Having already welcomed both Danny Batth and Andreas Weimann this week, Derby County have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign an impressive international forward.
Derby confirm Batth and Weimann arrivals
The Rams are wasting no time ahead of their second season back in the Championship. After kicking their summer transfer window off by signing Carlton Morris from Luton Town and Richard O’Donnell from Blackpool, those at Pride Park have since stepped things up even more by welcoming both Weimann and Batth on free transfers from Blackburn Rovers.
After putting pen to paper to join the club, Batth told Derby’s official website: “When I got the call, I was excited [by the opportunity] and I’m glad to be here now and ready to get down to work.
“I just think it was a great opportunity for me to come and help the team and the club. I’ve played against Derby over the years. I know what an occasion it is when you play at the stadium and the support the club gets.
“I just wanted to be part of that. It’s a real project, and I think the foundations were set last year. The club is now looking to move forward, so I want to be a big part of that.”
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He wants to join the Rams.
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Weimann shared that same excitement after rejoining the club for the first time since leaving for Bristol City in 2017. The forward particularly singled manager John Eustace out for praise, saying: “I think there are a couple of factors, to be honest.
“Obviously, one is the manager. I loved working with him last year, I have known him for a long time and played with him at Watford when I was a teenager.”
Derby County manager JohnEustace
Now that Weimann and Batth are official, however, Derby have reportedly turned their attention towards the likes of Callum Brittain as well as finalising another impressive deal.
Derby reach agreement to sign Agyemang
According to GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert, Derby have now reached an agreement to sign Patrick Agyemang from Charlotte FC in a package worth a total of $10m (£7M) this summer.
The American international, who has scored five goals in just nine appearances for his country, represents an exciting arrival for Derby and arguably their best yet this summer.
The 24-year-old has unsurprisingly been at the centre of praise whenever he has starred for his country, including from USA manager Mauricio Pochettino. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss told reporters last month after victory over Haiti: “Patrick is doing a fantastic job for the team.
“All that he gave to the team today and the previous games also, he’s a fantastic striker. Still room to improve, but we are so happy with him.”
The standards were set right from the word go under Arne Slot, with the title-winning Dutchman memorably hooking young Jarell Quansah at the break during Liverpool’s opening day win over Ipswich Town back in August.
A rising star under Jurgen Klopp, the 22-year-old had been tipped by many, including BBC pundit Nedum Onuoha, to be the successor to teammate Virgil van Dijk, both positionally and as captain, having made 34 appearances in all competitions in 2023/24.
Under the new regime, the England U21 star seemingly failed to recover from that afternoon at Portman Road, having made just three further starts in the Premier League last time out.
Sidelined to the periphery under Slot, the academy graduate has since been surprisingly shown the door this summer, albeit with the Reds able to take in a handsome £35m fee, following that intriguing switch to Bayer Leverkusen.
Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool
Whether that proves the correct course of action in the long term remains to be seen, although in the short term it has left the Merseysiders noticeably short on depth at centre-back – a fact only heightened by the situation surrounding Ibrahima Konate.
The latest on Ibrahima Konate's future
Liverpool’s last senior signing in the centre of defence, Konate has enjoyed an impressive four-year stint at Anfield, having notably started 30 league games as Slot’s men romped to the title in 2024/25.
Almost a guaranteed starter alongside Van Dijk in recent times – not least with Joe Gomez hampered by injury last season – the Frenchman should seemingly be content with his current standing at Anfield, right?
Well, according to recent speculation, it would appear not, with prior claims suggesting that the 26-year-old is demanding a sizeable increase on his current £70k-per-week salary.
Mo Salah
£400k
Virgil van Dijk
£350k
Florian Wirtz
£195k
Andrew Robertson
£160k
Federico Chiesa
£150k
Alisson
£150k
Alexis Mac Allister
£150k
Ryan Gravenberch
£150k
Darwin Nunez
£140k
That uncertainty has been increased as the former RB Leipzig man only has 12 months remaining on his existing deal, with the latest reports coming out of Spain indicating that he could be willing to run down that contract, in the hope of joining Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid.
