With around two weeks of the transfer window left to play, Arsenal are busy trying to conclude a deal for Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino.

Left-footed, capable of winning plenty of duels and possessing lovely crisp passing, he could finally be the man to fill a Granit Xhaka-shaped hole after he departed for Bayer Leverkusen last year.

Merino is one of the toughest midfielders in the game. No player won more aerial duels than he throughout Europe's top five leagues in 2023/24.

So, you can bet that Arsenal will be even tougher to break down, even tougher to stop once the Real Sociedad midfielder arrives in the forthcoming days.

That said, what's next on the agenda for the Gunners? A winger could still arrive, although with some of the price tags being mentioned, it would not be a surprise if they went without.

Arsenal's hunt for a winger

One of Mikel Arteta's primary targets at the start of the window was actually an international colleague of Merino's, Nico Williams.

The winger has been linked with a host of clubs this summer, namely Chelsea, but Arsenal have looked at him too following a dazzling Euro 2024 campaign.

Who are the alternatives? Well, GIVEMESPORTS's Dean Jones claimed a few days ago that Raphinha – a player the Gunners wanted before his move to Barcelona – would be attainable following a topsy-turvy time of it in Catalonia.

Jones also mentioned that Real Madrid's Rodrygo is someone they looked at signing. It's a move that could have legs if he gets caught up behind the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr next season.

As a result, it might not be one for this summer but it could be a deal to monitor moving forward.

How Rodrygo compares to Alexis Sanchez

You won't find many more underrated players on the continent than Rodrygo. Playing in the shadow of Vini Jr in Madrid, you can see why he's often forgotten about.

However, we simply cannot look past his numbers from last season. As Carlo Ancelotti's men won the Champions League yet again, he scored 17 goals and supplied nine assists. To put those numbers into context, only Bukayo Saka scored more for Arsenal in 2023/24.

On that evidence, it's hardly a surprise that the Madrid boss once labelled the Brazilian forward as one of "the best players in the world".

With that billing in mind, he'd likely cost a pretty penny but then Arsenal do need further attackers, specifically a right winger like Rodrygo to compete for minutes with Saka, a player who simply played far too much football last season.

So, why would this move evoke memories of Alexis Sanchez? Well, as analyst Ben Mattinson said on X, he could be "Alexis 2.0" due to the fact that he's "an under-appreciated man at a huge club who’d be the star at Arsenal."

Prior to signing for the Gunners, Sanchez starred for Barcelona but he was in the shadow of Lionel Messi and Neymar. Sound familiar? It's rather like the situation Rodrygo finds himself in at Madrid with Mbappe and Vini Jr.

That said, there are more comparisons than that. Their ability to make things happen out of nothing is rather alluring. They are tricky with the ball at their feet and they know how to beat their man with a clever piece of play. Here's what the numbers tell us.

Goals

0.38

0.32

Assists

0.19

0.21

Progressive carries

6.02

2.79

Progressive passes

3.41

7.74

Shots

3.26

3.04

Key passes

1.74

2.69

Shot-creating actions

4.20

6.04

Succesful take-ons

2.27

2.97

Carries

38

48.1

Carries into final 3rd

4.02

3.18

Progressive passes received

11.4

11.3

So, while there is a notable difference in style when it comes to the way they progress the ball – Rodrygo doing so in terms of carrying and Sanchez doing so in the way he passes – the basic principle of the way they play the game is the same.

Both love taking the ball forward and making things happen for their side. They registered a similar number of carries into the final third, received a nearly identical number of progressive passes and completed a similar number of take-ons.

It's that unpredictable nature that separates the two and outlines why they both shone in LaLiga. Like the Madrid star, Sanchez did no wrong at Camp Nou, contributing 83 goals in 141 outings, but he simply had too much competition.

So, if he did join Arsenal in the future, Rodrygo could finally become a star man, rivalling the likes of Saka on the right and potentially playing ahead of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left. Those two are mighty fine players but they're not Mbappe or Vinicius, are they?

