Manchester United fan and presenter Mark Goldbridge has been left fuming at what former midfielder Paul Scholes has said about both Marcus Rashford and Matthijs De Ligt.
Ten Hag still under pressure at Old Trafford
After another disappointing opening to the new Premier League season, manager Erik ten Hag is already coming under pressure at Old Trafford. The Dutchman has won just two of his opening five league games and could only manage a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the club’s opening Europa League fixture.
As a result, speculation has been increasing in regards to a potential change led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Former Juventus boss Max Allegri and Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi have been linked with potential moves to England, with senior Man Utd figures unhappy with Ten Hag for the lack of goals his side are producing and that “patience is beginning to wear thin”.
Ten Hag impressed: Man Utd teenager may make debut after shining in training
He could be fast-tracked.
1 ByCharlie Smith Sep 26, 2024
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is the latest name to be thrown into the ring as a Man Utd target, however, away from the pitch, Red Devils legend Scholes has seemingly been causing a stir with some of his Man Utd comments.
Goldbridge fumes at Scholes after Rashford and De Ligt comments
Speaking on The Overlap, relayed by GiveMeSport, Scholes believes Rashford has “been up to something” after Ten Hag left him out of the starting line up against Crystal Palace last weekend.
“United are struggling forward wise, aren’t they? They’re struggling for goals this year, they’ve scored five goals, three of them were against Southampton. That tells you that the forwards maybe just aren’t good enough.
“Leaving Rashford out on Saturday was…he’s been up to something, hasn’t he? Come on. He’s not scored in such a long time, and all of a sudden he scores three goals in two games and he’s not playing? He [Ten Hag] said it was rotation…come on, do me a favour.”
That didn’t go down well with Goldbridge, who described it as “crazy”.
Scholes also doesn’t feel as if summer signing De Ligt is a “massive improvement” on Harry Maguire. “In all honesty, I’m not sure it’s that much of an upgrade. He might be slightly better, but it’s not a massive improvement where you think, wow.”
Taking to X following Scholes’ comments on the new centre-back, Goldbridge called it “horrific”.
Wheal lends support in unbroken fifty stand to wrest control from Warwickshire
ECB Reporters' Network06-Sep-2021A compelling LV=Insurance County Championship contest is unfolding at Edgbaston where Hampshire closed the second day on 260 for 8 in their second innings, 233 ahead of Warwickshire.The home side had Hampshire 208 for eight, just 181 in front, but former Edgbaston favourite Keith Barker dug in with Brad Wheal to add an unbroken 52 up to stumps.After taking a five-for on the first day, Barker continued to impede his former team-mates’ title bid with an unbeaten 49 off 124 balls with power to add. Warwickshire will face an awkward chase in pursuit of a victory which would keep them top of the table.On a hot afternoon, Liam Norwell led the Bears’ bowling manfully with 4 for 64 while Danny Briggs wheeled away skilfully for 36-17-38-2 but their injury-hit attack was exposed as other bowlers, notably home debutant Chemar Holder, struggled for control.After the freak clatter of wickets on the first day, a good pitch was put into proper perspective on the second when wickets had to be much harder-earned. Trailing by 27 on first innings, Hampshire resumed on 41 without loss and took the score to 55 before Norwell made the breakthrough. The big-hearted paceman swung one in to win an lbw appeal against Joe Weatherley.Ian Holland and Tom Alsop added 54 before the Bears struck a double blow just before lunch. Holland edged Norwell to Rob Yates at slip to be out for 44 and then Briggs got one to lift at Nick Gubbins and Will Rhodes took a sharp catch at slip.Briggs bowled with great control after lunch and added the scalp of Alsop, adroitly stumped by Michael Burgess, before Norwell trapped Liam Dawson lbw.James Vince batted diligently for 48 off 67 balls with seven fours and it was a surprise when he perished carelessly, pulling Craig Miles to Matt Lamb at long leg. Four balls later, Miles hit the middle stump of James Fuller but the Bears were held up by the obdurate Felix Organ who went into tea unbeaten on 3 from 72 minutes and made 16 in exactly two hours before falling lbw to Norwell.Barker batted with great composure and Wheal supported him ably in the last hour to tilt this tight and intriguing match Hampshire’s way.
