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Aston Villa’s usual top performers have been out of sorts across their side’s opening two Premier League clashes.

Both Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have fired unconvincing blanks, as Villa drew 0-0 on the opening day versus Newcastle, before then tasting a narrow 1-0 defeat away at AFC Bournemouth to further pile on the early misery for Unai Emery’s men. Watkins, who was on fire in pre-season, has been particularly absent in those matches.

Emery will hope this rust isn’t visible for much longer as the games come thick and fast in the challenging division.

But, whatever does occur during his side’s next outing in the tough league, he will surely be eyeing up some new attacking additions in the transfer market to improve his team’s chances of getting out of this mini rut.

Aston Villa in pole position to sign £60m star

The West Midlands underperformers will have to get deals done at a quick pace, with September’s early deadline fast approaching.

Transfer Focus

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

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In a hectic window that has been dominated by departures – with the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey leaving Villa Park behind recently – it would be a much-needed change of narrative if Villa could tempt some standout last-ditch additions through the door.

A reported deal for Marco Asensio might well be a last-gasp incoming that gets fans back on side, having previously impressed on loan at Emery’s side last season, while there is also notable interest on Villa’s end about obtaining Chelsea flop Christopher Nkunku to enhance their attacking options.

He, of course, isn’t the only Stamford Bridge asset being eyed up by Emery and Co, with a recent report from Football Insider suggesting that Villa are now in pole position to snap up Blues reserve forward Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson previously featured under Emery at Villarreal, and so the ex-Arsenal boss will hope he can get his former attacker firing at Villa Park, knowing full well that this close-knit link with the hit-and-miss 24-year-old could seal a late £60m deal.

How Jackson can become Emery's next Aubameyang

With 24 Premier League goals under his belt in West London, it’s clear that there is a lethal goalscoring gem waiting to be uncovered, and with Emery’s sublime track record, which saw him get the very best out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Gunners, a match made in heaven might soon come to fruition.

Just before Arteta took on the Emirates reins, Emery was tasked with trying to bring success to Arsenal right after Arsene Wenger’s esteemed two-decade stretch.

While his time in North London was fraught with bumps, with a costly 20 losses suffered across 78 contests, it goes without saying that he created a clinical machine out of Aubameyang when situated in the Gunners’ dugout.

The now Marseille veteran would collect a blistering 41 goals and eight assists under the Spaniard’s wing, with 22 of those coming in league action during the 2018/19 season, which saw him share the golden boot accolade with esteemed company in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Emery would even go as far as to label Aubameyang a “killer” in front of goal off the back of these Arsenal heroics, and while it is somewhat unrealistic to expect Jackson to hit golden boot level numbers donning Villa claret and blue, the 53-year-old’s caring arm around the Senegalese forward could be just what is needed to allow him to move on from his up-and-down Chelsea ordeal.

After all, he displayed signs of raw promise under Emery’s tutelage in Spain, with six goal contributions coming his way from 27 clashes for the Yellow Submarine.

Moreover, the well-travelled manager has even gone on to hail Jackson’s attitude as “exceptional” when trying to cut his teeth at the La Liga side.

He could finally be able to get the very best out of him at Villa Park, away from just being an early believer in his potential, with Emery again working his exceptional magic on forward players in the West Midlands, as seen in Watkins powering home a mighty 58 goals during his Villa reign to date.

Jackson’s PL numbers for Chelsea

Stat

Jackson

Games played

65

Goals scored

24

Assists

10

Big chances missed

43

Stats by Sofascore

Of course, the main worry will be that even in an environment more suited to him, Jackson will still regularly fluff his lines, having missed a staggering 43 big chances for the Blues over two Premier League seasons.

But, there does seem to be something in the water when it comes to Emery developing red-hot strikers, having also made Jhon Duran into a temporary animal in the West Midlands.

Therefore, landing the “unbelievable” star – as he has been previously dubbed by Peter Crouch – could be a stroke of genius, particularly if he goes on to be as potent as Aubameyang was during his Arsenal heyday.

Related New Rogers: Aston Villa make late bid to sign "spectacular" £25m star

Aston Villa interested in La Masia market opportunity similar to Morgan Rogers

Posts ByWill Miller Aug 24, 2025

Coleen Rooney has poked fun at her husband Wayne after he revealed a cheeky prank she pulled on him during Liverpool’s 2020 Premier League title celebrations. The Manchester United legend admitted he locked Coleen out of their house after returning home to find it draped in Liverpool flags. Now, Coleen has responded with a tongue-in-cheek post on social media.

Coleen shares hilarious dig at Wayne

Wayne shared on his podcast that Coleen had hung Liverpool flags around their home when Jurgen Klopp’s side lifted the Premier League trophy in 2020. The Manchester United legend, who grew up an Everton fan, was furious and locked his wife out when she climbed out to remove them. Coleen has since hit back by sharing a photo of the flags, alongside laughing and winking emojis.

Instagram (@coleen_rooney)

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWayne's bitter rivalry with Liverpool

The incident highlighted the light-hearted but very real football rivalry within the Rooney household. Wayne spent 13 years at Manchester United and two stints at Everton, both fierce rivals of Liverpool, making Coleen’s stunt all the more provocative. Despite the mischief, the couple have continued to laugh off their divided loyalties, even as Liverpool chase further glory under Arne Slot.

