All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester United come into the summer transfer window needing to strengthen in every area of the pitch.

From the goalkeeper disaster of Andre Onana, to defensive injuries, an ageing midfield and a toothless attack, INEOS need to spend big.

Spend big, yes, but also spend wisely. That’s not something United have done in recent transfer windows. £82m on Antony and £72m on Rasmus Hojlund speaks volumes there.

So, who could join? Well, Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha looks well poised to move to Old Trafford.

The latest on Manchester United's move for Matheus Cunha

While there is talk of a move for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, the first order of business looks set to be Cunha.

United have been hot on the trail of the Brazilian attacker in recent months and according to reports, the conditions of a deal to sign him for his £62.5m release clause have now been agreed.

Games

33

38

Goals

15

20

Assists

6

8

Earlier this week it was revealed by a number of sources that permission had been granted for the 26-year-old to undergo a medical with his future employers.

It’s safe to say that Cunha enjoyed a fantastic season in the Premier League. Although discipline did prove an issue, there was no doubting the quality of his play when the ball was at his feet.

Indeed, the Wolves talisman scored 17 goals in 36 outings across all competitions throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

A spellbinding player who strikes fear into a large pool of defenders, it’s actually another player from England’s top flight that Wes Brown thinks would be the most game-changing signing.

Wes Brown wants Man United to sign £30m forward

Another player on the club’s radar this summer has been young English striker Liam Delap.

Son of Rory and a Manchester City academy graduate, it would be quite something if he ended up at Old Trafford. Possessing a £30m release clause, it would be a rather simple move to complete, but it does look as though he is now on his way to Chelsea.

Reports on Thursday indicated that a deal was as good as done, thus preventing Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co from making their move.

Still, it’s a move that Brown, in conversation with Football FanCast, wanted to have seen happen at Old Trafford.

Speaking on behalf of BetVictor, the former defender was asked who would be the most game-changing signing out of Cunha, Mbeumo and Delap. He said: “Liam Delap is a great young player. He has had experience of a Premier League season now and he’s that sort of player that you want to be going for.”

Why does Brown think that? “He will get better and he’s talented,” Brown admitted. “He’s not scoring 25 goals a season yet, but he’s only had one full season. That’s what you’re hoping for as a Manchester United fan, young, talented players who have played in the Premier League and know what it’s about, to build yourself back up with better players.”

Signing proven Premier League players is certainly a wise strategy. You only need to look at the way Arsenal found a way to rejuvenate the playing squad under Mikel Arteta, bringing in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City, David Raya from Brentford and most famously, Declan Rice from West Ham, to name a few.

United ought to take influence from this as the Ruben Amorim era looks for greener shoots next season.

Gordon Strachan tells Man Utd to sign £30m star who'd be better than Osimhen

Gordon Strachan was speaking to Football FanCast this week.

ByMatt Dawson May 29, 2025

It’s no secret that Manchester United have fallen way below the high standards they’ve set for themselves this season, currently occupying a place in the bottom half of the Premier League.

The Red Devils are set for their lowest ever points tally and league finish of the Premier League era, with boss Ruben Amorim desperately needing to make changes next year if he’s to be a success at Old Trafford.

The forward line has certainly contributed to their recent failures, netting just 42 goals in their 36 outings, with Bruno Fernandes their current top scorer on just eight goals.

Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have only managed to find the back of the net seven times between them, highlighting the lack of attacking threat within the current squad.

However, the upcoming transfer window hands boss Amorim the perfect opportunity to improve the situation, with a new talisman needing to be at the top of his list this summer.

United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

With the transfer window rapidly on the horizon, United have already wasted no time in pursuing potential targets to strengthen the options at the manager’s disposal.

The likes of Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha and Victor Osimhen have all been touted with a summer switch to Old Trafford, but no deals have yet been completed for any of the aforementioned trio.

However, another name has entered the frame in the form of Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, with a potential reunion on the cards with Amorim, according to CaughtOffside.

The report claims that the Red Devils are preparing an offer for the 26-year-old Swedish international, who’s managed to register a staggering 52 goals in his 50 appearances throughout 2024/25.

It also confirms that Arsenal and Liverpool are in the race for his signature this window, with the hierarchy needing to work tirelessly to avoid missing out on him to a divisional rival.

