Jude Bellingham has essentially ruled out heading to the Premier League in the near future, as he expects to spend at least 10 years at Real Madrid.
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The Nigeria international is widely considered as one of the game's best young strikers, but just how many goals has he scored so far?
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has been making headlines for all of the right reasons, and his sensational performances for the Serie A side have garnered attention all across the continent.
Indeed, his outstanding goal-scoring statistics have not gone unnoticed to the eyes of Europe's wealthiest clubs, with the likes Manchester United, Bayern, and Chelsea all expressing an interest in acquiring his services in the near future.
The Nigeria international has established himself as one of Europe's deadliest marksmen this season and has similar attributes to his childhood hero, Didier Drogba.
Osimhen's game possesses the same certain brutality and devastation, with physical robustness to match his pace and presence.
The power and poise of Drogba can be seen in Osimhen's style of play and he possesses a natural ability to find the back of the net, which is backed up by his prolific record.
But just how many goals has he scored for the club so far? Let's take a look.
Manchester City’s hopes of signing Dusan Vlahovic this summer look to have taken a blow, after Fiorentina’s asking price for the Serbian was revealed.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia), Fiorentina have significantly raised their asking price for the 21-year-old striker from €40m (£34.4m) to €60m (£51.6m) ahead of the summer.
City were recently linked with a move for the former Partizan Belgrade striker as they eye up a replacement for the legendary Sergio Aguero this summer, with the Argentinian striker confirmed to be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Whilst Pep Guardiola’s side have played without a striker on a number of occasions this season, failing to bring in a natural striker in the summer would leave them with just Gabriel Jesus and 18-year-old Liam Delap as options for the Spanish manager up front next season.
Therefore, it seems likely that the Citizens will attempt to sign a striker this summer and after Erling Haaland’s extortionate asking price was revealed earlier this year, Vlahovic could have been a cheap alternative.
Although he would still be significantly cheaper than the Norway international, this news on Fiorentina raising their asking price for Vlahovic will certainly come as a blow to City, and Guardiola will surely be frustrated that teams are asking for so much for young strikers at the moment, especially in a post-pandemic transfer market.
The Serbia international could still prove to be worth the inflated asking price, however, as he has hit 21 goals in 34 Serie A appearances so far this season, earning an impressive 6.93 average rating from WhoScored for his performances.
Former Serbia striker Darko Kovacevic was full of praise for Vlahovic recently, saying:
“He is just 21-years-old and is showing great things.
“I don’t say this because he is Serbian like me, but because he is a very high-level player and a hard worker.
“If he continues like this, in three, four years he will be among the top five best strikers in the world.”
Therefore, Vlahovic is clearly destined for big things in the future and would have perhaps been an excellent addition to City’s side this summer, but his increased asking price may well discourage Txiki Begiristain and Guardiola from bringing him to the Etihad.
Given teams know that City need a striker and that they are a very wealthy club, selling teams will almost certainly be boosting the prices of their players if the champions-elect come calling and that, understandably, will have Guardiola fuming as he looks to improve his squad.
And, in other news… Man City handed huge boost with “exceptional” PL star, Txiki must deliver
Andy Walker believes that Glasgow Rangers would jump at the chance to be involved in the European Super League.
On Sunday, 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs decided to breakaway and form a European Super League (BBC).
Speaking to Sky Sports, Walker believes that Rangers and their fierce city rivals Celtic would have jumped at the chance to join the organisation if they had been invited. He said:
“It’s a real tough decision for both but you need to be realistic.
“I’ve been listening to Celtic and Rangers trying to get away from football for the best part of 20 years.
“So if you were to put this to any senior person at Celtic or Rangers, they will want to know what it’s all about. They will want to know how much money that they can generate, especially for Rangers given their perilous financial position.
“They will want to know what’s happening to the Champions League qualifiers next season. What does it mean? How much money can they get?
“Look at what winning the Scottish Premiership next season brings. It brings immediate access to the Champions League.
“If all that is off the table, then there is a financial landscape that you have to look at that is so serious.
