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Nottingham Forest have “an interest in sounding out” Callum Hudson-Odoi this summer if they cannot secure the signature of another Premier League winger Steve Cooper is interested in, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Callum Hudson-Odoi joining Nottingham Forest?

It was a successful first season back in the Premier League for The Garibaldi last year as they managed to secure their safety in their penultimate game thanks to a brilliant 1-0 victory over title-chasing Arsenal at the City Ground.

With their top-flight status assured for another year, the Midlands club have once again turned to the transfer market as they look to firmly establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in English football.

According to the Evening Standard, the side are confident in luring Brazilian winger Willian away from London after his contract at Fulham expired this month. However, should that deal not materialise, they have a backup, Chelsea’s Hudson-Odoi.

The Tricky Trees are reportedly amongst the favourites to land the 22-year-old, with Cooper a ‘huge fan’ of the player after working with him at the under-17 World Cup before, per Football Transfers.

The Wandsworth-born dynamo’s £120,000-a-week contract expires in 12 months, and with the Blues preferring to sell him over another loan, a bid in the region of £20m could be enough to secure his services, also per Football Transfers.

The two-time European Champions might face some stiff competition from the continent, however, as according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Serie A side and Champions League contenders Lazio are said to be interested in the young Englishman.

What has Dean Jones said about Hudson-Odoi?

Jones pointed out that whatever Hudson-Odoi decides to do this summer, he will have to do it quickly, as he will not feature for the Blues next year. He mentions Lazio as a potential destination but believes Forest could offer him a way to stay in the Premier League should they fail to land top target Willian.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “Hudson-Odoi needs to find a solution pretty soon as he’s not going to figure for Chelsea next season.

“It’s a case now of being very open-minded. He’s been to Germany on loan, and there are possibilities in the Bundesliga, for sure, while he’s also being linked to Lazio. I have little doubt he could go to Serie A and shine – just as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic are hoping to.

“But there might still be a way for him to get a chance in the Premier League – we cannot discount that at this stage. One option I’ve heard that really might open up is at Nottingham Forest. They have been enquiring over Willian and, if that does not progress, I am led to believe they are interested in properly sounding out Hudson-Odoi.

“They are not afraid to go after big names, and it’s clear they intend to show ambition right now as this second season in the Premier League is a real chance for the club to begin establishing themselves in the top flight.”

Who else are Nottingham Forest linked to?

Outside of tricky wingers, Forest are also looking for a new goalkeeper.

According to The Athletic, the primary target in that department remains Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, who has returned to the Red Devils for preseason.

However, should a deal for the Englishman not be possible, the club have already identified Wolverhampton Wanderers shot-stopper Jose Sa as a potential alternative.

The Portuguese keeper has already spent two seasons with Forest’s sister club Olympiacos between 2018 and 2021, so there is a relationship there with the club’s ownership.

Ultimately, a move to Forest could suit all parties involved, giving Hudson-Odoi the platform to rediscover the form that led Frank Lampard to label him “special”, and Cooper could have a potentially world-class winger on his hands if he gets back to his best.

تحدد بشكل رسمي منافس فريق الأهلي، في دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا للموسم الحالي 2023-2024.

الأهلي استطاع أن يتأهل إلي دور نصف النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا للمرة الخامسة على التوالي والـ20 في تاريخه بعد الفوز على سيمبا التنزاني.

وفاز الأهلي على سيمبا التنزاني بنتيجة 3-0 في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | السولية بعد تأهل الأهلي لنصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا: نحلم باللقب مرة أخرى

وكانت قرعة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، أسفرت عن ملاقاة الأهلي في حالة التأهل إلى دور نصف النهائي الفائز من مواجهة مازيمبي الكونغولي وبترو أتلتيكو الأنجولي.

والتقي مازيمبي مع بترو أتلتيكو في دور ربع النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث انتهت مواجهة الذهاب في الكونغو بالتعادل السلبي

وفي مواجهة الإياب بين مازيمبي وبترو أتلتيكو التي أقيمت اليوم السبت في أنجولا، فاز مازيمبي بهدفين مقابل هدف، ليتأهل ويضرب موعدًا مع الأهلي في دور نصف النهائي. منافس الأهلي في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

يلتقي الأهلي مع مازيمبي الكونغولي في دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث تقام مباراة الذهاب في الكونغو والعودة تلعب في القاهرة. موعد مباراة الأهلي ومازيمبي في دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

تقام مباراة الذهاب بين الأهلي ومازيمبي في الكونغو، أحد أيام 19 أو 20 أبريل، ولقاء العودة في القاهرة يقام أحد أيام 26 أو 27 من نفس الشهر.

