Everton May Keep Hold Of "Outstanding" £33m p/w Ace

Everton midfielder Amadou Onana may stay on at Goodison Park next season despite speculation surrounding his future due to his admiration of the club, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Amadou Onana?

As per i News, Everton may 'listen if there are sizeable offers' for Onana in order to fund a rebuild following their close shave with relegation this term.

The report states that Chelsea and Newcastle United are keen on the Belgium international and it is said that the Toffees' numbers in the midfield department may soften the blow of Onana potentially leaving the club.

Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell has agreed with the notion that Onana may end up being sold in the off-season, stating to Goodison News: "Let’s be totally real, Everton aren’t in the position where if the right money comes in they can hold teams off. I don’t think they’re in that position. I think they’re in a position where they have to balance the books and they have to act smart in the transfer market. “Losing players is something that Everton are going to have to deal with, because they do have some very good players and Onana is one of them who I know there will be quite a few clubs interested in him if he’s available.”

Cited by The Liverpool Echo, Onana posted an emotional message on social media following Everton's 1-0 victory over Bournemouth last weekend to secure the Blues' survival on the final day, as he said: "Whatever it took, it was worth it… Staying in the Premier League should be normal for a club this size. I want to thank you all because it's been a very difficult season for us. Despite that, we all stuck together and you kept pushing us. If, at the end we made it, it's because of your massive support throughout the season at home, but also away. So therefore, Toffees Army, thank you."

Football Insider have revealed that Manchester United are also keen suitors in the hunt for Onana; nevertheless, Everton will try to pull out the stops to make sure the 21-year-old stays put on Merseyside.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks that Onana may stick around at Everton due to his affection towards the Premier League outfit.

Jones said: "I don't think that was his last dance for Everton, to be honest. I think that whenever you see Onana and his rapport with the fans, it seems like he loves the place. I think he was just desperate to stay up."

How did Amadou Onana get on for Everton in 2022/23?

Interestingly, it was claimed that Onana would be 99% certain to leave Everton this summer, regardless of avoiding relegation or not, but now it appears as if he could now stay in what would be a big U-turn.

Joining last summer from Lille in a deal worth £33 million, Onana has gone on to become a fan favourite at Goodison Park due to his industrious style on the field.

In 2022/23, the Dakar-born midfielder made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees, registering one goal and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Everton'sAmadouOnanareacts

Winning back possession is one of Onana's strong points in the engine room, which is reflected in the fact he successfully came out on top in 2.2 challenges per match this term in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.

FBRef also illustrate that Onana has excelled compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in aerial duels won, as he has managed to win around 2.17 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the sixth percentile for this metric.

Liverpool Echo football writer Connor O'Neill labelled the Belgian enforcer as 'outstanding' earlier this season and it it easy to see why Everton will want to keep his presence around heading into 2023/24.

Newcastle Eyeing Saka 2.0 In "Extraordinary" £71m Machine

Newcastle United have recently been credited with an interest in Villarreal ace Samuel Chukwueze, with manager Eddie Howe looking to bolster the flanks ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

What's the latest on Samuel Chukwueze to Newcastle?

According to reports in Spain (via Sport Witness), the Magpies and technical director Dan Ashworth 'have in mind' that Allan Saint-Maximin is expendable and have earmarked the Yellow Submarine's Chukwueze, who has been in fine form this term.

The Nigeria international has just one more year on his contract and reportedly shows little sign of renewing, sparking life into rumours that he could depart for pastures new imminently, with his exit becoming 'more and more clear’ every day.

Villarreal are holding out for a jaw-dropping €80m (£71m) fee, though it is unlikely any prospective suitors would meet that exorbitant valuation, and as such, could definitely whittle down the price to a less daunting figure.

Should Newcastle sign Samuel Chukwueze?

At just 23 years old, Chukwueze has blitzed into prominence in La Liga and was instrumental in his outfit's triumph in the 2020/21 Europa League, defeating Manchester United on penalties in the final.

Over the duration of his club career, having only plied his trade with Villarreal, Chukwueze has scored 37 goals and supplied 31 assists from 203 outings, but it is this year that he has truly blossomed into his own.

Indeed, the "extraordinary" gem and "crazy dribbler", as he has been hailed by Quique Setien, has plundered 13 goals and 11 assists this year from 46 displays, notably netting an emphatic brace during his side's 3-2 victory over Real Madrid last month.

Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze in action.

