Rangers suffered an agonising defeat on penalties in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, and the players will now have to regroup ahead of today’s Scottish Cup final.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst could make a few changes as the Ibrox club look to end their 13-year wait to lift the domestic knockout trophy, although one player is definitely out of the Hampden Park clash.
Borna Barisic will be missing for the match due to an injury sustained against Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek, as Van Bronckhorst confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday: “Borna is not available for tomorrow, all other players who featured are available.”
This will result in a tactical change from the manager, as with the Croatian missing, Calvin Bassey will be required to revert to the left-back spot, which will open up a berth at the heart of defence.
With first-team mainstay Connor Goldson being more or less certain of a place, it will be up to the Dutchman to pick between Leon Balogun or give 18-year-old Leon King a start in a major cup final.
Rangers will miss Barisic
Whilst Barisic hasn’t been up to his usual high standards this term (his Sofascore rating in the Premiership is 7.29, compared to 7.4 last season), his absence will nonetheless be a big blow to Rangers’ chances of winning the trophy. His attacking threat is always a bonus, as he offers excellent support to Ryan Kent on the left-hand side.
As per WhoScored, only James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos have exceeded the Croatian’s 1.9 key passes per game in the Premiership among Van Bronckhorst’s starters this season, while just four Gers players had more than his three assists in the league.
With there being transfer interest for Barisic during the January window, this season could be his last at the club. It would be a shame if the Europa League final defeat is his final match for the Ibrox giants, and his manager will no doubt be gutted not to have the 29-year-old’s creative spark to call upon today.
AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst must unleash “invaluable” £26k-p/w “Duracell bunny”, Rangers need him
Luke Edwards has now revealed some exciting plans for Newcastle United in the summer.
The Lowdown: Pre-season in USA
The St James’ Park club are set to go to the USA for pre-season, a few weeks after their 2021/22 Premier League campaign ends away to Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
They are not the only club in the top flight set to go to Stateside, with Arsenal set to play both Chelsea and Everton across the Atlantic.
The Latest: Edwards update
Taking to Twitter, Daily Telegraph journalist Edwards has revealed that Newcastle are due to announce a pre-season training camp in the USA in July and will play some friendlies in Cincinnati.
He tweeted: “#nufc are due to announce a pre-season training camp in the USA in July, with friendly games; in Cincinnati. Expect things to be confirmed this week.”
He added that he has had it confirmed from Stateside, but not from the Tyneside club itself, stating: “I’ve had this confirmed from the USA. Nothing yet from #nufc other than they are going to States this summer for pre-season.”
The Verdict: Exciting
It is always exciting to hear where your club is going to go for pre-season, and it will be good for the Magpies to train in the United States, with the view of potentially playing some of the best teams from the MLS.
The climate should also be nice and warm for them to relax after confirming their place in the Premier League for another season, and the players should enjoy themselves as they prepare for what looks to be a busy 2022/23 campaign ahead.
The new owners will no doubt want to stamp their authority on the market, so some big names could well come through the doors at the Toon.
In other news, find out who NUFC are now ‘confident’ of signing this summer
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been dealt a fitness worry ahead of his team’s crucial clash with West Ham United today in the Premier League title race.
The Lowdown: Huge day for Man City…
The Sky Blues could take one gigantic leap towards retaining their top-flight crown and besting rivals Liverpool by beating David Moyes’ side at the London Stadium this afternoon.
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City currently sit three points clear at the top of the table with a superior goal difference of seven compared to the Reds, and victory over the Hammers today would cement their place as overwhelming favourites to win the title heading into their last match of 2021/22.
After brushing aside both Newcastle United and Wolves in the last seven days, scoring 10 goals in total over the two matches, arguably their toughest remaining test looms at 2pm in east London .
Guardiola has been forced to cope without star defenders Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker recently as the trio are ruled out for the rest of their title run-in.
To make matters more complicated, in their last match at Molineux, other crucial members of the squad in Aymeric Laporte, who was forced off due to a knee problem, and Fernandinho (muscle) came away with injury issues.
The Latest: Guardiola gives Laporte update…
Speaking to the press before his team’s trip to the capital, Guardiola has now confirmed that City could be without Laporte alongside their Brazilian veteran, with both doubtful to facve West Ham (Evening Standard).
