Leeds United are now making progress in their pursuit of a £50m striker, and there is a feeling he would be keen on a move to Elland Road this summer, according to a report.
Leeds set sights on new striker after Nmecha
With Daniel Farke looking to bolster his forward line, Leeds have already snapped up Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer this summer, although the Hamburg-born striker wasn’t exactly prolific during his four seasons with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
Season
Bundesliga appearances
Goals
2021-22
25
8
2022-23
16
4
2023-24
3
1
2024-25
19
3
As a result, the Whites are also working on bringing another striker through the door this summer, with it recently being revealed they are set to make a £17m bid for Besiktas centre-forward Semih Kilicsoy, and a meeting with the Turkish club has been penciled in.
However, it would be a risk for Farke to bring in Kilicsoy as his new starting striker, given that he is only 19-years-old and unproven outside Turkey, and it could be a smart move to bring in a centre-forward who already has Premier League experience.
Last month, it was revealed that Leeds are interested in signing Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of the striker.
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According to a report from Leeds United News, the 49ers have now made progress in their pursuit of Muniz, and there are positive signs that he would be keen on making a move to Elland Road this summer.
Although the deal is still some way off completion, the 49ers are hopeful that it will be possible to lure the centre-forward away from Fulham, with the Brazilian now among their top targets.
However, it may take a sizeable offer to get a deal over the line, with previous reports revealing the Cottagers are set to hold out for a fee of £50m.
"Dangerous" Muniz impressing at Craven Cottage
The 24-year-old has now spent two full seasons in the Premier League, during which time he has maintained a solid, if not spectacular goal record, netting 17 goals in 57 appearances.
Marco Silva is clearly happy with how his forward has adapted to life in the top flight too, with the Fulham manager saying: “He’s getting stronger which is really difficult for the defenders to deal with. We know that if we provide for him inside the box then he’s really dangerous as well.”
It would be a real statement of intent if Leeds were able to steal a striker from an established Premier League side, especially considering Tottenham Hotspur are also keen, so it is exciting news that the deal is now progressing.
Liverpool have sold Jarell Quansah. Liverpool’s defensive graduate has played his part over the past few years, replacing Joel Matip after the Cameroonian’s knee injury and then going on to win titles and cement himself as a first-team star.
Praised by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his “complete package”, Quansah is the perfect profile for a modern centre-back; however, he struggled to replicate his form under Arne Slot’s last wing, on the backfoot from the offing after his half-time substitution last August, the new coach bemoaning his side’s success in the duel during his opening match in the dugout against Ipswich Town.
It’s the events of Liverpool’s triumphant 2024/25 season that have led to Quansah’s sale, but the 22-year-old can certainly hold his head high after winning the Carabao Cup and Premier League, notching 58 Reds appearances in total.
Beginners luck? Not likely. This is a wonderful talent who has now been signed by German club Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35m. Liverpool have inserted a buyback clause.
Jarell Quansah for Liverpool
Liverpool are having a fantastic transfer window, but they may yet have to contend with further exits to ruffle things up in Slot’s squad. Indeed, Luis Diaz is also being chased by one of the German Bundesliga’s heaviest hitters.
Why Luis Diaz could leave Liverpool
There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re of a Liverpool persuasion, but there’s no question that selling Diaz would be met with a measure of concern.
Bayern Munich have seen a formal approach rejected for the Colombian winger after Barcelona’s rebuffed bid at the start of June.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
While Diaz’s contract expires in two years, there have been no concrete negotiations pertaining to a renewal. This has left the 28-year-old frustrated, for he earns a comparatively modest wage of £55k per week.
For FSG’s part, they are happy to run down Diaz’s contract, waiving any chance of banking a healthy fee and instead profiting from his performances on the pitch.
Luis Diaz
After all, Diaz is coming off his best campaign in a Liverpool shirt, notching 25 goal contributions and providing invaluable support as a makeshift centre-forward.
But there remains an interest in a long-term successor all the same.
