Manchester United are now ready to step up their efforts to sign an “insane” £64 million player once they complete the deal for Matheus Cunha, according to a recent report.
Man Utd chasing new striker despite closing in on Cunha deal
The Red Devils still have one final Premier League game to play out, but already club chiefs are getting things underway ahead of the summer transfer window opening.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunha
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that United are now close to signing Cunha from Wolves. The Brazil forward has accepted the project on offer at Old Trafford and has also agreed personal terms with the Red Devils. Romano claims only the finer details need to be sorted before the deal reaches the “here we go” stage.
Amorim must now bench Hojlund to unleash Man Utd "genius" in new role
Man Utd are preparing for a season-defining game on Wednesday evening…
1 ByRobbie Walls May 21, 2025
But Ruben Amorim and United want more than just Cunha to add to their front line – according to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, United have also held face-to-face talks with striker Liam Delap after Ipswich Town granted permission for him to travel to Manchester. The young forward has a £30 million release clause, and he is one of a number of targets the Red Devils are interested in signing to play up front with Cunha.
Man Utd ready to step up efforts to sign Viktor Gyokeres
Along with Delap, Viktor Gyokeres is also another option that is under consideration by the Old Trafford chiefs, and according to L’Equipe, relayed by Get French Football News, Man United are stepping up their efforts to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
The report states that the Sweden international wants to resolve his future as quickly as possible, given he is expected to leave Sporting. However, the lack of concrete moves from PSG has now opened the door to United, who will look to make an approach for Gyokeres in the coming days.
It is claimed that the Red Devils are the only team to make serious efforts to try and sign Gyokeres, despite the fact the forward has also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal and is said to be on their transfer shortlist. This would be a costly purchase for United, as it’s been widely reported that it could cost any interested team as much as £64 million to sign the prolific number nine.
Apps
101
Goals
96
Assists
28
The 26-year-old, who has been labelled “insane” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been sensational for Sporting CP since moving to Portugal. Gyokeres has netted 39 goals in 33 league games this season, so while he may be an expensive purchase, his goal-scoring record suggests it would be money well spent.
Current number nine Rasmus Hojlund looks set for a move away from United, and if Cunha is being brought in to play just off the striker like he often has done at Molineux then a more clinial finisher will be required up front.
The life of a Premier League manager is a precious one; they seldom last as long as they should, with trigger-happy owners desperate to instigate the change their ailing clubs need to remain competitive, whether that’s through surviving the drop or simply staying relevant in the race for European football.
So with 20 bosses fighting for their jobs on a weekly basis, who could be next to leave? With the 2024/25 campaign in its final weeks, there could be clubs contemplating changes ahead of the summer.
Here, our ranking takes us through the managers we think are closest to being shown the exit door. As well as the threat of dismissal, we have also factored in managers wo may be tempted to jump ship, adding some uncertainty to their futures at their respective clubs.
This is how we think the Premier League’s managerial sack race stands at this late stage of the campaign, with our reasoning for each one below:
Rank
Manager
Club
Date appointed
Oliver Glasner
Crystal Palace
February 2024
Arne Slot
Liverpool
May 2025
David Moyes
Everton
January 2025
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal
December 2019
Vitor Pereira
Wolves
December 2024
Unai Emery
Aston Villa
November 2022
Andoni Iraola
Bournemouth
June 2023
Marco Silva
Fulham
July 2021
Thomas Frank
Brentford
October 2018
Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham
June 2023
Enzo Maresca
Chelsea
June 2024
Eddie Howe
Newcastle
November 2021
Pep Guardiola
Man City
July 2016
Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest
December 2023
Fabian Hurzeler
Brighton
June 2024
Kieran McKenna
Ipswich
December 2021
Graham Potter
West Ham
January 2025
Ruben Amorim
Man Utd
November 2024
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Leicester
November 2024
Here’s a further look at our rankings in more detail…
1 Oliver Glasner Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner’s tenure at Crystal Palace could hardly have gone better. After comfortably staying up in the 2023/24 season, he picked the Eagles up from a slow start to the most recent campaign and survived with ease once again.
But the crowning glory came in the FA Cup final at Wembley, as Crystal Palace became cup winners for the first time with a historic 1-0 win over Manchester City to write their names into the record books. There is simply no one they’d swap the Austrian for right now.
2 Arne Slot Liverpool
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on
There are few safer hot seats in Europe than the one occupied by Arne Slot at Liverpool. The Dutchman steered the Reds to a pretty comfortable Premier League triumph in his first season in charge as he replaced the great Jurgen Klopp.
Cynics will argue that the competition was nowhere near as fierce, but Liverpool’s status as a top side in English football and Europe looks assured under the former Feyenoord boss, who will look to emulate Jose Mourinho by securing two titles in his first two seasons.