Amid the prospect of that free transfer exit, further Spanish reports have claimed that Liverpool could even be open to selling Konate this summer should he continue to refuse a new deal.
Such a prospect has only heightened the need for a replacement…
Liverpool's search for a centre-back
The leading figure to usurp Konate’s place alongside Van Dijk appears to be Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, with prior reports suggesting that personal terms have even been agreed with the Eagles skipper.
With just a year left on his own deal at Selhurst Park, Guehi is also at something of a crossroads in his career, albeit with it yet to be seen if Palace will cash in, having rejected multiple bids from Newcastle United last summer.
Amid the need to also consider alternatives to the 24-year-old, journalist David Lynch has named Parma’s Giovanni Leoni and Wolfsburg’s Konstantinos Koulierakis as two players who the Reds are keeping tabs on, with the young pair said to have been ‘watched’ by those at Anfield.
Links to Leoni – who has been compared to Madrid’s Dean Huijsen – have already emerged this summer, while in the case of the 21-year-old Koulierakis, he was tipped for a move to Merseyside earlier this year.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, reports back in February indicated that the Greek sensation could command a fee of around €40m (£34m), having only joined the German side last summer.
Why Konstantinos Koulierakis could be Liverpool's new Konate
Raiding the Bundesliga for the brightest and best has been a theme of Liverpool’s recruitment in recent years, be it Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz this time around, or Dominik Szoboszlai and Konate under the Klopp regime.
In the case of Konate, the contract rebel was just 22 when the Reds forked out a similar fee to what is being touted for Koulierakis, with the £35m man also arriving as a hot prospect from the Bundesliga four years ago.
With 132 appearances under his belt at Anfield, it’s fair to say that such a deal has proven to be a successful one, with journalist Rory Smith describing him as “outstanding” last year, while noting that his talents perhaps go under the radar.
An exit may, unfortunately, lie in store in the near future for the Les Bleus star, although in Koulierakis, a worth replacement could well be found, with the former PAOK man lauded as a truly “standout” prospect by analyst Ben Mattinson.
Also hailed as one of the “biggest talents” in Greece by scout Jacek Kulig, the Crete-born titan enjoyed a promising 2024/25 campaign, having made 30 Bundesliga appearances during his debut season in Germany.
Finland's Benjamin Kallman in action with Greece's KonstantinosKoulierakis
While the left-footer typically operates on the opposite side to Konate, there are similarities to be seen in their defensive prowess. Indeed, the youngster averaged 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game last term, as per Sofascore, while his Liverpool counterpart averaged 1.8 in that regard.
At 6 foot 2, Koulierakis is also a towering presence like the 6 foot 4 Parisien, with the pair winning 59% and 66% of their total duels in 2024/25, respectively, to further illustrate their ball-winning dominance.
In contrast to a figure like Guehi – who boasts 132 Premier League appearances to date – the Wolfsburg man is a relatively raw talent, although having seen the success of nurturing Konate in recent times, why not repeat the trick this summer?
Slot's new Gravenberch: Liverpool interest growing in "special" £85m talent
Liverpool are among the frontrunners in the race for this talented star.
It is just 40 days since Glasgow Rangers were last in action, drawing 2-2 on the final day of the Premiership season, but they’ll be back very soon at Ibrox, now managed by a new gaffer in the form of Russell Martin.
Rangers’ pre-season schedule commences a week on Saturday, while it is now less than four weeks until competitive action returns to Govan as they enter the second qualifying round of Europe’s premier competition.
By late-July and into August, matches will come thick and fast, Martin’s Premiership debut as Rangers manager coming at Fir Park on Saturday 2 August, hence the need for new signings, and plenty of them, as soon as possible.
Rangers looking to bolster their back line
It is clear that defensive reinforcements at Ibrox are very near the top of Martin’s list of priorities.
Conor Coady is reportedly in talks to join Rangers, while Max Aarons has signed on loan. Rangers are also reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring Owen Beck from Liverpool.
