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Manchester United’s front line is in desperate need of an overhaul this summer, with such a department massively holding them back from any success under Ruben Amorim.

The side only managed to net 44 times in their 38 Premier League outings last campaign, with no player in the first-team squad managing to register double figures.

Departures are to be expected in such an area, with academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho one player likely to be sacrificed in the coming months, after hitting out at his lack of action in the Europa League final.

Rasmus Hojlund could be another to leave the Red Devils during the off-season, with any sales massively helping Amorim in his quest to land new stars at Old Trafford.

As a result of the pending futures of the aforementioned players, targets have already been drawn up, with the hierarchy appearing to be making moves in the transfer market.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers this summer

The 3-4-2-1 formation utilised by Amorim at United requires specific players to be signed if they are to fit into the current system and be a success at the Theatre of Dreams.

A striker has been one of the main priorities in recent weeks, with the likes of Dušan Vlahović, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitiké all firmly remaining on the club’s radar.

However, a new twist has emerged, with Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres still seen as their number one target for the position, according to TEAMtalk.

They claim that the Red Devils remain confident of a deal to land the 54-goal forward despite the Swede claiming that he’s only interested in a move to join fellow English side Arsenal.

It also states that the board at United believe his previous spell under Amorim in Portugal could play a huge factor in the deal, with the attacker wanting a move to England this window.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s answer to Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is a forward who has constantly tormented backlines across Europe in recent years, cementing himself as one of the best attackers in world football.

The 26-year-old joined Real Madrid last summer on a free transfer from PSG, after enjoying a six-year spell in Paris, which saw him net 235 goals in his 264 appearances.

His move to Spain has seen him continue his tremendous run in front of goal, registering 43 efforts in his 56 outings for the LaLiga giants, forming a deadly partnership with Vinícius Júnior.

Every team across the continent must wish they had a version of the forward, with his form in front of goal something which is extremely hard to find in the modern game.

However, United could be about to land their own version of the superstar, in the form of Gyokeres, with the Swedish international a force to be reckoned with in front of goal.

He’s been labelled as a similar player to Mbappé by FBref, managing to match or better the Madrid talisman in numerous key areas, highlighting how much of a sensational signing he would be for the Red Devils.

The Swede, who’s been labelled “the best striker in Europe” by The Athletic, has outscored Mbappé, whilst averaging a better goal per shot on target rate – handing Amorim the clinical edge he’s been lacking as of late.

Games played

33

34

Goals & assists

46

34

Shot on target accuracy

52%

49%

Goal per shot on target

0.4

0.3

Key passes completed

2

1.5

Take-on success

46%

44%

Carries into opposition box

3.1

2.9

Aerials won

51%

40%

He’s also completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted whilst registering more carries into the opposition box, having the ability to create an attacking opportunity out of nothing.

Gyokeres’ dominance is also reflected in his higher percentage of aerials won, with his ability in the air offering the side the needed focal point they’ve often lacked.

Given the interest from elsewhere this summer, the hierarchy must work quickly to secure the Sporting CP star’s signature, with the forward a talented all-round option.

His comparisons to Mbappé highlight the threat he carries, with the 27-year-old having the skillset to end their long-standing pursuit of a new talisman at Old Trafford.

More exciting than Mbeumo: Man Utd in talks to sign "very special" talent

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could thrive under Ruben Amorim.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 18, 2025

Aston Villa could well be hitting their stride in the Premier League at the best possible time, with both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest showing recent weaknesses in their game.

Unai Emery’s men are now only outside the lucrative five Champions League spots in the division on goal difference as Enzo Maresca’s Blues nervously try to hold onto that final position, with a mightily impressive five wins from Villa’s last six Premier League games keeping their European dreams alive.

The added quality to the squad in the form of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford in January has certainly boosted their chances of clinching Champions League football again.

This summer’s transfer window will further allow the West Midlands giants opportunities to bring in even more depth, with one rumoured face on the Villa Park shopping list perhaps going down as their next Jhon Duran if he joins.

How Jhon Duran is performing in Saudi

The breathless Colombian would only go on to feature for the Villans 78 times, but he is still remembered in a fond light to this day for how impactful he could be off the bench when his team needed a moment of magic.

Indeed, before an insane £71m move to Al Nassr came to be in January, the sensational South American would fire home a sizeable 12 goals during the first part of 2024/25.

On the surface, this is already an imposing goal total worthy of praise, but staggeringly seven of those strikes would come about in Premier League action despite Duran only making four starts overall.

Since heading to the Middle East, the forward has been on fire, scoring 11 goals in 16 games for his new employers who sit third in the Saudi Pro League.

In truth, losing the young forward hasn’t hit Villa that hard, but NSWE definitely wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to win themselves a new version of the relentless 21-year-old this summer.

Aston Villa could sign their new Duran

Emery will likely be keen to utilise all of his talented squad again next campaign, particularly if Champions League football returns to Villa Park and congests the fixture list.

Therefore, adding in a new winger in Malick Fofana as a further option in attack could be an inspired pick-up, with Caught Offside recently revealing that the Premier League titans could sign the promising 20-year-old from Olympique Lyonnais for around the £42m mark.

