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The external noise around Liverpool’s decision to sign both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak this summer is curious, to say the least.

Already the volume has been cranked up as rivals look to pounce on any slight sense of a puncture to the harmony of Arne Slot’s squad, with both strikers billed as being among the best in the Premier League and indeed across Europe.

Ekitike is the understudy, but the French forward has scored five goals and laid on an assist across his first eight matches in a Liverpool shirt, starting six times.

He arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for a hefty £69m fee, but that figure is minnowed by the record-breaking signing of Isak from Newcastle United, who, pre-season-less, has only started twice so far, scoring his first in the Carabao Cup against Southampton on Tuesday evening.

They are both in contention to take the talismanic berth from Mohamed Salah in the coming years, but then the Egyptian King hasn’t hung up his Liverpool laces just yet, and still wears the crown.

Salah's Liverpool future

In April, Salah extended his Liverpool contract, which now runs until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. In the months leading up to the joyous renewal, many thought he would leave on a free, and Virgil van Dijk too.

But Salah stays, having scored 34 goals and supplied 23 assists across all competitions last season, winning the full gamut of individual accolades and lifting the Premier League title for the second time in a Liverpool shirt.

It’s been a somewhat slow start to the season for the right winger, with his ageing legs being considered by some as a reason behind the ostensible decline.

Decline? Salah has scored three goals and provided three assists across seven matches so far this season, and he now carries less responsibility on his shoulders, with Ekitike and Isak jostling for a place in the starting line-up and thus

Even as he embraces his veteran status, Salah remains a valuable commodity on the transfer front. Indeed, according to Transfermarkt, he is still worth £44m.

Isak and Ekitike, young and rising superstars, dwarf him, but there’s another forward in Liverpool’s squad whose market price has shot up in recent times, and he’s an underrated gem for Slot, no doubt about it.

Liverpool's underrated forward

Liverpool are a team of many parts, with Slot and Richard Hughes clearly focusing on establishing greater strength in depth, so as to not only defend the Premier League title claimed last year but also challenge for the various prizes dotted about other forks in the road.

There has been plenty of talk about Ekitike playing off the left, allowing both him and Isak to work together. The former is a central striker, but his athleticism and pace lend themselves to such a role, should he be required. According to FBref, Ekitike ranks among the top 7% of strikers across Europe for progressive carries and the top 15% for shot-creating actions per 90.

But Liverpool, of course, have another who is more than competent on the left wing. In January 2023, Liverpool signed Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £35m fee.

Gakpo, 26, has chalked up 135 appearances since signing for Liverpool, scoring 42 goals and supplying 19 assists. His first term under Slot’s wing was indisputably his most productive, having posted 18 goals and seven assists across all competitions en route to the title.

And this while flitting in and out of the starting line-up. Gakpo ranked among the top 5% of positional peers in the Premier League last year for goals scored per 90.

He hasn’t started the campaign as prolifically as he might have liked, especially after notching a goal and two assists from his opening two games, blanking thereafter, but the Dutchman remains a real threat, so settled into his left-sided role for Slot.

Cody Gakpo in the Premier League

Season

Apps

Goals (assists)

25/26

5

1 (2)

24/25

35

10 (4)

23/24

35

8 (5)

22/23

21

7 (2)

Data via Sofascore

But the underlying data from his showings thus far says much of his form, creating two chances and winning 7.2 duels per game.

He might not have Salah’s potency, nor the same degree of output as Isak or Ekitike, but Gakpo offers so much to this Liverpool side, with pundit Peter Crouch even remarking last season that he had “gone up a level” since Jurgen Klopp was replaced by Slot.

It’s hardly a surprise that the £35m fee paid now looks an absolute bargain, with Gakpo recorded to boast a market price of £61m.

Whether Liverpool would actually entertain the Netherlands star’s sale for a figure so comparatively low is up for debate, but it’s certain that he would not leave for a lesser figure.

