Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign a “talented” defender, and the Premier League have now approved the transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Man Utd's transfer priority revealed
The Red Devils’ main priority this summer is to bring in a new striker, with Fiorentina’s Moise Kean being identified as a potential target, and it is clear to see why, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund scoring just seven league goals between them last season.
However, Ruben Amorim is also keen to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch, and the manager is now eyeing a reunion with Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio, with the manager selecting the Portuguese defender as his ideal target.
Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio
Former United defender Paul Parker has been left concerned by the lack of new arrivals up to this point, saying: “For Man United to just compete against anyone and not let themselves down, they need at least four more signings.
“They can’t carry on where they are at this moment in time because they’ll start next season and it will still be negative in the dressing room and with the fans. It became the Theatre of Nightmares towards the end of last season.”
According to a recent update from Romano on X, however, Man United have made another addition, with a deal for “talented” 15-year-old Southampton defender Harley Emsden-James now agreed and signed, having tracked him closely over the last 12 to 14 months.
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The Premier League have now approved the transfer, which is exciting news for United, given that the youngster is viewed as a “major talent”, and they have beaten a number of rival clubs to his signature, including Manchester City and Chelsea.
Man Utd also need to bring in senior centre-back
It is promising news that United have been able to get a deal for Emsden-James over the line, given that he is highly rated by a number of the Premier League’s top clubs, but at 15-years-old, the teenager clearly won’t be in the first team in the near future.
As such, Amorim will need to bring in a senior centre-back this summer, with Lisandro Martínez still sidelined due to an ACL injury, while Harry Maguire has entered the last year of his contract at Old Trafford.
The aforementioned Inacio could be a solid option, having been described as “one of the best” centre-backs in the 2023-24 Europa League by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, given his defensive showings and keen eye for goal, which was on display again last season.
With United set to make a loan with an obligation to buy bid for Inacio, the deal could progress in the near future, and at 23-years-old, he would be able to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.
Newcastle United’s transfer activity is really starting to heat up.
As has been widely reported, the Magpies are close to signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for a whopping £55m, a deal that truly kickstarts their business this summer.
The Swedish international scored six goals and registered 11 assists in the Premier League last season, meaning only Mohamed Salah and future teammate Jacob Murphy accumulated more of the latter.
The £55m fee means Elanga will become the second-most expensive signing in Newcastle’s history, behind only compatriot Alexander Isak.
Now though, could Eddie Howe convince a Premier League-proven striker, who is available as a free agent, to make the move to Tyneside?
Newcastle's search for a striker
It was confirmed on Monday that Callum Wilson had departed Newcastle, following the expiration of his contract.
The England international scored 49 goals in 130 appearances for the Magpies, 18 of which came during the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, as they finished fourth, but the 33 year old saw just 458 minutes of action last season, starting only two league fixtures due to injury issues, so will depart as a free agent.
Newcastle United'sCallumWilsonsalutes their fans after the match
Thus, to fill his spot in the squad, Luke Edwards of the Telegraph is reporting that Newcastle are ‘contemplating’ a move to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who himself is currently without a club, after leaving Everton.
Having missed out on Arsenal-bound Viktor Gyökeres, Mark Critchley and Laurie Whitwell of the Athletic believe that Calvert-Lewin is also a target for Manchester United, but the Red Devils will ‘only advance if they do not get any of their top targets’, so could Newcastle swoop in sooner?
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
How Dominic Calvert-Lewin would improve Newcastle
First and foremost, the 28-year-old has scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle than any other team, so signing him would, at the very least, prevent that tally from rising.
Newcastle
15
6
Crystal Palace
13
5
Burnley
11
4
Brighton
15
3
West Ham
12
3
Bournemouth
10
3
West Brom
4
3
More importantly, Calvert-Lewin could be an excellent fit for Newcastle.
The main question marks surrounding the England international pertain to his injury record, racking up just 1,613 minutes on the pitch this season due to a hamstring injury.
At Newcastle though, with Isak already there, Calvert-Lewin would not need to be an every-game starter, so his minutes could be managed, and, when fit and firing, he’s difficult to stop.
