Even at their lowest ebb, Manchester United can still pull a rabbit out of the hat on the transfer front, with the INEOS regime overseeing a hectic start to the summer window following what was a desperately disappointing season.

While we may not be talking about Lamine Yamal or Desire Doue coming to Old Trafford, for once the Red Devils appear to be making astute moves in the market, having lasered in on two Premier League-proven talents, in the form of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

The deal for the former has already been confirmed, after United agreed to trigger the Brazilian’s £62.5m release clause, while the club are also preparing a second bid for Mbeumo, having seen a total offer of around £55m rejected by Brentford.

Should that deal for the Cameroon international get over the line as expected, Ruben Amorim will have been handed two players who contributed 35 league goals in total last term – just nine fewer than what the Old Trafford side recorded collectively in the top-flight.

Such enhanced firepower is then desperately needed in Manchester, hence why those deals could well be followed by the pursuit of a new centre-forward, with Amorim seemingly dreaming of a reunion with Sporting CP talisman, Viktor Gyokeres.

The rekindling of that partnership might be the primary focus at present, although United may also have the opportunity to pounce on another exciting opening.

Latest on Man Utd's striker search

Much to the surprise of many, both Cunha and Mbeumo have settled on the Theatre of Dreams as their preferred destination, even with Amorim’s side having failed to secure European qualification.

Arsenal

3

1

0

Chelsea

5

4

1

Liverpool

8

1

0

Man City

7

0

1

Man Utd

5

1

2

Spurs

4

1

1

Total

32

8

5

Arsenal

8

1

0

Chelsea

8

3

3

Liverpool

7

1

0

Man City

5

0

1

Man Utd

8

1

1

Spurs

8

4

1

Total

44

10

6

As noted by journalist Ben Jacobs earlier this week, the same appears to be true of Gyokeres, with the prolific Swede open to the move having remained in contact with his former boss.

Reportedly available for ‘just’ €70m (£59m), the 27-year-old’s signing wouldn’t break the bank, although with United looking likely to fork out around £120m plus on Cunha and Mbeumo, it remains to be seen what they will have left to work with in the budget.

Transfer Focus

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, it could be worth changing tact by securing a significant bargain with the capture of Jonathan David, with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport – via Sport Witness – outlining that the Canadian is prioritising a move to Manchester.

Indeed, United are named alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona as his preferred picks, albeit with United seemingly at an advantage as the 25-year-old – who is set to leave Lille on a free transfer this summer – particularly keen on a Premier League switch.

While the report does suggest that INEOS haven’t made a move as yet, prior speculation did claim that the Red Devils had him on their striker shortlist.

Why Jonathan David would be a better deal than Gyokeres

First and foremost, it would be a truly remarkable coup to be able to land a player of David’s quality on a free, with podcaster Tony Marinaro hailing him as a “phenom” and “one of the best strikers in the world”, amid his standout form in France.

That bargain deal would ensure that United then have funds left to play with to strengthen other areas of the pitch, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell noting that Amorim is keen on acquiring an ‘athletic No.8’, while a new wing-back could also be ‘on the agenda’.

With the future of Andre Onana also uncertain in the sticks – having notably made five errors leading to a goal in the top-flight and in Europe last season – there does remain other priority positions, hence why a move for David over Gyokeres would appeal.

Of course, Gyokeres is Amorim’s man having netted 66 times in just 68 games under the Portuguese in Lisbon, with his total tally standing at 97 goals in 102 games for the Primeira Liga side to date.

That said, it was only two years ago that the 6 foot 2 marksman was operating in the Championship, having previously been allowed to leave Brighton and Hove Albion for just £1m, during Dan Ashworth’s stint at the helm.

How Arsenal's striker targets compare in 2024/25.

To his credit, Gyokeres has recovered to emerge as the “hottest striker in Europe” since then, as per ESPN’s Mark Ogden, although in the case of David, the Brooklyn-born sensation has quietly been delivering the goods over a more extended period at the top level.

Indeed, the in-demand forward has scored 13 goals or more in all five of his seasons in Ligue 1, since arriving from Gent in 2020, while previously netting 18 league goals in his final campaign in Belgium. It’s for no reason that Canadian pundit Iain Hume has described him as a “world-class player”.

Such remarkable consistency is certainly to be admired, with the 61-cap international also thriving in this season’s Champions League, after scoring seven times in ten outings. Gyokeres, for comparison, scored just six times in eight games for Sporting.

