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On Friday, Spanish outlet Diario AS revealed that Liverpool had set their asking price for Barcelona-linked Luis Diaz at a hefty €75m (£68m). Rumours that the Colombian is headed for Catalonia persist, with little sign of slowing down.

Diaz was one of Liverpool's most dependable performers throughout the 2023/24 campaign but with Jurgen Klopp now gone and the 27-year-old only scoring 13 goals from 51 matches, turning down an offer that matches the above-mentioned figure might feel difficult for FSG and its footballing CEO Michael Edwards.

Mohamed Salah, on the alternate wing, looks set to star for Arne Slot's Liverpool next term, entering the final year of his £350k-per-week contract but remaining one of Europe's first-class forwards, scoring 25 goals and adding 14 assists as the Reds finished third in the Premier League and won the Carabao Cup.

But Salah is nearly 32 years old and, regardless of what happens in the short term, is not going to be around forever.

Liverpool are in the market for a wide forward and while the situation on the left remains uncertain, Edwards and Co are seeking Salah's successor and might just have identified the perfect option.

Liverpool lining up Salah successor

As per The Telegraph, Newcastle United are scrambling to cross the line in relation to PSR and as such could turn to Yankuba Minteh as one of the most profitable assets at Eddie Howe's disposal.

The 19-year-old is a talented winger and enjoyed a successful breakout season on loan at Feyenoord but the Magpies' struggle is Liverpool's gain, with the report suggesting that Slot's side could take advantage and bolster their wide options by signing the Gambia international.

Newcastle do not want to sell but if an interested party were to lodge an offer of £40m, they may well have to consider accepting.

Yankuba Minteh's season in numbers

Signed from Danish side Odense Boldklub in July 2023 for about £6m, Minteh was swiftly sent away from St. James' Park to the Netherlands, tasked with fostering and honing his talent on loan with Eredivisie champions Feyenoord.

Odense's chief executive Steffen Nielsen hailed the wide forward's "magic" ability with the ball and that was certainly showcased throughout his time in Rotterdam, with Minteh plundering ten goals and six assists from 27 matches in the Dutch top flight as well as scoring against Celtic in the Champions League.

Principally a right winger, Liverpool will no doubt appreciate his goalscoring ability but the player's underlying numbers are certain to be the reason behind the data-driven Edwards' interest.

Combative, creative and lively, the 5 foot 11 starlet averaged one key pass, 2.2 dribbles, 1.7 tackles and 5.0 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore, also creating nine big chances.

One of the foremost in the division for goals per game, rate of assisting, and positive, forward action when carrying the ball himself, Minteh appears destined for the top of the European game if his prodigious beginning is anything to go by.

And given that he's already being compared to a Liverpool legend in Sadio Mane, surely it would be worth Slot pushing to get the deal over the line, having led him throughout the recently concluded campaign.

Why Liverpool should sign Yankuba Minteh

First, let's address the obvious point. Minteh has spent a year in the Netherlands sharpening his tools and, crucially, he's done so under Slot's guidance.

If reports are on the mark and Liverpool do have an interest in the teenage talent, there's little question that Slot has played a key part in pushing for his signature, having recognised the qualities that played a key role in finishing second in the league and winning the KNVB Cup, albeit getting sent off in the final.

One scout has noted that once it all clicks for Minteh, "he can reach Sadio Mane level", such is the quality of his gliding gait and the budding deadliness of his shooting.

Minteh, certainly, has the makings of a breezy finisher, demonstrating as much this season. He missed ten big chances in the Eredivisie but also converted ten strikes. Darwin Nunez, for comparison, scored 11 Premier League goals this season and missed 27 big chances.

Minteh's clinical edge definitely has something about the Senegalese sensation, who missed 13 big chances during his final Premier League term, scoring 16 goals. Moreover, Mane completed 2.3 dribbles and won 6.9 duels on average, underscoring his all-encompassing value that has sadly not been replicated to the max by Diaz.

Consistency will be key but Newcastle's talent has proven himself across the year, scoring three goals from four league outings in September before closing the campaign with seven goals and four assists across 11 appearances.

Whether Liverpool decide to give the young star a chance remains to be seen, with other targets being considered, but since Salah is set to stay for at least one more year, why not provide him with a prodigious understudy who could use the forthcoming year to assimilate some of the Egyptian's trademark qualities.

Then, unleashing his skill set as Liverpool's star man on the right flank of Slot's frontline.

