Everton’s start to their 2024/25 pre-season tour of the United States has already underlined the work David Moyes still has ahead.

A humbling 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth was a reminder of the squad’s fragility after another summer of major outgoings.

The arrivals of Mark Travers, Carlos Alcaraz, and £27m signing Thierno Barry signal a clear intent to refresh the squad, but Moyes has openly warned that patience will be needed – especially with Barry, who remains raw and unproven at Premier League level.

Adam Aznou is expected to become the fourth new face at Goodison Park after Everton reached an agreement with Bayern Munich, but the club remain active in their search for further attacking reinforcements.

Talks continue with Lyon over Malick Fofana, though interest in the Belgian winger is intense.

Meanwhile, alternative targets are being explored with a view to shaping a younger, more dynamic squad that fits Moyes’ evolving vision.

One name stands out, not just for his talent, but for the buzz surrounding his rise to prominence.

And he’s already being likened to a former Everton prodigy who once lit up Goodison Park.

The young starlet catching Everton's eye

Tyler Dibling is the 19-year-old forward drawing comparisons to a young Ross Barkley.

With 33 Premier League appearances for Southampton under his belt last season, scoring twice and assisting once, Dibling is already attracting significant attention.

According to reports, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich have all monitored his progress, but it’s Everton who are now showing the strongest intent to bring him to Merseyside.

Dibling is under contract with Southampton until 2027, but with Saints braced for a new wave of offers, his future remains uncertain.

Transfer Focus

According to sources close to the club, via Liverpool Echo, Everton’s interest is genuine and growing.

The Toffees see him as an ideal long-term project, especially with multiple senior players, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young, all departing this summer after their contracts expired.

The teenage winger made his England U21 debut this year against Spain, underlining his rapid development.

But this is no overnight success. As a 16-year-old, Dibling famously scored a hat-trick against Newcastle U21s.

It was a moment that drew national attention and confirmed him as one of the country’s brightest attacking prospects.

Adam Asghar, Southampton’s former U21 coach, said: “He’s the most fearless player I’ve ever worked with, He’s totally unique to anything I’ve seen before.”

“He’s got raw physicality, pace and power, and is an unbelievable ball-carrier. He’s always impacting games. In a generation of football where it’s very much about limited touches and moving the ball quickly, Tyler can move it quickly by carrying the ball rather than passing it. That’s what makes him such a special talent.”

From Barkley to Dibling – the art of fearless ball-carrying

For Everton fans, talk of raw power, direct dribbling and unshakable confidence will bring back memories of a young Barkley.

At just 18, Barkley had already made his Premier League debut and was establishing himself as a central figure at Goodison Park.

By 19, he had become a regular in the England U21 side, and by 21 he had earned a senior call-up, and featured in the 2014 World Cup squad.

There was a sense of destiny about Barkley’s rise, fuelled by ability to glide past opponents, and knack for spectacular goals.

Dibling, like Barkley, is explosively built and thrives when carrying the ball through midfield and into the final third.

According to last season’s stats, he ranked in the 87th percentile for take-ons attempted (5.28 per 90 minutes), and in the 81st percentile for successful take-ons (2.16).

He’s a player who beats his marker, and forces defenders onto the back foot, exactly the kind of spark Everton have missed in recent years.

Despite his youth, Dibling’s defensive contributions also impress.

The same data reveals he sits in the 88th percentile for tackles in the midfield third (0.86 per 90), and remarkably in the 98th percentile for the percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

These numbers reflect both his work ethic and his intelligence out of possession – qualities Barkley also demonstrated in his early Everton days before adopting a more attacking role.

What further sets Dibling apart is his ability to draw fouls.

He ranked in the 92nd percentile for fouls won (2.49 per 90), and 98th for penalties won (0.10) – figures that suggest a player constantly testing defenders and breaking defensive lines with his movement and balance.

While comparisons with Barkley are flattering, Dibling is carving out a unique identity. His game is grounded in progression through movement, pressing from the front, and efficient chance creation.

He’s also statistically aligned with players like Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) and Stephy Mavididi (Leicester), all wide forwards with an eye for space, unpredictability, and technical strength in one-on-one situations.

