Manchester United have now opened talks over a deal for a “world-class” Barcelona player, with the La Liga champions willing to sanction a departure this summer, according to a report.

Man Utd's summer rebuild underway

After one of the worst seasons in their modern history, no Man United player has been safe from criticism, and Jamie Carragher has suggested that Bruno Fernandes doesn’t fit into Ruben Amorim’s system.

Carragher said: “I’ve always described Bruno Fernandes as a great talent but not a great player. Where does he play?

“He’s a bit mad in that he just runs all over the place, like a kid in the school yard. The best player in the school yard doing everything but in a really poor team. I don’t think he’s ever had any discipline in those No. 10 positions.”

It has since been confirmed that Fernandes is set to remain at Old Trafford, but the rebuild is very much underway, with Matheus Cunha arriving at the start of the month, while Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has also emerged as a major target in attack.

Forget Gyokeres: Man Utd have had talks to sign "world-class" £50m+ striker

The Red Devils have engaged in discussions with the entourage of a centre-forward.

ByDominic Lund Jun 10, 2025

Having been the subject of widespread criticism throughout the campaign, there have also been indications that Amorim could look to bring in an upgrade on Andre Onana this summer, and an initial approach has now been made for a Barcelona star.

Indeed, according to a report from Spain, Man United have now opened talks over a deal for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, submitting an enquiry about the goalkeeper, and they may have discovered that Barca are now willing to sanction a departure.

Onana is no longer part of Amorim’s plans, which means the manager will be tasked with bringing in a replacement, and Ter Stegen is very much of interest, although there could be competition for his signature from Galatasaray and Al-Hilal.

The German is in no rush to leave, but Joan Garcia’s arrival could unsettle him, as reduced game time may impact his chances of going to the 2026 World Cup.

"World-class" Ter-Stegen has track record of success

The 33-year-old has won 20 trophies for club and country across a glittering career, most recently playing a minor role in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph by making eight appearances throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

However, the £103k-a-week shot-stopper missed the majority of the season through injury, and given his age, there are questions over whether he would be a viable long-term replacement for Onana.

Having been lauded as “world-class” by Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, Ter Stegen is clearly a top goalkeeper, but the rival interest coming from Galatasaray and Al-Hilal, rather than some of Europe’s top clubs, speaks volumes.

As such, it may be wise to go all out for a younger goalkeeper on the shortlist, having previously identified a number of potential targets.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic

Torino

£17m

James Trafford

Burnley

£30m

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

?

Bart Verbruggen

Brighton

£34m

West Bromwich Albion are now very keen on signing an “incredible” defender who has experience at the very highest level, according to a report.

Mason's arrival marks start of new era at the Hawthorns

West Brom’s 2024-25 campaign ultimately petered out, with Tony Mowbray being dismissed just three months after his arrival, having failed to build on the foundations laid by Carlos Corberan.

However, the appointment of former Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason marks the start of a new era for the Baggies, with reporter Steve Hermon claiming the board have made a “brave” decision by replacing Mowbray with a manager who has no Championship experience.

At just 33-years-old, Mason is certainly young for a manager, but the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler and Germany boss Julian Naglelsmann have proven that experience isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to being successful.

Contact made: West Brom considering move to sign "ruthless" new striker

Ryan Mason is wasting no time in looking to strengthen his new West Brom team.

By
Brett Worthington

Jun 5, 2025

Despite a poor end to the 2024-25 campaign, Albion finished just four points adrift of the Championship play-off places, which suggests Mason may not need to ring the changes this summer, but he will certainly be looking to put his own stamp on the squad.

According to a report from The Athletic, West Brom are now showing strong interest in signing Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, who is attracting the attention of a number of second-tier sides after impressing on loan at Derby County.

Derby boss John Eustace has confirmed he would like to sign Phillips on a permanent basis, with the defender’s time at Anfield surely coming to an end, having not featured for the Reds in the Premier League since the 2022-23 campaign.

"Incredible" Phillips impressed Klopp during Liverpool spell

Perhaps most memorably, the Bolton-born defender featured regularly for Liverpool during the 2020-21 season, at which point Jürgen Klopp was having to deal with an injury crisis.

