As deadline day approaches, one transfer insider now believes that Leeds United are “interested” in signing a Premier League rival for Daniel Farke.
Latest on Leeds' transfer targets
It’s a big week for Leeds. Even after signing Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, there remain question marks about whether their frontline is capable of keeping Farke’s side afloat. As such, it is no surprise to see a number of targets emerge on their radar as the window enters its final six days.
Manager confirms he's considering replacing midfielder amid links to Leeds
The Whites could have a chance to seal a deal…
BySean Markus Clifford Aug 26, 2025
To that end, one interesting name that has been mentioned is Brighton & Hove Albion’s Facundo Buonanotte. According to Ben Jacobs, the attacking midfielder is a target for both Leeds and West Ham United, who are leading the charge to secure his signature in a late loan move.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Leicester City and provided the Foxes with a rare bright spark in a season to forget – scoring six goals and creating another three in all competitions.
Now, as Leeds aim to avoid the same fate as Leicester, they could certainly do with a player of Buonanotte’s talent. Whether they can land an early victory over relegation rivals West Ham off the pitch remains to be seen, however.
It must also be said that the Argentine ace isn’t the only name on the club’s radar. Others such as Kobbie Mainoo have also threatened to steal the headlines as of late in what would be one of the most controversial moves of the summer from Manchester United. Meanwhile, another Premier League rival has reportedly attracted Leeds’ interest.
Leeds "interested" in Jota Silva
According to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Leeds are now “interested” in signing Jota Silva from Nottingham Forest before the end of the transfer window. The winger has fallen down the pecking order following recent arrivals at the City Ground and could now get the chance to stay in the Premier League, courtesy of those in Yorkshire.
Although Brown described him as a “maverick”, Silva managed five goals in all competitions at Forest last season and only three of those came in the Premier League. That record is undeniably questionable and there’s no denying that Leeds would be taking a risk by asking him to solve their attacking issues.
As Russell Martin looks to add the finishing touches on his summer overhaul, one Glasgow Rangers star is reportedly on the verge of finalising his departure away from the club.
Rangers' summer overhaul so far
It’s been all change at Ibrox so far this summer. The Gers first welcomed new owners in the 49ers, then instantly solved their managerial problem by hiring Martin. And ever since, it’s been one fresh face after another. As things stand, the Scottish giants have welcomed as many as six reinforcements this summer, with five of those coming from English football.
Of course, it should come as no surprise that Rangers have been quick to get as much business done as possible, with their Champions League qualifier fast approaching.
The Gers will square off against Panathinaikos on July 22, before the second leg takes place eight days later in a crucial week for all involved at Ibrox. With just seven days to get his side in shape for that all-important first-leg, Martin may yet welcome more fresh faces to finalise his squad ahead of his debut campaign in Scotland.
Sima repeat: Rangers working to agree deal for "fearless" star this week
Rangers could repeat their Abdallah Sima blinder by signing this star this summer.
ByDan Emery Jul 15, 2025
Names such as Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi have threatened to steal the headlines in the last week or so and he would certainly follow the trend of talents arriving from English football. But before then, Rangers’ focus may need to shift towards the exit door, amid reports that one player could be heading for a summer departure.
Ridvan Yilmaz agrees Rangers exit
According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Ridvan Yilmaz has now agreed to leave Rangers and a deal to join Besiktas is on the verge of being finalised. The left-back has been linked with a move away for some time and now finally looks set to rejoin his former club ahead of next season.
It’s been a mixed spell for the Turkish defender, who missed large parts of last season through injury as new arrival Jefte took hold of his starting spot in Scotland. Whether he would have regained that place under Martin this season is now a question that the Gers may never have an answer for, as Besiktas make their move.
Former interim manager Barry Ferguson was certainly a fan of Yilmaz, however, having told reporters towards the end of last season: “He’s played in a position which is pretty foreign to him. He’s played right back for us. His natural position is left back.
