All posts by h716a5.icu

Everton need to sort out some of their players’ contract situations before it is too late. The Toffees could lose four experienced figures at the end of the month when their contracts expire, according to the Liverpool Echo. Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could all leave on a free.

The report says Gueye and Coleman have both ‘been offered the chance to extend their stays’ at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although it is unclear what their decision will be. It would certainly be a loss for both to leave, given the experience they provide to David Moyes’ side.

Indeed, if Gueye was to depart the club this summer, the Toffees could already be lining up his perfect replacement.

Everton's Gueye replacement

It will certainly be hard for Everton to replace Gueye this summer. He is a player with bags of experience and is a key figure for Moyes in the middle of midfield. They certainly need to replace him with someone who adds that know-how.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, perhaps Everton’s latest midfield target, Fenerbahce star Fred, is the man who can do just that.

According to a report from Turkish outlet Fanatik, the former Manchester United star is a key target for the Toffees. They explain that ‘Moyes wants to see the Brazilian star as one of the key names in the midfield’ in 2025/26.

However, Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho ‘will not give up easily’ when it comes to keeping Fred at the club.

They are reportedly set to ask for £17m to let the midfielder go this summer, although the 32-year-old ‘continues to insist on transferring’, which looks positive for Everton.

Why Fred would be a good signing

Fred’s game has certainly evolved in the last few years, and his time in Turkey seems to sum that up. A genuine box-to-box midfielder, he is someone involved in all phases of the game, and can make an impact in any third.

Last season for Fenerbahce, Fred played 45 games, contributing five goals and eight assists, highlighting the impact he has in attack. In the top flight of Turkey, the Brazil international contributed to 11 goals in just 31 appearances.

Of course, let’s not forget the contributions he made in a Man United shirt. A key part of the Red Devils’ midfield for a number of years, Fred played 213 times, scoring 14 times and grabbing 19 assists. 22 of those 33 goal involvements came in his final two seasons at Old Trafford, further highlighting that more advanced role he now plays.

The 2025/26 campaign is a huge one for those on the Blue side of Merseyside. They are moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium and will be looking to build on the momentum gathered under Moyes last season.

Well, Fred could be the perfect player to help guide them through these huge months. Described as a “big-game player” by Statman Dave, he is prone to stepping up in those big moments. Take this strike for United in the Europa League back in 2022/23 against Barcelona, during a game in which his side were behind.

The Brazilian would be a key replacement for Gueye next term, if he were to leave. The Senegal international played 37 times in the Premier League, featuring in every single one of Moyes’ games in charge.

He provides experience and a sense of calm at the base of the midfield in that famous Blue shirt, although he does play a slightly different role to Fred. Gueye tends to sit at the base of Everton’s midfield. Last season, he made the most tackles in the top flight, with 133.

Yet, the numbers via FBref from Fred’s most recent Premier League season, compared to Gueye’s stats from this term, are not too dissimilar. For example, the Brazilian averaged 4.75 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes compared to the Everton star’s 5.32 each game.

Progressive passes

5.47

4.26

Blocks

2.73

1.41

Tackles and interceptions

4.75

5.32

Ball recoveries

9.14

5.71

Progressive carries

0.72

0.79

Losing the experience and guile of Gueye in midfield would certainly be a blow to Moyes, but Fred could be an apt replacement. The Brazilian is versatile and can sit a bit deeper to help screen the back four, or can operate in advanced areas to a great degree of success.

Adding experience and Premier League quality for a fee of £17m seems like a good deal for the Toffees. Fred could well be the dream Gueye replacement if he departs this summer.

Moyes' new Doucoure: Everton start talks to sign "magnificent" £13m star

David Moyes could win Everton’s new Abdoulaye Doucoure by securing this star’s services.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 22, 2025

Ryan Mason will be hopeful that his new West Bromwich Albion troops can start the Championship season off on the best possible footing when August comes around.

The Baggies will just have to put the horrible decline in form they suffered at the close of the 2024/25 season to the back of their heads now as a fresh era begins, with Tony Mowbray an unfortunate casualty off the back of West Brom falling out of the playoff spots.

It will also be a clean, injury-free slate for Josh Maja you hope, with the ex-Sunderland marksman missing for all of 2025 to date for the West Midlands side, after a blistering first half of the second-tier campaign.

