Sheffield United have made a terrible start to the Championship campaign and may now be about to enact a seismic managerial change at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United on end of rout at Ipswich Town
Truthfully, the Blades were hammered against Ipswich Town on Friday night, and pressure on Ruben Selles has reached fever pitch after a 5-0 scoreline at Portman Road.
Prolonging their hapless start to the campaign, Sheffield United are now on a run of six straight defeats, scoring only one goal during that time and shipping 14 times, painting a bleak picture at both ends of the pitch.
Ruben Selles managing at Bramall Lane.
Clearly, any thought of positive synergy between Selles and his players is far from reality at this moment in time, though he has maintained that he will continue to try and turn things around at Bramall Lane.
He stated in his post-match press conference: “It doesn’t matter what I believe (about my future), but I will keep working until the last moment. I have to take the pain and analyse what we want for the next game to try to beat the next opponent.”
Controversially, Danny Rohl was briefly linked with the Sheffield United job before reports were shot down, something that would’ve made for interesting reading amid his recent stint in charge at rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
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From the outside looking in, change is necessary before the campaign begins to provoke grave possibilities for the Blades, who find themselves a sizeable margin adrift of the playoff places even at an early stage.
With supporters holding out for a hero, they may now be set to find out the identity of their potential new manager, with Selles on the brink.
Sheffield United make stunning Chris Wilder approach
According to Sheffield Star journalist Danny Hall on X, Sheffield United have approached Chris Wilder over returning to the club for a third time as patience wears thin following their run of defeats under Selles.
Separately, the Blades are also looking to change things around upstairs by installing a football representative in a technical role, or perhaps even a director of football to help steady the ship.
Wilder, who has 384 wins across his managerial career, including 140 at Sheffield United, has been out of work since being dismissed at Bramall Lane during the summer following a near miss in last term’s playoff final defeat to Sunderland.
Incredibly, he could now be drafted back into the dugout for a third spell in charge, with his best achievements being earning promotion to the Championship in 2016/17, taking the Blades to the Premier League two years later and finishing in the top-half circa 2019/20.
Becoming an immensely popular figure among supporters, Sheffield United could be set to enact a change that nobody saw coming given the recent history between all parties mentioned.
Leeds United have less than two weeks to prepare for their opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign against Everton at Elland Road.
It will be the club’s first top-flight match in more than two years, since their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in West Yorkshire under the management of Sam Allardyce at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Daniel Farke will now be hoping to be more Marcelo Bielsa than Sam Allardyce or Javi Gracia, as the German head coach attempts to guide the team to safety.
The Whites boss will want more options to pick from at the top end of the pitch, though, as Lukas Nmecha is currently the only attacking player who has been added to the squad during the summer transfer window.
As you can see in the quotes above, Farke has made it clear that the club need to bring in more attackers, including a replacement for Manor Solomon.
The Championship champions should also be on the lookout for a marquee number nine addition, as it remains to be seen whether or not Joel Piroe has what it takes to make the step up.
Leeds have doubts over Joel Piroe's Premier League ability
Back in May, Football Insider reported that Leeds would not build their Premier League attack around the Dutchman, because they have doubts over his suitability for the top-flight.
The outlet stated that the Whites were not planning for the former Swansea marksman to be their first-choice number nine for the 2025/26 campaign, because of their doubts.
This may seem like an odd stance for the club to take after Piroe won the Golden Boot with 19 goals in the Championship for Leeds last season, but it is one that makes sense.
The Whites won the league with 100 points and were utterly dominant in the second tier, which meant that they were able to carry a striker like Piroe, who does not offer much to the team from a physical perspective.
In the Premier League, however, his lack of mobility and strength could cause problems as a starting number nine, as Leeds will be fighting against relegation rather than dominating matches.
Duels won
2.24
Bottom 3%
Duel success rate
26.9%
Bottom 10.6%
Aerial duels won
0.9
Bottom 12.9%
Aerial duel success rate
21.4%
Bottom 17.6%
Fouls committed
0.7
Bottom 7.1%
Fouls won
0.44
Bottom 9.4%
As you can see in the table above, Piroe was far too weak in duels with opposition players and ranked incredibly lowly among his positional peers in a host of physical metrics.
Leeds pushing to sign Serie A striker
Piroe’s lack of physicality, in terms of both speed and strength, may be why the Championship champions are reportedly eyeing up a new centre-forward.
