da apostaganha： Manchester United have now made contact over a deal for an “incredible” striker, who would be keen on a move to the Premier League this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Patrick Berger.

Man Utd pursuing new striker for Amorim

da brwin： Man United suffered yet another setback in their last Premier League outing, suffering a 4-1 defeat away at Newcastle United to remain 14th in the table with just six games left to play, and they were very poor at both ends of the pitch.

Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund both squandered one big chance at St. James’ Park, which once again underlined the need for Ruben Amorim to bring in a new striker this summer, and several targets have now been identified.

Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is believed to be chief among them, with the Englishman set to be available for just £30m this summer, given that his side are almost certain to be relegated from the Premier League.

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Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike are also on the shortlist, with the Red Devils considering options from abroad, and another Bundesliga striker has also recently entered the frame.

According to an update from Sky Sports reporter Berger on X, Man United have now made initial contact over a deal for Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, although the move is still in the early stages, with nothing concrete so far.

Leverkusen would be looking to receive €25m – €30m (£21m – £26m) for Schick, making him an affordable option for United, and there are some signs he would be keen on the move, given that the Premier League is said to be his “preferred destination”.

Ideally, Amorim would be looking to bring in a younger striker, but the 29-year-old is viewed as an “interesting” option.

Schick enjoying another impressive Bundesliga campaign

The Czech striker has spent the majority of his career in Germany, chalking up 70 goals and 13 assists in 138 Bundesliga outings, and the current campaign is on course to be one of his most prolific to date.

With 17 league goals to his name, there are clear signs the Leverkusen star is now entering his prime, and he has averaged a remarkable 0.87 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, placing him in the top 1% of all strikers in a top five European league.

Not only that, but the forward has been lauded as “incredible” by members of the media in the past, indicating that he could be a real upgrade on Hojlund and Zirkzee, who have fallen way below expectations this season.

That said, it would be a gamble to sign Schick, given that he is unproven in the Premier League, and Delap should remain United’s top striker target.

da realbet： Tottenham Hotspur are now planning to submit an opening offer for an “intelligent” midfielder, who has a release clause of €80m (£69m), according to a report.

Spurs pursuing midfielder amid Bissouma uncertainty

da dobrowin： Yves Bissouma has fallen down the pecking order this season, with the midfielder remaining on the bench throughout Monday night’s 2-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, and there have been suggestions Tottenham could look to cash-in this summer.

The same report details that Rodrigo Bentancur’s future may also be in doubt, given that Ange Postecoglou is unhappy with his options in the middle of the park, which means at least one new midfielder may need to be brought.

Versatile Manchester City gem Nico O’Reilly is one of the latest players to be shortlisted, although it may be difficult to prise the youngster away from the reigning Premier League champions, and there are other options in mind.

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Como’s Nico Paz and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson are also well-liked, with the latter player now considering a move to north London, despite interest from Man City, in what could be viewed as a boost for Spurs.

Tottenham are clearly looking at options from far and wide, with a report from Caught Offside revealing they have now joined the race for Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand, who is attracting attention due to his technical and leadership skills.

Manchester United and Arsenal are also keen on Hjulmand, and the Dane has a €80m (£69m) release clause in his contract, although Sporting may consider bids of €50m – €60m (£43m – £52m) this summer, at which point they could look to cash-in.

Spurs are now looking to submit an opening offer below the 25-year-old’s release clause, as they continue to run the rule over potential replacements for Bissouma.

Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Liverpool (a)

April 27th

Bodo/Glimt (h)

May 1st

West Ham United (a)

May 4th

Bodo/Glimt (a)

May 8th

Crystal Palace (h)

May 11th

"Intelligent" Hjulmand impressing in Portugal

Tottenham’s hopes of reaching next season’s Champions League were boosted after booking their place in the Europa League semi-final last week, and scout Ben Mattinson believes the Sporting maestro is capable of playing as a 6 or 8 or a side in Europe’s elite competition.

Not only that, but Mattinson describes the central midfielder as “defensively intelligent” and capable of reading the game to a “high level”, which is underlined by the number of tackles and interceptions he made in the Champions League this season.

The Denmark international has been a key player for title-chasing Sporting CP this season, showcasing his leadership abilities by captaining the Portuguese side, and his defensive competence suggests he could be a solid signing for Tottenham.

