The New York Yankees solidified the back end of their bullpen for 2025 with the acquisition of closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month.
Williams, who has established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in the game, was excited about the trade to the Yankees, but said heading to New York was never on his radar.
"To be honest, I didn't really think so," Williams said, when he was asked if he thought being traded to the Yankees was a possibility. "I thought…I kinda thought I would be going to L.A. [Dodgers]. That's what I was being told and you know, the Yankees snuck in there under the table and got the deal done."
Williams was traded to the Yankees on Dec. 13 in a package that included pitcher Nestor Cortes, second baseman Caleb Durbin and cash considerations heading to the Brewers.
What the Yankees got was a premier reliever, who in a shortened season coming off a stress fracture in his back, posted a 1.25 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 14 saves over 21.2 innings pitched in 2024.
When healthy, the 30-year-old Williams is one of the most reliable bullpen arms in the sport, and will certainly solidify the New York bullpen next season.
Manchester United remain unbeaten in their last five Premier League games under Ruben Amorim, but the Red Devils have been told they are no better by a former Chelsea star who has delivered a savage verdict on their resurgence. The Portuguese coach marked his one-year anniversary at Old Trafford this month, but not everyone is celebrating, as former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has poured cold water on United’s apparent revival, insisting that, despite the recent upturn in results, the ship is still not in steady waters.
A run of promise overshadowed by doubt
United had been enjoying a welcome burst of momentum after picking up consecutive victories over Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. The bright run of form sparked optimism that Amorim’s ideas were finally taking hold. But back-to-back 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham halted their surge and reopened old questions about consistency and mentality.
AdvertisementHasselbaink raises questions on United's revival
Those doubts came roaring back when Hasselbaink, speaking on , bluntly rejected the suggestion that United are moving forward.
"I don’t think they have improved, I’m sorry," he began. "Where, where have they improved? They have not scored more goals, they have not had less goals against, they have not won any trophies. Yes, they have been in a final in Europe but lost against a poor side – Tottenham were a poor side last year. He has got a lot of work to do, a lot of work. I don’t think they are creative enough, not like they used to be."
It’s not as if United haven’t backed their manager. The club spent more than £200 million ($264m) last summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens in an attempt to erase memories of their disastrous 2024/25 campaign. They finished 15th in the Premier League, racked up just 42 points, the lowest tally since their relegation in 1974, and a defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final killed all hopes of a European campaign in 2025/26. Amorim has amassed 21 wins, 14 draws and 19 losses in 54 matches, numbers that suit a mid-table club but not a Premier League giant with significant financial muscle.
Inside Old Trafford: Optimism growing
Despite the criticism, those inside Carrington and Old Trafford insist that the mood has shifted for the better. The recruitments are now more aligned with a long-term strategy, and Amorim has earned respect for staying true to his footballing beliefs even during the club’s darkest periods. It is believed that the INEOS hierarchy is hoping to see the club back in Europe and Amorim continues to enjoy the complete backing of the owners. His interview with last week captured what many inside the club admire about him.
"During my career as a manager, most of the time I was winning," he said. "When you are winning, you can say that you have convictions and you are loyal to your ideas, but you learn when you lose, when you are under pressure and I learned that when I’m under pressure, I’m stronger on my ideas and I keep with my ideas. Of course, it’s really important to feel the support of everyone in the club, especially the fans that help you, to give you that confidence to continue on your path, but that was the biggest learning point: when I’m under pressure, I can stick with my plan."
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AFPRoom to improve for United
Saturday’s match against Tottenham brought the same old sting for United supporters as they saw another lead surrendered and another chance to climb into the top four missed. Speaking to after the game, Amorim did not attempt to sugarcoat the frustration.
"During the game we felt like the three points were there to take home," he admitted. "But then with everything that happened, Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off and conceding two goals…we scored again and it's a point. When you cannot win you don't lose, once again we did that. We have so much to grow as a team, because today was our day to win this game.
