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Just hours before the Euro 2024 final, Manchester United confirmed their first summer signing.

It was no secret but in came exciting young striker Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman appeared for the Netherlands during this summer's showpiece in Germany and arrives aiming to displace another raw centre forward in Rasmus Hojlund.

It will be exciting to see the two battle it out for a place in the side as the season goes on, but the focus for now will very much be on who else Dan Ashworth and Co can recruit.

Man United's transfer strategy this summer

One of the biggest focus points for the new ownership is strengthening their defence. Matthijs de Ligt continues to be mooted with a switch and it's highly likely that another Dutchman will be arriving at Old Trafford.

Jarrad Branthwaite has been another hot topic but with Amadou Onana set to move to Aston Villa in a £50m move, it's thought the Toffees will now hold onto their star defender.

Leny Yoro of Lille is another target but he prefers Real Madrid and is waiting for the Spanish giants to make an offer.

So, where to next? Well, the midfield also needs bolstering with newfound England star Kobbie Mainoo requiring a partner with more energy than a certain Casemiro.

Benfica sensation Joao Neves is one name who just continues to be mentioned in the same breath as United but the Portuguese outfit are reluctant to let him go unless someone pays his release clause which stands at over £100m.

New reports from CaughtOffside suggest that a 'cheaper alternative' for the club is Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.

He moved to the Eagles in a bargain £22m move last January and will no doubt fetch a considerable fee whenever the midfielder does move on.

How Adam Wharton compares to Declan Rice

Have we ever seen a rise like Wharton's? A year ago he was getting ready to embark on a Championship campaign with Blackburn Rovers. Highly rated no doubt, but few would have predicted the meteoric rise he was about to embark on.

Signed by Palace in January, he quickly looked at home in the Premier League. Before we knew it, he was making his debut for England in June against Bosnia. The end result? A promising showing that earned him a place on the plane for Euro 2024.

Despite a lust to see the 20-year-old play from the English public, he failed to get on the pitch this summer but the experience will no doubt have been incredibly beneficial for such a young player.

Coincidentally, it's the man he could partner should he join Man United who starred ahead of him; Mainoo.

This has the potential to be a fabulous partnership for Erik Ten Hag if Wharton does arrive, with United potentially set to land their own answer to someone like Declan Rice or Rodri.

Rice did not enjoy his best tournament for England but is certainly still one of the benchmark players when you talk about the best midfielders in the country.

Coincidentally, they're both pretty big fans of each other too. Speaking about Wharton this summer, Rice said: “He’s been outstanding. He's got a beautiful left foot, really crisp passing. And all round, just a really down-to-earth boy who wants to learn."

Wharton returned the favour, suggesting that Arsenal's record signing was a "top player".

Why do they love each other? Well, probably because they're pretty similar players. Although they play off different feet, they possess a wonderful ability to knock passes around with ease and break up the play.

In fact, so good has he been that Ian Wright even compared him to FFC's Player of the Tournament for Euro 2024, Spain's Fabian Ruiz.

He said on ITV this summer: "It's either Kobbie (Mainoo) or Wharton, but I'd probably put Wharton in there simply because he's the closest I've seen to Fabian Ruiz."

So, what do the numbers say about all of them? We have the answer.

Evidently, Rice is a far better carrier of the ball than both players but as far as some of the metrics are concerned, there isn't a great deal of difference.

Wharton is about as creative as Fabian and the Arsenal star, even playing more key passes per 90 minutes. Considering the others play for two of Europe's elite clubs, it's unsurprising that Wharton comes out on top in the defensive metrics but the full range of his skillset is shown here.

He can pass and create like Rice, he can break up the play like England's number 4 and he's crisp in possession. If United are looking for the perfect partner for Mainoo, they need to look no further than this ever-improving midfield sensation.

Bruno replacement: Man Utd targeting £52m Bellingham & Palmer hybrid

He has a release clause in his contract

By
Joe Nuttall

Jul 15, 2024

Celtic are yet to make their first signing of the summer transfer window, which officially opened for business last month, but it is not through a lack of trying.

BBC Sport recently reported that the Scottish Premiership champions had an offer rejected for Ireland international Adam Idah, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Parkhead.

The outlet claimed that the Hoops submitted a bid that was worth between £4m and £5m for the 23-year-old attacker, but that was not enough to tempt Norwich City to cash in on the forward.

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Bhoys will go back in with an improved effort to sign the 6 foot 3 marksman, after his impressive spell in Glasgow last term.