Ultimately, the Reds managed to seal qualification for the Champions League despite the injury issues, and Klopp was left impressed by some of the £45k-a-week centre-back’s performances, particularly catching the eye during a 2-1 win against West Ham United.

Speaking after the match, Klopp said: “He’s a brilliant guy, smart guy, intelligent, everything. He’s not easy on the eye, he’s not Messi but who cares? In the air, he’s a monster! He was incredible.”

Since then, the 28-year-old has arguably gone on to find his level in the Championship, but he has continued to impress in the air, placing in the top 1% for aerials won per 90 over the past year, when compared to other defenders in similar leagues.

Phillips, who has seven Champions League appearances to his name, could be an excellent signing for West Brom this summer, and the hope will be that he is available on a permanent basis, having not been a part of Liverpool’s plans for a number of years.

Liverpool are now closing in on signing another “unbelievable” defender, in a deal which will see the Reds give Chelsea nearly £10 million due to a clause in the player’s contract.

Liverpool start defensive overhaul with Kerkez announcement

It has been an extremely busy summer for the Premier League champions so far, with many new players arriving at Anfield. The Reds announced the arrival of Florian Wirtz last week for a club-record deal worth £116 million, and now Liverpool have announced the signing of defender Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth.

The left-back has joined the Reds in a deal worth £40 million, having now completed a medical and signed a long-term contract. In his first interview with the club, Kerkez revealed it is a “real honour” for him to join the Premier League giants.

“I’m really happy. It’s a real honour for me, a privilege to come to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, [the] biggest club in England. I’m just really, really happy and excited.

“After this, I’ll go home and in my hometown enjoy a few days, and then I can’t really wait to come back and put the training kit on and start to train and prepare for the season.”

Bigger talent than Guehi & Huijsen: Liverpool now eyeing "immense" £43m star

Liverpool are eyeing up a defender who could be an even bigger talent than Dean Huijsen and Marc Guehi.

2 ByDan Emery Jun 25, 2025

Arrivals in defence are not expected to stop at Kerkez, as the Reds are also interested in signing Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo.

Liverpool are said to be admirers of the Brazilian but are concerned, about the £80 million valuation that has been placed on his head.

As well as admiring Murillo, Liverpool have marked Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as a potential transfer target in this transfer window, but moves for these players will likely depend on their pursuit of main target, Marc Guehi.

Liverpool now close in on Guehi deal

Guehi has emerged as their main transfer target for centre-back, and now, according to Daveockop, Liverpool are close to signing Guehi from Crystal Palace.

The report states that the Reds are now ready to accelerate talks with Palace over a deal for the English centre-back, as Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen is all but confirmed. Guehi is in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, and Liverpool are looking to take advantage of that by bringing him to Anfield for between £40-45 million.

This news comes after it was recently reported that the Reds are close to agreeing personal terms with Guehi.

Should the defender join the Premier League champions for around £45 million, that would see Liverpool gift Chelsea £9 million, as the Blues have a 20% sell-on clause for the defender, following his move to Palace from Stamford Bridge back in 2021.

Apps

34

Goals

3

Touches per game

64.9

Passing accuracy per game

43.1 (84%)

Clean sheets

11

Interceptions per game

0.8

Tackles per game

1.8

Balls recovered per game

4.3

Aerial duels (won)

2.0 (54%)

Ground duels (won)

2.9 (63%)

Guehi, who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by podcast host Aaron Moniz, captained the Eagles to FA Cup glory last season, and that topped a season in which he finished with three goals to his name in 34 Premier League games.

His performances for Palace also earned him recognition on the international stage, as he’s now been capped 23 times by England.

Newcastle United enter the market looking to build on the success of last campaign and now find themselves in the mix for a young defender who could add another layer of solidity under Eddie Howe, according to a report.

Newcastle United see bid turned down for Anthony Elanga

Some Premier League fans could’ve been forgiven for wondering if there was much transfer business going on at the Magpies at an early stage in the window, but it is clear that signs of life are starting to show as Eddie Howe scours the market.

David Ornstein delivered some intriguing news yesterday, detailing that Newcastle have saw a bid in the region of £45 million turned down for Anthony Elanga and also revealing Nottingham Forest’s stance on the Sweden international.

