Brazilian Serie A side Vasco da Gama reportedly wanted to sign Pepe this summer but the Portugal star rejected the offer.
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Everton are reportedly willing to “take another look” at Dele Alli, but a “significant sum” owed to Tottenham threatens to scupper those plans.
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Barcelona have reportedly opened talks with FC Porto to facilitate the sale of centre-back Mikayil Faye but have one main condition for a deal.
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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe wants to tie Sean Longstaff down to a new contract.
Having come through the youth ranks at Newcastle, the North Shields-born midfielder made his senior debut in August 2018 (via nufc.co.uk). Less than four years on, he’s only seven short of a century of appearances for the Magpies.
The £11.7million-rated 24-year-old was due to be out of contract at the end of the season.
As he contemplates whether to sign on the dotted line, he’s may need assurances over playing time next season. Longstaff has made 22 Premier League appearances, 13 of them starts, so far this term.
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The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder relayed an update on Longstaff on Twitter on Thursday evening.
“Eddie Howe hoping to complete [a] deal for [the] midfielder,” he wrote.
In the attached story, he explains that Newcastle actually opened negotiations over the contract in 2019, but they stalled.
Longstaff apparently has other offers, but Howe wants to keep him at St James’ Park with a four-year commitment.
It was looking a little bleak for Longstaff’s Newcastle future early in Howe’s reign.
He played 19 minutes of the manager’s first game against Brentford, but watched the next five from the sidelines.
However, he’s featured in 11 of the 19 matches since then and though that may not be quite the level of involvement he’d ideally like, it does show his value as a squad player.
Indeed, Howe and the club hierarchy may have decided that replacing Longstaff, who would be leaving on a free, would needlessly consume a portion of their summer transfer budget.
He’s a highly capable of midfielder himself, winning praise from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Ryder, who dubbed him ‘fantastic’.
In other news, Luke Edwards rages over this Newcastle leak.
Oh to be Manchester United's misfiring striker, Rasmus Hojlund right now.
Burdened with being the man to lead Erik ten Hag's attack at the age of just 20 – having scored only nine league goals last season for Atalanta – it is fair to say that the £72 summer signing has not yet found his groove at Old Trafford.
While Ten Hag's first-choice target, Harry Kane, is off scoring a bucket-load in Germany – already boasting 22 Bundesliga goals this season – Hojlund, meanwhile, has only one Premier League goal to show for his efforts.
|
Most big chances missed in 2023/24 – Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Players |
Chances missed |
League goals |
|
Darwin Nunez |
18 |
5 |
|
Erling Haaland |
17 |
14 |
|
Ollie Watkins |
13 |
9 |
|
Nicolas Jackson |
13 |
7 |
|
Dominic Calvert-Lewin |
9 |
3 |
|
Rasmus Hojlund |
9 |
1 |
|
Alexander Isak |
9 |
10 |
|
Stats via Premier League |
||
There were signs of life on the continent as the youngster hit five during the Red Devils' dismal Champions League run, yet it is domestically where he will be truly judged, having also failed to fire during the recent FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic.
That 2-0 triumph over the League One outfit could have been all the more comfortable had Hojlund had his shooting boots on, notably striking the crossbar with a header from close range, while also prodding an effort agonisingly wide with the goal at his mercy.
If it wasn't already evident prior to that performance, the Old Trafford outfit must now be aware that signing a new striker is a necessity, either this month or in the summer, particularly with the typically unreliable Anthony Martial also nowhere to be seen due to illness.
The Athletic revealed last week that United are yet again seeking a low-cost, short-term fix in the winter window, having previously snapped up the likes of Wout Weghorst and Odion Ighalo in desperate late deals in years gone by.
The likes of Serhou Guirassy, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Mouting and Thomas Muller are all said to have been considered by Ten Hag and co, while contact had even been made regarding a move for Timo Werner, prior to the German's recent loan switch to Tottenham Hotspur.
Man Utd could banish Martial by signing “one of the best strikers in the world”
Erik ten Hag is keen to improve his attack this winter by signing a Ligue 1 star.
By
Tom Lever
Jan 10, 2024
In truth, none of those options will have had supporters licking their lips, with both Choupo-Mouting and Muller well into their 30's, while – as The Athletic noted – there are fears that Guirassy may merely be enjoying something of a freak season.
One name that may spark some more excitement, however, is Joshua Zirkzee, with recent reports in Italy indicating that the Dutchman is of interest to those at Old Trafford, amid his sparkling form for Bologna.
Valued at around €20m (£17m) according to CIES Football Observatory, the 22-year-old is said to have a €40m (£34m) release clause in his current deal, although further reports have indicated that the Italian outfit would be looking for closer to £50m, amid interest from Arsenal.
While the cash-strapped United may have to bide their time until the summer to land the 6 foot 4 striker, he would certainly be worth the wait.
Amid the woes of Hojlund, signing another striker from Serie A may have alarm bells wringing, yet all the indications point to a player who has the tools to be a real superstar in a United shirt.
