Southampton are now just three weeks away from beginning their first season in the Championship since 2011-12, yet there are still question marks over a number of first-team players, including both Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento.

What players are Southampton selling?

With a host of Premier League clubs, it is tough to see how either Lavia or Livramento will still be at St Mary's come the end of the transfer window on September 1.

Perhaps a more pressing matter is that of the future of captain James Ward-Prowse, who continues to be linked with Premier League pair Fulham and West Ham United.

While players of Lavia and Livramento's quality come and go – a stark reality for a team outside of the elite – replacing Ward-Prowse could be even tougher.

That is down not only to the unique set-piece ability he brings to the side, but also his leadership qualities. After spending more than a decade as a regular, the past three of those years as captain, Ward-Prowse would leave a huge void to be filled.

However, it was recently suggested by talkSPORT that former Saints defender Jose Fonte could return to the club this summer, and that now looks an even stronger possibility after Lille president Olivier Letang confirmed the Portuguese is set to leave the Ligue 1 side.

Is Jose Fonte a good option for Southampton?

Fonte made close to 300 appearances for Southampton across a seven-year spell at St Mary's that came to an end in January 2017 when moving to West Ham.

The 50-cap Portugal international spent two-and-a-half years as captain of the Saints, meaning he is a natural ready-made replacement for Ward-Prowse in that regard should he return.

Indeed, he continued to prove a real figurehead when moving to West Ham, with goalkeeper Darren Randolph hailing him as a "leader". "He is loud and vocal and organises well," Randolph added.

Southampton have plenty of quality in their ranks for new manager Russell Martin to call upon, but they do not possess many capable of stepping up and leading in the way of Fonte, who Capology claims is on wages of £28,000 a week at Lille.

Being able to bark out instructions is one thing; having the quality to perform in the Championship at the age of 39 is another. However, Fonte started 30 games for Lille in Ligue 1 last season, suggesting he is more than capable of playing regularly despite his advancing years.

In fact, Fonte ranked in the top 12% of all centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues for passes attempted last season (68.72 per 90), as per FBref, and in the top 11% in terms of pass completion (90%).

That ability to pass the ball out from the back is a huge plus given that is exactly what Martin was after during his time as Swansea City head coach.

In terms of the more defensive metrics, Fonte won two aerial duels per game in Ligue 1 last season, as per WhoScored, which compares to 2.1 for Saints centre-back regular Jan Bednarek in the Premier League.

Fonte's team-high 3.5 clearances per game, meanwhile, was bettered by only three Southampton players who started 10 league matches or more.

While he may not be the colossus he was six years ago, Fonte showed last season he is still capable of doing a job at a high level. That, combined with his leadership qualities, make his arrival on a free transfer a no-brainer.

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Bayer Leverkusen gem Moussa Diaby, as Unai Emery and Monchi get to work this transfer window.

The Spanish duo is due to have a busy summer as they bid to get the squad up to par to compete in the Premier League and Europe next season.

Monchi could provide his second masterclass in signing Diaby, with Pau Torres set to become the first big signing of his reign.

Could Aston Villa sign Moussa Diaby?

As reported by the Daily Mail earlier this week, Villa were named as one of the clubs interested in the Bayer Leverkusen winger.

The report claimed that the Villans had joined the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle in the race for the 24-year-old.

Contracted to the German club until 2025, Leverkusen would expect an offer in the region of £50m for the Frenchman.

Where could Moussa Diaby play at Aston Villa?

Making a name for himself in Paris Saint Germain’s academy, the Paris-born gem has sparkled in Germany, cementing himself as a favourite in Leverkusen.

In 172 total appearances for the Bundesliga side, the 24-year-old has contributed to 97 goals, scoring 49 and assisting 48 from the wing, seeing him described as “electrifying” by journalist Aaron Stokes.

With the ability to play on either side of the pitch, Diaby has proved to be a constant threat from the flanks, as highlighted by his 24 goal contributions in all competitions last season.

While many know of the wide players’ talents, not many are aware of his expertise on the level of former teammate Leon Bailey, who caused havoc playing alongside the Frenchman at Leverkusen.

