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Wolverhampton Wanderers have found life without their former star man, Matheus Cunha, to be torture so far this season.

Vitor Pereira’s Old Gold remain winless at the very foot of the Premier League, with just five goals next to their name from seven dismal matches, further reinforcing the hole left behind by the enigmatic Brazilian.

While Cunha tries to get up to speed with proceedings at his new club, Manchester United, Pereira will be tearing his hair out about how to kickstart Wolves’ season.

He does have Jorgen Strand Larsen, whom he can call upon in attack, with the Nordic centre-forward showing that he can score goals for fun when in the right mood at Molineux.

What makes Strand Larsen Wolves' best Cunha replacement

The 25-year-old striker impressed so much last season when firing home goals regularly that he penned a new long-term Old Gold contract in the summer, which keeps him at the West Midlands club until 2029.

As a result, it kept at bay suitors in the form of Newcastle who lodged what felt like several bids to tempt the hulking forward to St James’ Park.

It’s very clear why they wanted to tie him down to such a long-term contract, considering Cunha sadly exited the building, with Larsen helping himself to a clinical 14 goals in the last campaign to ensure Wolves stayed afloat for another season in the big time.

Yet, even as he began to adopt the tag of being Wolves’ main spark up top heading into the 2025/26 season, the ex-Celta Vigo striker has struggled to get going, largely because of injuries, leaving his team stuck at the foot of the tough league.

Larsen might well have two strikes next to his name in the EFL Cup, but he’s currently going through a barren streak in the bread and butter of league action, with no goals from five games, having amassed just 23.8 touches on average per clash.

Pereira could well be tempted to spruce things up in attack moving forward, with the Portuguese boss perhaps looking to the next generation coming through at Molineux to unearth a new Cunha in the making.

Wolves academy star could be the new Cunha

Pereira won’t want to just ditch the 22-time Norway international for good. Rather, he could be tempted to switch up the formation to bring in a partner for Larsen to bounce off

That player could be summer recruit Tolu Arokodare but if Pereira was thinking more outside of the box, he might also be tempted to experiment.

That’s where Wolves U21 sensation Mateus Mane comes into the equation. The Wolves boss labelled the rising talent as “special” back in May, long before his red-hot vein of form in the Premier League 2 this season.

Just one glance at the England U18 international’s numbers this campaign shows you why he’s so highly regarded in Wolves circles, with a sublime four goals and four assists coming his way from just nine outings in all competitions.

While Cunha was more well-known for his lethal edge in front of goal at Molineux, he did also have an eye for an assist, with 15 collected from 92 Wolves first-team appearances.

Evidently, Mane also possesses a similar hunger for creativity, away from finishing off chances confidently as an “instinctive” forward presence, as he was once labelled by analyst Ben Mattinson.

CF

16

7 + 5

AM

6

3 + 2

RW

3

2 + 2

The similarities to the former Wolves’ fan favourite don’t end there, either, with the teenage sensation also capable of playing all across the forward positions, away from just causing panic to the defenders solely in the centre-forward position.

While the South American superstar did shine as a lone striker, too, he also didn’t look out of place when lining up as a number ten or as a winger if needed, with a remarkable four goals coming his way from just four games as a left winger option for the Old Gold.

For the time being, considering their lowly status, it might be deemed a step too far to push Mane into the senior fold.

But, at some point, Pereira will surely be tempted to gamble with the 18-year-old ace – considering he already has one men’s appearance to his name – as he attempts to fill the Cunha-shaped void.

