Manchester City have been boosted in their bid to sign 'perfect' Florian Wirtz after a 'curious' development in the race for the German.
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After withdrawing from the England squad last week, the ex-Manchester United striker is a doubt for the Gunners' clash with the French giants
When Arsenal welcomed Real Madrid to the Emirates Stadium last month, trailing 2-0 from a disappointing first leg in Spain, they were bidding to become the first team in seven years to prevail in a Women's Champions League knockout tie despite going into the second leg with a two-goal deficit. Thanks to an almighty performance, and a 3-0 win, the Gunners did exactly that – and Alessia Russo was right at the heart of it all.
The Lionesses star was unlucky not to leave with a match ball, having scored two huge goals and then had another couple disallowed for marginal offsides. She was brilliant with her finishing in high-pressure moments and exceptional in so many other areas of her game, too, particularly her pressing. There were a lot of stand out performers in red that night, with Chloe Kelly and Mariona Caldentey others who really stepped up, but it was hard to disagree with Russo being named Player of the Match.
Thinking back to how pivotal the forward was in that massive game, it would be cruel if she was to miss the fixture that it set-up: a Champions League semi-final against eight-time winners Lyon. After withdrawing from the England squad midway through last week's international break, Russo is a doubt as the French champions visit London for the first leg on Saturday. It would not just be a blow to her as an individual, either. Indeed, of all the players that Arsenal could lose for this tie, she might be the most crucial in what is a testament to her growth as a player this season in particular.
It’s been just over a year and a half since Ange Postecoglou took charge of Tottenham Hotspur, and to say a lot has happened in that period would be a massive understatement.
The Australian started like a house on fire and led the team to the top of the Premier League ten games into his tenure, but since then, the North Londoners’ league form has been abysmal, and, as things stand, they find themselves in 12th place.
However, there have been encouraging signs, from the scintillating style of football to their brazen confidence against the best teams in the country and, most importantly, that they currently lead Liverpool 1-0 heading into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final.
|
Spurs’ League Cup run |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Round |
Opponent |
Result |
|
Third Round |
Coventry City (A) |
2-1 (W) |
|
Round of 16 |
Manchester City (H) |
2-1 (W) |
|
Quater-Final |
Manchester United (H) |
4-3 (W) |
|
Semi-Final (1st Leg) |
Liverpool (H) |
1-0 (W) |
So, while things haven’t been perfect, there have been enough signs to indicate that the Lilywhites are heading on the right track, although to keep that going into next season and surpass the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, Daniel Levy and Co will need to bring in the right players to help the manager.
Fortunately, recent reports have linked the club to an England international who could be available for free in the summer and has won comparisons to the incredible Martin Odegaard.
According to a recent report from transfer journalist Dean Jones on the Ranks FC podcast, Tottenham are interested in LOSC Lille star Angel Gomes.
Speaking on the podcast, Jones revealed that the North Londoners are “looking at” central and attacking midfielders this month and that the former Manchester United prospect is one of the players they are keen on.
The Englishman’s contract is set to expire in the summer and the transfers expert has claimed the club are trying to convince him to join for free.
However, he also revealed that there is a chance something could happen this month, as his contract situation would likely prevent the French outfit from demanding too much.
In all, while signing Gomes this month could be an option, it seems far more likely that he’d make a move for free in the summer, and given his incredible ability, that would be a sensational coup for Spurs, especially as he’s won comparisons to the equally sensational Odegaard.
Okay, before we get into a couple of the other reasons why Tottenham should go out and sign Gomes this year, let’s examine this comparison to Odegaard and where it has come from, as while the fans may dislike him, he’s a brilliant midfielder.
Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Norwegian is the fifth most similar midfielder to the Englishman over the last 365 days.
The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, expected non-penalty goals, assists, progressive passes received, crosses into the penalty area, tackles won and more, all per 90.
|
Gomes & Odegaard |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics per 90 |
Gomes |
Odegaard |
|
Expected Non-Penalty Goals |
0.13 |
0.15 |
|
Progressive Passes Received |
5.88 |
5.93 |
|
Assists |
0.15 |
0.18 |
|
Crosses into the Penalty Area |
0.29 |
0.27 |
|
Tackles Won |
0.59 |
0.53 |
|
Fouls Drawn |
1.18 |
1.15 |
|
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season |
||
On top of the statistical similarities between the pair, they both also occupy similar roles in that they do contribute to their team’s attack but are not out-and-out playmakers, instead acting as hybrid eights who are involved in practically all phases of play.
