West Ham United are interested in bringing a "world-class" player back to the Premier League for around £10m.
West Ham transfer rumours
It is set to be a summer of change at West Ham as they begin life after David Moyes. The Scotsman guided the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory in 2022/23 but parted ways with his long-time club after no silverware and a 9th-place finish in the top flight during 2023/24.
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Julen Lopetegui has now taken the reigns at the London Stadium and is expected to put his own stamp on Moyes' squad during the summer transfer window, as he said recently:
“I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big Club," the Spaniard stated. "We will try to put our stamp on the Club. I feel that we have a fantastic platform. I think the last few years have been very good years to have this base, of course, but my ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete. We are very ambitious about this."
Following those comments, West Ham are said to be in talks to sign Palmeiras attacker Luis Guilherme, in a deal that could be worth £30m. Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest and Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi is of interest to the east Londoners, while, Lopetegui personally wants West Ham to sign former player Max Kilman this summer.
Max Kilman for Wolves
West Ham make first move to sign “world-class” player for just £10m
Now, a new name, or rather an old name, has been tipped to return to the Premier League via West Ham this summer. The player in question? Ex-Crystal Palace and Manchester United player, Wilfried Zaha.
According to a report from Fotospor, via Caught Offside, the Hammers have inquired about the possibility of bringing the forward back to England and have "requested information" from his current side, Galatasaray, regarding a potential transfer. Zaha is under contract in Turkey until 2026 and is valued at around £9m by Transfermarkt. However, the report from Fotospor claim an opening offer to Galatasaray for the 31-year-old could be worth £10m.
Wilfried Zaha scores for Crystal Palace against Brentford.
Despite now getting on in years, Zaha is still chipping in with plenty of goal contributions, scoring 10 and assisting five in 42 this past term. Before leaving Palace for Galatasaray, meanwhile, he was able to find the net 90 times and assist 62 for the Eagles across two spells.
The Ivorian international also earned high praise from then-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp back in 2019 when he was still plying his trade in the Premier League.
"They are really good at counter attacks and set pieces, Wilfried Zaha is a world-class player and he gets into a one-on-one situation and we’re one down," Klopp said after Liverpool beat Palace 4-3 at Anfield during the 2018-19 season. Will Zaha be able to repeat that form if he returns to England this summer?
A huge European club's sporting director is now pushing to sign an "amazing" Southampton star for a £42m discount this summer, according to a fresh transfer update.
Southampton transfer news
Saints are preparing for their biggest match of the season, as they come up against Leeds United in the Championship playoff final next Sunday. Their 3-1 win over West Brom on Friday night saw them a book place at Wembley, with a return to the Premier League within touching distance.
Getting back into the top flight would be huge for so many reasons, not least because of the boost in finances and ability to attract top players to Southampton in the next few months.
David Brooks for Southampton.
Flynn Downes has enjoyed an excellent season for Saints on loan from West Ham, with the Englishman starting 33 league games and completing an incredible 93.4% of his passes. He has shone so much that the south coast club are reportedly keen on making his move a permanent one at the end of the season. Promotion could hold the key, however, highlighting the importance of getting over the finish line against Leeds.
Rangers attacker Kemar Roofe has also been linked with a summer move to Southampton, with the 31-year-old departing the Scottish Premiership club on a free transfer.
Sporting director wants to sign Southampton ace
According to a new report from Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Juventus want to keep Southampton star Carlos Alcaraz on loan for another season, with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli pushing to get a temporary deal over the line to bypass the release fee in his contract.
Southampton midfielder Charly Alcaraz.
Max Allegri's sacking has increased the chances of it happening, with the manager not as fond on him as Giuntoli, and he is seen as a player who could thrive under incoming manager Thiago Motta. Not only that, but a loan move would save the Serie A side €49.5m (£42m) because they wouldn't be triggering his Southampton release clause.
In truth, Saints' only real hope of keeping Alcaraz involved at the club next season is if they are in the Premier League, but this update suggests that another year away could be expected. The 22-year-old is a player who Russell Martin clearly values greatly, saying of him back in October: "We wanted Charly in the team because he has trained so well His mentality has been great.
"I put him in a role that suits him more than the other ones he has played in recently. We wanted to free him up a little bit. We did that I think – he was amazing with it. We sat down a lot this week and went through it and watched a lot of clips. His understanding of it was really good. I’m really proud of him and really pleased for him. He was outstanding [Saturday]."