In Europe’s top tier competition, as per FBref, David notably ranked in the top 20% of strikers for non-penalty goals per 90, while also ranking in the top 5% for pass completion. Gyokeres, meanwhile, ranked in just the top 24% and the top 18% for those same two metrics, respectively.

A real menace from open play and evidently adept at holding up the ball, the Lille talisman has been a real unsung performer in recent years, with now perhaps the time for his big chance to finally come at an elite club.

Yes, Gyokeres may be the man Amorim wants, although to be able to sign a player like David on the cheap would surely be the better deal.

Amorim’s next Bruno: Man Utd to make approach for “world-class” talent

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could follow in Bruno Fernandes’ footsteps.

2 ByEthan Lamb Jun 7, 2025

Arsenal are set to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard, who’s poised to become Andrea Berta’s third deal of the summer, but they could yet add another midfielder to Mikel Arteta’s ranks before deadline day.

The looming exit of veteran first-team star Thomas Partey, following botched discussions over a new contract, quickly made the signing of another defensive midfield achor vital for Arteta.

Mikel Arteta personally wants Arsenal to sign £94m forward this summer

They know the costs of what would be a marquee deal.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 25, 2025

Partey made over 50 appearances for Arsenal last term, in what was his best-ever campaign at the club, but talks over the Ghanaian’s potential extension hit a roadblock – meaning he’s now set to leave the Emirates as a free agent past June 30.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

This potentially accelerated Arsenal’s move for Norgaard, with the Gunners swiftly agreeing a deal to make him their latest new addition after Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, who also signed for the club recently.

Norgaard has been given permission to undergo his Arsenal medical, so barring any late disasters, the Denmark international will come in to replace Partey. Going by Brentford fan writer Ian Westbrook’s verdict on the 31-year-old, Arsenal have made a quality purchase.

“Norgaard has played a vital role in almost six years at the club, making nearly 200 appearances in all competitions and being named captain in the summer of 2023,” said Westbrook to the BBC.

“His importance to the side can be shown by the fact we failed to win any of the four Premier League games he missed last season, and had two victories in the seven in which he was absent during the last campaign.

“He is the glue that holds the side together in his defensive midfield role, protecting the defence, winning tackles and setting up attacks. This season he has also become a more regular goalscorer – with his six in all competitions (five in the Premier League) nearly half of his entire total of 13 for the club. We are a much weaker team without him.”

Arsenal approach Corinthians midfielder Breno BidonDespite Arsenal's agreement for Norgaard, Brazilian news outlet UOL (via Sport Witness) has reported that sporting director Andrea Berta is keen on Corinthians midfielder Breno Bidon.

The 20-year-old isn’t a traditional defensive anchor like Norgaard, and is more like captain Martin Odegaard in the sense he plays both as a CAM and in a traditional centre-midfield role, so their interest makes sense.

UOL state that Corinthians are under pressure to sell at least one player to balance their books this summer, and Bidon is the “most likely” candidate to be shipped off as Arsenal, Brighton and Wolves all make contact.

With Arsenal said to have approached Bidon over joining Arteta’s side, Corinthians are also selling the player for a fee way below his £85 million release clause – which could be as low as £13 million.

While the Premier League’s elite have been spending money by the bucketload – Liverpool and Manchester City, we’re looking at you – Arsenal have been idle.

Should we be surprised? Not really. Over the last two transfer windows, the Gunners have failed to improve their forward line and efforts to finally sign a striker so far this summer have been fruitless.

Two names dominate the headlines with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres at the forefront of their minds. The trouble is, both deals look complicated.

Reports from Sky Germany suggest that Arsenal are unwilling to pay RB Leipzig’s asking price for Sesko, while it was claimed in Portugal a few days ago that they have paused their efforts to sign Gyokeres, instead looking at Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

Signing a new centre forward isn’t the only thing on the agenda for Andrea Berta this summer.

Arsenal’s hunt for a new winger

Due to a number of factors, chiefly Bukayo Saka’s workload and the inconsistent form of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal need a new winger this summer.

Unfortunately, it now looks as though it’s unlikely that’ll be Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish sensation, Nico Williams.

The north Londoners have been interested in the 22-year-old for over a year now but the wide attacker is prioritising a move to Barcelona, his dream club, instead.

As a consequence, interested parties in the form of Arsenal and Chelsea have ‘cooled’ their interest in the words of The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

With that blow fresh in the mind, it looks as though Arsenal have been ramping up their efforts to sign Real Madrid star, Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

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

That’s according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to reveal that Mikel Arteta and Co have a ‘genuine interest’ in the Brazilian.

