Vitinha: From failed Wolves loan to becoming the world's best midfielder at PSG

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The Parisiens' forwards may have hogged the headlines during their treble win, but Luis Enrique believes the Portuguese is his most important player

Towards the tail end of Paris Saint-Germain's remarkable 2024-25 campaign, Ruud Gullit admitted that he was utterly enamoured with Luis Enrique's thrilling team. Just like everyone else, the Dutch legend had been captivated by the French club's wonderful wingers, but it was Vitinha's play-making in the middle of the park which really blew Gullit away.

"He wasn't even good enough to play for Wolves and now he's the best player at Paris Saint-Germain!" the former AC Milan and Netherlands attacker told reporters at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Gullit wasn't exaggerating either – at least, not about Vitinha being PSG's best player. He is the man that makes the treble-winners tick. And, clearly, the talent had always been there, even during his unsuccessful loan spell at Molineux.

But how did Vitinha go from a Wolves reject to a PSG superstar in four years? GOAL charts the remarkable rise to prominence of one of the new members of our World-Class Club…

AFP'Not easy'

Despite Wolves' propensity for signing Portuguese players, due to the close ties between the club's owners, Fosun International, and super-agent Jorge Mendes, Vitinha's move to Molineux in September 2020 still came as something of a surprise.

The Porto academy graduate had only made his professional debut eight months previously and had yet to start a single league game at senior level. However, Porto's Financial Fair Play (FFP) problems necessitated a move, so one of their most promising youngsters was sent out on loan with a view to a permanent €20 million (£17m/$23m) transfer.

The presence of so many of his compatriots at Wolves undeniably helped Vitinha settle into his new surroundings – particularly as he arrived during the pandemic – but it wasn't all positive from a sporting perspective, as it meant having to compete with more established Portuguese players such as Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho for a place in Nuno Espirito Santo's starting line up.

"Everybody saw the ability was there," the former Wolves boss recently told reporters. "But you have to consider the impact of the physicality. We signed him when he was 20, and he was just getting used to the senior level, which was a big impact. And I have to be honest with you: we had Joao Moutinho [in Vitinha's position] and he was another amazing player.

"So, sometimes young players who join can have the talent, but it is the coach who makes the decisions. At that time, the midfield was Moutinho and Ruben Neves, so it was not easy for Vitinha. But he played a lot of games, went back to Porto and his level started rising and rising."

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Great year of learning'

Wolves may have ended up regretting their decision not to take up their option to buy Vitinha, but he looks back on his season-long stay at Molineux as a pivotal period in his development.

The combative but cultured playmaker realised quite quickly that his style of play wasn't a good fit for Nuno's counter-attacking game, but he still ended up featuring 19 times in the Premier League, and starting seven times in total in all competitions.

"It didn't go as I liked nor wanted it to," Vitinha admitted to . "But I tried, I did my best. It was a great year of learning."

The rejection also spurred him on, making the youngster even more determined to prove himself at the highest level – and without changing his progressive approach to the game.

AFPBelieving in himself

Indeed, former Wolves defender Fernando Marcal would later reveal in an interview with that Vitinha was not in the least bit discouraged by his failure to secure a permanent transfer.

“The coach was hard on him," the Brazilian revealed. "Despite doing amazing things in training, he couldn't convince him. Nuno wanted Vitinha to keep it simple, to release the ball more quickly. He tried to follow instructions but he didn’t want to lose his identity. So, I asked him how he thought the following season would go for him and he replied: 'I'm going back to Porto, I'm going to smash it there and the season after I'll be playing for one of the eight best teams in Europe.'

"I thought to myself, 'Wow, this guy can't get a game at Wolves and he thinks he's gonna sign for Man City or a club like that? He's a bit crazy!' But no, he certainly wasn't."

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AFPDoing a lot of 'chores' for Mbappe & Co.

As Marcal pointed out, Vitinha's bold prediction proved prophetic, because after a stellar season at the Dragao, featuring 47 appearances while securing a domestic double, the midfielder was snapped up by PSG for €41.5m (£36m/$49m) in the summer of 2022.

The Parc des Princes dressing room was like a dream world for Vitinha; being surrounded by Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe was a truly surreal experience. It was also challenging, though. The forwards' refusal to do any defensive work meant that Vitinha was left with an awful lot of "chores", as he put it – and securing their respect wasn't easy either.

