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Everton are reportedly interested in completing the signing of a prolific young attacking player who has been likened to Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka.

Everton facing chaotic period

The Blues have so much on their plate at the moment, with Sean Dyche's side battling for their Premier League survival amid chaos off the pitch. There is still the looming threat of another points deduction for Everton, following Nottingham Forest's recent four-point penalty, and there is also the potential takeover of the club to deal with.

Away from all of that, the Merseysiders also continue to be linked with possible new signings, and Barcelona youngster Ansu Fati has emerged as a hugely exciting target, in what could be a swap deal involving Amadou Onana this summer.

The attacker has been on loan at Brighton this season, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Xavi last year, but he admittedly hasn't lit up the Premier League, scoring just twice in 15 appearances. At 21, there is still so much more to come, however, and he could become a crowd favourite with his pace and trickery out wide.

Former Celtic talent Karamoko Dembele has also been backed to head to Goodison Park, having been linkened to Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah across Stanley Park. There is also the potential for Jack Harrison's loan move from Leeds United to become a permanent one at the end of the current campaign, having done enough this season to justify being retained beyond May.

Everton preparing offer for Saka-esque star

According to a new update from Football Insider, Everton are keen on signing Arsenal youngster Omari Benjmain at the end of the season. The 18-year-old will be released by the Gunners in the summer, meaning he will be available on a free transfer.

The report goes on to state that the attacker "had a spell on trial at Everton since learning his fate and a well-placed source has told Football Insider that he has impressed Toffees chiefs", adding that he "has the potential to operate at Premier League level in future". An offer is now being prepared for him.

Benjamin would very much be considered a long-term signing rather than someone who would come straight in as a key player, but he is an exciting talent who could still have a massive future in the game.

The Welshman has been compared to Arsenal hero Saka, which immediately speaks volumes about his style of play and quality on the flanks, and he has been prolific for the Gunners' Under-18s, scoring 18 times in just 31 appearances, as well as chipping in with four assists.

Benjamin has also been capped a total of 14 times at youth team level of Wales, and if Dyche sees him as a player who he can mould into something special, he would be worth taking a punt on, especially as he would come in on a free.

Mikel Merino has been left out of the Real Sociedad squad for their opening La Liga match of the season, suggesting a move to Arsenal is almost done.

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• Arsenal and Sociedad in talks over Merino deal
• Midfielder left out of squad for La Liga clash
• Has already agreed personal terms with Gunners

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It was reported on Friday that the Gunners are close to an agreement with the Basque club over a £29.8 million ($39m) transfer fee for the midfielder. With Sociedad set to take on Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in their first match of the new campaign, they have left the Spain international out of the squad.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With no news of any fitness issues keeping him out, the latest development has been taken as confirmation that the 28-year-old will soon be confirmed as a new addition to Mikel Arteta's squad, as it has been reported that he has already come to a personal agreement with the north London club.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  The Premier League side were not the only team interested in signing Merino this summer. Barcelona had been linked with him as Hansi Flick hoped to strengthen in midfield ahead of his debut season at the Catalan club, but he has since ruled out any new arrivals.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MERINO?

  Arsenal will kick off their Premier League season with a game at home against Wolves on Saturday. In the days afterwards, they are expected to confirm the signing of Merino.

West Ham United succumbed to their second defeat of the week on Sunday as they were beaten 2-0 by Fulham at the London Stadium in the Premier League.

A brace from former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira secured all three points for the away side, as David Moyes' team failed to provide an attacking threat throughout the match.

Fulham racked up an xG (Expected Goals) total of 3.29 from 18 shots at goal, whereas the Hammers only managed an xG of 0.93 from 15 shots.

West Ham have scored 52 goals in the Premier League so far this season, the second-lowest tally within the top half, and are now reportedly eyeing up a striker to bolster their goalscoring options.

