Already pursuing deals to sign Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap, Manchester United and INEOS have now reportedly submitted an opening bid to sign another Premier League talent.
Man Utd's attacking rebuild
Attack is often the best form of defence and if Ruben Amorim is to turn his Manchester United spell around before the pressure increases, it seems as though Manchester United must old saying to the test. Already, the Red Devils are reportedly advancing in deals to sign both Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Delap from Ipswich Town, but they may not be done there.
The two forwards should have an immediate impact on a struggling side at Old Trafford, who are set to end the Premier League campaign without back-to-back wins for the first time in the club’s history in a record that Amorim would have been desperate to avoid.
A big reason for that record has been Manchester United’s struggles in front of goal. Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to leave their marks when given the opportunity and both could now be heading for departures in ruthless fashion.
When compared with Delap and Cunha throughout the current campaign, it’s clear to see why the Red Devils are eyeing such an attacking overhaul, however.
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Delap, in a relegated Ipswich side, has clawed his way to 12 Premier League goals, whilst Cunha has been the star of the show at Wolves – scoring 15 league goals. Meanwhile, by some contrast, Hojlund and Zirkzee have managed a combined total of seven Premier League goals.
That said, INEOS may not stop after securing two fresh faces. Instead, reports are indicating that they’re pushing on to secure another Premier League star this summer.
Man Utd submit £55m offer to sign Mbeumo
According to reports in Spain, INEOS and Manchester United have now submitted a €65m (£55m) bid to sign Bryan Mbeumo for Amorim. Like Delap and Cunha, the Brentford star would be an instant upgrade on the current options at Old Trafford and could finally form a front three capable of matching Bruno Fernandes’ quality behind them.
Starts
36
22
14
Goals
18
4
3
Assists
7
0
1
Expected Goals
11
5.2
4.8
Scoring over double Hojlund and Zirkzee’s combined tally this season, it’s no surprise that Mbeumo has found himself at the centre of Thomas Frank’s praise.
The Brentford boss spoke about the form of both the Manchester United target and his strike partner Yoanne Wissa after both scored in an impressive victory against Brighton & Hove Albion last month, telling reporters: “That’s an incredible achievement from the two of them.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
“All praise due the two of them for the hard work, how much they push, and then of course to my staff, and then I think a little bit to the way we play.”
In an ideal reality, West Bromwich Albion would find themselves competing in the upcoming Championship playoff final after Tony Mowbray’s return had gone down as a rip-roaring success.
Unfortunately, that script hasn’t come to life, with Mowbray actually finding himself out of a job again after a dismal run of just five wins from 17 games led to the Baggies falling short of those coveted playoff spots.
West Bromwich Albion managerTonyMowbraybefore the match
West Brom do have plenty of time on their hands to assess who they would like to bring in as the 61-year-old’s successor now as the ongoing search shows no real signs of coming to a halt.
West Brom's list of manager targets
It’s been nearly a month since Mowbray was abruptly axed from the Hawthorns hot seat, meaning plenty of names have been linked to fill the vacancy.
Indeed, faces such as Stockport County manager Dave Challinor have been tipped to take on the reins, alongside ex-Southampton boss Russell Martin potentially getting back on the horse after his Saints dismissal.
Moreover, former Manchester United coach turned Minnesota United manager Eric Ramsay has also been regularly thrown about as a successor to Mowbray, but there’s one other name that looks to be the likeliest option away from any other rumoured bosses.
Indeed, journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed recently that West Brom still ‘really like’ Tottenham Hotspur background figure Ryan Mason, with his young and fresh approach one factor that ticks a lot of boxes for the Baggies hierarchy.
Tottenham's Ryan Mason
Ramsay is the same age as Mason – with both the fresh-faced managers only being 33 years of age – but the Spurs coach arguably has more experience of the hustle and bustle of the English game, meaning he might well be viewed as an upgrade on the left-field Minnesota boss.
Why Mason is an upgrade on Ramsay
There is a logic behind West Brom wanting to go down the route of appointing a youthful new manager, having been burnt by the experienced Mowbray returning and ultimately failing.
On top of that, the likes of Liam Manning – who is only six years older than Mason – managed to steer Bristol City to the playoffs just this season, whilst the equally blooming Danny Rohl improved on a near escape from relegation at the helm of Sheffield Wednesday by guiding them to a comfortable mid-table finish.