The once frightening duo could be an incentive for Emery to hire Diaby, with the possibility that he could uncover the Jamaican’s form prior to his move to the Premier League along with the potential addition.

Across 119 Bundesliga appearances, Bailey contributed to 49 goals, scoring 28 and assisting 21 to highlight the threat he can pose on the flanks.

His skills have not yet been transferred to Villa Park, with him scoring just five Premier League goals in 51 appearances so far for the Villans.

Hailed as having “deadly wings” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Leverkusen were once spoiled by the riches of Bailey and Diaby, who as highlighted by the scout contributed collectively to 51 goals in 2020/21.

Emery could reignite where the duo left off, bringing a once-threatening combination back to life in the Midlands in the bid to improve the form of their winger as well as the overall form of the club.

Averaging 1.70 successful take-ons and 4.17 progressive carries per 90 in the Bundesliga last season, Diaby could be the perfect outlet on the flank to liven up the play in the wide areas at Villa Park.

The French "demon" – as lauded by The Athletic's Alex Barker – is also a strong figure in his playmaking efforts, averaging 1.93 key passes per 90, being a prominent presence in the final third for those around him.

Monchi could deliver Emery a masterclass in giving the Spaniard a chance at re-coupling the two wingers, in the hope to re-spark the chemistry once loved in Germany.

Liverpool are reportedly willing to meet Khephren Thuram’s €30m (£25.6m) asking price this summer.

What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?

The Reds and Jurgen Klopp have been busy so far this summer in the transfer market as they look to improve on what was a disappointing 2022/23 campaign where they missed out on Champions League qualification.

Owners FSG have already splashed the cash by spending €112m (£95.7m) on two new marquee midfielders. Alexis Mac Allister was the first to make the move to Anfield from Brighton & Hove Albion, and the Argentine has since been joined by Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.

Fabrizio Romano did hint that three new midfielders were on the radar for the Reds this summer, which may leave one more addition on the cards.

Reports have suggested that Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia could be on the way to Merseyside, with those at Anfield believing the player wants the move despite interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea. The Saints want £50m, whereas Liverpool are willing to offer £40m, however, Thuram, another player to be linked with the Reds, would command a lower fee.

Paisley Gates relayed an update from Spain regarding Thuram in the last 48 hours, claiming OGC Nice want to receive €30m (£25.6m) for the Frenchman.

The report states Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool are all interested, however, the La Liga winners cannot meet the asking price, whereas the Reds and Bayern Munich are willing to pay that figure.

Who is Khephren Thuram?

Thuram is primarily a central midfielder who can play in a holding role or on the left of midfield and appears to be going from strength to strength with a career-high €40m Transfermarkt valuation.

The 22-year-old, a France U21 international, has made 138 appearances for the Ligue 1 side and was the club’s sixth best performer last season, as per WhoScored. Thuram’s average match rating was actually better than any other Liverpool midfielder, so he could be a wise addition in both the short and long run.

Journalist Zach Lowy certainly feels a move could be a smart one, recently describing him as the perfect signing for Klopp’s team due to his elite ball-carrying and high press.

“Khephren Thuram is just the sort of player that Liverpool need to transform their midfield. Elite ball carrier for someone of his size and really effective at winning the ball high up the pitch — perfect signing for Klopp’s side.”

Lowy’s comments are backed up by FBref, who rank Thuram in the top 1% of midfielders for successful take-ons that lead to a shot and top 4% for progressive carrying distance.

At just £25.6m, under his current Transfermarkt valuation, Liverpool may feel that a deal could be a bargain in the long run, and by the looks of things, the Reds are willing to meet that asking price. As a result, a move could be one to keep an eye on, which could mean Liverpool lining up with Thuram, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in a completely new midfield three at some point next season.

GOAL looks back at a wild campaign that was headlined by Inter Miami's mega move for the World Cup winner

We've finally reached the final match of the MLS season: LAFC at the Columbus Crew in a huge MLS Cup battle to determine a league champion. The winner will reign supreme after perhaps the most important year in league history, one in which all of U.S. soccer was turned on its head by one big signing.

