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da betobet： Liverpool are sitting pretty at the top of the early Premier League table during this international break.

da bwin： Indeed, Arne Slot’s Reds are the only team in the difficult division with a 100% record intact, with the entertainment dialled down somewhat last time out when the reigning top-flight champions just about got the better of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal 1-0.

Not even new recruit Hugo Ekitike or first-team regular Mohamed Salah would get in on the goalscoring fun against the resolute Gunners, despite both attacking stars in question hitting the ground running in other contests so far this campaign.

How Ekitike & Salah have started this season

Ekitike will be hoping he remains as Liverpool’s focal point heading into games after the international break, despite Alexander Isak now being eager to make his lethal presence known at Anfield in a bumper £125m deal from Newcastle United.

There is an argument to suggest the Dutchman will persist with the former Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward, with the equally pricey striker – who walked into the building for an initial £69m – already three goals down and counting in his new environment.

It took just 37 minutes for Ekitike to open his Reds account in top-flight action, having previously bagged in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace with merely four minutes on the clock. Safe to say, it’s been a dream introduction to life in the English game for the ex-Paris St. Germain youngster.

Salah hasn’t been quite as jaw-dropping, in contrast, with the Egyptian usually lighting up pitches for fun, as seen in his mammoth 246 goals and 114 assists for Slot and Co.

He has, of course, shown sprinkles of his guaranteed excellence, with a goal and assist next to his name in the bread and butter of the league.

But, the loyal Liverpool servant faded in and out of the tense Arsenal clash, with a weak 32 touches of the ball only seeing him register one lame effort on David Raya’s net.

Still, as much as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are no more at Anfield, Salah is likely to remain as part of the furniture, with his current Reds deal now in play until the summer of 2027.

It’s just that other key first-team presences are enthralling the masses more regularly, with one superstar in Slot’s permanent first-team plans boasting a transfer valuation that exceeds Ekitike and Salah’s high estimations.

Magic Liverpool star is now worth more than Ekitike & Salah

In such a cagey top-of-the-table affair against Arsenal, it was always likely to take an unbelievable moment of individual genius to break the deadlock.

Dominik Szoboszlai would offer just that as the uneventful game was winding down, with his inch-perfect free-kick sending Anfield into raptures to maintain Liverpool’s winning streak.

In truth, the Hungarian ace has consistently produced top-drawer performances for Liverpool ever since sealing a £60m move from RB Leipzig to the Premier League back in 2023, with the “magic” 24-year-old, as he’s been lauded by scout Jacek Kulig, one final parting gift from Jurgen Klopp, before Slot took over proceedings swimmingly.

The much-loved Liverpool number 8 will hope he can continue to deliver sublime individual performances as his side hunts down the glory of back-to-back Premier League titles, with that past £60m valuation also rising off the back of him never looking out of place or nervous during tense contests.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

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Rather, he looks to only be getting better, with his sumptuous free-kick against Arsenal proving that.

Szoboszlai numbers at Liverpool

Games played

72

Goals scored

10

Assists

8

Free kicks scored

5/12

Accurate passes

2814 (87%)

Value when joining

£60m

Value now

£69m

Via Premier League/Transfermarkt.

As a result of Szoboszlai growing into being a vital part of Slot’s high-flying team, the Hungarian’s transfer valuation has risen by £9m to £69m, according to Transfermarkt.

On the flip side, Salah, who is now in the twilight years of his career, is worth £43m, with Ekitike’s valuation coming in at the £65m range, too, despite his effortless transition to English shores.

All three players named here will no doubt be key to Liverpool attempting to retain their Premier League pride.

Szoboszlai, in particular, will try to be held in an even higher esteem, with more jaw-dropping free-kicks being put away for fun, giving Slot and Co a great chance at achieving their aims.

da bet sport： Everton’s transfer window has been a fascinating mix of ambition, pragmatism, and sentiment.

da fezbet： Under David Moyes, the Toffees are working hard to reshape their squad following the departures of several key figures, including Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium has already seen fresh faces arrive, with Moyes bringing in talent such as Thierno Barry from Villarreal, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, Tyler Dibling from Southampton, and Jack Grealish from Manchester City.