Maja's rising importance at West Brom

Maja’s name will have rung a few bells for West Brom supporters when he joined the building in the summer of 2023, having been in the EFL limelight once upon a time when rising the ranks at Sunderland.

Whilst he did endure a shaky start at the Hawthorns – as seen in Maja only powering home one meagre Championship goal during his debut season – the free agent capture has since gone on to be a firm fan favourite for supporters of Mason’s men, with the potency he showed at the Stadium of Light coming to the forefront once more.

Now a far more seasoned attacker than his early Black Cats education, with 17 goals fired home for the Wearside outfit before Bordeaux came calling, Maja managed to tally up a lethal 12 strikes for West Brom last season, even as his game-time dried up to only 26 league clashes owing to injury.

West Brom unearthing a lethal finisher for nothing came at the perfect possible time too, considering former main marksman Brandon Thomas-Asante had moved on the summer before the 26-year-old burst into life.

Now, the Baggies’ success in the free agent market could continue with another shrewd move, with the Baggies improving their numbers significantly in one position of the pitch if a Premier League-experienced star were to join Mason’s camp.

West Brom looking at another amazing free signing

West Brom’s golden pick-up of Maja isn’t their only brilliant free signing in recent years, with Jed Wallace also entering the building back in 2022 for zilch. Now, he has 27 goal contributions and counting for the Championship side.

Therefore, West Brom will be confident that their new target will instantly fit in as well, with journalist Graeme Bailey revealing earlier this month that Mason and Co. have Harry Toffolo on their radar after his sad Nottingham Forest exit was confirmed.

Toffolo was a much-loved presence at the City Ground, with this acrobatic clearance off the line last season a standout memory from his Premier League playing days at the club.

But, it’s the 6-foot full-back’s previous exploits in the Championship that will catch West Brom’s eye even more, with Carlos Corberan a big advocate for the former England U20 international when the pair were together at Huddersfield Town, before the Spaniard took on the Hawthorns reins.

Games played

92

Goals scored

9

Assists

14

Clean sheets

30

Corberan would call upon Toffolo to be both expansive and dangerous in attack – as seen in his nine goals and 14 assists – but also gritty and nasty in defence when needed, with a bumper 30 clean sheets also coming his way across 92 Championship appearances in West Yorkshire.

Labelled as “excellent” by ex-Forest boss Steve Cooper when signing on the dotted line in Nottingham, landing the impressive defender would definitely be seen as another gleaming free transfer akin to Maja’s arrival on the scene, with Mason only having Callum Styles and Gianluca Frabotta at his disposal currently on the left flank of his back-line.

He did suffer from a few promotion near-misses with the Terriers, unfortunately. But, he would surely want to change these fortunes around on the books of the Baggies, with both Toffolo and Maja potentially going on to be key components of a promotion-winning side.

A Palmer repeat: West Brom's "outstanding" star wanted by PL club

West Bromwich Albion must avoid selling this outstanding star.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 18, 2025

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

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

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

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

Bob Paisley

Liverpool

Sir Alf Ramsey

Ipswich, England, Birmingham

Sir Bobby Robson

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

Barcelona, Newcastle

Kevin Keegan

Newcastle, Fulham, England, Man City, Newcastle

Roy Hodgson

Inter, Blackburn, Udinese, Finland, Fulham,

Liverpool, West Brom, England, Crystal Palace, Watford

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

Ginola: Keegan made Newcastle feel "invincible"

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

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

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

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

English football clubs with the most major trophies

Which club can claim to have the proudest history when it comes to winning trophies?

ByRoss Kilvington May 21, 2025

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

A “sensational” goalkeeper has now been identified as Aston Villa’s top target to replace Emiliano Martinez this summer, according to a report.

Martinez's time at Villa could be coming to an end

After being a peripheral figure during his time with Arsenal, Martinez’s career has gone from strength to strength since making the move to Villa Park, most notably playing a key role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, scooping up the Golden Glove award.

The goalkeeper’s impressive performances for his country go hand in hand with some top displays at club level, recently winning the Premier League Save of the Season award for a remarkable stop against Nottingham Forest.

However, the 32-year-old’s time with the Villans could now be coming to an end, amid growing interest in his signature, with Manchester United currently showing the strongest interest, while Atletico Madrid have also been named as potential suitors.

