All posts by z3u9t.icu

The Thomas Frank revolution continues at Tottenham Hotspur. Gone are the days of chaos and confusion under Ange Postecoglou. There is an evident fight and spirit about the Lilywhites in 2025/26.

While the north Londoners were far from their free-flowing best away to Leeds United on Saturday afternoon – nor have they been yet under the Danish coach – once again they found a way to win, having run out deserved 2-1 victors at Elland Road.

In what was a hard-fought contest in Yorkshire, the visitors surged ahead following Mathys Tel’s deflected strike, before Noah Okafor levelled things up just nine minutes later, prodding home at the backpost after Guglielmo Vicario’s initial save.

With the game finely poised, up stepped summer signing Mohammed Kudus to nudge Spurs into the lead with his own deflected effort from range, with the Ghanaian’s 57th minute effort ultimately proving the difference as the away side held on for a fourth Premier League win of the campaign.

Spurs' key performers vs Leeds

In wet and windy conditions, the performance from those in black was hardly perfect, yet there was plenty to be encouraged by all across the park, with the defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven again looking rather imperious – the latter man notably winning all of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps the most notable place for positivity was in the forward line, however, with Frank unleashing marquee addition Xavi Simons in his preferred number ten berth. The Dutchman didn’t disappoint.

While there was perhaps the odd trick too many, including his attempted rabona pass after the break, the ex-RB Leipzig playmaker showcased glimpses of his sky-high potential, picking out the advancing Pedro Porro late on with a deft dink over the Leeds defence.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, the decision to give young Tel the nod in attack over man of the moment Richarlison certainly paid off, with the lively Frenchman netting his fourth goal since initially joining the club on loan back in January.

Equally, there were also signs of life from Wilson Odobert down the left flank, with the former Burnley starlet beginning to find his feet following what’s been a muted first year or so in Lilywhite.

Touches

Ampadu (91)

Pass accuracy

Struijk (95%)

Duels won

Kudus (10)

Successful dribbles

Kudus (6)

Key passes

Longstaff (5)

Possession lost

Porro (26)

Shots on target

Kudus (2)

There may not have been much end product, but a 95% pass accuracy rate highlights the Frenchman’s promising outing.

Rounding off that dynamic quartet was, of course, that man Kudus, with the £55m man continuing his stunning start to life at Spurs with another electric performance off the right flank.

The Spurs star who looked like prime Gareth Bale

Comparisons, particularly at such an early juncture in the season, can appear somewhat over the top, although there truly was something Gareth Bale-esque about Kudus’ performance on Saturday, with the 25-year-old already taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings.

Bale at his best, like in 2012/13 when he plundered 25 goals and assists in the Premier League, was a vision of speed and power, along with an end product to match, with the Welshman regularly wreaking havoc off the left or when cutting in centrally.

With blistering pace and the ability to weave his way past defenders with ease, a prime Bale truly was a sight to behold, with few figures in Lilywhite having ever come close to reaching such lofty heights.

There’s been Harry Kane and Heung-min Son since those times, and now Kudus is the latest to join the party, with the former West Ham United maverick taking his tally to one goal and five assists in just seven Premier League games under Frank’s watch.

Having been booked early on for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson, the fleet-footed forward subsequently slid in Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act himself just before the hour mark.

Cutting in from the right in trademark Bale fashion, Spurs’ number 20 may have enjoyed a fair bit of luck with his eventual strike, although that goal was just reward for what was an all-round stellar performance in attack.

As noted by Sofascore, he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles, having also won ten of his attempted duels, showcasing his ability to impact the game both in and out of possession.

As already stated, this wasn’t Spurs at their most potent, yet once again Saturday’s win highlighted the growing importance of and reliance on Kudus to steal the show for Frank’s side.

Like football.london’s Alasdair Gold put it at full time, when handing the winger a 9/10 match rating, he ‘gave Leeds’ defenders nightmares throughout’.

Long may it continue.

Levy made bigger mistake than Kane over selling "world-class" Spurs star

Tottenham Hotspur made a huge mistake in allowing one player to depart the club under Daniel Levy.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 4, 2025

A manager who Oliver Glasner described as “amazing” is now being targeted by Manchester United as a replacement for Ruben Amorim.

Amorim under fire after Brentford defeat

After the 3-1 defeat against Brentford over the weekend, Amorim is under fire once again, with Jamie Carragher describing the 40-year-old’s time at the club as a “disaster”, and suggesting it is “inevitable” he will be sacked.

