Titular nas seis primeiras partidas do Corinthians sob o comando do técnico Sylvinho, o atacante Luan passou a ser preterido e perdeu espaço na equipe. Contra Cuiabá e Flamengo, últimos dois compromissos corintianos, o atleta iniciou e terminou a partida no banco de reservas.
A sequência do camisa 7 pelo Timão com o atual treinador foi interrompida por conta de uma tendinite no adutor da coxa direita sofrida na metade do mês de junho, que o tirou de três duelos, contra Bahia, Sport e Fluminense. Neste período, Jô entrou no comando de ataque e correspondeu, marcando dois gols e não perdendo mais a titularidade desde o então.
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– O Luan jogou suas partidas, o Jô estava fora, houve uma troca, momento de lesão, o Jô voltou a jogar, tem dado a retenção, tem oxigenado o time ali. O Luan também tem uma função, não é de profundidade, é pisar na área, assim como o Jô no campo, mais atrasado entre linhas de flutuação com a posse de bola. Essas são as duas alternativas que nós tínhamos. Como na função do Jô nós não iríamos mexer, o lado de campo são as profundidades que nós temos – explicou Sylvinho em entrevista coletiva concedida após a derrota por 3 a 1 para o Flamengo, sofrida no último domingo (1º), na Neo Química Arena, pela 14ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
Como Luan nunca foi centroavante, a sua função como último homem do ataque era como um “falso nove”, diferentemente de Jô, que é da origem da posição.
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Luan treinando bem
Ainda que Jô venha em uma crescente, Sylvinho garante que Luan está à disposição, tem treinado bem e se esforçado para reconquistar a titularidade.
– Luan tem treinado muito bem, não tem nada a reclamar dele, tem treinado, se esforçado e se dedicado, e no momento que proporcionar para o Luan voltar a jogar, as ocasiões ocorrerem, é um atleta que está à disposição para jogar, pode voltar a qualquer momento, nada contra ou contrário, é um atleta que tem se esforçado, treinado, se dedicado. É uma questão da montagem do time – afirmou o comandante corintiano.
Desde o retorno da lesão, Luan foi relacionado para os sete jogos que o Corinthians realizou, mas entrou apenas em três, totalizando apenas 39 minutos. Em quatro ocasiões, o jogador não saiu do banco de reservas.
How to define Tottenham Hotspur's infuriating defeat against arch-rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon? How to define Ange Postecoglou's first campaign at the helm after replacing Antonio Conte at the struggling London club last summer?
Tottenham's narrative is complex and multi-layered, with more depth required than a perfunctory glance at the slide from the fantastic early-season, table-topping form and subsequent inconsistency that has left Champions League qualification dangling by a thread in the final phase of the campaign.
Without question, there is much scope for growth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but there is also a vast stretch of land between the current crop and the coveted location at the forefront of domestic and continental football.
Tottenham players
Maybe Tottenham will fail in their bid for a place among Europe's elite next year, maybe that's okay. Of course, there's still every chance that Spurs will prevail against Chelsea, against Liverpool, against Manchester City, it's just a tough run to close the campaign.
One of the chief reasons behind the dip in form, or rather the failure to emulate that early-stage brilliance, has been the struggles of James Maddison, who was so influential in his creative performances early on, transferring from relegated Leicester City for a £40m fee last summer.
James Maddison's season in numbers
What better way to start off your journey at a new club than by earning the Premier League's Player of the Month award for August? Thus Maddison had set the tone under Postecoglou, emphatic in lifting the north London side after a terrible 2022/23 campaign that culminated in the sale of Harry Kane.
But an ankle injury suffered against Chelsea in November has kept the 27-year-old away from his finest football ever since, slashing a detrimental blow through the verve that had left Lilywhites supporters giddy.
As per FBref, the Three Lions star ranks among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 6% for passes attempted and the top 1% for progressive passes and shot-creating actions per 90 – evidence, surely, of an elite-level playmaker.
