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Liverpool are looking to beat Manchester United to a summer transfer signing that could cost them more than £50m.

Liverpool transfer rumours

The 2024 summer transfer window is expected to be a crucial one for Liverpool and new manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman will no doubt be keen to put his own stamp on a squad that has been moulded over nine years by Jurgen Klopp.

Slot will have to make some big decisions on the outings front, with Darwin Nunez's future reportedly up in the air. But it is the incomings that will likely prove key to the Reds' success in the forthcoming season as they look to push for the Premier League title once again after faltering late on last term.

Liverpool are hoping to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko this summer, who has been valued at £43m by the Dutch Eredivisie champions. The Reds are also thought to be leading the race for Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners, with Chelsea and Juventus also in the mix for the Dutchman, who has been valued at €60m (£52m) by the recently crowned Europa League champions.

Liverpool leapfrog Barcelona in race for "outstanding" £154,000-a-week star

The Reds could finally get their man…

By
Tom Cunningham

May 24, 2024

Elsewhere, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move for Brajan Gruda, who could cost as much as €20m (£17m) to lure away from Mainz 05 this summer, while a few names from Arne Slot's past could find their way to England in the near future. Former Feyenoord captain Orkun Kokcu and current Feyenoord shot-stopper Justin Bijlow have both been tipped to make the move to Anfield.

Liverpool enter race to beat Man Utd to sign £50m+ ace

Now, as per journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Liverpool have joined Real Madrid and Manchester United in the race for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro.

It has previously been reported that the youngster will depart Lille this summer despite their qualification for European football, and could cost anywhere between £50-85m, even though the stopper is about to enter the final 12 months of his current contract.

Despite only being 18 years of age, Yoro has already racked up 60 appearances for Lille's senior side, including 44 in 2023/24. His ability to shine at a top level at such a young age has earned the Frenchman comparisons to the likes of William Saliba.

"At Marseille, I knew Boubacar Kamara, at Saint-Etienne, William Saliba and Wesley Fofana, and now there's Leny Yoro," said Lille teammate Remy Cabella. "He has all the qualities and potential to do something huge. He's very humble, and that's another of his strengths."

Moreover, manager Paulo Fonseca has also praised the defender, with his comments suggesting that he has a mentality that belies his tender years.

He said: "To me, the players don’t have age, they have quality. Because here we don’t have the possibility to buy very expensive players, we find a way to make the young players grow.

"I believe Leny [Yoro] in the next year will be at one of the best clubs in Europe. He started here at 16 with us. He is very ambitious, but very disciplined. He grew a lot but he is a kid with a big maturity, with big quality.

"I have no doubt in modern football he will be one of the best central defenders in the world."

No outfield player featured for more minutes than Yoro in last season's Ligue 1 campaign, highlighting the trust that the manager has in his player. Therefore, perhaps this is why the price tag is so high despite Yoro's contract situation.

Preparations for next season and a return to Europe's elite competitions are currently in full swing at Aston Villa, with Unai Emery and co already plotting ways to strengthen their hand before the new campaign begins.

The latest suggestion is that the Villans are closing in on a deal for Luton Town playmaker, Ross Barkley, with the Englishman in line for a return to the club after joining on loan from Chelsea for the 2020/21 campaign.

Speaking of the Blues, there have also been reports that Villa may seek to prise Conor Gallagher from Stamford Bridge this summer, with the west Londoners said to be open to a sale amid the need to comply with PSR regulations.

Midfield is, it would seem, a key priority for the club at present, with Emery also said to be keeping his eye on another exciting option to help bolster his ranks.

Aston Villa chasing former Man Utd trialist

According to the Mail Online, Villa are battling it out with Premier League rivals Arsenal and West Ham United for the signing of Hadjuk Split sensation, Rokas Pukstas, the trio having all scouted the 19-year-old in recent times.

As per the report, the Croatian outfit are 'expecting offers' for the United States U20 international, while the player himself – who was once on trial at Manchester United – is said to be keen to further his career elsewhere.

