Newcastle United are keen on completing the loan signing of a player who has been described as “unplayable”, according to a new update from reliable journalist Sam Lee.
Newcastle prepare for final Champions League push
The Magpies have two games remaining in the Premier League this season, as they look to secure a place back in the Champions League, which would be huge for the club, allowing them to target top players in the summer transfer window.
Not only that, but victory away to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon would actually see Newcastle leapfrog the Gunners into second place in the table heading into the final round of fixtures of the campaign, which would be an amazing achievement.
Newcastle United manager EddieHowebefore the match
Eddie Howe is well aware that nothing has been sealed yet, though, stressing the importance of his players remaining focused after last weekend’s crucial 2-0 win at home to Chelsea.
“The crowd were up for the game, the atmosphere was amazing. We’re on the road to what we want to do this season, but there’s still a lot of work to do and two tough fixtures to play. The size of the prize is huge, the players are aware of that. There was a worry when we won the trophy [League Cup] that there would be a negative consequence of that, but I think it actually gave us confidence.”
Newcastle keen on signing £100m ace on loan
Now, according to The Athletic‘s Lee, Newcastle United are among the clubs who are “interested” in signing Jack Grealish on loan this summer. The 29-year-old has struggled for playing time at Manchester City this season and a move away on a temporary basis is possible, with the report stating he “could leave” the Etihad before next season.
Grealish arguably hasn’t justified the £100m that City paid for his services back in 2021, even though he has won three Premier League titles and one Champions League crown, among other trophies. A tally of 17 goals in 156 appearances far from an impressive return for an attacking wide player.
That said, the England international’s maverick style has arguably been stifled a little by Pep Guardiola, who has made him a less entertaining player to watch, and he could be keen for a fresh challenge in order to express himself more, with Rio Ferdinand heaping praise on him in the past.
The fact that Newcastle would be signing Grealish on loan would take out some of the risk element, and he has the ability to provide great competition on the left flank, as well as being able to shine as a No.10.
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1 ByDominic Lund May 15, 2025
Admittedly, he does turn 30 later this year, and some may argue that his peak has passed, but he is the type of footballer who Magpies supporters warm to, given his direct style of play and the way he could light up St James’ Park.
Looking towards the summer transfer window, Aston Villa have now reportedly joined the race to sign a 15-goal striker alongside a number of their Premier League rivals.
Aston Villa's UCL hopes still alive
With two Premier League games remaining, Aston Villa still have some hope of qualifying for the Champions League. They need Chelsea, Newcastle United or Manchester City to slip up, but must do their own job to stand a chance.
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ByRoss Kilvington May 9, 2025
They did their bit on Saturday night after seeing off Bournemouth away from home, winning 1-0 thanks to Ollie Watkins’ strike and some heroic defending, despite a late red card for Jacob Ramsey.
Victory at Bournemouth means that Villa have put the pressure firmly on rivals Nottingham Forest, while they are now poised to pounce following Man City’s draw at Southampton and ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle.
By qualifying for the Champions League, Villa would instantly ease any financial concerns and be in a position to compete for some of Europe’s most interesting talents in the transfer market once again. And that could yet see a Champions League finalist make his way to the Midlands.
Aston Villa join Goncalo Ramos race
According to CaughtOffside, Aston Villa have now joined the hectic race to sign Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. The forward is reportedly open to leaving the French champions in a bid to gain a starting role elsewhere.
Sparking interest from Villa, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle among others, the Portugal international, who shares an agent with Marco Asensio, isn’t exactly short on suitors.
Amid recent rumours that Chelsea and others are interested in signing Ollie Watkins this summer, Ramos could emerge as an ideal option for those at Villa Park.
Even without consistent starts at PSG, the 23-year-old has showcased his quality by scoring an impressive 15 goals in all competitions following their Champions League semi-final victory over Arsenal in midweek.
After an “outrageous” start to his Portugal career, according to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ramos will be desperate to take his international form to club level on a more consistent basis this summer – something that Aston Villa could yet offer him.
Manchester United are now preparing a cut-price offer to sign a £60 million striker who Arsenal are in the lead for, according to a new report.
