تتجه أنظار عشاق كرة القدم إلى ملعب “الاتحاد” مساء يوم الثلاثاء، حيث يستضيف مباراة قوية بين فريقي مانشستر سيتي وريال مدريد، في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

تأتي تلك المباراة في إطار لقاءات ذهاب الملحق المؤهل إلى منافسات دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2024/25.

وسلطت شبكة “ريليفو” الإسبانية الضوء على جانب مختلف، يخص مباراة مانشستر سيتي وريال مدريد، ولكن من زاوية أخرى.

وتحدثت الشبكة الشهيرة عن لاعب ريال مدريد، رودريجو، الذي ينال اهتمامًا كبيرًا من جانب مانشستر سيتي، وخاصة المدرب بيب جوارديولا الذي يكن إعجابًا شديدًا للبرازيلي.

وارتبط رودريجو بإمكانية مغادرة صفوف ريال مدريد، الصيف الماضي، والانتقال إلى مانشستر سيتي في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مانشستر سيتي يتلقى دفعة إيجابية قبل مباراة ريال مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وتقدم بطل الدوري الإنجليزي بعرض من أجل الحصول على خدمات اللاعب صاحب الـ24 عامًا، آنذاك، ولكن الأخير رفضه بشكل قاطع حيث أبدى رغبته في مواصلة مسيرته مع ريال مدريد.

وأوضحت أن وراء اهتمام مانشستر سيتي بضم رودريجو هو المدرب بيب جوارديولا، حيث يُعد المحرك الرئيسي خلف محاولة النادي الإنجليزي لاستقطاب لاعب ريال مدريد إلى ملعب “الاتحاد”.

وأفادت بأن جوارديولا أراد بشدة ضم رودريجو لتعزيز هجوم الفريق قبل موسم 2024/25، ولكن دون جدوى.

وأظهر جوارديولا مدى إعجابه بـ رودريجو، في آخر مرة تلاقى فيه ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي، في ربع نهائي الموسم الماضي من دوري أبطال أوروبا.

واستغل جوارديولا تلك المباراة من أجل التواصل مع رودريجو، سواء في المناطق المختلطة الخاصة بإجراء الأحاديث الإعلامية، أو مدخل غرفة تغيير الملابس.

وشددت على أنه على الرغم من مودة جوارديولا وعرض مانشستر سيتي، فإن رودريجو لم يقتنع بكل هذا، حيث يدرك في قراره نفسه رغبته في البقاء مع بطل أوروبا.

وأكدت أن مانشستر سيتي وجوارديولا لا يزالان يراقبان رودريجو عن كثب، رغم الموقف الرافض السابق، مع العلم أن اللاعب يتواجد على رادار أندية أخرى مثل مانشستر يونايتد، إلى جانب الدوري السعودي.

من جهة أخرى، فإن رودريجو عادة ما يتألق أمام مانشستر سيتي، حيث سبق له أن خاض 7 مباريات ضد الفريق الإنجليزي، وسجل 4 أهداف وصنع هدفًا.

India, meanwhile, are unlikely to get warm-up matches against English county sides. They will instead play two intra-squad games

PTI25-Jun-2021

Ishant Sharma required multiple stitches on his bowling hand after sustaining an injury on the last day of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, but the pacer is expected to be fit in time for India’s five-match Test series against England that starts on August 4.Sharma tried to stop a drive from Ross Taylor in what turned out to be the penultimate over of the final. He left the field with his hand bleeding, having bowled only two balls in his seventh over, with Jasprit Bumrah completing it.”Ishant has had multiple stitches on his middle and fourth finger in his right hand. However, it is not very serious,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by PTI. “The stitches will be off in around ten days and with six weeks left for the first Test against England, he is expected to recover in time.”Related

