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With Michael Edwards known for maximising the value of unwanted players in the transfer market, the Reds transfer chief could be beaten at his own game by the agent of a Liverpool talent.

Reds set for summer rebuild under Slot

The latest news out of Anfield surrounds the future of some of the clubs' out of favour stars. Whilst the summer window is still in its early days, the Reds have already been able to shift some deadwood with Thiago, Adrian and Joel Matip all leaving the club upon the expiration of their respective contracts.

Liverpool favourites to sign “world-class” £25m star who's like Rodri

The Anfield side have the advantage in the race for this high-class midfielder.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 2, 2024

With a few hefty wage packets off the books, Edwards and Co look set to open the Reds' chequebook and bolster Arne Slot's squad. Anthony Gordon has been the main name doing the rounds on Merseyside with the former Everton winger linked with a move to Anfield.

The Boyhood Liverpool fan has been valued at £75 million by his current club Newcastle, after providing 21 goal contributions for the Magpies last term.

With the funds to sign the likes of Gordon likely to be provided by further player sales, it now appears that one player's agent is set to make life difficult for the Reds this summer.

Liverpool talent set for exit this summer

As reported by Sport Witness, the local press in Eindhoven are claiming that PSV have identified Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg as a target for this summer. The report states that the club view the Reds centre back as the perfect replacement for André Ramalho, who is set to depart PSV during the window.

Van den Berg has been linked with a number of clubs so far this summer including Mainz 05, where the young defender spent last season on loan. Southampton were also said to be in for the 22-year-old, however this interest may have cooled following the arrival of Taylor Harwood-Bellis on a permanent deal.

The report by Sport Witness claims that Liverpool want £15 million for the player, a fee that PSV are reportedly not willing to match. This dispute over a transfer fee is where the Dutch champions' links to van den Berg's agent come into play.

Last summer, Jerdy Schouten joined PSV from Serie A outfit Bologna in a move that saw Schouten's agent, Frank Schouten play a key role. Frank declared that Jerdy only wanted to sign for PSV despite interest from numerous clubs, forcing the selling club to bring their price down.

As Frank Schouten also represents van den Berg, the agent and PSV will try and repeat his trick this summer and force Liverpool to sell the young defender for a bargain price despite interest from across Europe.

With Edwards synonymous with making money off unwanted players in order to fund new signings, this move by van den Berg's agent will be sure to frustrate the Reds transfer guru.

Whilst the aim has always been for Liverpool to offload van den Berg this summer, it will not sit well with the higher ups at Anfield if the player's representatives engineer a move away for a cut-rate price.

Since the takeover by the Saudi PIF back in 2021, Newcastle United have conducted excellent business in the transfer market that has seen the club transform from relegation candidates to European hopefuls.

Eddie Howe, the man at the helm for the Magpies, has done an excellent job in creating a settled side with all the investment, with the vast majority of the signings making a huge impact at St James’ Park.

Alexander Isak has undoubtedly been the best addition out of the bunch, scoring 35 times in his 67 appearances for the club since his £60m move to Tyneside from Real Sociedad.

Winger Anthony Gordon has certainly proved to be worth every penny of his £45m fee that the club forked out for his services in January 2023, achieving 21 goal contributions in the Premier League last season – reaching double figures in goals and assists for the first time in his professional career.

The aforementioned duo contributed with a combined 44 goals in the 2023/24 campaign, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for Howe’s side to secure a second consecutive season of Champions League football at St James’ Park.

However, the Magpies boss is looking to rectify their failures next season, with the 46-year-old targeting one player to catapult his side back into European contention in 2024/25.

Newcastle interested in world-class attacking talent

According to journalist Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle are eyeing a cut-price deal for Lille’s Canadian striker Jonathan David this summer.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a stellar campaign in Ligue 1 last season, scoring 19 times in his 34 appearances – an average of one goal every 1.7 games in which he featured in.

