Sunderland are on the hunt for some late deals and have submitted an enticing proposal to land a creative operator in the engine room, according to a report.
Sunderland continue mission to recruit late arrivals
The Black Cats have made quite the impression in the transfer window and don’t look to be done yet as they aim to give themselves a fighting chance of Premier League survival.
Aside from recruitment, Regis Le Bris made it clear that his side’s home form over the coming months will be critical if they are to stay in the top-flight for the foreseeable future, urging his players to feed off the energy of a raucous support.
Sunderland managerRegisLeBrisapplauds fans after the match
He stated: “They are a key pillar of our identity. Sunderland is made with this support. If we don’t use it properly then it doesn’t make sense. If our fans recognise this identity, the willingness, the togetherness – they are happier when we win and that is fair, but we know this won’t be possible every time. If we are connected with this ambition and commitment, it will be a massive strength for us.”
Of course, enticing stars to play in front of faithful supporters is half the battle, though it appears they are doing a fine job, given Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi is set to join Sunderland in the coming days.
Furthermore, Juventus star Lloyd Kelly has been linked with a surprise move to Wearside, though they will also face competition from Crystal Palace for the former Newcastle United man.
Sunderland make transfer offer for £50,000-a-week World Cup semi-finalist
The Black Cats are on fire this summer.
ByHenry Jackson Aug 29, 2025
Driving some hard bargains between now and Monday will be essential for Sunderland to maximise strength in depth, and they could now be set to complete another landmark capture if reports are to be believed.
Sunderland submit considerable Joey Veerman bid
According to De Telegraaf via Transfer Feed, Sunderland have submitted a bid worth over £26 million for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Joey Veerman and the Netherlands international could now be in line for a late move to the Stadium of Light.
In response, the Eredivisie outfit have identified Anderlecht star Mario Stroeykens as a replacement that they want to bring in urgently due to the time of the window.
Offering a creative presence in the engine room, Veerman fashioned 71 chances on league duty for his teammates last term, per Fotmob, and netted once, alongside providing 12 assists in 40 appearances.
Continuing on a similar path, he has struck once and laid on two more efforts inside three outings across 2025/26, illustrating a level of vision that would help Sunderland carve out opportunities in the top-flight.
With a deal looking somewhat likely, Veerman would add to a new-look midfield at the Stadium of Light this summer that already includes the likes of Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, albeit it may be intriguing to see exactly where he fits in.
Fulham have now made an approach to sign a “sensational” Chelsea player who is also wanted by Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to a recent report.
Fulham stepping up their transfer plans after quiet start
It’s been a very quiet transfer window for the Cottagers so far, as Marco Silva’s side have added just one new player to their squad, and that is goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, who has joined from French side Montpellier. And with the Premier League season underway in less than three weeks, the club are finally stepping up their transfer plans.
Muniz replacement: Fulham now make approach to sign £25m "top striker"
The Cottagers have now made contact over a deal for a centre-forward.
ByDominic Lund Jul 9, 2025
The Athletic’s David Orstein revealed on Saturday that Fulham are now in advanced talks to sign Reiss Nelson from Arsenal. The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Craven Cottage, where he scored one goal in 11 Premier League matches.
The Whites want to bring Nelson back to Craven Cottage on loan with either a buy option or obligation included. Fulham and Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement, but work still needs to be done on both sides for the deal to go through.
Meanwhile, Fulham have also expressed interest in signing Raheem Sterling from Chelsea. The England international has no future at Stamford Bridge after spending last season on loan at Arsenal. The Blues have placed a £20 million asking price on Sterling, who has two years left on his contract, but his £300,000-a-week wages make any deal complicated.
Fulham submit approach to sign “sensational” £30m Chelsea ace
Sterling is not the only Chelsea player wanted by the Cottagers, as according to talkSPORT, Fulham have made a formal approach to Chelsea to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The report states that the Blues value Dewsbury-Hall as a squad player, and while he is not someone they are actively looking to sell, he can leave Stamford Bridge for around £30 million
The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed “sensational” by former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, followed Enzo Maresca to Stamford Bridge last summer, but the Englishman hasn’t been able to establish himself as a key player.
Last season, Dewsbury-Hall played 13 games in the Premier League, the same number he played in the UEFA Conference League. A potential arrival at Craven Cottage would see Dewsbury-Hall join the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Andreas Pereira, Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi as fighting for a place in Silva’s midfield department.
