Leeds United, having enjoyed a quieter period in the transfer window, now seem set to spring back into life as Daniel Farke seeks to push hard to bolster his squad…

Who could Leeds United sign this summer?

With Joel Piroe their latest big-name addition, the Dutchman rewarded his new club's faith in the market by firing home on his debut to hand them their first win of the Championship season.

It marks the start of what promises to be a very profitable career at Elland Road, with the ultimate goal of a Premier League return now firmly in their sights.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

That aim could be handed another huge boost, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting another star they seem set to sign.

He wrote on Twitter:

"Leeds United have submitted official bid for Glen Kamara. Negotiations now at the final stages with Rangers. #LUFC Deal expected to be completed next week, player has already accepted."

Alternative reports have suggested that the Finland international will cost just £5.5m to pry from the Scottish giants, having agreed personal terms earlier in the week.

How good is Glen Kamara?

This acquisition would mark yet another quality addition to Farke's squad, which seems to finally be improving back to the requisite level to challenge at the right end of the table.

This is especially important given the mass exodus endured already this summer, with three permanent exits giving way to a further seven loan departures, many of which were formerly important first-team members.

Kamara would offer a huge upgrade on many of those though, with his performances in the Scottish Premiership over the years having drawn widespread praise.

Steven Gerrard had predicted such a fine career even after first signing the 27-year-old, claiming back in 2019:

"He looked like a Rangers player and he took that performance into the Kilmarnock game and went up a level again. He’s a terrific footballer in possession, always playing with his head up and looking to connect defence and attack.

"But what pleased me most is what I spoke about when we signed him in terms of how he’ll be out of possession. Will he hunt the ball back, be aggressive, work hard for the team and be a monster in the middle of the park? He showed signs of that against Kilmarnock and potentially he can become a top midfielder."

His performances during the 2021/22 season help to supplement this praise, as a relentless midfield warrior but with a surprising offensive impetus that likens him to Casemiro.

After all, he posted six goal contributions that campaign whilst maintaining a 91% pass accuracy, with his one tackle per game still admirable and helping towards his 7.01 average rating, via Sofascore. He remained a key cog in their success, happy to screen a back four but unafraid to push on and add to their attacks.

Elsewhere, the Brazilian joined Manchester United from Real Madrid last summer in a move that baffled many.

It was expected that the 31-year-old would simply offer some solidity at the base of their engine room, but he instead came to create too, with his debut season allowing him to post a 7.21 average rating. This was a figure massively bolstered by his four goals and three assists, alongside his one key pass and mammoth 3.2 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

He is often everywhere, with pundit Robbie Savage noting back in May:

"When you’re listening to legends like Scholesy [Paul Scholes] and Owen [Hargreaves] speak about him, as a midfield player, I didn’t realise he has that much to his game: the passes round the corner, the goals."

He continued: "So I think he’s been terrific and has offered a lot more than what people thought. You listen to ex-managers and ex-players saying they weren’t sure but I think he’s proved, even Casemiro the captain of Brazil, has proven people wrong in the Premier League.”

In Auguat 2021, even Rangers Review editor Joshua Barrie went to lengths to highlight just how important Kamara was for Gerrard at Ibrox, making subtle references to players like the Red Devils star, among many other Premier League greats.

Both of these defensive midfielders boast an offensive impetus that has proven imperative for their respective teams, with Kamara likely hopeful that he can enjoy a similarly stunning debut season at Elland Road by continuing to emulate the play style of the legendary stopper.

The Parisians are bracing themselves for the loss of their star man this summer, but might already have a capable replacement on their books

Kylian Mbappe is flirting with Real Madrid – he has been for quite some time. This melodrama, one which presumably concludes with Mbappe standing with a smirk in front of the famous wall of Champions League trophies at Valdebebas, is winding to its end. And although it will certainly leave Florentino Perez, Carlo Ancelotti and co. dreaming of another year of glittering success, Paris Saint-Germain will have to confront the reality of being without their all-time top goalscorer.

That is mostly because Mbappe cannot be replaced. The Parisians, though, can change. It's a process that football advisor Luis Campos kicked off last season by bringing in 12 new recruits, all signed to soften the blow of an Mbappe-less future in the French capital.

