All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool swallowed their pride during the 2024 summer transfer window and held off from any knee-jerk reactions.

After nine high-octane, stop-for-nothing years at the helm, Jurgen Klopp had had enough and was replaced by Arne Slot, who only welcomed Federico Chiesa to the first team, signed for just £12.5m and used sparingly, yet to even start in the Premier League.

Liverpool are ahead of schedule and then some, and if Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes can get it right in the market this summer, the Reds could be set for an entertaining series of years.

The frontline does need more balance, lessening Mohamed Salah’s load. Darwin Nunez certainly isn’t living up to his price tag and offering the expected prolific support.

Darwin Nunez's regression under Arne Slot

Nunez has scored four Premier League goals this season. He has missed four big chances. Good, right?

After all, Erling Haaland has missed as many big chances as he’s put away in 2024/25. The difference is he has 20 goals for struggling Manchester City.

This is a stark difference on Nunez’s own barometer. He missed far more big chances across his opening two seasons in the Premier League – 47 were squandered to be specific, only 19 goals scored – though his overall threat and impact was greater too. What’s changed?

Well, forget about the goalscoring metrics for a moment and take a look at Nunez’s underlying data.

Shots total

4.46

4.70

2.59

Shot-creating actions

2.87

3.47

2.09

Touches

33.61

34.16

28.51

Touches (att pen)

8.18

8.44

5.48

Progressive carries

3.24

2.55

1.89

Ball recoveries

2.34

2.46

3.19

Tackles + interceptions

0.74

1.10

1.89

Is it any surprise FSG and Slot are ready to sell Liverpool’s club-record man and move for, as TEAMtalk report, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak?

Nunez wants to succeed, but is playing like a striker who knows their days are numbered. As the club has shown, they will cash in when they know a talent has reached the end of their road, especially when suitors such as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr have shown a willingness to pay the big bucks, £70m in the winter window.

After all, they did so with another promising star last summer, and it proved to be an excellent piece of business.

Liverpool hit the jackpot selling Jurgen Klopp signing

Liverpool don’t enjoy the same gripping and thick-plot transfer windows of some of their Premier League rivals, but then they leave their most exciting times for the field.

However, FSG aren’t averse to transfer activity, and while incoming activity was almost negligible last year, the Reds did hit the jackpot with one under-the-radar sale.

Indeed, Fabio Carvalho has long been regarded as a top talent on Merseyside but hasn’t exactly hit the ground running at Brentford this year.

Klopp, to whom Carvalho is an “unbelievable” young forward, signed the then-19-year-old from Fulham for a sharp £5m fee in 2022.

Though the silky attacking midfielder enjoyed a fast start to life at Anfield, notably being compared to Philippe Coutinho, he petered out and was scarcely used across the latter half of the 2022/23 campaign.

A mixed bag on the loan front followed, and while the 22-year-old enjoyed a promising pre-season with Slot’s first team over the pond, when Brentford offered £27.5m for his services last August, cashing in was a no-brainer.

Given that equates to about 450% profit for a player who has failed to nail down a starting berth in Thomas Frank’s squad, Liverpool will hardly rue their decision.

He’s played 19 times, starting three games and scoring twice. That, of course, means Nunez is outscoring him this season, and given the flak the Uruguayan has received, it shows Carvalho’s fortunes haven’t been as he would have hoped in west London.

His quality isn’t up for debate. See the attacking midfielder’s wonder goal for Hull City on loan in the Championship last term (he scored nine goals and added two assists across 20 games).

However, the Portugal-born talent still hasn’t been able to bring it all together at the highest level.

That £27.5m figure is starting to look like an absolute steal.

Liverpool struck gold on "superstar" talent who's better than Szoboszlai

This unsung hero has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Mar 2, 2025

Liverpool’s travelling supporters sang in the stands long after the full-time whistle had been blown, Arne Slot’s emphatic Premier League double over Manchester City confirmed.

