All posts by z3u9t.icu

Rangers’ busy summer spending spree continues at Ibrox. Indeed, since Russell Martin’s appointment at Ibrox, the Gers have made six new signings to date, most recently bringing in Nasser Djiga on a season-long loan.

He follows Lyall Cameron, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez and Thelo Aasgaard through the arrivals’ door at Rangers, but are the Glasgow giants now going to get their hands on a vastly experienced new centre-back?

Rangers aiming to bolster their back line

The start of Rangers’ season is now fast approaching.

Transfer Focus

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

Last Sunday, the Gers faced Club Brugge in a pre-season friendly, fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Club Brugge at home, thanks to second-half goals from Mohamed Diomandé and then youngster Findlay Curtis.

No such defensive sloppiness can be afforded in just ten nights’ time when the Light Blues commence Champions League qualifying, welcoming Panathinaikos to Govan, hence why Martin is targeting even more new signings this week.

Thus, according to a report by Sky Sports News, Rangers remain interested in signing Conor Coady from Leicester City.

Earlier in the window, Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider claimed that the Gers were ‘in advanced talks’ with the Foxes, as they attempted to sign the centre-back, but this is yet to come to fruition.

As outlined by Rob Tanner of the Athletic, Leicester are actively looking to get some of their highest earners off the books, following their relegation back to the EFL Championship, so will surely be quite accommodating, as they too want this deal to get over the line.

Thus, it remains very possible that Coady will make the move to Rangers but, with Panathinaikos on the horizon, Martin will be eager for this deal to get done sooner rather than later.

How Conor Coady would improve Rangers defence

Right now, Rangers have seven senior centre-backs on their books, although this could be down to six, after a bid was accepted for Robin Pröpper, who is seemingly on his way back to FC Twente, as confirmed by Martin.

So, here are the options Martin currently has in his squad.

John Souttar

28

2022

94

Ben Davies

29

2022

58

Clinton Nsiala

21

2024

13

Leon King

21

2020*

42

Nasser Djiga

22

2025

Zero

Emmanuel Fernandez

23

2025

Zero

*King made his senior debut in 2020.

As the table outlines, there is not a huge amount of experience among Rangers’ current central-defenders but, given that he played in both the Champions League for Crvena zvezda and the Premier League for Wolves last season, Djiga has surely arrived to be first-choice.

Alongside, John Souttar is probably in pole position to partner the new arrival, having made 40 appearances for the club last season, accumulating 3,411 minutes, the most he has ever enjoyed in a single campaign of his injury-blighted senior career.

Thus, Coady’s potential arrival would probably be particularly bad news for the Scotland international, banishing him to the bench.

James Tarkowski, who played alongside Coady at Everton, labelled him a “great leader”, while his manager at Goodison, Sean Dyche, heralded his “immaculate” professionalism.

Meantime, Adam McNulty of Breaking the Lines praised his ability ‘to pick out a runner’, documenting his outstanding distribution, supported by the fact that, in the 2019/20 Premier League season, Coady completed more accurate long passes than anybody else.

Given that new manager Martin’s style of play prioritises control through possession, this could be an invaluable asset to have at the back.

But how do his statistics compare to those of Souttar? Let’s find out.

Appearances

43

40

Minutes

3,103

3,411

Passes Attempted

73.45

56.95

Passing Accuracy %

92.48%

86.4%

Forward Passes

25.6

20.9

Tackles Made

0.8

0.8

Aerial duel success %

51.91%

68.06%

Ground duel success %

57.22%

69.43%

Clearances

3.6

6.9

Interceptions

0.9

0.7

Ball recoveries

3.5

2.7

Touches

81.9

70.45

First and foremost, it is worth noting that the last two seasons were included for Coady due to his lack of action at Leicester, thereby providing a larger sample size.

With that in mind, the Englishman comes out on top for the vast majority of metrics included when compared to Souttar, notably attempting, on average, 17 more passes per 90, as well as five more forward passes.

Defensively too, Coady accumulated more interceptions and ball recoveries, while taking 11 more touches per game, underlining that he is a good fit for a Rangers team who, domestically, dominate possession but, in Europe, are forced to do a lot more defending.