Exploratory talks dating back to May have already been held with the player’s representatives but it will take a fee of around £77m to convince the Spanish giants to sell.

Madrid have a new manager in the shape of Xavi Alonso and it appears as though the former midfielder isn’t too keen on Rodrygo. Consequently, Arsenal should do all they can to convince the player to jump ship.

How Rodrygo compares to Nico Williams

Williams has swiftly been thrust into the limelight over the last year when aged just 21, he was one of the players of the tournament at Euro 2024 as his nation won the title.

The left winger was fabulous throughout, most notably scoring the opening goal in the final against England.

Since then, however, he’s failed to truly kick on, even if the frightening potential still lurks within.

Williams has never been a rampant goalscorer, finding the net on just five occasions in the league this season.

Rodrygo, on the other hand, would be capable of offering Arteta the added goals he needs his side to produce if they are to challenge for the title and Champions League.

Last season, Martinelli and Trossard managed to score just 16 goals between them in the 73 Premier League matches they featured in. Well, in his own last 73 LaLiga matches, Rodrygo has a better record than both players combined, scoring 20 times.

While 2024/25 wasn’t his best campaign, shoved out on the right-hand side to accommodate Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, this is a player who is far more comfortable in front of goal than someone like Martinelli, and crucially, Williams too.

You only have to cast your minds back to 2022/23 when the Brazil superstar found the net 19 times, bettering Martinelli’s best season haul of 15, which coincidentally came in the same campaign.

Another string to Rodrygo’s bow is not just his versatility – able to play up front or on either flank – but his creativity.

Games

159

141

141

125

Goals

50

33

35

28

Assists

30

18

26

29

Goals per game

0.31

0.23

0.24

0.22

G/A per game

0.42

0.36

0.43

0.45

Analysing the data, Williams is also a particularly creative individual, thriving in that area more than his goalscoring.

However, Arsenal are still proficient creators of chances. What they need is someone capable of sticking the ball in the back of the net and Rodrygo has done that on a far more regular basis in all competitions since 2022 than Martinelli, Trossard and Williams.

Last term, no player in red and white reached double figures for goals. Kai Havertz was their top scorer with 15 and they ended the campaign with Mikel Merino playing as a makeshift striker.

On that evidence, Arsenal need a centre-forward, but they also need more contributions from elsewhere on the pitch. Madrid’s “world-class superstar”, as he’d been described by teammate Luka Modric, would certainly help in that regard.

He's shades of Nwaneri: Berta holds talks to sign £40m star for Arsenal

Arsenal are looking at signing one of Europe’s best young prospects this summer.

ByMatt Dawson Jun 18, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur’s rooted strategy in signing exciting young talents and developing them into high-class players capable of thriving in the Premier League preceded the glittery early days of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure.

But perhaps the Londoners lacked a bit of experience to help guide them through the stormy spells any season will bring. The lowly top-flight finish ended Postecoglou’s frenzied spell at the helm, a two-year stint that elicited every range of emotion from the Spurs faithful and culminated with triumph in the Europa League, thus restoring Tottenham’s place in the Champions League.

While the Lilywhites have created a foundation with their historic victory over Manchester United, it’s crucial that the secured silverware is used as a springboard for sustained success over the coming years.

In order to do this, Tottenham are going to need to hit the mark with their transfer priorities, piecing a team together that is fit for purpose at the highest level of the Premier League.

Spurs' transfer priorities this summer

Uncertainty continues to reign over Cristian Romero’s future in the English capital. The Argentina centre-back is being chased by Atletico Madrid, who are willing to spend around £60m to bring him over to La Liga.

Frank is desperate to keep hold of his defensive anchor. However, the Danish tactician does seem keen on bolstering his ranks with a slick attacking full-back – the £45m-rated Antonee Robinson is on the radar – and a winger to replace Heung-min Son, should the iconic captain leave.

While he wouldn’t have strictly been a direct replacement, the powers that be down at N17 were desperate to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo as Tottenham’s new goalscoring winger supreme, but he’s rejected advances from all but United and is edging closer to a transfer to Old Trafford.

Midfield is in less need of reinforcements, but the pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze denotes an interest in signing a creative midfielder to contest for a starting berth with the likes of James Maddison.

However, with Eze fixed in Arsenal’s sights, Daniel Levy seems to have shifted his attention elsewhere.

Spurs join race for sought-after midfielder

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham have joined the race for SL Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who is anticipated to be available this summer for the right price.