Inter have reportedly joined bitter rivals AC Milan in the race to sign want-away Manchester City star Kyle Walker.
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Walker asked to leave Man CityAC Milan interested in signing himRivals Inter keen on loan moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
On Saturday, City boss Pep Guardiola revealed that the 34-year-old had asked to leave the club and finish his career abroad. Milan are said to be 'confident' of recruiting the England international but rivals Inter are eyeing a loan move for him, reports .
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Walker has had a distinguished career, winning a host of trophies at City, chalking up 93 caps for England, and earning a reputation as one of the best defenders of his generation. After everything he's done in English football, not many would begrudge him the chance to end his career overseas.
DID YOU KNOW?
The report adds that representatives for Walker, whose contract runs until 2026 at the Etihad, have been in contact with Inter and a deal is being thrashed out.
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It remains to be seen if Walker, who was left out of City's 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City on Saturday, has played his last game for the Premier League side.
The Reds now need only one point to seal top spot in the league phase after overcoming gritty 10-man opponents at Anfield
There's just no stopping Liverpool or Mohamed Salah right now. Neither the Reds nor their talisman played particularly well in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Lille at Anfield but Arne Slot's side still ensured their progression to the last 16 thanks to a 2-1 victory that featured Salah's 50th European goal for the club.
The Egyptian king had started the game poorly but, as he so often does, he produced a goal out of nothing, showing tremendous alertness to latch onto Curtis Jones' through ball, after Lille had lost possession in midfield, before leaving Lucas Chevalier with no chance with his curling finish from just outside the area.
Lille were reduced to 10 men when Aissa Mandi picked up a blatant second booking but Bruno Genesio's side, who have beaten by Real and Atletico Madrid in this season's Champions League, threatened to nick a point when star striker Jonathan David buried a rebound in the 62nd minute. However, Liverpool managed to maintain their perfect record thanks to substitute Harvey Elliott, who found the back of the net with the aid of a wicked deflection.
Below, GOAL rates all of the Liverpool players on show at Anfield as the Merseysiders moved to within one point of sealing top spot in the league phase…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Alisson Becker (6.5/10):
Although Lille always looked a threat on the break, the Brazilian didn't actually have much to do – other than pick the ball out of the net after David's equaliser.
Conor Bradley (5/10):
As usual, always keen to get forward and created a good chance for Darwin Nunez, but there was more than one sloppy pass, while his positioning was also poor at times. It felt inevitable that the Lille goal would come down his side.
Jarell Quansah (7/10):
An encouraging performance. Made several timely clearances and was also excellent in possession.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10):
Rightly annoyed by Lille's leveller but once again unruffled for the majority of the game. Indeed, you get the feeling that opponents do their utmost to stay out of his way.
Kostas Tsimikas (7/10):
Selected ahead of Andy Robertson and justified his inclusion with a strong showing. It was the Greek's challenge that led to Liverpool's opener.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Ryan Gravenberch (6.5/10):
Taken off at half-time after a solid but unspectacular showing.
Curtis Jones (7/10):
Jones looked Liverpool's best chance of opening up the Lille defence in the first half and so it proved, with the England international putting Salah away to score with a terrific through-ball. His withdrawal during the interval may well have been pre-planned but worth noting that he did take a knock just before the break.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6.5/10):
During the first half, the Hungarian spent most of his time putting the Lille backline under pressure. However, after Jones' exit, he dropped a bit deeper to make room for Elliott before coming off himself just after the hour mark.
