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Everton have only lost one of their past eight Premier League matches, but this is a facade that covers up the deep-fissured issues at Goodison Park.

Bereft of colour and attacking intent under Sean Dyche, whose days may well be numbered, Everton need to spark some improvements – and fast.

While the Toffees sit 15th in the Premier League, they are only two points ahead of Ipswich Town in the drop zone and have scored just ten times across 12 matches – with bottom-placed Southampton the only side with fewer goals (9).

Everton’s Remaining Premier League Fixtures in 2024

Date

Opponent

Venue

01/12/24

Man United

Old Trafford

04/12/243

Wolves

Molineux

07/12/24

Liverpool

Goodison Park

14/12/24

Arsenal

Emirates Stadium

22/12/24

Chelsea

Goodison Park

26/12/24

Man City

Etihad Stadium

29/12/24

Nott’m Forest

Goodison Park

A tough December lies ahead. Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn’t scoring and creativity is negligible. If only the Merseysiders could call upon some of the fine playmaking architects from over the years.

Everton's finest number tens

Tim Cahill deserves the first mention. The Australian’s Premier League career stretched across 226 games and 56 brilliant goals, with Phil Neville once praising him as a truly “special” part of the Goodison make-up.

The very embodiment of what it takes to be an Evertonian, Cahill’s legacy remains intact over a decade beyond his departure, with his performances and dedication to the cause something that can be used by up-and-comers to try and emulate even to this day.

Not long after Cahill signed for the New York Red Bulls (in 2012), Ross Barkley exploded into action, rising from the youth ranks to establish himself as the latest homegrown hero at the club, becoming a mainstay before completing a contentious £15m transfer to Chelsea in January 2018.

The England international, now 30, hit 29 top-flight goal contributions across his final two terms with his boyhood club, but could have been so much more on Merseyside.

Now, the rise of another creative marvel is occurring at Goodison…

Everton's very own Cole Palmer

Dyche has fashioned principal winger Dwight McNeil into a central attacking midfielder to great effect. There might be concerns over the former Burnley star’s impact on the midfield fluency, but his return rate bespeaks his quality.

He could be the difference-maker. After all, McNeil’s performances have led to comparisons with none other than Cole Palmer.

McNeil has been the spear driving Everton forward throughout the opening months of the 2024/25 campaign, from an attacking standpoint at least.

Three goals and three assists apiece in the Premier League after 11 matches have showcased a potency that hasn’t always been on show at Everton. After all, last year’s return produced three goals and assists across 35 matches.

But now, his clinical edge and creativity have seen him produce results that have led statistical site FBref to rank him alongside Palmer in the Premier League this season.

The Chelsea sensation is of course enjoying superior success, but it’s promising for Dyche’s cause that McNeil’s form is from the same vein as the Blues man.

Premier League 24/25: Dwight McNeil vs Cole Palmer

Stats (per 90)

Dwight McNeil

Cole Palmer

Goals scored

0.28

0.60

Assists

0.28

0.43

Shot-creating actions

4.88

5.08

Passes attempted

39.89

41.43

Progressive passes

4.79

6.46

Progressive carries

2.40

3.36

Crosses

7.46

4.74

Ball recoveries

4.88

3.62

All stats via FBref

While Palmer ranks higher across the lion’s share of the pairs’ metrics in the top flight this term, it’s intriguing to see how close McNeil runs to the pre-eminent number ten’s numbers.

More squarely, he’s been an excellent creative outlet despite operating in a team more insular and restricted in its attacking play. It bodes well, looking forward and assessing the exciting eventualities for Everton in a potential Friedkin Group-led world.

Toward the end of October, Squawka’s player comparison matrix revealed that Palmer was the only attacking midfielder in the Premier League outperforming McNeil, who has plateaued since but remains a keen-edged threat for Dyche’s side.

Of course, the Three Lions superstar is quite patently outstripping his countryman, but that’s not to the discredit of McNeil’s campaign, for he is playing admirably within the confines of Dyche’s pragmatic Toffees system.

Who knows what the future might hold for Everton, but it could be a brand new world, one that might herald a freer and more expansive style of football that could see McNeil rise closer to the ceiling of his potential.

It could reap a lucrative reward. Palmer, for example, is understood to have a market value of £118m presently, according to CIES Football Observatory’s player valuation model, which makes an exciting comment on McNeil’s future.

