Category Uncategorized

Chelsea’s return to the Champions League ended in disappointment as they fell 3-1 away to Bayern Munich in their opening group fixture.

It was the club’s first appearance in the competition since 2023, and the performance suggested Enzo Maresca’s young squad still has much to learn about competing at Europe’s top table.

Chelsea entered the Allianz Arena buoyed by a successful 2024/25 campaign, finishing fourth in the Premier League and lifting the Europa Conference League.

They added the Club World Cup over the summer, dispatching PSG 3-0 in the final, but the match against Bayern proved far more demanding.

With only 117 Champions League appearances across their entire 24-man squad, their inexperience showed in key moments.

Switching off at a throw-in allowed Michael Olise the time to deliver a cross that Trevoh Chalobah turned into his own net, before Moises Caicedo brought down Harry Kane in the box.

Bayern were ruthless, and while Chelsea did show flashes of promise, the experiment of deploying Reece James in midfield again raised questions about whether it is a strategy that can truly succeed at this level.

Reece James' role in Munich

At 25, Reece James is the only survivor from Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League-winning side, and his presence in the squad offers both quality and leadership.

Yet his career has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries – more than 140 matches missed – leaving doubts about whether he can sustain the rhythm of playing twice a week in both domestic and European competition.

Against Bayern, James was positioned in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, while Malo Gusto filled in at right-back.

The idea was to utilise James’ technical quality and tactical awareness in central areas, but the execution was less convincing. Across 68 minutes on the pitch, James touched the ball just 35 times and attempted 27 passes, completing 22 of them (81%).

He failed to register a single key pass and did not win either of his two ground duels, while also conceding possession too cheaply.

His final rating of 6.1 reflected a subdued display that neither shielded Chelsea’s defence nor offered enough progression going forward.

The wider concern is that James’ strengths as a full-back are being muted in midfield. Where Chelsea need dynamism and ball-winning, the skipper struggled to impose himself.

Chalkboard

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

It is no surprise that he was replaced by Andrey Santos midway through the second half.

Andrey Santos: A better Fit in midfield

The introduction of Andrey Santos, a 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder, gave Chelsea fresh energy in the second half.

Santos, who returned from a successful loan at Strasbourg, where he played 45 times and contributed 12 goals and five assists, is starting to prove he belongs on this stage.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as a “duel monster” in midfield – a description that speaks to both his physicality and presence.

Santos has already demonstrated qualities that align more closely with Chelsea’s needs in the middle of the pitch: aerial strength, ball progression, composure in possession, and a natural tackling instinct.

These attributes showed during his 32 appearances last season, where he produced 13 goal involvements compared to James’ two in 19 matches.

The statistical comparison underlines why Santos might be the more natural option in midfield.

Andrey Santos – 2024/25

Matches Played

32

Goals

10

Assists

3

Progressive Carries

29

Progressive Passes

149

Source: FBRef

He averaged 3.47 tackles per 90, far outweighing James’ 0.85, and also registered more blocks (1.45 vs. 1.19).

Going forward, Santos was more efficient, with a 34.8% shot-on-target rate compared to James’ 27.3%. He also averaged twice as many shots on target per 90 (0.50 vs. 0.25).

In terms of progression, James does carry an edge in passing distance (370.8 metres per 90 vs. Santos’ 247.9) and averaged slightly more progressive passes (5.42 vs. 4.70).

However, Santos offered greater balance by combining forward passing with ball-carrying, recording 0.91 progressive carries per 90 compared to James’ 0.59.

His creativity was also marginally superior, averaging 1.77 shot-creating actions per 90 compared to James’ 1.52.

These numbers suggest Santos is not just a destroyer, but a midfielder capable of impacting both phases of play – regaining possession and driving Chelsea into attacking positions.

At just 21 and already capped four times by Brazil, his trajectory looks aligned with Chelsea’s long-term project.

Chelsea’s young squad will inevitably face teething problems in Europe, as the defeat in Munich showed.

Errors at the back cost them dearly, but the midfield balance was another decisive factor.

James, while a superb player when fit, may not be the answer in the middle. His injury history suggests that continuing the experiment risks undermining Chelsea’s progression.

