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The Premier League-bound Frenchman looks poised for greatness after a stunning breakthrough in 2024-25

According to , Real Madrid, Tottenham and RB Leipzig all wanted to sign Eli Junior Kroupi in the winter transfer window. However, it was Bournemouth who won the race for the 18-year-old's signature on deadline day, striking a £10 million ($13m) deal with Ligue 2 side Lorient.

Bournemouth chairman Bill Foley also purchased a 33 percent stake in Lorient at the start of January through his Black Knight Football and Entertainment LLC organisation and, in the end, that's what gave the Cherries the edge in negotiations for Kroupi. The teenage forward is staying at the Stade du Moustoir for the remainder of the season, but in the summer he will complete his move to the Vitality Stadium and begin his journey in the Premier League.

Kroupi has already been given big billing by Bournemouth technical director Simon Francis, who said in the club's official transfer announcement: "We're very excited to sign somebody with such potential. He's shown a high level of natural technical ability and awareness for a player so young, and the speed in which he has adapted to senior football has been very encouraging."

Francis wasn't exaggerating in the slightest. Kroupi has been the standout player for Bournemouth's sister club in their bid to secure an immediate return to the French top flight, with his quality and confidence shining through against even the most well-drilled opponents. Lorient have unearthed a real gem, and GOAL is here to explain exactly why Bournemouth fans are so excited about his impending arrival on the South Coast…

• Where it all began

  Bournemouth's newest signing is the son of former Lorient forward 'Eli' Zahi Verges Napoles Kroupi, who helped the club win the Coupe de France and was also part of the AS Nancy squad that lifted the Coupe de la Ligue back in 2005-06. Eli Junior was born at the end of that season, and soon developed the same passion for football as his father growing up in the French region of Brittany.

  Kroupi joined Lorient's academy at the age of six, and quickly rose through their ranks, eventually breaking into the reserves in the 2021-22 campaign. The talented youngster hit nine goals in 18 games for Lorient's B team, and matched that tally the following season, piquing the interest of then-Lorient senior manager Regis Le Bris.

  In a surprise move, Le Bris handed Kroupi his first-team debut on the final day of the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season, as he stepped off the bench for seven minutes in a 2-1 win over Strasbourg. Kroupi beat ex-Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi's record as the youngest player in the club's history in the process at the tender age of 16 years and 345 days.

  On the back of that achievement, another dream moment came Kroupi's way in the form of a call-up to France's U17 squad for the European Championship, but in a cruel twist of fate, he was forced to withdraw due to injury, and missed out on their run to the final. That blow only strengthened Kroupi's resolve, though, and he reported for pre-season back at Lorient with a point to prove.

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• The big break

  Le Bris continued to give Kroupi opportunities in 2023-24, and was richly rewarded for his faith in the teenage attacker. Kroupi broke Andre Ayew's record as Lorient's youngest goalscorer of all time when he found the net in a 5-3 defeat to Nantes on September 23, 2023, and two weeks later he scored twice in a 3-3 draw away at Lyon – making him the youngest player to hit a brace in Ligue 1 since 1974.

  Kroupi's first goal was a thing of beauty, too, as he picked the ball up 25 yards from goal before effortlessly sidestepping a defender and curling the ball into the top corner of the net. Only truly special footballers are capable of scoring goals like that, and Kroupi's overall performance left a massive impression on Tiemoue Bakayoko, who had joined Lorient on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea in the summer.

  “He’s a phenomenon," Bakayoko told the official Ligue 1 website. "He reminds me a little of Kylian Mbappe in terms of the maturity of his game." Le Bris also waxed lyrical over the Lorient academy graduate, adding: "Playing football is pure joy for him. If he can continue enjoying himself this way, which I think he will, there is a bright future for him ahead, and for us too. As well as being an undeniably talented footballer, he has attracted attention and people are gravitating around him but he is focused on enjoying his football. That makes all the difference and it's a credit to him!"

  Kroupi would go on to finish the season with five goals and three assists from 31 appearances in all competitions, but his impressive performances were not enough to save Lorient from relegation to Ligue 2. Le Bris subsequently left the club to take on a new challenge in England with Sunderland, with former Ajaccio boss Olivier Pantaloni swiftly drafted in as his replacement.

