Manchester City chiefs are set to pursue a new deal for one of their brightest young stars "as soon as possible" after an update on his future emerged this week.
Man City transfer news
Pep Guardiola's side have really found their groove of late, as they threaten to once again go on an unstoppable run in the Premier League and seal yet another title this season. That has been down to the manager and also so many key players hitting top form, with the return of Kevin De Bruyne huge, and the likes of Phil Foden and Erling Haaland also shining.
City continue to be linked with potential new signings in the summer, as Guardiola further looks to strengthen his squad, with West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta seen as a strong contender to come in, having nearly made the move there last year.
Lucas Paqueta for West Ham.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is also seen as a potential target for the reigning Premier League champions, should he leave his current club at the end of the season.
Retaining the services of current key men has to be seen as important as new faces arriving, however, and a big update has now emerged regarding the future of one such player.
Man City want new deal for Erling Haaland
According to AS [via Sport Witness], Manchester City want Erling Haaland to sign a new contract at the club, hoping to seal an extension "as soon as possible".
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.
They will "push to renew" the Norwegian superstar's stay at the Etihad in order to stave off the threat of him joining Real Madrid in the near future, with the La Liga giants' preference for the signing of Kylian Mbappe leading City chiefs to beleive they have "free rein" to secure Haaland long term.
Losing Haaland so soon doesn't bear thinking about for City supporters, considering he is arguably the greatest centre forward in world football at the moment. He has been nothing short of astonishing during his time at the club to date, scoring 73 goals in just 79 appearances.
Guardiola will no doubt be desperate to keep him for as long as possible, with the legendary Spaniard heaping praise on his player earlier this month, saying:
"It is unbelievable how many goals he has scored – so many important goals to help us win games. He is a unique person, as a player but also the person is special. He deserved the guard of honour. It is an incredible milestone. One day maybe he will break his record or someone else will, but they will have to score a lot of goals."
Man City
79
73
Borussia Dortmund
89
86
RB Salzburg
27
29
Norway
29
27
The fact that Mbappe looks Madrid-bound suggests they surely wouldn't be able to afford Haaland as well this summer, acting as a boost to City, but there will always be the worry that the 23-year-old's head could eventually be turned by a move there, as they continue to acquire some of the best players in the world.
Celtic are on the hunt for a new striker, and one of their targets has left the door very much open ahead of a potential Celtic Park switch.
Celtic being pushed in Premiership title race
Though the Bhoys currently sit atop the Scottish Premiership, they could be dethroned should Rangers win their game in hand by a few goals, and there are clearly problems within Brendan Rodgers' squad. Principally, it appears that the front line needs something of a refresh.
Though they completed a loan move for Adam Idah in January, it remains to be seen whether or not Brendan Rodgers opts to make the move permanent, and with Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi persistently linked with a move away from Celtic Park a new striker may be needed even if the Norwich man is made permanent.
One man that they have previously been credited with an interest in is Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who is the Dons' top goalscorer. Originally a left-back as a youngster, the reformed frontman has been a revelation at Pittodrie. Starting all of Aberdeen's 23 Scottish Premiership this season, he has returned 13 goals and is largely responsible for keeping them out of the drop zone this campaign.
Scottish Premiership top goalscorers 2023/24
Club
Goals
Lawrence Shankland
Hearts
17
Bojan Miovski
Aberdeen
13
Matt O'Riley
Celtic
10
James Tavernier
Rangers
10
Abdallah Sima
Rangers
10
With Celtic thought to have been interested in the North Macedonian before they moved for Idah, it is thought that they would be keen to return for him in the summer, though Aberdeen will still demand that they make him the most expensive transfer between two Scottish sides (a figure that currently stands at £4.4m from when Scott Brown swapped Hibernian for Celtic Park).
Miovski flattered but determined to remain focused
Quizzed on the links, Miovski left the door open to remain in Scotland and move to Celtic, though he was quick to stress that his focus remained on his career with Aberdeen.
"I'm playing the best season of my career at Aberdeen and I'm enjoying football", he said, via Rangers Review.
