All posts by z3u9t.icu

Wrexham are now plotting a shock swoop to sign a new striker for Phil Parkinson as they look to secure promotion to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Wrexham chasing third straight promotion

Having only been promoted to League One in May 2024, Wrexham are on course for a third successive promotion as the Welsh side look to work their way back up the Football League.

Parkinson’s side currently sit second in England’s third tier, a point above big spenders Birmingham City, though the Blues do have two games in hand on them, while they trail Wycombe by two points though again, they have played a game more.

Nonetheless, the Red Dragons are targeting a return to the Championship this season, and are currently in with an excellent chance of success either through automatic promotion or through the play-offs, where they currently have a seven-point cushion to seventh-placed Bolton Wanderers.

They face a favourable run of fixtures in the final games of 2024 too, up against sides in the bottom half of League One and, should they be able to string a series of wins together, they could be in a really strong position come the turn of the year.

Opponent

Current League position

Burton Albion (Away)

23rd

Cambridge United (Home)

22nd

Bristol Rovers (Away)

16th

Blackpool (Home)

12th

Wigan Athletic (Home)

17th

Though Wrexham boast the meanest defence in the division with just 11 goals conceded, they lag a little way behind both Wycombe and Birmingham in the goalscoring charts despite having played more games, having managed just 27 in their 18 outings.

Now, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney now want to fix that with an exciting new forward.

Wrexham want to sign Manchester United talent

That comes as Wrexham are one of two sides showing a strong interest in signing Manchester United academy talent Ethan Wheatley on loan in January, according to a fresh report.

The teenage forward was handed his debut by Erik ten Hag last season, but has since returned to the youth setup and has scored five times in seven games in the PL 2 so far this season.

He remains a potential star in the making despite his limited senior game time, with Football Analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as a “clinical” striker who is similar to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres in his style of play, offering “typical hold-up, link-up and channel running” for his side.

The biggest touchline meltdowns in football history

There’s a long list of managers making fools of themselves on the touchline…

ByRoss Kilvington Dec 4, 2024

As per transfer expert Graeme Bailey, “Wrexham have put Wheatley on their list of striking targets heading into January” as they look to bolster their low-scoring attack, though they face competition for his signature from fellow League One promotion chasers Stockport County, who would offer a more local loan option for the teenage forward.

Any move would be a low risk one, similar to that which initially bought goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to Wrexham from Arsenal on loan, where he has since excelled and moved permanently.

Should Wheatley arrive and have even half the impact that the former Gunners shot-stopper managed, he could quickly become a fan favourite at Wrexham.

Following a week full of ups and downs, Manchester United are reportedly facing the prospect of losing one of their star men alongside Marcus Rashford, with European giants now swarming to land his signature in a loan-to-buy deal.

Man Utd transfer news

In between a dramatic derby day victory over Manchester City and a frustrating 4-3 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur to exit the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage, it’s Rashford who’s been stealing the Manchester United headlines. The winger was dropped by Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby and swiftly responded by telling journalist Henry Winter that he’s ready for a new challenge.

Since then, the England international has also been omitted from Manchester United’s trip to face Tottenham Hotspur, sparking further rumours over his future and just who will be keen to swoop in and secure his signature.

Rashford may not be the only one heading for the exit door, however. According to Caught Offside, European giants are now chasing the arrival of Alejandro Garnacho in an initial loan move which will include a buy option of £60m in 2025. Among the clubs racing for his signature are Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Amorim must axe 4/10 Man Utd star who looks a "shadow of his old self"

Man Utd crashed out of the Carabao Cup after a crazy encounter…

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 20, 2024

Like his teammate, Garnacho was dropped against Manchester City and, by Amorim’s admission, left upset. The Red Devils boss told reporters as relayed by Fabrizio Romano before the Spurs game: “Garnacho is doing really good, he trained really well. He seems a little bit upset with me and that is perfect! I was really, really happy because I would do the same. He is ready for this game.”

Man Utd must keep "brave" Garnacho

Whilst it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Rashford’s best years have come and gone in a Manchester United shirt, the same can’t be said for Garnarcho. And after Amorim laid down the gauntlet by dropping the 20-year-old last weekend, he must rise to the challenge and become the star that many expect him to be in years to come.

