All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Liverpool's summer transfer window is shaping up to be something of a puzzle. Where, exactly, do Liverpool need to strengthen? What, precisely, is Arne Slot's primary concern heading into his first term as Anfield's head coach?

The lion's share of the Reds supporters would cry for reinforcements in defence; Joel Matip's contract expired last month and Ibrahima Konate suffered a landslide in form at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Leny Yoro continues to present himself as a jewel waiting to be whipped from LOSC Lille but Liverpool, interested though they are, are resigned to Real Madrid winning that race.

Klopp redesigned Liverpool's midfield last summer but there remains a feeling that a long-term star needs to be signed at No. 6. Whether such a player is welcomed by September comes down to options and the right opportunity.

But, of course, there's been a more notable kernel of the Merseyside outfit's focus over recent days. Indeed, recent reports have suggested that the Reds have been in the market for Anthony Gordon, but it wasn't to be.

Liverpool's interest in Anthony Gordon

It's been known for several months that Liverpool are interested in strengthening their flanks, though the right-hand side seems to be the more pressing concern, with Mohamed Salah entering the final year of his contract and little in the way of alternatives.

However, that hasn't stopped rumours surfacing regarding Newcastle United's Gordon, who was actually offered to the Anfield side last weekend as Eddie Howe's outfit scrambled to stay in line with the Premier League's profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.

Reports suggested that Newcastle had canvassed an interesting proposal Liverpool's way, asking for cash plus centre-back Jarell Quansah for the England international's sale. Liverpool turned the offer down, never making an actual move for his signing.

The Magpies will probably now save their prized slices of silver, having placated PSR after selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton & Hove Albion for £30m and cashing in on homegrown talent Eliott Anderson, who signed for Nottingham Forest for £35m.

Gordon alternatives

With the ex-Everton player unlikely to be moving back to Merseyside this summer, he does want to move to the club he grew up supporting, though Newcastle's £100m asking price is a steely deterrent.

Luckily, Liverpool have mapped out a list of alternatives, with Spain's Euro 2024 sensation Nico Williams on the shortlist. According to Caught Offside, Slot's side could turn to the Athletic Bilbao star this summer.

Williams is one of the hottest names on the block right now given his influential role in his nation's international campaign, and with a £49m release clause, it's no wonder so many top European teams have taken note.

Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the rival suitors for the fleet-footed winger, so Liverpool will need to act with dispatch to get this one over the line.

What Nico Williams could bring to Liverpool

Pace, and lots of it. Williams is only 21 but he's enjoyed an emphatic introduction to his professional career, starring alongside his brother (Inaki, 30) in the Basque Country and ending Bilbao's 40-year wait for a trophy after defeating Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final in April.

Last season, the "mind-blowing" – as remarked by scout Antonio Mango – Spaniard scored eight goals across 37 matches in all competitions, though his haul of 19 assists highlights his staggering playmaking ability that derives from his blistering, ballsy style of play, barrelling forwards and splitting backlines asunder, stretching and dragging defenders out of position.

As per FBref – to underscore this point – Williams ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

Gordon, while we're on the topic, ranks only among the top 33% for progressive carries and the top 50% for successful take-ons per 90. He's fast, yes, but not with the same unceasing volume as his Basque-born counterpart.

It's no surprise that he has been described as a "pace demon" by podcaster Adam Keys, offering skills that would provide Liverpool with Gordon's package and more.

The Newcastle man has been hailed for his "unbelievable" 2023/24 campaign by his Tyneside teammate Bruno Guimaraes, who was gobsmacked by his attacking abilities, posting 12 goals and 11 assists last year and winning the club's Player of the Season award for his daring and dynamic performances.

Matches played

3

Matches started

3

Goals

1

Assists

1

Pass completion

93%

Shots per game

2.3

Key passes per game

3.0

Ball recoveries per game

3.0

Dribbles per game

3.0

Duels won per game

4.0

As the table above shows, Williams is producing a rather almighty campaign with Spain at the ongoing Euros, proving to be a deadly wide attacking option with boxes of pace and a load of creative quality besides.

Is this isolated? A case of international tournament syndrome, where players eclipse expectations and play like prime Diego Maradona, garbed in their country's colours?

Perhaps not. Williams averaged 1.5 dribbles, 2.8 dribbles, 4.2 ball recoveries and 5.2 successful duels per game in La Liga last season.

