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da dobrowin： Liverpool have dropped points in their past two away matches in the Premier League, against Everton and Aston Villa respectively.

da marjack bet： In fact, the Reds have drawn half of their eight top-flight fixtures in 2025, though hold a sizeable eight-point lead over second-place Arsenal, who do have a game in hand.

Arne Slot has worked wonders since taking the helm last summer, with Liverpool also into the Carabao Cup final and the last 16 of the Champions League, waiting for the draw that will confirm either Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica as their opponents.

Liverpool have looked good across the park, but up front, they have torn teams to shreds when on their a-game. It’s not all been rosy up top, however, with one man in particular flattering to deceive.

Let’s have a look at Liverpool’s recent history with number nines.

Liverpool's strikers over the past decade

Luis Suarez was probably Liverpool’s last true superstar before Brendan Rodgers’ dismissal. Steven Gerrard, of course, still played, but he was ageing. Suarez left for Barcelona just over a decade ago after his 31-goal Premier League term wasn’t enough to steer over the title-winning line.

The pretty penny claimed for his sale led to the likes of Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli, both of whom flattered to deceive. Daniel Sturridge was already part of the crew but endured injury problems in waves as he struggled to reclaim that sparkling form of 2013/14.

Christian Benteke followed, joining from Aston Villa for about £32.5m in 2015 and scoring nine goals over 29 league games before departing for £27m in Klopp’s first summer transfer window. It was ruthless, but the right move.

Mohamed Salah isn’t a centre-forward but he’s one of the Anfield side’s greatest-ever goalscorers, creeping up the all-time charts. He’s joined by Diogo Jota right now but played with Divock Origi in the early days of his Reds career, a man immortalised in Merseyside history.

Premier League – Record Goalscorers

Rank

Player

Apps

Goals

1.

Alan Shearer

441

260

2.

Harry Kane

320

213

3.

Wayne Rooney

491

208

4.

Andy Cole

414

187

5.

Sergio Aguero

275

184

6.

Mohamed Salah

289

181

Stats via Premier League

Then, of course, Jurgen Klopp led the signing of Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, bringing him in for a club-record £85m fee. He’s ebbed and flowed across the three years, but seems to have bitterly regressed under Slot’s wing and could be facing a departure this summer.

Darwin Nunez in 24/25

We know for sure that the Saudi Arabian-based interest in Nunez’s signature was genuine last month. Fabrizio Romano said so.

However, Al-Nassr ended up signing Jhon Duran instead, ending a free-scoring breakout campaign in Europe and moving to the Gulf in a deal worth £71m.

The fact remains that Liverpool’s expensive striker is looking likely for sale at the end of the season. With just six goals and five assists across the campaign, he’s fallen heavily by the wayside.

The fact that a 37-year-old Liverpool flop is outscoring him only adds insult to injury.

The Liverpool flop who's outscoring Nunez

Liverpool have had modern focal frontmen of all shapes and sizes, but there’s one who left almost a decade ago and has since built themselves up to be a high-class goalscorer back in their Spanish homeland.

The man in question is Iago Aspas, who might be in the ostensible twilight phase of his career but remains a steady scorer in La Liga.

Where Are They Now

Expand Collapse

Aspas left Celta Vigo to sign for Rodgers’ Liverpool for £9m in 2013, having notched 19 goal contributions from 32 top-flight fixtures before moving to England in Los Celestes’ first campaign out of the second tier.

His time on English shores didn’t work out, making just five starting appearances in the Premier League as he was minnowed by the likes of Suarez and Sturridge. Furthermore, Aspas didn’t manage to score in the division, bagging his lonely Liverpool goal against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup.

Liverpool knew rather quickly that the homesick forward wasn’t going to make it in the long run, and so he was sold back to Celta for around £4m in 2015 after spending the 2014/15 campaign on loan with Sevilla, where he won the Europa League.

Rodgers thought he saw something and in some ways has seen his decision vindicated by the attacker’s consistency over so many years in Spain, hitting double figures in La Liga across eight of the past ten campaigns.

He could make that nine with a rich burst of form over the coming months. Aspas is approaching the final year of his long journey but he’s still playing a part as the captain of his 14th-place outfit, having posted seven goals and three assists from 17 appearances.

