All posts by n8rngtd.top

With young striker Daniel Cummings currently heading for the exit door as a free agent, Celtic have reportedly turned their attention towards signing another rising star who has already impressed their chief scout.

Celtic transfer news

How busy the Bhoys are this summer remains to be seen. After all, they once again sit a class above the rest of the Scottish Premiership and came closer than they have done for a long time to reaching the Champions League last 16, having pushed Bayern Munich all the way. So, in truth, Brendan Rodgers may find himself in a position of luxury when the transfer window swings open.

Instead, the former Leicester City manager may have to keep an eye on the exit door amid rumours surrounding the likes of Nicolas Kuhn and Cummings’ likely exit. The interest in both players should come as no surprise either. Kuhn has stolen the show at times this season, scoring 18 goals and assisting another 13 to emerge onto the radar of Tottenham Hotspur and others.

Cummings, meanwhile, is set to be out of contract this summer after failing to put pen to paper on a fresh deal amid a lack of first-team opportunities. With 23 goals in 22 Lowland League games at youth level this season, it’s fair to say that the Scottish champions will be losing a prospect they must replace.

It’s something that they seem to be well aware of too. According to The Daily Record, Celtic are now eyeing a summer deal to sign Owen Stirton from Dundee United this summer following his impressive loan spell at Scottish League One side Montrose.

Not just Maeda: Celtic have hit the jackpot on star who's outscoring Kyogo

Celtic have struck gold with the star who has outscored Kyogo Furuhashi so far this season.

By
Dan Emery

Mar 11, 2025

It’s there that the 18-year-old striker has impressed Celtic’s chief scout, Tosh McKinlay, who watched him in action as Montrose drew 0-0 against Kelty Hearts in a rare day without a goal for the teenager with six in seven league games this season.

"Talented" Stirton would ease Cummings blow

After enjoying an excellent spell out on loan, Stirton is set to return ready for bigger and better things. Whether that’s with Dundee or, indeed, with Celtic seems to be the big question. There’s no doubt that the teenager has shown the potential to step up to the Scottish champions in years to come, but the Bhoys could make their move far sooner than that before reaping the rewards.

Dubbed “strong” by The Courier’s Dundee United reporter Alan Temple last year, the decision will be the biggest of Stirton’s career so far. Whilst he may look towards Cummings’ situation as one to take advantage of, however, the young forward must ensure that he avoids following the same path as the Celtic prospect who has struggled for senior minutes.

Having already impressed at senior level, Stirton has earned the chance to avoid a return to youth football which may well come with a summer switch to Celtic Park. As attractive as a move to the Scottish champions may be, the young Dundee forward certainly has a lot to consider if they come calling.

Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, and are now reportedly closer to reaching a deal for the German.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Liverpool submit fresh bid for Florian Wirtz
• New offer still below Bayer's expectation
• Two sides are nearing an agreement regardless

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Premier League champions have been working hard since the end of the season to sign Bayer Leverkusen's in-demand Wirtz, as they looked to beat the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich to the signing of the 22-year-old. Liverpool submitted their first offer for the German international last week but saw their mammoth €130 million (£110m/$148m) bid rejected by Die Werkself as they looked to hold out for a transfer fee of €150 million (£127m/$171m).

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Times' Paul Joyce has now reported that Liverpool have officially submitted a revised offer worth £100 million (€118.6m/$135.3m) with the additional £13 million (€15.4m/$17.6m) in add-ons. The total offer still falls short of Bayer Leverkusen's demanded price by a fair margin, which the Reds are unwilling to meet.

• TELL ME MORE…

  Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg also reported that Liverpool have indeed tabled fresh conversations with Die Werkself and the two sides are very close to reaching an agreement for the record-breaking transfer of Wirtz. The report added that a deal is now 'just a matter of time'.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR WIRTZ?

  The German had been hoping for a transfer away from Leverkusen this summer as he looked to take on a 'new challenge'. Wirtz had been convinced by the Liverpool project and has already turned down both Bayern and City to shift his focus completely towards Arne Slot's side.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has opened up on the Blues' transfer plans regarding attacking options following Jadon Sancho’s departure.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Maresca reveals Chelsea's transfer plans
• Plotting a move for a winger this summer
• Linked with move for Dortmund's Gittens

