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Everton are reportedly pursuing a deal to sign Southampton forward Tyler Dibling to bolster David Moyes’ squad before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Toffees have already had one offer, worth £27m, turned down for the English youngster, but Fabrizio Romano claimed that the club are going to go back in with a second bid.

Dibling scored two goals and provided zero assists in 33 appearances in the Premier League for Southampton in the 2024/25 campaign, as they were relegated to the Championship.

Everton would be signing him for his potential, at the age of 19, rather than to make an immediate impact in the final third, given his lack of goal involvements last term.

Meanwhile, the Toffees are reportedly interested in signing another attacking midfielder from a Premier League team who could be a big upgrade on Dibling in the short term.

Everton eyeing up move for Chelsea midfielder

According to The Times, Everton are showing an interest in Chelsea’s central midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as they look to add more quality to the squad.

Transfer Focus

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

The report claims that the club are confident that they can add quality for Moyes, who wants more additions before the Premier League season gets underway, and the Blues midfield talent has emerged as one of their targets they are lining up a swoop for.

It was recently claimed by The Athletic that Chelsea would be willing to entertain offers of around £30m for the former Leicester City star this summer, although it remains to be seen whether or not Everton are prepared to pay that price.

If the Toffees do decide to act upon their interest in Dewsbury-Hall to bring him to Merseyside this summer, he could come in as an even better option than Dibling.

Why Everton should sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Unlike the Southampton youngster, who has two goals and zero assists at league level in his senior career, the Chelsea outcast is a midfielder who could arrive to make an instant impact for Moyes.

Dewsbury-Hall only started two games in the Premier League for the Blues last season, but did produce four goals and two assists in 11 starts in the Conference League.

Prior to his move to Chelsea last summer, the 26-year-old talent put in sensational performances in the middle of the park for Leicester in their Championship title-winning season in the 2023/24 campaign.

Appearances

44

xG

10.18

Goals

12

Big chances created

20

Key passes per game

2.5

xA

12.60

Assists

14

As you can see in the table above, the English midfielder delivered a staggering return of 26 goals and assists in 44 appearances in the second tier, which shows that he has the potential to provide quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

That was further evidenced by his aforementioned output as a regular starter in the Conference League for Chelsea last term, which suggests that Everton could sign a player with the ability to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch.

Dewsbury-Hall, who was hailed as “sensational” by former boss Brendan Rodgers, would be a big upgrade on Dibling in the short-term, therefore, as the Saints teenager has yet to prove that he can deliver quality performances on a regular basis.

The left-footed star is Premier League, Championship, and Conference League proven and can step straight in to add goals and assists to Moyes’ side, whereas Dibling would be more of a signing with the future in mind.

Everton are now "ready" to table £38m offer for "complete" overseas star

He could have a big future in the game.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 2, 2025

Overall, both players have their merits and both could be good additions to the team, but Dewsbury-Hall would be a much better signing with the 2025/26 campaign in mind, based on their performances to date.

Aston Villa have now submitted an offer for an “elusive” forward, with his current club open to a sale at the right price, according to a report.

Villa keen on new forward amid Man Utd's Watkins interest

Villa may have a battle on their hands trying to keep hold of Ollie Watkins this summer, given that the England international has attracted widespread interest from elsewhere, and Manchester United are becoming increasingly keen on a deal.

Ruben Amorim’s side have whittled their striker search down to just two targets, and Watkins is one of them, with the Red Devils of the belief they could be able to get a deal over the line for a relatively low sum.

Having also lost Jhon Duran in the January transfer window, there will be a serious need to bring in a new centre-forward if Watkins moves on this summer, and Unai Emery also remains keen on bringing in a new winger.

According to a report, Aston Villa have now submitted a €20m (£17m) offer for Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz, and they have since been slowly increasing their proposal in increments of €1m to €2m.

However, Villa may have to increase their bid significantly if they are to tempt the Turkish club into a sale, as they are thought to be holding out for a fee of €40m (£35m).

