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Barcelona are reportedly targeting a new left-back next summer and are even trying to hijack Real Madrid's long pursuit of Alphonso Davies.

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• Barcelona target new left-back
• Real Madrid want Bayern's Davies
• Barca considered hijacking move

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Sport, Barca want to buy a left-back who can compete with first-choice option Alejandro Balde for next season. In addition to Bayern Munich's Davies, the Catalan outfit are also looking at Wolves loanee Hugo Bueno and Benfica's Alvaro Carreras.

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  The report adds that the Blaugrana have been in contact with the agent of Bayern ace Davies but the expectation is that the Canada international will sign for Madrid on a free transfer from the German giants in 2025. The 24-year-old is out of contract next summer and has shown no sign of extending his stay with the Bundesliga team.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  At Barcelona, Gerard Martin is a back-up option to Balde at left-back but so far, the 21-year-old is showing no signs of a drop in form and, therefore, losing his place in Hansi Flick's team – who sit top of La Liga.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Aside from this transfer speculation, Balde's Barcelona side return to La Liga action on November 23 when they travel to Celta Vigo following the resumption of the latest international break.

Following on from the 2023/24 season where the Toffees secured survival, Everton will have another huge task next season to maintain their ever-present Premier League status.

Sean Dyche’s side have endured months of uncertainly off the field, from points deductions and failed takeover attempts – they really have been dragged through the mire, further highlighting the excellent job conducted by the 53-year-old.

However, whisper it quietly, the club appear to be heading in the right direction, with a takeover seemingly edging ever closer to completion, whilst the recruitment has been impressive, signing exciting talents such as Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye.

The Toffees have wasted no time in getting their business done early, but with six weeks remaining in the transfer window, there will undoubtedly be more additions as Dyche aims to secure a mid-table finish for the club this season.

His side still remain interested in one talent who would dramatically improve his options in the attacking third, as Everton aim to address their goalscoring issues from the 2023/24 campaign.

Everton preparing move for £33m talent this summer

According to Caught Offside, Everton are among a list of clubs who could be set to make a move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this summer, with the 25-year-old allowed to leave the Emirates.

However, the Toffees aren’t alone in their pursuit of the forward, with fellow Premier League sides Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Wolves also battling for his signature – while Ligue 1 side Marseille are also preparing an opening offer.

The report claims that the Gunners value the striker at between £25m and £33m, as they look to offload Nketiah to fund a move for an elite-level frontman in their bid to win the Premier League in 2024/25.

He only managed to start ten Premier League matches last season, but he still managed to bag five Premier League goals in the 2023/24 season, including a hat-trick against Sheffield United, with his goalscoring exploits a huge benefit to the Toffees should he move to the club.

The Englishman would undoubtedly prove to be a better addition than another player who Dyche and the Everton hierarchy have been pursuing a move for during the off-season.

Why Nketiah would be a better option than Broja for Everton

In recent weeks, Chelsea striker Armando Broja has been strongly linked with a move to Goodison Park, despite his below-par campaign last time around.

The Albanian forward only managed one goal throughout the entire campaign, coming for his parent club against the side he would spend the second half of the campaign on loan at, Fulham.

However, given the current interest in Arsenal man Nketiah, Dyche and his team must put all of their efforts into winning the race for his signature, beating numerous other English sides in the process.

When comparing the pair on FBref, it’s evident that the Gunners' talisman would be the better option, potentially solving the Toffees’ ongoing goalscoring issue.

Over the course of last season, the “remarkable” Nketiah, as dubbed by journalist James Olley, contributed with five more goals or assists, finding the back of the net 0.42 times per game – more than double the tally Broja could muster.

The Arsenal talent is also more accurate with his efforts on goal, managing to get 32% of his efforts on target, with the Chelsea frontman only able to produce a tally of 15%.

Everton’s system often relies on a target man to win aerial battles, as demonstrated by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with any new addition needing to be comfortable in this department.

Nketiah has demonstrated his ability in the air, winning 46% of his aerial battles, a figure that is 16% higher than the Albanian despite his height advantage over the Englishman.

With Everton’s lack of goals last season undoubtedly a concern for boss Dyche, you can understand why he so desperately wants to sign a new centre-forward this summer.

