Ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly a 'serious candidate' to replace Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso if he joins Real Madrid.
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Ten Hag sacked at Man Utd
Linked with Leverkusen job
Alonso may move to Madrid
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg states that Ten Hag is a 'serious candidate' at Leverkusen but they have not held concrete talks with the Dutchman. They have, however, 'gathered information' on the 55-year-old, as the German giants await a decision on Alonso's next move amid interest from Madrid.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ten Hag's tenure at United, which ended last October, may be looking more favourable by the day as Ruben Amorim struggles to get a tune out of the Premier League giants. Leverkusen may be an ideal next move for the former Ajax boss but Kicker reports that he and ex-Barcelona manager Xavi are 'hot candidates' for the role.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kicker adds that Ten Hag may have an advantage in this job pursuit as he speaks German after spending time as a coach at Bayern Munich earlier in his career. They state he is the Bundesliga side's number one candidate.
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WHAT NEXT?
All eyes will be on whether Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti leaves the La Liga outfit for the Brazil national team post, paving the way for Alonso to replace him and potentially for Ten Hag to come back into management.
Real Betis have been quick to show how Antony is outperforming Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Vinicius Jr when it comes to goals and assists.
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Antony thriving in Spain at Betis
Has posted impressive stats
La Liga club make bold boast about winger
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Antony is enjoying life in La Liga after swapping Manchester United for Real Betis in the January transfer window. The Brazilian star has now scored seven goals and contributed four assists for Manuel Pellegrini's side in just 20 games so far in 2025. And Betis have been quick to point out how those numbers are better than those managed by Real Madrid superstar and Ballon d'Or winner Vinicius Jr since Antony arrived in Spain. Los Verdiblancos also claim "there's only clear Ballon d'Or contender in my books" and add a GOAT emoji for good measure.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Antony's latest effort was another outrageous effort that secured a last-gap win over Espanyol in La Liga. The winger spoke out after scoring the goal and said moving to Betis was the "the best decision" he has ever made. Real Betis are hoping to be able to keep hold of Antony but are unlikely to be able to meet Manchester United's €40m (£34m) asking price, although another loan could be a potential option that would suit all parties.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since the beginning of February, no player has managed to create more clear-cut goalscoring chances than Antony (8) in La Liga.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY
Antony and Betis will be hoping to finish off the season in style. Manuel Pellegrini's side are 2-1 up at the halfway point of their Europa Conference League semi-final tie with Fiorentina and could still secure secure fifth place in La Liga which would see the team qualify for next season's Champions League.
Setting their sights on the future, Newcastle United have now reportedly joined the race to sign a rising star who’s been dubbed the Swedish Lionel Messi and attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona.
Newcastle transfer news
The Magpies may have disappointed in the January transfer window, but that’s quickly been forgotten thanks to Eddie Howe’s side and their success in the Carabao Cup. Reaching the final after easing past Arsenal to win 4-0 across two legs, Newcastle will now square off against Liverpool in search of their first piece of domestic silverware since 1955.
What certainly helped that search was their FA Cup victory over Birmingham City, in which Joe Willock netted a well-timed brace to get his side over the line in a frantic 3-2 victory against the League One opposition.
Meanwhile, sat just two points outside the Premier League’s top four, the prospect of completing a move to St James’ Park is certainly becoming increasingly attractive for potential reinforcements, which could yet include a rising star.
According to The Boot Room, Newcastle are now racing to sign Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen ahead of huge teams like Barcelona and Manchester United when his contract comes to an end this summer.
The young winger, who’s been dubbed the Swedish Messi, is certainly one to watch and already knows how to hurt English opposition, having scored against Manchester United in the Champions League in November 2023.
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Yet to feature this season after suffering an ACL injury in the last campaign, Europe’s biggest clubs are eagerly anticipating Bardghji’s return, including those in Tyneside.
Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic in action with FC Copenhagen's RoonyBardghji
Still just 19 years old, concerns over Bardghji’s ability to bounce back from such a serious injury should be eased by just how young he is and, therefore, how much time he has to hit previous heights once again.
"Unreal" Bardghji could be ultimate bargain
Winning the race to sign Bardghji, alone, would be an impressive achievement for Newcastle, but to secure his signature for free would represent an act of genius from those at St James’ Park. A future star who’d undoubtedly be worth a hefty fee if it wasn’t for his contract situation, the Magpies could be about to land the ultimate bargain.
