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West Bromwich Albion could be about to make their first January signing, with a reliable reporter sharing an exciting transfer update from The Hawthorns.

West Brom transfer rumours

The Baggies and Carlos Corberan were relatively quiet in the summer, bringing in Josh Maja on a free transfer and Jeremy Sarmiento and Pipa on loan deals.

EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

However, Sarmiento’s temporary spell from Brighton has been cut short, with the 21-year-old joining Ipswich Town for the rest of the campaign. Corberan has since admitted that the club will need to replace Sarmiento this month.

"Without any type of doubt we're going to need a winger, because we have lost, let's say, the two first XI wingers we've been using in the games – they were Phillips and Jeremy.

"That's what I'd like to do. Add a specific winger – and then someone who can play in a couple of positions. Let's say he can play as a playmaker and winger, playmaker and striker, winger and striker. In my mind, we'll go for someone who can go for more than one position because it will protect us better for the rest of the season."

There have been a number of players who have been linked with a move to the Midlands, including Fenerbahce forward Umut Nayir and AFC Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore, and it looks as if the club want to wrap up a first signing very soon.

According to Baggies writer Joseph Chapman of Birmingham Live, ‘West Bromwich Albion are seeking to be proactive in the transfer market and are aiming to conclude a deal to secure one arrival before this weekend's visit of Blackburn Rovers’, in what is an exciting update.

The journalist doesn’t say specifically who the arrival could be, but following Corberan’s previous comments, it may well be an attacking addition.

What's next for the Baggies?

All things considered, the Baggies are enjoying a solid season in the Championship, with Corberan guiding West Brom into the top six at this moment in time after 26 rounds of fixtures.

A place in the FA Cup fourth round was also secured at the weekend with a win over non-league Aldershot Town, so the January window is now the perfect chance for the Baggies to bolster their squad as they target a return to the Premier League.

As can be seen, the games continue to come thick and fast for West Brom, so adding one or two quality attacking options could help guarantee a playoff place, especially as 11 Championship sides have outscored the Baggies so far.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League with Leicester City.

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• Solskjaer in talks with Championship winners
• Enzo Maresca left Foxes to join Chelsea
• Replacement needed ahead of PL return

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  reports that Solskjaer is in talks with Leicester over a potential return to the Premier League. The Foxes have contacted the former Manchester United boss as they draw up a shortlist of potential replacements for Enzo Maresca, who has joined Chelsea.

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  Solskjaer is said to have narrowly missed out on the Foxes job last summer when they instead appointed Maresca and he remains interested in the post. He has turned down multiple offers since leaving United in 2021, but could be tempted to return to England at the King Power Stadium.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Solskjaer was previously in talks with both Sweden and Canada as he seeks a way back into the game, but no offer has tempted the Norwegian thus far. It remains to be seen if Leicester do follow up on their interest; they had been interested in Maurizio Sarri but he has reportedly rejected an offer.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Leicester are preparing for the Premier League season after being promoted from the Championship. However, they may well head into the new campaign with a points deduction due to their breaching of PSR rules.

Arsenal will be looking to make amends for their festive period slump when they restart their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta may be hoping that the break has helped his frontline rediscover their goalscoring form and that the rest of the side can go back to their best of last season.

However, with the transfer window in full swing, the club have also been linked to several potential recruits, with one of the latest having the potential to be the perfect partner for William Saliba – and he just so happens to have been likened to Gabriel.

Arsenal look to Germany for a new defensive stalwart

As per a report from The Athletic last month, Arsenal are keeping an eye on highly-rated Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt – with the Gunners, therefore, likely to be interested in recent developments in Bavaria regarding the centre-back.

According to a more recent report from German publication BILD this week, the former Ajax star has had a 'fall-out' with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel over his lack of game time this season, which has, in turn, led to an opportunity for the Gunners.

However, the north Londoners aren't the only ones in the picture, as the BILD report also notes Manchester United as a possible suitor, with Erik ten Hag's time with the centre-back in Amsterdam potentially set to help the Red Devils jump ahead of Arsenal.