Andrey Santos, by contrast, brings the blend of steel and skill that European nights demand.

His tackling, ball progression, and composure under pressure offer a profile Chelsea have been missing since N’Golo Kanté’s departure.

Deploying Santos in his natural role could allow James to return to right-back, where his qualities are maximised, and help Chelsea find the balance they lacked against Bayern.

Maresca must drop Chelsea dud who was as bad as Chalobah vs Bayern

Chelsea lost to Bayern Munich in their first Champions League game of the season.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 18, 2025

In a fresh battle between Premier League clubs, Arsenal have now reportedly intensified their interest in signing a teenage sensation ahead of the likes of Liverpool.

Arteta: Arsenal need to "respect" Saka's recovery

Arsenal couldn’t have entered the international break in more frustrating fashion, but they’ve come out the other side in fine fettle. Having suffered late defeat at Anfield and lost both Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to injury, the Gunners bounced back after the break with a convincing and near flawless win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Losing Saka was a particular blow however, and one that the Gunners will still need to deal with moving forwards, relying on the likes of Noni Madueke to continue to shine. Mikel Arteta provided an update on the fitness of his star man before Forest, stating that Arsenal must “respect” the recovery process and not rush Saka back before he is ready.

The Spaniard also provided an update on Kai Havertz, who suffered an injury blow in the early stages of the season: “He’s looking really good, he’s walking freely.

“He’s starting to load the knee and to do some bits. As I said before, I think we’re taking it from weeks to months. But knowing Kai, I cannot give you any time scale because I know what he’s going to try to do, same with Gabi Jesus. So I think he’s in a good moment.”

It’s these types of injury concerns that Arsenal have been building for, however, and the transfer market remains the key to a lot of their success. Get things right in that department and they may yet end their wait for another league title.

To that end, those in North London are already thinking about the future. According to reports, they’ve even gone as far as intensifying their interest in signing a teenage sensation.

Arsenal intensify interest in Mokio

As reported by TeamTalk, Arsenal have now intensified their interest in signing Jorthy Mokio from Ajax. The Gunners are joined in the race to sign the 17-year-old talent by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, but will be looking to deal their rivals a transfer blow by securing his signature at the first opportunity.

The third-youngest goalscorer in Ajax history, there’s no denying that Mokio is one to watch. The teenage midfielder, who can also play centre-back, was dubbed “special” by scout Jacek Kulig in February and it’s hard to argue with that statement.

Not Gyokeres: £60m Arsenal man could be a better signing than Wirtz & Isak

After Liverpool spent big on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, an “Intelligent” Arsenal signing could prove to be the Premier League’s best recruit.

ByBen Gray Sep 12, 2025

It would be a major coup if Arsenal managed to lure the Belgian to The Emirates in the near future.

Australian allrounder Moises Henriques has joined Notts Outlaws for the 2025 Vitality Blast.Henriques, who has made 10 appearances in the competition for Surrey across two stints, the most recent coming in 2017, has been capped 44 times for his country, with the majority (24) coming in T20Is.The 38-year old brings a wealth of experience, with 282 matches in the T20 format. As Sydney Sixers captain, he has led his side to two Big Bash League titles, and is the leading appearance maker in Australia’s domestic competition, as well as being the fourth highest runscorer in its history.A stalwart of the global franchise scene, Henriques has featured in nine editions of the Indian Premier League, and played a prominent role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s triumph in 2016. He has also won the now-defunct T20 Champions League twice with New South Wales.”I can’t wait to get over to Nottingham this season to play in the Blast,” Henriques said. “Trent Bridge is an iconic cricket ground and I’m looking forward to playing in front of their amazing crowds.”On a personal note, I’ve made some great friends over the years with both past players and staff from Notts and their values as people I’m sure represent their time there, which I can’t wait to experience.”Notts have had a lot of success over the last decade and I’ll be looking to add to that. The current squad looks extremely talented and young and hopefully with my experiences of T20 cricket around the world I can add a bit of value to the group both on and off the field.”Henriques will fill Outlaws’ second overseas spot, joining fellow Australian Daniel Sams, and is a welcome boost following the news that veteran opener Alex Hales will skip the English season to take up franchise opportunities overseas during the summer.Nottinghamshire finished bottom of the North Group in 2024, and have not made the latter stages of the T20 Blast since winning it for the second time in 2020.”Moises’s experience and quality as a player will add a huge amount to our squad, while he’ll be another leader in the group,” said head coach Peter Moores. “His reputation as a captain precedes him. He’ll provide great support for Joe (Clarke) as he continues to grow into that role.”His ability to negotiate a run chase or set a score with the bat has been well proven over the years, providing experience and stability in a new look batting line up. Crucially he’s used to playing in a winning set up, which is exactly the mentality we’re looking to build as we move forward as a team.”

