GOAL US unpacks the main storylines from the international break and World Cup qualifying in The Euro XI
Goodbye, international break. Welcome back to the soccer. The slate of games after international competition are always a little odd: slower, tactically clunkier. It seems as if everyone is still trying to find their feet.
The result, so often, is a sense of drama and jeopardy. And if you subscribe to that theory, then this was an excellent weekend of evidence. Liverpool lost to Man United at home (which is a weird sentence). Ange Postecoglou got sacked after 39 days (a predictable sentence). And Como are the best story in European football (a charming sentence).
Elsewhere, El Clasico looks pretty intense, and it's still a week away. Man City are maybe back for real this time. And La Liga, in general, is just fed up with everything.
GOAL US presents The Euro XI, with 11 key observations from the weekend.
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1Slot feeling the heat?
Four losses in a row. The first time Man United have won at Anfield since 2016. Who could have predicted all of this? There were always going to be some growing pains when Liverpool signed a load of good players for a load of money. It reeked of a surprise slow start.
But that really should have meant a draw or two, perhaps a defensive lapse here and there. Now, Slot is left looking at the loss every Liverpool fan despises, with not much time to piece things together.
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2Ruben Amorim buys himself time
Is the real narrative here the fact that Man United won? It's sports, so there's a requirement that you pick one or the other, right? No two things can be true at the same time. Those are the rules. But this seemed big for United. They were composed. They defended well. They took their chances.
These are the basics that haven't happened there for a few years now. Calling this a "turning point" would be a stretch. Still, they can take heart from a solid performance – and enjoy a win over their biggest rivals.
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3Kane hits 400
It was a bumper weekend for Harry Kane, who, in bagging against Borussia Dortmund, reached 400 career goals. That is, objectively, a lot. Yet somehow, he seems to be constantly underrated. It's hard to see why – maybe the Bundesliga distorts things. Still, he's 32, has plenty of soccer left, and likely has many more goals to come. Oh, and Bayern won 2-1.
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4Como on fire
Como are the classy version of the American-owned club that most Europeans hate. Forget J.J. Watt or Ryan Reynolds. Here's part owner Thierry Henry looking cool in the stands. And the thing is, unlike Burnley when they got promoted the first time, or Wrexham – stuck(ish) in the Championship – Como are really rather good, something they proved by beating Juventus, 2-0.
They are undefeated in their last five, with Cesc Fabregas turning out to be a smart man at the middle of the project. But the real standout? Real Madrid loanee Nico Paz, who won't be in Italy for long, at this rate.
After a slow start to his Anfield career, Florian Wirtz has revealed what Liverpool manager Arne Slot has just told him to do if he wants to get back to his best.
Why Wirtz has started slow at Liverpool
Whilst it’s been far from disastrous, Wirtz hasn’t got off to the electric start that many expected from a £116m player. The former Bayer Leverkusen player arrived as a player who has the ability to change games on his own and contribute to goals, but what Liverpool have so far seen is a hard-working midfielder who has struggled to make his mark.
There have been glimpses of his best form. In the September international break, the German scored an excellent free-kick and then returned to Liverpool to enjoy his best display yet against Atletico Madrid. It’s a game that should have ended his wait for a goal or assist since the Community Shield, but there were ultimately plenty of positive signs.
There were also signs of how he can control games in a 1-0 victory against Arsenal, especially when Alexis Mac Allister was replaced and he was no longer sharing the same spaces with such a similar player. Whether those two can thrive together is the big question. Slot did, of course, drop Wirtz for the Argentine in the Merseyside derby instead of starting both.
Unlike others in the Premier League, time is on Wirtz’s side. Liverpool sit top of the Premier League by five points and are the only side with a 100% record. If there’s an environment that allows players to settle in, it is Anfield.
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That said, Slot has still spoken to the big-money star about his form and told him exactly what he must do to get back to his best.
Wirtz reveals Slot conversation about Liverpool form
Speaking to reporters, Wirtz revealed that he has held a conversation with Slot about his slow start to life at Liverpool. The German revealed that Slot suggested that his form could be down to Liverpool’s press and his struggle to adapt to that intensity whilst also playing a part in possession.
It would certainly make sense why Wirtz has struggled to keep pace at times. Alas, if that is the reason behind his underwhelming form, then logic suggests that Liverpool should see the best version of their midfielder as the season goes on and his fitness reaches the level required.