Martinelli upgrade: £34m Champions League star wants to join Arsenal

The impressive international would be a smart signing.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 13, 2024

Tuesday’s first IPL game between the Delhi Capitals and the Kolkata Knight Riders produced a momentary argument involving Tim Southee, Eoin Morgan and R Ashwin, which required intervention from the KKR wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who said he was happy to have played peacemaker.The argument came about in the final over of the Capitals innings, after Ashwin had been dismissed by Southee off its first ball. The prelude, Karthik explained after the game, had come off the last ball of the previous over, when the Capitals had snuck in an overthrow after a throw from point had deflected off Rishabh Pant at the non-striker’s end.”Rahul Tripathi threw the ball, it hit Rishabh Pant, and then ricocheted,” Karthik said. “And Ashwin called for it and they started to run. I don’t think Morgan appreciates that. I think he’s somebody who, when the ball hits the batsman or the bat, he expects them not to run in the spirit of cricket.”Again, it’s a very grey area, it’s a very interesting topic. I have my own opinion on it but at the moment I’ll just say I’m happy I played peacemaker and things have come to a good standstill right now.”There isn’t a clause in the playing conditions that stops a team from running overthrows off of deflections off the stumps, the batters, or their equipment; a relevant clause to look at is clause 37.2 in the IPL playing conditions, which directly deals with exceptions when it comes to obstructing the field, but provides some hints about the legality of taking a run off a deflection. The clause says that a batter is not out obstructing the field if the “obstruction or distraction is accidental, or […] in order to avoid injury”.

Watch the IPL on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the IPL live in the US. Match highlights of Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

In Tuesday’s case, there was nothing to suggest Pant deflected the ball intentionally. It is, however, common to see batters not taking extra runs when the ball deflects off them – a judgement call not based on law.After Southee dismissed Ashwin off the next ball, he exchanged words with Ashwin, before Morgan chipped in as the batter made his way back to the dugout. Karthik was seen getting in between the two parties before Ashwin turned around and walked out. Pant, who was at the centre of the incident, said he didn’t see anything wrong with the situation on the whole.Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant were among the players involved in the overthrow fracas•BCCI

“I think it’s part and parcel of the game because both teams are striving to win the match, so some things are gonna happen. Whatever is good for the game,” he said. “I think that was in the spirit of the game, nothing much, because at the end of the day Ash and Morgan are trying to win the game for their sides and there can be some miscommunication in between.”The culmination of this mini-contest came during KKR’s chase, when Ashwin was brought on to bowl his last over to Morgan and had him caught at slip for a second-ball duck which he celebrated animatedly. But KKR’s lower-middle order saw them through a nervous phase to seal victory by three wickets.Morgan, incidentally, was England’s captain when they were the beneficiaries of the most famous unintentionally deflected throw in cricket history. In the last over of the 2019 World Cup final, the ball hit Ben Stokes’ bat as he dived to make his ground, and ran away to the boundary, taking the question of whether or not to profit from the deflection entirely out of the batting team’s hands.

Sheffield Wednesday have now finally confirmed the capture of former Manchester United striker Charlie McNeill, with that free transfer purchase going down as the club's eighth purchase of a busy transfer window already.

Danny Rohl and Co will want to sign even more top talents ahead of the new Championship season kicking off though, knowing they don't want to be anywhere near the relegation zone again next campaign.

The popular German boss occupying the Hillsborough hot seat could turn to a familiar face to partner McNeill in South Yorkshire, therefore, in another shrewd free agent swoop.

Sheffield Wednesday going back in for former loanee

Sheffield Star report that despite McNeill signing, it doesn't mean a deal for Ike Ugbo to return is dead in the water, with the former Wednesday loanee rumoured to be returning on a permanent deal.

Yet, if Ugbo is still being eyed up by the Owls, this could well mean there's a possibility that Wednesday are still keen to bring back Ian Poveda. Journalist Darren Witcoop speculated in June that Rohl and Co did want the South American winger to come back.

What Poveda could offer Wednesday

McNeill would love to play alongside both of these gems if even more deals can get done this window, with Poveda potentially even partnering the 20-year-old down the right flank if signed, feeding the youthful goal machine with a whole host of chances in the process.