David, who also has interest from fellow Premier League side Chelsea, finished the campaign as the league’s joint-second top scorer, with only new Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé scoring more goals.

The report states that despite his phenomenal campaign in Ligue 1, the striker could be available for just £25m – an absolute bargain, with David the ability to form a deadly partnership with current Newcastle star Isak.

Why David and Isak would be perfect together at Newcastle

No one could have envisioned the impact striker Isak would have had at Tyneside, with the Swede a huge part of the club’s success in recent seasons.

His goals have provided Howe’s side with a needed focal point, with his all-round game a struggle for Premier League defenders to contend with.

However, the potential arrival of David could allow the former Sociedad star to reach the next level, with the Canadian providing healthy competition as well as an option for the Magpies boss to switch to a two-man forward line instead of his preferred three-man system.

When comparing the duo from the most recent campaign, the Lille attacker, who’s previously been dubbed as “one of the best strikers in the world” by broadcaster Tony Marinaro, has matched or even bettered the current Newcastle number 14 in numerous key areas.

The pair both managed to achieve the same number of goal contributions, with David finishing the campaign with a 7% better shot-on-target rate than Howe’s main talisman.

David also produced a better pass accuracy rate, whilst completing eight more progressive passes – potentially allowing Howe’s side to play a more possession-based system, with the Lille striker able to feature on either wing as well as a central role.

He would undoubtedly further improve the Magpies’ already impressive frontline, boosting their chances of a return to Champions League football.

The £25m fee touted for his services is an absolute bargain, with Howe needing to pursue a move for the 24-year-old if the club are to return to the levels they’ve previously showcased.

Former Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce has claimed that the FA have let down English coaches and ruined their 'legacy' by appointing Thomas Tuchel.

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• England appoint Thomas Tuchel as head coach
• Allardyce criticizes choice to go for a non-English coach
• Says the FA have tarnished St. George's Park's legacy

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gareth Southgate stepped down as England boss following the Three Lions' Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain in Berlin earlier this year, and the Football Association (FA) soon began their search for his successor as England U21 boss Lee Carsley was appointed as the interim coach. Last month, the FA announced that former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel would be taking over the reins in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, making him only the third non-English head coach to take charge of the national team.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Former Three Lions boss Allardyce has now criticized the FA for appointing a foreign coach as the national team's manager and claimed that they have tarnished their legacy by not trusting an English coach to be able to serve instead of Tuchel. The 70-year-old took on the FA by claiming they had not stayed true to the beliefs they had when starting St. George's Park in 2012, which was used as a development centre for English coaches to serve as a pathway towards becoming coach of the Three Lions, while also serving as a preparation ground for all of the England national football teams.

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  WHAT ALLARDYCE SAID

  Speaking to Betway, Allardyce said: "The FA have let the coaches down, and I'll tell you why. When I joined England for the short period that I did, sadly for me, they knew what they were trying to do was, infrastructure-wise, move everybody to St. George's Park, which they did. If you didn't move to St. George's Park, you lost your job, and the whole infrastructure of St. George's Park was put in place right the way through to senior level, which was very exciting for me and I thought was an absolutely brilliant idea.

  "Now you've seen that just eroded in one fell swoop, because it was there to bring on and develop all coaches at all levels in the future, to bring English coaches through to manage the national team in the end. But it's very, very difficult because I'm a massive lover of the Premier League, and always have been for the life and opportunity it's given me to be a manager there. But there's four [British] managers, I think. There's only, I think, three British owners, which is West Ham, Crystal Palace and Brighton.

  "Last but not least, Wolves have been playing for a lot of the season with no English players in the team. So it shows that while the Premier League is the best league in the world, and I've had a fantastic time doing, from a British point of view, being an elite coach, if you're dealing with foreign owners, foreign directors, foreign chief executives and a foreign director football, you're rarely going to get a chance. That's the downside. The upside is it's brought millions and millions and millions into the game. But if you're trying to be an elite coach in England, as an Englishman, it’s more difficult than anywhere else."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  With Tuchel not set to take over as England boss until the start of 2025, Carsley remains the head coach of the Three Lions for their last two clashes of the Nations League group stages as they are set to take on Greece on Thursday, November 14 before facing Ireland on Sunday, November 17.

