Barcelona are ready to make a move for unhappy AC Milan star Rafael Leao in the summer of 2025.
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Barca tracking Rafael Leao Portuguese unhappy at AC MilanRumours of a rift with manager Paulo FonsecaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to a report from Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona are attentive to the situation of Portuguese winger Rafael Leao at AC Milan, amid rumours of a strained relationship with coach Paulo Fonseca.
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The Catalans have begun the 2024-25 campaign with a bang, scoring 47 goals in 14 games under new manager Hansi Flick. The German coach has found his perfect front three in Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal.
Consequentially, Ferran Torres has had to make do being a substitute, which has put his future in uncertain territory. In case Torres leaves the club, Barca want Leao to add depth to their attack next summer.
DID YOU KNOW?
It was reported last weekend that Arsenal are pushing for a January transfer for Torres, with Unai Emery also keen to bring him to Villa Park. However, Torres is not too keen on an exit.
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Barcelona will take on Espanyol in a fierce Catalonian derby on Sunday, November 3, before travelling to Belgrade to take on Crvena zvezda in the Champions League next week.
Leao, meanwhile, will be hoping to have a more prominent role in Milan's upcoming games: against Monza in Serie A (November 2) and Real Madrid in the Champions League (November 5).
كشفت صحيفة سبورت اليوم الإثنين، حقيقة شائعات رحيل رافينها عن صفوف نادي برشلونة خلال الفترة المقبلة، حيث ارتبط اللاعب في أكثر من مناسبة باللعب في الدوري السعودي.
رافينها يعتبر من بين أبرز اللاعبين في صفوف نادي برشلونة خلال السنوات الأخيرة، وقدم الدولي البرازيلي مستويات باهرة مع البلوجرانا.
ويعتبر رافينها من رجال مدرب نادي برشلونة، هانز فليك، بينما خاض اللاعب 157 مباراة مع البلوجرانا في كافة المسابقات، سجل خلالها 60 هدفًا وقدم 48 تمريرة حاسمة.
وأشارت الصحيفة، إلى أن رافينها لا يفكر بأي حال من الأحوال في الرحيل عن صفوف برشلونة خلال الفترة المقبلة، وذلك في ظل سعيه لتحقيق المزيد من الألقاب مع النادي الإسباني.
اقرأ أيضًا .. خطوة تصعيدية من تير شتيجن ضد برشلونة قبل مباراة كأس ملك إسبانيا
وأضافت الصحيفة، أن رافينها يحظى باحترام كبير من قبل زملائه في برشلونة، وذلك في ظل التزامه الكبير داخل وخارج الملعب، كما يعتبر ابن الـ29 عامًا من قادة النادي الكتالوني.
وأوضحت الصحيفة، أن رافينها بات لاعبًا مؤثرًا حقًا في صفوف برشلونة، حيث تحسنت نتائج البرسا كثيرًا بعدما عاد اللاعب من إصابة أبعدته عن الفريق لمدة شهرين.
رافينها سجل هدفين ساعد بهم برشلونة في الانتصار 2-0 على أوساسونا يوم السبت الماضي بالدوري الإسباني، ليعزز البلوجرانا صدارته للبطولة المحلية.
وأردفت سبورت، أن رافينها لا يريد الرحيل عن صفوف برشلونة، إلا بعدما يحقق لقب دوري أبطال أوروبا، وقد رفض اللاعب عروضاً كثيرة لمغادرة البلوجرانا.
وأكدت سبورت، أن رافينها مهووس بفكرة الفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا مع برشلونة، ولا يريد اللاعب ترك النادي الإسباني إلا بعد ترك بصمة واضحة معهم.
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has confirmed that his side are in talks with a 22-year-old Arsenal player over joining them from the north Londoners.
Players who could depart Arsenal this summer
There are many members of Mikel Arteta's squad who have been tipped for the Emirates Stadium exit door, as the transfer window looms and is set to open its doors in around three days.
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Sporting director Edu Gaspar has been tasked with upgrading the squad in key areas, as the Gunners look to mount a serious Premier League title challenge once again and hopefully make it third-time-lucky in their third consecutive race to lift the trophy.
