Manchester United look set to have a new-look attack for 2025/26, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo on course to feature in the two forward roles behind a striker under Ruben Amorim.
Cunha was the first addition through the door at Old Trafford after INEOS triggered the Brazilian’s £62.5m release clause at Wolves. Speaking after signing, Cunha said:
£185m signings with Cunha: AI predicts Man Utd's 2025/26 starting line-up
Four new faces could be in the side against Arsenal in August.
1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 22, 2025
Taking the No. 10 shirt from Marcus Rashford, Cunha will be looking to have a big impact in his first season as a Red Devils player after hitting double figures for goals in the last two Premier League seasons at Molineux.
AI predicts how many goals and assists Cunha will record for Man Utd in 2025/26
In 24/25, Cunha bagged 15 goals in 33 league games, while also registering six assists in a Wolves side that finished on the same points as Man Utd.
ChatGPT has predicted Cunha to bag 18 Premier League goals, ‘matching or slightly beating his Wolves output, underpinned by strong support from midfield’.
That figure, with cup competitions, could rise to 22, assuming he is regularly involved in the EFL Cup and FA Cup under Amorim.
In regards to assists, Cunha could register nine assists in the Premier League and 12 in all competitions as he is ‘likely to flourish as a secondary creator’ under Amorim.
AI predicts Cunha’s 25/26 Man Utd stats
Goals
Assists
Premier League
18
9
All competitions
22
12
AI predicts how many goals and assists Mbeumo will record for Man Utd in 2025/26
Meanwhile, with Mbeumo also moving to Manchester from Brentford, Amorim will have another attacking star with an excellent Premier League record.
The Cameroon international had his best ever season in front of goal during 24/25, scoring 20 goals and providing eight assists in 38 top flight games.
ChatGPT has predicted Mbeumo to find the back of the net 17 times in the Premier League, while matching his 24/25 tally of eight assists. ‘Designed for high creativity and goal-chances’, it is claimed that Mbeumo may alternate at times under Amorim, adjusting to life at a bigger club.
AI predicts Mbeumo’s 25/26 Man Utd stats
Goals
Assists
Premier League
17
8
All competitions
21
10
In all competitions, Mbeumo has been backed to score 21 times and provide 10 assists, meaning in total, the two Man Utd signings could contribute to 65 goals over the 25/26 campaign, something which Amorim and the Red Devils would be delighted with.
Aston Villa have now made contact with the agents of an “unbelievable” £60m star, in order to assess whether he would be keen on a move to Villa Park this summer, according to a report.
Villa eyeing new striker amid Watkins uncertainty
It is no surprise that Ollie Watkins continues to be linked with a move away from Villa, given that the striker has performed very well for Villa in each of his last five Premier League campaigns.
Season
PL appearances
Goals
Assists
2020-21
37
14
5
2021-22
35
11
2
2022-23
37
15
6
2023-24
37
19
15
2024-25
38
16
8
Arsenal are well-known to be admirers of the England international, but the Gunners are now closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, which could open the door for the centre-forward to join a different club, and he has now been identified as Manchester United’s top target.
Although United were once again way below par in the 2024-25 campaign, moving to Old Trafford clearly remains an attractive proposition, with Matheus Cunha joining the Red Devils this summer, so there is a possibility that Watkins could be tempted by a move.
Should the 29-year-old depart, it would exacerbate the need for Unai Emery to bring in a new striker this summer, and Aston Villa are now stepping up their pursuit of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, according to a report from Football Insider.
Having recently opened talks with the Blues, the Villans have now made contact with Jackson’s entourage to assess whether he would be keen on making a move to Villa Park this summer, after an up-and-down year in west London.
Emery is known to be a big admirer of the Chelsea ace, and the Villa boss believes he has the potential to develop into one of the Premier League’s leading forwards.
Aston Villa now set to make move for £17m ace, keen to finalise deal quickly
The Villans are “ready” to finalise a move for a defender…
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Emery knows the ex-Villarreal man very well, having spent time working with him at the La Liga club, and the manager clearly holds his former player in high regard, given his eagerness to bring him to Villa Park.