As such, Unai Emery may be tasked with bringing in a replacement between the sticks this summer, and a new top target has now been identified by recruitment chiefs, namely OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.

Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, Bulka is now emerging as Aston Villa’s first-choice option to replace Martinez, should the goalkeeper move on this summer, although Marseille and some other unnamed clubs could provide competition for his signature.

Nice had been hoping the shot-stopper would be willing to commit to a new contract, but discussions have not progressed, and if he doesn’t sign a new deal, the French side will look to cash in this summer, potentially opening the door for a move to Villa Park.

"Sensational" Bulka impressing in Ligue 1

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has singled the Pole out for praise in the past, describing him as “sensational” for his performances at club level, most notably putting in a remarkable performance against Paris Saint-Germain back in April.

Aston Villa join battle for "fantastic" midfielder in cut-price £8m deal

He’s a wanted man.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 8, 2025

The 25-year-old achieved a Sofascore match rating of 10, courtesy of a fantastic display against the Champions League winners, making a number of important contributions as his side ran out surprise 3-1 winners at the Parc des Princes.

Statistic

Number completed

Clearances

2

Saves

12

Saves from inside the box

9

Goals prevented

2.53

French journalist Julien Froment was also left impressed by the Poland international’s performance, hailing the £6k-a-week goalkeeper for his “colossal” contribution to his side’s shock victory, which suggests he could now be ready for a big move this summer.

That said, while Bulka could be a fantastic signing for Aston Villa, they will still be hoping that Martinez is willing to remain at the club, having won two Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards during his time at Villa Park, most recently scooping up the 2024 award.

Arsenal have made a £10 million-per-year contract offer to a Real Madrid and Barcelona transfer target, according to reports, with sporting director Andrea Berta attempting to beat the Spanish heavyweights to his signature.

Arsenal focus on summer transfers after sealing Champions League spot

Mikel Arteta guided his side to a 1-0 win over Newcastle United in their final home game of the season last weekend, with Declan Rice scoring the match-winning goal and sealing Arsenal’s place in the Champions League draw next term.

Mikel Arteta "loves" £161k-per-week Barcelona star and wants him at Arsenal

The 43-year-old is a huge fan.

ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2025

With Arsenal’s season effectively over in terms of something to play for, attention is swiftly turning to the summer transfer window, and how Berta will reinforce Arteta’s squad ahead of next campaign.

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

This follows a promising statement from Arteta in the aftermath of Berta’s official arrival in late March, with Arsenal’s manager promising a “big” first summer window under the Italian’s leadership.

“It’s going to be a big summer for everybody,” said Arteta after Arsenal’s win over Newcastle.

“I think it’s time to reflect, reset, and set again the standards even higher, see how we can improve, be very critical with each of us and the things that we can do better, and how we can help this football club to go to another level.

“What I can promise is that I will do my very best [to win a trophy] and I will give my life, and get every drop of everybody here to squeeze it and get the best out of them.”

One of the items on Berta’s transfer to-do list is the signing of a proven goalscoring striker who can guarantee a degree of potency in the final third, with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres at the centre of links to a north London move.

The Swede has bagged 53 goals across 51 appearances in all competitions this term, leaving little wonder that Man United are also very keen on Gyokeres as well.

However, reports in Portugal have been making serious claims that Arsenal are the side who are advancing in serious pursuit of the 26-year-old.

Arsenal make Viktor Gyokeres a £10m-per-year offer to join Mikel Arteta

Newspaper O Jogo reported earlier this week that Arsenal have already agreed a £59 million fee with Sporting over signing Gyokeres, following rumours last week from A Bola that Arteta’s side have also offered him a contract.

A Bola stated at the time that Arsenal’s offer to Gyokeres was one worth around £135,000-per-week, but this is now being disputed by CaughtOffside.

The latter news outlet claims Arsenal have actually presented a contract offer to Gyokeres worth up to £10 million-per-year, which comes in at around £192,000-per-week, and seems more fitting for a striker who’s been scoring for fun these past two seasons.

As such, Arsenal are said to be leading the race, but that isn’t to say it is a done deal. CaughtOffside also share information that Gyokeres is being targeted by Real Madrid and Barcelona, not to mention a host of other top sides, so Arteta and Berta do face stiff competition to get him over the line.