Having not bought anyone of note in the summer (sorry, Federico Chiesa), his success is all the more impressive.
3 David Moyes Everton
It may be a slight stretch to call David Moyes a miracle worker, but even the Friedkin Group must be delighted with how things have gone in the past few months for Everton.
With the Scot drafted in to rescue his old club from relegation ahead of their move to Bramley-Moore Dock, Moyes not only made the Toffees more solid in the wake of Sean Dyche’s exit, but turned them into winners.
Seven wins and counting since January saw Everton coast to top-flight safety, and with only four league defeats since Moyes’ return, the Merseysiders were able to give Goodison Park the send-off it deserved without the threat of demotion hanging over them. There is no one more fitting to kickstart the new era.
4 Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners into a European powerhouse. Despite not adding to his FA Cup triumph in 2020, the north Londoners are undoubtedly one of the strongest sides in the league, if not on the continent.
That is a testament to the Spaniard’s work at the Emirates Stadium, with Arteta juggling injuries and suspensions galore in 2024/25 to steer Arsenal to just their third Champions League semi-final and what looks to be a third successive runners-up place in the Premier League.
With a big summer surely in the offing, you can bet Arteta will be backed to keep up the good work.
5 Vitor Pereira Wolves
Vitor Pereira was tasked with saving Wolves following his arrival in December 2024, with the Old Gold still in single figures in terms of points, and five from safety.
A superb run of form – including six straight wins between March and April – effectively secured their survival, even ahead of the likes of West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Heading into his first full season, Fosun must be licking their lips over what the Portuguese coach can do with his squad over the long term.
6 Unai Emery Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
Aston Villa have had a superb time of it under Unai Emery, with Champions League qualification leading to some of Villa Park’s greatest nights.
They have all been made possible by Emery’s work since his appointment in November 2022, which has seen the Villans transformed from Premier League strugglers to Champions League quarter-finalists in less than three years.
With European qualification assured (and perhaps another CL berth), Emery will surely not be going anywhere anytime soon.
7 Andoni Iraola Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola is one of the Premier League’s brightest minds in the dugout. He has taken Bournemouth to the brink of Europe following a superb top-flight campaign that has delivered their highest points total at this level.
That consistency will leave him with plenty of credit in the bank, though a big test will be how he addresses the departure of Dean Huijsen in the summer.
The next step for the Spaniard will be European qualification, and having performed well against the bigger sides in the league, Iraola may yet set his sights on new heights down on the south coast.
8 Marco Silva Fulham
Fulham manager Marco Silva
Marco Silva looks at home as Fulham boss, with the Portuguese coach delivering another impressive campaign. Indeed, the Cottagers have only just exited European contention at the back end of the season.
His record at Craven Cottage thus far suggests they will remain an awkward side to face, with cup success or European qualification surely only around the corner if they can keep progressing under his tutelage.
9 Thomas Frank Brentford
Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
How Thomas Frank continues to get results out of Brentford is remarkably impressive. Not panicked by the exit of Ivan Toney in the summer, the Bees have shown they are arguably a better side without him, while the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have steadily improved, demonstrating Frank’s capabilities as a coach.
European qualification remains a slight possibility heading into the final game of the season, and it would be just rewards for a club that is one of the most stable in the Premier League, largely thanks to Frank’s prowess from the dugout.
You get the feeling that as long as Frank remains, Brentford are in good hands.
10 Ange Postecoglou Tottenham
Who knows what the future holds for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur? Anyone with Spurs’ results record would surely have expected a dismissal at some point. But to give credit where it’s due, Daniel Levy’s decision to stick by his man delivered Tottenham that long-awaited trophy following Europa League glory in May.
However, one gets the impression that all is not rosy for the Australian in N17, with Postecoglou appearing to have a fractured relationship with the supporters during the past 10 months.
Whether a European trophy can build bridges and lead to a season more akin to his first in north London remains to be seen, so you do feel that Postecoglou’s future is still in the balance.
Tottenham Hotspur are potentially two games away from doing something seriously special in the Europa League.
However, while Ange Postecoglou could lead his side to continental success, the club’s domestic form cannot be described as anything other than shambolic.
With three games left to play in the Premier League, the North Londoners have been on the losing side 19 times and sit just a point above West Ham United in 16th place.
Unsurprisingly, such wretched form has led to reports suggesting that Postecoglou is set to be replaced in the summer, regardless of what happens in the Europa League.
There have been a whole host of names linked with the club in recent weeks, but there has been one which would represent a massive coup for the Lilywhites: someone who’s an even bigger name than José Mourinho and would be an enormous upgrade on Ange.
