All posts by h716a5.icu

Aston Villa have undergone an incredible transformation since the arrival of Unai Emery, going from relegation candidates to qualifying for the Europa Conference League last season.

Now, in their first full season under Emery, they'll be hoping to get even better. The last thing the Midlands club needed was an injury to a key player, though, making Tyrone Mings' lengthy spell on the sideline all the more frustrating.

As the transfer window edges closer and closer to slamming shut, Villa look to have solved their centre-back dilemma, however.

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

It sums up just how strong the Premier League is these days that Aston Villa managed to land the likes of Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres and Nicolo Zaniolo, but you could say the Villans have more than earned the right to sign players of such calibre.

In fact, since the turn of the year, only Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side have won more than Aston Villa's 49 points in the Premier League. With that, it is clear that Emery has built a squad capable of enjoying the company of England's elite when at their very best.

Now, they could be about to get even stronger, with a breakthrough in their pursuit of Clement Lenglet following initial talks.

According to Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday, Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign the Barcelona defender on a season-long loan deal, with Lenglet set to travel to the Midlands for his medical.

The Frenchman, of course, spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, and, therefore, has plenty of Premier League experience to add to Emery's side at Villa Park.

"Clement Lenglet to Aston Villa, here we go! Agreement reached on loan deal as Lenglet will travel later today. Negotiations revealed yesterday now set to be sealed, waiting for documents to be signed. Player already agreed."

Who is Clement Lenglet?

Given Mings' extended spell on the sidelines, signing Lenglet appears to be a smart piece of business from Villa's point of view. The fact that it is set to be a loan deal, too, means that Emery won't be overloaded with options upon the return of his club captain.

On loan at Spurs last season, Lenglet earned plenty of praise, too, including from John Wenham, who told Football Insider:

"I have been really thinking about this, I want to give credit to Clement Lenglet.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

“It was his first North London derby. I don’t watch every weekend but when I do, or I see the highlights, Bukayo Saka is always their most influential attacking player.

“He’s a new signing to the Premier League, I know he has a lot of experience from Barcelona and with France but he already seems very reliable, like we could drop him in for any fixture."

With that said, Villa look set to welcome yet another solid arrival before the transfer window closes, potentially ending what has been an excellent summer for Emery and co.

Arsenal are enjoying their best start to a Premier League season ever with the Gunners sitting top of the table as we head towards the World Cup break.

However, there is still a belief in some circles that top four isn’t even a foregone conclusion for Mikel Arteta’s men.

It’s easy to see why that might be the case when you consider how they fell apart at the back end of last season.

Edu failed to bring anyone to the Emirates Stadium in January despite selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and that initial decision came back to bite them.

Now challenging for the title, the Brazilian technical director can’t afford to let that happen again.

Fortunately, it looks as though Arsenal will be busier in the new year. They have identified a number of targets from Palmeiras midfielder Danilo, to Orlando City’s Facundo Torres.

The latest name on the rumour mill is that of Noah Okafor.

The RB Salzburg forward has been linked with a move to Leeds and Arsenal via reports in Italy and it’s hard to deny he wouldn’t be a good signing.

Just 22 years of age, the Switzerland international has found the back of the net on nine occasions this term while playing a club notorious for producing some of the best around.

The Red Bull scouting network is remarkable, with the likes of Sadie Mane and Erling Haaland learning their trade with the Austrian club.

It’s a fabulous breeding ground for young talent and Okafor is the latest in an illustrious list of names to pass through their corridors.

A natural centre forward, the young Swiss is already doing Haaland-like things.

His three goals in the Champions League this season – of which one has come against Chelsea –  ensures that only Haaland has scored more for the Red Bull club in that completion.

Meanwhile, Okafor is the only player besides Haaland to score on each of the first three matchdays of a Champions League campaign for an Austrian club, and the first Swiss player to do so too.

Seemingly happy to break records, the £25m-valued talent has been dubbed a “simply phenomenal” talent by scout Jacek Kulig, and seems to be maturing at just the right time.

He is on for a special goal haul this season but Arsenal will hope it’s them he’s plying his trade for come 2023.

Possessing ‘blistering pace’, it’s not just goals and their club history that make the two alike, with Haaland and Okafor very much cut from a similar cloth when it comes to their speed.

The comparison in question does not guarantee that the Salzburg ace will come in and immediately score 17 Premier League goals, but it does make the attacker an exciting proposition.

