Sunderland are trying everything in their power to win the services of Granit Xhaka as their statement seventh signing of the hectic transfer window.

It has been reported that Sunderland is close to clinching the deal, as per Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, but there will surely still be some difficulty ahead in sealing the move officially, with Erik ten Hag no doubt irked at the prospect of losing his star asset barely a month after taking on the Bayer Leverkusen position.

Xhaka is unlikely to be Sunderland’s last venture into the market, even if the deal requires some significant effort to get over the line, with another midfielder reportedly being pursued by the Black Cats now to link up with the Swiss international.

Sunderland pursuing move for "incredible" star

Regis Le Bris’ side is already well stocked in the midfield areas, arguably, with the likes of Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki at the ex-Lorient boss’ disposal.

Yet, that doesn’t seem to be deterring Sunderland from splashing their toes into the market once more to land some midfield gems, with wantaway Leicester City youngster Bilal El Khannouss reportedly on their radar as a number ten option.

Reports from further afield in Italy also seem to suggest that Sunderland have Nicolo Zaniolo on their mind as another summer purchase, as Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb now speculates that the Black Cats are pursuing a move for the versatile Galatasaray talent.

Zaniolo has struggled out in Turkey as of late, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole host of onlookers still intrigued by the prospect of landing the former Aston Villa loanee, with Villarreal named as one potential suitor from Spain, alongside interest coming from Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven.

Le Bris and Co may well feel they can unearth a diamond from the rough here, considering the Italian was once hailed as “incredible” when learning the ropes at AS Roma by Stadio Olimpico great Daniele De Rossi.

He could soon get back to his former Serie A best under the Frenchman’s wing, with Zaniolo also benefiting from a relationship with Xhaka in the middle of the park to try and return to the peak of his powers.

Why Zaniolo could be amazing with Xhaka

After all, at just 26 years of age, it isn’t out of the question for Zaniolo to still return to the version of himself that played with swagger and confidence in the Italian capital.

Playing all across the forward positions as a right and left winger, alongside slotting in as a number ten effortlessly, the 19-time Italy international would pick up a fantastic 24 goals and 18 assists across 128 clashes in Rome, with another club great in Francisco Totti even going as far as to label Zaniolo as a “prototype attacking midfielder” when he was strutting his stuff at the revered club.

However, it would be foolish to anticipate that Zaniolo could get back to this iteration of himself overnight in the Premier League, but he will be helped in doing so if Xhaka lines up alongside him in midfield.

Whilst the 26-year-old has come into a side as a traditional central option 13 times across his well-travelled career to date, it’s clear he excels further up the pitch in an attack-focused spot, with a blistering five strikes previously coming his way for Galatasaray from just 12 games when utilised as a number ten or as a winger.

He would, unfortunately, collect zero goal contributions all of last season for Fiorentina, but he will be given the freedom to be an attacking spark on Wearside if Xhaka soon lines up next to him, with the durable 32-year-old very content at being a battling presence.

Xhaka would amazingly go in for 1001 duels in total from 225 Premier League clashes for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta even labelling his midfielder as a “big presence” during his lengthy stay in North London off the back of this tireless approach.

Zaniolo’s career numbers by position
Position played	Games played	Goals scored	Assists
AM	116	32	14
RW	60	12	10
SS	29	9	4
CF	24	2	4
LW	14	1	0
CM	13	3	2
LM	4	0	0
RM	1	0	0
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Xhaka’s impressive tally of 23 goals and 29 assists for Arsenal might also rub off on Zaniolo positively as the adaptable Italian attempts to add to the three-goal haul he already has in the English top-flight with Unai Emery’s Villans.

He is even deemed to be a statistically similar player, among his European peers, to wantaway Newcastle United menace Alexander Isak, as per FBref, which should stand him in good stead for a Premier League return.