The biggest new arrival, though, might be a player who hasn't yet appeared for the club since his return in 2023. RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons is technically is currently in Germany on loan from PSG, and in all likelihood will make a proper return to Paris this summer.

After two seasons away, the 20-year-old could be the final piece in PSG's post-Mbappe puzzle, the face of a team refurbished and ready to stay competitive on Europe's biggest stage.

• La Masia upbringing

  Simons' football career hasn't been all success. Although he's just 20, it seems like the exciting attacker has been around for years. In a way, he has. Born in Amsterdam, Simons moved to south-eastern Spain at the age of three. By the time he was seven years old, Barcelona had snapped him up, and made him one of the biggest talents of a generation, alongside current Golden Boy winner Gavi.

  The hype around his upbringing was palpable from an early age. Simons appeared in commercials with Ronaldinho and Neymar as a child, and his name alone gave Barca fans reason for excitement (yes, he was named Xavi because of that famous midfielder). One social media account summarised the hype in modest terms: "Dribbles like [Andres] Iniesta, wins awards like [Lionel] Messi, face like Ronaldinho, hair like [Carles] Puyol, nationality like [Johan] Cruyff, and the name is Xavi."

  Simons never saw the field for a senior Barca team. Chelsea tried to take him to London at 12, but he declined the offer. However, he eventually left Catalunya when super-agent Mino Raiola came along in 2019.

  Barca reportedly offered Simon assurances that he would star for their Juvenil A (Under-19s) side, and teased a first-team role. But with Messi in the way and Raiola able to drum up interest from around Europe, Simons penned a three-year deal with PSG. Some reports suggested that he would earn up to €1 million (£850,000/$1.1m) per year as a 16-year-old. Barca, for their part, received just €130,000 – a meagre sum for a player who was regarded as a sure-fire world-class talent at the time.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Uncertain start to Parisian life

  PSG didn't offer Simons consistent playing time – at least not immediately. He spent his first season tucked away in their academy system, as the Parisians dropped him straight into their U19 set-up, handing the 16-year-old ample space to focus on football.

  It proved to be valuable development time for a teenager who had never really spent time away from the spotlight. PSG lived in a world of preoccupation at the time, with the antics of Neymar and Mbappe dominating the senior side. Simons, who had over four million Instagram followers and the watchful eyes of an expectant world on him when he first arrived, managed to snatch some valuable time to develop.

  Hopes remained high, though, and he trained with the senior PSG squad during pre-season in 2020, making his debut in a friendly that August. By early 2021, he was a fixture on the PSG bench, awaiting his chance to crack a line-up full of global superstars. He made his professional debut in February of that year, and his Ligue 1 bow soon after. By the summer of 2021, it seemed that Simons was well on track to work his way into the first team, especially with Mauricio Pochettino highlighting a specific role for him in the side.

  But it never worked out, and Simons spent most of the 2021-22 campaign on the bench. By the end of that campaign, the teenager had been on the pitch for just over 300 minutes, and was yet to score as a professional.

• Getty
  

  PSV breakout

  Simons needed a way out, and PSV provided it. Once again, he was afforded the opportunity to work out of the spotlight, functioning as a key cog for a PSV team that very few would tab as genuine contenders for domestic or European glory. But with Simons pulling the strings, Ruud van Nistelrooy's side came close. He scored 22 goals and assisted 12 more in all competitions, working in tandem with Cody Gakpo to drag an otherwise flawed side to a second-placed finish in the Eredivisie.

  For PSV, Simons was the catalyst, a player who could terrify opponents with his slick dribbling ability, before finding the cute passes around the penalty area to set up for his team-mates. It was everything that first Barcelona, then PSG hoped the player could be.

  “At this age, he’s not a real specialist,” PSV assistant coach Fred Rutten told in June 2023. “In the future, I think he can play at No.10, but he’s more of a No.10 who scores goals. He has the skills when he’s in the box and when he can come out quickly in the counter-attack — then he’s really dangerous.”

  Simons' form brought his future into sharp focus, with Premier League and Bundesliga clubs linked with moves for the youngster after he also broke into the senior Netherlands squad. However, it soon became clear that a return to PSG was on the cards, with a clause having been inserted into his contract that allowed him to return to the French champions, even though he had departed as a free agent just a few months prior.

