Victor Orta is set to release Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla this summer.
What’s the word?
That’s according to reports in Spain (via Sport Witness), who claim that the 35-year-old shot-stopper will return to Elland Road following the conclusion of his season-long loan deal with Elche CF, with it appearing likely that Leeds’ Spanish sporting director will then terminate the former Spain international’s contract in LS11 – which is due to run until the summer of 2023.
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The report goes on to state that, as a result of the former Real Madrid man’s professionalism after losing his starting spot to Edgar Badia earlier this season, should Casilla’s wage demands not be too expensive, Francisco could look to bring the goalkeeper back to the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero in the summer transfer window.
Orta must axe Casilla
Considering just how little Casilla has featured for Leeds in recent seasons, in addition to the fact the 35-year-old is reported to be earning a staggering £40k-per-week at Elland Road, the argument that Orta simply must cut the Spaniard loose this summer is an easy one to make.
Indeed, the shot-stopper’s career in England appeared all but over back in March of 2020, when the £720k-rated man was found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko, and was subsequently handed an eight-game ban by the FA.
Following this incident, the ‘keeper made just six first-team appearances for the Whites over the remainder of the club’s 2019/20 campaign as well as 2020/21, before Orta shipped the shot-stopper out to Elche last summer.
As such, considering his advancing years, Illan Meslier’s now undisputed role as Jesse Marsch’s first-choice goalkeeper and Casilla’s extremely hefty weekly wage, it is clear for all to see that the Leeds sporting director must finally axe the player Oscar Mario dubbed a “mistake” and “nothing short of a liability” this summer.
AND in other news: Huge boost: Leeds now handed big injury lift ahead of Bees, supporters surely buzzing
Celtic could break their own Scottish record of earning £100m in a season, according to financial expert Kieran Maguire.
The Lowdown: Memorable season at Parkhead
The Hoops are on the verge of regaining their Premiership title, with just one point required in their final two matches of the season.
Ange Postecoglou has come in and done a superb job in his first campaign as manager at Parkhead, with the Scottish League Cup already added to the trophy cabinet earlier in the season.
It appears as though Celtic are thriving on and off the pitch, following a fresh revelation from a financial guru.
Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire claimed that the Hoops could generate more money next season than their record £100m earnings back in 2018. He revealed:
“Celtic are the only club in the history of Scottish football to generate more than £100m in a single season. That came in 2018 when they were in the Champions League. It is transformational.
“Last year, they generated £60m worth of income. I expect that to go up because they will have a full season of matchday in 2021-22.
“For every £1 in the Europa League, you get £5 in the Champions League. Celtic will be joyous in the boardroom with this news.”
The Verdict: Hugely exciting times
This is a wonderful time to be a Celtic fan again, with last season’s on-field disappointment and football behind closed doors now a suppressed memory.
The Hoops are excelling both in terms of performances on the pitch and being run shrewdly behind the scenes, with this latest update indicating their healthy financial position.
It means that funds should be available to make significant signings during the summer transfer window, ensuring that Postecoglou builds an even more potent squad moving forward – something which will be vital ahead of a return to the Champions League group stage.
In other news, one Celtic player has been backed to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.
Everton forward Richarlison could incur a three-match ban after throwing a flare against Chelsea on Sunday, ESPN’s Dale Johnson has hinted.
The lowdown
The Brazil international scored his team’s winning goal just a minute into the second half at Goodison Park.
It was a potentially huge moment, with the relegation-threatened Toffees five points adrift of safety at kick-off, but amid the celebrations, Richarlison appeared to pick up a flare from the pitch and throw it towards the stands. Even though it was a possible red-card offence, VAR did not examine it during the game.
Everton are due to travel to Leicester on Sunday before a midweek trip to Watford and a home clash against Brentford on 15 May.
Taking to Twitter, Johnson pondered the possibility of Richarlison being hit with a suspension for those three matches, although the outcome of any such decision could rest on where the flare ultimately landed.
Sharing footage of the incident, he tweeted: “Will Richarlison face a three-match ban? Possibly. Much may depend upon where he threw it. Did it land in the fans or did he throw it out of the stadium? I suspect it didn’t land in the fans, so he might escape with a fine or censure.”