This, rather embarrassingly, is more than Nunez’s haul for Liverpool in the Premier League this year: four goals from 24 games. The Uruguayan also only has six goals in total in all competitions.

To highlight further how impressive this record is, Aspas has only started 13 of the 17 league matches he has played this season, contributing toward his ranking among the top 14% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored (0.48) per 90, as per FBref.

He’s not as mobile as he once was, naturally, but the former Spain international shows intelligence and dynamism that frankly Nunez is unable to offer.

Emphasising this, Aspas has completed 59% of his dribbles in La Liga this term, as per Sofascore, only completing 1.2 dribbles every two games but proving match smarts in knowing when to put his foot on the gas.

Nunez, in contrast, has completed only 40% of his ball-carrying attempts in England this year, down from 43% last season and a more respectable 49% average in his maiden year. It’s simply not good enough, and indicative of his slump.

In front of goal, Nunez is not missing that many chances this season, but this serves as more as a barometer of Nunez’s decreased impact at the front of the ship, averaging 1.2 shots per Premier League match this term after firing 3.0 per outing last year, as per Sofascore.

Slot is a strong proponent of fluidity and interchangeability. He likes his Liverpool side to work hard and attack with ferocity. Nunez, in a way, embodies part of this.

He is hard-working and difficult to combat from a defensive standpoint. However, his lack of self-belief and composure in front of goal has unravelled all of the good work.

The simple fact is that Liverpool’s club-record centre-forward shouldn’t be being outscored by an ageing veteran in Aspas.

The 37-year-old flopped at Anfield and did so well to build a successful career in Spain thereafter, but if his superiority in 2024/25 isn’t a sign that Nunez needs to go – what is?

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da roleta： Since relegation back to the Championship ahead of the 2023/24 season, manager Daniel Farke has built a side at Leeds United that has excelled in England’s second tier potentially catapulting them to promotion this season.

da dobrowin： The German has led the Whites to top spot in the current campaign, sitting in pole position to end their two-year exile from the Premier League in the coming months.

He already had a phenomenal side upon his arrival at Elland Road, but has gradually injected further quality into the side, massively aiding their chances of securing a return to the top flight.

The likes of Joel Piroe and Ilia Gruev both arrived during the summer of 2023, both cementing their places in the side over recent weeks, playing a vital role in the club’s promotion ambitions.

However, despite the signings made during the aforementioned window, the emergence of one player caught the eye massively, providing for a huge pay day after their play-off final defeat.

Archie Gray’s stats for Leeds in 2023/24

Ahead of the start of last season, very few supporters would’ve predicted how important youngster Archie Gray would be in Farke’s first year at the helm as Leeds boss.

At the tender age of just 17, the talent would make his first-team debut, but would end up cementing his place in the squad, making 52 appearances for his boyhood side – winning the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award as a result.

Gray would find the back of the net in what was a crucial clash with Leicester City at Elland Road, but his goal would eventually be credited as a own goal – unable to register a goal during his time Yorkshire.

His first year with the Whites would be his only season after their failure to secure promotion, leaving in a £40m deal to join Tottenham Hotspur, hoping to take his career to the next level as a result.

However, despite featuring 35 times to date, he’s been outperformed by another former Leeds player who failed to deliver during his own spell on loan under Farke.

The former Leeds player who’s outperformed Gray in 2024/25

During the summer of 2023, Leeds also secured a deal to sign Spurs full-back Djed Spence on loan for the entirety of the campaign, but was unable to make his mark at the club.

The Englishman, who cost £20m the summer prior. would fail to deliver at Elland Road, making just seven Championship appearances, many of which were out of position at left-back.

As a result, the 24-year-old would be recalled halfway through his stint in January, returning to his parent side before another temporary spell at Italian outfit Genoa.

However, in the ongoing season, the Lilywhites’ injury issues have plagued Ange Postecoglou’s squad, handing Spence the opportunity to impress in the first-team, taking his chance with both hands.

He’s since been a key player in their backline, along with Gray, but his showings have led to calls for an England call-up amid Thomas Tuchel’s first squad in the coming weeks.

When comparing his stats to those of the Leeds academy graduate, Spence has outperformed the youngster in numerous key areas, highlighting the progression he’s made after his disappointing spell in Yorkshire.