However, Celtic do already have a striker who they have hit gold with and Brendan Rodgers could look to extract more from Kyogo Furuhashi, who is currently worth more than Idah.

How much Adam Idah is currently worth

HITC have reported that the Canaries are looking for a fee in the region of £8m to allow their academy graduate to move on from Carrow Road, which could be twice as much as Celtic offered for him if their offer was at the lower end of the £4-5m range.

That valuation has come off the back of Idah's impressive performances in the Premiership for the Scottish giants during the second half of last term.

As you can see in the table above, the right-footed dynamo plundered an exceptional ten direct goal contributions in 15 appearances, despite starting just eight games.

Celtic struck gold with Kyogo Furuhashi

The Hoops already have a centre-forward who is currently worth more than him, though, as Football Insider reported earlier this summer that the club value Kyogo at a whopping £25m.

That is a staggering 433% increase on the £4.6m they reportedly paid to sign the attacker from Vissel Kobe in 2021, which shows that Ange Postecoglou struck gold by bringing the Japan international to Parkhead as his value has skyrocketed.

It also shows that he is currently valued at a considerably higher fee than the £8m wanted by Norwich for Idah, and that may be down to the goalscoring potential he has.

As you can see in the table above, Kyogo struggled in front of goal last season with ten more 'big chances' missed than goals scored in the Premiership.

However, the 29-year-old star's form during the 2022/23 campaign under Postecoglou shows that the quality is there for him to be a prolific scorer in Scotland, which means that all hope is not lost for him at Parkhead.

Imagine him & Hatate: Celtic given chance to sign new midfielder

The impressive central midfielder has already worked with Brendan Rodgers before.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 3, 2024

If Celtic fail to agree a deal with Norwich for Idah, Rodgers must do everything possible to get Kyogo back to his lethal best in the top-flight to reinforce that the Hoops struck gold when they snapped him up three years ago.

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor and player Jill Roord have insisted the Women's Super League title race is not over despite their loss to Chelsea.

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• Chelsea beat Man City 2-0
• Gain upper hand in title race
• Taylor & Roord say it is not over

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Defending WSL champions Chelsea leapfrogged City into first place after a deserved 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night. Chelsea are now two points clear and having a game in hand, but City manager Taylor and midfielder Roord believe they can bounce back from this setback.

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  WHAT ROORD AND TAYLOR SAID

  Roord told City's website: “No [this game doesn’t define our season], not at all. We knew coming in to this game that we wanted to win, obviously it was an important game and I think we could have [won it]. But in the end it didn’t go our way. Still, there’s a long time util the season is done.”

  While Taylor added: “For sure, the league’s never won in November. We’ve been on an incredible run. We’re obviously disappointed not to extend that, but that’s football. We’ll be back to the drawing board and make sure we’re ready for the next game and the next WSL game after the international break.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea won the 2023-24 WSL title on the last day of the season and did it despite picking up just one point from two games against City. Now, they have beaten them this term in a heavyweight clash and are on pole position to secure a record-extending sixth-straight league crown.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Chelsea will take a break from WSL action when they host Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday, whereas City travel to Hammarby the following day in the same competition.

Paul Pogba was all smiles at his wife Zulay’s birthday bash, with the World Cup winner now a free agent after seeing his Juventus contract terminated.

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• World Cup winner released by Serie A giants
• Free to resume career after ban in March 2025
• Enjoying spending time with his family for now

• GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Manchester United midfielder finds himself without a club after being released by the Serie A giants in Turin. That decision has been taken as Pogba continues to serve a worldwide football ban on the back of failing a doping test in September 2023.

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• THE GOSSIP

  Pogba was initially suspended for four years, but has seen that sanction reduced to 18 months on appeal, meaning that he will be free to resume his professional career in March 2025. It remains to be seen who the France international will be representing the next time that he takes to the field.

• WHAT ZULAY SAID

  For now, Pogba is enjoying spending time with his family. He has taken in relaxing breaks with his partner, while also helping her to celebrate turning 31. He was among the guests at a lavish party which saw Zulay post on Instagram: “Welcome my 31!!! Feeling so thankful and blessed for everyone and everything. Thank to my baby for making all this happen @paulpogba”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Pogba is being linked with clubs across the world as he begins to mull over his next move. There has been talk of him joining the likes of Lionel Messi and Olivier Giroud in MLS, while another stint in the Premier League or potential return to his roots in France are both being speculated.

Chelsea continue to hunt for a lethal goalscorer in the transfer market, to challenge Nicolas Jackson coming off the back of a good first season for the Blues.