Now, according to a report by Football Insider, Rangers have ‘opened talks’ with Peterborough United in an attempt to sign Emmanuel Fernandez, who is valued at around £300k, according to Transfermarkt’s estimations. It’s reported that Martin has already given the green light to complete a deal.
As documented by Samuel Seaman of Pink Un, Norwich City came close to signing Fernandez in January, having a bid accepted before the deal ‘collapsed’ on deadline day.
He references Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who forecasted that the Canaries “will try again in the summer”, adding that the defender “has all the attributes needed to have a great career, he wins everything in the air… and can play out with the ball”.
Now though, rather than moving to Norfolk, could the centre-back be on his way north of the border?
Why Emmanuel Fernandez would be an upgrade on Robin Pröpper
As noted by Mark Walker of the Herald, FC Twente manager Joseph Oosting has revealed that he has held talks with Robin Pröpper over a potential move back to Enschede, with Rangers having already agreed to sell him for £1.5m.
Few Rangers supporters are likely to be too devastated to see the Dutchman depart, given that he struggled during his first, and potentially only, season at the club, with Ewan Paton of the Rangers Review asserting that Scottish football is ‘too quick and physical for his capabilities’.
So, would Fernandez be an upgrade? Let’s find out.
Appearances
42
43
Minutes
3,407
3,210
Interceptions
0.9
0.9
Tackles
1.1
1.2
Dribbled past per game
0.2
0.4
Clearances
5.8
3.9
% of ground duels won
62.83%
53.25%
% of aerial duels won
76.97%
54%
Average Sofascore Rating
7.20
6.69
First and foremost, worth noting that, even though Fernandez was plying his trade in EFL League One, according to Global Football Rankings, England’s third-tier is only ten spots below the Scottish Premiership, ranked 53rd and 43rd respectively.
In terms of the numbers, the Englishman comes out on top for the majority of defensive metrics included, most notably in terms of duels, winning a staggering 77% of his aerial duels across all competitions.
This is partially due to the fact he is 6 foot 4 in, or 194 cms if you prefer, very much an imposing central defender.
Thus, Peterborough chairman, Darragh MacAnthony labelled him a “colossus”, adding “he’s been our best defender this season… he’s a gentle giant off the pitch, but aggressive on it”.
Some extra height and presence is exactly what Rangers require, suggesting the 23-year-old would be an excellent addition.
He'd send Propper packing: Rangers are in talks to sign "infectious" star
Rangers are in talks to sign star who could send Robin Propper packing this summer.
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of another attacking player after Matheus Cunha in what will be their third capture of the summer.
Cunha delighted as Man Utd prepare more attacking signings
The Red Devils have made a positive start to the summer transfer window, officially securing the signing of Cunha from Wolves, which represents exciting business.
The Brazilian was his side’s standout player in 2024/25, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League, and speaking about his move to United, Cunha couldn’t hide his delight, admitting it is something he has dreamed about since he was a young boy.
“It is hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player. Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother’s house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt.
“I want to thank my family and everyone who has helped me make that dream a reality. I can’t wait for the start of pre-season to get to know my team-mates and prepare for the season ahead.”
United fans will be hoping that this is just the start of the club’s transfer business this summer, with huge improvements needed, and they have also signed young left-back Diego Leon, who will join from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño in July.
Up front, the Red Devils have been strongly linked with a move for Bryan Mbeumo as they make a point of upgrading on the struggling Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, both of whom could leave the club.
Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after the match
However, it seems the first out and out striker signing will be one to improve the academy ranks, potentially following a similar path to the first-team as a certain Paul Pogba.
Man Utd close in on deal for Le Havre teenager
According to an update from The Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are now “set to complete” the signing of Enzo Kana-Biyik from Le Havre’s academy.
The 18-year-old has looked likely to join the Red Devils for some time and now the transfer is nearly sorted, with the club “expected to formally announce the arrival” imminently.
The last academy-to-academy transfer between the two clubs was of course Pogba, who joined two years earlier than Kana-Biyik at the age of 16, eventually going on to play 157 Premier League games for United.
The teenage striker is a player with so much long-term potential, and such signings are something the Red Devils must focus on more moving forward, having too often taken a punt on ageing attackers who are past their very best, from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Edinson Cavani, to name just a few.
