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Man City man stars, Barcelona and Juventus players also impress – Croatia 3-5 Spain Player Ratings
Spain progressed to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 following an exhilarating clash with Croatia on Monday. Spain had the better of the opening stages, creating two excellent chances to take go ahead. The first came when Pedri slipped a ball through to Koke, but his finish was too close to Dominik Livakovic in goal. Soon afterwards, Ferran Torres swung in an inch-perfect cross for Alvaro Morata at the back post. However, the forward’s header was blocked by Domagoj Vida when he really ought to have scored. Spain were made to rue their missed chances in comical fashion just moments later. Pedri overhit a backpass to Unai Simon, who failed to control the ball and allowed it in for 1-0. It was the ninth own goal of the tournament – as many as every other European Championships combined. It was...
Everton closing in on £17m signing, Newcastle keen on player as well
Everton are thought to be closing in on the signing of the Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes. According to Record, Premier League side Newcastle United are still interested in the 22-year-old player but the Toffees are expected to win the race. Apparently, the Merseyside outfit are set to secure an agreement with the Portuguese outfit and the transfer could be completed for a fee of around €20 million. The 22-year-old midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Newcastle during the January transfer window as well but it seems like the Magpies will miss out on him once again. SL View: Could prove to be a bargain signing for Everton Nunes is highly rated in Portugal and he has a big future ahead of him. The Brazilian midfielder could prove to be a superb long-term investment for the ...
Report suggests Celtic are willing to sell first team ace for a fee of €15m
Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer has been linked with a move away from Parkhead this summer. The 23-year-old centre back has proven his quality in Scotland and he is looking for a fresh challenge. The Norwegian’s contract with Celtic expires in the summer of 2022 and the Hops will have to sell him this summer unless they want to lose him on a free transfer next year. According to Kicker, the Scottish outfit are demanding a fee of around €15 million for the player. Apparently, Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are keen on signing the player but they are unwilling to meet the asking price. The German outfit will be aware of the fact that Celtic are under pressure because of the defender’s contract situation and the Hoops could be forced to lower their demands later this summer. The 23-year-o...
36 goal contributions last season: Manchester United agree fee for 20-cap Int’l
The Jadon Sancho transfer saga is finally coming to an end. According to Sky Germany, the two clubs have now agreed on a fee and Manchester United will pay around €85 million for the 21-year-old winger. Sancho has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League over the last couple of seasons and the Red Devils tried to bring him back to the Premier League last summer as well. However, Dortmund were strict with their valuation and Manchester United were unwilling to pay the asking price. It seems that the Red Devils have finally decided to give in and pay up for the 20-cap England international this summer. SL View: Sancho could take United to another level Sancho is one of the best wingers around Europe right now and he could prove to be a sensational addition to Ole Gunnar Solskj...
Report: £10m int’l will ‘push for a move’ after Euro, Leeds and Villa want him
Liverpool officials expect young defender Neco Williams to leave the club this summer. The club feel he will “push for a move” after Euro 2020. The 20-year-old has done really well playing as cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold over the past campaign. The youngster is a regular member of the Wales national team and wants to play regularly at club level. While he is a bright talent, it’s difficult for him to dislodge Alexander-Arnold from the starting line-up. According to The Athletic, Anfield officials understand William’s desire to play regular first-team football. The Reds will reluctantly sell the academy graduate if the right offer comes their way. SL View – interest from Leeds & Aston Villa Williams has got plenty of admirers, with Leeds United, Aston Villa, Wol...
Barcelona star with 20 goal contributions last term, has no plans of leaving the club
Spain international Jordi Alaba has no plans of leaving Barcelona amid the reported interest from Inter Milan, Mundo Deportivo claims. Inter are interested in signing a new left-back this summer, and Alba has emerged as a potential target this month. It was recently reported that the Blaugrana would be prepared to sell the Spaniard to reduce their wage bill. However, the 32-year-old does not intend to leave the club and is keen to honour his contract expiring in June 2024. Sportslens view: The Blaugrana need to lower their wage bill to comply with La Liga rules following the arrival of four new signings this summer. It was recently claimed that they could offload one of their highest earners in Alba, with Valencia’s Jose Gaya joining as a replacement. That appears unlikely to happen w...
