Including a USWNT defender, two of England’s Lionesses and stars from Japan, Brazil and beyond, GOAL picks out the best summer moves in the U.S.
Despite the league pausing in early July for the Olympics Games, NWSL clubs have certainly kept themselves busy over the last six weeks. There has been the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup to contend with, the CONCACAF W Champions Cup got underway this week and, amid it all, there has been a very busy mid-season transfer window.
In that, plenty of new stars have arrived in the top flight of U.S. women's soccer, covering five continents and bringing both established internationals and promising young players to the division, while there has also been plenty of business between teams in the league with players already well-versed in the NWSL.
It means that there are going to be plenty of debuts made when the season resumes this weekend, but which will be the most highly-anticipated? GOAL ranks the best 15 signings of the NWSL mid-season transfer window…
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15Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals)
It's been a tough season so far for the Utah Royals, with just eight goals scored in 16 NWSL games. However, the club has acted to address those attacking issues in the mid-season transfer window, first with the signing of Japan international striker Mina Tanaka.
The 30-year-old arrives in the U.S. with an excellent scoring record from her home country and a very respectable total of 34 goals in 86 international caps. She can be prone to a wasteful game or two, there’s no hiding from that, but Tanaka’s movement is good, she will score goals and perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this move is that she will give the Royals a focal point in attack for players like Ally Sentnor, shining in her rookie year, and Cloe Lacasse (more on her later) to bounce off in a bid to improve Utah’s fortunes.
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14Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns)
It always felt like the Portland Thorns would be in the market for a goalkeeper this summer, with Emily Alvarado traded to the Houston Dash and Bella Bixby having announced her pregnancy in January. It was just whether the club would pursue a star shot-stopper or someone to provide cover behind Shelby Hogan, who has impressed in her first year as a starter.
By signing Mackenzie Arnold, Portland has gone for the former and acquired a goalkeeper who has impressed plenty on the international stage with Australia. This is going to be a different challenge for the 30-year-old, who will sit behind a much better defense with the Thorns in comparison to that she has worked with for the past four seasons at West Ham, but she’ll feel ready to take that next step. Arnold’s addition is likely to only help Hogan, too, as the two battle it out for minutes.
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13Claudia Zornoza (Utah Royals)
It’s not only in attack that Utah has strengthened during the mid-season break. In Claudia Zornoza, it has brought to the club an excellent holding midfielder, someone who was part of the Spain squad that won the 2023 Women’s World Cup and has impressed consistently for Real Madrid over the last three years.
The 33-year-old will join Amandine Henry, the France star who arrived in April, in the middle of the park as the Royals try to ensure a leaky defense – the joint-worst in the NWSL – is better protected. However, that the club hasn’t improved the actual back line in this window is a problem and won’t make Zornoza’s task easy, even if she is a fantastic addition.
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12Rosemonde Kouassi (Washington Spirit)
Washington’s friendly match against Arsenal earlier this month offered fans a glimpse at what Rosemonde Kouassi can bring to the table, following her arrival from Fleury. The 22-year-old has penned a four-year deal, with the value for the future only making this a better transfer, and looks capable of going to new levels after three promising seasons in France.
In that clash with the Gunners, Kouassi and Ouleymata Sarr worked together to cause the opponent so many problems with their energy, hard work and pace in behind. With Trinity Rodman to come back and add another dimension to the three-pronged attack, head coach Jonatan Giraldez will hope Kouassi can help make this attack, already the joint-second best in the NWSL this season, an even greater nightmare for the league’s defenders.
The Women’s FA Cup has determined its two finalists, with a guaranteed first-time winner at Wembley Stadium in May after holders Chelsea were knocked out in the semi-finals.
17 clubs have won the trophy since the first edition in 1970/71, which took place after the FA lifted its ban on women’s football that stood for 50 years.
Record winners Arsenal bowed out of this year’s competition in the fifth round, with Manchester City defeating them at Meadow Park.
Meanwhile, holders Chelsea were denied a fourth straight FA Cup crown, with Emma Hayes’ side's domination of the tournament coming to a halt after being beaten by Manchester United, who got their revenge for last year's cup-final defeat.
