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David Moyes smiles, and it’s a cheery smile at that. The 62-year-old has been quizzed on his reaction to Everton’s summer transfer business, and he is content with what he has seen.

Statman Dave hailed the Scottish manager as a “football genius” after his latest success, guiding Everton toward greener pastures. It’s an incomplete task and still in its early phase, but the signs are certainly promising.

Experienced stars such as Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have added flair and control to a Toffees team transitioning toward something more modern, still rooted in Moyes’ core tactical principles.

And who could be a better representation of that than the young and daring Tyler Dibling? Signed from Southampton for £42m in August, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder is the future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Why Everton signed Tyler Dibling

Everton looked to have added much to their attacking midfield ranks when landing Grealish, but Moyes still needed someone competent when coming off the right, and Dibling was the top target.

A series of efforts to sign the fleet-footed teenager were thwarted, but Everton finally secured their man, adding a rising star capable of standing out amongst giants within the Premier League.

He struggled for prolific success on the south coast last term, but then Southampton were embroiled in a pitiful relegation battle, and Dibling was hailed all the same for his “world-class talent” by Southampton’s academy manager, Andy Goldie.

Dibling has the world at his feet, and if all goes to plan regarding the former Saints prospect’s development over the coming years, it could lead Moyes to creating Everton’s new version of Anthony Gordon, a player whose unsavoury exit almost three years ago remains a regretful thing to this day.

Everton must regret losing Anthony Gordon

While few of an Everton persuasion would have wanted Gordon to stay put after his antics in the build-up to his £45m transfer to Newcastle United in January 2023, his decision to force his way out of Goodison Park left a very sour taste on the saga.

A product of Everton’s youth academy, the Merseyside-born winger completed 77 appearances for the Toffees first team before his move, playing regularly in the Premier League for a year-and-a-half before his switch.

And despite banking a healthy sum for his sale, there’s so much to be frustrated about, with Gordon crowned Newcastle’s Player of the Year in 2023/24 and now standing tall as one of the most prominent wide forwards in England.

The acquisition of a young star such as Dibling will perhaps hand Everton the keys to fashion their new version of the England international, one who could stay for a greater period of their career, instead of taking flight at a critical point in the club’s history.

TalkSPORT host Simon Jordan rather unceremoniously likened Gordon’s Merseyside exit to being “like a rat wants to desert a sinking ship”, which is unquestionably unfair but still underlines the prevailing mood when the young winger did indeed jump ship.

Perhaps the whole ordeal reflects the state Everton were in at the time, kept afloat thereafter by Sean Dyche’s prowess in battling against the current of relegation.

But it still stings. Everton collected £45m for their wantaway prospect, but his value has since soared toward the ballpark of £100m, and he could have become a superstar in Everton blue had circumstances been different.

Still, with Moyes now running the show and the Toffees showing signs this season of real progress toward higher Premier League ground, it’s one that fans will choose not to think about too much.

Everton signed Iliman Ndiaye last summer and have now welcomed a prodigy in Dibling, after all.

He's like Isak & Salah: Everton will rue selling "one of the best in Europe"

Two former Everton stars are now thriving in Italy.

By
Will Miller

Sep 11, 2025

An emotional Jason Sangha said South Australia saved his career after delivering a match-winning unbeaten century to help the state break a 29-year Sheffield Shield drought.Sangha, 25, joined South Australia during the off-season last year having been discarded by New South Wales after six seasons and 37 Shield matches, including one as captain in 2022.The former Australia Under-19 captain had been promoted to Shield cricket very early but struggled for consistency, averaging just 26.63 with three centuries in 64 innings for New South Wales before being dropped in November 2023.Related

