All posts by z3u9t.icu

Glasgow Rangers slumped to yet another defeat under head coach Russell Martin when they were beaten 1-0 by Belgian giants Genk on Thursday night.

In front of their own fans at Ibrox, the Scottish Premiership giants were unable to win the supporters back over with an impressive performance. Instead, they failed to impress and could have lost by a greater margin.

To add insult to misery, it was former Celtic striker Hyeon-gyu Oh, who could have had three or four goals on the night, with the killer blow in the match, firing into the bottom corner on the counter-attack.

Rangers were also hit with a blow in the first half when central midfielder Mohamed Diomande was shown a straight red card for his challenge on El Ouahdi.

The Ivorian midfielder slid in to make the challenge, rolled his foot over the ball, and made contact with the opposition player above the ankle, which gave the referee no choice but to give him his marching orders.

It was an unfortunate situation, borne out of bad luck rather than malicious intent by Diomande, but it is a situation that Martin now has to deal with.

Why losing Mohamed Diomande is a blow for Rangers

The left-footed star’s suspension for the clash with Sturm Graz in the Europa League next Thursday is a big blow for Rangers because he is an important player in the middle of the park.

Diomande has not made the best start to the Premiership season, losing 56% of his duels and failing to register a goal or an assist (per Sofascore), but his form in the Europa League in the 2024/25 campaign shows that he can be a big player for the Gers on the European stage.

The 23-year-old star started nine of his ten appearances in the competition for Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson last season, and showed off his strength out of possession for the Light Blues.

Tackles

19

Top 19%

Duels won

53

Top 11%

Duel success rate

54%

Top 35%

Interceptions

11

Top 23%

Ball recoveries

47

Top 22%

Blocked shots

3

Top 29%

Fouls won

18

Top 5%

As you can see in the table above, Diomande ranked highly among his fellow central midfielders in the Europa League last season when it came to contributing to defensive actions in the middle of the park.

These statistics show that he is an incredibly combative and defensively sound operator more often than not, as silly as that sounds to say after he was shown a straight red card against Genk.

Rangers will now have to reconfigure their starting line-up when they come to face Sturm Graz next week, because they will not have Diomande available to provide his energy and combativeness in midfield.

However, Martin could look for a creative solution to the problem instead of just putting Connor Barron or Joe Rothwell into the side as a direct replacement for the Ivorian star in midfield.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

That creative solution could be to deploy a brand-new formation against Sturm Graz, which should not be out of the question when you consider that the current set-up has led to four wins in 14 matches for the head coach to date.

Instead of unleashing another midfielder in Diomande’s place, Martin should bring Bojan Miovski into the starting line-up to play alongside Youssef Chermiti in a 4-4-2 formation for the Scottish giants.

Why Miovski should replace Diomande for Rangers

With exciting wingers like Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama available to play on the flanks, playing with two out-and-out centre-forwards could be a good way for Rangers to go against Sturm Graz, leaving Nico Raskin and Thelo Aasgaard in central midfield.

Chermiti made his full debut for the Gers against Genk, having signed in a deal worth up to £10m from Everton in the summer transfer window, but found himself crowded out too often.

One of the, many, issues that Rangers have had this season is that their lone centre-forward has looked too isolated and detached from the rest of the players on the pitch, which has made it too easy for opposition defenders to bully them out of matches.

Duels won per game

2.5

5.0

Ground duel success rate

40%

33%

Aerial duel success rate

9%

33%

Pass accuracy

79%

67%

Possession lost per game

4.5x

10x

Fouls committed per game

2.0

1.0

As you can see in the table above, Miovski and Chermiti have both been dominated by centre-backs in duels in their starts for the Light Blues so far this season, which suggests that the current system is not doing enough to give them the support that they need.

Therefore, switching to a 4-4-2 and having two number nines to occupy the opposition defenders could give the Gers more of an edge in their physical battles at the top end of the pitch, helping them to hold the ball up more effectively and to win more first contacts from balls into the box from wide areas.

As you can see in the graphic above, Miovski was a prolific scorer during his last spell in Scottish football with Aberdeen, which shows that he can be a lethal forward for the Gers.

The Macedonia international, who was hailed as a “complete” player by journalist Josh Bunting, scored his first goal for Rangers in the 2-0 win over Hibernian in the League Cup last weekend, which will hopefully be the first of many for him at Ibrox.

Miovski’s experience and goalscoring pedigree could make him the dream strike partner for 21-year-old Chermiti, who did not score a single competitive goal during his two-year spell with Everton.