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According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Leeds United are “pushing” to complete a deal to sign Montenegro international Nikola Krstovic from Italian side Lecce.
The reporter claims that the 25-year-old marksman has been given the “green light” to pursue a move away from the Serie A outfit this summer, which has opened the door to a potential transfer to Elland Road.
Montenegro's Nikola Krstovic celebrates
Vidal adds that the former Red Star Belgrade marksman is “high” on Farke’s wishlist of attacking reinforcements, with the club now pushing to get a deal done for the striker.
Earlier this summer, it was reported that Lecce value the centre-forward at a fee of around £26m, although it remains to be seen how much Leeds are willing to pay for his services.
Why Leeds should sign Nikola Krstovic
The Whites should sign the Serie A number nine because he would come in as a big upgrade on Joel Piroe for Farke ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser against Everton.
Unlike the current Leeds forward, Krstovic has already proven his quality in one of Europe’s major leagues with his performances for Lecce over the past two seasons, proving that he can score goals at an impressive rate.
The £26m-rated striker scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances in the Serie A during the 2024/25 campaign, which is a very respectable return for a player in a team that battled relegation, and successfully, it is worth noting.
Krstovic’s contributions at the top end of the pitch helped Lecce to finish 17th in the division, three points above the bottom three, which shows that he can step up and deliver crucial goals to help a team in a relegation battle.
Along with his potential to be an excellent goalscorer for Leeds, having scored 21 goals in the last two seasons, the Serie A star would also come in as a big upgrade on Piroe from a physical perspective.
Duels won
5.31
Top 38%
Duel success rate
40.6%
Bottom 46%
Aerial duels won
2.76
Top 29%
Aerial duel success rate
41.4%
Top 50%
Fouls committed
1.67
Top 39%
Fouls won
1.61
Top 33%
As you can see in the table above, the Lecce centre-forward ranked above average in most of the physical metrics that Piroe ranked among the worst in the Championship for.
Krstovic, who was hailed as “integral” by former boss Roberto D’Aversa, is a strong number nine who can hold his own in duels, on and off the ball, to provide his team with a strong outlet up front.
Wales' Neco Williams in action with Montenegro's NikolaKrstovic
This means that he would be far more useful to Farke as a starter in the Premier League, as Leeds are likely to be battling the drop and will need a striker who can provide relief by winning fouls and duels, which is not Piroe’s strong suit.
Therefore, Krstovic could be an ideal signing for the Whites to come in as a proven goalscorer and physical presence in the number ninerole ahead of Piroe.
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Manchester City are now in advanced talks to sign an “unbelievable” star, and they are looking to get a deal wrapped up before the end of July.
Ederson's Man City future up in the air
In recent days, there have been conflicting reports surrounding Ederson’s future at the Etihad Stadium, with Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg initially suggesting the Brazilian was closing in on a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray.
Since then, however, widespread reports have suggested City are keen to keep hold of their goalkeeper for the final year of his contract, which means it may not be necessary to bring in a replacement in the near future.
Having been number one throughout his time at the Etihad, Ederson is unlikely to want to play second fiddle, but there has now been a suggestion that Pep Guardiola’s side are making progress in their pursuit of a new goalkeeper.
Give Me Sport writer Sam C, has now taken to X to reveal that Man City are in “advanced talks” over a move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
James Trafford for Burnley.
The deal is by no means sealed at this point, but there is a willingness to try and get it over the line before the end of July, although it is unclear whether the Blues will need to fork out the full £40m buy-back clause included in their former player’s contract.
Trafford could be "unbelievable" Ederson heir
Minority Burnley owner JJ Watt was left very impressed after the shot-stopper made two penalty saves in one game during the Clarets’ 0-0 draw against Sunderland last season, lauding the 22-year-old as “unbelievable”.
The Englishman’s penalty-saving ability is one of his key strengths, ranking in the top 1% for spot-kicks prevented per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the top 1% for his save percentage and goals against over the same time period.
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As such, the Burnley star could be the ideal heir to Ederson, particulrly considering City expert Steven McInerney believes the goalkeeper is also impressive in possession of the ball, saying: “Trafford is very good, remarkably good with the ball at his feet,
“Maybe not quite Ederson, but if Ederson’s a 10 out of 10, James is at least a nine. Ederson is a freakish one-of-one that way, but I don’t think you have to be the very best in the world at passing to be successful in a passing side.”