He's shaping into quite the talented player, and given that he's available for a slice of the price that would be required to bring in Gordon, it's surely a no-brainer. Liverpool just need to beat off some of Europe's most illustrious outfits for his signature.

Liverpool favourites to sign “world-class” £25m star who's like Rodri

The Anfield side have the advantage in the race for this high-class midfielder.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 2, 2024

Glen Kamara's exit from Elland Road being confirmed recently wouldn't quite have been the same intense sucker punch that Archie Gray's major move to Tottenham Hotspur was for the Whites, but it would still have hurt.

Leeds United fans were only able to savour the former Rangers man in action for one full season before he decided to jump ship to French outfit Rennes, with more tweaking and reshaping of the squad now needed from Daniel Farke, which has already started with the temporary measure of Joe Rothwell joining the Championship club on loan.

The powers that be at the Whites might have well have had slight smiles on their faces, even though they were about to lose a dependable head, when you consider the fact they purchased Kamara for just £5.5m last year, before flipping him on to his new Ligue 1 employers for a reported £8.4m.

There is another situation very similar to Kamara's that could now happen again from a Leeds point of view, as the gutting of Farke's squad that many feared would happen at the close of last campaign continues to start feeling very real, as Wilfried Gnonto's name starts to dominate anxious conversations.

The latest on Willy Gnonto's future

It has been widely reported that Gnonto could finally get his long-desired wish of a bumper move up to the Premier League this summer, after handing in a transfer request right at the start of last campaign to try and speed up a switch away from the Whites.

It was Everton then that was the main name floating about, and it's the Toffees again in the here and now that want the 20-year-old to move to Merseyside ahead of the forthcoming season. TEAMtalk report that talks are ongoing between the two clubs but a deal is yet to be agreed.

However, a new update by the iSport states that this could be a tricky deal for Sean Dyche's men to pull off, as the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa now potentially swarm in on the ex-FC Zurich attacker's services to get a deal done.

Regardless of what his new onward destination is, whether that be at Goodison Park or alternatively lining up for the Magpies, Leeds look to be facing an uphill battle to keep a grip on Gnonto past this hectic transfer window.

Scoring plenty of goals last season for Farke's men as they narrowly missed out on the glory of promotion, the Italian winger will be itching for an opportunity to test himself in the league above, having made the Championship his playground at points.

Gnonto's numbers at Leeds

Gnonto would arrive as a fresh new kid on the block at the start of the 2022/23 season at Elland Road, eager to make an impression, after coming in highly rated by his ex-Swiss club.

The diminutive attacker would help himself to four goals and four assists from 28 games in all competitions during his debut campaign, a promising young spark in a downtrodden Whites camp for the most part, as relegation was confirmed to the second tier at the end of his first full season.

1. GK – Illan Meslier

2. RB – Rasmus Kristensen

3. CB – Robin Koch

4. CB – Liam Cooper

5. LB – Pascal Struijk

6. CDM – Marc Roca

7. CM – Adam Forshaw

8. CM – Sam Greenwood

9. RW – Rodrigo

10. ST – Brenden Aaronson

11. LW – Wilfried Gnonto

Unlike many others who walked away from Leeds in the aftermath of their demoralising drop down a division, Gnonto would eventually knuckle down and star for the Whites, even if his relationship with Farke began on a sour note.

The ex-Inter Milan youth player would even refuse to line up for the West Yorkshire outfit right at the start of the campaigh, but would eventually become a relied-upon attacker for the German when he decided to drop this childish behaviour. The electric 20-year-old attacker subsequently went on to cause many a second tier defence bother.

The youngster would amass nine goals and three assists last campaign when thrown into action, constantly competing with Daniel James for rights to the spot down the right flank, with Crysencio Summerville very much making the left-hand side his own.

His slick early exploits for Leeds even saw ex-Whites coach Michael Skubala describe the gung-ho number 29 as "special" last year when taking the reins on a short-term basis. That was before he then transformed into a key part of the terrifying attack Farke had constructed, alongside Georginio Rutter and the aforementioned Welshman and Dutchman.

Gnonto's transfer value in 2024

The Championship side could be set to sell on the much talked about 20-year-old for a bumper £25m reportedly, which means he's not only worth even more than top stars James and Rutter – according to Football Transfers, but also Crysencio Summerville who French reports state may now be available at a cut price of £17m. That's despite that feared Whites pairing amassing better numbers last campaign between them.

If that figure does turn out to be the amount Leeds manage to offload Gnonto for, the Whites will be extremely pleased, even with the setback of an important attacker moving on.