Tottenham's manager search
The last few weeks have seen a variety of managers linked with the Spurs job, and while there have been some underwhelming ones, like Scott Parker, there have been some more exciting ones as well, like Marco Silva and Andonio Iraola.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former has helped turn Fulham from a yo-yo club into a mid-table Premier League side that can give anyone a game on their day.
It’s been an even more impressive transformation down at the Vitality Stadium, with Iraola taking the Cherries from relegation favourites near the start of last season to genuine contenders for a European place this season.
Moreover, the Spaniard helped to get the financially minuscule Rayo Vallecano promoted to La Liga during his time in the Spanish capital.
However, even with the aforementioned managers, there is an element of risk, as none of them have taken over a club as big as Spurs, so there will always be lingering questions over how they’d cope with it.
So, with this in mind, reports from GIVEMESPORT late last month that claimed the Tottenham board had held international discussions about hiring Carlo Ancelotti are so exciting.
It would be an incredibly ambitious move, and one that might not pan out if reports linking the Italian to the Brazilian job are accurate, but if it paid off, the club would have themselves a significant upgrade on Postecoglou and a bigger name than Mourinho.
Why Ancelotti would be an incredible hire
So, before we look at how he stacks up against Postecoglou, let’s delve into just why we think he’s now a bigger name than Mourinho, as we’re sure it’s a point that the ‘special one’ would wholeheartedly disagree with.
Firstly, timing is crucial in this argument, as during Mourinho’s peak years at Chelsea, Inter Milan and, to some extent, Real Madrid, he’d undoubtedly be the ‘bigger name’, but in the last seven years or so, that has completely changed.
For example, since the start of the 16/17 season, the Portuguese coach has only won the League Cup and Europa League with Manchester United, and the Conference League with AS Roma.
In comparison, the Real boss has won the Bundesliga and two German Super Cups with Bayern Munich and three Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles, one Spanish Cup, two Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Supercups, the FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, all with Real Madrid.
Moreover, the Reggiolo-born mastermind also won the Champions League in his first stint with Los Blancos and twice with AC Milan, so there is a very genuine case for him being the greatest manager in the world.
With all that said, it should come as no surprise that when we compare his recent record to Postecoglou, he comes out so far ahead that it is almost pointless.
For example, in his current stint with Real, the “elite” 65-year-old, as dubbed by talkSPORT host Adrian Durham, has won 161 games, drawn 34 and lost 35, which comes out to an average of 2.25 points per game.
Games
230
96
Wins
161
45
Draws
34
14
Losses
35
37
Points per Game
2.25
1.55
In contrast, the Australian has overseen 45 wins, 14 draws and 37 losses, resulting in a far worse average of 1.55 points per game.
Ultimately, if there is any chance whatsoever for Spurs to sign Ancelotti in the coming weeks, they have to take it, as he’d be a monumental upgrade on Ange.
Fewer touches than Vicario: Ange must sell Spurs dud after 4/10 display
Tottenham Hotspur need a clear-out this summer after another game where they failed to claim all three points.
It is set to be a busy summer for Manchester City.
On the pitch, the Sky Blues are competing at the FIFA Club World Cup, kicking off their campaign on 18 June in Philadelphia against Wydad Casablanca, before also meeting Al Ain and Juventus.
Manchester City's ErlingHaalandcelebrates scoring their first goal
Meantime, the Citizens are also likely to be busy in the transfer market, as they were in January, spending a reported £180m to recruit Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico González, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah.
There is a clear strategy to make this squad younger, so are the Sky Blues now leading the chase for another highly-rated youngster?
Manchester City preparing a bid for a new full-back
According to reports from Spain, Manchester City are ‘preparing’ a bid to sign Benfica left-back Álvaro Carreras.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
They claim the 21-year-old ‘has caught the attention of Pep Guardiola’, making him a ‘priority option’ as Man City seek to bolster their left-back options.
Carreras actually spent time in Manchester United’s academy, making 42 appearances during a season-long loan spell at Preston North End in the EFL Championship, but he has really taken his game to a new level since joining Benfica for a reported fee of €6m (£5m) in the summer 2024 – after an initial loan move – featuring 61 times for As Águias so far.
FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in action with Benfica's Alvaro FernandezCarreras
Now, could the one-time Real Madrid starlet – who reportedly has a release clause of €50m (£41m) – be making the move to the other side of Manchester, but how well would he fit in at Man City?
How Álvaro Carreras would improve Manchester City
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout describes Carreras as an “excellent left-back”, while Portuguese Football Expert Kevin Fernandes believes he is “one of the best” players in his position on the market this summer, describing him as “defensively solid” having enjoyed a “meteoric” rise since making the move to Lisbon.
