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Celtic look set to lose one of their top talents within the next week or so as Nicolas Kuhn is closing in on a permanent exit from the Scottish Premiership champions.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that the club have agreed a fee of around £16.5m with Italian side Como for the left-footed sensation.

The journalist adds that the former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich youth prospect has already agreed to sign a long-term contract with the Serie A outfit this summer.

Kuhn has reportedly turned down a potential return to Leipzig, who were interested in signing him, and has a medical scheduled with Como for next week, which suggests that an official confirmation is not imminently expected.

It does appear, though, that it is only a matter of time before Celtic confirm that the German winger will not be playing for the club next season, which will come as a blow to Brendan Rodgers.

Why selling Nicolas Kuhn is a blow for Celtic

Whilst the Hoops are set to rake in a significant sum of money for the 25-year-old talent, it is always a blow when a high-quality player moves on, and that is what he is.

The 2024/25 campaign was his first full season in Glasgow, having joined from Rapid Vienna in the January transfer window last year, and he really hit his stride on the right flank.

Kuhn ended the season with a return of 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, which shows that he provided quality in the final third on a regular basis for Rodgers.

The left-footed magician’s form in the Premiership, as Celtic won the league title, was particularly impressive, as the forward showcased his ability to both score and create goals.

As you can see in the table above, Kuhn ranked very highly among his positional peers in a host of key attacking metrics, which shows that he scored and created goals at an exceptional rate.

These statistics illustrate why it will be a big blow for Rodgers when this sale goes through, because he is losing a player who has proven that he can make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch for Celtic.

The Hoops have, of course, already signed Benjamin Nygren on a permanent deal to bolster their options on the flanks, but he does not have the creative quality to fully replace what Kuhn offered.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the Sweden international only managed a return of two assists in 30 Superliga appearances, to go with his impressive haul of 15 goals.

Therefore, Celtic may need to dip into the market to sign another wide option who can provide creativity as well as a goal threat, now that Kuhn appears to be on his way out of the club.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that the Scottish giants are interested in Stoke City forward Million Manhoef, who is valued at £10m by the Championship side, and they should now reignite that interest.

Why Celtic should sign Million Manhoef

The Premiership champions could brilliantly replace Kuhn ahead of the 2025/26 campaign by pushing ahead with a swoop for the Netherlands U21 international, as he would arrive with a similar profile.

Like the German star, the Stoke attacker is a diminutive left-footed right winger who has the quality to both score and create goals in equal measure, as evidenced by his form for the English side last season.

He has not delivered the kind of numbers that Kuhn managed for Celtic yet, as he has not had the chance to play in a team that is as dominant domestically as the Hoops are, which means that there would be a degree of risk.

However, Rodgers can afford to take more of a risk with a player like Manhoef because the club have already brought in Nygren to potentially play on the right wing and, as aforementioned, his haul of 15 goals last season suggests that he could be a good option.

The Stoke star ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of five goals and five assists in 28 Championship starts, but it is his underlying numbers behind those headline statistics that are even more promising for Celtic.

As you can see in the table above, Manhoef excelled at getting into goalscoring positions and at creating chances for his teammates, ranking highly among his positional peers, but was not clinical enough with his finishing.

Pundit David Prutton claimed it would be a “tremendous” move for Manhoef to sign for Celtic, and these statistics suggest that the potential is there for it to be a tremendous move for all parties.

The Dutch wizard, who only recorded five assists from 12 ‘big chances’ created in the Championship, could thrive in a team that dominates games week-in-week-out, as Celtic do.

He has been playing for a midtable team, in Stoke, who do not challenge at the top end of the division in the second tier in England, which suggests that he has not had the opportunity to play in a side that is consistently on the front foot.

It'd be Ryan Christie 2.0: Euro club open talks to sign £2m Celtic ace

A European team are interested in a deal to sign a star from Celtic this summer.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 3, 2025

Therefore, Celtic could brilliantly replace Kuhn by gambling on a swoop for Manhoef, who appears to have the potential to explode as a scorer and a creator of goals in a better team than the one he is currently playing in.

Aston Villa are slowly building towards another successful window and are now closing in on another signing to further strenghten their squad at Villa Park, per a report.

