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Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes that Chelsea should launch a sensational transfer swoop for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane. The Englishman's current deal at Allianz Arena includes a £57 million ($76m) release clause, which is reportedly set to come into effect at the end of the 2025-26 season. While the ex-Tottenham star is “extremely happy” in Munich, he has not ruled out returning to the Premier League at some stage.

Contract complexities at Bayern

Kane’s contract at Bayern runs until 2027, but his release clause could drop to £57m next summer. For it to be activated, Kane must inform Bayern of his intention to leave before January, with speculation about a potential return to England now raging.

AdvertisementIMAGO / HMB-MediaJohnson: Chelsea is the perfect fit

Johnson has insisted that Chelsea should go all out for Kane if he decides to head back to his homeland. In an interview with the former Chelsea and England defender said: "I think if Harry Kane is ready to come back to the Premier League, it’s Chelsea who should make the move for him.

"They’re obviously crying out for that kind of player, the way they play. They’re a bit more focused on a central striker, and Arsenal would probably play too much tiki-taka to be the right club for him. Liverpool have Alexander Isak and Manchester City have [Erling] Haaland, so Chelsea makes the most sense if he leaves Bayern Munich."

Tottenham’s first-option clause

It’s worth noting that Spurs retain a first-option agreement on Kane as part of the 2023 transfer deal with Bayern. However, this only comes into play if Bayern agree to sell the striker and Kane himself wants a return to north London. Johnson has warned the striker off a potential reunion and instead advised him to join a club where he could win more regular silverware. 

"I don’t think Harry Kane would want to go back to Tottenham. I think that story is finished for him and the club," he said.

"He left for a reason, to go and win trophies. He won’t really be able to do that at Spurs if he returns, so why would he go back now? I think for Kane, it doesn’t make sense, it would be like going back to a lit firework. It could blow up in his face. The situation is what it is, and he should keep moving forward in his career now."

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Kane focused on Bayern for now

Kane’s focus is firmly on Bayern for now, but hasn't closed the door entirely on a return to his homeland. He told reporters while away on international duty with England: “In terms of the Premier League, I don’t know. If you had asked me when I first left to go to Bayern, I would have said for sure I would come back. Now I have been there a couple of years I would say probably say that has gone down a little bit, not so much, but I wouldn’t say I would never go back. What I have learnt in my career is that different opportunities and different timings happen and things fall in place. Going back to my first point, with Bayern right now, I am fully all in with Bayern.”

Rasmus Hojlund produced a statement performance for Napoli in the Champions League, scoring twice against Sporting CP and celebrating by pointing to the competition’s badge. The on-loan Manchester United striker seemed to send a message to his parent club, who are enduring a season without European football under Ruben Amorim, which has not been going down well in Manchester.

• Hojlund sends message to Man Utd with Napoli brace

  Napoli secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Sporting CP at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Hojlund playing a starring role. The Danish forward opened the scoring after being teed up by Kevin De Bruyne before adding a second header late on. His celebration — pointing to the Champions League emblem — was seen as a pointed reminder to Manchester United.

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• Striker speaks out after bagging brace

  Hojlund spoke about his celebration after the game. He told UEFA: "I celebrated touching the Napoli badge because I’m happy to play here and the Champions League badge because I love to score in Europe. It was the night you dream of, playing in the Champions League. I don’t like to talk about my performance, but about the team. Playing with an exceptional talent like Kevin De Bruyne is special. I just need to get into space and he’ll get me the ball."

• Getty
  

  Hojlund back in form under Antonio Conte

  Hojlund’s brace marked his most decisive outing since joining Napoli on loan in the summer. The 21-year-old had managed just one goal prior to this game but now appears to be finding his feet under Antonio Conte. His growing connection with former Manchester City star De Bruyne has also caught attention, particularly given United’s attacking struggles this season.

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• Napoli have obligation to buy Hojlund next summer

  The loan agreement between United and Napoli includes a £5 million fee and a reported £38 million obligation to buy if the Italian side qualify for next season’s Champions League. Hojlund’s resurgence comes at a time when United are languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table and struggling to score consistently.

