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Aston Villa fans didn’t quite get the entertainment they would have longed for on the opening day of the Premier League.

Neutrals and Villa fans alike would have been disappointed with the attacking intent on show versus Newcastle United on Saturday, with just three efforts registered on Nick Pope’s goal, compared to the Magpies notching up a mammoth 16 shots on Marco Bizot’s far busier net.

Of course, the Villans were hindered up top by Ezri Konsa being dismissed with 24 minutes remaining on the clock, as a 0-0 draw was ultimately met with some relief at the full-time whistle.

Still, some new signings could be in the pipeline to make Villa a more captivating watch, which might well include a £13m deal being in the works to bring back a former fan’s favourite.

Aston Villa on the brink of securing £13m star

Evan Guessand will believe he can be a bright goalscoring spark at Villa Park down the line, away from the need for more new signings to enhance Unai Emery and Co.’s firepower.

Costing £30m to obtain, the former OGC Nice striker remained rooted to the bench against Eddie Howe’s side, but will surely be in line for more opportunities soon, particularly if Villa remain wasteful in front of goal.

The new Villa centre-forward would surely be more confident about his chances of ripping up the Premier League if he had the creative magic of Marco Asensio on his side.

Caught Offside revealed this weekend that the goal-shy Villans are on the brink of bringing back their former midfielder on a £13m deal.

The report states that this amount should satisfy the Ligue 1 titans, with a three-year contract agreed with the Spaniard to return to the West Midlands permanently.

With Asensio no longer in Luis Enrique’s first team plans, it does feel as if it’s a no-brainer for the former four-time Champions League winner to return to Villa, with other suitors such as Besiktas coming up short compared to the might of Emery’s men.

Why Asensio's return could get Watkins firing

This really is a move that suits all parties, with Asensio just what Watkins needs to get back to his intimidating best, after a timid opening match against Newcastle.

After all, it’s not all too common that Watkins registers just one meagre effort on goal like he mustered up against the Toon.

To date, the former Brentford marksman has a devastating 87 strikes for Villa next to his name, with a phenomenal 17 goals and 14 assists coming his way last season in all competitions, despite experiencing some notable barren patches of form.

Staggeringly, Watkins’ game has reached such lofty heights that 17 strikes last season was seen as a dip, with his 2023/24 offering culminating in him bagging a ridiculous, career-best 27 strikes.

To get back to that peak, Asensio will have to be at the top of his game in attack next to the England international, which is what he showed off in abundance during his breakneck Villa loan stint.

Overall, the 38-time Spain international would amass a crazy eight goals and one assist for Emery’s side from just 21 outings, with the hope he can add more assists to his Villa back catalogue on his return, to get the Villa number 11 firing on all cylinders once more.

Asensio’s career numbers away from Villa
Club	Games	Goals & assists
Real Madrid	286	61 + 32
RCD Mallorca	56	7 + 9
PSG	47	7 + 11
Espanyol	37	4 + 15
Sourced by Transfermarkt

When plying his trade in Spain and France, Asensio – away from his celebrated stay at the Santiago Bernabeu – stood out as an electric playmaker, with a sublime 15 assists coming his way from just 37 Espanyol outings.

Even when he became more clinical in front of goal in Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti would still label the attacking midfielder as a “playmaker who can make the difference”, as seen in him creating nine big chances during his swansong La Liga season with the club, despite only starting 15 contests.

If that same unselfish side to Asensio’s game came to the forefront at Villa Park, Watkins would surely be laughing at the prospect of how many goals he could tuck away, knowing he has such a “world-class” – as he has been lauded by football pundit Matthew Upson – ace next to him.

The new Rogers: Aston Villa join race for "unplayable" Bailey replacement

Aston Villa are planning to replace the outgoing Leon Bailey before the end of the transfer market.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 16, 2025

Arsenal have boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League during each of the last two seasons, with Frenchman William Saliba playing a massive role in their success.

The centre-back joined the Gunners back in 2019, before multiple loan spells in his homeland, having to wait until the summer of 2022 to make his first appearance in English football.

He’s since gone on to make 134 appearances for the club, having bags of time to make himself a legend in North London, still being just 24 years of age.

