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With Caoimhin Kelleher's future still in doubt, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move to sign a new goalkeeper for Arne Slot who kept more clean sheets than Alisson last season.

Liverpool transfer news

Kelleher enjoyed his best season yet at Anfield as Alisson suffered an injury-riddled campaign, but that success may come at a price for Liverpool after the Irishman proved his ability to become a number one. And with that unlikely to come at Liverpool whilst Alisson is still around, the goalkeeper could find himself heading for the exit door in pursuit of his ambitions this summer.

Liverpool leading the race for dream £102m Szoboszlai partner

Arne Slot would score a major win by landing this talented midfielder.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 4, 2024

Kelleher admitted to The Athletic: "It would be great if that happened at Liverpool, but I’m not silly. I know that Ali has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years. I’ve had such an amazing time at Liverpool. It’s been a crazy journey for me and one that I’ve absolutely loved.

"I love the club, I love the fans and I have a great relationship with the players and the staff. Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a No 1.”

With that said, those at Anfield have reportedly set their sights on a potential replacement. According to Sports Zone, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Bento Matheus from Athletico Paranaense this summer, alongside Inter Milan, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid. The shot-stopper is reportedly ready to move to Europe and is "popular" among clubs within that vicinity.

Alisson, of course, will be very familiar with Bento, given his backup role in the Brazil national side. He even started at Wembley against England in an international friendly back in March, in which he kept a clean sheet against the likes of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden – making Liverpool's interest no surprise.

"Popular" Bento makes sense for Liverpool

Should Kelleher leave, Bento could make perfect sense for Liverpool when it comes to finding a new number two. The 24-year-old will already know Alisson and will be primed to learn from one of the best goalkeepers in world football, before perhaps one day succeeding him, with certain numbers certainly working in his favour.

Whilst the Premier League is undoubtedly a jump up in level, conceding just 16 goals in 26 appearances in any league is incredibly impressive. Factoring in the fact that Bento is an international too, everything points towards a player ready to step up to replace Kelleher at Anfield should the Irishman depart.

It won't be a simple battle for Liverpool, however, who will reportedly have to fend off interest from Atletico Madrid and both Milan clubs to land Bento's signature this summer.

Aston Villa have been handed a boost in their hunt for a new striker this summer, after a fresh report revealed the weak bargaining position his selling club find themselves in.

Villa building for Champions League

Unai Emery's success in the midlands saw him rewarded with a new contract after guiding the Villans into the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Now, they are already looking to the transfer market to help strengthen their newfound position as one of the Premier League's giants, and are putting the finishing touches on a move for Ross Barkley to help bolster their midfield.

Unai Emery thinks £50k-p/w "machine" is perfect for Aston Villa this summer

He could be the first major arrival at Villa Park this summer.

By
Ben Browning

May 30, 2024

They have been linked with interest in a new full-back, centre back, winger and striker this summer, but it is a move for a striker that seems the next most likely, and to that end they have been handed a surprise opportunity.

Villa handed pursuit in chase of striker

Earlier this week, Villa's interest in Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri broke, with the Moroccan one of several options being considered to bolster their frontline and provide cover and competition for the electric Ollie Watkins amid their push for success in Europe.

Valued at around £25m, the Moroccan would offer a different type of striker to Watkins, with the fact that almost 25% of his career goals come via his head a clear demonstration of just what he would offer the Villans.

Once dubbed a "fantastic young forward" in the early stages of his career, En Nesyri has carved out a place for himself in Seville and has become an excellent all-round front man.

But he looks set to move on this summer, as the striker has just 12 months left to run on his £50,000 per week contract in the south of Spain, meaning that a deal should not be too difficult to complete for any interested party.

Villa's interest is being spearheaded by Sporting Director Monchi, who signed and worked with the Moroccan in Seville. The 26-year-old found the net on 20 occasions last season to help steer his side away from the relegation battle in La Liga, and has also thought to have been on the radar of West Ham United, whose new boss Julen Lopetegui also worked with him at Sevilla for over 100 games.

However, Villa can offer the attraction of Champions League football, which makes them a more attractive proposition than the Hammers. Now, it has emerged that Sevilla are in desperate need of raising funds this summer, and could well offer up a bargain for the striker.

According to local outlets, the Spanish side now have an "urgent need to sell’ to balance their books, and are hoping that the Premier League or Saudi Arabia will come and take En-Nesyri off their hands to satisfy that issue before June 30th.