It remains to be seen whether City sanction Ederson’s departure this summer, but if they do, there may be no better replacement than Trafford.
Manchester United now want to sign a “crazy” Viktor Gyokeres alternative who scored 31 goals in the 2024-25 campaign, a report has revealed.
Gyokeres edging closer to Emirates move
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has now expressed a desire to wrap up a move for Gyokeres as soon as possible, having travelled to Portugal to discuss the terms of the deal.
The Swedish striker joining the Gunners could be viewed as a major blow for United, given that he scored a remarkable 54 goals in all competitions last season, and Ruben Amorim was known to be desperate to reunite with his former player.
United’s striker options are woefully thin, with Joshua Zirkzee and Matheus Cunha not out and out number nines, Chido Obi very inexperienced and Rasmus Hojlund still struggling to find his feet.
Thankfully, there are a number of alternative options on the shortlist, with the Red Devils believed to be in pole position for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who was prolific in front of goal on loan at Galatasaray last season.
According to a report from Spain, Man United may also be willing to take a punt on more of an unknown quantity, with it being revealed they now want to sign Almeria striker Luis Suarez, off the back of an impressive campaign in the Spanish second tier.
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United have joined several Premier League and Serie A clubs in the race for Suarez, with Almeria likely to find it difficult to keep hold of their star player beyond the summer, given that they failed to achieve their goal of promotion to La Liga.
A deal would not break the bank for the Red Devils, however, with the Spanish club believed to be holding out for a fee of at least €25m (£22m), amid the widespread interest in his signature.
Signing "crazy" Suarez could be gamble for Man Utd
The Almeria star undoubtedly had a very impressive 2024-25 campaign, netting a total of 31 goals in all competitions, but there are doubts over whether he is at the level to lead the line for Amorim’s side.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
La Liga
41
27
8
Copa del Rey
2
4
0
Notably, the Colombian hasn’t exactly set the world alight in his previous La Liga campaigns, netting just four goals for Almeria in the 2021-22 season.
At 27-years-old, the centre-forward could now be entering his prime, but having never proven himself at the top level, it would be a real gamble for Man United to make a move this summer.
Almeria's Luis Suarez
That said, Suarez has been lauded for his “crazy” quality by scout Jacek Kulig, and at £22m he would be an affordable signing for Man United, so it could be worth bringing the Almeria in alongside a more proven striker.
Newcastle United are “keeping a close eye” on a Premier League star this summer amid rival interest from Everton, with the player expected to leave his current club.
Newcastle pushing for attacking signings
The Magpies felt overly reliant on the goals of Alexander Isak at times last season, highlighting the need to bring in attacking reinforcements before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has been mentioned as an eye-catching option, with the former Manchester United youngster impressing at the City Ground last term, helping them seal a surprise return to European football.
Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga
Meanwhile, Celtic wide man Nicolas Kuhn is considered an alternative option to the Swede, should Newcastle miss out on him. The Hoops star bagged 13 goals and nine assists for the Scottish giants last season, but it also heavily linked with RB Leipzig.
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has also been linked with a summer move to the Magpies, although the Serb would surely only come in if Isak departs, which is something many supporters will be dreading. Liverpool’s interest isn’t completely going away, but an enormous fee would be needed to prise him away.
Newcastle monitoring Premier League winner
Speaking to Football Insider, former scout Mick Brown claimed that Newcastle are “keeping a close eye” on Manchester City ace Jack Grealish.
“Newcastle are still keeping a close eye on Jack Grealish. There’s been a lot of talk about Everton, but I think they’re still very much in the mix. Of course, they’re not the only club interested because everybody knows about Jack’s qualities and what he can bring to the side when he’s at his best. The thing is for Newcastle, they have a lot of areas of the team where they want to improve.
“I don’t think Grealish is at the top of their list of priorities, but that’s a risk because somebody else might jump in quickly and get it done. If the opportunity comes up they’re going to be one of the clubs in for him. For now, they’ll look elsewhere but from what I hear they’re keeping a close eye on the situation. His main aim is playing regular football, he’d like to play in the Champions League but if he’s not going to be starting I expect him to look elswhere. It’s an interesting one to watch, that’s for sure.”
Grealish may have enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at City after joining for £100m on £300k-a-week from Aston Villa in 2021, but there is a feeling that he underperformed there, and that he needs to get his career back on track.
The Englishman turns 30 this year, so signing him would be a gamble by Newcastle, but he has the natural talent and maverick style to be a hit for a few years at St James’ Park.