It would appear that Emery's side will face a fight to land the teenager, however, amid that interest from the Gunners and the Hammers, as well as a number of clubs across Europe.

Rokas Pukstas' style of play

A relative unknown talent, the Oklahoma-born gem – who was also once part of Barcelona's youth setup – has caught the eye amid his displays for Split of late, racking up 11 goals and four assists in 59 games in all competitions at first-team level.

That includes a haul of seven goals and one assist in 2023/24, having subsequently been lauded as the "future of the USA national team" by data analyst Ben Mattinson – who has also described him as "like James Milner" due to his remarkable versatility.

That likeness to the one-time Villa man has also been noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with the respected insider lauding Pukstas as a "Swiss army knife" due to his ability to operate all over the park, having lined up as a wing-back, as well as in defensive and attacking central midfield berths.

Such a comparison will no doubt be of interest to those of a Villa persuasion, with Milner having enjoyed two impressive stints at the club early on his career, initially joining on loan from Newcastle United for the 2005/06 campaign, prior to signing permanently in 2008.

Those spells saw the former England international chalk up a respectable return of 48 goals and assists in just 126 games in all competitions, having firmly "justified" his £12m price tag – as manager Martin O'Neil stated at the time.

While typically a winger during his time in the Midlands, the now-veteran asset has since shown his innate versatility amid spells at Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion, featuring in almost every conceivable outfield position – excluding centre-back.

It is easy then to see why young Pukstas has earned such comparisons due to his own suitability for a myriad of roles, with the hope being that he can follow in Milner's footsteps and dazzle in claret and blue.

Aston Villa eyeing "special" signing who'd be more exciting than Barkley

Aston Villa are close to signing Ross Barkley but another exciting talent could be on the way.

By
Matt Dawson

May 27, 2024

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has addressed the frustration of Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal following their substitutions against Young Boys.

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• Barca stars visibly upset over subs
• Polish forward was on a hat-trick
• Spaniards cruised to 5-0 win

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Flick is unfazed over Lewandowski and Yamal's frustrations, which were evident as the pair were substituted in Barcelona's 5-0 win against Young Boys in the Champions League. Lewandowski was on the brink of a hat trick when he was substituted with 15 minutes remaining, while Yamal – who was criticised for his reaction by former Barcelona forward Jonathan Soriano – was taken off without scoring or assisting as the Blaugrana held a 4-0 lead.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Of course, the Poland striker had his eyes on the match ball while Yamal also wanted to score against opponents who allowed 20 shots on goal in the match. But they are two of Barcelona's most important players and, with the three points already secure, Flick was keen to manage their minutes ahead of a trip to Alaves in La Liga this weekend.

• WHAT FLICK SAID

  "It's normal that they get angry if you change them. Everyone wants to play 90 minutes," Flick said. "But things were as they were and changes had to be made. I make decisions and they accept them. Lamine's attitude is very positive."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  Barcelona, who suffered their first league defeat of the season against Osasuna last weekend, will look to put things right when they take on Alaves on Sunday.

McKennie was subbed from the contest early in the second half, and Juventus collapsed late

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• Juventus fall to Stuttgart 1-0 in UCL
• McKennie and Weah both feature in contest
• First defeat of season for Italian side

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A 92nd minute winning goal from El Bilal Toure handed Stuttgart a shocking 1-0 victory over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League Tuesday, as both Weston McKennie and Tim Weah featured for the Bianconeri in the match.

  McKennie started the contest, playing 55 minutes while completing just 10 of 13 passes. He managed just 16 touches during his time on the pitch as well. Weah, meanwhile, was introduced as the midfielder departed, completing 17 of 20 passes with 28 touches on the ball during his cameo. He also created one big scoring chance, the brighter of the two Americans on the day.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Their first defeat of the UCL campaign, Juventus fall to 11th in the UCL standings. Previous wins over PSV and RB Leipzig had the Bianconeri near the top heading into Matchday three, but the loss put them outside the confirmed Round of 16 participants through three matches.