In a squad currently lacking consistent creative output, and with much of the burden previously falling on Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil, Dibling’s arrival would provide Moyes with a powerful new outlet.

The fact that he is English, grounded in Premier League football, and still years from his peak only strengthens his appeal.

Everton have made bold calls in the transfer market this summer. But if they can bring Dibling – valued at around £55m – to Goodison, it might just be the most exciting of them all.

Moyes' new Declan Rice: £42m star is pushing to sign for Everton

Everton are closing in on signing a new midfielder

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jul 29, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras, na tarde deste sábado (15), derrotou o Cuiabá por 2 a 1, no Allianz Parque, pela estreia do Campeonato Brasileiro. Em grande fase no Verdão, com quatro gols nas últimas quatro partidas, Flaco López comentou sobre seu retrospecto recente.

– Como o Weverton falou, a gente está muito confiante. Estou muito feliz em poder ajudar o time, como seja. Hoje, joguei numa posição que eu não vinha jogando, mas pude aproveitar bem o jogo – disse Flaco López ao canal Premiere na saída de campo.

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A partida foi marcada por polêmicas envolvendo o arbitro Paulo Cezar Zanovelli da Silva, que expulsou Abel Ferreira ainda no primeiro tempo, após o técnico reclamar de forma efusiva em duas oportunidades. Na segunda etapa, foi a vez do Cuiabá ter um expulso, Felipe Augusto, meio-campista do Dourado, recebeu o segundo cartão amarelo após entrada dura em Gabriel Menino. O atacante argentino, ao sair do gramado, também comentou sobre os incidentes envolvendo a equipe de arbitragem.

– Algumas decisões da arbitragem deixaram a gente um pouco desanimados. Mas, seguimos, trabalhamos e conseguimos o resultado – completou o jogador.

O Palmeiras volta a entrar em campo na próxima quinta-feira (20), diante do Cerro Porteño-PAR, pela segunda rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. A bola rola às 21h no estádio do Morumbi, já que o Allianz Parque receberá um evento musical na data do certame.

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Nottingham Forest’s success story last season in the Premier League was heavily dependent on the goalscoring heroics of Chris Wood.

The Tricky Trees will be competing in the Europa League thanks to their lethal New Zealander, who would finish the campaign with a blistering 20 league strikes next to his name as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men soared to seventh position.

It will be up to Wood to keep up these explosive levels heading into next campaign, with some help potentially coming his way in the centre-forward department if Forest can strike up a deal for this lethal striker to join.

Forest in race to sign goalscoring veteran

Away from adding in more strikers, the experienced 33-year-old will, for sure, be joined by an exciting new winger supplying him with chances in the form of Dan Ndoye.

It has now been confirmed that Ndoye will don Forest red ahead of the 24/25 season, having finally agreed a deal to move from Bologna to the City Ground for a bumper £35m.

He could soon be followed through the door by another statement addition in the form of Chelsea outcast Christopher Nkunku, alongside another deal potentially getting off the ground for this goalscoring veteran to join Nuno’s expanding ranks.

A move for Mehdi Taremi does appear to have more legs at this point than the Frenchman boldly switching Stamford Bridge for the Midlands, with a report by the Tasnim News Agency stating that the Iranian marksman is tempted by the prospect of a Premier League move, away from current employers Inter Milan.

Inter are also noted as being keen to offload the 33-year-old, amid interest growing in his services from Fulham, Leeds United, and West Ham United, on top of Forest throwing their hat into the ring.

Forest will hope they can strike gold with another seasoned striker joining the ranks, with Taremi possessing the same goalscoring prowess that Wood has showcased at the City Ground all across his nomadic career to date.

Why Taremi can become Forest's next Wood

On the books of Porto, before embarking on a big move to Italy, Taremi had managed to reach the same heroic status that Wood has now achieved at the City Ground.

In total, the seasoned 33-year-old would fire home a prolific 91 strikes for his Portuguese employers from 182 outings, with his overall career tally standing at a devastating 202 goals from 445 clashes subsequently.

