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The Premier League could be encouraged by the latest revelation that UEFA had a chance to appeal against CAS's verdict on Manchester City's FFP case.

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• UEFA rejected advice to appeal against CAS verdict in 2020
• Premier League might be encouraged
• Judgement on fresh FFP charges on City could come out in January

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per the , a group of external lawyers had reportedly urged UEFA to appeal to Swiss courts after CAS gave their verdict in Manchester City's favour on breaching of FFP charges back in 2020. Subsequently, a Champions League ban on the club was lifted. However, UEFA rejected the advice and did not follow up on the matter with a further appeal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The report also adds that the revelation there were grounds to appeal against CAS' verdict was available could prove to be of 'encouragement' for the Premier League who are fighting their legal battle with the English champions over fresh FFP charges. The hearing into the charges levelled against City, which number between 115 and 130, came to a close on December 6 after nearly three months of legal arguments being heard at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  have reported that the three-man panel in charge of delivering a verdict intend to reach a judgement by the end of January 2025, but the case could further drag for another eight months depending on the complexities of the case. If the judgement goes in the Cityzens' favour, unlike UEFA, the Premier League could ponder on avenues to further appeal.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

  The defending English champions are having a tough time both on and off the pitch, having won just one game in their last nine outings across all competitions. They will be next in action on Wednesday as they take on Juventus in the Champions League.

Carlos Corberan will know he has his work cut out for him as West Bromwich Albion manager this season, with a number of key first-teamers no longer at his disposal.

The likes of Okay Yokuslu, Conor Townsend and Brandon Thomas-Asante were all mainstays of the Baggies team from last season that triumphantly made it into the Championship playoffs, only for Southampton to get the better of Corberan's men at the semi-final stage.

None of those faces are in and around the Spanish manager's camp any more, however, which could lead to the former Huddersfield Town boss rolling the dice more with his Championship team selections to come.

Josh Maja started West Brom's final pre-season game against Birmingham City as the lone striker option, but after a sobering 4-1 defeat was handed out to the West Midlands club at the hands of their near neighbours to close out a lacklustre pre-season, he could be out of the team for the league opener versus Queens Park Rangers.

Josh Maja's time at West Brom

Maja might well feel harshly treated by his manager if he is dropped for the trip to Loftus Road, considering he had a disrupted first season in a Baggies strip due to a serious injury setback.

The former Sunderland youngster would only start once in the league, after joining as a free agent, with just 12 appearances notched up in total across an underwhelming first full campaign at the Hawthorns.

Maja did battle back well from his nasty ankle ligament knock, helping himself to a couple of strikes in Premier League 2 action on the road to his recovery, but it looks unlikely that he will be Corberan's main man up top soon.

It also looks slim that Devante Cole has been purchased to be Thomas-Asante's golden replacement, having only bagged one second-tier goal across his career to date, which could swing open the door for this forgotten Baggies youngster to start versus Marti Cifuentes' men today.

Why Faal could start against QPR

The wide-eyed youngster who could be shoved in at the deep-end is Baggies striker Modou Faal, who would have impressed eagle-eyed viewers of League Two football last season.

The Gambian-born ace starred for both Doncaster Rovers and Walsall out on loan away from West Brom, becoming a goal machine in the process and a potential "unplayable" talent for defenders to contain in the future, according to Donny boss Grant McCann.

Faal's impressive goalscoring record out on loan, and when playing for the Baggies at youth level, hasn't yet translated to a lot of game time coming his way in the senior mix, however, with only two first-team games under his belt to date.

Yet, the ex-Doncaster loanee will hope his breakout season can come soon, potentially taking inspiration from the likes of Tom Fellows – who once cut his teeth in the men's game with a loan spell down in League Two at Crawley Town – before becoming a key first-teamer under Corberan.

Given a run-out in the worrying 4-1 loss to the Blues too, Faal will be champing at the bit to prove himself in competitive action soon for his boyhood club.

Corberan could surprise QPR by giving the 21-year-old an opportunity to shine, therefore, on the way to an opening day victory potentially coming home with the Baggies back up to the West Midlands.

