All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton’s summer rebuild is picking up pace, and midfield is a clear area of focus.

With the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Ashley Young all leaving at the end of their contracts, the Blues are working to refresh their squad ahead of the new campaign.

David Moyes has been handed greater transfer flexibility under the Friedkin Group’s ownership, and while Everton will not spend extravagantly, they are being bold.

One of the names linked in recent weeks is John McGinn, who could leave Aston Villa after an impressive campaign that saw Unai Emery’s side reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

The 30-year-old Scotland international made 49 appearances in all competitions last season, tallying four goals and six assists, and remains a respected leader at the Midlands club.

On paper, McGinn offers experience, work rate, and a level of maturity that Everton’s midfield currently lacks. While he might seem like the safe choice, the club’s recruitment team appear to be targeting a player with greater quality and long-term upside.

A midfielder with a proven Premier League track record, a broader skill set, and the potential to immediately lift the technical standard at Goodison Park.

Everton targeting a midfield upgrade

According to journalist Gianni Balzarini, the club are exploring a deal for Douglas Luiz, who is expected to leave Juventus after a torrid time in Turin.

Transfer Focus

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

As per Balzarini, Luiz’s agent is currently in England and “touring English clubs”, albeit with the Toffees said to be the frontrunners in the hotly-contested race:

“Everton has an advantage over other teams. There’s a feeling that the deal could be concluded soon.”

The 26-year-old joined the Italian giants from Aston Villa in a €50m (£42m) deal last summer but failed to register a goal or assist across 27 appearances and missed 20 games due to injuries.

After failing to report for the first day of pre-season, Juventus are now prepared to offload the Brazilian for a fee in the region of €40m (£34m). Despite his underwhelming stint in Serie A, there is no doubt about Luiz’s pedigree.

His five-year spell in the Premier League with Villa made him one of the most highly rated central midfielders in the division – a player equally capable of controlling tempo, breaking up play, and progressing the ball up the pitch.

Statman Dave once described him as an “engine in midfield,” and his numbers back that up.

Why Luiz can bring more to Everton’s midfield

When compared with McGinn, Luiz comes out on top in almost every key metric from their respective most recent seasons in the Premier League.

According to FBref, Luiz completed passes at a higher rate (85.7% vs. 81.9%), created more shots per 90 (3.52 vs. 3.08), and registered more tackles (1.74 vs. 1.34), blocks (0.96 vs. 0.89), and defensive interventions in the middle third (0.81 vs. 0.57).

He combines technical security with defensive steel, offering balance and fluidity – qualities that Moyes’ midfield setup could sorely benefit from.

Crucially, Luiz’s best form came in the Premier League. This isn’t a case of betting on potential. At his peak, he was dictating midfield battles against some of the league’s best sides.

He also has youth on his side. At 27, he’s three years younger than McGinn and entering what should be the prime of his career, having already registered 38 goals and assists in 175 Premier League outings.

That would represent a coup for the Merseyside club, particularly in light of expected competition from elsewhere in the Premier League.

While Luiz struggled to establish himself under Igor Tudor and Thiago Motta at Juventus, the dip in form is being viewed as circumstantial rather than terminal.

Juventus’s systemic issues and tactical instability last season made it difficult for any one player to truly shine, a belief that is shared by legendary former coach, Fabio Capello:

From Everton’s perspective, this is an opportunity. Luiz is proven, hungry to re-establish himself, and potentially available at a cut-price. While McGinn would add fight and familiarity, Luiz offers control, versatility, and greater upside.

Midfield has long been a problem area for Everton. Despite Idrissa Gueye extending his contract, the club’s depth remains thin.

Luiz would bring a blend of technical precision and combativeness – the kind of profile capable of transforming the way Everton build play from the back and transition through midfield.

The dream squad Everton can build: £88m quintet & "beast" sign after Barry

A look at how Everton’s dream squad could shape up next season

1 ByJoe Nuttall Jul 10, 2025

If Everton can close a deal, they’ll not only have landed a better player than McGinn, they’ll have done so ahead of several top-flight rivals.

