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Birmingham City fans will now be counting down the days until their side kicks off their hotly anticipated Championship season.

Indeed, the Blues only have one friendly left until Ipswich Town come to St. Andrew’s for a Friday night kick-off to start the second-tier entertainment, before clashes against Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United, and Leicester City then round off a busy August for Chris Davies’ men in league action.

In bittersweet fashion, however, Lukas Jutkiewicz won’t be lining up for Davies’ side as they triumphantly return to the Championship, having confirmed his retirement right after Birmingham lifted the League One title.

It will be strange for die-hard supporters of the Blues not seeing Jutkiewicz line up for their beloved team in the EFL’s elite league, having often been viewed as the main marksman when Birmingham last regularly competed at the level.

How Jutkiewicz made himself a Birmingham legend

Birmingham’s previous Championship exploits haven’t always been rosy, but the 6-foot-1 striker remained as constant, even during those testing times.

The Blues will be entering back into the division hungry to compete near the top of the division, which will be some feat to pull off, considering Jutkiewicz’s days as the main source of goals at St. Andrew’s saw his lowly side be consistently plunged into a battle against the drop.

By the time the 36-year-old had called time on his playing days, the towering attacker had bagged a memorable 68 strikes for the Blues across 358 appearances, with 54 of those coming about in the notoriously punishing league.

Now, it will be up to a new face to be as impactful – away from Davies just relying on Kyogo Furuhashi and Jay Stansfield up top – with a fresh target on the Birmingham shopping list possessing the potential to become the club’s next iteration of their dominant number ten.

The "complete number 9" who could be their next Jutkiewicz

Arguably, Birmingham might not need to pursue the signature of another attacker, with both Kyogo and Stansfield sticking out as obvious choices to lead the line.

Yet, neither of those options will be able to throw themselves about with authority, which is where Blues target Bojan Miovski could come into his own if he makes the leap to join Birmingham shortly.

Coming in at a lofty 6-foot-2, Miovski is now seemingly one of the main targets Birmingham is casting their eye over to further enhance their striker personnel, with the ambitious Championship side currently in talks over a move to sign the lethal Macedonian at the expense of Celtic and Rangers, according to reports.

Whilst he has only managed to bag a middle-of-the-road four goals for Girona from 22 appearances in Spain, the 26-year-old more than proved himself when leading the line for Aberdeen that he is a worthwhile Jutkiewicz replacement in terms of his deadly finishing game when soaring into aerial duels, but also with the ball at his feet as a well-rounded presence.

The 38-time North Macedonia international registered a blistering 44 strikes for the Dons across 98 appearances, with his ability to be powerful in the air, yet classy when running through on goal, earning him the title of being a “complete number nine” by journalist Josh Bunting.

He should, therefore, be ready for the pressures of the Championship, even if his £6.8m move out to Girona hasn’t gone completely to plan, knowing he has what it takes to be the “best centre forward in the league” in the Scottish Premiership, as he was also labelled by ex-Dons teammate Nick Devlin.

Sealing a deal for Miovski to join the building might not be as instantly eye-catching as Kyogo’s statement deal was.

But, he should be able to leave a lasting impact on the English game if he finds his Aberdeen mojo again as a battling, skilful striker built very much in the same mould as Jutkiewicz.

Birmingham could sign a bigger talent than Cashin in "dynamite" £10m star

Birmingham City could soon win themselves a bigger talent than Eiran Cashin by landing this dynamite attacker.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 25, 2025

In a summer full of additions, Glasgow Rangers reportedly approached a former Premier League winger with the chance to reunite with Ibrox boss Russell Martin earlier this summer.

Antman "ready" for Rangers move

The latest in a long line of Gers incomings came in the form of Oliver Antman earlier this week. The former Go Ahead Eagles winger has put pen to paper on a deal worth around £4m, according to reports, and has instantly set his sights on making an immediate impact.

Speaking to Rangers’ official website, the new winger said: “When I first heard Rangers were interested, I was excited because it is a huge club, and you don’t get these kinds of opportunities many times in your life. The last couple of days have been really busy and stressful but now I am ready to settle in.

“I am excited for tomorrow, the first match at Ibrox. I have heard it is a special place, but I haven’t even seen it yet, so I am excited for everything that is to come. “I have trained with Go Ahead Eagles now for over a month, I have had five training matches and also a 90-minute game, so I’m fully fit and ready.

