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It's been no secret this transfer window that Derby County have been chasing the services of Michael Smith, the Rams rumour mill dominated by constant conversation over whether or not the Sheffield Wednesday talisman will finally relocate to Paul Warne's side.

With that move looking rather dead in the water now, the Rams have been forced to look elsewhere to bolster their attacking spots – the League One automatic promotion candidates in even more need of added reinforcements up top now owing to Tyreece John-Jules' serious injury knock.

Warne hasn't gone majorly left-field when looking at other targets away from Smith, however, with the former Rotherham United boss still going after a Wednesday player in this potential incoming.

Derby going after League One promotion winner

According to the Sheffield Star, Derby are now looking at a second Owls striker in the form of Lee Gregory on a loan deal until the end of the season. It's stated talks have already taken place between the respective parties.

The report does further state that both Smith and Gregory wouldn't come to Pride Park hand-in-hand though, with the third tier side facing similar hurdles this time around to land Gregory that kept tripping the Owls up in their pursuit of Smith – financial restraints getting in their way yet again.

If Wednesday could pull off a dramatic deal for Gregory, this last-gasp transfer could well prove to be the perfect Smith alternative with the 35-year-old attacker also previously prolific in League One.

How Gregory fits into the Derby team

With Warne having to play Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in a number ten spot last match against Cheltenham Town to make up for John-Jules' absence, signing a new striker recruit in Gregory could see the Rams manager go back-to-basics with a switch to a 4-4-2 formation to slot the current Owls man in alongside James Collins.

The deal would even see Gregory return to Pride Park after a short but sweet loan stint back in 2021, bagging three goals in 11 games.

Collins and Gregory could well combine to devastating effect in a strike partnership together if the 35-year-old returns to Derby, Gregory always hitting double figures whenever he's played a full season in the third tier with five strikes from 11 games in the lottery of the League One playoffs also showcasing his deadly knack of scoring when it matters.

It's why former Millwall teammate Tom Bradshaw described the potent centre-forward as "instrumental" to his own development as a clinical goalscorer, the Lions striker at the time modelling his own game on Gregory's craft.

The 35-year-old even netted Wednesday's first goal of their somewhat topsy-turvy Championship campaign to date, the EFL veteran almost effortless in his approach to finding the back of the net.

Not being able to secure a deal for Smith would have stung, especially with Warne's close connection to the ex-Millers man, but any annoyance over that transfer falling flat would be swept to one side if the Rams could land this alternative target before the close of the window tomorrow.

The allrounder had hurt his back while fielding in the second T20I on Tuesday

Deivarayan Muthu08-Jan-2020Sri Lanka allrounder Isuru Udana has been sidelined from the team’s must-win third T20I against India in Pune on Friday with a back injury. The 31-year had injured himself during India’s chase in the second T20I on Tuesday night, while attempting to stop the ball at short third man. Udana immediately hobbled off the field and did not return to take the ball.Udana’s injury depleted Sri Lanka’s attack although Dasun Shanaka stepped in and bowled four tidy overs, giving up 26 runs. India eventually chased down the target of 143 with seven wickets and 15 balls to spare, handing Sri Lanka their fourth successive defeat in the format. India are now 1-0 up in the three-match series, with the first T20I in Guwahati having been abandoned without a ball being bowled.After the loss in Indore, Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur said that Udana had hurt his back and was in “hell a lot of pain.” Despite being ruled out, Udana will work with the physio and stay back with the squad in Pune.

Dani Ceballos reached out to Roberto De Zerbi to explain his decision to reject Marseille's offer as the midfielder opted to stay at Real Madrid. The French side approached the Spaniard late in the transfer window and even reached a deal with Madrid, with De Zerbi eager to make him a key player following Adrien Rabiot's exit.

• Why Ceballos' move to Marseille never materialised

  Madrid splashed lavishly in the transfer market, signing the likes of Alvaro Carreras, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono. New head coach Xabi Alonso reportedly demanded a midfielder, too, but the Spanish heavyweights didn't sign one. As the transfer window approached its end, speculation surrounding Ceballos' future started to intensify. After rumours of a return to Real Betis, all signs pointed towards Ceballos calling curtains on his Madrid career by writing "Last dance" on his Instagram story. This action was followed by Marseille ramping up their efforts to close a deal to sign the ex-Arsenal loanee. An agreement worth €15 million (£13m/$16m) had been finalised between Marseille and Madrid, but Ceballos' last-minute change of heart and hesitation to leave Madrid led to the deal collapsing.

