Manchester United minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is expected to put Ligue 1 club Nice up for sale at a price of around €200 million (£174m/$237m). An official announcement is expected from INEOS shortly, as Ratcliffe is said to finally be ready to give up his stake with the French team that he originally acquired back in 2019 for approximately £89 million (€100 million).
MatériaMais Notícias
O Red Bull Bragantino contratou o lateral-direito Vinícius Lago, de 17 anos, que estava no Atlético-GO. O Massa Bruta vai pagar R$ 1 milhão à vista, mais R$ 500 mil no próximo ano e pode chegar a pagar mais R$ 1,5 milhão caso algumas metas sejam atingidas.
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Vinicius Lago chegou em Bragança Paulista na última terça-feira, 25, e vai integrar o time sub-23, que se prepara para disputar a Copa Paulista. O jovem, que tinha contrato com o Atlético-GO até 2027, assinou a rescisão com o Dragão na última sexta-feira.
– Estou muito feliz com mais esse passo que dei na minha carreira, ser vendido é uma coisa que todo jogador sonha, ainda mais pra um time com uma estrutura como a do Bragantino, espero ser muito feliz aqui e dar passos grandes dentro do clube – afirmou.
In a summer full of impressive arrivals, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are now reportedly at risk of losing a player of their own in reluctant fashion amid growing interest.
Even after splashing out to welcome Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera this summer, Arsenal still have unfinished business in the transfer window. Unlike in past seasons, Arteta is seemingly ready to enjoy a much-needed window of upgrades as he looks to end an increasingly concerning run without a major trophy at The Emirates.
The most important addition on that list of incomings remains Gyokeres. Arsenal’s biggest problem in recent seasons has been their inability to find the back of the net. They desperately needed a serial goalscorer last summer, but chose to invest elsewhere in a decision that Liverpool quickly made them regret.
It is not a mistake that they’ve made twice, however. Making up for lost time, the Gunners have welcomed one of the most clinical goalscorers that European football has to offer in Gyokeres.
The big task that sporting director Andrea Berta has now is finding as many reliable supply points as possible for Gyokeres to thrive. Tee the Swede up and he will score the goals that Arsenal have so desperately craved. It could really be as simply as that. And whilst the likes of Bukayo Saka will undoubtedly do just that, the addition of Eberechi Eze could take things to another level.
In a summer-long chase, the Crystal Palace man is still on Arsenal’s radar despite reports that his £68m release clause has now expired. Whether that forces the Gunners to pay an even greater price for his signature is now the big question.
Of course, if that does prove to be the case, then any potential sales of their own could go a long way towards funding any blockbuster move.
One sale that Arteta is not keen to sanction, however, is Jakub Kiwior’s. According to Fabrizio Romano, Kiwior is now considering an exit amid interest in his signature from a number of European clubs.
That said, those in North London have already rejected offers for their centre-back from Portugal last month and Arteta would prefer to keep hold of his defender this month.
Despite being praised for his “impressive” form by analyst Ben Mattinson when asked to step into the side amid defensive woes last season, Arteta’s stance on Kiwior’s exit comes as a slight surprise.
Arsenal have already signed Mosquera and have cover in the form of Riccardo Calafiori and, if needed, Ben White at the heart of their backline. Just where Kiwior fits into the pecking order as a result is difficult to say and the Gunners would be best to cash in whilst they can this summer.
