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Saudi’s PIF have opened talks with an Arsenal star and personal terms have already been discussed ahead of a move to the Middle East in 2025.

Arsenal stars attracting serious interest from Europe and beyond

The London heavyweights have emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting sides under manager Mikel Arteta, who has steered the ship well and truly back on course as he seeks to end Arsenal’s 21-year wait for a Premier League title.

"Extremely quick" player has been in constant contact over joining Arsenal

He’s been reaching out via his representatives.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 19, 2024

They pushed current champions Man City – who’ve clinched title glory in each of the last four seasons – right to the final day last term and accumulated an impressive 89 points, which actually would’ve been enough to win the league in many campaigns prior.

Barring a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton, Arsenal have recorded a promising start to 2024/2025 – most recently beating Tottenham 1-0 in the North London Derby despite fielding a much-weakened team minus Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and captain Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal are set to be without Odegaard for weeks after the Norway star injured his ankle on international duty, so the emphasis falls on other key players to guide the Gunners through a difficult run of games.

Arteta will be heavily reliant on centre-back pairing William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes during their next round of matches, including an all-important trip to Man City on Sunday this weekend.

The pair have starred as Arteta’s first-choice central defenders since the beginning of 2022/2023, with Saliba attracting interest from Real Madrid and PSG as a result of his rapid rise.

“It’s only natural that some of the top clubs in Europe would be interested in the Arsenal defender. PSG’s interest is nothing new – he’s Paris-born and hails from the Bondy region, like Kylian Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani,” said Ligue 1 expert and CBS reporter Jonathan Johnson to CaughtOffside.

“However, at the moment, whether it’s PSG, Real Madrid or another top European club, it’s very hard to see them being able to prise Saliba away from Arsenal. He’s one of their top talents at the moment, and one of the best defenders in world football.”

Arsenal will also be thankful they kept hold of Jorginho and Thomas Partey in the summer, who will now prove crucial in the midfield to cover both Odegaard and Merino.

Partey has attracted interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia within the last few months, as the Ghanaian’s £200,000-per-week deal ticks down towards expiry in 2025.

Partey "almost certain" to leave Arsenal as PIF open talks

The 31-year-old has started all four of their opening Premier League games this season, featuring in the middle of the park on each occasion, with Partey also given the nod during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw away to Atalanta on Thursday.

He scored away to Aston Villa in their 2-0 Midlands victory as well, and it is safe to say he will play a crucial role in the next two months. Beyond that, it appears the curtain is closing on Partey’s five years at Arsenal.

According to TEAMtalk, Partey is “almost certain” to leave Arsenal when his contract expires next year, with there being no sign of a contract renewal for the ex-Atletico Madrid star who joined for £45 million in 2020.

The Saudi-backed PIF and their chief negotiators have held talks with Partey over personal terms already. PIF’s plan, as per the report, is to agree a pre-contract with the midfielder in January – ahead of a free move later in the year.

Juventus are also contending for Partey’s signature, but as things stand, Saudi have laid the most groundwork. Since his move to England from La Liga, Partey has managed 120 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring six goals and assisting four others from midfield.

“Thomas is a super important player for us,” said Arteta on Partey after he was linked with a move away last year.

“Every time I had a conversation with him, he says he wants to stay with us. There is nothing there at all.”

It is cliche, but like for any club, those of an Arsenal persuasion must surely relish in witnessing ‘one of their own’ continually delivering on the biggest stage, with the consistent form of Bukayo Saka truly remarkable to witness.

Arguably the star of England’s summer – having notably rescued the Three Lions from range against Switzerland – the 23-year-old has showcased no signs of fatigue in the early weeks of the new season, having already chalked up ten goal involvements in as many games in all competitions.

Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry, beware – the Hale End star is coming for your Premier League assist record. The wing wizard already boasts seven in just seven top-flight outings, having also been harshly denied another against Leicester City after Leandro Trossard’s late strike was instead awarded as a Wilfried Ndidi own goal.

