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Manchester United find themselves in a transitional period under Ruben Amorim and could now turn their attention to an experienced international who could be available for free next summer.

Man Utd begin to look at Ruben Amorim alternatives

There is no secret that the last few days have been difficult for the Red Devils, who ended the Premier League weekend in 14th place after a frustrating defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Despite having their fair share of opportunities during the affair, including a missed Bruno Fernandes penalty, Manchester United failed to deliver, and Amorim is a man under growing pressure at Old Trafford.

Making contingency plans should their poor form continue, Gareth Southgate has been contacted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe over potentially succeeding the Portuguese boss, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola also on the Red Devils’ shortlist.

In a separate development, Graham Potter is also a candidate to take over at Manchester United after a dismal spell at West Ham United, albeit he has previously proven his Premier League credentials at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sunderland visit Old Trafford this weekend, and put simply, Amorim is in desperate need of a victory. Anything less than three points would bring the Red Devils closer to the relegation zone, an unthinkable position following their summer spend of over £225 million.

Ultimately, the proof will be the pudding for the former Sporting boss over the next few weeks. There is an argument to say that consistent managers struggling to sustain success depict a wider problem, but his refusal to change tactically is a source of frustration for some.

Either way, Manchester United will continue to fight on all fronts, and they could now be about to step up the ante in their hunt for a midfielder come January.

Man Utd could sign Ruben Neves for free in 2026

According to Graeme Bailey in conversation with United in Focus, Manchester United could sign Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves for free in 2026 as they seek to bring in an experienced operator in the engine room. The Red Devils have been linked with Neves for nearly a decade, with controversial former chief executive Ed Woodward’s pursuit of the Portugal star dating all the way back to 2017.

The reporter stated: “Ruben Neves is a fascinating figure and a player Man United have long admired, even before he joined Wolves during his Porto days. Now 28, many feel he could be coming into his prime years, and he could be available for free in 2026. I am told from Al-Hilal sources that they are fighting hard to extend him beyond next year.”

Ruben Neves at Al-Hilal

Appearances

96

Goals

10

Assists

24

Formerly captain of Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Portugal international is an established name in the Premier League and could well offer some expertise and an ability to dictate, as reflected in the fact that he has played 13 accurate long balls and created four chances this term on league duty, per Fotmob.

Neves is now into the prime years of his career at 28 years of age, and Manchester United may well be the perfect environment for him to make a return to English soil, especially since they have wanted him from his Porto days in 2017.

Manchester United could revisit their interest in Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in January, despite signing Senne Lammens earlier this year. With Ruben Amorim under pressure after a poor start to the campaign, the club are expected to explore reinforcements — and former Red Devils scout Mick Brown believes Martinez remains firmly on their radar.

Amorim and Man Utd struggling with goalkeeping options

Amorim’s side have endured a sluggish start to the Premier League season, winning just two of their opening six games and crashing out of the Carabao Cup to League Two side Grimsby. Despite signing Senne Lammens as competition for Altay Bayindir, Amorim is said to be keen on adding a senior goalkeeper. Brown suggests United could return for Aston Villa’s Martinez, despite their failed move for the Argentinian this summer.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMan Utd tipped to go for Martinez again

“I’m still surprised they didn’t get Martinez,” former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider. “They wanted him, he wanted the move, but at the end of the day they couldn’t come to an agreement with Villa so the deal collapsed. They’ve gone and got Lammens now, but Amorim has been saying he still wants a goalkeeper, so the recruitment team will be looking at their options.

“I have no doubt Martinez is still one of those, because he’s a top-class goalkeeper and one who would immediately solve the issues they’ve had recently. He’s strong, imposing, a top shot-stopper and a character in the dressing room which it feels like they’re sorely lacking at Man United at the moment. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see them go back in for him, especially with the manager still demanding a goalkeeper, whether that’s in January or next summer.”

(C)Getty ImagesWould Martinez be open to Man Utd move now?