Whilst both of those figures will likely go on to achieve far more in their careers, Mason does hold an advantage over both of them currently – on top of also bettering Ramsay in this department – with the 33-year-old gaining experience on the job of what it’s like to be an interim boss of a Premier League team with Spurs.
Whilst Ramsay does have an impressive 24 wins under his belt in charge of Minnesota, he has no experience of what it’s like to be thrown into the deep end of Premier League action, having only ever watched from afar when situated at the Red Devils.
On the contrary, Mason has briefly shone when handed the reins of the North Londoners, with six wins collected during some testing and turbulent times after some notable managerial exits.
He could be what West Brom needs, therefore, to recover from the popular figure of Mowbray flopping, with Ange Postecoglou even going out of his way recently to label Mason as “outstanding” for his work at the Premier League side.
Tottenham's Ryan Mason
Clearly, the Baggies need to think somewhat outside of the box to bring success back to the Hawthorns after the tried and tested route of Mowbray unravelled.
Whilst Ramsay would fit that unorthodox label, he might well flounder attempting to adapt to the Championship. Whereas, the time could be just right for Mason to prove himself after a worthwhile education at Spurs.
Free transfer: West Brom in talks to sign 21 y/o with same agent as Fellows
Nice time to be a Liverpool fan, ay. Arne Slot’s side lifted the Premier League trophy after drawing with Crystal Palace at Anfield, ending a memorable campaign.
FSG will be delighted, but they won’t want this triumph to stand as a flash in the pan. Instead, footballing chief Michael Edwards has been tasked with building a new dynasty on Merseyside, and sweeping changes are anticipated ahead of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
Well, more than that. The cogs are whirring away, deals firmly in the pipeline. Liverpool might have been forced into a poignant divorce with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will join Real Madrid on a free transfer, but frustration has been assuaged by the flurry of activity in recent weeks.
Changes aren’t just anticipated; Liverpool are acting with the incisiveness of champions.
Liverpool closing on exciting deals
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ll be aware Liverpool are closing on the audacious signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz for a club-record fee.
Wirtz, 22, won the Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2023/24 and has been described as a “generational talent” while at it by sports media professional Cristian Nyari, and Liverpool have beaten Manchester City and Bayern Munich to his signature.
It’s not yet set in stone, but the Reds have backed up their title-winning season with a monstrous gambit, and before the transfer window’s even opened its stalls.
And that’s not all. Jeremie Frimpong has completed his medical, surely just days away from completing his transfer to Merseyside, the Werkself right-sider ready to link back up with Wirtz.
Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies in action with Bayer Leverkusen'sJeremieFrimpong
Trent might be leaving, but FSG have acted with intent to sign two players who, combined, replace the vice-captain’s one-of-a-kind talents and might even transcend them.
But there’s more. In fact, Fabrizio Romano has chimed in to reveal talks are advancing with yet another sought-after star.
Liverpool advancing talks for another signing
As per Romano, Liverpool are still engaged in talks with Bournemouth for Milos Kerkez, who is “very keen” on moving to Anfield this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Hungarian, 21, is expected to fetch a fee of around £45m, though Liverpool will surely want this whittled down.
Slot has wanted a new left-back signed, given the 31-year-old Andy Robertson is on the decline and Kostas Tsimikas, his deputy, is available for transfer.
Favourites to get the deal done, with Man City and Real Madrid also registering their interest in recent weeks, Liverpool are pulling out all the stops to reward Slot for his incredible feat, and Kerkez might just prove to be the most important signing of the lot.
Why Liverpool want Milos Kerkez
Now, that might seem like something of a bold claim. Let’s make it clear: Wirtz is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, and will cost in excess of €100m (£85m), though not as much as some exorbitant initial claims.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtzreacts
He’s a marquee signing, and that’s a fact, but Kerkez is a player whose signing needs to be agreed upon if Liverpool are to make headway and better this Premier League-winning campaign.
Certainly, Kerkez could prove to be the more transformative addition to Liverpool’s flanks.
Though Frimpong will bring a unique style to the right side of Virgil van Dijk’s backline, the Dutchman will find himself jockeying for a number one berth with Conor Bradley, who signed a new long-term contract with the Anfield side last week and is one of the most exciting young full-backs in the game.