Vitor Pereira has personally asked Wolves to sign 15-goal ace who they once bid for

The Old Gold are plotting a move for a new centre-forward…

BySean Markus Clifford Oct 12, 2025

The Rothesay County Championship match between Durham and Somerset looks set for a absorbing three-day finish after 18 wickets fell on the second day of the game at the Banks Homes Riverside.Replying to Durham’s 277, Somerset mustered only 172 but then dismissed the home side for 159, thus leaving the visitors with a victory target of 265.When bad light ended play five overs early, they had reached 71 for 1, still 194 short of their target but with nine wickets in hand.However, the day was also memorable for Durham’s 20 -year-old Championship debutant, Mitch Killeen, who had received his county cap on Friday morning and took 5 for 36 in Somerset’s first innings.Somerset resumed on 63 for 3 but Ben Raine took the first wickets of the day when he had James Rew lbw for 8 in the third over of the morning and Jack Leach superbly caught in the gully by Emilio Gay for a 30 that had included six fours.But the remainder of the morning session belonged to Killeen, who took four wickets in 16 balls as Somerset collapsed to 128 for 9. Tom Abell was lbw to one that nipped back off the pitch for 5 and Andy Umeed was dismissed in similar fashion for 14 when hit on the back leg.Craig Overton was out to his first delivery when his attempt to work the ball on the leg side merely leading-edged a comfortable catch to Gay in the gully, and Killeen completed his five-wicket haul in his next over when Archie Vaughan pushed forward but only edged a catch to Colin Ackermann at second slip.There was a reminder of cricket’s ability to bring players down to earth when Matt Henry hit Killeen for three fours in his next over and that brief assault was the foretaste of a last-wicket partnership that yielded 44 valuable runs for the visitors. Codi Yusuf ended the fun when he bowled Migael Pretorius for 20, leaving Henry unbeaten on 23 and giving Durham a first-innings lead of 105.That brought an end to one period of helter-skelter cricket. In less than 90 minutes, Somerset had scored 109 runs and lost seven wickets in 21.4 overs. It also concluded Yusuf’s part in the match. After being hit on the helmet on Friday evening, he was diagnosed as suffering from concussion at lunchtime and replaced by Daniel Hogg.The start of Durham’s second innings continued the morning drama as Henry took two wickets in three balls in his second over. Ben McKinney was caught behind and Gay taken by Lewis Gregory at first slip, both for ducks, to leave the home side on 9 for 2, and they had only advanced to 18 for 2 when the luncheon interval gave everyone an opportunity to take a deep breath or two.Rain delayed the start of the afternoon’s play for 20 minutes but the interruption only compounded the batters’ problems. David Bedingham was caught at slip by Overton off Josh Davey for 8 and the modest recovery represented by Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson’s 31-run stand ended when Lees was lbw to Pretorius for 35 and Ackermann was caught down the leg side off Overton for 4.Durham’s lead was only 193 when Robinson was caught in the gully by Umeed off Pretorius for 35 and Raine could add just nine more runs before he slapped Henry to Abell at cover.But James Minto joined Clark and this pair batted sensibly to add 26 before Clark was lbw to Pretorius four balls after tea. Minto and Hogg then added 21 for Durham’s last wicket before the home side were bowled out for 159, Pretorius taking 3 for 46 and Henry 3 for 51, giving him match figures of 7 for 111.Despite being faced with a daunting target on a spicy pitch, Gregory and Davey batted sensibly against an inexperienced attack to put on 35 before Killeen knocked out Davey’s off stump. That brought Tom Lammonby to the crease and he and Gregory had added a further 36 runs before the gloom closed in.

Former England allrounder addresses accident and aftermath in documentary set for release this week