Thus, this signing appears to be an absolute no-brainer for the Light Blues, one that they should do everything in their power to finalise as soon as possible.

Rangers could land Ryan Kent 2.0 with Ibrox move for "incredible" star

Russell Martin could be eyeing another loan signing at Rangers…

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 11, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur face a huge task ahead of them in 2025/26, desperately needing to build on the success they enjoyed in the final months of last season.

The Lilywhites claimed the Europa League title with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao, subsequently ending their 17-year drought without any form of silverware.

However, the triumph in Europe is evidence that the club can compete at the top level, with Thomas Frank needing to continue the excellent work done by former boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Dane has the opportunity to take the side to the next level, but he will need to be an immediate success in the Premier League and prevent a repeat of the 15th-place finish in 2024/25.

Unsurprisingly, changes are to be expected in North London, needing to make the additions he craves if he is to be a success during his first year at the helm.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Mohammed Kudus is one attacker who’s been strongly linked with a move to join Spurs this window, as Frank looks to bolster the frontline at his disposal.

It was reported in recent days that the Lilywhites have had their first offer for the 24-year-old rejected, but they are still closely monitoring the West Ham United star.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix in recent days, with Aston Villa youngster Jacob Ramsey firmly on their radar, according to Football Insider.

They claim that the Lilywhites have been monitoring the 24-year-old in recent times and have now entered talks with his agent over a move to North London.

It also states that Frank has previously been a huge admirer of the Englishman, potentially looking to take advantage of their financial situation, with a £40m price tag being mooted for the attacker.

Why Spurs’ £40m target would be Frank’s next Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo is a player who has managed to take his career to the next level under Frank’s guidance in recent years, subsequently developing into one of the Premier League’s leading stars.

The Cameroonian international spent six years under the Dane’s guidance, with the manager undoubtedly playing a huge role in his rise to stardom over the last few months.

The 25-year-old managed to net 20 league goals last season, in what was the best goalscoring campaign of his career, being only one of five players in the division to hit such a tally.

He’s been on the Lilywhites’ radar to potentially follow Frank to North London this summer, but it appears as though he’s set to move to Manchester United after stating his desire to join the Red Devils.

However, as seen with their attempts to land Kudus in this window, Frank wants a new forward, potentially opening the door to a move to land fellow target Ramsey.

Whilst the Englishman hasn’t managed to nail down a place in Unai Emery’s side, he’s still managed to produce numerous impressive figures that have been better than Mbeumo’s in 2024/25.

The Villa star, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has thrived with the ball at his feet, completing more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes per 90, having the tools to provide those around him with chances in North London.

Games played

29

38

Goals & assists

4

27

Progressive passes

3.8

3.7

Pass accuracy

85%

66%

Key passes made

1.8

1.6

Take-on success

54%

46%

Carries into final third

1.9

1.8

Aerials won

35%

31%

He’s also completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst registering a higher tally of carries into the final third per 90, offering a constant threat to the opposition backline.

Ramsey’s dominance doesn’t end there, winning more aerials, potentially handing Frank an all-round option within the final third, and potentially being a bargain at £40m.

Now that the PSR deadline has passed, it remains unclear whether Villa will be willing to part ways with the youngster, but he would be a superb signing and one that would transform the Lilywhites’ attack.

If he could carry over his form from the Midlands to the capital, it would be a sensational piece of business, handing Frank a star who could emulate the success of Mbeumo under his guidance.

Frank's answer to Bale: Spurs make "generational" £70m ace their top target

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be putting their focus on a deal to land one attacking star.

2 ByEthan Lamb Jul 3, 2025

Newcastle United enter the market looking to build on the success of last campaign and now find themselves in the mix for a young defender who could add another layer of solidity under Eddie Howe, according to a report.

Newcastle United see bid turned down for Anthony Elanga

Some Premier League fans could’ve been forgiven for wondering if there was much transfer business going on at the Magpies at an early stage in the window, but it is clear that signs of life are starting to show as Eddie Howe scours the market.

David Ornstein delivered some intriguing news yesterday, detailing that Newcastle have saw a bid in the region of £45 million turned down for Anthony Elanga and also revealing Nottingham Forest’s stance on the Sweden international.

