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Arsenal are now battling Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of a Real Madrid star, with both clubs conducting scouting missions.

Gunners battling Tottenham and Newcastle for new attacker

The Gunners made major improvements to their already fearsome attack during the summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swedish striker making an impressive start to life in north London.

Having pushed Liverpool and Manchester City close over the past three seasons, Mikel Arteta’s side clearly have the quality to end their long wait for a Premier League title, and the manager’s tactics are arguably the main thing holding them back.

After the 1-1 draw against Manchester City, Gary Neville criticised Arteta for his cautious approach to the game, saying: “He could have been more attacking at Anfield and he wasn’t and certainly against City from the start he could have been more attacking.”

As such, Arteta adopting a more attacking mindset may be the key to the Gunners winning the league, but there has also now been a suggestion that the manager remains keen on improving his options in forward areas.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are now battling Tottenham and Newcastle for the signature of Real Madrid star Arda Guler, who has emerged as a crucial player since the arrival of Xabi Alonso as manager.

Consequently, the Spanish giants have no desire to cash in on Guler, but that hardline stance hasn’t halted the interest from elsewhere, with the Gunners sending scouts to watch the attacking midfielder in action in La Liga.

With Madrid expressing no interest in selling the 20-year-old, who is focused on his future at the club, it remains to be seen whether a deal is possible, but there is certainly interest on the north Londoners’ behalf.

Journalist shares "surprise" transfer news involving Arsenal and Man City

The Sky Blues and Gunners were some of the summer’s biggest spenders.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 27, 2025 "Exceptional" Guler finding his form in La Liga

After a solid, if not spectacular, first season in Spain, during which the youngster picked up eight La Liga goal contributions, he has really started to find his form this season, picking up three goals and three assists in the opening seven matches.

The Turkey international is particularly adept at setting up chances for his teammates, while he is also an impressive passer of the ball, and strong at winning back possession.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Assists

0.37 (92nd percentile)

Passes attempted

64.58 (99th percentile)

Pass completion %

86.3% (99th percentile)

Tackles

1.99 (93rd percentile)

Jose Mourinho has been left particularly impressed with the £87k-a-week starlet in the past, describing him as “exceptional”, and he clearly has the ability to succeed at the Emirates Stadium, having established himself as a key player for Real Madrid.

That said, it will not be too disappointing if Arsenal miss out, given that they are already blessed with options in attacking midfield, having signed Eze in the summer.

Arsenal secured a phenomenal last-gasp point against Manchester City at the Emirates this afternoon, highlighting the title credentials the Gunners possess.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked set to fall to defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side, but the 93rd-minute strike from Gabriel Martinelli secured a vital point in their hunt for Premier League title glory.

Such a result maintained the club’s unbeaten record in the 2025/26 campaign, but has seen them fall a couple of points behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

However, given the circumstances around the late equaliser, the result will certainly feel like it’s a point gained rather than two dropped – especially after it kept their unbeaten start intact.

Such a result will undoubtedly highlight to Arteta the changes he needs to make going forward, with one player deserving of a recall to the starting eleven in the near future.

Gabriel Martinelli’s heroics against Manchester City

Over the last couple of months, Martinelli has come into huge question for his lack of impact at Arsenal – subsequently leading to the huge investment over the summer.

However, the Brazilian has proved some of his doubters wrong over recent days, producing some impressive displays even before his cameo against Guardiola’s side.

He scored off the bench against Atlético Bilbao on Tuesday night, before doing the same again this afternoon – staking his claim for a regular first-team starting role again.

The 24-year-old only managed five touches of the ball after being brought on for the remaining 10 minutes, but it was his first time finish which was the decisive one.

Martinelli subsequently completed 100% of the passes he attempted and placed 100% of his shots on target, further highlighting the impressive cameo he produced off the bench.

Despite the showing of the Brazilian, one other player failed to deliver at the Emirates, with Arteta needing to take action and drop him from the side in their next outing.

The Arsenal player who needs to be dropped after City

The draw may give reasons to be positive for the weeks ahead, but it can’t gloss over the issues that arose in the early stages – most notably in the first half of the contest.

Arsenal were on the back foot, subsequently going a goal down after Erling Haaland’s strike, but were unable to break down the Citizens, given their low defensive line.