Of course, it is by no means a guarantee that Hjulmand would be able to make the step-up to the Premier League, but his displays for Sporting in the Champions League indicate he is capable of performing at the highest level.

da brdice： Aston Villa may not end the 2024/25 season with a trophy, but Unai Emery could still lead them back into the Champions League courtesy of a top-five finish in the Premier League.

da winzada777： The Spaniard now needs to add some depth to the current Villa squad this summer, especially if they do reach the promised land once again.

Securing a permanent deal for Marcus Rashford – now out for the season through injury – and Marco Asensio could be an excellent way to start his summer business.

It is another Premier League midfielder who Emery has recently targeted, however, and this could be a game-changer.

Why Aston Villa want to sign Kevin De Bruyne

According to Sky Sports last week, Villa have held internal discussions regarding a sensational move for Kevin De Bruyne once his Man City contract expires in a few weeks.

He wouldn’t cost a penny, therefore it could be one of the best bargains of the summer should a potential move go ahead.

After 11 years at City, where he won six league titles and the Champions League, the Belgian is now looking for a new challenge.

He will be 34 by the time the 2025/26 season begins, yet according to Transfermarkt, he is still valued at €27m (£23m) after registering 13 goal involvements this term.

It’s safe to say he’s been one of the most elite playmakers we’ve ever seen in the English top-flight.

A six-time Premier League winner, a Champions League winner and the assister of 121 goals in the Premier League, few have been better when it comes to supplying chances and creating magic than the Belgian.

This is the type of quality Emery needs. Although there is someone who plays in his position that is valued nearly twice as much as the Belgian.

Aston Villa's very own De Bruyne

When Villa spent just £15m on bringing a certain Morgan Rogers to the Midlands from Middlesbrough in the 2024 winter transfer window, it was deemed a signing for the future.

Three goals and an assist in his first 13 top flight games, however, cemented Rogers as one of the finest young talents in the Premier League.

Morgan Rogers’ stats for Villa this season

Metric

Premier League

Champions League

Goals

8

4

Assists

8

2

Big chances created

13

5

Key passes per game

1.3

1.3

Successful dribbles per game

1.8

1.6

Via Sofascore

This season couldn’t have gone any better for the Englishman who is now following in the footsteps of De Bruyne, creating and scoring goals aplenty while shining on the European stage too.

Across 50 matches so far, he has amassed 27 goal involvements – 14 goals and 13 assists – with seven of these coming in the continent’s premier club competition, the Champions League.

The former Man City starlet even made his England debut against Greece towards the end of 2024 and was called up for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad for the games against Albania and Latvia.

Following his display against the latter, Glenn Hoddle hailed the midfielder as “wonderful” and his future at both club and international level looks bright indeed.

He ranks 14th for big chances created (13) and eighth for successful dribbles per game (1.8) in the Premier League this season, just rubberstamping those comparing to De Bruyne.

These displays have, unsurprisingly, seen a staggering rise in his market valuation over the previous 12 months.

As per Transfermarkt, Rogers is now valued at €50m (£43m) and this is nearly double what De Bruyne is worth at the time of writing.

If Emery does persuade the City dynamo to join Villa, hopefully it won’t be to the detriment of Rogers, who certainly has the number ten position locked down with a string of excellent performances.

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da bet7： It’s interesting that Trent Alexander-Arnold, one of the best players in the world, should be leaving Liverpool this summer and yet the other defensive flank feels the main priority for FSG and Arne Slot.

da dobrowin： You can assess this situation through different modes of analysis: it could be argued that Conor Bradley is an exciting talent and has the potential to step right into his teammate’s boots, with Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez marking enough depth for the upcoming campaign.

But then you could also peer down from the vantage of Andy Robertson being past his best, with Kostas Tsimikas not at the desired level either, thus heightening the need for a left-back this season given the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City are only going to improve over the off-season months.

Robertson, 31, is entering the final year of his contract but wants to stay put. He’s been a loyal and influential servant over the years; alongside Trent, the Scot is one of the most creative defenders in Premier League history.

