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Manchester United and Victor Osimhen have reportedly reached an 'agreement in principle' over a potential summer transfer.

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Man Utd still want to sign OsimhenRed Devils ready to pay striker's release clauseHojlund could be sacrificed as part of dealFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Osimhen was heavily linked with a move to the English top-flight last summer, with United and Chelsea among the clubs said to be after him, but he ended up joining Galatasaray on loan for the duration of the 2024-25 season as Napoli's asking price went unmatched and his relationship with the Italian side broke down.

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United have not lost interest in signing the former Lille striker, as reports that an agreement in principle has been reached and that the Red Devils are prepared to trigger his €75 million (£64m/$86m) release clause in the summer. The report suggests United could send Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli as part of the deal amid the striker's struggles at Old Trafford.

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Osimhen has been in stunning form in Turkey, scoring a whopping 30 goals in 35 matches in all competitions, resulting in the Super Lig giants urging the 26-year-old to sign a permanent deal. Hojlund, meanwhile, has netted just eight times in 45 matches for the Old Trafford club this term.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

Heading into this weekend's match against Bournemouth, United sit 14th in the Premier League table and coach Ruben Amorim will feel a signing like Osimhen is a necessity if they are to improve on their miserable campaign.

Arsenal are laying the groundwork to bring in a new centre-forward after Gabriel Jesus’ season-ending injury, and they’re considering a new transfer target as a potential alternative to Juventus star Dušan Vlahović.

Arsenal making January moves for Dušan Vlahović

Vlahovic is a very familiar name to Mikel Arteta, as the Gunners once attempted to beat Juve to his signature back in 2022.

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Arsenal were very keen on the Serbian in January that year, during his days with Fiorentina (Sky Sports), but the Old Lady eventually managed to sway Vlahovic into swapping the Artemio Franchi Stadium for Turin.

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Aston Villa (home)

January 18

Wolves (away)

January 25

Man City (home)

February 2

Leicester City (away)

February 1

Juve sealed a £67 million deal for Vlahovic, but reports now suggest that he could potentially join Arsenal exactly two years after the Gunners fell short in their pursuit of the 24-year-old.

There are suggestions that Vlahovic is a top striker target for Arsenal in January, and Arteta’s side have reportedly already seen a loan bid rejected (Football Transfers).

If this is indeed the case, it appears they still won’t stop in their chase for the centre-forward, as multiple media sources report that Arsenal’s pursuit of Vlahovic remains very much alive.

This is echoed by CaughtOffside, though they also report Arsenal have an astute alternative in mind if they cannot strike a deal for the hitman with 12 goals in all competitions this season.

Arsenal weigh up January move for Marseille striker Elye Wahi

According to their sources, Marseille striker Elye Wahi is on their list of potential centre-forward options. The 22-year-old scored 19 French top flight club goals for ex-club Lens in the 2022/2023 season, and his form across the channel eventually did enough for him to seal a switch to Marseille last summer.

Wahi’s scored just three goals in all competitions since joining Roberto De Zerbi’s side, so he hasn’t exactly enjoyed the best of starts to his Marseille career, and it is now believed that Arsenal could offer him a route out of Ligue 1.

CaughtOffside write that Arsenal are weighing up a January move for Wahi, who’s viewed as another option should they fail to land Vlahovic, and other reports claim the Frenchman is valued at around £25 million – potentially making him a more doable mid-season transfer from the club’s perspective.

That being said, West Ham are also badly in need of a striker, and have set their sights on Wahi as a target themselves.

Wahi, called a “real beast” for his past form by members of the press, cannot be discounted as a good choice to come in for Jesus.

Spectators have been barred completely from the ramparts of the Galle Fort, which overlooks the cricket stadium where the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia is being played. This, after anti-government protesters had been forcibly removed from the area during the first Test between these teams.Police officers guarding access to the ramparts told ESPNcricinfo that even the ICC has asked for spectators be kept away. However, not only has the ICC never previously spoken against viewing matches from the fort, public spaces in Sri Lanka are also well beyond their jurisdiction.Last week, an army spokesman told that protesters had been removed in order to ensure batters were not distracted. Australia, who were batting that day, have since said that they had no qualms with public presence at the fort.Related

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Although several protesters had been removed from the fort on day two of the first Test of the series, a sign demanding the resignation of Sri Lanka’s president and prime minister had been seen for several hours on end in the evening session. The following day – day three of the Test – no spectators were seen on the ramparts, as police and army patrolled the area.As the ramparts are public property, crowds – sometimes swelling to hundreds, and very occasionally to even thousands – frequently watch cricket from there. This free vantage point is among the ground’s distinguishing features, with fans of touring teams also often setting up there to see the game.There have been widespread anti-government protests in Sri Lanka in recent months, some of which have come amid a deepening economic crisis in the country, which has left it desperately short of fuel, cooking gas and essential medicines, while the cost of living has also skyrocketed.SLC has essentially banned protests inside its grounds this series, preventing spectators from bringing anti-government placards and banners into its venues, although posters thanking Australia for touring were allowed.