Why United’s latest target would be perfect alongside Amad

The Europa League final next week hands United a golden opportunity to end the season on a high, whilst also securing their place in the Champions League for 2025/26.

Amorim’s side must be fully focused on such an occasion, especially considering there is no longer anything to play for in the Premier League.

If they are to go beat Tottenham Hotspur for the first time this season and claim European glory, Amad Diallo will be a key reason, with his success this campaign nothing short of remarkable.

He’s registered 18 combined goals and assists across all competitions despite missing a large chunk of the year through an ankle issue, which required surgery.

However, he’s back and ready for action, with a fully fit 22-year-old a prospect to fear for any opposition, as seen by his contributions throughout 2024/25.

Such figures could fall perfectly into the hands of Gyokeres should he make the switch to Old Trafford, with his goalscoring tally undoubtedly improving the situation Amorim has on his hands.

The Swede, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in Europe” by Fabrizio Romano, has also managed to register 4.4 shots per 90, with 2.5 of which going on target – showcasing his clinical nature in the final third.

Viktor Gyokeres

32

38

8

46

Harry Kane

30

25

9

34

Omar Marmoush

31

21

12

33

Kylian Mbappé

32

28

3

31

Mateo Retegui

34

24

7

31

Victor Osimhen

28

24

5

29

He’s also created 2.1 chances per 90 to date, along with a 52% aerial success rate, handing the side an all-round option at the top end of the pitch, which could allow Amad to increase his own tallies.

It’s unclear how much the Red Devils are set to bid for his services this summer, but it would be a phenomenal piece of business that would see the talisman link up with his former boss.

Given the interest elsewhere, the hierarchy will have to jump ahead of the opposition and make him their number one target, with Gyokeres having the tools to thrive in the Premier League and take the club back to where they belong.

He'd be amazing with Cunha: Man Utd prepare £65m bid for "sensational" star

Manchester United could land a star who would be perfect alongside Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb May 15, 2025

Everton are poised to pounce for an “excellent” Premier League midfielder, who is now looking increasingly likely to leave his club this summer, according to a report.

Toffees set sights on new midfielder

It is set to be a summer of change for the Toffees, with the move to Bramley-Moore Dock to take place prior to the start of the 2025-26 campaign, while David Moyes is also looking to upgrade his squad in a number of different positions.

Having flirted with relegation over the past few seasons, it is little wonder Moyes is eyeing upgrades in several areas, with Leeds United’s Junior Firpo among the targets at left-back, while Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap could be brought in to provide more attacking firepower.

The Merseysiders are also looking to upgrade their options in the engine room, with an offer now being prepared for Lille central midfielder Angel Gomes, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.

Everton set to cut ties with "outstanding" 93 career-goal ace in summer exit

He’s been a valiant servant at Goodison Park…

BySean Markus Clifford May 12, 2025

However, amid widespread interest in Gomes, it could be difficult to get a deal over the line, and a different central midfielder has now entered the frame as a potential summer target.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Everton are now poised to pounce for Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff, who is looking increasingly likely to exit St. James’ Park this summer, with the Magpies prepared to sanction a departure for just £12m.

Eddie Howe’s side are eager to cash-in on Longstaff, with his contract set to expire in 2026, potentially opening the door for a move to Merseyside, having been identified as a strong target by the Toffees.

Moyes is looking to overhaul his squad this summer, and wants to bring in players with Premier League experience, but there could be fierce competition for the midfielder, with Manchester United, Leeds United and teams in Scotland also keen.

"Excellent" Longstaff could be solid signing for Toffees

As the season has progressed, the Englishman has started to play more of a sporadic role, often being limited to appearances off the bench, but he has impressed Howe in the past, with the manager previously describing him as “excellent”.

With Moyes keen on proven Premier League players, the 27-year-old also fits the bill in that regard, having made 171 appearances in the top flight, picking up ten goals and nine assists.

Not only is the central midfielder capable of posing an attacking threat, but he is also willing to pitch in defensively, as showcased by his performance on some key metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Touches (Att pen)

2.33 (86th percentile)

Tackles

2.61 (77th percentile)

Blocks

1.77 (92nd percentile)

While Longstaff is unlikely to be the most exciting addition for Everton this summer, there is every sign the Newcastle midfielder could be a solid addition to Moyes’ squad.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping that his Nottingham Forest side can put their disappointment of losing the FA Cup semi-final to good use in returning to Premier League action full of fight.

