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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is personally leading the charge to sign a “powerful” player, with an offer now ready to be submitted, according to a report.

Berta taking hands-on role at the Emirates

Having laid the foundations, the Arsenal hierarchy believes now is the time for the team to start winning silverware, and Berta has a big role to play, with the Italian regarded as a master negotiator, capable of being involved in multiple deals at once.

The 53-year-old is taking a hands-on role at the Emirates Stadium, attending training sessions and press conferences, while also putting in work behind-the-scenes to secure agreements for the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi.

There have been some disagreements with Mikel Arteta, however, especially when it comes to which striker they should bring in, with Berta keen to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, while the manager would prefer to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Berta is simultaneously working on moves for both strikers, indicating a decision is yet to be made as to which striker is the preferred option, and the north Londoners are also keen to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch.

That is according to a report from Super Deporte (via Sport Witness), which states Berta is now leading the charge for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, who has recently been identified as a key target by Arteta.

Saka will love him: Arsenal agree initial fee to sign £60m "monster"

Arsenal could be growing closer to signing a new striker.

ByMatt Dawson Jun 29, 2025

Such is Arsenal’s level of interest, they are now ready to submit an offer in the region of €20m – €25m (£17m – £21m) for Mosquera, with around €3m – €5m (£2.6m – £4.3m) of the higher amount based on bonuses relating to performance.

Berta is said to be key to the deal, with the sporting director retaining a long-term interest in the 21-year-old, having also targeted him during his time with Atlético Madrid.

"Powerful" Mosquera could be ideal centre-back signing

With any new centre-back signing unlikely to immediately take Gabriel or William Saliba’s spot in the starting XI, it would make sense to bring in a younger centre-back, capable of replacing one of the first-choice options on a long-term basis.

The Valencia star is showing very promising signs in La Liga, having now established himself as a key player, missing just one La Liga game last season, while the defender has also received high praise from former youth coach Miguel-Ángel Angulo.

Angulo said: “He’s characterised by a physical condition and good technical qualities, powerful in the air, and mature for his age.”

Having also received plaudits from Statman Dave, Mosquera is clearly an exciting young player, who could provide Arsenal with the depth to compete on all fronts next season, before going on to stake a claim for a regular starting spot.

Fulham have now been provided with an update on the future of midfielder Joao Palhinha by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Does Joao Palhinha want to leave Fulham?

Palhinha was set to join Bayern Munich at the end of the summer transfer window, with a £60m deal being agreed, however the move collapsed at the final stages, as Fulham were unable to bring in a replacement before the deadline.

The midfielder has expressed his disappointment about the move not going through, saying: "I can’t lie, in football, we all have dreams and those are to play in the Champions League and for the best clubs in the world.

"People need to see and understand that as well but I also want to say I have all respect and I am really happy to be here as well.

"The move didn’t happen and now I am just focused on Fulham again. I will focus on my work and give everything I can like I have done in the past."

Since then, the 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a new contract, which runs until 2028, with the option for an additional year, and no release clause has been included, meaning the Cottagers hold the bargaining power in any future transfer windows.

The fact the Portugal international has committed to a new deal suggests he is happy at Craven Cottage, but Bayern remain undeterred, and Romano has now indicated the Bundesliga club could make a fresh approach in the next transfer window.

As relayed by CaughtOffside, the transfer expert said: “Joao Palhinha – Fulham are stronger on their position after contract extension, but the new deal was also done to give Joao a better salary until 2024.

“Then we will see in January or June, it will depend on bids and more. Bayern are still interested after coming close to getting the deal done in the summer, but obviously they’re not working on it yet.”

How much did Fulham pay for Joao Palhinha?

The Cottagers signed the former Sporting Lisbon man for just £20m back in the summer of 2022, and they were in line to make a huge profit by selling him to Bayern Munich for £60m in the summer, but fans will undoubtedly be happy he stayed.

The central midfielder was voted Fulham's Player of the Season for 2022-23, with more than half of Whites supporters voting for him, off the back of a fantastic campaign, in which he made 47 more tackles than any other player in the Premier League.

Lauded as "superb" by The Athletic reporter Peter Rutzler, Palhinha had a very promising first season at Craven Cottage, and Marco Silva will now be hoping he can kick on in the ongoing campaign, having put pen to paper on a new long-term deal.

