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While it’s not been smooth sailing this season, Chelsea are looking good at the moment.

Enzo Maresca’s side are third in the Premier League and, despite dealing with numerous injuries, are just six points behind first-place Arsenal.

Moreover, while some of the summer signings are still taking their time to bed in, the more established players have stepped up, with Moises Caicedo once again showing why he’s one of the best in the world.

So, fans should be delighted with reports linking them to another midfield monster who could be another Caicedo-type signing.

Chelsea target another Moises Caicedo

It’s no secret that Chelsea like to spend when it comes to transfers, and they’ve already been linked with a plethora of exciting talents ahead of the winter window.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, stories touting Real Madrid’s Rodrygo for a move to Stamford Bridge have resurfaced recently.

Another player from Spain who is reportedly a target for the Blues is former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez, who has been exceptional for Atlético Madrid, but as a result, could cost an arm and a leg.

However, while both La Liga stars would improve Marsca’s side, neither one can be described as a Caicedo-type signing, unlike Adam Wharton.

Yes, according to recent reports from Spain, Chelsea have maintained their strong interest in the Crystal Palace star ahead of the winter window.

In fact, the report goes further, claiming that the West Londoners are now leading the race for his signature, a signature that could cost them as much as £100m per other reports from the summer.

It would be a lot to spend on someone so young, but Wharton’s ability alone means it would be worth it, especially as he would be a Cacideo-type signing.

Why Wharton would be another Caicedo

Now, while there are obviously differences between them, there are a few reasons why Wharton could be another Caicedo-esque signing for Chelsea, either in January or the summer.

The first is that, like with the Ecuadorian, it would be another example of the Blues going in and putting a big offer on the table for one of the best midfielders in the Premier League who isn’t at a ‘big six’ side.

That might sound hyperbolic, but since moving to Selhurst Park, the Englishman has been sensational, and his underlying numbers prove as much.

xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals

0.30

Top 1%

GCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.13

Top 2%

Key Passes

2.07

Top 4%

Through Balls

0.58

Top 5%

xA: Expected Assists

0.22

Top 6%

Inswinging Corner Kicks

1.29

Top 7%

SCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.97

Top 7%

npxG + xAG

0.32

Top 10%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.75

Top 10%

Crosses into Penalty Area

0.26

Top 13%

SCA (Live-ball Pass)

2.52

Top 14%

SCA (Take-On)

0.13

Top 17%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.39

Top 17%

Crosses

2.78

Top 18%

For example, FBref rank the “generational” ace, as dubbed by Matthew Stanger, in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 4% for key passes, the top 5% for through balls, the top10% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Moreover, he’s putting up numbers like that at just 21 years old in a team that’ll likely finish mid-table come May.

Therefore, were he to join Maresca’s side, then he could develop in a similar way to Caicedo and go from an exceptional talent to one of the very best players in the entire league.

Finally, just like Pensioner’s number 25, the former Blackburn Rovers gem is someone who can do the dirty work in defence, but is just as capable of running things in the middle of the park, whether through silky passes or ball-carrying.

Ultimately, it would not be cheap, but Chelsea should do what they can to sign Wharton as soon as possible, as he could be another Caicedo for them.

Forget Delap: Cobham star who "lives & breathes goals" is Chelsea's future #9

The incredible Cobham gem could be a star for Chelsea but a problem for Delap.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 13, 2025

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah has been offered an eye-watering amount of money to leave Anfield, it has been claimed.

Salah has been alarmingly out of form by his world-class standards, but he returned to somewhere near his best on Saturday evening, opening the scoring in the Reds’ 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

It was a special night for the 33-year-old, who became just the third player in Liverpool’s history to score 250 goals for the club, joining Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in the process. Speaking after the Villa game, he admitted his delight at achieving such a great feat.

“It’s very important. We had a few losses in the Premier League and Champions League but I’m glad we start to come back on track now. It’s a good plus before very important games against [Real] Madrid and City. It’s a very important win for us. It’s a great feeling to score goals and win trophies for such a big club. It’s something I don’t take for granted. I’m so proud and so happy about that achievement.”