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has thrown his full support behind new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who replaces Gianluigi Donnarumma following his move to Manchester City. The Brazilian defender hailed the 23-year-old’s personality, quick adaptation and potential to reach the pinnacle of the game as PSG prepare to begin their Champions League title defence against Atalanta.

• Baptism of fire for PSG’s new No.1

  PSG captain Marquinhos has praised new signing Chevalier, describing him as a goalkeeper with the personality and quality to succeed at the highest level. Signed from Lille for €55 million (£46m/$60m) this summer, the Frenchman has been thrust into the spotlight after Donnarumma’s surprise departure to Manchester City. Despite his limited time at the club, he already impressed by making key saves in the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham, showing resilience after an early mistake.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Donnarumma exit forces major transition

  The arrival of Chevalier marks a major shift for Les Parisiens, who have kept most of their squad intact after winning their first Champions League title last season. Losing Donnarumma was unexpected, given his strong performances in Europe, but the Italian had been sidelined by Luis Enrique and was entering the final year of his contract with no progress on a renewal. PSG moved swiftly to secure Chevalier from Lille, making him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history and underlining the immediate pressure on the 23-year-old to deliver.

• Marquinhos gives glowing verdict

  Speaking to ahead of PSG's match against Atalanta, Marquinhos said: "The adaptation was quick, he already speaks French very well. It's good (laughs).It's not easy to arrive in a team like that, after a goalkeeper who had a very good season." 

  He added: "He arrives with a very good personality. He's a goalkeeper we already knew, we played against him, we saw his potential. We saw that he's a goalkeeper who can reach the very highest level of goalkeeping; the coach, the staff, the management saw it too. He didn't have much time to adapt, we had a few training sessions and then the final where he was immediately decisive.

  "He shows his qualities in every match. He has a different profile from Gigio and he will bring us some great things. I hope he will be as decisive for us this season because he has all the qualities and the potential to do so. He is ready, he is well, he has taken his responsibilities."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Up next: Champions League test against Atalanta

  The fomrer Lille star will make his Champions League debut on Wednesday as PSG host Atalanta at the Parc des Princes. The Parisians will need him to step up with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue both sidelined through injury. With expectations sky-high, the young keeper now has the chance to prove he can handle the pressure of succeeding Donnarumma and help PSG defend their European crown.

Newcastle United’s summer transfer window has not gone to plan. In fact, some would say it’s gone to the dogs.

However, we still have a month of market mayhem ahead of us, and Eddie Howe is intent on bolstering the key areas after leading the Toon back into the Champions League with a fifth-place Premier League finish last season.

The shrewd tactician also engineered an incredible triumph in the Carabao Cup, ending so many years of searching for an elusive major trophy.

Let’s not forget, Anthony Elanga has signed for a £55m fee, while Southampton shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale is undergoing his medical ahead of a switch to Tyneside. The Three Lions man was hailed for his “phenomenal” quality when at the Emirates by ex-Arsenal legend David Seaman.

Howe and his transfer team plan to add a centre-back to the ranks ahead of the forthcoming campaign too. However, it’s a centre-forward that St. James’ Park want, especially as Alexander Isak wishes to explore a transfer to Liverpool.

But is Benjamin Sesko going to end up in black and white?

