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Estevao Willian admits he thought it “would take longer” to adapt at Chelsea, but he already has his own song and is loving life in England.

• Teenage wonderkid starring for Blues
• Enjoyed memorable run for club & country
• Fast becoming a fan favourite in west London

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian wonderkid completed a transfer to Stamford Bridge from Palmeiras over the summer after turning 18. He lined up against the Blues, registering a goal against them, at the FIFA Club World Cup.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Estevao, who is known as ‘Messinho’ in his homeland, has been thrown in at the Premier League deep end. That challenge has been embraced, becoming the youngest player to register a top-flight assist for Chelsea. He has also opened his senior goal account for Brazil – with the target being found in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Chile at the Maracana.

• WHAT ESTEVAO SAID

  Estevao told of a whirlwind few weeks: “It's happening very quickly, and I'm already getting a lot of opportunities there, more than I even expected at Chelsea.

  “But I think it's the result of the hard work and dedication I've maintained in training. [Enzo] Maresca has a lot of confidence in me to play, even arriving in a new league, in a new country. I try to repay that on the field by giving my all. And this adaptation has been incredible.

  “I thought it would take a little longer to adapt, because of the climate and the language. But, thank God, it's happening very quickly. I'm already getting used to the language well.

  “The climate there has helped a lot during the three weeks I've been there, because it's not cold, it's hot. It's getting dark by nine o'clock at night. So, I think that was crucial for me too, for my adaptation. It's been really, really, really good, I'm loving it.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Pressed further on whether he expected Chelsea fans to come up with a song for him so quickly, Estevao added: “No! I only heard ‘Estevao’ – the little song. But the affection I see the fans have for me – and the coaching staff, everyone at Chelsea – is incredible. Since I arrived, I've felt at home.

  I think I'm developing now at Chelsea; I'm getting the opportunity and taking advantage of it. It's been incredible. I'm loving Chelsea, I'm loving London. I don't think it could be better. Wow, I think it is the happiest moment of my life.”

The Saudi Pro League has attracted some star players in recent years, none bigger than Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been with Al-Nassr since 2023.

The Portugal icon signed a new two-year Al-Nassr deal in 2025 which sees him earn a staggering £488,000-per-day in Saudi Arabia.

The finances on offer have seen plenty of world-class footballers swap Europe for Saudi Arabia. However, others have also said no to heading to the Middle East.

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By
Robbie Walls

Jul 11, 2025

Players who have turned down Saudi Arabia moves

1

Lionel Messi

Back in 2023, Lionel Messi decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain and was wanted by Al-Hilal.

The Argentine, fresh off the back of a World Cup triumph in Qatar, was offered a three-year contract worth £1.3bn, where he would earn €500 million per season to make him the richest footballer in history.

However, Messi, considered the greatest of all time by many, snubbed the advances of the Saudi Pro League and instead made the move to the MLS with Inter Miami.

2

Bruno Fernandes

In 2025, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was also wanted by Al-Hilal, two years after they moved for Messi.

The attacking midfielder was offered £700,000-a-week plus bonuses, treble his Old Trafford wage, whereas the Red Devils were also in line to bring in £100m in a transfer fee.

However, Fernandes wanted to play at the ‘top level in Europe’, so snubbed the Saudi interest.

3

Romelu Lukaku

A running theme with Al-Hilal missing out on European targets saw Romelu Lukaku snub them ahead of the 2023/2024 campaign.

At the time, the Belgium striker was still under contract at Chelsea after a loan spell with Inter Milan and was the subject of a £50m per season proposal.

He turned the Saudi Pro League down, though, counting his career in Italy with AS Roma and Napoli.

4

Kylian Mbappe

In what would have been the most expensive signing in football history, Kylian Mbappe was the subject of interest from Al-Hilal in 2023, and they even reportedly agreed a €300m transfer fee with Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe was even offered a one-year deal worth €700m where he could of then sealed his dream move to Real Madrid. The French superstar did get his move to the Bernabeu, however, he stayed in Paris instead of heading to the Saudi Pro League for 12 months.

5

Son Heung-Min

Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min has become a Spurs legend since moving to north London back in 2015, and he turned down the chance to join Al-Ittihad in 2023.

The South Korean said that ‘money doesn’t matter’ when linked with a move to Al-Ittihad, who were willing to pay Tottenham more than £50m at the time. In the end, they brought in former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.

