All posts by z3u9t.icu

A Rangers "bright spark" appears to be edging towards an Ibrox exit in the near future, with another club making an offer to him as Nils Koppen looks to cash in.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers are planning for a successful 2024/25 season, as they look to go one better and pip Celtic to Scottish Premiership glory, and early signs in the transfer market are extremely promising. Philippe Clement has already made significant additions to his squad, bringing in the likes of Jefte, Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron, among others.

Rangers are reportedly in the mix to sign Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark, with the midfielder seen as a possible new version of Paul Gascoigne, who was such a hero at Ibrox during the 1990s. RB Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Norwich City are all in the mix to sign him, too, with the former now managed by former Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders, which could be key.

Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski is also believed to be wanted by Clement's men this summer, with the 25-year-old scoring 44 goals in 95 appearances for the Dons. He is being looked at as a replacement for Kemar Roofe, following his departure when his contract expired recently.

While much focus could continue to be on new additions ahead of next season, there are also further players who could head off for new challenges, on top of those who have already moved on. Now, an exit claim has emerged regarding one such figure.

Club send offer to Rangers "bright spark"

According to Football Insider, Championship club Sheffield Wednesday have "offered a contract" to Rangers forward Scott Wright, with the Scottish Premiership club "willing" to let him leave and Koppen ready to cash in on him.

The 26-year-old only has one year remaining on his current deal, so the Gers are keen on receiving a fee for him before he is able to leave on a free transfer.

This feels like an ideal outcome for all parties, considering Wright has struggled to be a important player under Clement, making just eight starts in the league last season. The fact that his contract runs out next year makes it even more of a no-brainer for Rangers, generating more transfer funds in the process.

Steven Gerrard was perhaps his biggest fan at Ibrox, saying during his tenure: "I thought he was a right bright spark, full of energy, he sees a pass and is always looking forward to penetrate. He’s quick and got his reward from another strong performance so he is really in my thinking."

Rangers hit gold with Ibrox signing who's now worth more than McLean

The Light Blues may already have a valuable midfielder in the building at Ibrox.

1 ByDan Emery Jul 7, 2024

A move to Wednesday could allow the £5,600-a-week Wright the chance to prove himself at a big English club historically, where he will hope to start more games, and he should be remembered as a good performer for Rangers, winning the league title back in 2020/21, as well as clinching one Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup apiece, too.

Over the years in the Premier League, Manchester United have had some truly iconic players right across the pitch. Be it a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or attacker, they have all contributed to the huge success the Red Devils have had on the pitch, particularly under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Some of United’s most underrated players in the Premier League era have been at left-back. They have had some of the best full-backs in the history of the competition pull on that famous red shirt, who arguably do not get the recognition they deserve.

Perhaps the best of the lot was Denis Irwin. The legendary Irishman, who could also play on the other flank at right-back, represented United on 512 occasions. He played for Ferguson between 1990 and 2001 and was a crucial part of the historic treble victory in 1999.

Irwin’s eventual replacement was Frenchman Patrice Evra. The charismatic defender also tasted Champions League success, in 2008, and played for United a whopping 379 times. Luke Shaw is the most recent of the trio, and whilst injuries have somewhat hampered his Old Trafford career, his technical brilliance is clear to see, and he has played 275 times for the club.

Now, with the transfer window open, United have been linked with another left-back, who one day could see his name join this illustrious list.

Man Utd target Premier League left-back

The man in question here is Wolverhampton Wanderers and Algeria international left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri. The 23-year-old has been incredibly impressive over the past few seasons at Molineux and is now heavily linked with a move away from the club.

According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, United are thought to 'have explored the possibility of landing' the Algerian this summer, given their search for depth in that position. The report suggests other targets include Ferdi Kadioglu, Milos Kerkez and Bradley Locko.

However, Wolves could price the Red Devils out of a move for their star left-back this summer. Following the sale of Max Kilman to West Ham for £40m, Wolves could now 'increase their demands' for Ait-Nouri, despite previous reports he has a £38m release clause.

The Red Devils are not the only side interested in adding Ait-Nouri to their squad this summer. According to various reports, arch-rivals Liverpool are also thought to be interested in a deal for the Algeria international.

