Liverpool may be focusing their attention on the rebuilding of the midfield this summer but are still attentive to the situation of Barcelona centre-back Andreas Christensen, and may yet make their move.

Is Andreas Christensen joining Liverpool?

That's following recent news from Spanish reports, who claim that Liverpool are hoping to sign Christensen after failing with a €30m (£25m) bid, with La Blaugrana holding out for closer to €50m (£43m).

The Denmark international was impressive in Spain last season after joining from Chelsea on a free transfer and played a central role in the club's momentous LaLiga triumph, with Jurgen Klopp now desperate to seal a deal.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed the Reds' desire to sign a centre-back this summer, and with a move for No. 6 Romeo Lavia edging towards completion, Christensen could be next in line.

Would Andreas Christensen suit Liverpool?

Described as "very underrated" by Cesc Fabregas, Christensen would be the perfect option for Klopp in the likely scenario that Liverpool miss out on Josko Gvardiol, with Spanish sources recently linking the Croatian defender with a move to Anfield.

Gvardiol, aged 21, is touted at £85m by RB Leipzig and has been centre of intense speculation over a transfer to Manchester City, though this has recently stagnated.

Hailed as a "Rolls-Royce" by journalist Zach Lowy, Gvardiol is a first-rate prodigy and exemplifies the desirable qualities of a modern-day central defender, ranking among the top 16% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 18% for progressive passes, the top 1% for attempted passes, the top 4% for successful take-ons, and the top 9% for goals per 90, as per FBref.

Once said to be a "really special talent" by Chelsea writer Simon Phillips, Christensen could emulate the skills of Gvardiol, and himself ranks among the top 1% of centre-backs for pass completion, the top 5% for passes attempted and the top 10% for progressive passes per 90.

He is also the "intelligent" player – as once praised by former manager Thomas Tuchel – that Klopp covets, making correct decisions and laudable passes with great regularity.

Having made 32 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona last year, the £149k-per-week ace secured the Spanish first division title and impressed with an average Sofascore rating of 7.05, completing 94% of his passes, averaging two clearances per game and winning 69% of his aerial duels – important in the club's league-best defensive record of just 20 goals shipped.

For comparison, Gvardiol recorded an average rating of 6.94, completing 89% of his passes, averaging 2.3 clearances per game and winning 56% of his aerial duels.

Given that Christensen could be available for about half the fee that Gvardiol's departure from Leipzig would demand, and considering the lucrative spending Klopp's side have conducted already this summer, it's quite the no-brainer regarding which signing would be more appropriate, given the circumstances.

And while Liverpool's central defence consists of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, making a move for a ball-playing pro like Christensen could go a long way towards ensuring the club achieve their seasonal goals.

New Zealand’s first home day-night Test, against England next March, remains an uncertain prospect

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Aug-2017

New Zealand’s first home day-night Test, against England next March, remains an uncertain prospect with NZC still awaiting approval to stage the match under lights at Eden Park while one Test has been dropped from West Indies’ visit with an eye on the future structure of the international game.Whether floodlit or not, England will play New Zealand in Auckland from March 22-26 followed by the second Test in Christchurch from March 30. Those matches will conclude New Zealand’s home summer which also includes a limited-overs tour by Pakistan during January in an overall schedule which has 13 ODIs and 10 T20s – four as part of the tri-series with Australia and England – alongside just four Tests.When the venues for New Zealand’s 2017-18 season were originally announced last year, West Indies had been pencilled in for a three-Test series but they will now play just the two – at the Basin Reserve (starting December) and Hamilton (starting December) – with NZC expecting a new Test Championship to be approved later this year which will shape the make-up of many future international tours.New Zealand’s 2017-18 home season

West Indies 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20s
Pakistan 5 ODIs, 3 T20s
T20 tri-series 2 matches v England, 1 match v Australia plus final at Eden Park
England 5 ODIs, 2 Tests