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  De Zerbi receives apology from Ceballos

  In the wake his decision to reject the offer, the 29-year-old personally called Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi over phone and asked for forgiveness, reports. The Italian coach had gone to great lengths to sign him and had convinced Ceballos that he would be central to his plans at Stade Velodrome. Nevertheless, the Spaniard opted to remain part of Alonso's team.

  “The Dani Ceballos situation stays between us. He is a great player. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out and he missed out on playing for a special club," said De Zerbi on Monday.

• Ceballos could still be crucial to Alonso and Madrid

  With Alonso eventually confirming that Ceballos would remain a part of his roster for this season, expectations were that he would struggle to find regular playing time. Aurelien Tchouameni has already been described as the "pillar" of Madrid by Alonso, Fede Valverde remains a guaranteed starter and Arda Guler has become the team's chief orchestrator. It became increasingly difficult to see where Ceballos would fit in, but Alonso has given him reason to be optimistic.

  Ceballos clockied 68 minutes as a starter against Real Sociedad at the weekend after making three appearances off the bench. Given how congested the calendar is, Ceballos will fancy his chances of carving out an important role in midfield as the season progresses.

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  Will Ceballos start against Marseille?

  Whether he keeps his place in the starting XI for Tuesday’s Champions League clash hinges on whether Valverde is fit enough to start. The Uruguayan was left out of the starting XI after personally requesting a rest from Alonso, citing fatigue from the international break. Ceballos put in a solid performance against Real Sociedad on Saturday and will likely be the obvious choice if Alonso decides to give Valverde another game off.

There's no denying that Leeds United have started the new year with a bang, romping to three successive 3-0 victories across the Championship and FA Cup, with even the returning Patrick Bamford now fit and firing again with a goal in each of those triumphs.

For all the positivity surrounding Elland Road at present, amid those statement showings, manager Daniel Farke is seemingly aware that there is still room for improvement with the club still seven points behind the automatic promotion places.

In order to bridge that gap over the coming months, the Whites must surely act decisively this month in order to strengthen their ranks, with recent reports indicating that the Yorkshire side do have their eyes set on one intriguing target, in particular.

Leeds eyeing Premier League talent

According to respected insider Phil Hay of The Athletic, Farke views the full-back positions as particular priorities this month, having only recently allowed the likes of Djed Spence and Luke Ayling to depart.

While that has heightened the need for reinforcement at right-back, it is on the opposite flank where the promotion hopefuls could also bolster their ranks, with Hay naming Luton Town's Ryan Giles among those to have been linked with a move to Elland Road.

The 23-year-old only joined the Hatters from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a permanent deal over the summer, although having started just five Premier League games this season, the Englishman may potentially be on his way.

Having previously shone on the last of several loans away from Molineux at Middlesbrough last season, the Telford-born gem – who is valued at €5m (£4m) by CIES Football Observatory – could again wreak havoc in the Championship for Leeds over the coming months.

How Ryan Giles would fit in at Leeds

While the former England U20 international has typically operated as a wing-back in recent seasons with both Luton and Boro, he could well offer a real attack-minded presence at left-back for Farke's side, as showcased by his stellar form last season at the Riverside.

That 2022/23 campaign saw Giles register a remarkable haul of 12 assists in all competitions – 11 of which came in 45 outings in the second tier – ensuring he could offer a real creative outlet for the likes of Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe to feed off.

As new Birmingham City boss Tony Mowbray previously stated, the 6 foot ace has "got fantastic talent, brilliant speed, amazing technique on his left foot", ensuring he could also strike up a devastating partnership with Crysencio Summerville down the left flank.

The young Dutchman has emerged as a real talisman this season with 12 goals and seven assists in just 24 league outings while typically operating down the left, with overlapping runs from the forward-thinking Giles only set to allow him more space to thrive in.

The Luton man would also be able to provide quality service to Summerville down that side having created 23 'big chances' last season while averaging an impressive two key passes per game – further evidence of just what an attacking weapon he is with his wand of a left foot.

