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Marcelo Bielsa has been working extremely hard to make his Leeds United team as competitive as possible ahead of the new Premier League season. Of course, this coming weekend, an extremely difficult test awaits the Whites.

Coming fresh from the Championship, Leeds will have to face none other than Liverpool on matchday 1. Needless to say, that does sound like a true baptism of fire for Bielsa but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

For that reason, getting the squad ready for such an incredible clash is his top priority. Even though they have completed some signings already, the Whites are not quite done revamping the team just yet.

According to the latest update from the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, Leeds have tabled a new offer for Dinamo Zagreb’s teenage sensation Josko Gvardiol.

The Croatian side value their man at around £23m but Bielsa has now offered them £20m with a 20% sell-on for any future deal, which could tempt the Zagreb Blues.

Of course, RB Leipzig are also on Gvardiol’s tail but they have only offered £13.6m for the Croatian youth international so the Elland Road side is currently ahead in the race for his signature.

Gvardiol is very highly rated both in Croatia and abroad but is still developing so he’s no world-beater just yet. Still, if there is someone who can help him reach his potential, then it’s Bielsa.

Let’s see what happens next.

Verdict

Gvardiol seems like one of those youngsters that could go straight to the top if they are groomed properly. Bielsa definitely has what it takes to help him do exactly that and under his tutorship, the Croatian lad could shoot for the stars.

And with the latest offer that was recently tabled, Leeds should be one step closer to finally sealing the deal for Dinamo’s prodigy.

Leeds United’s saga over Rodrigo De Paul could be ended if they instead revisit one of their former mooted transfer targets before next month’s deadline…

What’s the word?

According to David Anderson of the Mirror, the Yorkshire giants are unwilling to meet Udinese’s £36.5m asking price for the box-to-box midfielder and appear ready to play the waiting game as the player himself wants the move.

However, with the window closing in three weeks time, it could be wise to look elsewhere and one man could fall into their hands if the club plays their cards right.

One-time target Emi Buendia has revealed that he wants a transfer to the Premier League following Norwich City’s relegation and last month, the Whites were told it would cost £25m to clinch him. A much cheaper fee than De Paul.

Forget De Paul

Whilst De Paul’s qualities are abundantly clear, there’s no guarantee that he could come to England, adapt and then become a hit. That’s always the gamble with foreign imports.

However, Buendia is tried and tested in the Premier League and if anything, was one of the few bright sparks in the Canaries’ shocking season.

Per WhoScored, the 23-year-old contributed to eight goals whilst averaging 2.8 dribbles, 2.3 key passes and 1.1 shots per game.

Only three top-flight stars managed to create more chances (83) than the Argentinian maestro last season – namely Kevin De Bruyne (136), Jack Grealish (91) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (87) – so he’s in some illustrious company.

That’s more than Joao Moutinho, James Maddison and Mo Salah too.

United legend Noel Whelan believes he’s a great fit for Elland Road too, speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He could be the man to replace Pablo long-term but I am sure Orta will be looking at many options.”

Whilst Norwich teammate Max Aarons believes Buendia is “tenacious and very strong,” which only emphasises why he can compete at the very top.

Victor Orta must consider a £25m move for Buendia if the De Paul rumours continue to rumble on.

AND in other news, Leeds ace who lost possession 17x badly let Bielsa down…

Globally sought-after talent Jadon Sancho has thrown a huge curveball into the mix as he would reportedly favour a move to Anfield over Old Trafford next season.

The Independent (via Sportsmole) has reported that the Dortmund winger could be seeking a move to Liverpool despite his talks with Manchester United. Both the reigning Premier League champions and Bayern Munich have overtaken the Red Devils in pursuit of his signature.

Jurgen Klopp has been highlighted as someone who could lure Sancho to the fortress of Anfield over the coming months.

Liverpool could snatch Sancho

The England international has been linked to several Premier League clubs this year. The Reds are certainly interested but seemingly couldn’t justify his mammoth asking price. Back in June, Dortmund valued their star player at an astronomical £117million, according to Bild (via talkSPORT). However, due to the current financial climate, neither Liverpool nor United have been able to facilitate a move.

