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Everton are now keen on signing a “quality” World Cup winner on a free transfer, according to a recent Toffees transfer report.

Jarrad Branthwaite signs new Everton contract

This week, Everton announced that defender Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new long-term contract, which runs until the summer of 2030. The 23-year-old has been with the Toffees since 2020, when he joined the club from Carlisle United.

Calvert-Lewin upgrade: Everton advancing in talks to sign £34m striker

Everton are edging closer to signing a La Liga forward

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 1, 2025

After spells on loan at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, Branthwaite has now turned into one of Everton’s key defenders, and that has led to speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United most recently. However, Everton have acted quickly to secure his future, and Branthwaite is “over the moon” at extending his stay with the Premier League side.

Branthwaite told the club’s official website: “I’m over the moon. It’s been something we’ve been talking about since the end of the season, and to get it signed now is something I’m really excited about.

“The trust the club’s put in me and how many games I’ve played over the past two seasons has made it quite an easy decision for me to stay and to keep progressing as a player.

“I know the Club. I feel loved by the players – we’ve got a good group here – and the fans. Over the past few years, I’ve seen the impact the fans have on us as a team and how much it means to them. And, obviously, with the new stadium we’ve got here, the new ownership and the new manager, it’s an exciting project, and it’s something I want to be part of.

“Moving to the new stadium together and having that first game at home is something we’re all looking forward to. We want to go again and push for a good season.”

Everton keen to sign World Cup winner on free transfer

Now that Branthwaite’s future has been resolved, the Toffees are turning their attention to who could be playing alongside him. According to The Daily Mail, relayed by Liverpool World, Everton are interested in signing left-back Nicolas Tagliafico on a free transfer.

The Argentine international, who won the World Cup in 2022, left French side Lyon at the start of this month when his contract expired. Given his situation, David Moyes is interested in adding him to his squad, as he would provide competition for Vitaliy Mykolenko, who is Everton’s only recognised left-back.

Tagliafico, who has been dubbed “quality” in the past, has never played in the Premier League before but has enormous European experience after playing for Lyon and Ajax in most recent seasons.

Apps

102

Goals

9

Assists

10

The report does claim that West Ham and Sevilla are also interested in signing the left-back, but the Toffees may have an edge in this race, as Tagliafico does have the same agency as current Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, which means there is a previous relationship between the agency and the club.

Leeds United won the Championship title with a whopping 100-point haul in the 2024/25 campaign to earn promotion back up to the Premier League.

Daniel Farke will now be aiming to guide the team clear of relegation, knowing that the last six teams promoted from the second tier have all been relegated at the first time of asking.

The Whites scored 95 goals in their 46 matches in the Championship, and they did so without a natural number ten type magician in the squad, as they had in the past with Pablo Hernandez, and as Farke had in the past with Emiliano Buendia.

Instead, old-school wingers like Manor Solomon and Dan James provided quality in the final third, whilst Brenden Aaronson was the main number ten and ended the season with just two assists in 43 league starts.

Bristol City (A)

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Burnley (H)

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Sunderland (A)

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0

Sheffield United (H)

0

0

Coventry (H)

0

0

Coventry (A)

0

0

Burnley (A)

0

0

Sunderland (H)

0

0

Sheffield United (A)

0

0

Bristol City (H)

0

0

As you can see in the table above, the USA international did not deliver a single goal contribution in his ten appearances against the other teams in the top six, as he struggled badly against the better teams in the division.

Why Leeds needs to sign their next Pablo Hernandez

Aaronson’s lacklustre form in front of goal, despite being a regular starter in a dominant team, suggests that he will not be good enough to make the step up to the Premier League next season.

That thought is, of course, backed up by the fact that he only managed one goal in 36 games in the top-flight during his first year in England in the 2022/23 campaign, which shows that he has already failed to make the step up to that level.

Therefore, Leeds need to acquire a new number ten option to score and create goals in the Premier League, and they should target a traditional playmaker in the Pablo Hernandez mould to improve their options in the middle of the park.

The Spaniard delivered 36 goals and 41 assists in 175 appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit in all competitions, which shows that he provided quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals on a regular basis whilst playing on the wing or as an attacking midfielder.

Hernandez was a joy to watch during his time at Elland Road, as shown by some of the fantastic goals in the clips above, and Leeds do not have a similar kind of player in their current squad.

