Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has his eyes on both Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes and Real Sociedad ace Martin Zubimendi, according to reports, but he could also look to bring in another highly-rated player with the duo.
Berta targeting Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi for Arsenal
Earlier this week, journalist Eduardo Burgos broke news that Berta personally wants both Guimaraes and Zubimendi, not either or, to come in and bolster Mikel Arteta’s midfield ahead of next season.
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ByEmilio Galantini Mar 13, 2025
While Arsenal are struggling to finalise a deal for Zubimendi right now, with advanced talks stalling (CaughtOffside), they haven’t completely given up the chase either, and it is believed that the Gunners could strike a deal for Guimaraes for around £59 million if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League.
News of Berta plotting moves for both midfielders was then backed up by reports closer to home, with GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs sharing that Guimaraes has been put forward by Arsenal’s new transfer chief as a serious option.
Arsenal’s interest in the Brazil international with Zubimendi appears pretty concrete at this stage, which comes as good news considering Thomas Partey and Jorginho are set to leave when their contracts expire this summer.
Chelsea (home)
March 16th
Fulham (home)
April 1st
Everton (away)
April 5th
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Jacobs, sharing a further update on the club’s plans for what could be a record-breaking summer under Berta, says another Newcastle United star Alexander Isak remains firmly on their radar.
Arsenal may sign Alexander Isak with Guimaraes and Zubimendi
The £120,000-per-week striker has dazzled as one of the English top flight’s standout forwards this season, and despite the potential cost involved in their mooted double-swoop for Zubimendi and Guimaraes, it is believed Berta may also try to sign Isak for Arsenal alongside the pair.
“So Zubimendi is very much the Edu target, but Berta is going to be looking at Bruno Guimaraes,” said Jacobs to GiveMeSport.
“And my understanding is that Arsenal may try for both Zubimendi and Guimaraes, plus Isak or [Benjamin] Sesko.”
The Swede has scored 22 goals in just 32 appearances across all competitions, so Arsenal are well aware of his quality, but a deal for him could be too much to ask. Newcastle value their man at around £150 million, so the Gunners would need to smash their transfer record to even hope of prising Isak away from St. James’ Park.
Arteta personally wants Isak, according to other reports, but Sesko may be a much more realistic target considering the release clause in his contract.
da stake casino： Depois de uma passagem apagada pelo Santos, Luan retornou ao Corinthians após o final da temporada, mas o Timão deseja emprestar novamente o meia-atacante, que está em seu último ano de contrato.
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da supremo： + Confira quem sai, quem fica e as movimentações do Timão no mercado
Fora dos planos de Fernando Lázaro, Luan vem treinando separado do elenco, em horários diferentes do restante do grupo. A diretoria sabe que não vai conseguir reaver os R$ 28,9 milhões investidos no ex-camisa 7, e agora deseja apenas que o atleta recupere sua forma.
+ Veja todas as movimentações do futebol brasileiro na nova ferramenta de mercado do LANCE!
– A gente tentou de tudo, mas ele precisa querer. Ele foi para o Santos agora, não foi bem, voltou e está com a gente. Tem mais um ano de contrato, e a gente faz de tudo para ele jogar o futebol que sabemos que ele tem. Ele está treinando separado. Existe a vontade de emprestá-lo, nós queremos que ele jogue. O momento hoje no Corinthians, pelos atletas que temos, é difícil que ele jogue. A intenção é que ele consiga recuperar o futebol e a carreira dele – declarou o presidente do Timão, Duílio Monteiro Alves, durante o programa Os Donos da Bola, da Band.
Sem espaço com Vítor Pereira em 2022, o Timão conseguiu emprestar Luan ao Santos no mês de agosto. Pelo Peixe, o jogador de 29 anos não conseguiu se firmar na equipe santista durante o Brasileirão. Ele disputou oito jogos e somou um gol e uma assistência.
+ Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Paulistão 2023
Eleito Rei da América em 2017, quando foi protagonista do título da Libertadores do Grêmio, Luan foi contratado pelo Time do Povo já em baixa, no início de 2020. A ideia era recuperar o futebol do jogador, que também foi campeão olímpico com a Seleção Brasileira, em 2016.