“But he’s one player I can rely on. He doesn’t moan. I’ve asked him to play different positions. He’s become a big player. I like his attitude. His attitude has always been first class. It’s now about him being fully fit for the rest of the season. Because I think if he plays more games, I think he can get better and better.”
Sunderland’s squad is really starting to take shape now ahead of their first Premier League showdown with West Ham United next month.
Indeed, at the time of writing, Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, and Noah Sadiki have all joined Regis Le Bris’ camp in rapid-fire fashion, with the next expected arrival through the door coming in the form of promising Club Brugge attacker Chemsdine Talbi for a weighty £19.8m.
Sunderland’s breakneck pace in the summer transfer window won’t be slowing down here, you imagine, as more and more new faces are tipped to join the exciting Black Cats ride up to the top flight.
Sunderland lodge bid for next summer signing
The central midfield department certainly looks well stocked on Wearside, as plenty of attackers now begin to be linked to the Stadium of Light to boost numbers all over the pitch, away from just Talbi strengthening their options down the right channel.
Both Gonzalo Garcia and Luiz Suarez have been on the Sunderland radar from Real Madrid and Almeria, respectively, as Le Bris looks to enhance the Black Cats’ firepower up top. Still, with Garcia reportedly content to stick it out in Spain, and with Suarez on the Sporting shopping list, it might well be a tough battle ahead to tempt either promising striker to England.
It could well be an equally testing endeavour to try and pick up Sassuolo ace Armand Lauriente this summer. However, it is stated that Sunderland still holds a concrete interest in snapping up the entertaining Frenchman, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari.
Further reports from Italy have also suggested that the Black Cats have seen a first offer rejected for the forward, with the Italian outfit holding out for more than €30m (£25m) plus bonus. The player himself is said to be pushing to leave.
If Sunderland were ultimately successful in this race to land the explosive 26-year-old, they could be about to win Le Bris his next Le Fee, as another exciting talent from Europe down the left flank prepares to wreak havoc on Wearside.
Wju Lauriente can be Le Bris' next Le Fee
Sunderland’s strategy in the chaotic summer window so far seems to centre on them plucking gems from the European leagues, hopeful that they go on to be as instantly successful as Le Fee was on English shores.
Le Fee was a very bright spark for the Black Cats in their moment of need last season, as seen in the former Lorient midfielder collecting two assists in the tense playoff semi-final matches to secure his team a triumphant trip to Wembley.
Lauriente will hope he can translate his Sassuolo magic to the English game very shortly too, with the stylish winger spearheading his own promotion charge last season as Fabio Grosso’s men returned to Serie A at the first time of asking.
Their similarities don’t end there as Le Bris gears up to potentially welcome his next Le Fee to his ever-growing camp, with Lauriente well-versed in what it takes to be a star at a top level, having collected a mightily impressive tally of 42 goals and assists plying his trade in both Ligue 1 and Serie A. His compatriot, before embarking on a fresh challenge on Wearside, lags behind on 21 goals and assists in both those top divisions.
Sassuolo
102
31
18
Lorient
91
13
14
US Orleans
17
3
1
Rennes
2
0
0
Staggeringly, Lauriente might well go on to be an even bigger star than Le Fee when judging those numbers, with the Sassuolo number 45 no doubt ready to push the 25-year-old for a starting spot down the left flank. It’s no wonder that analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as “one of the best left-wing options out there”.
Having been lauded as an “amazing” performer to watch in the past by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, too, picking up Lauriente might well have the same impact Le Fee’s arrival did in boosting the Black Cats’ chances of being a success.
Armand Lauriente in action for Sassuolo.
But this time around, he could be the decisive star that helps Sunderland stave off the relegation drop zone in the Premier League.
Dream squad Sunderland could build: £112m spent on 7 signings after Talbi
Sunderland looks ready to take the Premier League by storm, with this being potentially what their dream squad could look like very soon.
Manchester United have identified a lesser-known new target in their quest to find an upgrade on goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to a recent report.
Man Utd identify alternative options in the market
The transfer window is now officially back open and will remain open until the beginning of September, which means United can now look to add more arrivals after Matheus Cunha before the club returns for pre-season training.