The most successful teams in Women's FA Cup history
This season’s competition is coming to an end, but who has lifted the trophy the most times?
By
Stephan Georgiou
May 15, 2025
2023/24 Women’s FA Cup fixtures and dates
Women's FA Cup final
Date
Fixture
Kick-off time
Sunday 12th May
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
2.30pm
This year’s FA Cup will see Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur, as both teams battle it out for a first-ever cup triumph.
United had previously defeated third-tier Newcastle United and Championship outfit Southampton before thrashing Super League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion to book their place in the last four.
Their semi-final win over Chelsea was just revenge after the Blues had beaten them in the finale last year, with goals from Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams were enough to see off a fightback led by former Red Devils star Lauren James, whose goal was only in vain.
Meanwhile, Spurs battled from 2-0 down to defeat Championship side Sheffield United before seeing off Charlton Athletic in the fifth round. Their quarter-final looked to be heading the way of Manchester City, but a stoppage-time equaliser from Beth England forced extra time and penalties, with England stars Alex Greenwood and Chloe Kelly missing from the spot as Robert Vilahamn’s side caused an almighty upset.
They looked to be heading out in the semis after Leicester City had led in north London until Jessica Naz's late equaliser, with Martha Thomas rising highest in extra time to head Spurs into a first Women's FA Cup final.
Semi-final results
Tottenham Hotspur
2-1*
Leicester City
*after extra time
Manchester United
2-1
Chelsea
Quarter-final results
Liverpool
0-2
Leicester City
Brighton & Hove Albion
0-4
Manchester United
Everton
0-1
Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur
1-1
Manchester City
Tottenham won 4-3 on penalties
Fifth round results
Leicester City
6-2
Birmingham City
Tottenham Hotspur
1-0
Charlton Athletic
Arsenal
0-1
Manchester City
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1-4
Brighton & Hove Albion
London City Lionesses
0-2
Liverpool
Southampton
1-3
Manchester United
Chelsea
1-0
Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest
1-7
Everton
Fourth round results
Aston Villa
0-3
Everton
Manchester United
5-0
Newcastle United
Durham
0-4
Manchester City
Sunderland
0-2
Southampton
Chelsea
3-1*
West Ham United
*after extra time
Crystal Palace
3-1
Blackburn Rovers
Arsenal
5-1
Watford
Luton Town
0-6
Brighton & Hove Albion
Plymouth Argyle
1-6
Nottingham Forest
Ipswich Town
1-4
Charlton Athletic
Bristol City
0-1
Liverpool
Burnley
1-3*
Birmingham City
*after extra time
Tottenham Hotspur
3-2
Sheffield United
Reading
1-2
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Derby County
0-4
Leicester City
London City Lionesses
4-0
Moneyfields
How to get Women's FA Cup final tickets
General admission tickets for the Women's FA Cup final have already been sold out, though both of the participating clubs have been given their own allocation of around 12,000 for the final – which is more than in previous finals.
Both clubs are selling tickets through their respective club channels.
Man Utd
Manchester United fans will be situated on the east side of Wembley Stadium, with tickets ranging from £5 to £30 depending on age and seating area.
According to the club's website, the ticketing process will consist of two windows on Friday 19th April: one for season ticket holders, and another for men's season ticket holders as well as other members of their membership schemes.
2024 Women's FA Cup final ticket details: Manchester United
Phase
Date
Time
Eligibility
1
Friday 19th April
9am
2023/24 and 2024/25 Man Utd Women season ticket holders
2
Friday 19th April
12pm
2023/24 men's season ticket holders and Executive Club members 2023/24 and 2024/25 United Members
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs also have multiple windows in which to buy tickets for the final; these open between Monday 22nd April and Wednesday 24th April. Season ticket holders and attendees to previous home games are among those being given priority ahead of the biggest game in the club's history.
The club website states that it will invite supporters to buy tickets depending on their eligibility.
