West Ham United are looking to pip Manchester United to the signing of a £25m defender after making an approach.
West Ham transfer rumours
The Irons haven’t had the season they would have been hoping for after splashing the cash in the summer under Julen Lopetegui. The Spaniard was dismissed at the beginning of 2025, with Graham Potter the new man in charge at the London Stadium.
Max Kilman
Wolves
€47.5m
Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United
€29.3m
Niclas Fullkrug
Borussia Dortmund
€27m
Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras
€23m
Mohamadou Kante
Paris FC
Undisclosed
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Man Utd
€18m
Wes Foderingham
Sheffield United
Free transfer
Guido Rodriguez
Real Betis
Free transfer
Jean-Clair Todibo
Nice
Loan transfer
Carlos Soler
PSG
Loan transfer
Evan Ferguson
Brighton
Loan transfer
The Hammers have 10 Premier League games remaining and are currently 16 points clear of safety and 16 points adrift of the top four.
As a result, attention behind the scenes is seemingly turning towards the summer transfer window ahead of Potter’s first full season in charge.
West Ham eyeing move for £42m "king of kings" with 19 goals this season
The Hammers have set their sights on a forward who has been prolific in front of goal this season.
ByDominic Lund Mar 10, 2025
A number of players have been linked with moves to West Ham in recent weeks and a marquee forward signing appears to be high on the to-do list after Evan Ferguson’s loan spell from Brighton comes to an end.
Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike is once again a target for West Ham, whereas preliminary contact has been made over a deal to sign Tammy Abraham.
As well as attacking additions, new signings at the back could also be needed, and a new name has now emerged on the Irons’ transfer radar.
West Ham make contact to sign £25m defender
According to reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham have made an approach over a move to sign Genoa defender Koni de Winter.
The Hammers have ‘asked for information’ over a deal to sign the Belgium international, as have top-flight rivals Man Utd and Tottenham Hotspur.
Koni De Winter for Genoa.
Genoa have reportedly set a €30m (£25m) asking price as they look to make a profit on De Winter, who they only signed permanently from Juventus last year.
Serie A sides Napoli and Roma are also keen on the 22-year-old, who can play as a centre-back, right-back or defensive midfielder. De Winter came through the academy at Juventus and has been called “gifted” by U23 scout Antonio Mango in the past.
A move to West Ham could therefore be one to watch for De Winter, who may end up rivalling the likes of Max Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo, should he make his loan deal permanent under Potter.
Leeds United will be hoping to end their two-year Premier League exile come the end of the season, with Daniel Farke looking to complete the job in the last eight games of the campaign.
The German has led the Whites to top spot in the Championship, doing a superb job in galvanising the squad after the play-off final defeat last time around.
However, he will be hoping to go one better and avoid a play-off heartbreak repeat by helping the side achieve an automatic promotion spot, currently boasting a two-point lead over third place.
LeedsUnitedmanagerDaniel Farke celebrates after the match
Unsurprisingly, the thought of a return to England’s top flight will be an exciting thought for the fanbase, potentially coming up against some huge clubs once again next year.
If they are to be a success in the division above, additions will be needed to ensure the side is competitive enough to avoid an immediate return, aiming to repeat a deal for one player who starred at Elland Road.
Raphinha’s time at Leeds United
Very few people could’ve predicted how well Raphinha would perform at Leeds after his £17m move from French outfit Stade Rennais during the summer of 2020.
The Brazilian would become an immediate hit with the supporters for his flair and ability to create carnage within the final third, helping the side register a top-half finish in their first year back in the Premier League.
Former Leeds forward Raphinha.
He would go from strength to strength during his time in Yorkshire, registering 11 goals in his second year at the club, cementing himself at the top of the Whites’ goalscoring charts.
However, his second year in England would be his last, with the hierarchy cashing in his splendid form in the final third, joining Barcelona in a £55m deal, the biggest fee received by the club in their history.
His subsequent departure would have a huge impact on their league standing, with the club dropping into the Championship, a position which they are yet to get themselves out of.
Leeds also had one other player who could’ve followed on a similar trajectory at Elland Road, but ultimately he failed to live up to the hype he arrived with.
The Leeds player who's now worth £66.5m less than Raphinha
Their time in the Premier League allowed for added investment into the first-team squad, handing Marcelo Bielsa the tools to build on the promotion-winning campaign.