  Instead, they sit in a Round of 16 playoff spot, despite being level with six other teams. Across all competitions, Tuesday marked Juventus' first loss of the season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  McKennie has started two out of Juventus' three Champions League matches this season, scoring one goal. His lone strike came against PSV, a 3-1 victory for the Bianconeri.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MCKENNIE, JUVENTUS?

  The Bianconeri and McKennie return to action in the Derby d'Italia against Inter Milan on Sunday. The second and third-placed teams in the league will clash in a contest between Italian heavyweights.

Douglas Luiz is on board the proverbial ship, chugging toward the westering sun and disappearing beyond the horizon. Aston Villa are resigned to selling him to Juventus, necessary to stay in line with PSR.

The Bianconeri are set to sign the Brazil international for about £17m, with Villa claiming Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior in return too.

Whether such players are makeweights or players tailored to perform prominently within Emery's vision remains to be seen but it's without question that a sense of malaise has been left lingering at Villa Park, like mist.

After qualifying for the Champions League, the hope is that the Lions will cement their newfound position of power and build for lasting success, but losing Luiz threatens to be a detrimental blow, having been described as "one of the best 6s" in English football by journalist Adam Gilk.

Whether McKennie, who was criticised for his "poor" passing and "mistimed" tackling by journalist Beren Cross during his botched loan stint with Leeds United in 2022/23, is up for the task remains to be seen. Villa might be better off looking elsewhere.

Villa lining up Premier League star

Aston Villa have been eyeing a deal for Chelsea's Conor Gallagher for several weeks but now need to further their advances with haste after an important development.

Indeed, as per The Guardian, Chelsea are considering making a U-turn and offering the Three Lions star a new contract at Stamford Bridge, despite the vested interest of Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

Valued at £50m, Gallagher has already been the focus of recent discussions between the Blues and Villa, so the blocks are in place to make a move.

Monchi and Co just need to move the pesky PSR quandary out of the way first.

Conor Gallagher's season in numbers

From the onset of Chelsea's struggles over the past few years, one constant source of optimism has been the ever-flowing talent cascading from Cobham Academy.

Gallagher, now aged 24, has been one of the creams of that crop but now faces an untimely exit from his boyhood club as they look to fund the summer's anticipated spending. Gallagher is a homegrown product and thus would bring home pure profit if he was to be sold.

Aston Villa must pounce on the opportunity to bring him to the Midlands, especially so after losing Luiz. Across all competitions last season, he scored seven goals and added nine assists over 50 matches, but his influence stretched far further than that of goal contributions.

Hailed for bringing "balance and chemistry" to the Chelsea first team by reporter Liam Twomey, the £50k-per-week ace is the veritable lifeblood and makes such a difference to the performances of those around him.

Ranking among the top 17% of midfielders in the Premier League (2023/24) for successful take-ons and the top 20% for ball recoveries made per 90, as per FBref, Gallagher would clearly bring the energy and enthusiasm needed.

Whether signing McKennie would affect any bid for his signature is likely alarming for supporters. But would he actually be better than the Juventus star?

How Conor Gallagher compares to Weston McKennie

In a word: yes. McKennie does have his strengths and should not be defined by a short spell at Elland Road that saw him thrown into the firepit in January 2023, but he's not too dissimilar from Gallagher and the Blues man is unquestionably performing to a higher standard.

As per FBref, McKennie ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 11% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 5% for clearances and the top 17% for progressive carries per 90.

He's been described in the past as "one of the best players at Juventus this year and one of the top midfielders in Serie A" by the USMNT head coach Greg Berhalter, who naturally spoke kindly of the American but not without credibility.

The comparisons between the respective stars' campaigns speak of Gallagher's superiority in all of athletic output, ball-playing ability and defensive commitment.

For Emery's system, reliant on hard work and sharp tactical awareness, Gallagher would be the one to make the most marked impact on the squad, with one analyst even noting that he's something of a "pressing and transition monster".

