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As Alex Neil’s Sunderland side prepare for a potential pivotal League One final day clash with Morecambe on Saturday, the club’s supporters would be forgiven for having more pressing matters to attend to than concerning themselves with who they did or didn’t sign over the past decade or so.

That being said, had the Black Cats made smarter moves in the transfer market during their Premier League days. they may not have found themselves where they are at present, facing a fifth successive season in the third tier unless they can navigate their way out of the play-offs.

One notable missed opportunity of recent times was the club’s failure to secure the signing of current Paris Saint-Germain star Georginio Wijnaldum, with the midfielder having appeared close to a deal back in 2015 during Dick Advocaat’s stint in charge at the Stadium of Light.

How Sunderland missed out on Wijnaldum

As reports at the time revealed, Sunderland held concrete interest in the then-PSV Eindhoven skipper and even submitted an £11m offer for the player, with Advocaat keen to use his Dutch connections to tempt his compatriot into a move to Wearside.

The then 24-year-old opted against the move, though, with the club suffering the ignominy of seeing the Rotterdam-born playmaker instead choosing to join bitter rivals Newcastle United in a £14.4m deal.

Despite the Magpies’ eventual relegation at the end of his debut campaign, Wijnaldum more than showed his suitability to English football in what was a stellar season on an individual note as he netted 11 Premier League goals.

That form alerted the attention of Liverpool, who moved for him after just a solitary season at St James’ Park, with the all-action midfielder going on to claim Champions League and Premier League honours during his time at Anfield.

Such was the Dutchman’s impact at the Merseyside club prior to his 2021 departure, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness suggested that the 5 foot 9 star had been the “driving force” for the Reds’ success under Jurgen Klopp in recent years, alongside Jordan Henderson and James Milner.

While the 31-year-old has somewhat struggled since his free transfer to PSG last summer – with just a 6.65 average match rating in Ligue 1 – the 86-cap international is still held in high regard. His Oranje colleague Ryan Babel insisted that the £19.8m-rated colossus has “lungs for days”, such is his intense work ethic.

As for Sunderland, the club are no longer anywhere close to signing a player of that calibre, with the Black Cats having found it immensely difficult to climb their way out of the lower divisions.

Had they managed to secure Wijnaldum’s services that summer – rather than ending up with the likes of Yann M’Vila and later Jan Kirchoff – who knows where they could be right now.

AND in other news, Speakman howler: Sunderland may now be on the verge of repeating brutal Hugill disasterclass…

Tottenham Hotspur chiefs have now set their sights on one of Aston Villa’s rising stars after an appeal from club officials, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Paratici weighs top talent…

Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici, as per recent claims, also has one eye on future talents with there being many on his radar.

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Peterborough United duo Ronnie Edwards and Benjamin Mensah, a central defender and right-wing-back respectively, are just two names Tottenham have been linked with recently.

Middlesbrough ace Djed Spence, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, was the subject of multiple Spurs bids in January and there is reason to believe they could return to the charge this summer.

The Latest: Tottenham hierarchy plot Patterson move…

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are now ‘plotting’ a move for Villa’s exciting young left-back Travis Patterson.

The 16-year-old is regarded as one of the ‘top-level’ youngsters coming through in the Midlands with Spurs club officials and ‘talent spotters’ scouting Patterson.

It is believed that these employees have now ‘recommended’ the England Under-17 international to Tottenham’s ‘hierarchy’ – appealing for his signing behind-the-scenes.

The Verdict: Make a move?

Patterson is certainly emerging as one to watch, having already made his Villa Under-23s debut at just 16.

This is a real indicator of his talent, and going by Spurs’ homegrown quota issue, they should be looking to get as many top English talents through the door as possible.

His development has been described as ‘rapid’ and there is no sign of it slowing down, and going by his real rise, he may well be a Tottenham left-back of the future if club chiefs decide to tempt him across the Premier League to north London.

In other news: Tottenham officials dispatched to club as they allegedly eye ‘unbelievable’ £33m man for Conte! Find out more here.

