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Aston Villa are hoping to beat Liverpool in the race to sign a 22-year-old emerging star this summer, according to recent reports.

Aston Villa set for Champions League return

Unai Emery's side head into the final weeks of the Premier League season knowing that one more win will mathematically secure them Champions League football next season.

Seven points clear of Tottenham in fifth place, Spurs would need to win their remaining three games and Villa draw and lose theirs to have any chance of the roles being reversed, and with Ange Postecoglou's side in terrrbile form and still to welcome Manchester City to north London, a top four finish for Villa is all but secured.

The race for fourth place

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Goal Difference

Points

Aston Villa

36

20

7

9

20

67

Tottenham

35

18

6

11

11

60

With added, higher level, European football beckoning next season, Villa are likely to be busy in the transfer market to bolster their squad for a fight across several fronts, and are already seemingly on the verge of making their first signing in the form of soon-to-be free agent Mario Hermoso. But they are eyeing up another addition to their backline too.

Villa chasing young talent

Now, it has emerged that Emery's side are among the clubs chasing 22-year-old breakout star Bradley Locko, who currently plies his trade for Ligue 1 outfit Brest.

The defender, who plays primarily as a left back, spent last season on loan with Brest but only became a permanent member of the squad in the summer of 2023. Despite this, he has really come to the fore in 2023-24, starting all 32 Ligue 1 games for Brest and grabbing three assists.

NSWE interested in exciting 17 year-old after intense Aston Villa scouting

He could be a star of the future, and Villa are keen to land him.

ByBen Browning May 8, 2024

His performances have helped them put together a run of form that could see them qualify for Champions League football next season should they win one of their final two games, which include a home tie to Reims and a trip to Toulouse, with both sides marooned in midtable.

It would represent a massive shock, with the club never having finished higher than 11th in Ligue 1 before this, and playing second tier football as recently as 2019. And Locko's form has not gone unnoticed. As per Football Insider, the defender has caught the eye of Liverpool as well as Aston Villa and West Ham, with the trio "considering bids" for the defender.

That is because despite being good already, the trio see "huge potential" in the fullback, who manages nearly 3 tackles a game for the French side. He is under contract until 2027 and valued at around 10m euros by transfer site Transfermarkt.

Should a bidding war ensue for his signature, is could see Brest net a record sale, which currently stands at the 15m euros they received from Lyon for Romain Faivre back in 2021. For their part, Villa will be hoping that they can land him for far less.

Manchester United may have already made a huge decision over their manager position for next season, with some inside information on Erik ten Hag's future leaking courtesy of beIN Sports' coverage of Sunday's defeat to Arsenal.

Erik ten Hag under pressure at Man Utd

This has been a dismal season at Old Trafford – one of the worst in the club's history, in fact – with performances in the Premier League embarrassing at times. Sunday's 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal was far from their worst result of the campaign, but it means they have suffered a club-record 14 defeats out of 36 games in the competition, and in truth there looked an acceptance that only losing 1-0 was a good day at the office.

For that reason, Ten Hag is under significant pressure to keep his job beyond the summer, and the fact that so many managers are being mentioned as possible replacements suggests that he is clinging on to his job.

Thomas Tuchel is seen as a leading contender to replace the Dutchman this summer, with the current Bayern Munich boss seen as United's answer to Jurgen Klopp. Graham Potter is also being considered, having not worked since being sacked by Chelsea after a short stint at Stamford Bridge.

The likes of Gareth Southgate and Roberto De Zerbi have also been constantly mentioned as candidates to take charge at Old Trafford, with the former possibly leaving his England post after Euro 2024.

Pundit makes huge Man Utd manager claim

Speaking to Richard Keys on beIN SPORTS [via The Daily Mail], former Liverpool defender Jason McAteer claimed that a current Manchester United player believes Ten Hag is "done" and Southgate will be Man Utd's new manager: "He plays for Man United and I had a conversation with him on Friday, I bumped into him because I live just outside the area.

"We got into conversation, great lad, and I asked him (about the) end of the season and what he thought and he gave me no inclination that the manager was there to stay. In fact we spoke about different names and who we thought will be a good fit and I got no inclination from him."

McAteer added that the player in question "smiled but that wasn't the name" when asked about Tuchel, and gave a "no" regarding Jose Mourinho, before saying "yes that was the name" when bringing up Southgate.