"I like Scotland. It has a great passion for football. People love the club, they are with us everywhere. I like Scottish football because it is played very quickly and all the time the balls are put forward towards us strikers. The game is played with a lot of contact, but it's direct and I love seeing this much action in the penalty box.
Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Semi Final – Rangers v Aberdeen – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 15, 2023 Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
"I am happy to be linked with clubs like Celtic, Rangers and Southampton because that means I'm making progress. I still have two years left on my contract in Aberdeen, I am focused on the club and on winning a place in Europe like last year. What the future will bring?… I don't know.
"Now I am focused only on my club and that is my goal, to be as good as possible. Aberdeen are in the top three clubs in Scotland. Celtic and Rangers are one thing, Aberdeen is another – our club signs young players for less money and gives everyone a chance."
With a third of the season left to play, there is plenty of time for Miovski to attract even bigger suitors and potentially spark a bidding war for his services come the summer transfer window, with goalscorers worth their weight in gold to any side.
In a rarity for Chelsea these days, the Blues have endured a silent transfer window on the incoming front, with Mauricio Pochettino so far forced to stick with what he's already got. The same can more or less be said when it comes to departures, given that Ian Maatsen and David Datro Fofana are the only players to have left Stamford Bridge in the transfer window this month, neither of whom had a big impact on the squad this term.
With a matter of hours remaining before the deadline, however, things could yet change on both fronts, with the Blues reportedly offered to sign a Bundesliga forward who could replace and even become an upgrade on Armando Broja.
Chelsea make Broja U-turn
Despite seemingly being set on their decision to keep hold of Broja unless someone paid a permanent fee, fresh reports suggest that Chelsea have agreed a loan deal for their young forward with Fulham in a late move in the winter window. If Broja does leave, then the London giants will be left potentially scrambling for a replacement in the final hours of the window. And that's when they could turn to the Bundesliga.
According to Simon Phillips' Substack, Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Donyell Malen by his agent before the end of the transfer window. Phillips confirmed the news, saying: “I’ve been told tonight that Donyell Malen from Dortmund has been offered to Chelsea by his agent."
The Dortmund star could even be an upgrade on Broja, but it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be in a position to pursue such a deal in the last few hours of the window. The Blues' need for attacking reinforcements remains a prominent problem for Pochettino, however, and Malen could more than play his part in that issue finally reaching a resolution.
"Unstoppable" Malen is better than Broja
If Broja does complete his move away from Chelsea before the end of the window, then they'd be wise to turn to Malen. Not only would the Dutchman replace the young forward, but he'd also be an instant upgrade, as Malen's stats show.
Goals
7
1
Assists
0
0
Expected Goals
5.9
2.4
Key Passes
10
3
Take-ons Completed
33
13
A player who showed great potential in the early stages of his career, Malen received praise from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who called the forward "unstoppable".
The fact that the Dutchman has reportedly been offered to Chelsea by his agent suggests that a move could be on the cards in the near future, whether that be today or in the summer transfer window. So, Malen is certainly one to keep an eye on in the coming months.
Aston Villa don’t need to add much to their squad during the current January transfer window, but a fresh face or two could give them a boost in their pursuit of glory.
The Midlands side currently sits in fourth place in the Premier League table following just four defeats in their opening 21 matches. Combine this with the fact they are through to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League and into the fourth round of the FA Cup and there is a chance of a first major trophy since 1996.
Unai Emery
Unai Emery won't be rushing to sign someone just for the sake of it and will be diligent in his approach, but if the right deal for the right player comes up in the coming week, could he perhaps land a new signing or two?
Aston Villa’s search for new signings
Despite the lack of transfer activity, the club have not been shy of showing interest in a few players throughout the previous few weeks.
One name to have popped up more than once is Emile Smith Rowe, with reports from the start of the month claiming that the Englishman was on the radar of Emery and the Spaniard certainly knows him well, having coached the 23-year-old during his spell managing Arsenal.
kalvin-phillips-emile-smith-rowe-west-ham-opinion
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs spoke to GIVEMESPORT regarding the attacking midfielder recently and claimed that there is a real interest from Villa in luring the player north.