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The lure of staying at arguably one of Europe's biggest clubs could be great for Alcaraz, although at some point, Southampton are going to need to cash in on him, so a loan move which allows his contract to tick down and the club's negotiating posititon to weaken is risky.
A few Liverpool supporters might have subscribed to the thought of Jurgen Klopp leaving after Anfield was dismantled in shocking fashion by an Atalanta side sat in sixth place in the Serie A.
If Liverpool's chance of progression in the Europa League hangs in the balance, it is dangling by a tenuous thread, with a 3-0 home loss littered with individual errors, an absence of discipline, and, frankly, a mess of organisation – creating a new, gnawing sense of unease.
Liverpool were breezing at Old Trafford on Sunday, a goal ahead at the break and in breathtaking command, only for a mistake from Jarell Quansah to allow Bruno Fernandes to score a remarkable lob.
Ibrahima Konate after Atalanta defeat
Mohamed Salah rescued a draw late on after Kobbie Mainoo's sumptuous strike, but Liverpool have ceded first place in the Premier League and desperately needed a reaction that did not come against Atalanta.
Caoimhin Kelleher and Ibrahima Konate will hang their heads following detrimental errors, while the motley, mishmash nature of the squad's performance is ultimately the central point of the defeat, but Darwin Nunez's third-rate striking performance cannot go without rebuke.
Darwin Nunez's performance vs Atalanta
A dismayed Klopp railed at his club-record, £85m striker, a man who had a host of detractors last season with some remaining this term, though 18 goals and 13 assists in all competitions speaks of the 24-year-old's growing importance and influence.
He has earned the moniker of "agent of chaos" – as has been relayed by BBC Sport's Phil McNulty – during his time on Merseyside but this is not always attributed with affection. Nunez is wild, wily, wonderful, but also perplexing, and profligate.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez
Against Atalanta, the Uruguayan rifled three off-target shots, striking on goal timidly on one further occasion, failing with both of his dribbles, winning one of his eight contested duels, and taking just 25 touches before being hooked on the hour mark, as per Sofascore.
Kelleher, the goalkeeper, touched the ball 81 times, painting a clear picture regarding the location of Liverpool's creative hub.
The chastening nature of the collective effort is alarming heading into the final stretch of the campaign; Liverpool have been out of sorts for a while, candidly, and face juggernauts in Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title.
That said, if Nunez had rallied a modicum of his goalscoring prowess, Liverpool might find an altogether different narrative, one fitting for the swansong of Klopp's illustrious tenure.
But he's not only to blame, far from it. Liverpool have been slow starters for much of the season and, in fact, for much of Klopp's reign. Dominik Szoboszlai should have instilled energy and confidence, one nil down, after half-time. He did not.
Dominik Szoboszlai must now be dropped
Szoboszlai joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in a £60m package last summer and hit the ground running, revitalising a sapped midfield and leading correspondent Neil Jones to name him Klopp's "dream signing".
Dominik Szoboszlai is dejected for Liverpool
But his powers have waned over recent months and potentially suffered the nadir of his Liverpool career so far against Gian Piero Gasperini's side on Thursday night, listless and error-strewn after his introduction after the interval.
Despite being in the thick of the action, the Hungarian flattered to deceive as he contributed with not a single key pass, failing to make a tackle or win a duel, languidly losing the ball to Gianluca Scamacca in the build-up to Atalanta's third.
Szoboszlai's arrival on the field was supposed to signal a fresh burst of energy and enthusiasm but he trudged off at full-time as arguably the worst, bluntest performer of the occasion, epitomising the summary of the Athletic's James Pearce.
The reporter said: "What a mess of a performance. The worst of the season by some distance. So much wrong. So many errors. 14-month unbeaten run at home is ended."
Minutes played
45'
Touches
48
Accurate passes
32/36 (89%)
Shots taken
2
Key passes
0
Possession lost
10x
Dribbles completed
0/2
Duels won
0/4
Tackles
0
Dribbled past
1
Errors leading to goal
1
As you can see in the table above, the former Bundesliga star was completely ineffective in and out of possession throughout his time on the pitch, which shows that the substitute had a horrorshow on Thursday night.
He was so poor that the Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle branded him with a 3/10 match rating, writing: 'Had one shot blocked early on but looked way off the pace and lost ball for third. Not his best night.'
The error aside, Szoboszlai was simply ineffective at a time that begged for his finest attributes, attributes that have proved demonstrably game-changing during his time at Liverpool so far.