The £32k-per-week star would bring a new sense of dynamism to the Magpies fold, gallivanting up the flanks and providing a consistent threat both as a direct striker and a creative option.

As per FBref, the "fantastic" machine, as he has also been heralded by Setien, ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, underscoring his efficacy in transitional manoeuvre.

The statistical site lists him as a comparable player to Arsenal phenom Bukayo Saka, who has been nothing short of exemplary during Mikel Arteta's crafting of a Premier League team capable of competing for major honours once again.

Having risen through the Hale End youth academy, the 26-cap England phenom has clinched 37 goals and 40 assists from 177 matches, described as a "mentality monster" by FourFourTwo writer Mark White.

This term, he has scored 14 goals and provided a further 11 assists from 46 games, with a striking resemblance to Chukwueze's own prolific exploits.

With Newcastle hoping to make that next stride in their ascension to overtake title-challenging Arsenal next year, replicating a player of Saka's ilk could indeed go a long way to ensuring progress is not derailed.

'We don't mind if they bat all day again' – Cremer

Graeme Cremer has offered New Zealand an invitation he may end up regretting after a difficult second day in the field for him and his men in Bulawayo

Firdose Moonda29-Jul-2016Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer has offered New Zealand an invitation he may end up regretting after a difficult second day in the field for him and his men in Bulawayo.”They will keep us out there which we don’t mind. We don’t mind if they bat all day again,” Cremer said, warning New Zealand that the more time they spent in the middle, the more confident Zimbabwe would be of denying them a victory. “We’re going to try and drag the game out for as long as possible and take time out of the game.”For a man who delivered 35 overs, 26 of them in a single spell, it seems like a bold statement to make. But Cremer always knew he would have a heavy workload in an XI that cannot accommodate another seamer because it needs an extra batsman.”I knew coming in to this game, we were one frontline seamer short so I knew I was going to do the bulk of the bowling anyway,” Cremer said. “I see myself as a bowler that will lead the attack so I knew there would be a bit of extra pressure on me. The other bowlers that we’ve got are a lot younger and lot more inexperienced. So I look to try and get wickets and get us into good positions.”His task was made even more difficult by the absence of another bowling option and the regular wicket-keeper. Sean Williams and Regis Chakabva spent the day recovering from the flu and tonsillitis respectively and Cremer is hopeful they will be okay by Saturday. Without them, he had to bowl even more than usual and was denied two wickets by fumbles from the substitute Brian Chari, who missed a stumping and could not hold onto a catch. Had either been successfully completed, Kane Williamson could have been dismissed earlier.Despite that, Cremer praised his young attack for staying upbeat after being demoralised by the batting effort on the first day. “I thought the guys fought hard, They didn’t run away with the game. We kept them in check. We knew it was going to be tough to get wickets because it’s a good batting surface so we wanted them to go at two or three runs an over and we wanted to take some wickets, which we did,” he said. “We are still upset we didn’t score enough runs but that’s the way it is.”In the next two days, Zimbabwe will have the chance to make amends for the first innings when they bat for a second time, in all likelihood with a view to saving the Test. Cremer knows the surface will get more difficult but hopes their approach will be strengthened by the lessons learnt from their mistakes. “Tomorrow morning it will still be for good batting but from later on in the afternoon, it will be dusty and start spinning and bouncing, so we have to start thinking about how we will play in the second innings,” he said.”Because we haven’t played enough, we are sometimes not sure what to expect and not sure how to go about it but now the guys have seen what to expect. Nothing will change in the second innings. I’m sure New Zealand will still use the short ball and the seamers as much. Hopefully guys will have the right mindset to bat long.” To bat all day.

Arsenal Could Sign "The New Messi" To Rival Bukayo Saka

Arsenal's starting XI is arguably one of the strongest in the whole Premier League. There is a reason why they have fought alongside the great Manchester City for so long.

However, it is that lack of depth that has left them frustratingly short as the run-in culminates, as key areas still lack quality alternatives.

This summer might not require huge purchases from Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gasper, but it will almost definitely need quite a few to ensure players like Rob Holding are no longer relied upon when someone like William Saliba is out.

Youth could be the way forward, to nurture the next generation of fine talent to compete with their stars, and that could therefore explain their reported pursuit of Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach as his contract is set to expire this summer.

Set to battle with some true European heavyweights, the progression of youth throughout the Gunners' squad should prove a key factor in potentially tempting him to north London.

