USMNT star Christian Pulisic continues to delay signing a new contract at AC Milan, but a potential date for the completion of those talks is set.
New deal mooted for some timeAmerican feels settled in ItalyExtension to 2029 can be signedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
United States international Pulisic is working on terms at San Siro through to 2027. There is no rush to put an extension in place, but Milan are eager to recognise the 26-year-old's importance to their cause and reward him with an improved deal.
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It has been reported for some time that Pulisic is ready to put pen to paper, with the Champions League-winning former Chelsea star feeling happy and settled in Italy – with golf pro girlfriend Alexa Melton paying regular visits to Europe.
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The lack of positive progress in discussions has concerned some, but report that “there’s been no break, no tension” just “no concrete steps towards a final conclusion”. For now, everybody is expecting a deal to be done.
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An agreement through to 2029 is ready to be signed, with Pulisic in line for a wage increase. He requested time over the summer to evaluate his options and monitor the direction in which Milan are heading under Massimiliano Allegri’s new coaching team.
The fast bowler returns to action for the first time since a side strain in September, and will spearhead Australia’s T20I attack against Pakistan
Tristan Lavalette12-Nov-2024The return of Xavier Bartlett will be a welcome sight for the national hierarchy hoping to shore up fast bowling depth with a gruelling Border-Gavaskar Trophy set to test the fitness of Australia’s frontline quicks.Bartlett has not been sighted in domestic cricket so far this season after a side strain cut short his white-ball tour of the UK in September. He has recently returned to local cricket in Brisbane and is set to play in the T20I series opener between a shorthanded Australia – missing their Test players – and Pakistan at the Gabba on Thursday.Showcasing immaculate upright seam positioning, enabling him to conjure menacing late swing with the new ball, Bartlett was the leading wicket-taker in last season’s BBL and a key in Brisbane Heat’s stunning title triumph.He subsequently claimed four-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs against West Indies and has taken 6 wickets from four T20Is at an average of 17.66.Bartlett has been on the hierarchy’s radar as they strive to build depth behind the big three quicks of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who have been resilient over the years but face the tough challenge of five Tests against India within seven weeks.There have been fitness issues with Australia’s fringe quicks. Michael Neser suffered a hamstring injury in the recent Australia A-India A match at the MCG, while WA speedsters Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson have been working their way back through white-ball cricket. Scott Boland is Australia’s reserve quick for the first Test in Perth starting on November 22.Xavier Bartlett topped the bowling charts in the last BBL•Getty Images”Those main three [Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood] have been amazing for so long, unbelievable,” Bartlett told reporters in Brisbane. “Going forward there will be opportunities. Personally, the goal is always to try and play Test cricket for Australia.”There’s so much cricket and every time you get a chance to play for Australia it’s a childhood dream. Whether it’s [due to] people who are unavailable or available you just have to try to take your opportunity. And this is a great opportunity.”Everything is good [with my fitness]… champing at the bit to get out there.”Bartlett, 25, will be part of a second-string Australia team aiming to salvage some pride after their surprise ODI series defeat to Pakistan, which included successive thrashings in Adelaide and Perth.Australia’s batters had no answer for Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack who relished favourable fast and bouncy conditions throughout the series. “They have been amazing, the last two games they only used four bowlers,” Bartlett said.”The 140 [kph] from both ends, been exciting to watch. They bowled some really great lengths and were really attacking. Hopefully we can emulate that. We’ve spoken about just trying to take wickets and try to make early inroads.”Bartlett is set to share the new ball with left-arm quick Spencer Johnson in a return in tandem for the pair who so often ignited Heat during their title run. Much like at Optus Stadium, the Gabba surface tends to be fast and bouncy but runs can flow quickly there in white-ball cricket.There has been stormy weather in Brisbane this week with showers forecast on Thursday. “It’s a really good cricket wicket, so it should make for entertaining cricket,” Bartlett said.While some eye-catching performances across the three-match T20I series could see Bartlett move up the pecking order of fringe Test bowlers, his Heat teammate Nathan McSweeney will make his debut in the first Test after being named as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner.”To see his journey from when we were about 11 or 12 [years of age] to where he is now, making his Test debut, it’s unbelievable – I’m absolutely stoked for him,” Bartlett said of McSweeney, who is from Brisbane but captains South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.”He’s worked so hard. I can’t wait to see him go out there and hopefully go well for Australia.”