It’s worth noting that Gakpo, praised by Klopp for his “special” qualities, is of an age akin to Salah’s when the experienced superstar first alighted on Merseyside. He still has so much room for growth, and that £61m price tag is hardly a fixed point as he enters his prime.

Liverpool fans are excited for the present, but Liverpool have built a team capable of challenging in the future too. Rio Ngumoha is a testament to that, the teenage winger billed as a prodigy.

However, ousting Gakpo from his berth will take some doing, and the Dutch talent will continue to thrive in a high-flying Liverpool side over the coming years, an unsung hero.

Related Now worth more than Guehi: Liverpool lost "superstar” for less than Quansah

Liverpool must regret parting ways with this iconic Jurgen Klopp talent.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 26, 2025

Tottenham’s transfer business for 2025 has officially concluded following one of the most dramatic and memorable summer windows on-lookers have ever seen, with Spurs enjoying a solid one themselves.

Despite their failure to bring in a natural left-winger and centre-back for manager Thomas Frank, which were two key items on their to-do list (Sky Sports), a recruitment team stocked with Daniel Levy, CEO Vinai Vinkatesham, technical director Johan Lange and unofficial advisor Fabio Paratici did work some magic.

Mohammed Kudus

£55 million

Kota Takai

£5 million

Mathys Tel

£30 million

Joao Palhinha

Loan

Kevin Danso

£21 million

Xavi Simons

£52 million

Randal Kolo Muani

Loan

Following their infamously botched deals for Morgan Gibbs-White -who reportedly phoned Frank to apologise for his U-turn over joining Spurs – and Eberechi Eze, Spurs finally managed to get a replacement for the injured James Maddison by signing Xavi Simons in a £52 million deal from RB Leipzig.

It was all happening in N17 during the final days, with an ankle injury to striker Dominic Solanke also partly forcing Frank’s side into a late temporary deal for long-time target Randal Kolo Muani.

Tottenham were actively pursuing the PSG-owned forward in January, only to back out and see Juventus win the race for his signature instead.

The France international really impressed for Juve, bagging 10 goals and three assists in all competitions, and while Igor Tudor wanted him back in Serie A, they couldn’t agree to re-sign him despite lengthy summer talks.

Instead, Spurs tempted Kolo Muani with a move to the Premier League, and Frank is set to benefit from the introduction of a centre-forward who can play in multiple areas with a proven scoring record. Interestingly, the 26-year-old was also a player who ex-manager Ange Postecoglou pushed for in the winter (Paul O’Keefe), and it’s not hard to see why.

His best-ever season to date in 2022/2023 saw the attacker rack up a brilliant 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, with Kolo Muani also making his mark for France on the international stage.

Semi-final goals against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and Spain in Euro 2024 showcase partly why Didier Deschamps has kept faith in Kolo Muani, even amidst a lack of game time at PSG, and Tottenham are in dire need of him now that reports suggest Solanke could be out for even longer than anticipated.

Kolo Muani’s arrival could end up being crucial with the influx of matches awaiting Spurs after this international break, leaving little wonder Levy and co were clamoring to get him through the door.

Tottenham agreed "un-Spurs like" Randal Kolo Muani deal condition

Giving his take on the deal, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold says that Tottenham agreed an ‘un-Spurs like’ condition to sign Kolo Muani from PSG.

Namely, Gold states that the lack of any buy option in this move is something quite out of the ordinary for them, and some might suggest that it highlights their “desperation” to bring in another new attacker (football.london).

Without the inclusion of an obligation or option to buy, if Kolo Muani’s move proves a success, then Levy will need to return to the negotiating table with PSG – by which point they’d be able to command a loftier price tag.

They’ll also face competition from other elite sides on the look-out for a proven striker, so Tottenham face the prospect of this being Kolo Muani’s only season in north London, regardless of how well he performs.

It’s certainly out of Tottenham’s character not to take the future into account, but Frank’s need for attacking reinforcements was pressing, and it perhaps indicates Levy’s increasing willingness to compete after the Lilywhites tasted Europa League glory in May.

