Rangers have been dealt a blow as it has emerged that one star could find himself sidelined for longer than initially feared.
Rangers eyeing up title
Though currently second in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers' fate remains in their own hands. They sit a point behind Glasgow rivals Celtic, but have a game in hand on the hoops after their game against Dundee was postponed.
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They also play host to Brendan Rodgers and Co in a game which will likely prove decisive. It could cap an impressive campaign for Philippe Clement's side, who boast the best defence in the division and have seen their goal breached on just 16 occasions to date, while they have scored the second most goals in the division (64), behind only Celtic (71).
The latest news, however, is less than ideal for the Ibrox outfit.
Rangers man set for spell on sidelines
Despite their impressive season, it has not been all rosy for Clement and co. They have suffered their fair share of injuries, and they may now have been dealt yet another blow on that front.
That comes as an update has been provided on Ross McCausland, who was taken off after just 35 minutes in their most recent Scottish Premiership outing, the 2-1 defeat to Motherwell. He was on the substitutes bench against Benfica, suggesting that it wasn't too severe, but never made it onto the pitch.
Though initially described as a knock, he missed both of Northern Ireland's matches over the international break and his injury was described as 'complex' by national team boss Michael O'Neill, which will have set off alarm bells at Ibrox.
McCausland in the SPL 2023/24
Appearances
22
Goals
1
Assists
2
Shots per 90
1.78
Tackles and interceptions
1.93
Medical expert Dr Rajpal Brar has now claimed that the complication could see McCausland miss several weeks.
“Initially, he was potentially available for the next match and the injury was described as a knock, so at the time, the injury didn’t seem too serious", he told Ibrox news.
Rangers forward Ross McCausland.
“The main goal of treatment then will have been reducing pain and dysfunction to allow him to return to training. However, there has been a development over it being a complex issue and that puts him at risk of something more serious. There are not too many specifics provided, but this appears something that can keep him out for weeks.“
Rangers are already without a host of stars thanks to injury layoffs, with Rabbi Matondo, Kieran Dowell and Danilo all sidelined. They will be hoping that McCausland's recovery is swift, and that he can still play a meaningful part in the Scottish Premiership run-in and help Rangers lift another title.
Arsenal are flying this season and have a real chance to end their two-decade Premier League title drought, but Tuesday night's draw at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League was far from ideal.
Mikel Arteta's side went into the game as favourites, but brilliant performances from Harry Kane, Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry punished the Gunners.
While it's always painful for Arsenal fans to watch Kane score at the Emirates due to his previous allegiances, it was probably just as painful watching Gnabry slot home the opener, given that he used to be a Gooner himself before being sold too soon.
Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry.
The German's departure is often considered one of the club's worst transfer decisions in recent years, although there is another soon-to-be superstar that Arsenal could rue losing in the past.
Serge Gnabry's post Arsenal career
After years of failing to make an impression at the Emirates and a disastrous loan move to West Bromwich Albion, Gnabry was sold to Werder Bremen in the summer of 2016 for just £4.25m, with one goal and two assists to his name in 18 first-team appearances at Arsenal.
In his first season back in Germany, the Stuttgart-born gem scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 27 games, enough for Munich to step in and spend around €8m – £7m – to secure his signature.
The following season, the German giants sent him out on loan to fellow Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim, where he scored ten goals and provided seven assists in 26 appearances.
The 2018/19 season brought with it his first opportunity to impress in a Bayern shirt, and impress he did.
In 42 appearances that year, the former Gooner found the back of the net 13 times and provided nine assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.9 games.
Team
Werder Bremen
Hoffenheim
Bayern Munich
Appearances
27
26
235
Goals
11
10
86
Assists
2
7
52
Goal Involvements per Match
0.48
0.65
0.58
The 28-year-old has a seriously impressive haul of 86 goals and 52 assists for FC Hollywood in 235 appearances and has won all there is to win in club football despite suffering consistent injuries over the last five years.
It would be hard to consider Arsenal's decision to sell the incredible winger in 2016 as anything other than a massive mistake, and it looks like something similar might have happened again.