Newcastle's pursuit of Benjamin Sesko

Sesko’s has been a name which has attracted it’s measure of attention on the English scene over the past year or so. Last summer, Arsenal wanted the Slovenian striker, wanted him bad, but failed to convince Leipzig to part with their young star, albeit with a gentleman’s agreement placed that he could jump ship in one year.

But the Gunners have since signed Viktor Gyokeres, and now Newcastle are primed for a shootout with Manchester United, who have no European football on the cards after finishing 15th in the league last year.

The plain truth, of course, is that the Red Devils remain one of the biggest outfits in the world, and their success in signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both of whom were chased by Newcastle and other top clubs besides, illustrates the concerns around pushing ahead for Sesko.

Of course, Newcastle must try. Sesko, 22, is one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers, having scored 39 goals and supplied eight assists across 87 matches for Leipzig, of which just 62 have come from the starting whistle.

He’s worth chasing, all right, but if Newcastle prove unable to get the job done, there’s another who has emerged as a candidate who might prove a fantastic signing.

Newcastle make enquiry for Sesko alternative

Newcastle have opened talks with Fulham for striker Rodrigo Muniz, making an enquiry for the Brazilian. That’s according to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, who also revealed that Newcastle are indeed locked in a battle with Man United, both teams having initiated contact.

However, the 24-year-old Muniz would be the ideal fallback, with the discussions with intermediaries leading the Toon to believe that a £40m bid could get the job done.

Newly-promoted Leeds United have also been in for Muniz this summer, but Howe will surely be confident that his team would win the battle, should their interest rise to the next level.

Why Newcastle want Rodrigo Muniz

With Isak reported to be training at his former club Real Sociedad’s facilities in Spain, there’s a growing sense that the damage is irreparable and that PIF should cash in for a record sum.

Especially given that the funds could be shrewdly redirected to a talent such as Muniz, who has been described as “one of the best strikers in the Premier League” by his Cottagers teammate Willian.

Joining Fulham from Flamengo in 2021, Muniz has garnered a reputation for his clinical shooting under Marco Silva’s wing, ranked among the top 3% of Premier League forwards in 2024/25 for non-penalty goals scored per 90, as per FBref.

He might not start every week, but Muniz is always improving and would bring a guaranteed goal threat to Howe’s system, something Sesko cannot promise given that he only scored 13 times in the Bundesliga last year, and would be taking the daunting leap over to the English top-flight game.

Rodrigo Muniz in the Premier League

Stats (* per game)

23/24

24/25

Matches (starts)

26 (18)

31 (8)

Goals

9

8

Assists

1

1

Shots (on target)*

2.8 (1.0)

1.3 (0.6)

Big chances missed

4

5

Pass completion

62%

66%

Key passes*

0.7

0.2

Dribbles*

0.2

0.2

Tackles + interceptions*

0.5

0.5

Duels (won)*

4.6 (39%)

3.7 (52%)

Data via Sofascore

Perhaps he is a centre-forward whose output comes in stacks, like bursts of fire with frustrating pauses in between. But even so, there’s no denying the South American’s natural coolness in front of goal.

Indeed, he’s missed just nine big chances across his past two years in the Premier League, scoring 17 times.

Looking at Sesko in the Bundesliga across the same timeframe, the 22-year-old has missed 18 big chances, scoring 24 goals.

Not much to separate them, then. But Sesko is unrefined, yet to tap into those tubes of potential and direct them all to a nucleus which has yet to fully form.

How many times have we seen an exciting talent arrive in England only to fall by the wayside? Instead, Newcastle could sign a player who has proven themselves in the division and would be joining a team with bucketloads of creative flair.

Of course, given the sheer depth of financial recoupment that would come from Isak’s sale to Liverpool, there is no reason why Howe could not welcome both stars to St. James’ Park this summer.

Muniz is tough and tenacious, with his physical style leading pundit Alan Shearer to say he’s “horrible to play against.” Newcastle need a bit of that, marrying into the high technical quality of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and the like.

This clinical striker would add a dimension to Howe’s project, no doubt, and while Sesko’s potential is exciting to think about, there’s every chance he would take a while to get up to speed on English soil, should he even reach his lofty potential at all.

