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Southampton are expected to complete the signing of an "underrated" defender after he accepted an offer to move there in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh claim.

Southampton transfer news

It is an exciting period at St Mary's at the moment, especially compared to this time last year, with a return to the Premier League from the Championship sealed at the first attempt.

Russell Martin will be aware that a lot of business is needed in the summer transfer window to avoid dropping back into the second tier, and rumours continue to emerge regarding potential new signings.

Liverpool centre-back Sepp van den Berg could finally leave Anfield on a permanent deal this summer having enjoyed various loan spells elsewhere in recent years, and Southampton are in the mix to sign the 22-year-old Dutchman. They could have to spend £12.5m to get their man, but he remains a young defender with plenty of long-term promise.

Elsewhere, Saints are believed to have made contact with Peterborough United central defender Ronnie Edwards, with the 21-year-old a highly rated prospect backed to play for England one day. However, Everton have also been linked with the Englishman and see him as a possible replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite.

Now, it looks as though one piece of incoming business has been all but agreed at St Mary's following a key transfer update.

Southampton set to sign "underrated" player

According to journalist David Anderson on X, Southampton are expected to sign Charlie Taylor on a free transfer from Burnley this summer, with the defender accepting their two-year offer:

"Charlie Taylor has been offered a two-year deal by Southampton and is set to join the Saints on a free transfer on July 1 despite Burnley’s offer of new terms."

Taylor may not be the most earth-shattering or high-profile signing that Southampton will ever make, but he could be a shrewd addition on a free transfer, providing a wealth of experience and versatility.

The former Leeds United man is capable of thriving as a centre-back and at left-back, which could appeal to Martin, and journalist Josh Bunting has lauded his "underrated" nature in the past, saying of him:

"Charlie Taylor is a player I’ve felt is quite underrated for a few years now , better defensively than he is going forward, overhits a lot of crosses but last night he was absolutely brilliant for Burnley at Wolves in both defensive and attacking thirds. Really solid performance."

The 30-year-old has racked up 161 appearances in the Premier League, showing that he is more than capable of holding his own in arguably the biggest league in the world, and he is a two-cap England Under-19 international from his younger days, showing that he has always been a player full of quality from the start.

Southampton want to sign £20k-a-week ace who Luis Suarez thinks is "great"

He could arrive in a free transfer this summer.

1 ByHenry Jackson Jun 29, 2024

Improved depth is so vital for Southampton next season given the relentless nature of the top flight and the quality Saints will come up against, and Taylor could slot right in as an excellent squad option.

Tottenham Hotspur’s recruitment in recent years has left something to be desired, and though this is a squad of heroes who conquered the Europa League before the summer, domestic form has been cemented at a lower-than-expected level for a while now, and that needs to change.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though, with £55m summer recruit Mohammed Kudus among the most exciting players in Thomas Frank’s Lilywhites outfit.

The Ghanaian winger hasn’t been perfect, but he’s certainly underlined his credentials as a difference-maker under Frank’s wing, with his five assists in the Premier League this season a joint-divisional best.

That statistic juxtaposes with Tottenham’s creative struggles this season, and it adds substance to the emerging rumours that Tottenham plan to sign an even more exciting winger to help elevate Frank’s project down N17.

Spurs leading race for new winger

Tottenham are anticipated to be busy over the coming transfer windows, with improvements needed across a range of areas. However, there’s no denying Frank’s frontline have been blunter than expected, and that must be a priority.

Kudus has been a terrific addition, but wingers like Brennan Johnson and Xavi Simons are flattering to deceive. Perhaps this is why ENIC Group are aiming for the stars.

Indeed, according to Spanish sources, Tottenham are leading the race for Real Madrid star Rodrygo, and that’s despite growing interest from the Premier League’s heavyweights.

Rodrygo, 24, is also attracting interest from Liverpool, and though Real are open to selling the Brazilian talent, they would expect to bank something in the ballpark of £70m.