In just his second Ligue 1 outing, Vitinha decided against playing a pass to Mbappe and opted instead to pick out Messi instead, which resulted in the visibly frustrated Frenchman petulantly turning his back on the play. It was a moment that rather summed up the pervading sense of entitlement at Parc des Princes at the time – and helps explain why Vitinha and others were so happy with PSG subsequently shifting their focus from signing superstars to recruiting young players of enormous potential.

"The way that they want to build the team now, the long-term vision, it's the best way," Vitinha enthused last season.

Wayne Madsen halts Leicestershire's charge for victory

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Derbyshire 167 (Lloyd 54, Scriven 3-30) and (Madsen 59*, Thomson 46*, Currie 3-36) trail Leicestershire 574 for 7 dec by 183 runsWayne Madsen was again a thorn in Leicestershire’s side as he rescued Derbyshire from the threat of a three-day defeat in the Vitality County Championship match at Derby.After Derbyshire were made to follow-on 407 runs in arrears, the 40-year-old blocked the visitors’ push for victory with an obdurate unbeaten 59 from 114 balls to steer his team to 224 for 6 at the close.But with rain forecast on the final day, Madsen, who has scored five centuries against Leicestershire, has given his side a good chance of salvaging a draw.Despite missing several frontline bowlers, Leicestershire bowled Derbyshire out for 167 with Tom Scriven, Ben Mike and Scott Currie all taking three wickets. When Derbyshire slipped to 144 for 6 in their second innings, Leicestershire sensed an early finish but Alex Thomson, 46 not out, stayed with Madsen for 27 overs to keep them waiting.Derbyshire’s chances of avoiding the follow on had been slim at the start of another sunny but chilly day and drifted even further 10 overs into the morning session. Nightwatchman Sam Conners was the first to go when he played across the line at Scriven but the departure of David Lloyd was a damaging blow to the hosts.The Derbyshire captain looked in good touch, pulling Mike for six before driving the seamer to the cover boundary to reach 50 from 63 balls. But Mike had the last word when he deceived Lloyd with a ball that angled away to knock out his off stump.Aneurin Donald and Anuj Dal restored some order with a stand of 67 from 74 balls until the introduction of Liam Trevaskis lured Donald into a rush of blood. He swept the left arm spinner’s first ball to the boundary but then charged down the pitch, missed an ugly swipe and was bowled. It was a reckless shot in any circumstances but was wholly inappropriate given the state of the match.The lower order subsided quickly with Currie claiming the last two wickets which left Derbyshire to face one over before lunch. Harry Came survived a hard chance to short leg off the penultimate ball but the openers looked relatively comfortable after the interval, passing 50 before Currie hit a hot streak. Running in from the Racecourse End, he trapped Came on the crease and in his next over removed Reece who misjudged the line, offering no shot to a ball that nipped back.But the best was still to come. Lloyd was completely deceived by a full toss that dipped on him, knocking out the off stump and leaving him flat on his back. When Trevaskis again struck in his first over, pinning Brooke Guest leg before half-forward just before tea, the scent of victory was in the air for the visitors.On a day of little comfort for Derbyshire, Wayne Madsen passed 15,000 first-class runs after the interval but lost Donald who aimed a pull at Scrivens and was bowled.Dal stayed with Madsen for seven overs before Mike had him caught behind down the legside but Thomson joined Madsen to frustrate Leicestershire.

Somerset tame Essex on seaming pitch to seal thrilling two-day win

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Dickson, Renshaw break back of chase as hosts hold off fightback for three-wicket victory