Most Premier League Assists by a Defender

Rank

Player

Assists

1

Trent Alexander-Arnold

64

2

Andy Robertson

59

3

Leighton Baines

53

4

Graeme Le Saux

44

5

Kieran Trippier

38

Stats via Premier League

The problem is, though, that Robertson has failed to register a single goal contribution in the top flight this term, and with Trent on the way out, that needs replacing.

Liverpool desperate for new left-back

Conor Bradley is by no means the finished article but he’s a talented young player with a goal and ten assists across 54 senior showings for the Reds. Not bad.

However, Robertson’s attacking impact is waning, and sporting director Richard Hughes has lined up Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as the dream target, though FSG will no doubt be reluctant to meet the Cherries’ hefty £45m price tag.

The air around Kerkez’s situation is charged with the sense that he wants Liverpool. The Hungarian, teammate and good friend of Dominik Szoboszlai, has even been reported to have confided in his inner circle that he wants to move to Anfield.

However, £45m is a steep sum. The 21-year-old is technically in his breakout campaign in England and, with Manchester City and Real Madrid also keen on a deal.

Liverpool would be foolish not to earmark alternatives, with one fallback maybe even proving the better signing for Slot’s squad.

Liverpool identify Kerkez alternative

According to a recent exclusive from talkSPORT, Liverpool are interested in signing Antonee Robinson as an alternative to Kerkez this summer, with the Fulham star enjoying a fantastic season.

With Liverpool likely to splash the cash, left-back is bound to be an area Slot wants reinforcing, and Robinson could be the perfect man to rival Robertson.

It was revealed two months ago that FSG had already started plans for a £30m swoop; it’s unlikely Fulham will seal a route into European competition over the next few weeks, so the 28-year-old would jump at the chance to move to Merseyside.

Why Antonee Robinson would be perfect for Liverpool

Robinson actually played his football in Liverpool before, once of an Everton persuasion, starring for the academy but never tasting the senior stage as he was sold to Wigan Athletic after a promising loan spell.

Now, he’s a fully-fledged top-flight superstar with Fulham, 134 appearances deep into his career at England’s highest station.

With lightning pace and a roundedness that offers shades of Robertson back in his pomp, Robinson has played 34 league matches this season, wearing the skipper’s armband on 18 occasions.

Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley is even convinced that Robinson is “one of the best left-backs in the world,” making the bold claim earlier in the 2024/25 campaign.

It’s a bold take, but it’s not brazen. Indeed, the USMNT international’s performances this year and last have underscored his quality and the capacity to play for a team challenging at the apex of European competition.

If it’s creativity that Slot wants from left-back, he need look no further than this robust talent, who has racked up ten assists across 34 Premier League matches this year.

As per FBref, this places him among the top 3% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90, also among the top 8% for progressive carries and the top 7% for tackles + interceptions per 90 too.

To put it simply, Robinson’s completeness is something which would elevate an already high-flying Slot squad. There’s a purpose to his movements that allows him to run the lanes of duty, make a positive impact when both fixed to the backline and unleashed, allowed to roam forward and influence.

Peering at Robinson’s metrics this year against Kerkez’s, you begin to see why it might be worth picking the more experienced head.

Prem 24/25 – Antonee Robinson vs Milos Kerkez

Stats

Robinson

Kerkez

Matches (starts)

34 (33)

35 (35)

Goals

0

2

Assists

10

5

Touches*

74

59.2

Pass completion

81%

80%

Key passes*

1.3

1.0

Dribbles*

1.0

0.6

Ball recoveries*

4.4

4.0

Tackles + interceptions*

4.3

2.6

Clearances*

3.4

2.7

Duels (won)*

5.5 (55%)

4.0 (53%)

Stats via Sofascore

Kerkez holds the advantage of youth, but he’s not performing at the Cottage star’s level just yet. Robinson’s aggressive and front-footed defending even led Mohamed Salah to tell him he was “the best player on the pitch” in a Premier League clash several years ago.

This is quite the praise: say one thing for Salah, he knows how to score and create goals, thus with an intrinsic understanding of when he’s pitted against a defender of real quality.

So then, with Robinson outperforming Kerkez across almost every metric this season, signing him for the Anfield cause feels like something of a no-brainer.

Bournemouth’s rising talent might be younger, but Robinson’s got plenty of gas left in the tank after completing just his fourth campaign in the top flight. Cheaper too, he’s the one to go for.

