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Setting their sights on midfield reinforcements, Manchester United are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a young versatile La Liga star for Ruben Amorim in what could be a bargain deal.

Man Utd transfer news

Bargain is certainly a word that Manchester United will be keen to hear both this month and during the summer transfer window, with the club reportedly walking a fine line when it comes to profit and sustainability issues at a time when they once again need several reinforcements. The last thing that they need is to run into any sanctions on that front and that could yet see player sales take priority this month.

Man Utd discussing stunning Sanchez-esque swap deal to sign "fantastic" ace

They’ll be hoping he’s better than Sanchez…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 25, 2025

Out-of-favour stars such as Alejandro Garnacho could, therefore, provide the Red Devils with a parting gift if he does complete a mid-season switch to Chelsea as rumours suggest is certainly a possibility.

The same can be said for Marcus Rashford. Dropped since missing out on derby victory over Manchester City, the Carrington graduate desperately needs a move away and one which could yet fund the Red Devils’ pursuit of Patrick Dorgu this month.

His departure could also aid those at Old Trafford in pursuit of a summer target. According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are now plotting a cheap deal to sign Lucien Agoume from Sevilla this summer. The 22-year-old midfielder would reportedly not cost a substantial fee this summer, leaving the door ajar for United to potentially make a much-needed bargain move.

A rising star, Agoume would be well worth the gamble for a bargain fee this summer. The Frenchman could even become the missing piece in Amorim’s midfield next to Manuel Ugarte, whilst also providing centre-back cover thanks to his key versatility.

Whilst the Sevilla man is not a name that will instantly steal a number of headlines, he could quickly play a pivotal role in transforming Amorim’s side in his first full season in charge.

"Amazing" Agoume could partner Ugarte

Slowly but surely, Manchester United are moving beyond the need for Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in what should be a crucial step towards returning to the Champions League. But at least one more option must still arrive to compete with Kobbie Mainoo for a place alongside Ugarte and that may well prove to be Agoume this summer.

The Sevilla star certainly has the traits to step into the Old Trafford midfield, with analyst Ben Mattinson praising his “composed” ability to dictate play and “top ball retention” before dubbing him an “amazing #6 profile” at the end of last year.

With plenty to do when the summer arrives, Agoume should be among the options that Manchester United should consider if his valuation is, indeed, set at a cheap price.

It would be hard to describe this season as anything other than a disaster for Tottenham Hotspur so far.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are in the bottom half of the table, have a seemingly ever-growing injury list, and while there is still a chance they beat Liverpool in their upcoming League Cup semi-final, it’s a very slim one.

Moreover, while the club are the second-highest scorers in the league, players like Timo Werner continue to disappoint.

So, fans should be excited by recent reports linking the North Londoners to someone who would be the perfect upgrade on the German, someone so talented they have even been compared to the incredible Eberechi Eze.

Tottenham Hotspur news

According to a recent report from the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Tottenham are one of several clubs who have enquired about Barcelona’s Dani Olmo.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that fellow Premier League sides Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are keen on the Spaniard, while Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich have also shown interest.

Interestingly, the report claims that while the player, who cost Barça £51m in the summer, has his heart set on staying, he may leave for free if the Catalan club fails to register him by January 3rd, which looks to be a real possibility.

Due to the level of competition, it could prove to be a difficult transfer to get over the line, but given Olmo’s sensational ability, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he’s won comparisons to Eze and would be a dream Werner upgrade.

How Olmo compares to Werner and Eze

So, before we look at how Olmo compares to Werner, let’s examine this comparison to Eze and where it has come from.

It primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and in this instance, has concluded that the Englishman is the second most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Spaniard over the last 365 days.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair ranks closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, tackles won, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.35

0.29

Progressive Carries

2.32

2.88

Shots

3.47

3.82

Shots on Target

1.16

1.22

Passing Accuracy

76.1%

74.5%

Tackles Won

1.01

0.94

Successful Take-Ons

2.17

2.09

However, he shares another similarity with Eze, which is also one of the reasons Spurs should sign him: his positional versatility.