That is why the Whites should make signing their next version of the Spanish maestro a priority between now and the end of the summer transfer window ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Leeds have interest in Championship playmaker

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are ‘believed’ to have a genuine interest in Sheffield United attacking midfielder Gustavo Hamer this summer.

The report claims that the Championship champions are one of the teams eyeing up the Dutch playmaker, although it reveals that he has fallen down the shortlist and is not the number one priority at this moment in time.

Transfer Focus

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

It adds that the Whites were interested in a deal to sign the Blades star in the summer transfer window in 2024, and that they had an offer of £13m turned down by their rivals.

Given that he is not at the top of their wishlist for number tens, it remains to be seen if Leeds will snap the 28-year-old star up before the window slams shut at the start of September.

He is reportedly valued at a fee of around £18m by Sheffield United, but this latest report by the Yorkshire Evening Post does not reveal if they would be willing to pay that much for the midfielder.

Why Leeds should sign Gustavo Hamer

The Whites should press ahead with a swoop for the Championship star, despite him not being one of their top targets in that position, because he could be their next Pablo Hernandez.

Like the Spaniard, Hamer is a diminutive playmaker who can play out wide or in the middle as a number ten, having played off the left 33 times for Sheffield United this season.

The Dutch star, who was hailed as “outstanding” by former boss Chris Wilder, has showcased his quality in the Premier League and in the Championship with the Blades in the last two campaigns.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the former Coventry City magician scored nine goals, created 11 ‘big chances’, and delivered seven assists in the Championship, which shows that he provided quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

Hamer’s performances for Sheffield United in the Premier League in the previous season, despite their relegation from the division, suggest that the potential is there for him to be a great addition for the Whites.

Goals

4

Top 16%

xG

2.98

Top 24%

xA

4.55

Top 12%

Assists

6

Top 10%

Chances created

70

Top 3%

Crosses completed

33

Top 5%

Dribbles completed

28

Top 13%

As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman ranked highly among his positional peers as both a scorer and a creator of goals from a midfield position, as he was directly involved in ten goals in the top-flight.

This shows that he does have the ability to make an impact in front of goal in the Premier League. Whereas, as aforementioned, Aaronson flopped in his last season at that level.

Therefore, Hamer could arrive at Elland Road this summer as a long-term successor to Pablo Hernandez in West Yorkshire, as he is a natural playmaker who has shown that he can make a difference in the final third with goals and assists at an impressive rate.

Leeds open talks with agent of "talented" Champions League level star

The 49ers mean business this summer…

1 ByTom Cunningham Jun 27, 2025

It is now down to the club to decide who their number one target is for the number ten position, but these statistics suggest that the Blades star would be an excellent choice.

Raheem Sterling is reportedly open to the idea of joining Fulham on loan as the experienced forward looks to end his nightmare at Chelsea.

• Joined the Blues in summer of 2022
• Spent last season on loan at Arsenal
• Ready for another new challenge

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  England international Sterling was considered to be quite a coup for the Blues when leaving Manchester City for Stamford Bridge in 2022. He has managed just 19 goals for Chelsea through 81 appearances, with the 2024-25 campaign being spent on loan at Arsenal.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

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  Sterling failed to rekindle a lost spark there, with just one Carabao Cup goal being recorded while drawing a blank in the Premier League, and another move is expected to be made this summer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  It could be that the 30-year-old remains in west London when swapping Chelsea for Fulham. claims that Craven Cottage is considered to be a "credible destination" for Sterling, with Marco Silva looking to add more experience and goal threat to his squad.

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  It is claimed that the Cottagers will wait until later in the window before making their move, with there no rush to complete a deal that does not require a big-money fee to change hands. Plans are, however, being put in place.

da supremo： Liverpool have held back in recent transfer markets, opting against springing into the scramble for new players and instead relying on their existing stars.

da realsbet： It’s paid off, and handsomely at that. Aside from Federico Chiesa, who joined from Juventus for £12.5m last summer but only started once in the Premier League and is being touted for a move back to Italy, no first-teamers have arrived since August 2023, when Jurgen Klopp applied the finishing strokes to his midfield remodel.

Well, that was the case, at least, until FSG activated Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.5m release clause last month, and welcomed the right-sider from Bayer Leverkusen.

