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In what would be their signing of the summer so far, Everton have reportedly launched an opening offer to welcome a midfield star ahead of Premier League rivals.

Latest on Everton's potential incomings

After already signing Thierno Barry and Mark Travers whilst also welcoming Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell, Everton have now reportedly turned towards fresh targets. The Friedkin Group, clearly out to make a statement in their first summer at the helm, have also reportedly set their sights on the likes of Samuel Lino from Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey.

Ramsey would particularly be one to watch if he arrived at The Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of next season, but it remains to be seen whether Everton can win the race for his signature. Despite his clear talent, the midfielder is likely to be an affordable option amid Aston Villa’s PSR problems – allowing the Toffees to come swooping in.

Going forward, Ramsey would be a particular upgrade on James Garner in the middle of David Moyes’ side. At just 24 years old too, the Aston Villa man is about to enter his prime years, making now the best time to move in for his signature.

That said, it’s not just Ramsey that the Toffees have set their sights on. Midfield seems to be the area of focus currently and names such as Tomas Soucek has also been mentioned as a result.

Everton leading race to sign "interesting" Atletico star who's now free to leave

He’s on the move this summer.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 17, 2025

Reports have even gone as far as to suggest that Everton are set to submit an imminent £12m bid to sign the West Ham United star and hand Moyes a reunion with the midfielder.

The same, meanwhile, can be said about another transfer target, with Everton now reportedly launching their opening offer for his signature.

Everton launch first Douglas Luiz offer

According to TeamTalk, Everton have launched an opening offer to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus in a loan-to-buy deal. The Brazilian is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League just one year on from his decision to swap Aston Villa for Turin. And as Juventus look to show him the door, it’s the Toffees who are primed to take full advantage.

The midfielder would be an impressive coup, given his Premier League experience and reports that former club Aston Villa are interested in a swift reunion this summer.

Juventus are reportedly hoping for a package worth €35m (£30m) for Luiz this summer, but it remains to be seen whether Everton’s opening offer has reached that price.

Even after struggling in Serie A though, there’s no doubt that the Brazilian would be worth splashing out on. Aston Villa sporting director, Monchi, has been one of many to share praise for Luiz in recent years – telling reporters last season: “He’s playing less than we all expected, but we’re talking about a strong player.”

Chelsea’s summer business has been impressive to say the least. Enzo Maresca has wasted little time in building a team which he believes can go far in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.

Expectations have certainly been heightened after the club won the inaugural Club World Cup stateside earlier this month.

The Blues weren’t expected to cause much of an upset against PSG in the final, but a Cole Palmer double and a Joao Pedro effort ensured the trophy would be heading to London.

If the Stamford Bridge side get off to a good start this season, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Maresca still has plenty of work to do in the transfer window to make sure his squad is exactly the way he wants it.

That means there will likely be another few incomings over the coming weeks. More importantly, however, is the need for the manager to move on several players who don’t feature in his plans this season.

Let’s take a deep dive into all the latest transfer news surrounding the club, shall we?

Latest Chelsea transfer news

Firstly, Maresca is still keen on bolstering his attacking options. Despite having signed Jamie Gittens, Pedro and Liam Delap, the Italian isn’t stopping there.

According to ESPN, Chelsea have shown interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak amid the news he wants to leave the Magpies this summer.

Liverpool appear to be frontrunners for his signature, but should the Blues somehow convince Isak that his future lies at Stamford Bridge, it would eclipse any of the club’s transfers this summer.

Elsewhere, Maresca is still keen on bringing Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho to the club.

The Telegraph state that the Blues are monitoring the situation with the Argentinian winger at Old Trafford as his future looks in doubt.

Garnacho could be available for a fee in the region of £40m should Maresca make a concrete move for the player. Given his age and Premier League experience, this type of fee makes a deal much more appealing.

Regarding outgoings, Chelsea haven’t sold many of their wantaway stars just yet. João Félix is attracting interest from his former club Benfica, although if a deal were to happen, it would mean a significant loss for the Premier League side.