West Ham's interest in irresistible centre-forward

According to The Sun, the Hammers are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Panathinaikos centre-forward Fotis Ioannidis in the upcoming summer transfer window. They are lining up a possible swoop to bring the Greek international to England but will face competition for his signature, as Fulham are also looking at him.

The report claims that the Super League side are looking for a fee in the region of £15m to let him leave. They are prepared to cash in on their star man for the right fee, as his dream is to play in the Premier League.

It states that the 24-year-old marksman has been in unstoppable form for Panathinaikos this season, and that West Ham and Fulham are both keen to sign him as they want to add more firepower to their respective squads ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Why West Ham should sign Fotis Ioannidis

The Hammers should push to sign the Greek international this summer as his goalscoring record this term suggests that he could be a fantastic addition to Moyes' side. Ioannidis, who has been described as "dangerous" by analyst Ben Mattinson, has racked up an impressive tally of 21 goals and eight assists in 40 appearances in all competitions.

He produced an eye-catching five goals in six Europa League outings, as his team were knocked out during the group stage, and this suggests that the talented ace has the quality to compete on the European stage.

As you can see in the table above, Ioannidis has more than tripled current West Ham number nine Michail Antonio's output at league level this season, along with having four more assists. Antonio, who has failed to score in five Europa League appearances this term, has not provided a reliable source of goals in the final third for the Hammers, with four goals in 26 matches in all competitions.

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There is no guarantee that Ioannidis' form will translate over to the Premier League but their respective statistics suggest that the potential is there for Moyes to land a huge upgrade on his current first-choice striker by landing a deal for the £15m-rated finisher this summer.

West Bromwich Albion look to be wobbling their way to a playoff spot being secured, the Championship promotion hopefuls picking up just one win in their last six league matches after crashing to a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City at the weekend.

Carlos Corberan's men won't be too alarmed, however, believing they will have enough to get over the line to then compete in the lottery of the playoffs.

Looking more long-term, the Baggies know they will also need to tie a number of their main stars to extended deals this summer with the likes of Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt nearing towards the end of their current deals worryingly.

West Brom might well view this rumoured transfer target as a long-term replacement for Mowatt if the former Leeds United man does leave this summer or sometime in the future, with the 20-year-old in question tipped to become even more of a star as he grows.

West Brom transfer news

The West Midlands outfit are reportedly keen on adding Huddersfield Town midfielder Brahima Diarra to their roster in the summer, but West Brom are not a lone suitor going after the Terriers starlet's services.

The likes of Leicester and Hull City in the Championship are also rumoured to be going after Diarra with a view to getting a bargain deal owing to his contract running out soon, alongside RB Salzburg being interested from Austria.

It's been a breakout campaign for the 20-year-old, seen in this clip against the Foxes earlier in the season where Diarra shone, who could be due a move to a higher-up club subsequently.

Corberan will hope his prior connections to Diarra, having overseen his development in West Yorkshire during his spell as Terriers manager, can seal a deal in West Brom's favour who will need more bodies in midfield if Mowatt does walk away from the club soon.

Brahima Diarra as Mowatt's replacement

Diarra hasn't quite been a regular first-teamer at the John Smith's Stadium this season but has shown in flashes when starting why clubs such as West Brom are eyeing up a move.

From 23 appearances this campaign, the Mali U23 international has tallied up two assists with his last coming against Hull City in February in league action.

He's got some way to go to be as impactful as Mowatt has been for the Baggies this season, with the 29-year-old picking up five assists in the Championship and helping himself to a solitary strike.

Known for scoring pearlers throughout his lengthy stay in West Midlands to date – firing in five strikes from 80 games including this screamer away at Cardiff City in 2022 – losing a player of Mowatt's quality in the summer for nothing would be a bit of a disaster for Corberan's men.

The deal for Diarra could be long-term thinking to try and solve that situation therefore, but the 20-year-old won't be able to fill the gap left behind by the experienced midfielder immediately.