Harry Kane. The greatest goalscorer in Tottenham Hotspur history. Perhaps their greatest ever player too.

The prolific striker left Spurs behind in 2023, finally departing after scoring a swashbuckling 280 goals in 435 games for the Lilywhites.

For too long, Kane had failed to win a trophy, to pick up an award that his performances for well over a decade deserved.

That curse continued during his first campaign in Germany. Now of Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen topped the German heavyweights’ monopoly on the title.

Kane’s first piece of silverware finally came last term, his side victorious in the league. England’s greatest centre-forward has his major trophy, he can rest easy.

However, might there be thoughts of returning to Spurs?

Spurs targeting £86m Harry Kane alternative

Reports emerged late last month that Spurs were ready to launch a move to re-sign their former talisman if given encouragement on the player side.

Kane’s contract in Munich ends in 2027 and there is a release clause of £56.7m in his terms that could reportedly be activated at the end of the current season.

Sadly for those of a Tottenham persuasion, a move looks to be unlikely. Speaking to the press this week, Kane revealed that he could definitely see himself remaining in Germany.

With that move off the table, if Spurs have desires of improving their forward line, something they need to do given the injury-prone Richarlison and Dominic Solanke, an alternative will be required.

Reports from Spain this week suggest that Porto striker Samu Aghehowa could be that man.

Transfer Focus

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

Indeed, it is claimed that Spurs are one of the major contenders to sign the Spanish striker in 2026, but they do face a few obstacles.

The first is Samu’s £86m release clause. The second is competition from further Premier League clubs, primarily Aston Villa and Newcastle.

His former club, Atletico Madrid, are also keeping a close eye on his development, perhaps regretting the decision they made to sell him to Porto.

Why Samu is such an exciting striker

Kane is the best goalscorer Spurs have ever seen, but he’s remarkably taking his game to new heights since moving to Germany.

Spurs

435

280

England

107

74

Bayern

106

103

Millwall

27

9

Orient

18

5

Leicester

15

2

Norwich

5

0

Last term, the England international bagged 41 goals in 51 games. This season, he’s in the form of his life, netting 18 times in ten outings. It’s Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo levels in their pomp.

Such form has seen calls for Kane to win the Ballon d’Or, but as the player himself has admitted, he may well need to win the Champions League or World Cup to be in the conversation. Wouldn’t that be something, eh?

Despite that, Kane is now 32 and while he only looks like he’s getting better in front of goal, there is no resale value here for Spurs and you do have to doubt just how long he will be able to do it at this rate of knots.

Spurs fans will no doubt lust after his return to north London but it’s not exactly a signing for the future. Samu, however, certainly would be.

He’s no mug in front of goal either. Just 21 years of age, the Spain international scored on 27 occasions in 45 fixtures throughout 2024/25.

The young attacker has been similarly rampant this season, scoring five goals in eight fixtures. As European football expert, Zach Lowy, has alluded to, Samu “has everything it takes to be one of the best strikers in Europe.”

Lowy mentions that while Porto’s star man is certainly still “rough around the edges” at his age, he holds the ball up brilliantly and chases the ball down “like a madman”.

Combine that with his ability to score goals on a regular basis and you have a complete package ready to take one of Europe’s top five leagues by storm.

There is a reason Chelsea nearly signed him too. They’ve been busy hoovering up some of the best young talent in the world in recent years and had agreed a deal worth £35m before the move collapsed. That could be to Spurs’ gain if they do seal Samu’s signature next year.

Some might be concerned about the fact that the striker is unproven in a major league. Viktor Gyokeres has had an indifferent start at Arsenal since swapping the Portuguese top-flight for the Premier League.

He was more prolific than Samu, too, notching 54 goals last season, but it’s key to remember that the Spurs target is younger. His future in the game looks immense and while it’s a stretch to suggest he’d replicate Kane, he can certainly help them forget about making a move for a player who will be in his mid-30s by the time his contract in Germany expires.

Samu, on the other hand, will still only be 23. He has the world at his feet and he’s ready to dominate European football for years to come.