With the 2025/26 Premier League campaign closing in, Everton are reportedly pushing to sign the defensive midfield reinforcement that they’ve been in search of ahead of rival clubs.
Moyes "desperate" to get Everton business done
It’s been a mixed summer for Everton so far. Whilst they’ve done well to get deals over the line for Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and, most recently, Bayern Munich youngster Adam Aznou, there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Just two weeks before the Premier League season gets underway, David Moyes once again saw his side lose out to Premier League opposition in their pre-season tour of America and took the time to reveal his frustration over the lack of incomings in the aftermath.
Money isn’t the problem, either. Earlier reports indicated that The Friedkin Group are able to spend as much as £150m this summer if they see fit and, as such, targets such as James McAtee and Douglas Luiz have threatened to steal the headlines.
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The Toffees even reportedly submitted a loan offer to sign the latter, but any potential deals still seems a long way off – forcing those in Merseyside to look towards fresh alternatives.
Everton pushing to sign Florentino Luis
According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, as relayed by Sport Witness, Everton are now pushing in the race to sign Florentino Luis ahead of Leeds United and Burnley. The Benfica midfielder could now be granted an exit following the arrival of Richard Rios, leaving the Toffees to take full advantage to land a player they’ve long admired.
Praised for his “superb work rate” by scout Jacek Kulig in 2023, Everton should go all out to ensure that they don’t miss out on the fresh opportunity to sign Luis this summer.
At 25 years old, he’s at the peak of his powers and would provide Moyes with an ideal replacement for Abdoulaye Doucoure. In one move, Everton could forget all about Luiz and land a younger alternative.
Arsenal's new signings caught the eye as the Gunners bounced back from defeat at Anfield to spoil Ange Postecoglou's return
Arsenal's new recruits were in sparkling form as the Gunners thumped Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Emirates Stadium, emphatically recovering from their defeat to Liverpool before the international break.
Man of the match Noni Madueke was electric in place of the injured Bukayo Saka, while Martin Zubimendi scored twice – including a stunning volley to open the scoring in the first half. The goal was no more than Arsenal deserved at that point in the contest and things got even better straight after the restart, with Victor Gyokeres doubling the lead after just 46 seconds when he turned home Eberechi Eze's excellent ball in.
Zubimendi's header, from substitute Leandro Trossard's cross, made it 3-0 with 11 minutes to go and rounded off a hugely promising afternoon for Mikel Arteta, who will have been delighted with the impact made by his summer arrivals. It was a tough welcome back to the Premier League for Ange Postecoglou, however, who clearly has a big job on his hands to turn things around at Forest.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (8/10):
Barely called into action but made one superb save when he just got his fingertips to a Chris Wood effort and pushed it onto the bar.
Jurrien Timber (7/10):
Solid as always. Had a chance early in the first half which he headed over.
Cristhian Mosquera (8/10):
Continues to look a fine addition. The fact Arsenal did not look like they missed William Saliba at all is the biggest compliment you can give the summer signing from Valencia.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Missed a great chance from a corner early on. Other than that, he looked in complete control.
Riccardo Calafiori (8/10):
Another fine showing from the Italian, who has had an excellent start to the season. Started the move that led to Gyokeres' goal with a fine pass for Eze.
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Martin Zubimendi (9/10):
What a goal to open the scoring. Yes it took a slight deflection, but the strike and technique were sensational. Great strike and he added a second after the interval with a smart header. Fine display.
Mikel Merino (8/10):
No surprise that he looked full of confidence after his heroics for Spain. Some lovely flicks and link-up play. Saw one good early chance saved.
Martin Odegaard (N/A):
Forced off early with a shoulder injury for the second home game in succession. So unlucky.
Getty Images SportAttack
Noni Madueke (9/10):
Such a bright spark. Caused Forest problems every time he got the ball. Excellent performance and got a deserved standing ovation from the crowd. Electric.