Whilst it has been a frustrating summer for all involved at Aston Villa, those in the Midlands have now reportedly been handed a golden opportunity to sign an impressive Leon Bailey upgrade.
Morgan Rogers wins Young Player of the Year
Although many at Villa Park will be frustrated by their inability to welcome a number of new additions as well as Jacob Ramsey’s sale coming as a consequence of their PSR shortcomings, Morgan Rogers represents a reminder of just how talented Unai Emery’s squad still is. The former Middlesbrough midfielder officially picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year award in deserved fashion earlier this week.
After winning the award, Rogers told reporters: “Later down the line, I want to be one of those incredible players people speak about, so to do that I have to do what they did and what they followed after. It’s a nice recognition, but there’s more to win and I can’t wait.”
It’s hard to argue that it wasn’t deserved. The 23-year-old enjoyed an excellent season and, like the rest of his Aston Villa teammates, only missed out on a place in the Champions League on the final day after a controversial refereeing decision against Manchester United.
Appearances
37
Goals
8
Assists
11
Having returned to full fitness just in time to face Newcastle United in an opening day draw last time out, Rogers will now be hoping to leave his mark for the first time this season against Brentford.
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Meanwhile, away from the pitch, Aston Villa could yet take hold of a golden opportunity to secure their signing of the summer. The sale of Ramsey has given them some breathing room on the PSR front and that could yet see one star man arrive.
Aston Villa handed chance to sign Lookman
According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Aston Villa have been handed a golden opportunity to sign Ademola Lookman after receiving contact from his representatives. The Atalanta winger has been desperate to leave the club all summer long and after seeing a move to Inter Milan break down, has now set his sights on a Premier League return.
Atalanta's AdemolaLookmanin action
Aston Villa, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have all reportedly held conversations with Lookman in recent days to potentially ignite a late race to secure an excellent coup.
With 20 goals and seven assists to his name last season, Lookman would be a major upgrade on the departing Bailey at Villa Park and could even be enough to take Emery’s side back into the Champions League places. Simply put, Villa should be going all out for his signature this month.
Birmingham City might well have crashed out of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night to League One opponents Port Vale, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Chris Davies’ side is still unbeaten in the Championship.
Indeed, the Blues have collected two wins and a draw with the confidence of a second-tier regular, with a trip to recently relegated Leicester City tomorrow night not fazing the West Midlands side in the slightest.
The reigning third-tier champions won’t be done with purchases this summer just yet, either, even with this fast start out of the blocks, as a last-ditch Kyogo Furuhashi repeat looks to be in the offing.
Birmingham plot late move for £2m sensation
Adding in Lewis Koumas on loan from Liverpool is the latest venture Birmingham has made in the hectic transfer window, which has lifted the Blues’ total of summer incomings to a sturdy 12.
Koumas isn’t the only exciting winger addition that could be on the cards, however, as a surprise move now looks to be on the horizon for Davies to raid his former employers in Celtic.
As per an exclusive report from Football League World, despite signing off on a whole barrage of purchases this summer, Birmingham look to be in for South Korean sensation Yang Hyun-jun, having now allegedly made an approach for his services.
Having already had success in the Asian market with the additions of Tomoki Iwata and Seung Paik Ho, this could well prove to be another inspired pick-up, with the 23-year-old unlikely to cost the Blues too much of a pretty penny, having previously joined Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops for just £2m back in 2023.
While he has consistently struggled for gametime for the green and white half of Glasgow, he would be seen as a welcome addition to boost an already potent Blues attack, with the hope he can be as instantly impactful as the aforementioned Kyogo at St. Andrew’s, who also once called Parkhead home.
Why Yang can be Kyogo 2.0
Much like Birmingham in recent years, Celtic have regularly dipped into the Asian market amid the search for fresh talent – and have done so with a real degree of success.
Kyogo is surely the cream of the crop to have pulled on the famous Hoops strip from this part of the world, as seen in him finishing off his trophy-laden time in Glasgow with an astounding 86 strikes next to his name, having successfully made the jump from Vissel Kobe.
He has since made a similar level of leap to the hustle and bustle of Championship football look effortless too, with the “unbelievable” former hero in Scotland – as he was once dubbed by his ex-Celtic manager in Ange Postecoglou – gobbling up this gifted opportunity on just his third game for the club to get off the mark.
Yang will hope he can also make the same tricky transition look as seamless, with his own bright form at Parkhead seeing current Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers label him as a “fantastic” asset to have around the place.