Spurs sold "phenomenal" striker for just £7m, now he's as prolific as Kane

The incredible striker Spurs sold is starting to play like Harry Kane.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 7, 2025

On Tuesday evening, Unai Emery's side will look to get revenge over Newcastle after they defeated the Villans 5-1 all the way back in August.

Last Friday, Aston Villa held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup, with a replay making their hectic schedule even busier.

With the number of upcoming matches increasing, the Spaniard must look to reinforce his squad before the end of Thursday.

The latest on Villa's Morgan Rogers chase

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Villa have submitted a third bid for Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers.

The attacker is Monchi and Emery's priority this month, with the player also wanting to move to the Premier League club.

David Ornstein subsequently revealed on Monday that an offer of £15m including add-ons had been made with negotiations set to continue.

Why Morgan Rogers could replace Jacob Ramsey

Since breaking onto the scene in the 2020/21 term, Jacob Ramsey has developed into a key player for Aston Villa.

The academy youth product has already featured 115 times for the team he supports, including 14 matches this campaign where he's netted just once. A foot injury has seen him miss eight games in 2023/24, but he is finally working his way back into the side.

However, earlier this week, David Ornstein of The Athletic announced that Newcastle had made an approach to sign the midfielder, with Spurs and Bayern Munich also interested parties.

Therefore, if Ramsey were to leave the club, Rogers could just become the ideal replacement in the second half of the season.

The former Man City player only joined Middlsebrough in the summer, but he has become a vital cog in Michael Carrick's system incredibly swiftly.

Rogers has played 33 matches across all competitions, netting seven times and providing nine assists, with his performance against Villa in the FA Cup igniting their interest, even if Boro did suffer a 1-0 defeat.

Therefore, let's look at Rogers' statistics from this season and how he compares to his positional peers in the Championship.

Goals

0.14

Bottom 72%

Assists

0.41

Top 2%

Key passes

2.55

Top 5%

Shot-creating actions

4.82

Top 9%

Progressive passes

5.50

Top 10%

Tackles won

1.38

Top 15%

Although the 21-year-old is a forward by trade, Rogers also has the attributes to thrive as a third midfielder due to his versatility and off-the-ball work rate. The attacker has played in five different roles already this season, including at left midfield, which is where Ramsey currently operates.

The fact that he ranks in the top 15% for tackles also shows that he is proactive out of possession, which is important for all individuals in an Emery team.

However, Rogers' main strength is in the final third, where he can score goals and create for others, with his current boss labelling him as a "dangerous" player. All his passing statistics, assists, and shot-creating actions indicate that he's a creative outlet, and his addition to the side would significantly improve the output of those around him. He's also the current top scorer in the EFL Cup with five goals, which shows he is more than capable of getting on the scoresheet.

Signing such a well-rounded, versatile attacker would be the perfect replacement for Ramsey, who's also played in four different roles this season. Rogers would be an excellent purchase for the Villa team.

Liverpool kicked off their pre-season tour in Asia with a 4-2 loss against AC Milan. Results do not matter in pre-season, of course, but it is interesting to see the likes of Florian Wirtz in action.

The attacking midfielder, who joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m fee in June, was all neat flicks and cute turns and intelligent one-twos. The German maestro is the real deal, all right, and could be the difference-maker as Arne Slot looks to defend his Premier League title while chasing glory across other fronts.

Hugo Ekitike didn’t feature, for he only played out his first training session with his new club on Friday, having finalised his £79m move from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the week.

You can be sure to expect the Frenchman’s participation in the weeks ahead. Though in what capacity remains to be seen, with the Reds chasing a deal for Alexander Isak, who has informed Newcastle United that he wants to sign for the Merseysiders.

However, one player who won’t be taking part is Joe Gomez, who has been dealt another cruel injury blow and has been forced to head home.

Liverpool's defensive situation

Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m last month, thinning out Slot’s backline. In Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool have an elite pairing, but little else in the way of depth.

However, Gomez does have a chance to shine at the rear next year, having been utilised centrally by Slot last term after principal full-back displays across Jurgen Klopp’s final term.