Slot prioritising £60m "superstar" who’d be Liverpool's dream Salah heir

Arne Slot loves a winger and he might just find the perfect signing in this Premier League phenomenon.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 7, 2024

The Portuguese and the Dutchman have both won trophies, but how do they compare with the other managers to have occupied the Old Trafford dugout?

Manchester United last visited Fenerbahce in November 2016, when the world's eyes were focused on Donald Trump's bid to enter the White House. History is repeating itself ahead of the Red Devils' latest trip to Istanbul on Thursday, with Trump once more vying to be U.S. president.

And the narrative at the Şukru Saracoglu stadium is set to be dominated by a figure almost as divisive and controversial. Jose Mourinho led United to Istanbul back in 2016, and the night before the 2-1 defeat he declared his love for Turkish football and revealed his desire to one day manage Fenerbahce.

He got his wish last summer and will now be facing his former club, who have been through three more managers since parting with the Portuguese in 2018 but are still searching for a way to return to their former glories under Sir Alex Ferguson, a fact best illustrated by the fact they are back in the Europa League.

Mourinho remains the United manager to have obtained the highest points total in a season since 2013 and he is tied with Erik ten Hag on two major trophies. Mourinho and Ten Hag both have a habit of reminding people of how much silverware they have won and of pointing out United's struggles before they took charge. But how do they rank among the six managers who have taken charge of United in the post Ferguson era?

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  6David Moyes

  'The Chosen One' read the banner showing David Moyes' face at Old Trafford for Ferguson's last game in charge, but this Glaswegian proved far less successful than his predecessor. Moyes was highly respected in the English game and by Ferguson, but his decade-long spell with Everton was scant preparation for making such a big step up.

  A sign that he was unaware of United's magnitude came on the pre-season tour of Australia when he took the players for a stretch on Bondi Beach and they were instantly mobbed by scores of supporters. Rio Ferdinand has also recalled how Moyes, with no hint of irony, declared "this is a really big club" in reaction to the scrutiny he was facing.

  Moyes inherited a team that had won the Premier League title by a landslide under Ferguson, but the squad was on its last legs and needed an overhaul. Moyes had the misfortune that long-time CEO David Gill departed at the same time as Ferguson, leaving the inexperienced Ed Woodward at the helm of the operation.

  Moyes had a disastrous summer transfer window, only signing Marouane Fellaini on deadline day after a farcical pursuit of Ander Herrera. He also made a dreadful start to the season, losing three of his first six league games. The run to the Champions League quarter-finals was the only saving grace of a miserable season in which United finished seventh in the table, with Moyes being sacked in April, just after a thrashing at Everton of all teams.

  The only consolation for Moyes is that every man who came after him has also struggled in their own way. However, he remains the worst manager of the post-Ferguson era.

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  5Ralf Rangnick

  The interim appointment of widely respected sporting director and godfather of 'gegenpressing', Ralf Rangnick, to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might have excited pundits and football hipsters, but it left many members of the United squad bemused. Not least Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed he had never heard of the German.

  Rangnick shook things up and the early signs were positive as United won three of his first four games in charge. But the fact he had not been a coach for several years – he was sporting director at Lokomotiv Moscow when he was recruited by United – soon came back to bite him as he lacked the respect of the dressing room.

  United limped out of the Champions League and FA Cup, and had a dreadful end to their league season, losing five of their final eight games to finish with just 58 points, which remains their lowest total in the Premier League era. Rangnick at least spoke his mind, delivering one of the finest descriptions of the club's rotten state when he said they needed "open heart surgery".

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  4Louis van Gaal

  Unlike Moyes, Louis van Gaal had a suitable CV for the United job after successful stints with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as well as leading a youthful Ajax to Champions League glory. The problem was that his best achievements were a distant memory when he took charge at Old Trafford and his methods were outdated.

  There were some great moments, such as four league wins over Liverpool, a heavy victory at home to City and an FA Cup triumph, plus league finishes of fourth and fifth. But the abiding memory of his two-year tenure was insipid football, high on possession but severely lacking spark or excitement. Things got so bad that there was genuine concern among the club hierarchy that people would not want to renew their season tickets if Van Gaal remained in charge.