He stated on social media platform X: “Newcastle make offer to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. Bid in region of £45m. NFFC rejected without counter; no intention of selling Sweden int’l. NUFC considering whether to maintain pursuit or focus on other targets.”

Between the sticks, Newcastle are in advanced talks to sign Burnley stopper James Trafford for £30 million and could finally bring a long-winded saga to acquire the England Under-21 international to an end if all goes to plan.

Marcus Rashford is also a potential Magpies arrival on loan, albeit that may hinge on whether Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro opts for St James’ Park or Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle and PIF in contact to sign £300k-a-week Champions League winner

He was once called “best player” in the Premier League.

2 ByHenry Jackson Jun 24, 2025

All in all, there is plenty to be encouraged about in the North East, though supporters will be desperate to see more movement occur over the coming weeks ahead of the Magpies’ pre-season preparations.

They may well get their wish, with Newcastle now in the hunt for a central defender who had starred at the recent UEFA Under-21 EURO Championships.

Newcastle enter race to sign Cesar Tarrega

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Newcastle, led by Howe, are looking to sign Cesar Tarrega from Valencia and there is also further interest in his services from unnamed Premier League clubs as well as in Italy from Bologna.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the 23-year-old made 38 appearances across all competitions last season, registering two goals and a solitary assist from central defence. His camp are aware of interest in his services.

Cesar Tarrega in La Liga – per 90 min (FBRef)

Tackles

1.46

Interceptions

0.65

Blocks

1.22

Clearances

6.60

Aerial duels won

2.59

His Serie A admirers view him as a potential replacement for Jhon Lucimi, though he reportedly wants to sign a contract extension at his current club, where he is tied to until the summer of 2028.

Appearing three times for Spain at the Under-21 European Championships, Tarrega’s stock is rising and Newcastle are now minded to convince him that a move to the North East would be the most beneficial for his development.

Juggling both domestic and European endeavours won’t be easy for the Magpies, so it makes sense to add strength in depth to lead the fight on all fronts in 2025/26.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to tackle the summer transfer market following the confirmed arrival of Thomas Frank as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement in the dugout.

Tottenham announce as Thomas Frank as their new manager

Spurs were repeatedly linked with Frank after chairman Daniel Levy made the tough decision to sack Postecoglou, with the Australian helping to end their 17-year wait for a major trophy but also guiding them to 22 Premier League defeats last season.

Tottenham may be offered "quick" £26m defender in Radu Dragusin swap deal

Spurs apparently agreed a deal for him in January.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025

On Thursday evening, Frank was officially unveiled as the Lilywhites’ fifth manager since 2019, after Spurs triggered his £10 million release clause and reached an agreement on his backroom staff.

“Thomas has extensive experience in English football having joined Brentford in 2016 – since becoming one of the longest-serving current managers in the Premier League,” a club statement said.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

“During his time at Brentford he transformed the Club, moving them up from the Championship to an established Premier League side, consistently and significantly outperforming expectations for an extended period of time.

“In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. He has a proven track record in player and squad development, and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.”

On paper, Frank is arguably a perfect for the north Londoners, having worked wonders with limited resources at Brentford whilst also operating under a data-driven recruitment model.

However, the Dane also has zero experience managing a team of this magnitude, nor does he boast any silverware or Champions League know-how, yet he is the man who is about to lead Tottenham into Europe’s most prestigious competition next term.

If Frank is to become a success at Spurs, Levy will need to back him in the transfer market, and this summer is set to be another crucial one.

Frank’s side are reportedly trying to hijack Man United’s move for Bryan Mbeumo, but that is not all.

The 51-year-old has already recommended Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to Tottenham, according to GiveMeSport, and it is now reported that he’s also a fan of Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White.

Thomas Frank "pushing" Tottenham to move for Morgan Gibbs-White

That is according to journalist Sebastien Vidal, who claims that Frank is “pushing” for Tottenham to sign Gibbs-White in a “statement” move.

The England international, despite this report that a £51 million deal is possible, is likely to cost far more. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have him under contract for another two years, with other reports claiming Forest could demand as much as £100 million for him this summer.

Gibbs-White was a superstar player for Forest during their unlikely push for Champions League football last season, bagging seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions, so Spurs will have to seriously dig deep into their pockets to get them talking.