Their efforts have been relentless, but it’s pivotal that they end up with the best possible forward to bolster their lowly tally from 2023/24, with Nketiah ticking all the boxes, making him a great option for the Toffees should they agree a deal with Arsenal for his services.

Everton have already struck gold on a star who's worth more than Philogene

He’s been an excellent addition for the Toffees since his move to Goodison Park.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 12, 2024

Leeds United completed their first signing of the summer transfer window on Tuesday as Joe Rodon officially joined the club on a permanent deal.

The Wales international has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Elland Road and committed his future to the Whites after spending the 2023/24 campaign on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

A fee of £10m has reportedly been paid for the towering central defender to ensure that the star titan remains in West Yorkshire for next season and beyond.

Academy graduate Archie Gray has, in a separate transaction, signed for Spurs for a fee in the region of £40m after just one season in the first team for Leeds, which has opened up a gap at right-back and in midfield within the squad.

The summer transfer window still has just under two months left to run and this means that Daniel Farke and his team have plenty of time to dip into the market to find players to plug those gaps.

Leeds United interest in English midfielder

Rodon may not be the only player Leeds sign from Tottenham Hotspur this summer as the Whites are reportedly keen on a deal to sign another talent from the Premier League side.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Farke wants to sign former England U21 international Oliver Skipp from the Lilywhites to bolster his options in midfield.

The report claims that the West Yorkshire outfit want to add him to the squad after signing Rodon from the North London team, particularly after Gray's departure.

It adds that Skipp is a big admirer of the German head coach, as they worked together during Norwich City's title success in the 2020/21 campaign, and that could give them an advantage in this transfer pursuit.

However, GIVEMESPORT reveals that the 23-year-old talent could also attract interest from the Premier League and may be hesitant to drop down to the Championship.

Spurs are also reluctant to allow him to move on from the club as Ange Postecoglou views him as a squad option who could be called upon next season, despite being behind the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matarr Sarr, and potentially Gray now too.

It is now down to Farke and his team to work hard to convince Tottenham to part ways with the English maestro and then to persuade the player to drop down to the second tier to be a part of their attempt to return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

If the ex-Canaries tactician can get a deal over the line for the right-footed metronome then he could come in as a fantastic partner for Ethan Ampadu.

Ethan Ampadu's debut season at Leeds in numbers

The Whites swooped to sign the defensive midfielder from Premier League side Chelsea on a permanent deal to anchor Farke's midfield last summer.

He started the campaign playing alongside the likes of Gray and Glen Kamara in the middle of the park but was eventually called upon at centre-back during the second half of the season due to Pascal Struijk's absence through injury.

Despite playing in different positions in either half of the term, the Welsh titan remained a consistent and impressive force in the spine of the team as they competed to secure promotion out of the Championship.

As you can see in the table above, the 23-year-old battler provided a fantastic defensive presence for Leeds throughout the campaign with his ability to make tackles, interceptions, and recoveries on a consistent basis.

He was also a monster in duels with opposition players, with a high success rate in physical contests both on the ground and in the air last term, which shows that the Welshman has the quality to dominate matches.

Struijk is due to be back from injury for pre-season and this suggests that he could return to the team alongside Rodon at the start of the campaign, which would then allow Ampadu to return to his favoured midfield role, potentially next to Skipp.

He could be a dream partner for the English midfielder as they are both defensive workhorses who can also provide progressive quality in possession.

Why Leeds should sign Oliver Skipp

Firstly, Ligue 1 side Rennes are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Kamara from the Whites and that would open up a starting spot next to Ampadu in midfield.

Secondly, Skipp is a young player, at the age of 23, with plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and grow, which means that he could be brought in as an immediate starter whilst still having the potential to improve and increase in value moving forward.

The right-footed whiz has racked up 77 Premier League appearances for Spurs, and over 100 outings in all competitions for the club, and showcased his quality in and out of possession last term.

Skipp won 58% of his ground duels and completed an impressive 92% of his attempted passes across 21 appearances in the top-flight last term, which shows that he can dominate players on the deck and retain possession at a fantastic rate at the top level.

The former England youth international, who Farke once hailed as a "perfect" lad, is also a proven performer in the Championship who knows what it takes to earn promotion to the Premier League.