ECB Reporters Network04-May-2024Somerset 128 (Porter 5-37, Cook 5-38) and 170 for 7 (Dickson 42, Snater 4-55) beat Essex 156 (Westley 43, Pretorius 4-36) and 138 (Davey 3-20, Gregory 3-23) by three wickets Somerset’s Matt Renshaw and Sean Dickson tamed a seaming pitch to lay the foundation for a three-wicket Vitality County Championship First Division win over Essex inside two days at Taunton.When the visitors were bowled out for 138 in their second innings, 30 wickets had fallen in the match. There were three each for Somerset seamers Josh Davey and Lewis Gregory as Jordan Cox top scored with 27 on a still green wicket.A target of 167 to win looked stiff for the home batting line-up given what had gone before. But Renshaw (35) and Dickson (42) put together an opening partnership of 75 and, although the Essex bowlers stuck gamely to their task, Somerset always looked favourites from then on.Andy Umeed made 34 and Tom Banton’s 29 off got them over the line to take 19 points, while Essex had to settle for three.Somerset’s seamers were soon among the wickets when their opponents began the day on six without loss in their second innings. Dean Elgar glanced a catch to wicketkeeper James Rew off Davey at 11 for one and, with four runs added, Sam Cook was caught at third slip by Umeed off Craig Overton, fourth slip Dickson scooping the ball up one-handed to his team-mate.It was 37 for three when Tom Westley fell lbw pushing forward to Davey before Nick Browne and Jordan Cox added 30. Browne, on 23, then got an inside edge onto his pad to send a delivery from Gregory looping up for a catch at third slip.It was 95 for four at lunch, with the Essex lead 123. The fifth wicket fell on 106, Matt Critchley nicking a ball from Davey through to Rew, who claimed a low diving catch in front of the slips.Overton cranked up his pace and forced Cox to edge to second slip where Tom Lammonby pouched a routine catch.Thain and Harry Duke took the score to 137 before the last four Essex wickets fell in quick succession, Duke feathering a defensive shot off Jake Ball through to Rew and Thain pinned lbw by Gregory.Simon Harmer was trapped leg before by Ball and when Rew produced another low diving catch to send last man Jamie Porter back for a duck it meant a third wicket for Gregory.Sean Dickson played aggressively at the start of Somerset’s chase•Getty ImagesSoon openers Renshaw and Dickson set about the target of 167 in positive fashion against Cook and Porter with the sun shining brightly. Both went for their shots and by tea they had taken the score to 45 without loss off 11 overs, leaving Somerset needing just 122 more runs for victory.Dickson took the stand past 50 with a glorious off-drive for four off Shane Snater and followed up with a six over long-on in the same over. Renshaw joined in with a flashing square drive for four off Cook.When Renshaw edged Snater the ball fell agonisingly short of the slip cordon. Cook gave Essex hope by dismissing Renshaw lbw with the total on 75, but by then only 92 were required.Dickson followed in the next over, caught behind the ball after hitting his third four and suddenly Somerset had two new batsmen at the crease. But Umeed carried on applying pressure to the Essex bowlers, hitting two straight fours in an over from Cook.Lammonby matched his first innings patience, but having faced 23 balls without scoring he padded up to a delivery from Snater which nipped in off the seam and fell lbw with 68 still needed.Umeed had faced 55 balls, hitting 5 fours, when edging a ball from Snater, which cannoned off wicketkeeper Duke and looped to Harmer at second slip. With 47 required, Somerset needed to keep their heads.Migael Pretorius failed in that respect, lofting a catch to extra cover off Cook and Rew was spilled on one at third slip by the diving Critchley. He fell before the close, but Banton’s largely sensible knock had almost seen his side home when he edged a slip catch off Snater.It was left to Overton to hit the winning boundary off Porter in the second additional over of the day to give Somerset their first win of the season after four draws.

Emilio Gay, Ben Sanderson put Northants back in the ascendancy

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Northamptonshire regained control of the Vitality County Championship Division Two match at Derby after a Ross Whiteley counter-attack revived Derbyshire.Whiteley scored 54 in his first Championship match for nearly three years and dominated a last wicket stand of 58 with Daryn Dupavillon to carry his team to 362 after Ben Sanderson took 5 for 76.Wayne Madsen and Matt Lamb also scored half centuries for the home side but positive batting after tea strengthened Northants position with Emilio Gay’s unbeaten 89 taking the visitors to 195 for 2, a lead of 255.Warm sunshine and a cloudless sky made it a good day for batting but Derbyshire lost a wicket to the fourth ball of the third morning.Brooke Guest had to play at a delivery that Sanderson moved away enough to take the outside edge and was caught behind without adding to his overnight score.Derbyshire almost gifted Northants another wicket in the next over when Lamb took on Luke Proctor’s arm at mid on and was very fortunate not to be run out by a direct hit.Lamb made the most of that escape by sharing a stand of 82 with Madsen who swung Rob Keogh for six on his way to a 118 ball 50 that contained only two fours.Lamb dished out the same treatment to Liam Patterson-White before completing his 50 from 90 balls but the second new ball sent the innings into decline.Sanderson got one to straighten to bowl Lamb before Siddharth Kaul tempted Aneurin Donald into playing at one he could have left and then found some late movement to have Anuj Dal caught at first slip.Madsen was bowled trying to swing Kaul over mid-on and when Sanderson had Zak Chappell and Blair Tickner taken at second slip, Derbyshire looked like conceding a substantial first-innings lead.But Whiteley played impressively, mixing watchful defence with controlled aggression, and with solid support from Dupavillon, kept his side in the game.Whiteley, who pulled Kaul for six and drove Patterson-White over the long-on boundary, farmed the strike astutely while Dupavillon displayed a sound defence to frustrate the visitors.By the time Proctor ducked one in to trap Whiteley lbw, the deficit had been cut to 60 and Derbyshire had momentum going into the evening session.That would have increased if Ricardo Vasconcelos had not been dropped at second slip off Tickner in the second over but by the time he was bowled charging wildly at David Lloyd’s off spin, the lead was 150.Patterson-White took on the short ball until he was caught behind pulling at Chappell but Gay and Karun Nair maintained the tempo against pace and spin in the closing overs.The pair added 76 from 77 balls to set a platform from where Northants can press on in the morning to give themselves enough time to try and bowl Derbyshire out on what is still a good pitch.

