Leeds: Farke Could Sign £15m "Warrior" To Repeat Jack Harrison Success

Leeds United have already bolstered their backline considerably this summer, yet there remains one more addition they could make to truly forge a formidable defence once again…

Is Taylor Harwood-Bellis leaving Manchester City?

Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow marked fine additions to kickstart Daniel Farke's reign, but he will still be far from comfortable going into the new Championship campaign, which gets underway this Sunday.

He will want to build for the future, whilst also ensuring that their Premier League absence is considerably shorter than their last.

In an effort to achieve both of these feats in one fell swoop, the reports linking them with a move for Taylor Harwood-Bellis should have fans thrilled, especially after the exceptional past year the young defender has enjoyed, which has led to such widespread interest.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

With Manchester City set to command just £15m for his services, such a deal would represent a no-brainer for the promotion-chasing Whites seeking to put themselves in the strongest position to succeed this season.

How good is Taylor Harwood-Bellis?

To once again raid the Etihad for talent would be to repeat a thorough success of the past, given Jack Harrison was a famous export from the Sky Blues who has gone on to shine at Elland Road.

Despite only joining permanently in 2021, the 26-year-old has featured 206 times for the club due to his near-three-year loan spell, as a mainstay under every boss that has passed through in recent terms.

Although his form might have waned for periods, he has remained one of the few consistent quality assets at the Yorkshire outfit, with his figures seldom letting the side down.

Just last season saw him post 12 goal contributions in the league as they fell to the drop, building on the eight goals and one assist he recorded the year prior. To emphasise his longevity at the club, he even notched 14 goal contributions during their last promotion.

There is no doubting his quality, which Marcelo Bielsa sought to showcase in 2021:

"He’s a player who, when he manages to play at his best version, he has a big influence on our offensive game".

To think, the English trickster was signed for just £11m, marking yet another coup that they could be set to emulate with Harwood-Bellis.

jack-harrison

The 21-year-old centre-back has most recently enjoyed a standout year on loan at Burnley, featuring 32 times in the league as they walked to the Championship title.

His 7.21 average rating was the second-best among Vincent Kompany's players, and was buoyed by his 85% pass accuracy, 1.8 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Then, after adding one piece of silverware to his cabinet, he then captained the England U21 side to the European Championship, winning the tournament without conceding a single goal.

He truly is a formidable leader, with the figures to suggest he could even surpass Harrison's legacy should he grow into the player his potential suggests he might.

Tony Mowbray, who enjoyed his services whilst at Blackburn Rovers, helped to outline the bright future in question further:

"Taylor has a defensive instinct, a warrior attitude and he’s someone who wants to win headers and tackles. He wants to engage, he’s composed on the ball and has a lot of really good attributes."

If Harwood-Bellis can realise even half the potential that he is gathering with his ever-improving performances, then he would not just emulate but demolish the success enjoyed with their signing of Harrison from City.

'My body will be at peace'

Full transcript of Ashish Nehra’s post-match interview with host broadcaster Star Sports following his final international appearance