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da dobrowin： The campaign approaches its final stage, but for Liverpool, it’s all done and dusted. In the best way. Arne Slot has won the Premier League in his first season as the Anfield head coach.

da 888： Who saw this coming? Certainly not BBC Sport’s experts, for none of the 30 pundits listed Liverpool as champions in their pre-season predictions.

We should cut the analysts some slack; after all, the Reds had just lost Jurgen Klopp, and recent history tells the tale of a decline when iconic managers depart after so many successful years.

The odds were stacked against Slot’s Liverpool, but they have prevailed to clinch the club’s 20th top-flight title. So many players stepped up, but none more so than Mohamed Salah, who fulfilled a promise in putting the Merseysiders back on their perch.

And he’s ready to do it all over again.

Why Mo Salah can go again next season

Salah is surely a shoo-in for the Premier League’s Player of the Season award. Not only has he clinched the league title, but he’s done so with an absurd haul of 28 goals and 18 assists across 36 matches, with two fixtures still to go.

Most Goal Contributions in the Premier League (24/25)

Player

Goals

Assists

G/A

1 – Mohamed Salah

28

18

46

2 – Alexander Isak

23

6

29

3 – Bryan Mbeumo

18

8

26

4 – Erling Haaland

21

3

24

5 – Cole Palmer

15

9

24

Stats via Transfermarkt

Salah needs just two goal involvements from his final two games to break Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s long-held shared record for contributions in a single Premier League season (47), and those hauls were from a 42-match campaign.

But wait, he’s 33 this summer. Surely now is the time for the Egyptian king to regress, to accept the call of Father Time and take a seat on the back bench.

This is unlikely. Salah’s as hungry as ever, if not more so, with time against him. Slot has tweaked his talisman’s game to provide him with greater freedom in the final third, fewer duties from a defensive standpoint.

Salah is an elite athlete and his tactical intelligence has never been finer tuned. As per Sofascore, he’s only averaging 0.6 tackles per game this season but has seen an upswing in dribble and duel metrics. And, of course, he’s never been more prolific.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been spoken about ad nauseam this season, and at least now there’s clarity regarding his future. However, Liverpool do need to source a new creative lifeforce, and if Jeremie Frimpong is the man for the job at right-back, it won’t be him.

That’s okay, Trent is a unique kind of playmaker. But Slot still wants someone to adopt the new playmaking mantle, and FSG appear willing to grant the coach an incredible new star.

Liverpool in contact with marquee signing

You’ll likely be somewhat aware of the incipient Florian Wirtz saga, with the German playmaker looking to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

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Bayern Munich had been thought to hold the lead in the race but The Athletic have since reported that Manchester City and Liverpool have made contact with the 22-year-old’s representatives.

One of the most coveted talents in world football, Wirtz’s signing would send shockwaves across English and European football, should he alight at either end of the M62.

It goes without saying that he’d cost a pretty penny, £126m, in fact, according to reports.

Why Florian Wirtz is Salah's dream signing

Wirtz is only young, but after being crowned last season’s Bundesliga Player of the Year as an invincible champion, it’s fair to say he’s “probably the best midfielder in the world”, and former Leverkusen star Patrick Helmes has said exactly that.

Wirtz has plundered his way through Germany’s finest competitors in recent years, having scored 57 goals and supplied 65 assists across 190 senior appearances for Leverkusen since graduating from their youth ranks.

This season alone, he’s created 21 big chances across the Bundesliga and Champions League, as per Sofascore, having scored six goals across nine fixtures on the continent to underscore his ability to do it on the biggest stage.

This talented playmaker would replace Trent and relocalise Liverpool’s creative focus. Given that he’d be in close proximity to the inswinging Salah, he could be the perfect signing to keep the leading forward firing across the final two years of his Liverpool career.

Florian Wirtz – Career Stats by Position (club & country)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Attacking midfield

169

48

57

Left winger

21

4

5

Right winger

17

8

5

Centre-forward

15

7

7

Central midfield

5

0

3

Data via Transfermarkt

Wirtz’s dynamism is a wonderful thing, but he’s typically found in a roaming central role, with license to thrill.

