Despite getting back to winning ways against Hibernian, Rangers’ summer recruitment has once again come under fire after a focus on youth over experience, with former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart not impressed by 49ers Enterprises so far.
Martin "grateful" for Rangers victory
Several rumours suggested that another poor result against Hibs would spell the end of Russell Martin’s Rangers tenure. The former Southampton manager has endured a disastrous few months in Scotland and felt the full force of Ibrox’s frustration last time out in the Scottish Premiership when fans called for his dismissal. One week on, however, Martin’s finally got the Gers back to winning ways.
There would have been a feeling of relief this time around Ibrox, as Rangers eased past Hibs and into the last four of the Scottish League Cup. Martin, likely among those relieved, expressed his gratitude after his side handed his tenure a glimmer of hope.
The Rangers boss told reporters: “I think I enjoyed it more than any other game this season – maybe the Plzen on. Just really pleased, really grateful. The players and the staff stuck together this week.
“Not easy circumstances, but it was a really good performance – a lot of good stuff against a good team and maybe could have scored a couple more.
“It was never going to be easy. We should have been better than we are and have been, but hopefully today they would have enjoyed the way we did it. I enjoyed the performance. It looked way more like the way I hope we are going to be. I thought the fans were brilliant, and I hope that, in time, they feel differently about me than they do now.”
Rangers must rue losing their own homegrown Bukayo Saka for £0
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There is still a lot more work to do though. Martin and others will be well aware that one victory does not solve the problems that the Gers have. It also doesn’t end the criticism that is still falling the way of the 49ers.
Stewart doesn't "understand" Rangers' recruitment decision
It was all change at Rangers in the summer. A total of 14 players arrived and only a handful – if that – have managed to impress at Ibrox. It has so far reflected incredibly poorly on the 49ers’ first summer at the club and Stewart has been particularly confused by their decision to sign Mikey Moore over the more proven Vaclav Cerny.
Stewart’s not wrong, either. Cerny enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Rangers last season – scoring 18 goals and assisting another nine in all competitions – but will ultimately go down as another one that got away. Moore, by comparison, has so far played 327 minutes for the Gers but is yet to find the back of the net.
RR’s first over-rate offence was under Riyan Parag against Chennai Super Kings last month
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-20252:07
Jaffer: Quality of RR’s squad after auction is questionable
Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has been fined INR 24 lakh after his team’s second over-rate offence in IPL 2025. Samson and his team were slapped with the fine for maintaining a slow over-rate in their game against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.As per Article 2.22 of the IPL’s code of conduct, a captain is fined INR 24 lakh for a second over-rate offence in a season, and the IPL has done away with match suspensions for a third offence. The rest of the players in the playing XII – including the Impact Player – are fined either INR 6 lakh or 25% of their match fees, whichever is lower.RR’s first over-rate offence this IPL was, however, under the captaincy of Riyan Parag when Samson was playing only as an Impact Player as he recovered from a finger injury. The first offence was against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) last month when Parag had been fined INR 12 lakh.RR’s second offence came in their third loss of the season in five games, after having won their previous two games on the bounce. They are currently placed seventh on the points table.
O Palmeiras terá mais dois desfalques para enfrentar o Internacional, neste domingo (16), às 18h30, no Beira-Rio, pelo Brasileirão. Rony e Dudu nem viajaram para Porto Alegre com a delegação neste sábado (15) e estão fora da 15ª rodada do campeonato. Além dessas baixas, a novidade é a presença do jovem Kevin entre os relacionados. A informação é do GE e foi confirmada pelo Lance!.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasInsatisfeita com a fase do time, torcida do Palmeiras poupa elenco e foca críticas na diretoriaPalmeiras15/07/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras assina primeiro contrato profissional com mais uma joia da basePalmeiras15/07/2023PalmeirasInternacional x Palmeiras: onde assistir ao vivo, escalações e desfalques do jogo pelo BrasileirãoPalmeiras15/07/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
A dupla de atacantes não apareceu nas fotos dos treinos dos últimos dias, e não foi informado pelo clube se há algum problema físico com eles. Ambos estiveram em campo na eliminação da Copa do Brasil para o São Paulo, na quinta-feira (13). Dudu foi substituído aos 19 minutos do segundo tempo, enquanto Rony ficou até o apito final. De acordo com o “Nosso Palestra”, o Rústico vai tratar a lesão no tornozelo sofrida diante do Athletico-PR, já que não voltou 100%. Enquanto o Baixola foi preservado pelo desgaste físico.