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Kana-Biyik has been described as a “talented” player by journalist Fabrizio Romano, and he has scored nine goals in 18 appearances for Le Havre’s Under-21s, showcasing his attacking prowess.
If United could secure the services of Kana-Biyik, and also bring in a more proven striker this summer, it would set them up nicely in that area of the pitch for years to come. Hojlund doesn’t look like being the solution, and if their new arrival has even half of the career success of Pogba – he won a World Cup after all – he could be a bargain.
The closest Tottenham Hotspur have come to winning the Premier League in generations was under Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine’s best team may have ended up being less successful than Ange Postecoglou’s current side – trophy-wise, anyway – but it was stacked with some outrageously talented players.
The likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and a young Son Heung-min will always get the plaudits from those outside of the fanbase, and understandably so, but the Lilywhites faithful know full well that Mousa Dembélé was just as important to that side.
adam-wharton-mousa-dembele-tottenham-opinion
The Belgian was an utterly superb central midfielder, so supporters should be excited about recent reports linking the team to a youngster who has shades of the retired monster about him.
Spurs midfield targets
Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other central midfielders who have been touted for moves to Spurs in recent weeks, like Quinten Timber and Angel Gomes.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former is the brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, the captain of Feyenoord, reportedly worth £25m and could be an ideal addition to the squad, as he’s capable of playing in attacking, central and defensive midfield.
Likewise, Gomes could be a sensational signing as, thanks to his contract with LOSC Lille expiring this month, he’ll be available for nothing, and at just 24 years old, he already has experience of national team football, the Champions League and top-flight football in both Portugal, France and England.
Yet, neither one of these internationals could really be described as having shades of Dembélé to them, unlike Adam Wharton.
Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Crystal Palace star is now a serious target for the North Londoners.
The report has revealed that the club are ‘prioritizing a central midfield’ signing this season, and the young Englishman ‘figures highly on their shortlist.’
However, it won’t be an easy deal to get done, as the Eagles are after upwards of £60m for the midfield maestro, but even then, with his ability and potential, that may be a fee worth paying for Spurs, especially as he could emulate parts of Dembélé’s game.
How Wharton compares to Dembélé
So, before the pitchforks and torches come out, it’s important to state that we are not saying that Wharton is currently as good a player as Dembélé was during his pomp at Spurs, as that would just be silly.
However, given the fact that he’s still just 21 years old and will be until midway through next season, it’s not that out there to suggest he could reach that level in time, especially as there are some similarities between the pair.
The first, and perhaps most significant, is the fact that the Palace gem very rarely loses the ball.
In fact, according to FBref, the “generational” talent, as dubbed by members of the media, sits in the bottom 40% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for the frequency he is dispossessed, coming in at just 0.89 times per 90, or, in other words, less than once a game.
A great example of this was in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, as, on top of winning duels, making tackles and playing a number of excellent passes, he was also able to hold onto the ball brilliantly despite the immense amount of pressure Pep Guardiola’s side tried to exert on him.
This ability to keep the ball was one of the Belgian’s most impressive, and it seems like the young Englishman has it in spades.
Then there are the more surface-level comparisons, such as both players coming from a London club – Fulham in Dembélé’s case – and the fact that they could and can play in either central or defensive midfield.
Appearances
51
43
Minutes
3571′
3011′
Goals
4
0
Assists
5
5
Ultimately, while it’s a lot of money, Spurs should do what they can to sign Wharton this summer, as he looks like he has the raw abilities and ceiling to become the club’s next Dembélé.
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The young leader could be just what Spurs are after.
Cole Palmer’s time at Chelsea so far has been sensational, and it was perhaps summed up last week during the Conference League final. The Blues beat Real Betis to become the first ever side to win all European trophies on offer, and a large part of that was thanks to Palmer.
The England international grabbed two assists to help Chelsea turn around a 1-0 deficit, providing goals for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson. His magical assists put the West Londoners 2-1 up, before the floodgates opened and two more goals were scored.