Directed by Victor Orta, they spent upwards of £100m during the summer of 2020, with Raphinha just one of the players to move to Yorkshire, looking to take their career to the next level.
Helder Costa was another talent to make a big-money move to the club, joining in a £16m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers, making his move permanent after spending the year on loan the year prior.
The winger notched five goals and six assists in the Championship back in 2019/20, being a key member of Bielsa’s squad during their return to the top flight.
He managed three goals and three assists from his 22 league appearances in their first year back in the top flight, but it would be his final season as a consistent first-team member, with the forward dropping down the pecking order.
The 31-year-old made just two appearances in the first half of the following season, before joining Valencia on loan – but was unable to make the desired impact, making just 13 starts and failing to score a single goal.
It wouldn’t be enough to force himself back into Bielsa’s plans, subsequently being sent out on another temporary stint to Al Ittihad, before being released from his contract in Yorkshire in October 2023.
Games played
71
Cost per game
£225,000
Goals scored
8
Cost per goal
£2m
Assists registered
9
Cost per assist
£1.7m
The attacker cost a staggering £2m per goal he scored during his time at Elland Road – a staggering figure – often failing to deliver within the final third, certainly going down as a waste of money, especially considering he cost just £1m less than Raphinha.
His career has since taken a nose dive in recent years, now featuring for Yunnan Yukun in the Chinese Super League, with his time at Leeds having an impact on his career as a professional.
Costa’s decline can further be seen in his current market value, now valued at just £500k by Transfermarkt, a figure £66.5m lower than the Brazilian, who’s now valued at £67m after his splendid form at Barcelona.
Given his drop-off in recent years, it’s safe to say the club made the right call in parting ways with the attacker, but they must regret forking out £16m for his services – with the wide-man certainly not living up to the price tag.
The difference in value between himself and Raphinha in 2025 should be a stark reminder for the hierarchy this summer, with the right additions needing to be made if the Whites are to continue on their upward trajectory.
Leeds had a "superb" gem who was ahead of Gray, but Farke let him go for £0
Leeds United once had a talent who looked destined to go right to the very top.
Liverpool saw off neighbours Everton to make it a happy return to the Premier League, having missed last weekend’s action due to an early FA Cup exit, one week on from the March international break.
Candidly, the break came at the right time for Arne Slot’s side, whose imperious campaign suffered its most bruising blows in succession, a miserable week seeing Paris Saint-Germain advance in the Champions League before Newcastle United deservedly beat the Reds at Wembley to lift the Carabao Cup.
Slot, for all his brilliance, seems reluctant to enforce changes to his tried-and-tested starting line-up, but Liverpool have paid the price for such stubbornness after falling in each of the season’s competitive offshoots.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Victory against Everton was paramount. Anfield’s advantage at the top of the Premier League may be imperious at 12 points, but psychologically, recent setbacks required a bounce-back.
And bounce back Liverpool did. Curtis Jones, whose tactical dynamism seems to know no bounds, impressed in a moonlit right-back berth, but the biggest winner may well have been Diogo Jota, breaking his duck to expertly net the sole goal of the match, inching his team one step closer to the title.
Diogo Jota's performance vs Everton
It was a big night for Liverpool’s frontline, whose struggles since the turn of the calendar year have been scrutinised by pundits and online supporters alike.
Mohamed Salah
18 (18)
12
5
Cody Gakpo
14 (9)
5
1
Luis Diaz
19 (16)
1
3
Diogo Jota
15 (10)
3
1
Darwin Nunez
17 (4)
3
4
Federico Chiesa
5 (2)
2
1
Jota needed that goal. He’d gone 11 matches without scoring across all competitions for Liverpool and was spiralling toward a bleak end to the season, but he struck gold at the perfect time, adding his name to an illustrious list of derby-day heroes.
Dissenters online felt Luis Diaz was in an offside position in the build-up, but given that he wasn’t interfering with play and made no attempt to meet the ball, the official green-lit Jota’s well-taken goal.
It was a timely reminder that Jota, in spite of his recent woes, is a deadly man to have in the final third. Indeed, it was only last season that Jamie Carragher proclaimed the Portuguese to be “the best finisher” Liverpool have had in the Premier League.
Obviously, we’ve been treated to ‘better’ strikers in Red, but in terms of pure ball-striking ability when in space in the danger area, Jota’s one of the best for sure.