They could complement each other well because the 6 foot 4 frame of Chermiti could put the hard work in physically, allowing the slight, more mobile, Miovski to make runs in behind to create chances for himself and his teammates.

Not Dyche or Gerrard: Rangers should axe Martin for future "elite manager"

With Russell Martin under intense pressure as Rangers boss, the 49ers should make a future “elite manager” their top target to replace him at Ibrox.

Sep 25, 2025

Therefore, the red card for Diomande could end up being a blessing in disguise if it forces Martin to be creative with a brand-new formation that could turn the team’s fortunes around.

What a turbulent week it has been for Nottingham Forest. The East Midlands side have seen their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, sacked after around 18 months in the hot seat at the City Ground. His replacement has already been named as former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.

However, Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett said “the writing was on the wall” when Edu was appointed the club’s sporting director. Forest spent plenty of money over the summer, too, increasing the size of their squad and spending freely as they have under owner Evangelos Marinakis.

It was certainly a surprise when one of those signings, Omari Hutchinson, was omitted from the Europa League squad.

Hutchinson’s time at Forest so far

England under-21 international Hutchinson made the move to the City Ground from Ipswich Town, who were relegated at the end of last season. He cost the East Midlands side a club-record fee of £37.5m and signed a five-year contract.

In two games under Nuno so far, the 21-year-old has only made two fleeting appearances. His debut was an eight-minute cameo against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and he played one minute in the 3-0 loss at home to West Ham United.

On the face of things, it is strange that Hutchinson has played so little football for Forest. Even if he is not match fit and ready to start, you might have thought he’d play more than nine minutes in two games. He was a key player for England under-21s in their successful European Championship campaign and scored in the final.

Even stranger, then, is the fact the forward was omitted from the Europa League squad. Charlie Austin said on Sky Sports that “Nottingham Forest convincing Omari Hutchinson to come play for that football club, European football would have been a part of it”, so to leave him out is a strange decision.

It will be fascinating to see if Postecoglou unleashes Hutchinson early on in his reign. There is another player who the Australian manager might well choose to play, who Nuno did not.

The Forest outcast Postecoglou could now unleash

It was certainly a big summer for Forest. Signing several new players to wear Garibaldi Red this season does mean there are going to be some unhappy people in that squad, but one player’s lack of involvement has been a surprise.

27-year-old midfielder Douglas Luiz was a summer addition from Juventus. He signed for the Nottingham-based outfit on a season-long loan from the Old Lady, with an obligation to buy him at the end of the season if certain conditions are met.

Yet, Luiz has played even less than Hutchinson. The former Aston Villa midfielder was an unused substitute for the two games he’s been available for. That surprised talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who said it was a decision that “spelt the end for Nuno” at Forest.

It is curious that the Brazilian has played so little at Forest. His time at Villa Park showed just how good of a Premier League player he is. In 204 games for the Villans, he scored 22 times and assisted 24, operating as a number six, controlling the game, and a number eight.

The tenacity shown in the video above from 2023/24 is exactly what he can bring to the Forest midfield.

His underlying numbers from that campaign are impressive, with the Brazilian having a 60% take-on success rate and winning 4.5 duels per 90 minutes.

Chances created

1.6

53

Forward passes

12.5

415

Take-on success

60%

60%

Duels won

4.5

148

Ball recoveries

5.6

184

It is certainly hard to understand why Nuno didn’t field Luiz at all this season. However, with the quality he can bring on the ball and his engine out of possession, he is a midfielder that Postecoglou can depend on.

Forest are next in action away to Arsenal, so it will be fascinating to see if their new manager gives Luiz minutes. He will certainly be hoping to avoid some of the mistakes Nuno made towards the end of his tenure.

Zinchenko in, Ndoye axed for £30m "menace": Ange's dream Nottingham Forest XI

A look at Ange Postecoglou’s dream starting lineup at Nottingham Forest

1 ByJoe Nuttall Sep 11, 2025

Aston Villa have now been credited with an interest in signing a “world-class” £21 million ace who is already in talks with Manchester City.

Aston Villa line up replacements for Ollie Watkins

In recent weeks, Ollie Watkins’ name has been mentioned in regards to a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United. It’s been reported that the 29-year-old is considered a key target for Ruben Amorim, and Watkins himself is said to be keen on the move to Old Trafford.

Aston Villa "ready" to move for "special" £60m star with Emery a "big fan"

The Villans are poised to make an approach for a forward, who would jump at the opportunity to move to Villa Park.

