Leeds United may have strengthened well in the summer, but there remain holes left by the damaging departures they were forced to oversee throughout a tumultuous summer.

The exit of Rodrigo saw them lose out on their key goalscorer, whilst Tyler Adams' move to AFC Bournemouth marked the second consecutive summer that they had lost their midfield orchestrator, after Kalvin Phillips' departure in 2021. Even Max Wober, who only joined in January, quickly grew into their most reliable defensive asset at the back, remaining solid when others could not.

So, with all three of them having now left Elland Road, it was no mean feat for Daniel Farke to find their replacements.

Joel Piroe is expected to offer an alternative to the former, whilst Glen Kamara hopes to be a like-for-like replacement for the USA international. However, when it came to the former RB Salzburg titan, Joe Rodon's signing arguably marked the most perfect one to fill such a vacancy, with power, poise and pure control at centre-back.

However, the only issue that remains is that the Wales international is not a permanent fix, having only joined on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur. No matter how bright his start, or how imperious he remains throughout the Championship campaign, the 25-year-old will likely be recalled next summer for Ange Postecoglou to reassess his future.

This will make it all the more painful when they lose a man who is already maintaining a 7.13 average rating in the second tier, buoyed by his 92% pass accuracy, 100% dribble success rate, 1.3 interceptions and 3.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

The Whites have merely plugged a hole in signing the defender, with a long-term replacement for Wober still needed. Fortunately, they boast an academy full of talent just waiting to be unleashed.

How good was Max Wober?

Although an unassuming signing, given Jesse Marsch was merely recruiting another of his former players after the failures Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen proved to be, the Austrian stalwart quickly proved himself to be a cut above these two flops.

The 25-year-old had shone in his homeland, but translating those talents into the Premier League posed a completely different challenge, especially with the specifications his role demands.

Given how the modern-day centre-back is forever evolving, with power and strength just as important as ability on the ball nowadays, many wondered how the 25-year-old would stand up to the physical demands of a division famed for its high-octane games.

But, with a 6.84 average rating across his 16 appearances, it is fair to say he largely succeeded. An admirable figure buoyed by a host of stellar defensive statistics, his 71% pass accuracy was saved by his 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and four clearances per game, via Sofascore.

His rating actually made him Leeds' third-best performer in the league of those who started five or more games, and earned praise from Javi Gracia: "What I can say about Max, as everybody knows when he was available he played as a centre-back playing with Robin in the middle and he had very good performances."

The Spaniard would rush to laud him on another occasion too, outlining the immediate partnership he had struck up with Robin Koch: "In my opinion, both centre backs played really well today. They had a tough challenge. As you say with a very tall player and all the defensive line was very concentrated and the good work of the team meant we got a clean sheet."

So, to find a replacement for one of their few shining lights in an otherwise dull season will be no mean feat. Whilst many might suggest Charlie Cresswell as his natural successor from the academy, given his domineering characteristics and recent experience gained out on loan, there is perhaps another quietly shining in the background, biding his time before Farke hands him his chance.

Who is James Debayo?

James Debayo may be just 18 years old, but already he has begun making a name for himself in Yorkshire for his immense defensive displays for the youth sides.

It is a testament to both his maturity and his physicality that he has already been promoted into the U21s, having featured in their first four Premier League 2 games of the new season, three of which were wins.

To emphasise this point further, the teenage colossus actually already has 19 appearances for that side, and is just two shy of already matching the amount of games he has played for the U18s. The speed with which he is rising through the ranks is commendable and surely has caught the eye.

Even last year journalist Joe Donnohue sought to mark him out, highlighting one fine performance: "Only played first 45 but was impressive before taking an early yellow card. Had to be withdrawn at the break due to the booking."

Although only a small sample size, the two brief appearances he made in the Football League Trophy last season highlighted his defensive prowess, as despite averaging just 51 minutes per game, he still mustered 1.5 interceptions and two clearances per game, via Sofascore.