How Ait-Nouri compares to Luke Shaw

The 23-year-old’s importance for Wolves last season cannot be understated. Ait-Nouri played on 33 occasions in the Premier League, getting on the scoresheet twice and grabbing one assist along the way.

He was an imperative figure for Gary O’Neil, flying down the left-hand side as a wing-back in his transitional style of play, a system that suited the youngster’s lightning-quick pace and excellent technical ability. This was highlighted by football presenter Dougie Critchley, who claimed Ait-Nouri is “one of the Premier League’s best players”.

Thus, should United sign the Algerian as competition, and an eventual replacement for Shaw, they perhaps could not really do much better, given their technical ability is off the charts. Their FBref numbers stack up well against each other too, with Shaw’s 2022/23 seasonal numbers being used instead of last term’s based on the fact he played far more minutes.

In terms of their ball-carrying numbers, Ait-Nouri averages 2.59 progressive carries per 90, compared to the United left-back’s 1.87. Not only that, the Algerian just trumps Shaw when it comes to carries into the final third, with 1.85, and carries into the penalty box, with 0.31.

Progressive carries

2.59

1.87

Carries into final third

1.85

1.55

Carries into penalty box

0.31

0.11

Take-ons attempted

4.44

1.37

Take-ons completed

2.39

0.49

Take-on success rate

53.9%

35.9%

Where Shaw does come out on top is in the creative passing numbers. United’s number 23 oozes technical ability, and averages 4.93 progressive passes per game, 5.95 passes into the final third and 1.2 key passes. In comparison, Ait-Nouri, whilst still impressive, averages slightly less. The Algerian’s numbers are not much worse, and on average he plays 3.82 progressive passes, 2.32 passes into the final third and 0.97 key passes per 90.

Defensively, the pair are once again very close to each other. In terms of tackles and interceptions, Ait-Nouri averages 3.32 , compared to Shaw’s 3.20. However, the United left-back has a tackle win rate of 69.6%, compared to the 57.1% for the Wolves number three.

The Englishman also has a far better aerial duel win rate than Ait-Nouri, with 61.3% as opposed to the Algerian’s 45.7% win rate. Shaw also edges it on ball recoveries, averaging 6.65 compared to 5.25 for the Wolves left-back.

Given the similarity in their stats, plus the fact both possess high levels of technical ability, United could not go wrong bringing in Ait-Nouri to rival, and eventually replace, Shaw. Frequent game time would not be an issue for the Algerian; Erik ten Hag needs to ensure regular rest for Shaw given his injury issues last season. He missed 34 games in all competitions last season with two separate muscle injuries.

Although a price is yet to be clarified, for a reported release clause of just £38m, this could be a really smart piece of business for the Red Devils this summer. They'd certainly be landing a massive upgrade on Shaw in the ball-carrying department.

He's like De Ligt: Man Utd moving to sign one of the fastest CBs in Europe

He has just 1 year left on his current deal

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 16, 2024

Now that the summer's international tournaments have wrapped up, focus on the transfer window will be accentuated, though, much to the frustration of the fanbase, all remains quiet at Liverpool.

Arne Slot is assessing his newly inherited squad and still awaits the returns of multiple first-team stars following international commitments, with sporting director Richard Hughes revealing that business is more likely to be conducted later down the line.

However, FSG are always willing to move for a shrewd deal, and there's one such market opportunity that might just prove to be too good to turn down.

Liverpool transfer news

According to Calcio Mercato, Juventus are struggling to meet Atalanta's demands in the pursuit of centre-midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, which could see Liverpool steal ahead.

The Merseysiders are long-time admirers of the Netherlands international, who played under Slot at AZ Alkmaar, and while Juventus are hoping to seal the deal, finances are proving to be a sticking point.

Liverpool are understood to hold the funds to complete a deal, however, and given that Atalanta are holding for €60m (£50m), the Reds may yet find themselves in the driving seat, having already moved ahead to learn conditions of a possible transfer.

