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Everton have now been told that they’ll have to pay a record price to sign an attacking reinforcement, who’s also in the sights of German giants Bayern Munich.

Everton plotting attacking additions

Whilst Thierno Barry certainly did his job against Manchester United, his run for a first Everton goal only continued. The fact that the Toffees were down to 10 men didn’t help his chase for that vital goal, but questions about continuing to arrive as to whether David Moyes should look to January for key reinforcements in the striker’s position.

Ahead of the winter window, several names have already been linked with a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, including Troy Parrott. The Republic of Ireland striker has been in sensational form for club and country this season and grabbed Everton’s attention by scoring five goals in two games to help Ireland into the World Cup playoffs earlier this month.

The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster would be an excellent addition, but so would Celtic’s Daizen Maeda. The Japan international reportedly wants to leave the Scottish club and could do so for as little as £15m in January – allowing Everton to land a bargain deal.

At his best, Maeda scored 33 goals in all competitions for Celtic last season, before struggling to replicate that in an inconsistent side in the current campaign.

So, Everton certainly have options if they do want to add competition to Barry and Beto this winter. So much so that they may not even need to turn towards Parrott or Maeda. Instead, they could sign Franculino Dju from Midtjylland.

Everton told to pay record fee to sign Franculino Dju

According to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, as relayed by Sport Witness, Everton have been told to pay €35m (£31m) to sign Franculino in January, which would break Midtjylland’s transfer record.

Everton line up January move for England international who Alan Shearer called "world class"

The Toffees have spotted a low-cost opportunity.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 22, 2025

Joined by Bayern Munich and Manchester United in pursuit of the forward, it remains to be seen whether the Toffees are willing to pay such a price to secure his signature after sending scouts to watch him recently.

The Friedkin Group certainly weren’t afraid of splashing the cash in the summer, having made Tyler Dibling their second most-expensive ever signing at £42m and spent £27m on Barry’s arrival.

Dubbed “unstoppable” by scout Jacek Kulig earlier this month, Franculino is well worth the chase for Everton. The 21-year-old has recently taken his total to 19 games in 28 games for the season and that clinical form makes him someone to watch ahead of January.

Everton ready to replace £120,000-a-week star with key January signing

Love it or hate it, agents play a crucial part in modern football. They shape the path of some of Europe’s top stars and come at quite the cost as a result. But just how powerful are they?

Last summer, alone, some of the top agencies in European football helped broker some of the most expensive deals around as Manchester United completed an attacking overhaul and Liverpool tied star man Virgil van Dijk down to a new contract.

Now, Sportingpedia have taken a deeper dive into the likes of Wasserman, CAA Stellar and Jorge Mendes’ famous GestiFute, ranking their power in the modern game based on the market value of their clients.

10 HCM Sports Management – €0.63bn

With Viktor Gyokeres and Frenkie de Jong as their standout clients, HCM Sports Management remains one of the top agencies in the world of football. Their portfolio stretches far and wide across Europe, with Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger also amongst their clientele. They, of course, also enjoyed quite the summer transfer window last time out when Gyokeres was at the centre of attention, before sealing a £55m move to Arsenal.

9 ROC Nation – €0.64bn

Just ahead of HCM, ROC Nation are currently valued at €0.64bn in the world of football and can boast clients such as Vinicius Junior and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. Interestingly, it’s also not just football that they’ve had great success. In the music industry, they also manage A$AP Rocky, Alicia Keys and more – showcasing their success across two industries.

8 AS1 – €0.78bn

Based in London, AS1 have a number of Premier League stars in their portfolio, including Moises Caicedo and Bruno Fernandes. They also played an important part in Luis Diaz’s transfer from Liverpool to Bayern Munich in the summer, which cost the German club around £65.5m and has since proved to be a successful move. In total, 285 players are signed up with AS1 agents.

7 Bertolucci Sports – €0.86bn

Just below the €1bn-mark, Bertolucci Sports do not boast the same portfolio as AS1 and others, but their main clients have more than helped their rise in value. Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes is now one of the best defenders in world football, whilst Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes is one of the best midfield stars that the Premier League has to offer and Matheus Cunha just sealed a £63m move to Manchester United.

