West Bromwich Albion remained at the top of the Championship table on Saturday afternoon as they managed a third straight league victory.
The Baggies defeated Sheffield Wednesday thanks to an 88th-minute spot-kick from substitute Charlie Austin.
Hal Robson-Kanu had opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes of the match before the Owls looked to have done enough to take a share of the spoils when Steven Fletcher scored a penalty of his own just before the hour mark.
But Austin remained calm and composed to slot home just his second goal of the season to hand Slaven Bilic’s side all three points, ensuring they also kept that two-point gap to Leeds United in second place.
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The game also marked a momentous occasion for Gareth Barry as his introduction in the 74th minute signalled his first competitive appearance since his comeback from a potentially career-threatening injury.
Several of the Hawthorns faithful were quick to hail his impact on the game, even at the age of 38.
One supporter said Barry was exactly the type of player needed alongside their youthful exuberance while another believed he was the epitome of class.
A further member of the Baggies crowd claimed he made a big difference when he came on with one more fan stating that the veteran midfielder completely changed the flow of the game into their favour.
Glasgow Rangers kick off their Europa League season with a trip away from Ibrox to take on Malmo in the first game of the league phase on Thursday night.
The Light Blues will play eight matches in the new-look format, in an attempt to qualify for the knockout stages, and their first opponents are the Swedish outfit.
Philippe Clement’s side dropped down into this competition after they lost to Dynamo Kyiv on aggregate over two legs in their Champions League qualifiers.
The Belgian head coach will now be eyeing up a strong run in the Europa League, potentially going one step further than Giovanni van Bronckhorst did by winning the tournament.
Rangers come into this game off the back of a 3-0 win over Dundee in the League Cup on Saturday and Clement may look to make some changes to his starting XI from that clash.
With that in mind, here is the predicted Gers line-up to take to the field against Malmo in Sweden on Thursday…
1 GK – Jack Butland
Jack Butland
Jack Butland will be between the sticks, barring any late fitness issues, as he is the nailed on number one option for Clement in goal for Rangers.
The English shot-stopper has kept 30 clean sheets in 67 appearances for the club since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, and will be in search of number 31 against Malmo.
2 RB – James Tavernier
James Tavernier
James Tavernier will captain the team at right-back and will be hoping to build on his positive performance against Dundee in the League Cup clash.
The English defender scored his first goal of the season, from the penalty spot, and assisted Cyriel Dessers to help Rangers on their way to a 3-0 win.
3 CB – John Souttar
John Souttar
At the heart of the backline, former Hearts colossus John Souttar deserves to maintain his place in the starting XI after helping his side to keep a clean sheet last time out.
The Scotland international has also helped his team to keep three clean sheets in five Scottish Premiership matches this season, and will hopefully provide a strong presence at the back against Malmo.
4 CB – Robin Propper
Robin Propper
Alongside Souttar, Robin Propper should be selected once again on the left side of the defence for the Gers, as he is comfortable playing out from the back on either foot.
Rangers have kept shutouts in three of the centre-back’s last four starts in all competitions, which shows that he has been part of a strong defensive unit.
5 LB – Jefte
Ridvan Yilmaz is currently missing through injury and that has left Jefte as the only natural left-back option in the first-team squad, which is why he will keep his place in the team.
The Brazilian full-back recently caught the eye by winning six of his seven ground duels and making two tackles and two interceptions in the win over Dundee United.
6 CM – Connor Barron
At the base of the midfield, the energetic Connor Barron should be selected once again, after an impressive start to life at Ibrox following his move from Aberdeen in the summer transfer window.
The Scotland U21 international has been a combative presence in the middle of the park for the Gers in the Premiership, with 3.0 tackles and interceptions combined and 4.0 ball recoveries per game respectively in the division.
7 CM – Mohamed Diomande
Mohamed Diomande
Alongside the Scottish dynamo, Clement should make the first change to the starting XI by bringing Mohammed Diomande into the team to replace Dujon Sterling.
The versatile English ace started the 3-0 win over Dundee but was withdrawn from the action at half-time, Glasgow World subsequently handed him a player rating of 5/10.
