Wrexham's official Instagram account poked fun at Hollywood star Hugh Jackman after Norwich City fans unfurled a tifo of the Wolverine actor as a result of him previously admitting he is a fan of the Canaries. Following the Welsh team's 3-2 win at Carrow Road in the Championship on Saturday, the Red Dragons have gently ribbed the Australian on social media.
Ahead of the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign, Arsenal fans will possess a cautious sense of optimism ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side have finished as runners-up in each of the last three years, hopefully going one better this season after making numerous key additions during the summer window.
The hierarchy have backed him in the transfer window, solving a problem position by landing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP after he scored 54 goals in the recent season.
Other areas of the pitch have also been subject to investment, with Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera arriving at the Emirates and bolstering the midfield and defence departments, respectively.
However, despite the heavy spending in recent weeks, another player has consistently been on their radar – in the form of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
Throughout the summer window, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder has been heavily mentioned over a move to join Arsenal, subsequently improving the options at Arteta’s disposal.
However, they face stiff competition from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have also been credited with an interest in his signature during the off-season.
Thomas Frank’s side have been in talks with the English international, with both sides looking to take advantage of the £60m valuation placed on his head by Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.
In recent days, it’s been reported that the Gunners could walk away from negotiations in the coming days, currently seeing his asking price as out of range, given the money already splashed this summer.
He’s not the only midfield star in their sights between now and the September 1st deadline, potentially seeing a move open up for a top-level European star.
Earlier on in the summer window, Arsenal were one of various Premier League sides linked with a move to land PSG youngster Warren Zaire-Emery ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
However, no deal could be reached for the Frenchman, unsurprisingly given the Ligue 1 side’s asking price, which saw a £100m price tag mooted.
He’s not the only European star who’s appeared on the Gunners’ radar as of late, with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong also in their sights, according to one Spanish outlet.
Their report states that Arteta’s side are closely monitoring a move for the Dutch international, who only has one year remaining on his current contract with the LaLiga giants.
It also states that with no new deal yet on the horizon, the 28-year-old could be open to exploring a move this window, resulting in a £35m asking price being raised.
Missing out on Eze would be a bitter blow for the Arsenal fanbase, especially given the huge rumours linking him with a move to the club over recent months.
Their misery would undoubtedly be compounded if the player himself were to move to Spurs, which would see the Englishman certainly make Frank’s outfit a stronger one.
However, it’s important that the Gunners don’t overspend this summer and pay over-inflated transfer fees – with other serious quality available in the current market.
A deal for De Jong could provide just that, possessing years of experience of operating at the very top-level of European football – something which will be vital if the club are to reach the next level.
Whilst the pair operate in slightly different positions, the 28-year-old has proven in Spain over recent years that he is a leading talent in the box-to-box area – able to add further quality into the heart of Arteta’s side
.
His underlying stats from the 2024/25 campaign highlight the quality he would add to the first-team squad, able to have a major say on their success at either end of the pitch.
According to FBref, De Jong, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Simone Inzaghi, ranked in the 99th percentile for passes completed (94%) and 97th percentile for progressive passes (9.5).
|
Frenkie de Jong’s stats for Barcelona (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
26 |
|
Goals & assists |
4 |
|
Pass accuracy |
94% |
|
Progressive passes |
9.5 |
|
Shot on target accuracy |
60% |
|
Passes into final third |
11.1 |
|
Carries into final third |
3.1 |
|
Tackles won |
1.5 |
|
Interceptions made |
2.4 |
|
Stats via FBref |
|
Such numbers could allow him to pick out the likes of Gyokeres within the final third, allowing the Swede to have a huge impact during his maiden campaign in North London.
Despite featuring in a deeper position than Eze, he has still showcased the threat he possesses in front of goal, achieving a 60% shot on target rate – putting him in the 99th percentile of all midfielders in Europe.
Out of possession, the former Ajax star has also impressed, winning 1.5 tackles per 90 and making 2.4 interceptions – able to break up the player before progressing the ball into dangerous areas.
Whilst another attacking-minded player is still high on the club’s shortlist, a deal for De Jong is one the hierarchy simply can’t pass up between now and the transfer deadline.
If he can replicate such talents in England, he would be a bargain transfer and one that can still help the club in their quest to end their two-decade wait for a top-flight title.
Arsenal could seal a better signing than Gyokeres & Eze in £100m sensation
Arsenal could land a better player than Eze & Gyokeres in sensational talent.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Aug 16, 2025
Manchester United have offered emotional support to winger Amad Diallo after he was subjected to sickening online abuse. Amad took a picture with former team-mate Alejandro Garnacho after United beat Chelsea at Old Trafford, leading to a fan backlash.
