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Liverpool have long been an ambitious club, but it feels like FSG recognised just how big a superpower Arne Slot’s Anfield side are, having unleashed the dogs in the transfer market this summer.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has arrived to provide competition for Alisson Becker between the sticks, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez will redefine Liverpool’s wide berths over the coming years.

Florian Wirtz, who joined in a British-record £116m deal last month, has been called “the best midfielder in the world” by former Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes.

And Hugo Ekitike will now join from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £79m package, bringing his intelligent, all-action striking style to the team.

But that doesn’t mean the Premier League champions are done and dusted just yet this summer.

Liverpool's next move in the summer transfer market

Liverpool have bolstered heavily this summer, but, as has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, they aren’t done just yet.

Transfer Focus

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

With Darwin Nunez up for sale, Ekitike will need a strike partner, and Liverpool are gearing up to make an incredible signing that might just top all others this summer.

Indeed, according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are still weighing up a new bid for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, though it would take a new British-record bid worth £130m to even tempt Eddie Howe into parting ways with his talisman.

Bailey stated: “Liverpool aren’t going away. If there’s a chance of getting him, Liverpool are going to be there. I think the approach was more to say to Isak and Newcastle, ‘don’t forget, we are here and ready to make our move’. That was intrinsically behind it. If Liverpool think it’s doable, a bid could go in, it’s not beyond the realms of fantasy. They’ve already come in and made it clear they’ll pay £120m, so it’s already a bid in everything but name.”

Last week, Liverpool approached Newcastle for Isak before forging ahead with a bid for Ekitike, rebuffed as they were. Even so, the Reds may yet return to sign their dream target.

How Isak compares to Ekitike

If Liverpool have the financial means to sign Isak this summer (and it appears that they just might), Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes might just come together to pull off something special.

Newcastle signed Isak from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63m fee in 2022, and he’s gone from strength to strength since then, now recognised as one of Europe’s leading centre-forwards.

Since his Premier League debut, he’s even managed to hit the back of the net at a more clinical rate than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, which highlights just how incredible a deal this could be for the Reds.

Moreover, the Sweden international is dynamic and well-rounded as a marksman. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 16% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, and the top 7% for progressive carries per 90.

A far cleaner striker than Ekitike, Isak would unquestionably be the most exciting signing of Liverpool’s remarkable transfer window, hailed for his “limitless potential” by Toon boss Howe.

To think that Isak, 25, still has lofty heights to scale in spite of his meteoric rise in the Premier League over the past few years is quite a thing.

Certainly, Slot’s first-class coaching could unlock some depth of his skill set he doesn’t even know sits latent within.

Intelligent, industrious and ever enterprising, Isak would rock the footballing world, were he to move to Merseyside this summer.

If Liverpool were to complete a deal for Isak this summer, it would immediately relegate Ekitike to the second fiddle up top. If that doesn’t make the decisive comment on who’s more exciting, what does?

A bigger star than Ekitike: Liverpool enter race to sign £100m winger

Liverpool are consolidating their position at the top of the Premier League this summer.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 22, 2025

After flying out the blocks in the early weeks of the transfer window, Manchester City have now reportedly initiated contact to pick up where they left off by signing another impressive star.

Nypan "very proud" to join Man City

The most recent player through the door has of course been the young Sverre Nypan. The Norwegian midfielder has put pen to paper on a five-year contract, which has seen Pep Guardiola welcome one of the most exciting talents that Europe has to offer.

Speaking for the first time since arriving, Nypan told Man City’s official website: “I am incredibly happy and proud to have joined Manchester City. It’s a dream for any young footballer to become part of this Club and to join such a group of world class talent.

“I am still very young with a lot to learn but the chance to be coached by Pep Guardiola, the best manager in the world, will only help me to become a better player.

“There is already a special connection between Norway and Manchester City through Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb, and I am very proud to have become the latest Norwegian player to have joined the club.”

Nypan’s arrival makes it five fresh faces for Man City, who have rebuilt their side in the last six months following their worst period of form during Guardiola’s entire tenure last season.

Even after signing Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli, however, those at the Etihad still reportedly have unfinished business in the summer transfer window.

As they set their sights on reclaiming their Premier League crown next season, Man City have now reportedly initiated contact to sign an impressive star who Guardiola loves.

Man City initiate James Trafford contact

In a shock twist, the Citizens have now set their sights on compiling Newcastle’s misery in what has been a summer to forget for the Magpies. According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City have now initiated contact to sign James Trafford in a deal that would see them hijack a deal that Newcastle had otherwise been advancing towards.

