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Alexander Isak has achieved greatness at Newcastle United, bestowing upon Tyneside a new form of striker over the past three years and crowning his journey with a triumphant Carabao Cup campaign last year.

He scored in that Wembley final against Liverpool, but it’s the Reds who the Sweden star may well be playing for this time next month, with FSG having seen a £110m offer rejected last week. They are primed to jump back in.

Isak’s goals have helped Newcastle along to Champions League-qualifying campaigns in two of the previous three Premier League terms, and he reached a new level last year, his complete and destructive performances at the front of the pitch leading pundit Jamie Carragher to name him “the best striker in the Premier League.”

Replacing him will be no easy feat, but that is the present task of new technical director Sudarshan Gopaladesikan, who has overseen a first formal offer for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Newcastle pushing for new centre-forward

Though Sesko’s future remains up in the air, Newcastle are engaged in a direct tussle with Manchester United for the Slovenian striker, and both Premier League clubs have placed bids.

There’s a growing sense that the Red Devils are encouraged in their pursuit, which could lead to Eddie Howe being forced into seeking alternative options once again.

It’s been a testing transfer window for the Toon, who have missed out on any number of top targets. Anthony Elanga was signed from Nottingham Forest for £55m, ending an interminable search for a right-sided forward, but more is clearly needed.

Well, according to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, Newcastle have engaged in club-to-club talks with Chelsea for striker Nicolas Jackson, who is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge following the latest overload of arrivals there.

Man United are also keen on the Senegalese, but would not move ahead with a deal should they secure Sesko’s signature this month.

Jackson is thought to be valued at £70m by his employers.

Why Newcastle could sign Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal in 2023, and he has since made steady progress on English shores. Sure, he’s ebbed and he’s flowed, but the mobile striker has proven himself in the Premier League across two campaigns, capable of sustaining runs of prolific form.

However, there’s no denying that the 24-year-old needs to be more consistent. Although you wonder whether he would find more stable soil underneath his feet at St. James’ Park, for he would be entrusted with the leading role in Howe’s frontline, flanked by Elanga and the ever-dangeous Anthony Gordon, who may well be promoted to talismanic status if Isak leaves.

Sesko, 22, is a talented number nine, but he’s hardly proven on the grandest stage, and his return of 27 goals and seven assists across 64 Bundesliga matches aligns quite similarly to Jackson’s haul in the Premier League.

24/25 – Chelsea

30 (28)

10

5

23/24 – Chelsea

35 (31)

14

5

22/23 – Villarreal

26 (16)

12

4

21/22 – Villarreal

9 (0)

1

0

Sesko, indeed, scored 13 goals across 33 matches in the Bundesliga last year, and on the basis of the evidence, is there really a concrete chance that he would bring a surpassing level of central striking threat to Howe’s project?

Moreover, Jackson developed his goalscoring potential as a foreigner in La Liga, as was the case with Isak at Real Sociedad. This linearity of progress emphasises Newcastle’s interest, and indeed why they could do a lot worse than sign the Chelsea striker.

Praised for his “special” skills by journalist Rahman Osman, Jackson is also more dynamic across the board, technically and physically. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 18% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion, the top 17% for progressive carries, the top 21% for assists and the top 22% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Clearly, he’s got the wide-ranging qualities to make a real difference at Newcastle, should Isak leave. The Sweden striker is, after all, his most statistically comparable player, according to the data-driven website.

Thus, he could become the Tyneside outfit’s ready-made replacement, combining with the squad’s existing wide forwards to maintain a sense of fluency and oneness that Howe has so carefully woven together since replacing Steve Bruce at the helm.

For example, Gordon should stay, but it’s actually Elanga who could combine with Jackson over the coming years to become Howe’s latest Isak-Gordon duo.

Gordon is a high-speed winger, and Elanga considers himself to be “one of the fastest players in the league.” Across two campaigns with Forest, he has posted 11 goals and 21 assists across all competitions, instrumental in securing European football last season.

Though Jacob Murphy has plied such fine work on the right wing, this injection of depth will only be a good thing for a Toon team on the up.

The likes of Elanga and Gordon playing either side of Jackson might just prove to restore a sense of fluency that will seem to many to be lost if Isak does leave for Anfield.

Yes, Jackson could be cooler, more composed in the final third at times, but his overall play and athleticism and energy make a firm comment on his place at the Premier League’s round table of star strikers.

Is Howe not one of the finest managers and tacticians in the game? He will surely fashion a new partnership for the ages in Elanga and Jackson.