That would send a signal that under the Friedkin Group, Everton aren’t just surviving anymore, they’re planning to compete.

He's a dream for Barry: Everton open talks to sign £50m "superstar"

Everton initiate talks to sign LaLiga star in bold bid to strengthen attack

ByWill Miller Jul 23, 2025

Tottenham have had a worryingly quiet summer transfer window so far, and Thomas Frank quite simply must strengthen before the start of his debut campaign in the north London dugout.

While the likes of Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea spend hundreds of millions on reinforcing their squads, ahead of what is expected to be a very competitive Premier League season, Spurs boast just three major first-team signings.

Burnley (home)

August 16

Man City (away)

August 23

Bournemouth (home)

August 30

West Ham (away)

September 13

Brighton (away)

September 20

Mohammed Kudus arrived in a £55 million deal from West Ham, and chairman Daniel Levy managed to negotiate a cut-price £30 million deal for Mathys Tel with Joao Palhinha also arriving on loan – but that is the sum of their activity.

Technically, Tottenham have spent £116 million this summer, if you count Kevin Danso’s obligation to buy deal, which was agreed in January, but Levy’s spending still doesn’t even come close to their arch rivals.

We’re less than a week away from the start of the new Premier League season and a meagre few days from Spurs’ UEFA Super Cup clash against PSG, but Frank’s new-look squad is somehow weaker than Ange Postecoglou’s.

Son Heung-min’s emotional goodbye to LAFC and James Maddison’s crippling ACL rupture, adding to Dejan Kulusevski’s long-term absence with a knee injury, leaves Frank desperately short of options.

Reinforcing the squad with quality is an absolute non-negotiable if Levy is serious about transforming Spurs into genuine trophy contenders.

They’re set to be among the big boys in next season’s Champions League draw too – making new signings all the more important before the transfer deadline in under a month.

Fabrizio Romano has suggested that striker Richarlison could leave Tottenham as well, and if that were to be the case, Spurs could become genuine contenders for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson with contact made.

There was another striker on their radar earlier this summer, Brentford star Yoane Wissa – a player Frank knows well from his many years at the Gtech.

Likelihood of Tottenham signing Brentford striker Yoane Wissa

Spurs were in talks for Wissa around the time of their failed move to sign playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, but precious little has been reported about their interest since then. Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has provided an update to TBR Football.

Bailey reports that Frank “specifically identified” Wissa as a target for Tottenham, and the club held talks with him, but the likelihood of Spurs doing a deal for the 29-year-old is now very unlikely as Newcastle United close in on the £40 million forward.

“Spurs did open talks with Yoane Wissa when Frank first came in,” said Bailey. “That was a player Frank specifically identified. But it looks like Wissa’s nailed on for Newcastle now. Frank made it clear from day one that he told Wissa exactly how he wanted to use him, centrally.

“I think Frank also understands the reality. Do you really pay £40 million for a 29-year-old with one year left on his deal? Tottenham are never going to do that. Newcastle look like they will, but there are other reasons behind that move.”

The Congolese bagged 20 goals in all competitions last season, with 19 of them coming in the Premier League, but that £40m could be reinvested into the signing of a proven playmaker – which Frank desperately needs.

You can see why they’ve backed out, and amid reports Jackson could leave Chelsea on loan, they do have other, cheaper options to target up front.

Arsenal chiefs, led by sporting director Andrea Berta, are still working to back Mikel Arteta in the transfer market before this summer’s deadline on September 1.

Right now, it is reported that the potential Premier League title challengers are prioritising player sales right now after spending over £200 million on Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and headline-grabbing star striker Viktor Gyokeres.

However, the possibility of another incoming hasn’t been definitively ruled out yet. Berta and co remain linked with a high-profile move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who would come in as a goalscoring number 10 to complement club captain Martin Odegaard (Sky Sports), but there is now a danger of Spurs hijacking their proposed deal.

Tottenham have burst into the race for Eze following James Maddison’s long-term injury, with the England international expected to be out for the majority of 2025/2026 after rupturing his ACL in pre-season.