Dortmund lost out on the Bundesliga title by quite a margin last season, finishing 13 points behind winners Bayern. Sancho could be weighing up his options as he starts thinking about winning trophies. Klopp’s success with both Liverpool and Dortmund could be a deciding factor in the 20-year-old’s next move.

Sancho stats

Sancho has quickly established himself as one of the best young talents on the planet. Last campaign, he notched a delightful 20 goals and 20 assists across competitions for his club, taking his Dortmund total to 35 goals and 45 assists all together (via Transfermarkt).

The winger also enjoyed time in England with Manchester City, scoring 15 goals in just 22 appearances in the U18 league. However, Sancho was never called up to the senior squad. He may have unfinished business in his home country – that being the desire to dominate the Premier League.

If Liverpool are to make a move for the forward, it will likely be next summer when the picture is clearer on finances. With three years left on his contract, it’s also without question that Sancho will still cost in excess of £100million. But if the Reds do strike a club record deal for the services of a player who has been labelled “world class” by former player Emre Can, they will have seriously caught Man United with their trousers down.

In other news, Verdict on Gini Wijnaldum’s Liverpool future a stark reminder for Klopp…

Tottenham Hotspur could yet see movement to their squad before Friday’s domestic transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

Football.London believe four players could have a chance of leaving the club this week, one of which being young academy graduate Japhet Tanganga, who was handed his Premier League debut back in January.

The 21-year-old is yet to feature for Spurs this campaign and with three senior centre-backs ahead of him in the pecking order, he could be loaned out to garner some valuable game time.

His pathway at full-back is also blocked following the arrivals of both Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilon, so a loan move could be suitable at this stage of his career.

The Harry Kane way

And perhaps the England youth international should do exactly that as both the player and the club could reap the rewards long-term – just look at Harry Kane now.

The Spurs talisman had to go out on loan four times, twice to the Championship, before he could cement his place down as a first-team regular.

Although Kane enjoyed these spells at an earlier age, the same can work out for Tanganga, who has plenty of years left before he even reaches his potential.

The young defender was rewarded with a new long-term contract on wages thought to be around £25k-per-week, after featuring a total of 13 times during his maiden campaign.

And Jose Mourinho is clearly a fan, praising him after his debut against Liverpool: “He played well. I think the kid has reason to be very happy with his level, not with the result obviously, but with his first game in the Premier League. It couldn’t be a bigger one and he did it amazingly. First on the right and then on the left, first Mane and then Salah, and I think he was fantastic so I don’t want to take any credit for that.”

Even Jurgen Klopp called him “very impressive”.

But to continue his meteoric rise in N17, he may well have to go out temporarily – even more so after links to Milan Skriniar all summer and recently, Joe Rodon.

He could follow in Kane’s footsteps to become the next homegrown legend at the club.

AND in other news, “Brainless” Spurs star’s international form surely a major cause for concern…

David Moyes must hit the reset button in his search for centre-backs after RC Strasbourg Alsace’s Mohamed Simakan put West Ham United’s interest behind him.

What’s the word?

In an interview with French publication DNA, via quotes by Alsa’ Sports, Simakan has declared that his intentions are now to stay with Strasbourg and see how the season pans out having seen potential moves away from the Meinau Stadium fall through this summer.

The young centre-half was thought to have been one of several defenders targeted by West Ham this year, with reports claiming the Irons saw offers worth up to €20million (£18.1m) knocked back as his side believed they could demand €30m (£27.2m).

AC Milan, likewise, fell short of meeting Strasbourg’s asking price, while Premier League rivals Burnley were keen to push the capture of Simakan on manager Sean Dyche, but no deal was orchestrated amid a rift between the leadership at Turf Moor.

Simakan was said to have grown frustrated at failing to secure a move to the English top-flight this summer, as the chance to test himself in the Premier League appealed greatly to the 20-year-old. But his latest comments would suggest West Ham’s hopes of a deal are now all but over for now.