Well, that was the case until the England international had to withdraw from Liverpool’s summer camp due to what has been reported as a ‘minor Achilles injury’.

There’s no doubt that this blow exacerbates Liverpool’s comparatively frail defensive depth, and may well see sporting director Richard Hughes forge ahead with plans to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

Liverpool emerged as leading contenders for Guehi in June, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the Anfield side’s interest in the centre-back.

With just one year left on his current deal, the Reds are optimistic that they can sign the 25-year-old in a cut-price £40m package. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen.

Why Liverpool must sign Marc Guehi

It’s funny that Liverpool have spent so heavily this summer and yet still feel fragile and thin at the back.

And with the non-committal Konate entering the final year of his £70k-per-week deal, and with Real Madrid hoping to snap him up, it feels crucial that the Reds add a player of Guehi’s quality to their ranks.

The one-time Chelsea prospect has made quite the name for himself at Selhurst Park, playing 132 games in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup last season, keeping a clean sheet against Manchester City in the final.

Liverpool need a centre-back, but Guehi isn’t any old defender. He’s perfect for Slot’s expressive yet composed system, hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as “England’s best player” at the 2024 European Championship and described as a “monster in defence” by reporter Bobby Manzi.

Indeed, as per FBref, Guehi ranked among the top 9% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goal contributions, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for through balls and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.

The 6 foot titan, not the tallest, made up for his so-called weakness in regard to stature by winning 63% of his ground duels in the Premier League last term, as per Sofascore, underscoring the kind of first-class defending Slot would be welcoming to his ranks.

There’s even a case to be made for Guehi being a more important signing than Isak.

Make no mistake, the Sweden forward is a world-class player. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even said that he was “the best striker in the Premier League” last season, and it’s praise that many would agree with.

Mohamed Salah, as is so often the case in the record books, was the only man to have outscored Isak in the league last year, and the Newcastle man played just 31 matches altogether, bespeaking his clinical style.

Now, while Isak would prove an incredible, level-raising signing, have Liverpool not already added Ekitike to their ranks? Data-led site FBref even reveal that the Newcastle man is one of Ekitike’s most statistically comparable players.

And with Liverpool already such a devastating attacking force, the French forward is in the perfect place to foster his burgeoning skills.

1.

Liverpool

1st

80

2.

Man City

4th

66

3.

Newcastle

3rd

65

4.

Arsenal

2nd

63

5.

Tottenham

16th

62

However, Liverpool are but a Van Dijk injury away from disaster at the back, and it would be inconceivable to enter the fresh campaign, primed to defend their title, having sold themselves short in spite of such heavy spending.

That’s why Guehi’s signature could prove such an important one for Slot’s vision. Gomez simply isn’t reliable enough to serve as the skipper and Konate’s deputy, having missed the entire second half of the 2024/25 campaign with a hamstring injury; he returned in May but failed to make it off the bench.

Liverpool know that they need to get their purse out once again this summer, turning away from the spending up front and fashioning a complete and deep defensive line.

There are many centre-halves who could make a difference, but Guehi would be the pick of the bunch, and he might even prove a more important signing than Isak when the campaign is well and truly underway.

Bigger loss than Diaz or Nunez: Barcelona charge into race for £70k-p/w Liverpool star

The Reds could lose a key man.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 26, 2025

Arsenal are primed to go again next season, sights set on the biggest prizes. Mikel Arteta’s transfer efforts this summer certainly speak of ambition.

And there’s more still to come, even after deals for free-scoring striker Viktor Gyokeres and up-and-coming defender Cristian Mosquera are wrapped up, as is expected.

There’s space for a few more forwards, and the depth of such plans will become clearer upon the resolutions to the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, both wide forwards rumoured to be expendable.

A playmaker would also go down well in north London. Arsenal had registered their interest in RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, but the Dutchman has instead been at the centre of Chelsea’s advancements, with that one now in the pipeline.