The latest round of action across Europe's elite leagues saw Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Porto maintain their winning starts to the 2025-26 season. However, while everyone expects Bayern to run away with the Bundesliga, Barca are hot on the heels of Madrid in La Liga, while Porto are presently processing the news that the most famous manager in the club's history has just taken charge of their hated rivals Benfica.

Over in Italy, Juventus dropped their first points of the season at Verona but Massimiliano Allegri's resurgent AC Milan made it three wins on the bounce by beating Udinese, with Christian Pulisic the star of the show at the Bluenergy Stadium.

In France, Le Classique between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain was pushed back until Monday due to the weather and that allowed Monaco to draw level with PSG thanks in no small part to a former Barcelona star…

Below, GOAL runs through all the big winners and losers from Europe's top leagues…

• AFP
  

  WINNER: Lorenzo Pellegrini

  Gianluca Mancini played his 15th Rome derby on Sunday but admitted afterwards that he still gets "butterflies" before every game.

  "Those on the outside cannot understand what the derby means," the Roma defender told . Lorenzo Pellegrini is no outsider, of course. The Italy international was born and raised in the Eternal City. The derby has always been everything to him.

  However, Pellegrini was even more emotional than usual after netting the winner against Lazio as he expected to be sold during the summer before picking up a hamstring injury that ended any hope Roma had of finding a buyer for a midfielder that has often been criticised by the club's fans.

  "It's true that I was very moved after scoring the goal," Pellegrini, who is out of contract next summer, told . "Life is unpredictable: you don’t know what could happen next. To win the derby, that is for my people and my family. You are all my family and helped me during this difficult time."

  A group of supporters had also unfurled a banner before the game that read "Welcome back, captain!", so even though Bryan Cristante was actually wearing the armband, it was a gesture that was very much appreciated by Pellegrini.

  "I know there are those who love me in the stands, and I never doubted it. I love them too," the 29-year-old said. "I also believe this team has so much more to give, as so many great men with character who care about Roma are here now.

  "I feel proud to be one of the many captains, those responsible for passing on the passion for Roma to those who have just arrived and haven’t realised where they are. That includes Mancini, who is my brother from another mother.

  "Aside from all the reasoning and words, though, there is one constant, which is that I love Roma. As long as I wear this jersey, there won’t be a moment when I will hold back."

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• AFP
  

  WINNER: Ansu Fati

  Monaco endured a miserable start to their Champions League campaign, losing 4-1 away to Club Brugge last Thursday. However, there was one positive: Ansu Fati coming off the bench to net his first goal for the club, which put a smile on the face of neutrals all across the world.

  Remarkably, even better was to come at the Stade Louis II on Sunday, with the on-loan Barcelona attacker bagging a brace on his Ligue 1 debut as Monaco beat Metz 5-2 to move level on points with PSG at the top of the table.

  "I feel very good and capable of helping the team," Fati told the club's official website. "I’m happy to be playing football again. You have to live in the moment and take it one day at a time. No one knows what the future holds but, whatever happens, I’m very happy tonight."

  Obviously, Fati is right: there's no point in looking too far ahead. It's very early days and it would be unwise to take anything for granted when it comes to such an injury-ravaged player, making giddy talk of Fati being 'back' feel incredibly premature. 

  In fairness, though, it's hard not to be excited by the prospect of the former prodigy getting a once-promising career back on track after so many setbacks in recent seasons. As Barcelona sporting director Deco pointed out during the summer, Fati is still only 22, while there are few better clubs than Monaco when it comes to getting the best out of young talent.

  Nobody wanted Fati after his dismal loan spell at Brighton in 2023-24 – least of all Barca boss Hansi Flick – but Monaco might just have pulled off a masterstroke by securing an €11 million (£9.5m/$13m) option to buy the former Spain international at the end of his loan spell in the principality.  

• Getty Images Sport
  

  LOSER: Harry Kane's critics

  claimed over the weekend that Barcelona are eyeing up Harry Kane as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski – which, on the face of it, appears pretty nonsensical. Why would Barca even consider replacing a 37-year-old forward with a player that turns 33 next summer?

