Category Uncategorized

Martin O’Neill’s time in charge of Celtic couldn’t have gone much better really.

The legendary manager saw his beat their Old Firm rivals, reach a cup final and draw level with Hearts at the top of the SPFL table.

It took the Hoops a while to find their new manager but they finally have their man in the form of Wilfried Nancy who arrives following a stint in MLS.

That said, for those at Parkhead, chiefly Liam Scales, he’s not had much time to think about what could be in store under the new boss.

Scales preparing for new era at Celtic

Republic of Ireland international Scales was asked after the 1-0 victory over Dundee on Wednesday evening whether he had been doing his research on the 48-year-old Nancy.

“No, I haven’t had time,” the defender said. “It’s been so busy. Obviously we know bits and pieces but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We need to focus on the games that we have and now is the time where we’re going to have to really focus on the tactical changes and whatever he wants us to do.

“It’s hard to do homework on someone you’ve never met because you don’t want to create a false idea of them. It’s better just to wait and really learn from them in person.”

Nancy arrives ahead of a crucial run of games. Celtic will go top of the Premiership if they beat Hearts on Sunday before facing St Mirren in the League Cup final a week later.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than the week he has come in. It’s probably ideal. You want to come in and be part of massive games and he has a chance to win a trophy early on.

“If you come in and do well over the next three games, it’s the best way you can start a job. We’ll be doing our best to make that happen for him because we want to be successful as a team.”

Scales could be set for new role under Nancy

Scales was in excellent form under O’Neill, notably hailed as Celtic’s “player of the year” by some. Evidently, he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the interim manager in the dugout.

The defender said of O’Neill: “He’s been really good. It’s been a positive four weeks or five weeks. We’ve won a lot of games. We’ve obviously won a cup semi-final and won an away game in Europe as well. They were big wins. It’s just been really enjoyable and positive.

“In the game now, the defenders are on the ball a lot and you need to link play. But to go back to basics and just be told that you need to win your headers, you need to win your duels, I’ll keep that with me.”

Whether the centre-back continues his form remains to be seen. After all, Scales could be set for a modified role given Nancy’s preference for a back three. “I’ve played in back threes, I’ve played in back fives, I’ve played in back fours. I just want to be in the team. That’s all I care about.”

Better than Maeda: Celtic star is going to be undroppable under Nancy

This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

Everton have joined the race to sign a want-away England international in January, according to reports, but face competition from the likes of Manchester United.

Grealish admits "love" for Moyes & Everton

The general rule is that fans should never fall in love with a loan player, but what if a loanee falls in love with them? For Jack Grealish and Everton, the admiration is going both ways and the Manchester City man couldn’t help but heap praise on David Moyes and onwatching fans after scoring the winning goal against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

Speaking to reporters, Grealish said: “It is a brilliant team and I love the manager to pieces. I have only known him a few months and I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person. How he makes me feel, how he makes me want to play for him – credit to him. We are doing well.

“I am so lucky that I have had such great clubs and great fanbases, this is another one of them. They have been so good to me today. They were singing my name before the goal, I feel like they wanted a bit more from me and I gave it to them!”

There was plenty of cautious optimism when Everton signed the England international on loan in the summer. He was struggling under Pep Guardiola, but a move away and much-needed minutes always seemed likely to spark his love for the game back into action.

It’s been such a successful deal that The Friedkin Group could look to strike a similar transfer in January. Reports have already linked Everton with moves for struggling stars like Joshua Zirkzee and they’ve now even set their sights on welcoming Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League.

Everton join Conor Gallagher race

According to reports in Spain, Everton are now racing to sign Gallagher alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and, of course, Man United.

The England international has struggled for consistent game time as of late, starting just three La Liga games so far this season – and is now ready for a return to the Premier League in an attempt to secure his World Cup place.

Man United’s interest has been well-documented in recent weeks, but Everton could yet spoil their January plans by swooping in. Whether it’s the Red Devils or the Toffees, however, deal is unlikely to come cheap. Atletico are reportedly demanding around €60m (£53m) to sell their midfielder this winter.

Related Everton could sign "one of the best left-backs in the world" for just £25m

The Toffees could look to re-sign one of their former players and have several formulas ready to acquire him.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Nov 30, 2025

Despite his current struggles, Gallagher often received praise during his time in England, with Chelsea legend Petr Cech telling reporters in 2024: “He’s one of the players that’s always cared about winning and about the club.