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  How it's going

  Kroupi did not get much time off over the summer because he was part of the France squad that made it to the U19 European Championship final. The youngster played the full 90 minutes in the showpiece event against Spain, but Les Blues ultimately fell to a painful 2-0 loss after playing the last portion of the match with ten men due to a red card to Yoni Gomis.

  The tournament was another valuable learning experience for Kroupi, though, and he hit the ground running with Lorient at the start of the 2024-25 campaign. Kroupi scored seven goals in his first 10 Ligue 2 appearances, including a superb brace in a 4-2 home win over FC Annecy, leaving Pantaloni in no doubt about his potential.

  "He's a player with a lot of quality. Strikers often express themselves best when they're full of confidence, and he gives us that confidence back," the Lorient head coach told a post-match press conference. "He has to stay true to himself, listen to what's asked of him so he doesn't distort his game. He's someone who has his head on his shoulders, who's clear-headed. He feels good in the group and is greatly appreciated. He's still a kid who loves the game, but I think he's aware that, above all, efficiency is essential for a striker."

  A dead leg halted Kroupi's momentum as he sat out Lorient's next five games, but he gradually built up his sharpness again after returning to the pitch, recording three goal contributions in seven league outings across December and January. A move to the Premier League was then arranged for Kroupi, much to the delight of Bournemouth boss Adoni Iraola.

  "He is ahead of the normal trajectory of a player," Iraola said. "I think he's performing very well, he has been very successful with Lorient and the national team. I'm very happy." Kroupi could have taken his foot off the gas after confirmation of the deal with Bournemouth and cruised to the end of his contract, but instead, he's gone on to beat Emmanuel Adebayor's record as the youngest player to score 11 or more goals in Ligue 2, and put Lorient on the cusp of promotion at the top of the table. Winning the first title of his career would be the perfect way for Kroupi to depart his boyhood club, and they have every chance of getting over the line if he maintains his prolific strike-rate.

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  Biggest strengths

  Described as "unflappable" by Lorient captain Laurent Abergel, Kroupi is a versatile player who can operate anywhere across the frontline. He is at his most effective as a false nine or second striker, though, because he loves to receive the ball on the turn and look for quick passing interchanges to unlock defences.

  Kroupi possesses a very high footballing IQ for such a young player, which is reflected in his movement off the ball and decision-making on it. He's also a brilliant finisher who very rarely misses the target when he gets a sight of goal, as defences across Ligue 2 have found out to their peril this season.

  Despite his relatively small stature, Kroupi is a real threat in the air, too, with the natural spring and timing to outfox his taller markers. As if all that wasn't enough, Kroupi is also capable of beating anyone for pace over 10 yards, and has quick feet to match, making him a nightmare to try and stop in full flow.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the UK will host the Women's World Cup for the first time in 2035

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• Women's World Cup heading to UK
• Only bid received by FIFA for 2035
• United States to host 2031 tournament

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With FIFA's deadline for initial bids now closed, Infantino confirmed that the UK’s proposal remains unchallenged, putting the Home Nations in pole position to host the prestigious tournament in a decade’s time. The decision follows a joint expression of interest submitted by the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Spain, Portugal, and Morocco had previously discussed a potential joint bid, with Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzán announcing their interest. However, they did not follow through with a formal submission, leaving the UK as the sole contender.

• WHAT INFANTINO SAID

  Speaking at UEFA’s annual congress in Belgrade, Infantino highlighted the clarity surrounding the tournament’s future hosts.

  “I can confirm that we have received one bid for 2031, and one valid bid for 2035,” Infantino told delegates in Belgrade. “The 2031 bid is from the USA and potentially some other Concacaf nations. The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the Home Nations.”

• DID YOU KNOW

  As FIFA looks ahead to future editions of the Women’s World Cup, significant structural changes are planned for the competition. From 2031 onward, the tournament will expand to feature 48 teams, aligning with the format already introduced for the men’s World Cup.

  The United States has positioned itself as the front-runner to host that edition, with the possibility of other CONCACAF nations co-hosting. CONCACAF represents North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, meaning countries such as Mexico and Canada could be involved in staging the event.

There’s no escaping it now: this season has been dreadful for Tottenham Hotspur.