After Strikers posted BBL’s second-highest total of 251, D’Arcy Short took 4 for 15 to bowl Heat out for 195
Tristan Lavalette11-Jan-2025Captain Matthew Short returned from a toe injury in spectacular fashion with a blistering century against Brisbane Heat as Adelaide Strikers revived their finals hopes after making the second highest total in BBL history.Sent in to bat on a very flat Adelaide Oval surface, Strikers smashed 251 for 5 highlighted by Short’s 109 off 54 balls after he missed the last three matches. He reached his ton in 49 balls to set a new franchise record.Heat never seriously threatened in the chase and were bowled out for 195 after 20 overs.The result has breathed life into Strikers’ season (three wins in eight games) having entered the match in last position and they moved within striking distance of fourth-placed Heat.Short/Lynn rampage before Carey’s brief knock in season debut There was a lot of anticipation over the season debut of Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who was listed at No.3 but made to wait until almost the ninth over after a destructive 121-run opening partnership between Short and Chris Lynn.During Short’s absence, Lynn moved up to open from three and such was his success that he stayed in the position. He dominated the powerplay and thrashed quicks Michael Neser and Xavier Bartlett, normally so reliable with the new ball.Lynn raced to 42 off 13 balls as Strikers motored to 62 for 0 in the most runs hit by a team in the powerplay this season. Short then took over with two sixes off left-arm quick Spencer Johnson as Strikers moved to 81-0 after five overs.Hogging the strike, Short soon sped past Lynn to reach his half-century off 24 balls. In the first seven overs, Short and Lynn smashed seven sixes while they failed to score off just 11 balls.Matt Short and Chris Lynn turn the crowd into umpires•Getty ImagesBut Lynn did lose his rhythm and was also ailed by a tight hamstring before being knocked over by a quicker delivery from left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.Carey finally came to the crease, but only lasted eight deliveries after being bowled by another faster ball from Kuhnemann. He did, however, hit arguably the best shot of the innings after a classy check drive sailed prettily over extra cover and into the crowd.Short was unperturbed as he fittingly reached his ton with a boundary. Travis Head had held Strikers’ previous fastest century with his famous 53-ball ton against Sydney Sixers on New Year’s Eve in 2015.It was a brilliant knock from Short, who has recently opened for Australia in white-ball cricket, marked by staying still at the crease and clean ball striking. He ruthlessly targeted the shorter boundaries on the legside before finally holing out to deep midwicket.Alex Ross clubbed 44 not out from 19 balls at the death to ensure Strikers’ momentum continued.Spinners Kuhnemann, Swepson try their best With their star quicks Neser, Bartlett and Johnson having rare off performances, unable to hit their lengths, spinners Kuhnemann and Swepson took five wickets between them in battling efforts.They weren’t spared, with 91 runs hit off their eight overs, but at least ensured Strikers didn’t reel in the BBL record score of 273 for 2 set by Melbourne Stars three years ago.Kuhnemann, in his first match since being selected to the Test tour of Sri Lanka, got some zip off the surface, while Swepson cleverly mixed up his bowling to be the most economical of the five bowlers used.Debutant quicks face tough initiation, D’Arcy Short takes four wickets On a surface that rivalled some of the unforgiven pitches seen in the IPL, Strikers debutant quicks Liam Haskett and Jordan Buckingham faced a difficult initiation.Haskett impressed last season for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, but had a delayed start to this summer due to a back injury. The tall left-arm quick was unleashed in the second over, but struggled with his lengths initially and whacked over the legside for successive sixes by Neser.D’Arcy Short finished with 4 for 15•Getty ImagesHaskett was later pulled for six by Nathan McSweeney and caught, remarkably, by his father in the terraces. He returned later to dismiss Tom Alsop to finish with 2 for 43 from 3 overs.The 24-year-old Buckingham was given a chance in the BBL having impressed in the Shield in recent seasons. Like almost every other bowler in the match, he copped some punishment but claimed the key wicket of Matthew Renshaw in the 14th over.With bowlers sporting bowling figures that were an eyesore, D’Arcy Short’s handy legspin was used to good effect as numerous Heat batters holed out to him. He finished with 4 for 15 off 3 overs.Munro bats well down the order after injuries in the field Heat’s monumental task was made harder with skipper Colin Munro batting well down the order after dislocating a finger in his left hand and suffering a shoulder injury in a torrid time in the field. He came out at No.7 and made a second ball duck.Neser was promoted to open and ordered to go for broke, but it didn’t do the trick. McSweeney played fluently with several gorgeous drives and he made an attractive 43 off 24 balls.But he was run out attempting a second run as Heat’s slim chances effectively ended despite entertaining cameos from Renshaw, in-form Max Bryant and Johnson, who hit 27 from 13 balls at No.11.
لا ينفصل الجدل عن المدرب البرتغالي جوزيه مورينيو، كما هو الحال منذ بداية مسيرته التدريبية في البرتغال، ولم يتغير شيئاً منذ عودته لبنفيكا.
