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In the wake of a breakout season, Athletics right fielder and designated hitter Lawrence Butler appears set to stick around for the foreseeable future.

The Sacramento-based team has signed Butler to a seven-year contract extension worth $65.5 million, according to a Thursday night report from Jeff Passan of ESPN. The deal includes a year covered by a team option.

Butler, 24, is coming off a breakout 2024 in the Athletics' final season in Oakland. The Burlington, N.J. native slashed a rock-solid .262/.317/.490 with 22 home runs and 57 RBIs—bettering his numbers from a 42-game cameo in 2023.

Since its relocation, the Sacramento team—aiming to move to Las Vegas by 2028—has shown an uncharacteristic willingness to spend on its roster. The Athletics gave pitcher Luis Severino a three-year, $67 million contract on Dec. 6, for instance.

The Sacramento team is scheduled to open its 2025 season on March 27 against the Seattle Mariners.

The need for results over the coming weeks has been heightened. Arne Slot made a telling comment on his hopes of Liverpool progressing deep into the Carabao Cup when fielding a much-rotated team with a bench full of youngsters (average age of 19) against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.

The Eagles won 3-0, their third win over the Reds this term, and that’s now six losses from seven matches in all competitions for Slot’s side, who are very much in crisis mode.

The Dutch boss had turned his attention toward the daunting run of upcoming fixtures before the opening whistle screeched in midweek, and now there is not an emphasis but an expectation that wins will be struck to stop the rot and turn back toward the compelling title defence that was anticipated after a summer of record-breaking spending.

If we can take a sliver of optimism from this abject run of form, it’s that, having played an overload of matches away from home, four of the next five take place down Anfield Road, having lost on home soil to Palace on Wednesday too.

There simply has to be a swift upswing. Looking at it from a wider lens, though, it may well be that some Redmen have entered the final phase of their careers on Merseyside.

The Liverpool players Hughes needs to sell

Sporting director Richard Hughes was lauded after his emphatic summer transfer window, overseeing a staggering rebuild at Liverpool after Slot defied expectations to win the Premier League in his first year at the helm.

But the summer upheaval has sent it all in a bit of a spin. Still. Though we must reserve judgement on under-firing newbies such as Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz, there are certain veterans at the club who aren’t pulling their weight.

Take, for example, Joe Gomez, who is Liverpool’s longest-serving player but now shows the rust of a man who has been afforded few chances to impress in recent years, with injuries and superiorities elsewhere in defence keeping him on the fringe.

Against Palace, the England international struggled to impress, lacking any semblance of command in a backline that was without the calming presence of Virgil van Dijk.

Wataru Endo has been something of a stalwart since arriving at the club for a smart fee in 2023, but the 32-year-old’s role has diminished as his time in England has dragged on.

Stodgy athleticism and limitations on the ball have kept the Japan captain from being anything more than a tackle-first substitute under Slot’s wing, and now it appears he is approaching the end of an illustrious couple of years in Liverpool, unable to offer a viable solution at number six.

Liverpool should have better options in the middle of the park, in any case, but that doesn’t appear to be so as the 2025/26 campaign rolls into its fourth month.

The Liverpool midfielder who's failing Slot

We’ve been here before. Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit Premier League champions were overwhelmed across the 2020/21 campaign, and scrambled to salvage Champions League football toward the end of the term.

But the deterioration of 2022/23 was more concerning, with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho flattering to deceive in the middle of the park. The Reds needed to rebuild, and so fashioned together the title-winning engine room of the past few years.

The standout of that rebuild has been Alexis Mac Allister, instrumental to lifting Liverpool back off the ground in 2023/24, after joining from Brighton for around £35m, and then revelling in winning the Premier League last season.

Now, he’s fallen off a proverbial cliff, with his sedentary performances in midfield not those of an elite, robust midfielder. One Liverpool content creator actually said it “looks like Fabinho’s season”, when the Brazilian slumped from his formerly imperious level as the midfield anchor, his legs gone.