Dubbed “unreal” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig before his injury, the future is certainly still bright for Bardghji when he recovers from what was an ill-timed blow last season.
After scoring 11 goals in the previous campaign, the teenager will be desperate to make his return sooner rather than later and instantly hit the ground running wherever he finds himself.
Newcastle, meanwhile, could finally end their search for an impressive reinforcement by securing one of the bargains of the summer.
Arsenal could now miss out on signing an “elite” £50m player, with Real Madrid confident about winning the race for his signature, according to a report.
Mikel Arteta keen on a midfielder
There were no new arrivals at the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window, with Mikel Arteta opting to wait until the end of the season before making any new additions to his squad.
There have been widespread calls for the Gunners to sign a striker, with doubt remaining over whether Kai Havertz is good enough to lead the line for a Premier League title-winning side, while Arteta also wants to strengthen the spine of his team.
It recently emerged the north Londoners are vying for the signature of Chris Rigg, with Sunderland now willing to sanction the midfielder’s departure for a fee of £25m in the summer.
Arsenal keen on "special" £25m ace who's now available to sign this summer
The Gunners have set their sights on a hot prospect, who is being targeted by some of Europe’s top clubs.
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Dominic Lund
Feb 9, 2025
At just 17 years old, Rigg is likely to be one for the future, but Arsenal are also keen on a player perhaps capable of making a more immediate impact, and it has long been expected that Martin Zubimendi will move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
However, there has now been a worrying twist in the transfer saga, with reports from Spain revealing Real Madrid are now confident about winning the race for Zubimendi, as they believe he could be tempted by the opportunity to remain in his home country.
The Gunners aren’t going down without a fight, however, with the report revealing they are still pushing to get a deal done, as they are convinced the Spaniard would fit perfectly into their team.
Arteta is not willing to give up, and the north Londoners remain well-placed to win the race, but there will certainly be concern about Madrid’s interest as it looked like he was on course to move to the Emirates.
Zubimendi would be an "elite" signing for Arsenal
Arsenal are already well-stocked in central midfield, with Declan Rice once again emerging as one of their best-performing players in the Premier League this season, but the Real Sociedad star could take them to the next level.
The 26-year-old, who is expected to cost £50m, has been lauded for his ability in possession of the ball by scout Ben Mattinson.
Not only that, but the Spain international is also capable of pitching in defensively, ranking in the 90th percentile for clearances per 90, and the 90th percentile for aerials won when compared to his positional peers.
It will be a real concern that Madrid fancy their chances of winning the race for Zubimendi, but there is no reason to panic at this stage, with Arsenal still well-placed to get a deal done, and they can boost their chances with a strong finish to the season.
Arsenal have opened discussions with William Saliba's agent in the hope of convincing the defender to sign a contract extension.
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Saliba has two years left on his contract
Arsenal fear Madrid could lure him away
Talks with his representatives have begun
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners fear they could lose him for a lower price next year or for free in 2027 when his current contract expires, with reports claiming Real Madrid have a long-term plan to sign him.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The north London side's new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has already reached out to the centre-back's representatives regarding an extension, reports. They are yet to offer him new terms but hope to make progress in the coming months.
WILL ARTETA SWAY SALIBA?
Arsenal reportedly trust in coach Mikel Arteta's ability to persuade Saliba, along with his centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes and attacker Bukayo Saka, to commit to new deals at Emirates Stadium. Saka's extension is said to be almost wrapped up, but interest from Saudi Arabia in Gabriel and Madrid's pursuit of Saliba leaves them concerned about the defenders.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Arsenal sit second in the Premier League with three matches remaining, with last season's champions Manchester City just three points behind them. Saliba and Co. will be aiming to boost their hopes of securing the runner-up spot by beating new title holders Liverpool on Sunday.
GOAL US writers debate Mauricio Pochettino's roster selection, Pulisic's decision and what it means for the Gold Cup
It's time for everyone to care about the USMNT again. There are some (semi) competitive games coming up, and plenty of talking points as a result. The Gold Cup may or may not matter, but it will still offer a trophy to play for – and a roster dilemma for the USMNT.