That likeness notably stems from their ball-carrying ability, with Zaniolo ranking in the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, while Isak ranks in the top 7% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Although his time in the West Midlands was brief, Emery would still praise the 26-year-old’s energy at Villa Park, with a hope now on the ex-Roma midfielder’s end that a successful new chapter of his nomadic career lies ahead with Sunderland.

Dream Bade alternative: Sunderland ready bid for £22m star after Xhaka

Sunderland could go after this defensive ace instead of securing Loic Bade’s signature.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 23, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are undergoing a period of transition, but this span of change is built atop the success of winning the Europa League with Ange Postecoglou.

The decision was made afterwards to part ways with Big Ange, whose promise kept wasn’t enough to save his position after slumping to a 17th-place Premier League finish.

But change is afoot, with Heung-min Son, 33, now ready to close the door on his iconic journey at the club, announcing that he has played his last in Tottenham white.

Spurs must consider Son replacement

Son, 33, is one of the most important and influential Tottenham stars of modern times. But there’s no question that he’s been on the decline over the past couple of years, less electric and snappy.

The South Korean has informed Daniel Levy on Spurs’ pre-season tour that he wishes to explore a move away this summer, and that wish has been granted, with MLS side LAFC pushing to secure his signature.

While the £55m signing of West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus has strengthened Frank’s attacking flanks, Tottenham could do with another to replace Son.

Well, given the club’s interest in AC Milan’s Rafael Leao this summer, it appears he could be the perfect man for the job, with previous reports from transfer insider Ben Jacobs suggesting that the Portuguese winger is on the radar.

What Rafael Leao would bring to Spurs

Leao, 26, is one of the most threatening wide forwards in the world, a high-speed runner and a danger from multiple angles. Across 260 appearances with Milan, he has posted 70 goals and supplied 62 assists.

Though he’s somewhat inconsistent in front of goal at times, Leao’s talent is indisputable. In fact, analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as “one of the best left wingers in the world”, so he has the capacity to replace an ageing Son.

The fact that Son is no longer in his heyday makes the transition smoother, of course. The South Korean icon started last term’s Europa League final from the bench, underscoring that point.

But he still scored 28 goals and laid on 24 assists across 82 games in Postecoglou’s system, with the Australian hailing his “world-class” quality.

Leao has endured a tough campaign in Italy, similarly to Son, with I Rossoneri flattering to deceive. However, he still picked up 25 goal contributions across all competitions, finishing the year with certain similarities to Spurs’ soon-to-depart superstar.

Rafael Leao vs Heung-min Son (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)	Leao	Son
Goals	0.32	0.32
Assists	0.26	0.32
Shots taken	2.37	2.46
Shot-creating actions	4.13	4.89
Touches (att pen)	6.15	4.70
Progressive passes	3.58	4.28
Progressive carries	4.74	5.41
Successful take-ons	2.83	1.59
All data via FBref

They rank up pretty similarly, over the past year, which perhaps shines a light on how Son is still a high-level player and his sale will sting some.

But Leao’s superior athleticism is clear, and that’s something that Frank would use to an emphatic effect. The Danish boss, don’t forget, has demonstrated with Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford his aptitude for raising the game of dynamic forwards.

With fleet feet and plenty of flair besides, Leao could be the perfect addition to this new Tottenham chapter, providing Frank with an outlet down the left flank for many years to come.

Their best CF since Kane: Spurs enter talks for "extremely dangerous" star

Tottenham Hotspur are starting to make a move for a forward who could follow in Harry Kane’s footsteps.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 2, 2025

Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery has been defined by sharp recruitment, shrewd coaching, and an ability to identify players who are ready to step into the limelight away from the shadows of Europe’s biggest clubs.

In Morgan Rogers, Villa found exactly that: a player once on the books at Manchester City, who needed a platform to showcase his ability.

Just 18 months on from swapping the Etihad for Villa Park, Rogers has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s brightest attacking midfielders, demonstrating the value of spotting untapped potential.

