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It has been an excellent start to the 2025/26 season for Everton. David Moyes’ side have won their last two Premier League games after a defeat on the opening day of the season away to Leeds United. The highlight so far is surely the 2-0 win in the first competitive game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Brighton.

There have been some standout players so far for the Toffees. Jack Grealish has been sensational, with four assists already to his name in just two top-flight starts. He, alongside fellow new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, has been nigh-on unstoppable so far this term.

The two new Toffees stars have formed a really strong partnership with fellow attacker Iliman Ndiaye.

Ndiaye’s start to the season

At 25 years of age, Senegal international Ndiaye is on the cusp of entering his peak years. It certainly feels like Toffees supporters are witnessing one of their most exciting attackers in years, given his start to the season and the form he has shown for the club so far.

Last season, his first as an Everton player, the former Sheffield United star was excellent. He played 37 games across all competitions and scored 11 goals. Nine of those strikes came in the Premier League.

The 2025/26 campaign has begun in much the same fashion for the attacker. He’s played three top-flight games so far, bagging in two of them. The first strike was one of his most special, with Ndiaye scoring the first competitive goal at their new stadium on Bramley Moore Dock.

It is not just Everton fans who can see how good Ndaiye is. Pundits such as Jamie Carragher have taken note, too. The former Liverpool defender said last season that the Senegal international is “an absolute star”, summing up how Toffees supporters must feel about him, too.

With that in mind, it might be a surprise to learn that the 25-year-old is actually not among Everton’s highest earners. According to Capology, he is on just £45k per week at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

That is a figure that is far less than players in Moyes’ squad who have faced criticism for performances rather than praise. There is one person in particular who springs to mind.

The Everton man who earns far more than Ndiaye

It is certainly a surprise that Ndiaye earns so little at Everton. Factoring in his relevant importance, it is not outlandish to think he should be up there with top earners Grealish, who is on £225k per week, and Jordan Pickford, who earns £125k per week.

Instead, shockingly, he earns less than someone like Michael Keane, who has not really covered himself in glory during his time as a Toffee, at least not to the same extent as Ndiaye. The centre-back is surprisingly in the top five pay brackets at Everton.

This term, an injury to Jarrad Branthwaite has seen Keane step into the side for the first three Premier League games and play 90 minutes in each. He also played the entire game in their Carabao Cup second round win over Mansfield Town.

Yet, over the last few years, Keane has barely featured under the likes of Sean Dyche and Moyes. Since 2022/23, the most league games he has played in one campaign have been 14, which was last season.

2022/23

12

983

2023/24

9

438

2024/25

14

1046

Where Ndiaye has received lots of praise for his efforts in an Everton shirt of late, it has been the opposite for Keane. In fact, his namesake, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, once described his defending as “really poor.”

With all that in mind, it is a surprise to learn that he earns £70k per week at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. That is £25k more than Ndiaye, who has certainly performed better over a period of time for the Toffees than Keane has.

Once Branthwaite is back in action, it will be interesting to see if Keane can keep his place in the Everton side. If not, perhaps club owners, the Freidkin Group, are better off cutting their losses soon and selling the defender, to help save room in the wage budget.

His value has risen by 3900%: Everton must rue selling a homegrown Grealish

Given Jack Grealish’s excellent start to life at Everton, the Toffees must surely regret selling their homegrown version for £400k, now worth £16m!

ByBen Gray Sep 9, 2025

Mohamed Salah has admitted that he is struggling to fully click with one new Liverpool signing currently, despite the Reds’ strong start to the season.

A memorable summer of transfers for Liverpool

The Premier League champions may have been left disappointed with failing to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on deadline day, but this summer has still been one for the ages at Anfield.

Liverpool have broken their transfer record twice, as well as the British one for that matter, bringing in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak from Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United respectively.

But that was far from the Reds’ only transfer business, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez strengthening the full-back areas, Hugo Ekitike arriving in a big-money move from Eintracht Frankfurt and Giovanni Leoni joining from Parma, being seen as a centre-back with huge potential.

Liverpool have started their title defence with three wins out of three in the Premier League, with Ekitike already scoring three times and many of the new signings already making a positive impression. Despite this, some interesting new comments from Salah have emerged.

