There is a ‘very real possibility’ of Leeds United’s proposed takeover by 49ers Enterprises happening this summer, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed.
The Lowdown: 49ers rumours ongoing
For some time now, rumours have suggested that the 49ers will gain a majority share in the Whites, leading to them becoming the club’s new owners.
Back in January 2021, they increased their share to 30%, strengthening their grip in the process, and it has since grown to 44% as time has passed.
Now, a new update further suggests that it won’t be long until the 49ers are Leeds’ official new owners.
The Latest: Summer takeover on the cards
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that this summer could see the takeover go through, in what would be a major development:
“49ers Enterprises are fully committed to Leeds and to a full takeover. It’s really just a case of when.
“Sources have always indicated that staying up or going down won’t necessarily alter the timescale, so there is still a very real possibility that will get done over the summer.
“But there are just so many moving parts at the moment that we’re going to have to wait and see how the season plays out before the picture becomes clearer.”
The Verdict: Exciting period at Leeds
The hope is that this situation can go through as quickly and as seamlessly as possible, allowing Leeds to kick on as a club and ensure that it doesn’t act as a distraction on the pitch.
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Avoiding relegation from the Premier League is absolutely imperative – they hovered around the drop zone for some time now – and if the Whites manage that and get new owners in during the summer, the future could look extremely bright.
Perhaps the biggest positive regarding the takeover would be Leeds’ increased financial clout, allowing more funds to be available for signings, as well as potentially redeveloping Elland Road.
Martin Keown has hailed Newcastle United as the best defensive and organised team in the Premier League despite their recent run of results.
The Lowdown: Newcastle are in a slump
Newcastle do indeed still have by far and away the best defence in the Premier League having shipped just 17 goals across their 24 outings, although it’s been much more of a slog as of late.
The Magpies have won just once in the league this calendar year which was a last-minute winner against Fulham after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s bizarre double-kick penalty was disallowed.
Eddie Howe was certainly never regarded as a defensively sound manager during his time at Bournemouth, but he’s managed to change people’s perceptions of him as a coach since taking over at Newcastle.
The Latest: Howe has Newcastle defensively sound
After seeing Manchester United ship seven against Liverpool, Keown has heaped praise on Newcastle for the way they’ve been able to keep the majority of games tight this season while speaking on TalkSPORT.
He said: (4:10) “The best team I’ve seen this season for keeping it tight and being difficult to beat is Newcastle United, Jim they scrap for everything of every minute of every game.”
It was a stunning first half of the season for Newcastle and Howe as they went into the midseason break sitting third and looking very good for a spot inside the top four come the end of the season, although they’ve just struggled post-World Cup.
The most alarming thing for Newcastle is how poor they have become in the final third with just three goals coming from their last 102 shots in the Premier League and these woes were on show for all to see against Manchester City.
Players such as Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and the misfiring Callum Wilson all missing golden opportunities to get the Magpies back into the game following Phil Foden’s opener, but Howe will need to get his team thriving once more in both boxes, otherwise, the top four could be slipping away from them very quickly.
After squandering a two-goal advantage to slump to a chastening 5-2 defeat at Anfield against Real Madrid three weeks ago, Liverpool’s prestigious European history and Champions League exploits under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp left the devoting fanbase with a sliver of hope; a flame, refusing to quench at the heart of the storm.The fire in the Reds’ bellies was extinguished this time, however, with Liverpool’s struggling season compounded by the tame and tepid performance at the Santiago Bernabeu.So often under Klopp’s reign at the club has the city of Madrid been the crux of the European struggles – Liverpool did win the 2018/19 Champions League, the first major honour under the German manager – but have since fallen by the hand of Atletico Madrid in the ensuing campaign, now knocked out by Los Blancos for three successive seasons.Karim Benzema scored the solitary goal of the affair in Spain, capitalising on some questionable Reds defending as the game approached the closing stage, ending the already infinitesimal chance of a historic upset.For the majority of the second leg, it was a competitive affair that might’ve even been labelled enthralling had the aggregate score been level, both sides threatening, but with Carlo Ancelotti’s holding champions always looking the sharper, the deadlier, the higher in quality, bolstered by their lead, Liverpool came up short.
Was Alexander-Arnold at fault vs Real Madrid?