Wednesday supporters will be purring at the idea of the Colombian winger returning also, but he is being watched by the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town and Cardiff as well reportedly.

Those packed into Hillsborough last campaign saw glimpses of his immense ability in the midst of a tense relegation battle, before Poveda found himself on the sidelines towards the back end of his short loan stint from Leeds United.

The enigmatic South American forward would only manage to line up for the Owls ten times in total last season, but one standout display against Plymouth Argyle to start March certainly caught the attention of fans of the South Yorkshire side.

During the slender 1-0 victory, Poveda would end up completing three successful dribbles as an attacking option constantly wanting to bomb forward, alongside winning seven duels and firing three efforts on the Pilgrims' goal to further reinforce this livewire tag.

Lining up seven times for Leeds too, before being released, the numbers from the table above will make for some initial encouraging reading, especially if Poveda can kick into gear and star over a full campaign for Wednesday.

In contrast, Anthony Musaba – who ended up being a solid starter under Rohl down the right flank – won less total duels on average last season at 2.9 won per game, with Poveda's tenacity and bite down the wings potentially attractive to the German.

Daniel Farke even suggested that Poveda possesses a "touch of magic" when things weren't all going his way at Elland Road, with the 24-year-old being gifted some rare appearances for the Whites as a result.

Formerly a star at youth level for Leeds and Manchester City, Poveda will understand the struggles McNeill has also faced in senior football to date, which has seen the ex-Red Devils youngster only score three senior goals when chucked out on loan.

Yet, the South American – who is tricky and creative – could be exactly what McNeill needs to find his goalscoring edge at Wednesday.

The youngster has scored 46 goals at youth level and together with Poveda, will finally hope to replicate those numbers in his new home.

Sheffield Wednesday could sign Musaba rival who's a "driving force"

Danny Rohl could keep Anthony Musaba on his toes at Sheffield Wednesday with this new signing.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 8, 2024

Domestic cricket in South Africa does not take place under strict biosecure bubbles

Firdose Moonda02-Dec-2021

CSA has postponed all three Division 2 four-day matches scheduled to start on Thursday after some players were tested positive for Covid-19. The one-day matches due to take place on December 16 have also been pushed back to 2022. This is the first disruption to the domestic cricket season in South Africa since the discovery of the Omicron variant of coronavirus last week and the second major casualty of the pandemic this summer.Last week, the second and third ODIs between South Africa and Netherlands were called off after several countries, including many in the European Union, imposed travel restrictions on southern Africa. The Dutch team remains in a biosecure bubble in the country and will leave later this week.On the contrary, domestic cricket in South Africa does not take place under the same strict measures, and with cases going up countrywide, several of those due to take part in this week’s matches have tested positive.”Activating the precautionary and preventive measures stipulated in the organisation’s Covid-19 protocols to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all involved is a top priority for CSA,” a CSA statement read. “CSA is monitoring the situation closely and a decision regarding the remainder of the fixtures this year will be made in due course as it develops.”Related

Duanne Olivier returns as South Africa name 21-member squad for India Tests

India to tour SA for three Tests, three ODIs in rejigged tour; T20Is postponed

South Africa vs Netherlands: New Covid-19 variant forces postponement of last two ODIs

India tour of SA: BCCI awaits government go-ahead amid fears of new Covid-19 variant

Newsfile – New Covid-19 variant threatens South African home summer

As things stand, a full round of Division 1 four-day fixtures is due to be played between December 19 to 22 before the festive break. At this stage, those matches remain on the schedule.The news comes on the heels of South Africa awaiting the Indian government’s permission to allow their men’s team to embark on a three-Test, three-ODI and four-T20I tour from mid-December. The India A team is currently in a bio-bubble in Bloemfontein, where they are playing the second of three unofficial Tests and there is no indication of them leaving earlier than planned.However, it’s understood there are concerns about the senior side’s arrival, not least because South African scientists predict that cases will continue to go up in the next month. On Wednesday, South Africa reported 8561 new cases, up from 4373 the day before.India’s Test captain Virat Kohli expects the team to get clarity on the tour “in a day or two”, while some Indian media are reporting that the BCCI may need more time to decide if the tour will go ahead and has requested to push things back by a week. CSA, though, has not received any communication from the BCCI regarding a change in the schedule. “There hasn’t been such a request or discussion with the BCCI, hence it is purely speculation unless or until they engage us on this. So as of now, CSA is not aware of this,” Pholetsi Moseki, CSA’s acting CEO, told ESPNcricinfo.