The verdict
Johnson isn’t the only one to raise the possibility of a ban for Richarlison. Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes that the incident is worthy of a one-match suspension at a ‘minimum’.
However, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has come to the Brazilian’s defence, insisting that ‘you wouldn’t think for one minute that he’s thrown it into his supporters’.
Everton will be nervously awaiting a decision on any possible ban, given the importance of Richarlison. First and foremost, he’s their top scorer this season with nine goals in 29 appearances.
That figure alone doesn’t fully outline how vital he is to the cause, though. In the past five years, no Premier League player has scored more goals directly impacting the outcome of games, so for Everton to lose him now over one spontaneous incident could be calamitous.
In other news, a fresh Everton transfer claim has emerged
It’s no secret that Everton have been pretty reckless in the transfer market in recent times, with uber-rich owner Farhad Moshiri having thrown his weight around in the transfer market far too readily – and with little success.
In the six years since the Iranian billionaire took over the club, the Toffees have spent north of £560m on a string of ‘talent’ in an attempt to try and close the gap on the so-called ‘Big Six’, although have since plummeted to such depths that a first-ever Premier League relegation is very much on the cards.
One of the seemingly endless figures on that list of transfer mistakes is Cenk Tosun, with the Turkish striker having failed to ever deliver the goods for the Merseyside outfit in his four-and-a-half-year stint in English football.
Plucked from Besiktas on a £27m deal in January 2018 by Sam Allardyce, the previously prolific striker arrived with big expectations, having netted 80 Super Lig goals across both his time in Istanbul and with Gaziantepspor.
Speaking at the time, Allardyce suggested that the forward was the “best in Europe” at that price, although he has hardly looked anywhere close to such a status since then, having scored just 11 goals in 61 appearances in all competitions.
While the frequent change in manager has arguably not helped his cause – with current boss Frank Lampard the fifth permanent figure that the 30-year-old has worked under in his Goodison career – the player himself must take accountability for his own failures, having rarely looked up to scratch when he has featured.
Brief loan stints at former club Besiktas and Crystal Palace have also failed to reinvigorate the 6 foot marksman, with the 45-cap international now simply a forgotten figure among a crop of underperforming players at Lampard’s disposal.
Even with Dominic Calvert-Lewin spending long stints on the treatment table, Tosun has still been unable to force his way into the manager’s plans, with his only Premier League outing of the campaign to date having come, bizarrely, in the 4-1 defeat to rivals Liverpool back in December, during Rafa Benitez’s ill-fated stint in charge.
In truth, the biggest blessing for all parties is that the striker is now coming to the end of his existing contract, with the club no longer having to fork out for his hefty £69k-per-week wage.
Despite that minor ray of shine, the German-born flop has still proven a costly error regardless, with almost £17m having been dished out on his wages by the time of his exit, while his total burden on the club stands at roughly £44m when factoring in his initial fee.
Even if he were not set to be leaving on a free transfer this summer, Lampard and co would likely have generated little from a possible sale, with the player’s current market value at a fairly meagre £2.25m – such has been his stark decline since joining the club.
At a time of real uncertainty at the club, one thing that can at least be something of a relief for supporters is that Tosun won’t be part of the squad next season.
In other news: Lampard can now axe “desperate” flop as EFC plot bid for “exceptional” £37k-p/w dynamo
Manchester United have now moved into pole position in the race for a “sensational” star, and a £30m offer is being prepared.
Ruben Amorim identifies top midfield target
It is becoming increasingly clear that Man United will look to sign a new midfielder in 2026, and Ruben Amorim has now identified Elliot Anderson as his top target, although a deal could be on the expensive side, with a £100m fee being touted.
However, the Red Devils may be forced to move on to alternative, potentially more affordable options, with it recently emerging that the Etihad Stadium is Anderson’s preferred destination.
It would be disappointing to miss out on the Nottingham Forest star, who is now an established England international, having picked up six caps since the start of September.
The 23-year-old is not the only English midfielder of interest to Man United though, according to a report from Spain, which states they are now leading the race for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Spanish club.
Several Premier League clubs have emerged as potential suitors for Gallagher, but United are the frontrunners, and a £30m opening bid is in the works, with the La Liga side willing to sanction a departure for a fee in that ballpark.
