Chelsea chiefs have decided that they will sell a player who manager Enzo Maresca loves for just £30 million this summer, with the Blues expected to orchestrate a major clearout ahead of next season.
Players likely to leave Chelsea this summer
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, João Félix, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are just some of the names facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge.
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All the aforementioned men were allowed to depart west London on loan deals this season, and it is unlikely any of them have a long-term future under Maresca, as BlueCo also look to trim Chelsea’s wage bill and balance the books.
Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures
Date
Fulham (away)
April 20th
Everton (home)
April 26th
Liverpool (home)
May 4th
Newcastle (away)
May 10th
Man United (home)
May 18th
Trevoh Chalobah is also expected to leave Chelsea after being initially allowed to join Crystal Palace on a temporary deal for the first half of 2024/2025, before Maresca’s side triggered the re-call clause in his contract to instigate an early return in January.
Trevoh Chalobah in action for Chelsea
Félix was shipped out on loan to AC Milan in January as well, and while the Portuguese made a promising start to life at the San Siro, his form has since plummeted and Milan have already decided not to try and sign him permanently (Fabrizio Romano).
Interestingly, The Telegraph even shared news this week that Al-Nassr have developed a strong interest in Moises Caicedo, but Maresca’s key star will command a price tag north of £100 million, and it is unlikely Chelsea would even entertain selling.
However, the same cannot be said of versatile defender Renato Veiga.
Chelsea ready to sell Renato Veiga for £30m
Veiga was very keen to leave Chelsea in January, as he held a burning desire to play at centre-back when Maresca was utilising him far more in the left-back area.
Juventus eventually granted the 21-year-old his wish, signing him on loan for the rest of this campaign. Maresca is still said to be “crazy” about Veiga as a player, according to reports in Italy, but that hasn’t stopped Chelsea from making him available for a reasonable fee.
Renato Veiga for Chelsea.
As per The Mail and journalist Simon Jones, Chelsea will allow Veiga to leave for just £30 million this summer, with the defender set to be joined by Disasi, Chilwell and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as players almost certain to be up for grabs.
The Portuguese cost Chelsea just £12 million to sign from FC Basel last summer, so Todd Boehly and co will still be in line for a major profit if they find a buyer for over double his original price.
Since joining Juve, Veiga has started seven out of the Old Lady’s last 10 Serie A games as a centre-half, missing two matches due to injury and spending one on the bench.
There’s just something about Liverpool. While other competitors ebb and flow with football’s ever-changing tide, Anfield stays strong despite ostensible blows.
Jurgen Klopp left at the end of the 2023/24 campaign and many thought it spelt the end of Liverpool’s success in and around the highest level of the continent’s scene, but Arne Slot has worked his magic and the Reds are cruising toward the Premier League title.
One year before, an entire midfield was washed away, four new parts brought in. Each quadrant of that dramatic rebuild has proven instrumental in one way or another, winning the Carabao Cup last season and now on the brink of loftier acclaim.
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates for Liverpool
This ability to leap over hurdles is something that predates Klopp’s arrival, but it was refashioned upon the German’s appointment. It was his arrival which ensured the loss of the club’s prized possession, Raheem Sterling, would not prove to be the crushing blow that most anticipated.
Why Raheem Sterling left Liverpool
In 2014, Luis Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona for £75m, a bitter blow after the Uruguayan’s brilliance wasn’t enough to get Brendan Rodgers’ outfit over the Premier League finish line in first place.
One year later, Sterling followed, forcing his way out aged 20 in a £49m deal, signing for Manchester City. Steven Gerrard admitted he was “disappointed” in the youngster, who had refused to travel on Liverpool’s pre-season tour after City’s opening bid was rejected.
Liverpool recruited Sterling from Queens Park Rangers’ academy, nurtured him toward the senior stage. It felt like there was so much more to give, and his sale did feel, at the time, like a crushing blow for a Liverpool side sliding back toward mediocrity.
Sterling’s departure was a blow, but so was Philippe Coutinho’s over three years later. Looking back now, neither proved to be to the detriment of Liverpool’s future success – the opposite, in fact.
