da pinup bet： Manchester United are now eyeing a January move for an “unbelievable” Carlos Baleba alternative, who could be perfect for Ruben Amorim.
Man Utd in need of central midfielder
da poker： Prior to the transfer deadline, Gary Neville made it clear he felt Amorim needed to bring in a new central midfielder, saying:
“In central midfield I think United have to do a piece of business now.
“I would have liked to have thought that Mainoo could step up and be that person, but it’s quite clear that at this moment in time Ruben Amorim is not having him.
“He starts with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, he then puts Mason Mount back in there and then he brings [Manuel] Ugarte on in front of him, which tells you he’s fourth-choice really.
However, Man United were unable to bolster their options in the engine room before the deadline, missing out on Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, after being quoted over £100m.
It has since emerged that United are planning to hold a meeting with Baleba ahead of potentially revisiting a move, with personal terms already being agreed, but alternative options have also now entered the frame.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states the Red Devils are laser-focused on bringing in a new midfielder this January, with Amorim seeking dynamic and creative players.
One of the options on the shortlist is Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves, who is described as being perfect for Amorim, given that the manager is looking to bring in a player with plenty of experience, in order to complement his young squad.
Neves joined Al-Hilal from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £47m back in 2023, but with his contract now nearing its end, the Portugal international is keen to return to Europe.
"Unbelievable" Neves is Premier League proven
During his time with Wolves, the central midfielder caught the eye of journalist Raj Chohan, who suggested he could be capable of flourishing at a top club.
Ultimately, the 28-year-old opted to make the move to Saudi Arabia instead, however, where he has continued to impress, albeit in a weaker league, regularly providing assists across the previous two campaigns.
Season
League appearances
Assists
2023-24
32
12
2024-25
26
8
The Portuguese maestro is also well-known for his ability from dead-ball situations, scoring a superb free-kick in Wolves’ 3-0 victory over Brentford back in 2018.
Man United have made a point of bringing in proven Premier League players in recent times, signing Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the summer, and Neves would certainly fit the bill in that regard, given his exploits with Wolves.
da roleta： Newcastle United will hope to challenge for silverware once again this season after lifting the Carabao Cup last term, even in the wake of Alexander Isak’s high-profile rebellion at St. James’ Park and ultimate transfer to Liverpool.
da brdice： Isak cost a pretty penny when arriving from Real Sociedad in a club-record £63m deal in 2022, but he has since lined the pockets of the owners, contributing toward a period of newfound success and joining Liverpool for a British record £125m fee.
Alexander Isak
In Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, Eddie Howe has a few new forwards with enough talent to lead the line with confidence through the Premier League and Champions League seasons, though it might be a tall order to expect them to hit the same heights as the Sweden striker from the beginning.
Newcastle's tough task replacing Isak
Wissa has plied his craft in the Premier League for four years, joining Brentford from Lorient in France, and he struck a new level of form last year, scoring 19 league goals and being praised by Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam for his “sensational” ability in front of goal.
However, Wissa isn’t on the same level as Isak, who didn’t just bang them in for the Tynesiders but played with such smoothness and creativity too, with pundit Ally McCoist even hailing him as the “best all-round centre-forward”.
Woltemade arrives with potential, but he’s not Isak. Howe’s Newcastle system is steeped in efficient and slick transitional play, and that requires a striker both intelligent and coaxing a big chance into being and then deadly with the finishing touch.
League Stats 24/25 – Wissa vs Woltemade
Stats (*per game)
Wissa
Woltemade
Matches (starts)
35 (34)
28 (17)
Goals
19
12
Assists
4
2
Shots (on target)*
2.6 (1.2)
1.8 (0.9)
Big chances missed
17
11
Pass completion
79%
72%
Big chances created
3
8
Key passes*
0.8
1.3
Dribbles*
0.4
1.1
Ball recoveries*
2.3
1.9
Tackles + interceptions*
0.8
0.5
Duels (won)*
3.4
4.4
Data via Sofascore
The jury is out for both of them, however, Newcastle once had a number nine who has proven their quality at the very highest level in the Premier League and may well have been a success in Howe’s current title-challenging team.
