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Middlesbrough must add to their attacking ranks this summer, otherwise, they could be stuck in the Championship for a whole lot longer than another season.

Tony Pulis’ side may have been in contention for a play-off spot for the majority of the campaign, however, goals were a huge problem for the Teesside outfit throughout the year, with a number of clubs outscoring them in the division.

And, it appears they are interested in adding a razor-sharp attacker to their squad in the summer if the latest rumour to emerge is anything to go by.

What’s the News?

The Teesside Gazzete are running with a story claiming Middlesbrough are interested in signing Sheraldo Becker this summer.

The winger is out of contract with ADO Den Haag this summer, making him an extremely attractive option for the Championship club to consider.

The Verdict:

Going based off of his stats this season, Becker could be an excellent addition to the Riverside outfit this summer and one that Middlesbrough should look to make happen.

The 24-year-old has shown some fine form in the final third of the pitch for Den Haag, having netted eight goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions so far. Those figures would certainly be welcomed on Teesside.

A right winger by trade, he can also play on the left flank or be utilised as a secondary striker, which would provide Pulis with a number of options in the attacking third as the club will look to finally get out of England’s second-tier.

There is a chance that Becker could become Boro’s next Adama Traore as well, but hopefully with more goals. He has the pace, the tricky feet and the ability to make the direct runs their former star used to make in the red-and-white shirt that will surely get the Middlesbrough faithful off their feet in the stands if he were to join them.

Middlesbrough fans, what do you make of Becker? Let us know your thoughts below!

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Liverpool travel to Barcelona on Wednesday evening for what is a crucial Champions League semi-final inside the Camp Nou, where Jurgen Klopp’s men will have the chance to score a vital away goal.

It will certainly be a tough task for the Reds against one of the best sides in Europe, and it will be an enticing watch as to who comes out on top between Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk, arguably two of the best in their positions in world football.

However, the job could be made harder for Liverpool if Roberto Firmino cannot recover from his ‘small muscle tear’, which ruled him out of the 5-0 win over Huddersfield.

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The Brazilian is a crucial cog in Klopp’s team, and his absence could be a significant factor in Liverpool’s chances of getting a result against the Spanish champions.

Firstly, let’s see how the Reds may set up with Firmino available…

This is how Klopp opted to line his side up against the Terriers, apart from Daniel Sturridge coming in for Firmino, and saw a performance from his men which yielded five goals and a clean sheet; a real swashbuckling showing.

However, if Firmino is unavailable, the former Borussia Dortmund boss will have to rethink things – Sturridge was ineffective against the league’s basement side in Huddersfield, so he can’t be seriously considered against Barcelona.

Of course, Xherdan Shaqiri is an option to come in, so too is Divock Origi, but we don’t think that Klopp will spring any surprises; instead, we think he may just alter one in-form star’s position slightly…

Instead of bringing in a recognised attacker, Klopp should move Keita out onto the left-wing, and put Sadio Mane into the centre-forward role where he has shone at times this season.

The Guinean international has played out on the left four times in the current campaign, and it is an area that Klopp has said in that past that Keita can play in due to his ‘speed’ and ‘football intelligence’.

The chain reaction of Firmino missing out and pushing Keita wide would then make room for Georginio Wijnaldum, who has recently seen his spot hijacked by a resurgent Jordan Henderson.

In Mane’s case, the Senegalese international played as a centre-forward in the 5-0 win over Watford earlier in the season, a game in which he netted two goals – including an expertly taken back-heel chip over Ben Foster.

Given the lack of quality in the forward options behind Firmino, such as Origi and Sturridge, this would be Klopp’s best lineup in the absence of his first-choice No.9, and would go some way to helping them get a result and potentially a crucial away goal.

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Everton fans have taken to Twitter in angered fashion after it was announced that Andre Gomes would serve a three-game ban for his studs-up challenge on Aleksandar Mitrovic, which referee Lee Probert failed to spot.

As a result of Probert not seeing the incident, it was left in the hands of the Football Association to sort out, and they have now banned the Portuguese international after he accepted a charge of violent conduct.

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The 25-year-old will miss games against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Burnley, but will be available for the final game of the season against Tottenham.

There is no denying that it was an ugly challenge from the on-loan Barcelona midfielder, but the Everton fans’ main issue with the ban is that other players have gotten away with similar incidents of late – Mohamed Salah’s awful challenge on Porto star Danilo in the Champions League being a key example.