Leeds only purchased the 5 foot 7 winger for £4m fromZurich, with that gamble more than paying off, if the likes of Newcastle or Everton lavishly splash the cash shortly.

Transfer value

£25m

£12m

£11m

Games played

43

51

46

Goals scored

9

8

13

Assists

3

16

8

Amazingly, Rutter and James are estimated to have lower valuations of £12m and £11m respectively, despite both attackers sweeping the floor somewhat with their counterpart when it comes to goal contributions, as can be seen above.

Leeds will not complain though if a Premier League side does bid an extortionate amount for Gnonto, and if suitors were to come in for either the Frenchman or the former Manchester United attacker as well, they would no doubt ask for a heftier sum than what Football Transfers are suggesting.

Everyone associated with Elland Road will be ticking off the days on their calendar until the window slams shut from the point of view of many first-teamers being touted for major moves away, but an injection of cash here and there could enable Farke and Co to bring in new quality as well.

It remains to be seen whether Leeds can get over their play-off hangover or not this season to come, but it looks increasingly more and more likely that Gnonto won't be playing a role in another promotion attempt.

Leeds could brilliantly replace Gray as Farke eyes move for £7m star

The Whites reportedly remain keen on a deal for the Championship defender.

ByDan Emery Jul 18, 2024

Liverpool are now thought to be leading Manchester United in the race to sign a world-renowned 29-year-old, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds may not have completed any signings yet this summer, but that doesn't mean that a vast array of players aren't being linked with moves to Anfield, as Arne Slot looks to strengthen the squad that Jurgen Klopp left him.

Celtic star Matt O'Riley has emerged as a reported target for Liverpool, having shone hugely for the Hoops last season, registering a total of 31 goal contributions (18 goals and 13 assists) in the Scottish Premiership. The Dane has plenty of options, but a move to Merseyside isn't being ruled out.

Dani Olmo is a player whose reputation has been enhanced greatly after some superb performances for Spain at Euro 2024, with no player scoring more goals than his tally of three in the tournament. The 26-year-old is believed to be wanted by the Reds this summer, but they are facing competition from the likes of United and Manchester City.

Then there's Adrien Rabiot, who United are also believed to be pushing hard to sign, with a recent claim even suggesting that he is "getting closer" to sealing a move to Old Trafford all the time. Liverpool are seemingly another interested party, holding talks with him, and now a twist has emerged in the saga.

Liverpool lead Man Utd in race to sign 29-year-old

According to a fresh claim from Tutto Juve on Sunday, Liverpool are actually ahead of Manchester United in the battle to sign Rabiot this summer, contrary to the aforementioned reports.

The Reds are described as being "ahead in the negotiation", with the 29-year-old a free agent after leaving Juventus at the end of last season.

Given his age, Rabiot may not be coming in as a long-term option for Liverpool, which may not appeal to Slot, but there is no doubting his credentials as a top-level footballer.

The Frenchman is a six-time Ligue 1 champion, dominating the division in a strong Paris Saint-Germain side in the past, and he has also tasted Serie A glory once in a Juventus shirt. Meanwhile, Reds hero Ibrahima Konate has spoken positively about his international colleague in the past, saying:

"Rabiot?I didn’t know him before this World Cup. I had never lived with him in the group. Talk to everyone. He is a key player in this competition. Adrien takes us a lot, in defence and attack."

With Thiago leaving Liverpool earlier this summer, bringing an end to his playing career in the process, Rabiot could fill the void left by the Spaniard, adding experience and class to a midfield that is relatively young. The likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott are all 25 years of age and under.

Liverpool eyeing "dominant" £25m Matip heir on way out of European giants

The Reds are yet to start their summer business.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 21, 2024

It is understandable why some would be against the signing of the France international, considering he is 29 and could have high wage demands, but pipping United to any signing should never be sniffed at.

It's been a good summer for Tottenham Hotspur so far this year, but with the return of the Premier League now less than three weeks away, they need to start making more signings.

As things stand, the only permanent signings the club have made are Archie Gray and Yang Min-Hyeok, and considering the latter won't be joining the team until the new year, it's not enough.

If Daniel Levy and Co want to help Ange Postecoglou take the team forward in 2024/25, they need to bring him some more exciting players, and fortunately, they might be about to do just that.