“It’s past history, we’re not going to put it back on the table,” he stated. “Today, I feel good in Strasbourg and we will see over time what will happen.”

Simakan has started all seven of Strasbourg’s Ligue 1 fixtures this term, but has struggled to help prevent the Meinau Stadium natives from succumbing to six defeats ahead of visiting Brest on Sunday.

Hit the reset button

With Simakan now happy to put West Ham’s interest behind him and focus on helping Strasbourg avoid relegation, Moyes appears to have been left in a situation where he must hit the reset button on his efforts to improve the Irons’ defence.

Burnley boss Dyche has already stated that James Tarkowski has begun to put the Hammers’ interest behind him after snubbing the London Stadium outfit’s £30m offer, telling talkSPORT: “He’s a top pro. He handled it well.

“Players here previously that have had a similar noise around them have stayed here, got their head down and worked very hard, and I think he showed that against West Brom.

“[A deal with West Ham] wasn’t close.”

West Ham were also rejected by Olympique de Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car for he wished to remain in France to compete in the Champions League, something Moyes would never have been able to offer in discussions that reports suggested included the offer of a £150,000-per-week contract.

With doubts over the long-term suitability of loan signing Craig Dawson, as well as more former targets showing they are willing to stay away from east London, Moyes will need to have developed a fresh shortlist for the upcoming winter market if he is to revive efforts to improve West Ham’s defence. Or, at least, instruct the Irons’ team of scouts to find alternative options ahead of the summer window.

AND in other news, West Ham are at risk of a tense future with the departure of a popular backroom figure.

On Tuesday evening, some Tottenham Hotspur supporters witnessed a glimpse of what could’ve been and not just because they missed out on Champions League qualification…

What was the word?

One-time transfer target Marcus Thuram lit up the elite stage, bagging a 25-minute brace against Gareth Bale’s parent club, Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old is a unique combination of pace, height and power and that much was displayed playing on the left-flank where, in addition to his double, he recorded two dribbles, one key pass and a 93% pass accuracy. He also won 80% of his duels, per SofaScore.

According to The Sun during the 2019 January transfer window, Spurs were set to battle north London rivals Arsenal and Manchester United for his signature.

It clearly didn’t come to fruition as by the summer, he joined Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach for just €12m (£11m). He has continued to thrive ever since.

One that got away?

Now valued at €40m (£36m) by CIES Football Observatory, Thuram has become one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting forwards – outside the absolute joke of a frontline that Bayern Munich possess.

That brace took his total for Gladbach to 17. He’s also provided 13 assists, meaning he’s contributed to 30 goals in just 47 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

In 31 league matches last term, the Frenchman averaged two dribbles, 1.8 shots and one key pass per game, which is way better than what current Spurs star Lucas Moura has managed this season in the Premier League.

His 0.8 shots, 0.5 dribbles and 0.3 key passes per appearance, via WhoScored, is a shambles in comparison especially as he’s been competing at the top level for a far greater time period.

Despite being the son of legendary France World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, the 23-year-old is quite the opposite and has been likened to Anthony Martial in the past.

Gladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl believes they have a gem on their hands, calling Thuram a “fast, robust and dangerous forward” whilst former Saint-Etienne coach Jean-Louis Gasset dubbed him a “great player” with a “great future”.

For just £11m, you can’t help but feel that Daniel Levy missed a winner here. His ability to play anywhere across the front three could’ve helped solve the back-up striker problem prior to Carlos Vinicius’ arrival too.

AND in other news, Premier League misfit could’ve been the DREAM Eriksen successor…

Marcel Brands has been handed a huge boost in Everton’s hunt for Carlo Ancelotti’s £13million target Torino defender Gleison Bremer.

What’s the word?

According to Tuttosport, via Football Italia, Everton and Fulham will contend for Bremer’s signature in the upcoming January window, where the 23-year-old has keen admirers in Ancelotti and former Torino teammate Ola Aina.

