West Ham United have made the biggest offer to sign a Euro 2024 star, according to a recent report.

West Ham transfer plans under Steidten and Lopetegui

The Hammers have already made a start on their summer business, with new manager Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten bringing in teenage winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham after he left Sheffield United.

Speaking at Lopetegui’s official first press conference as Irons boss, Steidten promised West Ham supporters a busy summer, revealing the club are “looking at all areas”.

“I can’t tell you specifics, but it will be a busy summer for us for sure. The owner and the board have done a really good job over recent years, so we’re in good shape financially…

“We’re trying to build up the squad. We’re not limiting ourselves to one position – we’re looking at all areas.”

Related League champions on the hunt to sign "superb" £35,000-p/w West Ham player

A key player could be on his way out of East London.

Posts ByTom Coates Jul 1, 2024

Meanwhile, Lopetegui said: “Of course we are working to improve (the squad). The first thing to highlight is that we’re happy with the players, but of course we’re going to try to improve. We have to work very hard to be ready for the Premier League, and we would like players as soon as possible, but it’s not easy.”

One of those areas appears to be another attacking addition after Guilherme. Recent targets have included former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, now at Galatasaray, Fluminense forward Jhon Arias, Lille striker Jonathan David, Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson and Vitoria Guimaraes star Jota Silva.

Bids were rumoured to have been made for Zaha and Arias. Talks were held to sign David, whereas West Ham were willing to pay a big fee for Gudmundsson and had even agreed personal terms with Silva.

Now, a new update has emerged on a forward who has been scoring at Euro 2024.

West Ham make biggest offer for Mikautadze

It has been a busy few weeks for Georgia forward Georges Mikautadze. He helped his nation qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2024, scoring three goals in four games before they were eliminated by Spain.

At club level, it was confirmed on Monday that FC Metz have exercised their option to make his loan move from Ajax a permanent transfer in a deal worth around €13m. Now, though, it looks as if he could already be on the move again, with Metz making a healthy profit.

According to Le10Sport reporter Alexis Bernard, West Ham have made the biggest offer to sign Mikautadze from Metz, thought to be worth well over €20m (£17m).

The problem for the Hammers is that Mikautadze favours playing in France, with Monaco, Lens and Lyon also interested in the 23-year-old. It could therefore be one to keep an eye on, and it shows that West Ham, Steidten and Lopetegui are willing to splash the cash on more attacking reinforcements ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The four players are in Grade A, which will fetch them BDT 15 lakh (US $17,700 approx) each