With that said, while comparisons to one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders are certainly reason enough to sign someone, the former Manchester United ace can also bring his experience to the team.
For example, the “unbelievable” talent, as described by Statman Dave, has now performed brilliantly in the Portuguese and French top-flights and is now a regular in the England set-up, having won four senior caps since September, two of which came from starts.
Ultimately, Spurs are going to need to bring in more and more talent over the coming years to help Postecoglou achieve his lofty goals and signing Gomes for a small fee this month or for free in the summer seems like a total no-brainer.
Their own Rice: Spurs chasing "box-crashing" Bissouma upgrade in £42m star
The experienced midfielder would be an excellent addition for Spurs.
1
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Jan 10, 2025
Arsenal came into the January transfer window knowing that recruits were a necessity, rather than a luxury.
Bukayo Saka’s long-term hamstring injury meant that they needed to bolster their forward line and that was only exacerbated when Gabriel Jesus was stretchered off with an ACL injury against Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Alas, with a week remaining in the transfer window, Mikel Arteta’s side are yet to conclude any business despite a host of names being linked with a move.
Name a striker and he’s probably been linked with Arsenal this month. That’s a pretty easy game, isn’t it?
Okay, we’ll name some for you. The most prominent, of course, has been Newcastle’s Alexander Isak but with a £150m asking price slapped upon him any move now or in the summer feels quite unlikely.
Wolves’ Matheus Cunha has also been on the radar of Arteta and Co. He doesn’t feel like a priority target but with the Brazilian stalling on whether to sign a new contract at Molineux, seems more attainable than others.
And then there’s Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig forward with frightening potential. He already “picked” Arsenal back in the summer before signing a new deal with the Bundesliga club and if he does eventually leave Germany, the Gunners are likely in pole position to seal a move.
Transfer Focus
Yet, Arsenal area also looking to bolster their midfield and could do so in the summer with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
He’s not the only midfielder linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. David Ornstein revealed on Friday that the Gunners are ‘working’ on a move for Rosenborg’s 18-year-old wonderkid Sverre Nypan.
It’s been further reported by journalist Graeme Bailey that Arsenal are ‘confident’ they can beat Manchester United and Manchester City to the signing of the talented teenage midfielder.
So, what’s Nypan all about, we hear you ask?
A creative midfield making makes at first-team level in Norway immediately evokes memories of Martin Odegaard’s early career.
Indeed, Nypan has been in training with Rosenborg’s first-team since the age of 14 and although he did not displace the Arsenal skipper as the youngster player in Norwegian top-flight history, the progress of both players is eerily similar.
So are their playstyles, truth be told. Blessed with the ability to create goals, as well as score them, as a spritely teen, Nypan scored eight and assisted six throughout the 2024 Eliteserien season so he’s already making an impact at first-team level.
While the inevitable comparisons between Odegaard and the Rosenborg starlet will continue for much of his career, we want to look at similarities to a certain Mesut Ozil.
Like Nypan, the German burst onto the scene at a young age and after a dazzling World Cup in South Africa in 2010 aged 21, he moved to Real Madrid.
Ozil, one of the best number 10s since the turn of the millennium had unbelievable technique and was praised for his ‘perfect understanding of where and when to send the ball’ during that tournament 15 years ago by The Guardian’s Kevin McCarra. He wouldn’t be the first nor the last to single out the German for such wizardry on the ball.
In the words of the BBC’s Jonathan Stevenson during that aforementioned World Cup, it was noted that ‘he possesses neither the electric turn of pace of Messi nor the lethal finishing in the final third’,
|
Mesut Ozil’s career by club |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Arsenal |
254 |
44 |
74 |
|
Real Madrid |
159 |
27 |
81 |
|
Werder Bremen |
108 |
16 |
54 |
|
Schalke |
39 |
1 |
5 |
|
Fenerbahce |
37 |
9 |
3 |
|
Basaksehir |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt. |
|||
Instead, this was a patient player. He wasn’t explosive but he knew when to time the pass, he knew exactly the right moment to burst forward and carry the ball. He knew how to find a teammate.
That’s a bit like Nypan who with the help of data analyst Ben Mattinson, we can begin to see where the similarities lie. Nypan is a “clever ball manipulator” Mattinson says. “He’s not explosive but smart in how he turns and delays touches to make the defender commit and ‘fix’ them, then turn past them easily.”
Also said to be a “pass-first controller of play” and possess a “devastating final ball”, that’s precisely what Ozil prided himself on in his prime. The German scored goals but his initial mantra was always to pick out the assist and provide goalscoring opportunities for others.