How Spence compares to Gray in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Spence

Gray

Games played

14

20

Goals & assists

2

0

Progressive carries

3.3

0.2

Progressive passes

5.2

2.1

Tackles won

2.5

0.3

Interceptions made

1.1

0.6

Aerials won

1.2

0.7

Aerial success rate

60%

56%

Stats via FBref

He’s managed to excel defensively, winning more tackles and completing more interceptions per 90 than Gray, showcasing how impressive he’s been – unimaginable after his unsuccessful spell under Farke.

It’s great to see the former loanee shining alongside another one-time Leeds star, with the fanbase undoubtedly wishing them well in their development even if it’s not at Elland Road.

Many expected Gray to be the star youngster after his big-money move, but ultimately, Spence has managed to outperform him to date, with the teenager still needing the opportunity to star in his regular position to get the best out of his skill set.

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da apostebet： Newcastle have been knocked out of the FA Cup with their hopes now of a potential cup double seeping away.

da apostaganha： They look a 1-0 lead against Brighton, only to be beaten 2-1 after 120 minutes played, with the Seagulls fighting back against the Magpies to send the game to extra-time.

Alexander Isak scored in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot, but goals from former Magpie Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck secured the victory for Brighton.

Eddie Howe’s side held 48% possession, taking 15 shots in the game and creating three big chances. Meanwhile, Brighton held more of the ball with 52% possession, taking more shots with 21 in the game, but creating fewer big chances, only having two in the match.

The game also included two red cards, one for Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and one for Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, making for an interesting conclusion to the fixture.

Many Newcastle players dug deep after going down to ten men, but there were still a few poor performances on the day from certain individuals.

Newcastle's main underperformers against Brighton

Joelinton was one of Newcastle’s poorest performers on the day but has been a huge asset for Howe’s side this season, making 29 appearances, scoring four goals, providing one assist and totalling 2,344 minutes played.

The 28-year-old had been out with a knee injury for the past few weeks, but made his return against Brighton, playing 56 minutes, winning just three of his eight ground duels, making four fouls and getting himself a yellow card.

Joelinton also had an error leading to a shot and was dribbled past once, showing the midfield maestro perhaps wasn’t quite at his full sharpness just yet.

The Brazilian’s performance was not the worst for the Magpies. indeed, it was Tino Livramento who played Welbeck onside his extra-time winner. Harvey Barnes, meanwhile, trudged from the field of the play just before the hour mark having not managed a single shot.

That said, it was another Newcastle star – someone who was given a 3/10 match rating by the Northern Echo – after a poor moment of judgement that truly cost Howe’s side the game.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Expand Collapse How Anthony Gordon was outclassed by Yankuba Minteh

Brighton’s goalscorer was only sold by Newcastle this summer, with Minteh joining Brighton for a fee of around £33m.

Since joining the Seagulls, the 20-year-old winger has made 26 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and providing four assists.

Funnily enough, it was the ex-Newcastle star who had the better of current Newcastle star, Gordon, who was sent off in the 83rd minute of the game and will now miss the Carabao Cup final due to a three-game suspension.

In the words of Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, it was a “stupid” and “really petulant” error from the winger.

When you compare the two players’ performances on Sunday, both made big mistakes for their side, with Gordon being sent off in the game and Minteh giving away the penalty for Isak to convert in the 22nd minute.

Gordon vs Minteh

Stat

Gordon

Minteh

Minutes

83

69

Goals

0

1

Touches

50

32

Shots

1

1

Accurate Passes

19/26

12/18

Key Passes

1

2

Successful Dribbles

0/4

1/2

Ground Duels Won

3/10

4/7

Aerial duels won

0/1

0/0

Tackles

1

2

Stats taken from Sofascore

However, in truth, it was the Brighton star who looked more fit to wear the shirt today with Minteh responded by finding the back of the net himself. He also won more ground duels, made more tackles and provided more key passes for his team. Gordon struggled to get involved too much at all, ultimately completing fewer passes than Martin Dubravka (23) with a performance that really let the Toon Army down.

The Everton academy graduate has had the better season of the attacking pair, with the England international making 34 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing six assists so far. However, with Minteh only 20 years old, many will wonder what he could become in the next few years, considering the level he is already demonstrating.