Frimpong, electric-paced and positionally flexible, replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold. Elsewhere, Milos Kerkez is in talks to leave Bournemouth and shore up the left flank, while Florian Wirtz is on the verge of following Frimpong from the BayArena to Anfield.

Negotiations have maybe been a tad protracted, but this is a potential British-record signing, and still, his announcement is but a formality at this stage (famous last words).

Fans got a chance to see their potential new superstar in action last night. Germany might have lost in their Nations League semi-final tie to Portugal, but the 22-year-old proved his talent.

Florian Wirtz's performance vs Portugal

Beady-eyed detractors watched on in hopes of Wirtz struggling to make an impression on the international stage, but he scored the opener and was firmly involved in much of the contest.

Clever shimmies, well-worked one-twos and indeed a desire to get at the heart of the affair, on both sides of the field, all highlighted the calibre of player Liverpool could welcome into their fold, even if he trudged home as one of the defeated.

It wasn’t a display that left nothing to be desired, however. Pitted against opposite counterparts Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, the Werkself icon was always going to be up against it.

Florian Wirtz – Stats vs Germany

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Minutes played

90′

Goals

1

Assists

0

Shots (on target)

2 (2)

Accurate passes

32/42 (76%)

Key passes

0

Dribbles

3/5

Tackles

3

Duels won

9/16

Stats via Sofascore

Still, he scored, showcased his technical range and indeed a defensive persistence that will serve him well under Slot’s wing. The Liverpool head coach, remember, withdrew Jarell Quansah at half-time on his debut last season following concerns over his side’s success in the duel (or, more correctly, lack thereof).

Wirtz could almost complete the puzzle, ensure Slot has the means to win more gold next year. However, Liverpool also need a striker, and may well be planning a hijack for a new nine.

Liverpool plan hijack for new Striker

RB Leipzig failed to qualify for Europe this year, and thus are resigned to selling Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons, their two most profitable players.

And according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Liverpool could be ready to compete with Arsenal for centre-forward Sesko, potentially seeking to hijack Mikel Arteta’s move.

“The biggest question mark will be over the number nine and if they can genuinely go for Alexander Isak,” Jacobs said.

“Will they drop the £100m that Frankfurt are asking for Hugo Ekitike, they could even enter the race for Benjamin Sesko even though it feels like Arsenal are more advanced on that one at the moment.”

Transfer Focus

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

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The Gunners are “more advanced” in their pursuit, but the striker market is rather slim and Sesko, 22, has a €80m (about £67m) release clause.

That’s more affordable than the likes of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool would strike gold with Benjamin Sesko

Liverpool are undergoing a series of changes this summer, and Darwin Nunez is expected to be a part of the exodus, making way for a new striker.

Sesko’s a raw talent, his potential yet untapped, but he’s undoubtedly a star in the making, having scored 39 goals and laid on eight assists across 87 appearances for Leipzig.

The Slovenia international has even been declared “the new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with his incredible power, rangy frame and pace (he’s “one of the fastest players on the planet”) aligning with the Manchester City superstar, who has scored 121 goals from 142 appearances in Pep Guardiola’s team, notably winning the treble. There’s the exemplar, right there.

It would be a fool’s notion to expect a similar pathway for Sesko, but then there’s no denying he’s got all the pieces to become a top talent in the Premier League, especially so if he’s been sourced by a creative phenom in Wirtz.

Wirtz, indeed, will depart Leverkusen having won the 2023/24 Bundesliga as an invincible, winning the Player of the Season. In total, he’s notched 122 goal contributions from 197 total matches for the Werkself.

Taking a closer look at the German playmaker’s extraordinary skill set, we see his passing and line-breaking qualities could serve chance upon chance on a silver platter for Sesko.

As per FBref, Wirtz ranked among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers this season for goal contributions, shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the top 2% for passes attempted and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

When not threading surgical passes through to Sesko, Wirtz would be charging forward himself, left skip, right, left, right. His slaloming style, expertly weaving past hopeless opponents, would take the heat off the central striker, allow him to get into space.

Then, the pass is played, and Liverpool are ahead once again.

Related Slot's own Huijsen: Liverpool submit concrete bid to sign "complete" star

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 5, 2025

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time to go big! Let’s back the Reds as underdogs tonight at +155, because they are hot.