However, Robertson has been continually criticised for his athletic regression, his lapses in concentration. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher acknowledged the “absolute legend” last month but went on to outline how he is “hanging on in every game now.”
Kerkez could dynamise Liverpool’s defence, provide a worthy heir for the coming age. Pundit Izzy Christensen has hailed the “machine” for his role at Bournemouth this term, and he’s indeed maintained a high level that has outstripped that of Robertson.
Matches (starts)
38 (38)
33 (29)
Goals
2
0
Assists
5
1
Touches*
59.6
64.5
Pass completion
80%
88%
Big chances created
8
7
Ball recoveries*
4.4
3.2
Dribbles*
0.6
0.2
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
1.8
Clearances*
2.6
1.3
Ground duels (won)*
3.3 (61%)
1.6 (52%)
Though Robertson is still more precise on the ball, this is largely down to a tactical approach from Slot, which could be inculcated smoothly into Kerkez’s own game, should he sign this summer.
One thing’s for certain, Kerkez would be a massive upgrade, and a more important signing than Frimpong besides. That’s not to the 24-year-old Leverkusen star’s discredit, but rather illustrates where the focus lies at Liverpool.
There’s a completeness about the Hungary international which suggests he could be the archetypal modern full-back, whereas Frimpong, though fleet-footed and electric on the ball, has drawn criticism for his defensive work at times.
Xabi Alonso’s man only won 45% of his ground duels in the Bundesliga last season, as per Sofascore, albeit fielded in a more advanced position than your typical wide defender.
Of course, a potential by-product of that is that Frimpong lacks the defensive nous that, for example, Kerkez would have, for he has simply not enjoyed the repetitive absorption of such skills in recent years, having been stuck in the attacking half, ready to explode and surge forward.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz andJeremieFrimpongapplaud fans with teammates after the match
Liverpool are forging ahead with a deal for Wirtz, and rightly so. But sporting director Richard Hughes has got his hands in several pies and he’s juggling the responsibility expertly. Barring something drastic and deflating, all three exciting talents will be playing in Liverpool red next year.
Does it really even matter which one’s the most important, if that is indeed the case?
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Now that Rangers have a manager in place, their transfer window activity can begin in earnest.
Last week, Russell Martin was unveiled as the 20th permanent manager in Rangers’ 153-year history, but he faces a big task to guide the Gers through Champions League qualifying this summer and then, ultimately, aiming to topple their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
That will all be a tough task, but could Martin land his dream midfield signing early into his tenure in Glasgow?
Rangers' chasing midfield reinforcements
While recruitment as far as new players are concerned hasn’t been Kevin Thelwell’s first priority since heading to Rangers, attention can now finally turn to who could improve the squad at Ibrox.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Well, according to a report by Alan Nixon of the Scottish Sun, Martin would like Rangers to sign midfielder Flynn Downes this summer.
The 26-year-old played for Martin at Swansea and Southampton, initially on loan when the Saints gained promotion from the EFL Championship last year, before he made his move from West Ham to the South Coast permanent a year ago for a reported £18m fee.
Southampton's Flynn Downes in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro
That sky-high price tag could prove to be a severe stumbling block, considering Rangers’ record signing of all time is the £12m paid to sign Tore André Flo in 2000, while the highest fee they’ve paid in the modern era is £7.5m for Ryan Kent in 2019.
Nevertheless, after Southampton were instantaneously relegated from the Premier League after just one season back in the top-flight, there could potentially be a fire-sale at St Mary’s, with Downes possibly amongst those sacrificed.
Most expensive SPFL signings (timeless) Rangers Celtic
So, could he be reunited with his former manager north of the border?
How Downes compares to Lundstram
Signing English players from down south is certainly not a new strategy for Rangers, with John Lundstram certainly one of the more successful of their imports of the modern era.
After failing to make a senior appearance for Everton, the midfielder, fair to say, was a bit of a journeyman, playing for Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient across two spells, Blackpool, Scunthorpe United and Oxford United.
He belatedly burst onto the scene at Sheffield United, making 62 Premier League appearances for the Blades, a key figure as Chris Wilder’s team finished ninth in 2019/20 as a newly-promoted club.
