The Premier League is widely regarded as not only the best league in football but also the most lucrative, as English top flight teams rack up hundreds of millions in every transfer window.

While PSR has limited owners from spending beyond their means in recent seasons, it hasn’t stopped English teams from leading the European market year after year, with over £3 billion spent in the summer transfer window by Premier League clubs.

20-16

Bournemouth sit bottom of the net spend list, as the Cherries lost nearly their entire defence in big money moves. Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid while Milos Kerkez left for Liverpool, with Illia Zabarnyi heading to PSG. South coast rivals Brighton meanwhile received a massive fee from Chelsea for Joao Pedro, who has been a hit already since moving to west London.

Brentford and Wolves both lost star strikers of their own, with Yoane Wissa moving to Newcastle on deadline day while Matheus Cunha swapped Molineux for Manchester United, and the Red Devils also snapped up Bryan Mbeumo.

Chelsea were extremely industrious in their dealings, selling the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka, Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku among others, while Nicolas Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich is the largest fee for a loan deal ever.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

20.

Bournemouth

£136.7m

£202.5m

+£65.8m

19.

Brighton

£67.7m

£127.5m

+£59.8m

18.

Brentford

£92.8m

£152m

+£59.2m

17.

Wolves

£105.6m

£126.5m

+£20.9m

16.

Chelsea

£296.5m

£314.4m

+£17.9m

15-11

Although Crystal Palace were able to keep hold of Marc Guehi in dramatic circumstances in the closing hours of deadline day, their sale of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal means the Eagles end the summer in the green. Aston Villa made a profit despite late deals for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho, which will worry fans at Villa Park after a troubling start to their domestic campaign.

Fulham’s club record £35m deal for Brazilian winger Kevin took them into the negative net spend, while Burnley are the lowest promoted side on the list despite signing 14 new players, including experienced heads Kyle Walker and Martin Dubravka to go with young talents like Loum Tchaouna and Bashir Humphreys.

West Ham and Graham Potter finally got their season up and running with a victory over Nottingham Forest, but may harbour little hope of avoiding a relegation battle despite holding onto star man Lucas Paqueta.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

15.

Crystal Palace

£48.9m

£67.5m

+£17.7m

14.

Aston Villa

£28m

£43m

+£15m

13.

Fulham

£35.1m

£8.7m

-£26.4m

12.

Burnley

£97.7m

£31m

-£66.7m

11.

West Ham

£131.3m

£55m

£-76.3m

10-6

Manchester City surprisingly only just crack the top ten, with a chunk of the spending for their rebuild under Pep Guardiola done in January. Those winter arrivals were joined by the likes of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer.

Despite all the noise surrounding Alexander Isak, Newcastle actually had one of the more productive incoming windows, bringing in Nick Woltemade for a club record £69m fee while Jacob Ramsey adds sky high potential to an already quality midfield.

Evangelos Marinakis led a late flurry of activity at Nottingham Forest in an attempt to keep Nuno Espirito Santo happy, but their greatest piece of business may just be preventing the sale of Morgan Gibbs-White to Tottenham.

Leeds failed to sell a single player for profit this summer, meaning they rank in the top ten after deals for the likes of Anton Stach and Noah Okafor.

Everton, like Forest, waited until late in the window to really get going, but ended up sixth courtesy mainly of their deals for Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry, although the loan signing of Jack Grealish could prove to be the bargain of the season.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

10.

Manchester City

£185.8m

£96m

-£89.8m

9.

Newcastle

£256.3m

£157m

-£99.3m

8.

Nottingham Forest

£182.5m

£81.5m

-£101m

7.

Leeds

£103.1m

£0m

-£103.1m

6.

Everton

£124m

£10m

£-114m

5-1

The top five sees four very unsurprising big spenders accompanied by Sunderland, who enjoyed a memorable summer, bringing in big name players with Premier League experience, such as Granit Xhaka, along with riskier moves on high ceiling players such as Brighton winger Simon Adingra.

Tottenham captured Randal Kolo Muani on loan in a last-minute move on deadline day, but it was the deals for attacking midfielders Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons that placed them in with the top spenders.