Palmer’s influence on that game, and indeed across his Chelsea career, has been astronomical. Interestingly, the Blues have been linked with someone who could be the second coming of the England international.
Latest on Chelsea's transfer search
Signing someone to have the same impact as Palmer has at Stamford Bridge will not be easy, by any stretch of the imagination. With that being said, one man in the Premier League who could become the second coming of Palmer is Morgan Rogers.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Chelsea are once again linked with the Aston Villa forward, this time by journalist Simon Phillips. He said that Rogers is ‘firmly on the radar’ at Stamford Bridge, with the West London outfit ‘prepared to bid for him’ this summer.
In his report, Phillips does not name a price, but suggests that Nicolas Jackson and Joao Felix are two players of interest to Villa, so a swap deal could be on the cards.
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
However, talkSPORT have previously quoted the versatile attacker at £100m, should he move this summer.
Why Rogers would be a good signing
The 2024/25 campaign ended in disappointment for Unai Emery’s Villa side, narrowly missing out on a spot in the Champions League on the final day of the campaign. However, it was partly due to Rogers’ good form that they were in that position in the first place.
In 54 games across all competitions, the 22-year-old attacker was sensational. He found the back of the net on 14 different occasions and grabbed a further 15 assists. It is fair to say he was a rich source of goals in Claret and Blue last season.
Break those numbers down further, and you have someone who is “unstoppable” in the Premier League, according to Jamie Carragher. Rogers managed eight goals and 11 assists in the English top flight this season, coming in 37 games.
There was not too much difference between Rogers’ 19 goal involvements and Palmer’s eventual tally of 24 in the Premier League. The England international also played 37 times, and managed 15 goals and nine assists across the top-flight season.
It is not just the goal involvement numbers that are similar between Palmer and Rogers. Not only are they both versatile attackers, but they both played for Manchester City’s academy. Whilst Rogers never made his debut for the East Mancunian outfit, their early footballing education has largely mirrored each other.
In fact, you could make a case for the early part of their professional careers being like for like, too. Palmer left City for a big move to Chelsea, a side competing for top four in the Premier League. Likewise, Rogers went to Villa, who have the same goals, except he made his move via Championship side Middlesbrough.
The stats on FBref also hint at the fact that Rogers could become the second coming of Palmer at Stamford Bridge. For example, the Villa star averages 0.46 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, compared to 0.42 goal-creating actions each game from Palmer.
Goals and assists
0.52
0.64
Key passes
1.47
2.45
Goal-creating actions
0.46
0.42
Take-ons completed
1.91
1.44
Ball recoveries
3.44
2.99
Should Chelsea sign Rogers this summer, then he can certainly have the same impact on the club as Palmer has. The stats are there to suggest he is capable of such achievements, and he has certainly showcased last term just how much of a difference-maker he is.
Whilst £100m is a lot of money, there is no doubt that Chelsea would be upgrading their attack by signing Rogers, and he could well be the second coming of Palmer, which is a scary thought for the rest of the Premier League.
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Celtic have brought the curtain down on another successful campaign at Parkhead and could now be set to let go of one of their long-serving stars, per a report.
Change could be in the wind for Celtic this summer
Brendan Rodgers will feel disappointed that his side weren’t able to see a domestic treble over the line, but a double and tangible progress in the Champions League isn’t to be sniffed at in the grand scheme of things.
Nevertheless, the end to a long campaign has come at a good time for Celtic, who are already beginning to make decisions on the personnel that will prop up their talented squad next term.
Brendan Rodgers
Greg Taylor is now out of contract and may depart following an excellent six years of service, while talks are ongoing to resolve Jeffrey Schlupp’s future at Parkhead as his loan spell draws to a close.
Given his parent club Crystal Palace are currently paying him £60,000 per week, it remains to be seen if a deal will be thrashed out to take the Ghana international to Glasgow on a permanent basis.
Looking ahead, Rodgers has urged Celtic to use their Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen as fuel for next season: “Looking at the bigger picture, we won the league title, won the League Cup, sadly we just couldn’t go that next step. It’s been a really good season for us. This will hurt. That’s your motivation, that drives you going into next season.”