Everton signed Burnley’s chief creator in 2022 for a £20m transfer fee, following their relegation from the Premier League under the wing of… Dyche.

The incremental progress on display has been exciting to see, for his playmaking prowess has led him to create eight big chances in the Premier League already this term, as per Sofascore, averaging 2.7 key passes per fixture too.

Of course, it’s not levelled alongside Palmer’s, but he has the quality to become a true Premier League sensation, and his stylistic approach mirrors that of the Chelsea man.

Where Everton will go this season is anyone’s guess at this stage. However, McNeil’s success in a central attacking midfield role might prove to make the difference in the fight to escape the relegation battle and perhaps mount a concerted effort toward the upper level of the Premier League.

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 24, 2024

After a good start to the 2024/25 campaign, Aston Villa are on a run of poor form. Unai Emery’s side have not won in their last four games, and have actually lost their last three in a row. That includes a humbling 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur away from home, in a game they were winning at half-time.

Despite this sticky patch, the Villans are not in a bad position as the busy Christmas period fast approaches. They are sixth in the Premier League, but level on points with fourth-place Chelsea. In the Champions League, Emery’s side sit eighth on nine points, just inside the automatic qualification spots.

However, there is no doubt they need to turn their form around, starting with a big trip to Anfield later today to face league leaders Liverpool. It is a game that Emery could shake things up, and perhaps start strikers Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins together.

Villa’s potential tactical tweak

It is not common to see Emery line up with both Duran and Watkins in the same starting lineup. The experienced England international tends to be first choice, with the young Columbian an option for the Villans boss to turn to off the bench.

However, given their poor run of form recently, it might be a good time for the Spaniard to switch it up and give the pair a start leading the line together. Incredibly, they have only played together 34 times, likely because Watkins is often replaced by Duran, and they have never combined for a goal.

Just because they are rarely on the pitch at the same time does not mean they don’t score in the same game. It has happened twice this season, and scored all three goals between them in an impressive 3-2 win against Everton, with Watkins scoring two and Duran a sublime winner.

However, their talent is undeniable. Watkins, in his role as first-choice number nine for the Villans, has performed well this term. He has five goals and three assists in 14 games, including seven goal involvements in just ten top-flight matches so far.

Likewise, 20-year-old Duran has worked hard despite so few minutes, as Emery looks to ease him into first-team football. He has played 16 times this term and has eight goals to his name, although that comes from just 580 minutes, the equivalent to just 6.4 full 90-minute games.

Should Emery decide to go down this route and start his deadly strike partnership at the same time, it would mean he has to drop another of his attackers.

Who could drop out to accommodate Duran and Watkins

Perhaps the prime candidate to drop out of the Villa starting lineup ahead of the crunch clash at Anfield is John McGinn. Initially, this may be an odd suggestion given the Scotsman is Villa’s captain and a brilliant utility player.

He has played 12 times this campaign, with a goal and assist to his name, both coming in the Champions League.

Sadly, however, the midfielder struggled in the Villans’ last outing in the Champions League against Club Brugge. In that game, his side lost 1-0, with the home side scoring a penalty won in bizarre fashion after a mistake from Tyrone Mings.

It was a disappointing showing from the Villa skipper, whose Sofascore stats from the game show just how difficult of a game it was for him. He had just 30 touches in the midfield, losing the ball five times and winning just one from three attempted duels.

McGinn stats vs. Club Brugge

Stat

Number

Touches

30

Pass accuracy

91%

Passes completed

20/22

Number of times possession lost

5

Duels won

1/3

Big chances missed

1

Stats from Sofascore

After a poor performance, the Scotland international, who earns £120k-per-week, could be the man to make way against the Reds.

His exclusion for Duran would not unbalance the team much, because Morgan Rogers can drop back and take McGinn’s role up instead.

It would be a bold move from Emery, but a tactical change like that could be just what Villa need to rejig their starting lineup as they look to get back to winning ways.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Nov 7, 2024

Manchester United are thought to be planning a double January transfer swoop for new head coach Ruben Amorim, according to Sky Sports.

Amorim beats Guardiola 4-1 in Champions League

The Red Devils and INEOS moved quickly to secure the services of Amorim after parting ways with Erik ten Hag, with the Sporting CP boss officially taking over on November 11.

Since being announced as the new man in charge at Old Trafford, Amorim still had two Sporting CP matches to prepare for, the first of which coming against Manchester City and new rival Pep Guardiola.