Another Elanga: Newcastle to reignite interest in "exceptional" £50m titan

The experienced international could boost morale at Newcastle.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 5, 2025

It’s a curious thing, football’s summer transfer market. So much goes on, rumours and shocks zipping about like so many hoofed clearances in a Sunday League match.

For Liverpool fans, the window has been not so much curious as chaotic, with Arne Slot’s side undergoing an incredible transformation after marching to last year’s Premier League title.

Trent Alexander-Arnold up and left for Real Madrid toward the end of his contract, and so Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong. But it is Frimpong’s Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz who is the Scouser’s true heir, signed on for a British-record £116m fee and heralded as “the best midfielder in the world” by former Werkself striker Patrick Helmes. Wirtz, for sure, is a world-class playmaker.

Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili both arrived too. And then along came Hugo Ekitike, leaving Eintracht Frankfurt for Anfield for a £69m initial fee. The 23-year-old has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world.

But with Darwin Nunez a priority target for Al Hilal, sporting director Richard Hughes has set his focus on Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

Why Liverpool might not sign Alexander Isak

Oh, he’s the dream, all right. However, prising Isak away from St. James’ Park this summer will be no easy feat, even though he’s desperate to wrap up his Newcastle career and join the Reds on Merseyside.

Could Liverpool pull it off? Certainly, if Isak is to join Slot’s side this summer, it would require a fee eclipsing that which Leverkusen have chequed in for Wirtz, with Newcastle valuing him somewhere in the ballpark of £150m.

The Premier League champions have already seen a formal offer worth £110m knocked back last week, though this was likely a negotiating tactic from Hughes and FSG to unsettle a player whose heart lies in Liverpool, and who refused to travel with the Toon for their pre-season tour in Asia.

The 25-year-old has now returned to Newcastle’s training facilities and is set for face-to-face talks with Howe.

Last season, pundit Jamie Carragher called Isak “the best striker in the Premier League”, and his 27-goal contribution across Newcastle’s title-winning campaign displays merely the tip of the iceberg of a wide-ranging and expansive skill set.

He’s the dream target, and understandably so. However, Liverpool might fail; Newcastle might fail to find and sign an acceptable replacement.

Thus, an alternative has been lined up.

Liverpool target favouring move to Anfield

According to ESPN, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has made it known to his entourage that he would prefer to sign for Liverpool this summer, should he have to depart from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Rodrygo is no longer considered one of Real Madrid’s untouchable superstars, but Los Blancos will only cash in if their valuation is met, with £78m the figure touted.

Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on Xabi Alonso’s Brazilian star, and with Heung-min Son set to sign for LAFC in the MLS, FSG will need to make a swift decision as to whether they forge ahead with a bid.

Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo

Should Liverpool fail to sign Isak this summer, there’s a case to be made that Rodrygo could be the perfect alternative, and that’s despite him being more of a wide forward than a focal frontman.

Right winger

146

34

31

Centre-forward

84

22

8

Left winger

78

23

16

Attacking midfield

4

–

1

Hailed as “the most talented and the most gifted player” in Real Madrid’s squad by teammate Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo is renowned for his tenacious and industrious work-rate, his technical quality, and his ability to shift between multiple positions.

There’s no question that he could shift between wide and central positions in a manner not dissimilar to Luis Diaz, who last week completed a £65.5m transfer to Bayern Munich.

Diaz operated in a makeshift centre-forward berth under Slot’s guidance last term, notching eight goals and an assist from 15 fixtures in the role.

So then, we can see that Rodrygo, a goalscoring wide forward, could emulate the Colombian, whose crispness in possession is also a factor of note.

But then the same can be said of Real Madrid’s versatile forward, who ranked last season among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, as per FBref.

Moreover, he missed just one big chance in La Liga last season, as per Sofascore. Albeit he only scored six times after a disappointing year. Given that Rodrygo was routinely played on the right flank, his unfavoured position, such woes are provided some important context.

This all points toward Rodrygo being the perfect, if somewhat left-field, alternative to Isak, for he could replace Diaz while providing a different dimension to Slot’s central striking area too.

Liverpool have, of course, welcomed Ekitike to the fold, and so have a new out-and-out striker to replace Nunez. The Frenchman scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions for Frankfurt last season, and pundit Owen Hargreaves said last season that he “looks like the perfect centre-forward.”

With this in mind, losing out on Isak wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, not when FSG have succeeded in packaging Slot’s squad with such a wide array of elite-level quality.