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Grealish may relish being given more attacking freedom by Eddie Howe, compared to arguably the more tactically rigid Pep Guardiola, and he has registered four assists against the Magpies in the past, never losing to them in seven appearances.
It could make more sense to signing a younger wide option instead, considering the City man may simply have peaked as a player at this point, but it is easy to see him enjoying a new challenge, having been called a “good leader” by Guardiola in the past.
Tottenham Hotspur are seen as favourites to sign a marquee player this summer, giving new manager Thomas Frank a potential boost as the north Londoners seek to build upon their trophy-winning 2024/2025 campaign.
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Frank has considerable shoes to fill after Ange Postecoglou ended the club’s long wait for a piece of major silverware.
Spurs’ historic 1-0 win against Man United in the Europa League final will live long in the memory, and while the Australian led Spurs to a torrid domestic campaign, breaking their record for most Premier League defeats in a single season (22), Postecoglou will go down in Lilywhites folklore as the manager who won their first European trophy since 1984.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
Postecoglou was also a popular figure among the players, with James Maddison, Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall among the squad members to speak out in public defence of their former manager.
Nevertheless, with the 59-year-old now gone, and linked with a surprise MLS move to Los Angeles FC, Frank must now steady the ship and regalvanize his new squad ahead of a vital campaign where they’ll be back in the Champions League.
Chairman Daniel Levy reportedly has every intention of backing his preferred candidate to replace Postecoglou, and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is widely rumoured to be one of their top attacking targets.
The England international’s 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season tell just half the story of Eze’s undoubted quality. The 26-year-old was a vocal point under Oliver Glasner throughout 2024/2025, bagging the winner against Man City in their 1-0 FA Cup final win over Pep Guardiola’s side – a result which ended Palace’s history-long wait for a major trophy.
It is little wonder there are suggestions that Tottenham are ready to pay Eze’s £68 million release clause, especially considering 2024/2025 may have been Son Heung-min’s last season at Spurs, as clubs in Saudi Arabia consider poaching the club legend after 10 years in N17.
Tottenham favourites to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace
The major worry for Levy is Arsenal’s concrete interest in Eze, and there is apparently every possibility that Mikel Arteta’s side could hijack Spurs’ pursuit of the former QPR sensation.
However, despite the stiff competition for his signature, journalist Graeme Bailey has told TBR Football that Tottenham are currently leading the race for Eze, and are the “most advanced” of every team in pursuit of the “wonderful player”.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
“Eberechi Eze is expecting to leave Crystal Palace this summer, that is no secret,” said Bailey.
“He has a release clause and Steve Parish is open to taking installments to a certain degree but any agreement will need to be reached with Palace. Eze himself has made it clear he is open to options, and a host of Premier League clubs have made contact.
“As we have reported, the most advanced are Tottenham, and we are told the player would welcome a move.
“But Arsenal have indeed made enquiries as they see him as a potential option on their left – but same with Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle and Aston Villa – they have all made enquiries to some extent this year.”
Chelsea have certainly ruffled the feathers of England’s top clubs over recent seasons, with their outlandish spending and recruitment capturing the headlines.
Huge money being spent in the modern game is no surprise, but very few have matched the Blues’ levels of around £1.3b in the last three years alone, which would surely raise questions about their PSR standing, right?
Well, actually no, as Enzo Maresca’s side currently sit in the best position out of any side in the Premier League at present, sitting £300m in the green, after sales of their women’s team and other assets in and around Stamford Bridge.
There’s no denying the loopholes surrounding the current regulations are there for all to see, but no team has quite taken advantage quite like the Blues – enabling them to continue their heavy spending this summer.
With three deals completed since the window opened less than 10 days ago, that would make a solid summer market for many teams in the division – but not Chelsea – with plenty more names still in the mix for a move to the Bridge this summer.
Chelsea’s pursuit to make more signings this summer
After a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, many sides would be content with limited business, but not Maresca’s men, leading to various areas of the pitch subject to investment this summer.
Hugo Ekitiké has been a name mentioned within the attacking department, with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Fermin Lopez targeted and reinforcements in the middle of the park.
Eintracht Frankfurt's HugoEkitikecelebrates
However, the backline hasn’t been forgotten about, with centre-back Ousmane Diomande once again on their radar after previous interest this summer, according to O Jogo via CaughtOffside.