Man Utd talks progressing to sign "one of the best strikers out there"
Manchester United are reportedly accelerating a deal to sign a new centre-forward.
ByDan Emery Jun 15, 2025
The Red Devils are continuing to try and find an agreement with Brentford to sign Bryan Mbeumo this summer. United have already seen one bid turned down, and while a new offer has yet to go in, Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg has reported that United do now have a “verbal agreement” in place with Brentford over a deal for Mbeumo.
But his arrival will not stop the Red Devils from looking to sign a new striker; Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is one player the club has looked at, but he is said to be prioritising a move to Arsenal.
Therefore, United have started to look at other options, and one striker they are taking a serious look at is Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Foot Mercato have reported that United are interested in a deal for the forward and are now accelerating their move, as talks are progressing well. Plettenberg also states that United are the only team to make contact with Frankfurt, as both Liverpool and Chelsea are also keeping an eye on the player’s situation, so it may be a summer of seeking multiple options for their priority positions.
Man Utd keen on signing new £34m ace as Onana replacement
As the Red Devils continue to look at ways of improving their forward line, club chiefs are also in the market for a new goalkeeper, and according to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, relayed by Sport Witness, Man United are interested in signing Atalanta shot-stopper Marco Carnesecchi.
The report states that the 24-year-old is “coveted” by United, as they believe he would be a good replacement for Onana. It goes on to add that Atalanta value their goalkeeper at €40 million, which is roughly £34 million, but given he is under contract until 2028 negotiations could be difficult, with the report noting how much United were forced to pay for Rasmus Hojlund.
Carnesecchi joined Atalanta’s academy back in 2017 and was promoted to the first team two years later. However, he’s had to remain patient when it comes to game time, as he only got a regular shot in goal during the 2023/24 season, playing 27 games in Serie A. He kept his place in goal last term and played 34 times in the league, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process. The Italian also played nine times in the Champions League, during which he kept an impressive five clean sheets.
Apps
76
Goals conceded
79
Clean sheets
28
His arrival at Old Trafford depends heavily on what happens to Onana, who has been linked with a move away from the club. It was reported over a month ago that he was in talks about a move to Saudi Arabia, but as of yet a move has yet to materialise. The 29-year-old has been in Burkina Faso over the past week and was asked about his future under Ruben Amorim, to which Onana responded he doesn’t know.
Onana said of his United future: “Will I leave? I don’t know, we’ll see!”
According to a report by Football Insider, the Villans are under pressure to ‘sell a prize asset’ before 30 June to avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules, claiming that Martínez is one of the most likely candidates to be sacrificed.
Well, there are plenty of suitors for the back-to-back Yashin Trophy winner.
Goal documents Manchester United’s interest, while The Telegraph claim that numerous Saudi Pro League clubs would be delighted to secure his signature.
Well, given, as noted by Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic, Martínez’s propensity to deliver ‘defining moments’ and ‘standout performances’, he will be a difficult man to replace, but have Aston Villa actually managed to identify an upgrade?
Aston Villa's first-choice Emi Martínez replacement
According to a report by John Townley for Birmingham Live, Aston Villa will ‘target’ a move to sign LOSC Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, should Martínez be sold.
Lucas Chevalier for LOSC Lille.
French publication L’Équipe has previously noted that newly-crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain are tracking the 23-year-old, with TEAMtalk claiming that he is valued at just £34m by les Dogues.
Chevalier joined Lille as a 13-year-old, making 127 appearances for the senior team, conceding exactly 127 goals and keeping 44 clean sheets in this time.
So, could he soon be swapping Northern France for the English Midlands?
Why Lucas Chevalier would be an Emi Martínez upgrade
During his three seasons as Lille’s number one, Chevalier has earned countless rave reviews.
Alongside Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyonnais, they were the only non-PSG players to feature in Ligue 1’s team of the season.
