All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United have yet to make a signing so far this summer and it’s fair to say a large section of the fanbase are getting edgy.

Eddie Howe must bolster several areas of his squad ahead of next season, especially with Champions League football returning to St James’ Park once again.

There hasn’t been a shortage of names linked. From Joao Pedro to Harvey Elliott, Howe is keen on strengthening his attacking options.

It is the defence which perhaps needs the most work, however. Could a deal for Marc Guehi be completed before the end of the window?

Newcastle's pursuit of Marc Guehi

The Magpies have been tracking Guehi for quite some time now, and it remains to be seen whether Howe will be able to make a concrete move to sign him.

Last season, the English centre-back ranked highly across a range of metrics when compared to his peers. Indeed, he ranked in the top 21% for ball recoveries (4.3) per 90 and in the top 20% for blocks (1.62) and in the top 22% for dribblers tackled (0.91) per 90.

He also won an impressive 63% of his ground duels per game in the Premier League last term, suggesting that the defender would make for an excellent signing.

Accurate passes

43.1

Tackles

1.8

Interceptions

0.8

Total duels won

4.9

Possession lost

9.7

Ball recoveries

4.3

Yet, with Liverpool now in talks to land the Englishman, reportedly even closing in on a move, the Toon will have to turn to alternative options.

Newcastle's dream Guehi alternative

According to reports in Italy (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are locked in talks to sign Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini this summer.

The report states that Atalanta don’t want to sell the 21-year-old, but if an offer of around €40-50m (£34m – £43m) arrives, they might have to reconsider.

It won’t be cheap bringing the player to Newcastle, but he could be a dream Guehi alternative, that’s for sure.

The youngster only played six league games last term, but he still won 57% of his total duels per game, as well as averaging 1.3 tackles per game and succeeding with 85% of his passes.

Hailed as a “top talent” by none other than Fabrizio Romano back in 2022, Scalvini could come of age should he make a move to St James’ Park this summer.

While he didn’t play often last term, when compared to his peers during Atalanta’s victorious Europa League campaign in 2023/24, he sparkled across several metrics.

Not only did he rank in the top 2% for tackles per 90 (3.94), but he also ranked in the top 21% for progressive carries (1.31) and in the top 7% for ball recoveries (7.69) per 90.

Pitting those numbers against Guehi last term, Guehi only made 1.79 tackles, 0.65 progressive carries and 4.30 ball recoveries per 90 minutes.

Against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final that season, the Italian notably managed to keep the likes of Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface quiet, winning three of his four duels and losing possession just once.

Should he make the move to Newcastle and replicate that performance on a consistent basis, Scalvini could perhaps be an even better signing than Guehi. That’s for sure.

The next Gordon: Newcastle have made contact to sign "special" £40m star

Newcastle are seeking to bolster their ranks ahead of their return to Champions League football

2 ByRobbie Walls Jun 29, 2025

The storm that has clouded Newcastle United’s early summer transfer window is perhaps showing signs of abating, even if Eddie Howe’s outfit have seen bids rejected for three top targets.

That’s according to the Times, whose revelation that offers for Anthony Elanga, Joao Pedro and James Trafford were rebuffed will no doubt have been met by a chorus of frustration over on Tyneside.

At the very least, United are showing ambitious intent, and though slapping a £200m price tag on Alexander Isak to ward off interest from Liverpool might have proved a double-edged sword, for clubs will hardball the Toon in their own dealings henceforth, there’s no doubt breakthroughs will be achieved in the coming months.

However, it might be wise for Howe and co to pin some alternative names to the board. Indeed, in Pedro’s case, an exciting backup has been found, and he might even prove the better pick.

Newcastle open talks for elite forward

As per GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle have opened talks with Xavi Simons’ representatives as they look to welcome some attacking additions this summer.

Expected to depart RB Leipzig after they failed to qualify for Europe, the 22-year-old playmaker has a £60m price tag and has expressed a desire to move to the Premier League.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all had discussions with the player’s camp too, so this one’s wide open at the present stage.

Why Newcastle want Xavi Simons

While dynamic, Simons isn’t as out-and-out an attacker as Pedro; instead, the Dutchman merges the creative with the incisive to an emphatic effect.

He’s the real deal, all right, and given the finances involved, would perhaps go on to prove an even better signing than Pedro, if push comes to shove.