Nevertheless, it was only once he got to Glasgow that Lundstram truly found a home.
In total, the midfielder featured over 150 times for Rangers, scoring 11 goals, including the late winner against RB Leipzig that booked the club’s place in the Europa League Final, winning the Scottish Cup and League Cup, starting all three finals.
He ultimately departed for Trabzonspor on a Bosman last summer but, should Downes arrive, Rangers supporters would be hoping he could have a similar impact to that of his compatriot.
Host Dan Woffenden describes Downes as “class”, while Roshane Thomas of the Athletic labels him an excellent passer, also documenting how he ‘thrived under manager Russell Martin’ when the pair were together at Swansea.
Southampton'sFlynnDownesin action with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White
Meantime, Chris Beaumont of Total Football Analysis praises the midfielder’s ‘fantastic engine’ and ‘physical presence’, asserting that he is one of the ‘hottest midfield prospects’ in English football.
So, let’s assess his statistics in the EFL Championship from the 2023/24 campaign.
Minutes
2,550
163rd
Completed passes
2,019
29th
Pass completion %
93%
3rd
Short passes completed
1,152
12th
Touches
2,419
50th
It is worth mentioning that statistics from Downes’ season in the second-tier were used due to how generally hopeless Southampton were in the Premier League this season, thereby providing a data set that is uninformative.
Also worth noting that, according to Global Football Ranking, the Championship is the 11th strongest league in the world, compared to the Scottish Premiership down in 43rd, thereby offering a slightly more comparable level.
Thus, what the numbers do underline is that Downes is a high-quality passer, ranked third for pass completion percentage, while more than half of these passes were short, between five and 15 yards.
So, in Martin’s system that prioritises possession, he could be exactly the midfielder Rangers require, potentially having an equally enormous impact at Ibrox to that of Lundstram.
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Aston Villa have a busy couple of weeks ahead amid their need to ensure they don’t overstep the FFP mark and one of their star men is now being lined up for a move ato Manchester United.
Aston Villa's balancing act in light of PSR
Profit and Sustainability Rules have become a contentious topic for fans who don’t support one of the traditional ‘Big Six’ clubs. However, they have become a frustrating reality that everyone now has to abide by.
Unfortunately, Aston Villa are now at risk of breaching regulations after recording £202.6 million in pre-tax losses over the past two years, which is the most out of anyone in the Premier League.
Aston Villa manager UnaiEmeryduring the press conference
Losing a maximum of £105 million over three consecutive years is the limit for top-flight clubs, which has created plenty of speculation regarding potential sales to bridge the gap.
BBC Sport columnist Fara Williams has named Jacob Ramsey as a player Aston Villa could sell to make ends meet, as she said: “It does feel like Aston Villa will have to sell some key players this summer if they are to bring others in and keep within PSR regulations.
“There has been a lot of rumours around it and I believe Jacob Ramsey was a name being mentioned who, as a homegrown player, they would make more money from.”
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The Villans have also passed on signing Marcus Rashford permanently, prioritising Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho as a more affordable alternative.
Nevertheless, the feeling around the West Midlands is one that Aston Villa must sell before they can buy, and Unai Emery could now have a dilemma on his hands following recent developments.
Emiliano Martinez in talks with Man Utd
Now, according to reports via CaughtOffside, Emiliano Martinez is in talks over a move to Manchester United and may be a sacrificial lamb for Aston Villa amid their current PSR state of limbo, and he is thought to be open to the idea of moving to Old Trafford.
Emiliano Martinez in action for Argentina.
Due to the Red Devils’ status as a domestic rival, the Villans are reportedly demanding a fee north of £40 million to sell the World Cup-winning stopper this summer, who has been identified as a successor to Andre Onana under Ruben Amorim.
Emiliano Martinez in 2024/25 – Premier League (Fotmob)
Appearances
37
Goals conceded
45
Clean sheets
8
Penalties saved from penalties faced
1/2
Labelled “magnificent” by Alan Shearer, Martinez now appears primed for a move elsewhere, begging the question of who could replace the Argentina international between the sticks.
Going off recent times, OGC Nice stopper Marcin Bulka is a prominent target for Aston Villa, illustrating that Emery may have his eyes on a younger alternative in the event he is left searching for new blood.