He said: “Smith Rowe is still an interesting point of discussion at Arsenal. I’m still told the Villa interest is genuine. Whether or not anything moves in January remains to be seen, and I think if Smith Rowe, as an academy graduate, were to leave, then it may divide the Arsenal fan base a little bit.
“But it wouldn't surprise me if the right offer comes if Arsenal consider that. Again, that may be one to watch in 2024 rather than in the next few days. But I am told there is something genuine in the Villa interest in Smith Rowe.
With just a week to go before deadline day, Emery still has plenty of time to play with, but he may need to act swiftly as West Ham United are also showing an interest in the 5 foot 9 gem ahead of a potential move.
Smith Rowe made his debut under the former Arsenal coach back in 2018 and a reunion could work wonders for the youngster.
Aston Villa could land their next Jack Grealish with exciting January move
Aston Villa could sign a current Arsenal player this month
ByRoss Kilvington Jan 16, 2024
Bukayo Saka was also given his debut by the 52-year-old and the current Arsenal sensation progressed through the Hale End academy with Smith Rowe.
Signing his former player could allow Emery to secure his next Saka, as if given more regular game time, he could return to the form which saw him capped by England.
How Emile Smith Rowe compares to Bukayo Saka
The duo tend to operate in different positions, yet they both made their debuts within months of each other having shone together for the U18 side.
During a Boxing Day clash against Chelsea in 2020, Mikel Arteta started Saka on the right wing and Smith Rowe in an advanced midfield role and the pair were sublime, with the latter assisting and the former grabbing a goal.
Such is their talent that the Arsenal faithful changed the lyrics to the popular Status Quo track "Rockin' All Over the World", including the line "Here we goo-ooo, Saka and Emile Smith Rowe."
Like life, football is fickle. Saka has hit new heights since that clash just over three years ago, yet Smith Rowe has been hit by various injuries and has missed 23 games since the start of the 2022/23 season.
11
10
7
2
1.8
0.9
8
3
1.1
1
Both Smith Rowe and Saka excel at holding onto the ball and finishing, according to WhoScored, and if he can regain full fitness and remain healthy, there is no doubt the 23-year-old would be a stunning signing for Emery.
He may not be making the same impact as Saka right now at the Gunners, but a lack of game time has hindered his progress. Under Emery, however, Smith Rowe will be offered plenty of appearances in the starting XI and this could benefit him and the team greatly.
The statistics that show why Emile Smith Rowe would be a good signing for Aston Villa
The current Arsenal attacking midfielder has made 109 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals, and grabbing 12 assists, yet there is no doubt these tallies would have been considerably higher had he been a regular under Arteta recently.
When he does feature, the Englishman has the ability to contribute effectively, and he displayed this during the 2021/22 campaign.
Across the squad that term in the Premier League, Smith Rowe ranked second for goals and assists (12), along with ranking third for shots on target per game (0.7) and fourth for successful dribbles per game (one), clearly showcasing his talents.
He has been limited to just one league start so far this term and his statistics have suffered as a result, with the midfielder averaging only 0.1 key passes per game along with succeeding with just 0.3 dribbles per match.
Previously hailed as a “game-changer” by journalist Mark Mann-Bryans back in 2021 when he was at the peak of his powers, the previous two seasons have seen his career regress.
Injuries have clearly played a part in his form dropping off, but a lack of time on the pitch due to Arteta favouring other players is not going to help him in the long run.
The three-cap England international last made an appearance for his country in 2022 and at this moment in time, he is quite far off securing his fourth cap anytime soon.
Aston Villa transfer target Emile Smith-Rowe in action for Arsenal.
A reunion with Emery could revitalise him, however, and provide him with the minutes that he requires to get back to his best.
If a move does not go through this month, the Spaniard should be monitoring his situation and perhaps make a more concrete move for him when the summer transfer window rolls around in a few months.
A switch to Villa could be a move which benefits all parties, injecting a newfound passion into Smith Rowe’s career in the process.
Celtic are on the hunt for new additions and now have a good chance of being able to complete a deal for a reported target this month, according to a reliable journalist.