In an ideal world, Corberan and Co will end up sealing a deal for Diarra – who was described as a "fantastic" talent by former Baggies player Carlton Palmer recently – to then utilise him as Mowatt's understudy, before allowing the youngster to thrive at first-team level further down the line.

West Brom could well have to thrust Diarra into the senior fold sooner than anticipated if a deal goes through and Mowatt does exit the Hawthorns, hoping the midfielder can go on to be another raw gem that excels in the first-team alongside a previously untested Tom Fellows.

Jamie Carragher slammed Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai for getting 'cocky' as the Reds ran out 3-0 winners against Manchester United.

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• Szoboszlai labelled 'unprofessional'
• Hungarian could have increased Reds' tally
• Liverpool beat Man Utd 3-0

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool comfortably thrashed their arch-rivals Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday courtesy of a brace from Luis Diaz and a goal from Mohamed Salah. Diaz handed the Reds a two-goal lead in the first half while Salah increased their tally shortly after the second half commenced. Szoboszlai had a golden chance to score the fourth goal when he was presented with an open goal – however, he decided to take a couple of touches which allowed the United defenders to close in on him inside the penalty area, resulting in a wasted opportunity.

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  The Hungarian's actions were called out immediately by Carragher, who was furious with the wasted opportunity. The former England star slammed the midfielder and accused him of getting "cocky".

• WHAT JAMIE CARRAGHER SAID

  On Sky Sports commentary, the 46-year-old said: "What is he doing? Is he trying to be cocky? If United get one back the crowd gets up, we saw yesterday what happened to Everton. That’s ridiculous that from Szoboszlai. That’s just ridiculous, it’s unprofessional."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  The Reds, who have registered three wins from their first three Premier League outings, will be back in action after the international break on September 14 as they take on Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle United have gone through lots of changes since the Saudi PIF took over in October 2021. They have spent millions of pounds, £379.6m to be exact, according to Football Transfers, and have been transformed into a side in European contention by manager Eddie Howe.

Under Howe, they have made some major signings, which include Alexander Isak for £60m from Real Sociedad, Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon for £40m, and Anthony Gordon from Premier League rivals Everton for £45m.

Howe’s achievements in getting his side to a Carabao Cup final, which they lost against Manchester United, and getting Newcastle into the Champions League for the first time in 20 years are two of his best during his time at the club.

However, the 2023/24 season has not gone to plan for the Magpies. Newcastle crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage, are 13 points off the top four in the Premier League this season, and seem unlikely to qualify for the competition again this season.

With that being the case, there are a few whispers of Newcastle potentially looking to bring in a new manager next season. One of the names on their rumoured shortlist is an old Premier League manager, whose most recent club was Lazio.

Newcastle’s manager target

The manager in question here is former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, who left Lazio on 13 March this year. He has also spent time as Juventus manager since leaving Stamford Bridge and is now a rumoured target for Newcastle.

According to a report from Italian outlet Il Messaggero earlier this week, Sarri’s agent Frank Trimboli has 'brought him offers' from Newcastle, although he has not responded to that. The report then goes on to say that West Ham United are also interested in appointing Sarri at the end of the season.

Sarri did not achieve any domestic success with Chelsea but did win the Europa League in 2018/19, beating Arsenal 4-1 in the final at the Baku National Stadium. However, Sarri is said to 'regret it when he left Chelsea', as per the report, intending to return to England, and perhaps take over at Newcastle if the rumours are to be believed.

How Sarri could benefit Newcastle

Sarri could well be the manager to take over from Howe and take Newcastle to the next level. Back in 2017 in an interview with Goal.com, legendary manager Arrigo Sacchi hailed Sarri’s famed 4-3-3 system because it “produces spectacular football”.

The main principle of Sarri’s football is to play a possession-based yet attacking style of play, with the 'regista' – or midfield controller – the key player to the entire system. At Chelsea, the midfielder asked to play as a regista under Sarri was Jorginho. The Italian was superb when pulling the strings of his side in possession from a deeper role, screening the back four whilst out of possession.