2024 Women's FA Cup final ticket details: Tottenham Hotspur
Phase
Date
Time
Eligibility
1
Monday 22nd April
10am
Tottenham Hotspur Women season ticket holders (max. 2 tickets)
2
Tuesday 23rd April
10am
Supporters who have purchased tickets for 2 or more 2023/24 Spurs Women games at Brisbane Road (must have been purchased directly from the club)
3
Wednesday 24th April
10am
Men’s season ticket holders, Premium members and One Hotspur members (max one ticket per account, subject to availability)
Women’s FA Cup prize money
Last year, the FA announced that the level of investment into the FA Cup in terms of prize money would double from £3m to £6m.
Clubs competing from the third round proper – where Championship sides join the competition – have £44k per match available to play for, with £35k of that going to the winner. That number rises to £430k for the winner of the final itself, while this year’s winning club will accumulate £814k from prize money alone.
Women's FA Cup 2023/24 prize money
Round
Prize pot per match
Winners' prize
Losers' prize
Third round
£44,000
£35,000
£9,000
Fourth round
£67,000
£54,000
£13,000
Fifth round
£100,000
£80,000
£20,000
Quarter-final
£112,500
£90,000
£22,500
Semi-final
£200,000
£160,000
£40,000
Final
£538,000
£430,000
£108,000
Source: The FA
How to watch the Women’s FA Cup on UK TV
From the fourth round onwards, the BBC has broadcast one match per round in this season’s FA Cup across BBC One, BBC Two and its Red Button service. This year’s semis were also shown live on BBC One and Two.
It is expected that this year’s final, which takes place on Sunday 12th May, will be shown on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, as was the case last year.
Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo has died at the age of 27 – days on from suffering a cardiac arrhythmia in a Copa Libertadores tie against Sao Paulo.
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Izquierdo collapsed on the pitch
Defender suffers cardiac arrhythmia
Nacional confirm his passing, aged 27
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Uruguayan fell unconscious in the 84th minute of the round of 16 contest in Brazil on August 22, before being taken to the intensive care unit at Albert Einstein Hospital. The former Montevideo Wanderers player had been undergoing medical treatment following his collapse but the hospital said on Tuesday night that he had died from a brain death after the cardiopulmonary arrest – as per .
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WHAT NACIONAL SAID
Nacional confirmed Izquierdo's tragic passing in a statement on X, which read: "It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo. We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss. R.I.P. Juan, you will be with us forever."
'SOUTH AMERICAN FOOTBALL IS MOURNING'
Uruguay suspended all football activity last weekend over concerns relating to Izquierdo's health. The president of CONMEBOL, Alejandro Dominguez, paid his respects to the player and his family – as did fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez.
Dominguez said: "South American football is in mourning," while Suarez added: "Pain, sadness, it is hard to explain. May he rest in peace. I wish a lot of strength for his family and friends."
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WHAT NEXT?
Brazilian Football Federation President Ednaldo Rodrigues said a minute's silence would be observed in every game organised by the federation on Wednesday in tribute to Izquierdo – who also had spells at Cerro, Penarol, and Liverpool in Uruguay.
Manchester United winger Antony is reportedly keen to secure a loan move away from the Red Devils and could be heading to Turkey.
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Antony struggling for game time at United
Eyeing loan move away from Old Trafford
Could join Jose Mourinho in Turkey
WHAT HAPPENED?
Antony has seen just one minute of game time for Manchester United this season and has told the club he wants to leave on loan, according to The Sun. The Red Devils are eager to offload the forward, and he's already attracted interest from Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. Former club Ajax are also keen as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Antony has also been linked with a January move to Newcastle amid continued uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford. The Brazilian has simply failed to live up to his lofty price tag at Old Trafford and is struggling for game time after slipping behind Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford in the pecking order. A loan move away from Old Trafford would allow Antony the chance to try and get his career back on track after a difficult spell with the Red Devils.
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DID YOU KNOW?
If Antony makes the move to Fenerbahce he will join former Manchester United manager Mourino at the Turkish club as well as ex-Red Devil Fred.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD
The transfer window in Turkey remains open until Friday, meaning there is still time for United to explore a move for Antony. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag's side will return to Premier League action on Saturday against Southampton.