Why Rodrygo would succeed at Spurs

Rodrygo is currently embroiled in a crisis of confidence. He has gone 30 La Liga matches without a goal, and has been pushed out to the fringes of Xabi Alonso’s squad.

But let’s not forget that this is a truly special player, praised for his “world-class” quality by former Los Blancos teammate Luka Modric, and the depth of his technical quality goes far beyond that of Kudus, who is devastating on the ball but lacks clarity and output.

Goals scored

0.32

0.14

Assists

0.24

0.23

Shots taken

2.94

1.89

Shot-creating actions

4.65

3.41

Touches (att pen)

6.64

3.78

Pass completion (%)

85.4

78.8

Progressive passes

4.37

2.59

Progressive carries

6.00

3.44

Successful take-ons

2.38

3.05

Ball recoveries

3.77

5.44

Though Kudus has enjoyed a fine start to his career in north London, he doesn’t match Rodrygo’s breadth of skill. The Madrid man is one of the best forwards in the world, after all, and his recent drop-off does not negate that fact.

Crisper on the ball, more progressive with his passing and more active in dribbling forward himself, Rodrygo might not have Kudus’ same snappy speed, but that’s not to say that he isn’t a dynamic physical force in his own right.

Moreover, he has so often been shunted out onto the right flank in Madrid over the past several years, lower down the pecking order than the likes of Vincius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. The right-footed Rodrygo is at his best, his most prolific, when playing off the left.

Now, he has been reduced to a truly bit-part role, only afforded three league starts under Alonso’s management this term.

It feels like Rodrygo’s departure from the Santiago Bernabeu is a matter of when, not if, and while there are a multitude of high-profile suitors looking to excavate him from the hole he has fallen into, Tottenham have put in the hard yards for some time now, and Frank’s project would promise him a leading role.

Then it would be up to Rodrygo to prove that he is the real deal. On the basis of the evidence already, he is at that, and this would see him take on a more influential role than someone like Kudus down N17.

Spurs star is becoming Frank's own version of Kane & he's not even a forward

This Tottenham star is becoming a talismanic force for Frank’s side.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 5, 2025

Following a second defeat in a matter of days, Arne Slot is set to hand one player his Premier League debut against Chelsea in a game that must feature an improved performance from Liverpool.

Carragher: Time for Slot to "earn his money"

It’s a slump that looked on the cards as each late goal found the back of the net against Bournemouth, Arsenal, Southampton in the Carabao Cup and against Atletico Madrid, but it’s now one that the Reds must deal with before a panic turns into a crisis.

Liverpool star who's "on par with Salah & VVD" had his worst game under Slot

Liverpool endured a night to forget as they were beaten by Galatasaray in the Champions League.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 1, 2025

After suffering back-to-back defeats for just the second time under Slot, all eyes will be on Liverpool when they travel to Stamford Bridge this Saturday. Defeat would signal plenty of questions for those at Anfield, who Jamie Carragher believes are playing more like a basketball team than the defending Premier League champions that they are.

The Liverpool legend then went on to say that it’s time for Slot to “really earn his money” after a smooth ride last season. Just what that means for a number of struggling stars is the big question.

The Dutchman has already proved that he’s not afraid to get ruthless at Anfield and that could be on show this weekend with one player in line to make his Premier League debut.

Slot set to hand out Premier League debut vs Chelsea

Liverpool’s night became worse when Alisson Becker went down after what appeared to be a muscle injury and Slot has already confirmed that the Brazilian will not feature against Chelsea. As such, Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to make his Premier League debut. The former Valencia man has been waiting for his chance and now he’s set to get it.

A lot of questions were asked about Mamardashvili’s game time when Alisson stayed put this season, but the 25-year-old wasn’t just signed to succeed the world-class shot-stopper. Alisson has an extensive injury history and one which has almost had an inevitability about it in recent seasons, making Mamardashvili’s arrival incredibly important.