Getty Images EntertainmentColeen and family support Liverpool

Rooney’s Everton roots remain strong, with the 39-year-old still openly cheering on the Toffees. He featured in seven Merseyside derbies against Liverpool during his career, and the rivalry remains close to his heart. Coleen, however, has never hidden her allegiance to the Reds, a difference that continues to spark playful clashes between the pair.

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Liverpool succeeding, while Man Utd and Everton faltering

Liverpool are pushing to build on last season’s record-equalling 20th league crown under Slot. Everton, led by David Moyes, head to Anfield this Saturday as they look to upset their bitter rivals. Wayne's former side, Manchester United, meanwhile, look like they may be fighting relegation if results don't improve.

Lancashire’s batters made title-chasing Somerset work for every wicket on the second day of the Vitality County Championship match at Old Trafford and had built a formidable 292-run lead at close of play.Josh Bohannon’s 60 and Luke Wells’ unbeaten 78 enabled the home side to finish on 298 for 7 in their second innings of a match both sides desperately need to win, Lancashire to preserve their hopes of avoiding relegation, Surrey to stay in touch with Surrey at the top of the table.The difference between the first day’s play and the second was immediately apparent during a morning session in which Lancashire scored 90 runs in 27 overs for the loss of only two wickets.On a pitch that had dried out and lost much of the greenness, bowlers had to work harder for their successes and the only batsman dismissed in the first hour was the nightwatchman, Will Williams, who was leg-before wicket to Craig Overton for 7 in the third over of the morning.Harry Singh then added 85 for the third wicket with Bohannon, who batted beautifully to make 60 off 76 balls. However, it was indicative of the problems Bohannon has encountered this season that his half-century was only his fourth innings over fifty in 22 Championship innings.None of which diminished Somerset’s joy in the penultimate over before lunch when Bohannon tried to pull a ball from Kasey Aldridge but only succeeded in diverting it via the toe of the bat to Tom Abell in the gully.On the resumption, Singh and Rocky Flintoff defied Lewis Gregory’s bowlers for 50 minutes until Singh thin-edged a catch to James Rew off Brett Randell to give the New Zealander his first wicket for Somerset.Singh had faced 142 balls during his 260-minute innings of 30 but his patient resistance was not copied by Matty Hurst, who hit three breezy fours in 19 runs before attempting to drive Randell and nicking a catch to Overton at second slip.In the next over, Flintoff was bowled by Jack Leach’s arm-ball for 27 but Well and George Bell saw their side through to 214 for 6 at tea, when Lancashire’s lead was 208. And on the resumption, Wells and Bell extended their seventh-wicket stand to 83 before Bell was bowled for 23 when trying to pull a ball from Gregory that kept low.Wells shifted down into the middle order for this match, having struggled in his usual opening role in recent weeks. Batting as low as No. 7 on account of Williams’ deployment as a nightwatchman, he went on to emulate Bohannon’s feat in passing fifty for only the fourth time this season but his strokeplay was impressive, most noticeably when he hit three off-side boundaries in one over from Gregory.And the day ended with Lancashire in the ascendant. Wells was unbeaten on 78 and Somerset’s fielders appeared aggrieved that George Balderson had not been adjudged run out on 5 when apparently run out by Overton’s throw from slip. The visitors had earlier been penalised five runs for fake fielding.

Those of a Liverpool persuasion appear to have come down with a nasty case of Alexander Isak fever, and well, who can blame them?

The bombshell news emerged on Tuesday that, after months of whispers and speculation, the Premier League champions are finally ready to firm up their interest in the Newcastle United man, amid the prospect of a potential £120m bid for the Swede.

That mammoth offer – which would eclipse the Reds’ recent club-record capture of Florian Wirtz – could put the icing on the cake for the Anfield side’s summer business, with Isak fresh off the back of a season that saw him score 23 top-flight goals.

Unsurprisingly, the Magpies are hell-bent on keeping hold of their star man for a little while longer, albeit with Richard Hughes playing the trump card after rivalling Eddie Howe and co in the pursuit of Isak’s heir apparent, Hugo Ekitike. Checkmate?

Either way, it would appear that the Merseysiders are in a strong bargaining position, with optimism growing that the division’s “best striker” – as described by Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson – could be lining up alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah next season.

Isak, as stated, might well be the delicious icing, but Hughes could also sprinkle a little cherry on top by sealing yet another high-profile deal in the coming weeks…

Latest on Liverpool's transfer pursuit

Wirtz. Jeremie Frimpong. Milos Kerkez. Isak next?

It may now be a waiting game to see if the Newcastle marksman will agitate for a move, albeit with Liverpool no doubt keen to pounce on the 25-year-old’s contract uncertainty, with the Daily Mail’s Dominic King outlining that talks have ‘stalled’ over a new deal at St James’ Park.

According to King, Hughes and his recruitment team will officially move for the former Real Sociedad striker if they ‘receive encouragement’, with this game of cat and mouse likely to have a few twists and turns to come.

Transfer Focus

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

Elsewhere, meanwhile, Football Insider have reported that Liverpool are expected to soon seal a deal for Crystal Palace skipper, Marc Guehi, with that move looking ‘increasingly likely’ amid developments at Selhurst Park.