Indeed, the Portuguese outfit wants to acquire 50% of Félix’s rights for a fee of around €25m (£21.7m).

Christopher Nkunku is another player that Maresca is looking to get rid of before the league season gets underway. Both Nottingham Forest and Man United have joined the race for the French attacking midfielder.

The Blues have set his asking price at £43m, which could tempt various clubs to come in and make an offer for the former RB Leipzig star.

As for incomings, one deal that looks close to completion is that of Xavi Simons. The Dutchman has been a key target recently, and it finally looks as though Maresca has his man.

Chelsea close to agreeing personal terms

Fabrizio Romano shared an update regarding the club’s progress on a move for the Leipzig sensation.

“Understand Chelsea and RB Leipzig are now in advanced talks for Xavi Simons.” Said Romano on X.

Transfer Focus

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

“Negotiations club to club progressing well, still work to do but heading positive direction. Xavi, keen on Chelsea project with personal terms talks also advanced.”

No concrete transfer fee has been mentioned as yet, but barring any last-minute hitches, this deal should be over the line sooner rather than later.

That means Chelsea have yet another young, hungry attacking prospect ready to showcase their talents in the Premier League.

Can Simons become Chelsea’s very own Florian Wirtz?

Why Chelsea want to sign Xavi Simons

Liverpool made their own statement of intent by splashing out around £116m to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. If all works out, he could be the signing of the summer.

Simons won’t cost that much – having been touted at around £56m – but the two players are similar in style, being able to operate as an attacking midfielder.

Indeed, throughout the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign, Wirtz was the fourth-most comparable player to Simons due to their likeness as players.

Not only that, but the pair also registered similar statistics across a range of metrics, including goals and assists (16 vs 22), shots per 90 (2.09 vs 2.83), shot-creating actions per 90 (4.52 vs 5.66), carries into the final third (72 vs 72) and crosses delivered into the opposition penalty area (79 vs 101) during the Bundesliga last term.

Both Simons and Wirtz have strengths including key passes, dribbling and through balls, according to WhoScored. The duo also both love to dribble, counting this as a key skill set, while they both like to provide layoffs to teammates.

As such, making a move for Simons this summer would allow Maresca to have someone who is just like Wirtz in his squad, for a fraction of the price.

Ahead of the 2024 European Championship, analyst Ben Mattinson lavished plenty of praise on Simons, saying that he is “destined for greatness”, while describing him as a “superstar” who can become “one of the best in the world in the future.”

During that tournament, he scored once and provided three assists as the Netherlands reached the semi-finals.

Simons has starred on the big stage for club and country over the previous three years and should he seal his move to Chelsea, Maresca may just have the final piece of his attacking jigsaw.

Aged just 22, the Dutch starlet is ready to take the next step-up in his career and what better club to do it at than Chelsea.

Wirtz may have made the headlines, but Simons could certainly match his displays next season. Watch this space.

Perfect for Isak: Chelsea agree personal terms to sign £70m "game-changer"

Chelsea have agreed personal terms to land a “game-changer” of a signing

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 26, 2025

England's schedule for the remainder of 2025 has been confirmed, with the Lionesses to host Brazil, Australia and Ghana before the year is out.

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Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

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• England confirm final matches of 2025
• Lionesses to face Brazil in next fixture
• Australia, China & Ghana also to visit

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  England had already confirmed a date at Wembley to face China in November and another trio of home friendlies now forms what is being branded as their 'homecoming series', as the Lionesses hit four different venues around the country to celebrate their European Championship triumph this past summer with as many fans as possible.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Brazil will be the first team to take on Sarina Wiegman's side after they clinched their second successive European title by beating Spain on penalties back in July, with the Selecao coming off the back of their own triumph at Copa America. The two will meet at the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, on Saturday October 25. England's second fixture of that international break will take place three days later, when they face Australia at Derby County's Pride Park. The Matildas will be led by a familiar face, after former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro took over the side back in June.