  On the other hand, Kane is showing zero signs of slowing down and is actually enjoying one of the more productive periods of his career.

  After netting twice in Bayern Munich's Champions League opener against Chelsea on Wednesday, the England international went one better at the weekend, hitting a hat-trick in a 4-1 rout of Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena.

  Consequently, Kane has a frankly ridiculous eight goals in just four Bundesliga matches so far this season and 13 in seven in all competitions, which is why some German journalists are now publicly apologising for previously arguing that Bayern had overpaid for the forward – and why the reports emanating out of Spain don't actually feel that far-fetched! 

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  WINNER: Jose Mourinho

  Things have worked out pretty well for Jose Mourinho. Just over three weeks after Bruno Lage’s Benfica effectively cost the Portuguese his job at Fenerbahce, 'The Special One' returned to Lisbon 25 years after starting his illustrious coaching career with The Eagles.

  Although it's never been a good idea to try to predict what Mourinho might do – or say – next, it seems likely that his second spell in Lisbon will definitely last longer than his first (nine games) because he believes that Benfica – unlike Fenerbahce – are on his "level".

  "I came to coach a big club, I came to coach a giant," he said after leading the two-time European Cup winners to a 3-0 win over AVS on Saturday night. "I've been with giants, Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester, Roma – not a giant in terms of winning titles, but a giant from a social point of view.

  “So, I've been at big clubs and now I had the opportunity to come and coach a giant, and that's what brought me here.”

  Deep down, maybe even Mourinho knows that he’s lucky to have landed such a top job after flopping at Fenerbahce but it’s kind of irrelevant now.

  All that matters is that he’s back at one of Europe’s prestigious clubs – and back in the Champions League, too. Truth be told, we’re already counting down the days until his upcoming return to Stamford Bridge. The pre-match press conference alone should be gold!

Two big Italian clubs are worried that Liverpool are “really serious” about a highly-rated player they both want to sign this summer.

Van Dijk demands more after Community Shield defeat

The Reds lost to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday afternoon, losing on penalties after a 2-2 draw, never quite getting going after a promising start. Captain Virgil van Dijk conceded a penalty and wasn’t at his imperious best, and speaking after the game, he demanded more from Liverpool with the new Premier League season approaching.

“We all have plenty of experience, winning and losing. What kind of impact it should have is that we realise we need a couple of things that we have to improve as a team if we want to retain the title, which obviously will be a very big job in itself.

“We have a recovery day tomorrow and then we fully focus on Bournemouth, which will be a very tough game. But I’m really looking forward to the start of the Premier League. Friday at home with our fans, we know it’s going to be emotional obviously with everything that is going on and happened. But I’m really looking forward to it.”

Liverpool supporters will be hoping to see more transfer business completed at both ends of the pitch this month, and now a new update has emerged regarding their pursuit of a new centre-back.

Liverpool "really serious" about signing "complete" ace

According to Tuttosport [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are “really serious” about £34.6m-rated Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, amid plenty of interest in him this summer.

Both Inter Milan and AC Milan are also keen on signing the 18-year-old, with the report stating that the Serie A giants need to “watch out” for the Reds hijacking a move for him. Meanwhile, Parma Live claim that the Merseysiders are “in pole position” to get their man.

A new centre-back is imperative for Liverpool before the transfer window closes, with rumoured target Marc Guehi impressing for Palace against them on Sunday.

Leoni could be a cheaper option than the Eagles captain, however, as well as being seven years younger, with scout Jacek Kulig among those who admire him, describing him as a “complete” player.

At just 18, Leoni is already an established player at a high level, starting 14 matches in Serie A for Parma last season, as well as averaging 3.6 clearances per game.

Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool now eyeing "one of the best wingers in the world"

Liverpool have identified a promising young transfer target for the event they don’t get Isak

ByCallum Kemp Aug 10, 2025

Unlike Guehi, the Italian is also more likely to be content with a squad role at Liverpool to begin with, given his age, and he could prove to be an ideal understudy to Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Southampton have now opened talks to sign an “unbelievable” winger, who could be brought in as a replacement for Tyler Dibling, according to a report.