Aston Villa continue to build under Unai Emery

Yasin Ozcan, Marco Bizot and Zepiqueno Redmond have arrived in the West Midlands in low-key deals as Unai Emery gets to work on incomings. However, most supporters are of the impression that the best is yet to come for their side.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been prominently linked with Aston Villa, given his situation at Chelsea is uncertain, making him a potential marquee arrival if circumstances align.

Adding some context to the situation, Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth delivered a Jackson update on X, stating: “Number of clubs keeping eye on Nicolas Jackson’s situation at Chelsea. Told Manchester United among them. Focus currently on Bryan Mbeumo & sales. Villa boss Unai Emery long-term admirer. Gave him debut at Villarreal. AC Milan keen but gap in valuation.”

Now, that may depend on whether Ollie Watkins joins Manchester United, a scenario no Villans supporter would be too keen on amid his goalscoring exploits for the club, even if he is in the prime of his sell-on value at 29 years of age.

Jacob Ramsey may be a more realistic candidate to sell as Aston Villa would inherit pure profit due to his homegrown status. However, Unai Emery will be keen to keep the bulk of his side that achieved Europa League qualification together this term.

With plenty of scenarios starting to unfold, the Villans look set to get their hands on a talented youngster who is now on the verge of signing for the club.

Aston Villa close to signing Modou Keba Cisse

Per The Express & Star, Aston Villa are close to signing LASK defender Modou Keba Cisse for a fee in the region of £4 million and he is set to be loaned straight back to his current employers once a transfer is agreed.

The Senegalese youngster made 20 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring a solitary goal as his side secured qualification for the Europa Conference League playoff round.

Talks opened: Aston Villa now strong contenders for "phenomenal" £35m star

The Villans believe they can win the race for an attacking midfielder.

By
Dominic Lund

Jul 16, 2025

Viewed as an exciting talent for the future, the 19-year-old fits Aston Villa’s mould of bringing in stars with potential that can develop at their own pace into valuable squad members.

Showcasing his dominance, Cisse won 71.6% of his duels in the Austrian Bundesliga last term and appears primed to continue his upward trajectory in familiar surroundings.

Aston Villa haven’t been able to spend what they would’ve liked this summer, but the opportunity to land someone with plenty of growth still to go is never to be sniffed at.

Former PSV full-back Matteo Dams revealed Al-Ahli’s strong push and financial incentives convinced him to make the move to Saudi Arabia.

• Dams moved to Al-Ahli for €10 million in January
• Al-Ahli coach and exponential salary reasons for his move 
• Won the 2025 AFC Champions League in his debut season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dams completed a €10 million (£9m/$11m) move from PSV to Al-Ahli in January, with his salary receiving a massive boost in the process. The full-back was in the final six months of his PSV contract and negotiating an extension when Al-Ahli swooped in to seal the deal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Dams featured 15 times across all competitions for Al-Ahli last season, registering one assist and contributing to seven clean sheets. His solid displays were key in helping the club lift the prestigious 2024-25 AFC Champions League title. 

  The Belgian admitted that he initially said he would not move to Saudi Arabia if an offer came in, especially at just 20 years old, but the salary on offer was too high for him to turn down, with reports in Netherlands claiming he went from earning €2,500 per month to €250,000.

• WHAT DAMS SAID

  "It was the end of January. I was in full talks with PSV, where the plan was actually to extend my contract. One phone call changed everything," he told

  "I'm not usually much of a caller, but I was in the car and saw a message from Jorik [Benoit], my agent, come in: 'Matteo, I have to call you, this is really important.' On the phone, he told me about Al-Ahli's interest. At first, I thought it was a joke. It turned out to be serious. I initially assumed it was a summer transfer, but they wanted me right away. So I barely had a week and a half to think about it.

  Honestly? I was already convinced after the phone call with Jorik. Obviously, because I knew what I could earn in Saudi Arabia, but also because Al-Ahli really wanted me. I felt that immediately, and I thought that was very important. The coach was completely behind my arrival.
  I was just afraid of what people, especially those around me, would say. You know the prejudices: that I'd choose the money, that I'd throw my career away, that the level here is terrible. But in the end, it was me who had to come here to play football, so I had to be completely committed to my decision. So I said yes."

  Asked for his reaction after seeing the contract, he said: "I just started laughing. Because those were ridiculously high amounts for a 20-year-old. Not just for a 20-year-old. I never discuss amounts. I understand why people ask the question; I would have been curious too if one of my friends went to Saudi Arabia. But actually, the questions about that aren't that bad. It's rarely, if ever, discussed in the locker room.