Getty Images SportAttack
Mohamed Salah (7/10):
The Egyptian gave the ball away repeatedly early on but then broke the deadlock with a fine finish. Almost struck again soon after – which only served to further underline the fact that Salah's always got a goal or two in him no matter how well he's playing!
Darwin Nunez (6.5/10):
Unsurprisingly, the Uruguayan was buzzing after his double at Brentford on Saturday. However, while his movement and effort were both top-drawer, he failed to take the one decent chance that came his way. There was also the obligatory offside goal – though Nunez was arguably unfortunate in this instance.
Luis Diaz (7/10):
Absolutely no surprise that Mandi saw red for taking down Diaz. The Colombian's work-rate was absolutely fantastic – he regained possession 10 times in total – and he was a real livewire until he faded in the final quarter. Such a shame that he didn't exit with an assist to his name, with Salah failing to make the most of his outrageous ball over the top.
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Harvey Elliott (7.5/10):
Introduced in place of Jones and was heavily involved before putting Liverpool back in front with his deflected effort. He'll be disappointed with one sloppy moment of defending, though, as it could have proved costly.
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):
Came on for Gravenberch at half-time and played with his usual mix of aggression and quality. One late block on a shot from Hakon Haraldsson was particularly important.
Wataru Endo (7/10):
The Japanese took up his usual position in front of the back four after replacing Szoboszlai and was typically solid in possession and tenacious in the tackle.
Federico Chiesa (7/10):
Took over on the left flank from Diaz and did well again as a late sub, twice forcing Chevalier into good stops after cutting inside onto his favoured right foot.
Arne Slot (7.5/10):
Job done for the Dutchman, who watched his side secure a last-16 spot in the Champions League with one game remaining, while at the same giving plenty of players game time.
Focus is already beginning to shift toward the wisdom of Manchester United’s summer transfer activity, but could it be said that the club’s recent woes can actually be traced back to their recruitment from last year?
Cast your mind back to the end of the 2022/23 campaign, with the Red Devils in a strong position following an encouraging debut season under Erik ten Hag, having finished third in the Premier League and secured the Carabao Cup trophy – ending a six-year wait for silverware.
The climax of that season was far from perfect it must be said – with Ten Hag’s side losing in the FA Cup final, while also suffering a shock 7-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool – but solid building blocks had been put in place, with the aim of kicking on again heading into 2023/24. The Old Trafford side needed to get things right on the transfer front.
As it happened, the club splashed out £72m on a promising yet unproven striker in Rasmus Hojlund – who had scored just nine league goals the previous season for Atalanta – as well as forking out around £60m for Chelsea’s Mason Mount, despite the fact that the Englishman had just a year left on his contract and had been hampered by injury at Stamford Bridge.
Mason Mount
Having also coughed up £47.2m on Andre Onana, after missing out on the chance to sign the Cameroonian on a free transfer just a year earlier, the club’s three major additions all provided more questions than answers, with Casemiro seemingly among those to have been left ‘disappointed’ by the status of the signings.
Onana, it must be said, has since come good and has even been deemed Ten Hag’s “most important player”, although the jury remains out on both Mount and Hojlund…
Mount and Hojlund's time at United
A former Champions League winner at Chelsea, Mount has endured a wretched start to life in Manchester, having repeatedly been struck down by injury over the past year or so.
Restricted to just 25 appearances in all competitions, the 25-year-old – who had been the subject of interest from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal last summer – only has one goal and one assist to show for his efforts, with the decision to award him the club’s famed number seven shirt still a perplexing one.
As for Hojlund, there is greater reason for optimism as he ended last term as the club’s top scorer, although injuries have also been a factor in something of a stop-start stint thus far.
While ESPN’s Mark Ogden has, rather harshly, suggested that the young Dane is “nowhere near United level”, it is merely the case that the 21-year-old should never have been tasked with being the club’s main number nine, with a far more experienced recruit having been needed – both this summer, and last.
One that got away
The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.