They sang, bellowed and capered, and who could blame them? Etihad hoodoo had been vanquished, and Arsenal’s shock defeat against West Ham United the day before resulted in an 11-point lead at the peak of the division.

Some would call that unassailable. Liverpool, to be sure, have more challenges to overcome this season, but wow what a team, so cultured and combative and many-angled. From Alisson Becker to Virgil van Dijk to Mohamed Salah, this is a squad moving forward with an urgency, an indomitability.

It’s a star-studded unit, but in fact Liverpool are comprised of many different parts, with Slot’s success in raising the bar for many Redmen one of his greatest triumphs. The Dutchman didn’t welcome much new to Anfield when he arrived but he invested in these players.

It could be quite the grand slam finish to the term, and while the likes of Salah and Van Dijk have earned their flowers, many more have come on leaps and bounds to spring from Jurgen Klopp’s legacy and into something new and very much its own thing.

Liverpool's 'most improved' this season

How could we start anywhere but slap in the centre? Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation in the middle of the park this season, praised as “the best midfielder in the world” by Liverpool writer Joseph Agbobli.

Intelligent, silky-smooth and press-resistant, the Netherlands star has made remarkable improvements are a middling maiden term in England, used in rotation by Klopp and struggling to showcase his full scale.

Matches (starts)

26 (12)

27 (27)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

2

Touches*

28.8

65.7

Pass completion

83%

89%

Key passes*

0.6

0.8

Dribbles*

0.9

0.9

Ball recoveries*

2.8

5.3

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

3.5

Total duels (won)*

2.8 (47%)

4.7 (58%)

He’s not the only one. Cody Gakpo is Liverpool’s second-top scorer this season (no prizes for guessing top spot). Gravenberch’s Oranje partner has matched last season’s tally of 16 strikes having played about 1,000 fewer minutes.

Slot’s genius lies in his simplicity, concentrating Gakpo’s role into that of a goalscoring winger. Liverpool are a world-class unit, capable of shifting into various styles of play, but you can’t exactly call them overwrought.

Players like Dominik Szoboszlai have been identified to possess skill sets capable of different uses, which is why he operated so effectively in a makeshift centre-forward role at the Etihad. The Hungarian is another to have gone from strength to strength this term, having fallen out of favour in the last days of Klopp, benched for five of the final six top-flight fixtures of 2023/24.

Then you have someone like Luis Diaz. The Colombian’s reputation preceded Slot’s arrival, but he ebbed and flowed last year. However, he too has made gains in this new system – with his towering market value reflecting that.

Liverpool have hit the jackpot on Luis Diaz

Last season, Diaz reoriented himself after an injury-marred 2023/24 campaign, but he lacked the potency that his ability demanded.

Electric on the ball and determined off it, the Colombia international, 28, has made his mark in Slot’s system, proving to be a winger of mixed proportions.

Slot is a fierce proponent of hard graft and team play, something that the indefatigable Diaz performs with aplomb.

His finishing has also improved. As per Sofascore, Diaz has scored nine goals in the Premier League this year (a personal best) having missed only seven big chances. To put that in perspective, he scored eight, missed 13 big chances across more game time.

Lucho has been an invaluable option at centre-forward this season with Darwin Nunez regressing and Diogo Jota enduring yet another injury-hit season, not always riding the most prolific of streams but playing an important part nonetheless.

Left winger

24

6

3

Centre-forward

11

6

0

Right winger

1

1

0

And that’s not to say he hasn’t found the goal. Diaz, like Gakpo, has equalled last season’s tally of 13 goals having played far fewer minutes – about 1,300.

And with such variegated underlying metrics, it’s clear to see why he’s held in such a high regard. As per FBref, Diaz ranks among the top 1% of forwards for pass completion and shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 3% for progressive carries per 90, showcasing his expansive tactical tool kit.

Such plaudits are indeed reflected through his current price tag, with Football Transfers placing him above all the other vastly improved members of Liverpool’s first team mentioned above.