Free agent: West Brom could land dream signing for Dobbin

West Bromwich Albion are still on the hunt for a top striker.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 7, 2024

Glasgow Rangers are just 24 hours away from their first Premiership match of the 2024/25 season as the Old Firm side look to begin the campaign with a bang.

Philippe Clement has managed to fill the void left by Connor Goldson, luring Dutch centre-back Robin Propper to Ibrox just in time for the tie against Hearts – the 30-year-old joining from Eredivisie side FC Twente, where he had been captain.

The 6 foot 3 defender becomes the ninth signing of the summer transfer window, but there will surely be a few more in the coming weeks…

Rangers interested in former Chelsea midfielder

According to Football Scotland, the Light Blues are showing interest in Dutchman Marco van Ginkel, who has emerged as a target for Clement recently.

The 31-year-old is available on a free transfer having departed Vitesse at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. He would certainly add some experience to Clement’s midfield.

The Belgian coach is also keen on bringing Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri to Ibrox, but could the Dutch midfielder be a better option?

Why Marco Van Ginkel would be an upgrade on Hannibal

The Man United youngster may have youth on his side, but the 2023/24 campaign was hardly productive. Indeed, he made just 17 appearances, scoring once, for both the Old Trafford side and during a loan spell with Sevilla.

A promising talent? Yes. But Clement now needs a few players who have plenty of experience in the game. Van Ginkel certainly fits the bill.

The midfielder made the headlines when he joined Chelsea back in the summer of 2013, becoming José Mourinho’s first signing during his second spell at Stamford Bridge,

The maverick Portuguese boss held the youngster in high regard, going as far as seeing Van Ginkel as the long term successor to Frank Lampard in the Chelsea midfield, having lauded him as "one of the best prospects" at the time of his arrival in west London.

Game time was promised, but it didn’t work out for him at the Blues, making just four appearances before finally leaving the club permanently in 2021 following a series of loan moves.

He returned to his first club, Vitesse, two years ago and enjoyed a wonderful spell for the Dutch side, playing 45 matches while scoring nine times and registering four assists.

The 31-year-old ranked first among his teammates for goals and assists (nine) in the Eredivisie last term, along with ranking sixth for shots per game (1.9) and first for big chances missed (six), meaning he could have had a few more goals if he was more clinical in the final third.

When compared to fellow midfielders in the men’s next 14 competitions, Van Ginkel ranked in the top 2% for total shots (2.61), non-penalty goals (0.27) and touches in the opposition penalty area (3.71) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

These statistics clearly showcase his attacking abilities from the heart of the midfield, which could give Clement a dangerous option in that area of the pitch.

On a free transfer, it is certainly a move which makes a lot of sense. The Dutchman still has a few more years left in him and a move to Scotland could see the player thrive.

Rangers register interest in £5m star who's a dream Roofe replacement

The Light Blues are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the centre-forward.

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By
Dan Emery

Aug 1, 2024

Ruben Amorim insists he cannot wait to see Manchester United's 'special' Leny Yoro play after his return to training.

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• Yoro is back in training
• Working with a "small group"
• Amorim excited to work with him

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Yoro has been working his way back from a cruel injury blow sustained in the summer. The Frenchman joined from Lille but has yet to make his competitive debut; he played in a pre-season friendly against Arsenal after his arrival but was injured in the first half. At the time, he was expected to be out until October, but scans revealed the injury was worse than initially feared.

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  Yoro did not manage to play in a competitive fixture under Erik ten Hag but he could get the chance to make his debut under Ruben Amorim soon. The new United boss has revealed his excitement at the prospect of working closely with the Frenchman, who is still only 19.

• WHAT AMORIM SAID

  Amorim told reporters: "I think he is a special talent, we have to be careful in this first moment, we didn’t have too many trainings together, he is training not alone but in a small group. He is really fast, a modern defender, and that is really good when you want to press high and leave strikers one against one. He is really good with the ball. We have to be careful but I am really excited to see Leny Yoro play."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United face Arsenal in midweek before they take on Nottingham Forest, the league's surprise package, at the weekend.