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The Indian team is having a break of three weeks after the conclusion of the WTC final, which New Zealand won by eight wickets.”The squad travelled together to London. From here they can all leave for their respective destinations within the UK for a 20-day break,” the official said.However, once the team reassembles in London on July 14 and proceeds to Nottingham, they are unlikely to get warm-up first-class matches against English county sides. They will instead play two intra-squad games at the Riverside ground in Durham.After the WTC final, India captain Virat Kohli had expressed his desire for warm-up games.”Well, that doesn’t depend on us. We obviously wanted first-class games, which I believe have not been given to us,” Kohli had said. “I don’t know what the reasons for that are. But yeah, other than that I think our preparation time will be ample for us to be ready for the first Test.”While it is understood that the BCCI had requested the ECB for a few practice games, the Covid-19 situation won’t allow any such plan to go ahead.”Due to Covid-19 protocols, they will play two intra-squad four-day matches before the first Test in August,” an ECB spokesperson told PTI on Friday. Asked if there is any chance of a game against county sides, the spokesperson said, “No”.In England, cricketers from various counties are regularly being tested for Covid-19 but are not being kept in any bubble. But the Indian team would again be in a bubble once they move to Durham.”The domestic cricketers of England not being in a bubble is an issue for sure. That’s why the games in Durham will be intra-squad ones,” the BCCI official said.India are currently travelling with 24 players – 20 in the official squad and four reserves – which would thus allow them to play intra-squad games.

In 2024/25, Newcastle United would view a poor campaign as one that concludes without a concerted shot at silverware and without qualifying for next year’s European competition.

How things have changed. Eddie Howe has been the architect of something special since his appointment shortly after the lucrative PIF takeover.

But we need only cast our mind back across the past 15 seasons and view two Toon relegations from the Premier League – with plenty of near misses and disappointing finishes throughout.

Oh sure, Newcastle have deeper pockets than once before, but the errant strategy has also been swatted away. High-profile signings of players such as Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have hit the mark.

It wasn’t always the case, with money spent hastily and efforts to land top targets falling short. The transfer of Gabriel Obertan is one such case – just wait until you hear who could have been signed instead.

Why Newcastle signed Gabriel Obertan

It was the summer of 2011, and Newcastle were about to be treated to a season of Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba-fuelled wonder, so it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

But not everything worked out all dandy. That same summer, Obertan moved to Newcastle from Manchester United in a deal worth £3m. The 22-year-old had featured 21 times for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils after emerging from the youth ranks, but he scored just one goal and patently needed a fresh lease of life.

Newcastle struggled to give him the conditions he needed – and vice versa, in a way. But it didn’t work out in any case, with Obertan suffering injury misfortune and failing to grow into the player that Ferguson thought he might become, having once hailed him as an “exciting prospect”.

And it was luckless fitness dips that proved to form the crux of Obertan’s woes at St. James’ Park, for he was scarcely found in the starting lineup in the Premier League and failed to hit the consistency that would have earned him the right kind of form.

Indeed, Obertan scored three goals and added ten assists across 77 matches for Newcastle, meaning that he technically cost the club £1m per goal.

15/16

6 (4)

0

1

14/15

16 (11)

1

2

13/14

5 (0)

0

0

12/13

24 (14)

1

3

11/12

26 (19)

2

4

Grim reading, especially when considering the track that Newcastle took to secure the Frenchman’s signature. Mike Ashley’s Magpies were unable to cash in on their wayward venture due to his issues, and thus he trundled through his contract and departed on a free in 2016, having not returned to the Premier League since.

It could have been so different, for Newcastle could have signed Mohamed Salah instead…

When Newcastle missed out on Mohamed Salah

It’s a well-known name on the English scene. Salah has been the veritable lifeforce of Liverpool’s frontline throughout an illustrious point in their history, notably winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup under Jurgen Klopp’s wing.

One of the Premier League’s finest forwards, Salah, aged 32, has scored 160 goals and supplied 72 assists across 267 matches in England’s top flight, principally for Liverpool but also, briefly, for Chelsea.

The Egypt international is widely regarded as a “world-class” player, as Klopp states below, but he really could have enjoyed his rise and rise as a Magpie – just think of the difference it could have made over the past decade.

It dates back to the winger’s humble beginnings in his homeland, with Al Mokawloon, one of Egypt’s most prestigious outfits. Newcastle had noted his potential and wanted to bring him across the seas and allow him to cut his teeth in the Premier League.

There’s no word of mouth here, the news came from the man himself, who said back in 2011: “Newcastle will soon make an official offer to sign me for one season. I don’t think contractors will refuse to let me play in the English Premier League. It’s a dream for any player to play in one of the strongest league competitions in the world.”