Salah admits he isn't clicking with Liverpool teammate

Speaking to the Men In Blazers podcast [via Caught Offside], Salah admitted that he is still taking time to gel with Ekitike at Liverpool, as they look to gain an on-pitch understanding like he and Darwin Nunez did.

Salah also took to X on Wednesday to criticise a Liverpool fan account for showing disrespect to former players Nunez and Luis Diaz, with the Reds legend making it clear that it is unfair to compare them to new signings.

It is a fair stance from Salah, who clearly doesn’t want to see his friends and former colleagues painted in a bad light, and he always showed his admiration for Nunez despite his struggles, saying he loved playing with him.

“It was Firmino (favourite teammate), now I feel I generally like playing with Nunez. A lot of people don’t like him but I like playing with him. I see [the Q&A host] keeps shaking his head not liking [my answer]. I like playing with him in general. A player with different skills. Not a lot of people understand his game.”

Salah isn’t criticising Ekitike by any means, or Wirtz for that matter, instead realising that it takes time to adjust, which is perhaps why his form hasn’t been great in the opening three matches. The more he clicks with him, though, the more devastating the Egyptian will become again.

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It’s simply a case of Arne Slot continuing to play them together, with Isak also coming in, and Liverpool’s all-round performances getting better as the campaign goes on. Still, the champions haven’t made too bad a start.

It’s safe to say the last few weeks have been incredibly Spursy. From the lows of missing out on Eberechi Eze to the highs of defeating Manchester City and then announcing Xavi Simons on Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been through the wringer.

That was capped off this weekend. In front of their new arrival, Thomas Frank’s side came unstuck for the first time this season, defeated by Bournemouth.

While Frank’s tenure at Spurs has so far been pretty smooth on the pitch, behind the scenes, the transfer business has been tricky.

They missed out on Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White, two of the Premier League’s finest English talents, while a deal for Savinho has been in the works for a while now, but they are likely to miss out on him as well.

Spurs' Savinho alternative on deadline day

A number of weeks ago, it was revealed that Spurs had opened talks with Manchester City in an attempt to bring Savinho to north London.

A deal looked possible but the further we’ve got into the window, the less likely the chances of concluding a deal have become.

The Brazilian has missed the opening few weeks of the campaign with an injury but recent reports suggest that City aren’t too keen on losing the winger. Still, the Londoners are pressing on with their attempts to sign the player.

As a result, Spurs have to look elsewhere, and according to TEAMtalk, one alternative could be Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman.

Transfer Focus

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

The former Everton and Fulham man is enjoying a fine time of it in Italy but he wants out and has already moved back to London in a bid to force his way out of Bergamo for good.

One destination could well be Tottenham Hotspur. The report suggests that the Serie A side have been in talks with clubs across Europe to find him a new home and should the Lilywhites fail in their pursuit of Savinho, Lookman is likely to emerge as a prime target.

A deal could be done in the region of £35m-£40m in the dying embers of the transfer window.

How Lookman compares to Savinho

It’s been a transfer window fraught with hurdles for Spurs but if they can conclude a deal for another new forward before the window slams shut at 7pm on Monday, they’d be in a fabulous place to challenge for a top four berth come next May.

With Frank in need of finding more creativity, Savinho would certainly tick a lot of boxes.

Last season, the Brazil winger supplied 13 assists in all competitions and ranked among the top 13% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for assists, via FBRef.

However, despite his ability to create goal-scoring opportunities, his lack of goal threat must be outlined.

In 2024/25, Savinho found the net on just three occasions, only one of which came in the Premier League. This is a problem, particularly when comparing him with Lookman.

The Nigeria international has come a long way since that dire penalty miss in a Fulham shirt and is now “one of the best forwards in Europe”, as described by journalist Oma Akatugba.

Why? Well, he’s become a true superstar of Serie A, netting on 20 occasions in 40 games last season. During the 2023/24 term, he scored 17, seven of which came on the left wing and a further seven came as a centre-forward, highlighting his versatility.

So, unlike Savinho, he’s capable of playing in a plethora of positions and he’s a genuine goalscorer. He’s also capable of creating for his teammates, registering ten assists in 2023/24 and seven in 2024/25.

