Aston Villa head into today’s match against Crystal Palace with a chance to finish in the top half of the Premier League table, something which looked unlikely when Steven Gerrard joined from Rangers in mid-November.
The 41-year-old has endured a turbulent campaign so far, but the chance of a top-half finish would be an excellent base to build upon for next season as Gerrard aims to take Villa into Europe.
What’s the news?
However, there is some worrying news from a Villa perspective ahead of today’s match, and it concerns striker Ollie Watkins.
Gerrard stated after the midweek defeat to Liverpool that “there might be a small injury to Ollie and we will have to analyse that”.
Although no more information was given, it could mean that the striker will miss the last three matches of the Premier League campaign. This will be a big worry to Gerrard, who might need to make a few tactical tweaks this afternoon.
Gerrard will be gutted
Watkins has scored 10 times this season whilst having 2.39 shots on target per 90 minutes. That tally might not seem like much over the course of the season, but he is currently Villa’s highest scorer, with Danny Ings second on seven goals.
This shows the importance of the 26-year-old and may spark fears that the Villans could struggle for goals against Palace, although new permanent signing Philippe Coutinho could well stand up and power the team to victory.
Its clear that Gerrard needs further firepower if he wishes to take the next step with Villa, with a move for Lille’s Jonathan David being touted during the summer transfer window as part of a potential overhaul of the Midlanders’ attacking options.
It looks like an exciting time to be a Villa supporter if that move comes off, but the possible absence of Watkins for the rest of the current campaign could be a big setback in the short-term which will leave Gerrard gutted.
AND in other news, Lange plotting Villa swoop for “fearless” 87-goal monster, he’s even better than Watkins
Liverpool travel to Wembley to take on Chelsea this afternoon in their second cup final clash against the Blues this year, and there have been some fitness doubts in the Londoners’ squad which will be a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp.
What’s the latest?
Thomas Tuchel took to his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon to cast doubt on N’Golo Kante’s availability for the final today.
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The Chelsea manager told the press about the Frenchman (via Chelsea’s official website): “He’s also trying and tried yesterday in team training and did more or less everything, hopefully now without a reaction,”
“It was a reduced training session because of the travel and fatigue so it was not a high-intensity training session but we will also try today with him.”
The midfielder is racing to recover from an injury he sustained in the Blues’ draw against Manchester United a couple of weeks ago and has missed three games so far.
Klopp will be relieved
If Kante isn’t in the line-up, it will be a huge boost for Liverpool when attempting to win the midfield battles this afternoon. Klopp will surely be relieved to see the Chelsea colossus missing, especially with Fabinho unavailable for selection after sustaining a hamstring strain earlier this week.
James Pearce revealed on Thursday morning that Jordan Henderson would reprise his role in the centre of the pitch to cover for the injured Brazilian, tweeting: “Jordan Henderson set to play the holding role in Saturday’s FA Cup final.”
Although not the starting midfield that the Liverpool manager may have envisioned playing in the final, Klopp still has solid options like the club captain to cover in the midfield three. With Henderson’s experience and leadership, there is no reason why he can’t inspire the Reds to victory against Chelsea this afternoon.
The Blues have been going through a period of inconsistent form in the Premier League lately, with only two wins from their last six games, whereas Liverpool continue their long unbeaten run in the top flight as they chase for the title.
However, with the two sides meeting three times over the season so far in all competitions, neither has managed to get a winning result inside 90 minutes, so it will be interesting to see if this match goes all the way to penalties like it did in the Carabao Cup final.
AND in other news: Liverpool eye summer move for £144m-rated “golden boy”, he’s even better than Haaland
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Jonas Hofmann to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by German publication SportBILD (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici is in regular contact with Borussia Monchengladbach concerning a potential move for the versatile right-winger, who looks set to leave the Bundesliga side this summer.
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The report goes on to state that, with the 29-year-old’s current deal at Borussia-Park due to expire in June of 2023, the midfielder is set to make a decision on his future in the coming weeks, with a concrete offer from either Tottenham or Atletico Madrid – who are also keeping tabs on the Germany international – expected to be accepted by Gladbach.