The data does suggest that Mac Allister lacks his former vim and vigour, but given that he is only 26 years old and regarded as a “superstar” of a midfielder, as has been said by pundit Joe Cole, this is deeply worrying for those of a red persuasion.

For Fabinho, though only 29 at the time of his £40m transfer to Al-Ittihad, had played 219 high-octane, turbo-charged matches as the heartbeat of Klopp’s Liverpool team, and going from 1.25 carries per game in his first season in England to an average of only 0.51 in 2022/23 emphasises his loss of athleticism.

For a player of Mac Allister’s all-encompassing midfield quality, it’s imperative that Slot gets a tune out of him once again. If the Argentine does not click into gear this season, Liverpool will struggle to hit their stride.

There will be an expectation around Anfield that Mac Allister’s dip in form is not permanent, and that he’s back on his A-game before long.

However, this startling drop-off dredges up unwanted memories of Fabinho’s own fall from grace at Anfield, and Slot will be gravely hoping that lightning hasn’t struck twice on the Liverpool squad.

Another Chiesa: Slot's treatment of Liverpool star is a "sackable offence"

Liverpool have a shrewd solution to one of their biggest problems this season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 30, 2025

Global superstar Dua Lipa brought star power to Argentina's biggest footballing rivalry as she watched Boca Juniors defeat River Plate 2-0 in the Superclasico at La Bombonera. The 30-year-old singer, in Buenos Aires for her Radical Optimism world tour, turned heads in Argentina's iconic blue and white-striped national team jersey — the colours synonymous with Lionel Messi.

• Dua Lipa watches Superclasico clash at La Bombonera

  The pop sensation added football fever to her South American tour by attending one of the most intense derbies anywhere in the world – the Superclasico in Buenos Aires. Dua Lipa, fresh off two sold-out concerts at River Plate's Estadio Monumental, made the short trip across the city to La Bombonera on Sunday to witness Boca Juniors' 2-0 win over their fiercest rivals. Goals from Exequiel Zeballos and Miguel Merentiel sealed victory for the home side in a charged atmosphere that left the singer visibly captivated.

  Staying true to her global fanbase, the London-born star chose neutrality on the day, wearing the Argentina national team shirt rather than either club's colours. Her decision drew admiration from fans, who praised her for embracing the spirit of the event without taking sides. Despite the neutral attire, Lipa was seen cheering enthusiastically as Boca players celebrated their goals, soaking up the unique emotion of South America's most famous fixture.

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• Dua Lipa refuses to choose between River Plate and Boca Juniors

  After the game, Lipa shared a warm moment with Boca Juniors legend Juan Roman Riquelme, who gifted her a personalised Boca shirt emblazoned with her name and the iconic number 10. The club's official X account posted the photo with the caption: "Dua Lipa alongside Roman, fascinated with these colours." River Plate also took the opportunity to showcase their global reach by presenting Lipa with their jerseys.

• Dua Lipa and her relationship with football

  Lipa's Argentine adventure was part of her Radical Optimism world tour, which has already captivated audiences across Europe and the Americas. Her decision to attend the Superclasico came just days after performing two sold-out shows at River Plate's stadium – a fitting coincidence given the rivalry's cultural weight. Despite performing at River's home ground, she made sure to show respect to both clubs, balancing her allegiances with charm and diplomacy.

  It wasn't the first time Lipa has displayed her passion for football. Over the years, the singer has been linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool, two of England's most storied clubs. She famously performed before the 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv – a match that featured Liverpool – and later described herself as an "honourary Liverpool supporter", though she admitted her father and brother's Arsenal loyalty made things complicated at home.

  Her genuine appreciation for the sport has earned her credibility among fans worldwide, who appreciate her enthusiasm without viewing it as opportunistic. Whether attending a Champions League final or an Argentine derby, Lipa consistently embraces the occasion with authenticity.

