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Liverpool Transfer Window Targets – Summer 2025

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

As Liverpool prepares for the Arne Slot era, the club is actively exploring reinforcements across key areas of the squad. Here’s a breakdown of their current targets: Strikers Liverpool are monitoring several high-profile and emergingforwards: Alexander Isak (Newcastle)A long-term target seen as the perfect fit. The club explored a move last summer but were limited by Newcastle’s PSR concerns. This summer, Newcastle are under no such pressure and value him at well over £100 million. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)Returning from a loan spell at Galatasaray, Osimhen is back on the market with one year left on his contract. Though older than Isak (26), his price is expected to be more accessible this time around. Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)A highly rated 21-year-old Slovenian striker expected to move this summer. Liverpool and Arsenal have been monitoring him closely. Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)Enjoying a resurgence in Germany, Ekitike has re-entered the radar of top European clubs, including Liverpool. Wingers Liverpool are seeking versatile wide forwards, especially those effective on both flanks: Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)Both 25, both capable on either wing and centrally, and both with a solid Premier League goal return. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)Has impressed this season, but a move could be difficult—especially if Villa qualify for the Champions League. Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)Linked last summer during Newcastle’s PSR crunch, but a move now seems unlikely. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)A past target who ended up at PSG in January. A move back to the Premier League now seems remote. Left-Backs Liverpool want a long-term successor to Andy Robertson: Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)The standout left-back in the Premier League this season. Formerly signed by Richard Hughes, now faces competition from Real Madrid and Manchester City. Antonee Robinson (Fulham)Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)Both have had impressive seasons and fit Liverpool’s attacking full-back profile. Other Positions Centre-BackWith questions around Gomez and Quansah, and a left-footed centre-back needed, Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) is a key target. He’s two-footed, but Liverpool face competition from Real Madrid, Arsenal, Spurs, and others. Right-BackArne Slot admires his former player Lutsharel Geertruida, while Jeremie Frimpong (Leverkusen) has been linked. Liverpool may opt to back Conor Bradley, with Gomez or Quansah providing cover. Central MidfieldStill an open question. Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) was a major target last summer but is now Arsenal-bound. Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) is a newer name linked as a possible fit.

Ex-West Ham boss Lopetegui Named Qatar Manager

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Julen Lopetegui has been appointed head coach of the Qatar national team, almost four months after being sacked by West Ham. The 58-year-old Spaniard’s deal runs until 2027 and takes in the ongoing qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Qatar, who participated at the last World Cup as hosts, failed to secure a spot for next year’s finals in the initial qualification stage but can still progress with further rounds being played. Lopetegui has previously worked in international football as Spain manager. He took over in 2016 but was sacked two days before the 2018 World Cup after being appointed Real Madrid manager. His tenure in Madrid ended after four and a half months, after which he took charge of Sevilla and won the Europa League. He moved to Wolves in November 2022 but left the following summer. He was named West Ham manager at the start of the current season but was sacked and replaced by Graham Potter after six months, having recorded only six league wins.

Leicester City Wants £9Million For Wilfred Ndidi

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago73 mins

Leicester City could reportedly be set to see Wilfred Ndidi leave the club for just £9m this summer. The 28-year-old joined the Foxes in January 2017 from Genk in Belgium for £17m, soon establishing himself as a key player in the East Midlands. Ndidi has been a preferred option at the base of midfield this term, playing 25 matches for Leicester in the Premier League, providing four assists. Despite the Nigerian’s best efforts, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s troops have endured a woeful season, with relegation back to the Championship confirmed earlier this month. Leicester are currently occupying 19th position in the Premier League standings, a mammoth 18 points behind West Ham United in the safety of 17th. According BBC Sport, a key part of Ndidi’s transfer availability has been revealed following confirmation of Leicester finishing in the bottom three. The report claimed that the 28-year-old’s contract contains a release clause which has now activated after the Foxes’ relegation was sealed last week. As a result, Ndidi is now supposedly available for a fee of £9m during the summer trading point, with the midfielder potentially departing the King Power Stadium. It remains to be seen whether the 52-time international wishes to remain at Filbert Way and help the club regain its top-flight status next term. Premier League stalwarts Everton and French giants Marseille were known to be keen on securing the services of Ndidi before the start of the current season. Despite a sobering relegation, there are reasons for Leicester fans to be optimistic about an immediate promotion from the Championship next term. Only Daniel Iversen, Danny Ward and club legend Jamie Vardy are out of contract this summer, meaning that the Foxes could retain the core of their squad. Keeping as many Premier League players at the King Power as possible should give Leicester a healthy advantage over their second-tier rivals.

Chelsea to Debut New Shirt Against Djurgarden

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago22 mins

Chelsea have announced a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal. The Blues have played without a shirt sponsor this season but Dubai-based property development company DAMAC Properties will be on their shirts for the rest of the campaign, starting with Thursday’s Conference League semi-final first leg against Djurgarden in Sweden. But the deal only covers Chelsea’s final four Premier League games, their two legs with Djurgarden and potentially the Conference League final if they get there. The deal does not cover the Club World Cup this summer. Chelsea remain in talks with other companies over shirt sponsorship for the Club World Cup and beyond. The 2024-25 campaign is the second consecutive year that Chelsea have not had a front-of-shirt sponsor for the full season. As part of the new deal, DAMAC will oversee the development Chelsea-branded residences in Dubai. Chelsea COO Jason Gannon said: “DAMAC are world renowned in building luxury properties, and we are thrilled to be working with the industry leader to bring to market a first-of-its-kind branded Chelsea FC residence in Dubai. “With the club located in the heart of London, the collaboration will bring Chelsea to life in Dubai, support our continued growth on the global stage. We can’t wait to see Chelsea Residences take its place in the Dubai skyline.”

Osimhen Gifts Remo Stars N10m After Historic NPFL Title Win

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has celebrated Remo Stars’ historic League title triumph by gifting the team N10 million. The Galatasaray forward praised the club’s determination and resilience, describing their achievement as inspiring. Osimhen’s gesture highlights his strong connection to Nigerian football and his admiration for one of the country’s rising football institutions. Remo Stars etched their name in history on Sunday after sealing their first-ever premier division title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes. In doing so, they became the first club from southwestern Nigeria to win the league in 25 years the last being Julius Berger in 2000. Osimhen, who has a personal relationship with Remo Stars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede currently part of the Super Eagles’ technical setup personally called the team on Tuesday to congratulate them. He also announced a N10 million gift, split evenly between the players (N5 million) and the coaching staff (N5 million).

Osimhen Linked With Liverpool Move

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Liverpool are expected to sign a new No. 9 this summer and out-of-favour Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has now been linked. Osimhen has spent the season with Galatasaray after finding himself frozen out by Antonio Conte and replaced by Romelu Lukaku, and is set to move on permanently this summer. His position at Napoli comes despite scoring 76 goals in 133 games for the club and being widely considered one of the most talented strikers in Europe during their title-winning campaign in 2022/23. That should see him coveted this summer, but having seen proposed moves to Chelsea and Al-Ahli fall through a year ago, it remains to be seen who will pursue a deal. According to Sky Sports‘ Lyall Thomas, Osimhen is one of the strikers Liverpool are considering as they plot to replace Darwin Nunez in the next transfer window. The reporter claimed that Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are all potential targets, with both Isak and Sesko also linked by reliable sources on Merseyside. While it is not the first time Liverpool have been purported as suitors for Osimhen this is the most concrete link so far this season. Unlike Isak, who is expected to be priced at upwards of £150 million as Newcastle hold firm in their no-sale stance, the Nigerian would be available for £63.8 million due to a release clause in his contract at Napoli. That would be lower than the fee quoted for another target, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who is rumoured to be available for £80 million. Osimhen could suit Arne Slot‘s system at Liverpool as a powerful, pacy forward who can hold his own as a lone striker and, crucially, has scored 79 goals in 110 games in the last three seasons at Napoli and so far at Galatasaray. Scoring consistently has been the biggest issue for Nunez, who is set to be made available this summer having failed to establish himself as a key player under Slot. And though there could be question marks over whether his record would translate to the Premier League, only six players across Europe’s top 10 leagues have found the back of the net more often than Osimhen this season. Those are Viktor Gyokeres, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Mohamed Salah – all elite forwards and a marker of the company Osimhen merits among the best in Europe. Any suggestion that Osimhen is a genuine target should be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage, with Sky Sports’ claim yet to be backed up by Liverpool reporters. But it would be no surprise if those within the club’s recruitment team were not at least monitoring his situation as they weigh up a move for their next No. 9.

Antonio Rudiger Undergoes Successful Surgery

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has successfully underwent surgery on his knee, the club announced on Tuesday morning. He is set to miss up to two months for Real Madrid, meaning he will not be there for the remainder of LaLiga games. He could return for the Club World Cup, according to COPE. The club’s medical report read: “Our player Antonio Rüdiger underwent successful surgery today for a partial tear of the external meniscus in his left leg. The operation was performed by Dr. Manuel Leyes under the supervision of the Real Madrid Medical Services. Rüdiger will begin recovery soon.” Real Madrid now only have three available centre-backs to end the season with. Raul Asencio, David Alaba and Jesus Vallejo, if you want to count him, will be the only three defenders who will play. Castilla defender Jacobo Ramon may get a few opportunities to shine as well. Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni could also have to go back to being a centre-back, even though he has been great at the pivot.

Dubois’ Trainer Accuses Usyk of ‘Conning Boxing World’

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago14 mins

The trainer of British heavyweight Daniel Dubois accused Oleksandr Usyk of “conning the boxing world” at a press conference on Tuesday before their undisputed title fight in July. The undefeated Usyk was floored in the fifth round of the August 2023 fight in Poland by Dubois with a shot that was deemed a low blow before the Ukrainian claimed a ninth-round stoppage. Dubois’ trainer Don Charles accused Usyk of being hurt by a legal body shot and said the British fighter should have won the encounter. The two men will meet for a second time on July 19 at Wembley Stadium, this time for all four world titles, as Usyk bids to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. “The actions you did that night, you’ve heard of the Oscars? You should’ve won an Oscar,” Charles said on Tuesday. “You conned the referee, you conned us and you conned the boxing world. “You pride yourself as a God-fearing man — ‘Thou shalt not lie’ — so I question what kind of God do you worship? “The God has summoned you for our son Daniel Dubois to get revenge on you.” Unbeaten Usyk, who holds the WBO, WBC and WBA belts, became boxing’s first four-belt heavyweight champion when he beat Tyson Fury in May last year. But he later relinquished his IBF title, which Dubois now holds after a knockout win over compatriot Anthony Joshua later in the year. Usyk’s team printed off images of Dubois’s low blow and displayed them in front of the media. “I believe in Jesus and I deserve an Oscar,” Usyk, 38, joked in response. “You need to teach your fighter to fight clean, but I will win this fight with my right hand, with a jab and that will be enough.” Dubois, 27, has fought three times since Usyk handed him his second professional loss two years ago. “Yes, but it’s in the past now, it’s happened,” Dubois said when asked if he was cheated out of victory against Usyk. “I get a chance to put that wrong right and clear up the controversy and I can’t wait to put him to sleep on the night. “I think I’m on fire now, I’m pent up and ready to go. It’s going to be a bloodbath and I want to show that I’m a man of the future.”