With Martin Odegaard sidelined with injury, Saka has taken on that creative burden – and then some – with Mikel Arteta no doubt relishing in unleashing a talent who steps up to the plate week in, week out.

It is for that reason that the Gunners should also be excited about the prospect of snapping up a talent who bears a striking similarity to the £195k-per-week hero, with talk of a January move having already been touted.

Arsenal's January transfer target

As per journalist Graeme Bailey, the north London side are believed to be rivalling Chelsea for the signing of Como sensation, Nico Paz, with both clubs having watched the 20-year-old already this season.

Bailey revealed that as many as half a dozen Premier League clubs were taking a look at the Argentina international prior to his move to Italy over the summer, with Paz having previously been on the books at Real Madrid.

Madrid could pose a possible obstacle to any move in 2025, having seemingly included multiple clauses in the Spanish-born starlet’s deal, including a reported buyback option.

Why Nico Paz would be a good signing

A player who former Arsenal star and current Como boss Cesc Fabregas “loves”, according to journalist Fabzrio Romano, Paz has made a strong start to life in Serie A, chalking up two assists in just six league games thus far.

Previously described as “exceptional” by ex-Madrid teammate, Toni Kroos, the promising playmaker – who scored against Napoli in the Champions League last season – is now thriving amid his increased game time, hence the admiring glances from those in London.

Like Saka, the in-demand menace has a “left foot made of gold” and can operate on the right flank – as per talent scout Jacek Kulig – albeit while having typically flourished in a number ten berth of late in his new surroundings.

That duel-ability to function in a central role or on the flanks may also be a factor in his apparent likeness to a certain Cole Palmer, with both Saka and Palmer named among Paz’s list of ‘similar players’ across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

That likeness between the trio is notably showcased above with regard to their progressive passing and progressive carrying ability, indicating just what a creative outlet Paz could offer in the Premier League.

What will also prove appealing to Arteta is the Como man’s defensive contribution, with work off the ball just as important for a side that is chasing the title.

For Paz to be likened to two such dazzling English talents is a testament to the great strides he has made under Fabregas’ watch of late, with Palmer having been as much of a talisman as Saka has been at Arsenal, with 51 goals and assists in just 54 games at Stamford Bridge.

There is no doubt a raging debate over which of the two is the bigger superstar, but that’s perhaps for another day.

In the case of Paz, for Arsenal to snap up a possible Palmer-Saka hybrid could well prove a masterstroke, thus helping to provide cover for Odegaard in that central role, as well for Saka himself on the right flank. A dream solution.

Why William Saliba will reject Real Madrid and PSG to stay at Arsenal

“Saliba is very happy at Arsenal and they are very happy with him,” says Fabrizio Romano.

By
Barney Lane

Oct 7, 2024

Real Betis are reportedly all set to raid Manchester United again just days after completing a loan move for Antony.

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• Real Betis want another Man Utd flop
• Antony joined club on loan
• United are close to signing Dorgu from Lecce

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per the , Betis are keen on signing another Manchester United flop in the form of Tyrell Malacia, just days after securing the services of Antony on loan. The Spanish club are one of several teams in Europe that have shown an interest in the out-of-favour United full-back.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Malacia's departure could pave the way for Patrick Dorgu's arrival at Old Trafford. On Wednesday, reported that the Red Devils have reached a 'broad agreement' with Lecce to sign the 20-year-old defender for €30m (£25.2m) plus €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Malacia has had a disappointing time with Manchester United since joining the club from Feyenoord in 2022. He has been plagued with severe injuries and returned to action in November after 17 months on the sidelines. In the 2024-25 campaign, the Dutch full-back has appeared in just eight matches across all competitions.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Ruben Amorim's United side will aim to extend their recent winning streak to three games on Thursday as they take on FCSB in the Europa League.

Chelsea’s excellent start to the new Premier League campaign has largely been down to the impact of Enzo Maresca, but also the recruitment conducted behind the scenes under Todd Boehly and co over the last 12 months.

The Italian has led the Blues to four wins, one draw and one defeat from his opening six league games at Stamford Bridge, with the club currently occupying a place in the top four.