For Salah, it’s now a case of kicking on and returning to the form everyone knows he can achieve on a consistent basis, inspiring Liverpool’s changes in fortunes this season. He is contracted at Anfield until the summer of 2027, but now a shock exit rumour has emerged.

Liverpool legend Salah offered £132m-a-year to leave

According to a huge report from Spain, an unnamed club have offered Salah £132m per year in wages in order to tempt him away from Liverpool.

It would be a huge surprise and shame to see Salah leave Liverpool before his recently-signed new deal expires, even though he clearly hasn’t been at his best of late.

He was much-improved against Villa, and remains a hugely influential figure for the Reds, with Arne Slot waxing lyrical over his star attacker after the game.

“It is almost unbelievable if you score 250 goals, let alone 250 goals for one club. You don’t see that much in football any more. Apart from the goal he had a very good performance. When we had to play long, we mainly played to him and he held the ball and the team could come to him. What I liked was that he also helped the team defensively as well.”

Dominik Szoboszlai shows why he is now Liverpool's "most important player"

He was outstanding in the win over Aston Villa

By
Henry Jackson

Nov 2, 2025

Salah is now undoubtedly one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history, and while such a huge amount of money could turn the head of any player, the hope is that he wants to spend as long at Anfield as possible.

Where does Mo Salah rank among Liverpool's highest-earning players?

Fear not, Arsenal fans, the international break is finally coming to an end this weekend.

However, while the return of the Premier League can’t come soon enough, the Emirates faithful have been able to watch a number of their stars excel for their nations over the last week and a half.

One of those who has been particularly impressive has been Bukayo Saka, who scored a wonder goal against Wales and then picked up an assist against Latvia.

So long as he remains fit, the Hale Ender will surely be one of the first names on the team sheet at the World Cup, as his importance to the Three Lions is only eclipsed by his importance to the Gunners.

With that said, while Saka will likely remain the North Londoners’ talismanic number seven for as long as he’s playing, Mikel Arteta and Co may already have the perfect long-term heir in one of the most exciting talents in the country.

Arsenal's recent number sevens

Despite the amount of change the squad has been through, Arsenal have only had three first-team players wear the number seven shirt since 2016.

The first of those was Alexis Sanchez, who took the number ahead of the 16/17 season following the departure of Czech international Tomas Rosický.

The former Barcelona ace was already an undeniable superstar for the Gunners at this point, having produced 37 goal involvements in 41 games the season prior.

However, with his new number on his back, the Chilean international reached another level, scoring 30 goals and providing 18 assists in 51 appearances, totalling 4230 minutes, in the 16/17 season.

That comes out to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.06 games, or every 88.12 minutes. If that wasn’t enough, he also scored the opening goal in the club’s 2-1 FA Cup Final triumph over Chelsea that summer.

However, all good things must come to an end, and midway through the following season, he moved to Manchester United in a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan come the other way.

The Armenian international took the seven shirt off the departing winger, but, interestingly, had to wear 77 in Europa League matches because two players are not allowed to wear the same number in the same campaign.

Unfortunately, while the Yerevan-born player is undeniably talented and has been brilliant in Italy, he failed to deliver in North London and, within a year and a half, was sent on loan to AS Roma, with just nine goals and 13 assists in 59 games for the club.

The loan was made in the summer of 2020, and in July, the seven was handed to one of the club’s own: Saka.

While he hasn’t had a season as explosive as Sanchez’s 16/17, the Hale Ender has become a reliable source of goal involvements as well as someone who can step up in the big moments.

Moreover, and arguably just as crucial, he has also become the face of Arteta’s project and rejuvenation of the club, with him netting his 100th Premier League goal involvement in just his 200th league appearance before the international break.

In all, the Gunners’ “legend in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored 73 goals and provided 72 assists in 270 games for the club, totalling 20448 minutes.

In other words, since his first-team debut, the dazzling winger has averaged a goal involvement every 1.86 games, or every 141.02 minutes, which is made all the more impressive by the fact he spent much of his early career at left-back, or being played all over the place.