ByDominic Lund Jul 21, 2025

Ideally, Villa would like to keep hold of the England international, but it has also been claimed that they have placed a £60 million price tag on Watkins’ head. Should the forward leave, Villa would need to find a suitable replacement, and according to recent reports, there are two names under consideration.

Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri revealed over the weekend that Villa could look to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani should Watkins depart Villa Park. The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus but has now returned to France, where it looks as though he has no future.

Villa are not the only team interested in Kolo Muani, as Manchester United and Newcastle are also keen and have held talks over a possible move.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is also a target for the Villans, as Unai Emery is a big fan of the forward after the pair worked together at Villarreal. Jackson is said to be open to a move to Villa, as he would be interested in working with Emery once again.

Aston Villa keen on Denzel Dumfries despite Man City talks

But signing a new striker is not all that the Midlands side are focused on, as according to reports relayed by Birmingham Live, Aston Villa are interested in signing Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan.

The 29-year-old, who has been with the Serie A giants since 2021, signed a new contract in November last year, extending his stay until 2028. However, his new deal has a release clause worth €25 million, which is roughly £21 million, and that runs until the end of July.

Dumfries, who has been labelled “world-class” by renowned analytics company StatMuse, is weighing up his future, as he’s yet to settle on a permanent agent. The Dutch international has been linked with a move to Barcelona as a potential replacement for Jules Koundé, but perhaps more worryingly for Villa, Football Transfers reported earlier this month that Man City have held talks to sign Dumfries this summer, as the Blues are in the market for a new right-back.

Apps

179

Goals

22

Assists

26

Villa do already have Matty Cash and Andres Garcia at their disposal for the right-back spot, but Emery might feel it is time for a new arrival who can be deployed in various formations as a wing-back and full-back.

Arsenal are in talks over a move for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, according to widespread reports, but another high-profile attacker may well follow the 27-year-old to north London.

£140m signings start alongside Zubimendi: AI predicts Arsenal's 2025/26 line-up

It could be a productive transfer market for the Gunners.

4 ByCharlie Smith Jun 28, 2025

GiveMeSport and other reliable media outlets reported that Eze’s representatives held “positive” talks with Arsenal last weekend, and the England international is pretty keen on a switch to the potential Premier League title challengers.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£5m

Andrea Berta also possesses the option of paying his £68 million release clause in installments, which they’ll likely take up, as Arsenal look to back Mikel Arteta whilst erring on the side of caution when it comes to PSR.

The notion of spreading out Eze’s transfer fee will also be a huge help when it comes to signing another star winger, which is what Arsenal are expected to try and do (Fabrizio Romano).

It is believed that Arsenal are looking at both a right and left-winger, with Eze potentially poised to fill just one of these spots as Berta looks at signing another wide player to come in with the 27-year-old.

One of their other wide targets, alongside Chelsea forward Noni Madueke, is £206,000-per-week Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

The Brazil international is said to be a “dream” target for Arteta’s side, and he could push to leave the Bernabeu once their Club World Cup campaign concludes.

“I think Rodrygo is quickly emerging as Arsenal’s dream target,” journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR Football this week.

“From what I’m hearing, from people close to the situation, once Real Madrid get back from the Club World Cup, Rodrygo is going to make it clear that he wants to leave.

“I think everything points towards Rodrygo leaving and my belief is that Arsenal will be towards the top of his desired places to go.”

Arsenal will move to sign Rodrygo with Eberechi Eze on one condition

Now, GiveMeSport provide another update on Arsenal’s interest in the 24-year-old – who’s bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions since the start of 2024/2025.

They report that Arsenal would love to sign Rodrygo this summer, and will move for the ex-Santos sensation with Eze on one condition.

If they get clear signals from the South American that he’s willing to leave Real and make a Premier League move, then Arsenal will make an approach, but until that point, they’re still waiting for his green-light.

Considering the other reports that he’s likely to request a transfer from Real, Arteta might not be waiting too long for Rodrygo’s approval, so this could be one to keep an eye on.

Los Blancos legend, Luka Modrić, has already stated that Rodrygo is a “world class superstar” – partly highlighting why Arsenal are so keen on him.

They say strengthen while you’re on top, and that is exactly what Liverpool have done this summer, with the runaway Premier League champions having already secured three marquee deals to bolster Arne Slot’s ranks.

After a quiet first summer in charge, the Dutch coach has so far welcomed Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez into the fold – alongside two new goalkeepers – with rumours still rife regarding a further move for Crystal Palace captain, Marc Guehi.