Goals

0.60

0.05

Assists

0.20

0.41

Expected assists (xA)

0.32

0.31

Shots

3.24

2.81

Key passes

2.44

2.35

Progressive passes

2.92

3.42

Successful take-ons

1.48

2.65

Progressive carries

5.68

6.99

Analysing the data, it’s evident that Savinho is the better dribbler and carrier of possession.

Yet, despite the City forward trumping Lookman for overall assists in 2024/25, the latter proved that he can be equally, if not more creative, registering a higher volume of key passes and thus, also registering a better rate of expected assists.

So, depending on where you were to field the Atalanta attacker, he could provide everything Savinho does, just with an incredibly greater goal threat.

At just £40m, this feels like a snip for Spurs if they enter the race at the last minute.

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Tottenham Hotspur could land another top young prospect after the signing of Xavi Simons.

3 ByEthan Lamb Aug 31, 2025

أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج قائمة اللاعبين المرشحين لجائزة أفضل لاعب في شهر سبتمبر المنقضي خلال بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويتصدر ليفربول بقيادة مدربه الهولندي آرني سلوت، جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز موسم 2025/2026، برصيد 15 نقطة، بعد الفوز في 5 مباريات وخسارة وحيدة أمام كريستلا بالاس في الجولة الماضية.

وحقق ليفربول فوزًا قاتلًا على بيرنلي بهدف نظيف في الجولة الرابعة ثم استطاع أن يفوز على إيفرتون في ديربي الميرسيسايد بثنائية مقابل هدف، على آنفيلد.

وبدأ مشواره في بطولة كأس كاراباو بفوز بثنائية مقابل هدف على ساوثهامبتون في مباراة شهدت واقعة طرد هوجو إيكتيكي الشهيرة.

ولم تشهد قائمة المرشحين على لاعب شهر سبتمبر بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز تواجد أي لاعب من ليفربول، على عكس الشهر الماضي حيث تواجد الثنائي هوجو إيكتيكي ودومينيك سوبوسلاي.

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ولم تضم القائمة نجم ليفربول، محمد صلاح، الذي شارك في مباريات ليفربول الثلاثة واكتفى بتسجيل هدف وحيد ضد بيرنلي من ركلة جزاء في الدقائق الأخيرة.

وشهدت القائمة تواجد كل من النرويجي إيرلينج هالاند لاعب مانشستر سيتي، كمادا لاعب كريستال بالاس، يانكوبو مينتيه لاعب برايتون، روبن روفيس، وجرانت تشاكا ثنائي سندرلاند، ومارتن زوبيميندي، لاعب آرسنال.

وتمتلك الجماهير فرصة التصويت حتى الثانية ظهر يوم الإثنين 6 أكتوبر الجاري، على أن يتم دمج تصويتهم مع اختيارات لجنة من خبرات كرة القدم لتحديد الفائز.

September’s top performers 💫

Vote for your @EASPORTSFC Player of the Month ⬇️ — Premier League (@premierleague) October 2, 2025

Bangladesh earned just two wickets on opening day, both picked up by Taijul Islam

Firdose Moonda29-Oct-2024South Africa 307 for 2 (De Zorzi 141*, Stubbs 106, Bedingham 18*) vs Bangladesh It was a coming of age day for two of South Africa’s top three as Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs both scored their first Test centuries in Chattogram. De Zorzi and Stubbs, with eight and five Test caps to their names respectively, shared South Africa’s third-highest second-wicket stand in Asia of 201 to put South Africa in a strong position to push for a series sweep.They made the most of batter-friendly conditions with little seam movement, swing or steep bounce and only hints of turn to assist the home attack. Bangladesh’s bowlers had little to work with and the best they managed was to keep South Africa quiet in patches. Their tall seamer Nahid Rana was the most impressive of the five-man attack and reached speeds of up to 148kph but went wicketless. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam picked up from where he left off after a five-for in Mirpur and was the only bowler to take wickets, although Hasan Mahmud will feel hard done by. De Zorzi was dropped off him twice, on 6 and 69, on his way to an unbeaten 141.South Africa started the day strongly as stand-in captain Aiden Markram and de Zorzi motored at 4.6 runs an over in the first hour. They hit four fours and a six between them as South Africa reached morning drinks on 60 without loss. The only threat came from Hasan, who took de Zorzi’s edge with the first ball of his fourth over but debutant wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam could not hold on. Bangladesh turned to spin from both ends after that and it brought success for Taijul. Markram advanced down the track to a ball that was not as short as he anticipated and chipped it to Mominul Haque at mid-on.Related