Diomande should now be unleashed ahead of the former Chelsea man, due to the creativity quality that he could bring to the team in midfield.
The Ivorian magician has created three ‘big chances’ in four starts in the Premiership this season, which suggests that the left-footed whiz has the ability to unlock the Malmo defence to create quality opportunities for his teammates.
8 RW – Ross McCausland
Rangers forward Ross McCausland.
The second change to the starting XI could come on the right side of the attack, with Ross McCausland unleashed ahead of Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny.
In a European clash away from home, the pace of the academy graduate on the flank could be a useful weapon for Clement to have in his side, as it opens up more possibilities on the counter.
Cerny’s lack of mobility restricts what he can provide when his team is sat deeper, rather than dominating the possession and playing higher up the pitch, and that could make him more useful as a substitute if Rangers are pushing for a goal late on.
Therefore, McCausland, who came on for Cerny in the 68th minute last time out, could be preferred for tactical reasons for this clash with Malmo.
9 AM – Tom Lawrence
Tom Lawrence
Tom Lawrence should keep his place in the starting XI as the number ten for Rangers after a return of two goals and one assist in his last four appearances in all competitions.
The Welsh wizard did not directly contribute to a goal in the 3-0 win over Dundee on Saturday but did provide a brilliant flick to set Nedim Bajrami away for the third goal.
10 LW – Nedim Bajrami
The Light Blues signed the Albania international from Sassuolo on deadline day and he notched his first goal contribution with an assist for Dessers on Saturday.
Bajrami, who crossed from the left for the striker to convert against Dundee, will be looking to provide a creative spark on the flank on Thursday night.
Derby County have adjusted to life back in the Championship rather well, picking up two victories from their four league games to date to not be dangerously close to the relegation drop-zone.
A number of new recruits have settled in swimmingly too, with Kayden Jackson the pick of the bunch from the fresh faces that have joined the building this summer, having picked up two goals and an assist from his four individual contests in the second tier.
Away from the whole host of new purchases strengthening Paul Warne’s men already, both Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Eiran Cashin – who represent the old guard from last campaign’s promotion heroics – have also not looked out of their depth moving up a league.
Mendez-Laing and Cashin's stats so far this season
It won’t come as a shock to any Derby supporter that both Mendez-Laing and Cashin remain as key names on Warne’s team sheet, with both the Rams number 11 and the Rams number six only missing one game between them so far in league action.
Mendez-Laing would start this campaign in lightning-quick fashion, helping himself to two assists on the opening day to prove he still has what it takes to perform in the second tier, even as his employers fell to a disappointing 4-2 defeat.
Derby County defenderEiran Cashin.
Cashin might well have been in the heart of defence for that crushing loss at Ewood Park, but he has redeemed himself since, with the 22-year-old very much playing his part in the Rams keeping back-to-back home clean sheets against Middlesbrough and Bristol City recently, as two home wins were also collected.
The one-time Brighton and Hove Albion target would complete three tackles and win five duels versus the Robins, which would see his side then grow in confidence going forward knowing that the defence behind them was unlikely to be breached, with three goals then soaring in.
Another of Warne’s summer buys in Kenzo Goudmijn would open the scoring against Liam Manning’s men, with the Dutchman enjoying a wonderful start to life in Derbyshire too, which has seen his transfer value already rocket up.
Goudmijn's transfer value in 2024
Purchased for a reasonable £690k from Eredivisie titans AZ Alkmaar back in July, Warne would admit at the time that the Rams sealing a deal for such a cut-price was a “no brainer”.
Goudmijn would help himself to seven goals and 11 assists as a promising young talent in the U21 structure at Alkmaar before spreading his wings to move to England, after 20 first-team appearances also came his way for the Dutch side.
Stat
Goudmijn
Minutes played
86
Goals scored
1
Assists
0
Shots on goal
5
Touches
47
Accurate passes
25/35 (71%)
Key passes
1
Duels won
2/3
Constantly peppering Max O’Leary’s net with five shots registered in total against the Robins, Goudmijn looked very lively in the middle of the park alongside David Ozoh and Ebou Adams, as Derby’s left-field business picking up the 22-year-old from the Netherlands looks to be paying off.
