All posts by h716a5.icu

In what could see them finally land a long-term target, Newcastle United are now reportedly accelerating their move to sign a £30m star with talks now advancing.

Newcastle's summer plans set to heat up

With the PSR deadline approaching as well as the start of pre-season, Newcastle insiders reportedly believe that the transfer window is set to heat up in the next week or two. And that Magpies could yet play a large part in that. The Champions League awaits Eddie Howe’s side next season and, for the first time in over a year, PIF seemingly have money to spend.

He's an Isak clone: Newcastle start discussions to sign £50m "superstar"

Newcastle have enquired about signing their next Alexander Isak.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 23, 2025

Unlike the last time that they were forced to balance European football with domestic commitments, Newcastle could put together a squad capable of competing on all fronts this summer. Just who comes in is the big question.

If reports are anything to go by, then the likes of Anthony Elanga will be a name to watch. The Nottingham Forest star was the subject of Newcastle’s interest late on last summer and is now seemingly back on their radar one year later.

Signing a right-winger is reportedly among Newcastle’s priorities this summer and with Bryan Mbeumo likely on his way to Manchester United rather than St James’ Park, a move to sign Elanga would certainly make sense.

That’s not Newcastle’s only priority, however. With Nick Pope now 33 years old and coming off the back of an injury-hit campaign, those in Tyneside have also set their sights on signing a new shot-stopper in the coming months.

Newcastle advance talks to sign James Trafford

To that end, the most prominent name mentioned over the last year has been James Trafford, and it now looks as though the Magpies could get their man.

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle are now in advanced talks to sign Trafford and are accelerating their £30m move to sign the Burnley star, which could be finalized as early as this week, with the goalkeeper reaffirming his desire to join Newcastle.

For all involved at St James’ Park, Trafford’s arrival would be seen as the ultimate success. He’s been a top target since early last summer and has since enjoyed a standout season as Burnley earned promotion back to the Premier League. At just 22 years old, he is one of the best young goalkeepers around.

Praised for an “incredible season” by scout Jacek Kulig back in February, £30m could quickly look like a bargain price for Trafford if he brings his Burnley form into Howe’s side next season.

With Antonio Cordero secured and Trafford reportedly on his way, the Magpies are off to a solid start on the transfer front this summer.

Arsenal look set for a busy summer in the transfer market, with Mikel Arteta looking to go one better in the Premier League after three successive second-place finishes.

To do that, the Gunners may make a number of marquee additions ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with attack a key area of focus for those at the Emirates Stadium.

New sporting director Andrea Berta is tasked with bringing a star striker to north London after injuries left Arteta with a lack of final third options in 24/25.

A number of players have been linked with moves to Arsenal, which has resulted in Grok, the AI tool on X, predicting the Gunners’ summer transfer business.

Arsenal's most expensive signings of all time

The Gunners have spent generously in recent years.

ByCharlie Smith Sep 5, 2025

It has thrown up some interesting results, with Berta potentially spending just over £250m between now and the September 1 deadline.

AI predicts 5 Arsenal summer signings 1 Martin Zubimendi Real Sociedad (£59m)

It shouldn’t come as a shock that AI have predicted Martin Zubimendi to be one of Arsenal’s first summer signings, as it has been widely reported that the Real Sociedad midfielder is set to swap Spain for England.

The Gunners have been chasing the central midfielder since the start of the year and they regard a transfer as “done and signed”.

There were rumours of Real Madrid coming in to hijack Arsenal’s move, however, it looks a matter of time before Zubimendi’s transfer is announced, with Grok citing a £59m fee.

2 Kepa Arrizabalaga Chelsea (£5m)

Set to follow Zubimendi through the Emirates door this summer is goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, so again, it isn’t a shock that he’s on AI’s Arsenal list.

Still the world’s most expensive goalkeeper after his £70m+ move to Chelsea back in 2018, Arrizabalaga has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and spent the last two seasons out on loan with Real Madrid and Bournemouth.

Arsenal will reportedly pay just £5m to sign the ‘keeper, who will serve as back up to David Raya in north London.