Competition from their north London rivals means Berta will be forced into a decision over bidding for Eze sooner rather than later, but the 27-year-old isn’t their only potential late signing of the summer.

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Reports last week claimed that Arsenal are eyeing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, despite the 20-year-old having only just signed a new contract in May, and the possibility of him joining on a ‘buy-to-loan’ deal has been mooted.

As well as the young Frenchman, versatile Atalanta star Ademola Lookman is beginning to surface as a more regularly-linked possible target.

The Nigerian recently announced that he’s submitted a transfer request as he looks to leave the Gewiss Stadium, and his relationship with the Serie A side now looks completely broken.

“I feel I have no choice but to speak out for what I believe is right, and I feel that enough is enough,” Lookman wrote on social media.

“I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request.”

The 27-year-old was used as a CAM on occasions last term, making further cameos on the left-wing and at centre-forward, but Lookman was utilised in the majority of his appearances as a supporting second striker.

His 20 goals and seven assists in all competitions across 2024/2025 followed on from an historic Europa League final performance against Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, with his stunning hat-trick both winning the trophy for Atalanta and ending Leverkusen’s unbeaten run.

Arsenal make offer to Ademola Lookman with Berta ready to pay £45m

Various Italian sources have reported that Arsenal are prepared to move for Lookman as Serie A giants Inter Milan continue to haggle over price.

Now, according to the newspaper Corriere di Bergamo (via FC Inter News), Arsenal are willing to pay £45 million for Lookman, more than Inter’s, and they’ve made an offer to the player himself.

However, they also report that the former Everton and Leicester City forward has no intention of accepting right now, with Lookman seemingly setting his sights on a move to the San Siro.

The African is “only” interested in Inter, but as this saga over his future drags on, Lookman faces a hefty fine amid his ongoing strike.

It remains to be seen whether Berta and Arteta can turn Lookman’s head and force a U-turn. However, as things stand, Arsenal may need to look elsewhere for alternatives.

“Being dedicated to whatever you do and knowing the secret of your business is what makes you unique,” said Jay-Jay Okocha after Lookman clinched the African Player of the Year award in 2024.

“Lookman is a unique African best Player of the Year, not just [an] African best. Go and verify what I’m saying – many are still testifying about him, and more will do so. His award is a reward for dedication and hard labour.”

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Manchester United’s plans for Ruben Amorim have been revealed as pressure ramps up on the manager after the League Cup defeat at Grimsby Town.

Manchester United boss Amorim seemed to declare his players had stopped listening to him in the aftermath of their midweek humilation, but has admitted his comments after Wednesday’s shock Carabao Cup defeat to League Two Grimsby were down to emotion.

Amorim said afterwards “something has to change” at Old Trafford and that the players’ performance “spoke really loud”.

Speculation swirled around Amorim’s comments and rumours have even begun to circulate that Jose Mourinho could return to Old Trafford after he left Fenerbahce this week.

But the current United boss – speaking ahead of Saturday’s home match with Burnley – insisted his responses boiled down to emotion.

Ornstein shares new Man Utd manager update

Speaking live on TNT Sport before Chelsea get gameweek three started at home to Fulham, The Athletic’s David Ornstein was asked to explain the concerns around the United boss.

“The bare facts are that Manchester United do not want to sack Ruben Amorim,” Ornstein said on Saturday’s show. “They aren’t having those conversations yet. They want him to succeed, it’s early in the season, they’ve made new signings, they’ll want to give him time.

“I don’t see any world in which, at the moment anyway, he walks away from that job and that contract.”

Ornstein did however suggest defeat to Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday could change things: “However, if they lose, they will be in a world of pain. It’s Manchester United and ultimately this is a results industry and we know how it works. If this continues they’re in a bad spot.

“But I think it’s got to a point where they’ve made so many managerial changes that they’ll be looking for real reasons for this. The amount they’ve invested in this squad, they’ll want to continue with him for the time being.”

Rangers supporters will be desperate for their side to strengthen before Monday’s deadline, particularly defensively.