Michael Olise's post Arsenal career
Yes, the potential superstar in question is Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who was part of Arsenal's academy system in 2009.
Now, the one thing that the north Londoners can cling to here is that they won't be the only 'big six' club with eggs on their faces if the young Frenchman goes on to have the career that many are expecting him to have. He was also part of Chelsea's youth setup and spent a short period with Manchester City.
The 22-year-old ace got his chance to play first-team football at Reading, making his debut for the senior side in the 2018/19 season. However, he really made a name for himself two years later when he scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in just 44 games for the then-championship club.
It was a campaign that impressed the Eagles, who swooped in with an £8m offer and brought him to Selhurst Park in July 2021, where he has since excelled and shown his previous sides just what they let go.
In his first season with the club, the "superb" gem, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, scored four goals and provided eight assists in just 31 appearances. In the following campaign, he added another two goals and 11 assists to his tally in 40 games.
This year has been tough for the Hammersmith-born winger, as injury has seen him miss large chunks of the campaign. However, he has still scored six goals and provided three assists in just 12 games, meaning that when he's playing, he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.3 games.
Club
Reading
Crystal Palace
Appearances
73
83
Goals
7
12
Assists
14
22
Goal Involvements per Match
0.28
0.40
Ultimately, given how well he has played in the Premier League over the last couple of years, his potential, and the interest from clubs such as Manchester United, it looks like Olise – who has a reported £60m release clause – might just be another Gnabry on Arsenal's track record.
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As the dramatic race for automatic promotion reaches its crescendo in the Championship, Leeds United have already started turning some of their attention towards the summer transfer window, with a ruthless decision reportedly set to be made.
Leeds transfer news
Once promotion is decided, Leeds' transfer plans will become far clearer. With the promise of Premier League football, Daniel Farke could welcome a number of fresh faces to leave his side in the best possible position to earn survival and much more in the top flight. If they fail to go up, however, then the Whites could be in for an incredibly difficult summer.
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Already, the likes of Crysencio Summerville have been linked with moves away following an excellent campaign and promotion failure would hardly help those at Elland Road keep hold of such stars.
As things stand, the Yorkshire club have the chance to move into second in the Championship on Monday when they face Middlesbrough on Monday, but will then face pressure from Ipswich Town, who will have a game in hand with just a matter of weeks remaining in the season. Things are set to go down to the wire, but that pressure hasn't stopped Farke from making a ruthless decision.
According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Jack Harrison is set to be sold this summer in a permanent deal following his loan spell at Everton this season, with Farke looking to keep faith with his current wingers rather than turning to the former Manchester City man.
It remains to be seen just how much those at Elland Road will demand for Harrison this summer and whether it will be Everton or another option who lead the race for his signature, but Leeds will at least clear his reported £40k per-week salary from their wage bill.
Harrison's inconsistent loan spell at Everton
Whilst Harrison was once a reliable Premier League option at Leeds, scoring five goals and assisting a further seven just last season, he has struggled to find consistency at Everton with injuries playing a part in that.
During his time at Goodison Park, Harrison has been involved in just six Premier League goals with three goals and three assists to his name in a side still battling to avoid relegation. Still only 27 years old, however, the winger could yet come good in Merseyside or elsewhere to prove Leeds wrong this summer.
Sean Dyche may be among those hoping to see Everton take advantage of Leeds' transfer decision, having been full of praise for Harrison from the off this season, saying via Liverpool Echo: “I must say I think Jack Harrison has done fantastically well, he has only just had that game the other night with the development side and he said he felt fine, he said he was ready, and I believed him.
"He looked ready, he was training freely. But to come in and play at this level with hardly any return to real football is very, very pleasing for me as a manager and him as a player."
As the end of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign approaches, Arsenal’s entire season boils down to their final few matches.
Mikel Arteta’s side are currently leading the way at the top of the table with 77 points, one point above Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
From now until the end of the season, every single game is a must-win, but they don’t have the easiest run-in, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Everton all to play.
With that in mind, every single player in the squad will have a huge role to play, but the upcoming return of one individual could just help the Gunners lift the Premier League trophy.
