A big update has emerged on Leeds United and their attempts to add a new centre-forward to the playing squad before the end of the summer transfer window.
What's the latest Leeds transfer news?
Daniel Farke has brought in Ethan Ampadu, Sam Byram, Joe Rodon, and Karl Darlow so far and is now eyeing a move for a number nine to bolster his attack before next week's deadline.
According to journalist Alan Nixon (via his Patreon site), the Whites are plotting a bid to sign Swansea striker Joel Piroe and are willing to splash out £15m on the excellent marksman.
Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…
The reporter has claimed that the Swans could be tempted to cash in on the Dutch ace after rejecting offers from other clubs earlier this summer as his current contract with the Welsh side is due to expire at the end of the season.
Leeds are said to be 'desperate' to secure his signature and will now be hoping that £15m will be enough to get this deal over the line in the coming days.
How good is Joel Piroe?
The 24-year-old dynamo is a proven Championship goalscorer who has the quality to hit the ground running at Elland Park to be the lethal striker Farke needs to push his side up the table.
No current Leeds player managed more than five Premier League goals last term and Georginio Rutter was tasked with leading the line in the most recent Championship clash with West Bromwich Albion last week.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has failed to score in two league appearances this season and struggled in the top-flight with zero goals and one assist in 11 matches for the Whites during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.
Piroe would come in as a big upgrade on the former Hoffenheim man as he knows how to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
The Swansea star scored 19 goals in 43 Championship starts last term and that came after he plundered an eye-catching 22 goals in 40 starts throughout the previous season.
Swansea striker Joel Piroe.
This means that the left-footed finisher racked up 41 goals in 83 second-division starts for the Swans, which is one strike every 2.02 games on average.
Whereas, Rutter has scored 21 goals in 109 career appearances, including youth team football with Rennes, which works out as a goal every 5.19 outings on average, and has failed to score in 13 league matches for Leeds to date.
At the age of 21, the former Bundesliga attacker has plenty of time left on his side to develop and could have the potential to eventually be a good option for the club. However, his statistics in the here and now do not suggest that he has what it takes to spearhead a promotion push this season.
Piroe, who was once hailed as "prolific" by TribalFootball and EFL content creator Benjamin Bloom, would come in as a player who could lead the attack and be a reliable option for Farke at the top end of the pitch.
He is a proven, consistent, scorer at Championship level and would clearly be a big upgrade on Rutter due to his ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
When looking at the West Ham United squad after a summer of incomings, one position still looks like it needs strengthening. And that's in the forward department.
As good as Michail Antonio is, he can't be asked to carry all of the responsibility when it comes to finding the back of the net at the London Stadium. When he was asked to do that last season, the Hammers encountered a far too close call with relegation.
As the transfer window enters its final days before slamming shut, reports suggest that the depth they may seek in their frontline will not be coming from a certain target, either.
What's the latest West Ham United transfer news?
The Hammers have at least welcomed additions elsewhere in their attack this summer, with the arrival of Mohammed Kudus for a reported £38m certainly one to keep an eye on throughout the season.
If they can now find another forward to add to their depth up top, then Kudus may well have the platform needed to take the London club to an entire new level. At Ajax last season, the attacking midfielder scored 18 goals, and assisted a further seven in what was an incredible campaign.
If he's looking to strike a deadly duo in that West Ham squad, it is unlikely to be with Corinthians' Yuri Alberto, however.
According to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth, the Hammers are now unlikely to pursue a deal to sign Alberto, after they failed to find a resolution on Corinthians' price-tag, and, therefore, walked away.
The news will undoubtedly frustrate the forward, who had reportedly agreed personal terms with the Premier League side.
Should West Ham go back in for Yuri Alberto?
Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto.
When weighing up their options, West Ham were arguably right to walk away from a deal for Alberto if they couldn't secure the striker's signature for a suitable price.
The forward has never played in Europe, and managed just ten goals in 46 appearances for Corinthians in Brazil last season. West Ham simply cannot afford to take such a risk so late on in the transfer window, given the potential availability of the likes of Hugo Ekitike.