Mattinson continued: “Using body feints and clever drops of the shoulder enable Nypan to turn past players”. That was certainly another quality Ozil used with great regularity to get the better of his markers.
Of course, Arsenal’s first thought must be to add goals to their side but when an elite potential talent like Nypan comes along and you can sign him, it’s a difficult proposition to refuse.
The thought of the teenager playing alongside the likes of fellow youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the future is an exciting one.
He completed only 43% passes: 5/10 Arsenal man proved KSE have to spend
Arsenal sealed a big win away at Wolves despite going down to ten men.
By
Matt Dawson
Jan 25, 2025
Everything you need to know about Nicolo Barella's salary details playing for Inter
Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella arrived at Inter on a loan deal in 2019 from Cagliari, where he had spent the four previous seasons. He was later signed permanently by the Nerazzurri in 2020. It was under Simone Inzaghi, who arrived at the club in 2021, that Barella began to show his true potential.
The Italian’s versatility, along with his ability to defend deep and push forward in attack, made him an indispensable part of an Inter team that reached the Champions League final in the 2022-23 season and went on to win the Scudetto the following year.
Barella is being well compensated for his contributions at Inter and currently ranks as one of their highest paid players under his current contract.
GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology to find out how much he is earning exactly!
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Tottenham now have a broad agreement in place to land another new face in the final hours of the January transfer window after striking an agreement to sign Kevin Danso, according to a fresh report.
In a whirlwind 24 hours, Tottenham hijacked Premier League rivals Wolves’ move for RC Lens defender Kevin Danso, with the Austrian centre-back instead joining Ange Postecoglou’s side on an initial loan with an obligation to buy the centre-back at the end of the season.
As per the reliable Alasdair Gold, “when the obligation is activated this summer, Danso will start a five-year contract and the transfer fee will be €25m” (£20.9m), with the former Southampton defender added as cover for the current crop of centre-backs in north London amid fears over a season-ending knee injury to Radu Dragusin sustained in the win over Elfsborg.
Taking the no.4 shirt in north London, Danso will be available for the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield, in which Spurs hold a slender lead thanks to a first-leg goal from Lucas Bergvall.
Tottenham also make £3m+ offer to sign "powerful" young winger after Danso
It could spark a flurry of late signings in north London.
4
By
Ben Browning
Feb 2, 2025
Though just their second signing of the January window following the arrival of Antonin Kinsky, there is potential for further business in the final 24 hours of the transfer window in north London, and now one report has claimed that Spurs could look to add another body to their backline as they look to bolster Postecoglou’s options for the second half of the season.
That comes as reporter Paul O’Keefe claims that Spurs have a “broad agreement” to sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
The Frenchman has struggled in the Premier League since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Monaco in a deal worth £38m, and has fallen out of favour under Enzo Maresca, with the club opting to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Crystal Palace and hand Josh Acheampong his debut rather than trust Disasi following a difficult evening against Ipswich Town.
|
Axel Disasi in the Premier League 24/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
6 |
|
Starts |
4 |
|
Pass Accuracy |
90.8% |
|
Tackles and interceptions per 90 |
2.25 |
|
Aerial Duel % won |
71.4% |
|
Errors leading to goals |
1 |
Free to leave in the closing stages of the transfer window, both Tottenham and Aston Villa are keen on the centre-back, who can leave Stamford Bridge on loan.
And according to O’Keefe, it is an option that Tottenham are “still considering” despite the arrival of Danso, with the Lilywhites having struck a “broad agreement” with their London rivals over a temporary switch, though there is no further information over whether the deal would include an option or obligation to buy the Frenchman as was the case with Danso.
With Dragusin potentially out for the season and Tottenham in need of a centre-back even before that injury, Disasi could be a late mover and one for Spurs fans to keep an eye on in the final 24 hours of the transfer window.
Sandro Tonali wants to stay at Newcastle for the long term after being supported through his ban for gambling.
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Enzo Maresca had a brilliant start to life as a Premier League manager, guiding Chelsea on a brilliant run where they only lost to Manchester City and Liverpool in their opening 17 fixtures, leaving them second in the division behind Liverpool.
Many of the Blues’ best players started the season in red-hot form, with Nicolas Jackson scoring consistently, Cole Palmer doing what he does best, and the likes of Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernández also chipping in with some important goals.
However, in recent weeks, the goals seem to have dried up, which could force the Chelsea directors to look into the transfer market, after missing out on an additional striker signing in the summer, which was clearly something they wanted after such intense interest in Victor Osimhen.