However, if Bayern do come back with a fresh bid in the January transfer window, Fulham will be in an even stronger negotiating position than they were in the summer, indicating they could hold out for a larger fee.

Leeds United have endured a stuttered start to life in the Championship, as Daniel Farke seeks to navigate the trials and tribulations he inherited after their relegation last season.

First overseeing a rough summer transfer window, coming out the other side relatively unscathed despite some major exits, the German now has the unenviable task of knitting together his side with enough speed to turn them into the title challengers that fans would hope for.

Although, at this point and given the start to the term they endured, being just three points off sixth place marks a fine return, especially given they have enjoyed a clean sheet in each of their last three league fixtures.

Illan Meslier is performing well once again after a torrid last campaign, in which his high-profile blunders arguably played an outstanding role in dooming them to the drop – as he made three errors leading to a goal in the Premier League.

His youth and inexperience reared its ugly head, but there is a quiet understanding that with each year that should lessen. It is a case of trusting the process with the 23-year-old shot-stopper, however there was another Leeds could have enjoyed in the past who likely would still be thriving today.

Potentially, had they kept Kasper Schmeichel and not allowed his easy exit in 2011, they might not have been relegated at all with such a safe pair of hands in the net.

Why did Kasper Schmeichel leave Leeds United?

As son of the legendary Peter Schmeichel, it always seemed like the Denmark international was destined for a bright career. However, despite his father's legacy largely being centred around Manchester United, the current Anderlecht titan would instead start his career with Manchester City, before a stint at Notts County led him to Elland Road.

However, this rivalry proved a step too far for someone so young, as the Whites seemingly could not handle the ties he had to one of their most detested clubs.

The 36-year-old would reveal all on Joe Hart’s YouTube series Gloved: "I remember about three weeks after joining Leeds thinking, ‘What have I done?!’ It was just the wrong club for me at that time. It was very clear, very early on that it was the wrong club for me.

“It was a club where I was not accepted and with my father’s history, it was evident among the fans that they did not approve of that."

He would not solely blame the supporters for the breakdown in relationship, suggesting that from top to bottom the institution gave the impression he was wholly unwanted:

"I just didn’t feel welcome at all at the club, by the whole club, that’s the manager [Simon Grayson] as well. He didn’t give me any kind of confidence. I had a decent season, I thought. I didn’t set the world alight but I had a solid enough season, but I did not enjoy my time there at all. It was a really bad time."

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Leaving for Leicester City, what he would achieve with the Midlands outfit could not possibly have been imagined after departing Yorkshire for a nominal fee, having played just 40 times.

He would become a mainstay as the Foxes made a top-flight return before Leeds, leading them into the Premier League and steering them from relegation. Then, against all the odds, Schmeichel started in every single game as Claudio Ranieri somehow engineered their title charge and subsequent win.

A true fairytale story, it was described by Gary Lineker, who supported them as a youngster: "I saw them in a cup final – lose – that was the closest we ever got to big glory. Won the League Cup a couple of times but this is just something else. This is actually impossible. There were no odds that I would have taken at the start of the season. No odds. You could have given me 10 million to one and I'd have said 'Nah, it's a waste of a quid'."

Adding to such success, Brendan Rodgers would then help them claim an FA Cup too, cementing Schmeichel's legacy as a "#LCFC Legend" in the eyes of BBC broadcaster John Bennett.

Whilst they likely would not have reached the same unparalleled levels that the King Power outfit did with him in goal, Leeds would certainly have benefitted had they put their prejudices aside and placed some faith in the keeper as a young man.

How much did Leicester City sign Kasper Schmeichel for?

It is a testament to the terrible decision-making of Simon Grayson that Schmeichel was allowed to leave at all, let alone for the tiny £1.25m fee paid.

Whilst the manager remains a hero for how he saved them from League One peril, his dismissal came due to a lack of confidence from the hierarchy that he could see out their promotion ambitions.

Perhaps if he had a safe pair of hands to keep a few more clean sheets, he may well have been the man to earn them that top-flight return, that would only come eight years after his sacking.

How much was Kasper Schmeichel worth at his peak?

Although his technical peak inarguably came with Leicester, his value actually reached its highest point after he had departed the King Power Stadium for OGC Nice.