Arteta's side have just lost out on the domestic crown to Man City in two of the last two seasons, but they've greatly evolved under Arteta in the last few years and definitely improved upon their 2022/2023 showings last campaign.
Bukayo Saka
7.67
Declan Rice
7.38
Martin Odegaard
7.37
Kai Havertz
7.16
Gabriel Magalhaes
6.99
They may just be one or two signings away from finally getting the best of Pep Guardiola. However, not every member of Arsenal's current squad will be along for the ride. Indeed, the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney and Eddie Nketiah have all been named by various reports as players who could be sold by Arsenal this summer.
All the aforementioned players have cases to be sold in the next few months, whether it is down to a lack of consistent form or barely any chances under Arteta last season, or simply just not being in the Spaniard's plans moving forward after loan spells away.
Many fringe players and youngsters from the Hale End academy have also been given their marching orders already, with their contracts set to expire on June 30. Arsenal announced at the start of this month that both Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares will leave when their deals run out, with the senior duo among 22 players who are set to be released.
Another one is 22-year-old goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who spent last season on loan at Wrexham in League Two and helped the plucky Welsh side clinch promotion to League One.
McElhenney confirms talks to sign Okwonko from Arsenal
Still contracted at Arsenal, Okwonko won't be for much longer and is set to be available next month.
This has alerted Wrexham, as their co-owner McElhenney confirmed that Wrexham are in talks with Okwonko over joining from Arsenal. In an interview with talkSPORT, the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star said Wrexham are in constant contact with the Englishman.
“There’s a very good chance," said McElhenney on Okwonko re-joining on a permanent basis after his Arsenal release.
“We’re talking to Arthur actively right now, we know he wants to come back to Wrexham and we definitely want him. It’s just about working out the right deal that works for everybody.”
The 2023/24 season came to an end in the best possible fashion for Manchester United last Saturday. It had not been an easy campaign for Erik ten Hag’s side prior to their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City just one week ago, yet they ended on a high note.
It was a spectacular performance from the Red Devils in the Wembley spectacle, nicking two goals through academy stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, but also defying City throughout the game and holding out for a 2-1 victory; only Jeremy Doku could breach United’s defence.
That victory secured United Europa League football for next season, something which they failed to do through their finish in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s side came eighth in the top flight this season and were some way off securing a Champions League spot; eight points to be exact.
With European football secured for the 2024/25 season, it makes it easier for United to attract big-name players to the club over the summer transfer window.
As per talkSPORT, INEOS are “confident” of securing the double signing of Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite. Recently, they have also been linked with another exciting prospect in European football, who they could make a move for this summer.
Man Utd looking to sign versatile attacker
The player in question here is versatile PSG attacker Xavi Simons, who has spent this season on loan at RB Leipzig. It has been a wonderful year for the young Dutchman, and his performances have potentially earned him a move to Old Trafford.
That is, if the reports are to be believed. According to Spanish reports, via TEAMtalk, United are “determined to sign Simons on a season-long loan”. PSG are seemingly willing to sign off on another loan move, which would be Simons’ third in as many seasons.
Xavi Simons for RB Leipzig
A loan move would suit United better in many ways, because it would not impact their summer transfer budget much, at least in comparison to how much he could cost the club. Simons’ current value is £85m, according to Football Observatory, which represents a considerable saving for United.
However, as per the reports, Simons has “no real desire” to represent the Red Devils, or indeed play in the Premier League. Instead, he prefers a move back to his old side, Barcelona, where he came through their famous La Masia academy. This may not be possible this summer, given Barca’s financial strife. A move to Old Trafford may be Simons’ only option.
Why Simons would be a good signing
The signing of Simons would certainly represent good business for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. In the last two seasons, he has been in stellar form.
For PSV during his loan spell in 2022/23, Simons won the Golden Boot in the Eredivisie, scoring 19 goals in 34 games, as well as registering nine assists. This season for Leipzig, he has eight goals and 13 assists in 32 Bundesliga games, as well as two goals and two assists in eight Champions League games.
Another impressive part of Simons’ game is his versatility. Across his first-team and youth career, the 21-year-old has played right across the front line, at centre-forward, both flanks, as a number 10 and even in central midfield. Not only that, he has consistently put up some impressive numbers right across all the roles he has played. Having a player with as much versatility as Simons in your squad could well be invaluable for United next season.
