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In a potential boost on the transfer front, a Champions League side are now reportedly willing to listen to offers for a Newcastle United target who could complete Eddie Howe’s midfield.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have been the definition of inconsistent so far this season, as their frantic 3-3 draw against Liverpool and 4-2 defeat against Brentford just days later showed. Their struggles stem from a difficult transfer window, in which Paul Mitchell spent months chasing Marc Guehi only to miss out on the defender’s signature and opt out of turning to any alternatives.

So, when the January transfer window opens and, of course, when the summer arrives, Newcastle should be one of the clubs to watch. Those at St James’ Park have already been linked with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo in recent weeks, whose quality they need no reminding of after he scored against them this weekend. But it remains to be seen whether they’ll splash the cash as early as this winter.

It’s not just their attacking options that the Magpies want to boost, as they’ve reportedly been handed quite the boost on that front. According to CaughtOffside, Borussia Dortmund are now open to offers for Felix Nmecha, who Newcastle have recently scouted and are interested in signing in 2025.

Related Newcastle now interested in beating Man Utd to sign "huge talent" for Howe

He’s one for the future.

Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham Dec 8, 2024

The Champions League club are reportedly open to offers in the region of €40-45m (£33-37m) to leave the ball in Newcastle’s court. With Manchester United and Aston Villa also seemingly interested in the former Manchester City gem, the Magpies cannot afford to wait around and deliberate over a move. If they want to complete Howe’s midfield by signing Nmecha, they should make a swift move.

As for Nmecha himself, he could yet get the chance at Premier League redemption.

"Exceptional" Nmecha could earn PL chance

Like Jadon Sancho, Nmecha has played his best football since leaving Manchester City amid a struggle to break into the senior side at the Etihad.

The midfielder first impressed at Wolfsburg before completing a move to Borussia Dortmund. Now, he could earn come back to haunt Manchester City by finally excelling in the Premier League.

The Man City academy graduate has certainly earned plenty of fans at Borussia Dortmund, including manager Nuri Sahin, who lauded the 24-year-old’s “exceptional profile for a midfielder” back in November.

He said: “I can only judge him based on the last ten or eleven months. But I think he has everything, he has an exceptional profile for a midfielder.”

The Bundesliga giants could be left with no choice but to bid farewell to their midfielder if Newcastle come calling, however. The Magpies could form a mouth-watering midfield trio between Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Nmecha in 2025. If they want to take Howe’s side back to the Champions League, that midfield would certainly be a start.

When 2025 arrives, Newcastle must make up for the summer transfer window and welcome a number of much-needed reinforcements – potentially starting with Nmecha.

تحدث وليد صلاح الدين لاعب الأهلي الأسبق، عن مباراة الهلال السوداني أمام القلعة الحمراء، المقرر لها غداً الثلاثاء ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، معلقاً على أداء الأهلي في مواجهة الذهاب.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع الهلال، على ملعب “شيخا ولد بيديا” في العاصمة الموريتانية نواكشوط في إياب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال وليد صلاح الدين في تصريحات عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت”: “مدرب الهلال السوداني لعب بطريقة دفاعية أمام الأهلي، وترك الاستحواذ للأحمر بنسبة تتعدى الـ 70%، لكن الأهلي لم يصنع خطورة حقيقية في المباراة”.

طالع أيضاً.. اتحاد الكرة يعلن عن 7 قرارات هامة.. موعد بداية ونهاية القيد للموسم المُقبل وتكليف جديد لـ مجاهد

وتابع: “فريق الهلال حقق ما يريده في المباراة، لكن في مباراة الإياب طريقة اللعب ستتغير تماماً، لذلك يجب على كولر أن يُطبق نفس ما فعله مدرب الهلال وأن يلعب على الهجمات المرتدة”.

واختتم: “ثنائي الهلال جان كلود وياسر مزمل من أخطر لاعبي الفريق، في مباراة الإياب، كانت لهما تمريرات حاسمة واستطاعا أن يفوزا في الالتحامات ضد لاعبي الأهلي”.