In fact, the one thing preventing it from being a full-blown disaster is the fact that the club have a League Cup semi-final to look forward to.

However, when it comes to their Premier League form, Ange Posetcoglou’s side have been dire, and while some blame must fall at the feet of the manager, he has been dealt a lousy hand in the form of an injury crisis at the back.

So, recent reports linking the club with someone who could solve the manager’s biggest problem and serve as an upgrade on Radu Dragusin should excite fans.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of around 11 sides interested in Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Skriniar.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report claims that Napoli, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, and Atlético Madrid are all keen on the experienced defender.

However, while this level of outside interest is far from ideal for the North Londoners, the good news is that he may not cost an arm and a leg to sign, as the story has revealed that PSG will make him available for around €35m – £29m – next month, and could be willing to go as low as €25m – £21m – in negotiations.

In all, it could be an incredibly complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Skriniar’s ability and experience, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he’d be an upgrade on Dragusin and help solve Ange’s biggest problem.

How Skriniar compares to Dragusin

So, of all the issues Postecoglou has faced at Spurs this season, the defensive injury crisis has been the most significant.

Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies have all missed a sizable portion of the season thus far, which has meant that 18-year-old Archie Gray and the error-prone Dragusin have had to form a makeshift and rather flimsy centre-back partnership, and now it looks like the latter will be out for a little while as well.

So, in signing a new defender, the club will be addressing, and hopefully solving, the Australian’s most significant pressing this season.

Moreover, if the centre-back they sign ends up being Skriniar, then that would also see Dragusin fall further down the pecking order, as while he’s had some decent performances, he’s also had too many dire ones.

For example, he picked up a red card on his European debut for the side, gifted Victor Osimhen a goal against Galatasaray and looked utterly clueless against Rangers.

However, the “incredible” PSG gem, as dubbed by journalist Jerry Mancini, would be a brilliant addition to the squad in his own right and not just as an upgrade on the Romanian.

For example, he has bags and bags of experience, making 246 appearances for Inter Milan and winning the league in Italy and France while also making 77 appearances for Slovakia.

Moreover, on top of being a 6 foot 2 titan who certainly wouldn’t be bullied in the Premier League, he’s no slouch with the ball at his feet, as FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, places him in the top 1% of centre-backs for passes attempted and passes completed, per 90.

Ultimately, Spurs are in desperate need of new defenders, as not only are their starting centre-backs seemingly injury-prone, but their replacements aren’t good enough.

Therefore, the North Londoners should do all they can to sign Skriniar next month, as he’d be the perfect solution to this problem.

Spurs plot significant move for "special" £32m ace who could usurp Maddison

The experienced £32m star would bolster Spurs’ attacking options.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 24, 2024

Eddie Howe will miss Newcastle's Premier League clash against Manchester United on Sunday after being admitted to hospital.

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• Howe admitted to hospital on Friday
• Had been unwell for a few days
• Will miss Sunday's clash against Man Utd

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Magpies have confirmed that their head coach Howe was admitted to a hospital late on Friday after being unwell for a few days. The Carabao Cup-winning manager will not be in the dugout for the club's upcoming Premier League match against United on Sunday at St. James' Park.

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• WHAT NEWCASTLE SAID

  The official statement from the club read: "The Magpies' head coach was admitted to hospital late on Friday evening having felt unwell for a number of days. Medical staff kept Eddie in hospital overnight for further tests, which are ongoing. He is conscious and talking with his family, and is continuing to receive expert medical care. Everyone at Newcastle United extends their best wishes to Eddie for a speedy recovery, and further updates will follow in due course. Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones will lead the team at St. James' Park on Sunday, supported by the club's first team staff."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Newcastle, who are currently seventh in the Premier League, are aiming for a top-five finish to return to the Champions League next season. Thus, Howe's absence in the dugout in the crucial fixture against the Red Devils will come as a massive blow for the team.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EDDIE HOWE

  As confirmed by the club, the 47-year-old English coach was kept overnight at the hospital for further tests. Newcastle fans will be buoyed by the news that Howe is conscious and talking, with the football world hopeful that he won't be away from the touchline for too long.

Manchester United have now been offered the chance to sign an “absolute monster” in a swap deal, with the player believed to be keen on the move, according to a report.