Liverpool in talks to sign new winger
According to The Independent, Liverpool are one of the clubs in contact with Lyon winger Malick Fofana, although FSG know work is to be done if they are to win the race, for Nottingham Forest have had an official bid accepted already.
Lyon have been provisionally relegated from Ligue 1 for financial troubles, thus widening the opportunity for suitors to sign Fofana, 20, this summer.
He won’t go cheap though. The French giants have slapped a €60m (£51m) price tag on their rising star, and that figure may yet soar as Lyon seek to hold out and drum up as much interest as possible.
Why Liverpool should sign Malick Fofana
Sporting director Richard Hughes has been tracking Fofana for a while, and his style of football suggests he would be an ideal addition to emulate the success Diaz has enjoyed on Merseyside.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Fofana, who has already made his international debut with Belgium, has been praised for his “explosive” style of play by analyst Ben Mattinson, bearing pace and physicality that isn’t too far away from Diaz’s robust skill set.
Joining from Belgian team Gent for a fee rising to €22m (£19m) in January 2024, he’s certainly shown himself to possess a clinical eye, scoring 15 goals and supplying seven assists across 62 appearances, of which only 29 have been starts.
The majority of those contributions came last term, with Fofana’s 11-goal and six-assist haul marking the beginning of a prolific journey that could see him emulate Diaz at Liverpool.
Goals
0.47
0.48
Assists
0.21
0.15
Touches (att pen)
6.08
6.18
Shots taken
1.84
2.52
Shot-creating actions
3.38
4.34
Progressive passes
2.44
3.95
Progressive carries
6.72
3.98
Successful take-ons
1.41
2.17
Ball recoveries
3.38
3.92
Tackles + interceptions
1.84
1.69
When looking at how the two wingers ranked up across all competitions in 2024/25 for their respective clubs, there’s perhaps a curious point to be made regarding Fofana’s (and in sequence Diaz’s) output, more creative and marginally more prolific than his counterpart.
Add his unrelenting ball-carrying into the bargain and you’ve got a wide forward capable of playing the role which Diaz plies so effectively for the Anfield outfit. In March, Fofana freed himself from his teenage years; the best is yet to come.
But that’s not to say he hasn’t shown his quality against heavy hitters. Only a few months ago, he racked up an assist against Manchester United in that extraordinary Europa League knockout tie. The Red Devils went through but the Belgian winger added to his earlier success in the competition with an impactful off-the-bench performance.
Did we mention that across his 16 Ligue 1 starts last season, the left-sided, right-footed forward scored five goals, missing only four big chances, created six big chances and won 54% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore. Combative and creative, he’s the full package.
Stepping into the Premier League while still finding his feet as a professional would make Fofana a risk for Liverpool to make, but an educated one at that. He wouldn’t be expected to perform with the slick intensity that Diaz brings, not from the offing, but there’s no question he has the tools to replace and maybe even improve upon Slot’s South American sensation.
Belgium'sMalickFofanain action with Italy's Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Liverpool’s boss has already demonstrated an incredible coaching aptitude on English soil, lifting the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo (who adds perfect competition on the left flank).
This is a talent of immense potential, and with so many clubs queuing up, Liverpool might want to take their shot before it’s too late.
Dream Diaz upgrade: Liverpool "discussing" move for "world-class" £85m star
Liverpool could be ramping up their pursuit of a new forward…
The 2024/25 Premier League season was disappointing for West Ham United with the Hammers coming 14th in the Premier League.
Whilst they were never in any real danger of relegation, they would have been hoping for a much better performance across the board. They lost 17 games in total in the top flight.
It could be all change for Graham Potter this summer with some big outgoings on the cards. One of those is Mohammed Kudus, who, as recently as the 6th of June, was reportedly offered to Chelsea, according to Sky Sports.
If someone as prominent as Kudus does leave the London Stadium this summer, they will, of course, need a replacement.
West Ham's potential Kudus replacement
It does indeed seem like Kudus could be on his way out of West Ham this summer and considering his performances since moving to the English capital, he will be hard to replace.