The report claimed that the 21-year-old is seen as an immediate and long-term acquisition at the heart of the backline, but face tough competition from Arsenal for his signature.
It also states that the Sporting CP youngster also has a €80m (£67m) release clause in his deal, but doesn’t mention if they would be open to negotiating a deal for a cheaper price.
Why Diomande would be a better signing than Guehi for Chelsea
Marc Guehi is a centre-back who has been a leading option in the Premier League, leading to multiple England call-ups, even featuring in the Euros final back in 2024.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehi
The 24-year-old has also enjoyed a season to remember for Crystal Palace, leading the Eagles to their first major trophy in their history, beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley – securing Europa League football for 2025/26.
He could’ve been plying his trade at Stamford Bridge to this day, but they prematurely offloaded him to the Eagles back in 2021 for a fee in the region of £18m.
However, the Blues have been firmly in the race to land him this summer, leading to continuous rumours over the England international’s future, especially considering he’s set to enter his final 12 months of his current deal.
Despite the interest in the Cobham academy graduate, they should look to steer clear of a reunion and prioritise a move for Diomande, who’s been labelled a “hybrid” of Arsenal centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba by analyst Ben Mattinson.
The pair have often been the leading pair in England’s top flight over recent seasons, helping the Gunners concede just 34 times in 38 matches – the lowest in the division – highlighting how big of a compliment Diomande has received from Mattinson.
When comparing his stats to those of Guehi, he’s outperformed him in key areas, including passes completed and progressive passes made – handing Maresca an added ball-playing option from the back.
Games played
31
34
Pass accuracy
94%
83%
% of tackles won
79%
66%
Interceptions made
1.2
0.8
Recoveries made
5.1
4.2
Aerials won
67%
54%
Progressive passes
3.9
2.9
He’s also managed to dominate defensively, winning more of the tackles he’s entered, whilst making more interceptions – potentially bolstering the defensive department and replicating the success of local rivals Arsenal in such a department.
Whilst a reunion with the Englishman would be a dream for numerous supporters, the club desperately need to look past Guehi in favour of a move for Diomande.
The Ivorian is a younger prospect with a much higher ceiling, potentially blossoming into one of Europe’s leading stars over the next couple of years should he make the jump to West London.
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Chelsea are looking to improve their defence this summer
Having already announced the arrival of young Spaniard Antonio Cordero, Newcastle United have reportedly pushed on with their summer plans by lodging their first enquiries to sign Anthony Elanga and a striker worth as much as £70m.
Newcastle pushing to sign Elanga
With Bryan Mbeumo set to choose Manchester United over a move to St James’ Park, Newcastle’s search for a winger has reportedly taken them to Nottingham Forest and Elanga.
The Swede enjoyed his best Premier League season yet to become the latest in a long line of Old Trafford regrets. Now, he could be on his way to Tyneside as Newcastle flex their newfound Champions League status.
Minutes
2,501
2,434
2,360
Goals
6
6
8
Assists
11
5
12
Completed take-ons
25
38
35
In what would spark the battle of the Anthonys in Tyneside, Elanga looks likely to come out on top to secure a starting place in Eddie Howe’s side ahead of Gordon next season, should he complete a summer switch.
Given how they impressed in their own right last season, Nottingham Forest won’t want to lose one of their key men without a fight this summer.
Both Evangelos Marinakis and Nuno Espirito Santo will be desperate to ensure that last season was no flash in the pan and keeping hold of Elanga would go a long way towards achieving.
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Whether PIF’s financial power will prove too strong is the big question. After PSR limits forced them to sit out of the last two windows, the rich owners are now ready to spend big again on both Elanga and another Premier League star.
Back in the Champions League with money to spend, the Saudi owners are certainly not messing around in this summer’s transfer window.
Newcastle lodge first Joao Pedro "enquiry"
According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Newcastle have now made their first “enquiry” to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion, having already done the same for Elanga.
A deal not expected to come cheap amid reports that the Seagulls value the Brazilian at as much as £70m, Pedro will undoubtedly be one to watch in the coming weeks.
Ever since Fabian Hurzeler decided to drop Pedro for disciplinary reasons at the back end of last season, a Brighton departure has looked on the cards for Pedro. The former Watford man endured a mixed campaign, truth be told, and one that was ultimately full of frustration.