Saints looking to sign replacement for Dibling amid Everton links

Following the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League, Dibling has been expected to leave the club, and Everton have emerged as one of the most interested parties, with David Moyes’ side having multiple approaches knocked back.

It has been widely reported the 19-year-old is training away from the rest of the squad, amid interest from the Toffees, and reporter Sami Mokbel has recently suggested the youngster could be heading for the exit door this summer.

Mokbel said: “The information varies depending on who you speak to. If you speak to people closer to Everton, they will tell you that the deal has reached an impasse and Southampton are asking for far too much.

“If you speak to those closer to the South Coast, there is a realisation there that maybe Tyler Dibling’s time is coming to an end.”

Amid the major doubts surrounding the starlet’s future at St. Mary’s, Will Still’s side have now set their sights on a replacement, and a report from Football Insider has revealed they have opened talks over a deal for West Bromwich Albion star Tom Fellows.

Fellows has been lined up as a direct replacement for Dibling, who has been the subject of a £40m offer from Everton, and a deal may be relatively inexpensive, with reports from elsewhere revealing the Baggies could look to hold out for just £10m.

Southampton "interested" in £400k+ defender who's been likened to Van Dijk

The Saints have joined the race for a “dominant” centre-back.

ByDominic Lund Jul 15, 2025 "Unbelievable" Fellows could be perfect replacement for Dibling

Losing one of their prized assets will, of course, be a bitter pill to swallow for the Saints, should Dibling complete a move elsewhere, but there are plenty of signs the West Brom winger could be the perfect replacement.

Most notably, the Solihull-born winger chalked up some very impressive attacking numbers in the 2024-25 campaign, picking up four goals and 14 assists in the Championship alone, leading to some very high praise from teammate Karlan Grant.

Grant said: “He’s an unbelievable young player. As soon as he does that step-over, I know the ball’s going to be arriving at the back stick and there’s going to be chances.

At just 22-years-old, Fellows could still have plenty of room to develop even further, but he is already a top winger at Championship level, and West Brom’s potential asking price of just £10m means the forward could be an absolute bargain.

Worcestershire reduced to 56 for 76, but Waite and van Beek rally before rain

ECB Reporters Network26-Sep-2024

Lancashire made up for lost time and maintained their Vitality County Championship Division One survival hopes after Tom Bailey and Anderson Phillip impressed with the new ball against Worcestershire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Bailey and Phillip fully justified Lancashire skipper Keaton Jennings decision to put the home side into bat in reducing them to 22 for 5 and then 56 for 7 in seamer-friendly conditions when play got underway after lunch. The duo both picked up three wickets to give Lancashire an ideal start to a game they have to win to keep alive their chances of remaining in the top flight for another season.Lancashire began the game 15 points adrift of third from bottom Nottinghamshire but last week’s win over Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford had kept them in contention.Bailey bowled eight overs on the trot and returned excellent figures of 3 for 9 while Phillip had 3 for 44 from seven overs.Worcestershire had already guaranteed their safety during a recent run of three wins in four matches and their eighth-wicket pair of Matthew Waite and Logan van Beek led a partial recovery. They plundered 63 in seven overs but the rain which had washed out the morning’s play returned after tea.Worcestershire made two changes from the side in action against Hampshire at the Utilita Bowl with the fit again Waite and Jack Home replacing the injured Tom Taylor and spinner Amar Virdi. Lancashire kept faith with the side which had defeated Somerset.Bailey’s second delivery of the opening over accounted for Gareth Roderick who drove at a ball of full length which was swinging away and he edged to Will Williams at fourth slip.Jake Libby square cut Phillip for four but then was stuck in the crease and nicked another ball which moved away to Harry Singh at third slip. Rob Jones was undone by an excellent full length swinging delivery from Phillip and was caught behind. Kashif Ali steered Bailey to first slip and then Brett D’Oliveira pushed at the same bowler and perished at second slip.Adam Hose off drove Bailey to the ropes to move into double figures but it became 39 for 6 when Ethan Brookes played forward and was bowled with a fullish-length delivery which did just enough to nip away.Phillip came back into the attack to replace Bailey after a superb opening spell of 8-4-9-3 and he soon claimed his third scalp when Hose tried to on drive a delivery slanted towards leg stump and ended up deflecting to Jennings at second slip.Waite decided attack was the best policy and pulled and on drove Williams for sixes in his first over which cost 15 runs. Van Beek also went on the attack and he struck Balderson and Williams for further maximums.By tea the eighth wicket pair had added 63 in just seven overs but the players were unable to return for the final session after a heavy downpour.