Aston Villa now stepping up efforts to sign "incredible" £30m Brazilian ace

There has been a development in Villa’s pursuit of a midfielder, who is also being targeted by Leeds United.

ByDominic Lund Jul 29, 2025

Should an offer in that region arrive, Galatasaray could be tempted to cash-in, but the Villans are not the only Premier League club in the race for his signature, with Nottingham Forest also named as potential suitors.

"Elusive" Yilmaz could be exciting signing for Villa

If Watkins departs, Emery may have to bring in multiple forwards to make up for the Englishman’s attacking contributions, and the Galatasaray star was regularly among the goals last season, picking up 12 goals and three assists in the Turkish Super Lig.

Not only is the 25-year-old a real threat going forward, but he is clearly a very well-rounded player, having performed well from a defensive point of view over the past year, while proving himself as an aerial threat.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

1.97 (90th percentile)

Clearances

1.04 (84th percentile)

Aerials won

2.89 (98th percentile)

Virgil Van Dijk has also made it clear how difficult he has found it to defend against the Turk in the past, saying: “Baris Alper Yilmaz was running constantly. He was running elusive. It was difficult for every defender. He made it very hard for us.”

As a result, Yilmaz could be an exciting acquistion for Villa, but they may need to increase their offer significantly to tempt Galatasaray into a sale.

Derby County are in a race with fellow Championship side Wrexham to sign an experienced international defender, according to a reliable reporter.

Derby complete the signing of striker Patrick Agyemang

On Tuesday, the Rams announced they had completed the transfer of striker Patrick Agyemang, who joins the club from MLS side Charlotte FC. According to the BBC, Agyemang has cost Derby £5.8 million, which could rise to £7.3 million with add-ons, as the 24-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Pride Park.

Derby County now keen to sign £30k-a-week star who has won 3 league titles

The Rams are eyeing experience as they prepare for another season in the Championship.

1 BySean Markus Clifford Jul 13, 2025

The forward has just finished playing in the Gold Cup with the USA, where they were beaten in the final by Mexico, and unfortunately for Derby supporters, they may have to wait a bit before they can see their new signing in action, as the club confirmed in their statement that Agyemang has to undergo routine surgery to address a long-standing hernia problem, meaning he could miss the opening matches of the season.

The American is “excited” to join the Rams and was interested in the move to the Championship side as soon as he heard of their interest: “It’s exciting. I have been hearing good things about the club and the fans as well. I always wanted to be a part of something special. To finally be here, it’s amazing.

“I’ve heard about [the move] once I was getting into the national team for the Gold Cup. In the moment, you’re like: “That’s something I’m interested in!” However, you want to focus on what you’re doing.

“As it starts to progress, you start to look more into it. I knew this was a project I’d love to be a part of. I just hoped for it to get across the line. Happily, it did.”

Derby in race with Wrexham for Egan signing

Agyemang becomes the Rams’ fifth signing of the summer, but he could soon be joined by number six, as according to Pete O’Rourke, Derby are interested in signing defender John Egan from Hull City.

The 32-year-old, who has been capped 36 times by the Republic of Ireland, joined the Tigers in February of this year after six months at Burnley, who he joined on a free transfer after leaving Sheffield United. Egan is still under contract with Hull until 2026 but could be on the move this summer, as Wrexham and Stoke City are also keen on him, as well as the Rams.

Apps

18

Started

9

Clean sheets

1

Interceptions per game

0.2

Tackles per game

0.1

Dribbled past per game

0.1

Clearances per game

3.9

Don Goodman has backed Egan to be a great signing for any of his suitors, saying he was “one of the best central defenders in the Championship for Sheffield United”, albeit urging caution due to the injuries which have limited him to just “24 games over the past three years”.

Keeping Alexander Isak around right up until the early September deadline will have the same buzz as a brand new signing for those at Newcastle United.