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  Dua Lipa continues her South American tour

  Lipa will continue her Radical Optimism tour across Latin America, with scheduled stops stiill to come in Peru, Colombia, and Mexico before wrapping up in December. After captivating Argentina both on stage and in the stands, her next shows are expected to draw similar excitement, particularly among her growing fanbase across the region.

  For Boca Juniors, the derby win represents a major boost ahead of the final stretch of the Clausura competition, as they continue to chase top spot behind Rosario Central. River Plate, on the other hand, face mounting pressure to turn their form around after another frustrating result.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to engage in a clash of titans in the 2024 World Series. It’s the first Fall Classic between No. 1 seeds since 2020, and the first such matchup in a full season since ‘13. It also pits teams with two of MLB’s three highest payrolls against each other, as well as the two presumed MVPs of the regular season in New York’s Aaron Judge and Los Angeles’s Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers are slight favorites at sportsbooks, but if we break down the matchup position by position, would we get the same sense?

Catcher

Will Smith (Dodgers) vs. Austin Wells (Yankees)

Smith, an All-Star for the last two seasons, doesn’t get as much attention as he probably should in Los Angeles’s star-studded lineup. The 29-year-old ranks third among catchers in WAR over the last four seasons, behind only J.T. Realmuto and Sean Murphy, and has delivered several clutch postseason hits for the Dodgers over the years. L.A. clearly values him, though, having signed him to a 10-year, $140 million contract in March.

Austin Wells has been a nice rookie success story for the Yankees, providing a league-average bat and earning plaudits for his work behind the plate. He’s already better defensively than Smith, whose fielding metrics took a concerning tumble this year, but Smith’s clear advantage on offense gives him the nod.

Advantage: Dodgers

First base

Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) vs. Anthony Rizzo (Yankees)

These 35-year-old, sweet-swinging lefties have long been compared since their rookie seasons in 2011. Rizzo got off to a quicker start in the majors as a cornerstone for the Cubs that ended the franchise’s World Series drought in 2016. But Freeman has eclipsed him since winning the 2020 NL MVP while enjoying one of baseball’s most graceful aging curves. Rizzo hasn’t made an All-Star team since 2016—Freeman has six All-Star invites in that span.

Honing in on this year, Freeman was worth 4.6 WAR while Rizzo was below replacement level. It’s not much of a comparison anymore, even if Freeman is slightly hobbled by his sprained ankle.

Advantage: Dodgers

Second base

Gavin Lux (Dodgers) vs. Gleyber Torres (Yankees)

Torres has yet to match the production of his first two seasons that earned him All-Star status in 2018 and ‘19, but he’s settled in as a 20-homer threat and has done well setting the table for New York’s sluggers during these playoffs.

Lux, a former top prospect, has had his career affected by injuries, and that issue cropped up again in the NLCS after he left Game 1 with hip flexor tightness and made only one more start in the series. But he’s expected back in the lineup for the World Series after playing a career-high 139 games this season while slashing .251/.320/.383.

This is one of the closest calls on the board—both guys recorded a 101 OPS+ this year, meaning they’re almost exactly league-average hitters, and neither is anything special on the base paths or in the field. But Torres’s power stroke and recent hot streak gives him the edge.

Advantage: Yankees

The mood around Arsenal at the moment is a brilliant one.

Mikel Arteta’s side closed the gap on Liverpool atop the Premier League to just two points with their win over Newcastle United last weekend.

Then during the week, they picked up another three points in the Champions League thanks to a steady 2-0 win against Olympiacos.

This weekend brings a fresh challenge as Nuno Espírito Santo’s West Ham United make their way to the Emirates for a game that Arteta can win by boldly dropping Gabriel Martinelli.

Arteta's record against Nuno

This afternoon’s game against West Ham will be the eighth time Arteta has faced off against Nuno since becoming a head coach, and as things stand, the Spaniard has a good record against him.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Of the seven games they’ve already managed, the Gunners’ boss has won four, lost two and drawn one.