Manchester United’s late deal for goalkeeper Senne Lammens took them into the top three, having reinforced their attack earlier in the window with big money deals for Cunha, Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

Liverpool’s sales of players like Jarell Quansah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have helped the Reds to somehow not top the list despite spending nearly £450m on new signings. Indeed, the Reds recouped over £200m more than Arsenal, whose own spending is highlighted by deals for Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

5.

Sunderland

£183.4m

£42m

-£141.4m

4.

Tottenham

£171.2m

£17m

-£154.2m

3.

Manchester United

£232.4m

£61.7m

-£170.7m

2.

Liverpool

£446.5m

£228.1m

-£218.4m

1.

Arsenal

£267m

£10m

-£257m

Barcelona’s Camp Nou delays are causing further financial strain on the club, with the Spanish giants being forced to move back to the Montjuic stadium for the time being. Each match at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys costs Barca a hefty amount as institutional vice-president Elena Fort confirmed they are navigating the costs while awaiting the reopening of their iconic stadium.

• Montjuic hosting continues amid Camp Nou delays

  The Blaugrana outfit will host their upcoming La Liga clash against Real Sociedad at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic rather than at Camp Nou. The Catalans’ intended return to their renovated home ground has been repeatedly postponed due to licensing and safety approvals. The next potential Camp Nou fixture is now scheduled for October 18 against Girona, over a month after this weekend’s match. These delays have forced Barca to adapt quickly, relying on Montjuic’s 55,000-seat capacity to accommodate fans and continue the season.

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  Financial impact of Montjuic matches

  The club faces huge costs each time it plays away from the Camp Nou. Institutional VP Fort revealed on that Barcelona must pay between €300,000 and €900,000 per match at Montjuic, averaging roughly half a million euros. These fees represent a notable financial burden compared to revenue from the 6,000-seat Johan Cruyff Stadium, where Barca played the first two home games of the season. With multiple home fixtures set at Montjuic, including the upcoming Champions League clash with PSG, these costs could quickly accumulate.

• Why is Camp Nou refurbishment delays?

  The €1.5 billion Camp Nou renovation began in June 2023 with the aim of modernising the stadium and expanding capacity to 105,000. The original plan was to reopen in November 2024, coinciding with the club’s 125th anniversary, but progress has been slower than anticipated. Safety approvals, fire department checks, and pending occupancy licenses have delayed reopening. Johan Cruyff Stadium has temporarily accommodated home games, but revenue is limited, leaving Montjuic as the interim solution for larger matches.

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• Club’s strategic approach and fan communication

  Barca thanked supporters for their understanding amid the complex logistics of the Camp Nou project. Operations director Joan Sentelles emphasised: “Just because it’s not finished, doesn’t mean it’s not safe,” while deputy mayor Laia Bonet highlighted public safety as the priority. The club continue to liaise with city authorities to secure licensing for phased openings, balancing safety requirements with financial and sporting needs. 

Manchester United have now made an approach to sign a “world-class” player, according to journalist Sebastien Vidal, and he is thought to be keen on a move to Old Trafford.

Man Utd still looking to strengthen despite signing Sesko

The Red Devils set out to strengthen their attack as a priority this summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and now striker Benjamin Sesko, in a deal that amounted to £74m, and Ruben Amorim is very happy with the addition of the Slovenian.

Amorim believes Sesko has the mentality to succeed at Old Trafford, saying: “He has the characteristics that we needed. Ben is a player that, with all the information that we have, we need to stop the guy from working – it is not the opposite! That is also important.

Having now signed a striker, however, the Red Devils have started work on strengthening other areas of the squad, with their summer of heavy spending perhaps reliant on getting the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho off the books.

Man Utd enter new talks to sign £100m+ star as imminent bid now expected

The Red Devils are trying to conclude more deals.

BySean Markus Clifford Aug 11, 2025

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba has emerged as a major target in central midfield, while United also remain interested in bringing in a replacement for Andre Onana, who received a lot of criticism for his performances last season.

According to a new update from Vidal on X, Man United have now made an approach to sign Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who “could be sold” this summer, as his contract is set to expire next year.