In an ideal world, Newcastle could have kept Minteh in the summer, deploying a front three of Gordon, Minteh and Isak.

But the Magpies, of course, were unable to keep hold of the youngster due to PSR, which has now seen him come back to bite them, playing his part in knocking them out of the FA Cup.

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da bwin： Liverpool are gathering information on one of Europe’s top goalscorers this season as a possible replacement for Darwin Nunez, according to a new report.

Liverpool set for a hectic summer

da esoccer bet： Despite Liverpool storming towards the Premier League title and going strong in the Champions League, much of the current talk around the club surrounds what will happen this summer in the transfer window.

The Reds’ star trio of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract at the end of the season, and none have yet to pen to paper on new deals. The future of back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has asserted his desire to leave Anfield, is also up in the air, as is that of striker Darwin Nunez.

The Uruguayan striker has been publicly criticised in recent weeks by manager Arne Slot, and is widely expected to leave Liverpool in the summer, three seasons after he joined the club from Benfica for a record fee of £84 million.

Since the move, Nunez has scored just 40 goals in 133 games, with the 40th of those coming in a match-winning performance against Southampton on Saturday, as he equalised shortly after half-time before winning a penalty moments later.

Liverpool are understood to be monitoring a number of players to replace Nunez, including Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, the latter of whom they have been reported to have already made contact over.

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According to a report from The Boot Room, Liverpool have opened talks to sign the Leipzig star, who is also attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea.

Liverpool eyeing Atalanta's Mateo Retegui

Another striker reportedly on Liverpool’s shortlist to replace Nunez is Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui. The Italy international, 25, is the top scorer in Serie A this season, having netted 21 goals in 25 games for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side with a further three in the Champions League.

His impressive return this term sees him currently sit joint-second in the race for the European Golden Shoe alongside Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, who he boasts extremely similar attributes to.

According to Rousing the Kop, Liverpool have been gathering information on Retegui ahead of a potential summer swoop, with Slot adamant on signing a new centre-forward ahead of his second season in charge.

Retegui, who only joined Atalanta last summer from Genoa last summer, has been heavily praised by Italy manager Luciano Spalletti, who has made him a regular for the Azzurri since taking over as head coach in 2023.

“He’s a very serious lad,” Spalletti said of the striker back in October, according to The Guardian. “Inside the box, he is lethal. And now he has learned how to connect with the team better. He’s going to become a top player.”

da fezbet： A “brilliant” 31-cap international could now be set for a move to Leeds United this summer, with it becoming increasingly likely he leaves his current club, according to a report.

Leeds on track for promotion

da pixbet： Leeds squandered the opportunity to move five points clear of third-place Burnley by losing 1-0 at Portsmouth last time out, but they remain in a strong position to win promotion from the Championship.

With just 10 games left to play, the Whites are at the top of the pile, and they have some relatively kind fixtures on the horizon over the course of the next few weeks, with the majority of their upcoming opponents in mid-table or near the bottom of the standings.

Leeds United’s upcoming Championship fixtures

Date

Millwall (h)

March 12th

Queens Park Rangers (a)

March 15th

Swansea City (h)

March 29th

Luton Town (a)

April 5th

Middlesbrough (a)

April 8th

It can be difficult for clubs to make plans for the summer transfer window when it is unclear which division they’ll be in next season, but Daniel Farke has now started to identify potential targets.

According to a report from The Sun, a familiar face could be set to return to Elland Road, as Leeds have been tracking the progress of former player Kalvin Phillips, who has spent the current campaign on loan at Ipswich Town from Manchester City.

Farke is looking to build a squad capable of surviving relegation in the Premier League, and Phillips has now emerged as a target, with the midfielder likely to leave Man City at the end of the campaign.

Alongside the Ipswich loanee, the Whites have also been linked with a move for AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, while Manor Solomon’s future at Elland Road is also deemed to be a top priority.

"Brilliant" Phillips could reignite career at Elland Road

The Leeds-born midfielder impressed enough during his first spell with his hometown club to earn 31 Three Lions caps, forming a memorable partnership with Declan Rice at Euro 2020.