The latter made an immediate impression, providing two assists in the club’s 2–0 Premier League victory over Brighton.

Momentum has slowly begun to build.

Everton recovered from an opening-day defeat at a raucous Elland Road with back-to-back wins: the triumph against Brighton and a professional 2–0 dispatch of Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup.

For Moyes, however, the task of reinforcing his midfield remains urgent.

The Scottish manager has never hidden his preference for industrious, disciplined footballers who combine physicality with tactical intelligence.

It is no surprise, then, that his latest target happens to be a player with whom he shares a deep personal and professional bond.

This towering talent could well be cast in the role once played so effectively at Goodison by Marouane Fellaini.

Everton plotting move for Moyes reunion

Reports from Football Insider suggest Everton are preparing an improved bid for a player Moyes knows better than most: Tomáš Souček.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The Czech Republic international, now 30, was first introduced to English football by Moyes during his second spell at West Ham in 2020.

What followed was a highly productive partnership.

Under Moyes’ guidance, Souček became a mainstay in the Hammers’ midfield, making over 200 appearances and establishing himself as one of the most reliable performers in the Premier League.

West Ham, however, are reluctant sellers.

Having already rejected Everton’s opening offer, the East London club are holding firm at a valuation of £19 million.

With his contract running until 2028, they retain leverage, though the recent arrivals of Mateus Fernandes from Southampton and Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco have added considerable depth to their midfield department.

That recruitment drive, coupled with a poor start to the campaign which has seen the Irons lose heavily to Sunderland and Chelsea, could create circumstances in which a deal becomes feasible.

From Everton’s perspective, the move would represent a deliberate attempt to reintroduce a profile of player Goodison Park has missed since Fellaini left for Manchester United in 2013.

Reports suggest the player himself is keen on the move, eager for another spell under Moyes in what could be one of the more emotive transfers of the summer window.

Why Soucek can be Moyes' new Fellaini

The parallels between Souček and Fellaini go well beyond stature.

Moyes’ Everton sides of the late 2000s were built on work ethic and tactical discipline, but they were also elevated by Fellaini’s unique capacity to blur the line between midfield and attack.

The Belgian was capable of breaking up play, bullying defenders, and popping up with crucial goals – qualities Souček has replicated at West Ham.

During his West Ham tenure, the towering midfielder was trusted implicitly by the Scottish coach.

Souček has netted 42 times and registered 13 assists across 248 games for West Ham, while also writing his name into the club’s history books by helping them win the Europa Conference League in Prague – his hometown – against Fiorentina.

Tomáš Souček – Stats 2024/25

Matches Played

35

Goals

9

Assists

1

Progressive Carries

9

Progressive Passes

74

Source: FBref

On a purely footballing level, the Czech international looks an excellent addition to Moyes’ evolving side.

His statistical profile underscores exactly why Everton are pressing to secure his services.

Standing at 1.92m, Souček has long been regarded as one of the Premier League’s most dominant aerial presences.

According to FBref, last season he averaged 3.47 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, a figure that places him among the most effective midfielders in Europe when it comes to contesting the ball in the air.

For an Everton side that relies on set-piece opportunities, this could prove invaluable.

His influence, however, extends far beyond his heading ability.

His work rate is exceptional, as reflected in his defensive and transitional metrics.

He recorded 1.61 tackles per 90, complemented by 1.44 blocks, providing reliable cover in central areas.

Where Fellaini once provided an outlet for direct balls, shielding possession and driving his team forward, Souček offers the same avenue in a modernised form.

He is adept at progressing the ball through carries, averaging nine progressive carries per 90, which speaks to his ability to break lines and drive his team forward.

While his passing accuracy of 73.8% is not elite, his 74 progressive passes per 90 underline a willingness to take risks and move play vertically, something Moyes has historically encouraged.

In the final third, Souček continues to be a consistent goal threat.

