All posts by n8rngtd.top

Arsenal have a massive season ahead of them.

After all, they finished second in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce last season, and there is only so much time Mikel Arteta will have to bring the glory days back to the Emirates.

The good news is that the board seem intent on giving him all the help they can in the transfer window this summer, with a host of brilliant players already touted for a move to N5, like Eberechi Eze.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, Arsenal are now closing in on a deal to sign an international star who would be an even more exciting addition to the team than the Englishman.

Arsenal move to sign a new goalscorer

It was last week that stories linking Arsenal to Eze began to appear, but it was over the weekend that things supposedly accelerated in a meaningful way.

Transfer Focus

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

According to reports from Monday, the Gunners had held talks with the Crystal Palace star’s camp, and, according to Fabrizio Romano, he’s now more than open to a move to the Emirates.

The 27-year-old has a release clause in his current deal widely reported to be worth around £68m, but even at that price, he could still be worth going all out for.

Yet, it appears as if the North Londoners are now making serious progress in their attempts to sign someone who’d be an even more exciting addition: Viktor Gyokeres.

According to a recent report from Belgium, Arsenal are now in “advanced talks” with Sporting CP over the Swedish international, and feel like they are near the “final line” of the deal.

Moreover, it has been revealed that the club and player have already agreed personal terms.

A potential price is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this week claimed that a fee in the region of £69m could be enough to seal the deal.

It’s a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Gyokeres’ recent record, it could prove to be more than worth it, and he could end up being a far more exciting signing than Eze.

Why Gyokeres would be more exciting than Eze

While there are so many different things to enjoy in football, from a well-timed tackle to a wonderful ball over the top, there is one thing that excites fans more than anything else: goals.

When it really comes down to it, what supporters want to see above all else is their team putting the ball in the back of the net, and when it comes to that, there seem to be few, if any, better than Gyokeres.

It’s this reason why his arrival would be more thrilling than Eze’s, as he’s been a lean, mean goalscoring machine over the last two years.

For example, in his first campaign with Sporting, the “ball-striking monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4169 minutes, which comes out to an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game, or one every 71.87 minutes.

Then, somehow, he managed to do even better last season, scoring 54 goals and providing 13 assists in 52 appearances, totalling 4248 minutes, which comes out to a simply sensational average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

In contrast, Eze has scored 48 goals and provided 28 assists in the 167 appearances he’s made for Crystal Palace since joining them in 2020.

Ultimately, it is a little simplistic, but sometimes football can be an extraordinarily simple game, and based on the sheer weight of goals he’s scored in recent seasons, we can’t imagine many, if any, players being a more exciting signing for Arsenal than Gyokeres would be.

£60m Madueke upgrade: Arsenal eyeing "one of the fastest players in the PL"

Arsenal could sign a winger who’s one of the fastest players in the Premier League.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 2, 2025

Chelsea are the champions of the world. Before the final against Paris Saint-Germain, rivals all across England and beyond laughed at the thought of Enzo Maresca beating this unbeatable super-team.

But beat them Chelsea did, in fact dismantling the Parisians 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. PSG, having won the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, were firm favourites, but they were brushed aside by an incisive and energetic Blues side.

Not a bad maiden campaign, all told, for Maresca, whose side will now rest ahead of a new term which promises so much.

Who was it, then, who inspired the Londoners to victory? Who else?

Cole Palmer, once again on the biggest stage, stood up when his team needed a talisman.

Cole Palmer's show-stopping performance vs PSG

Crowned the Player of the Tournament after notching three goals and two assists across six matches – all of which came in the knockout stage – Palmer has proved that class is permanent with some stunning showings.

His first-half brace against Luis Enrique’s side was dispatched in typically cool fashion, with all that was could running through the Three Lions superstar.

Palmer, 23, is unquestionably Chelsea’s main man, also assisting Chelsea’s conclusive strike.

We’ve seen many times Palmer’s ability to channel some level of performance possible only through the boots of a select few geniuses across the globe, but there’s another who has the potential to become something special for the Stamford Bridge side, and he showed as much against PSG.

In fact, he’s demonstrating the properties which suggest he could be Maresca’s own version of one Didier Drogba.