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Supporters will hope that extends to their transfer business, and they are already beginning to make tough decisions if recent reports are anything to go by.
Scott Bain set to leave Celtic on free transfer
According to The Herald, Scott Bain is set to be allowed to leave Celtic on a free transfer despite having a year left to run on his contract at Parkhead.
The 33-year-old will now seek first-team football elsewhere after becoming a distant back-up option to Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo between the sticks.
Scott Bain’s trophy-laden career at Celtic
Appearances
78
Clean sheets
40
Trophies won
7x Scottish Premiership, 5x Scottish Cup, 4x Scottish League Cup
Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan is out of contract and is set to replace Bain at Celtic, which will help their homegrown quota in line with UEFA squad registration rules due to being a club-trained player.
Cutting his deal short may be an abrupt end to former Dundee star Bain’s time in Glasgow, but he has enjoyed some memorable success and filled in admirably when called upon by Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou and current boss Rodgers.
However, he hasn’t played a single minute since a 3-2 victory over St Mirren at the tail end of last campaign, so it makes sense for the former Scotland international to try his luck as a number one elsewhere.
It is make or break for Sunderland this afternoon as their 2024/25 campaign will be defined by the outcome of today’s Championship play-off final clash with Sheffield United.
The Black Cats beat Coventry City 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the play-offs, thanks to a dramatic late winner in extra-time from central defender Dan Ballard, sending the Stadium of Light into raptures.
Regis Le Bris now faces the unenviable task of selecting the right starting XI to take to the field against Sheffield United this afternoon at Wembley, and Chris Rigg is one player who should be brought back in.
Why Chris Rigg should start
Sunderland know that this is a high-stakes game and that any small errors could be the difference between another season in the Championship or playing Premier League football in the 2025/26 campaign.
Sunderland'sChrisRiggand Wilson Isidor celebrate after the match
Therefore, it could make sense to bring in another midfielder who can provide solidity just ahead of Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham, making it even harder for the Blades to break them down.
In the regular Championship season, Rigg won four duels per game on average, winning 47% of his battles overall, and averaged 1.6 tackles and interceptions per game, without a single error that led to a goal or a penalty for the opposition.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
This means that the teenage midfielder would add another layer of defensive insurance ahead of the back four by coming into the side, but it would also mean that Eliezer Mayenda would have to drop to the bench to make way for the English ace to play behind Wilson Isidor.
Why Eliezer Mayenda should be dropped
Le Bris should ruthlessly drop the 20-year-old starlet to the bench for today’s final in order to make room for Rigg to provide a reliable presence at the top of the midfield.
This would also provide Mayenda with the opportunity to come on as an impact substitute, which suits his style of play with his directness and pace on the counter-attack, as he could cause problems for a tired Sheffield United defence late on.
Sunderland's Eliezer Mayenda celebrates scoring their first goal
His disappointing performance against Coventry in the second leg of the semi-final, though, suggests that it may be too much of a gamble to play him from the start.
Minutes
120
Goals + assists
0
Successful dribbles
2/6
Pass accuracy
29% (2/7)
Duels won
6/18
Key passes
0
Possession lost
15x
As you can see in the table above, Mayenda played the full 120 minutes against the Sky Blues and only completed two passes, without creating any chances, and lost the vast majority of his duels.
This suggests that he could be a liability in the final from the start if he produced a similar kind of performance, as the Sheffield United players could find it too easy to beat him in duels and to intercept his passes.
Therefore, dropping him for Rigg, who has won 47% of his duels and completed 79% of his passes in the Championship, could increase Sunderland’s chances of being solid from the start.
Le Bris would then have the option to bring Mayenda’s pace off the bench to make an impact late on, by taking Rigg off to play the Frenchman in a front two with Isidor, which is why this could be a good tactical move for multiple reasons.
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Newcastle United have now moved ahead of Chelsea in the race for an “amazing” Premier League defender, having taken concrete action to secure his signature, according to a report.
Magpies set sights on new centre-back
With current centre-back options Fabian Schar and Dan Burn now in their 30s, bringing in a new defender is expected to be a major focus for Newcastle this summer, and there has been a positive development in their pursuit of AS Monaco’s Wilfried Singo.