McKennie's mediocre defensive metrics hardly suggest that he is indeed the suitable man to replace Luiz in the centre of the park, even if he might be considered a more dynamic and advanced player anyway – the 25-year-old featured nine times in right midfield for Juve last season.

While Boubacar Kamara offers the sound defensive skill set to allow a player such as McKennie to play with more freedom and security, Gallagher is the complete package and has proven himself in the Premier League moreover.

McKennie, conversely, flattered to deceive during his stay in England's top flight, completing just 78% of his passes and winning only 39% of his ground duels across his 16 starting appearances for Leeds, as per Sofascore.

Different circumstances; different conditions. Sure. But Gallagher is a player who could be a real difference-maker for Emery, not only filling in the Luiz-shaped hole but ensuring the club enjoy success domestically and on the continent during the forthcoming campaign.

Aston Villa must sell £25m star who earns more than Weston McKennie

He could be set for a move to Italy this summer.

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 13, 2024

Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers could look to use the upcoming summer transfer window, which officially opens for business on Friday, to bolster his playing squad over the coming weeks and months.

The former Leicester City boss may want to dip into the market to add more quality to his side, despite watching his men lift two trophies during the 2023/24 campaign.

Rodgers secured the Scottish Premiership title and the SFA Cup during his first year back at Parkhead, having replaced Ange Postecoglou last summer.

The Northern Irish boss, however, may want to pursue even more trophies next term and is now reportedly looking at a centre-back to add to his options at the back.

Celtic's interest in Austrian colossus

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, the Scottish giants have a "concrete" interest in Salernitana central defender Flavius Daniliuc, who has two years left to run on his contract with the Italian outfit.

The journalist claims that the Hoops are keen on a deal to bring the 23-year-old colossus over to Glasgow during the summer transfer window, but does not mention how much it would cost the club to get a transfer over the line.

Plettenberg adds, however, that Austrian side RB Salzburg would like to keep hold of the young titan after he enjoyed a spell on loan in his home country during the 2023/24 campaign.

This means that the Bhoys look set to face competition in the race to secure the Serie A enforcer's signature over the coming weeks and months.

Celtic's interest in signing Daniliuc should, though, come as bad news for current Hoops centre-back Maik Nawrocki ahead of next season.

Why this is bad news for Maik Nawrocki

Rodgers swooped to sign the Polish defender from Legia Warsaw for a reported fee of £4m last summer but he endured a difficult first season in Glasgow.

The 23-year-old only made ten appearances in the Premiership throughout the season, and was an unused substitute in a further nine games, as Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers were preferred ahead of him at the heart of the defence.

As you can see in the table above, Daniluic also outperformed Nawrocki in a number of key defensive metrics this term, whilst playing for RB Salzburg on loan during the second half of the campaign.

These statistics suggest that the potential is there for the 6 foot 2 star, who was once dubbed a "Rolls Royce" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, to come in and offer more than the current Hoops defender, by making more interventions to cut out opposition attacks each game.

Irrespective of whether Daniluic would be an upgrade on Nawrocki or not, this news should still concern the Polish titan as it suggests that Rodgers wants to improve the quality of his options in his position, which is worrying when you consider that he only played ten league games amongst the current crop.

Celtic preparing approach to sign "high-class" star who could be Hart 2.0

The Hoops are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the Premier League ace this summer.

By
Dan Emery

Jun 12, 2024

The former Legia star's game time could, therefore, decrease further next term if the manager gets his wish and adds a new centre-back to the group, and that could leave the 23-year-old star to consider his short and long-term future at Parkhead.

Messi has been MLS's best player this season, but that won't guarantee success for Miami in their title hunt

There was no way Lionel Messi could miss, right? The 2016 Copa America final, 82,000 fans watching. Finally, his moment for country. Viva la Albiceleste. But as Messi stepped up against Chile, he skied his shot, sending it deep into the MetLife stands. Chile win. Messi retires (well, at least temporarily).