A worry for City, the English champions could be without a plethora of first-team defensive options, but their manager refused to completely rule out their availability, claiming that they will be subject to checks today.
The Verdict: Potential major blow…
Being without Laporte in particular comes as a potentially major blow given just how crucial and reliable he has been this season.
The Spain international has even managed to keep Stones out of Guardiola’s starting XI time and time again this season despite his phenomenal partnership with Dias over the 2020/21 campaign.
Lauded as a ‘sensational’ defender by national team boss Luis Enrique, Laporte has been a mainstay domestically, racking up the fifth-most league minutes out of any City player and starting on 31 different occasions (WhoScored).
A supreme ball-playing centre-back, the 27-year-old also has the highest passing accuracy (94.9%) in Guardiola’s squad – no easy feat in one of the world’s best tiki-taka teams.
Cityzens up and down the country will be hoping that he is indeed given the green light to play in what will be a pivotal game in this epic title race.
In other news: Man City set to move for ‘unbelievable’ star who’s turned Pep’s head, played his last game on Saturday night…find out more here
Newcastle United could make a summer swoop for Barcelona attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The lowdown: Coutinho back in England
On loan at Aston Villa until the end of the season, the playmaker is attempting to rebuild a stuttering career, having been much-maligned following an eye-watering £142m switch to Spain in 2018 (BBC).
Things didn’t go to plan for the Brazilian maestro after leaving Liverpool and the 29-year-old has managed just 106 appearances for the Catalan giants four years on from the move, struggling with injuries and spending time on loan at Bayern Munich since leaving the Premier League.
A stay in England could now be on the cards, although not necessarily at Villa Park…
The latest: Newcastle eyeing Coutinho
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Newcastle are ready to make a move for Coutinho, with Magpies reportedly prepared to offer a seven-figure bonus in an attempt to lure him to St James’ Park.
The journalist explained that the Tyneside club are monitoring the situation in the Midlands, saying: “Steven Gerrard still wants Villa to sign Coutinho, but Newcastle are watching this with interest.
“At the end of the month, Villa have to tell Barcelona whether they intend to take up the option to buy him – and if they hesitate I’m told Newcastle will look to make a proposal to the player.”
The verdict: Would be a statement signing
As the new-look Newcastle begins to take shape over the forthcoming transfer windows, Eddie Howe will almost certainly have an abundance of big-name players linked with a move to St James’ Park.
Identifying the players who best fit into the system and the project will be imperative, decisions that the Englishman got right in January with the captures of Matt Targett, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier.
Upon his return to the Premier League, Coutinho – who was once described as possessing ‘magical powers’ by compatriot and former Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino – has scored four times and provided three assists in 15 outings, proof of a continued ability to thrive at the elite level.
Combined with a mooted £33m purchase option for Villa, that form makes the skilful Brazilian an exciting proposition to strengthen the attacking ranks, and Newcastle would be wise to pay close attention to his situation in the coming weeks and months.
In other news, this journalist reacts to one NUFC starlet’s weekend heroics
Liverpool “really like” French midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni and are interested in bringing him to Anfield this summer, according to journalist James Pearce.
What’s the latest?
The Athletic’s Pearce provided an update on The Reds’ interest in Tchouameni.
French website Foot Mercato were one of the outlets reporting Liverpool’s interest late last month and it now seems that Klopp is determined to bring him to the Premier League.
The journalist was speaking in his Q&A for the Athletic and said: “Liverpool really like him. Big talent. But price tag could be an issue and Real Madrid also very keen. Be interesting to see what happens with that one.”
He would make a great addition to the Liverpool midfield alongside Thiago and Fabinho.
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He’s better than Henderson
The man he would likely replace in the starting line-up for The Reds would be captain Jordan Henderson. Dropping your skipper might sound like a bold move, but if Liverpool are to keep up with rivals Manchester City as well as other European giants, they need to be constantly improving their squad.
Tchouameni is an improvement on Henderson, he may not possess the same leadership qualities as the 31-year old, but he’s younger and has been making his mark this season in Ligue 1.
He currently plays for Monaco who he joined in 2020 from Bordeaux and is rated at £36m by Transfermarkt. He has made 33 appearances in the league and has been a key player in his club’s challenge to secure a place in the Champions League next season, they currently sit second.