Martinez was reportedly disappointed to miss out on a move to Old Trafford, having been Amorim’s preferred choice to succeed Onana. The Argentina international has since been reintegrated into Unai Emery’s first-team setup at Aston Villa. However, with Aston Villa enduring an inconsistent start, speculation around his future could resurface if United firm up their renewed interest.

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Martinez unlikely to push for January move

Martinez remains under contract at Villa Park and is not expected to push for a move mid-season unless circumstances change dramatically. United’s focus will depend on Amorim’s position and whether Lammens or Bayindir can regain form. Should their struggles continue, the Red Devils could make another attempt to secure Martinez as part of a January reshuffle.

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Uma das contratações mais comemoradas pelo torcedor do Internacional para a atual temporada, Charles Aránguiz teve uma lesão muscular na coxa direita confirmada pelo Colorado nesta semana.

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Tendo retornado ao Inter em tratamento de um problema na panturrilha direita, o jogador teve situação abordada comumente com cautela por parte do clube antes de ser relacionado para jogo onde o Inter empatou em 1 a 1, com o Nacional, pela Libertadores, no último dia 7 de junho.

Antes do triunfo sobre o Vasco, pelo Brasileirão, o Internacional antecipou que o atleta de 34 anos de idade estava fora da relação para tratar de algo classificado como desconforto muscular. Todavia, agora, o quadro clínico se tornou um pouco mais sério e carente de mais tratamento antes de Aránguiz estar efetivamente à disposição do técnico Mano Menezes.

O histórico de contusões registrado pelo jogador chileno, aliás, é um dos pontos que chegou a gerar dúvidas em parte da diretoria do Inter quando do surgimento da oportunidade do mesmo retornar ao futebol brasileiro. Algo que se tornou, inclusive, uma negativa marca no sentido de ter caráter ainda maior de consolidação em sua longa passagem pelo Bayer Leverkusen que durou entre 2015 e 2022.

>Não perca nenhum lance do Inter na Liberta. Assine o Star+ por apenas R$40,90 por mês e torça onde quiser!

Desta forma, não existe uma previsão de caráter mais preciso para que Charles Aránguiz possa fazer a sua reestreia pelo clube onde, entre 2014 e 2015, fez 54 partidas, marcou dez gols e conquistou, por duas vezes, o Campeonato Gaúcho.

Thomas Frank must be wondering what the fuss is all about. Managing Tottenham Hotspur isn’t that tricky, is it? Think again.

Spurs kicked off their Premier League campaign with back-to-back wins over Burnley and Manchester City. They even led PSG 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup. However, a mini crisis is always around the corner at Spurs.

While crisis may be pushing it a bit, their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday did raise some alarm bells. The Cherries managed 20 shots. Spurs managed just five and failed to create a single big chance.

Well, the arrival of Xavi Simons should certainly help in that regard, but is there more to come for the Lilywhites? Quite possibly.

Spurs transfer deadline day plans

If there’s one area that Spurs could recruit in during the dying hours of the transfer window, it’s in attack where you sense some quality is still left to be found.

A number of players, including Ademola Lookman and Savinho have been touted, with both players hoping to move before the window slams shut.

Savinho, in particular, is pushing for a move to north London and has been left frustrated by Manchester City’s stance this summer.

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Well, it would appear an alternative has been lined up. According to The Independent this Sunday, one player Spurs are said to be ‘looking’ at is AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

The report states that Spurs would ‘prefer’ to sign a winger before 7pm on Monday, although a move for Leao is seen as a difficult one to do at this moment in time.

Why Leao is as exciting as Simons

After James Maddison suffered an ACL injury it was imperative that Spurs went out and signed another no.10.

They failed with their pursuit of Eberechi Eze but it matters no more as far as Frank and Co are concerned. Simons is now a Spurs player.

He was unveiled in front of Tottenham supporters prior to the defeat to Bournemouth and he must have been wishing he was on the field to help his new teammates.

Help is exactly what he’ll provide, specifically from a creative point of view. He’s also a goalscorer and could transform this Spurs attack.