Such masterful versatility is hardly something Howe’s going to say no to, and Simons would add a new creative dimension to a side which finished the 2024/25 Premier League season ranked sixth in the division for big chances created (112) after finishing joint-second with Manchester City (97) the term before.

It’s clear Howe needs such a virtuoso to take that next great step, and given that Simons finished the campaign ranked among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers for passes attempted, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 18% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for ball recoveries, as per FBref, he clearly knows his stuff.

Athletic and driven, Simons would add a wealth of quality to the Magpies fold, with his haul of ten goals and seven assists across just 25 Bundesliga matches further highlighting his clinical nature.

Left winger

41

10

11

Right winger

17

5

5

Attacking midfield

17

6

7

Centre-forward

1

–

–

Moreover, he missed just two big chances and averaged two key passes and 5.4 successful duels per game. Though Pedro would be a brilliant attacking addition, Simons might just have that little bit more, with his versatility both through positional and prolific value likely to add so much to the United project.

Pedro, sure, is a steady supplier of goal contributions, posting 30 goals and ten assists across 70 matches, but he’s not quite so refined, indeed operating in a more advanced berth that you’d have to think will be occupied by Isak.

Howe makes sure his players know their duties and toe the line, but Simons’ expansiveness is part of what makes him special, a “superstar”, as has even been remarked by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Newcastle need to beat off Premier League opposition to secure this man’s signature, prioritising a deal over the likes of Pedro.

Better than Elanga: Newcastle open talks to sign £43m "game-changer"

Newcastle are beginning to ramp up the gas in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 26, 2025

Despite missing the deadline to trigger their buy-back option, Daniel Levy and Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly preparing an offer to re-sign a Premier League defender.

Daniel Levy: "Failure is not an option"

The biggest decision of Tottenham’s summer so far has undoubtedly been the appointment of Thomas Frank after showing Ange Postecoglou the door. The decision to sack Australian is one that split opinion just weeks after the Lilywhites ended their trophy drought by winning the Europa League against Manchester United.

Levy has since spoken for the first time since sacking Postecoglou, revealing that it was a difficult decision emotionally. He told reporters: “I don’t regret appointing Ange, I’m very grateful to Ange. In his first season we finished fifth and in his second we were over the moon to win a trophy.

“But we need to compete in all competitions, and we felt that we needed a change. Emotionally it was difficult but we feel that we’ve made the right decision for the club. “I’ve got very broad shoulders. Failure is not an option, the desire [is] to succeed. And because it’s so difficult, I want to succeed even more.”

Frank green-lights move for "decisive" star to replace Tottenham forward

The Dane is “crazy” about signing him.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

Whether those in North London agree with the decision or not, Postecoglou’s departure has since opened the door for Frank to step into the hot seat for the biggest job of his career.

It has been a long time coming for the Dane, who took Brentford to new heights despite often lacking in resources. Now at Tottenham, he has the chance to prove that he belongs at the very top by turning things around in North London.

That turnaround must start away from the pitch and in the transfer window, however, with names such as Antoine Semenyo alongside a name that Spurs fans know well already among the headlines on that front.

Tottenham preparing offer to re-sign Cirkin

According to reports relayed by The Northern Echo, Tottenham are now preparing a formal offer to re-sign Dennis Cirkin despite missing the deadline to trigger their buy-back clause from Sunderland.

The left-back has blossomed into an impressive talent since swapping Spurs for Wearside and now finds himself back in the Premier League with the Black Cats. That return has not gone under the radar, however, and Levy now has his sights set on a reunion.

Cirkin would not only hand Frank an instant boost in his backline but also help Spurs to fill their homegrown quota in the Champions League next season. On all fronts, it is a deal that may make sense for the Lilywhites.

Sunderland are reportedly eager to keep hold of Cirkin and tie their defender down to a new contract. Whether they are able to convince their defender to ignore the interest of his former club remains to be seen, though.

Alas, having already lost Jobe Bellingham for big money, the Black Cats have proved their ability to drive a hard bargain and with no buy-back clause to fall back on, Spurs could yet face some tough negotiations.

Aston Villa have lofty ambitions for next season, despite missing out on the Champions League.

Unai Emery’s project is still very much ongoing, and the next step is for him to lead the club to their first major trophy in nearly 30 years.