As for Manchester United, they must do everything in their power to keep hold of the Argentine, who was a particular bright spark at the end of Erik ten Hag’s tenure. The Dutchman was certainly a fan of Garnacho too, telling reporters as relayed by Reuters earlier this year: “I love to work with Garnacho.

“He’s a player who needs a challenge, he likes a challenge, he is very brave, he’s very confident, our job is to push him to high levels. He has high potential and now we have to get the potential out, therefore you have to work day by day.”

Whether Amorim will develop the same adoration for the Manchester United star remains to be seen, but Garnacho seems to have plenty of potential suitors outside of Old Trafford.

Arsenal have directly reached out to a £54 million striker for transfer discussions, but manager Mikel Arteta actually favours somebody else entirely.

Arsenal targeting new striker for Mikel Arteta in 2025

Kai Havertz continues to impress in a makeshift centre-forward role under Arteta, and previously misfiring striker Gabriel Jesus did his confidence a world of good with his exceptional hat-trick against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Arsenal "impressed" by prolific striker who Arteta could get for just £25m

He’s scored 16 goals in all competitions already this season.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 20, 2024

However, there is an acceptance within Arsenal that they need to sign a prolific new striker at some point next year, whether that be in January or next summer.

Interim sporting director Jason Ayto, assisted by managing director Richard Garlick, is tasked with overseeing Arsenal’s recruitment strategy in the absence of ex-transfer chief Edu – with the influential figurehead resigning from his post last month.

Looking ahead to 2025, it is believed Ayto and Arsenal are weighing up the possibility of signing a world-class target man who can deliver serious returns in the final third – leading to their rumoured interest in a few big-name centre-forwards.

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

Ipswich Town (home)

December 27

Brentford (away)

January 1

Brighton (away)

January 4

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Certain members of the boardroom are believed to be pushing Alexander Isak’s name for the role. The Newcastle United star is reportedly near the top of their striker shortlist, amid his stand-off a new contract, with many Arsenal chiefs championing Isak as a top transfer target to deliver

Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic’s representatives have held talks with Arsenal, according to some reports, while it is believed by other media sources that the club could turn to lesser-known strikers like Spartak Moscow sensation Manfred Ugalde.

Arsenal have been told by intermediaries that they could sign Ugalde for £25 million, which is the value of his release clause, and the Costa Rica international has impressed Emirates Stadium officials with his 16-goal haul in all competitions (The Boot Room).

Two other marksmen linked with moves to north London come in the form of RB Leipzig sensation Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, with Football Transfers now sharing a pretty intriguing update on the club’s interest in both men.

Arsenal in direct talks with Gyokeres, but Arteta wants Sesko

It is believed that Arsenal are in direct talks with Gyokeres over a potential move, and Sporting are prepared to sell him for around £54 million – a serious discount on his £85 million release clause.

The Swede is garnering sensational numbers yet again this season, racking up 27 goals in just 25 appearances across all competitions, but this hasn’t swayed Arteta – who is apparently more keen on Sesko.

The latter is apparently Arteta’s “preferred option” and “priority target” to lead Arsenal’s line, and if the club feel that he’ll be available for transfer this time round, they could apparently attempt to prise him away from the Bundesliga after failing to do so in the summer window.

However, if they suffer yet another setback in their pursuit of the Slovenian, Arsenal will turn their attention entirely to Gyokeres.

Chelsea have clearly undergone a massive squad rebuild in the past few years, getting rid of some of their older squad players and replacing them with young and exciting talents in each position on the pitch.

In some areas, you can already see this paying off, such as central midfield with the big-money signings of Enzo Fernández, Moises Caicedo and Roméo Lavia, who could dominate that midfield for years to come.

However, one area the Blues continue to spend money on in each window is wide attackers, acquiring the likes of Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho in the summer just gone, to join the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling in the years before.

Whilst many of these signings have shown glimpses of brilliance, it seems Chelsea are yet to fully nail down that superstar wide player, and intentions remain around the club to improve in this area if the opportunity arises.

Chelsea considering LaLiga winger

Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, David Ornstein reported that Chelsea maintain an interest in Athletic Bilbao winger, Nico Williams. Arsenal are also interested in the Spanish wideman, but the package would likely cost around €60m (£50m) which is the player’s release clause.