If the Hammers were in a position to take such risks, then a 20-year-old Brazilian striker may well look like good business, particularly after the praise he received from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who Tweeted: "Yuri Alberto: – complete forward – powerful, athletic & fast – great off the ball movement – killer instinct – clinical finisher capable on both feet – very strong in the air – extremely dangerous on the counter – good link-up play 20 years of age. Fantastic forward."
Alas, as things stand, so late in the window and yet to sign a striker, West Ham are not in a position to get things wrong.
Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…
David Moyes' side have got off to an impressive start to the season, winning twice and drawing once in their opening three Premier League games. Now, those in London must ensure that they continue their form, and perhaps even welcome further incomings before the end of the window.
Tottenham Hotspur are now considering a move for AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, with Fabrizio Romano revealing an out of favour player could be used as a makeweight in negotiations…
What's the latest Tottenham transfer news?
Although another wide forward appears to be Ange Postecoglou's priority on deadline day, the manager is also keen on strengthening in other areas, with central midfielders still being targeted, including Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, who could cost over £40m.
In terms of wingers, a move for Ansu Fati is now off the cards, after a hijack from Brighton & Hove Albion, but Brennan Johnson remains Tottenham's number one target, with Nottingham Forest said to value the Wales international at around £50m.
Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze is being considered as a back-up option for Johnson, but the Eagles' asking price is likely to be "way too high", as they could hold out for a fee of over £60m, according to journalist Miguel Delaney.
PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko is also "of interest" to Spurs, but they are yet to make an approach for the 20-year-old indicating that Johnson is the more likely arrival on deadline day, even though it may end up being a "very late" deal.
Not only does Postecoglou have new attacking targets in mind, but the manager is also keen on adding another defender to his squad, with a move for a full-back potentially on the agenda, and there has now been a new name thrown into the mix.
In a recent update on X, Romano has reported that Tottenham have been "considering" a move for AFC Bournemouth's Kelly in the past 24 hours, but they are yet to make a "formal" bid or "concrete" approach to sign the defender.
A deal is likely to hinge upon Spurs getting rid of some unwanted players before the deadline, and Bournemouth would need to replace the 24-year-old, so it may be difficult to orchestrate a move, but they do have one solution in mind.
Eric Dier, who is yet to make an appearance for the Lilywhites this season, could head in the opposite direction, with the out of favour defender acting as a makeweight in the negotiations between the two clubs.
Read The Latest Tottenham Transfer News HERE
How good is Lloyd Kelly?
Lauded as "incredible" by former manager Gary O'Neil, the £30k-per-week defender is capable of playing at both centre-back and left-back, which would make him a versatile option for Postecoglou, but there are doubts over whether he would be a good signing.
The Englishman does not particularly stand out on any defensive metric, ranking in just the 49th percentile for tackles per 90, and the 29th percentile for interceptions per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.
Last season, the former Bristol City man averaged a solid, if not spectacular, SofaScore match rating of 6.80 in the Premier League, ranking him as the eighth-best performer in the Bournemouth squad.
However, there are no real indications that Lloyd would be capable of making the step up to a club the size of Tottenham, and so it is a little unusual they are considering a late move, but it could still be one to watch.
Everton dropped more points in the Premier League, drawing 2-2 with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in what was an entertaining match.
The Toffees took the lead through Abdoulaye Doucoure after just 14 minutes, but two goals involving the hosts' new signing Cameron Archer turned the match around as the sides went into the halftime break.
Summer signing Arnaut Danjuma subsequently netted the equaliser for the Merseyside club soon after the interval, and although the Toffees pushed for a winner, the match ended with a share of the spoils.
Sean Dyche now surely finds himself under severe pressure following their fourth successive league match without a win, and he will be hoping to regroup during the international break.
There were a few bright sparks for the club today, most notably summer arrivals Danjuma and Beto, who both played well despite the final outcome of the match.
How good was Arnaut Danjuma vs Sheffield United?
The winger joined from Villarreal on a season long loan deal, and it looked as though it was a smart move by Dyche, especially as he has prior Premier League experience.
