Nottingham Forest’s plans for the transfer window suffered a dent after Nuno Espírito Santo’s side lost out in the race for Champions League qualification, instead settling for Conference League place, but Evangelos Marinakis and co appear determined to bolster the squad.

Nottingham Forest's transfer plans after Champions League blow

While missing out on a place in world football’s most prestigious competition, not to mention a spot in the Europa League, came as a sour end to an otherwise overachieving campaign at Forest, this year’s Premier League underdogs are still preparing for a European adventure next season.

Approach made: Nottingham Forest enquire to sign "underrated" £20m forward

The Tricky Trees are now making moves for a forward, having recently stepped up their pursuit.

ByDominic Lund May 28, 2025

According to an in-depth analysis of the club’s transfer plans by Telegraph reporter John Percy, Forest are targeting at least five new signings this summer as they seek to build off what was a very promising 2024/2025 overall.

Marinakis and co are extremely eager to back Nuno in the market, with the Telegraph reporting they’ll aim to recruit players who are valued around the £20-30 million mark.

Nottingham Forest’s rumoured transfer targets this summer

Target

Current club

Position

Taty Castellanos

Lazio

Striker

Jarell Quansah

Liverpool

Centre-back

Martin Baturina

Dinamo Zagreb

Attacking midfield

Adrien Truffert

Rennes

Left-back

James McAtee

Man City

Attacking midfield

While Forest are not under any pressure to sell players to appease PSR, with their balance sheet described as being in a “healthy state” (John Percy), star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White could still be sold amid links to Man City.

Gibbs-White’s sale could fetch at least £70 million for Forest, which would go a long way to improving Nuno’s first-team in other areas, and the manager has already confirmed that City Ground officials will be working to recruit fresh blood ahead of next term.

“People in the club are dealing with next season, not us as coaching staff,” said Nuno when asked about Forest’s plans for the summer.

“This moment requires everything that you have for the responsibilities ahead of us. The recruitment staff and scouting team will be working on that and there will be the right moment to speak and sit down.”

Defensively, Forest are keen to bring in a left-back to assist this season’s breakout star Neco Williams (The Telegraph), and the addition of another centre-back cannot be ruled out either.

Nottingham Forest make offer for Botafogo defender Jair

According to South American news outlet GE Globo and their reporter Jessica Maldonado, Botafago defender Jair Cunha is attracting serious interest from Forest.

Nuno’s side have already submitted a proposal for their striker, Igor Jesus, and they’re now pursuing his central defensive teammate.

The outlet reports that Nottingham Forest have made an offer to sign Jair, and while they cannot disclose the amount, it comes in at above £11.5 million – which is the amount Botafogo paid Santos to sign the 20-year-old back in February.

As the Brazilian club reportedly evaluate this bid, it is worth noting that Jair has drawn comparisons to Liverpool legend Virgil van Dijk, and he’s described by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig as a “complete, dominant, and elegant central defender”.

He’s also able to play as both a right and left centre-back as part of a four-man defensive line, with Jair towering over most of his teammates at 6 foot 3.

The Brazilian is highly-rated and could come as an excellent back-up option behind the likes of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.

This summer is a huge one for Nottingham Forest if they are to sustain the success they’ve enjoyed throughout the 2024/25 campaign under Nuno Espírito Santo.

The Reds are still in with a huge opportunity to secure Champions League football, whilst also reaching the FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 1991.

Such achievements would’ve been laughed at during the start of the season, especially after the club only just managed to stay in the Premier League in the two previous campaigns.

However, signings are needed in all areas of the pitch to hand Nuno the depth and quality he needs to balance the side in the league and in European competitions next season.

With the transfer window rapidly approaching, numerous names have already appeared on their radar, with multiple being strongly linked with a summer switch to the City Ground.

The latest on Forest’s hunt for new signings this summer

Wolves star Matheus Cunha was Forest’s main target during the January transfer window, with his name remerging as a possible target for the summer market in recent weeks.