Kokcu would fetch a €40m (£34m) fee, having impressed across his two terms with Benfica. Spurs are alongside Manchester United, Tottenham and Inter Milan in their interest; however, the player is thought to favour a move to Premier League champions Liverpool.

The 24-year-old worked under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, but Frank’s new project, offering the promise of Champions League football, could see the Londoners sign an exciting new creative presence.

Why Spurs wants Orkun Kokcu

Kokcu is still young in his professional career, but he has already accomplished so much. Joining Benfica from Feyenoord for around €30m (£25m) in June 2023, he’s chalked up 19 goals and 22 assists over 98 appearances in all competitions.

Once heralded as “one of the best midfielders in the country” by football legend Jaap Stam, while plying his trade in Holland, Kokcu opted against taking a move to one of Europe’s elite and instead focused on fostering his talents with Benfica, now more complete for it.

And given that he’s been praised as a “leader” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, this rising star might turn out to be the galvanising midfield force to spearhead the Frank era.

Who knows, maybe he’ll even come to be an upgrade on Maddison.

League Stats 24/25 – Orkun Kokcu vs James Maddison

Stats (* per game)

Kokcu

Maddison

Matches (starts)

33 (30)

31 (21)

Goals

7

9

Assists

7

7

Shots (on target)*

1.9 (0.7)

1.3 (0.5)

Big chances missed

2

5

Pass completion

86%

87%

Big chances created

12

6

Key passes*

2.3

1.3

Dribbles*

0.3

1.1

Ball recoveries*

5.6

2.5

Tackles + interceptions*

1.6

1.4

Duels won*

3.0 (47%)

4.3 (53%)

Data via Sofascore

As you can see, Kokcu is more than capable of matching Maddison’s immense creative qualities – an aptitude which has indeed seen the England international hailed as a “magician” by the likes of statistician Statman Dave in the past.

Moreover, the 28-year-old playmaker’s two terms with Tottenham have been frustratingly defined by regular injury setbacks. Given that Kokcu is four years his junior, there’s plenty of scope for growth with Frank might want to take advantage of.

While Spurs’ man is somewhat more combative than Kokcu, the Turkey talent is even more creative and clinical besides. Indeed, having missed just two big chances in the Primeira Liga last season, scoring seven goals, he’s got the goalscoring edge that could be channelled in a similar fashion as his counterpart here.

And the proof is in the pudding, for Kokcu, indeed, has demonstrated his ability to stand out against high-level Premier League opposition.

While Maddison is an incredible, dynamic midfielder, he’s got his flaws, and in Kokcu, Tottenham could get their hands on a pass master with the ever-widening scope that is required for success at the highest level.

After all, he managed to throw down with the heavy hitters in last season’s Champions League, finishing the campaign ranked among the top 15% of midfielders for goals scored and shot-creating actions, the top 19% for progressive passes and the top 13% for completed through balls per 90, as per FBref.

Tottenham might not be able to sign one of their top targets in Eze, but by moving for Kokcu, Frank could get his hands on an astute signing who has so much room for growth – potentially even turning out better, more consistent, than Maddison.

Related Dele 2.0: Spurs open talks to re-sign the Championship's "best full-back"

Tottenham are looking to make some shrewd signings ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 4, 2025

This has been a testing first window as Arsenal Sporting Director for Andrea Berta so far. Then again, it was never going to be easy was it?

The Gunners desperately need a new striker and the footballing world knows that. RB Leipzig and Sporting are trying to milk Arsenal for all Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are worth.

The Londoners have reportedly held talks to sign both players but at this moment in time, a deal doesn’t look too forthcoming.

Still, Arsenal are active and Berta is working his socks off to ensure that Mikel Arteta’s side are ready for that opening weekend’s encounter against Manchester United.

The arrival of Martin Zubimendi will certainly help.

Arsenal’s pursuit of new midfielders

The Gunners are set to confirm the arrival of Zubimendi from Real Sociedad any day now.

The Spaniard was first linked with the club back in January when it was revealed that Arsenal were ready to trigger the midfielder’s release clause.

Fast forward several months and a deal is now on the verge of completion with it reported that he was in London over the weekend to tie up the formalities of his switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Zubimendi isn’t the only midfielder Arsenal have been tracking.

Indeed, according to TBR Football, they are ‘trying’ to sign PSG’s highly talented teenager, Warren Zaire-Emery.

Transfer Focus

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

They understand that the Gunners started talks with the Champions League winners last week regarding a move.

However, any deal looks incredibly unlikely with the Ligue 1 side informing Arsenal that the 19-year-old is not for sale.