Bigger signing than Antman: Rangers must swoop for "complete" £7m star

Rangers could land an even bigger signing than Oliver Antman in a swoop for this star.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 5, 2025

“I think Scottish football is going to be a lot more physical but that is definitely something I can learn. To play for Rangers you have to win every single game, that is expected. You cannot skip a game, every single game is a must win. I am expecting a lot of wins and a lot of good times.”

After scoring seven goals and assisting another 17 in impressive fashion last season, those at Ibrox should have high expectations for Antman from the very off.

In an alternate reality, however, those in Glasgow could be preparing to welcome a winger who has already worked with Martin in the past.

Rangers made contact to sign Djenepo

According to Africa Foot, Rangers made contact to sign Moussa Djenepo from Standard Liege earlier in the transfer window, approaching the winger over a summer switch. Ultimately, the deal didn’t progress, however, and the Gers have seemingly since turned towards Antman. But it is still worth pondering how much of an impact the former Southampton man could have made.

Interestingly, Djenepo is also a player that Martin is already familiar with. The winger appeared once for the Rangers boss during his time at Southampton before moving on to Standard Liege. Now, it seems as though the pair could have enjoyed a second chance to make up for lost time in the Scottish Premiership.

At just 27 years old, Djenepo is still very much capable of making his mark again. At his very best, former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl praised the Belgian for his “fantastic” work, as he starred in the Premier League for the Saints. Now looking to return to that level, reports suggest that Rangers and a reunion with Martin was an option for Djenepo this summer.

Barcelona and Spain teenager Vicky Lopez has been named the best young women’s player in the world and has picked up the Kopa Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards in Paris. The 19-year-old played a key role in Barcelona’s stunning season, winning Liga F and Copa de la Reina titles, and also helped Spain make it to the finals of Euro 2025 in the summer.

• Lopez picks up 2025 Kopa Trophy

  Lopez has seen off competition from Lionesses star Michelle Agyemang, Real Madrid's Linda Caicedo, Chelsea midfielder Wieke Kaptein and Club Olimpia and Paraguay star Claudia Martinez to win the Kopa Trophy. The victory comes after another superb season for club and country for the impressive 19-year-old and sees her pick up another individual award after winning the Golden Girl prize in 2024.

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• Barcelona star dedicates award to her late mother

  Lopez offered her thanks to her family after picking up the prize. She said in her acceptance speech: "Thank you to my family. I dedicate this to my mother, who watches over me from heaven and is protecting me so I can become a better person. I hope you're proud of me; I miss you. I also want to thank Real Madrid, where I took my first steps. I also want to thank the national team, and obviously I can't forget Barcelona, La Masia, its president… they've supported me and let me compete for the best team in the world at 16 years old. I want to send a little something to the pioneers of women's football. Thanks to them, I'm able to collect this award today."

• Kopa Trophy double for Barcelona

  Lopez's win makes it a Kopa Trophy double for Barcelona as Lamine Yamal scooped the men's prize. It's the second year in a row that Yamal has won the Kopa Trophy. The 18-year-old is also in the running for the men's Ballon d'Or award as well.

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• The full Kopa Trophy rankings

  Lopez finished top of the rankings ahead of Real Madrid's Caicedo. Chelsea star Kaptein was third, with Agyemang fourth and Martinez fifth.

A “fantastic” Premier League player has now reportedly opened the door to a potential move to Celtic before the end of the summer transfer window.

Rodgers left agitated over Celtic's business

The Hoops may have won 4-1 at home to Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup second round on Friday evening, but Brendan Rodgers didn’t appear to be in the mood to celebrate.

The Celtic manager produced a spiky response in his press conference when asked about potential summer signings in the next few weeks, suggesting that he isn’t entirely happy about the situation.

“I don’t know, I have just come out of the game here. We will wait to see, we have named the squad before the game. if not that is the squad that we are going with.

“Ok, let me repeat what I have just said. I have just finished the game. During the 90 odd minutes of the game, I don’t know anything, I don’t know anything. There might be, but there may not be, but we have the team that we have.”

Celtic need more signings this month, in order to give a better account of themselves in the Champions League in 2025/26, and they may be buoyed by a new transfer update that has emerged.

"Fantastic" ace hands Celtic transfer boost

According to Football Insider, West Ham midfielder and rumoured Celtic target Andy Irving has “opened the door to a move away” from the London Stadium this summer. Rangers are also in the mix to snap him up.