Meanwhile, following les Nordistes’ stunning 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in October, Joel Domenighetti of L’Équipe described Chevalier’s display as ‘exceptional’, while Nick Hartland of Get French Football News labels him ‘one of the breakout stars’ from this season’s competition.
Described as “one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe” by scout Jacek Kulig, what makes him so good is that – in the words of Liam Tharme and Matt Pyzdrowski of the Athletic – he not only boasts ‘excellent reach’ and exceptional ‘handling’, but also that his ‘super-strength’ is his ‘accomplished’ in possession play.
Lucas Chevalier for Lille.
So, how did the young Frenchman compare to the man he could be replacing between the Villa Park posts this season?
The table makes for interesting reading, considering the duo played a near-identical number of minutes this season across their respective domestic leagues and the Champions League
Appearances
48
49
Minutes
4,350
4,275
Goals conceded
53
57
Clean sheets
13
14
Post-shot xG – goals-conceded
+9.6
+4.7
Saves
123
144
Save %
74.9%
72.8%
% of crosses stopped
5.4%
11.3%
Ball recoveries
83
45
Errors leading to an opposition shot
4
8
Note: Martínez’s statistics are Premier League and Champions League only.
Across Europe’s top five leagues, the Frenchman ranks tenth for post-shot xG – goals conceded, while he is also 11th in this season’s Champions League for the same metric, a key figure as Lille upset the odds to finish seventh in the league phase.
Meantime, his save percentage ranks highly both domestically and in the Champions League, with his Ligue 1 figure of 74.6% a noteworthy amount higher than Martínez’s 69% in the Premier League.
This is not to denigrate Martínez in any way, given that former Aston Villa striker Chris Sutton believes the Argentine has been an “outstanding goalkeeper” and a “brilliant shot-stopper” since joining the club in 2020.
Nevertheless, if the Claret and Blue Army are able to sell the 32-year-old for a big fee and replace him with a 23 year old, this is surely an upgrade they should be looking to make.
Aston Villa book medical to sign forward who Emery feels can be next Duran
This summer’s mini-transfer window, open from June 1 to June 10, presents an opportunity for Premier League sides to get deals done very early ahead of pre-season, and Arsenal could take full advantage.
Arsenal urged to invest in new signings up front
Mikel Arteta ended yet another season with no trophies to show for his side’s efforts at N5, and discounting the Community Shield, Arsenal haven’t won any piece of major silverware since their FA Cup triumph in 2020.
Fabrizio Romano: £63m star will talk to agents this week about joining Arsenal
He’s set to assess his options.
1 ByEmilio Galantini May 27, 2025
Considering the Gunners have registered a net spend of around £487 million on transfers since Arteta took over from Unai Emery in 2019, some questions are starting to be asked about the Arsenal manager when it comes to their lack of silverware return.
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
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville, speaking after Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United earlier this year, drew particular attention to their “toothlessness” in the forward areas – going on to state that they simply must spend big again this summer.
“This has shown a massive spotlight on the toothlessness of Arsenal’s forward players compared to what we’re seeing at the other end of the pitch,” said Neville.
“That’s a given. They have to [spend this summer].
“I was supportive of them not panicking in the window, finding the player they want, I get that. But when the bid went in for Ollie Watkins, they are sending a message to the rest of the squad, the ones up front aren’t good enough, this game confirms it.”
The arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta is set to play a pivotal role in their pursuit of attacking upgrades for the squad, and reliable media sources are already claiming that the Italian has got to work.
The north Londoners recently opened talks over a deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, which has since stalled due to wage demands (Florian Plettenberg), with Arsenal also holding “concrete” negotiations to sign striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Arsenal offer Viktor Gyokeres a five-year contract worth nearly £30m
Sesko isn’t their only option to reinforce the centre-forward area, though, with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres also heavily linked in the last month.
Portuguese news outlets in particular have reported in the last fortnight that Arsenal are making serious progress on a move for Gyokeres, with newspaper O Jogo even claiming that they’ve agreed a fee.
