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Neymar's father has made it clear he wants his son to stay at Santos as the Brazilian's contract ticks towards expiring.

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• Neymar's Santos contract set to expire
• Brazilian's father issues update
• Provides insight into his son's situation

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Neymar Junior is in the last weeks of his Santos contract but is yet to put pen to paper on an extension. Now his father, Neymar Senior, has revealed the 33-year-old is happy at the Brazilian Serie A side and hopes he will stay put as they gave him the chance to resurrect his career after a string of injuries.

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  WHAT NEYMAR'S DAD SAID

  "I want him to stay. Santos at that moment opened the door for Neymar to recover. He needed to play, we knew about the minor injuries. It's not just him, he was out for more than a year and a half. The biggest work was in his head. We know about his dream," he said, via ESPN.

  "Neymar is living here again, happy, close to his friends and family. Santos is the right environment for him to continue, but we have to make many situations viable. Maintain his social and work life, but maintain the brand he built. Create this demand to achieve his goals.

  "He is very intense, you can't control him. He fought for the ball in the air the whole time. He is completely stable now. And we are very happy. For the second half of the year we have a guy who is still concerned about getting better. We had offers, Neymar was never left out of any window and he wouldn't be left out of this one.

  "We don't accept it because he wants to recover a little more, to reach his ideal level. Neymar is living here again, happy, close to his friends and family. Santos is the right environment for him to continue, but we have to make many situations viable. Maintain his social and work life, but maintain the brand he built. Create this demand to achieve his goals."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Neymar has had an up-and-down stint at Santos but it has been far better than his disastrous spell at Al-Hilal, where his contract was eventually terminated. When fit, the ex-Barcelona man has shown his quality but there is no guarantee he will stay at his boyhood team.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While a player like Neymar is unlikely to be short of offers, with a return to Europe mooted, the former Paris Saint-Germain star could be set for his last Santos game on Thursday away to Fortaleza.

Manchester United avoided defeat in all competitions through March. In fact, Ruben Amorim’s side are currently riding a seven-match unbeaten run.

There’s so much work to do. However, signs are appearing, sprouting like spring shoots. Maybe the Red Devils have a future under the wing of their Portuguese boss; maybe these interminable years of strife are going to be consigned to the history books, something to look back on with pride at leaps taken since INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrived at Old Trafford.

Chances of seasonal success through the Premier League are negligible. 13th, United’s hopes of salvation lie on the continental front, with Athletic Bilbao awaiting next month in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Amorim must make do with the resources available for the remainder of the campaign, but the wider picture portrays the need for drastic action. A host of players needed to be shipped on, but Rasmus Hojlund is surely one of the most pressing cases.

Rasmus Hojlund's nightmare season

Manchester United have been put through the wringer this season, but there’s surely only one way the club can go henceforth. It really has been the nadir for the prestigious outfit, one of the biggest on the globe.

INEOS must be ruthless, and while he’s still young, Hojlund isn’t cutting it and should be sold this summer to make room for a new and exciting number nine.

Reports suggest that the Denmark international is among the most likely names to depart this summer, with Italian side Napoli named. United might have paid Atalanta £72m for this raw centre-forward, but losses need to be cut.

Hojlund finally broke his duck in the Premier League before the international break, slotting home against Leicester City, but that’s only his third league goal of the term – and across 24 matches at that.

Profligacy is one thing, but Hojlund’s dearth of missed chances actually underpins the deeper fissures splitting United’s core. He’s bereft of service, unable to fashion openings for himself, incapable of leading confidently at the bow of Amorim’s ship.

In fairness, the likes of Erling Haaland would have struggled to meet expectations in United’s team this season, but Hojlund still hasn’t pulled his weight. Journalist Sam Pilger branded him “anonymous,” stating his “confidence is on the floor.”

United want to replace him this summer.

Man United lining up Hojlund upgrade

According to Manchester United’s former chief scout Mick Brown – speaking to Football Insider – INEOS are prepared to launch a statement move for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres this summer and are even considered favourites to complete a deal.

