Egypt have called up Mohamed Salah for a tournament in the United Arab Emirates despite Liverpool's request to rest the forward.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Erik ten Hag revealed that Rasmus Hojlund may return from injury just in time for the FA Cup quarter-final clash against Liverpool next week.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Liverpool have now been provided with an update on their pursuit of Brentford defender Aaron Hickey, who is being targeted by some of the Premier League's top clubs.
The Reds have recently been linked with a move for Hickey, but they are not the only top club eyeing a deal, with Football Insider reporting that Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are now ready to battle it out for his signature in January. However, the 21-year-old is currently said to be happy at the Gtech Community Stadium, despite the widespread interest, and Brentford are under no obligation to sell him anytime soon, given that he is contracted until the summer of 2026.
The Scot has solidified his place in the Brentford starting XI this season, appearing in all six of their Premier League games up to this point, and he deputised for Rico Henry in the 3-1 loss against Everton on Saturday, after the left-back suffered a serious knee injury.
As such, the Bees may be even more unwilling to let the full-back leave in the January transfer window, and Football Insider report it will take a huge bid for elite clubs like Liverpool or Arsenal to prise him away from his current club.
Brentford have no plans to let the youngster leave at any point in the near future, in what could be a blow for the Reds, whose links to him come amid the recent injury setback suffered by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Joe Gomez has been deputising at right-back, but the Brentford defender is a more natural option, and Klopp had been hoping he could get a deal done this winter.
However, the Scotland international is keen to play regularly ahead of next year's European Championships in Germany, and he does not want to disrupt his flow of first-team football ahead of the tournament with a mid-season move.
Lauded as "brilliant" by members of the media, the right-back has impressed for both club and country over the past 18 months, establishing himself as a first-team player for Brentford, and racking up 11 caps for his country since making his debut in March 2022.
Given that the Glasgow-born defender's career is just starting to take off, it is clear to see why he may be unwilling to move to Liverpool this January, where he would undoubtedly be behind Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order.
Considering he is still young, the former Bologna man is still prone to the odd bad performance, and he was withdrawn early against Everton at the weekend, receiving a Sofascore match rating of 6.1, the lowest figure of any player on the pitch.
As such, it is clear that Hickey needs regular first-team football, if he is going to fulfill his potential, and a move to Anfield may not be exactly what he needs at this point in time.
Considering Brentford are set to hold out for a huge fee, it is probably wise for Liverpool to steer clear, and begin to look at other right-back targets.
Wolverhampton Wanderers sat 15th in the Premier League coming into this weekend's fixtures and are among a handful of teams tipped to have a tricky season in the bottom half of the table.
With a forward now approaching La Liga in his prime, it's no doubt a frustrating prospect that a former flop of theirs is properly enjoying life after Molineux.
That's right, after a veritably awful spell in England was switched for Spanish success with Europa League legends Sevilla, this former Wolverhampton striker is a true example of 'one that got away'.
Cartagena-born Rafa Mir followed in his father's footsteps in becoming a footballer. Magin Mir, a defender, turned out briefly for clubs like RCD Mallorca, Real Murcia, and FC Cartagena – where Rafa was born.
Beginning his career, Magin's son showed prowess that would oppose his father's playing career. One – he was a striker and two – it looked like he could make it in the top leagues, contrasting Mir senior's still-consummate second-to-third tier CV.
Whilst a lanky and direct youth, Rafa was picked up by Barcelona and subsequently moved from La Masia to Murcia, then Valencia. At the latter, he scored a head-turning 15 goals in 19 games for the B side in 2017/18. This was enough to lure Wolves out of their stalking spot – as the west Midlands club signed Mir for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half-year deal. It's safe to say hopes were high.
Yet, whilst Mir could seemingly throw himself about in Spain, English football's style was uncompromisingly different.
While first-team opportunities were slim under Nuno Espirito Santo, Mir was pushed out on loan to build experience. A first loan was promising – with seven goals in 30 games for second-tier UD Las Palmas.
However, a second foray away at Nottingham Forest was abysmal. Admittedly, he failed to adapt in England. Confidence was shot after 13 games and no goals. Forest fans labelled him a flop quickly and even lamented "his six-month loan hardly reaped a shot on target, let alone a goal."