What Teun Koopmeiners would bring to Liverpool

A multi-functioning midfielder, Koopmeiners is creative in possession and crisp and combative out of it, with a wide range of technical strengths that could see him excel in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old was forced to watch his nation's Euro 2024 campaign from the sidelines after picking up an injury on the cusp of the tournament, though there's no question that he earned his stripes last season, instrumental in Atalanta's Europa League triumph – ending Bayer Leverkusen's record unbeaten streak to lift the trophy and defeating Liverpool on the way to the final.

He was described as "very versatile" by his Serie A manager, Piero Gian Gasperini, though he spent much of the 2023/24 campaign in a forward-driving midfield position, scoring 15 goals across 51 appearances and adding seven assists.

Matches played

34

12

Matches started

29

10

Goals

12

0

Assists

5

2

Pass completion

82%

79%

Big chances created

9

4

Touches per game

54.0

55.5

Key passes per game

1.8

1.1

Ball recoveries per game

4.4

4.0

Dribbles per game

0.6

0.8

Tackles per game

1.1

1.8

Duels won per game

3.2

3.8

Marvelling at the player's ability, his former coach Pascal Jansen has said: "His stamina is amazing. His pressing and chasing abilities when out of possession, I would almost say they are inhuman."

It's almost like he's tailor-made for Slot's high-octane, control-focused system, even ranking among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Italian top flight last term for passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Why Liverpool need Teun Koopmeiners

Liverpool are well-stocked in the centre of the park, though if Slot and Co opt against signing a specialist No. 6 it is highly likely that Alexis Mac Allister will operate in a deeper-lying role, as he did on many occasions under Jurgen Klopp last year. Wataru Endo enjoyed a solid campaign last term too but the 31-year-old has his limitations.

Despite the wealth of talent at Slot's disposal in the middle of the field, Koopmeiners could make a marked impact on the squad, not least because he embodies many of Thiago Alcantara's standout attributes.

Thiago has recently retired from football after his Liverpool contract expired last month. The 33-year-old is one of the game's superlative technicians, distinguished across the globe, though his final professional term was wrecked by injuries that limited him to just five minutes of action, coming in a defeat against Arsenal in February.

Still, while his Liverpool career didn't reach the heights dreamily envisaged, Thiago still excelled across his 98 appearances, with talkSPORT host Tony Cascarino even remarking that he's "up there with the very best".

Statistical data from the 2023/24 campaign is negligible, but the previous term illustrates quite clearly how good the maestro was, despite suffering significant injury issues again. He ranked among the top 2% of Premier League midfielders in 2022/23 for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 11% for successful take-ons and the top 10% for tackles per 90, showcasing how he was one of the most complete midfielders around.

Once praised as the "complete" midfielder by Dutch legend Ruud Krol, Koopmeiners could prove to be a brilliant Thiago replacement, not quite stylistically identical but carrying some of the Spaniard's principal ball-playing characteristics – and a sharp intelligence besides.

It would be unjust to say that the Anfield side need a Thiago replacement: he didn't play last season. That said, one can only imagine the heights that could have been reached with the midfield magician pulling strings from the heart of the field, perhaps instilling the perfect chemistry and coherence through his passing prowess to have seen Liverpool swerve the late-season slump that unravelled Klopp's swansong.

Slot is working hard to drill his philosophy into the Red Merseysiders, and while he's lost one of the Premier League's brightest midfield talents in Thiago, he could swiftly replace him with a player he knows well: Koopmeiners. The Dutchman is tenacious and supremely talented, willing to chip in defensively and boasting the motor requisite for success in the fast-paced Slot system.

Whether FSG decide to make such a move this summer remains to be seen, but there's no doubting Koopmeiners' quality, and there's no question that he would be a credit to Slot's outfit.

Liverpool favourites to sign "insane" £50m Guehi alternative

This dynamic defender could even be the perfect Van Dijk successor.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 16, 2024

Leeds United weakened one of their potential rivals for promotion from the Championship next season when they swooped for Jayden Bogle earlier this month.

The English right-back has joined on a permanent deal from Sheffield United, who were just relegated from the Premier League, in a blow for Chris Wilder's side.

Daniel Farke has now added four players to his squad during the summer transfer window, with Bogle joining Joe Rodon, Alex Cairns, and Joe Rothwell.

The West Yorkshire side could be ready to deal another blow to their South Yorkshire rivals, as they are reportedly battling for the same player.