On Wednesday night, the Gers were demolished 6-0 in Champions League qualifying, humiliatingly dumped out 9-1 on aggregate, thereby conceding nine plus goals in a two-legged European tie for the first time in 65 years.

This has only cranked up the pressure on manager Russell Martin, despite the fact it was only his tenth match in charge across all competitions.

For now, Martin retains the trust of the Rangers board, if not the Rangers support, so could the addition of a new defender help his cause?

Rangers' defensive issue

Ever since his first game in charge, a 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos in July, Martin’s first-choice centre-back pairing has been John Souttar alongside Nasser Djiga, the duo starting together eight times today to date.

However, the latter, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, is certainly beginning to show signs of weakness.

Djiga was certainly culpable for Club Brugge’s opening goal at Ibrox, with the Burkina Faso international having also been sent off during the dismal 1-1 draw with Dundee earlier this month.

So, as Rangers search for an upgrade, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, they are close to signing centre-back Derek Cornelius from Olympique de Marseille.

It has been reported elsewhere that the deal will be a loan with an option to buy, which transfer insider Sacha Tavolieri believes will be worth €4m (around £3.4m).

Transfer Focus

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

So, will Cornelius become the fifth Canadian international to represent Rangers, after Scott Arfield, Fraser Aird, Luca Gasparotto and Colin Miller?

Why Derek Cornelius should excite Rangers supporters

Since making his senior debut for VfB Lübeck in the German fourth-tier, Cornelius has become quite accustomed to changing country.

After spells with VfR Neumünster and then Javor Ivanjica in Serbia, he returned to Canada in January 2019, joining the Vancouver Whitecaps, with his big breakthrough coming during his time in Major League Soccer.

After that, following a loan spell in Greece with Panetolikos, and then 18 months with Swedish side Malmö, he finally earned a big move to Olympique de Marseille, joining les Phocéens for around £4m last summer.

He did make 21 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, 17 of which were starts, but has now been deemed surplus to requirements by Roberto De Zerbi, following the arrival of CJ Egan-Riley, so is on the move again.

Analyst Kai Watson is certainly a fan, labelling the 27-year-old “athletic” while also praising his “excellent” aerial duel-winning ability.

Cornelius will certainly arrive at Ibrox ultra-motivated, ahead of a World Cup on home soil next summer.

He has so far won 35 caps for Canada, starting all five of their matches at the most recent Copa América, as les Rouges upset the odds to reach the semi-finals, so, fitness permitting, he’ll be a starter for Jesse Marsch’s side next summer.

The question though still remains, how does he compare to the man he is set to replace in Rangers’ back-line, Djiga?

Pass completion %

94%

91%

Forward passes

23

15

Duels won

4.5

3.2

% of ground duels won

55%

70%

% of aerial duels won

67%

53%

Clearances

3.2

3.2

Blocks

0.7

0.7

Ball recoveries

4.3

3.5

Possession lost

4.9

6.1

Average SofaScore rating

6.84

6.74

Note: table includes Cornelius’ Ligue 1 stats.

Djiga’s stats are for Crvena zvezda and are UCL only.

As the table documents, from the given samples, Cornelius comes out on top for the vast majority of metrics included.

The Canadian’s ball recoveries, duel-winning ability as well as his aerial duels success percentage all jump off the page, while Djiga only comes out on top in terms of ground duels.

Thus, all available evidence suggests that Cornelius will be an improvement on Rangers’ current options, demoting the Wolves loanee to the Ibrox bench.

​​​​​​​

Sima repeat at Ibrox: Rangers are in talks to sign "outstanding" £15m star

Rangers are reportedly pursuing a deal to sign a star who could be Abdallah Sima 2.0.

ByDan Emery Aug 29, 2025

Will West Ham United’s midfield rebuild right at the end of this transfer window continue?

So far in the Premier League, the Hammers have been smashed 3-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and then 5-1 when Chelsea visited the London Stadium.