While that rumour is yet to gain traction, another Portuguese media source, Correio de Manha, has come forward with a significant update of their own.
The newspaper states Arsenal have offered Gyokeres a five-year contract worth nearly £30 million, with the Swede handed an annual salary worth £5.9 million-per-year.
They’ve also apparently offered Sporting around £59 million for his signature, which is still slightly below his reported asking price of around £63 million, so it will be intriguing to see if this proposal gets off the ground.
Gyokeres’ 54 goals in all competitions this season indicates that he’s a fine candidate to resolve Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge in the attacking areas, and Sporting boss Rui Borges certainly has little doubt about the 26-year-old, even if there’s a case to be made that the Primeria Liga is inferior to English top flight football.
“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games,” said Borges about Gyokeres.
“The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”
Leeds United are set for a massive summer in the transfer market as they aim to make themselves a competitive outfit in the Premier League ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Daniel Farke led the side to the Championship title this campaign after achieving a staggering total of 100 points, ending their two-year stint in England’s second division.
However, the real test starts now for the German, looking to avoid relegation from the top flight, something which he’s been unable to do with his previous attempts with Norwich City.
If he is to achieve such a feat, the board will need to back him heavily this summer, with a £100m spending spree mooted around Yorkshire over the last couple of days.
With the transfer window rapidly approaching, the board have already made plans for potential additions, with one name already emerging as a key target for the summer.
The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of James McAtee
In recent days, Manchester City star James McAtee has remerged on Leeds’ shortlist after previously being a target on loan ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The 22-year-old has impressed within Pep Guardiola’s squad this campaign, registering seven goals in his 27 appearances throughout the current campaign.
Manchester City'sJamesMcAteecelebrates after the match
With his deal set to expire in 2026, the Whites have been touted as a potential destination for the youngster, but could face competition from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
A report from the Yorkshire Evening Post claims that Farke’s side have made an enquiry to sign the youngster this summer, but any deal would set the hierarchy back around £25m.
However, despite the links to the English star, the club already have a talent whose worth more than McAtee – showcasing the impressive recruitment conducted by the club in recent years.
The Leeds star who’s now worth more than McAtee
Over the last couple of seasons, Leeds have recruited well in the market, undoubtedly playing a massive role in their success they’ve endured this campaign.
Ethan Ampadu joined for just £7m from Chelsea back in the summer of 2023, now looking to be a bargain given his success in the side – registering 86 appearances in his two years at the club.
The Welsh international has even taken the captain’s armband during Farke’s reign, highlighting the impressive development he’s made at Elland Road since his switch.
He’s not the only person to exceed expectations, with winger Wilfried Gnonto thriving in Yorkshire over the last couple of years after his £3.8m transfer from FC Zurich in the summer of 2022.
The Italian has since made huge strides in the professional game, registering over 100 appearances for the club – producing numerous moments of magic in such a time period.
He’s managed to find the net on 22 occasions, including one of the goals against Plymouth Argyle on the final day – securing the club the Championship title as a result.
Such performances have seen him linked with huge moves away from the club in recent years, with Everton just one of the sides interested in his signature as of late.
Games played
43
Goals & assists
15
Pass accuracy
82%
Successful dribbles
1.7
Touches in opposition box
5.5
Chances created
1.8
Shots taken
3.2
Interest isn’t the only thing that has occurred as a result of his displays, with his market value taking a sharp upturn – now with millions more than the fee they paid for his signature.
Gnonto, who’s been labelled “monster” by one analyst, is now valued at £19.5m by FootballTransfers, an increase of over 410% since he moved to Yorkshire.
Such a value is higher than that of McAtee, who’s valued at just £15m – further highlighting the impressive work done behind the scenes over the last few seasons.
A deal for McAtee is certainly one that would bolster the attacking department at Elland Road, that’s if his goal tally from 2024/25 is anything to go by.
However, a repeat of a deal for Gnonto showcases that bargains are still there to be had in the current climate, with any subsequent deal banking the club a hefty profit in the years ahead.