West Ham United are going to part ways with David Moyes after the conclusion of the 2023/24 Premier League season, ending an illustrious partnership that has seen three European campaigns, winning the Europa Conference League last year.
Moyes has achieved great things in east London and has recorded successive top-seven finishes after West Ham recorded such a finish only once since the 2008/09 campaign – under Slaven Bilic in 2015/16.
Declan Rice's rise and rise from the academy to play a central role in the success has been one of the glowing successes of the Scotsman's reign, while a strengthened squad across all areas has set incoming manager Julen Lopetegui up for success.
But what does that look like? Hammers supporters are worried that appointing the Spaniard has been a circumspect decision, edging away from past interest in exciting Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, aged 39, who plays delightful football and has won a wealth of silverware in Portugal to boot.
Amorim is understood to have a £13m release clause in his contract, perhaps dissuading Tim Steidten and co from accelerating interest. Time will tell if Lopetegui's experience will pay off for West Ham.
Moyes has tacitly resigned himself to his fate at this stage and indeed he cut a forlorn figure during his struggling side's 5-0 loss against Chelsea last weekend – it was the visage of a manager who has accepted their looming departure.
His £51m club-record signing, Lucas Paqueta, continued his dramatic decline as he awaits a probable transfer this summer. Should that happen, the incoming boss could strike gold immediately by dropping the Brazilian for an up-and-coming prospect.
Lucas Paqueta's season in numbers
Paqueta has been a sensational addition to the West Ham fold, instrumental in securing silverware last season and even playing the surgical threaded pass through to Jarrod Bowen against Fiorentina last June, who then bagged the late winning goal in the Conference League final.
His exploits last term led former midfield peer Rice to praise his "mind-boggling" ability, but he has raised his game even higher this season with displays that have colourfully highlighted Manchester City's interest.
In all competitions this season, the 26-year-old has scored eight goals and seven assists, blending attacking sharpness with defensive solidity – it is the balanced nature of his skill set that has skyrocketed him into a position as one of the Premier League's leading playmakers.
As per FBref, the Brazil international ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 2% for tackles and the top 4% for aerial duels won per 90.
Lucas Paqueta: PL Stats Comparison
Stat
22/23
23/24
Matches played
28
29
Matches started
27
29
Goals
4
4
Assists
3
6
G/A Rate
0.25
0.34
Pass completion
80%
75%
Big chances created
3
12
Touches per game
57.2
66.1
Shots per game
1.9
1.4
Key passes per game
1.1
1.5
Dribbles per game
1.2
1.4
Ball recoveries per game
6.0
6.4
Tackles per game
2.5
2.3
Duels won per game
6.1
7.8
All stats via Sofascore
Alternating between a wide and central attacking midfield role, Paqueta has proven himself and it's no wonder that Pep Guardiola's side view him as an "ideal" target despite his £85m release clause.
All this said, Paqueta's standards have fallen off a proverbial cliff recently, perhaps a by-product of this inevitable summer saga.
Against Chelsea, he was particularly sorry, branded with a 3/10 match rating by The Evening Standard's Malik Ouzia, who wrote that he 'looks to have phoned it in at this point'.
West Ham's Lucas Paqueta in action
This final phase of Moyes' tenure – league fixtures against Luton Town and Manchester City – are effectively dead rubber now, with a miracle needed to secure a top-seven finish.
Paqueta is patently disinterested and Lopetegui could indeed ditch him, unleashing George Earthy in the South American's stead.
Why Lopetegui should unleash George Earthy
Earthy's Premier League debut ended bitterly after the teenager replacing Michail Antonio with 82 minutes on the clock against Fulham in April, colliding with Edson Alvarez late on and being stretchered off the pitch with a head injury.
The talented midfielder, aged 19, was described as a "terrific footballer and a great little technician" by Moyes following the incident and his performances at U21 level speak of the quality that led to his first-team promotion.
Across 26 performances for the youth team this season, the No. 10 has scored 13 goals and added ten assists, with his prolificness winning over Moyes and suggesting that he has a big part to play in the years to come at the London Stadium.