That’s in spite of interest from rival suitors such as Arsenal and Liverpool, chiefly because Amorim turned the Sweden striker into a free-scoring machine before moving to England and is the driving force behind the potential deal.

Gyokeres wouldn’t come cheap, but the Devils wouldn’t need to fork out for his full £83m release clause, with the Liga Portugal champions fielding enquiries worth £63m.

Were Hojlund to be sold this summer, things could come together at the Theatre of Dreams.

What Viktor Gyokeres would bring to Man Utd

There’s a reason why Gyokeres is one of the most coveted players in world football. In fact, journalist Mark Ogden has described the 26-year-old as “the hottest striker in Europe.”

Born in Sweden, reared at Brighton, but made under the watchful wing of Amorim. Coventry City’s goalscorer came close (but not close enough) to securing qualification to the Premier League in 2022/23, earning a £20m move to Lisbon.

Scorer of 83 goals, placer of 25 assists, winner of the 23/24 Liga Portugal title – all across 91 appearances. Not bad at all for a Seagulls reject. Is it any wonder he’s been hailed as a “powerhouse” in front of goal by analyst Ben Mattinson?

He’s not restricted his output to any one front this term, notably firing a hat-trick past Manchester City in the Champions League several months back – with Amorim still at the helm.

As per FBref, Gyokeres ranks among the top 4% of strikers across Europe’s top-five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 6% for pass completion and shot-creating actions and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.

He does, after all, boast 40 goals from 41 matches this season. It seems inconceivable that he wouldn’t prove to be an upgrade on Hojlund, whose lack of presence at number nine, his reduced ball-carrying output and ball-striking quality, does make a telling comment on where he should fit into INEOS’s market strategy this summer.

Hojlund might not be the most wasteful forward in front of goal when observing the statistical analysis, but Gyokeres is far more predatory, combining movement, pace and potency to supercharge Sporting’s project.

He takes 4.2 shots per Liga Portugal match this season, missing just 17 big chances despite having scored 28 goals. Gyokeres is everything that Man United need up top and more.

Amorim knows him, loves him. Gyokeres hailed the gaffer back in November, saying: “We’ve done amazing things together.” Why not some more?

Man Utd gem who left for £0 would be even better than Dorgu under Amorim

Man Utd might wish they had this player at their disposal

By
Joe Nuttall

Mar 23, 2025

Jack Grealish has been staying in shape on holiday after his omission from Manchester City's Club World Cup squad.

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• Jack Grealish is enjoying some time away
• Has posted an update on social media, saying he is "feeling good"
• Man City yet to receive any offers for the winger

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jack Grealish took to Instagram to show off his holiday fitness regime, as the Manchester City star enjoys some time off whilst his club prepare for the Club World Cup. Grealish was left out of Pep Guardiola's 27-man squad for the tournament and is searching for a new club this summer, and has been keeping busy with late-night runs whilst he is away.

  Jack Grealish Instagram

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Grealish was City's £100m record signing back in 2021, but found himself stuck on the bench for the majority of last season. It has become clear that the England international is not part of Guardiola's plan at the Etihad, meaning a move away is likely, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

  But City's £50m price tag coupled with Grealish's huge wages means the club may have to settle for sending him out on a loan move if they continue to receive no permanent offers.

• WHAT GREALISH SAID

  Grealish captioned the post on his Instagram story: "Late night runs on holiday. Feeling good."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH AND MAN CITY?

  Grealish will no doubt continue to work hard during his time away, before making a decision soon enough about where he would like to play his football next season. Everton and former club Aston Villa are said to be amongst those interested in the treble-winning star.

  Man City begin their Club World Cup campaign on June 18, and will be confident they have what it takes to go far into the competition.

Tijjani Reijnders has shown Kevin De Bruyne respect after his £46.5 million ($63m) Manchester City switch and outlined his path with the Citizens.