Their answer to Hamer: 49ers lining up Leeds swoop for "special" £25m star
Leeds could land their own version of Gustavo Hamer in a move for this £25m star.
Leeds United have a huge summer ahead of them in the coming months, needing to build a side capable of surviving the drop in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.
The Whites will be attempting to do something which no side has managed in the last two seasons, in maintaining their top-flight status after securing promotion from the Championship.
Southampton, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United have all tried and failed, handing Daniel Farke a huge task to prevent the club from being added to such a list.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkecelebrates after the match
The German has already had questions asked about his future at Elland Road, with the Whites manager potentially being replaced before the start of the next campaign.
Regardless of the situation, the foundations have already been laid for the summer window, with numerous players already linked with a summer switch to Yorkshire.
An update on Leeds’ hunt for new signings this summer
Over the last few weeks, rumours have emerged over Leeds making a potential move for Newcastle United’s midfielder Sean Longstaff, but could face huge competition from other top-flight sides for his signature.
Everton have been named as the latest side to enter the race for his services, with the Magpies only demanding a £10m fee to part ways with the 27-year-old.
Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff
His experience in the division could be vital for the Whites’ chances of securing survival next season, potentially being joined by Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen, if recent reports are to be believed.
It was reported by BILD via Sport Witness that the Whites are keen on a move for the 27-year-old this summer, looking to cement his place as number one under Farke.
It also states that no asking price has yet been set for his services, but that he could be open to a move to the Premier League to further his career at the top level.
Why Leeds’ target could be Farke’s next Tanaka
The 2024/25 season has been a hugely successful one for Leeds, ending their stay in the Championship, but also landing key talents such as Ao Tanaka in the process.
The Japanese international joined from Fortuna Düsseldorf last summer for a reported £3.5m fee, cementing himself as a key player in Farke’s starting eleven throughout the last few months.
He’s managed to rack up 44 appearances across all competitions, notching six combined goals and assists – even being named in the Championship Team of the Season.
Such a deal has been one of the club’s best in recent years, playing a pivotal role in their success and hopefully taking the Premier League by storm after his debut year in Yorkshire.
However, the manager could be about to land his next version of the star this summer in the form of Dahmen, who could follow in Tanaka’s footsteps by joining the Whites from a German side.
Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick in action with FC Augsburg'sFinnDahmen
If he manages to get anywhere near the level of the Japanese star, he will be a fan favourite in no time, potentially playing a vital role in their chances of staying up.
The German has excelled in recent months, making 16 appearances, keeping nine clean sheets and conceding just ten goals during such a period – leading to journalist Christian Pohlmann labelling him as “extraordinary”.
Games played
16
Clean sheets
9
Goals conceded
10
Save percentage
85%
Saves made
3.5
Errors leading to goals
0
Pass accuracy
68%
His staggering numbers don’t stop there, saving 85% of the efforts that he’s faced this campaign, averaging 3.5 saves per 90 – handing Farke that added solidity he needs at the back.
Dahmen has also not made a single error leading to a goal, and is more than capable of playing out from the back, 68% of the passes he’s attempted throughout 2024/25.
Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the shot-stopper would set the club back this summer, the stats he’s produced are incredible, certainly bolstering the ranks at Elland Road.
Their dealings with landing players from Germany in recent months have been successful, as seen with Tanaka, which could lead to Dahmen being the next star to make the switch to England.
Bad news for Byram: Leeds want to sign "outstanding" £34k-per-week star
Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a Premier League defender, and it is bad news for Sam Byram.
Liverpool’s season may well be over, but that’s only because Arne Slot’s side have wrapped up the Premier League title with plenty of time to spare.
Anfield’s chief decision-makers are bound to be hard at work right now, perhaps finding their transfer plans accelerated after such dominance in the English top flight.
Of course, that’s not the only reason Liverpool’s season is done and dusted, if we’re being candid. The Merseysiders have no FA Cup or Champions League final to prepare for, having been dumped out of both competitions at premature stages.