In 2024/25, the former Leipzig man scored 11 goals and supplied eight assists. The campaign prior, the young Dutchman was even better, netting ten times and registering 15 assists.

Games

25

Goals & assists

17

Pass accuracy

83%

Chances created

2.2

Successful dribbles

1.4

Tackles won

75%

Duels won

5.7

Yet, Leao, who has been causing chaos for Champions League defences in recent years, would be an even more exciting addition.

The primary reason is that, in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, he is “one of the best left wingers in the world”.

Why is that the case? Well, back in 2022, Milan coach Stefano Pioli said: “Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry, who started wide then came inside.”

It’s safe to say he’s one of the most captivating forwards in the world, something backed up by the numbers. In 2024/25, the Portuguese winger scored 12 times and also provided 13 assists in all competitions. One year prior, the electric speedster scored 15 and managed 14 assists.

He’s a duel threat packed with speed, chaos and energy. He’s like a younger Heung-min Son in that sense.

Over the last year, the 26-year-old ranks inside the top 4% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons. He’s so lively and that ability to beat a player and get in behind a backline will be game-changing alongside Simons.

The Netherlands international is a superb pick-up for Spurs but Leao is a true game-changer. He’s been renowned as one of the best wingers in European football for a number of years now and would be the maverick forward Frank needs to really push on domestically and on the continent this season.

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علق فرينكي دي يونج لاعب خط وسط برشلونة على هزيمة فريقه ضد باريس سان جيرمان بهدفين لهدف، في الجولة الثانية بمرحلة الدوري لدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكان جونزالو راموس قد نجح في تسجيل هدف قاتل ليقود باريس سان جيرمان للفوز على برشلونة، بعد أن كان الشوط الأول قد انتهى بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لمثله.

وقال دي يونج في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “أشعر بخيبة أمل كبيرة، إذا استقبلت شباكك هدفاً في الدقيقة الأخيرة وخرجت من المباراة بخسارة”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | في الوقت القاتل.. راموس يسجل هدف باريس سان جيرمان الثاني أمام برشلونة

وأضاف: “أنت تشعر بخيبة أمل، لقد كانوا أفضل في الشوط الثاني وكنا أفضل في الشوط الأول، نحن أيضاً نعاني من قلة الفرص”.

واختتم: “نحن في قمة أوروبا وما زال الطريق طويلاً، يؤلمنا ذلك لكنها ليست مباراة حاسمة، لسنا سعداء، علينا أن نتحسن وسنفعل ذلك، إنها مباراة جيدة لنرى أين نحن الآن”.

Darwin Nunez continues to trundle toward the exit door at Liverpool, leaving behind him a pre-season of preparation in red that has been rich with goals.

But the Uruguayan started only once in the Premier League after Boxing Day last season and scored just seven goals across 47 matches in all competitions. Given that he scored a brace against Brentford, the 25-year-old blanked 41 times under Arne Slot’s wing last year.

So then, Liverpool will need to sign a new striker, even having purchased Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m fee.

Given that Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich for £65.5m last month, you might think a new electric-paced left winger would be at the top of sporting director Richard Hughes’ agenda.

But Rio Ngumoha may well have changed that narrative.

Liverpool's latest prodigy

A star is born. Ngumoha cannot be denied now: this is an up-and-coming player with the potential to go right to the top.

But let’s park our excitement for a moment; Ngumoha is only 16 after all, and must be dripped into life on the professional circuit, not poured right in and exhausted before he has had the chance to develop his remarkable technical and athletic faculties.

Still, his goal-and-assist performance against Athletic Bilbao on Monday afternoon was quite the Anfield debut. Friendly though it was, the attacking midfielder played with such gusto and slickness on the ball, striding forward and unleashing a confident looping strike from outside the area to turn the limelight onto him.

Is it any wonder he has been described as a “special” talent by journalist Bence Bocsak, who said the teenager “has completed more dribbles (14) than any other #LFC player in pre-season.”