It will be a tough few weeks ahead for the Toon as they try and keep a firm grip on their star-man in attack, with Isak potentially having his head turned by a mega-money £200m move to Al-Hilal, away from earlier interest in his coveted services from fellow Premier League outfit Liverpool.

To make matters worse, this chaotic transfer window has also been bumpy – away from Isak eyeing up a move away – when it comes to the amount of failed pursuits the Magpies have had to stomach, with Joao Pedro favouring Chelsea over a St James’ Park switch, on top of any movement for Hugo Ekitike also falling flat.

Still, not all hope is lost that a bold new striker will arrive through the door shortly, as Newcastle prepare to spend big to bolster up top.

Newcastle ready £86m bid for former Premier League striker

After all, Howe and Co. have already flexed their muscles in the hectic transfer market by securing the services of Anthony Elanga for an excessive £55m.

The lavish spending in attack won’t stop there if new reports are anything to go by, with £78m having to be forked out on Newcastle’s end if they want to land RB Leipzig goal machine Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian marksman did chip in with 13 Bundesliga strikes last season, meaning he might be a worthwhile investment, but the Toon might well be better off going after ex-Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez instead.

Indeed, wild reports emerging from Spain seem to indicate that Howe’s side are preparing a move for Alvarez if Isak deserts Tyneside this summer, with a fee around the £86m mark potentially enough to win the Atletico Madrid striker, which would send out shockwaves subsequently.

There is also, of course, the long-term target of Yoane Wissa on Newcastle’s radar, but even with the DR Congo international’s goalscoring prowess in the Premier League making him a catch at £50m, Alvarez does seem to represent a more eye-catching signing, especially as the Toon attempt to wrestle back some authority in the unpredictable market.

Why Alvarez is a more exciting signing than Wissa

Picking up the Argentina international could see lightning strike twice on the end of the Magpies, with Newcastle’s last striker addition from La Liga being Isak. Now, the rest is history, as the Swede has a bumper 54 Premier League strikes next to his name.

Alvarez finds himself stuck on 20 strikes in the top-flight after waving goodbye to the Etihad last year, with Wissa having a slight upper-hand here with a heftier 45 efforts in the taxing division, but it’s his exploits away from just the English game that will have caught Newcastle’s eye even more.

In all competitions last season, the skilful £86m “monster” – as he was once labelled by Argentine journalist Pablo Gonzalez – would end up wiping the floor with Wissa, as seen in his spectacular haul of 29 strikes and seven assists leading the line for Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos.

Amazingly, that’s two more goals than Isak managed across the entirety of last season, as he now ponders a move to the Middle East, whilst also being a whopping 12 goal contributions better off than Wissa’s own tally back at Brentford.

CF

167

86

31

RW

49

12

8

SS

29

11

8

AM

20

8

7

LW

6

2

4

LM

1

0

0

The ball also remains firmly in the South American’s court as a more exciting proposition than Wissa with the ex-River Plate wonderkid turned Madrid royalty an even more adaptable presence than his Congolese counterpart, with the £86m forward more than comfortable to play as an out-and-out striker, as much as he can also slot in as a number ten, or as a winger on either flank with ease.

On the contrary, Wissa has only ever played eight career clashes down the right-hand side or as a number ten, with Alvarez’s weighty price tag now making more sense in terms of what he can offer Howe and Co. away from just being a potent striker option.

With 15 Champions League goals under his belt too, on top of two Premier League title successes in his back pocket for City, landing the “best forward in the world” – as he was branded by reporter Roy Nemer – would be some coup, with Wissa forgotten about in a flash if a statement move was sealed.

Better signing than Trafford: Newcastle line up swoop for £78m "monster"

Newcastle United could be about to win a better signing than James Trafford by landing this £78m monster.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 20, 2025

Chelsea need to balance the books with player sales, in light of their estimated £140 million summer transfer expenditure so far, not to mention pressure from UEFA with regard to FFP.