If you compare him to Henderson this season it’s easy to see why Klopp wants him on Merseyside. Tchouameni, who has been dubbed “extraordinary” by Paul Pogba, has made more progressive passes this campaign with 176 to his name compared to the Liverpool captain’s 162.
He also performs better with the ball with 27 more progressive carries this season than Henderson.
Liverpool need to start thinking ahead, and at just 22-years old Tchouameni is the future. He’s the perfect eventual successor to Henderson, and if he moves now he will be able to learn from not just his experience but from Thiago and Fabinho too.
Nicknamed the “octopus”, his impressive numbers mean it’s not surprising that The Reds want him, but they’re not the only ones. If they’re to secure his signature they need to beat off competition from their opponents in the Champions League final Real Madrid.
IN other news: Klopp must finally axe Liverpool “cheerleader” who lost possession every 5 mins on Sat…
An injury expert has been left wowed by what he has now heard from Leeds United before they play Manchester City at home in the Premier League.
The Lowdown: Bamford return close
Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, Jesse Marsch has revealed that Patrick Bamford is expected to be ‘on the pitch next week’, after seeing his return from injury cut short back in March.
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He also said that the striker has been using an anti-gravity treadmill at Thorp Arch, in order to hurry his rehabilitation.
The Latest: Dinnery reacts
Speaking to Football Insider, Ben Dinnery, renowned injury expert who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in both medicine and data analysis, was left wowed by Bamford’s use of the anti-gravity treadmill, claiming that it is a ‘phenomenal’ piece of equipment:
“The anti-gravity treadmill can reduce your body weight by up to 100 per cent.
“That allows players to maintain their fitness without compromising the body’s biomechanics.
“You can effectively train and run more or less pain-free. Then you transition to increased body weight and eventually onto the field.
“It makes the process a lot quicker. They are a really phenomenal bit of kit.
“The pressure has lifted on Bamford given that Leeds have all but secured their top-flight status.
“But he probably has something to prove to himself and will want to finish the season on a high.”
The Verdict: Big boost
Of course, the fact that Bamford is seemingly speeding up his recovery is no doubt a big boost for Marsch and his team.
Before he first injured his ankle in September, he had scored one goal and made two assists already in the top flight, and scored again on his first return from injury in the 2-2 draw at home to Brentford in December (Transfermarkt).
He has not been able to put a consistent run of games together, but when he has played, more often than not he has contributed.
Nonetheless, with the Whites still fighting off relegation, Bamford could be crucial for the run-in.
In other news, find out what huge LUFC injury blow has now emerged here!
Over the years, Manchester United has been the home to numerous elite-level centre-forwards, with Robin van Persie one who captured the hearts of the fanbase.
The Dutchman joined in a controversial deal from Premier League rivals Arsenal for a reported £24m back in August 2012 – a deal that proved to be an absolute bargain.
He ended up making 105 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring a total of 58 goals, with his total of 26 league goals in 2012/13 helping Sir Alex Ferguson win his final top-flight title.
Former Manchester United forward Robin van Persie.
Van Persie also managed to notch 16 assists during such a period, taking his total goal contributions to 74, resulting in an average of 0.7 goals or assists per game over a three-year period.
Such a record has undoubtedly cemented his place in the Red Devils history, but numerous managers have been unable to rely upon similar talents at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try and unearth his own version of the talisman, subsequently spending big on a new centre-forward during the recent summer window.
The reasons behind Benjamin Sesko’s struggles at United
After taking the reins back in November last year, Amorim had to rely upon the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee to provide the goods at the top end of the pitch.
However, the duo’s tally of just seven combined goals in the Premier League last season highlighted the need for reinforcements during the summer transfer window.
The board handed the manager over £200m worth of funds to make the desired changes, which resulted in three huge names making the move to Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were just two of the additions made by the hierarchy, with Benjamin Sesko the player brought in to operate alongside the pair in the final third.
The latter of the trio cost a reported £74m from RB Leipzig during the summer, with real hope generated by the fans that he would be the man to solve their issues.
However, his start to life in Manchester has been far from plain sailing, as seen by his tally of just two goals in his first 11 league outings – even going four games without a goal.
His early struggles will no doubt present cause for concern, with his underlying numbers also highlighting his lack of impact in recent months after his big-money switch.
He’s only registered a total of 3.6 touches in the opposition box per 90, which has ranked him in the bottom 20% of all other centre forwards in England’s top-flight.