Mohammad Isam12-Nov-2020

Beximco Dhaka have picked Mushfiqur Rahim as the first player in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup’s draft being held in Dhaka on Thursday. Shakib Al Hasan will play for Gemcon Khulna, while Gazi Group Chattogram and Fortune Barisal picked Mustafizur Rahman and Tamim Iqbal, respectively. All four players are in Grade A, which will fetch them BDT 15 lakh (US $17,700 approx) each.Minister Rajshahi didn’t pick anyone from Grade A, opting for allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin from Grade B as their first pick. Khulna have also picked batsmen Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque and Ariful Haque, and pace bowler Shafiul Islam and left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam. Rajshahi have also banked on young batsmen Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made a century in the previous season of the BPL, and allrounder Mahedi Hasan who impressed during the BCB President’s Cup.Players in category B will be paid BDT 1 million (US $11,800 approx), category C will get BDT 600,000 (US $7,100 approx) and category D to get BDT 400,000 (US $4,720 approx).Chattogram, who had coach Mohammad Salahuddin at their draft table, picked batsmen Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar and Mosaddek Hossain, in addition to left-arm spinners Taijul Islam and Rakibul Hasan, and offspinner Sanjit Saha, who will complement Rahman in the bowling attack.Iqbal, meanwhile, will have Saif Hassan, Irfan Sukkur, Parvez Hossain Emon and Mahidul Islam in the Barisal batting line-up, while pace bowler Sumon Khan, who was named Player of the match for his five-for in the President’s Cup final last month, will likely be sharing the new ball with Taskin Ahmed.Dhaka picked opener Mohammad Naim and middle-order batsmen Yasir Ali and Sabbir Rahman to complement Rahim. Rubel Hossain, who showed fine form in the President’s Cup, will have left-arm quicks Mehedi Hasan Rana and Abu Hider for company.Among Bangladesh’s 2020 Under-19 World Cup-winning players, Akbar Ali, Tanzid Hasan and Shahadat Hossain were picked by Dhaka, while Khulna took Shamim Hossain. Chattogram picked Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Rakibul Hasan while Barisal included Parvez Hossain Emon.This will be the second tournament of the 2020-21 season, and the second attempt by the BCB to hold a complete tournament within a biobubble environment. Five companies have paid BDT 2 crore (US $236,000 approx) each to buy the teams. The BCB held fitness tests for 113 players (outside the national and High Performance camps) to determine the list of players in the draft.Beximco Dhaka: Mushfiqur Rahim, Rubel Hossain, Tanzid Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Naim, Nayeem Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Akbar Ali, Yasir Ali, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Muktar Ali, Shafiqul Islam, Abu Hider, Pinak Ghosh, Robiul Islam RobiGemcon Khulna: Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Imrul Kayes, Hasan Mahmud, Al Amin Hossain, Anamul Haque, Shamim Hossain, Ariful Haque, Shafiul Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Shahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Islam, Salman Hossain, Jahurul IslamMinister Rajshahi: Mohammad Saifuddin, Mahedi Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Nurul Hasan, Farhad Reza, Mohammad Ashraful, Arafat Sunny, Ebadot Hossain, Fazle Mahmud, Rony Talukdar, Anisul Emon, Rezaur Rahman, Jaker Ali, Raqibul Hasan, Mukidul Islam, Sunzamul IslamGazi Group Chattogram: Mustafizur Rahman, Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Shariful Islam, Ziaur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Shamsur Rahman, Nahidul Islam, Shykat Ali, Mominul Haque, Rakibul Hasan, Sanjit Saha, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mehadi HasanFortune Barisal: Tamim Iqbal, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Irfan Sukkur, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Abu Jayed, Tanvir Islam, Sumon Khan, Saif Hassan, Aminul Islam, Mahidul Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Abu Sayem, Sohrawordi Shuvo

A "unique" Newcastle United hero is in "talks" over securing an exit away from the club this summer, according to a key update from Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Newcastle transfer news

Eddie Howe continue to eye up new signings in the current transfer window, with highly-rated Portugal and Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva the latest player to be linked with a move to St James' Park. The 20-year-old has made three appearances at Euro 2024 to date, starting once, and he could have a huge career ahead of him for club and country.

Newcastle are also thought to be keen on completing the signing of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, although any potential swap deal with Elliot Anderson is over after the Magpies midfielder already completed a move to the City Ground over the weekend.

At centre-back, Barcelona ace Ronald Araujo has emerged as a potential option, wanting bigger wages than the £114,000-a-week he is currently receiving at the Camp Nou. Newcastle and Manchester City are seen as the leading Premier League candidates to snap him up before next season gets underway, should he move on.

The Magpies are also reportedly tracking Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville, who is fresh off the back of being named the Championship's best player in 2023/24. The Dutchman got 29 goal contributions (20 goals and nine assists) in 46 league appearances for the Whites, inspiring the Whites to the playoff final, prior to their eventual defeat to Southampton at Wembley.

"Unique" Newcastle ace in "talks" over exit

Writing on X on Monday afternoon, Downie provided a big exit update, claiming that Miguel Almiron is in "talks" over a Newcastle departure this summer, with an unnamed Saudi Pro League side seemingly closing in on his capture:

"Newcastle United are in talks with a Saudi Pro-League club over the sale of Miguel Almiron. Newcastle could be set to cash in on the Paraguayan international, with the Saudi transfer window opening today. Unclear the fee & to which Saudi club, but understand talks have been taking place regarding the 30-year-old.

"Newcastle have already sold Elliot Anderson & Yankuba Minteh this weekend, as well as allow Dan Ashworth to join Man United, to deal with their PSR issues."

In truth, this summer feels like the right time for Almiron to move on, allowing Newcastle to receive good money for his signature and also bring in an upgrade.

The £60,000-a-week Paraguayan has always been a popular figure at St James', but a lack of end product has often been an issue, with only three goals coming his way in 33 Premier League appearances last term, which frankly isn't good enough.

Newcastle now preparing £42m bid to sign future "legend"

He’s currently at Euro 2024.

ByHenry Jackson Jun 30, 2024

Howe would be losing a good player in the summer window – one who he has called a "unique footballer", adding that "I don’t think there’s anyone better at doing what he does" – but he can be improved upon at this point, especially having turned 30 years of age earlier this year.

