Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has now hailed one of his Gunners teammates for "always" working hard behind-the-scenes.
Latest Arsenal news
Mikel Arteta's men have enjoyed a solid start to the new Premier League season and remain unbeaten following their latest triumph – a 1-0 win away to struggling Everton on Sunday.
Leandro Trossard's strike with just 20 minutes remaining ensures that Arteta and co keep pace with Pep Guardiola's imperious Man City at the top of the table.
Arsenal have tasted victory in four out of their opening five top flight matches, with Fulham being the only side to get a result against them so far. The north Londoners had to dig deep on Merseyside but yet again displayed real grit to come away with all three points.
Arteta, commenting after Arsenal ended their hoodoo of six years without an away win at Everton, praised his side's display.
“Six years without a win here is a long time, so we had to learn some lessons, we had to be better." said Arteta.
"I am delighted for the win but especially the way we won it, the way we played, how dominant we were, the presence that we showed on the pitch. We fully deserved to win the game.
“I think we had many other openings to put the ball in the last line and to put somebody in the box and finalise. Credit to Everton, they defended the box extremely well, and they had some big, big blocks when we opened them up. It’s great to have other ways to score goals, it gives you different resources and be more unpredictable."
In and around the contest, there were question marks as to why goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was dropped in favour of summer signing David Raya.
The 25-year-old hadn't set a foot wrong before their trip up north, with Arteta even having to defend his decision to the media.
It appears the contest for Arsenal's number one spot is now hotting up, but club captain Odegaard has moved to defend Ramsdale.
aaron-ramsdale
Indeed, the Norway international insists he is a player of real quality and is "always" working behind-the-scenes.
"I think he will just keep working hard, like he is always doing," Odegaard said on Ramsdale (via The Standard).
"Today he was there supporting us, cheering for us, helping us. He is a great character and he showed a very good response today by backing the team. It was excellent from him.
"We have two good goalkeepers and big competition. They have different qualities. They are both so good on the ball and in goal as well. So, we are lucky to have two such good goalkeepers and we will see who plays."
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus this summer, having been linked with him in the past.
Is Neuhaus thriving in Germany?
The German was linked to joining the Reds back in the summer of 2021, at a time when midfield reinforcements were needed to make up for the loss of Gini Wijnaldum to Paris-Saint Germain. Neuhaus ended up staying at Monchengladbach, however, and Liverpool made no new signings in that area.
This continued lack of investment in the middle of the park has become increasingly problematic for the Merseysiders, as age catches up with the likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago.
It is essential that Liverpool make midfield additions at the end of this season, especially with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moving on, but with a move for Jude Bellingham appearing to be dead in the water, they need to look at alternatives.
Are Liverpool back in for midfielder?
Taking to Twitter, whilst sharing his article for 90min, reporter Graeme Bailey provided an update on Neuhaus' future, admitting that there is interest in him, as well as name-checking Liverpool in his piece as one of the clubs who are keen in the article:
"A number of Premier League clubs are looking at German star Florian Neuhaus. Back from a knee injury, Borussia Moenchengladbach are trying to tie him to a new contract – if not he could move this summer."
Neuhaus could still be a good signing for Liverpool this summer, even though his reputation arguably isn't as great as it was back in 2021, at a point where his performances for Monchengladbach were particularly strong, scoring six goals and registering five assists in the Bundesliga in 2020/21.
This season, the 26-year-old has only started 10 league matches, which is largely down to a serious knee ligament injury that saw him miss around three months of action.
He has been back playing regularly of late, though – deployed in three full 90 minutes since the middle of March, and given his age, signing him wouldn't feel like too big a gamble.
Journalist Jack Collins once hailed Neuhaus as a "magnificent" player and his all-round midfield ability as a footballer – he has 46 goal contributions (22 goals and 24 assists) in 166 Monchengladbach appearances, and netted twice in 10 caps for Germany – could help ease Liverpool's woes in that area moving forward.