• AND WHAT'S MORE

  The Lionesses' final international break of the year will also feature two non-European opponents, starting with China at Wembley on Saturday November 29. More than 60,000 tickets have already been sold for that fixture, which was announced at the end of July. Three days later, a clash with Ghana will follow, at St Mary's in Southampton. It will be England's first-ever meeting with the Black Queens, who finished third at this summer's Africa Cup of Nations.

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• WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

  "It is great that we can return to action after our incredible summer with four exciting fixtures at home," Wiegman said. "Each opponent will challenge us in different ways, which is exactly what we need with World Cup qualification beginning early next year. It’s very nice to begin against Brazil and it is also special for us to be able to play again for our fans in Manchester for the first time since Euro 2022. We know from the Finalissima in 2023 that they will be very tough opponents.

  “We love taking the team around the country, so to also play Australia in Derby and Ghana in Southampton as well as the China fixture at Wembley gives us a lovely way to say thank you for the incredible support we have had this year and before."

Newcastle United supporters are waiting to see who could replace Alexander Isak at St James’ Park. Still, Eddie Howe is also interested in filling the void left by Callum Wilson’s departure and may now be making progress on that front.

Newcastle United consult several striking options amid Isak uncertainty

Alexander Isak continues to push for a move to Liverpool, leaving Howe searching for a replacement figure to replicate his excellent goalscoring exploits should the Sweden international depart the North East this summer.

Joining the striker merry-go-round, Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson is wanted by Newcastle after news that the Magpies have missed out on RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United despite their best efforts.

His peculiar red card offence at St James’ Park would signal a suspension period upon joining. Still, AC Milan could offer the Senegal international another high-profile alternative destination to Stamford Bridge.

Per David Ornstein, the Magpies could move for Porto’s Samu Aghehowa and he is high up on the list of potential candidates to take on their striking vacancy.

Brentford’s Yoann Wissa is another prolific forward being targeted by Newcastle, and reports suggest £35 million could be enough to seal a deal, albeit the Bees may opt to play hardball before offloading their star man to a Premier League rival.

Surprisingly, the DR Congo international could be paired with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who may be less at the forefront in the West Midlands following Evann Guessand’s transfer to Unai Emery’s men.

Newcastle open talks to sign "fantastic" midfielder who's keen on SJP move

Eddie Howe has already approved…

3

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 7, 2025

There are plenty of spinning plates in the window and stories constantly breaking as the days draw closer to the end of market activity, offering encouragement to the Magpies that plenty of time is still there to recruit key targets.

While Isak’s future is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, Howe may be about to take a step closer in the hunt for a Wilson replacement.

Newcastle eyeing surprise move for Michail Antonio

According to Dave OCKOP, Newcastle are plotting a move to sign striker Michail Antonio after he left West Ham United upon the expiration of his contract, making it a one-in-one-out on the free agent transfers.

The Jamaica international was involved in a car crash late last year and has since fully recovered from the incident. However, the Hammers weren’t able to tie him down despite the offer of a new deal at the London Stadium, creating a scenario where he could head to the North East.

Labelled “brilliant” by Jake Humphrey, Antonio registered 83 goals and 42 assists in 323 appearances for West Ham across all competitions, with 68 of his strikes coming in the Premier League.

Now set for a new challenge, the 35-year-old could be a financially advantageous short-term option to bolster Newcastle’s forward line, though it may be counterproductive to bring in someone at the twilight stage of their career at the expense of William Osula.

Wayne Rooney has revealed how playing a "brilliant" game on PlayStation played a "massive part" in Manchester United's success under Sir Alex Ferguson. Rooney helped United win 10 trophies in the latter stages of the glorious Ferguson era, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League.

• Man Utd players loved SOCOM game

  Rooney was an integral part of the dominant Manchester United side under Ferguson, which established themselves as one of the greatest teams in Premier League history. The legendary forward, who finished his career at Old Trafford as United's record goalscorer, has revealed how playing five-versus-five on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) army game SOCOM contributed to the Red Devils' success. 