Leeds United have come back from adversity this season, looking to bounce back after missing out on promotion in the play-off final against Southampton at Wembley.

As if missing out on a return to the Premier League was bad enough, the first-team squad was ransacked, leading to numerous talents departing Elland Road for a move to England’s top flight.

Top scorer Crysencio Summerville departed in a £25m deal to join West Ham United, with top assister Georginio Rutter leaving in a club-record £40m transfer, moving to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The pair combined for 49 goals in the 2023/24 Championship season, undoubtedly a huge loss for boss Daniel Farke, but they tried to combat such losses with new additions over the summer.

However, the upcoming January window presents a new opportunity for the German to improve his attacking options, potentially going back in for one player who was on their radar during the off-season.

Leeds target January move for £8.5m talent

According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Leeds are pondering a potential move for Hammarby IF’s striker Jusef Erabi in January, having followed the forward of recent months.

The 21-year-old was touted as a potential option for the Whites during the summer, but a move failed to materialise – with the youngster staying in Sweden.

However, fellow Championship side Norwich City and Serie A outfit Genoa are also both named in the report over a potential move for the attacker, who’s currently valued at €10m (£8.5m) by his current employers.

Leeds certainly have the funds available after the huge departures over the summer, with Erabi one player who could be on their list ahead of the winter window.

The forward would provide an upgrade on one player currently plying his trade at Elland Road, handing them a boost in their promotion ambitions between now and the end of the campaign.

Why Erabi would be an upgrade on Bamford for Leeds

Striker Patrick Bamford has certainly had his doubters over the years but managed to be a huge part of their success in the Premier League a couple of years ago.

The Englishman notched 17 goals during the 2020/21 season, helping the club register a top-half finish in the first year after promotion from England’s second tier.

However, since relegation, he’s struggled to replicate such form, scoring just eight league goals, with injuries restricting him to just 77 minutes of action so far in 2024/25.

As a result of his recent tribulations, the hierarchy could be forced into dipping into the transfer market, with Erabi just one option who would provide an upgrade on the 31-year-old.

The Swede has registered nine goals in all competitions during this calendar year, massively outscoring Bamford and offering that added firepower to push them over the line in their promotion battle.

However, when delving into the underlying stats, the Hammarby star has also massively outperformed the current Leeds forward – demonstrating what a superb addition he would be should a deal be completed.

Games played

23

7

Minutes played

1670

77

Goals & assists

10

0

Shot-on-target accuracy

43%

0%

Fouls won

1.8

1.1

Times caught offside

0.7

1.1

It’s safe to say it’s been a sad decline for Bamford, failing to consistently produce the goods for the Whites, leaving the supporters wanting more within the attacking area of the pitch.

Erabi, who’s been dubbed “powerful and prolific” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, could be the man to provide that added impetus, having the ability in front of goal to transform the fortunes in the final third in the coming months.

£8.5m would be another huge investment from the board, but it could prove to be one for the short and long term, having an immediate impact but also potentially making them a sizeable profit at some point down the line.

It could also help to finally send that man Bamford packing, with just 18 months left to run on his existing deal.

Farke must sell Leeds flop who Marsch was "convinced" would be "great"

The Leeds United defender must be cashed in on at the earliest available opportunity.

ByDan Emery Dec 5, 2024

Chelsea's goalkeeper woes continued and their attack misfired as the hosts came from behind to heap more misery on Enzo Maresca's side

Filip Jorgensen's howler saw Chelsea drop points from a winning position again as Aston Villa secured a comeback 2-1 Premier League victory on Saturday.

The Blues started the game brightly, despite losing Trevoh Chalobah to injury early on, and took the lead in the ninth minute through Enzo Fernandez after excellent wing play from Pedro Neto.