As you can see in the table above, Skipp provided a progressive presence in the midfield as Norwich won the second division title with Farke at the helm that term.

His ability to win possession through tackles and interceptions coupled with his quality on the ball makes him a well-rounded midfielder who could star alongside Ampadu, as they are both dominant talents who could boss games for Leeds next season.

Farke could land an "exciting" Piroe upgrade for Leeds

The Whites have been linked with a swoop to sign the attacking midfielder this summer.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 2, 2024

Therefore, Skipp, who has already worked with the manager could hit the ground running, could be a fantastic signing for the club to make after their deal to bring Rodon back.

Former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton has revealed the shocking wages she received during her spell at Arsenal.

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• Houghton earned 121 England caps
• Once regarded as country's best centre-back
• Fighting for parity within women's football

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Houghton is fighting for parity for women in English football after revealing she was paid an annual salary of just £4,000 at Arsenal. That figure could rise to £9,000 from bonuses and extra work as a part-time coach, representing the vast disparity between women's and men's wages at the highest level of English football.

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  The retired centre-back enjoyed a fine career that saw her earn 121 caps for England and win three WSL titles – two with Arsenal and one with Manchester City. But it was only when she spoke to people with more experience that she began to question her earnings compared to male players, before she embarked on a quest for parity.

• WHAT HOUGHTON SAID

  "Arsenal was the best club in England and that was their level," Houghton told The Guardian. "Money was never really a driver for me. It was just about playing for Arsenal and winning trophies, but when you meet people that have got a lot more experience about what you should be earning, that’s when you think: 'Right, things have to change.'

  "When I looked at what [England’s men] were getting for commercial deals that really opened my eyes. The men and women play for the national teams of the same country and yet they’re getting 15 times more than us. How is that fair? I got the bit between my teeth and I was like: 'OK, we need to do something about that.'

  "That’s what I’m probably most proud of in terms of the stuff that we did off the pitch – to change how companies thought of us as athletes and to stop them taking the p***."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HOUGHTON?

  Houghton's efforts helped the Lionesses earn a "biggish" bonus after finishing third at the 2015 World Cup, which she said set the precedent for bonuses to be confirmed before World Cups. The 36-year-old is now combining her work as a pundit with her role as a Man City ambassador, while she also hosts a podcast on women's football with Ian Wright.

As Newcastle United look to put last season's disappointing seventh-placed Premier League finish behind them, they are linked with a player who could fix a major problem at St James' Park.

Toon look to improve on disappointing campaign

The latest transfer news out of St James' Park suggests that Newcastle are looking to put last season's failure to capture European football behind them and build a squad ready to once again disrupt the Premier League's traditional big six.

Howe struck gold on Newcastle ace who's now worth more than Joelinton

His value has skyrocketed despite never featuring for the club.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 19, 2024

Defensive reinforcements appear to be a high priority for the Magpies with the latest news linking the Toon with a move for AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori. The English centre back could be made available for £42million this summer, making him an attractive target for Newcastle. Another Englishman abroad linked with a move to Tyneside is Tammy Abraham. The ex-Chelsea man is currently at Roma, with the Italian outfit reportedly offering the player to clubs for just £28 million.

The main area of concern for Newcastle is between the sticks however. With Nick Pope's season-ending injury back in December placing his Toon future in doubt, a fresh face in goal is now their top priority. Additionally, it appears that current backup choice Martin Dubravka could follow Loris Karius out of the exit door.

Burnley's James Trafford is the name most frequently linked with a move to Tyneside with Newcastle reportedly close to completing a £20million move to secure the services of the England keeper. Despite conceding 62 goals as Burnley suffered immediate relegation back to the Championship, Trafford is still viewed as a goalkeeper with a bright future ahead of him.

With a goalkeeper at the top of the PIF's shopping list, Newcastle are also apparrently set to launch a bid for a goalkeeper who was crowned a European Champion last season.

Magpies ready bid for Atalanta's Musso

As first reported by Sport Witness, the Italian press are stating that Newcastle have made contact to sign Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso. The outlet reports that Magpies are joined by Villarreal and Genoa in pursuit of the Argentine shot-stopper.

