All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United take on Burnley on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday, with the Magpies set to come up against a player on whom they had set their sights last summer in Maxwel Cornet.

Fortunately for the St James’ Park outfit, their failure to secure the signing of the Ivorian won’t come back to haunt them this weekend, with Eddie Howe having steered the previously relegation-threatened Toon into contention for a top-half finish after an outstanding second half of the campaign.

Having once looked like a game which could decide the top-flight fate of both teams, the meeting at Turf Moor no longer has much riding on it for the visitors. However, a victory could well bolster their hopes of securing the services of Cornet at the second time of asking, should the Clarets drop into the Championship.

Reports last August suggested that Newcastle, who were then managed by Steve Bruce, were considering a move for the former Lyon forward, although they ultimately lost out as he made the £12.9m switch to Lancashire towards the end of the summer transfer window.

While the Magpies’ recent sparkling form has eased the blow of missing out on the 25-year-old, they will perhaps rue not having snapped him up for what appears to be a relative bargain price when they had the chance.

However, should Burnley finish in the bottom three, the 25-cap Ivory Coast international could become available once mpre for a reduced fee, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealing that there is a £17.5m relegation clause in the forward’s existing deal.

The £44k-per-week gem is likely to be at the centre of a transfer tussle should that scenario occur, with his form in his debut season in England likely to have caught the eye of numerous clubs, both in the UK and abroad.

In what has been a tough campaign for Burnley, the £12.6m-rated Ivorian has netted on average one goal every three league games – with eight in 24 appearances thus far. That is a particularly impressive record considering he had often featured as a full-back or wing-back prior to this season.

Such form has also seen him dubbed “one of the signings of the season” by Owen Hargreaves, while fellow pundit Matt Holland also described the pacy gem as a player who “adds a bit of magic in the final third”.

Not just an asset in an attacking sense, the 25-year-old has also performed admirably for his team in a defensive sense, ranking in the top 10% for tackles and the top 4% for interceptions among positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues.

With doubts over Allan Saint-Maximin’s future on Tyneside and reports of the club being open to a sale, Cornet could well represent an ideal replacement, with the dynamic Burnley gem having already shown what he can do in a far from expansive outfit.

That would duly allow Newcastle to wave goodbye to the mercurial Frenchman, who has struggled for consistency in the black and white shirt, chipping in with just 11 goals and 12 assists in the league since his £16.5m arrival from Nice in 2019.

Gabby Agbonlahor has admitted that the “frustrating” fleet-footed maverick may not totally suit Howe’s style of player due to his often unpredictable nature, with Cornet offering the same electric speed and creativity, but with greater reliability.

PIF need to get the chequebook out this summer and push for the Burnley man’s arrival, righting the wrongs of the previous regime and giving them the license to cash in on the enigmatic Saint-Maximin.

IN other news, Eddie Howe can now help NUFC sign “spectacular” £64m “nightmare”, he’s better than Saint-Maximin

Crystal Palace youngster Nya Kirby is set to be released by the Eagles this summer with Bournemouth, Watford and Club Brugge listed as potential new suitors.

What’s the word?

According to the Bournemouth Echo, via the 72, the Palace academy product is a target for the aforementioned clubs who would each offer the 22-year-old something different.

Bournemouth can now provide Premier League football following their promotion back to the top-flight whilst Watford will be a Championship outfit once again following their relegation.

As for Club Brugge, the Belgian club would provide the midfielder with the opportunity to start fresh abroad, something that has proven to work wonders for young, English talents of late.

Palace must axe Kirby

Although there is still time to offer Kirby a new contract, the south London outfit must stick with their decision and allow the Englishman to depart.

Having worked his way up the youth ranks at Crystal Palace, the 22-year-old has made just one first team appearance for Patrick Vieira’s side, coming under former manager Roy Hodgson last season in an EFL Cup defeat against Bournemouth.