The Argentine could have had a quickfire hat-trick as he headed just wide from a dangerous Cole Palmer cross and then curled one onto the roof of the net.

At the other end, Jorgensen spread himself well to keep out Ollie Watkins' strike, and then Marc Cucurella was at full stretch to deny the England striker soon after.

Villa were slowly gaining the upper hand as the contest wore on, despite Palmer's shot agonisingly hitting the side netting.

Their hard work was undone, however, when Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford set up Marco Asensio to draw the hosts level in the 59th minute following a lengthy VAR review.

Neto and Palmer then spurned good opportunities after the hour mark as the match became increasingly stretched.

Unai Emery's men looked the more likely to grab a winner and sure enough in the 90th minute, Paris Saint-Germain loanee Asensio's shot squirmed under Jorgensen to give his team all three points.

The result meant Chelsea have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games, with the Blues – who have dropped 15 points from winning positions this season – staying sixth and Villa climbing to seventh in the table.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Villa Park…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Filip Jorgensen (5/10):

Undid all his good work in the game with a big error for Asensio's late winner. Another goalkeeping nightmare for Chelsea which may open the door again for Robert Sanchez.

Malo Gusto (5/10):

Was a threat going forward in the first half but was less effective all-round in the second as he struggled to contain substitute Rashford.

Reece James (7/10):

Looked solid in a back three and often was effective when advancing into a defensive midfield role.

Trevoh Chalobah (N/A):

Fell awkwardly following a challenge by Asensio and made way after just seven minutes.

Levi Colwill (7/10):

Had his hands full with the livewire Watkins but mopped up a lot of the danger that came his way.

Marc Cucurella (6/10):

Pulled off a vital diving block to deny Watkins an equaliser and was competent enough in the defeat.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Moises Caicedo (7/10):

Marshalled the centre of the park with authority in an aggressive and enterprising performance.

Enzo Fernandez (8/10):

Was in the right place at the right time for Chelsea's opener and had a hatful of first-half chances. Helped facilitate his side's attack well.

Getty Images SportAttack

Pedro Neto (8/10):

Skinned Ian Maatsen and then superbly set up team-mate Fernandez for Chelsea's opener. Was always a willing runner, a constant thorn in Villa's side but was maybe a tad wasteful in front of goal.

Christopher Nkunku (4/10):

Was a bit anonymous at times and this display won't end the questions over Chelsea's striker issues.

Cole Palmer (6/10):

Showed flashes of his quality but he does not look as confident as in weeks and months gone by.

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Tosin Adarabioyo (5/10):

Despite having plenty of time to get up to speed with the contest, following his early introduction, he never looked comfortable.

Jadon Sancho (5/10):

Did nothing of note when he came on.

Enzo Maresca (7/10):

Went with three at the back and two wing-backs and early on this formation and tactics worked wonders. Just when it looked like his side would earn a gritty point, Chelsea were undone by a costly error.

Rafiq has alleged it was an “open secret” that the name “Kevin” was used to describe people of colour

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2021Alex Hales has denied “any racial connotation” in naming his dog ‘Kevin’ after Azeem Rafiq alleged that the name was used by former Yorkshire team-mate Gary Ballance “to describe people of colour”.Rafiq told a parliamentary hearing into the Yorkshire County Cricket Club racism scandal on Tuesday that he believed Hales, the former England batter, had named his dog ‘Kevin’ because it was black.In a statement released on Wednesday, Hales said: “Having heard the allegations made against me, I categorically and absolutely deny there was any racial connotation in the naming of my dog.”I entirely respect and have huge sympathy for both the stance Azeem Rafiq has taken and what he has had to endure. His evidence was harrowing.”There is no place for racism or discrimination of any kind in cricket and I will gladly cooperate with any investigation the game’s authorities choose to hold. Neither I nor my representatives will be making any further comment on the matter.”Related

Live Blog – Parliamentary inquiry into Yorkshire racism investigation

Azeem Rafiq: Joe Root's comments about not seeing racism at Yorkshire were 'hurtful'