Rising through the youth ranks, perhaps Liverpool’s greatest homegrown talent since Steven Gerrard, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a staple to all the success that Klopp has bestowed upon the vibrant red of Merseyside, and it is no coincidence that the silverware-laden chapter has been concurrent to the 24-year-old’s emergence.
Indeed, the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup have all been gleaned over past seasons, with the ball-playing master’s unparalleled vision and aptitude with his pinging deliveries cementing his stature as one of the leading creative forces in world football.
Having forged 262 appearances for Liverpool, his only club, the £180k-per-week dynamo has scored 15 goals and supplied 65 assists, ranking among the top 2% of full-backs in Europe for progressive passes and the top 3% for shot-creating actions, as per FBref.
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But against Real, Alexander-Arnold’s defensive frailties were illuminated, with journalist Scott Saunders stating he was “taunted all night” against the likes of Vinicius Jr., who has comprehensively bested the 18-cap Englishman across recent years.
As per Sofascore, the former Kirkby graduate’s lowly match rating of 6.1 was the lowest from any player across either side, illustrating just how ineffective he was, nullified across every facet of his trade.
In the thick of the action with 79 touches, Alexander-Arnold did make one key pass and completed five of his ten crosses but did lose possession an almighty 22 times.
Having failed to come out on top in any of his seven duels either, he was simply not robust or combative enough to effectively contribute against the Champions League’s most illustrious outfit in Real Madrid.
More alarming, perhaps, is the fact that the ace was dribbled past on six occasions, bullied and belittled in his duties; for context, no other full-back on the pitch was dribbled past more than twice, with Alexander-Arnold branded a “training dummy” by Casey Evans, so inept was the defender against the imperious home faithful.
The fact that Andy Robertson was not dribbled past a single time on the alternating flank, winning both his ground duels, is evidence that the attacking left flank was the preferred avenue for Ancelotti’s side, a recipe served with success.
Diogo Jota was himself culpable for a poor performance, earning a 6.4 rating and being called “sloppy” by Neil Jones, and with Liverpool needing goals and failing to find the back of the net even once, a large portion of the blame certainly must lie with the offensive outlets.
But with Alexander-Arnold ostensibly the more dynamic and creative full-back in European football, on a night requiring a hero, Klopp’s phenom failed to deliver, and Liverpool’s last, albeit slim, chance of silverware slipped away as solemnly as the former intensity that has dissipated like dust in the wind.
Tottenham Hotspur appear to be drawing up a list of candidates to replace manager Antonio Conte in the dugout, with the 53-year-old in line for a departure from N17 with a matter of months left on his current deal.
Recent days and weeks have seen a number of names mentioned as possible replacements for the former Chelsea boss, with the Telegraph notably suggesting that Napoli’s Luciano Spalletti could well be one of those under consideration.
The 64-year-old will no doubt be an attractive choice at present following what has been a fine campaign thus far for his rampant outfit in Naples, with the Serie A side currently 18 points clear at the summit, while having also powered their way into the quarter-finals of the Champions League at a canter.
Not only has the Italian been able to fashion a truly imperious, winning machine, but the experienced “genius” – as lauded by journalist Mina Rzouki – has done so with flair, building a side that plays a “scintillating” brand of football, as per journalist Owuraku Ampofo.
With Spurs chairman Daniel Levy having previously outlined his desire to see the Lilywhites playing “free-flowing, attacking and entertaining” football, turning to Spalletti would no doubt be a huge step towards realising that ambition.
The appointment of the one-time Roma boss could also prove integral in the north London outfit’s quest to sign Georgian dynamo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with the 22-year-old currently flourishing under Spalletti’s watch for the Partenopei.
Will Spurs sign Kvaratskhelia?
The fleet-footed winger was reportedly a player of interest to sporting director Fabio Paratici prior to ultimately joining his current side, with Spurs insider John Wenham revealing that the emerging superstar was “scouted multiple times” by the Premier League outfit.
Having ultimately opted against a move for the 19-cap speedster – as the player moved to Naples for a mere €10m (£9m) – Tottenham have been left to rue that transfer failure, with Kvaratskhelia now said to be worth as much as £100m as a result of his breathtaking form this season.
The hope will be that bringing Spalletti into the fold could well help to tempt the 6 foot sensation into making the move to England, due to the pair’s current association, with reports back in January having revealed that Paratici and co are still interested in signing the Tbilisi native.