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Sporting CP brushed City aside in the Champions League, winning 4-1 in the new group stage format to go above Guardiola’s side in the process. Viktor Gyokeres, who has already been linked with a move to Old Trafford, scored a hat-trick for the hosts in what was Amorim’s final home game.

Talking after the game about whether it was a sign of things to come in Manchester, Amorim said: “I already said previously you cannot transport one reality into another. At Manchester United you cannot play exactly like this. You cannot play so defensively and so there we will have to adapt. Clearly it is really difficult to beat this team and to beat Pep Guardiola. And he is not a worse manager than me.

“It will be a completely different world, a different team, we won’t have that much time to train and we will begin from a different starting point. People can make their own judgements but I say to the people of Manchester that this was a one-off.”

Amorim will soon inherit a Man Utd squad who have struggled for goals in the Premier League this season – scoring just nine in 10 games – the third fewest in the division.

By the looks of things, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS want to add to their attacking ranks to rival Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, while also bolstering their midfield.

Man Utd plan double signing for Amorim in January

According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Man Utd are planning to make January signings for Amorim, with a ‘cheap striker’ and a new ‘number eight’ on the shortlist.

Plettenberg doesn’t mention any specific attacking targets but names Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretkza as a player of interest, although the £290,000-a-week German doesn’t have any plans to leave the Allianz Arena in the New Year.

It will be interesting to see who Amorim, INEOS, Dan Ashworth and co target in attack, as you’d expect a ‘cheap’ forward rules out Gyokeres, who has an £85m release clause.

Neymar couldn't hold back tears during an emotional unveiling as he returned to boyhood club Santos on Friday.

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Neymar unveiled at Santos in an emotional ceremonyBroke down in tears while addressing fansReturned to Santos after 12 yearsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Brazil star returned to his boyhood club after 12 years as Santos unveiled their icon to a massive reception with thousands of fans in attendance. Neymar broke down in tears while addressing the crowd, as the fans cheered for their 'prince'. The 32-year-old's contract at Al-Hilal was terminated earlier this week after a disastrous, injury-ravaged 18 months in the Middle East.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPWHAT NEYMAR SAID ABOUT JOINING SANTOS

After the unveiling ceremony, Neymar spoke to the media in a press conference, where he said: "There are some decisions that go beyond the logic of soccer, and some are impactful. When I was sure I was coming back, I confess that in January, at the beginning of January, I couldn't imagine coming back to Santos or leaving Al Hilal.

"I was very happy there, my family was very happy there, and I was very adapted and full of desire to play. Things happened and I had to make a decision. I started to feel sad in training, on a day-to-day basis, and it wasn't going very well for me. The opportunity to return came up and I didn't think twice."

He added: "From the first day, I had already decided to come back, I told my father and everything worked out. Everyone is happy. I'm back with renewed energy. Ever since I set foot here I feel like I'm 17 again. I'm very happy, excited and very keen to play."

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is expected to kick off his second stint with Santos in March when the 2025 Brazilian Serie A gets underway.

Julen Lopetegui has really struggled to strike balance in his West Ham United side since taking the reins, with an inability to keep possession, a lack of progression, and a lack of mobility in central areas.

This summer, the Hammers went out and splashed the cash on ten new incomings, so the Spanish manager certainly has options in his squad to change things up, but he has to be brave with his selection.

Their next game is against Brentford this weekend, who have won two of the last three games between the two sides, and Lopetegui will want to break his four game streak without a victory.

Edson Alvarez's poor performances

Edson Alvarez continued his run of poor performances for the Hammers in midweek, in West Ham’s 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the EFL Cup. Alvarez was awarded a 3/10 match rating by the Standard’s Dom Smith after his sending off for two ‘needless’ yellow cards.

The Mexican has started the last five games for the Hammers in all competitions and has totalled 361 minutes so far this season. However, his poor form has coincided with West Ham’s struggles, only winning once in his five starts.

Mobility has been a huge issue in West Ham’s midfield, starting with Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez in a double pivot, both good defensively in their own regard, but lacking mobility to get around the pitch, and win duels to regain possession for the side.

This is where Lopetegui could make a change in their upcoming game against Brentford, looking to add more mobility and more progressive passing into the midfield.

This timely, one-game suspension for Alvarez, therefore, will force Lopetegui to make a much-needed tweak in the centre of the park against Thomas Frank’s men.