Maresca has found Chelsea's new Drogba

Chelsea signed a certain Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £60m deal a few weeks ago, and it’s been quite the whirlwind start to this new chapter of his career.

Aged 23, Pedro is one of the most talented developing forwards in Europe, and Chelsea must feel they have hit the jackpot already, with his confident efforts in the United States certainly emitting a Drogba-esque sense.

He collected and converted Palmer’s pass with a deft dink to put the scoreline beyond PSG’s reach, a goal that Drogba in his pomp would have been proud of. It was audacious, just as the Ivorian was throughout much of his time in west London.

As a result of his efforts in the final, The London Standard awarded him with an 8/10 match rating, praising his tenacity and intelligent running to outfox the opposing backline.

Clinical, energetic and willing to get stuck in, Pedro has already showcased his blend of artful quality, his sharp technicality, and indeed a focus on the defensive side of the game that is reminiscent of Drogba in his Chelsea prime.

Luiz Felipe Scolari once called the Ivorian striker “one of the best in the world” during his time at Chelsea, owing to his big-game ability, work rate and robust passing game.

Pedro’s got a long way to go before he establishes a reputation of similar proportions as a Blue, but he’s off to a flyer, embodying many of those aforementioned virtues across the past week or so.

Chelsea have earned themselves a well-deserved rest ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Maresca, indeed, has bagged two pieces of silverware and a spot in next year’s Champions League proper.

We’ve had a taste of Pedro’s quality in the final third, and though big-money strikers haven’t always made it work in Blue, this combative and complete Brazilian might just prove to be a reincarnation of Drogba.

£80m Gittens upgrade: Chelsea have looked at signing "one of the PL's best"

Chelsea are hoping to make several more signings in the summer transfer market.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 13, 2025

Liverpool have sold Jarell Quansah. Liverpool’s defensive graduate has played his part over the past few years, replacing Joel Matip after the Cameroonian’s knee injury and then going on to win titles and cement himself as a first-team star.

Praised by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his “complete package”, Quansah is the perfect profile for a modern centre-back; however, he struggled to replicate his form under Arne Slot’s last wing, on the backfoot from the offing after his half-time substitution last August, the new coach bemoaning his side’s success in the duel during his opening match in the dugout against Ipswich Town.

It’s the events of Liverpool’s triumphant 2024/25 season that have led to Quansah’s sale, but the 22-year-old can certainly hold his head high after winning the Carabao Cup and Premier League, notching 58 Reds appearances in total.

Beginners luck? Not likely. This is a wonderful talent who has now been signed by German club Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35m. Liverpool have inserted a buyback clause.

Liverpool are having a fantastic transfer window, but they may yet have to contend with further exits to ruffle things up in Slot’s squad. Indeed, Luis Diaz is also being chased by one of the German Bundesliga’s heaviest hitters.

Why Luis Diaz could leave Liverpool

There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re of a Liverpool persuasion, but there’s no question that selling Diaz would be met with a measure of concern.

Bayern Munich have seen a formal approach rejected for the Colombian winger after Barcelona’s rebuffed bid at the start of June.

While Diaz’s contract expires in two years, there have been no concrete negotiations pertaining to a renewal. This has left the 28-year-old frustrated, for he earns a comparatively modest wage of £55k per week.

For FSG’s part, they are happy to run down Diaz’s contract, waiving any chance of banking a healthy fee and instead profiting from his performances on the pitch.

After all, Diaz is coming off his best campaign in a Liverpool shirt, notching 25 goal contributions and providing invaluable support as a makeshift centre-forward.

But there remains an interest in a long-term successor all the same.

Liverpool in talks to sign new winger

According to The Independent, Liverpool are one of the clubs in contact with Lyon winger Malick Fofana, although FSG know work is to be done if they are to win the race, for Nottingham Forest have had an official bid accepted already.

Lyon have been provisionally relegated from Ligue 1 for financial troubles, thus widening the opportunity for suitors to sign Fofana, 20, this summer.

He won’t go cheap though. The French giants have slapped a €60m (£51m) price tag on their rising star, and that figure may yet soar as Lyon seek to hold out and drum up as much interest as possible.