Leeds eyeing League One star

According to The Boot Room, Leeds have made contact with Peterborough United over a potential deal to sign impressive left-back Harrison Burrows.

The report claims that Sheffield United have been in advanced talks to sign the 22-year-old starlet but the Whites are now threatening to come in and hijack their move.

It states, however, that is is unclear as to whether or not the club have formalised their interest with an actual bid for his services, which could leave the Blades in the driving seat if they have not.

The Boot Room adds that a fee of £3m is on the cards for the League One dynamo, who has one year left to run on his current contract with Peterborough.

Leeds must now press ahead and follow up on their initial contact with a bid for him, if they have not already, as he could replicate Georginio Rutter's immense creativity at Elland Road.

Harrison Burrows' creative quality

Despite playing at left-back, Burrows has the creative quality to replicate the Frenchman's incredible chance creation numbers for the Whites next season.

The English defender's form in League One for Peterborough suggests that the potential is there for him to be an exciting addition to Farke's attacking roster.

Burrows, who has been hailed as "unbelievable" and "amazing" by boss Darren Ferguson, is yet to prove himself in the Championship but his statistics from last term indicate that it is a worthwhile gamble to bring him to Elland Road.

Appearances

45

45

Goals

6

6

Assists

15

14

Big chances created

22

20

Key passes per game

1.9

2.6

Pass accuracy

69%

83%

As you can see in the table above, the Posh wizard posted incredibly similar numbers to Rutter at league level last season, with one less goal contributions in the same number of games.

Burrows, actually, provided more key passes per game than the French ace, despite the Leeds star being an attacking midfielder, and these statistics speak to the immense creativity he can provide from a left-back role.

Now, imagine if the Whites have both left-footed magicians in their side next season to consistently break down opposition defences to create high-quality chances for their teammates.

Leeds pursuing deal for "strong" star who'd brilliantly replace Cresswell

The Whites have reportedly made initial contact over a deal to sign the young defender.

ByDan Emery Jul 23, 2024

Leeds could break down low blocks with ease with the invention and passing quality of Burrows and Rutter in their side, which is why this could be an exciting addition if they can get it over the line.

After a summer that was framed as a rebuild of the squad by those in power at Glasgow Rangers, the first game of the new season could easily have been slotted in as one of the matches from the 2023/24 campaign.

The starting XI in the 0-0 draw with Hearts on Saturday featured just one player – Connor Barron – who was not at Ibrox during the second half of last term.

Philippe Clement's side scored eight goals fewer than the eventual champions in the Scottish Premiership last season and their lack of threat at the top end of the pitch cost them once again.

The Ibrox giants only created 0.9 xG worth of chances throughout the match and squandered the few opportunities that they were able to create.

Minutes played

90

Shots

3

Big chances missed

2

Goals

0

Pass accuracy

58%

Key passes

0

As you can see in the table above, Cyriel Dessers was a particularly poor performer against the Jam Tarts, with two 'big chances' missed and zero chances created for his teammates.

Clement could finally ditch the Nigerian dud by swooping to sign one of the players from the opposition's team before the end of the summer transfer window.

Premiership star wants Rangers move

Pundit Chris Sutton, who was on Sky Sports' coverage of the game on Saturday, claimed that he has heard that Lawrence Shankland "wants the move" to Ibrox, as relayed by RangersNews.

The former Celtic striker described the Scotland international as a "ruthless" finisher who could come in as an upgrade on the club's current forward line options, including Danilo and Dessers.

Shankland did not find the back of the net against the Gers, with zero 'big chances' created for him, but did win 12 of his 17 duels to showcase his physical attributes.

Last month, the Daily Record reported that Clement is weighing up a swoop to sign the Hearts captain this summer to bolster his playing squad.

The outlet claimed that the Belgian boss was concerned about his ability to play in a high-pressing side but his goalscoring prowess could tempt him into a move.

It was stated that Sam Lammers' move to FC Twente has provided the club with enough funds to make an offer for Shankland, who they hope would be available for a fee of £3m.

Signing the Scottish centre-forward would finally allow the manager to ditch Dessers from his starting role, which has not been justified by his performances on the pitch.