Averaging 1.93 shots per 90, with 0.60 of those on target, he boasts a shot accuracy rate of nearly 31%.

That productivity translated into ten direct goal involvements last season, impressive numbers for a player often tasked with the less glamorous defensive side of midfield work.

His ability to time late runs into the penalty area remains one of his defining attributes, as highlighted by Joe Cole’s description of him being “on fire” when he netted in three consecutive games for the Hammers in 2023.

For Everton, this mixture of stamina, power, and goal threat would offer a dimension currently missing in their midfield.

The loss of Doucouré, who combined industry with forward penetration, has left a void that needs filling.

Souček is one of the few realistic options who can provide comparable output while also bringing proven Premier League pedigree and leadership qualities honed across more than 80 caps for the Czech Republic.

The emotional element should not be overlooked either. Moyes is not simply chasing a functional squad piece; he is targeting one of his most trusted operators.

The Fellaini comparison may feel nostalgic, but it is apt.

Both players are midfielders who thrive when trusted as disruptors rather than facilitators, who can dominate aerially and arrive late in the box to devastating effect.

Everton fans know better than most how valuable that can be. Souček’s familiarity with Moyes’ tactical demands means the adaptation period would be minimal.

The Everton manager has always valued loyalty and understanding, and in that respect, the midfielder is a tailor-made signing.

da dobrowin： Tottenham are working to sign an alternative to Eberechi Eze after their deal with Crystal Palace fell apart by the seams.

da stake casino： Despite agreeing both personal terms with the 27-year-old and the finances of a deal with Palace, Arsenal swooped in at the last moment to agree a deal of their own for Eze, and once left with the choice, the boyhood Gunners supporter was always going to pick N5.

It comes as Tottenham’s second public transfer mishap of the window, after also seeing an advanced deal for Morgan Gibbs-White blocked by Nottingham Forest in bizarre fashion earlier this summer.

For Thomas Frank, who’s now bereft of any playmaker at all following James Maddison’s long-term ACL injury and Dejan Kulusevski’s absence, it is a hammer blow and one that needs rectifying as soon as possible.

That being said, in response to all the reports surrounding Eze’s rejection, Frank has made it crystal clear that he only wants players with a burning desire to wear the Tottenham shirt.

Of the alternatives mentioned by media sources, a few have emerged in the past 48 hours.

Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott and Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss are just some of the names linked with moves to N17 after Eze’s move elsewhere, with Como sensation Nico Paz apparently still in their thinking as well.

The latter was reportedly subject to a rejected Tottenham bid earlier in the window, according to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, with Como holding out for around £60 million to even consider a sale.

The Argentine’s future is also tied heavily with his former club, Real Madrid, who possess a hefty 50 per cent sell-on clause and the option of bringing him back to the Bernabeu for a reduced fee in both 2026 and 2027.

Tottenham hold talks with Nico Paz's representatives after Eberechi Eze blow

According to TBR Football, amid other reports that Tottenham are preparing a fresh attempt for Paz, it is believed that Spurs have also held talks with the 20-year-old’s representatives in the aftermath of their Eze blow.

Paz bagged six goals and nine assists under Cesc Fàbregas last season as one of Como’s standout performers, with the ex-Madrid man shining among Serie A’s latest rising stars.

However, journalist Graeme Bailey also told TBR that a move for Paz carries plenty of risk, even if Spurs have explored it through intermediaries with the player.

Footballing icon Lionel Messi is on record calling Paz “incredible” for some of his traits, but Levy definitely won’t be keen on losing a hefty sum of money on him in the future.

da betano casino： Nottingham Forest’s summer rebuild shows no signs of slowing down.

da betcris： After manager Nuno Espírito Santo voiced concerns about the lack of movement, the club has roared into action with a series of ambitious signings and bids that underline their intent to become a consistent European competitor.

Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, and Jair Cunha have all already arrived at the City Ground, while bids have been accepted for James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson.

Meanwhile, a £25m approach for Manchester City’s Rico Lewis has been rejected, and negotiations continue for forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.