6

Ousmane Dembele

Ronaldo and Ousmane Dembele is a partnership that could have been for Al-Nassr, with the Saudi side targeting the France star when he was still on the books of Barcelona.

Al-Nassr were even willing to pay Dembele £35m per season for five years, however, he ended up turning them down to move to Paris Saint-Germain.

7

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy has 13 hugely successful years at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes legend won the Premier League and FA Cup with Leicester, but back in 2023, turned down an approach from Al-Khaleej.

It is unknown just how much Al-Khaleej were willing to offer the striker, who ended up staying with the Foxes for two more years before leaving in 2025.

8

Luka Modric

Iconic Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was wanted by Al-Hilal in 2023 and was even offered a mammoth €200m deal over three years to head to the Middle East.

The Croatian decided against leaving Europe, though, instead spending two more years at the Bernabeu before heading to Italy with AC Milan.

9

Sergio Busquets

Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets came up against Ronaldo plenty of times in Spain, and the pair could have been teammates for Al-Nassr in 2023.

The holding midfielder was the subject of a €20m per season offer from the Saudi side, however, Busquets ended up snubbing the prospect of playing alongside Ronaldo to reunite with Messi at Inter Miami.

10

Bernardo Silva

Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has been a Saudi Pro League target for a number of years, and in 2023, was offered a deal three times more than his Etihad contract to head to the Middle East.

Al-Hilal were willing to pay the Portuguese midfielder £500,000-a-week, however, he remained in England under Pep Guardiola.

Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta’s transfer plans, after manager Mikel Arteta was handed the major boost of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres’ imminent arrival.

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Gyokeres, according to The Independent, will fly out to Singapore for his medical as he looks to play some part in their pre-season tour of Asia, with Arsenal finally reaching a full breakthrough to sign the 27-year-old earlier this week.

Gyokeres is poised to join Arsenal in a deal worth £64 million, including add-ons, with a full verbal agreement now struck between all parties as Arteta prepares to welcome the prolific number nine to his squad.

Given Arsenal’s struggles to break teams down last season, Gyokeres has the potential to be a title-winning signing, and people who’ve worked with the Sweden international simply cannot find enough superlatives to describe him.

“He really was incredible,” said Adi Viveash, who coached and mentored Gyokeres at Coventry City, to Sky Sports.

“His power, taking the ball and running with it, bursting through gaps, linking the play, being very good in both boxes set-piece-wise – which wasn’t a strength of his, but he became certainly very good at defensive set-pieces with me through front post defending.”

“If you give Vik half a pitch in behind with a high line and you get the line wrong, you’re never going to catch him. He’s going to keep making the run in behind so you’re wearing down opposition.”

After Gyokeres, who’ll also be joined by defender Cristhian Mosquera in Singapore, the plan for Arsenal is to prioritise a central attacking midfielder (Ben Jacobs).

Arsenal are seriously interested in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, as they have been for weeks, but more and more noise is surrounding an alternative to the England international in RB Leipzig sensation Xavi Simons.

Arsenal contact Xavi Simons camp amid Barcelona meeting

According to Romano, Arsenal are guaranteed to have made contact with Simons’ camp, with Chelsea also seriously contending for the 22-year-old’s signature as they plan transfer talks with Leipzig this week.

La Liga champions Barcelona, led by their sporting director Deco, also held a meeting with the Netherlands forward’s representatives recently, but a move to the Camp Nou is seen as unlikely for this window and more one for the future.

Right now, it appears Chelsea are the current favourites for Simons. However, Arsenal remain “attentive” to his situation and a north London switch hasn’t been entirely ruled out yet, meaning he’s still one to watch.

Leipzig only signed the player from PSG permanently in January for an initial £43 million, with Simons now preparing to leave the Bundesliga side after spending some significant time there on loan previously.

Called a “difference maker” by ex-Leipzig boss Marco Rose, Simons has racked up an impressive tally of 21 goals and 23 assists during his time in Germany, but the Premier League could now beckon for him.

Interestingly, journalist Buchi Laba is convinced that Simons would be a “better” Arsenal signing than Eze.

Since taking charge of the USMNT, Pochettino doesn't yet have a signature win – and South Korea delivered another signature loss

"We have to start to win when the World Cup starts."