Salah would be sure to benefit from this presence, for the Leverkusen man ranks among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive passes and the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Contrast Wirtz’s creativity with that of Dominik Szoboszlai, for example, and you begin to see why Liverpool are so invested. The Hungarian, tireless and tenacious as they come, has provided only 14 assists across 90 games as a Red.

He’s also made just 12 big chances across 34 Premier League fixtures this season, and with Alexander-Arnold heading out the door, the addition of a creative player of Wirtz’s ilk is only magnified.

Whether Liverpool prevail in this race will remain to be seen for the immediate future, but the fact FSG are pushing is a good thing, especially when considering the importance of keeping Salah performing at the top of his game.

Stagnancy begets decline, but Liverpool are ready to throw the kitchen sink at exciting signings for Slot’s title-winning squad.

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da dobrowin： Liverpool fans have been left annoyed over the last week, after boyhood supporter Trent Alexander-Arnold announced he would be departing the club after a 20-year spell.

da realsbet： The right-back’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, but he will not sign a new deal, making him a free agent with the side unable to receive a fee for the academy graduate.

He’s racked up over 350 appearances for the Reds, but now looks set to make a move to join Real Madrid ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, subsequently strengthening one of their European rivals.

After Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk extended their own deals at Anfield, hope was held that the England international would follow suit, but ultimately it wasn’t meant to be.

Such a decision has given boss Arne Slot a huge job to fill the void of the 26-year-old, potentially dipping into the transfer market over the coming months.

Liverpool’s hunt for a right-back

Over the last couple of days, Liverpool have made an enquiry to sign Monaco star Vanderson to try and soften the blow of Trent’s pending departure this summer.

The Brazilian is said to be available for a fee in the region of £25m this summer, with the Ligue 1 outfit wanting to keep hold of one of their key performers.

However, the biggest target to date has been Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, with interest in the Dutchman ramping up over the last couple of days.

It was reported that the 24-year-old has a £35m release clause within his deal at the Bundesliga giants, with his tally of four goals and five assists evidently catching the eye of boss Slot.

Despite the interest, there’s also another option that the manager could consider next season to soften the blow of the outgoing first-team regular.

The Liverpool star who could replace Trent next season

Conor Bradley will likely be the main player within the current first-team ranks to fill the gap next campaign, with the Northern Ireland international a player with huge potential at Anfield.

The 21-year-old has already made 26 appearances this season, even pocketing Kylian Mbappé in the Champions League, proving he has the quality to step up to the plate.

Curtis Jones is one player who’s also operated in such a position in the absence of the aforementioned duo, which could lead to another Red following suit upon the return from his loan.

Stefan Bajcetic, who’s primarily a midfielder, looked to be the club’s next big star a couple of years ago, but his progression had stagnated before his current stint at Las Palmas.

The 20-year-old was sent to the LaLiga outfit last summer to gain valuable first-team minutes and continue his progression – something which he’s achieved in recent months.

The Spaniard, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by former boss Jurgen Klopp, has made 13 appearances in the league to date, producing numerous impressive figures to date.

He’s managed to complete 75% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst completing 63% of the dribbles he’s made – handing Slot the marauding presence they will miss with Trent’s departure.

Stefan Bajcetic’s stats on loan at Las Palmas (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

13

Minutes played

924

Pass accuracy

75%

Dribbles completed

63%

Tackles won

1.4

Duels won

6.4

Interceptions made

1.5

Stats via FotMob

Bajcetic has also starred without the ball, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 and coming out on top in 6.4 duels – offering an added defensive presence to the backline.

His tally of 1.5 interceptions and 5.8 recoveries made also reaffirms the talents he possesses, saving the club millions if he can adapt to featuring out of position.

It would be an interesting decision for Slot to utilise the youngster next season, but he needs to give every player the opportunity to stake their claim for a place within his side next campaign.

Frimpong and Bradley will certainly be the supporters’ main options in such a role, but Bajcetic has the tools to offer key depth and options to the manager in such a department throughout 2025/26.

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da betcris： It appears as though Steven Gerrard is in the running to be the next manager of Glasgow Rangers.

da marjack bet： His previous spell between 2018 and 2021 saw the Ibrox side win their first Premiership title since 2011 before he left for Aston Villa.