Jarell Quansah for Liverpool
This isn’t really to the detriment of Slot’s squad, merely a reflection of the unforeseen heights reached this season. Few expected Liverpool to go from strength to strength after Jurgen Klopp left last year, let alone win the league title.
Slot has been stringent in his team rotation, and will need to add depth this summer. Luckily, he’s had an absolute rock of a leader in Virgil van Dijk, unflappable, unmovable.
The importance of Van Dijk to Liverpool
The importance of Van Dijk. It really can’t be overstated how significant a part of Liverpool’s rise and rise he has been. Without this towering Dutchman, Klopp’s dynasty wouldn’t have scaled the mountain between good and greatness.
The art of spending wisely. Sure, Van Dijk cost Liverpool a world-record £75m fee, leaving Southampton on the South Coast in January 2018, but has there ever been a defender in that ballpark, and there are more, who have given their new employers the same bang for their buck?
Van Dijk took the captain’s armband from Jordan Henderson at the end of the 2022/23 season, but he’s been a leader ever since he arrived.
However, that level has been notched up since assuming the new weight of responsibility, for he led the resurgence last year, put Liverpool back in the Champions League and scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup final. Now, he’s skippered his way toward a second Premier League title, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher saying, “he’s too good for the highest level” of football.
Carabao Cup winner Virgil van Dijk.
Tying the 33-year-old down to a new deal was always going to be imperative, and now he joins Mohamed Salah in devoting two more years of his prime to this wonderful club.
Maybe the final two years of his career at the highest level. Maybe, time works its hands onto every world-class player, and there will come a point when Carragher’s effusions no longer ring true.
Maybe Liverpool would be prudent to find and sign a successor this summer.
Liverpool add new centre-back to their shortlist
Liverpool need someone who’s capable of filling Van Dijk’s boots for years to come. Preferably, they would be a left-footed centre-half.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Dean Huijsen is the talk of the town, but Liverpool might actually be ready to head down a different track and sign Nottingham Forest’s Murillo.
According to DaveOCKOP, 22-year-old Murillo is one of the shortlisted names ahead of the summer window, his blend of meaty athleticism and technical quality making him the perfect option for a team challenging at the top of the European pyramid each year.
However, he wouldn’t come cheap. It was suggested a few months back that Forest will demand £80m for the defender, with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also considered suitors.
What Murillo would bring to Liverpool
Nuno Espirito Santo has worked wonders at Forest. He’s transformed the club from relegation stragglers to genuine Champions League contenders, with their fate hanging in the balance ahead of the final few matches of the season.
Forest were hit with a points deduction after breaching financial fair play (FFP) rules in the 2022/23 season. The windfall from securing a seat at Europe’s eminent table would ease their worries this summer, but FFP compliance will be a tricky slope to navigate in any case, and Liverpool could take advantage.
Certainly, Murillo still has progress to make in his professional journey, but that’s why Liverpool should act now, adding the Brazilian to a rich backline and allowing him to learn under Van Dijk’s wing before settling into an enhanced role.
Make no mistake, Murillo’s already got enough in his locker to make a marked improvement on Liverpool’s defence. Hailed for his “monstrous” performances by journalist Ryan Taylor, he’s menacing and unflinching in his duties.
The Tricky Trees star isn’t the finished article, but he’s already performing at a level that challenges Van Dijk for his throne.
Matches (starts)
35 (35)
34 (34)
Goals
3
2
Assists
1
0
Clean sheets
14
11
Touches*
90.5
54.9
Pass completion
92%
79%
Key passes*
0.3
0.4
Dribbles*
0.1
0.8
Ball recoveries*
3.1
3.9
Tackles + interceptions*
2.5
2.5
Clearances*
5.1
6.8
Aerial duels won (%)*
3.2 (71%)
1.3 (66%)
In fact, he’s been described as being “easily one of the best defenders in the league” by talent scout Jacek Kulig only a few months ago, not all that far away from Liverpool’s main man.
