Having missed the play-offs in what is their first season back in the Championship, the Baggies will be underwhelmed over this season and apprehensive about their chances of escaping the division come next season.
What’s the latest?
Bruce has already stated that he intends to bolster the West Brom squad, having already signed Jayson Molumby from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, Bruce said: “I think we need as many as five or six [transfers] – a major overhaul is needed.
“The supporters need a new face or two who they can get right behind.”
On the chalkboard
One of those new faces could well be MK Dons’ 22-year-old forward Scott Twine, who has been linked in a report from TEAMtalk and has enjoyed a prosperous campaign.
It has seen him notch up a staggering 33 goal contributions in League One, totalling 20 goals and 13 assists in 44 appearances to help the Dons march into a play-off semi-final that saw them narrowly miss out on their Championship aspirations.
Being in the form that he is in, Twine may look to cut ties with Liam Manning’s side, in order to continue his development in the division above.
Considering his £3m-rated market value, age, and pondering his potential, West Brom would be right to rival the reported teams of Burnley, Norwich City and Middlesborough for his signature.
With his goal tally in mind from the third tier, Twine has outscored two of Bruce’s forward options in Robinson and Carroll, who have scored a combined total of 12 in the Championship this season.
With the Baggies set to lose the latter upon his contract expiry at the end of the season, Twine would represent an astute replacement who could form a formidable partnership with Karlan Grant and allow Bruce to axe Robinson, who despite being the Baggies’ second-highest goalscorer this season has tailed off towards the end.
The 27-year-old is far from the “pest” that Gabby Agbonlahor once described with the Irishman scoring just twice in his final 20 appearances.
Though his ability to play on the wings could make way for Daryl Dike’s inclusion in the squad – with Twine also demonstrating his creativity this season with 13 assists – the second-highest total in England’s third division.
Bruce looks to play a strike partnership up top – whether it be through the means of a 3-5-2 formation or 4-4-2 system. And with the opportunity to play on the wings or through the middle, Bruce could help to transition the form of the “difference maker” – in the words of Sky Football – to the Championship.
In other news: Forget Grant: West Brom’s 104-touch star put on an impressive display against Barnsley
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino’s foot injury could keep him out for ‘longer than expected’, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.
The Lowdown: Firmino missing due to foot injury
Jurgen Klopp has been fortunate in that department of late, having almost a full squad to choose from for some crucial Premier League and Champions League games.
With Divock Origi recovered after a brief illness, Firmino – who has been struggling with a foot issue since the middle of April, not appearing at all in that time – is the only Reds player currently absent.
The hope was that the Brazilian would be back available by now but he is still out for the Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Villarreal on Tuesday night.
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The Latest: Expert drops fresh Firmino injury claim
Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery admitted that Firmino may simply be reacting slower than others in his recovery, with his return potentially still a way off. The injury expert outlined:
“Sometimes things can take longer than expected. He might have been expected to respond in a certain way and it hasn’t worked out like that.
“It is a science but not an exact science. Individuals respond to treatment in different ways. If you suffer a setback or reaction, you need to make sure you return pain-free.
“They aren’t just thinking about the next game. They have got the rest of the league campaign and possibly a Champions League final. It is better to take that additional recovery time than rush him back. They are well-stocked in those positions now anyway.”
The Verdict: At least there’s depth now
In the past, losing Firmino at such a massive point in the season would have felt fatal for Liverpool, considering how dependent they were on him, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane staying fit.
Thankfully, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have now provided Jurgen Klopp with some incredible squad depth, meaning the Brazil international isn’t as badly missed, especially as he has arguably drifted past his absolute peak.
Nonetheless, the hope is that Firmino is back as soon as possible, allowing for squad rotation to come into play during Liverpool’s quest for an unprecedented quadruple.
In other news, Fabrizio Romano has dropped an exciting Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.
Everton took a huge stride towards Premier League survival on Sunday afternoon after recording a hard-fought – and much needed – 1-0 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park, with Richarlison netting what proved to be the game’s defining goal.