Hindsight is of course a wonderful thing, but the Red Devils may be wishing they could turn back time and acquire two far more high-profile additions, ahead of Mount and Hojlund.
Who United should have signed instead of Mount & Hojlund
Ten Hag is often the target of blame for overseeing a questionable transfer approach, but by all accounts, that 2023 summer window did not go the way he had ideally desired.
For months leading up to the end of the season, it was obvious who the Dutchman wanted – Harry Kane.
Deemed to be United’s primary target to take on that centre-forward role, the England skipper looked destined to depart his beloved Tottenham Hotspur, after netting 280 goals in all competitions – including 213 Premier League goals.
With a year left on his contract, it looked to be an opportune time to strike, yet reports indicated that the Red Devils were wary of having to deal with Spurs’ stubborn owner Daniel Levy. Hojlund – who it is claimed was only Ten Hag’s ‘fifth-choice’ – was signed instead, and Kane ventured off to Bayern for £86m.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s side were also in search of fresh blood in the midfield ranks, with the ageing pairing of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen hardly a long-term fix.
Mount, as we know, was ultimately deemed to be the most astute pick, despite having spent much of his career operating on the flanks or in a number ten role, yet it was notably reported that Ten Hag was particularly keen on signing Declan Rice, prior to his £105m switch to Arsenal.
Whether United ever had much hope of sealing that deal is another matter, but as pundit Teddy Sheringham noted, the £191m duo are certainly players who legendary boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, would have “snapped up” during his time at the helm.
The 13-time title winner often sought to cherry-pick the best British talent from within the Premier League – namely Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand – and would no doubt have been at the front of the queue in the battle for both Kane and Rice.
Erik ten Hag
As it is, the former has gone on to score 54 goals in just 54 games at Bayern, while his international colleague is now a key component of a title-chasing Gunners side, having even scored against United last season at the Emirates to rub further salt into the wounds.
Instead of perhaps even kicking on for a title challenge in 2023/24, backed by marquee signings of Kane and Rice, the Old Trafford side instead tumbled down the table, finishing eighth after their worst-ever Premier League campaign.
Stat (*per game)
Kane
Hojlund
Games
32
30
Goals
36
10
Assists
8
2
Big chances missed
27
13
Big chances created
13
0
Touches*
34.2
22.8
Shots*
4.6
1.3
Key passes*
1.0
0.2
Pass accuracy*
74%
77%
Ironically, United did actually claim more major silverware than either of the pair last season, amid their FA Cup triumph, although the Englishmen are operating at two clubs who will be at the front of the queue in the battle for domestic and European glory again this time around, while Ten Hag and co continue to sink further into the mire.
Goldbridge called the deal crazy: Man Utd star is now their "best signing"
He has been superb this season for Manchester United.
Kohli reiterates that he will remain with the team as a player “until my retirement from the game of cricket”
Nagraj Gollapudi19-Sep-2021Virat Kohli will step down as Royal Challengers Bangalore captain at the end of the IPL 2021 season. The news was made public on Sunday evening, while the Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians game in Dubai was in progress, by the franchise, and came three days after Kohli had announced that he would be giving up the captaincy of India’s T20I team at the end of the World Cup in October-November.Kohli, who will turn 33 during the World Cup, became the regular captain at Royal Challengers in 2013; he has been a part of the franchise as a player since the inception of the IPL in 2008.His 132 matches as captain in the IPL is only behind MS Dhoni’s record of 196, and while he has never won the tournament, his best season as a batter was in 2016 when he not only grabbed the orange cap for the most runs but also helped the team reach the final, where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. That was the solitary final for Royal Challengers under Kohli, but they did make the playoffs in 2015 and 2020 too.