Imagine him & Dejan
With Hofmann being an attack-minded, incredibly versatile and extremely hard-working midfielder, it is easy to see why Antonio Conte would be interested in a deal for the Monchengladbach maverick this summer.
Indeed, over his 24 Bundesliga appearances this season, the £14.4m-rated dynamo has been one of the standout performers in the German top flight, scoring ten goals, registering four assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.1 shots, making 2.8 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.
These returns have seen the £53k-per-week talent average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.33, not only ranking him as Adi Hutter’s best performer in the league but also as the joint eighth-best player in the division as a whole.
Aside from his impressive form this season, the 29-year-old’s characteristics on the pitch would also appear to match Conte’s own philosophies perfectly, as well as being something that would seem to draw comparisons between Hofmann and Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski.
Indeed, the Bundesliga website state of the “outstanding” – in the words of Dieter Hecking – German’s traits: “There’s only one thing on Hofmann’s mind when he gets on the ball: to attack the opposition as quickly and directly as possible.
“Able to play on either flank, he is blessed with pace and a ballerina’s balance, allowing him to quickly change direction and dart past defenders. Hofmann has switched to a more central role in recent seasons, able to operate as a wily playmaker just behind the strikers.”
As such, the prospect of Hofmann linking up with the likes of Kulusevski and Son Heung-min behind Harry Kane in the Tottenham attack next season will certainly be a mouthwatering prospect for supporters and Conte alike, leading us to believe that Paratici simply must do everything he can to land the Monchengladbach maestro this summer.
AND in other news: Paratici keen on “exciting” £25m Spurs deal, he’d be a “difference maker” for Conte
Fabrizio Romano has dropped a transfer update on Leeds United winger Raphinha, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.
The Lowdown: Deco talks
Reports earlier this month suggested that Deco, Raphinha’s agent, jetted out to Barcelona looking to progress talks over a summer transfer.
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Both Deco and the Catalan giants were looking to finalise personal terms in what could be a five-year deal at the Nou Camp.
Raphinha has remained fully focused at Elland Road, with Jesse Marsch’s side five points clear of safety after picking up 11 points from a possible 15.
The Latest: Romano’s reply
Romano, who has 7.6m Twitter followers, took to the platform on Wednesday morning to reply to rumours regarding Barcelona and Raphinha.
He clarified the situation when responding to a fan, saying Barcelona and Leeds haven’t spoken over a move as of yet, with the only talks involving Raphinha’s representatives themselves.
The transfer expert’s reply went under the radar due its place mid-way through a conversation between other users, receiving just over 1,100 likes – about 0.014 per cent of his following.
“Still no talks Barça/Leeds – it’s only on player side. Too early to say he’s close to join FCB – even because he’s focused on Leeds now, important games are coming.”
The Verdict: Exit inevitable?
Even though Leeds are yet to discuss a move with Barcelona in regards to Raphinha, it does appear that a summer exit from Elland Road is inevitable.
The Whites will want to ensure they get the best possible deal, should they decide to sell, making Premier League safety even more important.
There is apparently a €25m relegation release clause in the 25-year-old’s deal but no release clause if Leeds remain in the top flight, so the Whites could bring in a huge fee if they stay up.
In other news: Radz and 49ers will now reward Marsch if he keeps Leeds up by moving for 29-goal forward.
West Bromwich Albion are back in action in the Championship this evening as they prepare to travel to St. Mary’s to take on an in-form Southampton side.
The Saints, now led by Tonda Eckert, have won five of their last six matches in the division, beating Birmingham City 3-1 in their most recent outing.
Ryan Mason will have to make some tweaks to his side after they were beaten 3-1 by QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday, and Josh Maja is one star who could lose his place in the XI.
Why Ryan Mason should drop Josh Maja for West Brom
The Nigeria international was given a starting berth for the trip to West London after he came off the bench to provide an assist in the 3-2 comeback win over Swansea in the previous game.
Unfortunately, though, the former Sunderland centre-forward was unable to build on that assist with another strong performance, as he struggled against QPR.
Maja joined Aune Heggebo to form a front two for the Baggies in London, but was unable to provide much of a threat at the top end of the pitch in a drab loss.