Despite only joining for £1m, which crazily recouped the bulk of the fee they first paid to bring him to the club, that seemingly marked an incredible steal in the eyes of Football Transfers.

As of October 2022, they valued him at €26.2m (£22.7m). Therefore, after departing Elland Road for just £1.25m, his value actually rose by 1716% until last year – albeit with the veteran gem now worth in the region of £9m.

Why was Kasper Schmeichel worth that much?

There are many reasons why Schmeichel's value rose so sharply across his career, with the elite silverware gained unsurprisingly aiding in that venture.

However, it is worth noting that in his prime the shot-stopper was widely regarded as one of the top flight's finest for his role, with former teammate James Maddison noting: "He’s a top goalkeeper, I think he’s in the top three of the Premier League."

Having gone on to play 284 times in the division, keeping an admirable 82 clean sheets for a side predominantly fighting relegation at the start, he truly is a legend of Leicester, and one of Leeds' greatest transfer missteps.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking at signing a new striker in the January transfer window, with a report revealing one of the main targets he has in mind…

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The Gunners are already running the rule over potential targets ahead of the January transfer window, with it recently emerging they have set their sights on Real Sociedad's Igor Zubimendi, who could be brought in to refresh Arteta's midfield options.

Not only is a new midfielder of interest to the north Londoners, but they could also look at signing a new winger, and Club Brugge's Antonio Nusa has now been named as a target, with contact already being made by Arteta to discuss a deal.

However, a report from TEAMtalk has now revealed that Arsenal's priority in the January transfer window could be signing a new striker, depending on how the season is going, with Arteta keen on adding some more versatile players to his squad.

The manager already has Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah at his disposal in attack, but they are similar players, and Charles Watts believes a more physical option could be looked at in January or next summer.

Brentford's Ivan Toney is named as a potential target by Watts, who believes the Englishman could take the Gunners "to another level", with the journalist also highlighting Victor Osimhen as an option, as there has been interest in the Napoli striker for some time.

Talks have previously been held over a deal for the Nigerian, whose agent has been over at the training ground, and Watts has revealed he will still be on Arsenal's list of targets, simply because of how good he is.

However, there is likely to be fierce competition for the forward, as he is going to be at the top of pretty much every club's list, and he will command a huge fee, indicating that a deal may be difficult to orchestrate.

The 24-year-old is set to put pen to paper on a new contract with Napoli, but Watts believes there will be an agreement in the deal allowing him to leave if a certain fee is met.

How good is Victor Osimhen?

The Lagos-born striker played a vital role in Napoli's title-winning 2022-23 season, weighing in with 26 goals and five assists in 32 league games, while he also showcased his ability in the Champions League, scoring five in six matches.

Hailed as "world class" by members of the media, the Napoli star has made the perfect start to the current campaign, scoring three goals in as many games, and he ranks in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 in the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

It is still very early days in the Premier League season, but Manchester City have made a perfect start, winning their opening four games to cement their place at the top of the table.

As such, Arsenal may be in need of a signing to help bridge the gap in January, and Osimhen is a top-level striker, who could take them to the next level.

Manchester United have encountered issue after issue so far this season, with the likes of Jadon Sancho falling out with Erik ten Hag in what is an ongoing saga, whilst the Red Devils continue to struggle on the pitch, suffering a 3-2 loss in their most recent outing against Galatasaray. The club have a number of players out injured, too, and those at Old Trafford will be desperately waiting for the full squad to return.

Any boost is a plus in the current circumstances, and, those in Manchester have finally been handed some good news to cling onto, with one particular player edging closer and closer to a return from an injury suffered in pre-season.

What's the latest Man Utd injury news?

When it comes to injuries, United have suffered the same luck that they've faced when attempting to get results on the pitch this season. At various stages of the campaign, Ten Hag has already been without Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Lisandro Martinez, who is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

The Red Devils have, however, received a recent injury boost, with youngster Kobbie Mainoo back in training, and edging closer to a return to action. And whilst United's next Premier League clash against Brentford could come too early for the youngster, he isn't far off from making a comeback, according to the club's official website.