“You find that even young players can have special abilities to be a leader. Conor is one of those players – he’s always worked hard, he’s always cared and he always tries his best.”

Having seen the success of Grealish at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Gallagher could yet follow suit to hand Moyes an impressive addition in January.

Everton eyeing up move to sign former Liverpool star who's been "fantastic"

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Crystal Palace future is in doubt with an insider revealing the player and his agent are “testing the waters over a move”.

The 28-year-old has grown into such an important player for the Eagles, helping them win the FA Cup last season and already scoring six goals in 12 Premier League appearances this time around.

In fact, former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino has called the Frenchman Palace’s “most improved” player in the recent past, and in fact of all time, hailing his impact leading the line at Selhurst Park.

“Again, Mateta, in my opinion, is probably the most improved player I’ve ever watched, I’ve ever seen. I’ve watched Mateta two years ago and the one I’m witnessing now, completely different.”

Mateta’s rise has unsurprisingly seen him linked with a move away from Palace of late, and now a new update has shared some concern for the Eagles.

Jean-Philippe Mateta eyeing Crystal Palace exit

Insider Mick Brown reports that Mateta is “testing the waters” over leaving Palace, as he eyes a new challenge.

Palace must do all they can to convince Mateta that staying put is best for his career, with the Eagles certainly doing enough of late to suggest as much, not least sealing FA Cup glory last season.

That said, the France international may look at Eberechi Eze leaving for Arsenal in the summer, and Marc Guehi continually being linked with a move to Liverpool, and feel that now is the right time for him to move on.

Related Arsenal now eyeing another Crystal Palace star as contract talks in danger

He’d be an excellent addition.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Nov 22, 2025

Palace supporters will desperately hope this isn’t the case, as will manager Oliver Glasner, but at 28, he will know that he has reached a key point in his career, in terms of sealing one big move before he passes his peak.

Liverpool now eyeing Mateta deal amid fresh Crystal Palace contract concern

After having a winter to sit and stew over criticism of the New York Yankees made by a couple of Los Angeles Dodgers players, namely relief pitcher Joe Kelly and outfielder Chris Taylor, in the aftermath of the latter club's World Series win, Yankees manager Aaron Boone on Tuesday told reporters he hopes his club acts with "more class" than Los Angeles did should they ultimately win a championship in 2025.

"The reality is we didn't play our best in the series and they won, so they had that right to say whatever," Boone said. "Hopefully, we're in that position next year and handle things with a little more class.

"But the reality is it's a great team, it's a great organization with a lot of great people that I happen to know and respect, too. So a few people sounding off isn't necessarily how I would want to draw it up."

On the strength of a walk-off grand slam off the bat of first baseman Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers won Game 1 of the World Series over the Yankees, then, buoyed by superb pitching, both starting and in relief, and more muscle from Freeman, jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.

In Game 5, New York, with its back against the wall, jumped out to a 5-0 lead in an energized Yankee Stadium, seemingly poised to take the a big step towards a historic comeback. But the wheels fell off in the fifth inning, in which the Yankees made two errors and a mental mistake in a defensive meltdown, which allowed the Dodgers to plate five runs, all with two outs.

Los Angeles eventually won the game and with it, the World Series title. After the Dodgers' triumph, a report emerged stating that the Los Angeles's plan against the Yankees, whom they viewed as a club of "talent over fundamentals" was to put the ball in play and "make them execute."

Shortly after that, Kelly, during an episode of the podcast, said that New York started "kicking the ball around and playing Yankee defense" in the disastrous fifth inning. Kelly later doubled down, saying the World Series vs. the Yankees was a "mismatch from the get-go." Kelly's teammate Taylor, on an episode of Mookie Betts's podcast, added to the criticisms, saying the Yankees "s— down their leg."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman in November told reporters that Kelly's comments seemed "personal,” and said that they were not reflective of the feelings of the whole Dodgers organization. But Boone, during an appearance WFAN Sports Radio, seemed to take a little dig at the stature of the Dodgers players making criticisms.

Boone, when asked on Tuesday, said he felt the Yankees players took the Dodgers' comments personally.

"Probably a little bit," Boone said. "You don't like hearing that."