Despite scoring just ten goals in all competitions and eventually being dropped by Hurzeler, there remains impressive interest in the former Watford man who still found himself at the centre of praise last season.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro
With Newcastle now lurking, Pedro may not even need to win over club legend Alan Shearer if he completes a move this summer. The record Premier League goalscorer took the time to describe the Brighton star as “superb” back in November.
Manchester United’s move for Matheus Cunha appears to be all but completed, although that deal will likely be just the start of a hectic summer at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim expected to oversee a real squad overhaul.
While the Portuguese has admitted that incomings may be limited due to the club’s failure to secure Champions League qualification, he also hinted that he could look to work with a smaller squad as a result, heightening the need for further departures.
Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans all said their goodbyes during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, while sales for Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all set to be prioritised, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Evans and Lindelof
A bold call has been made by Amorim and INEOS over the future of Alejandro Garnacho, with the Argentine currently the major talking point at the club – alongside in-demand captain, Bruno Fernandes.
Latest on Bruno Fernandes' future
In the aftermath of last week’s Europa League final defeat, Fernandes – who had put in a surprisingly muted performance in the Bilbao showpiece – admitted for the first time that the club could decide to cash in on him, having previously rejected an “offer” from elsewhere last summer.
The 30-year-old did put pen to paper over a contract extension ahead of the start of this season, although intense interest from Saudi Arabian side, Al Hilal, has thrown his future in doubt.
It has been claimed in recent days that the playmaker has been given 72 hours by the Pro League outfit to decide whether or not he is open to a move, having spent the last five-and-a-half years in Manchester.
Bruno Fernandes
The belief is that Al Hilal are willing to almost treble Fernandes’ wage, should he agree to a switch, with United’s talisman in line to take home £700k-per-week, totalling £200m over a three-year contract.
Should that mammoth offer prove too tempting for both player and club – with an £100m fee having been mooted – then Amorim and co will need to seek out a suitable replacement.
Man Utd's search to replace Fernandes
With Cunha having one foot in the door, the search to find a new attacking talisman is already underway, although for a side who failed to score in 16 games in all competitions in 2024/25, further reinforcements are needed.
With that in mind, Caught Offside are reporting that the Red Devils are ready to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding Lee Kang-in’s future at Paris Saint-Germain, with talks said to have hit a snag over the South Korean’s contract extension.
As per the report, while the 24-year-old still has three years left on his existing deal, the failure to tie him down to fresh terms has ‘opened the door’ for suitors to pounce, with the Old Trafford side said to have ‘made a move’ to sign him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Any deal could cost in the region of £36m, with The Athletic reporting in January that the Ligue 1 side are looking to at least double their €22m (£18m) investment, after landing the playmaker from Mallorca in 2023.
That reported price tag was mooted amid interest from Arsenal, with the Gunners among a raft of clubs to have made contact, alongside the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Paris St Germain'sLeeKang-in, Paris St Germain's Nuno Mendes and Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi
A hotly-contested race then it would seem, although if United can win the battle, Lee could represent a wildcard Fernandes replacement.
Why Lee Kang-in could be a perfect Fernandes replacement
It is a summer in which many top-flight clubs are looking to strengthen their attacking ranks, with rivals Liverpool seemingly stepping up their pursuit of one of the most high-profile deals to have been touted so far, with regard to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
The subject of an offer worth over €100m (£86m), the German sensation looks to have selected Anfield as his next destination, despite interest from Bayern Munich, with the 22-year-old enjoying a fine campaign in which he registered 31 goals and assists in all competitions.
While Lee may not have hit such heights back in Paris, having registered just 12 goals and assists amid his bit-part role under Luis Enrique, it is encouraging to note that he has been deemed a statistically similar profile to Wirtz, among those in their position in this season’s Champions League, as per FBref.
Non-penalty goals
0.00
0.59
Assists
0.00
0.12
Shot-creating actions
5.00
5.10
Pass completion
86.1%
85.8%
Progressive passes
7.50
6.28
Progressive carries
3.65
3.32
Successful take-ons
1.54
2.13
Tackles
1.73
0.71
Interceptions
0.19
0.47
As indicated in the table above, the two men – both of whom can operate off the flanks or in a central role – are particularly adept at providing a creative outlet in attack, with Lee ranking in the top 1% of Champions League forwards for progressive passes per 90. Wirtz, for context, ranks in the top 3% in that regard.
The duo’s dribbling prowess is also worth noting, with Lee – who did only feature for 468 minutes in the competition – ranking in the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90, with his German counterpart ranking in the top 1% for that same metric.