Raheem Sterling – Senior Career by Club
Club
Apps
Goals
Assists
Man City
339
131
89
Liverpool
129
23
18
Chelsea
81
19
15
Arsenal
26
1
5
Stats via Transfermarkt
At this later stage of a long and storied career, Sterling’s time at Anfield will be little more than an afterthought in his mind, a notion sure to be reciprocated by the Reds fanbase.
But when the memory of Sterling playing in red is dredged up at Liverpool, it’s hardly met with fondness. Indeed, boos can still be heard when the England international collects the ball at his former stomping ground.
Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho
Suarez, Sterling, Coutinho. A common theme through all these disappointing departures is Liverpool’s powers of endurance, their ability to absorb the impact of the loss and bounce back even stronger.
That’s not going to be any different this summer, with the club’s new version of the winger now materialising.
Liverpool's new version of Raheem Sterling
Liverpool fans may have begrudged Sterling his decision to leave the club and join Manchester City, but he has forged a fantastic post-Merseyside career for himself, and Trent Alexander-Arnold may well envisage similar heights.
Of course, he missed out on the chance to play under Klopp’s wing, missed out on the chance to be part of a staggering rise from the rubble, up and up and up to the top echelon of football, where Anfield perches to this day.
Praised for his “world-class” quality by Klopp, Alexander-Arnold has devoted far more of his career to Liverpool than his Three Lions teammate, but that’s not to say his move is any less controversial.
Real Madrid are one of Liverpool’s biggest European rivals. Klopp, for all his glory, tasted two Champions League final defeats against Los Blancos, with Alexander-Arnold starting at right-back both times.
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. It certainly feels like that is applicable when considering Alexander-Arnold’s situation.
Nothing in football is certain, but title-winning success is commonplace at the Santiago Bernabeu, and while things aren’t quite clicking for the Spanish giants this season, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to depart in the coming weeks and Xabi Alonso is touted as his successor.
It’s a new era, one which will excite Trent massively, joining a close friend in Jude Bellingham and many of the world’s best players besides.
No doubt, the thought of pinging balls into the path of Vinicius Junior, of Kylian Mbappe, is an arresting thought indeed, and no doubt a major part in the ball-playing defender’s thought process.
The difference, however, is that the veteran winger left a Liverpool team in transition, not yet christened into Klopp’s dynasty and instead on the ostensible decline after the agonising miss of 2013/14, of Suarez’s flight to Barcelona, of Gerrard’s retirement from the European scene.
Many fans will accept Alexander-Arnold’s decision – which, mind, has not yet been set in stone – but many more will lament his decision to leave his boyhood club, to renounce his status as ‘the Scouser in Liverpool’s team.’
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldapplauds fans after the match
Slot is skipping toward the Premier League title in his first season at the helm; Liverpool have renewed the contracts of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, now set to turn their financial cannon toward significant investment in the summer transfer market.
What more could Alexander-Arnold want?
This situation harkens back to a quote from Klopp when Coutinho was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, now indelibly etched into the Liverpool fanbase’s mantra: “I told him stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour. Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more.”
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jurgen Klopp
Football is a tribal sport, somehow giving rise to the fiercest and purest form of passion. Alexander-Arnold’s decision is his to make, but he runs the risk of ceding a spot alongside the legends of his team, should he leave on a free transfer this summer.
Many will remember him in a bracket closer to those who left before him, rather than among Liverpool’s legendary figures. Perhaps the poignant part is that such a status is there for the taking, merely a scribble away.
He's more creative than Trent: Liverpool make £87m "superstar" a top target
Arne Slot could reshape Liverpool’s creative structure by completing this statement signing.
The David Moyes revival has already taken Everton so far; Goodison Park is unrecognisable from the tumbledown slump that the Scotsman inherited, confidence at a low ebb after colourless football under Sean Dyche’s wing.
Dyche did a good job, all told, but he couldn’t take the Toffees any further and rightly parted ways when The Friedkin Group looked to christen their ownership with an uplifting appointment.
Moyes has done very well indeed, losing just four of his 16 Premier League games at the helm. However, he needs new recruits this summer, especially at the front of the ship.
With Everton stepping into a new home at the Bramley-Moore dock, it feels the right time to replace the ailing Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a new number nine.
Everton's search for a new striker
Calvert-Lewin has been a stalwart for Everton, playing 270 matches across nine seasons, scoring 71 goals. He’s out of contract this summer, though, with brittle fitness levels and consequent struggles for form suggesting he should be allowed to leave.