However, a deal for the Brazilian now looks unlikely, with the attacker now looking almost certain to move to Manchester United after they held positive talks with his representatives.

Such a move has seen the Reds’ hierarchy shift their attention to other targets, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap the latest player they’re targeting, according to Football Insider.

The report claims that he’s seen as an excellent option in forward areas, potentially a cheaper alternative to other targets given his £30m relegation release clause.

It also confirms that Nuno’s side could offer regular minutes in Europe, which could hand them an advantage in the race to land his signature – but will have to work tirelessly given the interest from elsewhere.

Why Forest’s £30m target would be perfect with Gibbs-White

Over the last week or so, Forest fans have all been on edge after journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Manchester City were positive about completing a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White’s signature this summer.

However, the Reds are said to have placed a £100m price tag on his shoulders, showcasing how highly the club rates the star who cost them £44.5m in the summer of 2022.

Given his tally of 12 combined goals and assists this campaign, it’s no secret that he’s been one of the club’s most important players within attacking areas.

His underlying stats are just as impressive, creating 1.7 chances per 90 this campaign, along with 1.1 successful dribbles per 90 – subsequently able to progress the ball into forward areas.

He’s also completed 80% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst also completing 61% of his long passes – as seen by his extraordinary assist to Callum Hudson-Odoi against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Such figures could fall perfectly into the hands of Delap next campaign should he complete a switch to the East Midlands, potentially building on his excellent debut year in the Premier League.

He’s managed to achieve 1.2 shots on target per 90, whilst also completing 1.4 successful dribbles – able to play off the shoulder of the backline, handing the Reds an added dimension at the top end of the pitch.

Games played

34

Goals scored

12

Shots on target per 90

1.2

Successful dribbles

1.4

Fouls won

1.8

Aerials won

2.1

Duels won

5.5

The 22-year-old has also won 1.8 fouls per game, along with 2.1 aerials won per 90 – handing the club the perfect all-round option in attacking areas to help balance the load between current talisman Chris Wood.

Delap, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by teammate Jens Cajuste, has the ability to progress under Nuno’s guidance, potentially being the club’s main centre forward for many years to come.

His pace and power are a real bonus for the Reds, handing them an option they’ve desperately lacked throughout the majority of the campaign despite their success.

If they are to be in Europe throughout 2025/26, they will need added quality, with Delap certainly providing that – but if they are to secure a deal for his services, they will need to act quickly to avoid losing him to a rival.

Marinakis pushing: £25m+ Nottingham Forest target now keen to complete move

Marinakis could get his man…

ByTom Cunningham May 7, 2025

It has been a strange season in front of goal for Chelsea in the Premier League in 2024/25. The Blues are one of the highest scoring teams in the top flight this term, with 62 goals to their name, bettered by just five times. However, only Liverpool, with 81 goals, have scored more than 67.

So, in that sense, it has not been too bad for the Blues. Yet, they have still underperformed their expected goals, as per Understat. That metric suggests the West London outfit are almost eight goals short of what they should have, with an expected goals tally of 69.87xG.

With that in mind, it might not come as much of a surprise that Chelsea are chasing a striker in the summer window.

The latest on Chelsea’s move for a striker

One player who seems to be a target for several of the elite sides in the Premier League is RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The 21-year-old has impressed once again for the Bundesliga side this term, and could be subject to a transfer this summer.

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 a report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are one of the sides thought to be ‘preparing’ a bid for the Slovenian international, and they are believed to ‘consider Sesko a top target’ going into the 2025 window.

However, they are not going to be alone in the race for the striker. Sesko, valued as high as £76m by Leipzig, is a wanted man in the Premier League.

Chelsea’s “Big Six” rivals, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all linked with a summer move for the striker. Outside of the Premier League, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain want to sign the Slovenian.

Why Sesko would be a good signing

It has been an impressive campaign for 21-year-old striker Sesko. He has played an important role for Leipzig across all competitions, leading the line alone or in a front two. He has even played as a second striker and attacking midfielder at times.