Real Madrid "really like" Man City superstar and ready to pay £87m for him

Losing him would be a disaster for Pep Guardiola.

By
Henry Jackson

Jul 19, 2025

The Manchester club reportedly have a buyback clause worth £40m, but are now attempting to negotiate a lower price with Burnley, who are also reportedly set to receive a £40m bid from Saudi PIF-owned Newcastle for their shot-stopper.

City’s unexpected pursuit follows a difficult season for Ederson, which may have forced those at the Etihad to ask questions of the Brazilian for the first time.

Dubbed “world-class” by Burnley boss Scott Parker, whether Trafford’s arrival would see Ederson step aside or head for the exit door is the big question that City may yet have to answer.

Dele Alli’s hopes of securing a lifeline move to Wrexham appear over, with manager Phil Parkinson hinting that his final squad spot will instead go to returning star Ollie Rathbone. The former Tottenham and England midfielder, recently released by Como, had been linked with the Hollywood-owned club but now looks set to continue his uncertain search for a new home.

• Dele’s Wrexham transfer hopes appear to be over
• Parkinson expects Rathbone to take final squad spot
• Ex-Spurs star must continue search for new club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dele has been released by Serie A side Como after his contract was terminated by mutual consent. The 29-year-old, once a Premier League star at Tottenham, has since been linked with potential moves to West Brom, Birmingham, and Wrexham. However, rumours of a North Wales switch have now been dampened.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham boss Parkinson has suggested that Rathbone, last season’s Player of the Year for the Red Dragons, will fill the club’s 25th squad slot once he returns from injury. Rathbone has been sidelined with an ankle problem but is close to fitness after impressing during pre-season. His return appears to rule out a move for Dele.

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  WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Speaking to the media, Parkinson said: "I think Ollie is closing in. I just wanted to make sure Ollie got through this week in training and the signs are looking positive, and he'll be back in a couple of weeks. We need Ollie back, he's a key player for us. He was instrumental for us last year.

  "He's a player who has played in the Championship; first year did well, second one was a difficult one at Rotherham because they had a very weak squad. But he's played at this level and when he signed for us, he was determined to get back into the Championship.

  "His start to the season has been curtailed but obviously he's a very naturally fit player and the sooner we get him back involved in football, the better. His energy and his quality, I can't wait to get Ollie back out with us."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

  With Rathbone set to be reintegrated, Dele will have to look elsewhere as he continues his search for a club. Birmingham and West Brom remain linked, but his options are shrinking. For Wrexham, the focus now shifts to Rathbone’s comeback and life in the Championship.

Queens Park Rangers are now among the teams keen on signing a £2.2 million striker who manager Julien Stephan has worked with before, according to a recent report.

QPR targeting multiple forwards

The West London side have added four players to their squad so far this summer, with the additions strengthening their defence and wide areas. Now the club’s focus has switched to their forward line, as they look to give Stephan the firepower he needs to avoid any threat of relegation and look upwards rather than over his shoulder.

QPR plotting move to sign 14-goal EFL striker as possible Kelman replacement

QPR are now interested in signing a League Two striker.

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By
Brett Worthington

Jul 23, 2025

It looks increasingly likely that two strikers are set to leave the Championship side in the coming weeks, as it’s been reported that Alfie Young is set to leave on loan, while Luton Town have made an offer to sign Charlie Kelman, and the Rs are willing to cash in on the player for the right price. This comes after the centre-forward enjoyed a successful loan at League One side Leyton Orient last season.

QPR have already identified possible replacements for those two players, as it’s been reported that they are in talks to sign Pape Meissa Ba from German side Schalke 04. Those talks are said to be at an advanced stage.

Meanwhile, the Hoops are also interested in signing Samson Tovide from Colchester United. They want to add some youthful exuberance to their frontline, and they believe Tovide fits the bill, but they won’t stop there.

QPR in a race with Derby to sign Timothe Nkada

According to The Sun, QPR are interested in signing Timothe Nkada from French side Rodez.

The report states that as well as the Rs being interested, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers are also chasing the striker, who finished as the joint-top goalscorer in Ligue 2 last season with 17 goals.

The former France under-20 international is under contract until 2027 at Rodez, but the French side have placed a price tag of £2.2 million on his head, as interest could soon gather pace. Nkada, who is mainly a striker but can also operate on either the left or right-hand side of the attack, joined Rodez in August 2024 and produced his best numbers to date, as 17 league goals surpassed the nine he scored in the previous campaign at FC Koper.