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Apr-20251:45

‘Flintoff’ on Disney+: An exclusive look at Freddie’s story

Andrew Flintoff, the former England allrounder, says he still “remembers everything” about the near-fatal crash he suffered while filming an episode of Top Gear, after addressing the incident and its aftermath in a new Disney+ documentary about his life and career.Flintoff, 47, was airlifted to hospital in December 2022, after the open-topped three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 that he was driving around Dunsfold Aerodrome overturned at 130mph. He was left with broken ribs and serious facial injuries, with the BBC paying him a reported £9 million in compensation after agreeing to “rest” for the foreseeable future.The documentary, directed by John Dower, is set for release on April 25, and in a Disney+ trailer that features previously unseen footage of the crash site, Flintoff is seen entering hospital for treatment on his facial wounds.”I remember everything about it,” Flintoff says. “It’s so vivid.”Flintoff retreated from public life for months in the aftermath of the accident, and in the trailer, he expresses his “frustration” with the media speculation about his crash.”This is what I’m left with … I’ve lived under the radar for seven months,” he says. “One of the real frustrations was the speculation, that’s why I’m doing this now, [talking about] what actually happened.”Everyone wants more, you’re just a commodity. I’m not saying I’m embracing them, but I’m not trying to hide my scars.”It’s almost like a reset, I’m trying to find out what I am now. I’ve always seemed to be able to flick a switch, I’ve got to find that switch again.’Flintoff’s return to the sport of cricket has been a key aspect of his rehabilitation. At the behest of his friend and former team-mate, Rob Key – now England men’s director of cricket – he made an incognito appearance at the 2023 Ashes, and went on to take up a series of roles within the game, including head coach of Northern Superchargers in the Hundred, and most recently head coach of England Lions.He has also appeared as the host of the rebooted ITV darts show, Bullseye, as well as filming a second series of his acclaimed series, Field of Dreams, in which he travelled to India with his team of new cricketers, and opened up about his struggles to recover from what happened.”‘I struggle with anxiety, I have nightmares, I have flashbacks, it’s so hard to cope,” he said during the series. “I genuinely should not be here with what happened.”It’s going to be a long road back and I’ve only just started. I’m going to need help. I really am. I’m not the best at asking for it.”The new documentary features also interviews with his wife, Rachael, former team-mates including his 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, and close friends including Jack Whitehall and James Corden.Speaking to the podcaster Joe Rogan, Top Gear’s co-host, Chris Harris – who witnessed the aftermath of the crash – said that Flintoff was lucky to be alive.”He’s a physical specimen, Fred, he’s a big guy – six foot five, six foot six, strong. And if he wasn’t so strong, he wouldn’t have survived.”He’s a great advert for physical strength and conditioning, because if he hadn’t been that strong, he’d have just snapped his neck, he’d be dead.”In a statement released after the crash, a BBC spokesman referred to an independent health and safety review of the show, and said: “[The review] found that while BBC Studios had complied with the required BBC policies and industry best practice in making the show, there were important learnings which would need to be rigorously applied to future Top Gear UK productions.”‘Flintoff’ is available exclusively on Disney+

Wrexham's record signing Nathan Broadhead has revealed the ambition shown by the club's Hollywood superstar owners was the determining factor behind his mega-money move from Ipswich this summer. Broadhead scored both goals in the 2-0 EFL victory over Reading and then hailed the influence of owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in his decision to join the ambitious Welsh outfit.

• Big money. Big pressure

  The transfer from Ipswich set a new club record for Wrexham, with an initial fee of £7.5 million ($10.1m) that could potentially rise to £10m ($13.4m) with add-ons. Broadhead's move was influenced by a desire to join his hometown club, where he had been part of the academy as a boy, before joining Everton. 

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  Broadhead makes a flying start

  Broadhead opened his account with two goals against Reading which saw Wrexham progress to the fourth round for the first time in 48 years. He missed the opening weeks of the season due to a calf injury.

• Broadhead's Hollywood hopes

  Broadhead told BBC Sport: "That's the main reason I came and hopefully we can do that to get this club to the Premier League. That's the aim of the owners. So I see the vision and hopefully we can get there. You see the players coming in. You're bringing in quality players from the Championship and it just shows you where the owners want to be. That's the project, what we're going on."

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  High hopes for Championship season

  Broadhead added: "I'm just delighted to score and progress to the next round. I just can't wait to get proper match fit and get my sharpness back up and play in the Championship. I'm getting used to playing with new players, different systems. It's given me time to settle down a little bit, moving all my stuff and my family and everything like that. But I'm just happy to be settled now and playing football."

Liverpool are fighting to make some late signings before Monday’s deadline and have now stepped up their attempts to land a renowned international, according to reports.

Liverpool looking to sign Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi

There is no point in beating around the bush, especially when Liverpool’s double pursuit of Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi has dominated headlines for the majority of the transfer window.

Reports over the last few months have embodied many twists and turns, but recent claims suggest that Isak may be signed up at Anfield before the close of play and an imminent agreement is expected between all parties.