They note that if a switch did happen, Berta and Co would need to come armed with a ‘significant’ offer.

What makes Zaire-Emery so special

With Jorginho having exited the Emirates on a free transfer and Thomas Partey’s Arsenal adventure potentially set to come to a conclusion, Arteta needs more midfielders.

Zubimendi certainly ticks one box. European football expert, Sid Lowe, has previously noted that the 26-year-old “is just about as good a deep-lying midfielder there is in Europe, apart from maybe Rodri”.

So, wouldn’t it be rather special if he were partnered alongside Zaire-Emery?

The PSG sensation may be young but the fact of the matter is that he’s rather special. The teenager’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has already described him as “one of the best midfielders in the world” while data analyst Ben Mattinson notes that he is an “Mbappe at Monaco level of talent”, largely thanks to his blend of skills.

Arsenal have enjoyed the talents of some of the best young players in Europe throughout the years, none more so in the current day than Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Yet, Zaire-Emery reminds us of a certain Cesc Fabregas.

The Spaniard was younger than the French superstar when he moved to London, just 16, but his impact in the Premier League quickly helped him to showcase why he was one of the best young players in world football.

He eventually left Arsenal behind having scored 57 and assisted 95 in 303 outings. Named captain of the club when he was just 21, making him the youngest skipper in their history, there have been few better midfielders to grace Highbury and the Emirates over the last 20 years.

In short, he was a generational talent, an assist machine, someone who oozed class and could pass through the lines like very players on the planet.

Zaire-Emery, a player generating the same level of hype Fabregas was as a teenager, is cut from a similar cloth. He notably made his Champions League debut at the age of just 17, and since then, he’s gone from strength to strength.

Youngest UCL debutants since 2000
Player	Club	Age
1. Youssoufa Moukoko	Dortmund	16 years, 18 days
2. Lamine Yamal	Barcelona	16 years, 2 months
3. Rayan Cherki	Lyon	16 years, 3 months
4. Alen Halilovic	Zagreb	16 years, 4 months, 6 days
5. Youri Tielemans	Anderlecht	16 years, 4 months, 25 days
6. Francesco Camarda	AC Milan	16 years, 7 months, 12 days
7. Warren Zaire-Emery	PSG	16 years, 7 months, 17 days
8. Charalampos Mavrias	Panathinaikos	16 years, 7 months, 29 days
Data via Transfermarkt.

Compared to midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, he ranks in the top 3% for pass success rate, the top 9% for passes made and the best 10% for switches, a ball that travels more than 40 yards the width of the pitch.

What those numbers rubberstamp is the comparison to Fabregas, one of the best passers of the modern era.

While PSG’s teen superstar doesn’t quite possess the same rate of assists just yet – producing just two last season – his ability as a deep-lying playmaker certainly evokes memories of Fabregas in the latter stages of his career.

As for his development as a youngster, it certainly has hallmarks of the way the Spaniard burst onto the scene all those years ago.

Rodrygo upgrade: Arsenal make approach for "one of the best LWs in Europe"

The incredible Champions League winner would be a Rodrygo upgrade for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 23, 2025

Manchester City fans will be hoping their damaged side can get back on the horse in convincing fashion when Premier League football kicks off again in August.

The ten-time top-flight champions fell way below their lofty standards last season when finishing in third spot in the competitive division, whilst an FA Cup final slip-up to Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace further added to the lacklustre mood at the Etihad.

City have been spending big this summer to try and right the wrongs of their 2024/25 campaign coming undone, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait Nouri all coming through the door in quick succession, but this hat-trick of exciting buys still couldn’t stop the Citizens from crashing out of the Club World Cup unexpectedly to Al-Hilal.

More new purchases could be pushed onto the table, therefore, to help boost Pep Guardiola’s men even more, with a potential defensive addition around the £25m mark on the agenda.

£25m star now on Man City's agenda

Of course, it’s not just incoming signings that City will be wanting to press on with.

The dented Premier League giants will also want to get even more personnel off their books this summer – away from allowing just Kevin De Bruyne to move onto Napoli – with Jack Grealish reportedly being eyed up by many a potential suitor, including both Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, as City continue with their clearout.

Transfer Focus

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

£40m could soon enter into City’s bank account if the former Aston Villa man finally departs Manchester for good, with £25m of that potentially used to snap up Inter Milan defensive star Denzel Dumfries.

Indeed, as per a new report from Italy, the lightning-quick right-back is being eyed up by City as another first-team altering addition.