So, it’s clear that, so long as he can remain fit, Saka will almost certainly remain Arsenal’s number seven for potentially the next decade or so, and in even more good news, the academy looks like it’s producing someone who could be his long-term heir.

Arsenal's future number seven

There is certainly an argument to be made that Ethan Nwaneri could end up being Arsenal’s future number seven, as most of his games last season came off the right, in place of Saka.

Chalkboard

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

However, it has become increasingly clear this season that the club view him as a central player, and anyway, there is now another, younger Hale End gem who looks like he could thrive out wide and eventually make the number his own: Max Dowman.

It is hard to think of another academy gem who has received as much media attention as the 15-year-old, but it’s not just fans and pundits waxing lyrical about him.

For example, at the start of last season, Kulig claimed the teenager was the “most exciting prospect” he had seen “since Lamine Yamal”, and then last November, Hale End expert Will Balsam called him “the biggest talent in England.”

It might all sound somewhat hyperbolic, but his numbers from last season suggest it might not be.

In just 23 appearances, totalling 1945 minutes, he scored 19 times and provided five assists, which comes out to an average of 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes.

Moreover, he played brilliantly in pre-season, winning a penalty against Newcastle United, and then did the same at home to Leeds United in the league, with respected analyst Ben Mattinson pointing out that he “hasn’t even done his GCSE’s but he’s humiliating Premier League players.”

Finally, while there is a case for his future being in the middle of the park, his best attributes seem to be his agility, ability to beat opposition defenders, and his ability to burst into the penalty area, all of which feel like key skills for a top-class winger.

On top of that, his first team experience has come off the right, and he is currently playing out wide and thriving for England’s U19 side.

Finally, if the Gunners want to have him and Nwaneri in the team in the future, leading the way for Hale End, then it makes sense to play the latter in the middle and keep the former on the wing, where he can make the most of his incredible gifts.

Ultimately, Dowman is not going to take the number seven shirt from Saka in the foreseeable future, but given how young he is, there is every chance he becomes the 24-year-old’s long-term heir at the Emirates.

Arteta can drop Gyokeres by unleashing Arsenal star who's emulating Haaland

Viktor Gyokeres should be under pressure to perform at Arsenal.

By
Matt Dawson

Oct 15, 2025

Manchester United are looking to plan for the long-term under Ruben Amorim and Fabrizio Romano has now delivered a key update on the future of one of their stars.

Matheus Cunha excited for what's to come at Man Utd

Admittedly, the Red Devils have had a mixed start to the season, and it will take time to get things right as they aim to climb the Premier League table, albeit Matheus Cunha has been impressive since his summer transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Opening up on his settling in period, the Brazil international has laid out his plans to continue improving at Old Trafford, claiming that he is enjoying the challenge of helping Manchester United to get back to their best.

He said via the People’s Person: “What I was searching for as a person more than anything else, I’m slowly finding. You constantly want to improve; that’s innate in human nature, but I can’t help but stop and enjoy this moment.

“Feeling privileged to wear the jersey of the greatest national team in the world, one of the greatest clubs in the world… It’s a spectacular personal moment. I have an incredible family, another little girl now, everyone is doing well and healthy. I’m enjoying all of this in a positive way.”

While the Red Devils look to rectify results on the field, club officials are ready to push for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton despite Real Madrid also holding an interest in the England international.

Man Utd have a "£100m + footballer" who's becoming their new McTominay

Man Utd will not want to repeat the mistake they made with McTominay

2 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 13, 2025

However, bringing new talent into the building isn’t their only priority, with an update now emerging on the future of one of their key stars whose next steps have now become clearer.

Fabrizio Romano delivers Harry Maguire contract update

According to Romano in his GIVEMESPORT column, Manchester United star Harry Maguire is in talks over a contract extension, but he won’t be set for a pay rise if he does end up putting pen to paper at Old Trafford.

He said: “No [he won’t be receiving a pay rise]. It would have to be a different salary structure for Maguire in order to make it happen, talks are taking place.”