On Ten Hag's future specifically, he claimed: "Footballers have an inclination when the manager's job is on the line and they obviously know and I just got the feeling that it's done, it's done."

It does appear as though Southgate is a genuinely big target for United at this point, but there would likely be a mixed reaction to him coming in. Granted, he has largely done a good job as England manager, but being in charge of an international team is still very different to managing one of the biggest club sides in the world, with the intensity of the job greater on a week in, week out basis.

Erik ten Hag

2022-present

Ralf Rangnick (interim)

2021-2022

Michael Carrick (interim)

2021

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

2018-2021

Jose Mourinho

2016-2018

Louis van Gaal

2014-2016

Ryan Giggs (interim)

2014

David Moyes

2013-2014

Sir Alex Ferguson

1986-2013

Ron Atkinson

1981-1986

Southgate has also fallen short in big matches a number of times at major tournaments, arguably being out-thought tactically by other managers such as Roberto Mancini in the Euro 2020 final, and he doesn't have enough pedigree at club level to suggest that he warrants a job the size of the United one.

His relationship with Dan Ashworth could be a reason why Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants him, assuming the Newcastle ace comes in as sporting director, but Southgate feels a long way from being a surefire bet just yet.

There’s no two ways about it: Manchester United’s signing of Antony has been a complete failure, not just because of his output but also the astronomical fee he cost.

At the start of Erik ten Hag’s reign, the Brazilian followed his boss from Ajax to Manchester, signing for a whopping £82m.

Since then, the number 21 has made 82 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring just 11 goals, with only one of them coming in the Premier League this season.

Therefore, it’s no shock to see that Antony’s estimated worth has decreased over time, but one Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing has also struggled, to the point where he’s now valued the same as the 24-year-old.

Jadon Sancho’s Man United career

When the highly anticipated signature of Jadon Sancho occurred, the Man United faithful were absolutely buzzing to have a superstar joining their squad, a player who was meant to be the heir to the prestigious number seven shirt.

The England international joined the Red Devils for a huge £73m, and during his first campaign, he produced just six Premier League goal contributions for a struggling United side.

The appointment of Ten Hag saw an upturn in performance from Sancho, scoring six times and providing three assists in 21 league starts.

However, just three games into this season, the number 25 was banished from the United first team setup following comments online about the Dutch boss, which has surely put an end to his career at Old Trafford.

Sancho’s transfer value in 2024

Having refused to apologise for his actions, Sancho left England and returned to Borussia Dortmund on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Since reuniting with his former teammates in the Bundesliga, the 24-year-old has been relatively impressive, picking up four goal contributions in 11 league starts.

But it’s been his performances during Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final that've prevented his value from plummeting, starring in the semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain with 13 successful dribbles and three key passes.

It’s clear that Sancho’s performances have drastically improved since moving back to Signal Iduna Park, showcasing exactly why pundit Owen Hargreaves once called him "unplayable," but what is the attacker actually worth in today’s market?

1. Alejandro Garnacho

£85m

2. Rasmus Hojlund

£85m

3. Marcus Rashford

£68m

4. Antony

£43m

4. Sancho

£43m

As you can see, according to CIES’ Football Observatory, the forward is now estimated to be worth £43m, the exact same as Antony.

This means that despite his underperformance at the Red Devils, he’s valued at the same price as Kobbie Mainoo, while also being more than Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount combined.

The former Manchester City academy player is reportedly keen to stay at BVB beyond this season, which may force United to cash in on the winger for a much lesser fee than his original cost.

Unfortunately, it’s clear that Sancho’s move to United has been a "disaster" for both parties – a word content creator Terry Flewers used to describe the deal – and the best decision will be that they part ways after Dortmund’s Champions League final.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe now in charge, this type of signature will be far less likely to occur in the future at Man United, with Sancho and Antony both being the perfect examples of why such deals must be avoided.

Man Utd could help Sancho explode by hiring "crazy" Ten Hag replacement

Jadon Sancho was back to his best in the Champions League semi-finals.

ByJoe Nuttall May 2, 2024

Arsenal enjoyed another unbelievable Premier League campaign this year, but just like last season, it ended trophyless.

Mikel Arteta's squad have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years, but there is still a slight gap between them and Manchester City, which they have to address this summer.