With the January window heading into its last week, the Blues will have a decision to make, whether they look to strike now or begin the groundwork to sign their striker of choice come the summer.
According to reports from Simon Johnson (quoting Journalist Ben Jacobs, who spoke on an X space), Chelsea are currently in pole position to sign Ipswich Town striker, Liam Delap, although they may have to wait until the summer to do so.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Jacobs stated: “I think Chelsea are in pole position for Liam Delap, and I think they are ahead of other clubs in terms of player buy-in. One for the summer.”
This suggests Chelsea are looking to do the groundwork now in order to bring Delap to the club in the summer and compete with Jackson.
This corroborates reports from Simon Phillips who who suggests that talks have taken place between the two parties regarding a deal. A cash move could take place with midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka also heading in the opposite direction.
Delap – valued at £50m – has made 23 appearances for the Tractor Boys so far this campaign, scoring eight goals, providing two assists and totalling 1,705 minutes played in his debut Premier League campaign.
Much of the goal-scoring onus has been on Jackson this season, of course, alongside Palmer, and up to now he has done well to cope with it, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 23 appearances this season.
His overall work both on and off the ball makes him a good fit for Maresca’s system, but the Blues clearly need a plan B when the Senegal international isn’t firing.
Christopher Nkunku has been used as another striker option this season, but a mixture of his lack of off-ball work rate, his tendency to want the ball into his feet rather than making runs in behind and the fact he isn’t a natural centre-forward makes it hard for Maresca to get the best from him.
|
Delap vs Jackson comparison |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90 mins) |
Delap |
Jackson |
|
Goals |
0.43 |
0.48 |
|
Assists |
0.11 |
0.27 |
|
xG |
0.34 |
0.60 |
|
G-xG |
+0.09 |
-0.12 |
|
Progressive Carries |
1.88 |
2.14 |
|
Progressive Passes |
0.97 |
1.34 |
|
Shots Total |
1.87 |
3.26 |
|
Goals/Shot |
0.17 |
0.15 |
|
Key Passes |
0.91 |
1.23 |
|
Shot-Creating Actions |
2.20 |
3.10 |
|
Aerial Duels Won |
1.77 |
0.64 |
|
Stats taken from FBref |
||
When comparing the metrics of both strikers, you can instantly see Jackson is contributing more in the build-up, completing more progressive actions (passes and carries), creating more for others with his key passes and shot-creating actions, and providing assists for the team.
However, in key metrics, Delap does come out on top, winning more aerial duels and finishing at a better rate (0.17 to 0.15 when comparing their goals/shot ratio).
Delap has been described as a one-man “battering ram” by Opta Analyst this season, analysing his tall, stocky build and physical prowess, mixed with his ability to carry the ball and affect the game with his excellent ball-striking.
The signing of Delap – a “super talent” in the eyes of pundit Danny Murphy – would clearly bring some much-needed physical attributes in the striker department, bringing a different profile to Jackson and therefore allowing Maresca to make tactical decisions based on the game, and which type of striker suits the game plan best.
Better than Garnacho: Chelsea could sign "one of the best LWs in Europe"
Chelsea can make better signing than Garnacho by going for this “high energy attacker”
By
Connor Holden
Jan 27, 2025
David de Gea has enjoyed a brilliant season in the Serie A, with the ex-Man Utd goalkeeper making his feelings on his Fiorentina future clear.
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After a poor start to the 2024/25 season, Manchester United used the January transfer window to bring in a number of new faces.
The Red Devils purchased Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in the hope that he could solve their long-standing issues at left-back. Teenager Ayden Heaven was also brought in from Arsenal to reinforce Ruben Amorim’s perpetually injured defence.
There were some departures too. Antony joined Real Betis on loan, while Marcus Rashford, who had been at the centre of a public spat with Amorim, joined Premier League rivals Aston Villa until the end of the season, though the option is there for the Villans to sign him permanently for £40m in the summer.
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By
Ross Kilvington
Jan 24, 2025
How those new signings or loanees will fare for the rest of the season remains to be seen. But even if Dorgu and Heaven light up Old Trafford, and Antony and Rashford enjoy solid loan spells and return as new players, there is no doubt that United will still need to strengthen at the end of the campaign.
A new goalkeeper is a must, while bringing in a new striker, or perhaps even two, is also essential, with Rasmus Hojlund sadly just not possessing what it takes to fire the club back to its former glory.