Perhaps slightly embarrassed, Wolves quickly carted him off on another loan for the rest of 2019/20. This time, it was back to the Spanish second tier with Huesca. It's safe to say that the second half of the term was way better than the first with Forest. As Huesca got promoted Mir got nine goals in 18.
The season after, he starred as a rare positive for the yoyo-ing side – bagging 13 league goals and three in the Copa del Rey as the Aragon team sank back down to the Segunda Division. A notable goal against Barcelona in that so-far-sole La Liga season had tongues wagging back in England with bemused Wolves and Forest fans alike, yet the chatter was loudest in Andalusia.
Spurred on by what the frontman had produced despite relegation adversity, Sevilla signed Mir from Wolves in August 2021 for an alleged fee of €16m (£14m). As said, he's not done too badly for himself.
Although still a bit raw and (at times) industrial as opposed to being deathly prolific – Mir has been a brilliant addition to Sevilla's attacking system and has been rewarded for his hard attacking work rate with a 2022/23 Europa League winner's medal.
When speaking with the Athletic in 2021, Spanish football journalist Robbie Dunne aptly explained:
“He’s a little bit like Diego Costa in that he’s aggressive, he likes running the channels, he holds off defenders, he’s athletic and strong. He’s not exactly technically gifted but he has an unorthodox running style that works for him, he can keep the ball, he’s got a powerful strike, he’s quick and he’s good in the air."
“Ten or 12 goals a season will be fairly standard for him now I feel, given his progress.”
While loan-scoring and his Sevilla career adds up to 54 goals away from England, it's clear to see that Rafa Mir is Spain through and through. When joining Huesca, Mir commented:
“The Championship has a very high level. Things have not gone as I wanted. In the end, they are experiences that add up. I feel more identified with Spanish football. In England, it is played differently.”
Since leaving, in fact, the gifted and physical hold-up man has scored 22 goals in 89 games as he sits in a Sevilla team that thrives on his link-up play.
What's more damning for Wolves, is that while seemingly got rid of the deadwood, he looks to improve all the time.
Additionally, since leaving, the striker has scored more than every Molineux player, with a steady all-competition season high of 13 in 2021/22 and eight last season, beating that of Ruben Neves' six in 2022/23 and the half a dozen of Raul Jimenez in 2021/22.
Manchester City's 115 FFP charges were referenced in a hilarious tweet by Dominos Pizza, following Monday's ruling against Nottingham Forest.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
England captain Harry Kane will miss their clash against Belgium, Gareth Southgate confirms, as he flies back to Germany to receive ankle treatment.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Sunderland have made an excellent start to the 2023/24 campaign and remain in contention to secure a play-off place for the second season in succession.
The Black Cats are fourth after 11 matches, in spite of their 4-0 loss to Middlesbrough last time out, and nine points off Ipswich Town, who are second as it stands.
Tony Mowbray's side lost to Luton Town in the play-off semi-finals last season and will now be hoping to go one better to secure promotion to the Premier League next year.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman dipped into the market to bolster the manager's squad throughout the summer transfer window in an attempt to bolster the club's chances of doing so.
Jenson Seelt, Jobe Bellingham, Nectarios Triantis, Eliezer Mayenda, Luis Semedo, Bradley Dack, Timothee Pembele, Adil Aouchiche, Mason Burstow, Nazariy Rusyn, and Nathan Bishop were all brought in either on permanent or loan deals.
Their fourth-placed position, as it stands, suggests that the club's business has had the desired effect so far but they are reportedly looking at another deal ahead of the January transfer window.
TEAMtalk recently revealed that the Black Cats are plotting a swoop to bring the Manchester United youngster, who would come in as a dream partner for Jack Clarke, back to the Stadium of Light at the start of next year.
The report claimed that a knee injury sustained during pre-season ruled out a summer exit from Old Trafford for the former Atalanta prodigy.
However, the talented gem is now ready to secure a move away from the Premier League side and Sunderland are hoping to land a loan deal for his services for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
It is also stated that the Red Devils are prepared to sanction a temporary transfer for the ex-Rangers loanee, which suggests that he is not in Erik ten Hag's immediate first-team plans at this moment in time.
TEAMtalk's report also added that there is confidence that Speakman and Mowbray will be able to bring him back for a second spell on Wearside, after his impressive performances for the club last term.