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The West London side have not had the best success regarding attacking signings over the last few years, as Enzo Maresca’s side have seen struggles offensively despite their heavy investment on wingers. The Blues recently decided to reject the option to permanently sign Sancho from Manchester United following his season-long loan, and the Chelsea boss believes that the Blues ‘need to do something’ this summer to fill in the gap left by the England international.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Speaking to the media, Maresca said: "Jadon [Sancho] is not with us, so for sure that is a position we need to do something about. We have Noni [Madueke], Pedro [Neto] and [Tyrique George] only as the proper wingers, so something for sure is going to happen. When the transfer window is open, for sure, we can do something."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea were also in the market for an outright striker following Nicolas Jackson’s struggles in the second half of the 2024/25 season, and promptly signed Liam Delap before the Club World Cup. It has been reported that the Blues are also looking to sign another winger in the form of Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens this summer, as Maresca is keen on bolstering his squad’s attacking options with an eye on his side’s Champions League participation next season.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  After the conclusion of the Club World Cup, Chelsea will go hard at the chance to sign a winger, most likely Gittens, as he has been the Blues' primary wing target. The West London side have already seen two bids rejected by Borussia Dortmund so far; however, after the Club World Cup, Chelsea will look to pursue Gittens' signature with determination.

As the great Sir Alex Ferguson once stated, ‘attack wins you games, defence wins you titles’. For where Manchester United are right now, titles are a pipe dream – they simply need to get winning.

For momentum to be built then under the new Ruben Amorim regime, the Portuguese coach needs to be handed the appropriate attacking tools, having inherited a youthful and inconsistent forward line upon his arrival late last year.

As it stands, the Red Devils’ top scorer in all competitions is Bruno Fernandes, with 16 goals. The Portuguese playmaker – who has been operated in a deep-lying role under Amorim – also leads the way in the Premier League for United, with eight goals on that front.

The 30-year-old skipper also ended last season as the club’s top scorer in the top flight, alongside Rasmus Hojlund, with just ten league goals. Not since United’s last title-winning campaign – where Robin van Persie fired in 26 times – has a player reached the 20-goal mark in the league at Old Trafford.

Therein lies the crux of the problem, and with Hojlund and summer signing Joshua Zirkzee scoring just 14 goals between them in all competitions in 2024/25 to date, a new centre-forward must surely be a priority ahead of next season…

Latest on Man Utd's search for striker

The decision to splash out on £64m man Hojlund and £36.5m man Zirkzee had seemingly been with an eye on looking to the future, with the club having abandoned the previous approach of short-term, veteran signings.

Indeed, United had acquired a raft of temporary solutions in the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo, Odion Ighalo and Wout Weghorst – only a then 24-year-old Romelu Lukaku seemingly bucks the trend in the post-Ferguson era.

With that in mind, the time has come for the Red Devils to finally acquire a centre-forward at the peak of their powers, having seemingly opted against moving for Erik ten Hag’s first-choice target, Harry Kane, back in the summer of 2023.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri, that lengthy wait could well be coming to an end, with United having been handed an opening to sign Napoli sensation, Victor Osimhen.

As per Tavolieri, the Nigerian marksman – who is currently on loan at Galatasaray – has been put on the market by the Serie A side, ahead of the summer, with the Red Devils said to have followed the 26-year-old ‘closely’ across ‘several seasons’.

The report states that the Old Trafford side could ‘take advantage’ of this opportunity to finally pounce, with Osimhen perhaps representing the answer to Amorim’s prayers.

How United could sign their next Ruud van Nistelrooy

With Lukaku only lasting two seasons – and with Robin van Persie failing to maintain his prolific first-term form – it could be argued that United haven’t had a truly reliable or consistent number nine since the days of Ruud van Nistelrooy. Indeed, Dimitar Berbatov was never truly the main man, excluding a Golden Boot-winning 2010/11 season.

As for Van Nistlerooy, the prolific Dutchman was an instant hit following his belated arrival to Ferguson’s ranks in 2001, with both parties having been made to wait after the then-PSV Eindhoven star had seen an initial move collapse a year earlier, due to an ACL injury.

The £19m man – who was 25 by the time he made his Premier League debut against Fulham – shook off any injury fears by going on to score 150 goals in just 219 games for the club in all competitions, including 95 goals in just 150 top-flight outings.

United had signed a player entering his prime who had proven himself already in Holland, with 77 goals in 90 games for PSV, with the same scenario potentially set to occur with regard to Osimhen.

Like Van Nistelrooy, the in-demand striker has had injury concerns in the past, although those should certainly not hold United back from making a move, not least when he has scored 26 goals in 30 games in Turkey this term.

In 253 career games, the one-time Lille man has already scored 140 times at senior level, again emulating Van Nistelrooy in representing a proven, ready-made centre-forward option. Like with the Netherlands star, his lack of prior Premier League experience should not be too much of a concern.

At 26, Osimhen – who is only slightly older than the current Leicester City boss was when he made the move of his own – would represent both a player for the present and the future. A player with room still left to grow, yet while having already delivered elsewhere on a consistent basis.