After all, Forest only find themselves outside of the coveted top five positions in the division on goal difference, with clashes to come in May giving them the perfect opportunity to clinch Champions League football over rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa.

To confirm a spot amongst Europe’s elite, however, the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers boss will know he needs everyone performing at their optimum, with Murillo needing to put in even more dominant displays at the back to ensure victories are forthcoming.

Murillo's impressive season at Forest so far

The City Ground hasn’t had the reputation this season for producing jaw-dropping spectacles in terms of goals, with a low 24 goals being scored in total by the Tricky Trees across 16 home contests.

But, the resilient defensive displays consistently on show will have pleased the Forest masses watching on, away from the entertainment levels being hit-and-miss, with Murillo in the heart of the defence constantly leading by example.

The Sao Paulo-born centre-back is the dictionary definition of a player who plays with his heart on his sleeve, leading to Murillo averaging a hefty 6.7 clearances on average this season in the Premier League.

Collecting 11 clean sheets across 32 league outings too, the £15m once forked out on his signature back in the summer of 2023 continues to look like an unbelievable bargain, with the 22-year-old’s valuation now standing at a whopping £46m as per Transfermarkt.

Forest will aim to hold onto Murillo for as long as they can, with another top performer for the season unfortunately tipped to move away from Nottingham as Manchester City come sniffing about.

The "sensational" star who could be Forest's next Johnson

This wouldn’t be new territory for the Garibaldis if another of their standout figures were to up and leave for more luxurious pastures, considering Brennan Johnson departed the club in September of 2023 for a chance at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs would have to cough up a significant £47.5m to land the tricky Welshman, but that price tag was more than justified when you take into account Johnson’s eight-goal heroics during Forest’s debut season back amongst the top tier’s elite.

Well, Morgan Gibbs-White could soon follow Johnson’s upward trajectory if reports are to be believed, with Manchester City – the side who just knocked Forest out of the FA Cup – reportedly eyeing up a move for another of Espirito Santo’s standout talents.

talkSPORT have previously suggested that it would take a ridiculous fee of £100m for Forest to consider parting ways with their classy number ten, though, meaning he’s now worth even more than the aforementioned warrior figure of Murillo, and for good reason.

Games played

113

Goals scored

16

Assists

27

Value when joining

£25m

Value now

£70m

Increase in %

180%

The former Wolves youth product turned Tricky Trees royalty has really come into his own this campaign, with the explosive attacking midfielder up to a stunning 14 goal contributions in all competitions, leading to Pep Guardiola and Co circling.

Purchased for just £25m from Wolves, Gibbs-White is yet another example in Espirito Santo’s camp of smart and well-thought-out buys paying off in the long-term, with Murillo’s original £15m price-tag looking like peanuts too.

Of course, the Champions League chasers will want to keep their “sensational” – as he’s been previously lauded by football writer Louis Wheeldon – midfielder around for as long as possible.

But, the allure of the Etihad could prove too strong to turn down, particularly if Forest slip up in their pursuit of the top five.

Just imagine him & Gibbs-White: Nottingham Forest keen on signing £30m star

Nottingham Forest could be about to make a huge signing that would take Morgan Gibbs-White to the next level.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 30, 2025

Manchester United now expect to complete the transfer of an “unplayable” striker target who Chelsea have already made a bid for, according to a new report.

Man Utd chasing reinforcements ahead of busy summer

This summer is expected to be a busy time for the Red Devils – several contracts are up and plenty more players are expected to depart, as Ruben Amorim tries to put a squad together that suits his system and his system only.

Man Utd preparing £40m bid to sign full-back who is also wanted by Arsenal

Man Utd face a battle with Arsenal to sign an experienced defender.

ByBrett Worthington Apr 28, 2025

Christian Eriksen looks set to leave United, and there are still doubts over whether Casemiro will remain beyond the summer. Both players leaving would open the door for a new midfielder at least, and United have their eyes on one or two players they would like to sign. Over the weekend, the Red Devils were linked with a move for Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, who would be able to leave the Italian side for £34 million.

Lobotka is not the only Napoli midfielder United could sign, as they have been offered the chance to sign Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who is set to become a free agent in the summer. United are not alone in the race, as Manchester City have also been offered the chance to sign the player via his entourage.