“It’s just we thought this pitch might get better to bat on as we went through the five days but as we saw it didn’t,” Brendon McCullum says after Edgbaston defeat

Vithushan Ehantharajah06-Jul-20254:11

Stokes: We weren’t able to deliver our skills when needed

Brendon McCullum admitted that England got the toss wrong at Edgbaston, opting to bowl first on a surface that did not develop as they had expected throughout the second Test, culminating in India securing a mammoth 336-run victory to level the series 1-1.England have made no secret of their desire for pitches with good pace and carry that, crucially, do not deteriorate much over five days. Headingley was a case in point, with England inserting India upon winning the toss and then knocking off a target of 371 with relative ease on the final day.Ben Stokes revealed on the eve of this Test that requests have been put in for pitches that “suit what we want to go for and how we want to play our cricket”. He did cede, however, that there was a hint of uncertainty about how the Edgbaston pitch would play, with a warm, dry summer making preparations for ground staff that little bit trickier.Related

England want pace and bounce at Lord's, Jofra Archer 'ready to go'

Gus Atkinson added to squad as England ponder changes for Lord's

Stokes' batting in focus as England count cost of Edgbaston errors

Akash Deep ten-for seals statement win for India

Nevertheless, England believed conditions underfoot were going to evolve a certain way and were found wanting. Given first go, India posted 587, and it was only Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 184 and Harry Brook’s 158 in a scorecard of six ducks that meant the visitors began their second innings 180 in front.Burned by the first Test, Shubman Gill, who made the most of his time at the crease with 269 and 161, set England 608 and then handed the ball to Akash Deep, who exploited a worn day-five surface to take 6 for 99.McCullum, while aware England did not help themselves with bat or ball, acknowledged the first mistake was made at the toss.”I think, as the game unfolded, we probably looked back on that toss and said ‘did we miss an opportunity there’, and it’s probably fair,” he said. “We didn’t expect that the wicket would play quite as it did and hence we probably got it slightly wrong. But we did have them 200 for 5 and we weren’t able to capitalise on that position and when you win the toss and bowl you’re hoping to, well, you’re not anticipating the opposition’s going to score 580 and then, from that point, we’re behind the game.”It was only a brilliant partnership from Jamie Smith and Harry Brook which gave us any balance in the game throughout the five days. That’s something we’ve got to look at. We’re not rigid with our plans. It’s just we thought this pitch might get better to bat on as we went through the five days but as we saw it didn’t.”1:46

Harmison: England’s top-order returns a worry

McCullum went as far as to suggest the way the pitch was playing by the end was akin to those in India, with cracks emerging and creating uncertain bounce and extravagant movement off the seam that Akash Deep, in particular, was able to exploit.With Jasprit Bumrah returning for the third Test at Lord’s, which begins on Thursday, McCullum hoped a wiser performance would come off the back of this experience, perhaps aided by a friendlier surface for England’s needs.”I thought Akash Deep bowled outstandingly on that surface,” McCullum said. “Obviously growing up playing on those types of wickets, he hit his length and was able to utilise the surface where he could.”He was exceptional. Bumrah will more than likely come back in for the next one, so we’ve just got to make sure we’re well planned and well prepared and ready for the next challenge. It will be quite different, I imagine, to this surface and that’s probably a good thing for us.”We ran second for five days. I thought India played exceptionally well. Shubman Gill was at an elite level and played brilliantly on this pitch. We weren’t quite able to play how we wanted to on it and they thoroughly deserved to win.”

Amad Diallo insisted Manchester United's players are fully supportive of Ruben Amorim's style of play after the the Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Amad rescued a point for United with a brilliant late strike but could not hide his disappointment at the fact his side's run of three consecutive wins had come to an end.

• Amad brilliance cannot mask Man Utd's problems

  Amad's incredible volley avoided defeat after Forest had staged a quick turnaround in the second half following Casemiro's first-half header. Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicola Savona scored within the space of three minutes and although Amad's stupendous goal averted more embarrassment for Amorim, United were expected to do better against a Forest side that had lost their previous four league games and who had not earned a point at home since the opening day of the season.

  Amad admitted he was not content with the draw but stressed the team were fully behind Amorim despite the constant scrutiny of his playing philosophy and the 3-4-3 formation he has played for almost the entirety of his coaching career.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  United 'learning every day' under Amorim

  Amad said: "Honestly we are really disappointed to go home with one point. We were in a good moment, winning three games in a row. We wanted to do the fourth, but we can learn from this and then try to do the best next time. 

  "As a team, we are learning every day with the manager, with Ruben, because we believe in his system. But I think today we are really disappointed because as a team we demand a lot."