Not-really-new-anymore manager Mauricio Pochettino has released his roster, and there are a few surprises. The headline is that Christian Pulisic opted to sit out the Gold Cup after setting a new career high in minutes for Milan. Is that the right call for a player who consistently battles injury issues, or does it send the wrong message to the program?
There are other big names missing due to the Club World Cup, with the likes of Gio Reyna, Weston Mckennie and Tim Weah all out of this USMNT squad. Antonee Robinson and Yunas Musah are also absent, as is striker Josh Sargent – the latter by coach's decision. Meanwhile, Pochettino has picked a strong MLS contingent, with 17 players from North America's top flight making the roster.
That will certainly be an interesting case study in just how good the league has become. So what to make of it all? Can the USMNT win this thing without some of their big names?
GOAL US writers break it all down in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
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Did Pulisic make the right call to skip the Gold Cup?
Tom Hindle: Yes. Certainly. Undoubtedly. Indisputably. 10000 percent. His legs don't work as is, and there is absolutely zero reason for him to play in a tournament that does not matter. Think of it this way: if he did play and tore an ACL, people would be fuming. He needs a summer off, and both he and the USMNT will be better off because of it. Care that much about 2026? You'll allow your star player to get some rest.
Jacob Schneider: Coming off a Nations League failure, this group needs to come together and show the fans and the country they have what it takes to compete in the World Cup. Pulisic opting to not be a part of that group is disappointing. He’s a focal point of everything with the team, and he knows, of all people, what failure with the group does to the program (Just go back to Trinidad). However, there’s also the fact that he has played a lot of minutes, and his legs and body are probably exhausted – and he is deserving of a break. It’s just not the time for it. He sets the tone for this team. This wasn’t it.
Alex Labidou: The reasons are understandable, but if Pulisic is genuine in his goal of winning the World Cup – something he's stated multiple times – this decision appears counterintuitive. It might seem as if Pochettino is part of the U.S. Soccer furniture, but in reality, he's been on the job since September and has coached eight games since his arrival. Not to mention, Pulisic missed at least one game due to rest during the manager's first pair of games. If Pulisic really wants to win and show accountability – something he's asked of his teammates – then this summer was the perfect opportunity to do so.
Yes, Reyna, Weah, and McKennie are out due to the Club World Cup. But what about seeing an attack with Folarin Balogun, Malik Tillman, and others? Don't you think Brenden Aaronson, Tillman, Tyler Adams, and Chris Richards also want a break after a long season? Chemistry is paramount to World Cup winners – just look at the past few teams that have won. Most have had stable cores that have played at least a dozen matches together. It is improbable that the U.S. will contend in 2026, but the reason why U.S. Soccer hired Pochettino was to bring the program to new levels. Between an abysmal Nations League showing and this Gold Cup roster news, the opportunity to something to reach those expectations seems less likely.
Ryan Tolmich: Is it best for Pulisic? Probably. Is it best for the USMNT? Probably not! At a time in which this team is struggling with optics, it’s not a good look for the team’s best player to pull out of a tournament, banged up or not. Winning cures all, and if the USMNT do that this summer, everyone will be breathing easy. If things go wrong, though, Pulisic and the USMNT will have to navigate an even thicker layer of criticism.
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Who was the biggest roster omission?
TH: Is it fair to say Alejandro Zendejas, even if there's some uncertainty around his availability due to the weird Club World Cup play-in thing? He's been quality in Liga MX this year, and if Pochettino is going to say all of the right things about MLS, there's no reason he shouldn't do the same with the Mexican league. Other than that, it might be decent to see Caleb Wiley get a look, as the U.S. doesn't really have any cover for Antonee Robinson, who's started to pick up a few knocks this year.
JS: It’s gotta be Wiley or Paxten Aaronson. No Robinson meant this could have been Wiley’s camp to take the No. 2 LB spot. Baffling he’s not there. Then, for Aaronson, he had a breakout year in the Netherlands, he led Utrecht to a European spot and was named to their EA FC team of the season for his performances even. Bummer for him.