Despite previously failing to flourish at Bayern, for whom he made just 17 first-team appearances, Zirkzee truly came to life during the 2021/22 campaign while on loan at Anderlecht, scoring 18 goals in all competitions under the watchful eye of then-boss, Vincent Kompany.
A move to Italy soon followed, and while two goals in 19 league games last term is nothing to write home about, a return of eight goals and four assists so far in 2023/24 has certainly caught the attention, as to have the plaudits that have flooded his way.
A towering, yet elegant marksman, the former Netherlands U21 international has even earned comparisons to a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Torino boss Ivan Juric only recently stating:
“Those who are good (coaches), take these talents, cultivate them and manage to make them explode. In some moves, I see Ibra again. He is an atypical striker who also manages to score many goals.”
The now-retired Swede – who is also a physical frontman at 6 foot 5 – previously shone during his brief stint in Manchester, scoring 28 goals in all competitions in 2016/17, as Jose Mourinho's side claimed the League Cup and Europa League.
What was also evident from that short spell was the veteran's link-up play as he also contributed ten assists that season, with that also a trait that Zirkzee shares, notably providing 13 assists during his time in Belgium.
Not only could the Bologna gem prove to be United's next Zlatan if a deal was to be agreed, but he could also rival a man who is ripping up the league on the other side of the city, having been favourably compared to Manchester City's, Erling Haaland.
It doesn't take a genius to see that Zirkzee is nowhere close to hitting the type of goal returns that Haaland has enjoyed in his career to date, with the Norwegian already smashing in 71 goals in just 75 games during his time at the Etihad.
That said, the Dutchman's all-round game could potentially be superior – that's the view of reporter Suleyman Ozturk, at least, who has sensationally claimed that the former Bayern man is "better than Haaland at everything":
“Now you may be dismayed because of this statement. But I will frame it. (Zirkzee) has vision, technique, strength, charisma, flair, footballing ability. He is therefore better than Haaland in almost everything.
“Imagine if Zirkzee had the energy and focus of Haaland. Then he would be the best striker in the world.”
On the eye test, Zirkzee certainly passes with flying colours, seemingly possessing an ability to glide across the park, with data analyst Ben Mattinson hailing him as "one of the most complete" strikers of the season, due to his array of strengths – "A creator, physical presence, ball-striking, dribbling & taking on defenders".
That is reflected statistically, as the one-time Parma loanee ranks in the top 18% among his European peers for successful take-ons per 90, and in the top 22% for progressive passes per 90, rubberstamping his silky quality in possession.
Haaland, meanwhile, is less likely to impact proceedings in the build-up, as he ranks in just the bottom 24% and the bottom 22% for those same two metrics, respectively, instead acting as an undoubtedly clinical penalty box poacher.
It can be seen then in that regard that Zirkzee may have more strings to his bow than the 23-year-old, with the next step now to truly begin to flourish as a prolific presence in front of goal in his own right.
Such talents, of course, are unlikely to come cheap, but this Ibrahimovic heir may well be the man to ease the burden on Hojlund's young shoulders.
Tottenham Hotspur showed why, under Ange Postecoglou, that at their best they are a force to be reckoned with on Sunday afternoon.
Spurs have flattered to deceive at points this term, notably losing to a winless Crystal Palace a week ago, but since then have shown why teams should be scared of them, beating Manchester City in the cup and then smacking four past Aston Villa in a 4-1 victory.
No team in the Premier League up to this point have scored more than their 22 goals. They are full of life and can outscore pretty much any team they face.
Dominic Solanke – who scored twice at the weekend – will no doubt take the plaudits but another face was just as good, if not better, than the striker. It was a display that had shades of a certain Mousa Dembele.
“Dembele was probably the best player I’ve ever seen play football,” remarked Kyle Walker many moons ago. He was “a freak of nature” in the words of Eric Dier.
Gain such fine praise from your pears and it’s hardly a surprise that he was so loved at White Hart Lane.
Dembele had the poise and grace of the finest footballers in the game but he combined that with a steely physical nature. In essence, he had it all. He could score goals, he could tackle ruthlessly and he could pick a pass.
One of his finest campaigns on English shores came in 2015/16 and to give credence to the claims we’ve just offered, he was involved in four goals, registered 2.9 successful dribbles per game and won 3.6 tackles per match. Yeah, he was everywhere, he did it all.
So, when the Belgian decided to leave for China in 2019, it was a sad day for Spurs supporters. Arguably since that day, they have struggled to find a player with similar qualities. That’s perhaps until the win over Aston Villa.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
There were a number of key performers in that win over Unai Emery’s team on Sunday, not least Solanke who was the scorer of two goals.
However, Pape Matar Sarr deserves an equal amount of praise for a display that Football.London felt obliged to hand a 9/10 rating.
In the words of GOAL’s Mitch Fretton, the Senegalese was a “monster” in the middle of the park and although he perhaps didn’t show the same level of drive with the ball, failing to attempt a single dribble, he was very much Dembele-esque in a lot of the work he got through.
|
Sarr vs Aston Villa |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
90 |
|
Touches |
80 |
|
Accurate passes |
59/64 (92%) |
|
Key passes |
1 |
|
Shots |
4 |
|
Ground duels won |
2/7 |
|
Aerial duels won |
1/2 |
|
Possession lost |
7x |
|
Clearances |
3 |
|
Interceptions |
2 |
|
Tackles |
0 |
|
Stats via Sofascore. |
|
In the process of winning three duels, completing a supremely impressive 92% of his passes and boasting more touches (80) than anyone on the field, his finest action came when helping Spurs score their third goal of the game.