Sem poder contar com a dupla, Abel Ferreira deve promover o retorno de Artur para o time titular, uma vez que o camisa 14 não podia jogar a Copa do Brasil por já ter defendido outro clube. As outras duas vagas no setor ofensivo devem ser preenchidas por Endrick, que foi titular diante do Tricolor, e Luis Guilherme, que vem sendo opção constante na segunda etapa das partidas.
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+ Internacional x Palmeiras: onde assistir, escalações e desfalques do jogo pelo Brasileirão
Caso queira usar outra opção, o técnico português terá à disposição o jovem Kevin, promovido recentemente do elenco sub-20. O atacante viajou com a delegação e está relacionado para enfrentar o Internacional. Dificilmente ele será titular, mas poderá ser uma alternativa no banco de reservas.
Outro desfalque no time titular é Mayke, que levou o terceiro amarelo diante do Flamengo, na 14ª rodada do Brasileirão, e será substituído por Marcos Rocha, que não figura no 11 inicial há cerca de dois meses. Um provável Palmeiras é: Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Luan e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino (Richard Ríos) e Raphael Veiga; Luis Guilherme, Artur e Endrick.
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+ Insatisfeita com time, torcida do Palmeiras poupa elenco e foca críticas na diretoria
Atualmente, o Verdão é o quinto colocado do Brasileirão com 24 pontos, 15 atrás do líder Botafgo, que tem um jogo a mais. O time de Abel Ferreira está sem vencer há quatro partidas no campeonato e marcou apenas dois dos últimos 12 pontos disputados.
تمكن منتخب المغرب تحت 20 عامًا من تسجيل الهدف الأول أمام الأرجنتين في المباراة الجارية بينهما الآن ضمن منافسات كأس العالم للشباب.
ويلتقي منتخب المغرب، مع نظيره الأرجنتين في نهائي بطولة كأس العالم للشباب تحت 20 عامًا المقامة في تشيلي.
طالع.. هيثم فاروق: المغرب يصنع التاريخ.. ومواجهة الأرجنتين قد تكون الأهم في تاريخ هذا الجيل
وجاء الهدف عن طريق ياسر الزابيري، في الدقيقة 12 من عمر المباراة بعد الحصول على ركلة حرة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء.
وطالب منتخب المغرب، الحصول على ركلة جزاء بعد عرقلة من الحارس لكن الحكم قرر احتساب ركلة حرة بعد مطالبة مدرب أسود أطلس.
وتأهل المغرب إلى نهائي بطولة كأس العالم للشباب، بعد الفوز على فرنسا بركلات الترجيح في دور نصف النهائي.
فيما تأهل منتخب الأرجنتين إلى النهائي بعد الفوز على كولومبيا بهدف دون رد في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات نصف النهائي. هدف المغرب الأول أمام الأرجنتين في نهائي كأس العالم للشباب
Aston Villa have not had the best of starts to the 2025/26 campaign, having picked up just one point from their opening three Premier League fixtures, yet to break their duck.
There was an acceptance from Unai Emery and the powers that be that the summer transfer window would weigh heavily on the club after missing out on Champions League football following a contentious final-day defeat at Manchester United.
However, a late flurry of activity indicates progress and promise. Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliot completed deadline-day loan moves; Victor Lindelof joined on a free transfer after his deal with Man United expired.
