Manchester United’s season isn’t over just yet, not if Ruben Amorim can help it, although the same can’t be said for Marcus Rashford, with the exiled Englishman looking set to miss the remainder of the campaign through injury.

Currently on the books at Aston Villa, following his February loan switch to the Midlands, the 27-year-old will have to watch on as his parent club bid for Europa League glory – eight years on from playing a vital role in lifting that same trophy under Jose Mourinho.

In what was just his first full season in the senior ranks at Old Trafford, the then-youngster notably came alive in the knockout stages, racking up five goals and assists in total, including a stunning, crucial free-kick away to Celta Vigo.

That impact had followed on from Rashford’s emergence onto the scene a year earlier in the final few months of the 2015/16 season, having ended that campaign with eight goals in just 18 first-team games under Louis van Gaal’s watch.

Perhaps his prime years, however, came during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, with the academy graduate registering 26 goal contributions in 31 Premier League games in 2019/20, followed by a further 24 in 37 top-flight outings in the following season.

2024/25*

24

7

3

2023/24

43

8

6

2022/23

56

30

11

2021/22

32

5

2

2020/21

57

21

18

A brief resurgence did occur in 2022/23, amid the forward’s 30-goal heroics, although recent years have showcased far too much inconsistency, with the Three Lions star now looking set for a permanent summer exit. A potential youthful replacement appears to have already been lined up…

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

Alongside the widely reported move for Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, the signing of a new centre-forward appears hot on the agenda for Amorim and INEOS this summer, with Rasmus Hojlund having scored just four league goals in 2024/25 thus far.

As outlined by GIVEMESPORT, the Red Devils have identified Liam Delap and Victor Osimhen as the prime candidates in the search for a new number nine, albeit with boths deals said to be ‘complicated’.

Indeed, there are doubts over whether the £30m-rated Delap is keen on moving to Old Trafford at this point in his embryonic career, while as for Osimhen, there are concerns regarding the Nigerian’s potential wage demands and willingness to actually feature for the club.

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

With that in mind, alternatives to their pair are now being drawn up, with the report outlining that one of those whom INEOS are also ‘keeping tabs’ on is Eintracht Frankfurt sensation, Hugo Ekitike.

Previously on the books at Paris Saint-Germain – having also been heavily linked with Newcastle United in past – the Frenchman has dazzled in Germany this season, hence the interest in him from those in Manchester.

One major obstacle would be the 22-year-old’s reported £80m price tag, although if any kind of leeway can be found, then he may come onto United’s radar in a more concrete manner.

Why Hugo Ekitike is like a prime Rashford

Following a difficult few years under the Manchester United microscope, Rashford had looked like getting back to his best in a Villa shirt of late, prior to his recent cruel injury blow.

Indeed, the experienced forward notably scored his first league goal for the Villans with a breakaway goal on the counter against Brighton and Hove Albion, evoking memories of his goal against Arsenal at the start of 2022/23, or his second strike in the 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea on the opening day of 2019/20.

Against Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, the resurgent striker was also breathtaking at times as Unai Emery’s side bravely crashed out at the quarter-final stage, with Rashford teeing up Ezri Konsa following a stunning solo run down the right flank.

That speed and skill showed shades of the Rashford that United fans had seen in years gone by, with the polarising talent having looked almost “unstoppable” in his pomp – as noted by Erik ten Hag.

In many ways, the aforementioned Ekitike is showing exciting similarities to that prime version of ‘Rashy’, not least in his ability to sparkle off the left or in his usual centre-forward berth.

This season, in particular, has been a fruitful one for the former PSG starlet, as he has already registered 22 goals and a further ten assists in 45 games for Frankfurt across all fronts, including 15 goals and six assists in the Bundesliga.

He is then not too far off emulating Rashford’s best-ever Premier League tally, which came, as alluded to previously, in 2019/20, amid his record of 17 goals and nine assists during that Covid-impacted campaign.

Non-penalty goals

0.55

0.37

Assists

0.24

0.24

Shot-creating actions

3.68

3.24

Pass completion

75.8%

75.3%

Progressive passes

1.92

4.22

Progressive carries

3.41

3.58

Successful take-ons

1.88

2.04

Touches in attacking penalty area

7.21

5.18

Progressive passes received

7.80

8.51

Described as “one of the best strikers out there” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Ekitike does mirror the United outcast in a range of attacking metrics too, when comparing those two seasons, with the Frankfurt talisman also something of a monster in that left channel.