Diaz’s performances have seen Football Transfers (FT) give the South American star a current value of £65m, a figure FSG could bank given Barcelona’s ongoing intrigue in Liverpool’s left winger, who is heading into the penultimate year of his £55k-per-week contract at Anfield.

He wouldn’t come cheap, but the proof’s in the pudding: he’s a “deadly” and dynamic forward, as reporter Lewis Steele has pronounced.

To further contextualise this: FT record Gakpo as a £51m-rated player right now, whereas the fast-improving Gravenberch is close by with a £50m value.

So then, 28-year-old Diaz has two years left on his current deal and is one of the most profitable players in FSG’s brood. Perennial transfer links with Barcelona might just come to fruition this summer, but who knows?

Whatever the final act may be in this electric-paced and dangerous forward’s Liverpool career, he will depart with a weight of silverware and perhaps a Premier League title in that mix.

Market Movers

He’d also turn a pretty, and if Liverpool’s transfer history is anything to go by, Slot would welcome a brand-new starlet to the fold with a glittering future, taking his predecessor’s baton.

Liverpool ace who Klopp sold is now outperforming Szoboszlai after leaving

He’s one of the most underrated Liverpool players in recent memory.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 25, 2025

A Celtic player has been persuaded to leave the Scottish Champions and join a new club after a promise from his potential new manager, according to a recent report.

Celtic suffer Champions League heartbreak

The Hoops suffered Champions League disappointment on Tuesday night, as they were denied extra time as Bayern Munich scored in the dying moments of the game to secure their place in the last 16 of the tournament.

Celtic took a shock lead through Nicolas Kuhn to make the game 2-2 on aggregate, but Alphonso Davies was on hand to deliver the sucker punch in the fourth minute of injury time.

Better than Maeda: Celtic have unearthed a £124m-rated star in the making

Celtic have hit the jackpot with the forward who is even better than Daizen Maeda.

2 ByDan Emery Feb 19, 2025

Despite being knocked out of the Champions League, Brendan Rodgers was left proud of his team’s performance, and he wants to make Celtic a seasoned club at this level.

“It’s a mixture of pride, firstly in the performance level. We have to remember this is Bayern Munich, and everyone talked about that before the game,” Rodgers told the media.

“Performance-wise, we were outstanding, played without any fear. Defended so well, with discipline, pressed at the right moments, gave them issues on that side, and able to be compact and tight in the right moment.

“Our European credibility was always going to be important. That’s my main takeaway from this campaign. We learned some valuable lessons along the way, played some amazing football, and taken on a club of this size and magnitude – a club where one of their players is more than our budget.

“It allows us to build. Last year I felt we developed even though we never got the points. Performance-wise, I thought it was good. This season it’s been very good. We’ve made the progress that made me want to come back, and now we have to finish the season off strong. My unswerving plan is to make it a seasoned club at this level, where we can go and really hurt big opponents like Bayern Munich.”

Celtic gem has been persuaded to join a new club

As well as disappointment on the pitch, the Hoops have now suffered more off it, as according to Hammers News, Daniel Cummings’ rumoured move to West Ham is even closer after Graham Potter made the player a promise of first-team minutes.

The Hammers were keen on signing the young striker in January, while Celtic have been keen for Cummings to remain with them, as Rodgers has pleaded with the player to remain patient in his wait for a senior breakthrough.

However, he has become unhappy with the lack of opportunities in the first team, and despite Celtic trying to tie him to a new contract, Cummings looks set to join West Ham, as Potter has promised the player he will be part of the club’s first team squad next season.

The 18-year-old came through the ranks at Celtic Park, scoring 34 goals in their B team. However, that hasn’t done anything for him to get regular opportunities in Celtic’s first team, as he’s only made one appearance. That appearance came in this season’s Champions League, as he was brought off the bench for the final 11 minutes against Aston Villa last month.

Apps

50

Goals

34

Assists

0

The Hoops are well gifted in the attacking area, as shown in the game against Bayern Munich, as they had Adam Idah and Johnny Kenny both on the bench. So, with his contract coming to an end, Celtic can’t be surprised that the player is looking at options elsewhere, as he clearly feels moving on is the best for his career.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be among the many clubs contending to sign in-demand Lille striker Jonathan David on a free transfer, with the player now allegedly making a decision on his next landing spot.