Yes, this has to start with Lionel Messi, the player who singlehandedly changed the trajectory of the league. By the time the MLS Cup kicks off, it'll have been over a month since we've seen him in Inter Miami pink but, even so, he looms over everything that goes on in the league these days.

Both the Crew and LAFC can count themselves among the big winners this season, having battled their way all the way to the final. For LAFC, Saturday is a chance to go back-to-back. For the Crew, it's an opportunity to claim another title under a different coach, showing that the brand in Ohio is as strong as ever just a few short years after the club was so close to being taken away.

Aside from those two, though, who are the league's biggest winners and losers? GOAL looks back at the season that was in MLS ahead of this weekend's big game…

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Inter Miami

  In 2023, there may not have been a bigger winner in global soccer than Inter Miami.

  Lionel Messi, to many the greatest soccer player to ever live, arrived in South Florida. It's still a sentence and an idea that remains hard to fathom. After so many years terrorizing the rest of the world, Messi decided his next step was to come to MLS and, more specifically, David Beckham's project on South Beach.

  That decision paid immediate dividends on the field. The club went on to lift the Leagues Cup while embarking on a run more exciting than any this league has ever seen. That stretch alone justified the hype that came with Messi's arrival and, even if they did fall just short of a spot in the MLS Playoffs, that hype will carry into 2024.

  Messi has arrived and isn't going anywhere for the foreseeable future. Now, Inter Miami is positioned to build itself into a superpower unlike any American soccer has ever seen. As for the rest of us, we'll just have to see what comes next.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  LOSER: Phil Neville

  He has another big job now, so don't feel too bad for Neville. He'll be getting the chance to prove his doubters wrong by leading the Portland Timbers into 2024.

  Still, for a while there, he must have been looking at what was going on in Miami with some degree of envy. Neville must have realized how close he was to hitting the jackpot.

  Dismissed just weeks before Messi's arrival, Neville paid the price for the slow start that ultimately cost Miami a playoff spot. At the time, Miami were the worst team in MLS, and that descent happened under Neville's watch.

  Still, one has to wonder what Neville could have done if it were he, not Tata Martino, in charge of a Messi-led Miami. Comparing the group he had to the side Martino inherited is really apples and oranges, simply because the former didn't have Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

  It's safe to say Neville's time in Miami didn't go as planned, as, hampered by league punishments and roster restrictions, the Herons never really took off. Now, Neville will get a chance to prove himself in Portland, and it may just be his last chance at a high-profile job if things go south like they did on South Beach.

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: FC Cincinnati

  It ended prematurely, but you have to give FC Cincinnati credit for what that club has built.

  From the Wooden Spoon to the Supporters' Shield, FC Cincinnati has legitimately gone from worst to first, all while turning their home stadium into a fantastic venue for soccer. That support was always there but, this year, those seated in the Bailey really had a team worth cheering, one that was as entertaining as any in the league.

  Led by MVP winner Luciano Acosta and USMNT hopeful Brandon Vazquez, FC Cincinnati had one of the best attacks in the league, even after selling star striker Brenner for a hefty transfer fee. Defensively, MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga was fantastic, when he wasn't stirring up trouble in the postseason.

  If the club can keep this group together, and that's a big if, Pat Noonan seems like he can build something great. There's a foundation there, one that won't let it sink back to the depths of yesteryear. Keeping Vazquez will be difficult, but Cincy is an ambitious club that can find a way to replace him.

  Overall, it was a fantastic run, even if it ended painfully in a defeat to Crew. Cincy is on the right path, and the odds are that they'll be back competing next year.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  LOSER: Wayne Rooney & D.C. United

  When Wayne Rooney made his return to D.C. United, it felt like the club was ready to get back to its heyday. No, not the heyday of Rooney's time with the club as a player… the real heyday. For years, D.C. were a force and, with Rooney at the helm, it felt like all involved had the ambition to make that real once again.

  Now, at the end of the season, we know that didn't happen. There was no return to glory, and now there's no Rooney. He's gone, leaving D.C. at yet another crossroads.