The late moves salvaged Villa’s frustrating summer, especially since Monchi and Damian Vidagany have retained the services of the most talented first-teamers.
Aston Villa have kept their best players
In August, Aston Villa sold Jacob Ramsey to Premier League rivals Newcastle United for a £43m fee. A poignant one, for sure. However, the sale of the homegrown talent has turned pure profit for the club, and perhaps played a role in securing a series of late-window additions.
Loan deals for Marcus Rashford, Axel Disasi and Marco Asensio came and passed, but the likes of Ollie Watkins and John McGinn remain at Villa Park after offers from divisional competition were resisted.
Watkins might not be coming off the back of his best season, but he still notched 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, while McGinn’s leadership, energy and presence within the dressing room are factors not easily replaced.
While the opening weeks of the campaign have felt somewhat stale, the mixture of fresh quality and abiding experience emphasises the club’s capacity to challenge in the Europa League and push for a high finish in the Premier League.
These players will play important roles this season, but none more so than Morgan Rogers, who was exceptional last season and might be viewed as the talisman of Emery’s project.
How Morgan Rogers' market value compares
Last month, Rogers was named the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2024/25 Premier League season. The honour bears testament to his extraordinary strides in such a short time, only joining Villa from Middlesbrough in the Championship in January 2024.
The 23-year-old earned opportunities across the second half of the 2023/24 season in the Premier League, but it is last year that he truly came into his own, scoring 14 goals and supplying 16 assists across all competitions, including a haul of 19 goal contributions in the league alone.
He scored a hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League and bagged a consolation goal as Villa were knocked out against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, with pundit Jamie Carragher hailing him as an “unstoppable” force.
The Lions might have started the campaign without much of a roar, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Rogers will be among the driving forces when Emery does create a winning formula for the months ahead.
Athletic and enterprising, no matter the tactical role handed to him, Rogers typically plays in a forward-thrust central midfield berth or out on the left flank, where his pace and power allow him to take on defenders and split lines.
Rogers – Career Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals (assists)
Left winger
93
24 (10)
Attacking midfield
48
14 (10)
Right winger
43
9 (17)
Centre-forward
23
7 (4)
Data via Transfermarkt
Young he may be, but Rogers has already led a storied career, developing his talents in the EFL after first looking for success within Manchester City’s packed youth academy.
The exciting part is there’s still so much for the England international to give, so much potential as yet untapped.
Senior figures at Villa feel Rogers has the potential to become one of the very best in the Premier League, defining the coming years for Emery’s side and perhaps fetching a transfer fee to rival that of Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, who joined the champions from Newcastle United for a British record £125m fee on deadline day.
Isak's Premier League record before joining Liverpool.
One of the most dangerous strikers in the world, Isak’s name has come to be feared in English football, and he has made incremental progress across his three terms on Tyneside. Rogers, too, has shown the signs of bit-by-bit development, and could find himself stretching into even loftier conversations with another knockout year under Emery’s wing.
Indeed, as per CIES Football Observatory, Rogers has been valued at £99m, whereas Isak actually comes in at a smaller price: £89m.
Of course, this doesn’t paint an accurate picture in actuality, since Isak has just moved to Merseyside for a record-breaking fee. Still, it underscores the Three Lions star’s potential to develop into a star of a similar stature, having made such impressive progress across just one full season in the top flight.
Isak, 25, wasn’t refined when leaving Real Sociedad and arriving at St. James’ Park in 2022, but his years under Eddie Howe’s tutelage have shaped him into a superstar. So the parallels can be found with Rogers at Aston Villa.
Whether Aston Villa succeed in nurturing Rogers toward a world-class level remains to be seen, but there’s no question that he has the skills and passion to achieve just that.
Already considered by leading data and analytical site in CIES Football Observatory to have a projected value above that of Liverpool’s new striker (though take that with a pinch of salt, given Isak’s actual price), Rogers is the Midlands outfit’s biggest star, and many feel the best is still to come.
