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A spectator at PNC Park in Pittsburgh fell from the stands in right center field onto the field of play in the bottom of the seventh inning on Wednesday night as the Pirates hosted the Chicago Cubs.

Play was stopped for several minutes as the fan was attended to by medical personnel. The fan was eventually carted off the field.

The Pirates released a statement on the incident after the game.

"Tonight, during the seventh inning of the game at PNC Park, an adult male fell from the right field bleachers onto the field of play,” the statement read. “Pittsburgh EMS, as well as the Pirates and Cubs athletic training teams and other PNC Park personnel reacted and responded immediately and administered care. He was transported to Allegheny General Hospital. No further information is available at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

Carlo Ancelotti has issued a final warning to Neymar when it comes to 2026 World Cup selection, with the Italian tactician eager to ensure that he does not make any “mistakes” when naming his final squad. Ancelotti has yet to call upon Neymar since becoming Selecao boss, but insists that the door remains open to the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar.

• When did Neymar make his last appearance for Brazil?

  Neymar is his country’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals being recorded across 128 appearances. He has not, however, pulled on a famous yellow jersey since October 2023 – when suffering knee ligament damage during a World Cup qualifying clash with Uruguay.

  A long road to recovery was taken in on the back of that fitness blow, with his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal eventually being terminated. That decision freed Neymar to head home and rejoin boyhood club Santos.

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  Is Neymar in Brazil's World Cup plans? Ancelotti explains

  More fitness issues have been endured there, preventing the 33-year-old playmaker from convincing Ancelotti of his worth and earning an international recall. Neymar was overlooked again when Brazil named their squad for a friendly date with Tunisia that will take place in Lille, France.

  Unsurprisingly, Ancelotti continues to be quizzed on whether an iconic No.10 forms part of his plans. He told reporters when discovering that the subject had followed him from South America to Europe: “I thought Neymar was just a topic in Brazil, but I see it's a global issue. Fortunately, he recovered from his injury. Now he has six months to play. The Brazilian Championship stops on December 7, then he can take a vacation, but then he'll have the Brazilian Championship again to show his quality and, obviously, his physical condition.”

  Ancelotti went on to reveal that Neymar is in his thoughts when it comes to World Cup call-ups, but has pointed out that he will not be taking any risks when it comes to piecing together a squad to compete for global glory in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

  He added: “Neymar is on the list of players who could be at the World Cup. Now he has six months to make the final list. We just have to observe him and other players so as not to make mistakes in the final list.”

• Best position? Ancelotti wants to see Neymar as a No.10

  Ancelotti recently said of wanting to see more of Neymar at Santos in his favoured central playmaking berth: “I know everyone wants Neymar to get back to his best physical condition. And also the CBF, the coach, the technical staff of the national team hope that Neymar can return to his best level. The truth is that today's football demands many things. Not only talent, but also physical condition, intensity… hopefully Neymar will be at his best level.

  “I think he needs to play more centrally, not as a winger, because wingers in today's football are players you need to help defensively as well. When you play a little more centrally, the defensive work is much less than when you play as a winger. And I also think that a very talented player, closer to the goal, has more opportunities to score goals. [False 9] could be his ideal position.”

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  Move in 2026? Messi reunion mooted for Neymar in MLS

  Neymar has taken in three appearances since returning from his latest injury – with his last seeing a shock victory picked up against Palmeiras that has helped to lift Santos out of the relegation zone.

  Thigh problems have been an unfortunate theme over recent months, but Neymar does have six goals and three assists to his name through 24 appearances this season. More will be required in order to earn favour with Ancelotti, with there every chance that he will be plying his trade somewhere else when 2026 is welcomed in. That is because his contract continues to run down towards free agency, with a potential reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at MLS side Inter Miami that would see Barcelona’s fabled ‘MSN’ strike force reformed continuing to be speculated on.

The search for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ new manager goes on.

The Old Gold sacked Vitor Pereira last week after picking up just two points all season, as they look to salvage the campaign and avoid relegation to the Championship.

There have been a few names bandied about when it comes to who could replace Pereira in the hot seat at Molineux.

Former manager Gary O’Neill, who was only sacked last December, came under consideration, but pulled out of the race. There are also suggestions that Erik ten Hag and Michael Carrick are two options for the club.