His partnership at the heart of the backline with Gabriel has played a massive part in Mikel Arteta’s ability to come within touching distance of ending their two-decade drought without a league title.

However, with the summer window rapidly coming towards its end, numerous other players are being targeted to aid their defensive unit for the 2025/26 season.

Arsenal pursuing a move for a new defender

This summer window has been a big one for Arsenal, already adding another option to the defensive unit, in the form of Spaniard Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.

The 21-year-old joined in a £13m deal, penning a five-year contract, but he could also be joined at the Emirates Stadium by another young prospect in the coming days.

Palmeiras’ 19-year-old centre-back, Luis Benedetti, could be the latest to move to North London, after Brazilian journalist Diego Firmino confirmed the club’s interest in his signature.

He claims that Arteta’s side have been monitoring him over recent weeks, potentially preparing an offer in the region of £8.5m for the youngster’s services.

Firmino also states that the player could be tempted by a move to the Premier League, with his current employers demanding add-ons and a sell-on fee in any transfer.

Why Arsenal’s latest target could be Arteta’s next Saliba

Arsenal’s recruitment has been excellent over the last couple of years, undoubtedly playing a huge role in their ability to challenge for England’s Premier League title.

Saliba has been one example, arriving in North London as an unknown quantity to many, but it’s safe to say his tally of appearances to date highlights his importance to the Gunners.

At just 24, he has all the tools to continue his development under Arteta, hopefully able to add titles to his CV and become one of Europe’s leading talents in defensive areas.

However, if the club is to continue building and maintaining their efforts at the top of the table, they will need to carry on their impressive recruitment with a move for Benedetti.

At just 19, he has bags of time to continue his development, with a move to England helping him reach the next level and build on his impressive start to his career.

The Brazilian has made nine senior appearances for Palmeiras, but it’s been enough to demonstrate the talent he holds, leading to analyst Ben Mattinson labelling him as “aggressive”.

The teenager has managed to complete 93% of the passes he’s attempted in Brazil’s top-flight, able to offer a superb ball-playing option – just as Saliba has in recent years.

Games played

9

Minutes played

810

Pass accuracy

93%

Chances created

0.8

Aerials won

71%

Duels won

3.5

Recoveries made

3.8

He’s also won 71% of the aerial battles he’s entered, subsequently allowing him to have an impact at both ends of the pitch – especially considering his 6”6 frame.

Whilst it’s still early days in his professional career, the signs are all positive for Benedetti, possessing two crucial components of being a centre-back in the modern-day.

£8.5m could prove to be an excellent piece of business by Arteta and the Gunners, potentially banking a small fortune should he continue on his current trajectory.

He could follow in Saliba’s footsteps in joining as an unknown quantity, the Brazilian would be able to learn from one of the best defenders in world football – arguably developing into another excellent piece of business by the hierarchy.

Arsenal could seal a better signing than Gyokeres & Eze in £100m sensation

Arsenal could land a better player than Eze & Gyokeres in sensational talent.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 16, 2025

Wicketkeeper Polly Inglis has received a maiden call-up to New Zealand’s squad for the three-match ODI series against India starting later this week. Inglis, 28, plays for Otago Sparks in the Women’s Super Smash and earned her first New Zealand Cricket (NZC) central contract earlier this year.Batter Lauren Down has also made been included in the 15-member squad after she made her return from maternity break in July. The pair’s inclusion is the only change to the squad that helped New Zealand win their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title.From the victorious squad, fast bowler Rosemary Mair has been rested, keeping in mind her workload management following her return from a serious back injury, while offspinner Leigh Kasperek has been left out.Related

• Lauren Down back on NZC's central-contracts list

The core of the T20 World Cup-winning team, including the senior trio of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu are part of the touring party. Devine will continue to lead them in the ODIs following her decision to step down as the T20I captain after the World Cup.Inglis’ strong performances in domestic cricket first helped her earn a contract and then a spot in the national squad. She scored 324 runs – the second-most in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2023-24, the 50-over competition – at an average of 54 and a strike rate close to 80, largely batting the middle order. She also scored 103 in the three-match one-day series between New Zealand A and England A that they won 2-1.”We’re really excited to introduce Polly for her first tour,” Ben Sawyer said in a NZC statement. “She put her hand up in last season’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and throughout the New Zealand A series against England, so it’s a great next step for her.”Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket. It’s such a special place to come and I know everyone is looking forward to the challenge ahead.”The three ODIs, to be played in Ahmedabad, are part of the Women’s Championship. New Zealand are currently placed sixth on the table with a three-match series against Australia to follow. The top five teams plus hosts India qualify directly for the Women’s ODI World Cup next year.