Jurrien Timber's injury update
After moving to Arsenal for a fee of £38m and signing a five-year deal, Jurrien Timber would’ve expected to play a pivotal role during his first season.
However, in football, not everything always goes to plan, with the 22-year-old suffering a cruciate ligament tear 50 minutes into his Premier League debut.
Unfortunately, this terrible setback has seen the Dutch defender miss 252 days of action, which equates to 45 matches across all competitions.
That said, the Arsenal faithful will have been absolutely thrilled to see their summer signing get his first minutes on the grass at the start of this week, as he appeared in the lineup of Arsenal’s U21 clash against Blackburn Rovers.
The former Ajax ace scored an absolute worldie just eight minutes into the game, and he lasted until half-time, where he was planned to be subbed.
Timber is reportedly close to returning to first-team action, according to Arteta, and he could just have a huge impact on the side before the end of the season.
Why Arteta must unleash Timber soon
The reason why Arsenal originally signed Timber in the summer was due to his unique profile, as he offers plenty of versatility and attributes that would slot perfectly into Arteta’s philosophy.
Despite only standing at 5 foot 10, the Dutch star became known for being an incredible ball-playing centre-half at Ajax, who boasted 92 touches and 73.5 passes per game in the Eredivisie last season.
Ajax's Jurrien Timber
However, he’s also an extremely talented full-back who can comfortably play on either flank, which is where he could impact the team in the next few weeks.
The left-back position at Arsenal is currently up for grabs, with the rest of the backline untouchable, and Timber could just solve that problem for Arteta.
During his only two starts of the season, Timber had been fielded as a left-back who had the freedom to invert when in possession, which gives an indication that was his plan for the campaign.
Goals conceded
0
Interceptions
2
Dribbled past
1
Tackles
1
Touches
45
Pass accuracy
92%
Successful dribbles
1/2
As you can see by his stats during the Gunners’ Community Shield victory against Man City, Timber had a very impressive debut, showing his plethora of skills.
Firstly, the number 12 brought defensive security to the side, frustrating the City attack and limiting his direct opponent, Bernardo Silva, to zero attempts at goal.
ousmane-diomande-jurrien-timber-arsenal-opinion
Furthermore, he displayed his technical quality even against the relentless Portuguese star, with his touches and pass accuracy serving as evidence for that.
Timber is also an extremely confident player who’s not afraid to carry the ball up the field, using his close dribbling and excellent ball-shielding to keep the ball.
The Evening Standard handed Timber a 7/10 rating for his performance, the joint-third highest score in the team, stating that he had 'a good full debut for the club', while data analyst Ben Mattinson has more recently hailed the summer signing for being on a "different level" with regard to his "football IQ".
Overall, the “exceptional” Timber, as dubbed by football scout Jacek Kulig, could just prove to be a brilliant wildcard option for Arteta and the difference between Premier League glory or misery.
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Arsenal have made a £43 million striker their top summer target as they remain in the hunt for a new number nine, and his agent has even been spotted at the Emirates Stadium recently.
Edu and Arteta prioritising new centre-forward at Arsenal
The fine form of Kai Havertz this season hasn't deterred Arsenal in their hunt for a new striker, with reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano stating that the Gunners are set to sign an "important" player in that position when the transfer window reopens.
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The Gunners mean business this summer.
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Mikel Arteta's men have scored more Premier League goals than any other eleven in the top flight this season, which includes, arguably, one of the greatest football teams ever to grace a pitch in a generational Man City side lead by Pep Guardiola.
However, there is a case to be made that Arsenal are still missing that real vocal point upfront in a classic front man, who can both chip in with vital strikes and assist in the build-up for Arteta.
Bukayo Saka
20
Leandro Trossard
16
Kai Havertz
13
Martin Odegaard
11
Gabriel Jesus
8
Gabriel Martinelli
8
Arsenal have been linked with a host of top-class options, like Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Both stars have contracts which contain release clauses, though they're both on the expensive side and Edu will have to significantly invest.
Gyokeres' buy-out clause stands at around £86 million, while Osimhen's is thought to be around £113 million. There is another option whose clause stands at a much more affordable £43 million, though, and that man is RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.
