Luis Suarez has revealed that he will end his playing career at Inter Miami after joining the MLS side on a one-year contract.
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Barcelona boss Xavi made a bizarre claim that his side would be top of the league if 'big data' was to be believed.
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On the final day of the Premier League season, Crystal Palace completed their end of the bargain by securing a high profile win against Manchester United.
The Eagles needed a win to secure a top half finish, if other results went their way. And whilst they ended the season on a positive, results from Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton meant that they fell just short of their ambition and ended the campaign in 12th place.
Although it was a Ronaldo-less Manchester United side who had nothing significant to play for, Palace still fought well and earned all three points, courtesy of a Wilfried Zaha solo effort. The Ivory Coast international just had to score against his old club to metaphorically kick them whilst they were already down.
Though, whilst Zaha’s performance was mature and gave Manchester United a taste of what they could have had if they had persevered all those years ago, it was Jeffrey Schlupp who was the unsung hero.
The Ghanian is a player who can often go unnoticed, due to his nonchalant approach and acceptance at being used as a utility tool, though he is a vital part of the Palace squad – with his 32 appearances in the Premier League this season evidence of this.
Deployed as central midfielder in a 4-3-3 system, Schlupp was emphatic off the ball, and needed to be with United racking up 62% possession across the 90 minutes.
With five out his six duels won at a rate of 83%, he was sensational for the Eagles and was a key part of Vieira’s counter-pressing system against the Red Devils.
His seven recoveries were also integral to the maintenance of Palace’s clean sheet in what ended up being a home win against Manchester United for the first time ever in the Premier League.
What a performance from Schlupp, and what an end to the season for Palace.
Journalist Xavi Jorquera Márquez of Cadena SER has made a major Tottenham Hotspur exit claim involving midfielder Giovani Lo Celso as Villarreal eye a permanent deal.
The Argentina international was a revelation for Villarreal and manager Unai Emery after joining them on a temporary spell in January for the second half of 2021/2022, prompting their interest in snapping up Lo Celso permanently.
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Fabrizio Romano backs that the La Liga side wish to seal a deal for Lo Celso who appears to no longer be in manager Antonio Conte’s plans, coming as he eyes a major overhaul at N17.
The Premier League side, as per a major update from Márquez, have agreed a deal ‘in principle’ to sell Lo Celso.
According to the reporter, taking to Twitter, the permanent deal ‘will close’ for around €15-18 million (£13m-£15m) plus bonuses.
What’s more, Villarreal have apparently decided on the date of his signing announcement – if all ‘goes well’.
Marquez explained:
“The last fringes of the signing of Lo Celso for Villarreal are closing,
“In principle, the deal will close at 15-18 million (approx) plus bonus.
“Tottenham initially asked for 24, Villarreal has already decided on the date of the announcement, if all goes well.“
Fabio Paratici, tasked with backing Conte in the market, will also have to find a way to balance Tottenham’s books with outgoings – even despite their major £15om equity increase.
News of Lo Celso’s close departure will go some way to doing this, but the disappointment for supporters will be losing the South American for such a meagre fee – especially given Spurs have allegedly handed a Villarreal a big discount.
In other news: ‘Not only Perisic’ – Tottenham push for ‘genius’ signing as after Conte call ‘in recent days’…find out more here.
Newcastle United’s potential swoop for Leeds United star Raphinha has now been deemed ‘unlikely’ by the Telegraph, who claim that Leeds’ Premier League survival has made a potential deal trickier to complete.
The Magpies also have enquired over the availability of Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby with deals for both the Frenchman and the Brazilian unlikely.
Having joined the Yorkshire side from Stade Rennais in 2020, Raphinha has become one of the Premier League’s most talked-about stars, having been deemed as “magic” by Leeds ambassador and ex-striker Noel Whelan.
The 25-year-old’s first season in England saw the winger score six goals and provide nine assists as Leeds finished ninth.
However, despite his side battling relegation until the final day of the season, the £40.5m-rated Brazilian has been impressive once again, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists.
Although he would have been an excellent addition for Newcastle, Eddie Howe’s side can afford to miss out on Raphinha.
Already, the Magpies have a winger who can marvel supporters in Allan Saint-Maximin whilst also having incredibly deep pockets.