Harry Maguire at Manchester United

Appearances

253

Goals

16

Assists

9

Trophies

EFL Cup x1, FA Cup x1

Reported to be earning £190,000 per week at Old Trafford, the England international is famously one of Manchester United’s most expensive ever signings following his £80 million move to the club in 2019 from Leicester City.

Throughout highs and lows, Maguire’s leadership qualities and consistent level of performance have always shone through, and he is worthy of an extended stay at Old Trafford while Amorim tries to navigate a transitional period for the club.

Of course, he is likely to garner interest in the transfer market. However, Manchester United fans will hope a new contract can be sorted out for one of their most dependable assets.

After several years of relative caution in the transfer market, Newcastle United made a splash this summer with a host of new arrivals.

That investment bore fruit in Europe when the Magpies thrashed Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 in Belgium, their first win of this season’s competition and the biggest in their history.

Domestically, however, there were concerns. Newcastle’s attack looked disjointed in the early weeks of the season, with the team sitting towards the bottom of the league in their expected goals tally.

While new players are settling in, the club also had to balance the books, leading to some painful sales – including Alexander Isak’s £125m move to Liverpool.

Isak's early struggles at Liverpool

Isak’s exit dominated the summer headlines for months on end.

Having scored 62 goals and provided 11 assists in 109 appearances for Newcastle, the Swedish striker left an indelible mark on Tyneside.

His winner in last season’s Carabao Cup final sealed the club’s first major trophy in decades, making him a hero in black and white.

But the manner of his departure left a sour taste.

Isak pushed hard for the move, skipping parts of pre-season to engineer a transfer, and while Newcastle ultimately received a British record fee, the relationship between player and fans has been tarnished beyond repair.

Liverpool won the race for his signature, hoping Isak would provide the cutting edge needed to reclaim the Premier League title.

Yet, so far, things have not gone to plan.

Isak has looked far from his best, still working back to full fitness after missing much of Newcastle’s pre-season.

His lone goal for the Reds came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, but he has struggled in the league and Europe.

Against Crystal Palace last weekend, Isak’s difficulties were clear.

He registered three shots, all of them off target, and missed two big chances, as per Sofascore, in what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon. He attempted one dribble, which was unsuccessful, and completed just six of his ten passes.

A cameo against Galatasaray in the Champions League brought little improvement as Liverpool slipped to defeat.

At Newcastle, the system was built to maximise Isak’s movement and finishing, but at Anfield, he has struggled to replicate that influence.

For £125m, Liverpool will expect far more, and quickly.

If Isak’s summer switch has left him looking adrift, Sean Longstaff’s move has provided the perfect reset. Both departures have created talking points, but their fortunes could not have contrasted more.

Newcastle outcast is now shining in the Premier League

While Isak is yet to catch fire, Longstaff has quietly flourished in his new home. Journalist Daniel Storey even went as far as to describe his capture as “one of the best signings in the Premier League.”

A boyhood Newcastle supporter, Longstaff made 214 appearances for the club, scoring 16 goals and assisting 11 more.

He was part of the side that famously defeated Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in the Champions League last season and played a role in the Carabao Cup triumph.

Yet, in the era of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the midfielder represented pure profit on the balance sheet. Eddie Howe, seeking a more technically progressive profile in midfield, allowed him to leave.

Leeds United snapped him up for £12m, and it already looks like one of the bargains of the summer.

In seven appearances so far, Longstaff has scored once and registered one assist, both of which came in a standout performance during a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

He completely dominated the midfield, and the numbers tell the story of that display.

Longstaff had 70 touches and completed 36 of his 41 passes, giving Leeds control in possession.

He produced seven key passes, created two big chances, and was equally impactful without the ball, making six tackles and three clearances.

It was the kind of all-action midfield performance Newcastle fans once enjoyed, only this time in white.

Leeds currently sit 12th in the table, a solid return for a side adjusting to life back in the Premier League, and Longstaff has been central to their early progress.

Matches Played

6

Minutes

386

Goals

1

Assist

1

Progressive Passes

8

His energy, vision, and defensive contribution have helped Daniel Farke’s side adapt quickly, and his blend of experience and hunger has made him a fan favourite.