No transfer fee has been reliably reported as of yet, but the CIES football observatory values the 24-year-old at £43m, and with his position in the team plus his aforementioned relationship with the manager, this could well be accurate.

How De Ligt compares to Gabriel

Now, if the Dutch "monster", as he was described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, ends up signing for Arsenal, it would almost certainly be with the guarantee that he would be given a starting role alongside Saliba, meaning that, unfortunately for Gabriel, a seat on the bench would beckon.

While learning how to play with a new partner can take time for centre-backs, it could be a relatively painless experience for Saliba, as according to FBref, the second most similar player in Europe's top five leagues to De Ligt is Gabriel.

FBref comes to this conclusion by looking at where each player ranks for several key metrics across those leagues and then ranks the ten most similar players for those who play in said leagues.

However, how do the pair stack up when comparing their underlying numbers? Should Gabriel be worried?

Well, it's more bad news for the former LOSC Lille man, as in almost every relevant metric, Bayern's "generational" talent, as described by talent scout Jacek Kluig, has him beaten, although the fact that De Ligt has played fewer minutes this season does mean that there is perhaps an element of doubt with these figures.

That said, with how emphatic the gap is in some areas, more minutes would likely make little difference to the overall outcome.

Arsenal could repeat Martinelli masterclass by signing "flawless" £52m gem

The 16-year-old could one day rival Saka.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 19, 2024

Ultimately, Gabriel is a brilliant defender, of that there is no doubt, but if Arsenal can get their hands on De Ligt for a relatively modest price, they absolutely should, as a partnership between him and Saliba could make a massive difference in the title race and beyond.

Lionel Messi’s son Thiago has made his choice between Argentina and Spain while revealing which Barcelona star that he hopes to play alongside.

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• Youngster was born in Catalunya
• Has followed his father to the United States
• Big ambition for future football career

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At 11 years of age, Thiago – the oldest of three boys parented by Lionel and his wife Antonela – was born during his father’s legendary spell at Camp Nou. As a Catalan native, he will be eligible to play for Spain if forging a professional playing career of his own.

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  WHAT THIAGO MESSI SAID

  He does, however, boast dual nationality courtesy of his Argentine parents. The youngster currently favours the reigning world champions over those that landed a global crown in 2010, telling of his plans for the present and future: “Playing makes me more nervous than watching my father play. I'm not doing well with my left foot. I want to play with the Argentine team and I don't think there is any way the Spanish team can convince me.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While planning to follow in his father’s footsteps at international level, Thiago has also stated a desire to grace the same domestic stage at Barcelona. He said when asked which current star he would like to become a team-mate of: “I would like to play with Lamine [Yamal].”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  There is every chance of that happening, as Yamal is only 16 himself and continues to shatter records with Barcelona and Spain. For now, Thiago Messi forms part of the academy system at Inter Miami – with his dad turning out for their senior side in MLS.

West Ham United have completed their first piece of transfer business this month by securing midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan until the end of the season.

The Englishman made just ten appearances for Manchester City this term and a move to London could reinvigorate him.

It is a wise move by David Moyes to bring him on board. Could Moyes perhaps make a move for another Premier League star in the coming days?

West Ham’s search for new signings

According to TalkSPORT, West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson this month as the Magpies look to ease their concerns over breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

Chelsea have also been offered the player and Newcastle are hoping for between £18m and £20m, which, on the surface, could be a solid deal for Moyes to make, especially with Wilson’s record in the top flight.

One thing that the Irons need is a reliable centre-forward if they hope to potentially claim another trophy under Moyes and Wilson could be an ideal candidate, especially as he is much better than Danny Ings.

The stats that show why Callum Wilson is better than Danny Ings

Throughout his career, Wilson has played 215 Premier League matches and scored 86 goals, while Ings has featured in 216 games in the top flight, but has netted 70 goals during those matches.

This means Wilson has netted once every 2.5 matches, while Ings scores once every three games and this ratio could tempt Moyes into making a concrete offer for the striker.

The current Irons' striker has not enjoyed the best of times since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, scoring only ten goals during the previous 18 months.