Games
24
23
Starts
10
9
Avg mins per game
40
43
Goals scored
1
5
Assists
3
2
When the former Leicester City boss has required an injection of life to his side late on, he has regularly relied on the 23-year-old as an impact substitute, with Yang amazingly chipping in with a hefty haul of 11 goals and assists when starting just 19 games across his last full two seasons in the Scottish Premiership.
Therefore, while he might not be as front and centre to Davies’ plans as the £10m buy of Kyogo, he could well prove to be an exciting late purchase all the same, particularly if he adds in even more quality to fire the Blues immediately up to the Premier League.
Gangwon president Kim Byung-ji even claimed that he “could easily become a world-class player like Son Heung-min”, and it will be intriguing to see how Yang settles into life in the Championship.
He has, of course, shown off spurts of his quality with Celtic, albeit from irregular opportunities.
The proof will soon be in the pudding as to whether the left-field winger will shine or, unfortunately, struggle, as both Yang and Kyogo aim to guide the Blues to a second promotion success on the trot.
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Victoria batter has joined Australia’s squad in Sydney to train and sub field and is in the mix for a recall on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour
Andrew McGlashan03-Jan-2025Peter Handscomb is a strong contender to be included in Australia’s squad for their Test tour of Sri Lanka later this month with the Victoria batter joining the team in Sydney for the final match against India as a substitute fielder.Handscomb does not hold BBL contract so is free to be with the squad throughout the final Test. He will be joined by spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann at various stages who are both likely to be part of the Sri Lanka trip, the squad for which is expected to be named shortly after the conclusion of the India series.Handscomb last featured for Australia on the 2023 tour of India where he played all four matches and is viewed as a subcontinent specialist given his prowess against spin. He made 145 runs in that series with a top score of 72 not out in Delhi, a Test Australia were well placed to win before a second-innings collapse against R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.Related
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However, he has previously spoken about how he does not want to be pigeon-holed as only a batter for certain conditions. “I’d like to play some home Tests,” he said before the start of the 2023-24 following his experiences in India.Previously, speaking to in 2022, Handscomb said: “If [being a good player of spin] does help me get on subcontinent tours, which it has done before, then that’s great. But also don’t forget I do like batting in Australia as well, where it is fast and bouncy and I can play a few cuts and pulls if need be.”Depending on how Australia structure their side in Sri Lanka, there could be a vacancy in the middle order with Travis Head having been earmarked to open although Sam Konstas’ move into Test side may alter the planning. Josh Inglis, also an excellent player of spin, is also understood to be another option to play as a specialist batter in Sri Lanka. He is currently recovering from the calf strain he picked up while fielding at the MCG but is expected to be fit for the tour.Overall Handscomb has played 20 Tests with an average of 37.20 having made is debut back in 2016.Handscomb was overlooked for the Australia A-India A four-day matches earlier this season, but the indication was that he was a player the selectors felt they knew enough about.He had a prolific 2024 across first-class cricket in Australia and England where he was the fifth-highest run-scorer in the world. In the first part of this Sheffield Shield season he has made 478 runs at 47.80.If Australia win the ongoing Sydney Test they will assured of a spot in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, otherwise they would need to win one of the Tests in Galle.
Newcastle United lost to Celtic in nightmare fashion in their latest pre-season test.
Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops ran out emphatic 4-0 victors over Eddie Howe’s low-on-energy Toon on Saturday, with one of the main talking points at the final whistle coming in the form of Alexander Isak.
Now being linked with a mega-money switch to Al-Hilal he was left out completely from the disastrous runout in Scotland.
Howe did insist after the game that Isak is happy to remain at the Toon for the foreseeable future, but transfer rumblings away from this ongoing situation suggest that the Premier League side do have striker targets in mind as they prepare for any possible eventuality.
Newcastle agree personal terms with £50m centre-forward
Indeed, it’s no great secret at St James’ Park that a new centre-forward is a priority this summer.
After all, even if Isak does stay, Howe only has a raw William Osula he can rely on for some back-up firepower, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko allegedly on the Toon shop-list to add more explosive options up top after Hugo Ekitike moved to Liverpool, rather than Tyneside.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
Any deal to bring the Slovenian attacker to Newcastle would reportedly cost the Premier League outfit a whopping £78m, with a far cheaper deal potentially on the horizon/
As per reports on the continent, Newcastle have now agreed personal terms with long-term target Yoane Wissa, but are still pushing hard for a club-to-club agreement with Brentford, as the Bees remain hesitant about the Magpies’ offer, having already lost Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United.