With Wober clearly being a defence-first centre-back, allowing his passing to suffer as long as he remains staunch at the back, it seems Debayo too shares this warrior-like trait which could help him to thrive in the Championship.

However, a clip shared from the Rising Ballers account instead showcases a trickery that could allow him to even surpass the Austria international, pairing his solidity with a silkiness that Elland Road has been lacking in recent years.

Then, as if the youngster needed additional aid in promoting his talents, he already has grown into a mainstay for England's U18s side, having been handed his debut by Neil Ryan.

Given Farke's ability to replace the talent he has lost, showcased throughout the summer, it is no surprise that with Wober he pushed the long-term option down the road with a shrewd loan signing. Perhaps this was merely a financial decision, or perhaps his eye has in fact been caught by one of the young defenders tearing up the academy scene, just waiting to be given their big chance to shine in the senior squad.

The Colorado Rapids are expected to appoint Tottenham Hotspur assistant Matt Wells as their next head coach, according to a report from The Athletic. Wells, 37, would be stepping into his first senior managerial role and would become one of the youngest head coaches in MLS when he arrives ahead of the 2026 season.

AFPA diverse coaching background

Wells is currently part of Thomas Frank’s staff at Spurs and previously worked under Ange Postecoglou, where he took on significant responsibility during training sessions and match preparation.

Before returning to North London, Wells served as an assistant to Scott Parker at Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge – a stretch that included promotions and European experience. He also began his coaching career in Tottenham’s academy, where he coached the club’s Under-18 side.

reports that Colorado has been encouraged by Wells’ background and potential, believing he fits the club’s desire for a cohesive approach between coaching and recruitment as it looks to elevate a young core.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhy the Rapids targeted him

The Rapids interviewed a wide range of candidates, both domestically and abroad, before settling on Wells, according to the report. The club places an emphasis on alignment between the head coach and roster construction, and Wells has been involved in early offseason planning.

The squad includes several foundational pieces, led by U.S. international Paxten Aaronson, along with goalkeeper Zack Steffen, Rob Holding, Cole Bassett, Sam Vines, and Reggie Cannon.

Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro – who has 27 goals and 10 assists over the last two seasons – could still depart this winter after Colorado rejected a significant bid from Fluminense in the summer. A move would open a Designated Player slot for the club.

How this impacts Spurs…

Colorado and Arsenal share ownership through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, yet the Rapids appear set to appoint an assistant from Tottenham, one of Arsenal’s rivals. The club previously interviewed former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere during a past coaching search.

If Wells departs, it would mark the first notable change to Thomas Frank’s coaching staff since his arrival at Spurs. Wells is the only assistant from Postecoglou’s staff who remained in place and is viewed internally as a sharp tactical mind with inventive training methods.

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What comes next?

According to , Wells has long been seen as a young coach ready for his own project. A move to MLS would offer that opportunity, while signaling Colorado’s continued push toward a modern, aligned football identity under a first-time head coach.

The recent summer transfer window saw Manchester United end their search for a new number nine, with the Red Devils forking out roughly £72m in order to prise Danish sensation Rasmus Hojlund from Serie A side, Atalanta.

With manager Erik ten Hag having been forced to muddle through with Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst as his senior centre-forward options last term – following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo – the hope will be that young Hojlund can hit the ground running following his return from international duty.

In truth, the Red Devils have been crying out for a long-term solution in that number nine berth for a number of years, having too often sought out a short-term fix with the signings of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and that man, Ronaldo.

Ever since Robin van Persie powered Sir Alex Ferguson and co to the Premier League title in 2012/13 with 26 top-flight goals, Old Trafford has been crying out for a prolific presence to lead the line in the hope of reviving those prior glory years.

In the case of Hojlund, the 20-year-old will need to avoid suffering a similar fate to that of United's last big-money centre-forward signing – Romelu Lukaku – with the Belgian hitman having underwhelmed both during his time in Manchester and since.