With Darwin Nunez’s impending switch to Napoli also heightening the need for a striker, the Reds don’t appear to be done just yet – a scary prospect for the chasing pack.

The dream XI Liverpool could build: Wirtz signs & "the next Mbappe" arrives

Liverpool are making sweeping changes in the transfer market as Slot prepares to defend his PL title.

3 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 3, 2025

What is yet to be seen, however, is whether such incomings will spark a raft of further outgoings at Anfield to help balance the books, with speculation rife over Luis Diaz’s future at the club.

The latest on Luis Diaz's Liverpool future

Previously looking set to be the man to replace Sadio Mane on the left flank, Diaz found a new home for himself through the middle under the new Slot regime last term, resulting in his best return for the club to date with 25 goals and assists in 50 games in all competitions.

The 28-year-old appears to have properly found his groove in a Liverpool shirt, although with just two years left to run on his existing deal, it remains to be seen what the future lies in store, with talk of an extension having seemingly gone quiet.

That uncertainty has provided a potential opportunity for suitors to pounce, with recent months having seen Barcelona heavily linked with a move, while interest in the Colombian has also emerged from Saudi Arabia.

A further destination also presented itself in the form of Bayern Munich, with the Bundesliga side’s director of sport, Max Eberl, believed to have made contact amid the hopes of landing the £73m-rated forward.

As revealed by journalist Paul Joyce, that approach has been rebuffed by the Merseysiders, with Liverpool holding firm on their stance that the player is not for sale.

Diaz may yet stay at Anfield this summer it would seem – although that’s not to say the club aren’t seeking a potential upgrade in the attacking ranks…

Liverpool's search for a new forward

The Reds’ interest in Alexander Isak remains a hot topic on Merseyside, albeit with the fact remaining that it would take a colossal bid to prise the Swede from St James’ Park, not least with Newcastle United reportedly slapping down a £200m price tag.

Alternative centre-forward options thus need to be considered, with journalist Fabrizio Romano – speaking on his YouTube channel – reporting that Liverpool are actually “discussing” a move for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

The suggestion is that Slot and co will step up their interest in the £85m marksman if and when Nunez’s expected exit is sealed, with Romano stating:

Transfer Focus

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

“Liverpool are working on this deal, they are discussing the possibility of adding Hugo Ekitike to their squad. The idea of Liverpool is to have one more striker, they are waiting to understand what happens with Darwin Nunez with conversations ongoing with Napoli.

“Liverpool can add a new striker, so Hugo Ekitike remains a name on the list for the club.”

Why Ekitike could be an upgrade on Diaz

The beauty of Diaz in Slot’s tenure thus far has been his surprising versatility, with the orthodox left-winger having fashioned a new role for himself as a false nine or centre-forward, amid Nunez’s dismal return of just seven goals across all fronts in 2024/25.

That said, Ekitike also boasts that same flexibility to feature off the left or in a central role, with the promising Frenchman having even eclipsed Diaz’s return of 25 goal involvements last term.

Indeed, the 23-year-old – who was previously on the books at Paris Saint-Germain – racked up a mammoth haul of 34 goals and assists in just 48 games in Germany last time out, having surpassed his Liverpool counterpart in both of those metrics.

Michael Olise

12

18

30

Mason Greenwood

21

6

27

Erling Haaland

22

3

25

Bradley Barcola

14

11

25

Cole Palmer

15

9

24

Yamine Lamal

9

15

24

Hugo Ekitike

15

8

23

Florian Wirtz

10

13

23

On the league front, in particular, it was Ekitike who also enjoyed the greater success with 15 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga, with Diaz, by contrast, contributing ‘just’ 13 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.

Away from just that end product, the Frankfurt star also came out on top with regard to big chances created (12 vs eight), as well as for successful dribbles completed (1.6 vs 1.5), as per Sofascore, thus showcasing the full array of his talents.

Lauded as a “world-class” figure by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the relative youngster has also been described as looking like the “perfect centre-forward” by TNT pundit Owen Hargreaves – all while still just 23.

While Liverpool certainly don’t need to weaken their ranks by selling Diaz, providing increased competition in the forward line would be a mouthwatering prospect, not least if the Reds would actually be getting an upgrade in the process.

The next Henderson: Liverpool now closing in on a "monster" new signing

Liverpool are running rampant in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 2, 2025

Even though Arsenal are blessed with an abundance of talented players, it’s not hard to pinpoint their most important: Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon has become a talisman for the club and a constant source of goals and assists from the right-hand side, racking up a sensational haul of 26 goal involvements in 37 games this season.

