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Manchester United have now reportedly held internal talks about signing a Premier League midfielder who will be cheaper than Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

Man Utd prioritising Anderson move

Anderson has quickly become the most sought-after midfield talent in the Premier League. The Nottingham Forest star has forced his way into Thomas Tuchel’s best England side and put himself on the radar of Liverpool, Manchester City and those at Old Trafford.

In terms of the physical profile that thrives in the Premier League these days, he ticks several important boxes. They are, as things stand, boxes that Man United’s current options struggle to meet, which makes it no surprise that the Red Devils have reportedly identified Anderson as their top transfer priority.

A deal to sign Anderson will not come cheap, however. Some reports have claimed that he will cost clubs as much as £100m to sign in the summer. Whether United have the spending power to match the likes of City as a result is the question that those around Old Trafford will now be asking themselves.

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ByEthan Lamb Dec 5, 2025

It’s clear that Ruben Amorim is seeking reinforcements too, having laughed off suggestions that Kobbie Mainoo could solve some of Man United’s problems. The United boss said when asked about the midfielder: “I see it. I just want to win, I try to put the players, I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch.”

As the Premier League’s top clubs chase Anderson and Forest set their price, however, United may have no choice but to turn towards Mainoo or cheaper alternatives in the market like Joao Gomes.

Man Utd hold internal talks about Joao Gomes

According to the Daily Mail, Man United have now held internal talks about signing Gomes to fix their midfield problems in 2026. The Wolverhampton Wanderers man will be cheaper than Anderson at a reported £44m and it will be interesting to see if the price drops if the Midlands club drop down to the Championship this season.

Minutes

1,099

1,260

Progressive Passes

64

119

Tackles Won

22

22

Ball Recoveries

73

115

Gomes may be a fair bit cheaper than Anderson, but the quality drop off is there for all to see. The Brazilian has by no means endured a poor season on a personal front even as Wolves have struggled. Alas, Anderson has blown him away in comparison both on and off the ball.

Dubbed a “super talent” by former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, it’s not a major surprise that Gomes has found himself on United’s radar. He ticks the box for Premier League experience for a bargain price tag, but he is ultimately not on the same level as the likes of Adam Wharton and Anderson.

He’s "similar to Xhaka": Man Utd to push Madrid for £30m Wharton alternative

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke will surely be incredibly frustrated by his side’s lack of quality in the final third after what happened at the end of the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Football Insider last month, journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed that the German boss wanted two additions to the squad that never came to pass.

The reporter said: “There will be a hint of frustration for Daniel Farke – they missed out on some targets. They are still lacking a bit up front, Leeds and he fears for them on that front – not getting the deal done for Manor Solomon will be a blow to Farke and the Leeds fans, because he had such a great impact there on loan last season.

“They tried to sign Harry Wilson on deadline day from Fulham and weren’t able to get that deal over the line as well, so they were looking to add some creativity in the final third.”

Instead of landing Manor Solomon, who scored ten goals on loan at Elland Road last season, or Harry Wilson, the club were unable to land any additional attacking signings in the final days of the window.

That recruitment failure from those above Farke has left the manager in a position where Jack Harrison is starting in the Premier League, which is a tough position to be in.

Why Leeds need to move on from Jack Harrison

The English winger returned to Elland Road in the summer after spending the previous two seasons on loan with Everton, which meant that he did not take part in the club’s two Championship campaigns.

Harrison’s form with the Toffees did not suggest that he was likely to return to Thorp Arch to improve their options at the top end of the pitch, as he struggled badly last term.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the left-footed dud scored one from 3.52 xG and failed to provide any assists in 34 appearances and 24 starts in the Premier League, per Sofascore, which shows that he was incredibly ineffective in the final third.

Appearances

7

Starts

1

Goals

0

Big chances missed

1

Key passes per game

0.1

Assists

0

Successful dribbles per game

0.4

Cross accuracy

13%

As you can see in the table above, Harrison has offered very little in possession on the pitch this season, with no goals and just one chance created in seven appearances in the Premier League.

The £90k-per-week flop’s form for Everton last season suggests that he is unlikely to improve much from this point, which is why the club should be looking to move on from him in the summer.

Farke wanted Wilson and Solomon at the end of the window, which suggests that he was not happy with his wide options, and it has been reported that the club will go back in for Wilson in January.