Minutes
64
Shots
1
Touches
20
Possession lost
8x
Key passes
0
Duels won
2/5
As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old attacker offered very little in the final third and was wasteful with his use of the ball, only retaining possession 12 times from his 20 touches.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
With this in mind, Mason should ruthlessly ditch the striker from the starting line-up to bring Isaac Price back into the starting line-up as a number ten against Southampton.
Why West Brom should unleash Isaac Price against Southampton
The Northern Ireland international should be brought back into the side for multiple reasons, and not only for the attacking quality that he can provide.
As a natural attacking midfielder, Price replacing Maja could make West Brom more difficult to play through than they were in a 4-4-2 shape against QPR, as the youngster can drop into a midfield three, making it a 4-5-1 out of possession, which Maja would not be comfortable doing.
This is why bringing the former Standard Liege talent into the team could make a lot of sense for tactical reasons, ahead of a clash with an in-form Southampton team that will be expected to be on the front foot.
Of course, Price should also come into the starting XI because he has the potential to offer more quality to the side at the top end of the pitch than Maja does.
The 22-year-old star, who was described as a “breath of fresh air” by Chris Brunt, has been more effective than the Nigerian centre-forward with his play in and out of possession in the Championship so far this season.
Appearances
17
19
xG
1.88
4.65
Goals
1
5
Key passes per game
0.4
1.4
Big chances created
0
3
Assists
1
2
Duel success rate
36%
49%
As you can see in the table above, Price has scored four more goals, outperforming his xG, and created chances for the team on a far more regular basis than Maja.
These statistics suggest that the Northern Irish talent is far more likely to be a difference-maker in the final third against Southampton this evening, which is why he should be given the nod from the start in the hope that he can make an impact at St. Mary’s.
Their respective success rate in duels also further backs up the belief that Price would be the better option out of the two for West Brom’s plan out of possession, as he is better in his physical battles against opposition players.
Given that Southampton have won five of their last six games, the Baggies will need to roll up their sleeves and put in a lot of fight to come away from Hampshire with some points, and Price seems more likely to be effective in that situation.
West Brom gem who left for £4m is now worth more than entire squad combined
This former West Brom talent is now worth more than every player in the current squad combined.
ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025
Therefore, Mason must ruthlessly drop Maja from the starting line-up, after one match, to bring Price back into the side in an attempt to secure a positive result against Southampton this evening.
It was yet another devastating result for Manchester United. The Red Devils slumped to another defeat, this time losing 3-1 away from home to Brentford. Ruben Amorim’s side have now lost three games in the top flight this season, winning just two and drawing the other.
That is merely a continuation of the dismal form shown under their Portuguese manager. United have only won 12 games under Amorim in not far off one year, and are yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League.
Their trip to the Gtech Community was a chance to do just that. However, two first-half goals from Igor Thiago in the first half, and a late strike from Vitaly Janelt were enough to seal the three points for the Bees.
The only real positive for United was the fact that Benjamin Sesko bagged his first goal for the club. It was a strike that showed lots of fight, scrapping for a ball in the penalty box before finally firing a shot into the back of the net.
It was another disappointing day at the office for Amorim’s side. No one really covered themselves in glory. One player who struggled was defender Luke Shaw.
Shaw’s performance vs. Brentford
One of the Red Devils’ most experienced players, Shaw, once again started as the left centre-back in Amoirm’s infamous back three system. He has certainly had better performances in a United shirt.
The England international, who is normally excellent on the ball, was surprisingly poor in possession in West London. Out of possession, he struggled against the physicality of Brentford’s forwards, including goalscorer Thiago.
In terms of his numbers from the lunchtime kickoff, the 30-year-old had 71 touches, losing the ball 17 times. He only won one duel from four attempted, and made one error, which led to a Brentford shot, per Sofascore.
Goal journalist Richard Martin seemingly agreed that the experienced defender did not put in his best performance against the West Londoners. He gave him a 5/10 for his efforts and highlighted his struggles with the ball at his feet, describing him as “sloppy in possession.”
