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Lionel Messi has sent a special message to Argentina fans at the end of what has been another “unforgettable year” for the all-time great.

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• Claimed another Copa America crown
• Won Supporters' Shield in MLS
• More success to chase down in 2025

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi spent 16 years of his international career waiting on a first senior honour with his country. That duck was broken at the 2021 Copa America, with the floodgates being opened.

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  Messi went on to savour Finalissima glory the following year, before lifting the World Cup at Qatar 2022. Argentina successfully defended their Copa America crown in 2024, allowing their captain to cement his standing as the most decorated player of all-time.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Success has also been enjoyed at club level, with Inter Miami breaking single season points records en route to claiming the Supporters’ Shield. They did fall at the first hurdle in the MLS Cup play-offs, when suffering a shock defeat to Atlanta United, but Messi has made plenty of happy memories over the course of the last 11 months.

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• WHAT MESSI SAID

  With one more outing to take in this year, against Peru in 2026 World Cup qualification, Messi has posted on social media: “Looking forward to being back together with everyone for the last game of another unforgettable year.”

With just three weeks until the beginning of the Premiership campaign, Glasgow Rangers are hardly in the best position to bring the league crown back to Ibrox.

Philippe Clement is obviously doing well with what he has, but the Belgian is no miracle worker, that’s for sure.

Despite making seven summer signings, only one started in the 2-1 pre-season defeat over the weekend. The most worrying aspect was that several players who looked like they could be sold this summer started the game for Rangers, notably Cyriel Dessers and Tom Lawrence.

With Champions League qualification on the line over the coming weeks, Clement must act swiftly to sell players in order to raise funds for new arrivals, with experience required.

There have been several links with highly rated youngsters as of late as Clement explores different markets, and a player currently thriving in South America has been earmarked as a potential target this summer…

Rangers keen on signing Chilean sensation

In recent weeks, the Light Blues have shown interest in South American winger Gonzalo Tapia with regard to making a potential move for the youngster ahead of next season.

Journalist Victor Morales took to X to share an update at the start of the month, saying: “Anderlecht is interested in the footballer Gonzalo Tapia from UniversidadCatólica. The footballer has a low value, so Anderlecht plans to get his services, but they are not the only team interested in the Chilean, Rangers and CSKA Moscow, they are looking for him.”

It is clear the Ibrox side face some competition for the 22-year-old, but the chance to play in the Champions League, win trophies and take part in one of the biggest derbies in the world could certainly give Clement an advantage in their pursuit.

His contract expires in December this year, which means any swoop might not break the bank, which is another bonus for the manager.

Signing players in a previously untapped market is usually a gamble, but in his current position, Clement needs to start making some if he wishes to return Rangers to the top of Scottish football.

Tapia has plenty of potential and a move to Europe would allow him the chance to play with better players. Not only that, but he has also been compared to £23m-rated Juventus winger Federico Cheisa given his skill set and attributes, which could make him an exciting signing should he move to Scotland.

How Tapia compares to Federico Chiesa

Football Talent scout Jacek Kulig profiled Tapia back in March 2021 when the winger was just 19, lauding him as a “flamboyant winger” while also stating: “He was and still is an absolute star of Chile's youth national teams. Surely one of the most interesting players in Chile at the moment.”

Along with this, Kulig claimed that the most comparable player to Tapia was Chiesa, who was making his mark in Serie A at the time.

The Italian wideman went on to impress at Euro 2020 a few months after this comparison was made, scoring twice for his nation as they won their first continental silverware since 1968.

After struggling with injuries in the two seasons following that triumph with his country, Chiesa returned to his best last term with the Old Lady, scoring ten goals and grabbing three assists across 37 matches in all competitions.

According to WhoScored, his strengths include key passes, dribbling, through balls and holding on to the ball while in terms of playing style, Chiesa likes to shoot from distance and cuts inside often, which has clearly contributed to his excellent goal tally last term.