It is said that the overall package of the deal (including the winger’s high wages) is what deterred Chelsea from a deal in the summer, and this is likely to be the case again with any immediate deal for Williams. According to Capology, the 22-year-old is currently earning just over €200k-per-week, which is around £167k.

Williams has made 25 appearances for Bilbao in all competitions so far this season, scoring two goals, providing five assists and totalling 1,710 minutes played.

Williams vs Mudryk comparison

Unfortunately for Chelsea, with Mudryk now out through suspension for an unknown period of time, the Blues could be forced to act early on another forward addition, and Williams would offer that. The Ukrainian has made 73 appearances since arriving at the club in 2023, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists in that time.

So, by taking a look at the stats, we can see just why the “devastating” winger – as he was described by Emmanuel Petit – would be a sizable upgrade.

Goals

0.09

0.32

Assists

0.23

0.16

Progressive Carries

6.33

5.26

Progressive Passes

2.83

1.75

Shots Total

2.43

1.75

Key Passes

2.28

2.28

Passes into Pen Area

1.44

1.05

Shot-Creating Actions

5.56

3.68

Successful Take-Ons

3.17

1.58

When comparing the two players, you can instantly tell both have similar play styles, in the fact they are truly carry-first wingers, boasting the quality and creativity to find their teammates with progressive and key passes and find entries into the box via their skill set.

However, whilst Williams has struggled for goals this season (only two so far, giving him 0.09 goals per 90), his shot volume is still higher than Mudryk’s and that is a trait which Chelsea lacks in wide areas apart from Madueke on the right.

This blend of ability to create for others, as well as himself, would be a welcomed attribute for Enzo Maresca on the wing.

Whether Chelsea look to sign Williams in January, go back in for him in the summer, or move onto other targets come the summer, the need for another left-sided player will be determined by the length of time Mudryk is out, so it’s definitely one to keep a close eye on.

Chelsea could land £75m "monster" who'd be a far better signing than Mainoo

Chelsea could seal a more important deal than Mainoo with this “calm and composed” ace

ByConnor Holden Jan 9, 2025

Manchester City have now made a breakthrough in their efforts to land their top attacking target this January, it has been revealed, with the club now a step closer to completing a massive deal.

Manchester City eyeing reinforcements

After an unprecedented poor run of form across the Premier League and Champions League, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have been spurred into transfer action mid-season.

An injury to Rodri has left the Cityzens short of options in midfield, and they are expected to strengthen in that position before the transfer window slams shut amid links to the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Douglas Luiz and Nicolo Rovella to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

12 players who could become free agents in summer 2025

These players are entering the final months of their contracts, meaning they could be on the move very soon…

ByRoss Kilvington May 27, 2025

However, they are also keen to add more defenders to their ranks as persistent injuries have seen John Stones limited to just four Premier League starts across the first half of the campaign, while Kyle Walker’s form has dropped off a cliff in the early parts of the campaign.

Then, they are also needing to add more firepower to their side following the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid over the summer, with only Erling Haaland scoring more than five goals for Guardiola’s side this season and only two more players having managed more than two goals in the Premier League.

Now, they appear to have made a breakthrough in their pursuit of one of their targets, in a move that could be set to spark a series of moves in the transfer window.

Man City reach agreement with Marmoush

That comes as Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Manchester City have now reached “a full verbal agreement” with top attacking target Omar Marmoush ahead of a potential January move.

The Egyptian striker has begun the Bundesliga campaign in red-hot form, scoring 13 times and grabbing eight assists in just 15 outings across the German top flight, catching the eye of top clubs across Europe in the process.

Appearances

15

Goals

13

Assists

8

Yellow Cards

2

Minutes per goal/assist

61

And it is Man City and Guardiola who have made their move first, having agreed personal terms for their “no.1 target”. It is added that now Marmoush “wants to move” to the Etihad “immediately” and that he has informed Eintracht Frankfurt of his decision to do so.

However, a deal is not done yet, despite having agreed personal terms with the 25-year-old. That is because Frankfurt remain keen to hold out for around €80m (£67m). Manchester City are not willing to match this fee, but Sky Sports claim that they are ready to make an “approach” to Frankfurt in a bid to open negotiations over their star man, who ranks only behind compatriot Mohamed Salah for goal contributions across the top five European leagues so far this campaign.

Any agreement is likely to see Marmoush receive a handsome bump to his current £25,000 a week wages at the Etihad, with Man City’s third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson currently taking home more than the prolific forward.

