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Wrexham are reportedly interested in completing the signing of a “brilliant” England international defender this summer, as they eye some massive pieces of business.

Wrexham linked with some huge signings

Phil Parkinson’s side are preparing for life in the Championship next season, following a third promotion in a row that saw them get out of League One automatically, in an incredible achievement by the club.

Financially, Wrexham appear to be in a healthy position, which is why they are being linked with some exciting players, with a shock move for Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy mooted. While that may not happen, it is a sign of the ambition of co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

A new striker appears to be high up on their list of summer options, with former Liverpool ace Danny Ings and Leeds United attacker Joe Gelhardt also both mentioned as choices. Speaking of the Reds, young left-back Owen Beck is believed to be a target, too, with Milos Kerkez’s arrival at Anfield possibly paving the way for him to leave Merseyside.

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan’s future at Hillsborough is up in the air currently, especially with the club failing to pay players’ wages on time, and the Scot has been mentioned as an eye-catching target for Wrexham who could add so much quality in the middle of the park, even during the autumn of his career.

Wrexham eyeing move for £80k-p/w Premier League defender

Now, according to a fresh claim from Sports Boom, Wrexham want to sign Everton centre-back Michael Keane this summer, with the England international out of contract at the end of this month.

The Welsh outfit are “hoping to entice the experienced centre-back to join their ambitious push for promotion”, although the fact that he may want to remain in the Premier League acts as a potential stumbling block. It is added that Keane ‘could be tempted by a move to Wrexham given the club’s ambition to win promotion straight into the Premier League’.

The £80,000-a-week Keane would be an audacious addition for Wrexham, in a signing that many supporters could only dream of a few years ago.

Granted, he is now 32 years of age and arguably not quite at his peak, but he is a hugely experienced footballer who has now racked up 253 appearances in the Premier League, not to mention winning 12 caps for England.

Keane has been described as “absolutely brilliant” by presenter Jeff Stelling, while David Moyes heaped praise on him last season, saying:

“Michael Keane, who has had some difficult times, played so well today and was immense for the goal off the corner. He’s a great boy and showed his professionalism as we’ve had injuries to (Jake) O’Brien and (James) Tarkowski and we looked different at the back.”

Everton

230

16

10

Burnley

108

7

5

Leicester City

27

3

0

Blackburn Rovers

13

3

0

Derby County

8

0

0

Manchester United

5

0

0

There are few negatives to Wrexham signing Keane, and while it will be hard to pull off, getting a deal over the line would feel like a major statement of intent.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is now upon us, with the new-look format scheduled to get underway on June 14 and end on July 13.

There are 32 teams battling it out to win the first edition of the newly expanded competition, which will take place in the United States of America.

12 stadiums across 11 states will host games, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham some of the top superstars fighting for a place in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Watch the FIFA Club World Cup live and on-demand here What is the new FIFA Club World Cup?

Previously, the Club World Cup would take place mid-season and only be formed of up to seven sides, with Manchester City winning the most recent iteration at the end of 2023.

However, 32 teams have qualified in the new format, and the competition will only take place every four years, similar to the international FIFA World Cup.

In total, there will be 63 games over 29 days and there promises to be incredible match-ups, unmissable clashes and must watch football at the highest level.

Where can I watch the 2025 Club World Cup?

One of the main questions fans will want to know is where to watch the 2025 Club World Cup. Well, you can watch the unmissable 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free on DAZN – the global home of football.

DAZN has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and will broadcast all of the matches live, available worldwide in 14 languages. Whether it be on a Smart TV, mobile, streaming stick, or games console, the DAZN app will provide the ultimate viewing experience.

Already a DAZN subscriber? Great, the Club World Cup will already be included as part of your membership. However, new customers can sign up for free using an email address, and will then be able to watch all the action.