Paul Mitchell is now increasingly confident that a deal for Singo will be possible this summer, having previously sent scouts to watch the Ivorian defender in action, and there is a feeling the 24-year-old would be keen on a move to the Premier League.
Singo is not the only option on the shortlist, however, with it recently being revealed the Magpies have now joined the race for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, who is set to leave the German club on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.
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Newcastle are also weighing up defenders who have already proven themselves in the Premier League, and TEAMtalk have now provided a positive update on their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who has been a long-term target.
According to the report, Eddie Howe’s side have now moved ahead of Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race for Guehi, and his price tag has now been drastically reduced, with the Eagles now willing to sanction a departure for a fee of just £46m.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts after the match
The Tynesiders have now taken concrete action to sign the England international, placing them in the driving seat, as the Blues have not taken any steps towards securing his signature, but the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest could also provide competition.
"Amazing" Guehi could be ideal signing for Newcastle
Schar and Burn have played a major role in transforming Newcastle into major contenders for trophies, with the latter even scoring in the EFL Cup final, but with both players now approaching their mid-thirties, a younger option may be required at centre-back.
At 24-years-old, the £50,000-a-week Palace captain fits the bill in that regard, and the defender’s vast Premier League experience could make him an ideal option, having now made 132 top-flight appearances.
During that time, the Englishman has caught the eye of compatriot Harry Maguire, who described the Palace star as “amazing”, which is underlined by the fact he is among the Eagles’ most consistent performers in the Premier League this season.
Guehi could be the perfect addition to the Newcastle squad this summer, and the fact that he is now set to be available for just £46m is an added bonus for the Magpies, given that the Ivory Coast-born star has previously been valued at around the £75m mark.
Arsenal are now eyeing a surprise move for a “fantastic” Premier League striker, who is desperate to leave his club this summer, according to a report.
Gunners' striker pursuit heating up
As we edge closer to the summer transfer window, the Gunners have now stepped up their pursuit of a new striker, and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has recently joined the list of targets, with a hijack of Newcastle United’s move for the Cameroonian on the cards.
Talks have also been held over a deal for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, with the north Londoners now pushing hard to complete a move for the Slovenian, but the 21-year-old is not believed to be their top target.
Right at the top of the list is Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with talks recently being held over a deal for the Sweden international, ahead of what could be an early summer deal.
"Exciting" player will choose to join Arsenal over Man Utd and Man City
The Gunners are frontrunners as things stand.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 26, 2025
Talks have since been accelerated, with the forward clearly held in very high regard at the Emirates Stadium, but a surprise alternative option from the Premier League has also entered the frame.
That is according to a report from France (via Sport Witness), which states Arsenal are now in the picture to sign Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku this summer, with the Frenchman determined to seal a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Having fallen down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca, the 27-year-old’s relationship with Chelsea is at the point of no return, which means he is set to search for a new club this summer, and he would be keen to sign for a side in the Champions League.
There may be competition for Nkunku’s signature, however, with Bayern Munich expressing an interest, having also been keen to take him to Germany back in the January transfer window.
Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures
Date
PSG (h)
April 29th
AFC Bournemouth (h)
May 3rd
PSG (a)
May 7th
Liverpool (a)
May 11th
Newcastle United (h)
May 18th
"Fantastic" Nkunku needs fresh start
The France international arrived at Stamford Bridge for the hefty fee of £52m, but it would be fair to say he has flattered to deceive, particularly this season, scoring just three goals in 27 Premier League outings.
However, the former RB Leipzig man picked up a remarkable 70 goals and 55 assists in 172 matches during his time with the German club, so it is clear he has quality, but he may need a fresh start at a club more willing to give him consistent starts.
The forward has also been praised for his versatility by former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who said: “He is a player, a fantastic player, that was top scorer in the Bundesliga and he can play in different positions. His quality is amazing.”
That said, Arsenal should have serious reservations about signing Nkunku, given his failure to adapt to life in the Premier League, and it would probably be wise to pursue an alternative target.