Manchester United are eyeing a move for Nuno Mendes as Ruben Amorim looks to implement his new style of play at Old Trafford.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Man Utd want Mendes from PSGAmorim looking to deploy a new formationMendes made his senior debut under AmorimFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per the , United are considering signing a new left-back and could go after Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal defender Mendes. With Tyrell Malacia yet to convince the manager of his performance after returning from a lengthy injury and Luke Shaw's constant injury struggles, Amorim could consider reuniting with his former player who made his senior debut under the Portuguese manager at Sporting CP in 2020.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The report also adds that Amorim has tried Shaw as a left centre-back in his training sessions as he wants to deploy a 3-4-3 formation, however, the English defender is still not fit enough to take the field in the coach's debut game against Ipswich Town on Sunday in the Premier League.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mendes garnered a lot of praise during his time with Sporting CP as he was appreciated for his pace on the flanks. He won the Liga Portugal title once under Amorim before moving to the French capital in 2022 on a £31.5million (€48m) transfer move.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

It remains to be seen if the Red Devils will go after the Portugal international in the January transfer window as they are to figure out the amount they will be able to pay after keeping FFP rules in mind. Also, the management needs to decide whether they will chase a striker and centre-back as a priority before they raid the market for a full-back.

“We will continue exploring a window for organising the age-group tournaments post the IPL 2021,” secretary Jay Shah said

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2021

“Our players’ health, safety and well-being are our primary concern”•BCCI

A fresh surge in the number of Covid-19 cases around the country has led to the BCCI suspending the proposed 50-over inter-state Vinoo Mankad Trophy for Under-19 men at least till the end of IPL 2021, which is scheduled to get over on May 30.”While our endeavour was to get in as many matches as was practicable across different age groups in the season, prevailing circumstances have now forced us to suspend all age-group tournaments,” Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, said in an email sent to the various state associations on Tuesday. “This is on account of the fact that active COVID cases are on the rise and organising tournaments requires intercity travel, strict quarantine measures and the creation and maintenance of bio-secure bubbles for the participants. Moreover, the situation is presently not conducive in some states.”Related

M Siddharth, R Sai Kishore carry TN to Mushtaq Ali Trophy title

From 'total chaos', Mumbai become Mumbai again

IPL 2021 to kick off on April 9; will be played across six cities

On January 30 this year, the BCCI had announced its plans of hosting the domestic 50-over competitions for men, women and Under-19 men despite the Covid-19 situation. The men’s national T20 tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, was nearing completion at the time.That meant no Ranji Trophy for the first time since its inception in 1934-35, and, along with a number of other cancelled tournaments, no Cooch Behar Trophy for the Under-19 men or any of the boys’ Under-16 or Under-23 competitions. Similarly, there would be no age-group tournaments for women cricketers either.The postponement of these tournaments assumes greater significance than usual because there is the next edition of the men’s Under-19 World Cup scheduled for 2022 in the West Indies, and also the inaugural women’s Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh tentatively slotted for later this year too.”Considering the fact that the 10th and 12th Board Examinations are also around the corner across India, it is prudent that our young athletes have the opportunity to prepare and focus on these crucial examinations. Furthermore, our players’ health, safety and well-being are our primary concern,” Shah wrote. “I assure you that we will continue exploring a window for organising the age-group tournaments post the IPL 2021.”The BCCI had earlier asked the state associations to give their suggestions on the domestic calendar, which has had to be curtailed in a major way because of the pandemic and could only start in January this year.The 2020 edition of the IPL was held in the UAE, with the four-match Women’s T20 Challenge held alongside the playoffs of the men’s event, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was played across seven centres in India in January. That was followed by the all-format series between India and England – currently in progress – and the men’s 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, which ended on March 14. The women’s 50-over competition is currently on (final on April 4) and the 2021 edition of the IPL is slated to take place in India – only in Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata – between April 9 and May 30.

يستعد فريق مانشستر سيتي، بقيادة المدرب بيب جوارديولا، لخوض مباراة نارية مساء يوم الأربعاء ضد نظيره فريق باريس سان جيرمان في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستضيف ملعب “حديقة الأمراء” مباراة الفريقين في الجولة السابعة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، موسم 2024/25.