Let’s see what the livid Toffees supporters on Twitter have been saying about the ban…

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have reacted with genuine delight to the VAR controversies that characterised the club’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Manchester City.

Spurs progressed to the semi-finals on away goals despite a 4-3 defeat on the night at the Etihad Stadium.

A crazy opening 25 minutes saw five goals scored as Spurs and City traded blows in a classic encounter.

Raheem Sterling scored a brace, with his second appearing to give Pep Guardiola’s men the lead they needed to progress.

However, Fernando Llorente’s goal in the second half, which appeared to strike his arm, sent Spurs through, with a VAR review allowing the strike to stand.

Sterling then appeared to complete his hat-trick in the final stages of injury time, to send City through, only for VAR to disallow the strike for an offside in the build-up.

Spurs fans could not believe the reversal in their fortunes, as they will now play in their first Champions League semi-final in a generation, against Dutch giants Ajax.

And loads of supporters have expressed their delight at VAR, with many reacting with declarations of love.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Not all of Man Utd’s transfers have been very good over the last few years. Indeed, despite signing some top talent, much of which has done well at points, you can count the number of successful Man Utd transfers from the last few years on two hands.

One man that, certainly, has had a tough time is Ivorian defender Eric Bailly. Despite a good start to life in England, his form since that point has been up and down – and now it appears as though the Red Devils have had enough.

Indeed, according to the Mirror, Man Utd are ready to listen to offers for Bailly this summer, with the club apparently looking to bring in Toby Alderweireld at the end of the campaign. 

Now, whilst Bailly has underperformed throughout his time in Manchester, it’s hard to look at this deal as one that makes sense for Man Utd.

After all, on his day, Bailly is a tremendous player. He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s good on the ball, and he’s aggressive when seeking possession, which makes him a terrifying defender for attackers to come up against.

Sure, his day hasn’t come all that often, but that hasn’t always been his fault. Indeed, the Ivorian’s bad luck with injuries hasn’t helped, whilst his time in Manchester has been incredibly stop-start, with management sometimes refusing to give him regular minutes.

It’s always going to be hard to perform when you aren’t given a regular platform to do so. It took so long for Victor Lindelof to earn his stripes, yet he was given a run in the team – and he’s repaid the faith.

Bailly’s out of form, but Man Utd saw during his early days that he’s got a lot of talent, and if he’s given a run in the team with a view to getting back in form, he could repay the faith.

It’s too soon to cash-in on the Ivorian.

Man Utd fans should the Red Devils sell Bailly? Does he have more to give? Join the discussion below!x

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Newcastle came from two goals down to grab their fifth consecutive home win on Saturday, and fans are full of praise for the often-divisive Ayoze Perez.

After a hard-fought point and a resilient performance last time out against Liverpool, it was perhaps no surprise to see Everton burst out the blocks at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

The Toffees were two goals to the good within half an hour, as goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, together with a missed penalty from Matt Ritchie, left the home side with a mountain to climb.

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Climb it is exactly what they did though, as Salomon Rondon buried a real striker’s finish just after the hour mark, before Perez left his mark on the match.

The crafty Spaniard, who takes loads of stick on Tyneside for his lack of end product, scored twice in three minutes, bundling home a Jordan Pickford error before smashing in the winner after a scramble in the Toffees’ box.

The 25 year-old is still inconsistent, but he now has five goals and one assist in his last ten matches in all competitions, so his production in the final third is clearly improving.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Manchester United have certainly had a season of two halves this year.

Looking like the laughing stock of the league before Christmas with players seemingly falling out with then manager Jose Mourinho and the club falling further behind the top 4, it looked as though the fans were in for a dismal season.

However, since the change of guard and newly united under the stewardship of Old Trafford legend Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, they are unbeaten in the league since his arrival and have only suffered one defeat in all competitions.

Still, it’s not as if everyone has been magically reworked by the Norwegian, though that may not be his fault.

Indeed, with all the change a couple of players have still struggled to perform under the Norwegian, here we will have a look at them.

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez arrived at United with such high expectations, however, since he arrived he has brought nothing to the table for United and is a shadow of his former Arsenal self.

Even under the new manager, the Chilean has failed to impress and has only managed to provide 1 assist in the Premier League since Solkjaer’s arrival.

Such poor performances have led to fans wanting the 30-year-old to step up or get out of the way for talented youth to find their place in the side.

At this point, the player will surely be feeling that a move away from the Manchester club may help his confidence and redeem the reputation he had earlier on in his career.