With the Englishman not receiving much game time under Diego Simeone, a January move could make sense for all parties, with Man United certainly in need of additional reinforcements in midfield…
"Sensational" Gallagher could be solid addition for Man Utd
Despite not being the flashiest of signings, the former Crystal Palace man could be a solid addition for the Red Devils, who need to sign at least one new midfielder, amid the uncertainty surrounding Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo’s future.
It has now been revealed that United could be willing to let Mainoo leave this winter, should they manage to find a replacement, while Casemiro’s future is under review, with the Brazilian’s contract due to expire in the summer.
As such, two new midfielders may be required, and Gallagher could be a good squad player, having been lauded as “sensational” by journalist John Cross.
Man Utd could break club-record transfer fee to sign "amazing" £100m midfielder
Man United could shatter their transfer record to sign a top target.
ByDominic Lund Dec 2, 2025
The 25-year-old is very experienced in the Premier League, making 136 appearances in the competition, while he has also tested himself in the Champions League, netting one goal in five appearances this term.
£30m feels like a reasonable fee to pay for the 22-time England international, so it makes sense for Man United to pursue a January move, although Anderson should remain their top target.
Glasgow Rangers have struggled to score goals in the Scottish Premiership under Russell Martin so far this season, with three goals scored in five matches.
Only Aberdeen, who have failed to score any goals in their four outings in the division, have scored fewer goals than the Light Blues, which speaks to how impotent they have been in the final third in the opening weeks of the campaign.
It is not good enough, hence why the Gers have not picked up a single win yet, and Martin must find a way to get his strikers firing in front of goal if he wants to turn his fortunes around at Ibrox.
How the strikers have performed for Rangers this season
None of the club’s centre-forward options have got off the mark in the Premiership so far this season for the Light Blues, which is a cause for concern.
Bojan Miovski
0.55
0
Danilo
0.5
0
Cyriel Dessers
0.0
0
Youssef Chermiti
0.0
0
As you can see in the table above, only Bojan Miovski and Danilo have accrued any xG, as Dessers did not before his exit, and Chermiti has only had a cameo against Hearts so far.
This suggests that Rangers need to create more for their strikers, or that the strikers need to start making better runs, because they do not have a reliable goalscorer at the moment.
Given their lack of potency up front, Rangers may still regret the fact that Michael Beale and the club allowed Alfredo Morelos to move on from Ibrox on a free transfer.
Rangers fumbled their own Harry Kane
Back in 2019, former Light Blues striker Jermaine Defoe compared the Colombia international to his former teammate Harry Kane, who went on to become Tottenham Hotspur and England’s all-time top scorer, with 280 goals for Spurs and 74 for England, per Transfermarkt.
Defoe told the Daily Record: “I remember at Tottenham, when we had Harry Kane as a youngster, he went out on loan to different clubs. I remember saying to one of the players that I believed he should play more and that, at some point, he would go on to score a lot of goals for this football club.
“What he has done is unbelievable and Alfredo’s got that. He’s a goalscorer. When you’re a goalscorer, you score goals at any level in any league.”
Morelos certainly was a goalscorer. The prolific forward scored 30 goals in 48 matches in the 2018/19 campaign, per Transfermarkt, which led to that comparison to Kane from Defoe, and rightly so after that incredible return.
He went on to score 124 goals and provide 67 assists in 269 appearances in all competitions for Rangers, per Transfermarkt. This shows that he was consistently reliable in front of goal for the Scottish giants.
Morelos, whose physicality was hailed by former boss Steven Gerrard, recorded 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign, which turned out to be his final season at the club.
The Colombian number nine’s contract at Ibrox expired in the summer 2023 and Beale, who was the manager at the time, did not offer him a new contract at the club.
Beale decided to go in a different direction with the striker department at the club, signing Sam Lammers, Danilo, and Dessers after releasing Morelos, who was the club’s own version of Kane.
Two years on, Lammers and Dessers have been sold by Rangers and Danilo currently finds himself behind Miovski and Chermiti in the pecking order to be the first-choice number nine at Ibrox.
This suggests that Beale had a howler by deciding not to attempt to convince Morelos to stay at Ibrox because he was a proven goalscorer who had shown that he could score goals at an impressive rate for the Gers in Scotland.
Instead, the manager released a pure goalscorer, who was like Kane, and went with a clutch of strikers who failed to bring success, with no league titles won, back to Ibrox in the last two years.