Jonathan David scores for fun in France with contract running down

After June 30th, the Canada international will be free to move on to new pastures at zero cost, with his contract expiring at the end of this season.

"Alarm bells" – Pundit shares Kevin Danso "concern" for Tottenham

The Austrian comes in as much-needed centre-back cover.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Feb 6, 2025

David, who’s scored 20 goals across 34 appearances for Lille in all competitions already this season, has entered the final few months of his career at the Ligue 1 club – which has piqued interest from a host of top European sides.

The 25-year-old Brooklyn-native stands out as, potentially, one of the summer’s biggest bargain transfers. Despite barely reaching the peak of his career, David’s already hit over a century of goals for Lille, 104 to be exact, not to mention 27 assists to go with that truly impressive tally.

Man United (home)

February 16th

Ipswich Town (home)

February 22nd

Man City (home)

February 26th

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

The former Gent sensation’s record in front of goal speaks for itself, and while you could make a case that he hasn’t been tested in a truly elite division like the Premier League just yet, that argument can be somewhat quashed by David’s record in the Champions League.

This term, he’s managed six goals in eight Champions League outings. They’ve come against big-name opposition as well, with David bagging a brace against Atlético Madrid, grabbing Lille’s winner in a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid and even scoring at Anfield – alongside another strike against Juventus.

There is little denying that David can be considered an elite-level marksman at this point, making the prospect of signing him for nothing a very tempting proposition.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for David, as have an array of other top European clubs, with journalist Graeme Bailey now sharing a potentially important update on his future.

Jonathan David makes Tottenham transfer decision after contact

According to Bailey, writing in a piece for The Boot Room, suitors believe that David has already chosen his preferred next club.

Tottenham held talks with the player’s representatives recently, alongside Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham, but it is Barcelona who are leading the race to sign him.

Bailey claims that David has chosen to join Barcelona over Tottenham as his preferred choice, and talks are at an advanced stage. A Barça deal for the centre-forward is said to be close, so if the Lilywhites wish to pull off a hijack, or turn the tide like they did with Mathys Tel, they’re already running out of time.

Given Barca are the team David grew up supporting, by his own admission, so Spurs could be facing an uphill battle to beat Hansi Flick’s side to his signature.

“[Barcelona] was always the team I grew up supporting,” said David in 2024. “When you grow up supporting a team, it’s a dream to play for them.”

Having secured Champions League qualification by the skin of their teeth last season, Newcastle United are under no pressure to sell players this summer.

Of course, Eddie Howe will still have to comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations in order to make sure the club are balancing the books this summer.

The last time Newcastle played in Europe’s premier club competition, they failed to make it out of the group stages.

Howe will be expecting a much better showing this time around, although this means simultaneously keeping his star players while adding in much-needed squad depth.

Alexander Isak has been the subject of links to Liverpool recently, following on from another wonderful campaign on Tyneside.

The Toon are not willing to let their star striker leave, never mind selling to a Premier League rival. As such, they have placed a valuation of around £150m on his head.

Whether this deters potential suitors or not remains to be seen, but the Swedish centre-forward does appear happy at the club.

He isn’t the only player attracting interest of late. Indeed, winger Anthony Gordon is another who enjoyed a productive season in 2024/25.

While Isak appears indispensable to the club’s success next term, could Gordon be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in?

The latest on Anthony Gordon's future at Newcastle

The English starlet has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in the Premier League after a few impressive seasons at Newcastle.

Liverpool showed interest last summer, but nothing materialised. Could Arne Slot return this year and finally secure his signature?

Any move may cost around £75m as both Chelsea and Arsenal have joined the Anfield side in declaring their interest in the former Everton sensation.

Last season, Gordon registered 16 goal contributions – nine goals and seven assists – in all competitions for the Magpies.