But the thing is, Alexis Mac Allister is probably the first name on the team sheet right now, he's that good. It doesn't matter where he plays in the centre of the park, but he's certainly more threatening in a more attacking role, thus demanding the inclusion of Wataru Endo, who's been largely brilliant since a surprise £16m signing from Stuttgart last August.
Szoboszlai simply hasn't produced the level of his early-season performances by half over these recent months. Marred by injury and setbacks, yes, but this is kitchen sink time and Liverpool can ill afford another slip-up.
Curtis Jones is back and Harvey Elliott is invariably creative and impactful when unleashed. Moreover, Stefan Bajcetic is back and could make a world of difference if he picks up where he left off in the Premier League, albeit over one year ago.
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Szoboszlai was the most expensive of the lot last summer and is clearly an immensely talented player, having produced six goals, eight assists, and 14 'big chances' created in the Bundesliga for Leipzig during the 2022/23 campaign for the German side.
However, he should now be dropped, having started the last Premier League match against United, lest Liverpool give Klopp a send-off inappropriate for one so vital, so extraordinary in their impact since arriving in 2015 and lifting the city back toward greatness.
It will then be down to the Hungary international to make the most of his opportunities off the bench in future matches to earn his way back into the starting XI.
Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are thought to be “planning talks” with a Premier League manager over possibly replacing Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd manager rumours
The Red Devils still have the chance to win silverware in the FA Cup which could salvage what has been a disappointing second season under Ten Hag. An early Champions League exit alongside an underwhelming Premier League campaign has resulted in plenty of speculation over Ratcliffe making a big change in the Old Trafford dugout.
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There hasn’t been a shortage of possible candidates to take over from Ten Hag, although his future appears to be a 50/50 call at this moment in time. Initial talks have reportedly been held with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, whereas England boss Gareth Southgate has also been heavily linked as a leading candidate.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is another to be mooted as an option after impressing in north London, and surprisingly, Brentford’s Thomas Frank has been named as the new top target.
However, yet another new name has now emerged in the last 48 hours, one that could come as a real surprise to some.
Man Utd “planning talks” with Gary O’Neil
According to ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden, Man United and Ratcliffe are now “planning talks” with Wolves manager Gary O’Neil.
Within his report, Ogden says that INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, is leading the attempts to build a new coaching structure with a possible new head coach.
It is added that O’Neil ‘has been made aware of United's interest, with senior figures from the club expressing a desire to discuss his intentions’, however, ‘the role that they may be prepared to offer is not known’.
O’Neil only took over at Wolves days before the new season and impressed in an opening weekend defeat at Old Trafford. Since then, he has guided his side to a number of impressive wins, including against Manchester City and has his side in the top half of the table above the likes of Newcastle United and Chelsea.
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil before a Premier League game.
Prior to his time at Molineux, O’Neil was in charge of Bournemouth, where he was hailed by pundit Danny Murphy, who said: “I’ve got to give Gary O’Neil a mention. His first managerial post, he’s been terrific. He conducts himself well, he’s proactive with his substitutions.
“He always sets them up positively. They’re not a negative side. They always try and go after the game and he deserves credit again. The team was really well balanced, well structured. It played confidently. It didn’t look like a side struggling down the bottom.”
You could argue the 40-year-old, who plays a 4-2-3-1 system, is still inexperienced as a manager, so taking control at Old Trafford could be viewed as a huge gamble by Ratcliffe and INEOS, but it looks as if it will be one to keep an eye on.
A "world-class" Manchester United player could now miss his side's crucial Premier League meeting this weekend through a knock, as the Red Devils' injury woes go from bad to worse.
Man Utd injury news
The Red Devils have a chance to dent their biggest rivals' title hopes on Sunday afternoon, having already knocked them out of the FA Cup last month. Thursday's 4-3 defeat at Chelsea saw them capitulate in stoppage time, however, so confidence is fairly low heading into the game against the Reds.
Not only that, but United's injury problems show no sign of easing, with both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans forced off at Stamford Bridge, joining the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial on the sidelines.
For all of Erik ten Hag's struggles this season, injuries can be used as an excuse for his team falling well short of expectations, with so many key figures unavailable at different points in the campaign, especially in defence.
With Sunday's visit of Liverpool looming, it now looks as though the Red Devils could have yet another influential figure in the treatment room, acting as a big concern.