That's was Mauricio Pochettino's assessment following the latest U.S. men's national team loss and, in truth, he's right. He pointed to a good run with Argentina ahead of the 2002 tournament, one which ended on them falling on their faces when the games got real.

In the past, others have pointed to Morocco, who fired their coach just weeks before their 2022 World Cup run. As it turns out, the best way to judge a coach tasked with winning at a World Cup is, in fact, at a World Cup. Everything until then is just preparation.

That's the way Pochettino sees it and, right or wrong, that's the way it's going to be for the USMNT. It's why performances like the one the USMNT turned in Saturday are seen by the coaching staff less as losses and more as lessons to be put to use next summer. 

The USMNT lost to South Korea, 2-0, but, as Pochettino says, does it matter either way on the road to 2026? That, of course, is up for debate, and there are plenty who will say that these results do matter, even if just in terms of optics. Pochettino agrees, but only to a degree. There's no point in sacrificing progress for results, he insists, even if the outside world sees the lack of results as the opposite of progress.

"I love the feeling of winning," Tyler Adams said, "so I would like to win games before the World Cup. But I understand his thought process. We talked about it in there. You can still have a good performance and not necessarily get the result. Yeah, I think at certain times, it's important to get some results but, for what positives we can take from today, it's about getting new faces into the national team and getting them exposure."

Exposure or exposed? That's the talking point postgame and, as long as the USMNT continues to lose at this level, those discussions won't dissipate.

The fact is that, since taking charge, Pochettino doesn't really have a signature win. He has nine wins in 17 matches. And South Korea delivered the latest signature loss, one that goes alongside those against Mexico, Turkey, Panama, Canada and Switzerland.

While the alarm bells are ringing on the outside, Pochettino is maintaining perspective. Process, he says. Judging that process won't be done in September, but rather next June and July. Maybe Pochettino will be right. Maybe not, and maybe this is all reason for concern.

At the moment, though, that process requires trust, particularly in Pochettino.

"This is my message to the fans," Pochettino said. "We are going to arrive [to the World Cup] in good condition and, with the help of the fans, I think we are going to be very, very difficult to beat."

Against Son Heung-Min and South Korea, they weren't on Sunday. We'll see next summer.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Sports Illustrated Stadium.

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  WINNER: Son Heung-Min

  The recipient of the loudest pregame ovation? Son Heung-Min. The loudest of the game went to him, too. Such is life when you're your country's hero, now play in MLS and continue to do the business even with that status on your resume.

  Son's goal midway through the first half sent the partisan crowd wild, but it was far from the only time that happened. Every time the LAFC star touched the ball, the stadium rose in anticipation. Time and time again, Son put the USMNT in danger, and everyone in the building could see it coming.

  That was certainly the case on the goal, a fantastic finish past helpless USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese. It was also the case on the assist, as Son helped turn the USMNT defense into Swiss cheese. And there were plenty of other moments in between, sequences that nearly led to more goals.

  "He's just an intelligent player," said Adams. "You could see he's sharp. He knows how to make runs. I've played against him numerous times at Tottenham and he doesn't stop. he always finds the right spaces, and that's what makes him a world-class player."

  Son, quite clearly, was the best player on the field. Everyone knew it going in, and everyone really, really knew it by the final whistle.

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  LOSER: Tristan Blackmon

  This was Tristan Blackmon’s first USMNT cap, so he deserves some grace. Nerves likely got him. It was a big occasion, after all. 

  The problem is that there’s no time for nerves anymore, and even less time for game-breaking mistakes. Blackmon had a few and, while he’d have the freedom to play his way out of it at the end of a cycle, it’s tougher to do so this late in the game. It was a tough ask from the beginning but, with a World Cup looming, debutants, in particular, need to rise to the occasion.

  Blackmon didn’t. 

  "With Blackmon," Pochettino said, "we wanted to see him this time because we've seen in Vancouver that he has the profile to be in the national team. But you also need the experience to be at this level. The pressure is different. Everything is different. New teammates. Everything."

  It’s hard to see him getting another chance ahead of this World Cup. He got his cap and, regardless of what happened, that’s something to remember, given how few people have received such an honor. Unfortunately, this was a game to forget, both for the defender and his national team.

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  WINNER: Those omitted from camp

  Prior to these friendlies, Pochettino said this would be the last camp to experiment. Fans will hope so. It's long past time to get the guys that will be your World Cup cornerstones back into the XI.