  Take Riyadh Mahrez, for example. Of course, all his teammates know he earns an incredible amount of money, but it's never discussed."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DAMS AND AL-AHLI?

  Dams will be aiming for another successful season with Al-Ahli, chasing more trophies while also hoping his performances secure him a spot in Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Leeds United have welcomed Sean Longstaff to Elland Road as their latest arrival of the summer transfer window, after they officially announced a deal for the midfielder on Friday night.

Fabrizio Romano reported that the Whites have paid a fee in excess of £12m to Newcastle United to bring the experienced midfield star to West Yorkshire ahead of next season.

The Magpies academy graduate may not be the only central midfielder to come through Thorp Arch this summer, though, as Hoffenheim’s Anton Stach has also been linked with a move to the club.

Leeds have reportedly held talks with the Bundesliga club and agreed personal terms with the players, but they are yet to agree a fee for his services.

Leeds enquired about LaLiga star

Whilst they appear to be heavily pursuing a deal for Stach, the Championship champions also have other options on their shortlist of targets to bolster their options in midfield.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to The Athletic, Leeds United made contact with Getafe over a potential deal for versatile star Christantus Uche several weeks ago this summer.

The report claims that the Whites enquired about his situation and did not opt to make an official offer for his services, although it remains to be seen if they are planning to submit a bid for him later in the window.

It adds that the 22-year-old talent has a release clause of around £22m (£21.6m) in his contract with the Spanish side, which means that Leeds could trigger that to land him.

The Athletic also reveals that the Nigeria international, who made his debut for his country in May, is open to the idea of joining a Premier League club.

Leeds could find their own Joelinton

Daniel Farke could unearth his own version of Joelinton by signing Uche and moulding him into a midfield destroyer to bolster his team ahead of next season.

The Brazil international joined Newcastle United as a striker for a reported fee of £40m from Hoffenheim in 2019 under Steve Bruce, before Eddie Howe spotted his potential to be a central midfielder.

Since making the transition, Joelinton has emerged as one of the Premier League’s top midfield destroyers, making 2.8 tackles and interceptions and winning 5.7 duels per game in the division last term.

Uche has started more games as a striker (18) in his career than any other position, but has also started 15 times as a defensive midfielder in the past, and U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that he could be turned into a “midfield monster”.

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old star thrived out of possession in LaLiga for Getafe last season, ranking highly among forwards in a host of defensive metrics, notably winning duels and recovering the ball off the opposition to regain possession for his side.

Meanwhile, the Leeds target only scored four goals in 33 appearances, along with six assists, which does not suggest that his future lies as a prolific centre-forward option, just like when Joelinton scored two goals in 38 Premier League games in his first season at Newcastle as a striker.

Therefore, Farke could be the coach to help Uche follow in Joelinton’s footsteps by transitioning from a low-scoring, defensively savvy, centre-forward into a ‘midfield monster’, as Antonio Mango put it.

The Getafe attacker has played in midfield before, as aforementioned, and has the strong physical and defensive attributes to suit playing as an enforcer in front of the back four, which is why this is a move that could be a very interesting one for Leeds to make.

49ers biggest deal yet: Leeds weighing up bid to sign £22m James upgrade

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be a Dan James upgrade.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 15, 2025

It may now be down to Leeds to decide whether they want to go through with a swoop for Stach or if they want to activate Uche’s release clause, so there could be an intriguing few weeks to follow.

Neymar’s wife Bruna Biancardi has explained the “horrible” reason she wore a facemask when attending an NFL fixture in Sao Paulo.

• American football fixture in Brazil
• Neymar & partner enjoyed VIP suite
• Watched Kelce & Mahomes in action

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With competitive American football action heading to Brazil, Santos superstar Neymar made a point of ensuring that he was in attendance. His partner also made the most of an opportunity to watch Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes in action.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Kansas City Chiefs, who often have Taylor Swift in their corner, lined up against the Los Angeles Chargers – in a contest that saw visitors from California prevail. Neymar and his party enjoyed their night, with there plenty of smiles on show in their VIP suite.

• THE GOSSIP

  Biancardi did, however, take to covering her face up at times. She has now revealed why, with an unfortunate spot leading to a bacterial infection and uncomfortable swelling on her lip.