In total, the Leipzig number 30 has played 43 games in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and registering six assists. That includes 13 goals and five assists in 31 appearances in the Bundesliga this term.

One of the eye-catching things about the Slovenian attacker is his consistency in front of goal. In the German top flight this term, he has never gone on a run of more than four games without a goal, showing how regularly he can find the back of the net.

Sesko certainly has a unique profile, and is someone who football talent scout Jacek Kulig described as a “complete CF”. His ability to score goals consistently and play in a two-man strike partnership speaks volumes about his quality.

If the Blues do bring Sesko to Stamford Bridge, they might have a player in the squad who can upgrade on Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal international has struggled for consistent form this term for the Blues, despite being the first-choice striker at Stamford Bridge.

In 29 Premier League games this season, Jackson has found the back of the net on ten different occasions. However, he has recently broken a Premier League goal drought of 12 games thanks to a goal in a 1-0 win over Everton, which came either side of an injury.

Indeed, there are stats via FBref that suggest Sesko is an upgrade on Jackson. For example, the Leipzig man averages 0.38 goals per shot on target per 90 minutes, compared to 0.29 goals per shot on target each game by Jackson.

Sesko & Jackson key stats compared
Stat (per 90)	Sesko	Jackson
Goals per shot on target	0.38	0.29
Progressive passes	1.72	1.52
Goal-creating actions	0.35	0.41
Progressive carries	1.8	1.89
Aerial duels won	2.66	0.78
Stats from FBref

Make no mistake about it, a deal to sign Sesko this summer will be an expensive one. However, he could be the answer to Chelsea’s occasional struggles in front of goal, and he is more consistent than Jackson across a whole season.

Although £76m is a lot of money, this seems like a deal that Chelsea could do to help improve their fortunes from a goal-scoring point of view.

Even better than Hato: Chelsea plotting bid to sign £42m "freak technician"

Chelsea are looking to upgrade their options at the back

By
Joe Nuttall

May 7, 2025

Celtic missed out on the chance to secure a domestic treble on Saturday after they lost on penalties to Aberdeen at Hampden Park in the final of the SFA Cup.

The Hoops had already won the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup earlier this term, but they failed to make it three out of three with a win over the Dons.

Captain Callum McGregor, who lost his first-ever domestic final with the club, and right-back Alistair Johnston both missed from the spot to hand Aberdeen the win.

Why Kasper Schmeichel will be disappointed

McGregor and Johnston were not the only players to blame for Celtic not winning the SFA Cup, though, as the game only went to penalties in the first place because it was a draw in regulation time.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Kasper Schmeichel will be particularly disappointed with the role that he played in Aberdeen’s equaliser, after an own goal from Alfie Dorrington had put the Hoops ahead.

The Danish titan tried to anticipate where the cross was going to land by diving out into the box to palm the ball away, only to inadvertently palm the ball backwards and into his own net for an own goal.

Schmeichel was given a 6/10 player rating by 67HailHail, who described his part in the equaliser as a ‘rare, but terrible, mistake’ from the goalkeeper.

The veteran goalkeeper, however, was not the player who ultimately cost Celtic the treble, because Daizen Maeda had the chance to make up for the shot-stopper’s mistake in the dying embers of injury time.

Why Daizen Maeda cost Celtic the treble

The Japan international cost Brendan Rodgers the treble with his huge miss in injury time at the end of the 90 minutes, as he raced clear through on goal with a chance to make it 2-1.

Aberdeen would have had very, very, little time to find an equaliser had the forward taken his chance, but he fired a fairly tame effort at Dimitar Mitov after going through for a one-on-one opportunity.

Maeda, who BBC commentator Liam McLeod stated “reminds you of a wasp” because of his buzzing presence as a pressing forward, worked ever so hard during the game to close down defenders and make life difficult for Aberdeen.