3 Benjamin Sesko RB Leipzig (£70m)

A centre-forward will be at the top of the to-do list for Arsenal after deals for Zubimendi and Kepa, with both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres mooted as targets for the Gunners.

Grok thinks Sesko will be the striker to arrive in north London following transfer talks at a total cost of £70m.

RB Leipzig

87

39

8

RB Salzburg

79

29

11

FC Liefering

44

22

6

Slovenia

41

16

6

AI state that the Slovenian’s ‘physicality, goal-scoring ability and potential to develop into a Haaland-like forward make him a strong fit for Arsenal’s need for a statement striker’.

4 Nico Williams Athletic Club (£50m)

Should Arsenal land someone like Sesko, they could then move to bolstering their options on the wing, and Nico Williams has been a player of interest to Berta and co.

The Athletic Club could be on the move in 2025 and has been linked with going Arsenal. In fact, there were claims saying the Gunners were very close to signing Williams.

Grok says Williams ‘seems more attainable’ than someone like Rodrygo and would offer ‘pace and youth’ and the Emirates, placing a £50m figure on the Spain international.

5 Marc Guehi Crystal Palace (£70m)

The final of Arsenal’s five predicted summer signings come in defence, with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi backed to move to the Emirates.

A former Chelsea youngster, Guehi has grown into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, and although Arsenal have William Saliba and Gabriel, the Gunners could be on the search for more.

There have been suggestions Arsenal are ready to swoop for the England international, and Grok says a deal could be worth up to £70m.

Goals, goals and more goals; if there was a thing Arsenal missed this season, it was goals.

Mikel Arteta’s side managed to secure a third successive second-placed finish in the Premier League this season, but unlike the last two campaigns, it was a truly distant second place.

Liverpool ended up finishing ten points ahead of the Gunners, and arguably worse than that, they scored a whopping 17 more goals than the North Londoners.

So, with this in mind, it’s hardly been a surprise to see Arsenal linked with a host of incredible strikers in recent weeks, including one who’s supposedly better than Erling Haaland and would be an upgrade on Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal's striker search

Given their struggles in attack this season, Arsenal have been linked with a plethora of outstanding strikers in recent weeks and months, from Sporting CPs free-scoring Viktor Gyokeres to Aston Villa’s brilliant Ollie Watkins and even Newcastle United’s likely unattainable Alexander Isak.

How Arsenal's striker targets compare in 2024/25.

However, over the last week or so, a frontrunner to come in and lead the line for the Gunners next season has emerged in Sesko.

The Slovenian forward has been a target for the club since last summer, but according to reports last week, talks between his representatives and the two teams seem to be progressing well.

Transfer Focus

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

Yet, another goalscorer has now entered the picture, someone who’d be an upgrade on the RB Leipzig star and who’d hold his own against Haaland: Victor Osimhen.

Yes, according to a recent report from Italian publication Tuttosport, Arsenal are one of several teams now interested in the on-loan Napoli ace.

The report claims that the Nigerian international turned down the opportunity to move to the Saudi Pro League because teams like the Gunners and Manchester United are now keen to sign him.

However, on top of dealing with the competition, the North Londoners will also have to cough up around £63m to activate the release clause in his current contract open to teams outside of Serie A.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Osimhen’s immense ability, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a big upgrade on Sesko.

How Osimhen compares to Sesko and Haaland

So, if Osimhen is currently one of the options for Arsenal this summer, it’s worth seeing how he stacks up with Sesko, who might be his biggest competition at the moment.

Yet, with the Nigerian international being described as “even better than Haaland” by Italian agent Andrea D’Amico, it’s also worth including the Manchester City star in the comparisons, as should the Napoli star move to North London, the Norwegian will be leading the line for one of his biggest title rivals.

With that said, when it comes to their pure output this season, it looks like D’Amico is correct, as it’s the Lagos-born “superhuman,” as dubbed by journalist Paolo Esposito, who comes out on top.

In 41 appearances, totalling 3236 minutes, he was able to score 37 goals and provide eight assists for Galatasaray, which comes out to an average of 1.09 goal involvements every game, or one every 71.91 minutes.