FIFA Club World Cup Current Champions Manchester CityFounded 2000Most Championships Real Madrid (5)

DAZN

Watch all FIFA Club World Cup games free on DAZN. The biggest clubs and the best players in the world compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Watch Every Game Live on DAZN List of qualified teams for 2025 Club World Cup

32 of the best club teams around the world have qualified for the tournament. Europe have the most clubs with 12, spaces which were allocated based on Champions League performances since 2020/21.

There are six teams from South America, four clubs each from Asia, Africa and North America, one from Oceania and Inter Miami representing the USA as host nation.

Europe Manchester City Real Madrid Chelsea Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain Inter Milan FC Porto Benfica Borussia Dortmund Juventus Red Bull Salzburg Atletico Madrid Africa Al Ahly Wydad Esperance de Tunis Mamelodi Sundowns Asia Al Hilal Urawa Red Diamonds Al Ain Ulsan HD North America Monterrey Seattle Sounders Pachuca Inter Miami Los Angeles FC Oceania Auckland City South America Palmeiras Flamengo Fluminense River Plate Boca Juniors Botafogo Club World Cup groups and format

In total, there are eight groups of four teams in the Club World Cup, with each team playing three group games.

The top two teams in each group will qualify to the last 16, where the tournament will enter the knockout rounds. Quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final will follow, but there is no third/fourth play-off game at the Club World Cup.

The quarter-finals will take place across July 4 and 5 with the two semi-finals on July 8 and 9. The tournament will end with a spectacular showpiece final on Sunday July 13, featuring a half-time show by J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems.

Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami

Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders

Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica

Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis, Chelsea, Los Angeles FC

River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan

Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns

Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus

Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, RB Salzburg

Newcastle United are expecting movements from both directions in the summer transfer market, with Eddie Howe looking to make astute investments after qualifying for the Champions League.

Though the Magpies are skating on thinner ice than most of their Premier League rivals in regard to the PSR front, they should be able to emerge from the market unscathed, making as many as four first-team additions.

Howe will certainly be hoping to secure a new defensive signature, with The Telegraph already revealing rekindled interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is worth £65m and has one year left on his contract.

However, PIF might want United to make a shrewder signing, and there’s one in particular which could fit the bill.

Newcastle to intensify talks for new CB

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are ready to up their pursuit of Monaco defender Wilfried Singo, who is also being targeted by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Talks are expected to intensify soon, with further suitors across Europe looking to get involved given the Ivory Coast international is available for a bargain €35m (£30m).

The 24-year-old has a wealth of choice to pick from, should he leave, but Newcastle’s interest dates back to 2022, so they may be able to tempt him to join the fold at St. James’ Park.

What Wilfried Singo would bring to Newcastle

Singo rose from Serie A side Torino’s academy before joining Monaco in a €9m (£7m) deal back in August 2023, having since gone from strength to strength in France and earned praise as a “freak athlete” and a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Powerful and pacy, Singo’s strengths have been utilised on the wide flank at times, but there’s no question he’s at his best in a central defensive berth.

His eye for goal and natural progressiveness have even led him to be linked by FBref as Real Madrid star Dean Huijsen’s most comparable player, ranking among the top 1% of centre-halves across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal involvements, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90.

It becomes even clearer when assessing the respective defenders’ metrics from the recently completed campaign.

Matches (starts)

27 (23)

32 (26)

Goals

1

3

Assists

2

2

Touches*

65.9

63.9

Pass completion

87%

84%

Key passes*

0.3

0.5

Ball recoveries*

5.1

3.3

Tackles + interceptions*

3.0

2.7

Clearances*

4.0

6.1

Duels (won)*

4.7 (60%)

3.6 (56%)

Huijsen was on Newcastle’s radar, as per the BBC, after his exemplary season with Bournemouth, but when Los Blancos came calling, activating his £50m release clause, the Spain star only had one destination in mind, rejecting a wealth of Premier League interest.

Given the Magpies’ desire for Guehi, too, it’s clear this is a priority position, and Singo’s ostensible availability could lead to an official in the coming weeks, not that talks are intensifying.