Since then, it would be fair to say the 29-year-old’s career has gone downhill, having never really managed to establish himself as a first-team regular for City after his £45m move, before ending up at relegation-threatened Ipswich on loan.

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Although the Tractor Boys look likely to be relegated from the Premier League, there are signs the Englishman is getting back to his best, having received high praise from Kieran McKenna.

“I think he’s had a really solid first half of the season to be honest. There will always be a different perception of Kalvin because he’s come from Manchester City but he’s a normal person and a very good player who’s trying his best.”

However, a move back to Leeds could be exactly what Phillips needs to fully reignite his career, and back to being the “brilliant” player the central midfielder is capable of being when he’s at his best.

da bet vitoria： Liverpool are believed to be willing to spend more than £40m to secure the signing of a “great” player this summer, seeing him as a possible successor to Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence.

Futures of legendary Liverpool trio still unclear

da betano casino： The Reds may be closing in on Premier League title glory this season, but there are still genuine concerns surrounding the futures of Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.

All three Liverpool legends are out of contract at the end of this season, and as things stand, none of them have signed new deals yet. It is a precarious position to be in, and one that has left plenty of supporters frustrated, in terms of the club not sorting the situation sooner.

Alexander-Arnold has been continually linked with a move to Real Madrid for many months now, and the fact that the Reds’ vice-captain hasn’t silenced those rumours suggests that there is a real chance that he could move to the reigning Champions League holders in the summer transfer window.

While Van Dijk and Salah have appeared to be the more likely two to stay put at Liverpool beyond this season, the former has been backed to seal a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool line up £40m+ deal to replace Van Dijk – Sky Sports

According to Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool are willing to pay around €50m (£42m) plus possible bonuses to sign Nico Schlotterbeck this summer, with a move to the Premier League a distinct possibility.

The Borussia Dortmund centre-back still has two years remaining on his current deal, but the Bundesliga side will be powerless to do anything if his clause is met.

It goes without saying that Van Dijk will hopefully sign a contract extension with Liverpool as soon as possible, putting to bed any talks of him leaving. If the worst-case scenario does happen and the colossal Reds skipper moves on, however, Schlotterbeck could be a good long-term replacement for him.

The 25-year-old has now racked up 123 appearances for Dortmund, as well as winning 18 caps for Germany, and former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has lauded his ability, saying:

“He is a great player, very good in tackling and strong in heading. He’s probably one of the best centre-backs in terms of ball-playing skills, not just in Germany, but in all of Europe. I really hope he can finally take the next step now.”

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Schlotterbeck is at a great age to come in, possessing lots of experience but also still being young enough to find extra gears, and his quality on the ball would surely appeal to Arne Slot, not to mention defensive expertise that has seen him average three clearances and 2.3 tackles per game across 12 Champions League appearances this season.

da supremo： Celtic are believed to be interested in signing a “superb” former player to replace Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer, with Brendan Rodgers playing a big role.

Celtic linked with summer signings

da jogodeouro： The Hoops may be edging towards yet another Scottish Premiership title this season, as well as having a chance of winning a domestic treble, but that doesn’t mean new signings aren’t needed to take them up a gear moving forward.

En Avant Guincamp midfielder Kalidou Sidibe has been linked with a move to Celtic in the summer transfer window, being seen as a replacement for Jeffrey Schlupp, should he not seal a permanent move from Crystal Palace at the end of the season. In fact, they have reportedly tabled a £1.6m bid for his services.

Nantes winger Herba Guirassy is another player who has been mentioned as an option for the Hoops this summer, with the 18-year-old considered a long-term acquisition. He has scored twice in Ligue 1 this season, however, showing that he can already make an impact in a top league.

In terms of potential exits at Celtic in the coming months, there is reportedly concern that Carter-Vickers could decide to move on and enjoy a fresh challenge. The centre-back has been an influential figure since arriving from Tottenham, so Rodgers will be desperate to keep hold of him.

Celtic and Rodgers eyeing move to sign former star

According to a new update from The Celtic Star, Celtic are eyeing a move for Brentford centre-back and former Hoops ace Kristoffer Ajer, seeing him as a potential successor to Carter-Vickers, should he move on this summer.