تحدث بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، عن تأهلهم إلى نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي بعد فوزهم على نوتيتجهام فورست اليوم.

وتلاقى الفريقان على ملعب “ويمبلي” في نصف نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي بهدفين دون رد.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “لقد ضغط الخصم أكثر قليلًا في الشوط الثاني، كنا نعلم ذلك، فقدنا بعض الكرات، كان الإرهاق واضحًا”.

وأضاف: “افتقدنا الخبرة، يصعب على كلا الفريقين السيطرة على الكرة وطريقة ارتدادها، لا يمكن أن تكون أسرع، لقد نجحنا، أنا سعيد بالتأهل مجددًا إلى نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي”.

وعن هدف ريكو لويس المبكر، قال: “كان التحرك رائعًا، ريكو يتحرك في المساحات الضيقة بشكل لا يُصدق، إنه لاعب استثنائي، قوي وذكي للغاية”.

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وحول ما إذا كانت مباراة ماتيو كوفاسيتش هي الأفضل هذا الموسم، قال: “لا، في المباراة الأخيرة ضد أستون فيلا كان أداءه استثنائيًا، وجود اللاعبين بجانبه يساعده، هدوءه رائع”.

وفيما يخص مواجهة كريستال بالاس في النهائي، قال: “انظروا إلى ما قدموه أمس ضد أستون فيلا، لعبنا ضدهم قبل بضعة أسابيع وفزنا بهدفين، يتميزون بالسرعة في خط الهجوم، ولديهم مدرب استثنائي”.

وشدد: “لديهم قوة بدنية وخبرة كبيرتان، نأمل أن يكون أداؤنا أفضل من الموسم الماضي في النهائي ضد مانشستر يونايتد (خسر السيتي بهدفين لهدف)”.

وما إذا كان موسم مانشستر سيتي ليس سيئًا حال فوزهم بكأس الاتحاد وتأهلهم إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا، أوضح: “التأهل هو الأهم، هذا سيقلل من الخسائر، لم يكن هذا الموسم جيدًا”.

وأكد: “أود أن أشكر جماهيرنا، فأنا أعلم مدى صعوبة الحضور إلى هنا مع العمل غدًا، وتكاليف السفر، لا أستطيع شكرهم بدرجة كافية، وآمل أن ينضموا إلينا ويشاهدونا في النهائي”.

Liverpool are now keen on signing a “fantastic” player who’s valued at £50m to replace Andy Robertson, according to a report.

Robertson struggling in Liverpool's hot start

Robertson is one of the longest-serving players in Arne Slot’s squad, playing a huge role in the success the Reds experienced under the helm of Jurgen Klopp, but he is not having the best of campaigns up to this point.

Last weekend, the Scotland international was sent off in the first half against Fulham, bearing responsibility for the two points Slot’s side dropped, and there are now reports that the manager is looking at a number of replacements.

Journalist Christian Falk recently revealed that Liverpool are in the race for Alphonso Davies, who is out of contract at the end of the season, however there is likely to be competition from a number of Europe’s top clubs.

As such, Slot may consider alternative options, and AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as a target following the 21-year-old’s impressive Premier League campaign up to this point.

Liverpool told Antonee Robinson asking price

Another player on Slot’s shortlist is Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, and Football Insider have now revealed that Fulham have set an asking price of between £40m – £50m for the left-back. Robinson is said to be high on Liverpool’s list of targets, having particularly impressed in his recent outing at Anfield, during which he picked up two assists.

After an impressive Premier League campaign so far, a number of top clubs are queuing up for the Fulham star, but the Cottagers will be very much in the driving seat of any negotiations that take place.

The 27-year-old is contracted until 2028, meaning his current employers will not sanction his departure unless an interested party is willing to pay a huge sum. It is currently unclear how much Liverpool would be willing to spend to land one of their top targets.