Em 80 jogos oficiais pelo Timão, Luan fez nove gols e deu cinco assistências. O último compromisso em que Luan iniciou jogando foi o empate em 1 a 1 do Corinthians com o Botafogo-SP, em Ribeirão Preto, pelo Paulistão, no dia 19 de fevereiro, atuando 71 minutos.
da prosport bet： O jornal ‘Correio do Povo’, em informação que foi confirmada pelo Futebol Latino/LANCE, publicou que Douglas Costa terá uma reunião com o presidente do Grêmio, Alberto Guerra, por conta do seu interesse em retornar ao Imortal.
Não há mais informações de qual seria a profundidade do contato presencial entre atleta e o mandatário gremista marcado para a próxima quinta-feira (28), em Porto Alegre. Entretanto, sabe-se que a iniciativa partiu do jogador que esteve, na última temporada, defendendo o Los Angeles Galaxy-EUA.
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da betobet： >Mercado da bola: confira as negociações dos principais clubes do país
Segundo o que foi apurado recentemente, a postura de Douglas seria de trazer o maior número de elementos favoráveis à concretização do acordo. Estando disposto, inclusive, a perdoar dívida equivalente a R$ 7,8 milhões por conta de sua frustrante passagem recente pelo Grêmio, em 2021.
Apesar do cenário favorável, para as tratativas avançarem, alguns fatores precisarão ser combinados. Por exemplo, uma readequação salarial diante do momento do clube, em que contratações só puderam ser viabilizadas com apoio de investidores.
Além disso, existe certa resistência por parte do departamento de futebol clube por conta do passado recente turbulento de Douglas Costa no Grêmio. A contratação precisaria ser “bancada” tanto por Alberto Guerra como pelo treinador da equipe, Renato Portaluppi.
“If I was really not that loyal I would have done it five years ago when T20 leagues really took off”
Firdose Moonda17-Sep-2023
Quinton de Kock walks off for the last time in a home ODI•AFP/Getty Images
Quinton de Kock has admitted that the lure of T20 league money influenced his decision to retire from ODI cricket after this year’s World Cup as he looks to “top up” his earnings as his career winds down. Although just 30 years old, de Kock has been playing professional cricket for the last 11 years, retired from Test cricket almost two years ago and will continue playing T20 cricket, both internationally and in leagues around the world, starting with the BBL in December.De Kock made himself available for Australia’s competition even though it will clash with South Africa’s white-ball series against India and shortly afterwards announced his ODI retirement. Asked by the host broadcaster, in an interview ahead of his final home ODI, whether the T20 franchise circuit prompted that decision, de Kock confirmed that they did but maintained that his first priority had been South Africa.”I am not going to sit here and deny that it doesn’t. It helps with my decision. I’ve been around for 10 or 11 years and I’ve tried to keep my loyalty to the team, which I think I’ve done really well. I think I have represented the Proteas badge very well over my career,” de Kock said. “T20 events – I am not going to deny that there is a lot of money and coming to the end of your career, guys want to get their final top-up before their career finishes. Any normal person would do it anyway. If I was really not that loyal I would have done it five years ago when it really took off. Now I am older and with me coming to the down slope of my career, it’s time.”Though still a dangerous batter and lightning quick with the keeping gloves, de Kock’s decision to wind down his career comes from a desire to spend more time with his young family. He stepped away from Tests shortly before the birth of his daughter Kiara and at the time said he and his wife Sasha planned to “grow our family,” in the coming years and he wanted to be a present father. He has now also revealed the longest format lost its appeal for him. “It was a feeling I was getting,” he said. “I remember at the end of my Test career, I was fighting playing Test matches. I only played 50 ([54] Test matches I think. I spoke to the people who I trust in my life and they said if you want to, there’s no shame in it, retire so you can focus on other formats.”In the 21 months since, de Kock has played 21 ODIs and 19 T20Is for South Africa, scored one century in each format and averages slightly less than his overall numbers. He implied the slight dip may come from his changing role in the team – from maverick youngster to senior professional.”When I was younger, it was easier because they knew what I could do and we had senior guys like AB (de Villiers), Hash(im Amla), Faf (du Plessis) and JP (Duminy). They just let me play. They didn’t try and stop me and said I must just keep being aggressive,” he said. “Over time it’s changed. Somehow, I try to play a situation that has been put before us. There’s a time for me to be aggressive but there’s also time just being out in the middle and trusting I can just catch up an innings. I’ve learnt another way to score runs and I had to take control of the senior group. Guys like myself and David Miller – we had to lead the group. Somehow through that process, my game has got a bit more enhanced than being the guy who just smashes it the whole time.”That’s why when asked for his best memories, de Kock doesn’t immediately think of his career-best ODI knock – the 178 against Australia in 2016 – but turns to events like his half-century in a Test in a Galle in 2014 as an example of his grit.”We won in Sri Lanka one-nil, which is never an easy feat for teams not from the subcontinent,” he said, also recalling his first ODI hundred against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and three ODIs hundreds in a row against India in 2013, which helped him make his name.”I’ve had a lot of good memories along the way, things you can’t just forget,” he said. “The guys know I am an elephant, I don’t forget. There are things I don’t forget. I remember every last bit of detail about everything. It’s some skill I have just developed.”His memory may not enjoy the way his final ODI innings at home went. He scored 27 of 39 balls before being caught at slip and walked off to a standing ovation from his home ground at the Wanderers.This was his 144th match and he will add a maximum of 11 more to his name at the World Cup. And what does he plan to do other than play T20 cricket after that? “I will take a gap year for sure and then reassess,” he said. “And then I will just go back into society and be a normal person.”