Brentford's YoaneWissacelebrates scoring their first goal
It remains to be seen what Newcastle have bid for the standout Brentford number 11, with previous reports suggesting he was available for around the £50m mark.
Why Wissa would be a better signing than Sesko
For such an amount, Newcastle should really be pushing hard to get a deal over the line, as the DR Congo international is a far better option than Sesko, not just in terms of being a cheaper acquisition.
Of course, nobody at Newcastle would be up in arms if Sesko were to join the building, even for such an extortionate fee.
Back in the Bundesliga, the powerful striker has garnered a reputation for being an ice-cold finisher of chances, with a bumper tally of 39 strikes coming the one-time Arsenal target’s way from 87 outings in Germany.
Yet, Wissa can boast even more strikes for the Bees than Sesko has registered for Leipzig – despite the 22-year-old’s lethal reputation – with a stellar 45 Premier League goals next to his name from 137 clashes, 19 of which came about just last season in West London.
Sekso lags just behind, in contrast, with five fewer goals in German top-flight action across the 24/25 campaign.
It’s not just goals alone that separates the pair, however, with Wissa also bettering his Slovenian counterpart in many different areas of their respective games, while also already knowing the ins and outs of the intense Premier League environment.
Total shots
2.77
2.54
Shot-creating actions
2.13
1.80
Attempted passes
18.13
22.62
Pass completion %
76.5%
66.9%
Progressive passes
2.07
1.55
Progressive carries
1.85
1.68
Touches in attacking penalty area
5.03
3.51
When looking at the table above, it’s clear Newcastle would be landing themselves an attacking diamond in Wissa for £50m, as opposed to rashly gambling on an expensive alternative.
The 5-foot-9 menace is perhaps more suited to linking up with the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga in his fresh home, when you consider he trumps Sesko by averaging more shot-creating actions and accurate passes per 90 minutes over the last year.
Moreover, the “remarkable” forward – as he’s been labelled in the past by European football expert Zach Lowy – also averaged far more touches in the attacking penalty area over the last year, meaning he could be just the lively poacher-like presence Howe is searching for in the same mould as Isak.
Sesko might well be seen as a shinier, newer thing coming in from foreign shores, but if it were between the Leipzig number 30 and the 28-year-old, Newcastle should press on with sealing Wissa’s signature, especially if they’re already at the personal terms stage in proceedings.
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Since taking the job over five years ago, Mikel Arteta has helped to transform Arsenal.
He’s taken the club from one languishing in mid-table looking downwards to one that’s a genuine contender in every competition they take part in.
However, he has had to make numerous unpopular and difficult decisions during his tenure, such as terminating Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract in 2022.
It was the right thing to do, but it’s impossible to deny that the team could have used someone as prolific as he once was over the last few years, which could explain reports linking them to a certain attacker from the continent.
Arsenal target free-scoring forward
As things stand, this summer is shaping up to be quite exciting for Arsenal.
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The club have already announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke.
Moreover, Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera is set to be announced any day now, and Andrea Berta and Co seem to be finally nearing the end of their hunt for Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal manager MikelArteta
And yet, the Premier League runners-up don’t appear to be done yet, as they’re now looking at another prolific attacker from Europe, someone who could be Arteta’s new Aubameyang.
Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in Ademola Lookman.
The report has revealed that the Gunners have enquired about the player, who is also a target for Inter Milan.
While the competition could be a problem, the money involved is unlikely to be, with the report revealing that Atalanta want just £43m for their star attacker.
Ademola Lookman for Atalanta
It’s still a sizable sum of money, but given Lookman’s ability and record, one worth paying, especially as he could be Arsenal’s new Auba.
Why Lookman could be Arteta's new Auba
While it might seem like an odd comparison to make, there are several similarities between Lookman and Aubameyang that make it easier to see how the former could be Arsenal’s new version of the latter.
The first couple, and certainly the most surface-level, are that the Nigerian international would be joining the Gunners from a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues and doing so at a similar point in his career.
When the Gabonese put pen to paper in North London, he was 28 years old, and in just over two months, the Atalanta ace will be as well.
The next similarity, which is more concrete, is that, like the former North Londoner, the 27-year-old star is more than capable of playing out wide or straight down the middle.
Likewise, during his time at the Emirates, the Laval-born goal machine spent a great deal of time playing off the left, as well as up top.