However, with Martin Odegaard settled in his senior role, Arteta will want to consider the ramifications a big-money signing might have on some of the exciting up-and-coming prospects.

Arsenal's teenage talents

Arsenal commenced their pre-season tour in Asia with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan. A familiar scoreline, but also new parts which demonstrate Arteta’s vision advancing to the next stage.

Bukayo Saka being the goalscorer is nothing new, but the likes of Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri’s starring roles highlight the next batch of elite Hale End prospects arriving at Arteta’s door.

We, of course, know all about Nwaneri, he who emerged onto the scene as a youngster and settled into a role of seniority last year, scoring nine goals and supplying two assists across 37 matches in all competitions.

Against Milan this week, the 18-year-old operated from a central playmaking berth, and it made an interesting comment on his positional value away from the right wing.

However, Dowman made his senior debut against the Italians, emerging from the bench and replacing Saka beyond the hour mark. A symbolic switch if ever there was one.

Where Dowman, 15, is best suited positionally remains to be seen, but after Arteta hailed the attacking midfielder’s “incredible” first taste of action, the outfit will want to be wary of hampering his development.

Arsenal lining up another attacking midfielder

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal chiefs are locked in talks with the entourage of Eberechi Eze, who has immortalised himself at Crystal Palace after scoring the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final.

The 27-year-old has a £60m release clause in his contract and the Gunners are the firm favourites to complete a deal, should he be on the move this summer.

Eze, an England international of growing importance, could find himself at the centre of a concrete bid from Arsenal in short time, now that a move for Gyokeres has been wrapped up.

Why Arsenal want Eberechi Eze

In 2020, Eze joined Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers in the Championship for a £20m fee. He has since become “one of the best players in the Premier League”, in the words of teammate Tyrick Mitchell, posting 40 goals and 28 assists across 148 matches for the Eagles.

24/25

43 (40)

14

11

23/24

31 (26)

11

6

22/23

40 (30)

10

4

21/22

19 (7)

1

1

20/21

36 (31)

3

6

The Three Lions star is something special, all right, with his strong athletic build and winged feet making him a dangerous opponent for even the sternest defenders.

As per FBref, Eze ranked among the top 20% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for assists and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90.

His average of 1.7 key passes, two dribbles and 4.8 successful duels per Premier League game last season, as per Sofascore, furthers the argument that he’s exactly what Arteta needs to add a dimension and ensure that the biggest prizes across multiple fronts can be chased next term.

The problem is that Eze’s arrival would spark congestion in the creative midfield position for Arsenal, and this could lead to the stunting of Dowman’s growth. Nwaneri’s midfield role against Milan suggests his future lies in the middle, while the acquisition of Noni Madueke will surely see him play on the right, Dowman’s other preferred role.

And given the prodigious potential that Arteta has in the teenage superstar, is this really the course of action that the club wants to head down?

Of course, some would argue that Dowman must be eased onto the major stage over the next few years, allowed to grow into his skin without the weight of responsibility that could foil so many youngsters.

But Odegaard is set to continue as the Emirates creator-in-chief over the coming years, and Nwaneri could be his deputy for an age.

Given that Dowman is so ilky and fleet-footed on the ball, bearing an age-belying confidence, you could make the comparison between him and Eze, so there is the fact that he would emerge onto the scene and be impeded by a more accomplished and complete positional rival who has a similar style of play.

And if Arsenal do push ahead with the signing of an out-and-out winger, which is a separate focus to that of Eze, then it would make sense for the Palace man to operate chiefly within a central berth. Thus, Dowman would indeed find himself further down the pecking order than he might hope for.

There’s no question that Eze is a “superstar”, as has been said by analyst Ben Mattinson, but is his signature really needed? It might feel like this is so, but Dowman is one of the most talented teenagers in world football, and he could break through to the Arsenal first team sooner rather than later.

More exciting than Gyokeres: Romano reveals Arsenal's new "top target"

The sensational game-changer would be an incredible signing for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 24, 2025

Manchester United are set for a huge summer transfer window if they are to rise up the table and be a success in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.