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  'Big part of our success was playing on the PSP'

  Speaking on his BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England international said: "I really believe a big part of our success was playing on the PSP. It got us communicating more – we used to play it on the plane, on the team bus. It would be me, Rio [Ferdinand], Michael Carrick, John O'Shea, Wes Brown. You have to talk, you have to tactically be right, go and revive people when they get killed and it was a massive part of our success – ask any of those players, it was brilliant."

• One United star was left 'annoyed'

  Rooney, however, did admit that one United player was not a fan of the game, as he added: "How you played that game reflected that player, how they play the game. Michael Carrick was a little sneaky calm one, you would be lying down hiding and you'd hear a little grenade bouncing by where he'd thrown it. I was just all in, straight in, frontline of the trenches, get in there.

  "Edwin van der Sar used to get annoyed, because we're on the team bus and there's just shouting on the team bus all over the place where you are telling people where you are. Sometimes if they have got one player left, you communicate, so you flank them, go and get them. Van der Sar used to get annoyed and move, he used to try and get as far away from us as possible!"

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  What next for Ruben Amorim's United?

  Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim is now in charge of United, and guided the team to a much-needed victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday. They will next face Brentford away from home in the Premier League on September 27.

Michael Olise is one of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's favourite players ever, with the Bayern Munich sensation paired with club legends Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Luca Toni. Olise has become among the best players in the world since his sensational switch from Crystal Palace to Bavaria in 2024. A phenomenal debut season at the Allianz Arena was rewarded with a Ballon d'Or nomination this year.

• Olise on course to become a Bayern Munich legend

  Since his £52 million (€60m/$70m) move from Crystal Palace to Bayern in the summer of 2024, Olise has quickly established himself as one of the Bundesliga's standout performers. In tough moments, he's become a key player for Bayern, alongside Harry Kane, proving to be a reliable go-to figure in crucial situations. The Frenchman hit double figures for both goals and assists in the Bundesliga as Bayern snatched the domestic throne back from Bayer Leverkusen.

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• Rummenigge pairs Olise with Robben and Ribery

  Speaking to , Rummenigge was asked which players he has liked the most. The iconic former striker said: "The attackers are the salt in the soup, as we say. Especially the wingers, like Ribery, Robben, and now Olise. And the centre-forwards. Even Luca Toni. He wasn't really convinced about coming to Bayern."

• A look at Olise's numbers for Bayern

  The 23-year-old has played 62 games for Die Roten and has already brought up a half-century of direct goal contributions. With 24 goals and 26 assists since his arrival at the Allianz Arena, no other player bar Kane has had as many direct goal involvements from Germany's top-flight across all competitions.

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  A move to Liverpool on the cards?

  Olise's exploits for Bayern have earned him a status as one of the best attackers in the world at the moment. His dominant displays and terrific returns saw him earn a nomination for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. However, despite just arriving over a year ago, question marks over the former Palace winger's future at Sabener Street have started to linger. There have been reports suggesting that Bayern inserted an exit clause in his five-year contract, with the clause becoming active next summer. Liverpool have been heavily linked with Olise, with the Premier League champions reportedly looking at the French star as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah. 

Liverpool kick off their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth on Friday evening, providing a fitting curtain-raiser to the English top-flight campaign.

Arne Slot did suggest that fans should expect changes. But who could have foreseen spending on this scale?

When Florian Wirtz arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen in June, he arrived as a £100m player. That figure may yet rise to £116m, which would make him the most expensive signing in British history.

But perhaps not for that long. The German might only be 22, but he’s already established himself over a series of years as among the game’s world-class playmakers. It would take a special signing indeed to eclipse him financially.

But that might yet happen before the September 1st deadline, for Liverpool remain focused on signing Newcastle United’s wantaway striker Alexander Isak.

The latest on Liverpool's hunt for forwards

Liverpool have already signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, and the young French forward’s debut goal in the Community Shield illustrated his quality and potential, with further flicks and fluid connections with Wirtz eliciting much excitement within the fanbase.