Fortunately, the Irons seem to have someone in mind already.
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Indeed, if the Ghanaian attacker does leave West Ham in the next few weeks or months, they could be set to replace him with Anderlecht attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens.
A report from Belgian outlet Votebal Belgie suggests that he has been on the Hammers’ ‘wish list for some time’.
In fact, they are already believed to have made a bid for the talented 20-year-old.
The report suggests West Ham made an £8.5m offer, which was promptly rejected by the Belgian giants. Instead, they could ask for as much as £17.1m to make a deal happen.
Why Stroeykens would be a good signing
Belgium U21 international Stroeykens has certainly made a big impression for Anderlecht last season. After coming through the club’s youth academy, the attacking midfielder has gone on to become a key player.
Last season in all competitions, Stroeykens featured 39 times across all competitions, contributing to five goals and seven assists. After starting the season strong with nine goal involvements in 13 league games, he suffered from a ligament injury, which slowed his progress.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Zellik, just outside of Brussels, would also bring European pedigree to the London Stadium. He played 430 minutes in the Europa League last term, both scoring and assisting in that time. The goal he scored was a sublime effort, showing his excellent technical quality.
Replacing the 24-year-old Kudus would not be easy for Stroeykens. The Ghana international has impressed for the Hammers in the 80 appearances he has made, scoring 19 times and registering 13 assists.
His first season in Claret and Blue saw him score and assist 23 times, including five goals in nine Europa League appearances. However, last term was not as fluid, with the Hammers’ number 14 managing just nine goal involvements.
Despite the struggles Kudus endured last season, there is no doubt about his importance to Potter’s side when at his best. That leaves Stroeykens with a big job to replace him, but as football scout Antonio Mango said, he is a “creative force” and can certainly look to match the output of the Ghana star.
The underlying stats via FBref suggest that the Belgian youngster, who tends to operate as a number 10, can indeed step up in Kudus’ absence.
For example, last term he averaged 1.54 key passes and 6.63 progressive passes each game, compared to 1.08 key passes and 2.74 progressive passes per 90 minutes for the Hammers star.
Goals and assists
0.41
0.28
Key passes
1.54
1.08
Progressive passes
6.63
2.74
Shot-creating actions
4.02
3.72
Goal-creating actions
0.77
0.35
Ball recoveries
5.21
4.79
Those stats highlight the creativity that Mango was talking about. They certainly suggest that Stroeykens has the ability to step into Kudus’ boots and take on some of the creative burden that will be there if, or when, he leaves.
FC Porto's Otavio in action with Anderlecht'sMarioStroeykens
For just £17m, this could be a brilliant addition for the Hammers, who will be hoping Stroeykens can become a key player for the club in the long term.
Free transfer: West Ham in contact to sign £100k-p/w star who Potter loves
Chelsea transfer chiefs are in the market for new attackers whilst Enzo Maresca’s men tackle their Club World Cup campaign, with the Blues looking to provide their manager with extra firepower ahead of a crucial second season for him.
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Spurs are set for a transfer tussle with their London rivals.
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Maresca won his first piece of silverware by smashing Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final, and before that, he guided Chelsea to a top five Premier League finish which gifted them a spot in next season’s Champions League draw.
The Italian’s first season in the Chelsea dugout was an undoubted success, and he could still add to their celebrations with a potential Club World Cup triumph in America.
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
Winning the CWC could bring a seismic financial windfall of nearly £100 million to Cobham’s coffers, so despite the tournament’s controversy, it is little surprise that sides taking part are serious about performing well.
A portion of their final earnings from the CWC could be put towards Chelsea’s recruitment drive, and it is widely believed that they’re prioritising the signing of a new winger in particular.
Jamie Gittens
Chelsea are back in talks to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Gittens as their top target for this position, despite having as many as three bids rejected for the Englishman before the pre-CWC transfer deadline (Florian Plettenberg).