Everton supporters will be excited about the Premier League season ahead as top-flight football finally comes to the Toffees’ new home in the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

They will have to wait that little bit longer for the action to start on their home patch, however, as Elland Road will be the first ground ticked off this season when David Moyes’ men face off against the stern prospect of a newly promoted Leeds United side.

Brand new recruit Adam Aznou could well have the privilege of making his Premier League debut for the Merseyside outfit in West Yorkshire, with more new signings surely in the pipeline to join the up-and-coming defender, before September’s abrupt cut-off.

Everton pushing to sign free agent star

The Toffees are four signings down this summer already, with promising French attacker Thierno Barry the pick of the bunch for a sturdy £27m.

However, Moyes and Co. are likely to push on with more fresh additions, with Douglas Luiz one high-profile name on their radar to boost their options in central midfield.

Everton aren’t just looking at the ex-Aston Villa star in isolation to bolster their numbers centrally, however, with GIVEMESPORT revealing that Josh Brownhill is also on their agenda.

Indeed, that exclusive report from GIVEMESPORT has highlighted that both Leeds and Everton are locked into a tussle to win the free agent’s services, after the skilful Englishman allowed his Burnley contract to run down.

However, it could be a tall order to win the former Clarets captain’s services, owing to a further development that Toronto FC have offered a bumper £100k-per-week deal to the 29-year-old.

Still, the report states that Everton are pushing to try and convince Brownhill to remain put on English shores, with the potential here for the Manchester-born midfielder to become Moyes’ next Leon Osman in offering plenty of goals and assists in key moments.

How Brownhill could become Moyes' next Osman

After all, much like Brownhill would arrive on the scene for nothing, Osman cost Everton zilch when he emerged up the Merseyside ranks as a homegrown gem.

Amazingly, by the close of his long-winded Everton journey, Osman would have 58 goals and 36 assists next to his name from 433 appearances, with his output not letting up right until his retirement in 2016.

Osman’s numbers for Everton vs Brownhill’s career numbers
Stat	Osman	Brownhill
Games played	433	462
Goals scored	58	58
Assists	36	40
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Indeed, just three years before hanging up his boots, Osman – who was donning the Toffees armband on the day – would rifle home a stunning effort against eventual title-winners Manchester City.

Brownhill provided a similar class to proceedings at Turf Moor last season when helping Scott Parker’s men clinch a triumphant promotion back up to the Premier League, as seen in him collecting a mammoth 18 goals and six assists across 42 second-tier outings.

It will just be up to the experienced midfielder to translate this blistering Burnley form to the top-flight, but there are promising signs already that he can perform at the daunting level.

From 111 appearances so far in the difficult division, the “brilliant” midfielder – as he was glowingly labelled by Parker – has six goals and six assists next to his name, with lots more hopefully heading his way when surrounded by better quality teammates at Everton, over consistent relegation dog-fights hitting him in the face.

The hope will just be that Brownhill can be that new Osman-like spark for Moyes to rely upon, having also once been dubbed a “crucial” part of the Turf Moor jigsaw under ex-Burnley boss Vincent Kompany.

Toronto’s excessive offer might well make this deal tricky to pull off, but the 29-year-old could favour a move to Merseyside over an MLS switch, knowing he could be as loved as Osman down the line.

Everton enter race to sign "gifted" £30m+ McAtee alternative for Moyes

He’s a wanted man…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 2, 2025

Arsenal play their final game of pre-season against Athletic Bilbao this afternoon, and it’d be fair to say the mood around the team is mixed.

On the one hand, Andrea Berta and Co have made several impressive signings to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad, like Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.

However, on the other hand, the team have lost their last two games and the attack, especially on the left, has not looked great.

Fortunately, the transfer window is open for a few more weeks, and, unsurprisingly, the Gunners continue to be linked with players who could help level up the attack, such as Rodrygo.