The 25-year-old wants to “play more regular minutes and is expected to jump at the opportunity to play European football this season”, potentially playing into the hands of the Hoops, who have already seen a £2.5m bid rejected for him.

Reporter Pete O’Rourke said: “There’s a top player in there who wants to be playing regularly at this stage of his career. The chance to move to Celtic or Rangers would be very enticing for him, two big clubs with European football on offer as well. For West Ham, if they were to get a decent offer for Irving they wouldn’t stand in his way.”

Irving could be just what Rodgers is after, in terms of strengthening his options in the middle of the park, with Irving a potentially shrewd signing.

Granted, it hasn’t worked out hugely for the Scot at West Ham, with a lack of minutes coming his way, but he has been lauded by Robbie Horn in the past, not least because of the “fantastic attitude” he has.

“Andy was a really nice lad with a fantastic attitude. He had clearly been brought up by a good family. I could never speak highly enough of him as a person. Even after he left, he would be sending me messages about how our games had gone and the other boys had got on. He showed that interest even after he left, so there were no airs and graces about him.”

"Direct" star wants Celtic move with deal there to be done after talks

The Bhoys could yet get their man…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 16, 2025

Irving will want to give himself the best chance as possible of making Scotland’s 2026 World Cup squad next summer, assuming they qualify for the tournament, and he would surely benefit more by being a key man at Celtic, playing in the Champions League and enjoying more regular playing time.

Barcelona have reportedly made a decision on Marcus Rashford’s future amid talk of a stand off with Manchester United over a transfer fee. The England forward has slotted seamlessly into life at the Camp Nou, scoring twice and setting up two more in his last three outings. At 27, he looks rejuvenated, with his performances turning heads in Catalonia and drawing warm praise from fans.

• Loan deal leaves Barca in control

  According to despite his strong start, Barcelona are not rushing into talks about making Rashford’s stay permanent. Reports of a standoff with Manchester United over transfer fees have been dismissed, as the current loan deal includes an agreed option to buy for £26.2m (€30m/$35m). For now, it’s about watching Rashford’s impact across the full season, both on and off the pitch, before pulling the trigger on a long-term commitment.

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  Lewandowski’s future adds extra twist

  The looming question of Robert Lewandowski’s future only complicates matters further. The Polish hitman turned 37 last month and is out of contract at the end of the season. Barcelona must decide whether to extend his deal or move in a new direction. Rashford’s versatility may be the deciding factor. His ability to play wide or lead the line as a No. 9 could tempt Barca to see him as Lewandowski’s eventual replacement. But that decision is likely to come in tandem with wider squad planning.

• Money, money – the wage conundrum

  Barcelona’s well-documented financial struggles mean Rashford’s salary is a major hurdle. The forward is currently one of the highest earners in LaLiga, with Barca covering his full wages during the loan. While the £26.2m fee looks like a bargain on paper, maintaining those wages in the long run will test the club’s books.

  Recent years have seen the Catalan giants pull every financial lever available just to register new signings. With LaLiga’s strict spending caps in play, committing to Rashford permanently would require careful planning – and potentially tough sacrifices elsewhere in the squad.

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  Rashford keeping focus on the pitch

  For now, Rashford isn’t letting the speculation distract him. Speaking last week, he made his intentions clear, insisting that he remains open to playing for the Catalans for "as many seasons as possible". His words match his actions. In Europe, he delivered two crucial goals against Newcastle in the Champions League, while in La Liga, he turned provider with a slick assist in the demolition of Valencia. His form is rapidly silencing doubters back in Manchester, where his future appears all but over despite still having three years left on his United contract.

Chelsea fans will be very encouraged by the start their side has made to the brand new Premier League season.

Enzo Maresca’s Blues were in speculative conversations last campaign about a surprise title push, but that did unfortunately fall to the wayside. However, with two wins and a draw from their opening three contests this time around, the West London outfit is one of the early pace-setters.

New signing up top in Joao Pedro has already set the league alight donning Chelsea blue, with five goals from his first six outings.

Yet, Liam Delap doesn’t continue the good news here when it comes to exciting attacking additions, with a nasty injury now keeping him sidelined after the 2-0 victory over near neighbours Fulham.

This could well trigger Chelsea into being active yet again in the striker department, as a £69m ace comes onto their radar.