Signed as a relative unknown during the summer, the “untamed” gem – as hailed by New York Times correspondent Rory Smith – has been a breath of fresh air in European football this season, with his “instinctive” style, as per Smith, wreaking havoc both domestically and in Europe.
The former Dinamo Batumi man has already racked up 11 goals and 11 assists in just 22 Serie A games so far this term, while also contributing two goals and four assists in his seven Champions League outings to date, marking 28 goal contributions in just 29 games this campaign.
Such form as even lead to the highly-coveted ace being dubbed ‘Kvaradona’ – in homage to the late, great, Diego Maradona – with the forward’s recent, solo goal against Atalanta having only rubberstamped those comparisons to the legendary Argentine.
A figure who is simply “absolutely ridiculous” and looks like a “complete menace” – according to the aforementioned Wenham – Kvaratskhelia has certainly warranted the hype that is now falling his way, with it set to be no surprise if there is a host of clubs chasing his signature this summer. Even Jamie Carragher branded him “the best player in Serie A” when speaking on CBS Sports (14/09 at 19:40).
As such, if Paratici and co can tempt Spalletti into taking the job at the end of the season, then he may have a better chance of finally getting his hands on Napoli’s glorious and dazzling talisman.
Leeds United have had to offload some high-profile players over the years for a cut price, whether it be due to the ambition of the player or just general financial issues.
Often they would mark a slight profit, but compared to what their actual value was, the club have often walked away feeling hard done by. The squad that was ransacked around their 2004 relegation comes to mind, where many elite individuals left Elland Road at far below their worth. It was a dark time for the club.
However, being an up-and-coming club in the Championship can often be a good thing, as it offers a springboard for youngsters to play with far less pressure than in the Premier League. This inflated level of performance can then tempt bigger clubs into spending big, only to find out they were not getting what they bargained for.
It seems the perfect example of this was just before the Whites' final season before they earned promotion, when Tottenham Hotspur came calling for Jack Clarke. An academy graduate, and thus signed for nothing, the Lilywhites were forced to pay a premium for the forward who had done little to merit such a price tag.
This marks one of the few moments where a player has sought to leave, only for it to actually benefit the selling club.
Where is Jack Clarke now?
Whilst the 22-year-old might be performing now for Sunderland, it still marks a return to the second division for a youngster who once promised so much.
Having played just 28 times for Leeds, scoring twice and assisting another two, there had been glimpses of real quality but without any consistency. As such, when Spurs came crashing in with an offer rising to £11.5m, it was a no-brainer.
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Clearly a Mauricio Pochettino signing, his sacking not too long into Clarke's move to north London seemed to completely curtail his budding career at the club.
Just four short appearances for their senior squad would see him shipped out on loan to Wearside, where he has featured ever since. To mark his fall from grace, he would sign permanently at the Stadium of Light just last summer.
Having left Championship Leeds only to end up back there himself, whilst his old club enjoy their third consecutive season in the top flight, offers some delightful irony for fans of the club.
Whilst the 5 foot 11 wizard is admittedly impressing under Tony Mowbray, with seven goals and six assists in the league this season, he remains a great example of what could have been had he just stuck around at his boyhood club.
His current manager seemingly still sees that bright future ahead of him, branding him a "diamond" just last year; but even if he does fulfil his potential, it will still remain a striking piece of business from the Yorkshire outfit given how his career has stalled in recent years.
TalkSport pundit Carlton Palmer has claimed that he would quit Manchester United if he was Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw was starting ahead of him at centre-back.
What's the latest on Harry Maguire and Manchester United?
It's not been a particularly easy season for the 30-year-old defender, who has fallen down the pecking order behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez under Erik ten Hag.
Indeed, Maguire has started just five Premier League games all season. What's more, 27-year-old teammate Shaw has been trusted more as a centre-back of late. Indeed, the full-back has started four of the last 11 league games in that position for the Red Devils.
Maguire was at least trusted to come back in and start for England against Italy, but that ended badly for him as fans took to Twitter to slam his display – while Shaw also got a red card in what was a poor evening for the Man Utd duo.
Regardless of that, while speaking on TalkSport, Palmer claimed that the 30-year-old should threaten to quit if Ten Hag won't play him at centre-back.
The pundit said: "I mean, it would upset me, to be honest with you. Do you know, I'm not playing well, Maguire, but if he's [Shaw] being picked ahead of me at centre-back, I would have gone and knocked on the door and I'd have been away, full stop.