Goalkeeper David Raya is already a fan of the centre-forward, having called him a “top player” earlier this season, and many believe he could be the answer to Arsenal’s lack of ruthlessness in the final third.

Whilst Birmingham City did splash out some serious cash to land Jay Stansfield last summer, the Blues did also operate rather shrewdly before the 2024/25 campaign got underway.

The eventual League One champions didn’t go overboard when landing potent goal machine Alfie May, with the decision to fork out a respectable £775k for the 31-year-old’s services more than paying off, considering the ex-Charlton Athletic man would go on to bag 17 strikes in all competitions.

Already, Birmingham have displayed this astute approach once more by recently snapping up Phil Neumann on a free transfer, with another rumour now suggesting that Chris Davies’ men aren’t finished there with savvy purchases.

Birmingham could soon land another golden deal

Unsurprisingly, the Tom Wagner-backed Blues have also been linked with some star names ahead of Championship action returning to St Andrew’s.

Indeed, Che Adams has been heavily linked with an audacious move back to the second-tier side, alongside Kwame Poku also being tipped to swap Peterborough United for a fresh location in the league above.

But, one move that is slipping under the radar in contrast is Birmingham’s hunt for Kanya Fuijmoto, with journalist Sebastião Sousa-Pinto revealing via his social media that Davies’ men are now moving towards an advanced stage in their attempts to sign the Japanese ace on a free transfer having already submitted a bid for the player.

If they were to land the Gil Vicente midfielder for nothing, this might go down as yet another golden deal where Birmingham don’t lavishly break the bank.

Further, Fuijmoto has the potential to be as popular as Tomoki Iwata in the midfield department at St. Andrew’s, with Iwata once a rather unknown entity to Blues fans – much like his fellow Japanese counterpart – before he more than exploded into life.

How Fuijmoto could be Birmingham's Iwata 2.0

Away from sharing the same nationality, the pair also possess a similar eye for goal and carving out chances centrally.

After all, Iwata would close out his debut campaign in England with a high eight goals and two assists from 47 overall contests.

Akin to the former Celtic man, the Vicente number ten would pick up five goals and five assists himself from 31 games over the same time span, with a hope in the air that he can potentially adapt to the hustle and bustle of Championship life well by putting in similarly electric performances in attack.

He could well offer more competition to the aforementioned Stansfield in the number 10 spot just behind the main centre-forward, therefore, alongside also being capable of slotting into a more traditional central role next to his Japanese compatriot based off his numbers below.

Games played

40

30

Goals scored

6

5

Assists

1

5

Touches*

67.1

34.6

Accurate passes*

49.7 (89%)

20.3 (83%)

Big chances created

4

8

Big chances missed

1

3

As can be seen looking at the table above, both players in question stand out as classy operators on the ball.

A “silky” midfielder – as he’s been previously lauded by analyst Ben Mattinson – he is more of an attack-oriented body that will push forward, compared with Iwata who will likely sit back and then burst into attack when necessary.

This could well be an intriguing partnership to watch next season as they work out each other’s varied games, with the extra addition of Fujimoto perhaps boosting Davies’ men even more in the forward areas as they embark on an initially challenging Championship step-up.

Whatever does happen, at least Birmingham aren’t dropping lots of money on the 25-year-old’s services.

But, as was shown with Iwata – who entered for around the £800k range – sometimes these are the deals that end up being the standout swoops.

60 EFL goals: Birmingham could sign their answer to Vardy this summer

Birmingham City could be about to land their own version of Jamie Vardy with this statement purchase.

ByKelan Sarson May 15, 2025

Liverpool will be under no illusions that retaining their newly won Premier League trophy will be a steep hill to climb next season, especially now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave when his contract expires in the summer.

However, Arne Slot and his squad will also be determined to break ahead of Manchester United as the most successful outfit in the history of England’s top division.

For sure, the Merseysiders are absorbing a blow in Alexander-Arnold’s departure, with his destination set to be Real Madrid, but Liverpool have overcome adversity countless times before and are gearing up for an exciting summer of spending.

Full-backs and central defenders are both needed at Anfield, but there’s no question that Slot needs a high-level centre-forward to take his project to the next level.