For his efforts, the City star scored 31 goals and provided four assists in 44 appearances, totalling 3786 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.25 games, or one every 108.17 minutes.

Appearances

41

44

45

Minutes

3236′

3786′

3258′

Goals

37

31

21

Assists

8

4

6

Goal Involvements per Match

1.09

0.79

0.60

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.91′

108.17′

120.66′

Finally, the Leipzig star was the worst of the three, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3258 minutes, which translates to a goal involvement every 1.66 games or every 120.66 minutes.

Moreover, while the former Salzburg gem is the youngest and, therefore, might make the most sense in the long term, Arteta and Co are at a point in the project at which winning here and now has to take precedence over what might be best for a few years down the line.

Therefore, it makes sense to sign someone who massively outperformed both Sesko and Haaland this summer, which is why Arsenal should be going all in on Osimhen.

Arsenal set to submit bid for "incredible" star who's like Rodrygo & Yamal

The impressive winger would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 9, 2025

As you might expect, it has been a busy summer transfer window already for Chelsea. Liam Delap’s move to Stamford Bridge is all but confirmed.

The West London outfit have agreed a deal with now-relegated Ipswich Town for the transfer of Delap, and ‘he can be considered’ a Chelsea player, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The England U21 international is not the only player Chelsea are hoping to sign in the coming days, before the Club World Cup. AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is also a target, although Romano reported in a separate post that the two clubs are not close in valuation for the shotstopper.

Chelsea are also closing in on another transfer target before their Club World Cup campaign begins.

Chelsea's new transfer target

Over the past few summers under Todd Boehly, Chelsea have become a club notorious for spending big money on some of the most exciting young talents in Europe; Delap would be a prime example of that transfer policy.

Another player who fits that trend is Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. According to a report from Caught Offside, the 20-year-old is reportedly subject to a £55m bid from the West London side, who are ‘in talks to try to get a deal done’ sooner rather than later.

The reason they are in such a hurry to get this one over the line is that they face competition from other English clubs.

Newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool, London rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, who Gittens represented as an academy player, as well as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, are also interested. Hence, Chelsea have placed a bid.

Why Gittens would be more exciting than Delap

It was a shockingly poor season for Borussia Dortmund, who just snuck into a Champions League qualification spot on the final day of the league season. For Gittens, however, it was a campaign of success from an individual point of view.

The England youth international was a key aspect of Dortmund’s side in the 2024/25 campaign. He featured in 48 games across all competitions, finding the back of the net 12 times and registering five assists.

The winger, who was born in London, has a knack for scoring goals in big games. Last term, one of his eight Bundesliga goals came against 2023/24 champions Bayer Leverkusen and the side who snatched their title off them, Bayern.

However, they were not the biggest goals that Gittens scored last term. The former Man City academy star bagged away against Real Madrid in the Champions League, giving Dortmund a 2-0 lead and becoming the youngest English player ever to score against Los Blancos in the process.

In fact, it is something like that means you can argue that the “world-class” Gittens, as Dougie Critchley called him, is a more exciting signing than Delap. Of course, the Tractor Boys attacker is a brilliant piece of business from Chelsea, for just £30m, but Gittens is perhaps a better deal.

It has been a strong season overall from Delap. The Ipswich forward star scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League appearances.

However, he was not incredibly consistent, and actually failed to score in the last seven top-flight games last season.

Not only has Gittens shown how dangerous he can be at such a high level, against one of Europe’s biggest teams, but his underlying numbers are exciting.

In particular, the Dortmund winger’s dribbling stats on FBref show just how deadly he can be. For example, he averaged 3.57 successful take-ons per game last season, ranking him in the top 1% of wingers in Europe.

Take-ons attempted

7.97

98th

Take-ons completed

3.57

99th

Progressive carries

5.53

91st

Carries into final third

2.95

88th

Carries into penalty box

3.06

93rd

Signing the Dortmund attacker would certainly be a captivating addition for Chelsea. There is no doubt about that. There is certainly a strong case to be made for the fact that he is an even more exciting signing than Delap, given the European pedigree he brings and his ability in one-vs-one scenarios.