It’s claimed that City are ready to trigger that £21m release clause fee, signalling their intentions to make a bid in the not-too-distant future.

How Dumfries can be City's answer to Frimpong

Should Dumfries head to England this summer then he could well be City’s answer to Jeremie Frimpong, with the Citizens once possessing the 5-foot-8 menace during his youth days, before he moved on to Liverpool for a hefty £29.5m after a blistering Bayer Leverkusen stint.

Now, that past regret will be far easier to process if Dumfries soon joins Guardiola’s ever-growing camp to be City’s up-to-date answer to their ex-academy talent.

After all, City have licked their wounds in this department before, with Guardiola and Co. still managing to finish above Chelsea last season, even as their former homegrown product Cole Palmer terrorised Premier League defences at will.

Now, they will be hoping to overshadow another of their top-flight rivals in Arne Slot’s Reds by landing their own version of Frimpong, with both right-backs in question loving a speedy dart forward, as much as they love to battle away at the back for their team’s cause.

Last season in the intense environment of the Serie A, Dumfries would dazzle as a gung-ho option on the right, with a sublime seven of his 11 goals for the campaign coming in Italian top-flight action, which included a fantastic breakaway move being finished off by the direct 29-year-old.

Frimpong bettered Dumfries’ hefty amount, but not by much, with the pacey Amsterdam-born defender chipping in with a bumper nine efforts himself in the Bundesliga.

Total shots

1.52

1.36

Shot-creating actions

2.32

2.67

Attempted passes

38.68

35.80

Progressive passes

2.25

2.00

Progressive carries

2.51

4.11

Touches in attacking penalty area

0.76

0.90

Tackles

1.49

1.13

Blocks

1.46

0.98

Aerial duels won

2.60

0.43

The similarities don’t just end with their shared prowess for gallivanting forward with pace, however, as seen when glancing at the table above, with both defenders willing to get stuck in for the cause, too.

If anything, City might be winning themselves a better signing by landing Dumfries for a lesser £25m, with the Dutchman winning more tackles and aerial duels over the last year than Frimpong, according to FBref, away from just being known as a “monster” in the words of journalist Alan Rzepa.

A fascinating battle might well ensue at the top of the division next season between City and Liverpool, with the Citizens hopeful they can return to the Premier League summit after experiencing a blip of a season by securing more and more new stars, such as Dumfries.

Bigger talent than Reijnders: Pep driving Man City move for £43m sensation

Following the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders, Man City still want to bolster their midfield options, reportedly interested in making a £43m signing.

ByBen Gray Jul 4, 2025

يدرس نادي برشلونة الإسباني قرارًا تجاه لاعبه ماركوس راشفورد، المنضم للفريق من مانشستر يونايتد الإنجليزي.

وانتقل راشفورد من مانشستر يونايتد إلى برشلونة على سبيل الإعارة لمدة موسم واحد، وأعلن النادي الكتالوني عن الصفقة في شهر يوليو الماضي.

وافتتح برشلونة موسمه بفوز على ريال مايوركا بثلاثية نظيفة، ثم تغلب على ليفانتي بثلاثية لهدفين، وتعادل أمام رايو فاليكانو بهدف لمثله في الدوري الإسباني.

وبحسب ما ذكرت صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية، نقلاً عن “إل ناسيونال” الإسبانية، يدرس برشلونة إعادة راشفورد إلى مانشستر يونايتد بعد بداية صعبة لفترة إعارته.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة يتخذ قرارًا صادمًا بشأن مصير ليفاندوفسكي بعد نهاية عقده

راشفورد شارك في مباريات برشلونة الثلاثة بالدوري الإسباني، ولعب 95 دقيقة، لكن وفقًا لما ورد في التقرير لم يُلبٍ توقعات النادي.

يوضح التقرير أيضًا أن هناك مخاوف بشأن راشفورد في مجلس الإدارة، حيث أن النادي كان يتوقع أداءً أفضل من اللاعب في هذه المرحلة، والمسؤولون وصفوا أداءه بأنه مخيب للآمال.

يفيد التقرير أيضًا أن الرئيس خوان لابورتا والمدير الرياضي ديكو لم يقتنعا أبدًا بضم راشفورد، وكانا يفضلا التعاقد مع نيكو ويليامز أو لويس دياز.

وأتم التقرير موضحًا أنه سيتعين على برشلونة دفع رسوم تبلغ حوالي 4.3 مليون جنيه إسترليني إذا قرر إعادة راشفورد مبكرًا لمانشستر يونايتد.