MatériaMais Notícias

da betway： O Flamengo se reapresentou na manhã desta segunda-feira, no Ninho do Urubu, e deu início à preparação para enfrentar o Vasco no jogo de ida das semifinais do Carioca. O dia foi marcado pelapresença de jornalistas no CT pela primeira vez após as medidas de isolamento adotadas pelo clube ainda no início da pandemia da Covid-19, em março de 2020. Veja imagens no vídeo acima.

> Veja a tabela do Cariocão

Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW

Comandado por Paulo Sousa há dez jogos, o Flamengo finalizou a Taça Guanabara com 26 pontos e na segunda colocação. Já o Vasco, rival nas semi, ficou em terceiro e faz a partida de ida, a iniciar às 20h desta quarta-feira, como mandante – ambos os jogos serão no Maracanã, inclusive.

BCCI president Ganguly had said the board asked Virat Kohli to reconsider stepping down as T20I captain, before Kohli said it was not so

Edited PTI copy16-Dec-2021Sunil Gavaskar feels BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is the best person to clear the air on Virat Kohli’s statement that he was not asked by the Indian board to reconsider his decision to quit the T20I captaincy. Ganguly, though, refused to make any comment. “No statement, no press conference,” he told TV reporters later in the day. “We will deal with it. Leave it to BCCI.”Days after Kohli had stepped down as captain, Ganguly had said the BCCI had asked him to reconsider the decision. Kohli contradicted Ganguly’s statement during his press conference on Wednesday, ahead of the team’s departure for South Africa.Related

• Chetan Sharma: Everyone asked Virat Kohli 'to reconsider' stepping down as T20I captain

• Kohli: Told I won't be ODI captain 90 mins before SA Test squad

• Hamstring injury rules Rohit Sharma out of South Africa Tests

• Kohli: 'No problem at all between me and Rohit'

• Ganguly: 'Had requested Virat not to step down as T20I captain'

“I think it [Kohli’s comment] actually doesn’t bring the BCCI into the picture. I think it’s the individual who has to be asked where he got the impression he had conveyed such a message to Kohli. So, that’s the only thing,” Gavaskar, the former India captain, told .”Yes, he [Ganguly] is the BCCI president and surely he should be asked why there is this discrepancy. He is probably the best person to ask about the discrepancy in what you seem to have to say and what the Indian captain has said.”Virat Kohli walks out of Johannesburg airport•AFP/Getty Images

Following his announcement on the T20I captaincy, Kohli was also removed as ODI captain earlier this month. Kohli said during his press conference that his removal from ODI captaincy happened 90 minutes before the team’s selection for the South Africa tour. Gavaskar felt there was nothing wrong on the part of selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma on that count.”What is the controversy here. As long as the chairman of selectors had told him clearly that we are not considering you for ODI captaincy now, that’s perfectly fine. It is the selectors who have complete authority in selection committee meetings. The captain is just a co-opted non-voting member,” Gavaskar said. “As long as it’s not something that he [Kohli] has not found out from the media or as it happened in the past that the commander of a passenger flight announced it. I think he has been told by the chairman of the selection committee that he is not going to be the captain, I think that is absolutely okay.”I don’t know what these people wanted to do. As long as there has been communication between the chairman of selection committee and him, it’s the decent thing to do.”Gavaskar said that the BCCI needed to communicate more clearly – and publicly – on big selection decisions in future, to avoid such issues. “Yes, it always helps to have a clear line of communication so that there is no speculation. So from now, from what has happened, there should be a clear line of communication and the chairman of the selection committee can come down and say why [someone] has been picked and why [someone] has not been picked.”Sometimes, even if that is not needed, a press release is also good enough. A good press release giving all the reasons makes life a lot easier.”‘It is not good to point fingers’ – Kapil Dev
Former India captain Kapil Dev, meanwhile, said the current Test captain and board president contradicting each other in public was “not a good thing”. Instead, he said, the focus should be on big tour of South Africa that is coming up. “It is not good to point fingers on anybody at this point in time. The South Africa tour is coming and please pay attention to the tour,” Kapil told when asked about Kohli’s remarks.”I would say board president is board president but yes the Indian cricket team captain is also a big thing. But talking badly about each other in public, I don’t think it is a good thing, whether it is Sourav or Kohli.”