It, obviously, didn’t work out. Salah would move to FC Basel and hone his craft in Switzerland before catching Chelsea’s attention and transferring to the Premier League for an £11m fee in 2014.

But just think of what could have been. Salah has become one of Europe’s most devastating players at Anfield and actually emerged as the Saudi Pro League’s top transfer target in 2023, with Al Ittihad willing to pay £150m for his services – this was rejected by Liverpool who clearly valued him even higher.

Newcastle have had to live with the fact that they opted against signing Salah way back when. Let’s face it, the young talent was awestruck by the prospect of donning the black and white stripes and would have boarded the first plane had Ashley’s outfit followed up their interest with a bid.

He signed for Basel in 2012 for an undisclosed figure that can’t have been much more than was paid for Obertan at Newcastle one year earlier, so it would take a brave football fanatic to stake a convincing argument as to why, in hindsight, the Magpies decided not to swoop.

Anyway, it’s all water under a bridge. Newcastle are on the up and are targetting new levels of success once again this season – deals like this one matter little now, but it’s a stark reminder not to deviate from the thriving strategy of modern times.

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The travelling party will have their passports processed separately, and will not face immigration authorities

Mohammad Isam22-Jun-2021The Australian men’s team will have heightened bio-bubble measures on their tour to Bangladesh next month. The visitors are likely to touch down on July 29 to play five T20Is against Bangladesh in early August, with all matches being held in Dhaka as per the agreement between the two boards.The measures will start as soon as the Australians land at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. As Cricket Australia (CA) informed the BCB that they didn’t want the players to be in a hallroom inside the airport, the traveling party will have their passports processed separately, and they will not be facing the immigration authorities,.”The proper procedure of immigration and passport control will take place in the airport by following Covid-19 compliance measures,” Jalal Yunus, the BCB media committee chairman, said. “Maybe this would include their passport being processed separately, but it is what is usually done. They informed us that they don’t want to enter a hallroom for the immigration. The passports will be returned to them following the immigration formalities.”There will also be tighter protocols in the hotel where both teams will be staying. The BCB is using the Pan Pacific Sonargaon in midtown Dhaka, where both West Indies and Sri Lanka stayed during their tours this year.”It is the same bio-bubble that we had for West Indies and Sri Lanka,” Yunus said. “(CA) asked us to address certain pockets in the hotel where outsiders were allowed, like some of the restaurants. Those will be closed during the course of the Australia tour.”The BCB is also complying with the CA’s request to keep all five T20Is at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.The BCB has created bio-bubbles of varying sizes, since competitive cricket resumed in Bangladesh in October 2020. After seeing how Bangladesh hosted their two domestic tournaments, West Indies were impressed with their bio-bubble measures. The two tours, by West Indies and Sri Lanka, were held in Dhaka and Chattogram.Sri Lanka, who came in May, had a bit of a scare ahead of the first ODI against Bangladesh but out of the three positive cases, two turned out to be false with only one player being diagnosed with Covid-19.The BCB is currently holding the Dhaka Premier League T20s with a bio-bubble for all 12 teams and match officials staying in three separate hotels. The tournament hasn’t had too many issues, with only a few days remaining for its conclusion.Australia meanwhile will be traveling to Dhaka directly from the West Indies after their white-ball tour. This will be Australia’s first visit to Bangladesh since their 2017 tour to play two Tests.

Following an excellent start to their campaign, Celtic are reportedly set to reward one player with a bumper new deal to put him among Brendan Rodgers' highest earners.

Celtic's perfect start

With five wins from five games and just the one goal conceded, it's fair to say that Celtic couldn't have enjoyed a much better start than the one they've managed in pursuit of retaining their Scottish Premiership crown once again. The Bhoys have even already got one over on Old Firm rivals Rangers, easing past the Gers in a convincing 3-0 victory.

Rodgers' side will now be tasked with picking up where they left off after the international break, with the return of the Champions League – and a new format at that – throwing up fresh challenges.

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Amid that challenge, meanwhile, one player is already set to receive a reward for such a fine start to the campaign. According to Football Scotland, Celtic are now set to offer Alistair Johnston a new deal which will see him become one of the club's highest earners.

As things stand, the right-back earns a reported £17,000-a-week at Celtic, but a new deal could see him jump up to around the £30k-a-week mark with highest-earner Callum McGregor earning a reported £32k-a-week.