West Ham are believed to have verbally agreed a five-year deal with a "ridiculously good" target, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

West Ham transfer news

The Hammers have already brought in some key names this summer, from Max Kilman to Luis Guilherme, and it looks as though Leeds United winger Crysenscio Summerville will be the next player through the door. A deal has reportedly been agreed, with a £25m+ move expected to come to fruition sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Villarreal striker Alexander Sorloth is one of many attacking players to have been linked with a move to the London Stadium. The 28-year-old was on fire in La Liga last season, scoring 23 goals in the competition, not to mention also registering six assists, showing that he is more than just a goalscorer.

Borussia Dortmund marksman Niclas Fullkrug is also considered a strong target for West Ham, having helped his side get to the Champions League final last season, as well as scoring twice for Germany at Euro 2024 earlier this summer, despite not starting a single game.

Lens centre-back Kevin Danso has been linked with a move to the Hammers, too, as Julen Loptegui looks to add more depth at the heart of his defence, despite having already secured the impressive signing of Kilman from Wolves. The 25-year-old started 30 games for the French side in Ligue 1 last term, averaging 3.8 clearances per game.

West Ham agree five-year deal with "ridiculously good" ace

According to Plettenberg on X, West Ham are now closing in on the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with a verbal agreement in place over a long-term deal switch for the Manchester United defender. Technical director Tim Steidten has tabled a £10m bid, although the Red Devils want up to £18m.

Wan-Bissaka may have his detectors, in terms of his technical limitations as an attacking right-back, but he could still be an excellent signing for West Ham, not least because of his defensive expertise.

The Englishman has been renowned for his one-on-one ability up against opposition wingers for many years, with Tottenham ace James Maddison calling him "ridiculously good" in that area of his game.

Wan-Bissaka would represent a younger option than Vladimir Coufal, and while he hasn't always reached the expectations of him at a club the size of United, West Ham could be the perfect club for him to showcase his quality, as was the case at Crystal Palace before his move to Old Trafford.

The Blaugrana moved nine points clear the week after winning El Clasico, but their lead is now down to one having played a game more than Los Blancos

On October 26, Lamine Yamal admitted that he and his Barcelona team-mates believed themselves to be "the best team in the world". One could easily understand why. At the time of his revelation, Yamal was standing inside Santiago Bernabeu, where Barca had just routed Real Madrid 4-0 – only three days after battering Bayern Munich 4-1 at Montjuic.

There was a swagger about Hansi Flick's side; no side in Europe was playing with such self-confidence. "We've proven that we can beat anyone," Yamal proudly declared.

That still remains the case but, right now, Barca also look capable of losing to anyone. After going nine points clear of Madrid by beating city rivals Espanyol the week after the Clasico, the Blaugrana's lead is down to one after a rotten run of results against mid-table teams.

So, has Barca's bubble burst? Is Hansi's honeymoon in Catalunya over? Or is this just a blip for the Blaugrana?

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  Risk versus reward

  Flick's Barcelona play a dangerous game. An incredibly high line allows them to put opponents under serious pressure, but it also leaves them vulnerable to the well-timed counter-attacks on account of the acres of space they leave in behind their backline. As far as Flick is concerned, though, the risk is very much worth the reward. The Clasico was a case in point.

  Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged beforehand that Barca's high line was a problem that he needed to solve. He said he had a plan in mind but, whatever it was, it clearly didn't work, as Madrid simply couldn't cope with the Catalans and Flick's forwards ran riot as a result, with the revitalised Robert Lewandowski, Yamal and Raphinha all on target.

  Flick had successfully squeezed the life out of the reigning European and Spanish champions, and it was even reported afterwards that he had told his players during the interval, "Anyone who drops back a metre, I'll substitute them!"

  However, while his tactics definitely worked a treat, the final scoreline unquestionably flattered the visitors. Their performance was impressive and their victory fully deserved but, lest anyone forget, Madrid created plenty of chances (their xG was 1.48 to Barca's 2.58) and it would have been a very different game had Kylian Mbappe been capable of timing a run.

  And what we're starting to see in recent weeks is what happens when Barca's pressing and high line malfunction.