The 20-year-old, who's been in fine Bundesliga form this season, has even been likened to Man City superstar Erling Haaland.
“Benjamin Sesko is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player," said Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell.
He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who despite his 1.95m (6'4") is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile.”
Arsenal now prioritising Sesko move with agent spotted in London
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal have now made Sesko a priority target this summer as they look to save money and bolster other areas of the squad – as well as a new forward.
Sesko's agent was interestingly spotted at the Emirates Stadium recently as well, specifically during Arsenal's 5-0 win over Chelsea, which could add further weight to the story that Arsenal are fierce contenders for his signature.
The Slovenia international, who could line up against England at Euro 2024, is seen as a "bargain" option, especially considering he commands a far cheaper price tag when compared to the likes of Osimhen and Gyokeres, though his goal haul hasn't been quite as impressive across all competitions over 2023/24.
This comes as an Arsenal move for Newcastle star Alexander Isak also looks less and less likely.
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Leeds United have been linked with an audacious transfer move this summer, but it could hinge on promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds looking for midfielders
Midfield has been an issue for Leeds irrespective of whether or not they are promoted from the Championship this season, with Ilia Gruev providing an excellent option for Daniel Farke but little cover beyond that given Archie Gray's emergence as a top quality full back.
Options in midfield for Daniel Farke
Player
Starts in midfield
Archie Gray
14
Ilia Gruev
22
Glen Kamara
34
Ethan Ampadu
27
In fact, with Gruev injured earlier in the season, Farke mourned that exact issue: "We're missing Ilia a lot. He was in red-hot form and this is why I'm even more delighted.
"We played today without Ilia, without a really top-class right back option. Ilia dictates our rhythm and is so good on the ball, also under pressure. It's no coincidence we lacked a bit of quality in possession, especially in the first half," the Leeds boss explained.
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Even before any potential departures, midfield is clearly an area that needs strengthening at the club this summer, and now it seems as though they could have identified one of those additions.
Roma's Bove on the Leeds radar
Now, Farke's side have been credited with an interest in Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove, who is thought to be unhappy in the Italian capital. Bove was among those singled out for praise by Italy boss Luciano Spalletti at the turn of the year, who namechecked the midfielder when quizzed on the future prospects of the Azzurri.
“In recent months, we saw the emergence of players we’d been tracking for a long time such as Kayode, Ranieri, Koleosho and Casadei,” he explained. “Bove is now a certainty. A very fine player.”
But in the months since Daniele De Rossi's arrival at the European giants, Bove has slipped down the pecking order, and has started just twice since February, a situation that has reportedly left him unhappy at his boyhood club.
As a result, local media claim that he could "think about continuing his career elsewhere", with Leeds reportedly tracking him ahead of a potential move.
Roma are under no pressure to part ways with the 22-year-old, with Bove having penned a new deal only months ago, which sees him take home £30,000 a week in the Italian capital. But that does not mean a move won't happen should the youngster decide his time under De Rossi is up this summer.
It is added that while a deal cannot be ruled out if they fail to secure promotion back to the Premier League, Leeds will have a much stronger chance of landing the Italian should they be plying their trade in the top flight next season.
They have the chance to ensure they do just that in the coming weeks, with a win against Norwich and then one of Southampton and West Brom all that is standing between Farke's side and the Premier League once more.
Could Bove be the perfect man to anchor Farke's midfield in the top flight?
After just one season at the helm, Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea. Although there was plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Argentine's position at Stamford Bridge, the news has come as somewhat of a shock.
Indeed, the Blues ended the season in sixth place with 63 points, finishing with five straight victories, a sign that the manager had finally found his best starting side.
Nonetheless, Todd Boehly clearly hadn't been won over by the former Tottenham Hotspur boss, and a change in the dugout will be made over the summer.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at a manager target who has the potential to transform the squad, and Mykhailo Mudryk in particular.
Chelsea’s search for a new manager
According to a report from the Guardian, Chelsea are among the clubs that could move for Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna this summer.
Brighton & Hove Albion are in pole position to sign the Northern Irish boss, while Manchester United could also reunite with their former coach.