Either way, Martinez has been a brilliant servant in the West Midlands and would be sorely missed, even if his departure feels like the best source of action for all parties involved.
The incident took place during the third over of the Nepal innings in their game against Bangladesh on June 16
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jun-2024Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct after an altercation with Nepal captain Rohit Paudel during the teams’ meeting in Kingstown on June 16.The incident took place just after the end of the third over of Nepal’s innings, when Tanzim, after bowling a delivery, “walked towards Nepal batter Rohit Paudel in an aggressive manner and made inappropriate physical contact”, according to an ICC release.There were a few words exchanged between the two players followed by plenty of hand gesturing, with the on-field umpire Sam Nogajski having to separate the two. The umpires were also seen having a word with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto after the incident.Tanzim was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match”.
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In addition, one demerit point was added to Tanzim’s disciplinary record. This was his first offence in a 24-month period. When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.There was no need for a formal hearing as Tanzim accepted the sanction, which was proposed by match referee Richie Richardson. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Nogajski, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal and fourth umpire Kumar Dharmasena.Paudel had downplayed the incident after the game. “There’s nothing between us. Just he came and he told me to hit. And I said, go and bowl. Nothing else,” he said.Tanzim, with his spell of 4 for 7, derailed Nepal in the chase of 106; they eventually fell short by 21 runs. It was the lowest total any team had defended successfully at the T20 World Cup. Tanzim is currently the joint second-highest wicket-taker in this World Cup, with nine wickets in four games, at an economy of only 4.80. Having progressed to the Super Eight at the World Cup, Bangladesh next play Australia on June 21.
Continuing a frantic summer transfer window, Manchester United have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign a former Premier League midfielder in a shock swap deal which would involve Antony.
Man Utd on the verge of Mbeumo agreement
After the Premier League fixture release handed them the toughest start on paper, some around Old Trafford may already be dreading Manchester United’s return to domestic action in August. Ruben Amorim is unlikely to be among those, however. The Red Devils boss has instantly been backed by INEOS this summer and after already welcoming Matheus Cunha, he is reportedly closing in on welcoming Bryan Mbeumo.
In an instant, Mbeumo and Cunha should transform Manchester United’s blunt frontline which has featured the struggling Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the last 12 months.
Combined last season, Hojlund and Zirkzee managed just seven Premier League goals. Mbeumo alone, meanwhile, reached the 20-goal mark whilst Cunha scored as many as 15 for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
INEOS may not be done there, however. The transfer rumours are still coming thick and fast amid reports that Emiliano Martinez is waiting on Manchester United to make their offer to complete a shock summer move.
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In similar fashion to Cunha and Mbeumo, Martinez would be an instant upgrade on Andre Onana this summer. The World Cup winner has played a crucial role in Aston Villa’s recent rise under Unai Emery, but could now be set to leave amid their PSR problems.
Signing Martinez is not the only blow that United could hand Aston Villa, though. The Red Devils have also now reportedly been offered the chance to sign a former Villa Park fan favourite this summer.
Man Utd offered Douglas Luiz swap deal
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Douglas Luiz in a shock swap deal for want-away winger Antony. Former Juventus director of football Cristiano Guintoli, who has now left his role, reportedly explored the deal in what would have killed two birds with one stone for INEOS this summer.
Now that Guintoli is no longer at the Italian club, the big question will be whether Juventus are still keen to take a look at such a deal. There’s no denying that Luiz desperately needs a fresh start following a tough first year in Turin, as is the case with Antony at Manchester United, which means that the deal should certainly still make sense for all parties.
Douglas Luiz in action for Juventus.
Whilst Antony enjoyed quite the revival at Real Betis, the Brazilian remains a player who is likely for the exit door at Old Trafford and United should take full advantage of his rejuvenated form to either cash in or sign Luiz.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Aston Villa sporting director, Monchi, was praising Luiz as a “strong player” and even after a tough year at Juventus, the midfielder remains a player who would improve Manchester United’s midfield.