Fi Morris stars with bat and ball as Thunder rumble Sparks

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Allrounder takes three wickets, adds 43 in chase as hosts scramble home in tight finish

ECB Reporters Network30-May-2024

Fi Morris picked up three wickets before top-scoring in the Thunder chase•ECB via Getty Images

Thunder 125 for 7 (Morris 43, Davis 2-19) beat Central Sparks 121 for 8 (Arlott 28, Graham 3-16, Morris 3-22) by three wicketsLancashire Thunder achieved one of their best results of the season when they overcame the previously undefeated Central Sparks by three wickets in their Charlotte Edwards Cup match at Emirates Old TraffordHaving won the toss and opted to bowl first, Thunder restricted Sparks to 121 for 8 in their 20 overs, with Phoebe Graham taking 3 for 16 and Fi Morris 3 for 22. Thunder chased down that target with one over to spare, Morris again catching the eye with 43, although Sparks made their opponents fight all the way for their spoils.Sparks’ innings got off to a woeful start when Tara Norris bowled Chloe Brewer and Davina Perrin with the second and third balls of the match and those setbacks rather set the tone for the visitors’ effort with the bat.Abbey Freeborn took the attack to the bowlers but was caught by Morris at midwicket for a 12-ball 15 when she tried to pull a short delivery from Graham. And Morris then took the next two wickets, trapping Courtney Webb lbw for 9 and having the Sparks skipper Eve Jones caught at backward point by Sophie Morris for 19 when trying to drive a wide full toss.The departure of the former Thunder batter left Sparks on 54 for 5 at the midpoint of their innings but it was followed three balls later by a shower which delayed play for 25 minutes.On the resumption, Katie George and Charis Paveley took 19 runs off the next three overs but Fi Morris ended their promising stand with another full toss, George driving the full bunger straight back to the bowler and departing for 17.However, a late boost to the Sparks effort was provided by Emily Arlott who put on 47 in 36 balls with Paveley, a stand which included a huge six over square leg in Norris’s final over. Graham ended this fun in her last set of six when she had Arlott caught by Hannah Jones for 28 when sweeping and Grace Potts taken at deep midwicket by Danni Collins off the final ball of the innings.Those dismissals left Sparks very moderately placed and in no respect did 121 for 8 resemble a par total, Paveley finished with a useful run-a-ball 27 not out.Despite facing an asking-rate only a scrap above six runs an over, Thunder’s pursuit was littered with errors. Emma Lamb was caught at short fine leg by Chloe Brewer off Paveley for 10 and when Georgia Davis dismissed Seren Smale and Ellie Threlkeld with successive deliveries, the home side were 42 for 3 in the sixth over.Fi Morris tried to restore some stability but she soon lost Danni Collins, who was bowled for 5 when hitting across the line in George’s first over. Ailsa Lister then helped Morris add a further 38 in 28 balls but the opener’s luck ran out on 43 when she attempted another pull off Hannah Baker and George took a fine catch at deep midwicket.When Lister skied Arlott to Freeborn and trooped off with 23 against her name, 24 were needed off five overs. Norris’s straight six off Baker aided the home side’s cause but she was bowled by Arlott for 10 in the penultimate over and it was left to Graham to all but seal the win with an edged four off her first ball.

São Carlos x Botafogo: onde assistir, prováveis escalações e tudo sobre o jogo da Copinha

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MatériaMais Notícias

A expectativa de garantir a classificação antecipada para a segunda fase da Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior move o Botafogo nesta sexta-feira. Às 11h, os alvinegros encaram o São Carlos, time da cidade-sede do Grupo 19, no Estádio Professor Augusto de Oliveira. A partida terá transmissão do SporTV.