The Blues have been in talks with McKenna’s representatives in recent days and are said to admire a coach who has just claimed the Championship's "Manager of the Year" award.
However, a move to Chelsea may be the least likely outcome, given his previous ties to the Red Devils, Roberto De Zerbi leaving, and the nature of the Blues job.
Why McKenna could make Mudryk unstoppable
As every Premier League fan will be aware, Mudryk hasn’t exactly lived up to his £89m price tag since arriving at Chelsea.
The Ukrainian winger has been utilised quite frequently this season by Pochettino, but he’s been unable to get the best out of him, with the number 10 scoring five goals and providing two assists in 31 appearances.
Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk
This return simply isn’t good enough for a player who cost such an enormous fee, but he has started all of Chelsea’s last seven league games, which indicates the boss views him in his best lineup.
Nonetheless, given the way that Ipswich have played this season, it’s fair to presume that the arrival of McKenna would benefit Mudryk massively.
Wins
28
18
Goals scored
92
77
Goals conceded
57
63
Clean sheets
15
8
Shots (per 90)
15.6
14.4
As you can see, the Tractor Boys have been absolutely fantastic during their promotion campaign, with McKenna installing an attacking philosophy that produces results, hence why he’s been called a “top-class” coach by analyst StatmanDave.
The young manager loves to utilise his wingers in his current 4-2-3-1 setup, which gives positional freedom to the left-winger in particular, which is where Mudryk would feature.
Mudryk
Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson and Nathan Broadhead have both benefited from this style of play this season, scoring ten and 13 goals, respectively. Hutchinson, in particular, was particularly vibrant on the left-hand side, scoring six goals in nine games from that role on the pitch.
A frequent occurrence of the duo’s game is that they like to drift inside, allowing the onrushing Leif Davies to attack out wide, which has worked perfectly given the defender’s league-high 18 assists, with Hutchinson's goal below showcasing the sort of positions the Ukraine international may find himself in.
Furthermore, to secure back-to-back promotions, it’s clear that the Ipswich boss knows how to get the best out of every individual on the field, and this would certainly instil confidence in Mudryk.
At 23 years of age, the attacker still has plenty of time to reach his true potential, and Boehly will hope that signing McKenna can turn his depreciating asset into the superstar he once promised.
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Since promotion back to the Premier League, Nottingham Forest have had their fair share of goalkeepers who have tried to fill the void left by fan-favourite Brice Samba.
The Frenchman wanted a return to his homeland during the summer of 2022, joining RC Lens for an undisclosed fee, going on to feature in the Champions League and even receiving a call-up to the national side for the upcoming European Championships.
Numerous shot-stoppers arrived at the City Ground in 2022/23, with Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas proving to be key, experienced additions, but the Reds failed to secure either of the pair permanently after their respective loan moves.
Instead, the club opted to sign Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos last summer, spending a combined £20m on the duo, but both have failed to nail down the number one spot, starting a combined 22 matches between them last season.
Matz Sels was brought in as Nuno Espírito Santo’s new number one in January, with the Belgian proving to be a solid addition, but ultimately not an ideal long-term solution, with the former Newcastle man now aged 32.
However, the club have recently been linked with a move for one player who would be an upgrade on Sels, whilst finally filling the void left by Samba nearly two years ago.
Nottingham Forest make approach for talented goalkeeper
According to a report from Brazilian outlet UOL over the weekend, Nottingham Forest have made an approach to sign Gil Vicente’s 22-year-old shot-stopper Andrew Ventura this summer.
The Brazilian is also wanted by Dutch side Feyenoord ahead of the transfer window, with Ventura’s current side open to negotiating a deal for the former Botafoga ‘keeper.
He kept nine clean sheets in his 32 Liga Portugal outings last season, ranking in the top ten for most saves per 90 in the division.
Whilst the report doesn’t mention any potential price tag for any move, the youngster is currently valued at €2.5m (£2.1m) as per Transfermarkt, with the Reds needing to conduct shrewd business this summer to avoid any further PSR breach.
