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Harry Kane boasts “absurd quality”, says Ederson, with the Manchester City goalkeeper pleased to see the prolific striker at Bayern Munich.

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• England star is Spurs' all-time leading scorer
• Troubled City on a regular basis down the years
• Left for a new challenge at Bayern in 2023

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Prior to completing a big-money transfer to Germany in 2023, Kane spent several years in the Premier League becoming Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer. He lined up against City and Ederson on a regular basis, with the England captain always posing plenty of problems to Pep Guardiola’s side.

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• WHAT EDERSON SAID

  Brazil international Ederson told  when asked to pick out the toughest frontman he had faced: “Man, I've faced a few strikers, especially in the Premier League. But I think the most difficult one, the one I've seen with the most quality, is Harry Kane. He has an absurd quality, both inside the box and outside, when he comes out to receive play, he has a lot of quality. So, from my point of view, he was one of the best strikers I've ever faced.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Guardiola always has a plan for players such as Kane, with Ederson adding on his demanding coach at the Etihad Stadium: “He's a nice guy, he's sometimes annoying, in the sense of [being] demanding, because he has to [be] demanding to a professional [player], and he's also angry when he has to be angry. But he's a nice guy off the pitch, and he's a very, very demanding guy on it. And he's also a guy who gets angry like any other person, like any other coach, when things don't go well, when the team doesn't play well. Of course, we know that we're not going to be able to play 70 games at a brilliant level, of course, in one game or another, there's going to be a dip.”c

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  Defending Premier League champions City, who are hoping to see Guardiola agree an extension to a contract that is due to expire next summer, will be back in action on Sunday when taking in a trip to Molineux to face Wolves.

Arsenal are eyeing up two potential alternatives to Benjamin Sesko as they search for a striker to sign ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, according to one journalist.

Arsenal eye attacking reinforcement

Arsenal enjoyed a solid 2023/24 campaign under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. They were able to push Manchester City to the final day in the title race – a vast improvement on their 2022/23 challenge, which began to fall apart in April of that season. However, if the Gunners are to take the next step in their evolution and finally end their 20-year-plus wait for the Premier League, further improvements will likely be needed.

A key area the north Londoners should look to improve is up front. The Gunners shared their goals around across the previous season, but lacked a standout goalscorer who could come up clutch in big games, similar to Erling Haaland for Manchester City.

Rather concerningly for Arsenal, their top goalscorers in 2023/24 were primarily used on the wings, with Kai Havertz the first player on the list to actually play through the middle on a regular basis. As a result, it makes sense for the Gunners to be looking to add a high-scoring forward to their ranks this summer.

In their striker search, Arsenal have their sights on RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko as one serious option, while Napoli's Victor Osimhen has been linked in the past. A report earlier this week also claimed Arsenal are ready to "bid hard" for Viktor Tsygankov and have held talks with his entourage.

Arsenal eye Sesko alternatives

However, a fresh update from journalist Ben Jacobs has now shed some light on Arsenal's hunt for a striker, and while Benjamin Sesko has been heavily linked of late, it appears the north London outfit have a couple of alternative options in mind.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs claimed Brighton's Evan Ferguson and Viktor Gyokeres are listed alongside the aforementioned Sesko as options that have been looked at. Ivan Toney has also apparently been ruled out as an option by the capital outfit, while a deal for Osimhen is not thought to be advanced.

“I think Arsenal are still stuck deciding on the striker front. But it’s clear that that’s the kind of profile that they’re looking for, and they feel is missing," he said. “And along with Benjamin Sesko, they’ve considered Evan Ferguson and Viktor Gyokeres, but they’ve ruled out Ivan Toney.

“And even though we hear reports about Arsenal moving for Victor Osimhen, the outlay is so severe that nothing is advancing at this stage on that front. It’s a long window, of course, but there’s better value and slightly younger profiles of strikers that Arsenal are prioritising at this time.”

Evan Ferguson, previously valued at a mammoth £120m by his current club, is one of the brightest young strikers in world football, having scored 16 goals in 65 appearances for Brighton since his senior debut. The 19-year-old has a bright career ahead of him, with former Seagulls teammate Alexis Mac Alister labelling him "amazing".

"Evan is an amazing player," said Mac Allister last year. "He was not having his best evening, but he showed his quality. We are really happy for him, we know how important he is."

As for Gyokeres, he has taken the European footballing world by storm after leaving Coventry for Sporting CP. The 26-year-old netted a staggering 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 games across all competitions for the Portuguese outfit.