Azeem Rafiq: 'Before we move forward, the game needs to listen to a lot of people who have suffered'

Azeem Rafiq feels 'massive weight' lift after giving evidence of racist abuse

Hales’ county club, Nottinghamshire, said it had “commenced the appropriate internal process” following Rafiq’s claims.”Following on from the testimony provided to the DCMS Select Committee regarding Alex Hales, we have commenced the appropriate internal process and will continue to liaise with Alex and his advisers accordingly,” a club statement said.The club also encouraged “anyone who wishes to share concerns or discuss their experiences to come forward and speak freely” either directly or through the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC).”Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club remains totally committed to making cricket in our county, at every level, welcoming and accessible for all,” the statement said. “We have always tried to create positive and fulfilling cricketing experiences for people from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, and we will continue to do so.”We acknowledge that, given the experiences recently being shared within the wider game, individuals may not have felt comfortable in voicing their concerns in the past.”We would encourage anyone who wishes to share concerns or discuss their experiences to come forward and speak freely… it is vital that individuals do so, in order for the game of cricket to learn and move forward together.”Alex Hales says he will cooperate with any investigation into racism claims•Getty Images

During the hearing, before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee, Rafiq was asked by Julian Knight MP, the committee chair, about references to the word “Kevin” in Yorkshire’s controversial report into Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism at the club.Rafiq replied that it was a derogatory word used by Ballance to describe non-white team-mates. “It was an open secret in the England dressing room,” he said. “Anyone who came across Gary would know that was a phrase he would use to describe people of colour.”Rafiq then alleged that Hales had picked up on the word and named his dog ‘Kevin’ because it was black. “It’s disgusting how much of a joke it was,” Rafiq added.

Says board mandated taking a knee as it is important to send out right message “to the South African public and the broader global community”

Firdose Moonda27-Oct-2021

Cricket South Africa believes that Quinton de Kock is “committed to an antiracist agenda” along with the rest of the squad, but wanted uniform conduct and messaging from the team at the Men’s T20 World Cup. That is what led to the board issuing a directive on Tuesday morning that the entire touring party must take a knee before each game, according to chairperson Lawson Naidoo. de Kock was the only person who did not comply and withdrew from the match against West Indies.Speaking on a podcast , Naidoo explained that CSA wants its team to be seen acting out antiracism in public. “The issue is not about questioning the commitment of any of the players towards combating racism but it is about the conduct they display and the messages that sends out to the South African public and the broader global community during a world event,” Naidoo said. “We expect South Africans to be leading the world globally on [this topic], given our particular history and the particular circumstances that have prevailed in South Africa. It’s a position where South Africa should be a leader, not a follower.”While Naidoo could provide no further clarity on whether de Kock will participate in the rest of the tournament as he awaits a team management report, he cautioned against knee-jerk reactions to de Kock’s refusal to take a knee. “I believe Quinny is committed to an antiracist agenda, the depth of his conviction is something you will have to ask him about. From the team environment, I don’t think this is about anybody not wanting to contribute to the fight against racism,” he said. “As for the consequences for Quinny – we’ll have to see when we get a report from team management.”What is certain is that CSA will not back down from their instruction after Naidoo detailed how the board took the decision to make it obligatory for the team to take a knee after they saw visuals of the team’s opening game. “The visual images that emerged from the weekend’s game against Australia demonstrated a team that came across as being disjointed and disorganised, as not really on the same level as each other, and that’s something to be corrected,” Naidoo said. “There is no suggestion that any of the players is not committed to the fight against racism but it’s how they demonstrate it that’s important.”Cricket is the second most watched sport in the world. Our players, as leaders in that field, need to take the responsibility and see their bigger responsibility towards society as a whole, and towards their team-mates and to be able to find each other, even if they are not fully committed to the decisions being taken, in the interests of the team. That’s what team spirit is all about.”He admitted that CSA did not consult with the team on the day it issued the directive but pointed out that discussions have been ongoing since last November, when South Africa hosted England and decided not to take a knee. “We didn’t consult with the team.There were reports that the team had continued discussing this matter and were unable to arrive at a consensus position that they could all agree to,” Naidoo said. “There have been ongoing discussions around this for some time. It’s not as though this has come out of the blue.”There have been discussions, culture camps and discussion forums within the team environment. The team has been unable to resolve this matter internally. We need to resist the temptation of overcomplicating what is a very simple issue of taking a stand against racism and asking people to replicate what is happening in other sports codes, in other parts of the world and a position that has been adopted by several other teams.”Asked if the gesture would be more powerful if it was done voluntarily rather than under instruction, Naidoo conceded the point, but said that he hopes the directive will lead to the introspection that will make taking a knee genuine. “Voluntarism would have been the ideal situation. That’s why we allowed the players the time and the space to try and come to that conclusion themselves. They were unable to do so and therefore it was necessary for the board to make this intervention. It was a tough decision that needed to be taken and one that the board unanimously agreed on.”I have a certain level of cynicism about this gesture [becoming meaningless] going forward, [but] knowing the context of it, that is why it was important for us to make it absolutely clear, for the board to stand up and say that we have issued this directive and we expect the players to abide by it, which they have done. The longer term and the other side of this is that the image it represents across the world is one that will hopefully grow within the team environment and allow that real culture and commitment to develop on the understanding that this is the right thing to do.”