Why Liverpool should sign Malick Fofana

Sporting director Richard Hughes has been tracking Fofana for a while, and his style of football suggests he would be an ideal addition to emulate the success Diaz has enjoyed on Merseyside.

Fofana, who has already made his international debut with Belgium, has been praised for his “explosive” style of play by analyst Ben Mattinson, bearing pace and physicality that isn’t too far away from Diaz’s robust skill set.

Joining from Belgian team Gent for a fee rising to €22m (£19m) in January 2024, he’s certainly shown himself to possess a clinical eye, scoring 15 goals and supplying seven assists across 62 appearances, of which only 29 have been starts.

The majority of those contributions came last term, with Fofana’s 11-goal and six-assist haul marking the beginning of a prolific journey that could see him emulate Diaz at Liverpool.

When looking at how the two wingers ranked up across all competitions in 2024/25 for their respective clubs, there’s perhaps a curious point to be made regarding Fofana’s (and in sequence Diaz’s) output, more creative and marginally more prolific than his counterpart.

Add his unrelenting ball-carrying into the bargain and you’ve got a wide forward capable of playing the role which Diaz plies so effectively for the Anfield outfit. In March, Fofana freed himself from his teenage years; the best is yet to come.

But that’s not to say he hasn’t shown his quality against heavy hitters. Only a few months ago, he racked up an assist against Manchester United in that extraordinary Europa League knockout tie. The Red Devils went through but the Belgian winger added to his earlier success in the competition with an impactful off-the-bench performance.

Did we mention that across his 16 Ligue 1 starts last season, the left-sided, right-footed forward scored five goals, missing only four big chances, created six big chances and won 54% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore. Combative and creative, he’s the full package.

Stepping into the Premier League while still finding his feet as a professional would make Fofana a risk for Liverpool to make, but an educated one at that. He wouldn’t be expected to perform with the slick intensity that Diaz brings, not from the offing, but there’s no question he has the tools to replace and maybe even improve upon Slot’s South American sensation.

Liverpool’s boss has already demonstrated an incredible coaching aptitude on English soil, lifting the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo (who adds perfect competition on the left flank).

This is a talent of immense potential, and with so many clubs queuing up, Liverpool might want to take their shot before it’s too late.

Dream Diaz upgrade: Liverpool "discussing" move for "world-class" £85m star

Liverpool could be ramping up their pursuit of a new forward…

By
Robbie Walls

Jul 2, 2025

Tottenham are working on other targets amid the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

Thomas Frank will be hoping for a conclusion to the drama fairly soon, given the England international was scheduled to undergo a Hotspur Way medical eight days ago before Forest ultimately blocked the transfer.

Player's camp in talks with Tottenham, Frank convinced he'd join Spurs

The Dane is personally confident they can secure his signature.

2

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 18, 2025

They’ve written a letter to both Spurs and the player’s agent threatening legal action, following what they deem to be an unlawful approach for the 25-year-old, and this has put an unceremonious halt to Gibbs-White’s north London switch (Sky Sports).

Nevertheless, Tottenham remain hopeful they’ll eventually get the green-light to make Gibbs-White their fourth signing of the summer after Mathys Tel, Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus (Fabrizio Romano), even if Forest insist he’s not going anywhere (Sky Sports).

Chairman Daniel Levy was ready to trigger Gibbs-White’s ‘confidential’ £60 million release clause before Forest stepped in, and they’re not looking for a ‘quick resolution’.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out from here,” said BBC Radio Nottingham’s Colin Fray.

“Most thought it would be ironed out and the transfer go through. Not many were expecting him back at training and here he is. That is another twist in the story.

“Forest have set their stall out that they aren’t looking for a quick resolution. They want to keep him.”

Amid this messy situation, the Lilywhites do have other plans they’re looking to see through before deadline day on September 1.

Tottenham reportedly want a new holding midfielder and number six. Talks have reportedly been held with Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha’s representatives, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, and it is believed by some that Juventus ace Douglas Luiz is keen on a move to Spurs – just one year after his switch to Turin from Aston Villa.

As well as this, a new centre-back is on the agenda, and Ukraine international Illia Zabarnyi is re-emerging as a top target.

Tottenham ready to pay £60m-plus for Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi

As per Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, via his official website, Tottenham are actively trying for Zabarnyi, despite his eagerness to join European champions PSG.