The flurry of activity comes at a crucial time. Forest are preparing for a season that includes European football, a reward earned after finishing seventh in the Premier League last term.

Their place in the Europa League was secured after Crystal Palace were demoted to the Conference League following an unsuccessful appeal to CAS.

Forest kick off their domestic campaign against Brentford on Sunday, and while the opening fixture might come too soon for several of their potential recruits, the scale of their ambition is clear.

Nottingham Forest agree terms with midfielde

At the heart of Forest’s latest negotiations is Douglas Luiz, the Juventus midfielder who could form a partnership with Elliott Anderson in the centre of the park.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Forest have agreed personal terms with the Brazil, with only club-to-club negotiations left to finalise, as they look to bolster their midfield with a new addition.

It is now down to the Tricky Trees to agree a deal with Juventus to bring the former Aston Villa maestro to the City Ground for the 2025/26 campaign.

Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “box-crashing 8, who’s press resistant with a good technical base, passing range and ball-striking ability.”

The Brazilian joined Juventus from Aston Villa in a £45m deal but endured a difficult spell in Turin.

He failed to score or assist in 27 appearances and missed 20 games due to injury setbacks.

Used sparingly under both Igor Tudor and Thiago Motta, Luiz managed only six starts last season, while his solitary contribution at the Club World Cup amounted to just 45 minutes of football, per Sofascore.

Juventus are now open to recouping around £30m, with the player himself reportedly eager for a Premier League return.

Why Douglas Luiz is perfect for Elliot Anderson

Despite a subdued stint in Italy, Luiz’s pedigree remains strong, particularly when judged on his final season at Aston Villa.

His statistics then underlined his all-round game.

Douglas Luiz – 2023/24

Pass Completion Rate

85.7%

Shot Creating Actions per 90

3.92

Tackles per 90

1.74

Blocks per 90

0.96

Progressive Passes per 90

5.49

Progressive Carries per 90

2.15

Successful Take-ons per 90

1.40

Source: FBref

When compared against Juventus teammates last season, Luiz still showed flashes of quality despite limited minutes.

His 89.5% passing accuracy ranked fifth in the squad, while his 72.2% dribble success rate also placed him among the top five. In 841 minutes of action, he created three big chances and averaged 0.69 key passes per game, per FBref.

These numbers suggest that, given consistent playing time and a role tailored to his strengths, he could rediscover the form that made him such a prized asset in England.

For Forest fans, the prospect of pairing Luiz with Elliott Anderson is particularly enticing. Anderson joined from Newcastle United amid the Magpies’ well-documented struggles with PSR compliance in a deal worth £35m.

The transfer also saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos move the other way, while Yankuba Minteh left for Brighton to help balance the books at St James’ Park.

Anderson wasted no time making himself indispensable in Nottingham. He featured in 37 league games last season, contributing two goals and six assists,

His energy, versatility and ability to progress play made him a key part of the side that finished seventh on 65 points. Still only 22, he has caught the eye of England selectors and sits on the periphery of Thomas Tuchel’s squad in a World Cup year.

Statistically, Anderson has placed himself among the most effective midfielders in the Premier League across a range of important metrics.

His dribbling stands out, with the 22-year-old ranking in the 90th percentile for successful take-ons, averaging 1.19 per 90 minutes.

That ability to beat a man allows Forest to break opposition lines and progress play higher up the pitch.

He is equally influential in advanced areas, registering 2.38 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, placing him in the 86th percentile league-wide. This shows how frequently he arrives in dangerous positions, complementing Forest’s forwards by adding an extra threat from midfield.

Defensively, Anderson is just as impressive. He averages 3.04 tackles per 90 minutes – enough to place him in the 88th percentile.

Alongside that, his reading of the game allows him to contribute 2.51 clearances per 90 (89th percentile), a figure that highlights his commitment to the defensive side of the game.

Perhaps most strikingly, Anderson has proven adept in the air. Despite standing at just 1.79m, he wins 1.85 aerial duels per 90, again ranking in the 89th percentile.