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Markram’s dismissal allowed Bangladesh to pull the scoring rate back. They did not concede a boundary for 21 deliveries as Stubbs played himself in. He found his first four when he reverse-swept Mehidy Hasan Miraz behind point but then Bangladesh reapplied the squeeze. Another 28 balls were bowled for just 14 runs before de Zorzi brought up South Africa’s hundred with a sumptuous cover drive. De Zorzi went to lunch one away from a third Test fifty and got there in the over after the break.The opening exchanges of the afternoon session were difficult for South Africa and they went 91 deliveries between boundaries as they navigated Rana’s pace and small amounts of proper turn from Taijul. Nahid’s lengths were improved from the fuller ones he employed in the morning and he stuck to back-of-a-length balls which proved difficult to get away. But he did not come close to a wicket. Instead it was Mahmud who should have had something to show for his efforts. He drew de Zorzi forward again and took the edge but the chance slipped through the hands of Shadman Islam at first slip, de Zorzi and South Africa survived a period in which they scored only 34 runs in 13 overs after lunch and then things opened up a bit for them.The next eight overs brought 32 runs at a healthier scoring rate and Stubbs brought up his second Test fifty. Stubbs grew in confidence when he hit Mehidy over the sightscreen for six and de Zorzi followed suit by entering the nineties by sending Taijul over long-on. De Zorzi reached his hundred with a sweep shot off Mehidy through square leg and celebrated his achievement to warm applause from the dug out, which included injured captain Temba Bavuma. De Zorzi is only the second black African batter from South Africa to score a Test hundred, after Bavuma.2:12

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As de Zorzi struggled with cramps, Stubbs faced 25 of the first 30 deliveries after tea and showed good intent. He was particularly severe on Mehidy, charging him twice for six and reverse-sweeping him for four to near the nineties and knuckle down. De Zorzi struggled to run between the wickets so the pair quietened down and Stubbs spent 39 balls getting from 88 to 100. He did it with a single to deep point and a standing ovation from everyone in the South African camp.Stubbs was bowled in the next over by a ball that kept low from Taijul with about half an hour left of play in the day. South Africa saw that as a license to attack. De Zorzi and David Bedingham played with freedom and scored 34 runs in the six overs that followed as Bangladesh awaited the second new ball. They were also without their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for that period after he left the field with what seemed like illness. Taijul led in his absence and took the second new ball as soon as it became available. Mehidy bowled one over with it before the players came off for bad light, with the day’s accolades going to de Zorzi.South Africa went into this series with only two specialist batters in their squad with playing experience in the subcontinent and only one, Markram, with a century in Asia. The other, Bavuma, was ruled out of the series with injury, which left them further bereft of experience. A Test and a day into the series they have four batters in the playing XI who have scored centuries in the subcontinent.

After news emerged earlier this week that Nicolas Raskin’s agent has offered his signature to Real Betis, Glasgow Rangers now face the threat of losing another star man amid reports that Besiktas are preparing a second bid.

Real Betis offered Raskin move

It’s been a busy summer for Rangers so far. Having kicked things off by welcoming new ownership in the form of the 49ers before welcoming Russell Martin in the technical area, the Gers have since been busy with incomings on the pitch. So far, a total of seven fresh faces have arrived, while Oscar Cortes has also made his loan move permanent.

But it’s not all good news. As arrivals begin to settle in, Rangers could yet suffer some frustrating exit news. Already, Martin has seen the likes of Hamza Igamane flirt with the exit door at Ibrox, before his proposed move to LOSC Lille broke down, and now the new manager faces the threat of losing Raskin.

According to recent reports, the midfielder’s agent has now offered his signature to La Liga side Real Betis in a worrying sign for Rangers. As things stand, the main obstacle in the way of the Belgian’s exit remains his £8.6m valuation – one that Betis are reluctant to pay – but it seems unlikely that other potential suitors will take the same stance.