A move for the Fulham forward, who has scored seven Premier League goals since the start of last season (Sofascore), could leave Harrison surplus to requirements.

The English winger is not the only player in the squad who may be on borrowed time ahead of the January transfer window, though, as there are others who have struggled to adapt to the top-flight.

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Brenden Aaronson is one and as as much as this may not be a popular thing to point out, there is a case to be made that central midfielder Ao Tanaka may not be suited to playing in the Premier League.

Why Ao Tanaka may be on borrowed time at Leeds

The Japan international was a star for the Whites when they won the Championship title last season, using his ability on the ball to dominate matches for Farke. After all, his manager described him as “unbelievable” for his performances.

He ranked within the top 7% of midfielders in the division for passes attempted per 90 (72.43) and for progressive passes per 90 (7.03), per FBref, which shows that he excelled in possession in the second tier.

The 27-year-old star also scored five goals from a central midfield position to help Leeds on their way to winning the tite with a staggering 100-point haul.

However, the step up to the Premier League has meant that Leeds have had to alter their style of play as they are unable to dominate matches with the ball as much as they were able to do in the Championship, which has been bad news for Tanaka.

Journalist Graham Smyth raised concerns over the midfielder’s physicality last month, saying: “My concern with Tanaka was physicality in the Premier League. He got run over a few times towards the end of the last season. I worried a little bit, against the most elite athletes in the Premier League.”

The central midfielder’s form in the top-flight so far this season backs up the reporter’s concerns, as he has struggled in his duels across his six appearances so far.

Burnley

0% (0/0)

Spurs

67% (2/3)

Bournemouth

20% (1/5)

Wolves

0% (0/0)

Arsenal

0% (0/6)

Everton

29% (2/7)

As you can see in the table above, Tanaka has only won more than 29% of his duels in one of his six outings in the Premier League this season for the Whites.

Per Sofascore, he has lost 76% of his duels in total, including 80% of his ground duels, and this shows that opposition players have found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical contests.

This may be why Farke has preferred a midfield trio of Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff, and Anton Stach, as all three of them have won over 50% of their duels in the top-flight, per Sofascore.

Tanaka is a brilliant technician, as evidenced by his aforementioned form in the Championship, but the physical nature of a relegation battle in the Premier League seems to have rendered him ineffective in the middle of the park.

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If these issues persist until January, there may be a decision to make on his short-term future at Elland Road in the next January transfer window.

Newcastle United didn’t rest on their laurels after winning the Carabao Cup and restoring their place in the Champions League last season, breaking their transfer record for expenditure in a summer transfer window.

Of course, Eddie Howe’s side parted ways, rather acrimoniously, with centre-forward Alexander Isak, who had refused to train throughout August in order to force his way out and to Premier League champions Liverpool.

There is no two ways about it: this was a big blow for a club on the up. However, if you are going to lose your star man, swap him with an elite-class replacement.

Having banked £125m for the Sweden star’s signature, funds were redirected toward Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade, who completed a £69m move at the end of August.

Why Woltemade could be one of Newcastle's best signings

Given that he’s Newcastle’s club-record purchase, you’d hope that Howe would be receiving bang for his buck when welcoming the striker to the fold, not least because he is stepping into Isak’s boots.

But seven games into his career in black and white, the German international has scored four goals from seven matches and is grasping the opportunity to nail down his spot as Yoane Wissa continues to recover from a knee injury suffered before he could make his debut.

Praised by Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor in the past as “the two-metre Messi”, the 6 foot 6 striker is as rangy as they come, but he’s anything but ungainly.

Endowed with a deft technical skill and an awareness that allows him to link up fluidly with his teammates, there’s so much potential for Howe to tap into over the coming years, and if he continues as he has started, Toon fans will remember Isak as little more than an afterthought.

It’s hard to hit the ground running in the Premier League, and the likes of Isak and Anthony Gordon stand as evidence at St. James’ Park as to why it’s important to give players time to integrate.

Howe's original Woltemade-type signing

Though his first foray into English football was heavily disrupted by a ten-month fan as a result of betting breaches, Sandro Tonali started as he would eventually go on, netting on his debut for Newcastle against Aston Villa in August 2023.