In the latter, the Irons midfield pairing of Tomáš Souček and James Ward-Prowse was completely overrun by Chelsea’s duo of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, both of whom scored, barely getting near them all night.

Thus, it is no surprise that Graham Potter has prioritised midfield reinforcements since that ill-fated defeat, so could another be on his way to East London?

West Ham's midfield rebuild

On Friday, West Ham signed not one but two new midfielders.

First, Mateus Fernandes arrived from Southampton for £38m before, a mere few hours later, Soungoutou Magassa joined from Monaco for a reported fee of £17m.

The latter, who won Olympic silver with France in the summer of 2024, is very highly rated, so West Ham fans should be excited about his arrival, but could his dream midfield partner soon be on his way to Stratford?

Well, according to a report by TEAMTalk, West Ham are ready to raid Rangers for Nicolas Raskin, adding that the Glasgow-based giants value their Belgian international at around £15m.

This transfer speculation has been fuelled by the news that Raskin will not be involved in Sunday’s Glasgow derby, training away from the rest of the first team, following an alleged falling out with manager Russell Martin.

Transfer Focus

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

Wolves, Burnley, Aston Villa, Brighton, Fiorentina and others are also purportedly interested in signing the Belgian, but could he soon swap Glasgow’s south side for East London?

What Nicolas Raskin would bring to West Ham

Raskin was Rangers’ Players’ Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year last season, very much their standout player during an otherwise underwhelming campaign.

In total, the 24-year-old has made 104 appearances for the Glasgow giants, scoring six goals and registering 16 assists.

Thus, before a ball was kicked this season, it would’ve been unthinkable for Rangers supporters that he would not be in their lineup for key fixtures.

Well, that has been the case under Martin, with Raskin left on the bench for Champions League qualifiers against Viktoria Plzeň and Club Brugge, introduced at half time at Jan Breydelstadion on Wednesday with the team 5-0 down.

The table below documents Raskin’s importance to Rangers last season.

Minutes

3,591

3rd

Goals

5

5th

Assists

11

1st

Shots

53

7th

Shots on target

23

5th

Passes completed

392

1st

Passes into final 3rd

41

1st

Shot-creating actions

20

4th

Tackles

44

1st

Interceptions

40

3rd

Ball recoveries

89

1st

Touches

639

1st

As the table outlines, Raskin was a key contributor for Rangers last season in every aspect, ranked first for assists, passes, tackles, ball recoveries and touches, emphasising his importance both in and out of possession.

He was even labelled a “pitbull” by journalist Bob Faesan – who noted that he is a “a box-to-box midfielder” – while John Walker has also described his performances as “utterly sensational”.

Thus, alongside Magassa, who likes to sit in front of a defence, they could form an excellent partnership. Indeed, the Frenchman is a real monster out of possession in his own right, having ranked in the 3% of European midfielders for interceptions per 90, as well as in the top 4% for tackles made, as per FBref.

Statistically similar to the aforementioned Caicedo, among his European peers, Magassa also has the benefit of being able to drag his side up the pitch, having also ranked in the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.

Raskin has been at his best in a Rangers jersey when given the freedom to get forward and contribute in attacking areas, while also getting back and offering defensive solidity, ensuring both he and Magassa could strike a perfect balance in the centre of the park.

So, if the Belgian is on the way out at Rangers, West Ham could snap him up for a bargain fee and potentially form an exciting, new-look midfield duo.

West Ham readying bid to sign "crazy" ace who dreams of Premier League move

The Hammers have set their sights on a late deal…

ByTom Cunningham Aug 30, 2025

Manchester United have been here before. And they are here again. Ruben Amorim was brought in from Sporting Lisbon to replace the floundering Erik ten Hag but his Red Devils side have sunk to a new low since his appointment.

Sunday’s chastening defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad kept United in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

It is, in fairness, just four matches into the new season, but with Chelsea travelling to Old Trafford next weekend and no European football on the cards, it’s crucial that an upswing is made and quickly.

Already dumped from the Carabao Cup by League Two’s Grimsby Town, United haven’t quite collapsed this term but they do need to right the wrongs, especially since Amorim’s win percentage is the lowest of any manager at the club in 80 years.

