Nottingham Forest are now in talks to sign a “superb” AC Milan midfielder, but the Italian giants want £21 million for his signature, according to a new report.

Nottingham Forest chasing multiple transfer targets

The Reds have already agreed a deal worth £33 million that will see them sign Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha and Cuiabano from Brazilian side Botafogo, two of whom scored in their side’s FIFA Club World Cup opener on Sunday.

But the Premier League side don’t want to stop there, as they look to continue their rise in the top flight as well as compete in the UEFA Conference League next season.

Related Nottingham Forest make bid to sign £34m "goalscorer" alongside Igor Jesus

Chris Wood could have some serious competition at the City Ground.

Posts 1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 15, 2025

Forest will be hoping Chris Wood can continue his fine form into next season, and while they are adding Jesus to their forward line options, the Reds are also looking to sign another striker. According to a report from Africa Foot, Forest have now placed a bid to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford. Nuno Santo’s side have accelerated their transfer efforts, and they are now ready to meet Brentford’s demands, which is around the £34 million mark.

It’s also been reported that Newcastle United have once again made contact with the Reds over signing Anthony Elanga.

The Magpies wanted the Sweden international 12 months ago, and that interest has not disappeared. So, given the uncertainty surrounding Elanga, Forest are assessing a move for Man City’s Oscar Bobb.

The City youngster could be made available for a loan this summer, and he may be seen as a good replacement for Elanga.

Nottingham Forest in talks with AC Milan

But Bobb is not their only option when it comes to replacing Elanga, as according to TEAMtalk, Forest have now held talks with AC Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers over a possible transfer to the City Ground.

The report claims that the Reds have been in contact with Saelemaekers’ representatives for over a year now, and they now consider the winger as a strong transfer target this summer.

However, there is somewhat of a sticking point when it comes to his transfer valuation, as Forest value the player at around the £17 million mark, but AC Milan are looking more for £21 million, meaning there is a £4 million gap as it stands.

Meanwhile, new Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has yet to make a decision on the player’s future, as he wants to assess everyone in pre-season.

The 25-year-old, who has been dubbed “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig, spent last season on loan at Roma. The Belgium international played 23 Serie A games, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in the process. His move to Roma came after he played 30 games for Milan in Serie A during the 2023/24 season.

Alexis Saelemaekers’s 24/25 Serie A stats

Apps

23

Starts

18

Goals

7

xG

2.49

Goals per game

0.3

Chance conversion

28%

Assists

3

Touches per game

48.0

Key passes per game

1.1

Saelemaekers is under contract until 2027 at Milan, so if Allegri does decide the player isn’t in his plans, then he will likely be sold this summer, which is good news for Forest. They will of course hope his arrival at the City Ground would see him compete alongside Elanga for a starting spot, not be a replacement for the Swedish sensation.

It must be said: Liverpool are perhaps enjoying a better summer transfer window than they ever did under Jurgen Klopp.

FSG’s incisiveness gives us all the material we need to surmise their Anfield ambitions over the coming years. Though afflicted by the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left for Real Madrid on a free transfer, Jeremie Frimpong has joined from Bayer Leverkusen in a £29.5m deal to jockey with Conor Bradley for the right-back berth.

And with Milos Kerkez on the cusp of replacing Andy Robertson, 31, who is being targeted by Atletico Madrid as he enters the last year of his contract, Arne Slot’s new-look defensive flanks could be solidified for many exciting years to come.

The Premier League champions should also see Florian Wirtz follow Frimpong from Leverkusen to sign for the Reds in what could rise to a British-record £116m fee (£100m will be paid upfront and a further £16m is possible through add-ons).

The elite playmaker allegedly rejected interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City to join Liverpool, with his medical set for this week.

Liverpool have turned a corner, all right, now acting like the behemoth they are. However, such signings are fantastic, but Liverpool’s priority perhaps remains at number nine, with a new centre-forward needed to ease Mohamed Salah’s talismanic burden.

Why Liverpool need a new striker

Three years ago (almost to the day), Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica in an initial £64m deal. It could have reached a club-record £85m fee, but that never happened, largely because of the Uruguayan’s stop-start performances.

Now, he’s going to be sold, with suitors in the Saudi Pro League and mounting interest in Serie A, Napoli and AC Milan both keen on completing a deal.

He needs to go, and Salah needs help. The Egyptian has just turned 33 and the balance of output must be spread across Slot’s frontline next year, lest he be overwhelmed by responsibility once again.