However, a new contender has emerged in recent hours.

The latest manager to be linked with Wolves

It was clear that Wolves needed to bring in a new manager, with Pereira struggling to get the best out of his squad.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

However, his replacement is something they must get spot on, as they look to get their first win of the season.

Well, according to Football FanCast sources, the higher-ups at Molineux have sounded out a move for former Benfica boss Rui Vitoria.

The West Midlands outfit is said to be a job that the 55-year-old would be open to taking over.

Vitoria has not been out of a job long, having managed Panathinaikos most recently, who sacked him in September.

Why Vitoria would be a good appointment for Wolves

It is perhaps a bit of a red flag for Wolves fans that Pereira has struggled in his last three jobs. The Portuguese manager, who hails from just outside of Lisbon, has had three jobs in the last four years.

One of those was as head coach of the Egyptian national team. He coached them in 18 games and was sacked after crashing out of AFCON at the round of 16 stage. The role before that was at Spartak Moscow, where he lasted 26 games, and his latest job at Panathinaikos saw him manage 43 matches.

Yet, the 55-year-old has seen success at previous clubs. Said to favour an attacking 4-3-3 formation, his best spell came as Benfica boss, where he won four major honours. That included back-to-back Portuguese top-flight titles in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 campaigns.

One man who thought highly of Vitoria’s reign was Pep Guardiola, who said his team was “worthy of Arrigo Sacchi,” the legendary former AC Milan manager.

The pair met in the Champions League when Guardiola was in charge of Bayern Munich, and although Benfica were knocked out 3-2 on aggregate, Vitoria clearly left a strong impression.

Indeed, his record at Benfica was certainly impressive. He took charge of 183 games for the club and had an excellent win rate of 68%. That saw him lead his side to victory on 125 occasions.

It is easy to draw comparisons between the potential new Wolves boss and one of their best from the FOSUN era, Nuno Espirito Santo.

Now at West Ham United, the ex-Old Gold manager took charge of 199 games at Molineux and was a huge success story.

Nuno was adored by the Wolves faithful. Not only did he guide them back to the Premier League in 2017/18, but he even led them to the Europa League. He certainly brought happier times to Molineux during his time there.

Like Vitoria, the former Wolves manager learnt his craft in his native Portugal. He began at Rio Ave, and then managed FC Porto, with a spell at Valencia in between, before moving to Molineux and starting his dynasty.

Well, via a few more clubs, that is a similar route to what Vitoria will be taking if he gets the job at Molineux. Making a name for themselves in Portugal is something the two managers have in common, and Vitoria will be hoping he can earn the same level of adoration Nuno got at Wolves.

The new Nuno Santo: "World-class" manager wants to hold talks with Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers could appoint their next Nuno Espirito Santo by hiring this Gary O’Neil upgrade.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 5, 2025

Except for the final number of dollars, which blew away even veteran baseball executives, the signing of Juan Soto by the New York Mets was the most predictable outcome in years on the free agent market. No offense to the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, but they all were competing for second place and the golf clap from their fans that they tried really hard.

You can break down the $765 million, 15-year deal—the largest known contract in the history of sports—all you want. How Soto had the chance for a monument at Yankee Stadium by riding shotgun with Aaron Judge into the next decade. How a pure hitter, with little defensive or baserunning value, turned the $700 million of two-way unicorn Shohei Ohtani into a bargain just one year into Ohtani’s 10-year deal. Whether Soto is “worth” it or not.

That’s not what is the story behind why Soto is a Met.

The story is Mets owner Steve Cohen and how he collects art.

In 2020, when Cohen bought the Mets, magazine estimated his net worth to be about $14 billion. Today it estimates his net worth to be $21.5 billion, making him the 30th richest person in the United States and the richest in MLB.

Cohen began collecting art in 2000. When he was worth a mere $13 billion, he explained to how he purchased art: “I am purely from the gut. And I know right away. It stays in my brain. Let’s say I go see a picture. If I keep thinking about it, I know it’s something I like. If I forget about it, then I know, couldn’t care less.”