The journalist adds that Donnarumma has lost his number one spot at PSG following Lucas Chevalier’s arrival, and a deal could be possible for a “reasonable” price, with Premier League rivals Chelsea also in the race.

A price tag of £26m for the goalkeeper has previously been touted, with the French champions now willing to cash-in.

"World-class" Donnarumma keen on Old Trafford move

TalkSPORT reporter Anil Kandola has recently dropped an exciting new update, suggesting the Italian shot-stopper would be keen on a move to Old Trafford this summer.

“Received a text late last night that Gianluigi Donnarumma WANTS a move to Man Utd. After PSG put a £26m price tag on the goalkeeper, the player is attracted to the Premier League and more specifically, Manchester United. Still no sign as of yet that United are looking to bring him in, but it seems a similar situation to the Benjamin Sesko deal… if United want him, they get him.”

As such, United cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to bring in the 26-year-old for such a low fee, given that he could be a massive upgrade on Onana, having been lauded as “world-class” by members of the media in the past.

Donnarumma is proven at the top level, making 15 appearances en-route to PSG winning the Champions League last season, and given his age, he could be a fantastic option for Man United between the sticks for many years to come.

Warriorz’s fielding lapses of three dropped chances and misfields in the last over cost them the game after Lanning smashed 69

Vishal Dikshit19-Feb-2025

Annabel Sutherland and Marizanne Kapp put on a crucial, unbroken 48-run stand to chase down 167•BCCI

The Delhi Capitals middle order stepped up for the first time in this WPL and didn’t squander the blazing start provided by their prolific opening pair of Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning to consign UP Warriorz to their second straight loss. Capitals’ seven-wicket win ended the Vadodara leg of the tournament with the chasing team winning all six games, before the action moves to Bengaluru, and then Lucknow and Mumbai.It was not all smooth and easy for Capitals though. Once Lanning fell for 69, they needed a tricky 48 off 32 on a pitch that was keeping low. The ever-dependable Marizanne Kapp tilted the game in their favour with consecutive fours off Sophie Ecclestone when the equation read 31 off 17 and Annabel Sutherland all but sealed the chase in the last over – off which they needed 11 – by handing similar treatment to Grace Harris. This was also the highest total chased by Capitals in WPL.Related

Warriorz's Athapaththu to leave WPL early to play for Sri Lanka

If the shoe fits: Chinelle Henry ready to step up for Alyssa Healy

Warriorz’s fielding lapses of three dropped chances and misfields in the last over cost them the game, after their own middle order was unable to capitalise on the rapid start given by Kiran Navgire’s 51 off 27.Navgire’s big hits against the big namesNavgire put all the doubts around Warriorz’s inexperienced top order to bed by taking on the big names in Captilas’ attack. She got going from ball one, smacking Kapp for back-to-back fours with a pull and straight loft. In the next over she repeated the act by making room against Shikha Pandey’s inswingers with glorious drives. She upped the level further when she walloped Kapp and Jess Jonassen for two sixes and a one-bounce four all within the space of three balls to race to 35 off 13. With a straight six off Pandey at the start of the fifth over, Navgire brought up Warriorz’s fastest team fifty, off 25 balls, and then brought up her own fifty off 24 balls, the joint-fastest by a Warriorz batter.Kiran Navgire got UP Warriorz off to a flying start•WPL