Di Marzio also reports that Tottenham are ready to pay north of £60 million for Zabarnyi, the amount “requested” by Bournemouth, if they’re given encouragement that the 22-year-old will forego a switch to France in favour of N17.

PSG have seen multiple bids rejected for Zabarnyi, worth up to £52 million, and they’re yet to return with an improved offer. Given Spurs are prepared to go higher and meet Zabarnyi’s asking price, this could open the door for Frank’s side, but it will hinge on the player’s own decision.

The defender has been a rock at the heart of Bournemouth’s defence and played a key role in their chase for European football last season.

“He is probably the most underrated player,” said pundit Jamie Redknapp.

“I also spoke with Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko, and he mentioned that Illia has everything it takes to reach the next level. Everyone is talking about Dean Huijsen. Yes, he is a fantastic young player, but Zabarnyi plays very aggressively in defense as well. I was genuinely impressed by him. He shows remarkable calmness on the pitch.”

In the latest from our series focusing on players who swam against the tide during their careers, we take a look at one of Germany's great sporting rebels

"We do what we want? Revolutionaries against authority: 16:0!" That was the message displayed on a banner by Bayern Munich fans during their team's game at Augsburg back in April to commemorate the great revolt within the club of March 1979.

Led by captain Sepp Maier and midfielder Paul Breitner, the Bayern players seized power in Bavaria to overthrow authoritarian, long-time president Wilhelm Neudecker and pave the way for the Uli Hoeness to take over and usher in the modern Bayern Munich.

That Breitner was at the heart of it came as little surprise, since he was someone who personified the term 'rebel; a player for whom accepting the status quo just wasn't an option.

• Getty Images
  

  The spark

  After the club's golden era in the early 1970s, during which they won three European Cups, Bayern slipped into a veritable crisis, both in sporting and economic terms. In dire straits, club president Neudecker saw only one path towards salvation: Appointing Max Merkel (pictured) as the team's new manager.

  Legendary Austrian coach Merkel had led both Bayern's rivals 1860 Munich and FC Nurnberg to league titles in the 1960s using questionable methods, earning himself the nickname 'Peitschenknaller' – the whip cracker.

  Unsurprisingly, Bayern's players had no desire to endure Merkel's torture, and after a 4-0 home defeat to Arminia Bielefeld, they made a deal with Neudecker. If the team earned at least three points from their following two away games (with a win worth two points) against Eintracht Braunschweig and Borussia Monchengladbach, popular interim coach Pal Csernai would be allowed to stay on. Otherwise, they would accept Merkel.

  Just before the first of those games, key players Maier and Breitner fell ill while star striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge picked up an injury. Nevertheless, the all-important trio fought through and helped the team secure a 0-0 draw. The jubilation after the final whistle was great, but that turned to anger when the players subsequently learned that Neudecker and Merkel had long since signed a contract.

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• Getty Images
  

  Back on top

  "Sepp and I went to the team and said, 'Not with us'," Breitner later recounted of the incident. Backed by the 14 remaining squad players, he and Meier told Neudecker that evening that if the deal is broken and Merkel took over, the team would go on strike.

  Completely taken aback by such a drastic reaction, Neudecker resigned after 17 years in office. Csernai was kept in charge, and the team went onto achieved their now-irrelevant three-point target with a spectacular 7-1 victory over Gladbach.

  "That was something that had never happened before in German football," said Breitner, who was 27 at the time. "The fact that we turned against the coach and thus also against the president, that we took revolutionary steps – that's something that Germans don't normally accept." The public outcry was correspondingly huge, but the revolt was unstoppable.

  Maier had to end his career in the summer of 1979 after a car accident, leaving Breitner to take over the captain's armband. His childhood friend Hoeness, who was the same age but could no longer play due to a knee injury, filled the power vacuum created by Neudecker's departure at the administrative level and became the youngest general manager in the Bundesliga.

  Together, they catapulted Bayern back to the top. Breitner, in collaboration with Rummenigge, led to two league titles while Hoeness ensured the club's economic recovery with clever advertising deals and transfers.