Recent reports have linked the North Londoners with one of the most exciting up-and-coming youngsters from Serie A, a youngster who could be the club's next Destiny Udogie.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Italy, Tottenham are one of several clubs in the Premier League interested in signing Fiorentina's promising full-back Michael Kayode.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report claims that Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Aston Villa are also keen on the player, with the latter already making an unsuccessful bid for his services.

The report revealed that an offer in excess of €20m plus add-ons, which converts to about £17m, should be enough to tempt La Viola into selling this summer.

If this really is all it would take to land Kayode, then Levy and Co should front up the money as soon as possible, as based on his performances last season and the way those in the know speak about him, it could prove to be a bargain in the years to come, akin to Udogie's signing a couple of years ago.

Why Kayode would be a great signing and his comparisons to Udogie

Okay, so let's review some of the similarities between Kayode and Udogie. The first one is position.

Like the Spurs ace, the Fiorentina man is a full-back, and while he plays on the opposite side to the former Udinese ace, he shares his ability to play further up the pitch when required, starting 34 games in right-midfield so far.

The next thing they share is their nationality, as both are Italian, and both have played for the U21 side, with the 20-year-old still playing at that level, while the 21-year-old Lilywhites ace has moved up to the senior side.

Appearances

37

Goals

1

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.13

The final clear point of comparison between the two is that they are highly-rated youngsters, with Udogie being nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award last year and the Borgomanero-born gem being described as "an exciting defensive prospect" and "duel monster" by data analyst Ben Mattinson.

In fact, Mattinson clearly sees a bright future ahead for the full-back, as he claimed in October last year that Kayode is the type of player "you'd want defending the top LWs of the world", which is incredibly high praise.

Ultimately, if the fee required to sign the young defender really is as low as it's being reported, then Levy and Co must bring him to N17, as a full-back pairing of him and Udogie could see the club sorted for over a decade.

Spurs track "world-class" £109m goal machine who'd make Maddison unplayable

The incredible poacher would be a total game-changer for the Lilywhites.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 31, 2024

Liverpool are on the cusp of their Premier League opener for 2024/25, travelling to Portman Road to take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town as a new era gets underway.

Arne Slot is raring to go as Jurgen Klopp's successor, an unenviable task indeed but a chance for the Reds to showcase a new, more control-focused brand of football.

Preston North End

19/07/2024

1-0 loss

Real Betis

27/07/2024

1-0 win

Arsenal

01/08/2024

2-1 win

Man United

04/08/2024

3-0 win

Sevilla

11/08/2024

4-1 win

Las Palmas

11/08/2024

0-0 draw

A successful pre-season has left the squad in a promising position, but frustrations have been vented over a complete lack of transfer incomings, with sporting director Richard Hughes' failure to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi earlier this week casting a new layer of trepidation across Anfield.

There are concerns over the options at No. 6, but so too are there worries around the futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and skipper Virgil van Dijk, who have all entered the final years of their contracts.

Liverpool transfer news

As per Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Liverpool are in for Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio once again, with the Liga Portugal champions expecting a bid from Anfield's direction.

The Portuguese signed a new deal last year despite interest from a host of top European outfits (including Liverpool) but could be allowed to leave for a more affordable price of €45m (£38m).

A Bola – as relayed by Sport Witness – have corroborated the claims, suggesting Liverpool's team are set to have a conversation with Miguel Pinho, Inacio's agent.

Van Dijk, 33, will need a successor, and even if he pens a contract extension on Merseyside, the left-footed Inacio could be the perfect, prudent option to bring in now, as an upgrade on Jarell Quansah.

What Goncalo Inacio would bring to Liverpool

The thing is, Liverpool have a terrific squad. Klopp's swansong might have petered out last term, with an incredible Carabao Cup triumph followed by a perplexing, late-season plummet across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League.

But despite this, Liverpool spent the majority of the year fighting tooth and nail against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race and looking levels above the wretched group of 2022/23, which failed to qualify for top four and looked sapped after years of toil and success.

Defensively, Liverpool haven't looked quite right over the past few years, and while Slot's arrival could change that, new system, new functions.

New players? Who knows, as Liverpool's summer window trundles into the later stage. Inacio could be the perfect addition, bolstering a talented backline and easing Van Dijk's burden as the only real suitable fit on the left side of central defence.

A complete defender, Inacio, aged 22, has earned early acclaim for his passing ability but has also formed a crucial part of Ruben Amorim's steely defence, averaging 1.5 tackles, 1.9 clearances, and 4.0 successful duels per league game last season, as per Sofascore, winning 56% of that lattermost metric.