Cole Palmer has been a man in form, registering all four goals in the 4-2 victory over Brighton last weekend, taking his league tally to six goals in as many games.

Striker Nicolas Jackson has also started the 2024/25 campaign with a bang, registering seven combined goals and assists in his first six matches – starting to show glimpses of the player they forked out £32m for last summer.

The aforementioned pair have both been excellent additions for the Blues, but one player has failed to have the same impact after his own move to the Bridge in recent years.

Mykhailo Mudryk’s stats for Chelsea

Winger Mykhailo Mudyrk arrived at Chelsea after a battle with Arsenal during the transfer window back in January 2023, joining the club with real expectations of being a huge talent in West London.

The Ukrainian cost the Blues a whopping £89m from Shakhtar Donetsk, making him the club’s 5th highest addition at the time of his move to the Bridge.

However, up to now, his move hasn’t worked out for either party, with Mudryk massively struggling for form and consistent game time despite his huge transfer fee.

The 23-year-old has only featured for a combined 80 minutes in the league so far this season, with his only start coming in the 6-2 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During his 18-month stint in England so far, he’s only managed a total of seven goals in his 64 appearances for the Blues, with his market value plummeting as a result of his dismal showings under Maresca.

The Ukrainian is now only valued at £33m as per Football Transfers, but his value is still higher than the former Blue who’s failed to make his own impact after departing his boyhood club.

The player who’s now valued lower than Mudryk

Last summer, Chelsea sold numerous first-team players to try and balance the books after the huge spending after the takeover by Boehly in May 2022.

Players such as Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic both departed the club, joining rivals Arsenal and Manchester City – with the club strengthening fellow English sides to make room for new additions.

They also offloaded academy graduate Mason Mount to Manchester United for a reported £60m – an excellent price tag but to the

disappointment of many supporters.

However, on reflection, the deal was an excellent one, with the “midfield maestro” – as hailed by Statman Dave – only making 25 appearances in over a year, massively struggling with injuries after his move to Old Trafford last summer.

The Red Devils’ defeat against Spurs last weekend sums up his time at United, coming on to replace Kobbie Mainoo in the first half, before picking up a yellow card, and coming off injured in the closing stages.

As a result, he’s seen his value plummet to just £30m, as per Football Transfers, a drop of 50% since his transfer away from Stamford Bridge just over 12 months ago.

Whilst it may have been a disappointing decision to offload an academy graduate, his form and injury record in the North West has proven that the club made the right call in selling him last summer.

It allowed for the addition of players such as Palmer and Jackson, with Maresca currently reaping the rewards of the club’s excellent recruitment in recent times.

Chelsea struck gold on £30m star who could soon be worth more than Palmer

He’s going from strength to strength this season…

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By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 30, 2024

Roy Keane says Marcus Rashford must be "ashamed" about his Manchester United exile, while Wayne Rooney has reflected on this "embarrassing" situation.

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• Rashford seeking Man Utd exit
• Keane says he should be "ashamed"
• Rooney calls situation "embarrassing"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford has not played for United for more than six weeks amid an ongoing feud with head coach Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese has repeatedly criticised the 27-year-old's application in training and while he seeks a January exit – be it permanent or a loan – Red Devils legends Keane and Rooney have ripped into the England international.

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  WHAT ROY KEANE AND WAYNE ROONEY SAID

  Keane said on Stick to Football: "I can't get involved in the conversation. I still can't understand at any level – whatever's going on with players leaving, months left on contracts – a player who doesn't train properly. I don't understand it; you might as well leave me out of this conversation. Especially if you think he wants to move, which is more of a reason to train properly so when you go to a new club you're up to speed and when you leave the club at least you showed a decent attitude. He must be ashamed."

  Rooney added on the podcast: "I went into Carrington on Sunday to take my kids to game day and Marcus Rashford was out on the training pitch with the fitness coach, but he was right over towards where the parents were walking past for the kids' games. I looked at him thinking how embarrassing it must be for him as parents walk past."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rashford has been linked with the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and more, but for the time being, he is set to stay at Old Trafford. And the longer this goes on, the more sorry an episode this will turn out to be for Rashford and United.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United take on FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday night and will progress to the next round with a win. Rashford has not been included inthe travelling squad.