For example, like the Crystal Palace star, the £149k-per-week “genius,” as dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting, can play in multiple positions on the pitch but specialises in attacking midfield and out on the wings, which is why he could be an ideal Werner upgrade.

To see how much of an upgrade he’d be on the German wideman, we only need to look at their raw output since the start of last season.

For example, since the start of last season, the 26-year-old dynamo has scored 14 goals and provided six assists in 40 appearances, equating to an impressive average of a goal involvement every other game.

In contrast, the RB Leipzig loanee has scored five goals and provided seven assists in 51 appearances across the same period, which comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 4.25 games.

Ultimately, if Spurs find themselves with an opportunity to sign Olmo this month, they must take it, as he’d be an instant upgrade on Werner as an option off the left, and he’s good enough to fight for a place in the midfield as well.

Move over Moore: Spurs chasing £29m ace who will be one of the world's best

The “special” talent could develop into a world-beater with Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 2, 2025

Newcastle United are interested in signing a serial Champions League winner in the January transfer window, according to an exciting new update.

Newcastle transfer rumours

Eddie Howe’s side have really found their groove in recent weeks, going from being a side underperforming in the Premier League to a team who now look like strong top-four challengers.

The 2-0 win away to Manchester United on Monday night was Newcastle’s latest impressive result, with the team suddenly clicking from back to front, not least because of the brilliant form of star striker Alexander Isak leading the line.

That’s not to say that new signings at St James’ Park wouldn’t be appreciated in January, however, and various top-quality players are being touted as possible additions. Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is seen as an exciting option on the right wing, as the Magpies look for more quality in that position, with the 25-year-old already bagging seven goals and six assists in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Newcastle are also reportedly favourites to complete the signing of AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori, as Howe looks to improve his defensive options. The Englishman is open to the idea of returning to England, having not always managed to be a regular starter for his current club this season.

Newcastle keen on serial Champions League winner

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Newcastle and PIF are keen on signing Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Asensio in January, seeing him as a new target this month.

He is willing to seal a move away from the Ligue 1 side and is even believed to be in talks with the Magpies over a move, as well as Premier League rivals Aston Villa. PSG aren’t thought to want more than £25m for his services, but Newcastle would prefer a loan deal.

Asensio would be a big-name statement signing by Newcastle, but at 28, it also wouldn’t be a case of them snapping up a high-profile individual who is past his peak years.

The Spaniard has so much pedigree throughout his career, winning the Champions League three times with Real Madrid and scoring in one final, while Carlo Ancelotti has heaped praise on him in the past, saying:

“He was the best of the match. He mixed well with Valverde. He was forceful and effective. The best. His attitude when he wasn’t playing was good. I had no doubts, but when you’re not happy you can have a negative or positive attitude. He chose the positive.”

Admittedly, Asensio’s time at PSG has been less memorable overall, with only seven goals coming his way in 46 appearances, but he remains such a talented footballer – one who could arguably do with a fresh challenge at this point in his career.

Newcastle agree deal to sell "important" player who Eddie Howe loves

He would be a big loss for the Magpies…

ByBarney Lane Jan 2, 2025

He is arguably at his best on the right-hand side, cutting onto his deadly left foot, so he could be a standout option to be an upgrade on Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron, with the latter potentially moving from Newcastle this month.

Manchester United are reportedly showing “serious interest” in a former Chelsea star they hope to bring to Old Trafford in January.

Manchester United latest news

Big things were expected from United following the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s replacement in November. Since, however, things seem only to have gotten worse, with Amorim losing five of his first 10 games in charge, which is the worst record of any new United manager since Walter Crickmer in the 1930s.

During United’s 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, fans could be seen leaving Molineux early, while those that stayed booed their team at the final whistle.

Speaking to the press after that game, Amorim said that he knows that his job will be on the line if results do not improve in the near future.

“I know that if we don’t win, regardless if they pay the buyout or not, every manager is in danger. I like that because that is the job,” he said.