Hojlund edges closer to Man Utd exit as Red Devils eye new attackers
There are expected to be a lot of changes at Old Trafford this summer, but none seem as important as strengthening the forward line. United have been one of the poorest teams in the Premier League this season for taking chances and scoring goals, and Ruben Amorim knows that this will need to change if he is going to be successful at the club.
Juventus take "concrete steps" to sign "top class" £85k-a-week Man Utd ace
Is it the right time for him to move on?
ByHenry Jackson May 5, 2025
Rasmus Hojlund has been a regular in the United team this season, but his lack of contribution in the final third means he could be on his way out the door this summer. According to a recent report, Serie A giants Juventus have taken “concrete steps” to sign Hojlund by making contact with the Denmark international. It doesn’t say how much United would want for Hojlund, but his departure would allow the club to bring in replacements, with two players already on their radar.
Wolves’ Matheus Cunha appears to be edging closer and closer to moving to Old Trafford this summer, as talks continue over personal terms and the structure of the transfer. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are also planning a bid to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, a player who could either play as a number nine or number 10.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
This comes as United are also looking at possibly signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, who now has a release clause worth £30 million given the Tractor Boys’ relegation to the Championship.
Man Utd preparing cut-price offer to sign £55m+ striker Sesko
But the list of potential replacements for Hojlund does not stop there, as, according to Caught Offside, Man Utd are preparing to make an offer to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskoscores their first goal from the penalty spot
The report states that Leipzig have placed a value on Sesko of around €80–90 million, which is roughly £68-76 million. But United are looking to bring that fee down and are planning to make an offer in the region of €65–70 million, which is roughly £55-59 million. However, United are not the only team interested in Sesko, as Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are also preparing transfer offers.
It’s been reported that Arsenal are the team leading the race to sign Sesko, as they view the forward as the ideal addition to improve their forward line. However, it is not just English teams chasing the Leipzig striker, as teams such as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also very keen on Sesko.
Apps
85
Goals
39
Assists
8
Sesko, who has been dubbed a “quick” player, has been mightily impressive since joining Leipzig, and given how the campaign has gone for the German side this season, a move away for Sesko could be on the cards, given he will likely want to play at the highest level.
He could be a huge upgrade on Hojlund for Man Utd, as the 21-year-old has netted 43 goals in the last three Bundesliga seasons.
Liverpool clinched their 20th Premier League title on Sunday, thrashing Tottenham Hotspur to bestow upon Anfield the hometown celebrations they have craved for 35 years.
The wider squad came together in a huddle of pure joy as they danced across the pitch and celebrated in front of the wide-beaming supporters. However, one or two may have felt the niggling concern that this is their final trophy in a Liverpool shirt.
Diogo Jota, for example, sadly doesn’t look to have the same snap and athleticism he once had, the 28-year-old only scoring one goal across 15 appearances since recovering from muscular issues in January.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
But Darwin Nunez is the player widely expected to be leaving this summer, having fallen by the wayside after his club-record £85m move from Benfica in 2022, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the news on several occasions.
The club need a new star at number nine, but who that might be is as yet indeterminable.
24/25
43 (17)
7
7
22/23
54 (33)
18
15
21/22
42 (26)
15
4
One thing’s for sure, Liverpool miss Bobby Firmino in his pomp.
Why Liverpool miss Bobby Firmino
It was perhaps summed up best when Nunez was played through on goal and had the chance to add a sixth as Liverpool laid siege on Spurs’ flimsy defences and claimed the Premier League title.
The Uruguayan, drained of confidence after three testing years on Merseyside, opted against striking on goal himself, sealing some form of poetic justice in capping off the title-winning result, and instead played a pass across goal to the onrushing Salah.
Liverpool'sDarwinNunezreacts
Firmino would have played the pass with weighted perfection. Or, perhaps, he would have recognised that striking on goal himself was by far the best option, and done just that.
Nunez, sadly, lacks in temperament what he boasts in tenacity and toughness, and after Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot have failed to crack the nut, Firmino’s replacement is set to leave, with a new version of the silky Brazilian targeted once again.
