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Manchester United may have found the perfect replacement for Anthony Martial in the form of Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey.

According to reports, the Red Devils have already had discussions with the Jamaican wideman’s representatives as recently as the January transfer window.

With current United forward Martial having been urged to leave Old Trafford, this summer is the perfect time for the club to move for Bailey.

Since joining Bayer Leverkusen, the former Genk man has become one of the most exciting forward players in the Bundesliga.

He is currently in the midst of his most productive campaign in Germany having hit ten goals and provided nine assists in all competitions.

Despite not quite having the goalscoring ability of Martial yet, with the Jamaican having scored 0.24 goals per game for Leverkusen compared to the Frenchman’s 0.3 for United, he has been in far better form throughout 2020/21.

According to WhoScored, Bailey has been averaging 2.3 shots per game, 1.5 key passes, 2.2 dribbles. He also keeps the ball extremely well, being dispossessed on average just once every game.

These numbers far outweigh Martial. The winger, signed from AS Monaco, averages just 1.9 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per game, whilst he’s been relinquishing possession at a rate 1.7 times per game.

With Bailey two years Martial’s junior, his numbers are surely set to improve even more as he finds greater consistency. Even Bayer boss Peter Bosz has seen Bailey’s improvement, stating that he is “getting better with every game”.

Another benefit of the switch would also see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Red Devils potentially earn some cash.

At the time of writing, Martial is rated at £49.5m. Whilst they might not be able to demand quite as large a fee, it is still far larger than Bailey’s rating of just £31.5m.

Despite Martial earning plenty of praise in the Manchester derby win, Bailey remains a far more promising prospect and should certainly be a transfer target for the Red Devils this summer.

AND in more news, take a look at Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s brilliant performance in the Red Devils’ 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby…

Writing on Twitter, Liverpool correspondent James Pearce of the Athletic has pointed out that Fabinho’s return to his usual midfield spot has offered hope for the Reds to potentially salvage something from their season – prompting plenty of discussion in reply. 

Fabinho has often been deployed as a centre-half by manager Jurgen Klopp with defensive injuries having ravaged his squad, with the likes of Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for extended periods. 

Absences for key men at the back prompted an emergency January transfer mission by Liverpool to cope, as both Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies were signed on deadline day. 

One of the symptoms surrounding Klopp’s lack of options in defence has been Fabinho having to assume a makeshift centre-back role this season, with Pearce shedding light on how the Brazilian’s return to his usual midfield slot can now bolster Liverpool’s hopes of a strong finish to the campaign.

Flocking to debate the journalist’s insight, many Reds had their say on the 27-year-old – find all of their verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans flock to Pearce tweet

“Fabinho was absolutely fantastic last night. His presence brought a better balance in midfield and allowed us to see the potential of what Thiago could achieve.”

Credit: @MartinMcCourt8

“Scandalously underrated signing. Alison and van dijk get all the plaudits but he was just as important. Missed him all season”

Credit: @Jamesy34766993

“I’ll take a midfield to the end of the season of Fabinho, Thiago and Wijnaldum.”

Credit: @vincent_paver

“He is every bit as important as Virgil and Alisson.”

Credit: @marco_polol

“Klopp as usual was stubborn in bringing Fab back to midfield. Glad he’s learnt his lesson. Great to see the team perfect performance. Front 3 must be clinical hence forth and we’re good.”

Credit: @ericzubair

“It took him 3 months to put Fabinho back in midfield. Ridiculous.”

Credit: @LFC_000

“Counting on him being a cb replacement in the summer was a massive mistake, Not replacing Lovren instead.”

Credit: @ScruffylookingP

“Wow James have you just worked that out”

Credit: @pauljred

In other news: Liverpool fans also had their say on an emerged transfer claim, find out more here.

Another professional debut was handed out by Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho as Marcel Lavinier earned a 16-minute cameo during his side’s 4-0 win over Wolfsberger in the Europa League.

The 20-year-old academy sensation replaced Matt Doherty late in the second half and enjoyed an energetic spell that saw him record 19 touches. He also delivered two tackles, made six passes from eight attempts and won 80% of his five duels, via SofaScore.

On the whole, it was hugely encouraging, which begs the question – could he break into the first-team full-time?

The right-back spot has been a problematic area for Mourinho all season with the likes of Doherty (nine league starts), Serge Aurier (14 league starts) and Japhet Tanganga (two starts) splitting game time there.

There are doubts over them all.

According to ESPN, the Portuguese manager remains unconvinced by Doherty, Aurier will soon enter the final year of his current contract and has always been regarded as a liability, while we’re still yet to learn of Tanganga’s natural role despite hints that he has a future as a full-back.

