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After supposedly seeing a third offer turned down in pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, Newcastle United have opened talks to sign an alternative option who knows all about clean sheets at St James' Park.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies, to their credit, have so far gone above and beyond in their chase to land Guehi, with their latest bid reportedly worth as much as £60m plus £5m in add ons. Yet, still, Steve Parish and Palace have not budged and Guehi currently looks set to stay put at Selhurst Park, perhaps leaving Newcastle with no choice but to look at alternative options.

It must be said that, whether it's Guehi or another option, Eddie Howe needs another central defender in his side. As things stand, he's starting the season without both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles and will likely have no choice but to turn towards Dan Burn when it comes to an extra centre-back in the opening weeks. That's where one former Premier League player would help, however.

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle have opened talks to sign Andreas Christensen from Barcelona this month, with the La Liga giants willing to start negotiations at £22/23m. A Champions League-level defender, who would cost half of what Crystal Palace want for Guehi, signing Christensen instead of the England international would be a stroke of genius, on paper.

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The Magpies have just two weeks to complete their summer business before the window slams shut and a central defender must be their priority. As their move for Guehi remains deadlocked, the £148,000-a-week Christensen represents an incredibly ideal alternative.

"Intelligent" Christensen can match Guehi's quality

Whilst it's easy not to doubt Guehi's ability, especially after his performance for England at Euro 2024, question marks remain over whether Newcastle should be paying more than £65m for a defender who is yet to play a single minute of Champions League football.

Relatively untested on the big stage aside from his recent experience under Gareth Southgate, Newcastle would be closing in on transfer records in what would still be a risky move.

Christensen, alternatively, comes without those risks. He's got that crucial top-level experience under his belt, even winning the Champions League, and as a bonus, knows all about keeping clean sheets at St James' Park after playing 90 minutes in a 3-0 thrashing of the Magpies during his final year at Chelsea.

Progressive Carries

24

15

Progressive Passes

117

67

Tackles Won

14

19

Ball Recoveries

107

120

It was during his time at Chelsea that Christensen earned the praise of former manager Thomas Tuchel, who said via Sportskeeda: "I think it's important we accept the personality of every player. Some are more loud, some aggressive, some more calm. He's a calm guy, very intelligent player.

"Sometimes, you can get maybe a bit misled by judging him from his personality because he is a hard defender and he is a guy who is not shy to have hard tackles and win challenges and step up in games."

Leicester City, much like their fellow promoted side in Ipswich Town, have started to flex their muscles in the transfer window.

Caleb Okoli cost Steve Cooper's men £12m to get him in through the door from Atalanta, whilst spritely midfielder Michael Golding joined the ranks for a reported fee of £4m, after walking away from his boyhood employers Chelsea for a new challenge.

The Welsh boss occupying the dug-out at the King Power Stadium ahead of the daunting Premier League season to follow won't be finished there with new recruits, however, as a bumper deal for this South American star is contemplated.

Leicester face tough battle over Argentine gem

According to a report by Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport, AS Roma are now in the driver's seat over a deal to sign Argentine gem Matias Soule, with the 21-year-old winger wanting to link up with fellow compatriot Paolo Dybala in the process.

The report does also suggest, however, that the Foxes could come back in with another bid for Soule shortly, regardless of the attacker's preferences being known, with Leicester needing to cough up a fee in the region of £31m to stand a chance at winning the in-demand Juventus forward.

This would be a huge statement by Leicester upon their arrival to the Premier League, with the only real other major attacking additions the club have made this summer coming in the form of one free agent purchase, as ex-Fulham stalwart Bobby Decordovia-Reid joined the King Power ranks.

Alongside the former Fulham man, Abdul Fatawu rejoining the East Midlands outfit on a permanent deal will also, no doubt, have dented the bank slightly, with Soule offering competition to the tricky Ghananian as a result.

What Soule can offer Leicester

An in-demand, rising star, Soule will tussle with Fatawu all season long, if signed, for a starting spot in the Premier League, with his ability on the ball mesmerising many a Serie A defence last campaign.

Whilst out on loan with Frosinone, Soule would amass 11 goals and three assists from 39 games, often twisting and turning defenders for fun before firing home.

Stat – per 90 mins*

Soule

Fatawu

Games played

36

40

Goals scored

11

6

Assists

3

13

Shots*

2.3

1.9

Big chances missed

6

0

Big chances created

8

32

Successful dribbles*

2.8

2.2

Total duels won*

5.6

6.1

It's his impressive dribbling numbers that will pique the interest of the Foxes further, when looking at the table above, with 2.8 successful dribbles managed per contest beating Fatawu's 2.2, with football talent scout Antonio Mango even describing his ability when rampaging forward as "supernatural."