  The team did get better this season, improving on a dismal 2022. Still, an incident of alleged racism involving their best player, Taxi Fountas, robbed Rooney of his biggest weapon, and it all went downhill from there.

  Rooney's best effort wasn't enough to make the playoffs, and it wasn't enough to convince all involved to keep the partnership going. He jolted back to England to take charge of Birmingham City while D.C. prepares for the latest rebuild.

Birmingham went top of North Group as Aaron Thomason held his nerve in the final over at Wantage Road

ECB Reporters Network01-Aug-2017Aaron Thomason held his nerve to defend 13 from the final over as Birmingham beat Northamptonshire by just two runs at Wantage Road to go top of the North Group of the NatWest T20 Blast.20-year-old Thomason, playing just his 13th T20 match, was trusted with the final two overs of the game from the Wilson End when 27 were needed from 18 balls. He conceded only 7 and then Jeetan Patel presented the youngster with 13 to defend from the final six. Alex Wakely struck the second ball of the over for six down the ground but despite reducing the equation to 4 from 2 balls, Thomason held the game for the Bears.Aaron Thomason completes a last-ball run-out•Getty ImagesIan Bell, Warwickshire’s captain, said: “It was a great win to get over the line when we didn’t play our best, to come to Northampton is tough. Aaron didn’t shy away he wanted that last over so I’m really happy. He’s someone who works hard at his slower balls and yorkers and listens to the guys who have played around the world.”It was a chase that Northamptonshire were always well in touch with – and Wakely’s 52 from 34 balls appeared to be steering them home – but they could never kill the game and missed the chance to move to the top of the group themselves.Adam Rossington and Richard Levi took 78 from their previous Powerplay and here again got their side off to a flier with 51 from the first four overs. Rossington struck boundaries from the first three balls of the second over, two of them slapped wide of midwicket.Levi then flicked Colin de Grandhomme over square leg for the innings’ first six and drove four more past cover point. But having smashed Thomason for a huge six into a mobile bar over midwicket, the bowler exacted his revenge with a decent yorker.Patel then picked up Rossington, caught at deep midwicket for 43 from 30 balls, and Ben Duckett for 9 in successive balls to get Birmingham back into the innings. The wicket of Duckett was a beauty from round the wicket that turned and took the top of off stump.Richard Levi is at full stretch for Northants•Getty ImagesThe wicket of Duckett gave way to four cheap overs that left 64 needed from 42 balls only for Wakely to flick two fours off Boyd Rankin and cut another to ease the tension and when he skipped down the pitch to flick the first ball of Patel’s third over over midwicket for another boundaries, the hosts were back in charge of the chase.But de Grandhomme found a yorker to remove Rob Keogh for a run-a-ball 18 and Steven Crook holed out to mid-off second ball to leave 27 needed from 18 balls. Thomason and Patel then finished the game off.Birmingham’s 172 for 9 was a stop-start effort where they lost wickets regularly and four set batsman fell when set to cause greater damage.Having been sent in, they made 40 for 1 in a Powerplay that featured some seam movement on a fresh wicket and following afternoon rain. Ed Pollock played a remarkable flick over deep square for the night’s first six but, hurried by a Rory Kleinveldt back-of-a-length ball, was caught behind off a big top edge. Sam Hain slog swept Richard Gleeson for six over long leg and both he and Ian Bell, got inside edges for four to fine leg.Bell was notably scratchy, beaten outside off several times, and fell for 16 from 18 balls trying to reverse-sweep Keogh’s second ball and losing his off stump.Adam Hose, after 76 on his county debut on Sunday, shimmed down the wicket to slap Nathan Buck for four and then struck a might six that found the roof of the Lynn Wilson centre off Keogh. But when he clipped a low full-toss from Keogh to midwicket and Sam Hain was run out after a calamitous mix up with de Grandhomme, Birmingham had lose both set men and were 82 for 4 after 11 overs.De Grandhomme atoned for his part in the mix up by striking three fours and a six from the 14th over bowled by Sanderson that conceded 21 and an over later, Birmingham were well placed at 128 for 4 after 15 overs. But again, Northants picked up a useful wicket with de Grandhomme, after going dangerously to 37 from just 15 balls, picked out deep square. Patel struck a six in the final over to nudge his side to a score that proved enough.

