Benfica midfielder Joao Neves stopped short of promising to stay at the Portuguese club next summer amid reports of interest from Manchester United.
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Sarina Wiegman wrung the changes on Friday and will have been impressed with what she saw as Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze and more watched from the bench
England's first fixture of 2024 wasn't really as advertised. The Lionesses would've expected a stern test from an Austria team that impressed so many at the European Championships in 2022. But as the rain came hammering down in Algeciras, making a brief mockery of the warm-weather training camp, their opponents folded like a wet paper bag in a rather straight-forward 7-2 win for Sarina Wiegman's side.
It was easy and quick enough for England to open the scoring. Alessia Russo started the move that she would then put the finishing touches on, finding Beth Mead on the right and pouncing on the rebound of her saved shot. Soon enough, it was two, debutante Grace Clinton getting a deserved goal just a few minutes after striking the upright. It was surprising to see such a passive and disorganised display from Austria but they showed glimpses of their quality at times and pulled a goal back with a bullet of a header from Virginia Kirchberger, leaving Hannah Hampton with no chance in the Lionesses' goal.
However, despite Austria's flaws, England deserve credit for the way they played with a more experimental starting line-up, even if it was a string of familiar faces who put the game beyond doubt. Mead made it three with a gorgeous curling strike, Georgia Stanway's high press helped Russo bag a brace and Jess Carter even came off the bench to grab an unlikely goal with a skilful flick.
A late flurry saw the game end as eventfully as it started, too, Kirchberger getting another for Austria late on before Mead profited from Lauren James' good work at the other end and Rachel Daly rounded off the scoring with a thumping finish.
GOAL rates England's players from Estadio Nuevo Mirador…
New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin has blasted MLS for the stance it has taken on the 2024 Open Cup.
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Mauricio Pochettino insists he is "not worried" about chants from Chelsea fans telling him to "f*ck off" during their 2-2 draw with Brentford.
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Everton are prioritising a central defender in the summer transfer window and they have identified Fenerbahce’s Kim Min-jae as a potential addition, reports Turkish media outlet Ajansspor (via Goodison News).
Having arrived at Fenerbahce last summer, the 25-year-old has gone on to make a fantastic impression in European football.
The South Korea international started all of the 31 Super Lig matches that he was available for this season, further playing the full 90 minutes in all six of the Turkish outfit’s Europa League games.
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According to Turkish media outlet Ajansspor (via Goodison News), the Toffees are prepared to make a bid for Kim this summer, and it is reported that the Fenerbahce man has a £19.4m release clause in his current contract.
It is said that the player is keen to test himself in a bigger division, meaning he would be open to a move to the Premier League.
Having arrived in Turkey for a fee of £2.7m, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Fenerbahce look to make a quick profit on the defender, despite the club’s desire to keep hold of him.
Kim has received strong interest this season having impressed during his first year playing European football – he has even be likened to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, so it is clear that the 6 foot 3 ‘monster’ has the ability to step up another level.
At less than £20m, this would be a good addition to Frank Lampard’s Everton squad, who are in desperate need of an overhaul at the heart of defence this summer.
In other news: Sky Sports drop Everton FFP update…
Manchester United have Benfica striker Darwin Nunez on their targets list for the upcoming summer transfer window.
From his recent Here We Go podcast, journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano had this to say on the matter.
“He’s going to leave Benfica this summer, 100%. I see many rumours about him, but I’m told that he’s really tempted by [a] Premier League move. So the boy would love a Premier League move.
“This summer, again, let’s see what happens – many clubs interested. But Manchester United discussed his name internally many times at the club. And so I will keep the name of Darwin Nunez for Manchester United because he’s a player that for sure is on the list.”
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Benfica signed the striker back in September 2020 from Spanish club UD Almeria and has since gone on to grow into one of Europe’s hottest attacking prospects.
With 84 games for his current club under his belt, the striker has scored 47 goals and provided 16 assists in the process.