Duo share opening stand worth 114 after Abbott’s 4 for 16 keeps hosts in check

ECB Media10-Aug-2024

Moeen Ali and Ben Duckett made classy half-centuries as Birmingham Phoenix claimed a five-wicket win at Sophia Gardens to end Welsh Fire’s hopes of reaching The Hundred Eliminator and push themselves up to third in the table.Chasing 147 for victory, the two England left-handers shared an opening stand of 114 in 73 deliveries, Moeen hitting eight fours and a six in his 46-ball 60, his highest ever score in The Hundred, before top-edging Matt Henry to David Payne.Moeen’s departure brought Jamie Smith to the crease and England’s Test keeper looked in sublime touch, making 12 from his first three deliveries, until he was clean bowled by a Haris Rauf inducker.Liam Livingstone, Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell departed in quick succession as Phoenix looked to finish the game in a hurry and boost their net run-rate but Duckett, with an unbeaten 54 off 31 balls, held his nerve to steer his team to a crucial victory, Benny Howell hitting the winning runs with seven balls to spare.Earlier, Sean Abbott took 4 for 16 to star with the ball for Phoenix, the Australian allrounder collecting his second four-wicket haul of this season’s Hundred as Fire were restricted to 146 for 8.Stephen Eskinazi played nicely for his 21-ball 30 before being clean bowled by Mousley but the rest of Fire’s top-order struggled, with Luke Wells undone by an Adam Milne slower ball and Joe Clarke and Tom Abell falling victim to Abbott.Tom Kohler-Cadmore (54 from 32) injected some energy to the innings, hitting his first delivery for four and then dispatching Howell over the ropes. He hit five more fours in his rapid half-century – including three in succession off Tim Southee – until falling to Abbott, who then picked up his fourth when he had David Payne caught by Southee.Matt Henry struck two boundaries off his compatriot Milne in the final set of the innings but it proved to be in vain as Fire’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage were extinguished.Abbott, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “It was a little bit tricky to sum up the conditions at first, but it was about going back to basics and trying to hit the top of the stumps with change-ups and then going from there.”It’s definitely a very relaxed vibe amongst the group and I feel like we portray that when we go out and play the game. We’re always trying to put pressure on the other team, no matter the situation, and we’ve done that pretty well the last couple of games. It feels like there’s a good balance at the moment and everyone’s playing their roles really well.”

This is no longer hearsay, nor is it a twisted narrative that inevitably springs from the gnarled mass of rumour during the summer transfer window. Luis Diaz is in talks to leave Liverpool; he’s said so himself.

The Colombian winger, 28, has admitted that negotiations with potential suitors are ongoing, with suitors such as Barcelona and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. BILD in Germany have also reported that personal terms have been agreed with Bayern Munich.

Despite Liverpool’s earlier stance in the window that Diaz would be going nowhere after his central role in Arne Slot’s incredible Premier League triumph, money talks, and the South American is frustrated that he earns a comparatively modest salary at £55k per week as he enters the next-to-last year of his deal.

Liverpool will need a replacement, of course, but they already have Cody Gakpo performing admirably on the attacking left flank, and they’ve signed Florian Wirtz for a British-record £116m fee too.

Why Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz

While Liverpool’s attacking midfield zone is occupied by two talented players in Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott (who has been heavily linked with a summer transfer away from Anfield), Wirtz adds a different brand of attacking quality.

Aged 22, the German international claimed the Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2023/24 as he helped Bayer Leverkusen toward the title as invincibles, also winning the DFB-Pokal. He’s been described as a “generational talent” by sports media professional Cristian Nyari.