Josh Windass revealed a gruesome injury to his social media followers after coming off early in Wrexham's Championship draw with Leicester City. The Foxes went ahead in the first half through Jordan James’ and held onto their lead until the 77th minute. However, nerves and wastefulness opened the door for Wrexham, with Nathan Broadhead grabbing a late equaliser at the King Power Stadium.
Newcastle United have built their modern reputation not just on financial clout but on shrewdly identifying opportunities that balance ambition with strategy.
Their recruitment since the change of ownership has been measured, targeted and often brave.
The signing of Sandro Tonali in 2023 epitomised that approach.
In making the AC Milan midfielder the most expensive Italian player in history, Newcastle showed their willingness to gamble on a player who combined proven Serie A quality with enormous potential upside.
Despite his 10-month suspension for breaching betting regulations, Tonali has since returned to play a central role in Eddie Howe’s side.
He was instrumental in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph – their first domestic silverware in 70 years – and now forms part of a midfield three with Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton that ranks among the most complete in Europe.
That calculated risk has paid off.
It has also demonstrated to Newcastle’s hierarchy that Italian football remains fertile ground for elite talent that can be persuaded to make the move to the Premier League.
They have already dipped back into Serie A this summer, recruiting Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, further evidence of a strategy built on trusted relationships and a willingness to invest in players who can adapt quickly to Howe’s aggressive, high-pressing football.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that Newcastle are once again monitoring the Italian market.
According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, Newcastle have made initial contact with Inter Milan regarding midfielder Davide Frattesi.
While discussions have not moved beyond a preliminary stage, the very fact the club have opened a dialogue underlines their intent to explore whether another Serie A talent could be lured to Tyneside.
Frattesi, 25, has long been viewed as one of Italy’s brightest midfielders.
He joined Inter in 2023 from Sassuolo, and since then, he has grown into an important option for Inter.
Christian Chivu, Inter’s new head coach, considers him a key part of the squad, but with the likes of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Piotr Zieliński and Luis Henrique all competing for central roles, a departure cannot be entirely ruled out.
Still, Inter’s position is firm: any suitor must meet their €40m (£35m) valuation.
That figure is not insignificant, particularly for Newcastle, who have already invested heavily this summer.
Jacob Ramsey’s arrival from Aston Villa strengthened their midfield department, making a further signing in that area less of a priority.
Yet Frattesi’s profile fits with Howe’s long-term vision of building a squad capable of competing both domestically and in Europe.
Frattesi’s numbers underline his threat.
He scored five times and registered two assists in 28 Serie A appearances last season, while also making an impact on the European stage with two goals in 13 Champions League outings, including a decisive strike in Inter’s semi-final victory over Barcelona.
Internationally, he already has 29 caps for Italy and an impressive return of eight goals.
Beyond raw output, his underlying metrics stand out. According to FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.37), the 95th percentile for total shots per 90 (1.91) and the 93rd percentile for touches inside the attacking penalty area per 90 (3.08).
Few central midfielders in Europe consistently arrive in advanced areas with such effect.
The parallels with Newcastle’s pursuit of Tonali are obvious. In both cases, the club identified a player who, while not surplus to requirements, could potentially be prised away from one of Serie A’s giants for different reasons.
In Tonali’s case, although he was a key player in Milan’s 2021/22 Scudetto-winning side, the club’s difficult financial situation forced his transfer.
By contrast, Frattesi’s place in Inter’s starting lineup is far from guaranteed.
This situation could play into Newcastle’s hands, particularly if the player desires a more consistent role ahead of a potential World Cup campaign with Italy.
At 25, he has room to grow further, and his skillset – high pressing, ball-carrying, late penalty-box entries – aligns with Howe’s blueprint.
The challenge is financial. Inter, flush with midfield depth but also mindful of squad harmony, are under no pressure to sell unless their €40m (£35m) price tag is met.
Newcastle, mindful of PSR Regulations, may be wary, having already spent significantly on Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Thiaw this summer.
That said, Newcastle’s Serie A ventures are rarely speculative.
Their recruitment team has cultivated strong networks in Italy, and the arrivals of Tonali and Thiaw underline the willingness of Italian clubs to engage with them when the price is right.
Whether or not a deal for Frattesi materialises, the broader point is that Newcastle are doubling down on a transfer strategy that has already brought success.
Tonali’s rehabilitation from suspension into a central figure was a vindication of Newcastle’s faith in Serie A talent.