Interestingly, all seven games have been in the league, with three against Wolverhampton Wanderers, one against Tottenham Hotspur, and three against Nottingham Forest.

The most recent match between the two managers was a 0-0 draw at the City Ground back in February – a result emblematic of the North Londoners’ title challenge fizzling out.

Unsurprisingly, given the record, the Spaniard’s side has a healthy goal difference against the former Sao Tome-born boss, scoring 12 goals across the seven games and only conceding six.

However, while Arteta has generally gotten the better of Nuno, it would be fair to say that their most notable meeting was a 2-1 Wolves win in February 2021, as both Bernd Leno and David Luiz managed to get themselves sent off.

The Brazilian was handed his marching orders for a foul in the penalty area, and the German for handling the ball outside of it.

Arteta will be hoping for an altogether more straightforward win this afternoon, and one way he can do that is by dropping Martinelli for another attacking star.

The Arsenal star Arteta should start in place of Martinelli

Now, it might seem harsh to drop Martinelli after he scored against Olympiacos during the week, but there are a few reasons why Arteta should do it anyway and start Eberechi Eze in his place.

The first is that, under Nuno, there is a very good chance that West Ham will come to the Emirates and sit back for most of the game, looking to hit the Gunners on the counterattack.

So, to deal with what will likely be a low block, Arteta needs to get as many technicians on the pitch as possible, meaning Eze’s intricate dribbling and ability to play a pinpoint pass will be far more useful than Martinelli’s speed.

This then leads to the second argument, which is that, should the North Londoners find themselves a goal or two up by some point in the second half, the East Londoners will be forced to come out of their shape and stretch the game.

At this point, the speed and directness of the Brazilian will be far more helpful to the manager, and therefore, he could come on for the Englishman.

Now the club have a proper squad and a strong bench, it makes sense for the Spaniard to pick his starting line-ups based on how games are likely to play out, to maximise the team’s effectiveness and ensure players have the chance to play in situations most favourable to their skill set.

Finally, the reason the former Crystal Palace “magician,” as dubbed by Micah Richards, couldn’t just start in the middle of the park is that, over the last two games, Martin Odegaard has shown a level fans haven’t seen for well over a year.

He helped change the game at St James’ Park and was the Man of the Match on Wednesday, so dropping him now would be illogical and potentially damaging.

Ultimately, Martinelli deserves to play more, but given the sort of game it’s likely to be this afternoon and the need to keep Odegaard in midfield, Arteta should start Eze on the left.

Arsenal planning new deal for "one of the best in the world" after Saliba and Saka

Contract extensions are a key priority for Andrea Berta.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 3, 2025

Southampton have sacked manager Will Still after just 16 games in charge, with the Championship promotion hopefuls languishing in 21st place. The 33-year-old managed only four wins during a torrid start to life back in England, and Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Preston proved to be his final match in charge as the Saints turn to interim boss Tonda Eckert.

• Still fired just months into Saints job

  Southampton have confirmed the departure of Still just five months after his appointment, bringing a swift end to his brief and turbulent spell at St. Mary’s. The 33-year-old, who joined the club from Lens in May, managed only four wins from 16 matches across all competitions, including just two victories in the Championship. A 2-0 defeat to Preston on Saturday, which was their fifth straight match without a win, proved to be the breaking point for the Saints' hierarchy.

  Still had been tasked with guiding Southampton back to the Premier League following last season’s relegation, but instead finds himself leaving with the team perilously close to dropping further down the English football ladder. The south coast side currently sit 21st in the Championship table, three points above the relegation zone and 16 behind early leaders Coventry. Despite a dramatic 3-2 win over Wrexham on the opening day, results quickly soured, with the Saints struggling to find consistency or a clear identity under the young manager.

  The club confirmed that assistant coaches Ruben Martinez, Clement Lemaitre, and Carl Martin have also left their roles alongside Still. Under-21s boss Tonda Eckert has been placed in interim charge and will lead the team into Wednesday night’s clash with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Eckert, who is highly regarded within the club, is also being considered as a potential candidate for the permanent position as Southampton’s search for a new manager begins immediately.