However, the midfielder has impressed for the U23s in Premier League 2 this term, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 20 appearances.

Besides his one first-team appearance for the Eagles, Kirby has played regular senior football with loan spells at both Blackpool in 2018/19 and Tranmere Rovers last campaign, although he didn’t make an impression at either outfit.

Having been limited to just eight appearances for a League Two side in Tranmere certainly wouldn’t have convinced Vieira that the 22-year-old is ready for Premier League football and therefore the only logical step is to release him.

There is an argument for the Frenchman to give the youngster a chance with numerous midfielders set to depart Selhurst Park this summer.

Conor Gallagher will return to Chelsea upon the conclusion of his loan spell whilst both James McArthur and Cheikhou Kouyate are set to be released.

It will be a ruthless move, with the midfielder labelled as “terrific” by former Blackpool boss Terry McPhillips whilst on loan with the Tangerines.

However, there is little evidence to suggest that the £6.9k-per-week Englishman has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, at least currently.

AND in other news: Vieira now heading for 1st summer transfer disaster, Palace supporters will be gutted

Ex-BBC pundit Noel Whelan says it is ‘brilliant to see’ that Celtic are already working on completing summer transfer deals ‘behind the scenes’.

The Lowdown: Postecoglou’s transfer success

In a report by the Scottish Sun published just last week, it was claimed that the Hoops are now very close to signing Hammarby left-back Mohanad Jeahze.

The Glasgow giants recently secured the Scottish Premiership title after a 1-1 draw against Dundee United and lifted the trophy the following weekend following an emphatic 6-0 victory over Motherwell.

Ange Postecoglou has already enjoyed plenty of success stories in the transfer market since arriving at Celtic last summer, with the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, and Kyogo Furuhashi all becoming regular members of the first team, and it seems the manager isn’t messing around this summer either.

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The Latest: High praise for the boss

Reacting to the ‘brilliant’ news on Jeahze, Whelan hailed the Australian manager and admitted that he is impressed by the clear vision ‘behind the scenes’.

He told Football Insider: “You can’t question his signings so far, can you?

“They’ve all done really well and fitted right into his system almost seamlessly. They’ve taken to it like a duck to water.

“I love it when teams and managers go out with purpose in the summer and get their business done early doors.

“It just points to good scouting and hard work behind the scenes that they’ve got this deal ready to go.

“They want him through the door and up to speed, ready in time for pre-season.

“I think it’s brilliant to see them not taking any time off, not resting on their laurels – Celtic want to make this title theirs next season as well.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Jeahze is a 25-year-old defender who majorly impressed for Hammarby during their Europa Conference League stint earlier this term, providing five assists and scoring two goals across all competitions for the Swedish outfit this season, as per Transfermarkt.

As a result of the Bhoys officially topping the Scottish Premiership table, this of course means that they have now automatically qualified for the 2022/23 Champions League group stage, something that is expected to hand them a big boost in the market.

Being offered the opportunity to play on a world stage and compete at the highest level would be a deal difficult to turn down for any possible new signing, and so it wouldn’t come as any surprise to see Jeahze making his way through the doors at Parkhead in the weeks ahead.

In other news… a finance expert has dropped a ‘significant’ Hoops transfer claim.

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, West Ham’s proposed interest in James Rodriguez is unlikely to develop into anything serious.

The Lowdown: Rodriguez eyes European return

The 30-year-old experienced Premier League football during his spell with Everton last season, but following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, who brought him to the club in the first place, the Colombian ended up leaving Merseyside after just just one year, having fallen down the pecking order under Rafael Benitez.

The Colombian made the switch to Qatari club Al-Rayyan where he has enjoyed a successful campaign so far, scoring five goals and providing seven assists across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Despite that good form, it was recently revealed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano that Rodriguez surprisingly wants to leave his current club and is eyeing a return to Europe; and Spanish sources have since claimed that the Irons are among several clubs who are interested in securing the playmaker’s services.