Celtic look for extra bodies in January…
It is well known that Brendan Rodgers is keen to ensure additional bodies arrive at Parkhead this month to help boost his side's hopes of securing a third Scottish Premiership title in quick succession.
Despite having to wait for all of 16 days, Hoops supporters finally got their first taste of action in the transfer window earlier this week as Nicolas Kuhn arrived from Rapid Vienna on a five-and-a-half-year contract and the former Germany Under-20 international will be expected to provide trickery in the wide areas.
Planning ahead for the rest of the month, the Hoops could now look to target a striker and a left-back in the closing stages of the market, alongside shifting several fringe players out of the club.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph delivered a brief summary of potential incomings and outgoings at Parkhead, stating on social media platform X: "Celtic are now focusing efforts to bring in a LB & ST before the end of the transfer window. Permanent deals would be preferable, but loan targets may be more achievable. GK situation is also being assessed, but more likely to be addressed in the summer."
He then added: "The Hoops are open to offers for Gustaf Lagerbielke, Alexandro Bernabei, James McCarthy & Rocco Vata. Vata is out of contract in the summer and is already in talks with Bologna & Como. Yuki Kobayashi and Marco Tilio are also likely to leave on loan this month."
Rodgers could supercharge Palma as Celtic eye swoop for £2.8k-p/w whiz
The Scottish giants are reportedly interested in a deal to snap up the young defender.
ByDan Emery Jan 17, 2024
Midfield could also become an area of concern as doubt is cast over David Turnbull's future at the Scottish giants, and one media outlet now claim an arrival in the engine room could be on the cards to bolster Celtic's engine room this month.
Celtic hold Jung Ho-Yeon talks
As per reliable Daily Record reporter Scott Burns, Celtic have held talks with Gwangju FC midfielder Jung Ho-Yeon over a move to Parkhead and it is believed that there is a 'good chance' that any potential deal could move further down the line this window.
Jung statistics in 2023 – K League 1 (Sofascore)
Goal conversion
9%
Big chances created
4
Accurate passes per game
41.3 (90%)
Tackles per game
2.0
Balls recovered per game
5.8
Clearances per game
1.1
Nonetheless, it is believed that his current employers would be keen to keep him in his homeland until the summer. Scouting missions have been taking place since last year regarding the 23-year-old as Celtic look to gain a clear picture of what he could bring to the table in the middle of the park.
Labelled a "very good prospect" by Asian football expert Dario Focardi, the Mokpo-born shuttler made 34 appearances in 2023 across all competitions, registering two goals and three assists (Jung statistics – Transfermarkt).
Loanee Kwon Hyeok-kyu, winger Yang Hyun-jun and striker Oh Hyeon-gyu form a three-man Korean contingent in Glasgow and Rodgers could well be in the process of acquiring a fourth player from the nation to play a part in the second half of the season.
Tottenham are in the “final stages” of appointing Fabio Paratici’s number two according to football.london journalist Alasdair Gold.
What’s the story?
During a Q&A for football.london, Gold noted: “As you say, it’s unlikely that a major player in the transfer game like (Luis) Campos is going to become anybody’s number two. As far as I’m aware, Fabio Paratici has drawn up a shortlist of the candidates to assist him in running the football side of Tottenham and is in the final stages of appointing his number two, who is expected to be from abroad.
[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-martinez-dybala-spence-conte-2” title= “Read the latest Spurs news!”]
“Paratici had Spurs’ technical performance director Steve Hitchen to help him in the months after he joined from Juventus but he left the club in February and head of recruitment Brian Carey, who worked remotely and is believed to have been more of a chief scout figure, also left this week.”
Pressure on Paratici
Since joining the north London club from Juventus, Paratici has had somewhat of a mixed record in the transfer market in his time at Spurs.
The likes of Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski in particular have been successes, while the jury is certainly out on Emerson Royal among a couple of others.
With Antonio Conte’s future far from certain at the moment – reports have even claimed that he has offered himself to become PSG’s next manager and replacing Mauricio Pochettino – the pressure is well and truly on Paratici to have a good start in the transfer window.
If he can clinch a couple of early signings, it would go a long way to convincing Conte that Spurs mean business and are ready to back him in the transfer market by getting the players that he wants.