AL: Does Pochettino not watch Liga MX? One would have to wonder as his refusal to bring in Zendejas, especially with Weah and Pulisic out, is borderline malpractice. The Club America winger is the best player on a team that is on the verge of winning Liga MX for the fourth consecutive time, and has five goals and six assists in 14 games. Unless there are dressing room concerns – or maybe there is an eye ahead to the Club World Cup playoff match between LAFC and Club America – this is clearly not a footballing decision. Zendejas deserves to be there. As for Sargent, he was given plenty of opportunities over the past six months to prove himself, with at least two starts and he failed to impress. It doesn't devalue what he did on the club level, but in order to get back he needs to prove his scoring prowess on a higher level.
RT: Both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty will feel hard done, especially given the success they’ve had with Celtic. Both will believe they’re in the centerback race and both have now missed out on a massive opportunity to prove that fact. Hope isn’t entirely lost, but the two Celtic stars could have used a big summer, either individually or as a USMNT unit.
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Does this change expectations for the U.S. in the Gold Cup?
TH: Don't care. It doesn't matter. But Mexico and Canada might be better. Get to the semis and hope the world doesn't explode when you crash out heroically, because 2026 is the goal. Get out without injuries and your pride (relatively) intact and it's job done.
JS: It's always been final or bust. You can’t be this program and not compete for it. That hasn't changed.
AL: Mexico are the favorites, but the U.S. can't go into this tournament expecting anything less than a final appearance. There is enough talent on this roster that the Americans should be considered the second-best in the Gold Cup. Anything less than an appearance in the final will raise questions on whether or not Pochettino is the right fit for this job.
RT: Is this USMNT group the most talented in the tournament? Probably not, as things stand. Mexico and Canada will believe in their chances. Panama will, too, given March’s result. Realistically, a good USMNT Gold Cup is now a run to the final with three or four fringe players cementing themselves as something reliable for the future.
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What position is up for grabs in this camp?
TH: Do we have to talk about No. 9s again? Balogun has to be the first choice dude when he's fit, so it'll be good to see him get some reps. Outside of that, not really sure. Suspect Pochettino knows mostly what his strongest XI is already – with perhaps a suggestion that Johnny Cardoso should be in the mix ahead of Musah. Since something needs saying, let's highlight center-back. Richards should be there, but who partners him? Tough to say – and this window might give you an idea or two
JS: Depending on Balogun's injury status, it’s striker. Brian White and Pat Agyemang will push him for it.
AL: Striker and goalkeeper. Balogun should be the favorite, and on paper, is arguably the best attacker with Pulisic off the squad. Yet, he hasn't looked sharp since his return from his injury. At goalkeeper, the hope would be this is an actual competition as opposed to resume browsing. Matt Turner has been OK at best, but appears as if he's given the No. 1 job because he's on a Premier League roster – whether or not he plays. It would be great to see if Zack Steffen or Patrick Schulte are given a real shot to compete for the No. 1 job. There are very few chances to evaluate after this tournament.
RT: It’s got to be goalkeeper, right? That’s largely because it’s one of the few positions fully-equipped with the those competing for the starting job. Turner probably has the upper hand, but the three others in camp all have realistic hopes of leapfrogging him in the coming weeks. Pochettino’s selections during the tournament will give a pretty good indication of how he feels about this group going forward.
Leeds United could trigger the release clause of an “excellent” Premier League player, who is now likely to leave his club this summer, according to a report.
Leeds eyeing proven Premier League players
The three sides promoted from the Championship last season look like they will all be going straight back down, with Southampton sitting rock bottom, while Ipswich Town and Leicester City are currently five points from safety.
As such, you can make a case for it being more difficult than ever to make the step up back to the top flight, after dropping to the second tier, and with Leeds in a very strong position to get promoted, they are now eyeing players who have Premier League experience.
Former Chelsea man Tammy Abraham is one of the names on the list of targets in attack, while they are also considering a move for Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters, who has made 140 appearances in the top flight.
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The Whites have been tipped to make a summer move for a forward who is excited by the prospect of moving to Elland Road.
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Dominic Lund
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Walker-Peters is not the only Saints player Daniel Farke’s side have their eye on, however, with a report from The Boot Room revealing they could trigger the relegation release clause written into goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s contract.
Ramsdale joined Southampton from Arsenal in a £25m deal last summer, but he is now likely to leave in the summer, with relegation from the Premier League looking increasingly likely.
