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It's not been the busiest of summers for Arsenal so far this year, with just the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori so far in terms of new first-team players.

That said, it appears that the signing of Mikel Merino is a matter of days away from being completed, and in the last week or so, several top-class strikers linked with the club, such as Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

However, in the last couple of days, another name has consistently been touted for a move to the Emirates: Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke.

The Englishman might not have the same level of excitement around his name as the other number nines on the market at the moment, but he's Premier League-proven, a good age, and seemingly available.

He'd likely be a success leading the line for an increasingly dangerous Arsenal, although he could have a fight on his hands for the starting role with another attacker at the club who is worth considerably more.

The latest on Solanke to Arsenal

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are now interested in Bournemouth's Solanke this summer, alongside several other clubs, including North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

There appears to be some discrepancy in how much the former Chelsea ace would cost, but based on the report, his contract has a release clause worth £65m.

This would represent a significant investment from the Gunners, but based on his form last season and the fact that they missed out on the title by just two points, it would probably be worth it.

For example, in his 42 appearances for the Cherries across 2023/24, the Basingstoke-born dynamo scored 21 goals and provided four assists, which converts to a goal involvement on average every 1.68 games and would have made him the second most productive player at Arsenal.

However, even after such an impressive campaign for the South Coast side, Solanke is worth considerably less than one of Arteta's key men.

The valuation of Kai Havertz in 2024

Yes, the key man in question is last summer's £65m man, Kai Havertz, who is valued at a whopping €98M by Football Transfers. This converts to about £84m, or at least £19m more than Solanke, and while it's significant, it might be justified.

The German international began life at the Emirates in a midfield role, and in all honesty, he was rather ineffective for a large part of last season until he was moved up top, that is.

Following his change from left eight to starting nine, the former Chelsea ace became one of the most important players in Arteta's squad, alongside Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. He was one of the first names on the teamsheet during a period when the North Londoners were tearing teams apart.

He ended the campaign with 14 goals and seven assists in 51 appearances, but his numbers look a lot more impressive when you consider the games in which he started as the team's out-and-out striker.

In those 18 matches, the "magnificent" ace, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, scored eight goals and provided seven assists, which equates to a goal involvement on average every 1.20 games, and is actually more impressive than Solanke's average.

Appearances

42

51

18

Goals

21

14

8

Assists

4

7

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.59

0.41

0.83

Now, the question over the German's head is whether he could keep that rate of return up for an entire season, but it would make for an interesting dynamic to see him compete with the Bournemouth man in 2024/25.

Ultimately, signing Solanke would likely be a smart idea for Arsenal, as more firepower is always a good thing, but he'd have to really impress to permanently dislodge Havertz from the starting lineup and surpass his mammoth value.

Arsenal prepare bid for world-class Merino upgrade in blockbuster swap deal

The incredible talent would be an exceptional addition to the Gunners’ squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 5, 2024

India Women’s T20I opener Shafali Verma has consolidated her position at the top of the batting rankings table in the format. Verma’s 30-ball 60 in the third T20I against South Africa last week helped her gain another 26 points to further strengthen her grip on the top spot. That has put Verma on a tally of 776 rating points, 35 ahead of the second-placed Beth Mooney. Verma’s opening partner Smriti Mandhana has also gained one place to sixth position following her unbeaten 48 off 28 balls in the same match which India went on to win by nine wickets for a consolation win in the series.Among India’s bowlers, left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s match-winning performance of 3 for 9 has lifted her 12 places to a career-best No. 13.South Africa, who won the series 2-1 following their 4-1 ODI series win, had their own share of gains from the tour. Their captain Sune Luus rose one place to be No. 37 among batters, pacer Tumi Sekhukhune gained seven spots to be No. 42 in the bowlers’ charts.Australia and New Zealand players also saw some gains following the first T20I between the sides in Hamilton on Sunday. Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner’s unbeaten 73 helped her gain five places to reach a career-best No. 11 in the allrounders’ list, while her team-mate Georgia Wareham jumped two places to be placed at No. 10 among bowlers. Despite New Zealand’s six-wicket loss, Amy Satterthwaite, who hit a 31-ball 40, climbed a spot to be No. 27 among batters.