The latest player touted for a move to the Emirates would be an upgrade on the talented Thomas Partey at the base of midfield, and interestingly, he has won comparisons to one of the Gunners' most beloved cult figures: Santi Cazorla.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal are one of several Premier League clubs interested in signing Benfica's star midfielder Joao Neves this summer.

The article does not mention the other interested teams by name, but another report from Portugal has revealed Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United as the other English teams keen on the youngster.

In fact, the story reveals that United have already seen a €60m – £51m – offer rejected, as the Lisbon-based club are not prepared to entertain offers below €100m, which is around £85m.

It could be a challenging and expensive deal to complete for Edu Gaspar and Co, but with signs Neves could be better than Partey and comparisons to Cazorla, it's one worth pursuing.

How Neves compares to Partey and Cazorla

As the Benfica ace would likely be brought in to play either at the base of midfield or potentially as the left eight, let's first look at how he compares to the man he'd likely replace: Partey.

The Ghanaian international only played 882 minutes across all competitions this season, so to get a more fair comparison it would make sense to compare his underlying numbers from last season to the 19-year-old's from this season.

With that said, who comes out on top? Would the Portuguese prospect really be a better option already? In short, yes he would.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.16

0.14

Non-Penalty Goals

0.12

0.11

Assists

0.04

0.00

Progressive Carries

1.67

1.23

Progressive Passes

6.65

8.37

Progressive Passes Received

2.06

1.27

Shots

1.13

1.01

Shots on Target

0.43

0.14

Passing Accuracy

88.5%

87.2%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.00

2.57

Goal-Creating Actions

0.27

0.22

Tackles

2.53

2.54

Tackles Won

2.06

1.45

Blocks

1.91

0.94

Interceptions

1.36

1.01

Clearances

1.48

1.49

Errors Leading to a Shot

0.00

0.04

Successful Take-Ons

1.60

1.27

Ball Recoveries

8.25

8.15

Aerial Duels Won

1.60

1.34

For example, while the former Atlético Madrid star comes out on top in metrics like clearances, tackles and progressive passes, he's second best in practically everything else, including tackles won, blocks, interceptions, successful take-ons, ball recoveries, aerial duels won, passing accuracy and many more, all per 90.

With it clear the 19-year-old would already be an upgrade on the Gunners' current midfield general, where have the comparisons to their former Spanish magician come from?

Well, it was data analyst Ben Mattinson who described the Tavira-born gem as "Santi Cazorla-esque", citing his dribbling ability, technical mastery and nature to "win the ball" and "then carry it past many opponents" as the main reasons why.

Moreover, Mattinson argues that he can "see the game better than others" and that while young, "he loves the battles" and "will become one of the best CMs" in world football.

Arsenal could finally banish Zinchenko by signing £85m sensation

The incredible youngster could play for the club for more than a decade.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 5, 2024

Ultimately, while the fee will be enormous, and the pressure equally so, Neves already looks the superior player to Partey, and with some apparent similarities to Cazorla in his game and temperament, this is a transfer Arsenal cannot afford to miss out on.

This summer is set to be one of the busiest periods in the recent history of Manchester United.

New ownership comes with new ideas, new standards, and new ways of working, but one thing is clear: Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to return the Red Devils to their glory days.

The rebuild has already begun in regards to the change of staff off the field, and the biggest talking point at the club is the future of Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman is currently uncertain as to whether he’ll be the manager next season, and plenty of his players will also be unsure what their future holds.

Incomings are guaranteed, with targets spanning across the team, but it may be the outgoings that enable them to get deals over the line.

Who could leave Man United this summer

French duo Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane are two high-profile names who have already left the club this month.

The two first-team players struggled with injuries over their time at Old Trafford, and that, combined with their high wages, saw their option of contract renewal ignored.

A whole host of players could follow suit as Ratcliffe wants to undertake a complete overhaul, with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the list of potential departures, according to reports.

However, this week, another United gem has packed his bags and said farewell to his teammates. Indeed, the extremely talented Omari Forson has headed through the exit door on a free transfer.

The 19-year-old attacker has signed for Serie A side Monza after agreeing terms on a deal until 2028.

Why Forson’s departure could prove to be a mistake

Forson has been regarded as one of the most exciting players in the United academy for the last few years in particular, mainly thriving for the U23s.