وقد اتضح ذلك في المؤتمر الصحفي الذي عقده جوزيه مورينيو قبل لقاء بورتو وبنفيكا مساء اليوم في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري البرتغالي لكرة القدم.
ويحتل بورتو صدارة ترتيب الدوري البرتغالي برصيد 21 نقطة خلال 7 مباريات، بينما يحتل بنفيكا المركز الثالث برصيد 17 نقطة.
ونشرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” أنه لم يكن الأمر هذه المرة مع منافس بل مع صحفي، حيث انزعج جوزيه مورينيو من سؤال حول راتبه الذي يتقاضاه مع بنفيكا بعد توليه مسؤولية الفريق.
اقرأ أيضاً.. بالدي: عانينا من خطئين تحكيميين أمام إشبيلية.. ولن نبحث عن أعذار
وقال الصحفي لمورينيو: “لم تأتي بسعر رخيص للنادي، لديك سيرة ذاتية تحسد عليها”، ليرد المدرب البرتغالي: “لماذا تجبر نفسك على ربط المباريات براتبي؟ كم راتبك، هل تريد أن تقول ذلك أم لا؟ حسناً، لن تقوله، إذن لا تتحدث عن الراتب”.
وأضاف: “تستمر في قول إنني إذا كنت غاليًا جدًا فأنا بخيل جدًا، وكم الراتب الذي أحصل عليه أو لا أحصل عليه”.
وفي تلك اللحظة أراد الصحفي تبرير سؤاله قائلًا: “لم أقل ذلك لأقلل من احترامك”، فرد مورينيو: “لا، أنت لا تقلل من احترامي لكن يبدو أنك فضولي للغاية لكي تريد معرفة كم أتقاضى من راتبي”.
Crystal Palace have now made an approach to sign an “incredible” defender, who is being targeted as a replacement for Marc Guehi.
Palace working on replacement for Eze and Guehi
It has been a difficult summer for Palace on the transfer front, with talisman Eberechi Eze leaving to join Arsenal, but it appears as though they have already secured a replacement, with Fabrizio Romano dropping some exciting news on Tuesday evening.
That said, Palace may still have some work to do before the deadline, given that Marc Guehi’s future remains up in the air, with the captain still expected to join Liverpool, although Manchester City were also recently named as potential suitors.
There has been talk about Man City’s Manuel Akanji heading to Selhurst Park, but the Eagles have also now made an approach for more of a left-field target.
That is according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), which states Crystal Palace have made an approach to sign Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly, who is being targeted as a replacement for Guehi.
He's like Eze & Wharton: Big-money star keen on moving to Crystal Palace
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Oliver Glasner’s side have lodged an enquiry over Kelly, alongside Premier League rivals Sunderland, and there is a feeling that a deal could be possible, with the Italian club currently working on a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Beraldo as a replacement.
Having failed to adapt to life in Italy since making a £20m move from Newcastle United, the 26-year-old could well be on the move this summer, considering Beraldo joining Juventus is deemed ‘very possible’.
"Incredible" Kelly needs to leave Juventus this summer
It would be fair to say the Bristol-born defender failed to adapt to life in Italy last season, making just 12 Serie A appearances throughout the campaign, but he has proven himself in the Premier League in the past.
Indeed, the former AFC Bournemouth man was particularly impressive during his time with the Cherries, with ex-Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil once praising him for a solid display in a 1-0 win against Liverpool.
O’Neil said: “I thought Lloyd was incredible. I think he had a 12-week ankle injury followed by a six-week calf injury. Didn’t have much time in between, and then came back today having not trained much, to play left back against one of the best wingers in the world.
“I thought he showed everything, the potential he has to be a top defender.”
If Kelly is to fulfill that potential, however, he needs to receive consistent game time, so a move to Palace could suit all parties, although the Juventus defender clearly isn’t currently on Guehi’s level, given that he is yet to be capped by England.
Glasgow Rangers officially confirmed their latest addition of the summer transfer window with the unveiling of loanee left-back Jayden Meghoma on Sunday.
The 19-year-old defender, who spent time on loan at Preston North End last season, has joined on loan from Brentford with a view to making the left-back position his own.