Trusting Emery has helped transform Aston Villa from a struggling side into European regulars, and there are signs the manager may also be correct about the Chelsea forward, given that he’s averaged over one goal contribution every other game in the Premier League.
Nicolas Jackson
Peter Crouch has also been left impressed by the Senegal international, lauding him as “unbelievable”, despite admitting the striker has been a little wasteful at times, having become well-known for missing a lot of chances.
That said, Emery clearly believes he can help turn Jackson into a top striker, so he could be a solid long-term signing for Villa, but a deal is unlikely to be cheap, with Chelsea thought to be holding out for a fee of around £60m.
During Ange Postecoglou’s troubled tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, it would be fair to say he got a lot right but plenty of things wrong as well.
On the pitch, for example, he led the team to their worst Premier League finish of all time, but then also won them their first trophy in 17 years.
It was the same in the transfer market, with the likes of Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson, and Lucas Bergvall all proving to be great buys, while the likes of Radu Dragusin and most certainly Timo Werner being quite the opposite.
Timo Werner for Tottenham
Therefore, fans should be worried about reports linking the team to a player who could be Thomas Frank’s own version of the German next season.
Tottenham transfer news
Before we get to the bad news, it’s worth looking at some of the more exciting links to the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Hayden Hackney.
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 is reportedly available for a fee of around £60m, and while that is undoubtedly a lot of money, his incredible tally of 20 goals and nine assists in 42 games this season suggests he’d be more than worth it.
Likewise, while £20m might sound like a lot for a Championship midfielder, it could just end up being a bargain, as plenty of top-flight teams are also after Hackney’s signature this summer.
Hayden Hackney for Middlesbrough.
However, as we said, it’s not all positive, as the North Londoners have now found themselves linked with someone who has flopped for two teams in the Premier League: Jadon Sancho.
Yes, according to a recent report from The Sun, Spurs are, in fact, keen on signing the Manchester United dud.
Alongside his former side Borussia Dortmund, the report claims that the North Londoners, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are ‘battling to sign’ the Englishman this summer for a fee of around £25m.
While the 25-year-old was able to show glimpses of quality this season, that is still a battle Tottenham should endeavour to lose, as there is a significant chance he could just be another Werner.
Why Sancho would be another Werner
So, it might sound harsh, but if Spurs were to sign Sancho this summer, then it would be very easy to describe his move as Werner-esque, and there are a few reasons why.
Firstly, not only would the North Londoners be signing a previously highly-rated player turned flop, but they would be doing so after he failed to reach a good enough level at London rivals Chelsea.
In fact, it’s worse than that, as in his final underwhelming campaign with the West Londoners, the German scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 37 appearances before returning to RB Leipzig.
Appearances
37
41
Minutes
2217′
2419′
Goals
11
5
Assists
6
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.45
0.36
Minutes per Goal Involvement
130.41′
161.26′
In comparison, the former Dortmund gem was only able to manage five goals and ten assists in 45 games for the Blues, which should be setting off alarm bells in the heads of Levy and Co.
Moreover, when you take into account minutes played, the United dud was only slightly more productive at Stamford Bridge than the Stuttgart-born ace was in N17.
Tottenham's Timo Werner.
For example, the 29-year-old averaged a goal involvement every 185.1 minutes while in North London and the 23-capped “special” Englishman, as dubbed by Enzo Maresca, averaged one every 161.26 minutes during his stint in the capital.
Ultimately, while there is likely a talented player in Sancho, we have not seen it on a consistent basis since his time in Germany, and with Frank coming in to improve the first team, handing him a player who could just be the new Werner feels like a massive mistake.
Therefore, Spurs should go nowhere near the inconsistent winger this summer, and instead focus their energy on signing more promising options.
Alongside Son: Frank must axe £165k-per-week Spurs "monster"
It would be best for Spurs to cash in and help Frank kickstart his time at the club.
