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Glasgow Rangers are now closing in on the signing of a “powerful” player this summer after a breakthrough this week.

Martin already under pressure at Rangers

The Gers have made a hugely disappointing start to the Scottish Premiership season, drawing their opening two matches and already slipping four points behind rivals Celtic. It has been a baptism of fire for new manager Russell Martin, who is already showing signs of feeling the pressure at Rangers, admitting that there will be no “quick fix” under him.

“We are at a point now at this club where something needed to change.”The ownership has changed, there’s a new coaching staff, there’s new players, there’s hopefully a new way of behaving in the training ground – properly, every single day, regarding standards and what’s expected at this football club. So it’s not a quick fix and this is not me coming out and making excuses.

“I think we change the manager from year to year and nothing really changes. So now it’s about really changing the culture and the feel of the club day in and day out. That will end up in a good outcome. Good process, good people, will always end up in a good outcome. But maybe not so quickly as everyone wants.”

For things to change for the better at Rangers, more signings are needed this summer, and on the plus side, it looks like one piece of business is now on the cusp of being done.

Rangers closing in on signing of "powerful" ace

According to Chris Jack on Monday morning, Rangers are now “close” to completing the signing of Real Betis centre-back Nobel Mendy, with a fee of around £2m agreed after a breakthrough in negotiations and the player set to sign a long-term contract.

Mendy has been a key target for a while now, and the fact that they have beaten Vallecano to his signature has to be considered a coup. The 20-year-old has the potential to be such an influential long-term signing for Rangers, with scout Kai Watson describing him as a “powerful” player, as well as possessing other key attributes.

The fact that Mendy’s versatility allows him to shine at right-back and left-back is an added bonus for Martin, who will hope that the Senegalese is a big player for him for years to come.

Rangers target now "for sale" with "sky high" record-setting valuation

The Gers need reinforcements after a stumble out the gates…

By
Callum Kemp

Aug 10, 2025

No clean sheets to start the Scottish Premiership campaign hasn’t been ideal, but Mendy will hopefully come in and sure things up.

Manchester United are reportedly willing to sacrifice Kobbie Mainoo in a sensational part-exchange bid for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. The Red Devils are said to have put €50 million (£44m) on the table alongside the 20-year-old talent, but Los Blancos see the Uruguayan as a cornerstone of their future plans. Amorim, meanwhile, continues to cast doubts on Mainoo’s role.

• Man Utd's daring bid for Real Madrid's Valverde

  According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Manchester United have offered Mainoo plus cash in a bold attempt to land Valverde. The England midfielder has found himself behind Bruno Fernandes in Amorim’s pecking order, leading to frustration about his lack of minutes. Real Madrid, however, are not entertaining the deal, as Valverde is viewed as untouchable in their project.

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• Man Utd midfield options light despite extravagant spending

  Manchester United spent over £200m in the summer to strengthen their attack, but questions remain over the midfield. Mainoo had been linked with loan exits before the season, with interest from Newcastle, Bayern Munich and Napoli. Now, the Red Devils’ willingness to include him in a blockbuster swap suggests Amorim is unconvinced about his immediate value to the team, and wants to bring in Valverde to bolster the team.

• Mainoo wants minutes – Real Madrid want midfield successor

  Mainoo still believes his long-term future could lie at Old Trafford but wants regular football, especially in a World Cup year. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been monitoring him as they look to replace the departed duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Despite his potential, Los Blancos’ stance is clear: Valverde is non-transferable and being groomed as a future captain.

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  Man Utd and Amorim under immense pressure

  Manchester United are languishing in 14th and desperately need solutions to avoid another dismal season. Amorim will be under pressure to stabilise results while also managing frustrated talents like Mainoo. Madrid, meanwhile, will keep monitoring young midfielders but are unlikely to budge on Valverde anytime soon.

It’s been a rollercoaster couple of weeks to be a Crystal Palace supporter.

Eagles fans did manage to see their beloved team win at Wembley again in the Community Shield final, having witnessed their never-say-die side fight back from 2-0 down to surprise Arne Slot’s Liverpool to lift the early-season honours.