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Atuando no Parque São Jorge, o Corinthians venceu o Ibrachina, por 3 a 0, na tarde dessa quinta-feira pela última rodada da primeira fase do Campeonato Paulista Sub-20. Já classificado, o Timão ficou na liderança do grupo com 21 pontos e aguarda o início da próxima fase da competição estadual.

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O atacante Reifit marcou o terceiro gol do triunfo alvinegro ao enfrentar a defesa adversária e, comtécnica e agilidade, o jovem fintou e bateu forte para definir o placar na Fazendinha. Depois do jogo, ele comemorou o feito.

– O jogo teve seus momentos bons para os dois times, soubemos aproveitar os nossos e a vitória foi muito importante para terminar a primeira fase com chave de ouro. Eu fico muito feliz por ajudar a equipe com um gol. Agora é seguir com o trabalho forte para a próxima etapa da competição – explica Reifit.

A segunda fase da competição terá 32 equipes divididas em oito grupos com quatro equipes cada um. Elas jogaram dentro das respectivas chaves, em turno e returno. Seguirão adiante os dois primeiros de cada grupo.

“There is always a plan and you have to stick with it and wait for things to fall your way”

Umar Farooq08-Feb-2021At lunch on the final day of the Rawalpindi Test, South Africa were clearly on top, needing just 151 runs with seven wickets in hand. The predictor on the official broadcast said South Africa had a 75% chance of winning from there. But then everything turned when the new ball was available, with Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi ripping through South Africa as seven wickets fell for 33 runs, and Pakistan won the series 2-0. It was a “tough win” compared to the seven-wicket win in Karachi, according to captain Babar Azam, but most pleasing because “everyone played a role” and the team “finished off well”.Related

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“This is Test cricket and you can’t afford to take anything easy,” said Azam, who became the fifth Pakistan captain after Fazal Mahmood, Mushtaq Mohammad, Javed Miandad and Saleem Malik to start their Test captaincy stints with a series win. “At times, when they [Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma] were having a good partnership, we didn’t have negative thoughts in our minds, about losing it from there. We had a clear message and understanding that another couple of wickets and we have the game. And that is what happened when we took the new ball and our fast bowlers brought us back.”But this was a tough win as compared to the one in Karachi, because they were settled and on the last day you never know how the pitch is going to behave. It was a slow pitch with the older ball coming soft, but then that eight-over spell with the new ball turned the game around and it was a good competitive win.”

“There was no pressure as such, but whenever I feel I am stuck and need help, I reach out to Rizwan and Azhar. It’s not like I just go and impose myself, but I ask around, discuss and take their counsel before making any decision”Babar Azam

Hasan, whose last Test appearance before this series was in January 2019, returned a ten-wicket match haul. Afridi’s burst with the second new ball – he picked up 4 for 51 – sparked the collapse. And before that Mohammad Rizwan, who won the Player of the Series award, scored 115* in close to five hours and put on valuable partnerships with the tail – 53 with Yasir Shah for the eighth wicket and 97 with Nauman Ali for the ninth – which proved decisive in the end.”At times we are thinking of sticking around for 250 to 260 [as South Africa’s target] but Rizwan’s innings was outstanding and those partnerships from Yasir and Nauman gave us vital runs to put up a good total at the end [setting South Africa 370 to win],” Azam said. “Hasan with the ball showed some really good commitment on his comeback, so this is all teamwork, and these are very important factors. Individual performances don’t really matter and you see everyone played a role and we finished off well. There were some mistakes and we are definitely going to try and improve them going forward. Wins always bring in confidence as a team, and I am looking forward to taking this form to the T20 series [of three games, with the first on February 11].”Hasan Ali “showed some really good commitment on his comeback”•AFP via Getty ImagesThe 2-0 series result was crucial in other ways too, with the PCB having put pressure on the team management to get its house in order. The PCB cricket committee had opted against making big changes following the disappointing tour of New Zealand, resolving instead to meet again after the home series against South Africa. The win should therefore, help, with Pakistan moving up to No. 5 in the ICC Test rankings.”It was a much-needed win for us as a Test team,” Azam acknowledged. “We were rebuilding and it takes time with new players and for me as a fresh captain. So it has been a learning phase and we tried to keep it as simple as possible. We intend to give players the required confidence and back them with their game so that they feel comfortable, and now the result is here with every player playing his role and it’s good to be in the top-five teams in the world. We would like to extend our victory streak to rise higher in the ranking.”The result was the right one, but Azam’s team was tested in both games. In Karachi, South Africa were 185 for 2 in the second innings before being bowled out for 245. This time, while Markram and Bavuma were there, Pakistan were in trouble.”There was no pressure as such, but whenever I feel I am stuck and need help, I reach out to Rizwan and Azhar [Ali, the previous Test captain],” Azam said. “It’s not like I just go and impose myself, but I ask around, discuss and take their counsel before making any decision. You have your plans and you go session by session and the proceedings keep on fluctuating, with the other team sometimes getting an advantage – after all, they are also competing. So it’s all about patience and keeping your calm and remaining cool, no matter how tough the situation is. There is always a plan and you have to stick with it and wait for things to fall your way. This is what I am told and this is what I am trying to do as well.”