His balletic skip past Tim Iroegbunam, the shimmy to second-guess Everton’s meaty central defenders, the finish. Simple yet sublime. Jordan Pickford dove to Jota’s right, but Pickford’s dive was wrong, for Liverpool’s centre-forward deftly placed the ball leftwards, into an empty net.
The 28-year-old will now look to build on his performance. Make no mistake, Jota has been well below par in recent months, last scoring a goal against Nottingham Forest in mid-January. His prolific Liverpool career has been punctuated by injuries, and this term has been no different, Wednesday’s clash marking only the tenth top-flight start of the season.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
This is particularly damning when considering Darwin Nunez has also failed to nail down a berth, leaving Slot to devise alternate measures.
Well, Jota will want to build, but Slot must now seek to implement another outside-the-box strategy to avoid late-season burnout and keep things fresh.
Liverpool managerArneSlotbefore the match
Having showcased his adaptability by fielding Jones at right-back, Liverpool’s boss should now place another of his troops in a fresh position.
Liverpool flop should be unleashed in new role
Slot might have a preferred starting line-up, but Liverpool have hardly been rigid in their football this season, playing in a myriad of different ways to get the job done.
Jota of course will want to use the win over Everton as a launchpad for a purple patch over the next two months, steering Liverpool over the finish line, but there’s little question that he’s been out of sorts recently. In fact, he was rather off the boil in the opening half.
Liverpool EvertonPlayer ratings courtesy of Sofascore.
That’s why Slot might want to unleash Federico Chiesa from a focal striking role over the coming weeks. Signed from Juventus last summer on a cut-price £12.5m deal, the versatile forward has endured a tough term in Liverpool.
Injuries have wrecked Chiesa’s development over the past several years. So impressive at Euro 2020 when Italy defeated England in the final to clinch gold, with a horrendous anterior cruciate ligament injury affecting the 27-year-old’s 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns.
Federico Chiesa in action for Liverpool
The current campaign, a new chapter at Anfield, presented a clean slate for a talented player who has been described as a “wizard” by football media personality Roger Bennett, owing to his technical quality and fleet-footedness.
Moreover, the £150k-per-week star is a natural finisher, something that was perfectly illustrated by his late consolation goal at Wembley two weeks ago.
Chiesa was ostensibly brought in to cover Mohamed Salah at right wing, but given that he played the lion’s share of last season as Juventus’ striker, scoring nine goals and laying on three assists from 31 central appearances, Slot may well look to boldly drop Jota for a summer signing who is still waiting for their first Premier League start.
To be sure, he’s gifted enough to play a bigger role. As per FBref, Chiesa ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 8% for tackles made per 90.
Though Liverpool would need to craft the mother of all collapses to cede first place to Arsenal, Slot will demand maintained standards from his men, and Chiesa’s increased involvement might be the perfect way to achieve this.
Federico Chiesa scores for Liverpool
Time is running out for the Italy international to widen the scope of his maiden campaign in English football, but there’s no doubt he’s shown flashes of exciting quality and allowing him to prove his worth over the next few weeks could make all the difference in his longer Liverpool career, even if that means returning Jota to the bench at some point soon.
102 touches, 89% passes: Liverpool ace is becoming as important as Salah
One Liverpool star is becoming as important as Mohamed Salah after the Merseyside Derby.
Arsenal are quickly looking to complete a £17 million deal for one player who is a target for ex-Gunners star Cesc Fàbregas at Como, with new sporting director Andrea Berta seemingly aware of the growing competition for his signature.
Andrea Berta's transfer goals for Arsenal this summer
Berta’s arrival has prompted reports of serious summer spending at Arsenal.
Offer ready: Arsenal keen to bid £30m for "special" Premier League forward
The Gunners are set to move for an attacking midfielder, who plays for one of their Premier League rivals.
ByDominic Lund Apr 6, 2025
GiveMeSport recently claimed as much as £300 million could be splashed on up to seven major signings across the squad, including a new second-choice keeper, left-back, midfielder, left-winger, striker and alternative to Bukayo Saka.
Even two central midfield signings are a very real possibility, as per GMS, with Arsenal in advanced talks over a deal for Martin Zubimendi, who could also be joined by Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes.
The latter is a personal recommendation from Berta, as first reported by journalist Eduardo Burgos, and Guimaraes could be signed for around £60 million if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Supporters are anticipating a very busy first window for Berta, with the 53-year-old also in the market for a goalkeeping alternative to David Raya.