However, all this ecstasy so early into the campaign hasn’t been enough to tempt Eberechi Eze to stay put at Selhurst Park, with his disallowed free-kick effort against Chelsea on the opening day in the Premier League all she wrote on a stunning Palace career, as he now edges ever closer to a £60m move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Marc Guehi could be the next high-profile name to ditch Oliver Glasner’s men, too, leaving the South London side with plenty to do in the transfer window before September’s abrupt cut-off.

Crystal Palace in talks to sign £14m star

It had been an extremely low-key window so far from a Palace perspective up until this boiling point.

The only notable addition to the building for the Eagles this summer has been ex-Ajax full-back Borna Sosa joining for £3m, but with Guehi and Eze both looking to be heading out the exit door, expect their activity to ramp up.

Jakub Kiwior looks to be on their list of centre-back targets if the forceful Englishman does seal a move away to Liverpool, while Bilal El Khannouss is also on the Palace radar to try and soften the blow of the former Queens Park Rangers attacking midfielder leaving.

There are also striker targets on Palace’s mind, too, if reports are to be believed, with a loan move allegedly in the works for hit-and-miss Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-Chan to move to Selhurst Park, away from Molineux.

The Athletic has revealed that talks have taken place over a move that will help Glasner and Co. fill the void left by Eddie Nketiah’s notable injury absence, with no deal in place just yet.

While he will be viewed as a temporary sprinkle of quality, the £14m man does possess shades of Palace fan favourite Jean Phillippe-Mateta’s game at the peak of his powers, which will hopefully be on full view in South London shortly.

Why Hwang possesses shades of Mateta

After all, even if those named do desert Selhurst Park this summer, Glasner will know he can rely on Mateta to deliver more moments of magic like this chipped effort against Arsenal for the Eagles across the 2025/26 season.

In total, the towering, but skilful, Frenchman has a lethal 47 strikes next to his name from 154 appearances for Palace, which included him bagging his side’s opener at Wembley to kickstart the Community Shield comeback.

However, he hasn’t always found his time at Selhurst Park to be a smooth sailing experience, with only 13 goals coming his way across his first three seasons at the Premier League outfit, before everything impressively clicked into gear.

Hwang has faced a similar reality at Wolves, but while Mateta has come into his own donning Palace’s distinct claret and blue over the past few seasons, his Asian counterpart has found that his own goalscoring prowess has somewhat fizzled out.

Indeed, last season saw Hwang only fire home a meagre two goals across 26 competitions, while Mateta reached 17 across all his games, on the contrary.

Yet, just the season before Mateta’s explosion, the former RB Leipzig attacker had managed to collect an impressive 13 strikes for the Old Gold, leading to former Arsenal goal machine Ian Wright declaring that the 29-year-old has “got everything” you want in a desirable striker.

His standout efforts during the 2023/24 campaign did see him fall short of the FA Cup-winning attacker again – with Mateta trumping his tally by six goals – but the pair were deemed as statistically similar across this season, as per FBref, as Hwang attempts to be another unsung hero-style figure for the Eagles up top.

After all, both strikers in question joined the English game from Germany with points to prove, as they now prepare to potentially link up with each other in attack at Selhurst Park, while Glasner’s men also look for a positive future on the horizon, likely without Guehi and Eze.

Crystal Palace receive reply to £27.6m bid for 21-goal star

He would be a big-money signing at Selhurst Park.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Aug 19, 2025

Robert Lewandowski has been urged to leave Barcelona to once again become the main man in a top team. Legendary Polish goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski believes his compatriot is being unfairly sidelined in favour of other big names at Barcelona and that he should leave the club to seek a new opportunity. He added that the striker's 17th place finish in the Ballon d'Or was too low.

• Lewandowski tipped to move to Saudi Arabia

  Tomaszewski insisted that the forward should put an end to his stay at the Catalan giants in favour of a move at a club where he is more popular. The former goalkeeper suggested he should follow the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema by moving to the Saudi Pro League.

  He told : "Robert should now close the Barcelona chapter and go to a club in Saudi Arabia, just like the best players in the world – except Messi – have done. Robert is not very popular in the team and the best players do not give him the ball."

