Following a disappointing start to the campaign, Leeds United are reportedly set to be handed a major injury boost for their trip to Cardiff City this weekend, with four stars in line to return.
Leeds injury news
Just when it looked as though Daniel Farke’s side were back on course after earning victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, Farke’s side were brought back down to reality in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley. Two sides in pursuit of Championship promotion, Leeds will be left feeling frustrated once again.
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Farke recently spoke on his side’s poor start to the campaign amid criticism over his side’s system, telling reporters via Leeds Live: “The style of football is quite normal. When you are attacking with passes and combinations, a good stricture, clear principles, if you do not win, it’s where is Plan B.
“I never hear the team parking the bus, nobody asks for Plan B. It’s always normal. We are happy if we win. It is not like figure skating. You do not get marks for beautiful posture, it is bringing the ball over the line. If you do not win with our style, or City’s or Marcelo’s, it is called not a proper style and you need to go 4-4-2.”
It’s something that the former Norwich City manager will now be out to prove against Cardiff in a game that will at least feature some much-needed injury boosts. As relayed by Leeds Live, Farke confirmed that as many as four Leeds stars are in line for a return against Cardiff this weekend, with Max Wober, Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo and Joe Rothwell all training and potentially featuring in Wales.
Farke confirmed the news, telling reporters: “Rodon missed two sessions due to some hip problems or glute problems. Firpo struggling with MCL. Manor Solomon with some back problems. Rothwell rolled his ankle. A few concerns, but I am carefully optimistic all of them will be available.
“Biggest question mark behind Manor with his back problems. Max Wober back in training from today, light session. Wait to see how he reacts tomorrow. Late decision.”
Now or never for Wober at Leeds
Arriving from Red Bull Salzburg in January of 2023, earning a reported £35k-a-week in the process, Wober opted to join Borussia Monchengladbach on loan instead of battling in the Championship last time out. Now, he is back and must make an impact.
Still just 26 years old, Wober could still play a vital part as a player who has the quality to play in the top flight, as shown on loan at Gladbach in the Bundesliga. Carlton Palmer even believes that the central defender could play a “key part” under Farke this season, perhaps starting with Cardiff this weekend.
His return should be a major boost for Farke, as will be the potential returns of Firpo, Rodon and Rothwell. Aiming to get back to winning ways, Leeds must turn their poor early season form around.
Aston Villa sporting director Monchi has claimed one Villa Park youngster has all the attributes to become world class in the years to come in news that will be music to the ears of their fans.
Villa building for the future
It was a tough transfer window for Unai Emery's Aston Villa as they battled to comply with the Premier League's financial fair play rules, an issue that forced them to sell Douglas Luiz and also saw them part ways with Moussa Diaby, with the pair fetching close to £100m combined.
However, eight new faces also arrived, with Amadou Onana setting the club back £50m from Everton, a club record signing, while Ian Maatsen also arrived for £37m.
Aston Villa's new signings (summer 2024)
Player
Age when signed
Fee
Amadou Onana
23
£50m
Ian Maatsen
22
£37m
Cameron Archer
22
£14m
Jaden Philogene
22
£13.5m
Lewis Dobbin
21
£8m
Samuel Iling-Junior
20
£11.8m + add-ons
Enzo Barrenechea
23
£6.7m + add-ons
Ross Barkley
30
£5m
One of the key ideas was to reduce the squad age while also adding depth to Emery's ranks. Speaking after the transfer window, Villa's hierarchy hinted as much when discussing the deal to bring Juventus pair Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea to the club from Turin.
“Samuel and Enzo are young players we trust. Maybe we knew they wouldn’t be ready to play for us immediately, but both are young, talented, sustainable salaries and in the next year they’re going to be good assets", Villa's Damian Vidagany told The Athletic.
And The Athletic added that "among Villa’s chief intentions was to lower the group’s average age" over the summer, something that was undoubtedly achieved, with the average age of new additions just 23.7 years old, well below the squad average of over 26. But now, Monchi has hinted that the best young player in Villa's ranks may well have been there the whole time.
Aston Villa chief backs "special" striker to be world class
That comes as the Aston Villa Sporting Director has backed Jhon Duran to become World Class at Villa Park. The Colombia international was used mostly off the bench by Emery last season, but was dubbed "special" by the Villa boss after helping them to a draw with Liverpool with two late goals.