“It’s part of football to have these difficult moments. I already knew it was going to be tough. You expect to win more games, to have players with more confidence to sell the idea and to work and improve things. At this moment it’s really hard. We have to survive to have time and then to improve the team.”

INEOS line up move for Barcelona outcast

To try and solve his side’s woes in the second half of the season, Amorim will no doubt be looking to use the January transfer window to bring in some fresh legs. According to a Monday report from Spain, United have shown a “serious interest” in Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen “in the last few hours”.

The Danish defender joined Barca on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2022, and United are now keen to bring him back to the Premier League in January specifically. The Red Devils, however, will face serious competition from Juventus for the 28-year-old. The report states that the Old Lady are leading the race for the Barca star, with manager Thiago Motta in desperate need of fresh legs in defence.

REUTERS/David Klein

How fresh Christensen’s legs are, however, is up for debate. The Denmark international has suffered a number of injury setbacks during his career, missing well over a year of action. This season, he’s played just 26 minutes of football for Barca due to an achilles tendon injury, for which he underwent surgery in Sweden. He is expected to return at the end of January.

Given United’s recent record of signing injury-prone defenders, like Leny Yoro, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw, signing someone who not only has a poor injury record themselves, but has spent most of the last four months injured, makes little to no sense. Christensen himself has also rebuked speculation that he could be set to leave the Camp Nou.

“I can only speak about the conversations I’ve had with the club and so far they’ve only told me that I’ll recover well and that they’re looking forward to my return,” he recently told TV 2 Sport.

التقى المهندس هاني أبو ريدة، رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، مع معتصم جعفر، رئيس الاتحاد السوداني لكرة القدم، في اجتماع رسمي جرى بمقر الاتحاد المصري الجديد بمدينة السادس من أكتوبر.

جاء هذا اللقاء في إطار تعزيز العلاقات الثنائية بين الاتحادين المصري والسوداني، حيث تم خلاله مناقشة سبل التعاون المشترك وتطوير العلاقات الرياضية بين البلدين، بالإضافة إلى تبادل الرؤى والأفكار حول مستقبل كرة القدم في القارة الأفريقية بشكل عام.

طالع أيضًا | اتحاد الكرة يوضح سبب استبدال أمين عمر بـ محمد معروف في مباراة سيمبا وستيلنبوش بـ الكونفدرالية

وحظي اللقاء بأهمية خاصة، حيث استعرض الطرفان إمكانية تبادل الخبرات، وتنظيم دورات تدريبية وفعاليات مشتركة تهدف إلى رفع مستوى اللعبة في البلدين، بالإضافة إلى تنسيق الجهود لدعم الرياضة الإفريقية وتعزيز مكانتها على الساحة الدولية.

وفي ختام اللقاء، قام هاني أبو ريدة بتقديم درع الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم إلى معتصم جعفر كرمز للتقدير والصداقة بين الاتحادين، مؤكدًا على حرص مصر والسودان على استمرار التعاون وتطوير العلاقات الرياضية بما يصب في مصلحة كرة القدم في القارة الأفريقية.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo, enfim, tem oficialmente seu novo treinador. Luís Castro foi anunciado nesta sexta-feira (25) como comandante do projeto da equipe na “Era John Textor”. Seu vínculo com o clube será de dois anos. O técnico desembarca no Rio de Janeiro neste domingo (27).

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John Textor não escondeu sua confiança no trabalho do português.

-Luís Castro é o homem certo para o Botafogo. Altamente reconhecido por sua liderança e pelo desenvolvimento da Academia de Futebol do Porto, ganhou de alguns dos melhores times do mundo e, recentemente, venceu a Emir Cup com o Al-Duhail, Mister Castro sabe como construir times campeões. Ele é treinador, professor e um verdadeiro gentleman. Mas agora, como vocês sabem, ele foi escolhido pelo clube mais tradicional – disse.

+Novo desafio: Patrick de Paula terá missão de assumir o protagonismo no ‘novo Botafogo’

Ao lado de Castro, desembarcam no clube os auxiliaresVitor Severino e João Brandão, o preparador de goleiros Daniel Correa Roberto Oliveira, o preparador físico Betinho e o analista de desempenho Nuno Baptista.

