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Carla Ward has spoken bluntly about Manchester United and the club's commitment to its women's team this season. The Red Devils have started well but the former Birmingham City and Aston Villa boss took issue with Marc Skinner only naming four outfield players on the bench for Sunday's WSL win over Liverpool amid growing concerns from fans about squad depth.

• Man Utd Women low on numbers

  There were just 16 players out of a possible 20 in United's matchday squad for the trip to the Totally Wicked Stadium to face a struggling Liverpool side. Skinner's team dominated the match, barely allowing the hosts a kick of the ball in the first half, during which they scored twice and could have had several more goals by the break.

  Liverpool, who named a full bench of nine players, came into the contest more in the second half when United's intensity dropped and had greater options for freshness. A lack of quality ultimately stopped the Merseysiders seriously mounting any sort of comeback attempt, but there were similar signs when the Red Devils had faced Arsenal a week earlier.

  United named eights subs against the Gunners, including two goalkeepers and two academy players, whereas Arsenal were able to call on star like Beth Mead, Frida Maanum and Ballon d'Or nominee Chloe Kelly. It meant they ended the 0-0 draw in the ascendancy, where it had been much more even earlier in the contest, and there was a degree of United hanging on for a point.

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  Multiple players unavailable

  United's depth, although already thin, is being further affected by injuries.

  Millie Turner, a regular starter alongside Maya Le Tissier in the centre of defence in recent seasons, is nursing a knee problem and has no set timeline to return. Versatile winger Leah Galton and box-to-box midfielder Simi Awujo are sidelined, while Hannah Blundell is not yet ready for first-team action as she builds fitness after a year out while pregnant and on maternity leave.

  Left-back Anna Sandberg missed the Liverpool game through illness but should soon return, and Celin Bizet, Jayde Riviere and Gabby George have also each had spells out already this season because of more minor injury complaints.

• Ward hits out at Man Utd hierarchy

  Carla Ward, speaking as a WSL pundit for Sky Sports suggested that Manchester United should have done more during the summer to prepare the squad for a crucial season that sees the team in the Women's Champions League proper for the first time.

  Based on her own, albeit very different, experience at Birmingham she also claimed that Skinner was making it clear to the hierarchy that he needs more players by naming such a small bench – the argument there would be that the boss could otherwise have filled out the squad with academy players.

  "I think when you only name that many on the bench – and I've been there – you're sending a message to the board," Ward said. "I think Manchester United have let the women's team down this year. There's an opportunity to bring more bodies in – they're in the Champions League and playing across all competitions, so [Skinner] has got his hands tied.

  She added: "You can question players going out on loan…Keira Barry and a couple of players might have been able to stay. That's such a small bench, a thin bench, and not many options."

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  Skinner: 'Nothing I can do about it'

  Marc Skinner spoke to reporters after the Liverpool game, fielding a question about squad depth, or lack thereof. He was open about the need for more recruitment, but stressed that it's not something which can be fixed right now. He also stated that efforts were made in summer that didn't materialise because of how the market suddenly changed.

  "There's nothing I can do about it," Skinner explained. "Until that [January] window, there's nothing I can do. We have to invest in the window. I've said that and I'll be very clear on that. The club need to support these players with their incredible talent.

  "There were reasons in the summer that it just didn't work. It wasn't for lack of trying, let me be very clear on that. The market shift changed massively, so we have to invest in that window and to support these [players]. Until then, we've got to find solutions, and that's my job to try and do that."

Tottenham Hotspur suffered from a lack of creativity during Saturday’s defeat against Bournemouth on home turf, losing 1-0 after such good work in claiming six points from six to get the Thomas Frank era off to a flyer in the Premier League.

The hunt for a playmaker worth their salt has dominated much of the Lilywhites’ transfer window, with Xavi Simons signed on but only after botched efforts for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, who left Crystal Palace and joined Arsenal.

But the defeat against the Cherries, requiring more than an hour of action for a first shot on target, and Simons alone won’t provide the answer across the wide span of the campaign.

Mohammed Kudus has racked up a few assists already at this early point in his Tottenham career, but it’s not enough, and Daniel Levy looks ready to attack the market one last time and land a player with properties better suited to fixing this chink in the armour.