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Amid the signing of Jadon Sancho, Aston Villa may wish they still had another star at the club
سيخضع أحد لاعبي فريق ليفربول لتقييم طبي من جانب النادي بعد تعرضه لإصابة خلال فترة التوقف الدولي، في الوقت الحالي، الخاصة بشهر أكتوبر 2026.
ويتواجد عدد من لاعبي ليفربول حاليًا رفقة منتخباتهم لخوض المباريات الدولية، ومن ضمنهم لاعب خط الوسط الهولندي ريان جرافنبيرخ.
وشارك جرافنبيرخ في مباراة هولندا وفنلندا، مساء أمس، في إطار تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026، حيث فازت الطواحين بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.
واضطر المدير الفني لمنتخب هولندا، رونالد كومان، لاستبدال جرافنبيرخ بين شوطي المباراة المذكورة، بسبب إصابة على مستوى أوتار الركبة.
اقرأ أيضًا | “انفصال عضلة الفخذ عن العظم”.. جراحة تنتظر مهاجم ليفربول بعد إصابة بالغة
وقال كومان: “لقد أشار جرافنبيرخ إلى كونه يعاني من ألم طفيف في أوتار الركبة، لم نرغب في المخاطرة معه، وقررنا استبداله إثر ذلك”.
وذكرت شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” العالمية أن جرافنبيرخ سيخضع لتقييم طبي من جانب الطاقم المسؤول في ليفربول لتحديد حالته ومدى لياقته البدنية، قبل مباراة مانشستر يونايتد يوم الأحد المقبل في الدوري الإنجليزي.
ويُعد جرافنبيرخ عنصرًا أساسيًا لدى المدرب آرني سلوت، حيث بدأ ست من أصل سبع مباريات لـ ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي ذلك الموسم، ولم يغب إلا أول مباراة بسبب الإيقاف.
Nottingham Forest now want to sign a “great” £8.5 million ace as a possible replacement for Anthony Elanga, according to a new report.
Newcastle still chasing Elanga 12 months on
During the 2024/25 season, Forest had many players step up and perform at a very high level on a consistent basis, with one of those players doing just that being Elanga. The Sweden international bagged five goals and registered nine assists in 36 Premier League games in his debut campaign with the club, but he found a new level last season, scoring six goals to go with 11 assists.
He was a big contributor to Forest reaching the Europa Conference League, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed, as teams from around the Premier League begin to circle – it was revealed last week that Newcastle United had made contact with the Reds over a possible deal for Elanga.
The Magpies were interested in a deal last summer, and now Eddie Howe has returned in the hope of getting his man this time around. Howe is said to be a big admirer of the winger and has made him his number one target this summer.
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However, they are not alone in their pursuit, as Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Elanga. Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed the Gunners are one of several sides interested in the Forest attacker ahead of the transfer window reopening next week.
The report adds that teams such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all been watching the Swedish international ‘closely’. Forest are determined to keep hold of Elanga, but have reportedly placed a £60 million price tag on his head.
Forest want to sign £8.5m Moro as possible Elanga replacement
The mounting interest in Elanga will have the board worried, and according to Spanish outlets, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are interested in signing winger Raúl Moro from Real Valladolid.
Raul Moro
The Spanish side suffered relegation from La Liga last season, but despite his team’s struggles, Moro had a breakout season, netting four times in 33 La Liga games. The report states his ‘impeccable’ form hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Forest as well as AFC Bournemouth keep a close eye on his situation.
The report states that no offers have arrived for the 22-year-old as of yet, and despite Valladolid suffering relegation, they have placed a €10 million asking price on the winger, which is roughly £8.5 million.
Raul Moro’s 24/25 La Liga stats
Apps
33
Starts
26
Goals
4
Shots per game
1.4
Assists
5
Touches
34.7
Big chances created
8
Key passes
1.3
Succ dribbles
1.7 (45%)
Ground duels won
2.9 (48%)
This isn’t the first time Moro, who has been dubbed “great” by scout Jacek Kulig, has been linked with a move to England. Back in December it was revealed that both Liverpool and Manchester City were interested in signing the former Spain under-21 international, but it remains unclear if they are both keeping an eye on his situation.