Xavi Simons' record per position (youth and first team)
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Centre midfield
5
0
0
Attacking midfield
26
13
8
Left-wing
43
13
13
Right-wing
28
7
6
Centre forward
10
5
7
Stats from Transfermarkt
Simons' quality is also reflected in his Fbref stats when compared to other midfielders in Europe over the last 365 days. Firstly, his impressive creative nature shines through. The 21-year-old is a wonderful creative influence, adept at threading through balls into the path of his teammates in the final third.
He could receive passes on the half turn from the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, then look to find teammates ahead. The two would certainly be a duo to excite United fans with the latter taking English football by storm of late, notably earning a place in England's provisional squad for the European Championships after just months of regular senior football.
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So, how would that combination work? Well, given the United target averages 2.71 key passes per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 3%, and 2.19 passes into the penalty box, which places him in the 2% of midfielders in Europe, it would work pretty well indeed.
When carrying the ball, Simons is an explosive dribbler, who is able to swiftly change direction thanks to his quick turn of pace, and slalom in and out of opposition defenders because of his low centre of gravity. He averages 4.93 progressive carries per 90 minutes and 4.27 carries into the final third per 90 minutes. Both of these metrics place him in the top 1%. Simons also averages 1.22 carries into the penalty box per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 2%.
The Dutch maestro is an impactful player on the game in general, which is reflected in his stats. He averages 6.07 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 1%, and 0.66 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 2%. He always finds a way to make things happen.
One of the negatives of United signing Simons this summer would be how he actually fits into the side under Ten Hag, or indeed a new manager.
Indeed, Simons’ versatility is a benefit, yet, United have depth in several of the positions he particularly excels in. On the left wing, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are first choice, and at number 10, they have Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount as their depth there. Fernandes is particularly important under Ten Hag, and it seems unlikely he would be displaced.
Simons could play as a centre-forward, providing a rotational option along with Rasmus Hojlund, who is now United’s only striker following Anthony Martial’s departure. However, the Dutchman is more productive playing in a deeper role. As a result, seeing him play alongside Mainoo – scorer of a tremendous FA Cup final goal – in the centre of the pitch might well be the answer.
Finding a role for him could be problematic but having a player of that quality and versatility to supplement United’s squad and add great depth is arguably too good to turn down.
Football scout Antonio Mango described Simons on X as “wonderful”, and, given the stats looked at, it is hard to argue against him. He would certainly be a sublime partner next to Mainoo in midfield.
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أعلن الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، عن تشكيل اللاعبين المقرر لهم خوض مواجهة اليوم أمام دجوليبا المالي، بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وتقام مباراة بيراميدز ودجوليبا على ملعب 26 مارس في باماكو عاصمة مالي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة المجموعات.
ويبحث بيراميدز، عن تحقيق الفوز من أجل مواصلة مشواره نحو حجز بطاقة التأهل إلى دور الثمانية للمرة الأولى في تاريخه في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
طالع أيضًا | يورتشيتش: بيراميدز يسعى للفوز على دجوليبا رغم الغيابات.. وخسارة المصري لا تقلقني
وحقق بيراميدز الفوز في الجولة الأولى على فريق ساجرادا إٍسبيرانسا، بنتيجة 5-1 على ملعب 30 يونيو بالدفاع الجوي، في المقابل خسر دجوليبا أمام الترجي الرياضي التونسي برباعية مقابل لا شيء.
ويحتل بيراميدز المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب المجموعة الرابعة برصيد 3 نقاط، خلف الترجي صاحب المركز الأول برصيد 4 نقاط.
ويتواجد دوجوليبا في المركز الرابع بدون نقاط، خلف ساجرادا صاحب المركز الثالث برصيد نقطة واحدة. تشكيل بيراميدز اليوم أمام دجوليبا في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
في حراسة المرمى: شريف إكرامي.
خط الدفاع: أحمد سامي – محمود مرعي – محمد حمدي – محمد الشيبي.
خط الوسط: مصطفى فتحي – مهند لاشين – أحمد توفيق – وليد الكرتي – رمضان صبحي.