For Newcastle, his departure may have made financial sense, but watching him thrive elsewhere will sting.

9/10 Newcastle star proved why he's Howe's new Isak & it's not Woltemade

Newcastle beat Union Saint-Gilloise and recorded their biggest-ever win in the Champions League.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 2, 2025

Leeds United have missed out on signing some brilliant players in recent years after Marcelo Bielsa led the Whites back to the Premier League in 2020.

Those at Elland Road struck transfer gold on Raphinha, with the Brazilian winger starring in Yorkshire before sealing a big-money move to Barcelona in 2022.

However, Leeds could have signed icons Diego Maradona and Frank Lampard once upon a time, and more recently, plenty of other star names came close to joining the Whites.

Leeds United's most expensive sales of all time

A look at the record departures from Elland Road.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 3, 2025 10 star players Leeds United almost signed 10 Diego Maradona

A year on after Diego Maradona led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 saw Leeds make an ambitious move to sign the icon from Napoli.

A Division Two side at the time, Whites director Bill Fotherby was ready to spend a whopping £8m on Maradona and opened talks with the player’s agent. However, Leeds would eventually pull the plug and Maradona would remain with Napoli until 1991.

9 Frank Lampard

Following Rio Ferdinand’s move to Elland Road in 2000, Leeds looked to raid West Ham again a year later, this time for Frank Lampard.

The Whites were thought to be ready to pay £10m for the midfielder, but as we know, he’d instead join Chelsea.

Lampard has since gone on to become a rival of Leeds and was manager of Derby County during the famous ‘Spygate’ scandal during Bielsa’s time as Whites boss.

8 Erling Haaland

Striker Erling Haaland was born in Leeds and has openly admitted he is a Whites supporter, and those at Elland Road passed up on the chance to sign the Norwegian when he was at Molde.

Now a global superstar, Haaland was 17 at the time and Leeds were in the Championship when the failed transfer happened, with the forward instead signing for RB Salzburg.

7 Duncan Ferguson

Duncan Ferguson was a striker who would have loved the Elland Road atmosphere as a home player, and Leeds almost signed him in 1993.

Dundee United even accepted an offer worth £3.25m from the Whites, however, he would sign for Rangers instead before making a move to England with Everton 12 months later.

6 Josko Gvardiol

Manchester City signed Josko Gvardiol in 2023 for a world-record fee for a defender worth more than £77m. However, three years prior to his move to England, Gvardiol could have signed for Leeds following their promotion to the Premier League.

Leeds even agreed a fee with Dinamo Zagreb, but the Croatia international snubbed the Whites for RB Leipzig.

5 Rodrigo De Paul

During the summer of 2020, Leeds missed out on central midfielder Rodrigo De Paul as well as Gvardiol.

De Paul was a Udinese player at the time and would instead sign for Atletico Madrid, before helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar two years later.

4 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Now a Paris Saint-Germain star and one of the best in Europe, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is another case of what could have been for Leeds under Bielsa.

Following their successful first season back in the Premier League, Bielsa wanted attacking additions, with Victor Orta and co targeting Kvaratskhelia from Russian club Rubin Kazan.

Instead, Leeds signed Dan James from Manchester United with Bielsa losing his job during the 2021/22 season.

3 Cody Gakpo

Leeds were desperate to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven late in the summer transfer window in 2023, with Orta and co flying out to the Netherlands looking to bring the star attacker back to Yorkshire.

Gakpo even recalled the story of how he placed his fate in the hands of God the night before the transfer window slammed shut.

Gakpo scored a hat-trick for PSV that night in a 7-1 win over FC Volendam so remained with PSV, eventually moving to Liverpool six months later.

2 Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres signed for Arsenal in 2025, but years before his big-money move to the Emirates from Sporting CP, Orta nearly signed him for Leeds.

The Swedish striker was scoring for fun at Coventry City in the Championship, however, Leeds would instead break the bank in 2023 for Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim.