• Players 'understand the system' after rough start

  It took United 11 months to string together back-to-back Premier League wins under Amorim and Amad said the team were making progress under the coach, who last term presided over the team's worst league finish and lowest points total in 51 years and their failure to qualify for Europe for the first time in 11 years.

  "Yeah, of course. It wasn't easy at the beginning for him and for us," Amad added. "But the beginning was a start. Now we are trying to understand the system, and we are trying to do the best every game. We want to win every game because we want to bring this club to the level where they deserve to be."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Amad enjoying partnership with Mbeumo

  United will look to return to winning ways at Tottenham next week and will hope to capitalise on the negative atmosphere building at Spurs following their third defeat in five matches in all competitions. To beat Tottenham United will need to get more out of the productive partnership that has been building between Amad and Bryan Mbeumo down the right flank.

  The pair combined to score during United's 2-1 win at Liverpool last month and impressed during the 4-2 victory over Brighton but were unable to wreak much havoc against Forest.

  "I think we have a good relationship, especially because he speaks French," Amad said of Mbeumo. "We are trying to have that relationship, not only on the pitch but even outside the pitch, to have that connection. He's a good guy, he's a humble guy, he works very hard in training, so we are trying to do the best on the right." with whom he has struck up a successful partnership."

تحدث ألفارو كاريراس ظهير ريال مدريد، عن مواجهة المصري محمد صلاح جناح ليفربول، عقب اللقاء الذي جمع الفريقين مساء الثلاثاء.

وحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على ليفربول بملعب “آنفيلد” والتقى الفريقان في إطار مباريات الجولة الرابعة لمرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتعرض ريال مدريد للهزيمة بهدف دون مقابل، وقال كاريراس عن مشاعره بعد الهزيمة: “مشاعرك في النهاية مختلفة عن مشاعر الفوز، لقد جئنا إلى الملعب ونحن نعلم أن المباراة ستكون صعبة”.

وأضاف في تصريحات نشرتها “ديفنسا سنترال” الإسبانية: “وفي النهاية، كل شيء يعود إلى تفصيلة واحدة، سجلوا هدفًا من ركلة حرة، حسنًا، لقد جاء من ركلة حرة، ولكن في النهاية، الهدف مهم، وهو ما منحهم الفوز”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ماك أليستر: الفوز على ريال مدريد لا يعني شيئًا.. وكورتوا رائع

وعن الشيء الذي كان ينقص ريال مدريد في تلك المباراة، أفاد: “بصراحة، ما زلنا بحاجة لتحليل المباراة، قد يتعلق الأمر باللعب بشراسة أكبر، واستغلال المساحات، والضغط الهجومي، لكن الحقيقة أنني لا أستطيع الجزم بذلك بعد”.

وفيما يتعلق بمواجهة محمد صلاح وصعوبة المباراة بالنسبة لكاريراس كظهير، أفاد: “أحب المباريات القوية، هذا اللاعب يتمتع بخبرة أكبر بكثير؛ إنه لاعب محترف، أسطورة هنا في ليفربول، لكنني أحب تلك المواجهات، نتعلم الكثير من هذا النوع من المباريات، وعليّ مواصلة العمل لأتمكن من إيقاف لاعبين مثله”.

وعن شعوره بعد خسارته الأوروبية الأولى، أتم: “لا أعتقد أن هذا يجب أن يُضعف زخمنا الذي حققناه بشكل جيد، لدينا مباراة إياب صعبة للغاية في فاليكاس، لذلك نحن مُركزون تمامًا على تلك المباراة لأننا يجب أن نفوز”.