Yet, as unbelievably talented as the Englishman is, he cannot drag the Gunners to glory on his own, as even Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has an incredible supporting cast, including the likes of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and most crucially, this season, Cody Gakpo.

So, fans should be excited about recent reports linking Arsenal to an attacker who’s been compared to Saka and the Flying Dutchman.

Arsenal's winger search

With their attack letting them down on several occasions this season, it’s not been a surprise to see Arsenal linked with a host of talented wingers this summer, such as Karou Mitoma and Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

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

The former could be available for around £80m and was able to rack up a tally of 15 goal involvements in 41 games this season, while the latter might cost as much as £77m but was even more effective, racking up a haul of 14 goals and 11 assists in 52 games.

Yet, there is another name that has entered the frame, a player who has Premier League experience and has been compared to Saka and Gakpo: Noni Madueke.

According to a recent report from the Telegraph, Arsenal are now one of several teams in the picture to sign the former Spurs academy star and Chelsea forward this summer.

The report claims that while the Blues do not want to sell the Englishman, there is a distinct possibility that he would be let go for the right price.

While that price is not mentioned in the story, reports from earlier this month claimed that a fee in the region of €60m, which is about £51m, could do the trick.

It might not be a transfer that is immediately popular with Arsenal fans, but Madueke has shown glimpses of quality in the Premier League, and the fact he’s been compared to Saka and Gakpo is undoubtedly intriguing.

How Madueke compares to Saka & Gakpo

So then, before going over some of the other reasons why Arsenal might want to sign Madueke this summer, it’s important to examine these comparisons and where they stem from.

Well, they both stem from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in the Premier League this season before making a list of the ten most comparable for each.

According to this list, Gakpo was the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to Chelsea this season, while Saka was the tenth most similar.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.61

0.71

Shots

3.54

3.44

Passing Accuracy

77.4%

75.5%

Passes into the Final Third

0.71

0.78

Tackles Won

0.80

0.78

Clearances

0.49

0.42

Successful Take-On %

44.1%

45.6%

Aerial Duels Won

0.49

0.52

Now, the best way to understand how these conclusions were reached is by looking at some of the underlying numbers in which the players rank closely, and in the case of the Gunners’ talisman, that includes things like non-penalty expected goals plus assist, passing accuracy, passes into the final third, clearances, tackles won and more, all per 90.

In the case of the Eindhoven-born maestro, similar metrics include expected assists, live passes, carries, ball recoveries, goal-creating actions, and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.61

0.53

Passing Accuracy

77.4%

75.7%

Expected Assists

0.14

0.18

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.35

0.37

Live Passes

29.2

28.7

Goal-Creating Actions

0.35

0.37

Carries

28.4

28.1

Ball Recoveries

3.72

3.58

However, it’s not just the comparisons to two of the best wingers in the league that should excite fans, as the “unbelievable” dynamo, as dubbed by former manager Mauricio Pochettino, has also been a relatively reliable source of goals and assists for the West Londoners.

For example, in 42 appearances this season, totalling 2513 minutes, the 23-year-old “mentality monster,” as dubbed by personal coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, scored 11 goals and provided five assists, which comes out to a goal involvement on average every 2.62 games, or every 157.06 minutes.

In comparison, Gabriel Martinelli racked up as many goal involvements in 51 appearances, totalling 3564 minutes, which comes out to a significantly worse average of a goal involvement every 3.18 games, or every 222.75 minutes.

Ultimately, while the price might be a little high, Madueke has the raw ability to make a difference for Arsenal, and the fact he’s been compared to players like Saka and Gakpo this season suggests as much.

Therefore, if the fee can be reduced somewhat, then this looks like a transfer worth chasing.

Big Martinelli upgrade: Arsenal start talks to sign "magnificent" £85m star

The incredible winger would add so much dynamism to Arsenal’s attack.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 20, 2025

Liverpool’s defence played a huge role in their ability to claim the Premier League title this season, offering Arne Slot a strong foundation to build his side off.

The Reds conceded just 41 times in their 38 outings, with only runners-up Arsenal conceding fewer goals, with their impressive tally of 34, highlighting how impressive Slot’s backline were in 2024/25.

They also kept 14 clean sheets – the most of any side in the division – with the ability to keep the ball out of the net playing a massive role in their success within England’s top flight.

Such a department has been boosted massively over the past few months, after club captain Virgil van Dijk signed a new two-year deal at Anfield, extending his stint on Merseyside to just under a decade.