Indeed, the report outlines that with the Eagles seemingly closing in on the £45m signing of Sporting CP centre-back, Ousmane Diomande, it would pave the way for Guehi to depart.

The suggestion is that with the England international having just a year left to run on his Palace contract, the south Londoners are keen to cash in this summer, rather than lose him on a free in 12 months’ time.

Why Liverpool could be set to seal another Isak-esque signing

It’s fair to say that after sitting out the recent friendly win over Preston North End, excitement is brewing over finally seeing the aforementioned Wirtz in action in a Liverpool shirt, with the 22-year-old German signing off his time at Bayer Leverkusen with 122 goals and assists in 97 games in all competitions.

That capture is a statement deal, no doubt, but if Isak were to arrive, it would truly take the biscuit, with the 6 foot 4 sensation a Premier League-proven talent, having scored 44 league goals across the last two seasons combined.

The man who helped steer Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory over Arne Slot’s side earlier this year, the £63m goal machine could now be the figurehead of a new era at Anfield, with the rest of the division likely to already be quaking in their boots.

As for Guehi, while such a deal would almost go under the radar amid the current circumstances, there would be shades of Isak about that acquisition, with Liverpool in line to poach another key figure from a fellow Premier League outfit.

Currently captain at Selhurst Park, the 25-year-old has already made 132 appearances in England’s top tier to date, having notably skippered his side to shock FA Cup glory in 2024/25.

Minutes played

61

Touches

17

Pass accuracy

75%

Key passes

1

Possession lost

2

Ground duels won

1/2

Aerial duels won

1/4

Tackles

1

Clearances

4

Like Isak, the in-demand defender – who has also been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer – has more than proven himself against Premier League opposition, with both men also seemingly at the perfect point of their careers. Indeed, with both men still only 25, they have gained notable experience at the top level, but may not yet have entered their peak.

Described as a “monster” of a centre-back by reporter Bobby Manzi, Guehi – like Isak – is also “one of the best in the country” in his position, as per scout Mick Brown, with Liverpool able to acquire a player who would slot straight into their starting lineup.

Much like with Isak, there would be no period of transition or adaptation, this is a player who could well hit the ground running on Merseyside.

This is a man who ranks in the top 10% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for key passes per 90, as well as in the top 10% for through balls, as per FBref. In essence, he is a master at playing out from the back.

Having romped to the title at a canter last season, Liverpool are at a point now where they can poach the very best that the Premier League has to offer. In their respective positions, Isak and Guehi would be just that.

Romano: Liverpool plan to submit record-breaking bid to sign Alexander Isak

The Reds could spend big once again…

ByTom Cunningham Jul 15, 2025

Head coach hails impact of new players, as well as Anderson’s transition into bowling mentor role

Vithushan Ehantharajah29-Jul-2024It might have been against an inexperienced West Indies. But Brendon McCullum believes England showed a “harder” side to themselves during their 3-0 victory series win, vindicating personnel changes made to improve the team with a view to the 2025-26 Ashes.Sunday’s devastating finale at Edgbaston confirmed England’s sweep, repeating the scoreline of their last series win at the end of 2022 in Pakistan. It meant this three-match series only occupied 10 days, adding to the sense it was a wholly one-sided affair.But West Indies had the hosts under pressure at various points after going 1-0 down at Lord’s. They established a first-innings lead in Nottingham, before having England 8 for 1 at the start of the second innings. In Birmingham, Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph ran roughshod over the top order, reducing them to 54 for 5 in response to West Indies’ opening effort of 282.That they were not able to cash in on those moments spoke of England’s fortitude, in McCullum’s eyes. Upon returning from a 4-1 defeat in India, a first series defeat under his tenure but a third successive multi-match series without success, the Test head coach put an onus on “refinement”, particularly when behind the game. The early signs of that development are promising.”Sometimes when you lose you get a period of reflection and what we’ve seen is a team which has bounced back with a bit more of a harder feel to it,” McCullum said. “I’m really pleased with the overall outcome of the series. West Indies have got a very good bowling line-up in my opinion, and I thought the way we countered that with our batting and our approach was exceptional.”Whilst it reads 3-0 on the scoreboard and it was over in 10 days, there were certain periods right throughout the series where we felt the game could have gone either way. But we were able to stand up in those moments which is really pleasing.”Every bit as encouraging were the new faces settling in so quickly, particularly Surrey debutants Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith. Atkinson’s 22 dismissals at 16.22 earned him the Player of the Series award, while Smith’s 70 and 95 at No.7 in the first and third Tests respectively were supplemented by 14 dismissals as the new wicketkeeper. Shoaib Bashir’s 5 for 41 in the second Test, his third five-wicket haul in five Tests, was vindication for handing the 20-year-old the main spinner’s role.On the other side of that coin were the tough decisions made on those they replaced. James Anderson’s enforced retirement after Lord’s came with a view to allowing quicks like Atkinson room to grow ahead of the Ashes. The 26-year-old marked his only appearance with the England legend by taking 12 for 106 in that first Test. Gus Atkinson was named player of the series for his 22 wickets in his first three Tests•Getty ImagesJonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes were parked after the tour of India as the selectors sought someone who could occupy a middle ground of being an expansive batter and reliable keeper. Jack Leach, who had played 14 of Ben Stokes’ 23 Tests as captain – and would have featured more were it not for various untimely injuries – was overlooked to allow Bashir the chance to realise his high potential.”Coming into the series we knew we need to make a couple of improvements to continue to improve as a side,” McCullum said. “We brought in some new faces and some guys that have shown that they’re very comfortable at international level, and until you give some people opportunity, you don’t know right?”What we’ve seen from Gus Atkinson, from Shoaib Bashir and Jamie Smith – these guys have shown that international cricket is where they belong and they’ve performed accordingly. It’s really satisfying from that point of view, but also the growth of the side in general.”That’s not to say that the transition from old to new was quite as smooth as the instant results would have you believe, however.”I mean no changes ever are, are they?” McCullum said, acknowledging the awkwardness of the conversations that had been required to bring through the new blood. “Keep in mind that the guys who have been in there before did a really good job for us. It’s certainly no slight on them, but we felt that we needed to introduce some new guys, and guys with skill-sets which would complement the rest of the guys in our line-up.”We opted for that and you hope they go well, and you don’t ask for instant gratification when it comes to those. But the way the series played out, you’d say the guys have performed and certainly shown they’re good enough at this level.”Related