In comparison, the Newcastle forward has netted 26 goals since the start of last season and while this term has not been as prolific, he has still outperformed Ings.

Indeed, during 2023/24 so far, the former Bournemouth star has not only registered more goal contributions (eight vs zero) but also more shots on target per 90 (1.86 vs 0.76), more shot-creating actions (15 vs 12) and more touches in the opposition penalty area (59 vs 13) and these figures clearly show who would be the better option for Moyes.

Wilson was hailed as “incredible” by Eddie Howe at the beginning of last season, and he played a vital role in the Magpies securing their first top four finish since the 2002/03 season.

This season has not been as impressive, yet the 31-year-old marksman has still bagged seven league goals despite missing 14 matches through a variety of injury issues.

If Moyes can get back fit and firing, then his goals could go a long way to leading West Ham to yet another top eight finish under the Scot.

The club are also into the last 16 of the Europa League and the former Manchester United boss lead his charges to another continental trophy with Wilson's help at the top end of the pitch.

The signing of Philipps is a big coup and a move for Wilson would also be a big statement of intent by the Irons as they chase glory and go in search of an upgrade on Ings.

As the second half of the season continues, Everton are facing the consequences for their Financial Fair Play breach in full, with Sean Dyche's now sat inside the Premier League's relegation zone by one point, having played one more game than Luton Town and Nottingham Forest sitting above them. Now, matters could get even worse, with a European club eyeing a move to sign one of Dyche's defensive options.

Everton transfer news

It was an understandably quiet transfer window on the incoming front for Everton after they were charged for a second time for breaching FFP rules in the early stages of January. Now awaiting punishment once more, the Toffees could see their survival hopes all but ended with another points deduction. Without their earlier ten-point deduction, Dyche's side would sit as high as 12th, but now face the very real prospect of relegation.

The one move that did take place at Goodison Park during the winter window was Mason Holgate's loan to Sheffield United. After putting pen to paper, the central defender said via BBC Sport: "I'm delighted to be here and to finally get it over the line. I've been waiting all month to get it sorted, obviously involving three teams, it is a little complicated but now we've got it to this point, I cannot wait to get going.

"I feel good, sharp and ready to go. This is the best league in the world that's why everyone aspires to play in it, I've played in it a bit now and hopefully I can come in and help the boys. Chris [Wilder] has faith and believes in me, he has told me what he thinks I can add to the team and I think I can do that so it makes sense to make this happen."

Having already lost one centre-back, the Toffees could be in line to lose a second, even after deadline day. According to Turkish outlet Sabah, Besiktas are set to open negotiations for Michael Keane, having already failed to sign Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles and Nottingham Forest's Joe Worrall in the last month. The transfer window in Turkey doesn't close until Friday 9th February, handing Everton a nervous wait amid potential negotiations for their centre-back.

Everton must keep "immense" Keane after Holgate's exit

Ahead of a crucial relegation battle, squad depth could quickly prove to be the key for Everton, meaning that they should do everything in their power to fend off any interest in Keane. Whilst the defender is behind James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite in the pecking order, one injury could quickly see the former Burnley man regain his place in Dyche's side.

When at his best, Keane has earned deserved praise, including from legendary manager Harry Redknapp, who told BetVictor back in 2022 (via Goodison News): "I thought Michael Keane was immense at the back, and topping it off with a goal will do him no harm at all."

Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez signed with Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah after ending a two-decade association with the Spanish giants.

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• Nacho left Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia
• Had undergone a medical in Germany
• Was also linked with a move to Al-Ittihad

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Nacho's departure from Real Madrid was announced on Tuesday, concluding a remarkable 23-year tenure with the club. The 34-year-old defender, who joined Madrid as a 10-year-old, will move to the newly promoted Saudi Pro League (SPL) side. He has already completed his medical in Germany where he is currently completing his commitments with Spain at Euro 2024.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  During his time at Madrid, Nacho became a pivotal figure in the squad, known for his versatility, leadership, and defensive prowess. He leaves the club with an impressive haul of 26 trophies, including six Champions League titles, making him the most decorated player in Madrid's storied history, along with Luka Modric.