  "It's up to us to detect and identify the players that will be at their best," Pochettino said postgame. "It's also a possibility that they need to perform with their clubs. They need to play in a consistent way to arrive at the best condition at the World Cup. I think that is clear."

  Some of those absences were due to injury, of course. Some weren't. There's no denying that the USMNT would have been better with Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann, Aidan Morris or Johnny Cardoso in midfield – take your pick.

  Joe Scally could have surely provided stability at fullback. Mark McKenzie, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Miles Robinson will be wondering why they couldn't have had this chance after seeing the centerback pairing get carved up.

  There were lessons learned on Saturday. The problem is that they were, in many ways, the same as those learned months ago. This player pool has a certain number who are top quality, and a certain number that simply aren't. It's long past time to acknowledge which are which.

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  LOSER: Christian Pulisic

  Christian Pulisic needed a break this summer. Fair enough. The thing is, if you’re going to take that break, you have to deal with the spotlight that follows. Pulisic didn’t do that.

  Pulisic was largely quiet on Saturday, struggling to take over a game that was calling out for him to take charge. That was the expectation, too, and the fact that it didn’t happen will only make the voices criticizing him grow louder. 

  There's another chance against Japan on Tuesday. Bygones are bygones in USMNT camp, but Pulisic still has a point to prove. A goal on Tuesday would go a long way toward silencing the critics That could have happened Saturday. It didn’t. Until it does, it lingers over this team, particularly after such a dismal result.

After a poor season in 2024/25 for Manchester City, they have made huge strides in improving their squad ahead of the new campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side have been busy in the 2025 summer transfer window, already signing six new players in a bid to improve their fortunes next season.

Two of those are goalkeepers, with James Trafford and Marcus Bettinelli signing to provide competition for Ederson. Rayan Ait-Nouri has so far been the only defensive signing, joining from Wolves, and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders moved to the Etihad Stadium from Italian giants Milan, as did young talent Sverre Nypan. In forward areas, Rayan Cherki signed from Lyon.

Now, City seem to be lining up another reinforcement at the back.

Man City’s next transfer target

There has been no messing around this season from Guardiola and his side, who seem to be getting set for a much better season, despite the poor performances in the Club World Cup. They have signed players across the pitch, with another defensive addition up next.

Transfer Focus

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

At least, that could be the case if they can pull off a move for Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento. According to a report from Dean Jones on the Transfers from Paradise podcast, via Manchester City News, they are ‘persisting with their interest’ in the England under-21 international.

This could be a tough deal to do. Jones explained that ‘Newcastle don’t want to sell the player’, although that won’t stop City from trying, and they ‘still think it might’ be possible to pull a deal off.

As for the price for Livramento, City might need to pay as much as £50m this summer.

Why Livramento would be a good signing

It has been a rapid rise to the top for London-born full-back Livramento. The 22-year-old, once described as a “sensational” player by former Magpies superstar Alan Shearer, offers an attacking threat and the ability to play on both sides of defence.

In 80 games for the club across his time in the North East, Livramento has bagged one goal and registered two assists. His versatility has been clear to see, too. He has played 42 times as a right-back and 19 times on the opposite side, offering excellent tactical flexibility.

Throughout Livramento’s time with the Magpies in the Premier League, there are some standout stats courtesy of Squawka. For example, he has created an average of 0.9 chances each game in each of the last two seasons. On top of that, he averaged 5.9 ball recoveries in 2023/24 and 6 the following season, per 90 minutes.

Over the summer, Livramento was a key member of England’s successful under-21 European Championship-winning squad. He made five appearances and played every minute, even grabbing an assist in the Three Lions’ first game.

If City do bring the 22-year-old to the Etihad Stadium, he will be the second under-21 Euros winner they have signed. Trafford has also lifted the trophy, back in 2023, where he made a historic late double save to win England the trophy.

There is certainly a case to be made that Guardiola’s side would be signing an even bigger English talent than Trafford in Livramento, if they bring him to the club. Notably, the former Burnley goalkeeper cost £27m, almost half of what City would need to pay for the Newcastle star.

He is also far more experienced in the top flight. The Cobham academy graduate has almost 100 Premier League appearances under his belt, making 93 already. That is far more than the number of games Trafford has played, with just 28 to his name so far.