However, the striker, who was given a 5/10 player rating and dubbed ‘wasteful’ by 67HailHail, let his side down in the crucial moment with a huge miss that ultimately cost Celtic the treble.

Appearances

34

Goals

16

Big chances missed

17

Conversion rate

28%

Goals from shots inside the box

16/55

Goals from shots outside the box

0/2

As you can see in the table above, Maeda’s finishing has been fairly inconsistent throughout the season, with more ‘big chances’ missed than goals scored in the league, so his miss at Hampden Park may not have come as the biggest surprise.

He was worse than Schmeichel, though, because the striker had the opportunity to seal the game and atone for the goalkeeper’s mistake by scoring his huge chance, and failed to do so.

Celtic have been backed to make stunning move for 20 y/o "superstar"

This would be a great piece of business.

ByHenry Jackson May 24, 2025

There is no doubt that Maeda had a phenomenal campaign, scoring 33 goals in all competitions, and it is a shame that it has come to an end on a bit of a sour note with that performance that cost Rodgers a first domestic treble since returning to Parkhead.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta “loves” one Barcelona star and believes he’d be a cracking addition to the Gunners squad, according to reports, but he faces competition from a direct Premier League rival in pursuit of the player.

Josh Kroenke promises Arsenal investment this summer

Before their 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday, co-chair Josh Kroenke addressed supporters on the disappointment of finishing second in the Premier League yet again.

Related Talks advancing: Arsenal pushing to sign "deadly" £65m Premier League star

The Gunners are making progress in their pursuit of a forward, who has enjoyed a fantastic 2024-25 campaign.

Posts ByDominic Lund May 19, 2025

In quotes taken from Arsenal’s matchday programme, Kroenke also promised fans that there will be investment into the squad this summer, as the north Londoners look to end their 22-year wait for a domestic top flight crown.

“We all want to win it,” said Kroenke.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

“We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season. Ultimately, we all want the same thing. We’re as hungry for success as you are and that goes for everyone who works for the club.”

That pledge is already being answered, as Arsenal are widely believed to have agreed a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with reports from both abroad and England strongly suggesting that Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres could be Andrea Berta’s second summer capture after the Spain midfielder.

Arsenal are apparently keen to strengthen across the board, particularly in the attacking areas, with Berta and co targeting a right-winger, left-winger and striker (GiveMeSport).

Mikel Arteta "loves" Ferran Torres and wants him at Arsenal

One man who can play out wide and through the middle as a centre-forward is ex-Man City starlet Ferran Torres. The £161,000-per-week Barça attacker boasts 19 goals from 45 appearances in all competitions under Hansi Flick this season, leaving little wonder both Arteta and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery are particularly keen.

That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who told The Boot Room that Arteta is a big fan of Torres and ideally wants him at Arsenal.

“Firstly, with Ferran Torres’ situation — Mikel Arteta loves Torres from his time at City, and he knows how City highly rated him,” said Bailey.

“Arteta knows what Torres could bring to Arsenal, but he’s not the only manager who likes him. Villa like Torres and so does Unai Emery.

“But my information is that Torres still has no intention of leaving Barcelona. Hansi Flick has used him quite a bit this season, but even when he hasn’t been playing in the past, he didn’t want to leave Barcelona.”

The 25-year-old appears more likely than not to remain at the Camp Nou, which is a crying shame when factoring in just how much he could reinforce Arsenal’s ranks.

Arteta is known to value versatility in any player, and Torres has featured on both the right and left-hand side whilst also operating as an out-and-out striker when required across 2024/2025.

This summer is a huge one for Leeds United, with multiple key additions needed across the squad to bolster the ranks and give them the best chance of Premier League survival.

Daniel Farke has done an excellent job in leading the club out of the Championship, but the real test starts now for the German to build on the success he’s endured in his two years in the role.

It’s been reported that he will have around £100m available to make the additions he wants to the first-team squad at Elland Road, hopefully aiding him in his attempts.