Manchester United could now make a move for one of Real Madrid’s top targets, having been left impressed during scouting missions, according to a report.

Man Utd ringing the changes ahead of important summer

After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, this summer could be one of the most important in Man United’s modern history, and INEOS have already started to ring the changes, signing Matheus Cunha and making a key off-field decision.

It has now been revealed that Jason Wilcox has taken up the role of sporting director, which had been vacant since Dan Ashworth’s departure last November, and the 53-year-old has a big rebuilding job on his hands over the next few months.

Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Marcus Rashford are among the forwards who could leave, with the latter being widely linked with Barcelona, which means it could be important for the Red Devils to bring in more attacking options, despite having already signed Cunha.

Man Utd hold secret talks to swap Sancho for "generational" £75m PL forward

The Red Devils have held discussions over a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho…

ByDominic Lund Jun 4, 2025

According to a report from Caught Offside, one attacking midfielder who Man United scouts have been left impressed by is Como’s Nico Paz, having monitored the 20-year-old’s progress in Italy this season.

The Red Devils could make a move for Paz, but Real Madrid’s interest could be an obstacle, with the Spanish heavyweights identifying the youngster as a top target, given that new manager Xabi Alonso is believed to be a huge fan.

As such, Madrid could be tempted to trigger the €8m (£7m) buy-back clause and sign their former player, although the Tenerife-born maestro may only be willing to move back to Spain if he receives guarantees over his first-team place.

"Exceptional" Paz could be ready to join top club

It is little wonder that Madrid are looking to sign the Argentina international for a bargain fee, considering he enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season in Serie A last term, picking up six goals and nine assists in 35 outings.

The starlet’s attacking numbers certainly catch the eye, but perhaps equally impressive is the fact he is also willing to pitch in defensively, having displayed his ability to win back possession on a regular basis over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

1.71 (81st percentile)

Interceptions

0.70 (88th percentile)

Blocks

1.64 (96th percentile)

It is evident to see why Alonso is so fond of the Como star, and he is not the only former Madrid star who appreciates the Argentine, with Toni Kroos previously saying: “This lad (Nico Paz) should be training with us every day because he’s exceptional.”

Paz could be a fantastic long-term addition to Ruben Amorim’s squad, but it could be difficult to compete for his signature with Real Madrid, given the allure of playing for the Spanish side.

Kieran Tierney is back at Celtic.

On Tuesday, the club officially confirmed Tierney’s return to Parkhead, re-joining on a free transfer, six years after he departed Glasgow initially, heading for Arsenal.

Safe to say, Celtic supporters are excited to see the beloved left-back bedecked in green and white hoops again, but could Brendan Rodgers now land a winger to play in front of the returning hometown hero?

Celtic chasing a new winger

So, with Tierney through the door and the Bhoys chasing more recruits, who’s up next at Paradise?

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to a report by RMC SPORT, Celtic are ‘back in the race’ to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha this summer, adding that ‘discussions regarding personal terms’ have already begun.

The Hoops have a long-standing interest in the winger, with Royal Antwerp general manager Sven Jaecques admitting that they had been negotiating with both Celtic and Stade Rennais last summer, only for Balikwisha to suffer an injury that curtailed these talks.

Well, as outlined by Manuel Meza of Sports Illustrated, Balikwisha now has just one year remaining on his contract with Antwerp, hence why the Belgian outfit ‘are looking to cash in’, especially after they failed to qualify for Europe, defeated 2-1 by Royal Charleroi in a Jupiler Pro League play-off at Bosuilstadion last month.

According to Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old is worth around £5m, having been valued at close to double that as recently as December 2023, so could he be on his way to Glasgow?

How Michel-Ange Balikwisha would improve Celtic

A Belgian U21 international, Balikwisha made his professional debut for Standard Liège, before joining Royal Antwerp in 2021, making 141 appearances for the Reds, scoring 29 goals and registering 17 assists.

He was a key figure in the Antwerp side that won the league and Coupe de Belgique double in 2022/23, Antwerp’s first Belgian title since 1957, before scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League the following season.