However, if reports are to be believed, Arsenal are now looking at an alternative to the Brazilian, someone who’d be an even better signing, and no, it’s not Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal target Rodrygo upgrade

Arsenal have been linked with Rodrygo for what feels like months now, with some of the first reports emerging as far back as April and May before then quieting down again last month.

Transfer Focus

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

However, the Real Madrid star was once again touted for a move to the Emirates earlier this week, with some reports claiming that he might be available on a loan with an obligation to buy, while others repeated the £86m price tag from earlier this summer.

Regardless of the structure of the potential deal, there is no doubt that Rodrygo would be a massively exciting transfer, although it now looks like the Gunners are looking at another international, someone who’d be an even better signing.

At least that is according to a recent report from the Sun, which claims Arsenal have maintained their interest in Ademola Lookman.

The report has revealed that the Nigerian star is still on the North Londoners’ list of targets, and that, so far, Inter Milan have not been successful in their pursuit of the player.

In better, even better news, the report claims that an offer of £45m would be enough to tempt Atalanta into selling, which for a player of Lookman’s quality would be a brilliant deal.

Why Lookman would be a better signing than Rodrygo

It should go without saying that Rodrygo is a supremely gifted player and would be an excellent signing for Arsenal, but even so, there are a few reasons that mean Lookman would be an even better one this summer.

The first, and undoubtedly the most crucial, is the simple fact that, over the last three seasons, the Nigerian “superstar,” as dubbed by 90min’s Sean Walsh, has been the more effective attacker.

For example, since moving to the Serie A side in August 2022, he has scored a brilliant 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances, totalling 7538 minutes.

That means the former Everton flop has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes on the continent, which is frankly outstanding.

In contrast, the Real star has scored 50 goals and provided 31 assists in 162 appearances, totalling 11012 minutes, across the same period, which comes out to a great, but still less impressive average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 135.95 minutes.

Appearances

33

57

Minutes

1858′

3853′

Goals

15

19

Assists

8

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.52

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

128.43′

Appearances

45

51

Minutes

2809′

3707′

Goals

17

17

Assists

10

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.60

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

104.03′

142.57′

Appearances

40

54

Minutes

2871′

3452′

Goals

20

14

Assists

7

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.67

0.46

Minutes per Goal Involvement

106.33

138.08′

The following reason is quite difficult to quantify, and may even be outright refuted by some fans.

Still, as the Atalanta star would be moving up to a Champions League side and the Los Blancos ace leaving arguably the biggest club in world football, there is always the possibility that the former will have far more drive to push the Gunners forward than the latter.

Finally, there is the overall cost of the two deals.

If the reports are accurate, then there is a chance the former Santos gem could cost up to £43m more than the former RB Leipzig star, and then when it comes to wages, the 24-year-old supposedly makes £349k-per-week including bonuses, while the 27-year-old makes just £38k-per-week.

Ultimately, Rodrygo would be an excellent signing, but from output, to the motivation and the potential cost of the deals, it seems clear to us that Lookman would be a better signing for Arsenal.

Arsenal can get Gyokeres firing by signing "unstoppable" £100m "machine"

The incredible talent would be an unreal signing for Arsenal and the Swede.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 7, 2025

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the tournament is waiting to be greenlit by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi

Danyal Rasool19-Oct-2024There is no clarity on when the 2024-25 season of the Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy will start despite Pakistan’s bumper international Test season being well underway. A schedule tentatively put out by the PCB in August had Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament beginning on October 20, but the day before that date, the fate of the tournament remains uncertain.While the dates for all domestic competitions announced by the PCB in August were tentative and subject to change, a PCB official told ESPNcricinfo as recently as last month that the QeA was set to keep to its October 20 plan. ESPNcricinfo understands that no one, even those in charge of domestic affairs at the PCB, knows when the tournament schedule will eventually be announced.ESPNcricinfo has learned that the tournament is waiting to be greenlit by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.The PCB declined to comment on what holds the approval back at this stage, though budgetary approval operationally comes from the chairman, and is understood to be one of the factors in the delay. Even so, the lack of information about the QeA is in stark contrast to the fanfare with which the Champions One-Day Cup, which was held in September, was marked by the board.The decision to host that one-day tournament in September, in Pakistan’s only meaningfully free window until May, was significant because it meant players wouldn’t be able to get domestic red-ball cricket under their belts ahead of England’s ongoing three-Test tour in October. Members of the national Test set-up were understood to have privately expressed frustration with the situation, though there was an acceptance that the schedule was out of their control.The QeA has never quite managed to keep to a schedule or format, but no information about its start this late into a season is unprecedented of late. In each but two of the last 15 years has the tournament started later than October 26, with the schedule usually out well before October. Each of the last two seasons saw it begin in September; the tournament last year began on September 10, and was wrapped up by October 26.The situation is even more jarring in a season where Pakistan are scheduled to play more Test matches than any other this century. They are already more than halfway into the seven home Test matches they play between August 2024 and January 2025, with two Test matches in South Africa at the turn of the year.

وجه الكابتن محمود الخطيب، رئيس النادي الأهلي، رسالة لأعضاء الجمعية العمومية للقلعة الحمراء، قبل انعقادها يوم الجمعة المقبل 19 سبتمبر.

ومن المقرر أن يعقد مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي جمعية عمومية طارئة يوم الجمعة، لمناقشة تعديل بعض أحكام لائحة النظام الأساسي للنادي الأهلي، بالإضافة أيضًا إلى إمكانية تحديد موعد الانتخابات القادمة، بعد إعلان الخطيب عدم الترشح لفترة جديدة.

طالع | محسن صالح: الخطيب أخطأ في قراره.. ويوجه نصيحة لـ حسام غالي

وقال الخطيب خلال الموقع الرسمي للأهلي: “اناشد أعضاء الجمعية العمومية بضرورة الحرص على حضور «الاجتماع الخاص» للجمعية يوم الجمعة المقبل للتصويت على تعديلات لائحة النظام الأساسي للنادي بعد صدور قانون الرياضة رقم 171 لسنة 2025”.

وأكد الخطيب على ثقته الكبيرة في أعضاء الأهلي الذين لم يتأخروا يومًا عن تلبية نداء ناديهم، لا سيما وأن الحضور هذه المرة يمثل أهمية كبرى للمشاركة في رسم مستقبل النادي واعتماد لائحته الخاصة.

وأشار إلى أنه سوف يكون في مقدمة الحضور، خاصة وأن الأمر يتعلق بمستقبل النادي واستقراره والحفاظ على مسيرته.

يذكر، أن محمود الخطيب أعلن عن عدم ترشحه لفترة جديدة في انتخابات النادي الأهلي القادمة، مرجعًا ذلك لأسباب صحية.

Banton’s 77 in vain as Somerset’s hefty 195-run target is overhauled with one ball to spare