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• WHAT BIANCARDI SAID

  Biancardi stated on social media: “It all started with a simple pimple that I wanted to squeeze. It got infected, swelled up a lot, and turned into facial cellulitis.” The 31-year-old model went on to say after sharing some images of her swollen face: “The photos are horrible, sorry! But it's to warn you never to squeeze a pimple again.”

Will he, won’t he? That is the question dominating those of a Liverpool persuasion, with it likely to prove an anxious few weeks amid the wait to see if Alexander Isak will make the jump to Anfield this summer.

Rival supporters are raising their eyebrows at such interest in the Newcastle United man, not least considering the £256m that has been spent so far, albeit with prior claims indicating that Arne Slot’s side could fork out for him and still be in the clear, considering how well the club has been run.

Having waited patiently amid a muted 2024 summer window, the Reds have sprung into action this time around, lasering in on Isak to solve their centre-forward woes, with the hapless Darwin Nunez seemingly heading for the exit.

The Uruguayan scored just seven times in all competitions last season, having been given the cold shoulder by Slot, while stand-in false nine Luiz Diaz has since secured his own departure, after joining Bayern Munich on a £65.5m deal.

That latter move has also heightened the need for competition for Cody Gakpo on the left flank, with recent reports indicating that the Merseysiders may well be looking toward a Premier League solution to bolster their attacking ranks.

Liverpool enter race for another Premier League addition

Isak remains priority number one right now, with reports suggesting that Liverpool are ready to lodge a bid of around £130m, following the bombshell news last week that the Swede had informed Newcastle of his desire to leave.

Despite rival interest from Saudi Arabia, the 25-year-old appears to have his heart set on making the move to Anfield, with the Magpies said to be lining up RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as his replacement.

Away from solely focusing in on Isak, however, Caught Offside have suggested that the Premier League champions have also entered the race for Crystal Palace playmaker, Eberechi Eze.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As per the report, while it is Arsenal who lead the race for the England international, they are facing ‘stiff competition’ from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and now Liverpool, with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also in the mix.

The 27-year-old is being lined up as a potential replacement for the outgoing Diaz, according to the piece, with the player’s £68m release clause likely to be an attractive prospect for any interested suitor.

Why Eze could be another Isak level signing

The beauty of signing a player like Isak is the fact that he has already proven himself in the Premier League, having scored 54 goals in just 86 appearances in the competition, following his arrival in the summer of 2022.

In that same time frame, Nunez – for example – has played 95 times in England’s top-flight, albeit while netting just 25 times, highlighting the significant upgrade that the Newcastle man would represent.

A terror for Premier League defences, Isak has already been described by Virgil van Dijk as “definitely the most in-form striker at the moment in world football”, with that glowing praise coming prior to the striker’s clincher in the Carabao Cup final triumph in March.

Such Wembley heroics are also familiar to that man Eze, with the former Queens Park Rangers starlet having scored the only goal as Palace saw off Manchester City in the FA Cup final just a few months later.

That crucial strike marked the versatile forward’s 14th goal of the campaign in all competitions, having also chipped in with a further 11 assists amid his role in a left-sided number ten berth.

Like Isak, the fleet-footed “magician” – as hailed by The Telegraph’s Sam Dean – has seemingly reached talismanic status at his current side, with now the perfect time for him to take that next step to a club operating at the summit of the European and English game.

Like Isak too, Eze has also showcased what he can do at Premier League level on a consistent basis, having registered 57 goals and assists in 146 games in the competition to date, 16 of which came in 2024/25.

Of course, there is undoubted excitement over deals for the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, although quite how that trio will fare in English football remains to be seen.

In Eze – the man who scored at Anfield in Palace’s 1-0 win back in April 2024 – there would be no such need for concern or questioning. This is a player who can immediately make an impression on Slot’s starting lineup.

With Isak leading the line, and the Englishman operating off the left flank, the Merseysiders could have a new deadly combination to unleash next season.

The new Salah: Liverpool agree personal terms to sign "world-class" star

Liverpool are preparing to sign a new forward as Luis Diaz leaves for Bayern Munich.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 30, 2025

Clear your calendar for Tuesday and Wednesday nights going forward – the Champions League is back as 36 of Europe's best teams prepare to do battle across the continent over the next nine months. Last season's tournament, complete with the brand-new league phase, turned into an epic, and the 2025-26 edition of the premier club competition on the planet promises to be no different.