  Van Gaal was hugely entertaining off the pitch, whether it was talking of sex masochism or diving to the floor against Arsenal. His bizarre character, however, alienated several players, especially record signing Angel di Maria. Still, the manner of his departure was unfortunate, learning of his imminent sacking just after winning the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

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  3Erik ten Hag

  Midway through Ten Hag's first season in charge, it looked like United had finally made the right hire. They had just won the Carabao Cup – a first trophy in six years – and knocked Barcelona out of the Europa League while also riding high in the Premier League, beating all their rivals at home.

  Ten Hag looked very much like the best United manager since Ferguson. But then his side suffered a historic 7-0 humiliation against Liverpool and the wheels slowly began to come off. Eighteen months later, Ten Hag is clinging on for dear life, with one embarrassing result after another.

  They should have kicked on after finishing third in the Premier League, but instead had a horror second campaign under Ten Hag, crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage and posting their lowest league finish since 1990. The saving grace was the surprise FA Cup final win over Manchester City, which ultimately saved the manager from the sack.

  The Dutchman's third season will make or break his future and it is not going well at all, with United making their worst start to a campaign in Premier League history before easing the pressure on Ten Hag by beating Brentford. He is convinced it will have a happy ending, but no manager since Ferguson has completed three full seasons at Old Trafford.

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor has addressed the potential of Sam Kerr joining up with Australia this month during her recovery from an ACL injury.

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• Kerr still sidelined with ACL injury
• But Australia want her to join October camp
• Chelsea boss Bompastor offers her perspective

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kerr has been sidelined since suffering the long-term knee injury back in January and is currently going through her rehab and recovery at Chelsea. However, ahead of the Matildas' games in Europe against Germany and Switzerland this month, Australia interim coach Tom Sermanni has said he would like Kerr to join the national team on camp.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  “I have spoken to her about coming into camp for these games we’ve got in Europe, we’re still having that conversation," Sermanni said last week. "Some players will walk across hot coals to come into camp regardless of their condition, some who are injured often don’t like to be in the team environment. It’s always good to have someone of that calibre and someone who’s now a really mature player and a leader in the team. So having those players present around the camp is always a big bonus."

• WHAT BOMPASTOR SAID

  Asked for her perspective on the situation on Wednesday, Chelsea boss Bompastor said: "We always have a close relationship with every national team coach. Communication is really important and we just have to be on the same page. If we feel that's the best for the player, I would be happy to help the national team and the player. These are conversations we are having and if she has to go, she will go. But in my mind, at the moment, this is not the decision we are taking."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  At the same time, Bompastor was able to offer a positive update on the progress of Kerr's rehab. "Sam is doing good," she said. "I think during the international break, we have a meeting with the staff just to make her home plan and see when she will be able to start to practice individually with the technical staff, which will be a new step for her. But at the moment, she's in a good place. She's in a good form mentally and she just brings some positive things to the team, being around. Even if she's not training collectively with the team, she just brings so much to the squad."

Eberechi Eze is a name that’s been circulating in the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase over the last few weeks.

The reason for this is due to the Crystal Palace star being linked with a move to Spurs recently, and given his quality, it’s no surprise the Lilywhites faithful are excited.

Palace’s number ten was absolutely instrumental in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists.

A big price tag may well be needed to prise him away from Selhurst Park, although it's not more than one of their current star men.

What Spurs paid for Cristian Romero

Prior to the start of the 2021/22 campaign, Tottenham reinforced their backline with Cristian Romero from Atalanta.

The Argentine moved to Spurs off the back of an impressive Champions League and Serie A campaign in Bergamo, picking up three goals and five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.

Romero originally joined on a season-long loan, starting 22 league games in his debut Premier League season and becoming an important player.

Therefore, upon the expiration of his loan, Spurs triggered his option to buy for £41m without hesitation, with Daniel Levy viewing him as a player who could develop into a world-class defender at Tottenham.

However, Romero’s signature wasn’t exactly cheap, as they also had to meet his salary demands, and he eventually signed a £165k per week deal until 2027.

Romero’s transfer value in 2024

His first season as a permanent Spurs player featured plenty of ups and downs, including picking up two red cards.

However, under Ange Postecoglou, the World Cup winner has progressed brilliantly, starting 33 times in the Premier League last season.

The centre-back ended the campaign as Spurs’ fourth-highest goalscorer with five, while also boasting the most passes completed, interceptions, and clearances in the squad.

Tottenham’s “perfect” defender, as dubbed by football scout Jacek Kulig, has truly become irreplaceable, acting as a true leader at the heart of the backline, but what is he exactly worth today?