How much did Manchester United pay for Lukaku?

The towering marksman had first caught the eye of Premier League audiences after scoring 17 league goals during his season-long loan stint with West Bromwich Albion in 2012/13, memorably bagging a hat-trick to spoil Ferguson's farewell game in the 5-5 thriller at the Hawthorns on the final day of that campaign.

That was followed by a haul of 15 league goals while on loan at Everton the year after, with the former Anderlecht man subsequently scoring 87 goals in total for the Toffees after signing on a permanent deal in 2014.

Having seemingly seen enough to be impressed by the 6 foot 3 powerhouse over the previous five years or so, then-United boss Jose Mourinho – who had coached Lukaku at Stamford Bridge in the past – was keen on a reunion with his former asset at the Theatre of Dreams in the summer of 2017.

As it proved, the Red Devils willingly coughed up £75m in order to sign the Antwerp-born goal machine, with two goals on his league debut for the club appearing to suggest that it had been money well spent as far as Mourinho and co were concerned…

What went wrong for Lukaku at Man United?

While unable to have quite the impact that was expected, it was hardly a dismal debut season at United for Lukaku as he scored 27 goals and provided nine assists in 51 games in all competitions, with Ten Hag likely to count himself lucky if Hojlund can get anywhere close to such a tally.

That being said, however, the polarising figure would go on to net just a further 15 times in the following season as his form swiftly tumbled, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst stating at the time that the striker had been partly responsible for Mourinho's subsequent sacking due to his "woeful and costly finishing".

The misfiring asset wasn't only something of a liability in front of goal, however, with former title winner Lee Sharpe particularly critical at the time of the forward's hold-up play, stating: "I've never seen a centre forward with such a bad touch.

“If your centre forward can't hold the ball up, it makes it a very hard game".

While Luckhurst predicted that the marksman would "doubtless benefit from being coached by [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer", his face didn't fit as far as the Norwegian was concerned, with the treble winner favouring a more fluid forward line in the second half of the 2018/19 campaign, involving the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Alexis Sanchez

£350k

Paul Pogba

£290k

David De Gea

£200k

Romelu Lukaku

£180k

Juan Mata

£160k

Luke Shaw

£150k

Fred

£120k

Ashley Young

£120k

Nemanja Matic

£120k

Ander Herrera

£115k

Stats via Capology

That decline had partly been impacted by Lukaku's own admission that had "bulked up too much" following the 2018 World Cup, with club legend Gary Neville subsequently stating that the departing forward was "overweight", amid his impending move to Inter Milan in 2019.

How much did Man United sell Lukaku for?

To United's credit, a club that has typically been rather poor with regard to selling players – after leading the way in Europe over the last decade due to their negative net spend – managed to recoup almost all of their initial investment in Lukaku, after moving him on to Italy for £74m.

That sale proved a blessing for both parties as Belgium's record scorer rediscovered his scoring touch at San Siro, firing in 47 league goals combined across the next two seasons, while enjoying Scudetto success with Antonio Conte's side in 2020/21.

Such a golden period of consistency attracted the attention of clubs back in the Premier League – despite his mixed fortunes at United – with former employers Chelsea coughing up a mammoth £97.5m in order to prise Lukaku in the summer of 2021.

How much is Lukaku worth now?

The Blues must be kicking themselves to have invested so heavily in the £325k-per-week man only to have seen it blow up in their face, with the 109-cap international lasting just one season back in England before returning to Inter on loan last summer.

That reunion with the Italian giants did not prove a happy one, however, as Lukaku scored just 15 goals in all competitions last season after slipping behind Edin Dzeko in the attacking pecking order, with the 30-year-old subsequently souring his relations with the Nerazzurri after reportedly negotiating a move to rivals Juventus in the recent window.