However, to make room for such signings, other players currently on the books in Yorkshire may have to be sacrificed to help with the overhaul of the squad.

One player could be set to depart the Whites in the coming months, potentially putting an end to his long-standing stint as a first-team regular at the club.

The latest on Patrick Bamford’s future at Leeds

Striker Patrick Bamford has been a superb servant to Leeds over the years, netting a total of 60 goals since his big-money arrival from Middlesbrough back in the summer of 2018.

However, he’s missed a large chunk of 2024/25 through injury, restricting him to just 17 league appearances – none of which have come from a starting position.

The 31-year-old has also failed to find the back of the net once across all competitions during the recent season, but hasn’t deterred Wrexham from previously being interested in hanging the experienced ace.

He was utilised as a late substitute towards the back end of the campaign after recovering from injury, but given the promotion to the Premier League, now is the perfect time to part ways with the striker.

It would be an emotional departure given his previous impact in England’s top-flight for the Whites, but ultimately it’s a decision that needs to be made, potentially being joined by another player out of the door in Yorkshire.

Not just Bamford: £20k-per-week Leeds man also needs to leave

The previous six promoted teams from the Championship have all been relegated from the Premier League at the first attempt – highlighting the gap between the two divisions.

Such situations have proven that huge money needs to be spent to bridge the gap between the two divisions, with the Whites not able to carry any passengers in such a league.

It’s an unforgiving league which will punish you if you’re not at your best, something which the club have previously experienced after relegation back in 2022/23.

If they are to be a success, they will have to be brutal and avoid handing a new contract to full-back Sam Byram despite his impressive campaign under Farke this time around.

The 31-year-old, who joined on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, has made 76 appearances during his second stint at Elland Road, offering a dependable option in the backline.

However, ultimately, he’s not a Premier League player, with funds needing to be spent wisely if they are to have the calibre of players needed to avoid relegation.

The £20k-per-week earner has started 16 league matches in 2024/25, registering one goal and one assist, but given his £20k-per-week wages, the hierarchy could save £1m a season to invest in other areas with his departure.

Sam Byram’s stats for Leeds in the Championship (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Appearances	36
Starts	16
Pass accuracy	83%
Goals & assists	2
Tackles won	1.2
Duel success rate	55%
Fouls committed	1.2
Stats via FotMob

His contract is set to expire at the end of June, with such a situation providing a timely ending to his time in Yorkshire, allowing for fresh blood to enter the club and improve the squad.

It may prove to be an unpopular decision given his squad role under Farke, but unfortunately for Byram, he’s been a victim of their success this season.

He and Bamford departing the club would allow for space and money in the first-team squad, handing Farke added funds to build a competitive outfit for England’s top-flight next year.

Perfect for James: 49ers want to sign "outstanding" PL star for Leeds

Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be perfect for Dan James.

By
Dan Emery

May 14, 2025

Sunderland are now “increasingly likely” to complete the signing of a defender in the summer transfer window, according to a promising transfer update.

Le Bris bullish about Sunderland's summer

The Black Cats are still basking in the glory of being promoted back to the Premier League from the Championship amid joyous scenes at Wembley last month. Regis Le Bris made it clear that he is already focusing on new signings, however, saying how he expects the summer to pan out at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have been linked with a move for young Liverpool striker Jayden Danns, with talks even reportedly held over a move to the club. The Englishman joined the Black Cats on loan in January, but a back injury put paid to his chances of even playing a single minute.

Elsewhere, former defender Wes Brown has also talked up Sunderland’s chances of bringing Jordan Henderson back to his old club: “Going back to Sunderland would make sense. He’d understand that he might not play every week, but when needed, definitely show the heart.”

Sunderland "increasingly likely" to sign defender

According to Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Sunderland are now “increasingly likely” to have a chance of signing Reims defender Cedric Kipre, as he expects to leave his current club this summer. Le Bris is thought to consider the 28-year-old a “serious option” for his side, no doubt knowing that he needs to bolster his defence ahead of the return to the Premier League.