That quality was on full display as the in-demand marksman netted in fine fashion against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League, running at his man from that left flank, before unleashing a delightful finish into the far corner.

It is difficult not to see an element of Rashford at his best when witnessing Ekitike in full flow, with the France U21 international potentially representing the perfect successor to the Red Devils’ 138-goal enigma.

United were his “favourite club” as a child, by the way…

The next Di Maria: Man Utd lodge offer to sign "world-class talent"

Man Utd appear to be ramping up their search for new faces, ahead of the summer window – including the next Angel Di Maria

ByRobbie Walls Apr 30, 2025

Chelsea have not held back in the transfer market under new owner Todd Boehly. The Blues have certainly been comfortable to splash the cash, aiming to build a new dynasty at Stamford Bridge, and particularly looking to strengthen in attack.

Over the past few seasons, they have signed several new attackers, including permanent deals for the likes of Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and even a loan move for Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.

They even have three young attackers joining in the next couple of seasons, further strengthening their options in forward areas. That does not include summer targets for 2025, with Kenan Yildiz one player they are linked with.

The latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Yildiz

It seems as though the race to sign Juventus attacker Yildiz is on this summer, with Chelsea set to go head-to-head with one of their biggest rivals, Arsenal, to bring the 19-year-old to London. Whether he moves to West or North London, however, remains to be seen.

A recent report from Caught Offside suggests that the Blues have been ‘intensifying their efforts’ to bring the youngster to Stamford Bridge in the next few months. As well as facing competition from the Gunners, newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool, 13-time winners Manchester United and their rivals Manchester City could all show interest.

As for why Enzo Maresca’s side want to add Yildiz to their ranks, he has been impressive for the Old Lady this term. The Turkey star has eight goals and five assists across all competitions for Juve, and has played everywhere across the frontline. They are eye-catching numbers for such a young player.

With that in mind, his price might not come as a shock, though it is certainly a high fee Juve could demand. Caught Offside report that he is worth £85.2m, if he is to depart the Allianz Stadium this summer.

Incredibly, the Blues have an attacker worth even more than the 19-year-old sensation.

The Chelsea star worth more than Yildiz

Of all the attackers the Blues have bought, none has made the impression that Cole Palmer has. The England international has been in lean form for a few weeks, but his time at Stamford Bridge overall has been exceptional.

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The 22-year-old, who hails from Wythenshawe in Manchester, has an exceptional record in that famous Blue shirt of Chelsea.

He’s managed 39 goals and 24 assists in 85 games so far, and was crowned PFA Young Player of the Year for his 33 goals in as many Premier League games last term.

This term has been slightly slower for the former Man City star. He has managed 14 goals and nine assists in the top flight, although has now gone 12 games without a goal. In that timeframe, he has chipped in with three assists.

With that being said, his underlying stats from the past two seasons, courtesy of Sofascore, show just how talented he is. For example, the 22-year-old averaged 2.5 key passes per game last term, and a slightly better 2.6 key passes per game so far this term.

Goals and assists

1.2

0.7

Key passes

2.5

2.6

Big chances created

0.6

0.6

Dribbles completed

1.8

1.5

Expected goal involvements

0.93xGI

0.76xGI

When considering all that, it might not be a surprise to learn that Palmer is valued extremely highly by Football Transfers. They have him worth £100.2m, higher than any other player in the Chelsea squad.

Interestingly, that is around £15m more than the amount Juventus would be looking to charge for Yildiz this summer. If anything, this further highlights the importance of Palmer to the Chelsea side.

They certainly got lucky with Palmer when they signed him in 2023. He has proven to be a revelation, an “insanely consistent” player as Statman Dave called him. Despite his struggles in recent weeks, there is no doubt about the quality of Palmer.

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Chelsea now find themselves back in the top five for the time being, having beaten Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, making it six points from their last two games in the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca’s men put in a very strong team performance, winning 58% of their duels, winning 41/74 ground duels, winning 12/18 aerial duels, and completing 22 tackles in the game.