Neto isn’t a viable long-term option and will return to Bournemouth when his straight loan deal expires, leading them to target Espanyol star Joan Garcia.
Espanyol's Joan Garcia makes a save
The Spaniard played a key role in Espanyol’s push for La Liga promotion last season, and it is believed that Garcia agreed personal terms over a move to Arsenal last year. Even though the transfer fell through, Berta plans to make another attempt for him this year.
Arsenal want to finalise Joan Garcia deal "as soon as possible"
Sources in Spain expect Garcia to complete a move to Arsenal, as per Sky presenter David Garrido last week, and another update has emerged on the 23-year-old from his homeland.
RCDEspanyol'sJoanGarciain action with FC Barcelona's Hector Fort
According to a report in Spain, as quoted by Football 365, Arsenal want to finalise a deal for Garcia “as soon as possible”, and the outlet claims that his release clause is actually set at around £17 million right now.
They’re aware of the growing competition for his services, including from Fabregas at Como, who wants the keeper in Serie A (La Razon).
Interest from Italy and the Bundesliga has apparently created a sense of “urgency” to get Garcia over the line, amid his growing reputation as one of Spain’s most exciting young keepers.
“An uber-athletic keeper with dominant cross-claiming, composure on the ball, standing at 6’3” tall, García is an exciting keeper ready for a step up,” wrote Football Analyst Ben Mattinson on X.
“García is such an athletic GK. His legs are so powerful and springy enabling him to generate more power to reach the ball. Good flexibility, agility and his proactiveness enable him to be an alert shot-stopper in the box and recover to make double saves.”
Setting their sights on summer spending, Nottingham Forest have reportedly joined a hectic Premier League race to trigger one player’s £25m release clause.
Nottingham Forest already eyeing summer targets
Whilst they’ve earned plenty of deserved praise throughout what has been the story of the season, Nottingham Forest got a timely reminder that there’s still work to be done against Aston Villa – suffering a 2-1 defeat.
Forced into a number of changes thanks to the injury concerns of Ola Aina, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi, Nuno Espirito Santo was left frustrated by his side’s defeat at full-time, telling reporters: “We tried to find solutions. The boys showed a better game. It was one of the matches that we created the most in but didn’t take anything from the game.
“When you lose, you don’t recover so well. The miles come to your mind. It’s always easy when you are in a good moment. Now it is not so good and it requires a bit of patience.”
Arguably for the first time this season, Forest had their depth exposed in what may just be a preview of what’s to come if they qualify for the Champions League in the coming weeks.
A place amongst Europe’s elite has seen both Aston Villa and Newcastle United struggle to repeat their magic in the last two seasons and Forest must ensure that they avoid the same fate.
Perhaps in pursuit of that, those at the City Ground have already been linked with a number of impressive moves for the likes of Darwin Nunez and Ademola Lookman. Of course, the former would be particularly interesting, given how he has struggled to make his mark at Liverpool.
Liverpool'sDarwinNunezreacts
If Forest were to land a cut-price deal and then get the best out of the forward, it would be seen as a major coup. Nunez isn’t the only Premier League player that Forest have set their sights on, however.
"Superb" Ramsdale could replace Sels
Like Chris Wood, Matz Sels has enjoyed an excellent season between the sticks at Nottingham Forest but that doesn’t take away from the need for those at the City Ground to find a replacement. They’ve already turned towards a number of options to potentially replace Wood and could now turn towards the heir to Sels’ role now that he’s 33 years old.
According to The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest have now joined a hectic Premier League race to sign Aaron Ramsdale, who has a release clause worth £25m at St Mary’s. Despite only arriving last year, the goalkeeper looks destined to depart this summer with the Saints heading back down to the Championship.
Starts
22
31
Saves P90
4.14
3.19
Save Percentage
66.9%
74.3%
Pass Completion
64.7%
50.9%
With Newcastle United, Forest, Bournemouth and Leeds United all queuing up for the England international’s signature, he will be spoilt for choice when the summer transfer window arrives.
Praised for a “superb” save against Bournemouth by Manchester City icon Joe Hart earlier this season, Southampton’s season – for all of how disappointing it has been – may have somehow been worse without Ramsdale.