The league is aiming to increase the availability of top-tier men's soccer in the U.S.

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• USL intends to launch D1 men's soccer league
• Aims to rival MLS
• Aims to launch in 2027-28

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The USL is aiming to launch a new Division 1 men's professional league in 2027-28, the league announced Thursday.

  The USL currently fields two professional leagues, the USL Championship and USL League One. Their new D1 league will field 12-14 teams that would operate separately and directly compete with Major League Soccer.

  USL President Paul McDonough believes it is the correct next step with expansion, capitalizing on the growth of the game after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

  “It’s a key moment for soccer in this country, and as we see where this game is going, we want to be a part of it,” McDonough said, speaking with The Athletic. “Taking this big initiative allows for the growth of the game throughout the country."

  The move will give the league a full three-tier pyramid, with an aim to institute promotion and relegation into the league; a long-term goal of the USL's.

  “We’ve been very public about trying to get there with [pro-rel],” McDonough said. “We’re not there yet, but we’ll continue to push forward with it.”

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McDonough, who has held MLS experience with Orlando City, Atlanta United and Inter Miami, shared that leaders across the USL believe that the U.S. can strongly support an additional D1 men's soccer league, and that limiting the top-tier game to strictly MLS markets won't help grow the game domestically. The current MLS field, which rosters 30 teams, is very similar to that of the NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA, but McDonough believes more markets are capable of supporting a new franchise.

  “If soccer in the country is truly going to grow, it’s going to grow outside of 30 or 32 markets,” McDonough said.

  U.S. Soccer's professional league standards require D1 leagues to have at least 12 teams, located across the Eastern, Central, and Pacific time zones, with at least 75 percent of the teams playing in metropolitan markets of at least 1 million people. All league stadiums must be enclosed with a minimum seating capacity of 15,000, while the league itself must also meet several levels of financial viability, including ownership groups that can demonstrate the financial capability to operate a team for at least five years. A first division league must also have a broadcast contract, full-time team staff for each club, and a full-time league operations staff.

  The USL will be the first league to attempt a Division 1 rival franchise against MLS since the NASL in 2016. A jury ruled in early February, in favor of U.S. Soccer and MLS in an antitrust lawsuit filed by the NASL, which is now extinct, where they argued the league and federation conspired against them to receive sanctioning.

  McDonough shared that the court decision did not affect their plans, but they waited until its conclusion to share this announcement.

  “We probably were ready to go with this sooner, but with everything pending with U.S. Soccer, we just put it on hold until it was resolved,” McDonough said. “But we have to get going, so now’s the time.

  Years back, the USL commissioned Twenty First Group to study how the USL could differentiate itself in the domestic market, and three options came from it, with one being promotion and relegation with a move to D1.

  USL officials met with U.S. Soccer to go over their plans for a push for a D1 league, according to McDonough, with U.S. Soccer offering their support.

  USL owners were informed of the decision Wednesday evening. There is an expectation that multiple teams from the USL Championship into the new D1 league, including markets like Louisville, Sacramento, Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

  Those markets have also been areas where MLS has shown interest. In 2019, Sacramento was announced as an expansion side before the prospective owner, Ron Burkle, pulled out of the agreement. McDonough pointed to Louisville and Albuquerque as markets with top-tier potential.

  He added that the USL has a goal to build more soccer-specific stadiums to increase competition within the league, directly pointing out that a market like Louisville has thrived as a result.

  “Stadiums change the whole dynamic of the business model, so having the proper stadium and training facilities is really, really important for us,” McDonough said. “And we need more owners with that ambition to drive the game forward.”

  The USL and MLS operate differently — USL owners run teams as separate businesses, whereas MLS utilizes a single-entity system for ownership where owners are partners in league business. The USL does not have a salary cap, nor does it have restrictions on academy territories, unlike MLS, which gives MLS franchises control over youth players in their markets.