Such a figure showcases that he’s either unable to get himself into the right positions, or he’s not being provided the goods – which could explain his lowly goalscoring tally.
However, Sesko has been hugely reliant upon players around him, with his tally of 0.2 dribbles completed showcasing that he’s unlikely to create a chance on his own.
Like the aforementioned tally, it has placed him in the bottom 20% of other strikers in the league, which could also be contributing to his lack of goals at present.
The United star who could end Sesko’s Man Utd career
There’s no doubt that Sesko will need added time to flourish in England, with his big-money transfer to United in the summer presenting a huge culture change for the 22-year-old.
He’s had to move to a new country, league and surroundings, which is certainly a daunting task for a young talent – which too could be having an effect on his lack of output.
But the lack of quality in such a department has no doubt ramped up the pressure on the Slovenian international to provide the goods in front of goal at Old Trafford.
Amorim will no doubt have to manage Sesko personally to get the best out of the centre-forward, but it’s unclear how much patience the manager will present to the new addition.
The fans, too, will need to cut him some slack, but it will no doubt be tricky, especially given the form of the previous talents in such a role – including the likes of Van Persie.
However, the club may have their next talisman in the form of Chido Obi, with the young star already matching the Dutchman in making the move to Old Trafford from rivals Arsenal.
At just 17, the fans will have to be patient with the Dane, but there’s no doubt excitement has been generated by his incredible goalscoring record in the youth setup.
He scored 13 times in just 11 appearances for the U18 outfit last campaign, living up to the billing he is a “goalscoring machine” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig. Such form has seen him make the step-up to the U21 squad over the last couple of months.
Obi has now made 22 appearances at such a level, scoring nine times and registering four assists in the process – even managing to thrive at an age group four years above his own.
Given the lack of quality in the centre-forward department last season, Amorim even handed the teenager his first taste of senior football in an attempt to improve the situation.
The Dane made a total of eight first-team appearances in 2024/25, but failed to find the back of the net once – however, it didn’t stop the youngster from receiving huge praise.
Teammate Leny Yoro previously waxed lyrical about the youngster, even claiming that he could become “one of the world’s best” in the years to come should he continue on his current path.
After returning to youth level, Obi has backed up Yoro’s statement, averaging a goal every 100 minutes and registering a staggering total of 2.2 shots on target per 90 this season.
Games played
8
Games started
3
Goals scored
3
Mins per goal
100
Shots on target
2.2
Dribbles completed
68%
Touches in opposition box
6.6
Fouls won
1.7
He’s even completed 68% of the dribbles he’s attempted, massively starring in such an area, something which Sesko has been unable to do over the last few months.
Obi has also dominated countless backlines lately, as seen by his tally of 4.7 duels won, with his physical presence potentially perfect for Amorim’s current side.
Whilst he’s just 17, the future is massively bright for the Dane at Old Trafford, with the club desperately needing to streamline his progress into the senior ranks.
Sesko’s inability to impress could certainly hand the manager the perfect chance to allow him to stake his claim and nail down the position as his very own for many years to come.
If he can match Van Persie’s level during his own time with the Red Devils, he will certainly be a fan-favourite and a player who can take the first-team back to their former glory.
An Mbeumo repeat: Man Utd to make £52m bid for "best winger in the country"
Manchester United look set to make another huge bid for a new attacker for Ruben Amorim.
The Lewis family are making big plans behind-the-scenes at Tottenham, as ENIC prepare for life beyond chairman Daniel Levy.
Levy has been the face of Spurs’ day-to-day running for the last 24 years, and often the subject of real criticism, before Tottenham’s shocking announcement on Thursday last week that the 63-year-old resigned from his post as executive chairman.
While it was a technically a resignation of his own accord, the consensus is that ENIC pushed Levy out of the door, and it is even believed that the ex-chair didn’t find out he was going to resign until just hours before Tottenham made it official (The Times).
Levy was a polarising figure among the Lilywhites fanbase, often finding himself at the centre of mass ENIC protests towards the end of his tenure in particular, but it cannot be understated that he helped to transform Spurs into a financial powerhouse.