While Firmino’s unique take on the striker’s game is not something readily replicable, FSG are looking to sign a player with a noteworthy technical quality, actually gearing up to hijack another club’s deal.
Liverpool ready to hijack deal for new centre forward
As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool are gearing up to land a hijack on Inter Milan this summer, with the Serie A title contenders pushing to sign Jonathan David when his contract at LOSC Lille expires this summer.
Inter presented their offer to David’s camp in March and are confident that they are getting closer toward an agreement, though the temptation of Saudi Arabian riches is there and Arsenal and West Ham United want to add him to their ranks too.
Lille'sJonathanDavidcelebrates scoring their fourth goal
While opting for a free transfer might feel somewhat deflating, David is a clinical striker with a ball-playing game that most strikers don’t boast. In that way, he could prove to be a Firmino-esque presence at number nine once again, albeit with a wildly different take.
Why Jonathan David would be perfect for Liverpool
David is a talented goalscorer, sure, but he’s also known to have a crisp and intelligent passing game. It’s one which could see him grow into a role as Slot’s very own version of Firmino, with Nunez having failed in his season-long audition for that role.
The 33-year-old didn’t score every game, but he was so important in engineering a sense of unmatched fluency, centred between Salah and Sadio Mane.
In David, Liverpool might find their best striker since the attacking maestro, one whose goalscoring skills are actually above those of both Firmino and Nunez. Indeed, since the Canadian star left Gent and signed for Lille back in 2020, he’s scored 109 goals and supplied 29 assists across 229 outings.
24/25
47
25
11
0.77
23/24
47
26
9
0.74
22/23
40
26
4
0.75
21/22
48
19
0
0.40
20/21
48
13
5
0.37
Still only 25, David has demonstrated incremental growth across his five campaigns in France, with his last three campaigns establishing him as a top-class goalscorer with creative qualities to applaud.
This newfound creativity is a product of his much-improved ball game. As per FBref, David actually ranks among the top 1% of centre-forwards across Europe over the past year for pass completion, with an average success rate of 83.4%.
Firmino had plenty of tricks and flicks, but David doesn’t embroider his football with such fleet feet. He’s more economical, but that suits Slot.
The Dutch tactician is sure to be looking for a striker with a proven track record in front of goal while adding a bit flair and, most importantly, coherence to the attacking ranks.
Nunez, for example, has completed just 68% of his passes over the past year, putting him among the bottom 35% of strikers for that metric.
When Canadian football expert Tony Marinaro described David as “one of the best strikers in the world” back in 2022, many undoubtedly scoffed at such a high-held opinion.
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But consistency is the key. Just ask Nunez, for his big Liverpool move has been derailed by a distinct lack of the stuff.
David has all the ingredients to become a success for the Anfield side. He’s scored ten goals in the Champions League already (including against Liverpool this season), having played just 18 matches.
The Canada international is athletic, powerful and pacy with a crispness in possession that Firmino would be proud of.
Oh, he’s not cut from the same cloth as Liverpool’s dazzler, but then no one is. But David has a style of play, and it’s an approach which really could work a treat for Slot’s title-winning side.
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Chelsea are now determined to win the race for a “decisive creator”, and they are readying a €30m (£26m) offer for his services, according to a report.
Blues pursuing new attacking midfielder
Throughout the campaign, Enzo Maresca’s side have largely done a good job crafting opportunities for Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in attack, having created 83 big chances in the Premier League, the joint-second highest total in the division.
Those figures suggest a lack of cutting edge from the strikers may be a problem for the Blues, so it is little wonder they are set to pursue a new striker in the summer transfer window, and they are now leading the race for Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy.
However, Maresca is also clearly keen to bring in a new playmaker this summer, with Lyon assist king Rayan Cherki among the potential targets, alongside Como’s Nico Paz, who has impressed manager Cesc Fàbregas with his performances in Italy this season.
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ByKelan Sarson Apr 21, 2025
There has now been a new update on Chelsea’s pursuit of Paz, with a report from Spain revealing the west Londoners are now readying a €30m (£26m) offer for the 20-year-old, as they are determined to win the race for his signature.