Pairing Luiz and Anderson could provide Forest with one of the most balanced midfields outside the Premier League’s traditional elite.

Luiz’s ability to dictate tempo, switch play and resist pressure would allow Anderson to thrive in more advanced areas, where his dribbling, pressing and box arrivals make him a constant threat.

In European fixtures, where possession and control become even more valuable, the partnership could give Forest an edge. Luiz’s Champions League and international experience adds another layer of quality and leadership.

For Anderson, lining up alongside such a seasoned professional would accelerate his development and give Forest a stable core around which to build. If Forest can finalise the deal with Juventus, it would represent a major coup.

Everton are also credited with an interest in Luiz, but Forest’s project – European football, an ambitious recruitment drive, and a manager eager to impose his identity – may prove more persuasive.

For Nuno Espírito Santo, adding Luiz to a midfield already anchored by Anderson could be the key to competing on two fronts this season.

For Forest supporters, it would be further proof that their club is no longer content with merely surviving in the Premier League.

da betobet： Liverpool have made a bid to sign a “monster” defender for Arne Slot, however, FSG’s offer hasn’t gone down well with the selling club.

Slot assesses Liverpool’s centre-back options

da 888： The Reds are preparing to defend their Premier League title with an opening Friday night game against Bournemouth on August 15.

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Before then, Liverpool will take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley in the Community Shield, and supporters should get to see a number of new faces in action ahead of the new campaign.

Incomings

From

Fee

Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen

£116m

Hugo Ekitike

Frankfurt

£69m

Milos Kerkez

Bournemouth

£40m

Jeremie Frimpong

Bayer Leverkusen

£29.5m

Armin Pecsi

Puskas Akademia

£1.5m

Freddie Woodman

Preston North End

Free

Will Wright

Salford City

£200k

As can be seen, FSG have backed Slot in the transfer market by splashing more cash than any other Premier League side this summer.

More arrivals could still be on the way before the September 1 deadline, though, with a new centre-back not yet secured. Talking recently, Slot admitted that Liverpool are yet to replace Jarell Quansah, who joined Bayer Leverkusen, but shared how Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo may fill in if required.

A number of defenders have been linked with moves to Anfield, including Palace star Marc Guehi and Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni.

Related Their own Huijsen: Liverpool ready to rival Arsenal for “Rolls Royce" CB

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Guehi would be the more proven addition of the two, and a new update has now emerged regarding a possible move to Merseyside.

Liverpool submit two offers for Marc Guehi

According to journalist Santi Aouna on X, Liverpool have made two offers to sign Guehi from the Eagles, however, both proposals have been turned down.

The Reds are now ‘exploring other defensive targets’, and in his Foot Mercato report, Aouna added that Palace want €55m (£48m) for Guehi and were left insulted by Liverpool’s offers.

It remains to be seen how much Liverpool put on the table for Guehi, but it seems as if the defensive “monster” will be lining up against them at Wembley on August 10.

The 25-year-old has less than 12 months remaining on his Selhurst Park contract, so his future could be one to keep an eye on, and it wouldn’t be a complete shock if FSG returned with a third bid over the coming weeks.

da aviator aposta： Leeds United have now identified a “scintillating” attacker as a key target, as there is a belief he would be the perfect addition to their forward line, according to a report.

Leeds still vying to sign new winger

da esoccer bet： Leeds were dealt a major blow when Igor Paixao chose to sign for Marseille, and they have now been forced to move on to alternative options, with a number of potential targets being identified.

Target

Current club

G/A in 24/25

Riccardo Sottil

Fiorentina

9

Moussa Djenepo

Standard Liege

3

Jota Silva

Nottingham Forest

7

However, the Whites were ultimately unsuccessful in their pursuit of Djenepo, with the 27-year-old remaining at Standard Liege, while they could also miss out on Jota Silva, with widespread reports suggesting the Forest ace is closing in on a move to Sporting CP.