Brazilian left-back Jefte is reportedly closing in on a £6m move to Palmeiras, a year on from his move to the club from Fluminense, which will leave a vacant spot in the starting line-up.
The 21-year-old dynamo started 30 of his 33 appearances in the Scottish Premiership last season, per Sofascore, which means that Meghoma could have a big role to play as his replacement.
Jefte may not be the only left-back to move on from Glasgow before the end of the summer transfer window, though, as a European side are keen on signing an Ibrox flop.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Sporx, Bestikas have identified Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz as one of their top targets to bolster their defence for the 2025/26 campaign.
The report claims that the Turkish giants are planning to hold talks with the Gers this week to discuss a potential deal to bring the Turkey international back to the club.
It remains to be seen whether they want to do a loan or a permanent transfer for the full-back, but the Light Blues have reportedly set a €5m (£4m) asking price for Yilmaz.
Rangers should look to cash in on the left-footed flop during these upcoming talks with Besiktas because he is even worse than Jefte and should be moved on in the coming days.
The Turkey international did not do enough on the pitch in the Premiership last season to prove that he is a better option than the Brazilian gem at left-back, which was reflected in his game time, or lack thereof.
Yilmaz only played 17 times in the top-flight, starting 11 of those games, and has not been involved in a single matchday squad in the 2025/26 campaign, per Sofascore, possibly down to the lack of quality in his performances under Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson.
|
24/25 Premiership |
Ridvan Yilmaz |
Jefte |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
17 |
33 |
|
Assists |
2 |
4 |
|
Cross accuracy |
20% |
28% |
|
Tackles + interceptions per game |
1.8 |
3.3 |
|
Clearances per game |
1.4 |
2.9 |
|
Duels won per game |
3.2 |
5.5 |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
0% |
57% |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
As you can see in the table above, Jefte played almost twice as many matches and significantly outperformed him with his offensive and defensive contributions at left-back, which shows that the former Fluminense man offers way more to the team at both ends of the pitch.
The Brazilian defender has also started four times in the current campaign, whilst Yilmaz has not played a single minute, and Max Aarons has been utilised at left-back ahead of the £4m-rated flop.
This shows that the 24-year-old dud is not a part of Russell Martin’s plans, as further evidenced by the signing of Meghoma, and that is why the Light Blues should be comfortable in allowing him to move on from Ibrox amid this interest from Besiktas.
If they are willing to allow Jefte to leave to sign for Palmeiras, they should also be willing to cash in on a player who is even worse than him and is further down the pecking order at this moment in time, because he does not appear to be part of the long-term plans at Ibrox.
Dream Dessers replacement: Rangers have "lethal" £5m star on shortlist
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Dan Emery
Aug 16, 2025
However, it is now down to Besiktas to put an offer on the table that is attractive enough to convince Rangers to green-light an exit for Yilmaz before the deadline at the start of next month.
This summer has very much been about the incomings as far as Arsenal are concerned. It’s been unprecedented too. We were promised it would be.
Nine days ago, the Gunners confirmed the marquee arrival of Eberechi Eze, who signed from Crystal Palace, eventually fulfilling his dream of playing for the Arsenal first-team.
With that move finalised, we all thought Andrea Berta and Co were done in the market. Well, think again. They have tied up a move for Bayer Leverkusen on transfer deadline day, a switch that allows Jakub Kiwior to head for Porto.
That move takes the club’s spending past £300m, something that meant sales had to be made.
How Arsenal's transfer window ended
Hincapie has moved to the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth around £45m, lower than his proposed release clause of £52m.
Initially signed on a season-long loan move, it’s a switch that will become permanent next summer, allowing for Arsenal to balance the books in the meantime.
So, how will they balance those books? Well, Albert Sambi-Lokonga departed the Gunners for Hamburg on transfer deadline day, joining Reiss Nelson in fleeing.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Nelson will depart north London but remain in the capital, heading to Brentford on a loan move that could become permanent next summer.
Arsenal have also tried to move on Oleksandr Zinchenko who received interest from Marseille but he ultimately stayed with Mikel Arteta’s side. It’s unlikely he’ll receive many minutes with Hincapie having now signed.