Victor Gyokeres (7/10):
Didn't really get a sniff of a chance before the break, but produced the perfect run and finish to make it 2-0 straight after the interval. Almost scored again when he smashed one against the post.
Eberechi Eze (8/10):
Struggled to get into the game in the first half as almost every Arsenal attack went down the right, but came alive in the second. Lovely assist for Gyokeres' goal.
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AFPSubs & Manager
Ethan Nwaneri (7/10):
Replaced the injured Odegaard early on. Got into the game straight away, showed some nice touches.
Declan Rice (6/10):
Inches away from making it 3-0 but he couldn't quite connect with Timber's cross.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
Replaced Calafiori soon after he'd been booked. Slotted in well.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Set up Zubimendi's second as soon as he got on the pitch with a fantastic ball in.
Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):
Replaced the electric Madueke but couldn't really get into the game.
Mikel Arteta (8/10):
He will be delighted. Started Eze and Merino and both produced. He has an embarrassment of riches to play with this season and is already showing promising signs of using his squad more.
Ayub, Ahmed, Rauf picked up two wickets apiece to bowl Zimbabwe out for 204 in chase of 304
Danyal Rasool28-Nov-2024Kamran Ghulam’s maiden ODI hundred and a clinical bowling performance saw Pakistan ease to a 99-run win in Bulawayo. The victory sees Pakistan seal the series 2-1, their second consecutive come-from-behind ODI series win after similar success in Australia earlier this month.Pakistan posted 303 after a steady start from the openers, with Abdullah Shafique scoring his fifth half-century, while sloppiness at the death from Zimbabwe helped Pakistan plunder 69 from the final five overs. In response, there was limited substantive resistance aside from a Craig Ervine half-century, and with no one else able to push on, Pakistan continued to strengthen their position until the target became unassailable, with the innings wrapped up in 40.1 overs.While rain had been forecast for today, the skies were clear when Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat. While they didn’t quite motor along at the lightning pace they had set on Tuesday, Saim Ayub and Shafique got Pakistan off to a brisk start, bringing up the 50-partnership inside 11 overs. But Ayub fell soon after miscuing his trademark shot as he picked Faisal Akram up over deep backward square leg, straight to Clive Madande on the boundary.Related
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Ghulam was uncertain early on, nearly chipping one straight back to Sean Williams off his eighth ball. When Williams dragged one down the following over, though, Ghulam walloped it over deep midwicket for six, and that seemed to free him up. Alongside Shafique, he helped Pakistan tick over at a steady, if unspectacular rate, and the 100 came up in 22 overs. Sikandar Raza broke that stand soon after, though, trapping Shafique in front as he miscued his sweep, right after he got to his half-century.Rizwan and Ghulam combined to put together the largest partnership of the innings, but even as conditions for batting flattened out, the anticipated uptick in the scoring rate did not follow. Rizwan, in particular, coasted at a strike rate of just over 50 off his first 25 balls, leaving Ghulam to push through the gears. He took a liking to Brian Bennett, forcing him out of the attack after taking 27 off his two overs.Zimbabwe reigned the visitors back again with Williams and Akram before Raza got his side the breakthrough. Rizwan had lofted him for six over long-on off a miscue, and when he tried it again off the next delivery, Dion Myers had a simple catch.Ghulam, by now, was powering along to three figures. Akram was dispatched for successive boundaries before a long hop from Raza was put away to midwicket to bring up the ton. Zimbabwe were finally threatening to accelerate but Richard Ngarava removed Ghulam straight after in an attempt to peg them back again.It was the 46th over that the wheels finally came off for Zimbabwe. The Akram over saw six wides, a no-ball, two fours and a six as 23 came off it, and Pakistan suddenly eyed 300. Even Blessing Muzarabani wasn’t spared, taken for 24 in his final two overs as Pakistan eked over the 300 mark, taking all the momentum with them to the break.File photo: Haris Rauf chipped in with two wickets•Associated PressPakistan needed to wait till just the third over to strike, doing so twice in Ayub’s over. Joylord Gumbie and Myers each holed out in an attempt to keep the run rate up, and it was an approach Zimbabwe persisted with even as wickets fell at regular intervals.Tadiwanashe Marumani didn’t last long but was belligerent as long as he did, and was unfortunate