His value has already increased to around the £2.3m mark as a result, according to Football Transfers, with Mendez-Laing and Cashin surprisingly worth less now.
Warne will know he can continue to rely on the stellar first-team pair moving forward regardless, as they were key parts of the jigsaw that saw the Rams finally return back to the Championship last season, even as their values come in at a lesser £759k and £1.4m respectively.
Already, it seems as if Warne has a squad that is capable of staying put in the second tier, but the many twists and turns to come in the division will be challenging all the same for the Rams.
Portugal international: 3 realistic free agent signings Derby must look at
The Rams could do with some extra quality for their Championship campaign.
Following a disastrous start to the campaign, Everton have already reportedly set their sights on a top target who would replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park in the January transfer window.
Everton transfer news
Following two defeats from two against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur – in which they conceded a total of seven goals – things were looking up for Everton up until the 87th minute against Bournemouth. Sean Dyche's side were cruising; the three points were in sight. And then came a glimmer of south coast hope provided by Antoine Semenyo – a glimmer that quickly spelled disaster for the Toffees.
Once they had a foothold back in the game, the Cherries swiftly found their second and then a stunning winner to complete a sensational six-minute comeback in front of the Everton faithful. So it's no surprise that after three games, those in Merseyside are already reportedly thinking about the January transfer window, just days after the summer window slammed shut.
According to reports from journalist Alan Nixon (as relayed by Goodison News), Everton now want to sign Elijah Adebayo from Luton Town in a deal worth between £15m and £20m in January, having identified the forward as their top target for Dyche in the winter window. However, the Toffees aren't alone in their interest, with Crystal Palace also eyeing a move amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Everton, of course, are in need of a replacement for Calvert-Lewin either in January or in the summer when his current contract expires, leaving them without an out-and-out No 9 – potentially opening the door for Adebayo.
"Brilliant" Adebayo has proven Premier League quality
As Luton struggled and eventually suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, Adebayo was one of the few standouts. Truth be told, it was a surprise that the 26-year-old didn't get a summer move back to the top flight, instead staying put in a Luton side who are still struggling now in the Championship, but concerns over his future could end courtesy of Everton in January.
Goals
10
7
Assists
0
2
Expected goals
5.9
11.4
Key passes
14
19
What is instantly noticeable is just how clinical Adebyao was in front of goal last season, scoring almost double what was expected compared to Calvert-Lewin's clear struggles and underperformance when handed opportunities to find the back of the net.
Earning plenty of praise as a result, Luton boss Rob Edwards said (via Luton Today) after Adebayo was nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Month award: "Those individual ones are great, really good recognition for Eli.
"I think we’ve had some very good individual performances for quite a long time now and he’s in there because of not just the goals, but his all-round contribution as well.
"His work-rate and what he’s been doing is sensational, so really pleased for him. I’ve been really impressed, he looks at home at this level, he does. That’s real credit to him, to his mentality, to his work-rate, his desire to improve, so he’s a brilliant inspiration to a lot of young people."
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, as Mikel Arteta targets his midfield as an area for revitalisation this summer.
The Gunners revealed yesterday that Granit Xhaka had departed to join Bayer Leverkusen, leaving space for the north Londoners to announce the signing of Declan Rice.
Arsenal’s midfield has been the narrative of their transfer window so far, with the future of Rice dominating news, however with the deal agreed, reporters have indicated that further reinforcements could be made.
Did Arsenal bid for Aurelien Tchouameni?
Last week, it was reported by FootballTransfers that the Gunners hold an interest in Tchouameni, stating that the club had ‘added’ the 23-year-old to their list of targets, although no bid has yet been made.
An update this week from football.london’s Arsenal correspondent Kaya Kaynak explained that despite the deal being ‘unlikely’ it’s not appropriate to rule the Londoners out of anything in this window.
Kaynak noted: “It's hard to really say what is and isn't financially viable for Arsenal before they get some sales done. All of that money will be available to reinvest into the playing staff this summer.