The Blues are set to receive a bucket-load of prize money from reaching the final of the Club World Cup, having earned a reported £80 million in total from their six games at the tournament so far, but the sheer amount of deadwood on Enzo Maresca’s books needs trimming.

"World-class" player reaches gentleman's agreement to leave Chelsea

He can depart for an obtainable fee.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys and Marcus Bettinelli all departed Stamford Bridge recently and brought in around £19 million, but there are a host of other players in line to depart the west London club.

Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Djordje Petrovic could all reportedly leave Chelsea too, but BlueCo face an almighty task to find all the aforementioned men new homes before deadline day on September 1.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Madueke, and ESPN report that they could agree a £43 million deal with Chelsea by the end of this week, so as things stand, it appears that transfer could be closest to completion.

Petrovic is also attracting a lot of interest after reaching a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ that he can leave Chelsea for £25 million.

The writing has been on the wall for a lot of the previously named Chelsea men for quite some time, but striker Nicolas Jackson could now join them out the door, especially after the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Jackson is “no longer” unsellable, according to multiple reports, and it shows just how quickly things can change in football. The Senegal international was branded one of Maresca’s “most important” players by pundit Joe Cole in May, but Jackson now finds himself in an increasingly precarious situation.

Nicolas Jackson could leave Chelsea in Barcelona loan deal

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona could offer the African a new temporary landing spot.

While talks between the Catalans and Maresca’s side are yet to take place, Barca have apparently “set their sights” on signing Jackson from Chelsea, amid a belief that the 24-year-old would fit perfectly into Hansi Flick’s system.

Chelsea are also said to be open to letting Jackson depart for the Camp Nou on an initial loan deal, on the condition he’s guaranteed game time, so Barca’s hierarchy are closely monitoring the ex-Villarreal gem ahead of a potential swoop.

If Barca do entertain the possibility of signing him permanently in future, perhaps at the end of his loan if he does well enough, then Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea have placed a £52 million price tag on his head – so Barca know exactly what it will take.

Manchester United have already completed one of the signings of the summer transfer window to date, with Matheus Cunha joining in a £62.5m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Brazilian was a man in extreme demand, beating the likes of Nottingham Forest and Arsenal to his signature despite the lack of European football next campaign.

He will certainly hand boss Ruben Amorim a new dimension within the final third, subsequently being able to operate in either a centre-forward role or as a number 10.

Cunha thrived at Molineux this season, scoring 15 goals and registering six assists, a tally that would’ve seen him end the year with the most Premier League contributions in the Red Devils squad.

However, despite the big-money addition, more activity is expected in the coming months, with countless top-level talents still on the hierarchy’s radar.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Victor Osimhen has been a player who has been firmly on United’s radar over the last couple of windows, with this summer no different, but a deal appears unlikely this window given his hefty wage demands.

Christopher Nkunku is another player who has been of keen interest over the last few weeks, as the Red Devils have made contact with his representatives over a move to Old Trafford.

However, another name has emerged as a key target, with Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres once again being mentioned with a switch, according to The Mirror.

They claim Amorim’s side are in pole position to land the Swede, after a change of heart which has seen him be open to a move after previously turning down the Red Devils’ interest.

The report also states that he’s desperate for a move after scoring 54 goals in just 52 outings this campaign, leading to a £68m price tag being mooted for his signature.

Why Gyokeres would be a bigger talent than Mbeumo & Cunha for United

As previously mentioned, Cunha has become United’s first big-money addition of the window, but Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo appears to be the next to join the club after the progress made this week.

The Red Devils submitted a bid in the region of £60m for the 25-year-old forward, with the two sides appearing to be edging closer to agreeing on a fee.

A deal should be a formality when the fee is agreed, with the Cameroonian already agreeing personal terms over a £250k-per-week deal at the Theatre of Dreams.

Such a deal would be another excellent one for the club, adding another 20 league goals to Cunha’s tally of 15, with the pair only scoring nine fewer than the whole side managed throughout 2024/25.