His goal-scoring exploits have placed him on the radar of a few Championship teams, but the Rs may hold an advantage when it comes to signing Nkada. Indeed, QPR boss Julien Stephan worked with the striker during their time in the youth setup at Rennes. Nkada netted 14 goals in 23 academy games in the 2018/19 season, and his relationship with Stephan could help the Rs get a deal over the line.

Celtic have had a strong start to the Scottish Premiership this season, winning both their opening games with clean sheets and sitting comfortably with an early four-point lead over Rangers.

Celtic have made numerous additions to their title-winning team, including Arsenal’s Kirean Tireny on a free transfer. Additionally, Brendan Rodgers has continued the pattern that his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, started and has once again delved into the Japanese market to bring in Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura, who become the 7th and 8th Japanese players to join the club this decade.

Rodgers had also planned on bringing in Go Ahead Eagles winger Jakob Breum, but that deal now seems to have been indirectly foiled by their rivals.

Rangers scupper Celtic transfer hopes

In July, a move for Breum looked likely. Celtic had begun negotiating a price, the player and agent were ready and willing, and the Go Ahead Eagles director spoke candidly about their willingness to sell for the right price. Fast-forward to the present, and Go Ahead Eagles are looking less inclined to sell.

The main reason for this is that the club has received a £6.6 million cash windfall, which means they don’t have to sell Breum if they don’t want to. Last season, the winger registered 15 goal involvements in 26 league appearances, which is likely why the club are inclined to keep hold of him.

In a bitter twist for Celtic, it’s now being reported by Football Insider that a significant factor in Go Ahead Eagles’ reluctance to sell Breum is because of the money they received from Rangers when they signed Oliver Antman.

Rangers brought Antman in from Go Ahead Eagles on Monday for an initial fee of £3 million. This income, partnered with the £3.6 million that the Eagles will receive from their qualification to the Europa League, has changed the Dutch side’s financial situation to the point where a sale of Breum is no longer necessary and attractive.

While it’s almost certain that Rangers had no idea that their deal would scupper Celtic’s move for Breum, it will likely be a cherry on top of the Antman signing that many Rangers fans will take some joy from.

Celtic's next move…

It’s a pain to have a long-term transfer target fall through, and that pain is only exacerbated by Rangers’ involvement, but there is still plenty of time left in the window for Celtic to get their winger.

One other issue that has arisen from the Antman/Breum debacle is that Football Insider also report that Celtic were waiting on the signing of Breum to green-light a sale of Hyunjun Yang to Norwich City. With the season underway, Celtic don’t want to be left shorthanded and so were waiting for their new signing before Yang on. This will now have to wait until they secure an alternative.

One player that Celtic may now go for is Brondby winger Clement Bischoff. TeamTalk had reported earlier this week that Bischoff was a player on the radars of both Celtic and Sunderland. Celtic would have to be willing to spend more than they had planned to spend on Breum, however, as Brondby want £6.3 million for the 19-year-old.

Alessia Russo has opened up on her footballing journey, admitting that the sport has shaped her life but also teaching her that there is more beyond the pitch. The Arsenal and England striker reflected on the bold decision to leave home for college in the United States, her close bond with Lotte Wubben-Moy, and the painful memory of the 2023 World Cup final defeat.

• Russo opens up on difficult journey

  Russo explained that moving to North Carolina for college football was a pivotal point in her career. She admitted she was homesick but described those three years as the best of her life, both for football and personal growth. It was during this period that she learned resilience, independence, and that 'football isn’t everything'.

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  Russo on her United States move and bond with Wubben-Moy

  In an interview with the BBC, Russo said: “I think when I went to America and played three years out in college. I was very much a home bird. I used to hate going to my friends for sleepovers because I just wanted to be at home with my family. That was a big decision for me to go out there and live in North Carolina – the other side of the world – and play football in a surrounding I have never known. It was a really tough decision, but when I look back on my life, it was the best three years ever.

  “I learned so much about myself. When you move out anywhere, you have to grow up quickly and I was on the other side of the world. The only person I knew there was Lotte [Wubben-Moy], who is with me now [at Arsenal], so it's nice to reminisce with her. Those three years changed me as a person. I understood a bit more about myself and my body and I went through my first injury out there. I also learned that football isn't everything, although it does feel like it. I found joy in other things and made friends for life.

  “I've known Lotte since I was about 12 or 13 through England youth camps. She was at Arsenal and I was at Chelsea and Charlton in the academies. She is like the big sister to everyone – she knows what to do in stressful situations and handles things so smoothly.”