Technically proficient and a confident and commanding defensive presence, Singo could prove to be Newcastle’s very own version of Huijsen next season, providing the requisite quality at the back to ensure the club can wade deep into Champions League competition and challenge for a place at the forefront of the Premier League.

Newcastle line up "magical" £59m CF who's like Cunha & Mbeumo

Newcastle are plotting to sign a few new forwards this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 5, 2025

West Ham United have made contact over a summer deal for an “incredible” £20m defender, who has now been identified as a key target, according to a report.

Important summer on the horizion for West Ham

West Ham are set to part ways with a number of long-serving players in the summer, with Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings all confirmed to be leaving upon the expiration of their contracts.

As such, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has insisted the Hammers will need to be busy in the summer transfer window, at which point Graham Potter will have the chance to bring in some players more suited to his style of play.

Potter is well-known for his possession-based style of play, which means it could be wise to bring in a new centre-back who is capable of playing out from the back, and the Irons have now made contact over a deal for a defender.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, West Ham United are now serious about signing Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and they have enquired about his potential availability this summer.

Harwood-Bellis has been identified as a key target for the Hammers, and an approach has now been made, with the Saints likely to lose the centre-back, who they originally signed for £20m.

Despite being a part of a struggling side this season, the 23-year-old has impressed West Ham’s scouts this season, and the Englishman’s age means his best years could still be ahead of him.

Harwood-Bellis could be "incredible" signing for West Ham

The 2024-25 campaign was far from ideal for the Saints, but there are some signs the centre-back could be a solid signing for the Irons this summer, having received high praise from Pep Guardiola in the past.

The Manchester City manager said: “I’m happy that he’s settling in the Premier League. He’s an incredible threat for Southampton from set pieces and a composer when they have the ball because the manager insists the way they have to play, they have to be close, to move differently.”

The England international’s attacking quality was also on display during his Three Lions debut, scoring on his debut in the 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland back in November.

Having impressed for both club and country at times last season, there are signs that Harwood-Bellis could flourish in a better side, so it is promising news that West Ham are stepping up their pursuit of the former Manchester City man.

Tonight is set to be the the biggest nigh in Tottenham Hotspur’s season, if not the biggest this decade.

Ange Postecoglou and his side have the chance to make amends for their horrendous Premier League campaign and write their names into the history books by winning the Europa League tonight.

However, to do that, the North Londoners have to get past Reuben Amorim’s equally desperate Manchester United.

So, to ensure this team have the best chance of winning the club’s first piece of major silverware since 2008, Postecoglou must make some changes to the team who lost on Friday night, starting with Djed Spence.

Why Spence should be dropped

So the first thing to say is that throughout the season, Spence has probably been one of the few players who has increased his reputation.

His impressive blend of attacking and defensive abilities made him one of the team’s most effective players in the months after Christmas.

However, while the former Middlesbrough gem has started the last ten league games for the club, the team have been seriously poor in those matches.

Chalkboard

For example, they’ve won only one, drawn two and lost the other seven, with the games away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool and Aston Villa being particularly underwhelming.

Moreover, while he wasn’t the worst offender at Villa Park, the 24-year-old was underwhelming at best, with the Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick writing that it was another display demonstrating he’s ‘lost his mojo in the past month.’

So, with Postecoglou needing everyone to be at their very best tonight, he should take the Englishman out of the team and bring in Pedro Porro, who has shown his value in the last few European games.

For example, the “titanic” right-back, as dubbed by The Athletic’s former Spurs correspondent Charlie Eccleshare, scored a goal in the first leg of the quarter-final, picked up an assist in the first leg of the semi-final and then scored another goal in the second leg as well.

In all, while Spence is a talented player, he should be dropped for tonight’s game, as should several other players.

The other Spurs star who should be axed

Now, while there are several players you could make a case for dropping from Friday’s lineup for tonight, the most obvious one is Sergio Reguilon.