Arteta made a mistake in not starting an attacking midfielder, leaving Eberechi Eze on the substitutes bench and deciding to operate with Mikel Merino alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

He also started with Noni Madueke off the right-hand side once again, but it was an afternoon to forget for the Englishman, as he failed to have the desired impact.

The 23-year-old has been filling the void after Bukayo Saka’s injury, but he was replaced by the aforementioned star at the break upon his return to first-team action.

However, his withdrawal from the contest was certainly warranted, with his underlying figures highlighting how dismal his showing was in North London today.

Madueke only managed 32 touches of the ball, missing a big chance in the process, and often being wasteful with the chances that were presented his way in the final third.

Minutes played

45

Touches

32

Dribbles completed

0/2

Duels lost

100%

Crosses completed

0/5

Pass accuracy

62%

Big chances missed

1

Dribbled past

2

He also failed to complete any of the dribbles he attempted, whilst also losing 100% of the duels he entered – often being dominated by young full-back Nico O’Reilly.

The winger also registered five crosses, but not one of them found a player in red, subsequently achieving a 0% success rate – further showcasing his lack of positive impact.

As a result of his showing, Madueke was handed a measly 6/10 match rating by GOAL’s Sean Walsh – topping off what was a dismal afternoon for the £50m addition.

After such a showing, Arteta needs to drop the attacker from his starting eleven, with Saka needing to come back into the fold after his return from injury.

However, the biggest talking point will be Martinelli after his late goal, with the Brazilian undoubtedly saving the day in what was a pretty lacklustre showing at the Emirates.

Move over Zubimendi: Arsenal have their new Fabregas in £26m "monster"

The incredible superstar in the making looks like one of Arsenal’s best signings in a long time.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 20, 2025

Celtic kicked off their defence of the Scottish Premiership title with a dramatic 1-0 win over St Mirren at Parkhead in their opening match on Sunday evening.

Luke McCowan scored the goal of the game for Brendan Rodgers’ side, as he came off the bench to fire into the bottom corner, via a deflection, from the edge of the box.

The Scottish midfielder saved the Hoops from drawing a blank on the opening day, as they had looked rather blunt at the top end of the pitch in the 86 minutes that preceded his strike.

Adam Idah was selected to start as the centre-forward for the Premiership champions ahead of new signing Shin Yamada and Johnny Kenny, and he failed to justify his inclusion.

Adam Idah's disappointing showing against St Mirren

The Ireland international was provided with a big chance to show the supporters that he has what it takes to be the main number nine for Celtic, but he failed to take it.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Idah had a huge opportunity to open the scoring from close range in the second half and rattled his effort off the past, albeit from a fairly tight angle, whilst the striker failed to score with his other three shots on goal.

The 6 foot 3 forward did with both of his aerial duels, to his credit, but the former Norwich man also lost four of his five duels on the deck and failed to complete his only attempted dribble.

It was a blunt performance from the Irish striker, who may have harmed his chances of keeping his place in the XI, but he was far from the only disappointing performer, as Benjamin Nygren also struggled on his debut.

Why Celtic should drop Benjamin Nygren

Rodgers must ruthlessly drop the Swedish central midfielder for the trip to Aberdeen next Sunday because he was just as bad as Idah against St Mirren.

The left-footed summer signing was picked over Arne Engels in midfield and failed to justify his inclusion, with an awkward-looking showing in the middle of the park.

Nygren appeared to trip over his own feet a few too many times, with Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton describing a few of his touches as “dreadful” during commentary.

Like Idah, the 24-year-old attacker also fired a shot against the post, although his was via a save from Shamal George, and had two shots on target without scoring.

Minutes

78

Big chances created

0

Shots on target

2

Accurate crosses

1/8

Successful dribbles

0/1

Ground duels won

1/5

Aerial duels won

1/4

As you can see in the table above, Nygren was too much of a lightweight in midfield for Celtic, as he lost 77% of his overall duels, whilst Idah, at least, was dominant aerially.

This shows that he was just as bad as the Irish forward because he was even worse in duels and only came slightly closer to scoring than the striker with his shot that was saved.

Hoops supporters also may not want to see too many more corners from the Sweden international, as he only completed one of his eight attempted crosses from set-pieces and open play combined.