to be given out leg before off Abrar Ahmed with the ball likely going down leg. Sean Williams picked up the run-scoring baton briefly, taking the attack to Agha Salman and Abrar after the end of the first powerplay, while Ervine slapped Haris Rauf for a pair of boundaries in what emerged as a menacing partnership for Pakistan.But, like every Zimbabwean partnership, it ended much too soon to allow them to build any real pressure. Williams was done by extra pace from Haris as he chopped on, and it would mark the start of a Zimbabwean slide.The biggest scare Pakistan got was from suddenly converging clouds before the 20th over had been bowled, but on the pitch, wickets were beginning to fall in clusters. Zimbabwe were still picking up boundaries just about every over, with Ervine bringing up his half-century with a miscued sweep off Faisal Akram.But the end was nigh for him. He was reprieved when Tayyab Tahir shelled the simplest chance at midwicket, but Aamer Jamal would not be denied, inducing him into dragging on a short delivery later in the over. He backed it up by dismissing Raza in his following over, Zimbabwe looked to be at the receiving end of a huge defeat.Those blushes were spared somewhat by an entertaining onslaught from Bennett, who took on the spinners with great successive in an exciting cameo that kept the Bulawayo faithful engaged. It wouldn’t last, though, and when he miscued off Abrar Ahmed following a 27-ball 37, any realistic hopes the hosts harboured were gone.Clive Madande and Ngarava soldiered on for a bit, and ensured Zimbabwe crossed 200 and kept the defeat to two figures. But Pakistan would not be denied an emphatic win, Faisal Akram and Rauf removing the last two off consecutive balls either side of the 40th over to make victory official.
Still seeking reinforcements as the Premier League campaign gets underway, West Ham United are now reportedly ready to step up their move to sign a Championship star.
Latest West Ham transfer news
It’s not been a summer full of headlines at the London Stadium, but the Hammers have still welcomed a number of solid additions. El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle-Walker Peters, Mads Hermansen and Callum Wilson have all arrived to hand Graham Potter a much-needed boost across the squad as he looks to turn what has been a difficult start at West Ham around.
With just two weeks left until the transfer window slams shut, though, there’s still work to be done. Potter’s side are arguably still short in a number of areas and, as such, targets like Aleix Garcia and Lorenzo Pellegrini could still arrive.
Garcia is a particularly interesting target. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder spent time at Manchester City in the early stages of his career, before eventually working his way back to the top level to join Leverkusen last summer. Now, just one year on from that move, the midfielder has done enough to attract the interest of West Ham.
Of course, however, he’s not the only one on the Hammers’ reported radar. Harvey Elliott has been linked with a move away from Liverpool all summer long, and he remains without a move. Among those interested in the England U21 international, West Ham could yet look to complete a late swoop.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
The same can be said for another impressive talent, with those at the London Stadium now reportedly ready to increase their efforts in pursuit of his signature.
West Ham ready to step up El Khannouss move
According to GiveMeSport, West Ham are now ready to step up their move to sign Bilal El Khannouss this summer. The Leicester City star, who can leave for the value of his £22.5m release clause, has attracted interest from Leeds United, Crystal Palace and the Hammers in recent months, with the London club now seemingly prepared to battle their rivals for his signature.
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That said, it won’t be an easy deal to pull off. There are already reportedly concerns at West Ham that they won’t be in a strong enough position to turn El Khannouss’ head away from other clubs this month and there are reservations over their ability to even afford the deal.
Alas, what they should not be concerned about is the midfielder’s ability, given that Aaron Wan-Bissaka saw it first-hand when El-Khannouss scored and assisted in a 3-1 victory over West Ham last season. In a one-on-one battle against the Leicester man, Wan-Bissaka suffered a rare defeat.
Praised for that “great performance” by then-manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, El Khannouss left Wan-Bissaka guessing all game long in a decisive display which proved his Premier League quality.
There are plenty of reservations over their ability to get the deal done, but West Ham should push as far as they can to sign the Leicester star before the end of the month.