خط الهجوم: مروان حمدي. بدلاء بيراميدز اليوم أمام دجوليبا
أحمد ميهوب – كريم حافظ – طارق علاء – أسامة جلال – محمد رضا بوبو – أحمد عاطف قطة – عبد الرحمن مجدي – يوسف أسامة نبيه – دودو الجباس.
Leeds United and their owners are playing hardball over the permanent sale of one of their loanees this summer, it has emerged.
Farke's side in hunt for promotion
Daniel Farke's Leeds side are two games away from promotion out of the Championship and back into the top flight, with a play-off semi-final second leg against Norwich City to come before a potential showdown at Wembley, where they will take on one of Southampton or West Brom.
They will have to make history to do so though, with Leeds never having been promoted via the play-offs, and their last failure coming against Derby County in 2019, though they secured automatic promotion the following season.
Leeds' play-off record (League One and Championship)
Year
Exit stage
2019
Semi-final
2009
Semi-final
2008
Final
2006
Final
1987
Final
Their uncertainty makes squad planning difficult, a task made all the more tricky by the recent losses announced by the club, which amount to £33.7m, while they also have significant transfer fees still due to clubs. But now, reports suggest that they are looking to maximise what they have already, and won't be taken for a ride by clubs looking for cheap deals.
Leeds bargaining over loanee
Leeds will not be letting players leave on the cheap this summer if they can help it, as Borussia Monchengladbach are finding out. The German outfit are where Maximilian Wober has spent this season, after leaving Elland Road on loan six months after arriving at the club.
He has appeared 25 times in the German top flight, contributing two goals and three assists, and the powers that be at the club would like to keep him there on a permanent basis after an impressive campaign.
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However, they are running into trouble because no option or obligation to buy the Austrian was included in the loan deal, which means that his performances have only made it more difficult for them to sign him.
According to Bild, it is now likely that his final game for the club will come against Stuttgart, because Leeds are demanding 17m euros (£14.5m) to make the deal permanent, 3m euros more than his valuation as per Transfermarkt.
For their part, 'Gladbach are only willing to part with 9m euros to make the deal permanent, but Leeds are hoping that a strong European Championship for the defender will see interest increase and incite a bidding war for the defender, who has three years left to run on his £35,000 a week contract at Elland Road.
max-wober-leeds-united-injury
Borrusia Mönchengladbach sporting director Roland Virkus admitted keeping Wober would be a struggle: “We are having discussions with everyone involved, of course we would like to keep Max with us. But the demands are extremely high.”
Wober could be a useful option for Daniel Farke if Leeds makes it back into the Premier League. Should they remain in the Championship, the 49ers will be hoping to make a tidy profit on the defender, already making it clear they will not be made fools out of when it comes to their horde of loanees.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has ruled out signing Wilfried Zaha this summer but admits he would bring the winger back "in a heartbeat".
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Zaha left Palace for Galatasaray in 2023
Winger keen on Premier League move
Palace chairman rules out transfer return
WHAT HAPPENED?
Just one year on from leaving Palace for Galatasaray on a free transfer, the 31-year-old reportedly wants to return to the Premier League. The ex-Manchester United player was left out of the Turkish team's squad for their 2-1 win over Konyaspor on Friday and although the Eagles have been linked with him, Parish said it doesn't look like a Selhurst Park return this summer will be possible.
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WHAT STEVE PARISH SAID
When asked if he would have Zaha back, he told talkSPORT: "I'd have Wilf Zaha back in a heartbeat. He's part of our club, part of our history. There's a few people that can lay claim at the heart of the resurgence of this club and Wilfried is very much one of them. We stayed in the division [Premier League] sometimes by the force of his will, so, of course, we would. Unfortunately, that doesn't look like it's going to be possible this summer for various reasons and we continue to wish him all the best out there. I'm in contact with him every now and again. I am glad he had a good season last season and he fulfilled his dreams. He played in the Champions League, so it's a great story for him but of course if he was available we would be interested."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Zaha, who has also been linked with a loan move to Leicester City, has made 458 appearances for Palace in two spells – scoring 90 goals along the way. Getting him back at the club could be a big boost, especially after losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich earlier this summer. The likes of Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, and Adam Wharton are in-demand players and if one of them goes, more reinforcements will be needed. But, it seems, Zaha won't be back at Selhurst Park for the 2024-25 season.