It was clear from the off that Howe had signed a high-quality midfielder, welcoming Tonali from AC Milan in Italy for a £55m fee. Hailed by Italian reporter Carlo Garganese for his “world-class” potential when cutting his teeth in his homeland, Tonali has rebounded from that first-season setback and now plays as the linchpin at the heart of the Magpies’ engine.

Elegant and effortless on the ball, the 25-year-old works perfectly alongside Bruno Guimaraes, with his control and reading of the game opening up avenues for the Brazilian, whose athleticism and ability to cover vast stretches of ground have seen Howe nudge him into a slightly more advanced berth.

As with Woltemade, Tonali’s signature came at a heavy financial cost, but he is playing with a gusto and quality that suggests he could be one of the key pillars of Howe’s tactical vision for many years to come.

Both players have yet to hit their prime, and that’s an exciting thing. Moreover, Tonali is becoming ever more important as the architect of Newcastle’s ball-playing fluency, just as, with Wissa injured, Woltemade is tasked with scoring the goals for this title-chasing team.

Kieran Trippier

6

10.4

Sandro Tonali

7

7.31

Jacob Ramsey

2

7.14

Bruno Guimaraes

6

6.33

Lewis Hall

3

6.00

He’s been ever-present in the Premier League so far this season, and there’s a reason Howe has entrusted him with such an important role.

Tonali, like Woltemade, faced questions upon completing a big-money move to Tyneside, but his quality on the pitch has prevailed and he has risen to a standing in Howe’s squad as one of the most significant cogs in the machine.

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Russell Martin accepted full responsibility after another dismal Rangers performance ended with a 1-1 draw at Falkirk, but it may not be enough to save his position at Ibrox.

When striker Bojan Miovski tapped in after 41 minutes, the travelling supporters again turned their ire on the Gers boss and there were repeated chants against the former Southampton manager before and after John McGlynn’s side deservedly levelled in the 73rd minute through substitute Henry Cartwright.

Afterwards Gers fans sat down to attempt to stop the team bus leaving but they were dispersed by police. Images showed that Martin was escorted out of another part of the stadium by security guards before reportedly leaving in a car.

The Ibrox side are in eighth place with one win in seven William Hill Premiership fixtures, 11 points behind leaders Hearts and nine behind Celtic and Martin, who described the chants as “character building”, was asked if he was getting enough from the players.

He said: “They’re giving us everything they’ve got. I think they’re really trying. So I have to take responsibility for it, not them.

“There’s been some really honest discussions with them in the dressing room, some frustration with them and each other, but ultimately I’m the one in charge of the team, so I have to accept responsibility. We haven’t had enough wins on days like today, so it’s been a frustrating period.”

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Martin conceded the backing of the Ibrox board is not infinite but remains confident that he can get it right.

He said: “I think it’s the same everywhere. Just this club is intensified and the scrutiny is much higher, the noise is much louder.

“So every draw we’ve had has felt like a defeat because of the stature of this club and what it means and what we have to try and fight for.

“So I can’t answer your question really, you’d have to ask the people above me.

“I feel that the players and the staff are really behind me. I felt really supported by everyone else above me as well, and I can’t dictate whether that changes or not.

“I have to just try and focus on winning football matches (and we can do that) because of what I see every day with the players, how invested they are in it, how hard they run.

“If I felt any differently, I would feel differently here. It probably wouldn’t hurt as much, but I know they’re really trying.”

Martin "on the brink" of Ibrox sack

And Ben Jacobs reports on Sunday evening that Martin “is on the brink of being sacked” the Gers board “expected to make an imminent decision”.

Steven Gerrard and Danny Rohl are both “appreciated” in Glasgow’s South side having been on the shortlist before Martin took charge.

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been nothing short of eventful.

Their campaign began with a resounding 3-0 win over West Ham in front of a bouncing Stadium of Light.

A 2-0 defeat away at Burnley quickly reminded them of the challenges ahead, but the Black Cats hit back with a dramatic 2-1 home victory against Brentford.

A stalemate with Crystal Palace and a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Aston Villa – where Sunderland played the majority of the game with ten men – showcased resilience.

Victory in that match would have propelled them into fourth place, remarkable for a club that was battling in the Championship just last season.

Next up is a trip to Nottingham Forest, who are still adjusting to life under Ange Postecoglou.