For £55m, this seems like an excellent deal for the Blues, and one that can elevate them to new heights this term.

Better than Gittens & Sancho: Chelsea targeting "electric" £49m star

Chelsea are looking for a new winger this summer, amid Jadon Sancho’s expected exit

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 4, 2025

Reliable journalist Paul Joyce has claimed that Everton are interested in sealing a stunning move for a “special” attacking player this summer.

Moyes eyeing big future at Everton

After some grim seasons of late, which have included several relegation battles in the Premier League, there is a feeling of positivity with the Toffees, not least because David Moyes has returned as manager, easily steering them to safety ahead of the move to their new stadium.

The Scot has been forceful about how he is expecting a better future at Everton with him in charge, with the hope being that funds will be made available for important transfer business.

“I think more the feeling [is] that there might be a club which is ­coming back together. Signs that before there was a real break-up, of a sort of love affair with the supporters, the ­players, the club, the owners. So we’re all trying to get back. We’re obviously all looking forward to it. If we can take what we had today to the new stadium, it’ll be something.”

New signings are needed in various areas of the pitch for Everton, not least in attack, with goals coming at a premium at times this season, with 41 goals scored in 37 games. Now, a shock rumour has emerged regarding a potential attacking signing for the Merseysiders.

Everton keen on "special" Liverpool player

According to the reliable Joyce of The Times, Everton “hold an interest” in Liverpool winger Ben Doak, seeing him as an option to bring in this summer.

The 19-year-old has spent this season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, with the Reds unable to give him regular playing time, and a permanent move away from Anfield could now be on the cards.

The idea of Everton signing Doak is a mouthwatering prospect, not only because of the stunning nature of taking him from rivals Liverpool, but also due to his long-term potential.

The teenage winger is already a six-cap Scotland international, and he was enjoying a fruitful time loan at Middlesbrough before injury struck in January, bagging 10 goal contributions (three goals and seven assists) in the Championship.

Doak also caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp during their time together at Liverpool, with the German clearly a big admirer of the Scot, saying: “Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers, really; this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kinds of things.”

Moyes' next Branthwaite: Everton plotting bid to sign "elite" £17m star

Everton are gearing up for a summer of change in the transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair May 23, 2025

Forgetting the Liverpool connection, Doak is a hugely exciting footballer who could reach great heights with his pace and unpredictability in the coming years, and while the Reds may be hesitant to sell to their rivals, Everton should look to strike a deal.

Leeds United have a huge task to recruit well this summer, handing themselves the best possible chance of securing Premier League survival in 2025/26.

Daniel Farke has done a superb job in leading the Whites back to the top-flight, but now needs to reestablish their status in such a division after a two-year absence.

It has previously been reported that the boss has a budget of around £100m to make new additions to make the improvements he desires to the current crop of players.

The funds may not be enough this summer, with Farke potentially needing more money at his disposal if he is to make key additions to the squad and offer needed depth, with quality and quantity desperately required.

With the transfer window rapidly approaching, numerous players have already emerged on their list, potentially moving to Elland Road during the off-season should deals be agreed.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new additions this summer

The Whites’ hierarchy haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in their recent stint in the Premier League, with the same expected during the next couple of months.

Everton’s Beto and Manchester City’s James McAtee have both already been tipped to make a switch to Elland Road during the off-season, but both could cost a pretty penny.

However, they aren’t the only Premier League talents linked, with West Ham United middle Tomas Soucek also on their radar, according to TBR Football.

The report claims that the hierarchy have already held talks with the 30-year-old Czech international, but could face stiff competition from Everton this summer.

It also states that he’s not seen as part of Graham Potter’s long-term plans at the London Stadium, opening the door to a potential exit, with the Hammers demanding a fee in the region of £20m.

Why Leeds’ £20m target could be Farke’s own Phillips

During Leeds’ previous stint in the Premier League, midfielder Kalvin Phillips played a key role in their success, often being the leading talent at the base of the side.

He made 49 top-flight appearances for the Whites over a two-year period, helping them fend off any looming threats of relegation under Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch.