As negotiations re-open for the Englishman, there are suggestions that Chelsea could even bring in two wingers this summer, especially if they end up selling Noni Madueke, which is seen as a real possibility (Simon Phillips).
Jadon Sancho’s return to Man United and news of Mykhailo Mudryk’s potential four-year ban for allegedly violating anti-doping rules has exacerbated Maresca’s need for a new forward, while Chelsea also remain on the hunt for a second striker after Liam Delap.
Chelsea hold talks over Brighton star Joao Pedro
One man who’s on Chelsea radar, and can play out wide, in attacking midfield or up front, comes in the form of Brighton star Joao Pedro.
The Brazil international bagged 10 goals and seven assists for Fabian Hurzeler’s side across all competitions last term, prompting rumoured interest from Chelsea and Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
According to Standard Sport, Chelsea have held talks over Pedro, and those conversations are continuing behind-the-scenes as BlueCo look to reinforce Maresca’s squad with further attacking additions.
This follows a report from talkSPORT that Newcastle are fearful of a Chelsea move for the 23-year-old, with there being concerns inside St. James’ Park that they could hijack their deal.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
The sticking point will likely be Pedro’s £70 million valuation, but according to ex-Premier League chief scout Mick Brown recently, the player has spoken to friends about potentially joining Chelsea this summer, so there could be a willingness on the player’s side.
“I hear he’s spoken to people around him about a move, and he would be interested in Chelsea,” Brown told Football Insider.
“He wants to make a step up from Brighton as they’re going to miss out on European football again. It’s just a case of whether they decide he’s the right man for the job.”
Everton have plenty of work to do in the transfer window and could now swoop for an experienced defender who enjoys a pre-existing relationship with David Moyes, according to a report.
Everton confirm exits to pave way for incomings
Making their gratitude known, Everton have confirmed six senior players have left the club upon the expiry of their contracts – Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Joao Virginia, Asmir Begovic, Mason Holgate and Neal Maupay.
Releasing a short statement on their departures, the club noted: “Everyone at Everton thanks the departing players for their commitment and service and wishes them all the best for the future.”
Everton's DominicCalvert-Lewincelebrates scoring their first goal
Dominic Calvert Lewin’s future at Everton remains uncertain as the Toffees continue to liaise on new deals for the England striker and Michael Keane.
Expert Keith Wyness has claimed that the former’s offer of a new contract is bonus-related, which has led to a feeling of dissatisfaction and could spell the end to his spell on Merseyside.
Should he leave, Everton have identified Galatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz as a potential replacement to strengthen their forward line. Youssef Chermiti and Beto remain as striking options after Armando Broja’s loan deal concluded.
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Defensively, Kyle Walker-Peters is a free transfer target for the Toffees following his exploits in the Premier League with Southampton last term, illustrating that a wealth of financial muscle isn’t necessary to attract quality reinforcements.
The Friedkin Group definitely have money to spend at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but there is an acknowledgement that they will need to be careful to adhere to PSR requirements.
Inexpensive deals in some areas may be a necessity in the infancy of their reign, so it won’t come as a surprise to hear that another free agent is being lined up to bolster Moyes’ backline.
Everton line up move for Vladimir Coufal
According to Football Insider, Everton are eyeing a free transfer move for Vladimir Coufal after his successful spell at West Ham United came to an end.
Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland are also keen on the Czechia international, who Moyes is keen to reunite with following his five years at the London Stadium.
Vladimir Coufal’s Premier League season in numbers (Fotmob)
Duels won
66
Tackles won
15
Aerial duels won
23
Recoveries
39
Cross accuracy
32.1%
In what turned out to be a disappointing season for the Hammers, Coufal made 25 appearances across all competitions and still has more to give in the English top-flight at 32 years of age.
Jake O’Brien has filled in on the right side of defence amid Everton’s transition to a back three at times under Moyes, though it would make sense to recruit a reliable operator amid veteran right-back Young’s departure.