He stated on social media platform X: “Newcastle make offer to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. Bid in region of £45m. NFFC rejected without counter; no intention of selling Sweden int’l. NUFC considering whether to maintain pursuit or focus on other targets.”

Between the sticks, Newcastle are in advanced talks to sign Burnley stopper James Trafford for £30 million and could finally bring a long-winded saga to acquire the England Under-21 international to an end if all goes to plan.

Marcus Rashford is also a potential Magpies arrival on loan, albeit that may hinge on whether Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro opts for St James’ Park or Stamford Bridge.

Related Newcastle and PIF in contact to sign £300k-a-week Champions League winner

He was once called “best player” in the Premier League.

Posts 2 ByHenry Jackson Jun 24, 2025

All in all, there is plenty to be encouraged about in the North East, though supporters will be desperate to see more movement occur over the coming weeks ahead of the Magpies’ pre-season preparations.

They may well get their wish, with Newcastle now in the hunt for a central defender who had starred at the recent UEFA Under-21 EURO Championships.

Newcastle enter race to sign Cesar Tarrega

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Newcastle, led by Howe, are looking to sign Cesar Tarrega from Valencia and there is also further interest in his services from unnamed Premier League clubs as well as in Italy from Bologna.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the 23-year-old made 38 appearances across all competitions last season, registering two goals and a solitary assist from central defence. His camp are aware of interest in his services.

Cesar Tarrega in La Liga – per 90 min (FBRef)

Tackles

1.46

Interceptions

0.65

Blocks

1.22

Clearances

6.60

Aerial duels won

2.59

His Serie A admirers view him as a potential replacement for Jhon Lucimi, though he reportedly wants to sign a contract extension at his current club, where he is tied to until the summer of 2028.

Appearing three times for Spain at the Under-21 European Championships, Tarrega’s stock is rising and Newcastle are now minded to convince him that a move to the North East would be the most beneficial for his development.

Juggling both domestic and European endeavours won’t be easy for the Magpies, so it makes sense to add strength in depth to lead the fight on all fronts in 2025/26.

Nitish Kumar Reddy had received his maiden India call-up before being sidelined due to a hernia

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jun-2024Nitish Kumar Reddy will have to wait for his international debut after he was sidelined from India’s T20I tour of Zimbabwe due to an injury. Shivam Dube will take his place in the 15-member squad.While the BCCI did not specify the nature of Reddy’s injury, ESPNcricinfo has learned that he has been ruled out due to a hernia.Reddy, a 21-year-old seam bowling allrounder, had earned his maiden India call-up after an impressive IPL 2024 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He made 303 runs in the season at a strike rate of 142.92, while also delivering 13.1 overs for three wickets.In just his second innings of the season, he scored 64 off 37 balls against Punjab Kings, which took SRH to 182 and eventually helped them seal a two-run win. Reddy also scored an unbeaten 42-ball 76 against Rajasthan Royals in a group game later in the tournament. With the ball, his three wickets included Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs and Jitesh Sharma.Reddy has been a part of the BCCI’s target group of young players who have been under the NCA’s watch over the past year.Dube is part of the India squad at the T20 World Cup 2024. While his numbers in the tournament so far have been middling: 106 runs in six matches with a strike rate of 107.07 and zero wickets, he had a tremendous IPL 2024. Coming in to bat primarily in the middle overs, he was Chennai Super Kings’ spin-hitter, finishing the season with 396 runs in 14 games, striking at 162.29. He was CSK’s second highest run-scorer behind Ruturaj Gaikwad.India will play Zimbabwe in five T20Is in Harare which get underway on July 6. With the senior players rested, Shubman Gill will lead the squad which features Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Tushar Deshpande, all of whom received maiden India call-ups.India squad for T20I series in ZimbabweᏚhubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande

The legspinner picked up 4 for 28 before Taylor anchored the chase with an unbeaten 28 off 26 balls