The pay rise is more than deserved, it must be said, Johnston has enjoyed a flying start to the campaign, starting every game in Celtic's dominant opening run and even getting a goal as well as an assist to his name in the process.

"Strong" Johnston will only get better

Since battling back from injury at the start of last season, Johnson has become more and more vital to Rodgers' title-winning side at Celtic and is only likely to continue that improvement with a new contract to match his quality. The full-back, who can also play right-midfield and centre-back proved his eye for attacking contributions in the last campaign with seven assists in all competitions and is now even showcasing his eye for goal against St. Mirren.

Earning plenty of praise from Rodgers last season, the Celtic boss said via Herald Scotland: “I remember seeing him at the World Cup. He was outstanding for Canada. I thought at the time when he arrived in January it was a really good buy for Celtic.

"He’s a talented player and you get the sense from talking to him he’s very ambitious and committed. He wants to do well. It’s just been a real shame with the injury he’s had that he’s been out. But Alistair is a really strong boy and speaking to the staff and the players, he’s really highly rated here. I’m looking forward to seeing him more.”

When the Premiership returns, there's no doubt that Johnston will be among the in-form players to watch at Celtic Park.

It has certainly been a busy few months of the transfer window for Manchester United. The Red Devils have brought in four new signings and sold several players in order to reshape the squad as Erik ten Hag looks to improve on a poor campaign in 2023/24. United finished eighth last season, and although they won the FA Cup, will be hoping to improve on their league finish.

The 13-time Premier League champions have particularly strengthened at the back. They brought in Bayern Munich duo Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt for a combined fee of around £60m, with young 18-year-old French centre-back Leny Yoro also signing for the club from Lille for around £52m.

Joshua Zirkzee also signed for the Red Devils from Bologna for just £36.5m, strengthening up front. The two clubs agreed a fee slightly higher than his release clause, but are paying the deal off over three years. If rumours are to be believed, then Manuel Ugarte will be the next signing through the door, with United finally thought to be close to agreeing a deal with PSG.

These signings have all helped reduce the average age of United’s squad, adding to an exciting young core that Ten Hag has built in the two and a bit seasons in the hot seat at Old Trafford, which includes breakthrough talent Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo’s breakthrough campaign

The 2023/24 season was an extraordinary campaign for 19-year-old academy graduate Mainoo, who rose to stardom in a United side that struggled to find consistent form. He quickly became a first-choice midfielder under the Dutch manager.

In fact, the youngster’s performances were even rewarded with a place in the England squad for Euro 2024. That was a competition in which he eventually became a starter for Gareth Southgate’s side, who suffered heartbreak in the final against Spain.

The Stockport-born wonderkid played 32 games for the Red Devils last term, overcoming an injury he picked up in the 2023 preseason to become a prominent player for Ten Hag. He scored five goals, including a winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and a stunner against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Mainoo showcased exemplary skills on the ball last season, demonstrating superb close control in tight areas and quick feet. That is certainly something reflected in his FBref numbers; per 90 minutes, the Carrington graduate averaged 2.81 take-ons and on average, completed 1.58 of those take-ons. For both of those metrics, Mainoo ranks in the top 7% of midfielders in Europe.

Despite being just 19-year-old is incredibly composed on the ball and has a real eye for a pass. The England international plays with astounding maturity for someone who has played only a handful of first-team appearances.

Fellow Carrington prodigy Marcus Rashford praised the young England international for such an attribute. United’s number 10 explained that “nothing seems to faze” Mainoo, and noted that he is “composed and confident in his abilities”, which is perhaps why he has seemed so easy-going during his extraordinary rise to the top in the past 12 months.

One thing that United have struggled to find is a permanent partner for the 19-year-old. Ugarte is one option and is a player who seems destined to join the club, but the Red Devils have recently been linked with another player who could become Mainoo’s dream partner.

Man Utd target Brazilian midfielder

The player in question here is Fluminense and Brazil international midfielder Andre. The 23-year-old has been the subject of transfer interest from many clubs in Europe over the past 18 months, and the transfer rumours continue to roll along.

