New role for Harry Kane? Bayern Munich star opens up on Nicolas Jackson relationship after Champions League rout of Pafos

Harry Kane opened up on his relationship with Nicolas Jackson after Bayern Munich's Champions League rout of Pafos. The Bavarians unleashed a merciless storm in Cyprus, tearing apart Pafos with a crushing 5-1 continental triumph. Kane bagged a brace, Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise also chipped in, and Jackson grabbed his first goal since arriving from Chelsea in the summer window.

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    Bayern blitz leaves Pafos in ruins

    Bayern had the game in the bag by half-time, storming into a 4-0 lead. The demolition was historic too: the third time Bayern have rattled in four goals within the opening 35 minutes of a Champions League away clash. Roma in 2014, Viktoria Plzen in 2022, and now Pafos all know the feeling of being steamrolled by the German giants.

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    Kane gives credit to Jackson

    After the final whistle, Kane was quick to shine the spotlight on his new strike partner Jackson. The England captain also explained how the duo worked in tandem to wreak havoc, which could serve as a blueprint for the rest of the season.

    "Jackson played from the start today. At times, I dropped back a bit, more like a number 10; he came in, received balls," Kane explained. "I think it's important to keep surprising the defenders and not do the same thing the whole game. Nico was fantastic today: a goal, an assist, and almost another goal at the end. I'm very happy for him."

    Kane made it clear that Jackson isn’t just a stopgap loan signing, but a crucial weapon. 

    "We'll need him all season; he should stay fit and fresh," he added. "Today was a really good game from him. It might have looked easy, but that was due to how we played. With our pressing, the second balls, the way we played through the lines. We have this momentum and we're determined to maintain it."

  • Jackson delighted to get off the mark

    For Jackson, the strike was more than just a number on the scoresheet; it was a release. After a rough few months, the forward admitted he’s still rebuilding his sharpness.

    “It wasn’t easy, but we played a very good game and worked hard,” Jackson said. “I’m very happy to score my first goal for the club. I’m still getting back to full fitness because I hadn’t played and trained alone for two months. I’m working hard every day.”

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  • Nine wins, no slip-ups

    Bayern are looking unstoppable on all fronts so far this season. The thumping victory over Pafos extended their perfect start to nine wins from nine this season, leaving rivals across Europe on notice. Not a single point has been dropped, nor a single ounce of momentum wasted.

Erling Haaland tipped to beat incredible Cristiano Ronaldo record after prolific start to new season with Man City

Erling Haaland has been backed to break Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League record after the Norwegian goal machine made a bright start for Manchester City in the 2025-26 campaign. Haaland has scored in every match for Manchester City this season, barring the Spurs clash, and has already registered nine goals to his name in seven appearances across all competitions.

  • Haaland bags brace in Man City's win over Burnley

    Haaland starred with a brace and an assist on Saturday as City thrashed Burnley 5-1 at home. The Norway international has displayed stellar form for Pep Guardiola's side in the current season, after he experienced an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign, when City's performances also plummeted. 

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    "He could break all sorts of records"

    Speaking to , former Scotland international Ally McCoist said: "The fact that we are talking about Erling Haaland potentially beating Cristiano Ronaldo’s [Champions League] record is crazy, I could never have seen Ronaldo's record being beaten, ever. But you have to say, if he stays injury free, he could beat that and all sorts of records. I'm even thinking to myself, Alan Shearer, not only does Alan Shearer want Harry Kane to stay at Bayern Munich, he wants Erling Haaland to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid. I know Al well, and he's a great lad, and he'll be looking at that record going, Jesus, somebody's coming for it. Somebody's coming for it. If he can keep himself fit. 

    "I've been really impressed with Haaland this season. Not just with his goals, but actually, his all-round play. When I say his all-round play, he's never going to be Zinedine Zidane. He's never going to take it in half turn, beat somebody, come back on, beat two players. That's not his game. But where I've really enjoyed him, surprisingly, I've enjoyed watching him defend. He's got back and he's won so many headers in his own box, proper team player, which is great to see."

    Ronaldo is the current top scorer in the history of the Champions League after netting 140 goals in the competition during his career.