Soule could even end up striking up an unlikely partnership with Reid, therefore, if the pair line up alongside each other next season in England, with the ex-Fulham man operating as an experienced and unselfish head in attacking areas.

From 129 Premier League appearances, Reid has notched up an impressive 20 goals and seven assists, with the majority of his games last season for the Cottagers coming down the right flank as well.

Yet, Cooper will know he can play Reid all over the attacking positions as an adaptable and flexible presence, with Soule perhaps benefitting from the nous of the 31-year-old playing him into space to then run rings around flummoxed top-flight defenders.

Leicester fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of what their club's attack could do moving back up to the Premier League, hopeful that they can consolidate again in the top division, and not fall victim to another demoralising relegation anytime soon.

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ByKelan Sarson Jul 15, 2024

أشاد القائد، لوكا مودريتش، بفوز ريال مدريد القاتل على فالنسيا بنتيجة 2-1 في المباراة المؤجلة من الجولة الثانية عشر في الدوري الإسباني بعد أن كان متأخرًا 1-0.

ولكن بعد مشاركة مودريتش البديل في الدقيقة 80، لم يمر سوى 5 دقائق حتى سجل هدف التعادل رغم الطرد الذي تعرض له زميله، فينيسيوس جونيور، بالدقيقة 79.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماركا تكشف موقف فينيسيوس من السوبر الإسباني بعد الطرد في مباراة ريال مدريد وفالنسيا

وتحدث مودريتش عن الأمر في تصريحات لشبكة “موفيستار” التي تبث الدوري الإسباني، وقال: “هذه الانتصارات التي قد تقودك للفوز بالألقاب في نهاية الموسم”.

وتابع: “لم نتوقف لحظة عن التفكير في قدرتنا على العودة، لم نستسلم أبدًا، لقد كنا أفضل بكثير في الشوط الثاني، على الرغم من سوء الحظ الذي عانينا منه من خلال ركلة الجزاء الضائعة والهدف الملغي، لكننا واصلنا القتال للفوز بالمباراة”.

واستمر: “هذه انتصارات تعني الكثير، نأمل أن تقودنا إلى الفوز بالبطولة في نهاية الموسم”.

وواصل تصريحاته: “عندما تصبح الأمور صعبة، تظهر شخصيتنا، هذا ما نتعلمه في النادي ألا تستسلم أبدًا، لقد مررنا بالعديد من المباريات الصعبة مثل هذه، ومن الرائع الفوز بهذه الطريقة، على الرغم من أننا نريد دائمًا حسمها مبكرًا واللعب بشكل أفضل، لكن الفوز بتلك الطريقة يمنحك ثقة هائلة”.

وأتم: “من المهم أن يعود ريال مدريد إلى صدارة الدوري الإسباني، صحيح أن لا يزال هناك وقت كبير لنهاية الموسم، لكن بمقارنة أدائنا قبل شهر، كنا في وضع صعب والآن نحن متصدرين الدوري”.

Arsenal's recruitment has so far been non-existent in the summer transfer window. With Euro 2024 and Copa America in full swing, that's hardly a surprise.

Mikel Arteta and Edu have never unnecessarily spent the club's funds so you can forgive them for being pragmatic in the opening stages of the summer months.

That said, it would not be a surprise if everything was wrapped up by the middle of July. After all, there was a wave of new signings in that month last year, with Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber notably arriving in the same week.

Rice's transfer was hardly a secret but the deal to bring Timber to the Emirates Stadium was kept under wraps a little bit more. So, it's evident that not everything Arsenal are working on in 2024 will be shouted from the rooftops. You'd think, however, that if a new striker arrives there will be a greater sense of know from the fanbase.

So, who could that striker be?

Arsenal's striker shortlist in 2024

Back in January, it looked as though this would be the primary area of concern for the Gunners in 2024. Ivan Toney had been relentlessly linked after a period where Arteta's side struggled to find the net.

However, rumours surrounding the Brentford forward have now gone quiet. Benjamin Sesko, who played for Slovenia against England earlier this week, was the next best bet.

Reports emerged suggesting those behind the scenes at Arsenal were confident of bringing the player to north London but he is now set to stay in Germany with his club side RB Leipzig, signing a new deal too.