Man Utd pursuing a striker

Man United are now pushing to bring in a new striker this month, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen now on their list of targets, and there has recently been a positive update on their pursuit of the Nigerian, as he is said to be determined to move to Old Trafford.

FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion is also under consideration, having sent scouts to watch the striker in action against Boavista, and he is likely to have caught the eye, netting twice in a 4-0 victory to help continue his side’s title charge.

Just a few days ago, it emerged that United could look to make a move for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic this month, with journalist Enrico Camelio explaining that a deal could be possible, should Joshua Zirkzee be sent in the opposite direction.

INEOS working on transfer for £75m star who wants Man Utd move this month

It would be some coup…

By
Barney Lane

Jan 6, 2025

Now, the Red Devils have been handed the opportunity to make that deal a reality, with TEAMtalk reporting that Juventus have now made an official cash-plus-player offer.

There are signs that a deal could have a good chance of coming to fruition, too, as both players have given the green light to moving, with Zirkzee struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League since arriving from Bologna in the summer.

TEAMtalk relay a previous valuation of the Juventus striker from CaughtOffside, which suggests he could be worth €65m (£54m), with United required to pay a fee to bring the combined value of their player and the money to a suitable amount.

Vlahovic is an upgrade on Zirkzee

Members of the Italian media have lauded the Serbian as an “absolute monster”, and for good reason, given that his record in front of goal in the Serie A is very impressive, with his most prolific season coming in 2020-21 for Fiorentina, netting 21 times.

As shown, the Juventus star has a better eye for goal than the Dutchman, scoring more than double the number of non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, but his all-round game isn’t as strong.

As such, if Ruben Amorim wants a proven goalscorer, who does not offer much else to the team, it is worth considering Juventus’ proposal of a swap deal, but Zirkzee is likely to help the team in different ways. Osimhen should be United’s priority target, given that his all-round game is a lot better than Vlahovic’s, while also averaging more non-penalty goals over the past year.

Although Zirkzee has failed to deliver so far, it seems a little premature to let him leave this winter, especially considering Vlahovic is not the best striker United are currently linked with, meaning there is no pressing need to accept a swap deal.

Everything you need to know German midfielder Joshua Kimmich's salary details playing for Bayern Munich

Joshua Kimmich became a Bayern Munich player in 2015 after spending two seasons with RB Leipzig.

Since then, Kimmich has gone on to create a legacy of his own at the Allianz Arena and is often hailed as one of the best midfielders in recent years.

He has remained loyal to the Bayern fans despite numerous rumors of him leaving the club, and for his commitment, he has been generously compensated.

Kimmich is one of the top earners at the Allianz Arena. But exactly how much does he make?

GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!

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• Joshua Kimmich's wages at Bayern Munich in numbers

  Kimmich currently stands as the third highest-earner at Bayern Munich after Harry Kane and the legendary Manuel Neuer.

  The German earns a whopping £321,636 ($421,043) on a weekly basis, while his annual salary amounts to £16.7 million ($21.8m)

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Joshua Kimmich	German	£321,636	$421,043	£16,725,047	$21,894,212

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  Top earners at Bayern Munich

  As mentioned earlier, Kane and Neuer occupy the top two spots on Bayern Munich’s wage bill, followed by Kimmich.

  Meanwhile, at numbers four and five are the talented Jamal Musiala and former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry, with both players earning identical wages at Bayern.

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Harry Kane	English	£402,044	$526,303	£20,906,308	$27,367,765
  Manuel Neuer	German	£337,717	$442,095	£17,561,299	$22,988,923
  Joshua Kimmich	German	£321,636	$421,043	£16,725,047	$21,894,212
  Jamal Musiala	German	£303,463	$397,254	£15,780,082	$20,657,189
  Serge Gnabry	German	£303,463	$397,254	£15,780,082	$20,657,189

• Top earners in Bundesliga

  The dominance of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga becomes even more evident when looking at the wage bills of all other clubs.

  Of all the footballers currently starring in the Bundesliga, the top thirteen highest-paid players in the league are all Bayern stars.

  Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Sule breaks the list at number fourteen.