O Botafogo teve de esperar algumas semanas para contar com o treinador. Inicialmente, o Al-Duhail não aceitava liberar Luís Castro. Contudo, aos poucos as arestas foram aparadas. Textor teve de esperar a participação do clube na Copa do Emir para que o português pudesse fazer as malas e vir para o Rio de Janeiro.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has revealed he will be involved with Wembley Rangers AFC ahead of the draft pick for a new six-a-side competition.

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KSI & Speed launch Baller LeagueArsenal icon involved with Wembley RangersDraft picks get underway on MondayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

YouTuber KSI and streamer IShowSpeed have teamed up to front the United Kingdom and American versions of the Baller League respectively. A total of 12 teams will feature in the six-a-side tournament and managers will assemble their squads on Monday (March 10) in a huge draft, one that ex-Gunner Wright will be involved in.

AdvertisementWHAT IAN WRIGHT SAID

Alongside a clip with him and England star Chloe Kelly, Wright wrote: "Wembley Rangers AFC x Baller League 🤝🏾 Find out who’ll join our team at the draft on Monday night! @ballerleagueuk."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The tournament is set to involve a combination of football icons and social media stars and every match will be shown live on Sports Sports and NOW TV from the Copper Box Arena in London on Monday nights. Legendary figures such as Gary Lineker, John Terry, and Luis Figo are part of the managerial lineup for the competition.

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Baller League UKWHAT NEXT?

Fans will get to see the tournament begin next week, which involves a smaller indoor pitch, 15-minute halves, and shock rule twists will be thrown in as well. After Baller League was established in Germany by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski two years ago, this new UK version will hope to be just as successful.

Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman is leading their transfer pursuit of a £20 million+ “special” talent, according to a new report.

The South Londoners made a very slow start to this Premier League season, but they will hope a win against Tottenham Hotspur followed by a 2-2 draw with Wolves can springboard their campaign under Oliver Glasner.

Crystal Palace identify 20 y/o rising star as long-term Mateta replacement

Palace are putting together a list of replacements for Mateta should he leave Selhurst Park.

ByBrett Worthington Nov 4, 2024 Crystal Palace injury news

As Palace have turned a corner in results, they have now suffered several injury blows that they will hope doesn’t affect them on the pitch. Glasner confirmed last week that they had lost Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, and Jefferson Lerma to injuries. He stated that all three are going to be out until after the November international break, but the injury crisis doesn’t stop there, as now striker Eddie Nketiah has suffered an injury blow.

It has been reported that Nketiah has picked up a hamstring injury and is a major doubt for their game against Fulham on Saturday. The report adds that it is unclear how long the forward is going to be out for, with him not training so far this week. This is another bitter blow to Glasner, as he is now missing two of his attacking players, Eze and Nketiah, and Palace haven’t been a free-scoring side at all this season.

The Palace boss will hope that at the very least these players are back and available after the international break. But as the injuries mount up, the Eagles now have their eye on reinforcing with a young talent who could be a welcome arrival come January.

Freedman leading transfer pursuit of Chris Rigg

According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are plotting a move for Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg. The 17-year-old is a product of the Black Cats academy and has become a key part of the first team since breaking through in the 2023/24 Championship season.

Rigg, who has been dubbed a “special” talent by Sunderland fan and presenter Dougie Critchley, has scored three goals in 13 Championship games this season, as he’s been an important player under Regis Le Bris.

Palace have watched Rigg live in action a few times this season, and he has left the Palace hierarchy impressed, so much so that sporting director Freedman is “convinced” he will prove good enough in the Premier League. A move in January has not been ruled out, in a repeat of the move for Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers last winter.

Apps

39

Minutes played

1,981

Goals

6

Assists

0

Rigg signed a new contract at the Stadium of Light in the summer, with that deal running until 2027, so they will look to resist any offers in January. However, Palace could make an offer of £20 million plus, according to this report, and that could tempt the Black Cats into selling, despite his importance to the team.

