After a difficult start, Leeds United have finally found their feet under Daniel Farke, and now look on course to challenge for a place at the top of the Championship. Much of the credit for their turnaround deserves to go to the recruitment team, with Joel Piroe's arrival particularly strengthening the Yorkshire side in the final third this season.

That same team could be at the centre of things once more come January, too, when they'll look to find the players capable of making a difference for Leeds in the final stages of the campaign. And that could include the addition of one particular goalkeeper who is a man in demand.

What's the latest Leeds United transfer news?

In total, the Whites welcomed nine reinforcements during the summer transfer window, with Leeds' summer spending reaching around the £36m mark. Proving their ability to spend, the winter transfer window may open the door for further reinforcements for the 49ers Enterprises and Farke at Elland Road.

Player

Price

Joel Piroe

€14m

Ethan Ampadu

€8m

Ilia Gruev

€6.5m

Glen Kamara

€6m

Djed Spence

€1m loan fee

Karl Darlow

€400k

Sam Byram

Free

Jaidon Anthony

Loan

Joe Rodon

Loan

One position that Farke could strengthen is the goalkeeper role, with the latest Noel Tornqvist transfer news reporting that Leeds are interested in the shot-stopper. According to Fotbollskanalen, via Leeds Live, officials of the Yorkshire club actually sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old goalkeeper in action for Mjallby AIF prior to the international break. Mjallby AIF sporting director Hasse Larsson confirmed that scouts were there to watch Tornqvist, saying, via Leeds Live:

"That’s right. There were two more clubs, two Dutch clubs, who were also there to watch. There is an interest, absolutely. We’ll see what happens, we haven’t received anything concrete. We have only received requests.

“I think we have a contract for four more years. It is difficult to answer [of retaining him beyond January], but we are happy to keep him for a while longer. Then we’ll see, it depends on what comes. It’s fairly broad. There were four clubs that looked at him and there have been clubs that looked at him before.”

Who is Noel Tornqvist?

A left-footed goalkeeper, Tornqvist played an important role for Mjallby AIF last season, starting 23 of his side's 25 Allsvenskan games. Tornqvist's clean sheets were also impressive, with the 21-year-old keeping an impressive total of 11 throughout the season in all competitions. With that said, he could provide current Leeds number one Illan Meslier with plenty of competition, perhaps even taking the starting role from the Frenchman, should he end up leaving in the future.

Mjallby coach Anders Torstensson has previously been full of praise for his goalkeeper, saying:

“It was a question mark we had before the season. We know that Noel is a good goalkeeper. Then it’s about defending the shirt as the first-choice goalkeeper. He made a mistake against Varberg and also had back problems in that game, but I think he responded in a fantastic way.”

When the January transfer window swings open, the Whites may well be a club to keep an eye on, with their interest in Tornqvist potentially taking centre stage.

Liverpool have suffered their fair share of talented youth players tantalising a glimpse of Steven Gerrard-esque potential with a prodigious introduction to life on the senior stage, only to fall utterly flat.

There have been some notable success stories, of course, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones two integral members of Jurgen Klopp's ambitious squad, while talented prospects such as Jarell Quansah and Ben Doak have not yet solidified their status as starring Premier League players, though they are certainly on track.

There are, however, some bitter cases of unharnessed talent throughout the German's illustrious reign, with perhaps the most salient example that of Ben Woodburn.

How good was Ben Woodburn?

Woodburn was touted for big things in the fledgling phase of his career, but when he scored against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup in November 2016, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club's distinguished history, Anfield erupted, certain a new hero had been born.

That goal was his only direct contribution for the Reds, making 11 total appearances and completing several loan spells, never quite performing at a level high enough to warrant a spot in Klopp's senior plans.

Unfortunately, Woodburn never really kicked on and departed to Preston North End last summer when his contract on Merseyside expired.

He would play 42 times last term but was primarily utilised as a rotation player, scoring twice and supplying three assists – one of those goals, however, did come against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.

This season, he has yet to start for the Championship high-fliers in the league but has made eight substitute appearances, also scoring in his one cup appearance against Salford City.