With Tapia being likened to the Juventus star, these types of attributes would go a long way in the current Rangers side, especially as he could regularly work his way into the penalty area and shoot from distance.

On his day, Chiesa is one of the most exciting wingers in Europe and arguably would have had a move to the Premier League if injuries didn’t hamper his progress.

Tapia will be moving to Europe sooner rather than later. The question is, will it be Rangers who manage to lure him across the Atlantic?

Gonzalo Tapia’s season in numbers

After just 19 matches of the 2023/24 campaign, Tapia has already found the back of the net on seven occasions, also chipping in with three assists for CD Universidad Catolica.

In the Chilean top flight, the winger has shone brightly in just 15 games. Indeed, not only has he created three big chances, but the player has averaged 0.9 key passes per game, succeeded with 0.5 dribbles per game and was fouled 1.6 times per game, showing those Chiesa-like qualities that make him so vital in the final third for his club.

Of course, moving to Scotland and playing in European matches would be a big step up for the player, yet judging by his recent statistics, he shouldn’t be fazed by a fresh challenge, that’s for sure.

If Clement can bring this one over the line, he may be able to have his very own version of Chiesa at his disposal, which could give Rangers the spark they need out wide.

Taking away the 16 goals scored by loan signing Abdallah Sima, the remaining four wingers in the squad netted just 15 goals between them, piling pressure on James Tavernier and the centre-forwards to score the bulk of the club’s goals.

Rangers could immediately replace Wright by signing "flamboyant" ace

Clement is eyeing up a young South American starlet…

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 8, 2024

Tapia would bring goals to the wide department, that much is certain. Whether or not the Gers are still seeing the player as a concrete target is unclear at this moment in time, but interest has definitely been registered.

The Chilean is a superb prospect who has everything in his locker to be a success in Scottish football, as he could use his trickery and eye for goal to endear himself to the Ibrox faithful after just a few matches if he joins the club this summer.

Fulham are one of two sides showing interest in a former Manchester United academy graduate this summer, it has emerged, with Marco Silva seeing him as a perfect fit for the Craven Cottage outfit.

Silva losing key men

After another strong Premier League campaign that saw them clear of relegation trouble, Fulham have once again been stripped of their key men ahead of the new season.

Marco Silva lost Aleksandar Mitrovic last summer, and this time round it has been key duo Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Palhinha who have headed away from Craven Cottage, with Tosin joining Chelsea on a free transfer and Palhinha completing a long-awaited move to German giants Bayern Munich.

They have also lost a key squad member for nothing in the shape of Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who left as a free agent and has since joined Premier League rivals Leicester City.

Everton chase "top level" £50m Calvert-Lewin alternative, he's free to move

The natural goalscorer could be just what Everton need this summer.

By
Ben Browning

Jul 12, 2024

The Jamaican international made 33 Premier League appearances last season, and was able to play on either side of attack or at wing-back when required, making him a costly departure for Silva and co.

So far, they have not stepped into the transfer market to replace any of their departed stars, but that could be set to change very soon.

Fulham eye up Luton man

That comes as reports from France credit Fulham with an interest in Luton Town defender and former Manchester United academy man Teden Mengi, who was a rare bright spark for the Hatters last season.

Joining Luton on a free transfer at the beginning of the campaign, the centre-back appeared 30 times in the Premier League and impressed in the process.

Speaking ahead of a reunion with Manchester United, Luton boss Rob Edwards was quick to talk up his defender, explaining that Mengi had been an excellent signing for the Hatters: "He's been brilliant for us this year.

"For a younger player to step up, come away from home, out of his comfort zone and perform at the highest level as he has is astounding. I'm not surprised with anything he does, but perhaps I was surprised by how quickly he adapted to his surroundings and his team-mates. Hopefully he'll continue that. He has a high ceiling and I know he will be desperate to play this weekend."