Liverpool will strike gold if they can land 21-year-old Man Utd target this summer – SL View
It is an open secret that Liverpool need a midfielder this summer. Following Gini Wijnaldum’s departure, the Reds need to add depth in midfield, although they may not look to bring in a like-for-like replacement. Curtis Jones, who progressed immensely last season, is an ideal in-house candidate to take the Dutchman’s role. On that basis, an attack-minded central midfielder would be a sensible addition and Hoffenheim’s Christoph Baumgartner is an excellent option. According to German publication Kicker, both Liverpool and Manchester United are battling to sign the highly-rated 21-year-old midfielder. The Austrian youngster has impressed at Euro 2020. They were knocked out at the last 16 stage by Italy, but he was impressive throughout the campaign. He scored in a 1-0 win over Ukraine t...
Gabriel Agbonlahor shares how he’d react if Grealish leaves for Man City
Aston Villa attacking midfielder Jack Grealish has been linked with a summer move to Manchester City, with the Premier League champions said to be willing to part with £100 million for his signature. The England international is not expected to make a decision until after Euro 2020, and Villa fans are hoping he remains at the Midlands outfit beyond the current transfer window. Dean Smith’s side are not keen on selling Grealish, but the opportunity to win continental and domestic silverware at Man City could be too attractive for him to turn down. Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor has insisted the fans would not hold anything against the academy graduate if he chooses to leave. “I think if I’ve got my Villa head on, disappointed,” the ex-striker replied when asked on talkSPORT how he feels ab...
Leeds United want 26-year-old with 3.3 take-ons per game, Bielsa has spoken with him
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has contacted Huesca’s left-back Javi Galan ahead of his potential move to the club, Football Insider reports. The Whites are actively searching for a new left-back irrespective of whether Ezgjan Alioski stays or leaves the club this summer. Alioski, whose contract expires on June 30, has been the club’s regular in the position, with Stuart Dallas occasionally featuring in the role. However, Dallas has excelled playing higher up in midfield, and the club want to bring in a new left-back after failing to do so last summer. They are currently in advanced negotiations to sign Galan, who has a £3 million release clause on his contract expiring in June 2022. Bielsa has reportedly contacted the 26-year-old to discuss how he could fit into his team next se...
West Ham and Leeds linked with 23-yr-old winger, player will cost around £12.8m
West Ham United and Leeds United have been linked with a move for the Sporting Lisbon Winger Jovane Cabral. According to A Bola, the Portuguese outfit are prepared to sell the player for a price of around €15 million (£12.8m). The 23-year-old had a reasonably good season with the Portuguese outfit last year and he scored eight goals and picked up five assists across all competitions. SL View: Bargain squad option for both clubs For the reported asking price, he could prove to be a handy option for the two Premier League clubs. Cabral is quite young and he’s likely to improve with experience. The Cape Verde international could prove to be a bargain in the long run. Leeds could definitely use more depth in the wide areas and it seems that Marcelo Bielsa is looking to bring in a winger this s...
Liverpool in advanced talks to sign £34m-rated ace, Klopp has requested his signing
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian attacking midfielder Otavio from Porto. According to Portuguese publication A Bola, the Premier League side are currently in advanced talks to sign the 26-year-old midfielder who has been requested by Jurgen Klopp. SL View: Much needed balance for the Liverpool midfield The Reds could definitely use more creativity in their midfield next season and the technically gifted Brazilian could prove to be a quality addition. The midfielder chipped in with five goals and twelve assists since last season. Otavio can play in the wide areas as well because of his flair and his versatility could prove to be very useful for Liverpool. The midfield pivot of Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho has excellent ball retention skills, passing and defensive...
Report confirms Leeds offer for 25-yr-old, player could sign on loan with obligation to buy
Leeds United have been heavily linked with a move for Nahitan Nandez for weeks now. According to La Nouva Sardegna (via Sportwitness), the Premier League side have offered a fee of around €15 million to loan the midfielder for one season. The report further states that Marcelo Bielsa’s side will have an obligation to buy the player for another €15 million at the end of next season. The 25-year-old South American midfielder has done well for Cagliari in the Italian league and signing him for a fee of around €30 million seems quite reasonable. The player reportedly has a release clause of around €36 million and it would be quite impressive if Leeds managed to sign him for less than that this summer. Apparently, Cagliari chief Tommaso Giulini has a good relationship with Leeds chief Andrea Ra...