The former United man has also been lauded by Kulig for his “amazing engine and quality” at left-back, potentially proving a solution to what has been a problem position for Manchester City all throughout this season.
Right now, Nico O’Reilly, a 20-year-old, inexperienced attacking midfielder, is being deployed there by Guardiola, following a game-changing second-half appearance off the bench during last month’s FA Cup victory at Bournemouth, in which he scored and registered an assist.
At other times, Joško Gvardiol had appeared to be the undisputed first-choice for this role, while Rico Lewis, a versatile full-back, isn’t starting very much on either side, with Matheus Nunes the most common starting right-back in recent months.
So, considering Carreras would probably be usurping Lewis in the full-back pecking order, let’s asses how the two youngsters compare.
Appearances
66
71
Minutes
4,557
4,822
Pass completion %
79.6%
92.1%
Progressive passes
71
226
Progressive carries
34
92
Take on success %
60.5%
46.3%
Shot-creating actions
46
97
Goal-creating actions
4
12
Crosses
135
14
Tackles won
61
49
Interceptions
77
31
Ball recoveries
99
196
% of aerial duels won
54.4%
23.3%
Errors leading to an opposition shot
1
3
The table makes for interesting reading because, based on statistics from the start of last season, Lewis significantly comes out on top when it comes to both possession and chances created metric.
rico-lewis-man-city-championship-leeds-transfers
Meantime, Carreras is a vastly superior out-of-possession defender, emphasised by his tackles won, ball recoveries and percentage of aerials duels won, albeit the latter is slightly harsh on Lewis, considering he’s 5 foot 7 in. Even so, the addition of such competition could be bad news for the young England star.
This season, as Manchester City have struggled significantly more, they’ve been tasked with doing a lot more defending, a challenge some of their defenders have not been able to cope with, so Carreras would certainly address this issue and be an excellent addition.
Worth even more than Wirtz: Man City struck gold on "extraordinary" star
Man City have hit the jackpot with one of Pep Guardiola’s star men
Celtic’s amazing head coach of recent times, Ange Postecoglou, achieved great success during his two years at Parkhead before a move to England.
The Australian boss, who won the domestic treble in his final campaign at Celtic, won the Scottish Premiership title in both of his seasons with the club.
Ange Postecoglou.
Underpinning his success at Paradise was the excellent work done in the recruitment department, signing the likes of Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi, Joe Hart, and Cameron Carter-Vickers among others.
Jota was, arguably, the greatest signing of Postecoglou’s tenure as he joined the Hoops for a reported fee of £6.5m, after thriving on loan in his first season at the club, as shown in the graphic below.
After his exceptional form in the 2022/23 campaign, Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad swooped in to sign the winger for a reported fee of £25m, representing a huge profit for the club, and the winger has since returned on a permanent deal from Rennes in January for £8m.
Not all of Postecoglou’s signings at Celtic paid off, though, and one of the most infamous, for lack of a better word, moves was the addition of James McCarthy in the summer of 2021.
The curious case of James McCarthy
Ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, the Scottish giants confirmed the double signing of Joe Hart on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur and McCarthy on a free transfer from Crystal Palace.
At the time of that double deal, Postecoglou said: “I’m delighted that we have signed two top-class players in Joe and James. Both of them have a wealth of experience at both club and international level, and that is something which can only benefit the squad, and I’m looking forward to working with both of them.”
Hart went on to live up to that “top-class” tag with 64 clean sheets and only 145 goals conceded in 153 matches – less than a goal conceded per game – in three years at the club.
McCarthy, however, has not had the best of times at Parkhead so far and only played 22 times, racking up 739 minutes of action, in the 2021/22 campaign.
He followed that up with just 62 minutes on the pitch in five appearances in all competitions in the 2022/23 term, missing significant time through an injury picked up midway through the season – per The Scottish Sun.
Since the 2022/23 campaign, McCarthy has not made a single appearance for the first-team – playing two times for the B team in the Lowland League last season – and his current status is incredibly unclear.
24/25
0
£728k
23/24
0
£728k
22/23
5
£728k
21/22
22
£728k
As per The Scottish Sun earlier this year, there is a mystery surrounding the Irish midfielder because he has been removed from the club website, was not in the team picture in pre-season, and has not made a senior appearance since the 2022/23 campaign, yet Celtic have never confirmed his departure.
Per Salary Sport in the table above, the Hoops are still paying McCarthy £728k-per-season and Transfermarkt reports that the Irishman’s current deal does not officially expire until this summer, which means that the club appear to be paying a significant sum of wages for, essentially, nothing in return.
Celtic midfielder James McCarthy.
It is a bizarre situation and one that may be officially resolved in the summer if and when they confirm that he has left the club at the end of his deal.