Now, French outlet Foot Mercato explain that both Nice and Fulham are keen on signing him this summer, with the former seeing him as a potential replacement for Jean-Clair Todibo, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Fulham see him as a "perfect successor" to Tosin, and are also keeping tabs on the defender, who is reported to be valued at between 12m and 14m euros (£10-£11.7m).

That seems a reasonable fee for a young defender with a season of Premier League experience already under his belt, while Luton Town have already signed a ready made replacement in the shape of Arsenal youngster Reuell Walters, which could pave the way for Mengi's departure this summer for a healthy profit.

Barcelona are reportedly preparing an offer for Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the Catalan side look to sign a left-winger for Hansi Flick.

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• Kvaratskhelia looking to exit Napoli
• Barcelona want to sign winger at cut-price
• Catalan side prepare €80 million offer

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona have had a great start to life under Flick this season as the Catalan side currently lead the La Liga standings over Real Madrid by six points, owing to their brave style of play both defensively and offensively that has gotten fans on the edge of the seats. Barcelona's attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have gotten together to score 37 goals in just 17 matches in all competitions. However, the five-time Champions League winners are looking towards adding more firepower to their attack next summer.

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  Kvaratskhelia's current contract at Napoli is set to run until 2027, and the Georgian player and his entourage have rejected Napoli's attempts to extend his deal. As such, the Serie A side may be forced to sell him next summer for a lower price than the €130 million (£108.3m/$137.4m) release clause set in his contract.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  As such, Barcelona are preparing an offensive to sign the Georgian next summer and have prepared an offer worth €80 million (£66.7m/$84.5m) as per Italian publication La Repubblica. The interest in signing Kvaratskhelia may now signal an end to their interest in signing Athletic Club's Nico Williams.

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• TELL ME MORE

  For his part, Kvaratskhelia has made a switch to the Spanish top flight his 'priority', according to Sport.

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City's dire performance against Tottenham "cannot happen" after they sustained their fifth successive defeat.

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• City thrashed 4-0 by Spurs
• On run of five losses in all competitions
• Guardiola criticises performance but backs players

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Spurs ran riot at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, as a brace from James Maddison and goals from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson condemned City to a thumping defeat. Guardiola's side have now lost five games in all competitions, two of which have come against Tottenham, along with losses to Sporting CP, Bournemouth and Brighton.

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  Guardiola had never before lost five competitive games in a row in his managerial career and this defeat leaves the Premier League champions five points behind leaders Liverpool, who face Southampton on Sunday. Guardiola insists his players must bounce back and ensure such a performance is not repeated – he claims his side forgot how to defend – but he has restated his belief that the club can come out of what is fast becoming a crisis.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola told : "We are fragile at the moment, we could not defend properly. We started well, struggled to score and then conceded. Then situation is more difficult. I’ve been here as a player, maybe not as a manager, first three games at Barcelona we lost. The only chance we have is stay there. Last eight years the results have been there, it would be a mistake to change the approach.

  "There are not fairytales in life and sport, sometimes you have to live through these situations. You have to accept it. You can't blame each other, stay together, continue to do what we have done. Run away? Absolutely not, we have to stand up more than ever. What will define us is when we fail, we stand up and face it.

  "I don’t know what will happen this season, but not for one second will I not believe in these players. There is no team in the world that can sustain success for eight, nine, 10 years in a row."

  To , he added: "Chances were there. The moment they create the chances the build-up, we couldn't handle the duels like normally. Now we're struggling a little bit.

  "It cannot happen. When you play top level teams we can concede chances but it's part of the process. In our situation it's a bit tougher. I have to see the situation. The players came back late [from internationals]. There were a few reasons we're not able to be consistent. Now the balance is not in the right moment. But it happened. We have to do it, talk and on Tuesday against Feyenoord have the chance to try."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Guardiola has now lost nine games to Spurs across his career; no team has beaten him more often than the Lilywhites, with those defeats coming in a variety of competitions, including the Champions League.