After finishing 15th last season and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, the summer transfer window felt crucial, but much has been left to be desired.

Man United's missed summer targets

Man United did address a series of issues in the summer transfer market, welcoming Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, arguably the Premier League’s two standout forwards beneath the Champions League zone last season.

However, INEOS failed to sign a centre-midfielder, and scrambled to replace Rasmus Hojlund at number nine, eventually landing on Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, signing him for a £74m fee.

Sesko ghosted throughout United’s recent drubbing by Man City, and while the talent is undeniable, it’s clear there’s much work to be done.

Does Amorim have the time on his side to nurture the Slovenian’s skillset over the coming months, years?

The deadline day signing of goalkeeper Senne Lammens adds further cause for optimism, with Andre Onana now gone, but Altay Bayındır stood between the sticks against Pep Guardiola’s side, still trusted despite his wobbles, two years on from his £4m move from Feyenoord in Turkey.

Lammens and Sesko are both 23, and both first-teamers might bloom into superstars at Old Trafford.

However, Amorim needs a fast turnaround, and he may well be frustrated that his side didn’t manage to sign two of their biggest targets instead of the developing talents.

Amorim wanted his own Donnarumma and Haaland at United

Both of those targets, coincidentally, remain at Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez.

At the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Martinez bid farewell to Villa Park. Teary-eyed, the distinguished shot-stopper appeared to be gearing up for a move away, and Man United were heavily linked.

But it wasn’t to be, with United opting to settle for Bayindir and sign Lammens instead. Thus, the Argentina hero is staying in the Midlands.

No doubt, Amorim has got his hands on an exciting up-and-comer, but Martinez is “genuinely world-class”, as said by Sky Sports’ Dan Bardell, and has 198 Premier League appearances and a World Cup gold medal to his name.

The 32-year-old’s distribution is good, but it’s his shot-stopping and command in the box that draws the plaudits. With Gigi Donnarumma standing in the opposing box at the weekend – another United summer transfer target – it’s perhaps frustrating to some that an established keeper has not been welcomed to Amorim’s project.

Watkins might also have been a top-class addition. The 29-year-old isn’t on the level of the finest striker in the league, the brace-bagging Erling Haaland, but he’s certainly got the skills to lead the line with confidence at Man United, actually described as “one of the best 9s in the world” by Statman Dave.

The England striker was reportedly really keen on joining Man United this summer, but ultimately, that wasn’t the track INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe headed down.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast’s One That Got Away series.

Still, a powerful runner with sharp intelligence and silky link-up play, Watkins could have been an invaluable addition to this United side, certainly bearing the experience and know-how to have made more of himself against City, whereas Sesko let the game pass him by.

Players like Haaland and Donnarumma make up the benchmark for a team like Amorim’s United, chasing something greater than they’ve achieved in recent years.

But it’s easier said than done, and there’s little to suggest that the signings made have what it takes to propel the club back into the ascendancy with the speed that is required.

Man United’s strategy has been tailored toward a new emphasis on Prem-proven players, and though they haven’t clicked into gear yet, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have both shown flashes of brilliance so far this season; they look well-oiled and comfortable within the English game.

Sesko is a raw striker, and that’s why Jason Wilcox and co may be kicking themselves for failing to sign someone like Watkins. Older the Three Lions star may be, but he knows his game inside and out, and he’s a high-level goalscorer.

24/25

38

16 (8)

23/24

37

19 (13)

22/23

37

15 (6)

21/22

35

11 (2)

20/21

37

14 (5)

Viktor Gyokeres is the same, and did so well under Amorim’s wing at Sporting Lisbon. You can certainly see why the Portuguese tactician wanted to sign him this summer.

Ultimately, United have to cope with the options at their disposal, and while the likes of Lammens and Sesko have plenty of potential yet untapped, there’s no denying that this was not a season that could afford a transitional period.

Instant results are still expected, and Martinez and Watkins, both so accomplished in the Premier League, might have proved the icing on the cake to achieve that.