He was savvy in the transfer market, bringing in a mix of young players with plenty of potential and experienced professionals who were ready to make an immediate impact.

One of his most underrated signings was Jermain Defoe, who enjoyed a productive Indian summer to his career in Glasgow.

Jermain Defoe’s Rangers statistics

The Englishman arrived at Rangers in January 2018 on an 18-month loan deal, scoring on his debut against Kilmarnock.

He ended up with eight goals during his first six months, before netting 17 across 32 games the following season. In January 2020, he signed a pre-contract agreement to join the club permanently and went on to play a bit-part role in the 2020/21 title-winning campaign.

Jermain Defoe’s 2019/20 stats for Rangers (league only)

Games

20

Goals

13

Goals per game

0.7

Scoring frequency (minutes)

77

Minutes per game

50 minutes

Via Sofascore

Defoe scored only five times all season, but he won his first-ever domestic title in the process. He left Ibrox less than six months later, but the veteran striker was great to have around the training ground, offering advice and encouragement to the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.

While the transfer strategy has changed over the years, if Gerrard is appointed as manager, could he make a similar sort of signing in Jamie Vardy this summer?

An English centre-forward with a host of experience in the Premier League, looking for one final crack at the big time. It makes sense when you think about it…

Why Rangers should sign Jamie Vardy

Ally McCoist has stated his desire to see Vardy in a Rangers’ shirt next season, and given the fact he is soon to be a free agent, a prospective move could be closer than many think.

Vardy will leave Leicester City this summer after 13 years, making his 500th appearance for the club last week while netting his 200th goal for the Foxes.

It has been a remarkable career in the Premier League for the Englishman and he was even named as a “living legend” by manager Ruud van Nistelrooy recently.

He might be 38, but a season or two in Scotland could still see him finding the back of the net on a regular basis, especially if used as an impact sub.

The striker – who has ten goals to his name this term, including nine in the league – has managed to create six big chances in the top flight, having a goal conversion percentage of 16% and averaging 1.7 shots per game.

Not excellent statistics by any stretch of the imagination, but for Rangers, he could certainly replicate the feats of Defoe should the Ibrox side come calling this summer.

It may go against the club’s ethos of prioritising younger talents, but Vardy would offer something different in the final third.

That something might just make all the difference towards the end of the season. That’s for sure.

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da bet7： Birmingham City are currently putting plans in place to attack the Championship after they were promoted as champions of League One with 111 points.

da wazamba： The Blues wrapped up their 111-point league title success with a 2-1 win against Cambridge United away from home on the final day of the season earlier this month.

Chris Davies and his staff, working alongside the owners, will now be working towards the goal of building a squad that can compete for promotion to the Premier League.

Ipswich Town, albeit they have been relegated from the top-flight this term, have already shown that it is possible to do back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

Davies may have to be incredibly ruthless with who he decides should and should not come along for the ride in the Championship, after his players helped him to an incredible season in League One.

One star whose suitability for the second tier is still in question is experienced centre-forward Alfie May, who has just enjoyed a fantastic year in the third tier.

Why Alfie May could be dropped as a starter

The 31-year-old attacker started 27 matches in League One in the 2024/25 campaign, but the step up to the Championship could see him reduced to a cameo role off the bench, or even in need of looking elsewhere for game time.

May turns 32 this summer and has not played a minute of Championship football in his career, playing in League Two or League One throughout his entire professional career to date.

The English centre-forward joined Birmingham from Charlton on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window last year and enjoyed an impressive debut season at St. Andrew’s.

24/25 League One

Alfie May

Appearances

44

Goals

16

Big chances missed

13

Big chances created

7

Assists

8

Ground duel success rate

43%

Aerial duel success rate

10%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, May racked up 24 goals and assists combined in 44 appearances in League One, and scored more goals than he missed ‘big chances’, which shows that the forward was an effective finisher at the top end of the pitch.

However, his lack of strength in duels, particularly in the air, may be why Championship teams have not taken a chance on him in the past, and why Birmingham could drop him as a starter heading into next season.

The Blues could swoop to sign an upgrade on him in the upcoming summer transfer window, as they have been linked with an interest in an international forward.