The 28-year-old left-back made just his second start and sixth appearance of the season against Aston Villa, and while he wasn’t utterly terrible, he didn’t do anything to suggest he should remain in the team.

For example, in 74 minutes of actions, the “ridiculous” full-back, as dubbed by Gary Neville, amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.05, was dribbled past twice, lost 75% of his ground duels, lost the ball 13 times, completed just 17 passes, misplaced all seven of his long balls, and failed in 100% of his dribbles.

Minutes

74′

Expected Goals

0.05

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.00

Assists

0

Clearances

4

Dribbled Past

2

Ground duels (won)

4 (1)

Possession lost

13

Accurate passes

17/26 (65%)

Key passes

0

Crosses (accurate)

2 (1)

Long balls (accurate)

7 (0

Dribble attempts (successful)

1 (0)

In short, it wasn’t a great showing from the former Real Madrid ace, and with tonight’s game being so important, he simply has to be dropped from the team.

Moreover, much like Porro on the right, the manager has made Destiny Udogie his go-to left-back in the Europa League in recent games, and it’s been a decision that’s paid off.

The team conceded just one goal in their last four games, and Alasdair Gold awarded the Italian with a 9/10 match rating following their incredible 1-0 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ultimately, while Spence and Reguilon were not the worst players in the team on Friday night, neither one did anywhere near enough to break into Postecoglou’s European starting XI, and therefore, both must be dropped.

He'd send Tel packing: Spurs race to sign £19m "future ballon d'Or winner"

The incredible talent would be an unreal signing for Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 16, 2025

Liverpool are reportedly at risk of losing an off-field “genius” this summer, amid claims that a Saudi Pro League club are interested in snapping him up.

A busy summer awaits at Liverpool

After some relatively quiet summers in recent years, under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, this upcoming transfer window has the potential to be the busiest in a long time at Anfield, with lots of funds set to come the Reds’ way.

Jeremie Frimpong is believed to be closing in on a move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, filling the upcoming void that will be left by Trent Alexander-Arnold, not to mention also being able to thrive as a right-winger.

Meanwhile, the Reds are said to have held talks with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez over a summer switch, with the Hungarian seen as the leading option to be Andy Robertson’s long-term successor on Merseyside.

There are also expected to be plenty of summer exits alongside Alexander-Arnold, with doubts over the futures of players all over the pitch, from Jarell Quansah to Darwin Nunez. It is going to be a busy period for the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes behind the scenes, but now a major update has dropped regarding the former.

Liverpool at risk of losing "genius" Edwards after Saudi approach

According to a worrying update from Give Me Sport journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool CEO of Football Edwards is wanted by Saudi club Al-Ahli, as they look to steal him away from the Reds this summer.

The report claims that the transfer guru has been “approached” by them to “discuss a senior role” there, adding that they “hold a firm desire to try and appoint Edwards, even though he is relatively new to his current job” at Anfield, having previously been sporting director there. Edwards isn’t actively looking to leave Merseyside, however, he “does see appeal in speaking to clubs wishing to overhaul their sporting department”.

Losing Edwards would be an undoubted blow for Liverpool and FSG, considering his reputation in the game, being considered as one of the best sporting directors of his generation, masterminding the signings of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, among others.

Virgil van Dijk

2018

£75m

Mohamed Salah

2017

£37m

Sadio Mane

2016

£34m

Alisson

2018

£67m

Andy Robertson

2017

£10m

Fabinho

2018

£39m

Gini Wijnaldum

2016

£25m

Joel Matip

2016

Free

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

2017

£35m

Takumi Minamino

2020

£7.25m

His influence hasn’t been lost on former Reds CEO Peter Moore, who has said of him: “Analytical genius. The ability to look at data and then look at the players. This is why I bring up the Dave Fallows and the Barry Hunters, it’s one thing looking at data but you need boots on the ground and eyes on the pitch.”

Hopefully, Edwards will feel that he is still new to his CEO role and has plenty more to achieve at Liverpool, but the financial lure of the Saudi Pro League is obvious.