It was certainly not Shaw’s best day at the office, although he was not United’s worst player at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The United player who worse than Shaw
Shaw was certainly not the only player in a United shirt who struggled against the Bees. Harry Maguire was at fault for the first goal, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could have done better for the second strike.
However, Bruno Fernandes put in a surprisingly poor performance. The United captain had his afternoon summed up by Statman Dave, who called the situation a “nightmare.” Indeed, he struggled to get involved creatively and, crucially, missed a penalty.
That effort from 12 yards was certainly not his finest moment of the season. The second penalty he’s missed in West London this season, Fernandes struck his effort low to the goalkeeper’s left, which Caoimhin Kelleher easily managed to tip away.
It was a moment that summed up Fernandes’ afternoon. The Portugal international, once again operating deeper in a pivot, struggled to create a chance, playing just one key pass, and losing the ball 18 times.
Touches
81
Pass accuracy
78%
Passes completed
54/69
Ground duels won
3/6
Number of times ball lost
18
Long balls completed
5/11
Penalties missed
1
Key passes
1
Indeed, Martin seemed to agree that the United captain had a day to forget at the Gtech Community Stadium. He gave Fernandes a match rating of 4/10 and, unfortunately, did not have anything positive to discuss from his performance.
United’s number eight certainly was not involved enough creatively, either. Perhaps that is more on Amoirm rather than the reflection of a poor showing. Fernandes would surely be able to create more chances if he were playing further forward, rather than in a pivot. With that being said, perhaps you’d have expected him to create more with United chasing the game.
It was definitely a day to forget for Fernandes. Normally, such a consistent penalty taker, he missed from the spot to make it 2-2 and give United a fighting chance of getting a positive result.
Not just Obi: Man Utd have "dangerous" attacker who can be the next Rooney
Man United fans can get excited about this player’s talent.
Many people thought that Liverpool’s transition from life under Jurgen Klopp to their new era under Arne Slot would be a tough obstacle to navigate. However, that was not the case, given that the Reds stormed the Premier League in the Dutchman’s first season at the helm at Anfield.
In the end, it was a landslide victory for the Merseysiders, who finished on 84 points, ten points clear of second-place Arsenal. They also scored more goals than any other side, finding the back of the net 86 times throughout the course of the season.
In what was a memorable first campaign for Slot, there were some real standout players for the Reds.
Liverpool’s standout players in 24/25
Of course, the key to Liverpool winning the title last season was Mohamed Salah. The 33-year-old won the Golden Boot by some distance, scoring 29 times and assisting a further 18 in the 38 top-flight games.
In terms of attacking output, the now-departed Luis Diaz scored 13 times and assisted seven in the top flight, and Cody Gakpo bagged ten goals and set up five more.
Behind Salah, they were Liverpool’s most dangerous attackers.
Naturally, the Reds were strong at the back last season, with Alisson and Virgil van Dijk two key components to Slot’s title-winning success. However, Ibrahima Konate was “the best defender in the Premier League” according to former Chelsea and Arsenal centre-back William Gallas.
The 25-year-old, who signed for Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021, played 31 games in the top flight, forming a near-unbreachable partnership with Van Dijk. Konate even chipped in with one goal and two assists.
It was not just the likes of Salah, Gakpo and Konate who were the star men for Liverpool last season. One man in midfield really stood out, putting in consistently excellent performances week in, week out.
How Gravenberch's value has soared under Slot
Despite a transfer window in 2025 where Liverpool spent hundreds of millions of pounds, much of the squad that won the title last season was built by Klopp. Slot certainly landed on a formula that was able to secure the league with a squad that was, ultimately, not his.
One of those key players last term was Ajax academy graduate Ryan Gravenberch. The 23-year-old formed a hard-working midfield alongside the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, sitting as a lone number six in front of the back four.
His importance to Slot’s side is clear to see when you look at the number of games he played last term. Gravenberch featured in 49 matches across competitions, with 37 of those games coming in the Premier League.
Described as a “special” midfielder by football scout Antonio Mango, the former Ajax star excels at carrying the ball through the lines. That is a self-professed skill of his, with the Dutchman explaining that when he can “break through the lines and open up in the play, I really enjoy that”, as the clip below shows.