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It is no wonder Robinson has caught the eye of so many top clubs, considering how well he has performed for Fulham over the past year, in both an attacking and defensive sense.

The American ranks in the 95th percentile for assists, the 94th percentile for clearances, the 95th percentile for interceptions and the 88th percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Lauded as “fantastic” during his time with Wigan Athletic earlier in his career, it has been a long journey to the top for Robinson, but his performances this season prove that he would be more than capable of making the step up to a big club.

That said, there is no need to panic too early over Robertson’s recent form. Although the Scot has received his fair share of criticism this season, he has been dependable at left-back for a number of years, and he shouldn’t be moved on after one bad patch.

INEOS have now made contact with a “top striker” who could cost Manchester United £50 million in the summer, according to a Sky Sports report. Since the Red Devils appointed Ruben Amorim as head coach, they have been linked with several new arrivals, as the Portuguese will be looking to put his own stamp on his squad soon.

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As January fast approaches, the transfer stories are going to start heating up, and United look to have a shortlist in place should opportunities present themselves. It is unlikely that the Red Devils will spend heavily in the New Year, but there could be room for a few ins and outs depending on what INEOS and Amorim like to do.

United are keeping their options open when it comes to signing a new left-back. This has been a problem position for them for some time, and January could be where they address it, as United have now placed David Raum on their shortlist ahead of 2025.

Up front, United also have Wolves forward Matheus Cunha on their radar, as they have been scouting him ahead of making a move in 2025. The 25-year-old has been a top performer for the Midlands side this season despite the team’s struggles, and he is now being looked at as a possible addition to Amorim’s side. But Cunha is not the only striker they are keeping an eye on, as they have now contacted another player that Amorim knows well.

Man Utd make contact to sign “top striker” Gyokeres

According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United have made contact for Viktor Gyokeres ahead of a possible move next summer, officially opening “concrete talks”. The Swedish international has emerged as one of the brightest and most exciting forwards in European football since moving to Sporting Lisbon back in 2023.

Gyokeres, who has been labelled a “top striker,” was very impressive during his time at Coventry City but has since taken his game to a new level in Portugal. The 26-year-old is under contract until the summer of 2028, but there is an agreement he will be allowed to leave for £50 million in the summer, despite having a release clause worth £83 million.

With 16 goals in Liga Portugal this season, the Red Devils are looking to sign the striker in the summer and have made their interest known. However, they are not the only side chasing his signature, as Plettenberg adds that Manchester City have also “intensified” their efforts in recent days.

Apps

12

Minutes per game

89

Goals

16

xG

13.05

Scoring frequency

67 mins

Shots per game

4.6

Goal conversion rate

29%

Assists

1

Big chances created

4

United will hope having Amorim as their head coach gives them the edge in the race to sign Gyokeres, as the forward was exceptional under the Portuguese. However, an upturn in form for Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund could potentially change their minds, as all three have found the back of the net in recent matches.

Southampton have had their fair share of clinical strikers over the years, but unfortunately for Russell Martin in the here and now, no potent hero is leading the line for his rock-bottom Saints.

New summer recruit Cameron Archer is top of the goalscoring charts with just two strikes next to his name, while their top scorer from last season, Adam Armstrong, takes a worrying backseat when making the jump up to the Premier League, having only mustered up one league goal so far.

It’s a far cry away from his explosive goalscoring exploits that helped his side win promotion, alongside other memorable attackers from yesteryear who took the Premier League by storm.

Southampton's best strikers in the last decade

Armstrong is in that conversation despite his underwhelming output of late, with the former Blackburn Rovers striker far more at home in the league below by firing home 24 second-tier goals to seal his team’s return to the top flight.

Unfortunately for Martin and Co, the reliable EFL performer hasn’t ever made a name for himself in the elite division, having only tallied up a meagre five strikes in the Premier League across his career to date.

Still, the St. Mary’s masses will be patient with the number nine, knowing he’s capable of powering home goals like the one above when at the peak of his powers.

Unlike Armstrong, there have been other strikers from Southampton’s recent past who have thrived when playing in the Premier League, with Graziano Pelle helping himself to 23 Premier League goals when on the books of the South Coast club, to be remembered as an entertaining centre-forward.

There’s also the likes of Rickie Lambert who is etched into the Saints hall-of-fame, with 28 of his 117 goals for the Saints coming in the top-flight.

Saints struck gold with 2021 sale

Another name that could also come to mind is Danny Ings, who Southampton fans would have been gutted to see leave in 2021 after a fruitful spell at St. Mary’s.