“But let’s not kid ourselves. Celtic and Rangers would want to be involved in this.”
Walker added that it would be “absolute hypocrisy” from board members of either Glasgow club to say that they would not want to be part of the European Super League, with both clubs having in the past being linked with the possibility of a potential move to England or to an ‘Atlantic League’ (Sky Sports).
On the one hand, you can certainly see how the owners of both clubs would be eager to earn a slice of the pie. The deal is said to be worth £4.6bn, with each side receiving £310m (The Times) for entering. For Rangers, that is an amount of money they could only dream of otherwise.
However, it would be detrimental to the most important stakeholders the 55-time Scottish champions possess – the fans. Despite playing in a league which is often lacking in competition and with generally few aspirations of European success, the Gers’ fanbase has remained loyal, even as they were demoted to the fourth division of Scottish football after entering administration. Such a decision would alienate those supporters, and despite what Walker might say, it feels unlikely that the owners would be willing to take such a risk.
In other news, find out why Davie Provan has slammed this Rangers player.
Just what must Louie Barry do to get a shot of first-team football at Aston Villa?
The 17-year-old was the talk of the town earlier this year when he scored the club’s only goal in Villa’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool, when Dean Smith’s side was chock full of academy talents.
But that break-out moment has yet to result in any action for the senior side, with Barry even yet to make the match-day squad in the Premier League this season.
That has led to former Villa man Lee Hendrie to question why Barry has yet to be given a real opportunity in the first-team, insisting that he could have plenty to offer even as a second-half substitute for Smith.
Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I’m really disappointed that he hasn’t featured, not even really on the bench since that Liverpool game with the fabulous goal that he scored. He reminds me of a young Michael Owen in the fact that he’s very slight, small, but he’s very quick, and I’m surprised that he hasn’t been given a bit more of a chance since that game.”
“I just feel that he should now be getting into the first-team squad, being on the bench and getting thrown on for the last 20 minutes, relieving a bit of pressure, just because he’s got that pace that he can burn off.”
On Wednesday, the teenager staked his claim once again, smashing in a superb hat-trick for Villa in their FA Youth Cup clash against Burton Albion, whom they thrashed 9-0.
Barry appears to have all the tools in his locker to be a real sensation for Villa, with club’s academy manager, Mark Harrison, saying: “He is still a very young man but as he’s developed, he’s always been one player that you always recognise as having outstanding attributes. He’s got a fantastic mentality, he’s desperate to do well for this football club.”
Barry’s style of play is something that Villa fans will surely be excited about too, with Harrison adding: “As a player, his real strength is his work rate, he’s constantly pressurising the opposition when they are on the ball, looking to create opportunities for himself to nick the ball high up the pitch.
“He is quick, and looks to play off the shoulders of the defenders, always looking for space behind them to be able to run into. He’s good in 1v1s and scores a lot of goals from balls in behind that he can run onto. He’s very much in the mould of a Jamie Vardy.”
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All he needs is an opportunity, and Wednesday’s hat-trick should send a huge message to Smith about why he deserves it sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, this fresh report has exposed a worrying Dean Smith mistake…
As confirmed by the club, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has penned a two-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium – with the Belgian’s new and improved deal lasting until 2025.
De Bruyne, who has been a revelation for City since signing from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015, has now committed his long term future to the club in a big announcement.
The Belgian has been a crucial player under Pep Guardiola in particular, winning the PFA Player of the Year award last season after a phenomenal 2019/2020 campaign where he bagged 20 assists and 13 goals from midfield in the Premier League alone (WhoScored).
As this news emerges, it’s little wonder one Sky Blues supporter called the announcement ‘amazing’ – with De Bruyne also playing a key role this campaign as City remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.
Find all for their best verdicts on the star midfielder signing a new and improved deal down below.
“This is genuinely massive!
Yes it was never in doubt & he’s the key to which Manchester City are based around, but having Kevin De Bruyne basically finish his career here? Just amazing news for us all”
Credit: @olicoulsxn
“Maaaaaaaaate! This is massive! We are massive!”