Rangers are closing in on another new signing at Ibrox, it has been reported, with Philippe Clement about to be handed an attacking ace this summer.

Clement plotting major Rangers changes

Booed off at half-time in their most recent pre-season match, a 2-1 defeat to League One Birmingham City, Rangers look well short of mounting another Scottish Premiership title challenge as things stand.

Quizzed afterwards on potential new additions, the Rangers boss admitted he expected fresh faces between now and the Scottish Premiership getting back underway but refused to be drawn on specifics.

Clement said: "I'm confident of that [new signings] because everyone is working hard for that. There's a good possibility, but no guarantees. There has to be a signature from three sides – the player, the other team and from us. It's working every day with the players who are available to make them better and to give them experience in pre-season of course. Because of the Euros everything starts slower. You see that with several teams where nothing has happened yet.

Instead, attention has been focused on outgoings, with Connor Goldson missing the pre-season defeat in an attempt to seal a move away from Ibrox, while Todd Cantwell has handed in a transfer request on two occasions and is now set to be axed from the squad.

Another set to leave is striker Sam Lammers, who Clement admitted was not in his plans after spending the second half of the season on loan at FC Utrecht.

"He has been training with the second team because it was really clear he doesn't fit in the plans for this season, we were clear about that a few months ago. We cannot train with a squad of 50, we're above 30 for the moment. Sam is getting closer and closer to have a good solution and make a transfer."

But there is one incoming that could have plenty at Ibrox feeling excited.

Winger on verge of Rangers move

That comes with Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg claiming that Rangers are advancing over a loan move for Czech winger Vaclav Cerny, with the 26-year-old "on the verge" of moving to Ibrox from Wolfsburg. The right-winger only signed for the German outfit last season, penning a four-year contract worth £26,000-a-week.

But he started just 12 Bundesliga games and returned only four goals across his first season with Wolfsburg, which has seemingly seen him deemed surplus to requirements for the upcoming campaign.

Once worth £40m: Rangers could cash in on Ibrox ace worth 4x more than Hagi

Philippe Clement could soon be about to cash in on two players who could make the club a profit

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 24, 2024

And Rangers have pounced on the ex-FC Twente man, with a season-long loan seemingly in the pipeline for the winger. Though he struggled at Wolfsburg, his talent is clear with the winger grabbing 13 goals and 11 assists in his final season for Twente, while he has also managed six goals in 17 international appearances.

Cerny has been dubbed a possible "brilliant" signing for Rangers in the media, being compared to Arjen Robben, while his ability to cut in on his left foot and find the corner was picked up by the official UEFA account too, who tweeted two of his "brilliant" strikes.

He could also be an early favourite with Rangers fans after it emerged that he had already scored a late winner against Celtic, while playing for Ajax in 2015, to knock them out of the Europa League in the process.

Given his international pedigree with the Czech Republic and clear prodigious talent when fit and available, he could prove an excellent addition to Clement's ranks.

Newcastle United are now planning to send an "unbelievable" player out on loan this summer, with his exit expected to be sealed within a matter of weeks.

Newcastle transfer news

In what is arguably seen as a surprise move, the Magpies are reportedly interested in signing Sheffield United youngster William Osula, with a potential £10m move on the cards to strengthen their depth up front. More high-profile business has also been predicted, however, with a host of players linked with switches to St James' Park.

Two such figures are Neco Williams and Noni Madueke, of Nottingham Forest and Chelsea respectively, who could transform Newcastle down the right flank. The former could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Kieran Trippier, while the latter is considered a superior option to the likes of Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy.

Barcelona attacker Ferran Torres has struggled to set the world alight since trading Manchester City for the Camp Nou, and he has emerged as another option for the Magpies. Granted, his stock may have fallen since departing the Etihad, but he is still only 24 years of age, and has scored 20 goals in 46 caps for Spain.

