Tag Futebol

It’s a big season for West Ham United ahead, as they attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 14th-place finish last time out in the Premier League.

Before last campaign’s drop-off, the Hammers had managed to secure a satisfactory ninth spot under David Moyes, with a Europa League journey that ended at the quarter-final stages also impressing the London Stadium faithful.

Now, it’s up to Graham Potter to turn around his side’s unconvincing form, with the free transfer pick-up of Kyle Walker-Peters already catching the eye as he goes about improving his team all across the pitch.

Of course, away from chasing after new defenders, a fresh attacker to replace the void left behind by Mohammed Kudus is also a must to try and soften the £55m playmaker’s exit.

West Ham make contact over £30m deal

Replacing Kudus will be easier said than done, however, with the now Tottenham Hotspur attacker picking up a blistering 25 goal contributions in East London overall.

Yet, the Hammers will have targets in mind who they believe can come in and make Kudus’ departure an instant thing of the past, with James McAtee one exciting face they potentially have in mind to rebuild, as the Telegraph reports that the Manchester City reserve forward is available for around the £35m region.

Moving away from just McAtee, though, and West Ham could opt to go down a more unconventional route when seeking out immediate replacements.

Journalist Alan Nixon has revealed – via his Patreon – that contact has been initiated between Georgiy Sudakov at Shakhtar Donetsk and Potter’s men over a deal taking place.

Nixon states that West Ham view the Ukrainian attacking midfielder as a viable body that can come in and fill the gaping hole left behind by Kudus’ departure, with Sudakov costing just a little less than McAtee at the £30m mark.

The sale of the 24-year-old to North London would allow for this bumper deal to go ahead, as the 22-year-old Donetsk gem attempts to take the English game by storm on his arrival, much like Kudus managed when leaving Ajax behind in 2023.

How Sudakov can be Kudus 2.0

Kudus’ entry into the Premier League two years ago was met with some intrigue, with the two-time Eredivisie winner rising the ranks at the Netherlands giants to become a well-known explosive asset in attack, after joining from Danish side FC Nordsjælland.

In total, the 5-foot-9 menace would fire home 27 strikes across 87 Ajax outings, with his career tally bumped by another 20 goals when strutting his stuff in style wearing West Ham claret and blue.

Kudus would have to exercise patience waiting for his moment to shine in the English game – having been touted for a move to top-flight behemoth Manchester United before sealing a move to the Irons – with Sudakov wanting to now take this opportunity with both hands himself if a switch was sealed, having showed off his class for Donetsk over many a season now.

Indeed, Sudakov’s sublime solo strike in the Champions League versus Young Boys, which can be seen above, was just one of 15 strikes the 22-year-old managed to register for Arda Turan’s men last season, meaning he might well be ready to embark on that monumental leap to the Premier League now.

Sudakov’s numbers for Donetsk by season
Season	Games	Goals	Assists
24/25	39	15	6
23/24	34	10	6
22/23	41	5	11
21/22	12	4	1
20/21	14	1	0
Sourced by Transfermarkt

After all – much like Kudus must have felt when he was still situated at Ajax – Sudakov will be desperate for a fresh and daunting challenge, having now potentially hit his ceiling in his native Ukraine after slowly but surely improving year after year at the Premier Liga outfit to be where he is today.

Capable of also slotting in down the wing if needed, like his Ghananian counterpart, this might well be a golden signing West Ham boast about down the line, with the potential for the “intelligent” midfielder – as he’s been hailed by football analyst Ben Mattinson – to also be transformed into a £55m superstar at the London Stadium.

For West Ham’s sake, however, let’s hope Sudakov feels content enough to stick it out with Potter and Co. for the long term, even if he does explode into life, over being seen as a one-time top performer who defected over to enemy lines.

West Ham now battling Sunderland to sign "aggressive" Bundesliga winner

The Hammers have had a first-hand look at his quality.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 19, 2025

Manchester United are now moving quickly to finalise deals for a £69m striker and a £22m midfielder, according to a report.