Buoyed by a raucous home crowd, the Brazilian fired Frank Lampard’s men ahead just minutes after the interval, with the Toffees boss earning sweet revenge against the side that had brutally sacked him just over a year ago.
While the goalscorer – and the victorious manager – may well grab the headlines, alongside England stopper Jordan Pickford, one man who was something of an unsung hero in that triumph was summer signing Demarai Gray, with his tireless display integral to the hosts hanging onto all three points.
Despite making just 11 passes in the match, the former Leicester City man caught the eye with his seemingly boundless energy, putting in a real shift defensively as he won five of his six ground duels and made three tackles, all while giving the usually unflappable Reece James a real tough afternoon down the visitors’ right flank.
Gray – who has previously been dubbed “influential” by pundit Martin Keown – was also decisive at the other end in helping his side get ahead on 47 minutes, teeing up teammate Richarlison to slot home after the duo had capitalised on some errant defending from Blues skipper, Cesar Azpilicueta.
That performance was also highly praised by Liverpool Echo writer Adam Jones, who handed the pacy wide man an 8/10 match rating and said of his display that: “Another who tried to cover every blade of grass for his side and his high press was pivotal in the build up to the goal. His defensive work in the second half was absolutely fantastic too, which made up for a few errors at the other end of the pitch.”
Unsurprisingly, the 24-year-old also earned an 8.0 match rating via SofaScore, for that impressive outing, with only the aforementioned Pickford recording a better score on the day (8.1) across all 22 starters on the pitch.
That pivotal assist also means that the £19.8m-rated man now has eight goal contributions for the season in the top-flight, continually making his £1.7m signing from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen appear an absolute bargain.
If he keeps delivering the goods then it should stand Lampard’s men in good stead on their quest to retain their Premier League status, with the Merseysiders now just two points behind 17th placed Leeds United, and with a game in hand on both the Elland Road outfit and fellow strugglers, Burnley.
They will, however, need to translate their strong home form into positive results on the road, with their record of just one away win the worst in the division this season.
In other news, Benitez howler: Everton facing setback over £27m-rated star, supporters will be fuming – opinion
Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move in an attempt to bring Djed Spence to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a claim made Florian Plettenberg, with the Sky Sports Deutschland journalist revealing in a recent post on Twitter that all three of Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal have submitted offers for the Middlesbrough right-back, who is currently on loan at promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest.
Plettenberg went on to state that the England U21 international is still being tracked by Bayern Munich, while it is also claimed that Boro will demand a figure of between €12m-€15m (£10m-£12.5m) in order to part with the defender this summer.
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In his post, the journalist said: “Update Spence: Selling price is €12-15m! It is said that he has got ‘five offers’. City, Arsenal & Tottenham are among the interested clubs. [Djed’s] dream is to play for MUFC one day. He is a fan! Been told there should be still loose contact with FC Bayern.”
He’s a steal
Considering just how exciting a talent Spence quite clearly is, should Fabio Paratici be able to get a deal over the line for as little as £12.5m this summer, Tottenham’s signing of the right-back would certainly appear to be something of a steal.
Indeed, over his 36 Championship appearances for Forest this season, the £2.25m-rated full-back has been a constant threat on the right flank, scoring two goals, registering four assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of one key pass, completing two dribbles and taking 0.6 shots per game.
The £4.4k-per-week defender has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.3 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 1.3 clearances and winning 5.9 duels per fixture.
These metrics have seen the 21-year-old average a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.10, ranking him as Steve Cooper’s fourth-best performer in the second tier of English football.
Furthermore, Leicester City’s former Premier League-winning captain Wes Morgan also appeared incredibly impressed with Spence following Forest’s 4-1 win over the Foxes in the fourth round of the FA Cup, stating of the youngster:
“Spence was outstanding all afternoon, he seemed full of confidence. He probably got what he deserved today with the goal. He’s a constant threat and kept his cool right until the end.”