Arsenal could sign their next Overmars in £43m partner for Saka

Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his frontline this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 9, 2024

Pulisic’s scoring run at AC Milan shows no sign of easing off, with the in-form American posting a 34-year first for USMNT stars

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• Enjoyed productive debut campaign at San Siro
• Impressive form has carried over into 2024-25
• Matched an achievement by ex-USMNT striker

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The United States international posted a personal best on the goal front last season, as he found the target on 15 occasions across a productive debut campaign at San Siro. He has quickly become a talismanic presence for the Rossoneri.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That remains the case in 2024-25, with Milan often looking to Pulisic for inspiration. He has been doing his best to deliver, with a flurry of goals and assists being recorded. The 26-year-old has found the net in six of his last seven appearances for club and country.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  That sequence includes a run of goals in four successive Serie A appearances. He converted from the penalty spot against Venezia on September 14 and has also troubled the scores in meetings with Inter – as golf pro girlfriend Alexa Melton watched on – Lecce and Fiorentina.

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  TELL ME MORE

  Pulisic has become the first USMNT player to score in four consecutive appearances in one of European football’s top five divisions since Roy Wegerle achieved that feat for Queens Park Rangers in the old English First Division back in August-September 1990.

With a deal to sign Lloyd Kelly reportedly nearing completion, Newcastle United have reportedly shifted their focus to another defensive reinforcement in the summer transfer window.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have seemingly taken full advantage of the expiration of Kelly's Bournemouth contract to wisely seal a free deal for the versatile defender. He will arrive to provide instant cover for Eddie Howe's backline, which is already without Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman for extended periods ahead of the beginning of next season.

With cover arguably needed for both Lascelles and Botman, however, Kelly is unlikely to be the last defender through the door at St James' Park this summer, with the likes of Dean Huijsen also linked with a move.

Newcastle make first move to sign "outstanding" £50,000-a-week player

The Magpies aren’t messing around this summer…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 6, 2024

The original plan seemed to be landing a free deal for Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo at the end of his current contract in a replication of the Kelly deal, but Chelsea have since reportedly swooped in to turn the defender's head. Now, the Magpies have shifted their focus towards the Netherlands.

According to Dutch outlet AD, Newcastle are interested in a move to sign Lutsharel Geertruida from Feyenoord this summer. The right-back, who can also play as a centre-back and a defensive midfielder, has attracted the interest of Liverpool alongside the Magpies and could now have a decision to make in the coming months.

Newcastle will hope to counter Arne Slot's Feyenoord advantage at Liverpool with the fact that Geertruida is under the same agency as Harvey Barnes, who the Magpies signed just last summer. Still just 23 years old, the Feyenoord man could certainly solve Newcastle's defensive depth problem.

"Amazing" Geertruida can ease Botman blow

Whilst he could yet succeed Kieran Trippier at St James' Park, Geertruida's first task at Newcastle may well be to replace the injured Botman in Howe's side. Without the Dutchman, Newcastle run the risk of a slow start to the Premier League campaign, making their search for a short-term replacement, who can also serve a long-term purpose, crucial this summer.

It could even be argued that Geertruida would hand Howe quite the selection headache when Botman returns from injury. But that competition should only be seen as healthy as the Magpies look to make an instant return to European qualification next season.

Unsurprisingly, Geertruida has earned plenty of praise during his time at Feyenoord, with Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig describing the defender as "amazing" on X:

A title-winner at Feyenoord and a defender only likely to get even better, Newcastle could seal an underrated deal and solve any potential defensive crisis in one swift move this summer.

Dele Alli has gone 19 months since his last competitive appearance, with Everton confirming that he’s endured another “slip back” on the injury front.

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• Midfielder is now a free agent
• Hoping to earn fresh deal with Toffees
• Endured nightmare run on the fitness front

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 28-year-old midfielder saw his contract with the Toffees expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He has been a free agent since then, but has continued to work with the Premier League outfit after seeing them aid his recovery from an operation at the start of the calendar year.

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  Everton are open to agreeing fresh terms with Dele if he proves himself deserving of them, with a compromise having been reached with Tottenham that means previously agreed transfer fees will not need to change hands – as everybody tries to get the ex-England international’s career back on track.

• WHAT DYCHE SAID

  Dele has, however, suffered more fitness woe while being put through his paces at the Toffees’ training ground. Club boss Sean Dyche has said: “He’s just making sure he’s right. He’s had a little bit of a slip back with his fitness so he is just in that total recovery period. He’s been out that long it’s just about making sure everything is right.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Quizzed on how Dele is dealing with the fresh setback, Dyche added: “It’s not easy but unfortunately it is part of being a professional footballer. Not for all, of course. I had a year out with my back, played one game and then did my back again the next week. You work for six or seven months and then you’re out for another seven months, it’s hard. Your body is the tool you need and if it breaks down it is really difficult but you find your way through it.