Newcastle sold their original Isak
A decade ago, Newcastle signed young centre-forward Ivan Toney from Northampton Town. He was 19 at the time and considered one of the most underrated prospects in England.
It didn’t work out for the England international, who left for Peterborough in League One in a mere £500k deal before unearthing his prolific potential in front of goal, leading to destructive displays with Thomas Frank’s Brentford, with the manager hailing him as “a monster”.
With Posh, he enjoyed a mighty time of it, scoring 49 in 94. With the Bees, he was even better, netting 72 in 141 outings.
Indeed, after four loan stints while a Newcastle player, the 29-year-old has now realised his capacity to thrive as one of the most physical and threatening forwards in the business, with his tall frame and clever link-up play certainly reminiscent of Isak at the front of Howe’s set-up.
He might not have the same high-speed running as Isak, but Toney is unquestionably a striker of merit, versatile and confident in creating for his peers.
Toney’s clinical performances in the Saudi Pro League, having joined Al-Ahli for £40m in 2024, are merely a continuation of his consistent success in the Premier League, and while there are those who begrudge his decision to leave for the riches of the Gulf, there’s no question that he’d still make the cut at a team like Newcastle.
He scored 30 goals for Al-Ahli last season, and also with a five-goal return in his trail this season, so Toney actually outscored Isak last season, having previously hit 36 Premier League goals across three terms with Brentford.
While it would have been unreasonably expensive to sign Toney this summer, there’s no doubt that the previous Toon regime blundered with this one, and that a young Toney within the current project might have found the perfect environment to have realised his plentiful talents.
da 888： Whisper it quietly, but there are some promising signs at this early stage of the season for Tottenham Hotspur.
da bet esporte： Whisper it quietly, because there have been false dawns before. But then, in Thomas Frank, Spurs have appointed a calculated and composed manager whose experience and success in the Premier League with Brentford speaks for itself.
Wins against Burnley and Manchester City have placed Tottenham in a good position for the league season ahead, and having kept clean sheets in both, a new degree of defensive solidity may have returned to the club.
But it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. Tottenham lost James Maddison to an ACL injury during a pre-season clash against Newcastle United in July, and he is expected to be out for much of the campaign.
Moreover, efforts for a new number ten have thus far proved fruitless: Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze both came close to one-way trips down N17, but alas, external forces have wreaked their will against Spurs’ plans.
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Could that happen once more with RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons?
The latest on Xavi Simons to Spurs
Simons has been on Tottenham’s radar for a while, but much of the summer transfer window has pointed toward Chelsea being the team primed to sign the Netherlands international.
A talented playmaker, the 22-year-old has agitated to leave the Bundesliga club after last season’s struggles shut the door on any hopes of playing European football this season.
And while Chelsea remain interested, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano revealed on X on Thursday that the 22-year-old has flown to London ahead of crunch talks with the respective outfits.
Recent rejections will be stamped fresh in the minds of the Lilywhite faithful, and given that Chelsea have been working on a move for many months, it would be worthwhile for chairman Daniel Levy to identify a fallback.
Luckily, he has, and this England international might even work out to be a better signing.
Spurs prepare offer for Simons alternative
According to Spanish newspaper AS – as translated by Sport Witness – Tottenham are preparing a late-window offer for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has been pursued by the Londoners several times when Ange Postecoglou was at the helm.
However, several other Premier League clubs are interested too, with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and West Ham United vying for the 26-year-old’s signature.
The Spaniards only welcomed Gallagher from Chelsea one year ago, but might be willing to talk business if their €40m (£35m) valuation is met.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Palace have already made an official approach, but the pointers suggest Tottenham are getting ready to do the same, with a bid set to be lodged ‘in the coming hours’.
What Conor Gallagher would bring to Spurs
Gallagher was fashioned in the furnaces of Chelsea’s Cobham youth academy, bringing to the Premier League a robust, athletic and durable playing style.
Gallagher made 95 appearances for Chelsea before being sold, actually featuring 135 times in the Premier League all told due to successful loan stints at Selhurst Park and with West Bromwich Albion.
There may well be a vested interest in Simons, but the diminutive star hasn’t actually played Premier League football before, whereas Gallagher has, with his ex-Chelsea teammate Moises Caicedo once hailing him being “like a machine”, adding so much energy and tenacity to the engine room.