Darwin Nunez, sadly, isn’t cutting the mustard, paling in comparison to predecessors such as Luis Suarez and Bobby Firmino.

Darwin Nunez and the ones before

Nunez’s total transfer fee when leaving Benfica for Liverpool comes to a club-record £85m figure. This is more than Suarez (a £23m addition from Ajax), Firmino (who cost £21m in 2015) and Mohamed Salah (who joined from Roma for £34m) combined.

Sure: inflation, clauses, ifs and buts. The plain truth is that Nunez alighted on Merseyside to much fanfare and has failed to respond to the tactical demands of not one but two coaches, both illustrious Premier League champions.

After the towering achievements of central forwards such as Suarez and Firmino, Nunez always had big shoes to fill, but it’s probably fair to say he’s fallen miserably by the wayside in his efforts to succeed as Liverpool’s focal frontman.

Chance after chance after chance; miss, miss, miss. The Uruguay international has only scored 25 times in the Premier League across 92 appearances, across three years. As per Sofascore, he’s missed 53 big chances.

24/25

27 (8)

1,039′

5

3

23/24

36 (22)

2,045′

11

8

22/23

29 (19)

1,698′

9

3

Erling Haaland, who arrived in England in the same transfer window as Nunez, has scored 84 goals across 94 Premier League games, missing 82 big chances.

At his best, Nunez is as tenacious as a bloodhound. His unpredictability beguiles the Liverpool supporters, strikes fear into the veins of rival fans. If he doesn’t know what’s coming next, how can his opponents?

Sadly, his methods have produced infrequent results on Merseyside, and it’s a shame to say that Slot’s smoothed-out system has actually pushed Nunez back a few steps, whereas so many others have struck a chord with the Dutchman and reached new levels.

Is it any surprise he’s expected to be among the first out of the door this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano? In fact, sporting director Richard Hughes is already preparing a bid for a new phenom at number nine.

Liverpool preparing bid for new striker

Well, according to Caught Offside, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has been identified as the man for the job. Though Arsenal are said to be ‘particularly keen’ on the Slovenia international, Liverpool are warming to the idea of signing Sesko as an alternative to Isak.

While Leipzig are holding out for more, suitors have made it clear that they are willing to pay €70m (about £60m) for the 21-year-old but no more.

In fact, the report claims that the suitors, also made up of Chelsea and Manchester United, are actually preparing bids as you read these words.

Why Benjamin Sesko would be perfect for Liverpool

Nunez hasn’t grown into the complete and devastating striker Jurgen Klopp thought he saw in Benfica’s raw, thrash-metal prospect. He certainly hasn’t reached the levels of his countryman, Suarez.

No one expected the 25-year-old to hit such staggering levels, but Slot is searching for a centre-forward who can provide some of the same gusto and guile in the final third, with Suarez one of the trickiest and most dynamic forwards in the business.

Given that Firmino was never really Liverpool’s principal goalscorer and instead a sort of connective conduit who elevated Salah and Sadio Mane, only scoring 111 goals across 362 fixtures (0.31 per game), Sesko could become Liverpool’s most prolific central goalscorer since Suarez, should he make the move to Merseyside this summer.

The Slovenia international is still so young but already boasts an impressive track record in Germany, scoring 39 goals and supplying eight assists for Leipzig across 85 matches, winning this year’s DFL-Supercup.

He’s powerful, pacy and ever-improving, ranking among the top 12% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, while exceeding his xG (expected goals) haul by 0.14 goals per game.

This basically means he is driving into the danger area with consistency and making excellent use of the opportunities that fall into his path.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has also commented on the rising star’s “ridiculous” ball-striking power, so deadly when accurately channelled.

On top of all this, Sesko has scored 16 times in the Bundesliga this season while only missing 14 big chances. Detractors will point out the several chances that have gone begging this term, but the proof is in the pudding here, and he’s not yet even half-baked.

Suarez is one of the deadliest marksmen of his generation, hailed by Steven Gerrard as “the best I’ve played with.”

Transfer Focus

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

Sesko would need to shift quite the haul to reach the same lofty standard, but he’s definitely got the potential to become something special, outstripping Nunez and maybe even rivalling Suarez down the line too.

He'd be amazing with Sesko: Liverpool preparing bid for £51m "superstar"

Liverpool are hoping to make signings across a range of positions this summer.