ويمتلك مانشستر سيتي 8 نقاط في المركز الرابع والعشرين، في حين أن باريس سان جيرمان لديه 7 نقاط في المركز السادس والعشرين.

ويسعى كل فريق إلى تحقيق الفوز في مباراة اليوم من أجل الحفاظ على آماله في التأهل إلى دور الـ16.

طالع.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة مانشستر سيتي وباريس سان جيرمان في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وأبرم مانشستر سيتي صفقتين في موسم الانتقالات الشتوي، حتى الآن، وهما عبد القادر خوسانوف وفيتور ريس.

كما يستعد مانشستر سيتي للإعلان الرسمي عن صفقة النجم المصري عمر مرموش، بعدما خضع للفحص الطبي أمس، حسبما كشفت تقارير صحفية. موعد مباراة مانشستر سيتي وباريس سان جيرمان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 11 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة مانشستر سيتي وباريس سان جيرمان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

ستُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 1. معلق مباراة مانشستر سيتي وباريس سان جيرمان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

سيعلق حسن العيدروس على أحداث مباراة الليلة.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

Virgil van Dijk fended off questions linking him with Real Madrid as the saga over his Liverpool contract rumbles on.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Van Dijk's contract expires next summer
• Defender asked about Real Madrid transfer
• Liverpool beat Los Blancos in UCL

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Liverpool centre-back was taken aback when a journalist asked him whether he would stay at Anfield beyond this season. "What a direct question," Van Dijk replied. The journalist wasn't done though, quickly following up by telling the 33-year-old that Real Madrid are looking for defenders owing to injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT VAN DIJK SAID

  "Are they? Really? But they have [Antonio] Rudiger there," Van Dijk replied.

  "As I already said, my full focus is on the next game against Man City and that’s it."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Van Dijk has been allowed to enter the final 12 months of his Liverpool deal but according to the Reds' ex-CEO Peter Moore, the club is "working feverishly" to get an extension done. Losing the Dutch international would be a big blow to Arne Slot given his talent and experience, providing the steel in defence that helped yield Premier League and Champions League success under Jurgen Klopp.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR VAN DIJK?

  The former Southampton defender doesn't appear too concerned over his contract saga. After helping Liverpool beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, his focus is now on Sunday's game against Manchester City.

A marquee player is now "working very hard" to join Chelsea via his representative doing all the legwork, as another pretty exciting transfer window at Stamford Bridge continues to offer many twists and turns before deadline day.

Chelsea fail in Omorodion bid as they renegotiate Gallagher exit

Despite reaching an agreement with Atletico Madrid over the signing of young striker Samu Omorodion, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano giving his famous 'here we go' to the transfer as well, the move fell through at the eleventh hour due to contractual issues (Sky Sports).

Chelsea could now offer £150k-per-week ace with Lukaku to seal Osimhen deal

The Nigerian is back on their radar after failing to sign Omorodion.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 13, 2024

This has resulted in Conor Gallagher's move to Atletico stalling, as the La Liga side were seemingly going to reinvest the cash received for Omorodion to seal a deal for the England midfielder.

As such, despite his medical being completed and documentation finalised, Gallagher has been forced to fly back to London, as he waits for Chelsea to find a solution and reopen the door for his switch to Spain.

“The Conor Gallagher situation at Chelsea remains one of the biggest sagas of the summer transfer window," said Romano in a Chelsea update on Gallagher to CaughtOffside.

“The player is back in London and is now back at Cobham to train today, but not with the Chelsea first-team squad as he’s not considered an important player or regular starter under manager Enzo Maresca. So, after everything was done, contracts ready, medical okay with Atletico Madrid, the two clubs have still not signed the contracts because of what happened with Samu Omorodion.