"We need to look at ourselves, we were not pressing with the same intensity, we felt comfortable but we need to understand that if we had more bravery we kill the game. But sometimes this happens, you have a better first half than second. We believe in our capacity to score goals until the last minute. It's a little frustration, but also pride at the response of the players at the response to second goal of Tottenham. This is the tip of the iceberg, we are at the beginning of becoming a strong team, so we have a lot to do."
United return to Premier League action at home to Everton after the international break, and after that, comes a tricky trip to Crystal Palace, where Oliver Glasner's men will push their limits.
Jason Gallian to take charge for final weeks of difficult first season for Tier 1 team
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Sep-2025Andy Tennant has stepped down as Essex Women’s head coach after less than a season in the role. Tennant was appointed last year to take charge of the club’s first fully professional women’s team after Essex were awarded Tier 1 status, but departs with a record of five wins across all competitions.Despite securing a maiden trophy for Sunrisers in the final season of the regional women’s structure, he was unable to produce the same success with a group at Essex featuring many of the same players. They are out of contention in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, with one win and eight defeats, and finished second from bottom in the Vitality Blast group table. Essex were also knocked out by Tier 2 Yorkshire in their only game in the T20 County Cup.”With the break in the fixtures for the Hundred, it has been an opportunity for both the club and myself to reflect and look ahead to next season,” Tennant said. “Following those conversations, it feels like now is the right time to step aside and seek my next opportunity.Related
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“I am proud of what we have achieved together as a group and I would like to thank Essex for giving me the opportunity to continue the job we started with the Sunrisers three years ago. I wish the club well and I am confident this outstanding group of young female athletes will continue to develop and go from strength to strength.”Danni Warren, Essex Women’s performance director who worked alongside Tennant at Sunrisers, will continue to oversee the team, with Jason Gallian, chair of Essex’s cricket committee, leading the coaching staff for the final month of the season. Essex’s hunt for a new women’s head coach will begin during the off season.”I have built a strong working relationship with Andy since he joined the Sunrisers in 2022, which culminated in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy triumph during our final season in 2024,” Warren said. “The transition of the group to Essex has been an exciting challenge, and Andy’s hard work in ensuring this process was as seamless as possible has been hugely important to the progress we have made on and off the field.”He should be proud of what he has achieved during his time at the club, which has also included many individuals starring in this year’s Hundred competition and representing their country at international level. We all wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavours within the game.”
Tottenham Hotspur created a triumphant atmosphere toward the end of their frenzied Premier League clash with Manchester United down N17. Two late goals had turned the clash on its head and the home side were moments away from three points.
But Red Devils defender Matthijs de Ligt headed home from a corner at the eleventh hour, and Thomas Frank’s side had to settle for a draw.
The deflation was felt across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with this team of talented players still caught in a continuous state of ebb and flow. They may sit third in the Premier League after 11 matches, but improvements are needed both mentally and in attack.
The truth is that Tottenham weren’t up to scratch throughout the first half, and while they improved after the break, it didn’t prove to be enough as Ruben Amorim’s mini-revival continues.
Spurs' worst performers vs Man Utd
Tottenham’s draw to Manchester United was as dramatic as they come. However, it was a game that accentuated the flaws in Frank’s team, having struggled to create chances in the first half and finally up things around on home soil, with the Londoners having won only seven of 24 home matches since the start of last season.
Several stars weren’t at the races. Guglielmo Vicario should have been stronger in repelling De Ligt’s last-gasp effort, while Pedro Porro toiled from a defensive standpoint at right-back.
Randal Kolo Muani will feel aggrieved to have been withdrawn at half-time, but the French centre-forward drifted through the opening half and struggled to latch onto any balls and find space to strike on goal. Across 191 minutes of Premier League action this season, Kolo Muani has taken just one shot, and he is yet to score or assist.
Ahead of Spain international Porro was Brennan Johnson, who continues to be something of an enigma, endowed with such speed and an eye for goal, and yet drifting through matches all too often.
Johnson needs to do better, but he was arguably more energetic and active in his display than his counterpart on the other wing. For sure, Frank will be left frowning over his combination on the left, having witnessed a discordant performance.