Doing so could be a tall order, however, with the Argentine attracting attention from some of Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid, who retain the option to re-sign their former player for the bargain fee of less than €10m (£8.6m), which could be appealing.
Como's Assane Diao,NicoPazand Maxence Caqueret celebrate their first goal
The report states the youngster has been one of the Serie A’s stars this season, so it is little wonder he has garnered interest from some European giants, and he is said to be a prime target for the Blues, whose model is built around signing young players.
"Decisive creator" Paz impressing in Italy
Although Real Madrid have a buy-back clause, they may be ruing the decision to let the Como star leave in the first place, given the level of his performances in the Serie A this season.
The Spain-born maestro has six goals and seven assists to his name in 30 appearances, and his displays have earned him a call-up to national side Argentina, setting up a goal on his debut against Bolivia back in October.
The starlet has developed a strong relationship with Como forward Assane Diao, and Ben Mattinson lauded him as a “decisive creator” after setting up the Senegal international’s goal in the 3-0 victory against Lecce last time out.
Paz’s performances for Como suggest he is now ready for a move to a top club, so it is exciting news that Chelsea are stepping up their transfer pursuit, but Real Madrid’s cheap buy-back clause could pose a major problem.
West Ham United have struggled this season in the Premier League, switching managers back in January in an attempt to save their season. However, the Hammers still sit 15th in the Premier League after 31 games played.
Defensively, West Ham have improved under Graham Potter, but this has affected their offensive purchase, scoring just six goals in their last six Premier League games. The Hammers also rank 15th for xG generated this season, with 44.42 xG across their 31 Premier League games so far.
Their striker issue is a well-documented one this season, with both Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug suffering from injuries, but this isn’t a new issue at the club, as the Hammers have struggled to nail down that number nine spot for some time.
West Ham's striker issues
In recent years, West Ham have had the likes of Sebastian Haller and Gianluca Scamacca join the club for big transfer fees, never really living up to the expectation, before leaving soon after to thrive elsewhere in Europe. These are just two examples of failed attempts by West Ham to address their need for a top-class number nine.
Haller was signed for around £45m, a club-record fee at the time, going on to make just 54 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals and providing one assist in his 3,681 minutes played.
Meanwhile, Scamacca cost the Hammers around £35.5m, making 27 appearances for the club, netting eight times in 1,342 minutes.
Former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller.
But perhaps one of their worst was the loan signing of Simone Zaza from Juventus in 2016. The Italian only made 11 appearances for the Hammers, scoring zero goals, providing zero assists and totaling just 572 minutes played, before being sent back to Italy at the end of the season.
West Ham's newest Zaza
West Ham have looked to address their striker issues with a loan signing once more, bringing Brighton striker Evan Ferguson to the club in the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old has made six appearances for Potter’s side, totaling 137 minutes played with zero goals or assists so far.
Minutes
45
Touches
20
Big Chances Missed
1
Shots
1
Accurate Passes
7/9
Ground Duels Won
2/5
Aerial Duels Won
0/1
Possession Lost
8
Tackles
1
The 20-year-old striker was taken off after just 45 minutes against Wolves in their 1-0 loss midweek, being replaced by summer signing, Fullkrug. Ferguson only managed 20 touches in the game, losing possession eight times and missing his only “big chance”, with The Athletic’s Carl Anka outlining the Irishman’s “unfortunate” decline of late.
Potter didn’t hide his frustration with the first-half performance, stating “we weren’t happy with the overall performance in the first half”. But he was quick to praise the man who replaced Ferguson, stating “you can see he gives us a different option which we haven’t had”.
That resulted in Ferguson ultimately proving an unused substitute for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth, with that man Fullkrug notably netting off the bench just after the hour mark. The Brighton man has then plummeted even further down the pecking order.
With games running out ahead of the climax of the campaign, this could prove to be yet another brief, unsuccessful loan swoop – much like the case of Zaza of before him.
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Newcastle United are now closely monitoring a “monster” forward, who has been likened to Sergio Aguero, having watched him in action recently, according to a report.