• Complicated figure

  Breitner and Hoeness had been on the pitch together as Germany won the 1974 World Cup final, with the former already something of a rebel back then as his his flowing mane and beard made him look like Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara.

  Breitner's behaviour gave creed to those comparisons, too. Without being assigned to do so, he converted the penalty to make it 1-1 against the Netherlands in the final, and when the players' wives were not invited to the subsequent German FA (DFB) victory celebration, the then-22-year-old promptly resigned from the national team – a decision he later reversed.

  There are several such contradictions in Breitner's life. He posed under a picture of the controversial Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong with the German edition of China's state-owned newspaper – in his hands. However, after the 1974 World Cup, he transferred to the ultimate establishment club, Real Madrid, which was exploited by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.

  once dubbedBreitner a "left-wing rebel with a Maserati and a pool". Just like Hoeness, Breitner used the early forms of football commercialisation to enrich himself, appearing in films and signing advertising contracts with companies such as McDonald's. In reality, Breitner just did as he pleased without a care for who might be offended by actions.

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  Taking on Bayern (again)

  Breitner ended his playing career in 1983 at the age of just 31. He was later inducted into the Bayern Hall of Fame, during which the club called him "an eccentric, a revolutionary, a maverick, an uncomfortable rebel – a footballer who divided opinion."

  Breitner lived up to these attributes even after his career ended. As a newspaper columnist, he regularly clashed with his former club and, above all, with his childhood friend Hoeness, who was still in charge in Bavaria. Their relationship suffered greatly as a result, but Breitner did eventually return to Bayern as a brand ambassador. Nevertheless, he "talked himself out of part of his own career," Rummenigge said. "But Paul was always authentic, an exotic character, a little crazy, but also always interesting."

Everton are now preparing a fresh offer for a player who is valued at £40m by his current club, according to a new update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Everton "not ready" for new Premier League season

Blues supporters may be growing a little restless at the lack of activity on show at the club this summer, even though The Friedkin Group have made plenty of funds available for David Moyes.

While it is clearly a case of bringing in the right players rather than rushing into deals, Moyes has admitted that Everton are “not ready” for the start of the Premier League season currently, which may cause some alarm among the fanbase.

That’s not to say that the Blues haven’t already conducted some strong business, including Thierno Barry and Carlos Alcaraz, but more new faces are needed if the Merseysiders are to make a genuine impression next season.

Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling has emerged as a hugely exciting target, with the reliable Paul Joyce of The Times reporting that they have seen a £27m bid turned down for the Englishman.

Everton preparing second offer for "special" £40m star

According to Romano on X, Everton are now preparing a new offer for Dibling – one that is likely to be closer to the £40m that Saints reportedly value him at.

The idea of Dibling in a Blues shirt is mouthwatering, with the attacking midfielder one of the few bright sparks for a Southampton team that were comfortably relegated from the Premier League last season.

The 19-year-old popped up with two goals apiece in the league and the FA Cup, catching the eye with his left foot from either a right-sided or central role, both of which have to be areas of focus for Everton this summer.

Dibling has shown that he can excel in the Premier League in a struggling team, so hopefully, he will shine even more alongside superior players than at Southampton.

Everton pushing in race to sign "superb" Douglas Luiz alternative for Moyes

Moyes is still seeking reinforcements.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 31, 2025

If the Blues had Iliman Ndiaye on one flank and the Saints star on the other, it could make for highly entertaining viewing for supporters in their new stadium.

Angel Di Maria showed that form is temporary and class is permanent with a remarkable Olimpico goal for Rosario Central against Boca Juniors. The 37-year-old stunned fans at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito after scoring directly from a corner kick at the weekend.

• Di Maria scores one of his best ever goals

  The former Real Madrid star rolled back the years on Sunday when he scored a rare Olimpico in his team's 1-1 draw with Boca Juniors. And quite rightly, the ex-Argentina international and his Rosario team-mates went wild over his moment of magic.

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• Watch Di Maria's Olimpico

• Di Maria still going strong at 37

  Despite entering his late 30s, former Manchester United man Di Maria is still showing he has something to give to the game of football. The ex-Paris Saint-Germain attacker scored 36 goals in 92 games in his second stint at Benfica and after leaving the Portuguese giants this summer, he has started brightly at Rosario – scoring three goals in four games. And goals like these show his quality is still there.