It is also revealed that just one of the 17 ever-present Premier League clubs have collected fewer points than Amorim since his arrival at Old Trafford, underlining just how poor Man United have been under the helm of the former Sporting CP boss.

Alan Shearer has suggested that the only reason INEOS haven’t dismissed the manager already is because they don’t want to admit they got another decision wrong, saying: “I genuinely believe that the owners or the people that are running the club at the minute have made that many errors in the last two years or 18 months since they’ve been there. It would look terrible to admit another error and sack (Amorim).”

That said, the United hierarchy are clearly now planning for life after Amorim, with a report from The Sun revealing that Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler is now under consideration as a replacement for the Portuguese manager.

Fabrizio Romano says legendary 4-3-3 manager wants Amorim's job at Man Utd

He’s previously won a top-flight title and enjoyed a distinguished playing career.

BySean Markus Clifford Sep 29, 2025

INEOS are said to have drawn up a three-man shortlist, which also includes Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, with the board evidently keen on bringing in a proven Premier League manager.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still backing Amorim for the time being, but contingency plans are now being put in place, with Hurzeler one of the managers being targeted, having performed well at Brighton, leading the Seagulls to an eighth-placed finish last season.

"Amazing" Hurzeler impressing in first Premier League job

At 32-years-old, the Brighton boss is the youngest manager in the Premier League, but he has shown maturity beyond his years, with Glasner being left particularly impressed by the work his opposite number has done in England and Germany.

The Palace manager said: “He did an amazing job in Germany with St. Pauli. Also, what I always like with every manager is when you can see a clear style of playing and this is what he implemented in Germany, in St. Pauli, and what he implemented here with Brighton.

“He does a fantastic job there.”

The German has averaged 1.70 points per match during his time with the Seagulls, having taken charge of 53 matches, suggesting he would be a big upgrade on Amorim, with the United boss averaging 1.35 over 49 games with the Red Devils.

With the former St Pauli boss preferring to implement a 4-2-3-1 system, appointing the up-and-coming manager could mean a welcome return to four-at-the-back for Man United, amid widespread calls for Amorim to tinker with his system.

That said, it would be a risk to appoint Hurzeler, given his age, with United perhaps in need of a more experienced manager, who has a proven track record at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz and Liverpool controlled the noise from the summer transfer window on Merseyside, but David Moyes’ Everton have quietly assembled a team more capable of competing on higher ground than in recent years.

Whether the Toffees will make it a successful one is, of course, anyone’s guess, but the signs certainly suggest that improvements have been made under Moyes’ wing.

But then, what to define as success? Everton sit sixth in the Premier League after four games, two wins tallied and three games unbeaten. The Farhad Moshiri era fizzled out rather quickly, and staving off the threat of relegation was the aim.

But now, Everton want more, and understandably so. There have been some good signings in recent years, but maybe this current crop feel a little different.

Everton's best signings of recent years

Everton’s men’s side bid farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the 2024/25 season, but the change afoot was to be more than just the scenery.

A host of first-teamers left at the end of their contracts, and many needed to be shipped out if Everton wished to segue into a new, finer form.

Abdoulaye Doucoure was among those to leave at the end of their contracts, but the Malian midfielder’s departure was a more poignant one than most. 32 years old, he was still an industrious and effective part of the team, but he was also the highest earner on the books, taking home £130k per week.

His departure was necessary, especially with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Charly Alcaraz added to the central midfield ranks, the latter permanently.

The three years after Doucoure’s £20m move from Watford to Everton in 2020 were sparse in regard to jackpot signings, although Dwight McNeil has been a fantastic player when fit, and Amadou Onana did well before being turned for a healthy profit when sold to Aston Villa for £50m in July 2024.

It was one year ago, though, that Everton signed Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille for £15m. The Senegalese winger is among the most electric to play in England, and he has been described as being capable of “magic” moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson.

His ten-goal return in 2024/25 was eclipsed by no Toffees member, and he was the cream of the crop.

Perhaps he’s not anymore. At no disrespect to the fleet-footed winger, Jack Grealish has arrived at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and looks eager to step up as the club’s talisman this term.

Moyes has hit the jackpot on Jack Grealish

This summer, Everton handed Grealish a lifeline. The England international was a Three Lion no more, kept from duty for his country across Thomas Tuchel’s first three camps. Sir Gareth Southgate opted against picking the Manchester City man for the 2024 Euros.