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Em nota oficial, o Cuiabá demonstrou seu posicionamento acerca da iniciativa promovida por outros 17 clubes da Série A do Brasileirão para impedir que o Flamengo seja o único clube a ter direito de atuar com a presença de público.

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Na nota em questão, o Dourado afirma entender como já ser possível ter a presença, mesmo que parcial, de público nas praças esportivas. Entretanto, afirmou que preferiu não ingressar na ação conjunta aguardando novos desdobramentos do caso e alertou que tampouco tentará se valer do mesmo recurso flamenguista para ter público antes de outubro.

Recentemente, após uma série de interações entre dirigentes do clube e o prefeito Eduardo Paes (PSD), a Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro deu aval para o Maracanã receber 10% de sua capacidade total, cerca de 7 mil torcedores. Com base nisso e nos demais protocolos de segurança estabelecidos no município, o Flamengo entende que pode atuar com o público ao solicitar a liberação.

Com isso,América-MG, Athletico, Atlético-GO, Bahia, Red Bull Bragantino, Ceará, Chapecoense, Corinthians, Fortaleza, Fluminense, Grêmio, Internacional, Juventude, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Santos e Sport ingressaram com ação na justiça para impedir tal situação. O Atlético-MG, que não assina a nota, já aceitou jogar sem público no Brasileirão até outubro, mas alertou nesta semana que pode quebrar o acordo caso o Flamengo atue diante de sua torcida.

Confira a nota oficial do Cuiabá

O Cuiabá EC informa que decidiu neste momento não aderir à ação em conjunto feita por 17 clubes da Série A para anular a decisão obtida pelo CR Flamengo nem entrar com pedido de liminar para receber público nos estádios nos jogos do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Embora entenda que já existam condições sanitárias para o retorno de torcida, o clube vai aguardar a reunião entre todos os times no próximo dia 28 de setembro e espera que haja consenso pela liberação a partir de 2 de outubro.

Despite beating European champions Barcelona in their group stage opener last week, the Cityzens were pushed surprisingly hard in Vienna on Wednesday

Mary Fowler came to Manchester City's rescue on Wednesday as they just about backed up last week's statement win over European champions Barcelona with a dramatic 3-2 victory over St. Polten, in their second match of this year's Champions League group stage. In what would have been an almighty comedown after last week's high, Gareth Taylor's side were actually staring defeat in the face for a brief few minutes in the second half, but they came through in the end with a late turnaround.

It looked like it would be smooth sailing for the Cityzens in Vienna when centre-back Alanna Kennedy rifled in a wicked strike from range with just five minutes on the clock. They had plenty of chances to add to that lead, too, with Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler both hitting the woodwork. However, St. Polten never stopped believing they could get a result from this game and, with less than an hour played, they led.

Khiara Keating and Alex Greenwood failed to play out from the back to inadvertently create the chance for the first, with Melanie Brunnthaler capitalising on poor defending from the resulting corner. Similar issues led to the third goal of the game, with City just not switched on when the opposition recycled a free-kick situation and Kamila Dubcova produced a wonderful finish to punish them again.

However, Taylor's side stayed calm. Minutes later, Chloe Kelly's superb ball was expertly put away by Fujino and when Lauren Hemp delivered a deadly cross of her own late in the game, Fowler was on hand to finally nod her team in front again. It wasn't pretty, and there is plenty to improve on, but it was enough.

GOAL rates Man City's players from Viola Park…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Khiara Keating (5/10):

Shouldn't have played the ball into Greenwood as she did in the build-up to St. Polten's equaliser.

Codie Thomas (6/10):

A really promising senior debut. Defended well one-v-one and offered a great outlet going forward.

Alanna Kennedy (6/10):

Broke the deadlock with an absolute worldie but played her part in the poor set-piece defending.

Alex Greenwood (4/10):

An uncharacteristically poor display in which she had a hand in both goals conceded.

Leila Ouahabi (5/10):

If she connected with her header from St. Polten's corner, they wouldn't have equalised.

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Yui Hasegawa (7/10):

Was her usual energetic self and always thought two steps ahead when in possession. Fantastic.

Laura Blindkilde Brown (6/10):

Buzzed around the edge of the box and always got involved when she could. Would've had a goal if not for a top save.

Jess Park (6/10):

Continued her great early season form with another lively performance before being taken off at half-time for Shaw.

