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Aston Villa could step up their interest in an “unbelievable” striker, with it being revealed he is now set to be available for a very low fee this summer, according to a report.

Duran replacement needed at Villa Park

With Jhon Duran departing in the latter stages of the January transfer window, Unai Emery was not blessed with time to bring in a like-for-like replacement for the striker, although the manager was able to get a deal for fellow forward Marcus Rashford over the line.

As such, Villa may enter the market for a new striker this summer, and one option that has emerged is FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion Aghehowa, who has been in prolific form in Portugal this season.

The Villans are set for talks over a deal to sign the forward, with Monchi believed to be a big fan, but the Spaniard is not their only target.

Aston Villa now in race to sign "phenomenal" £13m tough-tackling defender

The Villans are battling to sign a full-back.

By
Dominic Lund

Mar 11, 2025

Another option for the summer is Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, with it recently emerging Emery’s side hold a concrete interest in the striker, who was originally thought to be valued at £50m by the Italian club.

However, according to a report from GiveMeSport, there may have been a 50% price drop, with it being revealed a bid as low as £25m could now be enough to get a deal for Vlahovic done.

The Serbian is now heading for the exit door, with the Serie A side unable to convince him to sign a new contract, and there is no shortage of potential suitors waiting in the wings.

The majority of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ have shown interest, alongside Villa, who may now be willing to step up their pursuit, given the 25-year-old’s availability for a knock-down fee.

"Unbelievable" Vlahovic could be a bargain at £25m

Given that Duran was sold to Al-Nassr for around £65m in January, Villa should have a tidy amount to spend on a new striker this summer, and the Juventus star could be a bargain at half the initial asking price.

The Serbia international has 14 goals to his name in all competitions this season, with four of those coming in the Champions League, showcasing his ability to compete at the very highest level.

The former Fiorentina man has been prolific in Italy for quite some time, and received high praise for his performances from Giorgio Chiellini.

However, Vlahovic is looking increasingly likely to leave Juventus this summer, and his potential availability for just £25m makes him an attractive option for Villa, who should continue to monitor his situation ahead of the summer.

Bayer Leverkusen are holding out for a huge fee in transfer negotiations with Liverpool over Florian Wirtz, who is keen to move to Anfield.

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• Liverpool learn sum needed for Wirtz
• Leverkusen holding out for huge fee
• All parties 'confident' over deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool have been told to pay a fee totalling £118m to complete a deal for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, according to . The Germany international has emerged as the Reds' primary transfer target this summer but the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions are keen to ensure they squeeze every available penny out of the current English title holders.

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  The Mail's report adds Leverkusen would ideally want around £126m from Liverpool to complete the deal, but Arne Slot's side aren't prepared to go that high. However, a sum that reaches £118m with add-ons and bonuses could be enough to persuade the German side to finalise Wirtz's exit.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wirtz had also attracted interest in recent months from Bayern Munich and Manchester City, but Liverpool swiftly emerged as his favoured destination. If he were to secure a move to Anfield, Wirtz would add to the Reds' already-strong midfield core which features Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WIRTZ?

  Wirtz's future could be wrapped up quickly once he finishes international duty with Germany. Liverpool are also hoping to secure a move for Bournemouth's Milos Merkez, who would add competition for Andy Robertson at left-back.

Real Madrid are keen to sign Alvaro Carreras from Benfica but are refusing to trigger his release clause, aiming to negotiate a structured deal.

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• Madrid want Carreras after Club World Cup
• Los Blancos refuse to pay full €50m clause
• Transfer on hold despite personal terms agreed

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Madrid want Carreras as their new left-back but have not met the €50 million (£42m/$57m) release clause in his contract. According to , the Spanish club offered €40m (£34m/$46m), with Benfica willing to consider €48m (£40m/$55m), but no agreement was reached. With both clubs now at the Club World Cup in Florida, Carreras remains a Benfica player for now.

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  Los Blancos see the 22-year-old as a long-term solution at left-back, but they're applying the same financial strategy used for Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono, staggered payments over time rather than a one-time fee. Activating the release clause would force them to pay the entire fee in one lump sum. The Spaniards' preferred approach gives them flexibility with cash flow and helps avoid unfavourable tax rates. However, Benfica know Madrid need Carreras and are using their leverage. The additional 20 per cent resale clause owed to Manchester United complicates the deal further.