Spurs lining up D-day signing

Tottenham have what it takes to come on leaps and bounds this season, but much will depend on the coherence threaded through the first-team squad.

And without enough creative ammunition, Frank’s lofty ambitions might prove hard to hit. To put it another way, he could do with another impactful addition in the coming hours.

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, that man could be Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with Tottenham having made an enquiry to ascertain the potential of a last-gasp bid for the England international.

Transfer Focus

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

The chances of the energetic attacking midfielder leaving are admittedly slim, but Tottenham may well pull it off if they offer a sum in the ballpark of £80m, the figure quoted as other clubs – including Liverpool – circle.

What Rogers would bring to Spurs

Aston Villa only signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in the Championship for £15m in January 2024, and already, the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.

After all, he notched 30 goal involvements across all competitions last term, blending his prolific touch with such power and confidence when carrying the ball forward.

Might Spurs be set to land a stunning repeat of their one-time masterclass in winning the race for Dele Alli, who also had strong interest from Liverpool before leaving MK Dons in League One and joining Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham in a £5m package, aged 18.

The rest is history. While Dele’s career has sadly swerved down a dark path, he will always be remembered fondly down N17 for his incredible and prodigious emergence, with Pochettino actually saying back in 2017: “If he is not the best young player in Europe, he’s one of the best. Look at his age and his statistics, the potential is massive.”

Rogers doesn’t quite carry the same weight, but he’s still showcased immense potential under Unai Emery’s wing at Aston Villa.

Not just a prolific midfielder, Rogers is something of “a machine” when on the ball, as has been noted by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell. He won 4.7 duels per league match last year, as per Sofascore, and shifted from the centre to a more attacking berth with such gusto.

While he can play out on the flank, Rogers shares a further likeness with his countryman in that he is best utilised from the centre, with journalist Carl Anka actually remarking that he has a “Dele-esque” way about him in that regard.

Adding him to the ranks would strengthen Tottenham’s creative potential, to be sure, adding something that Kudus, for all his ability, doesn’t quite inject with the needed skill at this present moment. Indeed, last term, Kudus chalked up just nine goals and assists for the Hammers in all competitions, far fewer than Rogers’ haul of 30.

Kudus is a direct and dangerous winger, but he’s not the most effective of playmakers, and with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both sidelined, adding a player of Rogers’ profile to the mix could go a long way toward weaving together the kind of tactical harmony needed for Spurs to hit their targets and exceed them.

More exciting than Simons: Spurs chasing "one of the best LWs in the world"

Spurs could seal a more exciting signing than Simons on transfer deadline day.

5

By
Matt Dawson

Aug 31, 2025

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has admitted he hasn't spoken to former boss Eddie Howe following his Newcastle exit. Isak left the Magpies for the Premier League champions as a long-running summer saga drew to a close on deadline day. The Swede, though, doesn't want to dwell on the past as he looks to move on from the controversy surrounding his big money move to Anfield.

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  Isak has struggled in opening weeks at Liverpool

  Isak went on strike as he sought to secure a summer switch to Liverpool, claiming that promises had been broken by former side Newcastle. The Swede was instrumental for the Magpies last season, scoring 23 league goals as Eddie Howe's side earned a Champions League finish.

  However, a lack of pre-season means that Isak has struggled in the opening weeks of his Liverpool career. Indeed, the 26-year-old has scored just one goal – an easy finish in a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Championship side Southampton – and hasn't lasted the full 90 in all four Liverpool starts.

  Even so, Isak was called up to the Sweden squad for the October international break, starting their must-win game against Switzerland on Friday night. The Blue and Yellow have failed to win their opening two World Cup qualifying matches, but the striker is hoping to gain a head of steam ahead of the return to domestic duties next week.

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• 'It doesn't benefit anyone'

  And speaking ahead of Sweden's World Cup qualifier against Switzerland, Isak believes it is best for all parties to put the saga behind them. "It's nothing I want to dwell on now. It doesn't benefit anyone, neither me nor Newcastle so let it be," Isak is quoted by ESPN.