Man Utd now looking to sign new striker

Ruben Amorim has set out to bring in a new striker this summer, given that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were subjected to widespread criticism last season, and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is still in the manager’s sights.

Gyokeres had been expected to seal a move to Arsenal, but the deal has now stalled, potentially opening the door for a move to Old Trafford, although Fabrizio Romano believes the centre-forward has little interest in signing for United.

As such, the Red Devils may be forced to move on to alternative options, and they are now stepping up their pursuit of a different striker, alongside Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, who reportedly reached a verbal agreement over a move to Old Trafford last week.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Man United are now moving quickly to finalise a €25m (£22m) deal for Guerra, alongside a €80m (£69m) deal for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, meaning their total spending would amount to £91m for the duo.

Amorim is said to have personally requested the addition of a new striker and a midfielder to complement his double pivot, with Guerra and Sesko now emerging as serious targets.

Royal Antwerp braced and expecting Man Utd bid to arrive for their star player

United made contact over the weekend…

ByBrett Worthington Jul 22, 2025

Marcus Rashford is now Barcelona-bound, which will free up space in the squad, while the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony could also be moved on if significant offers arrive.

Sesko and Guerra could be statement signings for Man Utd

A number of the Premier League’s top clubs have been linked with Sesko this summer, and for good reason, given that the Slovenian has been lauded as a “monster” by journalist Eduardo Hagn.

The 22-year-old amassed a very respectable 13 goals and five assists in 33 Bundesliga outings last season, and given his age, there is likely to be plenty of room to develop even further.

With Casemiro ageing, it will also be important for Amorim to bring in a new central midfielder this summer, and Guerra could have what it takes to be a success at Old Trafford, having been lauded as an “intelligent” player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The Valencia star amassed six goal contributions in La Liga last season, showcasing his attacking talents, while he was one of just six U23 central midfielders to complete 50+ tackles and 50+ take-ons, indicating the Spaniard is a very well-rounded player.

We might say it most years, but this time, it feels particularly true: this summer is going to be a massive one for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side found themselves finishing runners-up in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce this season and ended a fifth campaign running without a major trophy.

So, while keeping their star players fit and on the pitch is going to be key to finally getting over the line next season, it’s just as crucial that Andrea Berta and Co help the manager by bringing in some brilliant talents in the coming weeks and months.

The good news is that, based on recent reports, that seems to be happening, as the Gunners have now been linked with a midfield destroyer who’s won comparisons to the legendary Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal's midfield mix-up

While fans and pundits alike are calling for Arsenal to go out and sign a new number nine and at least one winger – understandably so – it’s arguably just as important that the club bring in some midfield reinforcements.

Transfer Focus

After all, Jorginho left to join Flamengo and, based on recent reports from Fabrizio Romano, the talks over a new contract for Thomas Partey are not advancing, and the possibility of him leaving is now “concrete.”

Fortunately, the Romano has also reaffirmed that the deal to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is set to proceed, with the club offering around £51m set to be paid in installments.

Yet, that still means the Premier League runners-up will be short a midfielder unless they move ahead to sign Lucien Agoumé.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are interested in the Sevilla star.

The report claims that the Gunners see the young Frenchman as a potential replacement for Partey, although to get him through the doors, the Spanish side will need to buy out the remaining 40% of his rights from Inter Milan.

It’s unclear how much he would cost Arsenal, but as the £17k-per-week gem joined the Andalusian side for €4m – £3.4m – last summer, he might not cost too much.

Moreover, with comparisons to Vieira and the possibility of seeing him play with Zubimendi, this is a deal worth pursuing.

Why Agoume would be a great signing

So, before looking at how he could complement and learn from Zubimendi, it’s worth looking into this comparison to Vieira and where it comes from, as the former Invincible is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s greatest players ever.

Well, in this instance, it stems from the respected talent scout Jacek Kulig, who completed a profile on the youngster all the way back in 2019, when he concluded that the star most similar to his style of play was the Gunners’ former captain.