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  Still labelled 'a great person' in Southampton's parting message

  Southampton’s decision to part ways with Still was confirmed in an official club statement released on Sunday evening. "Southampton Football Club can confirm that we have this evening parted ways with Men’s First Team Manager Will Still," the statement began, before confirming that "Ruben Martinez, Clement Lemaitre and Carl Martin have also left their positions at the club." It was also announced that "Men’s Under-21s Head Coach Tonda Eckert will take charge of the team on an interim basis."

  Group Technical Director Johannes Spors paid tribute to Still and his coaching team, acknowledging their commitment despite poor results. "Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results," said Spors. "Ultimately, that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked. By making a change now, we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table."

  Spors concluded his statement by thanking the departing staff for their contributions. "I would like to thank Will, Ruben, Clement and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future."

• Still's appointment had initially created excitement at Southampton

  Still’s appointment in May had generated considerable excitement among supporters, with the Belgian-born coach returning to manage in England after gaining recognition for his impressive work in France. He was hired on a three-year deal to replace Ivan Juric, whose departure followed Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League with seven games to spare. Still’s reputation as a progressive and detail-oriented manager made him an attractive candidate, particularly after strong spells at Reims and Lens, where his tactical approach earned widespread praise.

  The club have not won at home since that opening victory against Wrexham and have looked increasingly vulnerable defensively, conceding 11 goals in their last five matches. Saturday’s loss to Preston followed a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, a side that had been in the relegation zone before kick-off – results that ultimately sealed Still’s fate.

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  Saints' U21 boss Eckert assumes interim duties

  Eckert will now assume control of first-team duties on an interim basis, starting with Wednesday’s trip to QPR, as the club launches its search for a new permanent manager. Eckert’s reputation for developing young players and his familiarity with Southampton’s academy setup could make him a serious contender if results improve in the short term. The Saints, however, are expected to explore external options, with the board eager to find an experienced figure capable of steadying the ship.

With the title race having already swung back and forth while the top-four and relegation battles are as open as they have been for a few years, the Premier League is becoming increasingly difficult to predict. Sure, the odd match still follows the formbook, but a number of teams are proving tough to pin down and figure out what to expect from them on a game-to-game basis.

As such, knowing what shape the news cycle is going to take is anyone's guess at the start of a round of fixtures. Refereeing controversies, outrageous managerial quotes and even the reactions of big-name pundits can drive the narrative around the English top-flight, and thus it's difficult to figure out what will be dominating the newspaper back pages, website homepages and fan reaction shows in the hours and days that follow.

That hasn't stopped us at GOAL from trying, though. Rather than merely predicting the weekend's results, we have looked into our crystal balls to figure out what headlines you, the fans, will be reading and clicking on as you digest the latest Premier League action…

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  'Slot sliding towards Anfield exit'

  Liverpool have now lost six of their last seven games in all competitions, with the already under-fire Arne Slot having brought more unwanted attention on himself after he basically sacrificed the Reds' hopes of progressing in the Carabao Cup by resting the majority of his regular starters for Wednesday's clash with Crystal Palace. The result was an entirely predictable 3-0 home defeat, and the only way in which Slot can salvage any positive press from his controversial selection call is to oversee an upturn in results before the November international break.

  He certainly would not have handpicked Liverpool's upcoming fixtures were he looking for straightforward routes to victory, with Saturday's home game against Aston Villa set to be followed by a Champions League clash with Real Madrid and then a visit to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City. Given the standard of performance that Liverpool are currently churning out, there is a world where defeats seven, eight and nine of the season arrive in the next 10 days.

  Slot is desperately searching for a solution, as illustrated by him deploying a 4-4-2 formation against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Reds' last European outing while he matched Palace's 3-4-3 in midweek to little effect. Finding a system to get the best out of his newly-assembled, uber-expensive squad will likely make or break Slot's tenure, and current signs suggest to it eventually being the latter.