That model has become central to Villa’s approach in a summer where financial pressures have forced them to balance ambition with pragmatism.

The club has already lost academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United in a bid to meet Profit and Sustainability Regulations.

Aston Villa enter the race for Barcelona talent

As long as Emery’s side seek to compete at the highest level, their transfer strategy must be both precise and opportunistic.

It is within this context that Villa are eyeing their next move.

Transfer Focus

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

The profile of the target is clear: highly talented, underused at an elite club, and brimming with the potential to grow into a genuine superstar once given a consistent role.

In other words, another Rogers-style signing.

Reports via Sport Witness revealed that Aston Villa have joined Wolves and Marseille in the battle to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, a player described by “spectacular” Sergio Busquets.

The 21-year-old is valued at €30m (£25m), with Barça facing a difficult dilemma over his future, and the player has already received an offer from Villa to leave Camp Nou behind.

Casado is a La Masia graduate and a Catalonia native, factors that make the political optics of a sale complicated.

The club knows moving him on could cause friction among supporters, yet their long-standing financial problems remain unresolved.

The midfielder currently earns €10,000 a week, and Wolves are reportedly prepared to quadruple that to tempt him into a Premier League move.

Why Casado could be the next Rogers

Villa’s interest comes at a time when Emery’s squad has stumbled slightly at the start of the campaign, collecting just one point from their opening two fixtures.

With a Europa League campaign to navigate and squad depth already tested, adding quality in midfield is a priority.

Casado, who featured 23 times in La Liga last season and played ten Champions League matches, fits the bill as both a ready contributor and a long-term investment.

Wolves have been proactive in making contact, particularly as they look to rebound from a difficult start under Vítor Pereira, losing their first two league games after selling key players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri.

Yet Villa possess a crucial advantage: the opportunity to offer a proven pathway of development.

Rogers’ success after leaving City is proof of what can be achieved at Villa Park.

Casado’s qualities suggest he could thrive in the same way Rogers has at Villa.

A deep-lying playmaker with the versatility to cover at right-back or centre-back, he brings both defensive solidity and creative incision.

His underlying numbers are striking.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 91st percentile compared to positionally similar players in Europe for assists per 90 (0.20), the 94th percentile for touches (86.03) and passes into the final third (7.49), while completing 90.1% of his passes – evidence of his reliability in possession.

Defensively, he averages over three tackles per game, highlighting his work rate and adaptability.

What makes Casado particularly intriguing is how his career echoes Rogers’ trajectory. Like the English midfielder at City, Casado is blocked by world-class competition at Barcelona.

Both players require a club prepared to give them consistent minutes in a competitive environment without the suffocating expectation that comes with being part of an elite, star-studded squad.

Rogers grasped that opportunity with both hands, making 54 appearances last season across competitions, scoring 12 goals and assisting 14, while playing a key role in Villa’s Champions League run.

His initial £8m transfer fee now looks like one of the bargains of the decade, and his market value has since risen to £50m.

Casado, at £25m, represents a bigger outlay, but one that could prove similarly shrewd if his development mirrors that of Rogers.

There is also the question of timing.

Casado recently left his agent and will be represented by Jorge Mendes from October, a move designed to secure his long-term future.

While he has publicly insisted it is not a step motivated by salary, Mendes’ involvement inevitably increases the likelihood of a move abroad, given his extensive Premier League connections.

For Villa, the chance to repeat the Rogers model is obvious. Casado is young, versatile, technically gifted, and already tested in both La Liga and the Champions League.

He might not yet be a guaranteed starter for Barcelona, but under Emery, he could become an essential cog in a side that thrives on midfield dynamism and tactical flexibility.

If Casado makes the move, his ceiling is immense.

Busquets’ endorsement underlines his pedigree, while his statistical profile suggests a player capable of dictating play at the highest level.

Like Rogers, the conditions are right for him to flourish away from the glare of his current surroundings.