Frank must never start Spurs duo together again
Credit must be handed to Richarlison for his striker’s instinct in flicking Wilson Odobert’s shot past Senne Lammens and into the back of the net, but he flattered to deceive for much of the contest and did little to suggest he is the talismanic force Tottenham need to sustain a place at the very top of English and European football.
Regarding Djed Spence: one analyst remarked that the placement of the 25-year-old on the left is “killing Tottenham on the flank”, with the side finding “zero balance in possession” when he is flipped onto his left side.
Had Mohammed Kudus been fit and darting about in front of him, it might have been less apparent against United, but Richarlison was not at the races, even though he scored late on.
The truth is that Richarlison’s fine flick masqueraded over another poor performance, lots of huff and puff, but not enough by the way of impact.
And, as we already know, the contest reaffirmed the truth of Spence, who is not a left-back and does not promote Tottenham’s full efficiency and fluency when placed there, especially behind a wide forward in Richarlison, who was described by writer Halal Wyler as being a “real-life cartoon villain”.
Once Destiny Udogie and Odobert, who impressed and then some in his cameo, had entered the field and dynamised the left-hand side, Spurs looked a cleaner, more polished outfit for it.
It is for this reason that the duo cannot be allowed to play down that channel together again. Richarlison is limited in technical scope, and Spence is left trying to connect in an unnatural role with an imperfect attacking partner. In harsher terms and as analyst Raj Chohan put it, it’s a pretty “garbage” duo when they play together.
The duo’s statistics from the clash underscore this. While the left-back produced some convincing defensive numbers, and Richarlison indeed bagged himself a goal, neither can be truly content with their performances.
Minutes played
90′
90′
Goals
0
1
Assists
0
0
Touches
68
38
Shots (on target)
0 (0)
3 (1)
Accurate passes
33/42 (79%)
17/22 (77%)
Possession lost
16x
9x
Chances created
0
0
Crosses
0/2
0/0
Dribbles
0/2
0/1
Recoveries
5
1
Tackles won
3/3
1/2
Clearances
3
2
Duels won
4/11
4/10
Writing about the respective performances after the match, football.london’s Alasdair Gold saw it fit to hand Spence a 6/10 match rating and a 7/10 score to Richarlison. However, this is somewhat generous, and there’s no question that Tottenham are a more fluent outfit with a different combination running down the left.
The left-sided pair, who earn a combined salary of £130k per week, will have brighter days ahead of them in a Spurs shirt, but as Frank continues to develop his understanding of this team, he will surely accept that this is a duo who cannot be fielded together again.
Richarlison may well be playing his final season with the Lilywhites, but Spence will no doubt have taken note of Porro’s “disaster” of a performance at right-back, as was said by Polish journalist Michael Okonski during the match, and set his sights on a return to his natural berth.
In any case, tactical changes are needed when Tottenham return to action after the imminent international break. Frank has the potential to succeed in north London, but he has to start getting the big calls right.
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Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel says a Viktor Gyokeres alternative targeted by Arsenal is “unplayable”, and he really doesn’t want the Gunners to strike a deal for him this summer.
Andrea Berta targeting Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal
A few reports from the last few days have shared information that Arsenal are advancing in talks for Gyokeres, following the Swede’s exceptional haul of 53 goals across all competitions for Sporting this campaign.
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Portuguese newspaper O Jogo even sensationally stated in their Monday headline that Gyokeres is “on his way to Arsenal” after the two clubs agreed a £59 million fee for the player, but this is yet to be backed up by other reliable sources.
What’s crystal clear, though, is the 26-year-old’s status near the top of Berta’s transfer shortlist when it comes to signing a striker before summer deadline day on September 1.
Boavista 0-5 Sporting CP
10.00
Sporting CP 5-1 Estrela de Amadora
10.00
Sporting CP 3-1 Moreirense
9.91
Sporting CP 3-0 AVS Futebol SAD
9.68
Nacional 1-6 Sporting CP
9.52
via WhoScored
Berta is said to be a huge fan of Gyokeres, and the Italian is reportedly pushing hard to win the competitive race for his signature.
That being said, while Gyokeres’ goal record is quite simply mouth-watering, there are other options for Arsenal, should they decide a deal cannot be done for the Sweden international.