Real Madrid
£1.2 billion
Man City
£727 million
PSG
£700 million
Man United
£668 million
Bayern Munich
£664 million
FC Barcelona
£659.5 million
Arsenal
£621.5 million
Liverpool
£620 million
Tottenham Hotspur
£533 million
Chelsea
£474 million
Levy oversaw Tottenham’s move to their state-of-the-art new stadium and training facilities, which has gifted the club a far greater commercial appeal off the field, and you could even argue that they were more successful on the pitch in comparison to Sir Alan Sugar’s era leading Spurs.
However, the departure of Levy has now ushered in a new era for the north Londoners, with the Lewis Family’s restructuring of the board attracting serious investment interest from parties in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the USA (TEAMtalk).
ENIC’s owners are also determined to bring more success after Tottenham won their first major trophy in 17 years back in May.
Now, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has shared how they could be planning to do just that.
ENIC plot transfer statement in boost for Tottenham post-Daniel Levy
Speaking on Sky, Solhekol states that ENIC are plotting a cash injection into Tottenham, and this could be used on transfers to help them compete for silverware.
Thomas Frank could be set for an almighty boost by this message, as the Dane seeks to eventually transform Spurs into eventual Premier League challengers.
Liverpool’s summer transfer window shows no signs of slowing down.
Having already brought in Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, the Premier League champions continue to fine-tune their squad under Arne Slot.
Hugo Ekitike scores for Liverpool
The Dutchman, who delivered the title in his first season at Anfield, knows that the competition at the top of English football is fiercer than ever.
With Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz both departing and Federico Chiesa alongside teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha providing depth from the bench, the Merseyside club remain active in reshaping their attack.
Their pursuit of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak – which could cost upwards of £130m – has dominated headlines.
Newcastle United'sAlexanderIsak
Yet behind the Swedish international’s saga, another intriguing story is developing.
If Harvey Elliott seals his proposed switch to RB Leipzig, Liverpool are ready to test Aston Villa’s resolve over one of their brightest talents.
Liverpool prepare move for Premier League talent
According to Football Insider, Liverpool have set their sights on 23-year-old Morgan Rogers, with PSR potentially forcing the Midlands club into at least one major sale before the window closes.
The attacking midfielder – once described by journalist Jacob Tanswell as “a machine” – is valued at around £80m, a figure that reflects his rapid rise.
Liverpool’s interest is also closely tied to Elliott’s future.
The England Under-21 international has slipped down the pecking order at Anfield and is the subject of strong interest from Leipzig, who are pushing to close a deal believed to be worth between £45 – 50m.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Should Elliott depart, the report suggests that Liverpool are ready to make an approach for Rogers late in the window. The Villa man is viewed as the perfect replacement: a versatile creative force with Premier League experience and the athleticism to thrive in Slot’s pressing system. T
Rogers has been on a sharp upward trajectory since leaving Manchester City in 2023 in search of first-team football.
A short but productive spell at Middlesbrough convinced Aston Villa to secure his services for £8m, and the Midlands side were richly rewarded.
Last season, the Birmingham-born midfielder played 54 times in all competitions, including 37 in the league, producing 8 goals and 11 assists.
His impact extended into Europe too, where he scored four times and set up three in Villa’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Morgan Rogers for Aston Villa vs PSG.
Such performances earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad and alerted top clubs across the Premier League.
Tottenham are also circling, but Liverpool’s readiness to act swiftly – combined with Villa’s need to balance their books – makes Anfield a very possible destination.
Why Rogers could be the bigger prize than Alexander Isak
While much attention is understandably focused on Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak, the case for prioritising Rogers is compelling.
At 25, the Swede is a proven Premier League striker who scored 23 goals and provided six assists last term.
Matches Played
34
Goals
23
Assists
6
Progressive Carries
83
Progressive Passes
88
He would be an immediate headline arrival but prising him from Newcastle requires a mammoth bid of around £130m.
In contrast, Rogers represents a younger, more malleable option, whose all-round game may prove just as valuable over the long term.
Statistically, the comparison between the two is closer than many might expect.
Rogers contributed to 18 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, while Isak managed 29.
Yet when examining progressive actions – the hallmark of a modern forward in possession-heavy systems – the Villa man stands out.
Morgan Rogers
According to FBref, he averaged 3.29 progressive carries and 3.55 progressive passes per 90 minutes, compared to Isak’s 2.71 and 2.88 respectively.