With that said, Martin is keen to keep hold of Raskin and has already shared how he wants to get the best out of his midfield star, saying: “We can get more end product out of Nico by doing a bit less.

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“He has big character, he wants to take the ball but I think he’s had to do a lot in the previous season, whereas now we’re going to ask him to do a bit less, and when he does have to stuff, to do it with real quality, intensity and aggression. So, hopefully, we’ll be able to bring out a more impactful Nico.”

Alas, Rangers’ exit concern doesn’t end there. Reports are now claiming that the Gers could yet lose another midfielder this summer.

Rangers braced for imminent Diomande offer

According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Besiktas are now set to submit an improved offer to sign Mohamed Diomande after Rangers rejected their opening bid worth just over £6.5m. The Turkish club are keen to complete a quickfire deal, but must first find a way to reach an agreement with the stubborn 49ers.

Losing both Raskin and Diomande would be a major blow no matter how impressive Rangers have been in the transfer market this summer.

Both played a “brilliant” role in the Gers’ 3-2 win over Celtic in March, according to Rangers Review’s Joshua Barrie, and both should be built around at the heart of Martin’s side.

This will be the first time the two teams face off in the longest format

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2024 • Updated on 27-Jul-2024

Afghanistan are set to play their third Test in 2024•AFP/Getty Images

Afghanistan are set to face New Zealand in a one-off Test in September. The match will be played in Greater Noida in India. This will be the first time the two teams face each other in the longest format.This will be Afghanistan’s 10th Test, and their third in 2024 – the most they would have played in a calendar year.It will also be their first Test at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, which has previously served as Afghanistan’s adopted home ground.The Test is likely to be from September 9 to 13. That’s roughly one month before New Zealand’s three-Test tour of India, with the first of those games set to begin on October 16. New Zealand will tour Sri Lanka for a Test series in between – the dates are yet to be announced.”We are delighted to host a quality New Zealand Test team for the first time in our cricketing history. This is a testament to the hard work we have put in through numerous discussions and meetings with different boards on the sidelines of the various ICC Board Meetings,” ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf said. “The Blackcaps are an outstanding all-format team in world cricket, and we hope to reach an agreement with New Zealand Cricket for white-ball bilateral matches in the future.”Following the New Zealand Test, England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa will be the only countries to not have played against Afghanistan in a Test match yet. Australia had pulled out from hosting them in a Test in 2021 citing humanitarian reasons.Australia had also pulled out of three-match T20I series scheduled for August this year, meaning Afghanistan had a hole in their schedule which will be partly filled by this New Zealand TestIn their two Tests so far in 2024, Afghanistan have lost to Sri Lanka and Ireland. They had also lost their one-off Test in Bangladesh last year, and their last win in the format came in March 2021, when they beat Zimbabwe in the UAE. In all, Afghanistan have a commendable 3-6 win-loss record in their first nine Tests.

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 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.

Liverpool will be under no illusions that retaining their newly won Premier League trophy will be a steep hill to climb next season, especially now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave when his contract expires in the summer.

However, Arne Slot and his squad will also be determined to break ahead of Manchester United as the most successful outfit in the history of England’s top division.

For sure, the Merseysiders are absorbing a blow in Alexander-Arnold’s departure, with his destination set to be Real Madrid, but Liverpool have overcome adversity countless times before and are gearing up for an exciting summer of spending.

Full-backs and central defenders are both needed at Anfield, but there’s no question that Slot needs a high-level centre-forward to take his project to the next level.

Darwin Nunez, sadly, isn’t cutting the mustard, paling in comparison to predecessors such as Luis Suarez and Bobby Firmino.

Darwin Nunez and the ones before

Nunez’s total transfer fee when leaving Benfica for Liverpool comes to a club-record £85m figure. This is more than Suarez (a £23m addition from Ajax), Firmino (who cost £21m in 2015) and Mohamed Salah (who joined from Roma for £34m) combined.

Sure: inflation, clauses, ifs and buts. The plain truth is that Nunez alighted on Merseyside to much fanfare and has failed to respond to the tactical demands of not one but two coaches, both illustrious Premier League champions.

After the towering achievements of central forwards such as Suarez and Firmino, Nunez always had big shoes to fill, but it’s probably fair to say he’s fallen miserably by the wayside in his efforts to succeed as Liverpool’s focal frontman.