While he didn’t play in the League Cup final, the winger scored twice on the club’s road to the trophy, and his efforts in the Premier League sealed a top-five finish for the Toon.

Goals

6

Assists

5

Big chances created

6

Key passes per game

1.5

Successful dribbles per game

1.1

Shots per game

1.7

Via Sofascore

When compared to his positional peers in the top flight last season, Gordon ranked in the top 7% for crosses into the penalty area (0.63) per 90 and in the top 5% for fouls drawn (2.63) per 90, proving how much of a menace he is down the flanks.

It is perhaps no wonder that so many clubs are keen on signing the Englishman, especially as he isn’t even the finished article yet.

Will Howe be prepared to accept an offer worth around £75m for the player? Especially as it could fund a few potential signings this summer?

That much remains to be seen, but if so, the club will need to spend in order to sign an able replacement. That’s for sure.

It appears as though Howe has already targeted a youngster who could potentially fill the void left by Gordon. Should he depart Newcastle, that is.

Newcastle eye move for French sensation

Howe has been working hard on trying to make something happen this summer in terms of incoming signings.

Players such as Jadon Sancho, Marc Guehi, and even Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have all been linked with moves to Newcastle in recent weeks.

All three would be excellent signings, without a shadow of a doubt, but the lack of progress is slightly worrying.

Now, according to ESPN, Newcastle are one of the clubs lining up a deal for Lyon starlet Malick Fofana this summer, although they face some stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea, Everton, Brighton, and Fulham for his signature.

As per the report, Fofana could cost around £45m, which, for a player of his age and lack of experience, is an astronomical amount. His ceiling for development is massive, however, which could entice Howe into making a swoop for the 20-year-old, especially if Gordon goes.

Fofana is a right-footed winger who likes to play on the left, and he would be the perfect replacement for the Englishman.

Why Newcastle must sign Malick Fofana

The youngster has already made his senior debut for Belgium after what was a breakthrough season with Lyon in 2024/25.

Indeed, across 41 games in all competitions for the French side, he scored 11 goals and grabbed a further six assists, showcasing his ‘explosive’ skillset, as it was labelled by Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines.

It was in the Europa League where the talented winger really demonstrated his talents. Not only did he record an impressive eight goal contributions in the competition, but he shone in a range of metrics.

When compared to his positional peers, he ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05) per 90, while also ranking in the top 1% for touches in the opposition penalty area (8.23) and for progressive carries (7.88) per 90 in the tournament.

This certainly proves that he loves taking on defenders regularly, while taking the ball into dangerous zones during matches.

His eye for goal could also be advantageous for Howe, who would look for a goalscoring winger to replace Gordon. Fofana is only going to get better, too, that’s for sure.

Fofana was hailed by U23 scout Antonio Mango for his “game-changing potential” late last year and certainly showcased his talents for Lyon throughout 2024/25.

He even starred in Ligue 1 for the French side. The youngster created six big chances and succeeded with 0.8 dribbles per game.

There is no doubt that he is ready to take the next step. After shining in the Europa League, could the Champions League be the platform for him to continue his development?

Howe must think so, and while a fee of £45m is big, especially given his lack of experience on the biggest stage, he must think of the long-term future.

Fofana could be a player who eventually brings the club a major profit a few years down the line, which will go a long way in his thinking, given his impressive form for Lyon, which suggests that he could be a brilliant replacement for Gordon.

Newcastle readying bid and fighting to land centre-back wanted by Real Madrid

The Magpies are well in the fight to land their man…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 21, 2025

Newcastle United have now enquired about signing a Champions League winner, as they battle two other clubs for his signature this summer.

Newcastle eyeing move for World Cup finalist

The Magpies are being linked with possible new signings on a daily basis, with Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani the latest attacker to be mentioned as an option, and discussions already underway.

Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park doesn’t feel completely secure currently, amid rumoured interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, but even if the Swede stays, more competition is needed. Muani could be ideal in that respect, having scored nine goals in 31 caps for France, also appearing in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.