Madushka Balasuriya26-Jun-2024

Afy Fletcher picked up 4 for 23•SLC

Stafanie Taylor scored an unbeaten 28 off 26 balls after Afy Fletcher’s four-for had kept Sri Lanka under check, as West Indies secured a six-wicket win in a rain-affected game in Hambantota to level the three-match T20I series 1-1. This was also West Indies’ first win of the tour.Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 99 in 15 overs, Taylor and captain Hayley Matthews provided the visitors with an ideal start of 44 runs in 6.5 overs, and in the process ensured West Indies were always ahead of the DLS-par score.After Matthews fell to a Sachini Nisansala arm ball, Taylor then ensured she was around to anchor the chase.In an 18-ball 24-run second-wicket partnership with Shemaine Campbelle, she took a backseat choosing to give strike to her more aggressive partner, who contributed 16 off 13. The subsequent dismissals of Campbelle, Qiana Joseph and Chedean Nation came about as a result of West Indies’ positive approach, but the required rate was always below run a ball.Aaliyah Alleyne then finished off any lingering hopes Sri Lanka might have harboured with a trio of boundaries off Kavisha Dilhari in the penultimate over of the innings.At no point though had West Indies let the game get out of hand. While Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu were going strong in their 44-run opening partnership, that had still come at a touch under run a ball. And once Fletcher spun one past Athapaththu to disturb her stumps, none of the other batters could up the scoring rate on a sluggish surface.Gunaratne hung around for a laboured 24 off 35, but was trapped lbw in the 14th over by a Fletcher googly. Earlier, the legspinner, who had utilised the strong cross breeze to good effect, snuck one under Imesha Dulani’s attempted sweep and then had Harshitha Samarawickrama top-edging on the way to figures of 4 for 23.Dilhari had briefly shown some promise of a late counterattack scoring 14 not out off just six balls that included two boundaries when rain brought the first innings to an abrupt end after 15.2 overs.

Last season, Liverpool won the Premier League. And they are acting like it. We haven’t even reached July, but FSG have already signed Bayer Leverkusen duo Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong as well as Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

It’s a time of great excitement for those of a Reds persuasion. However, Arne Slot’s squad aren’t without their foibles.

Falling in the Champions League’s last 16 against eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain was a bitter pill to swallow, and that frustrating result was followed by defeat against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

PSG deserved their victory and the Magpies did too. It was one stretch too far for the Merseysiders, who had already exceeded expectations to take a commanding lead that was indeed defended in England’s top flight.

Depth proved Liverpool’s issue. Slot was loath to enforce rotation last term, and the trickling-out of some of the side’s fringe players – like Jarell Quansah, with Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez soon to follow – illustrated that.

Quansah is signing for Bayer Leverkusen, and with Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain as Real Madrid lurk (again), Liverpool need a new centre-back.

Liverpool chasing new centre-back

There’s one man who stands above other Liverpool defensive targets right now: Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace defender is just one year away from free agency, and FSG are starting to circle.

Though Tottenham Hotspur saw a £70m bid rejected for the England international only last January, Palace chairman Steve Parish will know that time is running out if he wishes to recuperate some funds from his prized defensive asset.

Some reports suggest Liverpool are closing in on Guehi’s signature, but in all likelihood, there will be something of a pause in the Anfield offices now that the bulk of the club’s summer activity has been sealed pronto.

It would be wise, then, for sporting director Richard Hughes to closely assess the market for potential alternatives. If reports are to be believed, such a player has been identified.

Liverpool identify Guehi alternative

According to Caught Offside, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has been earmarked by Richard Hughes and Co as a potential option in central defence, though this would be a contentious move indeed.

Not that Liverpool would care if they got the job done. Branthwaite, 22, is also attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United after revealing a desire to move clubs in March after being overlooked by Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel.

Everton believe their star defender is one of the most talented in the business, and as such have slapped a £70m price tag on his name.

What Jarrad Branthwaite would bring to Liverpool

While Guehi’s contract situation would likely see him prove a more cost-efficient solution for Liverpool, Branthwaite is an incredibly fearsome protector, and he’s left-footed besides.

Returning from a successful loan spell with PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2023, Branthwaite has since become a star member at Everton, playing 65 matches in the Premier League, winning the club’s Players’ Player of the Season for 2023/24.