Arsenal are rumoured to have made an offer for one player, after Mikel Arteta personally requested his signing behind-the-scenes, with new sporting director Andrea Berta attempting to grant the manager’s transfer wish.
Arsenal play Ipswich after historic win over Real Madrid
The Gunners are now the only team in football history to beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu twice on their two visits, breaking a record which stood for 77 years, but more importantly, they find themselves in the Champions League semi-finals after their win in Spain on Wednesday.
Arsenal given 50% discount for £280k-per-week forward after opening talks
Andrea Berta could now strike a half-price deal.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 18, 2025
Arsenal made a real statement to the rest of the continent that they’re serious contenders to win this year’s Champions League title after their resounding 5-1 aggregate win over the 15-time European champions, but a tough test in PSG now awaits them.
Luis Enrique’s side are the mainstream media’s favourites to clinch this year’s competition, going by this BBC prediction piece, with former Arsenal and England defender Matthew Upson calling the Ligue 1 champions “standout” performers throughout the tournament.
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
Newcastle United (home)
May 18th
PSG are unbeaten in the league, winning 23 of their 28 French top flight matches so far, but Arsenal have already reigned victorious over them once this season – a 2-0 league phase win back in October, courtesy of goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
Arteta can take encouragement for this, not to mention how Aston Villa very nearly turned their quarter-final tie with PSG on its head, but first the north Londoners must take on Ipswich and Crystal Palace in the Premier League – which could be viewed as two warm-up games ahead of the blockbuster Champions League tie.
“For a short period of time yes, it was a great evening,” said Arteta on celebrating Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid.
“We had a lot of family and a lot of happy faces around the club, so it was a good moment, but immediately you have to switch it up, and now it’s Ipswich in the Premier League.”
Arsenal make "ambitious" offer for Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams
Away from the pitch, Berta is already planning for next season by earmarking Arsenal’s top summer targets.
One of them is widely believed to be Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams, who’s back to his very best in this latter stage of the campaign and most recently guided his side into the Europa League semi-finals with a decisive goal against Rangers.
The £170,000-per-week winger, regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting talents, has been subject to intense interest from Arsenal in recent weeks, and Berta recently held talks with Williams’ representatives.
The 22-year-old is also regarded by Arteta as a “perfect” player for Arsenal, according to Fabrizio Romano, and another update has now come to light on their pursuit of the Basque sensation.
According to a Spanish media report, as cited by Football 365, Arteta has personally requested the forward’s signing – prompting Arsenal to make an “ambitious” offer for Williams. He is believed to be increasingly tempted by the possibility of playing in England, and Arsenal see Williams as a key target – meaning they are also ready to pay his release clause of around £50 million.
The nature of this offer is currently unclear, but Arsenal are apparently taking action due to Barcelona’s “inactivity” in the race for Williams.
Arsenal head into the summer with a new sporting director, Andrea Berta, and given the volume of work expected to be carried out, it’s just as well they’ve acted swiftly to appoint Edu’s successor.
Given Arsenal’s domestic plight this season, this summer is a crucial one for the Gunners as they go in search of adding the bodies required to help them lift their first Premier League title in over 20 years.
Top of Berta’s priority list must be a striker. Kai Havertz has been a solid signing, but he’s not your 20-goal-a-season man.
The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, and of course, Alexander Isak continue to be linked with moves to north London.
Yet, this summer won’t all be about incomings. The Gunners need to get rid of a few bodies too.
Arsenal's exit dilemmas this summer
There are a few players definitely expected to depart this summer with Scottish full-back Kieran Tierney set to bring his association with the club to an end when his contract expires.
It’s expected that Tierney will head to former club Celtic, the side he swapped Arsenal for in a £25m deal in 2019.
Midfielder Jorginho is also expected to depart upon the conclusion of his contract but against all odds, Thomas Partey looks set to stay.
The Ghana midfielder’s deal ends at the conclusion of the season and it was widely thought that he would depart but the Athletic’s David Ornstein reported last week that talks are being held over a new deal.
So, who else could take their leave? Well, Oleksandr Zinchenko – who was linked with Dortmund last January – has seen decreased game time and will likely seek pastures new.
If Arsenal sign a new batch of forwards then don’t be surprised to see Leandro Trossard flee the Emirates either. There has been Saudi interest in the enigmatic Belgian who has found a recent run of strong form.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The other forward who must leave Arsenal
Over the last two seasons, there has been a common theme with Arsenal’s summer business. They’ve seen a batch of homegrown attackers leave the club.