We've seen in the past just how much of an impact young players can have at Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford a prime example of that. Now, it could soon be Mainoo's turn to light a spark that has been slowly fading at the theatre of dreams this season. It will be interesting to see if Ten Hag turns to the midfielder, given the current form of his side, and, therefore, the ease with which several names could play themselves into the Dutchman's plans.

Who is Kobbie Mainoo?

Just 18 years of age, Mainoo has the world at his feet at Manchester United, and could soon get his chance to show just how good he is. With Casemiro suspended in the Champions League after his red card against Galatasaray, Mainoo may yet even be handed a chance to stake his claim on the biggest stage to showcase his talents. The pressure would be on, but if he impressed on his chance, then Ten Hag may just have himself another option in the middle of the park.

The teenager has already earned plenty of praise during his time at United, including from club legend Bryan Robson, who told The Telegraph:

"He’s calculated and he’s reading the game, doing things in his own time. He closes down really well, receives the ball and changes the pattern of the game, quickens it up when he wants to and he’s using his football brain. I’m quite impressed with him."

Everything seems to be pointing to the fact that United have a gem on their hands, and who knows, a player who could yet play a surprise part in turning their campaign around after such a disappointing start this season.

Glasgow Rangers appointed just their 19th permanent manager in the club's history on the weekend as Philippe Clement joined the Ibrox side.

Following a woeful start to the current campaign under former manager Michael Beale, the Belgian faces a tough task in order to get a tune out of the current crop of players, where confidence appears to be low.

Hopefully, the new appointment will spark some inspiration across the squad, and with a clash against Hibernian to come this weekend, it represents an ideal chance for Clement to see where he stands with the first team.

Despite overhauling the playing squad in the summer, bringing in nine new faces to Ibrox, It's fair to say that Jack Butland has been a standout performer so far, saving 76% of the shots against him at Premiership level, out of Beale's business.

The likes of Cyriel Dessers, Danilo, and Sam Lammers have struggled to hit the ground running and perhaps found Scottish football harder than first anticipated.

It was not just his incomings that have been disappointing, as several players who became cult figures departed in the summer following the expiration of their contracts.

Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield, and Filip Helander all left following the end of last term and have since moved on to other clubs, yet it is the decision to release Alfredo Morelos that could come back to haunt the Gers, especially when you consider his current market value.

How much did Alfredo Morelos cost Rangers?

The Colombian striker was arguably the only positive aspect of the failed Pedro Caixinha reign. The Portuguese manager signed him from HJK Helsinki in the summer of 2017 for a fee in the region of around £1m.

Spending that amount on a 20-year-old who had recently played in Finland seemed like a slight gamble, yet he had scored 46 goals in just 62 appearances for the Finish side and if there was something the Gers needed following the 2016/17 season, it was an out-and-out scorer.

Despite Caixinha being relieved of his duties just a few months later after the Light Blues suffered yet another poor start to the campaign, Morelos went on to become a shining light at the club, helping them return to the summit of Scottish football with some swashbuckling displays, not only in Scotland, but on the continent too.

What happened to Alfredo Morelos?

Early impressions were good, as he scored 18 goals during his first season, yet when Steven Gerrard took over ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, Morelos took to the next level.

The next two seasons saw him score 30 and 29 goals respectively across all competitions, and he began to make an impact across European ties for the Gers.

Across the 2019/20 Europa League season, he scored 14 goals in total and his efforts against Porto and Feyenoord were key in allowing the Ibrox side to secure some impressive results.

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Morelos even became the top European scorer in the club’s history the following season, scoring goal number 22 against Benfica, overtaking the record set by club icon Ally McCoist during the 1990s, and the very same season, he scored 11 Premiership goals to spearhead the club to their first title in a decade.

The world was at his feet, no doubt about it, yet the final two full seasons of his spell in Glasgow failed to really hit the notes of previous achievements.

18 goals followed under Giovanni van Bronckhorst during 2021/22, however a serious injury sustained in April 2022 while on international duty for Colombia ruled him out of the Scottish Cup and Europa League finals, which meant that he was forced to watch on as his team lost against Frankfurt in Seville.

The 5 foot 9 machine was hailed as being a “nightmare for defenders” by one former Premiership opponent who remained anonymous and, during his peak, he was a menace to opposition players in Scotland.