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The Latest: O’Rourke doubts Rodriguez to West Ham

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke suggested that the 86-cap Colombia international might not be the right profile of player for West Ham to bring to the London Stadium.

He said: “They’ve also got the likes of Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals, who are quite creative players, and I think obviously they work hard as well.

“So, I think James Rodriguez is maybe a bit of a luxury player in that respect that he might not buy into the Moyes ethos of working hard on and off the ball.

“So, for me, I don’t see this one really happening, even though Rodriguez, on his day, is a top player, and he’s proven that over his career.”

The Verdict: Not the man for the job

One of the main reasons that West Ham have been so successful under David Moyes – especially this season having made it all the way to the semi-finals of the Europa League – is because of their team spirit, togetherness and strong unity. However, as O’Rourke has warned, Rodriguez could be viewed as someone who’s more of an individual performer rather than working as part of a team.

As per FBRef, the £200k-per-week star has only made 250 pressures throughout the entire season, compared to someone like Fornals who has recorded a staggering 618, which just goes to show the difference in effort to win the ball back in the middle of the park.

If Rodriguez wouldn’t be willing to work as hard as his fellow team-mates out of possession, then he isn’t the kind of player that Moyes should be considering adding to his Irons squad ahead of the 2022/23 season.

In other news… this West Ham star has been backed to commit his future to the club

Wolves are interested in signing a new winger this summer and one face you could arrive at Molineux is Allan-Saint Maximin.

What’s the word?

That is according to journalist Josh Holland who raved about the Frenchman and suggested that he was actually trying to impress Bruno Lage’s men when they faced either.

Holland was speaking to GIVEMESPORT and said: “Yeah, of course. I think they’ve got to [sign more wingers]. Looking at their squad, you’ve got Neto, Podence, Trincao and Hwang. But would you say that all four of them have had a telling effect in this season? I wouldn’t say so.

“Saint-Maximin, I think we all know, is such a good player to watch. He gave Wolves so many problems [last month]. It was more like a trial game for him; it had the feeling that he was trying to impress Wolves.”

This comes after 90min reported that Newcastle were open to selling, a piece of news that has put Wolves on red alert. A fee of around £50m is reportedly the asking price.

Podence upgrade

Described as a “jewel” by David Ginola, Saint-Maximin would indeed prove to be an upgrade on Daniel Podence.

For starters, the 25-year-old’s nine goal contributions throughout the Premier League in the form of five goals and four assists better that of the Portuguese winger, Daniel Podence, who has managed just five returns in 25 matches for the Old Gold in the league this season – scoring twice and assisting just three times.

Whilst Saint-Maximin, “who gave Wolves so many problems” in the words of Holland during last month’s game versus the Magpies, could certainly improve his end product.

Podence, however, has a long way to go, with this being his second consecutive season in which he has managed just five attacking contributions.

The signing of the Frenchman would enable the Old Gold to be more direct in their attacking play, with Saint-Maximin’s match average of 8.17 progressive carries making him a dangerous threat who is capable of dragging his team up into the opponent’s final third within the blink of an eye.

Whilst Podence creates opportunities through his passing, Saint-Maximin is less predictable and is willing to drive at the opposition’s defence. That is the stark difference between the two.

It is reported that Wolves will look to sign Saint-Maximin in place of Adama Traore, who is touted to leave this summer.

Though, if Lage could keep hold of both, he would have two of the best carriers of the ball in his side, with Adama ranking first for this metric in the Premier League and completing an average of 7.0 successful dribbles per 90, with Saint-Maximin in second place with a match average of 4.9 successful dribbles per 90.

If this was the case, Wolves would possess one of the most lethal and direct attacks in world football.

Though, Lage would need to knock some consistency and nurture some end product out of the pair.