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But South Australia gave him a lifeline and he has repaid them in stunning fashion. He will go down as a South Australian hero after scoring an unbeaten 126 to help his side chase 270, the highest ever fourth innings run chase in a Shield final. When he hit the winning runs he was mobbed by thousands of fans that ran onto the ground and they chanted his name at the trophy presentation when he received his winners medal.”I thought my career was over,” Sangha said. “South Australia gave me a second chance. I owe them everything, really. They have saved my career.”Sangha finished the season with 704 runs at 78.22 from just six games including three centuries, one in his first game of the season where South Australia beat Tasmania in the equal closest game in Shield history, and one in the last to deliver the title.He performed his heroics in the final alongside Australia Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey who made a sensational 105 in a partnership of 202 after the pair came together at 28 for 3.Carey and Jake Lehmann were the only two players in South Australia’s XI that had played in the state’s last two Shield finals in 2016 and 2017 when they lost twice to Victoria at home and in Alice Springs. He was proud to have finally delivered a title to South Australia.”It has been too long – and the history is what it is,” Carey said. “I didn’t think time was running out but I was just super keen to do everything I can to help us this year.”The scenes in the aftermath of South Australia’s four-wicket win were extraordinary. A crowd in excess of 4000 had turned up at Karen Rolton Oval to watch the fourth day chase. There would not have been a crowd of that size at any Shield game in Australia in recent memory.When Sangha clipped the winning runs through midwicket, the vast majority of the crowd swarmed the field as Sangha and his batting partner Ben Manenti hugged in the middle. The pair got separated as they were each mobbed by fans as they tried to make their way off the ground to celebrate with their team-mates. The scenes were very similar to 1996 when South Australia last won the Shield in Adelaide, as fans swarmed Peter McIntyre and Shane George as they ran from the ground after the pair had held on for a draw.The view from the Karen Rolton Oval grandstand when the Shield trophy was presented•Getty Images

Every Shield final presentation in recent times has taken place on the ground with very few people around. With thousands on the ground in front of the only grandstand at Karen Rolton Oval, which doubles as the pavilion, Cricket Australia and South Australian Cricket Association officials created an impromptu stage in the seats at the front of the first tier.South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas stood in the throng of fans on the ground with his daughter on his shoulders as the crowd looked up to see the Shield presented to skipper Nathan McSweeney.One of the loudest cheers came for Brendan Doggett when he was announced as player of the match. The 31-year-old had already won two Shield titles with Queensland but delivered his finest performance as a Shield cricketer for South Australia taking 11 for 140 for the match, the best ever figures in a final.”I was probably a little bit naive with my first two,” Doggett said. “Just being young and being in a really strong side, I probably didn’t realise how hard they were to win until arriving here.”McSweeney, another former Queenslander, said the drought had weighed heavily on them.”When it has been a long time and you feel a little bit of external pressure as well, it makes it a little bit nicer,” McSweeney said.Coach Ryan Harris, who has delivered both the Shield and the One-Day Cup to South Australia in his first season as coach, said he was hoping the victory was just the beginning.”We’re going to try and win a few now,” Harris said. “We will definitely enjoy this one but I have already started thinking about next year.”

Ahead of Monday’s deadline, Aston Villa have now reportedly set their sights on a late move to sign a defensive reinforcement who even towers above midfield enforcer Amadou Onana.

Emery admits Aston Villa still have "work to do"

The latest team to be left frustrated by PSR rules, Aston Villa have endured a tough summer and have struggled to get out the blocks in the Premier League as a result. Having so far welcomed just Evann Guessand, Yasin Ozcan and Marco Bizot, to say that it’s been an underwhelming transfer window would be an understatement.

Unai Emery is well aware that there’s still work to be done, however – telling reporters last weekend: “The club are working hard to get our structure as strong as possible with the players in the squad, trying to get two players for each position. There is still work to do, maybe even some players leaving more and we will have to sign and complete the squad with some players.

The next Rashford: Aston Villa remain in race to sign “special” £60m talent

Unai Emery could pick up his next Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa by finally landing a £60m transfer target

By
Kelan Sarson

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“The first reason now why we are missing something other in our structure and in our squad with our players because some players left one week or two weeks ago when we were expecting to a deal before.

“We are working and we have some solutions to try to fix it. But we have to be alert, keep going and the players we have now is enough to compete but thinking all season, thinking hopefully we will face more than 50 matches, we will have to get balanced players in the squad and add more players to it.”

On that front, the Villans have been linked with moves for the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot, but could instead turn their focus towards welcoming a towering central defender before the deadline.

Aston Villa targeting late Kristensen move

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Aston Villa are now eyeing a late move to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese. Even taller than Onana at a staggering 6’5, Kristensen would offer Emery quite the threat from set pieces whilst also handing the Spaniard the defensive cover that he’s been searching for this summer.