Glasgow Rangers have been linked with a managerial move for Yokohama F. Marinos' Kevin Muscat, and a reliable journalist has since revealed the chances of him moving to the Scottish Premiership.
What is Kevin Muscat's CV like?
A former professional defender, Muscat began his coaching career as assistant at Melbourne Victory before being handed the main job himself, then he later went on to become technical director and boss at Sint-Truiden, though left that role following his appointment at Yokohama in July 2021, as per Transfermarkt.
However, the 50-year-old’s contract is set to expire in January 2024 and he is yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms, meaning that as it stands, he’s set to leave unless given the opportunity to extend his stay, and this seems to have alerted chiefs at Ibrox according to some reports.
The Light Blues had allegedly been in contact with their target’s camp to discuss the possibility of him taking over from Michael Beale should the hierarchy decide to part ways with their current coach, with the Aussie Scout claiming:
"Understand that Yokohama FM manager and ex-Socceroo Kevin Muscat is considered by Rangers as a candidate to replace Michael Beale were Beale to leave the club. Contact is believed to have been made with associates of Muscat. Muscat won the J-League with Yokohama FM last season."
Are Rangers appointing Kevin Muscat?
Taking to X, however, The Daily Record's Andy Newport was quick to shut down claims that Rangers were considering a swoop for Muscat with his own updatem confirming that the rumours that have emerged are seemingly fake… at least for now.
"Sources at Rangers say no truth in this whatsoever."
Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale.
Rangers dismissing the noise that they are thinking about getting rid of Beale clearly shows that they still have faith in him, but should they for any reason have a change of heart regarding his position in the near future, Muscat could be a perfect candidate to succeed him in the dugout north of the border.
At Yokohama, the manager has taken charge of 98 games, and from that, has recorded 57 victories, 17 draws and 24 defeats, meaning that he’s taken 188 points from a possible 294 whilst averaging 1.92 points per match in a more balanced league than the Premiership, via Transfermarkt.
The Crawley-born talent, whose preferred formation is a 4-3-3 defensive set-up, also has the silverware as proof of his success having secured three trophies since the start of his coaching career, the first being the Australian Champion at Melbourne and more recently being crowned Japanese Champion and Japanese Super Cup winner at the Nissan Stadium.
Therefore, Muscat knowing what it takes to compete and be successful, not to mention that he spent a year at the club during his playing days from 2002-2003, so he's no stranger to what is required to achieve in Glasgow, and with the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation, this could be one to keep a close eye on if a change at the helm were to happen.
Liverpool are now keen on signing Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams, but a new report has now revealed they are trailing another Premier League club in the race for his signature…
Is Tyler Adams leaving Leeds?
Adams has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League clubs following Leeds' relegation to the Championship last season, with Chelsea coming close to signing him earlier in the window, before talks broke down at a late stage.
The USMNT international, who has a £20m release clause included in his contract, was set to have a medical ahead of completing a move to Stamford Bridge, but he ultimately returned to Leeds, where he has four years remaining on his deal.
Even though the 24-year-old is tied down to a long-term contract, the Whites are powerless to stop him leaving if the £20m release clause is stumped up, and AFC Bournemouth are now willing to match it.
Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE
That is according to a report from 90min, which states the Cherries have agreed to meet the Leeds star's release clause, and talks are now taking place in the hope of striking an agreement with the player's camp.
However, Bournemouth may face competition for the central midfielder's signature, as Liverpool are also among the sides keen on signing him, having recently lost out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp is in dire need of new midfield options, owing to the fact that Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all departed, and they now have their sights set on the American.
That said, the Reds' interest only appears to be tentative at this stage, as they are yet to launch an official offer, and with Bournemouth recently agreeing to match the release clause, Klopp may have to move swiftly if he is to win the transfer race, although Adams is currently out injured with a hamstring issue.
What is Tyler Adams' salary?
The former RB Leipzig man is currently tied down to a £55k-per-week contract with Leeds, having joined the now-Championship side after impressing in the Bundesliga, and he was lauded as a "beast" by members of the media soon after his arrival.