For Aston Villa, it is about recognising that the next superstar might not be the finished article, but a rough diamond ready to shine.

He's like Duran & Benteke: Aston Villa make £65m star their top target

Aston Villa are eyeing up a new striker who is a mix of Jhon Durán and Christian Benteke.

ByWill Miller Aug 23, 2025

Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has undergone a dramatic body transformation after undergoing surgery to cure a troublesome shoulder problem. The England international has been asked to slim down and reduce muscle mass by the Spanish giants in a bid to become sharper, quicker and more agile in the new La Liga season with Xabi Alonso’s side.

Bellingham returns from shoulder surgery

Bellingham made his return from surgery on Saturday as a late substitute in Real Madrid's win over Espanyol in La Liga. The England star was back in action for the first time since going under the knife in the summer to cure a long-standing shoulder injury. Bellingham was given a rapturous reception by Real Madrid fans when he took to the pitch in the 89th minute.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportReal Madrid want slimmed down Bellingham

Bellingham's physique has noticeably changed during his time on the sidelines, according to . The midfielder was asked to bulk up and gain muscle last season in a bid to protect his strengthen his shoulder and stop him from dislocating it again. He followed a specific training plan to gain muscle mass but that has now ended after his surgery. Real Madrid's coaching team have decided they want Bellingham to slim down and lose muscle mass in order to be quicker, sharper and more aggressive when it comes to pressing.

Alonso reveals what he wants from Bellingham

Alonso welcomed Bellingham back at the weekend and clarified exactly how he plans to use the 22-year-old. He told reporters: "Jude’s position is as an attacking midfielder. He has an incredible range of movement, and the more we can find him, the better our performance. The Club World Cup was a different experience. With him and [Eduardo] Camavinga, we have two additional options, two top-class players.”

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Getty Images SportBellingham aiming for Madrid derby

Real Madrid take on Levante on Tuesday and then face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday in La Liga. According to , Bellingham is aiming to be "100%" for the trip across the city and will be hoping to make his first start of the season against Diego Simeone's side.

Despite making a 100% start to life in the Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur manager, Thomas Frank still wants to add to his squad to bolster the options at his disposal.

The Dane has already splashed £85m on new additions to date, with Mohammed Kudus the most-expensive signing – costing £55m from West Ham United.

The big-money addition of the Ghanaian has already proved worthwhile, notching two assists in the opening-day triumph over Burnley in North London.

Joao Palhinha has already been added to the ranks, bolstering the options at the heart of the side – already impressing just like Kudus – scoring in the victory over Manchester City at the Etihad.

However, other new arrivals are set to be added to the middle of Frank’s side to provide needed talent and depth, with the September 1st transfer deadline rapidly approaching.

Spurs’ hunt for a new midfielder this summer

In an attempt to bolster the midfield department, Spurs have been preparing a move for Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss – with the Moroccan set to leave the Foxes before the summer deadline.

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It appeared as though he would be set for a move to Crystal Palace, but his transfer to the Eagles has collapsed in recent days – opening the door to a switch to North London.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix as of late, with Marseille star Adrien Rabiot a player in their sights, according to reports in France.

It states that the Lilywhites have entered preliminary talks with the player’s representatives over a move to North London after he was told he’s free to leave the Ligue 1 outfit after a changing room bust-up.

It’s also previously been reported that the Frenchman could be available for as little as €20m (£15m), with AC Milan and Aston Villa also interested in the former Juventus star’s signature.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s answer to Rice

Spurs fans would’ve raised eyebrows when local rivals Arsenal forked out a reported £105m to land midfielder Declan Rice back in the summer of 2023.

However, as hard as it is for the Lilywhites faithful to admit, he’s been a superb addition for the Gunners, notching 16 goals and 20 assists within his 105 outings at the Emirates.