He’s not quite so attack-minded as a player like Simons, but might his dynamism and multi-positional skill within the midfield game not prove worthwhile for Frank’s Tottenham?
Gallagher: Recent Prem Stats
Stats (* per game)
22/23
23/24
Matches (starts)
35 (18)
37 (37)
Goals
3
5
Assists
1
7
Pass completion
85%
92%
Big chances created
5
11
Key passes*
0.6
1.4
Dribbles*
0.7 (50%)
1.0 (68%)
Ball recoveries*
5.1
6.3
Tackles*
1.3
2.3
Duels (won)*
3.5 (45%)
5.7 (50%)
Stats via Sofascore
After all, there have been suggestions that Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur might both leave the club before the market slams shut.
Simons is prolific, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists across 33 matches in all competitions last season. Moreover, he boasts an interesting defensive profile. His aggressive personality on the pitch, plus a high success rate in the duel, often beating his man and coming out on top during tussles.
However, Gallagher is truly the complete package, and has showcased as much across several years in his homeland and a recent foray into La Liga, where time spent under Diego Simeone’s wing will have fashioned an even steelier base to his combative side.
FBref reveal that Brentford ranked 15th in the Premier League for average possession held (47.9%) last season, with an emphasis on transitional play and applied pressure on opponents.
Gallagher, who was viewed by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to have been at tactical odds with his ball-playing vision, may well thrive in an environment at Tottenham that is not reliant on having the ball every moment, for his athleticism, fitness levels and ability to cover ground could add an impactful dimension to the squad.
And it’s not like he can’t contribute from an offensive standpoint, with FBref’s data also revealing that Gallagher ranks among the top 12% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goal involvements per 90.
Sevilla's Juanlu Sanchez in action against Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher.
Given that Maddison will be desperate to return to form when he is given the green light after the New Year, it might be shrewder and more prudent for Tottenham to sign a profile like Gallagher’s, especially with Dejan Kulusevski also readying himself to return from a muscular injury sustained toward the backend of the 2024/25 campaign.
Simons, who can play centrally and out wide, would be a fantastic buy regardless, but Chelsea lurk in the background of that race, and when considering the myriad facets, Gallagher might better fit the bill.
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da realsbet： Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery has been defined by sharp recruitment, shrewd coaching, and an ability to identify players who are ready to step into the limelight away from the shadows of Europe’s biggest clubs.
da bet nacional： In Morgan Rogers, Villa found exactly that: a player once on the books at Manchester City, who needed a platform to showcase his ability.
Just 18 months on from swapping the Etihad for Villa Park, Rogers has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s brightest attacking midfielders, demonstrating the value of spotting untapped potential.
That model has become central to Villa’s approach in a summer where financial pressures have forced them to balance ambition with pragmatism.
The club has already lost academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United in a bid to meet Profit and Sustainability Regulations.
Aston Villa enter the race for Barcelona talent
As long as Emery’s side seek to compete at the highest level, their transfer strategy must be both precise and opportunistic.
It is within this context that Villa are eyeing their next move.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The profile of the target is clear: highly talented, underused at an elite club, and brimming with the potential to grow into a genuine superstar once given a consistent role.
In other words, another Rogers-style signing.
Reports via Sport Witness revealed that Aston Villa have joined Wolves and Marseille in the battle to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, a player described by “spectacular” Sergio Busquets.
Marc Casado celebrates scoring for Barcelona.
The 21-year-old is valued at €30m (£25m), with Barça facing a difficult dilemma over his future, and the player has already received an offer from Villa to leave Camp Nou behind.
Casado is a La Masia graduate and a Catalonia native, factors that make the political optics of a sale complicated.
The club knows moving him on could cause friction among supporters, yet their long-standing financial problems remain unresolved.
The midfielder currently earns €10,000 a week, and Wolves are reportedly prepared to quadruple that to tempt him into a Premier League move.
Why Casado could be the next Rogers
Villa’s interest comes at a time when Emery’s squad has stumbled slightly at the start of the campaign, collecting just one point from their opening two fixtures.