In 2023, it was the turn of Folarin Balogun who after a rip-roaring season on loan in France, headed to Monaco in a permanent deal.
Last summer, Eddie Nketiah left for Crystal Palace, Mika Biereth headed to Sturm Graz in Austria and infamously, Chibo Obi Martin left to Manchester United.
Well, in 2025, it must be the turn of Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
The striker is out of contract in the summer and it’s unlikely Arsenal will take the opportunity to renew his terms.
Now aged 22, the forward has still only played 27 senior games of football in his career, and the returns he has to show for those appearances are non-existent, failing to find the back of the net.
While it might be a harsh assessment, one has to be realistic here. Butler-Oyedeji is just one year younger than Saka. He’s four years older than Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. While we wish him the best for the rest of his career, he’s not going to make it Arsenal, it’s as simple as that.
Arsenal U21
64
23
12
Arsenal U18
29
3
2
Cheltenham
14
0
0
Accrington
11
0
0
Arsenal first team
2
0
0
Despite that, it has been a landmark campaign for the young attacker who must have learnt plenty from his regular appearances in the Arsenal matchday squad.
He made his first-team debut against Dinamo Zagreb, appearing off the bench in a Champions League dead rubber a few months ago and then finally earned his Premier League debut last weekend, coming off the bench against Ipswich.
He’s rated highly, particularly by the aforementioned Nwaneri, who revealed that his “finishing is so good”.
It was a lovely moment indeed, but for a 22-year-old it’s for the best of his career that he goes out and finds regular first-team football at a senior level next season.
Arsenal's Nathan Butler-Oyedeji during the warm up before the match.
Arsenal are yet to see much of that expert finishing, but there’s no doubt he’ll have a successful career elsewhere. As we always say, one a Gooner, always a Gooner.
Arteta's next Havertz: Arsenal make enquiry to sign £52m "monster"
Arsenal could be about to land a new fprward to end their issues in the final third.
Erling Haaland is the current top striker in the Premier League, with the Man City superstar scoring for fun since moving to England.
The Norway international, should he remain in Manchester, could go on to break all kinds of records, but is he the best centre-forward the Premier League has seen since 1992? He’s got some catching up to do…
Ranking factors Appearances Goals scored Teams played for What others have said about them 20 best strikers in Premier League history: in pictures 20 Les Ferdinand QPR, Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester, Bolton
One of the top strikers around when the Premier League was formed in 1992 was Les Ferdinand. A powerful target man who loved a duel in the air, he scored 20 goals in the first ever Premier League campaign for QPR and featured for five more clubs in the top flight.
Best known for his impressive short stint at Newcastle and six-year period with Tottenham, Ferdinand ended with an impressive 149 goals.
Appearances
349
Goals
149
Assists
34
19 Jamie Vardy Leicester
Considering Jamie Vardy has only played for Leicester City in the Premier League, his tally of 144 goals in just under 350 appearances is hugely impressive.
The rapid striker scored in 11 consecutive top-flight games back in 2015/16, helping the Foxes win the title under Claudio Ranieri in what is arguably the greatest underdog story in sporting history.
Appearances
340
Goals
144
Assists
47
Golden Boot
1
Titles
1
18 Teddy Sheringham Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Man Utd, Portsmouth, West Ham,
At the peak of his powers at the end of the 1990s was Teddy Sheringham, who is known best for his time at Tottenham and Man Utd.
Arguably a forward who went under the radar at the time, Sheringham was clinical in front of goal and appeared to get better with age, with Sir Alex Ferguson calling the striker “remarkable” during his time at Old Trafford.
Appearances
418
Goals
146
Assists
76
Golden Boot
1
Titles
3
17 Jermain Defoe West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Bournemouth
Agile, quick and a clinical finisher were some of Jermain Defoe’s main attributes as a striker, with the Englishman enjoying a successful partnership with towering forward Peter Crouch during his career.
Defoe certainly knew where the back of the net was and scored goals in 19 different Premier League campaigns, with a highlight netting five against Wigan in 2009.
Appearances
496
Goals
162
Assists
33
16 Ian Wright Arsenal, West Ham
Despite starting his Premier League career late at the age of 29, Ian Wright made a big impact for Arsenal, hitting double figures in the first six top-flight campaigns.