The 26-year-old has been triumphant in six of his 17 appearances against the Lilywhites, often providing a real presence in the middle of the park in such meetings.

His box-to-box nature allows him to have a real impact on proceedings at both ends of the pitch – but if Frank was to land his own version of the Englishman, it would likely cost a pretty penny.

However, a bargain deal for Rabiot could allow the club to land their own version of Rice, with the Frenchman possessing various similar qualities to the former West Ham United star.

The Marseille star was labelled as a similar player to the Gunners star by FBref based on their figures from last season, managing to outperform him in numerous key areas in the process.

Rabiot, who’s been labelled “world-class” by former French star David Trezeguet, posted more combined goals and assists, offering the Lilywhites an added goalscoring threat if he replicates such numbers.

Games played

29

35

Goals & assists

13

11

Pass accuracy

85%

83%

Passes into the final third

5.3

4.3

Progressive passes

6.2

6.1

Tackles won

1.2

0.8

Interceptions made

0.9

0.8

% of tackles won

59%

41%

Take-on success

52%

48%

Aerials won

1.2

1.1

He also managed to impress in finding other teammates, notching a higher pass completion rate, with more of his efforts per 90 being into the final third – offering the likes of Kudus added opportunities in front of goal.

Without the ball, Rabiot has been just as dominant, achieving a higher tackle success rate, whilst also making more interceptions per 90 – arguably being a more all-round box-to-box option than Arsenal star, Rice.

Given the stats produced by the 30-year-old in the 2024/25 campaign, the rumoured £15m transfer fee would be an absolute bargain – possessing the needed Champions League experience for Frank’s side ahead of their European adventure.

If he can replicate such levels in England’s top-flight, the Frenchman would be a superb signing and one that can hand the manager his answer to Rice – and a bargain one at that.

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Bigger talent than Eze: Spurs preparing to hijack move for £60m sensation

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to forget about Eberechi Eze with a move for a top-level talent.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 27, 2025

It’s been an interesting summer for Arsenal so far.

On the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s side have left a lot to be desired with wins over AC Milan and Newcastle United, but losses against Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal.

However, off the pitch, it would be fair to say that Andrea Berta and his team have exceeded expectations so far with smart depth additions and a couple of big-money deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.

Moreover, the North Londoners look primed to do more business, with both Eberechi Eze and Ademola Lookman touted for moves to the Emirates.

Why Arsenal want to sign Eze & Lookman

As things stand, Arsenal continue to be linked with both Eze and Lookman, with the former having a release clause worth £68m in his current contract that’ll expire in a week, and the latter reportedly being available for a fee of around £43m.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

While it seems unlikely that the Gunners would sign both internationals, it’s easy to see why they are interested in them.

For example, despite playing in a mid-table team at best, the Englishman managed to rack up a brilliant haul of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling just 3303 minutes, last season.

That means the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes.

On top of that, he also scored in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final of the FA Cup, leading the Eagles to the first major trophy in their existence.

On the other hand, the Nigerian star has been a lean, mean goalscoring machine for several years now.

For example, since moving to the Bergamo outfit in August 2022, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by the BBC’s John Bennett, has scored 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances, totalling 7538 minutes.

In other words, the former RB Leipzig star has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes over the last three seasons, which is a level of output that could fire the Gunners to glory next year.

In all, it’s easy to see why Arteta and Co would want to splash the cash on one of these stars, although whoever they decide on will have to smash all expectations to see their valuation even approach that of another Arsenal star.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Eze & Lookman

While they’re yet to win anything with them, Arsenal are a club blessed with an abundance of incredibly talented stars in their squad, although it’s still really quite easy to pinpoint their most important player: Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon has developed from an exciting academy graduate into a fully-fledged superstar and the poster boy of Arteta’s project over the last few years, and his valuation reflects that.

Transfermarkt, for example, now prices the 23-year-old game-changer at a staggering €150m, which converts to about £130m, or at least £19m more than Lookman and Eze combined.