In the EFL Trophy, against senior lower-league opposition, Earthy excelled across his five outings, scoring three goals, providing one assist, completing 90% of his passes, creating three big chances and averaging 1.4 key passes, 3.0 ball recoveries and 1.0 dribble per game, as per Sofascore.
His technical quality is evident and his dynamism and potency in attacking sequences suggest that he might indeed be the perfect young Hammer to make a real impression at West Ham.
Since Paqueta is on the out, in all likelihood, what has Lopetegui got to lose? Moyes has already demonstrated his eagerness to involve Earthy in the senior set-up, and by ditching the Brazilian for a homegrown prospect, he might just set in motion a chain of events that could see the club unleash its biggest talent since Rice.
Lopetegui must ditch 2/10 West Ham ace who was worse than Paqueta
This star’s Stamford Bridge display proved West Ham have more problems than simply Moyes’ future…
Tottenham Hotspur snapped a four-match losing streak in the Premier League with a hard-fought, nervy victory over Burnley, who were consequently relegated on their return to the top flight.
Ange Postecoglou's side had plummeted in recent weeks, so feeble and flimsy across the board, but three points in the penultimate home fixture have consolidated Spurs' hold on a Europa League-qualifying position.
It was not a good performance, far from the fluency and ferocity of Tottenham's early-season exploits, but it will not matter to Postecoglou as he seeks a successful end to his first campaign in England.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou
As has so often been the case this term, Micky van de Ven played a blinder and salvaged the win for his side, scoring late on after cutting inside and firing a well-taken finish to send the Clarets spiralling.
Micky van de Ven's stats vs Burnley
Tottenham signed Van de Ven from German side Wolfsburg in a £43m transfer last summer and he has proved himself invaluable throughout the season, hailed for his "frightening" athletic ability by teammate James Maddison.
Throughout the campaign, he has endured periods of absence due to injury and the loss of his singular qualities has been keenly felt by his Spurs side, with five of the seven losses before the four-game skid arriving without the 23-year-old's inclusion.
Against Burnley, he might have popped up with the match-winning moment but this must not take from a stunning all-round performance that saw the Dutchman switch to left-back when Radu Dragusin entered the field of play after 75 minutes.
Writing in his post-match thoughts, football.london's Alasdair Gold lauded the 'imperious' performance and handed Van de Ven an 8/10 match rating, with his energy felt as he mopped everything up, his crispness observed through some pinpoint and controlled passing and his defensive solitity noted after he won 100% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.
He was top-notch, as has been the case so often this season, but his effort saved the dismal display of some of his attacking teammates, with Dejan Kulusevski particularly poor on an afternoon that called for a big performance from the Swede.
Dejan Kulusevski's performance vs Burnley
Kulusevski has lost his way in recent months and after starting all 19 of Tottenham's opening Premier League matches of the season, he has been benched four times and has clinched just one goal and one assist apiece since December.
Against Burnley, he needed to stand out and prove his worth as an indispensable member of the team but failed to do so, with Gold handing him a slightly generous 6/10 match rating and writing: 'Set up Johnson for an early chance and was busy around the pitch with a shot saved by Muric but his final ball was lacking and he lost the ball a couple of times in good positions.'
Dejan Kulusevski: Stats vs Burnley
Stat
#
Minutes played
75'
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
42
Accurate passes
11/17 (65%)
Shots taken
1
Key passes
3
Dribble attempts
0/3
Dribbled past
2x
Possession lost
20x
Duels won
4/18
Stats via Sofascore
He was dreadfully unconvincing in defensive moments and failed to progress the play with all three of his attempted dribbles, and while Kulusevski placed three key passes for his peers and had a good chance at goal, he was wasteful in possession and even lost 14 of his 18 contested duels to underline his poor effort.
Kulusevski is a talented and hard-working attacking midfielder and he proved himself a centrepiece of Postecoglou's system when it was firing on all cylinders in those fantastic first few months.
But he's fallen from form quite dramatically recently and will need to pick himself up across Spurs' final two games of the campaign, lest he lose his place after the summer.