He came to this conclusion by pointing out the mirrored strengths in his game, such as his ability to control the midfield through a combination of pinpoint accurate passes and immense physical and mental strength.

These attributes haven’t left him in the years since that initial report either, with data analyst Ben Mattinson waxing lyrical about him in the winter, describing him as someone who is “composed at dictating the tempo,” a “good dueller” on the ground and in the air, and just as importantly, is a primarily defensive midfielder who’s “very progressive.”

We can see a lot of this in his outstanding underlying numbers, with FBref placing him in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for percentage of successful take-ons, the top 4% for tackles plus interceptions, the top 5% for just interceptions, the top 9% for average shot distance, the top 12% for goals per shot on target and more, all per 90.

Agoumé’s scout report
Statistics	Per 90	Percentile
Successful Take-On %	73.3%	Top 3%
Tackles + Interceptions	4.73	Top 4%
Interceptions	1.75	Top 5%
Tackles (Mid 3rd)	1.58	Top 6%
Average Shot Distance	15.00	Top 9%
Goals/Shot on Target	0.50	Top 12%
Aerials Won	1.79	Top 13%
Tackles	2.98	Top 14%
All Stats via FBref

So, if Partey is going to be leaving and Zubimendi is going to come in as the starting six, that could create the perfect environment for the Sevilla ace to come in as an understudy to the Spaniard, learn the role without much pressure and eventually – perhaps sooner than some would expect – begin to provide some real competition.

Moreover, given his similarities to Vieira in his tenacity and silky passing range, there is no reason he couldn’t start in a double pivot with the Sociedad star in certain games or come off the bench to form one when the team need to hold on to a lead.

Ultimately, the “extraordinary” ace, as dubbed by former Sevilla manager Enrique Sanchez Flores, might not be a household name just yet, but Agoumé looks like he’s on track to becoming one, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign him now, before his price tag skyrockets this season.

He'd make Saka more unplayable: Arsenal open talks to sign £90m "machine"

Arsenal could make Saka even more unplayable by signing a £90m star.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 19, 2025

The wheels came off West Bromwich Albion’s 2024/25 campaign alarmingly quickly.

It all started when Carlos Corberan left the building at the end of December, leaving the Baggies with the extremely tough task of replacing the Spaniard mid-way through what they hoped would be a promotion-winning season in the Championship.

Unfortunately, Tony Mowbray came in and depressingly faltered instead, with the 61-year-old subsequently relieved of his duties as his side fell out of the playoff picture.

It can’t all be blamed on the seasoned EFL manager, however.

The likes of Adam Armstrong also struggled in a league he usually shines in, as seen in the Southampton loanee only firing home a limp three strikes from 16 games after a late January swoop.

Armstrong’s West Brom numbers
Stat	Armstrong
Games played	16
Games started	12
Goals scored	3
Assists	0
Big chances missed	4
Goal conversion %	12%
Stats by Sofascore

Therefore, this might make the Baggies think twice about going after Armstrong permanently now his loan deal has expired, with these three strikers perhaps on the West Brom shopping list instead to try and bolster their firepower.

1

Marc Guiu

West Brom could boldly go down the route of exploring the loan market once more with Chelsea hotshot Marc Guiu, irrespective of Armstrong’s poor stint at the Hawthorns.

After all, the Baggies have succeeded in the past when gifting an up-and-coming starlet chances away from Stamford Bridge, with Romelu Lukaku once just a wide-eyed attacker like Guiu before exploding into life in the West Midlands.

Guiu would hope to follow in the deadly Belgian’s footsteps if he is picked up by the promotion-aspiring Baggies this summer, having previously reportedly been on their radar around the time of Armstrong’s move.

The promising 19-year-old managed to bag six goals for Enzo Maresca’s men last season despite limited first-team action, meaning more game-time to come down a division could get even more out of the raw Spaniard.