Described as ‘an England right-back’ in the future by Newcastle star Kieran Trippier, Livramento is a player with huge potential. He could certainly be viewed as a bigger talent than City’s new number one, given the experience he has and the far costlier fee.

This could be a fantastic addition for City to help strengthen their side for now and in the future.

Pep's answer to Isak: Man City offer £170m to sign the PL's "best player"

With Alexander Isak potentially on his way to Liverpool, have Manchester City just offered £170m to sign the “best player in the Premier League”?

By
Ben Gray

Jul 29, 2025

The straight-talking Australian has replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in the City Ground dugout, but he must change his ways to survive

After a brief stay of execution, the axe has come down on Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest just three games into the new season. The Portuguese has paid the ultimate price for a behind-the-scenes feud with recently-appointed global head of football, Edu, speaking candidly about his frustrations in the transfer window and the deterioration of his relationship with notoriously ruthless club owner, Angelos Marinakis.

Bizarrely, the decision to sack Nuno was confirmed shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Thirteen hours later, his replacement was already in situ; after brief links with a clutch of Premier League managers and the out-of-work Jose Mourinho, former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is Forest's new head coach.

It is a divisive appointment that is certain to ruffle some feathers after the Australian led Spurs to both a Europa League crown a dismal 17th-place Premier League finish in a bewildering 2024-25 campaign that was plagued by injuries. The 60-year-old is seemingly charged with delivering more silverware at the City Ground, but he must learn from past mistakes to be a long-term success.

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  Tactical antithesis

  One of the most glaringly obvious issues with this appointment is that Postecoglou is a tactical misfit for a club whose success under Nuno in 2024-25 was built upon defensive solidity, a willingness to bide their time and control games without the ball, and relying on swift transitions and deadly counter-attacking.

  Meanwhile, 'Ange-ball' – as it came to be known at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – is a possession-based system that is dependent on hassling opponents with high pressing, inverted full-backs creating overloads in midfield and the defence holding a very high line, with an uncompromising emphasis on all-out attack.

  The Australian was often called out for being far too gung-ho and increasingly self-destructive in his approach during his time at Spurs, with his side found out on multiple occasions from the midway point of 2023-24 after a strong start where they seemed to have caught many of their rivals cold.

  That gradual deterioration culminated in a humiliating 17th-placed finish in the league last season courtesy of some incredibly haphazard defensive displays, as Tottenham set the ignominious record for the most defeats without being relegated in a 38-game Premier League campaign (22). Notably, there were two losses to Forest among them, as the Midlands club secured one-goal victories home and away.

  Something, then, has got to give as Postecoglou takes the reins at the City Ground. You could argue that he will have the players at his disposal to implement his ideas once again, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Elliot Anderson and more probably well suited to his system, but Nuno has already drawn up a blueprint that really works – his successor will be taking a huge risk if he decides to rip it up and start again.

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  Fitness woes

  A crippling injury crisis provided the backdrop to Tottenham's nightmarish 2024-25 league season, and Postecoglou regularly attributed blame to their lengthy list of absentees as his side struggled to compete domestically. However, many of the coach's detractors pointed to his demanding methods as the root cause of the raft of muscular issues, and there will be concerns of a repeat on the banks of the Trent.

  As reported by in January in the depths of the crisis, when Spurs had no fewer than 11 names unavailable, there was "no time for respite" in the 60-year-old's high-intensity training sessions, with the same vigour expected on the training ground as it is on the pitch on matchday with the aim of overpowering and outrunning the opposition. Indeed, injuries are supposedly even deemed par for the course as players adapt to the Australian's modus operandi.

  Notably, the north Londoners' head of medicine and sport science, Geoff Scott, left his role at the end of 2023-24 after a 20-year association with the club, purportedly after a fallout with Postecoglou over his handling of the first team's workload and the recovery of those who are injured. Key stars were often rushed back or even played through the pain barrier throughout his tenure.

  Nuno had already questioned Forest's readiness and depth on the eve of the new season as they prepared to fight on four fronts rather than three, after qualifying for Europe for the first time in 30 years and being promoted to the Europa League at Crystal Palace's expense, insisting his squad was "very, very far from where we should be". Although further additions have since been made, the lack of quality alternatives was a big problem at Tottenham, and the incoming boss can't afford to run his best players into the ground again.