It might seem ludicrous to think that Liverpool and Everton would do business on the transfer front, but the Hill Dickinson Stadium side are interested in Ben Doak, who is valued at £30m.

Tough-tackling and shrewdly talented on the technical front, the 6 foot 5 star is bound to earn himself a move to a club competing in the Champions League sooner or later, and Liverpool could do a lot worse, especially as Slot’s first-class coaching would prove the perfect way to develop Branthwaite’s ball-playing game.

That said, it’s not all that bad as it is. Indeed, looking at Branthwaite’s metrics in the top flight last season when contrasted with Guehi’s, you begin to see that maybe moving for the Everton man wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

Matches (starts)

30 (28)

34 (34)

Goals

0

3

Assists

1

2

Clean sheets

8

11

Touches*

51.9

64.9

Pass completion

83%

84%

Key passes*

0.1

0.5

Ball recoveries*

3.1

4.3

Dribbles (success)*

0.1 (60%)

0.4 (86%)

Tackles + interceptions*

2.1

2.6

Clearances*

6.3

4.6

Duels (won)*

3.9 (63%)

4.9 (59%)

As you can see, Branthwaite is more accurate in the duel than his positional peer while also producing a shedload more clearances on average. He’s far less mobile, but a 60% dribble success rate does point toward a latent ball-carrying ability that could be hammered into shape over at Anfield.

It’s important to remember that Branthwaite operates in a system which actively dampens ball-playing expansiveness, and that, even so, he has maintained a decent degree of passing success, almost as accurate on the ball as Guehi, if less progressive with his distribution.

And anyway, the hulking Blues star is just a phenomenal defender, strong as an ox and sturdy as steel. Talent scout Jacek Kulig has even gone as far as to declare him “an absolute monster” for the Toffees.

Could Branthwaite make the leap? The gulf on Merseyside is chasmic, after all.

Well, though it’s difficult to pull meaningful passing data from his Everton efforts last term, for Sean Dyche and David Moyes both employ counter-attacking and somewhat pragmatic styles, he still finished the year ranked among the top 20% of centre-backs for assists and the top 13% for switches, as per FBref, almost indicating a Virgil van Dijk-like approach to passing.

Hailed as an “incredible” part of Everton’s team by reporter Joe Thomas, Liverpool would certainly ruffle a few feathers if they got this one over the line in the coming months.

But if the Eagles play hardball and efforts to sign Guehi prove fruitless, this Englishman might just be the perfect alternative. And who knows, maybe he’d even prove the better signing.

He'd be Wirtz 2.0: Liverpool stand a "chance" of signing the "next Mbappe"

Liverpool believe they have a good chance to sign a star who would be a Florian Wirtz repeat.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 26, 2025

India are set to tour South Africa in November this year to play four T20Is. The matches will be played between November 8 and 15 across Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg.It is understood that these four T20Is were the ones postponed when India toured South Africa in 2021, the schedule of which was rejigged following the surge of Covid-19 cases in South Africa. India played just three Tests and three ODIs then, and a CSA release had said that the T20Is will be “rescheduled for a more opportune time in the new year”. South Africa had won both the Test and ODI series then.The teams had then agreed to play these matches later but couldn’t find a window. India had also toured South Africa in December 2023 for an all-format series consisting of three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests, all part of the 2023-27 FTP. The T20I and Test series were drawn 1-1, while India won the ODIs 2-1.

India’s T20I tour of SA 2024

• 1st T20I on November 8 – Kingsmead, Durban

• 2nd T20I on November 10 – St George’s Park, Gqeberha

• 3rd T20I on November 13 – SuperSport Park, Centurion

• 4th T20I on November 15 – Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Hosting India is a financial lifesaver for most boards, and CSA is no different. It is understood that the broadcast revenues from one T20 equals over R150 million (US $8.4 million). CSA declared a loss of R119 million for the last financial year.”I would like to thank the BCCI for their continued support to South Africa’s cricket, and world cricket in general,” Lawson Naidoo, CSA chairperson, said. “Any tour by the Indian cricket team to our shores is filled with amazing camaraderie and exciting cricket, and I know our fans will be eagerly awaiting this series which will showcase the exceptional talent from both teams.”