It is looking as though Australia will have an unchanged side for the second Test

Andrew McGlashan and Daniel Brettig22-Dec-20202:35

If David Warner is fit, who makes way for him?

David Warner is unlikely to be fit for the Boxing Day Test which means the decision on who will make way when he returns is set to be delayed until the third game of the series in the New Year.Warner, who was swiftly moved to Melbourne earlier this week due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, has been out of action since injuring his groin in the second ODI at the SCG last month and despite an extensive rehabilitation programme, which has including using an oxygen chamber, the time frame looks too tight for him to be available.In Warner’s absence – and that of Will Pucovski who is also set to miss the second Test as he continues his recovery from concussion – Joe Burns and Matthew Wade formed a new opening partnership. Burns was coming off the back of a horrid run of form while Wade had never done the job previously in first-class cricket, but they added 70 in the second innings after repelling the new ball for 14 overs in the first.Related

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Smith not Australia's only captaincy candidate – Eddings

Speaking earlier this week, Warner was retaining hope that he would be able to get ready for the second Test.”Hopefully I can get up and about and start running at a higher tempo,” he told SEN Radio. “I managed to get up to 14 kilometres an hour so I’ve got to work towards a max of 26 to 30 kilometres an hour by next week.”If I can run between wickets and move laterally and do some ground fielding by the end of next week, I should be ready to go. Fingers are crossed.”When Warner has recovered, the selectors will have to make a call on who makes way for his return. Allrounder Cameron Green was handed a debut in Adelaide and is set to retain his place for Melbourne, but depending on the workloads for the frontline quicks – and perhaps the eventual location of the third Test which remains in doubt due to the Covid-19 situation in Sydney – it could be that the side reverts to the traditional six frontline batsmen with Wade returning to the middle order.Time appears to be against David Warner in the race for Boxing Day•Getty ImagesIf the selectors did want to retain Green then one of the batsmen would have to make way and that conversation would likely revolve around Wade and Travis Head.For a brief moment ahead of the first Test, it appeared Australia may have to consider another major loss to their batting order when Steven Smith tweaked his back in warm-ups. He was unable to have his traditional net two days out from the game but recovered in time to take his place, although he made minimal contributions with 1 off 29 balls in the first innings before a brief appearance in the chase.It was the first time in six years that Smith had had a back problem and he said there was still a bit of stiffness following the game but remained confident it wouldn’t hamper him ahead of the second Test.”Initially when I did it I did have some fears,” he said. “I’ve had a few back issues in the past and they are generally two or three day things where I do a lot of physio. It’s about getting the physio to push on my back and get that extension and get that range back. It’s still a bit stiff but it didn’t hamper me too much throughout the game, it was all good. It’s something that I need to manage when it goes. I probably haven’t had an episode since 2014 so hopefully they can continue to be six years apart if they come.”It’s just if I sit down for too long, really. If I’m up and about and moving around I’m pretty good, so I might be a bit stiff after this press conference. If I’m moving around or laying down I’m good. But I’m not worried about it, think everything will be fine and will be good to go.”

England interim boss Lee Carsley has admitted he is 'reluctant' to make public his stance on taking the role permanently.

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• Carsley backtracks on comments
• Earlier hinted he didn't want permanent job
• England beat Finland 3-1

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After England's 3-1 win over Finland in a Nations League clash on Sunday, interim coach Carsley hinted that he didn't feel ready to take the position full-time as he urged the FA to appoint a 'world-class manager' who is a proven winner.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, the 50-year-old soon backtracked on his comments, insisting that he would like to remain in contention to be hired – although he is "reluctant" to make his true feelings known. Carsley has managed Harry Kane and Co. in four games so far, out of which they have won three. Their only defeat came in an upset to Greece last week.