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2024Gloucestershire 196 for 5 (Hammond 42, Gregory 3-34) beat Somerset 194 for 6 (Banton 77*, Green 47) by five wicketsBen Charlesworth hit the penultimate ball of the match for six to give Gloucestershire a thrilling five-wicket Vitality Blast South Group victory over arch-rivals Somerset at Taunton.The visitors chased down a target of 195, including 13 off the final over bowled by Ben Green, Charlesworth hitting an unbeaten 24 off 13 balls at the death. Miles Hammond contributed 42 and Beau Webster 39.The home side had posted 194 for six, 32 of them coming off a last over that saw Josh Shaw removed from the attack for two full-toss no-balls above waist height. Tom Banton hit six fours and four sixes in his 77 and shared a sixth-wicket stand of 88 in 6.4 overs with Green, who blasted 47 off just 25 deliveries.Somerset reached 58 for two in the six-over powerplay after losing the toss, seeing Will Smeed depart to a catch at cover off David Payne and Tom Kohler-Cadmore caught at mid-off for 22 in the fifth over, bowled by Shaw.Banton was dropped on 11, 12 and 20, Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor twice spilling chances at mid-off and Ollie Price failing to hold onto an opportunity at fine-leg.Even so, the visitors continued to take wickets, Marchant de Lange producing three sharp overs. Boundaries dried up, and at 148 for 5 at the end of the 18th over, with Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, and Lewis Gregory dismissed cheaply, Somerset looked short of a competitive total.That changed when Payne went for 14 off the 19th and more so when Green smacked 6,4,4,2 off the first four balls of the final over, sent down by Shaw. Two of the deliveries were above waist high on the full and resulted in no-balls, as well as the umpires ordering the seamer out of the attack.Off-spinner Price was asked to bowl the last four deliveries of the innings and Green collected another four and a six before holing out to wide long-on. Banton had played a key role and Somerset ended their innings with momentum.Cameron Bancroft fell for a five-ball duck at the start of Gloucestershire’s reply, caught at mid-off off Gregory. But by the end of the powerplay, the visitors had raced to 55 for one, James Bracey having hit Riley Meredith for three successive fours and Hammond looking in fine touch.The pair had added 66 in 5.2 overs when Hammond skyed a catch to long-on off Roelof van der Merwe, having hit the previous delivery for six. Bracey, on 31, followed in the next over, miscuing a catch to point to give Gregory a second wicket.Taylor and Webster then kept Gloucestershire on course for victory with sensible cricket before taking 20 off the 15th over, bowled by Jake Ball. Their stand of 65 in 6.1 overs ended when Taylor skyed a catch off Josh Davey with 44 needed from 27 balls.Webster fell to brilliant catch by wicketkeeper Banton off Gregory at the start of the 18th over, the Somerset skipper becoming their leading all-time wicket-taker in T20 cricket, before back-to-back boundaries from Price left Gloucestershire needing 21 off two overs.With Meredith off the field due to a back spasm and unable to send down his last two overs, it fell to Green to bowl at the death and both Price and Charlesworth smashed sixes to seal a remarkable victory.

West Ham United could sell Mohammed Kudus this summer and are already making strides in the hunt for his replacement.

West Ham and Mohammed Kudus could go their seperate ways

The Hammers expect plenty of movement in both directions over the next few months and could be set to part ways with one of their best players if reports are to be believed.

Recently, Chelsea have made contact over a potential move for Kudus, and he is also said to be on the radar of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Intriguingly, the Ghana international has a release clause of £85 million that is open to top-flight clubs in England across the first ten days of July. However, it remains to be seen whether a saga involving the former Ajax man will develop at the London Stadium.

In the case of Newcastle, former scout Mick Brown believes they would try and land Kudus at a fee below his exit clause due to the premium involved in a prospective transfer.

“At £85million or whatever his release clause is, there’s no way Newcastle would do that deal. They’ll consider it if they can cut down that price tag, but they’re not sure about him. They’ve got other targets as well, so I think they’re more likely to go for them before Kudus.”

Related West Ham now racing to sign 24 G/A midfielder who's "out of this world"

The Hammers are now in a straight shoot-out with a rival Premier League club for the signature of a goal-scoring midfielder.

Posts ByDominic Lund Jun 3, 2025

If Kudus were to depart, the Hammers would need to act decisively on the market to secure an appropriate replacement, and they could well now be closing in on a smart acquisition if that turn of events were to occur.

West Ham 'well positioned' to sign Nicolas Gonzalez

According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, West Ham are ‘well positioned’ to sign Juventus winger Nicolas Gonzalez and the Argentina international is likely to be on the move for £22 million this summer.

Seen as an ideal replacement for Kudus, the 23-year-old registered five goals and four assists in 36 appearances across all competitions last season. While he was not part of his country’s World Cup winning squad he is highly decorated at international level, winning two Copa Americas.