Cyriel Dessers' struggles in front of goal

The former Cremonese attacker missed two 'big chances' in the 0-0 draw with Hearts on Saturday and his performance was not a surprise to anyone who watched the striker in action during the 2023/24 campaign.

Dessers did score 16 goals in 35 matches in the Premiership last term, which is a respectable return on paper, but his finishing left a lot to be desired.

Cyriel Dessers

27

Danilo

9

Fabio Silva

8

Abdallah Sima

6

Sam Lammers

6

As you can see in the table above, the 29-year-old flop spurned a staggering 27 'big chances' in the Scottish top-flight, which was 18 more than any other player in the squad missed.

This shows that Dessers is a wasteful finisher who does not make the most of the opportunities that his teammates are able to create for him on a consistent basis, which was on display again against Hearts on Saturday.

Rangers are vying to win a league title and secure trophies in the cup competitions, which is why they need a reliable marksman who can step up in the big moments and be consistent in front of goal.

Dessers' form last season and his performance against the Jam Tarts on the opening day suggests that he is not the reliable number nine who is likely to win the Gers the league with his finishing quality.

This is why Clement must dip into the market to land Shankland, who seemingly wants the move, before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of the month, as he could come in as a far better option than Dessers.

What Lawrence Shankland could offer Rangers

Firstly, Shankland is a throwback number nine who can hold the ball up, win flick-ons, and cause constant problems for defenders from a physical perspective.

The 28-year-old star won 71% of his duels against Rangers and won 3.9 duels per game in the Premiership last term. Whereas, Dessers lost 67% of his duels in the division last season and only won 2.3 duels per match on average.

This suggests that the Hearts marksman could come in and immediately offer more than the Nigerian striker out of possession as a target man for the side.

Alongside his physical attributes, Shankland is also a lethal, and 'ruthless' as per Sutton, goalscorer who has been a reliable threat in the final third throughout his career.

The right-footed ace has scored 206 goals in 418 matches throughout his club career to date and his scoring prowess was on full display in the Premiership last season.

Appearances

37

Goals

24

Minutes per goal

136

Big chances missed

9

Assists

4

Big chances created

6

As you can see in the table above, Shankland racked up a hugely impressive tally of 24 goals in 37 league appearances, and only missed nine 'big chances'.

This means that he scored eight more goals than Dessers despite missing 18 fewer 'big chances' than the Rangers man, which perfectly illustrates the gulf in quality between the pair when it comes to scoring goals.

The Hearts captain's performances also earned him the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award, which essentially means that the Light Blues would be adding one of the best players, if not the best, in the division to their squad by signing him.

Rangers register interest in £5m star who's a dream Roofe replacement

The Light Blues are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the centre-forward.

1 ByDan Emery Aug 1, 2024

Clement must now launch a £3m swoop for the Scottish sensation to bolster his attack, as it would improve his team and finally allow him to ditch Dessers from the starting XI.

A Celtic player is now closing in on a move away from Parkhead in the summer transfer window, with a medical expected to take place imminently.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have made a predictably impressive start to their 2024/25 season, winning their opening two Scottish Premiership matches, as well as getting past Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup this past weekend, prevailing 3-1 at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers won't want to rest on his laurels, however, instead looking to bring in more new signings who can not only bolster their title chances but also ensure they have the best chance possible of being more of a force in the Champions League in 2024/25.

Celtic have been linked with a move for Liverpool left-back Owen Beck, with the 21-year-old considered an alternative to Ajax defender Owen Wijndal. The former is a highly-rated prospect at Anfield but his chances of breaking into his current team will be hard, considering Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are ahead of him in the pecking order, as well as the versatile Joe Gomez.

Lausanne-Sport midfielder Alvyn Sanches is also being lined up as a potential addition for the Hoops between now and the end of the summer transfer window, coming in as a possible replacement for Matt O'Riley, who continues to be a wanted man this summer.

Celtic youngster close to summer departure

According to Football Insider, Celtic youngster Daniel Kelly is on the verge of joining Millwall, with a medical expected to take place in London on Monday after a fee was agreed between the clubs. There has been a twist in the saga, with the 18-year-old initially set to join the Championship club in January after signing a pre-contract agreement, but that has now changed, and he will depart sooner than first thought.

