates, the former Seagulls star simply doesn’t look like the player of 2024/25.

As bad as Isak vs Inter: Liverpool mainstay must now be axed by Slot

Liverpool secured a significant victory at Inter Milan in the Champions League.

ByAngus Sinclair 2 days ago

Leeds United are keen to strengthen their Premier League survival bid with signings and could now go all out for one of France’s most exciting young defenders.

The Whites have endured a frustrating start to the campaign and will know the size of the challenge that lies ahead for Daniel Farke, who has received his fair share of criticism lately following a recent shaky run of form at Elland Road.

Undoubtedly, the German boss has shown he is capable of leading his side into the top-flight from the Sky Bet Championship, a market he may be willing to raid in mid-season to bolster his flailing attacking line.

Coventry City forward Haji Wright is on Leeds’ radar and could be someone who arrives at Elland Road for a fee in the region of £20 million, helped by the fact that his contract at Frank Lampard’s men is set to expire in the summer of 2027.

Troy Parrott is also wanted by the Whites after his Republic of Ireland heroics. However, the AZ Alkmaar man has made a name for himself in the Netherlands, and it is difficult to envisage the ex-Tottenham Hotspur product moving to England amid Farke’s interest in Gonzalo Garcia of Real Madrid.

Not strengthening isn’t an option, given Leeds’ rivals are likely to bring in new additions in an attempt to beat the drop once the window opens for business.

With that in mind, the Whites are now looking to strengthen their backline with one of Europe’s rising stars being the subject of major attention.

Leeds eyeing move for Tylel Tati

According to On The Minute, Leeds have joined the hunt to sign FC Nantes defender Tylel Tati, who has become one of French football’s top young talents in recent times following his emergence in Ligue 1.

Laying plans to land future reinforcements, the Whites are set to face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen after his ‘poise in possession’ and tactical awareness won high praise from scouts across Europe.

Tylel Tati in Ligue 1 2025/26 (Fotmob)

Duels won

23

Pass completion rate

87.8%

Recoveries

31

Blocked shots

9

Dribble success

71.4%

Overall, the 17-year-old has made 11 senior appearances for Nantes and is growing in stature with every passing minute. However, he is under contract in France until the summer of 2028, and it remains to be seen how much first-team football he would earn elsewhere.

Primarily a central defender, he has also been capped three times at Under-18 level for his home country as his progress continues to be rewarded.

Leeds are also eyeing a move for a Premier League veteran

Being plunged into the potential event of a relegation battle may be a tough ask for a player at an early stage in his career, though Farke and company would hope he would relish the challenge.

The next Raphinha: Leeds to move for £17m star with a "magical left foot"

This attacker could add much needed final third creativity for Leeds

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 22, 2025