As such, considering his sheer amount of potential, not to mention his seamless fit into Antonio Conte’s right wing-back role, should Paratici indeed be able to land the player who Ian Wright dubbed “unbelievable” for around £12.5m this summer, it would certainly be yet another masterclass by the Italian sporting director.
AND in other news: Paratici now plotting “serious” bid for £116k-p/w Spurs target, Conte would love him
Not every transfer has panned out the way they planned, but Chelsea have built themselves a brilliant squad over the last few years.
The likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro wouldn’t look out of place in any other Premier League side.
Moreover, while it’s still early days, it looks like Enzo Maresca and Co have a genuine world-class superstar in the making with Estêvão.
The Brazilian has been incredible so far this season, so Chelsea fans should be delighted about reports linking them to someone who could end up being another Estêvão.
Chelsea target their next Estêvão
There has long been a lot of hype around Estêvão, so much so, in fact, that respected analyst Ben Mattinson labelled him a “future Ballon d’Or winner” a few months before Chelsea even signed him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Now, there is still a long way to go until the teenager reaches that level, but he has already been sensational for the Blues this season.
For example, in 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes, he has provided one assist and scored five goals, including a stunner against Barcelona on Tuesday night.
Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that the club are now interested in another young star, Assan Ouédraogo, who could potentially emulate the Brazilian.
Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany, Chelsea are one of a few clubs keen on signing the RB Leipzig gem.
Alongside the West Londoners, Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old, whose contract runs until 2029.
Unfortunately, there is no release clause in that deal, so the fee needed to sign the German could end up being rather significant, as much as £50m according to further reports out of Germany in the last few months.
Even so, given Ouédraogo’s ability and potential, this is a transfer Chelsea should pursue, especially as he could be another Estêvão.
Why Ouédraogo could be another Estêvão for Chelsea
So, the first thing to point out is that, yes, the two youngsters primarily play in different positions.
Ouédraogo has spent this season playing as a central and attacking midfielder, while Estêvão has spent most of this year on the right.
However, while the pair do not necessarily operate in the same areas of the pitch, both are highly rated youngsters who seem destined to reach the top of the game.
For example, while Chelsea fans are more than familiar with the Brazilian’s exploits so far this season, they likely don’t know that the German has been even more productive.
In 12 first-team appearances, totalling 561 minutes, the Leipzig gem has scored three goals and provided four assists, which comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 80.14 minutes.
Moreover, the Mülheim an der Ruhr-born prospect has already made quite the impression at the international level.
After blitzing his way up through the various youth levels, he was handed his first senior cap for Germany earlier this month, and instead of just coming on and focusing on not making a mistake, he scored.
Finally, on top of already producing goal involvements for fun, the £22k-per-week gem has some unreal underlying numbers to back up exactly why content creator Neal Gardner has described him as a “powerhouse.”
Goals
0.48
Top 1%
Assists
0.48
Top 1%
Goals + Assists
0.97
Top 1%
Yellow Cards
0.00
Top 1%
npxG: Non-Penalty xG
0.31
Top 1%
Shots Total
2.90
Top 1%
Shots on Target
1.45
Top 1%
Goal-Creating Actions
1.13
Top 1%
Touches (Att Pen)
4.83
Top 1%
Successful Take-Ons
1.77
Top 1%
Carries into Penalty Area
0.97
Top 1%
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals, assists, shots on target, goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, carries into the penalty area and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while it’s still early in his career, it’s hard to disagree with Mattinson’s assessment that Ouédraogo is a “beast ready to be unleashed” and therefore capable of being another Estêvão for Chelsea.
Chelsea have already signed another exciting star who's "just like Estevao"
Chelsea have already signed another youngster who could become another Estevao for Enzo Maresca.
The Premier League is finally back in action this weekend, and Arsenal are in action against Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta’s side may have lost last time out, but Liverpool did not outplay them, and most of the team put in a good performance.
One of the standout players for the Gunners was Noni Madueke, who is likely to start again on Saturday in the absence of Bukayo Saka.