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  Risk of revolt

  The new head coach could well find himself at the centre of a hostile situation at the City Ground, where a new manager wasn't needed and his predecessor was hugely popular having guided the club back into Europe for the first time in three decades. For many, Postecoglou wouldn't have been the first or even second choice to replace Nuno, either.

  When it became clear that the Portuguese's position had become untenable amid the souring of his relationship with owner Marinakis and global head of football Edu, the likes of Mourinho, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Mauricio Pochettino were linked with the role – all of whom would arguably be more appealing to the Garibaldi faithful, albeit the latter four are currently in work and therefore would be difficult extract.

  "Postecoglou is about as far removed from the Steve Cooper and Nuno school of football as it is possible to get," GOAL writer and Forest fan Chris Burton says. "Jose Mourinho, for all of the obvious questions that he poses, would have been a better fit for a counter-attacking model that leans heavily on defensive stability. If Postecoglou goes full Ruben Amorim-mode and refuses to change his ways, then he will find out that the tide can turn quickly on Trentside."

  It would be difficult to dispel the buoyant mood around the club after an exceptional 2024-25 campaign, but Postecoglou will still have some work to do to get the fans fully onside. Despite his ultimate downfall, that was something he succeeded in doing in north London amid initial scepticism over his appointment, as the ex-Celtic boss fostered an us-against-them mentality.

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  European pedigree

  It's pretty clear that Postecoglou has been hired by virtue of his unlikely Europa League triumph last season, as he dragged his beleaguered Tottenham side to a predictably ugly victory over fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United in Bilbao in May to end an agonising 17-year trophy drought, a success that belied Spurs' embarrassing league position.

  In that moment, the Australian had rather bewilderingly maintained his status as a manager who has more or less guaranteed silverware throughout his storied career, even managing to stay true to his word after bullishly claiming that "I always wins things in my second year" in a now-famous post-match interview eight months prior. However, it wasn't enough to save his job.

  As Forest prepare to embark on their own Europa League journey following their promotion from the Conference League, it's feasible that Marinakis believes a repeat is possible as he looks to follow Spurs through the backdoor into the promised land of the Champions League. He will believe they have the squad to compete in Europe.

  The Forest owner actually presented Postecoglou with an award at a Greek Super League event in July for his achievement, saying at the time (as quoted by : "What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles, it has had a very difficult time in recent years. Wherever he goes, the successes will come."

After a challenging 2024/25 campaign that saw Manchester City finish third, a distant 13 points behind champions Liverpool, Pep Guardiola knows something must change in midfield.

Kevin De Bruyne’s exit on a free transfer has left a creative hole that no one has yet been able to fill.

City moved last summer to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon for £30m, but the Frenchman is yet to pull on a shirt in the Premier League.

Lucas Paquetá, so heavily linked with City last year, seemed a logical solution before allegations of betting rule breaches halted a potential move.

Although Paquetá has since been cleared and is reportedly available for £30m, City’s attention appears to have shifted.

According to reports from Spain last week, they are now considering a bid for a 22-year-old midfielder, already being dubbed by many as the new Andres Iniesta.

Why Man City could be chasing the new Iniesta

Fermin López is a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy – the same finishing school that honed teammates Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Pedri.

After Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Sevilla in 2023, Planet Football described López as “an Iniesta regen,” while respected talent scout Jacek Kulig labelled him a “genius.”

Those comparisons are not unfounded. López is technically sublime, boasting a silky first touch, a powerful engine, and an uncanny sense of space.

Last season, he played 46 games for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists.

That kind of production is impressive, particularly for a player who only started eight matches in the league.

He thrives as an advanced midfielder but can also operate off the left wing, where his sharp movement and awareness of space can be especially dangerous.

His influence extends beyond club football.

López was a central figure in Spain’s Olympic gold medal win last summer, starting every match and finishing with six goals and two assists in six.

Barcelona, however, are reluctant to let him go.

While his contract is valid until 2029 with a colossal €500m buy-out clause, reports suggest the Catalan club might listen to serious offers around £52m.

Given Barcelona’s well-documented financial issues, City could sense an opportunity to secure a player uniquely suited to Guardiola’s system.

Why Lopez could be Pep’s new midfield maestro

A deeper dive into López’s metrics makes a persuasive case for why City are so interested.