Morelos had everything in his locker, from a clinical nature in front of goal to showcasing his ability to play as a lone striker, holding up the ball well using his physical strength, and he left the club in the summer for nothing having scored just 12 goals all season.

How much is Alfredo Morelos worth now?

Since leaving Glasgow, Morelos initially struggled to secure a club for the new season, yet he found solace at Brazilian outfit Santos, who snapped up the former Gers hitman last month, yet offered a cryptic message to his fans via social media.

The striker said: "I will always be ready to be there for my friends in Royal Blue.

"This is not a final farewell but a see you later filled with hope. See you in the future Rangers."

Could we perhaps see the 27-year-old back at Ibrox in a playing capacity? Since his move to Brazil however, his market value now currently stands at €3.7m (£3.2m) according to Football Transfers, clearly indicating that it was a mistake letting him run down his contract and leave for nothing.

Indeed, this figure is lower than the €17.2m (£15m) he was valued at back in November 2021, yet it is perhaps unsurprising given his recent form in Scotland.

The Gers had opportunities to sell Morelos when he was at the peak of his powers, including rejecting a staggering £16.5m bid for him during the summer of 2020 from French side Lille.

The Colombian has made two appearances for his new club thus far, failing to get on the scoresheet in any of them, and it could take him a while to get up to speed having not completed a proper preseason.

Morelos was one of the Gers' finest strikers since the turn of the century, scoring 124 goals across 269 games for the Ibrox side, and it will be hard to replace his qualities. Clement will give fresh starts to the likes of Dessers and Danilo, yet early signs indicate that they have not demonstrated the vast potential that led Beale to bring them to Scotland.

Hopefully, Morelos can return to some sort of form during his spell in South America, and he may prove that Rangers had a shocker by letting his contract expire, given the lack of production from his successors and his current market value being more than £0 they let him leave for.

Manchester United travel to face Arsenal at the Emirates this evening, looking to maintain their unbeaten record since the appointment of Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils come into the clash on the back of a 4-0 thumping over Everton at Old Trafford last weekend, after doubles from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee.

As for Mikel Arteta’s men, they come into the clash in North London following a huge 5-2 win away at city rivals West Ham United, with the Gunners going four goals ahead after just 36 minutes.

The two clubs have put on some memorable displays against one another in recent years, with tonight no exception as they prepare to battle once more.

However, a huge task awaits Amorim, as he looks to stop an unwanted record for United in their recent clashes with the Gunners.

Manchester United’s recent record vs Arsenal at the Emirates

In recent visits, the Emirates has been an unhappy hunting ground for supporters, especially when it comes to the Premier League.

Last year, the Red Devils thought they had claimed all three points right at the death, as Alejandro Garnacho ran through and slotted home, but was adjudged to have been offside after a review by VAR.

The hosts then snatched two late goals in stoppage time with Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus on the scoresheet as Arteta’s side claimed all three points back in September last year.

However, the last five visits to their home ground have been a complete disappointment, losing four and drawing one – simply unable to get the better of the Gunners at the Emirates.

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United’s last league victory against Arsenal in North London came way back in December 2017, when goals from Antonio Valencia and a double from Jesse Lingard secured all three points.

If Amorim is to increase the good feeling around the club after his impressive start to life as boss, a victory over their rivals would certainly do the trick.

However, if he is to have the greatest chance of achieving a rare win at the home of Arsenal, he must continue to unleash one player who could be his own version of a star who has catapulted the hosts into a title battle once again.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The Man United star who’s their own Bukayo Saka

England international Bukayo Saka has established himself as one of the leading attackers in the Premier League in recent years, producing some impressive numbers that led to his sensational rise to stardom.

This season alone, the 23-year-old has registered five goals and ten assists in his 12 league outings, with only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah contributing with more goals.

However, Amorim could have his own version of the youngster in the form of the left-footed Amad Diallo, who has starred in his new wing-back role since the appointment of the 39-year-old.

The “unbelievable” Ivorian, as dubbed by Statman Dave, has already registered three assists in his two league starts under the new gaffer, taking to his new position like a duck to water – nailing it down as his own.

Many expected the defensive responsibility to take away the attacking side of the 22-year-old’s game, but he’s currently in the best form of his career at Old Trafford, hugely benefiting from the managerial switch.