Surrey 90 for 1 trail Sussex 435 (Haines 174, Alsop 63, Atkinson 4-120) by 345 runsTom Haines, one of the better opening batsmen in the country for many years, has been unable to prove himself in Division One of the County Championship. Now he has done so most emphatically.Haines batted for seven and a half hours against the best seam attack in the land, scoring 174 runs to anchor the Sussex first innings of 435 against Surrey. This followed 141 in his side’s resounding victory over Somerset last week.When he was bowled, getting an inside edge onto his leg stump from a delivery from Gus Atkinson, bowling round the wicket, this compact, neatly acquisitive left-hander had faced 286 balls and struck 18 fours, adding 180 for the third wicket with Tom Alsop (63). In doing so he pushed himself into the England reckoning, for the Lions side at least.But for all his great efforts on the second day of the match between the county champions and the current joint leaders, it was Surrey who reached the close of play the happier side. On their travels they have become accustomed to being presented with flat pitches and this was another one, a slow, low piece of turf that drew the teeth from the fast bowlers.Surrey bowled with more control than they had shown on the opening day. But on an even flatter pitch and with a softer ball they struggled for penetration. Instead, they opted for containment, and were so successful in their plan that Sussex scored just 208 runs in 79.2 overs, at a run-rate of 2.62, losing eight wickets in the process as they slogged to fielders and picking up just three batting points.Atkinson, in his first match of the season, took four wickets but Matt Fisher was the pick of the bowlers, achieving unexpected bounce on occasions and often beating the bat. On a pitch offering occasional uneven bounce, wicketkeeper Ben Foakes was outstanding in conceding a single bye.Sussex resumed on 227 for 2 and scored 78 runs in the 34 overs before lunch. Atkinson bowled consistently short of a length from the sea end and Jordan Clark bowled with fine discipline from the Cromwell Road end.Haines, who started on 89, reached his century when he drove Jordan Clark through the overs for a single and then Alsop reached his second fifty of the season. Surrey broke through after 75 minutes when Alsop flicked a leg-side delivery from Fisher to Dan Worrall at deep square-leg. Sussex lost their fourth wicket at 302 when James Coles hooked a short one from Atkinson and Fisher took a tumbling catch at long leg.After lunch John Simpson, the in-form Sussex skipper, hinted at a greater urgency until he pulled Atkinson straight to midwicket and the long vigil by Haines ended on 379. Sussex did not have the runs they wanted and Danny Lamb, who retired hurt after being struck on the right arm by the impressive Clark, returned in obvious pain to give Fynn Hudson-Prentice late support after Ollie Robinson had thrown his wicket awayWhen Surrey batted Rory Burns, playing no stroke, had his off stump plucked out by Robinson and they ended on 90 for 1.

Tottenham Hotspur have been active once again this summer, with a real focus on landing young talents for Thomas Frank to develop during his time at the helm.

Owner Daniel Levy made eight additions this window, including pre-arranged transfers, resulting in an average age of the new players totalling just 23.5 – further highlighting the impetus on landing younger prospects.

Luka Vuskovic was the youngest signing at just 18, whilst midfielder Joao Palhinha has arrived in North London, offering an experienced presence at 30 years of age.

The total average age of Lilywhites’ current first-team squad is now just 25.1, the fourth lowest of any side in the Premier League for the 2025/26 campaign.

Their ambitions of landing another player in such an age range looked certain at one stage, but Frank’s side were unable to complete a deal – leading to one of the sagas of the summer window unfolding in front of their very eyes.

Spurs’ failed move to land Morgan Gibbs-White

At the start of July, Spurs completed a deal for Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, but quickly followed up the addition with a move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

Such a deal seemingly came out of nowhere, after entering talks, to agreeing a £60m transfer fee, all taking place within just a matter of hours – but that wasn’t the end of the drama.

It was reported that the Lilywhites made an illegal approach for the 25-year-old’s signature, leading to Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis threatening Frank’s men with legal action.

As a result, the player ended up penning a new deal at the City Ground – arguably being a blessing in disguise, given their recent £52m transfer to land Xavi Simons.

However, despite their failed move for the England international, the club have already conducted superb business – now seeing the benefits of their latest transfer focus of investing into youth talents.

The Spurs player who’s now worth more than Gibbs-White

Spurs’ recruitment shift to land youth talents has reached new levels in recent years, as seen by Daniel Levy’s move to land Lucas Bergvall from Swedish side Djurgarden back in the summer of 2024.

The now 19-year-old arrived as an unknown quantity to many of the supporters – understandably so given his tally of just 12 appearances in 2024 for the Swedish outfit before his transfer to North London.

However, the youngster endured a first season to remember, racking up 45 appearances across all competitions – subsequently helping the Lilywhites claim Europa League glory.

He wasn’t the only teenager who played a vital role in Europe and in the Premier League last season, with Archie Gray also making waves in the first-team after his £40m switch from Leeds United.

Such a move was undoubtedly questionable from Levy and Co, especially after the youngster only had one year of senior football under his belt before joining the Lilywhites.

Throughout the first few weeks of the season, the Englishman found minutes hard to come by, but the injury crisis saw him operate in various positions within Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Gray, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, ended up with a total of 46 appearances across all competitions – many of which were in unfamiliar roles such as right-back and central defence – but roles he filled admirably given his tender age.