While some might question such a valuation, we reckon it’s pretty spot-on, and the first reason why is down to his output.

For example, despite missing almost four months of action with a hamstring injury last season, the Gunners’ “future legend,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, was still able to rack up a sensational haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 appearances, totalling just 2619 minutes.

Appearances

37

43

40

Minutes

2619′

3303′

2871′

Goals

12

14

20

Assists

14

11

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.70

0.58

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

100.73′

132.12′

106.33

Not only did that make him the most effective player in the North Londoners’ squad, but the dynamic winger maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or 100.73 minutes, which is not only world-class, but better than Eze and Lookman.

On top of that, the Ealing-born monster has also established himself as an essential member of the national team, earning 44 senior caps, in which he’s produced 20 goal involvements, and winning back-to-back Player of the Year awards.

Ultimately, while Lookman and Eze are brilliant players who’d make excellent signings for Arsenal, we don’t think their valuations will ever be able to reach Saka’s.

Not Eze: Arsenal ready to pounce for "superstar" in Berta's best deal yet

The international would be a game-changer for the Gunners.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 8, 2025

تحدث الكرواتي إيفان راكيتيش، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة السابق عن مكالمة كريستيانو رونالدو له وحقيقة عروض الدوري الإيطالي التي جاءته.

وشهدت مسيرة النجم الكرواتي المعتزل مع برشلونة أحداثًا ولحظات رائعة إذ كان أحد عناصر الفريق التي توجت بآخر لقب دوري أبطال أوروبا عام 2015 تحت قيادة لويس إنريكي مدرب باريس سان جيرمان الحالي.

وقال راكيتيتش، في حوار أجراه مع صحيفة “لاكازيتا ديللو سبورت”: “كريستيانو رونالدو اتصل بي عام 2019 ليقول لي انضم إلينا في يوفنتوس، وبصراحة، كنت أتمنى اللعب في إيطاليا، رفضي الرحيل هناك كان أسوأ قرار مررت به في مسيرتي، أعجب كثيرًا بكرة القدم الإيطالية وأسلوبها”.

وعن سبب رفضه الرحيل إلى يوفنتوس، أوضح: “لم يكن هناك مقابل مادي جيد وأيضًا لأنني كنت في برشلونة بالفعل، كنت محظوظًا، فقد لعبت مع برشلونة ثم عدت إلى إشبيلية وهايدوك”.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة يتخذ قرارًا جديدًا بشأن مستقبل ليفاندوفسكي

وأوضح راكيتيتش أنه كان قريبًا من الانتقال إلى الدوري الإيطالي في عام 2011 لكن صديقته منعت ذلك: “لا أريد الكشف عن ذلك بعد لكن يمكنني القول إنها كانت واحدة من أعظم ثلاث أندية إيطالية، من الصعب أن أسامح نفسي على رفضي لكن كلمتي أغلى من عقد ومعرفتي بها أغلى من ذلك بكثير”.

وعن انتقال لوكا مودريتش إلى إي سي ميلان: “كنت أعتقد أنه لن يلعب في آخر غير ريال مدريد لكن بصفتي صديقًا وأخًا، فإن رؤيته في ميلان يمنحني فرحة عظيمة، سأحتفل بجميع انتصاراته الشخصية والجماعية، كما لو كانت انتصاراتي”.

وعندما سُئل عما إذا كان مودريتش أفضل لاعب خط الوسط من بين أول 10 لاعبين على مر العصور، أردف لاعب برشلونة السابق قائلًا: “لا أعرف لكنه بلا شك أفضل لاعب كرواتي في التاريخ”.

وعن مسقبله أتم: “أدرس الإدارة الرياضية وأعمل مديرًا فنيًا في هايدوك، سألتحق أيضًا بدورة تدريبية، وأعتقد أنني سأصبح مدربًا في المستقبل”.