  • Man City "lost the fear factor a little bit"

    McCoist added: "But I'm just looking at his team Manchester City. I think they had lost the fear factor a little bit. I think they've actually recovered well, couple of defeats. I know I was at the game against Tottenham. But the one thing about City, if they do lose the fear factor, I think clubs will maybe open up and have a go at them, which will suit Haaland. 

    "His goal at Arsenal was a perfect example of that counter-attack where he wins the ball and keeps the run going. The pass was perfect and once he gets that ball out of his feet, you know he's finishing. I'm just thinking teams might get lulled in a little bit to having a go at City more than they would in recent years and I think that will suit Haaland."

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    Haaland & Ronaldo's record broken by Kane

    England captain Harry Kane became the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a club in Europe's top five leagues after he bagged a brace for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen on Friday in the Bundesliga.

Ghazanfar out of Champions Trophy and IPL; Afghanistan name Kharote as replacement

Afghanistan are also without Mujeeb Ur Rahman at the Champions Trophy, though he played the entire SA20 for Paarl Royals

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Feb-2025

AM Ghazanfar played in the ILT20 after he picked up his injury in Zimbabwe•Afghanistan Cricket Board

AM Ghazanfar, the 18-year-old right-arm fingerspinner who has made such a bright start to his ODI career, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 because of a “fracture in the L4 vertebra”. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, who was originally in the list of reserves, has now replaced Ghazanfar in the main squad.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), which tweeted out the news on Wednesday morning, said that Ghazanfar sustained the injury during Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe late last year, and “will be sidelined for a minimum of four months and will remain under treatment during this period”. That means he will also be out of the IPL that is set to be played from March 21 to May 25. Ghazanfar had bagged his maiden IPL contract recently, with Mumbai Indians.Ghazanfar, who has 21 wickets from 11 ODIs so far, played three games for MI Emirates in the UAE’s ILT20 league in January after the tour of Zimbabwe. He wasn’t as effective as MI Emirates would have hoped him to be, though, bowling 7.1 overs in those three games, and picking up just one wicket with an economy rate of 9.48.

Twenty-year-old Kharote, who hasn’t played for Afghanistan since the ODI series against Bangladesh in Sharjah in November last year – he starred in Afghanistan’s win in the second game with 3 for 28 – has played seven ODIs and six T20Is since making his international debut in March 2024.Afghanistan have a group of top-notch spinners in their line-up – Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi – but continue to be without Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Mujeeb, who played the full SA20 season with Paarl Royals through January and early February, hasn’t played for Afghanistan since that tour of Zimbabwe and was not named in the original Champions Trophy squad. He has not played ODIs since the 2023 World Cup in India and will be out “until he has fully recovered”, the ACB statement said.Afghanistan squad for the Champions TrophyHashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fareeh Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveed Zadran, Noor Ahmad

Kai Rooney faced added 'pressure' alongside Cristiano Ronaldo Jr as father Wayne reveals attendances at Man Utd academy matches surged

Wayne Rooney has explained how son Kai faced added "pressure" in Manchester United's academy when playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.

  • Teenage hopefuls following in famous footsteps
  • Attract more attention than others of the same age
  • Difficult for them to escape the added attention
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo made a stunning return to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021. His eldest son has followed the Portuguese GOAT around the world, spending time in youth systems at Real Madrid, Juventus, United and Al-Nassr.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Ronaldo Jr got the chance to work with other famous offspring when linking up with the Red Devils. Kai Rooney formed part of the same age group, as did Michael Carrick’s son Jacey. They brought more eyes to games that would usually have sailed under the radar.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer admits as much, with Wayne seeing his first born have to cope with even more attention as attendance numbers for games featuring a collection of teenage hopefuls surged.

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    WHAT ROONEY SAID

    Speaking on podcast, the Red Devils icon said of the challenge facing those that come from a professional football family: "There's a bit more pressure on them as well.

    "Kai and [when Cristiano] Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo's lads and Michael Carrick's lad were all on the same team.

    "You go and watch and then all of a sudden there's like 10 times the amount of people that's normally there, all around the pitch watching, so there's a lot more pressure because they're coming to watch the three kids to see how they play and stuff. They've got to be ready."