Competition is high for his signature. Still, Coufal and Moyes have already enjoyed success together, so there is no reason to suspect that the Scot couldn’t get the best out of the Ostrava-born man at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Manchester United have now made an approach to sign a £59m striker who Ruben Amorim personally wants INEOS to bring in this summer, according to a report.
Man Utd eyeing new striker as Scholes backs Hojlund
Perhaps surprisingly, Paul Scholes has insisted that Man United should keep hold of Rasmus Hojlund beyond the summer, despite the striker’s very poor goal record in the Premier League last season, finding the back of the net just four times.
Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes suggested that Hojlund needs more support at striker, and cannot be expected to lead the line for United by himself at just 22-years-old.
However, despite receiving the backing of a club legend, it is looking increasingly likely the Danish forward could be on the move this summer, with a new report suggesting the Red Devils are now in talks over a sale.
Consequently, Ruben Amorim may well need to bring in a new striker before the new season starts, and a report from GiveMeSport has now revealed that Man United have made contact over a deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Amorim is said to be desperate to reunite with his former player, who he worked with during his time at Sporting, and an initial approach has now been made, in order to assess whether a deal will be possible this summer.
Sporting Club's Viktor Gyokeres.
The United boss was left unhappy with the initial decision to identify Liam Delap as the leading striker target, but with the Englishman moving to Chelsea, Gyokeres appears to have moved up the shortlist, and the Sweden international will be available for a fee of £59m.
"Incredible" Gyokeres could be real coup for Man Utd
The Sporting star could be considered an ambitious target, considering a number of Champions League clubs are also in the race for his signature, including Arsenal and Napoli, and it would be a real coup if the Red Devils are able to get a deal done.
Benjamin Sesko has also been identified as a target for United, but the 27-year-old has been far more prolific than the Slovenian in front of goal, albeit in a weaker league.
International teammate Emil Forsberg was also left impressed by his compatriot back in November, praising the strides he has taken in recent times: “He is incredible. He is constantly developing and doing what he is good at.”
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Amorim will be well-aware of Gyokeres’ abilities, having worked with him at Sporting CP, and he has proven he could be the answer to Man United’s attacking problems, so it is a positive development that an approach has now been made over a deal.
Leeds United are now showing interest in signing a £21m striker who’s been likened to legendary centre-forward Filippo Inzaghi, according to a reporter.
Leeds set sights on new striker
Joel Piroe was the top scorer in the Championship last season, netting a total of 19 goals, however, it may be wise for Leeds to bring in a striker with more Premier League experience if they are to avoid an instant return to the second tier.
As such, a number of different strikers have been identified as potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window, with Jamie Vardy and Callum Wilson set to be available on free transfers upon leaving Leicester City and Newcastle United.
Leeds striker links
Current club
Potential cost
Jamie Vardy
Leicester City
£0
Callum Wilson
Newcastle United
£0
Troy Parrott
AZ Alkmaar
£21m
Semih Kilicsoy
Besiktas
Loan
Moves for Vardy and Wilson could make sense, having proven themselves over a number of years in the Premier League, but there may be some concerns over the fact that both strikers are now likely to be in the latter stages of their careers.
As such, there may be a temptation to take a gamble on a younger centre-forward in the summer, and reports in Europe, via The 72, claim that Leeds are interested in signing Lecce star Nikola Krstovic.
A deal for Krstovic is unlikely to break the bank, with the Italian club willing to listen to offers of at least €25m (£21m), which could be a bargain, given the level of some of his performances in the Serie A last season…
Inzaghi-esque Krstovic impressing in Italy
Indeed, the Montenegro international performed very well in the Serie A throughout the 2024-25 campaign, picking up 11 goals and five assists in 37 outings, while he has also received praise from former manager Roberto D’Aversa in the past.
D’Aversa said: “Every ball in the box seems to magnetically find him. His style, his hunger for goals, it all reminds me of the great Pippo Inzaghi.”
“The club’s decision to bring him to Lecce during the transfer window has been vindicated. He’s not just a goal-scorer; he’s integral to our build-up play and brings a physical presence up front.”