  It seems a bizarre claim for Tomaszewski to make, given Lewandowski played 34 times in La Liga last season and scored 27 goals. The Pole has started this season strongly too, adding three goals in five games. It is also unclear whether Lewandowski would want to move to a perceived weaker division, when he is currently still performing to a high level at one of the world’s best clubs.

  Lewandowski was named as the 17th best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, a ranking which Tomaszewski believes was too low. “Robert has made it onto the list of 30 nominees for the tenth time, and that's what counts,” he said. “The journalists decide where he'll end up. I think he should be in the top ten.

  “The winner [Ousmane Dembele] was undoubtedly a controversial player, but he won the Champions League with the team, and it would be foolish for someone outside of that league to win this award.”

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  Tomaszewski is not a Flick fan

  In his interview with , Tomaszewski also took aim at Barcelona boss Hansi Flick and claimed the German coach was not doing a good job. He said: “Barcelona has a squad to win the Champions League. I hope they don't extend Flick's contract, because he's not doing a good job. He can't continue. With so much football quality, he should have won everything in Europe. But they lost to Inter, who were then humiliated by PSG in the final.”

  It might be difficult to find many who agree with the former Polish shot stopper about Flick, with Barcelona playing some of the most exciting football in Europe and scooping up multiple titles last season. The Blaugrana cantered to the La Liga crown last season, led by a crop of young talent and spearheaded by the veteran Lewandowski.

  This season, the Polish forward has formed part of a rotating front three with the likes of Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford also given chances down the middle of the attack. The strength in depth of Barcelona’s attack has allowed for this rich rotation, but this has not hampered Lewandowski’s output. There is little to suggest that the Pole is an unpopular player within the squad and that he would be keen to move to Saudi Arabia.

• Barcelona to take top spot on Sunday?

  Lewandowski could find himself on top of La Liga by the end of the weekend. The Blaugrana could take advantage of Real Madrid’s thrashing by Atletico Madrid and leapfrog their great rivals into top spot. After winning each of their opening games to the league season, Los Blancos were humiliated 5-2 to hand Xabi Alonso his first domestic defeat in charge of the Spanish giants. With victory on Sunday over Real Sociedad, Barcelona can move up to 19 points and one point clear of Madrid in second.

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  Lewandowski's future remains open

  Lewandowski’s contract at Barcelona comes to an end next summer, but there is an option for the club to extend it by another year. Should the striker choose to depart, he will no doubt have a long list of suitors lining up contract offers in an attempt to persuade him to join their club. Saudi clubs will be amongst those options, but even at 37-years-old Lewandowski looks as if he could keep playing at the top of European football for years to come.

Sheffield United certainly suffered from a rude awakening on the opening day of the new Championship season.

Bristol City travelled to Bramall Lane with last campaign’s playoff agony at the hands of the Blades still evidently on their mind, as the Robins exposed constant weaknesses from the hosts to run out as unexpected 4-1 victors.

It hasn’t got any better for Ruben Selles with another two defeats smacking his forlorn team in the face, as the ex-Hull City boss now also attempts to welcome in more new signings before September comes around to turn around this dire start to his reign.

The Blades will be hoping that their next James McAtee-level signing is waiting in the wings, as the Manchester City outcast instantly settled into his South Yorkshire surroundings once upon a time to secure promotion.

McAtee's heroics at United

McAtee looks to be on the move this summer away from the Etihad for good, as the 22-year-old finally appears out from the periphery at the Citizens to try and become another side’s leading man.

When he was chucked into the first-team fold at Bramall Lane back in 2022, the silky, 5-foot-10 attacking midfielder was an instant hit, leading to McAtee extending his loan deal with the club to the following season when Premier League action was on the menu.

In total, the England U21s regular would pick up a stunning 14 goals and eight assists from 75 clashes in South Yorkshire, with a hefty 12 of those coming in the second tier as United jumped back up to the big time via automatic promotion.

Selles will still be dreaming of similar promotion heroics this season, even with the defeats piling up early on, with one signing potentially sticking out as a McAtee repeat if it gets over the line.

