CSA e Operário jogam no próximo sábado (14), às 20h30 (de Brasília), no Estádio Rei Pelé, buscando objetivos bem distintos neste momento na Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.
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>Não deixe de conferir o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
CSA
Com seis pontos e em 15° lugar na tabela, o Azulão venceu apenas um compromisso nas seis rodadas anteriores, estando necessitado do triunfo para, apesar do caráter ainda inicial do torneio, olhar com maior distância da zona de rebaixamento.
OPERÁRIO
Já a equipe do Fantasma, tendo suas oito unidades e ocupando a oitava colocação, se coloca na briga alta da classificação. Podendo, a depender de uma vitória sua e da combinação de resultados, até mesmo terminar a sétima rodada da Série B dentro do G4.
FICHA TÉCNICA DA PARTIDA CSA x OPERÁRIO
Local: Estádio Rei Pelé, em Maceió (AL) Data e hora: 14/05/2022 – 20h30 (de Brasília) Árbitro: Diego Pombo Lopez (BA) Assistentes: Elicarlos Franco de Oliveira e Edevan de Oliveira Pereira VAR: Igor Junio Benevenuto de Oliveira (MG) Onde assistir: Premiere
CSA (Técnico: Mozart Santos)
Marcelo Carné; Lucas Marques, Werley, Douglas e Ernandes; Giva Santos, Luiz Henrique e Yann Rolim; Marco Túlio, Osvaldo e Bruno Mezenga.
OPERÁRIO (Técnico: Claudinei Oliveira)
Vanderlei; Arnaldo, Thales, Reniê e Fabiano; André Lima, Fernando Neto, Tomas Bastos (Ricardinho) e Reina; Thomaz e Paulo Sérgio.
Liverpool continued their perfect start to the 2024/25 Champions League campaign by beating the ten-men of Lille 2-1 at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Goals from Mo Salah and Harvey Elliott secured all three points for the Reds, who have now won all seven of their matches in the league phase of the competition.
Arne Slot has made a perfect start to life at Anfield, with his side also sitting at the top of the Premier League table, and will be hoping to win at least one piece of major silverware this season.
The Dutch head coach’s performance in the 2024/25 campaign is particularly impressive when you consider that he only made one senior signing last summer, which was the arrival of the rarely-seen Federico Chiesa.
Slot has not had the opportunity to bring his own players in to bolster the squad, but could see more activity this year with the January and summer transfer windows available to work in.
In fact, Liverpool are reportedly interested in reuniting the manager with one of his former players at the end of this season, with a summer swoop for a new forward on the cards.
Liverpool eyeing £10m forward
According to Africa Foot, Liverpool are one of the clubs eyeing up a move to sign Feyenoord winger Anis Hadj Moussa, as they look to add to their options at the top end of the pitch.
The report does not name any of the other teams interested in a swoop for the Algeria international but does mention that the Reds are the ‘closest’ side to the 22-year-old dynamo, which suggests that they are leading the race to secure his signature.
It states, however, that a switch in the January transfer window is unlikely and that any move is more likely to happen in the summer, after the 2024/25 campaign has concluded.
Feyenoord'sAnisHadjMoussacelebrates scoring their third goal
Africa Foot adds that Barry Hunter, Liverpool’s head of recruitment, has already been in contact with the player’s agents to discuss a potential move to Anfield for their client.
The outlet also reveals that the Reds are planning to ‘finalise’ a transfer for the left-footed star in the summer for a fee of around €12m (£10m), although they are yet to formally agree a fee with Feyenoord.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It states that a strong second half of the season for Hadj Moussa could see that figure of £10m soar, which means that Liverpool could have to splash more cash if his form improves.
The Reds have swooped to sign players from Feyenoord in the past and they will be hoping that this potential move goes as well as their deal to sign Dirk Kuyt in the summer of 2006 did.
