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Everton Football Club must operate carefully in the 2024 summer transfer window. They are in danger of once again breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, for which they were punished last season, which cost them points and could have easily resulted in their relegation from the top flight.

The Toffees had a total of eight points deducted last season as a result of their rule-breaking, which was broken down into two separate instances, of six points in November and two points in April. Their first deduction was originally ten points, but Everton appealed and had it reduced to a punishment of two points.

In the end, the deduction did not have too much of a bearing on their overall league standing. Sean Dyche’s men finished a comfortable 14 points clear of 18th place Luton Town, who faced the drop at the end of the season. Everton’s 40 points saw them finish 15th and comfortably survive in the end.

Alas, they must now put last season behind them, and look to climb the table to improve Everton’s standings in the Premier League. They have already completed two deals, and have been linked with several new players this summer. A recent report suggests they could look to sign a prominent first-team player from one big top-flight side.

Everton target Premier League defender

The player in question here is Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The 26-year-old has struggled to nail down a spot under Erik ten Hag so far in his tenure and could depart Old Trafford if the right offer comes in this summer.

According to Graeme Bailey, Everton are 'interested' in bringing Wan-Bissaka to the club, as the player enters the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.

Bailey explains that Wan-Bissaka’s future at United is currently unclear', with Everton ready to pounce should he be made available for transfer.

Any deal between the two clubs for United’s number 29 might not be the only business they conduct with each other this summer; the Red Devils want to sign Jarrad Branthwaite off Everton, with the Toffees thought to be interested in Victor Lindelof as a replacement.

A price has not yet been named for the Englishman, although United could well hope to recoup much of the £50m they spent on Wan-Bissaka back in 2019. However, CIES Football Observatory values him at just £12.6m.

Why Wan-Bissaka would be a good signing

The 26-year-old defender featured 30 times in total for United last season, which included 22 appearances in the Premier League. He registered three assists, including one in the Champions League and one against Liverpool in domestic action. Wan-Bissaka also showed impressive versatility in his game, playing seven times at left-back, a largely unfamiliar role.

If there is one standout aspect of Wan-Bissaka’s game, it is his supreme one-vs-one defending ability. In fact, football analyst Ben Mattinson described the right-back as “one of the best 1v1 defenders", high praise for such a tough skill to master.

This was further backed up by Mattinson’s fellow football analyst H, who explained that the 26-year-old “can simply lock up any single player in the world”, before explaining he has “an attribute every team in the world would want”.

The way the United star uses his long legs to hook the ball away from defenders is so effective. He never overcommits to a slide tackle, just gambles, reaches around the opponent’s legs and hooks the ball away from them with ease. Rarely will you see the Man United defender concede a needless foul, almost always winning the ball back. As some allude to, he is one of, if not the best around at defending in one-vs-one scenarios.

Indeed, his defensive numbers on Fbref are extraordinary, and highlight just how well he reads the game. The former Palace man averages 2.30 interceptions per 90 minutes, which places him in the top 1% of full-backs in Europe, as well as 4.25 combined tackles and interceptions, ranking him in the top 4%. The Englishman also ranks in the top 4% for clearances per 90, with 3.48.

Where big question marks could be drawn surrounding Wan-Bissaka’s overall game is his attacking play. He averages just 3.93 progressive passes per 90, ranking him in the 60th percentile, and plays an average of 0.63 key passes, placing him as low as the 20th percentile. He is not terrible going forward, but there are certainly better options in that sense.

With that being said, in an Everton side that concedes a lot of possession, his defensive responsibilities might well outweigh his attacking requirements, thus making this a worthy investment.

Should the Toffees get this deal over the line, Wan-Bissaka could be an ideal replacement for club legend Seamus Coleman. The Irishman ranks sixth on the list for most Everton appearances of all time, but at 35 years of age, will likely depart the club in the next year or so. His current deal expires in 12 months.

Thus bringing Wan-Bissaka to the club would be an excellent investment for Everton. Not only are they are replacing Coleman in the long term, but they signing someone who will be a starter immediately, and likely a crucial player for the club.

Dyche did not really have a first-choice right-back last season. Coleman played 12 times in the league, with Scottish defender Nathan Patterson making 20 appearances, and former United player and Premier League legend Ashley Young also slotting in at right-back on 12 occasions.

Wan-Bissaka goes a long way to solving this issue, given his talent and quality defensively, plus the longevity he has, being just 26. It certainly seems like a great move for all parties, and it enhances Everton’s quality at the back and further increases their chances of survival for another season.

Everton enter race for £13m "wonderkid" who's the perfect Onana partner

The club are eyeing reinforcements despite their financial woes.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 20, 2024

One Arsenal star has expressed his desire to leave behind-the-scenes, as the Saudi Arabian PIF plan to negotiate personal terms with him.

Players who could leave Arsenal this summer

There are many players in Mikel Arteta's squad currently deemed surplus-to-requirements, and while we may not see all of them sold, there are a few interesting names who've been linked with the exit door recently.

Arsenal now seen as most likely destination for £38m forward at Euro 2024

The Gunners are expected to make attacking additions.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 27, 2024

Indeed, it is believed Arsenal have told Oleksandr Zincheko and Kieran Tierney they're free to leave, as sporting director Edu Gaspar looks to bolster the club's transfer kitty. Ridding Arsenal of their combined £270,000-per-week wages would also save money in the long run, especially if they're not part of Arteta's long-term plans.

Jakub Kiwior is preferred to both Tierney and Zinchenko as the Gunners' makeshift left-back alternative, so it is believed the two left-backs could be sacrificed. Alongside the defensive duo, other players who could be sold by Arsenal this summer include Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares.

Another big name who is expected to depart north London, given his contract expires just next year, is midfielder Thomas Partey. The 31-year-old, due to fitness issues, only made 14 Premier League appearances last term and even missed the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

He also earns around £200,000-per-week as one of the Gunners' best-paid players. Now could be the time to part company with Partey, who is thought to be attracting interest from clubs in the Middle East and Turkey.

Partey expresses desire to leave Arsenal as PIF plan talks

According to CaughtOffside, Partey has been clear in his desire to leave Arsenal behind-the-scenes and begin a new chapter away from the Emirates – coming after four faithful years at Hale End since he joined in a £45 million deal from Atletico Madrid.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), who work on behalf of Saudi Pro League sides, are eager to negotiate personal terms with the African, and ascertain which Saudi side he'd like to join this summer.

Partey is expected to quit Arsenal and appears to have his pick of clubs in the Gulf to choose from, with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli making lucrative offers to him last year. When fit and available, the former La Liga star is a more-than-capable player, so will be a sore miss for Arteta in parts when he does eventually go.

Declan Rice even named his teammate among the likes of Rodri and Aurelien Tchouameni when talking about the world's best midfielders.

“The main one in the Premier League is Rodri, he’s incredible. The way he works, the way he keeps that Man City team ticking, he’s a top player,” Rice told Channel 4.

“Partey, when I came to Arsenal, he was incredible and has been until his injury. Tchouameni at Real Madrid, he’s aggressive, gets on the ball, goes forward.”

In her first season in England, the midfielder has already made her first-team breakthrough at the club that has won the last five WSL titles

When GOAL asked Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor what she had seen in Wieke Kaptein that prompted her to hand the teenage midfielder such a prominent role in the Blues' pre-season campaign this summer, she was straight to the point. "That's really simple," she replied. "She is performing."

It's Kaptein's first year with the Women's Super League champions, who have a squad stacked with enough quality to have lifted that title in five successive seasons. That she has been able to make such an immediate impact, then, is a testament to her talent, her work ethic and, despite being just 19 years old, her experience.

When Chelsea made the short journey to Twente last week, to take on the Dutch club that played such a huge role in Kaptein's development, through three memorable and trophy-laden seasons in the first team, the pride that those in the area have in watching one of their own thrive at one of the biggest clubs in the women's game was evident. When it was the turn of the Dutch press to direct questions to Bompastor and Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan, they were all about Kaptein.

It was then that Bompastor was able to reiterate what she had already said in the build-up to the teenager's first season in blue. "She will be a really important player for us through the season, for sure," the coach said. "No matter her age, she's performing and that's the most important thing."

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  Where it all began

  Born in Hengelo, a city in the Twente region in the Netherlands, Kaptein's introduction to football came from playing with her brothers from the age of five. Soon enough, she would start playing for Achilles '12, the local amateur club, in the boys' teams. Indeed, Kaptein played football with the boys for most of her childhood, something which she believes really helped her develop. "You always have to keep up, you always want to be better than the guys," she told GOAL last year.

  As a teenager, she would progress into the youth teams at Twente, the club she and her brothers supported growing up. Kaptein's rise from that point was quite sudden. Towards the end of the 2020-21 season, at 15 years old, the midfielder signed a professional contract. A few months later, in the new campaign, her first-team debut followed.

  She wasn't done there either, asserting herself as a key player almost immediately. Within two years, she'd played over 50 senior games, experienced Champions League football and won five major trophies.

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  The big break

  While followers of the game in the Netherlands were well aware of her talent already, it was in the summer of 2023 that Kaptein really announced herself to a more global audience. That first started to come with the senior national team, for whom the midfielder debuted in April last year.

  Despite being a regular in the youth national teams throughout her teenage years, Kaptein never actually played at one of the marquee tournaments in her age groups, most notably missing the 2022 UEFA Under-17 Women's Championship because it clashed with the end of Twente's domestic season, and she was so important to their title bid that she stuck around. But she was soon to make up for that by playing at the biggest tournament of them all.

  That’s because Kaptein's breakthrough with the Oranje came at the perfect time, when the World Cup was right around the corner. It was going to be a long shot to make it, but she impressed head coach Andries Jonker enough in the build-up to earn her place. Aged 17, Kaptein made her senior World Cup debut in the 7-0 win over Vietnam.

  And yet, there was still something huge around the corner that would make her summer even bigger than it already was. At the beginning of September, shortly after her 18th birthday, Chelsea announced that Kaptein had signed a four-year contract with the club. "It’s a really big club and I’m very honoured to be here," she said.

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  How it's going

  After being loaned back to Twente for one more season, a campaign that brought with it three more trophies, Kaptein is now making her mark in west London. She impressed throughout pre-season and has won over new head coach Bompastor very quickly with her performance levels, starting three of Chelsea's first six games of the campaign.

  Kaptein's role with the national team is only growing, too. That she played in just one of the Netherlands' six games at the World Cup was an indication of her extremely recent breakthrough, but those minutes have only increased with time. It's now much more common to see her starting for the Oranje, as she has three times in their last six games.

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  Biggest strengths

  There is a lot to like about Kaptein's game. At times a defender in her past before settling almost exclusively into a midfield position, it's perhaps no surprise that her battling qualities stand out. The teenager reads play brilliantly, something clearly enhanced by the number of senior games she has already played, and is fantastic at winning possession back as a result.

  She has no problem competing physically in the WSL either, despite being so young and it being a division which is a little more robust than others. Likely aided by her development in boys' football, Kaptein is strong, she doesn't shy away from a tackle and she is full of energy. It's exactly what you need in a midfield player.

  In possession, there are also plenty of positives. Last week, Chelsea team-mate Buchanan described the teenager as being "cool and quite laidback", something she believes is evident in how "composed" she is on the pitch. Kaptein is accurate, she makes smart decisions and she has the vision, and the confidence, to be more expansive with her passing, too.

  But what will be most encouraging of all to Bompastor at Chelsea, and Jonker with the Netherlands, is how coachable Kaptein is as a player. "She's someone who always wants to get some advice from the staff," Bompastor said last week. With that attitude, she will go far.

Jonas Eidevall has sensationally resigned as manager of Arsenal’s Women’s team on the back of a disastrous start to the 2024-25 campaign.

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• Swede took charge in 2021
• Won back-to-back League Cups
• Slegers takes over on interim basis

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Swede took charge of the Gunners in 2021 and has taken in 120 games at the helm, winning 80 of those fixtures. He guided the north London outfit to League Cup success in back-to-back seasons, but has stepped down after picking up just one victory and five points from five games in the WSL this term.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With Eidevall opting to walk away, Arsenal have revealed that first team assistant coach Renne Slegers will be handed first-team reins on an interim basis. A statement from the club says that “the search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete”.

• WHAT EDU SAID

  Sporting director Edu has said in a statement on the club’s : “We thank Jonas for his commitment to the club and achievements here since joining us in 2021. We have great respect for the dedication and commitment he showed to our women’s first team and recognise the role he has played in the growth and development of Arsenal Women.  We all wish him the very best for the future. Our focus will now turn to the process of appointing a new Head Coach, and in the meantime, supporting Renee, as she takes interim charge of the team starting with two important fixtures this week.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Director of women’s football Clare Wheatley added: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Jonas for his hard work and dedication to Arsenal Football Club over the past three years. Jonas has brought us back-to-back trophies in the last two seasons, together with many memorable moments on the pitch. We wish Jonas and his family the best of health, happiness and success for the future. We have full confidence in Renee to take responsibility for the team in the interim period.”

Erik ten Hag’s future as manager of Manchester United is finally secure. It has taken weeks for INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe to come to a conclusion following their end-of-season review, but, as reputable journalist David Ornstein confirmed earlier this week, they have finally decided to keep the Dutchman in his post.

This was a decision that went down well with Ten Hag. During a punditry stint on Dutch TV for England’s Euro 2024 clash against Serbia, he explained that he was aware they spoke to the likes of Thomas Tuchel. However, following those conversations, club bosses decided that “they already have the best manager”.

This now gives Ten Hag a chance to build on what was a disappointing second season in charge. Despite victory in the FA Cup final over Manchester City, the Dutchman saw his side to a disastrous eigth-place finish, only managing to qualify through Europe due to their triumph at Wembley against Manchester City.

There is no doubt that his side will need to recruit in the summer transfer window in order to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season. Already, they have been linked with one man who could help bolster their ranks in the middle of the park.

Man Utd target Premier League midfielder

The player in question here is Everton and Belgium international midfielder Amadou Onana. It has been an impressive season for the former Lille man, which has led to him being linked with a whole host of clubs in the Premier League and abroad.

Indeed, one of those clubs is United, as reported by one Spanish news outlet, strengthening the Red Devils’ links to Onana this week. They explain that the 22-year-old is a player who has “attracted interest” from the Old Trafford club, as they hope to strengthen their midfield options. Sofyan Amrabat is likely to leave given his loan is expiring, although in theory, the club could activate the buy option in his contract.

However, United will not be the only side who are in contention to sign Onana this summer. Premier League runners-up for the second consecutive season, Arsenal, are also hopeful of adding the midfielder to their squad, with Newcastle United and Spanish giants Barcelona interested.

Although a price for Onana is not mentioned, the Liverpool Echo explains that the Toffees would “be seeking at least £50m” to sign the Belgian this summer.

How Onana fits in at Man Utd

The 22-year-old Belgium international was a key player for Sean Dyche’s Everton last season. He featured in 30 of the 38 Premier League games, and missed games only due to injury, notably a calf problem. He managed to get himself on the scoresheet twice in the top flight last season.

Football scout Antonio Mango explained in a post on X that Onana is a “dream to watch” thanks to his “size and physique”, and this is certainly something that stands out in his game. Standing at roughly 6 foot 3, the Belgian is a true powerhouse in the middle of the park and a key part of the physicality of the Everton side.

This is also reflected in his stats. The Evertonian is superb in the air and is able to win headers with ease due to his aforementioned large frame. In the Premier League last season, he averaged 2.24 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, which was a win rate of 74.3% as per Fbref. This places him in the top 5% and 1% of Premier League midfielders respectively.

However, it is not just there that Onana excels defensively. The 22-year-old also has superb ball recovery stats, which is largely thanks to his long legs which he uses to hook the ball away from opponents. Last season in the Premier League, he was one of the best midfielders when it came to ball recoveries. The Belgian averaged 6.89 ball recoveries per 90, which ranks him in the top 9% of midfielders.

Onana’s 1.64 tackles won per 90, and 3.96 tackles and interceptions made per 90 is an excellent reflection of his ability in duels, another place his physicality can stand him in good stead. The midfielder ranks in the top 19% and 20% for each respective category.

These defensive numbers would make the Belgian an excellent partner for exciting young United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. It has been a phenomenal debut season for the 19-year-old, who has played a couple of different roles in the Red Devils’ midfield. At times, the teenager has been sitting as the deepest player, operating as a loan six at times.

However, whilst he can do this job to a high level, Mainoo plays his best football as an advanced eight. He is a true all-phase midfielder and contributed with goal involvements for United last season. He played 32 times in all competitions for United, registering one assist and scoring five goals, including a stunner against Liverpool in the Premier League and, crucially, the winner against Man City in United’s incredible FA Cup final triumph.

The midfielder is a superb carrier of the ball, a player able to receive possession on the half-turn in the first phase, before coasting away and taking it through opposition lines to help progress United forward. The England international, who made his competitive debut against Serbia at Euro 2024, makes it look easy at times.

According to Fbref, the youngster's 2.70 attempted take-ons per 90 and resulting 1.46 completed take-ons places him amongst Europe’s elite. He ranks in the 9% and 8% for each respective metric, an impressive stat for someone so new to professional football.

With Onana, such a proficient number six, playing behind Mainoo, it could become a dream partnership for United. The Belgian can free Mainoo of his more defensive shackles, reducing his responsibility off the ball and allowing him to venture forward more often. Mango explained that the 22-year-old “has all attributes to become a real midfield powerhouse”, and we could see the best of him in a duo with Mainoo.

Onana is already a Red Devil for his country, perhaps we could see him a Red Devil for his club next season, too.

Bid submitted: Man Utd make move to sign "world-class" Rice clone

The Man United target is valued at £34m and he will be allowed to leave his current club.

By
Tom Lever

Jun 16, 2024

While Tottenham Hotspur ultimately failed to qualify for the Champions League this season, Ange Postecoglou's ability to secure Europa League football without Harry Kane at the club means that, on balance, the campaign has to be viewed as a success.

However, the footballing world moves quickly, so the North Londoners will already be hard at work planning their summer transfer window, with the ambition of clawing back a top-four place next season.

In fact, one of the latest players touted for a move to N17 could be the perfect first signing of the summer, even if their arrival could threaten Dejan Kulusevksi's place in the side.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from renowned journalist Alasdair Gold, Tottenham Hotspur are "keeping an eye" on Sporting CP's star winger Marcus Edwards ahead of the summer window.

One of the reasons the club are interested in the Englishman, beyond his ability, is that he's a homegrown talent who came up through the Lilywhites' academy system before moving to Portugal in September 2019.

It was reported in September 2022 that the winger had a £52m release clause inserted in his contract with Sporting, but Gold has claimed the Lisbon-based club value the 25-year-old at around £15m plus add-ons.

In all, it looks like it could be a relatively straightforward deal for Daniel Levy and Co to pull off, and if they can get him for that price, one they can't afford to miss, even if it impacts Kulusevski.

How Edwards compares to Kulusevski

Now, suggesting that Edwards could come in to challenge Kulusevski for a starting spot on the right may sound egregious to some, but the Englishman has been putting in impressive performances in Portugal for several seasons now and has the stats to show it.

For example, last season, he racked up 12 goals and 14 assists in just 51 games before scoring six and providing nine in 44 games this year, meaning that he has averaged a goal involvement every 2.31 games since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

In comparison, Spurs' Swedish international managed just two goals and eight assists in 37 games last season while doing slightly better this year, managing a haul of eight goals and three assists in 39 games, giving him an average of a goal involvement every 3.61 games.

It's not just in their raw output that the "wonderful" Englishman, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, comes out ahead, though, as his underlying numbers are also superior.

For example, while the former Juventus man maintains a better-passing accuracy and wins more aerial duels per 90, the Sporting star produces a higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, produces more progressive passes and carries, takes more shots and shots on target and produces more shot and goal-creating actions, also all per 90.

The London-born star is also a more accomplished dribbler than his potential competition, lending credence to Owen Hargreaves' claim that he often "leaves people for dead" when going forward.

Ultimately, we can't know for sure whether Edwards' impressive form will transfer to the Premier League, but if it does, he would be a serious threat to Kulusevski and, for the price being reported, an absolute bargain.

Spurs keen on signing £70m star to partner Romero

The towering star could help tighten up the Lilywhites’ defence next season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 31, 2024

Bayern Munich are 'very confident' of tying Jamal Musiala down to a new contract and making the wonderkid the new 'face' of the club.

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• Bayern holding contract talks with Musiala
• German star's current deal expires in 2026
• Plans to make him new face of team

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bayern Munich director Max Eberl has insisted that he sees no reason why Musiala would want to leave the club anytime soon, with talks over a new bumper contract already on the way.

  Eberl has insisted he is 'very confident' of a renewal and believes that "something is happening" at Bayern, with Musiala likely to become the face of the club if he signs a new deal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Musiala has just under two years remaining on his contract with Bayern and, having so far resisted any attempts to tie him down to an extension, the 21-year-old has admitted he would be "open to anything" after links to Manchester City emerged.

• WHAT EBERL SAID

  “There was not just one meeting, we’re in talks," Eberl said when asked about negotiations with Musiala. "I’m very confident. Something is happening here and Jamal is noticing that too. He’s an exceptional player, and alongside Josh [Kimmich] and a few others he should become a face of Bayern. We told the player that too. And now we are looking at how we can reach an agreement. I’m an optimist and I see no reason why he should leave Bayern."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MUSIALA?

  Musiala will miss Germany's Nations League fixtures this week after picking up a hip injury last week.

  Bayern will be hoping to have their talismanic forward available for their next game against rivals Stuttgart next weekend, although no confirmation has so far been made over Musiala's fitness.

Liverpool are reportedly set to challenge Manchester United to the signing of defender Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.

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• Man Utd had Branthwaite bids rejected
• Liverpool could make January offer
• Centre-back may be Van Dijk's replacement

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool are eager to sign the centre-back from their Merseyside rivals in January, the reports. The Reds were said to be considering making an offer for the defender in late-August before the summer transfer window closed.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have long been admirers of Branthwaite, however, and saw two bids rejected by the Toffees. The Red Devils have since splashed out on Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, so will have to wait until next summer if they are to have a chance of signing him.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  That could be too late, however, as Liverpool could opt to match Everton's asking price and the defender's wage demands when the transfer window opens again at the start of 2025, with the Anfield club said to be looking for a successor for Virgil van Dijk.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BRANTHWAITE?

  Branthwaite's contract expires in 2027 but the 22-year-old is unlikely to commit to a new deal, so Everton may decide to cash-in on him in the next transfer window.

After a long campaign filled with disappointment and frustration, Manchester United ended the 2023/24 season in triumph.

Erik ten Hag’s side played with belief and togetherness, which helped them lift the FA Cup over Manchester City while also securing them a spot in the Europa League for next season.

This wasn’t only a massive boost for the squad, but it also gave Sir Jim Ratcliffe a better chance at acquiring his targets, with the benefit of playing in Europe now also a selling point.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a long-term Man United target who could just become their own version of Phil Foden.

Man Utd’s search for a new attacker

As per a report from TEAMtalk, Man Utd will look to make Michael Olise one of their first signings under the reign of Ratcliffe.

At this moment in time, the Red Devils are “leading the race for him,” having already made numerous contacts with the French forward’s representatives. It’s stated talks will continue to take place over the coming weeks.

However, Chelsea are also desperate to make Olise one of the key players in their rebuild, which could become an issue for United.

Nonetheless, in order to drag the star away from Crystal Palace, teams must pay his £60m release clause, which may give United an advantage as the Blues could turn to alternatives.

How Olise compares to Foden

Man City’s Foden has truly developed into a world-class star over the last few seasons in particular, becoming a true winner who has led his club to continuous success.

The number 47 has been instrumental this season, especially in the top flight, helping City to their fourth consecutive title and claiming the Premier League Player of the Season award.

His contribution was certainly worthy of the honour, as the England international scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 35 appearances.

This is the exact type of player that Ratcliffe desperately wants to sign for the Red Devils, one that can help transform the club, and Olise could just be that exact individual.

Olise and Foden boasted very similar numbers in the league this season, with the Eagle even registering better statistics in a host of important areas. That’s rather remarkable considering the former doesn’t play for the best team in the world.

FBref classify the duo as similar players, which is mainly due to their ability to score and create, which makes them both elite talents, and of course, they have technical class in abundance.

There’s also the similarity that they both possess magical left feet, yet also boast the ability to use their weaker side to great effect, making them far more unpredictable to defend against.

However, what the previous statistics don’t display is that the “magic” Olise, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored ten goals and assisted six in just 14 starts, which is just two contributions behind Bruno Fernandes and four more than second-place Rasmus Hojlund.

Therefore, it’s clear that if the 22-year-old were to join, he’d have an enormous impact on the squad, in a similar manner to United’s noisy neighbours’ ace Foden.

Man Utd struck gold on exceptional star who's now worth more than Olise

The incredible talent could have an incredibly bright career ahead of him.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 9, 2024

Christian Pulisic scored to help Milan get their first win of the Serie A season.

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• Christian Pulisic scored on a penalty
• Gianluca Busio made season debut
• Milan gets first win

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Christian Pulisic played a pivotal role in AC Milan’s first win of the season, assisting and scoring a penalty in their 4-0 triumph over Venezia.

  Milan, who had struggled to score early in the season, came out aggressively. Left back Theo Hernandez scored within the first two minutes, setting the tone for the match. Pulisic then made his impact felt, assisting Youssouf Fofana on a corner kick. Fofana headed the ball into the net to double Milan’s lead.

  Perhaps as a reward for his season so far, Pulisic was called upon to take a penalty in the 25th minute, which he converted to score his second goal of the season. Tammy Abraham, who previously played alongside Pulisic at Chelsea, added a second penalty to complete Milan’s scoring. USMNT star Yunus Musah joined in late, at the 74th minute, to help close out the game.

  For Venezia, while the match result was disappointing, there was a silver lining as American midfielder Gianluca Busio made his season debut.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Milan's first win of the season sees them rise up to eighth in the table. While the team has gotten off to a slow start, Pulisic has been one of the few bright spots.

  Pulisic now has two goals and two assists in just four matches for theThere could be concern for his USMNT teammate Musah.

  The former Valencia star has just one start on the season, and has been largely cast in a late cameo role under new manager Paulo Fonseca. Musah also struggled in his outings for the U.S. during the September friendlies. With the 2026 World Cup inching closer, the midfielder will need more playing time to secure his spot under new national team manager Mauricio Pochettino.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Since the start of last season, Pulisic is only one of two players in Serie A to have at least 10 goals and 10 assists. The other is his Milan teammate Rafael Leao. Pulisic and Leao are two of 12 players in Europe's top five leagues to have that stat, according to Opta Jack.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MILAN, VENEZIA?

  Pulisic and Musah will hope to continue Milan's winning ways in the Champions League when they host Liverpool Wednesday. They resume league action on Sept. 22 against heated rivals Inter.

  Busio and Venezia look to get their first win of the season when they host Genoa on Sept. 21.