In 2019, for example, Cohen could not stop thinking about Jeff Koons’s “Rabbit,” a three-and-a-half-foot steel cast of an inflatable plastic toy. He paid $91 million for it, the most ever paid for the work of a living artist. It joined works from the likes of Warhol, de Kooning, Picasso and others in his collection that years ago was worth $1 billion.

Soto was the baseball version of “Rabbit.” Cohen kept thinking about Soto, who is such a generational hitting talent he joined Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle as the only players with 200 homers and a .420 on-base percentage through age 25. He had to have Soto, which meant he was going to get Soto.

Nobody was going to outbid Cohen, as he proved by going to an average annual value of $51 million, $3.5 million more than what the Yankees put on the table. When a prospective employer is telling you he wants you more than your current employer, what are you supposed to do? 

See, besides being the richest man in baseball, Cohen is a Mets fan. He remembers when in the 1980s New York was a Mets town, not a Yankees town. He bought the team not as a hobby but as someone who wants to see his team win a World Series for the first time in almost four decades. Signing Soto guarantees him nothing; the crapshoot of the expanded postseason is the great equalizer when it comes to payroll disparity. But by outbidding and outwooing the Yankees for one of their own players, Cohen established the Mets as the alpha team in New York, a team that will swing with the Dodgers when it comes to financial might.

The $765 million? That’s a function of Cohen’s largesse, his determination to acquire what his heart desires and his quest for a title. Save the breakdown of Soto’s WAR-per-dollars. It’s definitely not about that.

Newcastle United fans won’t want to dwell on Alexander Isak’s notable summer exit at all now.

The Magpies’ former fan favourite definitely left on sour terms in the summer when he forced through a mighty £125m move to Arne Slot’s Reds, though, having bagged a weighty 62 goals for the Tyneside giants across 109 outings.

Luckily, Eddie Howe’s men have recovered strongly from what had the potential to be an earth-shuddering setback, as Nick Woltemade came in through the door to instantly replace the superstar Swede for a whopping £69m.

He has filled the Isak-shaped hole well, too, with a blistering six strikes already in his back pocket for the Premier League titans from just 12 games. In stark contrast, Newcastle’s ex-star man has only one meagre effort next to his name at Anfield.

Worryingly, though, the “first class” Woltemade – as Eddie Howe has recently labelled him – has been a rare bright spark at St James’ Park this season, despite only just entering the English game.

On the contrary, many of Newcastle’s stalwarts who have been in and around the Magpies’ first team long before the 6-foot-6 menace’s arrival have been below-par this campaign, with all of Newcastle’s mounting issues clear for all to see, as they collapsed to a 3-1 defeat away at lowly West Ham United last time out.

The biggest problems facing Newcastle in 2025/26

Newcastle must wish they could only play in the Champions League at the moment, with the Magpies picking up a lethal eight goals across two wins so far in that competition, as they re-enter the illustrious stage on Wednesday night against Athletic Club.

From a far larger pool of games back in the Premier League, ten to be exact, Howe and Co only have a slim three wins next to their name, with the 3-1 defeat picked up at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon sparking St James’ Park royalty Alan Shearer into labelling the loss on the road as a “rotten” performance.

It was far from Newcastle at their very best, that’s for sure, with Woltemade even letting the side down with just 14 touches of the ball, as the Magpies only had an early Jacob Murphy effort to shout about in the attacking positions.

Defensively, the travelling Toon looked all over the place, too, with more question marks popping up at the close of the loss at the London Stadium as to how Dan Burn remains in Howe’s starting XI.

Howe has had to count on his ageing number 33 to be a stand-in in the left-back spot for the majority of the season so far, with one Newcastle-based content creator even stating that persisting with the 33-year-old here is the “stuff of nightmares.”

The Blyth-born defender certainly had an afternoon to forget in East London to back up these comments, with zero tackles and only two duels being won, as Howe now prays he has Lewis Hall back to full fitness shortly to bring this long-standing experiment to a close.

Injuries have been a real pain this season so far for the Premier League underperformers, with Newcastle’s lack of depth in defence – due to Hall being in and out of the treatment room – meaning they have had to rely solely on Burn in a makeshift left-back position.

