All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

This season feels like a massive one for Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca’s side ended last season in spectacular fashion by securing Champions League football and winning the Conference League, and now there is an expectation they’ll at least challenge in the Premier League.

Fortunately, this summer has gone about as well for the Blues as could have, as they won the Club World Cup and are undefeated in their pre-season clashes.

Moreover, the board have made some smart additions to the team, and are now being linked with an upcoming star who has been compared to Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal.

Chelsea target a Bellingham & Yamal hybrid

Chelsea have really made the most of the transfer window this summer, as on top of making a pretty penny on the likes of Noni Madueke, Djordje Petrovic and Lesley Ugochukwu, they’ve seriously strengthened Maresca’s squad.

Transfer Focus

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

The likes of Liam Dealp, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens should bring a mountain of goals to the team, while Jorrel Hato looks like he could be one of the next great defenders in world football.

Yet, with the window still open, the Blues appear keen on adding more talent to their already impressive squad, and in this case, a player who has been compared to both Bellingham and Yamal.

At least that is according to a recent report from The Athletic, which has reaffirmed Chelsea’s concrete interest in Xavi Simons.

In news that should reassure fans, the report has revealed that the West Londoners are still in talks with RB Leipzig over the incredibly talented Dutchman.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but reports from earlier this summer have claimed that the German outfit want £61m for the dynamic attacker.

While that may seem like a lot, it’s probably fair for a player of his talent, especially as he’s been compared to Bellingham and Yamal.

How Simons compares to Bellingham & Yamal

So, there are a number of fairly surface-level similarities you can point to between Simons, Bellingham, and Yamal, such as them all being relatively young stars who are full internationals, play in Europe’s top five leagues, and are capable of creating chances out of nothing.

However, with FBref, we know that there are also plenty of quantifiable statistical similarities between them, as they looked at all attacking midfielders and wingers at last summer’s European Championships and concluded that the Real Madrid ace was the tenth most similar to the Leipzig star, and the Barça gem ranked as the sixth most similar.

You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the Dutchman ranked closely to the two international superstars.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.11

0.09

Passing Accuracy

82.6%

85.7%

Passes into the Final Third

3.60

3.78

Tackles + Interceptions

2.60

2.57

Ball Recoveries

3.40

3.65

When it comes to the former Borussia Dortmund star, these metrics include things like non-penalty expected goals, passes into the final third and ball recoveries per 90, suggesting that the former PSV Eindhoven ace could be as dangerous in the right situations.

Interestingly, one of the standout similarities with Barcelona’s teenage sensation is their goal-creating actions per 90, which encompasses the two most critical offensive actions that precede a goal, which is a great metric to share with someone as effective as Yamal.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.79

0.89

Live Passes

35.4

33.6

Goal-Creating Actions

0.79

0.72

Tackles Won

1.00

1.07

Carries

31.8

34.8

However, while comparisons to two of the most exciting players in world football are undoubtedly encouraging signs, there are other clear reasons why the Pensionsers should be all over the 22-year-old “game-changer,” as talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him.

For example, in just 33 appearances last season, totalling 2763 minutes, the Amsterdam-born dynamo scored 11 goals and provided eight assists.

In other words, the sensational talent, who one analyst has dubbed “one of the best 10s in the world,” managed to average a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 144 minutes.

Ultimately, while he will cost a pretty penny, Chelsea should be doing all they can to secure Simons’ services as soon as possible.

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The incredible international could help solve Chelsea and Maresca’s most significant problem…

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 13, 2025

Arsenal have now made progress in their pursuit of a “magician”, having reached an agreement in principle with his club, according to reporter Sebastien Vidal.

Gunners set sights on new forward after Gyokeres

The Gunners finally got a deal for Viktor Gyokeres over the line on Sunday, and Mikel Arteta is clearly delighted with the signing, saying: “Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels.

“He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.”

It will be a real relief to have signed a striker, but Andrea Berta and co have no plans to stop there, given that Arteta was left a little short on options out wide at times last season too, and they are currently working to get another forward through the door.

Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze is among the main targets, with reliable reporter Ben Jacobs revealing the England international is “keen” on a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, and initial talks have now been held with the Eagles.