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• Reijnders joins Man City for £46.5m from Milan
• Says he’s “not here to replace” De Bruyne
• Excited to learn under Pep Guardiola

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester City have signed Reijnders from AC Milan in a £46.5 million deal, just after De Bruyne called time on his glittering decade in Manchester to join Napoli. The Dutchman arrives after being named the best midfielder in Serie A and joins a City side looking to refresh its midfield options under Pep Guardiola.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With De Bruyne departing, comparisons were inevitable — but Reijnders was quick to shut them down. While he openly admires the Belgian and has studied his game closely, the Dutchman has claimed that he is focused on forging his own identity. Reijnders also cited Spain and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta as another key influence on his style of play.

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  WHAT REIJNDERS SAID

  Speaking to club media, Reijnders said: "I'm not here to replace him [De Bruyne]. I have to play my own game. But I take things from different players… with Kevin De Bruyne, how he was scanning the pitch, the passes he gave.

  "That’s also a big thing, of course – the best coach in the world. I am very eager to learn new things here and the style of playing, and that’s what I’m looking forward to."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR REIJNDERS?

  The 26-year-old is expected to slot into City's midfield rotation during the Club World Cup in the United States, with his competitive debut likely soon. The post-De Bruyne era has begun at City — but with Reijnders, the eight-time Premier League champions believe they’ve landed a star for the future.

Through to the Europa League quarter-finals but with little hope of salvation through the Premier League, the international break perhaps came at the right time for Tottenham Hotspur.

Look, 13th in the standings with just nine games left to play, it would take a miracle for Ange Postecoglou to fashion qualification. However, just two rounds lie between the Lilywhites and a European final. It’s doable, for sure.

However, with rumours simmering concerning Ange’s future at the helm, there’s little question that Spurs need an upswing, one that goes beyond that of the current campaign and is sustained across a number of seasons.

Spurs transfer news

Whatever happens, Tottenham are going to aim for reinforcements in the transfer market this summer. In fact, plans have already been drawn up, with AfricaFoot reporting Spurs have initiated contact with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the potential transfer of Rayan Ait-Nouri.

While Daniel Levy’s outfit have proposed a £30m offer, it has been rejected by the Old Gold. Nonetheless, it makes a comment on Tottenham’s strategy, with things set to change at the rear.

Indeed, if Ait-Nouri is to sign for the Lilywhites, it’s going to spark something of a shake-up within Postecoglou’s defensive flanks. There’s one man in particular who will be sweating, especially after his recent performance with his country in the Nations League.

Spurs' 4/10 star struggles once again

Plenty of Tottenham players have struggled to get going this season, with injuries and subsequent struggles for lasting form ravaging Postecoglou’s second season in charge.

Pedro Porro epitomises the issues, albeit having avoided fitness problems. Instead, he’s been played with immense regularity, and it’s taken a toll, with defensive struggles now seeping onto the international stage in Spain’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday evening.

Having allowed Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo space to drive a low equaliser after Nico Williams’ early opener, Porro set himself on unsteady footing. His defensive frailty was clear, with creativity also at a low ebb, losing the ball 15 times without creating a single key pass.

GIVEMESPORT certainly weren’t impressed, handing the 25-year-old a 4/10 match rating and noting his lack of physicality.

With Tottenham ramping up efforts to sign Ait-Nouri, Djed Spence is surely going to see more game time on the right flank going forward, and with that in mind, perhaps Porro’s place in the starting line-up is beginning to look somewhat uncertain, especially as he’s been linked with a move away from N17 this season.

Porro has been a mainstay through the Postecoglou era, showed promise before. But it’s all unravelled this season and a summer sale is beginning to look like a real thing.

His performance for Spain left plenty to be desired, but with Tottenham getting ready to sign Ait-Nouri, Spence is surely going to be returning to the right flank of the backline.

What does that mean for Porro?

Spurs are brewing a homegrown Kulusevski in 16-year-old "cheat-code"

The unreal prospect could be a superstar for Spurs.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Mar 20, 2025

Bayern Munich are eyeing a move for Gabriel Martinelli, who is reportedly one of several players Arsenal will consider selling this summer.