  "It is a clause between me and PSV, not between me and Paris Saint-Germain. It’s a clause that, if I wanted to go to PSG, I could leave for a certain amount at the end of the season," Simons explained. "To be honest, it’s not in my head to leave. I’m settled here; I feel good here. You can also see that on the field, I think. I came here on a free transfer, so I have no obligations to anyone. I’m the one who has to make the choice."

  Simons may have had a say in the matter, but what he failed to mention was that PSG's buy-back clause was very affordable, and certainly came in at under market value. They showed little hesitation, then, in bringing one of the world's brightest talents back to Parc des Princes for just €6 million (£5.2m/$6.6m).

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Leipzig and further development

  Simons arrived back in Paris last summer, only to confront the reality that PSG still had Mbappe and were busy retooling the rest of their forward line following Messi and Neymar's departures. Therefore, promptly after signing a four-year contract, he negotiated a loan move to Leipzig.

  The step up in quality has brought a new level out of Simons, who has been among the most impactful players in the Bundesliga this season. He has 16 goal contributions to his name in all competitions and is Leipzig's leader in assists.

  These days, he operates as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-2-2 setup, floating between the lines and buzzing around the edge of the box. His link up with Dani Olmo – also a La Masia product – has been devastating at times, and the catalyst for Marco Rose's expansive attack. Once a chaotic, all-action dribbler, Simons has become a refined passer who can find a killer ball with ease.

  He remains, however, a human highlight-reel. He provided one of the more memorable goals of the Champions League season so far, whipping an effort into the top corner from 25 yards out against Red Star Belgrade, while he also bagged the Bundesliga Goal of the Month award in January for his swivel, pivot and volley that opened the scoring against Bayer Leverkusen. He will undoubtedly be the player Real Madrid fear the most when the two sides meet in the Champions League last 16, with the first leg in Germany on Tuesday.

Fulham and manager Marco Silva appear to be pursuing a late move for Arsenal defender Rob Holding as news emerges before deadline day.

Who will Fulham sign?

The west Londoners have undergone a fairly solid start to this new Premier League campaign, having sealed a win, draw and loss over their trio of opening league games.

Their most impressive results have come most recently, though, with Fulham sealing a dramatic late draw away to title contenders Arsenal courtesy of a last gasp equaliser from midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Fulham have also just knocked high-flying Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup second round, as Tete's decisive spot-kick sealed a penalty shoot out win and their place in the draw's third-round on Tuesday night.

There is clearly momentum to build upon with these results as Silva's side attempt to improve on last year's mid-table finish, and they have been tipped to be one of the busier clubs over these last few days of the transfer window

Indeed, having already sealed deals for Calvin Bassey, Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Timothy Castagne, Fulham are believed to also be chasing late deals for Sevilla striker Lucas Ocampos and Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi.

Speaking late last month, Silva highlighted the need for further additions, with former star striker Alexandar Mitrovic since joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

"Unfortunately, we need many still. We have some important players injured,” Silva said.

“I hope they can come sooner. We have just two full backs, we need a midfielder too and we have just two wingers so we need another two wingers."

According to a report this week, Fulham also want to bolster their central defensive ranks once more after the signing of Bassey, coming as Tosin Adarabioyo remains linked with a late exit.

Holding, who will be allowed to leave Arsenal amid "significant" interest across Europe, is one player being targeted by Fulham for this role.

This information comes courtesy of 90min, who claim that Fulham have already approached Arsenal over signing Holding in the form of an enquiry.

As well as Fulham, clubs from La Liga, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1.are also eyeing a late move before September 1, with Holding now entering the final year of his Arsenal deal which expires in 2024.

The Englishman's contract, though, contains an optional clause to extend it by a further 12 months.

How good is Rob Holding?

Holding has struggled to fight his way into Arteta's plans this season, with Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Ben White all ahead of him.

However, the 27-year-old has been praised for his influence and value behind-the-scenes. Journalist Charles Watts, speaking after Holding stepped in for the injured Saliba last term, called him a "very valuable" member of the dressing room.

"Clearly, people who were there [at the Emirates] said he played well," said Watts last season.