Coventry City

Sporting CP

Games

116

102

Goals

43

97

Assists

17

28

1 Ollie Watkins

When Leeds were looking for a new striker in 2020 upon their return to the Premier League, they targeted Ollie Watkins who was starring for Brentford in the Championship.

Watkins admitted himself that the Whites were keen on him, however, Leeds instead decided to sign Spanish international Rodrigo to lead their line.

Rodrigo had his ups and downs at Elland Road, whereas Watkins would sign for Aston Villa and regularly hit double figures for goals in the Premier League.

On Sunday afternoon, Alexander Isak will sit on the bench at Burnley’s Turf Moor. Perhaps he will be introduced in the second half, playing 20 or 30 minutes of football for his new club, Liverpool.

The main thing is that Liverpool prevailed in their summer-stretching bid to sign Newcastle United’s talisman, completing the highly-charged transfer on deadline day for a British-record £125m fee, not long after the Reds had broken the previous record when signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m.

Liverpool’s summer spending spree was conducted with the view from the FSG offices that it would be something of a one-off, a remarkable statement of strength that would secure Anfield’s future for many years to come.

And though some felt the deal was somewhat unnecessary after Hugo Ekitike joined from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the summer, it was absolutely right that Liverpool pushed hard to land the signature of one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards.

How Isak compares to Premier League strikers

Liverpool spent more this summer than any team had spent before across a single transfer window, and now Arne Slot’s side are expected to deliver: they must defend their Premier League title; they must battle against the continent’s finest for a seventh Champions League triumph.

Isak will help in the pursuit of all that. The 25-year-old scored 27 times for Newcastle last season and has emerged over the past few years as one of the best strikers in world football, so intelligent and influential and clinical in front of goal.

Mohamed Salah is known for his success in the final third, but Isak has actually been scoring at a more prolific rate since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022, and the overload of creative quality at Slot’s disposal suggests the Swede will only go from strength to strength on Merseyside.

PL – Top Scorers Since 22/23

Player

Apps

Goals (per 90)

Erling Haaland

100

88 (0.88)

Mohamed Salah

111

67 (0.60)

Alexander Isak

86

54 (0.63)

Ollie Watkins

115

50 (0.43)

Chris Wood

95

39 (0.41)

Bryan Mbeumo

101

39 (0.39)

Data via Transfermarkt

However, as already suggested, there are some who maybe feel that a record-breaking bid for Isak was superfluous, especially with Slot already having an Isak-esque talent in the ranks.

Liverpool already sold an Isak-esque talent

Sadio Mane was considered an irreplaceable part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, and he was, but FSG hit the jackpot in signing a positional successor in Luis Diaz, who proved instrumental in winning a horde of silverware across his three-and-a-half years at the club.

A left-sided forward by trade, Diaz was regarded as a “magical” player by the likes of Liverpool reporter Matt Addison, not quite hitting the same clinical heights as Mane before him but still contributing crucially throughout his spell at the club.

And last year was his best of the bunch, posting 17 goals and eight assists across the campaign. While consistent performances as a striker were bound to raise his output, Diaz still played the role extremely well, never goal-hanging and instead adding a dimension to Liverpool’s build-up play and altogether widening the scope for the likes of Salah and Cody Gakpo, who both enjoyed terrific campaigns in front of goal.

Long regarded as one of the most electric and direct wingers in the Premier League, Slot opted to refashion Diaz into a centre-forward last season, with Darwin Nunez toiling in front of goal.

And the results reinforced that decision, just one of a myriad of tactical enforcements that have established Slot as a Premier League champion and “one of the best coaches” in the world, as remarked by analyst Joe Baker.

Isak arrives at Liverpool as an upgrade in regard to being a centre-forward, but Diaz offered something very distinctive, a blend of sharp-paced athleticism and nifty tricks on the ball, all translatable to an unnatural berth at number nine.

After all, Diaz ranked among the top 3% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for non-penalty goals scored per 90, statistics courtesy of data-led platform FBref.