Ian Bell has committed to Warwickshire for a further three years, after signing a contract extension that runs until the end of the 2020 season

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-2017Ian Bell has committed to Warwickshire for a further three years, after signing a contract extension that runs until the end of the 2020 season.Bell, 34, scored 7,727 runs at 42.69 in 118 Test appearances, but has not played for England since their 2-0 series defeat against Pakistan in November 2015.However, with 18,533 runs to his name in first-class cricket, his commitment to Warwickshire is undimmed, not least since being appointed captain last year.”Warwickshire is the only county that I’ve ever wanted to play for,” Bell said.”The club has played a huge role in my career and it’s a great honour to now captain the team and help our young, talented players fulfil their potential here at Edgbaston.”Bell played in seven Ashes series in the course of his England career, emerging victorious on five occasions in 2005, 2009, 2010-11, 2013 and 2015.In domestic cricket, he has won six trophies, including last summer’s Royal London One-Day Cup when the Birmingham Bears beat Surrey in the final at Lord’s to cap his first season as captain.”Ian is a true Bear who has been with Warwickshire since the age of 10 and has gone on to be one of the most decorated players in the club’s history,” said Warwickshire sport director, Ashley Giles.”He continues to be one of the leading batsmen in the country across all three formats and, as our captain, he sets exceptionally high standards for the rest of the squad.”

أدلى أوليفر جلاسنر، المدير الفني لفريق كريستال بالاس، بتصريحات قبل مباراة الأحد المرتقبة ضد ليفربول في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة والثلاثين من بطولة الدوري على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

وقال جلاسنر في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “كل فريق، بكل تأكيد يمتلك نقاط قوته، ليفربول لديه الكثير من نقاط القوة، ولكن أيضًا لديه نقاط ضعف، حيث يمكنك العثور على مساحة في مناطقهم، وخلق الفرص وتسجيل الأهداف”.

وأضاف: “في بعض الأحيان ليس من السهل العثور على هذه المساحة والحصول على الكرة هناك، لأنهم لا يعطونك الوقت أبدًا”.

وواصل: “لذلك عندما ترى أهداف الأمس (مباراة ليفربول وأتالانتا)، فقدوا كرتين ثم هجمة مرتدة رائعة، وهدف بدأ من رمية تماس، ولم يكن لدى أحد أكثر من ثلاث لمسات”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مارتن دي رون يسخر من نجم ليفربول بعد ثلاثية أتالانتا في الدوري الأوروبي

وأردف: “كل شيء يجب أن يكون مثاليًا، وبعد ذلك، من الممكن تسجيل الأهداف ضدهم، لقد خسروا في مباراة الأمس، ثم تسأل (هل هذا جيد أم سيئ بالنسبة لك؟)”.

واستمر: “لذا إذا فازوا أمس، دعنا نقول 3-0، كان سيكون لديهم الكثير من الثقة، ستتسائل (هل هذا جيد أم سيئ؟)، لأنه ليس عليهم الآن الاهتمام بالمباراة التالية لأنهم تأهلوا بالفعل”.

وأكد: “هناك دائمًا جوانب إيجابية وسلبية، لقد شاهدت المباراة فقط لأجد شيئًا يساعدنا على الفوز في الأنفيلد، لذلك لم يكن ما رأيته جديدًا تمامًا”.

وأوضح: “لكن هذا لا يعني أنه نظرًا لأن أتالانتا فعل ذلك بالأمس، فإننا سنفعل ذلك في مباراتنا المقبلة، لقد حاول 3 فرق في العام الماضي فعل ذلك، ولم يتمكن أحد من فعل ذلك والفوز هناك ولكننا سنحاول”.