Getty ImagesAttack

Chloe Kelly (7/10):

Really strong hour in which she was City's brightest attacker. Great cross for Fujino's goal.

Mary Fowler (7/10):

Struggled for service as a No.9 in the first half but became more involved when moved out wide after the break and came up big with the late goal.

Aoba Fujino (7/10):

Final ball wasn't always there but she caused plenty of problems. Great technique for her goal.

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Khadija Shaw (5/10):

On at half time but couldn't really get involved.

Lauren Hemp (7/10):

Made a huge impact with her powerful running and delivered the cross that Fowler equalised from.

Jill Roord (6/10):

A positive introduction. She continues to look bright despite being so early into her return from an ACL injury.

Laia Aleixandri (6/10):

Added composure to a defence that failed to convince.

Gareth Taylor (7/10):

Made sense to rotate and it felt like he got the balance right but terrible set-piece defending forced him into changes. He wasn't passive with them, giving the substitutes plenty of time to make an impact and they did, to secure a win.

As they look to make their first move of the transfer window, former English Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson now believes that Celtic should look into hijacking a major move to sign the ultimate replacement for Joe Hart this summer.

Celtic transfer news

Improving a side who have just won their third consecutive Scottish Premiership title is no easy task, but the retirement of Hart has left one obvious void for Brendan Rodgers to fill in the coming months. The veteran shot-stopper enjoyed a resurgent spell in Glasgow before bringing an end to an illustrious career at 37 years old.

Replacing such experience will be no easy task, but Robinson believes that Celtic may be keeping an eye on Euro 2024 and one of the tournament's biggest standouts so far in Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Celtic monitoring £3m gem rated as one of the best prospects in his country

He’s one for the future.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 28, 2024

The former Premier League goalkeeper told Football Insider: "He played for Valencia last season, and for me, he was probably La Liga’s goalkeeper of the tournament. The way he’s played in this tournament for Georgia, I think there’ll be a lot of teams around Europe standing up and taking notice.

"If there was any type of opportunity, if Celtic were going to push the boat out and go big, I mean, this kid’s really good, really good. He’s still only 23 years old, six foot six, dominates his box, makes some great saves; that type of signing would be a real statement signing.

"Dubravka would be a good option, but again, it’s only short-term; they’re going to be in this situation again at the end of next season or the season after. I can see Celtic hijacking the deal."

"Superb" Mamardashvili would break Celtic record

If Celtic want to sign Mamardashvili this summer, they will have to get in line. The goalkeeper has already been linked with the likes of Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid in deals that could cost up to €40m (£34m) this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano. With that said, Celtic would also have to smash their current transfer record of just £9m when they signed Odsonne Edouard in 2017 if they want to secure the Georgian star in the coming months.

All things considered, while he was described as "superb" by Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig and would undoubtedly be the coup of the summer in the Scottish Premiership, Mamardashvili's arrival seems like a dream rather than anything that is likely to become a reality for Celtic.

Unless they spend bigger than they've ever spent in the past, the Bhoys must look elsewhere when it comes to replacing Hart ahead of next season.

