Unai Emery will be praying that his Aston Villa side can soar up the Premier League rankings the more January goes on, after a topsy-turvy end to 2024.

Indeed, impressive wins over the likes of Manchester City and RB Leipzig last month were arguably overshadowed by poor displays against teams such as Newcastle United, with Emery’s side folding at St James’ Park in mid-December to lose 3-0.

Whilst there are rumours to suggest the Villans could be bringing in some new defensive recruits to help shore up things at the back, seen in Milan Skriniar’s name floating about, the Premier League side are also hunting down more firepower up top in the form of Donyell Malen.

Aston Villa's pursuit of Malen

While no club agreement has been secured – amid talk of a £25m fee – Villa look to have won the exciting Dutchman over after agreeing personal terms, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, with even more goals added to the West Midlands side’s game subsequently should a deal progress.

Already boasting both Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran in attack – who have a Premier League goal haul for the season that comes in at a combined 15 – Malen would just offer Villa another clinical head up top when at the peak of his powers, considering he fired home a ridiculous 55 strikes from 116 appearances when on the books of former employers PSV Eindhoven.

At Dortmund, away from predominantly lining up as an out-and-out striker in his native country, Malen has also excelled as a winger option down either flank, with 11 of his 13 strikes last season in the Bundesliga coming from the right channel.

Therefore, there is a tantalising future in sight where Malen gets to strut his stuff in England next to Watkins or Duran leading the line, as Emery goes about making his team even stronger to push up the league standings.

However, even if a move for Malen was to unexpectedly fall through for whatever reason, Emery wouldn’t be too disheartened, knowing that this ace in his ranks is already worth more than the Villa target after becoming a superstar this campaign.

Morgan Rogers' market value at Villa

Rogers would cost the Villans an initial £8m to bring in last January from Middlesbrough, with the promising attacking midfielder having to cut his teeth in the EFL before getting his big shot in the top flight.

Formerly on the roster at Manchester City as a youngster, it’s clear now that Rogers was born to be an entertaining talent at the very top of the English game, with stunning displays becoming commonplace now from the 22-year-old.

Many a sweet strike has been fired home from the Villa number 27 so far this campaign, with Rogers up to six goals now in league action, on top of also collecting three assists.

Off the back of his standout start to the season, it was no surprise that Emery and Co wanted to tie Rogers down to a new extended contract, with an England senior call-up even coming his way off the back of his “fearless” displays, as he was labelled by football talent scout Antonio Mango in the past.

As a direct consequence of all of the above – alongside his crucial FA Cup clincher against West Ham United – the youngster’s price tag has now far exceeded his once modest £8m valuation.

He is now worth more than Malen’s £25m fee, despite so much talk centring on the Dutchman being a potential top buy for Emery’s men, with Transfermarkt estimating that the ex-Man City man is worth in the region of around £33m.

Player

Valuation

= 1. Amadou Onana

£45m

= 1. Ollie Watkins

£45m

3. Pau Torres

£37m

= 4. Jhon Duran

£33m

= 4. Morgan Rogers

£33m

Looking at the table above, Emery has a whole host of players who are worth many millions away from just the rise of Rogers, with Malen perhaps boosting his team even more as they aim for another top-four finish.

As for Rogers, it’s clear that Emery and co have struck gold with what already looks to be a bargain signing.

Rogers 2.0: Aston Villa targeting move for "explosive" £29m star

Aston Villa scouts have looked at the attacker

ByJoe Nuttall Jan 7, 2025

Batter’s focus is back on playing good shots instead of strike-rates and six-hitting and he credits Rohit for giving him the space to figure that out

Shashank Kishore09-Sep-20223:08

Is Kohli back to his best?

Rohit Sharma has hailed Virat Kohli’s “work ethic” and his attitude of “never letting things go no matter what” following his first T20I century in India’s Asia Cup fixture against Afghanistan. In turn, Kohli credited the “space” Rohit and Rahul Dravid have given him upon his return from a six-week break for the recent success.”Personally, since I’ve come back from a break where I didn’t touch the bat for the longest time in the 13-14 years I’ve played, a lot of things were put into perspective,” Kohli told Rohit in a chat on BCCI’s official portal. “I got a lot of clarity from you guys [pointing to Rohit] and the team management, to just allow me to bat. That was very important.Related