Related A new Ben Arfa: Newcastle join the race to sign "sensational" £21m star

Newcastle United target Morocco star reminiscent of Hatem Ben Arfa

Posts ByWill Miller Jul 29, 2025

Manchester City have had a busy summer transfer window already. Pep Guardiola’s side were poor for the majority of the 2024/25 campaign, and now there seems to be a real focus on reshaping the squad over the summer transfer window.

After losing Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer, there was a clear focus on signing a new attacking midfielder. Rayan Cherki was the man they brought in, costing £30m from French side Lyon. He certainly has big shoes to fill, with great number tens like De Bruyne and David Silva coming before him.

However, the Frenchman might not be the only attacking midfielder that City sign this summer, with Guardiola’s side linked with another player in that position.

City’s next attacking midfield target

Losing De Bruyne to Napoli was certainly something people may have expected, but replacing him will be an incredibly tough task. That is perhaps why City want to sign another playmaker to help reduce the workload on Cherki.

Well, according to a new report from Spain, City may have identified their target, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Fermin Lopez. Citizens boss Guardiola is said to have set his sights on signing the La Masia graduate from his former club this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

The report explains that City are willing to submit a bid for the youngster, and could have to pay as much as £52m to acquire his services this summer.

Why Fermin would be a good signing

Breaking into the Barcelona first team at any time is easier said than done. With that in mind, for Fermin to become an important player in Hansi Flick’s midfield alongside the likes of Pedri is a real testament to his ability, and perhaps why football talent scout Jacek Kulig called him a “genius”.

His value to a successful Barca side last season was clear to see. The 22-year-old played 46 times across all competitions, scoring eight times and registering ten assists. His versatility was important for Flick, who deployed him as a number eight, a number 10 and both flanks.

Fermin is already a Spain international and was a key part of their gold medal-winning Olympic side last summer. His record was exceptional, playing in all six of Spain’s games, scoring six goals and bagging two assists, including two goals in a 5-3 win over hosts France in the final.

In fact, a closer look at his underlying numbers from the 2024 Olympic Games, via Sofascore, shows just how well the 22-year-old performed. For example, he created 1.3 key passes and averaged 1.5 goal involvements per 90 minutes.

Fermin key stats from 2024 Olympic Games

Stat

Tournament number

Per 90 mins

Minutes played

426

71

Goals and assists

7

1.5

Key passes

6

1.3

Big chances created

2

0.4

Dribbles completed

7

1.5

Long balls completed

8

1.7

Tackles and interceptions

18

3.8

Stats from Sofascore

If City were to bring Fermin to the Etihad Stadium this summer, they would love for him to have the same impact as Silva did at the club. The Spanish attacking midfielder was once called “Manchester City’s greatest ever player” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

It is easy to see why the silky attacking midfielder is so well-thought of as a City player. He played 436 games for the club, scoring 77 goals and registering a phenomenal 136 assists. He was a key part of four Premier League title-winning sides, having also arrived from LaLiga after joining from Valencia in 2010.

With words like “genius” being thrown around to describe Fermin, it is easy to see how he can become their new Silva. There are clear similarities between the two, with them both being Spanish attacking midfielders who can orchestrate play and create chance after chance for their team.

Of course, it is not easy to hit the heights of a legend like Silva. Yet, Fermin has already shown great signs that he can become a top creative player in midfield. If his performance in the Olympics was anything to go by, City will have an exciting talent on their hands.

Related Pep's answer to Isak: Man City offer £170m to sign the PL's "best player"

With Alexander Isak potentially on his way to Liverpool, have Manchester City just offered £170m to sign the “best player in the Premier League”?

Posts ByBen Gray Jul 29, 2025

Having already welcomed Anthony Elanga, Newcastle United are now reportedly “pushing” to sign Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth over £60m this summer.

Securing their second signing of the summer and their biggest so far following Antonio Cordero’s initial arrival, Newcastle will be glad to have got Elanga over the line. The Swede enjoyed an excellent campaign with Nottingham Forest last time out – scoring six goals as well as assisting a further 12 in all competitions – and will now form one of the Premier League’s deadliest trios alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

Speaking for the first time since welcoming Elanga, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the club website: “I’m delighted to welcome Anthony to Newcastle United. He has been a key target for us so I’m delighted to secure him at this early part of pre-season.