If the Toon are serious about signing Musso, they will have to fork out more than £8.5 million to tempt the 30-year-old away from Bergamo. The Italian press go on to report that Newcastle see the South American as an "ideal reinforcement" and claim that they could "soon make a concrete offer" to secure his services.

Musso made just 11 appearances in the league last season, however excelled in Atalanta's Europa League campaign. The 30-year-old featured in all but one of his side's games in the competition and kept a clean sheet in the final as Atalanta ran away 3-0 winners against Bayer Leverkusen.

It is clear that Musso would be a perfect fit for Newcastle's situation – the 2-cap Argentina international is a goalkeeper that is comfortable playing back up but can step up when necessary. If Pope is to face an uncertain future at St James' Park, bringing in Musso would be an ideal option for the Magpies' higher ups.

A Naples-based Zoo honoured Napoli star Romelu Lukaku by naming a new born Jaguar cub after the forward.

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• Lukaku honoured by a Naples zoo
• Has regained his form at Napoli
• Conte's side will face Atalanta on Sunday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Chelsea and Manchester United striker, who joined Napoli permanently this summer, has already become extremely popular in Naples. He has displayed fine form for the Serie A side in the 2024-25 campaign and has won over several fans in the city. In a bid to show their love for the Belgian forward, a Zoo in the city recently named a newborn Jaguar cub after the 31-year-old.

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• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  The zoo named Lo Zoo di Napoli, confirmed the news on social media as they shared an image of the baby Jaguar on their Instagram page. Explaining the decision, the curator of the zoo, Dr Fiorella Saggese said, "The zoo is close to the stadium, we experience every game and we are all big football fans. It is a tribute to Napoli and a wish of good luck for the season."

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  Lukaku's reunion with Antonio Conte has been a hit thus far, as the striker has scored four goals and provided five assists in nine games across all competitions as Napoli find themselves four points clear at the top of the Serie A table.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NAPOLI?

  The Blues, who are currently on a six-game winning streak, will be back in action in the Italian top-flight on Sunday as they take on Atalanta at home.

Cristiano Ronaldo was slammed by UFC champion Ilia Topuria after the Al-Nassr star accused him of "talking too much" ahead of Max Holloway showdown.

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• Ronaldo was filmed discussing Topuria
• Backed Holloway to win against the Spaniard
• Topuria responded sharply to the footballer on X

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo, a noted fan of mixed martial arts, has often shown interest in the combat sports world and was recently spotted supporting former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in his transition to the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

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  The Portuguese, sharing his thoughts on Topuria’s rise in the UFC, voiced skepticism over the fighter’s recent win over Alexander Volkanovski, suggesting that Volkanovski was “not ready” for the fight due to a lingering injury. Ronaldo commented to Ngannou and his coach, Eric Nicksick, that Topuria still needed to prove himself against more top-tier opponents and backed Max Holloway to beat Topuria in the UFC 308 main event.

  “[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk [Alexander Volkanovski], Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick… [Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys,” he told Ngannou.“If he beats Max, I will respect [him].”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Once in the octagon, Topuria displayed an electrifying performance against Holloway, showing that his confidence was backed by skill and strategy. The early rounds saw Topuria finding his range, tactically landing punches and moving effectively to control the pace. In the third round, he advanced with a series of precise punches that took Holloway off guard, culminating in a powerful left hook that sent the former champion to the ground. wasted no time following up, launching a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to intervene, marking Topuria’s win with a knockout. With this victory, Topuria’s record remains an impressive 16-0, further solidifying his standing in the UFC as a top competitor.

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• WHAT TOPURIA SAID

  With this latest victory, Topuria not only silenced his critics but also added a career-defining win to his resume. Basking in its glory, Topuria responded to Ronaldo and said: "I didn't expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family."

There must have been a palpable sense of relief from Sunderland supporters when Regis Le Bris' appointment was confirmed late last week, finally bringing to an end the Black Cats' drawn-out search for a new manager.

The ex-Lorient head coach put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the club on Friday, eager now to get down to work and restore pride into the Wearside outfit again after a poor season saw Sunderland finish in a lowly 16th spot.

The new French boss will no doubt want a number of incomings to stamp his authority but there could also be some outgoings too, which may well include one of his former players at Lorient being moved on.