"And he's no Saliba, there's no doubt about it, but as a squad player, I think he's a very valuable, and really, really influential figure behind the scenes. Everyone loves him at Arsenal.”

Perhaps a second chance to assert himself on the pitch at Fulham is needed.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are close to securing a deal for a young defender, with a deal said to be close to bringing him to the Etihad Stadium, according to reports.

What's the latest news involving Manchester City?

Cited by BBC Sport, Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil has hinted that Manchester City target Matheus Nunes could be set to stay at Molineux despite going on strike to try and secure a move to the Etihad Stadium.

O'Neil has spoken about Nunes and his future at the Old Gold, stating:

"He's not with the group at the moment, his choice. After the bid from Manchester City he decided it was best for him to not to be with the group. Club policy, and how we deal with things like that, is set in place. As far as I'm aware there's been no improved bid. Matheus Nunes is still our player, we have a long contract still with him and at this moment I fully expect him to be here come 2 September."

According to The Daily Mail, Wolves are holding out for a fee of £60 million for the Portugal international; however, Manchester City are only willing to go up to £55 million in negotiations.

There has since been a further update from Fabrizio Romano, who said that Nunes is now set to sign for City, with Tommy Doyle heading the other way in a separate deal.

Kevin De Bruyne is currently sidelined through injury and West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta had also been a target for the Citizens before an investigation into the Brazilian regarding potential betting breaches scuppered any notion of a transfer.

Earlier this month, talkSPORT reported that Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips was attracting interest from Liverpool to help strengthen Jurgen Klopp's engine room. Journalist Alex Crook has spoken to Give Me Sport recently and admitted that Klopp is 'really interested' in sanctioning a late deal for Phillips, which in turn could pave the way for Manchester City to bring in additional reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Are Manchester City signing Jamal Baptiste?

Transfer expert Romano has detailed that Manchester City are now on the verge of completing a deal to bring in a talented young defender, as he stated on X:

"Excl: Manchester City are on verge of agreeing deal to sign former West Ham centre back Jamal Baptiste, born in 2003 — here we go. Baptiste will join on free transfer, been told medical and contract signing soon. City project’s to develop best youngsters in Europe."

Manchester City completed summer signings

Player

Fee

Previous Club

Josko Gvardiol

£77.6 million

RB Leipzig

Jeremy Doku

£55.5 million

Stade Rennais

Mateo Kovacic

£25 million (£30 million with add-ons)

Chelsea

All transfer fees courtesy of Sky Sports News

Jamal Baptiste, who left West Ham United at the end of last term, made two senior appearances for the Hammers during his time at the London Stadium; nevertheless, has suffered from the rare illness Guillain-Barre syndrome in the past (a serious condition that affects the nerves) which curtailed his opportunity to make an impact under David Moyes, as per The Athletic.

Former West Ham academy manager Terry Westley sang his praises with this early claim, though, stating about Baptiste back in 2019:

"One of the finest young prospects at the club without any doubt is 15-year-old Jamal Baptiste who believe me is going to be a monster player".

Ensuring bright young prospects are well stocked at the Etihad is a big priority for Manchester City chiefs as they look to maintain their dominance in English football, and 20-year-old Baptiste could be the latest instalment in a long conveyor belt of talent in the North West.

England’s head coach has hinted that the batting line-up is unlikely to change much for the series against Pakistan in May, despite few of the issues being resolved over the winter

Andrew McGlashan04-Apr-2018Head coach Trevor Bayliss has hinted that the England batting line-up is unlikely to change much for the series against Pakistan in May, despite few of the issues being resolved over the last five months, but he called on domestic players to show they are better than those currently in the team.Bayliss conceded that England ended their 2017-18 Test campaign with largely the same questions as they began with following five defeats and two draws having been foiled by New Zealand’s lower-order on the final day in Christchurch.Over the seven Tests against Australia and New Zealand, Dawid Malan was the one batsman to enhance his reputation. Mark Stoneman and James Vince showed moments of encouragement but the pair finished averaging 30.23 and 30.54 respectively across all the Tests. Vince missed the Auckland Test when the line-up was reshuffled due to Ben Stokes being unable to bowl and returned with 76 in the second innings in Christchurch while Stoneman scored half-centuries in each Test.Bayliss on…