Either way, Arsenal must ensure they’re at the front of the queue to sign him next year. He could just be their answer to Manchester City’s freakish goal machine.

Jurgen Klopp’s impressive recruitment throughout his Liverpool tenure has seen the club rise to extraordinary heights.

Aside from the Europa League trophy, the German has claimed every honour available to him as manager of the Anfield side. Players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Virgil van Dijk have arrived and become integral to the success achieved recently.

Academy talents have also played a part, with Klopp blooding youngsters such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harvey Elliott, although it appears he has also struck gold with Curtis Jones, especially with his value skyrocketing.

The 21-year-old made his first team bow during the 2018/2019 season in an FA Cup tie against Wolves, however, it wasn’t until the following season that he made his Premier League debut as the Reds won their first league title since 1990.

Klopp put faith in the midfielder by granting him 34 first-team appearances the following campaign and he began to firmly establish himself in the senior side.

Domestically he was solid, but Jones was also shining in Europe, with former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch suggesting he had “excellent feet” following a performance against Porto in the Champions League where he grabbed three assists.

The last two seasons have seen him miss 25 matches due to injuries, however, this hasn’t seemed to have had a detrimental effect, especially on his value.

The CIES Football Observatory values Jones at €35m (£30.6m) and this will surely continue to rise with each excellent performance he puts in.

Klopp has some exceptionally gifted youngsters in his squad this season, and with poor league results basically ending a title challenge, this period of transition can only be good news for the likes of Jones, who should get much more game time.

With a raft of injuries disrupting the squad this season, particularly in the midfield area, the young Englishman could certainly jump at the chance of staking a claim for a regular spot in the engine room.

It may be a season of change for the Anfield side, but that doesn’t mean Klopp isn’t thinking ahead to the future, one in which the 21-year-old can play a big part.

Glasgow Rangers ended their two-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

The Gers struggled to dominate the ball, ending the match with 54% possession, and it took them until the 66th minute to break the deadlock in front of a restless crowd.

Malik Tillman gave the hosts the lead as Ryan Kent and Borna Barisic combined down the left for the latter to tee up the Bayern Munich loanee for a powerful finish past the goalkeeper, with his goal turning out to be the only one of the game.

The victory may have saved Gio van Bronckhorst’s job, for now, as The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell shared ahead of the game that the manager may need to win the last two matches before the break in order to remain in his post on the other side of the World Cup break.

A defeat, for the third game in a row after losses to St. Johnstone and Ajax, would have left them ten points behind Celtic at the top of the table and given the Light Blues board a big decision to make.

Therefore, you could argue that Tillman has saved van Bronckhorst, in the short term at least, with his winning goal on Wednesday night. However, James Tavernier was the real hero for the Gers as he put in an exceptional display at right-back.

The Englishman was faultless defensively and made a big impact at the top end of the pitch as he created chances for his teammates to score.

As per SofaScore, he won 100% of his individual duels (2/2) and made three clearances, three interceptions, and one tackle. This, along with Hearts registering zero shots on target, shows that he was strong in his defending and was able to win the ball back for his team on a regular basis, whilst also being in the right position to clear it when needed.

The £30k-per-week dynamo also caught the eye in possession as he created four chances – a tally no other Rangers player could beat. He was making his presence felt at both ends of the pitch, which is why he was pivotal to the win as he kept the opposition out at one end and piled the pressure on them at the other.

Therefore, he was the real hero for the Light Blues due to the complete nature of his performance. Tillman may have been the match-winner with his strike but the skipper was arguably more important to the result across the 90 minutes – potentially saving van Bronckhorst’s job in the process.

Glasgow Rangers are no doubt plotting potential new recruits ahead of the January transfer window, with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst seemingly in need of fresh faces in his bid to reverse the Ibrox outfit’s current slump.

One man who has been linked with a move to Glasgow in recent times is Bristol City striker, Antoine Semenyo, with the 22-year-old reportedly set to be the subject of a £5m offer from the Scottish giants amid his current contract uncertainty at Ashton Gate.

The Ghanian – who is in line to feature for his country at the World Cup – has just a matter of months remaining on his existing deal with the Championship outfit, with the Robins believed to be open to a sale in order to recoup a transfer fee for the explosive forward.

The four-cap sensation – who was also rumoured to also be interesting Celtic earlier this year – scored his first international goal during the warm-up clash with Switzerland at the weekend, with that strike proving a continuation of his prolific form at club level in recent times.