Sutherland sends Warriorz ‘scrambling’After starting this WPL with a three-for last week, Sutherland showed her bowling smarts again by sending down short balls with scrambled seams and the bigger boundary on the leg side. Both Vrinda Dinesh and Navgire couldn’t clear the rope and Warriorz went from 66 for 0 to 73 for 2.The Capitals spinners stepped up from the other end. Jonassen fired one outside off to have Tahlia McGrath stumped and Deepti Sharma suffered the same fate when she couldn’t connect against the drift and turn of offspinner Minnu Mani. In a matter of 23 balls, Warriotz had lost 4 for 16 that eventually cost them the match.Henry shines on WPL debutWarriorz were headed towards more misery when Harris miscued an offcutter for 12 and they were reeling at 118 for 5. But with five overs to go, it was WPL debutant Chinelle Henry who struck the big hits as Shweta Sehrawat also showed her hitting skills with 37 off 33. Henry, who had scored 61 in her last game at the same ground for West Indies, lifted Warriorz from 128 to 150 single-handedly by smashing Pandey all around the park for three sixes and a four in four balls for a 23-run 17th over. Capitals, however, bounced back to concede just 16 runs in the last three as Jonassen varied her pace and Arundhati Reddy and Kapp took the pace off.Lanning and Shafali pepper the boundaries, againThat Lanning and Shafali brought up their second fifty stand in three games was nothing new in the WPL, but this time it was with Lanning looking far more confident. Following two scratchy innings, she led her team for nearly three-fourths of the chase with a solid 69 off 49 after Shafali’s 26 off 16 deflated UPW in the powerplay. Shafali punished Kranti Goud in the first over, Lanning dabbed Sophie Ecclestone for two fours in the second, they went after Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Goud together in the third and fifth, and with three fours off Henry’s two overs, Capitals had 59 in the powerplay and the batting pair had their tenth 50-plus opening stand in WPL, the most by a distance.Meg Lanning brought up a quick half-century•BCCI

Sutherland, Kapp see Capitals home after a stutterWarriorz put down their first chance when Henry dropped Shafali on 25 at deep midwicket although it didn’t cost them much because the batter pulled again to Henry four balls later on 26. It became two wickets in five balls when Jemimah Rodrigues paddled to short fine leg for her third duck in WPL. Once the wickets slowed things down briefly, Lanning’s nifty footwork fetched her three fours in two overs to pull things back while a steady Sutherland kept going at run a ball.Once Ecclestone and Harris sent down two boundary-less overs to bring the equation from 57 off 42 to 47 off 30 along with the wicket of Lanning, Warriorz were clawing back in the game. But Eccelstone put down a sitter of Sutherland and Kapp reeled off boundaries with placement and power to bring Capitals back and she also got a life in the penultimate over.With 11 needed from six, Warriorz conceded two fours that could have been stopped in the outfield and McGrath failed to collect the ball at the bowler’s end from mid-on which could have led to a run-out but turned out to be the winning run.

Sunderland may have had one of the busiest and most productive summer transfer windows in their history, but it looks as though their business may not be done yet.

A memorable summer of transfers for Sunderland

The Black Cats have prepared brilliantly for their return to the Premier League, making as many as 11 permanent signings and bolstering their squad significantly.

It was something that Regis Le Bris spoke positively about last month, with Sunderland going from strength to strength in the market even since then.

“I am happy because we needed to reinforce the squad. The players who decided to join Sunderland had multiple choices. But finally, they decided to join Sunderland even with the same offer for many other clubs.

“That means they are convinced by the energy of the project. “I think we are clear in the way we want to recruit and the way we want to work. I think the owner, and the whole club, are showing their ambition. It is not just about surviving, we want to be competitive in this league, with the identity of Sunderland.”

Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi could potentially be the next player through the entrance door at Sunderland, joining the likes of Habib Diarra and Granit Xhaka, among others, but they may not be done there, following a new update.

Habib Diarra

Strasbourg

£27.1m

Simon Adingra

Brighton

£21m

Enzo Le Fee

Roma

£19.8m

Chemsdine Talbi

Club Brugge

£17.2m

Noah Sadiki

Union SG

£14.6m

Granit Xhaka

Bayer Leverkusen

£12.9m

Nordi Mukiele

Paris Saint-Germain

£10.3m

Omar Alderete

Getafe

£9.8m

Robin Roefs

NEC Nijmegen

£9m

Reinildo Mandava

Atletico Madrid

free transfer

Arthur Masuaku

Besiktas

free transfer

Sunderland backed to do more transfer business

Writing on X, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie said that Sunderland could still make two more signings alongside Lucumi this summer, amid “talks” with further additions.

Black Cats supporters will love this update from Downie, during a summer that would arguably have been beyond their wildest dreams, in terms of spending.

Admittedly, there is a risk in bringing in so many signings, in terms of a potential speedy relegation back to the Championship leaving the club in financial peril, but it is refreshing to see such a bold approach taking place.

