04/06/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 4, 2025

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Barcelona drop new Rashford hint

Five names to watch in the EPL transfer window PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are already busy strengthening their squads for the 2025/26 season with an early transfer frenzy sparked by the upcoming Club World Cup. Here’s a look at five names to watch as the transfer window kicks into gear. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) Liverpool have shown no sign of resting on their laurels as English champions. After a quiet first year for Arne Slot in the transfer market, the Reds have moved quickly to back the Dutchman heavily this summer. The darling of German football, Wirtz looks set to smash the Premier League transfer record should he get his wish of a dream move to Anfield. Liverpool have reportedly had a bid worth up to £109m (RM600m) rebuffed as Leverkusen hold out for a £125m (RM688m) fee. That would break the record set by Chelsea’s £115m (RM633m) capture of Moises Caicedo from under Liverpool’s noses two years ago. Wirtz was instrumental in Leverkusen’s stunning German league and cup double in the 2023/24 season, plus a run to the Europa League final under Xabi Alonso. The two clubs have already agreed one deal as Jeremie Frimpong has joined Liverpool as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) Fresh from the club’s worst season since they were relegated 51 years ago, losing their inspirational captain would appear to be the worst possible news for United. However, selling Fernandes to Saudi side Al Hilal could provide much-needed funds for Ruben Amorim to rebuild a squad in his image at Old Trafford. The Red Devils could land £100m (RM550m) for the 30-year old, who would become one of the world’s highest paid players should be move to the Gulf. Fernandes would leave enormous shoes to fill for a side already lacking in creativity and a goal threat. Despite a miserable campaign collectively, only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah provided more goal contributions last season among Premier League players in all competitions than Mbeumo is one of United’s key targets to end their woes in front of goal. The French-born Cameroon international enjoyed a stellar season with Brentford, scoring 20 times. Mbeumo revelled in becoming the Bees’ star man since the departure of Ivan Toney and his partnership with Yoane Wissa carried Thomas Frank’s men to an impressive top half finish. Despite interest from Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham, Mbeumo’s preferred destination is reportedly Old Trafford if United can reach an agreement with Brentford. United have already added Matheus Cunha to bolster a misfiring forward line. Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon) A remarkable 54-goal season for Sporting has made the Swede a target for a series of clubs seeking more firepower. Arsenal have been strongly linked with bringing Gyokeres back to England as Mikel Arteta seeks a clinical finisher to end the Gunners’ five-year trophy drought. The 26-year-old has a €100m (RM480m) buyout clause in his Sporting contract, but it is expected the Portuguese champions would settle for around €70m (RM336m). Despite six goals in eight Champions League games, there are doubts over Gyokeres’ ability to transfer his prolific form in Portugal to the Premier League. He joined Sporting just two years ago from English second tier side Coventry after failing to make the grade at Brighton. Arsenal also have a long-standing interest in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, while Newcastle’s Alexander Isak appears an unattainable target after the Magpies qualified for the Champions League. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) Eze will forever be a Palace legend after scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City to deliver the Eagles’ first ever major trophy. The England international’s eye for goal and a defence-splitting pass has seen him targeted by a plethora of the Premier League’s best. City eye the 26-year-old as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, while Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested and could easily trigger his £68m (RM374m) release clause. AFP Fernandes’ 19 goals and 19 assists. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

BARCELONA’S sporting director Deco has insisted that the club’s immediate focus will be on securing the futures of their current players before actively pursuing new signings, which could include Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford. Barca have recently secured extensions for key assets, with both Raphinha and Lamine Yamal signing fresh terms. Wojciech Szczesny is mulling over an offer, while Barcelona are in talks with defenders Inigo Martinez and Eric Garcia regarding their long-term commitments. As well as this, Deco has confirmed expectations of adding “two, three or four new faces” to their line-up. Amongst the potential new arrivals could be Rashford, after his agent and brother, Dwaine Maynard, was spotted meeting with Deco in Catalunya last week.