During the 2020/21 season, one of the best of his career, scout Jacek Kulig heralded him as a “monster.”
Meantime, Harshal Patel of Total Football Analysis has praised Calvert-Lewin’s ‘ability to hold up the ball’ and ‘intelligent movement’, with Patrick Boyland of the Athletic adding that he is an ‘elite-level striker’ in terms of ‘heading ability’, concluding there are few better in that regard than the ‘demon of the skies’.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
So, should they sign Elanga and Calvert Lewin, could Newcastle become a crossing team that are impossible to stop?
Well, last season, the Magpies ranked 13th in the Premier League for completed crosses into the penalty area, according to FBref.com, but could Elanga change that?
Assists
11
3rd
Completed crosses
8
52nd
Shot-creating actions
102
30th
Goal-creating actions
18
6th
Big chances created
9
38th
Progressive carries
102
25th
As the table outlines, Elanga ranked, generally, very highly for all creative metrics in the Premier League last season, so the Swede and Calvert-Lewin could work as an excellent attacking duo, similar to his partnership with Chris Wood at Forest.
Thus, given that they already have Isak, and that Calvert-Lewin is available for free, this appears to be a no-brainer, low-risk move for Newcastle, that could only prove to be a smart addition.
Newcastle likely to see £30m bid accepted to sign a Scalvini upgrade
Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his defence this summer at Newcastle United.
Manchester United are working hard to get it right in the transfer market this summer, having approached a critical juncture in INEOS’ ownership.
Things didn’t go to plan last season, with Erik ten Hag dismissed by October and his successor, Ruben Amorim, struggling to get a tune out of the suffering Red Devils, who ultimately finished 15th in the Premier League.
But with Matheus Cunha already signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers, his £62.5m release clause activated, there are signs that Old Trafford will rise again.
Wolverhampton Wanderers'MatheusCunhacelebrates
Man Utd open talks for new striker
Cunha is a brilliant forward, but he’s not a centre-forward. The Red Devils need a partner to field as the number nine, and contacts have been made for such a striker.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Manchester United are looking to replace Rasmus Hojlund this summer and have set their sights on Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, as per Tutto Juve, who has resurrected his career on loan at Juventus.
The 26-year-old Les Bleus star was on United’s radar – along with Tottenham Hotspur – in January after falling by the wayside in the French capital, though ultimately settled on a short-term stint in Turin.
France'sRandalKoloMuanireacts
Now, the above Italian report claims INEOS have made first contact with PSG for the versatile striker, although the same can be said for Newcastle United. Juventus, moreover, hope to purchase him permanently too.
What Kolo Muani would bring to Man Utd
Amorim is carefully piecing together a strikeforce capable of challenging for honours, capable of going punch for punch with the biggest hitters in the Premier League.
Kolo Muani on his A-game would certainly help in that regard. Leaving Eintracht Frankfurt to sign for PSG for around £76m in September 2023, the France international’s stock has since decreased, but he’s demonstrated with Juve his lingering quality, scoring ten goals and assisting three more across 21 matches in total.
Randal Kolo Muani for PSG
With Cunha bringing his wide-ranging attacking skills to the table, Kolo Muani could find himself born again, thriving as the forward of a Premier League team chasing a return to European competition.
Sometimes, a change of scenery can help reignite the fire that has flickered out for a player. PSG proved to be the wrong career choice for the Frenchman, but a Man United project that he can lead that is showing signs of progress (on the transfer front, at least) is something he should consider pursuing.
24/25
Juventus
16
8
1
24/25
PSG
10
2
1
23/24
PSG
26
6
6
23/24
Frankfurt
2
1
0
22/23
Frankfurt
32
15
14
21/22
Nantes
36
12
5
United might find that Frankfurt’s €100m (£85m) valuation for Hugo Ekitike is a tad on the costly side, but they could snap up another of Die Adler’s star forwards in Kolo Muani, with that £76m price tag creeping down to a reported £50m if PSG sell this summer.