Once worth £30m, Rangers flop now looks like he's worth less than Tavernier
This Glasgow Rangers flop who was once valued at £30m now looks worth even less than James Tavernier.
Manchester United once had a Zinedine Zidane-esque midfielder, who legendary Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes compared to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard.
Man Utd looking to sign new midfielder in January
After missing out on a new central midfielder during the 2025 summer transfer window, Man United have set their sights on signing one in January, and a number of potential targets have already been identified.
Target
Current club
Potential cost
Carlos Baleba
Brighton
£115m
Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace
£50m+
Conor Gallagher
Atletico Madrid
£45m
Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest
Unknown
There are clear indications that Ruben Amorim needs to bolster his options in the engine room, with Scholes suggesting Bruno Fernandes isn’t cut out to be a central midfielder, while also singling Casemiro out for criticism.
The 50-year-old said: “Fernandes [and Casemiro], they’re the two he’s [Amorim] going with, and Fernandes for me, he’s someone who fills in as a midfielder, he might get away with it for one, two or three games. He’s not got the discipline to be a central midfield player.”
“Bringing two No.10s (Cunha and Mbeumo) was that really necessary? You think you’ve got Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo can do that.”
Man Utd now eyeing January move for "unbelievable" £47m Baleba alternative
The Red Devils are looking to sign a central midfielder, who could be perfect for Ruben Amorim.
1 ByDominic Lund Sep 10, 2025
Having arguably gotten their priorities wrong in the summer, United look poised to make a move for a new central midfielder this winter, and they will be hoping the new signing can eclipse Paul Pogba’s achievements, with the Frenchman leaving on a free back in 2022.
Pogba’s career at United didn’t pan out the way anyone was hoping, but he received extremely high praise not long after returning to Old Trafford, with Gianluigi Buffon saying:
Scholes was also a keen admirer of the central midfielder, saying:
Pogba had the talent to be an all-time great
The 32-year-old’s time at Old Trafford was by no means a complete failure, having won two EFL Cups and the 2016-17 Europa League, but there is no doubt that the midfielder didn’t manage to hit the heights expected of him.
Given how highly the 91-time France international was rated by Scholes and Buffon, he had the ability to become an all-time great for Man United, but things didn’t work out that way, arguably due to his attitude, which Graeme Souness regularly criticised.
Souness said: “Paul Pogba plays for himself, it’s all about how cool he looks, showing us how clever he is. I reckon Pogba’s only in the team to maintain his transfer value until United can sell him, because he doesn’t merit his place for any other reason.”
With Pogba’s doping ban over, the former United man arguably has one last chance to get his career back on track, having now signed for AS Monaco on a two-year deal.
Nice time to be a Liverpool fan, ay. Arne Slot’s side lifted the Premier League trophy after drawing with Crystal Palace at Anfield, ending a memorable campaign.
FSG will be delighted, but they won’t want this triumph to stand as a flash in the pan. Instead, footballing chief Michael Edwards has been tasked with building a new dynasty on Merseyside, and sweeping changes are anticipated ahead of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
Well, more than that. The cogs are whirring away, deals firmly in the pipeline. Liverpool might have been forced into a poignant divorce with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will join Real Madrid on a free transfer, but frustration has been assuaged by the flurry of activity in recent weeks.
Changes aren’t just anticipated; Liverpool are acting with the incisiveness of champions.
Liverpool closing on exciting deals
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ll be aware Liverpool are closing on the audacious signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz for a club-record fee.
Wirtz, 22, won the Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2023/24 and has been described as a “generational talent” while at it by sports media professional Cristian Nyari, and Liverpool have beaten Manchester City and Bayern Munich to his signature.
It’s not yet set in stone, but the Reds have backed up their title-winning season with a monstrous gambit, and before the transfer window’s even opened its stalls.
And that’s not all. Jeremie Frimpong has completed his medical, surely just days away from completing his transfer to Merseyside, the Werkself right-sider ready to link back up with Wirtz.
Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies in action with Bayer Leverkusen'sJeremieFrimpong
Trent might be leaving, but FSG have acted with intent to sign two players who, combined, replace the vice-captain’s one-of-a-kind talents and might even transcend them.
But there’s more. In fact, Fabrizio Romano has chimed in to reveal talks are advancing with yet another sought-after star.