The Reds travel to St. Louis to face the division-rival Cardinals for tonight’s contest. Cincinnati is five games out of first place in the division, while the Cardinals are eight games removed. Both teams will be trying to make up ground on the first-place Brewers.

After a hot streak in May, the Cardinals have cooled off considerably, mustering only 2.42 runs per game across the past two weeks of play (29th), and winning only three of their last 10 contests. The Reds are trending in the opposite direction, averaging 5.29 runs per game (sixth) across that same span. They have won five of their last 10, including three of their last four games.

Starting tonight’s game for the Reds will be righty Ben Lively. Lively has pitched to a 3.03 ERA this season across six games played, four of which he started. Lively had a rough outing on Sunday vs. the Brewers, allowing five earned runs, but Statcast still has his xERA at only 3.72. He should be able to keep the Reds in this game as the Cardinals have been struggling offensively.

Lefty Jordan Montgomery gets the start for the Cardinals. Montgomery is not striking out many batters and his ERA sits at 4.23. The Reds have a .276 batting average this year vs. lefties (seventh) with a .759 OPS (11th). They should be able to get to Montgomery.

Unless you've been on a darkness retreat, you've heard the Reds have been boosted by young rookie Elly De La Cruz, who has an OPS of 1.371 with a home run and a stolen base in just three games played. As it turns out, his splits vs. lefties in the minors were also impressive. In 40 plate appearances vs. lefties at Triple-A, De La Cruz hit .324 with a .916 OPS.

We bet on a home run prop for De La Cruz on Wednesday, and we think he’s going to be a big part of the game again tonight. Let’s take a total bases prop of over 1.5 at a +135 payout for the speedy slugger. A home run prop is paying +550 tonight if you want to take a bigger swing.

The Cardinals are 8-12 as the home favorite this year, and that’s not enough to convince me they benefit from home-field advantage.

Give me the Reds on the moneyline for the upset.

The Bets: Reds ML +155 | Elly De La Cruz over 1.5 total bases +135

Rangers are believed to have made an offer to a trophy-laden young manager over becoming their next boss, according to a significant new update.

Rangers eyeing up and comers in manager search

Despite the transfer window rolling around, much of the Gers’ focus is still on making sure they bring in the right manager this summer, with Barry Ferguson’s spell as interim boss not expected to be made permanent at the end of the season.

There are various names who have been thrown into the hat, including former Southampton manager Russell Martin, who is looking for a new job after being relieved of his duties early in the season. While some saw his risky ball-playing style with Saints as flawed, it could go down well at Ibrox, as the Gers dominate possession in the majority of their games.

Sheffield Wednesday ace Danny Rohl has also been mentioned as a possible option for the Gers, having impressed with the Owls, coming in last season and guiding them away from the Championship relegation zone, before steering them to a 12th-place finish this time around.

Frank Lampard’s name has been discussed, too, with the Chelsea legend and his former England teammate Steven Gerrard both also in the mix to take charge ahead of next season. The former is impressing at Coventry City, preparing for their Championship playoff semi-final second leg clash with Sunderland on Tuesday.

Rangers make offer to Davide Ancelotti

According to a big claim from Corriere dello Sport, Rangers have now made an offer to Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti. The 35-year-old is said to have received multiple offers from clubs, including the Gers and Como. He is the son of Carlo Ancelotti, working alongside his father at the Santiago Bernabeu currently.

The Italian has enjoyed great success in his career so far, playing his part in coaching Bayern Munich and Madrid to a combined 12 trophy wins, including two Champions League and La Liga titles apiece with the latter. Meanwhile, his father has praised him, saying: “Davide is a competent, disciplined, professional and very calm assistant coach.

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“He works alongside Francesco Mauri, who is very young too. Luis works with the goalkeepers, Pintus with his experience on the physical side of things. I have a young and very competent coaching team. We combine their enthusiasm with my experience well.”

Rangers have sent scouts to watch 19 y/o attacker with tiny release clause

He could be seen as one for the future for the Gers.

ByHenry Jackson May 11, 2025

Ancelotti would certainly be a gamble for Rangers, considering he hasn’t actually been a manager yet in his career, but there would be an intriguing aspect to them appointing him, considering he has coached some of the best players in the world, from Kylian Mbappe to Vinicius Junior.