His natural preference on the left would add a dimension to Slot's team and could prove to be the difference-maker in creating a fluent and layered approach. He might even establish himself as indispensable, despite the competition for places.

Why Inacio could be 1st choice for Arne Slot

With Joel Matip now gone after his contract expired in June, Slot's Liverpool surely need some added steel in defence, with Van Dijk accompanied by Ibrahima Konate and the young and talented Jarell Quansah.

Sepp van den Berg resides in the first-team ranks too but is sought-after by many European clubs and may well ply his trade overseas come September.

Quansah does have an aerial advantage that has borne dividends at both ends of the field, with the English titan scoring three goals and assisting three more for Klopp's Reds last season.

The 21-year-old's ceiling is high above the ground, and there's every chance that he could be a mainstay at Anfield for many years to come, but Liverpool need to eke out every ounce of potential and Inacio could be instrumental in achieving that, perhaps even proving to be an instant upgrade on both Quansah and Konate.

Inacio's easy and intelligent ball-playing game seems to be tailor-made for Slot's pass- and control-focused system, with analyst Raj Chohan even claiming that the Portugal international's "build-up quality is extraordinary", due to his ability to build play from the back.

Goals scored

0.04

0.15

Shot-creating actions

1.59

0.98

Progressive passes

8.55

5.08

Progressive carries

1.27

0.98

Successful take-ons

0.40

0.30

Ball recoveries

5.40

5.45

As the table shows, Inacio far outstrips Quansah across passing and playmaking metrics, virtually matching the robust Liverpool star for recovery levels and surpassing him in take-ons, speaking of superiority with the ball at his feet too.

Lauded for his "insane" range of passing by journalist Antonio Mango, Inacio might just be the real deal and after several years of earning his stripes in his homeland, looks ready to test himself in a division like the Premier League.

The underlying numbers favour the Sporting sensation, and while Quansah will expect to play an important role throughout the campaign, this prospective signing could see him prevented from playing with a regular starting berth alongside the ever-present Van Dijk.

Of course, Konate is also in the equation but the France international endured a tough finish to the 2023/24 season, displaced by Quansah and branded "dreadful" by The Athletic's James Pearce as he struggled at the core of the late-year slump.

Given the importance of hitting the ground running, Slot may well be advocating for Hughes and co to launch an official bid for Inacio.

Sure, fans call for a new holding midfielder, but there are several areas in need of tinkering, and bolstering the backline with this exciting talent could prove fruitful indeed.

Therefore, hopefully, Liverpool are successful with their bid to land the Portugal international and he can come in as an instant upgrade on Quansah this season.

Worth more than Zubimendi: Liverpool hit gold with Klopp's "superstar"

He’s going to be crucial for Slot’s side…

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 16, 2024

Arsenal, after easing past Wolves on the opening day, are now reportedly closing in on their latest summer signing to hand Mikel Arteta another boost.

Arsenal transfer news

It was business as usual at The Emirates on Saturday, with Arteta's side opening the scoring through Kai Havertz before Saka sealed the points with an excellent effort. The Gunners are, of course, attempting to make it third time lucky in pursuit of dethroning Manchester City in the Premier League, having suffered heartbreak in the previous two campaigns.

Given how close they came in the last two seasons, Arsenal didn't need much in terms of reinforcement this summer and have instead been looking to add quality rather than quantity – highlighted by Riccardo Calafiori's arrival.

The Italian enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Bologna last time out, helping the Serie A side to shock Champions League qualification, but has since completed a move to North London to complete Arsenal's backline.

If anyone could pick out a problem area, meanwhile, it would have been the fact that the Gunners don't have adequate backup for Declan Rice amid Thomas Partey's injury record. But that's reportedly about to change.

Fewer touches than Raya: Arsenal must instantly drop 6/10 star after Wolves

Arsenal opened their account for the season with a win over Wolves.

ByMatt Dawson Aug 17, 2024

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are now close to signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, with a fee already agreed worth a reported £29.8m with the Spanish club. Romano recently told GiveMeSport: "We are at the final meters and final details of the Mikel Merino to Arsenal deal, with my sources indicating that it could be something like 24-48 hours before we can say ‘here we go’ – it’s really, really close. They’re almost there, working on the final steps, and then Merino will become a new Arsenal player.

"There is already an agreement on the final fee, and the clubs have been working in the last two or three weeks on the payment terms, the deal structure, the add-ons, and they are now getting closer on all the details of the deal."