وفيما يتعلق برحيل المدرب يورجن كلوب، أجاب: “أعتقد أنه كان مصدر إلهام للعديد من المدربين الناطقين بالألمانية لأنه في الوقت الذي كان يؤدي فيه بشكل جيد مع بوروسيا دورتموند، ربما كان لديه أسلوب جديد في اللعب، عدواني للغاية، وشديد للغاية، لقد روج أن الهجمات المرتدة هي الأفضل، رقم 10، لذلك كان هذا جديدًا في ذلك الوقت”.

واستطرد: “كان هذا في نهاية مسيرتي كلاعب، لذلك كان لأسلوبه في اللعب تأثير كبير على رؤيتي للعبة، ولا يزال الأمر كذلك، بسبب الطريقة التي يلعبون بها بهذه القوة، خاصة هذا الموسم”.

واختتم: “أعتقد أنهم عانوا قليلاً الموسم الماضي لأنهم لم يكن لديهم هذه القوة وهذه الطاقة في المباريات، ولكن مرة أخرى، كل قوة لها ضعفها، أعتقد أننا نعرف كيف يمكن أن ينجح الأمر، لكن من الصعب حقًا على اللاعبين في الملعب إيجاد حل عندما لا يكون لديك الوقت، عندما تعلم أنك تتعرض للضغط”.

An update has emerged on a possible exit for a Glasgow Rangers defender ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign…

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

According to The Sun, Premier League side Nottingham Forest are 'lining up' a swoop to sign Light Blues left-back, Borna Barisic during the summer transfer window.

The report claims that they are keen to sign the Croatia international to solve their full-back woes after Renan Lodi returned to Atletico Madrid at the end of last season.

It states that Forest sporting director Ross Wilson, who left Ibrox earlier this year, is now ready to raid his former team to bolster Steve Cooper's squad.

There is no mention of how much the English outfit are prepared to pay for his services but it does say that the Gers could demand a fee of around £2m.

How old is Borna Barisic?

The Rangers defender is 30 and now in the final year of his contract with the Scottish giants, which means that this could be the perfect opportunity for Michael Beale to cash in on him.

Barisic turns 31 in November and this interest from Forest would allow the Gers to potentially replace him with a younger option in that position to compete with Ridvan Yilmaz, instead of handing a new deal to a player who may be heading into the final years of his career.

Beale must ruthlessly ditch the Croatian veteran as his defensive performances left far too much to be desired last season, with his lapses in concentration at the back post making him a liability at times.

Former Celtic midfielder Kris Commons wrote that the full-back 'nods off like a security guard' in defence and described him as the 'weak link' in the Rangers team, who could be specifically targeted by the opposition to cause damage to the Glasgow giants.

Pundit Stephen Craigan also stated that the 30-year-old dud "can’t defend his back post" and claimed that he is not going to learn to improve that aspect of his game at that age.

Rangers finished seven points behind Celtic in the Premiership table last season and Beale must not leave any stone unturned this summer in his attempts to build a side that will be capable of wrestling back control of the division next term.

This is why brutally binning Barisic from the squad could be a shrewd piece of business for the English head coach amid this interest from Forest as the Light Blues would be moving on a player who has proven himself to be a liability in defence.

The £18k-per-week dud could be immediately replaced by 22-year-old talent Ridvan Yilmaz, who has time on his hands to develop and grow with more experience at Ibrox, after the ex-Besiktas man started five games in May at the end of last season.

A potential fee of £2m could also allow Beale to dip back into the market to bring in another left-sided option to compete with the Turkey international for a spot in the team.

The 42-year-old tactician could target a defensive-minded player who is capable of guarding the back post to stop the likes of Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda from sneaking in to score easy goals in the Old Firm matches next season.

علق السويسري مارسيل كولر المدير الفني لـ الأهلي، على تعادل فريقه مع مازيمبي الكونغولي سلبيًا، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

المباراة أقيمت على أرضية ملعب استاد تي بي مازيمبي، في إطار لقاءات جولة الذهاب لدور نصف النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال كولر في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي عقب المباراة: “كانت مباراة صعبة جدًا، الطقس كان حارًا واللاعبين أدوا ما عليهم، وكانت هناك فرص للفريقين، وكان من الممكن أن يفوز أحدهما”.