Rodrygo is one of Real Madrid’s “world-class superstars”, so says the great Luka Modric, after all, and he’s demonstrated that he has the ability to score and to assist and to come up with big-game defining moments with regularity.

For the moment, it seems as if Liverpool will continue to push for Newcastle’s star striker, but should they fail to break the British transfer record for a second time this summer, it might be worth advancing with a deal for Rodrygo, whose qualities suggest he could become a multi-positional machine for the Anfield side as they chase down more illustrious success.

Birmingham City fans will now be counting down the days until their side kicks off their hotly anticipated Championship season.

Indeed, the Blues only have one friendly left until Ipswich Town come to St. Andrew’s for a Friday night kick-off to start the second-tier entertainment, before clashes against Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United, and Leicester City then round off a busy August for Chris Davies’ men in league action.

In bittersweet fashion, however, Lukas Jutkiewicz won’t be lining up for Davies’ side as they triumphantly return to the Championship, having confirmed his retirement right after Birmingham lifted the League One title.

It will be strange for die-hard supporters of the Blues not seeing Jutkiewicz line up for their beloved team in the EFL’s elite league, having often been viewed as the main marksman when Birmingham last regularly competed at the level.

How Jutkiewicz made himself a Birmingham legend

Birmingham’s previous Championship exploits haven’t always been rosy, but the 6-foot-1 striker remained as constant, even during those testing times.

The Blues will be entering back into the division hungry to compete near the top of the division, which will be some feat to pull off, considering Jutkiewicz’s days as the main source of goals at St. Andrew’s saw his lowly side be consistently plunged into a battle against the drop.

By the time the 36-year-old had called time on his playing days, the towering attacker had bagged a memorable 68 strikes for the Blues across 358 appearances, with 54 of those coming about in the notoriously punishing league.

Now, it will be up to a new face to be as impactful – away from Davies just relying on Kyogo Furuhashi and Jay Stansfield up top – with a fresh target on the Birmingham shopping list possessing the potential to become the club’s next iteration of their dominant number ten.

The "complete number 9" who could be their next Jutkiewicz

Arguably, Birmingham might not need to pursue the signature of another attacker, with both Kyogo and Stansfield sticking out as obvious choices to lead the line.

Yet, neither of those options will be able to throw themselves about with authority, which is where Blues target Bojan Miovski could come into his own if he makes the leap to join Birmingham shortly.

Coming in at a lofty 6-foot-2, Miovski is now seemingly one of the main targets Birmingham is casting their eye over to further enhance their striker personnel, with the ambitious Championship side currently in talks over a move to sign the lethal Macedonian at the expense of Celtic and Rangers, according to reports.

Whilst he has only managed to bag a middle-of-the-road four goals for Girona from 22 appearances in Spain, the 26-year-old more than proved himself when leading the line for Aberdeen that he is a worthwhile Jutkiewicz replacement in terms of his deadly finishing game when soaring into aerial duels, but also with the ball at his feet as a well-rounded presence.

Games played

98

Goals scored

44

Assists

7

Braces

8x

Fee sold for

£6.8m

The 38-time North Macedonia international registered a blistering 44 strikes for the Dons across 98 appearances, with his ability to be powerful in the air, yet classy when running through on goal, earning him the title of being a “complete number nine” by journalist Josh Bunting.

He should, therefore, be ready for the pressures of the Championship, even if his £6.8m move out to Girona hasn’t gone completely to plan, knowing he has what it takes to be the “best centre forward in the league” in the Scottish Premiership, as he was also labelled by ex-Dons teammate Nick Devlin.

Sealing a deal for Miovski to join the building might not be as instantly eye-catching as Kyogo’s statement deal was.

But, he should be able to leave a lasting impact on the English game if he finds his Aberdeen mojo again as a battling, skilful striker built very much in the same mould as Jutkiewicz.

Birmingham could sign a bigger talent than Cashin in "dynamite" £10m star

Birmingham City could soon win themselves a bigger talent than Eiran Cashin by landing this dynamite attacker.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jul 25, 2025

Nottingham Forest are now in talks to sign an “insane” £30m winger, who could be brought in as a replacement for Anthony Elanga this summer, journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed.

Elanga set to seal £55m Newcastle move

Forest, of course, made an unexpected push for the Champions League places last season, and Elanga was key to their success, finishing with a total of six goals and 11 assists after featuring in every single Premier League match.

However, the Sweden international is poised to seal a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the very near future, having recently arrived on Tyneside ahead of the big-money move to the Magpies.