One of them could be Napoli outcast Victor Osimhen. The 26-year-old has spent 2024/2025 out on loan at Galatasaray, impressing for the Turkish Süper Lig champions, and he’s likely to be on the move again when the summer window reopens soon.
His contract includes a £63 million release clause, and there have been some reports this year that Arsenal are prepared to pay the required amount to sign Osimhen if they wish to pursue the Nigerian.
John Obi-Mikel hopes Arsenal don't sign Victor Osimhen
Speaking on his Obi-One podcast, ex-Chelsea star Obi-Mikel, given his ties to Arsenal’s London rivals, is certainly hoping Berta doesn’t go in Osimhen’s direction.
A close friend of the striker, Obi-Mikel raved over Osimhen as a centre-forward who guarantees you both goals and trophies – branding him “unplayable”.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed
“Victor has been on fire, unplayable sometimes. Unplayable. Scoring goals, creating chances, everything he does this season has been absolutely fantastic,” said the pundit.
“So for me, like I’ve said, and I’ve always said: this is a player that wins you trophies. This is a player that puts you in the top 4. This is a player that is reliable. He will get you goals. I don’t want to see him at PSG, I don’t want to see him at Manchester United, I don’t want to see him at Arsenal. He’s tailor-made for us [Chelsea].”
While the release clause grants Arsenal an opportunity to swoop in, it is worth noting that Osimhen will reportedly command huge £250,000-per-week wages, which is an issue with most high-profile players right now, as Premier League sides look to trim down their salary bills and err on the side of PSR caution.
West Bromwich Albion are preparing for another promotion tilt next campaign and have now made contact over the signing of a talented attacker, per reports.
West Brom to rebuild after promotion hunt disappointment
In another Championship season with many twists and turns, the Baggies missed out on a playoff place by four points following a run of two victories in their final ten matches.
Tony Mowbray’s departure led to James Morrison being installed temporarily in the dugout alongside coaching staff Chris Brunt and Boaz Myhill, which is something former boss Tony Pulis would like to see on a permanent basis at the Hawthorns.
Despite the ex-Scotland international’s limited managerial experience, Pulis stated: “They know the ins and outs of the football club. They’ve worked with good people. They’ve had good managers they’ve worked with.
“They’re sensible lads. James has been with Scotland as well, so he’s had the experience of working at an international level. I’d give it to the lads.”
Externally, West Brom are reportedly considering Dave Challinor for the vacancy following his sterling work at Stockport County. Ryan Mason, Steve Cooper and Russell Martin are also in the running at this stage.
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While the hunt for a successor to Mowbray takes precedence at West Brom, the Baggies’ hierarchy will already have one eye on securing reinforcements this summer to lay the foundation for another promotion push.
Pre-season will soon be around the corner and new recruits will need a suitable bedding-in period before the campaign kicks off in earnest. With that in mind, West Brom have made contact over bringing in a talented attacker to firm up their pool of options in the final third.
West Brom make contact to sign Jamie Donley
According to Birmingham World, West Brom have made contact with Tottenham Hotspur over Jamie Donley in a bid to land the Northern Ireland international on loan ahead of next season. The 20-year-old is viewed as someone who could compete for a starting place alongside Daryl Dike and Josh Maja following his return of eight goals and 11 assists during a successful spell at Leyton Orient.
Why do West Brom want to sign Jamie Donley?
Chances created
62
Shots on target
17
Completed dribbles
28
Successful crosses
28
Possession won in final third
29
Expected Goals total
4.05
Capable of playing anywhere across the front four, Donley has been labelled “outstanding” by Spurs Under-21 boss Wayne Burnett and is highly rated by his parent club despite the prospect of being farmed out on loan once again.
Famously, his halfway-line effort against Manchester City in the FA Cup earlier this year gained worldwide attention as the O’s battled valiantly in a 2-1 defeat to the eventual finalists. Moments like that have led Leyton Orient’s desire to extend his stay in East London, but he may fancy his chances at a higher level and West Brom could be the ideal environment to continue his development.
Celtic are already building towards next season and could see plenty of movement in both directions once the summer window comes around at Parkhead.