  “We want to try to be as close to the global game as possible,” McDonough said. “We’re not going to go into the [fall-spring] calendar, because right now it doesn’t make sense for us, but every other way, we’re a lot like the rest of the teams around the world in how they govern and are functioning themselves.”

• WHAT THE USL SAID

  “Today is a defining moment for the USL and the future of soccer in the United States,” said Alec Papadakis, CEO of the United Soccer League. “Creating a Division 1 league is a bold step forward, expanding access to top-tier competition, deepening the connection between our communities, and taking another step in aligning with the structure of the global game. By uniting people through soccer and bringing Division One to more cities, we’re not just growing the sport—we’re creating lasting opportunities while building a more sustainable and vibrant soccer ecosystem in the U.S.

  “The USL has long been committed to creating a structure that drives growth, opportunity, and long-term success in American soccer,” Papadakis added. “The USL model empowers clubs with greater autonomy and fosters a dynamic, interconnected system—one that allows them to compete at the highest level while remaining deeply rooted in their communities. Around the world, top-tier clubs thrive in cities of all sizes, and we believe the same is possible here. The demand and infrastructure are in place, and the potential for growth is immense.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR THE USL?

  The USL will now begin a journey to find new investors for potential D1 markets, with a goal in mind to have fewer restrictions and a cheaper expansion fee than MLS expansion sides — potentially being a more appealing entry point for potential buyers.

  The latest MLS expansion franchise, San Diego FC, paid a $500M expansion fee.

  The league aims to begin play in the 2027-28 campaign.

Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers shuffled his striking pack in the summer transfer window to bolster his squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Firstly, the Northern Irish head coach ruthlessly cashed in on South Korea international Hyeon-gyu Oh, who moved to Genk on a permanent deal.

That then opened the door for the Hoops to swoop to bring Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah back to Parkhead for a second spell, after his time on loan during the second half of last season.

The Scottish giants reportedly reached an agreement with Norwich City to sign the 23-year-old marksman for a whopping fee of £8.5m, with a further £1m in potential add-ons that could take the deal to £9.5m.

Idah has scored four goals in nine appearances in all competitions for the Hoops so far this season and Celtic will be hoping that he can continue his development and eventually emerge as a consistent and reliable goalscorer for years to come – given the money they paid for him.

The Bhoys have had plenty of lethal strikers over the years, including the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Gary Hooper, and Odsonne Edouard, but the most memorable of them all is Henrik Larsson.

Henrik Larsson's Celtic career

The Scottish giants swooped to sign the Sweden international from Feyenoord in the summer of 1997 after he had enjoyed a relatively average campaign in the Dutch top-flight.

Larsson had produced seven goals in 31 league appearances during the 1996/97 season and had scored 39 goals in 136 matches for Feyenoord in all competitions.

This shows that the Swedish star was far from prolific during his time in the Netherlands and that Celtic were not bringing in a centre-forward who was guaranteed to be a superstar at Parkhead when they moved to sign him in 1997.

The marksman then had a solid, but unspectacular, first season in Glasgow with a return of 14 goals and six assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.

After another couple of decent seasons at Parkhead, Larsson made his breakthrough as a superstar for the Hoops with a staggering haul of 53 goals and two assists in 50 matches during the 2000/01 campaign.

The Sweden international went on to rack up 220 goals and 63 assists in 287 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants throughout his career in Glasgow.

These statistics show that Larsson was an incredibly prolific and lethal striker for the majority of his time with Celtic, as he almost averaged a goal contribution every match on average.

The Hoops have been searching for their next Larsson ever since his move to Barcelona in the summer of 2004 and may have once thought they found him in Georgios Giakoumakis.

The striker who was a "Henrik Larsson-type"

In the summer of 2021, Celtic were chasing a deal to sign the Greek international from VVV Venlo and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish had big expectations of the forward.

Speaking to Football Insider, the Scottish chief suggested that Giakoumakis could be a “Henrik Larsson-type” character for the Hoops and that he could be a “special” signing for the club, because of his goalscoring record in the Netherlands.