It will be a difficult task for Nuno Espirito Santo to find a suitable replacement for the winger, but the Tricky Trees have wasted no time searching for potential options, and they are now in talks over a deal for PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko.

That is according to Jacobs, who took to X to reveal that Bakayoko is viewed as a replacement for Elanga by Forest, and he could be available for a relatively affordable fee, with the Dutch side looking to receive around £30m.

However, Newcastle have also been named as potential suitors, which could pose a problem for Nuno’s side, although it is unclear whether they will remain keen after the deal for Elanga is wrapped up.

Nottingham Forest identify Elanga replacement in £50m Premier League star

Nuno is considering his options.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 5, 2025 "Insane" Bakayoko could be ideal Elanga replacement

Nuno is likely to consider Elanga’s departure a big blow, having singled out the 23-year-old for high praise after scoring in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United last season, saying: “It was an amazing goal because he (Anthony Elanga) did it all by himself!

He has ability and pace to drive with the ball and it was magnificent to see.”

However, all the manager can do now is try and bring in a like-for-like replacement, and Bakayoko could fit the bill, given that the PSV winger is also a fantastic dribbler of the ball, showcasing his ability to take-on defenders regularly over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.51 (97th percentile)

Progressive carries

7.41 (99th percentile)

Successful take-ons

2.68 (94th percentile)

Touches (Att pen)

7.41 (99th percentile)

The 22-year-old has also been lauded for his “insane” talent by football scout Ben Mattinson, and given his age, he is well-placed to be a fantastic long-term replacement for Elanga.

As such, it is exciting news that Forest have now made an approach for Bakayoko, and £30m could be a fair fee, given his talent, but they will be hoping that top clubs do not renew their interest, with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich previously being named as potential suitors.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is conducting simultaneous talks to finalise a few key summer transfer deals right now, with manager Mikel Arteta set for serious backing ahead of another Premier League title challenge.

Madueke will love him: £65m star pushing to sign for Arsenal "every hour"

Noni Madueke could be joined in the Arsenal attack by a £65m game-changer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 7, 2025

In a major boost for the Gunners boss, it looks like the club’s long search for a prolific number nine will soon draw to a close.

This is because Arsenal are attempting to finalise a deal for Viktor Gyokeres after agreeing personal terms with the Sporting CP striker (David Ornstein), and there is much excitement around this potential move considering his 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Primeira Liga side.

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

25/26 – summer

£65m

Alongside the 27-year-old, Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has also agreed terms over a move to Arsenal, so the Gunners could welcome both a new left-winger and a striker in one fell swoop.

This potential deal for the England international would be separate to their advances for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, according to Fabrizio Romano, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein backing this up in his own update last week.

“Arsenal are exploring a deal for Eberechi Eze, as things stand. They’ve held some conversations, not club-to-club so far, it’s more with the player’s side of things,” said Ornstein on The Athletic’s YouTube channel, via afcstuff on X.

“It would be as a potential attacking addition. It’s not like they would be looking at him and not a left-winger or not a striker, it’s an additional thing. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, I’m not saying it’s advanced.

“Arsenal, I think, wouldn’t want to be going as high as the release clause, if they proceed with this. I’m sure Crystal Palace would like to see the release clause met if they’re going to lose their player.”

Eberechi Eze wants to join Arsenal with Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke

As per ESPN, Arsenal are in ongoing talks over a move for Eze, and the 27-year-old is keen to join Arteta’s side alongside both Gyokeres and Madueke.

Interestingly, the broadcaster reports that Palace have set a ‘fixed price’ of at least £56 million for their star attacking midfielder, which is more than £10 million below his reported £68 million release clause.

Negotiations are happening between all parties – the player, Palace and Arsenal – but ESPN note a word of caution.

There is apparently some uncertainty surrounding whether they can actually sign both Madueke and Eze once they complete a deal for Gyokeres, which will likely be done first, even if it isn’t entirely ruled out.

The former QPR star, who was once axed from the Arsenal academy, scored 14 goals and assisted 11 others in all competitions last term – standing out as Palace’s key figurehead – and Eze’s winning goal in the FA Cup final ended the Eagles’ history-long wait for a major trophy.

Derby County face Blackburn Rovers in the race to sign a versatile midfielder with the same agent as Craig Forsyth, according to a new report.

Forsyth signs new Derby contract as Eustace targets attackers

Earlier this week, Derby announced that experienced defender Forsyth has signed a new two-year contract to remain with the Rams. The left-back’s contract was set to expire at the end of this month, but John Eustace, who was a teammate of Forsyth’s during his playing career, has decided to keep the 36-year-old at the club until 2027.