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Nov-20172:13

‘Can’t wake up and train just for IPL’ – Nehra

Sanjay Manjrekar: It’s nice after retirement when you can take a lap of the ground, walking. You don’t have to run anymore and train for your next game.Ashish Nehra: I will miss all this. That’s what you train for. Like I have said earlier also, the one thing which will definitely be at peace and relaxed will be my body, because I really pushed myself. Earlier, I said I could have pushed myself for another couple of months or years, who knows? But I thought it’s the right time when you’re playing. You can’t get bigger than this or better than this when you’re retiring in blue clothes.Must also be a nice feeling to bowl the last over with 60 runs to win because that doesn’t happen very often in T20 cricket.I must be one bowler who bowled the last over most number of times for India. But maybe the pressure on those occasions was different, with 6, 8, 10 or 12 to defend. Today, there was no pressure. And it’s a good feeling. Virat was on my case from the last two-three overs to bowl one over; I said I’ll bowl the last one for sure.Your journey started in 1999. You almost went through two generations of Indian players. How did the game change from the time you started playing to now?It’s a big change. I have seen the last 18-19 years. I played my first game here in 1997, which was 20 years ago. And the game has changed drastically since then. The rules have changed and so many runs are being scored. But one thing’s for sure: this team is here to stay; doesn’t matter what the rules are, because this is an amazing team. Indian cricket is in good hands for the next six to eight years. I hate comparisons. It’s very difficult to compare that generation to this generation. Earlier also we had superb players; I can’t name one or two. I have played under Sourav Ganguly, MS [Dhoni], played with Sachin [Tendulkar]. All in all, it’s been a great journey.Your most memorable performances? What about against England in Durban where you took six wickets, because that is something that I remember especially.More than the performance, I would definitely say it’s a memory. In India, they remember your memories more. I was telling Viru earlier also; Viru scored so many runs, but when it comes to Virender Sehwag, people say , 300. Or you played so much cricket, but people will always remember that Pakistan double-hundred. So that is one memory with me. You could also say the Karachi last over [in 2004], or people will remember that Ashish Nehra bowled the last over when we lost against South Africa in the [2011] World Cup. So it’s difficult to pick one performance.Sometimes you bowl 10-20 overs and pick one wicket or you don’t pick even a single wicket. But when you go back to your room, you feel today I have bowled well and I’m comfortable. At times, you pick wickets even off a full-toss or because somebody takes a brilliant catch. Those things will always be there, but as a cricketer, ultimately it’s on you when you stand in front of the mirror to realise how well you’re doing or what else you can do.In my case, with my body – I had so many injuries and so many surgeries. So many people have asked me, ‘definitely you would have liked to play more Test cricket?’ And I always say, yeah, but it’s up to you how you see it: glass half-full or half-empty. I played my last Test match 13 years back when I was 24 or 25, but that’s a part of life. In the end, I don’t think there’s anyone more fortunate than me, standing here retiring after 18-19 years at your home ground in blue clothes. I have no regrets.And look at the crowd as well. They were so happy for you when you bowled the final over as well. They were right into it, so this is a great end. Not too many people have the kind of privilege you had today.I just want to thank the crowd. They have been great supporters of Indian cricket. I have been playing on this ground for the last 20 years, they have been great supporters throughout.Well done, Ashish, and have a happy retired life. Enjoy yourself.Thank you very much. I am always happy, retired or otherwise.

WATCH: Luis Suarez bags a brace – including Panenka penalty – in final Gremio game before potential link up with Lionel Messi at MLS side Inter Miami

Luis Suarez is bowing out in style at Gremio, with the Uruguayan – who is expected to head for Inter Miami – bagging a brace in his final appearance.

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Veteran frontman leaving Brazilian footballExpected to head for the United StatesSet to be reunited with former Barca team-matesWHAT HAPPENED?

The veteran striker is calling time on a productive spell in Brazilian football after scoring 29 goals in 54 appearances. The 36-year-old has hinted at long-standing knee problems forcing him to consider retirement, but he is being lined up for one last challenge in MLS alongside former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi.

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Prior to heading to the United States, Suarez brought the curtain down on his stint at Gremio by netting twice in a 3-2 victory over Fluminense. His first of the game was a typical Suarez strike, as he beat the offside trap and raced through on goal to round the goalkeeper and slide into an empty net.

DID YOU KNOW?

Gremio had found themselves trailing in the 34th minute but they turned the tie on its head and Suarez put them in complete control when netting their third of the game just past the hour mark. With confidence flowing, the South American superstar casually clipped home a Panenka penalty – allowing him to sign off in style.

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WHAT NEXT FOR SUAREZ?

As Suarez hits free agency, he is now clear to agree a deal with Inter Miami. If he does move to Florida, then he will link up with Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at DRV PNK Stadium.

Man City Interested In "Amazing" £34m Star

Manchester City have shown "interest" in signing Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who could now be available for less than his €40m (£34m) release clause, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Are Man City signing a midfielder?

Transfer insider Dean Jones believes Man City are weighing up another move for a midfielder, having already agreed a deal to sign Mateo Kovacic for an initial £25m, however, he does not believe it is a priority position for Pep Guardiola, saying:

"They obviously looked at Jude Bellingham and then pulled away from that. Looked at Declan Rice, pulled away from that. So we know there's a temptation there to go for another type of midfielder and an extra body in there.

"At the moment, I'm told it's not a priority. Yes, they've dipped their toes in the water on both of those, thought about going for it, and then not done it.

"But, it's still considered that an extra midfielder for this summer would be a luxury."