Should they be able to land the Egyptian, it could signal the start of Man City’s revival for the second half of the season, with the club set to boast two of the most lethal players in Europe in their frontline.

The season hasn’t entirely gone according to plan, but after Wednesday’s North London derby win, there is a certain optimism among the Arsenal fanbase.

Mikel Arteta’s side remain four points off of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, but with just under half of the campaign to go, the race is very much back on.

However, to ensure that the team have the best chance of overtaking the Reds, the board must act and bring in some attacking players this month.

Two of the most prevalent Premier League names most heavily linked with a move to Arsenal have been Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

Now, recent reports have linked another forward with the club, a forward who is outperforming Kai Havertz and also starring in the top-flight…

Arsenal chase Premier League poacher

According to a recent report from The Telegraph’s John Percy, Arsenal are now interested in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.

However, the Gunners aren’t the only ones, as Percy has also revealed that fellow Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest are incredibly keen to land the Bees man this month.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but considering the 28-year-old’s £25k-per-week contract is set to expire next summer, it’s not unrealistic to think he’d be available for a reasonable price, despite Thomas Frank expectedly telling the press he isn’t for sale.

It could require something of an overpay to get this transfer done, but considering Wissa’s form this season, it might be worth pursuing, especially as a double swoop for him and Mbeumo has the potential to be game-changing.

Why Arsenal should sign Wissa alongside Mbeumo

So, to get straight to the point, the reason Wissa could be an incredible signing to make alongside Mbeumo this month is straightforward: they’re already playing brilliantly together at Brentford.

For example, the Bees are the fifth-highest scoring team in the league at the moment, and the former has been involved in 33% of their goals this season, while the latter has been involved in 40%.

Moreover, when playing together, the pair have directly combined for ten goals in the Premier League alone and earn an average of 1.43 points per game.

Finally, both forwards are more than comfortable on the wing or down the middle, with the former Troyes ace preferring the right and the former Lorient star the left, meaning they could easily interchange throughout a game, in turn, confusing opposition defenders and potentially even allowing Bukayo Saka to float into the middle at times as well.

With that said, the other reason Arteta and Co should look to sign the “massively underrated” poacher, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is his output this season.

Appearances

22

28

Minutes

1549′

2322′

Goals

12

12

Assists

2

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.63

0.53

Minutes per Goal Involvement

110.64′

154.80′

For example, in just 22 appearances, totalling 1549 minutes, the 28-year-old marksman has scored 12 goals and provided two assists, meaning he’s averaging a goal involvement every 1.57 games, or every 110.64 minutes.

In contrast, Havertz has scored as many goals and provided one more assist but has done so in 28 appearances, totalling 2322 minutes, meaning he’s averaging a goal involvement every 1.86 games or every 154.80 minutes.

Ultimately, he isn’t the most prominent name around, but if he can be signed for a reasonable fee, then Wissa could be the perfect addition to Arsenal’s squad this month, especially if the club can get a hold of Mbeumo as well.

In talks with his agent: Arsenal eye big move to sign their own Kulusevski

The superb attacker could be a game-changer for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 16, 2025

Everton’s new era under David Moyes couldn’t have started any better. Two wins from three Premier League games have given the club breathing space from the relegation zone. That was just what the doctor ordered.

His main priority over the next week will be to bring in another player or two to the club in order to bolster his first-team squad.

Plenty of names have been linked in recent weeks, yet the Toffees have failed to announce any fresh faces, something which Moyes will be keen to address, that’s for sure.

Several areas of his starting XI need improvement. Could this lead to the Scot signing a midfielder by the end of the window?

Everton given chance to sign Brazilian midfielder

According to the Sunday Mirror (via Everton News), the Goodison Park side are in contact with Botofogo over a potential deal to sign Danilo Barbosa having been formally offered the player this month.

The move might only cost Everton £2m due to his contract expiring in December, which means the Brazilian side are keen on cashing in before the end of the window in England next week.

Transfer Focus

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

For this sort of fee, it certainly represents good value for Moyes, who would be able to add a solid defensive midfielder to his side.

The club haven’t signed many midfielders during the January transfer window previously, but one of Moyes’ finest winter transfers was bringing Mikel Arteta to Everton in 2005.