In other news: Lage must unleash “unplayable” £25 million-rated reject, he’s better than Trincao 

As Tottenham continue their search for a new centre-back, one man who fans might have thought could emerge as a potential leader of their back-line several years ago, is Steven Caulker.

Speaking back in October 2012, his former team-mate William Gallas tipped him to “make it to the very top of the game in this country”, while Brendan Rodgers – who had him during his initial loan spell at Swansea – said: “He had a fantastic season for me. He has made a massive jump in his career through playing Premier League games at Swansea.

“For me, he is a young player, who the more he can play the better he will become, and I am sure he will become a great asset for Tottenham.”

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It said a lot about his impressive performances at Cardiff that just eight months after his £11m permanent move to Wales, then Spurs boss Tim Sherwood was keen on signing him for the club again.

In an interview with The Guardian back in 2017, Caulker was refreshingly honest about his issues off-the-pitch during his early years at Spurs, and how that all came to a head in a showdown meeting with Daniel Levy during a post-season trip to the Bahamas.

He revealed: “He just said: ‘The way you act is unbelievable. You either sort yourself out or go but I can assure you, if you leave, you’ll be going down, not up.’ I was young, stupid. I took it as a challenge, a chance to prove him wrong. I was so immature. So I went to Cardiff and, for six months, everything was amazing. I was captain, the manager, Malky Mackay, knew I had some issues but offered to be there for me.

“I felt wanted, so there was no gambling, no heavy binges but the second he was sacked, all the demons came back. That’s all it took. Even before we played the next game, I’d convinced myself nothing would be the same. That’s the kind of catastrophic thinking I’ve had to address.”

Now plying his trade for a relegation battling Gaziantep – they are just two places above the drop zone – the Turkish Super Lig side are the 11th club for whom Caulker has played since making his first-team debut for the Lilywhites.

Aged 30, Caulker’s career may not see a return to the Premier League anymore, and that’s a real indication of how his career has gone since seemingly looking like a future Spurs stalwart.

He may not be playing in English football’s top-flight, or the cornerstone of this Spurs defence under Antonio Conte, but it is good to see Caulker seemingly back to enjoying what he does after a tough and challenging few years.

AND in other news – “Paratici will look at him”: Spurs can strike gold with “unplayable” £50k-p/w star

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have been handed a fairly concerning injury update on the condition of Kai Havertz, who was rumoured to be in contention for this weekend’s looming North London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

After losing star defender Gabriel Magalhaes to a thigh injury earlier this week, which cut short his international tour of duty with Brazil, the last thing Arteta needs is another injury setback.

Arsenal, who top the Premier League table after a sensational run of form and haven’t lost a single game since their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in August, have done extraordinarily well to cope without a plethora of key attackers lately — including Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus and Havertz.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Odegaard, Madueke, Havertz and Jesus have been on the treatment table for extended periods, with the latter last in line to return to action after he ruptured his ACL against Man United at the start of 2025.

Madueke is racing to be fit for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham after impressing Arsenal rehab staff in his recovery from a knee problem, with Odegaard in the same boat according to reliable media sources like Standard Sport.

Havertz was believed to be in contention as well, but an update from Nagelsmann threatens to cast some doubt over his involvement against Spurs on Sunday.

The 26-year-old was sidelined in the opening week of the Premier League campaign and required surgery on a knee issue, having only just returned from a hamstring injury which kept him out for months.

It’s been a frustrating time for Havertz, and while reports suggest he’s been excelling in his Arsenal rehab similar to Madueke, Nagelsmann has actually made a suggestion to the contrary.

Julian Nagelsmann makes Kai Havertz injury claim in worry for Arsenal

Speaking to reporters this week, the Germany boss made an interesting prediction, stating that he expects Havertz to return “towards the end of the year”.

This comes after the £280,000-per-week star also suffered a “minor relapse” of his knee injury, though Nagelsmann has moved to say that Havertz is “doing well” all things considered.