In fairness, Grealish had fallen from grace under Pep Guardiola’s wing. Joining the Premier League giants for a British record £110m fee in 2021, Aston Villa’s beloved maverick never quite captured the same effortless flair that defined his time at Villa Park, even if he has decorated his cabinet with a wealth of silverware.

It was time for a change, and Moyes offered him a platform to reinvent himself this summer, signing the 30-year-old on loan in August.

Grealish has been in fine fettle since joining, posting four assists from as many games and winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

Matches (starts)

20 (7)

4 (3)

Goals

1

0

Assists

1

4

Touches*

28.5

48.3

Accurate passes*

18.8 (91%)

24.8 (88%)

Big chances created

2

3

Key passes*

1.2

2.8

Dribbles*

0.7

2.0

Ball recoveries*

1.3

4.5

Tackles*

0.5

1.8

Duels (won)*

2.4 (55%)

6.8 (54%)

While the data pool is shallow at this stage of the season, Grealish is already demonstrating an ability beyond what was seen across his last two years at the Etihad Stadium, more confident and creative.

He’s already shaping into the Merseysiders’ attacking talisman, especially given the profligacy of the centre-forwards, and with that in mind, maybe Grealish could prove to be Everton’s own version of the aforementioned Isak, who joined Liverpool in a British record £125m move on transfer deadline day.

Isak, 25, has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world over his three terms on Tyneside, with pundit Alan Shearer even hailing him as “world-class” last season, scoring against Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup, and hurling constant daggers into the net to propel Newcastle back into the Champions League.

There’s no question that he was the attacking leader for the Toon, and he will be for Liverpool too, especially as the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah approaches the autumn of his career in England.

Grealish is not a striker, and he’s never been a particularly reliable goalscorer, but he could be Everton’s new hero in a different way, inspiring and galvanising and making things happen in a way that none of his peers, even Ndiaye, can match.

Both Ndiaye and Grealish are players who stand out as among Everton’s finest signings in many years. It’s not a particularly high bar, but there are many teams across the Premier League and across Europe who would jump at the chance to welcome such stars to their ranks.

Who knows if Everton will turn Grealish’s loan spell into a permanent deal? The opening weeks of the campaign suggest that it should be so. Last term, Theo Walcott remarked that he is a player of “incredible talent”, but that his spark had been “coached out of him”. Moyes is instilling that joy and wonder once more.

The playmaker’s wage demands would need redress: the attacking midfielder cannot take permanent residence in Moyes’ squad without agreeing to a pay cut.

But if some agreement could be engineered, Everton would land themselves one of the most talented players in the Premier League, a player who has already shown himself capable of standing out in a rising team and with a smile on his face too.

Just like Isak over at Anfield, Grealish has the chance to be a superstar in a new setting, and TFG must ensure they get his signature scribbled in permanent ink.

Big Beto upgrade: Everton have already sold "the new Lukaku"

This centre-forward would thrive at the front of David Moyes’ Everton system.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 16, 2025

Sunderland fans must be overwhelmed by the amount of quickfire business their club is involved in ahead of the Premier League getting underway next month.

Indeed, around £67m has been forked out already to land Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, and Noah Sadiki, with this excessive spending necessary if the Black Cats want to mount a serious challenge at staving off the dreaded top-flight drop zone.

The ecstasy of promotion to the elite league has quickly been followed by excitement over what the next major signing Sunderland could make, with a few more expensive buys reportedly on their radar.

Sunderland's next summer signings

The whirlwind transfer activity coming out of the Stadium of Light shows no signs of slowing down.

Transfer Focus

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

Reports filtering out of Wearside indicate that their next intriguing purchase will come courtesy of Club Brugge winger Chemsdine Talbi, with the 20-year-old once being tipped to join the likes of RB Leipzig in Germany, but could now be Le Bris’ next promising capture at around the £19.5m mark.

Yet, although the youngster coming in from Belgium possesses bags of potential, an even more exciting pick-up looks to be in the works involving the Black Cats landing Real Madrid sensation Gonzalo Garcia this summer.

As per reports from Spain, Sunderland have placed a bid worth £26m for the LaLiga attacker, with a £40m buy-back clause inserted into the deal to allow the Los Blancos to bring Garcia back to his boyhood employers if he explodes into life even more in England.