This summer will be vital in Thomas Frank’s tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, needing to land the right players in key positions if he is to be a success at the club.
The Dane took the reins earlier this month on a three-year contract, taking the next step in his managerial career after spending the last seven years at Brentford.
He will be looking to take the Lilywhites up the Premier League throughout 2025/26, taking them back up the table after their dismal 17th-placed finish this campaign.
However, if he is to achieve his goal and be a success in North London, he will certainly need to be backed throughout the transfer window, with Daniel Levy needing to get his chequebook out.
Numerous names have already been mentioned over the last couple of days, but multiple deals appear to be heading in the right direction for the Lilywhites.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions
Kyle Walker-Peters has been touted with a shock return to Spurs this summer, after the club made contact with his representatives following his departure from Southampton at the end of his contract.
Antoine Semenyo is another player in their sights, reportedly willing to match his £65m asking price this summer after scoring 11 times for Bournemouth this season.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
However, another winger has been thrown into the mix over recent days, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo firmly within their sights, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER.
They claim the Brazilian is set to leave his window after featuring for just 93 minutes at the Club World Cup, naming Spurs as one side keen on a move for the 24-year-old.
It also states that the player himself wants a move to the Premier League, but any deal would cost a fee in the region of €90m (£76m) during the off-season.
Why Spurs’ £76m target would be a better signing than Mbeumo
After Frank’s appointment, it’s hardly a surprise that Spurs have been touted as a potential destination for winger Bryan Mbeumo, after he starred under the Dane last season at Brentford.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates scoring their first goal
The 25-year-old found the back of the net 20 times in the league, producing the best season of his professional career, making himself one of the most threatening talents in the division.
However, despite the Lilywhites’ keen interest in his signature, it appears as though they are set to miss out on a deal to take him across the capital, with Mbeumo set for a medical at Manchester United.
Missing out on such a talented player will undoubtedly be disappointing for the supporters, but also the manager, especially considering his form under his guidance in 2024/25.
They needn’t worry, though, especially given the latest update around a potential move for Rodrygo, with the Brazilian providing a better option for Frank in 2025/26.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
When comparing the pair’s respective figures from the recent campaign, the Madrid star has massively outperformed him in key areas, offering a new dimension to the club’s attack should he move this summer.
Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has notched more progressive passes and a higher tally of key passes per 90, reflecting the creative ability he possesses in attacking areas.
How Rodrygo compares to Mbeumo in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Rodrygo
Mbeumo
Games played
30
38
Goals & assists
11
27
Progressive carries
5.3
3.4
Progressive passes
5.1
3.7
Pass accuracy
86%
66%
Key passes
2.3
1.8
Take-ons completed
2.3
1.3
Carries into final third
4.1
1.8
Stats via FBref
He’s also registered way more progressive carries and a higher take-on success rate, demonstrating his desire to take the ball forward into the opposition’s box and cause carnage – further increasing their goalscoring output in North London.
His experience at the top level of European football is vital for the club too, handing Frank that key option he will need if the club is to be competitive in the Champions League next campaign.
£76m may be a hefty sum, one that would be a club record, but as seen by the figures he’s produced recently, it’s one that could set the side up for future success.
Mbeumo reuniting with the Dane would’ve certainly aided their chances of immediate success, but missing out may prove to be a blessing if it leads them to a deal to land Rodrygo this window.
A better signing than Semenyo: Spurs leading race to land £25m sensation
Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making strides in a move to land a new talent for Thomas Frank.
Jobe Bellingham’s Sunderland future has been a talking point throughout this season, and now a new update has emerged ahead of the Championship playoff final.
Sunderland 90 minutes away from the Premier League
The Black Cats are preparing for one of the biggest games in their recent history on Saturday afternoon, as they battle Sheffield United at Wembley for a place back in the Premier League.
It is a mammoth occasion for both sides, in what is considered the most valuable game in the English football calendar, and Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has said that his players have matched his pre-season expectations of them.