Moreover, their frustrations in this department have, no doubt, only been strengthened by the fact that summer arrival Yoanne Wissa has not been able to line up for one single Magpies game so far this season, after joining for a bumper £55m from Brentford.

With 45 Premier League goals next to his name for the Bees, he would have been a breath of fresh air for Newcastle fans to latch on to, in a similar fashion to Woltemade.

Instead, with Wissa sidelined and many more issues coming to the forefront, the feel around St James’ Park is arguably stale, with Joelinton also now showing visible signs of rust.

Yet, he continues to be selected week in, week out – like Burn – despite zero goals or assists coming his way this campaign so far.

He isn’t the only first-team star that is crumbling right now, however.

£100m Newcastle star now looks "all over the place"

Newcastle turned a few heads this summer when gaining £125m after Isak left the building.

But, this trend of selling one of their prized assets for around the £100m mark could amazingly continue on, if rumours surrounding Anthony Gordon’s long-term future at St James’ Park were anything to read into the same window Isak departed.

Indeed, the Merseyside-born winger was being tipped to relocate to Anfield, much like his former teammate, for an equally ludicrous fee, with statistician Statman Dave even noting that Gordon can be “unplayable” on his day, like the lethal Swede, as well.

The England international loved linking up with Isak when he was still situated on Tyneside, with eight of the Scandinavian’s aforementioned 62-goal tally coming directly from a Gordon assist.

On top of that, the former Everton youngster turned Newcastle first-teamer also has 26 goals in total for Howe’s men, with nine of those efforts coming just last season to pique the Reds’ clear interest.

But, away from some flashy performances in the Champions League so far this season, with Jose Mourinho even waxing lyrical about the 24-year-old when his Benfica side came to St James’ Park, Gordon has cut a disinterested presence in Newcastle’s ongoing demise in the Premier League.

The hot-and-cold number ten is now deep in a 19-game patch in the top-flight, where he has picked up zero goals and assists.

Worryingly for Newcastle, this isn’t the first instance where Gordon has mentally checked out of proceedings, having left behind boyhood employers Everton mid-season – in controversial circumstances – to jump ship to the Toon in early 2023.

While that was a major plus at the time, as Newcastle didn’t have to play the long game, it should have been a slight warning sign for what the future could hold, with the attacker even being hauled off at the half-time mark against West Ham, after an “awful” 45-minute spell, in the words of journalist Luke Edwards.

Further said to be looking “all over the place” at the moment by journalist Adam Clery, it could be that Gordon is just hurting from his synergy with Isak going to the wayside, as a possible £100m move to Anfield in January – to link back up with his deadly former teammate – now looking way off the cards.

In the same breath as criticising Newcastle’s recent downfall, though, Shearer has also offered some pearls of wisdom to the likes of Gordon, with this big-game mentality and the constant need to entertain, now having to be replaced by a “back to basics” approach to get off the mark in the league, sooner rather than later.

If Gordon can get back to his best in the bread and butter of the league, Newcastle will surely rise in the league standings, with an unsatisfactory 13th spot at the time of writing, just not cutting the mustard.

Worse than Pope: Howe must drop Newcastle star who lost 100% ground duels

Eddie Howe has a lot of Newcastle United selection decisions to ponder over after his side collapsed to a 3-1 loss away at West Ham United.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 3, 2025

Will Wolverhampton Wanderers require a major summer rebuild?

Wolves were in the relegation zone when Vítor Pereira was appointed in December, but he managed to win ten of his 22 Premier League fixtures in charge, including leading the club to their first six-match winning streak in the top division since October 1970.

This saw the Old Gold finish 16th, 17 points clear of the drop zone, but, with many of their key assets coveted by other clubs, it is set to be a busy summer at Molineux.

That has all started with Matheus Cunha’s departure.

Why Matheus Cunha was a wanted man

On Sunday afternoon, it was officially announced that Cunha had joined Manchester United, the Red Devils paying his reported £62.5m release clause.

This is obviously a blow for Wolves because, as Matt Furniss of Opta’s the Analyst outlines, he has been Wolves’ ‘most influential player’ across the last two seasons, describing Cunha as a ‘revelation’ and praising his consistent ability to over-perform his xG statistics.