With a Europa League campaign to navigate and squad depth already tested, adding quality in midfield is a priority.
Casado, who featured 23 times in La Liga last season and played ten Champions League matches, fits the bill as both a ready contributor and a long-term investment.
Wolves have been proactive in making contact, particularly as they look to rebound from a difficult start under Vítor Pereira, losing their first two league games after selling key players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri.
Yet Villa possess a crucial advantage: the opportunity to offer a proven pathway of development.
Rogers’ success after leaving City is proof of what can be achieved at Villa Park.
Casado’s qualities suggest he could thrive in the same way Rogers has at Villa.
A deep-lying playmaker with the versatility to cover at right-back or centre-back, he brings both defensive solidity and creative incision.
His underlying numbers are striking.
According to FBref, he ranks in the 91st percentile compared to positionally similar players in Europe for assists per 90 (0.20), the 94th percentile for touches (86.03) and passes into the final third (7.49), while completing 90.1% of his passes – evidence of his reliability in possession.
Defensively, he averages over three tackles per game, highlighting his work rate and adaptability.
What makes Casado particularly intriguing is how his career echoes Rogers’ trajectory. Like the English midfielder at City, Casado is blocked by world-class competition at Barcelona.
Both players require a club prepared to give them consistent minutes in a competitive environment without the suffocating expectation that comes with being part of an elite, star-studded squad.
Rogers grasped that opportunity with both hands, making 54 appearances last season across competitions, scoring 12 goals and assisting 14, while playing a key role in Villa’s Champions League run.
Morgan Rogers
His initial £8m transfer fee now looks like one of the bargains of the decade, and his market value has since risen to £50m.
Casado, at £25m, represents a bigger outlay, but one that could prove similarly shrewd if his development mirrors that of Rogers.
There is also the question of timing.
Casado recently left his agent and will be represented by Jorge Mendes from October, a move designed to secure his long-term future.
While he has publicly insisted it is not a step motivated by salary, Mendes’ involvement inevitably increases the likelihood of a move abroad, given his extensive Premier League connections.
For Villa, the chance to repeat the Rogers model is obvious. Casado is young, versatile, technically gifted, and already tested in both La Liga and the Champions League.
He might not yet be a guaranteed starter for Barcelona, but under Emery, he could become an essential cog in a side that thrives on midfield dynamism and tactical flexibility.
Barcelona's Marc Casado against Benfica.
If Casado makes the move, his ceiling is immense.
Busquets’ endorsement underlines his pedigree, while his statistical profile suggests a player capable of dictating play at the highest level.
Like Rogers, the conditions are right for him to flourish away from the glare of his current surroundings.
For Aston Villa, it is about recognising that the next superstar might not be the finished article, but a rough diamond ready to shine.
da winzada777： Ahead of Nottingham Forest’s opening game of the Premier League season, the club has been very active in the transfer market.
da apostebet： This season, the club will be competing in the Europa League alongside the domestic competitions, leading to manager Nuno Espirito Santo expressing concern about the team’s squad depth in his pre-match press conference: “The players are not supermen, we are going to need to rotate them. That’s a major problem with the intensity and demands of the games.”
Since these comments, Forest have unveiled Omari Hutchinson as their most expensive signing of the summer player. The addition of Hutchinson to the squad may go some way to easing Espirito Santo’s depth anxieties, and the player has already shared his willingness to contribute: “I’m going to give it my all, and I’m looking forward to the challenge as it’s a new chapter for me, but I feel ready.”
The club is also on the verge of signing Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes, pending a medical. These signings should go some way to helping Espirito Santo’s squad depth concerns, and the club is now looking to add a cherry on top of their recent transfers by signing an impressive youth star.
Nottingham Forest set to sign Celtic "sensation"
Football Insider have reported that Nottingham Forest are also closing in on a deal to sign 15-year-old Celtic academy star Dara Jikiemi.
Pete O’Rourke, who shared the transfer story, has described the defender as a “teenage sensation”. Jikiemi has been involved with youth football for Scotland and has captained the under-15s side despite being one of the younger members of the team.
Jikiemi is equally well regarded in the Celtic academy as he is in the Scotland youth system and has been on Forest’s radar since April. O’Rourke has said that Forest are currently “advancing in talks” with the defender to poach him from the UK giants’ academy.