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McCullum made a point of praising Anderson’s influence in his new role as fast-bowling mentor. Fresh from taking 5 for 40 on Sunday to set up England’s 10-wicket win in the third Test, Mark Wood credited the 41-year-old for a lunchtime pep-talk to the group about how to get the most out of the reverse-swinging Dukes ball they had at their disposal.Anderson and England will decide on making his gig full-time at the end of the summer. For now, McCullum could not be happier with having access to the mind and skills of a bowler who finished on 704 Test wickets three weeks ago.”Sometimes when you’re a player you don’t always give everything to everyone else, because you’re worried about your own performance. But the information he’s (Anderson’s) been able to pass on and the way he’s fitted seamlessly into our group of coaches, we’re so lucky to call upon that resource and the person he is.”It’s never easy but Jimmy seems really content right now, It’s great to have him and I feel very lucky that he’s part of our group.”There are just over three weeks before the next Test engagement against Sri Lanka starting at Emirates Old Trafford on August 21. A handful of players will rest during that period while others, including Stokes, will turn out for their respective Hundred teams. McCullum, who will remain in the UK instead of returning to New Zealand, took the time to issue public support to England’s limited-overs coach Matthew Mott.The Australian has come under fire after two unsuccessful World Cup campaigns in both white-ball formats over the last nine months, and met with men’s managing director Rob Key on Sunday as part of an ongoing review into the set-up. Reports suggest Mott is set to be let go, with Jos Buttler to stay on as captain.”Motty is a good bloke and a very good coach,” McCullum said. “It is what it is, right? I don’t know how it’s going to work out to be honest, I haven’t really followed it. You’re worried about doing your own job. He’s a great bloke and whatever happens, he’ll be fine.”

Jay Stansfield might well have lost out on the honour of the League One golden boot, but his blistering 19 strikes in league action were vital in helping Birmingham City stroll to the title on a mammoth 111 points.

There was also Alfie May at Chris Davies’ disposal to gift the Blues even more firepower, seen in the ex-Charlton Athletic centre-forward chipping in with 16 league strikes of his own.

But, Birmingham won’t be content just sticking by Stansfield and May ahead of Championship football returning to St. Andrew’s, with Che Adams’ name continuing to pop up as a statement recruit in attack.

Birmingham's ongoing hunt for Adams

Late last month, it was revealed that Birmingham were keen on bringing Adams back to the West Midlands to gain a second-tier ready striker.

After all, Stansfield and May have predominantly plied their trade outside of the EFL’s division, with the ex-Fulham man only experiencing one season at the level when he was initially on loan with the Blues.

On the contrary, Adams’ main bread and butter lies in the unpredictable league, with the Scotland international boasting 49 goals at the intimidating level across his varied career to date.

But, there is another target now rumoured to be on Birmingham’s agenda who has also proven himself to be potent finisher at the level in the past and above, who could well be viewed as an upgrade on their former number nine subsequently.

Birminham could sign a bigger talent than Adams

Whilst Adams has been able to reach milestones such as scoring 100 overall career goals, there is one other target Birmingham should prioritise over landing their ex-attacker to show they really mean business.

This would come in the form of signing Danny Ings, with a report by journalist Graeme Bailey late last week revealing that the departing West Ham United striker is wanted by the newly promoted side as they aim to take the Championship by storm, alongside catching the eye of an equally eager Wrexham.

Although the 32-year-old is now very much deep into the twilight years of his playing days, he should still be able to slot into Davies’ XI and transform back into a goal machine, considering the well-travelled veteran has shown off his goalscoring prowess for various teams.

Indeed, his most prolific spell as a feared attacker came on the books of Southampton, where he rifled home a mightily impressive 46 strikes from a century of appearances. To add context, Adams would only help himself to a further two goals during his own time on the South Coast, even from a far heftier 198 contests.