Dirk Kuyt's Liverpool career
Liverpool signed the Dutch attacker from the Eredivisie outfit after he had enjoyed an incredible 2005/06 campaign at the top end of the pitch with his former club.
The versatile forward, who could play out wide on the right or through the middle as a striker, scored 22 goals and provided 19 assists in 33 league matches for Feyenoord, which convinced the Reds to sign him that summer.
He did not replicate those incredible levels of production in the final third during his time in England, but he did emerge as a consistent and reliable contributor for the club throughout his six years on Merseyside.
The Netherlands international racked up 71 goals and 41 assists in 285 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, which shows that the attacker provided plenty of quality at the top end of the pitch from a wide or central position.
Kuyt, who scored in the League Cup final against Cardiff in 2012, was a successful signing from the Eredivisie and proved himself to be a solid option for the club for more than half a decade.
Slot could now find Liverpool’s next version of the Dutch attacker by swooping to sign Hadj Moussa from Feyenoord in the summer transfer window, whether that is for £10m or a larger fee if his form improves.
Why Anis Hadj Moussa could be Dirk Kuyt
The 22-year-old talent could be the second Feyenoord winger to come to Liverpool and achieve success, as the Dutchman did, as he has shown plenty of promise with his performances for the club this season.
Hadj Moussa has been particularly impressive in the Champions League for the Dutch outfit, with a return of three goals and one ‘big chance’ created in five appearances, including two starts.
The Algerian whiz, who Dutch legend Ruud Gullit described as an “unpredictable player”, ranks within the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Champions League this season for non-penalty goals per 90 (1.06), and the top 12% for progressive carries per 90 (6.00).
These statistics show that he has been able to make the step up to compete against top teams in Europe, showcasing his quality as both a goalscorer and as a player who can progress play by carrying the ball up the pitch.
Appearances (starts)
15 (seven)
xG
1.36
Goals
3
Big chances created
3
Assists
1
As you can see in the table above, Hadj Moussa has also caught the eye in the Eredivisie, despite limited starts, with six goals and ‘big chances’ created in seven starts.
This means that the £10m-rated star has scored six goals and created four ‘big chances’ in nine starts across the Eredivisie and the Champions League combined, which speaks to his ability to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch.
The Algeria international still needs to find more consistency in his game to become a regular starter, given that Feyenoord have not trusted him to start week-in-week-out, but he could arrive at Anfield as a squad player, to begin with, and develop into being a key player in the future.
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Hadj Moussa is a forward who has the potential to be a Kuyt-like figure for Slot, who worked with him at Feyenoord, by coming over from the Netherlands to provide a reliable, but unspectacular, threat from a wide position.
Brighton & Hove Albion are set to battle it out with German giants Bayern Munich for a young player who has been described as an “elite talent”, according to a new report.
Brighton latest news
After a worrying run of no wins in eight Premier League games, Brighton are now back to winning ways having taken six points from their last two matches. The Seagulls first beat struggling Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road, before they then thumped Manchester United 3-1 at the weekend.
Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter were all on the scoresheet in a comprehensive win for Fabian Hurzeler’s side, which the German manager described as “a good game for us”.
“After the first goal we got a bit passive but after they scored we dominated and controlled the game,” he said after the match. “We deserved to win. We changed some small margins at half-time which made us stronger and of course we had some great individual quality on the pitch. It’s all about how intense you press and stay in your structure and we did that well.”
On his side finally turning draws into wins again, Hurlezer said: “In the Premier League every game is competitive and unpredictable.
“You have to work for the momentum you make and in the last two games and in the FA Cup game we’ve had that belief. If you can outwork an opponent then you can outplay them and I’m happy that we’ve been able to do that in the recent games.”
Brighton to battle Bayern for Diomande
Despite being ninth in the Premier League table, Hurzeler still reportedly wants to add some new players to his squad in the January transfer window. According to Tipsbladet, per Sports Witness, one of those is Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande.