Forest's next generation of talent
At only 15 years old, it may be a few years before fans start hearing about Jikiemi being considered for the first team; however, Forest do have some impressive talents that may be called up to the first team this season to help with the heavy schedule.
19-year-old Zach Abbot has already started breaking into the Forest first team, having made two League Cup and one FA Cup appearances over the last two seasons. While the path into the first team is blocked by players like Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and new signing Jair Cunha, there may once again be minutes for him in the early rounds of the domestic cups or if Forest face any weaker sides in the Europa League.
In the more attacking areas, Isaac Davies is a player who could make the step-up this season. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has impressed in the Under 18’s Premier League, with a notable appearance being when he came off the bench to score a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Leeds. In his 39 appearances in the youth league, Davies has managed eight goals and six assists, making him a prime candidate for first-team promotion.
Aside from the players in Forest’s youth system, the club have also focused on signing players on the younger side for the first team in this summer’s transfer window. This indicates that the Jikiemi signing, the development of the aforementioned youngsters and Forest’s first-team transfer business are all part of an overall club focus on developing younger players and bringing longevity to the team.
da jogodeouro： Liverpool have been one of the most active clubs this transfer window with numerous high-profile incomings and outgoings. Arne Slot is using the momentum from his first Premier League trophy to build a formidable side.
da bet esporte： Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike are some of the biggest names to have arrived at Anfield this summer. All three of them have found recent success in the Bundesliga and this is a league where recent recruitment from has paid off for Liverpool, with the likes of Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.
They’ve funded these big moves through a combination of on-field success, low spending in previous seasons and by letting go of some big-name players. Luis Diaz and Jarell Quansah have already left for Germany and now Darwin Nunez is set to move to Saudi Arabia and become the latest high-profile departure, while Harvey Elliott may not be far behind.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
While most of Slot’s reign has gone the way Liverpool had hoped, they could be on the verge of losing a player they want to keep and one who is integral to the team.
Pérez targets Konate signing
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid’s President, Florentino Pérez, has identified Ibrahima Konate as a key Real Madrid target next summer, when he is available as a free agent.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
This is a strategy that Madrid have enacted in the past, as this summer they secured the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free after his Liverpool contract expired. Pérez’s hope will be to reunite the pair under the new Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, so that they may rekindle their defensive connection.
Konate’s current contract sees him earn £70,000 a week, which is less than a third of what his defensive partner Virgil Van Dijk earns. Liverpool’s Director of Football, Richard Hughes, has attempted to rectify this wage disparity and has reportedly offered a new contract that Konate turned down. A report from The Times indicated that the defender wants around £200,000 a week.
Whilst there still seems to be some distance between the two parties’ preferred wages, French journalist Abdellah Boulma has indicated that talks are still ongoing with both Hughes and Konate open to working out a deal.
Konate's significance to Liverpool
There’s a reason both Real Madrid and Liverpool desperately want Konate in their squad for the start of the 2026 campaign – his presence on the pitch has a clear impact on results and defensive form.
Liverpool’s 2024/25 Premier League Record
With Konate
Without Konate
Games Played
31
7
Wins
21
4
Draws
7
2
Losses
3
1
Win %
67.7%
57.1%
Avg. Goals Conceded per game
1.47
1.71
Statistics from statmuse
Indeed, Liverpool win 10.6% more games when Konate features, over a 38-game season that will result in between an extra 8 and 12 points. The second major stat is that they conceed 0.24 fewer goals a game when Konate plays, 9.12 goals over a full Premier League season.
Based on their business in the last few windows and their on-field success, Liverpool clearly have more money to spend in order to bring in a Konate replacement if he did leave next summer. However, the difficulty that the club faces is in actually finding a player of high enough quality to replace him.
da brdice： While they’ve faced their fair share of criticism for the amount of money spent, Chelsea have built an impressive squad full to the brim with talented players over the last few years.
da doce： From defence to attack, numerous game-changing stars will likely give Enzo Maresca some serious selection-based headaches next season.
Yet, it’s still clear that, as things stand, Cole Palmer is far and away the Blues’ most important player.