The Europa League might be their best shot, especially as winning it will secure a spot in the 2026/27 Champions League.

In order to do this, he will have to sign a few high-profile players while also complying with PSR regulations in the process.

With this in mind, it looks as though the club are chasing a move for a current Barcelona player.

Aston Villa chasing swoop for Barcelona sensation

While it might be slightly more difficult to lure the type of players Emery wants at the club this summer, it isn’t stopping the Spaniard from trying.

Reports in Spain (as per Sport Witness) claim that Villa are battling it out with Chelsea and PSG to sign Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez.

The report goes on to state that Villa and the French giants have made contact with Lopez and are showing the most interest.

Chelsea could be set to make an offer worth €75m (£63m) in the near future to secure his signature, meaning Emery will have to act swiftly to get his man.

Why Aston Villa must sign Lopez

There are so many talented players at the La Liga side now. Lopez joins a list which includes Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsí and, of course, Lamine Yamal.

Well, of those players, it is Yamal he is most similar to. When compared with positionally similar players in LaLiga this term, FBref suggest that the generational wonderkid and Ballon d’Or contender is the fourth most similar player to Lopez.

While the latter might play a more central role compared to Yamal, who operates on the right wing, the duo have shared similar statistics in La Liga last season.

According to FBref, the duo recorded similar metrics, including shot-creating actions (4.10 vs 5.92) per 90, goal-creating actions (0.50 vs 0.91), successful take-on percentage (45.5% vs 50.9%) and shots on target percentage (36.6% vs 31.9%) per 90 in La Liga for Barcelona.

On that evidence, they are both creative players who love to get at their marker/

Metric

La Liga

Champions League

Goals

6

1

Assists

5

3

Big chances created

8

3

Shots per game

1.5

1.5

Key passes per game

1

0.5

His former manager at the Catalan club described Lopez as having the “whole package” and judging by his statistics and performances last term, this assessment is bang on the money.

Alongside his 11 goal contributions, Lopez also created eight big chances in the top flight, along with averaging one key pass per game.

Considering he started just 12 league games, averaging only 45 minutes per match, these are impressive statistics indeed.

Should he make the move to Villa, he would certainly secure more gametime in the starting XI than he was afforded under Hansi Flick last season.

Will he want to drop and play in the Europa League, however? Or is the long-term project at Villa enough to entice the youngster?

The next few weeks could be interesting indeed, and given he offered similar statistics to those of Yamal last season, he would make for an excellent signing.

"Sensational" GK emerges as Aston Villa's top target to replace Martinez

The Villans have identified a 25-year-old goalkeeper as their first-choice option to replace Emiliano Martinez this summer.

ByDominic Lund Jun 9, 2025

Chelsea are set for a hectic summer mini-window ahead of their looming Club World Cup campaign, which commences in just under a fortnight, and it has already started in fine fashion with the signing of Ipswich Town star Liam Delap.

Chelsea seal Liam Delap deal with more targets identified

The striker has now completed his medical at Stamford Bridge, according to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, and he can now be considered a new Chelsea player as BlueCo seal their first deal of the summer.

Chelsea leading race for £67m "monster" and pushing hard to get deal done

The Blues are now among the frontrunners to sign another striker, despite the deal for Liam Delap edging closer to completion.

ByDominic Lund Jun 2, 2025

He comes in to bolster Enzo Maresca’s forward line after scoring 12 league goals for a relegated Ipswich side last season, with Chelsea activating Delap’s £30 million release clause and bringing in a striker who can be considered a real bargain.

Chelsea are by no means done there, either, and could yet bring in more players before the first mini-window shuts on June 10.

Rank

Team

Points

GD

3

Man City

71

+28

4

Chelsea

69

+21

5

Newcastle

66

+21

6

Aston Villa

66

+7

7

Nottingham Forest

65

+12

According to some reliable sources, Chelsea are actively pushing to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike after Delap, and the prospect of two quality strikers joining Maresca for next season cannot be ruled out.

The Blues are also actively pursuing a new winger, with journalist Simon Phillips sharing what he calls an “exciting” update on their chase for a wide attacker.

Chelsea tell Nico Williams' agents they're ready to pay £50m

Writing via his Substack, the reporter claims Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams is a serious target, and there has been communication between parties.