Seeing any young player leave Celtic is disappointing, considering the importance of having a nucleus of homegrown talent around, and the same applies to Kelly, who Callum McGregor has heaped praise on.

"It's brilliant. Over the time I have been here we keep trying to add the young players from getting them into the first team from the academy. This guy has been outstanding. He has personality, brilliant quality, great kid, wants to learn, work as hard as they can, all these attributes."

This does feel like a logical time for Kelly to move on, however, in order to be a regular elsewhere and continue his overall development as a footballer, especially as he has been playing in the Lowland League for Celtic's B team.

The teenage midfielder has been limited to only six appearances for the Hoops at senior level, scoring once in that time, and it is hard to see things changing for him this season.

Forget about Maeda: Celtic's 9/10 magician was the real hero vs Hibs

The Hoops attacker enjoyed a terrific afternoon at Parkhead in the League Cup.

ByDan Emery Aug 18, 2024

The Championship will be a great test for the young Scot, in terms of its pace, power and competitive nature, and ultimately, it feels more beneficial for him to enjoy a new challenge than remain frozen out under Rodgers.

Sheffield Wednesday’s deadline day plans have been revealed as they plot a double move before 11pm Friday, according to a recent report.

The Owls have been extremely busy this summer, as manager Danny Rohl tries to shape a team that can go from beating the drop last season to possibly mounting a playoff challenge. The Yorkshire side have made a steady start to this season, as they have won one and lost two of their opening three games of the season, looking strong in attack but susceptible at the back.

Sheffield Wednesday pushing to sign "crucial" star within next 48 hours

The Owls look set to finally get their man…

ByTom Cunningham Aug 7, 2024 Sheffield Wednesday transfer news

Sheffield Wednesday have added 11 players to their squad over the course of this summer, as Rohl is keen to avoid a repeat of last season. The club’s latest addition is midfielder Shea Charles, who has joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Southampton.

Ike Ugbo

Troyes

Olaf Kobacki

Arka Gdynia

Yan Valery

Angers SCO

Max Lowe

Sheffield United

Jamal Lowe

Bournemouth

Nathaniel Chalobah

West Brom

Svante Inglesson

Hansa Rostock

Ben Hamer

Watford

Charlie McNeill

Man United

Shea Charles (Loan)

Southampton

James Beadle (Loan)

Brighton

But Wednesday’s business might not be stopping there, as in the past month they have also been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine. It was claimed that the Owls were considering a move for the player, with the preference being a loan deal. The 20-year-old has been with Spurs since 2020, when he joined the club from Wigan Athletic, and has spent time on loan in the second tier before, as he joined Plymouth Argyle last January.

As well as looking to sign Devine, it has also been claimed this month that the Yorkshire side are interested in Brighton player Malick Yalcouye. Yalcouye is set to be loaned out by the Seagulls despite joining the club earlier this summer, and Wednesday are among the clubs interested in taking him on, but face competition from Austrian club Sturm Graz.

Wednesday only have a day left to complete any transfers they have in mind, and it appears that they are still in the market to add at least another two players.

Sheffield Wednesday plot double transfer move

According to The Star, Sheffield Wednesday are still in the market to do more transfer business, despite already adding 11 players to their squad this summer.

The report states that while no names have been mentioned, they are keen to sign another attacker while also adding a ball-playing defender to their squad, which ideally would be a left-footed player. Furthermore, it appears as though their search to fill these voids has taken them to the Premier League loan market, and they are intended to be starting level players, not additions simply for squad depth.

The report states: “The bulk of their work is already done, and it wouldn’t be a monumental shock if no further business were to be done – though in an ideal world The Star understands they would like to. It’s believed another attacker and a ball-playing defender – preferably a left-footed one – are options still being looked at. Specific names, at this stage, are on short supply.”

Sheffield Wednesday have already added Ike Ugbo, Charlie McNeill, and Jamal Lowe to their ranks, who are all players that play in the forward line, but it appears Rohl still wants more in that area of the pitch. Meanwhile, the club have yet to add a centre-back, with the only defensive arrivals being full-backs.