While this doesn’t mean that Havertz is definitively out for this weekend’s all-important derby clash, it doesn’t exactly paint a certain picture of his involvement either, so Arsenal could have another injury worry on their hands here after a few scares over the international break.

Luckily for Arteta, while Gabriel is a major doubt to face Tottenham, Riccardo Calafiori has been given the all-clear to play this weekend, according to Fabrizio Romano.

If Havertz does turn out to be ready for Sunday, with uncertainty surrounding him right now, it would come as an almighty boost.

Gyokeres is another Arsenal player who could miss the derby, so a return for Havertz would undoubtedly do wonders to alleviate the Swede’s absence, otherwise Mikel Merino is in line to start his third successive game as Arteta’s makeshift striker.

Tottenham Hotspur’s final signing of the summer transfer window, striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG, is poised to make his imminent Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday.

The Frenchman’s versatility will be invaluable for Thomas Frank, with Kolo Muani able to play on both the right and left-hand side, though it appears he’ll most likely be used as an alternative to centre-forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

Mohammed Kudus

£55 million

Kota Takai

£5 million

Mathys Tel

£30 million

Joao Palhinha

Loan

Kevin Danso

£21 million

Xavi Simons

£52 million

Randal Kolo Muani

Loan

The latter didn’t play in Spurs’ 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth prior to the international break due to a niggling ankle problem, and while Frank suggested that Solanke could be back this weekend, it is definitely wise to have another option up top considering Richarlison’s fitness issues last season.

Kolo Muani has played the vast majority of his 269 total senior appearances as a striker, and there is reason for supporters to be excited by his arrival.

During his best-ever campaign to date in 2022/2023, the 26-year-old racked up an impressive 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, and this stellar form earned him a £76.4 million move to Ligue 1 heavyweights PSG.

While it hasn’t worked out for him in the French capital, Kolo Muani’s head-turning loan move to Juventus last term, where he managed 10 goals and three assists in 22 outings, showcases a player of serious attacking quality.

On the international stage, Kolo Muani has always maintained the faith of Didier Deschamps, even amidst his PSG exile, with the forward bagging semi-final goals against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and Spain in Euro 2024.

The former Nantes sensation has also been a long-time target for the Lilywhites. Tottenham attempted to agree a deal for Kolo Muani in January before his switch to Juve, and ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was personally pushing for him in the winter, according to club insider Paul O’Keefe.

Now, the Spurs recruitment team have got their man, but unfortunately for Frank, there is no option to buy Kolo Muani at the end of his loan spell if he manages to pull up trees in north London.

This is seen as quite an ‘un-Spurs like’ condition of the Kolo Muani deal, and pundit John Wenham has fired a warning to Tottenham over agreeing to a straight loan.

Tottenham sent Randal Kolo Muani warning as "frustrating" claim made

Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham says thatTottenham are taking a “risk” by just signing Kolo Muani on a dry temporary deal, calling it a “frustrating” development and explaining that other sides could outbid them next year.

While there is an argument that Tottenham face not being able to hold on to Kolo Muani, the fact he’s arrived at N17 for essentially zero cost for the entire season is still a big boost for Frank.

Spurs need strength in depth if they’re to finish in the top four and contend for major trophies, and Kolo Muani is exactly the calibre of player to help them do this.

The summer transfer window has been a turbulent one for Newcastle United.

Having worked tirelessly to strengthen multiple areas of the squad, the Magpies remain under pressure to solve their most glaring issue: the centre-forward position.

After a protracted saga with Alexander Isak, Newcastle have found themselves scrambling for solutions.

The opening two fixtures highlighted the depth of this crisis. Despite playing well against Aston Villa and Liverpool, Newcastle lacked a clinical edge.

The situation was made worse when makeshift striker Anthony Gordon was sent off against the Reds, leaving 22-year-old William Osula as the only recognised forward.

For a club intent on challenging at the top end of the Premier League, such frailty up front was unsustainable. That urgency forced Newcastle’s hand.