With Tottenham Hotspur set to lose a number of senior players this summer, it appears that Daniel Levy and Co are working hard to find younger prospects to replace them.

Spurs set for squad revamp this summer

The underlying theme of Spurs' summer so far has been the selling off of ageing players to fund younger replacements. The most recent news out of N17 has seen Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leave Spurs to join French outfit Marseille. Arriving on an initial loan deal, the Ligue 1 side have an obligation to sign the Danish midfielder permanently in the future for a fee believed to be about £17million.

Imagine him & Son: Spurs make move for "incredible" £86m sensation

His impressive goal tally from 2023/24 has caught the eye of numerous clubs in Europe.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 28, 2024

With fellow Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur also attracting interest from abroad this summer, it appears that Ange Postecoglou already has two capable players waiting in the wings. The early passages of the transfer window saw two teenager midfielders arrive in N17 in the form of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.

Whilst the former signed for Spurs back in February, the 18-year-old only made the move from his native Sweden at the start of this month. In the case of Gray, it was a fee believed to be north of £30 million that saw the teenager leave his boyhood club Leeds United to start a new chapter with Spurs.

The next name slated to depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is Emerson Royal, with the Brazilian's move to AC Milan moving closer to completion. As has been the case with Spurs' midfield, it now appears that Levy is eyeing up a young talent to replace the outgoing right back.

Spurs could sign star for a bargain price

As reported by Sport Witness, the Italian press are claiming that Spurs are interested in a deal for Fiorentina defender Michael Kayode. The outlet also reports that Newcastle United and Aston Villa have also expressed a desire to sign the 20-year-old, suggesting a real battle for his signature.

It is reported that Villa offered a little over £12.5 million for the defender back in June but this was rebuffed by Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade. It was stated at the time that the Serie A outfit were holding out for a figure in the region of £25 million, but this most recent development suggests that Fiorentina have told Spurs they'd sell for just £17 million, a deduction of over 30 per cent.

If Spurs are to get a deal for Kayode over the line they would be getting a highly rated young talent for a cut-rate price. Last season saw the 20-year-old make 37 appearances for Fiorentina in all competitions, contributing one goal and four assists in the process.

Whilst Kayode is a right back by trade, the player has deputised as both a left and right midfielder at times, showing not only his attacking qualities but his ability to be a versatile asset to Postecoglou's side.

With the report making clear Fiorentina's need to sell this summer and the Italian club currently on a pre-season tour of England, now could be the perfect opportunity for Levy to act fast and hijack a deal for Kayode from Spurs' rivals.

The new boss saw his side limp to a draw at Portman Road that will leave several players in danger of being dropped

Ruben Amorim had to settle for a point in his first game as Manchester United manager, as the Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town on Sunday.

United's new era could hardly have got off to a better start, as Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock. Amad Diallo played a neat one-two with Bruno Fernandes on the right flank before skipping past two Ipswich players and driving into the box, and then picked his head up to find Rashford, who stole in ahead of Ipswich goalkeeper Ari Muric to prod home.

It was not to be the start of something special, though. United struggled to create any further chances in the first half, aside from one Alejandro Garnacho effort that flashed past Muric's far post, and they had Andre Onana to thank for maintaining their lead. The Cameroonian goalkeeper made two crucial saves, including a miraculous shoulder block from point-blank range to deny Liam Delap as Ipswich grew in confidence.

The hosts got the equaliser they deserved two minutes before the break, with Omari Hutchinson given way too much room to shoot on the edge of the box by a lethargic Casemiro, and a kind deflection off the leg of Noussair Mazraoui helped the ball into the top corner of United's net. Ipswich carried that momentum into the second half, as Delap once again came close with a clever flick at the near post, only for Onana to keep him at bay again with an outstretched leg. United responded well after that, but Garnacho and Fernandes wasted good chances before Ipswich went back on the front foot.