His underlying numbers from last term show just how well-rounded the 23-year-old is as a number six.
For example, he averaged 14.4 forward passes and won 5.5 duels on average per 90 minutes, showing two different sides of him as a midfielder.
Forward passes
14.4
505
Take-ons completed
1.1
37
Duels won
5.3
184
Interceptions
1.8
60
Ball recoveries
5.5
193
With all this in mind, it might not be a surprise to learn that Gravenberch’s value has shot up since Slot guided Liverpool to the title, as per Transfermarkt. When Klopp departed Anfield at the end of 2024, he was worth just £30m, having started just 21 games under the German the year prior.
Now, his value has risen by 116% under his countryman. The ex-Bayern Munich midfielder is valued at £65m, over double his value just over a year ago. That is a real testament to how well he has performed.
Slot winning the league with a Klopp-built squad at the first time of asking was certainly impressive, and Gravenberch is certainly a success story. His huge increase in value certainly shows that.
Signed for £5m, sold for 450% more: Liverpool hit gold with the original Wirtz
Liverpool’s original version of Wirtz was sold for a healthy profit.
Every year, there are thousands of players coming to the end of their current deals – some high-profile, others further down the footballing pyramid.
This opens up the opportunity for these players to move on in the summer, with a number of stars set to be available for free, whether they have been unable to agree on fresh terms or simply come to the end of their time at their current clubs.
Here, we look at some of the best players who could be looking for a new club for 2025/26.
Player
Departed
Joined
Year
Gianluca Vialli
Juventus
Chelsea
1996
Steve McManaman
Liverpool
Real Madrid
1999
Sol Campbell
Tottenham
Arsenal
2001
Michael Ballack
Bayern Munich
Chelsea
2006
Raul
Real Madrid
Schalke
2010
Andrea Pirlo
Milan
Juventus
2011
Robert Lewandowski
Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich
2014
Zlatan Ibrahimović
PSG
Manchester United
2016
Sergio Agüero
Man City
Barcelona
2021
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
PSG
2021
1 Dominic Calvert-Lewin Everton
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
It looks as though Dominic Calvert-Lewin is heading towards the end of his Everton career, with several high-profile clubs expected to make an offer to secure his signature.
AS Monaco were one of those interested in the English striker back in January, but the Toffees stopped short of claiming a fee for Calvert-Lewin, leaving them open to a free sale.
There is speculation that Newcastle United are an interested club, with Calvert-Lewin set to call time on his stay on Merseyside.
2 Jonathan David Lille
Many feel that Lille have made a massive mistake by allowing the contract of star striker Jonathan David to run down, meaning they will likely lose out on a significant transfer fee.
There appears to be no shortage of offers for the forward. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claimed in January that two Serie A sides had made offers, while four Premier League teams were reportedly keen on striking a pre-contract agreement with David ahead of next season.
However, it feels like Serie A champions Napoli are close to securing an agreement with the Canadian, despite interest from rivals Juventus. Whoever manages to sign him will be securing one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.
3 Ben Davies Tottenham Hotspur
Fresh from winning the Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur, it appears as though Ben Davies will be leaving N17 in the near future.
The Welshman joined the Lilywhites from Swansea City in 2014, becoming one of the first to join under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Leeds United and Burnley were both linked to the full-back recently, so Davies may end up staying in the Premier League.
4 Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City
Manchester City's KevinDeBruyne
Kevin De Bruyne was so often at the heart of the success Manchester City achieved since he joined in the summer of 2015.
With 422 appearances for the Etihad side, De Bruyne has been their talisman, never more so than during the 2022/23 season as they won the treble. Indeed, he registered 41 goal contributions for the club that year.
Napoli are the team most strongly linked with the Belgian, with Antonio Conte’s side intent on building on their Scudetto success.
5 Abdoulaye Doucoure Everton
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure
Abdoulaye Doucoure revealed he would be leaving Everton at the expiry of his contract in the summer. The midfielder bowed out after helping the Toffees to a final-day win over Newcastle in the Premier League, and will now be looking for a new club ahead of 2025/26.