6 ROOF – €1.07bn

Although ROOF have a clientele which includes established stars like Van Dijk, who recently penned a new deal at Liverpool, and Leon Goretzka, it was their rising stars who enjoyed eventful summers as the agency used their power to full effect.

Tyler Dibling, for example, completed a move to Everton worth as much as £42m, Thierno Barry joined him to become one of Everton’s most expensive ever signings at £27m and Mohammed Kudus joined Tottenham Hotspur for £55m.

5 Unique Sports Group – €1.21bn

With 654 clients, Unique Sports Group is one of the most powerful agencies across football. They’ve signed Anthony Gordon, Brennan Johnson and Malick Thiaw in recent years to see their value soar.

They also came within hours of seeing their client, Marc Guehi, complete a move to Liverpool in the summer before the deal broke down late on. Now, the Crystal Palace star is a man in-demand with his contract expiring next summer.

4 CAA Base – €1.36bn

Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, Pedro Porro, Rico Lewis and a number of others all make up CAA Base’s impressive portfolio of 658 players and staff, which has helped their value reach €1.36bn. Signing Palmer has proved to be a particular stroke of genius, given how he’s thrived since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023.

They also manage former Real Madrid manager and current Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, who will be looking to add a World Cup to his stunning list of achievements next summer.

3 Gestifute – €1.62bn

Although Cristiano Ronaldo split from super-agent Jorge Mendes in 2022, he remains a Gestifute client with their value soaring. The iconic forward led the way with Mendes to become one of the most successful players of all time and the agency can now boast the likes of Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Joao Neves.

The fact their portfolio includes two of the 2025 Ballon d’Or’s top three highlights their impressive impact on top stars, whilst their list of managers is also impressive. Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Benfica’s Jose Mourinho are all Gestifute clients.

2 CAA Stellar – €2.01bn

One of just two agencies to hit the €2bn-mark, CAA Stellar manage players such as Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, who is their most valuable client at €75m. Their portfolio ranges to as many as 896 clients, with Eduardo Camavinga, Ibrahima Konate and Rayan Ait-Nouri all standing out as impressive coups.

CAA Stellar’s value could also increase in the summer if Konate moves on from Liverpool and Nottingham Forest’s Eliott Anderson secures the big-money move that he has earned in recent months

1 Wasserman – €2.23bn

At an eye-watering €2.23bn, Wasserman top the list as the most powerful agency in football. They manage as many as 1,238 players, which includes stars such as Federico Valverde, Curtis Jones and John Stones.

The agency has also left its mark in the technical area, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta signed up alongside Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe. They remain the most influential agency around and that is only likely to grow as European football continues to reach new heights in the transfer market.

All 20 Premier League managers' salaries (lowest to highest)

How much each Premier League gaffer earns.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025

Just a matter of weeks ago Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim cut a forlorn figure.

He looked ready to give up. The Red Devils were a sinking ship and Amorim was being engulfed by the stress and pressures of being the top man at Old Trafford.

Yet, he has turned a corner and all of a sudden, United look in the hunt for a top four berth, pouncing on the inconsistencies of the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in recent weeks.

United have now only lost one of their last six matches and have only dropped points in one of their last four outings. It’s an amazing run of form considering how the Amorim era has played out to date.

The Portuguese’s side still have room for improvement, of course they do, but it’s impossible to deny that he isn’t a good coach. He has, after all, managed to revive the careers of Luke Shaw and in-form midfielder Casemiro.

Yet, while the Brazilian has now found the net in successive matches, his companion in defence, Diogo Dalot continues to struggle. United have improved but they still have issues.

Why Dalot has become a big problem for Manchester United

When Amorim was first given the job, he came to English football with a clear style and philosophy. He traditionally plays with a three-man defence, utilising wing-backs to provide the width.

That area of the field is a pivotal one for the manager and it beggars belief that they haven’t strengthened more there.

Amad Diallo has found a home at right wing-back, notably scoring in the draw with Nottingham Forest and striking up a fine partnership with Bryan Mbeumo down the flanks.

Sadly, the left flank continues to be a big problem. Patrick Dorgu is the only senior wing-back that INEOS have signed since Amorim was appointed but the young Dane has not covered himself in much glory since joining.