The Red Devils finished in a measly 15th position last time around, registering their lowest points tally and finish since the division formed back in 1992.

Ruben Amorim was unable to work his magic after being appointed back in November, but this window presents him with the chance to make his desired changes at Old Trafford.

The likes of Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof will all depart at the end of the month, raising key funds in their pursuit of landing key targets.

With the window reopening on Monday, it allows the club to add to the signing of Matheus Cunha, with multiple additions needed if they are to have any chance of pushing for European football.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions

All areas of the pitch are expected to be subject to investment as the hierarchy looks to hand Amorim with the tools he needs to be a success at Theatre of Dreams.

Hugo Ekitiké, Richard Rios and Ronald Araujo are just three names thrown into the mix over recent months, but as of yet, no deals have yet been agreed for any of the aforementioned talents.

However, serious moves have been made to land Copenhagen star Rooney Bardghji before the end of the transfer window, that’s according to GIVEMESPORT’s latest update.

They claim that the Red Devils have held talks with the Danish side over a move for the 19-year-old, who’s previously scored against United in the Champions League.

It also states that he’s seen as one of Europe’s most promising stars, but has endured somewhat of a dismal spell with injuries, only making six appearances in 2024/25.

Why United’s latest target would be a more exciting signing than Mbeumo

Over recent weeks, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has been the most likely star to make the move to join United and further aid Amorim’s attempts in the final third.

The Cameroonian has starred in the Premier League throughout 2024/25, scoring 20 times in his 38 appearances, undoubtedly being the shining light in the Bees’ side.

Such a record has led to the Red Devils’ keen interest, even making a £55m bid for the attacker, but it was swiftly rejected with a £70m price tag mooted.

They face huge competition from Tottenham Hotspur for his signature this window, with the Lilywhites potentially having the edge given the appointment of his former boss, Thomas Frank.

However, given the interest from elsewhere, it’s led to a move for Bardghji, with the Swedish youngster a more exciting and upcoming talent than Mbeumo, with Amorim needing to pursue a move for his signature.

The teenager, who’s been labelled “very special” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase his talents this campaign, but has previously demonstrated the elite-level talent at his disposal.

In the 2023/24 campaign, he thrived in the Champions League, completing 90% of the passes he attempted and creating 1.9 chances per 90 – highlighting his ability to provide for teammates in attacking areas.

Games played

9

Goals scored

1

Pass accuracy

90%

Chances created

1.9

Dribbles completed

3.8

Dribble success rate

75%

Shots taken

2.8

He also managed to complete 3.8 dribbles per 90, at a completion rate of 75%, posing a real threat with the ball at his feet and starring in a competition Mbeumo has yet to be in his career.

Bardghji’s effort against United in such a period is evidence of the brilliance he’s able to produce when featuring on the pitch, having the potential to explode into a top-level talent when injury-free.

Given his tender age, he has bags of time to reach his full potential and build on the impressive start he’s made to his professional career at Copenhagen.

Should he move to United, he would hand Amorim a new dimension, certainly offering a more exciting signing than the Brentford star, given the levels he’s produced and the room he still has to grow over the next few years.

Amorim's next Amad: Wilcox considering Man Utd bid for "special" £38m star

Manchester United could be about to land a star who can emulate Amad Diallo’s success.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 18, 2025

Celtic could wrap up the Scottish Premiership title this week as they prepare to travel away from Parkhead to face off against Dundee United on Saturday.

The Hoops head into the game off the back of a thumping 5-0 win over St. Johnstone in the semi-finals of the SFA Cup at Hampden Park on Sunday, securing their place in the final against Aberdeen.

Brendan Rodgers knows that a win against Dundee United this weekend will secure the league title for the second time in as many seasons under his leadership, and for the fourth time in as many seasons as a club.

This means that there is still a chance for Celtic to win the domestic treble this term, after they failed to do so last season, if they can win the title and go on to beat Aberdeen at Hampden Park in the final of the SFA Cup.

Focus will then turn to the summer transfer window and how the Hoops can make changes to their squad in order to continue their success next season.