Aside from that, David Ornstein let some revealing information slip on Guehi’s future at Crystal Palace slip over the weekend, informing Premier League fans via The Athletic that Liverpool have submitted a £35 million bid for the England international.

With no add-ons or bonuses included in the offer, the Reds appear to be making a play in light of his contract situation in South London that could see the 25-year-old become a free agent next summer.

Making their priorities clear, Liverpool have insisted on a move for Guehi for months, and the arrival of Giovanni Leoni from Parma hasn’t changed their desire as Arne Slot looks to claim a second title in two years on Merseyside.

Shades of Coutinho: Liverpool confident of signing “special” big-money star

Liverpool are ready to close a few deals before the end of the summer transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 29, 2025

Manchester City are also admirers of the former Chelsea man due to his excellent performances at Selhurst Park, though it appears that the Reds are his preferred destination, which is a testament to the Dutchman’s work since arriving from Feyenoord.

Now, Liverpool have received a reply to their offer in a piece of information that could offer a roadmap to Guehi putting pen to paper.

Liverpool told how much Marc Guehi will cost

According to Ben Jacobs on X, Liverpool have been told a fee of £35 million plus £5 million in add-ons will be enough to secure Guehi from Crystal Palace, who have rejected their initial proposal for the Three Lions star.

Now, it remains to be seen if FSG are willing to up their bid to seal a deal before the deadline, creating a scenario where any move will need to be made swiftly in light of Monday’s 7 pm cut-off point.

Labelled a “monster in defence” by Crystal Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, Guehi has made five appearances this term despite uncertainty over his future, helping the Eagles secure Europa Conference League qualification.

Last term, he won 69 aerial duels and 34 tackles on Premier League duty, per Fotmob, which has unsurprisingly made him one of the transfer market’s most wanted men with time ticking before the close of play.

Liverpool want to make a statement to aid their bid for another title and Guehi could now be within touching distance for those within the corridors of power at Anfield.

Despite a 3-2 win over D.C. United that strengthened Inter Miami’s playoff position, head coach Javier Mascherano admitted that defensive lapses remain a key area to improve. The Argentine stressed the need to maintain composure when falling behind and to correct mistakes in transitions as the Herons enter the decisive stretch of the MLS season.

• Defense a concern heading into Playoffs

  In their last four matches, Miami has conceded nine goals and owns one of the worst defenses in the Eastern Conference. Among the top seven teams that currently qualify directly for the playoffs, Mascherano’s side is at the bottom with 46 goals conceded.

  “It’s something I’m both concerned about and focused on," he stressed in his postgame comments. "We have to identify each game’s demands. Except for the PSG match, the team has generally defended well. In the Leagues Cup, apart from the final, we defended well too. These are moments. My biggest concern is when we fall behind, we lose our heads, lose our shape. In this league, we cannot afford that. 

  "That’s what we need to work on in these last six matches. Details will be the key for this team to keep progressing – it’s my responsibility to convince the players of that.”

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  Transition mistakes at fault

  Mascherano refused to blame his defenders, instead highlighting errors in transitions as the main cause of the goals conceded.

  “We conceded two goals, more because of transitions than defensive structure," he said. "They try to draw the opponent in to play long balls, and with players like Christian Benteke, who has great qualities, we wanted to disrupt that first launch. Clearly, today, some mistakes, some turnovers, cost us a lot."

  Benteke scored the first goal off a diving header to tie the match, while Jacob Murrell scored D.C.'s second goal in the dying seconds off a transition play. 

  "D.C. United may be in last place, but they hadn’t lost in four matches, and you could feel their presence," Mascherano explained. "Sometimes, facing a team with nothing to lose makes them dangerous. At times we suffered, but in the second half the subs came in well, even though we conceded again off another loss of possession.”

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  Messi by the numbers

  Lionel Messi has 30 goals and 12 assists in 37 matches this year. Already the MLS Golden Boot leader with 22 goals – one more than Sam Surridge – the Argentine has now reached 882 career goals in 1,123 appearances across club and country.