  Isak was also asked whether he had spoken to former boss Howe at all following his Newcastle exit, to which he simply replied: "No." The Magpies ultimately signed Nick Woltemade and Yoana Wissa from VfB Stuttgart and Brentford, respectively, to ease the frontman's departure for Liverpool.

  Newcastle have been struggling in the final third in the wake of Isak's exit having scored just six league goals in the opening seven games of the season. Woltemade has made a fine start to life at St. James' Park having scored three times, but Wissa is yet to feature for his new side due to injury.

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  'I'm working hard to push myself'

  Isak meanwhile has insisted he is working hard to build up his fitness following his Liverpool switch. The former Borussia Dortmund hitman is essentially playing catch up having missed the entirety of pre-season as he looked secure his move to the Reds.

  "I'm working hard to push myself and play my game," Isak added. "Things have been a bit tougher for us. I believe that as the team improves and things start to flow better, it will also go better for me.

  "I've been really happy so far. A city where the team has a very good relationship with the fans which is important. It's been nice so far."

  And ahead of the game against Switzerland, Isak stated: "I'm ready for 90 minutes if needed. It's been a month now. I've had a lot more playing time and things have calmed down. I feel in a much better position now than last time."

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• Liverpool seeking a return to winning ways

  Liverpool are hoping to get their season back on track when Premier League football resumes next weekend. The Reds lost three consecutive matches for the first time since 2023 prior to the international break as the defending champions fell to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea, albeit by a single goal in each game.

  Even so, Liverpool's loss at Chelsea combined with Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Ham last weekend means the Reds currently sit second in the Premier League table. Many now have the Gunners down as title favourites as the north London side look to finally mount a successful title push.

  Arne Slot's side get their Premier League defence back underway against fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, 19th October. Liverpool have failed to win their last two home league meetings with United since thrashing the Manchester giants 7-0 in 2023 having been held to respective 0-0 and 2-2 draws in front of their own fans.

Ruben Amorim has poured cold water on speculation that Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee could leave Manchester United in January. The Portuguese boss acknowledged both players' frustration over limited game time but made it clear that they remain "our players" and will not be allowed to depart midway through the season as he seeks stability at Old Trafford.

• Mainoo and Zirkzee struggling for minutes

  Mainoo, who requested a loan move late in the summer, saw his plea rejected as the club viewed him as an integral part of their plans for the season. The 20-year-old has since struggled for minutes, failing to start a Premier League game and finding himself behind Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the midfield hierarchy.

  Zirkzee, meanwhile, has endured a similarly difficult start to the campaign. The Dutch forward has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League and another in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town back in August. His limited involvement has fuelled reports linking him with a January return to Serie A, with Roma said to be exploring a possible loan deal.

  Amorim, however, has made his stance clear amid growing speculation. The manager, who has faced criticism for his team selections and failure to rotate, believes both players will play key roles over the course of the season. His comments arrive at a crucial time as United continue to search for consistency after a mixed start to the campaign.

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  Amorim not keen to let duo leave in January

  Asked about Mainoo and Zirkzee’s frustration over their lack of playing time, Amorim said: “That is normal, and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing. They want to play.

  "Like you said, there's a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time. So, I understand that but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season."

  The United boss stopped short of addressing Marcus Rashford's earlier claim that the team was operating in an 'inconsistent environment'. "I'm just focused on the future of the club, on the present of the club,” Amorim said. "That is the most important thing. So, I'm focused just on my players and what they say, what they do, that is my main focus."

• Mainoo and Zirkzee's lack of form

  Mainoo's situation has been particularly perplexing, given his breakthrough under former manager Erik ten Hag. The midfielder became one of Manchester United's standout academy graduates, scoring in the FA Cup final and featuring for England at Euro 2024. However, since Amorim's arrival, he has been largely confined to the bench, even as the Red Devils refrained from signing a new midfielder over the summer.

  His omission has raised eyebrows, with many supporters questioning why Amorim continues to field Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role that appears to limit his attacking influence. The Portuguese coach, though, seems intent on maintaining experience in key positions as he navigates the early stages of his project.

  Zirkzee's case mirrors that of Mainoo, albeit for different reasons. The Dutch forward's first year at Old Trafford was underwhelming, and the arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have pushed him further down the pecking order. Despite interest from Italy, Amorim views Zirkzee as a useful squad option – particularly with United battling to improve their attacking output after a slow start to the season.