Much like the then-British-record capture of Van Nistelrooy, it would take a pretty penny to prise Osimhen from Naples, considering his £62m release clause, although for arguably the “best striker on the market” – as per Statman Dave – he’d certainly be worth the investment.

Indeed, at a time when United can no longer wait for the likes of Hojlund, Zirkzee or even young Chido Obi to find their feet, Osimhen could finally be the striker to come in and hit the ground running – just as ‘Ruud’ did all those years ago.

Huge Hojlund upgrade: Man Utd favourites to sign "the hottest CF in Europe"

Manchester United need surgery in the transfer market this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 24, 2025

Nottingham Forest have reportedly made an approach to sign a new £30m+ striker who has been compared to Man City star Omar Marmoush.

Nottingham Forest take one step closer to Champions League football

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side took another step closer to qualifying for the Champions League on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Manchester United at the City Ground.

Former Red Devils winger Anthony Elanga scored the winning goal to take Forest to an incredible 57 points in the Premier League with eight games remaining.

Centre-back Murillo was also the hero in the final stage with a goal-line clearance to deny Harry Maguire. Talking after the win, Nuno said: “Over the moon. We are delighted, realising how the game went. We could not be more proud than we are, because it was very tough.

“The fans played their part. We were against the ropes. In this moment, we were against the ropes, and it was about heart and belief because the legs weren’t there anymore.”

Nottingham Forest now racing to sign £33m defender wanted by Real Madrid

He’s a man in-demand…

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 2, 2025

With European football on the cards in 2025/26 for Forest, attention is already turning to the transfer market and a new signing in attack is on the to-do list.

Evangelos Marinakis is ready to break the bank and spend big, with the likes of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, Wolves star Matheus Cunha and Brentford forward Yoane Wissa three forwards linked with moves to Forest. Now, another name has emerged on the radar from the Bundesliga.

Nottingham Forest make contact to sign Mohamed Amoura

According to reports in France, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest have been in contact over a move to sign Mohamed Amoura who is under contract at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

It isn’t said whether or not Forest have made an approach to Amoura’s camp or the club, however, Arsenal and Liverpool have also been in touch as all three eye a deal.

The 24-year-old is currently on loan at VfL Wolfsburg, who have the option to make a move permanent for around €14m plus €4m bonuses in the summer. They look likely to do that and could then sell the Algeria international for up to €40m (£33.3m) to make a quick profit.

Amoura has been impressing in Germany for Wolfsburg, netting 10 goals and providing eight assists from 24 Bundesliga games in 2024/25, and by the looks of things, he could be seen as a real rival to Chris Wood at the City Ground.

Amoura, dubbed a player with “exceptional” pace, has been likened to City star Marmoush and other high-quality forwards, so a move to Forest could be one to keep an eye on.

Crystal Palace are keen on signing Chelsea youngster Luke Campbell as the 19-year-old's contract will expire at the end of June.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Palace keen on signing Chelsea youth player
• Goalkeeper set to exit Stamford Bridge
• Chelsea no longer interested in Maignan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Campbell, who has spent a decade at Chelsea since joining the club as a nine-year-old, is all set to exit Stamford Bridge this summer. The goalkeeper's existing deal expires at the end of this month, after which he will move out, as confirmed by the player.

Advertisement

• WHAT CAMPBELL SAID

  Last week, the teenager took to Instagram to confirm his departure as he wrote: "Dear Chelsea Football Club, After ten incredible years, it is time for us to part ways. Thank you, everyone for the love, memories, and support over the years, it won’t be forgotten."

• IG:@lukecamz_
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The reports that Crystal Palace have made contact with the youngster as they are looking for a goalkeeper for their reserve squad, following the departure of Louie Moulden. The report further adds that Championship side QPR have also approached the custodian.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Campbell spent the first half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Isthmian League Premier Division side Hendon, but he was recalled in January of this year. He appeared in a couple of Chelsea's Premier League 2 matches and also featured in the club's 2-0 loss to Burnley U21 side in the Premier League Cup quarter-final.

Enzo Maresca has opened up on Christopher Nkunku's future at Chelsea amid transfer interest from Manchester United.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Maresca revealed his stance on Nkunku's future
• Frenchman could exit Stamford Bridge this summer
• Man Utd have shown interest

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Nkunku, who was on the fringes of Maresca's squad throughout the 2024-25 campaign, has been linked with a move away from the west London side, with reporting that Manchester United are keen on signing the Stamford Bridge outcast. The report added that the Red Devils have initiated initial talks with the player's representatives, although no concrete proposal has been submitted.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Amid speculation over his future, Maresca has firmly claimed that the French forward is still a Chelsea player and believes Nkunku will stay at the club beyond this summer. The 27-year-old clocked just 910 minutes on the pitch in the Premier League last season. While he appeared in 33 league matches, the France international managed to start in only nine of them.

• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the Italian said: "Christo is with us. He's our player. He's doing very well in the last four, five days. For sure, tomorrow we are going to do rotation. We'll see if there is any chance for the ones that are not playing a lot."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  The Premier League giants are set to face ES Tunis in a must-win final group stage clash in the Club World Cup on Wednesday.

Olivier Giroud says it makes "perfect sense" to return to French top-flight football after swapping Los Angeles FC for Lille.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Giroud leaves Los Angeles FC
• Signs one-year deal with Lille
• Transfer makes "perfect sense"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Days after Giroud and LAFC mutually agreed to part ways, the 38-year-old has signed a one-year contract with Ligue 1 team Lille. The ex-Chelsea man has spent 13 years away from French football but now he is "excited" to make his return there.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT GIROUD SAID

  He said, via BBC Sport: "I'm very happy and excited to be back in France, home. It made perfect sense to return to Ligue 1, 13 years after leaving it. I've always considered Lille a top French club. It's a young and talented squad, which needs experienced players like me. So I'll also be there in that role."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Giroud has enjoyed a glittering career, winning trophies with Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, France, and more, in a remarkable show of longevity. The striker, who turns 39 in late September, struggled at LAFC but it seems he still believes he has more to give and perhaps a French homecoming can reignite his goalscoring touch.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Giroud, who retired from France duty last year with a record 57 goals in 137 appearances for his country, will hope this upcoming season with Lille can be as successful as his last campaign in Ligue 1 – with the former Arsenal ace helping Montpellier win the title in 2012.

Leeds United are interested in signing ex-Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares this summer, two months after his exit from the Gunners was confirmed.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Tavares joined Lazio permanently this summer
• Leeds interested in Premier League return
• Was previously on loan at Nottingham Forest

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Calciomercato, Leeds are interested in signing Tavares this summer as they prepare for a return to Premier League action. The left-back left Arsenal for the Serie A side on loan last summer, and the move was made permanent just two months ago. Now, though, Lazio are said to be willing to do business at around €25 million (£21.5m/$29m).

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  West Ham are also said to have an interest in the full-back, who made just 28 first-team appearances for the Gunners. He has been on loan at Marseille and Nottingham Forest before heading to Lazio, where he enjoyed a standout season last term. He made 23 appearances in the league, providing eight assists.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Leeds have already strengthened their backline this summer, bringing in centre-backs Jaka Bijol and Sebastian Bornauw from Udinese and Wolfsburg respectively. They have also signed forward Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg on a free transfer.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Leeds and West Ham may look to formalise their interest in Tavares in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen if he would be willing to move, however, having only just confirmed his transfer to the Italian giants.

Former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Angharad James is determined to beat England and knock the reigning champions out of the Women's Euro 2025. James, who is leading Wales in their first major women's tournament in Switzerland, spoke about the rivalry that the two countries share, while claiming that is in their 'blood and DNA' to knock the Lionesses out of the competition.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• James issued a rallying war cry ahead of facing England
• Wants to eliminate Lionesses from Women's Euro 2025
• England take on Wales on Sunday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Lionesses' title defence campaign got off to a nightmare start as they lost the tournament opener against France but they bounced back strongly to beat Netherlands 4-0 to remain alive in the Women's European Championship. Wales, on the other hand, lost both of their previous fixtures and are now staring at elimination from the group stages unless they beat rivals England heavily and the Dutch go down against France.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT JAMES SAID

  Ahead of the all-important clash against their arch-rivals, the 31-year-old Wales captain said: "As a Welshwoman, do you want to knock England out? Of course you do. It’s in our blood, our DNA, and the rivalry has always been there and always will be there. But you have to come back to the occasion and this is just another game of football. Hopefully, we can perform in a better way than we did against France, keep improving our performances and the result comes with that.

  "There’s no hiding behind the history of Wales v England, whatever sport you are playing in. It’s a rivalry match and it’s one everyone wants to play in. As a group, we’ve come on so much since the first game [v the Netherlands], the second game was such a big improvement from us and we’re looking to step it up again in this game. But the pressure is all on England. They have to come out, they have to perform. They’re expected to win this game. Within our group we believe we can upset a very top team but we’re preparing as normal and we’re ready for the fight."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  James added: "Before we came to this tournament, we said: ‘We have already won, whatever happens'. We’ve had little wins at this tournament, [such as] Jess [Fishlock] scoring our first goal, and a result tomorrow night would be our next ‘win’. It’s big for our nation, being here, showing all the little girls and boys at home that we can be on the biggest stage, can compete at the biggest stage, and we deserve to be here as a nation."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  Sarina Wiegman's side will play their final group game against Wales at St. Gallen on Sunday.