The Englishman has already amassed a tally of 72 goal involvements in 97 games for the club, and therefore, fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea to someone who could be the next Palmer.
Chelsea target the next Palmer
It’s been a hectic summer for Chelsea so far this year, as on top of competing in and winning the Club World Cup, they’ve been incredibly active in the transfer market.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Of all the signings the Blues have made thus far, it’d probably be fair to say that Joao Pedro and Jorrel Hato are the most exciting, with the former already scoring three goals and the latter being one of the most highly-rated defenders in world football at the moment.
Yet, even with their squad already significantly bolstered, the West Londoners now appear close to signing another up-and-coming talent, someone who could be Maresca’s new Palmer.
At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed Chelsea’s intense interest in Xavi Simons.
More than that, the Italian journalist has revealed that despite the Pensioners’ interest in Alejandro Garnacho, they “keep working” on the deal to sign the RB Leipzig star.
While Romano makes no mention of how much the Dutchman might cost, reports from earlier this month claim that a fee of around £61m should be enough to tempt the German outfit into selling.
It’s certainly a lot of money to spend on one player, but Simons has proven his ability in recent seasons and would be more than worth it, especially as he could be Chelsea’s new Palmer.
Why Simons could be the new Palmer
So, the first thing we have to say is that we aren’t claiming that Simons is as good a player as Palmer, as over the last two years, the Englishman has been nothing short of world-class and undoubtedly one of the best players in the entire Premier League.
However, the Dutchman is still a sensational footballer, one with masses and masses of potential that shares some key similarities with the former Manchester City ace.
The first of those is that, at just 22 years old, he’s almost the same age and has already established himself as a key player at club and international level.
For example, he’s already won 28 senior caps for the Netherlands, six of which came at last year’s European Championships, and in those 28 games he’s scored five goals and provided four assists.
At club level, the Amsterdam-born star has made 135 appearances across stints with Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven and, most recently, Leipzig.
Simons’ senior career
Team
Games
Goals
Assists
PSG
11
0
1
PSV
48
22
11
RB Leipzig
76
21
23
Netherlands
28
5
4
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In those 135 appearances, the dynamic “game-changer,” as talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, has scored 43 goals and provided 34 assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.75 games.
Aside from his output, the flying Dutchman is also positionally versatile, and, like Palmer, is more than happy playing as a traditional number ten, or out wide on the wings, where he can use his close control to glide past opposition defenders.
Ultimately, fans shouldn’t expect Simons to come in and be at the same level as Palmer right away, but there are some key similarities between the pair, and over time, we see no reason why he couldn’t become just as effective for Maresca.
Related Shades of Hazard: Chelsea lead race for £40m "superstar" alongside Simons
The dynamic attacker would add another dimension to Chelsea’s squad.
da realsbet： As speculation increases over Alexander Isak’s future, Newcastle United are now reportedly racing to sign a former Manchester City player in a £30m deal this summer.
Alexander Isak asks to leave Newcastle
da spicy bet： Having been sent home by Eddie Howe before Newcastle’s pre-season game against Celtic last weekend and then left out of the Magpies’ squad for their Asia tour, Isak now reportedly wants to leave St James’ Park. There was an insistence that the Swede had suffered a thigh injury and that was the reason for his pre-season absence and not anything transfer related, but that has since been revealed to be a smokescreen for his desire to depart.
Newcastle’s biggest fear has been realised and they now face an almighty battle to keep hold of their star man. Liverpool could reportedly come calling if they manage to sell Luis Diaz and their interest in Isak has been an open secret all summer long. Meanwhile, clubs in Saudi Arabia are also reportedly plotting a move.
It would, of course, be quite the twist if another club owned by PIF made their move to sign Isak from Newcastle, but whether such a deal takes place remains to be seen.
Related Newcastle now set to take key next step in Wissa deal after offer rejected
The Magpies aren’t giving up.
As for Newcastle, their attention must once again turn towards the transfer market. The Magpies have endured a tumultuous summer – missing out on a number of targets – and must now ensure that they get deals over the line for the likes of Yoane Wissa before potentially replacing Isak.