• WHAT RUI COSTA SAID

  Benfica president Rui Costa denied any agreement with Madrid, and said: "We haven't reached an agreement with Madrid. There were proposals that didn't convince us. Not for Alvaro or any other player."

  His message from Florida was clear: Benfica are not in a hurry to sell and will not accept terms that don’t match their valuation.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Madrid will continue talks with the Portuguese side in hopes of reaching a compromise deal. Their internal plan is to finalise the transfer in July, but unless Benfica budge on the payment structure, the saga could drag on.

Celtic are currently on course to secure the Scottish Premiership title for the fourth year in succession, as they sit 13 points clear in the last international break of the season.

The Hoops were beaten 3-2 by their city rivals Rangers last time out at Parkhead but that only delayed what seems inevitable – Brendan Rodgers lifting his second title in as many seasons since his return to Glasgow in the summer of 2023.

Their efforts to win the division have been bolstered by the phenomenal performances of the likes of Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, and Nicolas Kuhn, among many others.

As you can see in the clip above, players like Kuhn have provided quality moments at crucial times to win matches for the Scottish giants this season.

What may get lost, however, among the glitz and the glamour of Kuhn, Maeda, and Jota’s wizardry in the final third is the consistent performers who go under the radar.

One former Celtic player who could firmly be placed in the underrated section of ex-stars is Australia international Tom Rogic, who was rarely commended for his efforts on the pitch.

Tom Rogic was an underrated player for Celtic

The left-footed maestro racked up 272 appearances for the Hoops in all competitions over the course of a nine-and-a-half-year spell at Parkhead, joining in January 2013 from Central Coast and leaving in the summer of 2022.

In almost a decade as a Celtic player, Rogic was often a valuable squad player rather than a consistent starter – playing 30 or more Premiership matches in just two of his seasons.

As you can see in the highlights above, though, the Australian star was capable of providing magical moments at times with goals and assists from a central midfield role.

The now-retired dynamo found the back of the net 46 times and provided 51 assists in his 272 matches for the club in all competitions, which shows that he did offer a decent threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals during his time in Glasgow.

He was rarely heralded for his performances in the middle of the park, though, as his first inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year did not come until his ninth and final season in Scotland in the 2021/22 campaign.

Former Hoops centre-back Eric Sviatchenko once told the Celtic Way that some of the things Rogic did on the pitch were “effortless” and that he was not sure if the midfielder was “underrated”.

Rodgers, now, has several players in his current Celtic squad who could fall into that same boat as Rogic as underrated performers for the club.

Celtic's most underrated player

Arguably, Celtic’s most underrated player is Canada international Alistair Johnston, who joined the club from CF Montreal in the January transfer window in 2023.

The right-back has been a brilliant performer for the Hoops in the last two years but has not been named in the PFA Team of the Year for his efforts to date.

As you can see in the table above, Johnston has offered quality in and out of possession from a right-back berth in the Premiership since the start of last season, providing a huge creative outlet whilst also dominating attackers in defensive duels on the ground and in the air.

As a defender, his displays may go under the radar compared to the likes of Kuhn, Maeda, and Jota – whose goals grab headlines – but he is an equally important part of the team.

There is another Celtic ace, however, who is now on his way to becoming a Rogic-esque, underrated, figure within the Hoops squad – Hyun-jun Yang.

Why Hyun-jun Yang could be an underrated Celtic star

The 22-year-old winger only managed one goal and three assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for the club in his first season last term, which was far from an impressive return at the top end of the pitch.

A poor start to a career at a club can lead to knee-jerk reactions from supporters, media, and even the manager, and there were plenty of critics after his first year in Glasgow. In fact, we at Football FanCast published an article calling for him to be dropped from the team in December of last season, because of his disappointing performances.

It can sometimes take a lot to change an opinion and Yang’s slow start to his Celtic career left him with a mountain to climb heading into the current campaign.

The South Korean star, whose former club president Kim Byung-ji claimed he “could easily become a world class player like Son Heung-min”, has shown big improvements in his performances this season and is now on his way to becoming an underrated star for the Bhoys.

As you can see in the table above, Yang has already been directly involved in more goals in the Premiership this season than he was in the 2023/24 campaign.

The Hoops whiz has racked up five goals and six assists in all competitions to date this term, five times as many goals and twice as many assists as last season, and has provided an excellent depth option to the manager in the wide positions.