Metric

Output

Squad rank

Minutes

3,137

1st

Goals

5

=4th

Assists

7

2nd

Pass success rate (%)

91.5

3rd

Tackles per game

2.3

3rd

Interceptions per game

1.2

1st

Overall rating

7.13

2nd

via WhoScored

“Now Chelsea and Atletico are negotiating over Joao Felix, trying to find a solution to the situation. Gallagher is waiting and the deal remains on, but the England midfielder is no longer in Madrid, he’s in London waiting to understand if Chelsea and Atletico can find a solution.

“It’s a crazy situation as Gallagher starts training at Chelsea.”

Felix will be key to this situation, as Chelsea enter talks to re-sign the Portugal international as an alternative to Omorodion. The 24-year-old could indirectly grant Gallagher his desired move to Atletico, and it is believed Felix has already agreed to join Chelsea before deadline day.

Felix "working very hard" to join Chelsea via Jorge Mendes

The player's agent, Jorge Mendes, is apparently in England right now – attempting to get his £51 million client a move to Stamford Bridge (Fabrizio Romano).

Reporter Graeme Bailey, speaking to Chelsea News this week, says Mendes is "working very hard" to seal a transfer to Chelsea on Felix's behalf, so it is pretty clear at this point that the ex-Barcelona and Benfica sensation wants to sign for Maresca.

“I think there is a belief that Felix to Chelsea might get done," said Bailey.

"Jorge Mendes is working very hard on that deal. There is a belief that will happen.”

Everton are closing in on their fourth signing of the summer as they look to hand manager Sean Dyche a side able to avoid relegation from the Premier League once more this season.

Everton sign Jesper Linsdtrom

Following their Premier League survival last season despite two points deductions for breaching financial fair play regulations, Everton are hoping to be a little more comfortable this time around.

Dyche's side have already made a number of new additions this summer, with Jesper Lindstrom the latest arrival. The Danish international arrived on loan from Napoli in a deal which includes an option to buy the 24-year-old at the end of the season.

“I feel very good. It’s amazing to represent Everton. This is a big club, with big history, a good stadium and, as I’ve seen, very good facilities as well. I’m very, very happy to be here and I feel like this is a good fit," Lindstrom explained to Everton's official club media.

“I am 100 per cent ready. I’m so hungry. This pre-season feels long because I just want to play football, I just want to be out there in the stadium. Last year was a tough year for me but I’m so happy to be here now and I can’t wait to get started."

Dyche already has an upgrade on £50k-p/w Everton star who could be sold

The Toffees are still looking to offload numerous first-team players.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 27, 2024

He joins striker Ilman Ndiaye in the new arrivals at Goodison Park, with the striker having been signed from Marseille as the Toffees look to bolster their attack, with Dyche's side managing the third-fewest goals in the division in the 2023-24 campaign.

Further back, they have also signed central midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa, though both Lewis Dobbin and Amadou Onana have headed to Villa Park in the time since his arrival on Merseyside. And they are closing in on another new face.

Everton set to sign defender

Now, it has emerged that the Toffees are on the verge of signing Republic of Ireland international Jake O'Brien from Lyon, with a fee agreed with the French side and talks taking place over personal terms.

That is according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the club have a "deal in principle" agreed with Lyon and that O'Brien is "ready to accept the five-year contract offered".

The 23-year-old still has three years left on his £9,000-a-week deal at Lyon, having only left the Premier League for France 12 months ago. However, his performances last season caught the eye and have convinced the Toffees to part ways with around £22m to bring him to Goodison Park.

O'Brien vs Everton's current centre-backs 23-24 domestic season

Per 90 Stats via fbref

Jake O'Brien

James Tarkowski

Jarrad Branthwaite

Appearances

27

38

35

Pass accuracy

88.2%

77.1%

79.8%

Progressive carries

0.57

0.39

0.06

Tackles and interceptions

1.29

3.08

3.35

Clearances

3.73

5.03

4.71

Already a regular for the Republic of Ireland, he has drawn praise from former manager John O'Shea, who hailed his "brilliant" rise.

"It’s been brilliant to see what he has done in the last year to 18 months, establishing himself in a top-flight league. It’s been brilliant to see. There’s great competition in that area of the pitch. He’ll have lots of competition but it’s great for us, and me being part of the defensive camp shall we say, that we can help him improve even further over the two games coming up", O'Shea said via Extra.