Balikwisha’s career has been blighted by injuries in more recent times, requiring knee surgery in January 2024, before making just 17 appearances this season due to a torn thigh muscle, albeit he started each of Antwerp’s final 11 fixtures of the campaign.

So, let’s assess his statistics.

Minutes

1,784

99th

Goals

7

17th

Assists

6

9th

Progressive carries

85

10th

Carries into penalty area

34

9th

Shot-creating actions

69

30th

Goal-creating actions

10

13th

Big chances created

6

40th

Key passes per match

1.5

24th

Average SofaScore rating

7.32

14th

As the table shows, Balikwisha generally ranks very highly for all the attacking metrics included, which is very impressive considering that he missed seven matches due to injury during the 2023/24 campaign, as well as the fact that the Jupiler Pro League is the eighth-strongest division in the world, according to Global Football Rankings.

Analyst Ben Mattinson describes him as a “two-footed” left-wing who is certainly “capable of beating a defender” both inside and out, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believes he operates best as an “inside forward”, praising his “pace, dribbling and finishing” as his main attributes.

Thus, one can certainly envisage Balikwisha and Tierney linking up well together down the Celts’ left-hand side. The Scot was simply sublime in green and white last time, registering as many as 37 assists. Safe to say he was one of the best left-sided players in the whole country.

Now, with the returning hero bombing down the left flank again, as is very much his want, the Belgian would be given the license to cut inside and get shots away.

On paper at least, it sounds like they would form a devastating duo.

Celtic can forget about Kvistgaarden with move to sign "gifted" £0 striker

With Celtic seemingly set to miss out on signing Mathias Kvistgaarden from Brøndby, they should instead go for a “gifted” free agent.

Jun 10, 2025

Celtic’s season came to an end on Saturday when they were beaten by Aberdeen on penalties in the final of the SFA Cup at Hampden Park, which put an end to their hopes of clinching the treble.

It was still a successful season for the Hoops, though, as they won the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup, beating Rangers on penalties in the final of that competition.

All eyes will now turn to the summer transfer window, and Brendan Rodgers has already got one signing coming through the door, as Kieran Tierney will arrive on a free transfer from Arsenal at the end of June.

The Scotland international is not the only free agent who appears set to make their way to Parkhead, however, as the club are reportedly closing in on another bargain deal.

Celtic set to make second summer signing

According to The Press & Journal, Celtic have agreed a pre-contract deal with Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan to return to the club in the upcoming summer transfer window as their second signing after Tierney.

The report claims that the Scottish shot-stopper is out of contract this summer and that the Hoops have already wrapped up a transfer to bring him back to Glasgow, having come up through the academy at Paradise.

It states that Doohan, dubbed “brilliant” by teammate Graeme Shinnie, is poised to replace veteran goalkeeper Scott Bain, who could be on his way out of the club with 12 months left on his contract, and that it is a move with homegrown restrictions in Europe in mind.

Transfer Focus

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

Celtic need four homegrown academy graduates in their matchday squad in Europe, and the Aberdeen titan would fill one of those spots, which is why he could be a shrewd signing.

Why Ross Doohan could be Luke McCowan 2.0

Signing a back-up goalkeeper on a free transfer may not be a particularly exciting addition, in comparison to a big-money signing from abroad, like Arne Engels, but it is one that has shades of the move for Luke McCowan last summer.

Celtic signed the central midfielder from Dundee last year for a reported fee of £1m, and it turned out to be a terrific piece of business as a low-cost addition who was already proven in the Premiership.

The 27-year-old star hit the ground running, as he did not need time to adapt, and ended his first year at the club with seven goals and nine assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.

Appearances

15

Saves

33

Successful run-outs

20

Penalties saved

1/1

Duel success rate

100%

Clean sheets

2

As you can see in the table above, Doohan made 15 appearances in the Premiership this season and is set to arrive at Celtic as a proven quantity at that level, making him an ideal signing as a back-up to Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.

Like McCowan, the free agent signing will not join the Hoops as a regular starter or as a big-name signing, but he could be a dependable option when needed throughout the season as a Premiership-proven star who does not need any time to adapt to the league.

Therefore, this is a move that makes a lot of sense and one that could be a shrewd deal for Celtic, despite it not being one that is likely to excite many.