Winger Manor Solomon is a player who has captured the hearts of the Leeds United fanbase, impressing during his loan stint at the club during the title-winning campaign.
The Israeli international joined the Whites on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur, looking to get his career back on track and fire Daniel Farke’s side back to the Premier League.
It’s safe to say that the 25-year-old has done exactly that, registering 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, leading to calls for him to be signed on a permanent basis.
With the transfer window now open once again, the club have the opportunity to complete such a deal, but up to now, there has been no progress, with it remaining unclear whether he will return to Yorkshire.
As a result, other forwards have since emerged on their radar as the German looks to build a side capable of surviving the drop come the end of May 2026.
The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new attackers this summer
In recent days, striker Davie Selke has emerged as a potential option for Leeds this summer, with a report claiming that they’ve already held talks with his representatives over a move to Yorkshire.
The 30-year-old has been in splendid form throughout 2024/25, scoring 22 times in his 31 appearances – the most in the Bundesliga 2 and helping Hamburg secure a return to the top-flight.
Hamburger SV's DavieSelkescores their third goal
However, another name has entered the mix in recent days, with Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao a summer target, that’s according to Dutch outlet FR12.
The report claims that the Whites have made an enquiry to sign the 24-year-old star, who’s registered 32 combined goals and assists across all competitions this campaign.
It also states that Marseille and Brighton and Hove Albion have made moves for the Brazilian, who could be available for a fee in the region of £34m this summer.
Why Leeds’ £34m target could be Farke’s own Sinisterra
Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra was seen as a huge addition back in the summer of 2022, joining Leeds in a £21.4m deal – looking to add key depth to their frontline.
The 25-year-old only made 19 appearances during his first season at Elland Road, but managed to find the net on five occasions, with injuries plaguing his progress after his big-money move.
After the side suffered relegation back to the Championship, he would leave to join Bournemouth on loan, before making his move permanent last summer in a £20m deal.
It was a partially successful deal, which only saw them lose £1.4m on their investment, in a move that was ultimately cut short due to the club’s slide down the football pyramid.
However, they could repeat such a deal this summer with Paixao, potentially joining Farke’s side from Dutch outfit Feyenoord – just as Sinisterra did three years ago.
When delving into the Brazilian’s underlying stats from 2024/25, he’s managed to outperform Solomon in numerous key areas, allowing the manager to forget about a dream reunion this summer.
Paixao, who’s been labelled “exquisite” by talent scout Antionio Mango, has registered more goals and assists, whilst posting a higher shot on target rate – subsequently showcasing his clinical edge in attacking areas.
How Paixao compares to Solomon in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Paixao
Solomon
Games played
34
39
Goals & assists
26
22
Shot-on-target accuracy
45%
40%
Shots on target per game
1.4
0.8
Carries into final third
2.4
2.3
Passes into final third
1.8
1.4
Aerials won
41%
0%
Stats via FBref
He’s also completed more carries into the final third and made more passes into the opposition area, having the tools to aid the likes of Piroe in being a success in England’s top flight.
The 24-year-old has also won more aerial duels, offering Farke a top-level all-round option in attacking areas – something which will be vital if they are to secure survival.
£34m may seem a huge fee for a player who’s unproven in the Premier League, but his talent is there for all to see, undoubtedly providing a better option than Solomon next season.
A move for Paixao is certainly a risk worth taking this summer, but the hierarchy will have to work quickly to avoid missing out on his signature, given the interest from elsewhere.
A better signing than Phillips: Leeds eye move for "phenomenal" £10m star
Leeds United should prioritise this phenomenal signing over attempting to bring back Kalvin Phillips to Elland Road.