However, a deal for Gyokeres would see Amorim’s side land an even bigger talent, considering the Swede’s sensational goal return in the top-flight of Portuguese football.

He’s outscored the pair alone, whilst also massively outperforming the aforementioned duo when delving into his underlying stats from the recent campaign.

Gyokeres, who’s been labelled a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has achieved a better shot-on-target accuracy rate, demonstrating the clinical nature he possesses.

Games played

33

38

33

Goals scored

39

20

15

Shot on target accuracy

52%

43%

40%

Progressive carries

4.3

3.4

3.8

Key passes

2

1.8

1.9

Take-on success

48%

46%

44%

Carries into opposition box

3.1

1.9

2.8

Aerials won

51%

31%

31%

He’s also registered more progressive carries and more carries into the opposition box, showcasing the threat he carries when having the ball at his feet.

The Swede has further demonstrated his impressive all-round ability, completing more key passes per 90, and having the tools to provide others with opportunities in the final third.

It would be another huge addition from the hierarchy this summer, but it shows they mean business in taking the club back to their former glory in the near future.

The prospect of Cunha, Mbeumo and Gyokeres linking up together is one the fanbase should be extremely excited by, handing Amorim the added attacking threat he’s craved since taking the reins.

He's better than Gyokeres: Wilcox plots Man Utd move for £150m talisman

Manchester United have joined a long list of suitors in the race to sign a new striker.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 27, 2025

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wasn’t hanging about when he acted swiftly to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in a deal worth £30m.

“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.”

Those were the words Delap said upon arriving at Stamford Bridge, and he will have plenty of chances to lift titles next term.

The Blues are back among Europe’s elite and this could give Delap a perfect chance to continue his development.

The 22-year-old is a rising star, no doubt about that. Will Maresca be keen on signing even more young starlets throughout the duration to complement Delap?

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ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025 Chelsea enter race to sign English sensation

Indeed, Brazilian talent Estevao is set to link up with the Blues this summer. As too is Sporting CP talent Dario Essugo.

It appears as though Maresca is keen on bringing the average age of the squad down, and it might go even lower should he succeed in signing the latest player to be linked with a move.

According to Caught Offside, the Blues have now entered the race to sign Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling but face competition from a wealth of sides, namely Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United.

The €60m (£51m) asking price may deter Maresca, especially considering how much the club have spent already this window.

Still only a teenager, Dibling has an extraordinarily high ceiling and may even be a bigger talent than Delap.

Why Chelsea must sign Tyler Dibling

Delap scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich last season in what was his maiden season in the top flight.

Considering the club was relegated, scoring only 36 goals all season, that’s not a bad tally. Such was Delap’s impact, his goal involvement accounted for 39% of the club’s total throughout the season.

Goals

2

Assists

0

Big chances created

3

Key passes per game

0.6

Successful dribbles per game

1.4

Shots per game

0.8

A move to Stamford Bridge will give him the chance in the Champions League, but a move for Dibling could see Chelsea sign an even bigger talent.

While Delap struggled to earn game time at City in his teenage years, Dibling is already a bona fide star despite his young age. He made his debut for the Saints aged just 17 in August 2023, having returned to the Saints after a brief spell with Chelsea U18s.

His breakthrough came last term. The teenager made 38 appearances in all competitions for the south coast side, scoring four goals and grabbing three assists.

Given how poor the club were in the top flight, Dibling was arguably the brightest spark, but it is unlikely he will want to play Championship football.

Hailed as a “special talent” by journalist Josh Bunting, Dibling put himself in the shop window with his displays last season.

Despite his tender years, the youngster is currently ranked in the top 19% when compared to his peers across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons (2.16) per 90 over the previous 365 days, rubberstamping his exceptional potential.

Given the talent among those divisions, this stat proves that Dibling loves getting the better of his opposite man.

The question is, will Maresca take a gamble on him this summer? If so, then a bigger talent than Delap is set to be unleashed.