Yet, there was another move that happened, one that signified the end of one of Arteta’s worst signings since becoming the club’s manager.
Arsenal sell player similar to Martin Odegaard
Back in 2022, Arsenal agreed a £34.2m move to bring one of Europe’s most exciting young playmakers to the club.
It wasn’t one met with a huge amount of fanfare but Fabio Vieira’s arrival was a crafty one as they looked to provide competition for Martin Odegaard.
Indeed, during his time at the Emirates, club icon Gilberto admitted that he was like the Norwegian, saying: “In terms of his style and the coach’s vision, he’s very close to (Martin) Odegaard. He has good ideas and dynamics, but he has to recognise that and the quality he has.”
Sadly, Vieira didn’t realise that hotly-tipped potential. He played just 50 times for Arsenal, scoring four goals and supplying ten assists. That tally of assists isn’t a bad haul by any means but the fact of the matter is that the Portuguese looked far too lightweight to make it in the Premier League.
A loan spell with boyhood club, Porto, rather sealed his fate in 2024/25. Granted time to show what he was capable of, the now 25-year-old scored just five goals and supplied six assists, hardly numbers that inspired Arteta to give him another go.
Appearances
33
17
Goals
2
2
Assists
6
4
As a consequence, the big-money signing was told to find a new club and he finally did so on transfer deadline day.
Coincidentally, Vieira joined Lokonga in Hamburg, heading to join the German side on an initial loan move.
The Athletic reported earlier on Monday that he had been given permission to fly to Germany to undergo a medical.
It marks the end of a really disappointing stay with Arsenal. From being tipped to take up an Odegaard-like role in the side, he leaves London behind as a forgotten figure.
The interminable bid to sign Alexander Isak rumbles on for Liverpool, but sporting director Richard Hughes has a lot of work cut out as he chases multiple deals before the closure of the summer transfer market.
Newcastle United’s star striker has already been the focus of a rejected bid, totalling an initial £110m, and the Reds are expected to return, for the 25-year-old has suffered a catastrophic failure in relations with those at St. James’ Park.
However, Liverpool are also in desperate need of signing a centre-half in the coming weeks, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate lacking cover at the rear.
Liverpool focused on signing defender
Following Palace’s victory at Wembley, their chairman, Steve Parish, admitted that they might have to cash in on Marc Guehi this summer, the centre-back having entered the final year of his contract and been on Liverpool’s radar for months.
However, Liverpool are also tracking 18-year-old Parma defender Giovanni Leoni, with deals on the cards for both defenders.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It would be difficult to pull Leoni away from his Italian homeland at this fledgling stage of his career, and that’s why sporting director Richard Hughes has identified an alternative option to strengthen the backline.
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are rivalling Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Aston Villa for Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, having been in regular contact with intermediaries.
Marseille are also in the mix and hope to close a deal this month, so Liverpool will need to get the deal done quickly.
What Joel Ordonez would bring to Liverpool
Ordonez, 21, might be in the early stage of his career, but he’s already made 84 appearances for his Belgian side after making the first leap away from his Ecuadorian homeland.
Now ready for a big move to a top-five league, Liverpool could hit gold in bringing him over, intrigued by his blend of aggressiveness and proactive passing.
Looking at how Ordonez and Leoni rank up statistically over the past year, there’s a case to be made that the Club Brugge man is the superior player at this point in time, with a roundedness about him that suggests he could even be a fitting alternative to Guehi, should Liverpool’s pursuit of the Eagles star prove fruitless.
Goals scored
0.10
0.08
Assists
0.00
0.00
Shot-creating actions
0.57
0.23
Touches
61.63
58.10
Pass completion
91.6%
87.7%
Progressive passes
2.75
1.58
Progressive carries
0.73
0.00
Successful take-ons
0.26
0.23
Tackles + interceptions
1.97
1.18
Clearances
4.84
4.73
Aerials won
1.12
1.23
Leoni is a talented young player, but there’s little to suggest that he has what it takes to break free and become a smooth passer beyond the capacity of Ordonez, who has actually been described as having “an impressively complete profile for a centre-back of his age”, by scout Jacek Kulig.