For Glenn Phillips, who has had a stop-start international career, smashing a 46-ball century – the fastest in T20Is by a New Zealand batsman – against West Indies was “absolutely massive”. No, it won’t make him believe his future with the national team is all sorted out, but “you don’t get those very often, so I am going to enjoy it”.”That’s just an incredible day. You don’t get them very often… make the most of it,” Phillips said at a media interaction after New Zealand beat West Indies by 72 runs in the second T20I to go 2-0 up in the three-match series. “My whole thing is to try and be an entertainer for the crowd and, in that moment, having the crowd’s back, I wanted to give them something special, the whole team wanted to give them something special. It was amazing for me personally, (that) I could be part of it.”ALSO READ: Stats – Phillips hits fastest T20I ton by a New ZealanderPhillips and Devon Conway got together at 53 for 2 in the seventh over, but they didn’t really pick up pace till the last ball of the tenth over, when Phillips smacked Kieron Pollard for six. Then came the drizzle, overs that netted them 18, 11 and 24 runs, and then a rain delay. The big hitting continued after that as the two put together a 184-run stand, Conway ending on 65* from 37 balls to Phillips’ 51-ball 108.”Big part of our game plan is communication, reading the situation, adjusting to it. So, for me and Devon, we’ve never played with each other before, the communication side of things is even more crucial,” Phillips said. “We’ve both played a lot of T20 cricket, and when you lose two quick wickets, you don’t want to lose three or four. Especially on a ground like this where it’s hard to get going again, on a pitch that’s a little bit two-paced.”So we decided to give ourselves a couple of overs and by the time we both got going, it was 11-12 overs, and we have a very deep batting line-up, so that death phase can start much earlier, especially with the wind being an absolute hurricane in one direction. So making the most of that side and hitting with the wind and basically getting the momentum going. And then even when the rain came, just carrying on from where we started.”We’ve always been a team that’s big on our running between the wickets, especially on a big ground like this, which, I feel we adapted to very well after playing at Eden Park, which is so small, and twos are hard to come by. We said to each other ‘the moment we hit the ball, we’re going to run and look for two, no matter what’. He’s quick between the wickets, I am quick between the wickets, so we might as well use that asset especially when you’re not necessarily in the power-hitting mode.”Phillips, 23, made his international debut in a T20I in February 2017, but has only played 13 matches in the format now (along with one Test).”I had to go back, work on things, and took a step back to be able to move forward again. Then I had the opportunities in the Caribbean (Premier League), which slowly worked my confidence back and I was able to have a couple of good performances, being able to come out against these boys has had a massive part of play in that,” Phillips said. “And be able to produce the kind of freedom in my performance was the biggest thing for me – and, yeah, I was absolutely ecstatic. You don’t get those very often, and I was going to enjoy it.”The stint with Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL – he top-scored for them with 316 runs at a strike rate of 127.41 from ten innings this season – have helped in a big way, Phillips said, especially learning to play smartly against spin: “The problem is not necessarily being able to find the boundary, the problem is finding the ones in between and not put myself under pressure.”Phillips, however, isn’t looking too far ahead. “There’s guys that are established and still having to come back. And there’s players that are higher up in the rankings than myself. All I can do is, when I am given the opportunity, do the best that I can possibly for the team, because if the team’s winning, then everyone’s happy,” he said. “Whether I am playing here or I am playing for the Tallawahs, or the (Auckland) Aces or my club back home, just being able to play the role that I need to play for that team and take it one day at a time.”

From Messi's hunt for glory to negotiating a bigger field, GOAL looks at some of the biggest storylines to follow during MLS playoffs

So, the MLS playoffs are here. After eight months of soccer – punctuated by a month-long tournament in the middle – the bit that really matters has arrived. Including the play-in fixtures for each conference, 18 teams are still alive – and have a chance at silverware.

There are certainly favorites to be found, with all eyes on Inter Miami as Lionel Messi takes on the playoffs for the first time. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew seem to have a pretty good chance to repeat, and LA Galaxy – fearsome attack and all – could make a run.

Still, there are other storylines too, with a controversial format entering it second year, and plenty of other teams looking to spring an upset and make challenges of their own.

From Messi's hunt for glory to negotiating a bigger field, GOAL looks at some of the biggest storylines to follow during MLS playoffs….

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  Can Messi lift Miami to a first MLS Cup?

  First, the obvious one. Let's be clear, most eyes globally are going to be on the next month or so to see if the Argentine can win it all.

  His American trophy cabinet is already looking pretty impressive. Messi won the Leagues Cup to open his Miami tenure and followed that with a Supporters Shield triumph in late September. There is also an outside chance that he wins MLS MVP – although Cucho Hernandez is the clear favorite (Messi perhaps hasn't played enough minutes to make a real case.)

  So, MLS Cup remains the final frontier for him. It won't be an easy month. The playoffs are a real grind, with heavy travel and packed schedules. They're not really set up for a 37-year-old to carry a team. Still, if there's anything left in those legs – there probably is – then it will make for fascinating watching.

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  Are the Galaxy back?

  Yes? Maybe? Probably?

  In all honesty, the Galaxy haven't been a properly good team since Robbie Keane led them to a Western Conference win in 2014. Since then, a series of poor signings and underwhelming campaigns have seen a historically great franchise languish in the tier below real contention.

  But this season, it all seems to have come together. Riqui Puig has finally shaken off the cobwebs of the Barcelona reject that he entered the league as. Gabriel Pec has been one of the best players in the league – and certainly has newcomer of the year wrapped up. Marco Reus, not too bad at this sport himself, will give them an extra edge.

  Last minute drama on Decision Day might have cost them the Western Conference title, but this is really about the big one. And the Galaxy are arguably the strongest team in the West. There are certainly concerns about their defense – which has looked very vulnerable in transition. But they have the kind of attacking quality that could render those irrelevant.