He'd take Engels to the next level: Celtic expected to move for £10m star

Celtic are expected to make a move to sign a star who could take Arne Engels to the next level.

ByDan Emery May 26, 2025

And so, Manchester United are Bilbao-bound again. The Europa League final awaits…

Having cruised to a surprise 3-0 win away from home last week at San Mames, the Red Devils endured a typically nervous start on what should have been a routine night at Old Trafford, with Mikel Jauregizar’s first-half stunner sparking renewed hope for a depleted Athletic Club side.

The away side’s dominance continued in the early knockings of the second period, with United looking set to potentially pay for their inability to kill the tie sooner, with Alejandro having spurned a gilt-edged chance before the break.

Thankfully for Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese rolled the dice with his 60-minute substitutions and the right number came up, with the introduction of Mason Mount, in particular, helping to reinvigorate the misfiring hosts.

Two stunning strikes from the Englishman – which marked his first goals at the Theatre of Dreams in any competition – bookended further efforts for both Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund, with the Premier League side romping to a 7-1 aggregate scoreline in the end.

It was a night that began in shaky fashion, but this one was all about the finishers – in truth, it was the night that Mount finally came to the party.

Mason Mount's magic Man Utd moment

What a week it has been for the former Chelsea man. Handed his first start since his return from injury against Brentford at the weekend, the 26-year-old duly popped up with the opener at the Gtech, before again delivering the goods this time around.

In truth, Amorim’s repeated praise for the injury-hit playmaker has looked more like blind faith than anything else in recent months, with Mount seemingly heading the way of a litany of failed signings before him. Indeed, two goals and only one assist in 41 games before Thursday night’s encounter made for grim reading.

And yet, is there life in this £55m man? On the evidence of last night, there certainly is, with the forgotten talent sparking United’s in-game comeback with a delightful cruyff-turn and curler into the far corner.

As journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted, there were shades of Federico Macheda’s famous Aston Villa effort about that equaliser, although Mount went on to emulate a far more notable name in David Beckham at the death, having lofted the ball into the empty net from range.

Amid a largely wretched two seasons in Manchester, the Champions League winner has hardly come close to reaching the heights of his fellow number seven, although this electric cameo – hopefully – can be the start of something brighter.

In the short term, perhaps the Cobham graduate has etched his name into Amorim’s showpiece starting lineup. The same is also true of Amad Diallo.

Man Utd star now "has to start the final"

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and well, that is certainly true in the case of Amad.

Chalkboard

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

The shining light of Amorim’s early tenure, the Ivorian was cruelly struck down by injury in mid-February, having at that stage looked almost certain to miss the remainder of the campaign.

Having since defied the odds to work his way back to fitness, the 22-year-old has simply picked up where he left off earlier this year, as indicated by his stunning strike off the bench against the Bees on Sunday.

GK

Andre Onana

RCB

Matthijs de Ligt

CB

Harry Maguire

LCB

Leny Yoro

RWB

Noussair Mazraoui

CM

Bruno Fernandes

CM

Casemiro

LWB

Patrick Dorgu

RAM

Amad

LAM

Mason Mount

ST

Rasmus Hojlund

Again called upon as an impact player on Thursday night, the former Atalanta starlet quickly showcased why he now “has to start the final”, according to Luckhurst, after putting in a dazzling 30-minute showing.

Involved in the initial build-up to Mount’s first of the night, having surged down the left flank, the diminutive speedster was particularly crucial in teeing up Hojlund late on, having skipped his way into the penalty area before picking out the goal-shy Dane from the byline.

As he showcased amid that assist, Amad is simply a relentless and electric presence down that right flank. At one stage, he evaded his man with a sensational turn on the halfway line, albeit with teenager Harry Amass unable to convert at the end of that fine sweeping move, following another key intervention from Mount in between.

In all, that 8/10 showing – as per Luckhurst – from the dynamic left-footer saw him successfully complete 100% of his attempted dribbles and win 100% of his total duels, taking no time at all to get up to the speed of the game.

That standout cameo may suggest that Amad – and Mount too – could well be vital in helping to change the game in the final against Tottenham Hotspur, although Thursday served as a reminder as to why he simply must be in the starting XI, be it as a wing-back or a number ten.