"I have to say when you factor in the wages he would likely demand Tchouameni seems unlikely, but then again Arsenal have spent £105m on Declan Rice this summer so I'm not sure we can rule anything out.”
Valued by FootballTransfers around the €63m (£54m) mark, signing the midfielder would be an audacious move by Edu.
How good is Aurelien Tchouameni?
Lauded as a “monster” by members of the media, the 23-year-old Frenchman has proved himself to be one of the best young midfielders in Europe.
Signed by Los Blancos from Monaco last summer, the Rouen-born ace has shot to fame since rising up the ranks at Bordeaux.
Deployed primarily as a defensive midfielder, the youngster has sealed 25 caps for France, scoring on two occasions with one goal coming at the 2022 World Cup.
A move for the dynamic Frenchman would be a statement for Arsenal, with the player cementing himself as a top performer in the continent.
As per FBref, the midfielder sits in the top 1% of players in Europe in terms of both pass completion rate and interceptions (1.98 per 90), highlighting the areas he thrives in when controlling the engine room.
Averaging a 92.9% pass completion rate per 90 over the past year, the 23-year-old would undoubtedly bolster Arteta’s side, especially those around him.
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard was voted the club’s player of the year last term, scoring 15 goals and registering seven assists as the magician in the Emirates midfield.
Having cover from Tchouameni would surely allow the Norwegian to further flourish, knowing he has a truly competent and defensive figure behind him.
Arsenal captainMartin Odegaard
The 24-year-old skipper averaged 7.66 progressive passes and 2.19 key passes per 90 in the Premier League last season, via FBref, highlighting the danger the attacking midfielder adds to the Gunners’ attack when given creative freedom in the number 10 role.
A lot of Odegaard’s form was attributable to the cover and passing ability of Xhaka behind him, with the Swiss averaging an impressive 5.89 progressive passes per 90.
The Frenchman could replicate the work of the 30-year-old by helping Odegaard’s game, as supported by his average of 6.03 progressive passes per 90 in La Liga last season.
It would be an impressive swoop for the Gunners, who could take a huge step in the development of the title-challenging side this summer. Indeed, this is a move that could well make one of their star men even more unplayable. Imagine that.
Arsenal are currently leading the chase to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer as Mikel Arteta looks set to strengthen his midfield.
What’s the latest on Romeo Lavia to Arsenal?
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are in pole position to sign Lavia during the transfer window after the youngster verbally agreed to join the Gunners.
He will cost around £50m and the north Londoners have jumped ahead of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United with regard to the move, although Manchester City do have a buy-back clause which is active next summer, but the report claims they are undecided on acting sooner.
Will Romeo Lavia join Arsenal?
It is looking increasingly likely that he will arrive at the Emirates ahead of next season and Arteta will be hoping to put Arsenal’s failed Premier League title challenge from last season behind him as the 2023/24 campaign looms on the horizon.
Indeed, the Spaniard is close to signing Chelsea star Kai Havertz for a fee of £65m, as with the added rigours of the Champions League next term, bolstering his options is a shrewd move and could certainly pay dividends.
It is unclear to what position the German will play upon joining Arsenal, as he was mainly deployed as a centre-forward during Chelsea’s underwhelming season, yet with Gabriel Jesus likely to be leading the line for Arsenal next term, he could drop back slightly deeper, perhaps into an attacking-midfield role.
With Lavia coming in and solidifying the midfield, there is potential for a key partnership to be formed which may spur the club onto success next term, with the Belgian’s defensive acumen allowing Havertz the freedom to express his creative talents.
He ranked second in the Southampton squad for tackles made per game (2.1) while also having the second-highest pass success rate (86%) across the whole squad, being able to dictate the play well. The midfielder also ranks in the top 17% across Europe’s big five leagues for ball recoveries per 90 (7.58), suggesting he is effective at sweeping up loose balls in order to move the ball onto more creative talents.
romeo-lavia-liverpool-premier-league-transfers
The German could benefit from having someone like Lavia playing behind him. Havertz, across Europe’s top five leagues, ranks in the top 9% for passes received per 90 (34.24) and the top 18% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (5.98), indicating that he is keen to receive the ball as often as possible deep into the opposition half.