Although the USMNT captain was unable to prevent the Whites from being relegated to the Championship, he still caught the eye with some very solid performances during his first year in England, particularly from a defensive point of view.
Over the past year, the defensive midfielder ranks in the 98th percentile for tackles, and the 97th percentile for blocks per 90, when compared to his positional peers, as per FBref, indicating he could be a fantastic alternative option to Lavia and Caicedo.
tyler-adams
Last season, the no-nonsense midfield enforcer made 89 tackles in the Premier League, the joint-fourth highest figure in the division, far more than Lavia and only 11 fewer than Caicedo.
At just £20m, Adams could be a bargain signing this summer, so it could be wise for Liverpool to match his release clause in the next few days, as a move to Anfield would surely be his preferred destination ahead of Bournemouth.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke arrived at Elland Road this summer with a reputation for working with and developing young players.
The German head coach helped the likes of James Maddison, Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons, and Emiliano Buendia to thrive during his spell with Norwich, and could look to enjoy similar success with the Whites.
Who are Leeds' most valuable academy graduates?
A number of players have progressed through the ranks with the Yorkshire-based outfit and are currently valuable assets, either for Leeds or another club.
Farke will now be hoping to uncover the next Kalvin Phillips over the coming months and years with the club and has already shown a willingness to dip into the academy as 17-year-old Archie Gray has started all five of their Championship matches to date.
Most valuable academy graduates
Current market value
Kalvin Phillips
£27.5m
Pascal Struijk
£15.4m
Crysencio Summerville
£12.8m
Jack Clarke
£10.3m
Lewis Cook
£8.5m
Valuations via Transfermarkt.
The teenager, who has assisted five goals in 44 appearances at youth and senior level, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.60 in the league this term, which is the 19th-best score within the squad – out of 20 players.
Another academy prospect who could be a future star for the Whites and is well worth a look at for Farke is U21 central midfielder Charlie Allen, who has caught the eye of late.
Who is Charlie Allen?
Allen is a 19-year-old talent who turns 20 in November but is yet to make his first-team bow for Leeds, although he does have senior experience from his time with Linfield in Northern Ireland.
The Whites snapped him up from his former club in 2020 after he became their youngest-ever player at the age of 15 in 2019 and went on to play four matches before his move to England.
They faced stiff competition for his signature, though, as Liverpool, Manchester City, Rangers, and Chelsea all reportedly showed an interest in signing the talented teen after his breakthrough with the Northern Irish outfit.
Allen played three Premiership games for Linfield and Patrick Van Dort, who was the deputy sports editor for JPIMedia in Northern Ireland, claimed that people described him as a "joy to coach".
What is Charlie Allen's style of play?
Van Dort also revealed that the central midfielder was compared to Scotland international Billy Gilmour during his time with Linfield, due to his game intelligence and calmness on the ball that allows his teammates to have trust in his ability in possession.
This suggests that Farke could unearth his next version of the former Chelsea metronome as the German head coach worked with him during the 2021/22 campaign at Norwich.
Former Norwich midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Gilmour spent the season on loan with the Canaries and enjoyed time with the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach chief before his dismissal in November 2021.
The midfielder revealed that Farke's style of football suited the way that he wanted to play in terms of getting the ball down and trying to pass through teams.
How well did Gilmour perform for Norwich?
In spite of Norwich's relegation to the Championship, Gilmour did show signs of promise throughout the campaign with an average Sofascore rating of 6.82.
He featured in 24 Premier League matches for the Canaries and showcased his reliability on the ball with a pass accuracy of 91% within his own half that term, along with one key pass per game as he burst forward to create for his teammates.
The Scottish maestro earned himself a £9m transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion from Chelsea off the back of his season in Norfolk and the talented midfielder has continued to display his impressive ability in possession.
Brighton midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Over the last 365 days, Gilmourranks within the top 3% of his positional peers among the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions with a pass completion rate of 90.4% for the Seagulls. He also ranks in the top 15% for progressive passes per 90 (7.22) during that period.