The "incredible" £10m star who could be a McAtee repeat

As much as McAtee did enhance the attack during his time at Bramall Lane, the priority in the here and now for Selles and Co. might well be to strengthen defensively.

Indeed, in recent weeks, the Championship promotion candidates have been dealt a harsh blow in losing first-team star Anel Ahmedhodzic to Dutch giants Feyenoord, after the Bosnian lined up for 42 contests last season as a key individual.

Therefore, picking up some fresh blood at the back could be integral to their promotion hopes, over needing to add some spellbinding forward players.

That’s where Callum Doyle could come in handy, with SportsBoom previously speculating this month that the Etihad-based youngster is on the United shopping list this summer, alongside a whole host of other EFL suitors.

Norwich City are also being floated about as a party keen on bringing back their former loanee to Carrow Road off the back of him hammering home a sweet strike such as this one he put away with confidence last season, despite predominantly lining up as a centre-back presence.

It could cost any potential suitor around the £10m mark to land the up-and-coming 21-year-old, but this might well prove to be a price worth paying on United’s end if Doyle’s added presence gifts Selles and Co. the boost they desire in the promotion reckoning.

Doyle certainly showed off a lot of the same class McAtee brought to proceedings in South Yorkshire when plying his trade in Norfolk last campaign, with a standout seven assists picked up when playing his assured game out from the back.

On top of that, he also won an admirable 3.8 duels per contest for the Canaries, with his potential addition to a depleted backline making the loss of Ahmedhodzic sting less.

Hailed as “incredible” by his Norwich teammate Kenny McLean for his unerring ability with the ball at his feet, it does feel as if Doyle is ready for a switch where he shines even further up the EFL’s elite league, much like McAtee was handed in 2022.

History could repeat itself even more if Doyle is the calm and assured warrior who pushes Selles’ men up to those coveted promotion spaces despite such a bleak introduction to Championship life this season, as his senior game is taken to yet another level.

Sheffield United could land the next Rak-Sakyi with move for "special" ace

Sheffield United could gift Ruben Selles his own Jesurun Rak-Sakyi with this summer move.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 6, 2025

Former Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Bas Dost has hung up his boots at 36 after a terrifying on-pitch collapse in 2023. The Dutchman described his difficult recovery from heart inflammation as "maddening" and revealed a "dramatic" setback that he called a "slap in the face" following his unsuccessful attempts to continue his career.

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  Dost calls it a day with the sport

  Former Netherlands international Dost has announced his retirement from professional football. The decision comes after a lengthy battle with health issues following a cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch in October 2023, with the player describing a major setback in his recovery as a "slap in the face" in an interview with Dutch newspaper .

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• Dost reveals 'maddening' recovery and 'dramatic' setback

  The terrifying incident occurred during an Eredivisie match between his club NEC and AZ, when Dost collapsed on the field and required resuscitation. He was later diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. After an initial prognosis of six months for recovery, Dost suffered a devastating blow. "It was maddening. The prognosis was that the inflammation would disappear after six months. I thought I'd be able to play again next season," he said. "But in March, a scan was done – with dramatic results. The inflammation was almost back in full force. That was a slap in the face for me."

• AFP
  

  A prolific career in the Bundesliga and beyond

  Dost enjoyed a successful career as a powerful centre-forward across Europe, becoming particularly well-known for his time in Germany with VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt. Across his spells with both clubs, he scored an impressive 48 goals in 121 Bundesliga appearances. Before moving to Germany, he was the Eredivisie's top scorer with Heerenveen, and he also had a prolific stint at Sporting CP in Portugal. For Netherlands, Dost won 18 caps and scored one goal.

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• What next for Dost?

  While the 36-year-old confirmed that "the inflammation is now gone," the nearly two-year ordeal has prompted him to end his playing days. Dost took the opportunity to express his immense gratitude to the first responders who saved his life on the pitch, stating: "I cannot put into words how grateful I am to you." He retires with a legacy as a clinical and physically dominant goalscorer who made a significant impact in multiple top leagues.