Liverpool advancing talks for another signing
As per Romano, Liverpool are still engaged in talks with Bournemouth for Milos Kerkez, who is “very keen” on moving to Anfield this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Hungarian, 21, is expected to fetch a fee of around £45m, though Liverpool will surely want this whittled down.
Slot has wanted a new left-back signed, given the 31-year-old Andy Robertson is on the decline and Kostas Tsimikas, his deputy, is available for transfer.
Favourites to get the deal done, with Man City and Real Madrid also registering their interest in recent weeks, Liverpool are pulling out all the stops to reward Slot for his incredible feat, and Kerkez might just prove to be the most important signing of the lot.
Why Liverpool want Milos Kerkez
Now, that might seem like something of a bold claim. Let’s make it clear: Wirtz is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, and will cost in excess of €100m (£85m), though not as much as some exorbitant initial claims.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtzreacts
He’s a marquee signing, and that’s a fact, but Kerkez is a player whose signing needs to be agreed upon if Liverpool are to make headway and better this Premier League-winning campaign.
Certainly, Kerkez could prove to be the more transformative addition to Liverpool’s flanks.
Though Frimpong will bring a unique style to the right side of Virgil van Dijk’s backline, the Dutchman will find himself jockeying for a number one berth with Conor Bradley, who signed a new long-term contract with the Anfield side last week and is one of the most exciting young full-backs in the game.
However, Robertson has been continually criticised for his athletic regression, his lapses in concentration. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher acknowledged the “absolute legend” last month but went on to outline how he is “hanging on in every game now.”
Kerkez could dynamise Liverpool’s defence, provide a worthy heir for the coming age. Pundit Izzy Christensen has hailed the “machine” for his role at Bournemouth this term, and he’s indeed maintained a high level that has outstripped that of Robertson.
Matches (starts)
38 (38)
33 (29)
Goals
2
0
Assists
5
1
Touches*
59.6
64.5
Pass completion
80%
88%
Big chances created
8
7
Ball recoveries*
4.4
3.2
Dribbles*
0.6
0.2
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
1.8
Clearances*
2.6
1.3
Ground duels (won)*
3.3 (61%)
1.6 (52%)
Though Robertson is still more precise on the ball, this is largely down to a tactical approach from Slot, which could be inculcated smoothly into Kerkez’s own game, should he sign this summer.
One thing’s for certain, Kerkez would be a massive upgrade, and a more important signing than Frimpong besides. That’s not to the 24-year-old Leverkusen star’s discredit, but rather illustrates where the focus lies at Liverpool.
There’s a completeness about the Hungary international which suggests he could be the archetypal modern full-back, whereas Frimpong, though fleet-footed and electric on the ball, has drawn criticism for his defensive work at times.
Xabi Alonso’s man only won 45% of his ground duels in the Bundesliga last season, as per Sofascore, albeit fielded in a more advanced position than your typical wide defender.
Of course, a potential by-product of that is that Frimpong lacks the defensive nous that, for example, Kerkez would have, for he has simply not enjoyed the repetitive absorption of such skills in recent years, having been stuck in the attacking half, ready to explode and surge forward.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz andJeremieFrimpongapplaud fans with teammates after the match
Liverpool are forging ahead with a deal for Wirtz, and rightly so. But sporting director Richard Hughes has got his hands in several pies and he’s juggling the responsibility expertly. Barring something drastic and deflating, all three exciting talents will be playing in Liverpool red next year.
Does it really even matter which one’s the most important, if that is indeed the case?
Liverpool are brewing their own version of Wirtz in "fearless" academy star
Liverpool could do with an academy sensation breaking into Arne Slot’s senior squad.
Arsenal have now made contact with the entourage of an “incredible” striker, who they are now seriously considering making a move for in the summer, according to a report.
Gunners stepping up striker pursuit
Mikel Arteta’s side have been heavily criticised for not signing a striker last summer or during the January transfer window, with Gary Neville describing the decision as a “mystery” earlier in the campaign.
Since then, the Gunners’ hopes of winning any silverware this season have gone up in smoke, with Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 aggregate victory in the Champions League semi-final sealing their fate.