Previously described as an “incredible” talent by international teammate Son Heung-min, the former Valencia starlet has recorded 22 goals and assists in 81 games during his time in Paris, while previously registering 17 goal involvements in 73 games for Mallorca.
It is also worth mentioning that despite registering just six goals and six assists in Ligue 1 in 2024/25, the Korean gem did create 16 ‘big chances’, while averaging 1.9 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.
Wirtz, for example, was only just ahead after creating 17 ‘big chances’ in the Bundesliga, albeit while averaging 1.8 key passes, while as for Fernandes, the Portuguese hero also created 16 ‘big chances’ in the Premier League.
That indicates the type of threat that Lee can offer, particularly if afforded regular game time under Amorim’s watch, with the silky left-footer courting such interest for a reason, heading into the summer window.
Lee Kang-in for Paris Saint-Germain
For United to be able to land a Wirtz-like talent on the cheap could prove a masterstroke, with the PSG contract rebel representing a potentially left-field solution should Fernandes’ void need to be filled.
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Leeds United’s forward line has led them to huge success in the Championship throughout the 2024/25 campaign, helping Daniel Farke’s side claim the league title.
The Whites registered a staggering tally of 95 goals in their 46 league outings, an average of 2.1 per game – by far and away the highest tally in the division.
Striker Joel Piroe claimed the Golden Boot last time around, netting 19 times in his 46 appearances, finishing one goal ahead of Norwich City talisman Borja Sainz.
However, if Farke’s side are to have any chance of securing Premier League survival next campaign, they will need to invest in the playing squad to bridge the gap between the two divisions.
The centre-forward position in particular has already seen numerous players linked, including multiple players who are already plying their trade in England’s top flight.
The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of a new striker
Richarlison has been one name thrown into the mix to join Leeds this summer, after struggling to nail down a regular starting role at Tottenham Hotspur in recent years.
The Brazilian has started just four league games this campaign, notching four goals for Ange Postecoglou’s men, in what has been a disappointing campaign for Spurs.
Jamie Vardy is another player linked with a switch to Elland Road this summer, after announcing he would be departing Leicester City when his current contract at the King Power expires.
The 38-year-old has spent the last 13 years of his career with the Foxes, registering 199 goals – potentially offering Farke’s side an experienced and Premier League-proven option in attacking areas.
However, despite the links to the aforementioned talents in recent weeks, another player in England’s top-flight has also been touted with a move, but the club would be better off looking elsewhere, given their respective stats.
Why one Leeds target would be a better signing than Beto
Everton striker Beto is one of the latest names on the list of targets for Leeds over the last couple of weeks, as the manager looks to bolster the options at his disposal.
The 27-year-old, who joined the Toffees for £30m in the summer of 2023, has been inconsistent at Goodison Park, often being in and out of the side and sharing the role with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, he’s still managed to register eight league goals throughout 2024/25, potentially being a reasonable option for the Whites, should they land him at a competitive price.
Despite the interest in the former Udinese star, Farke should be pursuing a move for fellow target Troy Parrott, with the Irishman undoubtedly a better option.
The 23-year-old, who currently plies his trade for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, has emerged as a target in recent weeks, but he may not come cheap consider some reports suggest the Dutch outfit won’t accept offers below at least £21m.
He’s registered a staggering 20 goals in his 45 appearances across all competitions this campaign, excelling in his first season at his current employers.
However, his impressive figures don’t stop there, massively outperforming Beto with his underlying stats, highlighting why he would be a better option this summer.
Games played
28
28
Goals & assists
16
8
Progressive carries
1.3
0.7
Goals per shot-on-target
0.4
0.3
Pass accuracy
70%
56%
Shot-creating actions
2.7
1.3
Passes into the final third
0.9
0.4
Parrott, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by former boss Ryan Lowe, has also notched a higher goal per shot-on-target rate than the Everton ace – further highlighting his clinical nature in the final third.
He’s also completed more passes this season, whilst making more passes into the final third, handing the other attackers at Elland Road the opportunity to bolster their own tallies.
Their interest in his signature has been reiterated in recent weeks, but so far, it’s unclear how much a deal for the Spurs academy graduate would set them back this summer.
However, there’s no denying that the hierarchy should be pursuing a move for his signature over Beto’s, with the 21-year-old having bags of time to continue his development and be a potential star in Yorkshire.
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