"World-class" Man Utd star could miss Liverpool
Taking to X, injury expert Ben Dinnery claimed that Casemiro is a doubt for Liverpool's clash with Manchester United, picking up a new knock this week:
"Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will be sidelined for at least a month, but Ten Hag said it was too early to know the extent of the injuries suffered by Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans after they were forced off at Stamford Bridge. Willy Kambwala and Harry Maguire could be paired centrally. Casemiro will also be checked after picking up a knock."
Casemiro may be an ageing figure these days, not necessarily proving to be the physical force he was at Real Madrid, but not having him on the pitch to face Liverpool would be a significant blow.
The 32-year-old has so much experience down the years, playing in endless El Clasicos, and that nous is needed is what could be a high-octane and pressurised fixture this weekend.
Brendan Rodgers' comments on the Brazilian sum up his class: "Casemiro is a world-class player. He’s calm, he has quality. Thankfully for us, he’s suspended. He’s given them a stabilising effect. Erik (ten Hag) and his team, they’ve given them good organisation."
The hope is that he manages to shake off his knock and be passed fit for the Liverpool game, but if not, a midfield of Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes looks most likely, which arguably lacks a proper holding midfielder but does at least possess plenty of energy.
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Not only will Casemiro's defensive work be missed, but he also has a penchant for chipping in with important goals, netting 12 times in 74 appearances for United. It would be just like him to deliver, given his big-game pedigree.
O anúncio que o Brasil sediará a próxima Copa América, nos próximos meses, mobilizou torcedores, jornalistas e políticos, nesta segunda-feira. No programa “Seleção SporTV”, Luís Roberto perdeu a paciência com a ação do governo federal e disse que seria “um tapa na cara dos brasileiros” a realização da Copa América no país. Poucas horas depois, Eduardo Bolsonaro ironizou a fala do narrador e questionou a emissora Globo. + Confira a classificação atualizada do Brasileirão!
RelacionadasFora de CampoNo Rio e SP, audiência de Flamengo e Palmeiras fica entre as maiores da Globo em estreias de BrasileiroFora de Campo31/05/2021Fora de CampoCom mais de 460 mil mortes por Covid, Mourão defende Copa América no Brasil: ‘Menos risco’Fora de Campo31/05/2021Fora de CampoRenan Calheiros chama Copa América de ‘campeonato da morte’ e senador ataca Bolsonaro: ‘Estúpido’Fora de Campo31/05/2021
Em seu perfil no Twitter, o filho do presidente Jair Messias Bolsonaro afirmou que Luís Roberto “nunca reclamou” da emissora transmitir jogos das competições regionais e nacionais. Ainda na publicação, Eduardo recorda a perda dos direitos televisivos da Copa América do Grupo Globo. Recentemente, o SBT fechou contrato com a Conmebol para exibição do torneio sul-americano. -Mas o mesmo sujeito segue transmitindo normalmente Campeonato Estadual, Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil, etc. E nunca reclamou – começou o político.
– Será que ficou bravinho porque a Globo perdeu recentemente a Copa América para o SBT? Será? – concluiu em tom de ironia.
Mas o mesmo sujeito segue transmitindo normalmente Campeonato Estadual, Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil, etc. E nunca reclamou.
Será que ficou bravinho porque a Globo perdeu recentemente a Copa América para o SBT? Será? 🤨 https://t.co/TfUChfKOTy
— Eduardo Bolsonaro🇧🇷 (@BolsonaroSP) May 31, 2021
Não é a primeira vez que Eduardo Bolsonaro cutuca a emissora carioca. Em 2020, ele afirmou que a rede “persegue quem não milita a favor da esquerda” ao comentar sobre uma discussão entre os ex-jogadores e comentaristas do grupo, Caio Ribeiro e Casagrande.