Rodgers, now, knows that he can rely on Yang to start when needed or come off the bench to make an impact in matches, which was not the case in his first year in Scotland.

This suggests that the potential is there for the South Korean starlet to emerge as a Rogic-esque figure for Celtic, in the sense that he could be a long-serving player who can consistently contribute with goals and assists as a quality squad option – even if he does not become an outright star.

Not Maeda or Kuhn: Celtic's "amazing" star should be the Player of the Year

This Celtic star should be the Player of the Year over both Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda.

By
Dan Emery

Mar 21, 2025

This, along with his poor start to life at Celtic, is why he could become an underrated part of the squad, just as Rogic was, in the long run at Parkhead.

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered numerous injury problems and their need for a fit and available striker couldn’t be more evident heading into the summer transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur plan for summer of major change

Straddling the line between ecstasy and agony, Ange Postecoglou’s final prayer of turning an inconsistent campaign into a memorable one rests on his side’s ability to win this season’s Europa League.

Currently at the quarter-final stage, navigating past Eintracht Frankfurt followed by either Lazio or Bodo/Glimt could secure a place in the final come May. In turn, claiming competition glory would go a long way to attracting talent this summer when evaluating the lure of Champions League football on offer.

Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are on Spurs’ radar but would likely only be attainable should qualification for Europe’s premier competition become possible.

Brighton’s Jake Hinshelwood is a candidate to enrich Tottenham’s midfield after his recent displays for Brighton & Hove Albion and may be an affordable target at the £34 million mark.

With the north Londoners in the market for stars with potential, there could be a significant sea change this summer that may pave the way for long-serving stars to depart as part of a new dawn.

That could also be the case managerially, as Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola could reportedly succeed Postecoglou if Daniel Levy decides to part ways with the Australian.

Much depends on the outcome of this campaign, albeit Spurs’ Premier League exploits are likely to be a disappointing feature should they continue to produce inconsistent domestic results.

Now, there could be some light at the end of the tunnel as Tottenham are now willing to put forward a significant proposal to bring in one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.

Tottenham prepared to submit super offer for Viktor Gyokeres

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are prepared to break the bank to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting and are willing to make a ‘super offer’, despite his current employers’ reluctance to let him leave this summer.

Possessing a high release clause at the Portuguese champions, it is said that willingness from the Sweden international to seek a new challenge in one of the world’s elite environments could hasten the process of a big-money sale as Spurs look to finally fill the void left by Harry Kane.

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By
Charlie Smith

Sep 24, 2025

Continuing his fine form, Gyokeres has registered an incredible 40 goals and 10 assists in 41 matches across all competitions, including six in eight Champions League encounters.

Labelled “fantastic” by Nico Kovac, the former Coventry City striker ranks as Sporting’s best-performing player this campaign and has registered an average rating of 8.03 for his exploits in 2024/25, per WhoScored.

Firepower is necessary if Spurs have designs to establish themselves as one of England’s premium forces again. Nevertheless, they aren’t the only side who will want Gyokeres within their ranks this summer.

Estevao Willian's performance for Palmeiras in their Club World Cup clash with Porto has sent Chelsea fans wild ahead of his summer move to the Blues.

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• Willian impresses Chelsea fans at CWC
• Helps Palmeiras draw with Porto in opener
• Teenager wins 'Superior Player of the Match'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea supporters have been closely watching Estevao develop at Palmeiras since the Blues agreed a pre-transfer for the Brazilian sensation in the summer of 2024, with the attacker heading to Stamford Bridge after the Club World Cup having now turned 18. In the Verdao's tournament opener against Porto, the 18-year-old managed to win the 'Superior Player of the Match' award on the back of his showing in the clash.

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• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  Chelsea fan @Louis_Beneventi wrote: "If you didn’t tell me Estevao was 18, I wouldn’t think it with how he’s playing. The positions he’s taking up, the physicality he’s shown in these opening minutes. I’ve only watched 19 minutes of him, and I think I already love him."

  @falsewinger said on X: "And that's Estevao off. Not his best game, but very promising display once again for a teenager. Chelsea have a gem."

  X user @CFCZeno wrote: "Estevao Willian at 18 years old showed another side to his game that makes him special. Football IQ and Game Intelligence, Decision Making, Movement, he is mentally top. Club World Cup against Porto, and looked he belonged, Chelsea hit the jackpot here."