Chance after chance after chance; miss, miss, miss. The Uruguay international has only scored 25 times in the Premier League across 92 appearances, across three years. As per Sofascore, he’s missed 53 big chances.

Darwin Nunez – Premier League Career at Liverpool
Season	Apps (starts)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
24/25	27 (8)	1,039′	5	3
23/24	36 (22)	2,045′	11	8
22/23	29 (19)	1,698′	9	3
Stats via Transfermarkt

Erling Haaland, who arrived in England in the same transfer window as Nunez, has scored 84 goals across 94 Premier League games, missing 82 big chances.

At his best, Nunez is as tenacious as a bloodhound. His unpredictability beguiles the Liverpool supporters, strikes fear into the veins of rival fans. If he doesn’t know what’s coming next, how can his opponents?

Sadly, his methods have produced infrequent results on Merseyside, and it’s a shame to say that Slot’s smoothed-out system has actually pushed Nunez back a few steps, whereas so many others have struck a chord with the Dutchman and reached new levels.

Is it any surprise he’s expected to be among the first out of the door this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano? In fact, sporting director Richard Hughes is already preparing a bid for a new phenom at number nine.

Liverpool preparing bid for new striker

Well, according to Caught Offside, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has been identified as the man for the job. Though Arsenal are said to be ‘particularly keen’ on the Slovenia international, Liverpool are warming to the idea of signing Sesko as an alternative to Isak.

While Leipzig are holding out for more, suitors have made it clear that they are willing to pay €70m (about £60m) for the 21-year-old but no more.

In fact, the report claims that the suitors, also made up of Chelsea and Manchester United, are actually preparing bids as you read these words.

Why Benjamin Sesko would be perfect for Liverpool

Nunez hasn’t grown into the complete and devastating striker Jurgen Klopp thought he saw in Benfica’s raw, thrash-metal prospect. He certainly hasn’t reached the levels of his countryman, Suarez.

No one expected the 25-year-old to hit such staggering levels, but Slot is searching for a centre-forward who can provide some of the same gusto and guile in the final third, with Suarez one of the trickiest and most dynamic forwards in the business.

Given that Firmino was never really Liverpool’s principal goalscorer and instead a sort of connective conduit who elevated Salah and Sadio Mane, only scoring 111 goals across 362 fixtures (0.31 per game), Sesko could become Liverpool’s most prolific central goalscorer since Suarez, should he make the move to Merseyside this summer.

The Slovenia international is still so young but already boasts an impressive track record in Germany, scoring 39 goals and supplying eight assists for Leipzig across 85 matches, winning this year’s DFL-Supercup.

He’s powerful, pacy and ever-improving, ranking among the top 12% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, while exceeding his xG (expected goals) haul by 0.14 goals per game.

This basically means he is driving into the danger area with consistency and making excellent use of the opportunities that fall into his path.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has also commented on the rising star’s “ridiculous” ball-striking power, so deadly when accurately channelled.

On top of all this, Sesko has scored 16 times in the Bundesliga this season while only missing 14 big chances. Detractors will point out the several chances that have gone begging this term, but the proof is in the pudding here, and he’s not yet even half-baked.

Suarez is one of the deadliest marksmen of his generation, hailed by Steven Gerrard as “the best I’ve played with.”

Transfer Focus

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

Sesko would need to shift quite the haul to reach the same lofty standard, but he’s definitely got the potential to become something special, outstripping Nunez and maybe even rivalling Suarez down the line too.

He'd be amazing with Sesko: Liverpool preparing bid for £51m "superstar"

Liverpool are hoping to make signings across a range of positions this summer.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

May 6, 2025

For the 13th time in the Premier League this season, Manchester United played out a full 90-minute match without getting on the scoresheet, having slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.

Pablo Sarabia’s 77th-minute free-kick was a rare moment of quality in a largely lifeless affair at Old Trafford, albeit with the hosts likely to feel they should have walked away with all three points.

Indeed, Rasmus Hojlund notably came agonisingly close to getting on the end of Alejandro Garnacho’s driven cross, while both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount also produced wayward attempts after being expertly picked out by the Argentine winger.