The Greek star had plundered a staggering 29 goals in 33 games in all competitions for VVV Venlo in the 2020/21 campaign, including 26 goals in 30 matches in the Eredivisie.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

They were relegated from the Dutch top-flight despite his extraordinary efforts in front of goal and Celtic may have felt as though they had a potential Larsson 2.0 on their hands, as another player coming over from the Netherlands with the potential to be a lethal scorer for the Hoops.

As you can see in the table above, Giakoumakis had a mixed first season at Parkhead with limited appearances but a lethal goal record in that time.

The striker, who missed nine games through injury, was not trusted to start games regularly by Ange Postecoglou yet still managed to average a goal every 81 minutes in the Scottish Premiership.

Giakoumakis followed that up with a return of six goals and one assist in 19 appearances and four starts in the Australian manager’s second season.

His lack of consistent minutes on the pitch for Celtic led to an exit from Glasgow in February of 2023, before the end of his second campaign at the club.

How much Celtic sold Giakoumakis for

MLS side Atlanta United reportedly swooped in to pay a fee of up to £4.3m, with a guaranteed payment of £3.5m, for the Greek international.

Giakoumakis later revealed that he was denied a pay rise that he felt he deserved, despite his lack of minutes, at Celtic and that played a part in his exit from the club.

Irrespective of how his transfer to America came about, the former Eredivisie star never lived up to the early hype after his move to Scotland in 2021, as he never even got close to reaching Larsson’s level of lethal goalscoring over the course of an entire season.

The Greek sensation set out to prove Celtic wrong for not giving him more minutes and not giving him the pay rise he wanted with his performances on the pitch for Atlanta last year.

As you can see in the table above, Giakoumakis may feel like he did that by scoring 19 goals from 14.82 xG in just 30 MLS outings for his next club.

He followed that up with five goals from 4.87 xG in eight starts in the MLS in 2024 before completing a move to Mexican side Cruz Azul, where he has scored five goals in nine league games this season.

These statistics show that the attacker has been in lethal form since moving on from Parkhead and Celtic may regret not trying harder to retain his services, as Kyogo Furuhashi has scored 17 goals and missed 33 ‘big chances’ in the Premiership since the start of last season.

Celtic thought they had their new Tierney, now he's already left Parkhead

Celtic wasted millions on the left-back after they look to replace the Scottish defender.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 17, 2024

Lionel Messi has seen more trophies added to the collection in his household, with all three of the Argentine’s sons claiming titles with Inter Miami.

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• Argentine is most decorated player in history
• Ready to chase down more honours in 2025
• Sons already have their hands on trophies

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is the most decorated player of all-time, with his record-breaking haul of major honours taken to 46 in 2024 as he landed another Copa America crown with Argentina and the Supporters’ Shield at Inter Miami.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The evergreen 37-year-old is back for more in 2025, as he enters the final year of his contract in Florida. There is the option for that deal to be extended by a further 12 months, taking Messi through a World Cup defence with his country in 2026.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  For now, Messi is enjoying watching his sons follow in illustrious footsteps. His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, has shared images from the Weston Cup tournament in the Sunshine State. Thiago, Mateo and Ciro all emerged victorious in that event with their respective age groups.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Messi was able to watch his children in action, giving him plenty to celebrate, and has seen his return to competitive action at Inter Miami pushed back to Wednesday evening as a CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Sporting KC has been delayed by 24 hours due to freezing weather conditions in Kansas City.

Aston Villa are plotting a transfer swoop for an exciting midfielder who is valued at nearly £30 million by his club, according to a new report. Unai Emery’s side continued their strong start to the Premier League season on Saturday, as they came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage, putting them four points behind the top spot.

Signed for £17m: Aston Villa's best "in the world" star now worth triple

Signed for just £17m, Villa star now one of “best in the world” and worth triple

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By
Connor Holden

Oct 20, 2024

Aston Villa transfer news

It has been another good start to a campaign for the Midlands side, and despite having a healthy squad with plenty of competition, it looks as though they are keen to add to their options come the New Year.