Sam Surridge admits that it feels “surreal” to be involved in an MLS Golden Boot battle with Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is maintaining remarkable individual standards at Inter Miami, but former Nottingham Forest striker Surridge is keeping pace with the South American superstar when it comes to prolific strike rates in 2025.
Surridge moved to MLS in same summer as Messi
Surridge made his way to the United States a matter of days after Messi accepted a call from Manchester United and England legend David Beckham. They have been plying their respective trades in MLS since the summer of 2023.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAdvertisementGettyHow many goals have Messi & Surridge scored?
Messi helped to down Surridge and Nashville in the Leagues Cup final shortly after his arrival in South Florida, with Supporters’ Shield and MVP honours being savoured since then. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has 30 goals to his name this season – with 22 of those being recorded in MLS action.
Why Messi remains one of the best in the business
Surridge has found the target on 21 occasions, telling of rubbing shoulders with a member of the global elite: “Being in a race with Messi is special for me. It is a bit surreal.
“Messi could end up scoring however many goals in a game, and I can’t control that. I focus on what I can do. It's also great that he's doing well because it's almost like me against him in a way, but there's still some others in the race to get the Golden Boot.”
Surridge added on Messi still being one of the best in the business: “Yes, he is, 100%. Him and (Cristiano) Ronaldo. Messi is not just doing it in MLS, he’s still doing it internationally. It’s only a couple of years ago, he won the Ballon d’Or whilst playing in Miami. It's great for the league that he's here.”
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GettySuarez also used as a source of inspiration
It is not just Messi that Surridge looks to for inspiration, with the 27-year-old adding on Inter Miami’s vastly-experienced No.9 Luis Suarez: “I've always looked up to him. Suarez is a great player, someone I always would watch on YouTube, watch his movement, watch how he can create chances for himself.
“He doesn't move as well as he used to, but these players, they always try and find an extra yard. He's still got that fire.”
With Burger, Williams and Nortje also injured, SA may need to dig deep into their reserves to fill a fast-bowling position for the Champions Trophy
Firdose Moonda17-Jan-2025 • Updated on 19-Jan-2025South Africa’s bowling stocks have taken another hit after Gerald Coetzee, who was expected to be named as Anrich Nortje’s replacement in the the Champions Trophy squad, missed Joburg Super Kings’ match against Pretoria Capitals with a hamstring injury on Thursday and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the SA20 on SundayCSA, however, said Coetzee “remains in contention for selection” for the Champions Trophy and that a decision on his inclusion would be made in the first week of February. The deadline for submitting the final squads to the ICC is February 11.Coetzee had played JSK’s previous match against Durban’s Super Giants at Kingsmead, which was his first competitive game since the Test against Sri Lanka in Durban, where he injured his groin. He was ruled out of the rest of the international summer, after he had come back from a hip niggle and a 12-week conditioning block. He did not play any cricket between a game at the MLC in July (his only one in the competition) and a domestic match for the Titans in October. Then, he appeared fitter and faster than before, playing in all four of South Africa’s T20I fixtures against India, and took 4 for 85 in the first Test against Sri Lanka before he was ruled out again.Related
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Back injury rules Nortje out of Champions Trophy
It was confirmed by South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter that Coetzee had been in line for a Champions Trophy place but left out in favour of the more experienced Nortje. With Nortje sidelined with a back problem and Coetzee now injured as well, Walter, who is the sole selector of the team, will have to mine the depths of the reserves.With Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder already in the squad, Walter could look to 18-year old tearaway Kwena Maphaka or South Africa’s most recent ODI cap, Corbin Bosch, if he is looking for pace or may have to move away from that entirely. Death-bowling specialist Ottneil Baartman is another option with almost everyone else in contention currently injured.Nandre Burger will not return to action this summer after suffering a lower-back stress fracture while Lizaad Williams is recovering from knee surgery. Daryn Dupavillon, who was playing for Pretoria Capitals, is also ruled out of the SA20 with a hamstring concern.Dupavillon is the eighth seamer to be injured this summer. The others were Ngidi (groin), Coetzee, Mulder (broken finger), Nortje (broken toe, then back), Williams, Baartman and Burger. Barring Burger, Nortje, Williams and now, Coetzee, the others have returned to action.