Derby County now want "fantastic" Blackburn star loved by John Eustace

The Rams could strike in a headline deal…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 12, 2025

Forsyth played 39 times for the Rams in the Championship last season, as they avoided relegation to League One. In those appearances, the defender managed to score an impressive three goals and grab four assists. This latest contract will see Forsyth extend his football career to 20 years, and this contract will also see Derby support him in getting his coaching qualifications.

As Eustace decides to keep valuable experience in his defence, in a fan forum held at Pride Park, the Derby boss has revealed that signing new attackers is a priority for the club this summer, given their lack of goals last season.

Eustace said, via BBC Sport: “I’d love to play a back four, some exciting attacking wingers and two good strikers.”

This comes as the Rams have agreed a deal with Luton Town to sign striker Carlton Morris, who is set to undergo his medical once he returns from holiday.

Derby face Blackburn in race to sign Russell

The arrivals at Pride Park don’t look to be stopping there, as according to Football League World, Derby are keen on signing midfielder Jon Russell from League One side Barnsley.

It isn’t just the Rams looking at the 24-year-old however; Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and Stoke City are also keeping an eye on the player’s situation ahead of a potential move.

Russell, who is a former Chelsea academy graduate, has been with the Tykes since January 2023, when he joined from Huddersfield Town.

The Jamaica international has been a key contributor for Barnsley in his two full seasons at the club – he played 31 times during the 2023/24 League One season, as Barnsley reached the play-offs. He then bettered that last term, as he played 40 times in the league, scoring an impressive 11 goals, as well as grabbing two assists.

Apps

40

Starts

34

Goals

11

Chance conversion

19%

Assists

2

Touches per game

38.9

Key passes per game

0.8

Big chances created

4

Duels per game (won)

4.0 (50%)

This report doesn’t claim how much the League One side would want for Russell, but given his contract expires next summer, Barnsley may have to consider cashing in on the midfielder now, before he leaves for nothing.

In further good news for Derby, they may hold an advantage in this race, as Russell, who can play in a defensive role as well as an advanced role in midfield, has the same representatives, Two Touch Agency, as Derby defender Forsyth, who they have of course recently concluded positive talks with.

Glasgow Rangers are set to confirm their first signing of the Russell Martin era as they close in on a deal to sign right-back Max Aarons from Bournemouth.

Fabrizio Romano reports that all of the documents have been signed to complete a season-long loan move for the former England U21 international, who is set to bolster the club’s defensive options.

Aarons is no stranger to the new Rangers boss because he came through the Norwich academy when the former Scotland international was the club captain at Carrow Road.

Speaking on the Talk Norwich City podcast in May, the 25-year-old defender explained why he thought Martin would become a manager in the future when they trained together.

Aarons said: “When he came and trained with us he had an aura. I always knew he would go on to be a manager. I think players who played with him always knew that as well.

“I knew we had to be on it when he was training with us and giving 110 per cent because if not Russ would tell you and I loved that.”

What Max Aarons could bring to Rangers

It is fair to say that Rangers are not signing Aarons at the apex of his career, as he has had a difficult time of things since leaving Norwich to sign for Bournemouth in 2023.

After missing just two games through injury in his entire time in Norfolk, the full-back suffered two injuries that kept him out for 15 matches combined in his first year at the Vitality, which heavily disrupted his progress with the Cherries.

The right-footed whiz only played 23 games in the Premier League in his first 18 months with Bournemouth, before being loaned out to Valencia, where he played five times, in the second half of the 2024/25 season.

However, if Rangers can get Aarons back to his best, then they could have a reliable defender who can also provide quality in possession, based on his impressive displays for Norwich when they won the Championship title in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns.

Starts

41

45

Goals

2

2

Big chances created

6

5

Assists

6

2

Clean sheets

11

17

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

1.6

Duel success rate

58%

53%

As you can see in the table above, the former Canaries star, who was named in the PFA Team of the Year on both occasions, offered a threat at the top end of the pitch whilst also helping his team to keep plenty of clean sheets.

Those performances for Norwich came in a ball-dominant team that won the league title both times, which shows that he can thrive as a full-back in a side that competes at the very top of the league, as Rangers will do next term.

As shown in the clip above, Aarons excels at linking up with teammates to maraud down the flank in transition, helping his team to get up the pitch quickly and effectively to create chances in the final third.