Games played

445

531

Clubs played at

7

15

Goals scored

202

182

Assists

101

43

He hasn’t had it all his own way, however, with his current spell in Serie A only seeing him score a meagre three times from 43 clashes. Yet, he will back himself to bounce back and get back to his best if Forest comes calling, with Wood also displaying that same level of resilience across his lengthy playing days to date.

Indeed, the towering 6-foot-3 striker has experienced plenty of ups and downs himself when lining up for a mammoth 15 different teams, with an equally barren spell coming his way at Newcastle United, just before the Tricky Trees became his next home.

Only five goals would be handed to him from 39 appearances on Tyneside, yet Forest’s gamble in acquiring Wood has more than paid off, with their “outstanding” striker – which he was labelled by Match of the Day 2 pundit Stephen Warnock – now 36 strikes down and counting for Nuno’s high-flyers.

With Taremi coming in at the same age as Wood, alongside also boasting a similarly lofty 6-foot-2 frame, this might well go down as another shrewd catch if a move accelerates into motion, with the in-demand Iranian also receiving glowing praise for being “ridiculous” in front of goal by Rio Ferdinand.

With Igor Jesus also in through the door this summer, Nuno’s centre-forward options could soon be brimming with even more quality if the Inter number 99 makes his Premier League dreams a reality.

Next Gibbs-White: Nottingham Forest hold talks over signing £30m "menace"

Nottingham Forest could snap up their next version of Morgan Gibbs-White by securing a deal for this £30m star.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 30, 2025

Everton enter the new Premier League season with a clear priority: finding a dynamic winger capable of slotting straight into David Moyes’ starting lineup.

The club’s summer so far has been a mix of arrivals and departures as Moyes attempts to reshape the squad after a campaign that saw the team rise to mid-table after a tough start.

Already this summer, Everton have strengthened multiple positions.

Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers has arrived to act as a back-up to England No.1 Jordan Pickford, while Carlos Alcaraz’s loan from Flamengo was made permanent.

Forward Thierno Barry joins with the potential to develop into a key attacking contributor.

However, undoubtedly the most high-profile arrival is Jack Grealish, the England international acquired on loan from Manchester City, whose creativity could immediately influence games at Goodison Park.

Everton assessing Dibling alternative

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Ashley Young have all departed on free transfers after their contracts expired, leaving gaps in the squad that need addressing.

This, coupled with Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom returning to their parent clubs, leaves the wide areas somewhat thin.

Transfer Focus

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

This has made Moyes’ pursuit of a new wide attacker an urgent priority, especially one capable of taking defenders on, creating scoring opportunities, and contributing goals himself.

According to BBC Reporter Giulia Bould, Everton are “now looking” at 21-year-old England U21 international Omari Hutchinson, following their unsuccessful pursuit of Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

Hutchinson, described by Chelsea insider Felix Johnstone as a “special talent,” made 31 Premier League appearances last season, scoring three goals and registering two assists in 2,593 minutes of action.

Hutchinson moved to Ipswich on a permanent deal in 2024 for around £20m and has quickly emerged as one of the most promising young attacking talents in England, now valued at £35m by his club.

Capped ten times at U21 level, he was part of the England squad that won a second consecutive U21 European Championship in Slovakia, highlighting his pedigree on the international stage.

This interest in Hutchinson comes after Everton’s protracted and ultimately stalled negotiations with Southampton over Tyler Dibling.

The 19-year-old English winger, highly rated for his ability to take defenders on and create opportunities, has attracted attention from Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich.

Southampton’s valuation of £45m plus £5m in add-ons and a 25% sell-on clause, however, has proven prohibitive.

Dibling has been training away from the first team and is expected to hold talks with the club regarding his future imminently.

Hutchinson provides Everton with a potential alternative who offers many of the same attributes that made Dibling so appealing.

Comparing the two: Dibling vs Hutchinson

Versatile across multiple positions, Hutchinson combines technical ability and creativity, making him a constant threat.

Statistically, Dibling and Hutchinson offer intriguing points of comparison.