New Zealand squad for the women’s ODIs against India

Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (wk), Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Wolverhampton Wanderers are showing serious interest in signing a “fantastic” defender who is now a free agent after leaving a top flight club this summer.

The Midlands side have added two new signings, who are both wingers, to their squad so far this summer, as well as the permanent arrival of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. But given the hole that has been left by Matheus Cunha’s departure to Manchester United, Wolves are still in the market for more attackers.

Wolves join race for £23m winger with "electric pace", he's open to PL move

The Old Gold have set their sights on a new forward.

ByDominic Lund Jul 28, 2025

Last week it was reported that Wolves are in the race alongside Aston Villa to sign striker Mika Biereth from AS Monaco. The 22-year-old only joined the French side in January but scored 13 goals in just 16 league games, form that has placed him on the radar of a few English teams. Biereth is under contract until 2030, but Monaco are said to be open to letting the player leave should they receive a fee of £40 million.

The Premier League side are also looking to add another winger to their mix, and according to a report from ESPN, Wolves are interested in signing Amine Adli from German side Bayer Leverkusen. The Morocco international has attracted interest from West Ham as well, and the player himself is said to be open to the idea of playing in England. Adli played an important role in Leverkusen’s title-winning 2023/24 campaign, but they are open to letting the player leave for around a fee of £23 million.

Wolves showing interest in "fantastic" free agent

While new attackers may be on Vitor Pereira’s mind, the Premier League side are also scouring the market for a new right-back after losing Nélson Semedo. Now, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, Wolves are interested in signing free agent Vladimir Coufal.

The 32-year-old joined West Ham back in 2020 and spent five years at the club, helping them back into Europe, and he played an important part in their UEFA Conference League success. However, at the end of last season, the Hammers decided against renewing his contract, and now the Czechia international is continuing his search to try and find a new team.

Under David Moyes, Coufal, who has been dubbed “fantastic” by former teammate Ben Johnson, was a regular for the Hammers. But last season, the right-back played just 22 games in the Premier League, with only 11 coming as a starter.

Apps

22

Starts

11

Touches per game

35.0

Interceptions per game

0.4

Tackles per game

1.0

Clearances per game

1.6

Duels won per game (success rate)

3.0 (50%)

The Old Gold do have Matt Doherty, Pedro Lima and Ki-Jana Hoever as their current right-back options, but with a strong possibility that one of them leaves, a free transfer for a player with over 140 games in England’s top flight looks a no brainer.

After sealing a dramatic promotion to the Premier League last season in Regis Le Bris’ first season in charge, Sunderland are now planning for life back in the big time.

The Black Cats are splashing the cash as they look to buck the recent trend and avoid relegation at the first time of asking, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman already making moves in the transfer market.

Sunderland’s Premier League return will begin on August 16 against West Ham, but who will be in Le Bris’ side? Grok, the AI tool on X, has forecasted Sunderland’s line-up for 25/26.

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1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 7, 2025 AI predicts Sunderland’s 2025/26 line-up 11 GK: Anthony Patterson

After an impressive playoff final display against Sheffield United, Anthony Patterson could get his chance to star in the Premier League with Sunderland.

Although Sunderland have been linked with new ‘keepers, Patterson has been predicted to get the nod under Le Bris.

10 RB: Kyle-Walker Peters

A free agent after leaving Southampton, Kyle-Walker Peters could continue in red and white with Sunderland.

A reported target, Grok says the right-back’s ’versatility and Premier League experience’ could make him ‘a shrewd addition to solidify the right flank.’

9 CB: Chris Mepham

After a successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light, Chris Mepham has been predicted to return to Sunderland on a permanent transfer from Bournemouth.