• USA Today Images
  

  Wilfried Nancy's last dance (maybe)

  Let's face it: Nancy really should be snapped up by a European club next season. He's not the only reason The Crew have dominated for the last two years – their recruitment has been excellent. But he's the center of it all, and has pieced together a team that can beat anyone on its day. Cucho Hernandez really win MVP, while they have the kind of depth to frighten the rest of the league.

  And it showed last season, when the Crew rather strolled to an MLS Cup win. Most of the key pieces – plus a couple of big additions – from that squad have remained, and even though the rest of the league seems to have strengthened around them, the Crew should be considered among the favorites to repeat. It would be a wonderful way for Nancy to leave – if he is indeed snapped up.

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  Who can play spoiler?

  In 2023, St. Louis City SC won the Western Conference regular season on the back of a dominant first season in the league. What they lacked in outright star power, they made up for in a well-constructed side. A soccer city, it seemed, had a real shot at MLS Cup in its inaugural season.

  Things didn't go that way, of course, and they were bounced in the first round of playoffs by Kansas City. That was a proper upset. This year, there doesn't seem to be much room for anything of that magnitude. But there are some pesky lower seeds that could create problems. Minnesota, for one, have been in fine form of late. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati, led by the in-form Lucho Acosta, might be a true contender as a No.3 seed. There won't be any easy games here, and there's plenty of scope for outsiders to make some noise.

Despite excelling defensively under boss Sean Dyche during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, Everton have struggled within the attacking third to produce quality on a regular basis.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure both notched up seven goals in the league, but endured droughts throughout the campaign, with the latter failing to score for over four months – a period that saw the club pick up just one win in 15 outings.

The Toffees only managed a tally of 40 goals in their 38 Premier League matches, with only bottom club Sheffield United producing a total fewer than Dyche’s side.

They desperately need reinforcements in the final third but will need to act in a sensible manner to prevent breaching the Premier League’s strict PSR rules for a third time in the last 12 months.

Outgoings will undoubtedly be the focus this summer, but the club should also target players who will add to their defensive solidity and provide an added threat in attacking areas.

That being said, based upon the recent transfer rumours surrounding the club, here's a look at Dyche's dream starting XI for Everton in the 2024/25 season.

1

GK – Jordan Pickford

The England number one has been pivotal in the club's survival campaign, keeping 13 clean sheets, the second-most of any 'keeper in the division behind Arsenal's David Raya.

Everton forked out £30m for his signature way back in 2017, with the big-money move now looking like a bargain given his recent form for the Toffees and England.

2

RB – Yukinari Sugawara

One of the major priorities this summer will be to acquire a suitable addition at right-back, with both Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman firmly in veteran status, and with Nathan Patterson seemingly out of the picture.

A potential bargain solution has emerged in the form of AZ Alkmaar sensation, Yukinari Sugawara, with Sky Sports Germany naming the Toffees among the suitors for the 23-year-old – who would be available for just £5m.

The Japanese international could add a new attacking thrust from right-back, having contributed nine assists last season.

3

CB – Jarrad Branthwaite

The 21-year-old has had an excellent campaign for the Toffees, with his brilliant form not going unnoticed, with the former Carlisle United youngster linked with a huge move to Manchester United this summer.

The centre-back started 35 out of 38 Premier League matches during 2023/24, with the Toffees desperately wanting to keep hold of their young talent ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

4

CB – James Tarkowski

The second half of Everton's long-term centre-back partnership is James Tarkowski, with the 31-year-old starting every single league match under Dyche this season.

Since his free transfer to Goodison Park, Tarkowski has featured 85 times for the Toffees – proving to be one of the club's best pickups in recent times.

5

LB – Vitaliy Mykolenko

The Ukrainian left-back really settled into life in the Premier League last season, featuring 28 times under Dyche and scoring twice against Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.

He's become an integral part of the Toffees' defence, starring alongside Tarkowski and Branthwaite, with the supporters finally beginning to see why the club decided to pay £17m for his signature.

6

RM – Yankuba Minteh

The 19-year-old, who is contracted to Newcastle United, has scored ten goals and provided five assists in his 27 appearances for Arne Slot's Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, as he looks to gain experience ahead of a potential first-team spot in the Premier League.