Why Ventura would be an upgrade on Matz Sels
When comparing the Brazilian’s stats to the current Forest number one, it’s clear that he would be an upgrade – with Nuno desperately needing to take a closer look at Ventura’s abilities.
During the 2023/24 campaign, the Gil Vicente ‘keeper started three games less than Sels, but overall produced more eye-catching numbers and would hugely improve the current goalkeeping situation on Trentside.
Ventura, who has previously been described as “top-quality” journalist Zach Lowy, made 21 more saves than Sels, whilst also boasting an 11% better save percentage over the course of the season.
Starts
32
33
35
Goals conceded
46
35
51
Saves
97
101
76
Save percentage
71%
79%
60%
Clean sheet percentage
28%
42%
11%
Passes completed
814
880
715
He also kept a clean sheet in 28% of the games he started, a figure that is more than double of the Belgian who only managed a measly 11% – which included just one goalless performance in the 2-0 win against West Ham United.
Whilst it’s evident Samba has dominated the pair over the last 12 months, Ventura is a very close match to the Forest fan-favourite who captured the hearts of most at the City Ground – memorably producing shoot-out heroics in the playoff semi-final back in 2022, after saving three spot-kicks against Sheffield United.
The Frenchman’s distribution was a real key asset, with the Reds lacking a ‘keeper confident with his feet since his departure. However, the Brazilian has showcased his talents in this department, making 814 passes, a tally that is only 66 less than Samba but a whopping 99 more than Sels.
Matz Sels
Whilst Samba is expected to depart Lens this summer, it’s unlikely Forest will pursue a sensational return for the 30-year-old, with the club desperately needing to turn their attention to Ventura.
The former Botafogo goalkeeper is eight years younger than Samba, but also has the potential to develop into a world-class shot-stopper and future Brazil number one.
He would also provide a cheaper alternative to other options, helping the club’s PSR battle, but still possessing enough quality to be an upgrade on current number-one Sels.
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Despite excelling defensively under boss Sean Dyche during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, Everton have struggled within the attacking third to produce quality on a regular basis.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure both notched up seven goals in the league, but endured droughts throughout the campaign, with the latter failing to score for over four months – a period that saw the club pick up just one win in 15 outings.
The Toffees only managed a tally of 40 goals in their 38 Premier League matches, with only bottom club Sheffield United producing a total fewer than Dyche’s side.
They desperately need reinforcements in the final third but will need to act in a sensible manner to prevent breaching the Premier League’s strict PSR rules for a third time in the last 12 months.
Outgoings will undoubtedly be the focus this summer, but the club should also target players who will add to their defensive solidity and provide an added threat in attacking areas.
That being said, based upon the recent transfer rumours surrounding the club, here's a look at Dyche's dream starting XI for Everton in the 2024/25 season.
1 GK – Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford helped keep Everton up
The England number one has been pivotal in the club's survival campaign, keeping 13 clean sheets, the second-most of any 'keeper in the division behind Arsenal's David Raya.
Everton forked out £30m for his signature way back in 2017, with the big-money move now looking like a bargain given his recent form for the Toffees and England.
2 RB – Yukinari Sugawara
Yukinara Sugawara
One of the major priorities this summer will be to acquire a suitable addition at right-back, with both Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman firmly in veteran status, and with Nathan Patterson seemingly out of the picture.
A potential bargain solution has emerged in the form of AZ Alkmaar sensation, Yukinari Sugawara, with Sky Sports Germany naming the Toffees among the suitors for the 23-year-old – who would be available for just £5m.
The Japanese international could add a new attacking thrust from right-back, having contributed nine assists last season.
3 CB – Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
The 21-year-old has had an excellent campaign for the Toffees, with his brilliant form not going unnoticed, with the former Carlisle United youngster linked with a huge move to Manchester United this summer.
The centre-back started 35 out of 38 Premier League matches during 2023/24, with the Toffees desperately wanting to keep hold of their young talent ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The second half of Everton's long-term centre-back partnership is James Tarkowski, with the 31-year-old starting every single league match under Dyche this season.
Since his free transfer to Goodison Park, Tarkowski has featured 85 times for the Toffees – proving to be one of the club's best pickups in recent times.