Celtic, however, have another player who is fast becoming the new McCarthy, as another flop on fairly big wages despite rarely being seen on the pitch, in the form of Anthony Ralston.
Why Ralston is becoming the new McCarthy
Per Salary Sport, the Scotland international is on a weekly wage of £14k at Parkhead this season, with McCarthy being the only other player in the squad on the same wage.
Wage Burners
Football FanCast’s Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.
This means that he is currently on more money per week than Kasper Schmeichel (£13k), Nicolas Kuhn (£12k), Paulo Bernardo (£11k), and Luke McCowan (£8k), among other first-team stars.
That is despite Schmeichel being the number one goalkeeper and Kuhn delivering excellent performances this season, racking up 18 goals and 14 assists from a right wing position for the Scottish giants.
The German winger has, therefore, made a huge impact at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops in all competitions, providing quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
Ralston, on the other hand, has only started five matches in the Champions League and the Premiership combined in the 2024/25 campaign, after starting six times in those two competitions last season.
The Scottish defender, who came up through the academy system, did start 61 Premiership matches between the 2019/20 and 22/23 campaigns, but has fallen down the pecking order in recent years.
24/25
5
£728k
23/24
6
£728k
22/23
14
£728k
21/22
25
£442k
20/21
1
£286k
19/20
21
£286k
18/19
3
£234k
17/18
7
£234k
16/17
1
£130k
As you can see in the table above, he has only started 11 league matches – alongside zero in Europe – since the start of the 2023/24 season for the Hoops, earning the best part of £1.5m in wages in that time.
The rarely-seen defender is, therefore, fast becoming the new McCarthy at Celtic as his number of league starts each season has declined year-on-year for the last four campaigns, despite still being a relatively high earner.
Celtic defender Anthony Ralston.
Ralston is currently earning more in wages than players, like Kuhn and Schmeichel, who offer far more on the pitch for the Bhoys, which suggests that the Hoops are throwing money down the drain with the reserve defender.
With this in mind, Celtic should consider moving the full-back on in the upcoming summer transfer window before his lack of minutes on the pitch reaches McCarthy’s territory.
Rodgers must finally get rid of Celtic dud who earns more than Maeda
Celtic must move on from the forward who earns even more than Daizen Maeda.
4 ByDan Emery Apr 9, 2025
Unless Ralston can find a way to put himself back in Brendan Rodgers’ plans as a regular in the first-team, the 26-year-old flop is well on his way to becoming a forgotten man at Parkhead.
Leeds United want to sign an international forward in the summer who has been likened to former Newcastle United and Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to a new report.
Leeds latest transfer news
Despite a recent drop-off in form, Leeds United are still well in the race for a return to the Premier League, two seasons after they dropped out of the division.
With just eight games to play, Daniel Farke’s side lead the Championship table, ahead of second-placed Sheffield United only on goal difference and two points clear of Burnley in third.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkeapplauds fans
Whether that’s in the Premier League or the Championship, the Whites seem to already be preparing for next season, with a number of transfer targets reportedly already on their radar.
Among those are Southampton striker Cameron Archer, who was a target for the club in January, while, according to reports from Africa Foot, the Yorkshire club are also keen on signing Almeria forward Ibrahima Kone in the summer.
The most talked-about of Leeds’ potential summer transfers, however, is the proposed return of Kalvin Phillips. A recent report from TEAMtalk revealed that Leeds already have a verbal agreement with Phillips, who is currently on loan at Ipswich Town from Manchester City, to return to Elland Road if Farke’s side secures promotion back to the Premier League.
49ers break through and agree deal with £20m star to join Leeds this summer
Promotion needs to happen first.
5 ByCharlie Smith Mar 13, 2025
Phillips himself is also said to be keen on returning to his boyhood club and is pushing for a move, which he hopes will be able to help him revive his stalling career.
Leeds want new 23 y/o forward likened to Mitrovic
Another player reportedly on Leeds and the 49ers Enterprises radar ahead of the summer is Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat. The 23-year-old, who has been capped 10 times by Ukraine, has scored 16 goals in 34 appearances this term, helping put Kyiv in pole position to land the Ukrainian Premier League title.
According to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, Leeds are one of a number of clubs, alongside West Ham United and Fulham, who are now keeping tabs ahead of a potential swoop in a few months’ time.
Vanat has been described by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig as a “complete forward” who boasts excellent “pace, finishing, shot power, movement, link-up play, ambidexterity”.
According to Football Transfers, Vanat has a similar style of play to former Fulham star Mitrovic, who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal.
Leeds know all too well about the Serbian striker’s talents, with him having netted five goals and produced three assists in nine games against the Whites during his career, including twice in a thrilling Premier League game in September 2020, which Leeds won 4-3, and by the looks of things, a move for Vanat could be one to watch.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are edging closer to Premier League safety.