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“The space I got made me feel very relaxed. When I returned, I was excited to see how I could contribute to the team. Playing this way was important for me because the World Cup is big and if I play well, I can contribute big for the team.”I’d spoken to Rahul [Dravid] three-four days back, where batting first, especially the middle overs phase, how I can improve my strike rate. My only goal was to work on whatever I need to improve, I will try it at the Asia Cup. I honestly didn’t expect it [to score a T20I century]. I was shocked, [and] as you also mentioned after that, no one expected a century from me in this format after a long time. I was pleasantly surprised, grateful and honest.”Kohli finished the Asia Cup with 276 runs in five innings, striking at 147.59. After India’s game against Afghanistan, he was the leading run-getter in the tournament, 64 ahead of second-placed Mohammad Rizwan. He had made two fifties and a century, his 71st in international cricket and first in over three years.The standout aspect of that hundred was his end-overs acceleration after having opened the batting. On 59 off 40 going into the last five, he switched gears and scored his next 63 runs off just 21 balls. There were no nerves even as he approached a landmark that had eluded him for 1020 days. On 94, he played a disdainful pull to bring up his century. It was a drought he broke in style.”I got a lot of clarity from you guys [pointing to Rohit] and the team management, to just allow me to bat,” Kohli said•AFP/Getty ImagesEqually noteworthy was Kohli’s propensity to step out of his crease, especially against spin, something he’s done quite a lot at the Asia Cup, seemingly to try and increase his scoring options. Between April 1, 2018, and the start of the Asia Cup, Kohli stepped out once every 7.9 balls on an average in all T20s. This Asia Cup, as per ESPNcricinfo’s data, he stepped out once every 4.9 deliveries.In trying to raise the bar, Kohli also brought out shots he doesn’t often play, like the conventional sweep. The one he hit off Mujeeb Ur Rahman was only his 24th sweep against spinners in all T20s in this time period, out of the 1200-plus deliveries he has faced from them. This includes all kinds of sweeps, including the slog, so the numbers for the conventional sweep would be even lower.Kohli explained how his focus has been on playing good cricket shots, without worrying too much about strike rates and six-hitting, something he said had bothered him prior to his break. He admitted to having been “desperate to do something that wasn’t in my game” at that point.”My aim was to always to play all three formats, and I banked on good cricketing shots,” he said. “I always came to every tournament or series thinking six-hitting is not a big strength of mine. I can [hit sixes] when situation demands, but I’m better at finding gaps and hitting boundaries, so as long as I can hit boundaries, it will still serve the purpose for the team.”I told the coaches as well that I’m going to try and hit gaps rather than thinking I’ve to hit sixes to improve strike rates in T20 cricket. That thing I removed from my system in this tournament, and that helped because I was able to come back to my template. But it’s about being in a good space and enjoying your batting.”We can play in many ways, but my role is to play as per the situation and if it demands I have to take the scoring rate higher, I should be able to do it. My aim was if I can be in this zone, I can be relaxed because I know if I’m set for 10-15 balls, I can accelerate. I’m very happy that especially from the team’s point of view, I’m back to being in my template I’ve played for a while, which I was going away from because I was desperate to do something that wasn’t my game.”Rohit, who was conducting the interview, agreed that the knock against Afghanistan was a fine lesson in pacing an innings. “Obviously in T20 cricket we talk about big hitting and all of that. But that [century] was the perfect example of how to craft an innings without focusing so much on the big hitting,” he said. “That was wonderful to see. I know it personally because I’ve seen you bat long enough.”

Whilst their pursuit of Kevin Danso continues, Wolverhampton Wanderers are also reportedly racing to sign a former Premier League midfielder who’s keen on a return to England’s top flight.

Wolves transfer news

After already signing Emmanuel Agbadou this month, Wolves have seemingly set their sights on a second defensive reinforcement in the form of Danso. The Midlands club have even reportedly seen a first bid worth £16m rejected by the Ligue 1 club and must now up their offer if they want to welcome the central defender before the end of the transfer window next Monday.

Centre-back isn’t the only area of concern for those in the Midlands, however. They are also in need of a replacement for Mario Lemina, who looks destined to depart before the end of the month amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

Their former captain, Wolves must replace the midfielder’s experience and can do just that and more by signing one particular target for Vitor Pereira this week.

According to The Sun, Wolves are now racing to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Besiktas this month but face competition from relegation rivals Leicester City and Championship leaders Leeds United.

Wolves now working to sign another new defender for Pereira after Agbadou

Wolves and Pereira have their eye on at least one more addition before the transfer window closes.