Dibling

5

2

3

Hutchinson

3

2

1

While both operate primarily as wingers, their playing profiles differ slightly.

Dibling is more defensively engaged, drawing 2.44 fouls per 90 minutes compared to Hutchinson’s 1.54 and recording more tackles in the midfield third (0.91 versus 0.56).

He also successfully tackles a higher percentage of dribblers (63% versus 28.7%) and blocks more shots per 90 minutes (0.24 versus 0.09).

These numbers suggest a player more willing to contribute defensively, capable of pressing and disrupting opposition attacks.

Hutchinson, in contrast, shows a slightly stronger attacking output in certain areas.

He attempts 4.77 take-ons per 90 minutes, completing 1.89, compared with Dibling’s 5.36 attempts and 2.20 successes.

While Dibling may be more aggressive in duels, Hutchinson’s dribbling style is composed and creative, often unlocking defences with skilful movement rather than sheer physicality.

He brings vision and a sharp understanding of space, traits that could complement Everton’s midfield and forward lines.

Beyond the statistics, both players offer flexibility.

Hutchinson’s ability to operate on either wing, as an inverted winger or in more central attacking roles, mirrors Dibling’s versatility and makes him a valuable asset in Moyes’ tactical system.

Everton’s desire for a winger capable of contributing immediately, both in terms of goals and creativity, makes Hutchinson a compelling alternative after the club’s inability to secure Dibling.

Ultimately, Everton appear to have identified Hutchinson as a player who combines, albeit limited Premier League experience, youth international credentials, and attacking quality within a budget-friendly framework.

With departures leaving the wide areas depleted, Moyes’ pursuit of a winger who can replicate Dibling’s potential impact is logical, offering the team a creative spark capable of changing games in the early stages of the season.

Everton’s opening fixture against Leeds at Elland Road offers an early opportunity for Moyes to integrate any new wide attacker and immediately benefit from a player capable of stretching defences, creating chances, and contributing directly to goals.

As the transfer window continues, Hutchinson’s arrival could signal Everton’s intent to compete more aggressively, restore attacking dynamism, and provide Moyes with the tactical options required to challenge for higher Premier League positions.

Better move than Grealish: Everton looking to sign "unstoppable" £17m CF

As Everton look to bolster their forward options, with Jack Grealish potentially on his way, the Toffees could also sign an “unstoppable” £17m striker

ByBen Gray Aug 11, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Os times sub-15, sub-17 e sub-20 do Palmeiras conquistaram vitórias expressivas neste sábado (22), pela fase inicial do Campeonato Paulista. Enquanto o sub-15 e o sub-17 bateram o Suzanono Estádio Francisco Marques Figueira pela terceira rodada do estadual, o sub-20 goleou oManthiqueira,na Academia de Futebol 2, em Guarulhos, pela segunda rodada da competição.

> Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

No sub-15, o Verdão venceu por 5 a 1, com gols de Fernando Gabriel, Wesley, Lucas Gabriel (duas vezes) e Pedro Coelho, enquanto no sub-17 superou o mesmo adversário por 8 a 0, com gols de Marcio Vitor (duas vezes), Luighi (duas vezes), Kauã Moraes, Luis Arthur, Kaio e Ramon.

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Com o resultado, o sub-15 do Alviverde chegou aos seis pontos, na primeira colocação do grupo 12.A equipe palestrina volta a campo no próximo sábado (29), contra o São Caetano, às 9h (de Brasília), na Academia de Futebol 2, em Guarulhos. O time sub-17 também lidera seu grupo com seis pontos e no mesmo dia do sub-15 pega o São Caetano na Academia de Futebol 2, mas às 11h.​

Paralelamente ao estadual, o time sub-17 comandado por Rafael Paiva disputa a Copa do Brasil da categoria. A equipe volta a atuar pela copa nacional na próxima quinta-feira (27), contra o Azuriz-PR, às 19h, pela ida das oitavas de final, no Estádio Os Pioneiros, em Pato Branco-PR.