As a result, alternative solutions have been sought, one of which has been Dalot.

The Portugal international has featured at left-back of left wing-back on 34 occasions in Man United colours but it’s safe to say he’s far more competent on the right.

Dalot was particularly poor at The City Ground a few days ago with the Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston handing the defender a 3/10 rating, writing that ‘there are always question marks around Dalot when he plays on the left side and he was exposed at various stages of the contest.’

Dalot vs Nottingham Forest

Minutes played

68

Touches

43

Accurate passes

21/24 (88%)

Key passes

0

Accurate crosses

0/2

Shots

0

Possession lost

12x

Tackles

1

Interceptions

2

Clearances

3

Stats via Sofascore.

Dorgu has by no means been much better on the left but he is at least more natural in that position and will give Amorim the rampaging style of play he prefers from his wing-backs.

So, what’s the solution? Well, perhaps there’s one lying in wait at Carrington.

Identifying Man United's Diogo Dalot solution

The most obvious solution here is to exclusively field the 26-year-old on the right, but with Amad having made that position his own in 2025/26, it really does feel as though Dalot is on borrowed time at Old Trafford.

Couple that with some of the young talent United have coming through and the future certainly looks bleak for Dalot.

One talent coming through is Diego Leon and they must start to hand him more minutes before they risk an Alvaro Carreras repeat.

The wing-back has gone around the houses to reach Real Madrid, going via Preston North End and suffering from Erik ten Hag’s rejection before ending up at the world’s most famous football club.

Ten Hag never played him. In fact, Carreras never featured in a single competitive game for United before leaving. That said, he’s been able to thrive away from Manchester and is now seriously catching the eye for Madrid after leaving Benfica behind in a deal worth a whopping £43m.

The fact he left United for just £5m must now leave a seriously bad taste in the mouth of those at Old Trafford.

Carreras has been in the news of late after scoring his first Real goal just last week, belting the ball home in quite some fashion.

The 22-year-old has become a mainstay in Xabi Alonso’s side this season, starting every LaLiga game and playing more minutes (981) than any outfield player in the Bernabeu ranks.

As some have suggested on social media, he is now regarded as “one of the best full-backs in the world”, notably ranking inside the top 2% of wide defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes per 90 minutes and among the best 9% for interceptions per 90, according to FBRef.

What might have been for United, eh, but perhaps they have another version of Carreras in the academy?

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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Step forward Leon, signed from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno for just £3.3m in the summer. An exciting wing-back, he is yet to feature competitively for United but looks like he has the potential to thrive in the Premier League before too long.

For the U23s this season, the 18-year-old has played just three times but he’s already found the back of the net. Like Carreras’ goal for Madrid, it was a remarkable effort too.

The teenager has been in the matchday squad in the Premier League on three occasions and it is surely only a matter of time before we see him in action. After all, Dalot’s position is under threat and Dorgu is yet to convince many.

So, what’s so exciting about the young Paraguayan? Well, as analyst Ben Mattinson outlines, he is a “powerhouse”.

Revealing more about the wing-back, Mattinson noted that “the standout trait of Leon is his physicality”, adding that “with a broad, compact build he’s able to dominate duels with real aggression despite his young age.”

But, Leon isn’t just about winning duels, something that is vital in the English top-flight. The defender is also strong going forward. Mattinson further commented that Leon “is a powerful runner who takes on players with explosiveness and directness.”

So, he’s got the powerful running style that Dorgu possesses but pivotally, he also looks like a very strong defender.

Whisper it quietly but the teen looks as though he’s got all the raw attributes needed to be a success in English football. Watch out Dalot and Dorgu, Leon is coming for your place.