Meantime, Steve Madeley of the Athletic notes that the Brazilian has undoubtedly been ‘Wolves’ player of the season’, adding that very rarely is an entire campaign linked ‘so intrinsically to one player’, with Cunha always the main character, ‘for better and worse’.

Since making him move from Atlético Madrid permanent for £44m two summers ago, Cunha has scored 31 goals in 72 appearances for the club, numbers that are going to be difficult for anyone to replicate.

However, is a current member of the Wolverhampton Wanderers squad primed and ready to become the main man?

Wolves' unsung hero ready to step-up after Cunha

When Wolves signed Jørgen Strand Larsen last summer from Celta Vigo, initially on loan but with a £23m obligation to buy, there was very little fanfare, it is fair to say.

Thus, the Norwegian striker certainly surpassed all expectations, scoring 14 Premier League goals, meaning only nine players across the entire division managed more.

The Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer Alan Shearer praised Strand Larsen’s performance during a vital 2-1 victory at Ipswich in April, saying “his hold-up play was excellent… his touch and his control were superb”, adding “I actually think they’ve looked a better team” without Cunha during his four-match suspension.

Meantime, manager Pereira described his form as “fantastic”, adding “he helped the team” a lot.

Nevertheless, the key question remains: does Strand Larsen have the quality to be Wolves’ main man for goals now that Cunha has departed?

Well, let’s compare the duo in an attempt to answer this question.

As the table outlines, Cunha’s statistics are largely more impressive, which shouldn’t be too surprising, given that he’s the one who has just earned a big-money move to Manchester United.

However, what the table also crystallises is the fact that they are very different types of centre-forward.

Ryan Benson of Opta’s the Analyst labelled Strand Larsen a ‘fox in the box’, documenting how he is a classic target man whose ‘presence alone keeps centre-backs occupied’, an assertion that is supported by the data, with 15% of his touches coming in the opposition penalty area, nearly double the ratio of Cunha.

While the Brazilian ranked second in the Premier League this season for non-penalty goals – xG, his teammate was not too far behind, sat seventh for the same metric.

Strand Larsen also ranked sixth for aerial duels won amongst strikers, albeit his big chances missed tally of 13 leaves room for improvement.

Nevertheless, still only 25 years old, the Norwegian has all the attributes to be a successful centre-forward in this league, so is well-equipped to fill the massive void vacated by the outgoing Cunha.

Romano: Wolves make approach to sign "highly rated" gem wanted in Europe

The Old Gold are making moves for the future…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

May 30, 2025

After sending their scouts, Leeds United are now reportedly battling to sign an in-demand central defender whose agent is already holding talks over his immediate future.

Leeds United's summer transfer plans

More than ever, the three teams that earn promotion from the Championship to the Premier League must get things right in the transfer market. Those before Leeds, Burnley and what will now be one of Sunderland, Coventry City and Sheffield United got things disastrously wrong before paying the price of relegation. Now, those aforementioned teams must not make the same mistake.

For two consecutive seasons in the Premier League, all three promoted sides have instantly suffered relegation. What was once a rarity is now a worrying trend that the likes of Leeds must break. To that end, it looks as though the 49ers are ready to back those at Elland Road when the summer transfer window arrives.

Their answer to Hamer: 49ers lining up Leeds swoop for "special" £25m star

Leeds could land their own version of Gustavo Hamer in a move for this £25m star.

By
Dan Emery

May 12, 2025

The reports have already been coming thick and fast ahead of the transfer window, with the Whites setting their sights on a fresh shot-stopper and a new striker. When it comes to those targeted, meanwhile, the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher and Beto have both threatened to steal the headlines as of late as Leeds look to commence their summer shopping in Merseyside.

Kelleher would be a particularly impressive signing, given how he’s performed as Alisson Becker’s deputy at Liverpool. The Irishman has been called on more often than not at times in the face of Alisson’s injury struggles, but has not struggled to step up in place of the Brazilian. And that, in itself, should speak volumes of his ability.

Meanwhile, in front of a new No.1, it looks as though Leeds have also set their sights on a new centre-back.