With the club "absolutely open" to a deal, a bargain could be had should Monchi wish to sign the Moroccan once more, and at 26-years-old he could be an excellent piece of business for the Villans.

Joel Matip has announced his retirement from football following his Liverpool exit in the summer.

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• Matip departed Reds in summer
• Retires without finding a new club
• Hangs up boots at age of 33

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Matip has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33, having left Liverpool at the end of last season. The centre-back spent eight years at the club, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. However, his spell with the Reds was eventually marred by repetitive injuries.

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  Matip sustained 16 injuries in total during his time with the Reds, the worst of which came in 2023-24, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. As a result, his final appearance for the club came in December of 2023, in a 4-3 win over Fulham.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Matip also played for Schalke between 2009 and 2016, winning the DFB-Pokal in 2011. He won a total of 27 caps for Cameroon between 2010 and 2015, scoring in the 2014 World Cup defeat to Brazil, but he retired from international duty while still playing in Germany.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen how Matip aims to spend his time after retirement. A potential move into coaching could well follow.

Jhon Duran has reportedly attracted interest from both Arsenal and Barcelona after starring for Unai Emery's Aston Villa side.

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• Duran impressing with Aston Villa
• Has just extended contract
• But wanted by Barca and Arsenal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Duran has bagged seven goals already this season for Aston Villa in a blistering start to the campaign which has already prompted the Premier League side to seal a new contract with the forward until 2030. However, that does not appear to have put off potential admirers, with Arsenal and Barcelona joining the queue of clubs interested in the Colombian, according to .

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Aston Villa are clearly eager for Duran to stay but are thought to have a price in mind that would tempt them into parting ways with the forward. Emery's side would be willing to sanction a sale for €90 million (£75m), a lofty price tag that may well put off any potential admirers. Duran does appear happy at Villa too, although his angry reaction to being taken off in the Champions League against Bologna will not have gone unnoticed.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  With the second goal against Bologna, Duran became the first player to score in successive games for Aston Villa in the European Cup or Champions League since the late Gary Shaw scored in both legs of their last 16 tie with Dinamo Bucuresti in 1982-83.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DURAN

  Duran has hit the headlines as a supersub this season but was in from the start against Bologna in midweek, scoring in a 2-0 Champions League victory, and will be hoping to keep his spot on Saturday when Villa take on Bournemouth in the Premier League.

An "outstanding" manager who Pep Guardiola rates highly is now the favourite for the Leicester City, according to a new update regarding the situation.

Leicester manager latest

It's all change for the Foxes this summer following their promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, with Enzo Maresca departing as manager in relatively shock fashion.

The 44-year-old has replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea boss, with the Argentine leaving by mutual consent at the end of the 2023/24 season, in a decision that has rocked Leicester supporters ahead of what was supposed to be such a positive summer at the King Power Stadium.

It is now essential that the Foxes nail Maresca's successor before the start of next season, and a number of candidates have been thrown into the mix. Graham Potter has emerged as a strong option to come in and take over, having not managed since a disappointing spell of his own at Chelsea, in what would be an eye-catching appointment.

Former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has also been linked with being Maresca's successor, and the same applies to Carlos Corberan, who guided West Brom into the Championship playoffs this season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has also emerged as a contender to come in this summer, with the ex-Manchester United striker most recently in charge at PSV Eindhoven, leaving his role last year.

"Outstanding" manager favourite to be Leicester boss

According to Football Insider, Potter is the favourite to be Leicester's next manager currently, with the Englishman in pole position ahead of Cooper.

The pair are described as "the top choices for their managerial vacancy", but the former is the "slight favourite for the job at the King Power Stadium". It is stated that he is "yet to be convinced" about taking charge, however, so the situation remains up in the air.

Potter jumps out as the most exciting choice to be Leicester's next manager, considering the impressive managerial career he has carved out to date, even though his time at Chelsea didn't go to plan.

The 49-year-old was particularly impressive at Brighton, guiding them to a ninth-place finish in the Premier League, and his talent hasn't gone unnoticed from Manchester City legend Guardiola in the past, who said of him during his time at Stamford Bridge:

"I would say to Todd Boehly, give him time. I know in big clubs, results are important but I'd say give him time. The second half is what he is. What he's done at Brighton is outstanding, but…we need time in the first season. I had (Lionel) Messi in Barcelona my first season so I didn't need two seasons because Messi was there."