“If we look forward to the way Test cricket will probably go in the future, we are very hopeful that in October the ICC will sign off on a new Test Championship commencing in 2019/20,” David White, the NZC chief executive, said. “A typical tour will be two Test matches, three ODIs and three T20s so we are trying to get aligned with what we’ll have in the future.”We’ve got four Test matches which will be the norm going forward, with two tours, with 13 ODIs which is a lot but it is the start of our preparations for the 2019 World Cup.”The hopes of the first floodlit Test in the country hinge on gaining approval from Auckland council to use the Eden Park floodlights on a Sunday. New Zealand faced Australia in the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide in 2015 while, if it goes ahead, the match will be England’s third in eight months – they play their first day-night Test against West Indies, at Edgbaston, later this month followed by the Ashes encounter in Adelaide during December.”We’ve completed a resource consent hearing with Eden Park and we’re hopeful within the next week or two we’ll have a result from the independent commissioners on whether it will proceed,” White said.It has also been confirmed that Napier has lost its ODI against Pakistan – which has been given to the Basin Reserve in Wellington – with concerns it would not be ready for the January match following last year’s outfield issues when the ODI against Australia was abandoned due to problems with drainage. However, the ground will host an ODI against England in March.There is a Boxing Day ODI against West Indies in Christchurch and a New Year Day T20 against the same opposition in Mount Maunganui. The T20 tri-series, the first of its kind, had already been confirmed with the final being held at Eden Park on February 21.

Leeds United are preparing for their return to action in the Championship in just a few weeks' time and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a transfer target.

What's the latest on Leeds' interest in Joel Piroe?

According to Wales Online, Leeds have registered their interest in Swansea City forward Joel Piroe this summer.

As per the report, the Welsh club are holding crunch talks with their player ahead of a potential move away, and despite prioritising the signing of a wing-back, Leeds have joined fellow relegated side Leicester City in their interest of Piroe.

It is noted that Piroe – who had a £20m price tag last summer – has not been subject to any concrete offers as yet, but would be more likely to join a club based on an attractive project rather than financial gain.

How good is Joel Piroe?

Leeds will face Cardiff City in their Championship opener just over two weeks from now, so Daniel Farke will be feeling the pressure to identify and secure the signing of players who can bolster and improve key positions on the pitch.

Chelsea youth prospect Ethan Ampadu became the Whites' first signing of the summer earlier this week and will provide his new coach with defensive depth in the centre-back role over the 46-game campaign ahead.

However, with Rodrigo and Brenden Aaronson already departing and Wilfried Gnonto's future hanging in the balance, there is definitely an opportunity to strengthen the attacking threat over the remainder of the transfer window.

As a result, the signing of Piroe would make perfect sense, as the versatile forward can offer Farke a wealth of experience in the second tier and could even form a fantastic attacking partnership with Leeds talisman Jack Harrison.

Over 92 appearances so far for Swansea, the 23-year-old has scored 44 goals and registered eight assists, with a goal contribution every 146 minutes played – an impressive output that would be warmly welcomed at Elland Road next season.

Not only that, the Netherlands native ranked in the top 20% of his positional peers over last season for shots on goal, pass completion, progressive passes and shots on target, as per FBref, proving that he is one of the most prolific forwards in the second tier.

Due to his standout performances, Piroe has been the recipient of high praise, with former Swans boss Russell Martin waxing lyrical about the Dutchman last season, hailing Piroe as "outstanding" and a "real threat" following a victory over Bristol City.

Piroe could bring his strong attacking attributes to West Yorkshire, where Harrison could work alongside him to provide the forward with plenty of goalscoring opportunities over the season ahead, as the ball-winning Englishman delivered more assists (7) than any other Leeds player last term, as well as offering the most key passes per 90 (1.5), according to WhoScored.

With that being said, if Leeds could seal a deal for Piroe, it would be a major coup for the club in their pursuit to replace the goal contributions and attacking presence of Rodrigo in the final third next season.

نجح فريق الأهلي في حسم تأهله إلى نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد بالفوز على مازيمبي الكونغولي بثلاثية دون رد، في إياب دور نصف النهائي، اليوم الجمعة، على ملعب استاد القاهرة.

وسجل هدف الأهلي الأول مدافع الفريق محمد عبد المنعم في الدقيقة 68، من رأسية رائعة استقبلها من عرضية علي معلول.