West Ham's midfield solution

Carlos Soler joined the club on loan this summer from Paris Saint-Germain, after making 28 appearances last season, scoring two goals, providing four assists, and totaling 1,277 minutes played. Soler provides his side with a “creative spark”, as mentioned by Squawka, with his passing quality and ability to go box to box.

West Ham, seeing Soler on the fringes of the PSG squad, saw this as an opportunity to acquire a midfield profile that is perfect for Lopetegui’s style of play, where he wants his pivot players to get on the ball, progress play through the lines, and keep things ticking in the middle.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Soler

Alvarez

xG

0.17

0.00

Progressive Carries

1.67

0.40

Progressive Passes

5.00

4.40

Passes Attempted

45.0

50.8

Passes into Final Third

3.33

5.60

Passes into Pen Area

1.67

0.80

Tackles

1.67

3.20

Blocks

3.33

1.60

Interceptions

1.33

1.25

It is important to note, these per 90 metrics are based on Soler only playing 135 minutes so far (according to FBref), whilst Alvarez has played 357 minutes. However, the metrics do show what each player brings to the table.

Soler averages more progressive passes and passes into the penalty area per 90, which shows the creative passing he can bring to the side, something Lopetegui values in deep midfield, and something that would allow Lucas Paqueta to receive the ball higher up, and affect the game closer to goal.

The 27-year-old – who has been hailed as the “complete midfielder” by former Valencia star Curro Torres – can also arrive in the box to score goals, already generating 0.17 xG this season in his limited minutes. Alvarez though, does offer more defensive stability than Soler, making 3.20 tackles per 90, and often in the right place to stop the danger.

Even if Alvarez had been available, Lopetegui may well have looked to start Rodriguez alongside Soler in the midfield regardless, for a blend of defensive protection, progressive passing, composure, and leadership in the middle of the park.

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تقدم فريق أتلتيكو مدريد بهدفين في شباك برشلونة، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، موسم 2024/25.

ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات ذهاب نصف نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا (لمتابعة اللقاء من هنا).

وتمكن أتلتيكو مدريد من تسجيل هدف أول أمام برشلونة، في الدقيقة الثانية من عمر الشوط الأول.

الهدف جاء بعد تمريرة من أنطوان جريزمان، وصلت إلى كليمنت لينجليه، الذي سددها برأسه لتتجه إلى جوليان ألفاريز، الذي صوبها مباشرة في شباك تشيزني، معلنًا عن تقدم مبكر للضيوف. هدف ألفاريز أمام برشلونة

وفي الدقيقة السادسة، سجل أنطوان جريزمان الهدف الثاني لفريق أتلتيكو مدريد في شباك برشلونة.

جاء الهدف بعد تمريرة خاطئة من جول كوندي، حيث وصلت الكرة إلى ألفاريز الذي بدأ هجمة مرتدة، ومرر الكرة ناحية جريزمان الذي انطلق وسط تراجع دفاع البلوجرانا وسجل الهدف الثاني. هدف جريزمان أمام برشلونة

ويلتقي الفريقان في مباراة الإياب، في معقل أتلتيكو مدريد، يوم الأربعاء 2 أبريل المقبل.

A national newspaper has lifted the lid on Chelsea’s multiple approaches to sign a £67 million star quite recently, with BlueCo not exactly afraid to splash the cash on major signings for new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea spent around £200m on 13 summer signings

Maresca was well and truly backed ahead of his first full season in charge at Stamford Bridge, with Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali giving their green light for Chelsea to invest around £200 million on 13 new additions to the squad.

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ByEmilio Galantini Sep 27, 2024

Joao Felix, Mike Penders, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Estevao Willian, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Omari Kellyman, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho all agreed moves to Chelsea before deadline day on August 30, with a couple making serious impressions already.

Sancho is off the mark with two assists in the Premier League, while Neto bagged his first Chelsea goal against Barrow in the EFL Cup earlier this week. While Felix is yet to start a game for Chelsea, he did score off the bench in his second debut for the club – which came in a 6-2 demolition of Wolves at Molineux.

Jorgensen joined the backlog of Chelsea keepers with a glowing reputation as well. The 22-year-old Dane spent the whole of 2023/2024 as Villarreal’s number one shot-stopper, and his performances did enough to impress Chelsea so much that they splashed nearly £21 million on his signing from the La Liga side.