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• Bayern eye move for Martinelli
• Arsenal ready to offload Brazilian
• Bayern want a new attacker

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per BILD's , Bayern are eager to add a new player to their Harry Kane-led attack and reportedly have their eyes on Gunners star Martinelli. The German giants were also keen on signing Nico Williams from Athletic Club earlier in the summer; however, the Spanish winger is now close to signing for Barcelona. Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo and Dortmund's Jamie Gittens are also on the Bundesliga champions' radar.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  adds that Arsenal are keen on reducing their wage bill and are prepared to offload a host of first-team stars. Martinelli is said to be one of the expendable players alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira, and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to a report from , Arsenal are expected to demand a transfer fee in excess of £50 million ($67m) if a club comes in for Martinelli. The 24-year-old joined the Premier League giants in 2019 and has since made 225 appearances across all competitions, scoring 51 goals. His current contract at the club runs until the summer of 2027.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  After a hectic 2024-25 campaign, the Arsenal players and coaching staff are enjoying a well-earned break. They will reassemble under manager Mikel Arteta at the end of July before heading to Asia for pre-season training.

2025 has already been a year of big spending by Manchester City, but they’re only just getting started.

In January, as outlined by, the Sky Blues spent around £180m, which is more than the other 19 Premier League clubs combined, recruiting Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush, Nico González and Juma Bah.

Now, as Pep Guardiola oversees a mass-squad overhaul, could Man City beat their Premier League rivals to the signature of one of the division’s most sought-after talents?

Manchester City seeking to sign Premier League star

So, with that winter overhaul complete, the attention now turns to the summer where more money will need to be spent in order to bridge the gap to Liverpool and Arsenal.

Transfer Focus

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

Where will they begin? Well, as reported by Caught Offside, Man City are one of many Premier League clubs ‘eager to snap up’ Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze this summer, reportedly valued at £60m.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are also ‘competing’ for his signature.

Eze’s goal at Craven Cottage on Saturday, a strike his manager Oliver Glasner hailed as “unbelievable”, took the 26-year-old’s tally to six goals, as well as nine assists, for the campaign, also opening his international account by scoring for England against Latvia at Wembley last Monday.

Now into his fifth season in South London, there are many rumours about Eze potentially leaving Palace this summer, so could he be on his way to Manchester City, potentially tasked with filling the void vacated by the club’s greatest-ever player?

How Eze compares to De Bruyne

Back in January, it was reported by the Athletic that San Diego FC, who have joined Major League Soccer as an expansion club this year, are very interested in signing Kevin De Bruyne on a free this summer.

Joe Lowery of Total Soccer Show meanwhile, believes this move is ‘increasingly likely to happen’, given that San Diego have kept a Designated Player roster spot available, while the Belgian also hasn’t signed a new contract in Manchester.

De Bruyne remained an unused substitute when the Citizens were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid at the Bernabéu in February, something Sam Lee of the Athletic claims would’ve been ‘unthinkable’ not too long ago, with Richard Martin of Goal believing that the 33-year-old ‘has reached terminal decline’.

Considering De Bruyne is ‘the best playmaker to grace modern English football’, according to James Westwood of Goal, he’s going to be tough to replace, so let’s assess Eze’s credentials to do just that.

Slightly unfairly to Eze, we’ve compared him to peak-De Bruyne, with 2019/20 and 2020/21 chosen, considering the Belgian equaled Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single Premier League season during the period analysed.

Nevertheless, across this season and last, Eze compares well to De Bruyne, even if the Belgian ranks higher for the overwhelming majority of statistics included.

In summary, De Bruyne is a world-class creator, while Eze is more of a dribbler, but the Englishman’s shot-creating actions, pass completion and chances-created statistics do suggest he would be a good fit.

Aged 26 and approaching his prime, Palace content creator Luke Weaser-Seychell believes Eze is capable of becoming “world-class” and he could reach that potential by joining a club like City.

Pep may have just unearthed his new Raheem Sterling at Man City

Manchester City swatted a generally hopeless Leicester team aside 2-0 on Wednesday, but did Pep Guardiola find his new Raheem Sterling?