As the clock wore down, it became obvious that this wasn't going to be United or Amorim's day, and Ipswich were unfortunate not to take all three points in the end. The result means that the Red Devils are still languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, and the new manager has plenty of work to do to change their fortunes in the coming weeks.

GOAL rates United's players from Portman Road…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Andre Onana (9/10):

  Outstanding performance. Made three world-class saves to earn United a point they scarcely deserved, and is finally proving himself as one of the best in the business again.

  Noussair Mazraoui (6/10):

  United's best player, as has been the case for the majority of the season so far. Looked comfortable in a back three and still made a significant contribution going forward.

  Matthijs de Ligt (6/10):

  A solid display in the heart of the defence. Still too slow on the turn, but rarely put a foot wrong and transmitted calm throughout.

  Jonny Evans (4/10):

  Father Time has finally caught up to Evans. The weak link in United's back three until Amorim put him out of his misery by bringing on Shaw.

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  Midfield

  Amad Diallo (5/10):

  Lovely run and pass made United's opening goal, but he peaked too early. Caught out of position a couple of times in new wing-back role, which doesn't seem to play to his strengths.

  Casemiro (3/10):

  This was the version of Casemiro that cost United so many points last season. Slow, ponderous and disinterested most of the time; deservedly hooked early in the second half.

  Christian Eriksen (5/10):

  Was typically neat and tidy, but couldn't make any meaningful impact. Not nearly as mobile as he once was, and will be no surprise if he's dropped next week.

  Diogo Dalot (5/10):

  Some incisive passes helped United progress at times, but once again struggled defensively. Couldn't cope with the pace and trickery of Burns and Hutchinson.

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  Attack

  Bruno Fernandes (4/10):

  Nice link up with Amad in the build-up to the first goal, but was otherwise poor. Struggled to get involved in new role as part of a front three.

  Marcus Rashford (4/10):

  Showed good predatory instincts to open the scoring. Unfortunately, the rest of his game was sorely lacking; United won't start winning games consistently if Rashford stays in the No.9 slot.

  Alejandro Garnacho (3/10):

  Another hugely frustrating performance. Wasted a number of clear openings and his decision-making was baffling at times.

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  Subs & Manager

  Manuel Ugarte (5/10):

  An improvement on Casemiro, gave United some energy in the centre of the park.

  Luke Shaw (6/10):

  Encouraging display on his long-awaited return to action. But now he has to stay fit.

  Joshua Zirkzee (5/10):

  Ineffective once again.

  Rasmus Hojlund (5/10):

  A very forgettable cameo display.

  Mason Mount (N/A):

  Came on too late to make a difference.

  Ruben Amorim (5/10):

  Will know he has his work cut out now. Players did not take to new 3-4-3 formation well, and although he made positive substitutions, this was a very disappointing start to the Portuguese's reign.

Liverpool are preparing for their first season without Jurgen Klopp at the helm for around nine years as they look forward to Arne Slot's first year in charge.

The Dutch head coach has been brought in to succeed the German tactician and will be aiming for instant success domestically and in Europe this term.

Slot has not had the opportunity to add any players to his Reds squad during the summer transfer window, which officially opened for business last month.

There is still over a month left to run before the deadline passes, though, and the Premier League side could still dip into the market to improve the manager's options across the pitch.

The ex-Feyenoord coach may want to add more quality to the group in order to compete for the title next season, after the Reds finished below Arsenal and Manchester City in the division under Klopp last season.

Liverpool have been linked with plenty of exciting talent in recent weeks and months and they should now look to pursue one star who has already proven himself to be a terrific player in the Premier League.

Liverpool's interest in Premier League wizard

Football Insider recently reported that the Reds are one of the teams interested in a possible swoop to sign Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze.