Four Tests, three ODIs and 14 T20Is part of a packed home schedule

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2021India are set to host New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa over the next nine months as part of the 2021-22 home season, for a total of four Tests, three ODIs and 14 T20Is spread from November 2021 to June 2022.Stretching a jam-packed home season to June is a rare occurrence considering it is month of extreme heat and the onset of monsoon in different parts of India. But it is a direct consequence of the IPL becoming a 10-team tournament from the 2022 edition as two new franchises will be announced in October by the BCCI.The home series announced were all part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2018-23 cycle, but the final schedule has come with one change: Sri Lanka will now play two Tests instead of three, as originally planned, and three T20Is in February-March 2022. The Tests will start on February 25 (Bengaluru) and March 5 (Mohali), and the three T20Is on March 13 (Mohali), March 15 (Dharamsala) and March 18 (Lucknow).The tours of New Zealand and West Indies remain as scheduled.Only three days after the T20 World Cup final on November 14 in Dubai, New Zealand will play the first T20I in Jaipur, followed by two more on November 19 (Ranchi) and 21 (Kolkata), and then the two Tests starting November 25 (Kanpur) and December 3 (Mumbai).ESPNcricinfo LtdWest Indies are slotted to play three ODIs on February 6 (Ahmedabad), February 9 (Jaipur) and February 12 (Kolkata) and as many T20Is, on February 15 (Cuttack), February 18 (Visakhapatnam) and February 20 (Thiruvananthapuram).Only five days after that series ends, Sri Lanka will play the first Test in Bengaluru.South Africa will play five T20Is in June 2022, covering for the ODIs that were abandoned last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. That three-match series had to be postponed after the first ODI in Dharamsala, which had been abandoned because of rain. The BCCI has now decided to replay that tour as a T20I series on June 9 (Chennai), June 12 (Bengaluru), June 14 (Nagpur), June 17 (Rajkot), and June 19 (Delhi).Between the Sri Lanka and South Africa series, the BCCI will also slot in the IPL, this time with 10 teams, which could further extend the duration of the tournament. Also, soon after New Zealand leave India in December, India are scheduled to tour South Africa for three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is; that tour will go on from December 17 to January 26, without taking travel and quarantine dates into account.The 14 T20Is and another T20 World Cup in Australia next year mean India’s next T20I captain after Virat Kohli will have his hands full. India will also play another three T20Is, along with as many ODIs, in England next summer.

da cassino online： Liverpool are among a "host of clubs" interested in signing an exciting young midfielder in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

Liverpool transfer news

da apostebet： The Reds have had a frustratingly quiet summer in the transfer market, with not a single player added to Arne Slot's squad, much to the chagrin of many supporters. It looked as though Martin Zubimendi was going to come in as a superb midfield addition, but he has ended up committing his future to Real Sociedad, acting as a big disappointment at Anfield.

Time is now running out for Liverpool to make signings this summer, but they are at least still being backed to make some important additions to the squad. Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is one such figure, potentially being seen as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson.

Meanwhile, the Reds are reportedly among the clubs who have been offered legendary Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, but given his age and the type of player Slot likes, in terms of an ability to press and cover ground, it would be a huge surprise if he sealed a move to Anfield.

Liverpool also appear to be pushing hard for the signing of Valencia and Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who could be seen as the heir to Alisson between the sticks. The 23-year-old may be loaned out immediately, in order to be a regular elsewhere, before eventually coming in as first-choice.

Liverpool in the race to sign midfielder

Writing on X, Bailey claimed that Liverpool are in the mix to sign young Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl this summer, but are far from alone in tracking him.