Of course, there was the comeback, the World Cup win, the 8th Ballon d’Or. In 2022, he completed football. That miss against Chile was rendered irrelevant, at least in the record books.

Still, there is this indisputable fact: Messi isn’t quite his usual, devastating self in knockout football. Whether it be early struggles for Barcelona, disappearing acts for PSG, or a disappointing series of showings in this year’s Copa America, Inter Miami’s main man isn’t the same unstoppable force in elimination games.

Inter Miami kickoff the 2024 MLS playoffs when they host Atlanta United Friday night, in a match that will be featured on a massive video screen in Times Square in New York. And for a Miami side looking to win its first MLS Cup, that pattern with Messi – should it continue – could be a real cause for concern.

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  The numbers

  First, the facts. It is worth mentioning, at this point, that Messi’s numbers, per game, at least, make for ridiculous reading regardless of how important any given fixture is. The Argentine does not go from dominant to irrelevant when something is on the line.

  But in league and group stage play, he averages, 0.79 goals per 90 minutes, and 1.14 goal contributions. Those are pretty much unmatched in football history (yes, Cristiano Ronaldo’s numbers are worse.)

  When survival is on the line, though, his numbers drop. Goals are at 0.64 per 90, while goal contributions are at 0.98. Context is everything, of course. Averaging one goal involvement – basically finding the net himself or providing an assist – every time he steps on the field is a simply ridiculous mark. Still, if Messi is associated with dominance (he is), then there’s certainly a bit of a change.

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  The big moments

  That Copa America penalty miss lived long in the collective footballing memory. It was ammunition for trolls and haters alike, ammunition to suggest why Messi would never be as good as “big game” Ronaldo.

  And in repeated opportunities to come up with similar moments over the years for Argentina, he has frequently failed to deliver. There was the shot dragged wide in the 2014 World Cup final, a free-kick battered against the wall in the same game. In 2018, he seemed to be on the brink of magic after weaving through the France defense – but could only scuff his shot into the arms of a grateful Hugo Lloris.

  An alien became slightly above average.

  By 2018, a grim fact emerged: Messi had never scored a World Cup knockout goal. That all changed in Qatar, of course, when Messi orchestrated a World Cup win. And his performance for Barcelona in the Champions League final against Manchester United will never be forgotten.

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  Struggles in his latter days of club football

  Messi's time at PSG was miserable. He never settled in Paris. He never really wanted to leave Barcelona. He might have even wanted to go back – had Barca's finances been cobbled together. His two years there – from 2021-2023 – were an admittedly transitional time among stars in club football.

  Both he and Ronaldo were seeing their years at the top level come to an end, while Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Erling Haaland hadn't quite reached their apexes of talent. And for all the glitz and glamor of sharing a front line with Mbappe and Neymar, the onus still fell on Messi to make things happen.

  What happened, instead, was two years of bare minimums; required successes in the league, but tepid showings in both the Coupe de France and Champions League saw the Parisian hopes of European glory fall awry. The first campaign, PSG were eliminated by a signature bout of Real Madrid voodoo – Messi didn't score in either leg. In his second, the Parisians were shut out, battered 3-0 by Bayern Munich.

  There were broader tactical issues at play. To accommodate for the space Mbappe needed to run into, Messi dropped far too deep – routinely avoiding the attacking areas in which he would normally thrive. In transition, both sides simply played through him.

  Perhaps some of the blame can be pinned on managers for not making it work. Mbappe, too, didn't make it easy on Messi. Still, in the biggest games, the GOAT seemingly disappeared.

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  Copa America warning signs

  That changed, in some respects, with Leagues Cup last year. Messi carried Miami through the competition, starting with a last minute free-kick in his debut to a curler in the final. Yes, others chipped in, but those few weeks in the middle of the MLS campaign marked his arrival in style.

  For Argentina, a year later, familiar struggles returned. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of calf injuries that had limited him the season before. Maybe he was just tired. Either way, Messi endured a miserable month for his national team.