These statistics show that Gilmour is one of the best midfielders in Europe at retaining possession due to his superb ability to find teammates with his passes, whilst his progressive numbers also prove that the Scot does not achieve such a high success rate by playing safe and risk free passes.
How many assists has Allen provided for Leeds?
Farke could now find his next version of the Scotland international in Allen as the Northern Irish youngster has showcased his ability to provide assists on a regular basis to go along with his aforementioned reliability and calmness on the ball.
The 19-year-old has racked up eight assists in 74 matches for Leeds at U18 and U21 level combined but six of those came during the 2022/23 campaign.
He only managed two assists in 24 academy matches for the club throughout his first season at Elland Road in 2020/21 and followed that up with zero assists in 25 games throughout the 2021/22 term, which included two goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances.
Allen finally hit his creative stride for Leeds last season as he racked up six assists, to go along with two goals, in 21 league clashes for the U21 side.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
The Thorp Arch talent, who completed 97% of his attempted passes within his own half over two EFL Trophy matches during the 2021/22 campaign, has displayed his ability to provide his teammates with opportunities to score on a regular basis from a midfield position over the last 12 months.
Last season, no first-team midfielder for Leeds managed more than two Premier League assists and no player in that position has registered a single assist over the first five Championship matches of the current term.
This suggests that Farke is not blessed with creative quality in the middle of the park so Allen could emerge as a much-needed spark in midfield with his ability to frequently provide assists as a number eight.
The German head coach should now look to offer the talented youngster an opportunity to impress at senior level to see if the Northern Irish gem could be his next version of Gilmour.
Liverpool have been linked with a move for West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, and journalist Paul Brown has given his insight to whether it will happen or not.
Will Liverpool sign Jarrod Bowen?
The Reds have made a flying start to their season in both the Premier League and the Europa League, only dropping two points in their first six matches in all competitions. New signings have come in and hit the ground running, most notably Dominik Szoboszlai, who has excelled, and things appear to be heading in the right direction under Jurgen Klopp, following a well-documented poor campaign last time around.
In order for Liverpool to keep progressing, however, they must continue to eye up new signings, especially in Mohamed Salah's position, with the 31-year-old not yet definitely staying put next summer, should more interest from Saudi Arabia emerges.
One player who has been seen as a candidate to come in and be the Egyptian King's successor is Bowen, who is enjoying an excellent start to the season, scoring three goals in five league matches.
What's the latest on Jarrod Bowen to Liverpool?
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Brown claimed that while Bowen has "similarities" to Mohamed Salah, it doesn't look likely that he will come in as a potential successor:
"I can see similarities between them in what they do on the pitch. That being said, I don't think Liverpool have pressed particularly hard to try and get Bowen. There doesn't seem to be a groundswell or a movement from the club to try and go for him. I know he's on their list of people that they like. But he seems perfectly happy at West Ham right now and I would expect West Ham to have a good season. So I don't think it's a given that Bowen leaves anytime soon."
Bowen is an increasingly impressive footballer who will be a big threat when West Ham head to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, giving Reds supporters a chance to see exactly what he could offer them, should a move to Anfield happen eventually. That being said, this update does suggest that it is unlikely to happen any time soon, with the 26-year-old seemingly settled with the Hammers, and Liverpool not necessarily showing strong interest in him.
Bowen is someone who could be a really strong squad player for Klopp's men, having been hailed as "unbelievable" by the German in the past, but he is not at the level required to come in as Salah's replacement, should he leave eventually and not extend his stay at the club.
Liverpool need to be looking at signing a genuine superstar in his place when the sad day does arrive that he needs replacing – Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been linked with a move and is the calibre of player they would need – but the West Ham man can't offer his relentless level of end product, whether it be goals or assists, or searing pace out wide.
The fact that Bowen's price tag would likely be bloated because he is English is another reason not to move for him, so the Reds should look elsewhere for new attacking options.