The same, of course, is true for Leoni, but Ordonez has far more experience and thus more substance behind forking out a sizeable figure this summer.
Should either Van Dijk or Konate fall to injury this season, an understudy would be required to step up, and given that Ordonez has already fought against Aston Villa over two legs in the Champions League, he has the confidence and receipts to do exactly that: step up.
Though Guehi would be Liverpool’s first-choice pick this summer, there’s no certainty that Liverpool will manage to convince Palace to reduce their demands and secure the England international’s signature.
Should they fail to do so, this South American up-and-comer has the physical attributes and the smooth, forward-tuned ball game to make a real impact in Slot’s squad, certainly proving an upgrade on the young and untested Leoni.
A dream partner for Isak: Liverpool in discussions to sign £87m winger
Liverpool could add one or two forward to Arne Slot’s frontline this month.
ByAngus Sinclair Aug 12, 2025
Liverpool still have their perfect start to the season thanks to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who saved the day late in the game on Monday night at St James’ Park.
The former Chelsea academy star scored his first top-flight goal to rescue all three points for Arne Slot’s side, who were being held 2-2 by ten-man Newcastle United.
It was another game where one of their new signings, Hugo Ektike, got on the scoresheet. He has now bagged in all three competitive games for the Reds, and has made a flying start. The same cannot be said for Florian Wirtz, however, who has not hit the ground running.
Liverpool are still active in the transfer market and will surely hope that any more signings can make a better start than Wirtz.
Liverpool’s next summer focus
It is unclear how much money is at Slot’s disposal after spending big on the likes of Wirtz and Ekitike. One man who is continuously linked is Marc Guehi, with the club said to be in talks over a deal to sign the Crystal Palace skipper.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Of course, the overarching saga of the summer transfer window has been to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Merseysiders are “ready to bid again” to sign the Sweden international.
Newcastle are standing firm, and whilst the player still dreams of a move from the North East to the North West, it will not come cheap at all.
It has been reported by The Telegraph that Eddie Howe’s side will demand as much as £150m for their centre-forward.
Why signing Isak could be bad news for Wirtz
There is little doubt that bringing Isak to Anfield would be the cherry on top of the cake for Liverpool this summer. Described as a “machine” in front of goal by Romano, he certainly knows where the back of the net is.
In the 2024/25 campaign, Newcastle striker Isak showed why Jamie Carragher said last December he is the “best striker in the Premier League”.
He bagged 23 top-flight goals in just 34 appearances, including this thunderbolt against Liverpool, and the winner against the Reds in the Carabao Cup final.
The stats showcase why Isak, who earns £120k-per-week at St James’ Park, is held in such high regard.
For example, he averaged 0.75 goals and 0.46 goals per shot on target each game last season, which ranked him in the top 3% and 12% of Premier League strikers, respectively.
Goals
0.75
97th
Shots on target
1.34
83rd
Goals per shot on target
0.46
88th
Goal-creating actions
0.46
88th
Expected goals
0.66xG
94th
Well, Isak’s arrival could certainly rock the boat and become bad news for their marquee summer signing, Wirtz.
It has not been the fast start many might have expected for the German, with Alan Shearer claiming the Reds are “finding it difficult to get him into the game” at the moment.
This is not to say the former Bayer Leverkusen star is a bad footballer.
After all, he did score and assist 31 goals last season for the German side, and grabbed an assist on his Liverpool debut in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.
However, with Wirtz struggling, the potential arrival of Isak could prompt a tactical shift from Slot. The Dutchman may drop the German attacker and play both Isak and Ekitike up front together, as a pair.
In fact, this is something Liverpool’s boss mentioned in an interview earlier this month. He explained that he sees Ekitike as someone who can “play together with another No. 9”, hinting to Liverpool fans that the Frenchman could work up front with Isak.
Ekitike excels at being able to drop deep, link up play and create chances. This season, he has already created four in two Premier League games. It is easy to imagine him linking up with a finisher as deadly as Isak.
Whilst signing the Swedish star would be a huge move for the Reds, it may impact Wirtz’s game time, after what has been a disappointing start to his career on Merseyside. For Slot and Liverpool, having such a wealth of attacking options can surely only be a good thing.
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