MS Dhoni’s application to trademark the phrase ‘Captain Cool’ – a moniker long associated with him because of his calm on-field demeanour – has been officially accepted and published by the Trademark Registry of India.The trademark will be granted if no objection or opposition is raised by any third party within 120 days of its acceptance, which was on June 16, 2025. The trademark was filed under categories related to sports training, coaching, and the provision of sports training facilities and services.Dhoni had filed the application in June 2023. He was informed at the time by the registry that another company, Prabha Skill Sports (OPC) Private Limited, had already registered the trademark ‘Captain Cool’. In response, Dhoni filed a rectification petition for the cited mark, alleging that the company was attempting to exploit his brand and the popularity of the term.In his application, Dhoni stated: “This is a case of bad faith registration on the part of the company, aimed at deceiving the public and unlawfully enriching themselves by trading on the name of a well-known individual.” Dhoni’s application was accepted after at least four hearings.Dhoni was last seen in action during IPL 2025, where he took over the Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy midway through the season after Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury. CSK endured a disappointing campaign, finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time in 16 seasons.Earlier this month, Dhoni was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. “It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world,” Dhoni said in a statement. “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.”Dhoni, who will turn 44 this July, has kept his options open with regard to returning for another IPL season.

Newcastle United might have faced inferior opponents, but their comfortable passage through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup underlined the strength of Eddie Howe’s side.

It felt at times during the summer transfer window that the Magpies would teeter and fall, so intense was the noise around Alexander Isak’s future at St. James’ Park, so glum was the mood.

But in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, Newcastle have welcomed talented and contrasting strikers equipped to deal with the pressures of leading the line on Tyneside and into the Champions League, United having lost their opener against Barcelona and now in need of results.

However, they also have William Osula, who has gone from strength to strength under Howe’s wing and bagged himself a brace against Bradford City on Wednesday evening.

William Osula's Carabao Cup display

Osula came within a whisker of leaving Newcastle this summer, with Eintracht Frankfurt over in Germany actually tabling a formal £30m offer for the Danish forward.

Sources such as Sky Sports’ Keith Downie have confirmed that the bid had been slapped on the table and then withdrawn on deadline day. Some within the Toon hierarchy may be kicking themselves for not having accepted the offer sooner, but Howe may well be content with the 22-year-old Dane having stayed put, with three goals scored already in 2025/26.

It wasn’t a perfect display against Bradford in the Carabao Cup, but Osula certainly demonstrated a degree of improvement after languishing on the periphery last year, also netting off the bench in the Premier League during the 3-2 defeat by Liverpool in August.

Praised for his complete performance and for “slowly but surely” making the necessary improvements to his game, Osula is a valuable asset as United look to challenge across multiple fronts this term.

However, he wasn’t the only one to catch the eye on Wednesday, with Malick Thiaw putting in another statement showing after his summer transfer. The centre-back has some thick internal competition, but there might come a point when Howe marks him as one of the first names on the team sheet.

Malick Thiaw's start to life at Newcastle

Newcastle welcome Arsenal to St. James’ Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and that’s going to be a tough test indeed for Howe’s side.

It was a bold call to field so many of his finest players, though that is a declaration of the manager’s respect for the Carabao Cup and his desire to successfully defend the crown that was so emphatically claimed last season.

Thiaw helped carry Newcastle through, and he may well have underscored his claim for another starting berth at the weekend, with fans taking to online circles after the win and voicing their excitement at a future Thiaw and Sven Botman partnership.

As per FBref, the German defender, who joined from AC Milan for £35m in August, ranks among the top 7% of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 16% for progressive passes per 90.

He is not only crisp in possession, but eager to make things happen and progress the play upfield.

And, against Bradford, the 24-year-old proved himself worthy of a place in Howe’s starting line-up for the biggest occasions, energetic and secure in the defensive phases and crisp and creative on the ball.

Malick Thiaw vs Bradford
Match Stats	#
Minutes played	90′
Touches	82
Accurate passes	67/70 (96%)
Chances created	0
Long balls	5/6
Tackles	1
Interceptions	3
Clearances	4
Ground duels	1/2
Aerial duels	2/2
Data via Sofascore

There’s a certain no-nonsense style to the right-footed defender, who also carries a technical command that stretches above the capacity of most other positional peers competing in the Premier League and across Europe.

Thiaw, while still integrating into Howe’s squad and indeed the Premier League,

He’s been hailed as a “monster in the air” by journalist Martino Puccio for his efforts in Italy with AC Milan, but also “one of the most talented centre-backs in Germany” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

While Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have been pillars of strength for Newcastle over the past several Howe-led years, it’s clear that in Botman and Thiaw, the tactician has a more dynamic and stable central partnership, and that’s something which could bear dividends in the long run as Newcastle look to build on their recent successes and reach even loftier heights in the coming years.