James Maddison looks dejected for Tottenham
But there's no denying that Maddison has failed to reclaim that blistering pre-injury form that had left the Premier League in a frenzy, with his 3/10 match rating – by football.london – in Spurs' recent loss against the Gunners emblematic of the bitter lapse that sent Spurs' season into a spin.
Spurs 2-3 Arsenal: Player ratings & match recap
Arsenal took on Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
By
Matt Dawson
Apr 28, 2024
While Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and co have strengths in their wide play, Gareth Bale would have been the ultimate partner for Maddison to fire himself back into his finest form, even more so than had Kane remained at the outfit last summer.
Why Spurs signed Gareth Bale
After a promising start to life on the professional scene with Southampton, scoring five goals and supplying 12 assists across 45 matches as a teenage full-back in the Championship, Bale captured the attention of Premier League heavy-hitters Manchester United and Tottenham, with the latter winning the race and signing the 17-year-old for an initial £5m in May 2007.
Former Tottenham star Gareth Bale
Incredibly, Bale proved to have something of a penchant for disaster and failed to win any of his opening 24 matches for Spurs, though he put this ill-fortuned reputation behind him and forged a pathway to the top of the game, shifting to a forward-placed role after his supreme athletic ability and blooming deadliness in front of goal become clear.
Across 237 appearances over two spells with Tottenham, the Wales phenomenon posted 72 goals and 57 assists and established himself as one of the finest forwards in Europe, with his final campaign during his first spell – in 2012/13 – securing a return of 26 goals and 14 assists from 41 matches in all competitions.
Gareth Bale: Premier League Stats by Season
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
21/22
20
11
2
12/13
33
21
8
11/12
36
10
13
10/11
30
7
2
09/10
23
3
5
08/09
16
0
0
07/08
8
2
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
The 34-year-old, now retired, improved with each passing campaign and won the PFA Player of the Year during that last, pre-Spain season in London.
Hailed as "unbelievable" and a "super talent" by Andre Villas-Boas back in 2013, the 111-cap international indeed went from strength to strength at Tottenham and dazzled, through his incredible Champions League performances against reigning champions Inter Milan in 2010/11, his ridiculous rate of prolific form, his frightening pace and power.
Bale has etched his name into Tottenham's halls eternally and while he left when a certain Spanish club came calling, he is remembered as a modern legend down at N17, where he cut his teeth and became one of the standout stars of his generation.
Why Spurs sold Gareth Bale
Tottenham sold Bale to Real Madrid in 2013 for a world-record £85m fee, eclipsing the previous record that saw Los Blancos bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish capital from Manchester United in 2009, making a jaw-dropping 750% profit on the one-time outlay that Daniel Levy granted to bring the teenage talent to the side.
It was a staggering transfer but not without full merit, with the Welshman proving his worth as one of Europe's best with his performances at Tottenham and fully deserving a shot at Real, one of the most prestigious and illustrious outfits in the world.
Gareth Bale for Real Madrid.
Reports suggested that Manchester United were hellbent on signing Bale after that initial failure to land their man, way back when, though Spurs supporters' pains were spared when he headed overseas, a move that proved auspicious for him.
Having retired at a relatively early age, Bale can rest with a stunning trophy cabinet at Real Madrid that saw him plunder five Champions League titles, three La Liga trophies and one Copa del Rey, among a host of other honours.
European football expert Zach Lowy outlined the facets that have left this wonderful star a true sensation of his time, saying: "Gareth Bale took Wales to the Euros semifinals, took Real Madrid from zero Champions Leagues in 11 years to five Champions Leagues in 8 years, and has just taken Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years. Legend of the game."
While Tottenham's erstwhile maverick didn't enjoy his trophy-laden days at the club, he is truly one of the greatest to play the game, and would be the standout among the current crop, enhancing the games of his peers considerably.
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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?