Virat Kohli to step down from RCB captaincy after #IPL2021
“This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I’ll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me.”: Virat Kohli#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/QSIdCT8QQM
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 19, 2021
In the media statement, Kohli pointed out that it had not been an “easy decision” but that it was taken in the interests of the team. He also reiterated that he would remain with the team “until my retirement from the game of cricket”.The development came on the eve of Royal Challengers’ first match in the second leg of IPL 2021, against Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi on Monday. They are currently placed third on the points table after a strong start with five wins from seven matches.ESPNcricinfo has learnt that Kohli had informed people close to him that he had wanted to free himself from the pressures of the planning and strategising that is required from a T20 captain. That led to him stepping down from both the positions, with India and Royal Challengers.On Sunday, Kohli announced his decision to the Royal Challengers squad before their training session. “I’ve spoken to the squad this evening before the second leg of the tournament starts, to inform everyone that this is going to be my last leg in the IPL as captain of RCB,” Kohli said in a video message put out by the franchise on social media. “I spoke to the management this evening, something that was on my mind for a while, as I recently announced stepping down from [India] T20 captaincy as well to manage my workload, which has been immense over the last so many years.”And I want to be able to be continue to be committed to the responsibilities that I’m fulfilling and I felt I needed this space to refresh, to regroup and be absolutely clear in how I want to move forward. And also understanding that RCB is going to go through a transitional phase with the big auction coming in next year.”ESPNcricinfo LtdGoing by Kohli’s statement, it would seem that Royal Challengers would retain him before the 2022 auction.”I’ve made it clear to the management that I can’t think of being in any other team than RCB and that has been my commitment from day one,” Kohli said. “I will continue to be an RCB player till I play my last game in the IPL. But it’s been a great journey of nine years of joy, frustration, moments of happiness and sadness, and I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and believing in me relentlessly and unconditionally.”And I will continue to be committed to play for this franchise as I said till the last day of me playing IPL… for you guys, for the fans, because of what you’ve done for me and how you’ve made me feel over the last so many years that is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.”So thank you so much, this is just a little halt, it’s not the end of the journey. The journey will continue and it will continue the same way that it has for so many years. Thank you.”So far, under Kohli, Royal Challengers have won 62 of their 132 matches while losing 66. While his captaincy and tactical acumen have always been questioned, Kohli never let that affect his batting: no one in IPL history has hit more than the five centuries he has, or topped his tally of 33 half-centuries as captain. He also leads the tally of run-scorers overall, with 6076 runs – from 191 innings, at an average of 37.97 and strike rate of 130.41 – and that of captains, with 4674 runs at an average of 43.27 and a strike rate of 134.11.Kohli, one of the highest-paid players in the IPL, started his journey with the Royal Challengers right after leading India to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2008, and played under Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid before taking charge.
Marcus Rashford's hopes of securing a dream move to Barcelona are reportedly off the table amid his Manchester United exile.
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Rashford exiled at Man UtdEyes Barcelona moveBlaugrana deal off the tableFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Wantaway United forward Rashford has reportedly set his sights on joining Barcelona following his ousting from the first team under head coach Ruben Amorim. But the 27-year-old may have to look elsewhere after a new development.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE EXPLANATION
According to , Barca feel a deal for Rashford is 'highly unlikely' due to their financial fair play issues. He adds Aston Villa have enquired about the Red Devils man following Jhon Duran's move to Al-Nassr.
DID YOU KNOW?
Rashford, whose contract at United runs until 2028, has not played for United for nearly two months now after falling out of favour under Amorim.
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Rashford, who has also been linked with AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, has until 11pm on Monday to seal a United exit before the transfer window shuts.