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Diallo has shown that he is capable of having an impact at both ends of the pitch, registering two assists on Sunday, whilst also winning all four tackles as a Saka-like presence, cutting inside from the right-hand side.

With Arteta’s men operating with an inverted full-back down the left-hand side, it could give licence for Amad to take advantage and inflict yet more pain on an English top-flight side.

It will be a battle of the right-wingers with the United supporters hoping that Diallo can outperform Saka and secure a second successive league win under Amorim’s leadership.

Amad 2.0: Amorim could unleash Man Utd teen who's outscoring Obi-Martin

Manchester United have yet another exciting star within their academy ranks.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2024

Eyeing an instant return to the Premier League, Sheffield United are reportedly set to sign a former Manchester City gem who was compared to Rio Ferdinand during his time in West Ham United’s academy.

Sheffield United transfer news

The Blades have so far shown plenty of intent in their battle to earn a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, sitting as high as fourth, one point adrift of Burnley in the automatic promotion spot and five points behind Championship leaders Sunderland.

After returning to winning ways last time out against Stoke City courtesy of Tyrese Campbell against his former club and Kieffer Moore, those at Bramall Lane have seemingly turned their attention back towards the transfer market.

Of course, Sheffield United were a busy side in the summer window, having welcomed the likes of Moore and Campbell, who will hope to kick on as a strike duo after a successful outing last time out. But now the Blades have reportedly shifted their focus towards a potential future star.

According to The Mirror, Sheffield United are set to sign Jamal Baptiste on a free deal after he impressed on trial at the club in the last month. Baptiste, still just 20 years old, has spent time at both Manchester City and West Ham throughout his career before finding himself without a club. Reportedly considered one of the most talented prospects at West Ham, the central defender will be relieved to have seemingly found his next move.

If Baptiste reaches his potential then the Blades should have some player on their hands, given that former West Ham man Carlton Cole previously went as far as comparing the defender to Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand.

Cole praised the defender, saying on Inside Irons as relayed by Hammers News: “Especially Jamal Baptiste that I’m a massive fan of. Well he’s training with the first team at the moment (which tells you how highly rated he is) so I think he’s definitely a massive prospect.

“He’s going to be the next Anton Ferdinand hopefully or the next Rio. So hopefully we can these boys on the right track and help them transition into being a professional footballer full-time.”

"Massive prospect" Baptiste needs move

Without a club and in danger of becoming one of many forgotten prospects in a case of what might have been, Baptiste needs things to go well at Sheffield United if he does put pen to paper at the Blades. Under the guidance of experienced manager Chris Wilder, he has the chance to set the course towards realising his high potential to prove Cole right, but must become a reliable option.

Still just 20 years old, it remains to be seen whether Baptiste would come straight into the Sheffield United squad or if he is forced to wait for his chance. For the sake of squad depth alone, his arrival would be no bad thing for the Blades in search of promotion.

Next season, for the first time since 1999, Match of the Day will have a new host.

Earlier this week, the BBC announced that Gary Lineker will leave the role at the conclusion of the current campaign, bringing to an end his 25-year stint as the face of the broadcaster’s flagship football show.

Starting in 1964, Match of the Day has been the place for Premier League football highlights, with the BBC also gaining rights for the Football League, FA Cup and European football over the years.

“We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport.

Greg Dyke, former BBC director general, told BBC Radio 4 that Lineker was “the outstanding sports presenter of his time”, but that “life moves on”.

How the running order is decided on Match of the Day

Here’s how Match of the Day is pieced together behind the scenes.

ByStephan Georgiou Aug 16, 2024

So what now? Who will replace Lineker as host of Match of the Day after so long at the helm? Can anyone do the job? Does this mean we won’t ever get to see anyone present in just their pants again?

Here, FootballFanCast outlines the top candidates to replace the legendary host.

1 Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman is, unsurprisingly, the favourite to replace Lineker.

The 51-year-old has hosted Match Of The Day 2 for more than a decade and has also filled in for Lineker on the main show when he’s been unavailable on numerous occasions, including when the former England striker was briefly suspended by BBC bosses over his social media activity last year.

As a familiar face with plenty of experience, Chapman is the logical choice.

2 Alex Scott

Alex Scott has been a leading light for female pundits since retiring from professional football in 2017.