2

Willem Geubbels

West Brom could be up against it in attempting to land the services of St. Gallen star Willem Geubbels, considering he is being linked with a £4.6m move to Premier League-bound Leeds United.

But, never say never over the Swiss attacker wanting more game-time by relocating to the Hawthorns instead, having been a long-term target on the Baggies’ agenda.

His goalscoring expertise in the Swiss Super League has even resulted in football talent scout Jacek Kulig heralding Geubbels as an “absolute top talent” and for many a valid reason too, considering the 23-year-old has hammered home an impressive 17 strikes this season from 41 overall clashes.

Therefore, the in-demand Frenchman could push a returning Josh Maja for a starting spot next campaign if he were to move to England, away from also allowing West Brom to immediately forget about Armstrong’s frustrating spell.

3

Ali Al-Hamadi

Lastly, away from thinking outside the box by shopping in Europe or snapping up a rising top-flight star, West Brom could go after a centre-forward talent full to the brim with EFL experience in Ali Al-Hamadi.

The Iraq international didn’t set the world alight out on loan with Stoke City this season just gone when registering only two weak goals from 15 games, but he has proven in the past for parent side Ipswich Town in the Championship that he’s a reliable option to call upon when the deadlock needs to be broken.

Al-Hamadi’s league numbers for Ipswich (23/24)
Stat (* = per game)	Al Hamadi
Games played	14
Games started	1
Minutes averaged*	22
Goals scored	4
Assists	0
Scoring frequency*	72 mins
Stats by Sofascore

Staggeringly, despite only starting one league game for Kieran McKenna’s men during their promotion-winning campaign, the former AFC Wimbledon man would still fire home a blistering four strikes, leaving him with a devastatingly effective scoring frequency of every 72 minutes.

It would all just depend on whether the Tractor Boys would want to keep the dangerous 23-year-old around now they’ve slumped back down to the EFL, but if he is available again, West Brom could seriously boost their promotion efforts by landing their failed January target.

West Brom could finally replace Palmer in swoop for "exceptional" EFL star

West Brom could finally replace Alex Palmer by swooping for this free agent EFL star.

By
Dan Emery

May 23, 2025

Bruno Fernandes is the obvious recent example of a Manchester United signing who hit the ground running at Old Trafford, although just over a decade ago, it was Robin van Persie who proved an instant hit under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Having been stung on the final day of the 2011/12 campaign, Fergie – who was entering what would prove to be his final season in charge of United – was hellbent on wrestling back the title, thus identifying the Dutchman as the potential difference-maker in the race for Premier League glory.

A £24m fee was agreed to controversially pluck the experienced striker – then 29 – from rivals Arsenal, with the player himself memorably stating at the time that the boy inside of him was “screaming for United”.

Right from the off, the club’s new number 20 looked set to be the man to lead the Red Devils to a 20th league title, scoring the first of his 26 top-flight goals that season on his home debut against Swansea City.

While the following two years may have been a disappointment on an individual and collective basis, in the wake of Ferguson’s retirement, Van Persie still managed to depart in 2015 with a healthy record of 58 goals in just 105 games in all competitions.

Season

Player

Goals

2024/25*

Bruno Fernandes

8

2023/24

Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund

10

2022/23

Marcus Rashford

17

2021/22

Cristiano Ronaldo

18

2020/21

Bruno Fernandes

18

2019/20

Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial

17

2018/19

Paul Pogba

13

2017/18

Romelu Lukaku

16

2016/17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

17

2015/16

Anthony Martial

11

2014/15

Wayne Rooney

12

2013/14

Wayne Rooney

17

2012/13

Robin van Persie

26

How Ruben Amorim could do with a player of that clinical ilk now…

Latest on Man Utd's striker search

It remains to be seen just which marquee centre-forward will be brought in to Old Trafford this summer, with a cut-price move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen having been touted, while there were also claims that an agreement was close for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Asked about his former talisman ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Athletic Bilbao, Amorim claimed that he had not spoken to the prolific Swede, while also outlining that any player who was merely chasing Champions League football would not end up at United.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, talk is rife over a move for Ipswich Town’s £30m-rated marksman, Liam Delap, albeit with GIVEMESPORT outlining that the Manchester side are considering alternatives to the 22-year-old, should a move for the Englishman prove too difficult.