Apps
72
Goals
3
Assists
5
However, they are not alone in their pursuit of the midfielder, as Wolves are also interested in Dewsbury-Hall and have identified him as a potential target in what remains of the transfer window.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca remains keen to upgrade his attacking options, despite having already signed Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro.
£90m star very open to joining Chelsea with Nicolas Jackson swap possible
The Senegalese faces an uncertain future.
3 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 17, 2025
That is according to recent reports, specifically from Stamford Bridge journalist Simon Phillips, who states that signing new forwards is still a top priority for Maresca after his side’s struggles against the low block throughout 2024/2025.
“Chelsea are going about their transfer business to have a strong end to the window and make sure they are fully equipped to capitalise on this success and go into the new Premier League season,” wrote Phillips on his Substack earlier this week.
“Enzo Maresca has prioritised the attack as his point of improvements, and they want to have deep cover and quality in all areas of the attack to make sure they can break down low blocks – something they all collectively saw as one of the biggest problems they faced last season and will continue to face in the Premier League into next season.”
More player sales will be key to this, however, with UEFA putting pressure on Chelsea to sell squad members and balance out the team, or face not being able to register new signings for the Champions League next season (Kaveh Solhekol).
Having just won the Club World Cup, granting Chelsea a seismic £87.5 million financial windfall, they’ve also sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli and Djordje Petrovic for a combined rumoured fee of around £96 million – which will be closer to £100 million when taking into account Mathis Amougou’s move to Strasbourg.
The cost of that transfer was undisclosed, but factoring in their near-£187.5 million cash boost, Chelsea have actually made a profit so far this summer – so there is still money left to spend whilst comfortably avoiding the PSR threshold.
Chelsea are also looking at ‘unofficial swap deals’ as a means to balance out their squad and land key transfer targets (Simon Phillips), with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze chief among the options on their shortlist.
Chelsea given free run at signing Eberechi Eze after Arsenal decision
Earlier this week, it was reported that Chelsea held fresh talks with Eze’s representatives, and TEAMtalk now claim that the Blues could have a free-run at signing the England international, who has a £68 million release clause in his contract.
TT back up suggestions that Chelsea are talking to the 27-year-old’s camp, and what’s more, it is believed that Arsenal have decided to cool their interest in Eze.
Tottenham pulled away in recent weeks too, so Chelsea could now have a free run at signing Eze this summer, and they’re prepared to offer him a “lucrative contract” to tempt the attacker across London to Stamford Bridge.
Eze bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, including the game-winning FA Cup final strike against Man City to hand Palace their first ever major trophy.
“Everyone who loves football should enjoy seeing Eze on the pitch,” said Fulham boss Marco Silva in 2024.
“He is a top, top young player and has so much quality with everything he does on the pitch.”
Glasgow Rangers are in talks to sign a new “highly-rated” player after manager Russell Martin gave the green light to an Ibrox transfer.
Rangers want more defenders as Aarons moves to Ibrox
The Gers will be looking to win just their second Scottish Premiership title in 15 years in Martin’s first season at Ibrox, and the 49ers Enterprises appear willing to back the new boss in the transfer window.
After already securing the services of midfielder Lyall Cameron from Dundee, Rangers swopped to sign Max Aarons on loan from Bournemouth, with a transfer officially announced on Wednesday.
The right-back spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Valencia and will now link up with Martin who knows Aarons from his time at Norwich City.
Talking after signing Aarons, Martin said: “Max is a player who I have always kept a keen eye on since he was emerging through the youth ranks while I was coming to the end of my time at Norwich as a player. He is a wonderfully talented player who is hungry to develop, improve and help deliver success for his side.
“We are pleased to bring him on board for this season, and I believe he will be a fantastic addition to the squad.”
After Aarons: Rangers open talks to sign £1m star who could be Kent 2.0
After signing Max Aarons, Rangers are in talks to repeat their Ryan Kent trick at Ibrox.
ByBen Gray Jun 25, 2025
Alongside the 25-year-old, Rangers also want to sign a new centre-back, with the future of Robin Propper up in the air. There have been claims the Gers have even accepted an offer from FC Twente for the Dutchman after only joining 12 months ago.
Leicester City’s Conor Coady has been linked with moving to Glasgow as Rangers’ centre-back signing, however, a new name has entered the frame.