Then there's Leeds United youngster Crysencio Summerville, who is coming fresh off the back of a superb season with the Whites – one that saw him named the Championship's best player in 2023/24. He has been linked with Newcastle and could even be viewed as a replacement for Anthony Gordon on the left wing, should he move away after just one year at St James'.

Newcastle want to loan out "unbelievable" ace

According to a new claim from Football Insider, Newcastle want to sort a loan move for young attacker Garang Kuol this summer, having been left out of the pre-season squad for the trip to Japan. The report adds that "a deal is expected to be arranged for him to be loaned out of St James’ Park within the coming weeks", allowing him to enjoy more regular football elsewhere.

As the update alludes to, Kuol arrived at Newcastle amid so much "fanfare" back in 2022, joining from Central Coast Mariners as a highly-rated Australian teenager. He even caught the eye of Barca legend Xavi.

Kuon has really struggled to live up to the hype, though, with a loan move to FC Volendam not working out at all, and only one goal and assist apiece arriving in a total of 16 appearances.

Journalist: Newcastle now plotting £10m move for towering 20 y/o target man

He already has some Premier Leagie experience.

By
Henry Jackson

Jul 29, 2024

In fairness to the Australia international, he is still extremely young at 19, but he needs to head off on a more successful loan spell next season, in order to prove to Newcastle that he is worth persevering with, rather than them selling him for good in the near future.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is set to leave Werder Bremen after making only five Bundesliga appearances for the club.

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• Keita endures awful spell in Germany
• Suspended & fined by Bremen last season
• 29-year-old now set to leave club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Keita's return to Germany in the summer of 2023 was expected to help the midfielder revive his career, after he failed to become a first-team regular at Liverpool as he was hampered by injuries. But to say the transfer has been a disappointment would be an understatement. Keita has made only five league appearances for Werder Bremen and was hit with a fine and suspension last season after being accused of refusing to board the team bus for an away game.

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  With it clear that a transfer would benefit both parties – Keita hasn't trained with the first team for months – the Guinean's Bremen nightmare is set to end. According to , citing Bild, Keita will join Hungarian side Ferencvaros in January on a one-year loan, with the deal expiring six months before his Bremen contract runs out.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Keita apologised to his Bremen team-mates following last season's coach saga. In April, he allegedly refused to get on the team bus and instead went home after he was left out of the starting line-up for a game against Bayer Leverkusen.

  "We won't tolerate Naby's behaviour," Bremen sporting director Clemens Fritz said in a statement, with Keita receiving a fine and suspension.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KEITA?

  Keita, 29, will hope to find more success in Hungary than he did during his second spell in Germany. Ferencvaros are currently second in the OTP Bank Liga and one spot above 12th-placed Manchester United in the Europa League league phase standings.

GOAL US writers break down who's in, who's out, and who should have made an appearance on the FIFPRO World 11

Making the FIFPRO World 11 is quite a prestigious feat. This is an exclusive list, the best team in the world, selected by pretty much every professional footballer worldwide. Not a bad achievement.

And this year's squads make for interesting reading. The big question on the men's side is the guy who's not there, with Lionel Messi omitted for the first time since 2006. Perhaps we should have seen that one coming. For the FIFPRO Women's World 11, the lack of U.S. presence is surprising, especially given the strength of the NWSL and the fact that the USWNT strolled their way to an Olympic gold in the Paris Games.

Spanish sides dominate both teams, with Real Madrid accounting for six players on the men's side, and Barcelona five on the women's. Some things, it seems, never change. And then there are the other absentees: Lamine Yamal, Naomi Girma, Jamal Musiala all must wait for yet another year.

A record-breaking number of professional footballers voted for their 2024 men’s and women’s team of the year, with 28,322 votes coming from 70 countries. Did they get it right? GOAL US writers break it down in a FIFPRO World 11 edition of… The Rondo.