Man Utd have two players to blame for Sesko's nightmare first start

Benjamin Sesko was an isolated figure during his first start for Manchester United.

ByMatt Dawson Sep 15, 2025

Rangers have been offered the opportunity to complete the signing of a talented free agent after holding talks over his availability this week.

Aarons overjoyed with winning goal for Rangers

The Gers secured a priceless last-gasp victory away to Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, thanks to Max Aarons’ dramatic winner deep into stoppage time.

It was a huge moment for Russell Martin, easing an element of pressure on him as Rangers manager, and Aarons couldn’t hide delight at his goal after the game.

“I feel amazing to get my first goal here, but to get a late winner under the circumstances, it was great. To be honest I thought we were really good today in large parts of the game. Although if we want to make it easier for ourselves that has to be across the whole game, but I think we deserved that win.

“I have dreamt of that and to do it in front of the away fans was amazing. I want more moments like that and more success here. I think that is more how we want to look and more how we want to play, that first half especially we had a good few chances.”

Rangers have been criticised for not adding enough high level experience during the transfer window, but could still turn to free agents, and it looks as though one player in that bracket is on their radar.

Rangers offered chance to sign free agent midfielder

According to Mark Hendry on his Substack, Rangers have been offered the chance to sign Pierre Ekwah, and he is open to a switch to Ibrox.

He reports that the 23-year-old “had his Saint-Etienne contract terminated by mutual consent back on September 1 and is on the lookout for a new club”, with the Gers “contacted by the player’s entourage” to determine whether a move is viable. He is a sought-after player, with clubs in Italy and Belgium keen on him, as well as some in England.

Ekwah’s time at Saint-Etienne may not have ended too well, but he is a talented young footballer who has been rated highly for some time, making 61 appearances for Sunderland earlier in his career.

The Frenchman is a defensive midfielder by trade, but his versatility allows him to shine in a more attack-minded midfield role, as well as at centre-back. Meanwhile, former teammate Aimen Moueffek has heaped praise on Ekwah as a player, lauding his qualities both on and off the pitch.

“Pierre has relieved us, already because he’s as good a person off the pitch as he’s on the pitch, but also because his defensive strength is a major asset for the team. In addition to that, he has real quality to his game.”

Worse than Tavernier: Martin must drop Rangers flop who was saved by Aarons

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin must drop this flop who was saved by Max Aarons against Livingston.

ByDan Emery Sep 29, 2025

Ekwah has the same agent as £72m Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe, who has redeemed himself since leaving the Gunners, and the former Sunderland man will be hoping they can help him perform a similar career redemption after leaving France in controversial fashion.

There is no getting away from the fact that West Ham United have not had the best of starts this season.

In fact, following their defeat at the hands of Arsenal, the club sit 19th in the Premier League, on just four points.

However, it really isn’t all doom and gloom, as Nuno Espírito Santo has already made the team far harder to break down, and there remain some incredibly talented players in the squad.

High up on that list is summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf, and in yet more good news, it looks like West Ham are brewing their own version of the Senegalese international.

Diouf's incredible start to the season

West Ham made a few signings this year who could go on to have great careers at the club, like Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa.

However, if you were to ask the fans who they consider to be the best addition, Diouf would surely be atop that list.

The former Slavia Prague gem cost the East Londoners around £19m, and while that seemed like a lot of money at the time for someone so young and from the Czech league, it now looks a bargain.

The Dakar-born titan is a maurading full-back in the very best way possible, someone capable of doing the defensive work when needed, but then an incredible outlet at the top of the pitch, thanks largely to his brilliant ability to fire in cross after cross.

The game against Everton was perhaps the best example of this, as while he didn’t get the assist, it was his cross that led to Jarrod Bowen’s goal, and on another night, the 20-year-old could have had a hat-trick of assists.

This might all sound a bit hyperbolic, but the dynamic full-back has been impressing plenty of people, with one analyst making the bold claim that he’s “one of the best full-backs in the league.”