While the focus is rightly on Sunderland’s bright start and their new arrivals – such as Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra – it is impossible not to think back to some of the players who once wore red & white.

Among them are high-profile names like Jobe Bellingham, but also a forward who is currently one of the Premier League’s most electric performers.

How Jobe Bellingham is doing at Borussia Dortmund

When Jobe Bellingham joined Sunderland from Birmingham in 2023, the 20-year-old midfielder carried immense expectation.

A product of the same footballing family that produced Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, he quickly became a focal point in Sunderland’s Championship promotion campaign.

Jobe made 40 league appearances last season, scoring four times and assisting three.

He played a vital role as the Black Cats edged their way through the play-offs to seal their return to the top flight.

That impact saw Borussia Dortmund move quickly, paying £27 million to secure his services in the summer.

While the Bundesliga giants recognise his potential, his time in Germany has so far been one of adjustment.

Opportunities in the starting XI have been limited, and the young midfielder is still searching for consistency at the highest level. Premier League sides like Crystal Palace were interested, but Bellingham opted for Dortmund, hoping to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

Despite his high-profile move, Bellingham has not yet hit the heights Sunderland fans might have expected.

Instead, it is another former Black Cat, less heralded during his time on Wearside, who is making waves and establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers.

Antoine Semenyo – tearing it up in the Premier League

While Jobe Bellingham carried the headlines, Antoine Semenyo is another former Sunderland player truly shining in Europe.

The 25-year-old winger had a fleeting spell with the Black Cats, joining on loan from Bristol City in 2020 when the club were fighting in League One. He was valued at just £436k by Transfermarkt at the time.

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He made just seven appearances, leaving only a modest impression at the time, per Transfermarkt, and the club did not decide to pursue a permanent deal for the winger, which has turned out to be a big mistake.

Fast-forward to today, and Semenyo is among the most sought-after forwards in England.

Since joining Bournemouth in a £10 million move from Bristol City in 2023, he has blossomed into a complete forward.

Last season, he scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 37 league appearances.

His form prompted Bournemouth to slap a £70 million price tag on him this summer amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

This season, he has started even stronger.

Matches Played

5

Goals

3

Assists

2

Progressive Carries

15

Progressive Passes

16

The stats underline just how effective he has become.

He ranks in the 87th percentile for shots per 90 (3.15), the 74th percentile for successful take-ons (2.04), and the 70th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (5.22), per FBref.

He is also defensively diligent, sitting in the 98th percentile for blocks per 90 (1.84) and an extraordinary 97th percentile for aerial duels won (2.01).

EBL on X described Semenyo as a “£100m player” – high praise, but one that feels increasingly justified.

His combination of work rate, direct running, and physical dominance makes him the exact type of modern forward that elite clubs crave.

For Sunderland supporters, watching Semenyo thrive may stir mixed emotions.

His spell on Wearside was brief and largely unremarkable, yet his career trajectory is proof of how unpredictable football development can be.

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While their current squad has plenty of fresh talent, it is hard not to reflect on what might have been had Sunderland kept hold of him during his formative years, which is why they messed up by failing to identify his talent and pursue a permanent deal after his loan stint.

Everton are starting to make progress on transfers this summer and find themselves ready to put together a package for a solid performer who is now on their radar, according to reports.

Everton close to making first summer signing

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ashley Young were among high-profile departures at Everton this summer, but they are now close to making their first capture of the window.

Reports suggest Villarreal striker Thierno Barry is on his way to the Toffees for a fee in the region of £30 million, while Millwall forward Mihailo Ivanovic is another potential recruit if they can come to an agreement on a deal to sign the Serbia international.

Defensively, free agent Nicolas Tagliafico is in advanced talks to join Everton after leaving financially unstable former club Lyon at the end of last campaign, providing competition for Vitaly Mykolenko without David Moyes having to take a significant chunk out his budget.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has also claimed that Ipswich Town midfielder Omari Hutchinson could be interested in joining the Toffees after suffering relegation at Portman Road.

He stated: “Privately, the player would love the chance to return to the Premier League. Ipswich, on the other hand, will be hoping to keep hold of him because he’d be a key man for them next season, as they try and win promotion back to the Premier League.”