Two nail-biting final-day finishes might just have made up for one washout in the second round of the Plunket Shield. HEYMDIS (Here’s everything you missed doing important stuff):Conway to goThere was a touch of the pristine about the 334th ball that Devon Conway faced at Basin Reserve. There was a short step forward, his trigger movement, and then a simple little punch with a very straight bat. The ball sped away down the ground and so did he. By the time he stopped, the crowd was on its feet and he was saluting them, hands and helmet aloft, a triple-centurion. “It was very special, a goosebump moment for me,” he told . Later, he would move past the legendary Bert Sutcliffe to claim the record for most runs scored in a first-class game in New Zealand. So, naturally, there was a bit of buzz around the guy. “He’s got a huge future, I think,” Ross Taylor told the media on Wednesday. “The leading domestic player last year. I hadn’t seen him bat until we had a few warm-up games a couple of weeks ago. He looks like a very compact and exciting player. Anyone to get a triple century, regardless of where it is, especially on a green-seamer at the Basin, it all bodes well.”So can the Black Caps rest easy knowing they have a ready-made replacement for Rosco in the wings? The question had to be asked and Taylor stuck his tongue in his cheek to answer, “Hopefully he’s got a few years to wait then.”Ground control to Major TomRomance is in the air for Tom Latham.In September, there was this. And in October, there was this. His 18th first-class century came at the ground where he struck an unbeaten 264 against Sri Lanka and followed it up with a 177 against Bangladesh. That’s 665 runs from his last three knocks at the Basin. He’s certain to face the England Test team with a spring in his step now. And to think this game began with a top-order collapse – Wellington were 29 for 3 before the Con artist took control.More joy for bowlersLegspinner Todd Astle became the first bowler from Canterbury to pick up 300 first-class wickets, and on the opposite side, left-arm spinner Malcolm Nofal (4 for 100) was absolutely vital to Wellington’s victory even as it seemed the game might go the other way.ALSO READ: Michael becomes the fourth generation Sneddon in first-class cricketCanterbury did not give up, even when they were 232 for 8 chasing 358 with Mark Henry (43 off 40), Will Williams (36 off 90) and Andrew Hazeldine (36 off 50) dragging the total up above 300. But a tantalising 45 runs away from their target, last man Ed Nuttall fell and the game was done. Left-arm for the win (almost)Northern Districts had fallen way behind in their first innings – 169 runs was a massive deficit – but they did have just the right bowlers to play catch up.In Trent Boult, they had the perfect new-ball weapon and he took out four of the top five Central Districts batsmen, including first-innings centurion George Worker for only 4. And in Neil Wagner, they had the perfect old-ball weapon and he picked up a five-wicket haul to potentially set up a Halloween miracle.And it was well on the cards too, with Bharat Popli leading the chase. The No. 3 batsman made 87 off 202 balls, taking the score to 259 for 4, only 115 runs away from victory and 41 overs left to get them. But Central Districts are the reigning domestic champions for a reason. They took out the main threat and then scared up a collapse. Northern Districts gave up their last six wickets for a mere 40 runs with part-timer Brad Schmulian picking up 4 for 34 in 16.3 overs. He only ever had four first-class wickets before this game.
After a rocky start to life in England, Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as a key performer in the Premier League for Manchester United this season.
The 21-year-old marksman has plundered an incredible seven goals and two assists in his last six appearances in the top-flight, after a return of zero goals in his first 14 outings in the division.
United snapped the Denmark international up from Serie A side Atalanta for a reported fee of £72m last summer. That came after the forward racked up nine goals and two assists in 32 league games for the Italian outfit during the 2022/23 campaign.
Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.
The Red Devils could now repeat the blinder they appear to have played with Hojlund by returning to the Serie A to sign another number nine this summer.
Latest Manchester United transfer news
According to Tuttosport, the Premier League giants sent scouts to the Italian top-flight last weekend to watch an impressive young striker in action. The report claims that United sent an 'emissary' to watch Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee play against Atalanta away from home, a game in which he scored from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win.
Tuttosport add that fellow English side Arsenal sent their own scouts to watch the Dutch attacker play earlier this season, as both clubs could face competition from each other in a possible summer swoop for his services.
Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee
It also states that Bologna value the 22-year-old dynamo at around €60m (£51m). However, it remains to be seen whether or not United or the Gunners are prepared to meet that valuation.
Bayern Munich, who are due 50% of any profit made by Bologna, also have an option to buy him back for €40m (£34m) but the report claims that Zirkzee does not seem to be interested in a return to the German giants.
Joshua Zirkzee's Serie A stats
Like Hojlund last season, the young striker has caught the eye with his impressive performances at the top end of the pitch in the Serie A this term. The former Bayern starlet has showcased his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from a centre-forward position, as evidenced by the stats in the table below.
23/24 Serie A
Joshua Zirkzee
Appearances
26
Expected Goals
8.10
Goals
10
Big chances created
9
Assists
3
Stats via Sofascore
Zirkzee has outperformed his xG by almost two goals, which suggests that the forward is effective in front of goal, whilst his teammates have let him down with three goals scored from the nine 'big chances' that he has created.