The Wales international isn't alone in having failed to live up to the billing at Anfield, with Sheyi Ojo another to have fallen by the wayside.

How good was Sheyi Ojo?

Bursting onto the scene at youth level with MK Dons, Liverpool secured a swoop for a 14-year-old Ojo in 2011, for a figure believed to be around £2m.

Making his Reds debut in 2016, Ojo enjoyed an exciting loan spell with Wolves in the Championship – posting three goals and four assists – before being recalled by Liverpool and enjoying some match action across the latter phase of the football year.

Indeed, the dynamic winger impressed and then some, earning five starts late into the Premier League season and registering three assists, also scoring and assisting for the Reds against Exeter City across two legs in the FA Cup.

So impressive was the starlet that he started drawing some big comparisons to Raheem Sterling, who had risen to the fore with Liverpool and joined Manchester City in a £49m deal in July 2015, which was one month before Ojo's loan move to the Old Gold.

His gliding, graceful gait, blistering pace and innate skill was reminiscent to Sterling, but what differentiated him was his natural left-footedness, hinting at a future as a first-class right-winger given the composure he had exhibited in front of goal in the early days of his career.

It didn't work out in the end though, and Ojo's really is a case of failed application and an inability to harness his natural talent and channel it into something consistent, and while he remains a popular figure on Merseyside for the flair at his feet, he has endured incessant failure over many years now.

At 26 years old, the Watford-born ace is undoubtedly a worse blunder than Woodburn; while the Welshman failed to live up to his potential, he is still only 23 and remains a member of Preston's burgeoning squad.

Where is Sheyi Ojo now?

When Liverpool cut their ties with Ojo in 2022, it had been over five years since he last donned the famous red shirt, flattering to deceive over a number of years and loan stints and failing to live up to that lofty early promise.

A spate of injuries proved detrimental to his progress across his wandering journey across various outfits, with such miserable luck severing any possibility of fresh terms with the Anfield side.

He enjoyed some success with Cardiff City in the Championship in 2020/21, scoring five goals and supplying seven assists in what stands as the most productive campaign of his career.

But after joining the club on a permanent transfer last summer after his contract expired with Liverpool, Ojo failed to replicate for former feats and only bagged twice across 39 appearances across all competitions.

Having failed last year, Cardiff decided he was best placed elsewhere, and allowed him to join Belgian outfit KV Kortrijk on a season-long loan deal, and so far, he has yet to score from seven matches, earning one assist.

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

23/24

6

0

1

22/23

36

1

0

21/22

18

0

2

20/21

41

5

7

19/20

19

1

5

18/19

15

0

0

17/18

22

4

2

16/17

N/A

N/A

N/A

15/16

8

0

3

Including the current campaign, with Ojo now plying his trade in Belgium, the fleet-footed wideman has only clinched more than one league goal across one of his past six seasons, which is an alarming absence of prolificness and ability in the final third – buttressing claims that he has been “woeful” from the like of Ryan Deeney.

For a player who tantalised so much promise in the opening phase of his career, Ojo is undoubtedly one of the most poignant failures from Liverpool's formative ranks over the past decade, and a stark reminder of the wayward direction that the club was headed before Klopp's transformative appointment.

And while Woodburn is another who has suffered a failure to kick on from Liverpool's academy, the 23-year-old has more time on his side and still earns his place in a Championship team – and one that is thriving too.

The sheer fact that he was compared to a remarkable prospect such as Sterling, who has now ripened into one of the Premier League's most illustrious present members, highlights how much potential faded away.

Everton are flourishing with David Moyes back in the dugout. It’s almost as if he never left.

The Scottish tactician has won four of his last five Premier League matches, drawing against Liverpool, since returning, having narrowly fallen to Aston Villa in his (second) managerial debut for the Toffees.

Whether Everton are enjoying a big bounce or have hit sustainable form remains to be seen, but you’d certainly say that Moyes’ return has unlocked something long dormant in this squad, and with the right summer planning, perhaps the club’s future lies higher up the table.