Looking at the forwards’ respective hauls across the 2024/25 season, it’s interesting that Nunez and Diogo Jota, the two recognised central strikers, languished near the bottom, better only than the rarely-played Federico Chiesa.

Mohamed Salah

38 (38)

29

18

Luis Diaz

36 (28)

13

7

Cody Gakpo

35 (23)

10

5

Diogo Jota

26 (14)

6

4

Darwin Nunez

30 (8)

5

3

Federico Chiesa

6 (1)

0

0

The expectation is that Nunez will be sold, but he will be sold as a Premier League champion, having also registered four goal involvements en route to lifting the Carabao Cup in 2023/24 too.

Salah needs a new dance partner, and there so happens to be one on FSG’s radar.

Liverpool remain in race for new striker

As per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool remain in the race for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike alongside Chelsea, though Manchester United are ramping up their efforts for the striker, with club-to-club talks having begun last week.

This shows that Liverpool will need to accelerate their own interest, but likely, they will struggle to do so until Nunez has been offloaded. Crucially, this will need to happen soon, although Plettenberg’s earlier report on the matter claims the French forward is aware of Anfield’s plan.

However, with Frankfurt obstinately holding onto their €100m (£85m) valuation, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool or indeed anyone will pay up, with Chelsea already sounding out alternatives.

This is followed by transfer insider Graeme Bailey’s claim that the Merseyside outfit can be considered frontrunners after holding talks, and that the player’s entourage have informed interested parties that he might actually be available for a cheaper figure than Frankfurt want.

Why Liverpool should sign Ekitike

Ekitike is only 22, but he’s already proved himself capable of approaching world-class level, with analyst Ben Mattinson even declaring him as “one of the best strikers out there” in March.

This has been ratified by the data: not only did Ekitike finish the campaign with 22 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, but he also wrapped it up ranked among the top 4% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 19% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

He’s come a long way already, only scoring four times and making 33 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain before being loaned out and then sold, having signed the Reims prospect for €35m (£30m) in July 2022.

Perhaps the Eagles want too much, but that’s up to sporting director Richard Hughes to engineer a more agreeable package for one of the most talented frontmen out there.

His elegance and underlying data suggest he could not only help Salah maintain his high level of performance but also become Slot’s very own version of the Premier League all-timer.

In 2017, when Liverpool purchased Salah from Roma in a deal worth £34m, few expected him to become a superstar under Jurgen Klopp, having previously failed to make it work with Chelsea, scoring twice over 19 games before being offloaded to Italy.

Now, he’s a legend, having scored 245 goals and provided 113 assists across 401 trophy-filled fixtures as a Liverpool sensation.

Salah is chiefly a deadly marksman, but he’s also something of an underrated playmaker. Of course, all know of his impressive creativity, but perhaps not so much his highest-station calibre in that regard, among conversations with some all-timers in the ball-playing department.

But it’s not just the way these two will play together (although that’s a tantalising thought), but indeed Ekitike could prove to be Liverpool’s next version of the Egyptian King, albeit in a different attacking position.

As we have discussed, Ekitike is enjoying new prolific heights but this stands atop the wide foundations of an expansive skill set, with all the facets no doubt gleaned by Liverpool’s renowned data-driven team.

The same was true for Salah, who enjoyed his time in Italy, earning praise for his goalscoring, but was far more even in that earlier iteration.

Matches (starts)

34 (32)

31 (29)

Goals

14

15

Assists

6

11

Shots (on target)*

2.1 (0.9)

2.6 (1.1)

Big chances missed

8

16

Pass completion

83%

80%

Big chances created

8

13

Key passes*

1.9

2.4

Dribbles*

1.6

1.2

Tackles + interceptions*

1.0

1.2

Duels won*

3.7

3.1

As you can see, he was consistent in his playmaking, dribbling and crispness in retaining possession, also chipping in with a lively amount of defensive work, also winning a fair amount of duels on a game-by-game basis.

And you could even draw upon the right winger’s 16 big chances missed on that final campaign in Rome, scoring 15 times. Ekitike actually mirrored that in the German top division last season, 15 goals, 16 big chances squandered.

His constant drive forward, electric and connective with those around him, project the style of a complete forward, something Liverpool typically like at number nine and, of course, a style which Salah has used to wreak havoc on the Premier League for so many years.

Liverpool saw something that others didn’t and welcomed Salah as he was getting going. Now they are basking in the glory of it, have been for many years.