Nottingham Forest have officially lodged a complaint with UEFA following their dramatic 3-2 Europa League home defeat to FC Midtjylland, as the pressure mounts on manager Ange Postecoglou just six games into his reign at the City Ground. Forest chiefs were left incensed by the controversial officiating during Thursday’s European clash, which saw the visitors escape with three points amid a series of questionable decisions from French referee Willy Delajod.

• Forest erupt after Europa League chaos

  According to Delajod’s performance is at the heart of Forest’s outrage. Despite Midtjylland’s bruising, physical approach, the official showed just one yellow card to the Danish side, to wing-back Kevin Mbabu, while three Forest players were booked: Morato, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White.

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  Referee under fire after Midtjylland mayhem

  A particularly reckless challenge by Denil Castillo on Elliot Anderson early in the contest summed up the inconsistency, with the Midtjylland midfielder somehow escaping with only a verbal warning. Forest sources say the stop-start nature of the officiating killed their rhythm and denied them the chance to build any attacking momentum.

• Ange under fire: Six games, no wins and no mercy

  The defeat has left Postecoglou’s position hanging by a thread. The Australian boss, who only took over in the summer, has endured a nightmare start to life in Nottingham, with no wins from his first six games in charge. This is the worst record by a Forest manager for over 100 years, since John Baynes went winless in any of his first seven games in 1925. 

  Thursday’s loss marked yet another low point, with sections of the City Ground crowd turning on the manager by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning!”; a brutal soundtrack for a coach already fighting for survival. Fans also resurrected songs for former manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked only last month but has since resurfaced as West Ham boss.

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  Forest at a crossroads before international break

  Sunday’s clash with Newcastle could well determine Postecoglou’s fate. Club insiders admit that failure to end the winless run will almost certainly trigger a managerial change during the break. Forest’s owners are said to be “deeply concerned” about the team’s direction and fear that another loss could see morale sink even lower. 

Few transfer windows have tested Newcastle United’s resolve quite like this one.

The Magpies’ pursuit of a reliable centre-forward has stretched across the summer, with numerous targets identified but deals proving elusive.

Liam Delap and João Pedro went to Chelsea, Hugo Ekitike chose a different project, and Benjamin Šeško slipped away despite strong interest.

Each missed opportunity has increased the pressure on Newcastle’s recruitment team and added urgency to their search.

The situation has been further complicated by Alexander Isak’s public desire to leave St James’ Park.

After being linked with Liverpool all summer, the Swedish striker released a statement on Instagram citing broken promises and his wish for a fresh start.

He has refused to reintegrate into Eddie Howe’s squad, missed the opening Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and Liverpool, and reportedly will not return to training.

That has left Newcastle without a senior striker, particularly damaging with Anthony Gordon suspended following his red card against Liverpool.

On Thursday night, a breakthrough came with a club-record £69m agreement for Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade, a towering 23-year-old who scored 12 Bundesliga goals last term.

Bayern Munich had been circling, but persuasive talks with Howe convinced him of the Tyneside project.

Woltemade’s arrival is significant, but Newcastle may not stop there.

Latest on Newcastle's next striker target

The other name at the heart of Newcastle’s transfer plans is Jørgen Strand Larsen.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Magpies are preparing to return with a third bid for Wolves’ 25-year-old striker after two earlier offers were turned down, the latest worth £55m.

Wolves remain determined to hold onto their “proper No.9”, as hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson, who only joined permanently from Celta Vigo this summer after a loan deal was made permanent for £23m.

Strand Larsen has quickly become central to Vítor Pereira’s attack at Molineux. The forward is understood to be open to a move, particularly with the lure of Champions League football at St James’ Park.

Reports suggest he has politely asked Wolves’ hierarchy to consider Newcastle’s approach, but the Midlands club – who have already sold Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri – insist he is not for sale.

Their stance mirrors Brentford’s firm rejection of Newcastle’s advances for Yoane Wissa earlier in the window. Nevertheless, Newcastle remain undeterred.

With Isak unavailable and Wilson gone, Howe sees the Norwegian as the ideal fit for his high-pressing, direct system.