Chelsea enter late race for £69m striker

The former Manchester City attacker could well be out for a prolonged period of time, with a fear he might be out for even more than the early estimate of six to eight weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

As a result, Nicolas Jackson – who was due to sign for Bayern Munich on loan – has been told to return from Germany and not undergo a medical. Yet, he is understandably hesitant to return to Stamford Bridge as a back-up option. Consequently, Maresca and Co. could now have to try and strike up an extremely late deal for a rising star.

Indeed, as per an update from Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, the unbeaten Blues have now made an approach to sign Sporting youngster Conrad Harder, with Chelsea on the hunt for a Jackson replacement, to then allow for that choppy move to finally occur.

RB Leipzig are also in the hunt for Harder; however, who has a whopping £69m release clause next to his name.

How Harder can become Maresca's own Gyokeres

If Chelsea can get a late move over the line, it might culminate in the West London outfit winning their very own Viktor Gyokeres, as another clinical Sporting attacker is gifted the grand opportunity to impress in the Premier League.

Gyokeres might well have struggled on his debut versus Manchester United, but he is now up and running in Arsenal red and white after bagging two strikes versus Leeds United, resulting in his trademark celebration coming out for all to see at the Emirates.

It felt like only a matter of time before the explosive Swede was going to grace the pitches of the English top-flight, having fired home a ridiculous 97 strikes for the Portuguese titans from just 102 clashes, after waving goodbye to Coventry City after a goal-laden stint in the EFL.

Of course, it’s ludicrous to insinuate that a far younger and rawer Harder will become this lethal overnight.

But, there is a method to the madness here, considering the 20-year-old Dane has already been heralded as the “next Gyokeres” by Scouted Football, on top of also being lauded as a “complete forward” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Amazingly, despite only starting six Liga Portugal clashes last season, the lively Scandinavian had a mightily impressive five goals to shout about, meaning he notched up a league goal for the Lisbon-based giants every 159 minutes.

But, even more impressively, despite only averaging 3.8 accurate passes per substitute cameo, Harder also tallied up five assists, with Gyokeres further known for this unselfish side to his varied game, having closed out his own time in Portugal last season with 11 assists in all competitions.

In the wake of Delap’s untimely injury, on top of Jackson’s future being up in the air, Harder might well finally be gifted the platform to be a leading man for a top side, with more goals and assists perhaps ready to come to the surface to elevate him even more to Gyokeres’ insane level.

Having once been dubbed “aggressive” by ex-Sporting boss Ruben Amorim, it remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old can be a success in such a demanding league.

It feels like a risk worth taking for Maresca and Co., though, as Harder and Gyokeres potentially go head-to-head to fire their respective sides to domestic glory.

Chelsea now in talks to sign £35m "1v1 specialist" forward alongside Lopez

The Blues could trigger the release clause for a new attacker.

By
Dominic Lund

Aug 31, 2025

Former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has suggested that Mikel Arteta's record of achievement since being appointed by Arsenal in 2019 will give him his pick of jobs whenever he decides the time is right to leave the Emirates Stadium. One of those could be at Barcelona in the future, where Arteta made key strides in his formative years as a footballer.

• Big clubs will be 'knocking' on Arteta's door

  Mendieta, who turned out for Barcelona during a storied career that also took in defining spells at Valencia and Middlesbrough, doesn't expected Arteta to be looking for a new job any time soon. But there is a belief that he won't ever be short of offers.

  "Whenever Mikel Arteta's time at Arsenal is up and he's looking for new experiences, big clubs will be knocking on his door," Mendieta told OLBG.

  "The job he's doing at Arsenal and from now until the moment he leaves, which I'm assuming will be a long term, I'm sure there'll be more trophies in the cabinet. Like PSG, every season Arsenal can get better, get stronger and keep getting to the latter stages.

  "Big clubs will be knocking on the door, Barca included, as well as other big clubs and even national teams, he will have a lot of offers on the table."

  Hansi Flick's Barcelona contract runs until 2027 and the German coach is already 60 years of age, suggesting the Catalans could be looking for a new boss in the not too distant future.

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  Premier League consistency vs limited trophies so far

  Under Arteta, Arsenal have placed second in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons, the club's best run in the competition since Arsene Wenger's streak of eight successive top two finishes came to an in 2005.

  It is hugely impressive when Liverpool, for example, have been more erratic. But while the Merseysiders may have slipped to fifth in 2022-23, they won the title last season and the Gunners are still looking for a first league championship since the 2003-04 campaign. Meanwhile, Arteta himself hasn't won a major trophy since his first season in charge – the FA Cup in 2019-20.