Newcastle ramping up summer transfer plans
As we enter April, and thus the business end of the Premier League season, Newcastle still have a lot to play for, with Champions League qualification still very much in their sights, having already made the 2024-25 campaign a memorable one by lifting the EFL Cup.
The type of summer transfer window the Magpies have is likely to hinge upon whether they qualify for Europe’s elite competition, given that it will enable them to attract some top players, but they have already started to work on some potential signings.
PIF have reportedly made a £50m+ offer for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, which may be difficult for the Reds to turn down, while they also hold an interest in teammate Diogo Jota, with some suggestions the Portugal international could be used as a makeweight in a deal for Alexander Isak.
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Jota is not the only forward in Eddie Howe’s sights, however, with a report from The Boot Room revealing scouts have now been sent to watch Besiktas’ Semih Kilicsoy, who helped his side to a 2-1 victory over rivals Galatasaray at the weekend.
Scouts from West Ham United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest were also in attendance, with Galatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz another player of interest to the English delegations.
The Magpies are said to be watching Kilicsoy closely, however, and with a busy transfer window planned on Tyneside, he could be in line for a move to St. James’ Park.
"Monster" Kilicsoy showing promising signs in Turkey
The report references the Besiktas winger’s nickname of the “Turkish Aguero”, and much like the Manchester City legend, his favoured position is striker, where he netted 11 goals in 23 Süper Lig appearances last term.
After showing signs of promise in a breakthrough campaign last season, however, the teenager hasn’t been quite as prolific this year, netting three league goals, although it must be noted he is still just 19.
As such, with Besiktas’ asking price allegedly dropping to just £12m, it could still be worth taking a risk on the Turkish youngster this summer, particularly considering he has received high praise from members of the media.
That said, Kilicsoy’s performances this season indicate he could take a little while to get to grips with the Premier League, so it could be worth Newcastle sending him out on loan, should they decide to pursue a deal this summer.
Arsenal’s fourth Premier League win in a row yesterday has seen the Gunners take a huge stride towards finally ending their drought for a league title.
Mikel Arteta’s men secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates – a result that takes his side four points clear at the summit.
It was far from a vintage display for the Spaniard’s outfit, but the manager will be pleased that his side managed to battle through the adversity and claim three more vital points.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres endured quiet afternoons in North London and were unable to add to their tallies in the 2025/26 campaign.
However, one player did manage to step up to the plate and produce the goods and subsequently pop up with the vital contribution yesterday afternoon.
Eberechi Eze’s display against Crystal Palace
Back in the summer transfer window, Arsenal forked out a fee in the region of £67.5m for the signature of Eberechi Eze – in an attempt to bolster their depth and quality in the final third.
Since arriving from Crystal Palace, the England international had only netted one goal, with such an effort coming against League One side Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.
Ahead of the clash, there was a sense of inevitability he would score against his former employers – and that he did, firing home a loose ball just minutes before half-time.
Alongside his first Premier League goal, Eze also impressed with his creativity, subsequently registering seven passes into the final third, which saw him create two chances in the process.
The 27-year-old also won five of the seven duels he entered, whilst also completing 100% of the duels he entered – producing a really impressive all-round showing in North London.
However, despite Eze’s showing, one other Gunner managed to impress in the triumph, with the regular starter now becoming one of the manager’s most important players.
The Arsenal star who’s becoming one of Arteta’s most important players
Gabriel has been one of Arsenal’s star men over the last couple of years, with his performances at both ends having a real impact on the club’s ability to challenge for a title.
The Brazilian’s showing against Palace yesterday was yet another example of his quality, with the centre-back hitting the woodwork and coming perilously close to his third goal of the campaign.
Out of possession, he led the Gunners to a sixth Premier League clean sheet of the campaign, after making six clearances and winning 100% of the ground duels he entered.
However, the 27-year-old isn’t alone in becoming a key man for Arteta, with midfielder Declan Rice producing a phenomenal display against Palace yesterday afternoon.