Sunderland make transfer offer for £50,000-a-week World Cup semi-finalist

The Black Cats are on fire this summer.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 29, 2025

The 3-0 win at home to West Ham showed what Sunderland’s new signings are capable of, but after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat away to Burnley, it won’t all be plain sailing regardless of who comes through the door on Monday.

The Delhi Capitals (DC) seamers shared seven wickets between them before Jess Jonassen’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls made short work of the chase to give her side a six-wicket win over Gujarat Giants (GG). The result lifted DC to the top of the WPL points table, at least for the time being. They now have three wins from five outings. GG remain rooted to the bottom with one victory from four matches.When Meg Lanning put GG in after winning the toss, she was hoping for early wickets. Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey did not disappoint their captain. They picked up two each in the powerplay and reduced GG to 20 for 4. Soon it became 60 for 6, and it looked like GG might not even cross 100. But Bharti Fulmali’s 40 not out off 29 balls from No. 8 steered them to 127 for 9.DC lost Lanning early in the chase but Jonassen, promoted to No. 3, and Shafali Verma added 74 in just 6.1 overs to kill the contest. When Kapp hit the winning boundary, there were still 29 balls left in the match.

Kapp, Pandey leave Giants gasping

As she often does, Kapp got the ball to shape away from right-hand batters consistently. Harleen Deol, opening the innings, nicked one such delivery but the edge fell just short of Lanning at first slip.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Deol could not enjoy her luck for long, as Kapp induced another outside edge in her next over. This time the ball carried comfortably into the gloves of Sarah Bryce. Phoebe Litchfield, who had replaced Laura Wolvaardt in the XI, lasted just three balls; Kapp trapped her lbw for a duck.Kapp’s double-wicket maiden left GG on 16 for 2 after four overs. In the next over, Pandey made it worse for them with wickets off back-to-back deliveries. Beth Mooney had started the over by crunching Pandey through the covers for four. Pandey switched to around the wicket and found immediate success as Mooney’s pick-up shot landed in Niki Prasad’s hands at long leg.Pandey and Prasad combined once again on the next delivery to see the back of Kashvee Gautam, whose attempted pull from well outside off skied towards deep midwicket. Prasad ran in and dived forward to complete a low catch.For the hat-trick ball, Pandey went short again. She beat Deandra Dottin on the pull and hit her on the helmet. After a concussion check, Dottin flat-batted the next ball down the ground for four. In the next over, she repeated the shot against Kapp for the same result. Those boundaries lent the score some respectability as GG finished the powerplay on 31 for 4.Bharti Fulmali scored an unbeaten 40 off just 29 balls•BCCI

Fulmali leads the fightbackIn the ninth over, Titas Sadhu castled Ashleigh Gardner, GG’s captain and their in-form batter, for 3 off 9 balls. Two overs later, Annabel Sutherland put an end to Dottin’s counter-attack. But Fulmali, playing her first game of the season, led the fightback. In the 15th over, she pulled Minnu Mani over deep square-leg for the first six of the innings. Along with Tanuja Kanwar, she added 51 in 40 balls for the seventh wicket and steered the side past 120.

Lanning’s diminishing returns

Lanning is the second-highest run-getter in the WPL. But apart from her 69 against UP Warriorz, she has struggled this season. Tuesday was no different. After being beaten by Dottin in the opening over, she tried to pull Gautam. But the ball came back in sharply to flatten her off stump. She made 3 off 13 balls.It has been a case of diminishing returns for Lanning. In the 2023 season, she scored 345 runs at an average of 49.28 and a strike rate of 139.11. The following season, while her runs tally remained almost the same, her strike rate dropped to 123.04. This time, her numbers read: 109 runs from five innings at an average of 21.80 and a strike rate of 103.80.Shafali Verma struck a few boundaries in the powerplay•BCCI

Jonassen, Shafali kill the contest

DC’s move to send Jonassen at No. 3 paid off handsomely, especially with one square boundary being significantly shorter than the other – 51 metres vs 63 metres. When the shorter boundary was on Jonassen’s leg side, she scored 23 runs off eight balls in that region, including both her sixes. She was aggressive against every bowler. Her lowest strike rate was against Gautam, off whom she scored 15 off nine at 166.66.Shafali preferred the leg side irrespective of which side the shorter boundary was on. Of her 44 runs off 27 balls, 32 came on the leg side. When Gardner trapped her lbw in the ninth over, DC had already reached 88.Jonassen brought up her maiden WPL fifty off 26 balls. Even though DC lost Jemimah Rodrigues and Sutherland cheaply, their win was never in doubt.