• WHAT NACHO SAID

  "I'm so grateful to Real Madrid," Nacho told reporters at a Spain news conference on Thursday.

  "Until a few days ago, I hadn't signed for my new club and Madrid told me they would be there if I changed my mind. I don't need a send-off like [Toni] Kroos had to realise how much I'm loved.

  "I always had clear that if I didn't finish my career at Madrid, I wouldn't want to play against them. I want to experience something new, something different. My life is going to be turned upside down but that's what I want. I'm very happy."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Nacho's legacy at Real Madrid is cemented by his loyalty, dedication, and numerous contributions to the club's success. Joining Madrid as a young boy and rising through the ranks to become captain, he has left an indelible mark on the club. His move to Al-Qadsiah represents a significant shift not only for him but also for the Saudi Pro League, which continues to attract high-profile players from around the world. His presence is expected to boost the league's profile and bring valuable experience to his new team.

Described as Metz's answer to Kylian Mbappe, the striker is out in front as top scorer in Germany after an exceptional group stage

Few would have predicted that minnows Georgia would reach the last 16 at Euro 2024 in what is their first major tournament, let alone that they would have the leading goal-scorer in their ranks at the conclusion of the group stage. GOAL earmarked Georges Mikautadze as a potential breakout star of the European Championship, but with three goals in as many games, he has surpassed expectation and probably his wildest dreams.

The striker – who is eligible for France but elected to play for Georgia after a media campaign in 2021 – netted a clinical finish to become his country's first-ever major tournament goal-scorer in their opener against Turkey, before coolly converting spot-kicks in the draw with the Czech Republic and the quite incredible 2-0 win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal that booked the Caucasus nation a place in the round of 16.

Away from his goals, the 23-year-old's pace and trickery have caught the eye, and after a rollercoaster few years he is destined for bigger things after his current club Metz suffered relegation to Ligue 2. But what is the story behind Euro 2024's leading marksman? GOAL has you covered…

• Where it all began

  Mikautadze may represent Georgia at international level, but he was born in Lyon, France, in 2000. His parents emigrated there from war-torn Georgia in the late 90s and would only return home in the summers, although they would teach their son his mother tongue.

  His footballing journey began at FC Gerland in 2007, in the shadow of Lyon's former stadium of the same name in the south of the city. Perhaps inevitably, he was soon scouted by the then-serial Ligue 1 winners and would spend seven years of his development with his hometown club.

  After leaving Lyon in 2015 and a brief spell with Saint-Priest on the outskirts of the city, Mikautadze would join current club Metz, 460km away, in 2017. There he would spend two years in the academy before swiftly being promoted to the B team – who play in the French third tier – having caught the eye.

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  The big break

  In the 2019-20 season, Mikautadze's form in the B team earned him a place in the senior Metz squad for three consecutive games in December, and he would come off the bench to make his senior debut against Nice in a seven-minute cameo. That wouldn't end up being a major breakthrough, though, as the forward would be forced to wait patiently to get his chance at Metz.

  Instead, it was a loan in Belgium when Mikautadze was 20 years old that proved to be a watershed; he spent two seasons with Seraing, on the outskirts of Liege, and demonstrated his potential to become a prolific goal-scorer. Eventually firing Seraing to promotion from the Belgian second tier in his first campaign, Mikautadze started as he meant to go on as he scored FOUR times on his debut against Lommel. After just nine games he had 15 strikes to his name, including a further two hat-tricks.

  Although his goal rate would decrease in the second half of the season, he would still finish the regular league term with 19 goals in 22 games. And he would come up clutch when it mattered most, scoring twice and providing an assist across a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off against Beveren as Seraing triumphed 6-3 on aggregate.

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  How it's going

  Mikautadze would be loaned back to Seraing for their promotion campaign, showcasing that he could score goals in a European top flight as he netted nine times in the Belgian Pro League, making another fast start with seven goals in his first 10 appearances. He could not prevent his side finishing in the relegation play-off place, but once again came up clutch with the only goal in two legs against Molenbeek to keep Seraing up.