Manchester United’s rebuild under Ruben Amorim has been nothing short of turbulent.

A disastrous 2024/25 campaign saw the club slump to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

The result was their worst league showing in decades and left them without any European football this season, stripping away both revenue and prestige.

In response, the Old Trafford hierarchy have moved aggressively in the transfer market this summer.

More than £200 million has already been spent to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, signings that point to a focus on youthful energy and attacking firepower.

Yet even with those additions, one glaring issue remains: the defence.

Man United step up chase for Premier League captain

United’s backline was repeatedly exposed last term, and now the club are looking to secure the services of another commanding centre-half.

One who not only mirrors Harry Maguire in style and presence but could also represent the long-term successor.

Liverpool and Tottenham are also in the mix, but United appear particularly determined. Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, the man in question is Brentford’s Nathan Collins, with the Red Devils targeting a ‘shock’ swoop.

Tipped by journalist Mario Marra as “one of the best defenders in the Premier League,” the 24-year-old has grown rapidly into one of the most reliable centre-backs in English football.

Brentford, however, are deeply reluctant to sell.

Collins only joined the club in 2023 for a record £23m from Wolves and has since been elevated to captaincy, succeeding Christian Nørgaard.

His leadership qualities have been highlighted by new Bees boss Keith Andrews, who labelled him a “natural leader” and central to the side’s identity.

Transfer Focus

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

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Standing at 1.93m, Collins is both a physical presence and a composed figure in possession – traits that have made him a target for the Premier League’s elite.

The Republic of Ireland international, who already has 30 senior caps and two international goals to his name, featured in Brentford’s opening day 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

With his contract running until 2029, the west London club have no financial pressure to cash in, particularly after sanctioning Bryan Mbeumo’s £71m move to Manchester United earlier this window.

Collins and Maguire: parallels and comparisons

The comparisons with Harry Maguire are inevitable.

When United signed Maguire from Leicester in 2019 for £80m, he was widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in England, having starred for England at the 2018 World Cup.

His aerial strength and ability to step out with the ball drew widespread acclaim.

Collins now carries a similar profile at a younger age.

Both are physically imposing defenders, capable of dealing with long balls into the box, and comfortable leading from the back.

Importantly, both have also attracted interest from rival Premier League clubs at a relatively early stage in their careers, underlining their perceived value at the highest level.

Statistically, Collins has begun to surpass Maguire’s output.

Last season, the Brentford defender played 38 league games, contributing two goals and five assists, a notable tally for a centre-half.

His defensive metrics stand out: he ranks in the 97th percentile for blocks per 90 (1.97), the 79th percentile for clearances per 90 (5.90), and the 85th percentile for aerials won per 90 (3.03).

These numbers highlight both his defensive instinct and his reliability when Brentford are under pressure.

By comparison, Maguire, now 32, remains a steady figure but no longer operates at the same statistical level.

Last season he played 27 league matches and his influence has diminished. A look at their direct numbers paints the picture clearly:

Premier League Stats – 2024/25

Metric

Maguire

Collins

Tackles per 90

1.54

1.05

Tackles in the defensive third per 90

1.18

0.61

Percentage of dribblers tackled

73.9%

61.1%

Blocks per 90

2.03

0.77

Touches in defensive third per 90

33.6

33.4

Source: FBref

The data illustrates that while Maguire still excels in certain defensive actions, particularly when stepping up to tackle dribblers, Collins provides a superior shield in terms of blocking shots and disrupting attacking moves.

His knack for timely interventions reflects why so many top clubs have circled.

It’s also worth considering the trajectory. Maguire’s market value, once as high as that £80m price tag, has now fallen to just £11m, via Transfermarkt.

Collins, at 24 and with a long-term contract, represents the kind of profile United increasingly covet: players yet to hit their prime, with potential resale value.

The symbolism of this chase should not be underestimated. Manchester United were once defined by their defensive stalwarts – from Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand to Steve Bruce and Jaap Stam.