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  'Everyone can play better'

  Barca were only beaten 1-0 by Real Sociedad on November 10 and they were undeniably robbed of a legitimate goal by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) – but even the controversy surrounding an erroneous offside call on Lewandowski couldn't disguise the abject nature of the Blaugrana's performance at the Anoeta.

  It was a similar story in their following Liga outing, against Celta Vigo. Barca were held to a 2-2 draw after conceding twice in the final six minutes following the dismissal of Marc Casado, but Flick was the first to admit that they'd been awful all evening.

  "It wasn't just the last 10 minutes," the German told reporters. "It was the whole match. We played a really bad game. We have to be honest. We made a lot of mistakes, also in the first half, and we weren't confident with the ball. We didn't play the football we're used to. We were lucky with some situations and in the end we got a point and we have to react because it can't be repeated.

  "These are things that can happen but we have to look forward. The least bad thing is that it's only one match and we got a point, but we're not happy and neither are the players. Everyone can play better than today."

  The problem is that very few have in the past couple of games and Barca have seen a massive lead in La Liga almost completely wiped out.

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  'Many things we're doing wrong'

  In fairness to Barca, they really should have beaten Las Palmas on Saturday. As Flick pointed out, they created more than enough chances to do so: "We had 70 percent possession and 27 shots." On another day, they could have won handily – instead of losing 2-1 at home to a team that hadn't beaten Barca away from home for 53 years.

  However, the Las Palmas loss isn't being dismissed as nothing more than a freak result, given it's hardly happened in a vacuum. Barca have now dropped eight points in their last three games and tough questions are now being asked of a team that is experiencing its first poor run of form under Flick.

  "We’re lowering the level of what we were doing," captain Raphinha confessed to after seeing his equaliser on Saturday fail to prove the catalyst for a much-needed come-from-behind win. "There are many things we are doing wrong.

  "I’m angry. I don’t care much about my goal, I only cared about the victory and we didn't win, so I'm not satisfied."

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  'Have to reconnect'

  Flick is in no doubt that Barca can turn things around, though, starting with Tuesday's tricky trip to Mallorca. "I believe in the players," he said. "I have faith in them."

  The former Bayern Munich boss also denied that the squad is suddenly suffering from some sort of collective crisis of confidence. However, Flick did not dispute allegations that his team is no longer exhibiting anything like the same intensity and cohesion as before. At a time when Barca should be improving as a number of key men return from injury, they're actually looking increasingly disjointed.

  "When I started here I already told them that there would be no excuses," the German said. "It is normal that some players when they return from injury are not at their highest level, but if we play as a team we should be able to beat anyone. But if some players are disconnected, it will not go well.

  "The defence is not just about the four players at the back. Players alone cannot win games. It’s always about the team. We need to have good connections in defence and attack. We have to change, we have to defend better. We have to go back and reconnect." And sooner rather than the later.

The Bundesliga giants have ripped off an impressive run of results of late as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker

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Bayern Munich's desperate search for a manager to succeed Thomas Tuchel feels like a lifetime ago. After confirming back in February they would part ways with their head coach, the club were unable to appoint a successor until the end of May.

The 'godfather of gegenpressing' Ralf Rangnick was heavily linked with the job. A humiliating reunion with Julian Nagelsmann was touted. An even more humiliatingly reconciliation with Tuchel before he walked out the Allianz Arena doors was briefly on the table.

Alas, their attempts to bring in a German candidate who knew the Bundesliga inside out proved fruitless. Attention then surprisingly turned to Vincent Kompany, who had just overseen Burnley's meek relegation from the Premier League and proclaimed his readiness for the challenge of winning promotion from the Championship for a second time.

It was a gamble based on promise and potential. The Clarets' 2022-23 campaign was built on a young and newly-assembled team playing pretty football, before living and dying by those principles the following season. So far, Bayern have benefitted from Kompany's 'tweaked' approach and newfound discipline.

Heading into Saturday's clash with arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund, Bayern have pieced together a run of seven-successive clean sheets, all the while maintaining the extra attacking edge they had hoped for under their new boss.