Compared to Tyrone Mings last season, it’s clear that Kristensen would be an instant upgrade for those at Villa Park. The 23-year-old naturally impressed in the air, but also proved that he’s capable elsewhere after winning 21 tackles.

Described as a “superb” defender by scout Jacek Kulig back in February, Kristensen still has levels to reach at a relatively young age and Emery could help pave the way towards reaching that potential.

That said, if those in the Midlands want to secure his signature, then they will have to turn their interest into a concrete move fairly quickly with the deadline approaching.

The Villans have until midnight on Tuesday to turn what has been a difficult transfer window into one good enough to help Emery secure European football once again.

أثارت إصابة ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد نجم ريال مدريد شكوك كبيرة حول عودته لملعب أنفيلد عندما يسافر الفريق الإسباني لمواجهة ليفربول في نوفمبر في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكان أرنولد قد اضطر لمغادرة الملعب بعد ثلاث دقائق فقط من بداية مباراة ريال مدريد ومارسيليا التي انتهت بفوز فريقه بهدفين لهدف وكان من المتوقع غياب الدولي الإنجليزي عن الملاعب لمدة تصل لستة أسابيع.

وأصبح ترينت صاحب الـ27 عاماً في سباق مع الزمن للتعافي قبل لقاء فريقه ضد ليفربول يوم 4 نوفمبر القادم، ويبدو بشكل متزايد أن اللاعب سيلحق بهذه المباراة.

اقرأ أيضاً.. بينهم نجم ليفربول.. ميسي يختار أفضل عشرة لاعبين في قائمة الـ”F50″

ووفقاً لصحيفة “التايمز” البريطانية فإن ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد يهدف ليصل في الوقت المناسب ويكون جاهزاً لمباراة ريال مدريد ضد ليفربول الشهر المقبل.

ويتعافى ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد بشكل جيد من إصابة أوتار الركبة التي تعرض لها ضد مارسيليا، وهناك إحتمالية بالفعل ليواجه ناديه السابق بعد أقل من ثلاث أسابيع.

ويستعد ريال مدريد لاستئناف منافسات الدوري الإسباني، حيث يلتقي خيتافي خارج ملعبه يوم الأحد المقبل 19 أكتوبر في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

Manchester City are now weighing up whether to hijack their Premier League rivals’ move for a “game-changer”, according to a report.

Man City looking to sign new attackers before deadline

Despite already bringing in Rayan Cherki this summer, Man City may be tempted to bring in more attacking options before the transfer deadline, given that Jack Grealish joined Everton on a season-long loan deal, and there is speculation surrounding Savinho’s future.

Indeed, Tottenham Hotspur have been named as potential suitors for the winger, and Fabrizio Romano has revealed Pep Guardiola would like to bring in another Brazilian forward as a replacement.

However, there is widespread interest in Rodrygo, with Liverpool also considering a move, alongside the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side very serious about signing the forward.

As such, it could be difficult for Man City to win the race for the Real Madrid star, but he is not the only attacker on their shortlist, with a report from talkSPORT revealing they are now considering a stunning hijack of Chelsea’s deal for Xavi Simons.

Simons has struck an agreement on personal terms over a move to Stamford Bridge, but given that a club-to-club deal has not been finalised, there is still time for City to make a late move for the RB Leipzig star, who is valued at £60m.

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The west Londoners are hoping to pay just over £50m, meaning the deal has now stalled, potentially opening the door for the Dutchman to move to the Etihad Stadium.

"Game-changer" Simons could be exciting addition for City

Since making the move to Germany, the former Paris Saint-Germain man has been a reliable source of goals and assists for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, showcasing that he could now be ready to test himself in the Premier League.

Season

Goals

Assists

2023-24

8

13

2024-25

10

7

The Amsterdam-born attacker is also a versatile player, capable of playing on both wings and through the middle, indicating that he could be a like-for-like replacement for Jack Grealish.

Once lauded as a “game-changer” by ESPN’s Tom Hamilton, Simons could be an exciting addition for City, but they have a difficult decision on their hands when it comes to deciding whether to pursue the Netherlands international or Rodrygo.

The Brazil international is thought to be Guardiola’s “dream target”, and he is more experienced at the top level, having scored 25 Champions League goals.

However, given that a deal for Rodrygo could amount to £86m, it would be more financially prudent to sign Simons, and there is every indication the RB Leipzig man could be just as successful at the Etihad Stadium.