Picking a winner ahead of kick-off is nigh on impossible, but one thing we know for sure is that this is the competition where young players can go from being little-known talents to household names in the blink of an eye. Lamine Yamal and Desire Doue lit up the Champions League last term, while the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ayyoub Bouaddi earned rave reviews for some of their European performances.

Now, with the first batch of games set to kick-off on Tuesday, who will be the next youngsters to become Champions League icons in front of our eyes? We've put our NXGN hat on and picked out 10 teenagers born in 2006 or later who we can't wait to see make their competition debuts in the coming weeks…

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  Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham)

  Premier League fans may not realise given the maturity that Lucas Bergvall plays with, but the Tottenham midfielder only turned 19 in February, and thus has to be among the most exciting prospects currently plying their trade in the English top-flight. Bergvall opened his Premier League goal account on Saturday against West Ham, but it is the Sweden international's all-round game that has stood out ever since he broke into the Spurs line up early last season.

  Bergvall's game promises to go to the next level under Thomas Frank's tutelage, and he will this season get the chance on the grandest stage possible to show exactly why Barcelona were so upset when they missed on signing him from Djurgardens in early 2024.

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  Mikkel Bro Hansen (Bodo/Glimt)

  The Champions League comes to the Arctic Circle in 2025-26 as another chapter prepares to be written in the Bodo/Glimt fairy tale. After reaching the Europa League semi-finals last term, the Norwegian side are dining at Europe's top table for the first time, and they are doing so with a homegrown teenager within their squad who could be set for even greater things.

  Mikkel Bro Hansen won't turn 17 until January, but he has already netted seven goals in eight appearances for the Bodo first team, including two hat-tricks in the Norwegian Cup. On Friday, he fired home from the penalty spot to become the youngest league goal-scorer in the club's history, with it clear why Barca and Spurs are among the clubs to have been linked with the striker in recent months.

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  Max Dowman (Arsenal)

  Perhaps the most exciting English talent right now, Max Dowman's long-awaited Arsenal debut eventually arrived in August, and the way he ran rings around Premier League defenders during the Gunners' 5-0 win over Leeds United only added to the suggestion that the Gunners have got a serious talent on their hands.

  Capable of playing in central midfield or out wide, the 15-year-old will become the youngest-ever player to appear in the Champions League if he makes his European debut before the turn of the year, and given his fearless approach to the game, it wouldn't be a shock if Dowman made his first mark on the competition before the campaign is out.

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  Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich)

  Given their propensity to hoover up first-team ready players from their Bundesliga rivals and beyond, it's not always easy for Bayern Munich's homegrown youngsters to force their way into the first-team picture at the Allianz Arena. Lennart Karl, however, is hoping to buck that trend after earning the trust of Vincent Kompany.

  The 17-year-old attacker, who can play centrally or out wide, made his senior debut at the Club World Cup and, after an eye-catching pre-season, has now begun to make cameos off the bench for the Bundesliga champions. Regarded as the top talent within Germany right now, Karl should force his way onto the pitch in Europe in the weeks and months to come.

There’s a huge buzz of excitement at Manchester United football club at the moment, and understandably so, given the backing shown by the hierarchy this summer.

The board have already completed the big-money additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but the attack looks set to have landed another talent during the recent overhaul.

Striker Benjamin Sesko has flown to Manchester for his medical, after he rejected Newcastle United in favour of a £74m switch to Old Trafford ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The trio will add 48 combined goals to the side, that’s based on their league figures from last season, a tally that is four more than the rest of the Red Devils squad managed in the Premier League in 2024/25.

However, now attention must turn to other areas of the pitch if Ruben Amorim is to have the best chance of leading the side back up England’s top-flight next season.

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

Carlos Baleba has emerged as a surprise option for United this summer, after the club’s hierarchy made an approach to land the Brighton and Hove Albion star.

Any deal for the Cameroonian international would be yet another huge investment, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m for the 21-year-old.

However, other options are currently being considered by higher-ups at Old Trafford, leading to Javi Guerra being named as a target once again by TBR Football.

Their latest report claims that the Valencia star remains keen on a move to join Amorim’s side this summer, after previously making their interest known during the summer window.