Leeds now battling to sign Bologna defender Lucumi

According to The Boot Room, Leeds are now battling to sign Jhon Lucumi from Bologna this summer after sending scouts to watch the defender throughout the current campaign. Now up against the likes of Liverpool and Crystal Palace in pursuit of his signature, the 49ers could make an impressive statement by signing Lucumi.

With his agent already reportedly holding talks with intermediaries over his client’s future, however, those at Elland Road may need to act sooner rather than later if they want to sign the 26-year-old Bologna star. In terms of what he would add to Farke’s side, it’s clear that Lucumi could be a shrewd signing in Yorkshire.

Described as “one of the most composed” defenders that he has seen by analyst Ben Mattinson, Lucumi looks set to be one to watch this summer following another impressive individual campaign in Serie A and the Champions League.

Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has made a scathing Arsenal claim amid their loss to PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night, a result which gives Mikel Arteta an uphill battle to fight going into a crucial second leg.

Arsenal suffer 1-0 defeat to PSG in Champions League semi-final first leg

Ousmane Dembélé’s brilliant early finish beyond David Raya was eventually enough to seal an all-important victory for Luis Enrique’s side on enemy turf, despite Arsenal’s best efforts to level the score.

£21m star who agreed to join Arsenal last year teases potential 2025 move

He’s refused to rule out a summer switch.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 29, 2025

Gianluigi Donnarumma made impressive saves from Gabriel Martinelli, who found himself in on goal but couldn’t bury a finish past Italy number one, with Leandro Trossard also failing to beat the PSG star at a similar angle later in the game.

Mikel Merino briefly found an equaliser, heading in a free-kick from Declan Rice, but it was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside.

PSG did threaten to double their lead – hitting the post, crossbar and glancing a narrow effort past David Raya’s far post – but both sides are now set for another tough battle at the Parc des Princes with the Ligue 1 champions holding a one-goal advantage.

Captain Martin Odegaard failed to make an Arsenal impact against PSG as well, so Arteta will be hoping the Norway star can put in his best efforts in the return leg.

“We’re at half-time,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s loss to PSG. “Half-time and my message is exactly the same following us beating Real Madrid at home 3-0 – that we have to go to Paris and win the game.

“We are more than capable of doing it because I saw two very good teams with margins that are so small. They had efficiency in front of the goal and their keeper as well made a difference to see the result that we’ve seen tonight.

“When you score a goal and concede one, you have to. But we did a lot of things very well as well. We had a spell in the first half and the game had phases. The first 15-20 minutes, especially them scoring so early in a great combination, playing when the margins as so small, the finishing is unbelievable.

“And then we had especially one issue that we corrected after 15-20 minutes and we sustained that for the rest of the game, which I think turned the game around.”

Rafael van der Vaart compares Arsenal to a youth team

Speaking on Rondo Sport, as relayed by FC Update and Sports Witness, ex-Spurs midfielder made a pretty unfair claim about Arsenal when discussing Arteta’s side facing off against PSG.

Van der Vaart compared Arsenal to a youth side, and called them the AZ Alkmaar of England, going on to claim that they won’t be competing for the Premier League title next season.

“I don’t believe that Arsenal will compete for the championship,” he said. “A nice team, but I think it’s a bit like the AZ of England. A bit like a youth team.”

This is a pretty big reach at best, considering the Gunners just battered Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-finals, and they managed 89 points in the Premier League last season – which would have been enough to win it in a lot of previous campaigns.

They also have every chance of overcoming PSG in France with the advantage being a very slender one.

Liverpool are now plotting an opening offer for a “very special” Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement, with the right-back now confirming he is set to exit Anfield this summer.

Trent set to leave Liverpool this summer

It has been rumoured for quite some time, but Trent has now officially confirmed he is planning to leave his boyhood club at the end of the season, with a move to Real Madrid seemingly in the pipeline.

The right-back’s decision to leave has caused mixed reactions to say the least, given that Arne Slot’s side should be in a strong position to compete for major honours in the future, having won the Premier League title in the Dutchman’s first season.

However, with Trent now set to move on, Slot’s next task will be to find a suitable replacement, should the manager decide that Conor Bradley is not yet ready to get the nod as a regular starter.

According to a report from Empire of the Kop, Liverpool are now expected to make an opening offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, with FSG looking to get a deal done as quickly as possible.