• Arteta's Barcelona connection

  Barcelona could be a good fit for Arteta in the future. He was schooled in La Masia from the age of 15, forging friendships with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes, and went on to make 42 appearances for Barcelona B as a teenager, before establishing a senior career elsewhere.

  As a newly-qualified coach cut from the famous Barcelona cloth, he was recruited by Pep Guardiola in 2016 to work on the backroom staff at Manchester City and remained there until interviewing for the Arsenal job towards the end of 2019.

  Although he hails from San Sebastian in the Basque region on Spain's northern coast, Barcelona would still be a football 'homecoming' of sorts for Arteta.

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  Could Fabregas succeed Arteta as Arsenal boss?

  If Arteta were to leave, Arsenal could recruit another former club captain to take over: Cesc Fabregas. The 2010 World Cup winner has been leading the revolution at Como and is quickly making a name for himself in coaching after a stellar playing career. Mendieta is "sure" a Premier League future awaits Fabregas, even if he's happy at Como for now.

  "I'm sure there's been some conversations. But he's happy at Como. I know he's happy because the project is key, he is the one deciding who comes and goes and he is bringing the culture and the environment," the two-time Champions League finalist said.

  "I'm sure Premier League clubs have approached him, former clubs will have approached him and we'll see him in the Premier League sometime in the future.

  "Would he suit Arsenal or Chelsea? It could be actually both. I think he's intelligent enough because he started to play in a way at Como and then he changed quickly. They also change the system within games. He was a very intelligent player and is a very intelligent coach.

  "He would adapt to whatever he has. If he goes to Chelsea and he has 50 players, he can pick and choose the system he wants to play. If he goes to Arsenal he can pick the players that he wants. Judging right now, Arsenal looks more like the style of football that he would be playing."

Everton’s summer has already been one of major transition, with several familiar faces moving on and David Moyes reshaping his squad in key areas.

The Toffees opened the new campaign with a frustrating defeat at Leeds but quickly steadied the ship with back-to-back wins – including a confident home victory against Brighton and safe passage through the EFL Cup against Mansfield.

It was a timely reminder that, while this is a squad in flux, the structure Moyes is putting in place has the potential to deliver steady progress.

Recruitment has been central to that process. High-profile arrivals such as Jack Grealish from Manchester City and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea have given supporters optimism, while Thierno Barry and Tyler Dibling offer fresh energy.

But if Everton are to truly evolve into a side capable of competing consistently in the top half of the Premier League, there is still work to be done in central midfield.

The departure of Abdoulaye Doucouré to Saudi Arabia has left a sizeable gap.

For years the Malian was Everton’s engine, a player who could carry the ball forward, cover ground tirelessly, and chip in with goals at crucial moments.

Replacing him is no easy task.

Moyes has already tested the waters for Tomas Soucek, but West Ham have so far rebuffed Everton’s approach.

That has shifted attention elsewhere.

Benfica now are bracing themselves for an approach from Merseyside for one of their midfielders – a 26-year-old who has long been on Everton’s radar and who may now finally be available for the right price.

Everton set to bid for Benfica midfielder

The player in question is Florentino Luis, with the Lisbon outfit said to be expecting an offer from the Toffees, according to Portuguese outlet, Mais Futebol.

The Portuguese defensive midfielder came through Benfica’s academy system and has since established himself as a dependable figure in their first-team squad.

At 26, he is entering his prime years and fits the mould of the disciplined, ball-winning option that Moyes has been searching for since Doucoure’s exit.

The Toffees were linked with Luis as far back as January 2024, and Benfica are now open to a sale.

Transfer Focus

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

The midfielder has slipped down the pecking order following the arrivals of Enzo Barrenechea and Ricard Ríos this summer, and with his contract running until 2027, this window presents the Lisbon club with a logical chance to cash in.

Benfica have already rejected advances from Marseille and Burnley, while Luis himself turned down a lucrative €5m (£4m)-a-year proposal from Saudi Arabia to keep his focus on securing a Premier League move.

That determination to play in England puts Everton in a strong position, with a fee in the region of £22m likely to be enough to tempt Benfica into negotiations.

The Portuguese international, who has also enjoyed loan spells at Monaco and Getafe, made 26 league appearances last season, contributing two goals and an assist.

While his attacking numbers may not leap off the page, his value comes in his ability to win the ball back, maintain possession under pressure, and distribute intelligently – qualities Everton lacked at times in their midfield last season.