In his first season, the Senegal international scored 14 Premier League goals, provided five assists, and played 2,813 minutes. Bettering the numbers of Chelsea all-time great Didier Drogba in his first season at the club.

Jhon Duran from Aston Villa seems to have been the most concrete name in recent weeks, but many names are appearing as Chelsea do their due diligence to acquire competition for Jackson.

Chelsea transfer news

According to reports from The Athletic's David Ornstein, Chelsea have now held talks with the representatives of Lille striker Jonathan David.

There has been no approach to Lille so far, according to the reports. However, the two clubs have "good relations" and Chelsea are exploring the possibility of a summer move for the 24-year-old Canadian.

This signing could provide somewhat of a more known quantity, compared to others names such as Duran and Samuel Omorodion, who have been linked in recent weeks.

How David compares to Jhon Duran

On the surface level, David is the clear option for a striking reinforcement, scoring 26 goals for Lille last campaign, providing four assists and playing 47 games in all competitions. Not only does this prove his tendency to score goals, but also his availability.

Compare this to Duran who, despite making 37 appearances in all competitions, played 2500 fewer minutes than David. The Colombian managed eight goals in those minutes, five of which came in the Premier League.

David has also got a track record of scoring goals behind him, managing 26 in the 2022/23 season, 19 in the 2021/22 season, and 13 in his first season at Lille in the 2020/21 season. Therefore, it would make sense as to why Chelsea are interested, as they look to bolster the squad with a natural goalscorer up top.

Much like Jackson, the Canadian can drop in and link up play. Making 2.7 progressive passes per 90, 1.61 progressive carries per 90, and supplying 1.81 passes into the final third per 90, showing his ability to drop in deep, as well as affecting the game in the box.

Compare this to Duran, who is a riskier move due to sample size, not being an established goalscorer like David, and possibly even costing more money.

However, what the 20-year-old Aston Villa forward does offer is a physical profile that Chelsea lack. Standing at 6 foot 1, Duran has a powerful build which allows him to often get his own way against defenders, winning duels, not prevailing with 3.79 aerials per 90.

When you compare Duran's 3.79 aerials per 90, with the 0.72 of David, and the 1.13 of Jackson, it is clear to see a profile like the Colombian would provide something Chelsea currently don't have in the squad.

Both strikers clearly offer assets to this Chelsea squad. It will eventually come down to the decision of adding a different profile in Duran, or a proven goal-scoring option in the "fantastic" as dubbed by Micah Richards, David.

Chelsea are now on the verge of signing their answer to Olise

Chelsea are making early moves in the transfer window.

By
Matt Dawson

Jun 23, 2024

Barcelona are set to gain financially due to Gavi's long-term injury that he suffered last year while on international duty.

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• Barcelona set to receive huge amount for Gavi's injury
• Spanish midfielder could return to action next weekend
• Barcelona set to face Sevilla on October 20

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The young midfielder has remained sidelined since November 2023 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury that he suffered during a Euro 2024 qualifying game against Georgia. He missed the remainder of the 2023-24 season and also failed to make it to La Roja squad for the European Championship which was held this summer. The player finally reported back to training during pre-season and Mundo Deportivo now reports that Gavi could be included in Barcelona's matchday squad for the Sevilla clash on October 20.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The report also claims that with the 20-year-old all set to take the field after exactly 335 days, the Catalan giants will gain financially. As part of the club protection program, FIFA will pay the Blaugrana more than €6m (£5m). The amount was calculated based on the number of days the player remained out of action starting December 16, 2023, after he spent 28 consecutive days with the injury. However, it has to be noted that €4.6m has already been settled for 226 days of the player's injury until June 30, 2024, and has been reflected in the club's account books for the last financial year. The remaining €1.6m, starting July 1 will be settled in due course and will be reflected in their books for the 2024-25 financial year.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Earlier this summer, Paris Saint-Germain were plotting a move to sign Gavi, however, Barcelona outright rejected the offer as they were not interested in selling one of their prized assets whose contract runs until 2026 and has a €1 billion (£858m/$1.1bn) release clause.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  Gavi's return will come as a huge boost for La Liga leaders. After facing Sevilla next Sunday, they will be back in action in the Champions League as they take on Bayern Munich in a mega-European clash on October 23.

Everton will want to build on their 15th-placed finish in the Premier League next season, with the club needing to dip into the market to improve Sean Dyche’s squad.

The Toffees produced a great end to the campaign, winning five of the last eight matches to secure another season of top-flight football, despite receiving a total of eight points deducted during the 2023/24 campaign.