This same fight will be needed in the Blues’ last four Premier League games, if they have any chance of securing Champions League football. But the form of their attackers will also be key, as many have been struggling for goals as of late.

Nicolas Jackson broke the deadlock after 27 minutes with an instinctive strike into the bottom corner from outside the box, with his goal being the decider for Maresca’s side and the difference between one point and three points for the Blues.

Nicolas Jackson's performance against Everton

Jackson has made 30 appearances for Chelsea this season, netting ten times and providing five assists in 2,205 minutes played. However, this was the 23-year-old’s first goal in 2025, with his last coming against Brentford back in December.

The Senegal international scored with his only shot of the game, completing 100% of his passes (24/24) and completing one of his three dribble attempts.

The ability to drop deep and relieve pressure, linking play with the midfielders before making runs in behind was effective against the Everton back line.

But Jackson wasn’t the only effective attacker on the pitch for Chelsea today, as Maresca unleashed another forward in an unfamiliar position, which yielded positive results.

Maresca hit gold with star in a new position

Noni Madueke has mainly played off the right this season for Maresca’s side, making 35 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 2,002 minutes played.

However, the 23-year-old winger was deployed on the opposite side against Everton, and to quite good effect too.

The Chelsea boss hit gold by unleashing the former PSV star in a new role on the left side of the pitch, as it yielded an impressive showing from the attacker.

Noni Madueke’s performance vs Everton

Stat

Madueke

Minutes

78

Touches

46

Accurate Passes

20/25

Shots

4

Long Balls

2/3

Successful Dribble Attempts

2/4

Ground Duels Won

4/7

Aerial Duels Won

1/1

Tackles

1

Stats taken from Sofascore

The England international managed 46 touches in the game, taking four shots, all of which were on target, and completing 50% of his dribble attempts with two successful dribbles of his four.

Madueke also won 100% aerial duels, made one tackle, and won four ground duels, doing his bit off the ball to help the side.

This shows that he was even better than Jackson because he impacted play at both ends of the pitch, with his hard work on and off the ball.

Madueke earned himself a 7/10 match rating from GOAL for his performance, praised for forcing Jordan Pickford into ‘multiple top-quality saves’, cutting inside on his weaker right foot. The winger had the same eagerness to be direct on the ball, beating players and looking to drive towards goal at every opportunity.

With Pedro Neto showing his best from the right this season, Madueke on the left could be something we see from Maresca more at the back end of this season. It’s safe to say he’s now as undroppable as Jackson.

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Leeds United have already secured promotion back to the Premier League and the next step for them will be how they plan to avoid an instant relegation.

The Whites can hit 100 points in the Championship with a win over Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, having beaten Bristol City 4-0 at Elland Road on Monday, but then all focus will be on how the club can build a team for the top-flight.

Daniel Farke will have some incredibly difficult decisions to make, and one player whom he will have to make a quick decision on is Sam Byram, whose contract at Elland Road is up this summer.

What the English defender will not want to hear at this moment, though, is that Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a new player in his position.

Leeds eyeing move for new right-back

According to a claim from Turkish reporter, as relayed by LeedsUnitedNews, Leeds are one of a number of clubs who want to sign Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons in the summer transfer window.

The journalist claims that the Whites will attempt to swoop for the former England U21 international in a loan deal when he returns from his loan spell at Valencia ahead of next season.

Marseille, Lille, and Sheffield United are also said to be keen on the English right-back, however, which means that there could be plenty of competition for his services.

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Leeds could have a unique advantage in the race, though, because Farke is the manager who gave Aarons his first-team debut and won two Championship titles with him during their time together at Norwich City.

Why this is bad news for Sam Byram

The news that the West Yorkshire outfit are interested in signing another right-back this summer will come as bad news to Sam Byram, who has started just 15 league matches this term, and any hope he has of penning a new contract at the club.

Leeds already have Jayden Bogle as the first-choice right-back at Elland Road and bringing in another player in that position could mean that there is no place for the veteran Englishman in the squad at Premier League level, with Aarons competing with Bogle for a starting berth.

Whilst it remains to be seen what the club’s decision will be in regards to Byram’s future, this latest news does not suggest that they are planning to give him an extension to be a key first-team player next season.