Barbosa could be a repeat of this move, especially with his qualities well suited to English football.

How Danilo Barbosa compares to Mikel Arteta

Initially signed on loan in 2005, Arteta joined Everton permanently that summer for, coincidentally, the same £2m price tag Barbosa could be signed for.

The Spaniard was sensational on Merseyside, going on to make a total of 209 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 35 goals and grabbing 36 assists in that time.

This led to a move to Arsenal, where he shone under Arsene Wenger, and there is no doubt he was a standout midfielder during his time in the Premier League.

Barbosa – who was previously managed by Gary Neville at Valencia – could certainly have a similar impact should he move to Goodison, displaying similar qualities across the pitch.

2011/12

3

2

0

2010/11

32

3

4

2009/10

16

6

2

2008/09

31

7

8

2007/08

37

4

7

2006/07

39

9

10

2005/06

37

3

2

2004/05

13

1

3

According to FBref, when compared to his positional peers across South America and Europe, Barbosa currently ranks in the top 1% for clearances (2.97), the top 3% for interceptions (1.95) and in the top 1% for the percentage of dribblers challenged (70%) over the previous 365 days.

This proves his defensive qualities are up to scratch, which would give Everton some solidity in the heart of the midfield.

Going forward, Barbosa has scored three times in the Brazilian top flight this term, along with registering an assist, creating one big chance while succeeding with 68% of his dribble attempts.

These numbers show that Barbosa is equally adept at contributing in the final third as he is providing defensive support in the heart of the pitch. So, like Arteta, he’s more than happy to do the dirty work as well as contribute in attack.

All-round skills like this are difficult to find, especially for a measly fee of £2m, suggesting Moyes should be all over this deal before the window slams shut.

He'd make Ndiaye even better: Everton chasing loan move for £30m PL star

Everton chasing “industrious” ace who could be as good a signing as Ndiaye

ByConnor Holden Jan 26, 2025

Sheffield Wednesday would have been delighted with the latest development involving loan hero Shea Charles earlier in the window, with the Southampton loanee now staying put until the end of the Championship season.

After all, he had become an instant fan favourite at Hillsborough with his full-blooded showings from the middle of the park, but Wednesday supporters will still be craving some more movement in through the door before Monday’s deadline.

Their thirst could soon be quenched if the ongoing rumour mill is anything to go by, as the Owls remain keen on landing this experienced midfield talent to further bolster options centrally.

Wednesday interested in signing former EFL star

Wednesday fans would have been waiting with bated breath over developments surrounding midfield target Stuart Armstrong, with reports from Canada suggesting that the Scotsman was going to choose the Blades over the Owls.

Transfer Focus

Those claims have since been rubbished by Sheffield Star journalist Danny Hall who suggests any imminent move involving the 32-year-old linking up with Chris Wilder’s side are ‘wide of the mark’.

Fellow Sheffield Star journalist Alex Miller has stated that Danny Rohl is keen to land the ex-Southampton man having worked beside him at St. Mary’s, amidst interest now being ‘intensified’.

Everyone connected to Hillsborough will hope this move can get over the line before the fast-approaching deadline, with Armstrong perhaps going on to be Wednesday’s next version of Barry Bannan as the current Vancouver Whitecaps man has proved himself to be a stylish operator in the Championship previously.

Wednesday's next Barry Bannan

After all, the £39k-per-week star’s efforts last season donning Southampton red and white helped then-boss Russell Martin achieve playoff glory, with goals and assists plenty coming from the experienced head.

Indeed, Armstrong would finish the successful campaign with an impressive five goals and seven assists next to his name from 42 league outings, with Martin even labelling his former number 17 as a “smooth” player to watch when at the peak of his powers.

Stat – per 90 mins*

Armstrong

Bannan

Games played

42

28

Goals scored

5

4

Assists

7

3

Touches*

58.3

63.9

Accurate passes*

35.9 (85%)

38.7 (80%)

Ball recoveries*

3.5

5.3

Total duels won*

2.7

3.1

Looking at the table above, there are many similarities between both Armstrong and Bannan in the ways they operate centrally, with both players in question adept at getting involved in attacks, as the modern-day Wednesday great already has seven goal contributions next to his name this season compared to Armstrong’s output of 12.