Manchester United supporters are wise enough not to get too carried away by any new signing, not least after over a decade of pain with regard to recruitment, with high-profile deals having repeatedly gone south in recent times.
That said, even after a season that saw the Red Devils finish trophyless amid their worst-ever Premier League campaign, the club’s pulling power remains, with Wolverhampton Wanderers star, Matheus Cunha on his way to Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha
Plucking a player from Molineux may not appear too much of an achievement, although this is a man who just ended the season with 15 Premier League goals, having notably courted interest from Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in January.
After frequently looking abroad for new additions – particularly during the Erik ten Hag tenure – it is promising that the INEOS regime are now targeting players within the top-flight, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap also under consideration.
As Ruben Amorim has hinted, however, there is certainly no blank cheque this summer, with such deals likely needing to be funded by departures. Alejandro Garnacho, according to the latest reports, looks set to be one of them, although is that the right call?
Why Man Utd must keep Alejandro Garnacho
Not for the first time in his United career, Garnacho has publicly voiced his frustration regarding his situation at the club, having memorably liked a tweet criticising Ten Hag’s handling of him in the past, before more recently hitting out at his lack of game time during the Europa League final defeat last week.
Seemingly not helped by those around him – with his brother also foolishly calling out Amorim for throwing the Argentina international “under the bus” – the 20-year-old is doing himself no favours. The manager’s decision to send him on his way this summer thus appears no surprise.
That said, there has been enough evidence to suggest that this is a player whom the former Sporting CP boss should be looking to encourage, rather than exile, with Garnacho having fought his way back after being left out of the December Manchester Derby.
A run of 18 starts in a row heading into the Bilbao showpiece illustrated that growing faith, with Garnacho arguably making a bigger impact in the final than the man who had replaced him, Mason Mount, after swiftly drawing a save from Guglielmo Vicario after entering the fray.
With his 21 goals and assists in all competitions placing him ahead of Amad Diallo in that regard, it remains a head-scratching decision to force the former Atletico Madrid ace toward the exit door, even if the need to meet PSR regulations remains.
If a suitable, eye-catching offer does arrive, perhaps United and INEOS would be correct to contemplate a sale. No player in the current squad appears to be untouchable, following such a disastrous season.
Even so, there should surely be other marketable assets to prioritise with regard to outgoings, with Rasmus Hojlund among them.
The latest on Rasmus Hojlund's future
Last week’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur saw United toil amid what was a particularly limp attacking performance, with Hojlund coming closest to getting on the scoresheet, only to see his goalbound header cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven.
The luckless striker then fired a blank against Aston Villa on the Premier League’s final day, rounding off a season that has ended with just ten goals to his name in all competitions, including just four in the top-flight.
For United’s leading number nine, such a return simply isn’t up to scratch, with reports having unsurprisingly suggested that a move to Serie A could be on the cards for the ex-Atalanta starlet.
Rasmus Hojlund
That may be an admission of defeat for the £64m man, although interested clubs may be keen to take a chance on a player who has shown glimpses in a United shirt, not least with his five goals in last season’s Champions League group stage run.
There is a view that these past two years have merely been a bump in the road. Talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed him as a “monster in the making” back in 2023, with reports in Italy outlining that Inter have made him their ‘dream’ target.
‘Big Six’ – No.9 stats in 24/25 (all comps)
Club – Player
Games
Goals
Assists
Arsenal – Gabriel Jesus
27
7
2
Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson*
34
13
5
Liverpool – Darwin Nunez
47
7
7
Manchester City – Erling Haaland
44
31
4
Manchester United – Rasmus Hojlund
52
10
4
Spurs – Richarlison
24
5
2
*there is no No.9 at Chelsea
Stats via Transfermarkt
Indeed, there is said to be ‘total agreement’ at San Siro regarding a move for the Dane, with his time at Old Trafford said to be seen as ‘just an accident along the way’ to him eventually shining. That faith has been represented in a four-year contract offer from the Champions League finalists.