Slot will be keen to placate the mounting noise around his name, but you can’t help but think that Liverpool have spawned a custom-built Diaz replacement, one who might play quite the important role in the years to come.

Nguomha’s ball-carrying ability and capacity for goal contributions of all shapes and sizes suggest he could form a dangerous partnership with Ekitike over the coming years, but the same stands for another centre-forward Liverpool are interested in signing this summer.

Liverpool lining up another striker

No, it’s not Alexander Isak we’re on about here. The Newcastle United number nine is Liverpool’s dream target, but the Magpies are playing hardball and might not even find a fitting replacement.

Thus, Caught Offside have revealed that Liverpool have entered the race for Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos, who has fallen out of favour in Luis Enrique’s system.

PSG would hope to recoup something in the ballpark of €65m (£56m) for the Portugal international, who, aged 24, hopes to take the next step in his career and become a focal point for his side.

Though Liverpool want to sign Isak above all others, Ramos would hardly be a poor fallback, and he’s also wanted by Aston Villa, Manchester United, Juventus and Napoli.

What Goncalo Ramos would bring to Liverpool

Ramos cut his teeth in his homeland with Benfica before signing for PSG in an €80m (£70m) deal in 2023, coming off the back of a breakout World Cup campaign in Qatar 2022.

Though the Iberian forward has only scored 33 goals across 86 matches for the French giants, assisting eight goals besides, he’s rarely featured as the star man, starting ten Ligue 1 fixtures in 2024/25. Still, he scored ten times.

And the underlying data is in his favour too. As per FBref, Ramos ranked among the top 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goals scored, the top 11% for assists, the top 9% for pass completion and the top 2% for touches in the attacking box per 90.

The steady rate of prolific performances across Ramos’ senior career thus far suggests that Slot could shape into one of the world’s foremost forwards, proving the perfect long-term dance partner for an up-and-coming talent like Ngumoha.

24/25 – PSG

46

19

6

23/24 – PSG

40

14

2

22/23 – Benfica

47

27

8

21/22 – Benfica

46

8

4

20/21 – Benfica

12

4

–

19/20 – Benfica

1

2

–

Hailed as an “outrageous” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ramos’ wide range of offensive instruments bespeaks his suitability in Slot’s system at Liverpool. He’s fast, powerful and nimble, suggesting he could operate across a variety of roles for a coach who has displayed a preference for forwards who are willing to be fluid in their roles.

But if Ngumoha’s fast-developing potential has anything to say, it’s unlikely that Slot would be seeking to convert the right-footer into a left-sided forward, whose pace would be used to swerve inside, ready to strike on goal.

Furthermore, Ekitike has indeed already signed on and will bring to the Premier League a more refined and expansive game as a frontman. In any case, the Frenchman is a mean and still-improving goalscorer himself, thus apt to dovetail right into the Slot machine.

But Ramos would bring the icing on the cake, ensuring Liverpool have enough firepower to compete across multiple fronts this season, even if the concerted effort to sign Isak falls flat.

FBref record that both Isak and Ekitike are statistically comparable players to the PSG star, so he’s certainly got the right skill set.

And with Ngumoha already making waves within the Liverpool first team, there’s no reason why these two stars couldn’t strike up a mesmerising partnership in the years to come.

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Manchester United need a huge transfer window if they are to be a success in the Premier League once again in the near future, with the responsibility falling into the hands of Ruben Amorim.

The 40-year-old took the reins back in November last year, but has so far struggled to transform the side as he would’ve wished, only achieving a win percentage of 40%.

However, he is yet to have a full pre-season with the first team squad, with the current period pivotal in his stint as manager, needing to try and get his ideas across to the squad.

He also has the opportunity to add to his squad this window, with the hierarchy set to hand him the funds he requires to allow him to be a success during his tenure at Old Trafford.

Numerous players remain on their shortlist during the current window, potentially helping the manager in his quest to rise up the Premier League in 2025/26.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

A new striker has been the priority for United over the last couple of days, especially after it was reported that Rasmus Hojlund had agreed personal terms with Inter Milan over a move to the San Siro.