Not just Quansah: Liverpool must axe 6/10 flop who was "so funny to watch"

Liverpool were defeated by Brighton in the Premier League.

ByAngus Sinclair May 20, 2025

It would be a step in the wrong direction if he did decide to once again leave Liverpool for a new challenge, at a time when things are going so smoothly both on and off the pitch.

Arsenal and Liverpool are both ready to pay up to £50 million for a “quick” Premier League star who PSG have held talks over signing, according to a report this week.

Arsenal lose Champions League semi-final tie against PSG

Mikel Arteta watched on from the sidelines as his side succumbed to a crushing defeat at the Parc des Princes – a loss which ended Arsenal’s hopes of winning a first-ever Champions League crown.

Arsenal: Berta wants £119k-per-week PSG star after failed Atletico deal

Berta attempted to sign him for the La Liga side.

ByEmilio Galantini May 7, 2025

Arsenal’s 5-1 dismantling of Real Madrid in the last round had a lot of tails up around the Emirates Stadium, and the prospect of Champions League glory was made very real by their statement two-legged display against the 15-time European champions.

However, this year’s standout team in PSG, who many are backing to win the competition, ultimately outclassed Arsenal over two semi-final clashes where Arteta’s side weren’t quite ruthless enough in the final third.

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

The Ligue 1 champions have now booked their place in this year’s Champions League final against Inter Milan, with Arteta making a humble statement to the media in the aftermath of their 2-1 loss on Wednesday.

“I can take a lot of positives, and I’m very proud of the team,” said Arteta after Arsenal’s defeat to PSG.

“We have to arrive in the competition at this stage with a full squad, fully available, in the best condition. We haven’t got that, so let’s put that aside. It’s still the team that I’ve seen today against, probably one of the best, if not the best team in Europe. It gives me so much pride, but at the same time, I’m so upset, so annoyed that we didn’t manage to do it. And two things that are on us, probably not together. Another thing is that, obviously, the opponent at this level has the quality to deliver like Donnarumma has done today again.”

With Arsenal’s European adventure now officially over, attention is set to switch to the summer transfer window, and how new sporting director Andrea Berta will react to the Gunners’ disappointing 2024/2025 campaign.

Berta has been tipped to spend around £300 million on seven major signings (GiveMeSport), and one of them could be a new right-winger to alternate with Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal ready to pay up to £50 million for West Ham star Mohammed Kudus

Arsenal are believed to remain keen on Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane as an option to give Saka competition on that side, but West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus is also attracting their attention.

According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal and Liverpool are prepared to pay up to £50 million for Kudus, but have no intention of going anywhere near the Ghanaian’s £85 million release clause.

West Ham are apparently holding out for his exit clause to be paid in full, but neither side is willing to go that high.

Graham Potter’s men do hold some hope of an auction for Kudus, though, with other reports from Africa recently claiming that PSG have already held talks with the 24-year-old’s camp, as the Ligue 1 champions seek to bolster their own attacking options.

Teammate Aaron Cresswell is on record praising Kudus’ “quick” speed, branding him a “top” player, even if Ajax’s former sensation hasn’t enjoyed the best 24/25 campaign.

Kudus also bagged a stunning goal against Arsenal in the EFL Cup last season, so Arteta is fully aware of the winger’s quality when at his devastating best.

Manchester United would have been fearing the final outcome of their clash on the South Coast whilst the clock ticked down as ten-man AFC Bournemouth held onto their precarious 1-0 lead.

An embarrassing 16th loss of the Premier League for Ruben Amorim’s topsy-turvy Red Devils was on the cards but for Rasmus Hojlund.

The Dane has had many a vocal critic this season about his anonymous attacking displays but he managed to pop up with a last-gasp equaliser to hand the away side a dramatic share of the points.

With the Cherries seeing Evanilson sent off for a dangerous tackle in the second half, a point against a side that ended up playing with ten men for 20 minutes will still feel like somewhat of a poor result, with the likes of Andre Onana enduring another shaky afternoon.