Aside from being able to flourish alongside Leeds' number ten, Giles also has the flexibility to be able to feature on the right-hand side if required, with Mowbray hailing his ability to "dance inside like Riyad Mahrez" when operating in that role.

As Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola stated back in 2021, Mahrez is a player of "special quality" who "dances on the pitch", having contributed 82 goals and 61 assists in 284 Premier League games during his time at the Etihad and for Leicester City.

While Giles won't be tasked with operating in quite such an advanced role as the Algerian winger, the fact he has been spoken of so highly should be music to the ears of those at Elland Road.

He and Joe Burns added 222 for the first wicket as Australia lost just one wicket on the second day

The Report by Andrew McGlashan22-Nov-2019David Warner managed to eclipse his meager Ashes tally in less than two sessions of batting on the way to a cathartic 22nd Test hundred, putting on an opening stand of 222 with the recalled Joe Burns, as Australia enjoyed a dominant day at the Gabba to move into a position from where it’s difficult to see how Pakistan can come back.Warner and Burns, who fell three runs short of his fifth Test century, were not separated until the final session although debutant Naseem Shah was denied his maiden international wicket shortly after lunch when he overstepped having had Warner caught behind on 56.He made the most of his reprieve, reaching his first Test hundred since the 2017 Melbourne Test against England off 180 balls. After a sedate single, he brought out the trademark leap and there was clear emotion as he was congratulated by Burns. It was his fourth hundred at the Gabba – where he also scored a Sheffield Shield century earlier this season – and took his average at the venue over 70.David Warner reached his 22nd Test hundred•AFP

Warner closed unbeaten on 151 albeit with another stroke of fortune when the ball grazed off stump but the bail did not dislodge as he shouldered arms at Imran Khan in the penultimate over. Alongside was Marnus Labuschagne who eased to 55 in a stand of 90 with the lead already at 72 and the prospect of them batting long enough to take the final innings largely out of equation. For the members of the Pakistan attack who were on the previous tour – Khan and Yasir Shah – it would have been a familiar feeling.From the start, Australia set a positive tempo although Burns wasn’t far from falling to his first delivery when he under-edged Khan but the ball did not carry to Mohammad Rizwan. There was a hint of nervousness from the opening pair for a few moments, but Burns’ first boundary was a strong square cut and in the sixth over Warner leaned into a thumping cover drive.Naseem was handed the ball in the seventh over, immediately pushing the speedgun into the high 140s, and in his fourth over registered the fastest ball of the match. There was plenty to get excited about with the smooth action and impressive pace although he had already delivered missed no-ball would come back to haunt him. He returned for a second burst before lunch and struck Burns a painful blow on the elbow with the penultimate ball of the session.One of the curious tactics from Azhar Ali was the use of Iftikhar Ahmed’s part-time offspin ahead of Yasir and the warning signs were flashing for Pakistan as Australia went to lunch on 0 for 100.However, two overs after the break they should have had a huge lift. Warner drove a full delivery from Naseem, got an under edge and the celebrations started as Rizwan took the catch. A moment to savour for the 16-year-old. Then the third umpire was called in to check the no-ball and the image was painful: Naseem’s foot comfortably over the line, no room for any doubt as with Pat Cummins on the opening day.There were consoling pats on the back from team-mates and the incident, while ultimately the bowlers’ fault, brought into the spotlight again the lack of on-field calls for overstepping. At tea, Channel 7 showed there had been 21 missed no-balls in the first two sessions.Pakistan created precious few other chances during the afternoon as Burns joined Warner with a half-century in a rekindling of a productive opening partnership. Both players used their feet nicely to the spinners and the closest they came to being separated was Warner surviving a run out by a frame when Yasir hit direct completing a second on 93.Warner had to take tea on 99 having tried to turn a single into a two on the last ball of the session and Pakistan strung together nine dots before the run to bring up three figures.The opening stand reached 200 – this had been the previous opening pair to reach that mark for Australia, against New Zealand, also at the Gabba, in 2015 – and attention turned to Burns as he approached three figures, his absence from the Ashes looking even stranger.He was within touching distance of centuries in back-to-back Test appearances, following his 180 against Sri Lanka in Canberra, when he missed a sweep at Yasir and was bowled round his legs. He could barely drag himself from the crease, but there would need to be an extraordinary turn of events for him not to have the whole summer to try, finally, to cement that opening role.It has been a while since Australia’s No. 3 has come in with a ball 60 overs old against a tired attack and though Naseem was brought back to Labuschagne there was not quite the life of earlier. At the end of his first day with the ball, Naseem was elevated to take the second new ball but there was no late success to lift him or Pakistan. There will need to be plenty in the morning, although this already feels like a game that has gone. Steven Smith is still to come.