It would be premature to label Thiaw as undroppable already, but he’s certainly on his way to nailing down a starting spot on the big occasion, and it’s unlikely that many of a Toon persuasion would be dismayed if he were to be named in the rearguard when Arsenal come calling at the weekend.

Reared in Germany and then developed in Serie A, Thiaw has only started once in the top flight thus far, playing most of the recent goalless draw against Bournemouth and receiving a 7/10 match rating from the Chronicle Live after winning four duels, making six clearances and four interceptions, data sourced via Sofascore.

It might have been an even more generous rating, but for a yellow card which prompted Howe to make a change in the dying embers.

In any case, Thiaw is the real deal, and fans can start to get excited about his potential in the Premier League.

Osula did himself no harm in his quest for success at Newcastle, scoring twice against Bradford, but Thiaw’s display was more telling: this is a player tailor-made for a star role in Howe’s team.

Howe could unleash Newcastle's own Yamal in 18-year-old "elite talent"

Newcastle’s academy setting has changed for the better in recent years.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 24, 2025

Nuno Espírito Santo’s transfer plans for January could be intriguing, as West Ham chairman David Sullivan has now been told the club could sign an experienced playmaker for well under £10 million.

West Ham's transfer plans for January after Nuno appointment

On the field, Nuno is faced with the almighty task of thwarting Arsenal’s set-piece threat and coming away from the Emirates Stadium unscathed this Saturday, after drawing 1-1 at Everton in his opening game as Graham Potter’s immediate replacement.

Worst West Ham managers in the Premier League

Win percentage

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12 Graham Potter

26.1%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Away from the pitch, Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers board are reportedly devising plans to reinforce the Portuguese’s ranks after backing him with a three-year contract — a decision driven by Brady — who pushed for Nuno’s appointment (Alex Crook).

Already, we’ve seen credible reports that Nuno is making his intentions with certain squad members crystal clear, with James Ward-Prowse poised to leave in January after being axed from Monday’s matchday squad by West Ham’s new manager.

The 30-year-old has been informed that he has no long-term future at West Ham under Nuno, despite being a regular for Potter, and he could even be replaced by another midfielder in the winter.

Roma star Lorenzo Pellegrini, who can play in Ward-Prowse’s position or further forward in the number 10 role, was heavily linked with a summer exit that failed to materialise, with Gian Piero Gasperini openly stating that he’s free to leave the Stadio Olimpico.

The Italy international, who captained Roma last season and the season before that, has bagged 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions since the beginning of 2023/2024.

With Pellegrini’s deal due to expire at the end of this campaign, and with Gasperini confirming that Roma don’t want to extend the 29-year-old’s deal, he could be available for a good price in January.

West Ham ready to bid for Lorenzo Pellegrini in January

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Forza Roma, West Ham are ready to make an offer for Pellegrini in January after expressing interest in the summer window, and they’ve been informed £7 million could be enough to take him to the Premier League.

Even though he is approaching 30, the 36-cap international could be a great option to provide an extra injection of creativity for Nuno, and for a very reasonable cost.

According to WhoScored, Pellegrini is still showing he has hit in his locker, having stood out as Roma’s second-best performer by average match rating.

He’s also earned praise from Gasperini for his passion and creativity so far this season, despite being set to leave in 2026.

Everton’s transfer business this summer has been characterised by a calculated blend of experience and youth, with David Moyes’ return to the dugout sparking fresh ambition at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees may have stumbled on the opening day at Elland Road, but subsequent back-to-back wins against Brighton in the league and Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup have steadied the mood and underlined a sense of momentum.

Moyes’ early recruits – Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish, and Tyler Dibling – all suggest a clear desire to build a side that balances quality with potential.

The pursuit of Dibling in particular was emblematic of Everton’s new strategy. Secured from Southampton in a £42m deal, the 19-year-old England U21 winger represents a bold bet on long-term potential.

Yet the Merseyside club appear far from finished in the market.