Mominul Haque has been recalled to the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against Australia in place of Mosaddek Hossain, who is suffering from an eye infection

Mohammad Isam20-Aug-2017

Twenty-four hours after he was dropped for the first time in his Test career, Mominul Haque has been reinstated in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against Australia, which starts from August 27. Mominul will replace Mosaddek Hossain, who is suffering from an eye infection, and the turnaround came after a meeting between the BCB president, Nazmul Hassan, and the selection committee.Mosaddek will need at least 15 days of rest for his condition to improve, according to an eye specialist. His infection was known to the selectors after he missed Bangladesh’s training camp in Chittagong earlier this month. During Saturday’s press conference, coach Chandika Hathurusingha had said that Nasir Hossain had been picked in the 14-man squad as Mosaddek’s back-up.However, following a stormy press conference after the team’s announcement on Saturday and subsequent criticism by the media, the BCB president called the selection committee, which also includes Hathurusingha, for an impromptu meeting. Hassan later said that such discussions with selectors and players often occur before a tour or home series, and this time took place after the squad was announced. Hassan said he would have insisted on Mominul’s inclusion in the squad if he had met with the selectors before Saturday’s announcement.”I don’t know if he would be in the XI but there was an opportunity to keep him in the squad,” Hassan said. “What would happen if they made it a 15-man squad instead of a 14-man squad? There’s no need to create controversy. Anybody would feel bad seeing Mominul out of the squad.”We have decided that Mominul is coming in as Saikat has an eye infection. So we don’t want to take a risk with him. See, it wouldn’t have come to that if we didn’t have a gap [in communication].”Squad for the first Test: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Mominul Haque, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nasir Hossain, Shafiul Islam.

Ross Whiteley stole the show with six sixes in an over after David Willey’s thunderous hundred had taken Yorkshire to their second record Blast score in the week

ECB Reporters Network23-Jul-2017
Ross Whiteley struck six sixes in an over•Getty Images

Worcestershire’s Ross Whiteley hit six sixes in an over after David Willey had blasted a stunning career best 118 as Yorkshire won a high-scoring NatWest T20 Blast clash at Headingley.Willey sent records tumbling with a 55-ball assault as the Vikings, invited to bat, posted a county-best 233 for 6 from their 20 overs. Fellow left-hander Whiteley then hit novice left-arm spinner Karl Carver over the ropes six times in the 16th over, which included a wide.That took the score to 173 for 4, but he fell for 65 off 26 balls as the Rapids finished on 196 for 7, a 37-run defeat.Sheffield-born Whiteley becomes the sixth man to hit achieve the feat in world cricket, including Lancashire’s Jordan Clark, who did it in a second-team game against Yorkshire in 2013.Whiteley said: “It was the right time in the game for me to go for it. It was all or nothing. Unfortunately for the bowler it was a short boundary on the leg-side.”I had the mentality that I was going to go for it before I got in. I hit the first out of the screws and needed to keep going for the team, not for that achievement. It’s something I never really thought I’d do in professional cricket.”Personal milestone are great, but it’s hard to get away from the defeat. It’s pretty tough to take. We’ve lost four out of five and are right down at the bottom. Obviously we have to bounce back. There’s no reason why we can’t.”Yorkshire’s coach Andrew Gale had only sympathy for Carver, even criticising his captain – and brother-in-law – Tim Bresnan for bringing him on to bowl.”I blame poor captaincy for that,” he said. “He shouldn’t have bowled him at that part of the game. I felt for Karl, he’s got a good record in T20 cricket and he’ll bounce back. Ross nearly did it a few years back against us. It was good striking.”England limited-overs all-rounder Willey hit nine fours and eight sixes, helping to take 34 off John Hastings in the 17th over as he reached his second ton off 49 balls.It was Yorkshire’s record individual score and the highest in the Blast this season. It was also the highest by any team this season and their record score, beating 227 for 5 against Notts earlier this month.Yorkshire flew out of the blocks and rarely broke stride in an innings which was only briefly interrupted by rain.Alex Lees, in for ineligible former Worcester man Tom Kohler-Cadmore, hit an early straight six off Hastings onto the Football Stand roof before being bowled two balls later.Willey and Adam Lyth, whose 31 off 23 balls was Yorkshire’s next best score, then shared 81 in 6.2 overs for the second wicket before Willey and Jack Leaning later added 67 for the fifth wicket in 4.4 to advance from 148 for 4.Willey, fresh off 70 in Friday’s win over Birmingham here, fell in the 19th over when he was bowled trying to paddle Ed Barnard to third-man.The Rapids kept pace with Yorkshire in a rain-affected chase and were even ahead of Duckworth Lewis Stern for much of the Powerplay as Australian all-rounder John Hastings was promoted to open, but they lost Ben Cox to Azeem Rafiq with the last ball of the sixth over to put them behind again at 60 for 2 and eventually slipped to their fourth defeat in five North Group matches.Hastings hit Yorkshire captain Bresnan for two sixes and a four in the first over before falling in the third, caught at deep mid-wicket for 24.Clarke continued the blitz but lost Ben Cox caught at cover off an Azeem Rafiq full toss shortly before a half-hour rain break.They reached 102 for 2 after 10 overs before excellent Adil Rashid struck twice, including Clarke. Then came Whiteley, too late to affect the result, but entering the records in style all the same.