So, where to next? Well, the big name doing the rounds at the moment is Viktor Gyokeres of Portuguese side Sporting CP.

The Swede knows English football well for his time with Coventry where he was electric, scoring 22 goals for the Sky Blues during the 2022/23 campaign.

Why, therefore, did English sides not make a move then? They will be cursing their luck after a season where he rippled the net on 43 occasions in 50 outings for the Lisbon outfit.

The rumour mill has been relentless in linking Gyokeres with English shores again, with some reports on the continent even noting that the player is definitely on his way to Arsenal. Whether you believe that or not, we'll leave that up to you.

The knock-on effect of signing Gyokeres

It's hard not to get excited when a new striker signs for your club, particularly when they score goals at such a ridiculous rate of knots.

The cynic in us does wonder whether the Swedish attacker could just be a one-hit wonder but his level of progression in recent years has been superb.

Kai Havertz finally found form last term as a centre-forward – or false 9 – scoring eight times and supplying seven assists in 18 appearances from that role. He offers a wide skill set, ranging from goalscoring, assisting, making selfless runs and holding the ball up to bring others into play.

To put it simply, he has been the perfect foil for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard, Arsenal's chief goalscorers and creators last term.

That said, Gyokeres is no one trick pony himself. Although his arrival would be bad news for Havertz's hopes of continuing as the focal point of attack, the Sporting sensation is no slouch creatively either, boasting 12 assists in Portugal throughout 2023/24.

Havertz would still surely feel confident about earning enough game time but the same can not be said for Eddie Nketiah who slipped further and further down the pecking order in 2024.

It was his torrid run in front of goal that led to the former Chelsea man even being given a shot up front.

Nketiah did score a hat-trick against relegated Sheffield United back in October but he has not actually scored in domestic action since that happy day. He did find the net in a Champions League clash with PSV in December but has left much to be desired since.

2017/18

10

2

0

2018/19

9

1

0

2019/20

17

4

0

2020/21

29

6

1

2021/22

27

10

1

2022/23

39

9

2

2023/24

37

6

3

Once Gabriel Jesus returned from injury, he quickly fell to the club's third-choice striker. As a result, it's no surprise to see him linked with the exit door.

talkSPORT revealed earlier this week that the Londoners have slapped a mega £50m price tag on his head amid interest from Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham.

Whether anyone pays that price remains to be seen but if someone of Gyokeres' calibre does arrive, the chance of Arsenal's no.14 earning any minutes next term are slim.

For the good of his career, he needs to leave, and for the good of the team, he needs to head through the exit door. The £100k-per-week earner's record in front of goal, scoring six goals in 37 matches last season is not good enough for a team challenging for major honours.

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In a memorial service limited to just 10 attendees by Victoria’s ongoing coronavirus lockdown, Jones was remembered by those closest to him

Daniel Brettig07-Oct-2020Dean Jones was privately farewelled by his family with a lap of honour of an empty MCG on Saturday, as the ground’s public address system played tunes by Elton John and INXS, musicians the former Australian batsman had counted among his many friends.In a memorial service limited to just 10 attendees by Victoria’s ongoing coronavirus lockdown, Jones was remembered by those closest to him, before his coffin was conveyed around the venue where he played six of his 52 Test matches and countless state and club fixtures: Jones moved from his father Barney’s club Carlton to the Melbourne Cricket Club in the 1980s.While a public memorial service is planned for a time when more mourners will be permitted to attend, Jane Jones said that the family had been extremely moved by the way her husband’s life and cricket had been remembered and revered by so many.”We have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love for Dean over the last week and can’t thank everyone enough for their support and for sharing their memories with us,” she said. “It has been an awful time to navigate as a family, but I could not have thought of a more fitting place to say goodbye to my husband than under the lights of his beloved MCG.”What better way to honour him than with the music of his friends Elton John and INXS echoing throughout the empty stadium. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Melbourne Cricket Club and the MCG for their willingness to create our personal tribute to Dean and for Cricket Australia’s support.”We would also like to extend a big thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs for ensuring Dean was returned home to us as quickly as possible. We will forever miss Dean’s energy, his zest for life, passion for cricket and his love for us as a family.”

Frenkie de Jong has denied he earns €37m a year with the Barcelona star also rubbishing claims that he refused to have surgery on his ankle.

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• De Jong last played in El Clasico in April
• Is on his way to recovery from an ankle injury
• Hit out at the media for building false narratives

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  During a La Liga match against Celta Vigo in September 2023, De Jong suffered a serious injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in his right ankle. This was the beginning of a difficult spell for the midfielder who went on to pick up two more knocks in the same area.