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Beto’s resurgent as a focal frontman, but Everton want more, with Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Tim Kleindienst identified as the perfect player to join Moyes’ project.
According to Caught Offside, TFG are ready to pay the €35m (£30m) asking price for the powerful striker, though the same could be said for Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Further interest from overseas complicates matters, but Everton’s willingness to place a bid suggests that Moyes and the owners are driven toward making improvements during the off-season.
Why Everton want Tim Kleindienst
Time was when Everton would cede swift defeat in a jam-packed race for a talented striker, Goodison Park devolving into something of a hotbed for disappointment in recent years.
But this is a new era, and Moyes has restored the feel-good factor. Kleindienst, 29, could make this new feeling even better still, with a clinical track record in Germany denoting his capacity to confidently take Calvert-Lewin’s place in the squad.
The Germany international has scored 16 goals and added ten assists across 32 matches for Gladbach this season, arriving from Heidenheim last summer.
Standing at 6 foot 4, he carries the imposing physicality that Moyes has made such good use of throughout his managerial career, and with Kleindienst winning 4.7 aerial duels per Bundesliga match this season, he has what it takes to flourish in the area Calvert-Lewin so expertly excels.
DCL vs Kleindienst 24/25 (league stats only)
Stats (* per game)
Calvert-Lewin
Kleindienst
Matches (starts)*
23 (19)
30 (30)
Goals
3
16
Assists
1
7
Big chances missed
1
14
Pass completion
64%
62%
Big chances created
1
11
Key passes*
0.3
0.9
Dribbles*
0.4
0.4
Tackles + interceptions*
0.7
1.3
Total duels won*
5.5
6.9
Stats via Sofascore
The two strikers have a lot in common. Both strong and tall, they win many duels through their focal role in the air; each forward dribbles infrequently, with neither proving the most accurate in his passing.
However, therein lies the disparity. Kleindienst is far more fruitful in his passing, so creative and intelligent with his knock-ons, his lay-offs. Indeed, as per The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor, the German is “an exquisite one-touch player”.
Defensively, there’s a lot to admire too. FBref record Kleindienst ranks among the top 19% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 11% for interceptions and the top 1% for both blocks and clearances made per 90.
To be sure, signing a striker on the brink of their thirties would be something of a risk, but Kleinsdienst’s athleticism, power and dynamism would be perfect for an Everton side on the up.
Profiled in a similar way to Calvert-Lewin and coveted by divisional rivals, Everton will want to make this statement of intent.
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Everton are at an important juncture as they prepare to reinforce David Moyes’ squad this summer.
A third FA Cup victory in six years for Manchester City might not make up for a dismal 2024/25 campaign, but it could plant the seed for rejuvenation under Pep Guardiola next term.
Losing Rodri so early on in the season proved to be the catalyst for the club’s worst run of form since the Spaniard took over in the summer of 2016.
This ensured none of the big prizes would be heading to the Etihad. But it wasn’t just losing Rodri that impacted the club. As a group, the team underperformed as the most successful era in the club’s history drew to a close.
Phil Foden has gone from 40 goal contributions last season to registering just 16 throughout 2024/25 in what has been a steady decline.
Elsewhere, Jack Grealish has also been poor, recording only eight goal contributions all season, while even Kevin De Bruyne hasn’t quite been his influential self as he shows signs of slowing down.
Manchester City's KevinDeBruynecelebrates after the match
One of the biggest disappointments was Erling Haaland. The Norwegian had scored 52 and 38 goals across his first two seasons at the club, but has failed to hit those sorts of numbers this term.
Why Erling Haaland has struggled for Man City this season
The striker certainly began the campaign with a bang. Across his first five Premier League games, Haaland netted an impressive tally of ten goals.
This included back-to-back hat tricks against Ipswich Town and West Ham United. At this point, it appeared as though no one was going to prevent him, or City, from powering to another top-flight title.
Between the start of October and the end of 2024, however, Haaland managed to find the back of the net just three times. Even though his form picked up between January and March, an ankle injury sidelined him for a few games, and he hasn’t scored since March 30.
To put it into context how much of a drop-off the forward has endured this term, he has averaged a goal every 123 minutes in the Premier League this season, compared to every 95 minutes last year.