Wright was even the Gunners’ all-time top scorer for a period of time, and despite being known for his punditry work today, his talents as a striker in the 1990s cannot be forgotten.
Appearances
213
Goals
113
Assists
22
15 Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal
Another Arsenal star in attack in the 1990s and 2000s was Dennis Bergkamp. The Dutch forward was versatile, intelligent and technically brilliant, enjoying a brilliant partnership with Thierry Henry at Highbury under Arsene Wenger.
Bergkamp may not have scored as many goals as others, but he was called a “dream” by Henry, “the best” Wright has played with and the definition of a “footballer” by Johan Cruyff and loved to create. (talkSPORT)
Appearances
315
Goals
87
Assists
94
Titles
3
14 Robbie Fowler Liverpool, Leeds, Man City, Blackburn
Robbie Fowler scored an impressive 162 goals during his Premier League career, and was best known for his time at Liverpool, with those at Anfield naming him ‘God’.
His goal record in the 1990s at Anfield was every two games, and despite netting 53 times in the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons, never actually won a Golden Boot. In front of goal, Fowler was clinical, with Andy Cole calling the Englishman the “best finisher ever”.
Appearances
379
Goals
163
Assists
39
13 Ruud van Nistelrooy Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson called Ruud van Nistelrooy “the most prolific” striker he had at Man Utd, and his game to goal ratio certainly backs that up.
The Dutch striker arrived at Old Trafford having cored for fun in his native country, and he didn’t take long to adjust to life in the Premier League, scoring 23 league goals in his first campaign. It’s a shame Van Nistelrooy’s time in England only lasted five years, but he certainly won’t be forgotten.
Appearances
150
Goals
95
Assists
14
Golden Boot
1
Titles
1
12 Robin van Persie Arsenal, Man Utd
Another Dutch icon who spent longer in the Premier League was Robin van Persie, who made the controversial move from Arsenal to Man Utd in 2012.
It was a decision that worked out for Van Persie, who won the Premier League title with the Red Devils after missing out with Arsenal, and the forward had one of the best left foots the league has ever seen.
Known for scoring some outrageous goals, Van Persie’s effort against Aston Villa to help seal the title for Man Utd in 2013 was called “goal of the century” by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Appearances
280
Goals
144
Assists
53
Golden Boot
2
Titles
1
11 Luis Suarez Liverpool
Luis Suarez’s stay in England was short but sweet, with the Uruguayan becoming a Liverpool icon in such a brief period of time.
Capable of scoring out of nothing and winning games on his own, Suarez was at Anfield for just three-and-a-half seasons, with his 2013/14 campaign one of the greatest individual seasons in Premier League history.
He netted 31 goals in 33 games that year and almost took the Reds to a title before Barcelona came in and signed Suarez for big money.
A £70m Premier League forward is now “very open” to signing for Arsenal in the summer transfer window, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.
Gunners set sights on new forwards
After another trophyless campaign, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has made it clear that he thinks the Gunners will need to bring in a new striker this summer, with Mikel Arteta being left “woefully short up top” at times this season.
Neville also added: “I’ve been arguing this all season, it’s ridiculous that they’ve left Mikel Arteta – or Mikel Arteta’s left himself – so short. They’ve spent £750m and signed one striker.”
In fairness, Arteta has been unlucky with injuries, which have hindered his side’s Premier League title push, with both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus suffering season-ending setbacks, leaving Mikel Merino as the only real option at centre-forward.
Approach made: Arsenal in contact over "incredible" £84m Brazilian striker
The Gunners have made a move to sign a striker, who they are now seriously considering as a summer signing.
ByDominic Lund May 18, 2025
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have also spent time on the sidelines, which underlined the lack of depth at Arteta’s disposal in attacking areas, and there has now been a suggestion the manager could look to sign a winger alongside a striker this summer.
In an interview with GiveMeSport, Jacobs has now stated that AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo would be keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, should the Cherries choose to cash-in on the winger.
Antoine Semenyo for Bournemouth.
The reporter said: “I’m also told that if Semenyo is to leave, he would be very open to Arsenal and London. I believe he grew up as an Arsenal fan, even as a kid. But they are not as advanced or set on making a move yet.”
A deal could be on the expensive side, however, withn reports suggesting Bournemouth may look to hold out for a fee of £70m, amid rival interest from Manchester United.