By following this well-beaten internal path, they might just hit the jackpot once again, landing an “incredible” new attacking asset, as Ekitike has been called by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

Salah’s is a story of merciless predation on hapless Premier League and European defences. His greatness is carved into the division and Liverpool’s most fundamental history; have a conversation about the best of the best, and he shall be named.

Ekitike’s got a long way to go, but he too has weathered the storm of a tough start to life at one of the continent’s superpowers, and having taken a so-called step down to find his feet, is now ready to move to the Premier League and become one of the best of the best.

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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke followed in Marcelo Bielsa’s footsteps this season by becoming the latest boss to win the Championship title for the club.

The Whites recorded a club-record 100 points in the second tier with a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season, to earn their promotion to the Premier League.

Bielsa, of course, then went on to keep the team in the top-flight with a top-half finish in the 2020/21 campaign, before he was relieved of his duties midway through the following season.

Farke will now be hoping to follow in the Argentine great’s footsteps once again by coaching the team to avoid relegation from the Premier League at the first time of asking, something that he was unable to do in two attempts at Norwich City.

Recruitment in the upcoming summer transfer window will be key to the success or failure of the German head coach next season, as shown by how important Bielsa’s signings in 2020 were.

Victor Orta and the board backed the manager by making several significant signings to bolster the squad, including high-profile forward Rodrigo from Valencia.

Why Rodrigo was a key signing for Leeds

Leeds pushed the boat out to smash their transfer record with a £30m deal to sign the Spain international ahead of the 2020/21 campaign to back Bielsa.

Rodrigo had already been capped 22 times by his country and had scored 59 goals and delivered 41 assists in 220 appearances for Valencia in all competitions, which meant that the Whites were signing an experienced player at the top level in Europe.

The West Yorkshire outfit knew that they had to add proven quality to their squad to handle the jump from the Championship to the Premier League, so they went out and signed a player who had been there and done it, albeit in Spain instead of England.

Rodrigo delivered seven goals and two assists in 26 matches in the Premier League in his debut season with Leeds to steer them clear of relegation, which was then followed up with six goals and one assist in 31 games in the 2021/22 campaign under Jesse Marsch.

The Spanish star’s haul of 13 goals and one assist in 31 matches in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign was not enough to prevent relegation back down to the second tier, but there is no doubt that he played a role in their survival in his first two years at Elland Road.

Rodrigo was, therefore, a key signing for Leeds because he brought proven quality and made an instant impact at the club in the top-flight, which is why the club should try to repeat that masterclass this summer.

Leeds eyeing deal for Serie A striker

The Whites could be on their way to finding their next Rodrigo in the upcoming summer transfer window, as they are reportedly eyeing a new centre-forward.

According to an Italian journalist, Leeds United are lining up a move to sign Lecce number nine Nikola Krstovic to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

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Farke already has Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, and Patrick Bamford vying for one place in the starting line-up, but it is seemingly looking to add even more quality to his attacking arsenal.

Krstovic will not come cheap, though, as the reporter adds that Lecce, who are at risk of being relegated from the Serie A, are set to demand a fee of around €25m (£21m).

It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds are prepared to pay the £21m that the Italian team want for their star striker, but they should consider doing so because he could be their next Rodrigo.

Why Krstovic could be Rodrigo 2.0 at Leeds

The 49ers should swoop to sign the £21m-rated striker for Farke because he has proven his quality in one of Europe’s major leagues and would be a player who could make an instant impact in the Premier League, rather than a player from the lower leagues in England or a young player with it all to prove.

Like Rodrigo, Krstovic would arrive at Elland Road as a seasoned international footballer. He has scored six goals in 24 caps for Montenegro to date, which shows that he has performed well on the international stage for his country.

The 25-year-old star made a name for himself in Slovakia with Dunajska Streda by scoring 37 goals in 66 matches in all competitions, an unbelievable return in front of goal for the striker, which earned him a move to Lecce in the summer of 2023.

Krstovic, who former manager Roberto D’Aversa claimed has a “hunger for goals”, did not take much time to adapt to life in one of Europe’s major leagues, with a return of seven goals in 35 games in the 2023/24 Serie A campaign.

Appearances

35

36

Goals

7

11

Right-footed goals

4

7

Left-footed goals

1

3

Headed goals

2

1

Big chances created

4

4

Assists

1

4

As you can see in the table above, the Montenegro international has showcased his quality in front of goal, with 18 goals and eight ‘big chances’ created, in his two seasons with Lecce in the Serie A to date.

A return of 11 right-footed goals, four left-footed goals, and three headed goals also shows that he is a versatile goalscorer who can thrive off a variety of service, rather than being limited to one way of scoring goals.