On Saturday night, Wolves held Everton to a 1-1 draw at Molineux, with new signing Marshall Munetsi equalising soon after the Toffees had broken the deadlock.
The 28-year-old, who arrived from Reims in January, became the third Zimbabwean to score in the Premier League, after Peter Ndlovu of Coventry City and Benjani of Portsmouth, Man City and Blackburn.
More importantly, Vítor Pereira’s team are now six points clear of the relegation zone, very much looking to increase that gap further when they visit bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Saturday.
So, while Wolves continue to battle to maintain their Premier League status, both in the immediate future but also long-term, they’re searching for bargains in the transfer market, and they certainly struck gold with one star in particular.
His value has exponentially increased by over 200% since he first set foot in the Black Country and he could well be as important as a a certain Matheus Cunha.
Matheus Cunha: Wolves' biggest asset in 2025
Few would argue with Tim Spires of the Athletic’s assertion that Cunha is Wolves’ most important player, stating ‘it’s all about [him], even when he’s not playing’.
The Brazilian’s contribution is undeniable, as the table below highlights.
Salah
27
17
44
63.77%
Isak
19
5
24
51.06%
Haaland
20
3
23
43.40%
Wood
18
3
21
46.67%
Palmer
14
6
20
37.74%
Mbeumo
15
4
19
39.58%
Watkins
13
6
19
46.34%
Kluivert
12
6
18
38.30%
Cunha
13
4
17
44.74%
Son
7
9
16
29.10%
As the table outlines, only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Chris Wood and Ollie Watkins have been directly involved in a higher percentage of their team’s goals this season than Cunha, which is far from ideal considering he’s just commenced a four-match suspension.
Wolves may struggle to keep hold of the Brazilian striker come the summer, with reports emerging that Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta is eager to finalise a move,
Nevertheless, while Cunha continues to get all the headlines, another Wolves star has been impressive too, leading to his market value increasing exponentially since he signed.
Wolves' rising star is worth even more than Cunha
Rayan Aït-Nouri joined Wolverhampton Wanderers from Angers in 2020, initially on loan, before the move was made permanent for a reported fee of £9.5m a year later.
Wolves player Rayan Ait-Nouri
Then-technical director Scott Sellars described him as “a very talented player, with lots of potential” and this assertion has certainly been proven right.
The 23-year-old has now made 147 appearances in Old Gold, accumulating 11 goals and 13 assists, pretty impressive tallies for a struggling side from full-back.
His Premier League performances have also earned international recognition; French-born, he switched his allegiance to Algeria two years ago, starting all three of the Desert Foxes’ fixtures at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations in Bouaké.
Meantime, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout describes his displays for Wolves as ‘fantastic’, Steve Madeley of the Athletic labels him ‘Wolves’ most indispensable player’, while Jonathan Liew of the Guardian outlines how he has become one of the best wing-backs in the Premier League.
As a result, many of the Premier League’s richest clubs appear to be keen on securing Aït-Nouri’s services, with Liverpool holding a vested interest late last year and Ruben Amorim’s Man United also looking at him.
Well, he certainly won’t come cheap; Transfermart believe his current value to be around £30m, representing a 206% increase from when Wolves signed him, while reports from Spain claim Wolves value ‘one of the most interesting left-backs’ at a humungous £65m. For context, that’s an even bigger price tag than Cunha’s £62m release clause.
All of this is to underline the fact Wolves absolutely struck gold by signing Aït-Nouri for less than £10m four years ago.
Wolves have found an irreplaceable star who's the next Vitinha & Neves
Wolves have been crying out for somebody in the mould of Ruben Neves.
Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be among the many clubs contending to sign in-demand Lille striker Jonathan David on a free transfer, with the player now allegedly making a decision on his next landing spot.
Jonathan David scores for fun in France with contract running down
After June 30th, the Canada international will be free to move on to new pastures at zero cost, with his contract expiring at the end of this season.
"Alarm bells" – Pundit shares Kevin Danso "concern" for Tottenham
The Austrian comes in as much-needed centre-back cover.
2 ByEmilio Galantini Feb 6, 2025
David, who’s scored 20 goals across 34 appearances for Lille in all competitions already this season, has entered the final few months of his career at the Ligue 1 club – which has piqued interest from a host of top European sides.
The 25-year-old Brooklyn-native stands out as, potentially, one of the summer’s biggest bargain transfers. Despite barely reaching the peak of his career, David’s already hit over a century of goals for Lille, 104 to be exact, not to mention 27 assists to go with that truly impressive tally.