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The former Liverpool and Arsenal man has fallen down the pecking order at Besiktas and is now reportedly keen on a return to the Premier League. A midfielder who’s won it all in English football, if Wolves want experience then Oxlade-Chamberlain is their man.

Crucially too, they would be denying Leicester the chance to sign such a reinforcement by securing his signature before Monday’s deadline. Whether or not they can thrash out a deal in time remains to be seen though.

"Super" Oxlade-Chamberlain can replace Lemina

At 31 years old, Oxlade-Chamberlain has one last Premier League stint in the tank and it’s Wolves who could benefit. Having missed a number of games through injury last season, the £67,000-a-week man is now seemingly past his issues having missed just one game due to injury in the current campaign.

Playing next to Matheus Cunha in the advanced midfield role, Oxlade-Chamberlain would certainly get the chance to roll back the years in the Midlands and once again unleash some vintage strikes that he often stole the headlines with during his Anfield days.

Full of praise for his shooting ability, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told reporters in 2023: “It was everything: he came here, had played from time to time at wing-back at Arsenal, winger for sure, and he became a proper No.8 here in the way we wanted to play – super-energetic, technically outstanding.

“I remember early and we had our first finishing sessions and I looked and thought, ‘He didn’t score that many goals in the past, if I could shoot like you I would start in the morning at seven and finish shooting at nine or 10 o’clock because it’s incredible!”

West Ham United co-chair David Sullivan appears determined to back manager Graham Potter, and is even considering a double forward swoop this January.

West Ham enter January market for new striker after Fullkrug blow

Summer signing Niclas Füllkrug had only just returned from an achilles tendon problem and was actually starting to find his feet, but it didn’t take long for the German to be sidelined once again, this time suffering a hamstring injury.

Sky Sports: West Ham in talks for £20m star who's scored 3 goals vs Irons

He averages a goal every 75 minutes against the Hammers.

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Charlie Smith

Jan 15, 2025

The 31-year-old has been ruled out for three months in what is a seismic blow for Potter (Gary Jacob), who has just one natural striker in the previously out-of-favour Danny Ings, with West Ham now looking to January for solutions.

While reports that RB Leipzig striker Andre Silva is closing in on a move to West Ham appear wide of the mark, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that the Hammers are serious about a potential deal for Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, and talks are apparently ongoing.

The Nigerian is behind in-form Forest star Chris Wood in Nuno Espirito Santo’s pecking order, so much so that the Nigerian has been linked with a move away from the City Ground before February 3.

Awoniyi got off to a flyer at the start of 2023/2024, but underwent groin surgery midway through the campaign and hasn’t really managed to battle his way back to form ever since – with Wood scoring for fun in the African’s stead.

West Ham could also try and sign Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton towards the end of the window if a move for Awoniyi fails, so there are plenty of options for Sullivan, who is taking a more hands-on approach to transfers this window.

“Even more power is going to be lying in the hands of David Sullivan as the chairman and co-owner of West Ham, and that includes January recruitment,” said David Ornstein recently.

“They need to bolster their attack in the absence of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen.”

Marcus Rashford open to joining West Ham as Sullivan eyes two forwards

One of them is Man United striker Marcus Rashford, who is widely tipped to leave Old Trafford this month after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.

The England international is attracting interest from Europe, mainly from AC Milan, and if a move there were to fail, then GiveMeSport claim that Rashford would be prepared to make a move to West Ham and hasn’t ruled out joining Potter’s side on loan behind-the-scenes.

GMS also report that the east Londoners could even look to sign two forwards rather than one this month, which would be quite a show of ambition on behalf of Potter.

Going back to Rashford, if West Ham were to want a permanent deal in the future, he’d apparently cost around £40 million.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após o contrato ter sido rompido com a chegada de John Textor, a Volt tenta recuperar R$ 2,5 milhões pagos ao Botafogo. Essa quantia é referente à premiação pelo acordo para fornecer o material esportivo do clube. A informação foi inicialmente divulgada pelo portal “GE”.

+Saiba quanto o Botafogo lucrou nos jogos em casa no Brasileirão

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No acordo, selado antes do Glorioso se transformar em Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF), o valor foi adiantado pela empresa como luvas e utilizado pelo clube carioca para pagar dívidas mais urgentes.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Com a chegada de John Textor, o alvinegro rescindiu com os patrocinadores, em fevereiro. Na visão do sócio majoritário, os contratos eram improdutivos e a SAF busca novos acordos em breve. Antes disso, utilizará no uniforme uma marca própria com o nome: “Glorioso” e irá comercializar as peças a partir de junho.