Transfer Focus

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

Indeed, the report suggests that Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick has emerged as something of a wildcard option in reserve, with United said to be considering engaging in talks with the Bundesliga side, if they do decide to turn their attention away from Delap.

In the case of Schick, the Czech striker is viewed as an ‘attainable alternative’ for Amorim and co, not least considering that he could have a price tag of ‘just’ £34m this summer.

With a healthy goal return to his name too this season, a left-field move for the 29-year-old may certainly have its merits.

Why Man Utd could be targeting the next Van Persie

Figures such as Gyokeres and Osimhen may be the names on everyone’s lips heading into yet another pivotal window for the Red Devils, although it would be foolish to overlook the impact that Schick can make.

Described as “a proven goalscorer” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley – who also tipped him to be an “[Alexander] Isak replacement” for Newcastle United – the 6 foot 3 ace has scored 25 goals in all competitions this term, including a standout total of 19 Bundesliga goals thus far.

That follows on from the Prague native’s vital role in Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic season under Xabi Alonso in 2023/24, in which the towering striker scored 13 times despite only starting 18 games, amid early struggles due to injury.

A player who now boasts 79 goals in 165 games for the German outfit, Schick has three games remaining to break the 20-goal barrier in the league. As alluded to in the prior table, now player has scored 20 top-flight goals in a season for United since Van Persie.

Not only are both men prolific finishers in front of goal, but they are also stylistically similar as left-footers, with Schick mirroring the former Netherlands star with his quality on the volley, as indicated with his stunner for Leverkusen back in 2020.

Van Persie famously sealed the title for Ferguson and co with that volley from range against Aston Villa in April 2013, having latched onto Wayne Rooney’s lofted pass before rifling home in expert fashion.

Like mentioned with his 2020 strike for his club, Schick is also no stranger to the spectacular, having also memorably scored from just inside the opposition half for his country against Scotland at Euro 2020.

In a similar mould to Van Persie too, the former Roma man is simply an out-and-out poacher and an ‘old fashioned number nine’ – as remarked by pundit Chris Sutton – with 17 of his 19 league goals coming inside the penalty area in 2024/25.

A player who also ranks in the top 1% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, Schick may represent the ruthless finisher that Amorim desperately needs in order to replace the struggling Rasmus Hojlund.

Yes, he may represent something of a short-term fix due to his age, much like Van Persie, although if the £34m man can spearhead United to a dramatic improvement next term, then such a decision could prove a masterstroke.

Like prime Rashford: Man Utd keen to sign "one of the best STs out there"

Man Utd could be looking to sign a player with shades of Marcus Rashford…

ByRobbie Walls Apr 30, 2025

If it wasn’t already evident, Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Everton potentially proved the final nail in the coffin for Arsenal’s title hopes, with the Gunners slipping to their 11th Premier League draw of the campaign at Goodison Park.

With the gap now at 11 points – and with leaders Liverpool in action on Sunday afternoon – all hope looks to be lost for Mikel Arteta’s side. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

The north Londoners will rightly point to further controversy surrounding officiating following the bizarre decision to penalise Myles Lewis-Skelly for a foul on Jack Harrison, although the injury-hit visitors will be ruing their failure to kill the game off once again.

Indeed, as noted by Opta, the trip to Merseyside represented the seventh time this season that Arteta’s men have been drawn a game despite taking the lead – the most of any team in the division – with even the return of Bukayo Saka failing to provide the desired effect on this occasion.

The Emirates outfit will point to the absence of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz amid those goalscoring woes, albeit with the stricken pair having scored just 12 league goals between them this term, it is evident that a new centre-forward remains the priority this summer.