Max Aarons (Championship)

18/19

20/21

Starts

41

45

Goals

2

2

Assists

6

2

Clean sheets

11

17

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

1.6

Duel success rate

58%

53%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Aarons provided defensive strength and offensive quality during Farke’s two title-winning seasons at Carrow Road.

The German head coach, as shown in the clip above, described him as “outstanding”, which shows how highly he rates the £34k-per-week full-back.

Aarons, whose most recent appearance came in a 2-1 win for Valencia over Real Madrid, has only started 14 Premier League matches since the start of last season for Bournemouth, and Farke could provide him with a chance to revive his top-flight career.

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Posts ByDan Emery Apr 29, 2025

Leeds would then have healthy competition between him and Bogle for the right-back spot, whilst it could mean that Byram’s time at Elland Road comes to an end this summer.

Aston Villa are looking to retain key stars to avoid coming into conflict with PSR regulations, and could have hatched a crafty plan to retain key man Emiliano Martinez, according to a report.

Aston Villa looking to build squad depth under Unai Emery

Unai Emery has done a job to be proud of at Villa Park this season that looks likely to end in some form of continental qualification, but he may be left with food for thought ahead of the summer.

Despite their rude financial health, Aston Villa are at the centre of a PSR storm, and rumours are beginning to do the rounds regarding whether they will have to sell a star player or two to avoid an overspend.

Some will argue the Villans are at an unfair disadvantage compared to the traditional ‘big six’ when it comes to transfer leeway, while others can’t help but point out their wage-to-revenue ratio as a counterpoint.

Nevertheless, Aston Villa appear undeterred by recent noise and are pursuing Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin as a potential arrival to supplement an engine room brimming with talent.

By the same token, Las Palmas star Alberto Moleiro is another talented star on Emery’s list. The Spaniard is believed to have personally requested that he is brought in amid a £51 million release clause in his contract.

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ByTom Cunningham May 8, 2025

Still, the lingering question of sales has created an unwanted tension among supporters with the window around the corner, which could be magnified if Aston Villa fail to claim Champions League qualification.

However, there could be light at the end of the tunnel following news that there is now a crafty plan in motion to prevent a headline-grabbing departure.

Aston Villa set to put quartet up for sale

According to The Athletic, Aston Villa are set to put Emiliano Buendia, Alex Moreno, Leander Dendoncker and Kaine Kesler-Hayden up for sale to prevent having to part ways with Emiliano Martinez this summer.

The quartet are out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest, Anderlecht and Preston North End respectively, and are not expected to feature as part of Emery’s plans moving forward in the West Midlands.

Emiliano Buendia

£37,500 per week

Alex Moreno

£35,000 per week

Leander Dendoncker

£35,000 per week

Kaine Kesler-Hayden

£7,000 per week

Martinez is reported to earn £150,000 per week, signifying that his wages would be protected with a little to spare as Aston Villa would be saving around £6m every year if they were to successfully offload the four players mentioned.

Of course, shifting spare parts doesn’t come easy, but NSWE’s strong negotiation skills are likely to come in handy when fielding interest from suitors.

While speculation continues to linger, Aston Villa supporters can take some peace of mind from the fact that they are now likely to retain arguably their most important asset in the summer window.

The battle at both ends of the Championship is going down to the wire this season, but there may also be a transfer tussle involving three clubs currently fighting it out in England’s second-tier.

Championship run-in heats up as Blackburn thrash Millwall

Only three matches now remain for most teams in the Championship and there is a high level of jeapordy surrounding both the race for promotion and the battle to avoid the drop. Leeds United and Burnley look likely to enter the Premier League automatically, but there is an intriguing battle for the playoff slots.

Emerging as a surprise late contender, Millwall have put together a decent run of results under Alex Neil and still have a shot at entering the picture for top-flight football, but those hopes were damaged badly by a 4-1 defeat at Ewood Park on Friday.

Neil is a specialist in this type of environment, as exemplified at Sunderland and Norwich City in previous years, though there is an acknowledgement that the Lions will now need to be flawless to stand any real chance.

Looking ahead to the summer, Millwall could strengthen their defence by signing Charlton Athletic’s Thierry Small on a free transfer once his contract at the Valley comes to an end.