Frattesi, with his goalscoring instincts and ability to operate at both ends of the pitch, could be the next step in that evolution.
For Newcastle, the Serie A experiment has already paid off once – a repeat, even if not immediately, seems only a matter of time.
Their answer to Guehi: Newcastle weigh up late move to sign £30m "monster"
Newcastle aren’t just looking at forwards as the transfer window enters the final stretch.
By
Angus Sinclair
Aug 24, 2025
FC Andorra owner Gerard Pique has been added to the official match report after calling a referee “a f*cking disgrace” following a 2-1 defeat to Leganes. The incident, part of a string of recent controversies, underscores mounting tensions within the club as they navigate disciplinary scrutiny and a challenging La Liga Hypermotion season.
Liverpool have signed world class players under Fenway Sports Group, led by John W. Henry.
FSG have been divisive owners among the Reds’ fanbase at times, but it is impossible to deny that they have overseen a great era of success at Anfield. While sometimes fairly accused of being too frugal, they have developed Anfield and the club’s training ground, while a refresh of the academy facility is expected to cost the investment group up to £20m in the coming years.
In the 2025 summer window, with the help of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, they broke Liverpool and British football’s transfer record twice, splashing out over £400m on new signings while keeping the right side of PSR thanks to clever sales like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz will become mainstays for the Reds for years, but they both have work to do to crack a storied list of great Liverpool signings under FSG.
Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister could easily end up higher on this list, depending on how long he stays at Liverpool for. He has been a wonderful addition since arriving from Brighton, and the fact that he cost just £35m makes him an unbelievable bargain.
The Argentine is a complete midfielder, combining technical brilliance, hard work and leadership, and at 26, there is still a lot more to come from him. He is a manager’s dream.
Jordan Henderson
Gini Wijnaldum can think himself unlucky to miss out, having been such a great signing from Newcastle United, but Jordan Henderson gets in over him on sheer longevity.
After a horrible start to life at Liverpool, Henderson grew into a fantastic leader and an underrated all-round footballer, spending 12 years at Anfield and captaining the Reds to Champions League and Premier League glory.
He split opinion down the years, but his critics only got quieter the more he matured as a player, and he played a huge part in Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp.
Fabinho
Liverpool were crying out for an elite No.6 to take them to the next level in 2018, and Fabinho proved to be the perfect addition in front of the defence.
Described as a “lighthouse” because of his ability to see everything going on around him, the Brazilian was a colossal figure at his peak, putting out fires and using the ball with both subtlety and effectiveness.
In the end, £43.7m proved to be a bargain, with the Reds crowned both European and English champions within two years of Fabinho arriving.
Luis Suarez
Sadly, Luis Suarez’s behaviour continues to tarnish his legacy, but there is no denying that he was a genius who FSG did superbly to bring in.
Liverpool needed a new hero when Fernando Torres departed for Chelsea in 2011 and Suarez came straight in and became the Reds’ new attacking star, enjoying three-and-a-half remarkable years at Anfield.
The Uruguayan so nearly inspired Brendan Rodgers’ side to title glory in 2013/14, producing one of the great individual seasons at Liverpool, and he departed for Barcelona with a tally of 82 goals in just 133 appearances. One of the Reds’ most talented players ever.
Andy Robertson
In terms of bargains, Andy Robertson could be FSG’s greatest as owners of Liverpool, considering he arrived for just £8m from Hull City in 2017.
While some were unsure if the Scot was good enough at the time, he has since grown into not only one of the Reds’ best-ever left-backs, but also one of the greatest in the history of the Premier League.
Solid defensively, effective going forward and a great leader, Robertson has racked up well over 300 appearances for Liverpool, and at 31, he continues to be an excellent squad player.
Roberto Firmino
There have been few more popular players at Liverpool over the past 20 years than Roberto Firmino, whose influence was almost unrivalled at his peak at Anfield.
The Brazilian almost redefined the false nine role during his time as a Reds player, combining flair, selflessness and tactical intelligence to perfection, proving to be the perfect foil for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Without Firmino, Liverpool would never have achieved the success they did with Klopp in charge – it’s fair to say he comfortably exceeded expectation levels when he joined from Hoffenheim. It was a transfer masterstroke by FSG.
Sadio Mane
It can almost be forgotten just how good Sadio Mane was for Liverpool, due to Salah often taking the limelight and the Senegalese sensation leaving in 2022.
Mane was an astonishing addition for the Reds, though, transforming the attack with his pace and end product from the moment he joined from Southampton in 2016, scoring a stunning solo effort away to Arsenal on his debut.