• WHAT LEE CARSLEY SAID

  When asked if he is out of the race to manage England permanently, Carsley told reporters: "Definitely not. The point I was trying to make is that it is one of the top jobs in the world. I'm not part of the process but it deserves a top coach. The players we have available, we've got a real chance of winning. That was the point I was making. It was the fact that this is a world-class job.

  "This will be up there with the best jobs in football. Whoever gets it is going to be at a high level. It is a privilege to do this job and I feel really well trusted. That's why it was so tough the other night to lose the game and have a defeat. The response has been good."

  He added: "I'm definitely reluctant because in the past when I have done this caretaker or interim role I have gone so far down the 'I don’t want the job', I've actually not done the job. It was one of the things I spoke about when I was asked to take temporary charge – it's important that I keep an open mind because in that case, then I'm not being reckless with my decisions. I'm thinking thoroughly about how the team should play, the squad I should pick – which is a challenge."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  England will be back in action next month as they take on Greece and Ireland in Nations League clashes on November 14 and 17, respectively. Carsley will be in the dugout, but it remains to be seen if those will be his final games in charge.

Manchester City have yet to make a signing this summer as Pep Guardiola plots how he can get his team firing on all fronts in a bid to reclaim the Champions League trophy they won in 2023.

While winning a fourth successive Premier League crown – making history in the process – is a wonderful achievement, it is not enough to satiate the City faithful.

Could they be about to deliver another blow to Manchester United, but this time in the transfer market as opposed to on the pitch?

Manchester City eye up swoop for Barcelona star

According to reports in Spain (via Football365), Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong ‘wants to join’ Man City this summer.

It is no secret that Erik ten Hag is a keen admirer of the Dutchman, with reports from Spain (again via Football365) that the manager was lining up a swoop to bring both him and Matthijs de Ligt to Old Trafford during the transfer window in a bid to bolster his squad.

It looks as though City may now have the upper hand as they eye a swoop for the 5 foot 11 maestro, especially with Champions League football on offer at the Etihad, before the end of the window.

Player

Club joined from

Josko Gvardiol

RB Leipzig

Matheus Nunes

Wolves

Jeremy Doku

Stade Rennais

Mateo Kovacic

Chelsea

Via Transfermarkt

De Jong would be an excellent signing for the Premier League champions and could emerge as Guardiola’s own version of Arsenal star Declan Rice.

How Frenkie De Jong compares to Declan Rice

The current Arsenal sensation has gone from strength to strength since making the move from West Ham United to the Gunners last summer.

He finished last season with a 91% pass success rate while ranking first in their squad for tackles per game (2.2) and signing someone with similar sort of qualities could allow Guardiola to strengthen his midfield.

The Englishman is currently the tenth-most comparable player to the Barcelona gem via FBref and last season, they registered similar statistics with regard to shot-creating actions (3.3 vs 2.79), percentage of challenges won (42.1% vs 56.1%), successful take-on percentage (54.2% vs 45.7%) and aerial duel percentage (57.5% vs 47.6%), demonstrating how close they are across several attacking and defensive metrics for their respective clubs.

De Jong was hailed by his former manager at Barcelona, Xavi, in 2023, saying: “Frenkie de Jong is one of the best midfielders in the world right now.

“He’s at spectacular level, he’s playing at incredible level — he gives us a lot, I’m so happy with Frenkie.”

A year later, the 27-year-old currently ranks in the top 5% when compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for pass success rate (91.9%), progressive passes (8.70), and progressive carries (3.24) per 90, showing exactly what he could bring to a City team who love controlling and dictating games under Guardiola.

Much will depend on the fee Barcelona expects to receive for one of their prized assets, especially considering he still has two years remaining on his current contract at the Catalan giants.

Should he really want to move to Manchester, then the manager must go all out and bring him to England this summer to land his own Rice in the middle of the park to play alongside the likes of Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign.

The 2023/24 season came to a perfect end for Manchester United last Saturday, after they beat their biggest rivals, Manchester City, in the FA Cup final. It was not an easy campaign for the Red Devils, but it finished in an ideal way.

Goals from academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo sealed the win for Erik ten Hag’s side, who played very well outside of that. It was a resolute defensive showing, and they held out well against a relentless City onslaught, despite a late goal from Jeremy Doku.