The former Chelsea ace has looked good so far this season, and if he continues his good form, he could be the player to end someone else’s Arsenal career.
Madueke's good start to the season
It was somewhat of a surprise when it was revealed that Arsenal were interested in signing Madueke this summer, and considering the petitions, it was not necessarily a welcome one for some fans.
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However, while it is still early on in the campaign, the Englishman is so far proving his doubters wrong.
He hasn’t necessarily blown anyone away in the league, but against Liverpool, for example, he was undoubtedly the club’s best attacker, taking a couple of shots, completing 100% of his dribbles, and generally being a menace.
However, it’s been on international duty where we’ve been able to see the best of him.
For example, it was his cross that resulted in an own goal to open the scoring against Andorra, and then he scored his first international goal away to Serbia on Tuesday.
More than that, though, he was a constant threat on the right, utilising his blistering pace, ball-carrying ability, and quick feet to terrorise the Serbian defenders.
In all, while it is early, Madueke is looking quite dangerous this season, and while he is great cover for Saka at the moment, he could also end someone else’s Arsenal career when the Hale Ender returns.
The Arsenal star Madueke could replace
While most of Arsenal’s squad could be compared with some of the best in the league in their respective positions, the same can no longer be said of Gabriel Martinelli.
The 24-year-old winger was undoubtedly one of the most exciting attackers in the Premier League, but that was back in the 22/23 season, when he racked up a tally of 15 goals and seven assists in 46 games.
However, that was some time ago now, and in the two and a bit campaigns since, he has only gone backwards.
For example, in the 23/24 season, he mustered up eight goals and five assists in 44 games; last season, he managed ten goals and six assists in 51 games, and then so far this year, he’s failed to score or assist a goal in his two starts.
More damming than that, though, fans no longer expect him to offer much of a threat; instead, they expect to watch a winger who can no longer beat his opposite number and often halts attacks altogether.
We saw this in the game against Liverpool when he failed to play the ball into Viktor Gyokeres’ path when the Swede would have had a chance to score, leading to podcaster Phil Costa labelling him “clunky and indecisive.”
Appearances
51
Minutes
3564′
Goals
10
Assists
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.31
Minutes per Goal Involvement
222.75′
The Brazilian international may still be valued at around £48m by Transfermarkt, but it’s hard to see him maintaining his place in this team for much longer, especially with Madueke in the squad.
The Englishman might be a right-winger first, but he has played off the left already for the club against Leeds United, and while it wasn’t his finest game, he offered more than the former Ituano gem has in a long time.
Ultimately, Martinelli is still a player fans have an affinity with, but he has not been good enough for a long time, and it just feels like a matter of time until Madeueke ends his Arsenal career lest he massively improve.
Madueke upgrade: Arsenal gem who left for £0 is now "one of the best in the world"
The superstar would be an excellent rival for Saka at Arsenal.
Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a £60m opening bid for a “sensational” English star, who could now be open to a move to N17.
Tottenham looking to bolster attacking options despite Simons capture
Tottenham managed to get a deal for Xavi Simons over the line in the final stages of the summer transfer window, with Thomas Frank eager to bring in a new playmaker, given that James Maddison has been ruled out with an ACL injury.
However, Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has since suggested there are some doubts over the signing of Simons, given that he was not always consistent enough in an RB Leipzig shirt due to concerns about his attitude.
Tottenham confirm takeover "interest" after Levy exit, several parties keen
There have been suggestions that ENIC could look to sell Tottenham Hotspur…
ByDominic Lund Sep 8, 2025
It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman can adapt to life in the Premier League, but it appears as though ENIC are pressing ahead with a move for a different attacker regardless.
According to a report from The Boy Hotspur, Tottenham are now plotting a £60m opening bid for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who is capable of playing on both wings and through the middle.
Spurs are said to be implementing a more aggressive transfer strategy following the departure of Levy, and they are now planning to test Villa’s resolve, although Unai Emery’s side are probably not inclined to accept £60m, given that they value Rogers at £100m.