The 21-year-old centre-back has been a regular for Sporting since joining them from Danish side FC Midtjylland in 2023, making 80 appearances and scoring four goals.
Tipsbladet claim that Brighton are set to battle none other than Bayern Munich for the signature of the Ivory Coast international, with both clubs having already made contact with Sporting about a potential move.
The Portuguese club, however, are insisting that Diomande’s £68 million release clause must be activated if he’s to leave the Estádio José Alvalade this month.
Sporting CP's Daniel Braganca reacts withOusmaneDiomandeafter being substituted
Diomande, who was signed by Sporting while the now Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was in charge, has previously been described by football talent scout Jacek Kulig as an “elite talent”.
“You rarely see a player with such high ball-playing and pure defender skills,” Kulig wrote on X of Diomande. “There are some tactical improvements but I’m quite sure this kid will play for the best teams in the world.”
The defender’s former Ivory Coast boss Jean-Louis Gasset has also heaped similar praise on him, saying, according to the Express: “He’s one of the 25 best under-19 central defenders in the world and he does everything well. He plays in Portugal, he’s going to play in top leagues, he’s going to play in the Champions League or the Europa League.”
Gary Lineker has reportedly snubbed a £1 million offer to write his autobiography, with Prince Harry influencing the ex-England international.
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Former striker has never told life storySeven-figure book offer on the tableBelieves his tales are worth much moreFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Lineker is yet to put his life story down on paper, despite being 64 years of age and having plenty of tales to tell. He represented the likes of Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham in his playing days, while scoring 48 goals through 80 appearances for the Three Lions.
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According to the , he has been offered a seven-figure sum in a lucrative book deal. Editors at Penguin Random House are said to have made that move as one of the biggest players in the publishing world.
DID YOU KNOW?
They commissioned Prince Harry’s autobiography ‘Spare’, which sent shockwaves through the royal family and saw the son of King Charles paid a supposed £15m ($20m) up front. Lineker believes that he should be valued closer to that figure.
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Getty Images SportWHAT A SOURCE SAID
A source has told the Mail: “Gary's team were pretty sniffy about the opening offer, even though it's a million pounds. There was a view that it was derisory. Everyone knows what a stir Prince Harry's book made, so they were interested.
“Gary is outspoken when he wants to be so it could be the perfect combination. It is the same commissioning editor who commissioned the Duke of Sussex who is now after Gary but Gary hasn't yet signed the deal.
“He has never done an autobiography before so he thought he'd be able to command even more cash, but at the moment the negotiations are ongoing. Maybe it would be a case of not saying so much about his private life but more about football.
“Obviously the publishers know the real value is getting Gary to talk about his marriages and his personal life for the first time but he seems to think just his football insights are worth the cash.”
Nottingham Forest are now keen on signing a “magical” midfielder after conducting a scouting mission, according to a report.
Forest flying high in the Premier League
With just under half of the Premier League season left to play, Forest are flying high near the top of the table, sitting just six points behind league leaders Liverpool after the 1-1 draw last time out.
It speaks volumes about how much the Tricky Trees have progressed that some members of the squad were left disappointed by the most recent result at The City Ground, with Anthony Elanga saying: “I’ll be honest, it feels like a loss, I feel like it was there for the taking. But we will build on this, and I feel like this mentality shows how far we have come – the fact that it feels like a loss.
Nonetheless, Nuno Santo’s side remain in Champions League contention, and the manager is now weighing up new additions to help his team achieve their ambition of playing European football next season.
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Bringing in a new central midfielder appears to be one of Nuno’s priorities, and internal approval has now been granted over a move for Palmeiras’ Richard Rios.
However, Rios is not the only option Forest have in mind, as reports from Turkey (via Sports Witness) have now revealed they are keen on signing Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara.
Galatasaray'sGabrielSarain action with PAOK's Giannis Konstantelias
Scouts were left impressed after watching Sara in action recently, but there may be competition for his signature, with other Premier League clubs conducting scouting missions of their own.