Celtic are already, reportedly, fighting to keep hold of one of their players ahead of the summer, as they are attempting to tie Greg Taylor down to a new deal.

The latest on Greg Taylor's Celtic future

The Daily Record reported last week that the club are in talks with the Scotland international over the possibility of a contract extension for the full-back.

It was claimed that the Scottish giants want to tie him down to a new three-year contract to extend his stay in Glasgow, with his current deal due to expire at the end of this season.

The outlet added that the three-year deal that has been tabled for the defender would see his wages significantly increased. They currently sit at £15k-per-week, but it is not revealed what they would be increased to if he put pen to paper on this three-year extension.

Despite this, there remains uncertainty over Taylor’s future at Celtic because the report outlined that he would still have to play second-fiddle to the returning Kieran Tierney next season.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast’s Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

The Daily Record also outlined the level of interest in the left-footed star’s services. He has an offer on the table from Dinamo Zagreb and has interest from unnamed clubs in the MLS, in Italy, and in England, which suggests that he has plenty of options to pick from and would not be left without a club by leaving the Hoops.

It now remains to be seen whether or not Taylor would be happy to remain at the club to be behind Tierney in the pecking order, with the carrot of a wage increase that could see him move further up in the club’s top ten earners.

Celtic's top ten wage earners

The Scottish defender’s £15k-per-week wages at the moment place him tenth in the wage bill, as per Salary Sport, although they are yet to add Jota’s wages to their data since his move from Rennes in January.

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor are supposedly the joint-highest earners in the squad with wages of £37k-per-week, over £20k more per week than Taylor earns.

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£37k

Callum McGregor

£37k

James Forrest

£19k

Daizen Maeda

£18k

Alistair Johnston

£16k

Reo Hatate

£16k

Arne Engels

£16k

Adam Idah

£16k

Luis Palma

£16k

Greg Taylor

£15k

As you can see in the table above, most of the top earners in the team are the regular starters in Rodgers’ team who have earned their place in the top ten earners, including the likes of Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Arne Engels.

Luis Palma, who earns more than Taylor, however, does not fall into that category. In fact, his lack of impact in the first-team led to him joining Olympiacos on loan in the January transfer window.

Why Celtic must finally sell Luis Palma

The Hoops must finally cash in on the Honduras international when the summer transfer window opens for business because he is clearly not a part of the manager’s plans and is, therefore, bleeding the club dry with his high wages.

Olympiacos reportedly have an option to sign him permanently for £3.4m, but it has been claimed that they are not going to exercise that option. This means that Palma is due to return to Parkhead in the summer, as it stands.

Dynamo Kyiv are reportedly interested in a deal to snap up the forward ahead of next season, though, and Celtic must push to do a deal with them in the coming weeks and months, in order to finally part ways with the flop.

Appearances (starts)

28 (18)

8 (1)

Goals

7

0

Big chances created

14

1

Assists

9

0

Key passes per game

2.4

1.5

As you can see in the table above, his game time and his performances regressed from the 2023/24 campaign to the current season, which suggests that Rodgers lost faith in the attacker – culminating in his loan exit to Olympiacos in January.

Palma has had some good moments in a Celtic shirt, including the spectacular goal in the clip above, but his lack of minutes and goal contributions this season suggests that the club are wasting significant wages on him.

Earlier this term, former Hoops striker John Hartson was not afraid to be scathing in his assessment of the winger. The Daily Record quoted him as saying: “For me I am watching him thinking ‘go, make something happen’ and it just comes to nothing. For me as a winger Palma doesn’t do enough. He is just too wasteful.”

Palma has, therefore, not impressed pundits, not impressed Rodgers, and not impressed his loan club enough to seal a permanent move to Olympiacos, with zero goals and zero assists in six Super League matches for his temporary team.

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It is now down to the board to find a suitor, whether that is Dynamo Kyiv or another club, to finally part ways with the £16k-per-week dud ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Despite PSR concerns, Aston Villa have now reportedly joined a hectic race to sign a Bundesliga defender ahead of a number of Premier League rivals for Unai Emery this summer.