Erling Haaland’s PL stats for Man City
Metric
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
Goals
37
27
21
Goal conversion percentage
29%
22%
20%
Shots per game
3.5
3.9
3.6
Goal frequency (minutes)
77
95
123
Assists
8
5
3
Via Sofascore
Furthermore, Haaland’s goal conversion rate has dropped from 22% to 20% while he is averaging fewer shots per game (3.9 vs 3.6). These statistics might not indicate a serious drop-off, but considering he is about to end the season with his worst goal tally at a club since the 2021/22 season, there is a problem.
With Guardiola keen on bolstering his squad this summer, it looks as though he is eyeing a move for one of the finest wingers in Europe.
Could his potential arrival revive Haaland next season?
Man City eye move for Real Madrid superstar
City’s main transfer target this summer appears to be Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. His agents apparently flew to England recently, but it is unclear whether they spoke to City about a move when the window opens.
It would be a major coup if they could secure his signature, but is another one of Europe’s finest being earmarked for a move to the Etihad?
According to Spanish news outlet Sport, City have contacted Real Madrid sensation Rodrygo in the hopes of bringing him to England.
The Brazilian will likely wait until Madrid have appointed a new manager following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure to take over as the Brazil manager.
The right offer could certainly tempt the La Liga giants into a sale, with a price tag set at around the €100m (£85m) mark, then the winger could be on the move.
Much will depend on how much Guardiola is willing to spend on the player, especially if he is successful in a deal to sign Wirtz, but City are lining up a swoop for the Brazil international.
Rodrygo on the right flank could certainly provide some much-needed attacking dynamism to the first-team, and he would work wonders for Haaland.
Why City should sign Rodrygo
Across 267 games for Madrid, the 24-year-old has registered 118 goal contributions – 68 goals and 50 assists in all competitions.
These goal involvements have helped the club win two La Liga crowns and two Champions League titles, but it looks as though his time in the Spanish capital might be coming to an end.
Capable of scoring goals in the biggest and most important games, he was hailed by journalist Dougie Critchley as being a “big game player” and this is someone Guardiola would surely love to have at his disposal next term.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s big five leagues, the Brazilian ranks in the top 1% for progressive passes, progressive carries, touches in the opposition penalty area, and progressive passes received per 90.
Additionally, he also ranks in the top 9% for assists and top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90 across the previous 365 days.
These qualities could be a dream for the Norwegian sensation. With Rodrygo getting into dangerous positions so often, especially in the attacking penalty area, Haaland would be the one to benefit, being offered countless chances in front of goal.
In La Liga this season, the Madrid winger has created five big chances while averaging 1.6 key passes per game. Add in the fact he succeeds with 1.6 dribbles – a success rate of 52% – per game, and it is clear to see exactly what he could offer to City from this summer onwards.
He and Haaland would make for a dream partnership that Guardiola would hope not only gives the club a chance at reclaiming back the Premier League title, but also for another chance of winning the Champions League.
Real Madrid'sRodrygolooks on
A lot of factors will have to work in City’s favour for a move to go ahead, but as the Spaniard knows, he cannot afford for his team to perform so poorly throughout 2025/26.
With Rodri set to return from injury soon, plus new signings like Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush settling in nicely, City have the tools ready to begin a brand-new era at the Etihad.
Adding Rodrygo would be the icing on the cake.
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Liverpool have the luxury of playing out the remainder of the Premier League campaign as champions after they won their second title in the division, and their 20th top-flight title overall.
The Reds officially won the league at the end of last month when they hammered Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in a phenomenal 5-1 victory in front of their own supporters.
Arne Slot came in to replace Jurgen Klopp last summer and has already equalled the number of Premier League titles won by the German in his nine seasons on Merseyside.
However, the former Feyenoord coach may hope for more success in the cup competitions next season and beyond, after his team failed to win either of the domestic cups or the Champions League.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
In order to do that, the Dutchman could look to improve the quality and depth of his squad in the upcoming transfer window to target more trophies next term.
This could mean that some players who have featured regularly could be either lesser-spotted in the 2025/26 campaign or sold in the summer, and one star who may fall into that category is Diogo Jota.