The Southampton hierarchy have now spoken to a 4-3-3 style manager as a possible alternative to the heavily linked Eric Ramsay, according to a recent report.

Latest on Southampton’s search for a new manager

It is now 11 games since the Saints tasted victory, as they were once again beaten over the weekend, this time by Fulham, who came from one goal down to win 2-1 in the final minutes. Southampton are already heading to the Championship, but with four games remaining in the Premier League, they are looking to eclipse Derby County’s lowest ever points tally in the top flight.

Sky Sports: Southampton eye "secret weapon" coach who knows Kieran McKenna

The Saints need to make a new appointment.

BySean Markus Clifford Apr 27, 2025

But the club’s hierarchy are going to use these coming weeks to find a new permanent manager, with several names being mentioned to the vacancy. Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl is someone who has been linked with a move to Southampton on a couple of occasions, and he is among the names the club are interested in, but they do face competition from fellow relegated side Leicester City, who are also keen on Rohl.

Former Rangers and Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is also on the Saints’ managerial shortlist, but it remains to be seen if he is interested in managing in the Championship.

Sky Sports have also reported that former Chelsea and Manchester United coach and current Minnesota United manager Eric Ramsay is in the hunt to become the new Southampton manager. Ramsay’s ability to speak French and Spanish has made him an attractive proposition.

Southampton hold talks with Lens boss Will Still

But the list of options that the Saints are currently evaluating doesn’t stop there, as according to TalkSPORT, Southampton have held talks with Lens manager Will Still about becoming their new manager.

The report states that the Saints have met with Still and have held talks over their managerial vacancy but are not going to rush into any decision and will take their time over making an appointment. As well as speaking to Still, Southampton do also hold an interest in former Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner and current Coventry City boss Frank Lampard, while it states that Gerrard is not under consideration.

Still, who prefers to play an attacking 4-3-3 style as manager, joined Lens in the summer after having an interview with Sunderland over becoming their new manager. His move to Lens came after impressing with fellow French side Stade Reims, where he was manager for two seasons, averaging 1.44 points per game in 64 matches.

Games

34

Won

14

Drawn

6

Lost

14

Points

48

Points per game

1.41

Still is very early into his managerial career, and except for being a manager in Preston North End’s academy in 2011, he has no experience of managing in England. However, given how well he has done in France, the Saints will hope his managerial pedigree can help him fit into the Championship and build an exciting team to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

West Indies piled up 257 in a fierce attack on the spinners, but undermanned Australia put up a decent reply

Alex Malcolm31-May-2024Blistering half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell helped West Indies make a statement ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 as they hammered an undermanned Australia in their final warm-up game in Trinidad.Australia fielded a team with just nine players and coaches for sub fielders again, as they did two days ago against Namibia. Pooran and Powell smashed 12 sixes between them with the left-hander cracking 75 from just 25 balls while the skipper thumped 52 from 25 as West Indies made 257 for 4 from their 20 overs. Sherfane Rutherford also pounded 47 not out from just 18 balls to finish the innings.Related

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Allrounder Marcus Stoinis did arrive in Trinidad on Wednesday meaning Australia had 10 players in camp but his kit had been delayed in Miami so he did not feature. Chair of selectors George Bailey alongside assistant coaches Brad Hodge and Andre Borovec sub fielded at various stages again with Borovec dropping Pooran.After being sent into bat, Pooran had walked to the crease at 38 for 1 in just the third over following a quick start from Shai Hope and Johnson Charles. The left-hander hit the first three legal deliveries he faced for six and never took his foot off the gas. He took a particular liking to Australia’s main spinners in Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa smashing them for five sixes in six balls in the first two overs outside the powerplay after West Indies had posted 78 for 1 in the first six.Pooran reached his half-century in just 16 balls. Borovec dropped a towering skier but it did not cost much as Bailey held onto one shortly after off Zampa.Nicholas Pooran flayed the Australia attack•Getty Images