  In five appearances, he scored one and set up one – far from his usual return (a Copa America team of the tournament selection was generous.) He was anonymous in the knockout stages – save for a deflected effort against Canada that handed his side a narrow win. And perhaps most tellingly, the penalty curse reared it ugly head, Messi's penalty shootout effort clipping off the bar and into the stands. Emi Martinez bailed Argentina out in the end, but a Messi miss almost proved costly.

  Throw in a nasty high-ankle sprain sustained the Copa America final, and the Argentina magic seemed to have disappeared, just 18 months after leading the Albiceleste to World Cup glory in Qatar.

Wrexham conceded a last-gasp equaliser to Charlton as Phil Parkinson's side missed the chance to close the gap at the top of League One to Birmingham,

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• Red Dragons concede in 97th minute
• Cannon thought he'd scored winner
• Wrexham four points behind Birmingham

• TELL ME MORE

  The Red Dragons drew 2-2 with Charlton on Saturday afternoon after conceding a penalty in the dying seconds.

  Birmingham’s draw with Mansfield earlier in the day gave Phil Parkinson's side the chance to close the gap to the league leaders, and they made an ideal start when Thomas O'Connor’s vicious free-kick was turned into his own net by Charlton’s Conor Coventry in the 16th minute. But the visitors’ lead was short-lived; seven minutes after falling behind, Macaulay Gillesphey leveled things up when he sent a looping header over Arthur Okonkwo.

  In the second period, Ollie Rathbone was left frustrated by two missed opportunities in two minutes as Wrexham pushed for a winner. Parkinson brought Andy Cannon on with 20 minutes to go and the substitute made an instant impact, firing past Charlton goalkeeper Will Mannion just a minute after his arrival to restore the Red Dragons’ lead.

  Wrexham thought they had done enough to seal all three points but in the 95th minute, Sebastian Revan – on as a substitute just moments earlier – was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area. Matthew Godden scored the resulting penalty in what was a sucker-punch for Wrexham.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wrexham announced the signings of Jon Dadi Bovarsson and Matty James earlier this week, but the former was absent from the squad that travelled to London. James was named on the bench but didn't come on.

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  THE MVP

  There were few standout performances at The Valley but Gillesphey gets the nod for his first-half equaliser and for keeping Wrexham forwards Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer off the scoresheet. The point keeps Nathan Jones’ side firmly in the playoff mix and unbeaten in four.

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• THE BIG LOSER

  Parkinson will rue his side's inability to hold on for all three points, but we’re going with referee Sam Purkiss. The unfortunate official went down early in the first half with an injury and eventually had to be replaced by the fourth official as he couldn’t continue. “You’re not fit to referee,” came the chants from the crowd. Here’s hoping Purkiss makes a swift recovery.

Tottenham are on the verge of making their second signing of the summer, according to a report in their target's homeland.

Ange asks Levy for attackers

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has already made his desire for fresh blood in attack clear after a disappointing end to the Premier League campaign.

And the club have answered to an extent, with Timo Werner arriving for another loan spell after a successful second half of the season in north London, while there is the expectation that another winger will arrive amid links to ex-Lilywhite Marcus Edwards.

Tottenham prepare swap deal for "outstanding" £25k-p/w midfielder – report

He would add another dimension to Tottenham’s midfield.

By
Ben Browning

Jun 24, 2024

But there is also the need for a new striker, which has seen them linked with the likes of Ivan Toney and Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri as they look to bolster their ranks and allow Heung Min Son to move back to his more natural wide position.

Now, they may have finally handed Postecoglou a number nine capable of taking the north London side to the next level, and filling the Harry Kane shaped hole still vacant 12 months on from his departure.

Tottenham closing in on Mexico striker

That has come in the form of Mexican attacker Santiago Gimenez, who Spurs have long been credited with an interest in. The striker is one of the most in-demand players of the summer, having scored 23 times in the Eredivisie last season on his way to helping Feyernoord finish second.