Já na parte da tarde deste sábado, o time sub-20 do Palmeiras derrotou o Manthiqueira por 6 a 0, na Academia de Futebol 2, em Guarulhos, pela segunda rodada da fase inicial do Campeonato Paulista. O atacante Daniel foi o artilheiro do dia, com três gols. Thalys, Wendell e Talisca também balançaram a rede para completar o resultado.

> Vasco x Palmeiras: onde assistir, horário e escalações do confronto pelo Brasileirão

Com o resultado, o Palmeiras chegou aos seis pontos, dividindo a liderança do grupo 11 do Paulista sub-20. Até o momento, a equipe alviverde venceu as duas partidas que disputou, com sete gols marcados e nenhum sofrido. O próximo compromisso do time pelo estadual é contra o Taubaté, na próxima quarta-feira (26), às 15h (de Brasília), no Estádio Joaquim de Morais Filho, em Taubaté.

Ao mesmo tempo em que disputa o Paulista, a equipe comandada por Paulo Victor Gomes está na briga pelo Campeonato Brasileiro da categoria. Líder do grupo B, o Verdão volta a campo pela competição no próximo sábado (29), contra o Athletico-PR, às 11h, na Arena Barueri.

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Having opened in the first three matches against India, he was dropped for the final two games in favour of Sam Konstas

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2024Nathan McSweeney has spoken of his heartbreak at being dropped from the Australia Test squad after three matches against India, and revealed trying to counter Jasprit Bumrah was a key to the selectors’ decision, but is determined to turn his mind towards pushing for a recall.McSweeney, who had never opened before playing for Australia A against India A in the game before the squad was selected for the first Test, was axed on Friday in favour of 19-year-old Sam Konstas who is now the favourite to open on Boxing day at the MCG.Related

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McSweeney made 72 runs in six innings in the face of challenging batting conditions but appears to have paid the price for the selectors wanting more impetus from the top order.”Yeah, I mean devastated, I get the dream come true and then didn’t quite work the way I wanted,” McSweeney told as he flew back to Brisbane from Adelaide. “But it’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity.”While low on runs, McSweeney had been praised for his role in soaking up overs, especially the first innings under lights in Adelaide where he and Marnus Labuschagne made it through a crucial session on the first day, but his other five dismissals were between 0 and 10.”It’s the game we’re in,” he said. “If you don’t take an opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe. So I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity but as I said I’ll work really to make sure that if the opportunity comes round again I’m definitely ready.”Speaking subsequently to on arrival in Brisbane, McSweeney detailed the challenges of Bumrah.”They had seen my results against Bumrah in the first three Tests and George said they wanted to try someone else who has a slightly different skill set and that suits the batting order,” he said. “I faced some balls and spent a bit of time out there so that helped my confidence but I did not get the scores that I wanted. As everyone was saying it probably does not get much harder.””But learning on the go is a different challenge. In Sheffield Shield cricket you face a good bowler and you might see him again after Christmas. It’s different and unique playing a five Test series and fronting up against him a week later so you are thinking on the run a lot.”McSweeney’s route back to Test cricket would now appear to be in the middle order although he will need to wait for a vacancy to open up. The return of Cameron Green from injury later in the year will create competition for those batting positions.Chair of selectors George Bailey admitted it had been a difficult message to relay to McSweeney.”[It was a] really hard decision for Nathan and one that we spent a lot of time deliberating over,” he said. “Particularly after a small sample size of three Tests… That’s never a great phone call, is it? Nathan was disappointed and really the message to him was much the same as at the start of the series, that we believe he has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level.”Whether McSweeney is available for Brisbane Heat on Sunday, when they face Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba in the BBL, will be confirmed later on Saturday.

Manchester City are now set to “present an offer” for a £43m star who Pep Guardiola called “sensational”, journalist Orazio Accomando has revealed.

Man City looking to offload more players before deadline

Guardiola has previously made it abundantly clear he doesn’t want to work with an oversized squad next season, with the Man City boss saying: “I said to the club I don’t want that. I don’t want to leave five or six players in the tribune. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.”

As such, despite recently offloading Jack Grealish, City may look to get some more players off the books before the transfer deadline, and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Galatasaray are pursuing Ederson.