By
Ben Gray

Apr 3, 2025

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has taken time out to send a moving tribute to Paul Mullin following his departure from the club.

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• Mullin has left Wrexham and joined Wigan
• McElhenney sends out moving message
• Forever grateful to striker

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mullin has left Wrexham on loan to join Wigan after scoring 110 goals for the club and helping the Welsh side rise from the National League to the Championship in successive seasons. The striker departs as a true club legend, with Ryan Reynolds having admitted he loves Mullin and "can't imagine" him in another kit.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mullin has admitted he's "sad" to leave Wigan and miss the chance to play in the Championship for the Red Dragons after joining Wigan. McElhenney is also feeling emotional at the striker's departure and has made it clear just how grateful he is to Mullin with a series of posts on Instagram. The American also shared the first message he sent to Wrexham chief Humphrey Ker about Mullin.

• WHAT MCELHENNEY SAID

  McElhenney also wrote: "In four years, Paul Mullin has made history….on and off the pitch. I am profoundly, truly, madly, deeply grateful for everything that Paul has given this club….There is just so much to say but I'll keep it at this….There is only one Super Paul Mullin."

  Rob McElhenney Instagram

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MULLIN?

  Mullin will now continue his career with Wigan in League One, while Wrexham are set to head to Australia and New Zealand for pre-season ahead of their Championship campaign.

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has spoken out after his difficult time recently with illness after finally making his Club World Cup debut.

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• Mbappe back in action after illness
• Made Club World Cup debut against Juventus
• Admits it's been a difficult time

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mbappe made his first appearance at the Club World Cup on Tuesday as a substitute as Real Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 to book their spot in the quarter-finals. The France star returned after having been sidelined with illness that also saw him hospitalised ahead of their opening game against Al-Hilal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe lost 5kg after suffering from a stomach virus but is now back in action and managed 22 minutes against Juventus. His return will be a big boost to Xabi Alonso's side as they aim for glory in the United States before returning home for the start of the new La Liga season and an opening day fixture against Osasuna.

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• WHAT MBAPPE SAID

  Mbappe posted on Instagram after the win: "Quarterfinals here we come. So happy to be back with the squad after that difficult time. Thank you to all the fans in Miami for the support, I felt so loved here. See you in NYC. ¡HalaMadrid!"

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Real Madrid now go on to play Borussia Dortmund for a place in the semi-finals. The two teams meet on Saturday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Fiorentina are desperate to keep Moise Kean, with a Saudi Pro League club and Manchester United keeping an eye on him.

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• Kean's release clause to expire on 15 July
• Fiorentina want to keep the Italian striker
• Al-Qadsiah offer lucrative wages

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kean is wanted by Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, and United are monitoring him to adhere to Ruben Amorim’s demands for a new centre-forward. However, according to Gazzetta, Fiorentina are planning to keep him at the centre of their plans, and value him as a top prospect. The Italian striker has a €52 million (£44m/$60m) release clause, which would end on July 15, and if no club pays that amount within the time frame to sign him, Fiorentina would negotiate a new contract, which might involve a salary increment, which would make his salary €4m (£3.4m/$4.6m) a year.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kean, who joined the Viola last summer from Juventus, showed fiery form in the purple colours, scoring 25 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions. His existing contract runs until 2029; however, the aforementioned release clause for a potential move expires soon. If a club makes an offer after the July 15 deadline, Fiorentina can increase the release clause in his contract. Al-Qadsiah from the Saudi Pro League offered him an annual wage of €15m (£12.9m/$17.5m) twenty days back, but Kean is yet to inform the outfit of his decision. And now, Galatasaray have enquired about his situation following Victor Osimhen’s link to numerous clubs, while United keep on tracking him.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kean is a three-time Serie A champion with Juventus. He has also represented the Italian national team on 21 occasions, scoring seven goals in the process.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FIORENTINA?

  Fiorentina have only one solution to the Kean conundrum: to wait for the player’s ultimate decision, whether he decides to say yes to Al-Qadsiah or remains faithful to the Viola and signs a new contract at the club.