Games

40

Goals

1

Yellow cards

10

Red cards

1

Minutes played

3,363

The Wales international is still just 27 years of age, and it is claimed a permanent move would be sensible ‘due to his composure and Premier League experience’.

8 CB: Dan Ballard

Sunderland’s playoff semi-final hero Dan Ballard looks set to get his chance in the top flight under Le Bris, something which many Black Cats fans won’t mind at all.

Grok states that Ballard ‘remains a key figure and is contracted long-term, forming a solid partnership’ with Mepham if he signs permanently.

7 LB: Reinildo Mandava

Sunderland are on course to sign left-back Reinildo Mandava following his departure from Atletico Madrid this summer.

A free transfer is on the cards, and the 31-year-old’s ‘experience adds depth and competition to the left-back position’.

6 CM: Habib Diarra

Club record signing Habib Diarra was always going to make the XI after Sunderland spent around £30m on the Senegal international.

Diarra is a straight replacement for Jobe Bellingham who left for Borussia Dortmund, and he should slot into a box-to-box role.

5 CM: Noah Sadiki

Another new addition in midfield is Noah Sadiki, who has joined from Union Saint-Gilloise in a deal worth up to £17.5m.

Capable of also playing as a right-back if needed, Sadiki will offer that tactical versatility for Le Bris but has been predicted to start in his primary midfield role.

4 CM: Chris Rigg

Completing the midfield is Black Cats gem Chris Rigg, who looked like he would be leaving the Stadium of Light if Sunderland weren’t promoted last season.

However, he could now shine in the Premier League for Sunderland and is descried as ‘a mainstay in the squad, with his versatility and goal-scoring ability making him a key player in the No. 10 role’.

3 RW: Gaetan Perrin

Gaetan Perrin has been mentioned as a possible target for the right wing, although nothing concrete has materialised so far.

Games

155

Goals

28

Assists

25

Yellow cards

6

Minutes played

9,623

Grok says the Auxerre star’s ‘pace and directness could complement Le Bris’ attacking system, especially with Patrick Roberts needing competition’.

2 LW: Enzo Le Fee

Making his loan move permanent following promotion for around £20m, Enzo Le Fee was always going to be in Grok’s Sunderland XI.

The Frenchman adds ‘creativity and energy’ to Le Bris’ side and was used on the left on numerous occasions in 24/25.

Crystal Palace now hold strong interest in signing a £30m defender, who’s also a target for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, according to a report.

Palace looking to strengthen with Europe on the horizon

Not only did Palace win the first major piece of silverware in their history courtesy of the 1-0 FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, but they also secured qualification for the 2025-26 Europa League, which could be quite the adventure for supporters.

This week, however, it was revealed the Eagles may not get to play in the competition, given their multi-club ownership model, although John Textor is willing to sell his shares in the club on the cheap to allow them to compete.

A meeting has been held to discuss the south Londoners’ involvement, but UEFA are yet to make a decision, meaning it is still very much up in the air whether Oliver Glasner’s side will be allowed to play in the prestigious competition.

It is thought that a decision will be made in around a week, which means the hierarchy must continue planning for the summer transfer window in the meantime, and they have now set their sights on a Bayern Munich target.

Indeed, according to a report from L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), Crystal Palace now hold strong interest in signing Burnley defender Maxime Esteve, having identified him as a priority target for the summer.

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Palace have now joined the race for a defender, who is “expected” to leave his current club this summer.

ByDominic Lund Jun 4, 2025

However, there could be competition for Esteve’s signature, with Everton stepping up their interest in recent days, while the Bundesliga champions are also thought to be keen, although not to the same degree as Palace.

Having played a key role in Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League, the Clarets should be in a strong position to command a good fee for the centre-back, and previous reports have suggested they could hold out for around £30m.

"Phenomenon" Esteve could be ideal Guehi replacement

This summer will be the Eagles’ last chance to cash-in on their captain, with his contract set to expire next June, meaning Glasner could be faced with the momentous task of finding a replacement for the Englishman.

Of course, no Palace fan will want to see Guehi leave, but there are indications the Frenchman could be an ideal replacement, given the role he played in Burnley’s promotion last season, featuring in all 46 Championship games as his side shipped just 16 goals.