The one-time Bournemouth ace played for Tottenham Hotspur during the second half of the 2022/23 season, netting twice in all competitions, and he really showcased his abilities this afternoon.
The Dutchman not only scored his second competitive goal for the Toffees, but he also made one key pass during the tie alongside having five shots in total and succeeding with his only dribble attempt, displaying his attacking qualities to good effect.
The 26-year-old wasn’t afraid to contribute defensively either, winning five out of his seven duels and making one tackle, and it was clear he wanted to get involved during the game. This goal could be the catalyst for some more over the coming months, while Dyche will also be particularly pleased with Beto’s contributions during the game.
Did Beto score vs Sheffield United?
The 25-year-old was making his first start for the club following a debut goal against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup during midweek.
Beto
The Portuguese forward certainly carried on where he left off as he held the ball up well and was even praised by journalist Patrick Boyland, who said: “Beto's hold up play has been fantastic in the main so far. His name is the one being sung by the away fans. Been sending defenders sprawling to the turf.”
The £26m man managed the full 90 minutes and during that time, the striker took 45 touches and demonstrated his attacking prowess by taking four shots during the match, although he did fail to score his second Everton goal.
Beto also showcased his ability to ghost past defenders as he succeeded with seven of his ten attempted dribbles while making one key pass and creating a big chance in what was an impressive performance, especially since it was his first taste of Premier League football.
Everton look like they have signed a gem in the former Udinese forward and Dyche will be hoping that after the international break, he is ready to really hit the ground running and lift the club out of the precarious situation they’re in.
While it may have been Danjuma who got on the scoresheet for the Toffees today, it was arguably Beto who was the real hero in the front line due to his all-round performance.
The words of West Ham United chairman David Sullivan in June, 2015. Co-chairman at the time. Slaven Bilic had been appointed as the club's manager earlier that summer, and he was tasked with leading the Hammers away from obscurity in the depths of the Premier League.
Sullivan's claim was in reference to the £10m acquisition of adroit playmaker Dimitri Payet, who was renowned as one of the most underrated creators in Europe.
The Irons succeeded in their exploits, blitzing into form in the 2015/16 term and earning a seventh-placed finish in the top-flight, with Bilic's French "genius" – as was claimed by one match commentator after that assist – the fulcrum of his side's success, chalking up 12 goals and 15 assists across all competitions and etching his name into Hammers folklore.
However, the diminutive gem's time in east London proved to be little more than a sojourn, with his second season proving difficult; he was discontented with life at the club and his form had seeped into the dressing room. In January 2017, Bilic confirmed to the press that his prodigious star wanted to leave. And that was all she wrote.
Payet stole the headlines, and rightfully so. For that one fleeting season, West Ham was graced with a once-in-a-lifetime kind of player, the sort that shoots you out of your seat as if by a trebuchet, mouth gaped open and stars in your eyes.
There was another, however, to also put pen to paper with the Irons in the summer of 2015, the period that some would argue was the genesis of the newfound success that was nurtured upon David Moyes' second appointment in December 2019, which, as all know, has paid off handsomely.
That man is Michail Antonio. Under the radar at the time, the dynamic ace is now a staple of the feats of the past years, and will leave London with a lasting, silver-laden legacy.
How much did West Ham sign Michail Antonio for?
Deadline day, 2015. An annual occurrence often filled with trepidation as clubs hurry to conclude deals and provide their squads with good chances to succeed in their seasonal goals.
West Ham United striker Michail Antonio.
West Ham had indeed appointed Bilic and bolstered the squad with the likes of Payet, as well as Angelo Ogbonna and Manuel Lanzini.
In a deal that just earlier that day looked destined to fail, 25-year-old forward Antonio signed from Nottingham Forest for a fee in the region of £7m, rejecting interest from Derby County and West Bromwich Albion.
It was a small sum for an exciting and athletic player, who had just posted 14 goals and assists apiece in the Championship with the Tricky Trees the season before.
Likes to do flick-ons
Likes to dribble
Draws fouls often
Set-piece threat
Antonio would spend seven of his first eight Premier League matches as an unused substitute, coming off the bench for half an hour in the other, and despite growing into his skin and scoring 11 times across all competitions in his maiden year – including eight goals from 23 league starts – few envisaged the stalwart that the powerhouse would become.