His statistics for Lecce perfectly illustrate why he could be Rodrigo 2.0 for Leeds because he has proven that the quality is there for him to make an instant impact in the Premier League as a goalscorer, given what the forward has already achieved in Italy.

This is why Farke must push the board to get a deal over the line for the £21m marksman, because Krstovic could bolster the club’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the top-flight by providing a big goal threat throughout the campaign.

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Arsenal are in the market for a new attacker this summer, and sporting director Andrea Berta has been handed a boost in regard to one target who appears to have his eyes firmly on a move to N5.

Arsenal maintaining Benjamin Sesko talks

The Gunners have been seriously pursuing RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko for the last fortnight.

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Talks have been held with the Bundesliga side over a move for their talismanic forward, who scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, with Arsenal and Leipzig reportedly negotiating to find middle ground on the fee.

While reliable reports suggest that Saudi sides are now expressing a keen interest in Sesko to rival Arsenal, the player’s priority is to remain in Europe, and it is believed by some media sources that the 22-year-old has already agreed personal terms (CaughtOffside).

There appears to be cautious optimism that a move can eventually be struck for the Slovenia international, but in case a deal falls through, Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres remains on their shortlist (Fabrizio Romano).

The Swede is fresh off an excellent campaign, where he bagged 54 goals in all competitions, helping Sporting to their first domestic double in 20 years.

Gyokeres’ ruthless finishing has attracted interest from across the continent, with Man United also rumoured to be contending for his services. However, he definitely won’t be leaving for £59 million, as Sporting president Frederico Varandas confirmed to the media this week.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

“I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60m euros plus 10m euros because I never promised that,” Varandas said.

“To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres – neither today nor last season.”

Viktor Gyokeres prioritising move to Arsenal with meeting held

While a lot of negotiation still needs to be done over a potential fee, if Arsenal decide to go there in the event they cannot agree a Sesko deal, they can be encouraged by the 27-year-old’s stance on a move to the Emirates Stadium.

According to CNN journalist Nuno Farinha, speaking on CNN Portugal, Gyokeres’ agent held a meeting with Arsenal chiefs on Wednesday to lay groundwork over a potential transfer.

Farinha also says that Arsenal has always been Gyokeres’ preferred landing spot, with the ex-Coventry City star seemingly prioritising a move to north London over Man United.

While a lot of debate is surrounding Gyokeres’ price tag, especially after Varandas’ comments, Portuguese newspaper Record recently stated that Sporting have been demanding around £67 million.

“His overall game is good. He is big and strong, he can play on the ball and his finishing is ridiculously good,” said pundit John Wenham to Tottenham News.

“That would be an exciting signing.”

June is nearly upon us, yet Glasgow Rangers still don’t have a permanent manager. Philippe Clement was sacked 96 days ago, and ahead of the most important in the club’s recent history, the onus is on the board to bring the right man to Ibrox.

Whenever there is a managerial vacancy, plenty of names have been linked with a move to Glasgow.

At the start of the month, Marco Rose and Danny Rohl were named potential Rangers managers, yet the links died down after a few days.

Steven Gerrard’s name has been mentioned over the past few months regarding a potential return to Scotland.

Between 2018 and 2021, the former Liverpool captain took over a shambles of a club and returned them to the summit of Scottish football within three years.

Recent news suggests that he wont be the next manager of the club, however, leaving Russell Martin and Davide Ancelotti as the leading candidates.

Whatever happens, getting someone in swiftly should be the main priority for the board. With pre-season set to start in a few weeks, plus the prospect of Champions League qualifiers in mid-July, the longer the wait goes on, the worse it could turn out for the Light Blues.

Latest on Davide Ancelotti's move to Rangers

With Gerrard now out of the frame, it appears as though Ancelotti is the frontrunner for the vacant role.

The Italian has held talks with the board and is currently a free agent, having not joined his dad, Carlo, on his adventure with the Brazil national side.

“Davide is thinking [about] what to do for the future,” said the elder Ancelotti. He’s in talks with other clubs as he tries to be first coach, and he knows if he doesn’t find the opportunity, he will be here with me.”

Having assisted his dad at clubs such as Real Madrid, Napoli, Bayern Munich and Everton, Davide has a plethora of experience in a coaching capacity.

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The younger Ancelotti was the brains behind Madrid’s tactical approach, which saw them win two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies between 2021 and 2024.

A fluid approach to the game, which means his team can play across multiple formations at will, is certainly a positive.