However, the Sky Blues are still regularly being linked with a number of potential targets, including Atlanta United attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, although a move for the latter player is currently deemed unlikely.

In the same report, Jones details that Veiga is probably more of a likely acquisition for the Citizens, and Romano has now claimed he could be available for less than initially expected, saying City have shown an interest in the player alongside their attempts to sign RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol, with those at the Etihad set to hold fresh talks over a move for the defender.

“I’m told clubs feel they can make a deal work with bids below the player’s €40m release clause now. For now there doesn’t appear to be a clear preference from the player but really many clubs have looked into it including big names in the Premier League.

“Chelsea are one of them, and there’s also been interest from Man City (who are now focused on Josko Gvardiol), and also Liverpool showed an interest a few weeks ago but are now focused on different players.”

Who is Gabri Veiga?

Former Celta Vigo boss Carlos Carvalhal is responsible for turning the 21-year-old into a deep-lying midfielder, having previously played at number 10, and the Portuguese coach has lauded the way he has adapted to the role, telling Sky Sports: "He accepted that challenge very well. He was absolutely amazing."

The Spaniard scored 11 goals for Celta Vigo last season, the second-highest amount of any player, with Carvalhal praising his clinical nature, saying: "He finishes goals very easily because he was a striker."

Man City were unable to keep hold of Ilkay Gundogan this summer, despite submitting a proposal to keep the German, who scored 11 goals for Guardiola's side last season, playing a vital role en-route to a famous treble.

Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga.

While Guardiola has since bolstered his midfield options by signing Kovacic from Chelsea, the manager could do with bringing in a goal-scoring midfielder, and Veiga has proven that he would be capable of taking on that responsibility.

As such, it would not be a surprise if City make a move for the Celta Vigo star at some point this summer, and it is good news that he could be available for less than his release clause.

Antonee Robinson is on fire! USMNT star bags assist for Fulham – his fifth goal contribution in his last four games

USMNT star Antonee Robinson nabbed an assist for Fulham is classy fashion Monday.

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Robinson delivers assist for FulhamFifth goal contribution in last four gamesIs in brilliant form currentlyWHAT HAPPENED?

Robinson played a lovely one-two on the left side of the pitch before finding Alex Iwobi in the box with a quick low-driven pass. The Nigeria international then smashed it into the back of the net, with Jedi nabbing his fifth goal contribution in his last four games for club and country. The USMNT defender is playing some of the best soccer of his life at the moment!

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Robinson had a slow start to the season for the Cottagers, but November has seen him flip a switch for the English side. He has two assists for Fulham in his past two matches now, and that's on top of two goals and an assist for the USMNT during the international break. If he can maintain this sort of form for his club on a regular basis, it's a big boost for the USMNT and for the Cottagers.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR FULHAM

They've got a date with Liverpool on Sunday, December 3 as the Cottagers look to see off the Premier League heavyweights. As they continue their climb into the top half of the table, it appears that Robinson will play a crucial role for his squad.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney suffer stadium blow at Wrexham as council refuse 'Kop' condition as part of SToK Racecourse upgrade

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have suffered a stadium blow at Wrexham, with full clearance yet to be granted for the club’s rebuilt ‘Kop’ stand.

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  • Hollywood co-owners updating famous venue
  • Work underway on impressive new stand
  • Council yet to green light full capacity
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The ambitious Welsh outfit have seen their Hollywood co-owners generate the funds required to give SToK Racecourse a serious facelift. Part of that project includes refurbishing the famous ‘Kop’ stand, taking its total capacity to 5,500.

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    Planning permission was granted over 12 months ago, with the old terrace being flattened. Wrexham are, however, seeing local authorities restrict them to 4,900 spectators in the new stand once it is completed. That is due to a council-imposed condition regarding the impact of potential river pollution.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Talks regarding the proposed structure have continued for some time, with Reynolds and McElhenney confident that they would receive the required clearance. A decision notice within the planning section of Wrexham council’s website does, however, show that concerns remain and no green light has been given. The decision notice reads: “The council hereby confirms that it considers the amendments, as described in the application, to be material. Your application for a non-material amendment to the above mentioned planning permission is refused. The applicant is advised that there is no right of appeal against the council’s refusal to grant this non-material amendment. The applicant is advised to contact the council to discuss other options and procedures for making the desired changes to the existing planning permission. The applicant is advised to contact the council’s head of community wellbeing and development prior to the preparation of detailed plans.”