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  De Jong made a comeback from the initial setback during a match in March 2024 at San Mames against Athletic Club but suffered a blow on the same ankle. His troubles were further compounded in El Clásico on April 21, 2024, at the Santiago Bernabéu when he clashed with Fede Valverde which aggravated the same ankle injury.

• WHAT DE JONG SAID

  De Jong addressed rumours that Barcelona had urged him to undergo surgery, which he reportedly refused. The midfielder refuted these claims, explaining that both he and the club mutually agreed to pursue traditional healing methods rather than going under the knife.

  “Throughout my recovery I have chosen to stay silent" he explained in an interview with . "It is not true that the club told me I had to have an operation, and I didn't want one. Because everyone at the club, the doctors and myself all agreed that surgery was not the best option. It has been very frustrating for a player who lives and breathes football to be out of action for another lengthy period."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  De Jong also spoke out against reports that suggest his annual salary at Barcelona is €37 million (£31m/$41), which if true, is a significant burden on the coffers of a club that are struggling for financial stability.

  "It is not true that I earn 37 million" he insisted aiming to dispel the circulating misinformation about his contract. "That's a very big figure and is a long way off what I really earn."

A £17 million player wanted by Bayern Munich is now considering an exit from the Nou Camp this summer, coming as Arsenal take a real interest in signing him this week.

Edu's summer transfer plan at Arsenal

Sporting director Edu Gaspar has been tasked with reinforcing manager Mikel Arteta's squad this summer, and the Brazilian recently admitted that planning has been underway for quite some time as the Gunners target young, hungry and energetic players.

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Edu also claimed that Arsenal have already drawn up their transfer target list, in a sit down with TNT Sports all the way back in February.

“Well, I understand what the fans are asking for but we already have our targets,” the transfer chief said.

“We have planned a lot ahead and I will be worried if we don’t score a lot of goals and if we’re not creating chances, which is the opposite because we create a lot and score a lot of goals. The plan is to try to get better every year and I think we are in a good moment. Let's see if we can keep improving.

Arsenal's best-performing players in the Premier League last season

Average match rating (via WhoScored)

Bukayo Saka

7.67

Declan Rice

7.38

Martin Odegaard

7.37

Kai Havertz

7.16

Gabriel Magalhaes

6.99

“I think if you see the type of the players we have at the moment, it’s players which have a big, big commitment of [to] the club, which is very important.

“So the way we transmit to the fans, transmit to people our commitment – sometimes you can lose, you can win games, it’s all part of the sport – helps us perform the best way possible and show the passion we have for the club and try to be win as many games as we can.

“Many times in certain conversations to recruit the players you don't see the character of the player or the character of the player does not fit well with what we are trying to do and then you have to move on and try to find what we’re really looking for. If you see all the signings we’ve made since we started together, everyone is almost the same, young, energetic and passionate, and good talents with big, beautiful futures ahead of them.”

Arsenal want to sign a new defender among their chief transfer priorities, maybe even a centre-back. In terms of the players who could fit this and Edu's criteria, one of them may have been named by Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo this week.

Arsenal emerge as strong contenders to sign Mika Faye

In a report on Monday, Mundo wrote that Arsenal have emerged strongly in the race for Barcelona starlet Mika Faye "in recent hours".

The £17 million centre-back, also wanted by Bayern Munich, hasn't made a single appearance for the Barca first team, but has impressed for their B side in the Spanish third tier. Considering his lack of chances for Barca's senior side, the teenage defender now has his mind on leaving this summer, unless they can guarantee him opportunities next term.

Faye made 33 league appearances for the Barca B side last season, even chipping in with four goals, and this is said to have alerted Arsenal chiefs.

As well as Bayern and Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool and Inter Milan are displaying a real fondness for the 19-year-old who's already been capped by his native Senegal.

Inter Miami teammates Messi and Suarez among the highest rated MLS players on EA Sports FC 25

EA Sports FC 25 fans around the world are gearing up in excitement for the worldwide launch of the game on Sept. 27.

EA Sports have released new features across various game modes, but player ratings are always what fans have their eyes on. From an MLS perspective, Inter Miami was well represented by both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Here, GOAL has what you need about the top stars from MLS that you can pick for your team.