Lavia’s passing ability could find Havertz in these ideal positions and they could form a dream duo for Arteta. Reporter Benjy Nurick hailed the teen gem as a “monster” earlier this year and Arsenal must get this move over the line as soon as possible.
Gianluca Scamacca’s move to West Ham has unravelled into disaster.
The Italian was signed from Sassuolo to become the Irons’ main man, but he has been spectacularly disappointing, unable to take the goal-scoring burden off Michail Antonio.
Danny Ings was also bought in January in an attempt to cover up the Scamacca mistake, however, the Englishman has also struggled to find form in East London.
This situation has left David Moyes in the hunt for a new striker and the club has been linked with Armando Broja.
What’s the latest on Armando Broja to Chelsea?
According to Romagiallorossa.it, Roma are closing on a loan with an obligation to buy deal for Scamacca, a move that would provide space for West Ham to enquire about the Chelsea man.
Indeed, it's alleged that the Hammers are supposedly “closing” in on the 21-year-old, who last year had an asking price of around £30m.
Can Armando Broja replace Gianluca Scamacca?
Broja is a player brimming with talent, effervescence, and potential, but has suffered hideous luck with injury.
The £40k-per-week striker has been restricted to just three starts for the Blues this season after he tore his cruciate ligament in a friendly against Aston Villa in December 2022.
Although, admittedly prior to this unfortunate event, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter were both reluctant to regularly utilise the forward. Nevertheless, he has shown in a previous loan spell his extraordinary talent.
During the 2020/21 season, the youngster was at Southampton, where has displayed the most promise in his short career, as in 38 appearances in all competitions, the Chelsea starlet scored nine times.
Frank Lampard, who gave Broja his full debut back in 2020, once said: “He is a very talented young boy.
“He came into us at the start of the Covid times, trained with us, and showed the attributes that I think you’re seeing now in the Premier League at Southampton.
“He’s fast, strong, has a real eye for goal and he’s a very, very good young player so I’m very aware of his strengths.”
Gianluca Scamacca
Meanwhile, Scamacca has failed to hit the heights he had previously shown in his homeland. After netting 16 Serie goals in the 2020/21 season, he has only registered three Premier League strikes, failing to score since January 4th.
Moyes provided a rather damning indictment on Scamacca and said: "We know that his physical data has got to be much better than it is. Gianluca has got to get himself back.
“You want to put out the players who you think are going to win for you, so you are always looking to put your best team out. We just want the output to be bigger and more.”
Therefore, this has opened the pathway for Broja, who has already shown he can consistently perform at the top level.
Described as “dangerous” by Ralph Hasenhuttl, the 17-cap international is a more than adequate replacement for the out-of-favour Scamacca.
West Ham are in the race to sign Edson Alvarez this summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.
Are West Ham signing Edson Alvarez?
The Mexican has spent the last four campaigns with Ajax and has slowly developed and established himself as a key first-team player for the club during his time there. In the 2022/23 season, he featured on 31 occasions in the league – with 30 starts, the most he has ever managed – and bagged three goals with three assists along the way. His showings couldn't help Ajax to climb the league table though, slipping to third and not winning the Eredivisie for the first time since he joined the club.
Alvarez though still ranked highly amongst other midfielders within the Men's 'Next 8' competitions (the leagues after Europe's big five). For example, his 83.91 attempted passes per 90 rate is almost second to none, with the midfielder ranking within the top one percent in that area. Not only does he attempt a lot of balls to his teammates but he pulls them off too, with the player averaging a pass completion rate of 88.7% – putting him in the 94th percentile for that figure too. It shows that his on-the-ball ability is one of the best and he is well capable of dictating the player and using his vision to find other players.
These continued performances have now led to interest in his services from elsewhere. Borussia Dortmund have been linked with a swoop for the 25-year-old but it appears they won't be alone in chasing Alvarez. That's because according to a report from Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, West Ham are also keen on bringing the player to the Premier League. However, he also adds that the midfielder himself is "waiting" for Dortmund to make an official move because he "wants to join them."