Liverpool are set to be in the market to add a new central defender to their squad after adding Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez to the group.
Wirtz and Frimpong have already been confirmed as new signings, both joining from Bayer Leverkusen, whilst Kerkez is reportedly on the verge of a move to Anfield.
Florian Wirtz
The Premier League champions will then need to find another centre-back to compete for a place in the team, because Jarell Quansah is set to move on from Merseyside.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a deal worth an initial £30m to sign the England U21 international from the Reds this summer.
Quansah was the third centre-back for Arne Slot during the 2024/25 campaign, behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, which means that the club will need to find another player to fill that slot.
Liverpool have already missed out on one centre-back they were reportedly interested in, though, as Real Madrid snapped up Dean Huijsen earlier this summer.
Why missing out on Dean Huijsen was a blow for Liverpool
It was reported in May that Liverpool were preparing to make a bid to sign the Spain international from Bournemouth, but Real Madrid swooped in to sign him for a reported fee of £50m.
AFC Bournemouth's DeanHuijsen
Missing out on a deal for the 20-year-old defender was a blow for the Reds because he is a proven Premier League performer who could have hit the ground running at Anfield, having already showcased his quality in the division for the Cherries.
Huijsen started 26 of his 32 appearances for Bournemouth in the top-flight during the 2024/25 campaign, and his performances were impressive enough to earn a £50m transfer to the Bernabeu.
Progressive passes
4.89
Top 15%
Progressive carries
1.52
Top 9%
Interceptions
1.89
Top 4%
Blocks
1.48
Top 31%
Clearances
7.34
Top 4%
Aerial duels won
2.52
Top 23%
As you can see in the table above, the Spanish titan combined progressive play in possession with solid defensive work, as shown by how highly he ranked against his positional peers.
This further emphasises how much of a blow it was to miss out on the young centre-back, as he could have been a standout performer for Liverpool if he could carry that form over to Anfield.
Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen.
The Reds could, however, land an even bigger talent than Huijsen as they are now eyeing up a very talented teenage central defender as a potential signing.
Liverpool eyeing up Ajax star
According to the Athletic, the Premier League champions are mainly interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi to replace Quansah before the end of the summer transfer window.
However, the report claims that the Reds will only press ahead with a move for the England international if the Eagles, who won the FA Cup this season, quote a reasonable asking price for him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Athletic, therefore, adds that Liverpool are looking at alternative options to Guehi, and Ajax central defender Jorrel Hato has emerged as a target for the club.
It was previously reported by FootballTransfers that Ajax value the centre-back at a fee of around £43m, and that fellow Premier League side Arsenal are also keen on the Dutchman.
Slot should, now, push for Liverpool to secure a deal to sign Hato this summer because he is an even bigger centre-back talent than both Guehi and Huijsen.
Why Hato is a bigger talent than Guehi and Huijsen
The 19-year-old star’s progress with Ajax at an incredibly young age suggests that he has huge potential and could go on to be a top centre-back in the future.
Hato, despite not turning 20 until March 2026, has played a staggering 111 first-team matches for the Dutch giants. Huijsen, for reference, has only played 53 career games at the age of 20, whilst Guehi had played just 26 matches by the age of 19, and 71 games by the age of 20.