But Isak would be the cream of the attacking crop.

Having already seen a £110m offer rejected for the Sweden international, Liverpool are now biding their time as they wait for encouragement on the Magpies’ part.

The 25-year-old scored 27 times for Newcastle last season, perhaps the most important of which came at Wembley against Liverpool, contributing toward United lifting the Carabao Cup.

Though signing the number nine is sporting director Richard Hughes’ priority, Slot has suggested that Liverpool could do with multiple attacking signings before the end of the window, saying: “We need to have one more attacker at least.”

With this in mind, it’s safe to say that Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola is very much alive, with the French winger reported earlier in August to be on the Reds’ shortlist.

However, the 22-year-old won’t come cheap, should FSG wish to advance their interest. PSG, who hope to secure the winger’s future, have transfer-listed him at €100m (about £86m).

What Bradley Barcola would bring to Liverpool

It’s exciting to think that Barcola has yet to reach his potential, but is already considered to be such a devastating attacking threat. Last season, as PSG won the quadruple, the Les Bleus talent racked up 42 goal involvements.

But his goals and assists don’t define him. The rangy wide forward has emerged in recent years as one of the most talented dribblers in the business, with data-driven site FBref recording him to rank among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries (5.45) per 90.

His pace and creativity would provide a welcome contrast to the goalscoring Cody Gakpo, and it could even work into forming the dream partnership with Isak and Wirtz, the latter of whom would pull strings and orchestrate from number ten to accommodate both forwards in their progress around the final third.

Analyst Ben Mattinson shares the opinion of many in stating that Barcola is “one of the best left wingers in Europe”, and the player’s specific qualities would appear tailor-made for both Isak and Wirtz, playing to their respective strengths in different ways, forming unbreakable connective attacking tissue on Merseyside.

It’s worth mentioning that this is without even mentioning a certain Salah out on the right, who might have turned 33 over the summer but remains one of the greatest forwards of his generation, with an uptick in creative output over the past few years to balance out the attacking output over the next year.

And all this while considering Ekitike already resides within Slot’s ranks. Barcola’s supreme level of balance in his output suggests Liverpool could achieve a state of true balance next season, evening out the frontline after Salah shouldered such a heavy burden across the 2024/25 season, albeit to a trophy-winning effect.

But this level of dynamism will ensure that Liverpool have enough dimensions about them to keep opponents guessing and ensure that not only can their Premier League title be defended this season, but the Reds can advance toward trophies across other fronts, boasting the depth to do so.

Isak, to be sure, would be the elite focal frontman to make it all happen from a goalscoring standpoint, but the Newcastle man is hardly restricted in his style of play, with pundit Ally McCoist actually remarking last season that he’s the “best all-round centre-forward” in the Premier League.

With Wirtz proving himself to be an attacking midfielder of the highest quality over the past few years, one who could indeed rival the likes of Cole Palmer for the throne in English football, now that Kevin De Bruyne has left Manchester City, both Barcola and Isak has the supply line to find space and opportunities with the kind of regularity that will make it an illustrious upcoming chapter on Merseyside.

Whether Liverpool manage to pull off an ambitious move for Barcola this summer remains to be seen, but if Slot’s comments are anything to go by, the interest is certainly genuine.

Awful Torres repeat: PL rival ready offer to sign £43m Liverpool "monster"

Liverpool run the risk of losing one of Slot’s biggest stars to a divisional rival this month.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 15, 2025

Mason Greenwood's Marseille have been dealt a massive blow as Roberto De Zerbi was slapped with a ban after his red card against Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian boss saw red deep into stoppage time when his protests over a foul crossed the line. Initially shown a yellow card, De Zerbi’s refusal to let the matter drop and his decision to step onto the pitch pushed the referee to escalate matters. Moments later, the 46-year-old was walking down the tunnel, leaving the Velodrome in a frenzy.