There has now been a further development in Arsenal’s pursuit of Eze, with journalist Sebastien Vidal revealing they are now “pushing” to get a deal over the line, having reached an agreement in principle with Palace.

The Gunners plan to pay £30m for the £27-year-old up front, and they are currently negotiating the time scale of when they will pay the rest of the installments, with the Eagles keen to receive full payment within two years.

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The north Londoners may need to trim their squad.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 26, 2025 "Magician" Eze could be yet another fantastic signing

A deal for the Palace star is unlikely to be cheap, with the attacker’s current employers keen to receive £68m, but there are plenty of signs he could be yet another fantastic signing, in what has been an exciting window for the north Londoners.

Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has lauded the Englishman as a “magician” in the past, and he was regularly among the goals for Palace last season, providing 25 attacking contributions across all competitions.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League

34

8

8

FA Cup

5

4

1

EFL Cup

4

2

2

By far the Greenwich-born forward’s most important goal came in the FA Cup final, scoring the winner against Manchester City, which meant Crystal Palace lifted major silverware for the first time in their history.

As such, Eze is clearly a big-game player, and it is exciting news that Arsenal are now making progress towards sealing a deal.

West Bromwich Albion are now in a transfer race with Middlesbrough to sign an experienced defender on a free transfer, according to a recent report.

West Brom chasing multiple transfer targets

It’s been a steady start to the transfer window for the Baggies and new manager Ryan Mason, as they have brought in three new players so far. Defenders George Campbell and Nat Phillips have arrived from Montreal and Liverpool respectively, as well as Aune Heggebo to reinforce the front line.

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2 ByKelan Sarson Jul 16, 2025

The Championship side are looking to remain active however, and have their eye on adding more attacking talent. It was reported earlier this month that West Brom are among the teams interested in signing Mikey Moore on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The youngster featured for the Premier League side last season but could be set for a spell away given the change in the dugout.

And Moore is not the only attacker Mason has his eye on, as the Express & Star recently revealed that Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is also wanted by West Brom and could be available for around £10 million, as he looks set for a move away from Crystal Palace. However, the Baggies face a tough battle, as rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on the exciting winger.

West Brom in race with Middlesbrough to sign Jamal Lewis

Despite already adding defensive reinforcements this summer, Mason appears keen for more options at the back. According to The Belfast Telegraph, West Brom are interested in signing Jamal Lewis on a free transfer.

The left-back was released by Newcastle United in the summer after a tough spell at St James’ Park, where he made just 31 Premier League appearances in three seasons. His availability on a free transfer has now alerted the Baggies but also Middlesbrough and Norwich City, who are keen on the defender.

The 27-year-old, who has earned 39 caps for Northern Ireland, spent the first half of last season on loan at Brazilian side São Paulo, but it was an experience that didn’t go to plan, as he appeared just six times. Lewis returned to Newcastle and didn’t feature in a single game for the remainder of the season.

Apps

100

Minutes played

8289

Goals

0

Assists

6

Despite his struggles at Newcastle since Eddie Howe arrived, the Englishman has been full of praise for Lewis, dubbing him an “incredible athlete” in the past. Howe said: “Jamal, we hope, can stay fit and show us what he’s capable of.

“I believe in him as a player, but he’s just had really bad luck. He’s got a lot to offer physically; we’ve certainly seen that in pre-season – an incredible athlete. He needs consistency of training at the moment – and hopefully he can get that.”

Interestingly, the Baggies have already dealt with his agency, PLG, this summer, as the group also represent Phillips, as well as current star Jayson Molumby, perhaps smoothing negotiations considering Lewis is a free agent.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has now demanded the signing of a “world-class” £50m star, and there is confidence that a deal could be done, according to a report.

Man City keen on midfielder with Gundogan's future uncertain

Given his age, Ilkay Gundogan is now likely to be in the twilight years of his career, and having already left Man City once, there are now suggestions the midfielder could be closing in on a move to Galatasaray.

Gundogan seems keen to continue his career with the Turkish champions, and Galatasaray are well-placed to secure his signature, regardless of whether they are able to get a deal for Victor Osimhen over the line.

The German has, of course, been a fantastic servant to City, with Guardiola previously making it clear just how highly he rates the midfielder, describing him as “exceptional”.