West Ham United manager David Moyes made a host of changes last weekend, presumably in preparation for this evening's clash against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League.
Trailing 2-0 after the first leg, the indomitable Bundesliga champions fashioning two late goals, the Hammers are up against it. A two-goal lead is needed at full-time just to stay in the tie. Xabi Alonso's team have not lost all season. West Ham have two wins in nine.
Kurt Zouma for West Ham
But defeat at home against Fulham in the Premier League was simultaneously a blow to the most probable route into continental competition next season and United's confidence, which will be key against Die Werkself.
Still, London Stadium will bring the noise and West Ham produced a promising performance last Thursday – Moyes said his squad has "half a chance", which might just be enough.
West Ham team news
Lucas Paqueta got himself suspended for this one in the first leg in a crushing blow to West Ham's chances of qualification. The absence of the club's creative linchpin will be keenly felt.
Tough-tackling defender Emerson Palmieri will also be absent due to suspension in a hammer blow to Moyes' Irons, while Konstantinos Mavropanos will miss out with injury.
However, in a huge boost, Moyes has confirmed that talisman Jarrod Bowen is fit to face Bayer Leverkusen after returning to training on Wednesday after injury.
He will be a massive threat, but not the only one who could cause problems tonight.
Why West Ham must unleash Tomas Soucek
The man in question is Tomas Soucek, who has been praised for his "sensational" motivating, leadership qualities by his manager, something that will be paramount ahead of the European clash.
West Ham: Top Scorers 23/24
Player
Apps
Goals
Jarrod Bowen
40
19
Mohammed Kudus
39
13
Tomas Soucek
46
9
Lucas Paqueta
38
8
James Ward-Prowse
45
6
Stats via BBC Sport
Bowen has scored 19 goals and added eight assists from 40 matches for West Ham this season and the visitors will likely view him as the biggest threat. After all, he was the scorer of the Hammers' winning goal in the Conference League final. Soucek is just as important, however, potentially striking from sitting deep and at the centre of the action if his side is to prevail.
This season, in all competitions, Soucek, aged 29, has posted nine goals, with his innate ability to find opportunities and take them providing Moyes' side with an invaluable added dimension.
On top of this, the Czech midfielder ranks among the top 11% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for interceptions and the top 1% for clearances and aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref.
The Athletic's Roshane Thomas remarked that Soucek had "rediscovered his verve to become West Ham's talisman" this season, having flattered to deceive across large portions of the 2022/23 campaign.
His blend of attacking and defensive attributes bespeak his importance and influence, capable of contributing in many different ways and posing a problem against Alonso's side.
Furthermore, he was crucial in rebuffing the German team last week, dropping deep to add a layer of protection in the defensive third, blocking three shots, making two interceptions and making three crucial clearances, as per Sofascore.
West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek
It won't be easy; Leverkusen have probably been the best team in Europe this season and are charging toward an undefeated treble, but with Soucek's industriousness used to quell the beast in the first half, his rangy goalscoring prowess could be activated after the break to find space and fire his side toward victory.
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A "hugely important" Newcastle United hero could now stay put at the club beyond the summer transfer window, according to a new update regarding his future.
Newcastle stars who could leave this summer
The Magpies face a vital summer ahead of them, following a season that threatened so much at the beginning of the campaign, but has ultimately been disappointing. There could be lots of focus on new signings for Eddie Howe, in order for the manager to take his team to the next level, but there are also key players who the club need to do all they can to retain.
Bruno Guimaraes is one such figure who has been linked with a departure from Newcastle this summer, in what would be a significant blow, given his influence. The Brazilian is wanted by a number of top clubs, including Premier League champions Manchester City, and he could be weighing up his options currently.
Another important figure who has been mooted to be set to leave is Callum Wilson, with the Englishman out of contract in 2025, meaning this summer may well be the last chance to receive good money for his signature. The likes of Miguel Almiron and Jamaal Lascelles have also been linked with leaving St James' Park, although the latter's current knee injury could put paid to that.