“We are exactly where we wanted to be. In our first meeting in this room, I asked them what is the purpose of the season and they told me they wanted to get promoted. Here we are. We’ll have this opportunity.”
The difference between victory and defeat on Saturday cannot be downplayed, with Sunderland knowing that a return to the Premier League will not only allow them to sign better players this summer, but also give them a better chance of retaining the services of current Stadium of Light heroes, from Bellingham to Chris Rigg.
The former has been linked with a move to follow in his brother’s footsteps by joining Borussia Dortmund, and there has been a development in that story ahead of the final.
Dortmund confident after talks with Bellingham
According to Bild [via Sport Witness], Bellingham has held “fruitful” talks with Borussia Dortmund over a summer move to the European giants, who now believe they are well placed to sign him.
It is stated that several Premier League clubs are also in the race to sign the youngster, however, with champions Liverpool mentioned as potential suitors. Much will hinge on the playoff final result, with defeat for the Black Cats almost certainly meaning he will leave.
Sunderland 'sJobeBellinghamin action
If Saturday’s game isn’t big enough already, Sunderland will know that beating the Blades will give them a far greater chance of keeping Bellingham, which is a major incentive. The 19-year-old has been such an influential performer throughout the season, starting 41 Championship matches and being lauded by captain Dan Neil, who said of him back in 2023.
Sunderland must now unleash their new Jack Clarke in the playoff final
Regis Le Bris must find a way to start Sunderland’s new Jack Clarke at Wembley.
1 ByKelan Sarson May 22, 2025
In truth, Sunderland can’t necessarily expect Bellingham to stay if they remain in the Championship next season, with the Englishman no doubt having big ambitions.
The lure of testing himself in the Premier League for the Black Cats isn’t out of the question, though, so it’s a case of them getting the job done this weekend.
Glasgow Rangers went into Sunday’s clash already at Ibrox knowing that the result was more or less immaterial as their second-placed finish has already been confirmed.
Since their city rivals won the Scottish Premiership title at the end of last month, Rangers have known that they cannot finish as low as third and they cannot win the division, leaving the Light Blues stuck in second place with little to play for in the remaining games of the season.
The Light Blues should already be focused on what they need to do in the upcoming summer transfer window in order to turn the tide and compete for the title in the 2025/26 campaign.
A new first-team head coach will be a big part of their plans because Barry Ferguson is currently in interim charge until the end of the season, having come in to steady the ship after Philippe Clement was dismissed earlier this year.
However, the Scottish giants will also know that they will have some difficulties on their hands when it comes to dealing with interest in their stars from elsewhere.
For example, Premier League sides Aston Villa and Leeds United are reportedly lining up moves for Nicolas Raskin, who is valued at £20m by the Gers, ahead of the summer window.
Why losing Nicolas Raskin would be a big blow for Rangers
If Leeds or Villa are able to complete a deal for the former Standard Liege star, losing the Belgium international would be a big blow for Rangers and the next manager to walk through the doors at Ibrox.
Raskin recently won the Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year at the club’s awards night, which speaks to how highly the supporters and his own teammates value his performances this season.
The central midfielder has combined impressive play on the ball, scoring two goals and providing nine assists, with dominant defensive work out of possession, making 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game and winning 58% of his duels, across 31 appearances in the Premiership.
Raskin also caught the eye with his fantastic performances for the Light Blues in the Europa League before the club were knocked out by Athletic Club in the quarter-finals.
24/25 Europa League
Nicolas Raskin
Appearances
12
Tackles per game
3.7
Interceptions per game
1.3
Ball recoveries per game
7.4
Ground duel success rate
50%
Aerial duel success rate
55%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 24-year-old dynamo excelled at winning the ball back for his side, with a whopping five tackles and interceptions per game on average, and more than held his own in physical battles.
Raskin
These statistics reinforce how much of a blow it would be to lose the midfielder to Villa or Leeds this summer because of how impactful he can be in both the Premiership and the Europa League.