وأضاف وسام أبو علي الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 83، بعد عرضية مُتقنة من علي معلول، ليضعها المهاجم الفلسطيني في الشباك من الوضع طائرًا.

وفي الدقيقة 90+12، نجح أكرم توفيق في تسجيل الهدف الثالث بعد تمريرة رائعة من إمام عاشور، وتصويب الكرة بقوة لتسكن الشباك. أهداف الأهلي ومازيمبي اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وشهدت المباراة قوة ورغبة من جانب لاعبي الأهلي في الفوز بالمباراة، ونجح الفريق في ترجمة سيطرته على المُجريات إلى 3 أهداف مُستحقة.

طالع أيضًا | منافسة بين 3 أندية.. حسابات التأهل إلى كأس العالم للأندية 2025 من قارة إفريقيا

وقدم دفاع الأهلي أداءً صلباً، وتمكن من الحفاظ على نظافة شباكه أمام هجمات مازيمبي، كما أظهر لاعبو الأهلي تركيزاً عالياً وروحاً قتالية عالية، مما ساعدهم على تحقيق الفوز.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، تأهل الترجي التونسي أيضًا إلى نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد انتصاره على ماميلودي صن داونز بهدف دون رد في جنوب إفريقيا، وهي نفس نتيجة مباراة الذهاب، ليضرب موعدًا مع الأهلي في نهائي البطولة.

There have been many such disintegrations of the batting line-up since last September for Bangladesh, which have sometimes cost them a game

Mohammad Isam29-Aug-20175:20

Isam: Bangladesh off kilter after Smith reprieve

It has become so routine that Bangladesh’s batting collapse on the third day against Australia did not surprise many. An unplayable delivery, a bad shot, a freak run-out, and a batsman not taking a review resulted in seven wickets falling in 28 overs for 86 runs.There have been many such disintegrations from a position of strength since last September. It has sometimes cost Bangladesh a game, and on a few occasions, famously against England in Mirpur last year, the bowlers have had to bail them out. Australia would have certainly been chasing more than 265 in the fourth innings had Bangladesh not gone through another all-too-familiar batting collapse.Bangladesh could still pull off victory on the fourth day but the challenge is stiff. Tamim Iqbal, whose dismissal began the swift slump, said Shakib – caught at cover attempting an inside-out shot – had the right intentions, while Mushfiqur was unlucky.”If Mushfiqur and Sabbir added 25-30 runs, we would have taken a 300-run lead,” Tamim said. “Mushfiqur didn’t have much to do with his dismissal. It is hard to say why Sabbir didn’t take the review.”He may have thought it hit his gloves. On the first day, he felt he didn’t hit it but he did. It is hard to say what he was thinking. Shakib was looking for runs but if he had waited just a bit more, it would have been better. He did well in the first innings.”Tamim said the 265-run target wasn’t satisfactory. “If we were asked couple of days ago, we would have been happy with 260-270 target. We had an opportunity today to make the lead more than 300, so it is slightly disappointing.”Imrul Kayes, Tamim and Mushfiqur might have been unlucky with their dismissals, but Soumya Sarkar, Nasir Hossain and Sabbir were not. Soumya’s attempt to clear long-on with 11 balls remaining on the second day seemed unnecessary.”If he had seen off the day, it may have helped us. He had crossed the difficult phase but unfortunately, he got out,” Tamim said. “If he was around this morning, we would have been in a better situation.”While Bangladesh recovered through a big partnership in the first innings, there was none in the second. And if Bangladesh go down 1-0, much of the blame will be on their batsmen.

Tottenham Hotspur may be "open to selling Harry Kane" to Bayern Munich for the sole purpose of eliminating the "prospect of him going for free to a Premier League club next summer", according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Is Harry Kane leaving Tottenham Hotspur this summer?

Despite Spurs having a brilliant start to the summer transfer window this year, bringing in talented players like James Maddison for £40m, Manor Solomon for free, and Guglielmo Vicario for £17m, the attention has again shifted to star striker Kane.

The Walthamstow-born goal machine has just 12 months left on his £200,000-a-week contract at the north London club, a fact Europe's top sides are well aware of.