He retired from professional cricket during the 2021 T20 World Cup and will help mentor the young players during the three-ODI series in Centurion
Firdose Moonda04-Nov-2021Retired Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate has been appointed as a mentor for the national men’s team for their upcoming three-match ODI series in South Africa. ten Doeschate retired from professional cricket at the 2021 T20 World Cup, where the Netherlands failed to progress to the Super 12s. Their focus will now shift to the 50-over format, where they have a squad laden with South Africans for their tour.Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe and Stephan Myburgh all played domestic cricket in South Africa and van der Merwe and Myburgh, in particular, will be familiar with conditions. Three ODIs, scheduled for November 26, 28 and December 1, will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion, where van der Merwe and Myburgh were previously based. A limited number of fans are expected to be allowed into the venue, in line with the current Covid-19 regulations in South Africa, which are at their lowest level since the pandemic began.Those spectators will witness history, as it will be the first time South Africa and Netherlands play in South Africa, after meeting in four ODIs and one T20Is before. South Africa have won all those fixtures.Related
Incumbent Campbell tips ten Doeschate to take over as Netherlands coach
Ryan ten Doeschate took call not to play final game before retirement – Ryan Campbell
Netherlands travel without the experience of Ben Cooper, Tobias Visee and Paul van Meekeren, who all asked not to be considered for personal reasons. They have included three uncapped players, 20-year-old Boris Gorlee, Pakistan-born Musa Ahmed and Clayton Floyd, who recently scored a century at the European Cricket Championships.”After the disappointment of the World Cup, we will look to bounce back against a very good South African outfit. I’m extremely excited to take HCC youngsters Boris Gorlee, Musa Ahmad and Clayton Floyd with us. The experience of living and breathing international cricket in South Africa will be invaluable for them,” Ryan Campbell, Netherlands coach, said.The three matches are part of the World Cup Super League, where both teams need points. Netherlands are in last place on the table, with 20 points from two wins over Ireland. South Africa sit in ninth place, having dropped points in Ireland but could climb as high as second place with a 3-nil clean sweep.Netherlands squad: Pieter Seelaar (capt), Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Vivian Kingma, Max O’Dowd, Scott Edwards, Boris Gorlee, Clayton Floyd, Musa Ahmed, Brandon Glover, Fred Klaassen, Roelof van der Merwe, Saqib Zulfiqar, Stephan Myburgh, Shane Snater, Timm van der Gugten
Jonathan David is a certified goal machine. Since joining Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille from Gent in the summer of 2020, the Canadian striker has scored 92 goals in 196 games. He’s netted 26 in each of the last two seasons, and with 8 in 13 games already this term, he’s again on course for yet another stellar campaign in front of goal.
Given his proficiency at putting the ball in the back of the opposition’s net, it’s no surprise that David, 24, has been continually linked with a move away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in recent years. Here’s a rundown on who is currently sniffing around the £37.5m-rated star.
24
Striker, Centre-forward
June 30, 2025
£26,900 (Capology)
£37.5m (Transfermarkt)
Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle, Aston Villa
Arsenal
Lille's Jonathan David
Arsenal have been perpetually linked with David since 2021. While their interest in signing the Canada international has yet to come to fruition, next summer could be when they finally land their man.
David will be out of contract and free to leave Lille, and according to Tutto Juve, the Gunners are ready to offer him a contract worth £96,000 per week in order to lure him to the Emirates.
Arsenal could now sign 153-goal striker with offer above £96k-per-week
He’s a proven goalscorer.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 12, 2024 Tottenham Hotspur
Lille's Jonathan David
Arsenal aren’t the only team from north London who want to get their hands on David. Tottenham Hotspur also reportedly want to land the forward, who, at just 24, is his national team’s joint-top scorer of all time with 30 goals.
Spurs spent £65m to sign England international Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth in the summer, but so far this season, he’s hit just three goals in eight games. BBC Sport fan writer Ali Speechly recently pleaded with Tottenham to “buy another striker or regret it”.
“If we want to compete as a serious top-four team, we need a clear and consistent striker – or two,” she wrote.
Tottenham frontrunners to sign "mind-blowing" ace for around £100k-per-week
He’d be a low-cost potential signing with real quality.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 12, 2024 Newcastle United
Newcastle United’s options up top are currently limited, with Alexander Isak and the ever-injured Callum Wilson the only two experienced strikers on their books. And with Wilson now 32 years old and in the final year of his contract, Tutto Juve claims that Newcastle are eyeing up David and are in the “front row” to sign him.