That hot streak has seen the exciting talent score four goals in all competitions so far this term, having previously caught the attention as a result of his displays last season, scoring eight times and providing 12 assists in England’s second tier.

A “nightmare to play against” as a result of his speed and strength – according to current boss Nigel Pearson – the Chelsea-born machine could well add another dimension to the Gers’ attack, with the club currently lacking that dynamic, mobile threat in the forward line.

Semenyo’s addition could well help to aid summer signing Antonio Colak, with the Croatia international – who missed out on his nation’s squad for Qatar – having been criticised for his all-round performances of late, with journalist Mark McDougall noting that the 29-year-old “offers very little in the build-up” having been somewhat statuesque in attack.

The deployment of the former Malmo loanee alongside the more lively Bristol gem could well allow the clinical marksman to stick to doing what he does best – scoring goals – having scored 14 goals in just 24 games in all competitions so far this term.

As such, Colak could remain the figurehead of the attack whose main remit is to put the ball in the back of the net, with Van Bronckhorst able to cover up the German-born striker’s other deficiencies by unleashing Semenyo to partner him.

That duo could prove to be a truly mouthwatering and nightmare attacking partnership in the New Year and beyond, with the Light Blues needing to do all they can to get a deal over the line sooner rather than later.

Scottish champions Celtic have already acted swiftly to wrap up their first piece of business ahead of the upcoming January transfer window, with the Old Firm outfit confirming on Wednesday that they have secured the signing of Vissel Kobe defender, Yuki Kobayashi.

That deal – which will be officially completed on New Year’s Day – will see the 22-year-old make the move to Glasgow on a five-year contract, with the centre-back set to join the growing contingent of Japanese players at Parkhead.

Manager Ange Postecoglou had previously hinted that new additions could well be in the offing in the winter window, with the 57-year-old showing his delight at having managed to get the move agreed, stating:

“Yuki is someone that we’ve been following for a while and it was a great opportunity to bring him in. He’s a left-sided centre-back, and they’re hard to find.

“He’s at a really good age where he’s already had some great experience but with great potential ahead of him.”

As the former Yokohama Marinos boss noted above, the new addition will likely provide greater balance to the club’s defensive unit as a rare, left-footed option in the centre of defence, helping to provide further competition at the heart of the backline.

While something of an unknown quantity to most outside his homeland, the hope will be that Kobayashi could well go on to emulate his compatriots – such as Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhahsi – and make an impact at Paradise in both the second half of this term and beyond.

The youthful asset has already been given glowing praise from journalist Sacha Pisani, who said of the 6 foot 1 gem’s talents: “Yuki’s good in the air. Reads/anticipates game well. Comfortable on ball as left-footer & very good at blocking shots.”

Despite that acquisition, Postecoglou could well strengthen his defence even further with the signing of long-term target Joseph Okumu, with the Gent colossus having been linked with a move to Celtic Park during the summer.

The 25-year-old had also previously been linked with the Hoops – as well as bitter rivals Rangers – the year prior during Postecolgou’s first window in charge, having seemingly been a player who the one-time Australia boss is fond of.

The 6 foot 4 colossus – who was previously tipped to achieve “something special” by Real Monarchs general manager Dan Egner during his time in the United States – could well prove to be a long-term partner to Kobayashi in the backline, offering a truly imposing presence as a result of his towering frame.

The Kenyan brute notably ranks in the top 1% for tackles made and the top 4% for interceptions made among those in his position, as per FBref, with that a marker of just what an effective and destructive figure he is in his centre-back berth.

Not only something of a rock, Okumu also seemingly offers quality in possession and a willingness to play out of the back as he ranks in the top 4% for attempted passes and the top 20% for progressive passes, with that forward-thinking approach likely to be well suited to Postecoglou’s attacking style of play.

With the backline still something of an issue as far as the Hoops are concerned – having shipped 15 goals in this season’s Champions League run – the deployment of a Kobayashi-Okumu axis could well prove to be special.

The interest in Declan Rice is ramping up, with the player’s own admission alluding to a transfer in the near future, with Chelsea among the frontrunners.

What’s the word?

The Blues have maintained an intense desire to bring Declan Rice to Stamford Bridge for several years now, with the Guardian recently confirming that the 23-year-old wishes to leave and will not extend his contract, expiring in 2024. 