At Newcastle, this could be a role Bruno Guimaraes operates in, and although this could limit the time he spends in the final third, it is one he would perform to a tee. According to Fbref, his 7.50 progressive passes per 90 minutes ranks him in the top 9%, something that would be vital should he act as a regista under Sarri.

Sarri also likes his teams to be explosive in attack on the left-hand side, which is where the likes of Gordon could thrive. At Chelsea, Eden Hazard was the man with that responsibility, able to drive into the penalty box and have the support of an overlapping fullback. Gordon’s pace and ability to dribble in tight areas could work well in this instance, and Tino Livramento or Lewis Hall playing at left-back would be an excellent option to pair with him.

Should they appoint Sarri, Newcastle might have to recruit at centre-back. One issue with Sarri-ball is the fact that there can be lots of space behind the defence, and his side can be liable to being caught in transition. Newcastle might have to sign more athletic defensive options to ensure they are better set to prevent counterattacks.

Should Newcastle decide to appoint Sarri, they certainly have some profiles who would fit his system well. Perhaps he can be the manager who will help them kick on and begin to push for major honours.

Newcastle now leading the race to sign "elite" defender

Sven Botman is set to miss part of next season through injury.

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 19, 2024

Phil Foden could miss England's UEFA Nations League fixtures with an illness that's forced him out of Manchester City's past two games.

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• Foden missed Ipswich & West Ham wins
• Man City star in Lee Carsley's England squad
• Guardiola provides update on midfielder

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the 24-year-old "didn't feel good" after playing 45 minutes in City's Premier League opener against Chelsea on August 18. The game, which City won 2-0, was Foden's first since playing for England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, and he has missed the subsequent victories over Ipswich and West Ham.

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  His absence has hardly been felt, with Guardiola blessed with a wealth of attacking options. But Foden has been included in Lee Carsley's squad for England's UEFA Nations League games in September, with the interim boss apparently keen to get a glimpse of the midfielder. However, Guardiola has suggested that he won't be able to represent his country in next month's games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  "Hopefully not [too long]. Hopefully after the international break he'll be ready," the City boss said. "He played against Chelsea for 45 minutes but then after he didn't feel good. He had tests and feels much better, but he still doesn't feel perfect.

  "I prefer we [have] that time for him to recover and be fine and after, come back after the international break and be ready for those games."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FODEN?

  If Foden is forced to miss England duty, City will hope to have him ready in time to face Brentford on September 14. October's international break will give the midfielder another chance to show Carsley what he can do after a rather underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign.

Kylian Mbappe says he is "very happy" with his performances for Real Madrid and that he is not phased by the criticism that comes his way.

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• Mbappe joins Real Madrid from PSG
• Had solid if unspectacular start so far
• "Very happy" with Los Blancos displays

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Following the 25-year-old's switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid earlier this summer, the forward has scored three goals in five games. Despite scoring in their UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta, some have been somewhat underwhelmed by his start for Los Blancos. However, the France international has shrugged off any criticism, saying he "can't please everyone" and is "very happy" with his displays so far.

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• WHAT KYLIAN MBAPPE SAID

  He said: "I don’t know what the critics think, I don’t notice it anymore, I come, I play, what people think is the least of my worries. We can’t please everyone. My time at Real Madrid is going very well and I’m very happy. We’ve already won a trophy. It’s getting better and better. Everything’s going well."

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  While Mbappe has not been as prolific as he was for PSG to date, the Frenchman is playing as a number nine – rather than in his favoured left forward role. He has only played a handful of games and a player of his pedigree is likely to bag a hatful of goals this season – especially with the players around him at Madrid.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Before former Monaco star Mbappe returns to Madrid to play for Los Blancos later this month, the Frenchman is preparing to face Italy and Belgium in the Nations League on Friday and Monday respectively.

Anfield sang as the Liverpool squad walked onto the pitch against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, but the cry of the Reds was raised a little louder than in recent weeks.