1 ByAngus Sinclair May 6, 2025

Defensively, West Ham United have struggled in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Hammers, now led by Graham Potter, have one of the worst records in the top flight when it comes to conceding goals. There are only four sides that have shipped more than the East Londoners, with three of those the relegated sides.

As per Understat, West Ham have let in 59 goals this term, averaging 1.68 goals conceded per game. That overall number is actually more than three better than their expected goals against total, which is currently 62.73 xGA.

With that in mind, it might not be too much of a surprise that the Hammers are chasing some defensive reinforcements this summer.

The latest on West Ham's hunt for new defenders

One of the more ambitious defensive signings West Ham could try and make this summer would be to bring David Hancko to the club.

The Slovakian international seems destined to leave Feyenoord in a few weeks time, and Dutch publication Voetbal International report there is interest from Atletico Madrid, Al Nassr and Chelsea, as well as the Hammers.

The left-footed defender can play both left-back and left centre-back, and would add plenty of experience at the heart of the Hammers’ defence. He has made 44 appearances this term, for a Feyenoord side who have conceded just 33 top-flight goals.

Another defensive player who West Ham seem like they could be in for this summer is Kyle Walker-Peters. The Southampton man was part of a relegated side this season, but has been an important player for the South Coast side.

A report from journalist Greame Bailey suggests the Hammers are one of the sides trying to sign Walker-Peters on a free transfer this summer. However, they will face competition from his former club, Tottenham Hotspur and South London side Crystal Palace.

Despite the leaky defence at St Mary’s, there is no denying Walker-Peters’ quality. Former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl once said he is an “unbelievably smart footballer”, and compared him to legendary right-back Phillipp Lahm.

The Hammers will certainly need to raise funds to afford the wages of both of these players. There is one obvious candidate who could leave the club to make room in the wage budget.

The defender West Ham must axe this summer

One player who has had no involvement in a Hammers shirt this season is Kurt Zouma. The Frenchman, who hails from Lyon, is currently out on loan at Saudi Arabian side Al-Orobah and has not played for West Ham at all this season.

In fact, the former Chelsea player has not had too much first-team football for his temporary side Al-Orobah, either. He has only featured 16 times in all competitions, with 15 of those games coming in the Saudi Pro League.

At one stage, the centre-back was viewed as a vital cog in the works at the London Stadium. He joined the club in 2021 for £25m after leaving Chelsea, and was described as the club’s “first choice” signing at by former manager David Moyes at the time of his arrival.

The 30-year-old made just over a century of appearances in the famous claret and blue shirt, specifically reaching 103 games for the club. Zouma even skippered the club on 37 occasions and scored six times, including one goal in a 2-1 win away to Luton Town last term.

The Frenchman was also an important figure in the Hammers’ Conference League triumph back in 2022. As per Sofascore, he played seven games in that competition, averaging 2.8 aerial duels won and 1.9 tackles won per game.

Minutes played

68.1

477

Pass accuracy

85.5%

85.5%

Long balls completed

1.7

9

Tackles and interceptions

1.9

10

Aerial duels won

2.8

15

Overall, it does seem as though Zouma’s career has petered out at the London Stadium. His contract will expire in a few weeks’ time, and it seems unlikely to be renewed, given his current loan move to Al Orobah.

Not only will that free up money on the wage budget for the Hammers, but they will also be able to reinvest it into new signings that could include Hancko and Walker-Peters.

It's not Rice: West Ham facing Lampard repeat after losing "serious talent"

West Ham may soon feel the effects of a Frank Lampard repeat…

ByJoe Nuttall May 4, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now set their sights on a “sensational” striker, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, according to a report.

Wolves eyeing new striker with Cunha set for exit

Matheus Cunha has played a key role in steering Wolves clear of relegation this season, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League, but it appears as though the Brazilian’s time at Molineux could be coming to an end this summer.

Manchester United are now working on a deal to sign Cunha “very soon”, with the Red Devils in the process of negotiating the final details of the contract, which indicates Vitor Pereira will now be tasked with bringing in a replacement.

Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy has now emerged as a surprise target, with the 38-year-old set to leave Leicester City this summer, while the Old Gold are also keen on a move for Chelsea’s Joao Felix, who has been told he is free to speak to other clubs.