طالع أيضًا.. فيديو | الأهلي يتعادل مع مازيمبي في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وبسؤاله.. من المعروف أن مازيمبي يفوز خارج ملعبه.. ما رأيك؟، ورد: “نعرف أنهما مباراتين، لم يُسجل أي فريق في لقاء اليوم، وبالتالي الحسم سيكون في القاهرة، وبالتأكيد لم يُحسم أي شيء لأن النتيجة هي التعادل”.

هل سعيد بالتعادل؟ وكيف ترى مباراة الإياب؟ أجاب: “أنا دائمًا في أي مكان أريد أن أحقق الفوز وأسجل الأهداف، لكني كمدرب أعرف أن هذا لن أستطيع أن أحققه في كل لقاء، واليوم رأينا فريقين قويين في الملعب، وسوف نستعد للمباراة القادمة ونسجل الأهداف ونتأهل”.

وأردف: “حارس المرمى وظيفته منع إحراز الأهداف، واليوم أدى وظيفته بشكل جيد جدًا (يقصد مصطفى شوبير)، بالنسبة للمهاجمين للأسف أهدروا فرصًا كثيرة، وأتمنى أن يعوضوا ذلك في الإياب”.

ما تحليلك لأداء الأهلي في مباراة اليوم؟ رد: “في الطائرة سأشاهد المباراة مرة أخرى وسأبدأ أن أكتشف الأمور الإيجابية والسلبية وأتحدث مع الفريق بشأنها، وسنشاهد مباريات أخرى لـ مازيمبي وسأتواصل مع الجهاز المعاون وفريق التحليل لنكون مستعدين للمباراة القادمة”.

Tom Curran kept his head in the final over to carry Surrey to a sensational two-run victory in the opening NatWest T20 Blast game of the season at Chelmsford

ECB reporters Network07-Jul-2017
ScorecardFile photo: Tom Curran delivered a matchwinning final over•Getty Images

Tom Curran kept his head in the final over to carry Surrey to a sensational two-run victory in the opening NatWest T20 Blast game of the season at Chelmsford.With Essex requiring 10 off the last six balls, and six wickets in hand, Curran claimed the key wickets of Ravi Bopara and Ashar Zaidi to claim a memorable victory.Bopara’s dismissal off the second ball of the over ended a 46-ball 75, with five sixes, that looked to have put Essex in the driving seat.Earlier Dominic Sibley thumped four sixes in a swashbuckling 61 that enabled Surrey to post a challenging total of 188 after being put in to bat.However, it had looked as though sixes from successive deliveries bowled by Jade Dernbach in the penultimate over by Bopara – one straight, the other over long leg – meant Essex needed less than two runs a ball from the final over.The first ball went for two, but Tom Curran found the extra pace to beat Bopara from the next. With five required off two balls, Curran added the scalp of Ashar Zaidi, bowled to a full-length ball. The boundary required from the final ball as beyond James Foster.Essex had reached 25 in the third over when Varun Chopra left alone a delivery from Tom Curran that pitched outside off-stump and hit middle and leg.’Sibley unbelievable’ – Curran

Tom Curran, Surrey: “That knock from Dom was unbelievable. He’s come in not having played a lot of T20 cricket and he’s made a great stake for a permanent place in the T20 side. I thought he batted beautifully.”