Any deal is more likely to take place in the summer than January, with the Tricky Trees yet to formalise their interest by making contact with the Turkish club.
Gabriel Sara impressing in Turkey
The Brazilian, valued at €23m (£19m) is enjoying a fantastic debut season in Turkey, picking up two goals and six assists in 16 league outings, while he has also made six appearances in the Europa League.
With Forest in a good position to qualify for Europe next season, Nuno may be keen to bring in players with experience at that level of football, so the 25-year-old fits the bill in that regard.
Scout Ben Mattinson has also tipped the maestro for success in the Premier League in the future, having made a real impact for Norwich City in the Championship.
Nuno may want to bring in another midfielder this month too, in order to aid his side’s Champions League hopes, but signing Sara in the summer certainly looks like it could be a good bit of business.
Veteran’s fine season has set up an enticing semi-final tie against Sussex at Hove
ECB Reporters Network29-Aug-2022
Steven Croft celebrates•Getty Images
Steven Croft already ranks this summer as one of his career highlights – but now he wants to cement that feeling by helping Lancashire complete the job and claim the Royal London Cup title.Croft has enjoyed a stunning campaign across all formats, the 37-year-old batting allrounder sailing beyond the 1,500-run mark with three centuries.It has all come after he started 2022 thinking that it could be his last season and unsure as to how much he would play. But things look very different now.He has helped put the county in contention to win the LV= Insurance County Championship title – though they are outsiders behind Surrey and Hampshire – and contributed to their run to the Vitality Blast final.His efforts also mean the Red Rose are just two wins from one-day silverware, with them preparing for a Royal London Cup semi-final against Sussex at Hove on Tuesday.Related
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Lancashire are heading south on the back of one of Croft’s best days, hitting a sensational 115 not out against Nottinghamshire at Blackpool in Friday’s quarter-final.A Blackpool native, he was making his 600th all-format career appearance, and Lancashire’s chase of 339 was by no means a straightforward one. But Croft held his nerve expertly with help from fellow allrounder Danny Lamb.”This season has been a massive highlight,” he said. “From the winter and not knowing whether I’d play, to getting in the side and then aiming to stay in the side, I’ve just wanted to have some fun.”At my age, you don’t know when your last is going to be. But I’ve just got that mindset of, ‘Just go out and enjoy the game’. It seems to be working, and hopefully it will do for a bit longer yet.”Croft is chasing his third career title with the Red Rose, following the Championship in 2011 and the Blast in 2015, the latter when he was captain. He grew up idolising the teams which won eight List A trophies through the 1990s, the county’s famous ‘Kings of One-Day Cricket’ era.”Growing up as a Lancashire fan, a young Lancashire cricketer, you always want to win the One-Day Cup,” he said. “All those wins 30 years ago now are what has made this club what it is, and those successes put Lancashire on the map in many ways. We haven’t won a trophy since 2015, and it would be nice to get one in.”Croft has had a brilliant season across formats•PA Images via Getty Images
Croft’s own legacy includes bringing on the next generation of Lancashire players, such as George Balderson, George Lavelle and Jack Morley.”It puts the club in a good light to know that we’ve lost that many players to the Hundred and we can still compete and get through to a semi-final,” he said. “It’s been really nice to play a part in the development of these guys, seeing them come up through the Academy and come into the first-team environment with confidence.”It’s great to be on the field and share these experiences with lads like that, and it was great to see someone like Balders get his first hundred at Kent last week.”But the performances have been shared around. We’ve had people showing up with ball in hand and with the bat, so everyone’s going to go into that semi-final with a huge amount of confidence knowing that at some point they’ve put their hand up.”Lancashire face a Sussex side who finished top of the South Group, and in Croft’s second season, 2006, Sussex beat Lancashire in the C&G Trophy final at Lord’s. But Lancashire have won two more recent Blast quarter-finals against Sussex at Hove, in 2011 and 2020.”They’re obviously a team in form who we can’t take lightly,” said Croft. “But we go into it with massive confidence. We’ve only lost two games all competition, and they were two very tight games.”We’ve played some great cricket, and hopefully we can keep that going. We’ve also played one game more than them, which will be a nice bit of momentum. When you play in a great game and get a good win like we did [against Notts], you take a lot of confidence from it.”