Earlier in the window, it looked as if Manchester United were the favourites to secure his signature before pulling out over the price and Daniel Levy's reluctance to negotiate.

It was Spanish giants Real Madrid after that, but again, the price tag was deemed too much for Los Blancos, especially just after signing Kane's compatriot Jude Bellingham, and then came Bayern.

The German Behemoths are – currently – the only side actively pursuing Tottenham's all-time leading goalscorer, and they do not seem put off by the challenge of negotiating a deal with Levy, so far anyway.

The Bundesliga champions have already had two offers for the 29-year-old turned down by the club, the second being worth an estimated €80m (£69m) plus add-ons, per the Evening Standard.

While their second offer was ultimately deemed not good enough, it does look like it has been successful in so much as Spurs are now willing to speak to them directly, potentially as the realisation has set in that by selling now, they can avoid the disaster of their star player joining a Premier League rival for free next summer, per Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

He explained the situation live on Sky Sports News (via Football Daily), saying:

"The information that we are getting is that Tottenham have opened dialogue with Bayern Munich and that Harry Kane is looking at all avenues that are available to him. Now one avenue we have been told that is not available to him is moving to another Premier League club. We understand that Tottenham Hotspur will not sell to another Premier League club.

"Now if they are keeping the dialogue open with Bayern Munich, it would suggest that if a deal can be agreed, they could be open to selling Harry Kane simply because if they sell to Bayern Munich, one, of course they're not selling to a Premier League club, but they eliminate the prospect of him going for free to a Premier League club next summer."

Who else have Tottenham Hotspur been linked to this summer?

Just because the club are involved in yet another transfer saga with Kane doesn't mean that there isn't a plethora of players being touted for a move to N17, with one of those players being Danish centre-back Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace.

According to the Sun, Ange Postecoglou is pushing hard for this deal as he wants to improve the quality of player he has at his disposal and views the Dane as that quality.

However, there are two major stumbling blocks to this deal. The first is that mega-rich Newcastle United are also said to be interested in the 27-year-old, and two, Palace want a club record fee for the player, which would be around the £50m mark.

Another player, the Lilywhites, are interested in is Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Spurs are "taking the first steps to better understand the situation" of the Serbian striker.

The Italian has claimed that the club see him as the "ideal replacement" should their efforts to keep Kane fail.

This deal has similar problems, in that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the Juve man, and he would likely cost in the region of £77m, according to reports from Italian media. Although, with this deal being contingent on Kane's departure, the price might not be such an issue.

Whatever happens with Tottenham's leading scorer over the next month and a half, it looks almost certain that he won't be playing for any other sides in the Premier League come next season.

Everton appear to have missed out on a move for Almeria's El Bilal Toure, leaving supporters even more anxious ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign.

However, Italian outlet il BiancoNero reports that Everton have shown a concrete interest in Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior in what could be a rare smart piece of business from the Merseyside outfit.

Who are Everton trying to sign?

After narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League on the final day of last season, Everton's squad was in need of some serious rebuilding this summer.

However, with two-and-a-half weeks to go until the new season kicks off, the Toffees have so far brought in only 38-year-old Ashley Young on a free transfer, plus Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal.

That is not to mention the fact that the likes of Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Ellis Simms have all moved on and need to be replaced in the squad.

Bilal Toure has been strongly linked with a move to Goodison Park, but L'Equipe reports that the Almeria forward has instead opted to join Serie A side Atalanta.

Sean Dyche's men may now turn their focus to Iling-Junior, whom Gazzetta dello Sport previously reported could be available for as little as £10m due to Juventus needing to raise money.

How good is Samuel Iling-Junior?

Iling-Junior spent nine years in Chelsea's academy before making the switch to Juventus in 2020, and he was part of the Italian giants' first team within two years.

The England U20 international made his debut against Empoli last October and assisted goals in his next two appearances, against Benfica in the Champions League and Lecce in Serie A.

Iling-Junior, who does not turn 20 until October, scored his first – and so far only – senior goal in Juve's 2-0 win over Atalanta in May, but he has largely had to play a back-up role and the Bianconeri are reportedly open to offloading him.