Now back under the watchful eye of Mourinho at AS Roma, the Belgian's stock has fallen to such an extent that he is now said to be worth just €30m (£25m), according to CIES Football Observatory, with that £49m less than what Solskjaer and co sold him for just four years ago.

That would suggest that while it hasn't been said often in the post-Ferguson era at United, the club did hit the jackpot by managing to move on Lukaku so quickly and without taking a major financial hit – with the less said about his time at Old Trafford, the better.

Jordan Tunnicliffe admits that phone apps are an unwelcome distraction for Wrexham, with it difficult to keep eyes off the League Two table.

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Red Dragons have wobbled of lateStill in the hunt for top-three finishEager to avoid unwelcome distractionsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons would prefer to keep collective focus locked on a “tough” promotion bid, with a difficult run of late seeing Phil Parkinson’s side pick up just two wins from their last eight games in all competitions and now locked in a battle for top-three finishes.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT TUNNICLIFFE SAID ABOUT WREXHAM

Tunnicliffe has said of efforts to avoid spending too much time looking at the fourth-tier standings: “League Two is a tough league. Notts County came up with us (via the play-offs) and neither of us have blown it away like we did last season. There are some good teams who you have to respect. You try and focus on yourselves, but there’s all these apps out there now on your phone, so it is easy to look at the table and the form of all the teams. You just have to be really disciplined and focus on yourself and each game as it comes. I know that’s boring and a cliche, but it is true. If you start looking ahead, then you’re not focusing on what you need to focus on. We need to focus on Tuesday and build from there.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Wrexham know what it takes to get over a promotion line, having claimed the National League title in record-breaking style last season, and Tunnicliffe hopes that will stand them in good stead. He added: “It is all to play for. We need to repeat what we did last season and that is show a killer instinct away from home. We were good on the road last season and we need to get back to that. Gillingham is gone now. What matters is how we respond. We have two more games this week and how we respond on Tuesday (at Forest Green) and Saturday (at home to Accrington Stanley) is what matters. Pick up maximum points from those two games and the table looks good again.”

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

The Red Dragons suffered a 1-0 defeat at Gillingham last time out, as their patchy away form continued, and will remain on the road for a meeting with Forest Green Rovers. They have 13 games left in which to collect enough points that will secure automatic promotion and avoid having to pick up another ticket for the play-off lottery.

Leeds United have the opportunity to cut the gap between themselves and Ipswich Town in second to within single digits at Elland Road this afternoon.

The Whites are currently ten points behind the Tractor Boys and would be seven points off the automatic promotion places with a victory today.

Ipswich then play host to league-leaders Leicester City on Boxing Day and this means that Leeds could be four points off second if results go their way within the next four days.

Daniel Farke's side are chasing automatic promotion back to the Premier League after the club was relegated from the top-flight at the end of last season.

A win against Kieran McKenna's men would be a huge boost to their hopes of sneaking into the top two before the end of the current campaign and the head coach could look to make some changes to his XI.

Latest Leeds team news

Ahead of this clash with Ipswich, Farke has provided an injury update on his squad as three players have been ruled out and two could return.

Versatile full-backs Jamie Shackleton, Stuart Dallas, and Sam Byram are all unavailable for selection as they deal with their respective injury issues. Phil Hay reported that Byram and Shackleton are both expected to be out of action until the turn of the year.

It was not all bad news, though, as it was also revealed that Ian Poveda, who was on international duty with Colombia, and Junior Firpo, who has returned to training following his injury issue, are both set to be in contention to feature.

Farke has also revealed that supporters can expect to see rotation in the team over the next few games as Leeds look to navigate the tricky festive period.

The congestion of games means that players have a lot of work to get through and resting and rotating the squad can help to avoid muscle injuries and fatigue heading into 2024.

With this in mind, Farke must now finally unleash winger Jaidon Anthony from the start over Daniel James, who has struggled over the last two games.

Dan James' last two performances in numbers

The Wales international played the full 90 minutes against Coventry last time out and failed to make an impact at the top end of the pitch as Leeds failed to win.