Spurs lining up move for “world-class” £310k-p/w Kulusevski upgrade
Ange appears to be eager to bolster his team with some added firepower.
Lamine Yamal is poised to make more history at Barcelona, with the teenage wonderkid set to smash a record currently held by Ansu Fati.
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Made senior debut at the age of 15
European Championship winner with Spain
Has La Liga goal record in his sights
WHAT HAPPENED?
La Masia graduate Yamal has been rewriting the history books since stepping out of a famed academy system at the age of 15. He is already the youngest player to figure for Barca in a competitive fixture and the youngest to register a goal for them in La Liga.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Yamal has also been starring at international level – becoming a European Championship winner with Spain the day after his 17th birthday. The confidence and momentum established at that tournament has carried over into the 2024-25 campaign.
DID YOU KNOW?
The highly-rated youngster, who is favourite to capture Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy crowns this season, bagged a brace for Barca in their 4-1 victory over Girona. Those efforts have taken him to three for the season and eight in total across his outings in the Spanish top-flight.
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WHAT NEXT?
Fellow home-grown star Fati netted 11 La Liga goals before turning 18 – a club record in Catalunya. Given that Yamal will not reach a landmark birthday until July 2025, the expectation is that he will soar beyond that mark and help himself to another slice of history.
Over the years, Everton have had their fair share of cult heroes who have given multiple generations of supporters memories to last a lifetime.
From Dixie Dean to Tim Cahill, the club have employed many talents who have gone on to achieve unthinkable things and set records that are yet to be beaten – including Dean's record of 60 league goals during the 1927/28 campaign.
However, in recent years, the Toffees have found icons hard to come by, with Leighton Baines the closest player to a club legend, having featured 420 times for the Toffees over a 13-year period.
Everton's Leighton Baines
The left-back remains an integral part of the club, leading the next generation of potential Everton stars, with Baines currently occupying the role of the club's U18 head coach.
Everton have also had another hero return to the club in recent years, with the former Toffees striker still a monster hit with the fanbase after his successful stint as a player on Merseyside.
Duncan Ferguson's time at Everton
Striker Duncan Ferguson epitomised everything about Everton Football Club during his time as a player and temporary manager – passion, commitment and desire.
The Scotsman originally arrived at the club way back in 1994 from Scottish giants Rangers, looking to build on the 17th-placed finish from the season prior.
He would be an instant hit at Goodison, scoring 22 goals throughout his first three full campaigns with the club, helping the Toffees climb to a 6th placed finish in the 1995/96 campaign.
However, after just four years at the club, he would move on to join fellow Premier League side Newcastle United, in a deal conducted behind Walter Smith's back, with the forward costing the Magpies £8m.
It was always a case of unfinished business at Goodison for the Scottish international, eventually rejoining the Toffees just two years later – in a move that would see him end his career at the club.
Ferguson would go on to enjoy another six seasons with Everton, retiring at the age of 33 after a total of 263 appearances for the club that included 69 goals – cementing himself as a club legend.
He was undoubtedly a bargain given his impact on Merseyside, with his transfer fee in 1994 subject to drastic inflation 30 years on…
How much Duncan Ferguson would be worth in 2024
If that same move went through today, Ferguson would've cost the club a jaw-dropping £78m to get through the door, according to Totally Money's Transfer Index.
That would make the former Everton forward the most expensive member of the current Toffees squad by some distance, with Dwight McNeil, the club's highest-valued player as per Football Transfers, not even worth half of the fee Ferguson would've commanded in 2024.
Everton's highest valued players in 2024
Player
Market value
Dwight McNeil
£31.8m
Vitaliy Mykolenko
£29.6m
Jordan Pickford
£29.4m
Jack Harrison
£28.1m
James Garner
£27.5m
Stats via Football Transfers
It may have been an expensive deal 30 years ago, but Ferguson, who was dubbed Everton's "greatest servant" by chairman Bill Kenwright, was a bargain and a player who left a real impact on the football club.
Although the club have secured their Premier League status for another season, boss Sean Dyche would've loved to have a player like the Scotsman within his ranks.