In 2018, she became the first female analyst to cover the men’s World Cup on the BBC, while in the same year, she also became Sky Sports’ first-ever female football pundit.

Now the host of Football Focus, she has also stood in for Lineker on Match of the Day.

3 Gabby Logan

Already one of the BBC’s best-known sports presenters, Gabby Logan first joined the broadcaster in 2007, having also worked for ITV.

Since then, she’s presented at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Invictus Games, the World Cup, the European Championship, and has also occasionally filled in for Lineker. This season, she has fronted Amazon Prime’s Premier League and Champions League coverage.

In 2020, she was awarded an MBE for services to sports broadcasting and promoting women in sport.

4 Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer has been Lineker’s right-hand man on the Match of the Day for years.

Though he has no experience as the main presenter, the former England international could be a good choice for the BBC if they are looking to keep things familiar.

It would also be a strange turn of fate given that Shearer replaced Lineker as England’s first-choice striker when he retired in 1994.

5 Micah Richards

Since retiring from football in 2019, Micah Richards, or as he calls himself, “Big Meeks”, has quickly established himself as one of the most likeable football pundits around.

He’s been a mainstay on Match of the Day alongside Lineker and Shearer, while he’s also worked alongside Kate Scott, Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher on CBS Sports.

Lineker has previously admitted that he would “love” to see Richards replace him as host of Match of the Day.

“I think you’d be brilliant in the chair,” Lineker told Richards during an episode of The Rest is Football podcast earlier this year.

6 Kate Scott

Kate Scott, formerly Kate Abdo, has earned critical acclaim for her work with CBS Sports since 2020, where she has anchored the network’s coverage of the Champions League alongside Richards, Carragher, and Henry.

The 43-year-old, who previously presented sports on Sky, Fox and CNN, would be a great replacement for Lineker, but could be out of reach for the BBC given that last year she signed a new, four-year exclusive contract with CBS.

7 Kelly Cates

The daughter of the former Liverpool player and manager Sir Kenny Dalglish, Kelly Cates is a highly experienced presenter who has worked for a number of well-known broadcasters, including ESPN, Setanta Sports, and Channel 5.

Her most notable work, however, has been with Sky Sports. She left the channel in 2006 but returned in 2016, and now covers the Premier League’s biggest games alongside the likes of Roy Keane, Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville in the studio.

8 Jason Mohammad

Welsh broadcaster Jason Mohammad is the current host of BBC show Final Score.

Since joining the BBC in 1997, he has also deputised for Lineker and Chapman on Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2. He would be an experienced figure in front of the camera, though you would imagine he will stick to stand-in appearances.

9 Dion Dublin

Dion Dublin has been a regular feature on the BBC’s sports coverage since retiring from football in 2008, appearing on Match of the Day, Football Focus, Final Score, BBC Radio 5 Live and more.

The former Coventry City and Manchester United striker has plenty of experience presenting outside the world of sports, too.

Since 2015, he’s hosted property show Homes Under the Hammer alongside Martin Roberts and Lucy Alexander, where he’s made a name for himself for regularly letting viewers know exactly where stairs lead to.

10 Jeff Stelling

Famed for his iconic voice, memorable catchphrases, razor-sharp wit and silly sense of humour, Jeff Stelling is one of British football’s most famous broadcasters.

Having presented Gillette Soccer Saturday for Sky Sports from 1994 until 2023, Stelling now works for TalkSport, where he hosts the channel’s breakfast show alongside Ally McCoist.

His appointment would no doubt be a popular one. However, he likely wouldn’t come cheap, though he would almost certainly maintain the show’s prestige by replacing Lineker on Saturday nights.

Leeds United are currently sat at the top of the Championship table during the international break as they aim to win automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

German head coach Daniel Farke was brought in last summer to lead the team back to the big time and has done a fantastic job so far, with the Whites ahead of Leicester City on goal difference – albeit having played one game more.

The former Norwich boss won the second tier title on two occasions with the Canaries and is now looking to lift the trophy for a third time in five years.

If Leeds do win promotion back to the Premier League, Farke and the club will need to get recruitment spot on to give themselves a strong chance to survive in the top-flight.