This summer transfer window is the first under the ownership of PIF and big signings are certainly expected to be made by the North-East outfit.
The January window saw statement additions come through the door in Bruno Guimares and Kieran Trippier, giving supporters. a taste of what can be expected now that Newcastle is the richest football club in the world.
Therefore, Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy will most likely have put together a mouthwatering wish list meaning that if they are to miss out on one target, they have a suitable alternative to swoop for.
This is exactly the case with Raphinha, with the Magpies now reportedly making an enquiry over Diaby, who actually provided more goal contributions than the Brazilian with 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions.
Signing Raphinha would’ve been a seriously impressive feat from the Toon Army, however, missing out on a deal certainly isn’t doom and gloom with the Magpies already benefitting from the talents of Saint-Maximin whilst also targeting numerous other quality wingers.
AND in other news: Howe can ruthlessly axe £63k-p/w deadwood as PIF plot “insane” £40m Newcastle signing
Manchester United have recently been linked with a move for Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, and the target man could prove to be new manager Erik ten Hag’s next Sebastien Haller at Old Trafford.
United are one of several European sides to be linked with the 6 foot 7 forward so far this year, and the Austrian revealed recently that he was “open to everything” as he eyes a summer move away from the Bundesliga outfit.
He is currently training with recently departed coach Ralf Ragnick as Austria prepare to take on Croatia in the Nations League on Friday evening, although his previous comments about the situation and players at Old Trafford might be enough to put the 24-year-old off a move to the Red Devils.
However, with Edinson Cavani having confirmed his departure and Marcus Rashford failing to fire last season, with just six goal contributions in the top-flight, it seems clear that Ten Hag will need reinforcements in attack if his debut campaign is going to be a success.
Kalajdzic could perform a similar job to Haller, who excelled under the Dutch manager at Ajax, contributing a superb 47 goals and 16 assists in just 66 appearances for the Eredivisie giants.
The £19.8m-rated Stuttgart man may have struggled with injuries last season but has found the net with regularity during his time at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, notching 24 goals in just 54 appearances for Die Schwaben thus far.
Like Haller, the 24-year-old would provide a serious aerial threat for Ten Hag and would be learning from arguably the best header of the ball in world football in Cristiano Ronaldo if he were to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Journalist and pundit Marcel Reif was highly complimentary of the striker’s ability earlier this year, saying that he can do “crazy things in the air.”
Although Ronaldo was one of United’s only consistent performers in their woeful 2021/22 campaign, it is unreasonable to expect him to start every game at 37 and Kalajdzic could be a great rotation option for Ten Hag if he chooses to operate with a target man like he did with Haller at Ajax.
The young forward also comfortably averaged more aerial duels won per game than any United player managed last season, which goes to show just what he could add to the Red Devils.
If the Austrian proves to be anywhere near as impressive as the former West Ham man under United’s new manager, then he would surely prove to be an excellent signing for next season.
An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez heading into the summer transfer window…
Uruguayan reporter Sebas Giovanelli has claimed that the Magpies are now rivalling Manchester United for the attacker’s signature.
He Tweeted: “Man Utd and NUFC are bidding for Darwin Núñez and are the teams that are closest to signing the attacker at this time.”
Liverpool have also been linked with a swoop for the centre-forward, who is reportedly available for a fee in the region of £85m.
Supporters will be buzzing with this news as the prospect of Nunez signing for the club is an exciting one and they will be delighted to read that the Magpies are willing to bid for his services.
The 22-year-old goal machine would be an exceptional signing for the Toon as he enjoyed a sensational 2021/22 campaign and has the potential to get better at his young age.
Almeira fitness coach Javier Agenjo dubbed him a “beast” and his former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus previously tipped him for big things, stating:
“All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed… He was Benfica’s most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. He will be a world-class player. Unfortunately for me, maybe I will lose him in a short time.”
Nunez’s statistics for Benfica in the 2021/22 campaign suggest that he is now fulfilling the potential that Jesus saw in him.
These stats from his Liga Portugal season show that he was lethal as he scored more than a goal every start in the division. His chance creation numbers also prove that he offers more than just goalscoring and can link up with his teammates to set them up for opportunities to score.
The gem has also proven himself in the Champions League as he managed six goals in six starts in Europe’s elite competition, playing ten games in total. Two of those goals came against Liverpool and one came against Bayern Munich, showing that he can do it against some of the biggest teams on the continent.