رومينيجه: لاعب ليفربول كان الأفضل له الانتقال إلى بايرن ميونخ

اعترف كارل هاينز رومينيجه، أسطورة نادي بايرن ميونخ، أن أحد نجوم نادي ليفربول كان سيكون من الأفضل له أن ينضم إلى البافاري في انتقالات الصيف الماضي.

بايرن ميونخ دخل هذا الموسم بطموحات كبيرة وتحت قيادة مديره الفني الشاب، فينسينت كومباني، حيث أبرم النادي الألماني عددًا من التعاقدات خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي.

وتعاقد بايرن ميونخ مع لويس دياز من ليفربول، ونيكولاس جاكسون من تشيلسي على سبيل الإعارة حتى نهاية هذا الموسم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جيرو: لم أتوقع فوز ديمبلي بالكرة الذهبية

ويرى رومينيجه في مقابلة مع صحيفة “سبورت بيلد”، أنه كان من الأفضل لصانع ألعاب ليفربول، فلوريان فيرتز، الذهاب إلى صفوف بايرن ميونخ بدلًا من التوقيع مع الريدز.

ليفربول نجح في التعاقد مع فيرتز خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير قادمًا من باير ليفركوزن مقابل أكثر من 100 مليون يورو، ومتفوقًا على بايرن ميونخ ومانشستر سيتي.

وقال رومينيجه عن فيرتز: “بصراحة، لا يزال الأمر مؤلمًا في حالة فلوريان فيرتز، لأنني أعتقد أن اللاعب كان سيكون أفضل حالًا في بايرن ميونخ منه في ليفربول”.

وعن فشل التعاقد مع نيك فولتيماده الذي وقع مع نيوكاسل يونايتد في نهاية المطاف، أضاف: “كان بإمكاننا التعاقد مع فولتيماده، لكن علي أيضًا القول إن بايرن ميونخ حكيم بما يكفي لعدم التورط في أي نوع من الجنون المالي، لطالما قلت إننا نريد تحقيق النجاح الرياضي ولكن من فضلكم بطريقة جيدة من الناحية المالية”.

واختتم: “لدينا فريق من الطراز الأول هذا العام أيضًا، وعندما يعود اللاعبون الثلاثة المصابون قريبًا، ستكون لدينا فرص رائعة في دوري أبطال أوروبا، أنا متأكد من أن كل فريق وخاصًة في دوري أبطال أوروبا، سيتعامل مع مباراة بايرن ميونخ باحترام كبير، لذلك لن نكون هوفنهايم كرة القدم الأوروبية وأؤكد ذلك لكم الآن”.

شوبير يوجه رسالة قوية لوكيل إمام عاشور.. ويصرح: اللاعب مريض وتسبب في أزمة

وجه الإعلامي أحمد شوبير، رسالة قوية إلى آدم وطني وكيل أعمال إمام عاشور لاعب الأهلي، بسبب التصريحات التي أطلقها بشأن وجود عروض احتراف لـ اللاعب، وعلاقته مع القلعة الحمراء.

وأطلق آدم وطني تصريحات قوية أمس، بشأن وجود عروض احتراف لـ إمام عاشور، وطالب إدارة النادي الأهلي بتقدير اللاعب واحترامه بشكل أكثر.

طالع | وكيله: على الأهلي معاملة إمام عاشور باحترام.. لديه عروض وجلبت 650 مليونًا للنادي

وقال أحمد شوبير في تصريحات إذاعية عبر آثير اون سبورت اف ام: “أمس ظهر آدم وطني، وكيل اللاعب إمام عاشور، وتحدث وأثار جدلًا ونقاشًا غير ضروري، مما تسبب في أزمة لا داعي لها، وإمام عاشور لا يزال لديه عامين ونصف في عقده، فالأولى أن نتمنى له الشفاء العاجل، ولا أفهم حقًا، ألا يجب أن يكون الوكيل أكثر حكمة؟”.

وواصل: “كيف يتحدث عن لاعبه وهو مريض ومُقيم في المستشفى، وإمام عاشور محجوز منذ يوم مباراة الأهلي وإنبي، واللاعب يعاني من المرض ويتألم”.