However, it remains to be seen how many other teams would be interested in signing Diallo and what level of football he could play instead of dropping back down to the Championship, which means that it is far from guaranteed that the young ace will be back in the red and white.
The 21-year-old whiz racked up 14 goals in all competitions for the Black Cats during his loan spell in the 2022/23 campaign under Mowbray's management.
It was the most goals he has ever scored in a single season in his first-team career to date as Sunderland were able to get the best out of the United loanee.
He arrived at the Stadium of Light off the back of an underwhelming spell with Rangers in Scotland. Diallo produced three goals and zero assists in 13 appearances for the Light Blues.
The Black Cats took a gamble on the 5 foot 8 youngster in spite of his lack of form for the Scottish giants and it was a move that certainly paid off for the English outfit.
Diallo went on to enjoy a phenomenal campaign for the club last term and was nominated for the Championship's Young Player of the Year award at the end of the season, which was ultimately won by Bristol City's Alex Scott.
The Ivory Coast international, whose talent was lauded as "exceptional" by journalist Josh Bunting, contributed with 14 goals and three assists in 29 league starts for Sunderland, which made him the side's top scorer for the 2022/23 campaign – with four more than any of his teammates.
He ranked within the top five performers for the Black Cats for shots taken (1.9), chances created (one), and dribbles completed (1.9) per match last season, which illustrates how important he was in all aspects of the attacking set-up.
Speakman could secure a dream partner for Sunderland's current top-scorer Clarke, who has plundered seven league goals, by striking a deal for Diallo in January.
The 22-year-old whiz is the joint-top scorer in the Championship so far this season and has caught the eye with 2.1 key passes and three 'big chances' created in 11 appearances.
His exceptional form this term has come after a return of nine goals and 12 assists – five more than any of his teammates – across 46 starts throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
These statistics show that the former Tottenham Hotspur ace has the quality to provide goals and assists on a regular basis at this level, which makes him a significant threat for teams to deal with.
The English dynamo knows how to create opportunities for his teammates week-in-week-out at this level and the Manchester United starlet has the finishing quality to make the most of them.
Therefore, the Black Cats must sign Diallo in January as he could strike up a fearsome partnership with Clarke at the top end of the pitch and cause constant problems for opposition defences.
He played the majority of his matches as a right winger for the club last term and, as aforementioned, was Sunderland's top-scorer with 14 strikes.
Whereas, Mowbray's current right winger, Patrick Roberts, has failed to contribute with a single goal or assist in nine Championship games so far this season.
Clarke has created 23 opportunities and three 'big chances' for his teammates and Roberts has not been able to make the most of the talented whiz's creativity on the flank.
The former Manchester City attacker has already missed three 'big chances' this season and has not offered any tangible threat at the top end of the pitch for the Black Cats.
This is why Sunderland must sign Diallo as the £29k-per-week magician has already proven himself to be capable of scoring goals at an impressive rate for the club at this level.
He could, therefore, slot straight back into the side under the same manager with a number of the same teammates, including Clarke, and re-form his lethal pairing with the former Spurs youngster on the flanks for the second half of the campaign.
Newcastle United look a force to be reckoned with once again this season, but despite the club's successes, it seems that manager Eddie Howe is still looking to bolster his ranks come January.
The Toon boss' strategy is hardly surprising; Newcastle boast wealth unrivalled by the majority of their Premier League foes and have been steadily improving the squad ever since the PIF takeover two years ago.
With this in mind, the Magpies might be preparing a raid on rivals Arsenal for disgruntled midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, with TEAMtalk reporting that the club officials will meet imminently to discuss transfer plans, with the 23-year-old at the heart of discussions.
TEAMtalk have also recently highlighted West Ham United's interest in the player, but that the Gunners would only consider a sale if their £60m valuation is met.
That exorbitant price tag is undoubtedly a deterrent for interested parties – for West Ham, it would mean breaking their record transfer fee; Newcastle, putting him on the same pedestal as club-record acquisition Alexander Isak, who joined for £63m.
And for a midfielder who has sat on the fringe for some time – a talented midfielder, mind – this will likely need whittling down before concrete negotiations can commence.
Smith Rowe is now fully fit after enduring a lengthy layoff that cost him prominence at the Emirates Stadium, but has only made two brief substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, sitting on the bench for six outings.