Why Luis is the perfect upgrade on Doucoure

The comparison between Doucouré and Luis is intriguing.

On paper, the former Waford man delivered more goal contributions in the 2024/25 campaign – five compared to Luis’ three – and his willingness to break forward into attacking areas was a defining feature of his game.

But beneath the surface, Luis offers a profile that appears far more aligned with Moyes’ tactical vision.

According to FBref, the 26-year-old averaged 44.7 passes per 90 minutes last season, at an accuracy of 87.1%. Doucoure, by contrast, attempted just 25.4 passes per 90 with a lower completion rate of 80.3%.

That gulf highlights how Luis can act as a metronome at the base of midfield, helping Everton retain possession in high-pressure Premier League encounters.

Defensively, the Portuguese midfielder’s numbers stand out even more.

He averaged 3.74 tackles per 90, more than double Doucoure’s 1.68, and was particularly effective in the midfield third, registering 2.01 tackles per 90 compared to the Doucoure’s 0.70.

His ability to break up play and shield the back four would give Everton a stability they have often lacked when stretched by stronger opponents.

Luis also brings value in blocking passing lanes and covering ground.

He recorded 1.51 blocks per 90 and won more aerial duels than Doucoure on average (1.23 vs 1.05).

While Doucoure was a more direct attacking threat – averaging over a shot per game compared to Luis’ 0.32 – Moyes may feel that creativity and goalscoring responsibilities can be shouldered by his new attacking additions, while midfield solidity comes from players like Luis.

Where Doucoure was a box-to-box presence, Luis is a controller.

His progressive passing distance of 229.5 per 90 dwarfs Doucoure’s 79.1, showing a clear willingness to move the ball into dangerous areas rather than carrying it himself.

Combined with his high shot-on-target percentage of 42.9% (compared to Doucoure’s 29%), he offers technical quality when stepping forward without overextending his role.

Crucially, at 26, Luis arrives with years ahead of him to grow, while offering Everton the immediate reliability of a player who has competed regularly in both domestic and European competitions.

In essence, Luis represents the evolution of Everton’s midfield: a younger, more technically secure, and defensively dominant option who can provide balance to a squad undergoing rapid change.

Doucoure’s crucial goals and driving runs will be missed, but with Luis anchoring the centre of the pitch, the Toffees would gain a platform that allows their attacking talents – from Grealish to Dewsbury-Hall – to flourish.

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

Everton are interested in signing an England U21 star.

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By
Will Miller

Aug 29, 2025

In 2021, a graphic designer working for Sky Sport Germany was going to change the footballing world forever. After Jadon Sancho went his first seven matches for Manchester United following his £73m move from Borussia Dortmund without a direct goal contribution, his face was edited onto a picture of James Bond, also known as '007'. In this instance, the two zeroes represented his goals and assists, with the seven the amount of matches he had played.

Since then, '007' has become a humorous moniker bestowed online upon players who record that stat-line. Liverpool's Florian Wirtz recently hit that mark – and has even surpassed it, going nine games without a goal contribution – and now even managers aren't safe, with Ange Postecoglou under fire. The charismatic Australian has failed to win any of his first seven matches in charge of Nottingham Forest across all competitions, with defeats coming in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup. In fairness, he has at least picked up two draws, so it's not an ethical '007'.

Regardless, it's hard to fathom how Forest have got themselves into such a situation in the first place. They finished seventh in the Premier League last season to book a return to European football, and for a long while appeared headed for the Champions League. Heading into the October international break, they sit 17th in the standings, only one point outside the relegation zone.

For Postecoglou, this represents a rare misstep in his career. Wherever he's gone in the last 15 years, he's brought success (particularly in his second seasons). When he left Tottenham in June, it seemed unlikely he would get another job in England. So how has he gone from the loveable everyman to one of the worst managers in the modern history of the Premier League?

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  Tottenham sacked him for a reason

  Postecoglou first arrived on British shores in 2021 when he was whisked in as the new manager of Celtic, who had failed in a long and public pursuit of Eddie Howe to replace Neil Lennon in the Parkhead dugout. This was his first job outside of Australia and Asia since 2008 when he briefly took charge of third-tier side Panachaiki in his birthplace of Greece. There was understandable scepticism when he was appointed Bhoys boss, but he quickly silenced his doubters with his persuasive charm and his team's entertaining football. It also helped that this led to Celtic emphatically winning back the Premiership title from Rangers.