With the 19-year-old having still predominantly featured for their 'B' team, three senior appearances suggest a degree of faith in potential that could only now be realised away from Spain. As a fellow graduate of the infamous La Masia academy, Arteta will know all too well how to nurture this teenage sensation into a true star.

Who is Ilias Akhomach?

The greatest compliment that can be paid to Akhomach came from his former academy director Patrick Kluivert, The legendary Dutch striker claimed, in an interview with Cadena SER (via GOAL), that he had: "found the new [Lionel] Messi".

This came due to his immeasurable ability to take on defenders, ghosting past them with ease and shifting the ball onto his left foot.

Such comparisons with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner are sure to command attention, and realising a potential anywhere near the level of the Argentine would surely make him viable competition for Bukayo Saka on that right flank.

The English trickster boasts 13 goals and 11 assists in the league this season but was given years of steady integration to morph into this top-quality star.

Ilias-Akhomach-barcelona-arsenal-transfer

The Spanish youngster, who was born to Moroccan parents, may not have an as impressive goal tally yet but his technical assets that have drawn particular interest. Five goals across 51 youth appearances underplays his talent; in this modern world where statistics mean so much.

But should Arteta invest the time and resources into this Catalonian export, it could just be the stroke of genius needed to forge a new talent akin to Messi, so he must convince Edu to part ways with a sizeable fee this summer.

If so, their current 21-year-old winger would have a genuine rival to his spot over the coming years, which ultimately would only benefit Arsenal on the pitch.

£50k p/w Gem Tempted By Liverpool Transfer Offer

Liverpool have made their initial approach for Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister and the Argentine is believed to be intrigued by a potential move to Anfield.

Will Mac Allister leave Brighton?

Only a handful of games remain in the 2022/23 campaign and Liverpool have put themselves right among the race for the top four having capitalised on defeats for both Manchester United and Newcastle United over the weekend.

Just one point separates Jurgen Klopp's men and the Red Devils with a further two points separating the Toon but both sides hold a game in hand over the Merseyside club.

And as far as Mac Allister and the Seagulls are concerned, there is also still a lot to play for with Roberto De Zerbi's side able to leapfrog Liverpool if they win all their games in hand.

However, it does seem as if the Argentine could be set to depart the south coast at the end of the campaign for one of the more established 'big six' sides.

Indeed, reports have suggested there are a number of sides showing an interest in the 24-year-old with the likes of Manchester United also expected to rival Liverpool.

And speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the midfielder is being tempted by what he is hearing from Merseyside:

(5:10) "They presented the project, presented the financial proposal. Now it's up to Mac Allister; he's tempted. Liverpool are advancing but it's not a done deal.

"So it's not as if Mac Allister and Liverpool have agreed everything and now the deal is completed. We have to wait on that side, for sure, Liverpool are the frontrunners."

Is Liverpool the best option for Mac Allister?

Perhaps what may be the most attractive thing for the £50k-per-week Argentine when it comes to a potential move to Anfield is their need for midfield reinforcements over the summer.

That can be seen through their reported interest in Jude Bellingham which has ultimately fallen flat over recent weeks.

Although it is believed Liverpool were forced to pull out of the race for Bellingham due to financial reasons, it is apparent the Argentine will not be leaving the south coast for cheap.

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A report has suggested the 24-year-old could potentially cost Liverpool in excess of £70m this summer on the back of what has been a seriously impressive campaign for the midfielder.

"Normally the next book of passes will find him playing in another institution, we don't know which one, the talks are just beginning in general, but most likely Alexis next month July is already playing for another team," he told Argentine outlet Ole.

On the back of an impressive season where he has been able to provide nine goals and one assist in the Premier League, it will be interesting to see whether Liverpool's league finish may prove influential.

It seems the Argentine may not be short of options and if the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle could offer him Champions League football, would he opt for a place in Europe's elite competition instead?

Liverpool Eye Move For £88m Gem

Jurgen Klopp is already planning ahead for next season as Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a move for Valencia starlet Yunus Musah in the upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the latest on Yunus Musah to Liverpool?

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are keen on signing the American ahead of next season in a bid to reinvigorate their midfield following a woeful campaign.

Inter are also interested and could provide stiff competition to the Anfield side in their pursuit of the Valencia midfielder.

Klopp may need to shell out massively if he wants to lure the player to Liverpool, as Musah has a reported €100m (£88m) release clause in his contract, although it is thought the La Liga side may not be able to reject a sizeable bid due to their financial situation.

Could Yunus Musah join Liverpool this summer?