  “Players are fortunate now. With me, my career was on the line. Now most of these guys, not all, make enough money to look after themselves for the future. Not that it’s about that, it doesn’t make it feel any better when you’re injured, but it’s worse when you’re injured for that long and you don’t know what is coming next and you are on the breadline. That’s a whole different ball game. But he has had a tough run of it, there is no doubt about that, and on the back of him feeling better about himself. To have this period out has been very challenging for him but whenever I see him he seems to be in good spirits. He’s well aware of the situation.”

Manchester United have decided to say “goodbye” to Erik ten Hag and have already held talks with their new top managerial target, according to Sky Sports' international reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.

Man Utd manager rumours

The Red Devils are currently preparing for the FA Cup final in what is looking increasingly likely to be Ten Hag’s final game in charge. The Dutchman and United have had their struggles this season, and defeat at Wembley to Manchester City would see the club finish trophyless and with no European football next season.

Man Utd hold talks to sign £85m star to replace Harry Maguire

The Englishman is up for sale.

By
Charlie Smith

May 22, 2024

Should Ten Hag depart, then Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS may need to make a quick decision on who will replace the current manager. A number of names have been linked, including Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino. Both bosses are seemingly keen on the idea of replacing Ten Hag, however, neither Tuchel nor Pochettino appear to be the main Old Trafford candidate.

Man Utd have “spoken to” Kieran McKenna

Sky Sports reporter Di Marzio provided a Man Utd manager update in the last 24 hours, claiming that a decision has been made to say “goodbye to Ten Hag”.

Talking to Soccernews, Di Marzio also revealed that the Red Devils' top target as they “are mainly hoping for McKenna”, and have even spoken to the Ipswich Town boss already over a possible move.

McKenna, who was previously the assistant at Old Trafford to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (168 games), Jose Mourinho (24 games), Ralf Rangnick (3 games) and even Michael Carrick (3 games), has worked wonders at Portman Road.

The 38-year-old has taken the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons, so you can see why he is also attracting interest from Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea.

Therefore, United and Ratcliffe may have to act quickly if they want to seal a deal for their main candidate, but if not, it looks as if Pochettino is a back up option, according to Di Marzio.

Aston Villa have been heavily linked with signing Anderlecht defender Sergio Gomez in recent weeks and the Spaniard could form a superb partnership with Philippe Coutinho on Steven Gerrard’s left-hand side.

Reports have suggested that Villa are keen on signing the former Barcelona man after his superb performances in the Belgian Pro League last season.

The Villans will be in the market for a left-back after Matt Targett was allowed to join Newcastle United on a permanent deal, having spent the second half of last season on loan with Eddie Howe’s side.

While Lucas Digne has impressed since his January switch from Everton, Gerrard will no doubt be looking for such competition for the Frenchman at left-back, and Gomez could be the ideal man.

Last season saw the 21-year-old average an impressive 7.08 rating from WhoScored for his domestic performances, as he contributed a superb six goals and 11 assists for the Belgian side.

The young defender, who is also capable of playing in midfield, has spent much of his youth representing either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund, so has a rich history and looks to have a huge amount of potential.

The “great talent” spent five years in Barcelona’s La Masia academy, so could form a natural connection with Coutinho in Villa’s side next season given his footballing education.

That spell in his career has clearly had a big influence on his style of play, as WhoScored suggests that his strengths include passing, playing key passes and holding on to the ball.

These attributes would surely compliment Coutinho well down the left-hand side, and the prospect of the two working together and creating chances next season is surely one that will excite Gerrard and Villa fans.

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Therefore, Johan Lange should definitely consider making Gomez Villa’s fifth signing of the summer, as he clearly has a huge amount of potential, and his style of play could work wonders alongside Coutinho under Gerrard’s management next season.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals “full agreement” reached, Aston Villa supporters surely gutted

Southampton have a track record when it comes to signing young players from fellow Premier League clubs during previous transfer windows, either on permanent or loan deals.

Some recent names who fit into this category include Gavin Bazunu, Valentino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters, among others.

One other youngster who started to make a name for himself at St Mary’s after arriving from another top-flight club is Armando Broja.

Signed from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal last summer, the striker went on to score nine goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.

To further highlight his attacking prowess, only James Ward-Prowse (51) and Che Adams (49) racked up more shots at goal in the league than the Chelsea youngster (48).

Should the Albanian not make a return to the south coast next season, one other player with whom the Saints have been linked and who could be seen as their next version of Broja is Manchester City striker Liam Delap.