Manchester City have confirmed the arrival of defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens on a four-and-a-half year deal.

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• Khusanov signs on until 2029
• Moves in deal worth €40 million (£34m/$41m) plus add-ons
• City hail 'really exciting' signing

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 20-year-old has joined Pep Guardiola's side from French club Lens and becomes the first Uzbeki to ever play in the Premier League. Khusanov is City's first signing of the January transfer window and will wear the No. 45 shirt at the Etihad Stadium

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  City are expected to make more signings this winter after a disappointing first half of the 2024-25 campaign. The club are also expected to land Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt and the striker could be the next new arrival in Manchester.

• AFP
  

  WHAT KHUSANOV SAID

  He told the club's media: "I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time. This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them. And of course Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more. This is a very proud moment for me and my family to be joining a great Club like Manchester City and I’m more than ready for this challenge.”

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• WHAT MAN CITY SAID

  Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said: “We are very happy that he has joined us and we are all very excited about what he will bring. For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick. Working with Pep will only make him better and, speaking to him, he is determined to keep improving. He is a really exciting signing as we aim to keep progressing to maintain one of the best squads in Europe.”

تعرض فريق ريال بيتيس لضربة قاسية في مباراة اليوم ضد خيتافي، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، قبل صدامه المرتقب ضد ريال مدريد.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة والعشرين من الدوري الإسباني، حيث فاز ريال بيتيس بهدفين مقابل هدف.

وحصل لاعب ريال بيتيس، أنتوني، على بطاقة حمراء قبل نهاية المباراة، وتحديدًا في الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت المحتسب بدلَا من الضائع للشوط الثاني.

جاء طرد أنتوني بداعِ تدخله ضد لاعب الخصم، مما أدى إلى حصوله على بطاقة حمراء مباشرة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رابطة الدوري الإسباني تعلن موعد مباراتي برشلونة وريال مدريد في الجولة 27

ويفتقد ريال بيتيس بيذلك خدمات أنتوني في مباراة الجولة المقبلة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، وذلك ضد خصمه ريال مدريد.

ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على ريال بيتيس، في الجولة السادسة والعشرين من الليجا، وذلك مساء يوم السبت المقبل.

ويمثل غياب أنتوني ضربة لـ ريال بيتيس، بعدما أصبح البرازيلي عنصرًا أساسيًا لدى المدرب مانويل بيليجريني بعد قدومه في الشتاء بمقنضى صفقة إعارة من مانشستر يونايتد.