Described as “magnificent” by scout Jacek Kulig in 2024, the summer arrival offers Liverpool the chance to replace the injured Alisson without losing much quality. Mamardashvili is more than ready to step up, particularly in the shot-stopping department.

Despite a heartbreaking defeat in last Sunday’s League Cup Final, following a thrilling 3-3 draw, there are clear signs of progress from Rangers.

Philippe Clement’s Ibrox team have won four successive Premiership matches, scoring ten times across the last three, leapfroging Aberdeen this weekend.

Meantime, in the Europa League, the Light Blues have lost only once in the league phase thus far, holding Tottenham to a credible 1-1 draw in Govan last mid-week, unlucky not to beat the Premier League side.

So, with two fixtures to go, Rangers sit eighth in the gigantic league table, seeking to cling onto that position and go straight through to the round of 16 when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford and then Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox in late January.

The primary reason for the Gers’ upturn in form? Summer signings upping their game.

Hamza Igamane's stellar Rangers form

Fair to say, Hamza Igamane is a man in form, scoring five goals across his last seven appearances, including a brace during the 4-1 demolition of Nice by the French Riviera, before breaking the deadlock against Spurs a fortnight later.

When the Moroccan arrived from AS FAR for a reported £2.5m this summer, very few had ever heard of him, and expectations were not sky-high when he failed to score in any of his first six appearances for the club, before breaking this duck during the 4-0 Europa League hammering of Steaua București.

Since, Igamane has not looked back, superseding Cyriel Dessers as the first-choice centre-forward, making his transfer fee look like a bargain and some excellent recruitment, considering he’d only ever plied his trade in the Botola – Morocco’s top-flight.

However, it’s another of Rangers’ summer signings, who joined the Gers on a Bosman, who could prove to be the best value for money edition of the bunce.

Rangers' star in the making

Connor Barron arrived on a free transfer from Aberdeen this summer, with a compensation fee yet to be agreed between the two clubs; the Dons turned down a reported settlement fee of £525,000, with former-Celtic striker Chris Sutton describing the drawn-out process as “strange”.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Regardless, Rangers have acquired a terrific defensive midfielder, who was receiving praise very early into his career at Ibrox.

Following just the third match of the season, a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Hampden, John Walker, host of the Scots Abroad podcast, described the signing as a “no-brainer”, adding “he’s a bit of a fan favourite” already, with Barron appearing ready to “make that step up with his technical ability”.

Sofascore have rated Barron seven or above during three of Rangers’ six Europa League matches to date, while his average Scottish Premiership rating is 6.99, receiving a seven or higher during eight of 13 league fixtures he has started.

Meantime, only two players have accumulated more than Barron’s 18 tackles in the Europa League so far; they are Adam Markhiyev (RFS, 23) as well as Kevin Mac Allister (Union SG, 19), brother of Liverpool’s Alexis, (and yes he is named after the kid from Home Alone.)

These performances have led to Barron being rated as one of Rangers’ most valuable players by Transfermarkt, as detailed in the table below, with his value of €2.5m (£2m), level with the aforementioned Igamane.

Player

Transfermarkt value

Signed for fee

Nicolas Raskin

€6.5m

£1.5m

Mohamed Diomandé

€6m

£4.3m

John Souttar

€4.5m

Free

Nedim Bajrami

€4.5m

£3.5m

Rıdvan Yılmaz

€4.5m

£3.5m

Danilo

€4.5m

£5.5m

Cyriel Dessers

€4m

£4.5m

Dujon Sterling

€4m

Free

James Tavernier

€3m

£200,000

Jack Butland

€3m

Free

Rabbi Matondo

€3m

£2.5m

Connor Barron

€2.5m

Free

Hamza Igamane

€2.5m

£2.5m

Jefté

€2.5m

£680,000

Robin Pröpper

€2.5m

£1.5m

Thus, still only 22 years old, having made just 103 top-flight senior appearances to date, Barron is only likely to get better, making him an even more valuable asset and further adding to the sense that Rangers snapped up a bargain.