Jack Leach “He’s the one who holds the position at this stage and I thought he had a good game for someone playing his first Test. He had good composure. Like anyone playing his first game or two, he’s still got a few things to learn at this level but I think he bowled a good line and didn’t give too much away which was a good thing.”
The batting order “We have tried Jonny up the list previously and I think he’s quite comfortable at No. 7 but he’s obviously a very good player. I think that will be revisited especially if some of the other guys don’t cement a spot and start averaging 45-plus for the batters.”
Catching “We’ve got to work harder. If what we’re doing is not working we’ve got to do it even more. We’ve tried to up the catching and fielding and at times we field and catch extremely well, as good as anyone, but it doesn’t mean you’re a good fielder if you’re inconsistent.”

“I think what they’ve all shown over this winter is that they are good players and they’ve scored some runs against quality opposition bowlers,” Bayliss said. “But what we need from them is to be doing it more often. They’re averaging high 20s, we need them to get that up and hopefully put another 20 on that.”Probably the same questions are still there but Malan for example played pretty well against the pace in Australia and the other two guys at different times stood up. Vince made a couple of good scores. Stoneman under a fair bit of pressure and a barrage of short-pitched bowling handled himself reasonably well but again to be an international batter we need to be doing better than that.”And the other side of that is who do we replace them with? We need guys and I guess this is a call-out to the guys in county cricket, the first five or six matches of the county season are very important. We’ve got Liam Livingstone here and the other one I’ll add in who’s impressed in the nets is Ben Foakes. He’s batting very well also. So there’s a couple of guys in this squad who can hopefully score runs and put a bit of pressure on and make the selectors job difficult which is what we all want.”The batting was not helped by Alastair Cook’s lean time, other than his double-century in Melbourne, which was compounded by a miserable series in New Zealand where he made 23 runs in four innings. Cook has reiterated to Bayliss that he has the desire to continue to add to his 154-cap career and after a couple of weeks off he will look to recuperate in the County Championship for Essex.”It’s dangerous to write off someone with 12,000 Test runs. He’s desperately disappointed he hasn’t contributed more but speaking to him in the sheds, he’s still got a hunger for the game and he’s still wants to do well and thinks he’s got a role to play,” Bayliss said. “Going forward I think having someone with that experience we will need, so hopefully it’s not too long before he gets back into the groove.”Then there is the captain. Root is England’s best batsman but can’t break his run of unconverted half-centuries, which now stands at nine, with two more in New Zealand added to the five in Australia (although retiring ill in Sydney can’t be held against him). Having come off a distinct second best to Steven Smith in the Ashes it was a slightly closer tussle with Kane Williamson as the New Zealand captain followed his Auckland century with a lean Test in Christchurch. Coming up for Root later this year is the head-to-head with Virat Kohli.Bayliss remains largely phlegmatic about Root’s conversion rate and would like to see the rest of the batting order take some pressure off the captain. There were just four centuries scored across the seven Tests in Australia and New Zealand, two by Jonny Bairstow and one apiece for Cook and Malan.”I’m sure he would have liked a few more runs himself but there’s a fair bit of pressure on him to be the one who scores the runs and we need a few more runs from some of the other guys,” Bayliss said. “I think that would take a little bit of the pressure off Joe. But he’s a guy who sets himself very high standards so I’m sure he’d be a little bit disappointed he hasn’t turned some of the starts into big hundreds.”

Former Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has shown his support for Xavi after the Spaniard announced he would resign as manager in the summer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Koeman called job "an attack on mental health"Xavi has previously complained about pressureSet to leave Barcelona at the end of the seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

Xavi has been vocal about the stress of the Barcelona job in recent weeks. The former Bluagrana midfielder announced that he will leave the post at the end of the season, and has spoken candidly about the job as a result.

AdvertisementWHAT RONALD KOEMAN SAID

Koeman, Xavi's predecessor, admitted that he found the job equally taxing. He revealed as such in an interview with : "Being Barca coach is an attack on mental health. It is much more fun to be a Barcelona player than a coach, and Xavi, as a Catalan and son of the club, has surely noticed it. It's the hardest job I've ever done."