Rangers in talks for Peterborough defender Fernandez
According to reports from Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Rangers have opened talks to sign 23-year-old centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez.
It is added that Martin has ‘given the green light’ to a deal, with the 6ft 4 defender making 42 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring five times.
Fernandez is under contract until 2027 and was wanted by Norwich in the January window, but it looks as if Rangers are the side making moves in the summer.
Games
61
Goals
7
Yellow cards
8
Red cards
2
Trophies
2
Rangers have also been after Peterborough star Kwame Poku, who is out of contract at the end of the month, but it looks as if the winger may move elsewhere and not Glasgow.
Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony hailed Fernandez as a “colossus” last season, while also calling him the club’s “best defender”.
O’Rourke has also called Fernandez “highly-rated”, and it looks as if a deal could be one to watch following the journalist’s update.
Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of signing a free agent for manager Enzo Maresca, with the player leaving his club this summer and now readily available for hire.
Chelsea continue transfer plans after Club World Cup deadline
The Blues couldn’t get some high-profile deals signed and sealed in time before the pre-Club World Cup deadline, which passed on Tuesday at 7pm, but they could still add new players to the tournament’s squad thanks to a unique registration window open from June 27 to July 3.
"World-class" ace wants to leave Chelsea, many clubs now phoning his agent
The Blues also want to sell.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025
This does exclude winger Jamie Gittens, though, due to the fact he’ll be registered as a Borussia Dortmund player for the Club World Cup.
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
However, regardless of not being able to participate for Chelsea at the tournament in any aspect, if they do eventually strike a deal, club director Sebastien Kehl confirmed in an interview this week that Chelsea will hold transfer talks for the 20-year-old again.
“We spoke on the phone, in the end we did not agree, because we have different ideas about the current value of the player,” he said to Tage Spiegel.
“Jamie definitely makes our team better. We are glad that he is there. We are in a good exchange and see how things are shaping in the future.
Jamie Gittens
“Of course, at some point, if you take a player with it, you also have to sell. I assume that his market value will not fall. We will see to what extent we can keep it until the end of the tournament. There will be talks again.”
Alongside Gittens, Chelsea are believed to be prioritising new attacking additions right now, which includes a new winger, versatile attacking midfielder and another new striker after Liam Delap (Simon Phillips).
They could also add to their large crop of promising youngsters, following deals for Geovany Quenda, Dario Essugo and 19-year-old defender Mamadou Sarr from sister club Strasbourg in the last six months.
Chelsea close to finalising deal for ex-PNE defender Kian Best
According to a report from EFL Analysis, Chelsea want to sign former Preston North End left-back Kian Best on a free transfer.
The teenage defender was a “shock” departure from Deepdale this summer and is free to talk to clubs, which has piqued interest from Stamford Bridge officials who are now looking to bring Best to Cobham.
It is believed Chelsea are “close to finalising” a deal for Best after opening talks, with Maresca’s side pushing to make it happen. The England Under-19 international could then go out on loan to sister club Strasbourg to further his development.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescaduring training
Despite interest from Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, Best is on the verge of a move to Chelsea instead, and he’s been called “different class” by the manager who gave him his senior debut in 2023.
“His intelligence, passing range and quality on the ball is different class,” said former PNE boss Ryan Lowe.
“I think you only have to look at my record, I won’t hesitate to put them in regardless of how old they are. He’s definitely deserved a place in the team so far.”
With the summer transfer window well and truly back open, Aston Villa have a huge few weeks ahead.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League after defeat against Manchester United on the final day of the season, the West Midlands side find themselves in the Europa League.
That surely makes them less appealing to top players they are looking to sign, and also means they have less money, which could make it tough to turn the loan moves of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford into permanent deals. Spain international Asensio did not have a buy clause in his loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and it is unclear if he will come back.
Marco Asensio & Marcus Rashford for Aston Villa
Well, if it turns out that Asensio doesn’t re-sign for Villa, they seemingly have a replacement in mind.
Villa's potential Asensio replacement
It would certainly be a huge blow for Villa if they were to lose Asensio, who had a great impact and brought lots of technical quality in attacking areas to their squad. However, they seem to be targeting a fellow Spaniard to replace him.