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Later, he added: “There will be Premier League clubs sitting up and taking notice of him, and we know that Everton are in the market for wingers.”

While it remains to be seen if Everton could sign Hutchinson, they are in the market for a goalkeeper from the EFL that could be on the move this summer.

Everton look to sign Sheffield United stopper Michael Cooper

According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon on Patreon, Everton are keen on Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper following his excellent displays for the Blades last term.

The Toffees are ready to pay £5 million plus add-ons to bring the 25-year-old to Merseyside. However, Ruben Selles wants a higher amount and the Exeter-born man is in no hurry to leave unless he has guarantees of first-team football elsewhere.

Michael Cooper’s excellent campaign for Sheffield United – all competitions

Appearances

46

Goals conceded

35

Clean sheets

23

Everton may gain an advantage given he has the same agent as Dwight McNeil and Jake O’Brien, who are also clients of Unique Sports Group alongside Cooper.

Jordan Pickford is the only senior goalkeeper on the books at Finch Farm amid Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia’s departures. Should they act to bring in a supplementary figure to the England international, someone with a 79.6% save percentage in England’s second-tier would be the profile you would want to acquire.

Moyes is beginning to make tracks as his side undergo a rebuild, and Cooper could fit the bill as a progressive signing under the guise of the Friedkin Group.

Arsenal have suddenly sprung to life in the last few days.

For much of the last few weeks, fans were beginning to worry that Mikel Arteta’s side were being left behind by their Premier League rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City, who have been incredibly busy in the transfer window thus far.

However, seemingly out of nowhere, the North Londoners appear to have wrapped up deals for Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, and now it looks like they are making progress on a deal to sign Christian Mosquera.

On top of that, the Gunners are now being linked with Crystal Palace’s incredible Eberechi Eze, although there is another international touted for a move to the Emirates this summer, someone who’d be a better signing than the Englishman.

Arsenal target international talent

Considering Arsenal scored 17 goals fewer than eventual Premier League champions Liverpool this season, it’s no surprise that most of their rumoured targets this summer are attacking players, with a real focus on left-wingers, such as Nico Williams and Eze.

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The former looked like he could be the answer to the Gunners’ problems in that area of the pitch, but as things stand today, he looks more likely to move to Barcelona than England.

Eze, on the other hand, does feel like a realistic target, as he’s proven himself in the Premier League for years now and has a release clause worth around £68m in his contract, which would make signing him relatively straightforward.

Yet, if Arteta and Co really want to take the team to the next level this summer and bring in someone who’d represent a real signal of intent, they might be better off signing Rodrygo.

The good news is that they might have the same idea, as, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Real Madrid superstar.

In fact, the report goes a step further, claiming that the Gunners are now preparing to make an offer of around €80m for the Brazilian international, which translates to around £68m.

Interestingly, the club want to stagger the payments into three installments, with the first being around €50m and the next two being €15m each, which is something they might not be able to do with the Palace star due to his release clause.

It would still be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrygo’s ability, experience and stature in the game, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he’d be a better signing than Eze.

Why Rodrygo would be a better signing than Eze

Okay, the first thing to say is that both players are incredibly talented footballers and would, therefore, make excellent additions to Arsenal’s squad.

After all, their raw output from this season isn’t all that far apart, as the Palace star scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 43 games, totalling 3303 minutes, while the Real monster produced the same goal involvements in 3448 minutes across 53 games.

However, the first real argument for the latter being the superior player emerges when we take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.51

0.52

Progressive Passes

5.05

3.37

Progressive Passes Received

11.8

5.31

Progressive Carries

5.28

2.40

Shots

2.52

3.48

Goals per Shot

0.11

0.07

Shots on Target

0.93

0.94

Goals Per Shot on Target

0.30

0.26

Expected Assists

0.20

0.16

Key Passes

2.29

2.01

Passes into the Final Third

3.08

1.70

Shot-Creating Actions

4.95

4.69

Goal-Creating Actions

0.42

0.35

Tackles Won

0.65

0.76

Blocks

0.84

0.94

Interceptions

0.51

0.38

Clearances

0.42

0.35

Carries into the Final Third

4.07

1.67

Carries into the Penalty Area

2.34

0.76

Aerial Duels Won

0.33

0.24

For example, even though the former QPR star comes out on top in some metrics, like shots and shots on target per 90, he does far worse in the vast majority of relevant statistics.