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran
"Jhon Duran is a special player. We have to try and help him. He is a good guy, and he needs a team behind him. He is getting our demands better. He was very clinical and today was important for him", Emery explained.
Linked with moves away from Villa Park over the summer, he held talks with West Ham and Chelsea only to ultimately stay in the Midlands. And Monchi has revealed that the club in fact turned down a mammoth forty offers for the 20 year old, who he and Emery believe could become a world class talent.
"There are no fewer than 40 clubs who want Durán”, he explained. “But Emery is very confident with Jhon. He thinks Durán he can become one of the best strikers in the world”.
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"He wanted to leave, yes. Just because he wants to play, normal. But now it’s all good, he’s happy”, he added. “If there is a club that really thinks Duran can become one of the top strikers in the world… then that one club is Aston Villa, and that one manager is Unai Emery.”
Villa fans will be hoping that Duran can make the step up this season, and hand Ollie Watkins some well needed rest across the course of what promises to be a long and gruelling campaign.
England take on the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League this Saturday – here's all you need to know ahead of the game.
A new era gets underway for the Three Lions on Saturday evening, with Gareth Southgate no longer in charge following his exit after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
In his place is Lee Carsley, with England's Under-21s manager in temporary charge for the time being as the FA search for Southgate's long-term successor. Should the 50-year-old impress during his stint as boss, it could be that he is even retained on a full-time basis.
With domestic action making way for international football this weekend, England take on Ireland in the Nations League at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, which has more edge to it than the dour friendlies that can take place at this time of year.
The Three Lions are now in the competition's League B following their relegation in 2022, so improvements are needed to return to the top tier. Carsley isn't the only manager in charge for the first time, though, with Heimir Hallgrimsson enjoying his maiden game as Ireland boss.
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Ireland's clash with England takes place on Saturday 7th September, with kick-off at the Aviva Stadium at 5pm BST.
In terms of where to watch the weekend action, the match is live on ITV1 and ITVX, as well as on STV and STV Player for those in Scotland. Coverage starts at 4pm, with kick-off in Dublin at 5pm.
Republic of Ireland v England team news
Carsley's first England squad was an interesting one, with a number of uncapped players chosen, including Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White and in-form Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. Incidentally, all three were part of the victorious U21 EURO-winning campaign in 2023 under Carsley, while Cole Palmer is another member of that team in the squad.
As far as the more established players are concerned, Phil Foden could miss out through illness, but Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish have been recalled following their Euro 2024 omissions.
England squad to face Republic of Ireland
Player
Club
Dean Henderson
Crystal Palace
Jordan Pickford
Everton
Nick Pope
Newcastle
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool
Levi Colwill
Chelsea
Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace
Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa
Rico Lewis
Man City
Tino Livramento
Newcastle
Harry Maguire
Man Utd
John Stones
Man City
Phil Foden
Man City
Conor Gallagher
Atletico Madrid
Morgan Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest
Angel Gomes
Lille
Kobbie Mainoo
Man Utd
Cole Palmer
Chelsea
Declan Rice
Arsenal
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham
Eberechi Eze
Crystal Palace
Anthony Gordon
Newcastle
Jack Grealish
Man City
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
Noni Madueke
Chelsea
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa
For Ireland, Leicester City winger Kasey McAteer has received his first senior international call-up, while Seamus Coleman and Evan Ferguson are both involved. Jayson Molumby is back in for the first time since November 2023.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is still missing with an Achilles problem, while Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen is likely to miss his first squad since 2020 because of injury.
Republic of Ireland squad to face England
Player
Club
Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool
Mark Travers
Bournemouth
Max O'Leary
Bristol City
Seamus Coleman
Everton
Matt Doherty
Wolves
Dara O'Shea
Ipswich
Nathan Collins
Brentford
Jake O'Brien
Everton
Andrew Omobamidele
Nottingham Forest
Liam Scales
Celtic
Callum O'Dowda
Cardiff
Robbie Brady
Preston
Will Smallbone
Southampton
Jayson Molumby
West Brom
Alan Browne
Sunderland
Jason Knight
Bristol City
Kasey McAteer
Leicester
Adam Idah
Celtic
Evan Ferguson
Brighton
Sammie Szmodics
Ipswich
Chiedozie Ogbene
Ipswich
Callum Robinson
Cardiff
Troy Parrott
AZ
How the Nations League works
Established in 2018, the Nations League contains four leagues (A-D), with countries ordered by their national coefficient ranking. There have been various changes to the format since then, though teams now battle to win promotion and avoid relegation.