If the fact he had more touches than anyone else didn’t give you Dembele vibes then the way he broke up the play for Solanke’s second of the day should.
Sarr pounced on Pau Torres’ loose ball before darting forward with his great lengthy strides and sending it through to Richarlison who laid it on a plate for the £65m signing to score from. It was one of two interceptions from the young 22-year-old who should now be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
He drives his team forward, breaks up the play brilliantly and covers so much ground for his team. All of a sudden he is vital to the way Postecoglou wants his team to play.
Spurs thought they'd signed the new Mousa Dembele, then he left for free
The promising star couldn’t make it work at Spurs.
2
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Nov 2, 2024
After going unsold at the auction last year, he will now replace Tom Abell at Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Firdose Moonda02-Feb-2023Temba Bavuma’s performances in South Africa’s 2-1 ODI series win over England have landed him an SA20 deal after he was snubbed at the auction last year. Bavuma will replace Tom Abell at Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Bavuma’s big-hitting impressed the franchise to call him in for Abell, who will be joining England Lions.Bavuma was South Africa’s leading run-scorer in the series, with 180 runs from three matches, which was his most successful as an ODI batter. He struck a match-winning century in the second ODI, which also sealed the series, and maintained a strike rate of over 100 throughout the three matches. Having previously been criticised for his lack of big-hitting, Bavuma hit 23 fours and three sixes on two of the biggest grounds in South Africa in Bloemfontein and Kimberley, and also led the South African side well.
Bavuma has been under criticism for his poor scoring rate in T20Is. He had also spoken of his “disappointment” at not being picked in the SA20 auction last September. He had set his base price at Rand 850,000 (US$48,000 approx.) but did not find any takers. Despite being South Africa’s white-ball captain, not getting picked in his country’s T20 league had “let him down”. However, he redeemed himself in white-ball cricket with a series-winning, high-quality hundred against England in the second ODI.After his hundred, Bavuma spoke about the pride he felt in being able to show people “I am still here”, and said he had worked with stand-in coach Shukri Conrad on changing his mindset to be able to take on bowlers more. His back-foot play and his shot selection against spinners were particularly impressive, and later he said it was one of his best innings.
Mason Greenwood has admitted that he has not hit the same kind of levels recently as he did at the start of his Marseille career.
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Liverpool are looking to complete the signing of an “incredible” player next year, potentially beating rivals Manchester United to his signature, among others.
The Reds are back in Premier League action on Sunday action on Sunday afternoon, making the trip to Burnley in a game that many will expect to see the visitors win comfortably.
For Alexander Isak, it has the potential to be a special day, with the Swede in line to make his debut at some point, even if it is from the substitutes’ bench.
The 25-year-old took part in his first training session for Liverpool on Wednesday, with footage showing the elite finishing ability that he has in his locker, and why the Premier League champions were willing to pay Newcastle United a record-breaking £125m for his services.
Granted, Isak needs time to build up his match fitness, so as mentioned, Hugo Ekitike is likely to be preferred at Burnley this weekend, but a second-half cameo feels on the cards, in what is hopefully the first of many appearances in a Liverpool shirt.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now battling to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in 2026, whether that be in January or next summer.
Man Utd “face a fierce battle” with their biggest rivals, with FSG now entering the race, whereas Newcastle United and Chelsea are also mentioned as options for the £60m-rated England international.
Wharton is one of the most exciting young English players around currently, already becoming such an accomplished footballer at the age of just 21.
The Palace star is an elegant player with a lovely left foot, and he possesses the ability to both dictate play from a deep midfield role, but also shine out of possession, displaying good positional sense and a strong work ethic.
Wharton, who has won two of his three games against the Reds (66%), could be a brilliant squad addition for Liverpool, coming in as a replacement for Wataru Endo, before maturing into a key starter, having been lauded by former Palace teammate Eberechi Eze.
“Playing with him at Palace, I’ve got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He’s very calm, composed, and a joy to play with. For someone so young, he’s very mature and very wise. When you speak to him, it feels like you’re speaking to someone older than you, that’s the type of person he is. He’s an incredible player.”
"Huge money" – Liverpool eye 2026 move for "magician" after Isak and Wirtz
What a signing this could be.
By
Henry Jackson
Sep 9, 2025
There was a time when United were clearly the more exciting proposition than Liverpool, but that has changed significantly in the modern game, and the hope is that Wharton sees the champions as his best future option, picking them over the Red Devils and other suitors.
Gio Reyna has opened up about the controversy that marred his 2022 World Cup, reflecting on his fallout with then-U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter and the lessons learned from that turbulent period. The U.S. international admitted he would handle certain moments differently if given the chance but insisted he shouldn’t shoulder all the blame for what unfolded.