  @CarefreeLewisG added: "First game against a European side and Estevao already took MOTM."

  @leedsnoinfidel concluded: "Estevao solid player, needs to work on timing of his releases and a couple of decision-making things, but it’s what you expect off an 18-year-old. Definitely think he can contribute next season."

  @UberChelseaFC said: "18 years old and playing across every single attacking position apart from ST against a UCL level side whilst looking very strong. Think I’ve seen enough to know Estevao Willian has got what it takes."

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  Despite the match between Palmeiras and Porto ending in a goalless draw, Estevao's quality was clear for the world to see. The Brazilian teenager did not necessarily have the best stats, but managed to impress quite a few fans with his ability to drive into spaces and his positioning inside the box.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ESTEVAO?

  The Brazilian teenager will travel to Stamford Bridge after the conclusion of the Club World Cup to start training under Enzo Maresca, with the upcoming season not too far away after the conclusion of the tournament in the United States.

Arsenal would have to pay £50 million ($67m) to sign Noni Madueke this summer, the Gunners have learned, per a new report.

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• Madueke a target for the Gunners
• Chelsea value the winger at £50m
• Arsenal have stepped away from deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per The Independent, Arsenal have been told that they will need to pay £50 million ($68m) if they are to sign Madueke from Chelsea this summer. Mikel Arteta is seeking reinforcements in attack, and has also been chasing RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.

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  Sesko's contract includes a release clause worth just over €80m (£68.5m/$93m), but Arsenal have instead been aiming to do a deal at closer to €70m (£60m/$81m) and they are also not minded to pay Chelsea's demanded fee for Madueke. They have also been in talks with Sporting CP over Viktor Gyokeres.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Madueke only joined Chelsea in 2023 and has a contract until 2030. He made 32 Premier League appearances last season, scoring seven goals and registering four assists. As the Blues are eyeing a move for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens, Madueke could lead an exodus this summer.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal will hope to get a deal done for a new forward before the new season begins. They are next in action against AC Milan next month in a pre-season friendly.

Can Celtic go on and secure a sixth treble in just nine seasons?

A fortnight ago, the Hoops suffered only their third defeat of this Premiership season, gut-wrenchingly beaten 3-2 by Rangers at Parkhead, the visitors’ winner coming in the final minute of regulation time.

Despite this, after seeing off Hearts, they remain in control at the top of the table with only seven fixtures still to play, also through to the Scottish Cup semi-finals, set to face St Johnstone at Hampden, for a place in the final, on Easter Sunday.

So, while one Celtic attacker is having an astonishingly good season, this team would be even stronger had they been able to hold onto their superstar homegrown attacker.

The records Daizen Maeda could break this season

By heading home during the Glasgow derby, before adding a brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win, Daizen Maeda took his tally to 30 goals for the season, bagging 11 in his last nine Premiership outings.

Meantime, the Japanese international forward became the first Celtic player since Joe Craig in 1977/78 to score four times in a single European Cup or Champions League campaign, on target against Slovan Bratislava, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge and Bayern Munich.

Famously, Henrik Larsson scored 41 times across all competitions in the 2003/04 season, but how does Maeda compare to Celtic’s leading marksman subsequently?

As the table outlines, Maeda requires 10 goals from the remaining seven Premiership fixtures, and potentially two Scottish Cup ties, to equal Griffiths’ post-Larsson record of 40 goals in a single Celtic season; it’s certainly doable.

Regardless of whether he reaches that milestone or not, Maeda’s output has certainly skyrocketed this season, described by current teammate Alistair Johnston as “one of the most in-form players in Europe” back in February.

However, did the Hoops have an even more valuable homegrown attacker on their books, that they somehow allowed to depart for mere compensation?

Celtic's homegrown Daizen Maeda

Ben Doak joined Celtic as a kid from Ayr United, making just two appearances at senior level in hoops, handed his debut against Dundee United by Ange Postecoglou in January 2022.

However, after not signing a professional contract in Glasgow, he joined Liverpool in the summer of that year, the Reds paying a mere £600k in compensation.

He made just five senior appearances, totaling 247 minutes, during his first campaign on Merseyside, but has taken his game to a whole new stratosphere this season, loaned out to Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship.