The team is back in action, facing South Africa over the course of three ODIs, one Test and three T20Is starting on Sunday
ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2024India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar has emphasised the importance of “fielding and fitness” as India gear up for a busy few months beginning with the first ODI against South Africa on Sunday in Bengaluru.”When I took over last December, we had said that fielding and fitness have been the cornerstone and we have been driving that message to the group. They [the players] have responded really nicely to that,” Muzumdar said. “Fielding is a work in progress and we are working very hard towards it and trust me, you will see some results out of it.”India play three ODIs, one Test match and three T20Is against South Africa over the next four weeks. Following that, they will head to Sri Lanka for the women’s Asia Cup starting July 19 and then travel to Bangladesh for the Women’s T20 World Cup which kicks off on October 3.Related
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Muzumdar highlighted the scheduling of the South Africa series as an advantage to be seized upon. “The continuity is very important in the few months leading up to the World Cup,” he said, “This series, the format that we are playing is ODI format, then the Test match, then the last one is T20. It is a very well-scheduled series and we go into the Asia Cup which again is T20s.”By then I think, we should be ready for the World Cup. Then we have a layoff of about seven and a half weeks before we head off to Bangladesh. It is a very well-thought-out series and [we are] really looking forward to it.”
“She is a fantastic leader. We do have a leadership group within the team and Smriti is a big factor in that. Going forward, she definitely has got a role to play.”Amol Muzumdar
India are coming into the series against South Africa on the back of a series sweep over Bangladesh. They played all five matches in Sylhet, the venue for India’s group games at the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.”We have had a fantastic preparation in the last eight weeks,” Muzumdar said. “We went to Bangladesh and had a desired result; 5-0 we won the T20 series. We also practiced over there, in the same ground where we would be playing the World Cup. We’ve had a couple of camps before this series. We had a split camp. The bowler’s camp was held at NCA here in Bengaluru and the batter’s camp was held in Navi Mumbai. It was a concentrated camp and we had the fruitful desired results for the camp.”Muzumdar was also effusive in praise of Smriti Mandhana, who led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the Women’s Premier League title earlier in the year.”She is a fantastic leader. We do have a leadership group within the team and Smriti is a big factor in that,” Muzumdar said. “Going forward, she definitely has got a role to play. She has a good camaraderie with the current captain Harmanpreet Kaur and we are all working together. She is definitely a fantastic leader as we’ve seen in the WPL. She has won the title for RCB.”
It’s hard to imagine where Manchester United would be without Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese international undoubtedly the shining light in what’s been a dismal 2024/25 campaign.
The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League, just a couple of places above the drop zone, mainly due to the 30-year-old’s goal contributions, which saw him register 18 combined goals and assists in his 36 appearances.
He also fired Ruben Amorim’s side to the Europa League final, achieving a total of 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions, by far and away the most in the first team.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has maintained such levels over a sustained period after joining for £47m back in 2020, with such a deal now looking a bargain given his form at Old Trafford.
He’s registered 20 or more contributions in every year he’s spent with the Red Devils, but he desperately needs reinforcements in attacking areas next season if the side are to progress up the table.
The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers this summer
Victor Osimhen has been a name widely linked with a move to Old Trafford this window, with the Nigerian looking to secure a move away from Napoli after spending the season on loan at Galatasaray.
Viktor Gyokeres is another player on Jason Wilcox’s radar, but it remains to be seen if they can convince him to secure a reunion with Amorim after the Swede stated his desire to move to Arsenal this summer.
However, the same can’t be said for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, with a deal seemingly edging closer to completion, according to reports..
The report notes that personal terms have been agreed over a summer switch to Old Trafford, with no other side having an opportunity to hijack the deal at this stage.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It’s also states that the two clubs are edging closer to agreeing a fee for his signature, with the Bees previously demanding a fee in the region of £70m to part ways with their star man.
Why Mbeumo would be United’s best signing since Bruno
There’s no doubt that Bruno has been United’s star man in recent seasons, but other players have joined the club and made an impact, just not on the same level and on a consistent basis.
Amad Diallo is one player who has demonstrated his quality over recent years, with the 2024/25 campaign his major breakout year within the first team.
The Ivorian has netted 11 goals and registered eight assists this campaign, with his best moment undoubtedly coming in the Manchester Derby – netting the winner against Pep Guardiola’s men at the Etihad.
Rasmus Hojlund was another big-money addition, also joining from Atalanta like Amad, but ultimately, his spell in England has been a disaster, scoring just 26 times in his two years at the club.
The signing of the Dane was the last time the club spent £70m or more on a player, but this time, a deal for Mbeumo will land them a proven Premier League star.
Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after the match
His experience in such a division will be key to any success at Old Trafford, potentially linking up with Bruno and improving on his tally, which saw him bag 20 goals in a season for the first time in his career.
The “superb” talent, as labelled by analyst Harry Brooks, has massively outperformed the aforementioned pair in 2024/25, further showcasing why he’d be the best signing since the Portuguese playmaker.
Games played
38
26
32
Goals & assists
27
14
4
Shot-on-target accuracy
43%
36%
40%
Progressive passes
3.7
2.8
0.4
Passes into final third
1.7
1.2
0.6
Take-on success
47%
46%
27%
Goals per shot on target
0.5
0.4
0.3
Alongside outscoring the duo, he’s also notched a higher goal per shot-on-target rate this season, reaffirming the clinical ability he possesses within the final third.
However, alongside his goalscoring ability, he’s also demonstrated his creativity, completing more progressive passes and more passes into the final third – able to have an impact whether it’s scoring or assisting in attacking areas.
If he can carry over such form to Old Trafford next campaign, he will be a phenomenal addition and one that could take some of the pressure off Fernandes in terms of being the key man for United.
The club have often spent big and been unsuccessful, as seen with Hojlund, but this time around, there’s a different feel, with Mbeumo having all the tools to be a success at the Theatre of Dreams.
The new McTominay: Man Utd moving to sign "one of the best CMs in Serie A"
Manchester United have a player in their sights who could replicate Scott McTominay’s success.
After all, they finished second in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce last season, and there is only so much time Mikel Arteta will have to bring the glory days back to the Emirates.
The good news is that the board seem intent on giving him all the help they can in the transfer window this summer, with a host of brilliant players already touted for a move to N5, like Eberechi Eze.
However, if recent reports are to be believed, Arsenal are now closing in on a deal to sign an international star who would be an even more exciting addition to the team than the Englishman.
Arsenal move to sign a new goalscorer
It was last week that stories linking Arsenal to Eze began to appear, but it was over the weekend that things supposedly accelerated in a meaningful way.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to reports from Monday, the Gunners had held talks with the Crystal Palace star’s camp, and, according to Fabrizio Romano, he’s now more than open to a move to the Emirates.
The 27-year-old has a release clause in his current deal widely reported to be worth around £68m, but even at that price, he could still be worth going all out for.
Yet, it appears as if the North Londoners are now making serious progress in their attempts to sign someone who’d be an even more exciting addition: Viktor Gyokeres.
According to a recent report from Belgium, Arsenal are now in “advanced talks” with Sporting CP over the Swedish international, and feel like they are near the “final line” of the deal.
Moreover, it has been revealed that the club and player have already agreed personal terms.
A potential price is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this week claimed that a fee in the region of £69m could be enough to seal the deal.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
It’s a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Gyokeres’ recent record, it could prove to be more than worth it, and he could end up being a far more exciting signing than Eze.
Why Gyokeres would be more exciting than Eze
While there are so many different things to enjoy in football, from a well-timed tackle to a wonderful ball over the top, there is one thing that excites fans more than anything else: goals.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrating.
When it really comes down to it, what supporters want to see above all else is their team putting the ball in the back of the net, and when it comes to that, there seem to be few, if any, better than Gyokeres.
It’s this reason why his arrival would be more thrilling than Eze’s, as he’s been a lean, mean goalscoring machine over the last two years.
Appearances
50
52
Minutes
4169′
4248′
Goals
43
54
Assists
15
13
Goal Involvements per Match
1.16
1.28
Minutes per Goal Involvement
71.87′
63.40′
For example, in his first campaign with Sporting, the “ball-striking monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4169 minutes, which comes out to an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game, or one every 71.87 minutes.
Then, somehow, he managed to do even better last season, scoring 54 goals and providing 13 assists in 52 appearances, totalling 4248 minutes, which comes out to a simply sensational average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.
In contrast, Eze has scored 48 goals and provided 28 assists in the 167 appearances he’s made for Crystal Palace since joining them in 2020.
Ultimately, it is a little simplistic, but sometimes football can be an extraordinarily simple game, and based on the sheer weight of goals he’s scored in recent seasons, we can’t imagine many, if any, players being a more exciting signing for Arsenal than Gyokeres would be.
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