Aouchiche's time at Lorient

Sunderland fans might have been excited by the prospect of Adil Aouchiche and what he could do this coming season after shining in spurts last campaign, despite such a poor overall year for the team.

The daring 21-year-old would help himself to a promising five goal contributions from 30 games in all competitions, but could find his fledging Sunderland career cut short with Le Bris rarely using him when the two were at Lorient together.

Aouchiche would only end up making 13 appearances for his ex-employers with Les Bris at the helm, with just one league start handed out to the 5 foot 11 attacking midfielder during the 2022/23 campaign by the new Black Cats manager, before leaving for England under his tenure.

The Sunderland number 22 would also be demoted to the Lorient B team on one occasion by the 48-year-old, with Aouchiche fearing now that he could be chucked to one side by Le Bris again, especially with the likes of Jobe Bellingham looking to nail down that number ten role as his own soon.

Now, he could be heading towards a premature Stadium of Light exit, if Le Bris decides the 21-year-old isn't to his liking again.

Aouchiche's transfer value at Sunderland

This doesn't have to be a crushing development, with Aouchiche's estimated transfer valuation – according to Football Transfers – making him a more valuable asset than first-team regular Dan Neil currently.

Although the attacking midfielder only started ten of the 28 Championship games he amassed last campaign, Aouchiche's valuation still stands at a hefty £4.8m, which means the Black Cats could cash in and not feel too disheartened.

For a player who was once purchased on a free transfer by Lorient, Sunderland would be in for some pretty profit, you imagine, if they did sell him on.

Neil, who featured in all but four of his side's 46 league games in contrast, finds his valuation surprisingly at a lesser £4.5m, meaning Sunderland might strike whilst the iron is hot and offload Aouchiche soon, before his value takes a hit.

Aouchiche isn't even that far off entering the top five table above when looking at the highest-valued players currently on Wearside, with the former Paris St. Germain youngster's pedigree in the game clearly outweighing his mediocre debut season in England.

It will be intriguing to see if the new manager does give Aouchiche a fair shot after discarding him at Lorient, with Neil, on the contrary, presumably a guaranteed first-teamer if the 22-year-old commits his future at the Stadium of Light, after rumours circulated he was unsettled with no boss occupying the dug-out.

Le Bris will just hope he can be the fresh injection of life the Black Cats need in the manager's hot seat next season, as Sunderland eye up a much higher finish than their car-crash 2023/24 offering.

Sunderland could sign "terrific" Bellingham replacement

Sunderland will be drafting up a list of replacements in case Jobe Bellingham does walk away soon.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 19, 2024

Mark Palios has made an “ASAP” admission as Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Wrexham inspire Tranmere to bring “celebrities” on board.

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• Hollywood co-owners at SToK Racecourse
• Famous faces investing in British clubs
• Rovers may be next for superstar treatment

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hollywood superstars in North Wales have shown what can be achieved when high-profile figures are drafted into ambitious EFL projects. Wrexham, with an award-winning documentary series opening up a window to the world, have enjoyed back-to-back promotions and are now flying high in League One.

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  THE GOSSIP

  Tranmere, who sit in the bottom-half of League Two, are eager to tread a similar path. Current owner Palios has opened himself up to outside investment, with there talk of a consortium – headed by celebrity lawyer Joe Tacopina but also featuring Rihanna’s rap star partner A$AP Rocky – lining up a £15 million ($20m) approach.

• WHAT TRANMERE OWNER SAID

  Palios cannot give much away at this point, but has told : “It’s been no secret over the last two years in our accounts, we’ve said that we’ve been trying to attract investment into the club – although we are not formally for sale. That has been part of the strategy we have adopted in regards to moving the club on to the next stage. While I’m not confirming that A$AP Rocky is part of a consortium one way or another, there are a number of people out there. We are under an NDA, non-disclosure arrangement, so I can’t talk about individual parties but it is part of the plan that we would get people in to do that.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Palios added on raising Tranmere’s profile, as Rovers follow the lead of Football League rivals: “As soon as you bring celebrities into the club, then a lot of things can happen. We have seen that with Wrexham. I think what’s important is that there is a major opportunity in the US market at this point in time – partly because of what happened with Wrexham – but if you start to look at that as a market place for English clubs, there is about 85 million people – that is more than in the UK – that watch English football. I know that is heavily biased towards the Premier League, but of course Wrexham have made people interested in lower league clubs.”