Leeds United have reportedly agreed personal terms with a £15m midfielder ahead of a potential dramatic late transfer to Elland Road.

Leeds summer signings so far

The Whites have lost a number of star players from Daniel Farke’s squad, bringing in more than £100m in exits for Archie Gray, Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter. In regards to incomings, Joe Rodon, Joe Rothwell, Alex Cairns and Jayden Bogle all arrived in Yorkshire in good time for the new Championship season.

However, Leeds supporters had to wait a long time for the next arrival, with winger Largie Ramazani signing from Almeria last week. The Belgian will now be joined by another winger in Manor Solomon, who will move to Elland Road on a season-long loan. Solomon isn’t expected to be the final addition of the window, though, however, time is ticking until the Friday evening deadline.

A new midfielder and full-back are also wanted at Elland Road, according to The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, with Sheffield United’s Gus Hamer emerging as a target to bolster Farke’s midfield options.

Leeds could land “exciting” signing for Joseph in late move for EFL star

The Whites are reportedly interested in signing the attacking midfielder this week.

ByDan Emery Aug 26, 2024

Reports from The Star in recent days even claimed that Leeds have made a bid worth £13m for the Blades star, however, that was turned down with Wilder seemingly hitting out at the offer.

“There have been a couple of bids for players; one was pretty close and another was a million miles off. If and when decisions on players get made by the board then I'll get notified and we have to have a plan and be ready. It's a bit of me looking into the future and trying to see who potentially might go.”

Now, there has been a development with Hamer and Leeds.

Hamer agrees personal terms with Leeds

According to reports in the Netherlands, relayed by Sport Witness, Hamer has reached an agreement on personal terms with Leeds, who are negotiating a deal with Sheffield United for his services.

The Blades paid Coventry City £15m for Hamer last year when they were in the Premier League, so you’d expect Leeds will need to significantly improve their opening bid to stand any chance of signing the player.

The report relayed by SW adds that Sheffield United are willing to sanction a move, as long as Leeds put a ‘large sum’ on the table and that all parties involved in the deal are hopeful with the transfer ‘expected to be completed’ before the window shuts.

How accurate these claims from the Netherlands are remains to be seen, but signing Hamer, who can play as a holding, central or attacking midfielder, could be a brilliant piece of business due to his past experience with Coventry where he contributed to 43 goals in 132 appearances.

Leeds have just Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Rothwell as their senior central midfield options, showing how much they could benefit by signing someone like Hamer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' recruitment has seen them travel far and wide in recent times, with the club shifting their focus to South American talents over the last couple of transfer windows.

This summer alone, they completed deals for Brazilians Andre and Pedro Lima, aiming to sign talented youngsters at a bargain price, making an impact on the first team before potentially leaving for a hefty profit.

Santiago Bueno is another example, with the Uruguayan centre-back joining the club from Girona last summer after an impressive stint with the Spanish outfit in LaLiga, which saw him make 34 league appearances in 2022/23.

The aforementioned duo will be hoping to make an immediate impact in the Premier League this season, helping Gary O’Neil’s side push for a top half finish during the 2024/25 campaign.

Andre and Lima will be looking to follow in the footsteps of another Brazilian duo in the club’s first team who have hugely impressed after their respective moves to Molineux.

Cunha and Gomes’ stats at Wolves

Forward Matheus Cunha to this day remains the club’s record signing, joining back in 2022 from Atlético Madrid for a reported £44m.

The 25-year-old originally moved on loan with an obligation to buy, with Cunha enjoying the best goalscoring campaign of his career last season, registering 14 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.

He’s often provided that moment of magic in the final third, as demonstrated in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last season.

As for Joao Gomes, he’s enjoyed a phenomenal start to life in England after his £15m move to the West Midlands, joining from Brazilian outfit Flamengo during the January window in 2023.

The 23-year-old has since featured 48 times in the Premier League, scoring three times, including a double against Tottenham Hotspur during the 2-1 victory in North London last season.

His subsequent form has seen him linked with the likes of Spurs and Liverpool – an indication of how impressive he’s been since making the move to Molineux.

However, another big-money move by the club hasn’t worked out anywhere near as well, with boss O’Neil needing to move on one current first-team member at the next opportunity.