Cabe salientar que a produção dos uniformes da Volt Sports já havia começado quando o contrato foi encerrado. Ambas as partes buscam a solução, que gera debate dentro do próprio Botafogo. Com a transformação para SAF, o clube rompeu com onze parceiros comerciais.

– De forma harmoniosa, a Volt Sport segue em negociações com o Botafogo para resoluções cordiais. No momento, a empresa não se manifestará sobre os acontecimentos citados na matéria. Sabemos da importância do clube para o futebol brasileiro e esperamos que tudo seja resolvido em breve – posicionamento da Volt sobre o assunto.

+Veja por que Oyama se consolidou no meio-campo do Botafogo

Neste sentido, as soluções serão debatidas dentro das interpretações jurídicas sobre a lei daSociedade Anônima do Futebol, que foi criada recentemente e deu brechas para interpretações sobre o rompimento de contratos.

Veja informações da Lei 14.193, de 6 de agosto de 2021 (conhecida como Lei das SAFs) sobre contratos

Art. 10. O clube ou pessoa jurídica original é responsável pelo pagamento das obrigações anteriores à constituição da Sociedade Anônima do Futebol, por meio de receitas próprias e das seguintes receitas que lhe serão transferidas pela Sociedade Anônima do Futebol, quando constituída exclusivamente:

I – por destinação de 20% (vinte por cento) das receitas correntes mensais auferidas pela Sociedade Anônima do Futebol, conforme plano aprovado pelos credores, nos termos do inciso I do caput do art. 13 desta Lei;

II – por destinação de 50% (cinquenta por cento) dos dividendos, dos juros sobre o capital próprio ou de outra remuneração recebida desta, na condição de acionista.

Art. 11. Sem prejuízo das disposições relativas à responsabilidade dos dirigentes previstas no art. 18-B da Lei nº 9.615, de 24 de março de 1998, os administradores da Sociedade Anônima do Futebol respondem pessoal e solidariamente pelas obrigações relativas aos repasses financeiros definidos no art. 10 desta Lei, assim como respondem, pessoal e solidariamente, o presidente do clube ou os sócios administradores da pessoa jurídica original pelo pagamento aos credores dos valores que forem transferidos pela Sociedade Anônima do Futebol, conforme estabelecido nesta Lei.

Toluca finished as the leader of the Clausura 2025 after earning 37 points

Article continues below

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are awaiting their quarterfinal opponent, which will come from the Play-InPaulinho won the scoring title for the second tournament in a rowToluca will have more than 15 days of rest, something that 'Turco' isn't a fan ofFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite finishing as leaders of the Clausura 2025 with 37 points, Toluca manager Antonio Mohamed criticized Liga MX's competition format. His club will have over 15 days of rest before their quarterfinals match in the Liguilla – something Mohamed is not happy about, as he believes the team will lose the strong rhythm they had at the end of the tournament.

The Argentine coach also voiced his disagreement with the number of teams that make the playoffs. “For me, only seven teams should qualify. The top seed should go straight to the semifinals, and the other six compete. I’m not in favor of 10 or 12 teams," he said.

He added, "Every day, we’re becoming more and more like the league up north [MLS]. There’s no relegation, there’s nothing, everything’s too similar. I think differently – six teams should qualify, or eight at most, not 10. And having to wait 15 to 18 days to play again? It’s not serious. But well, I’m sure they’ve thought it through in detail.”

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Toluca have established themselves as one of the strongest contenders to win the Liga MX title in this Clausura 2025 and to put an end to América’s dominance – winners of the last three championships. After finishing with the best offense, scoring 41 goals in 17 matches, and with Paulinho claiming back-to-back scoring titles with 12 goals, will have just over two weeks to prepare for their quarterfinal match, with their opponent still to be determined.

This long break didn’t sit well with Mohamed, who knows how Mexican football works and understands that a great regular season means nothing if there isn't a title won at the end. For that reason, he didn’t hold back in criticizing the league’s organizers.

Getty Images SportWHAT ANTONIO MOHAMED SAID

“There are many contenders. América, Cruz Azul – those are teams that have been working the same way for a long time. But well, we’re going to be right there. We have the advantage of finishing at home, and before reaching the final, they have to beat us. That’s an advantage for us, knowing that we advance with a draw,” said Mohamed when asked about Liga MX's contenders.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TOLUCA?

will face the winner of the Play-In matchup between the victor of FC Juárez vs. Pumas and the loser of Monterrey vs. Pachuca. The first round will be played this weekend, meaning Toluca will have to wait until May 7 or 8 to return to action.