Well, as you can see from the table above, Romero is now estimated to be worth an incredible £51m, as per Transfermarkt.

This makes the 26-year-old the fourth-most valuable centre-back in the entire Premier League, only behind the Arsenal duo and Ruben Dias, which just proves how important he truly is.

On top of that, he’s currently the second-highest valued player in the entire Spurs squad, only behind James Maddison, who’s worth £59m.

Interestingly, despite the season that Eze just had, Romero is also worth more than the attacking midfielder, who’s currently valued at £47m. The Palace sensation was a true hit last term and would be a fantastic signing for Tottenham.

Fans may even get a look at him in action at Euro 2024 with the winger earning a well-deserved call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the tournament.

Nevertheless, as impressive as Eze has been, it’s also quite clear that Romero is one of the finest in England, with his £51m market value reflecting that perfectly.

Despite costing £41m originally, Spurs have truly hit the jackpot on the number 17, and if he continues to perform as he did last season, he’ll only be viewed as an even bigger bargain.

What Spurs' starting lineup could look like after £201m spending spree

Spurs will want to give Postecoglou everything he needs to build a successful side this summer.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 9, 2024

Leeds United will have been bitterly disappointed with how their 2023/24 season ended, as Southampton picked up a slim 1-0 win in the Championship play-off final to deny the Whites an immediate re-entry to the Premier League.

Russell Martin's Saints really showed the huge importance of having a potent centre-forward in your ranks to finish off golden opportunities in the one-off Wembley clash, as Adam Armstrong tucked home a rare Southampton chance on the day which ended up winning the tense contest.

Daniel Farke's men were visibly distraught on the pitch after, knowing now that they won't want to feel that gutting feeling again anytime soon, with striker reinforcements now being reportedly targeted to strengthen ahead another promotion push.

Leeds looking at Euros ace

According to football journalist Ben Jacobs, whilst writing for GIVEMESPORT, Serbian striker Petar Ratkov, who is with his nation at the Euros in Germany, could be on the move this summer from his current employers Red Bull Salzburg.

The 20-year-old attacker has attracted the interest of Leeds as a result, as per Jacobs' report, with Farke potentially viewing the exciting Salzburg man as a successor to an ageing Patrick Bamford, who struggled for goals and fitness towards the back-end of last campaign.

Rangers and RB Leipzig are also noted as interested parties alongside the Championship outfit, with the Glasgow-based giants actually missing out on his services 12 months ago, before Ratkov's move to Austria from his native Serbia.

Acting as an understudy to both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic on the international stage, Ratkov – who was purchased for £4m just last summer – will strive to become Leeds' main man up top if he secures a move to West Yorkshire soon, with Bamford pushed way down the pecking order subsequently, and even potentially out of the door.

What Raktov could offer Leeds

Whilst the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter stole the show for Leeds on a regular basis last campaign, there was still a lack of an out-and-out potent striker up top finishing off chances, to complement the trickery of the other Whites forward players.

That's where the 20-year-old attacker will hope he can plug a gap as a result, after a promising debut season in Austria saw him net six goals from 35 games in total, after ending his long association with FK TSC Backa Topola with 14 strikes from 46 clashes, before bowing out.

Ratkov's 14 strikes during his final season playing in Serbia will have piqued Leeds' interest, on top of his promising numbers playing for Salzburg, knowing they will have to find a Bamford replacement soon, with 30-year-old's injury record still troubling those in West Yorkshire, on top of his inconsistent form in-front of goal.

The long-standing Whites servant would help himself to nine goals in all competitions last season, but all of his eight second-tier strikes came in 2024, after a barren patch had irked Leeds supporters in the first half of the campaign.

Leeds will be tempted to gamble on signing Ratkov, therefore, to give the side an injection of something raw and fresh, away from relying on an injury-prone striker to deliver the goods, who was missing for all of his team's play-off clashes, to the detriment of Farke's men.

Tipped to be the next Haaland, who was once a wide-eyed attacker himself on the books at Ratkov's Salzburg, Leeds will further hope their new Red Bull connections will swing this transfer battle in their favour, as a promotion-winning squad looks to be assembled, from the ashes of last season's heartbreak.

He could leave: Leeds facing Leif Davis repeat if "outstanding" ace exits

Leeds United will hope they don’t repeat their Leif Davis errors with this summer sale.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 18, 2024

Barcelona legend Gerard Pique taunted Real Madrid with a teasing social media post after his old team's El Clasico triumph.