It was a victory that secured United European football for the 2024/25 season, which they did not manage to do via the Premier League. Ten Hag’s men finished eighth in the top flight and needed their cup final win to knock Chelsea into the Europa Conference League, and Newcastle out of Europe altogether, with United claiming Europa League football.

It has given United a platform to build off ahead of the next campaign, at the very least. With continental football secured for another season, it helps them attract bigger names in the transfer market, as they look to develop the squad ready for an improved campaign next term. Already, the Red Devils have been linked to one highly-rated youngster.

Man Utd looking to sign Serie A defender

The player in question here is AS Roma’s on-loan defender Dean Huijsen, whose parent club is Italian giants Juventus. He has been a revelation at the heart of Roma’s defence this season and could depart parent club Juve this summer, with United one of the teams sniffing around.

According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, United are one of the sides interested in signing the 19-year-old Spain under-21 international, who has already represented the Netherlands at youth level, having been born in Amsterdam.

Indeed, they will certainly face competition for Huijsen’s signature should they pursue him during the summer window. As Bailey explains, there are several Premier League clubs who 'have asked to be kept informed' on any transfer movement regarding Huijsen.

As per the report, Newcastle United and Chelsea have previously enquired about the youngster. However, this summer United, as well as Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, have also shown an interest in bringing Huijsen to their respective clubs. A price has not yet been rumoured.

How Huijsen and Jarrad Branthwaite compare

19-year-old Huijsen is not the only young centre-back United have been linked to this summer. As per a recent report from Natasha Everitt of TalkSport, the Red Devils are 'confident' of wrapping up the signing of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, as well as Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.

However, it would be an expensive deal to do, with Everton potentially asking United for £75m, according to Rob Dawson of ESPN. This could lead United to turn their attention to signing Huijsen, who would not be a bad alternative. His manager at Roma, Daniele De Rossi, described him as someone who can “become one of the best players in the world”, which suggests he would be a good signing for United.

When Huijsen went on loan to Roma in the second half of the season, he became an important fixture in the side for I Giallorossi. He played 13 times for the Serie A side, managing to get on the scoresheet twice, and registering one assist. He was also part of four clean sheets in Italy's top-flight.

Stat

Figure

Games

13

Mins

519

Clean Sheets

4

Goals

2

Assists

1

Huijsen is a confident carrier of the ball, and, as per FBref, averages an incredible 56.03 carries per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 2% of centre-backs in Serie A. This shows how much he oozes confidence on the ball.

Not only that, the 19-year-old is a good box defender and averages 4.66 clearances per 90 minutes which ranks him in the top 15% amongst Serie A centre-backs. As per SofaScore, Huijsen also makes an average of 1.8 ball recoveries per 90 minutes.

Comparatively, as per Fbref, Branthwaite averages 4.71 clearances per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 29% of Premier League centre-backs, although his 5.2 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, according to SofaScore, is much better than Huijsen’s numbers.

Factoring in Branthwaite’s cost, the signing of Huijsen – who is valued at just €10m (£9m) by CIES Football Observatory – would certainly make a good alternative deal for United. He is clearly highly thought of by legends like De Rossi and has the potential to become the next iconic centre-back at Old Trafford.

Man Utd chasing "insane" £34m signing who's like Zlatan

The Man Utd target could be bought for just £34m this summer.

ByTom Lever May 31, 2024

It's officially farewell season at Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp the biggest exit of the lot in between Joel Matip's and Thiago Alcantara's departures as free agents this summer, and we could see a shock move emerge in the coming months.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds' final game of the Premier League season is certainly set to be an emotional one up against Wolverhampton Wanderers, no matter the result. The day will be focused on Klopp's final goodbye at Anfield after an incredible nine-year tenure in which he won every major trophy on offer. That said, away from Klopp, Thiago and Matip will also be leaving, perhaps thinking about what might have been had the pair stayed fit throughout their stays.

Whilst Klopp is likely to take a break from football, however, Thiago is far from done. At 33 years old, the Spaniard has one final move left in him as he looks to put an end to his injury troubles away from Anfield this summer. And that could even result in a shock move.