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  Inherited problem

  Many of Bayern's struggles under Tuchel came from a lack of cohesion both on and off the ball. There was plenty of firepower in the ranks, though seldom the teamwork needed to do an appropriate enough job in both boxes.

  It was the task at the defensive end which gave the German coach most problems. Having been famed for tightening up Chelsea's leaky backline so quickly they won the Champions League within five months of his arrival, Tuchel was under pressure to do the same in Munich, only to find solutions lacking. With his job on the line, Tuchel lobbied for the January arrivals of Eric Dier and Sacha Boey to try and steady the ship. There was short-term promise, but nothing more.

  Bayern's recruitment, once near-faultless, all of a sudden was viewed as disastrous. Their bank-breaking deal to bring in Kim Min-jae, the 2022-23 Serie A Defender of the Year and a Scudetto-winner with Napoli, appeared to have backfired after a string of calamitous performances, which eventually led to Tuchel blaming the South Korean for their 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. Questions also remained over Dayot Upamecano, who hadn't kicked on as hoped at club level despite some more promising displays with the France national team.

  Tuchel's second and final season at Bayern ended in European heartache and a third-place Bundesliga finish behind runaway, superhuman leaders Bayer Leverkusen – acceptable – and surprise package Stuttgart – less acceptable.

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  Controversial sale

  Kompany's remit was clear. He had to instil an attacking identity, lean on youth a little bit more, and sort out the messy defence. In essence, he had to improve left for him by Tuchel, who handed over the keys to the club with the willingness of a realtor who had duped a none-the-wiser couple into buying a haunted house.

  Reshaping the back four saw Bayern move for Stuttgart's Hiroki Ito and finalise Dier's permanent signing on a free transfer after his initial loan from Tottenham. Josip Stanisic's return from title-winners Leverkusen also bolstered Kompany's options, and the promise to move Joshua Kimmich back into midfield opened up other avenues for his positional rivals at right-back.

  Baby steps were appreciated by supporters in Bavaria, only for the club to tip away that goodwill when they chose to sell Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United – a decision so unpopular that over 60,000 people signed a petition protesting this call.

  "We all want Matthijs de Ligt to stay at FC Bayern Munich!" the petition read. "He has proven that he's a world-class defender, probably the best in our squad. There is a reason why he was elected as our best player in the 2022-23 season. Furthermore, he is only 24 years old and has a bright future ahead, which he is going to use to fulfil his huge potential.

  "Despite his young age, Matthijs is already very mature and has a great mentality which will definitely make him a leading figure in defence and probably a competitor for captaincy in some years. His ability to speak English, German and Dutch fluently would help him a lot for that. When 19, he led Ajax to the Champions League semi finals as captain.

  "Selling Matthijs de Ligt would be an absolutely horrible decision and we would definitely regret it. That's why we use our voice to call attention that we will NOT make this mistake!"

  Those pleas, however, fell on deaf ears, and De Ligt joined Noussair Mazraoui in swapping the Allianz Arena for Old Trafford.

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  Kompany's revolution

  There were a few teething issues for Bayern to begin their first season with Kompany at the helm. With Michael Olise joining from Crystal Palace and the sensational Jamal Musiala more involved in build-up, their attacking upside was quickly realised, but was counteracted and balanced back out a little by their limit-pushing offside trap.

  How sustainable the team's aggressive pressing was became another factor for consideration. A new manager bounce, albeit one to open a campaign rather than midway through it, produced an uptick in attacking urgency and movement on the ball, but not off of it in the other direction.

  Nonetheless, Kompany was swiftly praised for his efforts in establishing a new identity, even if much of the team's core remained the same from the previous term. The cons listed against the Belgian upon arrival in southern Germany were regarding his strict man-management and gung-co carelessness, yet these concerns eased through the opening months of his tenure.

  There were some notably high-scoring wins to boot too, including a 9-2 mauling of Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and successive victories by five goals in September Bundesliga matches, and by the time they met Barcelona at the end of October, talk was bubbling over their prospects of conquering Europe.

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  Turning point

  In the battle of the exciting upstarts who we didn't know if they were the real thing or not, Barcelona prevailed. That's putting it lightly, actually. They smashed Bayern 4-1 at their temporary home on the Montjuic mountaintop.