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WHAT NEXT?
Ahead of facing Brentford on Sunday, Parish provided an update on their bid to keep hold of centre-back Guehi – who has been the subject of multiple bids from Newcastle United.
He added: “Marc is a great player and we’re a club that have to accept that where we are right now we’re often not the destination. We’re somewhere that you travel through and if we get the right bids for players we need to look at them. We haven’t got that at the moment. If we get that then things may change, but right now Marc is a Palace player. I’m sure he’ll be on the team sheet today (Sunday) and we’re very happy to see him there.”
If there is one thing that has been cause for concern for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea side this season, it is their form in front of goal.
The Blues have scored the eighth most in the Premier League this season, with 47, but have missed 51 out of the 82 big chances they have created.
Pochettino has trialled different players up front this season, including summer signings Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer. Jackson is still finding his feet in the Premier League, with Palmer better suited to a deeper role or one on the right wing.
With hundreds of millions of pounds spent under new owner Todd Boehly since his takeover in 2022, it will be somewhat frustrating for Chelsea fans that they are still struggling in front of goal so much.
Two strikers Chelsea could sign this summer
With Pochettino’s side reportedly desperate to land a new number nine this summer, there are two frontrunners on the list.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is one option for Chelsea having been linked so regularly all season and crucially, the Nigeria international is already confirmed to be leaving the club this summer. However, a new name has been thrown into the mix of late; Sporting striker Victor Gyokeres.
Sporting CP strikerViktor Gyokeres.
According to Italian journalist Marco Fallisi, Chelsea, along with Arsenal, are the English clubs who could provide competition to AC Milan for Gyokeres’ signature next summer. It's stated that the Premier League pair are at the front of the queue.
The reports suggest the Swede could cost just £43m, a great deal cheaper than the £100m plus that Osimhen is being touted with.
How Gyokeres and Osimhen Compare
In the 2022/23 season, Osimhen was one of the world’s deadliest strikers, scoring 31 goals in 39 games in all competitions, in a historic Scudetto-winning season for Napoli.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen
Incredibly, Gyokeres has already overtaken the Napoli striker’s tally from last season in the same number of games. Sporting’s talisman is currently on 36 goals in 39 games, whilst also hitting double figures in assists. As the stats suggest, Gyokeres is one of the deadliest strikers in Europe this term.
The Sweden international, who has been described as a ‘powerhouse’ by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X, is a very physical striker, who uses that to his advantage.
Gyokeres’ hold-up play stands out, and he uses his 6 foot 1 frame to dominate opponents, able to drop deeper and hold up the ball before spraying passes forward into the path of teammates who have made runs in behind. His 14 assists in 2023/24 compared to Osimhen's measly tally of four stands out in this regard.
Indeed, in comparison, Osimhen tends to stay further forward, doing most of his work in and around the penalty area.
This is partly down to his relationship with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia; the tricky Georgian winger developed a superb partnership with Osimhen last season and loves to whip crosses into the box for the 25-year-old to attack.
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Pochettino could have his very own Osimhen out on loan at this current moment in time
ByRoss Kilvington Mar 23, 2024
One thing that can be said about both strikers is that their penalty box instinct is second to none. Both players can sniff out chances from nowhere, able to follow in for rebounds or get on the end of crosses with ease, the mark of a top striker.
They have plenty of touches in the opposition penalty area too. Gyokeres averages 8.82 per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 1% of strikers in Europe. In comparison, Osimhen averages 7.30 per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 5%.
If Chelsea are looking for a pure finisher in the penalty box, you cannot go wrong with either option. With that being said, Gyokeres may well prove to be the best option if they are looking for a more complete centre-forward who can both create and score.
Both players are the same age, 25, although Gyokeres might prove to be cheaper than the £100m Osimhen. It could well be down to Pochettino's preference as to which striker they will try and sign this summer.
Canada Women's head coach Bev Priestman has been handed a one-year ban by FIFA, and the team have been docked six points, after their spying scandal.