• Marseille's historic victory overshadowed

  Greenwood and his teammates had battled fiercely to secure a first home victory over PSG in 14 long years, a result that electrified the city and reignited belief in their project. But while the roar of the Velodrome still echoed, the fallout from De Zerbi’s dismissal quickly stole headlines, casting a shadow over what should have been an unblemished celebration.

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  The hammer comes down

  France’s LFP Disciplinary Committee wasted little time in reaching a verdict. Their decision was clear: a one-match ban for De Zerbi, with an additional game suspended. The punishment bars him not only from the dugout but also from entering referees’ areas or carrying out official match duties during his enforced absence. The statement read:  "One match suspension and one match suspended from the bench, referees' locker room and all official duties."

• Defiance from De Zerbi

  Despite the red card, De Zerbi was in no mood to dwell on criticism. Instead, he turned the spotlight firmly on his squad’s display.

  "It’s one of the best days since my arrival,” he said after the game. I came here for the Velodrome and to beat PSG, the team that represents power, that has been winning unrivalled for years, which I don't accept in my philosophy. But we haven't done anything so far. The most important thing is Friday in Strasbourg to take another step towards building a great team."

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  Crucial fixtures on the horizon

  Marseille travel to Strasbourg on Friday, before facing Ajax at home in a huge Champions League clash on September 30. Days later, they head to Metz in Ligue 1. De Zerbi will be back on the bench for the European night against Ajax, but he will miss both domestic fixtures against Strasbourg and Metz, matches that could prove vital in shaping Marseille’s league campaign.

It’s set to be a massive season for Wolverhampton Wanderers this year.

Vitor Pereira took over a struggling relegation-threatened side from Gary O’Neil early last season and guided them to a 16th-place finish in the Premier League, 17 points away from the drop zone.

However, the next ten months could be even tougher for the Portuguese coach, as he’s already lost two of his best players in Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Fortunately, Jørgen Strand Larsen’s stay has now been made permanent, and if reports are to be believed, the club is closing in on a striker who could be the next version of the Norwegian.

Wolves target the next Strand Larsen

It would be fair to say that with Cunha and Ait-Nouri leaving for other Premier League sides, this summer has not exactly gone the way many Wolves fans were hoping it would.

Transfer Focus

However, it’s not been all doom and gloom on the transfer front, as Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez have both made their way to Molineux and produced a combined 28 goal involvements last year, which is the sort of output that could help Pereira keep his side in the top-flight.

Moreover, the Old Gold appear determined to bring in some more new faces before the window slams shut next month, including a young forward who could be the next Strand Larsen.

At least that is according to a recent report from Sebastien Vidal, who claims that Wolves are very interested in David Datro Fofana.

In fact, the journalist has revealed that the West Midlands outfit have already approached Chelsea over the player and would be willing to pay £15m for his services, which could also be enough to seal the deal.

Now, there is undoubtedly a risk in signing a young player who hasn’t played that much football in recent seasons, but when he has played, he’s looked great, and on top of that, he shares some similarities with Strand Larsen.

Why Fofana could be the next Strand Larsen

It’s important to clarify that while we and many others believed Fofana to be an incredibly talented striker, he is three years younger than Strand Larsen, and therefore, it would be unfair to expect him to join Wolves this summer and instantly be as effective.

However, with that said, the two share some similarities, and there is no reason why the Ivorian couldn’t reach the level of the 25-year-old, or even surpass it, within a couple of seasons.

The first and most significant similarity between the pair is where they both started to make waves in senior football: Norway.

Before earning his move to Dutch side Groningen in September 2020, the Wolves star racked up a decent tally of nine goals and nine assists in 61 appearances for Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg 08.

Interestingly, the Ouragahio-born gem did even better than that during his time in the Nordic country, winning the league and cup while scoring 24 goals and providing eight assists in 65 appearances, totalling 3414 minutes.

That means the 22-year-old averaged a goal involvement every 2.03, or every 106.68 for Molde FK, and helps justify talent scout Jacek Kulig’s bold claim that he was “one of the biggest jewels in Norway.”