Given his small valuation, Everton must ensure they see off rumoured competition from top-flight rivals Fulham and West Ham United – not least because the Englishman would provide an upgrade on Neal Maupay in attack.

Maupay struggled in his first season at Goodison Park after arriving in a £15m deal from Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring just one goal and assisting none in 27 Premier League outings last time out.

Used mainly as a centre-forward in a campaign in which Everton's star performer Dominic Calvert-Lewin spent more time on the sidelines than on the pitch, Maupay's inability to either score or create was a huge factor in why the Toffees were involved in a relegation scrap.

Indeed, Maupay was described as "absolutely woeful" by football reporter Paul Brown towards the end of last season. A failure to bring in an upgrade could well lead to another dismal campaign on the blue half of Merseyside.

Looking at their figures from last season, there is no reason why the younger Iling-Junior – labelled "simply superb" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig for his performance in that aforementioned game against Benfica – cannot provide a better outlet than Maupay.

Taking all competitions into account, Iling-Junior was involved in 0.43 goals or assists per 90 minutes last season, as per FBref, compared to 0.14 for Maupay. The 19-year-old also won more of his aerial duels (50% v 23.8%) and had a better take-on success percentage (42.9 v 36.8).

Iling-Junior was also stronger in defensive metrics such as tackles won per 90 (0.94 v 0.35) and recoveries (5.64 v 2.10), which will no doubt please Dyche.

Juve's decision to listen to offers for Iling-Junior seems bizarre on the face of it, but there will be no complaints from Everton supporters should their side land the hugely talented player.

يستعد فريق صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي لخوض مواجهة صعبة وهامة أمام منافسه الترجي التونسي، وذلك اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

المباراة المقرر إقامتها على أرضية ملعب لوفتوس فيرسفيلد، في إطار إياب دور نصف النهائي لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وكان فريق الترجي التونسي قد حسم مواجهة ذهاب دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا أمام صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي، بهدف دون رد.

طالع أيضاً.. قائمة الأهلي لمباراة مازيمبي في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. موقف إمام عاشور وحسين الشحات

وتأهل الترجي إلى دور نصف النهائي بعد تخطيه عقبة أسيك ميموزا الإيفواري بعد انتهاء مباراتي الذهاب والعودة بالتعادل السلبي، ويفوز الفريق التونسي بضربات الجزاء الترجيحية.

على الجانب الآخر، تمكن فريق صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي من التأهل على حساب يانج أفريكانز التنزاني بركلات الترجيح أيضًا، بعد انتهاء مواجهتي الذهاب والعودة بالتعادل السلبي. موعد مباراة صن داونز والترجي التونسي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

من المقرر أن تنطلق صافرة المباراة في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة صن داونز والترجي اليوم

تنقل المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 5. معلق مباراة صن داونز والترجي

يتولى مهمة التعليق على المباراة التونسي عصام الشوالي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

Newcastle United have had a relatively understated summer transfer window thus far as Sandro Tonali has been their only first-team addition.

The Magpies snapped the Italy international up from Serie A giants AC Milan for a reported fee in the region of £55m, after they signed youngster Yankuba Minteh and loaned him to Feyenoord.

There is still more than a month to go before the deadline passes, which means that sporting director Dan Ashworth has plenty of time left to prepare the squad for Premier League and Champions League action for the 2023/24 campaign.

Eddie Howe's side have been linked with a move that would represent a significant splash in the market, however, as they have been touted with a €90m (£77m) swoop to sign Napoli superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

How good is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?

The 22-year-old is a sensational forward who would arrive as a statement signing for Newcastle after his terrific season in Italy.

He helped Napoli to secure the Serie A title with his stunning performances on the left flank as a right-footed winger, as the Georgia international contributed with an outstanding 12 goals and ten assists in 34 appearances.

To put that amazing accomplishment into context, no Toon wide attacker managed more than 11 goals or five Premier League assists last term, whilst Kieran Trippier led the team for assists with seven.

This suggests that the Napoli wizard would be a significant upgrade on the manager's current options out wide, due to how frequently he is able to punish teams in the final third.

With such a claim in mind, Howe could now unearth the club's next version of Hatem Ben Arfa – another magical forward who entertained crowds – by snapping up the talented youngster.