A £20m signing from Watford in 2020, Doucoure scored one of the most important goals in the club’s history as they survived relegation at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
It appears that a move to the Middle East is on the cards as it stands, with multiple Saudi Arabian clubs among the interested parties for the Malian’s services.
6 Angel Gomes Lille
Angel Gomes is another player set to leave Lille in the summer, alongside teammate Jonathan David. The midfielder, who made his England debut in September, joined the French outfit from Manchester United in 2020 on a free transfer and will again be on the move for nothing.
His old club are among the clubs interested in his signature, while Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping the promise of Champions League football will sway things in their favour.
7 Victor Lindelof Manchester United
With first-team opportunities turning into a premium in recent seasons, it is no surprise that Swedish defender Victor Lindelof allowed his deal at Manchester United to run down.
Lindelof struggled with injuries and started just six times in the league in 2024/25, with his role in the side further diminishing amid a number of centre-back arrivals in recent windows.
There are plenty of clubs lining up to sign him, including four Premier League clubs and former side Benfica.
8 Tyrick Mitchell Crystal Palace
Despite starring for the Eagles in the FA Cup final, Tyrick Mitchell is yet to publicly commit his future to Crystal Palace. That said, Mitchell may not be about to see his deal at Selhurst Park expire, with conflicting reports over the status of his contract.
Nevertheless, he continues to be linked away, with Milan among his potential suitors, though whether the Rossoneri would have to pay a fee remains to be seen.
9 Thomas Partey Arsenal
Thomas Partey’s contract at Arsenal is up in the summer, though his time in N5 may not be as close to ending as it may seem.
That’s because Mikel Arteta has previously stated his desire to keep the Ghana international at the club, so a new deal may be in the offing.
Partey has been linked away in previous windows, with interest coming from Italy and Saudi Arabia in the past. This time around, Juventus, Barcelona and former club Atletico Madrid have all been mentioned as potential destinations.
10 Leroy Sane Bayern Munich
It may have come as a surprise to many when Leroy Sané swapped Manchester City for Bayern Munich, especially with the Pep Guardiola era in full swing, but the German has been a crucial player for the Bavarians.
Indeed, he ended the 2024/25 season with 116 goal contributions – 61 goals and 55 assists – in 220 appearances since joining, a rate of one goal involvement every 1.9 matches, marking a spectacular record.
If a club can secure his signature for nothing in the summer, they would be signing a player still at the peak of his powers.
Manchester City are now set to table a huge contract offer, in an attempt to lure a “world-class” transfer target to the Etihad Stadium this summer, according to a report.
Man City pursuing new midfielders despite Rodri return
Man City never really managed to recover from Rodri suffering an ACL injury against Arsenal back in September, with Pep Guardiola enduring a rare trophyless campaign after the FA Cup final defeat, and the manager believes his side would have competed if the Spaniard had been available.
The City boss said: “I don’t have any doubts with Rodri there, and Phil there, and everybody there, the central defenders there, we would have competed; in the Champions League we would have been better.”
Guardiola will no doubt be hoping that Rodri’s return is a major boost for his side, but the manager remains tasked with bringing in at least one new midfielder this summer, given that Kevin De Bruyne’s time at the Etihad Stadium is set to come to an end.
Fabrizio Romano: Man City hold first talks to sign "incredible" £50m+ star
The Blues have made an enquiry over a defender, and discussions over a deal are expected to continue.
ByDominic Lund May 27, 2025
It will be difficult to find any player capable of providing goals and assists as regularly as the Belgian legend, but there has now been a new update which suggests Man City are stepping up their pursuit of a new midfielder.
According to a report from GiveMeSport, Man City are determined to lure AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders to the Etihad Stadium this summer, and they are planning to offer him a huge salary increase in order to get a deal over the line.
Having cooled their interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, who could be Liverpool-bound, the Blues are eager to land Reijnders, and they are willing to spend a large amount of their summer transfer budget on the midfielder and offer him around £130,000-a-week.
AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders.
AC Milan are eager to hold out for a fee of £50m, however, so the 26-year-old is unlikely to come cheap, but Guardiola’s side want a deal to be wrapped up before the Club World Cup.