Celtic begin to make inroads in the transfer market
While Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed another remarkably successful season at Parkhead, the Irishman still has the small factor of focusing on winning a domestic treble before fully looking ahead to 2025/26.
After claiming the Scottish Premiership title, Premier Sports Cup and putting on a brave showing in the Champions League, he will hope his side have demonstrated more than enough appeal to prospective summer recruits.
Brendan Rodgers
Recently, Celtic have been linked with a move for Heart of Midlothian forward James Wilson. The Scotland international has enjoyed a breakout campaign at Tynecastle, though it remains to be seen whether he would be given first-team guarantees in Glasgow.
Sarpsborg star Sondre Ørjasæter has been on the Hoops’ radar since January, suggesting that bolstering the ranks from middle to front could be a key priority for Rodgers. Nevertheless, there will also be a number of departures to clear the decks for fresh blood to enter the fold, even if Celtic are likely to fight hard to hold on to key stars.
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Daizen Maeda is attracting reported interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, signifying that high-profile sides may be casting an eye over a number of Hoops men ahead of next season. Now, further information has emerged regarding who could become Celtic’s early casualties and four players are now set to head through the exit door once their contracts expire.
Celtic set to part ways with four starlets this summer
According to The Daily Record, Celtic are set to part ways with Daniel Cummings, Joe Morrison, Alasdair Davidson and Lewis Dobbie, with the latter three not being retained by the Scottish champions.
Notably, Cummings has previously been offered a new contract by the Bhoys, but the Scotland Under-21 international has been frequently linked with a move to West Ham United after the Hammers saw a £500,000 bid turned down for the striker in January.
Celtic’s four departing youngsters in 2024/25
Daniel Cummings
Appearances: 37
Goals: 29
Assists: 0
Lewis Dobbie
Appearances: 26
Goals: 13
Assists: 0
Alasdair Davidson
Appearances: 10
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Joe Morrison
Appearances: 12
Clean sheets: 6
Goals conceded: 10
Seemingly, any efforts from Celtic to try and retain the prolific forward have fallen on deaf ears, and it remains to be seen whether a move to the London Stadium becomes a likely prospect in the summer months.
While there is an appetite from supporters to witness their academy system produce more talent for the first-team, it appears that none of the quartet mentioned will be household names at Parkhead.
Instead, they will focus on finding a steady path to senior involvement elsewhere, leaving Lennoxtown bosses to work with their existing pool of options.
Chelsea are now ready to launch a £51m offer for an “unplayable” Premier League forward, according to a report.
Blues looking to bolster attacking options
Enzo Maresca will be pleased that Cole Palmer managed to get back among the goals on Sunday afternoon, with the attacking midfielder ending his drought and bagging his 15th Premier League goal of the season.
However, the manager may feel he is a little short on top-quality attacking options, given that Nicolas Jackson has scored just 10 league goals, and signing a new striker is on the agenda in the summer transfer window.
The Blues have now stepped up their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, making an approach to sign the England international, while they are also in the race for the likes of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap and Strasbourg’s Emanuel Emegha.
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Delap is an intriguing option, having outscored Jackson despite playing for already-relegated Ipswich, but an even more prolific striker is now in the west Londoners’ sights.
According to a report from Spain, Chelsea are now ready to launch a €60m (£51m) offer for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has caught the eye of Stamford Bridge chiefs with his impressive performances in the Premier League this season.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates after the match
There is a belief that Mbeumo would be an ideal fit in Maresca’s frontline, having already proven himself in the Premier League, and the Blues are willing to spend big to ensure they win the race for his signature.
It is unclear whether Brentford would be willing to accept an offer in that region, but negotiations could accelerate over the next few weeks, and it is looking increasingly likely that a move across the capital could be on the cards.
"Unplayable" Mbeumo could be upgrade on Jackson
Jackson has spent time on the treatment table this season, but a return of just 10 goals is still below par, so it is no surprise the Blues are looking to bring in an upgrade this summer, and there are plenty of indications the Brentford star could fit the bill.
The France-born forward has been prolific in front of goal this season, picking up 18 goals and six assists, and his performances have impressed manager Thomas Frank, who lauded the forward as “unplayable” back in December.