Why Diogo Jota's future at Liverpool is uncertain
The Portugal international, who joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers almost five years ago, has played 36 matches in all competitions so far this term, despite missing 18 games through injury for club and country.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
Jota has started 15 games in the Premier League and the Champions League for Slot, which shows that he has been utilised fairly regularly by the Dutch head coach when you factor in his injury absences.
His future at Anfield remains uncertain, however, due to his performances on the pitch and his lack of availability through injury, as he has missed 72 matches through injury since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Jota, whose last goal came against Everton in April, has been absent for at least 18 games in each of the last three seasons, and this means that Liverpool cannot rely on him to be consistently available each year.
24/25 Premier League
Diogo Jota
Appearances
25
Starts
15
xG
7.59
Goals
6
Big chances missed
13
Key passes per game
0.4
Assists
3
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the former Wolves star’s performances on the pitch have also left a bit to be desired, as he has underperformed against his xG and rarely provided much in the way of creativity for his team.
This is further evidenced by his return of zero goals and zero assists in four appearances in the Champions League earlier this season for the Reds, and may explain why journalist Ben Jacobs recently revealed that there is a chance that Jota could be sold this summer.
Diogo Jota scores for Liverpool
Liverpool could seal the forward’s fate by swooping to sign a reported target who has the quality to be miles better than the Portuguese flop for Slot.
Liverpool eyeing up LaLiga sensation
According to Rousing The Kop, working with journalist Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have made contact with Real Madrid to be kept informed on Rodrygo’s situation in the Spanish capital.
The report claims that the Reds want to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch in the upcoming summer transfer window, and are open to signing players in central or wide areas to add to what they already have.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It reveals that the Premier League champions have been alerted to the potential availability of the Brazil international, who has had to accept a reduced role since the arrival of Kylian Mbappe last summer.
However, the report adds that there is no guarantee that Rodrygo will be available to sign from Real Madrid this summer, but the Reds have made contact to ensure that they will be in the know if that does become the case.
If Liverpool can strike a deal for the forward, who is reportedly valued at €100m (£85m) by the Spanish giants, then they could land an attacker who is miles better than Jota.
Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo
The Premier League side should pursue a deal for the Brazilian star if he becomes available because he could come in as a big upgrade on Jota ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Rodrygo, as aforementioned, has not been as prominent at the top end of the pitch for Real Madrid because he has to compete with Jude Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr to get the ball in the final third.
Despite that, the 24-year-old star has still racked up 14 goals in all competitions for the Spanish giants this season, as shown in the highlights above.
Since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, Rodrygo has scored 49 goals and provided 27 assists in all competitions for Real. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has scored 31 goals and assisted 15 for Liverpool in that time, which speaks to the difference in quality between the two forwards.
League and Champions League form
24/25 season
Jota (Premier League + CL)
Rodrygo (LaLiga + CL)
Appearances
28
42
xG
8.49
6.29
Goals
6
11
Big chances missed
16
3
Big chances created
3
7
Assists
3
7
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian dynamo has also outperformed the Reds attacker at league and Champions League level in the current campaign, overperforming against his xG whilst Jota has underperformed.
The chart above also shows that Rodrygo, who can play on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward, offers far more than the Portugal international when it comes to progressing play through passes, carries, and successful take-ons.
This means that the £85m-rated star, who was described as “world-class” by Luka Modric, could be miles better than Jota for Liverpool because he has the ability to score and assist more frequently and more efficiently, whilst also offering significantly more in the build-up with his passes and carries.
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Therefore, Slot must hope that the board can wrap up a deal for the LaLiga star if he becomes available this summer, because the versatile forward could be a terrific addition to the squad as an upgrade on Jota.
Aston Villa are thought to be interested in completing the signing of an “exceptional” goalkeeper this summer, seeing him as an ideal replacement for Emiliano Martinez.
Martinez could leave Aston Villa this summer
It looks likely that Martinez will bring an end to his time at Villa Park in the near future, following five brilliant years at the club, during which time he has also won the World Cup with Argentina.
The 32-year-old cut an emotional figure after Villa’s final home Premier League game of the season against Tottenham on May 16th, further suggesting that he has now played his final game for the club.
While Martinez hasn’t yet officially left the Villans, the writing does appear to be on the wall, meaning Unai Emery will need to bring in a top-quality ‘keeper this summer, in order to replace one of the best in the world in his position.
Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier has been mentioned as one potential option, with highly-rated Espanyol ace Joan Garcia also linked with a move to Villa.
Aston Villa eyeing "exceptional" £25m goalkeeper
Speaking to Football Insider, former scout Mick Brown claimed that Aston Villa are interested in signing Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer:
“If Aston Villa are going to lose their goalkeeper, they need a replacement. They will already have a number of targets in mind, it won’t catch them by surprise. They’ve got a list of options to choose from, and I believe Aaron Ramsdale is on there. There are a lot of clubs interested in Ramsdale because he’s going to be available.
“He’s got this release clause in his contract which will make the deal relatively cheap, and there are a lot of clubs who need a goalkeeper. If Martinez leaves, they really want a top-level option to replace him because he’ll be a big miss. Whether Ramsdale is that man will be up to them to decide, but they’ve certainly been looking.”
Southampton's Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale is almost certain to leave Southampton after their relegation to the Championship – he has a £25m release clause in his contract – and he is an experienced player who has now proven himself in the Premier League for plenty of years, beating Villa six times overall.
The 27-year-old is a five-cap England international, and he also made 89 appearances for Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta lauding him during their time together, saying:
“He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation. Like everybody. We love him more for sure. We have him every day. We know him, we know his character and we are really happy to have him.”
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There is an argument to say that Villa need to aim higher than Ramsdale, however, with the Saints man arguably not on Martinez’s level, and replaced by David Raya at Arsenal for a reason. That said, there are certainly worse options out there and his best years could still be ahead of him.
Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy could soon find himself moving on to a new challenge and another candidate has emerged for the role, according to a report.
Strangely enough, Ruud van Nistelrooy is still in charge at the King Power Stadium and remains while the club prepare for pre-season. However, his future is anything but certain in the East Midlands.
Despite months of speculation pointing Russell Martin in the direction of Leicester City, the former Southampton boss has taken over at Scottish Premiership runners-up Rangers after their lengthy recruitment process to replace Philippe Clement.
Leicester City managerRuudvan Nistelrooy before the match
Following his appointment last November, four wins and three draws in 25 matches across all competitions have put former Netherlands international Van Nistelrooy on the brink.
However, reports suggest Leicester City fear relieving the former Manchester United star of his duties may land them another Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach, hence the delay in making a decision on his future.
Expected to kick off next term with a 12-point deduction, being on the receiving end of further financial penalties could risk their chances of promotion back to the top-flight.
Leicester City now eyeing "great" promotion chasing manager to replace Ruud
Van Nistelrooy looks unlikely to stay at the club.
ByTom Cunningham May 7, 2025
Nevertheless, the Foxes’ pursuit of Jack Kingdon on a free transfer shows that work is ongoing regardless of who is in the dugout, even if recruitment is expected to be scaled back once again this summer.
Before the challenges that lie ahead, supporters need clarity regarding whether Van Nistelrooy will still be at the club come the start of pre-season.
From the sounds of things, that may not be the case. Leicester City are set to engulfed by change this summer and another name has now been mentioned in connection with the hotseat.
Leicester City could turn their attention to Sean Dyche
According to Graeme Bailey in conversation with EFL Analysis, Leicester City could look to approach former Everton manager Sean Dyche if Danny Rohl fades away from being a frontrunner to take over at the King Power.
The German coach is believed to be the leading contender for the role. However, he may also be tempted by a return to his homeland, which may be where Dyche comes into the conversation like a bolt from the blue.
Sean Dyche’s managerial record in 2024/25 – all competitions
Matches
21
Wins
4
Draws
8
Losses
9
Points per game in Premier League
0.89
Renowned for his ability to solidify and stabilise teams, the former Everton and Burnley boss has taken charge of 322 Premier League matches combining his exploits at both clubs, claiming 93 victories in that time. His favoured formation is 4-4-1-1, with a busy ‘second striker’ playing off of a target man.
Now on the lookout for his next position, the 53-year-old will point to establishing the Clarets as a top-flight force, claiming continental qualification at Turf Moor and stabilising the Toffees on a shoestring budget.
Should Leicester City begin next term with a points’ deduction, Dyche would be a sensible appointment to help grind out a consistent supply of points in England’s second-tier, a prize he managed to get his hands on in 2016.