After the season Liverpool have had – failing to win a trophy and struggling to even secure European football at this late point in the campaign, their biggest issue is the stagnation of their midfield from the highs of the previous few years.

With Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of contract at the end of the season and Jordan Henderson and Thiago over 30, some fresh talent needs to be injected into the first team – and Musah could certainly provide that.

Klopp has been linked with Barcelona starlet Gavi perennially since last summer, and according to FBref, Musah is statistically similar to the 18-year-old, which may suggest he could be a viable alternative if the Reds boss wasn’t able to secure a move for the Spaniard.

Musah is the seventh-most similar player to Gavi across Europe’s top five leagues, and considering the impact the talented Barcelona star has had over such a short space of time – racking up nearly 100 appearances for the club while becoming the youngest-ever goalscorer for Spain at the World Cup, it isn’t a bad comparison to have, that’s for sure.

This season, Gavi and Musah have registered similar stats with regard to passing success rate (83.8% to 79%), shot-creating actions per game (2.75 to 2.05), tackles won (33 to 27) and touches in the attacking penalty area (62 to 48), proving that not only can they pass to a high standard, but they also look to constantly pose an attacking threat during matches.

United States midfielder Yunus Musah.

Musah was dubbed the “real deal” by journalist Ivan Galarcep back in 2020, and showcased his talent at the World Cup in Qatar as he started all four matches for the USA, which could suggest he'd be right at home on the biggest stages.

With the similarities to Gavi, there is every chance he can take his game to the next level under Klopp in what could be an unbelievable piece of business by Liverpool.

Leeds transfer update on Hakan Calhanoglu

Leeds United and Tottenham are thought to be leading the race to sign Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

The Lowdown: Contact already made

The Whites are currently involved in a battle to avoid the drop in the Premier League, with Javi Gracia’s side earning a 4-2 win over Wolves prior to the international break to lift them out of the bottom three.

However, despite their top-flight status not being guaranteed for next season, the club are still looking at potential targets, with Calhanoglu linked with a move to Elland Road last month.

A report from Football Insider even said that ‘Leeds are in contact with Calhanoglu’s agent and have registered their interest in a potential deal if he is made available’. The 29-year-old is under contract until 2024 with the Serie A giants, and a further update has emerged.

The Latest: Transfer update

Turkish Football relayed an update from Il Romanista regarding Calhanoglu over the last 48 hours, where Leeds were once again mentioned.

They claimed that the Whites, along with Spurs, are leading the race for the player, with Inter not in a healthy financial state and in need of trimming the wage bill.

The report, as expected, adds that Leeds would need to remain in the Premier League to stand any chance of securing Calhanoglu’s services.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

Calhanoglu has been in fine form this season and is now valued at a career-high €35m by Transfermarkt. He can play anywhere in deeper or attacking midfield roles but is primarily a central midfielder and has contributed to seven Serie A goals in 26 appearances during the current campaign.

Hailed as an ‘exceptional’ player by AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli, Calhanoglu has also made himself known as a free-kick specialist throughout his career.

He has been Inter’s second-best-performing player this season with an average match rating of 7.06/10, as per WhoScored better than any Leeds player in the Premier League. Calhanoglu has made over 300 appearances in total in the Bundesliga and Serie A and also has 74 caps for Turkey, so his experience could come in handy at Elland Road.

Leeds have Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie as senior central midfield options, with Brenden Aaronson an option further forward, so Calhanoglu could be just what the club needs to take them to the next level. Leeds will have to do their job on the pitch over the coming months to have any chance of a deal, but a possible transfer does sound promising.

"Klopp absolutely fuming": Liverpool fans react to Anfield pitch invader

Liverpool produced a magical performance under the Anfield lights on Sunday as Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Reds defeated Manchester United 7-0.

They were fortunate not to go behind in the early exchanges when Bruno Fernandes missed a gilt-edged header from a few yards out but that appeared to be a turning point in Merseyside.

After that moment, Liverpool were by far the better side with Cody Gakpo truly bursting onto the scene in English football.

The January signing found the net on two occasions while his attacking colleagues in Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez also scored braces.

The scoring was then rounded off by Roberto Firmino, just days after he confirmed his intentions to leave the club behind.

That said, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows at Anfield with one unsavoury moment drawing quite the reaction from Klopp.

Amid the celebrations for Firmino’s goal, a fan raced onto the pitch and slid, slide tackling and injuring Andy Robertson in the process.

The supporter was ejected from the stadium by stewards, with Klopp left furious with the events that played out, screaming at the individual at question.