أصدر أحمد حسن كوكا، لاعب فريق لوهافر، بيانًا رسميًا فيما يخص مشاركته في مباراة الأمس ضد ستراسبورج، في بطولة الدوري الفرنسي، بجولة دعم المثليين.
وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة والثلاثين من الدوري الفرنسي، حيث حقق لوهافر فوزًا قاتلًا بثلاثة أهداف لهدفين، وينجو من الهبوط، حيث ضمن البقاء في الدرجة الأولى الموسم القادم (لمطالعة التفاصيل كاملة من هنا).
وشارك أحمد حسن كوكا في تلك المباراة كبديل، بعدما غاب عن مباراة الجولة الماضية، بسبب الإصابة.
وتلقى كوكا، حسبما صرّح، رسائل مسيئة كونه وافق على المشاركة في مباراة لوهافر أمس، التي تعد جزءًا من جولة دعم المثليين، على العكس من مصطفى محمد لاعب نانت الذي رفض المشاركة رفقة فريقه أمام مونبلييه.
وكتب كوكا، عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع إكس: “تلقيت العديد من الرسائل المسيئة التي تطالبني بعدم المشاركة في مباراة الأمس، وحتى بعدها”.
وأضاف: “لكن مباراة الأمس كانت شديدة الأهمية لنادينا وجماهيرنا، لم أستطع التخلي عن زملائي في أهم مباراة في الموسم، بذلت قصارى جهدي على أرض الملعب من أجل الفريق، مثلما أفعل دائمًا”.
وواصل: “لكن كان عليّ أيضًا إيجاد طريقة للبقاء وفيًا لمعتقداتي الشخصية والدينية، لقد اختار الدوري فرض شعارًا يمثل قضية لا أؤيدها باحترام بسبب إيماني”.
وأردف: “لذلك اتخذت قرارًا بتغطية الشعار (حجب ما يخص دعم المثلية على قميصه في مباراة الأمس)، ذلك ليس إهانة لأحد، بل لحماية ضميري والتمسك بمبادئي”.
وشدد: “أنا أؤمن بأن دعم أي قضية يجب أن ينبع من القلب وأن يكون مسألة اختيار شخصي، وليس التزامًا إجباريًا، الاحترام يجب أن يكون متبادلًا، مثلما يُطلب منا احترام الآخرين، نطلب أيضًا احترام معتقداتنا وقيمنا”.
واسترسل: “أعلم أن البعض سيختلف مع قراري، لكنني تصرفت بصدق واحترام وضمير مرتاح”.
واختتم قائلًا: “دعونا نواصل العمل على خلق عالم حيث يمكننا أن نعيش معًا بسلام، حتى عندما لا نتفق جميعًا”.
I have received a lot of offensive messages to not play yesterday’s game and even after the game. but Yesterday’s match was incredibly important for our club, our fans and i couldn’t abandon my team mates in the most important game of the season , i gave everything on the pitch… pic.twitter.com/iqXZY0eVnr — Ahmed Hassan Kouka (@HassanKouka) May 18, 2025
Fabrizio Romano has shared late-window transfer news involving Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca’s side expected to orchestrate some last-gasp activity as we fast approach the deadline on 3rd February.
Enzo Maresca shares transfer update out of Chelsea
By Maresca’s own admission, nothing can be ruled out in the next 48 hours at Stamford Bridge, with incomings and departures expected to take place.