  Certainly Villa arrive on Merseyside in buoyant mood after three successive league wins, the most recent of which came over Man City last week, and though Unai Emery has had his own issues in getting the best out of the attacking talent he has available to him, Saturday's encounter presents the likes of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers the opportunity to get their seasons back on track.

  As such, we expect the misery surrounding Liverpool to remain, and given the games they have coming up thereafter, questions will begin to be asked of just how long Slot, the man who delivered the Premier League title in such emphatic circumstances six months ago, can survive if things don't improve.

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  'Maresca losing control of immature Chelsea'

  Slot isn't the only 'Big Six' manager to be feeling the heat, with Enzo Maresca also coming under fire from sections of the Chelsea support after the Blues' inconsistent start to a campaign that promised plenty following the Blues' Club World Cup success. Saturday's last-gasp defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland has left the Conference League winners languishing in ninth in the table, and though they won through in the Carabao Cup in midweek, they had to survive an almighty scare as Wolves fought back at Molineux.

  A Saturday evening trip to take on rivals Tottenham is next on the agenda for Maresca's side, and usually a visit to north London would be exactly the tonic for the Blues given recent results, as they have won six of their eight games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since it opened in 2019, scoring four goals in each of their last two victories there. However, Chelsea's current performances, coupled with their continued discipline issues, suggest there is an opportunity for Thomas Frank's side to further bloody the Blues' noses.

  Expect this one to be ill-tempered given the importance of the fixture to both sides, and we're backing Spurs to narrowly come out on top while Chelsea end the game with nine men. If that plays out, the knives could be out for Maresca before too long.

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  'Mbeumo might be the signing of the season'

  Liverpool and Chelsea's respective slumps have opened the door for others to push themselves into contention for top-four places, and Manchester United already look well placed to push for Champions League qualification after three successive wins for Ruben Amorim's side. Bryan Mbeumo has scored three goals and assisted one other during that stretch as he looks well on his way to repaying his initial £65 million ($85.5m) transfer fee.

  Despite him coming off a 20-goal season with Brentford and the interest of others, that outlay did feel a little steep at the time, but Mbeumo has shown himself to be an ideal fit for Ruben Amorim's system while striking up a strong relationship with wing-back Amad Diallo. The pair's combination has been so effective, in fact, that Amorim is already having to answer questions as to how they will be replaced when they head off to the Africa Cup of Nations in December.

  For now, Mbeumo will have the Nottingham Forest defence in his sights, and the Cameroon international will fancy his chances of maintaining his strong form in front of goal. Another two goals to take down Sean Dyche's strugglers will even have some asking whether Mbeumo should be considered the signing of the season so far.

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  'Man City need to make their Iraola move ASAP'

  Across town from Old Trafford, the presumed revival of Manchester City has been a slow process thus far, with Erling Haaland's remarkable goal record having carried Pep Guardiola's side. The Norwegian sat out the midweek cup win over Swansea City after drawing a rare blank against Villa last weekend, but should be back in action when City host Bournemouth on Sunday.

  The Cherries enter the weekend sat second in the table after a remarkable start to the campaign that has seen them go on an eight-match unbeaten run following their opening-night loss at Liverpool. Despite losing his starting goalkeeper and three-quarters of his first-choice defence over the summer, Andoni Iraola has maintained the positive momentum that he has built at the Vitality Stadium, with Antoine Semenyo having emerged as one of the most dangerous attacking players in the division while teenage striker Eli Junior Kroupi has begun to hit his stride in front of goal.

  As such, City are unlikely to have things all their own way at the Etihad, and we're predicting a 2-2 draw that will leave the Super Sunday panel purring to the extent that Iraola will end the day being touted as the ideal man to replace Guardiola when the Catalan eventually steps aside from his role.

Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s shining light under Arne Slot this season, undoubtedly playing a crucial role in the success they’ve enjoyed within the Premier League.