The caveat being that he hasn’t managed a side on his own. While the pressures of Ibrox may be slightly different to those at the Bernabeu, the desire to win every game remains the same.

Should he win the race and get the job, it would be an almighty gamble for the board, no doubt about that. Is there a better option currently available, however?

Rangers search for a new manager

Now, a new name has entered the fray. According to the Herald journalist, Stephen McGowan, Rangers have now reportedly held talks with former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli.

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The Italian left the Dutch side following their Eredivisie collapse, which saw them lose the league title to PSV Eindhoven, despite being nine points clear with five matches left.

He dragged Ajax from fifth the previous season to the brink of the title, while securing a return to Champions League football for 2025/26.

Farioli reportedly blamed a difference in ‘visions and timeframes’ from the Ajax board as to why he quit the role after just a single season in the Netherlands.

When Giovanni van Bronckhorst was sacked in November 2022, the former Nice manager was sounded out to be his replacement. In the end, it was Michael Beale who eventually took over the role. Might things be different three years later?

Why Rangers must hire Francesco Farioli

Of course, fingers will be pointed following Ajax’s major collapse over the final five matches of the season. Considering that the Dutch giants endured their worst season in living memory just a year ago, however, getting that far was certainly a step forward.

Journalist Lars Jesse praised the 36-year-old after he left the club, saying: “Francesco Farioli has achieved something unique at Ajax. After years of incompetence, uncertainty, and misery, he brought back calm and structure.”

Club

Date appointed

Games in charge

Points per game

Ajax

July 1, 2024

54

2.09

Nice

July 1, 2023

38

1.68

Alanyaspor

December 31, 2021

48

1.54

Karagümrük

March 22, 2021

27

1.52

During the 2023/24 season, Ajax lost eight league games, scored 74 goals and conceded a staggering 61 times.

A year later, they may have scored four fewer goals throughout the campaign, but the club lost just four times and conceded 32 goals, a major improvement.

Farioli tends to utilise an attacking 4-3-3 system, which could be a wonderful fit for some of the current Ibrox squad. He will also be keen on signing his own targets for the club during the transfer window.

Across his 54 matches in charge of the Dutch side, Farioli’s side scored 115 goals – 2.1 per game – while he accumulated 2.09 points per game.

This focus on dynamic attacking football would certainly win over the Ibrox faithful, who have had to endure Clement’s distinct lack of style. Despite his tender years, the Italian manager has managed an impressive 167 senior games throughout his managerial career to date.

Coming so close to success with Ajax will hurt, but it might give him the confidence that he can lead a fallen giant back to its previous glories.

In that regard, taking on the role of Rangers manager would suit him nicely. A total cultural reset is required at Ibrox this summer, and only by bringing in someone who is able to provide a fresh start will that happen.

Much will depend on whether Farioli wishes to jump straight back into a hot seat so soon after his Ajax departure. If so, then the board must be doing everything it can to convince him that Rangers are the right choice.

Like any managerial appointment, bringing Farioli will be a big gamble – although considering his recent experienced in a top job at an elite club, he would certainly be less of a gamble than Ancelotti.

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After watching on as Liverpool seemingly jumped ahead of them in the race to sign Florian Wirtz, Bayern Munich have reportedly turned their focus towards payback in the form of recruiting one particular Anfield star this summer.

Liverpool submit first Wirtz offer

Whilst it was Manchester City and Bayern who found themselves battling for Wirtz’s signature, it has been Liverpool who have grabbed hold of the headlines. Sending shockwaves through Europe, the Reds have stolen a march on their rivals and are reportedly set to sign the Bayer Leverkusen star in what could quite easily be the deal of the summer in all regards.

Having already lifted the Premier League in their first season under Arne Slot, it’s clear that those at Anfield mean business after deciding against splashing the cash last summer.

Alongside Wirtz, rumours have also indicated that Liverpool are pushing to sign the midfielder’s Leverkusen teammate, Jeremie Frimpong, to replace the Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.

Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz is a fairly open secret already and Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes had his say on the potential move earlier this week, telling reporters: “There is concrete interest from Liverpool, but there’s no more to say right now. Florian is our player.”

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1

By
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Meanwhile, on Bayern Munich’s end, they’ve been left with no choice but to turn their attention elsewhere. And that could yet deal the Premier League champions a frustrating blow amid rumours that the German giants have set their sights on signing an Anfield star who Slot loves.