The outlet claimed that fellow top-flight side Tottenham Hotspur have also registered an interest in the England international ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Earlier in the summer, The Athletic reported that the English maestro has a release clause in his current Palace contract that would allow him to move on for a fee of £60m plus add-ons.

What those add-ons would have to add up to above the initial £60m fee is unclear, though, and could potentially be a stumbling block on the road to signing him.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool or Spurs are willing to put £60m, minimum, on the table to land the former Queens Park Rangers star before the end of the summer transfer window.

It is also unclear as to what the player is currently thinking and whether he would prefer to stay at Palace, move to Spurs, or move to Anfield, if any of those three options.

Slot, though, should push the board to strike a deal with Palace by paying his release clause as Eze could be a superb addition to the squad at Anfield ahead of next season.

The attacking midfielder could come in to improve the manager's options in the middle of the park, as he could arrive as a big upgrade on current Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.

Curtis Jones' 2023/24 season in numbers

The 23-year-old academy graduate once again failed to nail down a place as a regular starter in the midfield for Liverpool, in his sixth Premier League season with the first-team.

He has never started more than 14 league games in a single campaign for the Reds since coming through from the academy set-up in the 2019/20 season.

Despite being a midfielder who attempts to offer quality in possession, Jones has not been able to showcase his attacking ability on a consistent basis at senior level.

The midfield dud endured a difficult year in the 2023/24 campaign as he did not offer much in the way of quality on the pitch in the Premier League.

Jones failed to earn a regular starting spot with his lack of contributions in the final third for Klopp's side, as he managed one goal and one assist in 23 games.

As you can see in the table above, the former England U21 international was a wasteful finisher as he only scored one goal from 2.63 xG in the Premier League, which shows that he did not make the most of the chances that came his way.

The midfielder also offered little in the way of creativity with a dismal return of zero 'big chances' created and one key pass every other game on average across those 23 outings.

These statistics suggest that Liverpool could improve their team by dipping into the market to bring in a midfield star who can make a difference in the final third, like Eze.

Why Liverpool should sign Eze

The Reds should swoop to sign the England international before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of next month, due to his proven quality in the division.

Unlike a younger player or a talent from a foreign league, Eze has already played in the Premier League and knows what it takes to be a success in the English top-flight.

The £100k-per-week wizard has proven himself to be a brilliant operator at the top end of the pitch and his performances last season suggest that he would come in as a big upgrade on Jones.

Eze ranked within the top 13% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.44) last season, as he produced 11 goals in 27 games.

He also ranked within the top 13% of his positional peers for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.82), which shows that the English ace can consistently create shooting opportunities in the final third.

As you can see in the table above, Eze produced far more quality in possession than Jones in the Premier League, with ten more goals, seven more 'big chances' created, and four times as many key passes per game.

The Palace star, who was described as an "entertainer" by analyst Ben Mattinson, also managed ten goals and four assists in 38 league games the previous season.

Liverpool want to sign "magic" £51m talent in Szoboszlai repeat

This touted talent starred at Euro 2024.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 20, 2024

These statistics show that the £60m-rated ace has what it takes to deliver consistent quality in the Premier League, which is something Jones is yet to prove and that is why he could come in as a big upgrade on the current Liverpool midfielder.

Ruben Amorim wants to reunite with Viktor Gyokeres at Manchester United next summer but Manchester City could make their own bid for the striker.

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• Amorim wants Gyokeres at Man Utd
• Man City prepare their own bid
• January move unlikely to materialise

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ever since Amorim left Sporting CP and took charge of United, Gyokeres has been strongly linked with a move to the club. While a move for the player in January is unlikely to happen, the Red Devils could go after the Swede next summer, according to . The 26-year-old displayed sensational form under Amorim at Sporting CP in the 2024-25 campaign having already scored 24 goals in 19 appearances.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The report also claims that United's bitter rivals City could also join them in the race to sign the forward as they want to pair him up with their goal machine Erling Haaland. Sporting CP's sporting director Hugo Viana is all set to join the Cityzens as their director of football at the end of the 2024-25 season and the Portuguese reportedly is planning to make the Sweden international his first signing at the club.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Viana played a crucial role in appointing the new United boss as Sporting CP's manager in 2020. The decision proved to be a success for the club as Amorim won several trophies including two Liga Portugal titles.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  The Amorim era at United will officially kick off on Sunday as they face Ipswich Town in an away Premier League fixture.