Celtic enjoyed another successful season in 2024/25 under Brendan Rodgers, winning another Scottish Premiership title while also lifting the Scottish League Cup.
The Hoops narrowly missed out on a domestic treble, however, attention is already turning to the new campaign with additions already made in the transfer market.
Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic Park has now been confirmed, with the left-back joining on a free transfer after his contract at the Emirates expired. Talking after re-joining Celtic, Tierney was delighted.:
The Scot will be looking to add to his tally of 11 Celtic honours over the coming years, but who else could join Tierney and Fulham youngster Callum Osmand through the Parkhead door this summer?
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Grok the AI tool on X, has predicted five more signings Celtic could make this summer, totalling more than £20m.
AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sign this summer 1 Mathias Kvistgaarden Brondby (£8m)
A new attacking addition looks set to be on the to-do list at Parkhead, with Mathias Kvistgaarden a long-term target for the Hoops.
Wanted by Celtic over the last 12 months, they have once again been linked with a move this summer. The closest Rodgers’ side have come to signing Kvistgaarden was in January after Kyogo Furuhashi left to join Rennes.
Grok have put an estimated £8m transfer fee on a deal as Celtic search for their Kyogo replacement.
2 Lennon Miller Motherwell (£5m)
Lennon Miller continues to be a man in-demand after starring at Motherwell, with Celtic among the many clubs looking to sign the talented teenage midfielder.
Recent claims have suggested that the Hoops are set to go back in for the 18-year-old after seeing a bid turned down in January, and Grok thinks a transfer could be worth £5m for the now Scotland international.
Amid reports of Sunderland looking at signing Miller for £10m, Celtic may well be delighted if they can sign him for half the price.
3 Harley Mills Peterborough United (£2m)
Despite already signing Tierney, Celtic could still yet bring another left-back to Glasgow to replace Greg Taylor.
Peterborough United’s Harley Mills may well be that man to provide competition to Tierney, with an approach made by the Hoops for the EFL ace.
Mills starred at Wembley for Peterborough against Birmingham in their Vertu Cup final victory, scoring a free-kick, and he could cost up to £2m according to Grok.
4 Nilson Angulo Anderlecht (£5m)
Celtic have been predicted to bring in a South American winger over the coming months, and Nilson Angulo, dubbed as “the next Neymar” in the media, may well be that man.
An Ecuador international, the Hoops recently expressed an interest in signing Angulo, who can play on either flank. He has already played in the Europa League for Anderlecht and is still just 21 years of age.
Grok say a ‘young, dynamic winger would fit Rodgers’ vision for Champions League impact’, and Angulo could be that man in a deal potentially worth up to £5m.
5 James Penrice Hearts (£2m)
Described by Grok as a domestic solution for defensive depth, Hearts left-back James Penrice is another who has been backed to move to Celtic Park this summer in a deal worth up to £2m.
This comes after Celtic scouted the 26-year-old, who impressed at Tynecastle in what was a struggling Hearts side.
As well as playing in his primary left-back role, Penrice can also turn out as a left midfielder or as a central midfielder, providing plenty of versatility for Rodgers.
Arsenal are poised to revamp their squad in many areas this summer, as manager Mikel Arteta looks to end their 20-year-long-plus wait for a Premier League title.
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The Gunners are already set to sign both midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, with the former signing his paperwork as a new Arsenal player last week and the latter completing a medical in the last few days (Sky Sports).
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Joining Zubimendi and Kepa will be Denmark international midfielder Christian Norgaard. Brentford’s captain has been handed the green-light to join Arsenal, after Keith Andrews’ side and the north Londoners agreed an initial £10 million transfer, which could rise to £5 million if performance-related add-ons are met (Sky Sports).
Arsenal are also in advanced talks over a deal for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, so new sporting director Andrea Berta’s extensive work behind-the-scenes appears to be paying dividends after this plethora of updates from the last week.
Cristhian Mosquera for Valencia.
Norgaard’s signing wasn’t initially expected, but news surrounding £200,000-per-week midfielder Thomas Partey and his imminent departure seems to have pushed Berta into sourcing an immediate replacement for the Ghanaian.
The 32-year-old enjoyed his best campaign to date at Arsenal last season, making over 50 appearances whilst putting his past injury worries firmly behind him, and that prompted the club to open talks over a contract extension.