How much Cunha and Gomes earn in 2024

Just a couple of years ago, Wolves splashed £27.5m on a deal to sign Portuguese forward Gonçalo Guedes from Spanish side Valencia on a five-year-deal.

However, he’s failed to prove his worth during his time at Molineux, scoring just one Premier League goal before returning to boyhood club Benfica for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

He subsequently was sent on two more loans, once again to Benfica, before moving to Villarreal for the remainder of last season, only scoring three goals over the two separate spells.

Guedes scored two goals against Burnley in the Carabao Cup last month, but he’s only managed 15 minutes of league football so far this season.

The 27-year-old currently earns a reported £90k-per-week as per Capology, a figure that is higher than both Cunha and Gomes, who only earn £60k and £30k-per-week respectively.

Goncalo Guedes

£90k-p/w

Pablo Sarabia

£90k-p/w

Nélson Semedo

£80k-p/w

Hwang hee-Chan

£70k-p/w

Matheus Cunha

£60k-p/w

Given his ridiculously high wages and little impact at Molineux, the club desperately need to cash in on Guedes to avoid losing a huge chunk of their investment on the forward, with the hope being that there can be an escape route in one of the few markets still open across the globe.

Their recent need to sell key players such as Pedro Neto and Max Kilman highlights the club’s financial situation, with O’Neil’s side unable to carry players along the way – especially when they’re earning as much as Guedes currently does in the West Midlands.

Wolves must regret selling PL star who's now worth more than Gomes

He’s gone on to tear the Premier League apart in recent times.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 4, 2024

With the Arne Slot era off to the perfect start, Liverpool could now reportedly attempt to hijack a move to sign a defensive reinforcement for their new Dutch manager in the New Year.

Liverpool transfer news

Of course, Liverpool left things late in the summer transfer window, but ended on a high with the arrivals of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa. The latter of the two will likely get the chance to make his Anfield debut after the international break when the Reds square off against Nottingham Forest looking to make it four wins from four under Slot.

Mamardashvili, meanwhile, will have to wait until 2025 for his Liverpool debut, having gone straight out on loan back to Valencia for the remainder of the current campaign. Despite that delay, however, the Georgian's arrival has already sparked doubts over the future of Caoimhin Kelleher, who admitted that he is still looking to play week in week out.

The Irishman told the press via Anfield Edition: “Liverpool have rejected a few bids [for me] as well. It’s not always in my hands to fully make the decision. My ambition is clear. I’m good enough, and I want to go and play week in, week out.”

Liverpool eye £50m move for £68k-p/w ace to replace Virgil van Dijk in 2025

The Reds are already planning for a future without their captain.

ByBen Browning Sep 10, 2024

Alas, as one player perhaps heads to the exit door, rumours have arrived over the potential arrival of a defensive reinforcement. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Marc Guehi ahead of Manchester City, which would see them hijack Newcastle United's previous attempts over the summer window and Chelsea's proposed swoop in January.

The deal would be far from cheap for FSG, given that Newcastle reportedly saw a bid as high as £65m rejected by Crystal Palace, who set their asking price at a hefty £70m – just £5m short of the fee that Liverpool sent to way of Southampton to sign Virgil van Dijk in 2018.

"Great" Guehi would complete Liverpool's defence

Whilst Liverpool have an undoubted wealth of options in central defence, Joel Matip's exit at the end of last season has at least left one space to fill. And that's where Guehi could come in. Adding the England international to the already-impressive Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah may complete Slot's backline.

What's more, Guehi would also help ease any concerns over replacing Van Dijk in either the short or long term. As things stand, the Dutchman is heading for the exit door next summer but has consistently reiterated himself that he is happy at Anfield. At 33 years old, however, no matter his contract situation, Liverpool would be wise to consider a player of Guehi's quality should the opportunity arise.

Beating Manchester City in the race for the Palace centre-back should also give those at Anfeld plenty of incentive, especially after John Stones' high praise in the summer.

The City man heaped praise on his England centre-back partner, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "So good, so good. For him to come in, not having felt the feelings around tournament football before or these kind of games, all kinds of different emotions that come with it that you’ve never experienced before. He’s handled [it] so well, his performances have been great."