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  Citi Field next…

  The victory strengthens Inter Miami’s playoff hopes, moving them to fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 52 points and three games in hand. Messi is now the MLS top scorer with 22 goals in 21 matches. The Herons will visit the Big Apple next Wednesday to face NYCFC in MLS action.

Six sixes in free-flowing counterattack allow England to post competitive 267 on turning deck

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Oct-2024

The patio heaters, industrial-sized fans and rakes have worked their magic. But as Rawalpindi’s famed batting track produced 13 wickets on the opening day of this third and decisive Test, it was England who benefitted, first scrapping to 267 and then making that a workable total by reducing Pakistan to 73 for 3 by the close.On a pitch that had everyone guessing, Ben Stokes winning England’s first toss in eight attempts felt heaven-sent, especially as his opposite number Shan Masood admitted to trepidation as to how matters would play out underfoot. But it would have been a wasted miracle were it not been for a remarkable 89 from Jamie Smith, bagging a first half-century way from home, and driving a vital 107-run stand with Gus Atkinson (39) for the seventh wicket.Sajid Khan flourished once more, finishing with 6 for 128 from 29.2 overs for the third five-wicket haul of his career, and second in as many first-innings in this series. His early incisions and quick dismantling of the tail kept England in check as they dreamed of 300 following Smith and Atkinson’s rebuilding effort from 118 for 6.The initial foundations set by Ben Duckett’s accomplished 52 had collapsed on an uncertain surface displaying irregular bounce rather than excessive turn. A score of 56 for 0 became 98 for 5 in the space of 12.5 overs as the pitch started to play tricks, exacerbated once more by Sajid and left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who finished with 3 for 88.As expected after sharing all 20 English wickets in the second Test in Multan to square the series, the spin duo did the lion’s share of the bowling, sending down all but 11 of the 68.2 overs, including the first 42 unchanged. For only the second time in Test history – and first since 1882 – no pace bowler was used in the first innings of the match.England began reasonably enough, with a relatively untroubled 50 up in 12 overs. After a watchful start before Zak Crawley – playing in his 50th Test – he fell to Noman with a scuffed drive to backward point. Ollie Pope unfurled another skittish effort of 3 off 14 – trapped in front playing a desperate sweep – before Duckett (wearing one on his toes), Joe Root (trapped in front) and Harry Brook (bowled leg stump attempting to sweep) succumbed to deliveries that did not get up as expected.That England had something to work with, lunching on 110 for 5, was thanks largely to Duckett. While somewhat precarious, it was hard to label it outright as a problematic position, and in propelling that total to 242 for 8 by tea, Smith and Atkinson ensured England had a firm footing.By the time Sajid was eventually relieved of his mammoth first spell of 21 overs, he had removed Stokes, caught at slip, 11 balls into the second session, for his fourth wicket. He eventually returned to bring Noman’s opening salvo to an end after 23 overs.Sajid Khan salutes the crowd after his six-wicket haul•Getty Images