Potter's attack-minded, ball-playing 'Potterball' style of play could appeal to Leicester supporters from the off, not to mention his past achievements, and the only issue could be whether he actually wants the job.

The replacement for a £65 million player has now been revealed by his manager, amid reports that he's agreed personal terms to join Tottenham.

Spurs looking to sign multiple new attackers this summer

Timo Werner comes as Spurs' first piece of summer transfer business, with the club agreeing to extend his loan by an additional season after some promising flashes of brilliance in a Lilywhites jersey.

Tottenham could hijack big club after opening talks with £42m Euro 2024 ace

The Lilywhites are in contact.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 19, 2024

The new deal includes an even cheaper £8.5 million buy-option clause than the one originally agreed to in January, which stood at around £15 million. This is a solid piece of business from Spurs to kickstart their summer plans, but it is believed that even more attacking signings could come through the door.

Tottenham are targeting a new striker to replace Harry Kane this summer, and it is believed Spurs are firmly in the race for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. While the north Londoners coped well in their first season without Kane, thanks largely to goals from Son Heung-min and Richarlison, Postecoglou's side apparently want a world-class new frontman to lead the line next campaign.

They've been repeatedly linked with a move for Brentford star Ivan Toney, who scored 20 league goals the season before last. He's also highly-rated by England manager Gareth Southgate, who included the Bees star in his 26-man Three Lions squad for the Euros.

Toney is said have already agreed personal terms with Spurs, according to some reports, but Brentford apparently value him at around £65 million and an opening bid of £40 million has been rejected outright (Football Transfers).

Frank reveals who will replace Toney if he joins Tottenham

Speaking on the BBC's Football Daily Podcast, as transcribed by The Standard, Brentford boss Thomas Frank has revealed that they already have Toney's replacement in Igor Thiago.

“We are on track with a lot of things in terms of the transfers”, Frank said.

“Of course, we plan and then other things can happen. Maybe we are selling a player but we are prepared for that. It’s no secret that there’s lots of rumours about Ivan. If he is leaving us — and I’d still like to keep him, he’s a top player — this time we are prepared and brought in Igor Thiago.”

Frank added his congratulations to Toney on being called up for England, and called his star striker the best penalty taker in world football: “Very pleased. It has been a tough year for him and he moved past that.

“Going into a tournament it’s important to have different weapons, and Ivan is a different weapon that England will need if they’re going to go all the way. If he played in the quarter-final he would be ready for it and would embrace it and love it and I think he’s the best penalty taker in the world.”

Wrexham may have completed the signing of Manchester United academy graduate Matty James, who has been spotted in the club's training gear.

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• Wrexham closing in on free agent
• James seen in training kit
• Played in United's academy

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per multiple accounts on social media, James has been spotted wearing Wrexham's training kit. James is a free agent after leaving Bristol City at the end of the 2023-24 season, but could now have found a new home in Wales.

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  James is a vastly experienced Football League campaigner who has played for the likes of Preston North End, Leicester City, Barnsley and Coventry, along with Bristol City. He came through the ranks at United, but he never made a first-team appearance for the club.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Both George Evans and Jordan Davies are injured and are not available for selection by Phil Parkinson. As a result, Wrexham have been left light in midfield, and a solution could well come in the form of James.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Wrexham play Charlton Athletic this weekend in League One but it is unclear if James will be signed in time to feature.

With Michael Olise seemingly on his way to Bayern Munich this summer, Crystal Palace have reportedly wasted no time in making their first move to potentially sign an instant replacement.

Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles will be hoping to pick up where they left off under Oliver Glasner last season come August and have already started their summer business in pursuit of doing just that, welcoming Real Betis defender Chadi Riad and former Lazio attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada. Both players should hand Glasner quite the boost this summer.

Kamada expressed his delight at joining up with former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Glasner, telling the official Palace website: “I’m excited to be joining Crystal Palace, and to be working with Oliver – who is a coach I know well – again. I am looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League, and hopefully the club and I can achieve all of our objectives together.”

Crystal Palace lead race for "special" £55k-p/w gem that Glasner will love

He would be perfect for the Palace manager’s system.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 1, 2024

As Olise prepares to complete his move to Bayern Munich as per Fabrizio Romano, however, Kamada is unlikely to be the last name through the door at Selhurst Park.