However, the City legend was subjected to some criticism at times last season, and given the central midfielder’s age, it could be the right decision to move him on this summer.

Now, Guardiola appears to have set his sights on a potential replacement for Gundogan, with a report from Spain stating the Man City boss has now demanded the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, having been a long-term admirer.

The City manager has instructed the board to sign Camavinga as soon as possible, having identified him as a priority target, and there is confidence that a deal could be possible, should they submit a significant offer.

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Man City are looking to sign their next new addition in the coming days

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jul 12, 2025

Previous reports have revealed that it could take a bid of around £50m to tempt Madrid into a sale, although the report makes it clear that Xabi Alonso’s side have no plans to cash-in anytime soon.

"World-class" Camavinga could be statement signing for City

After falling way below their usual standards in the 2024-25 season, City are looking to re-establish themselves as the dominant force in the Premier League, and the 22-year-old could help them do exactly that.

Once lauded for his “world-class talent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the former Rennes man has since gone on to make 180 appearances for Real Madrid, where he has put in some impressive performances.

Of course, every player in a Guardiola system has to be adept with the ball at their feet, and the Frenchman fits the bill in that regard, placing in the 92nd percentile for his pass completion rate per 90 over the past year, while also impressive from a defensive standpoint.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

3.83 (98th percentile)

Interceptions

1.52 (88th percentile)

Clearances

2.31 (85th percentile)

Camavinga could be a statement signing for Man City this summer, and £50m seems like a reasonable fee, given the central midfielder’s ability, making this one to watch.

Everyone at Football FanCast is devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to their friends, families, teammates and loved ones.

As Richard Hughes turns his attention towards bolstering Arne Slot’s midfield, Liverpool have reportedly made contact to sign a La Liga star worth just £35m this summer.

Liverpool working on Ekitike deal

Despite already spending big to sign Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez whilst also welcoming Freddie Woodman this summer, Liverpool are not done on the transfer front. The Reds still have their sights set on signing a striker and after reports earlier this week claimed that Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike are all concrete options, it looks as though the latter has emerged as the most likely to arrive.

The Eintracht Frankfurt star enjoyed an excellent campaign last time out and it should come as no surprise that he’s so high up on Liverpool’s list of targets. As Napoli continue to work on a deal to sign Darwin Nunez too, the Reds could land an instant upgrade whilst putting an end to the South American’s nightmare Anfield spell.

Minutes

2,563

1,133

Goals

15

5

Assists

8

2

Expected Goals

21.6

5.8

Although there will be concerns about Ekitike’s expected goals underperformance last season, his creative output should ensure that Liverpool are not put off a move to sign the Frenchman this summer.

With the likes of Mohamed Salah and Wirtz around him, that impressive output would only reach new levels at Liverpool. There’s still plenty of work left to be done for any deal to take place, however, and those at Anfield must ensure that they fend off interest from elsewhere in the Premier League.

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Liverpool are stepping up their search for a new centre-back…

ByRobbie Walls Jul 2, 2025

After Ekitike, meanwhile, Liverpool could turn their attention towards midfield reinforcements and a Barcelona talent.

Liverpool submit Marc Casado offer

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have now made contact to sign Marc Casado from Barcelona, even submitting their first offer. The midfielder is considering an exit away from the Nou Camp in the hope of more game time next season and has attracted the interest of Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and the Reds as a result.

The deal wouldn’t break the bank for Liverpool or Chelsea either, given that Barcelona are reportedly demanding just €40m (£35m) to sell the 21-year-old in the coming months.

Included in a group of progressive passers described as “fantastic” by scout Jacek Kulig, Casado could provide Slot with the perfect alternative to transfer target Adam Wharton if the Crystal Palace man remains out of reach.

At just £35m too, the Barcelona man would likely go down as Liverpool’s biggest bargain in a summer which has seen them break the British transfer record to sign Wirtz.

This summer appears to be massive for Tottenham Hotspur if they are to leap back up the Premier League table throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

Thomas Frank will be the latest manager tasked with taking the Lilywhites back towards the top end after the side registered a 17th-place finish this time around.

However, the Dane will have to find the balance between the league and Europe, with the club entering the Champions League as a result of their Europa League triumph.