  The attacker returned to Metz for 2022-23 having finally earned the opportunity to be a starter – it was just unfortunate for him that Les Grenats had been relegated from Ligue 1 the previous season. Nevertheless, he would make the most of the platform in Ligue 2, making 31 goal contributions in 37 games in a stellar individual term as he once again played a huge role in a promotion campaign, finishing as the French second tier's top scorer and being named player of the season.

  His form back in France piqued the interest of a European giant, with Ajax shelling out €16 million (£13.5m/$17m) to bring Mikautadze to Amsterdam in the summer of 2023. He said he "didn't hesitate for a second" when Ajax came calling, but his big move went awry amid the overarching chaos at the Johan Cruyff Arena as he made just nine appearances in a bit-part role in the first half of the season. In November, caretaker manager John van't Schip suggested he was struggling to adjust. "With him, he may still have to adapt to the way we want to play as Ajax," he said. "If you lose the ball, what do you do? And how are you going to apply pressure? These are things that he may need a little more time for. But it is clear that he can play football."

  In January 2024 the drastic decision was taken to loan Mikautadze back to Metz – a move that would pave the way for the exceptional form we have witnessed at the Euros. He almost singlehandedly saved Metz from relegation as he scored 11 times back in familiar surroundings, including a run of eight goals in seven games to finish the league campaign.

  Metz manager Laszlo Boloni said in April: "He lost quite a bit of his honour at Ajax. Now, he’s rediscovering his wellbeing. For the whole team, when you have a goal-scorer, it’s the most joyous thing. Mikautadze isn’t Kylian Mbappe, but he’s FC Metz’s Mbappe!” Ultimately, though, it was not enough to save Les Grenats, who were defeated 4-3 on aggregate by Saint-Etienne in the promotion/relegation play-off despite another Mikautadze strike.

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• Biggest strengths

  Two of Mikautadze's three Euro 2024 goals have come from the penalty spot, but his first – an instinctive first-time finish against Turkey – demonstrated that he is a penalty-box poacher who knows just how to finish off an opportunity, while his pace and trickery are also eye-catching.

  "My strong point is my finishing," the striker said during his time with Seraing. "Dribbling, accelerating and shooting: that's what I'm good at, that's my main quality. I've been doing that since I was a child. I'm used to playing as a No.9, appearing in front of goal, creating chances and shooting on goal."

  The Georgian hitman also remarkably boasts the ability to play off either his left or his right, having worked on his two-footedness as soon as he was playing. "Yes, it's [two-footedness] a big advantage," he said in an interview upon signing with Ajax. "Since I was a child I would train my weaker left foot all the time, and little by little my left foot would become equal to my right."

  Capable of operating across the frontline and in attacking midfield, his versatility is also a huge asset. His former manager Emilio Ferrera described him as "a phenomenon". Speaking to he said: "He can score in all possible ways: in a moment, after a dribble, with a long shot, with the left, with the right… just not with his head."

Liverpool will be hoping to follow up a wonderful victory over Chelsea in midweek with a statement win against Arsenal as they look to motor ahead in their chase for a second Premier League crown under Jurgen Klopp.

The two teams drew 1-1 at Anfield just before Christmas but if Klopp wishes to continue Liverpool’s recent momentum, a win at the Emirates is imperative.

Liverpool team news vs Arsenal

Darwin Núñez did everything but score against the Blues on Wednesday evening, even hitting the woodwork four times, but it looks as though he is a big doubt for the clash today.

The forward was seen leaving Anfield wearing a protective boot and the manager gave his thoughts after the game, saying:

“I don’t know if Darwin is available or not because after 20 minutes somebody stepped on his foot and it was very painful after the game.

“He only took his boot off after the game because he didn’t want to see it before, he knew there was something. So, he left the stadium in a boot, and it was not a football boot.”

Klopp then stated that nothing was broken, but he could be a doubt for the important tie against the Gunners.

If the Uruguayan is not available for the clash, who could Klopp call upon to take his place?