The likes of Ollie Watkins, Victor Osimhen and Dušan Vlahović have all been touted with moves to join the Red Devils, but no deals have yet been completed for any of the trio.

However, the same can’t be said about Bryan Mbeumo, with the latest update around his future from journalist Graeme Bailey providing a positive outlook on the move.

He confirmed that talks are ongoing between the two clubs and, despite a fee not yet being agreed, a move could be finalised for his signature by the end of Monday.

Bailey also states that the 25-year-old has made it clear that he wants to depart Brentford this window, wanting to make the next step in his career after scoring 20 league goals in 2024/25.

Why United’s latest move would be bad news for Amad & Bruno

Amad Diallo has been a player who has enjoyed a huge rise under Amorim since his appointment, cementing his place as a regular starter before his ankle injury that ruled him out for three months.

The Ivorian managed to register 11 goals and eight assists across all competitions this campaign, most notably with his last-minute winner against Manchester City at the Etihad.

He’s mainly operated in a number ten role for the Red Devils, with captain Bruno Fernandes the player usually featuring next to him in the position behind the striker.

As for the Portuguese international, he enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, notching 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions – the highest of any player in the squad.

He single-handedly helped the club get to the Europa League final, with it unthinkable to imagine where the side would’ve been had he not been as impressive throughout 2024/25.

The 30-year-old and Amad may be about to take a hit, though, despite their impressive numbers under Amorim, subsequently having to drop into deeper roles after the arrival of Matheus Cunha and pending deal for Mbeumo.

Bailey’s latest report claims that the Brentford star would likely play in a number ten role should he complete his deal, alongside Cunha, which would lock those positions out for the current Red Devil stars.

Games played

36

Goals & assists

18

Shots on target per 90

0.7

Progressive carries

2.3

Pass accuracy

76%

% of tackles won

40%

Take-on success

41%

Fouls won

1.1

As a result, Bruno would likely operate in a central midfield position, with Amad having to revert to a wing-back role – undoubtedly restricting the pair as a result, given they aren’t operating in their natural roles.

The additions will certainly bolster Amorim’s side at Old Trafford, but it may have a knock-on effect for the aforementioned talents, subsequently having to change their game to accommodate their arrivals.

Both players certainly still have the talent to thrive out of position, as seen by their respective outputs in the final third, potentially able to star in such positions by aiding the players ahead of them.

However, if the new additions can hit the ground running and point the club in the right direction, the supporters and manager wouldn’t have any complaints, with fresh blood and new ideas needed if the side are to be a force in the Premier League during 2025/26.

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Manchester United have now reportedly submitted a huge offer to sign a much-needed attacking addition who would instantly make any potential Bryan Mbeumo rejection an afterthought.

Man Utd still chasing Bryan Mbeumo

For a moment it looked as though Manchester United were out on their own in the race to sign Mbeumo only for Tottenham Hotspur to burst onto the scene. With Thomas Frank now by their side, the Lilywhites have reportedly matched Brentford’s asking price and could instantly reunite Mbeumo with his former manager.

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United haven’t simply stepped aside, however. Reports are now claiming that they’ve reached an agreement on personal terms with the talented winger and club chiefs believe that they will complete a move to land his signature this summer.

There was always likely to be interest in Mbeumo following yet another excellent campaign at Brentford. At just 25 years old, there may not be a better time to move than this summer, but he must still get his next decision right.

As for United, whether it’s Mbeumo or another option, signing an attacking reinforcement seems to be at the very top of their wishlist. The Red Devils suffered going forward last season, with both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund at the centre of those struggles which culminated in a 15th-place finish.

Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Joshua Zirkzee

Rasmus Hojlund

Starts

14

23

Goals

3

4

Assists

1

0

Expected Goals

4.8

5.3

Ruben Amorim will be desperate for some added firepower and if it’s not Mbeumo, then rumours suggest that it could yet be an excellent alternative.