The Liverpool legend was arguably his side’s best player in the Premier League-winning 2019/20 season, which speaks volumes about his ability, and he finished his time at Anfield with 120 goals and 38 assists in 269 appearances.
Alisson
It is impossible to downplay the significance of Liverpool snapping up Alisson from Roma in the summer of 2018, at a time when Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius were floundering.
The Brazilian has been a colossal signing over the past seven years, consistently cementing his status as the world’s best goalkeeper and bailing out the Reds so many times. His greatest skill is making everything look effortless, when in fact, the job he is doing is a tough one.
Alisson is a once-in-a-generation ‘keeper, and by the time he hangs up his boots, he could be considered one of the best in history in his position.
Mohamed Salah
Remember when Salah was deemed to be a ‘one-season wonder’ and a ‘Chelsea reject’?
When the Egyptian King joined Liverpool in 2017, nobody could have predicted what would happen in the eight years that followed, with the 33-year-old now arguably one of the Reds’ three best players in history alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard.
Salah has been nothing short of astonishing for the Reds, breaking too many records to mention and now sitting third in the club’s all-time scoring charts.
His consistency, dedication and winning mentality make him a true modern great of the game, and £36.9m was quite the piece of business by FSG.
Virgil van Dijk
Some may understandably have Salah as their No.1, but Virgil van Dijk’s influence is unmatched. When he arrived from Southampton £75m in January 2018, some laughed at the price tag, but he has been worth at least double that amount ever since.
The Dutchman is now making a strong claim to be one of the greatest centre-backs to ever play the game, with the 34-year-old so perfect in all facets of his game that he could have been created in a laboratory.
Strong, fast, an expert reader of the game, a great captain and a gifted technician, it will take a long time before we see another central defender at Van Dijk’s level. Becoming Liverpool captain has only added to his aura, and replacing him when he eventually retires or departs will be FSG’s greatest challenge yet.
|
FSG’s greatest Liverpool signings |
Fee |
Signed from |
|---|---|---|
|
10. Alexis Mac Allister |
£35m |
Brighton |
|
9. Jordan Henderson |
£20m |
Sunderland |
|
8. Fabinho |
£43.7m |
Monaco |
|
7. Luis Suarez |
£22.7m |
Ajax |
|
6. Andy Robertson |
£8m |
Hull City |
|
5. Roberto Firmino |
£29m |
Hoffenheim |
|
4. Sadio Mane |
£34m |
Southampton |
|
3. Alisson |
£67m |
Roma |
|
2. Mohamed Salah |
£36.9m |
Roma |
|
1. Virgil van Dijk |
£75m |
Southampton |
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Cristiano Ronaldo has grown accustomed to seeing his iconic goal celebration mimicked down the years. Screams of ‘Siuuu’ are no longer reserved solely for the Portuguese GOAT, with LA Rams wide receiver Davante Adams leading Wembley Stadium in a rendition of that during the latest instalment of NFL International Series games in 2025.
Since he took the manager’s job over five years ago, there have been several players who have helped shape Mikel Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal.
There was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who went from FA Cup hero to outcast; Bukayo Saka, who’s gone from Hale End prospect to talismanic winger, and even David Raya, who many viewed as unnecessary to start but is now unquestionably one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
However, one of the most important players during the Spaniards’ time at the club was Granit Xhaka, who went from public enemy number one to a firm fan favourite under his watch.
While there isn’t anyone in the squad quite as far gone as the Swiss star was at his lowest, there is an international who could experience a similar revival of fortunes this season.
Arsenal signed Xhaka for around £34m in the summer of 2016, and while he wasn’t terrible, it would be fair to say that his first few seasons at the club were unremarkable from a performance perspective.
However, due in part to his experience, combativeness and the respect he had from his teammates, he was made club captain in September 2019, under Unai Emery.
Unfortunately, he was given the armband during a particularly poor run of form for the team, and when he was substituted off in a game a month later, he responded to the baying Emirates crowd by swearing at them and then throwing his shirt to the floor.
For all intents and purposes, it looked like his Arsenal career was over, and were it not for Arteta, who would be appointed a couple of months later, it would have been.
The former Borussia Mönchengladbach star later admitted that it was the former player who convinced him to stay, and it was a good thing he did, as over the next few years, he would regain the trust of the fans.
|
Xhaka’s Arsenal career |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
16/17 |
46 |
4 |
3 |
|
17/18 |
48 |
3 |
8 |
|
18/19 |
40 |
4 |
5 |
|
19/20 |
41 |
1 |
2 |
|
20/21 |
45 |
1 |
2 |
|
21/22 |
30 |
1 |
2 |
|
22/23 |
47 |
9 |
7 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
For example, in September 2022, in a game away at Brentford, the away supporters finally began to sing the midfielder’s name, something he clearly appreciated.