• FIFPRO
  

  Did the FIFPRO Men's World 11 voters get it right?

  Tom Hindle: Nope. This is the weakest World 11 in some time, and there are some players who made the list that really shouldn't have sniffed it. Kevin de Bruyne, included here, struggled through an injury-ravaged season, and instead leaned on Phil Foden for attacking help. Ederson, in goal, had a below average statistical season, if you want to get all nerdy and look at expected goals. And how you can look at his body of work over 12 months and not include Yamal is beyond me. For that matter, Lionel Messi should really be in this team every day until he hangs up his boots. Yes, he is still that good. Go to a four, five, six forward formation if you have to.

  Ryan Tolmich: As someone who demands these teams to be in real formations, at least this wasn't a four-attacker setup, so credit for that. Generally, this team was spot on, although there is a very real argument to be made for Lamine Yamal. We'll make that argument next year, though, when he has another season of sustained success under his belt. Outside of that, everyone in the team more than proved their worth, so credit to the voters for getting this one right.

  Jacob Schneider: Yeah, pretty spot on. One could argue Mo Salah should be there, but overall, they hit it on the nose. However, simply based on the start to the 2024-24 season, it's going to be a vastly different team next season – which just shows how exciting the game is at the moment

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  Did the FIFPRO Women's World 11 voters get it right?

  TH: Mostly. All of the players included here deserved it in some way, shape or form. You could perhaps have a gripe that Alexia Putellas made it, given the fact that she missed a bit of time to injury. But when fit, she was a crucial part of an unreal Barcelona team. The only real gripe here is the omission of USWNT's Naomi Girma. She's an elite center back, and the lack of credit she gets is absolutely baffling sometimes.

  RT: It is unfathomable that there isn't a single USWNT representative in this squad. Do teams like this often overinflate international tournaments? You bet, but that doesn't mean those competitions should be discarded all together. For the team that won the biggest competition on offer this year to have no representatives is shocking, and it perhaps highlights the disconnect when it comes to how outsiders view the USWNT and their place in the global game.

  JS: Nope. Not at all, honestly. No members of Triple Espresso (Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman) is a crime, but no Girma is even worse. At this moment in time, she is the best female defender in the world. It's shocking to see her not included.

• Getty
  

  For the men, biggest surprise, biggest snub?

  TH: Is it weird to say De Bruyne was a surprise? Maybe, but this was a pretty poor season from the Belgian – 14 goal contributions in just 18 Premier League appearances doesn't really get the business done, while he didn't achieve anything in Europe or for his country. His individual quality is undeniable, but it's strange that he made it this year. As for snubs, Yamal is pretty glaring. Golden Boy winner, Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, heir-apparent to Leo Messi. What more did the kid have to do?

  RT: There were a few that had legitimate arguments, including Yamal, who probably has the best one given his Euros success. Still, he needs to build on the hype just a little bit more if he wants to be on this list. Outside of him, you could point to the always-underrated Federico Valverde or Jeremie Frimpong, a key catalyst in Bayer Leverkusen's miracle run. Even so, it feels pretty close to correct.

  JS: Biggest surprise is perhaps Toni Kroos. Don't get me wrong, sensational footballer and zero complaints with his selection, it's just a surprise to see him in the team with Valverde, Jamal Musiala, Phil Foden and Luka Modric as other options.

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  For the women, biggest surprise, biggest snub?

  TH: In the best way possible, it's a little surprising to see Marta here. Zoom out, and the Brazilian had a bit of a mixed season. She wasn't exactly the model of consistency for the Orlando Pride – and Olympic success was elusive. Given that voting include her NWSL Championship win, it wouldn't be unfathomable to see her miss out. In terms of snubs, Girma will grab the headlines, but anyone who watches NWSL and decides that Temwa Chawinga isn't one of the best forwards in the world probably needs to get their eyes checked.