His creative spark is further underlined by a near-identical output in shot-creating actions: 3.04 per 90, edging the Swede’s 3.01.
Where Isak excels is in direct finishing.
The 25-year-old averaged over three shots per game, hitting the target with an impressive 43.2% accuracy.
Rogers, by contrast, attempts fewer efforts but contributes heavily in build-up, completing more passes on average (19.2 compared to Isak’s 17.0) and progressing the ball further with his distribution.
For Slot, who demands flexibility and interchanging roles across the front line, such traits could make the 23-year-old the more strategic fit.
There is also the question of squad balance. With Ekitike, Chiesa and Ngumoha providing a blend of direct running and finishing, Liverpool may not need another pure goalscorer.
What they arguably lack is another creative midfielder who can link attack and midfield while chipping in with goals.
Rogers fits that profile precisely.
Furthermore, the financial equation tilts in favour of the Aston Villa man. An £80m outlay, though substantial, is considerably less than the nine-figure sum required for Isak.
Given that Liverpool have already invested heavily this summer, spreading resources across multiple signings rather than one marquee addition may prove more sustainable.
Ultimately, whether Elliott’s departure to Leipzig materialises could be the decisive factor. Should that door open, Rogers is primed to step through it.
With his athleticism, intelligence in possession and growing pedigree at both domestic and European level, he may not only be a solution to Liverpool’s immediate needs but also a long-term cornerstone.
Slot and his recruitment team must now weigh their options carefully.
Isak would be the blockbuster arrival, but Rogers may turn out to be the smarter investment – a player capable of shaping Liverpool’s next era with the energy and versatility that has already made him indispensable at Villa Park.
Imagine him & Isak: Liverpool prepare last-minute offer for £100m "machine"
Liverpool are looking to complete a deal for a Premier League midfielder before Monday’s deadline.
Birmingham City are preparing for a return to the second-tier of English football and have now cast their eye to the continent for a potential bargain signing.
Birmingham City's summer activity ahead of Championship return underway
Quick off the mark after securing the League One title in remarkable fashion, Birmingham have already wrapped up the permanent signing of Phil Neumann.
Speaking ahead of featuring at St Andrews, German defender Neumann believes that the Blues can earn promotion to the Premier League following his move from Hannover on a free transfer.
He stated: “I always wanted to play in England. Birmingham is such a big club with a big history, and they fought hard for me and gave me a good feeling. I can’t wait to play my first game here, meet the fans and also meet my team-mates. It’s a nice stadium, a really nice pitch and I’m really happy to be here.
“I think the club is not where it belongs and hopefully I can help the club get back to the Premier League.”
Kwame Poku, Mark Travers and Harry Darling are all reported Birmingham targets, which lends credence to Neumann’s opinion that Birmingham have the power to become a Premier League force before too long.
Birmingham can make Stansfield better by signing "outstanding" EFL star
Birmingham City would look immediately more confident in attack in the Championship if they signed this outstanding forward.
ByKelan Sarson May 14, 2025
Nevertheless, the Championship is a major step up in quality for Chris Davies, who still has to make decisions on the future of Grant Hanley and Lee Myung-jae ahead of next campaign.
While he takes his time over potential departures, Birmingham are continuing to be active on the transfer front and are now advancing in their pursuit of a top-flight midfielder.
Birmingham in advanced talks for Kanya Fujimoto after offer
According to journalist Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto on X, Birmingham have submitted an offer for Gil Vicente attacking midfielder Kanya Fujimoto and talks are believed to be at an advanced stage.
It isn’t yet certain that he will end up at St Andrews, but steps are moving in the right direction to close a deal that would see him arrive on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at the Primeira Liga outfit.
What can Birmingham City expect if Kanya Fujimoto arrives? (top-flight statistics)
Chances created
35
Successful dribbles
19
Touches in opposition box
74
Duels won
61
Shots
40
Shots on target
14
Earning a reputation as a forward-thinking asset, Fujimoto, 25, has registered five goals and six assists across 33 matches in all competitions this season.
Ultimately, Birmingham will need to balance spending considerable fees with finding value for money on the market in order to fulfill their aspirations of being a competitive force in the second-tier.
Fujimoto, who shares the same CAA Base agency as Ben Davies, is operating at a distinguished level and would be seen as a coup by many Championship onlookers, though it now remains to be seen whether the Blues can push a statement deal over the line.