Phillips states that Chelsea held talks with Williams’ agents last week, and they’ve informed the £170,000-per-week Spain international’s camp that they’re prepared to pay his release clause, reported to be around £50 million.

“I also have some brand new and exciting news on new wingers/attacking midfielders as Chelsea look to try and push one through in the next 9 days. Nothing is guaranteed yet, but this is what they’re trying to do,” wrote Phillips.

“SPTC sources have heard that Chelsea approached the agents of Nico Williams again last week and held talks.

“The player likes the idea of London and the Premier League, but he has always had his heart set on joining Barcelona. However, they are not yet moving on him. Any negotiations here could end up being drawn out though, which would mean any involvement in the CWC is unlikely – but that is not going to be a dealbreaker by any means. It’s more important to get the right targets in. Chelsea have informed his agents that we are prepared to pay his release clause.”

The 22-year-old, after a slow start to 2024/2025, turned his form over the second half of the season and matched the kind of performances which saw him play a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph last year.

Williams racked up 19 assists in all competitions across 23/24 as well, highly impressive numbers, and there is little denying he’d add a completely new dimension in attack.

While the major honours haven’t come – bar some FA Cups – Arsenal have had some supremely gifted players pull on the famous red and white shirt during the Emirates era.

In Mikel Arteta’s current team, you’ve got the likes of William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who wouldn’t look too out of place in some of the club’s more successful sides.

Go back a little further, and the likes of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Özil were wowing fans every week, but perhaps the player who entertained more than any other during his stint at the club was Alexis Sanchez.

Appearances

166

Minutes

13556′

Goals

80

Assists

44

Goal Involvements per Match

0.74

Minutes per Goal Involvement

109.32′

The Chilean international racked up a stellar haul of 80 goals and 44 assists in 166 games for the North Londoners, and while his exit left a dreadfully sour taste in the mouths of fans, he remains one of the very best players to have graced the Emirates.

So, fans should be incredibly excited about recent reports linking the club with another superstar attacker who could be their new Sanchez.

Arsenal transfer news

With Arsenal’s need for more goals in the team next year undeniable, there have been several talented wingers linked with the side in recent weeks, like Antoine Semenyo and Bryan Mbeumo.

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 just £42m in the summer, which seems like more than a fair price, as not only can he play on either side of the pitch, but he’s also scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 40 games this year.

Mbeumo looks set to be marginally more expensive at £51m, but even then, that seems like a reasonable price for a winger who’s scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in just 40 appearances for Brentford this term.

However, if a winger has the potential to be the Gunners’ next Sanchez, they have to be truly special, like Rodrygo.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are indeed interested in the Real Madrid superstar.

In fact, he goes a step further, revealing that the North Londoners are “one of the clubs that has shown the most interest” in the Brazilian international, or in other words, they are currently leading the race for him.

However, while no price is mentioned in the report, stories from earlier this month claim that it could cost up to £85m to sign the talented winger this year.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrygo’s incredible ability, it’s one worth splashing the cash for.

Why Rodrygo would be Arsenal's new Sanchez

Given Sanchez’s spectacular stint with Arsenal, it’s certainly a big claim to say that Rodrygo could be the club’s new version of him, but there are some key similarities.

Firstly, like the former Barcelona player with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, the Real ace would be making his way to the Emirates to get out of the shadow of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.

Second, he’d be leaving one of Spain’s big two for the Gunners at 24 years old, just a year younger than the Chilean icon.

Moreover, he’d be able to add some much-needed threat to the North Londoners’ left-hand side, which has been seriously lacking this term.

For example, in 50 appearances, the Osasco-born dynamo has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists, and then last year, he managed to rack up a sensational haul of 18 goals and nine assists in 52 games.

Appearances

267

Minutes

16060′

Goals

68

Assists

50

Goal Involvements per Match

0.44

Minutes per Goal Involvement

136.10′

Furthermore, it’s not just the fact he can score and create goals from the wing; it’s the way in which he plays, the way in which he drives at defences and terrifies opposition defenders that could see him become like Sanchez.

Finally, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, also knows how to win, as, during his time with Los Blancos, he has lifted three La Liga titles, two Champion Leagues, one Spanish Cup and plenty more.

Ultimately, from the similarity in how he might join the club to his playing style and output, Rodrygo has every chance of becoming Arsenal’s new Sanchez, so Arteta and Co have to do all they can to sign him as soon as possible.