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  Man Utd could still be forced to let Mainoo and Zirkzee leave

  Manchester United's immediate focus will remain on reviving their Premier League form, but internal dynamics are now firmly under the spotlight. Amorim’s public stance suggests that both Mainoo and Zirkzee will stay beyond January, though their playing time could determine whether that remains the case later in the campaign.

  The January transfer window could still bring renewed pressure if either player's situation fails to improve. Mainoo's potential sale would appeal to the club from a Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) perspective, given his homegrown status, but Amorim appears unwilling to sanction any short-term gain that could weaken his overall midfield options. Similarly, Zirkzee's value to the squad may increase if injuries or fatigue hit United's frontline.

  Manchester United will take on Liverpool next up in the Premier League at Anfield, as the Red Devils look to spring a surprise and hand the defending champions their fourth straight loss.

Chelsea have now submitted an offer for an “exceptional” Tottenham Hotspur player, who is keen to remain in the Premier League.

Caicedo impresses despite Brentford slip-up

If the Blues have serious ambitions of mounting a Premier League title charge this season, they need to be able to close out games against teams like Brentford, which is why it will be disappointing they were unable to pick up all three points on Saturday.

Fabio Carvalho’s late goal meant Enzo Maresca’s side had to settle for a draw on the road, and missed the opportunity to go top of the Premier League table at this early stage of the campaign.

While Maresca will no doubt be disappointed by the result, the Italian is likely to be happy with Moises Caicedo’s performance, with the Ecuadorian bagging the goal that put the west Londoners 2-1 up late in the second half, and impressing from a defensive point of view.

As such, there are doubts over whether Chelsea need to bring in another defensive midfielder, but according to a report from Africa Foot, they have now made an offer for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma.

Bissouma has recently suffered a knee injury, which means he will have to wait until January to leave the Blues’ bitter rivals, amid widespread interest in his signature, with Newcastle United, West Ham United and Crystal Palace also lodging proposals.

Tottenham are open to sanctioning a departure, given that the Malian midfielder is well-known to have fallen out with Thomas Frank, which means a January departure could be on the cards, although they would prefer to sell him to a foreign club.

The 29-year-old, on the other hand, has made it clear that he wants to remain in the Premier League, rather than joining the likes of Chicago Fire, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe or Lyon.

"Exceptional" Bissouma would be strange signing for Chelsea

In truth, it would be strange for the Blues to launch a formal move for the Tottenham midfielder, not least because Maresca is already well-stocked in the engine room, with the likes of Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos at the manager’s disposal.

Moreover, there are also issues surrounding the Mali international’s discipline, with Frank leaving him out for the Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain and saying: “Bissouma isn’t here because of disciplinary reasons. He has been late several times, the latest one too many.”

Chelsea now ready to launch £85m+ move to sign "rare" superstar in 2026

He’d be the perfect Simons alternative…

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 14, 2025

That’s not to say the Spurs ace isn’t a talented player on his day, with Gary Lineker once describing him as “exceptional” after putting in an impressive performance against Everton.

However, there is little point in Chelsea potentially shelling out £14m on a player who would be likely to receive little game time, given Caicedo and Fernandez’s emergence as key players, with both starting all four Premier League games up to this point.

Newcastle United will have to wait for Yoane Wissa to send St. James’ Park into a loud cheer with the first of surely many goals in black and white.

The DR Congo international signed for the Magpies in a £55m deal this summer, leaving Brentford after prolific returns across a number of seasons. He is the Bees’ all-time top scorer in the Premier League, and against some stern competition at that. He is sidelined for several weeks, having picked up a knee injury on international duty earlier this month.

It’s not ideal, but Nick Woltemade took to the Premier League like a duck to water at the weekend, and his arrival and performance suggest the bitter sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool may well be overcome.

Why Newcastle signed Woltemade

Newcastle paid a club-record £69m fee to bring Woltemade over from Stuttgart in Germany. The 23-year-old boasts a unique attacking profile and scored 12 goals in the Bundesliga last season, starting only 17 times.