The English whiz struck up an exceptional partnership with Emiliano Buendia on the right flank, as they played at right-back and right-wing week-in-week-out in both of those title-winning seasons for Norwich.

Buendia was a natural number ten who was utilised as a right-winger by Daniel Farke, with the license to drift infield into central areas to create space for Aarons to bomb on and make runs into the final third.

That partnership clearly helped the full-back to flourish, given his form for Norwich in those seasons, and that is why Martin can make the defender explode again by signing Tyrhys Dolan, who is a reported Rangers target this summer.

Why Tyrhys Dolan is perfect for Max Aarons

The Light Blues should sign the Blackburn Rovers forward before the end of the summer transfer window because he could be the perfect signing alongside Aarons.

Dolan could also be a bargain signing for the Scottish Premiership giants because his contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of this month, which means that he is set to be available on a free transfer.

It is his quality and versatility on the pitch that Rangers should be most interested in, though, as the wing wizard, who created seven ‘big chances’ for his teammates in the 2024/25 campaign, has the potential to be a Buendia-esque figure ahead of Aarons on the right flank.

Dolan, who was once lauded as “outstanding” by former boss John Eustace, is a versatile attacker who can comfortably play out wide on the right or in a central position.

Right wing

48

5

6

Centre-forward

38

5

3

Attacking midfield

26

6

4

Right midfield

25

4

3

Left winger

17

4

1

Left midfield

12

2

3

Second striker

4

1

1

As you can see in the table above, the 23-year-old whiz has predominantly played as a right winger, but has plenty of experience as a striker and as a number ten.

This suggests that he would be perfectly suited to playing a similar role to the one that Buendia played ahead of Aarons at Norwich, as he can start out wide on the right and drift inside to create space for the full-back on the overlap.

Interestingly, Adam Armstrong played a similar tactical role for Martin in the 2023/24 campaign in the Championship, as he started on the right wing before coming infield to play as a striker.

This particular position for Dolan, who scored seven goals and provided six assists this season, would be slightly different, coming into a number ten area instead of playing as a number nine, to make sure that Aarons can thrive as an overlapping full-back.

Joe Aribo repeat: Rangers star agrees terms to leave Ibrox for £30k-a-week

Rangers could repeat their Joe Aribo masterclass as one of their stars looks set to move on from Ibrox.

ByDan Emery Jun 19, 2025

Therefore, Dolan could be the perfect signing for the Light Blues to help Aarons explode next season, because of the goals and assists he can provide as well as the positional flexibility to play a unique tactical role.

The news everyone feared at Burnley, but ultimately expected, has now been officially confirmed, with CJ Egan-Riley taking up an opportunity at Ligue 1 giants Marseille after turning down a new Turf Moor deal.

This will be a sizeable hole to fill on the end of Scott Parker’s men, considering Egan-Riley is just fresh off a glittering Championship promotion season that saw him collect a mammoth 26 clean sheets.

But, the Clarets have been here before and bounced back well, with both Ben Mee and James Tarkowski exiting the club once upon a time garnering this same level of dismay.

Therefore, Burnley will be hopeful they can plug Egan-Riley’s gap very soon by landing an adequate replacement.

Burnley keen to re-sign £20m defender

As per a new report from football journalist Alan Nixon, Burnley are keen to bring Taylor Harwood-Bellis back to Lancashire after his current employers, Southampton, crashed out of the Premier League last season.

It’s stated that the 23-year-old is eager to stick it out in the top-flight over heading down to the Championship with the Saints, meaning a second spell at Burnley could soon be on the cards.

Nixon does reveal that West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the former Manchester City youth starlet, but a deal would only take place if a sale was made, owing to Harwood-Bellis’ reported price tag of £20m.

Therefore, the newly promoted outfit could soon race to the front of the queue to land Harwood-Bellis back on a permanent basis, with the 6-foot-2 defender a very suitable replacement for the now departed Egan-Riley.

Why Harwood-Bellis is even better than Egan-Riley

Whilst the 22-year-old is just fresh off an unbelievable campaign in the heart of the Clarets’ defence, the former Burnley number six has only collected one Premier League appearance across his career to date, meaning he might well struggle with the demands of a top-five league.

On the contrary, Harwood-Bellis is well versed with the challenges of the daunting Premier League now, with the Stockport-born colossus even winning himself a senior England call-up last season when battling away valiantly for basement side Southampton.