Cody Gakpo could replace Darwin Núñez for Liverpool

Nunez has registered 14 goal contributions in the Premier League this season – seven goals and seven assists – and while his finishing is slightly unpredictable at times, there is no doubt he has impressed during his second season at the club.

If he misses out, Cody Gakpo – who is yet to make a league start this calendar year – would be the ideal replacement to come in and play in a more central role.

The Dutchman has netted nine goals and grabbed four assists in all competitions and, while these are not the numbers Klopp would have been looking for halfway through the season, Gakpo does offer various qualities to the team.

The £120k-per-week forward has led the line on 14 occasions for the Reds this season and scored seven goals during those ties, which clearly suggests that Klopp has no choice but to unleash the former PSV Eindhoven player today against the Gunners.

Gakpo was lauded by journalist Bence Bocsak following his Europa League display against LASK in November, as he claimed the 24-year-old was “really efficient” and while he has yet to reach the numbers which saw him sparkle for PSV, he is slowly emerging as a vital member of the squad.

If Liverpool takes all three points against Arsenal today, they have an ideal chance to end Klopp’s nine-year reign by winning a second Premier League crown.

Against Chelsea, it looked as though every player knew exactly what was required of them and the German will be hoping this confidence stretches into today’s clash.

Gakpo may not be the prolific centre-forward that shone in the Netherlands, but his presence up front could cause the Gunners plenty of problems and a goal or two certainly wouldn’t harm his confidence.

Nottingham Forest aren't shy of a transfer or two, as demonstrated by their dealings in the window since their promotion back to the Premier League in May 2022.

Since beating Huddersfield Town at Wembley, the Reds have made 34 new additions, with owner Evangelos Marinakis investing over £200m on new players, helping establish themselves as a modern-day Premier League outfit.

Players such as Taiwo Awoniyi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ibrahim Sangare have all broken Forest's transfer record within the last two years, showcasing the owner's ambition to take the club forward.

Not all of Forest's signings have been successful, however, with players such as Emmanuel Dennis and Jonjo Shelvey joining for hefty fees and wages, but failing to provide value for money – their pair both now out on loan away from the City Ground

However, one player has proven to be a brilliant piece of business after joining the club in July 2023 as a replacement for a one-time fan favourite.

How much Nottingham Forest paid for Anthony Elanga

The Reds forked out a reported £15m on a deal to sign winger Anthony Elanga – with the Swedish proving to be a replacement for Brennan Johnson after the Forest academy graduate joined fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for £47.5m.

Over six months on from the transfer, it looks as though the Reds have conducted an astute piece of business for a player who is just 21, with Jamie Redknapp branding the deal as a "bargain".

He's already featured 13 times for Sweden, with the winger currently enjoying his best season in England's top flight. Elanga's scored five goals and registered seven assists in his 24 Premier League appearances during his time at the City Ground.

The former Manchester United youngster made an instant impact under then-boss Steve Cooper during the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates with the Swede's bursting run setting up Awoniyi to fire home past Aaron Ramsdale.

Since his debut, the winger has gone from strength to strength, impressing against sides such as Chelsea, Newcastle United and Luton Town after getting either a goal or an assist in those encounters.

Anthony Elanga's market value in 2024

Elanga has been pivotal for Forest in their attempts to maintain their top-flight status for a third successive season, with the winger the only Reds player to reach double figures for combined goals and assists.

He's also averaged 0.4 assists per 90 in the Premier League this season – a stat that ranks him within the top 9% of all attackers in Europe's top five leagues. The 21-year-old has impressed with his direct running, averaging 3.8 progressive carries per game – the most of anyone in the Forest squad.

His performances on Trentside have seen his market value soar to £26m, as per CIES Football Observatory- a figure that is higher than striker Awoniyi whose value remains around the £17m mark, the fee which the club paid for him in the summer of 2022.

Erik ten Hag's side appear to have missed a trick on their former player, with the youngster proving himself to be a brilliant Premier League footballer with the Swede amassing more goal contributions than £86m winger Antony – who is yet to score or assist in the league this season.

The Red Devils' trash has therefore proven to be Forest's treasure.