He was provided with 0.40 xG worth of chances by his teammates but failed to hit the back of the net and missed one 'big chance' in the process.

The former Manchester United forward only created one chance for his teammates and failed with all eight of his attempted crosses on the right flank.

That disappointing display came off the back of his struggles against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the club's previous match – a 1-0 loss on Wearside.

James did not register a single key pass or shot on goal in 75 minutes of action and also failed with all three of his attempted crosses on the night.

This means that the Leeds forward has produced zero goals and one key pass in 165 minutes of football, to go along with one 'big chance' missed and zero created, over the last two Championship games.

James' season in numbers

His last two performances have been off-colour in comparison to his form throughout the campaign as the winger has been impressive this season.

James had managed seven goals, four assists, and eight 'big chances' created in 15 league starts prior to those clashes with Sunderland and Coventry.

The Welsh whiz has averaged 1.8 key passes per game throughout the season so far in 20 appearances as he has showcased his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis from the flank.

His impressive displays have seen him become a consistent starter on the right of the attack for Farke but the busy festive schedule appears to have taken a toll on his displays, as evidenced by his poor statistics over the last two games.

Therefore, it could make sense to ditch him from the starting XI for this clash with Ipswich as Leeds will need energy and players who are fresh and ready to make an impact in such an important match.

This could open the door for Anthony to finally be unleashed as the young winger has the potential to be a key player for the Whites and this could be the game that he makes a name for himself in.

The statistics that show why Anthony should start

Leeds signed the attacker on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth over the summer but he has only started two league matches for the club so far.

His last start came against Stoke back in October and the talented gem created two chances and completed three of his five attempted dribbles in 71 minutes.

Despite that impressive outing, Anthony is still waiting for his third start of the 2023/24 Championship campaign and it could come this afternoon.

James has not done enough in the last two clashes to suggest that he deserves to keep his place and the Cherries loanee does have an excellent track record in the division.

He was promoted with Bournemouth at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and caught the eye with his terrific performances on the flank that term.

Progressive passes (5.59)

Top 5%

Expected Assisted Goals (0.25)

Top 10%

Shot-creating actions (4.26)

Top 8%

Progressive passes received (9.19)

Top 6%

Blocks (1.61)

Top 2%

As you can see in the table above, Anthony was a fantastic creative talent throughout the season with his ability to conjure up shooting opportunities for his teammates at an impressive rate.

He ended the campaign with a sublime return of eight goals, seven assists, and 17 'big chances' created in 38 league starts for the Cherries.

His former boss Scott Parker once described him as a player who goes "under the radar" and that has certainly been the case at Leeds as the 6 foot wizard is yet to really burst onto the scene in Yorkshire.

Farke must now finally unleash Anthony from the start against Ipswich to allow him to shine in a Whites shirt by using his creativity to contribute to what will, hopefully, be a crucial victory for the club.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has dropped a hugely significant piece of Newcastle United news regarding one specific player.

Who have Newcastle signed recently?

The Magpies have spent vast chunks of recent times languishing somewhere near the bottom of the Premier League table or even being relegated to the Championship, which has been unacceptable for such a huge club.

Thankfully, the good times have returned to St James' Park, however, with finances no longer an issue in the slightest, and Eddie Howe building a side that finished fourth in the league last season, qualifying for the Champions League in the process.

Not only has the manager created a strong unit, but he has also acquired the services of some top players, many of whom have become new heroes at Newcastle. The likes of new signings in recent years Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak have all made a big impression, among others, and you'd expect they will continue to be vital figures moving forward.

There is always going to be interest in some of those players from other big clubs, so tying down their future is absolutely essential. A new update suggests that that is very much the case with one individual.

Which Newcastle player could sign a new deal?