He put pen to paper on a long-term seven-year deal at Cobham, and Maresca suggested that Jorgensen could oust current number one Robert Sanchez if he performs better than the Spaniard in training.

“Even if you probably don’t believe me, I judge and I take the first XI depending on how they work every day,” said Maresca. “For all of them, if they are bad in training sessions and they don’t train with intensity, they are not going to play.

Brighton (home)

September 28

Nottingham Forest (home)

October 6

Liverpool (away)

October 20

Newcastle (home)

October 27

Man United (away)

November 3

“And if they don’t play Sunday in the Premier League, and think they are going to play Thursday, but if from Sunday to Thursday they don’t train well, they are not going to play in the Premier League and they are not going to play on Thursday – because Chelsea is a demanding club.

“You need to work hard, to fight until the end to get your place and give 100 per cent. If you think that I am going to give you a chance without working hard, forget about that.”

Newspaper shares multiple Chelsea approaches to sign Maignan

However, according to Corriere dello Sport, Chelsea could’ve brought in an alternative.

Indeed, £67 million AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan was on their radar in the summer, as well as Jorgensen. Chelsea actually made contact over Maignan in 2023 as well, with Corriere explaining that Chelsea wanted him this year too.

The Italian newspaper share that Chelsea made multiple enquiries over signing Maignan, before they presumably settled on Jorgensen. The 29-year-old would’ve been quite the competition for Sanchez considering his form in the last three years, but his hefty price tag was probably a bit much for yet another shot-stopper.

Wolverhampton Wanderers may have slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, but the side acquitted themselves well in what was going to be one of their toughest games of the campaign.

It is clear that Gary O’Neil will have to replace Pedro Neto, as the Old Gold did miss his presence in the tie against the Gunners.

Could this perhaps see the manager make a surprise swoop for a former Premier League sensation between now and the end of the transfer window?

Wolves eyeing up move for Neto replacement

According to the Sun, Wolves have joined the race to sign former Crystal Palace and Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha from Galatasaray before the end of the current window.

With the sale of Neto boosting the coffers, O’Neil has some money to spend, and he will need to replace the Portuguese gem.

Several teams are keen, including Palace, to bring Zaha back to the Premier League. A loan move is perhaps the most logical option, however, although the Turkish side are looking for a fee of around £9m to sell the Ivorian.

The 31-year-old has plenty of experience in England. Will O’Neil make a late swoop for the player?

Wilfried Zaha’s statistics last season

Having joined Galatasaray from Palace last summer, Zaha didn’t quite have the impact expected of him last term.

Ten goals and five assists in all competitions was hardly a bad return during his maiden season on the continent, yet he started only 20 games in all competitions.

Wilfried Zaha's domestic statistics last season
Goals	9
Assists	3
Successful dribbles per game	1.4
Big chances created	2
Key passes per game	0.8
Shots on target per game	0.6
Via Sofascore

Among his teammates, Zaha ranked fourth for goals and assists (12) in the top flight, while also ranking sixth for shots on target per game (0.6) and second for successful dribbles per match (1.4), showcasing his effectiveness in the final third, despite his limited time on the pitch.

The winger was hailed as “world class” by former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp back in 2019 and his time in England was a major success.

Indeed, in 305 Premier League games, Zaha scored 68 goals and registered 29 assists, which works out as a goal contribution once every 3.1 games.

His abilities out wide could make him a dream signing for Matheus Cunha, who is looking to build on an impressive 2023/24 season.

The Brazilian scored 14 times last term, but with someone like Zaha playing alongside him, this number could rise significantly.

According to WhoScored, Zaha’s main strength is his dribbling ability, while his style of play is characterised by a lot of dribbling while cutting inside often.

These traits could see Cunha be the benefit of Zaha’s many jinking runs into the opposition penalty area, causing absolute chaos for opposition defences.

This partnership could certainly make O’Neil forget all about Neto, especially if it clicks into gear in the Premier League.

The next week could be vital, especially if the Old Gold wish to finish in the top half of the table this season.

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Joe Nuttall

Aug 23, 2024

Liverpool are reportedly considering making a move for an "unbelievable" 26-year-old winger who is also wanted by French giants PSG.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds are still yet to make a single signing in the summer transfer window, which most supporters would have seen as scarcely believable at the end of last season. A move for Martin Zubimendi fell through, with the Spaniard deciding to stay put at Real Sociedad, and it looks as though an alternative won't come in.