In Bailey's report for HITC, he goes on to say that the 18-year-old's 6 foot 4 frame "makes him stand-out as he features in central midfield but can also play a holding role", adding that Liverpool "have been aware of Hjerto-Dahl for more than 12-months". The likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham, Everton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Coventry City are "all watching him".

Even the most knowledgeable Reds supporter could be forgiven for not having heard of the teenage midfielder, but it is always encouraging to see highly-rated young players linked with moves to Anfield. Hjerto-Dahl has already won 17 caps for Norway across four different youth age groups, suggesting that he has been a prominent international performer throughout his fledgling career to date.

Jens Hjerto-Dahl's international stats

Caps

Goals

Norway Under-19s

4

0

Norway Under-18s

10

2

Norway Under-17s

1

0

Norway Under-16s

2

0

Not only that, but he now already has 44 appearances to his name for Tromso, despite his tender years, scoring eight goals and registering two assists in the process. To have made such an impact already says so much about his maturity and ability, and Slot could view him as one for the future if Liverpool get a deal over the line.

Related Liverpool can repeat Jota masterclass by signing "one of the best PL players"

A correspondent has confirmed the Reds’ interest this summer…

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Aug 15, 2024

Leeds United fans would have accepted the odd departure here or there this summer, knowing that it was a likely outcome that their squad could be picked off bit by bit after not winning promotion to the Premier League.

Yet, with Georginio Rutter now expected to head for the exit door for £40m to move to Brighton and Hove Albion, Daniel Farke's men are set to lose Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and their sensational Frenchman all in the space of the same catastrophic transfer window.

This might well have been an easier reality to stomach from the point of view of the Championship promotion challengers if they all moved on gradually over time, but the sudden nature of all of their top talents leaving the building will be a hard one to take if you're an ardent Leeds fan.

The latest on Rutter's future at Leeds

The 2023 signing featured during Leeds' dismal League Cup defeat to Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening but that is likely to be the last we see of him at Elland Road.

Just hours after the game had finished, reports emerged that Brighton had activated Rutter's £40m release clause, an exit fee that was due to expire at midnight on Thursday.

Since then, Farke has all but confirmed the attacker will be on his way out, with the player saying his goodbyes to the club.

Despite this setback, the Whites have bounced back from bigger departures in the past and will strive to do the same here, with Raphinha's exit to Barcelona in 2022 another soul-sapping loss of personnel at the time.

Raphinha's time at Leeds

The entertaining South American attacker would swap Rennes for Leeds before the 2020/21 season, becoming a statement capture after Marcelo Bielsa's Whites had finally returned to the promised land of the Premier League.

He would be an instant success wearing Leeds white, with six goals and nine assists registered during his debut campaign, before taking it up a notch during his second, and final season with 11 goals fired in from 35 games, even as his side tried to keep their heads above water at the foot of the league.

That would signal the end of Raphinha's fleeting, but meaningful, love affair with the West Yorkshire titans, with a bumper move to Barcelona sealed that summer.

The Whites finally suffered relegation without their Brazilian "magician" – as he was labelled by former Leeds teammate Daniel James – when the pair played alongside each other at Elland Road.

Leeds didn't let their star man exit without getting a pretty penny out of the Catalonian giants first, however, with £55m sent the way of his former employers, making him the most expensive sale in the club's history.

Archie Gray's sale of £30m to Tottenham Hotspur this summer feels miniscule in comparison, whilst those at Leeds will be cursing the decision-making of those formerly trusted with overseeing proceedings that allowed a £40m release clause to be placed above Rutter's head, that now sees him set to move away to the Seagulls.

Raphinha's transfer value in 2024

Leeds will hope that they end up winning in terms of the major move, as £40m is still a sizeable amount of money to work with when it comes to luring new incomings through the door.

Moreover, Raphinha has struggled to settle in Spain since exiting Elland Road, so it could be said that the Championship outfit cashed in at the best possible time in that regard, instead of allowing his value to potentially deteriorate if he wasn't let go in his prime.