The now 29-year-old has since struggled to replicate such levels in recent years, leaving Yorkshire and joining Manchester City back in 2022 for a fee in the region of £45m.

It was an excellent fee received for an academy graduate, but they’ve since lost that commanding and battling presence – something which undoubtedly contributed to their subsequent relegation.

However, a move for Soucek could provide Farke with the combative player he needs for a Premier League season, with the Hammers star’s stats proving his quality this campaign.

The 30-year-old, who’s been labelled “sensational” by presenter Jim White, has managed to register 10 combined goals and assists from his holding midfield role – handing Farke added reinforcements aerially in the final third should he require it.

However, defensively, he could provide that quality missing since Phillips’ departure, winning 58% of the tackles he’s entered this campaign, along with a higher tally of clearances made per 90.

Games played

33

19

Goals & assists

10

0

Shot-on-target accuracy

28%

18%

Shot-creating actions

1.6

1.2

% of tackles won

58%

38%

Clearances made

2.9

2.7

Take-on success rate

50%

41%

Aerials won

58%

24%

His talents don’t stop there, completing more take-ons per 90 this season, offering the side a cool head when in possession – something which will likely be required if they are to avoid the drop.

£20m for an experienced player of Soucek’s quality could prove to be somewhat of a bargain, handing Farke the tools to have the best chance of maintaining their top-flight status.

Should he complete a switch to Yorkshire and get anywhere near the levels produced by the academy graduate, it would be a superb addition, injecting needed quality into the midfield department.

The dream Firpo replacement: Leeds plotting move for "phenomenal" £17m star

Leeds United could be about to forget about Junior Firpo with a move for one defensive star.

ByEthan Lamb May 16, 2025

Well, that was just about the perfect performance from Tottenham Hotspur last night.

Yes, it would have been even better had they kept a clean sheet and taken a three-goal lead to Norway next week, but as things stand, Ange Postecoglou’s side look well-placed to make it to the Europa League Final.

Moreover, apart from a few minutes towards the end, it was a pretty comfortable affair, and if anyone looked like scoring more goals, it was the Lilywhites and not FK Bodø/Glimt.

Practically every starter put in a shift to be proud of, but two stood out in particular: James Maddison and someone who now must start the next game.

Maddison's game vs Bodø/Glimt

While it was a big night for the whole team, it was a massive one for Maddison.

With Spurs being at home and undoubtedly firm favourites ahead of kickoff, it was down to the former Leicester City star to assert himself on proceedings and act as his side’s chief creator, which he did with aplomb.

In fact, for much of the first half, he was near enough unplayable, popping up here, there and everywhere before grabbing his goal in the 34th minute to secure a two-goal cushion for the North Londoners.

It might sound somewhat hyperbolic, but it’s an opinion shared by Spurs writer Alasdair Gold, who awarded the Englishman a 9/10 match rating at full-time, describing it as ‘a really creative performance.’

The only negative from the game for Maddison, which could be a massive one, was that he went off injured in the 65th minute, and until his fitness is cleared up, it’ll be a nervous wait for fans.

However, as superb as the mercurial number ten was, another starter was just as good, if not a little better.

Spurs' other stand-out star

While the likes of Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson all put in serious shifts for Spurs last night, the starter in question is none other than Pedro Porro.

The Spanish full-back has received his fair share of scathing criticism this season – sometimes justifiably – for his occasionally haphazard defending, but against the Norwegian champions, he hardly put a foot wrong in that regard.

Moreover, and far more importantly, it was a match in which he showcased his game-breaking offensive qualities.

For example, on several occasions in the first half, the “titanic” right-back, as dubbed by The Athletic’s former Spurs correspondent Charlie Eccleshare, managed to ping a sensational ball over their opposition’s backline for his teammates to latch onto, and it was that saw Maddison score his goal.

We weren’t the only ones impressed with the 25-year-old either, as Gold also awarded him a 9/10 match rating, describing him as ‘Tottenham’s best player on the night’ and crediting him for preventing ‘what likely would have been a goal’ in the 70th minute.