When West Ham United appointed David Moyes for a second spell in December 2019, it was met with mixed response from supporters, with some waxing over the suitability of a manager who knows the club and can orchestrate an exit from relegation danger, and others scratching their heads.
Many thought his arrival was somewhat regressive, a wariness in ambition and a failure to act with conviction and propel the club into the upper end of the Premier League.
He had previously led the Hammers for a short stint and departed upon the expiry of his contract after just six months in charge, but his return catalysed a club seeking a return to prominence, and he has now orchestrated illustrious success unseen in east London for many decades.
Indeed, after successfully preserving the Hammers' top-flight status with improved form in the latter phase of the 2019/20 campaign, Moyes has since led his team to successive European campaigns, making shrewd signings and developing a rock-solid collective understanding of the system and individual roles on the pitch.
Despite struggling in the Premier League last season, West Ham triumphed in the Europa Conference League and brought home the first slice of major silverware since 1980, when the club won the FA Cup.
And now, a successful summer transfer window has rekindled the verve in its entirety, with three wins from the opening five matches of the league season setting the club in good stead for a shot at landing a European spot once again.
That's despite the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal in July, with the Irons' club-record sale, as formidable as he is, proving to have been a stunning piece of business after rising through the youth ranks.
When did West Ham sign Declan Rice?
At age 14, Rice was released from Chelsea's prestigious Cobham academy, and after a brief trial period with Fulham, it was West Ham who decided to nurture the precocious youngster's talents in 2013, guiding him through his formative years with a belief that he could one day break into the senior set-up.
And that he did. Rice signed his first professional contract at 16 years old and proclaimed himself a "leader", oozing age-belying confidence in his future at the highest level.
Big words? Maybe. But Rice was bang on the money and always knew that his blend of application and natural talent would serve him well as he ascended the ranks, and after making his competitive debut in May 2018 in an away win in the English top-flight over Burnley, handed by Moyes during the Scotsman's first stint at the outfit, interestingly, he swiftly asserted himself as one of English football's most promising talents.
Football Transfers has documented the player's meteoric rise over the years, with Rice quickly moving from an unknown commodity to a £13m-rated prodigy in 2020, having started all 38 fixtures across the 2019/20 league campaign and even captained the side on multiple occasions, still just a teenager.
How much is Declan Rice worth now?
Hailed a "force of nature" by journalist Rob Blanchette, the understanding of the calibre of midfielder that Moyes had on his hands was crystalising, and as his imperious performances showed no sign of waning, he started to attract attention from some of the juggernauts.
They all wanted a piece. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all held a vested interest in 2021, and while West Ham held on to their man for as long as possible, it was actually Arsenal who convinced the player to make the cross-London move in July 2023, completing a British record £105m transfer, albeit this was trumped less than one month on as Chelsea signed Moises Caicedo for £115m.
This remarkable, lucrative departure for a player who had made 245 appearances and played a central role in an impressive rise to prominence must go down as a tremendous piece of business.
Having been rated at just £13m only three years before, Rice's value flew up by 708% over that period, and while it stings to see him ply his trade elsewhere, the summer acquisitions look to have been made with a clear vision, and West Ham have retained their overall quality as a club capable of competing for Europe domestically and for titles while on the continental stage itself.
Why is Declan Rice worth that much?
Interestingly praised as a “very good finisher” by former West Ham teammate Thomas Soucek, Rice boasts a multi-functional midfield skill set and one that prompted Arsenal to part with such a staggering sum of money for his services.
Indeed, Rice has only played five times in the Premier League for the Gunners but has already bagged his maiden goal at the most crucial of moments, bundling in from close range to give the Emirates Stadium side the lead in the dying embers of a thrilling 3-1 win against Manchester United.
To summarise his all-round skillset, as per FBref, the 45-cap England international ranks among the top 21% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 16% for pass completion, the top 17% for progressive passes, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 6% for interceptions per 90.
The £240k-per-week phenom had also been previously heralded while on West Ham's books for his “monster” – as dubbed by ESPN’s David Cartlidge – presence in the centre, and without his rise to the fore under Moyes' wing, it's more than a little unlikely that the outfit's exploits over recent years would have been quite so emphatic.
It's not long into life without Rice at West Ham, but the early signs hint at great promise for Moyes' outfit; while the Englishman was the fulcrum in the middle, immensely talented and all-encompassing, the moves made on the summer transfer market tantalises further riches for West Ham.
The club return to Europa League competition this week, and despite defeat against Pep Guardiola's City last time out, three wins and a draw from the opening five Premier League matches is as good a start as Irons fans could have hoped for.
Rice will eternally remain a beloved figure in east London, with his qualities integral to the illustrious success of recent years, and while his departure this summer was a poignant moment, the club hit the jackpot in cashing in for a staggering sum and effectively replacing him with a talented clutch of exciting new additions.
Manchester United have already made some high-profile additions in this summer window. As September 1st edges closer, Fabrizio Romano has filled GIVEMESPORT in on the latest regarding their pursuit of Bayern Munich and France defender Benjamin Pavard.
Will the Frenchman arrive in Manchester?
Manchester United didn’t look at their best on Monday Night Football but were still able to get the job done and start the new season with three points. A Wolverhampton Wanderers side in limbo visited Old Trafford and left empty-handed after Raphael Varane headed home the only goal of the game.
Talking of Varane and it was a social media post of his after the game, which Benjamin Pavard commented on, that really added fuel to this fire.
Erik ten Hag has made three major signings thus far and Pavard could well become the fourth. Andre Onana was acquired from Champions League finalists Inter, Rasmus Hojlund also arrived from Serie A and of course Mason Mount made an eyebrow-raising switch over from his boyhood club Chelsea.
Pavard has enjoyed the finer things in Munich, winning four league titles and the 2019/20 Champions League as well as a littering of domestic cups. On top of that, he has played a part in France getting to the last two World Cup finals, one of which saw them beat Croatia whilst the more recent one saw Lionel Messi and Argentina lift the iconic Jules Rimet trophy.
The defender, who has been hailed as "outstanding", seems keen to force his way out of the Bavarian region after four seasons there, having joined from fellow Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
What is Fabrizio Romano's update on Pavard?
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tells GIVEMESPORT all about the future of Benjamin Pavard and where his head is at.
“Currently, Bayern are not keen on this move, but my feeling is that there is a chance for Pavard to join Man Utd because the player wants to go.
“Over the weekend and the last few days, Pavard has spoken to Bayern and told them he won’t extend his contract and wants to join Manchester United to try this opportunity. So, let's see now what happens between the clubs.”
Other developments at Old Trafford…
As previously mentioned, United have added a goalkeeper, a midfielder and a forward. Defence is now the position with the most going on in terms of both incomings and outgoings.
Former captain Harry Maguire may well fit into the latter category come the end of the window although his proposed transfer to West Ham United seems to be dead in the water.
Alex Crook is now reporting that Ten Hag wants to retain the services of the Englishman and that the centre-back is likely to stay and fight for his place alongside the likes of Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof.
Meanwhile, there could be a second new signing in the attacking third to accompany the young Hojlund.
Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix is the man in question following rumours that the relationship between him and manager Diego Simeone is on the ropes. The Portuguese international was on loan with Chelsea last year and despite their clear struggles on the field, he showed moments of brilliance.
Liverpool have completed background checks on Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure, and a reliable journalist has revealed the chances of him moving to Anfield.
Is Cheick Doucoure leaving Crystal Palace?
The Mali international only arrived in the Premier League from Lens last summer and quickly became a regular feature of Roy Hodgson’s side during his debut season, making 34 starts from 38 matches in the top-flight.
Despite still having another four years remaining on his contract, the midfielder firmly established himself as the Eagles’ top-performing defensive player during the previous campaign and has therefore emerged as a summer target for FSG and Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds have reportedly identified the 23-year-old as a potential candidate to replace Fabinho who left the club last month to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, but he’s not the only player to have been considered by the hierarchy at Anfield.