The summer transfer window has now closed. Well, the first window, in any case, opened to accommodate the needs of the incipient Club World Cup.

For Newcastle United, concrete movements have been withheld at this stage, albeit with the completion of Lloyd Kelly’s permanent move to Juventus banking £20m for the Tynesiders.

Eddie Howe does want improvements as his Magpies swoop back into the Champions League, however. England defender Marc Guehi and Brentford’s right-sided superstar Bryan Mbeumo have been shortlisted, but the latter has since stressed his desire to sign for Manchester United.

With Miguel Almiron having departed in January, right wing remains a priority position, and Newcastle have centred their sights on an interesting Mbeumo alternative.

Newcastle begin talks for new forward

Amid speculation over moves for Premier League wingers Anthony Elanga and Mohammed Kudus, it’s another plying their trade in England that’s of attention right now.

Indeed, according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have opened talks with Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro, with Howe a huge fan and the Seagulls ready to sell.

Available for a figure below £60m, the 23-year-old would fall into a similar financial ballpark as the £60m-rated Mbeumo, thus confirming United have the means to launch an official bid.

Pedro has even expressed a desire to play for Newcastle in a different role – and as it happens, Howe needs some more firepower on the right flank.

Why Newcastle should sign Joao Pedro

Two years ago, having signed for Brighton from Watford in a deal of roughly £30m, Pedro has established himself as one of the most dynamic forwards in England’s top tier, posting 30 goals and ten assists across 70 appearances.

Not just a goalscorer, Pedro ranked among the top 1% of forwards during the 2024/25 Premier League season for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

As it happens, such balanced performances have drawn Mbeumo up as one of his most comparable players. The Cameroon international, principally a right winger but more than capable as a focal frontman, scored 20 goals across 38 top-flight fixtures last year.

But he’s not just a marksman: Mbeumo created 17 big chances, and completed 1.4 dribbles and won 4.2 duels on average across the year; Pedro, meanwhile, created 11 big chances, averaging 1.1 dribbles and 4.9 duels per outing, metrics courtesy of Sofascore.

With Brighton’s star forward showcasing such an exciting range of creative and athletic qualities, and with a wealth of experience across various attacking roles, it might just be a deal that works out for the Toon, having profiled Mbeumo extensively.

Centre-forward

119

34

18

Left winger

40

14

0

Attacking midfield

27

11

1

Right winger

5

0

0

Mbeumo might be the talk of the town in the goalscoring department, but Pedro’s not exactly a shoddy shooter himself. In fact, content creator Ryan Adsett has praised the star’s “world-class” finishing, drawing attention to his “magnificent technique.”

Moreover, the Brazilian’s willingness to play ‘out of position’ bespeaks his intelligence and maturity, for he understands Alexander Isak is a moveless monolith at number nine, so staggeringly good at his job that few – if any – strikers playing football today would be able to take his place.

Who knows, Pedro’s ability to thrive across any number of areas could see him become an even better fit in the long term than the Bees man, with Howe known to use such protean profiles, like that of Anthony Gordon, across the frontline.

If Pedro really is willing to play out on the right to best serve the Newcastle project, this has got to be a deal PIF see over the line. His dynamism and desire to play at St. James’ Park suggest he could become the latest superstar created under Howe’s wing.

Better than Elanga: Newcastle holding talks over "generational" £84m star

Newcastle are in the market for a new right-sided forward this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 10, 2025

Liverpool aren’t messing about this summer, pulling in high-level signings from every which way. However, this is not so much scattergun spending as the product of calculated, expeditious planning.

Florian Wirtz, for example, was brought in from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, the British record, after Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.5m release clause was activated. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez has since finalised his move to Merseyside.

While Wirtz is the cream of the crop, heralded as a “generational talent” by Bundesliga commentator Dan O’Hagan, Liverpool still need a striker, especially as uncertainty around Luis Diaz’s future continues to rumble on.

Why Liverpool need a striker

Arne Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season without a focal frontman. Well, without an in-form central striker, at least. Such were Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez’s woes that Diaz was redefined as a false nine, almost exclusively used on the left wing by Jurgen Klopp.