Kipre is a player who already has a wealth of experience in British football, having racked up a total of 206 appearances in the Championship and Scottish Premiership combined after leaving PSG’s academy, during spells with the likes of Wigan Athletic, West Brom, Cardiff City and Motherwell.

He won the Baggies Supporters’ Player of the Season award in 2023/24, starting all 46 matches in the Championship and averaging 3.6 clearances and 2.3 aerial duel wins per game in the competition that year.

This all highlights what a strong option Kipre could be for Sunderland, even though he hasn’t yet played in the Premier League, with his experience of Ligue 1 no doubt helping him.

Related Sunderland to hold talks over move for "brilliant" Premier League forward

The Black Cats are making moves ahead of their top-flight return.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Jun 1, 2025

The Ivorian could provide great competition for minutes to the likes of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien, potentially even being a starter from the off, and the fact that his exit from Reims looks likely could only be a good thing for the Black Cats.

The summer transfer window does not officially open for business until next month, but that has not stopped Leeds United from being linked to several players ahead of their Premier League campaign.

Daniel Farke and his staff will know that they need to recruit well to give themselves a chance of staying in the top-flight, given that the last six teams to get promoted to the division have all been instantly relegated.

Galatasaray star Gabriel Sara, who previously played for Farke’s former team Norwich, has been linked with a move to Elland Road to bolster the club’s options in the middle of the park.

In midfield, the Whites have also been linked with an interest in West Ham United’s Czechia international Tomas Soucek, as they look for Premier League experience and quality.

On that theme, it was recently reported that Leeds United are leading the race to sign Newcastle United’s experienced centre-forward Callum Wilson on a free transfer this summer.

Why Leeds United should sign Callum Wilson

As aforementioned with Soucek, Leeds may want to add quality and experience to their squad to bolster their chances of avoiding an instant relegation back down to the Championship next season.

Wilson has made 238 appearances in the Premier League in his career, for Bournemouth and Newcastle combined, which means that he would arrive at Elland Road with plenty of relevant experience ahead of their fight to avoid the drop.

The England international was even relegated with the Cherries in the 2019/20 campaign and knows what not to do in a relegation battle, which could also be vital experience and learning for the current crop of players.

Experience is not the only thing that Wilson would bring to the table if the 49ers strike a deal to sign him from the Magpies, though, as he is also a proven goalscorer who has shown that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis in the Premier League throughout his career.

24/25

2

0

23/24

9

9

22/23

21

18

21/22

16

8

20/21

23

12

19/20

32

8

18/19

29

14

17/18

23

8

16/17

16

6

15/16

9

5

As you can see in the table above, the 33-year-old attacker has had a difficult season this year, with a lack of starts due to Alexander Isak being ahead of him, but he has typically scored goals when given starts at that level, with 27 goals in his last 32 starts.

His best season in a Newcastle shirt came in the 2022/23 campaign when he scored 18 goals from 17.49 xG in 31 appearances and 21 starts in the top-flight.

This shows that Wilson could bring both experience and quality to the Leeds team in the Premier League next season, which is why the 49ers should push to bring the English forward to Elland Road this summer.

If the owners are able to pull off a free transfer swoop for the clinical Newcastle striker, though, it could be the end of Patrick Bamford’s career in West Yorkshire.

Why Wilson signing would be the end of Bamford at Leeds

The 31-year-old striker would be absolutely finished at Elland Road if the 49ers sign Wilson this summer, because the Magpies forward would take up his role in the squad.

He still has one year left on his contract at Leeds, which means that a team would have to come in and pay a transfer fee to sign him this summer, and the attacker recently suggested that he sees his future in the Premier League with the Whites.

When questioned about a move to the MLS, Bamford said: “I feel like playing in the Premier League suits me a little bit more. Last time round I did pretty well when I was there. So I’m hoping to emulate that and try and do the same again.”