Birmingham eyeing deal for Serie A striker

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Birmingham City are eyeing up a deal to sign Che Adams from Serie A side Torino ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Scotland international signed for the Italian club on a free transfer from Southampton last summer, and the Blues are now hoping to tempt him back to England.

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Speaking to EFL Analysis, the journalist said: “I think Che Adams is one who’s on Birmingham’s list. He does tick the boxes. Obviously, he’s been there before. Knows the club. Obviously be very expensive in the Championship. We know that. So let’s see how that one goes. But yeah, they do want another striker.

“I’m not sure how much he wants to drop to Championship. I don’t really think he’s that keen on dropping to the Championship, but there are options there. If it’s a long-term thing for Birmingham, I do think that’s an option for him certainly.”

These comments from Bailey suggest that it will be a difficult deal to do for the striker, who is valued at £13m by FootballTransfers, for financial and footballing reasons.

However, it could be a fantastic signing for Davies and his staff if the club are able to thrash out a transfer that would bring Adams back for a second spell at Birmingham.

Why Che Adams would be an upgrade on Alfie May

The Blues could secure a big upgrade on the aforementioned Alfie May by signing the experienced centre-forward from Torino in the summer transfer window because of his proven quality at Championship level.

Adams has been there and done it in the second tier, including in a Birmingham City shirt, and has scored goals at an even higher level in the Premier League and in the Serie A.

The 28-year-old star, who manager Paolo Vanoli described as the “perfect player”, has scored nine goals in the Italian top-flight this season, and scored 25 times in the Premier League for Southampton earlier in his career.

These statistics show that Adams has already proven himself at a much higher level than the Championship, whilst May is yet to prove himself above League One.

The Torino striker has also proven his quality in the second tier in England in his last two seasons at that level with Southampton and with Birmingham back in the 2018/19 campaign.

Che Adams (Championship)

18/19

23/24

Appearances

46

40

Starts

43

25

Goals

22

16

Big chances missed

11

11

Big chances created

6

7

Assists

4

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Adams proved that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis, without missing many ‘big chances’ in the Championship in those two seasons, scoring as many or more goals than May did in League One this term.

This shows that Adams has the potential to deliver even more quality in the second tier than May did in the third tier of English football, which is why he could come in as a big upgrade on the current Birmingham star.

The Torino ace has also won 36% of his aerial duels in the Serie A this term, and won 38% of them in the Championship for Southampton last season, which suggests that he could provide more physicality in the number nine role than May.

It is now down to the club to wrap up an “expensive” deal for the forward and for Davies and his staff to convince the forward to make the drop back down to the second tier with the hope that he buys into a long-term project.

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da betcris： Regis Le Bris has now joined an exclusive club when it comes to Sunderland managers who have triumphantly secured Premier League football for the Black Cats.

da mrbet： The last successful boss to guide the Wearside outfit up to the big time was Roy Keane all the way back in 2007, with Sunderland managing to consolidate themselves as a top-flight worthy club from that point onwards until their demise ten years later.

The former Lorient head coach will be desperate to return the Black Cats to their former glories as a Premier League staple, therefore, but he will have to likely stomach Jobe Bellingham’s departure if he is to excel in the elite division.

The latest on Bellingham's future at Sunderland

Breaking down at the close of the dramatic playoff final, Bellingham must have realised that this unbelievable day out at Wembley could be the final ever time he dons Sunderland colours.

The teenage sensation could well be foolish not to move on whilst he’s a hot commodity, seen in new reports that he is in Germany for talks with Bundesliga titans Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential summer switch.

Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also keen on the Sunderland starlet, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, with his promising return of four goals and three assists this season clearly catching many an eye.

This isn’t the only crushing development with Tommy Watson – who scored the crucial winner at Wembley to down Sheffield United – also leaving the Stadium of Light behind soon to join Brighton and Hove Albion for £10m.

Yet, all this bad news coming through doesn’t have to completely demoralise the newly promoted team, considering the Black Cats have an impressive reputation for homegrown youngsters coming good.

This could be the case once more when potentially bumping up a promising 20-year-old prodigy who might well be a savvy Bellingham replacement if all goes to plan.

The Sunderland "diamond" who could replace Jobe

Of course, nobody will be expecting a youngster coming into a harsh Premier League environment to be an instant, rip-roaring success.