Meanwhile, the Premier League side are also keeping a close eye on Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A. The Brazilian could also be available for a relatively low fee.

Man Utd expect Gyokeres to pick them over Chelsea

Signing a new midfielder may have to wait until United have addressed their forward options, as Amorim is desperate to sign a new striker to end the misery in front of goal. According to Football Insider, Man United are now confident they are going to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer.

The report states that United have been working hard in the background to reach an agreement, and they are now in a good position to complete the transfer of Gyokeres. The Sweden international is considered a top target at Old Trafford and has been since Amorim was appointed head coach.

United will hope securing Champions League football by winning the Europa League will give them the advantage they need, as Chelsea have made a bid worth £64 million for Gyokeres already, and they are yet to know if they will be playing in Europe’s biggest competition. It is believed Amorim’s relationship with the forward has swung it in United’s favour, and they are now confident it’s a “done deal”.

Apps

98

Goals

95

Assists

27

Gyokeres, who has been dubbed “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou, has scored a staggering 38 goals in 30 Liga Portugal games this season, as well as a further six in the Champions League. United may hold another advantage in the race for Gyokeres, as the Swedish striker has the same agent as current United defender Victor Lindelof.

Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta could now sign a forward for half price this summer, after reliable news that they’ve been in “ongoing” direct talks with his representatives.

Arsenal face PSG in Champions League semi-finals after Real Madrid triumph

After Wednesday night’s Champions League triumph, Mikel Arteta’s side became the first club in history to beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on their first two visits, and are the only side to ever achieve this feat both domestically and on the European stage.

Chelsea eye £40m Netherlands star who Arsenal have targeted since he was 16

The Gunners are very long-term admirers.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 17, 2025

Goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli sealed a 2-1 win at Real and booked Arsenal’s place in the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Ligue 1 champions PSG in a blockbuster two-legged tie after they knocked out Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

It was a statement quarter-final victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s which shocked the whole of Europe, beating the Spanish heavyweights 5-1 on aggregate, with club-record signing Declan Rice putting in two world-class performances over the two legs.

Supporters have been given real belief their side can go on and win the competition, and if they do, this season could be viewed as a major success from Arsenal’s perspective, despite missing out on the Premier League title to Liverpool.

“It’s been quite different before because it was impossible to be in any round because the club wasn’t in the Champions League for seven years,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s evolution since he took charge.

“So, that shows you the turnaround, and a lot of great decisions that the club has made and the contribution a lot of people have made to be where we are. It’s a team that you can feel today how hungry, how determined and ambitious that is to go. We’re going for more, for sure.

“The biggest pride is when I look at them and I talk to them, how convinced they feel and that’s been part of our job and of the coaches, and that’s why it’s a joy to work with them.”

Arsenal given 50 per cent discount for Bayern winger Kingsley Coman

Off the field, Berta is already preparing to back Arteta by signing star upgrades for the squad this summer.

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg and other sources, £280,000-per-week Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is emerging as a serious target.

Plettenberg reported recently that Arsenal are in “ongoing” and “direct” talks with Coman’s representatives over a summer move, with fellow reliable journalist Ben Jacobs now sharing an update of his own for TEAMtalk.

The reporter states Bayern could let Coman leave for a half-price fee of £30 million, with his initial value of £60 million dropping “significantly” since last summer. The France international’s contract expires in 2027, so Vincent Kompany’s side have precious little time to make any cash off his sale.

£30m would still come as a profit for Bayern, considering they only signed him for £18 million from Juventus in 2017, so this could be a win-win for both parties.

Called a “complete” forward by those who’ve worked with him, Coman would leave Bayern as a legend, having racked up 330 appearances for the club in total with 69 goals and 69 assists to show for his efforts.

Leeds United fans must dread the business end of any season with the Whites now out of the coveted top two positions in the Championship, as just six games of the regular campaign remain.

Indeed, last season saw this exact same doomed scenario play out as Daniel Farke’s men had to settle for a place in the second tier play-offs, with a 1-1 draw away at Luton Town on Saturday lunchtime meaning Burnley leapfrogged the underperformers to the very top of the division.

There is still time to salvage some pride and points, but Farke will be scratching his head as to what side he should play moving forward, having boldly axed both Illan Meslier and Brenden Aaronson for the trip to Kenilworth Road.