Once labelled a “superstar” by German legend Lothar Matthaus, Kolo Muani is a dynamic and incisive striker who has found his footing once again in Italy, ranked among the top 8% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last year for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Furthermore, to have finished the campaign with a scoring rate of 0.50 is pretty impressive, given his woes across the first half of the year. In fact, as per Sofascore, his eight-goal haul in the Italian top flight also saw just four big chances missed, which makes an interesting comment on his prolific instincts.
Working with Cunha, Amorim could create a truly devastating strikeforce (and that’s without even discussing the potential addition of Bryan Mbeumo), with the Brazilian forward having averaged 1.8 key passes per Premier League match last season, creating 13 big chances. He was instrumental in staving off relegation for the Old Gold.
Of course, Kolo Muani is not just restricted to sharpshooting. His silky and furnished attacking style lends itself to creative support, and Cunha would delight in this, having demonstrated an incredible scoring ability for Wolves.
This is exactly the kind of electric signing United need to make to bring them back to a respectable position. That famous Theatre of Dreams pull will need to come into play once again.
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Manchester United could be about to make another superb signing in this summer window.
Leeds United will now have to significantly up their offer for a defender this summer, having seen an initial bid turned down.
Leeds eye defensive signings for Premier League return
The Whites are preparing for life back in the Premier League, as they look to achieve the increasingly rare task of remaining in the top flight and avoiding a speedy return to the Championship.
Defensive reinforcements are essential for Leeds, with world-class players coming up against them next season, and Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has been linked with a move to Elland Road, being seen as an upgrade on the hit-and-miss Illan Meslier. The 25-year-old was on loan at Strasbourg in 2024/25 and could jump at the chance to join a new club permanently.
Atletico Madrid left-back Reinildo is another potential addition for the Whites before the summer transfer window reaches its conclusion, being seen as a strong replacement for Junior Firpo ahead of his expected move to Real Betis.
Meanwhile, it has been claimed that Leeds are preparing a bid for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol, and now, another rumour has dropped regarding the defender.
Leeds need to pay £21.2m to sign defender
According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Leeds and 49ers Enterprises could have to pay as much as £21.2m to sign Bijol this summer after their first offer of £13.6m was rejected by the Serie A side. A bare minimum of £17m will be needed.
The 26-year-old is seen as a priority option for the Whites ahead of next season, with Daniel Farke being backed financially by the club’s owners.
Bijol stands out as a brilliant defensive option to come in, possessing lots of experience but also still having years in him at the top level.
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The Udinese ace already has 63 caps to his name for Slovenia, meaning he has a great chance of reaching the century milestone at some point in his career, and analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as a “joke”, such is his quality.
Last season, Bijol shone at the heart of Udinese’s defence, averaging 5.4 clearances and 3.2 aerial duel wins per game in Serie A, with the table below further highlighting what a dominant campaign he enjoyed.
Appearances
34
Starts
34
Minutes played
2965
Clearances per game
5.4
Aerial duel wins per game
3.2
Tackles per game
1.3
Interceptions per game
1.1
Pass completion rate
83.8%
There are few negatives to Leeds signing the Slovenian, even though he won’t arrive on the cheap, and it is a piece of business they should be prioritising.
Chelsea are carrying on their busy summer transfer window after sealing a move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with Enzo Maresca’s side now setting their sights on another exciting young centre-forward.
Chelsea could sign second striker after Liam Delap
The former Man City starlet joins in a £30 million deal following Ipswich’s confirmed relegation to the Championship, and fresh off the back of a 12-goal Premier League season, there is potential for Delap to do well at Stamford Bridge.
"Elite" player green-lights move to Chelsea with formal bid expected soon
He could be their next signing after Liam Delap.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2025
After completing a medical earlier this week (Fabrizio Romano), Delap becomes Chelsea’s first signing of what is expected to be a busy window, and it is believed yet another striker could still follow the Englishman.
Rank
Team
Points
GD
3
Man City
71
+28
4
Chelsea
69
+21
5
Newcastle
66
+21
6
Aston Villa
66
+7
7
Nottingham Forest
65
+12
This is made all the more possible by clubs showing a genuine interest in striker Nicolas Jackson, who could leave Chelsea this summer and make way for another number nine, likely to be Hugo Ekitiké of Eintracht Frankfurt as things stand.