Powell picked up where Pooran left off. Zampa and Agar conceded 120 runs from their eight combined overs. Extraordinarily, Tim David was Australia’s least expensive bowler claiming 1 for 40 from his four overs of part-time offspin, having been their most expensive against Namibia.Nathan Ellis also continued to press his claims to be part of Australia’s first choice XI in the World Cup, conceding 42 from his four overs while Josh Hazlewood was hammered for 55. Rutherford took on Zampa late in the innings clubbing 22 off the legspinner’s final over. Ellis kept the damage to just 14 in the last as Rutherford found the fence three times but was unable to clear it.Josh Inglis struck a 30-ball 55 in Australia’s reply but they were never in the hunt with just nine batters available. Australia pulled a surprise by opening the batting with Agar, something he has done twice before in T20I cricket. Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed post match that he was shifted there to allow others to move back to their preferred positions with Mitchell Marsh returning to No.3. Agar smashed 28 off 13 in the powerplay including four fours and two sixes off the left-arm orthodox spin of Akeal Hosein. But Agar eventually miscued one to mid-on off Obed McCoy.Shamar Joseph gave David Warner a glimpse of what he missed out on during the recent Australia-West Indies Test series, rattling his off stump for 15 despite conceding two fours and a six off the previous three deliveries.Marsh fell cheaply while David and Matthew Wade managed 25 apiece as the required run-rate spiralled out of control. Gudakesh Motie put the squeeze on Australia in the middle overs, picking up Inglis and David to finish with 2 for 31.Ellis added some respectability to Australia’s total scoring 39 off 22 balls in a 51-run seventh-wicket stand with Zampa who finished 21 not out as Australia managed to bat out their 20 overs.

Lyon wonderkid Malick Fofana was spotted training in a Marcus Rashford's Manchester United shirt sparking transfer speculation. The 19-year-old has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea over a summer transfer, however, the Red Devils may now be put onto an alert following the wonderkid's Instagram story. After Lyon's relegation, it may now be easier to strike a deal for Fofana.

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Lyon's Fofana linked with Chelsea and LiverpoolMalick Fofana spotted training in Man Utd shirtInstagram story puts Man Utd on transfer alertFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester United fans have been left intrigued after Lyon winger Fofana was spotted wearing a United kit during off-season training. The young star shared an Instagram story featuring himself in the 2022-23 green third strip. This comes just one week after Alejandro Garnacho drew criticism for wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Rashford’s name on it.

Instagram (@malick_fofana7)

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Fofana’s future is suddenly in the spotlight. With Lyon facing relegation to Ligue 2 due to financial irregularities, the club is expected to offload several players, and Fofana could be among them. Having impressed last season with 11 goals and five assists, the young winger is drawing interest from Premier League sides, including Liverpool and Chelsea, both of whom have already made a move for the Lyon star.

AFPDID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United fans may remember Fofana from their dramatic Europa League semi-final clash with Lyon. The winger tormented the Red Devils’ defence and won a penalty that helped the French side take the lead. Although United ran out 5-4 winners, Fofana made a lasting impression.

WHAT NEXT FOR FOFANA?

With Lyon needing to raise funds and Fofana’s stock on the rise, a summer exit looks likely with Liverpool and Chelsea pushing hard. Whether Manchester United make a formal move remains to be seen, but the Instagram post and Fofana’s previous impact at Old Trafford certainly won't go unnoticed by Ruben Amorim's side.

Barcelona are leading the transfer race ahead of Arsenal and Bayern Munich for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams.

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Barca close to signing Williams Could beat Bayern and Arsenal in transfer race Flick determined to sign Spanish sensation Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per Sky Sports' Florian Plettemberg, the Blaugrana have emerged as favourites to secure the transfer of Spanish Williams from Athletic Club this summer. European giants like Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Chelsea are keen on adding the star winger to their roster, but it is now believed that the Spanish champions are in pole position in the transfer race.

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Plettenberg added that Barca president Joan Laporta is now evaluating the feasibility of the move and if the club can actually register the player, while complying wth La Liga's financial regulations. As soon as the club chief gives his green signal, the Catalan giants are expected to go ahead and complete the transfer, as manager Hansi Flick has prioritised the youngster's signature.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona, who are determined to add a new player to their attack ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, have also placed Liverpool star Luis Diaz in their shortlist.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

The reigning La Liga champions' pre-season tour has not been finalised yet, but Flick's men could embark on a tour to Asia, aiming to reconnect with their global fanbase and fine-tune their squad for the challenges ahead.