There are some exciting names dappled across the Blues first team, with one or two gifted enough to become all-timers within Moyes’ storied Everton career.

Moyes' greatest Everton players

If Moyes could pick his favourite former players across an 11-year term in the Goodison Park dugout, he’d have an outfit capable of challenging the Premier League’s current elite.

Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are in the mix, the defenders chalking up 805 appearances between them. While both Englishmen stretched beyond Moyes’ tenure, they broke out under his wing and were shaped into the Merseyside icons they became through his guidance.

Wayne Rooney didn’t stay at his boyhood club for long but is one of English football’s all-time superstars and was bestowed a professional breakthrough by Moyes, who called him “one of England’s finest, if not their finest player.”

Everton’s latter-day frontline has left plenty to be desired, but already, through the likes of Beto, the 61-year-old boss is proving that he can revive the thrill factor, the goals.

Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Louis Saha, Kevin Campbell, Ayegbeni Yakubu. Just some of the goal-assist heroes throughout Everton’s halcyon days. Great players all.

However, Moyes always loved Steven Pienaar, cherished him. The South African artist may be reincarnated in this 2025 iteration. You probably know who.

Moyes' new Steven Pienaar

Pienaar: fleet-footed and flamboyant. The quick feet and sure-willed dribbling made the winger a difficult customer for any defence, and he played an instrumental role for Moyes across two spells, joining on loan before signing permanently on both occasions.

Though half of his second stint fell after Moyes was anointed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford, Pienaar’s drop-off was startling, injuries swallowing him up and leaving him scraping for for the fringes of action.

In Iliman Ndiaye, Everton’s manager may just have his new version of the distinguishable Premier League icon. Ndiaye plays off the left flank and is known for his devastating and direct ability.

As per FBref, the Senegalese star ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers currently in the Premier League for successful take-ons per 90, also averaging 2.4 dribbles and winning a whopping 6.1 duels per match.

Unlike Pienaar, Ndiaye is more of a direct threat, scoring in three successive games for Moyes’ Everton before being forced off early against Liverpool, now sidelined for several weeks.

But the fact remains that he is a top talent, endowed with athletic vigour and skilful motions. He has been hailed for his “magic” by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson, and rightly so.

Aged 24, Ndiaye’s got plenty left to give Everton, with his prolific potential perhaps even enough to see him rise above Pienaar and become one of the Toffees’ most potent attacking forces under Moyes’ tutelage, should he stick around that long.

David Moyes at Everton – Most Goal Involvements
Rank	Player	G	A	G/A
1.	Tim Cahill	68	28	96
2.	Leon Osman	51	26	77
3.	Mikel Arteta	35	35	70
4.	Steven Pienaar	25	40	65
5.	Leighton Baines	22	37	59
Stats via Transfermarkt

No player in the history of Moyes’ managerial career has supplied more assists for his team than Pienaar, narrowly above West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen (39).

But he balanced his output, more than just goals, more than just assists. The same is true for Ndiaye, a player who you pay to see, who raises the roof and raises supporters, raises belief.

Moyes is a talented manager and clearly knows his stuff, but he’s certainly thanking his stars that he has entered a beleaguered Everton side and found one of English football’s biggest gems.

As you can see above, analyst Ben Mattinson observes that Everton’s star forward carries the unpredictable and giddying brand that emulates that of Moyes’ former servant, hailing his “Steven Pienaar 2.0 vibes.”

In times to come, fans may well look back (if they are not already) and hail Sean Dyche and Farhad Moshiri for parting with something positive, signing Marseille’s mercurial talent for just £15m.

Across 28 matches so far, the wideman has bagged eight goals (six in the Premier League) across 28 appearances, yet to provide an assist for a profligate frontline but hardly coming across as possessive on the field, conducting himself with the command and swagger of a talisman.

As Mattinson suggests, Ndiaye has enough natural quality to play for near any team across the division, serving at least as a dynamic and dangerous squad player.

His instant goalscoring success with Moyes holding the strings bodes well for his future. He’d already been a leading light through a dark Dyche-led start, and now holds the keys to the next level in Everton’s development.