Leagues A-C consist of four groups of four teams, with each country playing home and away. Meanwhile, the two groups that make up League D have three teams apiece in them.
A new knockout round has been introduced this year. The top two teams in each League A group face a two-legged quarter-final, with the winners making it into the final tournament, which will involve four teams as usual.
The teams that finish bottom in Leagues A and B will be relegated, while the two lowest-ranked teams in League C are relegated to League D. Group winners in Leagues B-D are promoted.
There is also a new promotion/relegation play-off system in place, with third-placed nations from leagues A-B playing teams that finish second in leagues B-C in a two-legged play-off. This will mean that teams have even more to play for, as their position determines where they might be in the next edition of the competition. The bottom-placed teams that aren't automatically relegated from League C will also face a relegation play-off.
Performance also gives nations an opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with four slots available for UEFA's World Cup play-offs for those who fail to do so via the qualifying tournament.
Who's in England's group?
FotisIoannidis
Joining England in Group B2 are the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece, with the Three Lions' following game after Ireland coming at home to Finland next Tuesday (10th September).
Kick-off at Wembley for that game is at 7.45pm, with matches to come against Greece and Finland during October's international break.
In November, the Greeks host England, before Carsley's side's final international match of the year ends with a home clash with Ireland.
The head coach is confident after Pakistan’s fighting effort in the second ODI even though they lost the match
Umar Farooq06-Apr-2021
Misbah-ul-Haq is confident going into the series decider•Getty Images
Pakistan’s fighting performance in the second ODI, even though they lost the match, has given head coach Misbah-ul-Haq the confidence that his team can win the three-match series. If Pakistan manage to do so, Misbah feels, that will be a “remarkable achievement” for the side.Since 2010 and before the ongoing series, Pakistan had a 6-7 win-loss ODI record in South Africa, and in 2013-14 became the *first side from the subcontinent to have won a bilateral ODI series in the country. This time, Pakistan came with a relatively inexperienced squad but managed to keep the series level at 1-1 going into the third match. Now they seem to have the upper hand as five of South Africa’s first-choice players – Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi – have left for the Indian Premier League.”The way we played the first two games, and won the first ODI, the team is confident,” Misbah said in a video released by the PCB ahead of the third ODI. “This team has now started to believe they can win or reach a winning position out of nowhere and the previous game was one big example. I have always said that it’s a young team and for them, every win is important. Now it is a decider in South Africa’s conditions and if we win, it will be a remarkable achievement not only in the series but in another perspective. It’s really important for the sake of team confidence.”Fakhar Zaman’s 155-ball 193 almost took Pakistan over the line during their 342-run chase in the second ODI. In the opening ODI, Babar Azam’s century set up the win that Pakistan secured dramatically, on the final delivery of the match. Misbah urged the under-firing middle order to take inspiration from those two and capitalise on the starts provided by the top order.”If you look at the Wanderers and Centurion pitches, they are purely South Africa conditions,” Misbah said. “They have bounce and pace and if your batsmen from top order score hundreds and dominate the opponent, it surely going to inspire the other players in the team. They all look up to them as an example and it gives them confidence going forward.”In the top order, Babar contributed and then Fakhar in the second ODI did great but moving down in the middle, we need to improve and capitalise on the good start. Looking at the team performance overall, it’s quite good but in certain areas, we need some improvement.”Pakistan bowlers, Misbah said, are putting in good efforts with fast bowlers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain – troubling the South Africa batsmen with pace and bounce. While Pakistan conceded 341 in the second ODI, Misbah backed them to come strongly in the final match.”If you talk about the first game our bowlers bowled really well. In Centurion, the average total is 300 or plus but we restricted them to 270-odd. In fact, we could have stopped them around 225 but one good partnership changed that. Overall, it was a good effort by our bowlers though in the second ODI we gave away a little more because we didn’t get the early breakthrough. The credit should be given to the other team as well. They played well too but I think two big overs were the difference, which actually dented us. This bowling is fine with a blend of match-winners who have done well and you can’t judge them with just one or bad day. They will come hard in the next game.”*April 7, GMT 0237 The story earlier stated, erroneously, that Pakistan were the only subcontinental team to have won an ODI series in South Africa. India have done so as well, in 2018.