Work already appears to be going on behind the scenes, as they have been linked with Karamoko Dembele and Sean Longstaff, and they are now reportedly interested in a star from Scottish football.

Latest Leeds transfer news

According to GIVEMESPORT, Leeds are one of a number of clubs interested in a possible summer swoop to sign Celtic wizard Matt O'Riley.

The report claims that the Whites are 'tempted' to make an offer to sign the talented magician from the Scottish giants, if they win promotion back to the Premier League this season.

This is not the first time the club have been interested in the Denmark international. Sky Sports reported that they had a £10m offer rejected by the Hoops during the 2023 summer transfer window.

Last month, Tipsbladet claimed that the Bhoys value O'Riley at a staggering £25m, and that they turned down an £18m offer from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, who attempted to sign him on loan with an obligation to make it permanent in the summer during the January transfer window.

This means that Leeds will have to pay significantly more than the £10m they previously offered for him to land his services ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

GIVEMESPORT add that Premier League sides Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford are also interested in the attacking midfielder, with the former having watched him closely this season.

They also state that Celtic could be tempted to cash in on the former MK Dons star if the right money is offered, and that a 'big' summer is ahead for O'Riley.

Leeds must now push to get a deal over the line for the Danish star if they win promotion from the Championship, as he is a mix of both Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter and could be a fantastic addition to the squad.

Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter's Championship form

The Whites pair have been in fantastic form at the top end of the pitch with their respective ability to cause havoc for opposition defences on a regular basis.

Summerville has offered a clinical edge in the final third with a superb return of 15 goals from an xG (Expected Goals) of 13.63 in 35 Championship appearances so far.

The Dutch dynamo has averaged a goal every 188 minutes in the division, and has scored at least three more goals than any of his teammates.

This shows that the right-footed left winger offers a huge goal threat with his efficient and consistent finishing when presented with high-quality opportunities in the second tier.

Rutter, on the other hand, lacks that finishing touch as the French whiz has only scored six goals from 11.37 xG across 37 Championship outings, which shows that the ex-Hoffenheim prodigy has been incredibly wasteful in front of goal.

The talented ace has not showcased the best of his abilities as a finisher, unlike Summerville, as he has missed a whopping 15 'big chances' to go along with his six goals.

Assists

15

1st

Expected Assists

10.06

1st

Big chances created

22

1st

Dribbles completed per game

2.8

1st

Key passes per game

2.2

2nd

However, as you can see in the table above, the left-footed magician has been an outstanding creator for his teammates with a consistent supply of chances created to assist goals in the league.

This has led to Rutter having at least seven more assists than any other player within the squad, which speaks to how impressive his creativity has been from an attacking midfield position.

Why Leeds should sign Matt O'Riley

Leeds should sign O'Riley to complement Summerville and Rutter in the Premier League as the Celtic star is a mix of both of them in the final third.

The 23-year-old maestro combines the silky left-footed creativity and dribbling of the French whiz with the clinical and regular goalscoring of the former Feyenoord youngster.

In the Scottish Premiership this season, the Denmark international has plundered 11 goals from an xG of 10.83 across 29 matches for the Hoops. He has only missed nine 'big chances' in the league this term, and these statistics show that the Leeds target has been effective in front of goal.

Appearances

38

Goals

3

Assists

12

Big chances created

16

Key passes per game

2.2

Like Summerville, O'Riley has the quality to offer a big goal threat from midfield with his ability to finish chances efficiently, without underperforming his xG.

Meanwhile, the former Fulham academy prospect is also a creative midfielder who can drive past opposition players and make defence-splitting passes.

The Celtic star, who was hailed as "complete" by journalist Josh Bunting, has assisted ten goals and created ten 'big chances', to go along with 2.4 key passes and 1.1 completed dribbles per match, across his 29 Premiership appearances this season.

This comes after he assisted 12 goals and created 16 'big chances' for his teammates in 38 league games under Ange Postecoglou during the 2022/23 campaign.

He has, therefore, racked up 22 assists and 27 'big chances' created for the Scottish giants since the start of last season, which shows that the £25m-rated star has a Rutter-like ability to create for others from midfield.

This is why Leeds must win the race to land his signature at the end of the season, if they win promotion to the Premier League, as he is a mix of both Summerville and Rutter with his qualities in possession.