In fact, Rodgers is said to have “been in the ear” of the 26-year-old more than once to bring him back to Parkhead, viewing him as a strong option to bolster his defence.

While losing Carter-Vickers would clearly be a blow for Celtic, Ajer could be an outstanding alternative to him, having proven himself in the Premier League with Brentford.

The Norwegian spent five years with the Hoops between 2016 and 2021, winning three Scottish Premierships, Scottish Cups and Scottish League Cups apiece, and football talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as “superb”.

Signing Ajer from a good Premier League team would also feel like a real coup for Celtic, considering he has started 15 matches in the competition this season, averaging 2.4 clearances and 1.6 aerial duel wins per game.

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At 26, he is still in the peak years of his career, too, and given his experience, his second stint with the Hoops could prove to be even more productive.

da wazamba： Liverpool’s attack has been sensational throughout 2024/25, playing a huge role in Arne Slot’s success in claiming the Premier League title during his first season at the helm.

da 888casino： The Reds managed to notch a total of 86 goals in their 38 appearances – the most of any side in the division – with Mohamed Salah leading the way with 29 goals.

However, despite their success, there could be a change in the attacking department ahead of next season, with the club needing fresh impetus to maintain their performance levels.

The likes of Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez and Luis Diaz could all leave Anfield this window, raising some key funds in Slot’s ambitions of landing new signings.

With the transfer window now open, numerous players have already been touted with a switch to Merseyside this summer, which could see the hierarchy massively back the manager during the off-season.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new additions this summer

Since claiming the title, Liverpool have been extremely busy in the market, as seen with right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who’s already joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen.

He could be joined by the likes of Milos Kerkez, Marc Guehi and Alexander Isak, who have all also been strongly touted with a summer switch to Merseyside.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix in the form of Victor Osimhen, with the striker firmly on their radar, according to TBR’s latest update.

Their report claims that discussions have been held over a move for the Nigerian striker, who scored 37 goals in 41 appearances on loan at Galatasaray from Serie A outfit Napoli.

It also states that the Reds’ hierarchy are targeting a new striker this summer, with a big name expected, which could see the 26-year-old move to Anfield – but they would have to meet the £60m price tag on his head.

Why Osimhen would be a better signing than Wirtz

Florian Wirtz is a player who has been the subject of huge interest from Liverpool in recent weeks, with a move progressing in the right direction ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The German, who registered 30 combined goals and assists this season, could cost the Reds a pretty penny, after already having a club-record bid of £110m rejected by Bayer Leverkusen.

It would be a huge investment from the hierarchy, showcasing how much the board have faith in the manager to make the changes he desires after his first season at the helm.

If he can carry his tally of contributions over from the Bundesliga, it would be an addition that could massively bolster their ambitions of becoming back-to-back champions in the Premier League.

However, they could be about to make a better addition than the midfielder this summer in the form of Osimhen, who would solve arguably what’s been Slot’s biggest issue.

When comparing the Nigerian’s stats with those of current strikers Jota and Nunez, he’s massively outperformed the pair, handing the side that focal point they’ve been desperately lacking.

Osimhen, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, has massively outscored the duo, whilst registering a higher shot-on-target rate – offering the manager the clinical central option he’s been devoid of as of late.

How Osimhen compares to Liverpool’s current strikers (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Osimhen

Jota

Nunez

Games played

30

26

30

Goals & assists

31

9

7

Shot on target accuracy

42%

25%

38%

Shots on target per game

2.2

1

1

Aerials won

3.5

1.6

1.5

Aerial success rate

60%

40%

37%

Fouls won

1.9

1.1

1.1

Stats via FBref

He’s also managed to win more of the aerial duels he’s entered this campaign, with such a talent aiding the likes of Salah in the attacking areas, which could see him improve his own tallies in the final third.

Whilst a deal for Wirtz is undoubtedly an exciting one, it’s an extra to what’s already an impressive midfield department, offering key depth alongside the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.

However, Osimhen would undoubtedly be signed as the number one striker, looking to fill the void in a position that has arguably been a disappointing one over the last 12 months – as seen by the records of Jota and Nunez.

If the club are to have any chance of securing another league title next campaign, the signing of the Nigerian international is vital, with his skillset massively improving the goalscoring options at Slot’s disposal.