In 2019, the 19-year-old joined City’s under-18 squad from Derby County’s youth ranks. Since then, the Englishman has made 60 appearances for the Manchester club across their senior and youth teams, scoring 46 goals and providing 16 assists along the way.

Labelled an “exceptional striker” by Pep Guardiola, Delap certainly knows how to find the net, something which often can’t be said of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side given how they only scored 43 goals in the Premier League last season.

Bearing in mind how the Citizens will have Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez in their ranks as their new centre-forward options for next season, this could make the teenager’s chances of getting regular game-time rather slim should their new additions hit the ground running.

Therefore, a move to St Mary’s, where he’d presumably get regular game-time in the Premier League, could be a rather tempting prospect for the player and his development.

With that in mind, if the Broja ship has sailed, Southampton should definitely make an approach to the champions to see if they would be willing to let their young centre-forward leave this summer, either on loan or permanently.

AND in other news – Imagine him and Armstrong: Saints closing in on £18m-rated ace who Ralph will love

Fabrizio Romano has delivered a transfer update which will leave Liverpool supporters and Jurgen Klopp gutted.

What’s the word?

It regards Christopher Nkunku, with whom the Reds have reportedly been linked, as the player has signed a new contract at RB Leipzig.

Romano tweeted: “Official and confirmed. Christopher Nkunku extends his contract with RB Leipzig until June 2026, deal now signed and sealed. There’s a release clause included in the new deal for €60m.”

This new contract means that the player won’t be leaving the Bundesliga this summer, which will be a disappointment to Klopp and other Premier League suitors such as Manchester United.

Nkunku staying at Leipzig

The Frenchman had an incredible 2021/22 season, playing 50 times for Leipzig as they reached the Europa League semi-finals and won the DFB-Pokal while scoring a remarkable 35 goals and registering 19 assists. It’s no wonder so many clubs have been monitoring his progress.

His versatility would have been a big bonus for Klopp, as he can play in either an attacking midfield role or as a second striker.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

All hope is not lost, though. As stated by Romano, Nkunku has a release clause worth €60m (£51m) in his new contract and this can be activated from summer 2023, which means that there could be plenty of clubs on standby who continue to follow his development.

If the 24-year-old carries on last season’s form into the 2022/23 campaign, Klopp should be doing all that he can to make the deal happen, as the Frenchman would fit well into Liverpool’s style of play.

Nkunku scored once every 137 minutes in the Bundesliga last season, and with 10 big chances missed, he could easily have added to his 20-goal tally. He also made 1.9 key passes per match while completing an impressive 67% of his dribbles, which suggests that he is more than capable of providing big chances for team-mates to convert.

A fee of £51m for a player of his calibre is a bargain in today’s transfer market, and Klopp should be closely monitoring the Leipzig star’s situation up to next summer. For now, Reds fans will likely be disappointed to hear that Nkunku won’t be at Anfield before then.

AND in other news, Klopp could land dream Mane heir with Liverpool bid for “world-class” £200k-p/w dynamo

It’s no secret that Everton need a major summer overhaul following on from their narrow escape from Premier League relegation at the end of last season.

Frank Lampard inherited a squad which should have had enough quality to finish much higher than their eventual position of 16th in the table, and he now has the summer transfer window to clear out some deadwood and bring in a few upgrades.

One player that the 43-year-old should be aiming to bring in sooner rather than later is Matheus Nunes from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to Goodison Park according to O Jogo, who claimed that Everton showed initial interest in 2021 before continuing to watch him develop; and after a great season at Sporting, they are now looking to swoop.

Journalist Santi Aouna tweeted: “Info: Nunes has received approaches from Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Everton. He will only be sold at the price of his release clause which is €60m.”

This works out as around £51m and would be a massive outlay for Everton, but they need to add quality to their ranks, and he is a major upgrade on Allan.

Not only is Nunes more of a goalscoring threat, netting three goals last season to the Brazilian’s zero, he also took more shots (22 to seven), giving himself a better chance of scoring.

Nunes created six big chances in the league last term, whereas Allan didn’t create any, and the Portuguese gem also took 12 more touches on average compared to the Everton midfielder (59.5 to 47.5), showing his composure on the ball.

Nunes was only dribbled past 0.7 times per match last season, while Allan let opponents go past him 2.5 times per 90 minutes.

These figures show the type of player that Lampard requires, and he could finally axe Allan in the process. Having been described as “one of the best players in the world today” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, then it’s clear he will be able to excel in the Premier League.

AND in other news, “Full agreement”: Fabrizio Romano drops Everton transfer claim that’ll delight Lampard