Latest on Arsenal's search for a striker

The hope will be that signing a striker will prove the difference for the Gunners next term, albeit it is not guaranteed that such a move will help to end the lengthy wait for league glory, with Liverpool, for instance, looking set to romp to glory despite lacking a prolific, consistent number nine.

That said, having failed to add a new marksman since the signing of Jesus back in the summer of 2022, the striking berth remains the focus this summer, with rumours already rife regarding a move for Sporting CP sensation, Viktor Gyokeres.

The towering Swede isn’t the only figure on Arsenal’s shortlist, however, with Anfield Watch reporting that the north Londoners are among the clubs showing an interest in Eintracht Frankfurt starlet, Hugo Ekitike.

Transfer Focus

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

As per the report, while it is Liverpool who are working on a deal for the 22-year-old, both the Gunners and Manchester United have also held talks with the Frenchman’s representatives, with those negotiations said to have been ‘positive’.

As such, the suggestion is that all three Premier League sides will be battling for the in-form striker’s signature this summer, with Frankfurt said to be willing to cash in for a fee of around £68m.

If Arsenal are to win that race over the coming months, there would certainly be shades of Nicolas Anelka about that exciting deal.

Why Arsenal could be targeting the next Anelka

It is hard to ignore Thierry Henry when discussing French strikers who ripped up in north London, yet before the club’s record scorer, there was Anelka, with the now-retired marksman arriving as a 17-year-old back in 1997, before going on to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award in that double-winning campaign.

While far younger than Ekitike currently is, Anelka mirrors his compatriot in having been schooled by Paris Saint-Germain for a time, with the ex-Chelsea man rising up through the club’s youth ranks before making his first-team debut for the Ligue 1 side in 1996.

As for Ekitike, the 6 foot 3 ace started life on the books at Reims, albeit before then moving to PSG on an initial loan deal in 2022, where he scored just four times in 33 games in all competitions.

Games

27

Goals

13

Scoring frequency

159mins

Big chances missed

12

Assists

4

Big chances created

7

Key passes*

1.4

Pass accuracy*

77%

Successful dribbles*

1.6

It has taken a move to Germany for the youngster to ignite his career, although on recent evidence, he is proving himself to be “one of the strikers out there”, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, with Ekitike simply “ready to explode”.

In 56 games for the Bundesliga side, Ekitike has netted 23 goals and registered a further ten assists, mirroring Anelka in his ability to operate as an out and out centre-forward, or in a left-wing berth.

Like Anelka at the time – who Arsene Wenger described as his “biggest find” during his early years at Highbury – the Frankfurt talisman hasn’t yet reached the status of a household name, although with 19 goals to his name this season, he certainly will do soon.

Not only a clinical finisher, what also sets Ekitike apart is his silky ability in possession, as shown by the fact he ranks among the top 9% of European strikers for progressive carries, as well as in the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.

Like Anelka – who former teammate Martin Keown claimed could “destroy defences” – the former Reims man boasts that perfect blend of speed and trickery, making him a frightening prospect at the top end of the pitch.

While at £68m, Ekitike certainly won’t come cheap, he could represent the perfect, long-term investment for Arteta and co – as long as he sticks around for longer than Anelka did, that is.

Arsenal see "ridiculously good" striker bargain as June 10th deadline mooted

The Gunners think he’s “excellent value”.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 5, 2025

Listen in as the former South Africa speedster bares it all in this chat with ESPNcricinfo

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Oct-202344:21

Stump Mic podcast – Acting, skateboarding and taking wickets: Punk-rock cricket with Dale Steyn

How can fishing teach you about waiting for a catch at slips? Was it difficult to choose between cricket and skateboarding? What music does a fast bowler listen to?Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn joins Kaustubh Kumar and Karthik Iyer to discuss everything from his acting with Adam Sandler in Hollywood and his travels around the world to that iconic Grant Elliott photograph from the 2015 World Cup semi-final.