Atkinson joined Smith and set about an all-Surrey stand, acting as the straight man to the latter’s devastation, even if those roles only truly came to the fore at the end of their century stand. After a watchful start from both – Smith’s fifty took all of 94 deliveries – the final 39 runs to take their partnership to three figures took just 21 deliveries.It was a charge instigated by Atkinson, striking three fours in the last four balls off the 56th over, against the legspinner Zahid Mahmood who was was now in England’s sights as the bowler to target. That being said, Smith followed with successive boundaries off Sajid, albeit the second – his third six – pierced the hands of Saud Shakeel at long on.Had Shakeel been set back on the fence rather than a few feet in front, he might have ended the keeper-batter’s innings on 54. Alas, Sajid felt the brunt of that miss, taken for another two more boundaries by Smith in his next over – the first smeared over midwicket for six, the second lofted gloriously down the ground for a one-bounce four.The second took the value of the seventh wicket to 103 from just 159 deliveries. And though it would only reach 107 as Noman returned to take a catch off his own bowling as Atkinson bunted back a delivery that stuck in the pitch, Smith kept going, blasting two sixes down the ground off Zahid as he rounded on his second Test century. A third six at the end of the over was avoided thanks to exemplary work from Sajid, who took a boundary catch twice, but had to hurl the ball back in play for a second time to prevent the boundary.Alas, Smith would fall nine short, Zahid the beneficiary of a top-edged heave that was taken to end a remarkable knock and polish the legspinner’s figures, which would read 1 for 44 from 10 overs. It was Pakistan’s first wicket in 28 for a bowler other than Sajid and Noman, who combined for all 20 in second Test in Multan.Leach and Rehan Ahmed, recalled to the side for his first international appearance since February, resumed after the break but lasted just 32 deliveries, with Sajid dragging both out of the crease to claim his fifth and sixth wickets of the match, and his 15th in three innings since his recall in Multan.Naturally, Stokes opened with Leach, though he handed Atkinson the new ball at the other end for the first sight of pace, albeit for just a two-over spell. A leg bye in the second of that burst took Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub past their previous highest opening stand of 15. But having made it to 35, Bashir spun one into Shafique’s front pad for the first of three Pakistan wickets to fall for just 11 runs.An attempt to batten down the hatches through to stumps allowed England to squeeze. Leach pocketed Ayub, prodding to Root at midwicket – the middle of three catchers on the leg side – before Atkinson returned for a solitary over and profited from the low bounce to knock back the off stump of Kamran Ghulan, gone for three having marked his debut in Multan last week with a century.Masood will resume on day two with Shakeel, who was incorrectly given out on one when adjudged to have been caught by Stokes after Smith deflected the ball to his skipper at first slip when attempting a take down the leg side. It was the second of two clear errors from umpire Sharfuddoula overturned by DRS, having earlier raised the finger to Ayub at the start of the seventh over for a similarly mistaken call for a catch in the cordon.

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.

£265k-per-week Arsenal star approves exit as club prepare bid after talks

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.

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8

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5

4

1

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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.

Manchester United thought they had landed themselves a real talent back in the summer of 2023, after they secured a move for Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The 22-year-old cost a fee in the region of £72m two years ago, but fast-forward to the present day, he’s struggled to demonstrate why the hierarchy forked out such a fee for his signature.

He only posted a tally of four league goals last season, taking his total tally of goals for the Red Devils to 26 in his 95 appearances since his big-money move.

Hojlund even went 21 games without a goal across all competitions at one stage last season, with new boss Ruben Amorim desperately needing a new talisman during the summer.

Numerous players have been on the board’s radar this window, but no new centre forward has been signed yet, despite progress appearing to be being made on a deal for one star.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Ollie Watkins has been a player who’s been firmly in the club’s sights over the last couple of months, and, unsurprisingly so given his tally of 16 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last campaign.

However, any deal for the English international may prove to be an expensive one, with Aston Villa demanding a fee in the region of £60m for his signature this summer.

Moves have been made elsewhere for a new striker, with progress being made over a deal to land forward Moise Kean, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

They claim that the Red Devils have held talks with the side over a deal for the 25-year-old Italian international, who registered 25 goals across all competitions last campaign.

It also states that he has a €52m (£44m) release clause that remains active until the 15th of July, potentially facing competition from numerous sides in Saudi Arabia for his signature.

Why United’s £44m target could be a Hojlund & Osimhen hybrid

Victor Osimhen has been another player who’s been a constant target on United’s radar over the last couple of months, after he scored 37 times on loan at Galatasaray last campaign.

The Napoli forward looks certain to leave the Italian outfit this summer, with Antonio Conte not seeing the Nigerian forward as part of his plans going forward.

Despite the Red Devils’ interest, other sides in the Middle East and Europe remain in the race for the 26-year-old’s signature, potentially being a saga that could drag on throughout the summer.

Given his goalscoring record, there’s no denying he would be a superb signing, but there are concerns over his wage demands, which could prove to be out of United’s budget.

However, Kean could prove to be a viable option, with the Italian labelled as a similar player to both Osimhen and Hojlund back in the 2022/23 season in Serie A by FBref.

When comparing their respective stats to the aforementioned duo, the former Everton star managed to outperform them both, having the chance to take his career to the next level in Manchester.