Having already explored moves for Tomas Soucek and Hayden Hackney, Everton are actively searching for further midfield reinforcements.

One name has emerged late in the window, and while he would not be an easy capture, the upside is undeniable.

Everton eye move for Kobbie Mainoo

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Toffees are “in the mix” of clubs considering a late swoop for Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

The 20-year-old, a graduate of Carrington and one of England’s most highly regarded young midfielders, is understood to be pushing for more regular minutes in what is a World Cup year.

Having started just 15 of manager Rúben Amorim’s 44 matches in charge, Mainoo has found opportunities limited in recent times.

The youngster’s frustrations were compounded at the weekend when he remained an unused substitute for the second match in succession, this time in United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.

Sources close to the player suggest he is open to testing himself abroad, but Everton’s willingness to provide immediate Premier League opportunities could yet prove persuasive.

From United’s perspective, a permanent sale seems unlikely, albeit with a fee of around £45m having been touted.

Mainoo is seen as part of the club’s long-term project and has already enjoyed moments that underline his pedigree, including a start in the Euro 2024 final for England and a goal in the FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City the previous season.

Transfer Focus

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

However, a carefully managed loan is not out of the question, particularly if Amorim remains committed to fielding Fernandes as his central fulcrum.

Why Mainoo fits Everton’s evolution

For Everton, the potential arrival of Mainoo would continue a trend of targeting young English prospect, having been described by Rasmus Højlund as a “generational talent”.

Dibling’s addition last week brought creativity on the right flank, while the pursuit of Hackney showed the club’s intent to provide pathways for domestic players with significant headroom for development.

Mainoo, however, arguably represents a higher ceiling than any of those previously linked.

In tactical terms, Moyes’ side would benefit enormously from the injection of someone like Mainoo’s profile.

Last season, Mainoo played 25 times in the Premier League, demonstrating his composure under pressure and ability to progress play through congested midfields.

In Europe, he added a goal and an assist in the Europa League in eight appearances, evidence of his capacity to influence games beyond simply recycling possession.

His underlying metrics reinforce that promise.

Kobbie Mainoo – 2024/25
Matches Played	25
Starts	19
Shots	15
Progressive Carries	22
Progressive Passes	65
Tackles	46
Source: FBref

He ranked in the 72nd percentile for tackles per 90 (2.44) and the 78th percentile for dribblers tackled (1.25), numbers that speak to a player unafraid to impose himself defensively while still maintaining balance in transition.

Compared to Everton’s existing options, the contrast is stark.

Where recent departure Abdoulaye Doucouré thrived on vertical runs into the box and late goals – scoring 21 times in 166 appearances for Everton – Mainoo offers a calmer, more technically polished alternative.

He is the type of midfielder who can set the tempo rather than merely follow it, giving Moyes a platform on which to build his attacking structure.

However, this does not diminish players like Dibling’s importance.

The teenager’s statistical profile already illustrates a winger who can carry the ball with intent, draw fouls and press from the front.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn, the 98th for penalties won, and the 87th for take-ons attempted, indicative of a player capable of stretching defences and providing Moyes with the sort of dynamism Everton have sorely lacked in recent times.

But for those qualities to shine, Everton require a midfield that can win possession, circulate it quickly, and release their wide forwards into space.

Mainoo’s presence could be the glue that connects the dynamic talent of Dibling with the more established threats Moyes is shaping around Grealish and Barry.

From a financial perspective, a loan deal would also represent a pragmatic approach.

While Everton have shown a willingness to invest in young players – spending £42m on Dibling – balancing that with opportunistic loans could be the smartest way to deepen the squad without overstretching resources.

For Mainoo, the benefit is equally obvious: regular Premier League football in a competitive environment that would accelerate his development and enhance his case for an England spot at the World Cup.

If Everton can pull it off, the move would symbolise the club’s transition under Moyes.

No longer merely plugging gaps, the Toffees are assembling a squad built with both present competitiveness and future growth in mind.

With Dibling already secured and Mainoo potentially next through the door, Everton could be positioning themselves not just for survival, but for a return to relevance in the top half of the Premier League.

The new Barry: Everton chasing late move for another "special" English star

Everton are interested in signing an England U21 star.