+ MERCADO DA BOLA: veja como as movimentações no seu time de coração

O Glorioso deposita as fichas no meia Sapata, que marcou três gols na goleada por 4 a 0 sobre o Pinheirense-PA, e em jogadores que vêm com bom desempenho como o lateral Jefinho e no atacante Jhonnata.

RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo tem interesse na contratação de lateral-direito do Anderlecht, da BélgicaBotafogo05/01/2023BotafogoTextor promete investimento ‘top-6’ no Botafogo e fala sobre questão com a FerjBotafogo04/01/2023

Do lado do Sanca, a ansiedade é por reação após o empate em 1 a 1 com o São-Carlense em duelo interno. O atacante Maia é uma das esperanças de gols do adversário botafoguense.

FICHA TÉCNICA

SÃO CARLOS x BOTAFOGO

Data-Hora: 6 de janeiro de 2023, às 11h
Estádio:Professor Augusto de Oliveira, em São Carlos (SP)
Árbitro: Fagson Junior dos Santos Silva
Assistentes:Felipe Camargo Moraes e Henrique Perinelli Oliveira
Analista de vídeo:Wilson Roberto Cavallari
Transmissão: SporTV

SÃO CARLOS (Técnico: Wendel de Freitas)

Julio Rossigali; Monteiro, Mateusão, Kauã Risada e Caio Augusto; Ferrareis, PH e Quirino; Breno Santos, Maia e Marcelo Júnior. Técnico: Wendel de Freitas

BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Thiago de Camillis)

Gabriel Toebe; Bernardo, Kawan, Reydson e Jefinho; Peloggia, Felipe e Sapata; Brendon, Jhonnatha e João Victor Maranhão.

تشكيل غزل المحلة أمام الأهلي في الدوري.. جريندو يقود الهجوم

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أعلن علاء عبد العال، المدير الفني لفريق غزل المحلة، عن تشكيل اللاعبين المقرر لهم خوض مواجهة اليوم أمام الأهلي، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع غزل المحلة، اليوم الإثنين، في تمام الساعة السادسة، في إطار الجولة الرابعة من عمر منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري، على استاد المحلة.

وكان الأهلي خاض مباراتين في بطولة الدوري للموسم الحالي، تعادل مع مودرن سبورت 2-2 وفاز على فاركو 4-1.

بينما على الجانب الآخر، غزل المحلة تعادل في أول 3 جولات له بالدوري سلبيًا أمام البنك الأهلي وسموحة والجونة.

طالع أيضًا | تشكيل الأهلي أمام غزل المحلة في الدوري.. عودة الشناوي وديانج أساسيًا تشكيل غزل المحلة أمام الأهلي في الدوري

في حراسة المرمى: عامر عامر.

خط الدفاع: أحمد شوشة، يحيى زكريا، عبد الرحيم عموري، محمود مجدي.

خط الوسط: موري توريه، أحمد سعيد، رشاد العرفاوي، ويليامز صنداي.

في الهجوم: جريندو. بدلاء غزل المحلة أمام الأهلي

النفراوي، عبد الغني، أشرف مجدي، بودي، معاذ عبد السلام، سعيدي، ميهوب، سولومون آلادي، عاطف حكيم.

Newcastle consider moves for Randal Kolo Muani and Samu Aghehowa in desperate transfer hunt for new striker amid Alexander Isak uncertainty

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Newcastle are interested in signing both Randal Kolo Muani and Samu Aghehowa as they continue to plan for a successor to Alexander Isak.

  • Isak wants Liverpool move 
  • Newcastle eye Kolo Muani and Aghehowa 
  • Have endured tough summer
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Per , Newcastle are considering a move for Aghehowa at Porto as they continue succession planning for Isak's potential exit. Liverpool are continuing to pursue a deal to sign the Sweden international in a British record transfer that could reach £150 million ($200m). The Magpies have already missed out on RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, who is set to move to Manchester United, and also failed to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton, as he joined Chelsea, and Bryan Mbeumo, who also went to United.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Amid the context of their multiple snubs, Newcastle are also considering a move for PSG's Kolo Muani, per , but they face serious competition from Juventus. The Frenchman spent time on loan at the Serie A club last season and is said to be keen on a return to Italy. 