Everton’s summer transfer strategy has been bold but calculated.
The arrival of Thierno Barry from Villarreal for £27.6m underlined a clear ambition to reshape the attack after the departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Tall, powerful, and direct, Barry has been brought in to spearhead David Moyes’ frontline, but even with his signing the squad is not yet incomplete.
The most pressing gap is on the right wing. With Jack Harrison returning to Leeds after his loan, Moyes has been left without a natural option in that role.
Everton’s interest in Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu shows the urgency of the search, but reports suggest their main focus has been on securing a player capable of making an immediate difference in the Premier League.
The profile they are chasing is clear: a young winger with the ability to carry the ball over long distances, stretch opposition defences, and contribute in the final third. Such a signing would not only bring balance to the squad but also unlock Barry’s strengths by providing him with the service and support needed to thrive.
Everton’s interest has already led to an ambitious approach in the transfer market.
Everton’s pursuit of Malick Fofana
That ambition has been embodied in their attempt to land Malick Fofana from Lyon.
The 20-year-old Belgian winger has been described as “explosive” by football analyst Ben Mattinson and labelled a market opportunity that Europe’s elite should be targeting.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
According to L’Equipe, via Sport Witness, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also among the clubs monitoring his situation, but so far Everton have been the only side to explore a move with a formal offer.
The proposal, worth €36m (£31m) including bonuses, was rejected, with Lyon insisting on a fixed €40m (£35m) fee. The French club are under financial pressure, needing to raise €40m (£35m) before June 2026 to balance the books.
Manager Paulo Fonseca is keen to keep Fofana, but the economic reality may force their hand.
Lille manager Paulo Fonseca.
For now, the player is only prepared to leave for Champions League football, which means that the Toffees will need to convince him to make the move to Merseyside.
In stylistic terms, he shares traits with Kaoru Mitoma and Pedro Neto: direct, unpredictable, and relentless in moving the ball forward.
For Everton, who lacked that profile last season, such qualities would transform their attack.
Why Everton should sign Malick Fofana
Fofana’s statistical output places him among Europe’s most exciting young wingers.
According to FBref, he ranks in the 97th percentile for progressive carries per 90 (6.60), the 94th percentile for carries into the final third (3.28), and the 85th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (6.14).
His efficiency in the final action is just as impressive, with a 99th percentile ranking for shots on target percentage (55.8%) and the 93rd percentile for penalty-area crosses (0.62 per 90).
Malick Fofana – Ligue 1 2024/25
Matches Played
29
Starts
16
Goals
5
Assists
4
Progressive Carries
112
Progressive Passes
45
What makes Everton’s pursuit of Fofana particularly intriguing is how well he could complement Barry.
The 22-year-old French striker is a classic target man in some respects. Standing at 6ft 5in, he dominates aerial duels, winning nearly two-thirds of those contested inside the penalty area.
Yet his game is not limited to physicality. Barry ranks highly for runs in behind and crosses received, showing a willingness to stretch defences and exploit space.
Last season at Villarreal, he scored 11 goals from an expected goals tally of 11.7, per FBref, adding four assists in the process. His aerial presence is matched by a sharp instinct for finding pockets of space, a skill that drew comparisons with Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade.
Everton see him as the long-term successor to Calvert-Lewin, but Moyes has admitted he will need time to adjust to the Premier League.
This is why a player like Fofana could be invaluable.
His ability to dribble past opponents and deliver precise balls into the box would immediately provide Barry with the kind of service he thrives on.
By cutting inside from the right, Fofana could create overloads in central areas, forcing defenders to step out of position and leaving Barry with space in the penalty box.
His 93rd percentile for penalty-area crosses suggests he is adept at picking out strikers, while Barry’s 86th percentile for aerials won shows he would be ready to capitalise.
The partnership would not be one-dimensional. Fofana’s threat in front of goal, reflected in his 55.8% shot accuracy, means opponents should not simply treat him as a provider.
Defences would be stretched both vertically and horizontally, creating opportunities for Everton to vary their attacking play. For a team that often struggled with breaking teams down last season, this variety could be transformative.