A better move than Ekitike: BlueCo submit bid to sign £50m star for Chelsea

Chelsea have submitted a bid to sign a Serie A talent.

2 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 16, 2025

Rangers are believed to be interested in completing the signing of a “very interesting” attacking player in the summer transfer window.

Martin desperate to keep key players

Russell Martin is looking to nail his summer transfer business at Ibrox, having been confirmed as the Gers’ new manager last week, following a lengthy search for the right choice.

The Englishman will no doubt be eyeing new signings, but for now, he is equally focused on retaining the services of key current players.

“We have to try and keep our best players. I think we’re all really aligned with that. So unless things come in that really help the club to build and move forward, I don’t think it’s a necessity to do that [sell] at all. That’s my understanding of it. And we’ve all been really clear on it. So we’ll just have to wait and see. But I’m looking forward to working with those guys. There are a few positions where we’ll need to strengthen fairly quickly and fairly early on.”

In terms of players who have been mentioned as potential signings, Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes could be Martin’s first addition as Rangers manager, having worked with him at St Mary’s already, but it appears first up on the agenda is a new number nine.

Rangers want to sign "very interesting" attacker

According to a new report from 24 Sata, Rangers are interested in signing Westerlo forward Matija Frigan this summer, as Martin looks to bolster his attacking options. The 22-year-old is seen as an exciting option for the Scottish Premiership giants, with his performances for his current club being noticed on the “big stage” by clubs around Europe.

Frigan could be a great young signing for Rangers, having been described as a “very interesting” attacking player by scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

The Croatian has outlined his goalscoring prowess throughout his career, not least when he netted 15 times in just 32 appearances for HNK Rijeka, and he has made a total of 25 appearances across various youth levels for his country.

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Jun 8, 2025

At 22, Frigan’s best years are still likely to be ahead of him, too, so Rangers would be acquiring the services of a player who could be a star at Ibrox for a long time to come.

Croatia Under-21s

15

2

Croatia Under-19s

8

4

Croatia Under-18s

2

3

His tally of 13 goals for Westerlo in the Jupiler Pro League in 2024/25 was superior to any Rangers player in the Scottish Premiership, further suggesting he could be an upgrade on the current options.

Next season will be huge for Arne Slot during his reign at Liverpool, looking to build on the success he endured after taking over from Jürgen Klopp last summer.

Very few people would’ve predicted that the Reds would win the Premier League title at the first attempt, especially after only signing one player in the form of Federico Chiesa.

However, with Jeremie Frimpong already arriving at Anfield and a whole host of other European stars linked with a switch to Merseyside, the 2025/26 season will bring new pressure on the manager.

The club will have gone from the hunters to the hunted, and with huge funds being splashed, it will place added pressure on the side to perform in their attempts to claim back-to-back title glory.

After the arrival of the Dutchman, Slot has continued to pursue players to help improve his first-team squad, with numerous names constantly linked with a summer switch to the Reds.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new additions

Over the last couple of days, players in a whole host of positions have been linked with a move to join Liverpool, further showcasing Slot’s ambitions for his second year at the helm.

The likes of Marc Guehi, Victor Osimhen and Rayan Cherki have all been touted with a move to Anfield, but as of yet, there appears to be little to no movement on any of those deals.

However, the same can’t be said in a deal for midfielder Xavi Simons, with the Reds keen on a move for the RB Leipzig star, according to TEAMtalk’s latest report.

Their update claims that the Reds have noted the 22-year-old as a viable option ahead of the summer window, following his impressive year in the Bundesliga, which saw him register 10 goals and seven assists.

It also states that Slot is a huge admirer of his compatriot, but they will have to pay a fee in the region of £65m to prise him away from the German outfit during the off-season.

Why Liverpool’s £65m target is the dream Wirtz alternative

It’s been no secret that attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz has been a key target for Liverpool over the last couple of weeks, even placing a £110m bid for the Bayer Leverkusen star.