  Quizzed on when he would like to see a deal completed, Palios said with a smile: “ASAP!”

Manchester United will be hoping for a season better than their previous one in 2024/25. They finally know who their manager will be; Erik ten Hag will keep his job at the helm of the club, following the club’s post-season review. It was confirmed recently by reputable journalist David Ornstein that the Dutchman will lead his side into the next campaign.

Indeed, the Red Devils will need to improve on their lacklustre Premier League efforts. They finished eighth in the league, with 60 points and a -1 goal difference, eight points behind Aston Villa in fourth. However, they massively overachieved. As per Understat’s expected points metric, they should have finished 14th, with just 44xPTS to their name.

An FA Cup final victory secured United both a trophy and a spot in Europe next season. Goals from academy graduate duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo sealed the win over Manchester City, giving Ten Hag his second trophy in as many years and a place in the Europa League next season.

United will need to dip into the transfer market over the summer in order to strengthen their squad for next season. Already, they have been linked with one player who can add both depth and quality to their squad.

Man Utd target La Liga attacker

The player in question here is Barcelona and Brazil striker Vitor Roque. The 19-year-old joined Barca in a big-money move from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense in January but has struggled to find his feet and could depart the club this summer.

At least, that is according to reports in Spain, via Football365. It's explained that the Red Devils have already placed a bid for Roque, but have “had their first offer” rejected by the Spanish giants.

This transfer rumour comes after his agent, André Cury, called former manager Xavi out in May for Roque’s lack of game time. Cury said that the young Brazilian will only leave permanently and that nobody “understands why Xavi doesn’t play him” stating that they will speak to the club in due time.

This has opened the door to a potential move to Old Trafford for Roque. However, a potential transfer fee has not been named should United look to sign the Brazilian. However, as per Football Observatory, Roque is valued at £51m. Barca paid £25.6m up front for Roque, with a suggested £26.4m in add-ons potentially being paid.

How Roque would fit in at Man Utd

To say Roque was underused last season by Xavi would be something of an understatement. He made 14 La Liga appearances, scoring twice. However, the 331 minutes he played equates to just three full 90-minute games.

However, he is still a quality striker despite being just 19 years of age. In Roque’s final season in the Brazilian Serie A, he scored 12 goals and registered three assists in 25 games, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig explaining that his “quality is indisputable”, whilst also praising his mentality.

The teenager is an excellent ball carrier, something that is reflected in his Fbref stats. The youngster averages an attempted 3.50 take-ons per 90 minutes, and completes 1.17 of those take-ons. This places him in the top 7% and 16% respectively of strikers. Not only that, he averages 1.37 carries into the final third, ranking him in the top 12%, and 1.17 carries into the penalty box, placing him in the top 11%.

This carrying from deeper areas could suit United down to a tee. Roque would offer a completely different profile than Rasmus Hojlund, who impressed in his debut season at Old Trafford. The Dane scored 16 goals in 43 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign.

Last season, Hojlund was used as a back-to-goal type of striker,for United, whereas he is perhaps better utilised in another way. As Sky Sports analyst Adam Bate pointed out, Hojlund “would prefer to be running channels, finding space with his movement” than holding the ball up and carrying from deep.

However, Roque, a slick dribbler, may be better at dropping deeper to link up play. He is just 5 foot 7 and uses his slight frame to help slalom around defenders. Dropping deeper would allow him to dribble from deeper areas and carry the ball forward, or link up play with opponents offering a completely different profile to the Dane, who prefers to get down the sides of the pitch.

Described as “truly magnificent” by the aforementioned Kulig, although we haven’t seen the best of him at Barca, he is no doubt a talented player. Just look at his form during his final season in Brazil. If this is a deal the Red Devils get over the line, they would add a new profile to their squad and bring in another exciting and talented centre-forward.

Man Utd hit gold on amazing star who's worth the same as Musiala & Mbappe

The Man Utd ace is their most valuable player.

By
Tom Lever

Jun 17, 2024