According to a newspaper in Spain, via Caught Offside, Unai Emery and his side are seemingly targeting a move for Real Betis attacker Jesus Rodriguez. He reportedly has a release clause worth £30m in his current deal, but Betis are negotiating a new contract with the view of increasing the price of that release clause to around £43m.
Real Betis' Jesus Rodriguez.
Of course, the release clause makes this a complicated situation, and on top of that, Betis are thought to be set on keeping Rodriguez.
However, Villans’ sporting director Monchi ‘is determined to sign’ the attacker, and ‘will be leading negotiations to get the deal done’ this summer.
Why Rodríguez would be a good signing
Despite being just 19 years of age, Rodriguez had a strong second half of the campaign with Betis, after breaking into the first team under Manuel Pellegrini following a stint in the youth team until December.
Real Betis'JesusRodriguezcelebrates scoring their second goal
The Seville-born sensation played in 32 senior games last season for the club, scoring three times and grabbing one assist. He played a lot of first-team football, too, notching up 1739 minutes, the equivalent of 19 full 90-minute games. If anything, that shows the trust Pellegrini has in him already.
The 19-year-old attacker performed well in the UEFA Conference League last season, too. Although Betis lost in the final to Chelsea, he had an important role in their quest to the final, playing eight games and scoring against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
There is no doubt about it, Rodriguez stepping into Asensio’s shoes at Villa Park would be no mean feat. Not only is he ten years younger and therefore far less experienced, but the impact he had at Villa would be tough to recreate.
Even Asensio himself struggled to continue the form he showcased during the early part of his career in the West Midlands. He scored eight times and grabbed one assist in 21 games, but after a rapid start, couldn’t keep up his hot run of form past the start of April.
When looking at the underlying stats on FBref last season for both Rodriguez, a Spain U21 international, and Asensio, there are some numbers that stack up well against each other. One of those is goal-creating actions, in which the Betis man averaged 0.41 per game compared to the Villa loanee’s 0.66, showing they are both involved in their team’s goals regularly.
Described as an “explosive” player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Rodriguez will certainly bring dynamic ball-carrying to Villa Park, more so than Asensio of the stats are anything to go by. The 19-year-old averaged 4.31 progressive carries each game last season, compared to Asensio’s 2.72 per 90 minutes.
Goal-creating actions
0.41
0.66
Progressive carries
4.31
2.72
Carries into penalty area
3.17
0.93
Take-ons completed
2.44
1.06
Ball recoveries
4.72
3.05
It is not hard to see why Rodriguez will be Emery’s new Asensio. Not only are they both Spanish attackers who can play across the frontline, but he has the technical quality of the former Real Madrid star, combined with the habit of being involved in goals, even if that is not directly.
This seems like a deal Monchi wants to get over the line, and for £30m, the value of his current release clause, it could be an excellent piece of business for the Villans.
He's scored at Villa Park: Aston Villa racing to sign "fantastic" £42m star
Only Jacob Murphy, Mohamed Salah and Anthony Elanga assisted more goals than him last season…
Negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen are trundling on, but there’s a willingness from each party to see Liverpool sign Florian Wirtz in the coming weeks.
To be sure, this is a dizzying deal, but one which will provide Liverpool with a truly elite creative player, hailed by former Leverkusen man Patrick Helmes as “probably the best midfielder in the world.”
The thing is, Wirtz, 22, is pretty good. Sure, this is silly money, but is there honestly a player out there worth forking out a British-record sum for, barring, maybe, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak?
Matches (starts)
32 (26)
31 (25)
Goals
11
10
Assists
11
12
Shots (on target)*
2.2 (1.1)
2.5 (1.3)
Pass completion
85%
82%
Big chances created
12
17
Key passes*
2.3
1.8
Dribbles*
2.5
2.6
Ball recoveries*
4.5
3.6
Tackles + interceptions*
1.1
1.3
Duels won*
4.4
5.2
Liverpool want bang for their buck, and they’ll get it with Wirtz, whose prowess as an attacking midfielder with elite ball-carrying skills allows him to play across a variety of roles, including out wide or in a more focal attacking berth.
It’s been a while since the Reds have had such a profile. Maybe you’d have to date back to Philippe Coutinho to find a player on Wirtz’s technical level, or somewhere similar.
Liverpool want Coutinho 2.0
Dominik Szoboszlai is an attacking midfielder, but he’s more industrious and workmanlike in his football, only clinching 15 goals and 14 assists from 94 Liverpool appearances since joining from RB Leipzig in a £60m deal.