This suggests that the Dutch starlet is a bigger talent at his age than Huijsen and Guehi were, because he played more than twice as many games as the Spaniard and over four times as many matches as the Englishman at the same age.
Hato has also captained Ajax several times, at the ages of just 17 and 18, which suggests that he can bring leadership qualities at a very young age, just as Guehi, who is Palace’s captain, can.
Appearances
31
34
Goals
2
3
Assists
6
2
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.6
2.6
Dribbled past per game
0.3x
0.5x
Ground duel success rate
51%
63%
Aerial duel success rate
55%
54%
As you can see in the table above, the 19-year-old starlet also matched up well against Guehi at league level this season, despite being five years younger than the Eagles star, as he won a higher percentage of his ground duels and was dribbled past less frequently.
Hato, who was hailed as “immense” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, also provides positional flexibility, as he has played 70 games or more as both a centre-back and a left-back.
Whereas Guehi has never played more than two matches away from a centre-back role, and Huijsen has never played any other position other than centre-back in his career.
This means that the Ajax titan would offer far more versatility to Slot, due to his ability to play at left-back, as well as the defensive and leadership qualities that he can offer.
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Liverpool are planning to sign a new striker this summer.
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Overall, Liverpool could land an even bigger talent than Guehi and Huijsen because of what Hato has already achieved in his career at such a young age, and the quality that he can provide in the here and now.
Her 127 is the second Test hundred for India against Australia, and the first in Australia
Sampath Bandarupalli01-Oct-2021127 Smriti Mandhana ‘s score at the Carrara Oval, the highest for a visiting player in women’s Tests in Australia. The previous highest score was Molly Hide’s unbeaten 124, for England, in Sydney in 1949.1 Mandhana’s 127 is the first Test hundred for India in Australia and only their second against Australia. Sandhya Agarwal’s 134 in 1984 was the first Test hundred for India versus Australia. Rajani Venugopal’s 58 in 1991 was the previous highest Test score for India in Australia.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 Women to score a century in both Tests and ODIs against Australia, including Mandhana. She joins the elite list of Enid Bakewell, Debbie Hockley and Claire Taylor . Mandhana, however, is the only woman with Test and ODI hundreds against Australia in Australia, having scored her maiden ODI century in Hobart in 2016.3 First-innings individual scores in women’s Tests that are higher than Mandhana’s 127 after being put in to bat by the opposition. Kiran Baluch ‘s 242 in 2004, the highest individual score in women’s Tests, came after the West Indies elected to bowl first.Related
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51 Number of balls Mandhana needed to complete her fifty, the second fastest recorded half-century in women’s Tests. The fastest is by India’s Sangita Dabir who scored an unbeaten 50 off 42 balls against England in 1995. Dabir’s fifty came in only 40 balls as per the official scoresheet of that Test match. Mandhana’s hundred off 170 balls is also the fastest recorded Test ton for India.74 Percentage of Mandhana’s runs that came in boundaries. From the information available with ESPNcricinfo, Mandhana’s is the second-highest percentage of runs to have come in boundaries in a century innings in women’s Tests. Charlotte Edwards hit 80% of her runs in fours in her score of 105 against India at Taunton in 2006, which is the highest.195 for 2 India’s total at the fall of Mandhana’s wicket, the second-most runs conceded by Australia in a Test innings before the fall of the second wicket. The highest is 228 runs during England’s first innings of the Sydney Test in 1935.
Legspinner suffered muscle strain during England’s Ashes warm-up fixture at Lilac Hill
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Nov-2025Rehan Ahmed has been ruled out of any further participation on the England Lions tour of Australia after suffering a right lower leg strain during the Ashes warm-up match against England in Perth.Legspinner Rehan batted at No. 5 for the Lions, making 16 off 41 balls on day one before becoming one of six wickets for England captain, Ben Stokes. He played no part with the ball, or in the Lions’ second innings, with the ECB announcing afterwards that he would return home to begin his recovery.Related
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Rehan had signed up to play for Hobart Hurricanes in the 2025-26 BBL, but the BBC reported that the injury was not expected to impact his involvement in the competition, which starts in a month’s time.England Lions are scheduled to play another four-day match at Lilac Hill, against a Cricket Australia XI, next week, before a one-off unofficial Test against Australia A in December. The Lions are also expected to be involved in a pink-ball tour game between England and the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra between the first and second Ashes Tests.It had been speculated that Rehan, who missed out on selection as the second spinner in the main Ashes squad to Will Jacks, could stay on with England after the Lions programme concluded.