Since arriving in December, Nuno Espirito Santo has identified the striker role as a position to upgrade on at Nottingham Forest, but he is now also on the lookout for a new defender.

However, their search could be put on hold after the club has been charged with a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the defender who could become the perfect partner for Murillo.

Forest’s search for a centre-back

According to reports from TEAMtalk earlier this week, Forest are interested in signing Trevoh Chalobah this month.

The Chelsea defender rejected a move to the Tricky Trees in the summer, but it is believed he could make the switch due to his desire to remain in England.

The Blues will reportedly accept a bid of £25m for the defender, but Forest will face competition from a couple of Italian clubs, notably Napoli.

How Chalobah would fit in the Forest team

Since moving to Forest in the summer for around £15m, Murillo has been a rock at the heart of the backline. The left-footed star has featured as the left centre-back in 15 Premier League matches this season, and since entering the starting XI, he has yet to be displaced.

Nottingham Forest

Location

Nottingham, England

Owner

Evangelos Marinakis

Stadium

The City Ground

Established

1865

Manager

Sean Dyche

Nottingham Forest FC is a professional football club based in Nottingham, England. Forest are one of six English clubs to win the European Cup (Champions League). Forest play matches in the Premier League, the top tier of the English Football league system.

Nottingham Forest Standings| Nottingham Forest on TV| Transfer News

Furthermore, before this weekend, the Brazilian ranked first for the most clearances per ninety minutes (6) for players aged 21 or less throughout the entirety of Europe's top five leagues.

However, for the side to really develop into a top-half team, they must sign a right centre-back to partner Murillo, and Chalobah would be perfect for the role.

The Chelsea defender hasn’t played a single game of football all season, with the club’s never-ending recruitment and Chalobah’s need for minutes pushing him further down the pecking order. However, prior to the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, the 24-year-old was a frequent starter for the Blues, playing 25 times in the Premier League last season.

Nonetheless, the table below shows a handful of Chalobah’s statistics from the last year across the top European leagues.

Chalobah has been described as a “monster” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig for his ability to dominate both with and without the ball, with the ex-Huddersfield loanee extremely comfortable dealing with attackers who are direct, due to his athletic frame That makes him dynamic, as shown by his impressive tackling numbers.

The Chelsea star’s biggest attribute is his ability on the ball and confidence to receive it under any circumstance, highlighted by his high touches, successful take-ons, and passes completed. However, he also has the bravery to progress the ball quickly, which is vital when playing for a side that operates on the break.

Therefore, Chalobah would add a nice balance next to Murillo, who tends to progress play via dribbling, as shown by the fact he is in the top 1% for successful take-ons in the Premier League, as per FBref.

Overall, Chalobah is an extremely talented defender who needs the right environment to flourish, and he could do just that next to Murillo at Forest.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is in contention to win the Championship PFA Player of the Year, along with two Leeds United stars.

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• New Chelsea signing nominated for award
• Leeds duo up for prize too
• Four of nominees will play in Premier League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The PFA have announced their six nominees for the Championship Player of the Year award, which is voted for by fellow players. Dewsbury-Hall, who left Leicester to join Chelsea early in the summer, is one such nominee after scoring 12 goals and registering 14 assists as the Foxes won promotion to the Premier League.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Dewsbury-Hall is joined on the shortlist by Ipswich Town's Leif Davis and Southampton's Adam Armstrong, as well as Leeds duo Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter. Davis, Armstrong and Summerville will all be playing Premier League football this season, with the latter joining West Ham. Sammie Szmodics of Blackburn is also nominated.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Dewsbury-Hall has signed a deal with Chelsea until 2029 and will be out to replicate his performances for Leicester at Stamford Bridge this season. The 25-year-old made 129 appearances for the Foxes.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The winner of the Championship PFA Player of the Year will be announced later this month, on August 20. Dewsbury-Hall will hope to tie a bow on his Leicester career by winning the prize.

