Stefano Pioli could reportedly quit Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr after just one season with the Saudi Pro League club.
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Cristiano Ronaldo admits he is not chasing the 1,000 goal landmark despite needing to net just 69 more times in his career.
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Setting their sights on future stars, Manchester United are now reportedly keen on signing a repeat of their summer deal to welcome Chido Obi-Martin from Arsenal’s academy.
The Red Devils have it all to do in 2025 after ripping up their plan and starting fresh under Ruben Amorim – the latest manager tasked with turning things around at Old Trafford. And so far, that decision has led to mixed results, with Amorim’s side shocking Manchester City at The Etihad in dramatic fashion last time out, only to suffer a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur to exit the Carabao Cup in midweek.
It’s not the results that have been stealing the headlines in the last week, however, with Marcus Rashford’s fresh desire for a new challenge emerging to take the spotlight.
The Manchester United forward told journalist Henry Winter: “For me, personally, I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps. When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Man United. That’s me. I will always be a Red.”
Just who secures Rashford’s signature remains to be seen but as he heads for the exit door, a young talent could come in the other direction.
According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Manchester United are now keen on signing Ayden Heaven, who has just rejected a contract offer from Arsenal to deal the Gunners a frustrating blow.
Of course, the Red Devils already dealt Arsenal a similar blow during the summer when they lured Obi-Martin away from The Emirates to hand their own academy an instant boost. The youngster has so far proved to be well worth the pursuit too, scoring seven games in seven games for United’s youth side.
Amorim must sell Man Utd's 3/10 Ten Hag dud whose value has risen by 100%
The Man Utd man struggled against Spurs
By
Joe Nuttall
Dec 20, 2024
Now, Heaven could emerge to provide the same boost if Manchester United beat the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool to secure the youngster’s signature.
Whilst Manchester United’s stock has fallen on the pitch, it’s still seemingly strong enough to tempt future stars into completing moves to Old Trafford, as seen during in the summer when they signed Obi-Martin. Now, their reputation could be put to good use to Arsenal’s detriment yet again if they chase Heaven’s signature when 2025 arrives.
The 18-year-old centre-back is certainly one for the future, but that hasn’t stopped the praise from pouring in. Analyst Ben Mattinson took a closer look at the versatile centre-back, dubbing him “unique” during the summer.
A club with a long way to go to get back to the top, Manchester United would certainly be making a good start by welcoming a young player of Heaven’s potential.
Tottenham are set to be busy in the January transfer window, and have now made an enquiry about signing a new midfielder for Ange Postecoglou in the winter window, though they may have to wait to secure his arrival in north London.
Currently marooned in the bottom half of the Premier League with 10 losses in 20 games, Tottenham are in the midst of a crisis.
Injuries have crippled their campaign to date, with all of their centre-backs missing through injury or illness in the second half of their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United. Elsewhere, both Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have been sidelined for much of the season, while Rodrigo Bentancur has served a long ban and Guglielmo Vicario is set to be absent until February.
Such issues have forced Postecoglou to make ends meet, with Archie Gray and Djed Spence playing at centre-back against the Magpies. However, with the January transfer window now open, the Lilywhites have a chance to address some of their squad problems, and are expected to be busy.
The club have already announced the signing of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in a deal worth a reported £12.5m, while they are also thought to be targeting a defender and a forward this window.
Postecoglou has already suggested his side may be busy, admitting before the defeat to Newcastle that “the club are working hard to try and sort of get some help for the playing group” and that “it’s no secret we need to bolster our numbers up a little bit, so the club’s working hard on that.”
Now, it appears that they have taken an interest in an international midfielder.
That is according to TEAMtalk, who report that Spurs are one of the sides to have enquired about Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi this winter.
The Italian is keen to leave San Siro due to a lack of game time, and there is reported interest from English trio Manchester United, Newcastle United and Spurs as well as Roma.
Valued at €50m (£41.5m), a deal would likely be low on Tottenham’s list of January priorities given their current situation with injuries, but it would be in keeping with Postecoglou’s desire to strengthen his midfield, with the Lilywhites having been one of the sides keen on signing Conor Gallagher from Chelsea last summer.
Any deal would likely have to wait until the summer, with Inter wanting “to keep their players until at least after the Club World Cup this summer”, despite reports elsewhere suggesting that Frattesi himself is open to an exit sooner.
Often overlooked in Serie A, Frattesi was dubbed “underrated” by Italian Football TV, who added that he “always performs for club and country” despite “not getting the minutes he deserves”.
|
Davide Frattesi in 24/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Starts |
4 |
|
Goals |
3 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Minutes per goal/assist |
148.5 |
Could Tottenham be the place to offer him those regular opportunities and reap the rewards?