Squad depth will be vital if they are to be competitive across both competitions, needing to strike a balance between the two to avoid any further embarrassment.

If the 51-year-old is to have the depth he desires, he will need the board to back him in the transfer market to allow him to land the stars he wants to be a success in his stint in North London.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Antoine Semenyo has emerged as a key target for Spurs this window, with the Ghanaian high on their list of priorities after netting 11 goals and registering five assists at the Vitality this season.

He’s not the only one on their radar, with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz another talent on their radar, but it could cost a pretty penny with the Cottagers demanding £50m to part ways with the Brazilian.

However, despite the interest in the aforementioned duo, Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has once again emerged on their shortlist, according to TBR Football’s latest update.

They claim that the Lilywhites are prepared to trigger his £68m release clause in his contract, with Frank’s men confident of completing a deal for the England international.

It also states that the 26-year-old is very keen on a move to join the North London outfit this window, even preparing to push for a move to depart his current employers during the off-season.

Why Eze would be Frank’s answer to Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo is a player who’s made a name for himself under Frank at Brentford over recent years, being a key reason for the success endured across the capital.

The Cameroonian international has endured his own rise after joining from French side Troyes back in 2019, registering 70 goals for the Bees in the last six seasons.

He’s exploded into life in 2024/25, notching 20 league goals – the best return of his professional career – cementing himself as one of the Premier League’s most threatening talents.

After the Dane’s switch to join Spurs, he’s already attempted to bring the attacker to the club with him, but faces stiff competition from Manchester United for his signature.

It’s unclear whether the Lilywhites will be able to land the 25-year-old in this window, with attention potentially being turned in the direction of Eze as a result.

The attacking midfielder has caught the eye this campaign, registering 16 combined goals and assists in the league, even scoring the winner in their FA Cup triumph.

He could become Frank’s next version of Mbeumo should he complete a move, being his new talisman that can create endless opportunities – as seen with his respective tallies.

Eze, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by journalist Adam Keys and as a “superstar” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has registered 3.5 shots per 90, with 37% of his efforts going on target, showcasing his clinical edge in attacking areas.

His creative nature is also reflected in his tally of 2.1 key passes per 90, whilst also registering 3.4 progressive carries per 90, having the skillset to take the ball into attacking areas and carry the threat that Frank desires.

Games played

34

Goals & assists

16

Shots taken

3.5

Shot on target accuracy

37%

Key passes

2.1

Progressive carries

3.4

Take-on success

49%

The midfielder has also completed 49% of the take-ons he’s attempted, with 4.7 shot-creating actions per 90, having the tools to create and score on his own – replicating that of Mbeumo at Brentford.

Whilst £68m appears to be a hefty figure, it would be a deal that could hand Frank a completely new dimension within the final third during his first season at the helm.

Should he replicate the levels produced by the Cameroonian across the capital, it would be a superb piece of business, handing the side the best chance of returning to a European battle next season.

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2 ByEthan Lamb Jun 25, 2025

Celtic are looking to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window in order to bring even more trophies back to Parkhead in the 2025/26 campaign.

The Hoops have already officially confirmed their first signing of the window, with Kieran Tierney due to return to Glasgow after his contract with Arsenal expires at the end of this month.

The Scotland international will join the club on a free transfer to compete for a spot at left-back in Brendan Rodgers’ team next season, whilst Greg Taylor is out of contract this summer and looks to be on his way out of Parkhead.

Tierney will not be the only player to come through the doors before the window slams shut, though, as the Hoops are also reportedly closing in on a new striker.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reports that Fulham centre-forward Callum Osmand has agreed terms to join the Scottish Premiership champions from the Premier League side, and the English team will be due compensation for the 19-year-old attacker.

What Callum Osmand could bring to Celtic

It was reported earlier this week that the teenage attacker is set to be a part of the first-team set-up because Rodgers rates him and wants to provide the youngster with an opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in the squad next season.

That is despite the fact that Osmand has yet to make a single senior appearance in his career to date. He has not been out on loan and has not been selected in the first-team by Marco Silva in Fulham, as he has had Carlos Vinicius, Rodrigo Muniz, and Raul Jimenez ahead of him, three seasoned Premier League number nines.