English club want to sign him: Rangers face awful Jelavic repeat at Ibrox

The Glasgow Rangers attacker has attracted interest from the Premier League.

ByDan Emery Dec 18, 2024

Glasgow Rangers return to Premiership action this afternoon as they play their final game before Christmas.

Dundee are the visitors to Ibrox and Philippe Clement will be looking for his side to claim another three points.

The Dens Park side occupies seventh place in the league table and the Light Blues will be looking for a repeat of the result which saw them secure a 3-0 over the club in the quarter-finals of the League Cup back in September.

Remarkably, this is the first league meeting between the two clubs.

Rangers' last game against Dundee

Despite a poor start to the campaign, the Gers made progress into the last eight of the League Cup, which saw them take on Dundee.

Cyriel Dessers gave the home side a deserved lead, before James Tavernier netted a penalty and the Nigerian netted his second of the evening to seal a straightforward passage into the last four.

The previous league match against Dundee at Ibrox was a 5-2 victory which came during the dying embers of the 2023/24 campaign. The Gers found themselves 2-0 down before recovering to take all three points.

Date

Result

Venue

14/05/2024

5-2 to Rangers

Ibrox

17/04/2024

0-0 draw

Dens Park

09/12/2023

3-1 to Rangers

Ibrox

01/11/2023

5-0 to Rangers

Dens Park

All three points are all that matters this weekend.

Rangers team news vs Dundee

Clement spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of the Premiership clash against the Dens Park side.

He praised the side after a strong performance in the League Cup final, despite the defeat, before discussing his options for the Dundee clash, saying: “There is some flu going around the building, but don’t expect anyone missing. No fresh injuries from the last game.”

Good news for the supporters, who will expect to see a full-strength side taking the field this afternoon as the club seek another league victory.

Rangers predicted lineup vs Dundee

Of course, Jack Butland will remain in goal while a back four of James Tavernier, Robin Propper, Leon Balogun and Jefte will likely be used once again.

In midfield, Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande did an excellent job throughout the League Cup final, with the latter even scoring to make it 2-2 deep in the game, and they will continue their partnership.

Ianis Hagi started that game on the left wing, but he could well be dropped to the bench to be replaced by Hamza Igamane. Nedim Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny should retain their places from the League Cup final.

Danilo must also be given the nod to lead the line against Dundee. The £6m striker will be looking to continue his excellent partnership with Igamane which has seen the pair both score in their previous two league clashes against Kilmarnock and Ross County respectively.

On the surface, this is a starting XI which has plenty of talent to record a fairly comfortable win today, one that could see the Light Blues return to second place in the table.

While a solid performance would be wonderful, all three points is what the fans want for Christmas.

Rangers predicted lineup vs Dundee in full – Butland; Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte; Raskin, Diomande; Cerny, Bajrami, Igamane; Danilo

Clement can sell Dessers by unleashing Rangers teen who just won a trophy

The Glasgow Rangers teenage sensation scored a goal to win his side a trophy this week.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 19, 2024

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly prioritising a deal to sign Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, who is now available at a cut-price ahead of the January transfer window.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for those in the Midlands. After sacking Vitor Pereira, Wolves went on the hunt for a new manager and landed on Rob Edwards, who controversially left Middlesbrough to take the vacant position. He’s since claimed that no other job would have lured him away from Riverside and he now has the chance to keep his dream club afloat in the Premier League.