Modern day greats advise bowlers to use the bounce to their advantage

Sreshth Shah15-Sep-20220:44

Vettori: Ashwin is one of those guys who is very adaptable

What kind of spinners will enjoy success at the T20 World Cup in Australia? Ask Muthiah Muralidaran, and he backs wristspinners – like the recently crowned Asia Cup Player of the Tournament – Wanindu Hasaranga. Pick Daniel Vettori’s brain, and he believes fingerspinners – of the R Ashwin mould – will get more out of those surfaces. Both, however, agree on one thing: use the bounce in Australia to your advantage.Vettori, in particular, stressed on the art of imparting topspin, like Nathan Lyon has done to great success in Test cricket on these very grounds. “In New Zealand and Australia, and England to a lesser degree, it is about all the drift and the amount of revolutions you get on the ball,” Vettori said at a media interaction in Kolkata. “Whereas on the subcontinent you can have the wicket do a bit more work for you.Related

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“And we all know Ashwin is exceptional at that [topspin] from how he bowls in Test matches. The thing is he’s come off the back of a great IPL and he’s one of those guys who is very adaptable, who understands what he needs to do in every situation. If he’s picked, he will know what to do. He has been in Australia many times before. Among India’s plethora of spinners, most of them are allrounders as well, that’s what sets them apart and gives them so much balance.”Muralidaran, on the other hand, believes that a wristspinner’s ability to generate more sidespin gives them the upper hand. That sort of skill, he believes, makes someone like Hasaranga – who took nine wickets at an average of 18.88 at the Asia Cup – the one to watch out for.”In Australia, legspinners have more chance than fingerspinners because you can get a sideways spin and bounce will help,” Muralidaran said. “I think Hasaranga will be a difficult opponent to bat against, because you have to be careful facing him. But still there are players who can play [him] well.0:49

Muralidaran: Oppositions should be wary of Hasaranga at T20 WC

“He is a great T20 bowler. He has been very successful, which is why he has played for [Royal Challengers] Bangalore as well. He has done great things in last 2-3 years. He is a young guy, not old, he’s about 26-27 years old [25 years old]. But I don’t discuss spin bowling with him much. I don’t see him much, and Sri Lanka have a spin-bowling coach, who he must be talking to on what he wants to improve.”Sri Lanka, due to their poor T20I ranking at the cut-off time to decide who gets direct entry into the T20 World Cup, have to play through the first round of matches in order to qualify for the Super 12 stage. While Muralidaran calls it unfortunate, he isn’t too fussed about it.”We had a young team in the past few years. They’ve got a little bit of experience now and played the best cricket in the Asia Cup, they deserved to win,” Muralidaran said. “They are formidable but unfortunately we have to play playoffs to get into the tournament because we had some bad matches in the past few years to make it straightaway. Right now, I have confidence that we will do well in World Cup as well.”Both Vettori and Muralidaran spoke at a media interaction ahead of the Legends League Cricket tournament that starts on Friday with an exhibition match between an India XI and a World XI at Eden Gardens. The main competition then begins on Saturday, with the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, Shane Watson, Ross Taylor, Harbhajan Singh, Graeme Swann and Brett Lee – among others – sprinkled among four teams.

South Africa power-hitter Tristan Stubbs fetched the highest bid of Rand 9.2 million (USD 520,000 approx.) at the inaugural SA20 player auction in Cape Town on Monday. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won a fierce bidding war against MI Cape Town and Johannesburg Super Kings to snap up their homegrown star-in-the-making.Uncapped 24-year-old batter Donavon Ferreira, who plays for Titans in the South African domestic circuit, created a big stir. Having listed his base price at Rand 175,000 (USD 10,000 approx.), Ferreira, who also bowls a bit and keeps wicket, was eventually snapped up by Super Kings for Rand 5.5 million (USD 310,000 approx.) in the accelerated round of the auction. The winning bid came after some chaos, as Paarl Royals and Pretoria Capitals both tried to outbid Super Kings but were forced to pull out as they didn’t have much left in their purse at that point and had other spots still to fill – if they were allowed to keep bidding, they would have run out of the money needed to fill their quota of 17 players. Ferreira has played 19 T20s so far, and boasts a strike rate of 148.26 and an average of 54.85.