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Priestman banned for 12 months
Olympics team docked six points
Issued $226,000 fine
WHAT HAPPENED?
FIFA has suspended Canada's Priestman, docked the side six points from their Olympics group stage tally, and also imposed a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs ($226,000), after a drone was flown over a training session against New Zealand before the tournament began. The team are also alleged to have used the technology before the 2021 tournament began, and they went on to win a gold medal, although their points deduction will massively hamper their chances of a repeat.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Canada's drone flight happened three days before the opening of the Olympic football tournament, with New Zealand lodging a complaint against the use of the drone. Joseph Lombardi – an "unaccredited analyst" – was arrested by French police, having also filmed another New Zealand session. Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander were both removed from the Olympic team swiftly after, while Priestman was suspended. FIFA have now come down remarkably hard on the team.
WHAT FIFA SAID
FIFA said in a statement: "CSA (Canadian Soccer Association) was found responsible for failing to respect the applicable FIFA regulations in connection with its failure to ensure the compliance of its participating officials of the OFT with the prohibition on flying drones over any training sites.
"The officials were each found responsible for offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play in connection with the CSA’s Women’s representative team’s drones usage in the scope of the OFT."
Canada soccer CEO Kevin Blue expressed displeasure with the FIFA sanctions, saying in a statement:
“Canada Soccer is disappointed with the impact of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision on our athletes. We are exploring options to appeal on the basis that it is excessively punitive towards our Women’s National Team players – who were not involved in any unethical behaviour.
"Canada Soccer took swift action to suspend the implicated staff members and is also proceeding with a broad independent review that may lead to further disciplinary action. We appreciate the understanding and support for our players from our Canadian fans during this time.”
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WHAT NEXT?
It is possible for Canada to qualify through the group stages despite their points deduction because third-placed teams will also advance, akin to the European Championship. Canada would likely need to win at least one of their remaining games, however.
Everton have reportedly joined the race to sign a versatile “assist machine” in the summer transfer window, but other Premier League clubs are also in the mix.
Everton transfer news
This has been a season that Blues supporters will want to forget in a hurry, and for now, the sole aim has to be ensuring their relegation to the Championship doesn't happen. The issues surrounding point deductions and the ownership situation are acting as a huge distraction, however, which is far from ideal.
Assuming Everton remain in the Premier League for yet another season, attention will then be turned to new signings, assuming the finances are there to conduct some transfer business.
Arsenal's Omari Benjamin is reportedly a target, with the promising attacker compared to current Gunners superstar Bukayo Saka and showing flashes of huge potential in the youth ranks in North London. He is likely to be a free agent at the end of the season, at which point the Blues could look to pounce as they plot long-term signings at minimal cost.
Everton want versatile "assist machine"
According to Tutto Juve [via Sport Witness], Everton have entered the race to sign Juventus youngster Samuel Iling-Junior this summer, who could also be available for a realtively low fee. Juve are thought to be willing to let Iling-Junior leave for just €15m (£12.8m) this summer, which is seen as a cut-price amount compared to what the Italian giants were demanding in the past.
A host of other Premier League teams are also eyeing a move for the 20-year-old however, with Brighton, Newcastle United and Tottenham all mentioned in the report.
Samuel Iling-Junior
The left-back/winger could be a great option for Everton in the summer window, coming in as a player who can make an immediate difference with his quality, but also acting as a long-term acquisition. Iling-Junior has been lauded as an "assist machine" by journalist Michele Neri, who said last year: "You can absolutely see shades of Rafael Leao when the AC Milan superstar was a bit younger.
"Of course he is certainly less impactful today than Leao is and has a long way to go to reach the Portuguese’s level. He is an assist machine, but he can also score, especially when his movements off the ball allows him to find space in the penalty area."
Samuel Iling-Junior's international stats
Caps
Goals
England Under-21s
5
2
England Under-20s
6
2
England Under-19s
7
1
England Under-17s
5
0
England Under-16s
13
2
England Under-15s
1
0
Iling-Junior can play as a left-back, in central midfield or in a more attacking role on the flank, which could appeal to Sean Dyche, and signing top young talent has to be the aim moving forward, especially when it could be for a cut down fee.