It remains to be seen whether City opt to cash-in on the Brazilian this summer, with reports from elsewhere revealing they have little interest in sanctioning a departure, but if they do, they may need to bring in a replacement.

That is due to the fact that new arrival James Trafford has limited experience in the Premier League, making just 28 appearances in the competition, and the Blues could now make a move for a goalkeeper who has proven himself at the top level.

That is according to an update from Accomando on X, who states that Man City are now set to “present an offer” for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the next few days, as they continue to work on offloading Ederson.

Donnarumma is also a major target for Manchester United, and PSG are now willing to sanction a departure, having made it clear that Lucas Chevalier is their new number one, with the French club looking to receive £43m.

Pep's an admirer of "sensational" Donnarumma

Guardiola is a long-term admirer of the Italian goalkeeper, having once lauded him as “sensational” after impressing against City in the Champions League, and he continued to catch the eye in last season’s competition.

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Indeed, the Italy captain played a major role in his side reaching the Champions League final, with journalist Carlo Garganese singling the 26-year-old out for praise after impressing in the semi-final against Arsenal.

That said, there are doubts over whether Donnarumma would be a good fit in a Guardiola system, given that he isn’t the best with his feet, averaging 29.95 touches per 90 over the past year, compared to Ederson’s 60.34, so it may be worth persisting with the Brazilian.

Birmingham City are ripping up the transfer rulebook as they reportedly target Champions League players with the Blues chasing a Premier League return. Backed by the deep pockets of Knighthead Capital and the star power of NFL icon Tom Brady, the Blues are no longer thinking like a club fresh out of League One. Instead, they are daring to dream of mixing it with Europe’s elite within the next two to three seasons, and they’re building a plan to make it happen.

Carnall masterminds radical transfer strategy

According to at the heart of this revolution is Joe Carnall, the Blues’ head of recruitment. Promoted from his role as chief scout last season, Carnall is a self-confessed data obsessive who leans heavily on coding and analytics to shape the club’s transfer vision. His model isn’t about gambling on wonderkids who come good. Instead, Birmingham will only sanction deals for players with years of competitive experience behind them, no matter how much potential a younger prospect may appear to have.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportExperience over potential sets Birmingham apart

The shift in recruitment first took shape last season, when Birmingham’s transfer moves powered them to instant promotion back to the Championship. In an era where rivals stockpile teenagers with high resale value, Birmingham are swimming against the tide. The average age of their 14 new recruits this season, including loans, is 26.1. The philosophy is simple: pick players who can handle the pressure of a gruelling nine-month campaign, rather than prospects who might wilt under the spotlight. While rivals squabble over potential gems, Birmingham are quietly stockpiling seasoned campaigners they believe can fire them back into the top flight after 15 painful years away.

Barreiro and Stroeykens meetings raise eyebrows

The Blues have held talks with Benfica’s Leandro Barreiro, a midfielder with 13 Champions League appearances, and Anderlecht’s Mario Stroeykens, widely touted as one of Europe’s brightest midfield talents. While both players ultimately decided against dropping down to the Championship, the very fact that Birmingham got in the room with them is seen internally as proof that the project is gathering momentum.

One name that raised even more eyebrows was Emi Buendia. Not since Scott Hogan’s switch in 2020 has a player dared cross the Second City divide from Villa Park to St Andrew’s. Villa were never likely to sanction a cut-price deal, and Buendia opted to stay put. But with less than two years left on his contract, the Blues may test the waters again.

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Wagner and Brady’s role behind the scenes

Chairman Tom Wagner and celebrity investor Brady have been painted as simply bankrolling a spending spree. However, insiders are quick to stress otherwise. Every deal has to pass Carnall’s stringent data filters before Wagner even gets involved. This isn’t about throwing cash around; it’s about targeted, strategic investments designed to fast-track Birmingham back among English football’s elite.

Leeds United were very much the entertainers in the Championship last season as they romped home to the title in style.

In total, the free-flowing Whites would fire home an emphatic 95 strikes across the 46-game campaign, with Joel Piroe also winning the second-tier’s top goalscorer accolade when contributing to a sizeable 19 of that high amount.