"Unique" Merino is ideal backup for Rice

A player who just won Euro 2024, Merino will now be after a Premier League title in a season that should see him provide Arteta with ideal backup for Rice and more. Described as someone who has a "unique profile" by analyst Ben Mattinson, Merino may even find himself used elsewhere in midfield, as Mattinson mentions.

What's more, it's worth noting that the 28-year-old should be in search of Premier League redemption following a spell at Newcastle United in 2017 that flattered to deceive. Seven years later, he will now seemingly get the chance to prove any doubters at St James' Park wrong.

With the transfer window shutting in just eight days time, Everton boss Sean Dyche doesn’t have long to bolster his side for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

His side fell to a 3-0 defeat against Brighton at Goodison Park last weekend, lacking that presence in midfield after the departure of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa.

However, despite the Belgian’s departure, the Toffees received £50m for his services, a huge sum of money which could easily be reinvested into a potential replacement.

There has yet to be a deal agreed for any of the club’s potential targets, with time running out for Dyche and the hierarchy to strike a deal for a ball-winning talent.

However, it’s not through a lack of trying, with numerous players linked with a move to Merseyside in recent weeks.

Scott McTominay’s potential move to Everton

Manchester United man Scott McTominay is just one player who has been linked with a move to Everton during the summer, with the 27-year-old wanting more consistent game time at a potential new side.

The Toffees haven’t been alone in the pursuit for the Scottish international, with Fulham also monitoring his situation closely, but after they agreed a £25m deal to sign Sander Berge, a move to Craven Cottage now looks unlikely.

It could potentially hand Dyche’s side a free run at the Red Devils midfielder, but the £25-30m price tag currently on his head could be too expensive for the Toffees, with alternative targets needing to be monitored closely.

It’s a shame that a deal may be too expensive for Everton, with McTominay undoubtedly possessing a lot of qualities that would improve the Toffees’ squad, most notably, his goalscoring ability, with the 6 foot 4 ace scoring seven times in the Premier League last season.

However, they could turn to another target as a result, with the other potential new addition a much better option for the club, whilst also costing a fraction of the price.

Everton could land £13m talent instead of McTominay

In recent days, reports have claimed that Everton have once again made a move to sign Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove before the transfer deadline on August 30th.

The Italian midfielder could be set to leave the Serie A outfit in the hunt for a regular starting role elsewhere after he was an unused substitute during the 0-0 draw with Cagliari last weekend.

His potential €15m (£13m) price tag could be a bargain for Dyche’s side, with the 22-year-old producing a whole host of impressive stats last season – many of which McTominay could get nowhere near.

Games played

31

32

Minutes played

1780

1901

Pass accuracy

83%

81%

Progressive passes

4.4

3

Take-on success

50%

38%

Tackles won

1.6

1.2

Recoveries made

4.8

4.3

The “intelligent” Italian, as dubbed by former boss José Mourinho, achieved a higher pass completion rate last season, whilst averaging more progressive passes per 90 – demonstrating his excellent ball-playing abilities.

He also excelled defensively, winning more tackles per 90 than McTominay, whilst making more recoveries – potentially providing Everton with the defensive stability they’re looking for in the middle of the park.

Given his bargain price tag and the quality he’s demonstrated over the last 12 months, Bove would be an excellent pickup for the Toffees, potentially being the perfect replacement for the outgoing Onana.

With the Italian only being 22, he has the potential to develop his game further at Goodison, and in turn, make the club a hefty profit further down the line to boost their current PSR and FFP standing.

Enquiry made: Everton chasing exciting upgrade on Young & Coleman

The club desperately need reinforcements in defensive areas.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 21, 2024

When the summer transfer window slammed down its shutters, the Liverpool fanbase cried in a chorus of disappointment. Arne Slot had made an impressive start to life, but surely some reinforcements were needed.

Liverpool lost Joel Matip at the end of his contract in June. The veteran centre-back was Jurgen Klopp's first signing way back when, but he wasn't replaced, not even with captain Virgil van Dijk stepping into the final year of his deal.

In midfield, Martin Zubimendi was pursued but the Real Sociedad star had a change of heart following promising indications, remained in his homeland, adding Anfield to a list of lucrative rejected suitors.

Wataru Endo still stands in the centre but looks likely to do so from the 75th minute onwards, for the most part. He played an industrious role last year, but Slot has found his anchor in Ryan Gravenberch.