However, the former England international did not start any of his 17 appearances in the Championship for Leeds in the 2024/25 campaign, despite Farke describing him as a “top class” player, which does not suggest that he will play a key role moving forward.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Bamford is essentially the experienced back-up striker in the squad at the moment, given that he turns 32 in September and has played 102 matches in the top-flight in his career, as he has not provided enough quality on the pitch in recent seasons.

Since scoring an eye-catching 17 goals in the Premier League in the 2020/21 campaign under Marcelo Bielsa, the English forward has failed to deliver consistent quality in the final third for the Whites.

24/25 (Championship)

17

0

2.11

0

23/24 (Championship)

33

15

9.52

8

22/23 (Premier League)

28

18

8.61

4

21/22 (Premier League)

9

7

N/A

2

20/21 (Premier League)

38

37

N/A

17

As you can see in the table above, Bamford has only scored 14 league goals in the last four seasons and underperformed his xG in the three seasons that Sofascore has tracked data for that statistic.

Meanwhile, Wilson has scored 35 Premier League goals for Newcastle in the last four campaigns, which illustrates the gulf in quality between the two players, particularly when you consider that half of Bamford’s seasons came in the second tier.

This means that Wilson would come in as an immediate upgrade on Bamford from a footballing perspective, because of his superior goal return whilst playing at a higher level, and that would make him more of a viable option in the top-flight next term.

The Newcastle star would also bring more experience to the table, as he has played over 100 more matches in the Premier League, and this means that the Leeds target could fulfill the experienced back-up striker role far more effectively than the former Chelsea prospect can.

Now worth more than Ampadu: Leeds must rue letting go of a "monster" for £0

The former Leeds United defender is now worth even more than Ethan Ampadu.

ByDan Emery May 19, 2025

Therefore, there would not be any need for Bamford at Elland Road next season if the 49ers sign Wilson, who is essentially an upgraded version of the English striker, and that is why his career at the club could be absolutely finished if the Newcastle man arrives in West Yorkshire this summer.

An “unbelievable” Liverpool player is reportedly in talks over a move to a top Saudi Pro League club, amid rumours of Bernardo Silva’s transfer there collapsing.

Man City plan to recapture title from Liverpool

The Reds managed to wrestle the Premier League title away from Manchester City in 2024/25, ending their spell of dominance in the competition. It looks as though Pep Guardiola’s side will be back stronger next term, however, not only because of Rodri being fit again, but also due to some top-quality signings.

Guardiola himself has been coy about his team’s chances of challenging Liverpool again, but it could also be construed as mind games from the Spaniard.

“We are miles away from Liverpool. That is the reality. I have a feeling next season will be better but I don’t know how we will react after the Club World Cup. We will be exhausted without a holiday before next season. We have to rise and increase our level otherwise we will not compete to fight for the titles. But if we are fit, we will try and we will be closer.”

City look to be bringing in the likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, from Wolves, AC Milan and Lyon respectively, with Liverpool’s rivals meaning serious business, snapping up talented young players and moving on some of their older stars.

Kevin De Bruyne has departed after a legendary spell at the Etihad, and there has also been talk of Silva sealing a move to Saudi side Al-Hilal, having been offered a £500,000-a-week deal in the Middle East before. The likes of Ederson, Kyle Walker, and Jack Grealish may not have futures in the northwest, either.

Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)

24

Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan)

26

Rayan Cherki (Lyon)

21

Man City’s potential summer exits

Age

Ederson

31

Bernardo Silva

30

Jack Grealish

29

"Unbelievable" Liverpool ace in talks over exit

According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez’s representatives are now in talks with Al-Hilal, with Bernardo’s move there about to fall through.

Nunez has been a popular figure among Liverpool fans during his time at the club, with Ally McCoist quick to praise his assist to Harvey Elliott away to Paris Saint-Germain last season.