Out of nowhere, a £69m deal was struck with Stuttgart for Nick Woltemade, the towering 23-year-old who had impressed in the Bundesliga and at the European U21 Championships.

Bayern Munich had bids rejected for the forward earlier in the summer, but conversations with Eddie Howe convinced him that his future lay on Tyneside.

Now in a race against time to complete his medical and join the squad for Saturday’s clash with Leeds, Woltemade has the potential to be transformative.

Yet Newcastle’s ambitions do not stop with the German international.

Reports in Italy suggest the club tested the waters for one of Europe’s most decorated strikers – though the answer was swift and emphatic.

Newcastle make move for top-level striker

According to Calcio Mercato, Newcastle made an audacious approach to the camp of Lautaro Martínez, Inter Milan’s talismanic striker.

The response, however, was one of firm rejection. Alejandro Camaño, the Argentine’s agent, did not return the Magpies’ call – a clear indication that Martínez’s focus remains solely on the Nerazzurri.

The refusal is hardly surprising.

Transfer Focus

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

Martínez is not only Inter’s captain but also he is a player adored by supporters and widely considered indispensable.

Podcaster Angelo Valdes recently described him as “the best No. 9 in the world,” a sentiment shared by many who have watched his rise since arriving in Serie A.

The timing of Newcastle’s approach is also telling.

Inter are still recovering from a bruising campaign in which they lost the Serie A title to Antonio Conte’s Napoli on the final day and fell to a humbling 5-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Letting go of their most consistent goal threat was never a realistic proposition, particularly given his contract security and market value of around €95 (£90m) million.

Strong interest remains in Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, though both clubs have shut the door firmly this summer.

In that context, the dream of pairing Woltemade with Martínez might have seemed appealing – but in reality, it was always a step too far.

Why Woltemade would have thrived with Lautaro

While the Argentine international may be out of reach, Newcastle’s recruitment of Woltemade still provides intriguing possibilities.

Standing at 1.98m, the German forward offers a physical presence that contrasts with Martínez’s dynamism and low centre of gravity.

Both, however, are effective in their own right, and a comparison of their output last season reveals the distinct qualities they could bring to a top-level side.

Matches Played

31

28

Goals

12

12

Assists

3

2

Progressive Carries

34

31

Progressive Passes

68

62

Martínez’s pedigree is undisputed. At 28, he boasts 70 international caps for Argentina, with a World Cup winner’s medal from Qatar 2022.

Across 336 appearances for Inter Milan, he has delivered 154 goals and 51 assists – a record that speaks volumes about his consistency.

Statistically, Martínez excels in areas beyond pure goalscoring.

He averaged 2.39 progressive passes per 90 and 2.70 shot-creating actions, while his defensive contribution – 1.05 tackles per 90 – illustrates his work rate out of possession.

He is not the archetypal penalty-box poacher but a complete forward capable of linking play and setting the tone with his pressing. By contrast, Woltemade is still carving out his identity.

His 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart last season marked a breakthrough, and his performances at the U21 European Championships confirmed him as one of Germany’s most promising attacking talents.

His statistical profile highlights his potential versatility: 1.72 progressive carries per 90, 2.89 progressive passes, and an eye-catching 4.38 shot-creating actions.

His 50% shot-on-target rate was also superior to Martínez’s, suggesting efficiency when chances came his way. The differences extend to physicality and style.

Where Martínez relies on sharp movement and explosive bursts in the box, Woltemade thrives on aerial duels, hold-up play, and the ability to bring others into the game.

At nearly two metres tall, he offers a target-man option that Newcastle have lacked, particularly useful when matches become attritional.

His weakness, however, lies in defensive contribution – registering just 0.56 tackles per 90 compared to Martínez’s 1.05.

For Howe, this presents both challenges and opportunities.

Integrating a young striker into the Premier League is no easy task, but Woltemade’s profile complements Newcastle’s existing attacking talent.