1

By
Will Miller

Aug 29, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Pela primeira vez na história, a Seleção Brasileira vestirá uma camisa preta. No caso, no amistoso contra o Guiné, que acontecerá neste sábado (17). A camisa foi divulgada nesta segunda-feira (12) e será parte de uma ação contra o racismo.

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Na divulgação, a Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) compartilhou uma imagem da camisa com o número 20, em homenagem a Vinícius Júnior, que foi alvo de uma série de manifestações racistas recentemente. Além disso, é importante ressaltar que o amistoso da Seleção Brasileira acontecerá em Barcelona, na Espanha.

A camisa preta será utilizada somente no primeiro tempo do amistoso. Na etapa final, os atletas convocados voltarão a jogar com a tradicional camisa amarela, que também terá uma ação de combate ao racismo. Como mencionado anteriormente, em 109 anos, essa será a primeira vez que algo semelhante ocorrerá.

+ Lance! estreia nova marca e se reposiciona no mercado de mídia esportiva

De acordo com o presidente da entidade, Ednaldo Rodrigues, a questão do combate ao racismo seria ‘prioritária’. Em sua declaração, divulgada pela CBF, ele também ressaltou que a entidade é a ‘única federação de futebol que prevê a perda de pontos por atos de racismo’.

– Desde o primeiro dia do meu mandato, essa questão é prioritária. Fizemos um seminário para tratar do tema, criamos um grupo de trabalho com 60 pessoas que se reúnem periodicamente para avançar em discussões e propostas. Somos a única federação de futebol do mundo que criou um dispositivo que prevê a perda de pontos por atos de racismo. Isso está no texto do Registro Geral de Competições da CBF – disse o dirigente.

+ Seleção pensa em “plano B” para Ancelotti, Atlético-MG negocia com técnico português… o Dia do Mercado!

After being hooked by Liverpool again during the weekend's Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace, it has been suggested that Florian Wirtz might soon have to worry about his starting place under Arne Slot. The Germany international, who arrived for what was a British record transfer fee at the time, is still yet to score or assist in the Premier League or Champions League.

• Subbed when Liverpool needed a goal

  Wirtz was the main man at former club Bayer Leverkusen prior to his £116 million ($156m) move to Anfield early in the summer transfer window. But it hasn't been smooth sailing since rocking up at Liverpool, yet to complete a full game in any competition.

  Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park was the earliest that Wirtz has been brought off, and it came when Liverpool were 1-0 down and chasing a goal. Slot replaced him with Federico Chiesa and it was the Italian who went on to grab the equaliser – not that it mattered in the end.

  Wirtz had previously been starting centrally in the No. 10 role, but he had to make do with coming off the bench in the Merseyside derby and began on the left against Crystal Palace.

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  Slot's 'concern' over performance

  In a column for The Times, former Chelsea, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino suggested it is "damning" that Wirtz's minutes and impact is reducing, rather than increasing.

  "The fact that Wirtz has been replaced in all of his Liverpool starts thus far is damning and suggests that Slot may have some concerns over his performances," he said.

  "It's not as if Wirtz is carrying a knock or lacking match sharpness; he played with Liverpool during pre-season and completed two full matches with Germany during the previous international break."

• Struggling to cope with Premier League physicality

  There is always going to be a bedding in period for any player who moves internationally, getting used to a new country and environment. But when such a huge transfer fee has been involved, fans are less willing to be patient as they wait to see results.

  "There is no doubt about the ability of a player like Wirtz," Cascarino reasoned.

  "We all witnessed how he pulled the strings for Bayer Leverkusen when they went unbeaten to win their first Bundesliga title in 2023-24. That player hasn't showed up in England however, and on Saturday [against Palace] Wirtz was constantly getting caught on the ball and was unable to connect the intricate passes that have previously made him such a threat. At Leverkusen, you would see Wirtz pick up the ball in midfield and glide past players before being decisive in the final third, but that has deserted him at Liverpool.

  "The Premier League is more physically demanding than the Bundesliga, and Wirtz is struggling to adapt to its intensity. He has been too easy for opponents to shrug off the ball, and has struggled to cope with the lack of time and space opponents have given him. There have been brief flashes against Palace in the Community Shield and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but these have been too few and far between."