Even an inch-perfect, outside of the boot cross from Christian Eriksen could not be capitalised on by Mount, with the £55m Englishman still having scored just once since his arrival back in the summer of 2023.

Hojlund too has netted only three league goals in 2024/25 to date, a grim return for any leading number nine, with Ruben Amorim likely to be tearing his hair out at his side’s frustrating profligacy.

Having gone from seeing Viktor Gyokeres dazzle under his watch, the Portuguese coach is now in desperate need of a new attacking figurehead.

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

All of the talk at present is centred around United’s apparent progressing interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha, with it looking likely that the club will trigger the Brazilian’s £62.5m release clause, amid positive talks over his potential contract in Manchester.

The 14-goal marksman may not be the only Premier League talent to arrive at the Theatre of Dreams this summer, however, with the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones – who outlined that an agreement regarding Cunha is inching closer – also naming a raft of high-profile stars who are under consideration.

Indeed, according to Jones, among those to have made the INEOS shortlist is Bournemouth man, Antoine Semenyo, with the Red Devils already said to have held talks over signing the Ghanaian forward.

Transfer Focus

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

This follows prior reports which outlined that United are actually frontrunners in the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, albeit with it yet to be seen if Amorim and co will be willing or able to match the Cherries’ £70m price tag.

A versatile asset who can operate on the flanks or in a central role, Semenyo could represent the perfect addition to bolster Amorim’s forward line, with the potential their for the 40-year-old to morph him into his new Gyokeres-esque talisman.

Why Man Utd could be targeting Amorim's new Gyokeres

As outlined by journalist Mark Ogden, it has been a remarkable rise for the Sporting CP sensation in recent times, having gone from being sold for just £1m by then-Brighton and Hove Albion director, Dan Ashworth, back in 2021, to now standing aloft as the “hottest striker in Europe”.

Indeed, the 6 foot 2 Swede failed to actually make a league appearance for the Seagulls, while enduring a handful of less than spectacular loan spells away from the Amex – having notably scored just five goals in 2020/21 for the likes of Swansea City and Coventry City.

That steady rise only truly ignited following Gyokeres’ permanent switch to Coventry at the end of that campaign, as he went on to score 38 times in the Championship over the next two seasons.

Since moving to Lisbon on a £17m deal in 2023, the 26-year-old has soared even higher, bagging 90 goals in just 96 games – 66 of which came in just 68 outings under Amorim’s watch.

That journey from EFL struggler to elite-level monster is one which Semenyo certainly knows well, with the London-born ace having started out on the books at Bristol City, while also taking on loan moves at the likes of Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland.

The 6 foot 1 star memorably failed to score during that limp stint at the Stadium of Light, while actually only scoring 21 times in 121 games back at Ashton Gate – albeit while plundering a further 21 assists.

Like Gyokeres, however, it has taken the step up from the second tier for Semenyo to truly flourish, having now scored 16 Premier League goals since the start of 2023/24, while contributing a further eight assists.

Like Gyokeres too, what also stands out regarding the in-demand talent is just what a powerful presence he is in the final third, having been hailed as “almost unplayable” at times by journalist Ed Aarons.

Semenyo vs Gyokeres – 22/23 Champ stats
Stat (per 90)	Semenyo	Gyokeres
Non-penalty goals	0.43	0.40
Assists	0.14	0.22
Shot-creating actions	1.87	4.27
Pass completion	65.6	67.3%
Progressive passes	1.87	2.01
Progressive carries	2.23	4.43
Successful take-ons	1.59	2.15
Touches in opposition box	6.27	7.16
Aerial duels won	3.24	1.86
Stats via FBref

Interestingly too, the pair were deemed to be similar players among their peers during the 2022/23 season in the Championship, as per FBref, with Semenyo having largely been operating in a central role at the time.

That likeness bodes well for the impact that the two-footed Ghana star can make under Amorim, with the £70m man representing the type of ready-made Premier League talent who can breathe new life into United’s misfiring attacking unit.

After years of scouring the Eredivisie, in particular, for new signings, now could well be the time to look a little closer to home…

New Cantona & Berbatov: Man Utd on the verge of signing £90k-p/w "maverick"

Man Utd appear to be closing in on what could prove to be a real marquee move

By
Robbie Walls

Apr 22, 2025