All posts by h716a5.icu

As Graham Potter looks to shape his West Ham United side ahead of his first full season in charge, the Hammers have reportedly made contact to sign an impressive Serie A midfielder who once pocketed Declan Rice.

West Ham keen on attacking additions

It’s a big few months ahead for Potter and his side following a tough start to life at the London Stadium for the former Chelsea manager. After arriving to replace the struggling Julen Lopetegui, many expected Potter to make his mark from the off and ensure that any Stamford Bridge failure became an afterthought. That new manager bounce never truly came, however, and the pressure is now on.

Games

20

Wins

6

Draws

5

Defeats

9

Following just six wins in his first 20 games and a frustrating 14th-place finish in the Premier League, Potter and West Ham must ensure that they get off to a quick start next season.

What should help that is their potential work in the summer transfer window. Already, they’ve reportedly set their sights on attacking additions such as Adama Bojang and AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham.

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The Hammers are beginning to be proactive on the market…

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The latter would be a particularly wise addition given his past Premier League experience and the Hammers could yet land a relatively routine deal following his struggles on loan at AC Milan last season.

Abraham, like West Ham, endured a season to forget last time out and could certainly do with a return to the Premier League if he is to rediscover his best form in the next campaign.

It’s not just their frontline that West Ham must improve, however. Amid previous reports that David Moyes’ Everton side are interested in signing Tomas Soucek this summer, those at the London Stadium could be forced to find a replacement. And what better way to replace the towering midfielder than by signing a player who “shut down” former star Rice?

West Ham make contact to sign Musah

According to TeamTalk, West Ham have now made initial contact to sign Yunus Musah from AC Milan this summer. The American international initially looked on his way to Serie A champions Napoli in a deal worth €25m (£21m) before Milan changed their stance and demanded that price as well as add-ons. Now, the Hammers have a chance to sneak in ahead of Napoli.

Whether West Ham are willing to do what Napoli are not will be the big question, but their interest in Musah should come as no surprise. At 22 years old, the midfielder already has some impressive experience under his belt at the top level, including at the 2022 World Cup.

It was in Qatar that the Milan man caught the eye for the USA, especially against England as he helped his side earn a 0-0 draw against the Three Lions. Earning the praise of Jacek Kulig as a result, the scout claimed that both Musah and Tyler Adams “shut down” an England midfield which included Rice and Jude Bellingham.

Leeds United may be closing in on their first signing of the summer transfer window as they pursue a deal for Udinese central defender Jaka Bijol.

The Athletic reports that the clubs are in talks over a deal that could be worth up to £15.2m for the Slovenia international to make the move to Elland Road in the coming weeks.

It is claimed that the Championship champions are ‘optimistic’ about getting a deal over the line for the Serie A centre-back to bolster Daniel Farke’s options at the back ahead of a season in the Premier League.

The Athletic adds, however, that the club are less hopeful of a move to sign Habib Diarra from Strasbourg, despite placing a bid worth £22m in for the Senegal international.

This suggests that Diarra, who scored against England at the City Ground on Tuesday night, is unlikely to make the move to Elland Road this summer, whereas Bijol could be added to the squad.

What Habib Diarra could bring to Leeds

Missing out on a deal for the Senegal international could be a blow for the West Yorkshire outfit because the central midfielder has shown plenty of promise with his performances in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg.

Diarra ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of four goals and five assists in 30 matches in the French top-flight, which shows that he can make a decent impact at the top end of the pitch from a midfield position.

This, along with his performance against England, suggests that the 21-year-old star could bring a threat in front of goal for the Whites in the Premier League, as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

However, Diarra’s play out of possession does leave a bit to be desired and there would be concerns over his suitability defensively to the physical demands of the Premier League.

Appearances

30

Goals

4

Assists

5

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.1

Error led to shot

3

Ground duel success rate

49%

Aerial duel success rate

43%

As you can see in the table above, the Strasbourg star lost the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air in Ligue 1 this season, whilst only making 1.1 tackles and interceptions per game.

The central midfielder’s three errors that directly led to shots also suggest that he can be wasteful on the ball in his own third, as his sloppy passing was punished by opposition teams at times.

Diarra, therefore, may not be the perfect option for Leeds this summer because he would not bring defensive strength to go along with his technical qualities at the top end of the pitch.

This is why it should come as good news to supporters that the Whites are reportedly eyeing up another midfield star who would be even better than the Strasbourg ace.

Leeds eyeing deal for £25m midfielder

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United are one of the teams eyeing up a deal to sign Rangers central midfielder Nicolas Raskin in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Championship champions, established Premier League side Aston Villa, Porto, Marseille, and Fiorentina are all interested in signing the Belgium international to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that Leeds have a long-standing interest in the Rangers star, which dates back to his time at Standard Liege in 2022, and that they view him as a perfect fit for Farke’s midfield in the top-flight next season.

TEAMtalk adds that the Scottish giants are keen to get maximum value out of the Belgian dynamo and are ready to demand a fee of up to £25m for the 24-year-old star.

Leeds must, now, push to win the race for the Scottish Premiership starlet because he could be an even better signing than Diarra this summer.

Why Leeds should sign Nicolas Raskin

The Rangers star would be a better addition for Farke to bolster his midfield options because he offers more both in and out of possession in comparison to the Senegal international.

Unlike Diarra, Raskin constantly looks to win possession back for his side with tackles and interceptions, making 5.0 tackles and interceptions combined in 12 appearances in the Europa League this season.

The 24-year-old ace, as shown in the clip above, can also step up to provide goals and assists when called upon, though, and is more than just a midfield destroyer.

Raskin ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of five goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Light Blues, which suggests that he can offer a big threat in front of goal, particularly as a creator.