5 LB – Vitaliy Mykolenko
The Ukrainian left-back really settled into life in the Premier League last season, featuring 28 times under Dyche and scoring twice against Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.
He's become an integral part of the Toffees' defence, starring alongside Tarkowski and Branthwaite, with the supporters finally beginning to see why the club decided to pay £17m for his signature.
6 RM – Yankuba Minteh
Yankuba Minteh for Feyenoord
The 19-year-old, who is contracted to Newcastle United, has scored ten goals and provided five assists in his 27 appearances for Arne Slot's Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, as he looks to gain experience ahead of a potential first-team spot in the Premier League.
Dyche's side have recently been credited with an interest in the Gambian, with the Magpies potentially looking to make a quick profit on the winger after his impressive loan spell away from St James' Park.
According to The Telegraph, the youngster could command a fee of around £40m.
7 CM – James Garner
Everton midfielder James Garner.
The former Manchester United youngster has made 61 appearances since his switch to Goodison in the summer of 2022 from Manchester United, scoring twice including a stunner in the Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
With Garner only being 23, he has a huge future ahead of him at Goodison Park, with the versatile talent for sure in line to receive a senior England call-up in the near future should he receive consistent minutes next season.
The 23-year-old Frenchman, who has previously attracted interest from Merseyside rivals Liverpool, has enjoyed a brilliant campaign in Ligue 1, featuring 27 times for Nice, leading to a call-up to the French side to feature at this summer’s Olympic Games.
A report by Tutto Juve claims both Everton and Napoli are ready to offer €25m (£21m) – a potential bargain for a player of his calibre and an ideal replacement for Amadou Onana who could be on his way out at Goodison, amid the Toffees desire to sell for a fee of around £60m.
Despite scoring between December and April, winger Dwight McNeil demonstrated his quality towards the tail end of the campaign, scoring and assisting in victories against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
The £20m wideman has racked up 82 appearances for the Toffees since his big-money move back in the summer of 2022, being the perfect player for Dyche in wide areas, with his ability going forward and work rate defensively, two qualities that have seen him thrive at Goodison Park.
10 CAM – Abdoulaye Doucoure
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure
After finishing the season as the club's joint top-scorer alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it would be hard not to include the Malian in the starting lineup for next season.
The 31-year-old, who joined the club for £20m back in 2020, is entering the final year of his current deal next season, with the former Watford man needing to stake his claim for an extension if he is to stay on Merseyside beyond 2025.
Leeds United look to be heading towards another summer of change at Elland Road, with a number of sales expected, on top of many new bodies entering the building ahead of another Championship season.
Daniel Farke will stick it out in the Whites managerial dug-out regardless of what personnel lines up for the first game, hoping to add another promotion to his CV up from the second-tier as boss, after being agonisingly close last campaign, before Southampton spoiled the Leeds party at Wembley.
The centre-back spots are just one position that could look very different in West Yorkshire when a first ball is kicked to start the 2024/25 season, with Joe Rodon back at Tottenham Hotspur for the time being after being a star under Farke, whilst there could also be some exits from this spot on the pitch too who are permanently attached to the Whites.
Charlie Cresswell's future very much hangs in the balance, and with reports suggesting a number of suitors from Europe are eyeing up the forgotten 21-year-old, the reserve figure could finally feel wanted again at a new employer soon, after being chucked to the Leeds periphery for the majority of last campaign.
The latest on Charlie Cresswell's future at Leeds
There would have been anticipation in the air that when Cresswell returned to Leeds last summer – fresh from a formative loan stint at Millwall – that this would finally be his moment in the spotlight for his boyhood Whites.
Proving himself to be a nuisance for the Lions by netting an unexpected five goals, even whilst operating as a resolute centre-back at the Den, Cresswell would unfortunately never get his Leeds senior career up and running on his arrival back to West Yorkshire, with just seven appearances gifted to him by Farke across the full campaign.
charlie-cresswell-leeds-united-premier-league
It's not how the 21-year-old would have envisaged his Leeds career going after impressing in the youth set-ups before being given sparing chances in the senior mix, with his time at the Championship club already now fizzling out.