Matches (starts)

3 (3)

29 (20)

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

0

Pass completion

89%

88%

Touches*

74

54.4

Tackles + interceptions*

3.4

2.4

Key passes*

0.00

0.6

Ball recoveries*

5.3

3.7

Dribbles*

1.0 (50%)

0.3 (67%)

Ground duels won*

5.4 (57%)

2.9 (41%)

Federico Chiesa was of course signed from Juventus to complete Liverpool's frontline, and while more was probably needed, Liverpool have a first-class squad and have proved as much through their early-season form. The real issue was and still is the lingering contractual conundrum.

Liverpool's contract situations

We've already mentioned Van Dijk, but all is still quiet on that front, and the same can be said for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who must resist the allure of Real Madrid if he is to continue his Gerrard-esque Reds career.

Mohamed Salah, however, has seen some movement. Things are starting to shift about, and the Egyptian king is about to be approached

And it's not just his prolific numbers. Salah has returned to action with a refreshed way about him, and it's reflected through his underlying metrics.

Shots

3.6

3.3

On target

1.8

2.0

Touches

45.9

50.7

Key passes

2.1

1.7

Dribbles

0.8

1.3

Total duels won

2.4

3.7

He's bouncing, restive, desperate to make his mark, fight for silverware and continue to climb the Premier League's all-time goalscoring list. Salah is tenth with 160 goals – Sergio Aguero is 24 goals ahead in fifth place.

A thoroughbred competitor, the 32-year-old might just pen that contract, with The Liverpool Echo even revealing that he is eager to renew his Anfield vows and stay put for another year or two.

After such an electrifying start to the season, it's pretty clear that Salah is set for success this year, firing in goals, deftly placing assists and carrying his team forward through his leadership and very presence.

He might be ageing but the £350k-per-week superstar is still one of Liverpool's most highly-valued players, from a financial standpoint. However, there are a select few who surpass him, and Dominik Szoboszlai is one of them.

Dominik Szoboszlai under Arne Slot

Szoboszlai joined Liverpool as part of Klopp's 2023 rebuild, leaving RB Leipzig after his £60m release clause was activated. The Hungary captain had been hailed as a "generational talent" by journalist Marcel Moeller following his time in Germany but endured a chequered debut campaign on Merseyside.

He wasn't bad by any stretch, but Szoboszlai fizzled out following a blistering start, an issue stemming from injuries and Liverpool's general nosedive toward the latter end of the campaign.

Szoboszlai's returned with gusto and renewed vigour, however, a veritable workhorse who makes things tick for his team, enabling the goalscoring success of forwards such as Salah.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 15% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 4% for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for passes attempted, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 3% for progressive carries per 90.

He's got quite the engine, with robust athleticism and many more midfield properties that suggest he could be set for a lasting career of prominence on English shores.

It's an exciting time ahead, with Slot shifting him from the middle of the field into a more favourable no. 10 role. During Liverpool's victorious trip to Old Trafford last weekend, the 23-year-old completed 90% of his balls and placed three key passes, but he also won three of his five contested ground duels, as per Sofascore, speaking of growing maturity and crispness in defensive phases.

Such gains are indeed reflected in his lofty market value.

Szoboszlai's market value in 2024/25

Every player goes through peaks and valleys during their career, and while fans had hoped for a bit more consistency from their £60m man last year, his raw quality was evident.

He's claimed two assists from his opening fixtures this year and looks on course to better his maiden year's tally, only posting seven goals and four assists across all competitions.

It's remarkable to consider how high he could soar, but according to Transfermarkt's player appraisal model, he currently has a market value of £63m.

Salah, meanwhile, is currently worth just £46m, though it's important to remember that he is within the final year of his contract. Lest we forget, the Saudi Pro League and all its opulence sniffed around one year ago and saw a jaw-dropping offer of £150m rejected for the forward, who was coveted to be the face of the Gulf country's revolutionised football scene.

For now, Szoboszlai enjoys a position as one of Liverpool's most valuable players – and rightly so, he's starting to prove his true worth under Slot's leadership, and might just enjoy a talismanic campaign in his more creative midfield role.

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Two West Ham United players who featured in the draw against Fulham are now set to be deemed surplus to requirements and sold in the next transfer window, according to a recent report, just four games into Julen Lopetegui’s reign.

West Ham's tricky start

After being one of the Premier League’s most active sides over the summer transfer window, it has been an underwhelming start to life under Lopetegui’s management at the London Stadium.

Four games into the season, the Hammers have hardly set the Premier League alight. They currently sit 14th in the league with just a single win to their name, coming against Crystal Palace.