But, much like the patience that was exercised with Bellingham when he first broke through, the same should be applied to young midfielder Harrison Jones if he’s deemed worthy now of being handed over the baton by the Frankfurt-linked star.

After all, Jones has already been launched into the senior side six times during his fledgling career to date, with his gleaming numbers for both the U18s and U21s showing off his keen eye for a goal and assist much like Bellingham.

In the Premier League 2 alone this campaign, the Sunderland-born star has picked up five assists and three strikes, with his ability to shine both as a central option or down the wings making him very comparable to the soon-to-be departing Watson, away from any lofty comparisons to the in-demand number seven.

Watson’s overall numbers for Sunderland

Age bracket

Games

Goals scored

Assists

U18s

15

1

5

U21s

40

11

7

First team

6

0

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Of course, Bellingham can also slot into the side down the flanks if needed, with a real hope in the air on Wearside that the homegrown “diamond” – as he has been lauded previously by youth coach John Hewitson – can have a formative season to come to try dress up the wounds of any major exits.

There will have to be a sense of realism over Jones hitting the ground running, though, as the Premier League is a testing beast, but if he can show glimpses of quality and learn off the likes of Enzo Le Fee, he could have a very bright future at his hometown club.

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da betano casino： Tottenham Hotspur are set for a crucial summer transfer window ahead of Thomas Frank’s first full season in charge of the club.

da 888casino： Spurs will absolutely have to reinforce their young and inexperienced squad as they gear up for Champions League football and the hectic fixture calendar that comes with it, following a 2024/2025 campaign blighted by a plethora of injuries to key players.

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Ange Postecoglou chose to throw all of his eggs into the Europa League basket, a decision which ultimately paid off, with the Australian ending Spurs’ 17-year wait for a major trophy on a memorable night in Bilbao last month.

However, their dismal Premier League form, which saw Tottenham record 22 top-flight defeats and a 17th-place finish, resulted in Postecoglou losing his job and Frank coming into take over from the now-unemployed 59-year-old.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

The Lilywhites are already working to back Frank with key additions to his new squad, with Spurs holding initial talks over signing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, a player who the Dane knows very well from their time together at the Gtech Community Stadium.

There are even reports that Tottenham have made a £70 million offer for Mbeumo as they bid to hijack Man United’s deal for the Cameroonian (The Mirror), but this is yet to gain traction among other reliable media sources.

What’s confirmed is Spurs’ talks over signing Mathys Tel on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich, with their sporting director, Max Eberl, telling Abendzeitung München that discussions are indeed ongoing.

Frank wants to keep the Frenchman at N17, and the tactician will have a clear idea of the other players he’d rather hold onto in his new role as Tottenham boss.

Cristian Romero has attracted serious interest from Atletico Madrid, and the Argentine would be a significant loss for Frank, while uncertainty also surrounds the future of club captain Son Heung-min.

Tottenham to consider "lucrative" offer for Son Heung-min

The South Korean’s deal expires next year after Levy elected to trigger the one-year extension clause in his terms earlier this year, but despite the little time remaining on his contract, it is reported in Asia that Spurs’ chairman will demand as much as £50 million to sell Son this summer.

Son is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, who’ve reportedly held talks with the 32-year-old’s representatives, and journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that Levy will consider a “lucrative offer” to sell the forward.

“There’s potential something could happen early in the window,” he said.

“There is growing interest from the Saudi Pro League, and the South Korea international is now going into the final year of his contract at Tottenham. If Tottenham are ready to cash in on Son, this is their last opportunity to get a decent fee for him.

“Thomas Frank will want to have some say over what’s going to happen. He’s a legend at Tottenham, he’s been there for a decade now and he captained them to Europa League success.

“I think, ideally, Frank would like to keep Son because he doesn’t want to lose his club captain just after taking over the new job. He still has something to offer Tottenham, but if a lucrative offer does arrive it’s something they will consider due to his age and contract situation.”

The former Bayer Leverkusen star was a bargain signing from the Bundesliga this time 10 years ago, and gifting the club £50 million would be an ideal way to end his long tenure at Spurs, if Saudi sides decide they can stump up that level of fee.

Son would also sign-off on his Tottenham career after winning a major trophy, which would be a fairytale end for him.