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  What next for Di Maria and Rosario Central?

  Di Maria's side, who sit sixth in Group B of the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division, are back in league action on Sunday when they host Talleres Cordoba. Realistically, they need to win that game against the second-from-bottom side if they want to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Harry Kane has been warned off a future career in NFL, with the England international told that “monsters” will be waiting to “hit” him in a different form of football. The Bayern Munich striker has been advised to focus on playing soccer until his 40, allowing him to score “a million goals” and retire in peace without having to put his body on the line again.

• Swap one form of football for another

  Kane, who is a big American football fan, has hinted at exploring a move that would see him become a kicker in the NFL. He would welcome the opportunity to swap goal-getting for points scoring.

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  Emulate longevity of Ronaldso & Messi

  The 32-year-old striker has, however, admitted that he wants to spend as long as possible playing at the highest level in soccer circles before any thought is given to a change in scenery. He could emulate the longevity of all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

• Rough treatment: Kane sent warning

  If that proves to be the case, then former Manchester United and Italy frontman Giuseppe Rossi – who was born in America and spent time in MLS – believes that Kane should steer well clear of giant physical specimens that would like nothing more than to rough him up.

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  Kane advice from American-born ex-MLS star

  Rossi – speaking to , who offer the latest Champions League betting – said: “Listen, there's one piece of advice I'm going to give Harry Kane (about the NFL): Don't do it. You just need to get hit once, and you're done.

  “I actually had this debate with two ex-NFL players. I was telling them I could easily play in the NFL. He said, ‘You don't want to get hit by these guys; these guys are monsters.’ I took a quick look at them and thought, ‘You know what?’ You're probably right. Who the hell wants to get hit?’

  “Hopefully, he retires at 40 years old because I love watching him play. He retires at 40 years old, and he can kick, but sometimes a kicker does get hit, and you don't want that to happen. So, I hope he stays to play his football and scores a million goals and enjoys himself.”

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke watched on as his side held Spanish side Valencia to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The Whites are continuing to prepare for their Premier League opener against Everton later this month, as they return to the top-flight after a two-year absence.

Dutch centre-forward Joel Piroe smashed the ball in from close range to equalise against Valencia on Saturday, and it remains to be seen what kind of role he will play next season.

The former Swansea star scored 19 goals in the Championship in the 2024/25 campaign, but Football Insider claimed that the club have doubts over his ability to make the step up to the Premier League.

Whilst there are doubts over Piroe’s suitability to play at that level, it is also worth adding that Farke will need to find goals across the pitch from his players, not just from his centre-forward.

When Leeds were promoted under Marcelo Bielsa back in 2020, the Argentine head coach had a host of stars who carried a threat in the final third, including Mateusz Klich.

Why Leeds need the next Mateusz Klich

Farke needs to find his own version of the Poland international, because the central midfielder was a crucial part of the club’s success when they returned to the Premier League five years ago.

Klich produced five goals and seven assists in his first two years in the English top-flight with the Whites, which shows that he offered a decent threat from a midfield position.

The right-footed dynamo was particularly important to the team in the 2020/21 campaign, immediately after promotion, with a return of four goals and five assists for Bielsa.

Klich handled the step up to the Premier League, after a haul of six goals and five assists in the Championship in the season before that, to make himself a valuable player for the West Yorkshire outfit.

As you can see in the table above, the Polish star ended up with an above-average goal tally for his position, despite having a below-average xG created for him.

The former FC Twente star also ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of creative statistics, which shows that he helped to create goals for his teammates as well as offering a goal threat himself.

Providing attacking contributions from midfield helped to take the weight off the likes of Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford, which is why Leeds need to find their own version of Klich to ease the pressure on Piroe.

Leeds in the race to sign Championship star

According to A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds United are one of a number of teams in the race to sign Southampton central midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer.

The report claims that Leeds, Aston Villa, and Atletico Madrid are all interested in a deal to snap up the Portugal U21 international before the end of the 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 reveals that the 21-year-old talent, who only signed for the Saints from Sporting last year, is open to making a return to the Premier League after being relegated earlier this year.