Therefore, the same could be true for Rutter, who might well be a flash-in-the-pan signing by Brighton, considering his past woes in the division with the Whites.

23/24

37

10

13

22/23

50

10

12

Finding himself in and out of the Barca first team ranks owing to recurring injury issues last season in LaLiga, Raphinha could now welcome a return back to England according to reports, with Transfermarkt speculating that his valuation for a club to snap him up would still be in the region of £42m.

That's £2m more than what Leeds are managing to get out of Rutter, despite the former TSG 1899 Hoffenheim attacker setting the second alight last campaign with six goals and 15 assists collected from 45 contests.

Leeds will just hope Rutter doesn't go on to become an established top performer moving on up a league, resulting in his value going up and up, way above the £40m that has resulted in the 22-year-old star departing Elland Road prematurely.

Not just Rutter: 4/10 star should never play for Leeds again after Boro

Leeds United fans wouldn’t be too sad to see the back of this dud away from Georginio Rutter’s expected exit.

1 ByKelan Sarson Aug 15, 2024

Following his £60m move to Newcastle United back in the summer of 2022, striker Alexander Isak has excelled at St James’ Park, proving to be worth every penny of his huge transfer fee.

The Swedish international has scored 35 Premier League goals in his 67 appearances for the Magpies, finishing as the club’s top scorer in both of his seasons on Tyneside.

His excellent form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea wanting to prise Eddie Howe’s star man away from Newcastle this summer, but the Magpies are demanding a fee well over the £100m mark.

Isak’s goals have undoubtedly helped propel Newcastle to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, but the club are still looking to sign another option in forward areas.

Callum Wilson has struggled with his fitness in recent months, failing to make an impact on Howe’s squad, with the Magpies boss wanting another player who could replace the Englishman and form a partnership with Isak in 2024/25.

Newcastle want £40m talent this summer

According to journalist James Nursey, Newcastle are in the race to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, but face strong interest from other Premier League sides for his signature.

The 20-year-old also has interest from Chelsea and West Ham United, with the latter making three bids already this summer in their attempts to sign a new centre-forward.

Nursey also claims that Unai Emery’s side are holding out for £40m during the transfer window, with the Colombian forward wanting a move away from Villa Park to gain valuable first-team minutes to aid his progression in the Premier League.

Newcastle’s interest in Duran comes after their long-standing admiration for another attacking talent, with the Villa youngster undoubtedly a better option for Eddie Howe’s side.

Why Duran would be a better option than Calvert-Lewin

In recent months, the Magpies have been constantly touted with a move for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as the Toffees look to bolster their PSR position.

The 27-year-old scored seven times in 32 Premier League appearances for Sean Dyche’s outfit, but his side have previously demanded £40m to prise him away from Goodison Park this summer.

Their interest in Calvert-Lewin has dropped in recent times, with the Magpies undoubtedly making the right decision in pursuing a move for the Villa talisman over the Everton number nine.

When comparing the duo on FBref, it’s evident that Duran would be a better option, producing some superior numbers despite featuring for significantly fewer minutes than Calvert-Lewin.

The “phenomenal” Colombian, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, may have scored four fewer goals than the Englishman last season, but he averaged a much higher goal per 90 record in the Premier League.

He’s also averaged more shots per 90, whilst winning a higher percentage of aerial battles, providing a great option for Howe’s side in various different aspects at the top end of the pitch.

Duran’s first full season in England’s top flight has been a successful one, scoring some crucial goals for Villa in a campaign where they secured a Champions League spot against all the odds, just like Newcastle did back in 2022/23.

Whilst he may be an expensive addition, especially as a potential backup, his move to Tyneside could allow Howe to slightly alter his current system to form a brilliant partnership with Swedish international Isak, utilising his "weapon" of a left foot – as hailed by Kulig.

With Calvert-Lewin also being linked with a move for a similar fee, the Magpies would be making a huge mistake should they look to sign him over Duran, with the Colombian able to build on his impressive campaign and potentially improve further under Howe’s watchful eye at St James’ Park.

Newcastle make approach for "mentality monster" who'd make Isak unplayable

Talks have been held as Eddie Howe considers a swoop.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 20, 2024