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Manchester United are ‘already negotiating’ a deal for Thiago Almada as they look to steal a move in the summer, according to fichajes.net.

Almada has caught the eye of a number of European giants, including Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City (TEAMtalk). However, United have made the first move as the club look to beat their competitors to his signature.

Fichajes.net reported that he has a release cause of €22m, which equates to £20m, and this is set to run out in a matter of weeks. Football reporter Hector Andreu claims that the youngster is “ready to make the big leap to Europe” despite his young age.

Indeed, the 19-year-old has impressed for Velez Sarsfield in the Superliga this season, scoring four goals for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side, taking 1.2 shots per game, averaging 1.3 key passes and successfully completing 1.7 dribbles on average (via WhoScored).

Moreover, the board are adamant that Jadon Sancho remains a top priority, and this could benefit Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attempts to bring the Englishman to Old Trafford. The Red Devils have moved to gain a head start over their closest rivals and the decision could pay off, as they may not have to pay a bigger transfer sum in the future.

It is worth highlighting the fact that Sancho is valued at a whopping £105.3m and Almada is priced at just £16m via Transfermarkt.

If his clause expires, United would then be able to use the leftover cash set aside to go towards a bid for the Borussia Dortmund star as well.

United fans, do you think Ed Woodward should sign Thiago Almada in the upcoming window? Let us know down below!

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have hailed the ball boy that proved integral to the club’s Champions League victory over Olympiacos earlier this week.

Teenager Callum Hynes, 15, showed some quick thinking against the Greek side, quickly receiving a new ball at a throw-in and giving it to Serge Aurier, whose early throw led to Son Heung-min crossing for Harry Kane to score.

That goal was Spurs’ equaliser, as they had fallen 2-0 behind in north London, and it proved critical in the turnaround, as they went on to win 4-2.

So impressive was young Callum’s intervention that manager Jose Mourinho gave him a high-five and a hug after the strike, even attempting to invite him to the dressing room after full-time.

And the schoolboy told the club’s official website: “It’s all a bit surreal. I was just doing my job and I still can’t quite believe what happened.

“I didn’t even see the goal! I was busy getting the ball that had come off and then I heard the cheer. I turned around and Harry was celebrating.

“I looked at the replay on the screen and watched exactly what happened. You can see from my smile it was just unbelievable. Jose didn’t have to do that. It was really nice of him to come over to me. It’s made my day, my life, really! I love Spurs and it was an amazing moment I’ll never forget.”

Spurs fans have subsequently taken to Twitter to hail the kid, who spent the journey home from the stadium revising for his maths exam the next morning!

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Meanwhile, a Spurs star’s future may have been decided.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

£15m move in the summer and six consecutive Premier League starts at the beginning of the season, but it’s fair to say that things have gone downhill for Che Adams since Ralph Hasenhuttl’s initial placement of faith in him.

No goals in his opening seven appearances in all competitions saw him dropped from the squad entirely against Tottenham Hotspur at the end of September, and he’s barely played in the Premier League since.

He has featured for a total of 20 minutes since, and having been in the matchday 18 for five consecutive top flight games, Hasenhuttl made the call to leave him out again against Arsenal on Saturday.

It surely would have been a big blow for the former Birmingham City man when he saw Michael Obafemi earn just the second Premier League start of his career at the Emirates, with Nathan Redmond, Sofiane Boufal, Moussa Djenepo and Shane Long all included too by their Austrian manager.

The fine form of Danny Ings, who now has seven goals in his last eight outings, has hardly helped matters, but the weekend made it clear exactly where the 23-year-old lies in the pecking order right now.

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Hasenhuttl came out and said after Adams was omitted against Spurs that he would “give him a lot of trust”, before saying “he is now in a better way” prior to the 9-0 thrashing by Leicester City – reassuring words.

The former RB Leipzig boss’ latest decision suggests he has turned his back on Adams for now though, with Ings, Obafemi and Long all selected ahead of him against the Gunners.

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He may still have a role to play in the upcoming busy run of fixtures ahead of the festive period, and what important fixtures they are too against the likes of Watford, Norwich City and Aston Villa – all clubs in and around Southampton in the Premier League table as things stand.

Adams will hope to get that all-important goal during that run, but if he doesn’t then him and the club may well have a decision to make in the New Year – a loan exit could be a potential option in order for him to regain some confidence.

In other news, Southampton fans have been discussing a £20m-rated target who scored twice at the weekend…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to Sky Sports, Everton’s head of recruitment Gretar Steinsson has revealed the club are planning on loaning more of their young players abroad.

What did he say?

With Jadon Sancho enjoying a remarkable period of success playing regular first-team football at the highest level with Borussia Dortmund (he has already played 71 times for them), there has been a growing trend in recent years of clubs looking at the foreign market to potentially giving their talented academy players a loan move away.