Doak has scored three goals and provided seven assists in England’s second tier, with the 5 foot 9 speedster emulating Maeda – who is also of slight stature at just 5 foot 8 – in representing a blistering presence down either flank.

For all those initial highs, sadly, his season might be over, not seen since 25 January following surgery on his thigh, with manager Michael Carrick confirming he’s ‘gone back to Liverpool’ to fulfill his rehab.

Prior to this setback, however, Doak displays for Boro, as well as for Scotland in the Nations League, had earned rave reviews.

Journalist Henry Winter believes he is a “huge prospect”, radio presenter Ewen Cameron labels him a “superstar in the making” while Martin Watt of BBC Sport notes he is Scotland’s next ‘wonderkid’.

So, let’s see if Doak’s statistics underline what all the hype is about.

As the table outlines, Doak ranks highly for assists, chances created and especially dribbling, ranked fourth for progressive carries and first four carries into the opponents’ penalty area in the Championship this season, despite the fact 218 players have played more minutes than he has.

His performances on Teeside saw both Crystal Palace and Ipswich bid a reported £16m for his services in January, these bids and others were rejected by Liverpool, further indicating his soaring status.

Thus, Celtic must rue the fact they could not convince Doak to stay, because just imagine him and Maeda linking up.

Celtic star nearly left for more than Kyogo & Frimpong, then he went for £0

Celtic once rejected a big-money bid for their star before he went on to leave for nothing.

By
Dan Emery

Mar 28, 2025

Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a clear challenge to Neymar Jr, insisting the veteran forward has enough time to get back to his best and become a "very important player" for Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The former Real Madrid boss, who has officially taken charge of the Selecao, believes Neymar still has a role to play if he can stay fit and focused.

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• Ancelotti urges Neymar to focus on full recovery
• Neymar still central to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup plans
• Return likely in September qualifiers if fit again

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ancelotti began his tenure as Brazil's head coach earlier this month and has addressed one of the biggest questions surrounding the team, Neymar’s future. The 32-year-old has been out of international action since suffering an ACL injury in October 2023. The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona forward returned to Santos in 2025 but has continued to battle recurring injuries, missing recent qualifiers for the Selecao in March and June.

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  Brazil have struggled for attacking consistency in Neymar’s absence and are looking for experienced leadership as they begin shaping their squad for the 2026 World Cup. Still, Ancelotti’s belief in the superstar underscores just how influential he remains when healthy. The Italian confirmed he has already spoken directly with Neymar and told the forward that he still has time to prepare for a comeback.

• WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

  Speaking to CONMEBOL’s official website, Ancelotti said: "Yes, I’ve spoken with him. He’s a very important player for our national team, for the World Cup. He needs to prepare well—he has the time to do it. I’ve spoken with him about this, that he should prepare properly, because we have the idea that he will become a very important player for the Brazilian national team."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BRAZIL?

  If Neymar stays on track with his recovery, he is expected to make his long-awaited Brazil return in September’s World Cup qualifiers. Brazil host Chile on September 9 before travelling to face Bolivia on the 14th, two matches that could mark Neymar’s first appearance for the Selecao in nearly two years.

After rejecting an initial approach, Theo Hernandez is set to finalise his Saudi Arabia switch this summer as AC Milan agree to a €25 million sale.

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• Hernandez set to join Al-Hilal from Milan for €25m
• French full-back will earn €20m per season in Saudi Arabia
• Milan seek a new left-back to replace him this summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Milan have reached an agreement with Al-Hilal for the transfer of Hernandez, according to multiple reports, including Fabrizio Romano and Sky Italy. The Saudi Pro League club will pay €25m (£21m/$27m) for the 27-year-old full-back, who has agreed personal terms and is set to undergo a medical in Saudi Arabia. The French international will earn a salary of €20m (£17m/$21.5m).

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  Hernandez had initially rejected Al-Hilal’s advances but changed his stance after failing to secure a move within Europe. Atletico Madrid had tried to bring him back to the Spanish capital, but negotiations with Milan broke down. With his contract set to expire in 2026, Milan prioritised a sale to prevent losing him for free next year.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 27-year-old will unite with Simone Inzaghi at Al-Hilal as the Italian coach left Inter at the end of the season to take charge of the Saudi side. The likes of Joao Cancelo and Sergej-Milinkovic Savic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves are also at the club.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MILAN?

  Milan will now look to reinvest the money received from the sale, with Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko high on their list of targets.