“He is an exciting talent with attributes that make him a unique attacking threat. His pace, energy and ability to create and score goals will strengthen us and complement the way we want to play. Anthony is hungry to develop even further with us and to achieve success here, and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”

However, after spending around £55m to reinforce Newcastle’s frontline, PIF still reportedly have unfinished business in the summer transfer window. Recent reports have linked the Magpies with moves for the likes of Giorgio Scalvini, who would be an impressive defensive addition, while a move for James Trafford has been on the cards for some time.

What’s more, fresh reports are now claiming that those at St James’ Park are “pushing” to welcome another talented attacking option.

Downie: What Hugo Ekitike bid means for Alexander Isak

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are now “pushing” to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt after submitting a bid worth over €70m (£61m). Jumping ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign the Frenchman, the Magpies could be about to form quite the strike partnership between Ekitike and Isak.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Hugo Ekitike

Alexander Isak

Starts

31

34

Goals

15

23

Assists

8

6

Expected Goals

21.6

20.3

Keith Downie has since added comment on the concerns around Isak’s future, speaking to Sky Sports live from outside St James’ Park on Tuesday morning.

While the reporter does confirm the Magpies want the Sweden superstar to sign a new contract and hope to begin talks soon, he claims the club will be in a “completely different scenario” next summer if a new deal is not signed and may well be getting their ducks in a row for Isak to leave in 2026.

There will be some concerns over how Ekitike underperformed his expected goals total last season, but keeping hold of the clinical Isak – at least for now – would instantly nullify those concerns.

The forward’s rise is one that former Reims manager Oscar Garcia saw coming from the start of his career, having told reporters: “There is something very special about him. He’s young, and he has the quality to become a very good player. He’s a young man with a lot of quality but also a lot to improve on, but he works hard in training.”

Related A dream for Bruno: Newcastle likely to see £50m bid accepted to sign new CM

As Newcastle United look to bolster their midfield options, the Mapgies are reportedly set to see a £50 million bid accepted to sig a great “leader”.

Posts ByBen Gray Jul 15, 2025

Now, that “special” player could be on his way to Newcastle to stand next to Isak in one of the best attacks that the Premier League has to offer.

West Bromwich Albion are now making moves to sign a new target, having registered their interest in a forward who Ryan Mason knows very well, according to a report.

Mason era underway at the Hawthorns

West Brom have arguably taken a risk by appointing Mason, given that his only experience as a senior manager has been as interim boss of Tottenham Hotspur, but the 33-year-old believes he is now ready for his first permanent role in the dugout.

While the young manager is yet to prove himself in the hot seat, he has certainly had the opportunity to learn from some top managers during his time at Tottenham, working under the likes of José Mourinho, Antonio Conte and most recently Ange Postecoglou.

That experience should stand the London-born coach in good stead to be a success at the Hawthorns, and the manager is now looking to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited by bringing in a player he worked with during his time at Spurs.

That is according to a report from Football Insider, which states West Brom are now making moves to sign Tottenham forward Mikey Moore, having registered their interest in the 17-year-old, alongside Championship rivals Birmingham City.

The Baggies are keeping close tabs on the teenager, and want to take him on loan next season, as there is a belief the youngster would be capable of being a stand-out player in the second tier, despite his age.

"Fearless" Moore has already built up first-team experience

With Tottenham suffering an injury crisis in the 2024-25 campaign, Moore was perhaps called upon more times than he would’ve expected, making 15 appearances in all competitions, during which time the starlet picked up one goal and two assists.

Much like Mason, a move to the Championship could be ideal for the left-winger, as it would provide him with the opportunity to get more first-team experience, and there are signs the starlet could be capable of making a real impact at the Hawthorns.

West Brom now very keen on "incredible" £45k-p/w player with UCL experience

The Baggies are showing strong interest in a player with seven Champions League appearances to his name.