Dan Lawrence, who had hit Sam Curran straight for six, followed soon after when he swished inelegantly at the younger Curran and was caught behind for 13.Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara put on 45 for the third wicket in six overs. But Westley was undone by Scott Borthwick’s first ball, which spun in and bowled him for 23. He had earlier edged Ravi Rampaul for six backward of square and then carted Dominic Sibley over cow corner for a second.Bopara hit Jade Dernbach for a straight six, pulled Rampaul for a second and hooked Borthwick for No3 as Essex accelerated. Rampaul went for 16 from one over, Borthwick for 14 the next as Bopara and ten Doeschate made hay.Bopara scrambled a single into the offside to reach a 43-ball fifty, but the partnership was broken by Sam Curran who trapped ten Doeschate lbw on the front foot. Essex still needed 52 from 26 balls, and 25 from the last two overs.Surrey lost Jason Roy to the fourth ball of the game, lbw to one from Mohammad Amir that swung late, and wickets followed in quick succession throughout, bar a sixth-wicket stand of 55 between Dominic Sibley and Sam Curran.Replacing Amir, two of Paul Walter’s first four deliveries were wayward and signalled as wides, but his third legitimate ball arrowed past Mark Stoneman’s bat and took out middle and leg stumps.Finch had already laid into Jamie Porter with a four through midwicket and a six over long leg off successive balls, and was similarly severe on Ashar Zaidi with a four chipped to deep extra cover followed by another six into the second tier of the stand at long leg.But Zaidi had the last word in his first over, tempting Rory Burns into a reverse sweep and bowling him.Finch reached his fifty from 23 balls with his third six, slogged-pulling Zaidi high over midwicket. But four balls later, in trying to work Bopara down to third man, the Australian top-edged behind for 56.Bopara had a second wicket in his third over when Ollie Pope pulled him to the midwicket boundary where Amir leapt to catch. Surrey had lost half their batting for 86 inside 11 overs.The fifty partnership for the sixth wicket came off 28 balls, before Curran on 25 gave himself room against Walter and lost his leg stump. Sibley lost the other Curran, Tom, to an inswinger from ten Doeschate’s first ball.Sibley reached a valiant half-century from 35 balls with his fourth six, but departed for 61 when he was run out off the last ball. Borthwick had his stumps shattered from a free-hit off Walter, but James Foster had a stump out of the ground before Sibley made his ground.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in LaLiga ace Guido Rodriguez, as Julen Lopetegui looks to replenish his midfield this summer.

Following the sales of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, the Spaniard will seek reinforcements in the middle of the park in the transfer window, with the latest news linking them to an Argentine marvel.

Could Wolves sign Guido Rodriguez?

As reported by journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, the Old Gold have opened negotiations with Real Betis for the midfielder.

"Wolvesis interested in signing Guido Rodríguez, a Betis midfielder whose contract ends in June 2024," he tweeted. "There are negotiations underway between the clubs, but for now nothing close to being finalized."

However, there was no fee mentioned by Merlo over the player that is valued at €20.2m (£17.3m) by FootballTransfers.

An area that could benefit Wolves’ reported pursuit is the midfielder’s contract situation, in which he has one year remaining at Betis with the assumption that the Spaniards would not want to lose him as a free agent.

How good is Guido Rodriguez?

Maintaining an average Sofascore match rating of 7.07 in LaLiga last term, Rodriguez ranked in the top three of Betis’ best individual performers, highlighting his importance in the side.

Deployed as a defensive midfielder, the 29-year-old was part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad, highlighting the calibre of player that Lopetegui could obtain this summer.

Having previously been lauded as a “defensive monster” by European football analyst Marcus Bring, the Argentine machine flexed his competency in dominating the engine room last term, winning 60% of his total duels, with an average of 7.2 per game, via Sofascore.

For Wolves, introducing a midfielder with a strong approach to controlling the middle of the park is essential, in a move that could add to depth and challenge others in the squad.

Likened to Molineux ace Mario Lemina based on statistics, via FBref, the Betis gem could replicate the presence of the Gabon international, with his numbers suggesting he could perform at a higher level than the former Juventus man.

Signed by Wolves from Nice in January, the 29-year-old recorded 19 appearances in the Premier League for the Old Gold, being thrown straight into the action by Lopetegui.

Despite being a key part of the squad in the Midlands, the Argentine showed glimpses in Spain of being able to offer in areas that the former Southampton midfielder lacked in.

Averaging a monstrous 3.60 tackles and 1.32 interceptions per 90 in LaLiga, the Gabonese enforcer fell slightly short in such areas, averaging 2.63 tackles and 0.97 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League, via FBref.

A similar pattern was evident in the slight creative spark that the Betis man possessed, with him recording an average of 4.17 passes into the final third to Lemina’s 2.15 per 90 for the Midlands outfit.

With Joao Gomes also arriving during the January transfer window, it would be expected that the 22-year-old would be the Spaniard’s first-choice defensive midfielder, with the interest in Rodriguez posing as him being a potential heir to Lemina.

Adding depth to the squad is essential this summer, in a move that could positively influence competition for a starting spot at Molineux, inducing a rise in performance for consistent game time.