Archie Gray’s stats for Spurs in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

46

Minutes played

3243

Pass accuracy

89%

Dribbles completed

58%

Tackles won

50%

Aerials won

50%

Interceptions made

1.1

Recoveries made

3.6

Stats via FotMob

At just 19, he’s undoubtedly the future of Spurs, having plenty of time to fulfill his potential, but his stats from last campaign showcase the talent he already possesses.

As a result of his showings in North London, he’s seen his market value soar since his arrival, now being valued at £61.5m by FootballTransfers – a £21.5m increase on the fee paid for his signature.

Such a figure is £1.5m higher than the fee touted for Gibbs-White’s signature earlier this summer – showcasing the hierarchy’s desire to land youth prospects has already been a success.

If Gray can build on his excellent start to life in the capital, there’s no reason as to why he can’t be a regular starter under Frank in the Dane’s hunt for success during his time spell in the role.

The transfer is added evidence of the perfect recruitment model currently in place, with such deals desperately needing to be replicated if the Lilywhites are to win further trophies in the years ahead.

Related Levy has already sold Spurs' original Xavi Simons for just £8m

Tottenham Hotspur may have made a mistake in allowing one player to depart the club in recent years.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Sep 3, 2025

Barcelona sporting director Deco has taken aim at Athletic Club’s Nico Williams following the collapse of a summer transfer, revealing that it was the player’s agent who initiated contact rather than the Catalan club. While acknowledging Williams’ quality, Deco stressed that he was not the type of player Barcelona were looking for. Instead, the former midfielder expressed his admiration for Marcus Rashford, who ultimately arrived as the alternative signing.

• Williams' failed move to Barcelona

  In a drawn-out summer saga, Williams was heavily linked with Barcelona before making a dramatic U-turn by signing a ten-year deal with Athletic Club, leaving the Catalan team embarrassed as a move seemed imminent at one point. Barcelona president Joan Laporta blamed sporting director Deco for the fiasco, but the director has since defended himself, insisting it was Williams’ camp that approached Barcelona about a move, not the other way around.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Deco explains summer transfer debacle

  In an interview with , Deco explained that Williams was not the exact profile Barcelona were targeting. He said: “Nico wasn't the exact profile we wanted, but he can play on the left and the right. And Ferran [Torres] was becoming a '9', and you take him out of the equation on the wings. If you bring in Nico, you have a right and a left wing, but not so much the '9' profile.

  “If a great player like Nico asks us to come, when the agent looks for us, we'll talk, and that's how it's been. Football is like that; the player, for whatever reason, didn't want the conditions that were proposed. The agent has his interests, and we don't know how things are going, but there's no controversy.  It's a very easy matter. He gives you a right and a left wing, he doesn't give you the '9' aspect, but if you don't have the other solutions, it would suit us because he's a great player and could give you two of the three positions.”

  He further emphasised that the deal fell through because the club stood firm on its conditions, adding: “There's no mistake, we simply set the club's conditions, then we have to put the negotiations on paper, into contracts, and we said we wouldn't accept the conditions they set us because no player is going to impose any restrictions on us, and in the end, nothing happens. We gave them a deadline to respond, but they didn't respond; they went their way, and we went ours.”

• Barca swooped in for right 'fit' Rashford

  Barcelona then moved on to sign Rashford on loan from Manchester United. The English forward has made an immediate impact, scoring two goals and providing three assists in all competitions, helping the Catalans remain unbeaten and sit top of the La Liga table after seven games.

  "Looking at last season's squad, we were missing something there," Deco added as he weighed the three options Barca pursued over the summer – Williams, Rashford and Luis Diaz. "We thought Ansu [Fati] would fill that role. He started preseason well, but then things didn't go his way, and he also suffered injuries that made things very difficult for him. He could play on the left wing and as a number 9, providing those solutions, but we lacked that profile in the squad. Luis Díaz fit in, Rashford fit in, and then it's a matter of negotiation."

  He added of Rashford: “He's a very high-level player; he exploded very early, then he had great seasons at United, then he had years of more complicated management with changes of coaches, and perhaps he struggled too because they demanded a lot of things from him there. But we're happy with him; that's the most important thing.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Flick's men prepare for clash with PSG

  Barcelona will now hope Rashford can become the protagonist when they take on defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.