Whether he will match Isak’s prolificness in the years to come is anyone’s guess, but he started off strongly with a headed goal against Wolves on Saturday, sealing Newcastle’s first win of the year.

Hailed as an “entertainer” by Bundesliga reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt, the 6 foot 6 striker showed more than his command of the skies, with Sofascore recording that he won five ground duels, made three tackles and completed eight of nine passes against the Old Gold.

Now, it’s all about consistency, and Howe will know that internal pressure, applied carefully, will help him rise to the fore. The German has shown he can lead the line, but he needs competition.

But with Wissa out for the foreseeable, there’s an interesting chance for a new star to step up and challenge Woltemade for a starting berth.

Newcastle talent is ready to challenge Woltemade

Up until Newcastle met Liverpool in the Premier League last month, William Osula had done very little on the senior stage to suggest he had the minerals to star as the club’s number nine.

But the 22-year-old impressed when introduced on that highly-charged evening, darting through the Reds line and bundling in, leading Howe to remark on his “outstanding” progress on Tyneside.

Rangy, powerful and instinctive, he was once described by former teammate Curtis Davies as being like “a poor man’s Haaland”, and there is certainly some form of similarity to the Manchester City machine, easily the most clinical footballer competing today.

He’s certainly got the personality and charisma to match a superstar like Haaland, and if Howe can unlock a degree of consistency, it might not only be Wissa knocking on Woltemade’s door this season.

Clearly having come on leaps and bounds since leaving Sheffield United and signing for the Toon in August 2024, Osula is the real deal, with a skillset that demands regular Premier League football, should he continue to make the same progress of recent months.

Having only made 23 senior appearances for Newcastle, the Frenchman has scored three goals and supplied two assists. He’s off the mark in the Premier League.

The signs are promising, and Howe seems to think there is a player in there who might come knocking at Woltemade’s door sooner rather than later.

Not just Ekitike: Newcastle lost one of the best teens in Europe to Liverpool

Newcastle have lifted their season from the floorboard after the closure of the summer transfer window.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 15, 2025

Roy Keane had absolutely no sympathy for Rory McIlroy, who was on the receiving end of abuse at the Ryder Cup in New York last month. Team Europe claimed an impressive 15-13 win over Team USA but insults were aimed at McIlroy and Shane Lowry over the weekend at Bethpage Black, yet no-nonsense man Keane pulled no punches in his assessment of the abuse sent in the direction of the Irish golfers.

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  There was a hostile atmosphere in New York

  Team Europe knew to expect plenty of abuse from the hostile American home support in New York. Indeed, tempers threatened to spill over as Tommy Fleetwood was involved in a heated exchange with Bryson DeChambeau which stemmed from a caddie incident on the 15th hole.

  And McIlroy and Lowry in particular were targeted by US fans with the pair involved in foul-mouthed rants at the crowd, while one fan was removed from the course over the weekend. McIlroy appeared visibly vexxed owing to some of the vitriol aimed his way from supporters.

  In addition, McIlroy's wife, Erica Stoll, appeared to be struck by a beer thrown from the crowd, which understandably left the Irish golfer furious. While the golfing world pulled together to condemn the abuse, Keane had a different viewpoint as he pulled no punches on his assessment of the unsavoury scenes in New York.

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• 'Upset by a few Yanks?'

  Keane was dismissive of the relentless abuse Team Europe received during the Ryder Cup, and insisted there was no chance of Team USA mounting a Sunday comeback, telling Stick to Football via balls.ie: "So, you tell me. I'm no expert in golf – I don't play but I watch the sport.

  "You're saying the pressure on these players because some people were shouting? Become a footballer and go to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night, let me tell you.

  "These guys play in big tournaments every week. All of a sudden, they're going to be upset by a few Yanks? You've got McIlroy, McIlroy's won all the big prizes. Do you think he's going to be upset by a few people? It's ridiculous!

  "Of course they [knew abuse was coming]. They've built it up for the last six months, 'Wait til you come to America.' Of course they knew they were going to get abused!

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  Keane questioned why wives and girlfriends were in attendance

  Keane went on to question why the players' wives and girlfriends were on the course when they knew they were going to be on the receiving end of abuse in New York, adding: "And then they get upset because of their partners…let me tell you what I would say to my partner.