The legspinner took three wickets including the last with just seven balls left in the day

Alex Malcolm15-Nov-2019Queensland legspinner Mitchell Swepson bowled the Bulls to a dramatic last-gasp victory after a calamitous collapse from Victoria on the final day at the MCG.The home side needed 190 from 75 overs for their first win of the season but were bowled out for 130 with just seven balls left in the day.Victoria’s last pair of Chris Tremain and Jon Holland had to survive 59 deliveries in the fading light after the chase was aborted in the last session. Tremain did an outstanding job facing 82 balls for 18 not out while Holland absorbed 27 balls without scoring. But Swepson, who had already pinned Sam Harper and Peter Siddle lbw earlier in the day, slid a fuller ball through the defence of Holland and umpire Shawn Craig raised his finger to raucous celebration from Queensland.The umpires had played a significant part in the fourth innings. Victoria started their chase well reaching 41 without loss but lost two wickets in two overs. The second, Eamonn Vines, was given out caught down the leg side when the ball came off his armpit with his gloves raised high above his head.Siddle was unimpressed with his lbw decision suggesting he had hit it, but Queensland were mystified shortly after when Tremain was claimed at second slip off Blake Edwards. The visitors were adamant it came straight off the outside edge but the umpire was certain it came off the back pad.Queensland’s quicks applied pressure all day with all four claiming important breakthroughs at various stages before Swepson finished the job.The bowlers also made major contributions with the bat in the third innings to set up the win. Mark Steketee made his just second first-class half-century and Jimmy Peirson made an excellent unbeaten 51 to extend the lead to 189. James Pattinson bowled with pace early on the final day to claim two wickets to finish with four for the innings.But Victoria remain winless while Queensland vault to second on the table.

Ben McDermott, Jordan Silk and George Bailey hit half-centuries to lead a comfortable chase

Andrew McGlashan23-Oct-2019Nathan Ellis claimed his maiden five-wicket as Tasmania hauled themselves off the foot of the Marsh Cup table by overturning a star-studded New South Wales side at North Sydney Oval.Ellis, who made his Western Australia debut at the start of the competition, claimed 5 for 38 as New South Wales were bowled out for 237 with almost seven overs remaining.They had been set back early in the day when Riley Meredith continued his good time in Sydney by removing David Warner and Steven Smith inside the first six overs to follow the five-wicket haul he claimed in the Sheffield Shield match.On a small ground with a fast outfield New South Wales needed their international attack – featuring Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their first matches of the season – to pull the game out of the bag, but Ben McDermott warmed up for his return to Australia’s T20I set-up with a crisp half-century.McDermott began the chase by taking 12 off Mitchell Starc’s opening over with three drives and in all 46 off his 58 runs came in boundaries before he was bowled attempting a reverse sweep off Nathan Lyon.He had formed a brisk opening stand of 61 with Caleb Jewell to set Tasmania on their way in the chase until Jewell was bowled off his pads by Hazlewood as he walked across the crease. Hazlewood returned to trap Beau Webster lbw to give New South Wales a glimmer with Tasmania 3 for 113.From there, however, the stand-in captain Jordan Silk – covering from the injured Matthew Wade – and George Bailey eased towards the target with a stand of 118 in 21 overs. Bailey, who was left out of the Sheffield Shield match, moved to fifty from 59 deliveries and Silk matched that with a top-edged six off Cummins who recorded none for 62 off his 10 overs.Tasmania had put New South Wales into bat on a ground where it is difficult to defend. Meredith struck in his second when Warner toe-ended a pull back to the bowler and then again in his next when Smith clipped straight to square leg, to the disappointment of himself and the crowd that had come to watch in anticipation.Silk produced an excellent piece of fielding with an under-arm flick to run out Moises Henriques after Daniel Hughes called a risky single and Hughes became Ellis’ first wicket when he was given caught down the leg side.Matthew Gilkes gave another glimpse of his talent with some glorious shots in a better than run-a-ball 43 before driving a catch to cover. The lower all managed to chip in alongside captain Peter Nevill but couldn’t transform the innings as Ellis hit the stumps four times, the delivery take Cummins off stump being especially eye-catching.The defeat all-but ends New South Wales’ hopes of reaching the final.

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.

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.

Latest on Man Utd's hunt for a striker

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.

Joshua Zirkzee could be the next Zlatan

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.

How Zirkzee compares to 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.