Former Arsenal and Bayern star Lukas Podolski has compared Harry Kane to Roberto Carlos and described his shooting technique as "excellent".
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Everton boss David Moyes is eyeing up a summer move for Ipswich goalscorer Liam Delap.
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When the first ball was kicked to start the 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League, Manchester City supporters must have been dreaming of a fifth straight top-flight title coming home to the Etihad by the end of yet another sterling season.
Although there is still time for City to right their wrongs, it looks unlikely that another title will be heading to the light blue half of Manchester come the close of the 38-game marathon, as Arne Slot’s Liverpool now sit pretty at the top of the division as the new top dogs whilst Pep Guardiola’s men unexpectedly struggle.
Indeed, City have already tasted the bitterness of defeat six times this season from 20 games, which leaves them scrambling about to save their damaged ego all the way down in sixth position.
Rodri’s injury hasn’t helped proceedings whatsoever for the usual dominant force of English football, as the Ballon d’Or winner has made just two appearances all season long, but those who have been fit week in week out who continue to underperform haven’t exactly got much credit in the bank anymore.
There have also been an alarming amount of injuries in defence for Guardiola to cope with, as John Stones and Nathan Ake have both been regularly situated in the Etihad treatment room to further ramp up City’s woes.
But, there is still arguably enough quality brimming throughout the City ranks – even when acknowledging that bad luck with injuries – to mean a sixth-place finish would be a gross underachievement, with Ilkay Gundogan one face that has been way off the pace required of him all season long.
The ex-Borussia Dortmund man is definitely a victim of his own success here, with his presence in the side previously seen as paramount, especially when he was firing home strikes like the one above to aid his team’s quest for silverware on some grand stages just last year.
The 2022/23 season saw the German midfielder pick up an impressive eight goals and five assists just in the Premier League alone, meaning his exit to Barcelona at the end of the campaign was one that was met with anguish that City had ended up losing such a top quality servant.
Now, if Gundogan was to walk away from the club shortly, there wouldn’t be that same outpouring of sadness, with the ageing midfielder only managing one weak assist in league action for 2024/25, alongside a failure to find the net.
Galatasaray are allegedly keen on landing the declining 34-year-old this summer, with City unlikely to stand in his way, considering his wages also come in at a steep £230k-per-week.
He isn’t the only high earner that Guardiola will be getting increasingly irritated over, however, with one of Gundogan’s teammates in the middle pocketing way more than even his own substantial pay packet, whilst also finding himself nearing ever closer towards the exit door.
Jack Grealish was always going to be an easy figure to attack after he made an extortionate £100m switch to City a reality back in 2021, with that wild price tag likely to bite him down the line if he wasn’t a rip-roaring success in Manchester.
Moreover, unlike his presence at boyhood employers Aston Villa where he was a constant source of entertainment as a flashy attacker, City already had a star-studded camp that could all excite and enthral on their day.
Therefore, the move has fallen somewhat flat, with Grealish never quite expressing himself in the same way he could at Villa, where outrageous moments of quality from the England international were just expected.
Instead, his minutes haven’t always been regular – with just six league starts coming his way so far this campaign – which has led to his goal contributions depleting season by season playing at the Ethiad, resulting in his £100m fee now looking like a big waste of cash.
|
Grealish’s PL numbers at City/Villa |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games played |
Goals scored |
Assists |
|
24/25 |
14 |
0 |
1 |
|
23/24 |
20 |
3 |
1 |
|
22/23 |
28 |
5 |
7 |
|
21/22 |
26 |
3 |
3 |
|
20/21 (Villa) |
26 |
6 |
10 |
|
19/20 (Villa) |
36 |
8 |
6 |
|
Sourced by Transfermarkt |
|||
Besides a positive 2022/23 output, Grealish has struggled to be that standout star-man at City, with his spot in the main XI at the reigning Premier League champions now handed to fresh blood in the form of Savinho.
Guardiola has even stated that the Brazilian – who does boast five more goal contributions than his ex-Villa counterpart in league action – is in ‘better shape’ away from just being more reliable in attack, with Grealish presumably nearing the end of his tether even more subsequently.
Whilst City wouldn’t be able to get rid of Grealish for anywhere near his previous £100m valuation now, at least offloading the underperforming midfielder this January would see some space on the wage bill be freed up.
Grealish reportedly earns a bumper £300k-per-week wage in Guardiola’s camp at the moment, with only Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland earning more.