His relentless nature alongside his aggressive and tenacious playstyle fit the bill for a Dyche centre-forward, with the club desperately needing to unearth the next Ferguson this summer.
Everton played a blinder on Koeman signing who's now worth less than Keane
He failed to demonstrate his qualities during his time at Goodison Park.
Nike have confirmed they are not sponsoring Mason Greenwood after the Marseille star was spotted sporting their boots against Lyon in Ligue 1.
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Greenwood formerly sponsored by Nike
Recently spotted wearing their boots for Marseille
Company have confirmed he is not working with them
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Greenwood was pictured wearing colourful Nike boots while playing for Marseille in their win over Lyon at the weekend, having previously been sponsored by the sportswear giants. But Nike have confirmed that they are not working with the ex-Manchester United forward, ending speculation that they had signed a new deal with the 22-year-old.
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WHAT NIKE SAID
After being contacted by The Daily Mail about Greenwood, Nike simply responded: "Mason Greenwood is not a Nike athlete."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
According to the report, Greenwood was set to sign a new contract with Nike before they made the decision to drop him in February 2022, after he was arrested on charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control – which were dropped in February 2023. It is believed that he was paid no compensation for losing the deal but was owed outstanding bonus payments.
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WHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?
Greenwood remains a Marseille player under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi and has netted five goals in as many Ligue 1 games in 2024-25. The club most recently beat rivals Lyon, despite playing much of the match with 10 men, and now sit top of the table. Marseille will next face Strasbourg on Sunday.
Newcastle United face a battle to secure sixth place in the Premier League table. Not only will they have to win their match against Brentford, but hope Chelsea lose against AFC Bournemouth in order to snatch a top six spot.
Tough? Yes. Impossible? Absolutely not. Eddie Howe will be urging his men for one final push in what has been a season filled with injuries and a lack of any real consistency.
Following the midweek defeat to Manchester United, could the Englishman perhaps change things up for the final game of the season? Especially as substitute Joelinton enjoyed a solid cameo appearance from the bench.
Joelinton’s statistics against Manchester United
Joelinton came on with just under 30 minutes remaining in the tie for the ineffective Elliot Anderson, who didn’t enjoy his finest game for the Magpies.
Indeed, Anderson took just 29 touches during his spell on the pitch, while also losing possession six times and winning just two of his five contested duels.
Elliot Anderson and Joelinton's stats vs Man Utd
Metric
Anderson
Joelinton
Minutes
62
28
Touches
29
24
Key passes
0
1
Total duels (won)
5 (2)
11 (7)
Big chances created
0
1
Via Sofascore
This should give Howe licence to ditch the youngster this afternoon and unleash Joelinton in midfield.
The 27-year-old not only made one key pass and created a big chance, but also managed to take three shots in total while winning seven of his 11 duels contested, indicating how impressive a display it was despite playing only 28 minutes.
With a must-win tie against Brentford coming up this afternoon, surely it is time for the Brazilian to be unleashed in the starting XI.
Joelinton’s stats for Newcastle this season
The £150k-per-week star has made 26 appearances for the Magpies this term as injury issues have restricted his game time, most notably a groin problem which required surgery.
Despite his lack of action, Joelinton has still scored three goals and registered four assists, clearly making his mark whenever he gets the chance.
Alongside his goal involvements, the midfielder has also created four big chances, averages 1.1 key passes per game and succeeded with 0.9 dribbles per game – a success rate of 61% – to prove that he certainly adds an extra attacking threat when fit.
Additionally, Joelinton also ranks in the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (3) when compared to positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, while also ranking in the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.33), further evidence of the danger he possesses in the final third.
Journalist Thomas Hammond lauded the Brazilian as “phenomenal” in 2023, and it is clear when he is fit and firing, the 27-year-old is a key member of Howe’s starting XI.
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Against Brentford, every player will need to be at their very best in order to secure all three points and give the club a chance of securing sixth place in the top flight.
It might not secure qualification for the Champions League, but featuring in Europe next season is extremely important for Howe and his players as they look to end a near 60-year wait for a major trophy.