The English attacker could now be open to a move to north London, with Frank’s side taking more concrete action towards securing his signature than Chelsea, who have also been named as potential suitors.
"Sensational" Rogers could kickstart new era at Tottenham
While ENIC have made it clear they have no plans to sell, Levy’s departure marks the start of a new era for Tottenham, who are now expected to be more willing to spend big in the transfer market.
As such, Spurs may be able to compete for Rogers’ signature, and there is every indication he could be a fantastic acquisition, having once again performed very well for Villa last season, picking up 19 goal contributions in 37 Premier League games.
Journalist Eduardo Hagn lauded the England international as “sensational” back in April, and he also proved himself in the Champions League, picking up four goals and three assists in 12 outings.
Rogers is clearly ready to take the next big step in his career, and with Tottenham planning to be more ambitious following Levy’s exit, a move to N17 could be ideal.
David Ornstein has shared an update on the prospect of Tottenham Hotspur parting company with manager Ange Postecoglou after their historic Europa League final win in Bilbao, as chairman Daniel Levy is suddenly handed a much tougher decision to make.
Tottenham seal first European trophy since 1984 after win over Man United
Brennan Johnson’s scrappy opener proved decisive on an unforgettable night in Bilbao for Postecoglou, who silenced many critics by fulfilling his bold early-season promise of always winning trophies in his second year.
Tottenham hold talks with forward compared to Messi amid Europa League glory
Ange Postecoglou’s side now have a big summer to plan for.
1 ByEmilio Galantini May 22, 2025
Much was made of that statement throughout 2024/2025, but it will now go down as one of the most memorable quotes in recent football history.
By making good on his pledge, the 59-year-old also guided Spurs to their first European trophy since 1984 and first piece of silverware at all since 2008, with the Lilywhites also set to play Champions League football next season.
Guglielmo Vicario
7.7
Yves Bissouma
7.6
Cristian Romero
7.4
Bruno Fernandes
7.4
Destiny Udogie
7.2
via WhoScored
Tottenham are set for a huge financial windfall from winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League, which should have a very positive effect on the club’s recruitment drive for top targets, who’ll also be more tempted by their advances, given Spurs’ status.
However, despite Postecoglou ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought, the jury is still out on whether he’ll be at the helm next season.
Reports in the build-up to Wednesday night indicated that Postecoglou could leave Tottenham regardless of their potential Europa League triumph, but the emotion of a season-saving 90 minutes and one of the club’s best nights in recent memory has resulted in this decision being easier said than done.
Tottenham have identified Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, among others, as possible replacements for Postecoglou, and the process of finding a successor to the ex-Celtic boss has reportedly been underway for a while.
David Ornstein shares Ange Postecoglou sack update
Speaking on the Sky Sports Paper Talks show in the aftermath of Spurs’ win over Man United, Ornstein shared an update on the possibility of Tottenham sacking Postecoglou.
Tottenham Hotspur manager AngePostecogloulooks on
The reliable journalist claims they’re still likely to part ways after a dismal domestic campaign, where Spurs broke their record for most Premier League defeats in a single campaign, so there may not be room for any sentimentality.
“The clear direction of travel as far as the Tottenham hierarchy are concerned goes is to make a change this summer, and it will be fascinating to see if they follow through with that,” said Ornstein.
“I think it is most likely they will from an outside perspective, but they have a bit more food for thought now.
“I think if they look at the evidence, and that isn’t just results but performances and injuries, then there is enormous room or improvement. They feel there is a strong squad there. They have invested heavily and it needs more work, they need good fortune with injuries, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there was still a change there.
“And I don’t think it would surprise Ange Postecoglou given some of his comments that have hinted towards a change coming. He seems to be at peace with that. Whatever happens now, his legacy is preserved as a history-maker for Tottenham, but there are important conversations that need to take place, and it would be an about turn if they were to stick with him because the feeling was that they would make a change this summer.”
Should Spurs hand Postecoglou his P45 after their triumph in Spain? Have your say in the comments.