Aston Villa's PSR concern

On the pitch, Aston Villa are a side competing for consecutive top-four finishes in the Premier League and find themselves in the last eight of the Champions League and the last four of the FA Cup. It seems as though things can’t get much better.

In reality, however, as successful as they have been on the field, concerns are reportedly emerging over profit and sustainability rules behind the scenes.

Questions will be asked over just how a side of such recent success have struggled to stay in line with the rules, especially after the big sale of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia in January, but it looks as though Villa could be in for a cautious summer.

Whether those concerns will result in player sales or limited spending remains to be seen. However, reports are emerging on both the incoming and departure fronts.

On the departure front, it’s Boubakar Kamara who has attracted attention in recent days with Liverpool reportedly eyeing a move to sign the Aston Villa midfielder.

Meanwhile, if the Villans choose to run the risk of spending once more this summer, names such as Marc Casado and Andreas Christensen could steal the headlines fresh from Barcelona, according to recent reports.

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The same can also be said for one Bundesliga talent, as Aston Villa look to reinforce their backline and beat Liverpool and Manchester City to the signature of a talented defender this summer.

Aston Villa battling to sign Sildillia

Putting their financial concerns to one side, those in the Midlands have reportedly joined a hectic Premier League race. According to CaughtOffside, Aston Villa are now battling to sign Kiliann Sildillia from SC Freiburg ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Man City.

The Bundesliga side are reportedly valuing their right-back at just €16m (£14m) this summer – a price Villa may be able to match even amid their PSR frustrations.

At just 22 years old, the Bundesliga right-back has earned plenty of praise in recent years – including from Antonio Mango. The U23 scout took to X to describe Sildillia as an “extremely athletic” defender “who possesses a great burst of pace and acceleration”.

However, whether those are traits Aston Villa are left to benefit from remains to be seen as Premier League clubs race to sign the talented right-back.

Nottingham Forest are now “working” on a summer deal for a “fantastic” forward, who would be a “brilliant signing”, according to former scout Mick Brown.

Forest pursuing a Champions League level striker

Forest have surpassed all expectations to push for Champions League qualification this season, and they owe a lot of their success to striker Chris Wood, who has been prolific in front of goal, netting 18 times in the Premier League.

However, it is clear Nuno is now pursuing another top striker, and there are some extremely exciting targets in mind, not least Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly willing to break the bank for the Nigerian.

Another option is Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, having made contact with the representatives of the Swedish striker, who has been extremely impressive this season, most notably netting a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League.

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The Tricky Trees have also identified targets from within the Premier League, with talks over a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha currently ongoing, while they may be able to sign Brentford’s Yoane Wissa for just £15m – £20m.

Football Insider have now dropped a new update on Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Wissa, claiming the forward is their top priority for the summer transfer window, before relaying quotes from Brown, who believes he would be a fantastic addition to the squad.

“What sort of player is it Forest look for to improve their team? They’re based on the two widemen and their pace, getting in behind players on the break and getting crosses in for the big centre-forward.

“Wissa, to me, is a box player – and I don’t mean to be disrespectful when I say that – he’s not somebody who comes linking the play up and combining with people and that type of thing. Forest are working here on a brilliant signing.”

"Fantastic" Wissa impressing Nuno

Nuno is believed to be a big fan of the forward, given his ability to play across the front three, and he has proven himself as a reliable goal threat for Brentford this season, having scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League games.

The 28-year-old also scored a remarkable goal against Chelsea last season, having consistently found the back of the net for the Bees since arriving from FC Lorient in 2021, with this campaign proving to be his most prolific to date.

The DR Congo international, who has been lauded as “fantastic” by Thomas Frank, has proven he could be ready to make the step-up to a club in the Champions League, and his potential availability for just £15m – £20m is an added bonus.

The only minor concern will be the fact Wissa will turn 29 in September, with all of Forest’s other striker targets younger, although Osimhen and Gyokeres are yet to prove themselves in the Premier League.