Dyche's side have recently been credited with an interest in the Gambian, with the Magpies potentially looking to make a quick profit on the winger after his impressive loan spell away from St James' Park.

According to The Telegraph, the youngster could command a fee of around £40m.

7

CM – James Garner

The former Manchester United youngster has made 61 appearances since his switch to Goodison in the summer of 2022 from Manchester United, scoring twice including a stunner in the Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

With Garner only being 23, he has a huge future ahead of him at Goodison Park, with the versatile talent for sure in line to receive a senior England call-up in the near future should he receive consistent minutes next season.

8

CM – Khephren Thuram

The 23-year-old Frenchman, who has previously attracted interest from Merseyside rivals Liverpool, has enjoyed a brilliant campaign in Ligue 1, featuring 27 times for Nice, leading to a call-up to the French side to feature at this summer’s Olympic Games.

A report by Tutto Juve claims both Everton and Napoli are ready to offer €25m (£21m) – a potential bargain for a player of his calibre and an ideal replacement for Amadou Onana who could be on his way out at Goodison, amid the Toffees desire to sell for a fee of around £60m.

9

LM – Dwight McNeil

Despite scoring between December and April, winger Dwight McNeil demonstrated his quality towards the tail end of the campaign, scoring and assisting in victories against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.

The £20m wideman has racked up 82 appearances for the Toffees since his big-money move back in the summer of 2022, being the perfect player for Dyche in wide areas, with his ability going forward and work rate defensively, two qualities that have seen him thrive at Goodison Park.

10

CAM – Abdoulaye Doucoure

After finishing the season as the club's joint top-scorer alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it would be hard not to include the Malian in the starting lineup for next season.

The 31-year-old, who joined the club for £20m back in 2020, is entering the final year of his current deal next season, with the former Watford man needing to stake his claim for an extension if he is to stay on Merseyside beyond 2025.

The transfer window has been open for just over four weeks now, and aside from making David Raya's deal permanent and bringing in 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard, Arsenal have remained relatively quiet.

Now, while confirmed transfers have been hard to come by for the Gunners, they do seem close to securing Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, and have been linked with plenty of stars, including England international Eberechi Eze.

The Crystal Palace ace would be an exciting addition to Mikel Arteta's squad, and interestingly, the latest player touted for a move to the club has been compared to him in the past.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal are one of two sides tipped to land Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer.

The report has revealed that the Georgian international's former coach, Gela Davitadze, has named the Gunners and Manchester City the two most suitable destinations for the incredible winger in the coming weeks.

However, the potential interest of City is not the only obstacle Edu Gaspar and Co would have to contend with to land the 23-year-old, as the story claims any move would cost in excess of €100m, which converts to around £84m.

Signing Kvaratskhelia may prove to be extremely challenging and expensive, but given how well he's played in recent seasons and at the Euros this summer, it may be the kind of statement transfer Arsenal need to make, and the comparisons to Eze are certainly a bonus.

How Kvaratskhelia compares to Eze

So, before looking at how well Kvaratskhelia has played over the last couple of seasons, let's examine this comparison to Eze and where it has come from.

It originates from FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues and creates a list of the ten most similar players for everyone. In this case, they consider the Palace star the seventh most comparable attacking midfielder or winger to the Georgian.

The best way to see the areas where the two stars overlap is to look at their most similar underlying numbers.

Kvaratskhelia & Eze

Stats per 90

Kvaratskhelia

Eze

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.59

0.59

Assists

0.20

0.18

Shots on Target

1.48

1.45

Live Passes

36.5

33.3

Goal-Creating Actions

0.53

0.48

Interceptions

0.43

0.48

Carries

36.8

34.6

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 League Season

In this case, that includes metrics such as non-penalty expected goals and assists, actual assists, shots on target, live passes, goal-creating actions, interceptions and carries, all per 90.

However, it's not just the similarities to the former Queens Park Rangers star that would make the "unstoppable" winger, as talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, such a great signing.

He's also been in fine form for Napoli over the last couple of years.

In 2022/23, he scored 14 goals and provided 17 assists as the Partenopei won their first league title in the 21st century, while last season, he racked up 11 goals and nine assists in 45 games for the Italian giants.

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Posts 3 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 12, 2024

Ultimately, Kvaratskhelia has shown more than enough quality over the last few seasons to justify the price tag on his head, and if Arsenal really want to make a statement this summer, then signing him would be the ideal way to do that – and the comparisons to Eze are a wonderful bonus.