Off the back of his clinical, poacher-like abilities being on full display at the Club World Cup, Garcia could go down as an even more exciting signing than Talbi as Le Bris attempts to get the very best out of another up-and-coming talent, having already worked his magic on the likes of Jobe Bellingham.

Why Garcia is a more exciting signing than Talbi

The 20-year-old winger will be an enthralling signing in his own right, with Talbi’s strengths centring on the fact he can line up down both the right and left wing for Le Bris’ men this coming campaign. He’a also a goalscorer, boasting seven strikers in all competitions last season, two of which came about on Europe’s grandest stage in the Champions League.

Yet, Garcia out at the Club World Cup – from only five overall clashes – is just three strikes off matching Talbi’s entire season total for Brugge, with those instinctive finishes coming against the likes of Italian superpower Juventus and Bellingham’s new Black and Yellow employers.

Castilla

73

30

7

Youth League

16

6

3

Senior team

11

5

2

Amazingly, despite faces such as World Cup-winning Kylian Mbappe also leading the line for Xabi Alonso’s men, Garcia continues to steal the limelight, with his potency not just reserved for the pitches of the Club World Cup, as seen in his blistering 36 strikes playing in the Blancos youth picture.

On the contrary, his potential new £19.5m teammate can only boast a weaker 15 strikes across his playing days to date, with Talbi perhaps not ready to be an immediate starter down the right or left wing either, when you consider Le Bris has figures such as Patrick Roberts and Enzo Le Fee he can call into action on these flanks.

Whereas, in the case of the breakout Madrid number 30, he looks ready to challenge Wilson Isidor’s starting spot in England’s elite league, having been hailed as “incredible” off the back of his rich vein of goalscoring form in the pre-season tournament by scout Jacek Kulig.

He also has a goal and assist next to his name in both La Liga and Copa Del Rey action – but instead of sticking it out at the Santiago Bernabeu where options might still be limited even as he terrorises the likes of Juventus – Garcia could soon fancy a switch to Le Bris’ men to try and be a main starter week in week out.

After all, football analyst Ben Mattinson has even labelled the £26m man as a striker who “scores goals for fun.”

The proof will soon be in the pudding if he does relocate to Sunderland and his goals keep the Black Cats up in the Premier League.

Dream squad Sunderland could build: £112m spent on 7 signings after Talbi

Sunderland looks ready to take the Premier League by storm, with this being potentially what their dream squad could look like very soon.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jul 6, 2025

Thomas Frank will face a huge task during his first season as Tottenham Hotspur manager, after his appointment from Brentford a couple of weeks ago.

The Dane has taken the reins from Ange Postecoglou, with the hierarchy wanting the side to reach the next step during his tenure in charge in North London.

After the Europa League triumph last season, the Lilywhites will enter the Champions League, a situation that presents Frank with his first challenge as the club’s boss.

He will need to strike a balance between Europe and the Premier League, needing to rise up the table throughout 2025/26 whilst being competitive in the biggest club competition on the continent.

If the new boss is to be a success, he will need Daniel Levy to back him in the transfer market and hand him the funds to strengthen in key areas and strike a balance with his players.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

The attacking department in North London has been Spurs’ main focus over the last couple of weeks, with numerous names on their radar ahead of a potential transfer.

The likes of Arnaud Kalimuendo and Harvey Elliott have both been firmly on the radar of the Lilywhites, but as of yet no deals have been completed for the aforementioned duo.

Whilst talks have been held for the pair, work has also been done elsewhere, with a move for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman on the cards during the off-season.

The latest report from TBR Football claims that Frank’s side have been in contact with his representatives over a move to North London, with Arsenal also interested in his signature.

They also claim that he could be available for a fee in the region of £43m this summer after registering 20 goals and six assists for the Serie A outfit last campaign.

Why Spurs’ £43m target would be a better signing than Kudus & Eze

Alongside the previous targets mentioned, Eberechi Eze and Mohammed Kudus have both been frequently mentioned as potential additions from fellow Premier League sides Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

The Englishman has starred for Palace throughout 2024/25, registering eight goals and eight assists in the league, even netting the winner in the Eagles’ unlikely FA Cup triumph.

Such form has also led to keen interest from fellow North London outfit Arsenal, with competition appearing to be fierce for his signature throughout the off-season.

As for Kudus, he currently has a £85m release clause in his contract, with a deal for his signature likely to cost around £60m, potentially negotiating a deal with the Hammers after their original contact.