Premier League

240

72

24

Championship

87

27

9

League One

27

7

3

Adams might well be able to brag that he has more career goals in the Championship – with Ings only on 27 next to the Scotsman’s 49 – but the 27 strikes the 32-year-old has tallied up in the second tier isn’t a weak amount by any means, considering he has only ever played three campaigns at the level.

Instead, the three-time England international has regularly terrorised Premier League defences when injury-free, meaning he would be able to come in and bring a sense of authority to proceedings alongside Stansfield and May.

After all, it’s not as if Ings has been labelled as “clinical” – as he was lauded by journalist Leanne Prescott previously – by fluke, with the ageing attacker no doubt wanting to see out his long career with a bang by showing there’s life in him still at St. Andrew’s.

Of course, everyone with connections to Birmingham would want to see Adams return purely to finish off his Blues tale.

But, if Ings is also available on a free, taking a gamble on the 5 foot 10 striker to come good might well pay off more instead.

Big May upgrade: Birmingham line up "expensive" move for £13m star

Birmingham could land a big upgrade on Alfie May by signing this £13m-rated striker.

1 ByDan Emery May 25, 2025

David Moyes has done a superb job after returning as Everton manager, leading the club out of immediate danger and maintaining their ever-present Premier League status for another season.

He was brought in to replace Sean Dyche back in January, taking the Toffees on a magnificent run that has seen them pull clear of any looming relegation threat.

The club have only suffered three defeats since the Scotsman arrived at Goodison Park, coming against current top four sides Chelsea, Manchester City and local rivals Liverpool.

However, this summer presents a new opportunity for the club as they prepare to move to the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, allowing the hierarchy to take the side to the next level.

If they are to do just that in 2025/26, additions are needed during the summer transfer window, with moves already being made to hand Moyes the tools he desires.

An update on Everton’s hunt for new signings this summer

With the summer rapidly approaching, Everton have already wasted no time in targeting reinforcements, with Leicester City’s Wilfried Ndidi returning on their shortlist.

The Nigerian was a huge target 12 months ago, but extended his stay at the King Power, until the latest report claimed that interest has been reignited after the Foxes’ relegation – which has seen a £9m clause come into effect.

However, he’s not the only player currently on their radar, with Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha a player who could make a switch to Merseyside, according to TBR.

The report states the hierarchy have already been in talks with the Ligue 1 outfit over a potential deal, after his run, which has seen him net 14 goals in 28 appearances this campaign.

No fee has been mentioned for his services, but it does claim that Fulham, Brentford and West Ham United are also keen admirers of the 22-year-old Dutch talent.

Why Everton’s target would be an upgrade on Beto

Everton striker Beto created a list of excitement back in the summer of 2023 after joining the club in a £30m deal from Italian side Udinese – looking to provide an end to their hunt for a new striker.

However, the 27-year-old has endured a stop-start period on Merseyside, making 67 appearances during his two seasons, often being a back-up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Englishman’s injury struggles have allowed him a way back into the starting eleven, scoring six times in his 26 league outings in 2024/25 – sitting as their second in their top goalscoring charts.

He’s now failed to score in any of his last eight outings, leading to criticism from the supporters – casting doubt over his long-term future under the new ownership.

Given his lack of form, a potential move for Emegha would make huge sense, undoubtedly offering Moyes an upgrade on his current options and helping take the side up a level next year.

The Dutchman, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has notched more than double the number of goals and achieved a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – highlighting his clinical nature in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst registering more progressive carries into the final third – handing Moyes a superb all-round option to help with link-up play.

Games played

26

26

Goals scored

14

6

Pass accuracy

81%

56%

Shot-on-target accuracy

57%

51%

Goals per shot-on-target

0.4

0.3

Carries into final third

1.3

0.6

Fouls won

1.5

1.3

Despite the interest from other English sides ahead of the summer, the Toffees may have to act quickly if they are to land his signature and improve the attacking department.

The lack of goals within the side is undoubtedly a cause for concern, with Moyes and the hierarchy needing to address the situation during the upcoming window.

Emegha would be a superb option for the club, having the opportunity to be the club’s star man upon their move to the new stadium, having the tools to improve further, given his tender age.

He could finally replace Onana: Everton lead the race for £10m "machine"

David Moyes is hoping to make a host of impactful signings at Everton this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 29, 2025

For the 13th time in the Premier League this season, Manchester United played out a full 90-minute match without getting on the scoresheet, having slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.

Pablo Sarabia’s 77th-minute free-kick was a rare moment of quality in a largely lifeless affair at Old Trafford, albeit with the hosts likely to feel they should have walked away with all three points.

Indeed, Rasmus Hojlund notably came agonisingly close to getting on the end of Alejandro Garnacho’s driven cross, while both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount also produced wayward attempts after being expertly picked out by the Argentine winger.

Even an inch-perfect, outside of the boot cross from Christian Eriksen could not be capitalised on by Mount, with the £55m Englishman still having scored just once since his arrival back in the summer of 2023.

Hojlund too has netted only three league goals in 2024/25 to date, a grim return for any leading number nine, with Ruben Amorim likely to be tearing his hair out at his side’s frustrating profligacy.

Having gone from seeing Viktor Gyokeres dazzle under his watch, the Portuguese coach is now in desperate need of a new attacking figurehead.