Unfortunately, his move to Chelsea in January 2023 hasn’t worked out for him, and while he impressed on loan with Burnley two seasons ago, scoring four goals and providing one assist in 15 Premier League appearances, his subsequent loan move to Goztepe was ruined by injury.

With all of that said, it is clear that the “outstanding” forward, as dubbed by former Clarets boss Vincent Kompany, is an incredibly talented player, and in the right environment, if he can remain fit, there is no reason his career couldn’t follow the same path as Strand Larsen’s.

Therefore, Wolves should do what they can to bring Fofana in this summer, as even if he only scores a handful of goals this season, that could be the difference between survival and relegation.

Matheus Cunha heir: Wolves plot late swoop for "generational" £20m star

The tremendously exciting talent could become as crucial to Wolves as Cunha was.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 13, 2025

It might sound a little hyperbolic, but it feels like West Ham United are currently in a crisis.

Graham Potter’s side have lost all three of their games so far, and while they’ve scored three goals, they’ve conceded a whopping 11.

It’s crystal clear that the East Londoners are in desperate need of quality reinforcements who can help make them a far tougher proposition to play against if they are to still be playing Premier League football next year.

Fortunately, it appears that the club are incredibly close to bringing in someone who could be just what they need and the perfect teammate for the promising El Hadji Malick Diouf.

West Ham close in on the perfect teammate for Diouf

Arguably, the area of the team West Ham are most in need of reinforcing before the window closes next week is in the midfield.

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The middle of the park was already looking a little weak at the start of the summer, but with Edson Alvarez now in Turkey, Potter and Co are in serious need of fresh legs and quality.

Not only do the Hammers need someone who can help with the offensive side of things, but someone who can come straight into the side and make them a nightmare to play against.

Fortunately, it appears that the East Londoners are incredibly close to signing a player who would not only fit that description, but also be able to get more out of fellow summer signing Diouf.

At least that is according to a recent update from Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, who has revealed that West Ham are closing in on Soungoutou Magassa.

Furthermore, Thomas has confirmed that the young Frenchman will be flying into London on Wednesday to undergo a medical ahead of his £17.3m move from AS Monaco, a switch that Thomas suggests is set to be done in the “next 24-48 hours”.

Magassa might not be a household name, but he looks like just the sort of player West Ham need at the moment, and someone who could get even more out of Diouf.

Why Magassa would be a dream signing for Diouf

The first and most significant reason Magassa could help get even more out of Diouf is the same reason he’d be a brilliant teammate for the rest of the West Ham team: his defensive and athletic qualities.

For example, even though he can play in central midfield and at centre-back, he’s been at his best in recent seasons playing as a defensive midfielder, where he can utilise both to break up play and harry opposition attackers.

You can best see how elite he is at the defensive side of the game through his underlying numbers.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for tackles plus interceptions, tackles in the middle third, and dribblers challenged, as well as the top 6% for passes blocked and more, all per 90 minutes.

In other words, the 21-year-old could be trusted to do the bulk of the defensive work for the Irons, which in turn would allow Diouf more opportunities to maraud down the wing and supply the frontline with chance after chance from his brilliant crosses.

Yet, there is another way in which the Monaco ace would be able to help get more out of the Senegalese gem: his passing ability.

On top of being a defensive monster in the middle of the park, the “elegant” Frenchman, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is also far more accomplished with the ball at his feet than you might imagine.

In fact, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has praised him for his “forward-thinking mindset” and his impressive ability to “spray passes wide out to the wings,” which suggests he would be able to find the former Slavia Prague ace with ease.

Once again, we can see skills in 6 foot 2 titan’s underlying numbers, as FBref ranks him in the top 7% for switches and the top 10% for through balls per 90.

Ultimately, West Ham appear to be making an excellent signing in Magassa, as not only will he add some defensive steel to the midfield, but he will also allow Diouf to flourish out wide.

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