  "If I was a golfer, and my partner was getting abuse, I'd say to my partner, or my wife, or my girlfriend, 'Just stay in the hotel, love. I'll see you tonight when I get back. You don't come to the other tournaments, but guess what? You get a new outfit and come to the Ryder Cup!'

  "You've got a new outfit, a new belt, and then I'm getting loads of stick? Well, go home! I guarantee you they're going back to a nice hotel, they're not in a camp, in a tent."

  Former Ryder Cup hero Andrew Coltart warned that wives and girlfriends were going to come in for abuse at the competition, previously stating: "So for Bethpage Black, I offered up the suggestion that it might not be a great idea to go out there and they can watch it from a room where it's safe and secure."

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• 'He shouldn't be swearing either, should he?'

  It was clear that Keane had no time for complaints about the abuse the players and their partners received at the Ryder Cup, while he aimed a further dig at McIlroy. McIlroy had previously been a guest on the Stick to Football podcast and recounted a story of how his hero at the time, Keane, turned him down for an autograph when he was a kid.

  Keane took the chance to aim another dig at McIlroy, adding: "Well, he shouldn't be swearing either, should he? I didn't see him signing autographs after, by the way! All those little kids waiting for him!"

  Keane had a reputation for one of football's hard men during his playing career, and still holds the record for the most red cards in English football having been dismissed 13 times as a player. The 54-year-old spent the bulk of his career with Manchester United but also turned out for Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Cobh Ramblers.

Newcastle United are in a six-club battle to sign an “exceptional” Champions League-winning player, sending scouts to watch him in action.

Newcastle handed Livramento injury concern in Arsenal heartbreak

The Magpies lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, as their disappointing start to the season continues.

The nature of the defeat was bad enough, with the Gunners winning it in the dying seconds, but a serious-looking injury to Tino Livramento compounded Newcastle’s misery, with Eddie Howe clearly concerned about it after the game.

“He’s such a big player for us in so many different ways – his versatility, his attitude, his quality. If we’re going to miss that for any length of time, it is going to be a huge blow.”

Losing Livramento for a lengthy period of time would be a massive blow for Newcastle, considering what a key man he has become at both right and left-back, and it could even affect his chances of representing England at the 2026 World Cup.

Away from the injury news, it looks as though the Magpies are still trying to show ambition in the transfer market, with a Champions League winner mentioned as an option for them in 2026.

Newcastle send scouts to watch "exceptional" star

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Newcastle United are “closely monitoring” Real Madrid forward Arda Guler, sending scouts to watch him in La Liga action.

The Magpies are far from alone in expressing an interest in the Turk, however, with Arsenal, Tottenham, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig making it a six-club tussle for his signature. The Gunners have been the most strongly linked, pursuing the Turkey prodigy – who was also wanted by Barcelona before he chose Madrid – since earlier this summer.

Guler is arguably one of the most gifted and exciting young attacking players in Europe, so Newcastle supporters should love the idea of him moving to St James’ Park.

The 20-year-old has tasted Champions League glory with Madrid, impressing with his left-footed guile as a squad player, with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente a big admirer of him.

“Arda Guler is an exceptional player. We’re watching him here in La Liga with Real Madrid. His position has changed, he’s shown that he’s very versatile. He can play in deeper positions, close to the box, and also on the wing. He’s a great player.”

Guler isn’t always a key starter for Madrid, given the world-class attacking depth at their disposal, but he already has three goals and assists apiece in the league this season, suggesting that he is an important player for Xabi Alonso.

As bad as Burn: Howe must drop Newcastle star who won just 23% duels

Dan Burn isn’t the only Newcastle United stalwart who will now be fearful about his starting spot.

2

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 29, 2025

If he decides that he needs a new challenge, though, wanting to be the star man at a club, Newcastle should be at the front of the queue for his signature.

Lucas Paqueta has spoken to clear the air amid reports he wants to leave West Ham in the January transfer window. It has been claimed that the Brazilian has been keen to leave the Hammers following his clearance from spot-fixing allegations in July. He was the subject of a long-running FA investigation and is now said to be eyeing a fresh start with a new club.