Farke's bold team selection vs Luton

Both Meslier and Aaronson being dropped for the same game shows off how irked the German is by Leeds’ notable dip in form, with the Frenchman starting 39 of his team’s clashes this season in the Championship, alongside his American counterpart only missing three games from the start.

Those rash alterations didn’t pay off against the Hatters, unfortunately, with stand-in goalkeeper Karl Darlow unable to keep a clean sheet in place of Meslier, after Isaiah Jones was left unmarked to tap home this early first-half strike.

Moreover, Leeds’ overall attacking game wasn’t enhanced by Aaronson sitting out, with the likes of Joel Piroe unable to fire a single shot on the Luton goal, away from Daniel James thankfully thundering home the away side’s equaliser.

But, it was Aaronson’s direct replacement on the day in Wilfried Gnonto that looked way off the pace away from mentions of the misfiring Dutchman, with the Italian perhaps one who could face the boot in a similar manner in crunch clashes to come.

Why Farke could now drop 4/10 Leeds star

Despite only starting 21 of his 37 Championship appearances this season, Gnonto has managed to regularly provide the goods for his promotion-chasing outfit.

The explosive 21-year-old attacker has helped himself to a sizeable 11 goal contributions from those limited starts, but the often electric number 29 was largely anonymous on the road on Saturday, leading to Farke’s men looking rather limp when marauding forward.

Minutes played

63

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

23

Accurate passes

13/15 (87%)

Shots

0

Accurate crosses

0/1

Accurate long balls

0/1

Successful dribbles

0

Total duels won

4/8

Shockingly, Gnonto would end up amassing fewer touches during the contest than back-up shot-stopper Darlow, with the former FC Zurich forward managing just 23 touches of the ball next to the Welshman’s 38.

On top of that – much like the heavily criticised Piroe – Gnonto would also fail to register any meaningful effort on Thomas Kaminski’s net, alongside failing to register a single accurate cross, long ball or dribble to further reinforce his passenger-like offering.

He could well find he’s out of his manager’s starting XI when Leeds face off against play-off chasing Middlesbrough this mid-week, with Aaronson perhaps in line to return to the first-team fold subsequently.

Handed a low 4/10 rating post-match by Leeds Live journalist Isaac Johnson, Gnonto was just unable to grab the contest by the scruff of its neck, as yet another poor result was tallied up next to Leeds’ name to damage their automatic promotion bid even more.

It’s up to Farke now to inspire his bruised troops to leap back into those golden top two positions, with more fearless alterations potentially needing to be made to try and get a tune out of his low-on-confidence side.

94% duels lost: Farke must drop Leeds lightweight who was worse than Gnonto

The Leeds lightweight was even worse than Wilfried Gnonto and should be dropped to the bench.

ByDan Emery Apr 5, 2025

Predicting Liverpool’s forthcoming season before the current campaign is done is an ever-increasingly difficult task. Anfield has been restored over the past decade, willed back into its former imperiousness by an eccentric German genius.

Jurgen Klopp’s gone now, taken up a role of seniority as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer. But Liverpool endured, endured and eclipsed expectations under new boss Arne Slot.

The Reds are the Champions Elect in the Premier League. A 12-point lead and eight remaining fixtures mark an unbridgeable gulf ahead of second-placed Arsenal. All is very much well.

But uncertainty is rife and the future is hazy. Predicting Liverpool’s forthcoming season is a difficult task. Chiefly, this is because FSG are expecting to make sweeping changes, tweaks needed up front, at the rear; concerning contractual issues linger like an unpleasant smell as the term reaches its business end.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is the big one, of course, but he’s not the only expected outgoing down Anfield Road this summer.

The players possibly leaving Liverpool this summer

While supporters are resigned to Alexander-Arnold’s departure to sunny Los Blancos this summer, plenty more uncertainty reigns around various other first-teamers’ futures.

Up top, it feels like change is a given. Sporting director Richard Hughes has no doubt canvassed plans to Michael Edwards, who in turn will feed FSG’s senior figures with the plan of approach.

Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that the Reds are planning to part ways with Darwin Nunez this summer, who almost left for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia this winter but was kept for the remainder of the campaign so not to reduce depth at such a critical juncture.