The Cameroonian, who has 6 goals in 22 caps for his nation, has predominantly featured at right-wing for the Bees, but he has featured through the middle on a number of occasions, scoring while playing at striker in his side’s 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge back in December.
Regardless of whether Mbeumo is brought in to play out wide or as a centre-forward, there is every indication that he could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea this summer, and a fee of around £51m seems reasonable, given that he is only 25-years-old.
When Liverpool won the 2019/20 Premier League, ending thirty years of much-jeered hurt, the celebrations were muted somewhat by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
There were no such impediments on Sunday, with Liverpool blowing Tottenham Hotspur away to seal the top-flight title and send a city into an elated frenzy that, for many, has been a lifetime in the making.
It was a truly incredible occasion, Arne Slot coolly leading his team through the 2024/25 campaign and back toward the perch from which Liverpool last sat under Jurgen Klopp, five years ago.
Few saw it coming, but Liverpool have capitalised on Manchester City’s staggering drop-off and Arsenal’s inconsistency to steer toward their 20th title, levelling with Manchester United.
Mohamed Salah has been the on-field architect, scoring 28 goals and supplying 18 assists in the league alone this year. The individual accolades will abound when all is said and done.
Mohamed Salah celebrates Liverpool's Premier League triumph
However, he’s not been alone in his brilliance. Luis Diaz has certainly earned his flowers after an immense campaign.
Luis Diaz has stepped up for Liverpool
Diaz, 28, hasn’t always been the flavour of the month at Anfield, with fans sometimes frustrated by the Colombian’s inconsistency in front of goal.
However, he’s been in fine fettle this year, posting 16 goals and eight assists across all competitions, including eight direct involvements across his past ten Premier League outings.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
Though Diaz’s stock is high and there is justification within the argument that Liverpool should cash in this summer, he’s been a source of selflessness and quality all year, especially in recent weeks.
With Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa all in danger of being sold, Diaz and Salah should form a core part of Slot’s system once again.
They are brilliant forwards of varying strengths. Slot loves both of them. So much, it seems, that Liverpool are interested in signing a player who is an amalgamation of the two.
Liverpool ready to bid for new forward
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are in the race for Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, who is expected to leave the Serie A club this summer.
Barcelona appear to have the lead in the race, having made contact with the Nigerian’s representatives, but given that his market price stands at €65m (£55m), Liverpool may see a chance to steal ahead of the financially-troubled Spaniards.
Atalanta's AdemolaLookmanin action
The 27-year-old also has suitors in Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United, however, with all five interested clubs said to be ‘planning’ to hold talks ahead of a summer move.
Why Ademola Lookman could be perfect for Slot
An alleged breakdown in relationship with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has left Lookman determined to leave the club this summer.
Last year’s hat-trick hero in the Europa League final, to be sure, has the dynamic skills that a club such as Liverpool are looking for this summer, developing a sharp goalscoring edge over the past few years to complement his athletic underlying skill set.
Hailed as a “superstar” by journalist Sean Walsh after his staggering triumph over hitherto invincible Bayer Leverkusen, Lookman is the giant-killer, the resurgent sensation who has bounced back from a tough start to life in the Premier League, never quite hitting his stride with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City.
Across the past two campaigns for the Nerazzurri, Lookman has scored 35 goals and supplied 17 assists across all competitions. His multi-facetedness suggests he would be a perfect fit in Slot’s Liverpool squad.
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman in action with AC Milan'sEmersonRoyal
As per FBref, Lookman ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 2% for touches in the attacking penalty area
His combination of fleet-footedness and clinical shooting has led the data-driven site to record Salah and Diaz as two of his most comparable players, which only strengthens the argument for FSG to make their move.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
Diaz might not have Salah’s predatory instinct in front of goal, but his pace, power and ability to shift between the flank and a makeshift centre-forward position have been essential this term.
Lookman is cut from a similar cloth, but one which also contains Salah’s prolificness.