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  The one result Russo would change in her career

  “The one result I would change in my career? The 2023 World Cup final against Spain. It hurt a lot after winning the Euros, and knowing how that felt, to get so close to the World Cup but then so far away at the same time. It left a hole in us as a team, but the way we bounced back in the Euros, maybe wouldn't have happened if we had won. I feel like everything happens for a reason.”

  When questioned about which game she would like to relive without the result changing, Russo added: "I'm going to say the Euro 2022 final. That whole year and that tournament, and the impact that changed after that win was something we could never have imagined. The whole process of winning that tournament in England and then seeing the change, seeing the growth in the game, seeing everyone become a fan of women's football after… that was something I will always live with. The impact we had in that tournament… every player in that squad will tell you it was more than we ever imagined and we were just in our little bubble. Me and Tooney talk about it a lot. Going from nobody really knowing us, to pretty much overnight you are this England footballer that suddenly has won the Euros and the paparazzi are after you and you are getting these amazing opportunities that you would never have imagined pre-tournament. For both of us, that whole tournament completely changed our lives."

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• What stands beyond football for Russo?

  Russo admitted she already imagines life after her playing career, even if it feels far away right now.

  “I do. It's hard in the moment because it is so intense. When you are in football, all you want to do is win every trophy you can. But one day after football, I'd like to have another career. We can't play forever. I'd love to have children and live on a beach somewhere. I'd love to have my own vineyard and live in Italy with my family and have loads of kids and switch off and just be away from football and watch it for fun and enjoy a whole other life. But I don't think that will ever happen.”

  “I look forward to after football and achieving everything I want to achieve in terms of trophies. I do look forward to having another career. I suppose it's a new phase of life after you play football.”

After a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City on the opening day, Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign a defensive reinforcement.

Pereira positive despite Wolves' business

It’s been a tough summer for those in the Midlands. Since losing Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri to both Manchester clubs, it’s easy to argue that Wolves have failed to strengthen. Whilst arrivals such as Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias have at least handed Vitor Pereira some attacking depth, it’s currently unclear whether either of those fresh faces will have enough quality to replace Cunha.

Pereira's very own Neves: Wolves plotting £26m move for "total leader"

Wolverhampton Wanderers could win Vitor Pereira his own Ruben Neves by signing this £26m ace.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 21, 2025

Despite any concern that they’ve not done enough in the transfer window, however, Pereira chose to remain positive before Man City arrived to bring his side back down to earth last weekend.

Whether that 4-0 thrashing courtesy of Pep Guardiola’s side has changed things in the transfer window will now be interesting to see, especially amid reports that Wolves have already made their move in pursuit of a defensive star.

Wolves submit first Krejci offer

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Wolves have now submitted an opening offer to sign Ladislav Krejci from Girona worth as much as €30m (£26m). The 26-year-old centre-back has been granted an exit this month and it’s now those in the Midlands that could be about to take full advantage to land a key defensive reinforcement.

When compared, it’s clear that Krejci and Emmanuel Agbadou would form an impressive partnership in Pereira’s backline. Whilst the Girona star impressed most in possession last season – completing 144 progressive passes – Agbadou did more than enough off the ball to convince Molineux that he should be at the heart of the Wolves defence.

Dubbed a “superb player” by scout Jacek Kulig in 2022, Krejci is someone that Wolves should push to sign before the deadline. Whether their opening offer is enough to secure the defender’s signature remains to be seen, however.

Donny van de Beek's injury-blighted career has taken another devastating blow with reports he's suffered an Achilles injury during his first match back for Girona after five months on the sidelines. The Dutchman's time at Manchester United was hampered by a series of injuries and he was allowed to leave, but his injury luck has not improved since leaving Old Trafford.

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  Van de Beek's worrying injury

  Van de Beek suffered a serious injury in Girona's match against Athletic Club where the midfielder, making his first start in five months after returning from surgery, was forced off the pitch in the 33rd minute, clutching the back of his ankle, clearly in considerable pain. Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports he has damaged his Achilles. 

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• Dutchman's injury woes continue

  Van de Beek signed for Manchester United in 2020 for a fee of £40 million (£54m), but struggled to secure a place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was loaned out to Everton where he suffered a serious of injuries. Back at United, under new boss Erik ten Hag he suffered a serious knee injury against Bournemouth and was sold to Eintracht Frankfurt the following season. 

• Girona fear 'worst news' over Van de Beek

  Girona boss Sanchez, told Mundo Deportivo: "We'll see after the tests, but it could be the worst news of the match." 

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  When will the Dutchman return?

  There's no update on Van de Beek's injury as yet, but the injury comes as a massive blow for the Dutchman's hopes of rebuilding his career, coming six years after he was nominated for a Ballon d'Or award, while he was playing for Ajax. 