Last week, Villa were linked with a move for Bologna striker Santiago Castro, but they are not the only team keen, as Chelsea and Everton are also keeping a close eye on the young forward. Adding another striker to their ranks would be a bold move, given the fact that they already have Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, who has just signed a new contract.

As well as Castro, Aston Villa are now the latest team to join the race to sign Angel Gomes, who looks set to leave Lille at the end of the season. The former Manchester United man is in the final year of his contract, and he looks set to move on from France on a free transfer. But Villa are not stopping there, as they also have their eye on another midfield playmaker.

Aston Villa plotting £29m swoop for RB Salzburg star

According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa are interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Oscar Gloukh. They also face competition from Newcastle United and Arsenal, as well as Manchester City and teams from around Europe, including Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year-old playmaker is considered the next exciting talent to come out of the Red Bull network, and his performances are not going unnoticed. This report also states that Salzburg could be open to the idea of selling Gloukh if they receive the right offer, looking for around 35 million euros for Gloukh, which is roughly £29 million.

It is believed that the midfielder is also open to the idea of moving to the Premier League, and he doesn’t seem short of potential options. Salzburg are competing in the Champions League this season, but Villa will hope to progress to the knockout stages, and that might be something that could help them get a deal for Gloukh over the line, even though he wouldn’t be able to play for them in Europe this season.

Gloukh has been with Salzburg since January 2023, and his importance on the side has been clear to see, being among the goals and assists in his two-and-a-bit seasons. The 20-year-old already has five goals to his name in seven Austrian Bundesliga appearances this season, and he has contributed to two assists as well.

Gloukh is under contract to Salzburg until the summer of 2027, but they look to be ready to cash in on their star talent in January, despite him still having plenty of time left on his contract.

The Belgian striker shares his thoughts on cultural significance and personal achievements as well as his goal-celebration and who inspired it

• Benteke discusses his admiration of LeBron James
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• Forward emphasizes the blend of cultures in MLS

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  Christian Benteke, D.C. United's star forward, recently sat down to reflect on his successful 2024 season. The Belgian striker, fresh off winning the MLS Golden Boot, shared insights into what this important month means to him personally and professionally. Not only that, the former Premier League star opened up about his celebration, how LeBron James inspired it and continues to inspire him now even at 40

  READ MORE:D.C. United is building around Benteke with shrewd signings

  "I think it was probably almost 10 years ago when I was in the Premier League. I was watching him [LeBron James] playing for the Cavs and this is something that I found really cool. You can even see today, he’s 40 years old but he keeps going hard. Sometimes it has nothing to do about money, about being famous but just about the love of your job," Benteke said.

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• WHAT CHRISTIAN BENTEKE SAID

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Benteke had a remarkable 2024 season with D.C. United as the Belgian forward claimed the 2024 MLS Golden Boot award after netting an impressive 23 goals in the league. His outstanding performance also earned him a place in the 2024 MLS Best XI, recognizing him as one of the league's top players for the season. Despite Benteke's individual success, D.C. United narrowly missed out on the playoffs. The team's season came to a heartbreaking end on the final day of the regular season, with goal difference ultimately keeping them out of the postseason.

  The former Premier League star opened up about his season and how he believed that winning the MLS Golden Boot was a good way to celebrate the term.

  “It was a good season for me personally. I’m really proud about myself. Sometimes when you don’t score goals, your team doesn’t win, it’s so easy to give up. But I stick to it and I feel it’s the work that I’ve been putting in and this is a way to celebrate a good season,” Benteke said about winning the Golden Boot.

  “I think it’s nice to write your name in club history. That’s the reason why we play this game, it’s because of what we can get from it. The joy, the peace, and just the happiness to score goals or to have a good game. I feel like sometimes we can lose it because of maybe the pressure of social media. It’s always important to remind yourself 'Why did we start to play this game at first?'"

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  Benteke and D.C. United’s season got off to a decent start as they ended their 2025 MLS season opener with a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC, with the striker scoring. They face Chicago Fire next on March 2 before they host Sporting KC at the Audi Field on March 9 in the league.