Kean, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Statman Dave, managed to post a higher goal per shot on target rate, handing Amorim’s side that clinical edge they’ve been searching for.

He also completed more progressive carries per 90 and more carries into the opposition box per 90, having the ability to drive into the final third and create opportunities for other players alongside himself.

The Italian also completed more take-ons, whilst winning more fouls, having the all-round ability to cause problems for the opposition defenders on a consistent basis in the Premier League.

Given the time left on his release clause, the hierarchy will have to act quickly to secure a deal for his signature, potentially getting themselves a bargain transfer this window.

If they can complete a deal for the Italian, it would be one that would fill the needed position at the top end of the pitch, taking the club up a level in 2025/26 as a result.

Amorim's answer to Kane: Man Utd in talks to sign "world-class" striker

Manchester United could finally end their pursuit of a new talisman with a move for one European star.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 11, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have taken a risk this summer in sacking Ange Postecoglou, especially after the Aussie ended their 17-year wait for any form of silverware.

The responsibility has subsequently fallen into the hands of Thomas Frank, who was appointed as the new boss on a three-year contract, with the hierarchy forking out £10m for his signature from Brentford.

The Dane will likely be under huge pressure to make a fast start to his tenure, needing to get results on the board and help the club rise up the Premier League table.

Their lowly league standing was what subsequently cost Ange his job in North London, with Frank wanting to avoid such a repeat, which could see his job on the line in the near future.

However, if he is to have the best possible chance of replicating the Aussie, he will need additions, with owner Daniel Levy needing to provide him with the options he craves.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

Xavi Simons is a star who has set Europe alight this season, registering 11 goals for RB Leipzig this season, with Spurs open to making a move for his signature this window.

He’s not the only player in their sights, with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo also under consideration ahead of a potential deal over the coming weeks.

However, another name has emerged on their shortlist in recent times, with Brighton and Hove Albion talisman Joao Pedro a firm target for Frank, according to Spurs Web.

They claim that internal talks have been held in North London over a deal for the Brazilian forward, who’s set to leave the AMEX after scoring 10 Premier League goals this season.

It also states that the 23-year-old could be available for around £70m this summer, but face tough competition from Newcastle United and Chelsea for his signature.

Why Spurs’ £70m target could become Frank’s next Mbeumo

During Frank’s reign as Brentford boss, he took the club from the Championship and made them an established top-flight outfit, developing many talents in the process.

Forward Bryan Mbeumo is just one example, joining from French side Troyes back in 2019, before developing into a leading Premier League star in recent months.

The Cameroonian international managed to score 20 times for the Bees in 2024/25, the most he’s registered in a single season, leading to interest from the Lilywhites and Manchester United.

It appears as though he will move to Old Trafford this window after informing Frank’s side that he’s only interested in a switch to join the Red Devils this window.

Such a decision could see Pedro become a key option for the club in the transfer window, potentially being the Dane’s new version of Mbeumo in North London.

The Brazilian has been labelled a similar player to the 25-year-old by FBref, managing to outperform him in numerous key areas throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

Pedro, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Ryan Adsett, has posted a better goal and assist per 90 record, handing Frank the added attacking threat he will need in North London.

How Pedro compares to Mbeumo in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Pedro

Mbeumo

Games played

27

38

Goals & assists

16

27

Goals & assists (per 90)

0.74

0.71

Pass accuracy

73%

66%

Passes into final third

1.9

1.6

Take-ons completed

1.4

1.3

Fouls won

2.1

1.1

Aerials won

49%

31%

Stats via FBref

Alongside his goalscoring record, the Brighton star has also completed more passes into the final third and registered a better pass accuracy rate – able to hand out chances to those around him in the final third.

He’s also won more aerial battles and completed a higher tally of take-ons, handing an all-round and versatile option to the manager in his quest for success with the Lilywhites.

£70m may appear to be a hefty price tag for the Brazilian, but it’s a competitive fee for a player who’s been just as impressive as Mbeumo this campaign.

If he can replicate such talents for the Lilywhites next season, he has all the tools to become a fan favourite and play a huge part in the new era at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 28, 2025