Typically found in a thrusting central berth, Wirtz’s artsy dribbling skills and creative intelligence suggest he could be a great fit for Diaz’s role on the left, when Gakpo’s not playing.

But Liverpool need an out-and-out wideman to replace the Colombian, should he go.

Wirtz’s surpassing creativity is a world-class thing. It should, even, be enough to lift Darwin Nunez’s game, but Liverpool’s record centre-forward has had ample chance to prove himself, and, if Italian outlet Di Marzio are to be believed, an official bid has been tabled worth £47.5m. It’s been rejected, but discussions are ongoing.

If both Nunez and Diaz go, Liverpool might even be able to dip into the transfer market and sign one of the finest widemen in the business.

Liverpool enter talks for Diaz heir

According to TBR Football, Liverpool are among the host of top-level European clubs to have been in contact with Real Madrid star Rodrygo’s camp as the superstar moves inexorably toward a summer transfer.

Rodrygo’s peripheral role at the Club World Cup and recent rumours that Xabi Alonso is planning to convert the young and talented Endrick into a wide forward suggest that the Brazilian will soon be on the move.

Arsenal and Manchester City are both in the race, as are continental outfits such as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Los Blancos are seeking a £75m fee if they are to part ways

The Brazil international needs to leave the Spanish capital if he’s to resurrect his name as one of the very best in the business.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

The 2024/25 campaign left plenty to be desired for Rodrygo, who is considered a “world-class superstar” by former teammate Luka Modric, but has been questing for a role befitting such talent and reputation, consistently placed on the right flank, an unfavoured position.

It should be noted that Rodrygo did not have a good season, not by his lofty standards. However, those rare occasions that saw him placed on the left yielded the richest fruits, having scored six goals and supplied six assists across only 12 outings.

And even without the acknowledgement of positional value, and how that would be better applied on Merseyside, Rodrygo has always retained a sense of underlying quality.

Ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 14% for touches per 90, as per FBref, Rodrygo has illustrated his willingness to be in the thick of the action, make things happen through athleticism and indeed retain possession confidently. Slot will love that.

He’s also a maverick in the Champions League, so often reserving his finest performances for Europe’s elite stage.

This thrilling acquisition would rival the furore that surrounded Wirtz’s posting to Anfield last month, for this is one of the most talented forwards in the world, inhibited by Real Madrid’s sweep of attacking options but undoubtedly capable of proving his world-class level when required.

Indeed, he’s played a starring role for the Spanish giants across so many years, leaving his Brazilian homeland to join the prestigious institution for around £40m back in 2019.

24/25

54 (39)

14

11

23/24

57 (43)

17

9

22/23

57 (41)

19

11

21/22

49 (25)

9

9

20/21

33 (13)

2

8

19/20

26 (16)

7

3

Rodrygo has still played an important role over the past year for Real, but it’s worth noting he only started 22 La Liga games in 2024/25, and blanked for both goals and assists across his past 12 league fixtures.

He only missed one big chance, though, as per Sofascore, and that illustrates the kind of finishing ability Slot would be able to work with.

Without a doubt, this could be a stunning signing for the Reds, one which could carry all the excitement of last month’s arrival of Wirtz.

Slot's answer to Gyokeres: Hughes lines up Liverpool move for "crazy" CF

Liverpool have been named among the interested parties for this prolific forward.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 8, 2025

Aston Villa have plenty of work to do in the market under Unai Emery this summer and could now bring a familiar face to Villa Park to replace Marcus Rashford, according to a report.

Marcus Rashford staying at Aston Villa is looking unlikely

In a January transfer window where the Villans had to cope with the loss of Jhon Duran, Marcus Rashford was brought in on loan to soften the blow and certainly made an impact upon arrival from Manchester United.

Four goals and six assists in 17 appearances from the Three Lions international helped Aston Villa claim a European place. However, Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Unai Emery should look for an alternative to Rashford due to his exorbitant wages.

He stated: “The main reason why I don’t think he should come is he’s going to upset the changing room. If you’re Morgan Rodgers, you’re Watkins, you’re Konsa, you’ll say ‘Rashford’s coming in on £300,000 a week.