وزاد: “ليس هذا وقت الحديث عن العقود أو الانتقالات هنا أو هناك، ويؤدِي الوكيل عمله كما يشاء، لكن اختيار التوقيت أمر مهم جدًا، وهذا التوقيت غير مناسب على الإطلاق، بل هو غريب جدًا لهذا الحديث، سواء كان التوقيت مناسبًا لي أم لا، وسواء كان يتعلق بالاحتراف أو أي أمر آخر”.

وأردف: “إمام عاشور مريض وفي المستشفى، والحمد لله الأمور تحت السيطرة، وحالته تتحسن يومًا بعد يوم بفضل الله، وقد أعلن الأهلي أنه أغلق هذا الملف بالفعل”.

واستطرد: “الأولوية أن ينتظر حتى يتعافى اللاعب ويخرج من المستشفى، وإمام على الأقل سيحتاج إلى شهر حتى يعود إلى الملعب، ومع ذلك هناك نقاش الآن عن فرصته في بطولة أمم إفريقيا، لأنه سيعود للتدريب وسيكون الأمر صعبًا للغاية، وعندما يعود سيبدأ من جديد، وإمام أصلاً ليس قويًا جسمانيًا بشكل كبير”.

وأتم: “يا سيدي الفاضل، وكيل إمام عاشور، هل يمكن (تسكت شوية) حتى نطمئن على اللاعب ويصبح في حالة جيدة تمامًا، ويعود للعب بكامل لياقته؟ وبعد ذلك تحدث كما تشاء، اختيار التوقيت المناسب أمر مهم جدًا عند إثارة مثل هذه المواضيع”.

A Bassey repeat at Ibrox: Rangers agree deal to sign a new "sensation"

Journalist Joshua Barrie claims that Glasgow Rangers will make more signings from domestic markets, in Scotland and England, than they did last summer.

There has been some intense reaction to his claim, with some supporters citing signings like Kieran Dowell and Ben Davies, who are now surplus to requirements at Ibrox.

Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell.

However, it is also worth acknowledging that Rangers have picked up some bargains from England, specifically, in recent years, including Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo.

Rangers set to sign Brighton youngster

The Light Blues could be on the lookout to repeat the blinders they played with both of those players, as they are closing in on a young talent from England this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Football Insider, Rangers have agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old starlet Zebedee Lawson from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

The report claims that the Scottish Premiership giants have beaten several clubs to his signature, and that the winger, who was described as a “sensation” by journalist Pete O’Rourke, was highly-rated at the English club.

That is why Football Insider adds that this is regarded as a ‘major coup’ for the Ibrox side, and potentially for Russell Martin in the future, as they are now set to sign the teenage forward.

Rangers could now be about to repeat the masterclass they played when they snapped up Bassey from then-Premier League side Leicester City in the summer of 2020.

Lawson could be a Bassey repeat for Rangers

The Light Blues hit the jackpot with Bassey because they snapped him up for a fee of just £230k and slowly developed him to become a key first-team player before he made a big-money exit in 2022.

He only made eight Premiership appearances in his first year at Ibrox, as he settled into life as a first-team option, before the defender played 50 times in the 2021/22 campaign after Giovanni van Bronckhorst put his faith in the versatile star, who played at left-back and centre-back.

July 2020

Reported £230k fee

January 2021

£427k

June 2021

£340k

December 2021

£850k

June 2022

£8.5m

July 2022

Reported £22.7m fee

As you can see in the table above, Bassey’s value did not immediately soar, due to a lack of game time, in his first time, but it did fly up when he was a regular in the side, before his £22.7m move to Ajax in 2022.

Lawson, who is only 16, will now be looking to follow in the Nigeria international’s footsteps by ditching a midtable Premier League academy to make the move to Ibrox, as Bassey did in 2020.

Calvin Bassey

The teenage Brighton talent made a breakthrough at U18 level this season with a return of three goals and one assist in 13 matches as a right winger, despite only being 16, which may be why he is so highly-regarded at the AMEX.

This shows that he is making good progress and heading in the right direction, which is why he could be such an exciting signing, and the Gers will be hoping that the forward can continue to progress at Ibrox.