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• Barcelona hammer Real Madrid 4-0
• Pique revels in El Clasico win
• Posts tweet mocking Los Blancos

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A Robert Lewandowski brace and late goals from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha at Santiago Bernabeu strengthened Barcelona's advantage at the top of La Liga on Saturday. Former Blaugrana defender Pique was quick to bask in the glory of the victory, and took to social media to point out how Madrid can "never be like us".

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• WHAT GERARD PIQUE SAID

  The 37-year-old's tweet translates to: "We [Barcelona] are unique. They [Madrid] can never be like us. With all the young people of La Masia. What a recital. What a pride. ❤️."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pique, who played 616 times for Barcelona from 2008 to 2022 and won a hatful of trophies along the way, was right to feel overjoyed at the result that ended Madrid's 42-game unbeaten La Liga run. Hansi Flick's team are now six points clear at the top of the league and they will take some beating in this title race.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Barcelona will look to go further clear at the top of the table when they host Espanyol next Sunday, before returning to Champions League action on November 6 away to Red Star Belgrade.

Reliable transfer source Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal have opened club-to-club talks to sign a "top quality" passer of the ball for manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal announce first signing of the summer in goalkeeper David Raya

On Thursday, the Gunners officially announced their first acquisition of the transfer window.

Arsenal offered £290,000-per-week forward who Wright called "top drawer"

The Gunners have been approached.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 3, 2024

Goalkeeper David Raya has joined Arsenal on a permanent deal worth around £27 million, after spending 2023/2024 on loan at the Emirates Stadium from Brentford and managing to take fellow shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale's place as Arteta's first choice.

The Spaniard started 32 top-flight matches and helped Arsenal come within a whisker of their first Premier League title in 20 years, having just narrowly missed out to Man City on the final day.

Sporting director Edu, speaking on the club's official website, says Raya is a popular player within the club and suggests there is much more to come from the 28-year-old – who helped Arsenal concede the fewest goals of any top-flight side last season.

“We are so happy to have completed the deal to sign David from Brentford," said Edu on Raya signing permanently.

“He had a beautiful first season with us, winning the Premier League Golden Glove. He is a talented international, a great professional and a popular figure at the club. We benefited from all of this last season during his loan with us.

“David’s signing is another strong example of our recruitment strategy in action, as we continue to build a team that will challenge for major trophies. We know there’s so much more to come from him and we are excited that he will continue to be a big part of the journey we are all on.”

After Raya, Arsenal are attempting to sign a new centre-back for Arteta, with Bologna starlet Riccardo Calafiori at the very forefront of their thinking. The 22-year-old, who impressed for Italy at Euro 2024, is also fresh off the back of an excellent season at club level.

Romano first claimed that Arsenal presented a long-term proposal to Calafiori in their bid to agree terms, with the renowned transfer reporter now sharing that formal talks have begun at club level.

Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal have opened club-to-club talks for Calafiori

Taking to X this week, Romano states that Arsenal are now in formal negotiations with Bologna over signing Calafiori – going on to say that the north Londoners are in pole position over Chelsea after his green light.

"After Riccardo Calafiori’s green light to move and contract, Arsenal have made direct contact with Bologna," wrote the reporter.

"Talks between clubs have started. No issues on Calafiori’s contract terms, up to the clubs now. Arsenal currently ahead, no bid from Chelsea so far."

The centre-back made 30 Serie A appearances under ex-boss Thiago Motta, and played a crucial role in Bologna's qualification for the Champions League next season.

TEAMtalk football analyst and scout Ben Mattinson has also claimed that Calafiori is a "top quality" passer of the ball, making him a solid candidate to feature in Arteta's backline.

Pochettino named his 25-man squad for the two-legged affair as the USMNT look to advance to the semifinals of the tournament

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• USMNT roster released for November matches
• U.S. clash with Jamaica in Nations League quarterfinals
• Weah suspended one match from Copa America

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As the U.S. men's national team aims to win it's fourth-straight CONCACAF Nations League title, manager Mauricio Pochettino has called up 25 players for their two-legged quarterfinal series with Jamaica – headlined by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah but absent Josh Sargent and Folarin Balogun.

  Also making the squad from last month were the likes Ricardo Pepi and Joe Scally. One other notable absence is Haji Wright, who played a major role in a Coventry City comeback Saturday but left the match in the 89th minute with what appeared to be an ankle injury.