Whilst such an offer was rejected for the 22-year-old, the Reds are set to return to negotiations with the Bundesliga outfit, willing to pay up to £130m – a fee that would break the English record set by Moises Caicedo back in 2023.

It would be a huge statement from the hierarchy that the club are serious about cementing their place at the top of the table next season after the recent title triumph.

However, given the fact that negotiations have slowed down over recent days, it leaves the door open to a potential move elsewhere for other players also on their radar.

Simons could be the perfect alternative, costing half of the fee that Leverkusen are demanding for Wirtz, whilst also offering a better option in numerous areas.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from this season, the Dutchman has outperformed him in multiple departments, demonstrating why he is “one of the best 10s in the world”, in the words of one analyst on social media

Simons, who’s also been labelled “exceptional” by Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists this season, but has registered a higher goal per shot on target rate – having a more clinical edge than the German.

Games played

25

31

Goals & assists

17

22

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.2

Pass accuracy

79%

78%

Key passes completed

2.2

2.1

Carries into final third

3

2.7

Aerials won

42%

20%

Fouls won

2.4

1.4

He’s also completed more key passes and carries into the final third per 90, having the creative side to his game that could allow other players around him to thrive to Anfield.

The Dutch star has also won more aerials and won more fouls per 90, offering a constant threat to the opposition backline, handing Slot an impressive option within attacking areas.

There’s no denying that Wirtz is the main option in such a department, but a deal for Simons could prove to be a better signing, costing half the fee but providing just as, if not more, of an impressive option.

Should a deal fall through for the Leverkusen star, the Leipzig youngsters should be the club’s main priority, needing to act quickly to avoid him being snapped up by a divisional rival.

Their own Mbappe: Liverpool make £150m star their dream target after Wirtz

Liverpool could be about to make another huge move for a player during this summer’s transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 4, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have now internally “discussed” appointing a former Premier League manager as a replacement for Ange Postecoglou this summer, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.

Levy set to make decision on Ange's future this week

There have been conflicting reports about Ange’s future as Tottenham boss, but Sky Sports News have now clarified that a decision is likely to be made at some point this week, when chairman Daniel Levy returns from his holiday.

Levy has a very difficult decision on his hands, as there are differing opinions as to whether the Europa League victory sufficiently papers over the cracks of Spurs’ performances in the Premier League, with Ange’s side finishing in just 17th place after a dismal campaign.

While a final decision is yet to be made, the north Londoners have already started to identify potential replacements for Ange, having held direct talks with Brentford boss Thomas Frank, and internal discussions have now taken place over a move for a different manager.

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That is according to Jacobs, who recently told GiveMeSport that Roberto De Zerbi has now become a potential option for Tottenham, saying: “Levy will also know having Champions League football next season makes Spurs an attractive prospect to managerial candidates.

“Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva have definitely come under consideration, but Bournemouth expect the former to stay. And Silva has said publicly he plans to remain at Fulham.

“I would keep an eye on Thomas Frank if a change is made. Roberto De Zerbi has also been discussed, but Marseille also got Champions League under him this season.”

"Genius" De Zerbi impressing in Ligue 1

After making the decision to leave Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, the Italian manager has gone on to impress in Ligue 1, leading Marseille to a second-placed finish and securing qualification for the Champions League.

As such, the 45-year-old, who prefers to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, could be tempted to remain at the French club for at least another year, but if he does become an option for Tottenham, there are plenty of signs that he could be a solid replacement for Ange.

Statman Dave was left particularly impressed by the former Brighton boss during his time in the Premier League, describing him as a “genius”, and he managed to lead the Seagulls to sixth place in the 2022-23 season, securing Europa League football in the process.

De Zerbi’s Premier League experience could serve him well in the Tottenham hot seat, but many will feel that Ange has earned one last chance in the job, having led his side to Europa League glory despite suffering numerous injury setbacks in a difficult campaign.