The Englishman had huge expectations placed upon him after his £105m transfer from West Ham United, but it’s safe to say he’s massively surpassed all of the supporters’ expectations.
He’s started all but one league game this campaign, with his showing against the Eagles one of his most impressive over the last couple of months.
Rice created three chances and made two tackles during the victory, both of which were the highest tallies of any player on the pitch throughout the 90-minute match.
Minutes played
82
Touches
72
Chances created
3
Tackles won
2
Passes completed
38
Passes into final third
12
Interceptions made
2
Aerials won
100%
Other figures, such as 38 passes completed, with 12 being into the final third, showcase his incredible composure with the ball to dictate the play at the heart of the side.
However, out of possession, the Englishman was just as impressive, as he made two interceptions and won 100% of the aerial duels he entered against Oliver Glasner’s men.
To top off his excellent display, Rice was handed a superb 8/10 match rating by The Express’ Tom Parsons – topping off what was a phenomenal afternoon at the Emirates.
After such a showing, there’s little debate that the Englishman is once again becoming one of the club’s first names on the teamsheet in the hunt for a Premier League title.
If he can continue to perform alongside Gabriel and Eze, there’s no reason why Arteta’s men can’t go all the way and end the generational wait for a top-division title.
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Splashing the cash in the transfer market hasn’t been alien to Manchester United over the last couple of years, with INEOS massively backing various managers at Old Trafford.
Since the summer of 2022 alone, the hierarchy have spent upwards of £800m on new additions, but it’s safe to say they’ve failed to have the desired effect in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim could only direct the side to 15th place last time around, with the 40-year-old’s men now sat in eighth in 2025/26, but it could be about to get tricky for the manager.
Many of his key starters are set to go away with their respective nations for AFCON at the end of December, which could leave the squad bare in numerous areas.
As a result, the board have drawn up a plan, which could see numerous big-money talents make their own move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window.
United’s hunt for new signings in January
Over the last couple of days, Real Madrid star Rodrygo has once again appeared on United’s radar, but it seems a deal for the forward’s signature could prove to be a tricky one.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are all said to be monitoring the progress of the Brazilian international, which could lead to a bidding war in the winter window.
He’s fallen down the pecking order of Xabi Alonso over the last couple of months, which could see him depart the Bernabeu in a deal worth around the £70m mark.
However, he’s not the only player mentioned with a potential switch to Old Trafford, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo another player seemingly on their radar.
According to Football Insider, INEOS have identified the 25-year-old as the perfect player to come into the club in January to bolster the frontline during AFCON.
The report also states that the player has a £65m release clause that becomes active in the new year, with such a fee one the board are looking to activate and fast-track a deal for.
Why United’s £65m target would be Cunha 2.0
Investing big on Premier League players who have caught the eye in recent times is another thing United have done, as seen by the deal to land Matheus Cunha from Wolves during the summer.
The Brazilian scored 15 times in England’s top-flight last season, which massively attracted the interest of the Red Devils and Amorim during the recent summer window.
As a result, the board forked out a reported £62.5m for the attacker’s signature, with Cunha just one of three forwards signed to make a difference in the final third.
During the opening months of his career in Manchester, the 26-year-old has struggled to replicate his best form, as seen by his tally of one goal in his first 11 outings.
However, there’s still bags of time for the big-money addition to resurrect his career at Old Trafford, especially if Semenyo makes the move in the coming months.
They could star together, or the Ghanaian international could overtake him in the pecking order – something which could come to fruition when comparing their figures.
In 2025/26, Semenyo has massively outperformed Cunha in numerous key areas, with the Cherries star the perfect man to improve the frontline in 2026 and beyond.
The 25-year-old, who’s been dubbed the “best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle, has already posted more combined goals and assists this season – showcasing his incredible ability in front of goal.
Semenyo has also completed more carries into the final third, whilst achieving a higher take-on success rate, with such numbers making him a much better ball-carrier than the Brazilian.