Atalanta
115
50
24
Charlton
49
12
3
Everton
48
4
2
Leicester
42
8
5
Fulham
35
4
4
RB Leipzig
24
5
4
Though many supporters would hope for an out-and-out number nine this summer, Lookman’s dynamism has already been proven to work within Slot’s system through the efforts of Salah and Diaz.
Moreover, his title-winning hat-trick bespeaks a propensity for the big stage, further evidence that Lookman’s electric movements and deadly outlook have been refined to a point which could see him return to the Premier League as a bona fide success.
Ademola Lookman for Atalanta
Lookman has developed a potent quality in the danger area while bringing an intense kind of energy to the fold. It’s not out of the question, given his positional versatility, that Slot would get his hands on a hybrid version of Salah and Diaz, one who could prove the difference-maker in winning multiple major honours next year and beyond.
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Liverpool are already preparing to defend their Premier League title by making ambitious moves in the transfer market.
With Liverpool looking as though they’re set to claim the Premier League title this season, Arne Slot has the chance to build on his first-season success next year.
The Reds have only lost two matches in the league to date, showcasing how impressive they have been during the Dutchman’s debut year at the helm after taking over from Jürgen Klopp.
Any chances of building on their success have been given a major boost after the news that Mohamed Salah signed a new two-year deal on Merseyside earlier today.
Mohamed Salah celebrates for Liverpool
With the Egyptian set to continue at Anfield, the 46-year-old can turn his attention to the transfer market, targeting players who could allow for further success in the years ahead.
Slot’s wasted no time in identifying talents to add to his already impressive squad, making moves to land a player who could massively strengthen one department of the pitch.
Liverpool plotting summer move for talented attacker
According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool have completed their scouting and are leading the race for Feyenoord’s talented winger Igor Paixao this summer.
The 24-year-old has registered 14 goals and 13 assists within his 41 appearances throughout 2024/25, with six of his contributions coming within the Champions League.
Despite the interest, they face strong competition from fellow Premier League side Arsenal and Serie A duo Atalanta and Napoli, with Slot needing to pull out all the stops to win the race for his signature.
The report also states that the Brazilian could be tempted by a move to England’s top flight, with a real belief that he has all the tools to be a leading talent in the division.
Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for Paixao would set the Reds back this summer, he would be a superb addition – potentially being the club’s best left-winger since one star departed.
Why Paixao could be Liverpool’s best LW since Mane
Sadio Mané joined Liverpool in a £34m deal from Southampton back in the summer of 2016, with the Senegalese international thriving beyond all imagination during his time at Anfield.
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane
The now-33-year-old registered a total of 269 appearances during his six-year stint at the club, notching 120 goals – helping them claim four major honours during his spell on Merseyside.
He was part of a phenomenal front three along with Salah and Roberto Firmino, with the trio undoubtedly being the key reason behind the success they endured under Klopp.
However, Mane would leave for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, with Luis Diaz subsequently having the responsibility of filling the void left by the fan-favourite.
Whilst the Colombian has impressed at times, he’s struggled to produce his best performance levels on a consistent basis, as seen by his tally of 10 goals in 30 league matches throughout 2024/25.
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz
When comparing the 28-year-old’s stats with Paixao from the ongoing season, the Feyenoord star has massively outperformed him in numerous key areas – further showing why he’d be the Reds’ best left-winger since Mane.
The Brazilian, who’s been labelled “explosive” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has managed to register more combined goals and assists this season, whilst also registering more shots per 90 – showcasing his attacking qualities in the final third.
Games played
28
30
Goals & assists
21
15
Shots taken
2.2
2
Through balls completed
0.2
0.01
Tackles won
1.7
1.2
Crosses completed
3.1
0.7
Aerials won
50%
46%
He’s also completed more crosses and won more of the aerials he’s entered this campaign, offering Slot a more all-around presence than Diaz – having the tools to thrive should he move to Anfield.
Given the stats produced compared to the Colombian, it’s evident that he would be an upgrade on him, subsequently being the best forward since Mane, given the fact Diaz has been the man to fill the void.
Should Paixao reach anywhere near the levels achieved by the former Southampton ace on Merseyside, he would be a phenomenal addition, handing Slot the chance to build on his early success at the club.
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