Jamal Musiala rescued a point for Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich in a gripping 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund at Westfalenstadion on Saturday.

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• Dortmund draw 1-1 with Bayern
• Kane goes off injured early
• Gittens & Musiala on scoresheet

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  TELL ME MORE

  In a battle between the side with the best home form in the Bundesliga, Dortmund, and the best away record in the league, Bayern, the visitors started the brighter when Leroy Sane stung the hands of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. But the hosts hit the front in the 27th minute when Gittens evaded the clutches of Konrad Laimer, ran 45 metres with the ball, and smashed a shot past Manuel Neuer. Vincent Kompany's side – who lost Harry Kane to injury just after the half-hour mark – had plenty of chances to level, but Sane and Thomas Muller missed gilt-edged opportunities.

  However, the Bavarians' pressure finally told in the 85th minute when substitute Michael Olise's cross was neatly headed home by Jamal Musiala. In the first Der Klassiker of the season, both teams had to settle for a point but BVB lost their 100 per cent winning record at home in the league this term. Bayern, who remain unbeaten on the road, are seven points clear of second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt – who have a game in hand – and Dortmund are fifth.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Substitute Muller became the player with the most appearances for Bayern in Bundesliga Klassikers (league games against Dortmund) with 28, surpassing legendary keeper Oliver Kahn's 27.

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  THE MVP

  While keeper Kobel was excellent in goal and Gittens' pace and finish was impressive to behold, 21-year-old Musiala was the best player on the pitch and took his header like a seasoned striker.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  While he did nothing wrong, England captain Kane lost a great deal as he was forced off with injury just a third of the way into the contest. The 31-year-old has been prolific for Bayern since signing from Tottenham in the summer of 2023 and if he is out for a while, that is a huge blow for him and his team.

Russell Martin is going about his business this summer as Southampton manager attempting to construct the best possible team he can to help his side stay put in the Premier League, hoping to go against the grain of newly promoted sides choking under the severe pressure of the top-flight.

All three sides that were promoted last campaign instantly fell back down to the Championship, with the Saints boss attempting to blend new quality in through the door with reliable heads he knows already from his successful time to date in the St. Mary's dug-out.

The latter bracket saw Flynn Downes return on a permanent basis, after starring out on loan with the South Coast outfit from West Ham United, and the Southampton manager also wants Ryan Fraser to return for good after he also played his part in the club's promotion success story.

That move could be trickier to pull off, with a new left wing target now on the mind of the 38-year-old boss as a result.

Southampton interested in move for Serie A attacker

As per a report by Football Insider, the newly promoted side have registered their interest in trying to tempt Sassuolo winger Armande Lauriente to the South Coast this summer.

The now Serie B club are resigned to losing their star Frenchman owing to relegation, according to the report, with the likes of Italian top-flight outfit Lazio also reportedly keen on the agile 25-year-old away from Southampton just watching on.

The Sassuolo number 45 will, no doubt, be weighing up his options as we speak, therefore, with the potential for him to dazzle Premier League defences if he chooses the Saints as his new destination.

What Lauriente can offer Southampton

Lauriente joining would make the situation surrounding Fraser not yet returning to the South Coast easier to swallow too from Martin and Co's perspective, with the exciting attacker in question even possessing shades of Marcus Rashford's game, according to FBref.

Scoring sublime strikes like this free-kick above on a regular basis for his current employers, Lauriente could catch Premier League defences off-guard with his trickery, if he does sign on the dotted line to relocate to England shortly.