Collins may not yet be at that level, but the attributes he has displayed at Brentford and for Ireland suggest he has the potential to grow into such a role.

For Brentford, keeping hold of him is about more than just finances; it is about identity and ambition.

For United, though, the question is whether they are willing to test that resolve – and potentially break the bank again – to secure the man who could be Maguire’s successor.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 17, 2025

The two made short work of the 292-run chase against Rajasthan in Vadodara

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2025Unbeaten centuries from Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey saw Vidarbha chase down their target of 292 in style against Rajasthan and march to the semi-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.Vidarbha captain Nair notched up his fourth consecutive century and his fifth in the season and finished with an unbeaten 122. He tops the run charts this year with a whopping 664 runs, which is also his average as he has only been dismissed once in six innings.Nair and Shorey shared an unbroken 200-run stand for the second wicket as Vidarbha gunned down their target in 43.3 overs. Shorey first shared a 92-run opening stand with Yash Rathod before Nair joined him at the crease.The two then made short work of the chase, with Shorey hitting ten fours and three sixes to finish on 118* off 131 deliveries. Nair was more aggressive in his approach, taking just 82 balls for his 122, with 13 fours and five sixes.After being put in to bat, Rajasthan started slow and had only managed 15 runs when opener Abhijeet Tomar fell to Nachiket Bhute in the seventh over. One over later, his opening partner Manav Suthar was sent packing by Yash Thakur.Mahipal Lomror and Deepak Hooda then stitched a 71-run stand before the two fell in the space of four overs. Shubham Garhwal and Kartik Sharma then added 82 runs for the fifth wicket before Thakur struck again, removing Garhwal for 59. Kartik then shared a 50-run stand with wicketkeeper Samarpit Joshi but the two fell in consecutive overs, with Rajasthan’s score still under 250. Deepak Chahar smacked three sixes and two fours en route to a 14-ball 31 that helped Rajasthan get close to 300. Thakur was the pick of the bowlers for Vidarbha, with figures of 4 for 39.Vidarbha will play Maharashtra in the second semi-final in Vadodara on January 16.

Michael Bevan has been elevated to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame after a tweak to the criteria governing selection.Bevan, one of Australia’s greatest white-ball players, scored 6912 runs at 53.58 from 232 ODIs while routinely steering his side to victory in chases. The batter’s last-ball four, to secure a one-wicket win at the SCG on New Year’s Day in 1996, ranks highly among the sport’s most iconic moments.Other famous moments include making 102 off 95 balls against New Zealand at the MCG in 2002, to lead Australia to victory after they had been 82 for 6, and his unbeaten 74 against England at the 2003 World Cup.Bevan, who featured in both the 1999 and 2003 World Cup wins, has been eligible for elevation for 15 years. But, until last month, the Hall of Fame’s rules penalised him for a relatively-modest Test career that spanned 18 matches.”It was Michael’s exceptional playing record and public standing that pushed the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee to review its selection criteria,” Hall of Fame chairman Peter King explained.”To ensure players who excelled in one-day or Twenty20 Internationals were equally recognised as those who shone in the Test format. Michael without a doubt revolutionised white-ball cricket and became a household name for his masterful batting, amazing athleticism and ability to chase down runs.”Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley described Bevan as an “icon and a pioneer”.”He was a favourite among fans with his incredible temperament and ability to deliver in pressure situations,” Hockley said. He is a two-time World Cup winner and finished his career with one of best records in 50-over cricket. He was also one of the most prolific run-scorers in the Sheffield Shield during what was one of the strongest eras in Australian cricket.”Representing Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Yorkshire, Sussex, Leicestershire and Kent, Bevan played 237 first-class matches making 19,147 runs at 57.32 including 68 centuries and 81 half centuries with a top score of 216.Bevan follows this season’s previous inductees, Michael Clarke and Christina Matthews.