Games played

34

41

Goals scored

1

1

Assists

0

1

Touches*

74.1

80.8

Accurate passes*

55.1 (88%)

59.7 (86%)

Big chances created

3

2

Ball recoveries*

3.6

4.5

Clearances*

4.1

4.7

Total duels won*

3.2

4.2

It’s clear from the table above that Harwood-Bellis is very similar in approach to Egan-Riley, with the defensive pairing both comfortable performers with the ball at their feet, as much as they are also adept at getting stuck in when necessary.

Whilst it is obviously impressive to pick up the numbers Egan-Riley managed at the top-end of the Championship, Parker will view his new target as an upgrade for what he can offer in the league above, with Harwood-Bellis actually averaging more accurate passes per match stuck in a relegation battle than his Marseille counterpart managed in a promotion race.

He was even labelled as “incredible” last season by former boss Pep Guardiola for the progress he had made away from the Etihad, with a Three Lions call-up further proof that he belongs in the big time.

On the flip side, away from his standout showings last season, Egan-Riley has only ever been exposed to a top division fully on loan with Hibernian, with just that one paltry Premier League appearance next to his name. Harwood-Bellis, despite only being one year older, boasts a hefty 34 and counting, away from his 113 outings in the taxing Championship.

Further hailed as a “warrior” by journalist Josh Bunting when shining bright previously at Turf Moor, the composed, yet dominant defender could well be an even better figure for Burnley to have at the back than Egan-Riley, especially as they transition back to the daunting reality of Premier League life.

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Russell Martin is the man charged with bringing the glory days back to Glasgow Rangers. He was announced as the club’s 20th permanent manager in midweek, and thoughts now turn to the transfer window.

The 49ers will likely give the new manager some funds to strengthen his squad, especially given how important next season is for the Ibrox side.

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Reclaiming the Premiership title will be his priority. To build a squad capable of challenging Celtic, he might need to cash in on a prized asset or two.

Why Rangers could sell Mohamed Diomande

Both Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande have been linked with moves away from Glasgow this summer.

The latter has been subject to interest from Everton recently, although Martin may well reject an offer should it arrive for the Ivorian.

However, should the Toffees make a bid too good to turn down, Martin simply must cash in.

Metric

Premiership

Europa League

Goals

4

1

Assists

7

2

Key passes per game

1.2

0.9

Total duels won per game

4.3

5.3

Tackles per game

1.2

1.9

Far too often in the past have the club rejected bids, only to see star players walk away for a pittance. Or even worse, for free, in the case of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, for instance.

Diomande recorded 15 goal contributions last season – six goals and nine assists – while showcasing his versatility across numerous positions.

Given that the club may have to rely on Europa League football next season, selling players when the iron is hot might be the best way to bolster the finances.

If so, Martin may look to seal a deal to bring in an ideal replacement for Diomande this summer…

Rangers could land the perfect Diomande replacement

Last month, the Light Blues were linked with a move to sign Brazilian starlet Metinho from Ligue 1 side Troyes.

The Daily Record has since claimed earlier this week that it will take an offer of around £5m to secure his signature this summer. It remains to be seen how much Martin will have to spend, but selling a player for a high fee could help his cause.

He will be out of contract next summer, hence Troyes’ decision to move him on this summer if the fee is right. Martin could be signing an ideal replacement for Diomande should he land the player, that’s for sure.

Metinho spent the second half of last season out on loan at FC Basel, helping them win the Swiss league title in the process.

Although not as effective in the final third as Diomande, Metinho shone defensively, averaging 2.6 tackles, one interception and recovered 4.4 balls per game for the club.

Having started his career at Fluminense, Metinho was hailed as one of “Brazil’s best” by SelecaoTalk in 2021.

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While his career might not have lived up to this lofty praise as yet, there are still signs as to why he could be an “excellent” signing for Rangers – as noted by writer Kai Watson.

Still only 22, Metinho has plenty of time on his side to fulfil his potential. If he does this at Rangers, there is no doubt the midfielder could land the club a solid profit in a few years.

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Few Manchester United players in the modern era have been quite so polarising, quite so newsworthy as that of Paul Pogba, with the mercurial Frenchman enduring a turbulent six-year second spell at Old Trafford, to say the least.

Signed on an £89m deal back in the summer of 2016 – four years on from having left under Sir Alex Ferguson on a free transfer – the towering midfielder failed to truly justify that club record fee, despite scoring and assisting 87 goals in 233 games for the Red Devils in total.

Plagued by injuries in his final few seasons in Manchester, the World Cup winner was repeatedly touted for an exit by his then-agent, Mino Raiola, throughout his time at the club, while failing to build on the Carabao Cup and Europa League success from his first year back in English football.