However, those discussions ultimately failed to reach a positive outcome, and Partey is now “set to leave” the Emirates after his contract expires on June 30.
Now, the question is: what’s next for the ex-Atletico Madrid stalwart?
Fenerbahce chief travelling to UK for talks with Thomas Partey
According to Turkiye Gazetesi, as translated by Sport Witness, Fenerbahce sporting director Devin Ozek is flying to the UK for talks with Partey.
Ozek is also set to speak with exit-bound Leicester City midfielder Wilfried Ndidi about a potential move to the Turkish Super Lig, but it is believed that Jose Mourinho “especially” wants Partey, as the ‘special one’ looks to build a team capable of challenging Galatasaray.
Ndidi remains contracted at the King Power until 2027, but Partey’s soon-to-be free agent status has gifted Fenerbahce a golden opportunity to reinforce Mourinho’s midfield with proven experience and quality, at zero transfer cost.
The terms on offer from Fenerbahce are yet to be detailed, but it will be interesting to see if they can tempt Partey with an equal or similar wage to his current earnings at Arsenal, which are set to dry up in the next few days.
Leicestershire fall short of testing total as visitors find form with bat to secure first win
ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2024
Alex Lees anchored the Durham chase•Getty Images
Durham 178 for 3 (Lees 71*) beat Leicestershire 176 for 7 (Cox 50*, Sowter 3-23) by seven wicketsSkipper Alex Lees led from the front with an unbeaten 71 from 53 balls as Durham bounced back from two heavy defeats to register their first win of the Vitality Blast campaign, beating Leicestershire Foxes by seven wickets in a tight finish at the Uptonsteel County Ground.Wicketkeeper Ben Cox hit 50 off 31 balls as Foxes recovered from 106 for 6 to post 176 for 7 from their 20 overs. Legspinner Nathan Sowter took 3 for 23 and left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson 2 for 23 against his former county after Rishi Patel had launched the Foxes innings with 35 off 17 balls and Sol Budinger made 26 from 21.But thanks to Lees, who hit three sixes but only two fours, with support from David Bedingham (43 from 32) and Ashton Turner (22 from 16), Durham passed their target with three balls to spare, Leicestershire not helping their cause by conceding 20 runs in extras, giving away nine extra balls in the process.Patel, who hit a scintillating century in this fixture last year, looked as if he might deliver something similar after Durham opted to field first but after six fours and a six he hit straight into the hands of deep midwicket as Parkinson, who took 107 T20 wickets as a Leicestershire player, celebrated his first wicket against them.Nonetheless, he gave Foxes a flying start, yet one they looked in danger of wasting as they slipped to 106 for 6 at 14 overs, having been 51 for 1 in the sixth.Peter Handscomb was caught at extra cover off the penultimate ball of the powerplay and they were 78 for 4 from 10 overs after Louis Kimber picked out deep square leg before Budinger holed out to long-on, where ex-Durham stalwart Phil Mustard’s 17-year-old son Haydon took a good catch on his Blast debut. Sowter produced two beauties in the space of three deliveries to bowl Wiaan Mulder and new man Ben Mike without scoring.Yet Foxes dug themselves out of their hole superbly, hitting 70 from the last six overs for the loss of only Rehan Ahmed to a catch at long-on. Cox’s enterprise brought him six fours, one a ramp off Ben Raine, who he lifted over the leg-side rope for six before completing his first T20 half-century for three years with a scrambled single off the last ball of the innings.Mulder bowled Graham Clark for 14 but Durham were up with the required rate in coming out of the powerplay on 53 for 1, moving to 86 for 1 at the halfway point, which made them favourites.After both Lees, on 36, and Bedingham, on 32, had survived difficult chances, a breakthrough came when Bedingham, in his first Blast appearance since 2022 in place of the injured ex-Foxes captain Colin Ackermann, was well caught at wide long-on to end an 83-run partnership, at which point the requirement was 60 off 38 balls.That came down to 49 off 30, from which Lees instantly cut six with a perfectly executed scoop off Josh Hull, after which Lees hit a further maximum. Scott Currie bowled Turner in the penultimate over but only six were needed off the last, with Ollie Robinson chopping Mulder to the offside boundary to win the contest.