  Players are set to report to camp Sunday and Monday, with the team departing for Jamaica in advance of their for their opening match against the on Thursday.

  This will mark Pochettino's first competitive matches in charge of the program after playing two international friendlies in October, a 2-0 win over Panama and a 2-0 loss to Mexico.

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  THE ROSTER IN FULL

  GOALKEEPERS (4): Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona Atletic/ESP; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 29/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 47/0)

  DEFENDERS (7): Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 15/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 64/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 23/1) Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 48/4), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 30/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 17/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 3/0)

  MIDFIELDERS (8): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 46/8), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 15/1), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 17/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 56/11), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG; 9/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan; ITA; 43/1), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon/FRA; 4/0), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 16/0)

  FORWARDS (6): Cade Cowell (Guadalajara/MEX; 10/1), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 31/11), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 74/31), Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey/MEX; 9/4), Tim Weah (Juventus/ITA; 41/6), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 9/1)

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sargent, Balogun and Wright will miss out due to injury, while Gio Reyna and Sergino Dest remain sidelined as well. Despite logging his first start of the season for Bournemouth at the weekend, Tyler Adams misses camp as well. With six key players out of the mix in camp, it will be up to Pochettino to determine how to get the most out of his squad, while deploying an XI with experience and drive to succeed in CONCACAF environments.

  Notably, defender Chris Richards was selected despite not playing at the club level for Crystal Palace since Sept. 21 due to injury. The 24-year-old did make the teamsheet in a 2-0 loss to Fulham Saturday, but went unused.

  Twenty members of the November camp return from last month's performances under Pochettino, but five newcomers also highlight the squad – Chris Richards, Johnny Cardoso, goalkeeper Diego Kochen and forwards Cade Cowell and Tim Weah, all of whom will have opportunities to make their debut under the Argentine's leadership.

  Weah, however, is suspended for the first leg in Jamaica as a part of his red card against Panama in the Group Stage of Copa America 2024.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

  The U.S. kickoff leg one vs. the on Thursday in Kingston. They'll return home to St. Louis for leg two on Monday, Nov. 18.

  The USMNT and Jamaica have met 32 times dating back to 1988. While the U.S. holds an advantage of 19-3-10, seven of the last 10 matches have been decided by a goal or less. Since dropping a 2-1 friendly in Washington, D.C. in 2019, the USMNT have a seven-game unbeaten streak vs. Jamaica.

  Most recently, the were challenging the USMNT in the semifinals of the 2023-24 Nations League before a brace from Wright powered the U.S. to the tournament final. The U.S. went on to score another Dos a Cero victory over Mexico for its third-straight title.

The summer transfer window opened for business in the middle of June and it has taken over a month for Celtic to complete their first signing.

Brendan Rodgers welcomed Finland international Viljami Sinisalo to Parkhead on a permanent move from Aston Villa on Tuesday, to compete for a place between the sticks next season.

The 22-year-old is the first signing of the window and will be looking to fight for a starting spot in goal after Joe Hart retired at the end of last term.

However, he looks set to face competition from 37-year-old Kasper Schmeichel, who is reportedly set to sign a contract until the summer of 2025.

The Scottish Premiership champions are also looking to add to their ranks further up the pitch, as they have been linked with Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Norwich City centre-forward Adam Idah, and Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree, among others.

Celtic's first outfield signing of the summer transfer window, however, looks set to be a central midfielder well-known by the Hoops supporters.

Celtic agree deal to sign midfield maestro

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, the Scottish giants have reached an agreement with Benfica to sign Paulo Bernardo on a permanent basis.

The reporter claims that the club have agreed an initial fee of £3.5m with the Portuguese side to sign him permanently, after his loan spell at Parkhead during the 2023/24 campaign.

That is £3m cheaper than the £6.5m option they had to sign him as part of that loan move, which shows that the club have worked hard to negotiate a lower fee with Benfica.

However, Joseph adds that Celtic still need to iron out the add-ons with the Liga Portugal giants and then agree personal terms with Bernardo before a deal can be officially confirmed by all parties.

The Sky Sports reporter does reveal, though, that the 22-year-old maestro is 'keen' to rejoin the Scottish side, which suggests that personal terms should not be a massive hurdle for the Hoops to overcome in negotiations.