That said, given that the two forwards hardly set the world alight last season, it may be a blessing in disguise that Daniel Farke’s side were unable to get deals over the line, and a different winger has now moved up the manager’s shortlist.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Marseille’s Jonathan Rowe has now been identified as a key target for Leeds, with the French club looking to receive a fee of just £17m for the England U21 international.

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The Whites are pushing to bring in new attacking options, and their pursuit of Rowe has now been reignited, as there is a belief he would be the perfect addition to their forward line.

Since moving to Marseille last summer, the winger has found it difficult to force his way into the starting XI, and a move could now be on the cards, with the French club open to a sale after signing Paixao and Timothy Weah.

"Scintillating" Rowe could be ideal signing for Leeds

Once praised for his “scintillating” form by pundit Carlton Palmer, the Marseille forward put himself in the shop window again with some impressive performances for England U21s at the recent European Championships.

The 22-year-old scored the winning goal against Germany in the final, while also scoring against Czechia in the group stage and picking up an assist against Spain in the quarter-final.

Former academy coach Greg Crane has also singled out the Marseille ace for praise, saying he “always had a bit of wow factor”.

Not only that, but the London-born winger caught the eye in the Championship with Norwich City during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 12 goals, including an extremely well-taken effort against Hull City.

At just 22-years-old, Rowe is at the right age to be a long-term success at Elland Road, and the only concern about signing the Marseille winger is likely to be the fact he is yet to prove himself at Premier League level.

da blaze casino： Paul Pogba will always remain a what-if player for Manchester United, given his failure to sustain his success during his spell as a first-team member at Old Trafford.

da 888： The Frenchman left the club on a free transfer, before joining in a then world-record £89m transfer just a couple of years after originally being allowed to depart the Red Devils.

The midfielder was known for his moments of magic, but questions were always asked about his commitment and effort, which held him back from being one of the elite players in world football.

He racked up over 200 appearances during his second spell in Manchester, but ultimately struggled to match the huge fee he returned to the club with.

However, his individual brilliance will always outshine the tough times he spent at the club, with current boss Ruben Amorim able to land his own version of the 32-year-old this window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer

Benjamin Sesko undoubtedly remains as United’s main target this summer, as the club look to provide the boss with the talisman he craves during his spell in charge.

Talks have already been held between the players’ representatives and the Red Devils hierarchy, but any deal will be an expensive one, given the current £78m asking price.

However, the Slovenian international isn’t the only player currently on their radar, with work also being conducted to secure a deal for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.

Marca’s latest update claims that Amorim’s side have already reached out to the LaLiga giants over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s currently valued at £25m.

The report also states that AC Milan are also currently exploring a move for the Spaniard, which could see the Red Devils spring into action for his signature in the near future.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Along with his effortless ability to change a game, Pogba was known for his ball-carrying talent, which often saw him run the game when he was performing in full flow.

During the 2017/18 campaign he spent at Old Trafford, the former Juventus star registered 4.1 progressive carries per 90, a figure that ranked him within the top 5% of all players within England’s top-flight.

His dominance on the ball is further backed up by current professional Declan Rice, who placed the Frenchman within his top three players he’s ever come up against.

United’s current midfield is currently lacking the dynamism that Pogba possessed, which should come as no surprise given 33-year-old Casemiro is still one of the options at Amorim’s disposal.

However, the manager could be about to land his own version of the former fan-favourite this summer, with Guerra possessing a lot of the qualities that made the World Cup winner a hit with the supporters.

Guerra, who’s been labelled “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register 4.8 progressive passes and 1.8 progressive carries per 90 – able to glide past opponents when in control of the ball.

Such a skillset may come as a surprise given his 6”2 frame, sitting just one inch smaller than Pogba, with the pair freakishly talented with the ball at his feet given their height.

Javi Guerra’s stats for Valencia in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

36

Goals & assists

6

Progressive passes

4.8

Passes into final third

4.2

Take-ons attempted

2.7

Carries into final third

1.5

Tackles won

1.7

Stats via FBref

However, the youngster’s talents are also further reflected in his tallies of 1.7 tackles won and 1.7 clearances made per 90, able to do the dirty work at the heart of the side before making the desired impact higher up the field.