Everton’s 13th-place finish last year was built on defensive resilience and a late-season surge, but their lack of attacking spark prevented a higher finish.
With Barry and potentially Fofana, they would have the balance of power and flair: a forward who can dominate penalty areas and a winger who can consistently carry the ball into dangerous zones.
Of course, the financial challenge is significant. Meeting Lyon’s €40m (£35m) demand would represent a huge outlay, and Fofana’s preference for Champions League football complicates matters further.
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Yet the logic behind their pursuit is plain to see. At just 20, he offers immediate impact and long-term potential, making him a rare opportunity in the market.
For Everton, landing Fofana would be about creating a partnership in the final third that could reshape their identity under Moyes. Barry’s power and presence combined with Fofana’s creativity and explosiveness could provide exactly the attacking edge the Toffees have been missing.
There is a palpable optimism in the air at Everton at this moment in time.
Long gone are the days of relegation anxiety under Sean Dyche, with David Moyes back at the helm, as seen in the Toffees occupying a promising fifth spot in the early Premier League standings after securing two wins from a possible three on offer.
In a brand new home too at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, all matters involving the Toffees feel refreshed and rejuvenated, with new loan recruit Jack Grealish stealing all the positive headlines, too, for his blistering start to life on Merseyside.
How Grealish's unbelievable Everton start compares
Everton really did lay down a marker with their summer transfer activity, with Grealish the arguable pick of the bunch, away from recruiting the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry.
While the aforementioned Dewsbury-Hall is also up and running in Everton blue with a goal and assist, the former Aston Villa man already looks a man reborn in his fresh location, after a worrying fall-off under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Grealish has stunned his new, adoring contingent of supporters by picking up a sublime four assists from just three Premier League outings, leading to Moyes waxing lyrical that the Birmingham-born 29-year-old is “even better than I thought he was”.
To add context, it would take Grealish 13 clashes for the Citizens to reach the same amount of goal contributions in top-flight action, while it would take him a slightly lesser 11 contests as Villa’s captain during the breakout 2019/20 season to reach that tally of assists in the league.
It will cost Everton a grand £50m to win Grealish’s services outright at the end of the season, and on current form, that might well be a lavish price worth paying.
The confident Toffees haven’t always hit instant gold like they have here, however, with a past hiccup in the transfer market seeing them ditch an underperformer for £22.5m, who is now worth more than the skilful number 18..
The "world-class" ace now worth more than Grealish
Indeed, Everton have been susceptible to a transfer blunder or two over the years, with Moise Kean’s name sticking out in this regard, as he continues to fire home goal after goal for Fiorentina – 25 to be exact – despite consistently firing blanks on Merseyside.
Another ex-Toffees flop in Ademola Lookman also now plies his trade in Italy, with the Atalanta attacker desperate for a Premier League return during the hectic transfer window just gone, only to remain situated in Bergamo.
He will no doubt dust himself down and get going in Serie A again, however, having wreaked havoc in the hustle and bustle of the Italian top-flight for many a season now.
Indeed, his 2024/25 offering for Ivan Juric’s men saw him collect a staggering 27 goal contributions in all competitions, with those ridiculous numbers more than backing up claims that the tricky attacker is “world-class”, as he was dubbed by commentator Matteo Bonetti.
Games played
48
118
Goals scored
4
52
Assists
2
25
Transfer fee/value
£22.5m
£52m
It’s a far cry away from what a far more timid Lookman would muster up at Goodison Park, with a weak four goals and two assists tallied up from 48 appearances on Merseyside. At the time, therefore, Marco Silva’s men might well have thought they’d done well to offload the Nigerian forward for £22.5m.
However, their lack of patience has come back to bite them, with his estimated valuation now coming in at around £30m more at the £52m mark – which is even more than Grealish’s price tag – off the back of a mammoth 77 goal contributions falling into his lap in Italy.
Thankfully, although they did lose the Serie A “superstar” for cheap – as he’s been further lauded by 90Min’s Sean Walsh – Moyes and Co. do at least now have a Lookman-style talent on their hands in Grealish, with plenty more expected of the enigmatic Englishman as the season drags on.
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