“Liam Delap is joining as well as another striker that points in the direction of Hugo Ekitiké of Frankfurt,” wrote reliable journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, this week.
“There’s been a lot of contrasting reporting on Jackson and what his future will hold now it looks like two new strikers are arriving at the club.
“At the very least, he now has big question marks hanging over his head, but what is the latest on him?
“Chelsea do like Jackson, but there has been a desire to upgrade him and bring more competition in. They believe that he doesn’t have enough to lead Chelsea in the Champions League right now, so have looked to bring in others.
“In terms of a selling standpoint, they will very much listen to any offers that come in without actively pushing to sell him.”
Phillips adds that Manchester United, Aston Villa, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid are all interested in the Senegalese and are considering making an offer, so an exit for Jackson is very much a possibility.
Now, as one African striker is faced with the prospect of leaving Stamford Bridge, another has been given the chance to join Maresca’s squad.
Chelsea make "official offer" to sign Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong
According to Africa Foot, Chelsea are seriously moving in pursuit of Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong.
The “promising” Cameroonian, as stated by this report, has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season, scoring once in La Liga for the first team and a further 19 for Villarreal’s B squad, with the 21-year-old also attracting attention from Toulouse, Getafe, and Leganes.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescaduring training
However, it is Maresca’s side who appear to be in pole position. Chelsea have made an “official offer” for Etta Eyong, submitting a five-year contract proposal until 2030, with the option of spending next season at sister club Strasbourg to help further his development.
There’s been no confirmation of whether the player or Villarreal are inclined to accept this proposal, but it may be one to watch over the coming days.
After missing out on the treble following defeat against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final, Celtic have reportedly made their first move to sign a 17-year-old wonderkid this summer.
Rodgers reacts to Aberdeen defeat
Taking charge of his 11th final in his career, Brendan Rodgers would have been hoping to see his side secure a domestic treble against Aberdeen to end their season. Their opponents had other ideas, however, and went onto hand the Celtic boss his first defeat in a final at his 11th attempt and caused a major upset.
It’s a human side of the Bhoys that the Scottish Premiership rarely saw throughout the season, but Aberdeen proved that it does exist. With that side of their game exposed too, Celtic will be desperate to double down on their dominance by retaining their crown once again next season.
Rodgers had his say on his side’s Scottish Cup final defeat, telling reporters: “This is a team that’s given me so much with their honesty and quality of their football. There’s been so many times when I’d sat in here and it’s been different. I’ve had 11 finals up here and down in England and this is my first loss.
“You have to accept that. It’s part of sport and part of football. And as long as you can look at it and reflect honestly then we can say we weren’t good enough in our quality. We’ve got no one else to blame.
“Domestically, we set out to win the league, the League Cup and the Scottish Cup and we were one game from doing that. But this shows you how challenging and how hard it is.”
Away from the pitch, meanwhile, the Scottish champions have already shifted their focus towards the summer transfer window and signing a 17-year-old wonderkid for Rodgers.
Celtic make first offer in Milosavljevic race
According to Meridian Sport in Serbia, as relayed by The Daily Record, Celtic submitted their first offer to sign Veljko Milosavljevic and have since had that offer knocked back by Red Star, who are demanding as much as €10m (£8.4m) to sell their wonderkid this summer.
The 17-year-old defender is quite rightly their prized asset and if the Bhoys want to secure his signature, it looks as though they’ll have to pay a hefty fee.
Still a teenager, Milosavljevic is already making his mark on senior football. For Red Star this season, he has started eight games in the Super Liga Srbije, whilst also making the bench for his side’s Champions League games against PSV Eindhoven and BSC Young Boys.
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Whilst he wouldn’t necessarily be granted the same opportunities from the off at Celtic, he could eventually grow into a key part of Rodgers’ side. As impressive as the teenager has been, it’s a positive that his best work is still a long way away.