The young Englishman made 38 appearances for the U23 team throughout his time at United, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in the process.

Last summer, his performances were rewarded by Ten Hag, who included the attacker in his pre-season tour, where he even started the first game against Leeds United.

Forson would go on to play in every game, bar one, and he was even included on the bench for United’s 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

His first taste of competitive action with the senior squad was a small cameo against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, and just a month later, he made his Premier League debut versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During that game, the winger played a role in helping the Red Devils pick up all three points, assisting Kobbie Mainoo for his winner. In April, Forson was handed his first and only Premier League start as a Man United player, featuring on the right against Fulham, where he made one key pass and attempted one strike at goal over his 53 minutes.

Minutes

53

Shots

1

Key passes

1

Touches

21

Pass accuracy

94%

The versatile attacker has been previously described as an “outstanding” talent by Everton U21 coach Keith Southern, and to let him leave on a free could be a huge mistake given his potential.

It could be a case that his exit mirrors the error made by Manchester City in letting Cole Palmer go last summer for £40m, however, unlike the Forson situation, the league winners did make a hefty sum.

As we all know, Palmer’s departure could go down as one of the biggest blunders in the Premier League’s recent history, as the England international picked up the Premier League Young Player of the Season award while also scoring 22 goals and registering 12 assists.

Nevertheless, although Forson has yet to show his true quality, it’s clear that he has the potential to be special, and the fact that he has left for nothing could prove to be a huge mistake.

What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree

Marcus Rashford doesn’t make the best eleven.

1 ByTom Lever Jun 7, 2024

Leeds United know, as well as having to deal with outgoings involving their stars this summer, that the off-season also presents a great opportunity to get rid of some deadwood still lurking in the camp.

Jack Harrison looks to be nearing to a loan move back to Everton for a second successive year to the relief of everyone at Elland Road, whilst Daniel Farke and Co now turn their attention to the future of Maximilian Wober in Leeds white.

Only featuring for Leeds briefly during their relegation campaign down from the Premier League, having only been bruised by the experience slightly by joining mid-way through the season, Wober will still be one the Championship side will look to offload soon.

That could prove to be a tricky sale, however, when taking into account his recent horror-show performance against France in the ongoing Euros tournament.

What the future hold for Wober future at Leeds

Roy Keane, speaking on ITV at half-time of Austria's eventual 1-0 defeat to Didier Deschamps' outfit, was less than impressed with Wober's own-goal rippling the back of his nation's net, labelling it as 'really poor' defending, with his stock falling as a direct consequence of this bad slice of luck.

Wober was equally shaky at points during his brief spell at Leeds, only tallying up two clean sheets from the 16 appearances he managed for the West Yorkshire side, before moving on to Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan in the wake of relegation.

Wober had shone playing out in the Bundesliga last season, away from battling it out for Farke's men back in England, with two goals and three assists mustered up, but Leeds' reported asking price of £12.5m to try and make this deal a permanent one has become a stumbling block for the German side.

Leeds could do with some additional defensive reinforcements next season with Joe Rodon no longer present, meaning Wober coming back and fighting for his spot again could be handy, but his previous hefty wage for Leeds will also be a concern, with the Austrian dud earning two times more than Crysencio Summerville when playing in the Premier League.

Wober's wage at Leeds

As per Capology, Wober was earning a handsome £35k-per-week in the top-flight for Leeds during 2022/23, whilst Summerville, before his immense Championship campaign, was pocketing far less at £15k-per-week.

Wober's weekly salary during the relegation season would still see him earn more than the electric Dutchman in the here and now, who remains on a meagre £15k-per-week salary, despite the Championship Player of the Year winner amassing a ridiculous 31 goal contributions, only for his side to fall at the final hurdle in the play-off final.

1. Georginio Rutter

£70k-per-week

= 1. Patrick Bamford

£70k-per-week

3. Junior Firpo

£60k-per-week

4. Daniel James

£50k-per-week

= 4. Pascal Struijk

£50k-per-week

5. Maximilian Wober (22/23)

£35k-per-week

As Summerville now eyes a move back up to the Premier League without Leeds, Wober could be staring the end of his own career at Elland Road in the face, on the contrary, with the Austrian defender only £15k-per-week off entering into the top five earners in Farke's camp, despite being pushed to one side on loan.