Taking to X, Romano claimed that Bruno Guimaraes has agreed a contract extension with Newcastle – one that will keep him at the club for the foreseeable future and includes a release clause of approximately £100m:

"EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle agree new deal with Bruno Guimaraes, here we go! It’s done — contract until June 2028. Key detail: understand the new deal will include release clause and it will be in the region of £100m. Bruno, so happy to extend as he loves the club."

This is fantastic news for Newcastle, considering what a huge impact Guimaraes has made at St James' ever since arriving from Lyon in January 2022. His arrival coincided with the Magpies becoming a force again, and his influence in the middle of the park has arguably been unrivalled at times.

At 25, the Brazilian is heading into his peak years, so to tie him down to a new contract that will see him remain at Newcastle into his 30s feels every bit as important as any new signing that comes along in the approaching transfer windows.

Magpies legend Alan Shearer is clearly a big fan of Guimaraes, calling him "absolutely magnificent" in the past. Granted, he is arguably yet to hit top form so far this season, but he has still averaged 1.8 tackles per game in the Premier League and enjoyed a 92.3% pass completion rate in the Champions League.

There is always the threat that one of Europe's biggest teams could trigger his release clause one day, following reported interest from Chelsea, assuming he keeps improving as a player and doesn't drop off, and while losing him would be an enormous blow, it is at least nice to know that he would only be allowed to leave for a massive transfer fee.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been rocked by another injury concern as he struggles to get his side to consistently string results and performances together on the pitch.

What's the latest news involving Aston Villa?

On Wednesday night, Aston Villa fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup, exiting the competition at the first hurdle.

Nevertheless, Aston Villa boss Emery is making no excuses for his side, as he stated in his post-match press conference via BBC Sport: "It's not [about being] tired. I don't want to use all our effort with the players each match. We are trying to keep a balance with some different players but trying to be competitive. We're disappointed with the start and mistakes we made but we are trying to go forward and build the team. We made the second mistake quickly [in the second half] and it was difficult to come back."

Football Insider meanwhile report that several clubs are hot on the tail of Aston Villa star man Ollie Watkins as his contract situation continues to rumble on at Villa Park. The England international's present terms are set to run until the summer of 2025 and Aston Villa remain 'confident' of being able to keep him at the club; however, negotiations are not at an advanced stage, which has alerted numerous unnamed sides, according to the outlet.

Aston Villa defender Alex Moreno may be out for slightly longer than expected as the Spaniard continues to recover from a hamstring problem that has kept him out for the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign so far.

Jamaica international Leon Bailey was then taken off in the defeat to Everton during the week and could also be set to miss out some first-team action, as per Birmingham Live.

Who has joined Leon Bailey on the treatment table?

Cited by Birmingham World, Aston Villa boss Emery has confirmed that midfielder Jacob Ramsey was also unavailable for the Everton cup clash due to sustaining a fresh injury concern.

Detailing the extent of Ramsey's injury, Emery stated in his post-match press conference: "Jacob is not a hard injury. He has a small injury. Hopefully, he can come back quick. I don’t know if Saturday [against Brighton & Hove Albion] he is going to be ready, but it’s not bad news the injury he has now."

Ramsey had only just returned from a broken metatarsal that kept him out for the best part of ten weeks and it will come as a frustration to the 22-year-old to be on the sidelines once again, as per The Athletic.

Despite his young age, Ramsey has amassed 103 appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions, registering 12 goals and ten assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Once labelled "sensational" by reporter Gregg Evans, Ramsey has become a valued graduate from Aston Villa's youth academy and has excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive carries, averaging around 3.55 per 90 minutes in the last 365 days, putting him in the 97th percentile for this metric, as per FBRef.

His latest setback will no doubt come as a blow to Emery, who will hope the midfielder can recover as soon as possible and return to being available for selection.

As they look to continue their summer business, West Bromwich Albion are now reportedly “plotting” a bargain deal to sign an experienced, versatile star for Ryan Mason.