Manchester City ace Jack Grealish has also been backed to join Newcastle this summer, with former scout Mick Brown talking up a move to St James’ Park.

“Newcastle are still keeping a close eye on Jack Grealish. There’s been a lot of talk about Everton, but I think they’re still very much in the mix. Of course, they’re not the only club interested because everybody knows about Jack’s qualities and what he can bring to the side when he’s at his best.”

Newcastle enquire about signing Grealish

Now, according to an interesting development from Give Me Sport, Newcastle have “enquired” about Grealish, having been linked with him in recent days, as mentioned.

While Everton and Napoli are also mentioned as potential suitors for the winger, he “wants to see if there are any other takers for his talent”, as he looks to make sure he is part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the 2026 World Cup. He also wants to play Champions League football next season, something PIF can offer, after winning the competition with Man City in 2023.

This summer feels like the right time for the £300,000-a-week Grealish to depart City and enjoy a new challenge, with his performances there going flat and playing time coming at far more of a premium in recent times.

The 29-year-old wasn’t even included in Pep Guardiola’s squad for the current Club World Cup, so the writing appears to be on the wall for him.

He's an Isak clone: Newcastle start discussions to sign £50m "superstar"

Newcastle have enquired about signing their next Alexander Isak.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 23, 2025

Opinion may be split on whether Grealish would be the right choice for Newcastle, with some perhaps feeling that his best days are behind him, but it is also easy to see him flourishing in fresh surroundings.

David Moyes once called him the “best player in the Premier League”, such was the level of his performances, and Guardiola lauded him during pre-season last summer.

“What I’ve seen so far here, one week in the pre-season on tour, I loved it. I don’t care how he performs, it’s every session his commitment and his trying, against Barcelona he made five or six shots, he was aggressive with the ball, that’s all, after that his quality will do the rest.”

Champions League

2022/23

Premier League

2023/24

Premier League

2022/23

Premier League

2021/22

FA Cup

2022/23

Club World Cup

2023/24

UEFA Super Cup

2023/24

A tally of just 17 goals in 157 appearances for City doesn’t reflect too well on Grealish, but if Newcastle could have the swaggering Aston Villa version of him, forever taking risks on the ball and lighting up games, he could be an extremely popular figure at the club.

IShowSpeed is one of the biggest online superstars, boasting over 40 million YouTube subscribers, while also having more than 36 million Instagram followers.

Speed’s real name is Darren Watkins Jr, and he was born Cincinnati, Ohio in January 2005. Best known for his energetic content, visiting numerous countries and athletic challenges, Speed has admitted that he wants to represent the United States of America at the 2028 Olympic Games.

He showcased his pace and shocked many after challenging Noah Lyles to a race towards the end of 2024, and Speed has admitted previously he has run a 100m time of 10.5 seconds.

But how does that rank against some of the best footballers in the world such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and his idol Cristiano Ronaldo?

Well, AI tool ChatGPT has estimated the 100m times of some of the quickest players past and present, and it looks as if the internet star has the beating of many.

Alphonso Davies

10.3 seconds

Gareth Bale (prime)

10.3 seconds

Adama Traore (prime)

10.4 seconds

IShowSpeed

10.5 seconds

Cristiano Ronaldo (prime)

10.6 seconds

Kylian Mbappe

10.6 seconds

Erling Haaland

10.8 seconds

Theo Hernandez

10.8 seconds

Theo Hernandez 10.8 seconds

Noted for his ‘excellent recovery speed’ by ChatGPT, Theo Hernandez is regarded as one of the quickest defenders around and is a must use for any player on EA FC 25.

The Frenchman once reportedly hit 35.7km per hour in the Champions League, but over 100m has been predicted to finish in 10.8 seconds, meaning Speed is quicker.

Erling Haaland 10.8 seconds

A machine and clinical finisher, Erling Haaland doesn’t seem real at times, using his pace and power to bully some of the best defenders around.

The Manchester City superstar wouldn’t have the better of Speed in a 100m race, though, according to Chat GPT, who say despite Haaland being excellent over 60m, he would record a 100m time of 10.8 seconds.