حقق فريق إنتر ميلان لقب بطولة الدوري الإيطالي، موسم 2023/24، مساء الإثنين بعد فوزه على جاره ميلان في ديربي الغضب.

وتلاقى الفريقان في قمة منافسات الجولة الثالثة والثلاثين من الدوري الإيطالي، حيث فاز إنتر ميلان بهدفين مقابل هدف. أهداف مباراة إنتر ميلان وميلان

تقدم إنتر ميلان بهدف سجله اللاعب فرانشيسكو أتشيربي، برأسية مميزة، في الدقيقة 18 من عمر الشوط الأول.

وضاعف إنتر ميلان تفوقه على أصحاب الأرض بعدما سُجل الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 49، عن طريق ماركوس تورام.

وقلّص ميلان الفارق بعدما سجل فيكايو توموري هدفًا في الدقيقة 80، ولكن ذلك لم يكن كافيًا بالنسبة لهم في النهاية.

وشهدت اللحظات الأخيرة من عمر المباراة شغبًا بين لاعبي الفريقين، خاصة بين ثيو هيرنانديز لاعب ميلان ودينزل دومفريس لاعب إنتر ميلان، وتحصل كلاهما على بطاقة حمراء في الدقيقة 93.

كما طُرد لاعب آخر من ميلان، وهو دافيد كالابريا في الدقيقة 97، قبل إطلاق صافرة النهاية، بعدما اعتدى على أحد لاعبي الخصم في وجهه.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد إنتر ميلان إلى 86 نقطة في المركز الأول، محققًا لقب الدوري الإيطالي، بينما تجمد رصيد ميلان عند 69 نقطة في المركز الثاني.

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale has given the squad a major uplift during the summer transfer window, adding some much-needed freshness after a period of stagnation.

Eight players have arrived, while a further eight have departed the Ibrox side across what has been the busiest transfer window in recent memory.

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

The vast majority of his business appears to be done heading into the 2023/24 Premiership season, however, could there be one or two players who arrive in the coming weeks?

Could Rangers sign Jack Clarke?

Rangers were credited with an interest in the Sunderland winger last month according to Football League World, although they weren’t alone, with Burnley, Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford all keeping tabs on the youngster.

The promising winger still has three years left on his current contract, suggesting a decent fee would need to be offered to secure his signature – particularly with those at Turf Moor having recently seen a £10m bid rejected.

With Ryan Kent departing Glasgow after five seasons and Fashion Sakala also linked with an exit, the left wing position could potentially turn into a problem for Beale if he doesn’t add another player to his squad.

Could Clarke perhaps be the ideal candidate for Beale to slot into that position and link up well with new signings Cyriel Dessers and Danilo?

How did Jack Clarke perform last season?

The signing of Danilo from Feyenoord was certainly the most eye-catching out of Beale’s summer arrivals, especially with the impressive campaign he had for the Dutch champions in 2022/23.

The Brazilian scored 14 goals and grabbed four assists across all competitions as the former Ajax gem showcased his finishing skills and this clearly impressed Beale, who pushed for his arrival.

The 24-year-old could certainly benefit from Clarke’s abilities on the left wing should the former Queen's Park Rangers boss deploy a formation which requires two wide players, and he was outstanding last season for Sunderland.

The Black Cats failed to reach the playoff final, however, the Englishman registered 20 goal contributions – nine goals and 11 assists – across 45 Championship matches, indicating that not only does he create chances for his teammates, but the winger also has a keen eye for goal.

Clarke also ranked third in the Sunderland squad for big chances created (seven) in the league last term, while ranking second for successful dribbles (two) and first for key passes (1.7) per game, showing that he was a key factor for the club across several attacking metrics.

He was lauded by former player Noel Whelan during his spell at Leeds, who said: “He has got a great ability to glide past players. I don’t think I’ve seen a winger really as talented as that, where it looks effortless, just to take somebody on and he really does get you on the edge of your seat, he’s one of those exciting players.”

Beale could form a scary duo should Clarke and Danilo be let loose in the same team, with their respective abilities enough to give defenders nightmares.

The 6 foot starlet may have options down in England, yet Rangers could offer him Champions League football and a solid chance of winning silverware, which could be too good an incentive to turn down.