Nygren may just need some time to settle in and adapt to Glasgow and Scottish football before Celtic fans can see the best of him on the pitch, which is why it may be best for Rodgers to place him on the bench for the time being.

Engels delivered ten goals and 13 assists in his debut campaign in Scotland, and McCowan won the game with his strike off the bench on Sunday. They are both suitable options to come in and replace Nygren as a starter for the trip to Aberdeen next weekend.

Celtic can finally replace Kyogo in swoop for "unplayable" £150k-p/w PL gem

Brendan Rodgers can finally replace Kyogo Furuhashi with an ambitious Celtic swoop for this Premier League forward.

2 ByDan Emery Aug 3, 2025

Chelsea have been given a Champions League ultimatum after reaching an agreement with UEFA over their high-profile fine last week, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea "machine" set to leave permanently with Madueke

The west Londoners have parted company.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2025

Enzo Maresca is currently preparing his side for a crunch Club World Cup final clash against European champions PSG on Sunday, and winning the tournament against all odds would bank the club a further £7.5 million.

They’ve already garnered around £80 million from reaching the final and winning five out of their six matches at the CWC, giving BlueCo a major boost when it comes to avoiding the PSR threshold, but it is worth noting that they haven’t been quite so lucky with UEFA’s different FFP rules.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Chelsea were fined a total of £26.7 million by UEFA for breaching their financial laws, and could be slapped with a further £51.2 million if they fail to comply with regulations over the next four years (BBC).

The Blues could even be prevented from registering new players for the Champions League next season as a result (BBC), and they’ll need to have a “positive transfer balance” by the end of this summer transfer window to avoid this outcome.

As a result, player sales will be vital at Stamford Bridge over the coming weeks, and it is no surprise that we’re now seeing a plethora of high-profile exit deals taking place.

Noni Madueke is completing his move to Arsenal in a deal worth around £50 million, while it is also believed that goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is joining Bournemouth for £25 million, following the confirmed departures of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys and Marcus Bettinelli previously.

Sharing further light on the situation, Solhekol has lifted the lid on a pact between UEFA and Chelsea.

Chelsea given Champions League ultimatum after UEFA deal

Speaking on Sky Sports, the journalist claims that Chelsea have reached an agreement with UEFA to sell players and balance their books – or they will indeed face the threat of not being able to register new players for their Champions League squad.

“I think it’s a bit of a complicated situation regarding Madueke because he’s played well for Chelsea since they signed him two-and-a-half years ago from PSV for £29m. But it’s been well documented that Chelsea have spent a lot of money in the transfer window already this summer, and they need to balance their books,” said Solhekol.

“Last week they came to an agreement with UEFA that basically said that if they want to register new players for the Champions League next season, they have to make sure that their transfer spend this season is balanced out this summer by the players they sell as well.

“So they’ve signed players like Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. That means they also have to sell players.”

Other players who could depart Cobham in the coming weeks are Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka, who all appear to be out of Maresca’s long-term plans.

Mathis Amougou is closing in on a permanent move to sister club Strasbourg too, and the same can be said of teenage left-back Ishe Samuels-Smith, who was spotted at the Ligue 1 side’s training ground earlier this week (L’Équipe).

40 days on from that heartbreaking Scottish Cup Final defeat to Aberdeen on penalties, Celtic are, almost, back in action.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will begin pre-season by facing Glasgow neighbours Queen’s Park at Lesser Hampden on Friday night, before travelling across the Irish Sea to take on Cork City at Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Tuesday.

Off the pitch, the Hoops continue to be busy in the transfer market, so could another signing be on the way?

Celtic targeting a new midfielder

So far this summer, the Hoops have made four signings. Kieran Tierney is back, the returning hero re-joining the club six years after departing for Arsenal.

Winger Benjamin Nygren has arrived from Nordsjælland for a reported fee of £1.3m, young striker Callum Osmand has come in from Fulham, while Ross Doohan will be the new third-choice goalkeeper.

Now, according to a report by Neil Goulding of Sports Boom, Celtic have ‘joined the race’ to sign Tyler Morton from Liverpool and are currently readying a bid.

They claim that the 22-year-old is valued at around £15m, a price tag that would eclipse the Hoops’ club-record £11m capture of Arne Engels. West Ham, Ajax, Braga and Club Brugge have also ‘already expressed their interest’.