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ByTom Cunningham Mar 27, 2025

Preston North End are also in hot pursuit of the versatile star, signifying that a number of transfer battles could be about to take place between Championship clubs looking to beef up their pool of talent.

Continuing this theme, Millwall could now face competition from Friday’s victors Blackburn to sign a star who is actually on the books of one of their London rivals, per recent developments.

Millwall and Blackburn fight to sign Morgan Fox from QPR

According to EFL Analysis, Millwall and Blackburn both want to sign Morgan Fox from Queens Park Rangers as the veteran edges closer to leaving his current employers on a free transfer.

Out of contract this summer, the versatile 31-year-old has been offered extended terms at Loftus Road, but it remains to be seen if he signs on amid further interest from Hull City.

Morgan Fox’s key Championship statistics – 2024/25

Tackles won

13

Successful duels

61

Aerial duels won

36

Interceptions

4

Blocks

1

Primarily a central defender, Fox is also capable of playing at left-back and has registered a solitary goal in 23 appearances this season across all competitions.

He has previously been labelled a “warrior” by Gareth Ainsworth, giving an insight into his valiant skillbase. With the end of this term on the horizon, you get the impression Fox will take his time before making a decision on where to commit his future.

Millwall earning promotion could be a decisive factor in potential negotiations, and for now, the quartet of clubs involved will focus on their respective duties until the off-season arrives, which could pave the way for plenty of movement in either direction regarding key assets.

Tottenham Hotspur have now joined the race for an “amazing” Premier League midfielder, but there could be fierce competition for his signature from some of Europe’s top clubs, according to a report.

Spurs' summer transfer plans

The 1-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt last week has provided Totttenham with a real chance to make a success out of this season, with Ange Postecoglou’s side now just a two-legged tie against Bodo/Glimt away from reaching the Europa League final.

However, having fallen way below expectations in the Premier League, Spurs have set out to make serious improvements to their squad this summer, with targets being identified in multiple positions, including attacking midfield.

Como maestro Nico Paz has recently been named as a potential target for the Lilywhites, having enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Serie A, while they have also set their sights on Athletic Bilbao’s Oihan Sancet.

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According to a report from The Boot Room, Tottenham are also considering options from within the Premier League, and they have now joined the race for Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, who is attracting the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs.

Having enjoyed a breakthrough season with Man City, the likes of Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain have now expressed an interest in O’Reilly, while Chelsea and Newcastle United headline the interest from the Premier League.

The 20-year-old is an attacking midfielder by trade, but he has showcased his versatility by starring at left-back since breaking into the City starting XI, and Pep Guardiola is eager to keep hold of him.

In fact, such is City’s determination to retain the services of the youngster, who has previously been valued at £40m, they are in talks over a new contract, which could make it very difficult for Spurs to lure him to north London.

"Amazing" O'Reilly starring for Man City

It is little wonder some of Europe’s top clubs are now queuing up for the starlet, given the level of his performances since breaking into the Man City side, scoring twice in his last two Premier League outings, including what could be a very important effort against Everton last time out.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has clearly been impressed by the City academy graduate’s recent displays, lauding him as “amazing” earlier this month, while also describing him as a “versatile and quality player”, given the job he has done at left-back.

That said, it seems unlikely that Tottenham will be able to sign the England U20 international this summer, considering he is now closing in on a contract extension at the Etihad Stadium, which means they may have to move on to other attacking midfield targets, of which there is no shortage.

Target	Current club	Potential cost
Nico Paz	Como	£8m
Oihan Sancet	Athletic Bilbao	£69m
Jobe Bellingham	Sunderland	£20m
Eberechi Eze	Crystal Palace	£50m

Whilst boss Arne Slot claimed the Premier League title during his first season as Liverpool boss, the club have wasted no time in turning their attention towards the summer window.

Signings are expected in various areas of the pitch to try and bolster the ranks and improve the Reds’ chances of retaining their top spot throughout 2025/26.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is already one player who’s set to depart Anfield at the end of the season, with supporters voicing their anger after he announced he would leave on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract.

The contract extensions handed to Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are arguably the two best pieces of business the hierarchy will conduct this window, but that’s not to say new players won’t arrive.