Still, the newly promoted side will know the Premier League is a different kettle of fish altogether, resulting in some proven top-flight attackers now appearing on their ever-growing shopping list, as their goalscoring heroics in the EFL are pushed to the side.

Leeds consider move for new number ten

At one end of the pitch, Farke and co appear to have finally sealed a replacement for Illan Meslier, in the form of Lyon’s Lucas Perri, with the 27-year-old set to sign for a fee of around £13m from the Ligue 1 outfit.

At the other end, Leeds have already added Lucas Nmecha to their forward options, with the German attacker already helping himself to a pre-season goal for his brand new team.

But, with his sketchy injury record, it would be foolish to halt the striker additions there, as Rodrigo Muniz continues to be talked about as one of the Whites’ priorities up top in winning themselves a Premier League-ready performer.

Muniz does have a respectable 17 goals next to his name in the tough division for Fulham, but it remains to be seen what amount Farke and Co. would be willing to fork out to land the clinical Brazilian, with £50m coming in as his reported, eye-watering valuation.

Alongside securing a fresh striker, Leeds will also be on the hunt for an exciting number ten to complement the striker makeover, with Bilal El Khannouss an option they’re now considering in this department from recently relegated Leicester City.

Leeds-centric journalist Beren Cross has revealed that development amid interest in the Moroccan playmaker also coming from Sunderland and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

This level of interest in the £22.5m ace’s services might make it hard for Leeds to sneak a deal over the line, but if they want a promising attacking talent that could set up Muniz with even more chances, they should persist in trying to bring the up-and-coming youngster to West Yorkshire.

Why El Khannouss could be a dream for Muniz

Muniz’s 17 strikes for the Cottagers in total look like a reasonable amount of goals for a striker to have next to his name on first inspection.

However, that amount suddenly holds more weight when you consider eight of those strikes were hammered in Premier League action last season from just eight starts, with one of his Fulham teammates in Willian, even declaring him as “one of the best strikers in the Premier League” off the back of this blistering form.

An extended run in the team under Daniel Farke could well help Muniz become even more potent, with the likes of Daniel James no doubt chomping at the bit to supply him with golden opportunities, alongside El Khannouss if he ditches the King Power Stadium for Elland Road.

Even as Leicester fell through the relegation trapdoor last season, El Khannouss still managed to stand out as a thorn in the side of many top-flight outfits, with his promising output of two goals and three assists only telling the basic, surface-level story of an impressive individual campaign.

Indeed, if the 21-year-old had the potency of Muniz next to him in the Midlands, his assist count would be sitting at a far heftier amount, with a steep eight big chances created by the “sensational” El Khannouss – as he was glowingly labelled by football analyst Ben Mattinson – when donning Foxes blue.

Four goals and 14 assists would also come the slick midfielder’s way when performing out of his skin for Genk before Leicester came calling, culminating in Miguel Ribeiro – who coached the Moroccan sensation in Belgium – further lauding the 21-year-old for possessing “eyes in his back” regarding his split-second ability to carve out an opening.

Both signings – as well as that of Perri – could be key, therefore, as Leeds attempt to play with confidence and swagger in the attacking areas in the Premier League, over receding into their shell as relegation candidates.

Better than Paixao: Very good chance "unplayable" £20m star signs for Leeds

Leeds United are weighing up a move for this phenomenal £20m ace.

2 ByKelan Sarson Jul 24, 2025

Retiring a shirt number in football is relatively rare compared to other sports, but there have been instances where multiple clubs have dedicated specific numbers to players who have represented them in the past.

Liverpool have become the latest side to do just that, following the extremely sad news of Diogo Jota’s passing. The Portuguese forward wore the number 20 shirt at Anfield and will be the last to do so for the Reds after those at Anfield honoured him by retiring the jersey.

Other clubs have immortalised their former players by hanging up shirt numbers.

10 Jude Bellingham Birmingham City – shirt number 22

Birmingham City knew they had a talent on their hands when they decided to retire Jude Bellingham’s number 22 shirt when he left St Andrew’s in 2020.