Rodgers has clearly seen something in the young striker, as he did when Moussa Dembele arrived from the Cottagers in a similar deal back in 2016, and Osmand’s statistics at youth level may explain what the manager has seen in him.

The Wales youth international scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 22 games for the Premier League side’s academy teams during the 2024/25 campaign, and he has been prolific throughout his youth career.

24/25

22

11

4

23/24

29

21

6

22/23

21

11

2

21/22

1

0

0

Total

73

43

12

As you can see in the table above, Osmand has been a reliable goalscorer at youth level for Fulham for several years, and now he is set to have an opportunity to showcase his quality at first-team level in Scotland.

This means that he could bring a goal threat off the bench for Celtic, as a back-up to the likes of Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda, if he can adapt to senior football.

Meanwhile, though, the Hoops are also eyeing up a deal for another player from England who could be an even more exciting addition for Rodgers.

Celtic in the running to sign Championship wing wizard

Pink Un journalist Connor Southwell has revealed that Celtic are one of a number of clubs in the running to land Blackburn Rovers winger Tyrhys Dolan in the summer transfer window.

In the Pink Un’s Q&A, a Norwich City supporter asked reporters if the English attacker was an option for the Canaries this summer, and was met with an unfortunate response.

Transfer Focus

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

Southwell answered: “One they like. But so does most of the Championship and the big two in Scotland. I think the level of competition around him has made that a very unlikely prospect, if I’m being honest.”

The journalist stated that Liam Manning’s team are unlikely to sign the 23-year-old winger, whose contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of this month, due to the level of interest from elsewhere.

Celtic and Rangers, along with a host of other teams in the English Championship, are in the running to land the winger, and their interest looks set to end Norwich’s chances of signing him.

Why Dolan would be more exciting than Osmand

Whilst Osmand looks set to be an exciting addition to the club due to his academy record, the young Fulham striker is very much an unknown quantity due to his lack of senior experience in football.

Dolan, on the other hand, has played 210 matches for Blackburn by the age of 23. This means that he is an incredibly experienced operator, despite his relatively young age, and that Celtic would know what they are getting from him.

The English wing wizard, who was hailed as “terrific” by journalist Elliott Jackson, has been there and done it at a good level in the Championship in England, which is why he would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand.

Dolan’s performances in the second tier for Blackburn were very promising in the 2024/25 campaign, and suggest that he could make a big impact at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops immediately if they were to sign him this summer.

Appearances

44

Touches per game

38.1

Goals

7

Conversion rate

14%

Big chances created

7

Key passes

44

Assists

6

As you can see in the table above, Dolan racked up 14 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined for Rovers this season, and that is despite them not being one of the top teams in the division.

Blackburn only averaged 49.1% per game in the Championship, compared to Celtic’s 75.1% possession per match in the Premiership. This suggests that the winger would have more chances to showcase his quality in the final third due to the share of the ball that the Hoops have week-in-week-out.

Now, imagine what Dolan could do in a dominant and front-footed team after he has already proven that he can deliver goals and assists in a midtable team in the Championship. That is an exciting thought!

That thought is also why the Blackburn star would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand, who is yet to prove himself at senior level, as he could hit the ground running by making an instant impact in the Premiership next season.

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ByDan Emery Jun 10, 2025

Liverpool are showing “concrete interest” in signing a hugely talented young player in the summer transfer window as FSG kick their summer plans into overdrive.

Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool "on fire" in summer transfer window

With Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez expected to join the Reds imminently, from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively, attention may now turn to a new striker, amid exit claims surrounding Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool have reportedly made an approach for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, seeing him as an alternative option to Eintracht Frankfurt marksman Hugo Ekitike. The Slovenian is also seen as a leading target for Arsenal, so the Premier League champions could be looking to swoop in ahead of them.

Another fresh face in the Reds’ midfield also wouldn’t go amiss before next season gets underway and Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton has been backed to move to Anfield. The England international is a hugely exciting player who also possesses so much maturity, and he could be perfect as a squad option to begin with.

Luis Diaz continues to be linked with a move away, with Barcelona mentioned plenty in recent weeks, and Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has been mentioned as a possible replacement.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday evening that Liverpool are “on fire” and “busy” in the market, and it seems they’ve now turned their attentions to a youngster with massive potential.