Both players would be excellent options for the Lilywhites in their quest for success, but may prove to be too expensive, especially considering the inflated fees given their English top-flight status.

Lookman could prove to be a much cheaper alternative, but also a better option within the final third, outperforming the Premier League duo in multiple key areas.

The Nigerian, who’s been labelled “world-class” by the BBC’s John Bennett, has registered more goals and assists throughout 2024/25, along with a higher shot on target accuracy rate – demonstrating his threat within the final third.

Games played

31

34

32

Goals & assists

20

16

8

Shot on target accuracy

40%

27%

28%

Progressive carries

5.7

2.4

3.4

Key passes made

2.4

2.1

1.1

Carries into final third

2.8

1.6

2.1

Carries into opposition box

3.2

0.7

1.4

Aerials won

57%

15%

21%

He’s also registered more key passes per 90, along with more carries into the opposition box, showcasing his direct nature, which has allowed him to be a constant threat to countless backlines.

Lookman’s all-round dominance is further highlighted in his tally of aerials won and crosses completed, having the talent in numerous key areas to make him a versatile option in Frank’s system.

It’s unclear which of the three players the club will pursue this window, but it’s evident that Lookman would be the best option for the Lilywhites during the current window.

All three would massively improve the options at the Dane’s disposal, but the Nigerian has the added quality that could take the side up a notch throughout 2025/26.

More exciting than Semenyo: Spurs in talks to sign "generational" £85m star

The brilliant attacker could be just what Spurs need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 1, 2025

Aston Villa have a tricky next nine days to navigate in terms of PSR, with the deadline to balance their books looming on June 30, but that isn’t to say Unai Emery won’t be backed this summer.

NSWE and Monchi can only allow the Villans to register a £15 million loss for 2024/2025, with The Athletic calculating this as the maximum figure to avoid any PSR penalties.

£120k-a-week Aston Villa outfielder has now opened talks to join elite club

He could leave with Emiliano Martinez.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

As things stand, they’re projected to be over this limit and must raise cash through player sales before the start of the next football financial year on July 1.

The marquee sales of Moussa Diaby and Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia have helped significantly, alongside their £70 million prize money from reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last season, but another big-name sale is required in the coming week (The Athletic).

Emiliano Martinez is attracting serious interest from Man United as an optional sale to bring much-needed funds to the Villa coffers, while it is reported that left-back Lucas Digne is in talks to join Atlético Madrid as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Much like Newcastle’s roadblock on marquee transfers due to PSR restrictions, Villa are suffering from having to comply with the limits, with top flight sides only allowed to lose £105 million over a rolling three-year period.

It makes the market all the more tricky for Emery’s side to navigate, and their failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League has come as an almighty blow both on and off the field.

Villa have to settle for the Europa League’s limited prize pool by comparison next term, with Monchi handed the extremely difficult task of both balancing the books and reinforcing Emery’s squad for another season of competing on multiple fronts.

Taking this into account, it makes links to £250,000-per-week Man United attacker Mason Mount all the more surprising.

Aston Villa could make "excellent" move for Man United ace Mason Mount

As per ex-Villa chief scout Mick Brown, in an interview with Football Insider, Emery is a fan of Chelsea’s former star and the Midlands could be a landing spot for him this summer.

Aston Villa could swoop for Mount and offer him an “excellent” move away from Old Trafford, according to Brown, and they want to help the 26-year-old re-discover his past form.

“United have tried to establish whether there is a market for Mason Mount,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Aston Villa have been spoken about and I think they could make a move. People remember Mason Mount at his best, that what Villa want to help him get back to and it looks like he’s back to full fitness now.

“His move to Man United hasn’t been positive by any means, but he’s still a talented player. Villa want to strengthen because they’ve lost Rashford and Asensio, so Mount is on their list.

“Unai Emery is a fan of his and feels he could help him to rediscover his Chelsea form. It would be an excellent move for Mount as well, because Villa are a top club, they’ve got top facilities and they’ll be playing in Europe.“

Given their financial limitations, Villa would surely need Mount to take a big cut on his marquee wages for this transfer to happen, and it would most likely be in the form of a loan deal, or perhaps a loan-to-buy.

Tottenham Hotspur are now ready to hijack a move for a £60m star, who Thomas Frank has called “incredible” in the past, according to a report.

Frank now leading contender to replace Ange at N17

Daniel Levy made the controversial call to sack Ange Postecoglou on Friday, with the Australian being dismissed despite leading Tottenham to their first major trophy in 17 years, and it would be fair to say the reaction has been mixed.