Lavinier could solve this should his development continue at this increasing rate, and it has every chance to as he’s part of Spurs’ 25-man UEL squad for the remainder of the campaign.

You could even argue that Spurs have never truly replaced Kieran Trippier, who swapped north London for Madrid in 2019. In some ways, the emerging prospect is a carbon-copy as he too can play on the other side of defence and through middle.

As noted by the Daily Mail, Lavinier’s speed is a key asset and is a very versatile weapon to have at your disposal, especially given his direct nature – only further drawing comparisons to the Atletico Madrid man.

The young defender was snapped up by Spurs in the summer on a free following his release from local rivals Chelsea, and that move has turned out to be a masterstroke thus far.

In fact, it was perhaps a surprise to see him depart Stamford Bridge after notching three goals and eight assists across their U18 and U23 squads, as per Transfermarkt.

There’s still a long way to do, but Mourinho really could unearth Spurs’ future at right-back in Lavinier.

Forget Tanganga, the 20-year-old could possess so much more potential.

AND in other news, Jose can kickstart exciting Spurs rebuild with “sensational” £30m gem who stopped Kane – opinion

Sheffield Wednesday stunned many this week after Tony Pulis received his marching orders after only ten games in charge of the Owls, and now chairman Dejphon Chansiri is back at square one after just a month…

What’s the word?

There have already been plenty of names linked with the newly-vacant role at Hillsborough.

The Athletic have reported that neither Gus Poyet nor Jose Morais appear to be in the running, though the likes of Paul Cook, Danny Cowley, Ryan Lowe and even Sven-Goran Eriksson are.

It’s also been claimed that the Thai businessman has formed a relationship with a new advisor in Erik Alonso, who has links to MLS outfit DC United. However, it is thought Amadeu Paixao is still very much amongst his inner-circle still.

Shades of Howard Wilkinson

From that list, there is only really one candidate that they should consider, that being the Cowley duo – even if they have managed arch-rivals Huddersfield Town.

A job in which they were unfairly dismissed.

Those loyalties should not matter one bit, after all, Howard Wilkinson went onto manage Leeds United. He’s still a legend in both parts of Yorkshire, and interestingly, Cowley has similarities to the man that steered the Owls to the First Division in 1984.

This comparison was made by Leon Wobschall at the Yorkshire Evening Post last time the 42-year-old was linked with the role, he wrote:

“Sheffield Wednesday followers will recall some heady days in the mid-Eighties under one-time Abbeydale Schoolmaster Howard Wilkinson with genuine fondness to this day.

“The call of home-town club Wednesday proved irresistible for Wilkinson in 1983 when he was at an almost identical age to what the older and more senior Cowley brother is now at 40 and possessed a similar background in the game after starting out in non-league circles at Boston United before moving onto Notts County.”

From teacher, to non-league mastermind, to Championship success. Could these stars align once again?

His recent experience at the Terriers makes the prospect of him taking the helm at Wednesday even more enticing as he’s added the one thing holding him back from the role last time, results at this level of football.

According to one reporter, it was “a miracle” that Cowley kept Town up.

Chansiri needs a man capable of doing exactly that, so he ought to look no further than a manager who could be the second coming of the great Wilkinson.

AND in other news, Forget Shaw, this Sheffield Wednesday titan stole the show vs Boro…

At long last, Wolves have signed a new striker. Willian Jose is the name on supporters’ lips with the Brazilian arriving on loan from Real Sociedad.

However, it would appear that Jeff Shi isn’t quite done in the transfer market yet.

What’s the word?

Football Insider reported back in November that Wolves were keeping tabs on Peterborough winger Siriki Dembele.

However, there has now been an update on the future of the impressive 24-year-old forward.

According to the same publication, Nottingham Forest have made a loan to buy bid for Dembele who has reportedly put in a transfer request to leave Posh.

FI go on to reiterate Wolves’ interest in the player, also stating that Celtic, Fulham and Crystal Palace are all in pursuit.

Shades of Sako

Wolves fans won’t want to be reminded of their spell in League One back in 2013/14, but one player they will probably remember fondly is Bakary Sako.

At that level of the English football pyramid, the forward was close to unstoppable, proving to be a valuable asset as the Old Gold tried to climb back through the leagues.

Sako netted 12 goals in 40 outings, also providing 15 assists for his teammates. It was a mesmeric campaign from the Malian who proved equally devastating at Championship level.

The attacker netted 15 times and picked up a further ten assists for his troubles, putting in performances that terrified defenders. During the 2014/15 term, he produced 2.9 shots per game, 1.5 key passes a match and also 2.8 dribbles over the same metric.