However, a fresh report has emerged on the club’s interest in a new central midfielder who could come in as a dream replacement for Raskin.
Rangers lining up move for £4m star
According to The Scottish Sun, the 49ers have Basel loanee Metinho at the top of their list of targets ahead of the summer transfer window, once their takeover is finalised.
The report claims that the Light Blues are lining up a move for the central midfielder ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and that he is valued at £4m at this moment in time.
Metinho is currently on loan at Basel from Troyes, having spent the first half of the year at Sparta Rotterdam, and the Gers are hoping to reach an agreement with the French side in the coming weeks.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Scottish Sun adds that there is also interest from several teams in the English Championship and that the 49ers want to fast-track a deal for the young star, which could mean that they bring him in before they even appoint a new manager.
Why Rangers should sign Metinho
Rangers must push to sign Metinho ahead of those teams in England because he could come in as the dream replacement for Raskin in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Signing the 22-year-old star from Troyes could soften the blow of losing the Belgium international, should he move on from Ibrox in the coming months.
Nicolas Raskin
The Brazilian midfielder struggled for game time with Sparta Rotterdam in the first half of the season, starting two of his 12 appearances in the Eredivisie, before a loan move to Basel sparked his campaign into life.
Since joining the Swiss giants, the £4m-rated star has been a key figure in the middle of the park, starting eight of his ten appearances in the Super League, and has caught the eye with his defensive work.
24/25 Super League
Metinho
Appearances
10
Pass accuracy
86%
Tackles per game
3.1
Interceptions per game
1.1
Ball recoveries per game
4.7
Ground duel success rate
69%
Aerial duel success rate
45%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Metinho has averaged 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game, which is more than the 3.6 that Raskin has averaged in the Premiership for Rangers this term, and won an eye-catching 69% of his ground duels.
Clearly, the Troyes starlet still has areas for improvement, including his success in aerial contests in the middle of the park, but he appears to have the raw defensive materials to be an excellent signing for the Scottish giants.
Metinho could be the dream replacement for Raskin by arriving at Ibrox to provide a similar level of defensive quality in midfield by breaking up attacks with tackles, interceptions, and ball recoveries at a similar rate.
In possession, the Brazilian star also ranks within the top 2% of midfielders in the Men’s Next 14 competitions over the last 365 days for progressive carries (3.49) and successful take-ons (1.83) per 90, which shows that he can provide quality as a progressive midfield player as well as being an excellent defender.
He'd be Gerrard 2.0: 49ers could hire "special" manager for Rangers
The 49ers could find their own Steven Gerrard for Rangers by hiring “pretty special” manager.
By
Dan Emery
May 9, 2025
At the age of 22, he is also two years younger than the Belgian star and still has time left on his side to develop and improve further, which is another reason why the youngster could be a fantastic signing for the 49ers to make, irrespective of who the next manager is going to be.
Arsenal have made contact with a potentially low-cost striker option who’s scored north of 170 career goals, with new sporting director Andrea Berta registering serious intent already ahead of his first summer at the club.
Andrea Berta's rumoured striker targets for Arsenal
One of Berta’s key items on the agenda is signing a prolific new striker.
Arsenal make "ambitious" offer for £170k-p/w forward after Arteta request
The Spaniard’s personally asked for him.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 19, 2025
Their need for a proven goalscorer was evident before Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were sidelined with long-term injuries, but their absences have left it beyond all doubt, with Mikel Arteta even forced to use midfielder Mikel Merino as an emergency makeshift striker over the last few weeks.
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
Newcastle United (home)
May 18th
Truth be told, the Spain international has done very well – scoring four in his last eight Premier League games and helping to bury Real Madrid in Europe – but Merino is hardly a long-term solution going forward.
Instead, Arsenal are developing a serious interest in Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, who’s bagged a pretty incredible 47 goals in his last 46 matches across all competitions, not to mention a further 11 assists.