The right-footed attacker's creativity, as a number nine, has been particularly impressive. He currently ranks within the top 22% of Serie A forwards for Expected Assisted Goals (0.14) per 90, and the top 25% for shot-creating actions (3.14) per 90.
These statistics show that the Bologna star, who was hailed as "unpredictable" by analyst Ben Mattinson, excels as a creator for his teammates as he produced high-quality opportunities for his fellow attackers at an excellent rate.
Coupled with his aforementioned qualities as a finisher, Zirkzee's form in Italy suggests that he could be a superb addition to Erik ten Hag's squad and as Hojlund 2.0, given the whiz could be another fantastic young striker option signed from the Serie A.
Bayern Munich have reportedly missed out on Italian wonderkid Samuele Inacio as the Atalanta teenager has opted to join Borussia Dortmund instead.
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Dortmund close in on Inacio Beat rivals Bayern in the race Played for Italy youth teams WHAT HAPPENED?
The competition for Inacio’s signature was fierce, with numerous top clubs expressing keen interest in the Italian prodigy. Bayern were among the contenders, vying intensively for his services. However, according to Dortmund emerged victorious in this transfer battle, securing a player who has already shown great promise at a young age.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Inacio's performances at Atalanta Bergamo U17 have been noteworthy. Playing as a second striker, he scored six goals in 14 matches last season, showcasing his knack for finding the back of the net and his potential to develop into a prolific forward. His talents have not gone unnoticed at the national level either, as he has represented Italy in the U15 and U16 national teams, further highlighting his capabilities and the high expectations surrounding his future.
DID YOU KNOW?
Inacio has admired football stars Kevin De Bruyne and Neymar, indicating the type of player he aspires to become. Emulating De Bruyne’s vision and playmaking abilities, combined with Neymar’s flair and creativity, Inacio aims to develop a versatile and impactful playing style.
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Dortmund are renowned for their excellent youth development program, which has produced several world-class players over the years. Inacio’s move to the club is expected to provide him with the ideal environment to hone his skills and transition to professional football.
Wolverhampton Wanderers look set to be active in the final hours of the January transfer window and have reportedly made their move for another "devastating" striker.
Lemina to join Wolves
So far in 2024, Wolves’ focus has been on outgoings, with a number of players departing on loan. There is still time for additions to be made before Thursday evening’s deadline, with sporting director Matt Hobbs hinting at the possibility of a few new faces arriving at Molineux, saying earlier this month:
“We dealt with the most pressing profit and sustainability issues during the summer in a positive and proactive way, so while Gary knows we’ll support him if we can, we’re also not going to put ourselves in any danger whatsoever.
“If players have gone out on loan, we can look to replace them, but they’ve got to be better than what we’ve got. The boys have done unbelievably well, and we have some talented young players coming through who want more minutes off the bench, but if we can improve what we’ve got, and help Gary and the squad be more competitive, then we will, within the financial position.
“Let’s focus on the players we’ve have in the building. Gary has spoken about developing the players that are here and I think all of them have improved under him, and that will continue to be the case. A lot of the time solutions lie within, but if we can help, we of course will.”
One player who appears to be on the cusp of joining Gary O'Neil's side is Paris Saint-Germain youngster Lemina. An agreement has been reached to sign the younger brother of Mario Lemina on loan with an option to buy.
After the teenager, though, it looks as if Wolves are working towards a significant striker signing.
Wolves make Broja approach
While talks are underway for Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, Wolves have also made a late approach to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea. However, the transfer expert stated that the Blues have turned down any talks over a deal, perhaps ramping up the importance of the move for Alberto.
Recent rumours suggested that Chelsea may have been willing to do business for Broja in a deal worth £35m, however, with it being so late in the window, it looks as if a transfer is now unlikely.
The 22-year-old has played less than 700 minutes of football at Stamford Bridge this season, so could’ve been open to the idea of a move to the Midlands.
He also previously impressed on loan at Southampton previously in the Premier League, with former defender Sergio Porrini previously hailing the Albania international.
"From last year to this year he has grown a lot and at Southampton he exploded. His greatest qualities are in his progression, especially with the ball at his feet. With the necessary comparisons, he is a bit reminiscent of Leao in how he becomes unstoppable if he extends the ball into space However, he is less good with his back to goal, in constructing the action, but in spaces he is devastating."
A move for a striker could be one to watch before the deadline then, but it looks as if it won’t be Broja.