With options now there for Amorim to call upon, as his squad edges back to full fitness, perhaps United may well finally peak at just the right time. Bring on Bilbao!

Man Utd could land a bigger talent than Amad in "unplayable" £60m star

Watch out Amad… Man Utd are looking to sign another standout attacker this summer

ByRobbie Walls May 8, 2025

Manchester United are now showing the “greatest interest” in signing a “true football artist”, but they will have to fork out his €45m (£38m) release clause to secure his signature, according to a journalist.

Man Utd set to bolster attacking options

Much of the goalscoring burden has fallen on Bruno Fernandes this season, while the Portugal international also leads the way for Man United on the assist charts, with Amad the only other forward to regularly chip in with attacking contributions.

As such, it is little wonder that Ruben Amorim wants to bolster his attacking options this summer, and a new striker is of particular interest, with progress now being made in the pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, having reached an agreement on personal terms.

Not only is Amorim keen on a new striker, but a new playmaker could also be brought in to ease the burden on Fernandes, and the Red Devils have reportedly submitted a monster £115.7m bid for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons.

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Simons has caught the eye with his impressive performances in the Bundesliga, picking up nine goals and five assists this season, but there have also been suggestions that United could take a chance on more of an unknown quantity.

In a recent update on X, journalist Cesar Luis Merlo has now revealed Man United are showing the “greatest interest” in signing River Plate attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, with a view to getting a deal done this summer.

Amorim’s side are “constantly following” Mastantuono, having already watched him in action, but they know the only way to prise him away from River Plate will be to stump up the €45m (£38m) release clause included in his contract.

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The River Plate youngster is only 17, but he already has a great deal of first-team experience, making 54 appearances for the Argentine side, during which time he has picked up six goals and five assists.

In light of his attacking capabilities, the Argentine has even been likened to Chelsea star Cole Palmer by scout Ben Mattinson.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also clearly been impressed by the starlet, describing him as a “true football artist” and “one of the most enjoyable youngsters to watch in world football” back in November.

It would, of course, be a risk to shell out £38m on Mastantuono, given that he is unproven outside Argentina, but there are clear signs he could adapt to life in the Premier League and make a name for himself at Manchester United.

Aston Villa are now looking to a seal a deal for a “devastating” midfielder ahead of their Premier League rivals, and he is keen on the move, according to a report.

Aston Villa pursuing new midfielder

Villa are on course to have another successful season under the helm of Unai Emery, having reached the Champions League quarter-final and the FA Cup sem-final, and their midfield has been particularly impressive.

Youri Tielemans was dubbed “one of the best midfielders in the world” by analyst Raj Chohan earlier in the campaign, while Morgan Rogers has caught the eye in a more advanced role, with the Englishman ranked among the Villans’ most consistent performers.

However, it appears as though Emery is keen to bolster his midfield options even further this summer, with FC Barcelona’s Marc Casado becoming one of the latest players to be shortlisted, and talks over a deal have now been opened.

Emery has green-lighted a move for Casado, but the Spaniard is not the only target in central midfield, with a report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealing Aston Villa are working to close a deal for Rosenborg star Sverre Nypan.

Arsenal and Girona have also been named as potential suitors for Nypan, but the Villans are now looking to move ahead in the race for his signature, and the 18-year-old is believed to be keen on a move to Villa Park.

Personal terms and a transfer fee are still yet to be agreed, so there is still work to be done before a deal is finalised, but there is now optimism that the move will be possible.

Previous reports have detailed a deal could amount to £12.5m, potentially making the youngster a low-cost addition to Emery’s squad.

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Given the talent Emery has at his disposal, it may be difficult for the young Norwegian to make an instant impact at Villa Park, but there are clear signs he could be capable of going on to be an important player.

The teenager has a very impressive goal and assist record in Norway, amassing 25 goal contributions in 62 appearances for Rosenborg, which is an eye-catching tally at such a young age.

The attacking midfielder has also caught the eye of football scout Ben Mattinson, with the starlet standing out due to his ability to pick out his teammates in dangerous areas.

Nypan could be a fantastic signing for Villa, and it would be a real statement of intent if they are able to beat the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City to his signature.