In all, Diouf looks like one of the signings of the summer so far, and as if one of him wasn’t enough, West Ham appear to be brewing a homegrown version as well.

West Ham's homegrown Diouf

West Ham have a proud history of developing and promoting some of the most exciting youngsters in England, like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Declan Rice.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

While he might not reach the levels of those three, another exciting prospect in the club’s academy at the moment is Emeka Adiele.

The 18-year-old gem has been on fire for the Hammers’ U21 side, and looks like he could become a player in the mould of Diouf.

For example, in just eight appearances, totalling 698 minutes, the dynamic youngster has scored one goal and managed to provide six assists.

That means the academy star is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.14 games, or every 99.71 minutes, which is a simply sensational rate of return for someone who spends plenty of time at left-back.

Moreover, while the rate at which he’s producing goal involvements has increased this season, the teenage sensation has been a reliable source of output for some time now.

Last season, for example, he produced nine in 25 games, and the year before that, it was another nine in 25.

25/26

8

7

24/25

25

9

23/24

25

9

22/23

4

0

Finally, in addition to already having the end product, he also appears to possess the mentality to succeed in the senior game, with one analyst claiming that he is “full of confidence & tenacity.”

Ultimately, West Ham appear to have a superstar in the making in Diouf, but if they end up losing him in a couple of years, they also appear to have the perfect replacement in Adiele.

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ByEmilio Galantini Oct 4, 2025

Chelsea have been tipped to move for a “dominant” Germany international defender who is “exactly” what Enzo Maresca needs, coming amid the Blues’ major shortage of centre-back options.

Enzo Maresca demands centre-back signing for Chelsea

Before their 2-1 win over Premier League champions Liverpool, it was reported that Maresca is unhappy with Chelsea’s current squad, as he believes the west Londoners are still light in key areas (Simon Phillips).

The most obvious area of Maresca’s team that’s in desperate need of reinforcement is centre-half, and this was on full display against Liverpool on Saturday, after Chelsea elected not to invest a portion of their £285 million summer spend into a natural central defender in the summer.

Liverpool

£415,000,000

£187,000,000

£228,000,000

Chelsea

£285,000,000

£288,000,000

-£3,000,000

Arsenal

£255,000,000

£9,000,000

£246,000,000

Newcastle

£250,000,000

£152,000,000

£98,000,000

Man Utd

£216,000,000

£68,000,000

£148,000,000

Nottm Forest

£205,000,000

£107,000,000

£98,000,000

Tottenham

£181,000,000

£36,000,000

£145,000,000

Sunderland

£162,000,000

£44,000,000

£118,000,000

Man City

£152,000,000

£53,000,000

£99,000,000

West Ham

£124,000,000

£55,000,000

£69,000,000

via BBC

With Trevoh Chalobah (suspended), Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill all unavailable for the game, Maresca was forced to start a pairing of youngster Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile, with the latter only just returning from injury himself.

Chelsea’s boss publicly requested a centre-back signing before summer deadline day on September 1, but it is believed that BlueCo are in agreement with their manager that one should be a “priority” for January instead (Pete O’Rourke).

They’re already making plans in that regard, having reached out to Marc Guehi’s camp last week over a potential cut-price January move with the England international’s contract expiring at the end of 2025/2026.

Chelsea tipped to move for Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck

Now, ex-Premier League chief scout Mick Brown, who remains well-connected in the beautiful game, has “heard” that Chelsea are looking at Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as a potential option.

The Germany international’s deal runs out in just under two years, meaning he could be available for a potentially doable fee in the winter window, and this is something that Chelsea are actively considering.

The 25-year-old, who captains Dortmund regularly, also has a questionable injury record — so BlueCo need to tread carefully here.

Schlotterbeck missed a large portion of this calendar year with a meniscus tear, which stretched into Dortmund’s Club World Cup campaign and early this season after he was sidelined near the end of 2024/2025.

The towering defender may not be a reliable ever-present depending on his fitness issues, but could be a very reliable back-up option as Maresca continues not to select ‘bomb squad’ member Axel Disasi.