Oh, Ndiaye has Pienaar vibes, sure, but maybe he could become something even greater in this juxtaposing new-old Moyes team.

Value's soared: Everton hit jackpot with star who's worth more than Ndiaye

Everton have struck gold with the defender who is now worth more than Iliman Ndiaye.

By
Dan Emery

Feb 20, 2025

Rangers have now held what is believed to be positive talks with one managerial candidate to take over at Ibrox, according to one report.

Who could be the next Rangers manager?

The Gers are on the search for their third permanent manager in the space of two years after parting ways with Michael Beale over the weekend. A 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership proved to be Beale’s last game in charge in Glasgow, with the 43-year-old ending his time as manager with 31 wins, four draws and eight defeats from 43 games.

Multiple managers, both in and out of work, have already been linked with the vacant role, including Frank Lampard, Kevin Muscat, Chris Wilder, Graham Potter and Ryan Lowe just some of the names to have been mentioned in recent days. The club look set to take their time when it comes to finding a long-term successor to Beale, with Steven Davis in interim charge of the side.

However, it looks as if Ibrox officials have already made a start when it comes to talks with a possible replacement. According to TEAMtalk, Rangers and Lampard have now held positive talks over a possible deal, with the former Chelsea boss extremely keen on taking charge. The report adds that further discussions are expected to take place between the two parties.

Is Frank Lampard a good manager?

Lampard likes to play an attacking 4-3-3 system, as per Transfermarkt, but so far, has had his struggles as a manager. During his time as Derby, Chelsea and Everton boss, the Englishman hasn’t won any honours and has won 83 of a possible 196 games, losing 73 of those. The 45-year-old does have two victories over Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers on his CV, though, something which could come in handy if he takes over at Ibrox as the club already look to close a seven-point gap on their rivals at the top of the table.

However, talkSPORT host Simon Jordan has been left concerned at the possibility of Lampard coming in at Rangers, believing it ‘makes no sense’.

“I’m not sure that Frank Lampard would be the right fit. I’m trying to work out on what basis would I be looking at Frank Lampard as a fit for Rangers.”

Jordan then went on to add:

“The only reason you put Lampard in the conversation is because it’s Frank Lampard the player. You don’t put him in the conversation because it’s Frank Lampard the manager, that’s why it makes no sense to me. Lampard is just a figure of people’s imagination right now, he needs to go away and regroup and become a football manager.”

The recent report states that Ibrox supporters have also made it clear that Lampard is not their preferred candidate, but by the looks of things, it appears that there is a real possibility of that happening following initial talks, making this one to keep an eye on in the coming days.

Northants find themselves adrift at the bottom of the table after being tipped for a successful Division Two season and Zak Chappell ensured there would be no quick fix

ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2018

Zak Chappell celebrates his maiden five-wicket haul•Getty Images

ScorecardZak Chappell took a maiden first-class five-wicket haul as Leicestershire edged the first day as the Specsavers County Championship returned at Wantage Road, bowling Northamptonshire out for 204 before going to the close 64 for 3.Chappell, playing his first County Championship match of the season, took 6 for 44 with the bulk of his work done in a fiery spell after lunch.Before lunch, he seamed a quick, full delivery into Rob Newton’s off stump to remove the opener for 31 before a wider ball was edged by Alex Wakely to second slip where Mark Cosgrove claimed a very sharp catch above his right shoulder.And then brought back into the attack an hour into the afternoon, he sent down six overs, 3 for 19 to run through the hosts’ middle order.Tall and well-built, he gained some bounce to take Ricardo Vasconcelos’ edge to deny the left-hander a half-century on his County Championship debut. Two balls later, Chappell induced a thin edge from Rob Keogh who was caught behind for a duck.Chappell’s five-for was completed when Rory Kleinveldt walked across his stumps to lose his leg stump for 21 before he flattened Nathan Buck’s off stump.Ben Raine also claimed three wickets to help dismiss Northants shortly after tea after Leicestershire elected to field first. He made the opening breakthrough with one that bounced on Ben Duckett to take an edge behind. Saif Zaib, after a smart 34, slapped Raine straight to point before last man Ben Sanderson was pinned lbw.Northants were going well with Vasconcelos and Adam Rossington taking them to 128 for 3 an after lunch on a wicket where plenty of grass was left on. But Chappell’s burst reduced them to 155 for 7 and it took Zaib and Buck to rescue a batting bonus point.The total was put into context as Leicestershire came out to face 25 overs before the close. Sanderson found considerable swing to take two wickets in a nine-over burst. He claimed a stunning return catch down low to his right after Paul Horton produced a leading edge before a beauty straightened on Harry Dearden and took out his off stump.Mark Cosgrove and Colin Ackermann looked to be steering the visitors to stumps but Cosgrove was pinned lbw by Ben Cotton – a short-term signing for Northants among a string of injuries – to ensure the home side kept in touch.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras se reapresentou na tarde desta sexta-feira (6), na Academia de Futebol, após vencer o Red Bull Bragantino e garantir vaga para as quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Sem tempo para descanso, Abel Ferreira foi para o campo com os reservas, enquanto os titulares fizeram o tradicional regenerativo, na parte interna do CT.

A grande e triste notícia do dia no alviverde foi a lesão de Wesley, que, confirmada pelo próprio clube, vai tirar o camisa 47 de toda a temporada. O atacante passará por cirurgia nos próximos dias e deve abrir espaço para mais uma Cria da Academia subir para o elenco profissional, ou até mesmo para um novo reforço.

Os reservas do elenco palmeirense fizeram um trabalho técnico com Abel Ferreira e seus auxiliares, onde os portugueses puderam observar as opções do plantel palmeirense, que devem ganhar chance nas próximas semanas, uma vez que o clube terá pelo menos cinco desfalques, por lesões e convocações para as Eliminatórias.

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Alguns jovens do Sub-20 foram convocados para participarem do treino: Carlos (zagueiro), Quiñonez (meio-campista/lateral), Jonathan (meio-campista), Marino (atacante), Pedro Acacio (atacante), Marcelinho (atacante) e Robinho (atacante).

Ao lado do lateral Lucas Esteves, o zagueiro Benjamín Kuscevic foi ao campo e fez um trabalho individual de transição física com os profissionais do Núcleo de Saúde e Performance do Palmeiras.

O novo técnico do Verdão terá apenas este sábado para preparar o time titular que entra em campo para encarar o Vasco, no próximo domingo (8), em São Januário, na partida que marca o primeiro jogo de Abel Ferreira no Campeonato Brasileiro.

O Verdão finaliza a preparação neste sábado, às 10h, na Academia de Futebol, e viaja para o Rio de Janeiro na sequência.

continua após a publicidade

يستضيف ملعب أليجيانت ستاديوم بولاية لاس فيجاس الأمريكية، قمة مباريات دور الثمانية من بطولة كوبا أمريكا التي تقام في الولايات المتحدة.

منتخب البرازيل يلاقي نظيره الأوروجوياني، في سهرة كروية على ملعب أليجيانت، في آخر مباريات دور الـ16، بعدما تأهلت كولومبيا اليوم، لتلحق بـ كندا والأرجنتين.

الفائز من هذه المباراة يلاقي كولومبيا في الدور نصف النهائي، ويكمل عقد الرباعي.

تشكيل منتخب البرازيل بقيادة المدرب دوريفال جوينور، في ظل غياب فينيسيوس جونيور بسبب الإيقاف، يدفع بـ إندريك لاعب ريال مدريد القادم، لقيادة الهجوم، ويرافقه رافينيا ورودريجو وخلفهم لوكاس باكيتا.

طالع أيضًا.. رافينها يتحدى أراوخو قبل مباراة البرازيل وأوروجواي في كوبا أمريكا 2024

بينما على الجانب الآخر، فالمخضرم الأرجنتيني مارسيلو بيلسا، يدفع بالقوة الضاربة لمنتخب أوروجواي، بقيادة داروين نونيز للهجوم، وخلفه الموهوب ماكسيمليانو أراوخو وباليستيريلي.