The 23-year-old is also at a good age to be a long-term success at Selhurst Park, and he has been praised by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who described the defender as a “true athletic phenomenon with some really good ball skills.”

Should they be allowed to compete in Europe, Crystal Palace will be in a good position to attract some top players this summer, and there are plenty of signs Esteve is in that category.

Arsenal have been blessed with some utterly superb strikers in the past.

From Ian Wright in the early 1990s to the legendary Thierry Henry in the 2000s and even Robin Van Persie in the early 2010s – although the less said about him, the better.

However, while the team are in a far better place than they were five or six years ago, it would probably be fair to say that the last great striker who played for the club left in 2022, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Fortunately, Mikel Arteta and Co finally seem to be addressing the squad’s need for a clinical number nine, as recent reports have touted one of Europe’s most exciting strikers for an imminent move to the Emirates, a striker who’d be Arsenal’s best since Aubameyang.

Arsenal's striker search

Given Arsenal’s lack of goalscoring threat this season, it’s hardly surprising that the last few weeks have seen a number of top strikers linked with the club, such as Evann Guessand and Serhou Guirassy.

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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The former could reportedly be available for just £25m this summer, and while he might not be particularly well known to Premier League fans, his tally of 13 goals and 10 assists in 42 games for OGC Nice suggests he’d be worth picking up.

Guirassy, on the other hand, has a release clause worth £59m in his contract, but that too might prove to be more than fair, as in 45 appearances for Borussia Dortmund this season, he’s racked up a stellar haul of 34 goals and nine assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.04 games.

However, to ensure they sign someone who’d be their best striker since Aubameyang, the Gunners might want someone even more prolific than the Guinea international, someone like Viktor Gyokeres.

According to a recent report from Monday’s print edition of Portuguese outlet O Jogo, as relayed by Football Transfers, Arsenal have made massive progress in their pursuit of the Swedish international.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the North Londoners have struck a €65m – £55m – deal with Sporting ‘to sign the striker’ and that they will ‘officially complete the signing’ next week.

It’s a lot of money to spend on a forward from outside a top-five league, but given Gyokeres’ simply unreal record, it looks like it’ll be money well spent, especially as he could be the club’s best nine since Aubameyang.

Why Gyokeres will be Arsenal's best striker since Auba

While he left in unceremonious fashion and wasn’t exactly lethal towards the end of his time in North London, it cannot be forgotten that for much of his time at Arsenal, Auba was a tour de force in front of goal.

For example, he became the fastest player in club history to hit 50 Premier League goals in July 2020, and then, even with his downturn towards the last 18 months of his time at the Emirates, he left the club with a brilliant record of 92 goals and 21 assists in 163 games.

Since he left, Arteta has used Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz as his starting strikers, and while they’ve all done well enough here and there, none of them have been or are particularly prolific.

Gyokeres at Sporting vs Arsenal’s recent CFs

Player

Gyokeres

Lacazette*

Jesus*

Havertz*

Appearances (*at Arsenal)

101

206

96

86

Minutes

8297′

13222′

5461′

6617′

Goals

96

71

26

29

Assists

28

35

20

13

Goal Involvements per Match

1.22

0.51

0.47

0.48

Minutes per Goal Involvement

66.91′

124.73′

118.71′

157.54

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, the Frenchman left the club with 71 goals and 35 assists in 206 games, while the Brazilian has amassed 26 goals and 20 assists in 96 games, and the German has 29 goals and 13 assists in 86 games.

In contrast, Gyokeres has been simply unstoppable since moving to Lisbon in the summer of 2023.

In 101 appearances for the Portuguese champions, the goalscoring “monster,” as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has put the ball in the back of the net on 96 occasions and provided 28 assists, which equates to a sensational average of 1.22 goal involvements per game for just under two years.

Moreover, the Stockholm-born phenomenon has also been a dangerous outlet for the Swedish national side, as in just 26 appearances, totalling 1568 minutes, he has scored 15 goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.23 games, or every 74.66 minutes.