Appearances

30

33

Goals

4

4

Assists

5

10

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.1

3.4

Error led to shot

3

1

Ground duel success rate

49%

57%

Aerial duel success rate

43%

56%

As you can see in the table above, the Belgian midfield maestro outperformed Diarra at league level this season with his contributions at both ends of the pitch as a number eight.

These statistics suggest that Raskin, once hailed as “unbelievable” by ex-Rangers forward Kris Boyd, would offer far more to Leeds in midfield due to his ability to combine attacking flair with defensive steel.

For a fee of just £3m more than the £22m they bid for Diarra, Leeds could land a bargain by signing the Gers midfielder for £25m before the end of the summer window to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

Whilst both players are unproven in the Premier League to date, Raskin has showcased his defensive qualities on the European stage in the Europa League and still has time left on his side to develop further at the age of 24.

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ByDan Emery Jun 9, 2025

With the available evidence from the 2024/25 campaign, though, it would appear as though the Rangers star would be a significantly better signing than Diarra, which is why the club should pursue a deal for him over the Strasbourg ace.

Back in the Premier League and on the hunt for reinforcements, Leeds United have reportedly made contact to sign a young Manchester City defender on loan for the season.

Leeds vying to commence summer business

Although it’s still very early days and July is yet to even arrive, Leeds have already reportedly set their sights on a number of potential reinforcements. The Whites will be well aware of the importance of getting the transfer window right. After all, none of the last six promoted sides have survived the following season in the Premier League. With the 49ers’ backing, however, Leeds could be well positioned to put an end to that worrying trend.

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Leeds United can forget about Jaka Bijol with a move for another star defender.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 14, 2025

49ers chairman Paraag Marathe spoke about Leeds’ summer plans last month, reiterating that they will spend as much as they can in the coming months. He told reporters: “Whatever they will let us spend, we’ll spend. I can comfortably say that we are going to spend the very last penny that we can. I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be easy, there’s a widening gap.”

Just who arrives with that said is the big question. Names such as Japhet Tanganga and even Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz have threatened to grab the headlines in recent weeks and there’s no doubt that signing the latter would make quite the statement.

Since leaving Aston Villa last summer, Luiz has struggled to establish himself at Juventus and has looked destined to depart for some time. A return to the Premier League would certainly be one way to revive his career, with Leeds now reportedly an option ahead of next season.

It’s not just experience that Leeds are after, however. Those at Elland Road have also been linked with some emerging stars who could discover their potential in Yorkshire and keep Daniel Farke’s side afloat in the Premier League in the process.

Leeds express interest in Juma Bah loan move

As reported by Africa Foot, the 49ers have now expressed interest in signing Juma Bah on loan from Manchester City in January. The 19-year-old defender arrived in January before heading straight out on loan to RC Lens. Now, six months on, he’ll reportedly be granted the chance to complete another loan move amid interest from Leeds and relegated Southampton.

Described as a “powerhouse” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Sierra Leone centre-back could find himself wearing the white of Leeds before he even has the chance to represent Manchester City for the first time.

Having impressed on loan at Lens though, the natural next step for Bah should be a Premier League loan move, be it to Elland Road or elsewhere this summer. A player full of potential, the 49ers would be wise to snap up the defender if only for the season.

As speculation continues to arrive about Sandro Tonali’s future, Newcastle United are reportedly in pole position to sign a midfield star who could replace the impressive Italian.

Juventus interested in Sandro Tonali

When Newcastle were without Tonali at the start of the season, it showed. Eddie Howe’s side struggled in pursuit of Champions League qualification and were lacking that added power in the middle of the park. Ever since the return of the Italian, however, the Magpies have dominated the majority of their midfield battles and formed quite the trio between Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

Starts

28

38

29

Progressive Passes

128

271

116

Tackles Won

32

47

35

Ball Recoveries

117

188

149

The perfect blend of combative midfielders and those who have the ability to step onto the front foot, not many can stand in the way of Newcastle’s bulldozing midfield three at their best.

As a result, interest was always likely to arrive with reports in Italy now indicating that Juventus are interested in signing Tonali in this summer’s transfer window. The Italian giants are seemingly looking to bring the midfielder back to the Serie A for the first time since he left AC Milan in what should send alarm bells ringing around St James’ Park.

Jamie Carragher has been among those to praise the Newcastle midfielder this season, even including him in his Monday Night Football Team of the Season. The Sky Sports pundit said when asked why: “I went for Tonali because Newcastle look like they are going to finish third in the Premier League.

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“I don’t think many people would have predicted that. They’ve won a trophy for the first time in 70 years. But they actually made a poor start to the season. I don’t think their season turned around until Eddie Howe put him [Tonali] in the holding role.”

Of course, it remains to be seen whether Tonali will give into the temptation of Italy, but it seems as though Newcastle have a much-needed plan in place nonetheless.

Newcastle now leading race to sign Matteo Guendouzi

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle are now leading the race to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio this summer. The former Arsenal midfielder is reportedly valued at just €40m (£34m) and could now be on his way back to the Premier League if Tonali decides to leave St James’ Park.

Starts

28

37

Progressive Passes

128

316

Tackles Won

32

21

Ball Recoveries

117

173

Not only does Guendouzi progress play better than Tonali, he has also outperformed the impressive Guimaraes in that department. Since leaving the Premier League with a whimper, the Frenchman has simply discovered another level to his game.

Earning plenty of praise ever since his time at the Emirates, football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed Guendouzi a “fantastic signing” by Marseille in 2021 and the midfielder has only proved to be equally as fantastic at Lazio.

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”.

“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.

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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He’s struggled to establish a starting place…

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

He can surpass Gravenberch: Liverpool ready big bid to sign £50m "machine"

Liverpool are already preparing to defend their Premier League title by making ambitious moves in the transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 28, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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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