Just taking in a few clips of Fofana’s excellence for Lyon this season displays how he’s on the same wavelength as the now departed Duran, with both attackers in question boundless in their drive and energy when galloping forward, before being equally unafraid to unleash a vicious shot at an opposition goalkeeper.

It’s resulted in Fofana – who is also on the radar of Liverpool and Arsenal – picking up a substantial 11 goals and five assists from 40 appearances down the Lyon left flank across 2024/25, despite also being resigned to a regular spot on Paulo Fonseca’s bench much like the 22-year-old striker had to put up with under Emery.

Fofana at Lyon vs Duran at Villa in 2024/25

Stat

Fofana

Duran

Games played

40

29

Games started

22

7

Minutes played

2199

1043

Goals scored

11

12

Assists

5

0

Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the numbers, whilst Fofana does have the advantage of starting 15 more games this season than Duran managed at Villa, the former has still been used rather sparingly in the French top division, with the Belgian only averaging 54 minutes of action per Ligue 1 clash.

But, the “magnificent” left-footed menace – as he has been labelled by talent scout Jacek Kulig – has still left his mark on a considerable number of contests all the same, seen in that growing total of 11 goals and five assists across a wide range of contests for Lyon.

With a potential hole in the squad also needing to be filled down the left if Rashford departs, adding in Fofana does feel like a logical signing to soon make on Villa’s end, with the one-time senior Belgium international also capable of being the club’s next super sub.

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Posts 2 ByRoss Kilvington May 12, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero is being repeatedly linked with an exit this summer, but he could be joined by an “underrated” Spurs teammate.

Cristian Romero attracting Atlético Madrid interest

The Lilywhites face a very real prospect of losing Romero once the transfer window reopens, as reports are suggesting that the Argentine wants to move on for a fresh challenge amid interest from Atlético Madrid.

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ByEmilio Galantini Apr 2, 2025

As per some media sources, Romero is “pushing” to leave Tottenham, with chairman Daniel Levy postponing talks over a new contract for the 26-year-old as a result (The Boot Room). Meanwhile, others claim that Atlético boss Diego Simeone has reached out to the £165,000-per-week defender in an attempt to entice him with a move to La Liga (Uriel Lugt).

Sky Sports have also backed these reports that interest in Romero from Atlético is there, so the prospect of him departing N17 is seemingly looking more and more possible by the day.

Chelsea (away)

April 3rd

Southampton (home)

April 6th

Wolves (away)

April 13th

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Liverpool (away)

April 27th

Tottenham are out of both domestic cups and sitting 14th in the Premier League table after 15 top-flight defeats, with a good run in the Europa League coming as their only chance to win silverware and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Atlético undoubtedly provides the pull of regular European football and the chance to compete for major honours, and the same can certainly be said of their cross-city rivals, with Real Madrid also considering a summer move for Romero.

The former Atalanta star’s exit would be a blow for manager Ange Postecoglou, if he is even in the job by next season, but Romero isn’t the only Spurs player attracting real interest heading into an important summer window.

Tottenham open to selling Richarlison as three clubs plan bid

Injury-ridden striker Richarlison is among the players who could quit Tottenham with Romero, according to journalist Jorge Nicola.

As per the reporter, speaking on his YouTube channel, rumours are surrounding Brazilian Serie A trio Palmeiras, Fluminense and Flamengo are all plotting a bid for Richarlison, who cost Levy £60 million to sign from Everton in 2022.

However, the cost of an operation could prohibit these sides from moving, even if Nicola states that Tottenham are considering the permanent sale of Richarlison from July.

“In the last few hours, speculation has been that Palmeiras, Fluminense and Flamengo are preparing a proposal to buy the player in the middle of the year,” said Nicola.

“The big news on this subject is that Tottenham, very bothered by the center forward’s series of injuries, is considering negotiating him permanently starting in July.

“I can rule out Palmeiras being interested in Richarlison. When Verdão spends 155 million reais to buy Vitor Roque, they stop looking for the player,” he added.

“Even if Tottenham admits a loss and loses, for example €18m, Richardson would still cost €40m. This number is completely out of line with the reality of any football club in Brazil, not to mention Pombo’s salary. Richarlison earns around R$3,900,000 at Tottenham, much higher than the salary of any active player in the country.”

The 27-year-old, called “underrated” by pundit Micah Richards, enjoyed a terrific purple patch of goalscoring form under Postecoglou midway through last season. However, fitness issues have caused him to miss the vast majority of 2024/2025.

After a frustrating campaign, don’t be surprised to see Richarlison follow Romero out the door.

England return to Test action against Sri Lanka, with Ollie Pope captaining in place of the injured Ben Stokes. Alan Gardner is joined by Andrew Miller and Andrew Fidel Fernando to preview the series

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2024After a three-week interlude, England return to Test duty for the three-match series against Sri Lanka – but they will do so without their captain, Ben Stokes, after he was injured while playing in the Hundred. On this week’s podcast, Alan Gardner was joined by Andrew Miller and Fidel Fernando to discuss Ollie Pope’s captaincy debut, Sri Lankan preparations and what the series might mean for Test cricket as a whole.