In a recent World Cup press conference this week, Rice offered some thoughts on his next move, as West Ham United desperately try to keep hold of their most coveted asset. 

Rice said:

“I see my friends who play in the Champions League, winning the big trophies. You only get one career and at the end of your career you want to look back at what you’ve won.” 

Matic 2.0

Rice has been making steady gains over the past few years in East London, and it’s no mere coincidence that his emergence to the scene runs parallel to West Ham’s won ascension to European football, after narrowly staving off relegation in the 19/20 campaign.  

Having made 215 appearances for the Irons, scoring 11 goals and 12 assists, the 37-cap England international has earned plaudits for his tenaciously industrious approach to the midfield play, dictating the tempo, launching robust challenges and searching for forward openings. 

It’s exactly why journalist Rob Blanchette once dubbed him “a monster in midfield” earlier this season.

And should Chelsea pursue, they would wield a player reminiscent of a former star at the centre in Nemanja Matic.

Matic, who now pays his trade for AS Roma in the twilight stage of his career, was regarded as one of Europe’s best holding midfielders when he was at his zenith, and Rice could flourish with the Blues in his place.

Sticking to the basics and instilling composure and stability, the 34-year-old was impressive during his Chelsea career, winning three league titles, and his blueprint is one that should be followed by any like-minded midfielders looking to achieve success at Stamford Bridge.

The £68.6m-rated Rice, as valued by Transfermarkt, would likely require a mammoth bid exceeding that amount if the Hammers were to relinquish possession of the ace, with sources touting a fee closer to £150m. 

Such a fee might seem astronomical, but the statistics illustrate the prowess of the ace, with FBref ranking him within the top 6% for pass completion and 7% for interceptions when compared to midfielders across Europe’s major leagues this past year.

And with WhoScored recording his 2.4 tackles and 1.6 interceptions in the Premier League this term, it’s clear that Chelsea would have some weapon on their hands should they succeed in their efforts. 

Also, with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both approaching the conclusion of their Chelsea contracts this summer, the space is indeed freed for someone of Rice’s mould, who would adopt the anchor position in the team with aplomb, whilst also serving as a pivot when required.

Having been released from the Cobham academy at 14 years old, Rice found a home with the Hammers and has since proved that he has all the tools to become a leading central force for the coming age of football, both for club and country. 

And with the “force of nature” – as dubbed by journalist Rob Blanchette – displaying no signs of slowing down, Chelsea will feel rising confidence that they can hook the Englishman and reel him back into the fold, melding into the heart of the engine and fuelling the new Chelsea era. 

Chelsea have seemingly received a boost in their quest to sign Declan Rice next summer, with renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming that the England international will leave West Ham following recent quotes from the player.

The Lowdown: Rice linked with Chelsea

The midfielder has matured into a key figure for both club and country, and he was recently touted as a possible future captain of the Three Lions, having started all three of England’s games at the 2022 World Cup games so far.

Rice is reportedly wanted by some of the top clubs in the country and Chelsea have been linked with a move for him numerous times in recent weeks and months.

There is a feeling that the 23-year-old may have outgrown West Ham, and a new update adds weight to that notion.

The Latest: Move expected in 2023

Taking to Twitter, Romano claimed that Rice would leave the east London club for a bigger challenge next summer, following on from recent comments made by the West Ham captain.

Sharing a video clip from Football Daily, Romano tweeted:

“Declan Rice: ‘I see my friends who play in the Champions League, winning the big trophies. You only get one career and at the end of your career you want to look at what you’ve won’.

“Expectation is for Rice to leave West Ham in 2023.”

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The Verdict: Chelsea in pole position?

It is common knowledge that Rice was a Chelsea supporter as a youngster, and there is continued hope that this will put the Blues in pole position to sign him, along with his close friendship with Mason Mount.

Champions League football will surely need to be achieved for that to happen, though, with the Irons skipper clearly hinting that he wants to test himself against the best players in the world regularly.

Rice could be a wonderful addition to the Blues’ midfield – he has been hailed as ‘magnificent’ by Gary Lineker – with his pace, power and leadership adding a spark in an area where Chelsea currently have some ageing operators.

Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid phenom Joao Felix, with a bidding war for his services set to arise over the coming period.

What’s the word?

Reports from Spain are indicating that Atletico Madrid will listen to offers for their offensive whiz, after weeks of speculation concerning the 23-year-old’s future. 