"Hugely important" Newcastle ace could stay
According to a fresh update from Football Insider, Wilson could now stay at Newcastle this summer, rather than the Magpies bringing in a big-money replacement for the striker. It acts as a twist, considering the claims linking him with a summer exit.
The report states that "Howe and his coaching staff believe the England international is still one of the best strikers in the Premier League on his day", adding that "Newcastle are light in the striker area but they are reluctant to add to their attacking arsenal amid ongoing Financial Fair Play concerns."
Keeping hold of Wilson would certainly be no bad thing for Newcastle, even though it would likely mean losing him on a free transfer next year. He will be 33 years of age by then, and the Magpies would be unlikely to hand him an extension at that point in his career.
Adhering to Financial Fair Play (FFP) is so important for the Magpies, ensuring that they don't find themselves being deducted points for rule breaches, so there is clear sense in sticking with Wilson for another year.
Appearances
105
Goals
46
Assists
11
The £110,000-a-week attacker remains an excellent player – one who has scored seven goals in eight Premier League starts this season – and Howe has spoken of his admiration for him in the past, saying: "He’s a hugely important part of our team, a focal point. We rely not just on his goals but his movement, his work rate. His appearance in the team gave us confidence."
Granted, selling Wilson this summer and replacing him with a younger model such as Newcastle-linked star Serhou Guirassy could be something that some supporters want, but for now, it may not be the most logical thing to do.
South Africa fell to their lowest T20I total as Ashton Agar ripped through them at the Wanderers
The Report by Firdose Moonda21-Feb-2020Ashton Agar claimed the 13th hat-trick in T20I cricket and the second for Australia after Brett Lee as South Africa were dismissed for their lowest score in the format to lose by their biggest margin in a thrashing at the Wanderers.Agar finished with a career-best 5 for 24 to take Australia to an eighth straight T20I win, and to the top of the ICC’s rankings. They extend a successful run that dates back to February 2019, and take the lead in the three-match series.While South Africa’s batting implosion will hog the headlines, their fielding should also come under scrutiny after a wayward performance, with too many short, wide deliveries against a rampant Australian line-up. Aaron Finch and Steve Smith galloped along at 10 runs an over in a second-wicket stand of 80 and even though South Africa pulled Australia back, 49 runs in the last five overs left them with a big total to chase.The home batting line-up, which had a makeshift opener in Rassie van der Dussen, and an emergency replacement in Jon-Jon Smuts (who stood in for Heinrich Klaasen after he injured his hip in warm-ups) never got going. South Africa were 38 for 3 after the powerplay, 44 for 7 after Agar’s hat-trick and only had three partnerships in double figures.Agar, Agar, AgarFaf du Plessis’s inside-out loft over the side found Kane Richardson on the rope to end the most competent innings by a South African frontline batsman at the Wanderers and start a magical run for Australia’s left-arm spinner. His next ball was pitched on middle and leg and beat Andile Phehlukwayo’s flick and was given out by Allahudien Palekar. Phehukwayo reviewed but ball-tracking showed the delivery was straightening and hitting leg stump. That brought Dale Steyn to the crease, in the eighth over, to face the hat-trick ball.He was greeted with a ball that was tossed up, went for the drive and outside edged to Aaron Finch, at slip. Agar took off in celebration and South Africa, on 44 for 7, had all but been defeated. Agar could have another hat-trick when he bowled debutant Pite van Biljon at the end of his third over and had Lungi Ngidi caught at long-on with the first ball of his fourth, but his second hat-trick ball of the night missed Tabraiz Shamsi’s off stump by a whisker.Steyn’s alive…but so are the lights Dale Steyn operated mostly behind the scenes in the England series but stormed his way back into the spotlight in the first few balls of this match. His opening delivery was a touch wide and David Warner creamed it through the covers to start with a boundary. That would not have impressed Steyn, who tightened up immediately and sent down