Finally, and this is the most critical comparison of them all, the London-born ace has become an output monster in recent seasons, just as the former captain was for most of his time in N5.
For example, across his 118 games for the Bergamo outfit, totalling 7538 minutes, the “world-class” attacker has scored 52 goals and provided 25 assists.
Appearances
33
45
40
Minutes
1858′
2809′
2871′
Goals
15
17
20
Assists
8
10
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.69
0.60
0.67
Minutes per Goal Involvement
80.78′
104.03′
106.33
That means the 29-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes since joining the Serie A side.
For comparison’s sake, the former Arsenal star scored 92 goals and provided 21 assists in 163 appearances, totalling 12868 minutes during his time in red and white, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.44 games, or every 113.87 minutes.
Ultimately, they may not be exactly alike, but there are some undeniable similarities between Lookman and Aubameyang, and most crucially, the Nigerian superstar could have a similar impact at Arsenal that the Gabonese ace once had.
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Tottenham are set to sign West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus for £55 million, but he’s not the only player who could join Thomas Frank’s side in the coming weeks.
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Kudus will undergo a medical in north London today ahead of his proposed move across the English capital, with Spurs and the Hammers finally reaching an agreement over the Ghanaian’s transfer.
It will be the first deal between both sides since Scott Parker’s move to White Hart Lane in 2011, ending the rivals’ unofficial transfer embargo whilst significantly reinforcing Frank’s attacking options.
Kudus was criticised for underperforming at times last season, but he can be a truly exceptional forward on his day, as evident by his debut campaign at the London Stadium.
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025
Average match rating
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
The 24-year-old also boasts Champions League experience with Ajax, scoring four goals and bagging a further two assists in a group including eventual Serie A champions Napoli, Liverpool and Rangers during the 2022/2023 campaign.
Kudus can be deployed in a number of attacking roles as well, providing yet another boost for Frank, as the 51-year-old gears up for his first-ever year in charge of a ‘big six’ Premier League club.
Frank is expected to be backed with more useful additions before deadline day on September 1, with L’Equipe reporting earlier this week that Spurs have reopened discussions with Burnley over a deal for Maxime Esteve.
Scott Parker definitely won’t be keen on losing the towering 6 foot 4 Frenchman, who was a mainstay of his Clarets backline en route to their top flight return, and similar can be said of new Brentford boss Keith Andrews and star striker Yoane Wissa.
Tottenham are reportedly expressing a serious interest in Wissa, and the Bees are anticipating a proposal.
Brentford braced for Tottenham bid to sign Yoane Wissa
That is according to talkSPORT, who report that Brentford are braced for an offer from Tottenham to sign Wissa.
Brentford's YoaneWissacelebrates scoring their first goal
The Congolese centre-forward was just as crucial for Frank last season as Bryan Mbeumo, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, with 19 of them coming in the Premier League.
Brentford are very unlikely to green-light exits for both men in the same window, amid Man United’s ongoing talks for Mbeumo, but talkSPORT state that Wissa is keen on a move to Spurs as he eyes a reunion with Frank.
The price to get a potential deal done would be around £40 million, and Frank has already made his feelings on the 28-year-old crystal clear – branding Wissa one of his “super players” at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“I think they are super players,” said Frank about Wissa.
“Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. He scored seven goals in the first season and seven in the second in the Premier League, for a player that didn’t play much. It’s remarkable. I definitely think he is best as a 9. He’s got that nose for goals.”
Even though the transfer window has only been open for a matter of weeks, Manchester United have been extremely busy in the market, looking to add quality to the current first-team squad.
Ruben Amorim has evidently made it clear that he wants new additions to bolster his ranks after the club finished in a measly 15th place in the Premier League this season.
He’s already added Matheus Cunha to his ranks this window, but he could soon be joined in such an area by Bryan Mbeumo, with his £60m transfer appearing to be edging ever closer to completion.
It’s apparent that the club are keen to add further depth to the final third, understandably so, given no player within their current side registered double figures for goals in the Premier League during 2024/25.
Numerous strikers have been on their radar during the off-season, but as of yet, no deal has been agreed for a new talisman despite a positive update that’s emerged on one target’s future.
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Dušan Vlahović has been seen as a surprise option over recent days, after Juventus opened talks over a deal to sign Jadon Sancho, which could see the Serbian forward, who scored 16 goals this season, move in the opposite direction.