Here are six players we think United should target in the summer.
Victor Osimhen
If Manchester United are to challenge for the Premier League title again, they need a striker capable of scoring 20-plus goals a season – a Ruud van Nistelrooy, a Robin van Persie, a Dimitar Berbatov. Victor Osimhen has the potential to be that player.
During his four seasons at Napoli, the Nigerian forward was a revelation, leading them to their first Serie A title since 1990 with his blistering pace, strength and aerial dominance. In 133 games for the Partenopei, he scored 76 goals, including 31 in 39 appearances during the 2022/23 season as the club lifted the Scudetto.
Now on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, he has once again proven why he’s one of the deadliest strikers in world football, netting 17 goals in just 22 games. However, he isn’t expected to stay in Istanbul beyond the end of the season, opening the door for United to make their move.
Jonathan Tah
United signed two new centre-backs last summer in Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, but the jury is still out on both.
And despite their best efforts, Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire remain inconsistent, while Jonny Evans – though a cult hero at the club – is approaching the twilight of his career.
A new centre-back is a must, and few are better than Jonathan Tah. Recently described as “maybe the best defender in Germany” by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, the Bayer Leverkusen star is out of contract at the end of the season and has already said he will leave the BayArena in the summer.
United are reported to have already enquired about the 28-year-old.
6 Man Utd players in danger of Amorim axe
Ruben Amorim will be keen to move some players out of Manchester United as he gets to grips with his new team.
By
Ross Kilvington
Jan 15, 2025
Geovany Quenda
Given the success he had at Sporting CP, United fans will no doubt be hoping that Ruben Amorim can lure some of his former players to Old Trafford in the near future.
While striker Viktor Gyokeres is the name that comes to mind for most, the Swede may be out of reach given United’s on-pitch woes. And if United were to sign Victor Osimhen, they wouldn’t need two world-class strikers – especially since Amorim typically plays with just one up top.
Instead of Gyokeres, Amorim should look to bring in youngster Geovany Quenda, who has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in European football with the help of Portuguese boss.
Since being handed his professional debut by Amorim last year, the 17-year-old has made 35 appearances for the Portuguese side, scoring two goals and providing six assists.
Capable of playing as either a right-winger or right wing-back, not only could he slot seamlessly into Amorim’s system at United, but he could be a long-term replacement for Alejandro Garnacho amid exit links involving the Argentinian.
Brice Samba
Though he occasionally pulls off a great save, Andre Onana is simply too error-prone to be United’s No 1. Since moving to Old Trafford in 2023, the Cameroon international has made four errors leading to goals in the Premier League and conceded 10 penalties.
His distribution – once considered his biggest strength – has also declined at United, with the goalkeeper completing barely 30% of his long balls this season.
Being able to distribute effectively and launch quick counters is key to Ruben Amorim’s style of play, and statistically speaking, Rennes keeper Brice Samba has been the best in Europe in this department in recent times, boasting one of the highest pass completion rates in any of the continent’s top five leagues this season, as per FBref.
The former Nottingham Forest star also holds the best save percentage across those divisions and has a record of making few errors.
Jarrad Branthwaite
If United are to fix their leaky defence, they will need not one, but two quality central defenders.
In addition to Jonathan Tah, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite would be a signing that would truly send a statement that the club means business.
Despite playing in a poor, though now improving, Everton side, the Englishman has been one of the Premier League’s most outstanding centre-backs over the past couple of years, and has become a United transfer target of late.
The 22-year-old has already earned the approval of United legend and former caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who worked with him during his time at PSV Eindhoven.
“It was a joy to work with Jarrad. He came as a young lad on loan,” Van Nistelrooy, who is now in charge of Leicester City, recently said of the youngster. “He learned a lot at PSV and we won trophies there together. The way he improved was fantastic, through hard work and training every day.
“He got himself to a great level and to the national team,” he added. “There’s a great future ahead for him.”
Man Utd players out of contract in summer 2025
Is it time for Christian Eriksen to move on this summer?
By
Henry Jackson
Jan 14, 2025
Angel Gomes
They say you should never reunite with your ex, but what if your ex has suddenly sorted out all their problems and become really, really good-looking?
Shallow, we know, but in football terms, that’s exactly what’s happened with Angel Gomes. Since leaving Old Trafford for Lille in 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has gone from strength to strength – proving himself to be exactly the type of transitioning and technically gifted central midfielder that United have craved over the past few years.
Now an England international, the Red Devils should do everything in their power to bring him back to Old Trafford in the summer.