There may be widespread interest in the Premier League, however, with Chelsea, Brentford and Newcastle United also being named as potential suitors.
Leeds United’s upcoming Championship fixtures
Date
West Bromwich Albion (h)
March 1st
Portsmouth (a)
March 9th
Millwall (h)
March 12th
Queens Park Rangers (a)
March 15th
Swansea City (h)
March 29th
Ramsdale has been "excellent" despite Saints' struggles
It has been a season to forget for Southampton, who have collected just nine points throughout the entire campaign, but their goalkeeper cannot be blamed for his side’s struggles, having been by far the most consistent performer in the squad.
Despite the Saints falling to a 3-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth earlier this month, Joe Hart lauded the 26-year-old’s performance as “absolutely excellent”.
The same can be said about the Englishman’s display against Brighton & Hove Albion last week, receiving by far the highest SofaScore match rating in the Southampton team after making eight saves, seven of which were from inside the box.
Southampton's AaronRamsdalelooks dejected after the match
As such, although the former Arsenal man is set to have another relegation on his CV, he cannot be blamed for the Saints’ inevitable fate, and he deserves another chance in the Premier League.
There has been doubt about Illan Meslier for quite some time, with the Frenchman making some key errors this season, most notably in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland in October, and there are plenty of indications Ramsdale would be a great replacement.
With the end of the season just two months away and the Champions League the only realistic route towards a trophy, the Arsenal board will likely be planning for what could be an incredibly busy summer.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been ravaged by injuries this term, and while a lack of forward signings has been the biggest disappointment, there is every chance that the midfield could pose just as much of a problem next year.
For example, Thomas Partey and Jorginho are out of contract in the summer, so links to Real Sociedad’s brilliant Martin Zubimendi over the last few months make perfect sense.
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi
However, while the Spaniard would undoubtedly be an excellent addition to Arsenal’s squad, recent reports have linked the club with a potential upgrade.
Arsenal's search for a midfielder
According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are one of several clubs interested in Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong.
Transfer Focus
The report has revealed that while the Catalans are keen to tie the Dutchman down to a new deal as soon as possible, as his current one expires next summer, there is concrete interest from sides in the Premier League, like the Gunners.
The report does not reveal how much the 27-year-old might cost the North Londoners, but a story from late last month claimed that they’d be willing to make an offer of around £62m, which, given the player’s contract situation, could prove enough.
Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong
It’ll be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given De Jong’s immense ability, one well worth pursuing, and he might even be an upgrade on Zubimendi.
How De Jong compares to Zubimendi
So, with Arsenal supposedly interested in both Zubimendi and De Jong ahead of the summer transfer window, it seems unlikely that they’d sign both, so who should they get?
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong
Well, the first thing to say is that while they can both play as either an eight or a six, the Spaniard just about favours the latter and the Dutchman the former, meaning that signing the Barça star could see Declan Rice either move to that base of midfield on a more permanent basis, or continue to interchange as he does now.
On top of potentially allowing the Englishman to move back into a role plenty of fans prefer him in, the former Ajax star is also far more productive in an attacking sense than the Real Sociedad ace is.
For example, in his 241 appearances for the Catalan side, the “world-class” 27-year-old, as dubbed by former manager Xavi, has scored 19 goals and provided 22 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 5.87 games.
In contrast, the San Sebastian-born international scored nine goals and provided nine assists in 223 appearances for La Real, which is an average of a goal involvement every 12.38 games.
De Jong vs Zubimendi
Statistics per 90
De Jong
Zubimendi
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.32
0.10
Actual Non-Penalty G+As
0.45
0.08
Progressive Passes
8.18
6.17
Progressive Carries
2.27
1.23
Shots
0.60
0.59
Shots on Target
0.45
0.17
Passing Accuracy
93.0%
83.2%
Key Passes
1.97
0.55
Shot-Creating Actions
3.62
1.53
Goal-Creating Actions
0.90
0.21
Tackles
1.06
2.38
Interceptions
0.45
1.36
Blocks
0.61
1.45
Errors Leading to a Goal
0.00
0.09
Ball Recoveries
3.64
4.51
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 La Liga Season
It’s the same story when we take a look under the hood at their respective underlying numbers, with the Arkel-born maestro coming out on top in most relevant metrics, including but not limited to actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, goal and shot-taking actions, key passes and more, all per 90.