Everton themselves have seen right-back Jonjoe Kenny become a key figure for Bundesliga side Schalke this season, racking up 13 appearances across all competitions. Now, Steinsson has backed this new approach of trying to negotiate loan deals abroad, insisting that opportunities of playing at such a good level bodes well for their youngsters.

Speaking at the Wyscout forum in Amsterdam, he said: “For us it’s very important for us to promote our younger players. We have a very strong academy with strong players coming through. We have a history of developing players and for a certain age group to reach the first-team is a big task, and that gap we’re trying to reach by putting them out on loan.

“We have players in Europe doing really well like Jonjoe and Fraser, which are very successful loans so far. So we’re really trying to educate and promote players we believe have a bright future in the game and open the world to the players. We need to get them playing at as high a level as possible and this is a great opportunity to do so. We’re planning for the future and supporting them to be great football players, That’s our focus.”

Ahead of the game

Football is all about trying to gain an advantage, and Everton’s intent on trying to get their talented academy prospects high-profile loan moves to places like the Bundesliga means they are staying on top of the game. Even now, clubs at the top-end of the table continue to negotiate short-term deals to clubs in lower divisions than them, which ultimately doesn’t provide them with the learning experience of having to adapt to a new style of play and culture.

The likes of Sancho at Dortmund, and Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson at Hoffenheim last season (he scored eight in 31 games) prove that players can accelerate their progress by plying their trades in different environments. Steinsson’s comments are a breath of fresh air for Everton, and gives the Toffees’ young starlets the best possible chance to fully realise their potential.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to TEAMtalk, Wolverhampton Wanderers are one of three Premier League clubs chasing Burnley’s emerging star Dwight McNeil.

He could well be a massive coup for the club, but only if manager Nuno Santo changes his attitude towards one aspect of his management.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

What’s the word?

Reports suggest that Wolves are keen on adding the 19-year-old and they could well test Burnley’s resolve in the near future.

Although, it is believed that the Lancashire outfit would like at least £30m for the winger so it remains to be seen whether the hierarchy at the west Midlands club will put in any offer.

They will also have to compete with both Leicester City and Everton to secure his signature.

Nuno needs to change

McNeil’s breakthrough and subsequent rise has been nothing short of impressive as he’s worked his way through the Burnley system after being rejected by Manchester United.

Now he’s regularly featuring for Aidy Boothroyd’s England U21 squad where the Young Lions chief has described him as a “flair player” in the past.

The young starlet has developed substantially over the last few years which has been highlighted by his former youth manager’s comments.

Michael Jolley, now in charge of League Two side Grimsby Town, said: “I think he has always had a bit of an X Factor. He has such a good left foot, is a good physical size and has always had a terrific attitude to do the work and improve himself and work hard.”

Michael Kightly reveals the truth about his exit from Wolves in the video below…

These glowing reviews sound right up Nuno’s street, but if the Portuguese native were to whip out his wallet and splash the cash on McNeil, then he has to change his ways slightly.

It is well known that the Wolves boss rarely likes to rotate his squad – last season in the Premier League only 19 players featured in some substantial form while this term a similar pattern is brewing as 18 have played two or more matches.

If you were McNeil, you’d worry about any potential game time especially as Diogo Jota appears to hold down that left-sided spot as Nuno’s first choice having scored 32 times in 100 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Everton have struggled for goals this season and until Alex Iwobi is given a prominent role it could be a problem that derails their season.

On the chalkboard

The Toffees are already four points off sixth-place and without a win in the league since a 3-2 victory over Wolves on September 1.

To make matters worse, in their four matches since they have conceded an alarming 10 goals, whilst only scoring two in the process, although an improved performance against Manchester City indicates that they could soon turn a corner.

Regardless, a key issue this season has been Marco Silva’s failure to identify his best team, and as a result new signings like Iwobi, who cost an initial £28m, and Moise Kean have been in and out of the team, so have struggled for consistency and goals.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The same is true of Bernard and Gylfi Sigurdsson, particularly the latter who has thus far failed to live up to the 14 goals and seven assists he recorded last year – directly contributing to a total of just two goals this term.

Against the Citizens he failed to deliver once again, but the former Arsenal man had a helping hand in the goal, and could make the No.10 role his own if given an opportunity there.

Pace in attack

Iwobi played in attacking midfield for much of his youth so it is a position he knows well and excels at, allowing him to find space to take the ball past opposition defenders and create openings for his striker, as he did against Sheffield Wednesday last week.

Playing in that role for Silva will also allow him to be key in the transition, and his pace on the counter-attack alongside Richarlison and Bernard could prove devastating, as a quick break is more likely to lead to a goal.

The 23-year-old has averaged 1.4 successful dribbles per game from the five matches he has played, and despite contributing two goals and an assist in only four starts, he has divided opinion amongst the Everton fanbase.

Iwobi has been criticised in the past for his failings in and around the final third, but against Pep Guardiola’s side he showed that he can use the ball effectively, achieving a 95% pass success rate which meant he retained possession well – a difficult task against a team adept at pressing.