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

All of the talk at present is centred around United’s apparent progressing interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha, with it looking likely that the club will trigger the Brazilian’s £62.5m release clause, amid positive talks over his potential contract in Manchester.

The 14-goal marksman may not be the only Premier League talent to arrive at the Theatre of Dreams this summer, however, with the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones – who outlined that an agreement regarding Cunha is inching closer – also naming a raft of high-profile stars who are under consideration.

Indeed, according to Jones, among those to have made the INEOS shortlist is Bournemouth man, Antoine Semenyo, with the Red Devils already said to have held talks over signing the Ghanaian forward.

Transfer Focus

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

This follows prior reports which outlined that United are actually frontrunners in the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, albeit with it yet to be seen if Amorim and co will be willing or able to match the Cherries’ £70m price tag.

A versatile asset who can operate on the flanks or in a central role, Semenyo could represent the perfect addition to bolster Amorim’s forward line, with the potential their for the 40-year-old to morph him into his new Gyokeres-esque talisman.

Why Man Utd could be targeting Amorim's new Gyokeres

As outlined by journalist Mark Ogden, it has been a remarkable rise for the Sporting CP sensation in recent times, having gone from being sold for just £1m by then-Brighton and Hove Albion director, Dan Ashworth, back in 2021, to now standing aloft as the “hottest striker in Europe”.

Indeed, the 6 foot 2 Swede failed to actually make a league appearance for the Seagulls, while enduring a handful of less than spectacular loan spells away from the Amex – having notably scored just five goals in 2020/21 for the likes of Swansea City and Coventry City.

That steady rise only truly ignited following Gyokeres’ permanent switch to Coventry at the end of that campaign, as he went on to score 38 times in the Championship over the next two seasons.

Since moving to Lisbon on a £17m deal in 2023, the 26-year-old has soared even higher, bagging 90 goals in just 96 games – 66 of which came in just 68 outings under Amorim’s watch.

That journey from EFL struggler to elite-level monster is one which Semenyo certainly knows well, with the London-born ace having started out on the books at Bristol City, while also taking on loan moves at the likes of Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland.

The 6 foot 1 star memorably failed to score during that limp stint at the Stadium of Light, while actually only scoring 21 times in 121 games back at Ashton Gate – albeit while plundering a further 21 assists.

Like Gyokeres, however, it has taken the step up from the second tier for Semenyo to truly flourish, having now scored 16 Premier League goals since the start of 2023/24, while contributing a further eight assists.

Like Gyokeres too, what also stands out regarding the in-demand talent is just what a powerful presence he is in the final third, having been hailed as “almost unplayable” at times by journalist Ed Aarons.

Non-penalty goals

0.43

0.40

Assists

0.14

0.22

Shot-creating actions

1.87

4.27

Pass completion

65.6

67.3%

Progressive passes

1.87

2.01

Progressive carries

2.23

4.43

Successful take-ons

1.59

2.15

Touches in opposition box

6.27

7.16

Aerial duels won

3.24

1.86

Interestingly too, the pair were deemed to be similar players among their peers during the 2022/23 season in the Championship, as per FBref, with Semenyo having largely been operating in a central role at the time.

That likeness bodes well for the impact that the two-footed Ghana star can make under Amorim, with the £70m man representing the type of ready-made Premier League talent who can breathe new life into United’s misfiring attacking unit.

After years of scouring the Eredivisie, in particular, for new signings, now could well be the time to look a little closer to home…

New Cantona & Berbatov: Man Utd on the verge of signing £90k-p/w "maverick"

Man Utd appear to be closing in on what could prove to be a real marquee move

ByRobbie Walls Apr 22, 2025

A change of attitude, allied to crucial early-season momentum, has carried the team to a first final in eight years

Alex Malcolm23-Mar-2025Confidence is an intangible. So is a winning culture. But those who have seen it know what it looks like.It was something that struck Brendan Doggett the moment he moved to Adelaide in the winter of 2021.”I noticed big time when I first got South Australia four seasons ago, that there wasn’t much belief,” Doggett told ESPNcricinfo. “There wasn’t much confidence in the squad.”Doggett had just left Queensland, having played in a winning Sheffield Shield final in April of that year, helping secure Queensland’s second Shield title in four seasons by taking 3 for 37 in the second innings.Related

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That he didn’t see any belief was hardly surprising. South Australia had just finished last in the Shield for the fourth consecutive season. They would make it five by the end of Doggett’s first summer there. South Australia have not won a Shield since 1996. Since then, South Australian cricket fans had seen just two domestic white-ball titles, a lone One-Day Cup in 2011-12 and a BBL title for Adelaide Strikers in 2017-18.When Ryan Harris arrived in Adelaide in the winter of 2023 as South Australia’s new bowling coach under Jason Gillespie, he saw the same thing. Harris was returning home, having left the state during his playing career in 2008 to join Queensland, where he won a Shield as a player in 2011-12 and enjoyed great success with Australia before beginning his coaching career in that same Queensland environment.