Capable of playing on either flank, as an attacking midfielder or through the middle, he is a versatile presence that could help to allieviate the burden on the likes of Jarrod Bowen when it comes to chance creation.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Kudus will need to leave first in order for a move to go through or if the finance would be available already in terms of being able to meet both his transfer fee and wages.

Either way, West Ham appear to be stepping up their hunt for attacking reinforcements and there will be plenty of excitement in East London if this one materialises.

On Stick to Football, Roy Keane bemoaned Liverpool for taking their foot off the gas well before the season has been wrapped up, for partying abroad ahead of a Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion, a match they lost.

Well, Liverpool were crowned champions almost one month ago, having been head, shoulders and torso above the rest of the pack since the start of the season.

Arne Slot has achieved something truly special, and after upholding such high and inflexible standards across the lion’s share of the year, can surely be afforded some leeway for loosening his grip with his deserving squad now relishing their new status as Premier League winners.

The truth is, Liverpool can do what they want, so long as they return fresher than ever for pre-season duties. Of course, one man who won’t be taking his foot off the pedal is sporting director Richard Hughes, tasked with making sweeping changes in the transfer market this summer.

Jeremie Frimpong is on the brink of being announced as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, and the man himself, The Athletic’s David Ornstein, has issued an exciting revelation as Liverpool fight for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.

The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool

Bayern Munich and Liverpool have both pushed to sign Wirtz in recent weeks, laying the foundations ahead of the summer transfer window.

But, as Ornstein reveals, Liverpool have taken the lead in the race, with Die Roten swallowing a bitter pill in accepting Anfield looks the likely destination for the playmaker, should he leave Leverkusen this summer.

In fact, the esteemed reporter has gone as far as to suggest the Bundesliga champions believe he will not join them this summer, and actually favours a move to Merseyside.

Manchester City no longer have a vested interest in the German, who is valued at €150m (£126m), and have instead shifted their attention to Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

Wirtz is only 22, but he’s already got a case toward being the best midfield playmaker in the world, having posted 69 goal contributions for Die Werkself across the past two seasons, the first of which he won DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga titles undefeated, picking up the German Player of the Season award.

If Liverpool can get this one over the line, they’d surely be favourites to win the Premier League once again next season. And that’s without even considering a striker.

Darwin Nunez is set to be sold, and FSG have already made contact with their dream replacement.

Liverpool approach new striker

According to RMC Sport, Liverpool have made an initial approach to Eintracht Frankfurt for their star striker Hugo Ekitike, having also held talks with the player. Arsenal and Chelsea have also opened discussions, with the 22-year-old’s club looking for a minimum fee of €80m (£68m) for his sale.

It’s worth noting Chelsea have been singled out as the frontrunners due to their degree of interest, though their hopes of playing Champions League football hang in the balance ahead of Sunday’s final round of fixtures.

And whether any suitor would be willing to meet Frankfurt’s heavy valuation of their player, who is immensely talented but not the finished article, remains to be seen.

Why Liverpool should sign Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool’s dream is to sign Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but any move for the Sweden star seems unlikely this summer: Eddie Howe views him as untouchable and will be reinforced in his stance should the Magpies qualify for the Champions League.

However, Ekitike would be a stunning alternative, making headway this season as he sharpens his goalscoring sense while also bearing one of the more dynamic striking skill sets on the market right now.

As per FBref, Ekitike ranks among the top 8% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, and the top 4% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, emphasising his athleticism and fast pace.

It also shows that Slot would get his hands on a new profile who could solve Liverpool’s number nine conundrum, such as it is, while dynamising the frontline too, adding a player capable of supplementing Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, who both arc inwards to strike on goal in such deadly fashion.

Comparing Ekitike’s Bundesliga campaign with the tired terms of Nunez and Diogo Jota in the Premier League, you begin to see why Slot so desperately wants a fresh profile, one who can enforce a sustained offensive as Liverpool chase down a range of trophies.