Mohamed Salah

38

29

18

Luis Diaz

36

13

7

Cody Gakpo

35

10

5

Diogo Jota

26

6

4

Darwin Nunez

30

5

3

Federico Chiesa

6

–

1

So then, it seems pretty justified that Slot wants a new centre-forward, especially as Nunez is currently in the process of signing for Napoli, a move that’s definitely not done yet.

And with Diaz also facing rumours of a summer exit, FSG are perhaps going to need to dip into the coffers once again. Slot’s Colombian star, who is 28, is frustrated that Liverpool are prepared to run his contract down, expiring in two years, instead of cashing in or discussing a renewal, and would consider leaving as Barcelona and Saudi Arabian suitors circle.

We all know Alexander Isak is the glinting jewel in the eyes of Liverpool’s overlords, but Newcastle United aren’t really willing to part with their star man, pricing him at an exorbitant £200m.

Luckily, Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, knows his stuff and has already earmarked an exciting alternative.

Liverpool eyeing Isak alternative

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are interested in signing Benjamin Sesko this summer, having done their due diligence on the RB Leipzig striker.

Newcastle are ready to make Isak the highest-paid player in their history, so it makes sense that Hughes has turned toward Sesko.

The Slovenian star is only 22 but has made waves in the Bundesliga over the past couple of years. It must be said that Arsenal are leading the race, with Sesko valued between £68-85m, but Liverpool may yet shift the odds by tabling an official offer.

Why Liverpool want Benjamin Sesko

Sesko isn’t the only striker on Liverpool’s radar. In fact, Bailey’s above-mentioned report reveals an interest in Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres too, but the 27-year-old Sweden international would be the wrong choice for FSG to make.

Now, Sesko is still loading on the striking scene, but he’s already revealed himself to be a sensation in the making in Germany, hailed as a ball-striking “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson after scoring 39 goals and adding eight assists across 81 Leipzig appearances.

Athletic, powerful and rangy, Sesko has all the properties to become a superstar on Premier League shores, even dubbed “the new Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

RB Leipzig

24/25

45

21

RB Leipzig

23/24

42

18

RB Salzburg

22/23

41

18

RB Salzburg

20/21

37

11

RB Salzburg

20/21

1

0

FC Liefering

20/21

29

21

FC Liefering

19/20

15

1

Manchester City’s goalscoring talisman needs no introduction, and if Liverpool could get their hands on their own version, Slot would move one step closer to defending his Premier League title.

It might seem that Gyokeres would be the better pick for the Merseysiders; he’s scored 97 goals across 102 matches for Sporting, after all.

However, this isn’t so. Liverpool, let’s not forget, signed Nunez after his 34-goal campaign with Portuguese giants Benfica in 2021/22, and for a towering £64m fee (the full £85m payment has not been reached).

Nunez’s prolific streak over on Iberian territory hasn’t translated to life in the Premier League, where life is tougher, the opponents stronger, the pace faster. A maverick though he is, Nunez has struggled to bring it all together, not just profligate but prone to drifting through games.

The 6 foot 4 Sesko might not be the finished article, but he’s definitely got more about him from an athletic standpoint, ranked among the top 11% of centre-forwards across Europe last season for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Of course, to discredit Gyokeres’ qualities simply because he walks the same ground as Nunez before him would make a feeble argument, but he’s 27 and has yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s big five leagues, whereas Sesko has demonstrated his qualities in Germany, scoring incredible strikes such as this one against Bayern Munich.

Furthermore, Sesko only failed to convert ten big chances in the Bundesliga last term, as per Sofascore, scoring 13 times. This illustrates a natural-born goalscoring prowess, of course, but also composure and the level-headedness required to hit the ground running in the Premier League. Gyokeres, for comparison, missed 23 big chances over in Portugal.

With a Haaland-esque style of play and several years of invaluable experience cutting his teeth in Germany’s top flight, Sesko is ready to make the leap over to England and start expanding his potential on the European stage.

While Sesko is raw, an uncut gem, he’s a jewel all the same, and one who would arrive at an Anfield side both fronted by an elite coach in Slot and thick with incredible creative players such as Wirtz and Mohamed Salah.

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