MatériaMais Notícias

A derrota doSantospor 2 a 0 diante do Corinthians na Vila Belmiro, na última quarta-feira (21), deu fim a passagem de Odair Hellmann como treinador do Peixe. Ele foi demitido com 34 jogos disputados, sendo 11 vitórias, 12 empates e 11 derrotas.Com a saída do comandante, Falcão foi oficializado como interino do Alvinegro até a chegada de um novo técnico. Retomar a carreira de treinador era um desejo do próprio ‘Rei de Roma’, conforme entrevista concedida ao Lance! em 2021.

Na ocasião, Falcão falou que estava nos planos dirigir uma equipe novamente. A sua última experiência na beira do campo foi no Internacional, onde é ídolo, quando comandou o Colorado em 2016. Falcão também passou pela Seleção Brasileira, entre 1990 e 1991, seleção japonesa, entre 1994 e 1995, além do Sport, em 2012, e Bahia, na temporada de 2013.

– O objetivo é esse (voltar a ser treinador). Hoje em dia, para ser treinador, você precisa ser um ‘manager’. Gosto do campo, do treino, depende do convite, da situação, para ser responsável da organização do futebol escolher as contratações. Talvez algo assim. Jogar um futebol bonito para que as pessoas que vão assistir, aplaudem, ver um futebol bonito, ainda mais depois da pandemia, que eles ficaram afastados do estádio. Isso está muito claro para mim – disse Falcão.

+ Lista de jogadores mais valiosos do mundo tem novo líder:vejaotop25

Falcão ainda comentou sobre como gosta de montar as equipes que comanda. Para ele, o clube precisa de um estilo de jogo ousado, com variações de esquemas e sempre um ‘Plano B’ a ser colocado em prática.

– Depende dos jogadores que eu tiver. Gosto do time que tenha a posse da bola, quero fazer meu time jogar por 15 bolas, não por uma. Não gosto do chutão do goleiro, temos algumas coisas no futebol brasileiro: ‘Ah, tem que tirar a bola da defesa’. Às vezes, tem que tirar mesmo, mas em outras situações, não, tem que ter noção disso, saber o momento. Dar condições para que o time jogue com calma. Eu gosto de ter dois jogadores na frente, não gosto de um homem só na frente, a não ser que você tenha dois atletas muito fortes por fora para encostar. Mas não gosto é meio relativo. O Liverpool mesmo, joga com somente um na frente, mas tem Mané e Salah chegando dos lados. Não tenho uma definição, mas quero um jogo que eu tenha a bola. Sei que vou correr riscos, mas se for para perder que seja assim, correndo riscos. Agora, eu vou ter 20 bolas para fazer o gol, adversário terá duas. E que tenha um plano B. às vezes, o plano B é mais importante do que o A. Estamos jogando assim, não deu, treinamos de outra maneira e mudamos. A minha ideia como treinador é montar um time que ganha jogando bem e que emocione – finalizou Falcão.

Arsenal could still make one more major signing before the transfer deadline on September 1, with sporting director Andrea Berta potentially capable of reinforcing another key area depending on outgoings.

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Mikel Arteta led his Premier League title hopefuls to a solid 1-0 win away to Man United on Sunday, and despite not pulling up trees with their overall display, Arsenal withstood a barrage of pressure to come away with a clean sheet after robust defending.

There were positive takeaways from their first league outing of the campaign, namely how they put aside a determined United on away soil, who themselves are looking to rebuild under one of Europe’s most exciting young managers in Ruben Amorim.

Away from the pitch, Berta could still sign another left-winger, if Leandro Trossard leaves the Emirates Stadium.