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Harry Kane	English	£402,044	$526,303	£20,906,308	$27,367,765
  Manuel Neuer	German	£337,717	$442,095	£17,561,299	$22,988,923
  Joshua Kimmich	German	£321,636	$421,043	£16,725,047	$21,894,212
  Jamal Musiala	German	£303,463	$397,254	£15,780,082	$20,657,189
  Serge Gnabry	German	£303,463	$397,254	£15,780,082	$20,657,189

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  Highest paid players in the world

  Although Bundesliga players, specifically Bayern stars, earn impressive sums of money, they fail to make it onto the list of the top five highest-paid players in the world.

  The list is completely dominated by Saudi Pro League players, with arguably one of the greatest forwards to play the game, Cristiano Ronaldo, sitting at the top.

  Meanwhile, his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema follows him in second place.

  Moving on, Riyad Mahrez comes in at number three, followed by Senegalese internationals Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly.

  Player	Club	Weekly wages GBP	Weekly wages USD	Annual wages GBP	Annual wages USD
  Cristiano Ronaldo	Al Nassr	£3,216,155	$4,210,425	£167,250,468	$218,942,120
  Karim Benzema	Al Ittihad	£1,608,178	$2,105,213	£83,625,234	$109,471,060
  Riyad Mahrez	Al Ahli	£839,469	$1,098,921	£45,652,372	$57,43,893
  Sadio Mane	Al Nassr	£643,271	$842,085	£33,450,094	$43,788,424
  Kalidou Koulibaly	Al Hilal	£558,038	$730,509	£29,017,956	$37,986,458

Celtic are now in negotiations over the signing of a “special” player in the January transfer window, according to an update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Latest Celtic news

The Hoops are still stinging after their 3-0 defeat away to Rangers on Thursday, in what was surely their most disappointing Scottish Premiership outing of the season to date. Brendan Rodgers’ side were never at the races at Ibrox, allowing their rivals to get within 11 points of them in the title race.

There is no need for an overreaction, however, with Celtic still in an extremely dominant position, and new signings during the January window will only strengthen their chances of yet more title success, as well as shining in the Champions League.

One report has claimed that the Hoops could sign two players in the same position out wide, in order to pave the way for Luis Palma to leave, while young Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee has also been continually linked with a move to Parkhead recently.

Along with Palma, there are other Celtic players who could depart this month, with Rodgers reportedly happy to allow centre-back Stephen Welsh to move on and find a new club where he can enjoy more regular playing time. A reunion with Kieran Tierney has also been mooted and now a big update has emerged regarding their pursuit of him.

Celtic in discussions to sign "special" Tierney

Writing on X on Friday morning, Romano said that Celtic have now entered negotiations for Tierney to return to the club, potentially this month.

Seeing Tierney back with the Hoops is likely to go down extremely well with supporters, with the Scot coming in and providing great competition for Greg Taylor at left-back.

The 27-year-old’s brilliance during his first stint at Parkhead saw him earn a move to Arsenal, at which point he was deemed one of the most impressive full-backs in Britain. Mikel Arteta was certainly delighted when he snapped him up, saying:

“I am really looking forward to working with him and giving him the opportunity to play. His attitude, his commitment, his willingness it’s incredible. I think he’s going to bring something special to us.”

Sadly for Tierney, he has struggled to match the hype, rarely being a key starter during Arsenal’s resurgence in recent seasons, but for that reason, he surely loves the idea of returning to Celtic.

83% duels lost: Rodgers must instantly drop "very clumsy" Celtic star

The Celtic head coach should drop the forward from the starting line-up this weekend.

By
Dan Emery

Jan 3, 2025

At 27, he still has so much to offer in his career, and if he can enjoy another four or five years in a Hoops shirt, he could cement legendary status at the club, having already won five league titles at Parkhead.

Liverpool have confirmed that captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new contract with the club.

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• Van Dijk in last months of Liverpool deal
• Ongoing saga over Reds contract
• Joins Salah in signing new terms

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool have confirmed the 33-year-old has extended his stay with the club 'beyond the 2024/25 season'. The Dutchman was out of contract this summer but now he has come to an agreement with the Reds, with the defender himself saying he has signed for another two years until 2027.