INEOS already proved that they’re willing to spend when they welcomed Matheus Cunha for around £63m and now they could spend more than ever amid reports that they’ve submitted a hefty £120m+ bid for one particular talent.

Man Utd submit shock offer to sign Barcelona star Raphinha

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United have now submitted a shock €150m (£128m) offer to sign Raphinha from Barcelona this summer. The Spanish giants have reportedly been left surprised by the bid, but their financial situation could yet force them to consider it.

It would instantly be one of the standout deals of the summer if Manchester United made it happen. The Brazilian winger is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or this year and would instantly ensure that the Red Devils forget all about Mbeumo.

24/25 stats

Raphinha

Mbeumo

Appearances

57

42

Goals

34

20

Assists

24

8

With 59 goal involvements in 57 appearances, it’s no surprise that Raphinha has found himself in Ballon d’Or conversations and, as talented as Mbeumo is, there is no denying that the Barcelona star is the standout option.

The winger earned plenty of deserved praise last season, including from Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who told reporters: “He has good dynamics with the ball and he has had an extraordinary match. His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, are something special. I have never had a player like him and he helps us a lot.”

Arne Slot became the first manager in Liverpool’s history to win the Premier League in his first season at Anfield since the inception of the division in 1992.

There were concerns about what life would look like after Jurgen Klopp announced that he would be leaving the Reds at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, having been at the club for nine years.

Slot came in to replace a legend and had huge shoes to fill, arriving from Feyenoord last summer, and was not heavily backed in the summer transfer window.

Federico Chiesa was the only signing of the summer, joining on a permanent deal from Juventus, and the forward only made six appearances in the Premier League.

Slot, instead, won the division with the same players that he inherited, given Chiesa’s lack of involvement, which speaks to the quality of the recruitment work done in recent years.

You could pick so many members of the squad as examples of excellent recruitment by Liverpool, but Alexis Mac Allister stands out as a particularly impressive deal.

Why Liverpool struck gold with Alexis Mac Allister

The Reds swooped in to sign the World Cup winner from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £35m, which could rise to £55m in total, in what has turned out to be a bargain deal.

In that same summer, Chelsea spent £115m to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Arsenal splashed the cash to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United for £105m, which illustrates how expensive it can be to land top talent from other Premier League teams.

This shows how much of a bargain Liverpool got with their deal for Mac Allister because they did not have to pay over the odds for him, spending less than half as much as Chelsea and Arsenal did on their midfield signings with the initial fee of £35m.

The Reds have hit the jackpot with the Argentina international because he has proven to be well worth the money, playing 35 times out of 38 matches in the Premier League this season to help the team to the title.

24/25 Premier League

Alexis Mac Allister

Appearances

35

Goals

5

Big chances created

6

Assists

5

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.3

Ball recoveries per game

4.2

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Brighton star delivered quality in and out of possession throughout the campaign, scoring and assisting goals whilst also being reliable defensively.

Mac Allister ended the season with a squad-leading 2.7 tackles per game in the Premier League, which proves how effective he was at winning the ball back to regain possession for his side, whilst cutting out opposition attacks.

Liverpool could, now, repeat their Mac Allister masterclass, as they are reportedly interested in another bargain deal from a Premier League rival.

Liverpool eyeing move for Brighton star

According to a report in Spain, Liverpool are one of a number of clubs that are eyeing up a potential swoop for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh in the summer transfer window, which officially opened for business on Sunday.

The report claims that the Premier League champions have set their sights on a deal for the Gambia international, but they are facing competition from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the attacker.

Transfer Focus

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

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It reveals that all three clubs are monitoring the 20-year-old forward, previously of Newcastle United, as a possible signing ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The outlet adds that the left-footed dynamo, who typically plays on the right flank, is valued at around £35m by Brighton, which is the same fee that Liverpool paid them for Mac Allister.

With this in mind, Minteh could arrive at Anfield this summer to bolster Slot’s squad in a deal that could be very similar to the one that brought the Argentine star to Merseyside.