Trossard, who’s entered the final 12 months of his deal, is apparently more likely than not to depart amid interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Brentford, with Berta looking to potentially sell now rather than lose the Belgian for nothing next year.

If Trossard does depart, it would free up space for Arsenal to move for that other wide player (Ben Jacobs), and reports suggest that they’re still firmly in the running for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

The Brazil international is attracting serious interest from Man City as a replacement for Savinho, amid his talks to join Tottenham, but Arsenal are believed to maintain their own interest in Rodrygo amid his uncertain Bernabeu future.

According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, though, Real squad members have made their stance on him potentially joining Arteta’s side crystal clear behind-the-scenes.

Real Madrid players urge Rodrygo not to join Arsenal

As per their information, a number of Los Blancos stars, including the likes of Kylian Mbappé, have stepped in to urge Xabi Alonso and Real’s hierarchy not to green-light Rodrygo’s exit.

However, unfortunately for them, the consensus as things stand is apparently that Rodrygo is heading towards the exit door, regardless of his teammates urging him not to join Arsenal.

The 24-year-old racked up 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, but Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Rodrygo will likely cost around £86 million, so it’ll perhaps take a few key sales before Arsenal muster up the cash for such a mega-money transfer.

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After missing out on Facundo Buonanotte to Chelsea, Leeds United have now reportedly re-opened talks to sign a priority target before the transfer window slams shut.

Chelsea hijack Leeds' Buonanotte move

Just like Igor Paixao earlier this summer, Leeds are set to miss out on an attacking reinforcement at the death. This time, it’s Chelsea who have jumped ahead of them in brutal fashion to close in on a deal to sign Buonanotte from Brighton & Hove Albion. The news leaves those at Elland Road back to square one and still in need of additions.

Just where Leeds go from here is the big question. The 49ers have just two days to welcome alternative options and complete a squad that must be good enough to avoid the drop.

So far, Leeds have welcomed as many as 10 signings, with the latest arrival being James Justin from Leicester City. Once again, though, he will boost Daniel Farke’s backline rather than add some much-needed goals to his side.

The defender told Leeds’ official website after putting pen to paper: “Obviously to join a club of this size and to have the history it has had, and being back in the Premier League was a massive thing for me, so I’m over the moon to have joined.

“Everyone that I’ve spoken to about the club and the area has had great things to say about it. So I’m excited to join the lads and get to work.

Whilst Justin is a welcome arrival, Leeds have continued their search for an attacking reinforcement and have reportedly turned back towards one of their main targets.

Leeds re-open El Khannouss talks

According to Leeds United News, Leeds have now re-opened talks to sign Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester this week. The attacking midfielder just missed out on a move to Crystal Palace after they decided to sign Yeremy Pino instead. Although that would have been a disappointment for him, it has seemingly allowed Elland Road chiefs to swoop back in for their priority target.

Dubbed a “fantastic talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, El Khannouss was a rare bright spark in a relegated Leicester side last season and could now provide Leeds’ attack with that same spark.

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With their attacking problems clear for all to see, the 49ers must back Leeds one final time to welcome a talent like El Khannouss before the deadline.

With each passing season, or even each passing game, what it means to be Manchester United appears to be drifting away.

No longer a winning machine, the soul of the club has also been somewhat lost of late, amid the relentless redundancies that have been rolled out by the INEOS regime – all to help fund another collection of expensive player incomings.

On the pitch, Ruben Amorim’s persistence with his 3-4-2-1 system appears at odds with the great teams of the past, having slipped so far from the gung-ho, edge-of-your-seat style which was synonymous with Sir Alex Ferguson – and those before him.

A microcosm of the modern game, United’s most damning act has been the repeated selling of the family silver, with academy graduates the major victims in recent years.

Only last summer, the Red Devils shipped Scott McTominay off to Napoli amid the desire to bring in Manuel Ugarte in his place. One of that duo is now a Ballon d’Or nominee…

As for this summer, Alejandro Garnacho has been allowed to join the Chelsea circus, while fellow FA Cup final hero Kobbie Mainoo has been tipped to follow him out the exit door, amid his lack of regular game time.