Having played in 41 games across all competitions this season, the Uruguayan found the net on 34 occasions, which included scoring against the likes of Barcelona, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the Champions League. With that in mind, supporters will surely be buzzing if the forward arrives at Old Trafford this summer.
In the Portuguese top-flight, Nunez racked up the joint-highest number of shots on target (44), highlighting how much of a goal threat he is.
Regarding a potential move to the northwest, the fact that United scored fewer Premier League goals than West Ham United and Leicester City this season, it’s easy to see why they would have a player like Nunez on their transfer target list.
If the Manchester club are able to bring the young centre-forward to Old Trafford this summer as a potential replacement for Edinson Cavani, something would surely have United fans jumping for joy given the exciting prospect that he is and the clear attacking talent he has.
With Romano claiming that many clubs are after the Benfica star, United may have to stump up a significant deal for him to make the move to England and be a part of Erik ten Hag’s revolution.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Gavi, but now there has been an update from a reliable source which will come as a big blow to the club’s plans to secure his signing this summer
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared the news that Barcelona have tabled a new contract offer for their teenage sensation.
The transfer insider tweeted: “Pablo Gavi’s agent Iván de la Peña has finally received new contract official proposal from Barcelona, after long standby – confirmed as reported by
@moillorens”
“Talks will enter into key stages in the coming days after optimistic feelings in the last meeting.”
The news that the La Liga giants have now offered a new contract to Gavi will be a huge blow for Liverpool, who are looking to bolster their midfield this summer, with the 17-year-old reportedly identified as a favoured target.
Gavi has been an absolute sensation this season at Barcelona, scoring two goals, delivering five assists and creating eight chances in 34 league appearances, along with making 1.1 tackles and 51.4 touches per game and successfully completing 62% of his dribbles.
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The youngster has been attracting attention and earning high praise from his manager Xavi, with the Barcelona boss hailing the teenager as “spectacular” as he said: “More than anything his work is spectacular. We’re happy to have him and I don’t want to compare him to anyone. There’s no ceiling for him.”
Liverpool have been linked with a number of midfield targets including Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham, so it is clear that they are interested in adding younger alternatives in the middle of the park, with Thiago, Jordan Henderson and James Milner all into their 30s at this point.
Signing Gavi would have effectively guaranteed a top talent in the Reds’ midfield for years to come, so it’s bad news for the Anfield club that Barcelona are now opening talks and doing whatever it takes to retain his services in La Liga.
Not all is lost, though, as the youngster could still turn down his current club’s offer. If that proves to be the case, FSG would then need to act fast in securing his signature this summer before the powers at Camp Nou table a more attractive proposal to the 17-year-old.
AND in other news: FSG can land Neymar 2.0 for Liverpool with move for “magic” £115k-p/w “real weapon”
All hope may not be lost in West Ham United’s bid to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha, according to ExWHUemployee.
As per the club insider, the Hammers could still be in the running for the Brazilian this summer, despite persistent speculation that the 25-year-old is set to join Barcelona.
Asked whether the east Londoners are one of the sides interested in the player, following an update from Fabrizio Romano, the West Ham source offered his view on the forward potentially arriving at the London Stadium, revealing on Twitter that: “We were keen in January so I guess there is a chance but we bid a lot less than £55m I believe.”
The suggestion had been in the winter that GSB had placed a club-record bid to try and prize the seven-cap gem from Elland Road, while David Moyes and co also reportedly failed with a £50m offer for teammate Kalvin Phillips.
This latest claim will have reinvigorated hope among supporters that the former Rennes man could be pulling on a claret and blue jersey next term, with the £63k-per-week trickster seemingly the type of player that the Hammers faithful would simply worship.
While something of a maverick, the one-time Sporting man has been a largely consistent figure for his current side in recent seasons, having been signed by former boss Marcelo Bielsa on a £17m deal back in the summer of 2020.