It's bad news for Tavernier: Rangers in advanced talks to sign £75k-p/w ace

With Robin Pröpper and Leon Balogun on their way out of Rangers, are they about to sign a potential new captain to replace James Tavenier?

ByBen Gray Jun 29, 2025

There is no telling how he will develop in Glasgow, as not every player will soar in value as Bassey did, but Rangers have clearly identified him as a talented prospect, and hopefully he will live up to the hype and end up being a Bassey repeat for the Light Blues in the future.

Arteta wants Arsenal to sign £204k-p/w forward with crucial meeting this week

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also set to have a major say in sporting director Andrea Berta’s transfer plans, and the Spaniard is pretty keen for his new transfer chief to instigate a deal for one high-earning forward.

Arsenal targeting new winger alongside a striker

Talks over Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko have dominated the headlines around N5 for the last few weeks, but Berta remains in the market for a new winger as well.

Arsenal submit "concrete offer" to sign star who wants over £250k-per-week

The Gunners have lodged their opening bid.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025

Arsenal were thought to be genuine contenders to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, and even held talks with the German’s representatives.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

However, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the north Londoners communicated their desire for Sane to stall on his decision, with Galatasaray ultimately moving ahead of Arsenal and winning the race for his signature.

“There were many offers. But Galatasaray as a whole impressed me greatly,” Sane said after his switch to Turkey was confirmed, with Galatasaray supporters waiting to catch a glimpse of his arrival at the airport for hours on end.

Leroy Sane celebrates for Germany

“I was very impressed by the atmosphere, by the size of the club, by how much they wanted me, by how much interest they showed in me. That’s why I’m here at Galatasaray.

“I’m very grateful to the fans. It means a lot to me that they came here at this hour. I’m really looking forward to my first game in front of these fans.”

The 29-year-old was by no means Berta’s only wide target, though. The Italian has apparently held “numerous” talks over wingers, and one of them is believed to be £204,000-per-week Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

The Brazilian remains high on Arsenal’s shortlist after weeks of links, especially when it comes to Arteta.

Arteta wants Rodrygo with Arsenal set for "crucial" meeting

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are set for “crucial” internal talks over a deal for Rodrygo this week, as they attempt to figure out how they can land both the 24-year-old and Sesko.

Financially, the transfers will be hard to pull off, so Gunners chiefs will debate how to get Sesko and Rodrygo through the door without damaging their balance sheet.

Negotiating a fee below Sesko’s £68 million release clause will be key to this, and it is believed Arteta is “convinced” that Arsenal should sign Rodrygo as well as the Slovenia international.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Real star is a “dream” target for Arsenal, which is hardly surprising considering his experience at the top level and flashes of excellent form under Carlo Ancelotti last season.

However, the arrival of new Real boss Xabi Alonso will likely have a major say on whether Arsenal can indeed pull off a move for Rodrygo.

West Brom now in talks with 4-4-2 manager who is in pole position for job

West Brom are said to be in talks with a manager who knows the Premier League well, as they look to nail their successor to Tony Mowbray in the coming weeks and months.

West Brom searching for Mowbray replacement

The Baggies’ season was ultimately a disappointing one, with Carlos Corberan departing for Valencia earlier in the campaign and Mowbray finding himself sacked just three months after taking charge, following a disappointing spell.

It is now a case of those high up at West Brom making sure the perfect manager comes in to steer the team to what is hopefully a successful Championship campaign in 2025/26 – one that ends in promotion back to the Premier League.

A recent report has claimed that the Baggies are believed to be big admirers of Ryan Mason, with the Englishman currently the assistant manager to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, winning the Europa League earlier this month.

Still only 33 years of age, Mason’s playing career was cut short by a serious head injury, but he is making waves in coaching and West Brom consider him a strong option to come. Now, a fresh update has emerged regarding him potentially heading to the Hawthorns in the near future.

West Brom in talks with 4-4-2 manager

According to Football Insider, Mason has “opened talks” to become West Brom’s new manager, with the report saying he is in “pole position” to take charge of the Baggies ahead of next season.