His stuttering career could be offered a lifeline in the form of a move away to Europe, however, according to reports, with the likes of Toulouse and Hertha Berlin eyeing up the low-on-confidence Whites man according to football journalist Alan Nixon, as Hannover 96 have already ruled themselves out of a move for the Leeds number five.
Only penning a new contract for Leeds at the start of the 2023/24 term, having actually started the Whites' Championship opener away at Birmingham City before his career began to unravel, the script wasn't meant to end with Cresswell just walking away after bitterly disappointing those at Elland Road.
Yet, that looks as if it will be a reality very soon, with Leeds just hoping that the sale of 21-year-old doesn't come back to bite them down the line, in a similar fashion to Leif Davis, who is a Premier League player next season revelling in his old club's woes no doubt.
Former Leeds defender Leif Davis.
Why Cresswell could end up being Davis 2.0
Davis would exit his boyhood club in very similar circumstances to Cresswell back in 2022, but instead of letting the Leeds rejection get the better of him, it's arguably worked as fuel for the tricky full-back to prove doubters wrong, which he did in spades last campaign for Ipswich.
Making the exact same amount of appearances Cresswell has next to his name in the senior mix at Leeds, at 14 appearances, Davis' sale to the Tractor Boys is one the powers that be at Elland Road must rue, with the buoyed on 24-year-old amassing a ridiculous 21 assists last campaign for his promotion-winning side.
23/24 (Ipswich)
44
2
21
22/23 (Ipswich)
46
3
14
20/21 (Leeds)
6
0
0
19/20 (Leeds)
5
0
1
18/19 (Leeds)
5
0
0
The left-back would explode into life away from the stifling environment of Leeds, rarely given time to express himself in the senior team before leaving for Suffolk, and Cresswell will hope he can follow in Davis' footsteps soon.
The 21-year-old did shine for Millwall out on loan last season to prove he can can perform in such a tough division in the Championship, helping the Lions to pick up five clean sheets as an aggressive option in the heart of the defence when picked, but that wasn't enough for him to then be selected regularly by Farke.
Once labelled as being "outstanding" by Leeds content creator Joe Wainman when on the cusp of more first-team chances, there will be some Whites supporters who wondered if Cresswell could resurrect his time at the club with the next campaign coming into view, especially with Rodon no longer around.
Now, however, a potential £3m exit stares the academy product in the face, which Leeds will further worry could end up being a bargain for whatever suitor wins him, having once offloaded Davis for a fee in the region of just £1m.
Charlie Cresswell for Leeds United
Leeds' mixed luck losing academy products
Leeds arguably have a reputation for never quite getting the most out of the recent products that have worked their way up through the youth set-up to the point of first-team stardom, minus the obvious example of Kalvin Phillips.
Selling Phillips for £45m remains a masterstroke, but that same year, Davis would exit on the cheap, with his Football Transfers valuation now standing at a far heftier £5.9m.
Kalvin Phillips
£45m
£11.3m
Alex Mowatt
£600k
£1.5m
Lewis Cook
£6m
£5.2m
Jack Clarke
£10m
£7m
Leif Davis
£1m
£5.9m
Despite selling on Jack Clarke for an eye-watering £10m back in 2019, Leeds will regret not attempting to keep a firmer grip on their ex-homegrown gem, considering he has since turned into a star at the same level the Whites find themselves marooned in, scoring 15 goals last season for Sunderland.
Alex Mowatt is another regret, no doubt, who is now a key cog under Carlos Corberan at fellow second-tier side West Bromwich Albion, with fears that Cresswell could end up becoming another skeleton in Leeds' closet over time.
Charlie Cresswell for Leeds United.
Yet, with it looking unlikely that Farke will gift Cresswell more first-team chances next time out, with the German manager stating he wasn't 'mentally ready' at points last season to step up when needed, this will be a sale that's sanctioned regardless.
The decision to sell him on could end up haunting those at Elland Road, especially if the central defender ends up crossing paths with his ex-club down the line like Davis, to have the last laugh.
Great news for Gray: Leeds eyeing up "unbelievable" first signing
The Whites reportedly have the talented young defender on their list of targets.