Their answer to Salah: Arsenal make offer for £63m CF who's outscoring Isak

The dazzling striker could be the one to lead Arsenal to glory next year.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 14, 2025

Premier League football has very much taken a backseat at Manchester United with the upcoming Europa League final a huge match for everyone associated with the Red Devils.

Of course, the season wouldn’t be seen as an overwhelming success story even if Ruben Amorim’s men do lift the trophy over Tottenham Hotspur, considering his side sit in a depressingly poor 16th spot in the top-flight, but a memorable win out in Bilbao would be a much-needed ray of sunshine nonetheless.

Alongside restoring some pride, adding the Europa League into the decorated Old Trafford trophy room would also see Champions League football return to the Theatre of Dreams.

Off the back of that potentially occurring, United could be able to lure some top talents to England, with a whole host of interesting names already being linked with a summer switch to the red half of Manchester.

Man United preparing whopping £113m transfer

On top of the added bonus of being potentially back in the illustrious Champions League, the Red Devils are an attractive club to come to based on past prestige alone.

That’s a possible explanation as to why Matheus Cunha reportedly remains keen on a move to United over sticking it out with Wolverhampton Wanderers, alongside Sporting goal machine Viktor Gyokeres being linked with an Amorim reunion.

But, there is another blockbuster move reportedly in the works that could trump both of these statement deals, with reports from Spain now suggesting that United have lodged a mammoth bid of £113m to try and land RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.

Transfer Focus

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

Amorim’s bruised giants would really show they mean business after such a turbulent campaign if they were to land the services of the dynamic Dutchman and it’s stated that they are ‘desperate’ bring him to Old Trafford.

How Simons could be Fernandes 2.0

There is a hope that Simons could come into the English game and be as dazzling as Bruno Fernandes has been in the attacking midfield positions since leaving Portugal behind.

Whilst Simons will be expected to achieve big things on his arrival – especially at that steep £113m price-tag – it’s unlikely he will come into the building aiming to directly surpass Fernandes during his Old Trafford stay.

After all, Fernandes is now up to a mighty 184 goal contributions across 288 games donning United red, with a very impressive 38 of those being notched up just this season, even as Amorim’s side sink to grim new lows.

But, Simons will still strive to be the club’s next version of Fernandes in time, with the Leipzig number 20 equally as skilful and goal-and-assist heavy as his experienced Red Devils counterpart when at the peak of his powers.

Indeed, just this campaign alone, the £113m-rated attacker has managed to pick up a blistering 11 goals and eight assists from 33 appearances, meaning he could slot in as another bright spark from the midfield areas like the Portuguese ace.

24/25

Leipzig

33

11

8

23/24

Leipzig

43

10

15

22/23

PSV

48

22

11

The pair could even link up alongside each other in Amorim’s system – with Simons also capable of playing down either the left or right wing.

Yet, it’s obvious when looking at the numbers above that the 22-year-old could go on to reach Fernandes’ lofty heights regardless of what the future United XI looks like, with a crazy 77 goals and assists amassed by Simons over the last three seasons.

After all, the modern-day United great was once just an electric performer out in Europe himself with Sporting, before going on to be given an opportunity in the Premier League to expand his game even more.

Once branded as “exceptional” by Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund for his excellent exploits in Bundesliga, it could now be time for Simons to make that same leap to England, with United needing to splash the big bucks to begin their major summer overhaul.

Man Utd's own Frimpong: INEOS plotting move to sign "phenomenal" £30m star

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could nail down one key position in Ruben Amorim’s squad.

ByEthan Lamb May 16, 2025

Looking towards the summer transfer window, Manchester United have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign a serial winner represented by the same agency as Patrick Dorgu.

Man Utd's summer plan taking shape

Whilst step one of Manchester United’s transfer plan will be to win the Europa League later this month and confirm their shock place in next season’s Champions League, they simply need to invest no matter the outcome against Tottenham Hotspur. Ahead of his first full season in charge, Ruben Amorim will have the chance to prove doubters wrong, but will finally need players who suit his system to do exactly that.

The new Amrabat: Amorim must axe 4/10 Man Utd man who lost the ball 15x

Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League final last night, setting up a clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

6 ByEthan Lamb May 9, 2025

If recent rumours are anything to go by then it will, indeed, be a busy summer for the Red Devils on both the incomings and departures front. Already, players like Antony and Marcus Rashford could be heading for the exit door as the start of a hefty clear-out at Old Trafford, which Amorim will be desperate to see end with plenty of fresh faces.