Now he is looking set to take another step as he heads to Goodison Park.

It's set to be a massive campaign for Tottenham Hotspur next season as Ange Postecoglou looks to lead his squad up the Premier League table and back into the Champions League.

The Australian enjoyed a relatively successful debut year with the club, but he'll need his team's stars, such as James Maddison, to step it up a level in 2024/25.

Fortunately, Daniel Levy and Co appear to be doing their job to help the manager, as based on recent reports, the club are focussing their efforts on signing an incredibly exciting talent who's won comparisons to Maddison and could make a real difference in North London.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to journalist Alex Crook on talkSPORT's latest episode of the Premier League All-Access Podcast, Tottenham's interest in Eberechi Eze remains high and is "more advanced" than that of their competition.

Alongside the Lilywhites, Crook claims that Manchester City are fans of the Englishman.

However, their interest depends on what happens with Kevin De Bruyne in the coming weeks, and while the North Londoners want to "shift some players first," their desire to sign the midfielder is "genuine."

It's widely reported that the Palace ace would cost Spurs about £60m due to a release clause in his contract. While that is a lot of money, it would be money well spent – especially given his comparisons to Maddison.

Why Eze would be a great signing and his comparison to Maddison

Before getting into why Eze would be an excellent signing for Spurs, let's address the comparisons to Maddison, which stem mainly from FBref.

They compared every player in the 2022/23 Premier League season, created a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in turn, concluded that the Spurs ace was the most similar midfielder to the Palace man across that whole campaign.

However, this wasn't done purely on the eye test or through the number of goal contributions they produced. Instead, they looked at how closely the pair measured up to one another for a multitude of underlying metrics, including non-penalty expected goals, actual non-penalty goals, shots on target, live passes, goal-creating actions, tackles won and interceptions, all per 90.

Eze & Maddison
Stats per 90	Eze	Maddison
Non-Penalty Expected Goals	0.22	0.24
Non-Penalty Goals	0.31	0.33
Shots on Target	0.85	0.98
Live Passes	34.8	36.2
Goal-Creating Actions	0.55	0.47
Tackles Won	0.82	0.94
Interceptions	0.44	0.47
All Stats via FBref for the 22/23 Premier League Season

Now, while the comparisons to Maddison are certainly a nice bonus when it comes to the Eagles ace, they shouldn't be the main reason behind his potential signing, as he proved last season that he was among the most dangerous players in the league.

For example, in just 31 appearances last season, the 26-year-old "entertainer," as data analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed him, scored 11 goals and provided six assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.8 games, which is even more impressive considering he did that for a team that finished in midtable.

Ultimately, while signing Eze will take a lot of money and hard work from Levy and Co, it would be well worth it, as he could reach another level entirely playing under a manager like Postecoglou and alongside a teammate like Maddison.

Exit expected: Spurs target £25m Porro rival who could be Ange's own White

The impressive full-back could add a lot of quality to the Lilywhites.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 24, 2024

Aston Villa have now tabled an offer to sign a forward who models his game on Sergio Aguero, it has been reported, with Unai Emery's side already handed an answer.

Villa reconsidering attacking additions

After Ollie Watkins' exceptional Premier League season at Villa Park, the priority was to find a suitable backup for the England international this summer. But that depended on outgoings. For much of the summer it looked promising, with Jhon Duran drawing interest from first Chelsea and then West Ham United in recent weeks.

However, the pair have looked elsewhere after it proved difficult to meet Aston Villa's £40m valuation of the Colombian striker, with West Ham signing Niclas Fullkrug and Chelsea in advanced talks to sign Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion.

It has left Villa with Duran still at the club ahead of their Premier League opener against West Ham at the London Stadium. Recalled striker Cameron Archer is also in situ and there is little room to sign an expensive new striker to compete with Watkins or provide high quality cover in instances where the Englishman is injured or unfit.