What Slot wants is Coutinho 2.0, with Liverpool selling the Brazil sensation to Barcelona way back in January 2018 for a £142m fee. Jaw-dropping. That facilitated the transfers of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, effectively creating a base from which Jurgen Klopp achieved his illustrious successes.
Hailed by Klopp as a “world-class” player in his final full season at Anfield, Coutinho played an instrumental role in Liverpool’s meteoric rise, so prolific and influential, a cut above for much of his stay.
However, after his sale, Liverpool’s midfield reverted to a more focused and pragmatic style, albeit growing into something more dynamic over the past few years.
Wirtz has been picked out as the man to take the baton. Liverpool are confident they will seal the signing of the German international, but in football, as with life, you just never know.
That’s why FSG are ensuring they have a contingency plan.
Liverpool hold talks with Wirtz alternative
As per The Athletic’s ever-reliable David Ornstein, Liverpool have held talks with Lyon star Rayan Cherki, performing due diligence on a range of targets in case the bid for Wirtz falls through.
In fact, it’s understood that Slot left his holiday and flew to the south of France to have a face-to-face chat with the French talent, who is also being courted by Manchester City in a £25m deal after their withdrawal from the Wirtz race.
If Liverpool are to pip Man City to the 22-year-old, who will cost in excess of €30m (£25m), they will need to be quick about it, with Pep Guardiola looking to seal the deal in the coming days.
What Rayan Cherki would bring to Liverpool
Cherki is one of the most talented players in the world, one of the most gifted and skilful. The caveat is that he’s been tagged with a bad-attitude reputation, but his performances across the past year do speak of a new maturity.
Rayan Cherki
With 32 direct goal involvements from 44 matches in all competitions this term, it’s clear Cherki is the real deal, even regarded by data analyst Ben Mattinson as “a Ballon d’Or level talent.”
Located centrally or toward the right wing, the left-footer is a creative menace with the ability to score a goal with standout finesse. Moreover, he appears to have reached a new level in regard to his output.
24/25
44
12
20
23/24
39
3
9
22/23
39
5
6
21/22
20
2
4
20/21
30
4
4
19/20
13
3
2
Such qualities suggest he would bring a Coutinho-esque style to Slot’s Liverpool, especially when you see the underlying data.
As per FBref, Cherki ranked among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for assists, shot-creating actions and progressive passes, as well as the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.
Such metrics suggest Cherki is not only a playmaking wizard but a willing driver of the ball himself. Indeed, his flashy footwork and balletic twirls have foiled many Ligue 1 and Europa League backlines this term, something Coutinho produced at Liverpool.
So then, where are we with all this? Well, it’s improbable Liverpool would hijack Man City’s move for Cherki if indeed they reach an agreement with Leverkusen for Wirtz, and while that should happen, every day without a breakthrough is another day for Merseysiders to fret over that dreaded and sinking possibility.
However, if it were to happen, Liverpool could score an absolute blinder in stealing Cherki from Citizen clutches. Truly, he’s got the X-factor about him that players seldom possess. Wirtz is one of those rare geniuses, and Coutinho, back in his heyday, was another.
Salah's new Mane: Liverpool consider making big bid for £80m "nightmare"
Liverpool are prepared to sign a new winger after completing a deal for Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool fans have been treated to an incredible year under the wing of Arne Slot, and it’s only going to get better, with FSG making serious moves in the overtures of the summer transfer window.
A deal for Jeremie Frimpong is being finalised, and the Bayer Leverkusen right-sider will join as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ostensible replacement.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
But it’s another of a Werkself persuasion who is slated to be the true heir to Trent’s playmaking position. Indeed, in a saga moving faster than Mohamed Salah in his heyday, Liverpool are now clear favourites to sign Florian Wirtz, who has rejected Bayern Munich in favour of a move to Anfield this summer.
With Manchester City previously withdrawing from consideration (perhaps because they knew he favoured Merseyside?), everything is in place for sporting director Richard Hughes to finalise a deal.
It would be a record signing for Liverpool, but it’s one which makes a whole lot of sense.
Why Liverpool need Florian Wirtz
A deal for Wirtz is almost done, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Liverpool won the Premier League this season, but they aren’t resting on their laurels.
Though Slot’s system still needs a reliable and out-and-out striker, this is a stunning coup that signals a statement of intent. Bayern and Man City both wanted Wirtz, but he chose Anfield.