Signing for the Spanish giants for a fee of £113m from SL Benfica in 2019, Felix has not quite enjoyed the ride he envisaged under Diego Simeone’s tutelage, with the Argentine manager’s defensive philosophy somewhat clashing with Felix’s breezing forward approach.

With United’s interest stretching back to the summer, a solution that will benefit all parties could materialise in the near future. 

Rooney 2.0

Erik ten Hag’s team are reportedly among the frontrunners to lure the forward away from the Wanda Metropolitano, and the United boss could have his very own Wayne Rooney-esque ace on his hands. 

Rooney, one of the Premier League and Manchester United’s greatest forwards, offered a unique skill-set and a towering physicality that captivated fans for years, and while Felix is not quite the same player, he could adopt the approach that the 37-year-old took with aplomb.

Both players possessing devious stratagems to outwit opponents on the pitch, and an elegance and grace on the ball that most forwards can only dream of, means that Felix can emulate the former phenom and provide a new dimension to the United attack.

As per FBref, the 27-cap Portuguese star ranks within the top 11% for progressive passes and the top 13% for completed dribbles when compared to positional peers across Europe’s big five leagues this past year.

Effectively, United would add a forward to the ranks that knits the collective offence together, aiding the transitions from midfield to attack.

And while Felix hasn’t reached the heights expected in Madrid, only scoring 33 goals and registering 18 assists in 129 matches, the abundant quality will surely shine through in a more offence-minded team.

But with the ace starring for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, putting in an average 7.33 rating, as per Sofascore, as the nation breezed into the quarter-finals, the notion that he would serve as a focal point in a team with more onus on attack is only magnified.

If United boss Erik ten Hag is successful in his pursuit, he will wield a unique centre-forward boasting a range of offensive skills, as Rooney did, perhaps capable of bridging the gap that has left the club devoid of success for several years now.

The winds are changing at Old Trafford, and the “sensation” Felix – as dubbed by Sacha Pisani – would encapsulate the shift in momentum; United must swoop.

Arsenal are reportedly poised to make a final surging assault on Leicester City’s transfer department with the aspiration of ensnaring Youri Tielemans and bringing him to the Emirates Stadium.

What’s the word?

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has held an interest in Tielemans for a considerable amount of time, with previous reports from Spain (via Sport Witness) claiming Arsenal have always been leading the chase, despite involvement from FC Barcelona. 

And now, The Mirror are reporting that Arsenal technical director Edu is targeting a final push this winter to emerge with their man, who will be free to negotiate with other clubs in January, with his contract with Leicester expiring in June. 

With CaughtOffside also exclusively claiming that the Gunners are cautiously optimistic that a deal can be struck before the final hour having agreed personal terms with the player, all the signs seem to be pointing in one direction and one direction only; the Emirates Stadium. 

Forget Danilo

With the also club eyeing the likes of Palmeiras’ young prospect Danilo, it seems ludicrous to fork out a similar sum on an untested talent of the same ilk when a world-class star, who can flourish at the club for years to come, can be placed into the team and contribute towards the fight across the domestic and continental front instantly.

Given the Foxes’ struggles this term, and the fact that Tielemans will know he fights for a team he will likely not be playing for in a matter of time, it is remarkable that his level of performance has remained so high.

As per Transfermarkt, the 25-year-old Belgian ace has played 15 Premier League games this season, scoring three times and assisting once, playing a vital role in the lift from their languishing spot and climbing the table with a string of great performances before the season paused for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

As per Sofascore, the 58-cap ace holds a rating of 7.21 in the Premier League this season, completing 86% of his passes and creating five big chances for his teammates, while also making 2.3 tackles per match and recording 0.8 interceptions. 

And having won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield during his time with City, indeed scoring a resounding goal in the final of the FA Cup against Chelsea, the “phenomenon” – as dubbed by former Swedish player Par Zetterberg – is well worth the interest being taken in his name. 

FBref highlights further metrics to increase the hype in his name, notably from a defensive standpoint, ranking him within the top 17% for tackles and 16% for blocks when compared to midfielders across Europe’s big five leagues this past year. 

With Gunners boss Mikel Arteta observing the player with great interest, it feels that a deal will swiftly be struck, and at just £25m – due to the little time left on his contract – Arsenal must cut their losses and plunge headfirst for a player who can lift them from the ground. Indeed, in that regard, he is a far better option for Edu than his compatriot, Danilo.