Murillo is energetic and creative too. While defending his goalkeeper serves as his principal aim, the £xxk-per-week talent has also garnered something of a reputation for his powerful surges forward, thus sparking creative opportunities for his forward-placed teammates.
FBref back it all up: across Europe’s top five leagues this season, Murillo ranks among the top 3% of positional peers for blocks and clearances, while also ranking among the top 2% for successful take-ons and the top 12% for shot-creating actions per 90.
You can see why Liverpool are so interested in striking a deal this summer, with Murillo ticking all the boxes.
6 foot even, he’s not the tallest of centre-back but Murillo uses his aerial prowess so well, and must be brought to Anfield this summer to begin the next chapter in his career, one building toward a point in which he succeeds Van Dijk as Liverpool star man at the back.
Dream Kerkez alternative: Liverpool plot move for "incredible" £50m star
Liverpool could forget about Milos Kerkez with a summer deal for another left-back.
Sheffield United will have to break their playoff hoodoo in the Championship if they want to triumphantly return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Staggeringly, the Blades have lost all eight of the previous playoff campaigns they’ve found themselves in, but if there’s one man who is capable of going against the grain in this regard, it’s Chris Wilder when you look at his two promotions already with his beloved hometown club.
To get over the line, Wilder will need every single one of his Blades players to be firing on all cylinders, including top scorer Tyrese Campbell.
Campbell's goalscoring form for United
The Blades haven’t quite blown teams away with their attacking arsenal this campaign, with the South Yorkshire outfit boasting just 62 strikes next to an already promoted Leeds United side who have amassed a hefty 89.
But, there have still been forward players that have stood out even if the displays haven’t always been the most free-flowing, with Campbell definitely in this conversation.
The former Stoke City man arrived through the door on a free transfer with a lot to prove, considering the end of his time with the Potters was largely injury-hit, but Campbell has managed to let his football do the majority of the talking this season to date with ten Championship strikes tallied up.
Unfortunately, across United’s recent wretched run of four defeats from five league clashes, the goals had dried up for the 25-year-old, but Wilder will still feel his number 23 has lots to offer when the nitty gritty of the playoffs gets officially underway.
Whilst he will back Campbell, Wilder would love to have an ultra-reliable head back among his promotion-chasing group if he could.
Sheffield United legend is now outscoring Campbell
Wilder has had many interesting characters to fall back on as United have challenged for promotions over the years, with the likes of John Fleck picking up a bumper 12 goal contributions the last time the manager successfully guided the Blades up to the top-flight.
In that same memorable group, Billy Sharp loved playing alongside the constantly creative Scotsman, with the explosive veteran going on to bag 23 strikes of his own during the 2018/19 campaign to further seal his team’s progression to the big time.
Sharp hasn’t lost this goalscoring expertise whatsoever playing for current side Doncaster Rovers, with the 39-year-old picking up a glittering sixth career promotion just this weekend when Grant McCann’s men beat Bradford City 2-1.
Of course, the Sheffield-born goal machine – who has previously been hailed as a “legend of the EFL” by BBC 5 Live Sport Presenter Steve Crossman – couldn’t help but get in on the goalscoring action for Donny, with his late winning strike against the Bantams taking him up to an impressive 12 goals for the season despite only starting 19 clashes in the lower reaches of the EFL.
League Two
42
9
1
FA Cup
4
2
0
EFL Trophy
2
0
0
EFL Cup
2
1
0
Amazingly, the 39-year-old’s stellar output so late into his playing days for Doncaster actually betters Campbell’s ten-goal haul back at Bramall Lane, with Wilder not turning his nose up at the hypothetical scenario of Sharp being back in Blades red and white right now to try and secure another promotion success for his team.
It will, of course, be hard for United to get over their near miss of the top two positions, but jinxes such as their ongoing playoff misery are there to be broken, with Campbell hopeful he can immortalise himself in his new club’s hall-of-fame by being a hero across the tense clashes to come.
Sheffield United are brewing their next Jagielka in "outstanding" star
Sheffield United will hope this centre-back sticks it out at Bramall Lane past this season.