His two key passes also prove he could command a central position well and link up with his striker, and that could be vital in Everton building upon their six goals scored in the league this season.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, John Hartson has claimed Manchester United will stick with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the foreseeable future.

The Red Devils have endured a miserable start to the current campaign, gaining just nine points from their opening eight Premier League games. Their recent form is a far cry from the impressive beginning Solskjaer enjoyed when he first replaced Jose Mourinho, and speculation is mounting over whether the Norwegian has a long-term future at the club.

Now, Hartson has said the club’s previous failures with managers may force them to take a different approach with the current boss.

He told FFC: “Because of the appointment of Moyes, then Van Gaal, then Mourinho, they’ve had to pay out millions and millions in pay-offs.

“There’s been a little bit of criticism that they haven’t stuck with managers, so I do believe they will stick with Solskjaer.

“Now, whether he is the right man or not, I’m not sure. The jury’s out for me.

“I’m not sure whether he is the right man. But I do believe as a football club they’ll stick with him and go with him. I don’t think they’ll sack Solskjaer like the previous three.”

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The managerial scars at United do run deep. Ed Woodward’s shambolic record with appointing managers and then having to sack them speaks to a real lack of planning at the club at boardroom level. Because of everything that has happened before, it is almost irrelevant whether Solskjaer is still viewed as the right man for the job.

The Red Devils’ hierarchy desperately need the Norwegian to make a success of things, not just for the club, but for them too.

Their necks are very much on the line having appointed a manager whose previous experience included a stint with Molde and leading Cardiff to relegation from the Premier League. Not exactly the greatest track record for a United manager is it?

So as Hartson suggests, the club have essentially backed themselves into a corner, and they may feel they have no option but to ride or die with Solskjaer.

طمئن اللاعب مارتين أوديجارد جماهير فريق آرسنال بعدما تعرض لإصابة في مباراة الأمس مع النرويج أمام منتخب جبل طارق.

وتلاقى المنتخبان في إطار الجولة الأولى من تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم في قطر 2022، حيث فازت النرويج بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.

وشارك أوديجارد في تلك المباراة كأساسي، ولكنه تعرض لإصابة في الكاحل أجبرته على الخروج في الدقيقة 46.

وقال أوديجارد في تصريح مقتضب نشرته شبكة “101greatgoals” الإنجليزية: “لقد لويت كاحلي”.

وأضاف: “لكنني أعتقد أنني سأكون لائقًا لمباراتنا ضد تركيا يوم السبت القادم”.

وانتقل أوديجارد إلى آرسنال قادمًا من ريال مدريد في الصيف الماضي على سبيل الإعارة حتى نهاية الموسم الحالي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. آرسنال يستهدف ضم لاعب برشلونة حال فشل صفقة أوديجارد

أوديجارد شارك في 21 مباراة في مختلف المسابقات هذا الموسم مع آرسنال.

[ad_pod ]Long gone is the time of Arsenal’s glory days.The Gunners were once the very top dog in England, and led by the stern hand of the legendary Arsene Wenger, they went on to achieve incredible heights.Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Back in the early 2000s, they were arguably at the peak of their powers. In 2003/04, they achieved immortality with their “Invincibles” run, winning the Premier League without a single loss to their name.

And soon after, on the second matchday of 2004/05, with a dramatic victory against Middlesbrough, they equalled Nottingham Forest’s 42-match unbeaten record and have done so in the most incredible fashion and with style.

Now, they have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to that match that happened on this very day in 2004.

And what a dramatic match it was.

The game went back and forth throughout the whole 90 minutes and after actually taking the lead through Thierry Henry, the Gunners soon found themselves 3-1 down and in a very difficult spot.

But they still managed to claw their way back and win the match 5-3.

After equalling that impressive record, they went on to beat it and set a new one at 49 games unbeaten.

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Wolves will take a one goal advantage into their second leg against Torino after defeating them 3-2 in Italy on Thursday night.

It means any result on the positive side of a 1-0 defeat will see them into the Europa League group stages for the first time in their history.

That qualification would be just deserts for their performances this season considering they have already played a mammoth five games in Europe, on top of two Premier League matches.

Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez were on the scoresheet whilst it was an own goal which opened the scoring for the visitors.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Though, it was the performance from defender Jesus Vallejo, on loan from Real Madrid, which caught the eye of some Wolves supporters.

One hoped the 6-foot centre-back would be signed permanently if there’s a chance, stating he looks like a ‘very good player’ who is going to be a first choice very soon. Another asked the club to play him on Sunday when they face Burnley in the Premier League.

Thursday night was the 22-year-old’s second appearance in an old gold shirt, both of which came in the European competition.

A further member of the Molineux faithful went on to describe him as ‘faultless’ and ‘unreal.’

Here’s the best of the reaction:

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