These numbers, combined with the intense competition for his services from Arsenal’s rivals, mean Sporting will demand a package of up to £60 million with additional add-ons to let him leave (Fabrizio Romano).
Berta is said to be a fan of Gyokeres, while it is reported elsewhere that Newcastle star Alexander Isak is a “dream” signing for Arsenal, with a move for the Swede looking far too difficult to pull off in terms of price.
RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko is another striker on Arsenal’s target list, despite their failed bid to sign the Slovenian in 2024 (Fabrizio Romano), and they internally discussed the possibility of striking a deal in January.
All these names will come at a premium, especially when factoring in the overall costs, including wages, commission fees and signing bonuses.
Arsenal make contact with Lille star Jonathan David
Bearing this in mind, journalist Graeme Bailey is reporting for The Boot Room that Arsenal are throwing their hat in the race for out-of-contract Lille star Jonathan David.
It is quite surprising that no elite side has taken the plunge with David yet, considering just how incredible he’s been for Lille over the last few seasons, but it is now a matter of time before he seals his big move.
Lille'sJonathanDavidcelebrates scoring their first goal with Edon Zhegrov
The Canada international is set to leave on a Bosman this summer, and Arsenal held initial talks with David’s representatives in their pursuit of a striker.
The 25-year-old, who’s racked up a grand total of 176 career goals for club and country combined, is also a big-game player. David boasts seven strikes from his 10 Champions League outings this term, scoring against the likes of Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, so notions he can only score in an inferior division have been put to bed.
Despite being a free agent, he could still set Arsenal back around £28 million, including his yearly demands, signing-on fee and additional commission fees (Sacha Tavolieri), but this is still far cheaper than some of Berta’s other striker targets.
Manchester United are seemingly willing to sell an Old Trafford star who Ruben Amorim isn’t sure about, with Real Madrid keen on a potential deal this summer.
Man Utd suffer another defeat as INEOS eye summer signings
The Red Devils suffered yet another Premier League defeat following the international break, losing 1-0 to Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Amorim’s side had plenty of possession and more attempts than the hosts, but former winger Anthony Elanga was the matchwinner. The Man Utd boss even brought on Harry Maguire in an attacking role in the final stages, with the centre-back almost netting an equaliser.
Talking about that decision, Amorim said: “In the end of the game, when the opponent is just protecting the box, if you look at the defenders of Nottingham, they are really comfortable. And then with a line of six, not five, a line of six, we can reach the final third but then we have to put the ball inside the box because it’s hard to make the combinations to get inside the box to score goal.
“Harry Maguire, when he’s attacking in set-pieces, is maybe the best player we have in our team, so inside the box, you are not a defender, you are a striker. So it was that idea to put I one man who is really good in the air to score a goal.”
Man Utd now progressing in talks to sign £67m top target to replace Onana
A move appears to be advancing.
ByCharlie Smith Apr 2, 2025
A new attacker to rival Rasmus Hojlund appears to be on the to-do list this summer, especially as Man Utd regret signing Joshua Zirkzee and want him sold, as per recent reports.
Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt is a Red Devils fan and appears to be a target, however, players may need to be sold in order to fund their summer business.
Man Utd ready to sell Mainoo with Amorim unsure on fitness levels
One player who could be on the way out of Old Trafford is Kobbie Mainoo. Linked with a move to Chelsea during the January transfer window, the midfielder stayed put, however, he has missed the last nine games through injury.
Now, according to a report from Spain, Man Utd appear to be willing to sell Mainoo and have set an asking price of €50m (£41.7m), with his current contract set to expire in 2027.
Real Madrid see Mainoo as ‘a serious option to strengthen their midfield for the upcoming season’, whereas Chelsea and Inter Milan are also keen.
Selling Mainoo will help generate funds for summer signing ahead of Amorim’s first full season, and it has been claimed elsewhere that the Man Utd manager isn’t the midfielder’s biggest fan.