Bayern make contact to sign Cody Gakpo

According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich have now made contact to sign Cody Gakpo. Club chief Max Eberl is reportedly a fan of the Dutchman and has now added him to a list of left-wing options which already includes Rafael Leao and Brighton’s Karou Mitoma.

What’s more, given that they’re set to welcome Wirtz this summer, Liverpool and FSG are open to selling Gakpo if the right offer arrives. Whether Slot would approve such an exit is the big question. Gakpo has been a man transformed under his countryman, scoring 18 goals in all competitions and claiming a spot in Liverpool’s front three as a result.

Slot hasn’t hesitated to praise the former PSV man, either. He told reporters when asked about his winger earlier in the season: “In the second half of last season Cody scored a lot of goals so he’s been a good player for Liverpool for a long time now. He continues doing that and that’s a good thing. For me, he is a regular starter.”

Also dubbed “excellent” by former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole back in October, Gakpo is not someone that Liverpool should be keen to lose in the coming months.

There was a point during the overtures of the summer transfer window that Liverpool were clear ahead of any hopefuls in the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool are considered frontrunners in the race to sign the French forward, but Chelsea and Manchester United are also locked in negotiations with the Bundesliga club and the player’s representatives.

It’s an open race, and one which the Anfield side will be frustrated that they cannot advance in, given Darwin Nunez still sits firmly in Arne Slot’s squad. The Uruguayan striker is expected to leave the club this summer but, despite interest from Serie A and the Saudi Pro League, real progress has not yet happened.

Luckily, not much should change on the Ekitike front just yet, with his employers standing firm on their €100m (£85m) price tag – a valuation they don’t seem keen to meet.

Since Nunez is all but set to go, it would be wise for the Reds to search for alternatives, and Viktor Gyokeres is a name that has been bandied about.

Liverpool's interest in Viktor Gyokeres

Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League and does have the capacity to double down on their staggering £150m valuation of Alexander Isak.

Thus, alternatives like Ekitike and Sporting’s Gyokeres have been mapped out, and the latter is certainly an attractive option, given he has scored 97 goals across 102 appearances for the Portuguese club.

Arsenal and Manchester United have both shown more concrete interest than Liverpool in recent weeks, even if the Reds are keen, with the Gunners sure to be emboldened by the striker’s intimation that he would rather move to the Emirates than Old Trafford.

There’s no doubt that Gyokeres would prove an upgrade on Nunez, whose natural talent hasn’t been enough to make things click in England’s top flight, but the former is 27 and Sporting chiefs want his €100m (£85m) release clause met, which would put him in the same park as Ekitike.

Liverpool reportedly made contact with the Sweden international back in May, though there are concerns that his ridiculous rate of scoring would struggle to translate into Premier League life, and that’s why Liverpool have made contact with an exciting upgrade.

Liverpool open talks for Nunez replacement

As per the latest from TEAMtalk, Liverpool believe they have found a way to offload Nunez and solve their quest for a number nine at the same time.

Indeed, that’s by offering the 25-year-old, along with Federico Chiesa, to Napoli in return for Victor Osimhen, with talks having already happened regarding a potential swap deal.

Osimhen, 26, has just completed a successful loan spell with Galatasaray after a divorce from the Naples side, and his summer transfer is a given.

Valued at £60m, the Nigerian goalscorer is more affordable than the other forwards we’ve mentioned, and if Nunez, Chiesa or both are included in the package, he would be cheaper still.

Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen

Frugality has been something that dissenters have targeted FSG with for a while, but who can say Liverpool’s owners have been anything but ambitious in the market thus far this month?

Even so, there’s a lot going on in the Anfield offices, and the coffers aren’t inexhaustible. Osimhen represents an affordable deal for an elite-level marksman.

Ekitike has a high ceiling, but the Frenchman isn’t as refined as Napoli’s man right now, and perhaps Osimhen is also more accomplished than Gyokeres, who has yet to prove himself at age 27 in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Indeed, the rangy centre-forward has been hailed for his “world-class” finishing by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, and that’s something Liverpool have been lacking at the front of the ship to be sure.

24/25 – Galatasaray

41

37

8

23/24 – Napoli

32

17

4

22/23 – Napoli

39

31

5

21/22 – Napoli

32

18

6

20/21 – Napoli

30

10

3

But goalscoring isn’t Osimhen’s sole forte. Powerful, robust and more dynamic than he might seem at a glance, the £83k-per-week striker likes to drive forward with the ball at his feet and make things happen for his teammates.