According to TeamTalk, Crystal Palace have submitted an opening bid to sign Jaden Philogene from Hull City ahead of competition from Everton and Ipswich Town. It remains to be seen just how much they tabled, but previous reports suggested that the Championship side value their star man at as much as £20m this summer.

It's certainly a step in the right direction for those at Selhurst Park, who could instantly welcome a replacement for Olise. If last season is anything to go by, Philogene is certainly a player capable of completing the near-impossible task of stepping into Olise's role in South London next season.

"Unbelievable" Philogene can fill Olise void

Selling a star player for profit in the form of Olise before dipping back into the Championship to find the heir to that same star's role is certainly a sustainable model and one that Palace should be praised for. It's part of the reason why they have become a mainstay in the Premier League and the reason why they're now well positioned to cause a few shocks under Glasner and potentially with Philogene arriving.

Philogene's output and successful take-ons stand out as traits that Crystal Palace will need the most in the absence of Olise. Having a player with such a direct threat to call on can quickly make the difference up against the Premier League's top six, as Palace found out last season when defeating the likes of Manchester United.

Now potentially handed the chance to step back into the Premier League for the first time since leaving Aston Villa on a permanent basis, Philogene will come back with plenty of praise under his belt. The winger attracted plenty of fans during his time at Hull, including former manager Liam Rosenior, who described his goal against Preston North End last October as "unbelievable".

Jude Bellingham insisted giving up is "not an option" after opening his goalscoring account for Real Madrid this season.

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• Real Madrid beat Osasuna 4-0
• Bellingham scores first goal of season
• Reflects on tough start to campaign

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Los Blancos thumped Osasuna 4-0 on Saturday, with Bellingham bagging a goal and an assist in the victory. That was the England international's first goal of the campaign, something he revelled in after the fact.

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• WHAT JUDE BELLINGHAM SAID

  Alongside a number of photos of him celebrating his goal and his team's win, he wrote on Instagram: "Even in shit times, giving up is not an option. Madridistas, thank you for your incredible support in the good moments and the bad ones."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bellingham could do no wrong for Madrid last season following his move from Borussia Dortmund. He scored 23 goals and bagged 13 assists, grabbed multiple match-winners and helped his side to a La Liga and Champions League double. This term, however, he has struggled with injury, form, and playing in a different position. The 21-year-old's performance on Saturday, however, appears to show that his persistence is paying off.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Bellingham – who came third in the 2024 Ballon d'Or – could next feature for England in their upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland before returning to play for Madrid later this month.

Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly vying for Santos defender Souza who has been dubbed "the next Marcelo".

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• Souza making a name for himself at Santos
• Chelsea & Barca are monitoring the talent
• Santos working to extend his current contract

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Souza has been a standout player at Santos, rising through the ranks from their youth setup to become a first-team regular. The talented full-back joined the club at the tender age of nine and quickly showcased his versatility, initially playing as a winger and even occasionally in midfield. However, it is in the left-back position where he has truly excelled, cementing his reputation as a player with immense potential. Under the management of former coach Fábio Carille, Souza earned his spot in Santos’ senior squad despite stiff competition. His attributes have drawn comparisons to Brazil and Real Madrid legend Marcelo.

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  According to reports from , both Barcelona and Chelsea are exploring options to secure Souza during the upcoming transfer window. Chelsea, in particular, appear keen to close the deal and have a strategy in place. The Blues reportedly intend to sign Souza and then loan him out to their sister club, Strasbourg, to gain European experience. However, competition for his signature is fierce, with clubs from Saudi Arabia also reportedly making offers to the player. Despite the growing interest, Santos are eager to retain their prized asset and have initiated talks to extend his current contract, which is set to expire in May 2025.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Standing at 1.83 meters, Souza combines physical presence with technical ability, making him a unique asset in his position. He is particularly notable for his quick acceleration and skill on the ball, traits that enhance his contributions in attack. Despite his offensive capabilities, he does not compromise on defensive duties, excelling in one-on-one situations with an impressive 80% success rate in defensive duels this season.

  In his eight appearances for Santos this term, Souza has displayed exceptional ball recovery skills, averaging nearly nine recoveries per game. These statistics place him among the most promising full-backs of his age group, alongside other emerging talents.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SOUZA?

  The coming months will be pivotal for Souza as Santos’ new coach, Leandro Zago, assesses the youngster’s role in the squad. Whether Souza remains at Santos to further develop his game or makes the leap to European football, his potential to become a global football star seems undeniable.