Should Isak depart – as appears inevitable – a partnership between Woltemade and another dynamic forward could provide the balance required to keep Newcastle competitive domestically and in Europe.

What this episode ultimately reveals is Newcastle’s growing ambition. Contacting the representative of one of the world’s premier strikers may have ended in rejection, but it signals intent.

Coupled with the acquisition of Woltemade, alongside earlier arrivals such as Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale, and Anthony Elanga, the Magpies are determined to push forward despite setbacks.

Bruno will love him: Newcastle open talks to sign "£100m-plus footballer"

Newcastle could make an ambitious late move, much to the benefit of Bruno Guimaraes.

ByWill Miller Aug 29, 2025

Sheffield United eased past Bristol City once more at Bramall Lane to reach the Championship playoff final in emphatic style.

Over two legs, the Blades would run out as comprehensive 6-0 victors, with the Robins actually showing some fight in the early stages in South Yorkshire during the second leg, only for Chris Wilder’s hosts to eventually show off their superiority again to clinch a second successive 3-0 win.

Now, Wilder’s side are only one match away from an instant return to the dizzy heights of the Premier League, with the United display overall just oozing class from several standout performers.

Sheffield United's key performers in the second leg

The Blades did have a three-goal cushion to fall back on heading into the late-night clash at Bramall Lane, but that didn’t culminate in the home side resting on their laurels to try and edge out a result.

Instead, the likes of Kieffer Moore and Gustavo Hamer looked dangerous throughout in the attacking areas, with the pair up top sharing out the first two goals courtesy of two assists from a rampaging Harrison Burrows.

The ex-Coventry City man’s effort was helped into the net by a fortuitous deflection, but neither he nor a beaming Wilder on the sidelines would care as United booked their rightful place at Wembley.

Away from those already named ensuring United’s night was straightforward, Michael Cooper did have to stay alert early on when Liam Manning’s visitors came racing out of the traps. In total, the ex-Plymouth Argyle stopper would make six saves to preserve his team’s clean sheet.

But, not every single United face played out of their skin during the second leg victory, with one out-of-sorts attacker now surely fearful for his starting spot at Wembley.

Sheffield United dud could now be axed at Wembley

The beauty of Monday night’s affair was the fact that Wilder could rest a handful of United players here and there, knowing that the 3-0 lead from the first leg gave them an immediate advantage.

Yet, Tom Cannon – who remained on the bench throughout at Ashton Gate – didn’t exactly put in a performance that is now befitting of a start at Wembley when handed his own first-team chance.

Minutes played

62

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

18

Shots on target

0

Accurate passes

2/5 (40%)

Total duels won

5/9

Frustratingly, Cannon’s lacklustre showing against the visitors from Bristol was indicative of his whole goal-shy spell at Bramall Lane to date, with only one goal coming his way since making the £10m move from Leicester City back in January.

Judging by the grim numbers above, the Irishman very rarely looked like adding to his meagre one-goal account, with his shooting all off once more when failing to register a single on-target effort at Max O’Leary’s busy net.

To add insult to injury, his link-up play with the likes of Moore up top was also way off, with Cannon only managing two accurate passes all game, meaning he closed out his dire 62-minute stint with just a 40% pass accuracy next to his name.

The obvious alteration Wilder could make ahead of the final is to bring Tyrese Campbell back into the first team fold, considering it took the ex-Stoke City striker around 20 minutes of action to assist Callum O’Hare’s late goal.

After all, it would be an almighty risk on Wilder’s end to persist with Cannon when other attackers are in a richer vein of form, especially if the 22-year-old’s wastefulness costs his side big time in their one-off shot for immediate promotion.

Premier League ready: Sheffield United have struck gold on incredible star

This Sheffield United star is already Premier League ready ahead of the Blades’ mission to go up via the playoffs.

ByKelan Sarson May 6, 2025