Ball-by-ball, in the contest, no game is ever too far away from winning. Someone do something special. Play the long gameJake Lehmann on mindset

“When Ryan came along as bowling coach last year, he sort of instilled in us bowlers that we can win from anywhere,” Doggett said. “We’re always going to fight, no matter our position. And I guess the belief sort of started from there. We got glimmers of hope last year where we were going to win matches from being a long way behind, and then that just continued on this year, with him taking charge of the whole squad. He’s kept that same mentality of always fighting, always trying to find a way to win from any position. And that’s probably been the big shift.”

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There was optimism in Nathan McSweeney’s voice as far back as last September when the newly installed South Australian captain spoke about his new coach and his team’s prospects.”He’s got a great relationship with the group, and his passion for the state is second to none,” McSweeney told ESPNcricinfo on September 19.”Last year, I think there was times where we just let ourselves down in a session, with the bat or ball. I feel like we’re not that far away, and hopefully Ryno can help progress that.”What Harris wanted to build was a squad mentality. He had seen what Western Australia had done in using 25 different players to win a hat-trick of Shield and One-Day Cup doubles over the previous three seasons.What he had observed in South Australia was a culture of individuality.”What’s done is done,” Harris told ESPNcricinfo on September 19. “We haven’t had success. That’s no secret. And we want to do that.Nathan McSweeney’s optimism was in evidence right from the start of the season•Getty Images”We want to individually have success and do well but ultimately, if it comes to selection and you’re not necessarily in that team, which is not always easy, you make sure you deal with your disappointment and you get over it, and then you get back into supporting team mode.”I think that’s part of what’s not been great here in the last few years. That’s probably 1% but that can play a huge role in bringing groups apart. So that’s one thing I’ve probably focused on a lot.”

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From little things, big things grow.It might not have seemed like it at the time, but just five days after Harris and McSweeney made those comments, South Australia produced perhaps their most important win of the season, and potentially the previous 13 years, in the context of setting them on the path to a drought-breaking title.In a One-Day Cup clash at Cricket Central in Sydney, their opening match of any form for the season, South Australia had been bowled out for 166. The three-time defending champions in WA were 133 for 3 after 25.5 overs and marching towards a bonus point win.Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar, Henry Thornton and Ben Manenti combined to take 7 for 31 and South Australia won by two runs.At the same venue a few weeks later, South Australia were 23 for 4 in the fourth innings of their first Shield game against New South Wales, needing an unlikely 389 to win on the final day. McSweeney batted the day to finish 127 not out. Alex Carey also made 111. South Australia survived comfortably against Nathan Lyon to secure a reassuring draw.Two weeks later, they set Queensland a similar target on the final day in Brisbane and bowled them out in 73.3 overs to win their first Shield game of the season.The very next match they bowled Victoria out with just 16 minutes to spare on the final day and break a nine-year drought against their border rivals.”I’ve been a big believer of you learn to win, and then winning becomes a habit.” Doggett said.South Australia kept winning. In December they won the equal-closest Shield game in history off the last ball of the match, taking 4 for 4 in nine balls in Hobart when Tasmania were poised to chase down 429.Alex Carey’s three Shield centuries have been a key factor in South Australia’s progression to the final•Getty ImagesIn the next game in February, after the BBL break, they won the shortest game in Shield history, bowling defending champions WA out for 120 and 66 at the WACA to win in Perth for the first time in eight years.On March 1, they broke the title drought at Adelaide Oval, winning the One-Day Cup for the first time in 13 years by defending just 268 against Victoria who had been 74 for 1 in the chase.Eight days later they beat them again in the Shield in Melbourne, chasing 300 six-down on the final day to secure their first home final in eight years.Jake Lehmann was the hero making an unbeaten 105. Just moments after hitting the winning runs he summed up why South Australia had made winning a habit this season.”It’s just a fighting mentality,” Lehmann told ESPNcricinfo. “Ball-by-ball, in the contest, no game is ever too far away from winning. Someone do something special. Play the long game. All those small little things.”Training has definitely lifted. Our competitiveness at training now has definitely gone through the roof. I think it’s on the back of that squad mentality and blokes who are not playing that are making lots of runs in second XI, lots of runs in club cricket, taking lots of wickets.Nathan McAndrew has been a huge figure in the attack•Getty Images”Selection has been tough, and I think that’s lifted training and Ryno’s really driven that. Those boys run in and put their best foot forward every week.”Lehmann, 32, had been acting captain for the last four games of the previous season and is one of only two surviving members from South Australia’s last Shield final appearance who will play this week.But he started this summer playing in South Australia’s second XI. He made 173 against WA’s second XI to win back his place when the Test players departed in November. Now he enters the Shield final as one of South Australia’s form players, having scored 67 in the One-Day final, 105 not out and 130 not out in his last two Shield games.”For me, it’s been a long way,” Lehmann said. “To win that One-Day final, I think we had played in four of them already, in two Shield finals. Hopefully, it’s just a growing group. And I think the difference this year is we’re probably going to have four or five blokes who are not going to play in the Shield final, like we had in the One-Day, that could easily be playing for us and have played a role throughout the year.”I think that’s the strength of the group. We’ve got a really good squad mentality, and it’s just feeding through.”Winning has become a habit. South Australia is riding the crest of a wave. The whole state is along for the ride. There is a growing sense that a 29-year drought might finally be broken against Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval this week.Doggett knows better than any of them what is required.”Nothing really changes.” Doggett said. “In the same breath, I think we need to acknowledge the fact that it is a Shield final, that it is going to be a special week, the whole build-up to it.”These things don’t come around too often, as many South Australians would know.”So yeah, acknowledge it’s going to be a big week, and it’s going to be a big game. It’s going to be really exciting.”But always falling back to our processes, our training standards and what we’ve done for the whole season.”