WHAT XAVI SAID

Koeman's comments follow a series of incendiary remarks from Xavi, who showed little hesitation in crticising the club culture: "It is a mental and football issue. Failures make the team weaker and the players lower their level. The football level drops due to the mental level. That's why [I have made] the announcement of my departure. Furthermore, I believe that our work is not valued enough. I had already decided on it a long time ago, since the beginning of the season."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

(C)Getty imagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Nine months after winning La Liga, the Blaugrana are firmly out of this season's title race. Xavi's side find themselves in third, eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Koeman was removed from the position in November 2021.

For a brief moment it looked as if Manchester United had snatched victory at the death away to rivals Arsenal, as teenage starlet Alejandro Garnacho stepped off the bench to produce a simply clinical finish to quieten the home crowd.

Wearing the boots that his idol Cristiano Ronaldo had worn when terrorising the Gunners in that Champions League semi-final triumph in north London back in 2009, the 19-year-old appeared to have emulated his former teammate by stealing the headlines this time around, clinching what would have been a much-needed win for the Red Devils.

Alas, the tightest of offside calls ultimately cut the Argentine's celebrations short as Erik ten Hag and co were left to reflect on what might have been had Casemiro's pass been made a fraction earlier, or had the winger begun his run a split-second later.

As it is, that composed finish counted for nothing in the end, albeit while having yet again illustrated to those at Old Trafford just what a talent they have on their hands, with the club having truly hit the jackpot when signing the Madrid native back in the summer of 2020.

How much did Man United pay for Alejandro Garnacho?

The teen superstar was snapped up during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time in charge just under three years ago, with the then-Atletico Madrid youngster arriving alongside two other Spanish talents in the form of Real Madrid's Alvaro Fernandez and Barcelona's Marc Jurado.

Among that trio of deals, the latter man is no longer on the books at the Theatre of Dreams after signing for Espanyol this summer on a permanent deal, with elegant left-back, Fernandez has been sent out on loan to Granada, despite the injury crisis involving Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

As for Garnacho, the wing wizard – who cost a measly £420k at the time – has already established himself as a prominent figure in Ten Hag's first team ranks, having chalked up 39 senior appearances since making his debut as a stoppage-time substitute at home to Chelsea back in April 2022.

It is fair to say that since making that move under Solskjaer's watch the forward's valuation has soared dramatically, with it hard to underestimate just what a bargain capture he was for the Red Devils.

What is Garnacho's market value?

Not only was 5 foot 11 gem signed alongside Fernandez and Jurado, but he was also part of a summer influx that included the acquisitions of both Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri, with the pair joining from Atalanta and Penarol, respectively.

In the case of Amad, the Ivorian gem – who didn't actually arrive in Manchester until January 2021 – has gone on to make just nine appearances for United following his £37m switch, with the 21-year-old currently valued at just €15m (£13m), according to CIES Football Observatory.

As for Pellistri, the diminutive winger was snapped up by Solskjaer and co from his native Uruguay on a £9m deal, although like the man above the 21-year-old's impact has also been rather limited, having been restricted to just 12 first-team outings over the past three years.

Goal vs Real Sociedad (Europa League – 03/11/2022)

Assist vs Aston Villa (Carabao Cup – 10/11/2022)

Assist vs Aston Villa (Carabao Cup – 10/11/2022)

Goal vs Fulham (Premier League – 13/11/2022)

Assist vs Bournemouth (Premier League – 03/01/2023)

Assist vs Everton (FA Cup – 06/01/2023)

Assist vs Manchester City (Premier League – 14/03/2023)

Goal vs Leeds United (Premier League – 12/02/2023)

Goal vs West Ham (FA Cup – 01/03/2023)

Goal vs Wolves (Premier League – 13/05/2023)

Stats via Transfermarkt

That has ensured that the Montevideo-born speedster is now worth as little as €5m (£4m), with those two rather costly deals having paled in comparison to the low-cost addition of the sparkling Garnacho, who is now said to be worth €50m (£43m) – as per CIES.

Such a stellar figure represents an increase of roughly 10,138% since his move from Atleti, with that signing seemingly one of the few astute transfer moves that United have made in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Why is Garnacho worth that much?