In fact, not only does the former Santos gem do better in most attacking areas, like progressive and key passes, but also in some of the defensive metrics as well, like interceptions and clearances, highlighting his willingness to do the dirty work and help out his team.

Finally, in addition to being vastly superior in a statistical sense, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, is two years younger and has significantly more experience at the highest level.

For example, he has won two Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and a host of other trophies, so he knows exactly what it takes to play at the very top of the game, which is something the Eagles ace just doesn’t have in his locker.

​​​​

Ultimately, both players would be excellent signings for Arsenal, but due to his incredible experience, age and superior statistics, Arsenal should be looking to sign Rodrygo over Eze this summer.

Better than Sesko & Gyokeres: Arsenal have "looked at" signing £82m star

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 27, 2025

Russell Martin is the 20th permanent manager in Rangers’ 153-year history, but he’s got plenty of work to do if he’s going to be a success at Ibrox.

Last season, the Gers finished second in the Premiership, a whopping 17 points adrift of the champions, and ended the campaign trophyless, most notably dumped out of the Scottish Cup having suffered their first-ever home defeat against lower-league opposition in the competition.

So, if the Light Blues are going to be ready for the start of Champions League qualifying next month, Martin is going to want to be very busy in the transfer market, so could he be reunited with a player for the third time?

Rangers targeting a new centre-back

According to a report by EFL Analysis, Rangers remain interested in signing centre-back Harry Darling, labelling this potential move to Glasgow a ‘very intriguing prospect’, with Norwich City also pursuing the defender.

The 25-year-old is a free agent, having left Swansea City, and has twice played for Martin before, first at Milton Keynes, before the new Rangers manager signed Darling three years ago when he was in charge of the Swans.

Recently-appointed Norwich boss Liam Manning, who replaced Martin at MK, described Darling as “outstanding”, adding that he is more than “capable” of playing at a high level, so could he turn down the Canaries and reunite with Martin once more?

How Harry Darling compares to Robin Pröpper

According to reports in the Netherlands, Robin Pröpper is set to re-join FC Twente this summer, with the Eredivisie side willing to pay around half of the £2.5m they received for the centre-back a mere 12 months ago.

The Dutchman made 43 appearances during his first, and potentially only, season at Rangers, scoring during victories over both Celtic and Dundee United, but more notably getting sent off just 13 minutes into the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club.

Pröpper himself admitted that “maybe I underestimated” the level of competition one faces in the Scottish Premiership, with his performances often widely criticised, including by Aaron Nijjar of Football Insider, who noted that his ‘struggles continued’ following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in December.

Meantime, Ewan Paton of the Rangers Review believes that Scottish football is ‘too quick and physical for his capabilities’, suggesting that supporters would be pleased to see the back of him.

But, would Darling be an upgrade? Let’s assess the pair’s respective statistics to answer that question.

Appearances

39

43

Minutes

3,337

3,210

% of dribblers tackled

56.5%

55.6%

Tackles per 90

0.8

1.2

Interceptions per 90

0.6

0.9

Clearances per 90

5

3.8

Ball recoveries

152

36

% of aerial duels won

64.2%

54%

% of ground duels won

66%

53.25%

Average Sofascore Rating

7.23

6.69

As the table outlines, pretty much across the board, Darling comes out on top for the vast majority of defensive metrics included.

Worth considering that also, according to Global Football Rankings, the EFL Championship is the 11th strongest division in the world, with the Scottish Premiership down in 43rd, albeit 11 of Pröpper’s outings did come in either Champions League qualifying or the Europa League.

Writer Kai Watson believes that Darling would be ‘perfect’ for Martin’s system, labelling him ‘very comfortable on the ball and a brilliant passer’, underlining that this deal is a no-brainer for Rangers, especially considering he’s a free agent.

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With all eyes on their Premier League return, Leeds United are reportedly looking to get their summer business underway by securing a double swoop for two Ligue 1 talents.

49ers aiming to back Leeds in transfer market

Whilst the 49ers group have been busy completing their takeover of Scottish giants Rangers, they’ll still be focused on ensuring that Leeds have a side capable of avoiding the drop at the first time of asking. In doing so, the Whites would become the first promoted side to keep hold of their Premier League status in the last six attempts. That’s the extent of the task at hand for the 49ers and Daniel Farke’s side.