It was that season that the Basel-born titan reached his zenith in red and white, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 47 games as the club launched a surprising title charge.
He would grab himself a brace on the final day of the campaign in front of a packed Emirates that serenaded him for much of the game, highlighting just how far he’d come since that incident against Crystal Palace.
In all, Xhaka’s story at Arsenal is one of revival, and based on what we’ve just seen, there could be another Gunners’ star who experiences something similar this season.
With the way Arsenal have started this season, it would be difficult to name too many players who could need reviving, although one that comes to mind is Gabriel Martinelli.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The Brazilian “monster,” as journalist Mark Mann-Bryans once dubbed him, joined the club all the way back in 2019, and while he battled with a number of injuries, there was plenty of excitement over the sort of player he could become.
After all, in the 21/22 season, when he was still just 20 years old, he managed to rack up an impressive tally of 12 goal involvements in 36 games for the club.
However, it was in the following campaign that he really announced himself as a tremendously promising attacking talent, when he scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 46 games, playing a significant role in the club’s title charge.
Unfortunately, as things stand, that season remains his best as an Arsenal player, as the following year he mustered up eight goals and five assists in 44 games, and then last season he scored ten goals and provided six assists in 51 games.
With mediocre numbers like that, it’s hardly a surprise that the club went out and signed Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, who, considering the Brazilian has started one game this season, now appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, as there is clearly still a talented player there, and we saw it on Tuesday night when he scored a brilliant goal against Athletic Bilbao and then provided an assist for Leandro Trossard.
Now, we aren’t saying that he should now start the next game, or that he should even start the ones after; instead, his cameo on Tuesday showed how he can still have an important place in the squad: as an impact squad.
In fact, Arteta doesn’t even call them that anymore; he told the press that he prefers the term “finishers” and that “the finishers are going to be more important this season than the starters.”
Whether that’s actually true or not, it does suggest that the former Martinelli still has a massive role to play for Arsenal, and that while some wanted him sold in the summer, the manager could help make him a crucial part of the team again, like he did with Xhaka.
Arsenal "monster" looks like the best Emirates-era signing since Rice
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal look like they’ve struck gold with the sensationally talented star.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Sep 17, 2025
Liverpool are looking to complete the signing of an “incredible” player next year, potentially beating rivals Manchester United to his signature, among others.
The Reds are back in Premier League action on Sunday action on Sunday afternoon, making the trip to Burnley in a game that many will expect to see the visitors win comfortably.
For Alexander Isak, it has the potential to be a special day, with the Swede in line to make his debut at some point, even if it is from the substitutes’ bench.
The 25-year-old took part in his first training session for Liverpool on Wednesday, with footage showing the elite finishing ability that he has in his locker, and why the Premier League champions were willing to pay Newcastle United a record-breaking £125m for his services.
Granted, Isak needs time to build up his match fitness, so as mentioned, Hugo Ekitike is likely to be preferred at Burnley this weekend, but a second-half cameo feels on the cards, in what is hopefully the first of many appearances in a Liverpool shirt.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now battling to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in 2026, whether that be in January or next summer.
Man Utd “face a fierce battle” with their biggest rivals, with FSG now entering the race, whereas Newcastle United and Chelsea are also mentioned as options for the £60m-rated England international.
Wharton is one of the most exciting young English players around currently, already becoming such an accomplished footballer at the age of just 21.
The Palace star is an elegant player with a lovely left foot, and he possesses the ability to both dictate play from a deep midfield role, but also shine out of possession, displaying good positional sense and a strong work ethic.
Wharton, who has won two of his three games against the Reds (66%), could be a brilliant squad addition for Liverpool, coming in as a replacement for Wataru Endo, before maturing into a key starter, having been lauded by former Palace teammate Eberechi Eze.
“Playing with him at Palace, I’ve got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He’s very calm, composed, and a joy to play with. For someone so young, he’s very mature and very wise. When you speak to him, it feels like you’re speaking to someone older than you, that’s the type of person he is. He’s an incredible player.”
"Huge money" – Liverpool eye 2026 move for "magician" after Isak and Wirtz
What a signing this could be.
By
Henry Jackson
Sep 9, 2025
There was a time when United were clearly the more exciting proposition than Liverpool, but that has changed significantly in the modern game, and the hope is that Wharton sees the champions as his best future option, picking them over the Red Devils and other suitors.