West Ham United have made their first move to seal a ninth summer signing for Julen Lopetegui, according to a new report.
West Ham’s summer signings
The Hammers have gone into overdrive in recent weeks, sealing five more additions after early window signings Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman. Technical director Tim Steidten isn’t showing any signs of slowing up either, with a new centre-back and central midfielder now on the radar before the August 30 deadline.
West Ham summer signings
From
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Max Kilman
Wolves
€47.5m
Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United
€29.3m
Niclas Fullkrug
Borussia Dortmund
€27m
Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras
€23m
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Man Utd
€18m
Wes Foderingham
Sheffield United
Free transfer
Guido Rodriguez
Real Betis
Free transfer
Jean-Clair Todibo
Nice
Loan transfer
West Ham summer departures
To
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Flynn Downes
Southampton
€17.85m
Said Benrahma
Lyon
€14.4m
Thilo Kehrer
Monaco
€11m
Nathan Trott
FC Copenhagen
€1.5m
Ben Johnson
Ipswich Town
Free transfer
Joseph Anang
St. Patrick's Athletic
Free transfer
Nantes centre-back Nathan Zeze has been linked alongside Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler. Fabrizio Romano has claimed the links to the latter are “true”, telling GiveMeSport:
"That (Soler) is a concrete option for West Ham. It's true, he's one of the names they have on their shortlist. And now, obviously they will also need to assess all the possibilities and consider all the options. They've been fantastic in the summer transfer window. Wan-Bissaka was also a tough one, not an easy deal. They've been able to get it done on player and club side, and it was a complicated negotiation.
"Todibo was a crazy saga. So they've been putting a lot of efforts into bringing in these new players in recent weeks. Now they are considering Carlos Soler, it's true, it's a possibility. I think he could probably be the next one.”
Carlos Soler to West Ham transfer update
Now, a new update has emerged – TEAMtalk have provided the latest on the situation, claiming that West Ham have now made contact with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for Soler.
They wanted to learn the conditions of a deal, and it is added that PSG are open to selling for around £20m or under. They also report that Soler ‘is open to the transfer and would be keen to try his hand in the Premier League’, while ‘Lopetegui has made it clear to the board that Soler is the perfect fit for his side and would be an addition that helps them achieve their goals of reaching the European qualification places this season’.
This is certainly a boost for West Ham and Lopetegui, with a move for Soler now seemingly one that has legs. Should Soler head to the London Stadium, he would provide Lopetegui with an experienced and versatile option in midfield.
Central midfield
143
27
16
Right midfield
90
11
18
Attacking midfield
28
2
1
Left midfield
24
4
0
Defensive midfield
9
3
1
As can be seen, Soler has played in a number of different positions during his career and has also turned out in the Champions League and Europa League in the past.
Celtic will be looking to start their 2024/25 campaign as they mean to go on when they welcome Kilmarnock to Parkhead in their first match this evening.
The Hoops enjoyed an impressive pre-season schedule, beating Manchester City and Chelsea along the way, and must now translate their friendly form over to a competitive setting.
Brendan Rodgers won the Scottish Premiership title in his first season back in Glasgow last season and will be hoping for the same again this term.
The Northern Irish boss has only been able to add three signings to his squad over the course of the summer transfer window so far, though, with goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel joined by central midfielder Paulo Bernardo returning on a permanent deal.
With this in mind, the starting XI against Kilmarnock is unlikely to look too unfamiliar to Hoops supporters when it is announced ahead of the game this evening. Here is our best attempt at predicting that line-up…
1 Kasper Schmeichel
Celtic target Kasper Schmeichel in action for Denmark.
The Danish titan, Schmeichel, was the number one during pre-season and capped it off with a stunning performance against Chelsea in America, recording a Sofascore rating of 9.1 with nine saves in the 4-1 win.