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According to credible media sources, Chelsea have been targeting a new forward and midfielder for Maresca, while it is rumoured that the likes of Axel Disasi, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and others may well leave the club (Simon Phillips).
When asked about what Chelsea are planning in these final days of the window, Maresca remained coy, but did suggest that the club will be active.
Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures
Date
West Ham (away)
February 3rd
Brighton (away)
February 14th
Aston Villa (away)
February 22nd
Southampton (home)
February 25th
Leicester City (home)
March 9th
“You can expect players to arrive, and you can expect players to be leaving,” said Maresca on the rest of Chelsea’s transfer window.
“It is like this in this moment. I don’t have any ideas about the ones that can leave and the ones that can arrive. Anything can happen. For me, the main focus is on 48 hours, the game and is the main focus and the most important thing.”
Nicolas Jackson has failed to score in his last seven league games, with his last goal coming midway through December against Brentford, and this may have prompted Chelsea to look at alternatives to the Senegalese.
Chelsea hold a serious interest in signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, and the possibility of a swap deal involving Nkunku has been floated by the press.
While those talks have died down in recent weeks, Chelsea’s pursuit of Tel is an ongoing situation.
Chelsea "in contact" over signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich
According to Romano, via X, Chelsea are “in contact” over signing Tel from Bayern after he rejected a move to Tottenham – but they still face plenty of competition.
“Mathys Tel and his agent are in Munich together to assess all options after rejecting Spurs proposal,” said Romano.
“Tottenham will explore other targets while Tel will consider other bids for loan/permanent move. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa, all in contact.”
The 19-year-old, who can play anywhere across the frontline, is a striker capable of scoring 40 goals a season, according to former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, but he hasn’t quite managed to become a mainstay under Vincent Kompany.
Spurs agreed a £50 million fee with Bayern for his services, so Chelsea know the price required to lure him away from Bavaria if they wish to strike a permanent move.
“He does extraordinary things,” said Thierry Henry.
“When he enters a match, you see it. Already, he is scoring goals. When he comes on, he always faces forward. And even if he plays only one minute, he creates two chances.”
Tottenham Hotspur are evaluating the possibility of a late January bid to sign a Juventus transfer target, amid reports he could cost under £30 million to bring in this month.
Ange Postecoglou shares January transfer update at Tottenham
Speaking ahead of their trip to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou shared an update on the state of play in regard to the club’s winter window transfer activity.
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Tottenham fell short in their pursuit of PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani, who joined Juventus on a season-long loan deal, with time slowly running out for technical director Johan Lange and chairman Daniel Levy to get extra bodies through the door.
The Lilywhites have suffered serious squad shortages throughout 2024/2025, thanks to repeated injuries and suspensions, and Postecoglou says the north Londoners are working hard on signing quality new players before deadline day.
Everton (away)
January 19
Leicester City (home)
January 26
Brentford (away)
February 2
Man United (home)
February 16
Ipswich Town (home)
February 22
“Club is working hard as it can and that’s all you can ask for,” said Postecoglou on potential January incomings.
“January’s not an easy month but I do know a lot of work is being done behind the scenes to try to get some reinforcements in.”
The 59-year-old also confirmed Spurs’ previous interest in Kolo Muani, before he opted to join Juve, and Postecoglou also said that he’s not entirely fussed about losing that race for the forward’s signature.
France'sRandalKoloMuanireacts
“For me? No,” said Postecoglou when asked if missing out on Kolo Muani was a blow.
“We were in… Well, it depends what you mean by in. We’ve been interested and were looking at a number of players. But did we get to the point where we thought he was coming to us? No.
“It is tricky as all clubs are finding. And I guess traditionally it ramps up in that final week so we’re approaching there for all clubs. It’s even trickier in January because one you try to acquire a player, the club wants to replace that player. So there’s all sorts of logistics involved.”
Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies will be returning from injury sooner rather than later, but Tottenham have still been linked with a new centre-back for this window alongside an attacker.