Harrison, who is nearing a return to Goodison Park, ended up earning an eye-watering £90k-per-week when he was still an important cog in West Yorkshire, with Leeds wanting to get him off their books permanently down the line.

Whilst Harrison moves away, Leeds could be stuck with Wober if they can't find a suitor willing to take him on, with the Austria international going down as a major flop in the transfer market for the Whites, when purchased for a bumper £11m just last year.

He's like Grealish: Leeds could sign "dangerous" EFL star to replace Piroe

The Whites manager could stop playing the Dutchman as a number ten by signing this target.

ByDan Emery Jun 19, 2024

Over the last few weeks, Manchester United have been linked with plenty of players as they look to bolster the squad ahead of next season.

However, it’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Joshua Zirkzee that look to be the two most concrete targets, with the latter being the most attainable of the two.

Yet, it seems that the centre-back spot will be the main priority, especially due to the exit of Raphael Varane and the number of injuries suffered in that spot.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a defensive target for the Red Devils, who has the potential to be an even better signing than Zirkzee.

Man Utd will look to sign a centre back

According to reports from Spain, via The Faithful MUFC, Man United are interested in signing Ronald Araujo.

It’s said that the Red Devils have intensified their efforts to sign the Uruguayan rock, and they’re ready to go ‘all out.’

The reason for this is due to Araujo and Barcelona not currently being on the same page regarding a contract renewal, which could provide an opportunity for United.

It’s mentioned that a £64m fee will be enough to secure Araujo’s signature if he does decide to depart, and Man Utd will increase his wage dramatically.

Why Araujo would be a better signing than Zirkzee

It’s a known fact that over the last couple of seasons, Araujo has played a huge role in the success of Barcelona.

The versatile defender was once again a consistent performer last season, even though he missed eight games through injury.

In La Liga, the 25-year-old started just 21 matches, but during those games he proved he was elite, also netting once and picking up two assists.

Araujo was also handed the captain’s armband at stages, which just shows how highly rated he is as not just a player but also a character.

Touches

73.8

43.5

Passes completed

56.9

31.4

Pass accuracy

90%

89%

Dribbled past

0.2

0.2

Duels won (%)

4.2 (65%)

2 (68%)

Balls recovered

4.1

3

Nonetheless, as you can see from the stats above, Araujo is the definition of a complete centre-back that’d improve the United backline significantly.

Regardless of whether he’s under pressure or against a low block, the Uruguay international is fantastic on the ball, showing great composure, vision, and progression, as shown by his passing stats and touches.

On the other hand, he’s an absolute monster of an athlete, having extreme speed and physicality, which makes him incredibly difficult to play against.

This athleticism and reading of the game is why he’s such a “Rolls-Royce” of a defender, as dubbed by football scout Jacek Kulig, with his duel win rate and dribbled past proving that.

Furthermore, Araujo has also displayed that he’s a versatile asset by playing at right back, which would give Erik Ten Hag much more tactical flexibility and the team more depth in multiple positions.

Now the question that still remains is: why would Araujo be better than Zirkzee? Well, the answer is rather simple.

To begin with, the centre-back spot at Man United is arguably the weakest in the squad, not necessarily because it lacks quality but because of the lack of reliability, as highlighted by veteran hero Jonny Evans making 23 Premier League appearances last season.

Therefore, a player of Araujo’s quality would simply walk into the starting eleven, whereas Zirkzee would have to compete with Rasmus Hojlund for the lone striker spot in Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1.

In an ideal world, both players would join the club and bolster the squad, but the Barca man truly has the potential to have more of an influence at Old Trafford.

What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree

Marcus Rashford doesn’t make the best eleven.

1 ByTom Lever Jun 7, 2024

West Ham have reportedly held talks to sign a £30m-rated Premier League defender this summer, wanting to bring him in alongside Max Kilman, who has already been linked with a switch to east London.

West Ham transfer news

The Hammers are preparing for an exciting new era with Julen Lopetegui in charge, with the Spaniard embarking on his first season at the London Stadium. He is a statement appointment after coming in for David Moyes, having won the Europa League during his Sevilla days.

However, in order for West Ham to have as much success as possible under their new boss, they will need to back him with the right signings. Numerous players continue to be linked with summer moves, including Wolves centre-back Kilman, who is considered a top target who could come in sooner rather than later.