Signing such impressive young players represents how Celtic could maintain their Scottish dominance and more this summer, starting with Red Star wonderkid Milosavljevic in the forthcoming transfer window.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are resigned to losing talisman Matheus Cunha this summer as Manchester United close in on a move for the Brazilian.
The £62.5m release clause has been activated, which means Vitor Pereira will be looking to bolster his attacking options this summer.
Jorgen Strand Larsen has enjoyed a decent debut campaign at Molineux, but further additions will be needed if the club are to push into the top half of the Premier League table next term.
What could the manager do with the services of a prime Raul Jimenez next season?
Why Raul Jimenez was a success at Wolves
The Mexican striker signed for the Old Gold on an initial loan deal for the 2018/19 season, going on to score 17 goals in all competitions for the club.
In the following campaign, he was even better. Jimenez scored 27 goals and grabbed a further ten assists as the club finished seventh in the top flight and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
This is still the last time a player has scored over 20 goals in a single season for the Molineux side, as the centre-forward suffered a few horrendous injuries that impacted his effectiveness.
Indeed, he would only score another 13 times for the Midlands side before being sold to Fulham for just £5m in the summer of 2023. The player has enjoyed an Indian summer in London, scoring 12 top-flight goals this campaign alone.
Wolves haven’t replaced his goals, despite the antics of Cunha and Larsen this term. Might this change in the summer as Pereira eyes a Serie A striker?
Why Wolves must sign Lazio striker Taty Castellanos
Castellanos has an insatiable eye for a goal that would immediately get the supporters onside, especially as he could have the potential to replicate the feats of Jimenez should he move to England.
Reports in Italy claim that the Old Gold are seeking a move for the Lazio frontman, although a price tag of around £29m has been placed on his head.
The 2024/25 campaign was a prolific one for the Argentinian striker. Not only has he found the back of the net 14 times for the Rome-based club, but he has also added eight assists, proving how effective his all-round game is.
Lauded as “extraordinary” by Lazio manager Marco Baroni in October, Castellanos would be an interesting signing for Pereira this summer.
With Cunha departing, goals will have to come from somewhere. Could the Lazio talisman be their main man next season?
Goals
10
Assists
3
Shots per game
3.6
Goal conversion percentage
10%
Goal frequency (minutes)
222
Big chances created
6
When compared to positional peers in the Italian top flight, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 2% for total shots per 90 (3.84) and in the top 12% for touches in the opposition penalty area (5.69) per 90 this season.
Impressive statistics, but would he be able to carry these performances into the Premier League?
Time will tell, of course, but with the money generated from the sale of Cunha, some must go into signing a new striker.
Csstellanos might just be the ideal signing for Pereira this summer.
Contact made: Wolves launch move for £34m Brazilian requested by Pereira
The 2024/25 season has seen a number of clubs break long-standing trophy droughts. February saw Newcastle United end decades of waiting for a major trophy as they took home the EFL Cup at the expense of would-be Premier League champions Liverpool.
Their 2-1 win over the Reds brought an end to the longest trophy drought of any 2024/25 Premier League club, with the Toon’s previous triumph coming in 1969 when they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the predecessor to the UEFA Cup and Europa League.
Three months later, Crystal Palace created history by securing their first major trophy in the FA Cup final after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, who failed to win any major silverware in a season for the first time since 2016/17.
They join Premier League champions Liverpool as cup winners, with the Reds now having won a major trophy in five of the last seven seasons.
Meanwhile, Tottenham finally ended their wait for major silverware as they lifted the Europa League in May 2025, defeating Manchester United for their first trophy in 17 years.
Rank
Club
Last trophy
Year
Trophy drought
Southampton
FA Cup
1976
Wolves
League Cup
1980
Ipswich
UEFA Cup
1981
Nottingham Forest
League Cup
1990
Everton
FA Cup
1995
Aston Villa
League Cup
1996
Arsenal
FA Cup
2020
Leicester
FA Cup
2021
Chelsea
Club World Cup
2022
West Ham
Conference League
2023
Man City
Premier League
2024
Man Utd
FA Cup
2024
Newcastle
League Cup
2025
Liverpool
Premier League
2025
Crystal Palace
FA Cup
2025
Tottenham
Europa League
2025
Here, we take a deeper look at the longest trophy droughts among 2024/25 Premier League clubs. To qualify for this list, they must have won at least one major trophy, so no room for Community Shields or Intertoto Cups here.