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D’Aversa also lauded the 25-year-old for his “impressive” goal record during his time in Slovakia, and the way in which he has adapted to life in the Serie A suggests he could now be ready to make a move to the Premier League in the near future.
As such, while signing Wilson or Vardy on a free transfer would be more of a low-risk move for Leeds, it may be worth taking a gamble on Krstovic, who could be capable of leading the line for Daniel Farke’s side for many years to come.
Sir Alex Ferguson always had an eye for homegrown talent, building his Manchester United dynasty on the backs of British and Irish stars like Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane.
The legendary Scottish manager was well known for not always seeing eye to eye with even his greatest stars however, and was not afraid to dish out punishment to some of the biggest names in the game.
Gary Neville recalled a dispute after he swore at the 83 year-old during their time together at United: “He fined me a week’s wages, battered me after the match.
“Did it again the day after in his office. Then he proceeded to leave me out for the next two weeks, put me on the bench. He shouted something on to me [in the game] and I knew it. I spent the next 15 minutes of the match thinking, ‘I am done. I’m done.’”
Perhaps the most well-known case of ‘Fergie’ taking on one of his own players came in 2005, leading to Keane’s departure as Red Devils captain.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder had been in and out of the team since an injury sustained due to a poor tackle from Liverpool’s Luis Garcia, and had also taken issue with the quality of the team’s accommodation during a pre-season camp in Portugal.
And after an outburst criticising his teammates on MUTV as well as several rows with Ferguson and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, Keane left Old Trafford by mutual consent in November 2005.
Ferguson: Gerrard was the best midfielder in the Premier League
Suddenly United had a gaping hole in a team that had dominated the Premier League for years, and Sir Alex has since revealed the only man capable of filling that void at the time was Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
It’s little surprise the Scot was so appreciative of Gerrard’s talents either. At a time when United were dominating their north-west counterparts domestically, Gerrard was the sole constant thorn in their side.
Appearances
35
Wins
13
Draws
2
Losses
20
Goals
9
Assists
5
Yellow cards
6
Red cards
2
The Premier League has seen some of the best midfielders in the world throughout the years, leading to fierce debates as fans rank the likes of Keane, Gerrard, Vieira, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard.
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Sir Alex wasn’t the only one full of praise for Liverpool’s skipper though, with the legendary Jose Mourinho once admitting he tried to sign him both with Internazionale and while he was in charge at Chelsea.
It’s truly difficult to comprehend how England’s ‘golden era’ was unable to succeed with the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes leading the charge.
Everton are “working” on a potential deal for an “outstanding” defender in the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Graeme Bailey.
Moyes eyeing new signings for Everton
The Toffees continue to be linked with possible new signings this summer, with Greece and Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis emerging as an exciting option to make David Moyes’ side more of an attacking force.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season, scoring a combined 21 goals in the Champions League and Primeira Liga, registering seven assists across those competitions.
Meanwhile, Everton have also been linked with a shock move for Liverpool winger Ben Doak at the end of the season, which would send shockwaves across Merseyside.
The Scot is on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough and there is no guarantee that he has a long-term future at Anfield, which could lead to Everton pouncing for one of their rivals’ most exciting young players.
Whether the Reds would allow him to join their arch-rivals is up for debate, though.
Everton want to sign "outstanding" left-back
Speaking to Everton News, Bailey said that Everton want to sign Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin at the end of the season, with other Black Cats players also mentioned:
“They are one of the teams who are looking at Dennis Cirkin, the left-back at Sunderland. We know Crystal Palace and Tottenham like him.
“Obviously, Everton are looking at Sunderland with Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg and Dan Neil. The Championship is a division which David Moyes knows very well.
“Cirkin is someone on their list, and they are doing work on the full-back position, I know that.”
Cirkin may be a Championship player, but he could be a great addition for Everton, having been such a consistent performer for Sunderland over an extended period.