Despite the Dutchman signing a new deal, the hierarchy have wasted no time in targeting other players in such an area to help the side in their quest to retain their title.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new defenders this summer

With Jeremie Frimpong already agreeing a move to join Liverpool this summer, the club have wasted no time in landing a replacement for the outgoing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Milos Kerkez is another name who looks set to make the switch to Merseyside this summer, with the Hungarian in advanced talks over a switch to Anfield – potentially costing a fee in the region of £45m.

The pair could be joined by another defensive reinforcement, in the form of Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, according to Moroccan outlet Le360 Sport.

They claim that the Reds have already made a concrete offer to sign the 19-year-old, who spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Ligue 2 outfit Amiens.

It also states that Newcastle are also interested in the teenage star, with Slot’s men the only side to present a bid for his signature, but doesn’t reveal how much the proposal is for the youngster.

Why Liverpool’s latest target would be Slot’s own Huijsen

Over the last couple of months, Liverpool have been keeping a close eye on the progress of Spanish centre-back Dean Huijsen after his impressive stint at Bournemouth this season.

The 20-year-old featured in 32 league games for the Cherries in the Premier League, scoring on three occasions, even winning their Player of the Year award.

Such form led to the Reds’ hierarchy meeting with the defender’s representatives a couple of weeks ago, but he rejected a stay in England to return to Spain in favour of a £50m move to Real Madrid.

Undoubtedly, his decision to move to the LaLiga outfit has been a blow for Slot’s side, but they could land their own version of Huijsen this summer, in the form of current target Ait Boudlal.

The Moroccan could follow suit of the Spaniard, who achieved his move to the Premier League after spending a stint on loan at Roma from Juventus, plying his trade for another team in Italy before getting his chance to shine.

The Rennes ace has done the same this campaign in France, moving to Amiens and gaining valuable minutes to aid his progression at the top end of the professional game.

Should he move to Liverpool this summer, Ait Boudlal would have the potential to emulate Huijsen’s levels in the Premier League, offering needed depth to Slot at the heart of the defence.

Games played

9

Goals & assists

1

Pass accuracy

83%

Dribble success

60%

Tackles won

47%

Aerials won

2.3

Total duels won

4.9

His stats this season highlight the talent he possesses, having the ability to improve massively under his guidance in the years ahead, especially considering his tender age.

Ait Boudlal, who’s been labelled “complete” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has already been a regular at multiple levels of the internal setup within his country – having a huge part to play in their future success at competitions such as AFCON.

It would certainly be a signing for the future, but the signs are there for the teenager to follow suit of Huijsen and make a sensational switch to England from Rennes this summer.

It’s unclear how much a deal would set the hierarchy back in the coming months, but if he manages to get anywhere close to the levels produced by the Spaniard, it would be a bargain and one that could hand the club a huge talent in their quest for title glory.

Their own Mbappe: Liverpool make £150m star their dream target after Wirtz

Liverpool could be about to make another huge move for a player during this summer’s transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 4, 2025

Liverpool are now leading the race to complete the signing of a “great” player in the summer transfer window, according to a new update from Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool eyeing signings on either flank

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been a legendary full-back pairing for the Reds over the past seven or eight years, but there is a changing of the guard at Anfield this summer.

Sadly, Alexander-Arnold has opted to leave Liverpool in order to almost certainly join Real Madrid, which unsurprisingly hasn’t gone down well with many supporters, while Robertson isn’t the force he once was at left-back – no surprise, considering he is now 31 and has years of relentless running behind him.

Jeremie Frimpong is set to arrive from Bayer Leverkusen, potentially coming in as a right-back, but he is also more than capable of taking up a more attacking right-sided role. It remains to be seen how Arne Slot will use him, and if Conor Bradley will be first-choice right-back moving forward.

Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez has emerged as the strongest option at left-back, following an excellent season with Bournemouth, although Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato have also been mentioned as options. Manchester City have reportedly been looking to hijack a move for Kerkez, though, being seen as “genuine rivals” for his signature.

Liverpool in pole position to sign Kerkez after talks

Taking to X on Sunday, Romano said that Liverpool are in pole position to sign Kerkez from Bournemouth this summer, with talks continuing to head in the right direction:

Kerkez really does feel like the natural fit to come in and be Liverpool’s new first-choice left-back, ticking so many boxes, in terms of what Slot will be looking for.

The 21-year-old Hungary international is strong at both ends of the pitch, bagging seven goal contributions (two goals and five assists) in the Premier League this season, as well as averaging 2.6 clearances and 1.4 tackles per game.