This much-improved focus in the final third, combined with a dynamic approach to the physical side of the game, led FBref to liken Diaz to Newcastle’s Isak, who had been named by pundit Ally McCoist as being “the best all-round centre-forward” in England.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland might have more of a predatory instinct in front of goal, but you can see why Liverpool invested such an effort into signing Isak, who brings more to the table, who will carry something of Diaz’s style of play through the campaign.

Diaz was an immense and perhaps even underrated member of a multi-title-winning Liverpool side, but he appeared to have been pining for a transfer, first looking toward Barcelona and then Manchester City and the Saudi Pro League too, before eventually completing a move to Bayern Munich, where he is thriving.

It’s the news that Pep Guardiola’s side had come close to signing him that perhaps rankles some within the Reds fanbase, with Liverpool proposing to the Sky Blues a scenario in which City signed the Colombia international and Liverpool got Julian Alvarez in return upon realising that Diaz wanted to join their domestic rivals.

Diaz’s desire to leave Liverpool and join a domestic rival underscores a further similarity between his case and that of Slot’s new focal frontman, and let’s just be grateful that he was at least willing to remain at the club and continue to ply dutifully toward the outfit’s goals.

The versatile forward, in any case, served Liverpool extremely well, and though he carried some similarities to Isak, there’s no question that Liverpool fans and those involved at the club will consider the arrival of the Sweden star a significant upgrade and a fantastic deal, even though Isak’s signature came at such a premium.

Related FSG have already sold Liverpool's homegrown Zubimendi for just £15m

Former Liverpool player is now starring as a deep-lying playmaker reminiscent of Zubimendi.

Posts ByWill Miller Sep 12, 2025

Tottenham's Carabao Cup clash with Doncaster has been thrown into the spotlight after a bizarre twist in the script as academy gem Damola Ajayi is set to line up against his parent club. The 19-year-old attacker, who only burst onto the scene last January with a thunderbolt debut strike against Elfsborg in the Europa League, was sent on loan to Rovers in the summer. Now, in a rare exception to the usual rules, he's been given the green light to feature on Wednesday night against Spurs.

• Ajayi chasing big moment

  Ajayi had only one senior Spurs outing to his name before being loaned out. And now, head coach Thomas Frank, who took the reins at Tottenham earlier this year, insists he has no problem with him taking to the field in north London. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Frank remains unfazed

  Frank said: "I think it's OK. He's on loan at another club. I know the Premier League have this if you're on loan from a club, you're not allowed to play [rule]. We decided to loan him out because it was good for his development. I've done that a thousand times. Maybe not a thousand times, a lot of times at Brentford, but we haven't been that lucky to face one of our own players. It is what it is. I think it's a great opportunity for him."

• Frank vows strong side despite rotation

  Frank has made it clear that Tottenham won’t take the contest lightly. The manager confirmed that backup goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky will start, but promised a heavyweight lineup otherwise. Injuries have forced a few changes. Ben Davies and Randal Kolo Muani are sidelined, but there is hope that youngsters Kota Takai and Dominic Solanke will at least make the bench after returning to training.

  "Of course I’d like to win. No doubt about that. For me, I think we probably need to take one game at a time," Frank added. "I’m very aware (of the expectation). I think it’s that balance that as I said, I would like us to get there where we can compete in all four tournaments throughout the year. If you want to compete in all four tournaments, you need to be good enough to pick the right team every single time. And I promise you before I pick the team, it looks like an unbelievably good plan. I think we’re also aware that no players can play 60 games x 90 minutes. So, it’s that balance we need to hit throughout the season. Not only because we are facing Doncaster. We need to hit that perfect number of players that rotates and then a strong team. And it will be a strong team.”

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  Wolves up after in hectic week

  After Wednesday night’s clash with Doncaster, Spurs are back in Premier League action at the weekend, with Wolves arriving in north London on Saturday. Frank will hope his balancing act keeps the squad fresh enough to avoid any slip-ups.

Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has lifted the lid on one of North London's transfer sagas, revealing that the club came agonisingly close to landing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma before an untimely injury torpedoed the deal. Giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce were both circling, sensing an opportunity to snap up a proven Premier League talent. Yet despite heavy speculation and weeks of negotiation, no agreement has been reached.