Man United (home)
February 16th
Ipswich Town (home)
February 22nd
Man City (home)
February 26th
Bournemouth (home)
March 9th
Fulham (away)
March 16th
The former Gent sensation’s record in front of goal speaks for itself, and while you could make a case that he hasn’t been tested in a truly elite division like the Premier League just yet, that argument can be somewhat quashed by David’s record in the Champions League.
This term, he’s managed six goals in eight Champions League outings. They’ve come against big-name opposition as well, with David bagging a brace against Atlético Madrid, grabbing Lille’s winner in a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid and even scoring at Anfield – alongside another strike against Juventus.
There is little denying that David can be considered an elite-level marksman at this point, making the prospect of signing him for nothing a very tempting proposition.
Tottenham have been linked with a move for David, as have an array of other top European clubs, with journalist Graeme Bailey now sharing a potentially important update on his future.
Jonathan David makes Tottenham transfer decision after contact
According to Bailey, writing in a piece for The Boot Room, suitors believe that David has already chosen his preferred next club.
Canadian striker Jonathan David
Tottenham held talks with the player’s representatives recently, alongside Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham, but it is Barcelona who are leading the race to sign him.
Bailey claims that David has chosen to join Barcelona over Tottenham as his preferred choice, and talks are at an advanced stage. A Barça deal for the centre-forward is said to be close, so if the Lilywhites wish to pull off a hijack, or turn the tide like they did with Mathys Tel, they’re already running out of time.
Given Barca are the team David grew up supporting, by his own admission, so Spurs could be facing an uphill battle to beat Hansi Flick’s side to his signature.
“[Barcelona] was always the team I grew up supporting,” said David in 2024. “When you grow up supporting a team, it’s a dream to play for them.”
Having secured Champions League qualification by the skin of their teeth last season, Newcastle United are under no pressure to sell players this summer.
Of course, Eddie Howe will still have to comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations in order to make sure the club are balancing the books this summer.
The last time Newcastle played in Europe’s premier club competition, they failed to make it out of the group stages.
Howe will be expecting a much better showing this time around, although this means simultaneously keeping his star players while adding in much-needed squad depth.
Alexander Isak has been the subject of links to Liverpool recently, following on from another wonderful campaign on Tyneside.
The Toon are not willing to let their star striker leave, never mind selling to a Premier League rival. As such, they have placed a valuation of around £150m on his head.
Whether this deters potential suitors or not remains to be seen, but the Swedish centre-forward does appear happy at the club.
He isn’t the only player attracting interest of late. Indeed, winger Anthony Gordon is another who enjoyed a productive season in 2024/25.
While Isak appears indispensable to the club’s success next term, could Gordon be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in?
The latest on Anthony Gordon's future at Newcastle
The English starlet has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in the Premier League after a few impressive seasons at Newcastle.
Liverpool showed interest last summer, but nothing materialised. Could Arne Slot return this year and finally secure his signature?
Anthony Gordon
Any move may cost around £75m as both Chelsea and Arsenal have joined the Anfield side in declaring their interest in the former Everton sensation.
Last season, Gordon registered 16 goal contributions – nine goals and seven assists – in all competitions for the Magpies.
While he didn’t play in the League Cup final, the winger scored twice on the club’s road to the trophy, and his efforts in the Premier League sealed a top-five finish for the Toon.
Goals
6
Assists
5
Big chances created
6
Key passes per game
1.5
Successful dribbles per game
1.1
Shots per game
1.7
Via Sofascore
When compared to his positional peers in the top flight last season, Gordon ranked in the top 7% for crosses into the penalty area (0.63) per 90 and in the top 5% for fouls drawn (2.63) per 90, proving how much of a menace he is down the flanks.
It is perhaps no wonder that so many clubs are keen on signing the Englishman, especially as he isn’t even the finished article yet.
Will Howe be prepared to accept an offer worth around £75m for the player? Especially as it could fund a few potential signings this summer?
That much remains to be seen, but if so, the club will need to spend in order to sign an able replacement. That’s for sure.
It appears as though Howe has already targeted a youngster who could potentially fill the void left by Gordon. Should he depart Newcastle, that is.
Newcastle eye move for French sensation
Howe has been working hard on trying to make something happen this summer in terms of incoming signings.
Players such as Jadon Sancho, Marc Guehi, and even Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have all been linked with moves to Newcastle in recent weeks.
All three would be excellent signings, without a shadow of a doubt, but the lack of progress is slightly worrying.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Now, according to ESPN, Newcastle are one of the clubs lining up a deal for Lyon starlet Malick Fofana this summer, although they face some stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea, Everton, Brighton, and Fulham for his signature.
As per the report, Fofana could cost around £45m, which, for a player of his age and lack of experience, is an astronomical amount. His ceiling for development is massive, however, which could entice Howe into making a swoop for the 20-year-old, especially if Gordon goes.