A player whom Gary Neville suggested the club should be “building [the team] around”, Mainoo simply can’t be allowed to leave. Instead, a new addition is needed to help revive him.

Latest on Man Utd's midfield search

“Now I’m a Baleba…”

The songs had already been written; scarves were no doubt being sold. Alas, unless a drastic change occurs, United won’t be forking out the required £100m plus fee for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, despite identifying the Cameroonian as a leading target.

With the Seagulls holding firm on their desire to keep hold of their 21-year-old sensation, Amorim’s search for an athletic number eight will have to shift its focus, with the centre of the park in particular need of reinforcement, amid the continued reliance on an ageing Casemiro.

Transfer Focus

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

With that in mind, Caught Offside have reported that United are showing an interest in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder, Conor Gallagher, with the England international seemingly in line for a return to the Premier League.

As per the report, the 25-year-old is available heading into the final days of the window, with the LaLiga outfit slapping a £45m asking price on his head. That would ensure that an offer in that region would likely be accepted.

Unsurprisingly, Amorim and co aren’t alone in their interest, as Tottenham Hotspur are said to be the club who are ‘leading the race’ right now. The Lilywhites are even said to be ready to make a bid.

Why Conor Gallagher could be perfect for Mainoo

The key crux of the issue right now for young Mainoo is that Amorim has outlined that he views the 20-year-old as a competitor, rather than a partner, for Bruno Fernandes in central midfield, thus ensuring his route to game time is severely blocked.

That said, United’s chief creator may well still be better suited to a number ten berth, thus perhaps opening the door for Mainoo to nail down the number eight role instead, having previously thrived in a deeper position during his breakout 2023/24 season.

While last term was a tale of injuries and frustration, it’s easy to forget just what a revelation the Englishman was the year prior, having kicked things off with a Man of the Match display on his first Premier League start at Everton in November 2023.

A meteoric rise over the next few months saw the then-teenager net that Wembley winner, prior to starting every knockout game during England’s surge to the Euro 2024 final – having even started the showpiece defeat to Spain.

A “generational” talent, in the view of teammate Rasmus Hojlund, Mainoo possesses that unerring ability to simply breeze past opponents, with his poise and power having even led Anthony Elanga to describe him as having “similar attributes to Paul Pogba”.

Marcus Rashford

£42m

Scott McTominay

£42m

Kobbie Mainoo

£42m

Alejandro Garnacho

£38m

Anthony Elanga

£36m

Mason Greenwood

£34m

Alvaro Carreras

£30m

Dwight McNeil

£21m

Dean Henderson

£17m

Angel Gomes

£17m

Pogba’s time at United is enough for a 10,000-word piece on its own, but where the Frenchman truly shone was on the international stage, partnering a certain N’Golo Kante as Les Bleus claimed World Cup glory in 2018.

Like the mercurial Pogba, Mainoo is in need of that athletic workhorse alongside him – particularly so in this 3-4-2-1 system.

Enter, Gallagher.

Previously described as being like “Kante with goals” by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino – having also been likened to his ex-Chelsea colleague by Thomas Tuchel – the Atleti star would represent the perfect foil for Mainoo in the engine room.

A pressing “monster” – as per Tom Dutton – the £45m man notably ranked in the top 4% of Champions League midfielders for interceptions per 90 last season, as per FBref, having been a relentless presence in Diego Simeone’s setup.

Also ranking in the top 1% for passes between 15 and 30 yards, the one-time Crystal Palace loanee plays a simple but effective game, ensuring he could win back possession, before picking out the likes of Mainoo ahead of him.

That’s not to say he’s simply the archetypal ‘piano carrier’, however, with Gallagher also offering a real threat in his own right in attack, having registered six goals and assists in LaLiga last term. His pass accuracy rate of 87%, as per Sofascore, is also nothing to be sniffed at.

There might be more technically proficient players on the market, but few boast such impressive physical traits, with the Cobham graduate perhaps representing the athletic solution that Amorim has been searching for all summer.

If a deal can be struck in the dying embers, it could well be just what is needed to get the best out of Mainoo again. Should Amorim fail to revive United’s golden boy, on his head be it…

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