It also states that the 22-year-old could be available for as little as £25m during this window, with Carlos Corberan’s side needing to raise funds due to their current financial situation.

Why United’s £25m target would be a better signing than Baleba

Over the last couple of months, Brighton star Baleba has been one of the standout talents in the Premier League – with his mammoth price tag no surprise given their previous dealings.

He was brought in from Lille back in 2023 as a replacement for Moises Caicedo, after the Ecuadorian star completed his own £115m move to Chelsea.

Such a move to the AMEX has allowed the youngster to take his career to the next level, featuring in 34 league outings last season as the Seagulls finished the season in 8th place.

His two-year experience in England’s top division would be a massive asset to any move to Old Trafford, but there’s no denying that his current price tag has been put in place to fend off interest.

Undoubtedly, there are cheaper and more effective options out there, with Guerra potentially providing just that for United between now and the closure of the window on September 1st.

When comparing his stats to those of Baleba from the most recent campaign, the Spaniard has managed to outperform him in numerous areas, potentially being a just as effective option for the Red Devils.

Guerra, who’s been dubbed “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, is much more comfortable in possession, completing more progressive passes per 90, with more of which being made into the final third – aiding the new trio with chances to impress at Old Trafford.

However, he’s also showcased his excellent tallies without the ball, completing more interceptions and making more clearances per 90, able to hand Amorim the deep-lying defensive option he’s hunting for as a result.

The youngster’s dominance over the Cameroonian is further shown in his tally of recoveries made per 90, able to get himself into better defensive positions per 90 – arguably being a more well-rounded option for the Red Devils.

Guerra has constantly shown in LaLiga in recent months that he’s a huge talent with bags of time to improve further on his impressive start to his professional career.

His ability to outperform Baleba further indicates how impressive he’s been, allowing United to land a better talent at a fraction of the price in their hunt for a return to their former glory.

Perfect for Cunha: PL "monster" is now keen to join Man Utd after Sesko

Manchester United have wasted no time in making moves in the market after landing Benjamin Sesko.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 8, 2025

Cardiff City legend Sol Bamba has been honoured with a new mural in Grangetown, unveiled less than a year after his tragic death at the age of 39. His widow, Chloe, delivered a heartfelt tribute at the ceremony, admitting she will “never be OK” with how her husband was taken but expressing gratitude for the love and support shown by the community.

• Bamba's tragic battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

  Bamba, who played a key role at Cardiff City and later returned as assistant coach, passed away in August 2024 after a long battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The defender had been declared cancer-free in 2021, but the illness cruelly returned and claimed his life just a month after he was appointed Adanaspor head coach. On Wednesday, a three-storey mural of Bamba was unveiled in Grangetown, ensuring his legacy lives on.

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  Chloe Bamba's emotional speech at the mural unveiling

  Speaking at the unveiling, Chloe said, "If you were ever lucky enough to meet Sol, you'd agree that he was larger than life. So to see him memorialised on a three-storey building is just perfect – absolutely perfect!"

  Her voice then faltered as she added, "I will never be OK with the way that we lost Sol, ever. But what I love is that we can come together and celebrate him, and we have honoured him."

  Reflecting on his battle with illness, she continued: "The illness — the fact he had to fight so hard for the last few years of his life — he didn't deserve it. No one going through that deserved it. It felt incredibly unfair, because he had so much more to do and achieve in his life, and I know that he would have."

• Bamba leaves behind his legacy with his three children

  Bamba’s death sent shockwaves through Cardiff and the wider football community, robbing the game of a player and coach admired for his charisma, resilience and strength. His wife Chloe and their three children continue to speak openly about his memory, making sure his presence remains alive in their daily lives. Chloe added, "They [the children] are doing so well. His daughters have his strength. We spend a lot of time talking about him. He is not a taboo subject at all. We talk about him all the time, and we do things he would have loved, we play Uno together and share stories. We remember the joy."

  She went on: "Every day, I miss him. I have my moments, but I focus on him and his character. One word that would sum Sol up would be strength, so I try to weave that into my daily life. To see the community come together and do something like this to commemorate him means the world to me."