Between 2011 and 2015, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain talent racked up 14 goals and 15 assists in 86 appearances for the Magpies as a left-footed right winger.

The French wizard was also capable of the sublime as he dazzled supporters with his ability to score fantastic individual goals, with his strikes against Blackburn and Bolton in 2012 standing out as two of his best.

Ben Arfa, who averaged at least two dribbles completed per match throughout his Premier League career, had the quality to conjure something out of nothing, which left fans excited when he picked the ball up in any position on the pitch as they knew that something could happen.

Kvaratskhelia is a player with the same kind of star power. The terrific maestro, who completed 2.2 dribbles per match in the Serie A, was dubbed 'Maradona-esque' due to his knack for scoring incredible solo goals, with one of his strikes in August of last year described as a 'wonder goal'.

He has the talent to make things happen in a flash due to his phenomenal dribbling ability coupled with his reliable end product, which is proven by his impressive return for goals and assists last season.

Therefore, supporters could get excited whenever the Georgian sensation, who journalist Paolo Del Genio claimed is "irreplaceable", picks up possession because they would know that the potential is there for something truly special to happen at any moment.

Aston Villa are reportedly eyeing a move for AC Milan midfielder Charles De Ketelaere, as Unai Emery and Monchi look to add more reinforcements to their attack.

The Spanish duo have hit the jackpot so far in the transfer window, obtaining the signatures of Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby, however Monchi could face his first business blunder in chasing De Ketelaere.

Could Aston Villa sign Charles De Ketelaere?

As reported by news outlets in Spain, relayed by The Hard Tackle, Villa are keen on Milan’s attacking midfielder.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

It’s claimed that the Villans have learned the 22-year-old’s price tag, which sits around the €28m (£24m) mark, just one year after moving to the San Siro in a deal worth €35m (£30m).

The report added that Milan are ready to offload the Belgian, after a difficult first year in Italy following his move from Club Brugge.

How good is Charles De Ketelaere?

Having once been hailed as a “special player” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the former Juliper Pro League wizard has failed to impress in Milan in a move that has been a big blow for the Rossoneri.

There’s little surprise that the 22-year-old was snatched by Milan after showcasing his talents in an impeccable 2021/22 campaign in the Jupiler Pro League, in which he scored 14 goals and registered seven assists in 33 appearances for Brugge.

Unfortunately for the Belgian, his form has not been transferable to Italy, where he has registered only a single assist in 32 appearances in Serie A in a hugely underwhelming individual season on the back of such an impressive feat at his boyhood club.

Criticised as “awful” by football blogger Rajath Kumar after a poor performance for Milan, the youngster was described as “deflated and dejected” in what was a term to forget for the Villa target.

For Emery and Monchi, the season played by De Ketelaere should be a warning sign for the Midlands club, who could cause a disaster in taking the 22-year-old from the hands of the Italian giants.

There’s little to deny the talents that the youngster possesses, however at this time in Villa’s progression, the room for error this window is not necessary considering the calibre of deals that Monchi has already delivered.

The Premier League is a competition that many stars come from abroad to taste and realise that their palette isn’t perhaps destined to enjoy the spices the English game can deliver.

After two full league seasons with Club Brugge, De Ketelaere opted to branch out to savour what the European stage had to offer in Italy, in a move that perhaps came too early for the budding star, leaving a further move to the Premier League a questionable one.

In capturing the 6 foot 4 midfielder, Villa could add to their ranks in the creative department in attack, considering that the player averaged an impressive 1.61 key passes per 90 for Milan last term, however, his ability suggested in Serie A could place him low in Emery’s midfield pecking order.

John McGinn has been revolutionised under the Spaniard’s regime in the Midlands, captaining the side to the highs of the 2022/23 campaign and earning a new contract last month that takes his stay at Villa Park to 2027.

The form of the Scotsman raises questions as to whether De Ketelaere would be worthy of having a spot in the side ahead of the 28-year-old, who performed at a consistently high-level last season.

Spending over £20m on a player not guaranteed to better the likes of McGinn makes little sense, added to the earlier capture of Tielemans who is another midfielder for Emery to add to the mix.