Liverpool send scouts to watch "fantastic" star against Koopmeiners

Koopmeiners has been linked but it seems the Reds were eyeing someone else…

By
Tom Cunningham

May 17, 2024

According to Lu Martin on Spanish show Carrusel Deportivo, Thiago has offers from within the Premier League, as well as La Liga club Girona. The journalist said: “Thiago Alcantara does not renew with Liverpool. Girona is a possibility, but I think they have an offer from Betis to return to Spain and he has offers to continue in England.”

It would be quite the shock if Thiago took his reported £200k-a-week salary elsewhere in the Premier League after his time at Liverpool and there's no doubt it would be quite the blow for the Reds if they had to come against a player of his calibre finally in full flight.

Injuries controlled "world-class" Thiago's Liverpool career

Not a single person at Anfield would have ever doubted Thiago's talent. The former Bayern Munich midfielder is as elegant as they come when fit, but there lies the issue. Thiago rarely managed to maintain his availability for long enough periods to really make an impact on Klopp's Liverpool side, with this season highlighting that more than ever. The Spaniard, with one game left this season, has made just one appearance in a frustrating end to his time at the club.

Klopp is one of those at Liverpool who have been left wondering what might have been when it comes to Thiago, saying in his final press conference: "Thiago, world-class player. In a different world I would love to see the career without injuries, he can do things I didn't think was possible. In control of everything but the body didn't play its part. I told them both thank you. Whoever is leaving are all brilliant."

Now set to move on, the midfielder will hopefully avoid injury issues at his next club, which could even be in the Premier League.

Despite Newcastle United's recent injury crisis, Eddie Howe's side have had a decent campaign with the Magpies still in with a shout of European football next season.

His side fell to a first defeat in five Premier League games against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, but still sit seventh in the Premier League, just three points behind Manchester United.

In recent weeks, Howe's defence has thrived despite losing players such as Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries.

The Magpies have kept two clean sheets in their last three league outings, including one in the 4-0 hammering of Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park.

Their various setbacks have allowed Dan Burn to shift to a more central role, as a wide left-sided centre-back, but, ahead of the summer, the Magpies are still looking to strengthen their backline, with the club targeting one player to help solve their defensive woes.

Newcastle leading the race to sign new defender

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Newcastle have overtaken Liverpool in the hunt for Sporting Lisbon's 20-year-old centre-back Ousmane Diomande, having also made an approach for the young starlet.

The Ivorian has excelled in Portugal this campaign, starting on 22 occasions and scoring two goals – a record that has put both Premier League sides on red alert.

The youngster has an €80m (£69m) release clause, as per the report, with Howe's side potentially having to offload some first-team members if they are to afford a deal for the centre-back, as confirmed by the club's CEO.

However, despite the release clause, Newcastle hope to be able to negotiate a deal with Sporting to try and strike a deal that would benefit both parties – with the Magpies needing to prioritise his addition given his recent stats and plaudits.

Why Diomande could be the answer to Newcastle's defensive issues

Diomande, who's been likened to a "hybrid" of Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel by scout Ben Mattinson, has produced some phenomenal stats in Liga Portugal during 2023/24 – even beating the Gunners' star defensive duo in multiple key areas.

When comparing the trio's stats during the current campaign, Diomande has dominated in and out of possession, albeit in a lower-quality division.

The defender has averaged 1.7 tackles per 90 this season, as per FBref, with Saliba and Gabriel only able to notch a tally of one and 1.5 respectively, for that same metric.

Despite his successes off the ball, the 20-year-old has also trumped the Arsenal centre-back pairing with the ball at his feet, averaging a whopping 5.3 progressive passes per 90, with neither the Frenchman or Brazilian able to average over four per 90.

Diomande is also capable of dribbling the ball out from the back, averaging 0.9 progressive carries per 90 – a tally that is the same as the Gunners' defenders combined this season.

His ability is there for all to see, with Howe's side desperately needing to push in the race for his signature, to avoid missing out on one of Europe's top young talents – with the aim of establishing a long-term partnership with Botman, once the "incredible" Dutchman, as described by pundit Leon Osman, returns from injury.

Whilst Diomande may cost the club nearly double what they paid for Botman, it would be a worthwhile investment, with the Ivorian having the talent to star at the back alongside the 24-year-old for Newcastle for many years to come.

Tottenham ready to beat Newcastle in move for £50m star after FFP boost

The Lilywhites are now frontrunners over Eddie Howe’s side.

By
Emilio Galantini

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