West Brom pushing on after Heggebo deal

Whilst it’s not been the most frantic summer transfer window at The Hawthorns so far, West Brom have at least welcomed both Nat Phillips from Liverpool and Aune Heggebo from Norwegian side Brann. The forward stands out as their biggest arrival so far, given that he scored eight goals in all competitions last season and should play a prominent role in Mason’s frontline.

Following his arrival, the forward told West Brom’s official website: “Coming here with the fanbase and the history, such as being one of the oldest clubs in Great Britain, I feel very proud to get the chance to represent Albion. It felt like a really good opportunity to go and try something new – an adventure maybe. I can get some new life experience.

“To experience English football culture with the stadiums, fanbases, atmospheres and passion there is for football, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve always been really big on English football when I was growing up, watching the Premier League and a bit of the Championship. It’s great to be here.”

With Heggebo signed and delivered, meanwhile, West Brom have reportedly set their sights on further reinforcements as pre-season gets underway in the Midlands.

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On that front, Preston North End’s Ali McCann and Tottenham Hotspur youngster Mikey Moore have both been mentioned in recent weeks. The latter would particularly make sense on loan given that Mason worked with him during his time at Spurs. As options go, the young winger stands out as someone who would be an exciting arrival.

At the other end of the spectrum, though, the Baggies are also reportedly targeting an experienced former Premier League midfielder who could arrive in a bargain deal this summer.

West Brom "plotting" move to sign Jeffrey Schlupp

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, West Brom are now “plotting” a move to sign Jeffrey Schlupp, who remains a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace.

Mason reportedly believes that the midfielder could be a key member of his West Brom squad due to his experience and versatility and that should come as no surprise. The former Palace midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell at Celtic last season, helping them retain the Scottish Premiership and even featuring in the knockout phase of the Champions League as the Bhoys narrowly lost out to Bayern Munich.

It was during his time on loan at Celtic that Schlupp earned high praise from manager Brendan Rodgers, who told reporters after welcoming the 32-year-old: “I am really pleased that we have been able to bring Jeffrey to the club. I know he will love it at Celtic and I am sure our fans will love him and what he can bring to us.

“He is a fantastic guy, someone with real high-level experience and with great attributes including power, pace and versatility. I know that he can be a really important addition to our squad this season.”

Sunderland have now made a “direct approach” to sign a “fantastic” midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano, having also opened talks to sign Granit Xhaka in recent days.

Black Cats looking to sign new midfielders

The Black Cats have already secured the signatures of Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra this summer, while Enzo Le Fee made his stay at the Stadium of Light permanent, meaning Regis Le Bris appears to be relatively well-stocked in the central midfield area.

However, the manager will be under no illusions about how difficult it will be to remain in the Premier League next season, and he clearly believes that signing another central midfielder could boost his side’s survival chances.

It may also be a wise idea to bring in players with Premier League experience, and Xhaka ticks that box, having spent a number of years with Arsenal, and talks over a deal for the 32-year-old have now been opened.

However, the former Arsenal man is not Le Bris’ only target in that area of the pitch, with Romano recently taking to X to reveal that Sunderland have now made a “direct approach” to the agent of Napoli midfielder Frank Zambo-Anguissa.

The Black Cats are still “working on” a deal for Xhaka, but Zambo-Anguissa has also now entered the frame as a potential target, although it could be difficult to lure him away from Napoli, as the Italian side have already offered him a new deal.

As things stand, the 29-year-old has a £38m release clause in his contract, meaning the newly-promoted side may need to spend big if they are to get a deal over the line.

"Fantastic" Anguissa would be coup for Sunderland

It appears unlikely that Sunderland will be able to secure the Cameroon international’s signature, given that Napoli are “confident” he will commit to a new contract, but it would be a real coup if they were able to get a deal done.

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The 29-year-old played a major role for the Serie A champions in their title-winning 2024-25 campaign, making 35 league appearances, during which time he picked up six goals and four assists.