While Postecoglou remains in the dark over his Tottenham future, he has no doubt there are more notable achievements to come in a coaching career which started in 1996 and has seen him win trophies with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, the Australian national team, Yokohama, Celtic and now Spurs. “When we sat down 10 years ago and did the initial Australian story, I think maybe even you guys thought that that was the culmination of what I was about to achieve,“ Postecoglou reflected. “In 10 years’ time, if we sit down again, I’ve got no doubt in my mind that there’ll be more stories to tell.” Tottenham have meanwhile announced that Levy’s closest ally will be stepping down as executive director, firing the starting pistol on an expected summer of change at the club. Donna-Maria Cullen has been a staple of the club’s boardroom since 2006 but will now bid farewell as “But when you decide to go to the market, for sure, we find some names. In my opinion, we don’t need to bring many players” Deco also confirmed that Barcelona will not be selling their top players, despite the club’s delicate financial situation. The newly crowned La Liga champions dominated Spanish football in Hansi Flick’s inaugural season at the helm and came agonisingly close to reaching the Champions League final. Flick branded both Rashford and Diaz as “fantastic players” when asked about the pair last month. “I don’t want to talk about players who aren’t part of my team, but they’re both fantastic players and I like them,“ the German said. “We’ll see what happens.” – Express Newspapers

The English forward has been made available for transfer by Man United, following a loan spell at Aston Villa who hold an option to purchase him for £40 million (RM220m) – an option they now seem unlikely to exercise. Rashford considers Barcelona his ideal destination but must wait as the Blaugrana first address contract renewals. “We have been focusing on renewing contracts, after that, we’ll discuss players to come,” Deco relayed to BBC Sport , implying any pursuit of the England star would be secondary to internal negotiations, with Liverpool star Luis Diaz also linked with a move to the Nou Camp. Deco stated: “Of course, these two players, like you mentioned, they are good but have contracts in their clubs, so we won’t speak because it’s not fair.

Hungry for more! Postecoglou says trophy parade speech was to spur team forward A NGE POSTECOGLOU has implored Tottenham not to settle for their Europa League success despite continued uncertainty over don’t settle for this. “We’ve got a taste of it now. My players have got a taste for it. The club’s got a taste for it. Well, let’s make sure we’re back here again.”

his own future. After becoming the first Spurs head coach in 17 years to win silverware with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21, Postecoglou is still in the dark over whether he will be allowed to enter the third year of his contract. Even though the 59-year-old received enormous roars of support after he declared at a trophy parade – in front of an estimated 220,000 fans – that “season three is always better than season

After Postecoglou secured Tottenham’s first European trophy since 1984, he revealed that towards the end of January he made Europa League success the priority over the Premier League. Plenty of rotations, as Postecoglou tried to protect the fitness of various key players, followed alongside a number of defeats, which increased the scrutiny and pressure on the Australian.

Postecoglou added: “That was when the laser focus came in. Every decision I made was around, ‘well, how do we navigate this to get to get to where we want to’?”

two”, no call on his future has been made after he presided over the club’s worst ever Premier League campaign. Chairman Daniel Levy is expected to make a decision this week, but in the meantime, Postecoglou took time out of his family holiday in Greece to speak with Australian broadcaster ABCTV about the meaning behind his trophy parade speech. “I didn’t want us to just enjoy the m o m e n t , “

Levy’s right-hand woman – the first of an anticipated raft of exits in the coming months.

Ange Postecoglou. – REUTERSPIC

The arrival of new CEO Vinai Venkatesham meant that there was always going to be a turnover in personnel this year,

with it also reported that the future of chief football officer Scott Munn is up in the air. – The Independent

Postecoglou said. “I also wanted us to think about

what’s next, you know –

Mason appointed West Brom manager

Ű BY GEORGE SESSIONS

team, was forced to cut short his playing career in 2018 after he sustained a fractured skull in a Premier League match for Hull at Chelsea a year earlier. A decade on from earning his solitary England cap against Italy, the London-born coach will embark on his first managerial role in the 2025-26 season. Highly-rated coach Mason held talks with Belgian club Anderlecht in October before a mutual decision was made to remain at Spurs, which enabled him to play his part in the club’s first trophy since 2008. After two previous caretaker stints at Tottenham, including leading the club in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, Mason has long been tipped for a future in management. – The Independent

“This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan-base and I am excited about what we can achieve together. “Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club, I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can’t wait to get started. “I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.” At the age of 33, Mason becomes the youngest boss in the Championship and this move ends his seven-year coaching career at Tottenham. Mason, who progressed through Spurs’ academy to play 70 times for his boyhood

RYAN MASON has left Tottenham to take over as West Brom head coach on a three year deal. Mason quickly emerged as a leading candidate for the Championship club after they dismissed Tony Mowbray on April 21. Spurs’ roller-coaster 2024-25 campaign – in which they secured Europa League success – only ended on May 25 and forced West Brom to bide their time but Mason, after a short holiday, decided to accept their offer and take his first step into management. “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed head coach of West Bromwich Albion,” Mason told the club’s website.