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da poker： Newcastle United’s qualification for the Champions League next season will give Eddie Howe hope that he can lure some high-profile players to Stamford Bridge.

da dobrowin： One player they are showing interest in is Jadon Sancho. The Manchester United winger looks set to depart Old Trafford this summer.

The Englishman could cost the club around £25m, and he would certainly bolster their wide options, given his return of five goals and eight assists for Chelsea this season.

It would be a massive statement of intent if Howe could secure a deal for the former Borussia Dortmund starlet. While adding wingers will help the club next season, perhaps it is other positions that require strengthening first.

Newcastle enter the race to sign Barcelona star

One position that Howe must improve is his goalkeeping department. The club conceded 47 Premier League goals last term, the worst defensive record out of any side in the top five.

Thus, bringing in a top-class goalkeeper ahead of another Champions League campaign makes perfect sense.

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona’s keeper Marc-André ter Stegen could be set to leave the club following the arrival of Joan Garcia.

PSG, AC Milan, Manchester City, and Juventus have all expressed interest in the German international, but Newcastle are also entering the race.

Beating these clubs to the signature of Ter Stegen would be a major coup for Howe; that much is certain. Indeed, he would be an even better signing than Sancho.

Why Newcastle must sign Marc-André ter Stegen

Signing Sancho could prove to be a massive gamble. For Man United, the winger scored just 12 goals across 83 matches for the club. His loan spell at Chelsea didn’t exactly see him sparkle either.

His 41 matches for the Blues saw only five goals netted, and it was no surprise that they declined to sign him permanently. Given the fact that Newcastle can call upon players such as Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, and Jacob Murphy on the wing, do they need to splash out to sign Sancho? Especially with the risks involved with his lacklustre form.

In this instance, making a move for Ter Stegen would be seen as the smarter approach. That’s for sure.

Last season, Nick Pope kept just eight clean sheets from 35 appearances, while Martin Dubravka kept five clean sheets across ten domestic matches for the Magpies.

If Howe is serious about progressing far in the Champions League next season, making a move to bring Ter Stegen to England would be a very shrewd move indeed.

Pope and Dubravka’s PL stats for Newcastle (2024/25)

Metric

Pope

Dubravka

Clean sheets

8

5

Saves per game

3.1

2.9

Touches per game

34.8

38

Goals conceded

35

12

Goals conceded per game

1.3

1.2

Pass success rate

65%

76%

He played just nine games last season for Barcelona, keeping a solitary clean sheet. The German has been with the La Liga giants since the summer of 2014, playing over 400 competitive matches in the process.

A total of 175 clean sheets have been kept throughout that period. While he may not have featured much this term, in La Liga during 2023/24, he was excellent.

Across his 28 matches, Ter Stegen made 2.7 saves per game – a success rate of 74% – while he was also successful with 100% of his runs out per game.

He was comfortable on the ball, as evidenced by his average of 40 touches per game, while a 94% pass accuracy in his own half suggests the German moves the ball on effectively.

The player was lauded as “ice cool” by popular X page Goalkeeper.com for the way he snuffed out an opponent’s attack in the Champions League in September 2023.

Given the fact that he has a contract until 2028 with the Catalan giants, a move would cost the club, although it hasn’t been determined just how much Hansi Flick will demand for his player.

Sancho would be a fine signing, no doubt, but bringing Ter Stegen to the north-east would certainly turn heads.

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da realsbet： Celtic made the difficult decision to finally part ways with Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi in the January transfer window, as he completed a move to Ligue 1 side Rennes.

da betcris： The experienced striker, who scored his last two goals for the club in a win over Ross County in January, was reportedly sold to the French outfit for a fee of £10m.

Kyogo scored 85 goals in 165 matches in all competitions for the Scottish giants during his three-and-a-half years at Parkhead, which illustrates how impactful he was for the Hoops.

Brendan Rodgers admitted that the plan was for Celtic to dip into the market to sign a replacement for the Japanese marksman before the end of the January transfer window, but the club were unable to get a new number nine in to bolster the squad.

Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda have shared the centre-forward duties during the second half of the season, whilst youngster Johnny Kenny has also stepped in at times, but the Hoops could look for a permanent replacement for Kyogo in the summer transfer window.