USA Today Images25-15Player

Team

RatingFederico BernardeschiToronto FC77Asier IllaramendiFC Dallas77Jonathan RodriguezPortland Timbers77Sebastian DriussiAustin FC77EvanderPortland Timbers77Chicho ArangoReal Salt Lake78Ryan GauldVancouver Whitecaps78Lorenzo InsigneToronto FC78Luis MurielOrlando City78Cucho HernandezColumbus Crew78Roman BurkiSt. Louis CITY SC78AdvertisementGetty14-4Hector HerreraHouston Dynamo78Riqui PuigLA Galaxy78Hugo LlorisLAFC79Carles GilNew England Revolution79Hany MukhtarNashville SC79Emil ForsbergNew York Red Bulls79Jordi AlbaInter Miami80Denis Bouanga LAFC80Sergio BusquetsInter Miami81Lucho AcostaFC Cincinnati81Marco ReusLA Galaxy81Getty ImagesNo. 3

Luis Suarez: has had a stunning debut season at South Beach, and he's being rewarded with one of the highest-rated MLS cards this game. The Uruguayan's highest stat comes in the shooting department, which reflects his performances for the Herons in 2024.

His card in full:

PAC 64DRI 77SHO 85DEF 41PAS 78PHY 75ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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USA Today ImagesNo. 2

Olivier Giroud: France's all-time leading scorer arrived in MLS this summer, signing on a free transfer from AC Milan with LAFC. The 37-year-old striker has the second-best card in all of MLS this year, coming in at 83-rated.

His card in full:

PAC 45DRI 75SHO 84DEF 42PAS 74PHY 81

The NWSL club is filing the grievance as they believe Zambia didn't provide adequate care for their midfielder following an injury

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Chanda is out for the season following an OlympicsPride say Chanda was asked to play and train after injury.Not the only issue being pointed at Zambia.WHAT HAPPENED?

Orlando Pride General Manager and Vice President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter has filed a grievance with FIFA against the Football Association of Zambia on behalf of new signing and midfielder Grace Chanda, according to reports.

The NWSL is filing the grievance due to "failure to provide a reasonable standard of care for player health and safety," according to African media outlet Bolanews.

Chanda signed with Orlando on May 30 and was set to make her first appearance with the club following the Olympics. With the 27-year-old suffering a ruptured quadriceps tendon against the U.S. in Zambia's opening match, she is out for the season.

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Chanda's injury robs the first-place Pride of an addition they were counting to build upon an impressive season. Chanda has scored 19 goals in 31 appearances with the national team.

"[Chanda was asked] to continue training and play in the opening match post-injury," Carter posted on X.

Carter also added the following via a statement earlier this month to ESPN: "We are incredibly disappointed for Grace at this injury and how it occurred….Fortunately, she is under the best possible care with our medical and performance teams here at the club and through Orlando Health. While her debut in purple will be later than planned, it's imperative we prioritize her health and welfare through a safe and responsible return to the pitch."

ZAMBIA'S ISSUES

This isn't the only controversy Zambia is accused of. Zambia's football operations were already being investigated due to allegations of misconduct involving head coach Bruce Mwape.

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WHAT NEXT FOR CHANDA AND ORLANDO?

Chanda is now on the season-ending injury list and will continue treatment. Orlando hope to march forward when they host Gotham FC on Sept. 1

MatériaMais Notícias

Com dois gols do atacante Arthur, o Vasco derrotou a Chapecoense por 2 a 0, na manhã deste sábado, em partida válida pela primeira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro sub-20. A partida foi no estádio Nivaldo Pereira, na cidade de Nova Iguaçu, na Baixada Fluminense. O Cruz-Maltino volta a campo agora na próxima quarta-feira , contra o Botafogo, no Cefat, em Niterói-RJ, às 15h.

O jogo

Aos 22 minutos do primeiro tempo, o goleiro Pablo lançou Figueiredo, que raspou de cabeça para trás e achou Arthur. O camisa 11 avançou com liberdade, invadiu a área e com um toque sútil deslocou o goleiro adversário e abriu o placar: 1 a 0.

O segundo tento vascaíno veio aos 5 minutos da etapa complementar. Arthur cobrou falta da entrada da área, mandou com força no canto do goleiro. e fez o seu segundo na partida: 2 a 0.

Escalação do Vasco: Pablo, JP Galvão (Saulo), Menezes, Zé Vitor e Julião; Rodrigo, Caio Eduardo (Diego Fernandez) e Marlon Gomes; Arthur (Vinicius Gabriel), Vinícius (Juan) e Figueiredo (Marcos Dias). Técnico: Diogo Siston

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