Gimenez was singled out for praise by former Feyenoord icon Mario Been after scoring twice against Ajax: "Gimenez truly is fantastic. He hadn't even touched the ball before his first goal, but that was a fantastic finish. Feyenoord have immense goalscoring prowess."

He was spotted at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium back in April as he watched them lose to Arsenal in the north London Derby, and the Lilywhites have long been in the hunt for his signature.

Now, a fresh update has been shared by Mexican radio station TUDN Radio [via Sport Witness], and it is good news for Tottenham fans.

That is because they claim that Gimenez is "very close to joining" the north London side this summer. Both the Lilywhites and Atletico Madrid are said to have tabled bids for the 23-year-old, but Daniel Levy and Co made the higher offer, and Feyenoord have asked Atleti to match the bid to stay in the race for Gimenez's signature.

However, the Rojiblanco are struggling to do this, and as a result it seems that Spurs are set to win the race for the striker's signature.

There is no specific fee mentioned in the report, though Italian sources have previously mooted a fee of around 50m euros (£42m) for his signature when AC Milan were credited with an interest.

With strikers at a premium this summer and plenty of clubs in need of one, that could prove excellent value for money should the news from Gimenez's homeland prove true.

West Bromwich Albion supporters would have breathed a major sense of relief after finding out Alex Mowatt had put pen on paper on a new contract to finally commit this future to the Hawthorns, signing a new two-year deal with the Championship outfit.

The good news didn't just stop there, however, with the club also revealing that Kyle Bartley had agreed to stay after fears he'd walk away for nothing had become very real too.

Mowatt staying put could signal the end for one West Brom player though, who has faded into the background owing to recurring injury problems, and has seen his stock take a hit consequently.

Jayson Molumby's time at West Brom

Jayson Molumby hasn't featured in a game for the Baggies since New Year's Day, sidelined with a troubling injury that has even required surgery, with the Irish midfielder's West Brom career hanging in the balance as a result.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion man had made 24 appearances under Corberan last season before pulling up, only picking up one assist from those matches though, with 105 games under his belt in total when he was previously excelling at the second-tier outfit.

With five goals and five assists amassed along the way, it's been an unfortunate and swift decline for the 24-year-old, which could now result in him being pushed towards the exit door soon, especially if he can't wriggle free of being a permanent fixture in the Hawthorns treatment room this forthcoming campaign.

Once on the radar of Leeds United at his prime in the West Midlands, with Carlos Corberan even referring to the Baggies number eight as an "animal" when using him week in week out, West Brom could still sell on Molumby for profit if a suitor was willing to gamble on his services, having purchased him for just £900k from the Seagulls.

Molumby's transfer value at West Brom

Even with setback after setback being thrown his way, Molumby's transfer value, according to Football Transfers, is still higher than that of Mowatt's, despite the former Leeds United man only missing three Championship games all season long.

The Irishman's transfer valuation hasn't taken a significant dent despite his lack of minutes, with his price tag standing at a hefty £2.2m, which makes him a more valuable asset than Mowatt in the current West Brom camp.

In contrast, Molumby's 29-year-old counterpart is worth a lesser £1.5m, despite being a crucial player for Corberan's men last season in their hunt for promotion, with the former Whites man impressively misplacing zero passes in his side's play-off semi-final first-leg stalemate against Southampton.

Picking up four goals and four assists during the 23/24 campaign once saw Molumby come in as having a worth of £3.6m, as can be seen looking at the table above, with a real concern now that his valuation could continue to plummet, if he finds himself way down the pecking order, even when back at full sharpness.

The 24-year-old could be sold on soon, therefore, particularly when you consider his contract also expires in 2025, meaning they could end up losing him for nothing if they're not careful.

Away from Molumby, Mowatt will no doubt be expected to be a calming and influential presence again next season from a holding role, as the Baggies address their wounds from their play-off disappointment and push for promotion once more.

West Brom hit gold signing gem who's worth more than both Mowatt & Kipre

West Bromwich Albion will be more hopeful that this gem will line up for the Baggies next season.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 23, 2024