The former América and Mexico star weighed in on Javier Hernández’s struggles with Chivas.

Only 19 minutes played in Apertura 2025Three goals in 35 games since returningChivas sit 16th with four pointsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Mexican legend Cuauhtémoc Blanco has sent a tough but candid message to Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who continues to endure a difficult spell since returning to Chivas. The veteran striker has scored just three goals in 35 appearances and has played only 19 minutes so far in the Apertura 2025, as remain stuck near the bottom of the table.

“I don’t like to criticize, but I think he should – like we used to say back in the neighborhood – throw his boots up on the power lines and leave them there, he should retire. These days, young players are faster and better prepared. With all due respect, I think Chicharito should hang up his boots and give the youngsters a chance,” Blanco said.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT CUAUHTÉMOC BLANCO SAID

The former América icon admitted that such a decision is never easy for a player of Hernández’s stature, but insisted that every career has an expiration date.

“It’s tough for everyone. Retiring is complicated because what you really miss is the locker room, the friendships, the stories, the jokes. But eventually you reach a point where you say, ‘That’s it, I can’t anymore,'" Blanco explained.

Blanco, who also played in Europe with Real Valladolid, nonetheless recognized the remarkable career Chicharito has built, highlighting his spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, West Ham, and other clubs.

“He did incredible things in Europe, but you also need to know when it’s time to step away. You can see he’s struggling. In my opinion, he should retire while he still can. He scored plenty of goals with Madrid and United, but ultimately, the decision is his to make,” Blanco said.

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

Chivas picked up a 2-1 win over León in a friendly match played in Chicago over the weekend. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández started and logged 73 minutes, while Cade Cowell found the net to score one of the goals for the red and whites during their U.S. tour.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CHICHARITO AND CHIVAS?

Chivas now turn their attention to the upcoming Clásico Nacional against América in Matchday 8 of Liga MX next Saturday. While sit second in the table with 17 points, remain in the bottom places with only four points to their name.

Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the first Test in Rawalpindi next week without a specialist spinner, after Abrar Ahmed was released from the Test squad to join the Shaheens squad.It means Pakistan will field an all-pace attack, with the return of Naseem Shah to the Test side after a year out bolstering an attack that also includes Shaheen Shah Afridi.Khurram Shehzad and Mir Hamza, who both impressed at times during Pakistan’s last Test assignment in Australia, and Mohammad Ali are the other fast bowlers in the squad. Aamer Jamal, though, is unlikely to be available for the first Test. Jamal was the standout performer in Australia, taking 18 wickets and scoring valuable runs. But he’s been suffering from a lower back complaint since earlier this summer, one which affected and ultimately curtailed his county stint with Warwickshire.Abrar, who missed the Australia Tests with an injury, has been released alongside Kamran Ghulam, in the interests of both playing cricket rather than sitting on the bench. Ghulam will captain the Shaheens side against Bangladesh A in a four-day game, which begins in Islamabad on August 20, one day before the Test series.Related

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Abrar’s absence means Pakistan will be without a frontline spinner for only the second time in a home Test – including their UAE Tests – since September 1995 (though they did play a couple of Tests in the early 2000s with Shahid Afridi as their sole spinner). The only other time they played an all-pace attack was also at Rawalpindi, in December 2019, in what was their first Test in Pakistan in 10 years. That was part of a strategic shift under the new leadership of Azhar Ali, who, with Yasir Shah’s form dipping drastically, wanted to rely more on pace. It didn’t last long as Yasir returned and, in subsequent seasons, pitches were prepared to assist spin.Abrar Ahmed will play for Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh A next week•Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