Arsenal are set for one of their biggest summer transfer windows in recent memory, and new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted absolutely no time in his attempts to transform the squad.
Arsenal recruitment plans as Berta spearheads major overhaul
Kieran Tierney is set to re-join Scottish champions Celtic and Jorginho has already reportedly agreed to sign for Flamengo before their Club World Cup campaign (Fabrizio Romano), with uncertainty also surrounding the future of star midfielder Thomas Partey as talks continue over fresh terms.
Arsenal "now in concrete talks" to sign £67m striker instead of Gyokeres
Berta is in contact with a club official.
ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2025
Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga, who are currently on loan deals elsewhere, are also widely expected to not have long-term futures at Arsenal, with winger Raheem Sterling and goalkeeper Neto looking set to return to their parent clubs after the Premier League season ends as well.
In response to the plethora of exits which are set to take place, which could include the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior, Berta has got to work on Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive.
Following Berta’s arrival at N5 in late March, GiveMeSport reported that Arsenal are looking at signing a second-choice keeper, full-back, midfielder, left-winger, right-winger and striker.
Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano, so Berta already has his midfielder en route, while Arsenal are now also in “serious” talks to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko (Florian Plettenberg).
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty
It is set to be a season-defining summer for Arsenal, after they meekly surrendered this year’s Premier League title to Liverpool, and we can expect Berta to spearhead a very busy transfer window at the Emirates.
An intriguing question has emerged from Brazil in the last 48 hours: where exactly does 22-year-old winger Marquinhos fit into all of this?
Cruzeiro tell Marquinhos they're sending him back to Arsenal
The Brazilian joined Cruzeiro on a season-long loan in January, which apparently includes an obligation to buy set at around £3 million, which will be triggered if he surpasses 17 appearances.
That is according to South American journalist Jorge Nicola, who told his YouTube channel that Cruzeiro have informed Marquinhos of their intent to send him back to Arsenal.
“Last week, Cruzeiro’s directors contacted the player’s staff to make it very clear that we no longer count on Marquinhos and we intend to return him to Arsenal,” Nicola explained.
“The big problem is that the English club that owns the economic rights of the 22-year-old player has already stated that it will not accept the return. Arsenal, in fact, is against re-loaning the player.
“It is worth remembering that Marquinhos is on loan until December and the purchase option is very close to becoming an obligation. He has 16 appearances and if he enters the field one more time, Cruzeiro will be forced to buy him for something around €4m.
“And that is precisely why Cruzeiro decided that it will no longer use Marquinhos, a player who is not in coach Leonardo Jardim’s plans. Cruzeiro tried to convince Arsenal to increase the limit of games that would make the obligation, Arsenal did not accept.”
Given Arsenal’s ongoing attempts to sign a new star winger, it is growing more and more unlikely that the forward can force his way back into Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans.
The task for Berta is to find Marquinhos a new landing spot after Cruzeiro, with this ongoing uncertainty over his future proving a real shame, considering Arteta revealed he’s actually a “popular” player at the club.
Consistency is key. No doubt, maintaining a decent baseline across the campaign is something that Arne Slot will have demanded of his Liverpool side at the start of the season, but the squad have surpassed expectations.
Despite only adding Federico Chiesa to the squad last summer and opting against investment in January, the Reds won the Premier League after beating Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago.
Federico Chiesa in action for Liverpool
Levelling with Manchester United, given that it was Anfield’s 20th top-flight title, has been the icing on the cake.
Focus has now been turned toward making improvements this summer. With Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to sign for Real Madrid and left-back in need of attention, sporting director Richard Hughes has certainly got his work cut out.
However, his most important job is surely sourcing a replacement for Darwin Nunez.
Why Darwin Nunez needs to go
Nunez has been given ample opportunity to prove himself on Merseyside, but sadly, he’s now completed three seasons as a Liverpool player and each term has been a disappointment.
Darwin Nunez for Liverpool
Liverpool’s club-record signing at £85m, the 25-year-old has scored 40 goals across 146 outings for the club, providing 26 assists for his teammates.