He is following on from Joe Hart, who retired at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, and will be hoping for an enjoyable reunion with Rodgers, after their time together at Leicester City in England.
2 Anthony Ralston
Alistair Johnston only recently returned from his holidays after the Copa America and that could provide Anthony Ralston with an opportunity to shine at right-back.
The Scotland international only started six times in the Premiership this term and will need to grasp this chance with both hands to ensure that he does not spend another season riding the bench.
3 Cameron Carter-Vickers
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers
Cameron Carter-Vickers should anchor the defence with his commanding presence for Celtic in the opening game of the season this evening.
The USA international won 68% of his duels in the Premiership last season and will hope to dominate Kilmarnock's forwards throughout the game.
4 Liam Scales
Liam Scales in action for Celtic.
Celtic have not added another centre-back to their squad during the summer transfer window, yet, and this suggests that Liam Scales is in line to keep his place in the side, after starting 33 league matches last term.
Last month it was reported that the Scottish giants are keen on Burnley centre-back Dara O'Shea and it remains to be seen if the club will bring in another player to challenge the Irishman for his starting berth.
5 Greg Taylor
Celtic defender Greg Taylor
The Hoops are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Liverpool left-back Owen Beck to provide Greg Taylor with competition for the left-back spot.
For now, though, the Scottish defender is the only natural number three in the squad and should be selected to start on the left side of the back four.
6 Callum McGregor (C)
Callum McGregor
The Celtic captain will, of course, line up in the middle of the park for Rodgers. He started 33 games in the Premiership last term and completed 92% of his attempted passes.
He is the skipper and provides a reliable presence in midfield with his metronomic passing ability, as illustrated by his impressive pass completion rate.
7 Reo Hatate
Reo Hatate missed 40 games through injury for club and country last season but has been fit throughout pre-season and could be selected from the start this evening.
The Japan international produced three goals and four assists in just 12 starts in the Premiership during the 2023/24 campaign, which speaks to the attacking quality he can provide.
Celtic will hope to see that on display on a consistent basis this time around if the 26-year-old whiz can keep himself fit and available for selection.
8 Matt O'Riley
Despite, what has felt like, constant speculation, Matt O'Riley is still a Celtic player and, of course, should be in the starting XI for this match.
Premier League side Southampton are reportedly plotting a new bid for the midfield star and the Hoops may hope that a strong performance today could add more to his value.
The 23-year-old magician racked up 18 goals and 13 assists in the Premiership last time out and will be looking to start the new campaign in similar form.
9 Nicolas Kuhn
Nicolas Kuhn
Rodgers confirmed ahead of this game that Nicolas Kuhn should be available for selection after suffering a knock in pre-season, which caused him to miss the win over Chelsea.
The £3m January signing from Rapid Wien had produced two goals and one assist against Manchester City in the previous game, including an assist that was described as "magical" by the boss.
Now he is fit and available, Kuhn should be selected on the right side of the attack and, hopefully, he will add to his two goals and two assists in the division so far.
10 Kyogo Furuhashi
Kyogo Furuhashi
Kyogo Furuhashi is the club's only senior centre-forward option at this moment in time and should lead the line for the Premiership champions.
Hyeon-gyu Oh was sold to Belgian giants Genk earlier in the window and Adam Idah returned to Norwich City at then end of his loan spell last term, and the club have yet to agree a deal for the Irishman despite talks with the Canaries.
Kyogo produced six goals in five pre-season matches for the Hoops and will be hoping to follow that up by getting on the scoresheet against Kilmarnock.
شهدت أحداث المباراة المثيرة التي تجمع بين فريقي الأهلي وسموحة، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، لحظة درامية تمثلت في إلغاء هدف سجله مهاجم المارد الأحمر وسام أبو علي، وذلك بعد الرجوع إلى تقنية الفيديو (الفار).
وتُقام هذه المباراة المؤجلة من الجولة الخامسة على أرضية ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، وسط حضور جماهيري أقل من المتوقع.
في الدقيقة 27 من زمن الشوط الأول، ظنّت جماهير الأهلي أنها على موعد مع هدف التقدم، حينما استقبل المهاجم وسام أبو علي عرضية متقنة من الجبهة اليسرى عن طريق يحيى عطية الله، ليُحوّلها برأسية رائعة في شباك حارس مرمى سموحة، مُعلنًا عن تقدم فريقه.