Fosun in contact to sign £30m Premier League ace who Wolves feel is perfect

The Old Gold haven’t got the reply they’d have wanted.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 21, 2025

Speaking to reporters after arriving, Edwards said: “It feels amazing to be back. I’m really proud. I’m genuinely proud and I’ve told all the staff and players that. I won’t lie about it, it has been an aim of mine since I first got the under-18’s job here 11 years ago. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

“But this was something that I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time, and I didn’t know if this job would ever come up again for me. The opportunity might never, ever come up for me to be the head coach of this club. I didn’t want to look back in 10, 15, 20 years, and think I turned down a chance to manage Wolves in the Premier League.

“I didn’t want to regret that, so here I am. I know the size and the scale of the task, but I’m really enthused by it, I’m excited by it, and this week has been really enjoyable. But now the games start, so let’s see.”

He will be well aware that the task on his hands is far from easy, but Wolves are seemingly willing to back their new manager when the January transfer window arrives – starting with a new shot-stopper.

Wolves prioritising Christos Mandas move

As reported by Ben Jacobs for GiveMeSport, Wolves are now prioritising a move for Mandas in January as they search for a new goalkeeper. The shot-stopper is open to a move away from the Serie A club after going from the No.1 under Maurizio Sarri to without a league appearance all season under Marcos Baroni.

Unlike in the summer, Wolves also have the chance to land a bargain deal. When those in the Midlands previously set their sights on Mandas, they were quoted a £22m fee. Now, as Lazio look to climb out of their financial struggles, he’s set to be available for a maximum of £12m when January arrives.

Described as “reactive” by his agent, Diego Tavano, Mandas arguably needs Wolves just as much as they need him. The one-time Manchester City target would provide Edwards with an instant upgrade on Jose Sa, who is 32 years old and struggling for consistency.

At 24, there’s also every chance that Mandas rediscovers his best form by leaving Lazio. The Italians sit mid-table in Serie A and the goalkeeper still hasn’t been able to win back his starting place.

Wolves now want to sign £20m set-piece specialist compared to Declan Rice

With Alexander Isak pushing for a move away from Tyneside, Newcastle United are faced with the difficult task of replacing one of the Premier League’s most technically gifted forwards.

The Swede’s blend of elegance, close control, and clinical finishing has made him a central figure in Eddie Howe’s system. Now, with Liverpool preparing a formal bid, Newcastle are already planning for life without their star striker.

In searching for a successor, Newcastle are looking for someone who shares Isak’s key qualities and possesses the potential to develop into one of the league’s leading strikers.

The forward they’ve identified ticks those boxes…

Latest on Newcastle's search to replace Isak

The bombshell news broke on Thursday that the Magpies’ main man is intent on leaving the club, having thus far failed to commit to a new deal at St James’ Park.

With that in mind, Newcastle are preparing to present their long-term project to Benjamin Šeško, the 21-year-old Slovenian striker currently at RB Leipzig, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Transfer Focus

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

After monitoring his progress since his RB Salzburg days, and previously attempting to sign him in 2022, the club are once again pushing to secure his signature.

With Leipzig finishing seventh in the Bundesliga and tumbling out of the Champions League early, the timing aligns perfectly.

His contract runs until 2029, but a £60m bid, down from the £85m figure previously quoted, could now be enough to secure his services.

Why Šeško is the perfect Isak replacement

With Isak’s departure appearing increasingly likely, Šeško is seen as the ideal successor. Standing at 194cm, he matches Isak’s physical presence but adds an impressive mix of speed, agility, and strength.

Despite operating in a Leipzig side that underperformed last season, his displays in the Bundesliga only strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young centre-forwards.

Owing to his blend of pace and a towering frame, football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him the “new Erling Haaland” – though Šeško’s style is notably more measured and refined.

While his overall numbers may fall short of Isak’s, they paint the picture of a striker not just keeping pace with the Premier League star, but exceeding expectations in less favourable circumstances.

The comparisons between the two are striking.

As per Transfermarkt, Šeško scored 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions last season, including 13 in the Bundesliga. Though he registered fewer total goal involvements than Isak (18 vs. 29), his efficiency in front of goal was impressive.