The Merseyside outfit had been heavily linked with moves for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, but with those two having both joined Chelsea, not to mention that a deal for Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch is yet to come to fruition, the boss has been assessing alternatives in the form of the talisman at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace midfielderCheick Doucoure.
Are Liverpool signing Cheick Doucoure?
Taking to X, RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins claimed that Liverpool have gathered information on the conditions of a deal for Doucoure, but says that they are yet to table an opening bid due to the price tag set by Crystal Palace. He wrote:
“Liverpool surveyed Cheick Doucoure. There has been no significant progress in recent days and no concrete offer from the Reds for the 23-year-old Malian midfielder. Crystal Palace values the player at more than 60 million euros (£51m).”
How good is Cheick Doucoure?
According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Doucoure is a defensive midfield “boss” when sitting just in front of the backline, and considering the protection he provides, he could be a fantastic addition should he eventually put pen to paper at Liverpool before September 1st.
The Bamako native ranked in the 94th percentile for interceptions and made a total of 77 tackles over the course of last season which was more than any other of his fellow teammates, via FBRef, highlighting his desire to get stuck into challenges and win back possession for his team.
Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…
The Blackskill client, who has also registered three assists during his time at Palace, even has the ability to operate at centre-back and slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his usual role, so he could provide the boss with some welcome versatility should any unexpected injuries occur in other roles that need covering.
The Reds may feel that £51m for Doucoure is too much to pay considering that he only has one season under his belt at the required level, but the fact that he can play in the heart of the defence and the centre which are the two positions that need addressing the most, he could prove to be a more useful acquisition than first imagined.
Liverpool are considering a late swoop for West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, but only should one outcome occur before September 1st, according to reports.
Where is Jarrod Bowen from?
Bowen was originally born in Leominster, Herefordshire, but completed his big move to the Premier League and indeed the London Stadium from Hull City back in 2020 where he’s since gone on to become an integral member and regular feature of David Moyes’ first team, clocking up 161 appearances to date.
The England international still has another two years remaining on his contract, but having emerged as the Irons’ joint-top goalscorer last season alongside Said Benrahma, he’s caught the eye of FSG and Jurgen Klopp, but not for the first time.
Last summer, TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook revealed that the Reds boss is an “admirer” of the right-winger, whilst transfer insider Dean Jones confirmed that the Merseyside outfit were “keeping an eye” on the 26-year-old’s situation, and despite a deal having failed to come to fruition at the time, they are now considering taking a second bite of the cherry.
West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen.
Are Liverpool signing Jarrod Bowen?
According to Football Transfers, Liverpool have "listed" Bowen as a potential transfer target should Mohamed Salah leave before Friday's deadline.
Klopp reportedly views the attacker as an "ideal replacement" for his veteran, who is being targeted by Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, and it's stated that they are prepared to table a €150m (£128m) package to prise him away.
Anfield chiefs are "adamant" that they don't want to sell their prized asset and have made their stance clear, but it doesn't sound like that's going to stop his potential suitor from trying their luck.
€42m (£36m)
€70m (£60m)
€20m (£17m)
How many goals has Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham?
Since joining the Hammers, Bowen has racked up 74 contributions (42 goals and 32 assists) in 161 appearances, form which has seen him hailed “outstanding” by journalist Josh Bunting, and whilst nobody could ever really replace Salah, Moyes’ star will be one of the closest to him.
Sponsored by Adidas, the attacker also last season recorded a total of 159 crosses and 73 shots over the course of the campaign, with both statistics being the highest throughout his squad, via FBRef, highlighting his desire to create chances and hit the back of the net.
Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…
The Europa Conference League winner, who pockets £60k-per-week, is also a versatile operator with his ability to play in seven different positions over the grass, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, which is yet another attribute that the boss will no doubt have been attracted to.
Furthermore, Bowen shares the same agent, PLG, as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Nathaniel Phillips, so this existing connection that his representative has to the club could give chiefs a small advantage should they decide to pursue a deal in the final days of the window, and it may be one to keep an eye on.