  Barca – coached by ex-Bayern boss Hansi Flick and undertaking his own redemption arc – scythed through their visitors again and again, while Kompany's side failed to beat the hosts' devilish offside trap. A competitive first half was followed by a one-sided second, and the head coach was punchy with his assessment when speaking to German media after the final whistle.

  "There are no excuses," Kompany said. "What's important is that we learn from this game. This game won't decide our season. Why there was such a big difference between the first and second half is something we need to look at."

  Ironically, this may have actually turned out to be the game which decide Bayern's season, in a twisted and convoluted sense.

Fulham look set to build upon last season's 13th-place finish in the Premier League by bringing new attacking talent to Craven Cottage this summer.

Fulham launch bids for forward players

The big news concerning Fulham's transfer activity has been their pursuit of Arsenal winger Emile Smith Rowe. A recent report from BBC Sport suggested that the Gunners had rejected an initial offer for the player, with the Cottagers now weighing up whether to renew their efforts and put in an improved bid for the 23-year-old.

Fulham "weighing up" second bid to sign £60,000-p/w Palhinha replacement

The Cottagers just lost their star man to Bayern Munich…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 18, 2024

Fulham have also held a long-standing interest in Besiktas talent Semih Kilicsoy. It was reported at the start of July that the west London outfit had opened talks with Besiktas over a potential transfer after scouting the 18-year-old for many months. It was suggested that Marco Silva's side had submitted an opening bid in the region of €20million (£16.8million) for the player.

The Cottagers have not been alone in their interest in the Turkey star, with Aston Villa also making an approach for Kilicsoy. The most recent development out of Turkey has seen the Villans table a fresh €30milllion (£25million) offer to sign the striker.

With the promise of European football potentially proving too enticing for Kilicsoy to turn down, Fulham may have to look towards other targets. With the Cottagers already in communication with Besiktas, it appears that the club could be making a move for another of the Süper Lig outfit's stars.

Fulham return for another Besiktas star

As relayed by Sport Witness, the Turkish press are now claiming that Fulham are showing an interest in Besiktas youngster Mustafa Hekimoglu. The outlet states that the Cottagers have been following the attacker for a considerable time and they are now preparing an official offer.

With the west London club having already made contact for Kilicsoy it is reported that they will use these existing links to step up their pursuit of Hekimoglu. Whilst many of the Craven Cottage faithful will be disappointed to see their club miss out on Kilicsoy, his teammate could end up being an even bigger talent.

Despite having just 6 Süper Lig appearances to his name, the 17-year-old has impressed at youth level scoring 5 goals in 12 games for Besiktas Under-19s last season. Hekimoglu also got his first taste of European football last season when he came off the bench in Besiktas' Conference League victory over FC Lugano back in December.

Hekimoglu has also enjoyed a successful career on the international stage, making a number of appearances for Turkey's youth sides. The forward most recently represented his country at under-18 level, where he scored in a 10-1 demolition of Jamaica.

The teenager has spent the majority of his career playing as a central striker, but has been deployed as both a left and right-winger when needed.

Whilst it is highly unlikely that Hekimoglu will step straight into the first team at Craven Cottage, there is every chance that he can continue his upward trajectory and become a regular fixture at Fulham in the not-too-distant future.

Barcelona sporting director Deco says it is "nice" to see Lamine Yamal compared to Lionel Messi, but insists the winger is a "unique" talent.

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• Yamal compared to Messi amid Barca heroics
• Was subject of reported €250m PSG offer
• Deco spoke out on young winger's future

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 17-year-old's rapid rise to stardom with Barcelona and Spain has resulted in many comparing him to club legend Messi, heaping more expectation on him. While Deco, who played with the Argentine icon at Camp Nou, sees no problem with the comparisons, he says there is something different about the academy hero.

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  WHAT DECO SAID

  "I don't think comparing him to Leo is a problem for him, but rather a source of pride for him. I don't know if it's good or bad, it depends on him. He's growing and I don't see it as a problem," he told .