Appearances

37

Starts

37

Minutes played

3,251

Goals

2

Assists

5

Clearances per game

2.6

Tackles per game

1.4

Interceptions per game

1.2

Key passes per game

0.9

In fact, Kerkez’s performances haven’t been lost on Slot, who has said he has enjoyed a “great season”, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig called him “amazing” after Bournemouth beat Manchester City earlier in the season.

At this point, it could be a surprise if the Cherries star didn’t join Liverpool, in a summer transfer window that is already threatening to be legendary.

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If the Reds manage to sign Kerkez, Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and a top-quality striker, it will be significant business that may only make them far stronger heading into next season.

Both Birmingham City and Wrexham will be attempting to unsettle the Championship after promotion, knowing full well that they have immense pulling power as teams on the rise.

After all, Chris Davies’ runaway League One champions didn’t just win Jay Stansfield by chance, with St. Andrew’s a glamorous location to now ply your trade courtesy of Tom Wagner’s mega millions boosting the once downtrodden giants.

Therefore, if they were able to tempt their top scorer down to the third tier, it’s amazing to contemplate what other earth-shattering signings they could now get in through the door.

The Blues are certainly dominating a lot of EFL conversation this summer with who they’re being linked with, with this dream XI below surely the best plausible lineup Davies could call upon when the excitement of Championship action gets underway.

1 GK – Mark Travers

Firstly, Birmingham might well believe they need to improve in-between the sticks when adjusting back up to the second tier.

Their usual number one goalkeeper Ryan Allsop only shipped 26 goals in league action last season, but if they were able to land Mark Travers – following links to the Bournemouth man – he would surely get the first-team nod over the recent promotion winner.

After all, Travers has significant experience in the Championship on his side with 76 career games at the level under his belt. To add to that, he has also kept a respectable 26 clean sheets along the way.

2 RB – Ethan Laird

Whilst there could be some change in goal, Ethan Laird will be hopeful that his secure first-team spot at right-back remains set in stone for the jump up.

The ex-Manchester United full-back was as much of an attacking menace for the Blues last season as he was a defensive warrior, as seen in his impressive five goals and four assists in league action, on top of also winning a high 6.4 duels on average per contest.

3 CB – Ben Davies

The second signing Birmingham could make is to bring loan hero Ben Davies back permanently after he was a defensive colossus all of last campaign, away from parent employers Rangers.

Davies would strike up a fine partnership with Christoph Klarer – as seen in the pair tallying up a mammoth 38 clean sheets between them – with the Blues boss hopeful that the experienced 29-year-old can look as assured in the league above if he remains put.

4 CB – Christoph Klarer

The aforementioned Klarer would love to line up alongside his ex-Preston North End teammate once more, having been near faultless next to the 6-foot-1 enforcer at the top end of League One.

The dominant Austrian is also very deserving of his plaudits, considering he managed to register seven big chances created playing out from the back, away from just merely putting his equally towering frame to good use.

5 LB – Alex Cochrane

Making up the final component of the imposing back four is former Hearts man Alex Cochrane.

Much like his partner in crime down the right, Cochrane has been able to show off his ability to create chances galore throughout the League One season, culminating in him creating a sizeable nine big chances from 42 overall clashes.

To cap off his sterling individual campaign, the 25-year-old also bagged this beauty against Stevenage in April.

6 CM – Tomoki Iwata

Heading into the midfield areas and Tomoki Iwata will be keen to prove himself as a Championship-ready talent after some stylish showings in the third tier.

Iwata would go on to be an absolute steal from Celtic when joining for around £the £800k mark, considering the Japanese midfielder would round off his first-ever EFL adventure with eight goals and two assists next to his name.

7 CM – Kanya Fuijmoto

Iwata might well be joined by a new teammate centrally, however, as Birmingham continue to be linked with a switch for Gil Vicente ace Kanya Fujimoto.

The newly promoted side must be holding out hope that Fujimoto can be Iwata 2.0 on his potential St. Andrew’s arrival, with the 28-year-old’s compatriot proving himself to be as slick as the Blues number 24 playing out in Portugal.

Whilst he is comfortable slotting in as a number ten – as seen in his five goals and five assists in league action last season – Fujimoto can also line up as a traditional central midfield option, meaning he could partner Iwata very soon in England.

8 RM – Kwame Poku

Birmingham won’t be content with just three new purchases ahead of Championship football triumphantly returning with a fourth potentially in the offing with Kwame Poku, amid reports that an offer has been made to the Peterborough star.

It’s been a drawn-out saga this summer already involving Poku and Davies’ side, but if Birmingham are finally successful in landing the tricky Ghanaian’s services over a crazy 25 other suitors, he would slot into the team effortlessly down the right wing.