There has also been chatter around the likes of Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate leaving, but the respective stars are crucial parts of the team and would only be sold if presented with an irresistible proposal – that said, Liverpool are mooted to be in the market for wingers.

And reputable reporters such as The Athletic’s David Ornstein have revealed that interest in Diaz is strong. One to keep an eye on as the shuttered market begins to prepare to swing open its stalls.

Then, of course, there’s the matter of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, 32 and 33 respectively and into the final months of their deals, but both still performing at the top level and convinced of their ability to stay at the top for the next few years at the least.

Ultimately, with more than a few fresh faces needed for Liverpool to maintain their lofty level under Slot’s wing, one or two sales are going to be enforced.

Konate, wanted by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, is in the protracted process of extending his deal on Merseyside, but Jarell Quansah could be sold given Newcastle United are keen and may be willing to spend £30m, which may fall below Liverpool’s valuation.

He’s young and talented; in an ideal world, he stays put. In order to bank funds, Liverpool might instead want to turn toward another member of the backline.

Liverpool must sell their long-serving star

You would be forgiven for questioning the crux of this argument, for Alexander-Arnold is set to leave for Real Madrid, and Liverpool’s options at right-back are going to be cut short.

But stagnancy has been the bane of fans’ lives in transfer markets past. Liverpool need to attack the window with a hunger this summer, rewarding Slot’s incredible efforts with a new, state-of-the-art arsenal.

That’s why Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving senior player, should be sold this summer having come close to leaving last year.

Gomez was resurgent last season, so important for Jurgen Klopp’s team. However, he was privy to conversations with the Magpies in the summer and might have wound up at St. James’ Park, had a deal for Anthony Gordon come to fruition.

Liverpool signed Gomez from Charlton Athletic for just £3.5m back in 2015, when he was 18 years old. Since, he’s featured 241 times for the first team and has won the full sweep of silverware,

His renaissance across Klopp’s final campaign highlighted his abiding quality, his ability to overcome numerous long-term layoffs that might have derailed another athlete’s career.

It earned him a long-awaited Three Lions recall and indeed prompted Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to launch a move worth £45m for the 28-year-old, which indeed fell apart once Gordon was confirmed to be staying put.

Last year, pundit Steve McManaman described Gomez as “absolutely priceless” for his versatile displays in Liverpool’s senior set-up, but FSG were willing to cash in last year and his nominal impact under Slot’s management suggests the team could make do.

Centre-back

117

–

2

Right-back

102

–

6

Left-back

33

–

2

Defensive midfield

2

–

–

Especially if a cool figure is claimed for his sale, turned toward the acquisition of a new defender.

It’s the right time for him to move on; he’s not the highest earner at the club, but Gomez is on a healthy £85k per week, which is more than the aforementioned Diaz (£55k per week) and Liverpool star Curtis Jones (£15k per week), who is soon to become the foremost Scouser on the books, it seems, combined.

Gomez is a stalwart and a half, one of the central parts of the most illustrious span in Liverpool’s modern history. But it feels like the right time for him to move on, and for Liverpool to inject some freshness into the ranks while they can still bank a cool sum for his sale.

Predicting Liverpool’s forthcoming season is a difficult task, but change is needed to add some depth and dynamism to Slot’s ranks. He’s doing so well, but it’s time for the Dutchman to put his own external stamp on the squad.

Van Dijk 2.0: Liverpool to intensify talks for 'one of the world's best'

Liverpool may need to replace their esteemed captain this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 4, 2025

The Premier League is the most watched league on the planet and home to the greatest players in the world.

Mohamed Salah cemented himself as one of the best wingers of all time last season, picking up the PFA Player of the Year award for a record third time. But who is the best player in the English top flight right now?

Ranking factors Current form Importance to team Reputation and honours 50-41

50. Samuel Chukwueze

Fulham

49. Ruben Dias

Man City

48. Omar Alderete

Sunderland

47. Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

46. Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

45. Yankuba Minteh

Brighton

44. Ismaila Sarr

Crystal Palace

43. Gianluigi Donnarumma

Man City

42. Ruben Dias

Man City

41. Jan Paul van Hecke

Brighton

40. Josko Gvardiol

Man City

The notable fallers this week, understandably, include two Liverpool players. Salah has gone from being the best player in the top-flight to someone Arne Slot can afford to drop. The Egyptian falls out of the top 50 after a week in which he claimed the club had “thrown him under the bus”. He has been on the bench in the last three games and will be off to AFCON soon.