A bid for Frimpong is set to be made soon, having made contact with the full-back’s agents a few weeks ago, and there are plenty of signs that a deal could be a real possibility.

The Dutchman is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League, which could make negotiations easier, with a €35m-€40m (£30m – £34m) offer now in the works.

Elite Isak alternative: Liverpool in contact to sign the "the new Haaland"

Liverpool’s main transfer priority this summer is to sign a new striker.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

May 6, 2025

"Very special" Frimpong could be ideal Trent heir

The Reds have their own ready-made Trent replacement in Bradley, but Frimpong’s versatility potentially makes him an ideal option, given that he would be able to rotate with the Northern Irishman, who may not be ready to start every match.

The Leverkusen star is also able to play further forward at right-wing, while also featuring at left-back and attacking midfield sporadically throughout his career, which makes him a “very special” player, according to reporter Christian Falk.

Much like Trent, the 24-year-old is particularly impressive on the front foot, picking up four goals and six assists in the Bundesliga this season, while also placing very highly on some key attacking metrics over the past year, when compared to other full-backs.

It is understandable that fans are disappointed by Trent’s decision to leave this summer, but Frimpong has proven he could be a fantastic replacement.

Manchester United secured a remarkable quarter-final triumph over Lyon last night, producing a comeback Sir Alex Ferguson would’ve been proud of.

Ruben Amorim’s side looked to be on the verge of defeat, trailing 4-2 on the night, until three goals in seven minutes secured a place in the semi-final, setting up a clash with Athletic Club.

Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot before substitute Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire scored in the last couple of minutes to secure a phenomenal turnaround.

Such a win has kept the Red Devils’ hopes of ending the season with a trophy alive, now being just three games away from winning yet another European title.

However, despite the victory, numerous players failed to deliver at Old Trafford, potentially putting their starting role in the side at huge risk in the process.

Man Utd’s poor performers against Lyon

Striker Rasmus Hojlund was tasked with the responsibility of leading the line after Joshua Zirkzee was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.

However, the Dane failed to take advantage of the opportunity handed his way, losing 12 duels – the most of any player on the pitch – whilst also failing to register a single effort on goal.

He wasn’t the only player to disappoint at the Theatre of Dreams, with Andre Onana shipping four goals on his return to the starting eleven after missing the defeat against Newcastle United.

The Cameroonian was helpless with a couple of the efforts, but only managed to complete 69% of the passes he attempted – often putting the backline under needless pressure.

However, despite the showings of the aforementioned duo, one other United player struggled to make a positive impact, with his time at the club needing to come to an end.

The United player who must never play for the club again

Whilst the side produced one of the best comebacks Old Trafford has ever seen, Amorim will have a few question marks to contend with over the next few months.

Hojlund’s lack of form will undoubtedly come into question once again, with his own future up in the air, potentially needing to be moved on to resurrect his once-promising career.

With the summer transfer window looming, a new striker will certainly be top of the manager’s shopping list, with serious firepower needing to be added to take the side back to the summit of the Premier League.

However, he also needs to make a brutal call on the future of Luke Shaw after his failure to impress off the substitutes bench in last night’s iconic turnaround.

The 29-year-old has been extremely prone to injuries over the last couple of years, adding to the list of reasons why he should be moved on during the off-season.

He was brought on to replace Noussair Mazraoui at the break, but struggled to make an impression, giving away the penalty that gave the visitors a two-goal advantage.

Shaw also only completed one of the four crosses he attempted, whilst also giving possession away five times – leading to journalist Adam Joseph labelling his showing as “disastrous”.

His disappointing showing didn’t stop there, losing 100% of the ground duels he entered, and failing to win a single tackle – struggling to make the desired impact at the back.

As a result of his showing, the defender was handed a measly 3/10 match rating by Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst, highlighting how disappointing he was off the bench.

His inability to produce an encouraging showing, whilst also taking his injury record into account, it’s crucial that Amorim makes the brutal decision to offload him during the upcoming window. Indeed, it would be no surprise if he does not feature again before the campaign is out.

He’s been an excellent servant to the club, but unfortunately he’s no longer at the level required if the side are to return to Premier League glory, needing fresh blood to help them in their quest next campaign.

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By
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