Transfer Focus

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

Morton has been with Liverpool since the age of seven, making his senior debut in the EFL Cup against Norwich back in September 2021.

To date, he has accumulated just 14 appearances for the Reds, totalling 806 minutes, just 261 minutes of which came last season, his only starts coming against Brighton and Southampton, both in the Carabao Cup.

Morton has previously been loaned out to both Blackburn Rovers and Hull City, making 46 and 41 appearances for those two clubs respectively, but after starring at the under-21 European Championships, which England won, he could be ready for a permanent switch away from Anfield, with a report by the Times stating he is ‘eager for regular’ first team action.

How would Tyler Morton improve Celtic

Despite having only ever seen limited action, Morton’s performances have earned rave reviews.

Then-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp labelled him a “brilliant footballer”, adding that he possesses an “outstanding” football brain. Analyst Ben Mattinson also believes he is the “complete midfielder”.

Meantime, Barry Cooper of Hull Live praised his ‘willingness to take the ball under pressure’, asserting that he was ‘impressive throughout’ his campaign on loan at the Tigers, forecasting he’ll go to the very top.

Morton started the U21 Euros quarter-final victory over Spain, before seeing 76 minutes of action off the bench in the final victory over Germany, his stunning cross teeing up Jonathan Rowe’s extra time winner at the Národný futbalový štadión.

Should he make the move to Celtic, the aforementioned Engels would be amongst the midfielders Morton would be aiming to usurp in the pecking order, with the chance there for the £15m man to follow in the Belgian’s footsteps as an exciting, albeit expensive, midfield capture.

Appearances

41

52

Minutes

3,020

3,310

Goals

3

10

Assists

5

13

All statistics below are per 90

Attempted passes

59.1

56.6

Forward passes

13.2

14.4

Pass completion %

88.5%

84.7%

Chances created

1.4

2.5

Shot-creating actions

3.06

2.91

Duels contested

7.2

7.6

Ground duel success %

45%

49%

Tackles

1.7

1.1

Interceptions

0.8

0.2

Ball recoveries

4.9

3.5

Touches per 90

73.4

78.8

As the table outlines, Engels is more of a goal threat, hence why his rudimentary goals and assists statistics are significantly higher, while the Belgian also created more chances and accumulated more touches on a per 90 basis.

However, more broadly, Morton’s statistics are comparable to those of Engels, completing a higher percentage of his passes, while registering more tackles, interceptions and ball recoveries too.

So, what is clear is that, stylistically, the pair are very different but, still only 22 years old, with a miserly 101 senior appearances to his name, Morton has plenty of room for improvement – much like the 21-year-old Engels.

It'd be Ryan Christie 2.0: Euro club open talks to sign £2m Celtic ace

A European team are interested in a deal to sign a star from Celtic this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 3, 2025

A “brilliant” Rangers player has been linked with a move away from Ibrox this summer, and the Scottish Premiership giants could even lose him on the cheap.

Rangers exit rumours ahead of Champions League qualifier

The Russell Martin era is now officially underway at Ibrox, with the Englishman’s first task as Gers boss being a Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos at the end of July.

While the new Rangers boss will no doubt be eyeing some new signings who can suit his style of play, some current players could move on this summer, including Gers star Cyriel Dessers.

A report on Sunday even claimed that the 30-year-old attacker could seal a move to Greek side AEK Athens in the space of 48 hours, so he may depart Ibrox imminently, following two years at the club.

Meanwhile, it looks as though Rangers centre-back Robin Propper could also be on his way out of the club, with talks planned with Martin about his future after a disappointing stint. Captain James Tavernier’s legendary spell with the Gers could also reach its conclusion, so it may be all change, and now another exit claim has emerged regarding a different player.

£20m Rangers star wanted by two clubs

According to TEAMtalk, Rangers are now “at risk” of losing Hamza Igamane this summer, amid interest from Ligue 1 side Marseille and Serie A outfit Lazio. In fact, it says that Marseille have now made a new approach to sign the forward over the coming months, which has “rocked” Rangers.

Worryingly, it is claimed that while the Gers have “set a £20m asking price” for the services of the 22-year-old, “this figure could potentially be negotiated”, suggesting that he may depart on the cheap.