The Egyptian forward has registered a staggering tally of 56 combined goals and assists across all competitions, certainly being the club’s biggest threat in attacking areas.

The 32-year-old recently put pen to paper over a new two-year deal at Anfield, taking him to the summer of 2027 – a move that is undoubtedly a huge boost to the side.

However, given the fact that he’s edging closer to the back end of his professional career, the hierarchy needs to hand the manager the funds to land added threats within attacking areas.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, the manager has wasted no time in identifying targets to improve his squad, with moves already being made to secure a deal for new forward options.

An update on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers this summer

A new striker will undoubtedly be top of Liverpool’s shopping list this summer, with Viktor Gyokeres one of the names emerging on their shortlist over the last few days.

The Swede has been shortlisted as a potential addition at the top end of the pitch, but could face keen interest from other Premier League sides such as Arsenal and Manchester United.

However, he’s not the only attacker who’s appeared on their radar as of late, with Victor Osimhen the latest player who’s of interest to the Reds, according to TBR.

The 26-year-old has been high up on the club’s list of targets, with the report claiming that work has already been done behind the scenes to sign the Nigerian this summer.

It also states that the Napoli star, who’s spending the year on loan at Galatasaray, wants a move to England and currently has a £60m release clause in his deal with the Serie A outfit.

Why Liverpool’s £60m target is the dream Isak alternative

With the summer window rapidly approaching, Liverpool have wasted no time in identifying targets, with Alexander Isak a name who’s constantly been linked with a switch to Merseyside.

The 25-year-old has been in tremendous form within the Premier League this season, registering a staggering 23 goals in his 32 appearances to date – with only Salah scoring more in England’s top-flight.

His goalscoring record has undoubtedly led to huge interest from the Reds, but the Magpies’ £150m asking price on his shoulders has set them back in their pursuit of his signature.

Such a price tag has led to links to Osimhen this summer, with the Nigerian the perfect alternative to Isak if the hierarchy isn’t willing to fork out such a transfer fee.

When comparing their respective stats from the ongoing campaign, the Galatasaray loanee has managed to match or outperform him in numerous key areas, potentially being a superb option for Slot’s side.

The Nigerian, who’s been labelled “sensational” by The Overlap’s tactical analyst, has botched the same number of combined goals and assists to date, whilst managing to register more shots on target per 90 – highlighting his attacking threat in the final third.

He’s also managed to get more of his efforts on target, offering Slot a clinical option in his attempts to retain the club’s Premier League title during 2025/26.

Osimhen currently sits as the top goalscorer in the Turkish Süper Lig, highlighting his qualities in front of goal, handing the Reds the needed threat alongside Salah in the front three.

There’s no denying that supporters will want Isak to be their main talisman next season, but his reported £150m price tag is simply unrealistic, with a move elsewhere allowing for investment elsewhere.

The Napoli star has the ability to thrive at Anfield, potentially being a better option given the difference in stats, subsequently ending their long-standing pursuit of a new forward on Merseyside.

Best CF since Suarez: Liverpool prepare bid for "ridiculous" £60m star

Liverpool expect to replace Darwin Nunez in the transfer market this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 7, 2025

Manchester United are now set to hold transfer talks with a “world-class” attacker who has also been contacted by Barcelona, according to a new report.

Man Utd stepping up transfer plans as Amorim eyes attacking additions

Given how the season has gone for the Red Devils, it is no surprise to see that the club’s hierarchy have started to put plans in place for the summer transfer window, as Ruben Amorim will be keen on bringing in his own type of players.

Man Utd and INOES make 5-year contract offer to "sensational" £60m+ target

The Red Devils are looking to pounce…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Apr 28, 2025

Attacking additions are high on the agenda for Amorim, as the lack of goals have been a real killer for United throughout the whole of this campaign. It appears as though Matheus Cunha could be United’s first signing of the summer, as it’s been claimed that a deal is close to being completed, with United offering Cunha a five-year contract ahead of triggering his £62.5 million release clause.