Hugo Ekitiké has been another player considered by the Red Devils, but his £84m price tag could prove to be slightly out of reach given the business elsewhere.
However, a positive update has emerged on the potential deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swede previously only wanting a move to Arsenal during the current window.
The latest update from TEAMtalk confirms that the 27-year-old is still keen on a move to Old Trafford this window, potentially securing a reunion with former boss Amorim, whom he starred under at Sporting CP.
He’s also stated his desire to leave his current side in the hunt for the next step in his career after scoring 97 times in his 102 appearances, with a £68m price tag constantly being mooted.
Why United’s £68m target would be the best signing since Bruno
Bruno Fernandes has been the shining light in United’s squad throughout the dismal last couple of seasons, often popping up with a moment of magic to get them out of trouble.
The Portuguese international registered 37 combined goals and assists this campaign, by far and away the most of any player within Amorim’s first team ranks.
However, such a situation has been the case over the last couple of years, notching 20 or more contributions in each of his six years that he’s spent at Old Trafford.
The £47m the hierarchy paid for his signature back in 2020 now looks to be a bargain, an astute piece of business and something which needs to be replicated this summer.
A deal for Gyokeres would undoubtedly be the best since the move for the 30-year-old, with the former Coventry City star evidently possessing the clinical edge the side have desperately been lacking.
His stats this season are evidence that he would be a superb option for the Red Devils, subsequently being able to cement his place at the top end under his former boss once again.
Gyokeres, who’s been labelled a “powerhouse” by analyst Pedro Mendonça, has scored the most goals of any player in Europe this campaign, highlighting the clinical threat he would offer to the side.
Viktor Gyokeres
Sporting CP
33
39
Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid
34
31
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
38
29
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
34
27
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
31
26
Victor Osimhen
Galatsaray
30
26
Mateo Retegui
Atalanta
36
25
He’s also averaged 2.6 shots on target per 90, managing a record of over a goal per game in the Liga Portugal, further showcasing the skill he possesses in front of goal.
Despite his finishing ability, he is also capable of creating opportunities for himself, completing 1.9 dribbles per 90 along with an impressive tally of 2.1 chances created.
£67m may appear to be a huge fee for a player who’s never consistently proven he can make the step up and thrive in the Premier League, with England’s top flight a whole new challenge for Gyokeres.
However, should he emulate Fernandes’ success at the Theatre of Dreams, he would be a superb signing that could catapult them back up the table in the 2025/26 campaign.
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Reliable journalist Paul Joyce has claimed that Everton are interested in sealing a stunning move for a “special” attacking player this summer.
Moyes eyeing big future at Everton
After some grim seasons of late, which have included several relegation battles in the Premier League, there is a feeling of positivity with the Toffees, not least because David Moyes has returned as manager, easily steering them to safety ahead of the move to their new stadium.
The Scot has been forceful about how he is expecting a better future at Everton with him in charge, with the hope being that funds will be made available for important transfer business.
“I think more the feeling [is] that there might be a club which is coming back together. Signs that before there was a real break-up, of a sort of love affair with the supporters, the players, the club, the owners. So we’re all trying to get back. We’re obviously all looking forward to it. If we can take what we had today to the new stadium, it’ll be something.”
Everton manager DavidMoyesbefore the match
New signings are needed in various areas of the pitch for Everton, not least in attack, with goals coming at a premium at times this season, with 41 goals scored in 37 games. Now, a shock rumour has emerged regarding a potential attacking signing for the Merseysiders.
Everton keen on "special" Liverpool player
According to the reliable Joyce of The Times, Everton “hold an interest” in Liverpool winger Ben Doak, seeing him as an option to bring in this summer.
The 19-year-old has spent this season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, with the Reds unable to give him regular playing time, and a permanent move away from Anfield could now be on the cards.
The idea of Everton signing Doak is a mouthwatering prospect, not only because of the stunning nature of taking him from rivals Liverpool, but also due to his long-term potential.
The teenage winger is already a six-cap Scotland international, and he was enjoying a fruitful time loan at Middlesbrough before injury struck in January, bagging 10 goal contributions (three goals and seven assists) in the Championship.
Doak also caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp during their time together at Liverpool, with the German clearly a big admirer of the Scot, saying: “Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers, really; this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kinds of things.”
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By
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Forgetting the Liverpool connection, Doak is a hugely exciting footballer who could reach great heights with his pace and unpredictability in the coming years, and while the Reds may be hesitant to sell to their rivals, Everton should look to strike a deal.