Last campaign, even whilst the collective team struggled in the midst of a relegation battle, the in-demand 25-year-old would amass five goals and six assists from 37 league clashes. In total, Lauriente's goal and assist haul playing in Serie A comes in at an impressive 24 goal contributions from 68 appearances.

Southampton could even win their very own Rashford if a move gets off the ground this transfer window, with their respective numbers very similar in certain areas of their attacking game, with Lauriente even bettering his Manchester United counterpart when it comes to progressive carries venturing forward last season.

The Frenchman also betters Fraser's numbers in certain areas too, when you cast an eye over the current Magpies winger's last top-flight season, with the ageing attacker only managing 2.30 shot creation actions per 90 minutes, alongside other illuminating statistics, when placed up against Lauriente and Rashford.

Lauriente will hope he can arrive into the Premier League and become an established performer at the level like the Red Devils man over time, therefore, who now has 402 first-team appearances for Erik Ten Hag's men in his back pocket.

He will further pray that he can help his new employers stave off the drop if he does sign, so he can avoid another relegation staining his CV, like his recent woes with Sassuolo.

As data analyst Ben Mattinson noted, "in the right system he’d explode", with the hope being that Martin can provide the outlet for Lauriente to dazzle at St Mary's.

Southampton leading race for "wonderful" gem who is better than Doak

Southampton could be better off attempting to strike a deal for this tricky gem over pursuing Ben Doak’s signature.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 29, 2024

West Bromwich Albion have made contact with Juventus in a bid to sign a Belgium Under-20 international, according to a new report.

The Baggies got their Championship campaign up and running on Saturday, and they got off to a perfect start as they claimed all three points against Queens Park Rangers. However, the club suffered a cup upset on Tuesday evening as the Midlands side bowed out of the EFL Cup, suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to League Two side Fleetwood Town.

The cup wouldn’t have been a priority for Carlos Corberan and his side, but it will be disappointing to go out so soon. The focus can now be on the league and what remains of this transfer window, as the club look to add to their new arrivals.

West Brom can finally replace Thomas-Asante in swoop for PL "handful"

West Bromwich Albion would welcome this new striker in through the door with open arms.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 14, 2024

West Brom’s summer signings

West Brom reached the Championship play-offs last season but fell short when they came up against eventual winners Southampton. The aim will be to improve on last season and go a step further. That is why Corberan will have been keen for the club to be active in the transfer market.

So far, the Baggies have brought in seven new faces over the course of the summer, with the majority of the additions being free transfers, as well as two loan deals and the addition of Torbjorn Heggem, who cost the club a transfer fee.

West Brom’s transfer business so far has seen them add players such as Joe Wildsmith, Paddy McNair, Ousmane Diakite, and Devante Cole. Their latest additions are Gianluca Frabotta, who has joined on a free transfer, and forward Lewis Dobbin, who has arrived on a loan deal.

Aston Villa have sent Dobbin to The Hawthorns in a bid for the striker to get valuable first-team minutes, and Dobbin himself sees this as the perfect opportunity. He told the club’s official website: “It’s the perfect opportunity to get first-team minutes and show what I can do. I’ve heard a lot about the Championship, and I know it’s a tough, competitive league. I’m ready for it, though. I really want to show what I’m about."

But it appears as though the club is not stopping their transfer business there, as they eye a deal for a midfielder.

West Brom make contact with Juventus over signing Joseph Nonge Boende

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, West Brom are now in direct contact with Serie A giants Juventus over a deal for Joseph Nonge Boende. The Baggies have sent their first offer for the midfielder, which is a straight loan until the end of the season, with no option to buy.

Furthermore, the 19-year-old is said to have already spoken with Corberan and is keen on the move to the Midlands. Tavolieri goes on to add that personal terms for this deal shouldn’t be a problem.

The Belgian has been with Juventus since 2021 when he joined the club’s academy from Anderlecht. He has spent most of his time in the club’s academy set-up, but he did feature twice in Juventus’ first team last season.