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has emerged as a possible option at right-back and an alternative to Southampton ace Kyle Walker-Peters, with that position a clear area of focus before next season gets underway.

Meanwhile, Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki is considered an ideal replacement for Lucas Paqueta, drawing comparisons with former West Ham hero Dimitri Payet, who used to light up Upton Park with his magic. The 20-year-old registered six assists in Ligue 1 last term and is seen as a player with a big future in the game.

West Ham told talks with "integral" £30m ace

According to a key claim from reliable Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath, West Ham and technical director Tim Steidten have now "held talks" with Southampton defender Walker-Peters over a summer move.

It is also stated that it is a deal that "would see Flynn Downes move in the opposite direction on a permanent transfer", with the Hammers midfielder impressing on loan for Saints in 2023/24, playing an important role in them getting back into the Premier League.

The £30m-rated Walker-Peters could be a brilliant signing by West Ham this summer, bringing a mix of defensive solidity and attacking quality from right-back, and acting as a younger alternative to 31-year-old Vladimir Coufal, who could yet depart.

The 27-year-old started all 46 matches for Southampton in the Championship in 2023/24, showing what an important figure he was, and journalist Adam Blackmore has praised his ability, saying:

"I wonder how important he's become. You look at what happened in the summer [rumoured transfer interest] and you just wonder by the end of the season how important keeping him will have been. He's such an integral part of what they're doing. It's almost like the team is built around him to get the most out of him."

Appearances

46

Starts

46

Goals

2

Assists

4

Tackles per game

1.8

Dribbles per game

1.8

Pass completion rate

91.1%

Walker-Peters already has plenty of Premier League experience, making 115 appearances in the competition to date, so there is no reason why he can't arrive as an immediate key starter for West Ham, providing genuine quality from his right-back berth and being an important figure for a number of years to come.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have enjoyed some joy in the transfer market so far this summer, managing to sign talents such as Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes, while making Tommy Doyle’s loan move from Manchester City a permanent one.

Things are gearing up nicely for Gary O’Neil and his side as they look to crack the top half of the Premier League table next season.

The main question is, can he prevent his prized assets from departing the club this summer?

Wolves could lose one of their best players this summer

Joao Gomes is the man who is in high demand as of late, with several teams showing interest in signing the Old Gold midfielder.

According to Brazilian journalist Valentin Furlan, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are all showing plenty of admiration for the former Flamengo midfielder.

He states that Wolves are not opposed to letting him leave during the current window, and they could demand a transfer fee in the region of £50m to do so.

If O’Neil did sell Gomes in the next few weeks, it wouldn’t be the first time they have lost one of their finest players to a member of the Premier League elite, as Matheus Nunes joined Manchester City last summer after a single season in the Midlands.

Wolves could face another Matheus Nunes situation

The Old Gold signed the Portuguese midfielder from Sporting Club in 2022 for a club-record fee, and he went on to make 41 appearances for the Midlands side before being lured to City in the summer of 2023.

Goals

0

Assists

2

Accurate passes per game

23.7

Total duels won per game

3.3

Big chances created

2

Key passes per game

0.6

Possession lost per game

7.8

While they made a profit on the player, it is not something which the club will want to undergo again, losing talented youngsters the moment they start to perform and showcase their true potential.

Gomes only cost the Molineux outfit £15m in January 2023 and has since gone on to make a total of 49 appearances since then, emerging as a key player throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

Among his teammates, Gomes ranked sixth for key passes per game (0.6) along with ranking first for tackles per game (3.8) in the Premier League last term.

His defensive skills were impressive, and he even ranks in the top 1% when compared to his positional peers for tackles per 90 (4.35) among those in the top five European leagues, showcasing how effective he can be in the middle of the pitch.

It is perhaps no surprise to hear him being described as a “warrior” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig in 2021, as he emerged as a prodigious talent for Flamengo.

Losing him would be a big blow for the club as they seek to improve on a solid debut season under O’Neil.

While they would most certainly receive a substantial fee for the Brazilian, O’Neil’s preference will surely be to keep the midfield dynamo ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, especially if he seeks to break into the top half of the league table.

Could be Jota 2.0: O'Neil at risk of losing "different" Wolves star

He is wanted by a European giant this summer.