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Newcastle have only signed two first-team players thus far this summer: Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    Newcastle kick off their season next weekend against Aston Villa. They do not currently have a senior No.9 available for selection, provided they do not pick Isak. 

'Not 100 percent sold that Thomas Muller hits it in Vancouver' – Former USMNT forward Taylor Twellman questions Bayern Munich legend's fit with Whitecaps

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The analyst and former USMNT star has expressed reservations about German legend’s move to the MLS side despite their impressive season so far

Twellman recognizes Vancouver's stylistically impressive 2025 campaignAnalyst notes timing follows club's first major player saleQuestions Muller's fit with team's current playing styleGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

The Vancouver Whitecaps have secured the signature of Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller, the first true marquee name signing in club history. He arrives during what former USMNT star Taylor Twellman describes as their most stylistically impressive season in years. Despite the commercial appeal, Twellman remains unconvinced about Muller's on-field compatibility with Vancouver's current tactical setup.

“Yeah, it's interesting Vancouver's arguably had, stylistically, their best season in a long time,” Twellman told MLS. “The joy watching them play, it comes after, in the offseason, when they announced their clubs for sale, right? So, this is interesting to me because now you go out in really get a name that you haven't really done, that hasn't been part of your pedigree as a franchise in Major League Soccer." 

Despite Muller's obvious appeal, Twellman is worried about the turf situation at BC Place and the German fitting into manager Jesper Sørensen's system. 

“It is also interesting on the same day, LAFC, who is rumoured to get Thomas Muller says no, we're gonna go a different route and go out and get Son, and so that's where it's interesting.  I'm not 100 percent sold that Thomas Muller hits it in Vancouver because of the way they play right now. Because Thomas Muller has privately, behind the scenes, asked real questions about playing on turf, and yet, his pedigree speaks for itself.

“The sixth World Cup-winning player to come since Lionel Messi signed to Major League Soccer. That’s remarkable to hear about in what, two and a half to three years, but I just think on the field, I will raise my hand right now and say I'm not completely sold he is just immediately going to fit into that team for Vancouver, and it's going to be off and running.”

AdvertisementWHAT TAYLOR TWELLMAN SAIDTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Muller left Bayern Munich after spending nearly 25 years with the club, winning 13 Bundesliga titles, two Champions League crowns, and a catalogue of other trophies.

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Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

Muller has signed for the remainder of the 2025 season and the 2026 season as a Designated Player and will officially join the roster once his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), visa, and work permit are complete.

Newcastle's dominoes start to fall! Yoane Wissa's move to St James' Park is ON as Brentford agree £37m deal for replacement

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Newcastle United are set to go back in for Yoane Wissa after Brentford agreed a £37 million ($50m) fee to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth. The Cherries forward has given the green light for a switch to the Gtech Community Stadium, with final formalities expected within days. Ouattara’s arrival effectively ends Brentford’s resistance to selling the DR Congo striker.

  • Newcastle closing in on Wissa
  • Brentford to seal £37m Ouattara deal
  • Transfer domino could send Isak to Liverpool
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    According to Wissa claims he believed he had a gentleman’s agreement with Brentford to depart this summer after honouring his commitment to the club for the 2024-25 campaign. Instead, negotiations have dragged on, with Wissa training alone at one point and even walking out of Brentford’s pre-season camp in Portugal to force the issue.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Wissa has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football, and Newcastle are the only club he is waiting for. While Newcastle’s latest approach came close, £30m ($41m) plus £5m in add-ons, it still fell short of Brentford’s £40m ($54m) asking price. However, with the capture of Ouattara, they will be more inclined to cash in on Wissa, who will sit out Sunday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    The Wissa deal could spark a transfer chain reaction involving Newcastle’s biggest star, Alexander Isak. The Magpies have been unwilling to sanction his sale without first securing a replacement, and missing out on Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United left them short on options.

    Liverpool have been desperate to land Isak, with a £110m ($249m) offer rejected earlier this month. The Sweden striker, however, is said to be pushing for the move and has been training away from the first team. With Wissa’s arrival now imminent, Newcastle’s stance could change rapidly, allowing Isak to complete a blockbuster switch to Anfield before the transfer window closes.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR NEWCASTLE?

    Wissa’s proven scoring touch would give Howe another potent weapon in attack, while losing Isak would be a blow softened by his arrival. Nonetheless, Howe will be desperate to have clarity over his squad as quickly as possible as they begin their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on Saturday.