16 Tottenham Hotspur 2024/25 Europa League winners
You can’t say we weren’t warned. Ange Postecoglou ALWAYS wins in his second season at a club – even Tottenham.
However, if their league form was anything to go by – Spurs went into their 2024/25 Europa League final in 17th place – you’d have thought there was no chance of the Lilywhites going all the way in Europe.
But after 17 years and several false dawns – particularly after the 2019 Champions League final defeat under Mauricio Pochettino – the Australian boss finally delivered a trophy to Spurs. Their long trophy drought is no more.
15 Crystal Palace 2024/25 FA Cup winners
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
Crystal Palace headed into the 2025 FA Cup final looking to win a major piece of silverware for the first time. It was their third FA Cup final since their first in 1990, and after successive defeats to Manchester United at the showpiece event, it was neighbours Manchester City who stood in their way this time around.
Despite being heavy underdogs, a brave, accomplished performance from Oliver Glasner’s side saw Eberechi Eze’s first-half strike prove to be the difference, with City culpable of fluffing huge chances, including a missed penalty from Omar Marmoush.
The result means Palace can join most of their Premier League rivals as trophy winners, and go for more glory next season in the 2025/26 Europa League.
14 Liverpool 2024/25 Premier League winners
While they haven’t officially got their hands on the trophy, Liverpool were confirmed as the new kings of England in April 2025 following a dominant campaign they never looked like slipping up in.
The previous few years have been incredibly kind to the Anfield faithful, winning a raft of honours under the leadership of Jürgen Klopp. A sixth European Cup was won in 2019 before the Reds finally ended a 30-year league title drought by claiming the Premier League.
Many felt Slot would have a difficult time of things during his maiden campaign on Merseyside, but the Dutchman has ushered the club into a new era easier than many anticipated.
13 Newcastle United 2024/25 EFL Cup winners
Newcastle United'sAlexanderIsak
Eddie Howe truly earned his hero status on Tyneside by ending almost 60 years of hurt with victory in the 2025 EFL Cup final against Liverpool.
Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak handed glory to the Toon at Wembley, securing European football and potentially setting up a new era of challenging at the top end of the Premier League once again.
Now a force to be reckoned with, it would be a huge surprise if they take another 56 years to win another trophy.
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ByStephan Georgiou Feb 8, 2024 12 Manchester United 1 year (last trophy: 2023/24 FA Cup)
Manchester United may be going through their toughest period since Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge, but it hasn’t diminished their ability to win trophies.
The Premier League title has eluded the Red Devils since 2013, but the club have managed to win two League Cups, two FA Cups and a Europa League crown in the previous 11 years – but their defeat in the most recent Europa League final left them trophyless in 2024/25.
11 Manchester City 1 year (last trophy: 2023/24 Premier League)
Until their takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, Manchester City had not won a major trophy since winning the League Cup during the 1975/76 season.
However, since 2008, the Etihad outfit have claimed eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups and a coveted Champions League title in 2023 as part of a historic treble.
Pep Guardiola has transformed the side into a winning machine, and despite enduring a poor season by their high standards, City will always be in the hunt for silverware.
However, their 2024/25 campaign came to a disastrous conclusion when they failed to take home any major trophy, with defeat in the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace rather summing up their season.
It marks their first trophyless campaign since Guardiola’s first in 2016/17, when they finished third and only made the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Nobody expects their ‘drought’ to last long, though it does leave the team in an incredibly unfamiliar position.
10 West Ham United 2 years (last trophy: 2023 Conference League)
Due to West Ham United winning the Conference League in 2023, their ‘drought’ is only a single year. David Moyes had led his club to the semi-finals of the Europa League a year prior, but they went one step further in Europe’s third-tier competition.
Can Graham Potter lead them back onto the continental stage? Only time will tell.
9 Chelsea 3 years (last trophy: 2021 Club World Cup)
Chelsea’s two-year trophy drought must feel like a lifetime for the supporters, especially due to the problems they have endured on the pitch since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Their last trophy came in February 2022, with the Blues taking part in a pandemic-delayed edition of the Club World Cup following their 2021 Champions League triumph.
Chelsea are now on their fourth permanent manager since August 2022, but signs do look positive that Enzo Maresca will eventually get the club back in the winner’s circle.
Much will depend on whether he is given the time required to build his team into one that can return to the Champions League. If so, the Stamford Bridge side could prove to be challengers at the top once again.
8 Leicester City 4 years (last trophy: 2021 FA Cup)
Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League title triumph in 2016 was their first major trophy since winning the League Cup in 2000.
Indeed, with the money involved in the game these days, the likelihood of a club like the Foxes claiming the Premier League title is as unrealistic as ever.
Five years after this triumph, the club won the FA Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over Chelsea, winning the competition for the first time in their history after losing four finals on the spin.
7 Arsenal 5 years (last trophy: 2020 FA Cup)
For all that Mikel Arteta has done since taking over Arsenal at the end of 2019, the FA Cup won in August 2020 remains his only trophy.
The Gunners have made strides in the top flight, finishing second in the previous two seasons – the first time they have managed back-to-back top-two finishes for 20 years.
Liverpool ran away with the title this season, but the club appear to be on the right trajectory having qualified for the Champions League once again and been one match away from the final in 2024/25.
Liverpool football club has been the home to countless attacking talents over the years, helping numerous managers claim various levels of success at Anfield.
Roberto Firmino will undoubtedly go down as one of the most underrated strikers in Premier League history, thriving beyond all imagination on Merseyside after joining from Hoffenheim back in 2015.
The Brazilian forward managed to notch a total of 111 goals in his 362 appearances for the club, helping the side win the Premier League back in 2020 under former boss Jürgen Klopp.
However, fast forward to the present day, current manager Arne Slot lacks that centre-forward presence, with current options Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota likely to be moved on during the summer.
Such dealings would leave a huge hole at the top end of the pitch, which would see the Dutchman need to dip into the transfer market to bolster his forward line during the transfer window.
The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Given the achievements Liverpool have claimed in 2024/25, it’s no surprise to see countless players linked with a switch to join the club to aid their ambitions of replicating the success next season.
Jonathan David, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen have all been linked with a move to join the Reds over the last couple of weeks – with all three undoubtedly offering Slot a new dimension in the final third.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed
However, another name has been thrown into the mix, in the form of Brighton and Hove Albion talisman Joao Pedro, that’s if Ben Jacobs’ latest update is to be believed.
He states that the hierarchy has been monitoring the 23-year-old star, who’s netted ten goals for Fabian Hurzeler’s outfit across all competitions this campaign.
Jacobs also confirmed that the Brazilian star has constantly impressed behind the scenes, which could lead to a move being prepared ahead of the upcoming window.
Why Liverpool’s latest target would be Slot's own Firmino
Given Liverpool’s hunt for a new striker, Pedro isn’t the only name to be linked with a switch to Merseyside, with Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké another name previously mentioned.
Eintracht Frankfurt's HugoEkitikecelebrates
The 22-year-old has been an all-round threat in the Bundesliga this year, notching 33 combined goals and assists in his 46 appearances for the German side.
Such form has put multiple clubs on red alert, including the Reds, with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal also previously in the race to land his signature.
However, Ekitike could cost a small fortune during the summer, with Frankfurt demanding a fee in the region of £80m to part ways with the French international.
When comparing his stats to those of Pedro throughout 2024/25, the Brighton gem has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas – potentially being Slot’s own Firmino, given the Brazilian connection, but also their similar playstyle.
The Seagulls star, who’s been labelled “sensational” by talent scout Antonio Mango, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has notched a higher shot-on-target rate, thus able to follow his compatriot given his clinical edge in attacking areas.