Newcastle join Adarabioyo race
One way that those in Tyneside could begin to spend any potential Isak money is by improving their backline. According to Caught Offside, Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Chelsea this summer. The defender is valued at just £30m by the Blues and could be on the move amid interest from the Magpies, Crystal Palace, West Ham United, Napoli and AC Milan.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Tosin Adarabioyo
Dan Burn
Minutes
1,409
3,330
Progressive Passes P90
2.68
2.03
Tackles Won P90
0.83
0.65
Aerial Duels Won P90
2.68
3.95
Compared to Dan Burn, Adarabioyo would offer Newcastle an instant upgrade in possession. Meanwhile, the former Manchester City gem would also be an impressive alternative to Giorgio Scalvini.
Newcastle are reportedly interested in the Atalanta man, but with a deal yet to take place, the door has seemingly opened for the likes of Adarabioyo this summer.
Initially rising through the ranks at Man City before establishing himself at Fulham then joining Chelsea, Adarabioyo earned impressive praise from Pep Guardiola in the past.
The Spaniard told reporters: “He is fast, strong in the air, and has the quality to look forward behind the line for the next pass. He definitely has a future in the first team.”
da pinnacle： Aston Villa know they need to win against Sunderland on Sunday afternoon. But the Stadium of Light will be ready to heap more misery on Unai Emery’s side, who are yet to score in the Premier League this season.
da betano casino： Moreover, Villa fell from the Carabao Cup in midweek, beaten on penalties at Brentford after a 1-1 draw.
It’s not been the best of starts, but here is a squad carrying plenty of quality, and Emery is a master of problem-solving. However, the Villans have one of the oldest average starting line-ups in the league, and some new life needs to be injected.
Premier League 25/26 – Highest Average Age of Starting XI
Club
Players Used
Av. Age
Fulham
19
27.6
Aston Villa
21
27.3
Everton
18
27.1
West Ham
21
27.0
Newcastle
20
26.8
Data via Transfermarkt
Well, Harvey Elliott marked his full debut with a goal on Tuesday evening, and the Liverpool loanee will be gunning for another start on Tyne and Wear.
Harvey Elliott announces himself at Aston Villa
Elliott, 22, is contracted to Aston Villa on a short-term deal that runs until the end of the season. However, there is a purchase option worth £35m embedded in the agreement.
He will score better goals than the one at the Gtech, a tame finish weaselling its way past a disappointed Hakon Valdimarsson, who should have done better.
But score Elliott still did, and he also created a chance, completed 91% of his passes and won both of his duels (data via Sofascore) across more than an hour on the field.
A sharp-visioned playmaker, the England U21 star brings skills and style and swagger to the Lions fold, and he will hope to start from an attacking midfield berth, creating for the likes of Ollie Watkins, who has been out of sorts so far.
However, Elliott isn’t the only fresh talent who needs to be thrown in against the Black Cats, with Jadon Sancho also showing flashes of promise against Brentford.
Why Emery should start Jadon Sancho
Signing Sancho on loan was a gamble on Aston Villa’s part. The winger’s elite talent remains inarguable, but off-colour performances at Manchester United and an indifferent loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season underline the importance of an impressive campaign under Emery’s wing.
The England international, last capped against Andorra in 2021, has slid down a morass of turmoil and disappointment since leaving Borussia Dortmund as a bona fide prodigy and joining the Red Devils for £73m. Middling returns have become the norm.
However, he’ll hope to take a leaf from Marcus Rashford’s book and rise to the fore once again at Villa Park. There’s a player in there, all right, having been labelled a “generational” talent by journalist Jamie Jackson upon arrival at Old Trafford.
Fleet-footed and dynamic, the 25-year-old isn’t at the last-chance saloon, but he has the chance to make a change in a Villan side newly blunted in attack. There is an opportunity for such a player to step up and stop being a “supporting act”.
Against Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, he showed flashes of that quality, crashing a strike against the woodwork and creating two chances for his teammates, data courtesy of Sofascore.
If Sancho can polish his dribbling during the matches to come, he will prove an invaluable asset, perhaps emerging as the man to lift Watkins back up from the dry patch in which he sits.