There may even be those of a United persuasion who believed that the £50k-per-week talent is worth even more than that £43m figure, particularly with the fleet-footed dynamo having only recently signed a new contract extension until the summer of 2028.

That bumper new deal had come amid reports that Real Madrid were sniffing around in the hope of prising the in-form ace from Old Trafford, with Los Blancos having previously captured Ronaldo from the club back in 2009.

Such interest in Garnacho's talents has emerged due to his apparent likeness to the Portuguese icon, having been described as being like a "young Cristiano" by treble winner Paul Scholes after being handed his full senior debut against FC Sheriff in the Europa League last season.

That competitive first-team bow had come after the player had shone in academy ranks during the 2021/22 campaign, notably firing the club to a first success in the FA Youth Cup since 2011, after scoring seven times and providing just three assists in just six games in the competition.

The two-cap international was particularly instrumental in the showpiece victory over Nottingham Forest after scoring twice on the day in front of a record-breaking home crowd, having proved just why he is seemingly a man for the big occasion.

How many goals has Garnacho scored for Man United?

Described as a "full-back's nightmare" by MUTV pundit Febian Brandy, Garnacho soon kicked on from that FA Youth Cup success despite enjoying little involvement during last season's pre-season tour, having been punished by Ten Hag for being late to team meetings.

A stunning winner at the death in the EFL Trophy win over Barrow early last season seemingly illustrated that the dynamic menace was destined for a more a prominent role in the first-team, with that chance soon coming against the aforementioned Sheriff.

The teenager truly announced his arrival to the wider world just prior to the World Cup break back in November, however, having clinched victory for Ten Hag's side in added time away to Fulham, latching onto Christian Eriksen's threaded pass before calmly slotting home

That eye-catching burst and finish remains one of just five goals that Garnacho has scored to date, albeit with those efforts notably including a late winner in the FA Cup against West Ham United, as well as away to bitter rivals Leeds United at Elland Road.

The emerging Red Devils poster boy also provided the assist for Marcus Rashford's clincher in the Manchester derby victory back in January and he currently has five assists in total from his 39 outings so far, indicating just what a weapon he can be from the flanks.

Of course, the next step is for Garnacho to establish himself as regular fixture in the starting XI, although it would be no surprise if that promotion was to occur sooner rather than later, thus helping to bolster his already sizeable market value.

Ange Postecoglou has transformed Tottenham Hotspur into one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Premier League, with Spurs picking up 10 points from their opening four games.

That's not to say that the former Celtic boss has abandoned his backline, either, with Spurs also keeping two clean sheets in four games to sum up an excellent start.

All of this comes in the wake of Harry Kane's exit, making Postecoglou's work all the more impressive so far. Without the forward, some may have been worried about Spurs' ability to find the back of the net, but they've done anything but struggle.

Meanwhile, it's always nice to have an academy graduate on the pitch, and losing Kane denied the Lilywhites of that somewhat. But, now, according to Alasdair Gold of Football London, one standout centre-back could be on his way to getting his chance.

What did Alasdair Gold say?

In his latest Q&A about Spurs, Gold spoke about the club's current defensive options, with the likes of Japhet Tanganga out on loan at Augsburg, and Davinson Sanchez completing a move to Turkish Super Lig club Galatasaray.

Their departures have opened the door for a fresh face to impress from the academy, however, and Gold believes that 18-year-old Alfie Dorrington may well be handed the opportunity, saying:

“I think Alfie Dorrington stands a better chance now of making some headway with Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga heading off. The young centre-back is a real talent and he’s been training with the first team at times and will continue to do so this season and that can only help his development."

It would certainly hand Postecoglou a defensive boost if Dorrington became a viable option in the current campaign. Whilst Spurs are out of the Carabao Cup, and don't have European football to think about, when competitions such as the FA Cup come around, or when the Premier League fixtures start coming thick and fast, Dorrington may just be needed in the first team, should injuries or suspensions occur.

Who is Alfie Dorrington?

An 18-year-old centre-back, Dorrington received his first professional contract just one day after his 17th birthday, making it a moment to remember for the young defender. He comes into the first-team picture at a good time, too, given Spurs' defensive departures, and the clean slate welcomed with the arrival of Postecoglou.