a menacing second ball, a bouncer that fizzed up off a length, Warner top-edged and Shamsi collected at fine leg. Steyn celebrated in his customary fashion – the chainsaw – but in slow-motion, perhaps as a nod to his advancing age.But he won’t like the suggestion that his years had anything to do with his inability to repay the favour when fielding in the next over. Ngidi should have had Smith out for a duck when he cut a short, wide ball to third man, where Steyn was stationed. He got himself into position to take the catch but lost the ball in the floodlights at the last moment and it sailed over his right shoulder. When Steyn realised what had happened, he could only smile sheepishly in response. Steyn eventually made up for it in the penultimate over of the match when he made sure Ngidi did not finish wicketless and clung on to a high ball from Mitchell Marsh’s bat at square leg.Slowly does it for South Africa The spin of Shamsi and Smuts – in addition to Andile Phehlukwayo’s change-ups – pulled Australia back in the mid-section of their innings, when they kept big hits to a minimum. The boundary was only breached three times between the end of the sixth over and the end of the 14th, once when Matthew Wade should have been caught on the deep midwicket boundary by van Biljon. Shamsi conceded a slog sweep that went for six towards the end of his spell, where wides were his only weakness, while Smuts’ two overs cost just 15 runs and he should have been used a little more. South Africa gave away 61 runs in those eight overs, at a rate of 7.62, which kept Australia under 200. In the end, it was still more than a hundred runs too many.Starc’s crucial breakthroughWith moisture in the air, it was inevitable that would be some swing but it wasn’t until Mitchell Starc got hold of the ball that it was on display. His third delivery was directed straight at de Kock, who looked to play leg side, snuck past his attempt and pinged the top of middle stump. That meant South Africa’s most in-form batsman of the summer was out, and the rest of the line-up had a mountain to climb.Agar took the honours but it was Australia’s fast bowlers who did the early damage and reduced South Africa to 38 for 3 in the powerplay, leaving them with no way back. After Starc’s early strike, Pat Cummins was responsible for the other two wickets and had van der Dussen caught at third man and Smuts caught by Adam Zampa, running circles from short-fine leg. Australia scored 70 runs in their first six overs and South Africa’s score, of just over half that, was never going to be competitive enough.Fielding fumbles and Faf Steyn’s miss was comical, van Biljon’s may be explained away by debut nerves but Shamsi’s miss in the final over was inexcusable. Agar top-edged Rabada to short third man, de Kock looked to be going for it as Shamsi ran in which made the keeper think twice. At that point, Shamsi should have committed to the catch but he pulled out and the ball fell between him and de Kock.It wasn’t all bad, with du Plessis taking a stunner at backward point when Carey launched one into the night sky, but that was a rare bright moment in South Africa’s effort, compared to a clinical Australian display.
Ídolo da Nação, o atacante Gabriel Barbosa foi homenageado pela torcida Raça Rubro-Negra nesta quarta-feira. Membros da torcida organizada foram ao Ninho do Urubu e entregaram ao atacante uma placa, além de mostrar a nova bandeira com a foto do atleta com uma coroa e escrito “Príncipe predestinado”.
Com Gabigol em campo, o Flamengo enfrenta o Vélez Sarsfield, da Argentina, nesta quinta-feira. A partida é válida pela rodada final da fase de grupos da Libertadores, e o Rubro-Negro, já garantido nas oitavas de final, busca as primeiras posições no geral. Confira a situação das chaves e os jogos aqui!
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Despite the recruitment revolution INEOS have led at Old Trafford, the manager appears to be very much in charge
When Manchester United finally took the decision to keep faith with Erik ten Hag last month, they were keen to emphasise that next season would be different to the disaster of a campaign that came before.
After considering a number of options and holding serious talks with Thomas Tuchel, United decided that Ten Hag was still the best man for the job. That was despite ending the campaign in eighth, their lowest Premier League finish, losing 14 games and having a negative goal difference.