Games played
13
11
Goals & assists
9
1
Shot on target accuracy
52%
40%
Progressive carries
3.5
2.8
Progressive passes
3.7
3.6
Take-ons completed
1.9
1.7
Take-on success
53%
52%
Crosses completed
1.7
1.6
Aerials won
2.3
0.8
His dominance over the United star is further reflected in his higher tally of crosses completed per 90, with such a tally showcasing his ability to add an end product to his mazy runs.
Other numbers, such as a higher shot on target accuracy rate and a better pass accuracy rate, highlight his all-round dominance in attacking areas.
£65m for a player of Semenyo’s quality would be an excellent piece of business, with such a move softening the blow of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo’s absence at AFCON.
However, given the money spent during the summer, it would be another huge investment, with the backing certainly there – but it’s down to Amorim to get a tune out of the current crop of players at his disposal.
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Everton’s good form continued with an impressive 3-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium over Nottingham Forest.
The Toffees move into fifth in the Premier League, taking their record since the start of November to four wins, one draw and one loss.
It was a fast start for David Moyes’ side. Just two minutes into the clash with the East Midlands outfit, Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic headed a cross into the back of his own net, to give Everton the lead almost immediately.
Then, in the third minute of stoppage time before half-time, the Evertonians doubled their lead. It was a significant moment for Thierno Barry, who got off the mark in that famous Blue shirt after some impressive performances of late.
Iliman Ndiaye carried the ball to the edge of the Forest box before laying it into the path of Barry, who slotted home.
The perfect day for Moyes’ side was capped off in the 80th minute when another summer signing, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, drilled home a volley after the ball bounced to him from a corner. Everton ran out deserved winners to continue their excellent form.
It was a day to remember for the Toffees, with some standout performances.
Everton’s standout players vs. Forest
This will certainly be a day that Thierno Barry remembers. The Frenchman bagged his very first goal in an Everton shirt, showing the sort of quality in front of goal that earned him the big move to the Premier League from Villarreal in the summer.
What a tidy finish it was from the Toffees’ number 11, too. Ndiaye drove towards the penalty box, with Barry making a good diagonal run to find space.
The finish was composed, slotting it past Matz Sels.
Speaking of Ndiaye, the Senegalese attacker was in imperious form once again. So often the source of everything the Merseysiders do well in attack, he was a handful for the Forest defence and, of course, set Barry up.
One person who was impressed by Ndiaye’s efforts was Chris Beesley, Everton reporter for the Liverpool Echo. He gave the attacker a 7/10 rating, praising him for ‘always providing an outlet for his side’ throughout the night.
However, neither Barry nor Ndiaye were the stars of the show for Moyes’ side in a fantastic win.
Everton’s best player in their 3-0 win
What a performance it was from another of the Everton summer signings, Dewsbury-Hall.
The Englishman was at the heart of the Toffees’ midfield today, scoring his excellent goal late on, putting in the cross for the own goal, and offering plenty more on the ball.
The stats reflect just how well Dewsbury-Hall performed against the East Midlands outfit. He had 56 touches and 86% of his passes.
Off the ball, it was a masterclass from the former Leicester City star. He won an exceptional 8/13 ground duels and made five ball recoveries.
Touches
56
Pass accuracy
86%
Opposition half passes
16/20
Ground duels won
8/13
Ball recoveries
5
Tackles won
3/4
Goals
1
Dewsbury-Hall left thousands of Toffees fans impressed with his performance against Forest. Well, the same can be said for journalists, with Beesley giving him a 9/10 for his efforts, explaining he was ‘bright from the start’.
There is a case to be made that Dewsbury-Hall, described as the club’s “most important and best” player by journalist John Merro, is their best signing since Ndiaye.
The Senegalese attacker has been sensational since moving to Merseyside last summer, racking up 17 goals and assists in 54 games.
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As for the English midfielder, he has brought creativity and final third threat to Moyes’ side in just 15 games, with four goals and two assists so far.
However, the tenacity off the ball, on full show against Sean Dyche’s side, has been crucial this season too. It is certainly easy to see why Merro is of that opinion.
After paying just £28m for him this summer from Chelsea, it is looking like one of the biggest bargains in 2025. The all-action midfielder has shone so far, just like Ndiaye has on Merseyside.
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