Sport Witness adds that A Bola previously reported that Southampton are looking for a fee in excess of €35m (£30m) for the midfield talent this summer.

It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds, or either of the other two interested clubs, are prepared to spend that much on Fernandes to bolster their squad.

Why Leeds should sign Mateus Fernandes

The Whites should push to win this race with Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid for the Southampton central midfielder because he could be Farke’s own version of Klich at Elland Road in the coming season.

Like the former Leeds star, Fernandes is a central or attacking midfield player who provides dynamic and energetic performances in the middle of the park, adding a threat at the top end of the pitch.

Southampton finished rock bottom of the Premier League with just 16 points and two wins on the board, which means that the midfielder did not get to showcase the very best of his abilities, as he was in a team that struggled badly week-in-week-out.

However, the 21-year-old talent, who was once praised for his “exceptional” passing quality by analyst Ben Mattinson, was still able to end the season with a solid return of three goals and six assists in all competitions for the Saints, which is not dissimilar to Klich’s haul from the 2020/21 campaign for Leeds.

Fernandes created six ‘big chances’ and 3.64 xA in the Premier League in a dismal Southampton side, which suggests that he could offer a very decent threat in the final third in a team that is better equipped for a shot at avoiding relegation from the division.

The Leeds target, who ranked within the top 11% of midfielders in the division for successful take-ons (1.52) per 90, was able to shine and showcase some of his qualities on the pitch in spite of the team that he was playing for.

As you can see in the table above, his statistics in the Premier League last season earned him comparisons to some top players in the division, including the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joao Gomes.

The dynamic midfield star, who averaged 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game, could come in as Farke’s own Klich because he is a Premier League proven midfielder who can provide quality in front of goal and out of possession by winning tackles and interceptions for his side.

That is why the Whites should be pushing to bring Fernandes to the club to alleviate some of the pressure from their attacking players, by signing a midfielder who can offer a threat at the top end of the pitch.

Leeds United are in the market for Premier League firepower and could now be about to step up their pursuit of a forward who proved his worth last term, according to a report.

Leeds United set to welcome Dominic Calvert-Lewin

After Lukas Nmecha joined earlier this summer, Leeds are set to sign free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the expiration of his contract at Everton ahead of the competitive season.

Of course, there is a scenario where he could make his debut in an emotionally-charged encounter against the Toffees on Monday, where Daniel Farke will want his side to impose themselves at Elland Road to get off to a flying start.

Finally, Leeds have added some Premier League experience to their strikeforce after Farke’s demand to secure more attacking reinforcements, and there could well be more to come if his words after last weekend’s draw against AC Milan are anything to go by.

He stated: “In comparison to our Championship squad, we have not improved the offence. To have a squad capable to survive in the top flight, we need to strengthen. In offence, we need some top-class signings, not just numbers.”

Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss could also join Leeds to provide an element of creativity. Nevertheless, the Whites are far from the only club in the race for the Moroccan international.

With the campaign now here and excitement brewing at Elland Road, it will be up to the 49ers to deliver on Farke’s needs to ensure the Yorkshire outfit are well-placed to retain their top-flight status, something that could be made easier if they can recruit their latest target.

Leeds United set to submit official bid to land Beto

According to Football Insider, Leeds United are set to submit a formal offer for Everton striker Beto that will come in at somewhere between £20 million to £22 million.

Last term, the Guinea-Bissau international was described as a “whole different player” by Troy Deeney after his introduction as a starter under David Moyes.

Instant upgrade on Calvert-Lewin: Leeds in talks to sign £43m "revelation"

Leeds are not done shopping for a new striker, even after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s arrival…

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By
Joe Nuttall

Aug 14, 2025

Despite being a peripheral figure at the start of 2024/25, he ended the campaign with a respectable tally of 12 goals from 35 appearances as the Toffees secured a comfortable finish.

Eight of his strikes came inside 20 Premier League outings, meaning Leeds could inherit someone with a strike-rate of one goal every 2.5 matches in the top-flight, taking some of the burden off Joel Piroe, Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin, once the latter is officially announced.

While Beto’s arrival would leave Leeds with quite a few striking options, there is no doubt he would only serve to improve their chances of staying in the Premier League.