Make no mistake, Gyokeres is a high-level finisher and complete in his forward play, but Liverpool would be gambling in bringing him to the Premier League over someone more proven in Osimhen. The Premier League champions, after all, need the best of the best.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 4% of forwards across Europe last season for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for progressive carries and the top 16% for ball recoveries per 90.

This shows that he’s mobile and efficient in utilising his athleticism, not just standing as a target man in spite of his prowess in the box.

Silky and stylish and all the rest, Osimhen would be a credit to Liverpool’s first team, bringing a fiery personality and a winning mentality.

Gyokeres is a physical force of a player himself, but he simply hasn’t achieved the same heights as Osimhen despite being a year his junior, and given that he would cost more, Liverpool will need to consider their options carefully, lest they make the wrong choice and hinder their chances of defending their Premier League title with Slot at the helm and indeed struggle to conquer trophies on tournamental fronts.

He's better than Gordon: Liverpool among favourites to sign £77m winger

Liverpool may need to replace Luis Diaz in the transfer market this summer.

4 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 17, 2025

An English manager has never won the Premier League. In fact, the only Brits to get their hands on the illustrious trophy have been Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Kenny Dalglish. But that’s not to say England hasn’t been blessed with some of the most talented and charismatic coaches football has ever seen.

The fact that English football proudly created managers like Alf Ramsey, Bob Paisley and Brian Clough only for their successors at the top level to later create such a dismal Premier League record makes it all the more bizarre.

In the Premier League era, Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan particularly stand out, but the truth is that England’s best products came before the top flight received a new lick of paint.

Before Robson and Keegan, the likes of Ramsey and Paisley etched their legacies into English football history. Paisley’s name still echoes around Anfield as one of the most successful managers in their incredible history, whilst Ramsey remains the last manager to win silverware with England – winning the 1966 World Cup.

Best English Managers

Clubs managed

Bob Paisley

Liverpool

Sir Alf Ramsey

Ipswich, England, Birmingham

Sir Bobby Robson

Fulham, Ipswich, England, PSV, Sporting, Porto,

Barcelona, Newcastle

Kevin Keegan

Newcastle, Fulham, England, Man City, Newcastle

Roy Hodgson

Inter, Blackburn, Udinese, Finland, Fulham,

Liverpool, West Brom, England, Crystal Palace, Watford

Out of all those names, from Paisley to Hodgson, one manager who doesn’t get enough credit at times is Keegan. But the iconic David Ginola wasted no time before giving his former boss his flowers.

Ginola: Keegan made Newcastle feel "invincible"

The man who took Newcastle United closest to the Premier League title, Keegan is unfortunate to be known for his famous “I would love it if we beat them” rant, but the story behind that infamous interview is even more dramatic.

Labelled “The Entertainers”, Keegan’s Newcastle side finished second and third in their first seasons back in the top flight before going toe-to-toe with Ferguson’s Manchester United side.

Ginola and Les Ferdinand were among those to arrive in a £16m spending spree, and the Magpies soon found themselves 10 points clear at Christmas.

By the time that March arrived and United came to town to secure victory, however, Newcastle’s lead had been cut to just four points following the beginning of a collapse. Stan Collymore then famously closed in at Anfield a month later to hand Keegan another defeat.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington May 21, 2025

It was then Ferguson’s suggestion that Nottingham Forest could hand Newcastle preferential treatment due to their meeting for Stuart Pearson’s testimonial which sparked Keegan’s infamous rant. In the end though, as much as he wished it to happen, Newcastle could not find a way to beat United to the title in the 1995/96 campaign.

Arsenal have attacking reinforcements in their sights and are willing to put one of their key targets in the top bracket of earners at the Emirates Stadium, per a report.

Arsenal's search for attacking reinforcements rumbles on

Truthfully, it is impossible to avoid the discussion of Arsenal adding attacking reinforcements this summer when it comes to assessing their scope to do transfer business.

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres are the Gunners’ two main targets through the middle. However, with neither prospective deal near completion, other names will begin to be thrown into the hat as a consequence.

Speaking about what he would do in his old side’s situation, William Gallas has backed Arsenal to enter the race for Alexander Isak despite the Sweden international being a difficult star to sign this summer.

He stated: “Isak is perfect for Arsenal and they should be going all out to sign him. He would adapt instantly and give them the best chance of winning the title out of any player in the world, they don’t have time to let a striker adapt.

“Arsenal should go and break the bank for Isak. He is a 20-goal-a-season striker, and he would be surrounding himself with quality players.”