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• Should Wirtz have joined Bayern Munich instead?

  Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently suggested that he thinks Wirtz would have been better off staying in Germany this summer, moving to the Allianz Arena instead.

  "I have to honestly say, I still feel sorry for Florian Wirtz because I think the player would be better off at Bayern Munich than at Liverpool," Bayern's former CEO said.

Are Celtic set to make more signings soon?

So far, the Hoops have unveiled six new recruits, the most exciting of which is the returning hero Kieran Tierney, while Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmund, Ross Doohan and Japanese duo Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada have also arrived.

Nevertheless, speaking ahead of Thursday night’s pre-season friendly against Ajax in Como, manager Brendan Rodgers stated that he requires new players “for the present”, adding that “I want players in tomorrow, but I understand the market”, so could he be set to finally secure the signature of his number one target?

Celtic's search for attacking reinforcements

Following last mid-week’s friendly victory over Sporting CP in the Algarve, Rodgers said that he wants “to add [more] to our front line” because “we’ve lost a lot of goals”, following the departures of both Kyōgo Furuhashi and, more recently, Nicolas Kühn this year.

The table below underlines this point.

Daizen Maeda

43

Yes

Kyōgo Furuhashi

31

No

Adam Idah

29

Yes

Nicolas Kühn

24

No

Matt O’Riley

19

No

Reo Hatate

14

Yes

Callum McGregor

12

Yes

Arne Engels

10

Yes

Luis Palma

10

No

As the table outlines, three of Celtic’s top five scorers from the last two seasons have departed, very thankful that Daizen Maeda is still at the club, following his 33-goal haul last season, picking up pretty much every individual accolade going.

So now, could the Bhoys secure the signing of a long-term target reminiscent of the Japanese forward?

Well, according to a report by The Daily Record, Celtic are set to step up their interest in Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

Fair to say, this has entered into saga territory, with the Hoops having been chasing the Belgian for weeks now, if not months, and Antwerp manager Stef Wils admitting publicly that Celtic’s offers so far ‘have been below’ his club’s valuation.

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Just last week, speaking on Off The Underside, Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports stated that Balikwisha “would like to join Celtic”, with the winger valued at around £5m, despite being in the final year of his contract.

So, could this storyline finally be coming to an end, with Balikwisha ending up at Parkhead?

How Michel-Ange Balikwisha would improve Celtic

One of the reasons Celtic appear hesitant to sign Balikwisha is his injury record, missing significant periods of time in recent seasons due to a thigh issue.

​​​​​​​

Nevertheless, his talent is clear for all to see, with analyst Will Glavin describing him as a “direct wide threat” who is “creative​​​​​​​” and “technically sharp”, concluding that he would represent a “potential bargain”, given his contractual situation, and the fact Antwerp may be under pressure to sell, having failed to qualify for European competition.

Meantime, Ben Mattinson describes him as “two-footed” and “capable of beating a defender” both inside and out, which makes him so “unpredictable”.

So, let’s analyse how his statistics compare to those of Maeda.

Appearances

141

158

Minutes

10,089

11,213

Goals

29

62

Assists

17

28

Shots per 90

1.47

1.97

Shots on target %

42%

44.7%

Goals – xG

+3.9

+0.1

Big chances missed

16

60

Take-on success %

39%

37.8%

As the table outlines, Balikwisha and Maeda are stylistically very similar players, with both men comfortable operating off the left flank, or in a centre-forward berth.

The Japanese international does boast the better end product, scoring more goals, providing more assists and mustering more shots, but their similarities are most obvious when it comes to dribbling, the Belgian having the slight edge in that regard.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout supports this by praising the Antwerp attacker’s “pace and dribbling” ability.

Meantime, Balikwisha is the more clinical finisher, hence why his goals – xG figure is better, while missing exponentially fewer Opta-defined big chances during the timeframe analysed.

Blair Meikle of the Herald documents how Maeda was Celtic’s most influential player last season, constantly delivering in big moments, but he cannot shoulder the attacking burden by himself, so Balikwisha would surely be an excellent addition, with a huge, season-defining Champions League play-off tie now less than four weeks away.

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