According to a report from TNT Sports earlier this week, the Red Devils are now the latest club to show an interest in signing the midfield maestro before next Friday’s transfer deadline. The report suggests that negotiations are ongoing between the Old Trafford club and Andre’s representatives.

However, United are not the only club currently interested, with Wolverhampton Wanderers also believed to be in talks with his agent about a move. However, neither club are believed to have made an offer for the midfielder, who could cost around £30m, the price Fulham were quoted for his signature earlier in the summer, although that deal fell through.

The in-demand talent has played a crucial part for Fluminense so far during the 2023/24 season in Brazil. He has featured 28 times in all competitions, including 11 in the Brazilian Serie A. Frustratingly, a knee injury kept him out of the Copa America over the summer.

Indeed, the Brazilian could prove to be the ideal partner for Mainoo. He thrives in a double pivot and would offer defensive security to the young England international, who could then look to drive forward and influence the game in the final third, where he really excels.

That is certainly reflected in his FBref numbers from the 2024 season. Andre reads the game superbly well and averaged 3.57 tackles and interceptions in the Brazilian Serie A, and a very impressive 7.42 ball recoveries per game, which ranks him in the top 3% of midfielders.

Stat (per 90)

Number

Ball recoveries

7.42

Tackles and interceptions

3.57

% of dribbles tackled

57.1%

Blocks

1.47

His off-the-ball quality is certainly very clear to see, but the youngster also thrives on the ball. He is a wonderful progressive passer, and averages 5.87 per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the 77th percentile of midfielders. He retains possession superbly and ranks in the top 5% of midfielders for passes completed per game, with 60.86 on average.

United certainly need a long-term target for their young starlet in midfield, and Andre could offer the solution to their solution. His impressive work rate out of possession, coupled with his quality on the ball, could be the perfect blend to pair with Mainoo, who would not be shackled with as much defensive responsibility as he has previously been.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig described Andre as a “jewel”, and for just £30m, United might well look to bring him – ahead of Ugarte – to the club as the man to get the best out of their gem of a talent, Mainoo.

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Lamine Yamal's agent Jorge Mendes has claimed that the Barcelona winger has been been the world's best player this year but is a 'victim of his age'.

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• Mendes claims Yamal best player this year
• Opens up on Yamal signing a new contract
• Discusses comparison with Lionel Messi

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 17-year-old has been lighting up the football field as he led Spain to the 2024 Euro title and has been spearheading Hansi Flick's attacking lineup alongside Raphinha. His agent Mendes claimed during the Globe Soccer Awards that Yamal has been the best player this year but didn't get voted for these awards because of his young age.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT MENDES SAID

  Speaking to Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, Mendes said: "Lamine Yamal has been the best, but he has also been a victim of his youth because many people who vote have thought that he is 17 years old and will have time to win these awards."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Yamal currently has a contract with Barcelona until the summer of 2026 and the Catalan side are very keen on tying down the Spain star to a new contract and talks have been ongoing. Mendes also reiterated that his client, the 17-year-old, will sign a new deal with the club. He told : "Lamine's future is in Barcelona. Barca is his place. He will renew and will be here for many years."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

  The Spanish teenager is said to be the next big thing in football and his rise at Barcelona has often been likened to that of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi. Mendes opened up on the comparisons and said: "I don't like to compare players. Those who want to put Lamine's budding career in parallel with that of Messi should be blamed."

Ange Postecoglou has led Tottenham Hotspur to their worst half-season since 2008/09 after their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

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Nott'm Forest win 1-0 over Tottenham HotspurSpurs attain worst half season record in 16 yearsPostecoglou's future remains under scrutinyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Nottingham Forest are challenging for Europe this season and they put up yet another top performance as the Tricky Trees beat Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at the City Ground thanks to Anthony Elanga’s first half strike. The visitors were unable to come back, as they sustained their ninth Premier League loss of the season.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Tottenham are currently in 11th place in the Premier League standings with just 23 points after 18 games.They have lost the same number of games as Ipswich Town, who are 19th in the table.

DID YOU KNOW?

As per Opta Analyst, even if Tottenham Hotspur manage to win their next Premier League clash against Wolves, they are set to attain their worst points record halfway through the league season (19 games) since 2008/09, when Spurs attained just 20 points.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SPURS?