Ultimately, while Arteta has had some talented forwards in his squad since Auba left, Gyokeres looks like he could be the first one to match the Gabonese icon’s ability, making his supposed signing look like a masterstroke.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 20, 2025

Everton and their hierarchy are now pushing to complete the signing of a £12 million attacker who has told his entourage to get the deal done, according to a recent report.

Everton chasing multiple signings to kick off summer business

The Toffees are one of several sides in the Premier League who have nothing to play for in the remaining games of the season, but will want to carry plenty of momentum into the new campaign. Club chiefs at Goodison Park however appear to be turning their attention towards the summer and the business they would like to conclude.

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ByEthan Lamb Apr 24, 2025

Strengthening the options in defence seems to be a high priority for David Moyes, as they have already been linked with a shock move for Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, who has now been backed to make the move to Everton by former scout Bryan King. The Toffees are also interested in signing David Hancko from Feyenoord, but it is not a cheap deal, as the Dutch side want to get around £34 million for his services.

It’s also been stated that Moyes is keen to strengthen his forward line, as goals have been somewhat of a problem, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin could leave for nothing come the end of the season. Brighton’s Evan Ferguson has been identified as their top target for a new centre-forward, as his future with the Seagulls is very much up in the air.

Everton are pushing to sign £12m winger Moses Simon

As well as looking at Ferguson, the Toffees are also looking at other attacking additions, and according to Africa Foot, relayed by Sport Witness, Everton have identified Moses Simon as a transfer target heading into the summer.

The report states that the Toffees are pushing to complete a deal for Simon after sending scouts to watch him live in action in Ligue 1 in the last few weeks. The Nantes winger is said to have left them impressed, and now the Premier League side are working on a deal, with Simon telling his agent to do whatever needs to be done to complete a move to Everton in the summer transfer window.

Interestingly, his agency CAA Base also represent one of Everton’s coaching staff, Dan Micciche, who is the Toffees’ Player Development Lead.

The French club do not want to sell Simon, despite his contract ending at the end of next season. However, their stance on selling the 29-year-old will change if they receive a bid worth €15 million, which is roughly £12.8 million. The Toffees meanwhile believe they could take advantage of Simon’s contract and bring him to England for less than the price Nantes want.

Apps

173

Goals

32

Assists

37

The Nigeria international has scored seven goals and recorded nine assists in 28 Ligue 1 games this season, which is his best return in his career. Everton may need to strengthen in the wide areas this summer, as there is uncertainty over the future of Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, who are both on loan until the end of the campaign.

INEOS and Manchester United have now reportedly sent scouts to watch one defensive target as they begin to plot a summer swoop to secure his signature and ease their Lisandro Martinez injury woes.

Man Utd still targeting defensive additions

After Anthony Elanga ran the length of the pitch before firing home for Nottingham Forest in midweek, it should come as no surprise that Manchester United are still seeking defensive reinforcements. Now in April, the Red Devils are yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League and their defensive issues in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system have played a large part in what has been a disastrous campaign.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd

01/04/2025

Leicester City 0-3 Man Utd

16/03/2025

Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal

09/03/2025

Man Utd 3-2 Ipswich Town

26/02/2025

Everton 2-2 Man Utd

22/02/2025

It should not go without saying, however, that defeat at the City Ground was United’s first in five league games and Amorim echoed that positivity in his post-match press conference, telling reporters: “It’s more [of] the same since this season began. So I think if you look at the game we are improving the way we play football. We are creating more chances, we are dominating more games.

“But in the end, when you don’t win, you feel that and that is a good thing. So we know that this season is going to be like that, the momentum. So we continue to go to the next [game].”

The former Sporting Club boss may well look at his side’s recent run as something to build on before welcoming some key additions. Among those already linked with a summer switch to Manchester United includes Oumar Solet. The Udinese centre-back has impressed at times this season and now has a queue beginning to form for his signature, with United in that queue.

Solet isn’t the only defender that has caught the eye of those at Old Trafford, however, with another Serie A star emerging on INEOS’ reported radar.

Man Utd plotting move to sign "superb" Comuzzo

According to Caught Offside, INEOS and Manchester United are now plotting a summer swoop to sign Pietro Comuzzo from Fiorentina this summer and have already sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old in action. Valued at around €45m (£38m) by the Italian club, the deal should be within the Red Devils’ range even as their cost-cutting measures continue around the club.

Dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Comuzzo’s arrival would instantly see the injured Martinez replaced next season, before Amorim is handed the ultimate selection headache when the Argentine completes his eventual return.

Hazlewood has been outstanding in the IPL following injury and indications from last season are that the hierarchy remains

Andrew McGlashan01-May-20252:12

What makes Hazlewood a much-improved T20 bowler?

Plenty of Australian cricketers are currently plying their trade overseas, and Josh Hazlewood is going as well as any of them for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the IPL in what has been an encouraging return from injury and shapes as bad news for Scott Boland’s hopes of featuring in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.As of Thursday, Hazlewood was the leading wicket-taker in the IPL – with 18 wickets in ten matches – and while the role and requirements of T20 are considerably different to a Test match, his trademark back-of-a-length mode of attack has been key to a number of his dismissals.Two years ago, Boland was the beneficiary when the selectors opted to preserve Hazlewood for the Ashes that followed the WTC final against India as he returned from a side injury picked up in that season’s IPL. Boland went on to bowl brilliantly at The Oval, claiming five wickets in the match, as Australia won the mace by 209 runs. This time, barring any setbacks for Hazlewood over the next month, it looks like going the other way.Related

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Green's return brings into focus Australia's big selection calls

Finch: Selectors may have to 'cherry pick' Hazlewood's Tests

RCB have the (Hazle)wood on their opponents now

For all Boland’s success that sees him sit with a Test record of 56 wickets at 17.66 from 13 matches he has only once been a first-choice selection when the big three quicks have been fit or not rotated: that was the opening Test of the 2023 Ashes when he was selected ahead of Mitchell Starc at Edgbaston. The two matches Boland played in that series have been the only occasion when a team has consistently dominated him – he finished with two wickets at 115.50 and an economy rate of 4.91 – as England’s Bazballers used his metronomic length to their advantage.Last season against India, Boland was the ultimate super sub. He replaced an injured Hazlewood in Adelaide where he zipped the pink ball around but then immediately made way in Brisbane only for Hazlewood to then suffer a calf strain. Boland took 16 wickets in the next two matches at the MCG and SCG, but the pace-bowling hierarchy remained clear. Again, Boland will likely need someone else’s misfortune to make the XI at Lord’s.Josh Hazlewood had an interrupted series against India•Getty ImagesHazlewood cut a distraught and frustrated figure as he walked off the Gabba after a ginger one-over spell on the fourth day after he tested the extent of the calf strain. Having emerged from an injury-hit period between 2021 and 2023, where he played just four Tests, he featured in 12 out of 13 matches after the WTC final, only missing at Headingley in the Ashes when he was rested.As Hazlewood recovered from the calf injury, a hip problem emerged, which ruled him out of the Champions Trophy. Through the various setbacks – both the recent ones and during 2021-2023 period – Hazlewood has remained adamant that it’s largely been bad timing rather than an indication that his body is becoming a genuine concern although Aaron Finch has previously suggested the selectors may need to start cherry-picking the Tests he plays.”I’ve had a little history of sides and calves, they are probably the two things that have kept me out for the majority of the last four years, but I [can] sort of just keep adding another layer to the defence hopefully,” he said late last year. “I’ve ticked a lot of boxes in the last 12 months and it’s just the timing again – they are only little two or three-week injuries, it’s just the timing of it and missing big games so that’s probably the frustrating thing.”Hazlewood has the 300-wicket mark in his sights should he be able to string appearances together this year, currently sitting on 279 at 24.57. There are landmarks approaching for all the big three: Pat Cummins is on 294 Test wickets, while Starc has 382 and is four games away from reaching 100 caps.There will be a couple of training camps in Brisbane during May for the Australian players who are based at home, which includes Boland who opted not to play county cricket after finishing the domestic season with a knee niggle.Initial WTC final squads, which will be 15 players, need to be submitted to the ICC by May 11 but can be amended until the end of the month. After that, the technical committee’s approval will be required for any injury replacements. Australia are expected to have a couple of travelling reserves with them in England, from where they head straight to the West Indies for a three-Test series.