The move to release Abrar doesn’t mark a broader change in philosophy as much as it acknowledges what Pakistan hope the surface in Rawalpindi will be – one with pace and bounce. If so, that will be a significant change from recent Test surfaces at the venue: lifeless and full of runs.It is also a nod towards the relative lack of resources in Pakistan’s spin cupboard, with neither Sajid Khan nor Noman Ali really having nailed down a spot in the Test side over the last few seasons. The first Test will be the fourth instance of Pakistan not picking a spinner in their playing XI in their last 32 Tests. By contrast, only twice in 201 Tests before that did they not play a specialist spinner.It will leave Salman Ali Agha to shoulder the spin load for this Test, though increasingly that is a responsibility he has looked well-equipped for. In his last six Tests, since the start of 2023, he has bowled on average 12 overs per innings, including twice bowling 20 or more overs in Australia. He’s also made a habit of picking up useful wickets in that time, something that has not gone unnoticed.Asked on the last week whether Pakistan were short of spinning options, Test coach Jason Gillespie said: “You can look into whatever you want. But to start, I think we’ve got two special spinners. Salman Ali Agha is good enough to be classified as a specialist spinner. From what I’ve seen, he has a lot of potential with his offspin. Abrar (Ahmed), obviously, is a fine young bowler in the early stages of his career.”So, I think we’ve covered a lot of bases. We have a lot of seam-bowling options and spin-bowling options. Our batting is varied as well. I believe we have all bases covered, and it’s a very exciting time for the Pakistan Test side.”Both Abrar and Ghulam will rejoin the Test squad after the conclusion of the Shaheens four-day game and will be available for selection for the second Test in Karachi.

Newcastle United are expecting movements from both directions in the summer transfer market, with Eddie Howe looking to make astute investments after qualifying for the Champions League.

Though the Magpies are skating on thinner ice than most of their Premier League rivals in regard to the PSR front, they should be able to emerge from the market unscathed, making as many as four first-team additions.

Howe will certainly be hoping to secure a new defensive signature, with The Telegraph already revealing rekindled interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is worth £65m and has one year left on his contract.

However, PIF might want United to make a shrewder signing, and there’s one in particular which could fit the bill.

Newcastle to intensify talks for new CB

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are ready to up their pursuit of Monaco defender Wilfried Singo, who is also being targeted by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Talks are expected to intensify soon, with further suitors across Europe looking to get involved given the Ivory Coast international is available for a bargain €35m (£30m).

The 24-year-old has a wealth of choice to pick from, should he leave, but Newcastle’s interest dates back to 2022, so they may be able to tempt him to join the fold at St. James’ Park.

What Wilfried Singo would bring to Newcastle

Singo rose from Serie A side Torino’s academy before joining Monaco in a €9m (£7m) deal back in August 2023, having since gone from strength to strength in France and earned praise as a “freak athlete” and a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Powerful and pacy, Singo’s strengths have been utilised on the wide flank at times, but there’s no question he’s at his best in a central defensive berth.

His eye for goal and natural progressiveness have even led him to be linked by FBref as Real Madrid star Dean Huijsen’s most comparable player, ranking among the top 1% of centre-halves across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal involvements, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90.

It becomes even clearer when assessing the respective defenders’ metrics from the recently completed campaign.

Matches (starts)

27 (23)

32 (26)

Goals

1

3

Assists

2

2

Touches*

65.9

63.9

Pass completion

87%

84%

Key passes*

0.3

0.5

Ball recoveries*

5.1

3.3

Tackles + interceptions*

3.0

2.7

Clearances*

4.0

6.1

Duels (won)*

4.7 (60%)

3.6 (56%)

Huijsen was on Newcastle’s radar, as per the BBC, after his exemplary season with Bournemouth, but when Los Blancos came calling, activating his £50m release clause, the Spain star only had one destination in mind, rejecting a wealth of Premier League interest.

Given the Magpies’ desire for Guehi, too, it’s clear this is a priority position, and Singo’s ostensible availability could lead to an official in the coming weeks, not that talks are intensifying.

Technically proficient and a confident and commanding defensive presence, Singo could prove to be Newcastle’s very own version of Huijsen next season, providing the requisite quality at the back to ensure the club can wade deep into Champions League competition and challenge for a place at the forefront of the Premier League.

Newcastle line up "magical" £59m CF who's like Cunha & Mbeumo

Newcastle are plotting to sign a few new forwards this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 5, 2025

Newcastle United are “keen on signing” a £70 million “tank” this summer as Eddie Howe looks to further strengthen his EFL Cup-winning squad, according to a new report.

Newcastle pushing for Champions League

Newcastle have had quite the season. Wow fans across the Premier League with their relentless, electrifying performances? Check. Turn Alexander Isak into one of the most feared strikers in Europe? Check. Win the EFL Cup – their first major silverware in 70 years? Double check.

Now, it’s time to add the icing on the cake by qualifying for next season’s Champions League. And by the looks of it, Howe and the Magpies are in a good position to do so.