• Fenerbahce confirm failed Bissouma pursuit 
• Spurs midfielder’s injury scuppered Turkish move
• Bissouma keen to extend England stay 

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bissouma’s future at Tottenham has been clouded for months. Since Thomas Frank’s arrival as manager, the 29-year-old has slipped down the pecking order, sparking rumours that Spurs were open to offloading him before his contract winds down. 

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Several reports suggested Bissouma was torn between chasing a lucrative move to Turkiye and staying in England for another year to secure a British passport, a factor that would make any exit trickier. While some Turkish outlets claimed he was eager to join Fenerbahce, others hinted he was reluctant to leave the Premier League just yet.  

• WHAT KOC SAID

  Speaking to , Koc cleared the air and admitted Bissouma was the man at the very top of their shopping list. 

  “We all want a number 8. Bissouma was close, but he got injured,” he said. “We want a smart number 8. She can distribute the ball intelligently and play box-to-box. We’re working on a young player. Transfers at Fenerbahce don’t end until the last minute. Those coming in and out never end. We’ll push the envelope until the last moment.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Koc’s explanation raises eyebrows, as Bissouma was reported to have shaken off a muscle problem and returned to training on August 30. With the Turkish deadline not closing until September 12, sceptics believe the injury line might be more of a smokescreen than a genuine obstacle. Adding fuel to the fire, a report from Turkey last week alleged that Fenerbahce officials had been handed “a whole sheet of paper” outlining personal concerns and red flags over signing the player. 

A Manchester United forward, who Michael Carrick described as “terrific”, is now heading for the exit door, as a new club have agreed a transfer fee, according to a report.

Man Utd's attacking rebuild underway

There were many reasons behind Man United’s extremely disappointing 2024-25 campaign, but their attack was one of the most glaring issues, scoring just 44 goals all season in the Premier League.

Consequently, it is no surprise Ruben Amorim has set out to strengthen his forward line as a priority, having already sealed deals for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, and the next task for recruitment chiefs will be to bring in a new striker.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now revealed United have two main options in mind at centre-forward, saying: “Ollie Watkins has options and Aston Villa are looking at their options too – there is a real chance that he could leave Villa Park this summer, and Man United like him a lot – he is seen as a very good fit.”

“Sesko is ongoing too – United, though, are working on this situation. Could it be Watkins or Sesko? United certainly believe so,”

However, considering the Red Devils are well-known to be treading a fine line PSR-wise, there will also have to be some outgoings this summer, and they are now close to sealing a deal to sell one of their forwards.

That is according to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), which states a deal is now in place to sell Jadon Sancho to Juventus for £15m, and the winger has already agreed personal terms with the Italian club.

Related Man Utd present offer to agents of "phenomenal" £78m star, talks ongoing

The Red Devils are vying to sign a centre-forward, and they are currently in direct negotiations with his entourage.

Posts 5 ByDominic Lund Jul 29, 2025

However, the deal is currently on pause, with Juventus looking to offload Timothy Weah and Nico Gonzalez, while they could also look to move on Dušan Vlahović before fully turning their attentions to Sancho.

Some final details also need to be finalised, such as bonuses, and the player himself is now growing impatient, as he is keen to seal a move to the Serie A side.

Sancho needs to move on this summer

Despite once being described as “terrific” by Michael Carrick, the English winger has never really managed to make an impact at United, and he clearly didn’t do enough to impress Enzo Maresca last season, with Chelsea paying a £5m penalty to avoid signing him.

As such, a move abroad could be ideal for the £25-year-old, given that his best years were spent outside England, picking up a combined 34 goals and assists for Borussia Dortmund in the 2019-20 Bundesliga season.

It is disappointing that Man United are only set to recoup £15m for Sancho, but he clearly has no future at Old Trafford, and there is every indication that Cunha and Mbeumo could be real upgrades.

Player

PL appearances in 24/25

Goals

Assists

Jadon Sancho

31

3

5

Bryan Mbeumo

38

20

8

Matheus Cunha

33

15

6