There is no potential fee mentioned but CIES Football Observatory suggest his value could be around 30 million Euros (or £25m).
Plettenberg said: "Understand there is still no agreement between BVB and Alvarez. And: Ajax still has NOT received an offer from Dortmund! Therefore NO talks about the transfer fee yet. West Ham is in, yes! But the player is still waiting for BVB as he wants to join them as reported!"
How does Alvarez compare to other midfielders?
It's no wonder there is such an interest in the midfielder when you consider that not only has he proven to be a force in terms of his passing ability but also with his defensive workrate. With 2.65 clearances per 90, he also ranks in the top one percent in that area too and does the same for his aerials won stat, with 3.38 on average per 90.
The player is an all-round force then it seems, and West Ham, fresh off a Europa Conference League victory, could certainly boost their squad with the addition of the Ajax man. However, it still appears as though pole position is held by Borussia Dortmund.
There has been an update in Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of Roma defender, Roger Ibanez…
What's the latest on Ibanez to Tottenham?
According to Italian outlet Roma Giallorossa, the Lilywhites are said to have 'intensified' their contacts with the Serie A side regarding a deal for the 24-year-old, with the report suggesting that a bid for the Brazilian could be imminent.
The piece goes on to add that while Jose Mourinho's side are looking to recoup a fee of around €35m (£30m) if they are to cash on the former Atalanta man this summer, an offer of around €30m (£26m) could well be enough to help reach an agreement.
The report also notes that while London rivals West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the centre-back, it is Spurs who are currently leading the race for his signature, with new boss Ange Postecoglou said to be an 'admirer' of the two-cap international.
Should Tottenham sign Roger Ibanez?
It does appear that defensive recruits are something of a necessity for the aforementioned Postecoglou ahead of next season, particularly with The Telegraph only recently reporting that the likes of Clement Lenglet, Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez are all facing uncertain futures at N17.
That need for change has come following a rather disastrous campaign for the club which saw the north London outfit ship 63 goals in the top flight, ensuring they ended the season with the sixth-worst defensive record in the division.
Amid that desperate need to improve an evidently shaky backline, it does appear that long-serving skipper Hugo Lloris is likely to be on his way, with the 36-year-old Frenchman having notably made four errors leading to goals in the league in 2022/23 – the most of any player in the Premier League.
Brentford's David Raya
While the veteran asset is not yet out the door, the recent speculation is that Spurs are already closing in on a possible replacement, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that talks are "ongoing" regarding the bid to bring Brentford's David Raya to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Spaniard has warranted that interest after recording the most saves (154) in the division in the most recent campaign, ensuring he could be just the man that Postecoglou needs in the sticks to improve the club's defensive woes.
The ex-Celtic boss could improve the spine of the team even further with the addition of Ibanez, with the "outstanding" talent – as hailed by journalist Josh Bunting – having sparkled at the Stadio Olimpico of late after his part in Roma's surge to the Europa League final.
A player who is something of a rock at the back, the 6 foot 1 ace notably ranks in the top 3% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for interceptions made, as well as in the top 18% for tackles made, showcasing his ball-winning prowess.
The one-time Fluminense man notably averaged four tackles and interceptions combined per game in 33 Serie A outings in 2022/23, with that a far superior record to the likes of Dier (2.0), Lenglet (2.2) and Sanchez (2.0).
That stellar statistical record would appear to indicate that Ibanez could be the centre-back upgrade that Postecoglou's side are desperately in need of, with it no doubt exciting to imagine the improvements that can be made with the Brazilian – and the aforementioned Raya – lining up in the defensive ranks next term.
When 49ers Enterprises took over from former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, it brought a dramatic period in West Yorkshire to an end – a period during which the Whites finally returned to the Premier League after well over a decade away.
That return to the Premier League – and the battle to stay in it – saw plenty of transfer business at Elland Road as they battled to stay afloat. Some of it was exceptional, but some of it really, really wasn’t.