Former striker Teddy Sheringham was left particularly distraught by the decision, saying: “I’m absolutely devastated for Ange. He had a real rough ride last season with losing players through injury and the biggest thing is losing your two centre-halves and your goalkeeper for long periods.”

Not only that, but Sheringham doesn’t seem especially excited by the prospect of appointing Frank, who has now emerged as a leading target for Levy, with the former Spurs man adding: “Thomas Frank is okay. He’s alright. He’s doing well at Brentford.”

Tottenham pushing to sign £34m Inter Milan star with exit "increasingly close"

A Spurs player could even go the other way.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 6, 2025

Should the Brentford boss complete a move to N17, the new manager may be keen to make his own mark on the squad by bringing in some new players that he knows very well, and a new report has now revealed Tottenham want to hijack Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo deal.

Indeed, Levy is now plotting a stunning £70m raid on Brentford, with Mbeumo, who is valued at £60m, potentially in line to join alongside Frank, with a £10m compensation package required to appoint the Danish coach and his backroom staff.

Spurs are hoping that the offer of Champions League football could give them an advantage in the negotiations, but they may have to move swiftly, with the Red Devils now edging towards agreeing a £60m deal.

"Incredible" Mbeumo could be ideal signing for Tottenham

The Brentford star was prolific in front of goal throughout the 2024-25 campaign, reaching the 20-goal mark alongside fellow forward Yoane Wissa, and his manager was certainly very impressed by his performances.

Speaking after his side secured a victory against Brighton & Hove Albion in April, Frank described the Cameroon international as “incredible”, with the forward also displaying a keen eye for picking up assists, notching eight across the campaign.

Having already got one up on Man United by winning the Europa League final, it would add insult to injury if Tottenham were able to hijack a deal for the 25-year-old, but the prospect of playing Champions League football under a manager he knows very well would surely be appealing.

As such, Spurs should look to secure a deal for Frank as soon as possible, and a recent update from Fabrizio Romano suggests it may not be too long, with the transfer expert saying: “Tottenham are aware of Thomas Frank’s position: he wants the job and he’s keen on becoming new Spurs coach.”

Aiming to make an instant statement, the 49ers have reportedly entered the race to sign an England international who Russell Martin is a fan of in a deal that could be worth £25m for Rangers this summer.

Russell Martin: Rangers need "new energy"

Beating out the likes of Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti, Martin quickly became Rangers’ top candidate before they decided to offer the former Southampton boss the job and end their managerial search. His first job since Premier League failure at St Mary’s, Martin will be desperate to see his time in Scotland go to plan and end in the ultimate success story.

Martin picks out "very interesting" 13-goal striker as key target for Rangers

He could be ideal for the Scottish Premiership giants.

ByHenry Jackson Jun 9, 2025

The new manager is well aware of the extent of the task at hand too, having told reporters after putting pen to paper to confirm his arrival: “The club needs new energy, it needs a fresh start. It’s been a tough time for the club and Rangers fans over the last however many years.”I think this will bring some fresh energy, it will bring some stability and it will hopefully bring a really exciting team on the pitch.

“That’s the end product and that’s what we all want, a team that wins and wins in a certain way and with a culture and environment that we all feel really aligned with and proud of.”

With new owners to match a new manager, Rangers have a huge summer ahead. The task at hand will be to bridge the gap on Scottish Premiership champions and Old Firm rivals Celtic, but whether that will happen in the space of a year is the big question.

To do that, the 49ers are reportedly aiming to back the Gers in the transfer window with some much-needed additions, which could yet include the likes of Conor Coady and one other Premier League ace that Martin knows well.

Rangers now battling to sign Ramsdale

According to Sports Boom, the 49ers have now entered the race to sign Aaron Ramsdale for Rangers this summer. Martin is reportedly a fan of the shot-stopper following their work together at Southampton and could now get the chance to reunite with the England international if those at Ibrox make their move.

The deal won’t come cheap, however. Ramsdale reportedly has a relegation release clause worth £25m this summer and has attracted interest from the likes of West Ham United as a result. Whether Martin’s admiration will make the difference for Rangers remains to be seen.

The former Southampton boss was never shy with his praise for the goalkeeper during his time at St Mary’s, telling reporters following a rare victory against Everton: “For me, he’s a complete goalkeeper that we’re really lucky to have and we have to enjoy it.