وشارك أنتوني في 4 مباريات رفقة ريال بيتيس، وسجل هدفين وصنع هدفًا، وتحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة مرتين.

Tottenham Hotspur didn’t complete the most frenetic of finishes to the summer transfer window, but this is a product of the smooth dealing under Ange Postecoglou.

Gone are the days of scattergun spending. Spending for spending’s sake. Spending vast sums of money on footballers who quickly fall by the wayside.

Giovani Lo Celso’s £3m deadline-day sale to Real Betis personifies this, for the Argentinian midfielder joined for a fee totalling £43m in 2020, having initially arrived on loan.

One out, one in? Not quite, but Tottenham have taken a rather unusual route toward signing Johnny Cardoso from Betis, enabled by yesterday’s transaction.

What's going on with Johnny Cardoso

Rivals might titter over Tottenham’s interminable trophy drought, but such a din is drowned out down at N17 by the exciting project that Postecoglou is crafting, brick by brick.

Daniel Levy ensured that a clause was inserted in Lo Celso’s transfer, that Spurs would have priority when the United States native leaves the La Liga outfit next year or later still.

It’s a prudent move. The north Londoners can observe Cardoso’s continuing rise and move down the line if his development aligns with the rise of Postecoglou’s Tottenham. A tough-tackling midfielder, analyst Ben Mattinson has noted that “he’s great at winning aerial duels and progressing play from deep.”

The fixed fee is €30m (£25m), which is no small sum, and provides Postecoglou with ample time to assess his options, namely Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur in the nub of midfield, and move if it all makes sense.

However, Cardoso would arrive at an area of midfield stocked with plenty of talented youth. Any deal must not affect the growth of Archie Gray, who has the skills to conquer the Premier League with Tottenham.

Why Archie Gray is Spurs' biggest talent

Tottenham moved with all the speed of a blustering gale to sign Gray for £30m this summer, fighting tooth and nail to hijack Brentford’s deal with Leeds United.

Gray is a teenage midfielder with the world at his feet, and his instant role in Postecoglou’s plans makes a telling comment on the view in which he is held by the Australian, who knows a top talent when he sees one.

Leeds quickly established that they had a homegrown starlet of significant potential last season. The Whites’ relegation from the Premier League proved to be a good thing for Gray’s progress, who ended up with 40 starts in the Championship and claimed the Young Player of the Year award.

Interchangeable, he darted from deep-lying midfield to right-back with impressive measures of success, finishing the campaign with 2.1 tackles and 4.5 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore, completing 89% of his passes and winning 57% of his ground duels.

His pre-season form has carried into the early days of the 2024/25 campaign, featuring off the bench in both of Tottenham’s opening matches, all composure and aptness on the Premier League pitch.

Still only 18. What a talent. Gray will only continue to grow into his skin and has even been said to be “a future £100m” midfielder by earlier-mentioned analyst Mattinson.

His technique and confidence have seen him operate dynamically through the maiden days of his career, and with a tenacious bite and breezy passing with both feet, he might just be the real deal.

Cardoso is more of a steely no. 6, crunchier with his challenges, but few would argue against Gray having the higher ceiling. Tottenham’s decision to view Cardoso’s development through the lens of a non-obligatory future deal errs on the side of caution, gives them time to reach a decision.

Gone are the frustrating days of old. Hello Tottenham 2.0; it’s a brand new world.

Spurs could unleash their new Kane, Son & Dele in exciting young trio

The North London side have plenty of young talent to call upon this season

By
Ross Kilvington

Aug 31, 2024

Liverpool is abuzz with Arne Slot's side's imminent Premier League clash against Brentford, who will give Anfield a first taste of action for the season, but sporting director Richard Hughes will have most of his attention on the week ahead in the market.