Postecoglou's men are up against Wolves in their last match of 2024 and they will be hopeful that they can end a disappointing year with a bang. The two sides will face off on December 29 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

تحدث ميشي باتشواي لاعب آينتراخت فرانكفورت عن شعوره بخلافة عمر مرموش في صفوف الفريق، بعد التأثير المميز الذي أحدثه المصري مع النادي الألماني.

وغادر عمر مرموش صفوف آينتراخت فرانكفورت في انتقالات الشتاء بيناير وانضم إلى مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي.

وترك مرموش صفوف فرانكفورت وهو يحتل المركز الثاني في ترتيب هدافي الدوري الألماني برصيد 15 هدفًا.

وتعاقد فرانكفورت مع باتشواي من صفوف جالطة سراي التركي لتعزيز هجوم الفريق بعد رحيل مرموش.

وسُئل باتشواي عن شعوره بخلافة مرموش في هجوم فرانكفورت خاصة مع التأثير الذي أحدثه لاعب مانشستر سيتي الحالي.

اقرأ أيضًا | قمة مصرية.. جوارديولا يتحدث عن محمد صلاح ومرموش قبل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وليفربول

وقال باتشواي في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي للبوندسليجا: “أود أن أقول إن كل شخص يكتب قصته الخاصة، عمر هو عمر، وأنا ميشي”.

وأضاف: “أريد فقط مساعدة الفريق قدر الإمكان، وتسجيل أكبر عدد ممكن من الأهداف، ودفع الفريق إلى أقصى حد ممكن”.

وأردف: “كنت سعيدًا برؤية اللاعبين هنا مرة أخرى، لقد ساعدوني على الفور خلال خطواتي الأولى في النادي، ولكن ليس هم فقط، فقد رحب بي الفريق بأكمله بشكل جيد للغاية”.

وأكد: “أنا ممتن فقط، وأشكرهم أيضًا على الثقة التي وُضعت فيّ، والتي جعلت الانتقال ممكنًا، أريد فقط رد هذه الثقة بأدائي على أرض الملعب”.

ويستعد فرانكفورت لملاقاة بايرن ميونخ غدًا الأحد في بطولة الدوري الألماني، وأتم باتشواي: “نحن دائمًا متحفزون للغاية وفي الأيام المقبلة سنكون أكثر تحفيزًا، ستكون مباراة جيدة وفي النهاية، سيكون 11 لاعبًا ضد 11 على أرض الملعب، كل شيء ممكن”.

After failing to round their summer off with another forward, West Ham United are already reportedly preparing a fresh bid to solve that problem in the January transfer window.

West Ham transfer news

The Hammers were one of the busiest sides in the summer window, welcoming the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo, and ended their summer by signing Carlos Soler from Paris Saint-Germain in an initial loan deal. The midfielder arrived to cap off an impressive few months at the London Stadium that saw West Ham lay down a marker in the transfer market.

Soler told West Ham's official website after putting pen to paper: "I am really excited to be here as a West Ham player. It has always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League, and to be doing it in London with a club like West Ham is an incredible feeling.

"I can’t wait to feel the support of the fans, who I have already heard so much about from conversations with people who know the club, like my good friend Pablo Fornals. I am excited about meeting my new teammates and giving my all for this club in the best league in the world."

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However, even after the deadline, the east London club have continued to steal the headlines on the transfer front. According to The Sunday Mirror (via West Ham Zone), West Ham are preparing a fresh bid to sign Jhon Duran in the January transfer window, having failed to secure his signature and meet his £40m valuation in a summer-long saga.

West Ham know all about Duran quality

It always seemed likely that Duran would have a say on the opening day as West Ham hosted Aston Villa, it was just a case of for which side. As it turns out, of course, it was the Villans who benefited when Unai Emery introduced the forward from the bench before watching on as he netted the winning goal at the London Stadium.

Given how he's started the season, Emery may not be too keen to show Duran the exit, especially to Premier League rivals West Ham, but it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will have little choice but to bid farewell to his forward.

Emery was full of praise for Duran last season, saying via BBC Sport: "He is very young – 20 year old. His potential, it is impossible to predict how far he is going to get.

"I believe in him. It is different football in Colombia. Tactically, the football is very different in the Premier League. We are working with him a lot. I know he is going to score, get chances and use his power."