Reijnders could be "world-class" addition for Man City
Scout Ben Mattinson believes the maestro is able to play at a “world-class” level, and he certainly put in performances of that standard during the 2024/25 campaign, despite Milan’s struggles.
The Dutchman predominantly featured in central midfield, while also often dropping to a deeper role, but that did not stop him from regularly providing goals and assists across all competitions.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Serie A
37
10
5
Champions League
10
3
0
Italian Cup
5
2
0
Whoever replaces De Bruyne will have very big shoes to fill, given everything the attacking midfielder achieved at the Etihad Stadium, but Reijnders’ recent exploits on the front foot suggest he could also go on to achieve big things with Manchester City.
Everton meet Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday, closing the 2024/25 campaign in good form, two successive wins sealing a 13th-place finish in the Premier League.
Taking the wheel of a sinking ship, David Moyes has done a brilliant job, steering the Toffees away from relegation danger and ensuring they could say farewell to Goodison Park in a good moment.
Iliman Ndiaye scored twice as Southampton were defeated on Merseyside at the weekend, underscoring his value as one of the division’s most underrated stars.
It’s crucial the Friedkin Group keep him on the books next year, with a few industrious signings sure to create a secure fluency to take Ndiaye and his team to the next level.
Everton chasing Premier League midfielder
Fans will no doubt hope for a flashy new forward or too, but Moyes is a pragmatic manager in the best sense, and will be focused on making under-the-radar improvements too.
Transfer Focus
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Indeed, we’ve already seen a plethora of EFL stars linked with a Merseyside switch, with Ben Knight and Sunderland’s Dan Neil two potential options.
On that evidence, it seems that one such upgrade could come in midfield, and those claims are bolstered by Football Insider who are reporting that if Everton lodge a bid worth £12m for Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff, it is likely to be accepted with both clubs eager to agree a deal.
Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff
The Englishman is about to enter the final year of his contract, and this is certainly one to keep a close eye on.
Why Everton should sign Sean Longstaff
Longstaff, 27, is thus far a one-club man, but his playing time has been limited under Eddie Howe this season, starting only eight times in the league, largely because the Magpies have such a robust starting midfield trio.
But Longstaff is a good player in his own right, with an aptitude in transitional play. Indeed, the box-to-box star is capable of breaking down opposition attacks and recycling possession by pressing forward.
Newcastle United's SeanLongstaffin action with Bromley's Jude Arthurs
Hailed as an “unsung hero” for the Toon in the past by pundit Paul Merson and as “unbelievable” by Alan Shearer, Longstaff could do the dirty work in order to promote opportunities for players like Ndiaye, creating that roundedness and energy that Moyes’ teams need to fire on all cylinders.
FBref help to underline the player’s metrics, revealing the secrets behind his success. The data-driven site show that Longstaff ranks among the top 1% of Premier League midfielders this season for tackles won in the attacking third, the top 4% for dribblers tackled and the top 8% for blocks made per 90.
What this tells us is his willingness to roam into more advanced areas and win the ball before knocking it further forward and into the path of, say, Ndiaye.
Matches (starts)
32 (28)
Goals
9
Assists
0
Shot (on target)*
1.1 (0.6)
Big chances missed
3
Pass completion
85%
Key passes*
0.6
Dribbles*
2.0
Ball recoveries*
5.2
Tackles + interceptions*
2.1
Duels won*
5.3
The Senegalese winger has forged quite the campaign for himself, such a dangerous presence in the final third, scoring nine Premier League goals and missing only three big chances.
Clinical as you like, Ndiaye could do with some more creative support, and while Longstaff wouldn’t plug that gap, his tenacious attitude toward turning play over and ability to apply his combativeness to offensive areas of the field denote his suitability within Moyes’ project.
And, of course, highlight the effect he could have on Ndiaye.
Widening the Everton midfield’s reach would allow Ndiaye to play with more comfort, also allowing those such as Dwight McNeil and Charly Alcaraz to supply Ndiaye more directly and ensure Everton go from strength to strength at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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David Moyes will look to bring in one or two exciting names to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.