وفي وسط الملعب ثنائي ريال مدريد وباريس سان جيرمان، فالفيردي وأوجارتي على الترتيب، ورونالد أراوخو في خط الدفاع. تشكيل البرازيل أمام أوروجواي في كوبا أمريكا 2024

حراسة المرمى: أليسون بيكر.

خط الدفاع: دانيلو، ميليتاو، ماركينيوس، أرانا.

وسط الملعب: برونو جيماريش، جواو جوميزز.

وسط الملعب الهجومي: رودريجو، باكيتا، رافينيا.

الهجوم: إندريك.

الاحتياط: بينتو، رافائيل، وينديل، بيرالدو، جابرييل ماجالايس، يان كوتو، بريمر، سافينهو، بيبي، أندريس بيريرا، دوجلاس لويز، إيديرسون، جابرييل مارتينيلي، إيفانيلسون. تشكيل أوروجواي أمام البرازيل في كوبا أمريكا 2024

حراسة المرمى: سيرجيو روشيت.

خط الدفاع: نانديز، أراوخو، ماتياس أوليفيرا، ماتياس فينيا.

وسط الملعب: فيديريكو فالفيردي، مانويل أوجارتي.

وسط الملعب الهجومي: ماكسيمليانو أراوخو، نيكولاس دي لا كروز، فاكوندو باليستيري.

الهجوم: داروين نونيز.

الاحتياط: ميلي، اسرايل، ماريشال، جويليرمو فاريلا، خوسية ماريا خيمينيز، سيباستيان كاسيريس، أولازا، براين رودريجيز، كانوبيو، أوكامبو، أراسكيتا، بينتانكور، إيمليانو مارتينيز، كريستيان أوليفيرا، لويس سواريز.

Harry Kane has a licence to thrill, with the record-breaking England striker getting a James Bond-esque “009” billing at Bayern Munich.

Article continues below

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• First man to hit four hat-tricks in debut Bundesliga campaign
• Has smashed through 30-goal barrier in all competitions
• Delivering perfect response to questions of future

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The prolific former Tottenham frontman continues to do all he can to ensure that Bayern do not end the 2023-24 campaign empty-handed. He has reached 36 goals for the season in all competitions, with 30 of those efforts coming in the Bundesliga.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane hit a hat-trick in his latest outing for Bayern and has become the first man to hit four trebles in a debut Bundesliga campaign. There may be more history to come as he closes on Robert Lewandowski’s record haul of 41 strikes in the German top-flight.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Questions have been asked of how happy and settled the 30-year-old forward is, as Bayern run the risk of missing out on major silverware for the first time since 2012, but the Three Lions skipper is said to be “feeling right at home” as he thrives at the Allianz Arena.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

  Kane is no secret agent, with the threat he poses painfully obvious to opponents, and he will hope to continue firing his way past rival defences over the coming weeks as Bayern take aim at Champions League glory and an unlikely Bundesliga title triumph.

Liverpool have had some ups and downs over the past few years, which is expected after the Reds achieved the highs of winning the Premier League and the Champions League between 2019 and 2020.

Jurgen Klopp has had the pleasure of coaching some of the world’s best over his tenure at Anfield, with some stars being far more memorable than others.

Last year, the German became the victim of orchestrating arguably one of Liverpool’s worst exchanges of the Premier League era, as Arthur Melo arrived on loan.

When did Liverpool sign Arthur?

Following the close of the 2022 summer transfer window, Liverpool announced the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo on a season-long loan from Juventus.

The deal included the option to make his move permanent for £32m, a prospect that the Reds didn’t even need to consider by the time the midfielder departed at the expiration of his loan.

At the point of his arrival, the Brazilian had eased the Merseyside outfit’s injury woes in the midfield, as Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were absentees at the time.

The former Barcelona ace told the club’s site, as relayed by Sky Sports, that his “ideas and visions were a good fit” for Liverpool, a statement that was far from relayed on the pitch.