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  Chloe says she will always support Cardiff City

  Cardiff City and their fans will continue to celebrate Sol Bamba’s life, keeping his legacy alive both on and off the pitch. Chloe has vowed to carry on supporting the Bluebirds, honouring the club that gave her husband so much joy. For the Bamba family and community, the focus will remain on remembering the joy and strength that Sol embodied every day.

With Alexander Isak’s future still unresolved, Newcastle United are preparing for life without their Swedish talisman.

The drawn-out saga has left Eddie Howe’s side in urgent need of a solution, and Isak has made it clear he has no intention of reintegrating with the squad if a move fails to materialise before the transfer window closes.

That leaves Newcastle facing a race against time, especially with their opening Premier League fixture against Aston Villa fast approaching and a Champions League campaign on the horizon.

Their summer business so far has bolstered other areas – Anthony Elanga has arrived from Nottingham Forest, Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, and Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton on loan – while a £40m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is close.

Yet Howe has admitted concern over numbers in midfield after Sean Longstaff’s sale to Leeds United and Joe Willock’s pre-season injury, and the need for a commanding presence up front is now just as pressing.

Boom Boom Shake the Room: Newcastle identify new leading target

Alternative options such as Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Porto’s Samu Aghehowa have been discussed, but Newcastle appear to have settled on one standout name.

A forward whose profile draws inevitable comparisons to one of the club’s most popular modern strikers.

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According to reports on the continent, Newcastle have identified Jean-Philippe Mateta as their top target should Isak depart.

Owing to this interest and Mateta’s rising stock, Palace have set an asking price of around £40m to let the “goal-scoring machine” go.

Standing at 1.92m, the 28-year-old France international offers a physical profile ideally suited to the Premier League.

He arrives in the box with purpose, relishes aerial duels, and can occupy defenders in a way that opens space for those around him.

His record last season – 14 goals and two assists in 37 Premier League appearances – reflects his consistency across the campaign, with sharp finishing complemented by link-up play.

For Newcastle, his combination of goals, presence, and experience at the top level makes him the kind of striker who can instantly adapt – crucial for a side that cannot afford a bedding-in period so close to the start of the season.

Shades of Salomón Rondón

It’s impossible to discuss Mateta’s potential arrival without drawing parallels to Salomón Rondón, who arrived at St James’ Park on loan from West Brom in 2018 at the same age and in similar circumstances.

Like Mateta, Rondón was a big, strong centre-forward who led the line with a mixture of power, tenacity, and underrated technical ability.

Rondón’s lone season under Rafa Benítez remains one of the most fondly remembered campaigns by Newcastle fans in recent years.

He scored 11 goals in 32 league appearances, won 146 of his 380 aerial duels, and made himself a constant outlet for long balls and crosses.

His hold-up play brought others into the game, and his partnership with Ayoze Pérez was a driving force behind Newcastle’s survival.

A threat from set pieces and a defensive presence when called upon, making 38 clearances from such situations.

His creative contribution was notable too, registering six assists and often providing the final ball after holding off multiple defenders.

That all-round impact saw him named Newcastle’s Player of the Year in 2019, the first forward to win the award since Alan Shearer in 2003.

Mateta offers a similar skill set.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 72nd percentile for progressive carries per 90 (1.53), 77th percentile for non-penalty expected goals per shot (0.18), and 68th percentile for passes into the final third (1.16).

Perhaps most impressively, he sits in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons that lead directly to a goal (0.10 per 90), showing that for all his physical strength, he also has the technical skill to beat his man and create decisive moments.

While Rondón thrived on Benítez’s structured approach, Mateta could benefit from Howe’s quicker, more transition-heavy style.

Using his frame to win duels high up the pitch and his mobility to get on the end of cutbacks from the likes of Gordon and Elanga.

The timing is another echo of 2018. Back then, Newcastle needed a ready-made forward to slot in and deliver instantly.

Now, with Isak seemingly determined to dig his heels in and the season about to begin, the requirement is just as urgent.

Mateta’s experience in the Premier League means he could hit the ground running, avoiding the adaptation period often needed for strikers arriving from abroad.

At £40m, he would be a significant investment, but one that could pay immediate dividends in goals and physical presence.

For a club aiming to compete on multiple fronts, having a striker who can shoulder the attacking burden could make all the difference.

If Howe does get his man, Newcastle supporters might once again find themselves cheering for a number nine whose blend of goals and graft embodies the club’s fighting spirit.

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By
Will Miller

Aug 13, 2025