One department in particular looks set for huge investment from the hierarchy in the coming months, looking to hand the manager the added depth he needs.

An update on Liverpool’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Current Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez has struggled to make a huge impact this campaign, notching just seven goals in his 44 appearances across all competitions.

As a result, he’s expected to depart Merseyside this summer, with Atlético Madrid leading the race to secure his signature, potentially departing for just £35m.

Such funds could be used to land a new talisman in the form of Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres after the Swede emerged on their shortlist, according to talkSPORT.

The report claims that the Reds are pondering a potential move for the 26-year-old who’s managed to score 52 goals in his 49 appearances throughout 2024/25.

It also claims that Slot’s side will face stiff competition from Manchester United and Arsenal for his signature, with previous reports saying it could be available for £64m this summer.

Why Liverpool’s £64m target would be better than Sesko

Over the last couple of days, rumours have picked up over a potential deal to see Benjamin Sesko complete a switch to join Liverpool in the coming months.

The Slovenian international has been in superb form for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, registering 13 goals in his 31 appearances to date – including an excellent effort against Bayern Munich last time out.

It has previously been reported that the 21-year-old has a £55m release clause in his current deal, making him a cheaper alternative than other targets like Gyokeres.

However, if the club had to decide between a deal for one of the aforementioned pair, it’s pivotal they prioritise a move for the Swede, with the Sporting CP talisman a much better option for Slot’s men.

When comparing their respective stats from the current campaign, Gyokeres has massively outperformed Sesko, having the edge in numerous key areas over the Leipzig ace.

Games played

31

31

Goals & assists

44

18

Shot-on-target accuracy

50%

44%

Shots on target

2.1

1.1

Shot-creating actions

5.1

1.9

Progressive carries

4.3

1.8

Pass accuracy

72%

67%

Take-ons completed

1.9

1.4

The 26-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has massively outscored Sesko, whilst also posting a much higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – highlighting his clinical edge in the final third.

He’s also achieved more shot-creating actions per 90, whilst registering a higher tally of shots on target, handing Slot the added attacking threat he’s been craving.

Gyokeres’ dominance doesn’t stop there’s completing more progressive carries per 90, along with a higher pass completion rate – allowing the likes of Salah to increase their own tallies in the process.

£64m may appear to be a huge sum of money, but given his dominance in various key areas, it could be an addition that massively bolsters the club’s already impressive attacking department.

If the Reds are to sustain such a high level of performance going into 2025/26, it’s pivotal that the club backs the manager to make the additions needed for further success – with Gyokeres a player who would certainly do just that at Anfield.

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Journalist Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on Aston Villa’s summer transfer plans as the reportedly look to pen a “fantastic” player to a long-term deal.

Aston Villa pushing for summer signings regardless of league finish

It remains to be seen if Unai Emery’s side will clinch a top-five finish in the Premier League this season, getting back into the Champions League in the process, but a busy summer transfer window is expected either way. Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan is a rumoured target for Villa, with the highly-rated 18-year-old being watched by club scouts and their recruitment team even holding talks with him.

Another exciting young player, Lyon winger Malick Fofana, has also been backed to move to Villa Park ahead of the 2025/26 season, as Emery looks to bring in more attacking depth. The 20-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season, scoring 11 goals in Ligue 1 and the Europa League combined.

Their moves in the market will of course still be influenced somewhat by their European status, with Ollie Watkins’ winner against Bournremouth this weekend moving the Villans level on points with Chelsea, who were defeated away at Newcastle.

A new striker arguably wouldn’t go amiss for Villa in the summer, with Watkins turning 30 later this year, and Paris Saint-Germain marksman Goncalo Ramos has emerged as a rumoured option. He has found minutes hard to come by for the Champions League finalists, with competition for places incredibly strong, but would surely only join another club in Europe’s elite competition.

Aston Villa keen to sign Rashford to long-term deal

According to Romano for Give Me Sport, Aston Villa like the idea of signing Marcus Rahsford permanently at the end of the season. They are reportedly “very happy” with the Manchester United attacker, adding that Emery considers him an “excellent player and the feeling between coach and player is understood to be very good”.