ByDominic Lund Jun 11, 2025

James Maddison was left impressed by what he saw from his teammate last season, with the England international saying: “[He has] that young, fearless mentality and you never want to take that away from him. He’s a young kid, a brilliant lad, a lovely boy. He takes in information, and he’s got bags of ability.”

Moore clearly has a lot of potential, and West Brom will be hoping that the opportunity to work under Mason will help them win the race for the forward’s signature, despite the interest from Championship rivals Birmingham.

Manchester City have opened talks over a deal for an “incredible” defender, who is now high up their list of targets, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Man City set sights on new full-backs

Pep Guardiola’s rebuild got underway during the January transfer window, with Kyle Walker being shipped out on loan to AC Milan to make way for Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes, while Nico O’Reilly has come into the fold on the opposite side of the defence.

It was an impressive debut campaign on a personal level for O’Reilly, who rotated with Josko Gvardiol at left-back, with the Englishman picking up five goals and two assists in all competitions, and Guardiola has praised Nunes for his defensive performances.

However, there have been suggestions the manager is now looking to upgrade his options at full-back, having identified Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento as a priority target for the summer.

Man City could now sign "exceptional" £100m star who Pep loves in swap deal

City may have an opportunity to sign an attacker in a stunning swap deal, with Pep Guardiola known to be an admirer.

ByDominic Lund May 26, 2025

Livramento is not the only Premier League defender of interest to Man City either, with Romano recently taking to X to reveal they have now opened talks over a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ait-Nouri is now believed to be “high” on City’s list of targets at left-back, and having now submitted an enquiry, talks are expected to continue as we approach the summer transfer window.

There may be competition for the defender’s signature, however, with Liverpool also being named as potential suitors earlier this month, at which point it was revealed that Wolves could look to hold out for a fee of £51m.

"Incredible" Ait Nouri impressing at Wolves

The Algerian was one of Wolves’ most consistent performers in the Premier League throughout the 2024-25 campaign, averaging a 6.95 WhoScored match rating, the second-highest in the squad, proving himself to be both solid defensively and a threat going forward.

Indeed, the 23-year-old is impressive at both ends of the pitch, as showcased by the fact he has regularly chipped in with goals over the past year, while also ranking highly for tackles per 90, when compared to other full-backs.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.12 (88th percentile)

Assists

0.20 (84th percentile)

Successful take-ons

1.82 (97th percentile)

Tackles

2.58 (82nd percentile)

As such, the France-born defender is able to play in a number of different positions, according to former manager Gary O’Neil, who said: “I’m enjoying working with Rayan, I think he’s an incredible talent, a great guy and he brings a real enthusiasm and life to the place. We can use him anywhere so, unfortunately, at the moment we have to because we don’t have many others.

“But he is talented enough when we roll him in and play him in midfield a few times and we played him as a right 10 in the second half today.”

Guardiola will no doubt be pleased by O’Reilly’s emergence as a first-team regular, but should the manager decide to sign another left-back, Ait-Nouri has proven he could be a brilliant option.

When discussing Manchester United’s long-running malaise, many will point to the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson dynasty as a defining, watershed moment in the club’s fortunes, with the Scotsman’s retirement marking the end of the Red Devils’ domestic dominance.

It could be argued, however, that the slide had begun even prior to Fergie’s exit, with even his own recruitment – while impacted by the Glazer takeover in 2005 – needing to be put under the microscope.

Indeed, cast your mind back to the summer of 2009. United had just romped to a third successive Premier League title, having also been defeated by Barcelona in what was a second Champions League final in a row.

Two league titles and another outing in a European showpiece did follow over the next four years, yet that moment marked the beginning of the end for the last of Ferguson’s great United sides, with Carlos Tevez moving on to upstart rivals Manchester City, while Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a long-awaited, world record switch to Real Madrid.

To make matters worse, the incomings could hardly have been more underwhelming. Ronaldo’s number seven shirt was taken over by an ageing Michael Owen, while options on the flanks were ‘bolstered’ by the signings of Antonio Valencia and, who can forget, Gabriel Obertan.