However, he’s regressed since Jurgen Klopp left at the end of last season, with his chequered exploits under the German’s wing now something more colourless, at odds with Slot’s meticulous, cool-headed system.
At the end of the day, he’s failed to score in 38 of his 44 matches across all competitions this season, which is terrible for a high-cost striker tasked with providing goals for a team competing at the very height of European football.
Mohamed Salah
49
33
23
Cody Gakpo
46
17
6
Luis Diaz
47
16
8
Diogo Jota
35
9
4
Darwin Nunez
44
7
7
Federico Chiesa
13
2
2
It’s hardly surprising that Liverpool want a new centre-forward to ease Mohamed Salah’s goalscoring load. Fabrizio Romano has actually said that the plan is for the Uruguayan to be offloaded.
Of course, Liverpool will need to bring in an able replacement.
Liverpool lining up new striker
While Alexander Isak is the dream, Newcastle are confident they will be playing Champions League football next year, thus meaning their £150m valuation will stand strong against the waves of suitors. Liverpool would be forgiven for ceding defeat in that one, along with the rest.
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 Spanish reports, the champions have turned their attention to Julian Alvarez, with FSG hatching a plan to sign Atletico Madrid’s star forward this summer.
While Alvarez only joined the La Liga side from Manchester City for an £81m fee last year, Liverpool view the Argentine as the perfect profile to front Slot’s system and are lining up a move.
The report concludes by suggesting that the Reds have ‘not officially ruled out a move yet’ for the striker.
It goes without saying that facilitating a deal will be no easy task, although Atletico’s interest in Nunez could see Hughes and co play an interesting bargaining chip to sweeten a prospective deal for both parties.
Why Julian Alvarez is perfect for Slot
Off the bat, Alvarez would be a good signing for Liverpool given his experience in English football, accomplished as one of Pep Guardiola’s trophy-winning stars at Manchester City.
The 25-year-old has hit 55 goal contributions across 103 appearances for City, notably winning the treble in 2022/23. However, he’s gone up a gear since moving to Spain.
Indeed, Alvarez has scored 27 goals and added five more assists across 51 fixtures in his debut season for Atletico Madrid, with his exploits leading journalist Roy Nemer to pronounce him “the best centre-forward in the world” for the 2024/25 season.
That praise alone differentiates him far enough from Nunez’s toils to suggest that Liverpool would be wise to make their move, but there’s more to it than that.
His ever-improving prolific sense is great, but FSG’s technicians tend to look beneath the surface when profiling a potential target, and the dynamic attacker ticks a lot of boxes.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90.
He’s good with his feet, both in collecting and calmly distributing the ball in tight spaces or indeed navigating away from danger in such enclosed areas, nimbly darting past opponents before finding room to strike on goal.
Nunez does bear a likeness to the Atletico man; electric-paced and multi-faceted, it’s clear to see why Klopp thought he saw something special when plucking a young Nunez from his clinical career at Benfica, but his temperament and decision-making have ultimately let him down.
Liverpool'sDarwinNunezreacts
Conversely, Alvarez is always attentive to the situation he is in, making the right decisions and putting the right weight on his passes, hitting the ball sweetly when shooting himself. One Real Madrid reporter even conceded recently that the £116k-per-week talent is “such an intelligent football player.”
Nunez’s poor finishing and questionable decision in the build-up have ultimately alienated him from a position of pedigree in Slot’s squad. Since Boxing Day, the international has only started once in the Premier League, which makes a pretty damning indictment on how he is viewed by his head coach.
Darwin Nunez in action for Liverpool
He will depart with Anfield’s gratitude and appreciation following the part he has played in recent years, stabilising the ship after an initial team-wide slump, winning the Carabao Cup last year and indeed contributing toward sealing the Premier League title this year.
But Slot is not prepared to watch his flourishing project stagnate, and will happily enforce Nunez’s sale if it means a player of Alvarez’s ilk could be brought in.
It might make all the difference.
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