Transfer Focus

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

Statistically, according to FBref, he ranks in the 95th percentile for assists per 90 (0.42) and the 91st percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.39).

This is a player who doesn’t just move the ball well; he directly contributes to scoring opportunities and even finishes them himself.

His pass completion rate of 82.2% (88th percentile) suggests composure under pressure, while his progressive passing numbers are also strong – 4.96 progressive passes per 90, ranking in the 74th percentile.

Crucially, he ranks in the 91st percentile for passes into the final third per 90 (4.12), reflecting a player capable of breaking lines and unpicking compact defences.

López is active beyond just attacking numbers.

His involvement is consistent, with 59.33 touches per 90 (84th percentile), and he offers defensive contributions with 4.65 ball recoveries per 90 (80th percentile), which is crucial to Guardiola’s counter-pressing approach.

These figures paint the picture of a complete midfielder who can contribute on both sides of the ball, matching City’s demands for work rate, positional intelligence, and technical skill.

In profile, López is similar to other multi-functional, creative players like Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala, or Michael Olise.

He can carry the ball, link short combinations, and accelerate the game when needed.

That hybrid skillset is precisely what Guardiola values most – someone who can help dominate possession but also break lines and score goals.

For City, Fermín López could represent a long-term successor to De Bruyne. The Belgian’s departure has left a gap not just in terms of output but in leadership and a sense of decisive creativity.

López, with his La Masia education and fearless big-game mentality, could inherit that responsibility.

There are still elements to refine – he will need to adjust to the Premier League’s speed and physicality – but his technical base gives him a solid platform.

Of course, the question is whether Barcelona will really cash in.

The club remains under financial pressure, which means a serious bid from City could get their attention despite the €500m release clause.

And with López under contract until 2029, it may take persuasive negotiations, and a hefty offer, to bring him to the Etihad.

While the Paquetá rumours have resurfaced thanks to his clearance, City fans may be more excited by the idea of López: younger, and with a trajectory that mirrors some of Spain’s most legendary midfielders.

If Pep Guardiola does get his wish, Manchester City supporters could soon be watching a player built in the image of Iniesta, but wearing sky blue.

Nicolas Jackson's Chelsea career is reportedly over as the Senegal striker is still hoping to make a permanent switch to Bayern Munich. The deal that took him away from West London was as complex as it was costly. Bayern shelled out €16.5m for the temporary arrangement, with the possibility of turning it into a €65m full transfer. That puts the overall package at €81.5m (£71m/$96m).

• Hoeness lights the fire

  Bayern director Uli Hoeness stoked the flames earlier this month when he cast doubt on whether the permanent option would ever be activated. According to him, the obligation only kicks in if Jackson starts 40 matches, excluding appearances in the DFB Pokal. The twist? Bundesliga sides only play 34 league games a season, and the forward also has Champions League fixtures to play in. A tough target to achieve, if not impossible. Hoeness later tried to water down his words, but the damage had been done.

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  Chelsea remain tight-lipped

  The Blues themselves have kept their lips sealed in public. Privately, though, the word is that Chelsea are more than comfortable with the agreement. If Bayern meet the conditions, the club cashes in massively. If they don’t, they still bank a hefty loan fee while reassessing next summer. Either way, Chelsea believe they’ve played the numbers game shrewdly.

• Agent drops the hammer

  If Bayern’s hierarchy are playing the long game, Jackson’s camp is playing a very different one. His agent, former Senegal international Diomansy Kamara, has been crystal clear about his client’s ambitions:  Jackson does not want a Chelsea reunion.

  Speaking on French TV’s Kamara said: "Today at Chelsea, the relationship with (Enzo) Maresca isn’t necessarily the best. It’s a war of egos between the two clubs. He (Hoeness) even rowed back on his comments. It’s true that there is a saga around the transfer. There was talk around how many matches Nico would have to play for an obligatory option. 

  "Nico’s objective isn’t to play 40 matches. If he scores 15 goals by December, they’re not going to say, ‘Play 40 matches'. He doesn't see himself returning to Chelsea (…) Let him have a good season, and in the end, we'll see what's best for him. But it's true that Bayern is a priority for a very long time ."

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  Bayern future, the only future

  For Jackson, the pathway is already mapped out. He sees Bayern as his stage for years to come, regardless of what the paperwork says. Chelsea may technically retain an open door, but the player himself has slammed it shut. And after facing Chelsea midweek in the Champions League, his attention shifts to Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim. 