Football FanCast has taken a look at the worst of Radrizzani’s tenure to see where things eventually went wrong.
6 Dishonourable mention: Weston McKennie
Leeds United midfielder Weston McKennie
We just have to give a quick shoutout to McKennie. Leeds signed him on loan from Juventus in January 2023 in an attempt to save their season, but the American flopped wildly. It was so bad that fans were letting him know just how out of shape he was as they said goodbye at the end of the season.
There was a clause in the loan contract, however, that would have made it permanent for £34m, and the only reason that’s not happening? The relegation. A bizarre situation where fans would prefer McKennie was topping this list as an all-time bad transfer. Instead, he’ll depart. Bullet dodged. Sort of.
5 Hélder Costa – £15m
Leeds signed Hélder Costa from Wolves back in 2019, initially on loan. And his inclusion in this list is perhaps a bit harsh – Costa did play a role in their eventual promotion that season.
However, the deal became permanent in July 2020 for around £15m, per the Mirror. Once permanent, Costa struggled and never truly got to grips with the Premier League – only three goals in 25 appearances. He’s now spent the last two seasons off on loan, first with Valencia and then Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
4 Daniel James – £25m
Daniel James could stay at Elland Road.
James was a sizeable signing for Leeds, joining from Manchester United at the end of the 2021 summer transfer window for £25m. He’s a player they’d wanted for a while and things initially looked good.
But then Radrizzani made the wildly unpopular decision to sack Marcelo Bielsa the following February. James then never fit in under new boss Jesse Marsch and was sent out on loan just a year after arriving. He subsequently spent the season finishing 10th with Fulham while Leeds went down.
3 Brenden Aaronson – £25m
Leeds United'sBrendenAaronsoncomes on as a substitute to replace Rodrigo
Aaronson is only 22 and could still go on to become a fantastic player. He may well go on to be a brilliant signing for Leeds. The problem, though, is that the American arrived at the start of last season as their big summer signing.
Paying £25m for a player who then struggled is bad. It’s even worse when your entire team struggles to the point of relegation. It’s just not a good look for the club when that player is 22 and moving from the Austrian Bundesliga.
If Leeds had made a less risky signing, it really could have been enough to keep them up.
2 Georginio Rutter – £36m
Leeds needed help in the January transfer window. You can argue all day where they needed that help but a new striker undoubtedly could have made a major difference. They went out and paid a club-record £36m for Rutter from Hoffenheim – an enormous risk, given he had two goals in 15 games by that point in the season.
It was a disaster. Rutter played 273 minutes in total – so barely the equivalent of three full games – and failed to score once. He did register an assist, but splashing out £36m for one assist isn’t exactly value for money.
The really worrying part about this one, though, is that Radrizzani didn’t want to make the signing. Per The Athletic, he favoured a loan move with an option to buy. It was the 49ers Group – which is about to take over 100% of Leeds – that pushed for the big permanent deal.
1 Jean-Kévin Augustin – £25m, sort of.
If the Rutter deal scares fans at all, they can rest easy that it’s almost impossible for any subsequent transfer to be worse than Radrizzani’s worst. The Augustin debacle is an all-timer.
Leeds signed the Frenchman on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020. There was an option to buy him permanently for £17.7m, per Bild, but that option became an obligation if the West Yorkshire club were promoted at the end of the season.
Now, Leeds were promoted, of course, but then tried to argue that they hadn’t been. See, ‘end of the season’ is the key phrase here because they argued that June 30th was the end of the season as per the contract. In the year of the pandemic, however, the season was delayed and the club technically weren’t promoted by that ‘end of the season’. The promotion came in early July, so they sent him back to Leipzig without triggering the clause.
Leipzig took that to court, though, saying that Leeds quite clearly earned promotion that year and needed to pay for Augustin. They won that case – forcing Leeds to actually pay more in a breach of contract suit – a sum of £25m, per the Athletic.
Leeds, then, paid £25m for a player they didn’t actually buy. The kicker is that Augustin played a total of 48 minutes for the club, making every facet of this a disaster.