Gomez said the league is accommodating the Argentine superstar above other considerations, even after recent sanction
Gomez says Messi basically gets whatever he wants
Said league is only interested in gaining casual fans
Argued MLS has a Messi-centric strategy
Getty Images Sport
WHAT HAPPENED
In the wake of the recent Lionel Messi MLS All-Star Game controversy, former USMNT star Herculez Gomez questioned tension between Major League Soccer's treatment of the Inter Miami star and the league's longtime supporters.
Gomez said the league is accommodating the Argentine superstar above other considerations, even after MLS suspended Messi and teammate Jordi Alba after the pair skipped last week's ASG in Austin, Texas.
“Nobody should be above the law, but when MLS puts all their eggs in one basket, they've made it very clear who is above the law," Gomez said on his podcast. "I'm here to talk about the pushback. It seems like the hardcore MLS fans, they've taken this stance of 'F-Messi, He's been bad for the league. It's not Messi league soccer, this is Major League Soccer.'
"It’s Messi this, Messi that….and they’re fed up with it and I sympathize and almost relate to it. But don't for a second, think Major League Soccer has your best interest at heart. They don't. They’ve got your money, they want the casual fans and the casual fan wants Messi… This is a the way they've operated and you should not be surprised."
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WHAT GOMEZ SAID
Gomez also addressed the MLS roster construction rules that have allowed Inter Miami to assemble an unusually star-studded squad around Messi – including the recent addition of Rodrigo De Paul.
"It's pretty much a super team to do whatever the hell they wanted to do," he said. "And there's been this push back from the general fan. Well, Zlatan, David Beckham, Chicharito they did a late-night circuit. They did the rounds. Why doesn’t Messi? And you may be right? You may have a point… Major League Soccer doesn't care.
"And you should not be upset when that happens because we've allowed it to happen. So Messi – the eggs of MLS are all in the Messi basket. And I feel they positioned themselves in a situation where they almost have to see it through. If Leo Messi were to not re-sign through the 2026 World Cup… I don't know where you move forward. It could be a blow, not a death blow, but it's a major blow that sets you back. So, this is the Messi basket that you're in. I think you have to ride it out.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lionel Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season and he is reportedly in negotiations with the club over a new deal.
Getty Images Sport
WHAT’S NEXT?
Inter Miami will face Atlas, Necaxa and Pumas in Leagues Cup, with De Paul cleared to make his debut with the team on Wednesday night.
Arsenal are in advancing talks to sign yet another player for Mikel Arteta, following an already-hectic last seven days when it comes to the club’s recruitment drive.
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The Gunners are shopping “at Asda”.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 27, 2025
Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi was in London this time last week to formalize his transfer to N5 and sign all documents as a new Arsenal player (Fabrizio Romano), with the 26-year-old becoming Andrea Berta’s first signing as new sporting director.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Almost immediately after Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also travelled to the English capital to complete his own Arsenal move, coming after Berta triggered the £5 million release clause in his Chelsea contract.
The Spanish duo were swiftly followed in their journey to N5 by Brentford captain Christian Norgaard as well, with Arsenal agreeing an initial £10 million deal, plus a potential £5 million in add-ons (Ben Jacobs), to sign the Denmark international as a replacement for Thomas Partey.
Norgaard has been authorised to have a medical at Arsenal (Fabrizio Romano), but according to recent reports, Berta may soon add yet another player to their growing list of very recent new additions.
Arsenal "set to sign" Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia
On Thursday afternoon, news emerged that Arsenal have opened talks with Valencia over versatile centre-back Cristhian Mosquera.
Cristhian Mosquera for Valencia.
The 21-year-old could play at both right-back and at the heart of Arteta’s defence, if the Gunners can agree a potential £17 million deal, with Mosquera up for grabs at a cheap price considering he’s about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
The news was originally shared by X account ‘HandofArsenal’, with credible media sources then reporting that Arsenal are now in pole position to sign the Spaniard ahead of RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Now, journalist Graeme Bailey, writing in a piece for TBR Football, has shared a further update on the story.
Bailey reports that Arsenal are “set to sign” Mosquera, with talks reaching an advanced stage after “positive” negotiations, but it could spell the end for back-up defender Jakub Kiwior.