However, the club’s biggest issue on the field was highlighted, with the lack of goals evident during the 38 outings in the Premier League.

Dyche’s side only managed to score two or more goals in a game on ten occasions, accumulating a tally of just 40 goals – an average of just 1.05 goals per game, the second-lowest in the division narrowly ahead of relegated Sheffield United.

Only two players within the squad managed to score more than five goals, with £25m signing Beto failing to reach such heights following his big-money move to Goodison from Udinese last summer.

However, the Merseysiders are already targeting attacking alternatives ahead of the summer window, including one player who could prove to be excellent value for money following his impressive stint in England during 2023/24.

Everton interested in signing £8m talent this summer

According to Sport BILD via Sport Witness, Everton are one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing TSG Hoffenheim forward Jacob Braun Larsen this summer.

The Danish talent scored six times during his loan spell at Burnley last season, finishing as the Clarets’ top scorer in a campaign where they suffered an immediate return to the Championship.

The Toffees aren’t alone in the pursuit of the 25-year-old, with Julen Lopetegui’s side also interested in bringing Bruun Larsen back to England ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Unlike his move to Turf Moor, a deal for the former Borussia Dortmund man is likely to be a permanent one, with the report claiming he’s on the German club’s ’cut list’ and could be available for as little as €10m (£8m).

He would certainly be a shrewd addition to Dyche’s side, transforming his attacking and finally allowing the Toffees’ boss to forget about one player who failed to shine on Merseyside.

Why Bruun Larsen would be an upgrade on Jack Harrison

Jack Harrison spent the previous campaign on loan at Goodison from Leeds United after the Whites dropped back into England’s second tier after three years back in the top flight.

The 27-year-old Englishman featured 29 times for the Toffees in the Premier League, scoring just three goals in an all-round disappointing season for the forward.

However, after Daniel Farke’s side failed to claim promotion in the play-off final a couple of weeks ago, it was reported that the Toffees would look to re-sign the wideman on loan for next season.

Given his lack of impact and the availability of Bruun Larsen, Dyche’s side simply must forget about a reunion, with the Danish attacker producing high tallies in the vast majority of areas last term, proving why his former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre claimed that he "has the nose [for scoring opportunities]".

When comparing the duo on FBref, they both have produced the same amount of goals and assists combined, but the former Burnley loanee has a higher goal per 90 average – a real key for Dyche’s side given their recent lack of goals.

Bruun Larsen also averages more shots per 90, whilst putting 6% more of his efforts on target, potentially having the ability to transform the Toffees’ dire record in front of goal.

The “superb” forward, as dubbed by ScoutedFTBL, has impressed in the Premier League and with the quality in the Everton ranks, he could be able to thrive once more, with the £8m fee touted a bargain for a player of his talent.

Everton can forget about Broja by signing £40m "goal machine"

The club have been targeting reinforcements for their attacking department this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 13, 2024

Angel FC wonder kid Alyssa Thompson scores her first international goal for the USWNT vs. Iceland

• Thompson scored her first international goal
• Sam Coffey assists
• Thompson represents USWNT first time since 2023

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In the 39the minute of the USWNT's friendly against Iceland Thursday night, Angel City FC wonderkid Alyssa Thompson scored her first international goal. Thompson received the ball outside the 18-yard-box from Sam Coffey. She dribbled down the left flank and then, with a quick inside, outside touch, rocketed the ball to the far side of the goal, scoring upper-90. Thompson's finish put the USWNT up 1-0.

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• WHAT THOMPSON SAID

  At halftime, Thompson told TNT: “Coming onto the field in the beginning, and wearing this jersey, I was like, ‘This is surreal.’ And being able to get my first goal, I can’t describe how I feel.” I’m just so happy.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Thompson's finish is her first international goal. She made a return to the USWNT roster after previously representing the squad at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Thompson has been a force for Angel City FC this season, and was selected first overall by the Los Angeles team in the 2023 NWSL Draft.

  Thompson was the youngest player to ever be drafted into the league and started her professional journey right out of high school.

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• WHAT'S NEXT FOR THOMPSON?

  The USWNT will play Iceland again on Sunday in Nashville, and then face Argentina on Oct. 30 to finish the month's round of friendlies.

After a deal to sign Jose Cordoba collapsed, Rangers have turned their attention towards another South American defender, who already reportedly has an offer on the table from Ibrox.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers looked destined to sign Cordoba, before a deal ultimately collapsed with Norwich City now the leading candidates to land the young defender's signature. He would have followed Jefte through the door to complete Rangers' second signing in a matter of weeks to start their summer transfer window with a bang, but Philippe Clement has now been forced to find another option.