Therefore, it appears as though Bernardo is now set to become the club's first outfield signing of the transfer window, possibly following on from goalkeepers Sinisalo and Schmeichel, if they can get this deal over the line in the coming days.

It is an exciting piece of business for the Bhoys after the former Portugal U21 international showed plenty of signs of promise during the 2023/24 campaign.

Paulo Bernardo's promising form for Celtic

The young midfielder did not manage to establish himself as a regular starter for Rodgers at Parkhead last season but he did offer glimpses of his potential.

In the Premiership, the Portuguese ace only played 22 matches and started 11 times for the Hoops, as the club won the league title for a third year in succession.

As you can see in the table above, the £3.5m-rated star caught the eye with six direct goal contributions in just 11 starts in the division – more than one every other start on average.

However, he did only create one chance every other game on average and that is something that may need to be improved if the midfielder wants to emerge as a regular starter for Rodgers.

Bernardo also showcased his defensive work in the Champions League across six appearances in the group stage. He ranked within the top 15% of midfielders for interceptions per 90 (1.44) and the top 7% for blocks per 90 (2.31), which shows that the youngster put his body on the line and read the game well to cut out opposition passes.

These statistics suggest that there is the potential there for him to be moulded into a complete midfielder who can impact games in and out of possession in the years to come, which is why this could be an excellent signing.

Rodgers could now land an exciting signing after bringing Bernardo in on a permanent deal by landing reported transfer target Alvyn Sanches.

Why Celtic should sign Alyvn Sanches

Daily Express journalist Charlie Gordon named Celtic as one of the teams interested in a deal to sign the Lausanne star, alongside Stoke and Coventry from the English Championship, last month.

The reporter added that it would take a fee of £4m – £500k more than the fee agreed for Bernardo – to secure the "highly-rated" 21-year-old starlet's signature.

He could be an exciting signing to be the future of the Celtic midfield alongside the potential incoming from Benfica, as Sanches is a talented young whiz with the potential to improve.

At the age of 21, he is a year younger than Bernardo and has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and grow, which means that the £4m-rated ace would come in as a long-term project for the Hoops.

His performances on the pitch for Laussane in the Super League during the 2023/24 campaign also suggest that he could immediately offer a threat at the top end of the pitch.

As you can see in the table above, Sanches provided plenty of quality in possession from a central midfield position, with five goals and more than one key pass per game on average.

The Swiss maestro, who also completed 86% of his attempted passes, is a reliable passer of the ball who can also offer creativity and a goal threat.

This could make him an exciting partner for Bernardo in the middle of the park for Celtic in the future, as they are both number eight options who can chip in with contributions as scorers and creators of goals.

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By
Dan Emery

Jul 16, 2024

As they are both under the age of 23, they could be the future of Rodgers' midfield and be the long-term successors to the likes of Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, and Tomoki Iwata, which is why the Hoops should swoop to sign Sanches after landing Bernardo.

Chelsea have been dealt a staggering blow as Sonia Bompastor has confirmed that Kadeisha Buchanan has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

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• Buchanan sustaines ACL injury
• Sixth Chelsea player to sustain issue
• Bompastor confirms blow

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bompastor confirmed after Chelsea's superb win over Manchester City that Bompastor sustained an ACL injury during the Blues' victory over Liverpool earlier this month. The news is devastating for the WSL title contenders, with the centre-back almost certain to miss the remainder of the season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Remarkably, Buchanan is the sixth Chelsea player to be sidelined with an ACL injury, joining Jorja Fox, Sophie Ingle, Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel and Aniek Nouwen on the treatment table for the same issue. Niamh Charles and Lauren James have also missed lengthy periods, with Bompastor having to battle with availability issues throughout her spell in west London.

• WHAT BOMPASTOR SAID

  Bompastor said after Chelsea's win over City: “I didn’t want to talk about it before, because we just found out the last results this morning but Kadeisha tore her ACL in the Liverpool game.

  “I’m really sad and I didn’t want to talk about the situation before the game because I wanted my players to stay focused on the Man City game. But everybody in the club is devastated about the news.

  “She was performing very well. She was an important player for us but now this is the situation so we just now are going to support her as much as we can, players, staff, club and yeah she’s strong, she’s okay. She will have surgery and then we have to move on.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Chelsea are next in action against Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday before another titanic WSL fixture, this time against Manchester United. Bompastor's side are currently unbeaten at the top of the WSL, with seven wins from seven.