Credit: @KonigFred_
“YESSSSSSS”
Credit: @la_tarrant
“HOLD ME”
Credit: @KDBseason
“OMG YOU WAITED TO ANNOUNCE IT AFTER HE DROPPED A MASTERCLASS IN THE UCL”
Credit: @SilkyCyrus_74
“AMAZING. LOVE YOU
@DeBruyneKev”
Credit: @StevenMcinerney
“This is wonderful news to us. You ginger beauty. Keep going.”
Credit: @Esther78278157
“Wonderful!, brilliant!, marvellous!, fantastic news!!!!!!!! Ohhhhh Kevin De Bruyne”
Credit: @BJ04089586
In other news: Man City fans also want this ‘amazing signing’ after reports, find out more here.
Heading into the summer transfer window, there are reportedly a few candidates on Manchester United’s right-wing shortlist.
Amongst the inevitable links to Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho sits rumours surrounding Pedro Neto of Wolverhampton Wanderers and interestingly Leeds United’s Raphinha.
Of the Premier League duo, the Brazilian would be the better signing. However, a new name is in the offing with The Express suggesting that Ismaila Sarr is now on the Red Devils shortlist.
The Senegalese would certainly be a fantastic addition to the Man United squad.
Now in the Championship, the Watford man is enjoying an electric season for the Hornets. Rated at £18m, he already has nine goals and nine assists in all competitions.
No player in the entire Hornets’ squad has more goal contributions than the former Rennes man this season.
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It certainly seems that Sarr is proving club captain Troy Deeney right, with the striker predicting that the winger was going to be “big” for Watford following his exhilarating performance in the famous 3-0 win over Liverpool under Nigel Pearson.
Sarr’s fantastic form this season also comes off the back of an impressive debut season in the Premier League in which he netted six times and notched as many assists.
Whilst Raphinha is averaging better statistics according to WhoScored, Sarr should be the better option simply because of his age and affordability.
The 23-year-old is rated at just £18m, lower than Raphinha’s £22.5m.
Should Watford fail to get promoted come the end of the campaign, then that asking price could drop even further, meaning he could well be a bargain for the Red Devils.
So with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ed Woodward on the lookout for a right-winger and many names being talked-up, Sarr should certainly be right at the top of the club’s list.
AND in more news, take a look at which Red Devils’ defender has seen his transfer valuation take a nosedive…
As West Ham United fell to a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, coming as a potential bump in the race for a Champions League qualifying spot, many Hammers fans weren’t impressed with the performance of striker Michail Antonio – with one supporter going as far as to label him a ‘donkey’.
The Englishman debatably looked isolated up front and failed to have any meaningful impact on the game going forward as some West Ham fans refused to shy away from the critiquing their usual favourite.
Craig Dawson’s own goal cemented defeat for David Moyes’ men, and despite still having a game in hand on fourth-placed Chelsea, they next host London rivals Arsenal in what could be a difficult encounter.
Antonio’s performance in particular left these supporters unimpressed, with SofaScore revealing that he lost the ball 19 times and was among the lowest rated players in the squad. Just 13 of his 25 passes found a team-mate, while his only shot all night was blocked down.
Making their feelings known on social media, here’s what these Hammers fans had to say.
“Antonio is the worst footballer I’ve ever seen play. West ham fans who think he’s slightly good don’t know anything about football”
Credit: @Zayd_Beitar
“Antonio thinking he’s Messi dropping deep to pick the ball up and do nothing with.
Confidence of CR7 ability of a donkey”
Credit: @Aaron_Parris
“I hope Maguire lets Antonio out of his pocket to get on the bus home”
Credit: @paulf6466
“Antonio hasn’t had a good game since the Villa away game! His work rate has been non existent, his hold up play been rubbish! He just hasn’t been a threat to anyone lately”
Credit: @joegreene2
“He’s had a terrible game. Agreed.”