Semenyo could be "sensational" signing for Arsenal
It is no surprise there is growing interest in the Bournemouth star, considering the level of his performances in the Premier League, having frequently shown his ability to take-on opposition defences and get shots off on goal.
The Ghanaian is among esteemed company on those attacking metrics, while he also received from journalist Thierry Nyann, who lauded his compatriot as “sensational” after scoring against Southampton earlier this season, adding to a solid goal record.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Premier League
35
9
6
FA Cup
4
2
1
Semenyo has been a stand-out player for Bournemouth this season, and it is clear that Arsenal need to bring in additional attacking depth in the summer, so it is promising news that he would be keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Leeds United’s frontline has played a huge role in their success throughout the Championship in 2024/25, undoubtedly contributing to their ability to claim the title.
The Whites registered a staggering tally of 95 goals in their 46 league outings – the highest tally in the division, scoring 24 more than the next highest team in Norwich City.
Joel Piroe was the club’s highest goalscorer during the title-winning campaign, with his tally of 19 goals also the most of any player in the second-tier, claiming the Championship’s Golden Boot award.
However, if the club are to survive in the Premier League next time around, they will need added reinforcements to hand boss Daniel Farke with the tools to improve the squad.
With the transfer window just around the corner, work has already been done behind the scenes to ensure a quick start is made this summer, leading to numerous names linked with a switch to Elland Road.
The latest on Leeds’ move to sign Callum Wilson this summer
Over the last couple of days, Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has been the latest name linked with a move ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The 33-year-old, who’s out of contract this summer, has spent the last five years at St James’ Park, registering 49 goals and playing a key role in their transformation over recent seasons.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson
However, they don’t appear to be alone in their chase for the former Bournemouth star, with West Ham United also said to be in the race for his signature.
His goalscoring record in England’s top-flight would undoubtedly be a key point for Farke in their pursuit, but Wilson has endured a torrid run with injuries that has restricted him to just two league starts this campaign.
Such a deal would likely be a risk, with the centre-forward likely to command a hefty wage given his experience, which could result in the Whites targeting other attackers this summer.
The former Leeds star who is now way better than Wilson
Undoubtedly, despite Piroe’s success in the Championship this campaign, Leeds will be targeting a talisman who is capable of stepping up to the plate in the Premier League.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkecelebrates after the match
The Dutchman has never featured in England’s top-flight, leading to question marks whether he will be able to cut it and be a success in such a division.
Wilson could be an attractive option given his current contract status, but his injury record should see the hierarchy steer clear of any potential move this summer.
They may have been better off keeping hold of Spanish talent Rafa Muijca, with the 26-year-old taking his career to the next level after departing Elland Road back in 2021.
He spent two years in Yorkshire, linking up with the youth setup after joining from Barcelona B, but was unable to break through the ranks and subsequently joined Las Palmas.
Rafa Mujica
Fast forward to 2025, the striker is currently plying his trade for Qatari outfit Al-Sadd, currently enjoying one of the best goalscoring patches of his career – showcasing what the Whites are missing out on.
Mujica has registered 20 goals in his 27 appearances for his new outfit, offering a clinical edge that could’ve been of use to the Whites had they kept hold of him.
When comparing his stats from the current campaign, he’s massively outperformed transfer target Wilson, highlighting how big of a mistake the hierarchy made in allowing him to depart.
The Spaniard has not only massively outscored the Englishman, but has managed more shots on target per 90 along with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – such a record that would’ve bolstered Farke’s attack.
Games played
18
17
Goals scored
18
0
Shot-on-target accuracy
44%
17%
Shots on target per 90
1.8
0.3
Pass accuracy
79%
75%
Take-on success
41%
14%
Aerials won
31%
11%
He’s also managed to complete more of the passes he’s attempted, as well as more aerials won, with his skillset potentially offering an all-around option in the final third had they kept hold of him.
Undoubtedly, it’s frustrating that the club made such a mistake in allowing the talisman to depart, with their loss now appearing to be Al-Sadd’s gain in 2025.
Whilst they won’t be able to get him back this summer, other targets will need to be explored, but given Wilson’s measly record and injury history, the Whites should be steering clear of a move for the Magpies star.
He's shades of Kalvin Phillips: Leeds plot move for "phenomenal" PL star
Leeds United are set for a big summer as they return to the Premier League ahead of the 2025/26 season.