Wicketkeeper-batter is back in international fold for England ODIs after shining at CPL

Matt Roller22-Sep-2023Lorcan Tucker had to pinch himself when he arrived in St Kitts for the Caribbean Premier League last month and looked around the Trinbago Knight Riders dressing room.Tucker, a softly-spoken Dubliner, was a last-minute replacement for Tim David and found himself surrounded by West Indies T20 royalty in the form of Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo. He struck up a friendship with Martin Guptill, and Phil Simmons was head coach.”It was a serious roster,” Tucker says, back in his Ireland tracksuit and speaking to ESPNcricinfo before the washed-out first ODI against England at Headingley. “Gosh, some of those lads… They are such impressive players. It opened my eyes to what’s out there in terms of cricket at the moment. It’s pretty exciting.”Related

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The move came about, in part, through Simmons’ Irish links: he was Ireland’s coach between 2007 and 2015, the year before Tucker’s international debut. “He still had so much time for Irish cricket – and Irish sport in general, wanting to know how the Rugby World Cup was going. The respect they have for him in Trinidad is pretty special.”Tucker clicked with Guptill over a shared interest in baseball. “My brother studied in America and got really into it,” Tucker says. “He’s a big LA Dodgers fan, and Martin was a big [New York] Yankees fan. As you get to know people, you can approach them and talk to them about their cricket; it was great to bounce ideas off someone so experienced.”He quickly realised that he had watched most of his team-mates on TV while growing up. “But the way they organised the team and the culture, it felt like everyone had a voice,” he says. “They were really encouraging like that. It felt like you could give your opinion if you wanted to, and everyone was really open-minded.”In Ireland’s T20 side, Tucker is an attacking No. 3. But he was asked to anchor from No. 4. “There were players all around me who were so talented and such big hitters. It was my responsibility to hold it all together through the middle, to make sure there were no big collapses.”He made 150 runs across five innings, and TKR won six of the seven games he featured in. They beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday night, and will play in the final on Sunday night. “It was great to be part of quite a successful campaign,” he says.A profile of Tucker in the Irish earlier this year painted a picture of a cerebral character who avoids social media and only owns a smartphone for the sake of being on the national team’s logistics chat. “Some people live a glitzier lifestyle than I do,” he says. “But there’s room for plenty of different personalities in sport.”This has been Tucker’s first year involved in franchise cricket, having only previously represented Ireland and Leinster Lightning as a pro. He played for MI Emirates in the ILT20, missing a T20I series in Zimbabwe as a result, and hopes that further opportunities will emerge this winter. “It’s so refreshing,” he says.”You spend so much time on the international circuit with the same group of lads, so to get the chance to be part of a new group and see fresh takes and angles on things – especially in T20 cricket, which moves so quickly – has been brilliant. There’s constant access to new people every couple of months in these different tournaments.”The last 12 months have marked Tucker’s breakthrough. At last year’s T20 World Cup, Tucker played a forgotten hand in helping England qualify for the semi-finals, rescuing Ireland from 25 for 5 against Australia with 71 not out off 48 balls to minimise their net-run-rate boost. He has also played his first four Tests, making a hundred on debut in Bangladesh.Tucker scored his maiden Test century earlier this year•BCBMoving forwards, Tucker will have to juggle his involvement in franchise leagues with Ireland commitments. He is not yet in a position where he is contemplating turning down a central contract but with several team-mates – including Josh Little, Paul Stirling and Harry Tector – playing in leagues, he stresses the need for clear communication.”I think cricket in general is trying to get to a place where there is more balance, and that people aren’t fighting as much for things,” Tucker says. “In general, good communication between myself and Cricket Ireland will be the most important thing: when things get lost in the post, that’s when people get hurt.”In the short term, Tucker’s focus is on a series in England that is bizarrely timed. Ireland hoped these ODIs would have represented a chance to tune up for next month’s World Cup, but a disastrous week in Bulawayo saw them miss out on qualification. After this series, they do not play again until December.”It’s a bit odd. It feels like everyone else is gearing up for a party in India next month that we’re not invited to. But that’s just the way it is: we didn’t play well enough in Zimbabwe and now we have to regroup and find our feet again on where we’re going to go for this next four-year cycle. It’s been a long year, and everyone is looking forward to a bit of headspace.”Most of the fans travelling over for this series have opted for Saturday’s second ODI, and there should be a strong Irish contingent both in the stands at Trent Bridge, and in the pubs after: Ireland play South Africa in a crunch Rugby World Cup game in Paris later that evening.”We’ve been following them pretty closely so far. There’s a strong connection in Ireland in general between rugby and cricket: [Ireland seamer] Barry McCarthy knows quite a few out of the lads playing out there. We’ll definitely be supporting and watching closely.”The plan is to try and win at Trent Bridge, then get the rugby on.” For Tucker and Ireland, that would make for a perfect sporting Saturday.