At just 22, he’s already made a name for himself for his ability to find the net from distance, with his effort against Espanyol arguably the best of his career.

Pogba also managed to possess such a quality, as seen by his own catalogue of strikes, which always managed to excite the fanbase – something which Guerra could do himself should he join the club.

Given his £25m asking price, a deal should be a no-brainer, potentially landing themselves a bargain this summer with a player who could emulate the levels produced by the former world record signing.

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da spicy bet： Newcastle United will have to wait for Yoane Wissa to send St. James’ Park into a loud cheer with the first of surely many goals in black and white.

da cassino online： The DR Congo international signed for the Magpies in a £55m deal this summer, leaving Brentford after prolific returns across a number of seasons. He is the Bees’ all-time top scorer in the Premier League, and against some stern competition at that. He is sidelined for several weeks, having picked up a knee injury on international duty earlier this month.

Brentford – All-time Prem Top Scorers

#

Player

Goals

1

Yoane Wissa

45

2

Bryan Mbeumo

42

3

Ivan Toney

36

4

Kevin Schade

13

5

Christian Norgaard

11

Data via Transfermarkt

It’s not ideal, but Nick Woltemade took to the Premier League like a duck to water at the weekend, and his arrival and performance suggest the bitter sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool may well be overcome.

Why Newcastle signed Woltemade

Newcastle paid a club-record £69m fee to bring Woltemade over from Stuttgart in Germany. The 23-year-old boasts a unique attacking profile and scored 12 goals in the Bundesliga last season, starting only 17 times.

Whether he will match Isak’s prolificness in the years to come is anyone’s guess, but he started off strongly with a headed goal against Wolves on Saturday, sealing Newcastle’s first win of the year.

Hailed as an “entertainer” by Bundesliga reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt, the 6 foot 6 striker showed more than his command of the skies, with Sofascore recording that he won five ground duels, made three tackles and completed eight of nine passes against the Old Gold.

Now, it’s all about consistency, and Howe will know that internal pressure, applied carefully, will help him rise to the fore. The German has shown he can lead the line, but he needs competition.

But with Wissa out for the foreseeable, there’s an interesting chance for a new star to step up and challenge Woltemade for a starting berth.

Newcastle talent is ready to challenge Woltemade

Up until Newcastle met Liverpool in the Premier League last month, William Osula had done very little on the senior stage to suggest he had the minerals to star as the club’s number nine.

But the 22-year-old impressed when introduced on that highly-charged evening, darting through the Reds line and bundling in, leading Howe to remark on his “outstanding” progress on Tyneside.

Rangy, powerful and instinctive, he was once described by former teammate Curtis Davies as being like “a poor man’s Haaland”, and there is certainly some form of similarity to the Manchester City machine, easily the most clinical footballer competing today.

He’s certainly got the personality and charisma to match a superstar like Haaland, and if Howe can unlock a degree of consistency, it might not only be Wissa knocking on Woltemade’s door this season.

Clearly having come on leaps and bounds since leaving Sheffield United and signing for the Toon in August 2024, Osula is the real deal, with a skillset that demands regular Premier League football, should he continue to make the same progress of recent months.

Having only made 23 senior appearances for Newcastle, the Frenchman has scored three goals and supplied two assists. He’s off the mark in the Premier League.

The signs are promising, and Howe seems to think there is a player in there who might come knocking at Woltemade’s door sooner rather than later.

da gbg bet： Manchester United are now in contact to sign an “expert striker”, who could join as part of an Alejandro Garnacho swap deal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Garnacho's time at Old Trafford coming to an end

da bet sport： It is difficult to see a way back for Garnacho at Man United, after the winger was controversially pictured wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on the back a little over a month ago.

Mark Goldbridge was left furious by the picture, suggesting the Argentina international was trying to engineer a move elsewhere, and there is certainly no shortage of interest in his services.