Tottenham weighing up January bid for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori
According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori remains a target for Postecoglou’s side after he was linked at the very start of January.
AC Milan's FikayoTomoriand Slovan Bratislava's Idjessi Metoko react
It is believed that Spurs are considering a January bid for Tomori, but face competition from Juve yet again – who’ve tabled an offer to sign the former Chelsea player on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy set at around £21 million.
The Old Lady may fall short, though, as other reports suggest Tomori commands a price tag of around £25 million.
Tottenham are said to be “big fans” of the 27-year-old homegrown centre-back, and they were actually linked with an audacious swap deal for him involving Emerson Royal during Antonio Conte’s days in charge (Calciomercato Web).
Manchester City have held back with their spending in the January transfer window. A terrible run of form between October and December meant the Citizens are only fourth in the Premier League, with 38 points to their name. The 12-point gap between them and Liverpool seems like it could be too big to close.
Yet, that has not stopped them from spending copious amounts of money to try and fix the issues. Two of those have been defensive signings, bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £33.6m plus add-ons. Brazilian talent Vitor Reis also joined the club from Palmeiras for £29.6m.
Palmeiras'VitorReisin action
Not only have they brought in some defensive reinforcements, but City have also added some attacking depth to the squad, notably signing Omar Marmoush.
Why Man City signed Omar Marmoush
The deal for City to sign Marmoush was confirmed on Thursday morning, just hours after their 4-2 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germian in the Champions League. The Egyptian forward cost an initial £59m, with City set to pay an extra £4.2m in add-ons.
It has been a really impressive season for the 25-year-old so far. The forward has 20 goals and 14 assists in just 26 games across all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, registering a goal involvement in all but seven matches.
Perhaps the best contribution from the Egyptian this term came against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. He scored twice and assisted once in a 3-3 draw versus Vincent Kompany’s side, a hugely impressive performance against one of Europe’s heavyweights.
Although he can play out wide or as a second striker, Marmoush has mainly played as a centre-forward this term. That is exactly what the Citizens need, with Erling Haaland the only recognised number nine in the first-team squad.
However, if the 2022/23 treble winners had put their faith in the academy talents they produce, there is another player who could have seamlessly fitted into the City squad this season.
The academy star Man City let get away
The player in question here is Ipswich Town striker and former City academy star Liam Delap. It has been an extraordinary season so far for the 21-year-old, since making a £20m move to East Anglia over the summer.
Delap was part of a golden generation in the City academy, which included the likes of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. There is certainly an argument to say that City should have kept all of those players, given what they have gone on to achieve. However, selling Delap should be right up there given they sold Julian Alvarez last summer.
So far this season, the England U21 international has eight goals and two assists in 21 games for the Tractor Boys. That is impressive in itself, but even more so when you consider how much Kieran McKenna’s side are struggling; they currently sit 18th in the Premier League.
The former City star has scored and assisted in the same game three times this season, including matchwinning contributions away to Tottenham Hotspur and at home against top-four contenders Chelsea.
He has proven why he is a “top striker in the making”, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him.
His underlying numbers via Sofascore this term are impressive. Like Marmoush, he is clearly a clinical striker, with a 22% conversion rate to go along with his eight goals. Delap also works hard off the ball, winning 4.5 duels per game.
Starts
20
Goals
8
Expected goals
6.36xG
Conversion rate
22%
Assists
2
Big chances created
2
Duels won per game
4.5
Valued at a reported £50m by Ipswich according to journalist Simon Phillips, the striker’s trajectory this season has been immense. Whilst his numbers are not on the same level as Marmoush, he is playing for a side threatened with Premier League relegation.
Perhaps Pep Guardiola’s side could have saved themselves the money and kept Delap rather than buying the Egyptian striker. Although the Frankfurt talent joins the club on the back of some good form, maybe the Citizens should have put trust in a key member of their 2020 FA Youth Cup-winning side.
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