With this in mind, here are three strikers Celtic could target to finally replace the Japan international ahead of the 2025/26 campaign…

1 Mathias Kvistgaarden

Potentially the most obvious target for the Scottish Premiership champions is Danish forward Mathias Kvistgaarden, who currently plays for Brondby in his home country.

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The 23-year-old marksman has already been linked with a move to Parkhead in the summer, and it was reported that the club were in talks over a deal to sign him in January, before they failed to get a transfer over the line.

Ultimately, Kvistgaarden remained at Brondby after that interest from Celtic at the start of the year, but they are now looking to snap him up this summer and it could be an excellent piece of business to finally replace Kyogo.

24/25 Superliga

Mathias Kvistgaarden

Appearances

28

Goals

17

Conversion rate

22%

Right-footed goals

7

Left-footed goals

6

Headed goals

3

Big chances created

4

Assists

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Denmark youth international has been in impressive form in the Superliga for Brondby this season, with 21 goals and assists combined in 28 appearances in the division.

Seven goals with his right foot, six with his left foot, and three with his head also suggests that he is a complete striker who can score in a variety of ways, rather than being limited to his strong foot and only on the floor.

Kvistgaarden, however, is not the only centre-forward who could be a replacement for Kyogo for the Scottish this summer, as there is a former Hoops star who has opened the door to a return to Parkhead.

2 Giorgos Giakoumakis

Speaking to the Daily Record earlier this month, Giorgos Giakoumakis revealed that he would “love” to play for Celtic again at some point in his career, having left the club in February 2023 to sign for Atlanta United.

Currently playing for Cruz Azul in Mexico, it remains to be seen whether or not a return to Glasgow is realistic for the Greek international, but he could be a good option for the Hoops.

If Maeda and Idah continue to be the main starters in the number nine position for Celtic, it could make sense for the club to sign a player who can thrive off the bench, which is why Giakoumakis could be ideal.

Giakoumakis (Premiership)

21/22

22/23

Appearances

21

19

Starts

11

4

Goals

13

6

Minutes per goal

81

114

Assists

1

1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Greek star had an incredible minute-to-goal ratio in his two seasons in the Premiership with Celtic, which shows that he can provide a big goal threat without starting matches on a regular basis.

Of course, there is nothing at this moment in time to suggest that Celtic are interested in a deal to bring Giakoumakis back to the club, though, despite him appearing to be a good option to replace Kyogo on paper.

3 Jamie Vardy

Finally, veteran centre-forward Jamie Vardy could be an interesting striker for the club to swoop for to finally replace Kyogo, after it was confirmed that he will be a free agent this summer.

Former Scotland international Paul Dickov suggested that a move to Parkhead could make sense, saying: “Maybe the obvious link-up is with Brendan at Celtic after his time at Leicester with Jamie. I still think he’s got a lot to offer.”

Only Scott Sinclair (95) has scored more goals under Rodgers than Vardy (70) in his managerial career, which shows how effective the English forward was under the Celtic boss during their time together at the King Power.

The former England international, who scored 145 goals in the Premier League for the Foxes, could follow in Kasper Schmeichel’s footsteps, after the Dane decided to link up with Rodgers again last summer.

As a free agent, the 38-year-old star, who was described as a “living legend” by manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy, could come in as a low-risk option and as a player who can still make a big impact at the top level, despite his age.

24/25 Premier League

Jamie Vardy

Appearances

35

Goals

9

Conversion rate

16%

Big chances created

6

Assists

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Vardy contributed to 13 goals in the Premier League despite his side getting relegated from the division, and he was the only player over the age of 34 to score a goal in the top-flight.

To score goals consistently at that age, whilst no one within three years of his age even scored a goal in the league, speaks to both his longevity and his quality, which is why the forward could be an excellent option to replace Kyogo.

He still has the quality to perform at the top level, as evidenced by his form this season, and Rodgers is a manager who already knows how to get the best out of him, as shown by the striker’s goal return under him at Leicester.

Therefore, signing Vardy on a free transfer could be a shrewd move by Celtic to finally replace Kyogo as another quick striker who likes to make runs in behind, which is why Rodgers should consider repeating his Schmeichel masterclass with another reunion this summer.

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