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  WHAT VAN DIJK SAID

  He told the club's website: “I’m very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions obviously that go through my head right now speaking about it. It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Van Dijk, Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been part of a huge contract saga for most of the season as they were all set to be out of contract this summer. Salah and now Van Dijk have been convinced to be part of manager Arne Slot's project but Alexander-Arnold seems set to head to Real Madrid. The future looks a lot more bright for Liverpool now that Salah and Van Dijk, who had lucrative offers to leave Anfield, are staying.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Van Dijk and Salah are likely to feature for Liverpool away to relegation-threatened Leicester City on Sunday as they inch closer to the Premier League title.

Newcastle United are in the midst of an excellent run of form which has not only seen them rise to fifth in the Premier League table but also secure an impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg.

Eddie Howe won’t want to stop there, especially with another cup final in sight. Powered by the talents of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, Newcastle could be on the verge of greatness this season.

Gordon, in particular, has been wonderful since the start of 2024/25, taking his game to new heights.

Newcastle's best attackers in 2024/25

While Isak has been the Toon’s main source of comfort this term, we cannot forget about Gordon and Jacob Murphy.

The latter is perhaps in the form of his life right now, registering four assists and three goals in his last six Premier League outings.

He’s gone under the radar though compared to Gordon. Comparatively, the winger has registered 12 goal contributions – seven goals and five assists – across 25 games this season, including a goal in the win over Arsenal recently.

Gordon has also created seven big chances in the top flight, along with averaging 2.3 key passes and succeeding with 1.2 dribbles per game, showcasing his vast attacking talents in the final third.

These are impressive statistics, no doubt about that. Unsurprisingly, his impressive performances saw the Englishman rewarded with a bumper new contract this term, one that made him the second-highest-paid player in the squad

To highlight the winger’s rise, only Brazilian star Bruno Guimaraes (£160k-per-week) earns more than Gordon’s £150k-per-week.

Neither of those players will be leaving in a hurry but because of the form of Isak, that man Gordon and Murphy, it leaves little room for Miggy Almiron who must be given the boot.

Why Miguel Almiron should be sold by Newcastle

The Paraguayan may well be taking home a great deal less than Gordon, but he is earning £25k-per-week more than Murphy and yet failing to offer anything near an adequate contribution to the team this term.

Indeed, across 12 appearances in all competitions, the 30-year-old has failed to score or even grab an assist, starting just four times.

In the Premier League, Almiron has created zero big chances, succeeded with 0% of his dribble attempts and averages a lowly 0.1 key passes per game. These statistics certainly prove that perhaps his spell at the Magpies is coming to an end and he won’t be missed that much on this basis.

According to Telegraph Sport, the winger is close to leaving Newcastle, with clubs in America, Brazil and Europe all looking to sign him this month.

Howe is demanding a fee of around £12m, which would give him a boost as he seeks a couple of signings.

Previously hailed as “absolutely unbelievable” by pundit Tam McManus in 2022, Almiron’s stature at the club has diminished of late, which has led to Howe looking to move him on.

Since his arrival six years ago, the South American has gone on to play 221 games for the Toon in that time, scoring 30 goals while grabbing 12 assists.

It’s fair to say that the £21m they spent on signing him from Atlanta United was money well spent. With just 18 months left on his contract, this is the last chance PIF will be able to secure a decent fee for the player.

Earning £60k-per-week but failing to produce the goods this season suggests a sale could be the best outcome for all parties.

Amazing Barnes replacement: Newcastle plot move for "dangerous" £25m star

Eddie Howe would love to add this new attacker to his Newcastle United squad.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jan 12, 2025

Objectively, Darwin Nunez is a talented centre-forward. One of the bravest, most influential, most tenacious. Thing is, though, Nunez has suffered from some woeful finishing across the past two-and-a-years at Liverpool.

Oh to lift the lid and peer within the complex mechanics of this Uruguayan striker. This enigma. Nunez fired two cool strikes past Mark Flekken on Saturday afternoon, coming up trumps for a Liverpool side that looked like it was heading for a third straight draw in the Premier League.

Liverpool had toiled against Brentford, whose resistance and togetherness has seen them thrive once again under Thomas Frank’s wing this season, but were finally breached in stoppage time by a forward who desperately needed some respite following a tough period.