Since then, the £40.5m-rated wide man has scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in just 65 Premier League games, with 11 of those goals having come in the recent campaign despite what was a gruelling season in which the Yorkshire outfit only just staved off the drop.
Raphinha had been pivotal in ensuring survival for his side, notably netting a crucial penalty on the final day away at Brentford, before a stoppage-time winner from Jack Harrison – another reported West Ham target – confirmed their narrow escape.
Pundit Ian Wright praised the 5 foot 9 ace for converting his spot-kick under “immense pressure” to help Jesse Marsh’s side on their way to victory, while he endeared himself even more to the Leeds faithful following his jubilant celebrations post-match.
Such an infectious presence would no doubt thrive at the London Stadium, with West Ham having so often been a stage for unique talents to blossom, namely the likes of Dimitri Payet and Paolo Di Canio who could so often carve out a moment of magic from nothing.
It would seem that Raphinha is cut from a similar cloth, with supporters likely to warm to the fleet-footed talent quickly, were he to make the switch this summer.
IN other news, “Another target…”: Ex drops big WHU summer transfer claim that supporters will love
Newcastle United have reportedly now ‘promised’ to make an offer for Roger Fernandes, with the Portuguese press labelling the Magpies’ interest as a ‘big story’.
Fernandes became a record-breaker last season when he became the youngest player to feature in the Portuguese league at just 15 years of age.
Now 16, the winger capable of playing on either flank has already made 11 senior appearances for Braga, scoring three goals (Transfermarkt), and is seemingly one of the most promising young prospects in Europe.
As per O Jogo (via Sport Witness), a ‘big story’ has now emerged involving the St. James’ Park outfit, claiming that they have ‘promised’ to make an offer for Fernandes after watching him play last term.
Braga rejected a bid from Ajax for the winger back in the January transfer window, but it is thought that the Magpies could sign him for around €20m (£17.1m).
However, Fernandes possesses a €40m (£34.2m) release clause, and if interest starts to grow, Braga may well demand a fee closer to that figure.
Given that Fernandes is just 16 years of age, signing him this summer would be a relatively low risk move from the North East club.
He has already tasted senior football at a high level, having even made an appearance in the UEFA Europa League last campaign.
The Tynesiders are building for the future, and Fernandes could turn out to be a great squad option for Eddie Howe over the next few years and eventually develop into a superstar. Even if he doesn’t, his age and potential means the Magpies could likely cash in for a decent fee down the line.
In other news, find out what big NUFC transfer update has now emerged here!
Further updates have now emerged regarding reported Leeds United target Florian Grillitsch.
Hailed as ‘exceptionally gifted’ by Hoffenheim director Alexander Rosen, the Bundesliga club’s midfielder was linked with a move to Elland Road in April.
Transfer insider Dean Jones revealed in recent weeks that the Austria international is still a target for the Whites and could come to Yorkshire even if Kalvin Phillips remains at the club.
Valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt, the 26-year-old is out of contract at Hoffenheim at the end of this month, with Leeds still name-checked with an interest in recent reports.
MOT Leeds News relayed an update regarding Grillitsch from Austrian newspaper Die Presse Am Sonntag. They claimed that he has rejected a new contract offer from Hoffenheim, with Leeds, Arsenal, Everton, Lazio and Fiorentina all keen.
The report stated that Fiorentina have reached a verbal agreement, but according to an update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Saturday night, ‘there’s still no agreement’ between the Serie A club and Grillitsch.
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Romano’s update is an apparent boost for Leeds, who still appear to be interested in securing Grillitsch’s services over the coming weeks.
However, they seem to be busy at this moment in time in looking to wrap up the signing of defensive midfielder Marc Roca from Bayern Munich.
It seems as if Victor Orta may want Grillitsch alongside Roca in midfield, with Phillips now expected to move to Manchester City, so the Whites may need to act fast in order to snap up the Austrian on a free transfer.
In other news: Leeds now won’t sign ‘superb’ midfielder despite Phil Hay revealing talks