• West Ham determined to hold on to Paqueta

  It had been reported that Aston Villa came forward with a late bid for Paqueta in the summer window. However, the Hammers refused to sanction the transfer, with Villa’s proposal arriving only a couple of days before deadline day. Flamengo, Paqueta’s boyhood club, also approached with a loan offer that was swiftly turned down by West Ham. Sources in Brazil suggested that Flamengo would love to bring Paqueta back home permanently, but questions remain over whether they could afford such a move. Now, a fresh report from claims that he is once again pushing to open the exit doors in the winter.

  However, Paqueta appeared to pour cold water on those rumours using nothing more than a simple emoji. The midfield magician took to X to share a picture of himself beaming in a West Ham shirt, flanked by his two young sons, Filippo and Tiziano, at the London Stadium. His post, which came just over an hour after The Times reported he wanted to quit the club, included only a smiling face emoji, enough to put the swirling rumours about his future to rest. 

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  Challenging times at West Ham

  Pep Guardiola was also reportedly eager to add Paqueta to his Manchester City midfield, but the deal collapsed due to the investigation into the now-quashed betting irregularities. But things have since gone south for the Brazilian as, instead of challenging for Premier League titles, Paqueta finds himself battling at the opposite end of the table. West Ham sit 19th in the league, four points adrift of safety, after losing seven of their opening nine matches. Their defence has leaked 20 goals, and the fans are running out of patience. The latest blow came last weekend, when newly promoted Leeds United stunned the Hammers with two quickfire goals in the opening 15 minutes, holding on for a 2–1 victory at Elland Road. The defeat left West Ham staring down the barrel of a relegation fight. Amid the darkness, Paqueta remains one of West Ham’s few shining lights. Since joining from Lyon in 2022, he has been an ever-present force, and he has already scored three goals in 10 appearances across all competitions, often carrying the creative burden in a team struggling for identity. 

• Nuno’s tough task and dressing room unrest

  West Ham's managerial turmoil has only worsened matters. After sacking Graham Potter just weeks into the new campaign, the Hammers turned to Nuno Espírito Santo, who was himself after being dismissed by Nottingham Forest. But Nuno’s arrival has yet to spark a revival. He has made bold choices in his early matches, notably freezing out James Ward-Prowse from his squads. The former Southampton captain has not featured in any of Nuno’s four matchday line-ups, and the new boss is reportedly open to selling him in January. Behind the scenes, Nuno is said to be pressing the board to back him in the upcoming window. His wish list includes a commanding striker and a new central defender, but with West Ham set to announce significant financial losses for last season, reinforcements may depend on player sales.

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  Can West Ham regain their lost spark?

  Even with the recent social media post suggesting Paqueta's content, doubts persist. However, few can blame him for wondering whether his talents deserve a grander stage, especially given how quickly West Ham’s European dreams have unravelled. And their immediate future looks perilous. Newcastle’s visit this weekend could bring yet more frustration, before a critical home match against Burnley just six days later. If results don’t turn soon, the fans will grow even more restless, and even the most optimistic ones will fear that the club could be staring at a relegation scrap by Christmas. 

Manchester City and England defender John Stones revealed he briefly considered retiring amid his injury nightmare last season.

The 31-year-old’s 2024/25 campaign was decimated by foot and hamstring injuries, which saw him make just 24 appearances for club and country and none after February.

Stones considered retirement amid Man City injury struggles

He is back fit again this season and looks set to make his first appearance under England boss Thomas Tuchel in the upcoming games against Wales and Latvia.

Despite his injury woes last season, Stones, on £250,000-a-week at the Etihad, was invited to Tuchel’s summer camp for the games against Andorra and Senegal, which showed the German’s intention for the defender to be part of his plans.

“I love England so much and I love playing for England,” Stones said. “Some of the best moments in my career have been playing for England at tournaments.

“And when he said to (me), would I come out and be with the guys and continue my training, it was a no-brainer. For me to come and show my face to the guys, offer advice, be a good team-mate, I suppose – it was a special moment.

“I had not thought about it since, because everything moves on so fast. But it was a big sign and something that I was really happy to

do.”