And what a player. As per FBref, the 22-year-old ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal contributions, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.
His ability to manipulate space and wrongfoot opponents is second to none; moreover, Wirtz is remarkably switched on, always making the right call and demonstrating precision through his creativity and his ball-striking ability.
This season alone, Wirtz has scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists across all competitions for Leverkusen. Last term, he spearheaded an invincible Bundesliga triumph, earning the division’s Player of the Season award; he won the DFB-Pokal too.
He’s the real deal, all right, having been hailed as a “generational talent” by sports media professional Cristian Nyari. And Liverpool might even be gearing up to partner him with a thriving centre-forward.
Liverpool considering move for LaLiga star
As per Spanish sources, Liverpool are battling Bayern Munich for yet another high-profile signing, with the two powerhouses joining Arsenal in a bid to sign Julian Alvarez.
The Argentina star has been immense since joining Atletico Madrid last summer, and while the La Liga giants don’t want to sell, they would be tempted by offers reaching toward the €100m (£85m) mark.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez
It’s too early to say which direction this story will take in the coming weeks, but Liverpool bosses may feel they have a trump card in Darwin Nunez, a striker they hope to offload this summer and a player who has been reported to be on Los Colchoneros’ radar.
The report claims that the Reds are one of the clubs considering a move to sign the World Cup-winning marksman, and that they would be interested in including Nunez as part of a deal for the striker.
What Julian Alvarez would bring to Liverpool
Liverpool supporters know Alvarez well, for he won a shedload of silverware across two seasons with Manchester City before leaving for Atletico Madrid in a whopping £82m deal last summer.
Julian Alvarez for Manchester City.
That figure raised a few eyebrows, but Diego Simeone will certainly feel he has received bang for his buck after the Argentine’s prolific season, surpassing any of his individual success at the Etihad Stadium.
Alvarez’s fine-tuned clinical edge could actually see him leap over Wirtz as Liverpool’s most important signing of the summer, especially when considering the issues the club have been beset with at number nine this term, Nunez and Diogo Jota’s troubles leading Luis Diaz into a makeshift centre-forward role.
River Plate
122
54
31
Manchester City
103
36
19
Atletico Madrid
53
29
6
Argentina
44
12
33
Refocused into more of a goalscoring force than his times in England, Alvarez has been described as “the best forward in the world” this season by journalist Roy Nemer, having indeed reached the verge of the 30-goal mark in his first year in Spain.
Alvarez might be a prolific player, but that’s not why Liverpool have a vested interest, of course. As per FBref, the 5 foot 8 striker ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe this season for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, the top 7% for progressive passes, and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90.
This completeness and dynamism suggest Alvarez would be the perfect addition to Slot’s ranks, the perfect upgrade at number nine. He’s considered by FBref’s data-driven analytics to be a comparable player to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, and would be far cheaper at that.
Securing the 25-year-old’s signature alongside Wirtz’s would represent a staggering coup for Liverpool, but given the need for a new striker, he would indeed prove the standout, not just a new goalscorer but a multi-faceted force to be reckoned with.
Alvarez has scored 17 goals in La Liga this season, and he has only missed seven big chances, as per Sofascore, bespeaking his newfound skill as an elite marksman.
Wirtz is going to be a stunning acquisition, for sure, but Liverpool are already relatively well stocked in their attacking midfield area, whereas up front there is a gaping hole for a reliable marksman.
If FSG manage to pull this one off after swiping Germany’s prized playmaker from the Bundesliga, beating Bayern to the finish line on both occasions, it speaks highly of Michael Edwards’ vision and Liverpool’s potential over the coming years.
Fans have rejoiced over the triumph in the Premier League this season, but you might say that success has merely scratched the surface of what this team is capable of.
Open to leaving: Liverpool “machine” would be finished if FSG sign Wirtz
Liverpool are going punch-for-punch with Bayern Munich in the fight to sign Florian Wirtz.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is personally keen on the north Londoners signing a star alternative to club captain Martin Odegaard this summer, and one who has been scoring for fun on the continent this season.
Mikel Arteta makes Andrea Berta claim amid Arsenal rift reports
The arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta has dominated headlines since it was announced in late March.
Arsenal offered "world class" Sesko and Gyokeres alternative by unique clause
Andrea Berta has a brand-new striker opportunity.