As such, you would think that Arteta will finally bite the bullet and sign a top striker this summer, and recent developments indicate the Spaniard is going to do exactly that, with the north Londoners now advancing in talks to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
There has since been another update on the pursuit of more of a left-field target, with a report from Spain revealing Arsenal are now seriously considering a move for Botafogo striker Igor Jesus, who is also being targeted by West Ham United and Aston Villa.
Jesus is protected by a €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract, but the Brazilian side are believed to be willing to sanction a departure for a lower fee, and such is the Gunners’ level of interest, they have now made contact with his entourage.
The Brazilian is now among the north Londoners’ priority targets, despite the deal for Gyokeres edging closer to completion, with the striker’s performances since signing for Botafogo putting him in the shop window.
Arsenal receive "major" Viktor Gyokeres update amid Sporting deal-breaker
The Sporting CP star is a top target for Andrea Berta.
ByEmilio Galantini May 17, 2025 Jesus could be "incredible" signing for Arsenal
Journalist Zach Lowy branded the Botafogo forward as “incredible” back in December, having started 2024 with some impressive performances in the UAE, before forcing his way into the set-up of the Brazil national side after catching the eye in his home country.
The Cuiaba-born marksman led Botafogo to a league title triumph in 2024, and he has since started the new season in solid fashion, picking up three goals and one assist in eight Brazilian Serie A outings.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Liga Portugal
33
39
8
Champions League
8
6
0
Taca de Portugal
6
4
3
Allianz Cup
3
4
0
Supertaca
1
0
2
That said, Jesus’ lack of experience in Europe means it would be a risk for Arsenal to sign the South American this summer, and a move for Gyokeres could make more sense, especially considering the Swede’s fantastic record in front of goal this season, netting 53 goals across all competitions.
Liverpool may now have to do battle with Real Madrid and Barcelona for the signature of a £80m midfielder this summer, according to former scout Mick Brown.
Florian Wirtz race heating up
The transfer window is yet to officially open, but the Reds are clearly looking to get their business done early, with a deal for Jeremie Frimpong looking like it is edging closer to completion, and the Dutchman’s Bayer Leverkusen teammate could follow him to Anfield.
Indeed, Florian Wirtz has emerged as a major target for Arne Slot’s side, who have now taken the action of submitting a concrete contract offer for the German, but a deal will not be cheap, as the total package could amount to over £250m all-in.
Wirtz is being targeted to bolster the attacking midfield area, having consistently provided goals and assists for Leverkusen ever since breaking into the first team at a very young age.
Season
Bundesliga appearances
Goals
Assists
2020-21
29
5
6
2021-22
24
7
10
2022-23
17
1
6
2023-24
32
11
12
2024-25
31
10
13
As such, the 22-year-old could be an exciting addition to the attack, but there have also been suggestions that Slot is also looking to strengthen in a slightly deeper area, with Brown telling Football Insider that Liverpool are now racing Real Madrid for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
Barcelona have also been “having a look” at the FA Cup-winning midfielder, who has a huge asking price of £80m, which could pose a problem for the Reds, and Brown believes the Merseysiders may also have some concerns over certain aspects of his game.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
The former scout said: “Adam Wharton’s quality is unquestionable, there are no concerns there. In the Premier League, that’s very, very important.
“On the other side of things is his ability to cover the ground, and he seems to me to be a yard short in terms of covering the ground. So that’s going to be a concern for the likes of Liverpool or Man City – albeit not a major one.”
Wharton is a "generational talent"
Brown suggests the Palace star may not yet be the full package, but he is still very young, and the 21-year-old has been tipped to be capable of going on to achieve big things by members of the media, who have lauded the midfielder as a “generational talent”.
Despite not playing in as advanced a role as Wirtz, the England international also has attacking tendencies, given his ability to advance the ball further up the pitch, averaging the second-highest percentage of forward passes in the Premier League this term.
Approach made: Liverpool make contact to sign "ridiculous" £51m PSG target
The Reds have now made a move to sign a forward, who is also wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
ByDominic Lund May 21, 2025
Brown’s phrasing suggests Real Madrid’s interest is not advanced, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s prospective move underlines the allure of moving to the Bernabeu, so Liverpool could find it tough to win the race for Wharton if the Spanish side come calling.
Not only that, but Madrid are also in the race for Wirtz, with the European giants keeping an eye on the German, which will be another cause for concern.