Times are also tough for centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who looks a shadow of his former self in defence. Against Sunderland in their 1-1 draw, he allowed Chemsdine Talbi the freedom of Anfield to get his shot away. The forward’s effort deflected off Van Dijk and flew into the net. It was a moment that summed up the Dutchman’s campaign, later going on to concede three against Leeds as well.

40-31

40. Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Leeds

39. Lewis Hall

Newcastle

38. Iliman Ndiaye

Everton

37. Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal

36. Sandro Tonali

Newcastle

35. Malick Thiaw

Newcastle

34. Jeremy Doku

Man City

33. Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal

32. Bryan Mbeumo

Man Utd

31. Granit Xhaka

Sunderland

Dominic Calvert-Lewin deservedly shoots up the rankings this week. He has struggled to find his form in recent years but has now scored in three successive games for Leeds. Has Daniel Farke finally found someone capable of saving them from relegation?

Newcastle defenders Malick Thiaw – a scorer of two goals a weekend prior – and Lewis Hall both feature inside the top 40.

30-21

30. Pedro Neto

Chelsea

29. Nico O’Reilly

Man City

28. Rayan Cherki

Man City

27. Matty Cash

Aston Villa

26. Jack Grealish

Everton

25. Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool

24. Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea

23. Nick Woltemade

Newcastle

22. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Everton

21. Antoine Semenyo

Bournemouth

Antoine Semenyo is one of the biggest fallers in recent weeks. During the opening months of the term, the Cherries winger looked like one of the best players in the league. Now, however, he’s failed to register a goal involvement across his last seven matches.

Elsewhere, Nico O’Reilly soars up the rankings following an impressive few weeks for Manchester City while Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is into the top 30 having netted three goals in his last four games.

20-11

20. Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace

19. David Raya

Arsenal

18. William Saliba

Arsenal

17. Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa

16. Eberechi Eze

Arsenal

15. Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal

14. Daniel Munoz

Crystal Palace

13. Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

12. Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest

11. Mikel Merino

Arsenal

The most underrated player in world football right now is quite possibly Mikel Merino. Mikel Arteta has transformed the Spaniard from a duel-winning monster in midfield to an elite number 9. He has scored vital headers against Chelsea and Brentford across recent game weeks and features inside the top 20.

It’s been a trickier few weeks for the Gunners, hence why the likes of Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes have both dropped out of the top ten.

10 Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace

Denied his move to Liverpool in the summer, Guehi has responded in emphatic fashion at Crystal Palace. He’s one of the finest centre-backs in the country and has even added goals to his game this term, scoring that last-gasp winner against Fulham last weekend.

9 Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle

There are not many more influential midfielders or captains in the Premier League right now than Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. He scored from a corner against Burnley last weekend, only cementing himself as a true icon at St James’ Park.

8 Jurrien Timber – Arsenal

Is there a better right-back in world football right now than Timber? We don’t think so. The Netherlands international has made Arsenal’s right flank his own and has been tremendous across the last few weeks, notably registering an assist in the Gunners’ big win against Spurs and then even filling in at centre-half against Brentford and Aston Villa.

7 Moises Caicedo – Chelsea

Caicedo may well have been sent off for a late challenge on Merino during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with the Gunners but he’s still very much one of the best in the division. Red card aside, he has been phenomenal in 2025/26.

6 Igor Thiago – Brentford

Only second to Erling Haaland in the Premier League’s scoring charts, Igor Thiago is enjoying quite the season as Keith Andrews’ leading man. He has scored nine goals in his last ten outings for the Bees.

5 Reece James – Chelsea

All of the talk this season has been about how good Declan Rice and Caicedo are but James has more than proven he’s a match for both players in midfield. delivering a man of the match performance against Arsenal a few weeks ago.

4 Phil Foden – Manchester City

When Phil Foden is on, he is on it. The 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Year had a quiet campaign by his standards in 2024/25 but he’s finally rediscovering his mojo. Foden scored a brace against Leeds United and Fulham before finding the net versus Sunderland last weekend.