That's not to say that Rangers have given up on the South American market following their Cordoba failure, however. In fact, it's quite the opposite. According to Chilean outlet Despliegue Fútbol, Rangers have presented an offer to Thomas Galdames, who has reportedly played his final game for Godoy Cruz in Argentina, winning 4-0 against El Porvenir this week.

Clement already personally eyeing new Rangers moves after Cordoba collapse

The Gers aren’t wasting any time…

By
Tom Cunningham

May 29, 2024

The 25-year-old left-back, who can also play as a centre-back, also reportedly has offers from Belgium and must now make his decision. With Rangers looking to fill the role that many believed Cordoba would, Galdames could emerge as the perfect option at Ibrox this summer.

Having already filled their left-back role with the arrival of Jefte, it will be interesting to see whether Clement would opt to turn Galdames into a central defender on a permanent basis if he completes a move to Scotland this summer. On paper, it's a risk, but it could be one worth taking if the Chilean finds his feet quickly and becomes the defender that the Gers are clearly after.

"Confident" Galdames can make up for Cordoba collapse

The Gers certainly aren't wasting any time feeling sorry for themselves after missing out on Cordoba, turning their attention straight to Galdames. And if Nathan Joyes' praise is anything to go by, dubbing the defender as "confident in the final third" among other positives, then those at Ibrox should be hoping to see Rangers get this one over the line.

If the aim isn't for Galdames to arrive and step into the centre-back role, then he will be left competing with Jefte and question marks will naturally begin to rise regarding the future of Ridvan Yilmaz, who has been linked with an Ibrox exit in the past.

It's certainly solid planning from Rangers, either way. On the one hand, they'll have a left-back ready to compete if Yilmaz leaves, and on the other, Clement could mould a top centre-back.

Pundit Keith Wyness has dropped an exciting update regarding Celtic's upcoming transfer business this summer, with Brendan Rodgers not messing around and set for a serious charge at Champions League success.

Celtic transfer plans in progress after title win

The Hoops sealed yet another Scottish Premiership title this week – their third in a row – following their ruthless 5-0 victory away to Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening. It is a fantastic achievement by Rodgers and his players, who trailed Rangers earlier in the campaign, as their victory over their rivals last weekend sealed the deal in emphatic fashion.

New signings are still needed despite this success, however, ensuring that Celtic don't rest on their laurels, and a replacement for the soon-to-be-retiring Joe Hart will be at the top of their list of priorities, with Southampton ace Alex McCarthy backed to join this summer.

It is being reported that Trabzonspor stopper Ugurcan Cakir is a top target, with a £6m+ bid believed to have been submitted, with the 27-cap Turkey international looking like an exciting choice. Liverpool 'keeper Caoimhin Kelleher has also been linked with a move to Parkhead, should the Irishman feel that now is the time to leave Anfield and stop playing second fiddle to Alisson.

Celtic are also reportedly battling with Rangers for the signing of Connor Barron, who has impressed in Aberdeen's midfield and is considered an exciting long-term prospect at the age of 21.

Celtic backed for busy summer

Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness claimed that Celtic could make as many as five signings this summer, as Rodgers looks to make big changes, with a larger focus on the Champions League next season:

"I’m expecting Celtic to be looking at four to five new signings this summer. I’m hearing that Brendan Rodgers will place more of a focus on getting through in the Champions League. They had a difficult time this year with that particular issue, with some heavy losses.

"But I think he’ll plan and try to equip themselves better on the European stage with some of the business they do. I hope they can do so because the Scottish coefficient needs it."

This is a hugely exciting update at a time when Celtic supporters are already in buoyant spirits, suggesting that another busy summer is on the cards.

The worst thing that the Hoops could do is not kick on after the current campaign, allowing Rangers to narrow the gap in the process, and ruthlessness is needed in the transfer market. With Champions League football coming their way next season, higher quality players are required, having finished bottom of their group with just four points from six matches this season.

Celtic make £6m+ bid to sign "highly rated" goalkeeper to replace Hart

He could be the new first-choice ‘keeper at Celtic Park.

By
Ben Browning

May 15, 2024

This isn't a Celtic squad that needs major surgery, as their title success shows – they could still clinch Scottish Cup glory, too – but a new goalkeeper to replace Hart looks set to kickstart a mini squad overhaul this summer.