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إلا أن فرحة الأهلاوية لم تدم طويلًا، حيث استدعى حكم الفيديو حكم الساحة لمراجعة اللقطة والتأكد من صحة الهدف، وتبين من الإعادة وجود دفعة من وسام أبو علي لمدافع سموحة قبل تسجيل الهدف، وهو ما استدعى قرار حكم الساحة بإلغاء الهدف واحتساب خطأ لصالح الفريق السكندري.
يُذكر أن النادي الأهلي يدخل هذه المباراة وهو يحتل المركز الثالث في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز برصيد 12 نقطة، جمعها من خلال تحقيق 3 انتصارات والتعادل في 3 مباريات أخرى، ليُحافظ بذلك على سجله خاليًا من الهزائم حتى الآن في المسابقة.
ويسعى الأهلي لتحقيق الفوز في هذه المباراة، من أجل تعزيز موقعه في جدول الترتيب والمنافسة على صدارة الدوري.
أما فريق سموحة، فيُعاني من وضع صعب نسبيًا في جدول الترتيب، حيث يحتل المركز السابع عشر برصيد 5 نقاط فقط، جمعها من فوز وحيد وتعادلين، في حين تلقى الفريق 3 هزائم.
ويسعى سموحة جاهدًا لتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية أمام الأهلي، من أجل تحسين موقعه في الجدول والهروب من مراكز المؤخرة. هدف الأهلي الملغي في شباك سموحة اليوم بالدوري
The European Championships are set for a dramatic conclusion this Sunday as England look to put the ghost of 2021 to bed against Spain.
However, away from the two finalists, there have been a plethora of standout players across the last four weeks.
Unsurprisingly, a number of these players have been consistently linked to some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and based on recent reports, Tottenham Hotspur are particularly keen on one player who almost made it to the semi-finals.
Gareth Bale in Tottenham training
The star in question has courted interest from across the continent in recent weeks and has even been compared to a previous Spurs great, Gareth Bale.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news
According to a recent report from Turkey, Tottenham Hotspur are one of several sides interested in signing Galatasaray star Baris Alper Yılmaz.
Alongside the Lilywhites, the story has revealed that Manchester United are keen on the Turkish star, and both teams are expected to make offers in the coming days.
The interest from the Red Devils is far from ideal for Daniel Levy and Co, but the good news is that another report from Turkey earlier this month claimed that the Süper Lig giants would be willing to sell their talented ace for around €30m, which is about £25m.
It's not necessarily cheap, but given his performances last season at the Euros and his comparison to Bale, it may prove to be a bargain in the long term.
Yılmaz's comparisons to Bale
Now, comparing a player that, before this summer, few fans in England would've known much about to one of the greatest British footballers of all time may seem a tad extreme, but there are some similarities.
cristiano-ronaldo-gareth-bale-tottenham-opinion
The original comparison came from Yılmaz's former coach, Ilker Puren, who told GS Gazette (via the Express), "I compare Baris Alper Yilmaz to Gareth Bale in terms of strength. He has the ability to sprint three or four meters after eliminating the opponent with the ball."
That ability to burst past a player before rifling the ball into the top corner was an iconic image of the Welshman's time in the Premier League, and while the Turkish international wasn't quite that deadly at the Euros, he started every game and was a thorn in the side of opposition defenders.
However, it's not just his ability to beat a man and run at goal that has earned him comparisons to the former Real Madrid man; it's also his positional versatility.
Across his career, the Cardiff-born superstar moved from a left-back to a left-sided midfielder before finding his true home on the right wing. Along the way, he also played on the left wing, as a centre-forward, and in midfield at times, and this ability to play almost anywhere on the pitch is something the Turkish international shares with him.
Yılmaz & Bale's positional versatility
Position
Yılmaz (Starts)
Position
Bale (Starts)
Left Winger
66
Right Winger
208
Right Winger
64
Left Midfield
125
Right-Back
10
Left-Back
47
Centre-Forward
8
Left Winger
45
Left-Back
8
Centre-Forward
44
Attacking Midfield
2
Second Striker
16
Second-Striker
1
Attacking Midfield
3
All Stats via Transfermarkt
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, he has started 66 games on the left wing, 64 on the right, ten at right-back, eight at left-back, eight at centre-forward, two in attacking midfield and even one as a second striker.