Transfer Focus

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

With Woltemade’s arrival all but secured, the coaching staff view Strand Larsen not as a replacement, but as an upgrade on the German – potentially giving Newcastle two very different attacking options heading into a demanding season.

How Strand Larsen compares to Woltemade

The potential of signing both Strand Larsen and Woltemade has sparked debate among supporters and analysts alike.

Both are young, tall centre-forwards with room to develop, yet their statistical profiles highlight different strengths.

Strand Larsen was consistent for Wolves in the Premier League last season, scoring 14 times and registering 18 goal involvements across 35 appearances.

His efficiency in front of goal is reflected in a 61.1% shot-on-target rate – impressively high for a striker taking regular attempts.

Per 90 minutes, he averaged 1.15 shots on target, underlining his ability to work goalkeepers with relatively few wasted efforts.

While not prolific in ball progression, his 0.59 progressive carries and 1.01 progressive passes per 90 demonstrate a willingness to link up play.

By contrast, Woltemade’s numbers at Stuttgart last term illustrate a more versatile and mobile profile.

Despite featuring in only 28 Bundesliga matches, he recorded 14 goal involvements and averaged a higher volume of progressive actions – 1.72 carries and 2.89 progressive passes per 90.

His overall involvement in attacking moves was greater, reflected by 4.38 shot-creating actions per 90 compared to Strand Larsen’s 1.46.

Physically taller at 1.98m, the German also excels at dropping deeper to knit midfield and attack, though his shot accuracy (50% on target) lags behind his Norwegian counterpart.

Defensively, Woltemade again offers more.

He averages 0.56 tackles and 1.28 blocks per 90, showing greater defensive contribution in Newcastle’s high-pressing style.

Strand Larsen, meanwhile, contributes less off the ball (0.35 tackles, 0.66 blocks per 90), though his aerial strength (1.93m frame) provides a different outlet.

Taken together, these statistics explain Newcastle’s thinking. In Woltemade, they gain a forward comfortable carrying and distributing the ball, useful against teams who defend deep.

In Strand Larsen, they would secure a more clinical, penalty-box striker, adept at punishing defensive lapses and capitalising on crosses.

Having both options would give Howe tactical flexibility, allowing for different styles depending on the opposition.

The reality is that Newcastle’s hopes of re-establishing themselves as Champions League regulars rest on finding a reliable source of goals.

Isak’s impending exit has created a void, and while Woltemade’s signing has eased immediate concerns, the addition of Strand Larsen would truly transform their attacking department.

Whether Wolves can be persuaded before the deadline remains to be seen, but Newcastle’s persistence suggests they are ready to push hard.

Bruno will love him: Newcastle open talks to sign "£100m-plus footballer"

Newcastle could make an ambitious late move, much to the benefit of Bruno Guimaraes.

By
Will Miller

Aug 29, 2025

Former England striker Peter Crouch has spotted a striking similarity to his playing days after Newcastle sealed the signings of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

Newcastle finally end striker saga

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has finally landed long-term target Wissa after losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool on a dramatic final day of the summer transfer window.

Brentford’s 28-year-old DR Congo international, who was born in France, has joined the Magpies for an undisclosed fee, which is understood could eventually amount to £55million, and will wear the club’s famous number nine shirt.

Wissa’s efforts to force his way out of Brentford have not differed too starkly from the tactics employed by Isak in engineering his move, but one way or the other that Magpies now have their new look strike partnership.

Indeed, his addition to an attacking pool already boosted by the signing of Germany international Nick Woltemade, who arrived at the weekend, gives Howe plenty of options for new systems and formations, though fans will have to endure an international break before they see their new faces in action.

“I’m really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League,” Wissa said as he posed for pictures on Monday in Alan Shearer’s iconic number nine shirt.

“I’m very, very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I’ve got dreams, I’ve got faith, and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can’t wait to get started.”

Woltemade and Wissa anointed the new Crouch and Defoe

Newcastle targeted Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike earlier in the summer and the plan was to use the Frenchman in a front two with Isak, but whether or not Howe is intent on doing the same with Woltemade and Wissa remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure though, the pair bring plenty of complementary traits to the table, with Woltemade’s massive 6 foot 6 frame sure to be a focal point for the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga to aim at, while Wissa’s industriousness and ability to be in the right place at the right time was evident in his partnerships with both Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney.