Perfect for UCL: Aston Villa want £325k-p/w "phenomenon" who's like Benteke

He is set to leave his club this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 8, 2024

As a result, they could now have to pivot their transfer plans to sign a younger, less experienced striker for a lower fee and attempt to turn them into the next superstar, much like they did with the likes of Ezri Konsa in defence. And reports in Turkey suggest they may have found their man.

Villa table offer for teenage striker

That comes with Villa one of two clubs who have reportedly tabled an opening offer to sign highly-rated Turkey striker Semih Kilicsoy this summer. The 18-year-old can play across the frontline, with Besiktas using him as a left-winger and a striker across the 2023/24 campaign.

That was his breakthrough season in Turkey, with Kilicsoy making 23 appearances in the Super Lig and grabbing 12 goals in the process, a run of form that saw him handed his debut for the Turkish national team ahead of EURO 2024 and named as part of Vincenzo Montella's squad for the competition, though he played just a single minute.

Semih Kilicsoy's 23/24 season (all competitions)

Appearances

35

Starts

24

Goals

12

Assists

3

Minutes per goal/assist

139

Speaking earlier in the season, Besiktas football academy director Mehmet Eksi likened him to Gerd Muller, but revealed Kilicsoy himself prefers another comparison.

"As youth coaches, we compare Semih to Gerd Müller. Some compared him to Agüero. He also sees Agüero as his idol", he explained.

Now, Turkish outlet Sabah reveal that Fulham and Aston Villa have both tabled bids for his services this summer, with Emery's reported offer around 18m euros (£15.4m). However, they add that both have been knocked back, with Kilicsoy still having four years left to run on his £8,000 a week deal in Turkey and Besiktas in no rush to part ways with him.

It is unclear whether either side will return for the teenager in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, but should they opt not to and the striker enjoys another strong season, they could well see themselves muscled out by other suitors in 12 months time.

Hansi Flick gave his Barcelona players a stern talking to after they conceded two late goals in quick succession in their shock draw at Celta Vigo.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Barcelona conceded two goals in last 10 minutes
• Kounde error and Casado red card led to collapse
• Flick scolded players after 2-2 draw

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite leading a team in the bottom half of the table by two goals with ten minutes to go, Barcelona's young guns lost their heads after Marc Casado was sent off for receiving a second yellow card in the 82nd minute. A Jules Kounde lapse in concentration handed Celta a route back back into the game before an 86th minute equaliser saw the points shared in a 2-2 draw.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Flick's Barcelona had been arguably the best team in Europe up until just before the international break. However, they have failed to win their last two league games, and have handed Real Madrid a lifeline in the title race in the process. One factor that has severely hurt the Catalans has been the absence of Lamine Yamal, who has been out with an ankle injury since the Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade.

  Barcelona have failed to win any of the games in which Yamal has not been named in the starting XI, with Saturday's result another to add to the list. Flick was understandably furious at the collapse, and is said by to have given a heated speech to the players straight after the final whistle.

• WHAT FLICK SAID

  Speaking to the press immediately after the his speech to the players, Flick said: "It wasn’t just the last 10 minutes. It was the whole game. We played a really bad game. We have to be honest. What we saw today is the summary: when you play at 80% or 85% you cannot win." 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR FLICK AND BARCELONA?

  Barcelona need to bounce back from this result quickly, as with the congested festive period approaching, they need to be on the game to maintain their status at the top of La Liga. The Champions League is also heating up over this period, and Barcelona's next game sees them take on Brest, who are undefeated in the competition.

Danushka Gunathilaka has said Kieron Pollard apologised to him for his controversial obstructing-the-field appeal during the first ODI in Antigua.The incident occurred in the 22nd over of Sri Lanka’s innings, when Gunathilaka, batting on 55, played the ball down into the pitch and ran a few steps out of his crease before deciding against the single when he saw the bowler, Pollard, haring towards the ball in a run-out attempt. In his effort to regain his crease, however, Gunathilaka trod on the ball and deflected it away from Pollard, leading to a furious appeal. It wasn’t clear from replays whether Gunathilaka had deliberately foiled a run-out attempt, but TV umpire Nigel Duguid ruled in the bowling team’s favour.The incident drew strong reactions on social media.