Matches (starts)

33 (31)

29 (8)

25 (14)

Goals

15

5

6

Assists

8

2

3

Shots (on target)*

3.5 (1.5)

1.1 (0.4)

2.0 (0.5)

Big chances missed

16

7

13

Pass completion

76%

71%

72%

Big chances created

12

3

3

Key passes*

1.3

0.3

0.4

Dribbles*

1.6

0.3

0.4

Duels (won)*

4.2

2.1

2.4

Wirtz is good, but he’s not superhuman, and if Liverpool don’t address their striking issues the 22-year-old will struggle to find a focal point from which he can channel his playmaking skills, described by Hansi Flick as an “outstanding technician” who is “very creative.”

Furthermore, his sharp transitional ability would combine wonderfully with Wirtz`s ball-playing game. Ekitike has only missed 16 big chances in the league this term, scoring 15 goals, as per Sofascore. He’s been hailed for his “incredible” attacking performances by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

Meanwhile, FBref record Wirtz to rank among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90.

Adding two new profiles to the team, Slot would be taking Liverpool to another level, maintaining a brilliant sense of creativity in spite of Alexander-Arnold’s departure while solving the centre-forward conundrum that has plagued the club all year long.

Just imagine this Liverpool side with an out-and-out striker providing a prolific touch across the duration of the campaign, and supplied by a ten such as Wirtz at that.

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Newcastle United have the means to complete the signing of a Premier League superstar this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, and may even be able to whittle his £75m release clause down significantly.

The four positions Newcastle want to strengthen this summer

After a great season that saw the Magpies win the EFL Cup and end their long trophy drought, as well as get back into the Champions League, the summer window promises to be an exciting one at St James’ Park.

Speaking about Newcastle’s potential business in the coming weeks and months, Sky Sports‘ reliable reporter Keith Downie recently provided an update, saying: “Eddie Howe is looking for a new goalkeeper, a right-sided centre back, a right-winger and a forward who can play across the front. That’s the wish list if none of the big hitters were to leave. If a Bruno Guimaraes or an Anthony Gordon went, for example, then he’d need them replaced too.”

It remains to be seen who exactly Newcastle will bring in ahead of next season, but Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has consistently been mentioned as a leading option on the right flank, but it appears he isn’t the only one on the agenda as the Cameroon star edges closer to joining Manchester United.

Newcastle "can afford" to sign Kudus

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke claimed that Newcastle “can afford” £75m-rated West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, seeing him as an alternative to Mbeumo, and they believe they can do a deal for less than his release fee.

“Newcastle can afford a deal for Kudus. As it stands, Bryan Mbeumo is their top target for that right-sided forward position. Kudus is on their list and has admirers within the Newcastle hierarchy, and is somebody they feel could come in and strengthen their attacking options.

“He obviously has that release clause of around £75million, but I don’t think many Premier League clubs will be willing to pay that. Due to West Ham’s situation, his suitors feel they can get him for a cheaper fee. They’ll definitely be willing to listen to offers for the Ghana international.”

Kudus stands out as an excellent option for Newcastle if they can’t get Mbeumo, even though the Brentford ace still stands out as the superior choice.

Appearances

38

32

Starts

38

31

Minutes played

3417

2604

Goals

20

5

Assists

7

3

Shots per game

2.2

2.3

Key passes per game

1.8

1.0

Dribbles per game

1.4

2.9

That said, if the Magpies end up signing the West Ham ace instead, he could excel at St James’, having been hailed by former teammate Aaron Cresswell when they first played together: “He’s a top, top talent and I think we haven’t seen the best of him yet.

“I won’t go near him in training because I know if I’m going to try to knock him off the ball I had better make sure he’s not looking and doesn’t see me coming. You just can’t get near him. He’s so strong, so quick, so sharp.”

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ByRobbie Walls Jun 1, 2025

Ultimately, Mbeumo is the dream signing for Newcastle, having enjoyed such an impressive 2024/25 season, and he would be a superb upgrade on Jacob Murphy, possessing more consistency than Kudus over the past 12 months.