The FA Cup final win over Manchester City, the champions' only defeat of 2024, showed that Ten Hag was still a top coach, so went the logic, while there were mitigating circumstances to explain their terrible league form and the fact they had bombed out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
The worst injury record in the league was clearly a key factor but so too was the fact that the club was undergoing a strategic review for half the season. And even after INEOS' partial takeover was confirmed in February, there was still a transition period – hardly ideal circumstances to work in.
"Our review concluded that Erik deserves a chance to show what more he is capable of within the new sporting structure we are building," explained a club source at the time.
However, one month out from the new season, it looks like Ten Hag still has a lot of influence on what goes on at Old Trafford. Rather than his position being weakened by the confusion surrounding his future, he appears emboldened.
Manchester United
Double Dutch
In the immediate aftermath of the FA Cup final triumph over City, Ten Hag found himself in the highly unusual position of celebrating a trophy win and perhaps the best result of his two-year era while having to bat away questions about his position. Yes, Ten Hag had come out swinging, but he was walking out with two black eyes and a split lip.
Now the manager is sitting comfortably on the throne, exerting as much power as before, if not more. Take his coaching staff: Benni McCarthy and Mitchell van der Gaag have left but they have been replaced by two Dutchmen.
One is Ruud van Nistelrooy, a crowd-pleasing appointment given his status as one of the club's greatest ever strikers but also a respected coach who was in charge of PSV just two seasons ago.
The other is Rene Hake, whom Ten Hag has known for nearly two decades. Hake is also highly qualified and recently led Go Ahead Eagles, the club Ten Hag used to manage, to their best-ever finish in the Dutch top flight. Ten Hag has also looked to his homeland for his latest goalkeeping coach, Jelle ten Rouwelaar.
United might have appointed a new set of recruiters, but unless there is a universal sense of admiration for Dutch football among the club's hierarchy, it looks like Ten Hag is still making the big decisions.
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Man Utd
Transfer trauma
The same could be said in terms of transfers, the one area that really needed shaking up. United's previous sporting director John Murtough, one of the great corporate survivors until he was finally moved on earlier this year as part of the INEOS infrastructure, had little authority in the transfer market.
He wasted time pursuing Frenkie de Jong in Ten Hag's last summer when it was clear the midfielder did not want to leave Barcelona for United. Instead he ended up signing Casemiro in a blind panic, blowing a total of £140 million ($182m) over four years for a player who had one good season but was a walking catastrophe in his second.
He gave too much power to Ten Hag, sanctioning an £85m ($111m) deal for Antony, which looks like the worst transfer in Premier League history, and greenlighting moves for fellow Eredivisie players Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez. Only the Argentine's transfer has turned out well.
Manchester United
Zirkzee – a new Weghorst?
The arrival of Ashworth and Wilcox was supposed to put a stop to Ten Hag's Eredivisie/Dutch overhaul of United and bring some sense to United's transfer dealings.
Ashworth built his reputation as a top recruiter with West Bromwich Albion and then at the FA, compiling the 'England DNA' blueprint for success alongside Gareth Southgate. He then went to Brighton, making the Seagulls the envy of the Premier League when it came to unearthing little-known gems such as Moises Caicedo, and continued his good work at Newcastle. Wilcox, meanwhile, had run Manchester City's academy for years, helping turn it into a money-printing factory as well as producing the likes of Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb.
So, who was United's first signing of the summer? Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee. As it turns out, Zirkzee left his homeland when he was a teenager and never played in the Eredivisie, coming through Bayern Munich's youth ranks and thriving in Serie A. Costing £36.5m ($47m), the 23-year-old looks like a smart signing albeit not a world-beating one, given he scored just 11 league goals last season. But the fact he is Dutch is intriguing.