Meanwhile, on the incomings front, names such as Ronald Araujo and Yann Bisseck have threatened to steal the headlines as of late. Two defenders who squared off in one of the best Champions League semi-finals in recent memory, as Inter Milan came out on top to win 7-6 on aggregate, both would undoubtedly improve the current Manchester United backline.

Amorim is well aware of the need for improvement too, having told reporters in the build-up to his side’s Europa League semi-final victory over Athletic Bilbao: “For me, in that moment and you look at Premier League, we are the worst team since I arrived in terms of results. That is my idea. In the end of the season, we can be the worst team in Premier League history with a European title.”

However, despite that admission, the lure of Old Trafford remains there to exploit amid reports that Manchester United have now been offered the chance to sign a serial winner.

Man Utd offered chance to sign Kingsley Coman

According to Caught Offside, Manchester United have now been offered the chance to sign Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich this summer by the winger’s agent. The Frenchman’s representatives have been knocking on doors around European football hoping to seal a move this summer, with Old Trafford seemingly among those.

A serial winner having won league titles at Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus as well as the Champions League in Bavaria, Coman may not be at the peak of his powers but he would help change the mentality in the Manchester United dressing room.

What’s more, a deal could be made easier by the fact that Coman is represented by the same agency as Patrick Dorgu, who completed a move to Old Trafford in January. With contact already established and a relationship already built between both parties, the Red Devils have an ideal opportunity.

Dubbed a player who has “incredible talent” by former Bayern manager and current Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, Coman could yet rediscover his most clinical form at Manchester United this summer.

Crystal Palace are now “interested” in signing a “fantastic” Premier League player, who is set to be available for a bargain fee in the summer transfer window, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.

Palace set sights on new midfielder

Palace may have their work cut out trying to keep hold of some of their key players this summer, with the likes of Marc Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta attracting widespread interest, alongside Adam Wharton, with Liverpool now ready to sign the 21-year-old.

With attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze also catching the eye, Oliver Glasner may be tasked with bringing in at least one new midfielder in the summer transfer window, and the manager has several potential options in mind.

Sunderland’s Chris Rigg is of particular interest, with the Eagles racing a number of their Premier League rivals for the 17-year-old, while they are also eyeing a move for Rigg’s teammate, Jobe Bellingham, who Glasner is believed to be a big fan of.

Would cost £0: Crystal Palace now open talks to sign versatile 6'4 colossus

The Eagles have made contact over a move for a defender, who is capable of playing in five positions.

ByDominic Lund Apr 24, 2025

According to Ben Jacobs, Crystal Palace have now joined the race for a new central midfield target, with the reporter taking to X to reveal they are now “interested” in signing Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

With Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League now confirmed, they could be in line to lose one of their key players on the cheap, with Ndidi set to leave for just £9m due to a clause included in his contract.

There is widespread interest in the central midfielder, with Premier League rivals Everton and Fulham also emerging as potential suitors, while Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli have him on their “radar”, although they are yet to make an official approach.

"Fantastic" Ndidi has talent to remain in Premier League

Leicester’s performance in the Premier League this season has been nothing short of dismal, having collected just 18 points throughout the campaign, but the Nigerian midfielder has impressed in the top flight in the past.

The Lagos-born maestro was once described as a “monster” after impressing against Liverpool, while he has also been lauded as “fantastic” by members of the media, in light of his performances for Nigeria at international level.

Not only that, but the 28-year-old has been one of the standout players in a poor Leicester side, and he has performed well across a number of key attacking and defensive metrics over the past year, indicating he is a well-rounded midfielder.

Statistic

Average per 90

Assists

0.18 (84th percentile)

Tackles

3.37 (96th percentile)

Clearances

3.06 (97th percentile)

Aerials won

2.32 (95th percentile)

At just £9m, Ndidi could be a shrewd acquistion for Crystal Palace this summer, and they should be in a strong position to win the race for his signature, having shown they can compete for major honours by progressing to the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Leeds United are marching on towards promotion to the Premier League and could clinch it by the end of the Easter matches if results go their way.