3 Bruno Fernandes – Man United

Put a little quality around him and suddenly you see the real Bruno. The United skipper has easily been one of the finest assets in the top-flight this term and his performance against Wolves proved it. During that game he scored twice and also registered an assist as Ruben Amorim’s side won 4-1 at Molineux.

2 Erling Haaland – Man City

While the fierce Norwegian has blanked in recent matches against Newcastle, Leeds and Sunderland, he did score in that ridiculous 5-4 win over Fulham, also assisting twice. Haaland is absolutely unstoppable and is on track to obliterate the record for goals in a 38-game Premier League season.

1 Declan Rice – Arsenal

Adding end product to his game over the last 12 months, Rice is perhaps the standout midfielder in world football at present. Adding another assist to his tally against Tottenham, Arsenal’s number 41 dominated proceedings in the North London derby and his partnership with Martin Zubimendi looks virtually unplayable.

This season is shaping up to be one of Arsenal’s best in a very, very long time.

Now, there is still a lot of football to be played, but going into the third international break of the campaign, Mikel Arteta has his side top of the Premier League and with four wins from four in the Champions League.

What makes it all the more impressive is the fact that, aside from the defence, there is a real sense that the team aren’t even operating at their best.

Moreover, the club have a significant number of injured players set to return in the coming weeks, which will massively bolster the squad, although it might also make it clear that a certain player appreciated by Thierry Henry needs to be moved on.

Arsenal's injury crisis

Now, Arsenal supporters will be the first to admit that the team just weren’t good enough to win the league last season.

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However, a significant reason why the side was lacklustre on the domestic front was the absurd number of injuries Arteta has to deal with.

Understandably, the club sought to avoid a similar situation this year by signing eight first-team quality players in the summer, rather than spending record sums on individual players.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Chelsea

Eberechi Eze

Palace

Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting

Piero Hincapie

Leverkusen

Noni Madueke

Chelsea

Cristhian Mosquera

Valencia

Christian Norgaard

Brentford

Martin Zubimendi

Sociedad

It’s an approach that has already paid off multiple times this season, as even though it hasn’t been discussed as much, the squad has once again dealt with a barrage of injuries this season.

Noni Madueke was able to cover for Bukayo Saka; Cristhian Mosquera covered for Gabriel Mahgaelese; Eberechi Eze stood in for Martin Odegaard, and Viktor Gyokeres was thrown into the deep end in place of the injured Kai Havertz.

However, the dam can only hold out for so long, and over the last few weeks, the injury list has grown too significant, with Mikel Merino once again starting up top for two matches in a row.

In all, Arsenal were without six first-team players for the draw against Sunderland, and all six of them were attacking players, which helps explain why the bench looked so short on options and why the manager brought on only Mosquera.

The good news is that most of them will be back in contention after the international break, and all should be available to play by the new year.

However, that means the squad could become quite bloated in attack, and so it might be time to sell someone Henry was once very complimentary about.

The Arsenal star who should be sold

With Gyokeres and Madueke being summer signings and Havertz clearly a firm favourite of Arteta, it feels like, of all the injured players, it’s £45m man, Gabriel Jesus, who should be moved on.

Now, that is no indictment of the player himself, as at his best, the former Manchester City star was almost unplayable and capable of things that no other Arsenal attacker could even think of doing.

That’s not hyperbole either, as following a particularly impressive showing against Seville, the legendary Henry said he “would have loved to play with him” due to his close control and ability to create for others.

However, that was over two years ago, and it’s been over three years since he was at his utterly incredible best.

Since then, there have been flashes of that sensational ability, but every time he seems to build up any steam, he goes down with another injury.

Since the start of his Arsenal career in the 22/23 season, the Brazilian international has been injured seven times, which has seen him spend a grand total of 559 days on the sidelines and miss 90 games for club and country.

It doesn’t really matter how talented a player is; if they are that unreliable, then they are not an asset to a club.

24/25

370 days

56

23/24

89 days

17

22/23

100 days

17

20/21

60 days

14

19/20

34 days

5

18/19

26 days

6

17/18

76 days

13

16/17

68 days

15

Moreover, it’s not like the 28-year-old is on a modest wage; he’s currently earning a whopping £265k-per-week, which makes him the second-highest earner at the club.

Ultimately, Jesus is undeniably an excellent footballer, but he’s just never available when the club need him and considering he has such an enormous wage, it might be time to sell him in the winter, or at the end of the season.

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