In many ways, that Ronaldo-shaped void on the flanks has hardly been filled in the years since, despite a plethora of attacking signings. Could that soon be set to change?

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

Ruben Amorim’s pursuit of Matheus Cunha has highlighted that the Portuguese is potentially seeking a different profile of player to operate in one of the two number ten berths, with the towering Wolverhampton Wanderers man more comfortable in a central role than on the flanks.

The need for a genuine winger in the 3-4-3 setup can be questioned – a fact highlighted by doubts over Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Old Trafford – although it is not unrealistic to assume that a potential attacking target could be moulded into what Amorim wants from his forwards.

Sometimes, there are options out there that are simply too good to ignore, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue seemingly one of them. As reported in Spain, the Red Devils are believed to be ‘vying’ for the Frenchman’s signature.

Transfer Focus

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

The highly-rated teenager only made the move to Paris from Stade Rennais on a £43m deal last summer, although a dazzling debut campaign at the Parc des Princes has earned unsurprising glances from afar, with INEOS said to have placed the 19-year-old at the ‘centre of their transfer radar’.

The suggestion is that such interest ‘goes beyond’ simply monitoring his progress, although a deal certainly ‘won’t be easy’ – not least if Luis Enrique and co stick to their reported €300m (£275m) asking price.

Something would have to give in that regard if a deal was to be agreed, although a move for Doue could represent United’s best since the days of ‘CR7’.

Man Utd could land their best winger since Ronaldo

Once the home of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, the Theatre of Dreams has become a real graveyard for wingers, in particular, in recent times, with a raft of high profile stars having come and gone across the last decade or so.

Antony

96

12

5

17

Anthony Elanga

55

4

4

8

Amad

57

12

10

22

Jadon Sancho

83

12

6

18

Alejandro Garnacho

138

25

21

45

Dan James

74

9

9

18

Angel Di Maria

34

4

12

16

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

63

13

11

24

Memphis Depay

53

7

6

13

As evidenced in the table above, marquee moves for the likes of Jadon Sancho and Antony – signed for £73m and £86m, respectively – have simply backfired, with United rarely getting bang for their buck.

Perhaps only Marcus Rashford – now out on loan at Aston Villa – has truly impressed for an extended period in the wake of Ronaldo, after chalking up 138 goals in 426 games, albeit with the Englishman’s best work having perhaps actually come in a central role, rather than out wide.

Has there really been anyone close to Ronaldo’s ilk post-2009?

Has anyone come close to the Portuguese’s Ballon d’Or-winning pomp in 2008, when he ravaged all before him?

It is still early days in his senior career, although the teenage Doue is showing signs of potentially emerging as a world-class sensation in his own right, having been hailed as a “superstar in the making” by journalist Julien Laurens.

Likened to his idol, Neymar, amid his switch to the French captial, the former Rennes starlet has already registered 25 goals and assists in 48 games in all competitions this season, including six goal involvements in just 14 Champions League outings.

It is that form on the continent which has notably caught the eye, with Doue memorably rifling home in exquisite fashion in PSG’s first-leg win over Villa, having left Emi Martinez looking utterly helpless in the visiting goal.

Described as the ‘talk of Europe’ by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, the in-demand winger also showed flashes of his quality against Arsenal on Tuesday night, having produced a delightful Neymar-esque touch at one stage to control the ball.

Fleet of foot and with a desire to beat his man, Doue perhaps emulates Ronaldo in that regard, with such dribbling prowess evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 4% among his European peers for successful take-ons, and in the top 7% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Also comfortable operating on either flank – much like Ronaldo was during his time under Fergie – the rising star looks destined to dazzle for years to come, with French football now boasting another ‘superstar’ to celebrate.

Yes, Amorim’s approach may not necessarily offer a home to a winger in the traditional sense, but Doue – who can also operate as a number ten – would a sensational upgrade in any of United’s attacking roles.

He could even end the long wait at Old Trafford for a Ronaldo-level superstar out wide…

Better than Osimhen: Man Utd close to agreement for "hottest CF in Europe"

Man Utd are ramping up their search for a new centre-forward this summer

ByRobbie Walls Apr 29, 2025