Currently sitting third in the Premier League with just four games to go, the Magpies kept their Champions League destiny firmly in their own hands on Saturday with a resounding 3-0 win over Ipswich Town — a result that also confirmed the Tractor Boys’ immediate return to the Championship after a tough season back in the top flight.

Isak, Dan Burn, and 21-year-old William Osula all got on the scoresheet at St. James’ Park, with Howe particularly pleased for Osula. Speaking after the match, he said: “He is a player of rich potential and hopefully that is a real confidence lift for him.”

Howe also reflected on the race for the top four, adding: “It will go down to the wire. The important thing today was that we bounced back from last week. We have been very consistent and now we have four huge games.”

Newcastle remain keen on signing Marc Guehi

Whether Newcastle make the Champions League or not, Howe is still planning to strengthen his squad this summer — aiming to keep the momentum going rather than risk stagnation.

And among the club’s top transfer targets is, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi — a player they have been chasing for some time now.

The Magpies had four bids rejected for the England international last summer, the highest being £65 million. However, according to Romano, Newcastle remain “keen” and are ready to go back in for him again when the window opens.

Romano also reports that Tottenham Hotspur, who had a £70 million ($89 million) bid turned down last summer, are still very much interested, while Guehi’s boyhood club Chelsea are also in the race.

Guehi, who has the same agency as Anthony Gordon, has established himself as one of the Premier League’s outstanding defenders over the past three seasons and has shone on the international stage too, making the Team of the Tournament at Euro 2024 as England reached the final.

Josef Bursik, Guehi’s former youth teammate, once described him perfectly.

“He’s an absolute tank,” he said. “It’s like having a brick wall in front of you — he’s massive.”

As Ruben Amorim goes in search of the perfect duo to slot into his two No.10 roles, Manchester United have reportedly set their sights on signing a player who’s been compared to former Arsenal man Santi Cazorla.

Man Utd eyeing 'next Cazorla'

Now in April, Manchester United’s Premier League campaign can be summed up by the fact that they’re yet to win back-to-back games. Defeat against Nottingham Forest was expected, given the contrasting seasons that both are enduring, but Anthony Elanga’s winning goal certainly added salt to the wounds of a United side who will be desperate for matchday 38 to arrive.

It’s become clearer and clearer as Amorim’s reign has progressed that he needs a number of reinforcements if he is to turn things around at Old Trafford and INEOS seem to be well aware of that.

Even as cost-cutting measures continue, the Red Devils have been linked with moves for the likes of Rayan Cherki and now one other attacking midfielder who’d be perfect for Amorim’s system.

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According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now eyeing a move to sign Oscar Gloukh from Red Bull Salzburg if they lose Bruno Fernandes this summer. Their star man has recently been linked with a move to Real Madrid in what would be a deserved upgrade, only for Amorim to swiftly slam the exit door shut ahead of the transfer window.

The former Sporting Club boss told reporters: “Bruno Fernandes to Real Madrid? It will NOT happen. He’s going nowhere. One day we want to win the Premier League again. So we want the best players to continue with us… and Bruno won’t leave, I already told him.”

"Special" Gloukh would be perfect for Amorim

Compared to former Arsenal midfielder Cazorla by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gloukh would be perfect for Manchester United even if Fernandes stays put. A Cazorla-type is exactly what Amorim needs in his 3-4-2-1 system. By keeping hold of his captain and then adding Gloukh, Amorim could form the ultimate duo in his two advanced midfield roles.

Stats comparison (via FBref)

Oscar Gloukh (24/25)

Santi Cazorla (2012/13)

Starts

16

37

Goals

9

12

Assists

2

11

In less than half the games that Cazorla started in the entirety of Arsenal’s 2012/13 campaign, Gloukh has managed just two less goals this season at Red Bull Salzburg. And whilst he has work to do if he wants to reach the Spaniard’s prime on the assists front, the blueprint is certainly there and Manchester United could yet benefit.

Still just 21 years old, Gloukh’s previous campaign was described as “fantastic” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig and he has only improved even more just one season later, with 10 goals in all competitions.

United have already seen rivals Manchester City benefit from a player who rose through the ranks at Salzburg in Erling Haaland. Now, they could enjoy a player of a similar calibre who may yet become the next Cazorla.