  "In the end, everyone has their own story, there is no comparison. But I understand that at Barca players are compared, football is always like that. What can't be done? It will be done. What shouldn't be compared? There will be comparisons. We can't say things because in the end it's football, it's emotion, it's passion, it's normal for people to talk, to compare, to remember… But Lamine is unique, it's his life, he has his life story and the only thing he has is the coincidence of being in the same club as Leo and of being precocious in his appearance although in different situations.

  "Leo arrived at a club and entered into a dynamic of a more established team and Lamine is being part of a revolution, of a reconstruction of the club. They are different moments. But it's nice, when you compare it's because you have something good. I don't think comparing him with Leo is a problem for him but a source of pride for him. I don't know if it's good or bad, it depends on him. He's growing and I don't see it as a problem."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Euro 2024 winner had the chance to follow in Messi's footsteps when Paris Saint-Germain reportedly offered to pay €250 million (£208m/$265m) to sign him, but Barcelona rejected the offer.

  "It's normal that a player like Lamine or others that we have should arouse the interest of clubs, it's normal," Deco added when asked about PSG's interest. "We know what the market is like and what the clubs are like. Lamine is very young but he is very mature for his age. I imagine and see that he is happy to be here. With everything he has at Barca ahead of him, I would dare to say that it is very difficult to change to another club. And it's not because I'm a Barca fan or because I'm the club's sporting director. A player who has Barca and who can have a spectacular history at the club, I don't think he would change for another, but that is something that is up to us.

  "We are very happy with Lamine, he has to be valued like the others and he must build his history. We are calm, there is no concern in this sense but the club has to do what it has to do. There is nothing else. No matter how many contracts and clauses you have, the most important thing is that the players feel happy and comfortable and are eager to make history at the club, that is the most important thing."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

  Yamal has been ruled out for up to three weeks with an injury, meaning he will not feature for Spain in the upcoming Nations League matches. He could also be unavailable when Barcelona take in a trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga on November 23.

It was another Premier League campaign that saw Arsenal come agonizingly close to ending their two-decade title drought last season.

However, while Mikel Arteta's side couldn't quite get over the line, there were plenty of positives, including Leandro Trossard's impressive goalscoring form.

The Belgian international really stepped up as Gabriel Martinelli struggled to find form, but based on recent reports, the Gunners might be about to sign his replacement in a player who has starred at the Euros this summer.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, and if they are to sign a wide player this summer, the Spaniard is 'Arteta's preference.'

Alongside the North Londoners, the report has confirmed that Chelsea and Barcelona are also keen on landing the talented winger in the coming weeks.

No price is mentioned in the story, but according to a report from Caught Offside last month, his release clause stands at €58m, which is about £49m.

It wouldn't be a cheap or easy transfer to get over the line, but given his recent performances and massive promise, signing Williams seems like a no-brainer – even if it's detrimental to Trossard's place in the team.

How Williams compares to Trossard

So, based on how last season went for Arsenal, if they were to get their hands on Williams this summer, then his primary competition out on the left next season would probably be Trossard.

In which case, how do they compare? Well, from a pure output perspective, the Spaniard comes out on top.

In his 37 appearances last season, he scored eight goals and provided 19 assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.37 games for the Basque club.

In contrast, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star scored 17 goals and provided two assists in 46 matches for the Gunners last season, which equates to an average of a goal involvement every 2.42 games. While that's still impressive, it doesn't quite hold up to the young prospect.

Okay, so how about their underlying numbers? Is it another victory for the "mind-blowing" 21-year-old, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango?

Indeed it is, as in the majority of metrics per 90, such as non-penalty goals and assists, progressive carries, progressive passes received, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, aerial duels won, and ball recoveries, the Pamplona-born gem comes out on top.

In his defence, the Waterschei-born star comes out on top for non-penalty expected goals, assists, and progressive passes, but that's about it.

Ultimately, considering Williams comfortably outperforms Trossard in raw output and underlying numbers, signing him as an upgrade on the Belgian seems like a brilliant idea.

However, with how spectacularly he has played at the Euros over the last few weeks, that could be easier said than done.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 10, 2024