The Whites play Oxford away and Stoke at Elland Road and if they win both matches and Sheffield United fail to pick up maximum points, their place in the top-flight will be secured.

Of course, that still means that Daniel Farke’s side need to do their job and pick up all three points in both of their games, on Friday and Monday, to put themselves in a strong position, after their 2-1 win over Preston North End last weekend.

The West Yorkshire outfit are bidding to earn promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking, after they lost 1-0 in the play-off final last term.

They could be about to secure that promotion without a particularly creative number ten in their ranks, as USA international Brenden Aaronson has racked up two assists in 42 appearances – including 39 starts – in the Championship.

This is the polar opposite of the 2023/24 campaign when Farke had the incredibly impressive Georginio Rutter to provide creativity as an attacking midfielder.

Why Georginio Rutter was so important for Leeds

The French dynamo was the creative hub of the team, whether he was deployed as a centre-forward or as an attacking midfielder, with his ability to slice open opposition defences on a regular basis for the Whites.

Rutter ended last season with an eye-catching return of six goals, 22 ‘big chances’ created, and 15 assists in 45 appearances in the second tier for Leeds, which shows that he made a consistent impact at the top end of the pitch.

The left-footed star, as shown in the clip above, was capable of the sublime in the Championship last term because of the quality he possessed on the ball.

That also shines through in the underlying data behind his performances for the West Yorkshire outfit in the 2023/24 campaign, as he ranked incredibly highly among his positional peers in a host of key creative metrics.

Expected Assisted Goals

0.29

Top 2%

Assists

0.39

Top 2%

Shot-creating actions

4.41

Top 2%

Progressive passes

4.46

Top 3%

Successful take-ons

3.06

Top 1%

Progressive carries

2.89

Top 5%

As you can see in the table above, Rutter was one of the best forwards in the Championship at creating high-quality chances for his teammates to find the back of the net, whilst he also progressed the play consistently through passes and carries to get his team up the pitch.

These statistics, and his overall return of goals and assists, explain why he was so important to Farke’s side and why it was a blow when he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.

The Whites do not currently have another creative playmaker like Rutter in the squad, as Aaronson has failed to provide consistent quality in that respect, but they do have a player out on loan with the potential to be the manager’s next version of the French magician.

The Leeds star who could be the next Georginio Rutter

As aforementioned, Aaronson’s return of two assists in 39 starts in the Championship this season does not suggest that he has the quality to step up to the Premier League to be the chief creator in the number ten position.

This means that Farke and Leeds have to consider their options and look at alternatives ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, whether that be a new recruit or a player coming back from loan.

One player who could return from a loan elsewhere to stake a claim for a place in the team is attacking midfielder Sam Greenwood, who is currently on loan at Preston North End.

The Lilywhites have the option to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of his current loan spell, but reporter Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, has revealed that they are ‘unlikely’ to splash the cash required to exercise that option.

This means that Leeds can bring the 23-year-old star back into the fold at Elland Road, or at least provide him with an opportunity to impress in pre-season before a final decision is made on his future.

In the Championship this season, Greenwood has scored five goals, created 14 ‘big chances’, and claimed five assists in 28 starts for Preston, which means that he has created a ‘big chance’ every other match on average.

Expected Assisted Goals

0.23

Top 3%

Assists

0.11

Top 47%

Shot-creating actions

3.43

Top 6%

Progressive passes

2.33

Top 16%

Successful take-ons

0.92

Top 18%

Progressive carries

2.36

Top 3%

As you can see in the table above, the English whiz is similar to Rutter in the sense that he ranks incredibly highly among his positional peers as a creative and progressive force in an attacking midfield role.

The key difference between the two, however, appears to be that Rutter’s teammates were clinical with the chances that he created for them, hence why he ranked in the top 2% for assists, whilst Greenwood’s teammates have been very wasteful in front of goal.

These statistics show that the Leeds loanee, whose set-piece delivery was once described as a “weapon” by pundit Noel Whelan, has the potential to develop into Rutter 2.0 for Farke.

He is a creative threat who can slice open defences to provide his teammates with high-quality opportunities on a regular basis, which is not something that Leeds currently have with Aaronson in the number ten role.

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Therefore, it could make sense for Farke to take a look at Greenwood in pre-season to see if he has what it takes to make the step up to be the new Rutter, as his statistics show that the potential is there for him to do so.