Still, when you consider Southampton managed to sell the deadly attacker for £25m to Aston Villa, suddenly that sorrow doesn’t feel as sharp.

But, he was always going to be a big presence to replace, having helped himself to 46 goals playing for the South Coast outfit from 100 outings before relocating to Villa Park in a bumper move.

His impressive goalscoring heroics during the 2019/20 campaign would have piqued Villa’s interest, leading to a significant amount of cash eventually being splashed on the “lethal” attacker, as he was described by football pundit Chris Sutton at the time.

Unfortunately for the ex-England international, his time in the West Midlands wouldn’t go so smoothly, with Villa selling him onto West Ham United in January 2022 after finding the net on just 14 occasions from 52 clashes.

24/25

6

1

23/24

30

1

22/23 (West Ham)

22

3

22/23 (Villa)

21

7

21/22

31

7

Looking at the table above, it’s clear that Ings has lost his way since exiting the Saints, with his current club West Ham no doubt looking to move him on when his contract expires next June.

This had led to his transfer value tumbling all the way down to £7m, as per Transfermarkt, which is way off the £25m Southampton once managed to get out of their former star when everything he touched turned to gold on the South Coast.

Therefore, there won’t be too many restless nights now on Southampton’s end about parting ways with the 32-year-old, who continues to struggle after once pocketing his ex-employers a pretty penny.

There will be a restlessness in the air regarding the current crop of strikers at Martin’s disposal consistently firing blanks, however, as the newly promoted side struggles against the drop.

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Karim Benzema has reacted to the GOAT claim made by former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo by revealing who he considers to be “the best”.

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• CR7 billed himself as most 'complete' player
• Benzema a big fan of Brazilian icon Ronaldo
• Ex-colleagues locked in Golden Boot battle

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Portuguese superstar Ronaldo recently billed himself as the most “complete” player in history, with the qualities that he possesses allowing him to rank above the likes of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Pele. Unsurprisingly, those comments have generated a lively debate.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  CR7 boasts the numbers to back up his argument, as a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and the all-time leading goalscorer for Real Madrid. He is still going strong at the age of 40 with Al-Nassr and is being backed to reach 1,000 career goals before record-shattering boots are hung up for the final time.

• Getty
  

  WHAT KARIM BENZEMA SAID

  Benzema can appreciate why CR7 is giving himself the biggest of billings, but the French striker told when offering his take on the GOAT debate: “I think everyone can say what they want. If he thinks he is the best in history, then he is. It depends, for me, for example, the best is Ronaldo from Brazil.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Al-Ittihad frontman Benzema, who has a Ballon d’Or of his own after starring for Real in the wake of Ronaldo’s departure, went on to say: “I don't like to make comparisons between players, each one has their own story, he [Ronaldo] has his own and it's a very good one.”

Everton will be hoping they can turn their overall form in the 2024/25 season around. So far, the Toffees have struggled, and whilst results have picked up in the past few games, Sean Dyche’s side are still struggling in the Premier League.

They currently sit 16th in the Premier League, with nine points to their name.

With that being said, things have improved of late for the Merseysiders. They are unbeaten in their last five outings, having drawn three and won two. Those victories were both massively important, beating fellow strugglers Crystal Palace at Goodison Park and Ipswich Town away from home.

Although things have been bleak on the whole for the Toffees this term, they have still had some standout performers.

Everton’s standout players this season

Arguably the Merseysiders’ standout player so far in 2024/25 has been Dwight McNeil. The winger has excelled this term, and already has six goals and assists to his name, double the amount of any other Toffees player.

However, the attacker picked up an injury in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Fulham. It remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to face Southampton on Saturday, although Dyche explained in a press conference they are “hopeful” he can play a part. It would certainly be a blow to lose such a key player.

Summer signing Iliman Ndiaye is another player performing well for the Toffees this term. He cost Everton a reported fee of £15m from French side Olympique Marseille and has performed well in that famous blue shirt so far.

He has two goal involvements to his name so far. The Senegalese attacker scored in the 1-1 draw away to Leicester City, and grabbed a goal at Portman Road as they brushed aside Ipswich Town. Playing mainly on the left, it has been a productive start to life in Merseyside for Ndiaye.