Minutes

95′

Expected Assists

0.47

Assists

1

Big Chances Created

1

Key Passes

4

Clearances

4

Interceptions

2

Dribbled Past

0

Fouls

0

His statistics also make for decent reading, as in 95 minutes of action, he provided one assist from an expected assists figure of 0.47, made four clearances, wasn’t dribbled past a single time, made two interceptions, didn’t commit a foul, created one big chance and played four key passes.

Ultimately, Spurs put in what was almost the perfect performance last night, and while the entire team deserve serious praise, Maddison and Porro stood out that little bit more.

Better than Iraola: Spurs could hire "incredible" Europa League winner

The experienced manager would be an excellent hire for Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 1, 2025

Manchester United chiefs are now weighing up whether to sign a £42 million striker instead of Viktor Gyokeres, according to a new report.

Ruben Amorim wants to strengthen the spine of his Man Utd team

It wouldn’t be a surprise to many Man United supporters if the club had a major clear-out this summer and moved several players on, given the poor campaign in domestic competition. Selling players would allow United to enter the transfer market and bring in replacements who fit the criteria of what Ruben Amorim wants at Old Trafford.

Man Utd set to open contract talks with 18 y/o gem who has impressed Amorim

United now want to tie down a young player to a new contract after impressing in recent weeks.

ByBrett Worthington May 7, 2025

Signing a new goalkeeper may not have been a real priority a few months ago, but given the inconsistent performances of Andre Onana, a new number one appears high on United’s list heading into the summer.

Onana is being linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and as a replacement, United have already made contact with Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic over a return to Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old was in United’s academy a few years ago but failed to make a first-team appearance; now Amorim has set his sights on bringing him back.

As well as looking for a new goalkeeper, the Red Devils also want to strengthen their options at centre-back, and it’s been reported that the Premier League side have held talks over signing Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany international is set to become a free agent, and United are now the latest team to show interest in signing him.

Man Utd consider cheaper move for Moise Kean

But the most important position the Red Devils need to address this summer is the forward line, and according to Footmercato, Man Utd are now considering signing Fiorentina striker Moise Kean this summer.

The report states that United chiefs have now added Kean to their transfer shortlist for a new striker, with Victor Osimhen, Liam Delap and Gyokeres already on the list. It claims that Kean is seen as a more ‘profitable profile’ and a ‘major asset’. That is because the former Everton striker has a release clause worth €50 million (£42 million) which becomes active in the first two weeks of July, and could likely be sold for more than that down the line if he performs well.

Kean, who is under contract at Fiorentina until 2029, is thus seen as a cheaper option by the Red Devils, as Gyokeres would likely cost in the region of £60 million plus, as that is reportedly what Chelsea have already bid for the Sweden international.

For United, signing Gyokeres may be even more difficult to do should they not win the Europa League and therefore not qualify for the Champions League, as the player wants to continue playing at the highest level.

Kean

Gyokeres

Apps

49

64

Goals

17

67

Assists

3

16

United are keeping their options open and have now added Kean to their shortlist, who has had an impressive campaign in Italy, scoring 17 goals in 30 Serie A appearances, as well as a further three in the UEFA Conference League.

However, this would be a risky signing by United, as the last time Kean was in the Premier League, he scored just two goals in 32 league appearances. This is not a return United need or want, so given how many goals Gyokeres has scored in Portugal over a number of seasons, signing Kean would be a huge gamble for the Red Devils despite whatever financial advantage it gains.

An “unbelievable” Aston Villa player has reached an agreement to join a new club at the end of the season, a new transfer update has claimed.

Aston Villa preparing for huge semi-final

Unai Emery’s side suffered a hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night, with Matheus Nunes’ last-gasp winner denting their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Villa cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves, however, with a massive FA Cup semi-final clash with Crystal Palace now on the horizon this weekend. The two sides meet at Wembley on Saturday, knowing either City or Nottingham Forest will be waiting in the final.

For Villans supporters, it is arguably as important as the recent Champions League quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain, considering it is nearly 60 years since the club won the FA Cup. They last took home the trophy way back in 1957, so Emery and his players will know how much winning it would mean.