Onana's performance in numbers

Ultimately, another game ended up passing Onana by without a Premier League clean sheet, with the often nervy goalkeeper only managing to amass a weak nine clean sheets from 33 total games.

The Cameroon goalkeeper would fail to make a single save across another choppy 90 minutes, with Antoine Semenyo’s first-half effort proving too fierce for the ex-Ajax shot-stopper to thwart.

Moreover, his ability with the ball at his feet left a lot to be desired too, leading to the United number one only registering 23 accurate passes from 32 attempted, on top of only three accurate long balls being accumulated from 12.

Chalkboard

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

A new ‘keeper must be high up Amorim’s shopping list this summer but he will have to do better than he did in January.

After all, his only signing at Old Trafford hasn’t exactly set the world alight…

4/10 Man United dud must be axed after Bournemouth

Minus Bruno Fernandes showing his obvious class again with seven key passes tallied up, alongside Hojlund’s redemption arc being on show, there were a number of underperformers once more that would have irked Amorim watching on.

Indeed, Patrick Dorgu falls into this underperforming category, with his lackadaisical approach on the ball gifting Semenyo a chance to fire Andoni Iraola’s men into the lead.

Minutes played

89

Touches

61

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

61

Accurate passes

25/30 (83%)

Accurate crosses

0/4

Possession lost

15x

Total duels won

9/14

Amazingly, this isn’t the first time Dorgu has fallen victim to a lapse in concentration this season, with one kamikaze back-pass versus Ipswich Town back in February gifting Jaden Philogene a fortuitous effort.

But, away from another costly error allowing Semenyo to score, the table above shows how his overall game was equally as shoddy, with the 20-year-old failing to register a single accurate cross down the left channel.

Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst would dish out his lowest match rating of the day to the ex-Lecce man subsequently, with Luckhurst stating that his 4/10 judgement was due to Dorgu looking “unsettled” by Bournemouth’s high press.

Thankfully, his blushes were spared by Hojlund being in the right place at the right time to fire home a late equaliser, leading to the 22-year-old presumably feeling that he deserves to start this coming Thursday when Amorim’s camp travel to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.

After all, United’s season rests on a potential success in this competition now, culminating in Dorgu perhaps being axed for the Red Devils’ upcoming Basque adventure. It’s a big game, but Harry Amass or even Luke Shaw are surely more deserving of a place over the final weeks of the season.

Their next Amad: Man Utd make huge swap offer for "outstanding" £42m star

Manchester United are making moves to land a new attacking star ahead of the summer transfer window.

1 ByEthan Lamb Apr 26, 2025

An “unbelievable” Everton player has provided a significant update on his future at the club, saying he is open to signing a contract extension.

Another impressive Everton result under Moyes

The Blues picked up one of their best results since David Moyes returned as manager, winning 1-0 away to third-place Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the only goal of the game in the dying seconds, netting a 94th-minute winner amid scenes of joy among the travelling Everton supporters.

Moyes continues to do a superb job in his second stint in charge at Goodison Park, steering his team comfortably away from the relegation zone, and he will now be eyeing the right summer signings to come in and take the Blues up a further level next season.

Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin is one player who has been linked with a move to Everton recently, following an impressive season that has seen him score three goals and register two assists in the Championship. Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko is another rumoured target for the Merseysiders, as they eye potential replacements for Jarrad Branthwaite, should he depart this summer.

Everton hero drops big update on his future

Speaking on Match of the Day on Saturday night [via Goodison News], Doucoure claimed that he would “love” to stay at Everton beyond this season, saying he is open to signing a new deal:

“I can’t talk too much about that but obviously you know it may be my last few months here at the moment. Everything is quiet from the club side. Obviously I love the club, I always said. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of weeks.”

When further pressed about signing a new deal with the Blues, he added: “Why not? To be honest I love this club. I always said I wanted to stay. Obviously my contract is running out but I love the club.”