Fred

The big money signing from Shaktar moved to Old Trafford and brought a huge expectation with him. The Brazilian playmaker was bought in by Jose Mourinho and was meant to be the man that would unlock the creativity that was lacking in the midfield.

However, even under Mourinho, the midfielder struggled to make an impact, only scoring one goal and providing no assists in the Premier League this season.

Fred most recently played in United’s 1-3 away win against Crystal Palace, but it’s not hard to feel that, had United had all of their players fit, the 25-year-old would have found himself on the bench again.

If the midfielders season is to continue in the same fashion and have game after game on the bench, he will surely be looking for a move away from the Premier League and build his way back up to good form elsewhere.

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Leeds United made an attempt to sign Paris Saint-Germain attacker Jese Rodriguez during the January transfer window, according to El Desmarque.

What’s the story, then?

Leeds sent a message to the entire Championship by bringing Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla to the club during the winter transfer window.

According to El Desmarque, the Whites were desperate to follow Casilla’s capture with the signing of Jese, but could not get the deal over the line.

The report has claimed that the Championship outfit ‘fought until the end’ to bring the Spaniard to Elland Road.

However, Jese ultimately joined La Liga outfit Real Betis on loan for the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign.

The 25-year-old’s career has seriously stalled in recent years, but it would have been some story if Leeds had managed to bring him to the second tier of English football.

What has happened to Jese’s career?

Once regarded as one of the best young talents in Spanish football, Jese came through the youth system at Real Madrid before making his first-team debut for the club in 2011.

The attacker went on to make 94 appearances for Los Blancos – winning two Champions League titles in the process – before moving to PSG in August 2016.

Jese has only made 15 first-team appearances for the French giants, however, spending time out on loan with Las Palmas and Stoke City over the last couple of seasons.

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The Spaniard still has plenty of time to forge a successful career, though, and will be looking to impress for Betis before returning to PSG this summer.

Leeds, meanwhile, are chasing a return to the Premier League. And who knows, securing promotion to the top tier might leave the club in a better position to move again for Jese in this summer’s transfer window.

[ad_pod ]Almost unnoticed, Scott Bain has taken over as Celtic’s first choice goalkeeper.

What’s the word?

The 6 foot shot-stopper has played in Celtic’s last three matches, keeping clean sheets in each, after winning a friendly battle with Craig Gordon.

Airdrie, St Mirren and Hamilton have hardly peppered the Celtic goal but there was one incident just before half-time against Airdrie that no fan will forget – an incredible triple save.

Ideal for Rodgers

Sweeper-keeper is now the accepted model for clubs to aspire to and while he has some way to go to match the exploits of Ederson Moraes at Manchester City, there is no questioning Bain’s ability with the ball at his feet – something that is quickly proving an ideal fit for how Rodgers wants his side to play.

Celtic fans have been impressed by the way that Bain effortlessly releases the ball to defenders, with the respected Celtic by Numbers confirming a hugely impressive statistic…

What’s next?

Bain will continue between the sticks against St Johnstone on Wednesday night, making it a run of four consecutive matches after impressing during the Betfred Cup.

After his incredible debut at Ibrox, Bain became an instant hero of the Celtic support but has followed up his heroics that day with steady unspectacular displays.

Gordon has never looked truly at ease adapting to the style of play required by Rodgers. After ousting Dorus de Vries from the side he has a major task winning the jersey back from Bain.

Real Madrid released an update on French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who sustained an injury while on national duty.

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Camavinga injuredReal Madrid reveal injuryCould be out for 6-8 weeksGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

After a number of medical tests, the Spanish giants gave an update on his injury on Friday, confirming that the 21-year-old has suffered a rupture of the external lateral ligament of the right knee. Due to the injury, the 21-year-old may miss eight to ten weeks of play. He suffered the injury during training with Les Bleus.

AdvertisementWHAT REAL MADRID SAID

"Following tests carried out today on our player Eduardo Camavinga by the Real Madrid medical services, it has been diagnosed that he has torn the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. Further developments are awaited," said Real Madrid in an official statement.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

This season, the youngster has been outstanding for Real Madrid and provides Carlo Ancelotti both a left-back and midfield alternative. So far this season, he has made 17 appearances across all competitions. As a result, his absence will be deeply felt, particularly in light of the fact that Aurelien Tchouameni, a fellow defensive midfielder, sustained an injury that is likely to keep him out for six weeks.

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WHAT NEXT FOR CAMAVINGA?

The midfielder has returned to Madrid as the club will look to get him ready to recuperate as quickly as possible.