Igamane enjoyed such an impressive first season in a Rangers shirt in 2024/25, scoring 15 goals in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League combined, so to lose him so soon would be an undoubted setback for Martin.

The Moroccan has had so many good moments, but a lethal late strike away to bitter rivals Celtic late in the campaign, securing a 3-2 win in the process, endeared him to Gers supporters even more than before.

Meanwhile, pundit Derek Ferguson was full of praise for the impact he made, saying: “Igamane is a real breath of fresh air, the young man. The manager said he was trying to get him up to speed, but in the last few games he has been nothing short of brilliant. He is off the cuff and he had three or four nutmegs this afternoon – and took his goal brilliantly. I don’t know if you remember Ted McMinn, but Igamane’s got that unpredictability.”

A Colak repeat: Club now pushing to sign Rangers star in the next 48 hours

Rangers could repeat their Antonio Colak masterstroke by selling this star this summer.

ByDan Emery Jun 23, 2025

It is understandable why Igamane’s head may be turned by Marseille or Lazio, seeing as they are big clubs in their own right, but the hope is that Martin can persuade him to stay at Rangers, talking up the club’s future under him and promising to make him a massive part of his plans.

Bayern Munich are now believed to be open to selling a Manchester United-linked player in the summer transfer window for £30m, according to a new update.

Man Utd eyeing Gyokeres alternative

The Red Devils and Ruben Amorim are badly in need of a new striker ahead of next season, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both flattering to deceive leading the attack, particularly the former.

While Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has been a leading option to come in at United this summer, Juventus attacker Dusan Vlahovic has now been mentioned as an alternative option. The Serb has scored 56 goals in 143 appearances for his current club, and could add much-needed quality in the final third.

While a striker is important for the Red Devils, a new goalkeeper is arguably just as key, following some unconvincing performances from Andre Onana in 2024/25. Porto and Portugal ace Diogo Costa has been mentioned as an option, along with Emiliano Martinez.

On the flip side, there are plenty of current United players who could move on this summer, including Jadon Sancho, with the winger potentially heading to Juve, with the Premier League giants entering talks with the Serie A side.

Bayern Munich ready to sell "monster" Amorim target

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Bayern are now “open” to the idea of selling Manchester United target Joao Palhinha this summer. Amorim ‘is keen to include Palhinha in his wider squad plans’ as he will add ‘to add physicality and experience’ to the midfield.

The Bundesliga champions will demand just £30m for the Portuguese’s signature, following his first season there after joining from Fulham last summer in a deal worth more than £40m.

There are some positives to United signing Palhinha ahead of next season, even though he hasn’t exactly enhanced his reputation in a Bayern shirt.

Appearances

17

Starts

6

Minutes played

667

Tackles per game

1.2

Aerial duel wins per game

1.2

Fouls per game

0.8

Pass completion rate

92.9%

Goal

0

Assists

0

A dominant midfielder who is renowned for his tackling ability and has plenty of Premier League experience, he could represent a younger alternative to Casemiro, having been lauded as “monster” by analyst Marcus Bring in the past.

That said, Palhinha does turn 30 years of age next month, so he may not represent a long-term solution, which is arguably an approach that United need to put a stop to.

Too often in the past, the Red Devils have signed ageing players for big money, from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Edinson Cavani, only to see them arguably fail to back up the hype. For that reason, United should possibly look for a younger option, despite his obvious qualities, in order to build for the future and sign players who can mature into a key starter.

Man Utd come blistering into race to hijack Arsenal deal to sign £20m star

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ByTom Cunningham Jun 22, 2025

That’s not to say that Palhinha couldn’t still be effective for a few years, however, and he could add important depth to Amorim’s squad.

Sunderland are on the hunt for Premier League-level reinforcements and have entered the race for a prolific striker from one of Europe’s top five leagues, according to a report.

Sunderland set out stall to consolidate in the Premier League

Beating the drop will be the immediate priority for Regis Le Bris on Wearside, who will have to plan for life without duo Tommy Watson and Jobe Bellingham following their moves to Brighton & Hove Albion and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.

Despite receiving criticism, Kristjaan Speakman has explained that playoff final hero Watson’s departure being public was to promote transparency with supporters following the club’s decision to speak openly about his move to the South Coast.