Prior to this weekend’s action, the 23-year-old has scored three goals and bagged two assists in the league this season, highlighting the quality he can provide from left-back, which is five times the amount of goal contributions Vitalii Mykolenko had managed in the Premier League (zero goals and one assist).
Stat
Cirkin
Mykolenko
Appearances
34
29
Starts
29
29
Minutes played
2632
2544
Goals
3
0
Assists
2
1
Clearances per game
2.6
4
Tackles per game
2.5
1.8
Aerial duel wins per game
1.2
1.5
Cirkin is a player with plenty of admirers, including former striker Sam Parkin, who has described him as an “outstanding” footballer, saying:
“I think he has been one of the most outstanding players in the division this season. When you watch him live, he is a very good athlete. I think he gets up and down; it is eye-catching, the way he moves with the ball, but his decision-making on the ball and his ability on the ball have been top-class this season.”
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At 23, Cirkin still has lots to offer, and the lure of the Premier League could be great if Sunderland fail to earn promotion, so Everton should be looking at him as an excellent option.
Tottenham Hotspur have endured a season to forget in 2024/25, with their dismal standing in the Premier League reflecting their failure to impress on the pitch.
Ange Postecoglou’s side currently sit in the bottom half of the table, but could still end the campaign with a trophy should they claim the Europa League title.
However, pressure is building on the Aussie in North London, with it unclear if he will even be in charge next season should they end the year trophyless once again.
Regardless, additions are hugely needed to prevent a repeat of this season, with the summer window rapidly approaching and work needing to be done behind the scenes.
One player has already emerged onto the Lilywhites’ shortlist ahead of the opening of the window, offering added quality in a department that has been struggling in recent months.
Spurs plot move for £60m defensive star
According to journalist Christian Falk, Spurs are one of numerous sides interested in making a move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie this summer.
Fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on a move to land the 23-year-old, who’s valued at around £60m by Xabi Alonso’s men.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
The Ecuadorian international has made 39 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, notching five combined goals and assists – having an impact at both ends of the pitch.
The report states that the Bundesliga outfit may have to offload players this summer, with Hincapie one big-money star who could depart the side ahead of 2025/26.
Whilst it would be another huge investment into the first-team squad, it is one that is desperately needed, offering an upgrade on one player currently plying their trade in North London.
Why Hincapie would be an upgrade on Van de Ven
Over the last few months, injuries have massively plagued the Spurs backline, resulting in countless players having to operate at the heart of the defence – albeit in an unnatural position.
Archie Gray is just one player who had to feature in such a role, doing an admirable job despite his tender age and inexperience in such a position throughout the early years of his professional career.
Micky van de Ven walks off injured for Tottenham
The youngster was forced to cover after regular centre-back Micky Van de Ven spent an extended period on the sidelines after a reoccurrence of his hamstring issue.
The Dutchman has been a key member of the side since his move in the summer of 2023, racking up 44 appearances throughout his two years in North London.
However, the injuries he’s suffered in recent times have halted his progress, subsequently being unable to replicate his high levels of performance which caught the eye in his debut year in England’s top flight.
When he has played, he’s been unable to better Hincapie, leading to the recent transfer news which could see the Leverkusen star take the Dutchman’s place in the side should he move this summer.
Games played
26
11
Goals & assists
4
2
Progressive carries
1.8
0.8
Progressive passes
5.3
4.6
Tackles won
1.4
0.6
Interceptions made
1.2
0.9
Aerials won
58%
52%
The Ecuadorian, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has managed to complete more progressive carries and more progressive passes per 90 – showcasing his ability to play out from the back in a possession-based system.
He’s also managed to win more tackles and come out on top in more aerial battles, offering that added defensive solidity that Spurs have hugely lacked throughout this season.
Whilst it may be harsh on Van de Ven, from the figures produced in recent times, it’s evident that Hincapie would be an upgrade on the talented youngster.
Unfortunately, football is a cutthroat industry, with success the main priority, something which the 23-year-old could play a huge part in should he complete any move during the upcoming window.
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