  After two years in Scotland, Postecoglou got a call from Tottenham, who were desperate to get the bad taste of the miserable Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho eras out of their mouth. Again, there were unbelievers to sway. His immediate task was to make the team play an expansive brand of football, with the hope this would lead to what Postecoglou himself would later describe as 'sustained success'. Spurs won eight and drew two of their first 10 games under the Aussie before they were thrashed by Chelsea, who were ironically managed by former favourite Mauricio Pochettino. From there on, the foundations of 'Ange-ball' became fragile and Postecoglou's side never quite hit those same heights from a domestic point of view, despite achieving an admirable fifth-place finish for 2023-24 when many tipped them to finish outside the European places. Postecoglou's gift of the gab won supporters over, as did the extraordinary, drug-like highs of his opening three months in the role.

  Tottenham's 2024-25 season was unlike any other, be it by their own manic standards or anyone else's. They ended a 17-year wait to win a trophy with victory in the Europa League, yet simultaneously finished 17th in the Premier League. The club's board, led by the soon-to-depart Daniel Levy, released a lengthy statement to explain how they arrived at the decision to sack him soon after the campaign wrapped up.

  "Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties," it began. The standout paragraph read: "The Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph."

  It was a unique situation that Spurs found themselves in, but one that was understood by most corners of the footballing world, even if it was raw to those most closely impacted. That Postecoglou goes down as a Tottenham legend and also the mastermind behind their worst-ever top flight season in terms of defeats (22) are not paradoxical thoughts.

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  Strange hire for Forest

  Forest's summer was far from unassuming. After nearly throwing away European qualification altogether, they were very much up for UEFA demoting FA Cup winners Crystal Palace into the Conference League to bump themselves up into the Europa League, while Morgan Gibbs-White's transfer to Tottenham was blocked by owner Evangelos Marinakis (or 'Mr Marinakis', as the England midfielder called him several times in a video announcing a new contract).

  That seemed to be the end of the Forest soap opera and they were expected to enjoy another fruitful season under Nuno Espirito Santo. Then, during what was meant to be an unassuming press conference before an on-pitch battle with Palace in mid-August, the Portuguese tactician threw his future into doubt. "I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well (between us) but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. I think everyone at the club should be together but this is not the reality," Nuno said, lasting only a couple of weeks more in the job before being sacked in one of the strangest sagas this league that sometimes borders on soap opera has ever seen.

  Postecoglou has previously spoken of clubs, and even the Australia national team, turning to him because they and the fans long for change, that there is a want to completely reverse their fortunes. This was a different case. Nuno had unanimous and unwavering support among the Forest faithful and they were angry to see him go. If Postecoglou was appointed based on the job he did at Spurs and the hope he could win the Europa League for a second season running, then that would have made sense. Instead, his close ties to fellow Greek Marinakis felt like the top reason behind the change in the dugout, even more so after it was reported they wined and dined over the summer.

  At an event in July honouring Postecoglou in Greece, Marinakis said: "What I want to say about Ange is that he has spoken about Greece many times, he is proud to be Greek, and in the great success he had with Tottenham by winning the Europa League, he spoke about Greece. (He is) a man who not only does not hide his origin but is also proud of it. What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles, it has had a very difficult time in recent years. In this huge success that the whole world saw, he promoted Greece. We must thank him especially for this, and we wish him well, although we are sure that he will do well as he has the ability. Wherever he goes, the successes will come."

  Overnight, Forest had gone from a team used to playing defensive, conservative football to a side who wanted to play at a hundred miles an hour. Now, they're feeling the aftereffects of whiplash.

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  Breaking the wrong Forest records

  The term 'baptism of fire' doesn't do justice for the start Postecoglou's made at Forest. 'Christening by explosion' might be more appropriate. A 3-0 hammering to former rivals Arsenal started his reign, after which he vowed his side would be the one he envisaged in their following game, a trip to Championship side Swansea in the Carabao Cup. Forest lost 3-2 after being 2-1 up heading into second-half stoppage time.

  Credible draws at Burnley and Real Betis followed before they lapsed back into losing habits, falling to Sunderland, Midtjylland and Newcastle with a whimper. The most recent of those defeats, 2-0 up at St James' Park, was so comprehensive that host broadcaster Sky Sports didn't, or couldn't, show a single Forest chance in their highlights package.