“He has such high standards and I’m pleased for him. He keeps a clean sheet and I think he has an appreciation of what we’re trying to be. He’s just desperate to help us and he has done.”

Following Jack Butland’s difficult campaign too, Ramsdale’s arrival would undoubtedly hand Rangers a major upgrade in the goalkeeping department ahead of a crucial season.

With Callum Wilson looking likely to leave, Newcastle United have reportedly made their first approach to sign an 18-goal forward and are even willing to pay a big fee to secure his signature this summer.

Callum Wilson could leave Newcastle for free

After spending five years at Newcastle, Wilson could be set to leave the club as a free agent when his current contract comes to an end next month. The experienced striker is yet to put pen to paper and left St James’ Park in tears following what is likely to be his final game for the club against Everton.

Despite his contract situation and his emotions at full-time last weekend though, Eddie Howe remained coy on Wilson’s future. The Newcastle boss told reporters: “Let’s wait and see. We will sit down with his representatives.

“I’m not sure about the thought it’s going to be huge change in the summer. There could be. I’m in a position where I don’t know what’s going to happen. You never know going into any summer with transfer activity, ins or outs you never know the numbers.”

With or without a new contract, however, it must be said that replacing Wilson would be no bad idea for the Magpies. The experienced striker has often struggled on the injury front, forcing Howe to play the likes of Anthony Gordon in the lead role of his frontline when also without Alexander Isak throughout the season.

Given that they’ve got Champions League football to offer now too, Newcastle and PIF could set their sights on some of Europe’s top talents. And whilst names such as Jonathan David have been mentioned, it could yet be another Ligue 1 talent who arrives.

Newcastle make first Kalimuendo approach

According to L’Equipe, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle have now made their first approach to sign Arnaud Kalimuendo and are ready to pay a big substantial fee to secure the Stade Rennais forward.

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He would be a statement signing.

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The Frenchman has enjoyed an excellent season in France, scoring 18 goals in all competitions whilst also setting up another two throughout the campaign. At 23 years old, the forward still has his best years to come and represents the type of player who would be an ideal backup for Isak.

Praised for how “dangerous” he is around the box by U23 scout Antonio Mango back in March, Kalimuendo would be ready to take the Premier League by storm if Newcastle made their move.

The Magpies already suffered in the past when attempting to balance European football with Premier League action, but the arrival of the depth provided by players like Kalimuendo would go a long way towards avoiding that problem this time around.

Manchester City have now identified a “sensational” Premier League star as a priority target for the summer transfer window, as he would be a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s system, according to a report.

Man City need "full reset" this summer

The shock 1-0 FA Cup final defeat against Crystal Palace capped off a disappointing season for Man City, although Guardiola has defended the disappointing campaign by referencing the fact they won the Community Shield against Manchester United back in August.

That said, Gary Neville has long held the belief the City boss will need to overhaul his squad this summer, saying: “This will be painful for Man City but maybe Pep Guardiola needs it, maybe the club needs it. A full reset.

“Pep Guardiola is going to have to build a brand new title-winning team. He knows what one looks like, that’s for sure.”

The rebuild initially got underway during the January transfer window, with Kyle Walker leaving on an initial loan to Serie A giants AC Milan, which has led to Matheus Nunes, a midfielder by trade, filling in at right-back on a number of occasions.

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Man City could be set to move on a few players this summer

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According to a report from Spain, however, Man City are now looking to bring in a long-term replacement for Walker, having now identified Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento as their priority target.

One bonus to signing Livramento is that he ‘would fit perfectly’ into Guardiola’s system, and City are willing to make a big bid to get a deal over the line, but his current employers are not willing to let the full-back leave without a fight.

Livramento could be "sensational" signing for Man City

The right-back is still only 22-years-old, but he has already built up a great deal of Premier League experience, establishing himself as a vital player for the Magpies this season, making 44 appearances in all competitions.

The England international, who set Newcastle back £40m in August 2023, has certainly justified his price tag since arriving at St. James’ Park, with club legend Alan Shearer lauding him after a “sensational” display against Manchester United last season.

In the same game, the former Southampton man was lauded for his speed by reporter Henry Winter, indicating he could be a like-for-like heir for Walker, who is also well-known for his recovery pace.

As such, there are clear signs that Livramento could be the perfect addition for Man City at right-back, but Guardiola’s side may have to qualify for the Champions League to stand a chance of prising the defender away from Newcastle this summer.