24/25

31

12

11

23/24

47

12

8

22/23

45

5

9

21/22

23

0

2

Posh manager Darren Ferguson would hail Poku as “unplayable” just this season gone, and when taking his consistent brilliance above, it’s clear to see why, with a ridiculous 23 goal contributions notched up across a memorable 2024/25.

Surely, he’s now ready for the challenge of affirming himself as an EFL superstar even more in the West Midlands.

9 CAM – Jay Stansfield

Stansfield is arguably another big name when it comes to the EFL, with Birmingham fans head over heels for the former Fulham forward.

He would end his own distinguished 2024/25 campaign by firing home 19 league strikes, meaning he could absolutely terrorise Championship defences when partnered with Poku.

10 LM – Keshi Anderson

Whilst the likes of Stansfield stole most of the limelight during Birmingham’s smooth title success, Keshi Anderson also regularly put in fine performances as a more seasoned head of the group.

In all competitions, the pacey left winger would tally up a hefty nine goals and eight assists, with Davies confident now that the experienced attacker can come good in the second tier, having played here previously and somewhat struggled with ex-employers Blackpool.

Worryingly, every team that seals promotion up to the Premier League immediately knows they’ll be up against it trying to stay afloat in its choppy waters. That will be the main concern now for Burnley.

Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton are going to fall back down to the Championship after one fleeting campaign in the tough division, with the Clarets hopeful, yet definitely apprehensive that they can buck this dismal trend when they reenter the top league shortly.

Scott Parker’s attempts to solidify the Clarets as a top-flight worthy side once more will be made a lot harder if Josh Brownhill were to depart Turf Moor, with the experienced midfielder’s future still up in the air heading into the hectic summer transfer window.

Brownhill's future at Burnley

Already, the Clarets are having to stomach the prospect of CJ Egan-Riley leaving the club for pastures new with RC Strasbourg.

Unfortunately, Brownhill could be next for the exit door if rumours are to be believed, with Turkish sides Trabzonspor and Besiktas now eyeing up the soon-to-be out-of-contract attacking gem, away from earlier interest from the likes of Everton and West Ham United.

Losing Egan-Riley is already a damaging body blow for Parker’s newly promoted outfit, but adding Brownhill into the mix would be nothing short of disastrous, considering the 29-year-old would hammer 18 goals in league action last season to help seal automatic promotion.

Moreover, the Manchester-born star – who is also reportedly on the radar of Wolverhampton Wanderers – possesses experience of the Premier League to further boost the Clarets, but there’s a worry he could now up and leave before top-flight football officially returns to Turf Moor.

Losing him for nothing would also be very painful for the Lancashire side, considering his estimated worth currently stands at around the £9.5m range according to Football Transfers.

But, there is a midfield teammate of Brownhill’s who actually now boasts a heftier worth than the stand-out 29-year-old after an impressive debut season under Parker’s wing.

The Burnley star who is now worth more than Brownhill

In their bid to immediately return to the promised land of the Premier League, Burnley surprisingly didn’t splash obscene masses of cash.

Indeed, £15.4m was the most spent on a single player in the form of Mike Tresor. Whilst Tresor would unfortunately fade into the background, another of their summer purchases would shine as ex-Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri ended up relocating to the Clarets for a modest £5.4m fee.

He wouldn’t be an immediate success in his new location as he got up to speed, but Hannibal’s importance to the cause would be seen when crucial promotion games came thick and fast.

Indeed, his well-taken strike got the ball rolling for Parker’s nervy Clarets against Norwich City, while he also registered two assists when Burnley flawlessly won their last five league contests to finish inside the top two.

Lauded as an “absolute baller” during his time at Man United by scout Antonio Mango, he’s now finally living up to that immense potential.

Games played

39

Goals scored

1

Assists

5

Value when joining

£5.4m

Value now

£9.7m

Value increase

£4.3m

The Tunisian hasn’t blown anyone away with constant vibrant displays, but it’s clear the 22-year-old could only get better with time at Turf Moor, with this promise seen in his transfer value already increasing to a high £10m just a season into his Burnley move.

This is a small jump up from 18-goal hero Brownhill’s own valuation, with Parker praying that both Hannibal and the more seasoned head of the 29-year-old can link up with each other in the top-flight.

If that doesn’t happen, however, the ex-Fulham boss will know Hannibal will be raring to prove himself in the elite division, having already picked up the pieces with the Clarets after his Old Trafford departure.

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