Chairman Paraag Marathe is ready to back Leeds in the transfer market this summer, however, having told reporters last month when asked about potential business: “I’m not really ready to go into that, but yes, your speculation is probably right.

“It’s going to be a mix of seeing if there are inbounds along with outbounds. And that’s probably, that’s probably accurate, but really not ready to go into more detail than that. But we are looking at maximizing what we can do, and so that involves the whole bag, ins and outs.”

Just who arrives is the big question. The transfer window is now open and those at Elland Road will be desperate to see the 49ers get their business underway as soon as possible.

To that end, Dara O’Shea could be one to watch. Recent reports revealed that Leeds are interested in signing the Ipswich Town star and granting him an instant return to the Premier League following relegation.

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Back in the top flight, the impressive defender would be an impressive first pick. He ticks the box for experience both in the Premier League and now a relegation battle. On a personal note, O’Shea himself will be desperate to avoid the drop for a second season on the bounce.

He’s not the only target on Leeds’ radar, however. The 49ers are also reportedly targeting a double swoop to land a Ligue 1 duo this summer.

Leeds chasing double swoop for Fofana and Abdelli

As reported by Ouest France, the 49ers and Leeds are now chasing a double swoop to sign Yahia Fofana and Himad Abdelli from Angers this summer. The former would be an instant upgrade on Illan Meslier at just £8m, whilst the latter would offer plenty of leadership from midfield following his captaincy of the French side in recent years.

Clean Sheets

7

21

Saves per 90

4.09

1.62

Save Percentage

74.2%

72.7%

Having been dropped by Farke at the back end of last season as Leeds secured promotion, Meslier’s place remains in question and the arrival of Fofana could see the Frenchman exiled altogether at Elland Road.

Alongside Fofana, Abdelli would make an impact in his own right. The midfielder completed the same amount of progressive passes as £100m+ Liverpool target Florian Wirtz last season and two more than Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. He was a standout in Europe’s top seven leagues on that metric and could now be on his way to Elland Road.

Manchester United have been in contact to sign a “standout” £10m midfielder this summer ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

Fernandes hints he could leave Man Utd after Europa League final

The nail in the Red Devils’ coffin for the season was hammered in by Spurs on Wednesday night, with Ange Postecoglou getting the better of Ruben Amorim in the Europa League final in Bilbao.

A 1-0 win for Tottenham ensured they’d win their first trophy in 17 years and qualify for the Champions League, whereas United will now have to make do with no European football and one of their worst seasons for more than 50 years.

Bruno Fernandes captained Man Utd in Bilbao but failed to take his side to glory, and with a summer of uncertainty at Old Trafford incoming, spoke about his future in Manchester.

“I will be here until the club tells me it is time to leave. I am available to make the club have great days again.

“The day the club thinks I am too much, or it is time to leave, football is like that and you never know. If the club thinks it is time to leave, because they want to make some money, that is what it is and football is like that sometimes.”

The Portuguese star is wanted in Saudi Arabia by Al-Hilal, and with the likes of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen also ageing and on big money, a new midfield gem could be on the to-do list for the Red Devils and Sir Jim Ratcliffe ahead of his first summer transfer window as co-owner.

Man Utd in contact to sign £10m midfielder ahead of Spurs

According to TBR Football, Man Utd are one of numerous clubs who have been in contact with Motherwell over a deal to sign midfielder Lennon Miller.

The 18-year-old is emerging as one of Scotland’s most exciting talents and has had approaches from the Red Devils, Spurs, Arsenal, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham.

Games

39

Goals

4

Assists

8

Minutes played

3,398

Atalanta, Bologna and Como in Italy are all keen on Miller, as are French side Strasbourg and Scottish champions Celtic, with reports earlier this year claiming Motherwell would want £10m for the teenage gem.

Set to turn 19 in August, Miller has already made more than 75 senior appearances for Motherwell, even captaining them between November and December last year.

Talking during that time, Barry Ferguson called Miller a “standout” performer for Motherwell and said “he has the potential to play at the highest level”.

The Red Devils have already shown they are looking at the future with recent deals for Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi-Martin, and by the looks of things, Miller could be the next if they manage to win the huge race for his services.