Why is this relevant? Well, it could be a sign of things to come moving forward, which will hopefully lead to news surrounding incomings sooner rather than later.

Sunderland now want "exceptional" £37k-p/w star who could cost £30 million

The Black Cats are probing on the market.

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 13, 2025

Ishe Samuels-Smith is said to be on the Black Cats’ radar following his rise to prominence in Chelsea’s youth ranks. Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers star Tommy Doyle could also pitch up in the North East, circumstances permitting.

Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga has a £1.2 million release clause Sunderland are keen to take up. Nevertheless, recent reports suggest Le Bris may be looking to add to his pool of offensive options rather than prioritising a move for a defender.

Sunderland eyeing move for Sassuolo star Armand Lauriente

According to AS Roma Live, Sunderland are in the race to sign Sassuolo striker Armand Lauriente, and it would cost around £17 million to bring the 26-year-old to Tyneside.

Roma, Bologna, Fiorentina and Marseille are also interested in the former France Under-21 international, who will find himself playing Serie A football once again next season after his side claimed the Serie B title.

Armand Lauriente in 2024/25 – Serie B (Fotmob)

Shots

81

Shots on target

43

Successful dribbles

31

Chances created

37

Touches in opposition box

152

Labelled “amazing” by Jacek Kulig, Lauriente registered 19 goals and six assists in 34 appearances across all competitions and is now regarded as a hot property across Europe.

Intriguingly, the versatile forward has previously worked with Le Bris at Lorient, which may explain why the Black Cats have come to the table despite stiff competition from elsewhere.

The Premier League is the toughest in the world to crack, especially as a newly-promoted side, so it is interesting to see Sunderland set the bar high in their search for attacking potency.

Now, it remains to be seen whether they can tempt Lauriente with the prospect of starring for a returning force in the top-flight.

From Xavi and Andres Iniesta to modern greats like Kevin De Bruyne and rising stars such as Jude Bellingham, the debate over just who takes the midfield crown has been rumbling on for quite some time.

In many ways, the question is what do you want to see from a midfielder? If you require technical excellence, then look no further than those Spanish superstars and the likes of Zinedine Zidane. They have often been the jewels in football’s crown no matter the occasion.

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Pedri

22

Barcelona

Spain

2

Jude Bellingham

21

Real Madrid

England

3

Rodri

28

Man City

Spain

4

Declan Rice

26

Arsenal

England

5

Florian Wirtz

21

Bayer Leverkusen

Germany

6

Ryan Gravenberch

22

Liverpool

Netherlands

7

Jamal Musiala

22

Bayern Munich

Germany

8

Martin Odegaard

26

Arsenal

Norway

9

Oihan Sancet

24

Athletic Club

Spain

10

Federico Valverde

26

Real Madrid

Uruguay

11

Dominik Szoboszlai

24

Liverpool

Hungary

12

Xavi Simons

22

RB Leipzig

Netherlands

13

Nicolo Barella

28

Inter

Italy

14

Kevin De Bruyne

31

Man City

Belgium

15

Luka Modric

39

Real Madrid

Croatia

But sometimes beauty is in the long-range strikes, the ruthless tackles and the workhorse engines. And if that is the case, then the attention should drift towards stars such as Manchester United’s Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

If it’s simply a matter of honours on the table, then it would be Barcelona and Real Madrid who shine brightest, as La Liga’s two mega clubs have dominated the European scene while several of their biggest names thrive on the international stage.

Best midfielders of all time in pictures

Then there is the measure of iconic moments to remember. Steven Gerrard in Istanbul, Modric taking the Ballon d’Or crown and Iniesta’s World Cup winning goal – the list could quite easily go on.

Perhaps the best measure of all-round talent however is the verdicts from those who played with the greats, and Spain legend and superstar goalscorer Fernando Torres believes there is only one answer.

Torres says Gerrard is the best player he ever played with

Torres is perhaps one of the best placed figures in football to judge greatness, having starred for Spain’s dominant international side that won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, either side of the World Cup in 2010.

And the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker, who spent four seasons on Merseyside with Gerrard, revealed the Liverpool captain was even better than his Spain teammates.