It’s exactly why news that Paratici is close to appointing a number two to assist the r2-year-old in his work will take some of the burden away from him and hopefully allow him to better focus his thinking and strategizing when it comes to transfer targets.
Spurs fans should be excited that work is being done behind the scenes to get the club ready for the summer.
AND in other news – “Paratici will look at him”: Spurs can strike gold with “unplayable” £50k-p/w star
Rangers bloggers Four Lads Had a Dream have mocked what they’ve heard from across town following their Scottish Cup win on Sunday.
The Lowdown: Rangers beat rivals at Hampden
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men enjoyed a day to remember on Sunday afternoon, beating their most bitter rivals 2-1 in their semi-final clash.
It was a match that not only saw the Gers keep their hopes of winning a treble alive this season, but also ended Celtic’s dream of doing the same in the process.
Rangers were the better team at Hampden Park but that hasn’t stopped Hoops fans from blaming various things on the defeat, including poor refereeing from Bobby Madden, while there are also investigations into potentially offensive songs from some sections of the Ibrox outfit’s support.
[freshpress-poll id=“386877”]
The Latest: Baffled
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Four Lads Had a Dream couldn’t believe the reaction to the loss, not holding back on their thoughts on what they’re hearing from Celtic:
“Tackled hard. Referees fault. Sung bad songs. Over Celebrated. What a bunch of spoilt brats they are in defeat.”
[freshpress-quiz id=“383632”]
The Verdict: Bad losers
Put simply, this feels like a case of sour grapes from Celtic fans, who were outplayed by Rangers at Hampden and were fortunate to even take the lead in the first place – Madden had a better game than several of the Hoops key men.
The rivalry clearly means that any defeat will hurt but there was no bias in Rangers’ favour and supposed over-celebrations is a ludicrous accusation to make, given the magnitude of the game.
Football fans are admittedly fickle and will always feel hard done by when they lose, but this reaction has been particularly intense over the past couple of days.
In other news, a Premier League club are reportedly eyeing up a move for a Rangers player. Read more here.
A large portion of Daniel Farke’s summer signings at Leeds United stood out in the Whites’ dramatic 3-3 draw against Liverpool last time out.
Indeed, Dominic Calvert-Lewin would have loved following up his instinctive effort against Chelsea with a penalty goal against the Reds, having just recently waved goodbye to Everton.
Anton Stach also got in on the goalscoring act as another new recruit from Hoffenheim, before Ao Tanaka – who triumphantly lifted the Championship title last season – hammered home the crucial equaliser.
Unfortunately, not every fresh face that arrived at Elland Road this off-season has instantly gelled, with Farke now in danger of having his very own Vurnon Anita, six years on from the ex-Newcastle United midfielder’s uneventful stint in West Yorkshire.
Remembering Anita's shambolic stay at Leeds
Leeds would have felt they’d struck gold by being able to land the now 36-year-old on a free transfer in 2017, considering Anita was just fresh off a Championship promotion with the Magpies, and the Whites were desperately looking to break back into the Premier League.
On top of his EFL experience, the three-time Eredivisie winner had also amassed 106 Premier League appearances on Tyneside as a useful utility presence, with one of his former Toon coaches, John Carver, once stating that he always has the “same attitude and commitment” wherever he’s thrown into the XI.
Games played
22
Minutes played
1620 mins
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Wage per week
£25k-per-week
Wage costs for a year
£1.3m
Unfortunately for the Whites, though, they never managed to get the best out of Anita, who could play at left-back or right-back at a moment’s notice, away from his central midfield duties, with an unmemorable 22 first-team appearances all she wrote on his forgettable Leeds career.
His high £25k-per-week salary came under plenty of scrutiny, therefore, with Anita – who wasn’t even registered as an outfield player for Leeds during the 2018/19 campaign – branded as a “huge waste of money” by ex-Leeds player Noel Whelan, after he was chucked to one side by Marcelo Bielsa.