Ancelotti is understood to be a big admirer of the up-and-coming centre-half, who has started six of Torino’s seven Serie A fixtures this season and helped his side to keep one clean sheet as they sit above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Torino are loath to lose the Brazilian they signed for €6.5million (£5.8m) in 2018 and intend to offer the Clube Atletico Mineiro product a new contract, which will likely see Bremer earn an increase on his current €500,000-a-year (£8,625-p/w) terms.

Ancelotti’s interest has “flattered” Bremer, who was linked with a potential move to Goodison Park by Football Insider in September as a potential alternative to Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori. SportItalia, via Football Italia, also alleged Fulham were ready to make an approach following the capture of Aina.

It remains to be seen if Everton do revive Ancelotti’s interest Bremer – who is valued at between €10m and €15m (£8.9m and £13.4m) by the CIES Football Observatory – come the January window, having acquired Ben Godfrey from Norwich City in an initial £20m deal this summer.

Forget Godfrey

Bremer was touted as a potential alternative to Tomori this summer as Ancelotti strived to sign a fourth centre-half, to offer added competition for Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate.

The Italian ultimately signed Godfrey, but the Canaries product has struggled to make an impact at Goodison Park, with just one start from two Premier League appearances of which both came at full-back in place of the injured Seamus Coleman.

Though Ancelotti could look to sign added competition for places in January given the continued links with Bremer, who The Athletic have suggested would make a suitable data-backed target for Liverpool following Virgil van Dijk’s injury.

They claim Bremer is a defence-first centre-back who has a great read of the game, is aggressive in intercepting possession and among the very best tacklers in Europe through his 88% career duels rating.

Bremer lacks somewhat in set-piece scenarios and open play headers, but shines with the volume of duels attempted and the quantity at which he aims to interrupt the opposition’s play.

If Bremer is able to successfully bring his style of defending to the Premier League, and make the strides expected of him, Godfrey may find himself pushed even further down the pecking order and question why he ever joined Everton.

AND in other news, Everton have reached a decision on the future of a “quality” but rarely-seen £4.5m-rated talent.

Southampton were linked with a move for Milot Rashica over the summer and the Saints look to have missed out on a real gem of a winger.

The Kosovan international was linked with the likes of Southampton and Liverpool during the summer but ended up staying with Werder Bremen.

Since joining the Bundesliga outfit from Vitesse in 2018, the winger has gone on to make 77 appearances for Die Werderaner, in which he has contributed an impressive 24 goals and 14 assists (per Transfermarkt).

It was no surprise that the 24-year-old was linked with a summer exit after Bremen’s disappointing Bundesliga season, in which they only avoided relegation by beating second division side Heidenheim on away goals in their playoff game.

They have enjoyed a much more solid start to the 2020/21 campaign, as they currently sit ninth in the Bundesliga table, although Rashica himself has barely featured, having struggled with knee problems at the start of the season.

The winger, who was likened to Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard in a scout report written by HITC, has enjoyed fruitful campaigns in the past two seasons; contributing eight goals and five assists in 28 appearances last season (per WhoScored).

The season before was arguably even more impressive for Rashica, as he grabbed nine goals and five assists in 26 Bundesliga appearances, which earned him an impressive 6.98 average rating (per WhoScored).

He certainly seems to have a similar play-style to the former Chelsea man, with WhoScored suggesting that the Kosovan likes to dribble, cut inside and counter-attack.

Considering the poor form of Southampton’s wingers so far this season, with Nathan Redmond having failed to contribute a goal or an assist thus far, whilst Moussa Djenepo’s average rating of 6.75 isn’t exactly groundbreaking, you can definitely argue that Rashica would have been a stellar addition to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad.

The Kosovan can also feature as an attacking midfielder and a striker, suggesting that he could prove to be an excellent back-up option for Danny Ings and Che Adams in Hasenhuttl’s side.

His versatility could be compared to Stuart Armstrong in Southampton’s squad, with the Scottish international capable of playing in multiple positions across midfield, whilst WhoScored also lists one of his strengths as liking to cut inside.

It will be interesting to see if any Premier League sides consider a move for the £19.8 million-rated winger in January. If he can produce the same sort of form he’s been doing in the Bundesliga in the English top-flight, then he would surely prove to be a solid signing for any Premier League club.