There is a potential issue surrounding Financial Fair Play, however, which will “now dictate the next steps” of a potential deal, with the England international’s salary “another important point not to be underestimated” in the update.

Rashford’s loan move to Villa felt like a gamble at the time, following a run of poor form for United, but he has been a big success overall, registering 10 goal contributions in 17 appearances, even if four goals isn’t exactly an earth-shattering return.

The Englishman looks to have a spark back in his game, with Emery praising the impact he has made last month, saying of him: “He is feeling better and he played a fantastic match. We are very happy. If he is happy, we are happy.”

The fact that Emery likes the £300,000-a-week Rashford so much suggests that he should be trusted in wanting to sign him on a permanent deal, even though there is an element of risk there, especially if they cannot negotiate those wages down.

There is always the possibility that the 27-year-old has simply upped his game for a short period, in order to earn a move elsewhere, but he will surely be desperate to prove himself in the long-term at another club, considering his time at United looks over.

Attackers have usually been the players to capture the hearts of the Manchester United fanbase over the last few years, catapulting the side to various levels of success.

Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy are just three attackers who have started at Old Trafford since the turn of the decade – helping the club win countless Premier League titles.

The Portuguese star has undoubtedly gone on to achieve massive things in the professional game, banking the Red Devils a huge profit after leaving in a £80m deal back in the summer of 2009.

However, fast-forward to the present day, Ruben Amorim doesn’t have such talent at his disposal within the final third, contributing to their lowly Premier League standing.

The summer transfer window presents a huge opportunity to strengthen such a department ahead of 2025/26, with countless players already touted with a switch to the North West.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Even though the transfer window is yet to open, the centre-forward position has been the one with the most interest, with various players in the frame to switch to United.

Liam Delap has been the name at the top of the list over the past few weeks, with the Amorim’s side said to be in pole position to trigger his £30m relegation release clause this summer.

However, he’s not the only forward who’s been strongly linked with a switch to Old Trafford, with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo also on their radar, according to one Spanish outlet.

Their report claims that the Red Devils are preparing a £65m bid for the Cherries forward, who’s managed to register 11 goals and six assists across all competitions this campaign.

It also states that the interest in the 25-year-old has come directly from the manager, with the boss seeing the Ghanaian as the perfect attacking option to transform his side.

Why United’s £65m target would be perfect alongside Cunha

Matheus Cunha has been another name on the lips of United supporters over the last couple of months, with the Wolves attacker appearing to edge closer to a move to join the club.

The Brazilian international has been a key target in recent times, with various reports claiming that Amorim’s side are willing to trigger the £62.5m release clause within his current deal at Molineux.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed talks were still at an advanced stage between the club and the 25-year-old, with the prospect of no European football no issue to Cunha.

His tally of 15 goals and six assists in the league this season would certainly improve the current situation, operating in an attacking midfield role should he complete a switch to the Theatre of Dreams.

Cunha’s figures of two chances created and 2.1 successful dribbles per 90 showcase the threat he poses in attacking areas, handing Semenyo the ammunition to succeed alongside the Brazilian international.

The Cherries attacker has also thrived in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25, which could see him form a deadly partnership with the current Wolves gem based on their respective figures.

Semenyo, who’s been labelled “sensational” by Sky Sports’ Sue Smith, has registered 3.6 shots per 90 this campaign, along with 1.2 shots on target per 90 – highlighting the threat he poses with the ball, offering the side a needed eye for goal.

Games played

35

Goals & assists

14

Pass accuracy

78%

Shots taken

3.6

Shots on target per game

1.2

Dribbles completed

55%

Aerials won

1.9

Touches in opposition box

5.9

He’s also completed 55% of the dribbles he’s attempted, along with 1.9 aerials won, handing Amorim an all-round option to run the channels and play off should they need a focal point.

The Ghanian’s impressive figures don’t stop there, averaging 5.9 touches per 90 in the opposition box per game – handing the Red Devils a ‘fox in the box’ type forward they’ve been missing.

£65m would be a huge fee for another forward from the Premier League, but Semenyo has proven over recent months that he’s more than capable of stepping up to the task at Old Trafford.

The prospect of a partnership between him and Cunha under Amorim’s guidance is certainly an exciting one, potentially playing a key role in leading the side back to their former glory.

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