  RT: Everything said about the USWNT snubs? That largely applies, in particular, to Girma, who has established herself as arguably the best defender in the world. Yes, there were plenty of Barcelona stars who deserved recognition for their club success but, at the end of the day, what the USWNT did in France has to be valued, too. Girma deserved a spot this season but, based on what we've seen so far, she'll have plenty of chances to get back onto this list as she evolves into a legitimate superstar defender.

  JS: Biggest surprise is Olga Carmona. She wasn't quite the standout performer for Real Madrid, and choosing her over an option like Girma is genuinely baffling.

Nottingham Forest’s deal to sign Ramon Sosa appears to be edging ever closer to completion after weeks of various rumours and speculation.

The Paraguayan has made his intent to join the Reds clear, but no deal was agreed with his current side Tallares – yet journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Tuesday night that a £10m deal had been agreed for the 24-year-old.

He’s set to travel for his medical on Wednesday adding depth and firepower to Nuno Espírito Santo’s frontline ahead of the start of the Premier League campaign this weekend.

It looks as though he will join Jota Silva, Nikola Milenkovic, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Miguel who have all arrived at the City Ground this summer, with real hope of the Reds pulling clear of the drop zone after two near misses with relegation.

Sosa could also be joined on Trentside by another talent, potentially forming a deadly partnership with the talisman.

Nottingham Forest could land £30m ace this summer

Over the last couple of seasons, Forest have been very erratic with their dealings in the transfer market, signing a whole host of players to try and compete in England’s top flight.

However, this summer there has been an emphasis on quality over quantity, with a move for Porto’s Brazilian striker Evanilson an example of the calibre of player the club are targeting this window.

Journalist Romano confirmed earlier this week that the Reds had a proposal for the 24-year-old rejected, with fellow English side Bournemouth also interested in his services.

His quality is evident with his tally of 16 goal contributions in his 27 appearances in the Liga Portugal last season – with any deal expected to cost around the £30m mark.

While he would be another expensive addition for Evangelos Marinakis, he would certainly be an upgrade on the current options at the top end of the pitch, whilst also aiding one player currently plying his trade at the City Ground.

Why Evanilson would make Danilo unplayable for Forest

Brazilian midfielder Danilo has been an important part of the Forest squad after his £17.8m move from Palmeiras during the January transfer window back in 2023.

His best run of form came at the back end of the same campaign, scoring in three consecutive matches, including the victory over Southampton – which included a delightful assist from Morgan Gibbs-White.

Danilo’s rapid rise hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Manchester United registering interest in the 23-year-old, but it’s highly unlikely that the youngster will be leaving the City Ground this summer.

He would form an excellent partnership with compatriot Evanilson, with his ball-playing ability falling straight into the hands of the centre-forward should he move to the City Ground.

In the Premier League last season, Danilo registered a total of four goal contributions, whilst averaging 4.2 progressive passes per 90 – including 3.7 passes into the final third.

The former Palmeiras ace loves to play the ball into attacking areas where possible and with Evanilson the type of striker to run the channels, his movement could allow Danilo to pick out his compatriot and provide him with frequent opportunities in front of goal.

The midfielder also likes to beat a man himself, averaging 1.1 progressive carries per 90 last season, completing 65% of the take-ons that he attempted – showcasing his desire to progress the play and allow the attacking talents to create chaos.

Whilst a deal for Evanilson may be an expensive one, he would provide a consistent source of goals – crucial in the club’s attempts to avoid a third successive relegation battle.

He would be the next in a long line of Brazilians to make the move to the City Ground, following in the footsteps of Danilo and Murillo in being a fan-favourite on Trentside if he can produce the goods in front of goal.

With Sosa also looking set to arrive in the building, the Ttricky Trees' forward line could take on an exciting new look this season.

Nottingham Forest now chasing £16k-p/w ace dubbed "the new Zinedine Zidane"

He is available for just £12m this summer.

By
Ben Browning

Aug 10, 2024