He has taken charge of Spurs 13 times as an interim manager, in between them finding another boss, and is an exciting young option, rather than a more tried and tested choice like Mowbray.

Tottenham Hotspur assistant coachRyanMasonduring training

The 4-4-2-playing Mason could be an intriguing appointment at West Brom, during an era in which managers appear to be getting younger all the time, being trusted to take big jobs before they are experienced.

The former Spurs midfielder has shone during his time coaching in north London, with Ben Davies once praising him for the impact he had during a brief stint as manager:

“It’s not the easiest situation to come into [for Mason]. We’ve got a limited amount of games so it’s hard for him to come in and completely change things and do it his own way. But there’s been a clear message that we need to be as good as we can with the ball and tighten up without it. It’s pretty basic but that’s the way we’ve been training and working. Ryan’s instilled that belief in us that we’re able to do that.”

Tony Mowbray (2025)

17

1.12

Carlos Corberan (2022-2024)

107

1.59

Steve Bruce (2022)

32

1.13

Valerien Ismael (2021-2022)

31

1.45

Sam Allardyce (2020-2021)

26

0.73

Granted, there would be an element of risk with West Brom hiring Mason, given his lack of experience in management, but if the club feel he is now at a point where he can leave Postecoglou and go out on his own, they need to be trusted.

Club have accepted "brilliant" star's exit as Liverpool line up Mane 2.0

Already turning their attention towards the summer transfer window, Liverpool are now reportedly lining up a deal to sign their next Sadio Mane after his club accepted that his exit is now inevitable.

Liverpool's attacking overhaul

Whilst they’re on course to become Premier League champions, but Liverpool still have problems to solve – particularly within their frontline. The news of Mohamed Salah’s new contract would have signalled major relief around Anfield not just because of his own clear quality, but also the lack of quality around him within the Reds’ attack at times.

Of course, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have both enjoyed bursts of form at different stages of the campaign, but both have struggled for consistency at times – especially when the former has been forced out of position to lead the line.

Some may be quick to point out that Diogo Jota could be the answer to that problem, but he has also struggled for consistency and has always had his injury struggles in a Liverpool shirt. The reality is that neither the Portugal international or Darwin Nunez have been good enough to take hold of the starting striker role.

Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Goals

Assists

Mohamed Salah

27

18

Luis Diaz

11

5

Cody Gakpo

8

3

Darwin Nunez

5

2

Diogo Jota

6

3

Between Diaz, Gakpo, Nunez and Jota, they’ve managed a total of 30 Premier League goals. Salah alone, meanwhile, has scored 27. To put it plainly, the Egyptian needs better quality around him if Liverpool are to defend their pending title next season. And that’s where Alexander Isak could come in.

Liverpool star is in danger of becoming their next Solanke & it's not Nunez

He’s struggled to make a sustained impression under Arne Slot’s management at Liverpool this season.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 15, 2025

The Reds are reportedly among the sides interested in the Newcastle United star and could yet break their transfer record to secure his signature. That said, however, he’s not the only attacking reinforcement who’s been linked with a move to Anfield this summer.

Liverpool line up Mbeumo move

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Liverpool are now lining up a summer swoop to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, who have quietly accepted the winger’s inevitable departure in the coming months. Valued at a reported £50m, the Reds could land an instant attacking upgrade by signing a player who has managed 16 goals in all competitions this season.

As per Bailey, clubs around the Premier League believe that Mbeumo could become the next Sadio Mane or Jota by breaking out of a mid-table side and becoming a top star at a place like Anfield. If that is to be the case, then Liverpool’s move would certainly make perfect sense.

Bryan Mbeumo celebrates for Brentford

Bailey told The Boot Room: “He’s a brilliant Premier League player and I think the clubs looking at him could see him as a Sadio Mane/Diogo Jota-type player where he gets the move and becomes a breakout star. I think the clubs looking at him seem him in that regard.”

The comparison is certainly an understandable one too. In Mane’s final season at Southampton, he scored 15 goals and assisted another seven in all competitions. Meanwhile, at Brentford this season, Mbeumo has scored 16 and set up a further six – highlighting how similar he is to the former Liverpool star at this stage of his career.

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