He scored 11 non-penalty goals from 8.4 expected, a sharp overperformance that suggests a striker with strong finishing instincts.

That ability to convert is reflected in his other shooting metrics.

According to data from FBref, Šeško averaged 2.5 shots per 90, compared to Isak’s 3.1, and put 43.9% of them on target, a touch higher than Isak’s 43.2%. Though he operates with slightly lower volume, the Slovenian is equally efficient, a valuable trait for a forward potentially operating in a Newcastle team that created fewer clear chances than some of their top-six rivals last season.

Šeško’s pace also adds a key dimension. At Salzburg, he was clocked at 36.11 km/h — one of the fastest top-level strikers in Europe.

In terms of buildup and link play, he’s still developing.

The same data showed that he averaged 15.7 completed passes per 90 with a 67.6% completion rate, lower than Isak’s 17 passes at 75.3%. But he’s competent at holding the ball up and offers glimpses of becoming a more rounded playmaker, something reflected in his 1.74 progressive passes per 90 and 1.93 shot-creating actions.

Perhaps most importantly, he appears ready to take the next step. Though he hasn’t agitated for a move, reports in Germany suggest Šeško views a switch to the Premier League as a logical progression.

Arsenal had previously shown strong interest, preferring him to Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres due to his age. However, they stepped back, paving the way for Newcastle to step in and pitch themselves as the perfect platform.

There’s also a stylistic harmony between Šeško and Howe’s approach. Like Isak, he offers vertical threat and mobility, capable of drifting into wide channels to stretch defences and creating space for others.

His pressing numbers are low (just 0.11 tackles in the attacking third per 90, compared to Isak’s 0.23), but his energy and willingness to learn could suit the high-intensity demands at St James’ Park.

With Chelsea target Xavi Simons already edging toward the Leipzig exit and interest in Loïs Openda growing, it feels like the Bundesliga club are bracing for change.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are ready to capitalise — seeing Šeško not just as a replacement for Isak, but a long-term centrepiece for their next phase.

Newcastle's most expensive sales of all time

A look at Newcastle’s 20 most expensive departures.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 5, 2025

Samuel Luckhurst criticised a Manchester United star, who looked “haunted” in the first half of the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Man Utd complete second-half comeback to prevail at Palace

Man United’s performance in the first half of the win against the Eagles left a lot to be desired, with Mark Goldbridge taking to X to criticise Ruben Amorim, while also taking aim at the manager’s reluctance to change things at half-time.

However, Amorim’s approach ultimately paid off, with Joshua Zirkzee cancelling out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener early in the second half, before Mason Mount secured all three points after being laid off by Bruno Fernandes from a free-kick.

The Red Devils were able to close out a 2-1 win, bringing their four-game winless run against Palace to an end, but it was far from a vintage performance, with Luckhurst taking to X to criticise Casemiro’s performance during the first half.

The reporter said: “Not remotely got going and Casemiro looks haunted up against Adam Wharton again.”

Man Utd should go all out to sign Wharton

It is little wonder United are so keen on signing Wharton, who put in a fantastic first-half performance, once again catching the eye with his passing ability.

With Amorim in the market for a new midfielder, INEOS should go all out to sign the Crystal Palace star, who was unlucky to be on the losing side after bossing the midfield in the first half, although Casemiro did manage to turn things around.

Although he lost possession 11 times, the Brazilian made a number of key defensive contributions throughout the match, winning seven duels, the second-highest number of any United player, while also making two interceptions, three clearances and three tackles.

Man Utd have unseen teenager who "looks better than half their first team"

Carrington has produced another gem.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 29, 2025

Journalist Liam Canning was also left impressed with the 33-year-old’s display, in what could be his final season as a Man United player, although an encouraging new update from Fabrizio Romano suggests the central midfielder could extend his contract beyond next summer…

Leeds United youngster Harry Gray has been in the spotlight among the fanbase once again this week after scoring two goals in a 3-2 loss to Accrington Stanley for the U21s.