Why Yankuba Minteh could be Alexis Mac Allister 2.0

Of course, the two players play in different positions, one in midfield and one on the wing, but there are also a lot of similarities in the sense that they would both have been signed from Brighton and both signed for a bargain £35m fee.

As aforementioned, it can be incredibly expensive to shop in the Premier League market because teams do not want to strengthen their rivals, which is why a £35m fee for Minteh could be a big bargain for Liverpool if they were able to get a deal over the line in the coming months.

At the age of 20, though, he may not be a signing to instantly become a starter like Mac Allister was, and the youngster could be more of a signing with the long term in mind, whilst also being able to make an impact immediately as a squad option.

That being said, Minteh has delivered some exciting performances, including the one against Chelsea in the clip above, in the Premier League this season, and shown signs of being a top player at that level.

The left-footed star, who was described as “extremely dangerous” by Pierre van Hooijdonk, only started 20 of his 32 appearances in the division, but delivered quality in those outings.

24/25 Premier League

Yankuba Minteh

Appearances

32

Starts

20

xG

4.11

Goals

6

Big chances created

8

xA

5.02

Assists

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, he outperformed his xG by almost two goals and was let down by wasteful finishing from his teammates as a creator, as they failed to make the most of the ‘big chances’ that he created for them.

Now, imagine Minteh in a dominant and free-scoring Liverpool team that would be able to make the most of his creativity, whilst also creating more opportunities for him to show off his finishing skills. That could increase his output of goals and assists and lead to him becoming a very valuable member of the squad.

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The 20-year-old could, in theory, take his game to the next level with such a move, which is why this could be a brilliant signing for the Reds and be a repeat of the Mac Allister deal due to the finances involved.

Aston Villa are looking to retain key stars to avoid coming into conflict with PSR regulations, and could have hatched a crafty plan to retain key man Emiliano Martinez, according to a report.

Aston Villa looking to build squad depth under Unai Emery

Unai Emery has done a job to be proud of at Villa Park this season that looks likely to end in some form of continental qualification, but he may be left with food for thought ahead of the summer.

Despite their rude financial health, Aston Villa are at the centre of a PSR storm, and rumours are beginning to do the rounds regarding whether they will have to sell a star player or two to avoid an overspend.

Some will argue the Villans are at an unfair disadvantage compared to the traditional ‘big six’ when it comes to transfer leeway, while others can’t help but point out their wage-to-revenue ratio as a counterpoint.

Nevertheless, Aston Villa appear undeterred by recent noise and are pursuing Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin as a potential arrival to supplement an engine room brimming with talent.

By the same token, Las Palmas star Alberto Moleiro is another talented star on Emery’s list. The Spaniard is believed to have personally requested that he is brought in amid a £51 million release clause in his contract.

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Still, the lingering question of sales has created an unwanted tension among supporters with the window around the corner, which could be magnified if Aston Villa fail to claim Champions League qualification.

However, there could be light at the end of the tunnel following news that there is now a crafty plan in motion to prevent a headline-grabbing departure.

Aston Villa set to put quartet up for sale

According to The Athletic, Aston Villa are set to put Emiliano Buendia, Alex Moreno, Leander Dendoncker and Kaine Kesler-Hayden up for sale to prevent having to part ways with Emiliano Martinez this summer.

The quartet are out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest, Anderlecht and Preston North End respectively, and are not expected to feature as part of Emery’s plans moving forward in the West Midlands.

Emiliano Buendia

£37,500 per week

Alex Moreno

£35,000 per week

Leander Dendoncker

£35,000 per week

Kaine Kesler-Hayden

£7,000 per week

Martinez is reported to earn £150,000 per week, signifying that his wages would be protected with a little to spare as Aston Villa would be saving around £6m every year if they were to successfully offload the four players mentioned.

Of course, shifting spare parts doesn’t come easy, but NSWE’s strong negotiation skills are likely to come in handy when fielding interest from suitors.

While speculation continues to linger, Aston Villa supporters can take some peace of mind from the fact that they are now likely to retain arguably their most important asset in the summer window.