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    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    More detailed evidence, or a revised plan, will need to be submitted in order to appease the planning department. The new ‘Kop’ stand at SToK Racecourse is expected to be in a position to welcome supporters through the turnstiles in time for the 2024-25 campaign – with Wrexham hoping to have added promotion out of League Two to their roll of honour by then.

Misbah to lead Pakistan in West Indies Tests

Misbah-ul-Haq has decided to continue as Pakistan’s Test captain, a decision that has been accepted by PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who also named Sarfraz Ahmed as the vice-captain in Tests. Misbah’s decision to lead in the West Indies put to end questions over his retirement, which have made news over the last few months, at least for the next two months as Pakistan will play three Tests in the Caribbean in April and May.After returning from Australia, Misbah had said he would take a call on his future after seeing how he would fare in the PSL. During the league, he told ESPNcricinfo that he was “most likely” to go to the West Indies, where they are yet to win a Test series. And once his team Islamabad United was knocked out of the tournament, he said he would meet Shaharyar upon his arrival in Pakistan and inform the chairman about his decision.”Misbah-ul-Haq has conveyed to the Chairman [of] PCB his desire to continue as captain of the Pakistan Test team,” the PCB said in a statement. “Accordingly, the Chairman has approved his appointment for the upcoming West Indies Test series. The Chairman has also approved appointment of Sarfraz Ahmed as vice-captain of the Pakistan Test team.”Misbah, who will turn 43 in May, has been under immense scrutiny having led the team to five successive Test defeats, although it was under him that Pakistan were ranked No. 1 last year. A dip in his batting form and his age added to the drama that reached its peak after the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last year when Misbah admitted to being unsure about his future as a cricketer.ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB wants to eventually appoint a single captain for all formats, but such a decision will have to wait until Misbah takes a call on his future. The decision to appoint Sarfraz as vice-captain in Tests came after Azhar Ali stepped down from ODI captaincy and later relinquished his Test vice-captaincy as well. The role was vacant since then. Sarfraz is already leading Pakistan in the Twenty20 format.Pakistan will start the West Indies tour with four T20s starting March 26, followed by three ODIs in early April and the three Tests starting April 22 in Jamaica. Pakistan’s selection committee is due to announce a limited-overs squad later this week while the Test team will be announced later.

Renegades stay alive after Heat lose 3 for 3

The Melbourne Renegades kept their BBL campaign alive with a dramatic one-run win over hosts Brisbane Heat

The Report by Alex Malcolm in Brisbane20-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSunil Narine picked up two wickets in the 19th over and set up a dramatic finish•Getty Images