The 17-year-old striker has scored seven goals in eight games in the EFL Trophy and Premier League 2 combined, to go along with a hat-trick against Scunthorpe in the English National League Cup.

Whilst Gray is, as evidenced by his goalscoring form, an exciting prospect for the Whites, he is not an attacking midfielder who will come up to the first-team and improve Daniel Farke’s side in the wide areas, where they have been struggling on the right wing with Brenden Aaronson.

Why Leeds need an upgrade on Brenden Aaronson

The USA international, to his credit, did play a key role in the club’s 2-1 win over West Ham United last month, scoring his first goal of the season from close range.

However, that was only his second goal in 48 Premier League appearances for Leeds across two seasons at the level, per Sofascore, which is a concern moving forward.

The American winger did assist Lukas Nmecha against Nottingham Forest before the international break, but he has yet to prove that he can deliver a consistent end product in the top-flight.

Two goals and four assists in 48 top-flight matches is far from an impressive haul for the former RB Salzburg man, which is why the Whites may look for an upgrade on him.

Whilst Gray is shining at academy level, Farke could look beyond him and to the U18s to find the player who could end Aaronson’s Elland Road career, in Sam Alker.

Why Sam Akler could end Brenden Aaronson's Leeds career

The 16-year-old talent, who does not turn 17 until next March, has caught the eye with his performances at youth level, so much so that he has attracted interest from across Europe.

Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have both been credited with interest in the attacking midfielder, which speaks to the level of talent that he has shown during his time at Thorp Arch.

The teenage whiz, who was described as a “standout” in the academy set-up by Como scout Ben Mattinson, has delivered two goals and two assists in 15 games as an attacking midfielder, per Transfermarkt.

Aaron Lennon

16 years, 4 months, 7 days

James Milner

16 years, 10 months, 6 days

Rob Bowman

17 years, 2 months, 16 days

Wesley Boyle

17 years, 5 months, 22 days

Alan Maybury

17 years, 5 months, 26 days

Harry Kewell

17 years, 6 months, 8 days

Alan Smith

18 years, 17 days

Andy Gray

18 years, 1 month, 29 days

Stephen McPhail

18 years, 1 month, 29 days

Noel Whelan

18 years, 4 months, 4 days

If Farke were to hand Alker a debut in the next match, he would rank between Aaron Lennon and James Milner in the list of the club’s youngest debuts in Premier League history.

This shows both how rare it is for a 16-year-old to debut in the Premier League and the level of talent you need to do so, given the careers that Lennon and Milner went on to have.

Leverkusen and Dortmund seemingly feel that the England U16 international is a huge talent, given their reported interest, and that is why handing him a first-team debut in the coming weeks could be a smart move by Leeds.

Giving the 16-year-old ace a chance in the Premier League would show him that there is a clear pathway to regular football at Elland Road, which could prevent him from being tempted by the prospect of a move to Germany.

Leeds have a Gelhardt upgrade out on loan who's 'similar to Summerville'

Leeds United might need to recall at least one of their loan stars…

ByRobbie Walls Nov 14, 2025

Aaronson made the move from attacking midfield to right wing this season in the Premier League, which is why it is his career at the club could be under threat by Alker’s emergence in the first-team, as the youngster could make a similar transition, unlike Gray, who is a natural number nine.

If the English attacking midfielder can make the step up and show that he belongs at first-team level, he could develop into the upgrade that Leeds need on the wing, negating any need for Aaronson at Elland Road.

Spending big money in the transfer market is something which is part and parcel of the modern game and needed to help bring about various levels of success.

Tottenham Hotspur have shown glimpses of splashing the cash in recent times, with the hierarchy spending over £400m in the last three years alone.

However, big spending doesn’t necessarily equate to success, with their latest investment in Xavi Simons appearing to be one that has struggled to hit the heights many expected.