The moment drew quite a reaction from those on Twitter. The best of the reaction can be found below…

Man United "interested" in Vitor Roque

Manchester United are reportedly in the mix to sign Atletico Paranaense sensation, Vitor Roque, with the promising teenager currently attracting the attention of a host of Europe’s top clubs.

What’s the latest on Roque to Man Utd?

According to journalist Jack Gallagher, the Red Devils are said to be one of a number of Premier League clubs who are keeping tabs on the highly-rated 17-year-old at present, albeit with La Liga giants Barcelona believed to be the frontrunners to sign the eye-catching Brazilian.

Writing on Twitter about that interest, the transfer insider stated:

“Understand that Barcelona are leading the race to sign FM23 legend Vitor Roque. Man Utd, Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle are all also interested in the forward.”

As per the attached piece for 90min, the striker’s current side are unlikely to be able to keep hold of their prise asset – who reportedly has a release clause of around €60m (£53m) – for too much longer, such is the intense level of interest.

How good could Roque and Garnacho be at Old Trafford?

Lauded as “one of the most talented Brazilian players of his generation” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Roque has corroborated that claim with his recent displays for his country in the U20 South American Championship.

The 5 foot 8 dynamo played a vital role in helping to drag Brazil to glory in that competition for the first time since 2011, having scored six goals and provided one assist in eight outings – with that tally of goals only matched by Chelsea’s recent addition, Andrey Santos.

That explosive form follows what has been a scintillating start to life at senior level for the exciting forward at Paranaense, as he already boasts a haul of seven goals and three assists in just 36 appearances, after previously scoring six goals in only 16 games for his former club Cruzeiro.

Clearly a player who possesses “crazy potential”, according to Kulig, Roque has also earned the acclaim of being compared to compatriot – and footballing icon – Ronaldo, while his former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari also stated last year:

“He is someone who knows how to play in that area of the pitch, is able to constantly find space and participates well in other aspects of the game. He is the kind of No.9 that I wouldn’t have wanted to mark when I was playing.

“He will grow a lot. He will be one of the players that Brazil will gain great pleasure from, and we will see if he will continue to develop in the position he plays.”

That would suggest that Erik ten Hag could have a real diamond on his hands if Roque is to make the move to Old Trafford this summer, with there a potential for the Timoteo native to form a scintillating attacking partnership with Alejandro Garnacho in the years to come.

The current United ace has enjoyed a real breakthrough campaign thus far under the former Ajax head coach, with the 18-year-old having already provided eight goal contributions across all competitions, including two goals and two assists in the Premier League.

The Argentine “game-changer” – as described by journalist Samuel Luckhurst – has rightly been receiving the plaudits for his standout form this season, having been described as “dangerous” by club legend Pual Scholes and “unstoppable” by pundit Darren Bent.

With the former Atletico Madrid asset typically lining up on the flanks, he could form part of a ferocious forward line including himself and Roque, with the pair clearly offering a real potent threat in the final third despite their youth.

That deadly duo could prove to be a pairing that Ten Hag can build his side around for the long term at the Theatre of Dreams.

Newcastle transfer news on Milan Skriniar

Newcastle United reportedly made a move in January to try and sign Inter Milan central defender Milan Skriniar, but he is set to join PSG this summer instead.

The Lowdown: Pre-contract agreement

Skriniar signed a pre-contract agreement with PSG in the January transfer window, and has since been stripped of the captaincy at Inter.

His current deal at the San Siro expires in the summer, meaning that he will join PSG on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Latest: Newcastle made move

As per Italian news outlet Inter Live, Newcastle moved through an intermediary to try and sign Skriniar in January, and could have offered him a lucrative contract.

However, any talks they tried to open were immediately stopped, with Skriniar already firmly set to join PSG.

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The Verdict: Shame

It is a shame that the St. James’ Park outfit missed out on signing Skriniar, as centre-back is surely an area of the pitch that they will look to strengthen in the summer.

They do have four in the senior squad at the moment, but Dan Burn has often been played at left-back instead, while Jamaal Lascelles was strongly linked with a move away in January.

Hailed as a ‘monster’ by Serie A pundit Marco Messina, the six-foot-two Skriniar has played Serie A title in the 2020/21 season.

At 27 years of age, he is a player about to enter his prime, and had the potential to be a level-raiser for the Magpies alongside the ever-improving Sven Botman, but they will have to look at other targets once he joins PSG.

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