In fact, Villa recently made an approach for the 21-year-old, joining the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for his signature, and the forward is thought to have “heard good things” about playing under Unai Emery.

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However, in a report for GiveMeSport, Romano has revealed that United could try and get the winger off the books a different way, as they are now open to discussing the conditions of a swap deal involving Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

The Red Devils have recently been approached over starting formal talks for Jackson, with the Blues open to sanctioning the striker’s departure, although the reported valuation of £100m could be off-putting.

A move to Old Trafford is considered a ‘good option’ for the Senegal international, but Ruben Amorim’s side are yet to decide whether he should be their main striker target, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins and Dusan Vlahovic also on the shortlist.

"Expert striker" Jackson could be exciting signing for Man Utd

Of course, there are some doubts over the Chelsea forward, given that he is well-known to not be the most prolific finisher, underperforming his xG by a considerable margin over the past year.

However, the 24-year-old has still been a pretty reliable source of goals and assists ever since arriving at Stamford Bridge, while he also received high praise from former Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend last season, after impressing against West Ham United.

Townsend said: “Even last season watching Nicolas Jackson, he had everything but the goals. He had the movement, he had the dribbling, he was getting into some great positions but he just wasn’t finishing them off.

“But, the goals he scored on the weekend were taken competently and confidently like an expert striker.”

It is also important that United get Garnacho off the books, with the Villa shirt stunt proving the winger has little interest in remaining at Old Trafford, and a swap deal could benefit all parties, considering the Blues have signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer.

da betobet： In what would be a bargain deal, West Ham United have now reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign a much-needed attacking reinforcement for Graham Potter.

West Ham's need for a striker

da apostebet： Following Michail Antonio’s departure at the end of last season, West Ham no longer have their trusty forward to fall back on when other options fail to live up to the hype. And that’s a problem that they must fix this summer.

Niclas Fullkrug, amid his injury record and poor form ever since swapping Borussia Dortmund for the London Stadium, is unlikely to become that solution at 32 years old. Meanwhile, new arrival Daniel Cummings is one for the future rather than a player who will make an instant impact. So it’s back to the drawing board for the Hammers.

Fullkrug at West Ham

Stats (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

20

Goals

3

Assists

2

Games Missed

28

To that end, just who West Ham choose to turn to is the big question. In an ideal world, Evan Ferguson’s loan spell would have lived up to its potential and the Hammers would be chasing a permanent deal. Following his struggles, however, West Ham have now reportedly set their sights on alternative targets while the Irishman heads to AS Roma.

The likes of Gonzalo Garcia have entered West Ham’s reported radar. The Real Madrid star recently broke into Xabi Alonso’s side at the Club World Cup and stole plenty of headlines. Now, he could be on his way to the Premier League on loan.

Given how he burst onto the scene this summer, a loan move for Garcia would be quite the coup for all involved at the London Stadium this summer. Like Cummings, though, there would be concerns about the youngster’s lack of experience.

As impressive as the Madrid man is, West Ham have now reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign a far more proven option.

West Ham offered chance to sign Callum Wilson

According to talkSPORT, West Ham have now submitted an opening offer to sign Callum Wilson this summer. The Hammers have reportedly tabled a minimal salary with bonuses for goals and appearances after being approached by his agent, Will Salthouse, who David Sullivan knows well.

Given that Wilson turned down a similar offer from Newcastle United earlier this summer, it seems unlikely that he’d accept those terms at West Ham. That said, he is more likely to receive the game time that he desires at the London Stadium than at St James’ Park.

Wilson at club level

Record (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

392

Goals

141

Assists

48

If West Ham want a proven goalscorer then Wilson is their man, especially if he can finally put any injury troubles to rest. His presence, combined with the emergence of Cummings, could prove to be crucial for the Hammers.

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The deal wouldn’t break the bank, either. West Ham have offered a minimal salary and will not have to pay a transfer fee, as Wilson is a free agent. A player who Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described as “incredible” in 2023, Wilson is still capable of making an impact in the Premier League.