But why does this hold any relevance in the present day? Well, Dembele has been producing similar performances at the same level for Peterborough.

The Wolves target, who like Sako can play on the wing or up front, has been nothing short of exceptional over the last two seasons. Speaking about the Posh striker last year, his manager Darren Ferguson said: “The boy has been absolutely outstanding since realising he can play as a central striker.”

Indeed, Dembele has scored six goals and provided seven assists this season. That adds to the six strikes and nine assists he amassed in 2019/20.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-wolves-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Wolves news”]

Though, to compare him more closely to Sako, we can analyse the more detailed stats. The fearsome Peterborough man has managed fewer shots than the former Wolves flanker – two per game – but his creativity and ability to beat a man is better.

Dembele has delivered 1.8 key passes a match while his dazzling capabilities have led to an eye-catching three dribbles per game.

It remains to be seen what Dembele could do at a higher level but those attributes certainly demonstrate that he’d bring an awful lot to Wolves.

Nuno Santo has regularly developed talent from the lower leagues and you only need to look at the likes of Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota to understand how you can rise up the leagues with Wolves before thriving in the Premier League.

With Wolves struggling and lacking goals with Raul Jimenez out injured, signing another forward on top of Willian Jose certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea.

AND in other news, Wolves could find their dream Traore successor by landing “extremely quick” 31-cap ace…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Dean Windass has backed Charlie Austin to be handed his first Premier League start for West Brom this evening.

The 31-year-old had fallen out-of-favour under former Baggies boss Slaven Bilic, but the Croatian was sacked earlier this week and quickly replaced by survival veteran Sam ‘the firefighter’ Allardyce.

His first game in charge will be tonight as Albion host arch-rivals Aston Villa at the Hawthorns.

Austin only made the bench twice in West Brom’s opening 11 matches before Bilic called upon him as a substitute in his final two matches in charge.

Windass believes that Big Sam could turn to him in their time of need…

He told FFC:

“Charlie’s a born goalscorer. Any balls in the box, you know where he’ll be.

“He’s coming towards the end of his career as well, but Sam will look at that and say ‘Yeah, I need goals. Yes, I need to stop goals, but I [also] need to start scoring goals,’ so Charlie could go straight in there [vs Villa].

“He knows he will get them a goal, so yeah, that could be a massive plus for Charlie now. A new manager has come in, and he’ll say ‘Go on then, go and prove to me [that you should be starting].

“Charlie’s a proud lad and is very good around the changing room. He’ll have been hurt when not playing.”

Albion paid £4m for Austin during the 2019 summer transfer window, and he finished as their top goalscorer in all competitions on their way to promotion despite only starting 18 times in the Championship.

Bilic landed a key target in Karlan Grant before the domestic deadline, but he’s yet to truly deliver on his £12m price tag having bagged just once in nine starts.

As Windass claims, it could be a wise decision to turn to Austin as the veteran has played 108 times in the Premier League alone, contributing to a total of 44 goals.

Big Sam has been known to play two up-top, so there is also a chance we see both feature this evening.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Sam Allardyce tipped to bring Premier League striker to West Brom in January

حقق منتخب النيجر فوزًا كبيرًا على نظيره جيبوتي بسبعة أهداف مقابل هدفين، في المباراة التي أقيمت اليوم الإثنين، ضمن تصفيات كأس العالم.

النيجر وجيبوتي يتواجدان في المجموعة الأولى من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة لكأس العالم قطر 2022، بجانب الجزائر وبوركينا فاسو.

والتقي منتخبا النيجر وجيبوتي، في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة والأخيرة من مرحلة المجموعات المؤهلة للتصفيات النهائية المؤهلة لكأس العالم.

وسجل أهداف النيجر، عبد البار زكاري أدجي 3 أهداف، في الدقائق 14، 36، 75، ومحمد وونكي في الدقيقة 62، ودنيال سوزاه في الدقيقة 64، وعيسي جبريلا هدفين في الدقائق 86، 87.

بينما أحرز أهداف جيبوتي، يوسب أبدي أحمد في الدقيقة 33، والهدف الثاني سجله يابي سعيد في الدقيقة 85.

وبهذا الفوز، يرتفع رصيد النيجر إلى 7 نقاط في المركز الثالث، بينما تتواجد جيبوتي في المركز الرابع بدون نقاط.

ويتنافس في هذا المجموعة على التأهل للمرحلة النهائية، منتخبات الجزائر وبوركينا فاسو، حيث يتواجد محاربو الصحراء في المركز الأول برصيد 13 نقطة، فيما تحتل بوركينا المركز الثاني بـ11 نقطة.