"Here we go is coming" – Romano says Liverpool will sign two stars imminently

He is perfect for the Reds.

ByHenry Jackson Jun 16, 2025 Liverpool interested in signing £51m star

According to a fresh claim from Caught Offside, Liverpool have “concrete interest” in Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling this summer.

The 19-year-old is expected to leave Saints before the end of the window, following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship, and the Reds are one of many clubs keen on him. Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham and Manchester City all get a mention in the report, and he is valued above £50m.

Dibling looks like an outstanding prospect, having stood out as a rare positive in a dreadful 2024/25 season for Southampton, scoring four goals and registering two assists in all competitions.

An aesthetically-pleasing player to watch, the Englishman has a lovely ability to glide across the turf and create with his left foot, with Danny Murphy not holding back in his praise for him last December.

“It is difficult to get too over the top with these young players, because he has just come on to the scene, but he is going to be something special. It is great for him getting all these minutes at Southampton. They are giving him the freedom to play and giving him time to learn the game. He is just enjoying himself and he is playing with a real belief in himself. He is just instrumental in this team.”

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Granted, Dibling wouldn’t be a cheap signing, and he would have to bide his time before becoming a regular, but he has the tools to grow into an elite footballer, proving to be adept at shining in his preferred right-sided role or as a No.10.

Premier League bound Burnley are now starting to turn their attention towards the transfer window, and they are keen on signing a Liverpool star who could replace the exit-linked Maxime Esteve in a record deal.

Esteve set for possible Burnley exit this summer

The 23-year-old joined the Clarets on a permanent basis last summer after joining on a loan deal six months before. While the Frenchman was unable to stop Burnley from being relegated to the Championship in the 2023/24 season, he was exceptional in this campaign, playing 46 times in the Championship as Scott Parker’s side won automatic promotion to the top flight.

Esteve started every single league game, during which he impressively made five clearances per outing, and not only was he a key player in Burnley keeping 30 clean sheets but he also boasted a 91 per cent pass accuracy, building play from the back.

He could be Parker's next Cairney: Burnley looking at signing £12m star

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ByKelan Sarson Jun 3, 2025

His performances throughout the 2024/25 season have not gone unnoticed, as both West Ham and Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for the defender in the last couple of months. Now, a new report from French outlet L’Equipe has revealed that Palace hold a strong interest in Esteve and have made him a priority signing ahead of the new campaign.

However, they face competition from Bayern Munich, who are also interested, as manager Vincent Kompany is the one who brought the defender to Turf Moor.

Burnley keen on signing £25m Liverpool star Gomez

So, as Esteve is heavily linked with a move away from Turf Moor, the Clarets are assessing potential replacements, and according to Empire of the Kop, Burnley are interested in signing Joe Gomez from Liverpool.

The report states that Liverpool are open to letting their defender leave Anfield this summer and wouldn’t stand in his way if he made it clear he wanted to leave. The Premier League champions have set a price tag of £25 million for Gomez, who still has two years left to run on his current contract.

Liverpool’s position on Gomez has now alerted teams from the Premier League, with Burnley among the teams keen on a potential deal. However, the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Leeds United and Sunderland are also informed of his situation.

Apps

149

Goals

0

Assists

5

Burnley, as well as the other teams, believe they can sign Gomez, who has been dubbed “priceless” by former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman, for less than the £25 million quoted. Even still it would likely be a record deal for the Clarets, surpassing the £15m+ they spent on Zeki Amdouni.

Signing a new defender may become a high priority for the Clarets this summer if Esteve does depart, and the bonus of signing a player like Gomez is that not only does he have a wealth of Premier League experience, but he is someone who is very versatile across the back four, capable of playing both full-back positions to a high level.

The one factor that may go against Burnley is that Gomez, who has the same agent as current Burnley player Marcus Edwards, may prioritise a move to Newcastle or Villa, as they can offer European football next season.

The Premier League has seen some world-class wingers since 1992, with Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah the current best player in the top flight.

The Egyptian King has extended his stay at Anfield and looks set to continue to light up the division, but where does Salah rank among the best wingers in Premier League history?