“Unbelievable football from Darwin Nunez, because nine times out of ten he hits this. He doesn’t, he takes the right option. Watch Nunez, usually he pulls the trigger there, it looks a simple pass and it is but it’s there to hit first time, that’s the secret of it.”

Despite this, an upgrade on Nunez has to be found by Liverpool this summer, with a stunning move for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak even mooted. The Uruguayan’s finishing leaves a lot to be desired, as does his general football intelligence.

With Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz looking likely to join Jeremie Frimpong at Anfield, signing an elite No.9 would make it the perfect summer window for the Reds.

Liverpool could sign £70m PL star who's England's answer to Wirtz

Liverpool could unearth England’s answer to Florian Wirtz by signing this £70m-rated star.

ByDan Emery Jun 9, 2025

Ultimately, Nunez’s time at Liverpool has been disappointing, and if they can receive a hefty fee from Al-Hilal, they should take the money and run.

Part and parcel of promotion to the Premier League is the reality that some players are not going to be a part of Leeds United’s future beyond this summer.

Players who did not play regularly in the Championship may not be suited to playing in the top-flight, given that they were not deemed good enough at a lower level, and that is why Patrick Bamford could be in trouble.

The English forward only played 17 times in the league in the 2024/25 season, coming off the bench in all of those outings, and failed to provide a single goal or assist to the team.

No final decision on his future has been communicated by the club or player, but his lack of minutes last season does not suggest that he is likely to be a key player in the top-flight next term.

Transfer Focus

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

Meanwhile, another member of Daniel Farke’s first-team squad has already revealed that the club have made a decision on his future at Elland Road.

Max Wober's statement on his Leeds future

Whilst on international duty with Austria, central defender Max Wober has confirmed that the Premier League side have told him to leave during the summer transfer window, as they want to cash in on him.

He told Krone: “Leeds have already told me clearly that they want to sell me.”

Wober’s contract at Elland Road does not expire until the summer of 2027, though, so a team will have to come in with an offer to sign him if they want to move on from the Austrian flop on a permanent basis.

Leeds paid a reported fee of £11m to sign the left-footed dud from RB Salzburg in January 2023, under Jesse Marsch, but it remains to be seen how much of that fee the club would want back for him.

Why Wober must go before Bamford

The West Yorkshire outfit must push the Austria international out of the door at Elland Road this summer before Bamford because he does not, on paper, look to be a player who will provide much value to the squad.

Wober, who was described as “half-hearted” and “slow” against Hull by pundit Tony Dorigo, only played eight times in the Championship this season, playing half as many matches as the striker, and endured a rough time in the Premier League last time out.

Appearances

16

Starts

14

Clean sheets

2

Dribbled past

8x

Duel success rate

53%

Penalties committed

1

Error led to shot

1

As you can see in the table above, the Austrian flop played for Leeds in the second half of their relegation season and failed to step up, with two clean sheets in 16 games.

These statistics, coupled with his lack of minutes this term, suggest that he is unlikely to make the step up to the Premier League, which is why it is a good decision by the club to tell him to move on.

Bamford, meanwhile, may not be a frontline option for Leeds, given his struggles this season, but he is an experienced player who could provide value off the bench and around the squad.

The 31-year-old striker has scored 24 goals and provided 14 assists in 104 Premier League games in his career, including 17 goals in the 2020/21 campaign under Marcelo Bielsa.

Bamford has been there and done it in the top-flight in the past and could impart his experience and wisdom to the younger and less experienced members of the squad as a back-up option next season.

That is not to say that Leeds must keep the striker at Elland Road, as a move for him to go and play regular football could still suit all parties, but he has more to offer the team than Wober, who does not have any past success in the Premier League.

Shades of Haaland: Leeds in contact to sign "seriously impressive" striker

Leeds United’s search for a new centre-forward continues, ahead of their Premier League return

ByRobbie Walls Jun 8, 2025

Therefore, Leeds should make selling Wober a big priority this summer, whilst they can afford to be relaxed about Bamford and his situation.