When last these teams met, Rangana Herath practically gobbled the opposition up, and took nearly half the Zimbabwe wickets on offer in the series. Herath had not previously played Zimbabwe, and as such, it was the only team against whom he did not have a five-wicket haul. He claimed only six wickets in the first Test, but was irresistible in the next, taking five wickets in the first innings and eight in the second. All up, his 19 wickets came at 15.10 apiece.This time around, Zimbabwe have at least seen a little of Herath, and understand the threat he poses and captain Graeme Cremer is confident Zimbabwe’s homework will stand his batsmen in good stead.”We know he is a quality bowler, he is someone that Sri Lanka really rely on to pick up wickets,” Cremer said of Herath. “We’ve just spoken about how he tries to get people out – both left-handers and right-handers. Guys have all come up with their own individual plans on how to play him. We definitely know he is a threat and he will be someone we need to keep out if we are to do well in the Test.”Their own attack, meanwhile, is likely to comprise of a similar array of spinners as were in evidence during the ODI series. Cremer himself is a specialist legbreak bowler, and had some success in the Tests against Sri Lanka last year. In support are several allrounders: Sean Williams (left-arm spin), Malcolm Waller and Sikandar Raza (both offspin).”We rely on a lot on our spinners, which has always been our wicket-taking option,” Cremer said. “We’ve had injuries with the seam attack – Carl Mumba is struggling with his knee, which is a setback for us. But we’ve still got guys who can step up and do the job, because we are spin-heavy in our team. It depends on the conditions how many spinners we will play.”Cremer also drew attention to the substantial challenges posed by Zimbabwe’s infrequent Test schedule. The team has only played four Tests since November 2014, and none since they met Sri Lanka in October and November 2016. The vast majority of their squad have played fewer than 20 Tests, with Cremer himself only having 15 matches under his belt. The rushed schedule on this tour was also a mild bone of contention – Zimbabwe would ideally have liked more time to become acclimatised to Sri Lankan conditions.”We sometimes struggle when we go three, four, five months without a series, which can be tough. It’s not easy just to walk up there and play well against top teams. If we can get a lot more games against good opposition it will help our cricket.”We also knew it was tough to get a practice fixture, because Sri Lanka had a tough schedule. We’ll sort of take any cricket that is given. If Sri Lanka said we can’t play a three-dayer or four-dayer because of the schedule, that is something that we cannot control. We aren’t too fussy. At least the guys have been out in the middle in the ODIs. We are still confident we can still push them.”

Taylor Swift could cause Lyon a major headache at the end of the season if they cannot turn around their horrendous Ligue 1 campaign.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Lyon have just won once in 13 gamesRooted at the bottom of the Ligue 1 tableMay have to away from home due to SwiftWHAT HAPPENED?