Former Napoli loanee Philip Billing was also left impressed by his ex-teammate during his spell in Italy, describing him as “fantastic”. Speaking about the Cameroon international and Scott McTominay, the Bournemouth man also added: “I stick to my own playing style but also try to learn from them.

“They are both incredible, great profiles both physically and technically. They run a lot and also score goals.”

That said, Xhaka may be a more attainable target, and it is an added bonus that the Swiss midfielder already has Premier League experience.

Manchester United’s need for improvement in the 2025/26 campaign is there for all to see, after the club endured one of their worst seasons in memory last time around.

The Red Devils could only register a 15th-placed Premier League finish, ending the year 24 points off a Champions League spot, after winning just 11 times in their 38 outings.

Ruben Amorim has so far fallen below the expectations put on his shoulders after arriving, but will have the summer transfer window to try and transform the current situation.

Whilst it’s his first major chance to land new additions to his first-team squad, it could also be his last if he fails to attract the right calibre of player and subsequently sees a repeat of last season’s dismal form.

The pressure is certainly on, but it appears as though the hierarchy are set to hand the 40-year-old the tools he desires to make the changes he needs at Old Trafford.

The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer

Bryan Mbeumo is still the name on everyone’s lips at Man Utd, given the major interest they’ve shown in his signature during the ongoing transfer window.

The Red Devils have placed two separate offers for the Brentford star, with the latest totalling £62.5m, but no deal has been agreed, as Keith Andrews’ side are holding out for £65m this summer.

However, he’s not the only Premier League talent currently on their radar, with Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson a firm target, according to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth.

He claimed that Amorim’s side are keeping a close eye on a potential move for the 24-year-old forward, who registered 13 goals across all competitions last season.

It’s also been claimed elsewhere that he could command a fee in the region of £100m this summer, with the Blues demanding a pretty penny for his signature.

Why United’s £100m target could be Amorim’s answer to Isak

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been a name hugely mentioned in recent days, with the Swede potentially being subject to an English record bid this summer.

The interest in his signature this window is hardly a surprise given the 25-year-old’s tally of 23 league goals in his 34 outings during the 2024/25 campaign.

Such a tally takes his total of goals in England to 62 in his 109 appearances, with Isak now undoubtedly one of the most feared talismen in Europe’s top five leagues.

There’s no denying that United fans must wish they had a talent like the forward, but talents like the Swede don’t come around often, and when they do, they command a hefty fee – as seen by his current price tag.

However, they could be about to land their own version of the forward this summer, with a potential move for Jackson, who possesses very similar qualities to the Magpies’ star.

He’s been labelled as a similar player to Isak by FBref, even managing to outperform him in multiple areas when comparing their respective stats from last year.

Jackson, who’s been labelled “sensational” by Pubity Sport, posted a higher shot on target accuracy rate – highlighting his ability to be more precise with the opportunities that are presented to him in front of goal.

How Jackson compares to Isak in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Jackson	Isak
Games played	30	34
Goals & assists	15	29
Shot-on-target accuracy	45%	43%
Pass accuracy	76%	75%
Aerials won	37%	32%
Shots on target per game	1.4	1.3
Fouls won	1.2	0.4
Stats via FBref

He also managed to win more aerial battles, whilst also completing more of the passes he attempted, handing Amorim the focal point to play off and allowing for needed link-up play in attacking areas.

Whilst he’s been unable to match his goalscoring record, Jackson has showcased that he has all the tools to emulate his success in England’s top-flight in the years to come.

His comparison to such a high-profile attacker is evidence of the talent he possesses, hopefully making the jump and taking his career to the next level at Old Trafford.

If he can match the levels of Isak during any move to Manchester, it would be a sensational piece of business, handing Amorim that needed centre forward that he needs in 2025/26.

Amorim's own Pogba: Man Utd leading race to sign "sensational" £42m star

Manchester United could be about to make a move to land a key target in their plans for the 2025/26 campaign.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 16, 2025