Ollie Watkins in the 2024/25 Premier League
Watkins has certainly not been at his best so far this season, but he remains a fierce striker in the Premier League, with 32 goals and 23 assists in the top flight since the start of the 2023/24 term.
Success on the ball will come. Emery will ensure it happens. And anyway, Sancho ranks among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
This fleetness when moving apace has even seen Sancho likened to a former Aston Villa stalwart: after signing for Man United, pundit Ian Wright said that Sancho was “like Grealish” in regard to his skills and gusto on the ball.
Grealish, flying at Everton, was once an almighty talisman at his boyhood Villa before departing for the riches of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a record-breaking £100m move.
He came and conquered, but he also fell at the Etihad, and has demonstrated this season in David Moyes’ system an ability to rise up once more.
Sancho will likely have noted his countryman’s rebirth, gearing up for one of his own at Aston Villa.
Given the tactical likeness between the two attacking forces, Sancho will know he walks on ground that could see him finally leave his mark on the Premier League, adding athleticism and creativity and grace to a side lacking a goal threat right now. On his A-game, he will elevate Watkins, and indeed the wider scope of Aston Villa’s offensive play.
da betobet： Enzo Maresca’s side stunned plenty of fans and pundits alike on the pitch by adding a Club World Cup title to their Conference League title and have been just as active off of it.
For example, the board have been able to shift a number of players they no longer wanted, like Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga, while also bringing in several who could seriously improve the squad, like Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens.
However, they aren’t done there, as they’ve been heavily linked with the mercurial Xavi Simons, and now it would appear as if they are closing in on another player who’d be a dream teammate for the Dutchman.
Chelsea target dream teammate for Simons
While Chelsea continue to be linked with a host of players this summer, one of the more prominent over the last week or so has been Simons.
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Reports from earlier today even claimed that the Blues are actually closing in on a deal for the RB Leipzig ace, which could see him move for around £52m.
While that is no small sum of money, it does feel like fair value for a 22-year-old star who racked up 11 goals and eight assists in just 33 appearances last season.
Interestingly, in addition to signing the Amsterdam-born star, the West Londoners now also seem intent on bringing another player to the club who’d be a dream teammate for him.
At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed that Chelsea are incredibly interested in Jorrel Hato, suggesting that he is ‘ready to accept personal terms’.
More than that, the Italian journalist has revealed that the Blues are in talks with Ajax and view the defender, who is keen on the move, as their “next top priority.”
Romano makes no mention of the fee required to sign the player, but stories from earlier this month claim it could be around £60m, and while that is a lot, it might be worth paying, especially as Hato could be a perfect teammate for Simons.
Why Hato would be a dream teammate for Simons
So, one of Simons considerable strengths is that he’s comfortable playing in the middle of the park as a ten, or out wide as a winger – and sometimes up top – so when it comes to forming a partnership with full-back, it would be incredibly beneficial if they could overlap and come inside depending on what is needed in that moment.
Fortunately, Hato is such an intelligent and gifted footballer that he can do just that.
While he prefers to come inside and invert, at least that’s what he does more often at Ajax; you can see his ability to overlap in his heat map from last season.
This ability to fulfil both roles without much bother will do two things.
Firstly, it will mean he can avoid getting in Simon’s way, depending on where he is on the pitch.
Secondly, it could also see him get more game time due to his adaptability, which in turn will allow him to develop a more effective partnership with the Leipzig star.
Away from their position, the reason they’d be great teammates at Chelsea is that the “exceptional” talent, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is also a part of the Dutch national team.
Therefore, they’ll have even more time than most to get a proper understanding of one another’s game.
Finally, while the 19-year-old wonderkid’s primary role will be to defend, he’s also shown an ability to create chances for his team, as in 33 league appearances last season, he racked up six assists to go with his two goals, which suggests he could provide a decent number of chances for the former PSV Eindhoven star to score.
Hato’s 24/25 League Season
Appearances
31
Starts
30
Minutes
2592′
Goals
2
Assists
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.25
Minutes per Goal Involvement
324′
Points per Game
2.23
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Ultimately, Simons looks like he’ll be a brilliant signing for Chelsea, but if the Conference League champions want to get even more out of him next season, signing Hato as well would be a good place to start.
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