Zirkzee had a limited role at the Euros, playing just three minutes. Wout Weghorst, another Dutch United signing who flopped in his five-month loan spell at Old Trafford, failing to score a Premier League goal, was seen as a much bigger threat. And that does not inspire confidence in Zirkzee.
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De Ligt on a downward path
United's interest in Matthijs de Ligt is also interesting. Ten Hag worked closely with the centre-back at Ajax, naming him as his captain when he was just 18. De Ligt looked destined for greatness when he broke through, helping Ajax win the double and reach the Champions League semi-finals, but he has gone backwards since leaving Amsterdam in 2019.
He had an up-and-down spell with Juventus, losing his place to Turkey international Merih Demiral after making a number of individual mistakes. The Old Lady decided to take a hit on their €85m (£72m/$92m) investment and sold him to Bayern Munich for €67m (£56m/$73m).
De Ligt was a regular in his first season and won a third career title thanks to Borussia Dortmund's incredible bottle job. But Bayern wanted to bolster their defence that summer and did so by signing Kim Min-jae. They strengthened again in January by signing Eric Dier.
As a consequence De Ligt started less than half of Bayern's matches in all competitions, albeit a lot of his absences were down to injury. New Bayern boss Vincent Kompany does not seem to count upon De Ligt and is happy for him to move on, while Bayern, like Juve before them, are braced to swallow their losses in order to get rid of him.
Leeds United may have just been handed a major boost in their transfer pursuit of one star this summer, with his club being urged to sell him for almost any decent fee.
Leeds eyeing up summer revamp
No matter how their impressive Championship campaign concludes, Daniel Farke's side are seemingly set for major change this summer.
The futures of plenty of loanees need to be decided, including Max Wober, Brenden Aaronson and Marc Roca. Meanwhile, there will almost certainly be interest in the likes of Archie Gray and Crysensio Summerville, both of whom have enjoyed memorable second-tier seasons.
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Though promotion may encourage them to overhaul their squad, Farke is likely to want to keep the core of his squad together as best as he can, in order to try and hit the ground running in the top flight and hand the Yorkshire side the best chance of survival for another season.
One of those that they are thought to be most keen on keeping is Joe Rodon, who is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur but has been a vital part of Leeds' promotion push and has slotted perfectly into Farke's backline, helping Leeds boast the best defence in the division.
Tottenham told to accept 8-figure offer
Now the Elland Road outfit may have been dealt a major boost, with one club insider urging Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to "learn from his past mistakes" and "just accept any deal" over £10m for the Welshman.
Rodon has been impressive during his season in the Championship, showing signs of why Tottenham initially took him to north London across his 34 appearances for Leeds this campaign. But it is clear that his future lies away from the Tottenham Hotspur stadium after two successive loan spells away from the club, and plenty of defensive cover having been bought in in his absence.
Leeds defender Joe Rodon.
Speaking to Tottenham News, Spurs insider Jon Wenham has revealed that he would accept any deal for Rodon over £10m, and has urged Levy to do the same.
“Tottenham’s decision to sell Rodon this summer will be down to whether or not Levy has learned from his past mistakes", he explained.
“Do Spurs want to actually continue with this rebuild or do they want to dig their heels in and try and get more money for Rodon?
Leeds defender Joe Rodon.
“I think they would be doing well to receive a fee of anywhere between £10-13million, and should just accept any deal in this range.
“It is a far higher fee than they would have got last summer after Rodon’s unsuccessful loan spell in France with Stade Rennais F.C.”
Tottenham players on the chopping block
Player
Contract expires
Joe Rodon
2025
Sergio Reguilon
2025
Japhet Tanganga
2025
Tanguy Ndombele
2025
Djed Spence
2027
Giovanni Lo Celso
2025
With Spurs keen to continue to splash the cash this summer and looking to build on an impressive first season under Ange Postecoglou, preparation for a return to the Champions League is likely to take centre stage, which could leave Leeds free to grab a bargain and make Rodon's loan move permanent at a cut-price fee.