But, both of those figures – as much as Haaland has been through the wringer this season himself with some poor displays – are still regulars under the Spaniard, unlike the Birmingham-born midfielder.
|
Man City’s top five highest earners – 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Wage per week |
Wage costs over a year |
|
1. Kevin De Bruyne |
£400k-per-week |
£20.8m |
|
2. Erling Haaland |
£375k-per-week |
£19.5m |
|
= 3. Jack Grealish |
£300k-per-week |
£15.6m |
|
= 3. Bernando Silva |
£300k-per-week |
£15.6m |
|
5. John Stones |
£275k-per-week |
£13m |
|
Sourced by FootballFanCast |
||
Unbelievably, even as he slides down the pecking order, Grealish still pockets the third joint highest salary at the club, with Phil Foden and Rodri even remarkably earning less at £225k-per-week and £220k-per-week respectively.
Whilst Foden will also be less than enthused with what he’s offered up this campaign, he can again boast more goals and assists in league action at three combined, with a goal last time out helping his improving side beat West Ham United 4-1.
Sometimes, major transfers just don’t end up working out, and in the case of Grealish, it feels as if the best decision this January would be to put the £300k-per-week man out of his misery so he can shine away from Manchester.
Man City renew interest in "genius" star who's far better than Grealish
Manchester City are interested in signing a player from Barcelona in 2025.
By
Ben Gray
Jan 2, 2025
David Moyes endured a tough return to the Goodison Park dugout on Wednesday evening, with Everton defeated at home against Aston Villa. It was a narrow game, but then the Toffees need to capitalise on narrow margins going forward.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late miss extended his goalless run to 16 Premier League matches, and it’s getting very clear – if it wasn’t already – that the 27-year-old should be replaced this month, especially as he is out of contract this summer.
Armando Broja’s ankle injury is a cruel blow to a player looking for respite, but from a financial point of view, the loan star’s likely recall to Chelsea frees up space for Everton to bolster.
While a new striker is coveted, the Toffees’ new owners, The Friedkin Group, are sniffing around other positions too.
According to TEAMtalk, Everton are showing ‘concrete’ interest in signing Ernest Nuamah, with the Lyon forward excitingly pursued alongside a new centre-forward.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The report suggests that the Ligue 1 side are looking for a fee in the region of £25m for the youngster, although the Toffees could instead put forward a loan bid this month, which would include an option to buy.
While TFG might have reservations about adding a third right-wing loanee to the Goodison Park squad, Jesper Lindstrom and Jack Harrison are struggling to cut the mustard.
Everton failed to sign the Ghana winger last summer but could now prevail after his struggles at Lyon this term. Given that it could be an initial short-term stay from January, Moyes might even repeat his Jesse Lingard masterclass.
Nuamah is still only 21 but has shown flashes of brilliance with Lyon, completing 51 appearances so far. Analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as an “explosive, physical winger” and a “relentless threat.”
As per FBref, Nuamah ranks among the top 17% of positional peers in Ligue 1 this season for progressive carries and tackles per 90, highlighting a strong and varied skill set that could be perfect for Moyes’ system.
With a new centre-forward in the mix too, Everton may just be on the cusp of an exciting new strikeforce to launch the fresh chapter into the ascendency. Moyes loves a January addition, after all, welcoming Jarrod Bowen to the London Stadium as his first port of call in January 2020, a month after his appointment.
More pertinently to this case, though, Nuamah could prove to be the Scottish tactician’s next version of Lingard, with the former Three Lions star enjoying the most prolific spell of his career as a West Ham player.
Lingard signed for West Ham in January 2021 after sitting as a non-entity at Manchester United across the first half of the 2020/21 campaign.
Success in football is ephemeral and Lingard, now 32 and playing in South Korea, epitomised that, but his short stint under Moyes’ wing stands as one of the most iconic loan spells in Premier League history.
|
Jesse Lingard – Premier League Stats with West Ham |
|
|---|---|
|
Match Stats* |
# |
|
Matches (starts) |
16 |
|
Goals |
9 |
|
Assists |
4 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
2.6 (1.4) |
|
Big chances missed |
2 |
|
Pass completion |
84% |
|
Key passes* |
1.1 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
1.1 |
|
Total duels won* |
3.4 |
|
Stats via Sofascore (* = per game) |
|
There’s a purple patch and then there’s a purple patch. Moyes will be hoping to repeat the trick with Nuamah, though perhaps with one eye on the future, and tying the Ghanaian down to a long-term stay on Merseyside that could shape him into a top-class Premier League star.
Everton in contact to seal a "phenomenal" signing who's better than DCL
Everton are interested in a deal to snap up the forward from their Premier League rivals.
By
Dan Emery
Jan 15, 2025
Kylian Mbappe's one-match La Liga ban for a red card tackle on Antonio Blanco has been labelled a "disgrace" by Barcelona's vice-president.
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Real Madrid have confirmed that they will take part in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona but have continued their criticism of the referees.
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