Surely, if Leeds could turn back time, they would never have gambled on the Curacao international to come good, with a worryingly similar tale playing out in the here and now for Farke…
Farke's very own Anita
Thankfully, Leeds already look to be vindicated in their decision to bring in the aforementioned Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer, with no Anita-style repeat on the cards here, as the Sheffield-born striker already boasts four Premier League goals for Farke’s men.
The same, however, cannot be said for Sebastiaan Bornauw, who appears to be destined for the exit door, just a matter of months after sealing a move to England for a modest £5.1m fee from Wolfsburg.
Yet, at the time of the capture, Leeds would have thought they’d acquired a diamond in the rough, with the 26-year-old accumulating 140 Bundesliga appearances for both Wolfsburg and FC Köln, meaning the hope would be that he could be a dependable cover option at the back for Farke.
Fast forward to the present, though, and the deal to bring the four-time Belgium international to English shores has already been dismissed as “laughable” as per Leeds-based content creator Lewis Deighton, with Bornauw only fit enough for a paltry two minutes of Premier League action so far.
This is a far cry from when Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley was hailing the capture of Bornauw as an indicator that Leeds had conducted some “excellent” summer business back in July, with the lofty number 23 already out of action for four games this season, owing to recurring knee issues.
Estimated to be on a bumper £45k-per-week pay packet, too, all the current signs are pointing in the direction that Bornauw is Leeds’ modern-day iteration of Anita.
For context, both Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are on a lesser £40k-per-week salary each, reportedly.
Further dubbed as looking “terrible” against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup by commentator Sam Matterface, on what has been his only start to date, he only won 50% of his duels against lower league opposition.
It really does feel as if Bornauw’s stay at Elland Road will be extremely short-lived, as he just goes down as a forgotten flop, like Anita before him.
The "best finisher" at Leeds now finally looks finished under Farke
This Leeds star has not been involved much this season
Leeds United look in a strong place to end their stint in the Championship by the end of the season, with boss Daniel Farke doing a phenomenal job in charge.
His side were ransacked during the summer window, arguably losing their three most important players in Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray for a combined £105m before add-ons.
Despite such departures, the German has led the Whites to second place after the first 21 matches, sitting three points off current leaders Sheffield United.
However, despite the club having the best goalscoring record of any side in the division, the hierarchy are targeting added reinforcements in January to bolster their promotion ambitions.
As a result, they’ve identified one player who could dramatically improve Farke’s options at the top end of the pitch should they complete a deal for his services.
Leeds United targeting European star in January
According to the Daily Mail, Leeds are eyeing a potential move for Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Dor Turgeman ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The 21-year-old has impressed in recent months, scoring nine times in 21 matches this campaign, including four goals in the Europa League to date, including one against Spanish giants Real Sociedad.
The report fails to mention a potential price tag for the Israeli talisman, but does claim that Farke’s side have been scouting him over the last few months ahead of a potential swoop.
However, Turgeman has a valuation of €3.5m (£2.9m) as per Transfermarkt, but it’s highly unlikely that the youngster would be available for that sort of fee given his recent goalscoring exploits.
Turgeman can also operate off either wing, making him a versatile option, with his relentless pressing nature making him an excellent talent in the final third for the club as they enter the final months of the 2024/25 campaign.
Such a move could end one player’s spell at Elland Road, also providing an upgrade on the star and supercharging the Whites’ promotion ambitions.
Why Turgeman signing could be the end for Bamford
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford will forever be a name that the supporters will cherish after his goalscoring record during their return to the Premier League during the 2020/21 campaign.
The Englishman scored 17 times during the Whites’ return to the top flight, finishing as the fourth top scorer in the division – leading to a maiden England call-up under Gareth Southgate.
However, he’s massively struggled in recent years, scoring the same amount of goals as he did in the aforementioned year, but this time over four campaigns rather than just the one.
Injuries have restricted him to just nine appearances in 2024/25 to date, with Turgeman providing the quality that they have been desiring at the top end of the pitch in recent weeks.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv talisman, who’s been dubbed “a beast on the pitch” by current boss Zarko Lazetic, has produced some impressive numbers, as demonstrated by his goalscoring tallies.