The latter impressed alongside William Saliba last season when Gabriel Magalhaes was out injured, but Mosquera’s possible arrival is “set to signal the departure” of Kiwior as he prioritises a return to Serie A.
Called a “sensational talent” by members of the media, Kiwior is apparently preparing to leave the Emirates as a result of this move for Mosquera, with GiveMeSport also reporting that personal terms have already been agreed.
While Mosquera will serve as a back-up option initially, Arsenal are said to believe that the defender has serious potential to become a first-team regular in the coming years.
It’s fair to say Manchester United fans won’t be looking back on the 2024/25 season with any degree of fondness.
A miserable tally of 18 losses in total in the Premier League would see Ruben Amorim’s dismal Red Devils have to make do with an unimpressive 15th spot in the division, whilst a heartbreaking Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur means United won’t even have the joyful distraction of European football to look forward to next campaign.
It’s a huge summer at Old Trafford, therefore, as Amorim attempts to steer the sinking ship back on course, with a whole host of transfer rumours beginning to bubble to the surface involving outgoings and incomings.
The most notable exit that could soon be on the cards is Bruno Fernandes ditching the Theatre of Dreams, with United perhaps having to sell their standout star so they can finance some top-drawer signings through the door.
Man Utd's search for a striker
Although the ex-Sporting boss remains in good spirits that the attacking midfielder could stay put amidst interest from Al-Hilal, it could well be that United’s hand is forced in this regard if they want to upgrade their striker personnel this summer.
Indeed, French outlet Foot Mercato have reported that United will have to get rid of Fernandes and/or Marcus Rashford to try and tempt Galatasaray goal machine Victor Osimhen to England, with his annual wage costs alone coming in at an eye-watering £10m. After all, the Portuguese ace does earn a sizeable £300k-per-week salary in the current camp.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed
Therefore, the Premier League strugglers might well have to just bite the bullet and allow Fernandes to sadly depart, especially when you consider the Red Devils are crying out for a new, potent goalscorer away from the likes of a goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund.
That’s where the ex-Napoli man could come to the rescue, with Amorim potentially possessing his next Viktor Gyokeres very soon if his side can spectacularly purchase the “world class” – as he was once labelled by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley – menace.
Why Osimhen could become Amorim's next Gyokeres
Before delving deeper into Osimhen’s own unerring ability in front of goal, it’s only right to look at how Amorim had an instrumental part to play in Gyokeres becoming an equally ice-cold finisher of chances in Lisbon.
The Stockholm-born striker would instantly hit the ground running under the 40-year-old’s stewardship in Portugal, with a bumper 43 strikes coming his way across a memorable debut season.
The former Coventry City marksman is now up to a stunning 97 goals from 102 total appearances for Sporting, and whilst there were murmurs Gyokeres could reunite with his former manager in England, a statement move hasn’t yet whirred into motion.
But, the under-fire Red Devils boss can begin to claw his way into the Old Trafford good books by landing Osimhen instead, considering the Nigerian’s explosiveness in front of goal out in Turkey and across his goal-laden career to date means he could be the manager’s next Gyokeres.
Osimhen’s league numbers (24/25) vs Gyokeres’
Stat – per 90 mins*
Osimhen
Gyokeres
Games played
29
33
Goals scored
26
39
Assists
5
7
Shots*
4.7
4.2
Shots on target*
1.9
2.4
Goal conversion %
19%
28%
Big chances missed
25
23
Big chances created
11
11
Stats by Sofascore
Amazingly, Osimhen isn’t a million miles off his Swedish counterpart’s insane Liga Portugal goalscoring numbers, with the Galatasaray number 45 actually boasting 37 goals and seven assists from 41 games in all competitions this season, away from setting the Turkish top-flight alight.
Additionally, away from just twisting and turning Super Lig defences for fun, the 26-year-old target has also proven himself as a clinical threat on the books of Napoli and Lille previously, as seen in his 94 goals for both the Serie A and Ligue 1 titans.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates after the match
Therefore, whilst it might break United hearts to see Fernandes up and leave, it could well be a momentary, but necessary pain that then results in long-term success, particularly if Osmihen – who could be up for grabs for around £62m – enters the ranks and rips up yet another major league with his goalscoring prowess.
Better than Delap: Man Utd ready to pursue deal for "unplayable" £60m ace
Manchester United are reportedly ready to pursue a deal for this star who is even better than Liam Delap.