Nunez doubled his Premier League goal tally for the season, converting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s drilled delivery before lashing a strike into the inside netting moments later, latching onto Harvey Elliott’s neat pass after a devastating break.

But. Liverpool will be under no illusions that Nunez hasn’t been good enough this season, still lacking the killer bite in the final third that, admittedly, was on show last time out.

Why Liverpool still could replace Nunez

Nunez will play a big part in Liverpool’s campaign over the coming months. Arne Slot revealed during his Friday press conference that Diogo Jota had picked up yet another fitness setback, ruling him out of his 12th fixture of the campaign.

Liverpool’s attacking depth secured three invaluable points to ultimately extend their dominant lead at the top of the Premier League, something that was not lost on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal as the Londoners squandered a two-goal lead to draw with Aston Villa.

The title, truly, is Anfield’s to lose, and while there’s a long, crooked road still ahead, Liverpool will only have themselves to blame if they do fail in their endeavour. Nunez, again, will be crucial, but his track record suggests that there is so much work to be done before he can prove himself worthy of being the number one at number nine.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a transfer to the Saudi Pro League in recent weeks, and while his Brentford display serves as a reprieve and a welcome one at that, FSG are still trawling through the market for a new top-class forward.

Transfer Focus

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Liverpool eyeing new forward

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are seriously considering a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo this year. The Frenchman is, of course, a topical name after being beaten by the Reds this weekend, but his performances across the campaign suggest that he could be perfect for the project.

It’s felt that Frank will forbid Mbeumo from leaving at the season’s midpoint, but offers in the ballpark of £60m could tempt the well-run outfit to cash in during the summer.

One of the English top flight’s standout performers this year, the 25-year-old is being pursued by a host of rivals, so Liverpool will need to up the ante at the negotiating table.

What Bryan Mbeumo would bring to Liverpool

Mbeumo’s quality will indeed be freshly pressed in Liverpool minds after his impressive performance against Slot’s side on Saturday, running Kostas Tsimikas ragged at times, with reporter Sam Tabuteau noting that he had “the measure” of the Greek left-back.

Ultimately, it was a bad day at the office for the Bees talisman, who stung Alisson’s palms with four strikes on goal – each, of course, saved.

That doesn’t detract from a rich overall season that has showcased some superb finishing in the Premier League, with Mbeumo actually ranking among the top 5% of positional peers in the division for goals scored (0.59) per 90, as per FBref.

He’s scored 13 goals in the division this season, featuring 21 times and adding three assists. Mbeumo is actually the joint-fifth highest scorer in 2024/25, five strikes behind Mohamed Salah and only two off Newcastle United hitman Alexander Isak.

Last season, The Athletic’s Jay Harris remarked that Mbeumo “cannot be stopped,” with Mbeumo starring in west London. Well, it’s clear that he’s raised his level since the summer, now among the Premier League’s foremost strikers.

Principally playing off the right flank, Mbeumo has got ample experience in a more conventional centre-forward role, endowed with the crisp finishing to align with a dynamic skill set and ensure his success.

Slot’s Liverpool are a fluent and interchangeable side, with the likes of Luis Diaz featuring regularly as the central focal point. Mbeumo would stake his claim to having superior physicality to Liverpool’s contingent, with Nunez and Diaz tenacious characters but perhaps lacking in strength.

Mbeumo has averaged 1.3 tackles and 4.6 successful duels per Premier League match this term, as per Sofascore, so he clearly has an apt anatomical build for the duty.

At 5 foot 8, he’s diminutive and woulnd’t bring the kind of aerial threat that, say, Erling Haaland carries over at Manchester City, but Liverpool could benefit from the strengths that Mbeumo does possess all the same.

Liverpool might just have the tools to get over the line this season, clinching an incredible Premier League title in Slot’s first season at the helm. Nunez has proved that he can be a driving force in desperate moments, but is he mature enough, Slot-like enough, to lead the line over the coming years.

Mbeumo has proven through several years of hard toil that he is capable of being a consistent outlet in front of goal, and Liverpool must pull no punches in getting his prized signature added to the Anfield ranks.

Move over Nunez: 8/10 Liverpool star was the real star of the show

The Liverpool defender put in a fantastic performance against Brentford on Saturday.

By
Dan Emery

Jan 18, 2025