The former Juventus man may not have been surrounded by the greatest United side of recent times, but neither has Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese playmaker epitomising everything that his ex-teammate could have been.

Deployed in a deep-lying role, as a number ten, or even on the flanks, Fernandes has repeatedly delivered the goods over the past five years, having now chalked up 95 goals and 82 assists in 277 games to date. There have been no excuses, no apparent desire to leave – the 30-year-old has relished the role of being United’s talisman.

Pogba, however, never took on that mantle, even despite his hefty price tag, with the Red Devils certainly needing to steer clear of any suggestion regarding a potential reunion.

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Having been approaching the end of his contract in the climax of the 2021/22 campaign, Pogba’s United career petered out in a sorry manner as he was notably booed off by the Old Trafford faifthful during the 3-2 win over Norwich City, having then limped off just minutes into the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool away at Anfield.

That had looked like a fitting end to a disappointing chapter for the 91-cap France international, although there had been reports of late that an unwelcome homecoming was on the cards.

The 32-year-old has been out of action across the last 18 months or so due to a suspension for a doping breach, having endured a miserable return to Juve, following his United exit in 2022.

Now currently a free agent, Pogba was linked with a short-term switch back to Manchester in recent months, albeit with those claims subsequently quashed, amid the player’s own desire to join a club competing in the upcoming Club World Cup.

Forking out for the wages of a player who hasn’t played competitively since 2023 would make little sense too, with a final swansong in Saudi Arabia or MLS looking a more likely destination for the ageing star.

For all concerned, Pogba’s United story wisely looks to be resigned to the past, although Ruben Amorim and INEOS may be fearful of having found their next version of the 6 foot 3 hotshot among the current ranks.

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For all the criticism mentioned above – with club legend Gary Neville among those to admit that Pogba’s move “failed” – there were no doubt flashes of quality from the midfielder at times in a United shirt.

2021/22

20

1

9

2020/21

26

3

3

2019/20

16

1

3

2018/19

35

13

9

2017/18

27

6

10

2016/17

30

5

4

2011/12

3

0

0

Total

157

29

38

The elegant star notably dazzled in the 2018/19 campaign, amid Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, having scored 16 goals and registered a further 11 assists, after being pushed into a more advanced role by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pogba also impressed down the left flank in the early knockings of 2021/22, having memorably chalked up four assists during the 5-1 thrashing of rivals Leeds United on the opening day.

Ultimately, however, a man signed to play in a midfield two never really looked comfortable in that role, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell noting after his exit that ‘his physical stature suggested a defensive side to Pogba’s game that was not really there’.

Parallels between that signing from Serie A can certainly be made then with the relatively recent capture of Joshua Zirkzee, with the 6 foot 4 Dutchman arriving on a £36.5m deal from Bologna last summer.

Like Pogba – who registered 23 goals and assists in 2015/16 at Juve – Zirkzee had dazzled in Italy’s top-flight, having ended last term as the division’s Young Player of the Year, while even being likened to Ronaldinho by then-boss, Thiago Motta.

Much like the Frenchman, the former Bayern Munich was signed for one role but has largely been at his best elsewhere, having swiftly moved away from operating as a number nine and instead been deployed as one of Amorim’s two number tens.

That switch has proved fruitful, amid notable goals against the likes of Leicester City and Real Sociedad in recent months, although, like Pogba, the 23-year-old’s pace and physicality has been called into question, having been described as almost “admirably slow” by journalist Charlie Parrish.

As Italian football expert Mina Rzouki has also outlined, ‘it doesn’t help that Zirkzee’s physical stature suggests he ought to be a different type of striker’, again mirroring the towering Pogba, who was not, despite his appearance, a particularly dominant midfielder.

A player that seemingly “belongs to a different era”, in the words of Parrish, Zirkzee’s almost casual style also bears a resemblance to Pogba strutting his stuff in the centre of the park, with the pair both possessing that knack for gliding up the pitch with the ball at their feet. The silk is there, but is there the steel?

The Netherlands international, to his credit, has shaken off an early withdrawal against Newcastle United to earn almost cult hero status – something his midfield counterpart was never able to achieve – with there perhaps a sense that he can kick on under the Amorim regime in the coming years.

That nagging stylistic likeness to Pogba does persist, however, with the question remaining as to whether the £105k-per-week maestro can truly carve out a regular role for himself in this system, as well as whether he really is up to the task amid the rigours of the Premier League.

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