But, Bannan could well still get the nod to start over Armstrong if the ex-Saints star was to relocate back to England owing to his strengths in recovering the ball and winning duels, alongside his obvious quality to fire home a crucial strike for Rohl’s men or deliver a killer through ball.

After all, the 32-year-old target thrived as a background figure when on the books of Southampton, with only 33 starts coming his way from 42 Championship appearances last season.

Therefore, bringing in Armstrong could give Rohl some healthy selection headaches, with Charles also unlikely to be displaced after his blistering start to life in South Yorkshire has seen him win an incredible 6.5 duels on average as a more attritional body.

Yet, much like Wednesday have become accustomed to with Bannan over the years, Armstrong could be chucked into any contest at a moment’s notice and still be able to muster up a piece of magic.

Rohl will no doubt feel strong squad depth could be key in his side still being able to sneak into those playoff positions as a dark horse, with one or two incomings potentially on the agenda now between now and Monday’s deadline.

2025 winter transfer window: Every done deal from the Championship

Every winter transfer from the second tier can be found here.

ByStephan Georgiou Feb 3, 2025

Leeds United have been the home to countless attacking talents over the years, numerous of whom have captured the hearts of the fanbase for their goalscoring exploits.

Luciano Becchio joined the Whites back in 2008 from Spanish side Merida, arriving as an unknown quantity to many, but the gamble on his services certainly paid off given his form at Elland Road.

The Argentine notched a total of 76 goals in his 221 appearances over five years in Yorkshire, often being the shining light during what was a dark period for the club, even dropping into League One.

Jermaine Beckford starred alongside Becchio for a couple of years during the aforementioned period, scoring 71 times in 126 outings – with his most iconic moment coming against Manchester United in the FA Cup victory at Old Trafford.

However, fast-forward to the present day, Daniel Farke has his own crop of impressive attacking talents, including two who have caught the eye in recent outings.

Joel Piroe & Manor Solomon’s stats for Leeds in 2024/25

Dutch striker Joel Piroe has often had his doubters during his time at Leeds, especially considering the hierarchy forked out over £10m for his signature at the start of last season.

The 25-year-old scored his 13th league goal of the Championship season in the recent win over Coventry City, cementing his place at the top of the club’s goalscoring standings.

He’s slowly but surely starting to get the supporters on side 18 months after his move to the club, undoubtedly having a spot in their hearts forever if he can guide them back to the Premier League.

As for Manor Solomon, the Israeli moved on loan in the summer from Tottenham Hotspur looking to gain valuable game time, with it quickly becoming apparent that he’s way above the level of a second-tier player.

The winger has produced some impressive numbers within the final third, with his tally of six goals and six assists, nailing down the left-wing position as his very own under Farke.

However, despite the impressive form of the aforementioned duo, they’ve both been outscored by one player who’s been operating in a higher division throughout 2024/25.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

The former Leeds star who’s outscored Piroe & Solomon

Leeds have always had a player capable of producing the goods in the final third, none more so than Chris Wood, who caught the eye for his goalscoring record during his two years at the club.

The New Zealand international joined the Whites back in 2015 for a fee in the region of £2.5m, a bargain considering his outrageous goalscoring form in Yorkshire.

He bagged 13 goals in 37 games across all competitions during his debut season at Elland Road, before registering a career-best 30 in the following campaign – in what would be his final year with the Whites.

Wood ended his time with Leeds with 44 goals in 88 matches before swapping Yorkshire for Lancashire, joining Burnley in a then club-record deal of £15m – moving to the Premier League as a result.

Undoubtedly, it’s hard to turn down a move to the top division, especially when the club were languishing in mid-table of the Championship, but no one could’ve envisaged his recent form for Nottingham Forest over the last two years.

The striker, who is now 33 years old, has been on a prolific run of form for the Reds, scoring 14 times in the league last season, playing a huge role in their survival under Nuno Espírito Santo.

However, in 2024/25, he’s taken his game to the next level, scoring 17 times in just 24 games, up there with the top-level talents in the division, leading to TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher dubbing him as “outstanding”.

1. Mohamed Salah

21

2. Erling Haaland

19

3. Chris Wood

17

= Alexander Isak

17

4. Cole Palmer

14

= Bryan Mbeumo

14

5. Matheus Cunha

11

= Yoane Wissa

11

= Justin Kluivert

11

The club had to sell Wood in their current predicament, but undoubtedly it would’ve been a dream to have kept hold of him given his goalscoring antics away from Elland Road.