Nine deliveries, 16 runs and three wickets featured in one of the most bizarre final overs in BBL history. But the Melbourne Renegades kept their finals hopes alive with a nail-biting one-run win over the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.The equation was simple at the beginning of the final over. The Heat needed 18 runs to secure a home semi-final. Nathan Rimmington needed to defend 16 or less to keep the Renegades alive.Rimmington did his job, but only . He bowled four wides, conceded two sixes, took the wicket of Joe Burns and completed two run-outs in roller-coaster ride that would have left the most adventurous of thrill-seekers feeling nauseous.It had been a night for the batsmen. The Renegades had set a big total of 199 on the back of a stunning opening stand from Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris. They scored 106 runs in just nine overs before Harris fell.The Heat then trumped that start with the second-highest score in the Powerplay in BBL history. Brendon McCullum and Sam Heazlett took 84 from the first five overs of the chase. The Renegades, though, pulled Heat back courtesy outstanding spells from Thisara Perera and Brad Hogg. Extraordinary hitting from Ben Cutting and Joe Burns and some rain then added to the drama of the final overs but the Renegades somehow held their nerve. 1wd 6 6 W 1wd W 1wd 0 W(1wd)
The final over of the match from Rimmington had to be seen to be believed. The Renegades had lost three final-over thrillers this season with Finch, Perera and James Pattinson all entrusted with the final six balls and all conceding the winning runs. Finch turned to Rimmington for this over instead of Pattinson after Perera, one of their best bowlers on the night, had bowled out. Rimmington had bowled an excellent 18th over, conceding just eight runs and removing Cutting, who had scored a rampaging 35 from 18 balls and was threatening to end the Renegades’ season. Burns was 23 from 19 balls and had only found the boundary once, so the Renegades were favourites.But Rimmington bowled a wide first ball, attempting a yorker. 17 off 6 balls. Burns then nailed two short balls over the long boundary at midwicket for sixes. 5 off 4. He got a third in the slot but mis-hit it to long-off and Perera held on to keep things interesting. 5 off 3. Rimmington bowled another wide. 4 off 3. Buchanan nailed the next – a full wide ball – to cover where Finch gathered and fired at the non-striker’s end. Rimmington’s collect to break the stumps was superb as Buchanan was run-out. 4 off 2. Rimmington bowled another wide to Mark Steketee. 3 off 2. He tried the wide yorker for a sixth time in the over and finally got it inside the guideline beating Steketee, who strangely backed away to leg, for a dot ball. 3 off 1. Rimmington went wide again for the final ball. Swepson got a running start at the non-striker’s end, hoping to run two for a super over if Steketee made contact, but he instead left alone another wide only to look up and see his team-mate charging at him. Debutant wicketkeeper Andrew Harriott threw the ball to Rimmington and the run-out ended the game. Although not everyone on the ground was certain of the result, with Finch admitting later he thought it was only the eighth wicket.Aaron Finch gave the Renegades a blazing start with 71 off 35 balls•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Finch’s fireworks
Finch has responded to his axing from the Australian one-day side in the finest possible fashion with three half-centuries in his last four BBL innings. This was the most destructive. He clubbed 71 from 35 balls with six fours and four sixes. He started in the first over with a mammoth hit over cover that landed in the second tier. Incredibly, he played second fiddle to Harris for the next three overs. At the end of the fourth over Harris was 30 from 15 balls while Finch had scored just 18 from nine balls. But he took charge in the eighth over. He was gifted a life, and six runs, from Burns in the deep during a hat-trick of bombs off Marnus Labuschagne. Callum Ferguson also played a vital hand scoring 31 not out from 15 balls to help get the total up to 199.Now the waiting begins
The result puts the Renegades into the top four on the table for now. The Heat’s loss means a home semi-final is in jeopardy. Everything now hangs on Saturday’s matches. If the Scorchers beat the Hurricanes and the Stars account for the Sixers, the Renegades will play in the finals. But if the Sixers beat the Stars, then the Renegades will likely be squeezed out due to an inferior net run-rate. The Hurricanes are now likely to miss out on the finals after the Heat’s loss even if they beat the Scorchers due to a very poor net run-rate. Peter Nevill might be available for a potential final after being cleared of a facial fracture. He could come back in for Harriott who did a fine job having been plucked from NSW premier cricket to make his T20 debut at the Gabba. He took two catches and kept well throughout.Brendon McCullum shellacked a fifty off 18 balls – the second fastest in BBL history – but it was not enough for the Heat to secure a home semi-final•Getty Images

Hogg, the unsung hero
While Finch was named Man of the Match, his 71 was just one of a number of blistering knocks on a night where the batsmen were very productive. McCullum also set the Gabba alight with a fifty off 18 balls, but, arguably, it was Hogg who turned the game. McCullum was a runaway freight train in the first five overs before Perera arrived and bowled a brilliant sixth over, conceding just a single. Hogg then spun his web. His first three overs cost only eight runs, all singles, although there were five leg byes. McCullum scored just six runs from his next 17 balls after reaching fifty. Overall, Hogg bowled nine balls to McCullum and conceded only two runs. He also removed the dangerous Alex Ross to apply additional pressure on the Heat.

Klinger, Tye deliver 41-run win for Western Australia

Michael Klinger scored 87 off 78 to stud Western Australia’s 6 for 190 in 28 overs, before Andrew Tye took three wickets to ensure that Victoria fell 41 short of their revised target in a rain-affected match at the WACA