Once this season is over, Villa must focus on kicking on and making important signings in the summer transfer window – City legend Kevin De Bruyne has been linked with an exciting move – but one current player looks set to bring an end to his time at the club.

Aston Villa goalkeeper set to leave in 2025

According to a new update from Sportbladet [via Sport Witness], Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen has reached an agreement with Malmo, ahead of a return to his homeland this summer. The 35-year-old Swede will join on a “longer contract” for free when this season comes to an end, with his current Villans deal expiring in June.

The £50,000-a-week Olsen has been a good servant for Villa since arriving from Roma in 2022, proving to be a solid squad player who has filled in for Emiliano Martinez when needed.

The veteran stopper has made 21 appearances in total, and while that may not exactly be a huge tally, Ollie Watkins lauded his influence earlier this year.

“I think when Robin has played the majority of the time he has had to come on at half-time and has been thrown in at the deep end. That is tough. It is nice he could start a game and show what he could do from the start. He has had some unbelievable performances. He played like that away to Brighton last year. We lost the game but he was man of the match by far. He did the same today and it was massive.”

Aston Villa discussing move to sign "unbelievable" star available for free

The Villans are weighing up a move for a midfielder, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.

ByDominic Lund Apr 24, 2025

It makes sense for all parties for Olsen’s time at Villa to reach its conclusion, though, allowing him more regular football elsewhere and potentially giving Emery the chance to bring in a younger alternative.

Celtic have an exciting end to the season on the horizon and are reported to have made contact in their pursuit of a prodigious gem who could be available this summer.

Brendan Rodgers looks to further cement his Celtic legacy

Brendan Rodgers has taken Celtic up a notch this campaign and could end the season with a domestic clean sweep should circumstances align over the next few weeks.

The Bhoys face St Johnstone at Hampden this weekend in the Scottish Cup semi-final. They also have the opportunity to win the Scottish Premiership title away to Dundee United next Saturday.

With that said, plenty of anticipation surrounding potential additions at Parkhead is beginning to circulate. Unlike previous years, Champions League league phase football isn’t guaranteed, which has placed an extra emphasis on getting recruitment right ahead of the final qualifying round.

Per reports, Celtic are keen on bringing in Stoke City winger Million Manhoef. However, his £10 million price tag may complicate proceedings amid further interest in his services from Sheffield United, Burnley, Club Brugge and Genk.

Celtic lost gem for nothing, now he's worth more than Engels, Maeda & Kuhn

Celtic once lost an “amazing” talent for nothing, now he is worth millions more than some of their best players.

ByDan Emery Apr 17, 2025

On the more experienced end of the scale, Danny Ings is another potential Hoops target that may be available under freedom of contract once his deal at West Ham United expires.

Recently, Celtic have earned a reputation for being able to splash cash on premium assets; nevertheless, there is always room for a bargain in a transfer environment that can often throw up value for money despite changing perceptions of the market.

Speaking of which, the Bhoys have now made contact over a summer target who is also attracting interest from the footballing elite.

Celtic make contact over deal for Crystal Palace star Jesse Derry

According to TBR, Celtic have been ‘in touch’ with Crystal Palace star Jesse Derry’s representatives over cutting a deal to take him to Parkhead, joining a lengthy list of suitors including some of Europe’s biggest names.

Manchester City and Aston Villa have discussed signing the England youth international. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSG, Porto, AS Monaco, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Rangers have also made their voices heard.

Jesse Derry’s key statistics in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

20

Goals

9

Assists

2

Celtic had been first linked with Derry in the last few days, and it is becoming clear that he doesn’t see his future at Crystal Palace after refusing to sign a professional contract at the Premier League outfit.

Capable of playing anywhere across the front three, the 17-year-old will be available for minimal compensation, which is a tactic both sides of the Glasgow divide have used on several occasions over the years to secure talent from the English top-flight.

Although the Bhoys will likely need to put forward a convincing offer for Derry to consider abandoning a rich pool of options, you get the impression there would be first-team opportunities for the youngster in due time.