Ranking factors Appearances Goals Assists Titles What others have said about them 20 best wingers in Premier League history: in pictures 20 Leroy Sane Man City

Arguably one of the quickest left-wingers the Premier League has seen, Leroy Sane’s spell at Man City under Pep Guardiola was extremely successful.

The German was one of Guardiola’s first signings at the Etihad and would destroy full-backs with his pace alone, with the Spaniard calling Sane “the best wide player in the world” in 2019.

Games

90

Goals

25

Assists

28

Titles

2

19 Harry Kewell Leeds, Liverpool

After coming through Leeds United’s academy, Harry Kewell made a big impact in the Premier League with the Whites and then Liverpool between 1996-2008.

The Australian, could score all sorts of goals, beat defenders with ease and use his pace to great effect and won the Young Player of the Year in the Premier League in 1999/00.

Games

274

Goals

57

Assists

38

18 Alexis Sanchez Arsenal, Man Utd

Alexis Sanchez’s Premier League career may have been stained slightly due to how his time at Man Utd went, however, he lit up the division with Arsenal between 2014-2018.

Under Arsene Wenger, Sanchez would be the Gunners’ main man in attack, so it’s no surprise that the legendary Arsenal manager would call the Chile star a winger who has “something special”.

Games

154

Goals

63

Assists

31

17 Bukayo Saka Arsenal

Over his career, Bukayo Saka could quite easily rise up this list even higher, and he has already made a big impact for Arsenal since turning professional in 2018.

The England international has become a key player for club and country, cutting in off the right to score with his left foot on a regular basis. Regarded as one of the best attackers in the world, Saka has even been called Thierry Henry’s “favourite player” and “one of the best players in Europe” by Robert Pires.

Games

200

Goals

55

Assists

45

16 Marc Overmars Arsenal

Continuing the trend of great Arsenal wingers brings us to Marc Overmars, who would star in his first season in north London to help the club win their first Premier League title in 1997/98.

The Dutch speedster was called “world-class” by Arsene Wenger and also had great technical ability, so it wasn’t a shock when Barcelona paid big money for Overmars after three years at Highbury.

Games

100

Goals

25

Assists

14

Titles

1

15 Steve McManaman Liverpool, Man City

An academy graduate at Liverpool, Steve McManaman’s ability to dribble past defenders with ease was frightening, and he was key for the Reds out wide in the 1990s.

Going down as an arguably an underrated Liverpool legend, McManaman’s displays caught the eye of Real Madrid, where he would go on to become ‘the most successful English player to head overseas’.

Games

275

Goals

41

Assists

59

14 John Barnes Liverpool, Newcastle

John Barnes was approaching 30 years of age when the Premier League was formed, however, he arguably saved the best years of his career as a winger in the latter stages of his career.

Barnes was even called “the best player” Jamie Carragher has ever trained with and the “best finisher” ahead of Fernando Torres, Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, which says all you need to know about how good Barnes was at Anfield.

Games

201

Goals

28

Assists

29

13 Freddie Ljungberg Arsenal, West Ham

After scoring seconds into his debut against Man Utd in 1998, Freddie Ljungberg didn’t look back and would go on to become a Premier League great.

The skilful Swedish winger would win two titles under Arsene Wenger and had a knack of scoring important goals for the Gunners. His career in north London has seen him recognised as the 11th best player in Arsenal’s history.

Games

241

Goals

48

Assists

29

Player of the Season

1

Titles

2

12 David Ginola Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton

Iconic winger David Ginola lit up the Premier League in the 1990s and will be best remembered for his time at Newcastle and Tottenham, so much so he was voted PFA Player of the Year during Man Utd’s treble-winning season.

Ginola’s ability to dribble past defenders with ease was his main attribute, and he made the game look extremely easy in his prime, being named among the top 10 Frenchman to play in the Premier League.

Games

195

Goals

21

Assists

42

Player of the Season

1

11 Son Heung-min Tottenham

Son Heung-min has shown during his time at Spurs that he can do it all. Create, take defenders on, score every type of goal, the South Korea star has lit up the division for more than 10 years now.

Regarded as ‘the best finisher in world football’, Son also became the first player from Asia to score more than 100 goals in the Premier League and even won the Golden Boot with 23 goals in 35 games in 2021/22.

Games

333

Goals

127

Assists

71

Golden Boot

1