Wayne Rooney has opened up about some of the strangest and most unpleasant away day experiences he and his Manchester United team-mates faced. From freezing cold dressing rooms at Anfield to leaking toilets at Sunderland, the former England captain shared bizarre behind-the-scenes stories on his BBC podcast.

• Rooney opens up on crunching away days

  Rooney was reflecting on his time as a player and the challenges of preparing for away games in the Premier League. He recalled how conditions in certain dressing rooms were deliberately uncomfortable, making it tough for United to settle before kick-off. Sunderland, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Liverpool were all named as examples of awkward or unpleasant experiences.

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  Rooney reveals why Anfield was a problem

  The former striker admitted during a new episode of from the BBC that Anfield was the worst, describing how the freezing conditions made players question if it was a deliberate ploy to gain any edge possible. "You get some tight dressing rooms. Tottenham and Chelsea were always hot. You'd literally get dressed as quick as you can and then stand outside the dressing room. Anfield was always freezing. I don't know whether they manipulate the temperature in there."

• Leaking toilets at Sunderland's Stadium of Light

  Rooney also shared a grim memory from the Stadium of Light, recalling how the dressing room roof collapsed due to overflowing toilets above.

  "I was actually suspended [for the match]. But above the dressing rooms were the toilets and [the roof] came through when all of the players were in their clothes," he recalled. "I think there was a load of whatever goes into the toilet, all over the players and the clothes.”

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  Rooney's return to Goodison Park

  Rooney added that the toughest away trip of all was returning to his boyhood club Everton after joining United. "Yeah, [it] was horrible. Obviously it's a ground I've been going to since I was a kid, a baby," he said of his first return in an FA Cup tie in 2005. "My dad, that was the game he wouldn't go to. Because obviously he knew I'd be getting a lot of stick and he'd go to all the Everton games and he wouldn't go to that one, at Goodison."

Derby County are preparing for their third Championship game of the season as they face last year’s play-off contenders Bristol City on Friday.

Ahead of the game, John Eustace spoke to RamsTV about the Bristol game and about last weekend’s dramatic 5-3 defeat at home to Coventry: “Obviously, we’ve got to defend better. To score three goals at home is really pleasing, to concede five is not so pleasing.”

Callum Elder mirrored his manager’s concern with Derby’s start to the season defensively, saying: “That’s the first two games of the season now we’ve taken leads in the league and haven’t been able to see it through.”

As the team trains for Bristol City behind the scenes, the board are pushing to sign one of their most sought-after targets who should help with Eustace’s defensive concerns.

Derby place third bid for Scotland's Johnston

Derby County have placed a third bid for Sturm Graz right back Max Johnston. The Scottish right back has made 65 appearances for the Austrian side, and this year, he earned his first senior cap for Scotland.

Johnston has been a consistent target for Derby, and the Rams haven’t been put off by their two unsuccessful bids. Derby’s first bid was valued at £1.4 million, and their second bid around £1.6 million.

Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph has now reported that Derby have bid £2 million. Johnston is currently on £7,900-a-year, meaning to match his current wage, Derby would have to make him one of their six highest-paid players.

Sturm Graz spent just over £300,000 on Johnston in 2023 and will be making a massive return on their investment if they accept this bid.

Johnston may solve Eustace's right back situation

The Rams are currently short-handed at right back as Kane Wilson is recovering from knee surgery, leaving Ryan Nyambe as the squad’s only traditional right back.

Joe Ward has also been used on that right-hand side when playing a back three, but his strengths lie in attack, meaning Eustace is still limited in terms of defensive alternatives. While Wilson did return to training on Monday, the manager hasn’t provided an update as to when he’ll be back playing games, and they will likely have to use him carefully to avoid any aggravation to his knee.

This may explain the acceleration towards a deal for Johnston, after their defensive frailties were put on full display against Coventry. Signing a young talent, who is at a career high market value having scored in his last Austrian Bundesliga outing, may be the catalyst to kick-start Derby’s Championship season.

With Wilson back and hopefully with the addition of Johnston, Eustace will have a range of options to play on his right-hand side. Wilson and Nyambe can serve as the traditional defensive right backs, Ward and the other wingers can be the more offensive options, and Johnston can serve as a hybrid, pitching in both defensively and offensively.