Fofana is a right-footed winger who likes to play on the left, and he would be the perfect replacement for the Englishman.
Why Newcastle must sign Malick Fofana
The youngster has already made his senior debut for Belgium after what was a breakthrough season with Lyon in 2024/25.
Indeed, across 41 games in all competitions for the French side, he scored 11 goals and grabbed a further six assists, showcasing his ‘explosive’ skillset, as it was labelled by Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines.
It was in the Europa League where the talented winger really demonstrated his talents. Not only did he record an impressive eight goal contributions in the competition, but he shone in a range of metrics.
When compared to his positional peers, he ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05) per 90, while also ranking in the top 1% for touches in the opposition penalty area (8.23) and for progressive carries (7.88) per 90 in the tournament.
This certainly proves that he loves taking on defenders regularly, while taking the ball into dangerous zones during matches.
His eye for goal could also be advantageous for Howe, who would look for a goalscoring winger to replace Gordon. Fofana is only going to get better, too, that’s for sure.
Fofana was hailed by U23 scout Antonio Mango for his “game-changing potential” late last year and certainly showcased his talents for Lyon throughout 2024/25.
He even starred in Ligue 1 for the French side. The youngster created six big chances and succeeded with 0.8 dribbles per game.
Lyon's Malick Fofana against AC Milan.
There is no doubt that he is ready to take the next step. After shining in the Europa League, could the Champions League be the platform for him to continue his development?
Howe must think so, and while a fee of £45m is big, especially given his lack of experience on the biggest stage, he must think of the long-term future.
Fofana could be a player who eventually brings the club a major profit a few years down the line, which will go a long way in his thinking, given his impressive form for Lyon, which suggests that he could be a brilliant replacement for Gordon.
Newcastle readying bid and fighting to land centre-back wanted by Real Madrid
The Magpies are well in the fight to land their man…
Newcastle United have now enquired about signing a Champions League winner, as they battle two other clubs for his signature this summer.
Newcastle eyeing move for World Cup finalist
The Magpies are being linked with possible new signings on a daily basis, with Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani the latest attacker to be mentioned as an option, and discussions already underway.
Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park doesn’t feel completely secure currently, amid rumoured interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, but even if the Swede stays, more competition is needed. Muani could be ideal in that respect, having scored nine goals in 31 caps for France, also appearing in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.
Randal Kolo Muani celebrates scoring for Juventus at the Club World Cup.
Manchester City ace Jack Grealish has also been backed to join Newcastle this summer, with former scout Mick Brown talking up a move to St James’ Park.
“Newcastle are still keeping a close eye on Jack Grealish. There’s been a lot of talk about Everton, but I think they’re still very much in the mix. Of course, they’re not the only club interested because everybody knows about Jack’s qualities and what he can bring to the side when he’s at his best.”
Newcastle enquire about signing Grealish
Now, according to an interesting development from Give Me Sport, Newcastle have “enquired” about Grealish, having been linked with him in recent days, as mentioned.
While Everton and Napoli are also mentioned as potential suitors for the winger, he “wants to see if there are any other takers for his talent”, as he looks to make sure he is part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the 2026 World Cup. He also wants to play Champions League football next season, something PIF can offer, after winning the competition with Man City in 2023.
Manchester City's JackGrealishduring the warm up before the match
This summer feels like the right time for the £300,000-a-week Grealish to depart City and enjoy a new challenge, with his performances there going flat and playing time coming at far more of a premium in recent times.
The 29-year-old wasn’t even included in Pep Guardiola’s squad for the current Club World Cup, so the writing appears to be on the wall for him.
He's an Isak clone: Newcastle start discussions to sign £50m "superstar"
Newcastle have enquired about signing their next Alexander Isak.
1 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 23, 2025
Opinion may be split on whether Grealish would be the right choice for Newcastle, with some perhaps feeling that his best days are behind him, but it is also easy to see him flourishing in fresh surroundings.
David Moyes once called him the “best player in the Premier League”, such was the level of his performances, and Guardiola lauded him during pre-season last summer.
“What I’ve seen so far here, one week in the pre-season on tour, I loved it. I don’t care how he performs, it’s every session his commitment and his trying, against Barcelona he made five or six shots, he was aggressive with the ball, that’s all, after that his quality will do the rest.”
Champions League
2022/23
Premier League
2023/24
Premier League
2022/23
Premier League
2021/22
FA Cup
2022/23
Club World Cup
2023/24
UEFA Super Cup
2023/24
A tally of just 17 goals in 157 appearances for City doesn’t reflect too well on Grealish, but if Newcastle could have the swaggering Aston Villa version of him, forever taking risks on the ball and lighting up games, he could be an extremely popular figure at the club.