Now, it is true that the Spaniard comes out ahead in some of the more defensive statistics, but given the Gunners’ already stellar defensive record, it might make more sense to invest in a midfielder who can have a greater influence over happenings at the sharp end of the pitch.
Kenneth Taylor coming on for Frenkie de Jong for the Netherlands.
Ultimately, Zubimendi would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad, but from most angles, it would appear as if De Jong would be far more valuable and more of a ceiling raiser.
£58m forward has privately told Arsenal that he'd like a move to London
Matheus Cunha says this has been the "best season" of his life in an emotional message to Wolves fans as a Manchester United move nears.
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Cunha revels in his "best season"
Sends emotional message to Wolves fans
Inching closer to Man Utd move
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Less than a day on from the Brazilian reportedly securing a £62.5 million ($83.4m) move to United, the 25-year-old has paid tribute to Wolves and the support the fans have shown him. But, this may be a final farewell to the Molineux side.
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WHAT CUNHA SAID
He wrote on Instagram: "Wolves, what can I say to you? What an incredible season. We didn’t get to where you deserve to be, but we did everything we could to make you proud. I love these guys. Individually, it was the best season of my life. All of this was only possible because of all the dedication and love I have for this club. I became the Brazilian with the most goals in a Premier League season, along with @roberto_firmino and @gabriel.martinelli. I made mistakes and got things right, but always because I lived this club so much. All I ever wanted was to do the impossible for Wolves. Another one is over. And thank you all for all the affection. Looks good, looks fine…"
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Cunha has had an excellent season for a side that finished 16th in the Premier League. The former Atletico Madrid man scored 17 goals and bagged six assists, and now he seems primed to head to one of the biggest teams in the world. However, they are not the force they once were, and Cunha may have his work cut out.
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WHAT NEXT?
It may just be a matter of days, or weeks, before Cunha is confirmed as a United player. Until then, he will head off on his summer break.
Manchester City are ready to make a serious attempt to sign a Premier League star this summer who has an admirer in Pep Guardiola.
Man City transfer rumours as Pep plans for summer
It hasn’t exactly been a season to remember after four successive top flight titles, however, City can still win silverware before the end of the season in the FA Cup.
A rare January signing blitz was carried out by those on the blue side of Manchester, with forward Omar Marmoush the biggest arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt.
There were also additions in midfield and in defence, and ahead of the 2025/26 season, there could be more incomings with some departures likely.
Man City’s January signings
From
Fee
Omar Marmoush
Eintracht Frankfurt
€75m
Nico Gonzalez
FC Porto
€60m
Abdukodir Khusanov
Lens
€40m
Vitor Reis
Palmeiras
€37m
Juma Bah
Real Valladolid
€6m
Kevin De Bruyne is out of contract and is thought to be close to a move to the MLS, whereas a bid could be accepted for Jack Grealish. Bernardo Silva has also agreed personal terms with PSG, so midfield reinforcements could be on the to-do list.
There have been claims that Man City have already agreed to sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, but another Premier League midfield is of interest to the Sky Blues.
Man City willing to make £70m bid to sign Bruno Guimaraes
According to a report from Spain, Man City are ready to firm up their interest in Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes by making a £70m offer which is being led by Guardiola.
The Brazilian midfielder has been linked with a move to the Etihad in the past and is once again being eyed by the Citizens, who see Guimaraes partnering Rodri.
The possibility of a move materialising will depend on Newcastle’s attempts to qualify for Europe, and if the Magpies fail to make the Champions League, a transfer could be on the cards.
Guimaraes is seen as an ideal fit for Guardiola, who believes the Newcastle star will fit perfectly into his plans. The 27-year-old has been at St James’ Park since 2022 and is under contract for another three years. He’s captained Newcastle in all 28 of their Premier League games this season and was praised by Guardiola last year.
“He is an exceptional holding midfielder. He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball,” said Guardiola on Guimaraes.
“At set pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up. I’m sure he’s part of the project for the next years. Definitely.”
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However, 12 months on, and it looks as if City will try again in an attempt to take Guimaraes from Tyneside, so it could be a situation to keep an eye on.