Meanwhile, according to GiveMeSport, the Magpies may try to sign David in January in a cut-price deal in the hope that Lille will accept the offer rather than run the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
Free transfer: Newcastle now in front row to sign 153-goal forward in 2025
The Magpies could land a bargain deal…
ByTom Cunningham Sep 12, 2024 Aston Villa
Aston Villa had contact with Lille over signing David this summer and, according to recent reports from Italy, will once again go in for the striker next year. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Villa didn’t land David this year because “they could not find an agreement” with the player or Lille.
However, the French club will be out of the equation as of January, with David free to pre-negotiate with a new club in the new year, meaning Villa need only convince the striker himself that Villa Park is the place for him.
Aston Villa plotting free transfer for £27k-p/w "phenomenon" Emery loves
He could be a major coup for Aston Villa if they can pull it off.
There’s been a suggestion that one “hugely respected” chief is a favourite to replace Edu Gaspar at Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta’s key club ally departing N5 in what is a real blow for the Spaniard and Gunners.
Edu quits Arsenal as Arteta suffers week to forget
It’s been a really regrettable week at the Emirates Stadium, starting with Arteta’s side falling seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool in the title race after their damning 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
Why Edu Gaspar decided to leave Arsenal
It comes amid a tough start to the season for the Gunners.
ByBen Browning Nov 4, 2024
Alexander Isak’s only goal of the game secured Eddie Howe his first win since mid-September and Arsenal’s second top-flight loss in two weeks. The north Londoners have now gone three straight league matches without victory, and if that isn’t rectified immediately, their chase for a first domestic crown in 21 years is seriously threatened – even this early in the campaign.
To add insult to injury, the man responsible for Arteta’s hire and an array of key signings like Martin Odegaard has now left his post. Edu arrived back at the club in 2019 after originally donning Arsenal colours during his playing career, first taking up the role of technical director.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Knee)
23/11/2024
Kieran Tierney (Thigh)
23/11/2024
Riccardo Calafiori (Knee)
23/11/2024
Martin Odegaard (Ankle)
10/11/2024
The South American was then promoted to sporting director three years later in 2022, with both Edu and Arteta playing a major role in building this Arsenal project together – liaising with each other on transfers and helping to transform the club from mid-table fodder back to an elite English side.
Evangelos Marinakis has made Edu a double-your-money offer to oversee the development of his club group, with the tycoon targeting him as a possible chief executive. Marinakis, who owns Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave, has apparently lined Edu up for a key role leading operations at this trio of sides (The Telegraph).
“One of the key points that attracted Edu to Evangelos Marinakis’ project is control,” said journalist Ben Jacobs on X.
“Like Michael Edwards at FSG, Edu will take on a ‘CEO of football’ type role (title to be determined) and have the ability to lead on adding clubs.”
At Arsenal, the question is who will now step into the 46-year-old’s shoes. Arteta is set for a big say on how Arsenal replace Edu, and we personally think Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes would be a fine choice for Arsenal’s new transfer chief.
He’s just helped Xabi Alonso achieve a historic unbeaten season domestically, all while operating with fairly limited funds compared to that of Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
However, journalist John Cross of The Mirror believes someone else closer to home could actually be a favourite.
Suggestion Jason Ayto is a favourite to replace Edu at Arsenal
Writing a piece for the outlet on Monday, Cross has suggested that assistant director Jason Ayto is an “obvious choice” to replace Edu at Arsenal.
Ayto, who has worked closely under Edu and knows the inner workings of his former boss, is apparently “hugely respected” within the club and could be a major contender to take up the former Valencia midfielder’s mantle.
It will be interesting to see if Arsenal look internally, at candidates like Ayto, or focus more externally at outsiders. However, one thing is for certain, Arsenal’s hierarchy must make an informed decision and take their time – as Edu will be a very hard figure to replace.