After Pulisic's standout showing against Napoli, GOAL looks at the USMNT star's top performances for club and country

Is Christian Pulisic really in the form of his life? It's a phrase that's probably tossed around a little too often. If form is inherently temporary, "form of his life" suggests that there's a limit to the greatness. But many have used it to describe Pulisic, just the same.

And if you're generous in the interpretation, it's a decent shout. Pulisic has been truly excellent for AC Milan thus far this season under new manager Max Allegri. The tactics have been a little funky for the , but Pulisic has exuded main man energy, and is, as things stand, in contention for the Serie A Player of the Year Award. That's no small feat. 

Last weekend's win over Napoli only emphasized that fact. Pulisic scored one and assisted another as Milan bested the reigning champions, a real statement of intent for a new look side. But where does that performance rank among his best?

GOAL looks at the U.S. international's best career performances for club and country.

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  10April 2021: Chelsea 1, Real Madrid 1

  What a needed goal. Sure, Real Madrid weren't playing at the Santiago Bernabeu when they hosted Chelsea in April 2021, but they still made a fearsome Champions League semifinal opponent. Ultimately, the damage was done in the second leg at Samford Bridge a week later. But Pulisic set the table for everything, rounding Thibaut Courtois and slotting home to earn a 1-1 draw which proved to be enough to get the job done. 

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  9August 2017: Borussia Dortmund 3, Wolfsburg 0

  Even back in August 2017, Pulisic's talent was no secret. It was just a question of putting it all together. He got off to a fine start in that effort, finding the net and turning in a wonderful all-round performance to pace Dortmund to a 3-0 win. 

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  8June 2017: USMNT 2, Trinidad & Tobago 0

  No, not Trinidad game. Before it all went wrong, Pulisic was carrying the USMNT through qualifying. And this game gave them hope, as Bruce Arena's side leaned on their star to secure a 2-0 win. Pulisic scored both, and, momentarily, everything seemed alright. 

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  7November 2024: Milan 3, Real Madrid 1

  Sure, Pulisic had gotten a result against Madrid on the road before. But doing at the Bernabeu proper? That's a different challenge altogether. Pulisic didn't score here, but he set up one and was vital in another as Milan exposed Los Blancos at home. The final score was 3-1, but it really could have been five. 

As the hours continue to tick away on transfer deadline day, Leeds United are still searching for that one last addition of attacking spark and have made contact in pursuit of exactly that.

Leeds' deadline day plan

After a 1-0 victory against Everton, 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal and, most recently, solid 0-0 draw against Newcastle United, Leeds should be fairly happy with how they’ve started their Premier League return. But they must not get complacent. There’s still work to be done in the transfer market.

For all their good work to earn four points from a possible nine, it’s noticeable that they’ve managed just one goal whilst doing so and that came courtesy of Lukas Nmecha’s penalty on the opening day.

It’s an attacking problem that Daniel Farke pointed out before the season even got underway and one that, to their credit, the 49ers have been attempting to solve through targets such as Igor Paixao and Facundo Buonanotte. Ultimately, however, any potential deals for those targets have been hijacked by the likes of Marseille and Chelsea.

Even after those frustrating blows, though, Leeds are not giving up. Farke reiterated that they will be working until the window slams shut to welcome much-needed attacking quality, telling reporters: “In defence and midfield, goalkeeper position and full-back position, we’ve done really good business.

“But we spoke quite open and honest about it, we would need to add some more quality up front. We need to stay awake until the last hour of this window.”

The wait may well be worth it for Leeds fans if deadline day reports are anything to go by too, with the Whites preparing to step up their move to sign one particular star.

Leeds plotting last-gasp Spertsyan offer

As reported by Armenie Football, Leeds are now plotting a late offer to sign Eduard Spertsyan after already making their first approach and launching contact in an attempt to get the ball rolling.

James upgrade: Leeds are in late talks to seal "remarkable" £20m signing

Leeds United are reportedly in talks to sign a star who could be an upgrade on Dan James.

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By
Dan Emery

Aug 31, 2025

The Krasnodar attacking midfielder would no doubt help solve Leeds’ problems going forward, and it could even be argued that he’d be a better arrival than the likes of Buonanotte.

Dubbed “underrated” by U23 scout Antonio Mango in 2023, Spertsyan has remained a player under the radar but could now get his chance to take the spotlight at Elland Road.

The Whites would also be signing a player who’s already been bang in form this season, with five goals and eight assists to his name in just 11 games.