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Oct-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAndrew Tye took 3 for 10 in three overs and also effected a run-out•Getty ImagesMichael Klinger scored 87 off 78 to stud Western Australia’s 6 for 190 in 28 overs, before Andrew Tye took three wickets to ensure that Victoria fell 41 short of their revised target in a rain-affected match at the WACA ground in Perth.Victoria won the toss and started well, dismissing Shaun Marsh for 15 and Adam Voges for a ten-ball duck, leaving the hosts at 2 for 30. But Klinger and D’Arcy Short then put on 92 off 87 for the third wicket, with Short contributing 52 off 43 before falling to Jon Holland. Klinger batted on, though, hitting three fours and three sixes in his knock as Western Australia added 66 in the last eight overs.With more rain disrupting play, Victoria found themselves chasing a D/L-adjusted target of 140 in 18 overs. But at no point were they able to even approach the required run rate. The opening stand added 25 in 5 overs and was ended by Jason Behrendorff, who got Marcus Harris caught behind. Behrendorff then got Glenn Maxwell for 9 in his next over. By the time Tye dismissed Dan Christian in the ninth over, Victoria had only managed 54 runs.That wicket opened the floodgates – a further six wickets fell for 28 runs in 36 balls to leave the visitors at 9 for 82 in the 15th over. They managed to scrape together 16 more runs and avoid being bowled out, but that would have come as scant consolation.Meanwhile, Western Australia, who tied their first match and lost their second, would be relieved to have their first win on the board.

Wolves: Lopetegui Could Bring ‘Extraordinary’ £26m Star To Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers have one game remaining of the Premier League season, and are reportedly looking ahead to the summer transfer window.

The Midlands side have endured a rollercoaster of a campaign, going from the lows of Bruno Lage’s final moments in his reign, to Julen Lopetegui’s impressive turnaround of fortunes at Molineux.

The Spaniard has made significant improvements since his arrival in November, however, the issue of goal-scoring has not been something the former Real Madrid boss has been able to relieve since joining mid-season.

With the transfer window presenting Lopetegui with the chance to make his own amendments to the squad, a number of forwards have been linked already with a move to Molineux, with one La Liga starlet part of an ongoing saga.

What’s the latest on Ansu Fati to Wolves?

As reported earlier this month by Spanish news outlet Sport (via Sport Witness), Wolves hold an interest in Barcelona forward Ansu Fati, in what could be a potential €30m (£26m) swap deal including Ruben Neves.

Earlier this week, it was revealed by The Athletic, that the 20-year-old has been mentioned as a “possible player” to make the switch to Molineux so Neves could depart to Catalonia.

The deal simmers down to whether the Portuguese ace goes to Barcelona, and importantly if Fati accepts a move to Molineux, with the player’s father insistent that he wants his son to move on – as per Spanish radio outlet COPE.

What could Ansu Fati bring to Wolves?

Once described as potentially being Barcelona’s heir to Lionel Messi, the 20-year-old was the club’s next big thing when he made his debut at 16 years old against Real Betis in 2019.

Hailed by Xavi as “extraordinary”, the forward has limitless potential in the game, however, has been deprived of game time at Camp Nou due to injury and competition within the squad.

The £199k-per-week youngster could be a star man under Lopetegui, who favours playing a system with traditional wingers playing to the touchline and imposing a 1v1 threat.

Likened by FBref to Arsenal hero Gabriel Martinelli, the Bissau-born ace could be the Spanaird’s answer to the young Brazilian in the Premier League, as communicated by his statistics.

The Gunners’ forward has started 34 of his 36 appearances in the league this season, with Ansu Fati making just 11 starts in 34 in La Liga, explanatory to the difference in goals scored, with Martinelli netting a phenomenal 15 goals this term to the latter's seven.

However, over an average of 90 minutes in the past year, the two are extremely similar in their effectiveness in game plan, both being go-to men in the box due to their abilities on the ball.

Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 16 – First Leg – Sporting CP v Arsenal – Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal – March 9, 2023 Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli in action with Sporting CP’s Hidemasa Morita REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

As per FBref, the Brazilian averages 6.99 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, putting him in the top 3% of Europe’s top five leagues in his position, with Fati ranging in the top 2%, with 7.73 per 90.

Similar statistics that showcase their attributes in being direct and dangerous on the wing is the number of progressive passes received, highlighting their advanced positioning to cause havoc.

FBref shows that Martinelli receives an average of 11.29 progressive passes per 90, with the Barcelona youngster scoring marginally less in that area with 10.54.

The two forwards are comparatively prolific from wide areas, telling of the magnitude of the Spaniard’s talent relating to an established Premier League star.

In Lopetegui’s system, the 20-year-old could blossom into a real threat, though in being part of a complicated deal, only time will tell if he will reside at Molineux next season.

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