It was as if a weight had been lifted, unshackling the Liverpool squad from the cumbersome burden that had stemmed from fighting and firing on all cylinders for Jurgen Klopp's last hurrah.

The fist pumps were just as emphatic, the cheer at full-time just as triumphantly resounding. Perhaps Klopp won't get the storybook farewell that ends in Premier League gold, but this is a football club that has risen from ruin to revel in a lasting role at the forefront of European football.

Spurs were thrashed for the most part on Merseyside but did, to their credit, launch a counteroffensive that saw goals from Heung-min Son and substitute Richarlison halve the deficit and give Ange Postecoglou some consolation – a 4-2 defeat in the Premier League.

But it wasn't enough. Liverpool are back to winning ways for the final stretch of Klopp's tenure, and the future will be bright with Harvey Elliott performing so well.

Harvey Elliott's performance vs Spurs

Elliott has been regarded as one of the Premier League's most promising rising stars since before he moved to Liverpool from Fulham as a 16-year-old, but he has really come into his own this season as one of the division's most influential midfielders.

Sure, he's not a regular starter in Klopp's midfield, with his performance against Tottenham just the ninth from the outset in the top flight this term, but a goal and assist apiece in a commanding display doesn't even paint the full picture of a brilliant effort.

Writing in his post-match player ratings, the Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle was effusive in his praise for the 21-year-old, handing him a wonderful 9/10 match rating and saying: 'Pressed strongly when possible and had one shot cleared off the line by Romero and among those to test Vicario before interval. Superb second half, creating goal for Gakpo and then smashing home an excellent fourth.'

Elliott has always been a brilliant creative threat and while that side of his game was at the forefront against sorry Spurs, he was confident and commanding in the duel and crisp in possession to speak of his quality as a high-level, all-encompassing midfielder.

While Liverpool will not secure any more silverware under Klopp, with stars like Elliott pushing for a prominent role for years to come there is surely faith from the Anfield bosses in this team's ability to sustain a position of power.

So there it is. Klopp isn't going to get his mitts on a second Premier League title but he has lifted Liverpool to the fore once more and has cemented his legacy as eternal on Merseyside's red half.

Elliott's imperious playmaking performance has set Liverpool back on track, and maybe, just maybe, he's rekindled the flame that will ensure that a late-season purple patch is crafted to give this esteemed manager the send-off he deserves.

Slot could sign "elite" £70m Van Dijk replacement for Liverpool

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes would pull off a blinder by signing this “elite” talent.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 2, 2024

The American left-back started and played all 90 minutes in the Cottagers stunning win over the Magpies.

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• Fulham stunned Newcastle at Craven Cottage
• Robinson continues strong season
• Mexico's Raul Jimenez scored

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fulham delivered Newcastle their first loss of the season and U.S. international Antonee Robinson played his part in the 3-1 win.

  The left back started and played 90 minutes, winning two aerial duels, completed a successful dribble and finished with 80 percent of his passes completed. Robinson wasn't the only CONCACAF star to make an impact.

  Mexico international Raul Jimenez provided the impetus for , scoring the game's first goal in the fifth minute. Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson were among Fulham's other scorers while Harvey Barnes scored for Newcastle.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Robinson continues to be among the Premier League's elite left backs, if not arguably the best. He has two assists in five Premier League outings for Fulham, showing he hasn't slowed from a career campaign last season where he had six assists.

  Fulham are off to a surprisingly strong start this season, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League with eight points off five matches.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Fulham's current start to the season closely resembles their best in Premier League history, which occurred in the 2006-07 season when they secured 10 points after five matches, winning three, drawing one, and losing one.

  Despite this strong opening, that season turned into a survival campaign, with Fulham finishing 17th in the league.

  This season, Fulham has recorded two wins, two draws, and one defeat.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR FULHAM?

  Robinson and Fulham now travel to Nottingham Forest hoping to build on their strong start on Sept. 28.