Lyon are currently struggling at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table with only one win in their first 13 league matches this season. The seven-time champions have found no rhythm whatsoever and it is no surprise that they are in search of their third manager after firing Laurent Blanc in September and World Cup winner Fabio Grosso in late November. They face potential relegation this season but would get a chance to stay up if they climb at least to the 16th spot in the league table as it would take them through to the play-offs.

However, that should not be a Herculean task for the team having the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Dejan Lovren in their ranks as they find themselves just five points short of Lorient, who are 16th now. But pop sensation Swift could certainly make it difficult for them.

AdvertisementGetty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE

Swift is set to perform at two sold-out concerts scheduled at Groupama Stadium on June 2 and June 3. And the dates coincide with the second leg of the Ligue 1 relegation/promotion play-off which sees the 16th-placed team lock horns with the winner of the Ligue 2 promotion play-offs. The return leg is always played at the home of the Ligue 1 side and hence Lyon find themselves in a spot of bother.

DID YOU KNOW?

The decision to host concerts was aimed at boosting the club's revenue, with the club management not anticipating being in a relegation battle. But the gamble could prove costly, as relegation would mark a significant downturn for a team that reached the Champions League semi-finals just three years ago beating Manchester City on the way.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LYON?

If Lyon indeed end up finishing 16th, the club may need to find an alternative venue for their home fixture in the relegation play-off as the dates for Swift's concerts are already locked. But should they move to a new stadium it would potentially cost them their home advantage at a crucial juncture in their fight to stay in Ligue 1. Nonetheless, Lacazzette and Co will hope to revive their fortunes as quickly as possible and climb up the ladder so that they do not need to bother about the relegation battle. They travel to Marseille on Wednesday for their next Ligue 1 fixture.

An update has emerged on Chelsea and how much they would need to spend to land Aymeric Laporte in the summer transfer window…

How much is Aymeric Laporte?

According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, the Blues will have to splash out £30m to secure the signing of Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The reporter has stated that the London-based side are “monitoring” the Spain international’s situation as they eye a swoop for the excellent colossus.

His contract with Pep Guardiola’s men expires in the summer of 2025 but it is said that he could be moved on over the coming weeks, which comes off the back of him falling out of favour last term.

Italian giants Juventus are also competing for his signature and could provide Chelsea with competition for the former Athletic Bilbao ace.

How good is Aymeric Laporte?

The 29-year-old enforcer is an exceptional Premier League centre-back and has proven himself to be an outstanding performer in England over the course of a number of years.

Judging by his skill set and stylistic profile, he has the quality to be Mauricio Pochettino’s next version of Jan Vertonghen, who was a stalwart for the Argentine head coach during their time together at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Belgian made 212 appearances for the 51-year-old boss across six seasons, which makes him the fourth most-used player throughout the manager's career so far.

As a left-footed central defender, the now-36-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.00 or higher in four of his last five campaigns with Spurs. He also managed a rating of 7.22 or higher in two of those seasons, which would have placed him third in the Chelsea squad last term – above fellow defenders Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Trevor Chalobah.

This shows that Vertonghen competed at a high level during his time in the Premier League and Laporte is a player with the quality to deliver similar performances as a left-footed centre-back.

In six seasons with Manchester City, the Spanish warrior has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 or higher in five top-flight campaigns and a score of 7.09 or higher in three of them, which would place him joint-sixth in the Chelsea side at the end of 2022/23.

Laporte, who was once described as a “beast” by writer Muhammad Butt, is also an exceptional ball player at the back. Over the last 365 days, he ranks among the top 1% of players in his position across the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for progressive carries and progressive passes per 90.

This means that the £130k-per-week earner, who was once hailed for his "incredible" form by Guardiola, is one of the best centre-backs at the top level when it comes to progressing the ball through the third to start attacks for his team.

Vertonghen also excelled at that part of the game as he ranked in the top 4% or higher in both statistics among Premier League central defenders during the 2017/18 campaign under Pochettino's management.

Therefore, Laporte could be the manager's next version of the ex-Tottenham star as he has the ability to deliver consistently excellent performances week-in-week-out while being an incredible playmaker with his quality in possession.