Wolves have their eye on a number of Premier League strikers, with a report from Caught Offside revealing they have now registered their interest in signing Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer.

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Calvert-Lewin is currently set to leave Everton on a free transfer this summer, with his contract set to come to an end, and a number of Premier League clubs are queuing up for his signature, including West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

There is also a chance the 28-year-old will remain at Goodison Park beyond the end of the season, with the Toffees planning a final round of talks over a contract extension.

Calvert-Lewin could be "sensational" signing for Wolves

It could be a very difficult task to replace Cunha this summer, but there are signs the Everton forward could be a solid signing, given his previous exploits in the Premier League, most notably scoring a combined 29 goals across the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns.

The Englishman has also impressed in more recent memory, with reporter Connor O’Neill praising him for his performance in the Merseyside derby last season.

That said, there should be major concerns over the 28-year-old’s injury record, missing the last 12 Premier League games through a hamstring issue, having suffered with injury problems throughout his career.

However, Calvert-Lewin has proven himself to be a top Premier League striker when fit, so it could be a risk worth taking for Wolves this summer, particularly considering he will be available on a free transfer.

Manchester United are down to the bare bones in attacking areas for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign. Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho are the only natural attacking players left for Ruben Amorim to select from this term, not counting the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, who can play as number 10s.

Joshua Zirkzee picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend against Newcastle United and could miss the rest of the season. Meanwhile, winger Amad has now been out for some time with an ankle injury.

This will surely bear weight in the transfer window, with United needing to add reinforcements in attack to avoid situations where they are thin on the ground in terms of depth. In fact, they have been linked with one player who could do just that.

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

If there is one player who is wanted by a multitude of Premier League clubs during the 2025 summer transfer window, it is Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. Well, United are certainly one of the sides interested in signing him this summer.

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In fact, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Red Devils have had ‘a major breakthrough’ in their pursuit of the England under-21 star. Their sources suggest United’s ‘package is far more solid’ than any other side in pursuit, with the Old Trafford outfit having moved ahead in the race.

The main competitor to Amorim’s side for Delap’s signature is reportedly Chelsea, as well as their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Whichever side wins the race for Delap, they would have to pay just £30m due to a relegation release clause in his contract at Portman Road.

Why Delap would be a good signing

Despite the Tractor Boys’ struggles in the Premier League this term, it has been a season to remember for the former Manchester City academy star Delap. Football statistician Statman Dave believes he is “going straight to the very top”, and there is certainly evidence of that this term.

The 22-year-old has 12 goals and two assists in 31 top-flight appearances this term. That is even more impressive when you consider Kieran McKenna’s side have scored just 33 times in the top flight, with Delap’s 12 an impressive 36% of their goals.

Another thing to note about the England under-21 striker is his ability to score against some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. This season, he scored twice at home in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and also has goals against Spurs and Chelsea.

Should the Red Devils bring Delap to the club this summer, he could prove to be the perfect upgrade on Marcus Rashford. The England international is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where he has an impressive three goals and six assists in 15 games, including this exceptional assist against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Villans boss Unai Emery said it “depends on the circumstances” as to whether he will stay at the club from United. Delap – who has been dubbed a “monster” by teammate Alex Palmer – has enjoyed a more successful campaign in the Premier League than the deadly attacker, who has just five goals and four assists for United and Villa.

So, from a goals and assists point of view, the Ipswich star would arguably improve United’s squad, although Rashford offers lots outside of goal involvements. However, Delap is outscoring Hojlund this term, who has just three top-flight goals.

Not only that, his underlying numbers are better across the board than the United number nine. For example, as per Squawka, he averages 1.2 shots on target and has a 24.49% conversion rate per 90 minutes, compared to Hojlund’s 0.6 shots on target and 17.65% conversion rate each game.

Shots on target

1.2

0.6

Goals

0.5

0.2

Conversion rate

24.49%

17.65%

Chances created

0.8

0.8

Take-ons completed

1.5

0.4

Aerial duels won

2.1

1.2

A deal to sign Delap seems like a perfect move for United. Not only is he cost-efficient, but he is proven in the Premier League and is outperforming some of their biggest stars, including Rashford, when it comes to goals and assists.

This seems like a dream market opportunity for Amorim’s side, who can elevate the squad and make them even more deadly in front of goal.

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