A tough fixture list means that they have tasted defeat at the hands of reigning champions Manchester City and European hopefuls Aston Villa, both at the London Stadium.

But perhaps more concerning was their performance against Fulham, with Lopetegui’s side seeing less of the ball than their hosts, as well as having fewer shots on target and fewer touches inside the opposition penalty area, hardly hallmarks of an upwardly mobile Premier League side as the Hammers are looking to be.

West Ham vs Fulham match stats

West Ham

Fulham

Possession

45.5%

55.5%

Shots

21

11

Shots on target

5

3

Touches inside the opposition box

29

13

Blocked shots

3

8

They were rescued deep into stoppage time by Danny Ings, who was found inside the Fulham penalty area by Jarrod Bowen before firing low into the corner past Bernd Leno to salvage a point for the visitors.

And changes are already being planned by Lopetegui as he looks ahead to January, with Ings among those who could depart.

West Ham pair could leave in January

That comes courtesy of a report from Football Insider, who claim that both Ings and Michail Antonio could both be allowed to leave in January as the Hammers look to continue their rebuild.

Antonio led the line for the first half against Fulham in the absence of summer signing Niklas Fullkrug, while Ings came off the bench to score.

However, the report suggests that the duo, who are set to be free agents next summer, could be shifted in the next transfer window.

This is because their exits would “free up some space within the squad” as well as helping “lower the wage bill”, with Antonio taking home £100,000 a week at the London Stadium, while Ings is on an even more lucrative £125,000 a week contract.

Signing a new striker is seen as a “top priority” at the London Stadium, with previous links to Jhon Duran over the summer before a deal broke down. Though they ultimately signed Fullkrug, they are keen to add another forward to their ranks to complement the quality in wide areas already at the club.

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Should they be able to find buyers for either Ings or Antonio, it could have the added benefit of adding more funds to the transfer kitty available to Lopetegui, who spent freely in the summer and is yet to see any early returns on that investment, though performances are only likely to improve as his new signings begin to gel.

Leeds United are back in action this afternoon in the Championship as they travel away from Elland Road to take to the field against Cardiff City.

The Whites are looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Scott Parker’s Burnley last time out in West Yorkshire, thanks to a first-half strike from Luca Koleosho.

It was their first loss of the season in the Championship, having drawn two and won two of their opening four games, and Daniel Farke will be hoping that his team responds strongly.

The German head coach could be forced into making at least one change from the starting XI that was selected against the Clarets, though, due to injury.

Leeds United injury latest

In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Farke revealed that Tottenham Hotspur loanee Manor Solomon is a ‘major doubt’ for the clash with Cardiff.

The winger has a back injury and may not be fit enough to be available for selection in Wales, which would leave the left wing position open for another player to come in.

He started the defeat to Burnley and was partially at fault for Koleosho’s goal after slipping up inside the opposition half and gifting the ball to the young winger.

Meanwhile, Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo, and Joe Rothwell are all expected to be in contention to feature despite dealing with their own respective injury issues.

Farke could, though, ease the blow of potentially losing Solomon to injury by finally unleashing Largie Ramazani from the start against Cardiff.

Why Largie Ramazani should be unleashed

The Whites swooped to sign the Belgian winger from Spanish side Almeria following on from the departure of Crysencio Summerville during the summer transfer window.

However, the former Manchester United academy prospect has yet to make his full debut for Leeds, having been used as a substitute against Hull and Burnley – completing 100% of his attempted passes in both matches.

Solomon provided an assist, for Mateo Joseph, on his debut against the Tigers with a terrific near-post cross from the left wing and Ramazani has the potential to brilliantly replace the Israel international’s creativity on the flank.

The right-footed starlet, who was once described as “electric” and a counter-attacking “weapon” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, played in LaLiga for Almeria, as they were relegated from the division, and showed great promise as a creative threat.

Appearances

29

Starts

16

Goals

3

Big chances created

10

Assists

5

As you can see in the table above, Ramazani created an eye-catching ten ‘big chances’ in just 16 starts in the Spanish top-flight, to go along with three goals.

The Leeds whiz was let down by his wasteful teammates, though, as they did not make the most of his creativity, scoring five goals from those chances.

These statistics suggest that the potential is there for the Belgian gem to unlock Cardiff this afternoon by creating high-quality opportunities for the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Joseph, Joel Piroe, and Wilfried Gnonto, which is why he could ease the blow of losing Solomon to injury.

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