He is undoubtedly a quality-filled gem – dubbed "wonderful" by pundit Gary Neville – who could make a marked impact on Newcastle's team, with the 2021/22 league season illustrating his first-class attributes.
As per Sofascore, the £40k-per-week dynamo scored ten goals from just 21 starts that year, completing 87% of his passes and succeeding with 60% of his dribbles, hailed for his "incredibly prolific" form by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Securing his signature, Newcastle could repeat their success in signing Joe Willock, who joined the Tynesiders on an initial loan deal in January 2021 before wrapping up a £25m move in the summer.
Having enjoyed an immense goalscoring run of his own during that loan spell, bagging eight times from 14 matches – including a seven-match scoring streak – Newcastle may well emulate their signing with Smith Rowe.
Willock is described as a midfielder with "limitless" potential by writer Simon Collings, and while he is out injured at the moment, his qualities are clear after serving a central role in his club's sensational 2022/23 campaign, landing a top-four spot.
With two interchanging stars of impressive technical ability, Howe would have exactly what his squad needs to compete across multiple fronts and push for Champions League football and silverware with regularity.
As relayed by Fabrizio Romano in June 2021, Arteta was emphatic in proclaiming the players' positions in the Emirates Stadium side's plans, but Willock was soon to leave permanently, and Smith Rowe might now be next.
Perhaps Arteta was confident in his squad's options, and perhaps he was right; Arsenal aren't exactly struggling under the Spaniard's wing, but both players could now unite to prove their worth with Newcastle, starring as the Magpies take flight.
Phil Parkinson has revealed how AP McCoy is inspiring another promotion race at Wrexham, with the Dragons competing in a League Two Grand National.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
After a shaky start in the Championship, it looked as though Leeds United had finally found their feet under Daniel Farke, with their dramatic 3-2 victory over Norwich City an indication that they could be on course for promotion. Having been brought back down to earth in their most recent outing against Stoke City, however, the Yorkshire club may yet look towards the January transfer window to solve some of their problems.
Those at Elland Road will be desperately hoping to make an instant Premier League return, but the squad will need reinforcements to achieve that, and come the winter window, that could include the arrival of a target they reportedly missed out on during the summer.
In the end, Leeds did well in the summer to adjust to the departures of Luis Sinisterra, Rodrigo, and Tyler Adams, among others, as they welcomed replacements in the form of Joel Piroe and Ethan Ampadu, who have both got off to solid starts under Farke. The Whites may just have to repeat that transfer trick one more time in January, too, if they are to stand a chance of finishing inside the play-off places, and then sealing Wembley victory.
Among the arrivals could be Joaquin Piquerez. According to Brazilian journalist Diego Firmino, Leeds have been monitoring Piquerez. The Yorkshire club missed out on the Palmeiras left back during the summer, despite reportedly being keen on his arrival. Now, they could return for him, and perhaps even secure a deal at the second time of asking.
The January transfer window can make or break a side's season, and in Leeds' case, they could be hoping to get a game-changer in the form of Piquerez, who has also reportedly attracted the interest of Aston Villa, Marseille, and Tottenham Hotspur in what looks likely to be a busy race for his signature.
Considering Piquerez's stats, the amount of interest in the 25-year-old comes as no surprise. When compared to current Leeds left-back Sam Byram, for example, the Palmeiras man stands out even more, as per FBref.
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Progressive Carries |
Progressive Passes |
|
Joaquin Piquerez |
3 |
4 |
42 |
107 |
|
Sam Byram |
1 |
1 |
23 |
43 |
With that said, it's clear that, whilst Bryam has plenty of experience in English football, Piquerez would be a major upgrade for Leeds. He could be the difference-maker for Farke down his left-hand side, particularly at the business end of the season when it comes to supplying the likes of Piroe to score the all-important goals.
Piquerez, as a result of his performances, has earned high praise, including from South American football content creator Nathan Joyes, who posted on X during the summer: "Palmeiras’ Joaquin Piquerez linked with a move to LUFC. Would be great business. Tidy left back, likes to press forward and can certainly pick a pass. Great coup for Leeds if it happens."
When the January transfer window opens, Leeds will have to move quickly to secure the Uruguay international's signature, but having held interest in the summer, they won't want to miss out on Piquerez for a second time.