Games played
9
Goals scored
4
Pass accuracy
73%
Chances created
5
Dribbles completed
50%
Duels won
21
Fouls won
9
In the Europa League, the 21-year-old has completed 50% of his dribbles, whilst also winning 21 duels, showcasing he can star in a variety of roles, creating opportunities for teammates whilst doing the dirty work for the side.
Such figures would make him the perfect striker for Farke’s current 4–2-3-1 system, handing the club that added attacking threat as they look to return to the Premier League.
However, on the flip side, such a transfer could spell the end of Bamford’s stint in Yorkshire, especially considering his hefty wages, which see him pocket a staggering £70k-per-week.
It would be a sad closure to his time at Elland Road, but ultimately, football is a brutal industry with the Englishman potentially needing to be sacrificed if they are to complete a deal for Turgeman.
Leeds had a star who was "similar" to Klich & Phillips, then he left for £0
The former Leeds United star was highly-rated by Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.
West Ham United are on the hunt for a new attacker this summer. After losing Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for £55m, the Hammers have money to reinvest.
Graham Potter will no doubt be desperate for his side to improve on their 14th place finish, and begin ot make real strides.
Kudus might not be the only major outgoing of the summer, with star midfielder Lucas Paqueta also linked with a move away. Manchester City are said to be interested in the Brazilian, in a deal that could end up being worth just £45m.
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta
So, the Hammers might need to strengthen in attack more than they may have initially thought at the start of the window. Already, there are a few links being banded about.
West Ham’s latest transfer targets
The Hammers are certainly looking to bring some new attacking threat to the London Stadium this summer. One player who has been earmarked for a move to the club is Southampton youngster Matheus Fernandes, who could cost as much as £50m.
Transfer Focus
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However, it is not just the Portuguese star who could switch to East London. According to Simon Jones of The Mail, the Hammers are one of the Premier League sides who have ‘shown interest’ in signing Liverpool and Scotland winger Ben Doak before the window slams shut in just over three weeks.
However, this will not be an easy deal to do. Potter’s side are set to face strict competition with top-flight rivals Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers for the winger.
Ben Doak in action for Middlesbrough
Liverpool could ask for as much as £20m to let the youngster go permanently this summer.
Why Doak would be a good signing
At just 19 years of age, Doak boasts a big reputation. The winger, who was born in Dalry, is already an international for Scotland and has six caps to his name. Last term, he spent time on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, where he thrived.
The former Celtic star, who made two appearances for the Bhoys at senior level, experienced his first full campaign of professional football for Boro. He played 24 times, scoring seven goals and grabbing three assists.
His underlying numbers from the Championship last season show just how much of a threat he was going forward.
For example, the 19-year-old averaged 2.23 key passes and 1.77 take-ons per 90 minutes, which placed him in the top 5% and 19% of wingers in the second-tier last term.
Goals and assists
0.51
84th
Key passes
2.23
95th
Shot-creating actions
4.15
92nd
Goal-creating actions
0.56
95th
Take-ons completed
1.77
81st
Progressive carries
6.78
99th
With that kind of attacking threat, he could become the most exciting player West Ham have had on their books since Dimitri Payet.
The Frenchman was “above anyone else” whom Mark Noble played with during his illustrious 18-year-long career with the Hammers.
Dimitri-payet-west-ham
Indeed, he was a special player, known for his quick feet, bags of tricks, and ability to score spectacular goals.
He only played 60 times for the club, but scored 15 and assisted 22 in that time, becoming a true West Ham icon.
With the talent that Doak possesses, it is easy to see how he could go on to become the Hammers’ best player since Payet departed back in 2017.
As football scout Antiono Mango once said, the forward can be a “menace” at his absolute best.
The way the play is similar, with both players looking to take defenders on and create bags of chances. Doak’s numbers from last term have already been highlighted, but Payet’s 2.2 successful dribbles and four key passes each game in his debut Premier League season, as per Sofascore, show just how deadly he was.
For just £20m, this is a hugely exciting deal for the Hammers. Signing Doak would be a big statement given his huge potential. The excitement he would bring to the London Stadium might not have been seen since the days Payet donned Claret and Blue.
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