If the teenager manages to impress in training, then he may just get himself a chance to make his first-team debut. When it gets to around December, as mentioned, fixtures will start to come thick and fast in the Premier League, possibly resulting in rotation and a chance for fringe players to step up.

As things stand, the Lilywhites have Micky van de Ven, Eric Dier, and Cristian Romero to call upon when it comes to senior centre-back options, alongside another teenage in Ashley Phillips. Of course, Ben Davies can slot in, but the Welshman is primarily a left-back more than anything.

The fact is, as positive as things have been for Spurs, they could be a couple of injuries away from a defensive crisis, and may be forced to turn towards Dorrington to solve that if needed.

Ella Toone came off the bench to devastating effect against Italy on Tuesday, scoring with a deft volley to add to England's friendly rout.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• England face Italy in friendly
• Toone comes on as second-half substitute
• Scores fine volley within five minutes

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Manchester United star had to watch on from the bench as Sarina Wiegman's side took control in Algeciras. Toone was introduced on the 64th minute and promptly set about making her mark. Fellow substitute Lauren James easily made space down the left and picked out her England team-mate perfectly, who volleyed it precisely into the top corner.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Lionesses took immediate control of Tuesday's friendly fixture. Lotte Wubben-Moy repaid Wiegman's faith with a goal inside a minute of just her third senior international start. Lauren Hemp then added to that tally with a brace of headers, before Michela Cambiaghi pulled one back for Italy in first-half stoppage time. Toone then get in on the action before Daly – who was on the bench initially – rounded out the scoring with 11 minutes remaining, securing another convincing Lionesses victory.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND & TOONE?

  The result means Wiegman's side have romped to two convincing wins from their two February friendlies, scoring a combined 12 goals in the process. For Toone, it is a statement goal after recent underwhelming performances against Chelsea and Aston Villa, as she looks to bring United back to within European contention in the WSL. The Red Devils currently sit seven points out in fourth.

Tottenham Hotspur have not wasted any time before getting going under Ange Postecoglou, who has got off to a near perfect start at the club. Having endured fairly uninspiring football from the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, the Lilywhites are now one of the most interesting sides to watch in the Premier League.

The summer transfer window certainly left them in an interesting position, and without Harry Kane, you worried about them. Yet, after four games, only Manchester City have won more points than their ten, having even defeated Manchester United along the way.

Now, they are set to strengthen further, despite the transfer window slamming shut earlier this month, with a centre-back coming through the doors of Hotspur Way.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

Losing Kane for a reported £105m to Bayern Munich in the summer, Spurs have invested their money well, welcoming the likes of Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson and standout player James Maddison, who already has four goal involvements in five games for the club in all competitions.

Among all the positives, though, Postecoglou actually suffered a late blow to his squad depth when Davinson Sanchez lef the club to join Galatasaray after the closure of the English transfer window, leaving Spurs short on defensive options. But it appears that's not the only out-of-window business, as Postecoglou now looks to the future.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are "on the verge" of signing the Croatian centre-back Luka Vusković on a five-year deal, fending off interest from five other clubs in the process. The 16-year-old will reportedly make the move from Hajduk Split when he turns 18 in two years, giving him plenty of time to develop even further.

Romano said: "Tottenham are on the verge of signing Croatian CB top talent Luka Vusković! After top project for his development, Vusković only wants Spurs — despite interest from 5 more top clubs. Personal terms agreed, clubs finalising paperwork. Here we go."

Who is Luka Vuskovic?

At 16, Vuskovic stands at 6 foot 4 and could still have room to grow even more, potentially making him a dominant central defender. Despite his age, the Croatian has already made 11 first-team appearances for Hajduk Split, even scoring one goal, and making the bench twice this season.

Given that he is being trusted to feature for the first-team before he's even 18-years-old, it certainly seems as though Spurs have got themselves one to watch for the future.

From the Lilywhites' perspective, they'll be hoping to get a player ready to play a part in their squad once he turns 18, and completes the move once and for all. For now, though, they'll be well aware that he is still very much in the early stages of his career, and gaining first-team experience at Split is more important than ever.

Securing the central defender once again shows how much Spurs have improved off the pitch in such a short space of time. Reportedly beating five other clubs to Vuskovic's signature, the Croatian's arrival represents a major coup for the future.