Kylian Mbappe 10.6 seconds

Regarded as one of the fastest forwards on the planet today, Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe wouldn’t be quick enough to beat Speed.

The Frenchman has been backed to clock a time of 10.6 seconds over 100m, so it would be close between Mbappe and Speed with the latter running out as the winner.

Cristiano Ronaldo (prime) 10.6 seconds

A race that millions across the world would like to see is Speed vs Cristiano Ronaldo.

ChatGPT states that Ronaldo clocked 96m in 10 seconds during his time at Real Madrid, but even in his prime, Speed could beat his idol by a tenth in a 100m dash.

Adama Traore (prime) 10.4 seconds

When you think of Adama Traore, you immediately think of speed and power. Traore wouldn’t look out of place in a professional 100m race, and he would pip Speed across that distance according to AI.

The former Barcelona youngster has been predicted to record a time of 10.4 seconds, just pipping the internet star.

Gareth Bale (prime) 10.3 seconds

Citing his famous sprint against Barcelona in 2014 Copa del Rey final, Speed wouldn’t have the better of a prime Gareth Bale, according to ChatGPT.

The Welshman was known for his pace during his time at Tottenham and Real Madrid, and reaching a top speed of 36.9km per hour, would finish a 100m race in 10.3 seconds.

Alphonso Davies 10.3 seconds

A player with ‘explosive acceleration’ who is ‘built like a sprinter’, Alphonso Davies would also have the better of Speed, ChatGPT says.

The Canada international actually watched the Champions League final with Speed and a real race between the pair looks set to be on the cards once the Bayern Munich star is back from injury.

With Jaka Bijol officially signed and delivered, Leeds United have now reportedly turned their focus towards a second defensive addition in the form of a £38m La Liga ace.

Jaka Bijol completes Leeds move

It took some time but Bijol is finally a Leeds player. The defender has arrived from Udinese for a reported £15m and becomes the Whites’ second signing of the summer after Lukas Nmecha.

After putting pen to paper to make his move official, Bijol told Leeds’ official media channels: “This is a big day for me, for my family and I’m happy to be here. Maybe the biggest one of my career so far, but I’m ready for it.

“I work for it and that’s why I’m here, because it’s a big challenge for everyone. It’s a big challenge for me, for the club, and we’re getting ready for it together. I think the club and myself are ready for the Premier League.

“I can promise that I will give everything, that I will give everything in every training as well to be ready for the first game of the season and then just go from there.”

Bijol may be the second arrival of Leeds’ summer but he looks unlikely to be the last. The 49ers look set to back the Yorkshire club as they prepare for their return to the Premier League, with names such as Oscar Gloukh now threatening the steal the headlines. The talented attacker would instantly be one to watch in England’s top flight, there’s no doubting that.

The Red Bull Salzburg man isn’t the only one on Leeds’ radar, however. Reports are now even suggesting that they’ve turned their attention towards another defensive addition after already welcoming a central defender in the form of Bijol.

Leeds make formal approach to sign Natan

According to Estadio Deportivo, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds have now made a formal approach to sign Natan de Souza from Real Betis. The central defender has just made his loan move permanent in Spain but could already be on the move again amid interest from those at Elland Road and Lazio.

49ers readying record Leeds bid to sign "strong" top target for Farke

Leeds have not given up on signing their top striker target this summer.

ByBrett Worthington Jun 24, 2025

Reports have claimed that Betis have already rejected a proposal worth as much as €27m (£23m) from an unnamed club to sell their defender and instead value Natan at a hefty €45m (£38m) this summer. Whether Leeds are willing to reach that figure will be the big question as their pursuit continues.

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Keeping up with Bijol in a number of areas, albeit whilst failing to outperform the new Leeds star, Natan could yet form an impressive partnership with the former Udinese man at Elland Road.

The 24-year-old won’t come cheap but if Leeds are to stay afloat at the first time of asking back in the Premier League then the 49ers must be prepared to spend big.