A player of his calibre would massively increase Farke’s chances of securing promotion at the second attempt, but the German must now have every faith in Piroe and Solomon to guide them back to the promised land.

Saved by Piroe: Leeds dud just proved why the 49ers need to replace him

Leeds United moved one step closer to Championship promotion after another win last night.

1 ByEthan Lamb Feb 6, 2025

Since the appointment of Ruben Amorim at the end of November, Manchester United have had to adapt their playstyle to suit the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system in which he had so much success at Sporting CP.

The 40-year-old claimed two league titles during his time in Portugal, hoping to emulate his success at Old Trafford over the years ahead during his tenure as the Red Devils boss.

He’s wasted no time in making his mark on the side, moving out players who he doesn’t see as part of his first-team squad, providing the brutal nature that’s desperately been needed at the Theatre of Dreams.

Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia all departed on loan during Amorim’s first window in charge, highlighting that they aren’t in his plans going forward.

However, the same can’t be said for two players who appear to be an integral part of his plans if he is to lead the club back to Premier League glory under his guidance.

Bruno Fernandes & Amad Diallo’s stats under Amorim

Captain Bruno Fernandes has been a crucial part of the United side since his big-money move back in January 2020, making at least 45 appearances in each of his full seasons at Old Trafford.

He’s started all but one game of the Amorim era, only missing due to suspension, registering five goals and five assists in his 19 outings, often being one of the main sources of goals in his attacking midfield role.

The Portuguese international has been joined by Amad Diallo in the final third in recent months after the manager brought him out from the cold after rarely being used by former boss Erik ten Hag.

Amorim’s decision to utilise the Ivorian has been a masterstroke, notching six goals and five assists since his appointment, including a hat-trick against Southampton which single-handedly won them the game after going behind against the bottom-of-the-table outfit.

The pair have been two of the main players to benefit from the change in management, undoubtedly being the key to any success at Old Trafford in the near future.

However, they could’ve been aided in their efforts within attacking areas had the club decided to pursue a move for one player, which one former first-team member recommended them to sign.

The talisman who Man Utd must regret not signing

Old Trafford has been the home of countless star strikers over the years, with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Dwight Yorke all making themselves fan favourites during their respective times as players.

However, that goal threat is seriously lacking in 2025, with two senior options, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, only netting five league goals combined this season – undoubtedly contributing to their lowly standing.

It’s safe to say the club would be in a much healthier position had they secured a move for Erling Haaland after Ole Gunnar Solskjær pleaded with the hierarchy to sign the talent during his time at RB Salzburg.

However, they were unwilling to pay his release clause, with the Norwegian starring across Europe for the Austrian outfit, alongside Borussia Dortmund, before his eventual move to rivals Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

It’s a move that has taken the 24-year-old’s career to the next level, scoring 117 times in his 132 appearances at the Etihad, breaking the record for the most goals scored by one player in a 38-game Premier League season.

He fired Pep Guardiola’s side to the treble back in 2022/23, emulating that of the United side in the late 90s, with his goals playing a massive part in their success – with United’s loss their gain after failing to take the risk on his signing before he burst onto the scene.

Team

Games

Goals

Assists

Man City

132

117

16

Dortmund

89

86

23

Molde

50

20

6

Salzburg

27

29

7

Bryne

16

0

0

Haaland, who’s previously been dubbed “world-class” by journalist Henry Winter, has seen his market value soar as a result of his deadly goalscoring form, now valued at £166m by Transfermarkt.

His subsequent value is higher than those of Bruno and Amad combined, with the pair only valued at £45.8m and £20m respectively, despite their success under United’s new boss.

A couple of years on from missing out on his signature, a decision not to land the attacker now looks to be a huge regret, with United passing up the opportunity to land a star who’s certainly up there with the very best in European football.

Bruno and Amad are two players who Amorim wants to build the side around, but they will struggle to reach the top of the Premier League without a clinical goalscorer – something which Haaland would’ve certainly offered had they decided to listen to Solskjaer’s advice.

Cost £13m, now worth more than Dorgu: Man Utd hit jackpot on "monster" star

In a period of poor transfer dealings, Manchester United have struck gold on one signing.

ByEthan Lamb Feb 13, 2025