Related A bigger star than Zubimendi: Arsenal make approach to sign £50m midfielder

The midfield monster would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 23, 2025

Boyhood Arsenal fan Ollie Watkins is wanted at the Emirates and would offer proven top-flight pedigree, even if he is firmly in the prime of his career. The race remains open to find out who will be Mikel Arteta’s new centre-forward come the end of the window.

Supporters will already be buckled up and ready to experience a chaotic few months in the market, though they could be in for a treat if recent reports are to be believed.

Arsenal willing to make Rodrygo one of their highest earners

According to TBR in conversation with Graeme Bailey, Andrea Berta is willing to make Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo one of their highest earners should he pitch up at the Emirates this summer.

Berta has engaged in ‘preliminary talks’ with his camp over recent weeks, and it is said that the La Liga giants could be open to offloading him for £70 million despite believing he is someone worth around the £100 million mark.

Rodrygo in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

52

Goals

14

Assists

11

Dubbed “top drawer” by former Chelsea star Joe Cole, there is a realisation among his entourage that he won’t be guaranteed a starting spot this campaign due to competition within the forward areas, which could lead to a departure as he would be allowed to operate in his favoured left wing berth.

Arsenal are looking to tie Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to new deals, though Rodrygo would be expected to hold parity with most of their top bracket, with a suggestion that he could even become the Gunners’ top earner.

Of course, that is all theoretical at this point, but it does show how serious Berta and company are about trying to pull of what would be one of the deals of the summer.

Leicestershire opener upstages David Willey’s milestone-game 71

ECB Reporters Network21-Jun-2024

Rishi Patel made his second T20 hundred•Getty Images

Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel maintained his rich vein of form in this year’s Vitality Blast, savaging Northamptonshire’s bowlers for an outstanding 104 from 45 balls to set up a thrilling tie at Wantage Road.Patel, the Blast’s leading run-scorer this season, equalled the Foxes’ fastest ever T20 century – set by Ben Raine against Birmingham six years ago – as he reached the landmark in just 41 deliveries.The 25-year-old opener upstaged Steelbacks skipper David Willey, who marked his 300th career T20 game by top-scoring with 71 from 48 – and passing 4,000 runs in the format – as the home side posted 208 for 5.Northamptonshire struggled in the face of Patel’s onslaught, but rookie seamer Raphy Weatherall pegged the Foxes back with 4 for 50 before Lewis Goldsworthy edged a boundary from his final delivery to tie the contest.The Steelbacks recalled Ricardo Vasconcelos to their line-up and the opener made a sprightly start after they opted to bat first, hitting a couple of early cover boundaries off Wiaan Mulder.He and Matthew Breetzke, who dispatched Ben Mike’s first three balls to the fence, rattled along nicely as they added 42 from 24 before Scott Currie pounced to run the left-hander out with a pinpoint throw from long off.Another piece of individual brilliance by Currie accounted for Breetzke, who was yorked for 47 from 24, but Willey began to accelerate, slog-sweeping Goldsworthy for the first six of the night and punching the next ball for four.Ravi Bopara (22 from 15) helped to keep the scoreboard racing along before he was castled by Goldsworthy, but it was Sikandar Raza’s explosive knock of 36 not out from just 14 balls that did most to propel Northamptonshire beyond 200.Raza hammered both Goldsworthy and Ian Holland for successive sixes and, although Willey perished in the final over, miscuing to mid-off – the first of two wickets in as many balls for Josh Hull, the Steelbacks’ total looked competitive to say the least.However, Patel eagerly accepted the challenge when Leicestershire replied by smashing 18 from Willey’s first over and hitting cleanly over the ring as he and Sol Budinger accumulated an opening partnership of 61 from 28.Ben Sanderson eventually removed Budinger, caught in the deep for a supporting act of 13, but Patel sped past his half-century from 22 deliveries with a cover-driven four off Raza and continued to plunder boundaries from seamers and spinners alike.A six and four from successive Sanderson deliveries took Patel to his hundred and, although he was dropped by Breetzke at long-on on 103, the fielder made amends in the next over by safely pouching a top edge off Freddie Heldreich.Willey gave Northamptonshire renewed hope, trapping Louis Kimber leg before and Mulder and Mike both holed out to deep square leg off Weatherall in quick succession to leave the Foxes needing 19 from the last two overs.A trio of dot balls by Sanderson built pressure, though, and Weatherall dismissed both Peter Handscomb (43 from 41) and Ben Cox to bring the equation down to five from the last ball, but Goldsworthy’s outside edge flew to the boundary to rescue a point for Leicestershire.