"I'm not bothered about my contract. If you're picking Luke Shaw at centre-back ahead of me, right, I'm gone."
Soccer Football – Pre Season Friendly – Manchester United v Liverpool – Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand – July 12, 2022 Manchester United’s Luke Shaw before the match REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Is Shaw a better centre-back option for Man Utd than Maguire?
To be fair to Ten Hag, Shaw hasn't lost any of those games he's started at centre-back in the league – which includes a derby win over Manchester City.
Maguire, on the other hand, started the first two games of the season in that position and lost on both occasions, so it's easy to see why his manager lost faith early on.
According to reports, the 30-year-old currently earns about £190,000 per week. On top of that, his deal runs until the summer of 2025. With that in mind, it would be a bold move for him to tear up his contract and leave as Palmer suggested.
Even so, it's not hard to see why Maguire might be unhappy with his current role in the team even if he's not gone public with any issues.
Everton battled to a hard-fought point on Monday evening, which the home support will likely leave Goodison Park elated with.
Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, Tottenham Hotspur often flattered to deceive with their offensive play, once again troubled by their common issue. With no link between the front three and the rest of the team, they were left isolated. Although Antonio Conte has been sacked, his legacy lived on last night as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw.
This played right into the hands of Sean Dyche, who simply packed out the middle of the park and afforded them the ball. He knew they would be ineffective, and the Lilywhites proved him right.
However, it was two moments of madness that saw them seize the initiative. The first came from Abdoulaye Doucoure, whose wild swing caught Harry Kane in the face. The England captain unsurprisingly went sprawling to the ground, and a red card was brandished.
Then, just ten minutes later, Michael Keane’s sluggish reaction allowed Cristian Romero to poke the ball away as he too was sent flying. Although somewhat theatrical, it was another indisputable decision that allowed Kane to score from the spot.
Toffees teams of old might have folded after a string of such cataclysmic events, yet they refocused and dominated the remainder of the match.
Whilst Michael Keane might earn the plaudits for his stunning late equaliser, driven home from all of 25 yards, it was Amadou Onana’s mesmeric display that allowed them to continue dominating the midfield despite being a man down.
How did Amadou Onana play vs Spurs?
Having come under scrutiny in recent months for his lack of impact on games, the 6 foot 4 titan proved the doubters wrong as he strolled about the field with poise and power.
It was a performance that led journalist Joe Thomas to praise him, as he claimed: “This was Amadou Onana’s best game for some time, probably since the win over Arsenal.”
His 7.2 Sofascore rating served to support this, with only the goalscorer and his midfield partner Idrissa Gueye boasting higher on his team.
This figure was upheld by a string of important defensive interactions, including one clearance, one interception, one tackle and four duels won (via Sofascore). The 21-year-old’s work in pressing from the front also afforded a golden chance for the aforementioned 33-year-old, which was spurned.
However, it is not his defensive work that is often called into question, but his impact when on the ball. The £100k-per-week Belgian maestro would quickly dispel such worries, boasting an 89% pass accuracy alongside two key passes from his 63 touches of the ball.
Keane’s scorching equaliser will steal headlines, and rightly so, but Onana’s magisterial midfield display deserves just as much credit; if not more.
Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action as they look to get a foothold back on the race for the top four.
On Monday night, a stunning equaliser from Everton defender Michael Keane meant the Lilywhites were condemned to fifth place, heading into this afternoon's encounter with Brighton and Hove Albion.
The north Londoners have home comforts on their side but caretaker manager Cristian Stellini is dealing with a whole host of injury concerns, so what sort of side could we see at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
Here's what Football FanCast are predicting…
How will Spurs line up against Brighton?
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal with Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski
Between the sticks, club captain Hugo Lloris is set to resume no.1 duties after making a successful comeback from injury at Goodison Park earlier in the week. Perhaps it's unfair on Fraser Forster, who deputised amicably, but the Frenchman is the first choice.
Without stars such as Ben Davies, Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson Royal due to injury, the wing-backs select themselves, meaning Pedro Porro and Ivan Perisic keep their place on either flank, though there could be a change to the back three, with second-half substitute Davinson Sanchez a candidate to replace Clement Lenglet in the starting XI.
The £21.5m-rated Colombian would then join Eric Dier and Cristian Romero in the backline.
In midfield, there are more injuries, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma long-term absentees. Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr are battling for that spot alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, though it's likely that the homegrown talent gets the nod once again.