In fact, Amorim is ‘not completely convinced Mainoo has the fitness levels to be a success in his system’, and by the looks of things, the academy product could be on the way out of Old Trafford in a matter of months.
Over the last day or so, Liverpool fans received the news they’ve been waiting for all season long, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both edging closer to extending their contracts at Anfield.
Both players were set to leave Arne Slot’s side at the end of the campaign with their deals set to expire, but the latest news has shed positive light on their futures on Merseyside.
It was reported that both stars are set to extend their stints with the Reds until the summer of 2027, with tying the pair down arguably the best business they could do this summer.
However, there’s no denying that Slot will still want to delve into the transfer market to further bolster his first-team squad, looking to build on the success achieved in the Premier League during his debut year at the helm.
One player has already emerged on their shortlist ahead of the summer, but they will face huge competition from another English side for his signature.
Liverpool plotting summer move for £40m sensation
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are firmly in the race to land Ajax’s 19-year-old sensation Jorrel Hato this summer, offering more depth at centre-back and left-back. Bailey states that ‘Liverpool like him’, but they won’t be alone in their pursuit.
Indeed, Arsenal are also said to be hugely interested in landing the teenager, with his versatility key to the interest from both of the English outfits.
He’s made 44 appearances across all competitions, registering nine combined goals and assists despite his defensive role, building on his progress in the Eredivisie after making his debut at just 16.
The report claims that Hato could be available for around the £40m mark this summer, with Slot keen on securing a move for his compatriot given his showings in recent months.
Despite his tender age, he would be a superb addition to the Reds first team squad, potentially becoming even better than one other star should he complete a move to Anfield in the coming months.
Why Hato could become a bigger talent than Van Dijk
Centre-back Van Dijk has been one of the leading factors to the success endured at Liverpool this season, being a key figure in Slot’s starting eleven, starting every single Premier League outing.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Mohamed Salah
The same can be said for his entire spell on Merseyside, making over 300 appearances in his seven years at the club, cementing himself as one of the best defenders in the world – as seen by his Ballon d’Or standing a few years ago.
He may be 33, but remains as a pivotal member of the side, with his contract extension a boost to Slot, the squad and the supporters in their ambitions of building on their success in 2024/25.
Such a decision won’t scupper a move for Hato this summer, with the Ajax youngster able to learn off his compatriot and potentially become even better than the former Southampton star.
Hato, who’s been labelled “immense” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, was named in the top ten of the NXGN 2025 wonderkid list, having the potential to explode in Europe’s top five leagues should he move to the Reds.
Despite his tender age, the teenager has thrived in the Eredivisie, producing countless impressive stats that could allow him to catapult him to a level above that of Van Dijk.
When comparing his stats to the Reds’ captain, he’s managed to win more duels per 90, whilst also being dribbled past on fewer occasions – highlighting his defensive qualities.
Games played
25
31
Goals & assists
8
2
Duels won
4.7
4.6
Aerial success rate
64%
69%
Times dribbled past
0.1
0.3
Tackles won
1.5
0.5
Recoveries made
5.1
3.3
He’s also won more tackles and registered more goals and assists, showcasing the threat he possesses at both ends of the pitch – having the opportunity to improve further as he continues his development.
With Van Dijk entering the final years of his professional career, it’s crucial that the hierarchy plot for his eventual departure despite his new contract, with Hato certainly the perfect player to learn off the elite talent.
Whilst £40m may seem a huge investment in such a young star, it could be a bargain if lives up to his potential, setting the side up for further success in the years to come.