He’s also completed more passes into the final third, whilst winning more aerial duels – handing Slot a superb option like Firmino given Pedro’s ability to drop into pockets whilst still offering a threat in the 18-yard box.
Games played
27
31
Goals & assists
16
22
Progressive passes
3.6
1.9
Shot-on-target accuracy
38%
37%
Passes into final third
1.9
0.8
Aerials won
48%
47%
Fouls won
2.1
0.5
Pedro has also completed more through balls per 90, allowing the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to further improve their own tallies, which will certainly bolster the chances of retaining the Premier League.
Whilst both options would be stellar signings for the Reds this summer, it’s clear that the Brighton star would be the better out of the two names – already having the experience of featuring in England’s top-division.
It’s unclear how much a deal would set the hierarchy back, but it would be worth every penny, having all the tools to emulate Firmino’s success on Merseyside and take the side to new heights.
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After last night’s huge Champions League triumph, Arsenal have demonstrated that they are capable of beating Europe’s elite, a signal as to how far they’ve developed in recent years.
Mikel Arteta deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the work he’s done in rebuilding the side over the last five years, with all his work leading up to the win over Real Madrid.
After such a display at the Santiago Bernabéu, supporters will undoubtedly be hugely confident that the side can go all the way and claim their first European title come the end of the campaign.
However, with the summer transfer window approaching, decisions will need to be made on the futures of numerous players currently plying their trade at the Emirates.
Signings will need to be made to continue the rebuild, potentially allowing the Gunners to compete with Europe’s elite on a consistent basis for many years to come.
The latest update on Arsenal’s hunt for summer signings
Over the last couple of days, links to Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres have rapidly developed, with Arsenal just one of the sides in the race to land his signature this summer.
Reports earlier this week claimed that Gunners sporting director Andra Berta has already held talks with his representatives over a move to North London ahead of the window opening.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeres
It’s also been reported that the Swedish international is keen on a move to join Arteta’s side, with a £60m fee mooted to land the talisman, who’s netted 87 times in the last two seasons.
Any deal for the 26-year-old would see the side finally land the focal point they’ve desperately lacked, but he could be joined in the final third by Spanish winger Nico Williams.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have pulled out of the race, leaving Arsenal as the favourites to trigger his £50m release clause in the coming months.
Why Gyokeres would star at Arsenal along with £50m star
Given his goalscoring record in the Liga Portugal over the last couple of seasons, it’s no secret that Arsenal would be getting themselves a proven goalscorer who would take the side to the next level.
However, there’s only so much a striker can do on his own, often relying on the creativity of players around him to produce the goods to allow them to thrive.
Injuries have massively plagued Arteta’s side in the final third throughout 2024/25, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all missing large chunks of the campaign.
Depth is desperately needed this summer, with a potential partnership of Gyokeres and Williams alongside Saka one to be feared by sides across the Premier League.
The Spaniard has all the tools to provide the Swede within the final third, with his stats from LaLiga demonstrating the quality he possesses with the ball at his feet.
The 22-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Ben Mattinson, has registered five assists this season, but his underlying stats showcase how much of a threat he is in the final third.
Williams has notched a total of three successful take-ons and 5.3 progressive carries per 90, undoubtedly at his best when marauding forward with the ball at his feet.
Games played
27
Goals & assists
10
Progressive carries
5.3
Carries into final third
2.7
Progressive passes
3.2
Successful take-ons
3
Key passes completed
1.9
Crosses completed
5.1
Shot-creating actions
5.2
He’s also registered 1.9 key passes and 5.1 crosses completed per 90, with both of his respective tallies providing Gyokeres with ammunition to score within the final third.
The Spaniard’s talent doesn’t stop there, achieving 5.2 shot-creating actions and 3.2 progressive passes per 90, once again highlighting the talent he boasts to provide opportunities for those around him.
Whilst the pair would likely set the Gunners hierarchy back around £110m this summer, it’s a bargain price given the elite-level talents they would be signing.
The prospect of the pair linking up at the Emirates is a hugely exciting one, with the pair having the skillset to push the club closer to ending their two-decade wait for a league title.
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