  Postecoglou is now the first permanent Forest boss to fail to win any of his first four league games since 1960, while his start in all competitions means he has the worst opening record at the club in over 100 years. The Australian himself is now 11 Premier League matches without a win, counting his time at Spurs, and his teams have taken only 15 points from their last 23 games. What hasn't helped optics is that Tottenham are currently third in the table under new boss Thomas Frank, while Nuno earned a priceless draw at Everton with West Ham last week. The gruff 60-year-old is both the odd one out and the common denominator.

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  Mutiny at the City Ground

  The extra novelty behind Postecoglou's beginnings at Forest is he was unable to greet his new home fans until his fifth game in charge, managing twice away in the Premier League plus once in the Europa League and Carabao Cup apiece. By then, his stock was already trending downwards, but two limp performances at the City Ground cost him any last shred of goodwill coming into the job.

  During the second of these defeats, a 3-2 loss to Danish minnows Midtjylland, Postecoglou was targeted by chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' from an angry crowd. The three goals Forest shipped were stupidly soft, conceding twice from opposition set pieces and once from their own. The worries people had over Postecoglou heading into this role were real.

  In Postecoglou's first few months at Tottenham, the press hung on his every word. He's an extraordinary orator, hence why his teams have always bought into his methods, and you couldn't help but want to listen to him. That's easier when you're winning, not so much when in a rut. Down the stretch of 2024-25, Postecoglou's responses and messages when speaking to the media became grouchier and bitter. That's extended into his Forest reign without any sort of tangible result to fall back on, and already there is serious speculation of him being fired, with he himself confirming he will hold showdown talks with Marinakis.

  Speaking on Sunday after the defeat at Newcastle, he reverted to the type of his defiant self. "I'm here in the Premier League at the age of 60, you reckon I lack self-belief or don’t like a fight? I've picked fights. I have. In the schoolyard, I've picked fights with people I knew would beat me up. That's the kind of person I am," he bellowed in his press conference.

  "I totally understand it's part of the fanfare around the Premier League that there needs to be a manager under the spotlight. It's my turn at the moment. It's a fun game, isn't it? It's me this week. Who knows, maybe you're all right and I'm gone. Next week it will be someone else. I'm not a worrying kind of guy. I couldn't care less. If people somehow think I'm not enjoying what I'm doing at the moment, they've got no idea." Well, at least someone inside the club is enjoying the Forest experience, then.

West Ham United have now held talks over signing a £15m “animal” as a replacement for Nayef Aguerd, who is heading to Marseille.

West Ham eyeing defender to replace Aguerd

Despite Graham Potter’s desire to keep hold of the centre-back, Aguerd now looks set to complete a move to Ligue 1, having refused to take part in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

In fairness, West Ham didn’t look like they missed the Moroccan defender at all, keeping a clean sheet for the first time this season, with Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos being given the nod at centre-back.

However, Potter will be a little short on options when Aguerd departs, meaning work has now started on bringing in a replacement, with Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell on the radar.

However, another transfer target from much closer to home is now emerging, with Fabrizio Romano taking to X to reveal the Hammers are now “exploring a move” for Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Igor Julio.

There is no agreement in place just yet, but talks over a deal for the Brazilian have already taken place, with Romano also confirming Aguerd is set to sign for Marseille.

It is unclear what sort of fee Brighton would be looking for, but the Seagulls are known to have forked out £15m to sign the 27-year-old from Fiorentina back in 2023, while Crystal Palace are also heavily linked with a deal which could drive the price up.

The Eagles are searching for a replacement for captain Marc Guehi, who is strongly linked with a deadline day move to Liverpool, and it now appears like a two-way race between the London teams for Julio’s signature.

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"Animal" Igor could be good fit in Potter's system

While he has struggled to do so, Potter has attempted to implement a possession-based style of football since his arrival at the London Stadium, and the Brighton defender could be an ideal fit for the West Ham boss.

Over the past year, the former Fiorentina man has vastly outperformed Kilman in terms of passes attempted, progressive passes and pass-completion rate per 90.

Former Brighton and Hove Albion coach Inigo Calderón has also praised the Brighton ace for his passing ability, saying:

“The first thing that comes to mind is that Igor is an animal, a centre back I really like for many reasons. He wins duels and has a good footwork for releasing the ball, both passing and dribbling.”

There may be some concerns over the fact Igor is a bit-part player at Brighton, having made just 13 appearances in the Premier League last season, but he could be a good fit in a Potter system, so it is worth taking a chance on the defender.