Whether it's this summer or further down the line, Pedro Neto seems destined to leave Wolves eventually. Even though he's only played 14 Premier League games this season, he ranks third in the assist charts (eight), and on a per-90 basis, he leads the way outright (0.63).
Inevitably, that form has attracted the attention of some of the best sides in the country. Arsenal have a "long-standing admiration" for Neto, while Manchester City like him too. A move away from Molineux was never on the cards in January, but it will become increasingly difficult to hang onto him.
Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
From that point of view, it might be wise for Gary O'Neil to find a ready-made replacement even before the Portuguese's inevitable exit – ideally a young, left-footed right-winger. One potential candidate who fits the bill has already emerged.
Wolves eye up Cozier-Duberry
According to Fabrizio Romano, Wolves are interested in Amario Cozier-Duberry at Arsenal, along with fellow Premier League side Newcastle and European clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Ajax and Anderlecht.
The 18-year-old is in talks with Arsenal over a new contract ahead of the expiry of his current deal in the summer, but no agreement has been reached yet. Wolves, then, are lurking in the hope of snapping him up for free in case negotiations "collapse".
Saka may help Wolves sign Cozier-Duberry
There's no doubt that Cozier-Duberry is one of the biggest talents in the Arsenal academy right now. Across 37 games for the under-21s, he's scored 12 goals and provided 18 assists, having also been involved in 18 goals in his 31 outings for the under-18s.
Wolves can forget Broja by unleashing “excellent” academy sensation
The attacker has already scored this season.
By
Tom Lever
Feb 6, 2024
This season, he's netted seven times and set up a couple more in 13 games overall, with five goals and two assists at Premier League 2 level. Only one Arsenal player – Khayon Edwards (seven) – has scored more in that competition, and only two players aged 18 or under – Spurs' Will Lankshear (12) and Chelsea's Leo Castledine (nine) have posted more goal contributions.
Rank
Premier League 2 player (18 or under)
Club
G+A
1
Will Lankshear
Spurs
12
2
Leo Castledine
Chelsea
9
3
Amario Cozier-Duberry
Arsenal
7
4
Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal
7
5
Dominic Ballard
Southampton
6
At the international level, meanwhile, Cozier-Dubbery has now amassed eight caps for England's under-19s, bagging three goals, and he looks very likely to feature in the squad for this summer's European Championships.
Mikel Arteta has already recognised his talent by taking him to Dubai for a first-team training camp last month and naming him on the bench for a Champions League game against Sevilla earlier this season, but he may not extend his deal unless he sees a clear pathway to the first-team. With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both 22, the winger positions seem to be occupied long-term. If he has any doubts at all, then Wolves may hope to be the team who capitalise.
A number of Premier League sides are chasing Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, and reports suggest Chelsea may be leading the race to sign the winger.
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Chelsea lead race for OliseReady to trigger €70m (£59m/$75m) release clauseMan Utd may pull out of the race(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Newcastle United have been heavily linked with a move for the highly touted French winger. As per Foot Mercato, Chelsea are now the closest to Olise because they are ready to trigger his release clause of €70 million as they look to kick off Enzo Maresca's era at Stamford Bridge.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Red Devils are reportedly not interested in paying Crystal Palace's release clause for Olise as they believe they would be overpaying, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2027. Bayern Munich and Newcastle are also reportedly open to hold personal talks with Olise but Chelsea are said to be confident of completing the signing of the Frenchman this summer.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
As per Fabrizio Romano, Oliver Glasner's side have offered a new contract to Olise which would offer him a higher wage and would also pump up his release clause for this summer. It remains to be seen if he is willing to sign it, however.
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WHAT NEXT FOR OLISE?
Despite his wonderful Premier League season, Didier Deschamps did not call Olise up for the French national team as they headed to Germany for the Euros. However, this will mean that the deal for Olise could be completed sooner rather than later.