As well as looking at signing Cunha, it’s been reported that the Red Devils have also made contact with Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The forward is considered a top target for United, and it could cost them as much as £40 million to get a deal over the line for the Frenchman.

Man Utd set to hold talks to sign Ademola Lookman

The list of attacking options doesn’t stop there for the Premier League giants, as according to Caught Offside, Man United are now planning to hold talks with Ademola Lookman over a deal to bring him to Old Trafford.

The report states that United are among the teams from the Premier League who are looking to sign Lookman this summer, as he is expected to leave Atalanta. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United are also looking to hold talks over a potential move back to England and the Premier League.

However, it is not just English teams chasing the former Everton man, as Barcelona have already contacted the player’s agent over a possible move to Spain, but their ongoing financial issues mean it could be difficult for them to complete a deal.

Juventus have also expressed interest in Lookman, who is in the 99th percentile for goals this season when compared with his positional peers in the ‘big five’ leagues, but the asking price of €60–65 million, which is roughly £50-55 million, is said to be too much for the Serie A side.

The 27-year-old, who has been dubbed “world-class” by the BBC’s John Bennett, has scored 13 goals and recorded five assists in 28 Serie A games this season.

The Nigeria international has also netted five goals in seven Champions League games, continuing his fine form for Atalanta since joining the club back in August 2022. Lookman is under contract until 2027, but given previous comments from the Atalanta boss, his time with the Italian club appears to be coming to an end, and a move back to England could be on the cards.

La Liga leaders and Champions League semi-finalists Barcelona are readying a £30m+ offer to sign a Manchester United player.

Players who could leave Man Utd this summer

It has been a difficult 2024/25 campaign for the Red Devils and Ruben Amorim, who are looking to rescue their season by winning the Europa League.

Man Utd are set to take on Athletic Club in the semi-finals after a dramatic quarter-final triumph over Lyon, however, it is promising to be a busy summer in the transfer market ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

Previous reports claimed that Man Utd and INEOS could move on up to 10 Red Devils players who currently pick up £1.8m per week at the club.

Casemiro (£350,000-a-week), Marcus Rashford (£300,000-a-week), Mason Mount, (£250,000-a-week), Jadon Sancho, (£250,000-a-week), Antony (£200,000-a-week), Christian Eriksen (£150,000-a-week), Victor Lindelof (£120,000-a-week), Rasmus Hojlund (£85,000-a-week), Jonny Evans (£85,000-a-week) and Tom Heaton (£45,000-a-week) may all exit Old Trafford, with some out of contract and others out on loan.

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Rashford is one of those currently out on loan and has been impressing at Aston Villa, which has led to plenty of praise from Unai Emery.

“He is a good guy – humble, a very good professional, and he is really happy with his teammates. He is being demanding on himself and with everything we want to work on with him, with the team. He is playing free, he feels comfortable and this is the most important thing.

“We try to connect with him as a person first of all, and afterwards as a player. His process here is getting better, playing in two different positions. He started with us as a left-winger and now he is playing more as a striker. It’s about how he can exploit his qualities as well as he can.”

Aston Villa have an option to sign Rashford on a permanent basis for £40m but are yet to make up their mind, and it looks as if Barcelona are readying their move as a result.

Barcelona ready £30m+ bid to sign Rashford from Man Utd

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona are preparing a €40m (£34.4m) offer to sign Rashford from Man Utd this summer. The Spanish giants are ‘willing to make a significant move’ to bring Rashford to the Nou Camp, and it is added that Rashford has dreams of playing for Barcelona.

The report also claims ‘the Red Devils would have to seriously consider’ an offer of €40m as Barcelona look to take advantage of Rashford’s situation.

Rashford has starred for Villa since joining on loan in January, and by the looks of things, a move to Spain could be one to keep an eye on for the England international, especially if Villa decide against signing him permanently.