David Moyes can see West Ham United get the best out of Sebastien Haller by handing the striker a new role following his excellence as an impact substitute at home to Aston Villa.

What’s the word?

While speaking with Football Insider, Alan Hutton has suggested it was a “masterstroke” by Moyes to replace Michail Antonio with Haller at the break, having seen the English centre-forward struggle on his return from a hamstring injury.

Haller fell to the bench for the visit of Aston Villa to east London to accommodate for Antonio’s return, despite netting the winner at Sheffield United the week prior and earning the praise of Moyes who noted how he “couldn’t be more pleased for him”.

Hutton is adamant the decision to replace Antonio with Haller was a game-changer in West Ham’s favour, with the £45m club-record signing turning the tide at the London Stadium where Jack Grealish had countered Angelo Ogbonna’s second-minute opener.

“I thought David Moyes made a brilliant substitution, with Haller and [Said] Benrahma,” he said. “I thought when they came on, they changed the game, I thought they were excellent. They caused Villa a lot of problems in the first moments.

“I think it was a masterstroke from David Moyes bringing Haller on. He was definitely a focal point, they got the ball up to him, he held up and he brought the other two attackers into it.”

Time for a new role

Moyes benching Haller following his match-winning moment of magic at Sheffield United was a decision that has not sat well with all, as former Arsenal and Everton forward Kevin Campbell believes the Ivory Coast international had a right to start against Aston Villa.

Haller started all three of West Ham’s Premier League fixtures whilst Antonio was injured, and Campbell feels Moyes should have made accommodations for that run to continue even with his first-choice centre-forward returning.

“Haller will be frustrated but Michail Antonio has proven that he is the main guy at West Ham now,” he told Football Insider. “This is the way football works and if there is another injury there might be an opportunity for him to play alongside Antonio.”

But Moyes can see West Ham get the best from Haller by utilising his impact from the bench, having seen how influential he could be against Aston Villa with more offensive aerial duels (9) than any other player, as many defensive aerial duels as Ogbonna (4), a team-high two successful dribbles and a joint-game high five attempted tackles, per WhoScored, including those who started.

Haller’s display was far from perfect with a worryingly poor 33% pass competition rate and no shots, showing why the £115,385-per-week striker was right to only start on the bench.

But his ability to create problems for the opposing side will be something Moyes will strive to tap into time and time again, having only trusted the Ivorian to play 29 minutes over West Ham’s opening five Premier League games.

AND in other news, David Moyes dodged a £34m bullet in “incredible” rocket West Ham eyed this summer.

After falling to a heavy defeat last time out, Wolves no doubt will be itching to put things right when they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were thrashed 4-0 at Anfield, and it was a far cry from the superb win they had pulled off against Arsenal at the Emirates almost a week earlier.

And whilst Villa appear to have hit a brick wall in recent weeks, tasting back-to-back defeats, Wolves shouldn’t be taking things for granted when they take them on at Molineux.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Jack Grealish will surely be the main topic of conversation in Nuno’s pre-match briefings to his players, and rightly so given the England international’s exploits this season – he’s managed an impressive five goals and six assists in just nine Premier League games.

But whilst the Villa talisman will need to be kept in check by the home side’s defence, there’s one man who they can’t afford to take their eye off either: Ollie Watkins.

Since arriving from Brentford in the summer, the £27m-rated ace has been in fine form for his new side, bagging eight goals in 12 games in total.

Described as someone who had “real superpowers” as a teenager, Watkins has blossomed into a fine central striker, and has the kind of work ethic and energy that Wolves fans will no doubt appreciate given their own Raul Jimenez.

The programme director at his former club Brentford, Chris Deacon, told The Athletic: “Ollie transformed himself into a physical specimen. We’d call him a machine because it looked like he would set himself into third gear and then cruise along at the front while everyone else was blowing.”

If Wolves are to take home all three points on Saturday, then they will have to be disciplined and tight at the back, and keep Watkins in check for the entire 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Wolves could ease their Raul Jimenez woes with a swoop for this exciting talent.