The 2024 summer transfer window has entered its final week, and Liverpool remain the only outfit across Europe's top seven leagues to have refrained some strengthening their first team.

Still, Fabrizio Romano has hinted that the Reds could be set to bring in a new signing or two before the end of the month, with Slot inheriting an abundantly talented squad from Jurgen Klopp but one that fell by the wayside toward the end of the 2023/24 campaign and could use some fresh life.

Should Joe Gomez be sold, Liverpool will need a new defender, with the 27-year-old attracting interest from a host of Premier League outfits and being valued at £45m by his club. Sepp van den Berg has already completed a £25m transfer to Brentford and the perfect new arrival might just be in the pipeline.

Liverpool transfer news

As per Football Insider, Liverpool are monitoring Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie, with the young centre-back having been on the club's radar for quite some time.

Hincapie was a core part of the Leverkusen side that completed an invincible domestic campaign last year, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles, and would be a significant coup for Slot's side.

The 22-year-old is understood to have a £50m price tag but Liverpool's lack of activity throughout the summer months suggests that the funds are available to complete such a deal, with outgoings strengthening Anfield's financial accord even more.

What Piero Hincapie would bring to Liverpool

FSG's natural hesitance to launch high-money bids for players that wouldn't immediately walk into the first team is a well-known fact on Merseyside, but Hincapie could prove to be an exception to that rule.

While he's not the finished product and would perhaps not displace Ibrahima Konate or Jarell Quansah as captain Virgil van Dijk's undisputed, nailed-on partner in central defence, there's enough there to speak of the importance of getting the deal done.

As you can see, he has much to learn before he is playing with the kind of polished, world-class swagger of Van Dijk, but he still impressed with his ball-playing quality and of course, featured in a defence that concluded the term without tasting defeat – and winning the league trophy besides.

Also, as per FBref, the Ecuadorian already ranks among the top 9% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 14% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for passes attempted, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 14% for tackles made per 90.

He has the properties that Slot admires, capable of playing through the lines and driving forward himself to instigate attacking sequences and add to the central overload that the Dutch tactician loves to charge his swift-passing, control-focused brand of football.

Tipped to become “one of the world's best centre-backs” by journalist and U23 scout Antonio Mango – who also dubbed him an "absolute beast" – Hincapie would be a wonderful addition to the team, and would actually be the perfect replacement for Gomez.

Joe Gomez upgrade

Bayer Leverkusen have picked up where they left off under Xabi Alonso, winning the DFL Supercup before scoring a last-gasp winner in their gripping Bundesliga opener against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday night.

Hincapie has already proven his qualities and continual growth toward the upper end of Europe's defensive titans, winning 80% of his duels last time out.

Gomez offers a defensive versatility that is astounding in its scope, having featured across the backline under Klopp last year, but this is a new era and Hincapie offers greater distribution, as well as carrying some of the talents that Gomez offers too.

Hincapie, moreover, is a competent left-back, impressing when moonlighting down the flank in the past. Liverpool have Trent Alexander-Arnold and his electric understudy Conor Bradley on the other side of the backline, so it's hard to imagine that Gomez would receive too much game time in his natural position.

The England international also won only 48% of his ground duels in the Premier League last season. While Gomez showcased many redeeming qualities after a wretched 2022/23 campaign, earning a Three Lions recall and leading writer Joel Rabinowitz to praise his “renaissance”, he's not irreplaceable.

Hincapie's 5.14 progressive passes per 90 over the past 12 months also stands above Gomez's 4.88 per 90, emphasising further suitability within the new way of life at Liverpool.

Gomez is also the club's longest-serving player after joining from Charlton Athletic for £3m as a teenager in 2015, so perhaps the time is right to part ways and issue in some new blood.

Hincapie is a talented player with so much potential yet to be realised, and given that he offers the kind of style that enhance Slot's system, it seems like a bit of a no-brainer, with Liverpool in need of at least one signing to ensure that the new era goes off without a hitch.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 24, 2024