Now known as one of the best midfielders in the world for Real Madrid, Bellingham was just 17 years of age when he swapped Birmingham for Borussia Dortmund.

Some saw it as an interesting decision by the Blues, but as time goes on, you can see why they decided to do just that.

9 Bobby Moore West Ham – shirt number 6

The only Englishman to lift the World Cup, Bobby Moore is a Three Lions legend and at club level, is immortalised by West Ham.

The centre-back made more than 600 appearances for the Hammers over a 16-year period, helping the Irons win the FA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

Moore was only 51 years of age when he passed away in 1993, and 15 years later, West Ham decided to retire his number 6 shirt in honour of their greatest ever defender.

8 Dylan Tombides West Ham – shirt number 38

Alongside retiring the number 6 shirt for Moore, West Ham also took the decision to hang up the number 38 shirt in memory of Dylan Tombides.

The Australian forward progressed through the Hammers’ academy and made one senior appearance for the Irons in 2012 after overcoming testicular cancer a few months before. However, tragically, Tombides’ cancer returned and metastasised to his liver, with the youngster passing away in April 2014.

7 Marc-Vivien Foe Manchester City – shirt number 23

During the 2002/03 season, Marc-Vivien Foe impressed on loan at Manchester City from Lyon and was subsequently selected to play for Cameroon in the Confederations Cup.

The midfielder helped his nation to the semi-finals but collapsed against Colombia in the second half and was rushed to hospital. Foe would pass away shortly after reaching hospital, with an autopsy showing a heart-related issue for his death.

City, who were managed by Kevin Keegan at the time, quickly acted and announced they would retire Foe’s number 23 shirt in his memory.

6 Matija Sarkic Millwall – shirt number 20

In the summer of 2024 at the age of just 26, Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic suddenly passed away from heart failure.

A Montenegro international, Sarkic made the permanent move to The Den in 2023 from Wolves after loan spells at Shrewsbury Town, Birmingham City and Stoke City.

He made a big impact in a short space of time with Millwall, who retired his number 20 and also introduced the “Matija Sarkic Award” for the season’s best save.

5 Joe Thompson Rochdale – shirt number 15

Joe Thompson has rightly been recognised as a Rochdale legend, after making more than 200 appearances for the club across three spells.

The midfielder scored an iconic goal in 2018 which meant Dale avoided relegation from League One and retired a year later. Thompson was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in 2024 and died a year later at the age of just 36.

Rochdale were quick to retire their number 15 shirt in honour of their former star, calling him “an incredible person who had a positive impact on everyone”.

4 Billy Kee Accrington Stanley – shirt number 29

Billy Kee represented numerous Football League clubs during his career, but it was with Accrington Stanley where he is best known after scoring 83 goals in more than 200 appearances.

However, at the beginning of 2020 at the age of 30, Kee decided to retire from football after seeking treatment for depression, anxiety and bulimia.

Accrington Stanley and Kee agreed to terminate his contract, with the club dedicating the number 29 to their former forward.

3 Ray Jones QPR – shirt number 31

Queens Park Rangers retired their number 31 shirt in 2007 following the passing of highly-rated teenager Ray Jones, who died in a car crash.

Jones, who was just 18, had already made more than 30 Championship appearances for the R’s and had a promising career ahead of him before the tragic incident.

2 Jack Lester Chesterfield – shirt number 14

Jack Lester was scoring as frequently as Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres in his first season as a Chesterfield player, and he has rightly gone down as a club legend after six free-scoring years with the club.

The forward helped the Spireites win League Two and the Football League Trophy during his time at the SMH Group Stadium, resulting in the club retiring the number 14 shirt in 2013 in his honour. Lester couldn’t stay away, though, and returned as manager four years later.

1 Diogo Jota Liverpool – shirt number 20

Most recently, Diogo Jota’s passing in the summer of 2025 stunned the footballing world. Just a week after getting married, Jota and his brother Andre Silva were involved in a fatal car crash during the off-season.

The Portugal forward helped the Reds win the Premier League title just months before his death, with the Reds dedicating the number 20 shirt to Jota forever.