Player

Goals

Assists

Dwight McNeil

3

3

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

2

1

Ashley Young

0

3

Iliman Ndiaye

2

0

Michael Keane

2

0

Beto

1

0

For all of the Toffees good performers so far, especially after their unbeaten run of five games, they have had some players that have struggled in recent games. One of those players was Michael Keane, whose starting place could come under threat this weekend.

Why Keane could be dropped

It may come as a surprise that Dyche could consider dropping a man who has played all but one of the Toffees Premier League games this term. In fact, he has completed 90 minutes in each of his top-flight appearances this term.

Although he is a centre-back, former England international Keane has contributed to the Toffees’ ten goals so far in the top flight. That included a sublime strike against Ipswich, which he lashed into the roof of the net as a centre-forward would.

However, in the Mersyesiders’ most recent game against former boss Marco Silva’s Fulham side, Keane struggled. Brogan Clasper of Everton News gave him a 5/10 for his efforts that day, explaining that the defender was ‘dominated by Raul Jimenez’, the Cottagers centre-forward.

Whilst the Everton number five has been a key player for Dyche so far this term, England international Jarrad Branthwaite does seem to be back from injury, meaning he could drop out to accommodate the 22-year-old.

His injury was an issue that kept the youngster out of much of the 2024/25 campaign so far. He played 90 minutes against Crystal Palace, and four minutes against the West London side last weekend.

Dyche, however, will be hoping his number 32 has gotten over his injury issues and can play from the start, Whilst it may be a little harsh to drop Keane after such an important role so far, he could join the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin who are axed from the side.

The enterprising forward has struggled in front of goal recently. He has two top-flight strikes to his name so far but is now without a goal in five games.

He received a 4/10 for his performance last weekend against Fulham, a game in which he had a goal ruled out for offside. Clasper pointed out that Calvert-Lewin has now been offside 16 times this term, ‘five more than any other player in the league’, certainly an issue for the Toffees.

Dropping the likes of Calver-Lewin and Keane would accommodate someone like Beto, an in-form striker who scored last week, and Branthwaite, who certainly seems to be the first-choice centre-back under Dyche.

Dyche must finally drop Everton ace with fewer touches than Pickford

Dyche must finally drop Everton forward with fewer touches than Pickford

ByDan Emery Oct 27, 2024

The Yorkshire Evening Post have shared the stance of a midfield free agent possibly joining Leeds United amid injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev.

Leeds transfer news

The Whites are still reeling from Illan Meslier’s dreadful late error away to Sunderland, with the goalkeeper gifting the hosts a 2-2 draw in stoppage time at the Stadium of Light.

It has still been a solid start to the season for Daniel Farke’s side, however, even though it hasn’t always been perfect, and Leeds will expect to be one of the clubs in the mix to seal automatic promotion from the Championship come next May.

The Whites will always be looking to complete more transfer business moving forward, in order to give them the best chance of going up to the Premier League, and while the transfer window is shut currently, free agents are available to come in at any point.

Jake Livermore is in that position and has been mooted with a move to Leeds, with the 34-year-old enjoying a loan spell at Elland Road way back in 2011. He was most recently at Watford but departed when his contract expired at the end of last season.

Now, a fresh update has emerged regarding another available midfield option being mentioned as a target for the Championship giants, as they look to tackle injuries to midfield pair Ampadu and Gruev.

Leeds stance on signing free agent revealed

According to The Yorkshire Evening Post, Christoph Kramer is unlikely to be interested in joining Leeds on a free, should an approach come, instead preferring to stay in Germany:

“The YEP understands any Leeds approach attempting to lure the 33-year-old on a short-term deal is likely to be rejected with the player’s intention to remain in Germany where he has appeared regularly as a television pundit, following a decade-long spell with Borussia Monchengladbach.”

While Farke has admitted that he is “not a big friend of signing players who are out of contract at the beginning of October”, he may have considered making a move for Kramer, considering both Ampadu and Gruev are unavailable currently, leaving a gaping void in the middle of the park.

The 33-year-old is not only considered a “legend” by former club Borussia Monchengladbach, spending eight years there, but there is also the small matter of him winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany, having only made his debut for his country earlier that year.

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1

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Dan Emery

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That highlights the pedigree that Kramer has, and while his best days are arguably behind him given his age, he could still have been an asset for Leeds, putting his experience to good use and plugging the void left by Ampadu and Gruev until the New Year.

It looks as though a move is unlikely, though, and it will be interesting to see if Farke looks at another option instead, or risks getting by until the January transfer window opens with Joe Rothwell, Ao Tanaka and Charlie Crew.