The board forked out a fee in the region of £52m for the Dutchman’s signature, but he’s only registered one assist within his first eight outings across all competitions.

It may only be the early days of his stint in North London, but the 22-year-old desperately needs to find his best form to avoid being labelled a flop by the fanbase.

If Simons is unable to do so, he could be placed in the same category as one player who massively failed to deliver during his own stint in the Premier League.

The finances behind Tanguy Ndombele’s failed spell at Spurs

Back in the summer of 2019, excitement was at an all-time high at Spurs, after the hierarchy forked out a then club-record £63m on the signature of midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.

The Frenchman joined from Lyon with real expectations of taking the first-team squad to the next level – understandably so given the nature of the transfer fee.

He was handed a five-year deal on a staggering £200k-per-week, but such a deal would turn out to be one of the worst in the club’s history due to the astronomical numbers involved, coupled with his lack of impact.

When combining the total spent on his signature and the wages the hierarchy paid him, such a deal ended up costing £104.2m, with the breakdown of such a cost highlighting how much money they wasted.

Ndombele only made 91 appearances for the Lilywhites during his five years in England’s top-flight – which works out at a staggering £1.1m per appearance he made in North London.

Transfer Fee

£63m

Wages (Total)

£200k (£41.2m)

Appearances

91

Cost per Appearance

£1.1m

Goals

10

Cost per Goal

£10.4m

Assists

9

Cost per Assist

£11.5m

Goal Involvements

19

Cost per Goal Involvement

£5.4m

He also only netted 10 goals and registered nine assists, with his total of 19 goal contributions seeing the club fork out a total of £5.4m per contribution he made.

To top off his dismal spell in North London, the 28-year-old would depart on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 – further showcasing how much money they wasted on his signature.

The Spurs player who could become as big a waste as Ndombele

In the present day, Thomas Frank has the opportunity to break new ground for Spurs and build on the Europa League triumph at the back end of last season.

As previously mentioned, Simons was brought into the club to provide a needed boost in the final third, with Mohammed Kudus another player to make the move to North London.

The hierarchy forked out £55m for the Ghanaian’s signature, a hefty figure, but one that has appeared worthwhile given his immediate form in 2025/26.

He’s currently sitting on one goal and four assists across all competitions – currently boasting the highest combined tally of any player within the first-team squad.

The same can’t be said for fellow winger Wilson Odobert, with the Frenchman ultimately struggling to match the excitement his arrival last summer generated.

His transfer to join the Lilywhites came out of the blue, as the board paid a reported £25m for his signature after Burnley were relegated back to the Championship at the end of 2023/24.

Injuries massively plagued him in 2024/25, with the 20-year-old restricted to 21 appearances across all competitions – scoring just one goal in the Premier League as a result.

However, Frank’s arrival could have handed Odobert a fresh lease of life this campaign, but he’s so far been unable to take the initiative with both hands.

He’s already racked up 10 appearances in 2025/26, but has so far been unable to register a single goal or assist in any competition, with his underlying stats further highlighting his lack of positive impact.

Games played

8

Minutes played

317

Crosses completed

0.5

Chances created

0.8

Dribbles completed

52%

Shot on target accuracy

28%

Goals & assists

0

Possession lost

4.8

The former Burnley star has only completed 0.5 crosses per 90, whilst only completing 52% of the dribbles he’s attempted – often being unable to beat the opposition defenders with the ball at his feet.

Odobert has also been wasteful in front of goal, only managing to place 28% of his shots on target to date – undoubtedly contributing to his disappointing return in the final third.

At 20, he still has bags of time to improve further, but it’s unclear if he will be able to do that in North London, given the pressure placed on his shoulders.

He’s been tasked with replacing Heung-min Son this campaign, so far to no avail, with such a deal being a waste of money if he’s unable to find the form that saw the club spend big money on his signature.

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