There are still rumours doing the rounds linking Liverpool with new faces between now and the end of the month, however, with Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie emerging as an option, having been a reported target for some time.

Perhaps the player who looks most likely to move to Anfield currently is Giorgi Mamardashvili, who impressed so much for Georgia during Euro 2024. The Valencia stopper would likely come in officially next summer, though, potentially being loaned out to Bournemouth before eventually replacing Alisson between the sticks in 2026.

Some feel that Liverpool could do with a new left-back, given Andy Robertson's advancing years, and Adrien Truffert has been linked with a summer switch, having represented France at the 2024 Olympics. The 22-year-old plays for Ligue 1 side Rennes and could be a strong long-term addition for Arne Slot.

Liverpool eyeing move for "unbelievable" attacker

According to The Boot Room, Liverpool are considering signing Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman this summer, as the Reds look to "strengthen Slot’s options up top". The report states that the 26-year-old was "left out" of his side's opening Serie A squad of the season due to "speculation over his future", primarily links to PSG.

Lookman would certainly be an intriguing signing for Liverpool, not least because he used to play for Everton, so him moving to the other side of Stanley Park may not go down well with Blues supporters.

The Atalanta ace produced a remarkable performance in last season's Europa League final, scoring a hat-trick in his side's dominant win over Leverkusen, leading to him being described as "unbelievable" by Sead Kolasinac.

Former Reds striker Peter Crouch has also heaped praise on him: "He’s got himself out to Atalanta with a manager that wants to work with him, that seems to be able to get the best out of him. And I think it’s a credit to him to be able to bounce back from quite a few knock-backs and return to a Europa League final and be the difference-maker. It’s an incredible story."

At 26, Lookman is a player who could be coming right into his best years, and he could even prove to be an upgrade on Luis Diaz, considering he outscored him 11 to eight in their respective leagues last season, as well as five to three in the Europa League.

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It could be argued that there are more important areas for Liverpool to strengthen in, however, especially as Diaz has enjoyed a good pre-season, with a new No.6 in the mould of Zubimendi more pressing than a wide player.

Arsenal and sporting director Edu Gaspar by extension could be preparing a "significant" late bid to sign a £73 million-plus striker, according to reports.

Arsenal sell Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace for £30 million

Earlier this week, Arsenal reached an agreement with Crystal Palace over the transfer of striker Eddie Nketiah, who will make the move to Selhurst Park in a deal which could be worth up to £30 million including add-ons.

Arsenal offered £42 million forward who Rio Ferdinand called "unbelievable"

The Gunners have been given a late opportunity.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 29, 2024

The move brings an end to many years at the Emirates Stadium for Nketiah, who first made his professional debut for Arsenal all the way back in 2017, with the Hale End academy graduate moving on to pastures new in search of more Premier League game time.

The 25-year-old played 7,000 minutes in total for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring 38 goals over 168 total appearances in that period, and some supporters will be sad to see one of their own leave for a London rival.

Appearances

168

Goals

38

Assists

7

Bookings

12

Red Cards

1

Minutes played

7,000

via Transfermarkt

However, Nketiah was down Mikel Arteta's pecking order in north London, and a move away is perhaps best for his overall career as he looks to eventually play his way back into the England set up – having managed just one cap for his country to date.

There are suggestions that Arsenal are still active in the transfer window as we fast approach deadline day tomorrow, with Edu and the recruitment team already completing deals for David Raya on a permanent, Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino as their three most high-profile senior additions.

It is believed that Arsenal are looking at last-minute opportunities to bring in a new forward after Merino and are chasing a deal to sign Aaron Ramsdale's replacement in Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia, having submitted a last-gasp bid for the Spaniard.

Albeit unlikely, there have also been one or two claims in the last few days that Arsenal could move for a new striker to replace Nketiah, and one very surprising rumour has come out of Spain.

Arsenal could make "significant" Darwin Nunez bid

As per one Spanish media source, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is on Edu's radar heading into deadline day. Indeed, "sources close" to Arsenal claim Edu could be preparing a "significant offer" to sign Nunez, with the Uruguayan's future under scrutiny and criticism after failing to deliver in key moments.

Arne Slot's side would demand a fee in excess of £73 million to sell Nunez this late in the day, though it remains to be seen if Arsenal would even be willing to come to close to that figure.

The South American has scored 33 goals in 94 appearances for Liverpool but has played just 18 minutes in the Premier League so far this season.