Newcastle supporters will be buzzing with the club’s interest in a player of his quality and will be pleased with the standard of targets Dan Ashworth is looking at. Even if they are not able to secure a deal for Nunez, it shows that the sporting director is ambitious and wants to pull off big deals to improve the team.
Leeds United have reportedly decided to drop their asking price for star player Raphinha this summer, now demanding €50million (£42.8m) for his services.
The future of the Whites’ brilliant Brazilian has been a key talking point for a while, as he potentially eyes up a fresh challenge next season.
Raphinha helped keep Leeds in the Premier League last term, scoring 11 goals and registering three assists, and he may now feel his time at Elland Road has run its course having stood out as the club’s best performer this season, per Whoscored.
After constant links to Barcelona, amongst others, an intriguing update has now emerged regarding the situation, suggesting Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers group are taking an unpopular stance…
According to Sport [via Sport Witness], Leeds are now demanding €50million (£42.8m) for Raphinha’s services and that amount could even ‘still be revised downwards’, despite the 29 per cent drop from the original £60m asking point (The Athletic).
The Brazil international is described as one of Barcelona’s ‘main targets’ and he is the ‘first option’ to replace winger Ousmane Dembele, should he leave.
It is also stated that Raphinha is willing to publicly demand a transfer and he could even ‘give up a percentage’ of his sell-on fee.
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This update certainly lifts the lid Raphinha’s apparent desperation to move on, with Barca such a huge lure for Brazilian players, given some of the legendary figures from that country to have played for the club in the past.
It looks as though Leeds are increasingly resigned to the fact that the winger will move on, but while it is pointless keeping hold of an unhappy player, it is important that they don’t end up selling him on the cheap.
The Whites need to earn a significant amount for him, allowing Jesse Marsch to replace him and also have funds available for other key summer additions. With Premier League clubs sniffing around and the chance of a bidding war, we feel Radz and the 49ers would be foolish to take a penny less than the original £60m price.
In other news, Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a striker this summer. Find out who it is here.
Leeds United have identified PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo as a replacement should Raphinha leave this summer, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.
Having come through the ranks at PSV, Gakpo has enjoyed a sublime rise to stardom in Holland and is now a fully-fledged senior international.
The 23-year-old has directly contributed to 75 goals in 134 first-team outings in a young career that has already yielded one Eredivisie title and one Dutch Cup success.
As shown by stats-based analysis account CrabStats on Twitter, Gakpo is right up there amongst the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Luis Diaz for expected goals and assists for young players throughout Europe.
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With speculation continuing to link Raphinha with a move away this summer, Director of Football Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch now appear to have identified Gakpo as a successor to the Brazilian…
As per Foot Mercato, Leeds are believed to be ‘very attentive’ to the seven-cap Holland ace.
It’s claimed that an ‘internal source’ at Elland Road has informed the outlet that the club view Gakpo as the ‘future offensive star’ should Raphinha move on as expected.
The report also states that Leeds would have ‘no trouble’ in paying the €30million (£25million) asking price to sign the starlet hailed as an ‘outstanding player’ by journalist Michael Bell following a goalscoring 45-minute rescue act in a 3-3 draw against FC Twente recently.
Despite all the suggestions pointing toward Gakpo replacing Raphinha, positionally or stylistically the two aren’t a close match and as such this potential move makes for an interesting dynamic.
Predominantly operating as a right-footed left-winger, last season the Dutchman scored 21 times and provided 15 assists in a sensational campaign for PSV whilst earning a 7.51 Sofascore rating comprising of 2.9 successful dribbles, 5.5 duels won and 2.6 key passes on average per game – the kind of form in a highly regarded league that would make any elite club sit up and take notice.
By comparison, Leeds’ current 26-year-old wing maestro netted 11 times and registered three assists across all competitions as well successfully completing 1.8 dribbles, winning 5.2 duels and making 1.9 key passes on average per Premier League outing during the 2021/22 campaign.
Albeit unlikely Gakpo could fill the void left behind by Raphinha in a positional sense, the exciting attacker – who was previously linked to Liverpool and Arsenal – would certainly make for a superb addition to Marsch’s squad and could perhaps lead to a slight shift in the attacking system.