ويلتقي منتخبا الجزائر مع بوركينا فاسو، غدًا الثلاثاء، لحسم بطاقة التأهل من المجموعة الأولى.

طالع | محدث.. المنتخبات المتأهلة إلى المرحلة الأخيرة من تصفيات إفريقيا لـ كأس العالم 2022

يُذكر أن 6 منتخبات حسمت تأهلها بشكل رسمي إلى المرحلة النهائية من تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم، وهم، مصر وغانا والمغرب والسنغال ومالي والكونغو الديمقراطية. أهداف النيجر وجيبوتي في تصفيات كأس العالم

Many Manchester United fans have reacted to the news that Juan Mata has been named the club’s Player of the Month for September.

It has not been the best start to the Premier League season for the Old Trafford outfit, losing the opening game of the new campaign against Crystal Palace before bouncing back with a narrow win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has struggled to bring in new faces during the transfer window so far, adding just Donny van de Beek from Dutch giants Ajax.

With the pressure firmly mounting on United and Solskjaer to find form on the pitch and potentially bring some new faces before the transfer window closes, one current player is performing to a high standard.

Spanish midfield maestro Mata has been excellent thus far, contributing to United’s cause with two goals in his two Carabao Cup games thus far.

Yet to feature in the Premier League, the 32-year-old’s Player of the Month award could push Solksjaer to hand him a start in England’s top-flight.

Here, we take a look at how some fans reacted to Mata’s award win via social media platform Twitter….

Do you think Mata has deserved the award for September? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Coventry City boss Mark Robins has said that he needs to sell a number of players before the transfer window comes to a close.

After gaining promotion from League One to the Championship last season, winning the league title in the process, Robins has been working hard this summer to bring in some new faces.

No less than eight players have come in to join the Sky Blues with the likes of Gustavo Hamer and Ben Sheaf arriving to bolster different areas of Robins squad.

Whilst a whole host of players also departed at the end of last season, Robins has now said that others could follow the likes of Junior Brown and Zain Westbrooke out of the Midlands club.

Robins, who was speaking after his side’s defeat against Bristol City and ahead of the upcoming EFL Cup fixture against Gillingham, said: “We need to move some players out and the natural thing is to look at the younger players and think right, what’s the likelihood of them starting games with us and developing with us.”

Asked about the prospect of any new arrivals, the City boss further added: “I have to wait and see.

“With the window running until October 5 we have a little bit of time to assess things this month to see where we’re at.

“It totally depends on this month and whether the club need me to do some more work in terms of moving people out, and what that means.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean people out to bring people in, it means people out to try to bring the cost base down and function like that as well as we possibly can do. Everyone knows we have to make sense of the finances as well as the players and the team, and I think we have done pretty well so far.”

In total, Robins has spent £1.35m on new players with the biggest transfer fee paid going on Gustavo Hamer from Dutch side PEC Zwolle.

Robins has been superb in the summer transfer window and his side were extremely unlucky not to get an opening day result against Bristol City at the weekend.

Moving forward, the team will be expected to gel even more and results will hopefully follow.

A number of exits are expected, one for the player to leave and get first team football and two, for Robins to free up some funds.

Who do you think should leave the Sky Blues? Let us know in the comments section below…

Mark Douglas has revealed some insight into the Tyneside club’s transfer pursuit of former Burnley ace Jeff Hendrick.

According to a tweet from the journalist, he understands that the Magpies are “pushing” to sign Hendrick as a free agent and sources close to the deal are “hopeful” that a deal can be finalised in the summer window.

This comes after a recent report stated that the Magpies look set to sign him, so all signs look to be pointing at Hendrick playing his football at St. James’ Park in the 2020/21 season. Indeed, the central midfield player is now available on a free transfer after failing to agree on a new deal with Sean Dyche’s Clarets.

With no transfer fee to pay, the potential capture of Hendrick may well be a decent bit of business for Steve Bruce’s side. Across the last four campaigns, the 28-year old has played in 122 games in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and providing five assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Indeed, he has plenty of experience in the top flight behind him, which may prove useful for the upcoming term.

Hendrick is also a well-established senior international, as he has played in 54 matches for his native Republic of Ireland since his debut back in 2013 under Giovanni Trapattoni, netting twice (via Transfermarkt).

The midfielder would provide some healthy competition for the likes of Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and Sean Longstaff in the middle of the park, and so Newcastle should maybe look to pounce soon before any other clubs come in for him.

Geordies, would Hendrick be a good signing for Newcastle? Comment below with your views!