Spurs have looked fruitless in attack in recent outings and whilst Harry Kane will still be the first name on the teamsheet, he could be joined by January arrival Arnaut Danjuma in what would be a very rare start. It would be the second and final alteration to Stellini's 11.
Heung-min Son has struggled for form, so the introduction of the £28m-rated Villarreal loanee – who is a "nightmare for defenders" according to pundit Kevin Phillips – could give a new lift to their floundering frontline, also joining Dejan Kulusevski as Lucas Moura begins a three-game suspension after his red card on Monday night.
Predicted Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-3): Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Romero; Perisic, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Porro; Danjuma, Kulusevski; Kane
Liverpool are interested in completing the signing of Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram at the end of the season, according to a fresh update.
Is Thuram having a good season?
The Frenchman may only be 22 years of age, but he is already an integral part of Nice's team, enjoying an eye-catching season for them to date as Les Aiglons compete for European glory. He has made 30 appearances in Ligue 1 overall, scoring two goals in that time and also chipping in with four assists, while he was in Europa Conference League action in midweek as his side earned a 2-2 away draw against Basel.
Midfield is an area of the pitch that Liverpool simply have to focus on during the summer transfer window, with a complete rebuild needed in the middle of the park. Both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have looked past their best throughout this season, while Thiago is now 32 years old and injury-prone, highlighting why changes need to be made.
Meanwhile, the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are expected to leave at the end of the campaign, while doubts surround the future of veteran James Milner.
This highlights why new signings are desperately required in midfield, and with Jude Bellingham seemingly off the table now, Liverpool need to look at alternatives – and it looks as though they have one lined up in the form of Thuram, according to a new claim.
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Are Liverpool looking to sign Khephren Thuram?
According to Foot Mercato [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are one of many clubs who are "dreaming of signing" Thuram in the summer window. They have been "seduced" by his performances for Nice this season and see him as one of France's potential next great midfielders.
Nice are demanding €60m (£53m) for one of their star players' services, however, and that price tag could rise further if even more clubs become interested.
Thuram could be exactly what Liverpool are looking for in the middle of the park this summer, as he possesses the technical quality and energy that has been so badly lacking.
He is averaging 1.5 tackles per game in the French league this season as well as an 86.4% pass completion rate – performing better than Henderson in both departments, albeit in a different competition. He has also averaged more interceptions per game than the Englishman and Fabinho, and given he would have youth on his side, there is an argument to suggest he could offer something to the Liverpool midfield in time, if not immediately.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has lauded Thuram's "significant upper-body strength", his "excellent technique" and his impressive "ball control at speed", as well as "above-average vision & playmaking skills" – all of which could take the Reds up another gear next season and beyond when you consider the current midfield has vastly underperformed this term.
He may not be able to transform Liverpool's fortunes on his own, but if he was to be part of a number of arrivals in the summer, we believe could become an integral part of a team in dire need of a refresh.
The town of Wrexham is no stranger to A-list celebrities wandering the streets.Of course, their football club is famously owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, which has tempted the likes of Blake Lively to watch the team alongside her husband, while even Conor McGregor’s beer was served in the Turf next to the Racecourse Ground.The latest visitor happened to be Marvel star Paul Rudd, who plays Ant-Man, as he joined the co-owners on Saturday for their promotion party.Rudd was spotted drinking with supporters before the match and was then alongside Reynolds and co for the duration of their clash with Boreham Wood.The visitors took the lead after just 40 seconds but the Red Dragons fought back as Elliott Lee and Paul Mullin took them to promotion and the National League title.
How did Reynolds and McElhenney enjoy Wrexham’s promotion?
As the final whistle was blown following the 3-1 win, fans surged onto the pitch in absolute delirium.
The cameras quickly panned to the chairmen who were in a state of complete shock that their team had finally achieved promotion.
Reynolds was hunched over, head in hands, while McElhenney shed a tear before drying his eyes at what he’d just seen.
The footage and photos of their celebrations have been seen plenty of times, but the aforementioned Rudd was on hand to capture the most intimate recording of their reactions yet.
Stood beside them, the movie star captured the heartfelt moment when Wrexham’s owners first saw their team had promotion as they hugged it out while overlooking the pitch as thousands dashed on to celebrate with the players.
The video drew plenty of reaction from social media, the best of which you can find below…