ByEmilio Galantini May 17, 2025
Berta, following 12 successful years working with Atlético Madrid, is set to have a key influence when it comes to Arsenal’s recruitment plans, but there have already been some reports of rifts between the Italian and Arteta.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
One example of this is their reported Arsenal dispute over whether to move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, but Arteta is adamant that the pair will have a productive working relationship.
“Very good, they’re two very completely different personalities, characters and backgrounds,” said Arteta on the difference between Berta and Edu.
“But he’s someone who’s very driven and very clear in his ideas, vision and how we want to achieve it, and very supportive of everything that’s been done here, with a lot of people who have contributed massively to the position that we are today as a club.
“The squad that we have, the players and the staff that we have, and he’s ready to add value and make us better. That’s the reason why we’ve chosen him to be here with us.”
When asked if the manager and Berta are working on the same page when it comes to Arsenal transfers, Arteta replied: “On what we have to do, yes.”
The Gunners boss will have his own ideas on how to improve his squad, and he is set to work in tandem with Berta ahead of a hopefully more fruitful Premier League title challenge next season.
Mikel Arteta keen on signing Oihan Sancet for Arsenal
According to reports from Spain, Athletic Bilbao’s attacking midfield sensation, Oihan Sancet, is attracting the tactician’s personal attention.
The Spaniard has marked himself out as one of Ernesto Valverde’s standout stars, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, and Arsenal are one of a few teams apparently looking at him as a serious option.
It is now believed that Arteta is personally keen on an Arsenal move for Sancet, who could leave Bilbao for the value of his £67 million release clause, and views the 25-year-old as an “ideal link” between his midfield and forward line.
Man United and Aston Villa are also interested in a move for the Spain midfielder, so a move to the Premier League appears to be an option.
Given Sancet’s exceptional form, not to mention reports they could lose Nico Williams this summer, we believe Bilbao will be highly unlikely to let Sancet leave for much less than the value of his clause.
Celtic are thriving on the field under Brendan Rodgers, but they may now be set for an unexpected turn of events behind the scenes following recent developments.
Brendan Rodgers aims to maintain Celtic winning culture
Evaluating the landscape of Scottish football, Celtic find themselves head and shoulders above the rest as they close in on another domestic treble.
Brendan Rodgers knows his side only need to defeat Aberdeen at Hampden later this month to achieve that feat, while he is also the third-most successful manager in the club’s illustrious history behind Willie Maley and Jock Stein.
Celtic managerBrendanRodgerscelebrates after winning the League Cup
However, there has been some speculation surrounding the Celtic boss as he heads into the final year of his contract at Parkhead with little to no update on a potential extension.
Like any manager worth his salt, Rodgers wants full backing from the Hoops hierarchy before his side take on the challenge of facing whoever they draw in the final round of Champions League qualifying.
Citing the need for signings, Celtic are very interested in Red Star Belgrade defender Veljko Milosavljevic, potentially laying down a marker with regard to what supporters can expect from their club in the summer market.
Fewer minutes than Nawrocki: Celtic must axe flop who's "not good enough"
Celtic must finally part ways with this player who has played fewer minutes than Maik Nawrocki.
ByDan Emery May 9, 2025
Stability at Parkhead has led to a steady stream of success. That hasn’t just come from the manager, but the rank and file department members that exist below his sphere of influence.
Nevertheless, everyone at one point will look to strike out on their own should the opportunity present itself. That is just the reality of career progression in the cold light of day.
With that in mind, Celtic could face a fight to hold onto one of their trusted coaches after the club were approached over his availability, per recent developments.
Swansea City approach Celtic to land Darren O'Dea
According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph on X, Swansea City have approached Celtic as they look to appoint Darren O’Dea as their assistant manager following Alan Sheehan’s appointment as head coach at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Former Republic of Ireland international O’Dea is currently the Bhoys’ Professional Player Pathway Manager, though he could now be set to swap Glasgow for the EFL Championship side if all parties agree on a deal.
O’Dea has also managed Celtic’s B Team in conjunction with Stephen McManus, and his departure may come as something of a surprise despite his ambitions of entering the dugout at senior level.
Either way, Hoops fans and figures from inside the club will wish him well if he were to take up Swansea on their offer, given his reputation as a bright young coach who has worked his way up the Lennoxtown ranks.