Lastly, while the comparisons to Bale are certainly exciting, the 24-year-old dynamo looks to be a quality addition in his own right. In 55 appearances all over the pitch last season, he scored seven goals and provided 12 assists, which equates to a goal involvement every 2.89 games.
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Ultimately, for the reported price, signing Yılmaz seems like an excellent idea, and if he can get even remotely close to the former Spurs star in North London, he'd be an unreal asset to Ange Postecoglou.
Arne Slot will have already created a grandiose plan to start his Liverpool tenure without a hitch, taking the high-class squad that Jurgen Klopp created and cemented and placing his stamp on it.
Liverpool, there is no doubt, is entering the unknown, preparing to charge toward the goals of a campaign with a first-team squad led by a new figure. Frissons of excitement are flying but so too is there a measure of trepidation that Klopp's Herculean efforts will fade into the poignant memory of better times.
But FSG have installed a new structure, enticed Michael Edwards back to the fold in a bigger, all-seeing role as their CEO of Football, and while several pressing concerns require attention – namely, the 12-month contract quandaries of Virgil van Dijk (captain), Trent Alexander-Arnold (vice-captain) and Mohamed Salah (attacking talisman).
Virgil van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp embrace
Keeping hold of such players, it should be clear, is paramount for the fluency and success of Slot's early-stage Liverpool tenure, not least because they are three of the most influential and experienced members of the crop. But not all of the Reds' most profitable players are untouchable.
Indeed, Darwin Nunez is among those to have been linked with a move away in recent weeks, and while flawed he may be, the Uruguayan has a lofty ceiling. However, one of his closest peers must be quite ruthlessly sold.
Liverpool considering big summer sale
Spanish reports have persisted quite frequently in recent weeks that Barcelona are pushing for the signing of Luis Diaz, who had been one of Klopp's most important players last season, starting every one of Liverpool's Premier League fixtures in 2024.
Luis Diaz warming up for Liverpool.
Recently, as per Diario AS, Liverpool have responded to La Blaugrana's advancements by slapping a €75m (£63m) price tag on the Colombia star, something that might prove a stumbling block for the La Liga outfit, racked with financial worry.
Diaz is unquestionably Liverpool's star left winger, and while he has much to offer for Slot and his soon-to-be-instilled system on Merseyside, it may well be worth cashing in and reinvesting.
Why Luis Diaz should be sold
Indefatigable. Unceasing. Relentless. Robust. Pick your athletic-based superlative; Diaz is certain to fall somewhere within the broad parameters of such praise.
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz
But this alone is not enough to keep Diaz at the club, with his wastefulness and poor return failing Liverpool on several important occasions. A return of 13 goals and five assists over 51 matches in all competitions is certainly not shoddy but nor is it particularly eye-catching.
Anfield welcomed Diaz from Portuguese side FC Porto in a £37m transfer back in January 2022, tasked with replacing the iconic Sadio Mane, who still plied his trade at Liverpool at the time of Diaz's arrival but was heading toward his contract expiry at the end of the campaign.
Diaz is contracted until 2027 and this is largely why FSG and Edwards believe that he could fetch a pretty penny. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.
Fleet-footed and fearsome in his electric-charged runs up and down the flank, Diaz has been hailed as a "livewire" by journalist Peter Hall for this very reason.
However, he's not the cream of the crop at Anfield and, one would think, collecting a fee in the £60m ballpark would give Liverpool ample ammunition to redirect toward a fresh face.
23/24
51
13
5
0.35
22/23
21
5
2
0.33
21/22
26
6
5
0.42
Compare that to Mane's final three-year average, and it becomes patent that the Colombian has failed to emulate his predecessor regarding prolificness, which admittedly does not exactly mean he has failed, such was Mane's quality.
21/22
51
23
4
0.53
20/21
48
16
8
0.50
19/20
47
22
10
0.68
But £63m is a lot of money; it would mark the third-highest sale in Anfield's history, behind only Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez.
Liverpool simply have to consider selling Diaz and turning their gaze to summer transfer targets with the added gleam of recouped funds.