Javier Mascherano confirmed some players will miss Inter Miami's MLS opener on Saturday after playing in minus-eight degrees on Wednesday evening.

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Inter Miami kick off MLS campaignLionel Messi may miss out on openerPlayed in minus-eight degrees on WednesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Miami were in action in freezing temperatures in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup against Sporting Kansas City in midweek, a game that took plenty out of their key players. Mascherano could not confirm that Lionel Messi and other stars would recover in time for the league opener with New York City FC.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

If anyone ever really questioned whether Messi could do it on a freezing Wednesday night, the midweek trip to Kansas surely answered their question. The Argentina legend scored a superb goal to inspire his side to a 1-0 victory in alien conditions, with former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez also playing from the start.

WHAT MASCHERANO SAID

Mascherano said: "We are prepared and above all recovering from the match on Wednesday. Everyone is not available for tomorrow. I'm not going to tell you who, I'm not going to give you clues. The majority of players are available. We're not even 48 hours away from the game we played in Kansas. Everyone saw the conditions we played in. That also requires us to wait a little longer for the players to recover. It's been an unprecedented situation for everyone."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND INTER MIAMI?

Messi has one year left on his Inter Miami contract, with the club desperate to win as much silverware as possible during his stay. The coveted MLS Cup would perhaps be top of that list, but it still seems possible he will sit out of the league opener on Saturday.

GOAL gets the measure of the latest from the football zeitgeist, from CR7's big birthday to a fresh boot drop from Nike

Welcome to the Culture & Clobber Axis, where GOAL runs the rule over all the latest from the intersection of football and culture – from the sublime to the ridiculous, to what's fire and what misses completely.

The longest January on record is finally over, with the end of the transfer window and the turn of the month throwing up storylines and new drops aplenty, as an icon of the game turns 40, Nike reveal some new boots and Joao Felix has a very big week.

But where do the week's biggest talking points from the football zeitgeist place in our comprehensive axis? Let's get into it…

• GOAL
  

  Ronaldo turns 40

  There's nothing technically wrong with Cristiano Ronaldo turning 40, it just makes us feel very, very old. Now an icon of the game, CR7 was just 18 years old when he signed for Manchester United in 2003. The 22 years since have been quite incredible.

  Having hit the big 4-0, the attacker has declared himself the unequivocal GOAT… we're not so sure about that, but it's hard to argue with him being considered the greatest the sport has ever seen.

  GOAL's shout: Blatant own goal

Advertisement

• Tiote's son is a mascot vs Arsenal

  Newcastle gave a poignant tribute to late former midfielder Cheick Tiote when they hosted Arsenal in midweek, with his son Rafael among the mascots on the 14th anniversary of his father's brilliant volley in the exact same fixture in 2011, when the Magpies came from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 courtesy of his strike.

  The Toon honoured him on the pitch too, downing the Gunners with a relentless performance to secure a Carabao Cup final place and a huge chance to pick up major silverware. Lovely stuff.

  GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Man City don't like rivalries

  The fallout from Arsenal's 5-1 thumping of Manchester City at the weekend has been tiresome, to say the least, with most of the rhetoric centring on Erling Haaland's now-infamous 'stay humble' jibe.

  Suffice to say, the Gunners probably stay humble' as they indulged in plenty of sh*thousery in their rout of their new-found northern foes, but certain City fans' refusal to take it on the chin and flat-out denial that a rivalry can even exist before Arsenal win a trophy is downright bizarre. This is what it's all about, lads.

  GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal

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• Nike
  

  Nike's unisex United pack

  Nike has shown its commitment to the women's game by bringing together some of the world's leading ballers to form the Nike United collective, with a new boot drop to go with it.

  The unisex United pack features their Tiempo, Phantom and Mercurial silos in a fresh purple and 'volt' colourway, all featuring a bold look inspired by shattered glass that was co-designed by the likes of Lauren James, Naomi Girma and Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith).

  GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie