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Rangers are interested in signing a "highly-rated" Premier League player in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update from journalist Graham Falk.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers' season ended in heartbreaking fashion, following their last-gasp defeat to Celtic in the Scottish Cup final, and Philippe Clement will now be desperate to bring in new faces this summer, in order to avenge that loss, as well as falling short in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Kalvin Phillips looks highly likely to leave Manchester City ahead of the 2024/25 season, having fallen completely out of favour under Pep Guardiola, and he has been linked with an exciting move to Rangers. Celtic are also providing competition for the midfielder's services, so there could be an auction for his signature, following a tough spell on loan at West Ham last season.

FK Radnicki goalkeeper Stojan Lekovic has also emerged as a transfer target for the Scottish giants, with the towering 6 foot 6 stopper making 61 appearances for his current club, and representing a long-term option at 22 years of age.

Godoy Cruz left-back Thomas Galdames could join Rangers as a replacement for Borna Barisic, too, having reportedly played his final game for his team, and he spoke about his future last week ahead of Copa America duty with Chile, saying: "The transfer market begins now, but I have to concentrate on the national team. If I do get a transfer, it needs to be something that will be good for my career. That's what I have been working for since the day I became a footballer."

Rangers want "highly-rated" Premier League player

According to Falk on X, "Rangers are interested in highly-rated Arsenal defender Reuell Walters" this summer, with the 19-year-old expected to depart the Emirates before next season gets underway after rejecting a new deal.

In his report for The Scotsman, the journalist adds that the youngster "already posted his goodbyes via social media and was given well wishes by the likes of Declan Rice and William Saliba", suggesting that he was held in high regard at the north London giants.

Walters could be an exciting addition for Rangers, even though he is still such a young player who is lacking experience at the top level. He will have learned so much from training alongside some world-class players at Arsenal, with Oleksandr Zinchenko heaping praise on him.

"I like so much centre-back Reuell. I think the qualities he has, he is aggressive. I swear to God, one time he pushed Gabriel Jesus in a shoulder-to-shoulder. It is not easy to push Gabriel because he is very strong, and he was confident on the ball afterwards, he kept the ball well and passed. Wow. He impresses me I think the most."

Rangers learn price for "creative" target Clement personally wants to sign

A deal won’t come cheap…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 1, 2024

Walters has been capped by England at Under-20, Under-19 and Under-18 level, making a combined nine appearances for his country, and the fact that he can shine at centre-back, right-back and in midfield would make him a versatile option for Clement for years to come.

Alejandro Garnacho’s influence continues to grow, with Cristiano Ronaldo Jr taking to donning his Manchester United shirt for homework duty.

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• Promising winger a big fan of CR7
• Worked together at Old Trafford
• Cristiano Jr treading his own path

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 20-year-old winger once worked alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo at Old Trafford. Garnacho has never hidden his admiration for CR7, despite being an Argentina international team-mate of Lionel Messi.

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• THE GOSSIP

  Garnacho idolises Ronaldo, and it would appear that said respect works both ways. Georgina Rodriguez has shared an image on social media of Cristiano Jr completing his studies in the Saudi Arabian sunshine while wearing a United away shirt with 'Garnacho 17' on the back.

  Instagram

• DID YOU KNOW?

  There has been talk of Garnacho one day inheriting the No.7 shirt in Manchester that Ronaldo once wore with such distinction. For now, he has been moved to 17 – with England international Mason Mount continuing to occupy an iconic jersey previously worn by the likes of David Beckham, Eric Cantona and George Best.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Cristiano Jr may one day get the chance to stake a claim for that shirt himself, as he continues to impress in Al-Nassr’s academy system. He is looking to follow in the most illustrious of footsteps, with his legendary father still going strong at 39 years of age.

Chelsea chiefs have reportedly been in contact over signing a £65m player ahead of Manchester City this summer, as Enzo Maresca looks to get one over on his old boss.

Chelsea convinced Maresca is right man to replace Pochettino

The Blues will have Maresca in the Stamford Bridge dugout next season, with the Italian set to replace Mauricio Pochettino on a five-year deal and begin plotting how to topple former employers Man City.

The 44-year-old has stood out among a number of candidates picked out by the Chelsea board, with Fabrizio Romano stating that the club are “convinced he can be the man for present and future”.

“Never had any doubts despite some reports suggesting that maybe he wants to stay at Leicester. Although he loves and respects Leicester, it’s been very clear ever since Chelsea entered this story that Maresca wants to be the next Chelsea manager.

“Maresca’s obsession with ball possession, quality football, dominating the game, his knowledge of elite football despite being a young manager – all of this made the difference for Chelsea to pick him."

Maresca may well be backed in the transfer market by Todd Boehly and co ahead of his first season as a Premier League manager, with the club thought to be in talks to win the race to sign Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer. The cash may also be splashed once again by Boehly, with reports claiming Chelsea are in contact with a star who is protected by a £65m release clause.

Chelsea make Diogo Costa approach

According to journalist Rudy Galetti on X, Chelsea have made contact with FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa over a possible transfer. Porto are open to selling Costa if they receive a satisfactory offer even below release fee, with rivals Manchester City also showing an interest.

Costa has been with Porto for the entirety of his career so far after progressing through their academy and has seen is Transfermarkt valuation rocket to a career-high €45m.

The 24-year-old has made 154 appearances for Porto over the years, keeping 64 clean sheets and winning eight major honours for the club. He’s also been called “magnificent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig following a fine display against Bayer Leverkusen back in 2022.

It looks as if Chelsea view the shot-stopper as a potential first choice ‘keeper ahead of Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic, making this a deal to watch.

Chelsea star Wesley Fofana has defended France team-mate Kylian Mbappe after reports emerged of him partying at a Swedish nightclub.

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• Mbappe not in France squad
• Reportedly spotted in nightclub
• Fofana defends French team-mate

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Real Madrid star was not included in France's squad for their Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium as manager Didier Deschamps wanted to allow him more time to get "100 per cent fit". The 25-year-old was reportedly spotted in a Stockholm nightclub while France beat Israel 4-1 on Thursday. While some have criticised the former Paris Saint Germain star, compatriot Fofana has come to his aid, saying "he does what he wants."

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  WHAT WESLEY FOFANA SAID

  He told reporters: "People can do what they want with their free time. It isn't something we [the France squad] have talked about today, I hadn't heard about this story. He does what he wants; he is a great guy and a great professional. Are we making too much of it? I don't know. He's the best French player, so it's normal that it is very publicised. I think that from time to time [the media] go a little too far. You should ask Kylian Mbappé for more information."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe finally made his blockbuster move to Madrid from PSG this summer but the 2018 World Cup winner hasn't been as impressive as many would have hoped. He has scored seven goals in 11 matches this season but three of those have been from penalties. And when things aren't quite going as well as expected, players of Mbappe's fame may get treated harsher than others – rightly or wrongly.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While Mbappe will soon get ready for Madrid's next run of fixtures, his France side travel to Belgium in the Nations League on Monday night.

The best-laid plans often go awry, and when it comes to transfers, Arsenal have seen a fair few of their plans go up in smoke in recent years.

The latest target they're set to miss out on is Benjamin Šeško, who's agreed to stay at RB Leipzig after weeks of links with a move to North London.

However, the Gunners have proven themselves to be shrewd operators in the market over recent years and, according to recent reports, have moved onto another player who could be the perfect addition to the side, although it could spell trouble for Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from The Standard's Simon Collings, Arsenal are not 100% convinced they need to spend big on an out-and-out nine this summer. Instead, they could reinforce the frontline with a new winger, with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams being one player they have taken a particular interest in.

The Guardian revealed that the 21-year-old's current contract has a release clause worth around £43m, and while that's quite reasonable for a player of his quality, Collings claims his hefty wages of around £172k-per-week could prove to be a stumbling block.

Agreeing a deal with the dynamic wideman could prove challenging, but given his performances this season, it seems well worth a try, even if his arrival could disrupt Martinelli's development in North London.

How Williams compares to Martinelli

Now, Williams is a versatile attacker who has started 74 games on the right wing and 47 on the left in his career, but considering how much Arteta clearly trusts in Bukayo Saka, the Bilbao ace would almost certainly join the club on the basis that he'd primarily play off the left, which in turn would put him into direct competition with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

The latter enjoyed a stellar campaign with the Gunners this season – returning 19 goals and assists in 46 games – but he's set to turn 30 this year, and based on the North Londoners' evident desire to build a young team for the future, he's unlikely to feature too heavily in Arteta and Edu's long term plans.

Therefore, the Brazilian would probably be his competition at Arsenal, in which case, how do the pair stack up with one another?

Well, in terms of pure output, it's a significant win for the"dazzling" Pamplona-born ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig. He scored eight goals and provided a massive 17 assists in 37 games this season, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.48 games – at just 21.

In comparison, the former Ituano gem scored eight goals and provided five assists in 44 games, which equates to a goal involvement every 3.38 games.

Unfortunately for the Gunners' number 11, he also comes out second best when looking at the pair's underlying numbers.

For example, while he produces a higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, more progressive passes and an equal number of progressive carries, he scores fewer actual non-penalty goals, provides fewer assists, produces fewer shot and goal-creating actions, makes fewer ball recoveries and completes far fewer successful take-ons, all per 90.

In all, the Bilbao star, whom data analyst Ben Mattinson claims is blessed with "electric pace," has his potential competition beaten in both raw output and underlying numbers this season and by quite some margin.

Ultimately, Martinelli may well get back to his best in 2024/25, but if Arsenal have the chance to sign Williams this summer, they should absolutely do it. His incredible dynamism could help make Arteta's side even more dangerous as they look to finally end their two-decade title drought at the third time of asking.

Arsenal could sign "electric" Saka rival who's scored at the Emirates

The incredible talent has already scored against the Gunners in Europe.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 12, 2024

The ex-Liverpool and England defender spoke to GOAL for Mic'd Up, on soccer in America, U.S. releasing players to clubs, and Man City charges

Jamie Carragher knows how big the next 18 months could be for American soccer. With the World Cup due to kick off in North America in 2026, and the U.S. men's national team hiring an elite coach to carry them through it, the former England and Liverpool centerback says it's time to start paying attention to football in the United States.

"It just feels now that America's in a completely different space in terms of soccer, how it sees the game. It will be an amazing World Cup, I can't actually wait for it," he tells GOAL from Miami, where he's enjoying the most brief of respites from an overloaded sporting calendar.

Carragher has started new podcast, It's Called Soccer, co-hosted with NBC's Rebecca Lowe and long-time Sky Sports colleague and Premier League rival Gary Neville. But after enjoying a vacation in the U.S., he can feel the buzz in the country around the sport. Everything is getting real.

"It's been a bit of an eye-opener. I'm getting stopped a little bit in the streets in Miami and Chicago… you're going to the shopping center and people are just pulling me over," Carragher said.

Life in anonymity is no longer an option for the ex-Liverpool man, whose success as a pundit on CBS's Champions League coverage has eclipsed even his reputation as a footballer – especially stateside.

Still, for all of the heightened attention in America, he remains a personality very much grounded in the Premier League. MLS may be on his Twitter feed, but his deeper focus is on the competitions in Europe.

Carragher opens up on Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT and Manchester City's alleged violation of Premier League rules in the first edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US will tap into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

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  On Pochettino

  GOAL: Mauricio Pochettino as boss of the USMNT… I'm wondering what your perspective is on his hiring?

  Carragher: I think it is a great appointment. I think he's a great manager. I think more often than not, the top managers stay in club football, because probably they get paid more. But, you know, I'm sure that he's getting a few quid for the US National job, and good luck to him.

  I think he could probably go alongside any international manager right now in the world. I mean, England just appointed Thomas Tuchel. There's probably not much between them. Tuchel has probably been a little bit more successful in terms of winning trophies.

  I don’t think England should have a foreign manager. But for certain countries – and I'm not saying this to be patronizing to the U.S. – I think other countries that are trying to bring themselves up and maybe get to another level. And Poch is not coming in not just to get results for the national team. He’s coming in to influence the country, the coaching system, the junior teams, the women's teams.

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  On the USMNT's loss to Mexico

  GOAL: What was your analysis of the U.S. loss to Mexico?

  Carragher: I did find it strange what he did in the game against Mexico, in terms of sending players back (to their club teams) and not keeping those players together. They got beat 2-0, so I don't quite understand that. I understand we might say, ‘Oh, we're managing the minutes.’ But I think sometimes as an international manager you’ve got to be a little bit selfish, because the clubs are being selfish and you’ve got to look after your own situation.

  And how many games, real top competitive games, will he have before a World Cup? And we know it's a long time away, but Mexico's always a big rivalry, isn't it? Mexico and America see themselves on a similar level.

  So it's going to be a big game and a competitive game, and to send your best players back [to Europe] for that, and not see what your best team can do in Mexico? I’m not sure I quite understand that. But in the main I think it’s a great appointment, and it can only help the USMNT going forward to the next World Cup.

  GOAL: It did seem he was playing his B team and some kids in the a hostile environments, no?

  Carragher: I'm sure he'll learn something there. He'll get something from the game, and it'd be a great experience for those players who played. But I just think when you’re building something and you've just come into the job, you've made a good start in your first game, you want to build on that momentum. You want your best players around, letting them know what your thoughts are, your ideas, your principles, your tactical setup, what you would do in a big game. It was obviously a different level of competition to the first game, so I didn’t understand that one. It was a strange one.

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  On Manchester City's legal case

  GOAL: I wanted to ask about Man City and the 115 charges against them for alleged breaches of Premier League rules. How do you think that gets resolved?

  Carragher: You know what? I'm not sure it ever gets resolved. Because I think in some ways, no matter what happens, if City are found to be proven not guilty, I think most people in the country, certainly fans of rival teams will all believe they have done it – it's just that they've got the best lawyers. So it'll never go away.

  And if they are found guilty, City will come out and say, ‘It was persecution from the Premier League – United, Liverpool and Arsenal don't want the new kids in town coming and taking their trophies,’ or, ‘that’s the world we live in.’

  I'm just tired and bored of it, if I'm being honest. Some of the things City claim… sometimes I just can't believe… when they claim that they bring in more revenue than anybody else, like Real Madrid, and teams like that, I’m like, ‘behave.”

  I know that myself in the media, if I do a newspaper article on Liverpool or Man United, the amount of clicks is going to get compared to City because people aren't as interested in Manchester City. That's not a criticism, that's just a fact. We know that from viewing figures on Sky Sports. If Man United or Liverpool play they go through the roof. If Manchester City, it doesn't move the needle. And again, it's not a criticism, it's just a fact.

  We know those things. They’re facts. So for City to say that they bring in more revenue than some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League or Real Madrid is just a nonsense.

  But we want it over. We want to be talking about football on the pitch. Manchester City, they’ve got an unbelievable manager, an unbelievable team. We want to get back to judging them as a football team on the pitch, but if they broke the rules that they signed up for as every other Premier League club did, they should be punished, and punished very, very heavily.

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  On the Champions League

  GOAL: Who wins the Champions League? And why is it Real Madrid again?

  Carragher: I don't think Real Madrid will win it. There's not that many options, really, if I'm being totally honest. I think you've got Real Madrid, you've got Man City. I think you've got Inter Milan.

  GOAL: You rate Inter this year?

  Carragher: I’ve rated them for a few years. I was disappointed that they went out last year to Atletico Madrid because I think they could have won it. I think you have to put Liverpool in there because of the history of the club and playing at Anfield. They’ve got some great players as well.

  I actually think Arsenal have got more of a chance of winning the Premier League than Liverpool, but Liverpool have got a better chance of winning the Champions League than Arsenal. I just think there’s something about Arsenal.

  Liverpool grow in the Champions League, I think Arsenal play smaller. They’ve never won the Champions League, so it’s tough to get over that line and have that belief from your supporters and players. They lost to Bayern Munich last year, just because of Bayern Munich’s name. Bayern Munich had a really bad season last year, and they still beat Arsenal in the Champions League. So you know what? I’m going to go for Liverpool.

Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has responded to the widespread criticism he's received after becoming the new global head of soccer at Red Bull.

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• Klopp takes up role with Red Bull Group
• Dortmund & Mainz fans upset with former coach
• Germain will begin new job in January

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The backlash came from all corners, with Borussia Dortmund fans voicing their disgust and Mainz supporters questioning whether Klopp was "crazy" at a recent match. While some did defend the former Liverpool boss, the matter of the 57-year-old selling his soul was raised as he joined a group that has circumvented German football laws since turning fifth-division club SSV Markranstadt into RB Leipzig in 2009.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Klopp will be responsible for the strategic development of Red Bull's international network of clubs, which include RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls, among others. The move comes after his decision to step down as Liverpool boss at the end of last season, citing a lack of energy, although few expected him to return to football in this capacity.

• WHAT KLOPP SAID

  “I certainly didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes," Klopp said on Toni Kroos' podcast as he defended the move. "And I personally love all my former clubs. I don’t know exactly what I could have done so that everyone would have been happy.

  “It was always clear, well, it was clear to me, that I wasn’t going to do nothing at all. And that’s when the Red Bull story came up. So for me it’s outstanding, I have to be honest.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KLOPP?

  Klopp is currently preparing for what he considers to be the "perfect platform" to enjoy working in football again. He will take up his new role in January.

A £120,000-per-week member of Mikel Arteta's squad, who the Spaniard called "incredible", is leaning towards the Arsenal exit door this summer.

Arsenal players who could be sold this summer

Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Nuno Tavares and Thomas Partey all come as players linked with possible Arsenal exits from the past few months, so an overhaul could well be on the horizon.

Arsenal plot opening bid and negotiations to sign £50 million England star

The Gunners have set their sights on one of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 19, 2024

Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares have already departed north London, with their contracts expiring at the end of this month, reports are heavily linking left-back Kieran Tierney with an exit as well.

The Scotland international, who spent last campaign on loan at Real Sociedad, has said there is every chance that he's played his last game for the Gunners – with Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Zinchenko all seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order.

Tierney's injury record has been an issue for a few seasons, with the former Celtic star being taken off in Scotland's last game against Switzerland due to a hamstring problem.

On a reported £120,000-per-week, it may be best for Arsenal and Tierney to amicably part ways, and journalist Charles Watts has now shared an extensive update on his future.

Tierney prefers permanent Arsenal exit this summer

Speaking to CaughtOffside, Watts claims that Tierney's preference is a permanent Arsenal exit this summer, and the feeling is mutual at his club. Arteta has previously called Tierney "incredible", but perhaps the defender's unreliability in terms of fitness is proving to be a real sticking point.

“I haven’t heard anything to suggest Kieran Tierney will be heading to Newcastle. That was a move that looked certain last summer. I was convinced when the 2022/23 season finished, Tierney would end up at St James’ Park.

“There was a real expectation that the deal would happen, but Newcastle opted to go down a different route and they signed Lewis Hall from Chelsea instead. That killed the chances of Tierney going there and I can’t see anything changing this summer when it comes to that potential move. Arsenal would like to sell Tierney, that’s no secret. But it’s one of those transfers that will not be that easy to secure.

“They wanted to sell him last summer but when the Newcastle move broke down, the market for him just wasn’t there. That’s why they had to end up striking a loan deal with Real Sociedad. The hope was that he would go to Spain, do really well and create a real market for himself this summer. But once again injuries massively disrupted his season in La Liga and any clubs that are looking at him will have to take those injuries – as well as all his previous ones – into account.

“That’s why I wouldn’t rule out another loan at this stage, even though the both club’s and Tierney’s preference is to now part ways on a permanent basis.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be hoping to have a successful season in 2024/25 after Gary O’Neil’s side finished in an impressive 14th place last term, on 46 points, which placed them 20 points clear of the relegation zone. They will no doubt need to add to their squad in order to improve their standings next season and have already dipped into the transfer market.

The first signing they made this summer was Tommy Doyle, who spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Molineux from Manchester City. The club confirmed at the start of May that the 22-year-old would stay at the club permanently ahead of next season.

Their second acquisition this summer was a deal to sign young right-winger Rodrigo Gomes from SC Braga. Interestingly, that is the second winger they have signed from the Portuguese club, having brought talismanic winger Pedro Neto to Molineux from the very same side.

Most recently, the club hijacked a deal from Chelsea to sign young Brazilian full-back Pedro Lima. The 17-year-old is yet to be confirmed as a new signing but will announced on his 18th birthday, on the 1st of July. He cost Wolves £8.5m from Brazilian side Sport Recife.

Now, with the transfer window in full swing, the Midlands club have been linked with another exciting player, this time someone who plies his trade in the Championship.

Wolves target Championship winger

The player in question here is Sunderland’s English winger Jack Clarke. The 23-year-old came through the academy at Tottenham Hotspur but joined the Black Cats in 2022, and after two successful seasons could return to a Premier League side this summer.

According to a report from GIVEMESPORT earlier this week, Wolves are interested in signing the Sunderland man and could move to bring him to Molineux this summer.

With that being said, the pieces explains that the Black Cats are 'keen to retain their starlet' during the summer window, and it would take an offer of anywhere between £25m to £30m in order for Sunderland to allow a sale of their star winger.

The article confirms Wolves’ interest, but also notes there is another Premier League side who could try and sign Clarke this summer. That club is Crystal Palace, who need to replace the outgoing Michael Olise this summer. Their talismanic Frenchman is seemingly joining German giants Bayern Munich for a fee of around £60m.

How Clarke compares to Neto

Last season, 23-year-old Clarke was one of the Championship's most deadly attacking players. He scored an impressive 15 goals and registered four assists in 40 games for the Black Cats, although an ankle injury he picked up in February halted his progress, and he could have had plenty more.

Clarke’s 19-goal involvements last season were better than any of his Sunderland teammates and he was actually the only player in their squad who scored 10 or more goals in the Championship, with Jobe Bellingham’s seven the next highest, as per FBref.

When looking solely at goals, that is the best return of his career. However, in the 2022/23 season, the former Leeds United man scored nine times and registered 12 assists in 45 games, leaving him with an impressive tally of 21 goal involvements, his best-ever return.

In terms of where his goal involvement numbers would rank him in comparison to the rest of the Wolves squad, the winger would be joint-first with Matheus Cunha ahead of the likes of Hwang Hee-chan who had 15 to his name last season, as per SofaScore.

It certainly feels like Clarke is ready for the step up to the top flight of England. Former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke explained in an interview last October that Clarke “looks like a Premier League star” when he is playing at his best.

Clarke could be the dream replacement for Wolves star Neto, who could depart Molineux this summer. As recently as May, The Telegraph published a report suggesting Newcastle and Manchester City were interested in the winger for around £60m. If he does depart, replacing him with Clarke could well be an ideal move.

The Portugal international, and the Sunderland winger, both have a reputation for being fearless and direct one-vs-one wingers. Football analyst H called Clarke “a direct threat” when one-vs-one, before explaining he is “a top-end two-way dribbler”, just like Neto. This is certainly reflected in the pair’s stats.

According to FBref, last season Clarke averaged 7.89 progressive carries per 90 minutes, slightly more than Neto’s 5.83 per 90. Not only that but their bravery on the ball is reflected in their take-on stats. Clarke averaged 7.11 take-ons per 90 minutes last season and completed 3.81 of them, leaving him with a completion rate of 53.6%. Comparatively, the Portugal international attempted 5.24 take-ons per 90, completing 2.20 and averaging a completion rate of 42%.

However, it is not just when carrying the ball that the pair excel. They are both extremely creative wingers, as well as high-volume dribblers. Clarke averaged 4.64 progressive passes last season and played 2.35 key passes per game. In contrast, 24-year-old Neto averaged an impressive 3.21 progressive passes and played 2.26 key passes per 90.

As the stats suggest, there is very little in them as players. They are both direct wingers, fearlessly running at defenders to try and get as close to goal as quickly as possible. However, their goal involvement numbers, 19 last season for Clarke and 11 for Neto show there is little to no drop off in output either.

For a deal between £25m and £30m for Clarke, it seems like a no-brainer for the Midlands club. Even if Neto does stay at Molineux beyond this summer, they can add quality depth out wide in the form of Clarke who will add lots to their squad. It is certainly a transfer for Wolves fans to get excited about ahead of the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

Wolves now keen on signing "amazing" new £30m star who just outscored Neto

He enjoyed an excellent last campaign.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 26, 2024

Manchester City are ready to sign cover for injured Rodri in January, signalling a shift in stance on the mid-season transfer window.

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• Rodri out for entire season
• Manchester City considering alternatives
• Atalanta's Ederson considered a quality option

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With the Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder set to miss the rest of the 2024-25 season, City are considering replacements to bring to the club in the fast-approaching January transfer window. It remains to be seen if any signing would simply be a stand-in for the Spaniard or a long-term replacement, amid transfer interest from Real Madrid.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rodri has been injured since Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September, where he damaged his ACL, and as a result, City have seen their form falter.

  They have lost their last three competitive games against Tottenham, Bournemouth and Sporting CP respectively, and even in their victories have looked less than convincing in the absence of the world's best defensive midfielder.

  As such, City are considering signing Brazlian midfielder Ederson, according to the – a player with similar traits to the Spaniard, and who currently plays for Italian side Atalanta. Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Samuele Ricci of Torino have also been touted as potential targets recently.

  Should they go after any of them in January, it would represent a shift away from the existing recruitment plan, which in recent years has been to do all their business in the summer.

• WHAT AHSAN NAEEM SAID

  Ahsan Naeem, host of the popular Manchester City podcast '93:20' told the: "(Mateo) Kovacic, Bernardo (Silva), Ilkay Gundogan – they’re not the most mobile and what we’ve seen against Spurs, against Bournemouth and against Sporting is that if you have run directly at City players and have athleticism, pace and physicality you can get into very good goalscoring positions very quickly and that’s probably where Rodri has been missed most acutely because we’re missing his dynamism.”

  He added: "We're basically missing our safety blanket and without the safety blanket there may be a bit of a lack of younger lads. It’s not about one player, it’s about the overall make up and characteristics of the midfield right now.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

  Man City travel to Brighton this weekend on their worst run of form in recent memory, and they will need to work hard to pick up a result there, with injuries to John Stones and Ruben Dias further hurting their cause.