And Crouch, who formed an iconic partnership with Jermain Defoe, has reacted on X to the suggestion that the Newcastle pair could be the next generation’s little and large duo.

Standing at 6 foot 7, Crouch is slightly taller than the 6 foot 6 Woltemade, but like Crouch the Germany international is known for having the old cliche of ‘good feet for a big man’.

Wissa is two inches taller than the 5 foot 7 Defoe, but if he can replicate the goalscoring record of the former Tottenham and Sunderland legend, who is the tenth best Premier League goalscorer of all time with 156, there won’t be anyone on Tyneside complaining about his transfer fee.

Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Jude Bellingham's brother Jobe as Ruben Amorim sees the young midfielder as a perfect fit for his 3-4-2-1 system. Bellingham followed in his elder brother Jude's footsteps and signed for Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window from Sunderland but the youngster has struggled for regular game time in Germany under Niko Kovac.

• Bellingham struggling in Germany

  After starring for Sunderland in the Championship last season and helping them secure a promotion to the Premier League, Bellingham attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund, a club where his elder brother Jude had previously thrived. He eventually sealed a move to the Bundesliga, as Dortmund agreed to pay the Black Cats a €33 million (£28m/$38m) transfer fee. Jobe was expected to have a similar impact as his sibling, however, so far this season, the midfielder has struggled to solidify a place in Dortmund's starting lineup. He has featured in eight matches across all competitions, accumulating just 281 minutes of action. He has been named in the starting XI only three times – twice in the Bundesliga and once in the Champions League – while failing to register a goal or an assist.

  Bellingham has also been accused of holding back Dortmund this season, as Germany legend Dietmar Hamann said: "The momentum Niko Kovac has brought to the table is truly impressive. Finally, consistency. The whole team is finally working for the win. I don't think they'll be able to keep up with Munich until the end, because Bayern seem to be able to step up a gear when necessary. But BVB's development is really good. Just imagine if they had even won the games in Turin and at St. Pauli. Then they'd be on Bayern's level. The only cause for concern seems to be Jobe Bellingham. Young, expensive and, so far, not even half as good as Jude Bellingham. It's not getting any easier for him."

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  United eyeing a move for Bellingham

  Despite signing a five-year contract only a few months ago, Bellingham is already being linked with a move away from Dortmund and according to , United are closely monitoring the youngster's situation, potentially plotting a move to bring him back to his homeland. The report adds that Red Devils boss Amorim is an admirer of the midfielder and he believes that Bellingham would nicely fit his complex 3-4-2-1 setup, as his physical strength will be of great use at the centre of the park. 

  However, United are not the only club chasing Bellingham as they are likely to face competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, who are also in search of a midfielder. Palace know that their star player Adam Wharton could depart Selhurst Park next summer, amid interest from European giants like Real Madrid, while United also have their eyes on the England international. As a result, the Eagles have seemingly begun their search for Wharton's replacement already. 

• United looking to bolster midfield

  Amorim spent heavily to strengthen United's attack in the last summer transfer window, as the club brought in big names for big money, in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Midfield, however, still remains an area of concern. The Red Devils need a long-term replacement for an ageing Casemiro, while home-grown star Kobbie Mainoo could exit Old Trafford due to a surprising lack of game time this season. 

  United had also pushed to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton towards the end of the summer transfer window but a move for the Seagulls star failed to come to fruition due to his massive £115m ($156m) price tag ($156m). Some reports have suggested that United could make another move for the youngster at the turn of the year.

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  Liverpool test up next for United

  After a series of poor results throughout September, which saw United drop to the 14th position on the league table, the team finally regained confidence by comprehensively beating Sunderland just before the international break. Amorim's team will now aim to make it two wins in a row next Sunday as they visit Anfield to take on champions Liverpool in a key Premier League clash. The Merseysiders are in a slump after three straight defeats, so now could be the perfect opportunity.