From his very first Liverpool game, Torres and Gerrard’s partnership blossomed into one of the most clinical that Anfield has ever seen. The Spaniard was quick and deadly in front of goal and Gerrard was as precise as it gets behind him to form the perfect duo.

2007/08

8

2008/09

2

2009/10

1

2010/11

2

Assisting 13 of Torres’ 81 Liverpool goals, Gerrard’s partnership with the Spaniard was particularly strong during his debut season. It’s then that the forward may have realised just how talented his captain was, perhaps reaching the conclusion then and there that he would never play with better.

Torres played with Frank Lampard – in what is a debate for another day – as well as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and others. Yet, even without a Premier League medal to his name, El Nino still believes that Gerrard is the best midfielder that he’s ever seen.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Liverpool star as the best player in England and as good as Keane

This could settle the debate once and for all…

3 ByBen Goodwin May 17, 2025

Manchester United have endured the worst Premier League season in their history, finishing in 15th place and registering just 42 points – the lowest tally in such a division.

Ruben Amorim was appointed back in November, but has so far been unable to turnaround their fortunes, losing 17 of his 42 matches since taking the reins.

He’s only had one window to make his own mark on the first-team squad at Old Trafford, with Patrick Dorgu his only major investment to date – costing £30m from Italian side Lecce.

However, the 40-year-old will want to part ways with numerous players already on the books, enabling him to have the freedom and funds to make the changes he desires.

With the transfer window just around the corner, numerous players have already been linked with moves to join the Red Devils, potentially using any funds generated from multiple potential sales.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of weeks, Liam Delap has been United’s number one target for the centre-forward position as the hierarchy look to provide Amorim with the ammunition he needs.

However, it appears as though the manager is set to miss out on a deal for the 22-year-old, after it was confirmed that he prefers a move to fellow English side Chelsea this summer.

Delap isn’t the only English star touted with a move to Old Trafford this summer, with Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze on their radar, according to American outlet ESPN.

Their report claims that the hierarchy have been looking at a potential deal for the 26-year-old attacking midfielder, who’s registered a total of 16 combined goals and assists in the Premier League this season.

It also states that it’s unclear whether the board can afford him unless they sell players currently at the club, with the Palace star currently boasting a £68m release clause in his contract.

Why United’s £68m target could be the perfect Bruno replacement

Over the last couple of days, club captain Bruno Fernandes has been largely touted with a move away from United, with Saudi Arabian clubs circling for his signature this summer.

The 30-year-old has been the shining light in the squad this season, registering 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions – helping the side reach the Europa League final.

The Portuguese international stated he wanted to stay at Old Trafford despite the defeat, but given the rumoured £700k-per-week contract on the table from Saudi, it would be a huge offer to turn down for the midfielder.

There’s no denying that it would be a huge loss, with it unthinkable where the club would be right now if it wasn’t for his key contributions within the final third.

However, given his age, it may prove to be the final time they can command such a fee for his services, potentially cashing in on him and using the funds to pursue a move for Eze.

When comparing their respective figures from the recent campaign, the Eagles star has matched or bettered Fernandes in multiple key areas, highlighting his ability to step up to the plate if needed.

Eze, who’s been labelled “sensational” by content creator Ollie Thomas, may have registered slightly fewer combined goals and assists, but has registered more shots on target – showcasing his impressive ability in such an area when having the chance to advance.

Games played

34

36

Goals & assists

16

18

Shots on target per 90

1

0.7

Progressive carries

2.4

2.3

Pass accuracy

76%

76%

% of tackles won

47%

40%

Take-on success

49%

41%

Fouls won

1.8

1.1

He’s also completed the same percentage of passes he’s attempted, whilst also completing more take-ons, thriving in chance creation with the ball at his feet.

The England international has also won more of the tackles he’s entered, handing Amorim the option to utilise him in a deeper-lying role should he need to in 2025/26.

Offloading Bruno would be a huge blow and something which would anger a lot of supporters – especially considering his impressive record at Old Trafford since his arrival back in 2020.

However, Eze would be a superb addition, with his stats showcasing that he’s capable of surpassing the level produced by the 30-year-old with the Red Devils – allowing for a new lease of life after such a dismal season.

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Man Utd may need to find a suitable replacement for Bruno Fernandes this summer

2 ByRobbie Walls May 28, 2025