“Okay then, well, I want £300,000 a week. That’s what happens in changing rooms. The £40 million is not the problem, it’s the wages.”

Without putting too fine a point on it, Aston Villa are under pressure to meet PSR regulations and could sell Emiliano Martinez by the end of the month to ease the gravity of their situation.

Related Aston Villa now contacted with info about deal to sign "special" UCL winner

He’s won everything there is to win in English football.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jun 4, 2025

Salaries and transfer fees are accounted for, so any swoop for Rashford is starting to become more unlikely as the days go by, especially when you factor in Barcelona’s keen interest in the Carrington graduate.

Making a swift decision, Aston Villa look to be proactive in their search for a replacement, who is a face many from the Premier League sphere will be familiar with.

Aston Villa become contenders to sign Jadon Sancho

According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now in the mix to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United after Chelsea opted to pay the £5 million penalty in his loan agreement to send him back to Old Trafford.

The Blues had an obligation to buy the former Borussia Dortmund man for £25 million, but he wasn’t willing to cool his £300,000 per week wage demands, and Villa have quickly joined the race in recent days as they expect Rashford to depart.

Labelled “amazing” by Ian Wright, the 25-year-old registered five goals and ten assists last term in 42 appearances, showing glimpses of the form that earned him a £73 million move to Manchester United in summer 2021.

Creating 38 chances and compeleting 45 dribbles in the Premier League, Sancho has shown he still has plenty more to give at the elite level this season and capped his mini-revival with a goal in Chelsea’s 4-1 triumph over Real Betis to claim continental glory.

If Aston Villa can fit him into their wage structure, there is every chance the London-born star could be a key player at Villa Park amid Manchester United’s desire to sell high earners.

Joining Merseyside rivals Everton, Liverpool are now reportedly racing to sign a young Bundesliga talent who will be worth around £21m when the summer transfer window swings open.

Liverpool set for busy summer despite league title charge

Although many believed that Liverpool were in for a summer of transition when Arne Slot arrived last year, the Dutchman decided to stay put with the current squad in a decision which has since been vindicated. A year on, however, it seems as though the former Feyenoord boss has seen enough to make some ruthless decisions in the coming months even as his side sit top of the Premier League.

An attacking overhaul looks particularly likely and that could yet spell the end for Darwin Nunez in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money striker has had three seasons to find his feet but has never truly hit his best form – instead providing a catalogue of frustrating misses to forget. And with the likes of Alexander Isak thriving elsewhere, the Reds may decide to push on in pursuit of the move of the summer.

Slot has touched on Nunez’s struggles a few times in recent months and was particularly disappointed with his work rate before the international break. The Liverpool boss told reporters after his side drew against Aston Villa and defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in February: “I helped him by saying you can miss a chance.

“I wasn’t only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn’t happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa. I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That’s why I addressed it.”

Liverpool now willing to trigger £50m+ release clause to sign "crazy" star

He could replace Van Dijk…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 8, 2025

Whilst Nunez’s departure would confirm his status as a Liverpool transfer flop this summer, it would more importantly open the door for an attacking addition to arrive and provide the Reds with a creative boost.

Liverpool eyeing "dangerous" Merlin Rohl

According to Sport Bild in Germany as relayed by Sports Witness, Liverpool are now battling to sign Merlin Rohl from SC Freiburg this summer. The Reds are joined in their interest by Premier League rivals Everton and Newcastle United in pursuit of a deal that will reportedly cost €25m (£21m) this summer.

Despite enduring plenty of recent injury struggles – missing as many as 12 Bundesliga games this season – Rohl has found himself at the centre of praise more than once during his time at Freiburg.

Germany’s U21 head coach Antonio Di Salvo has been among those with nothing but positives to say about the young attacking midfielder, telling reporters: “He fought his way into [Freiburg’s] team. That’s not easy. He focused on defensive work and also came into his own offensively. He’s very quick and determined. He’s very dangerous.”

Of course, his injury record should spark some concern, but the fact that Rohl is still just 22 years old should hand the likes of Liverpool plenty of patience over his spells on the sideline before they potentially make their move.