While no fee has been mooted for Hojlund, whom the Serie A side could look to initially sign on loan, CIES Football Observatory deem him to potentially be worth as much as €93m (£78m) – thus placing him ahead of the £62.5m Cunha.
That may seem ludicrous considering his United woes, although it’s worth remembering that this is a player whom Paris Saint-Germain were desperate to sign in 2023, after scoring ten goals in Italy.
He hasn’t become a poor centre-forward overnight, yet he simply doesn’t appear the right fit for the Red Devils. A sale for a sizeable fee would be best for all parties this summer – particularly if it could help to keep Garnacho on board instead.
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Aston Villa could well be hitting their stride in the Premier League at the best possible time, with both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest showing recent weaknesses in their game.
Unai Emery’s men are now only outside the lucrative five Champions League spots in the division on goal difference as Enzo Maresca’s Blues nervously try to hold onto that final position, with a mightily impressive five wins from Villa’s last six Premier League games keeping their European dreams alive.
The added quality to the squad in the form of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford in January has certainly boosted their chances of clinching Champions League football again.
This summer’s transfer window will further allow the West Midlands giants opportunities to bring in even more depth, with one rumoured face on the Villa Park shopping list perhaps going down as their next Jhon Duran if he joins.
How Jhon Duran is performing in Saudi
The breathless Colombian would only go on to feature for the Villans 78 times, but he is still remembered in a fond light to this day for how impactful he could be off the bench when his team needed a moment of magic.
Indeed, before an insane £71m move to Al Nassr came to be in January, the sensational South American would fire home a sizeable 12 goals during the first part of 2024/25.
On the surface, this is already an imposing goal total worthy of praise, but staggeringly seven of those strikes would come about in Premier League action despite Duran only making four starts overall.
Since heading to the Middle East, the forward has been on fire, scoring 11 goals in 16 games for his new employers who sit third in the Saudi Pro League.
In truth, losing the young forward hasn’t hit Villa that hard, but NSWE definitely wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to win themselves a new version of the relentless 21-year-old this summer.
Aston Villa could sign their new Duran
Emery will likely be keen to utilise all of his talented squad again next campaign, particularly if Champions League football returns to Villa Park and congests the fixture list.
Therefore, adding in a new winger in Malick Fofana as a further option in attack could be an inspired pick-up, with Caught Offside recently revealing that the Premier League titans could sign the promising 20-year-old from Olympique Lyonnais for around the £42m mark.
Just taking in a few clips of Fofana’s excellence for Lyon this season displays how he’s on the same wavelength as the now departed Duran, with both attackers in question boundless in their drive and energy when galloping forward, before being equally unafraid to unleash a vicious shot at an opposition goalkeeper.
It’s resulted in Fofana – who is also on the radar of Liverpool and Arsenal – picking up a substantial 11 goals and five assists from 40 appearances down the Lyon left flank across 2024/25, despite also being resigned to a regular spot on Paulo Fonseca’s bench much like the 22-year-old striker had to put up with under Emery.
Fofana at Lyon vs Duran at Villa in 2024/25
Stat
Fofana
Duran
Games played
40
29
Games started
22
7
Minutes played
2199
1043
Goals scored
11
12
Assists
5
0
Stats by Sofascore
Looking at the numbers, whilst Fofana does have the advantage of starting 15 more games this season than Duran managed at Villa, the former has still been used rather sparingly in the French top division, with the Belgian only averaging 54 minutes of action per Ligue 1 clash.
But, the “magnificent” left-footed menace – as he has been labelled by talent scout Jacek Kulig – has still left his mark on a considerable number of contests all the same, seen in that growing total of 11 goals and five assists across a wide range of contests for Lyon.
With a potential hole in the squad also needing to be filled down the left if Rashford departs, adding in Fofana does feel like a logical signing to soon make on Villa’s end, with the one-time senior Belgium international also capable of being the club’s next super sub.
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