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 6, 2024

Aston Villa have made some solid signings this summer so far as Unai Emery aims to replicate their stunning fourth place finish in the Premier League from last term.

With Champions League football gracing Villa Park next season, it is clear that the Spaniard is trying to build a squad who are capable of fighting on all fronts, as there were certain areas which lacked depth throughout 2023/24, notably his attacking department.

Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran were the only two recognised senior strikers that Emery had in his first-team squad, but it looks as though the Colombian is set for a move away this summer.

West Ham United have reportedly not lost hope with a move for the attacker and could make another offer for Duran, who is keen on leaving Villa this summer.

Might this tempt Emery into a move for another centre-forward in the next few weeks?

Aston Villa could sign former Man City striker this summer

In May, Football Insider reported that Monchi was eyeing a swoop for then Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who was due to leave the club when his contract expired at the end of the season.

Fast-forward a couple of months and the Nigerian is now a free agent, which could perhaps tempt Emery into making a move for the former Manchester City striker.

According to reports, links to the player have resurfaced in recent days as the manager seeks to further bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign.

It would be a logical signing, especially considering he would cost the club nothing with regard to a transfer fee, plus he could form a wonderful partnership with another player who has been linked of late – Nico Williams.

The latest on Nico Williams to Aston Villa

According to TEAMtalk last week, Villa have reportedly held talks with his representatives over a potential move to the Premier League, but the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona are also showing plenty of interest in signing the Euro 2024 sensation.

If he were to join, Villa would have to trigger his release clause, which currently stands at €55m (£46m), a fee that the club could afford, but may have to sell a few players.

If the 52-year-old could convince his compatriot to swap Bilbao for the bright lights of the Midlands, Villa would be signing a player who still has plenty of developing to do but has shown he can make a difference if given regular game time.

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Combining his talents plus Iheanacho’s skill in front of goal could be a winning partnership for Emery next season, reducing the pressure placed on Watkins in front of goal.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s season in numbers

The Nigerian striker certainly endured a rather Jekyll and Hyde 2023/24 campaign for the Foxes. Between August and January, he scored five Championship goals, plus registering an effort in the EFL Cup, chipping in with two assists also.

Hardly prolific, but his five goals in six second-tier matches showed exactly how dangerous he can be when given opportunities in the starting XI.

He was called up to the Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January, featuring twice as the Super Eagles lost the final to the Ivory Coast, but his return to club football proved to be a nightmare.

Indeed, he made only five appearances upon his return until the end of the season, scoring zero goals and grabbing just one assist, looking like a shadow of his former self.

Despite starting only ten league matches last term, the 27-year-old averaged a goal every 187 minutes, created three big chances, succeeded with 0.6 dribbles per game – a success rate of 58% – and finished the season with an 87% pass success rate.

These are decent statistics considering how few chances he was given in the starting XI, and they would no doubt have been higher if Enzo Maresca had placed his trust in the striker once he returned from international duty.

Gary Lineker previously dubbed the player as “clinical”, something he has certainly been in years gone by.

Imagine Williams and Iheanacho at Aston Villa

Williams enjoyed a wonderful season for Athletic Bilbao, helping the club win their first major honour since 1984 as they claimed the Copa del Rey.

Across 31 La Liga matches, the Spaniard registered 11 assists, created ten big chances and averaged 1.5 key passes per game.

The winger also succeeded with 2.8 dribbles per game in the top flight last term, proving how dangerous he can be on the left wing.

When compared to his positional peers in Europe's top five leagues, Williams ranks in the top 7% for progressive carries (5.69), the top 6% for successful take-ons (3.42) and the top 2% for assists (0.44) per 90, yet more evidence of how good he is in the final third.

These attributes could be a dream for Iheanacho, who would thrive alongside the Euro 2024 winner should they both make the move to Villa Park this summer.

The 6 foot 1 centre-forward might not have had the best season of his career last term, but considering he is still only 27, there is still a few good years left in him at the very top level.

Adding some depth to his forward area is surely one of Emery’s main priorities this summer, especially if Duran does leave the club.

On a free transfer, there might not be any more realistic signings than Iheanacho. Given his experience in the Premier League, plus the fact he will be available for nothing. The Spaniard must make this signing sooner rather than later, otherwise another club could swoop in.

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