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It was just the third time in T20Is that two batters batting at No. 6 or below have scored half-centuries in the same innings
S Sudarshanan01-Feb-20251:19
Manjrekar spots an evolution in Dube’s power game
India are middle-overs bludgeoners in T20 cricket. Since the start of 2024, no Full-Member side has scored at a faster rate (9.41 per over) or hit more fours (182) and sixes (141) than they have in overs 7 to 16. Yet England were able to stifle them in that phase using Adil Rashid in Rajkot to keep the series alive; India could score only 57 for 2.India needed a fix in Pune, and in Shivam Dube they had one. Over the last couple of years, few batters have taken down spin like Dube has. Among those who have hit at least 40 sixes against spin in all T20s since the start of IPL 2023, only four batters have cleared the park more frequently: Dube’s balls per six ratio is 7.23. He returned to the national side only recently after recovering from a back injury that had sidelined him since India’s T20 World Cup win.This T20I team, under head coach Gautam Gambhir, is big on left-right combinations, as assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on match eve. But on Friday they ditched that tactic. Once Sanju Samson fell, Tilak Varma came and perished. Once Abhishek Sharma fell, India sent in Dube even though Rinku Singh was the other batter in the middle. Tactically, you could see why – the legspinner Rashid was just brought on and had struck with his second ball.The move almost cost India as Dube failed to pick a wrong’un and edged one to slip where Jos Buttler couldn’t hold on. Two balls later England and Buttler knew how big a missed chance that was as Dube deposited Rashid into the deep midwicket stands. In his first T20I after six months, he attacked England’s premier – and only – spinner to take 25 off 11; the other India batters could score only 10 off the remaining 13 Rashid deliveries.Dube was not as free-flowing against fast bowling, particularly the short and short-of-good-length deliveries, but did enough to not stall the scoring. He was softened up by Jofra Archer early with a 146.8kph bouncer. He quickly put that behind him to slash Brydon Carse past point and put away a couple of full tosses by the quicks. And then on the penultimate ball of the innings, he copped a blow to his helmet from a Jamie Overton bumper and suffered a concussion. But he had done his job – a 34-ball 53 that helped India post 181.Hardik Pandya notched up a vital half-century for India•BCCI
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Even after Suryakumar Yadav became the third wicket to fall in two overs, there was no sign of Hardik Pandya. He was one of three right-handers in India’s top eight on Friday. He walked in during the 11th over with India’s score at 79 for 5 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, the same venue where his 2023 ODI World Cup campaign ended due to injury.Hardik took his time even as Dube raced away. With five overs remaining, he was on 14 off 17. He channelled his inner MS Dhoni to take minimal risks while keeping the scoreboard ticking, even if that meant defending the last couple of balls of Rashid’s spell. That speaks volumes of Hardik’s self-confidence for the back-end of the innings because he was going against the high-intent template this Indian team now follows. He knew he could catch up.Related
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It was like Hardik timed his assault perfectly. He sashayed down to Saqib Mahmood, who had begun his night with a triple-wicket maiden, to hit him over long-off before flat-batting one over deep midwicket for another maximum. He then went 6, 4 against Archer by lofting one over long-off and splitting long-off and deep cover. He also managed to put a high full toss from Overton away over short third before getting under a full ball and sending it soaring over the sight screen.In his T20 career, Hardik has feasted on fast bowling and has demolished short and short-of-length balls. The hit-the-deck bowlers England had proved perfect fodder as he romped to a 27-ball half-century. In the three overs leading up to his dismissal, India managed to score 53. “Job done, boy!” Gambhir seemed to say as Hardik walked back.
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At 12 for 3 and 57 for 4, India’s T20I teams before 2024 would have chosen a more conservative path. Dube and Hardik’s assault allowed India to take 82 in the middle overs and push England back. Dube took down spin, Hardik took down pace, and together they added 87 off just 45 balls, their second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20Is. It was also just the third time in T20Is that two batters scored fifties while batting at No. 6 or lower. It left England needing their best chase against India. They fell short by 15.”We lost three wickets in the powerplay, credit to Hardik, the way he showed his experience tonight with bat in hand,” India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said. “To get us to a score of 180 with Shivam as well, that partnership was crucial. It is also nice for him to get into the runs. He’s been hitting the ball well in the nets, he has been training hard. As coaching and management staff, we simply know it is just a matter of time. In a crucial game for us tonight to step up – he’s one of the senior players – it is great to see.”