The £130,000-a-week Doucoure is a vital player for Everton, as highlighted by his winner at the City Ground on Saturday, so the majority of supporters would surely love to see him stay on.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, and while he isn’t getting any younger, a new deal makes complete sense, given his continued influence.

Doucoure has been such an asset for Everton so long, not least after he scored the goal that kept them in the Premier League against Bournemouth in 2022/23, leading to Jamie Carragher to heap praise on him:

“Unbelievable goal. He’s had a huge influence on the team since he’s come back into the team under Sean Dyche. You think of how many special goals Everton have scored to get them big points, we’ve seen another one today that’s got Everton three points.”

Moyes must instantly drop Everton star who lost the ball every 2 touches

Everton sealed a late victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Apr 13, 2025

Doucoure has made it clear that he is keen to stay on at Everton, so it’s now a case of The Friedkin Group giving him what he wants, within reason.

Contracts have been the talking point around Liverpool football club in recent months, with three of Arne Slot’s key players out of contract at the end of the season.

Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah have all been regular starters this campaign, but all three of the stars’ current deals are set to expire in June.

However, there has been progress with the Dutchman and Egyptian, with the pair both set to sign new deals until the summer of 2027 – undoubtedly a huge boost to their ambitions for Premier League glory next season.

As for Trent, he looks set to depart and join Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the season, ending his 20-year affiliation with his boyhood club, to the disappointment of the fanbase.

Such a departure could leave a huge hole in the first-team backline, but it appears the hierarchy have wasted no time in landing a player who could potentially fill any void next campaign.

Liverpool set to make £85m bid for defensive star

According to one Spanish outlet, Liverpool are set to make a €100m (£85m) summer bid for Barcelona star Ronald Araujo in an attempt to strengthen the defensive department.

The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances across all competitions, notching four combined goals and assists, being able to feature in a centre-back or right-back role.

The Uruguayan international has had an injury-hit campaign, but has still managed to impress, as seen by the Reds’ willingness to fork out big-money for his signature.

The report claims that the opportunity to play in England’s top flight could be too good to turn down, but that it will be up to the LaLiga outfit whether they want to part ways with Araujo.

It may be a huge investment from the hierarchy, but it would be a worthwhile one for Slot’s side – especially if his figures from the current campaign are anything to go by.

Why Araujo is the perfect Van Dijk & Trent hybrid for Liverpool

The Reds’ backline is in need of investment with Trent’s pending departure and Andy Robertson’s decline in recent months, making this summer vital for Slot.

Van Dijk has often been the shining light within the back four over the last few years, with his performances helping the side win five major honours since his move in January 2018.

However, he’s often lacked that partner at the heart of the defence, with Ibrahima Konate prone to a mistake, as seen during last weekend’s defeat against Fulham.

Araujo could provide that fellow world-class option the club have been searching for, with current boss Hansi Flick labelling the Uruguayan international as “one of the best in the world”.

His ability to feature at right-back too could make him an option to cover should Trent leave, producing figures better than the aforementioned pair in numerous key areas.

Defensively, Araujo has outperformed the current Reds stars, winning more tackles per 90, whilst also coming out on top in more aerials – offering that added solidity they’ve been hunting for as of late.

Games played

16

28

31

Goals & assists

4

8

2

Pass accuracy

93%

74%

92%

Tackles won

1.3

1

0.5

Aerials won

3.9

0.2

3.2

Shot-on-target accuracy

67%

18%

32%

Passes completed per game

90

63

74

In possession, he’s been just as impressive, completing more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst also achieving a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – highlighting the quality he possesses at both ends of the pitch.

Whilst it may be another huge fee to spend on a new signing, it’s one that could provide added quality into the backline, further strengthening Slot’s chances of winning trophies on Merseyside.

It’s unclear whether Barça would be open to selling one of their key players, but it’s evident that from the stats he’s produced in 2024/25, he would be a superb addition – partnering Van Dijk and softening the blow of Trent’s pending departure.

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