1.
Philippe Coutinho
£142m
2.
Luis Suarez
£75m
3.
Fernando Torres
£50m
4.
Raheem Sterling
£49m
5.
Fabinho
£40m
Who knows, it might even prove to be a masterstroke for Slot, his very own Coutinho moment.
Diaz sale could be Coutinho 2.0
When Liverpool sold Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018 for a staggering fee of £142m, supporters mourned the loss of a truly special star who, it felt, could not be replaced.
Former Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool had clicked into gear under Klopp and were scoring goals for fun, but the money collected was thrown back out into the market over the coming months, with the £75m deal to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton and the £67m signing of Alisson Becker from AS Roma revolutionising the squad and transcending the ambitions of regular top-four finishes and trophy runs.
Instead, Liverpool conquered it all. In 2018/19, Tottenham Hotspur were vanquished in the Champions League final, one year later, Liverpool toppled Manchester City to win their maiden Premier League title in its modern format.
Barcelona might have overpaid quite considerably but Liverpool certainly aren’t complaining, albeit waiting for several interminable years for payment packages from the financially-stricken club, who funded the venture via an intermediary.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are still in pursuit of Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville, having scouted him for months. The 22-year-old would continue the Dutch theme at Anfield and would arrive with plenty of promise after being crowned the Championship MVP, posting 21 goals and ten assists in all competitions.
The knock-on, long-term effect of such a deal, with plenty of money still to burn after Diaz's sale, could be truly remarkable for a Liverpool team in transition.
In hindsight, Liverpool selling Coutinho proved to be a watershed moment that opened the flood of success, eternalising Klopp and his reign on Merseyside.
Diaz would not be sold for quite the same dizzying sum but there's little question that it could have something of a similar effect, especially if Slot was to target a player like Summerville.
Liverpool leading the race for dream £102m Szoboszlai partner
Arne Slot would score a major win by landing this talented midfielder.
أشاد البرازيلي روجيرو ميكالي، المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر للشباب، بفوز مواطنه فينيسيوس جونيور، نجم ريال مدريد، بجائزة “ذا بيست” لأفضل لاعب بالعالم لعام 2024، واصفًا ذلك الإنجاز بأنه انتصار مزدوج، على الصعيد الشخصي وفي مواجهة العنصرية في ملاعب كرة القدم.
وقال ميكالي في تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي لاتحاد الكرة المصري: “جائزة مستحقة لفيني، كما اعتدنا أن نناديه منذ صغره، فوزه بالكرة الذهبية يمثل نقلة نوعية في مكافحة العنصرية، ويُعد حدثًا عظيمًا يُضاهي إنجازه كأفضل لاعب في العالم. فينيسيوس أحد أبنائي الذين ساعدتهم في مرحلة التكوين، وكنت شاهداً على موهبته الفريدة ومهاراته الاستثنائية”.
طالع.. أول تعليق من فينيسيوس جونيور بعد حصوله على جائزة ذا بيست
وأضاف: “عرفته خلال حقبة المنتخب البرازيلي الفائز بذهبية أولمبياد ريو دي جانيرو 2016، وكان يتميز بلمساته الساحرة وسرعته الفطرية، هو لاعب ملتزم ومجتهد ويمتلك طموحًا لا حدود له، أهنئه على هذا الإنجاز العظيم وأشعر بفخر كبير بكوني جزءاً من مسيرته”.
كما أشار إلى أهمية مرحلة التكوين في صناعة النجوم، قائلاً: “فينيسيوس نموذج للاعبين الموهوبين الذين يدافعون عن موهبتهم رغم كل التحديات، طبيعي أن يصل إلى صدارة اللاعبين في العالم، فهو يمتلك سيرة ذاتية رائعة ومسيرة مليئة بالإنجازات”.
يُذكر أن ميكالي حقق العديد من النجاحات خلال مسيرته، أبرزها قيادة المنتخب البرازيلي لتحقيق ذهبية أولمبياد ريو 2016 وفضية كأس العالم للشباب 2015، كما قاد منتخب مصر لتحقيق المركز الرابع في أولمبياد باريس 2024، وهو إنجاز لم يتحقق منذ 60 عامًا، وقدم كوكبة من النجوم للمنتخب الأول.