How much did Arthur cost Liverpool?

While Klopp decided against triggering the £32m option to buy Arthur, the Brazil international still cost the Reds a considerable amount due to his wage demands and the £4m loan fee paid to Juventus.

Earning £110k-per-week at Anfield, Arthur was picking up a higher salary than the likes of squad essentials Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, despite making little impact during his season at the club.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the Brazilian cost Liverpool a staggering £5.7m in wages alone, which amounted to him costing £9.7m per appearance, fusing his salary, loan fee and single appearance.

It was a dreadful outcome for both player and club, as after playing 13 minutes in the Champions League in September, Arthur’s time at Liverpool was essentially over as it began.

In early October, the Fiorentina midfielder suffered a muscle tear in training, which required surgery to fix, leaving him out of action for 145 days.

Time stopped for Arthur, but continued at Liverpool, and as players returned, arrived and performed, the Brazilian’s situation at Anfield remained stagnant and the possibility of him securing regular game time became impossible.

Three appearances for the U21 and seven outings on the bench as an unused substitute in the Premier League concluded the Juventus loanee’s time on Merseyside, leaving having played just 13 minutes over the campaign.

Journalist Henry Jackson branded the deal as “pointless”, which was a valid description, and as much as it was an agonisingly unfortunate situation for the midfielder, the Reds were contracted to pay his fees for the duration of the season.

13 minutes of football over the 2022/23 footballing calendar cost the Reds almost £10m, and marked what was possibly the worst loan situation in Premier League history, as the player now resides back in Italy with Fiorentina.

Aston Villa could smash their transfer record to sign an "incredible" player next year, with club officials potentially increasing their interest this week.

Aston Villa transfer update

The Villans and Unai Emery have made a solid start to the new Premier League season after bringing in some shrewd signings over the summer. So far, Villa have won six of their nine top-flight fixtures and one of their two Europa Conference League games ahead of tonight’s clash against AZ Alkmaar, with new additions Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres playing key roles in Emery’s side.

However, despite an impressive start, owners NSWE and president of football operations Monchi already appear to have an eye on 2024 and bolstering Emery’s squad even further. One player who was linked with a move to Villa Park in the summer was Sporting CP’s Pedro Goncalves, with Aston Villa transfer rumours continuing following the summer window. Now, a fresh claim has emerged which shows that Villa are still eyeing the Portugal international.

Sport Witness relayed a Pedro Goncalves transfer update in the last 48 hours, claiming that Villa are watching the player and could use tonight’s match when Sporting CP take on Rakow Czestochowa in the Europa League to increase their interest. Goncalves has a €80m (£70m) release clause in his contract, and there is a hint that Villa could pay that fee due to the financial power that English clubs have.

Pedro Goncalves in "incredible" form for Sporting

Goncalves is 25 years of age and is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or as an attacking midfielder. He was previously on the books with Midlands rivals Wolves but has starred back in his native country with Sporting in recent years, with reporter Sacha Pisani saying he’s “been playing at an incredible level since joining”.

In total, Goncalves contributed to a whopping 35 goals in all competitions last season and has already scored twice and registered two assists in the current campaign, where he has reportedly recently been tested as a full-back. (Pedro Goncalves stats – Transfermarkt)

Should he end up making the move to the Midlands for his release clause of €80m (£70m), then Goncalves would comfortably become the club’s most expensive signing of all time.

Aston Villa record signings

Fee

Moussa Diaby

€55m (£47.9m)

Emi Buendia

€38.4m (£33.4m)

Ollie Watkins

€34m (£29.6m)

Pau Torres

€33m (£28.7m)

Leon Bailey

€32m (£27.9m)

Diego Carlos

€31m (£27m)

Lucas Digne

€30m (£26.1m)

As can be seen above, NSWE haven’t been afraid to splash the cash at Villa Park in recent years, so if Goncalves continues to impress club scouts, a move could develop over the coming months, where he could possibly come in to challenge the likes of Diaby, Leon Bailey, Nicolo Zainolo and Emi Buendia.