Credit: @goose_jz
“Michail Antonio is not a good football player”
Credit: @DavidMoyes__
“Antonio’s hold up is terrible”
Credit: @westhamtransfer
“Antonio has been poor for a while, his performances at the start of the season seem to of made him invincible”
Credit: @ParlourPD
In other news: West Ham are eyeing this 19-goal ‘phenomenon’, find out more here.
Heading into the final stretch of an excitingÂfirst campaign back in the Premier League, the principal objective for Leeds United was always to secure their position amongst the English elite. Another couple of wins would probably be enoughÂas the club starts to look ahead, weighing up how to build upon solid foundations, ready to continue making progress next season.One area planned for reinforcement is the defensive unit, both in terms of manpower available to Marcelo Bielsa, and to afford him additional tactical options. With this in mind, sources in Spain inform that Leeds United have been monitoring the situation of Domingos Duarte, the Portuguese international centre-back at Granada CF.26-year-old Duarte has been a revelationÂover the last two seasons atÂGranada, as they continue to defy the 2021 Europa League betting odds, having now reached the quarter-finals of the competition. The consistency and reliability of his form has been a key contributing factor, which has inevitably caught the attention of bigger clubs in Spain and around Europe.
Tall and powerful, standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Domingos Duarte combines an impressive physical presence with superb technical ability, which is underpinned by sound tactical and positional awareness. Often seen making perfectly timed challenges and quickly recycling possession, Duarte is also confident with the ball at his feet, able to distribute passes of any range with great accuracy.
Such a multi-faceted centre-back would be a hugely attractive addition for Bielsa, ideally suited to his coaching methodology and tactical ideas. Duarte is also capable of adapting quickly to those concepts and to English football, although Leeds would face tough negotiations to get their man.
According to current Transfermarkt estimates, Duarte has a market value of around €12 million. However, Spanish sources informÂthat Granada would be unwilling to let him go at that price. The existing contract of Duarte runs until June 2023, including a minimum release clause valuationÂof €30 million, and that will beÂthe starting point of any haggling over price.
Some hard bargaining could reduce the price-tag for Duarte, while there’s also the possibility that Leeds could offer one of their players in part-exchange. Granada will have to replace their excellent goalkeeper Rui Silva this summer, who turned down a new deal and will head to Real Betis next season.
This means that Granada are in the market for a new shot-stopper, making 34-year-old Kiko Casilla the ideal makeweight in any potential move for Duarte. Despite being first choice in the Championship last season, Casilla has only appeared once in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup this term, both of which came in January.
However, the key stumbling block in such a scenario would be contract negotiations. Casilla is currently on a deal worth £1.67 million per season at Elland Road, which lasts until 2023. This would leave him faced with a tough choice to make, whether to remain at Leeds United or join Granada as their first choice keeper, albeit on roughly half the annual salary.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, intermediary and football agent Josep Maria Minguella Jr has dropped a transfer admission surrounding Brazilian forward Malcom and his move from Bordeaux to Barcelona in 2018 – with the intermediary revealing a €62 million (£53.7 million) offer from Tottenham at the time.
Minguella Jr, in an interview with the Spanish outlet, was asked about his role in the Malcom transfer to Barcelona – coming after Cadena SER (via Sport Witness) claimed that he received €10 million (£8.6m) commission for facilitating the move.
Rubbishing this report, Minguella Jr states his ‘real commission’ was ‘just over one million euro’ – going on to drop a revelation involving Tottenham.
He says that Spurs lodged an offer for Malcom worth £53.7m before he completed a move to Barcelona in 2018.
“Barça hired me to make possible an operation that initially cost about €62m, which was the offer that Bordeaux had from Tottenham, and we managed to get him to stop going to Roma, get off the plane and change course to Barcelona,” Minguella Jr said.
“The operation was closed for €41m plus the 8 of intermediation that could make this operation possible.”
An interesting claim, it lifts the lid on Levy’s attempted coup for ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino during a time when there were few transfer dealings in north London.
Indeed, Tottenham did not make a single signing, free or otherwise, in the summer of 2018 – but Minguella Jr’s admission has shed light on an attempt at the very least.
In other news: Julian Nagelsmann claim emerges in news for Tottenham, find out more here.