How good is Michail Antonio?
Let's fast track to the present, Moyes has led West Ham to the Europa Conference League trophy, ending an interminable wait for a major honour – United last won major silverware in the 1980 FA Cup – and West Ham have entered the 2023/24 Premier League season prepared for a third successive continental campaign.
They've also started with aplomb, preparing for a daunting contest against the imperious Manchester City having clinched three successive victories – including wins over Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion – after drawing against Bournemouth on the south coast.
Among the goals is Antonio, bagging twice from his first four outings of the year and extending his record as the outfit's all-time Premier League top goalscorer, with 63 strikes to his name.
Heralded as a "special" star by his manager, the 33-year-old has forged 280 displays, scoring 77 goals and providing 43 assists in total, and was instrumental in the gleaning of the Conference League.
In 2021, only a rampant Mohamed Salah outscored the 12-cap Jamaica international, a further testament to a player who was on "absolute fire", as was said by pundit and Premier League icon Rio Ferdinand.
He might be getting on, but Antonio is still a formidable option and scored 14 times across all competitions last term, including six goals from seven starts in the Conference League, paramount to the club's rise through the rounds.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 11% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, further illustrating the distinctive set of skills that he brings to the table, and has done so with such prolific conviction over his years as a Hammer.
West Ham striker Michail Antonio.
Antonio would not have attracted the most lucrative transfer fee, had West Ham decided to cash in on the £85k-per-week phenom at some point over the past several years, with Football Transfers actually only ever listing his maximum value at £15m, in 2022.
However, considering his impact over the 280 appearances he has made for the side, it's evident that his role has been significant, hitting 30 Premier League goals from just 86 appearances at the peak of his powers, from 2019-20 to 2021-22.
A remarkable striker, and one who will forever be fondly remembered for his influential role in this burgeoning West Ham team, and he's not even done yet.
Life without Harry Kane has started brightly as far as Tottenham Hotspur are concerned, with new boss Ange Postecoglou already ensuring that the England skipper is something of a distant memory, following his move to Bayern Munich last month.
The Lilywhites have made a strong start to the campaign despite not actually acquiring a direct replacement for the 30-year-old goal machine, although there will likely come a time in the not-too-distant future when a successor to the club's record scorer will have to be found.
Whether it is an emerging academy star – such as teen sensation, Will Lankshear – or a high-profile, big-money addition, at some stage sooner rather than later someone will have to live with the burden of attempting to emulate Kane's heroics.
Harry Kane
To be constantly likened to or compared with such an elite figure is likely to be more of a curse than a blessing for any player, however, with one current Spurs dud having only recently fallen by the wayside despite prior comparisons to another legendary Tottenham icon – Gareth Bale.
Currently on the sidelines with yet another injury blow, it is fair to say that one-time wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon has not lived up to the hype at N17 to date, with those prior whispers that the heir to Bale had been found now looking rather foolish.
Why did Tottenham sign Ryan Sessegnon?
The once-promising wideman had caught the eye after bursting onto the scene for fellow London club, Fulham, making his first-team debut for the Cottagers at the tender age of just 16 as an indication of how highly-regarded he was at the time.
The Roehampton-born speedster – who, like Bale, can operate at left-back or in an advanced attacking berth – had captured the interest of the Premier League's elite following his standout showings in the second tier, enjoying a particularly remarkable 2017/18 season.
Despite having still been a teenager at the time, Sessegnon proved integral in helping the Craven Cottage outfit to secure promotion, netting 15 times and providing six assists in 46 Championship appearances, prior to adding another three goal involvements in the playoffs.
It was at that time that the murmurings regarding the 'next Bale' began to surface, with then-teammate Matt Targett having made the comparison between the two wing wizards in February 2018:
"He’s going to have a great future in front of him,” said Targett, as reported by the Independent. "He’s a massive threat and to score over ten goals already in the Championship for any midfielder that’s good, but he’s 17. It’s a massive achievement and he’s got a massive future in front of him. He’s definitely right up there with the likes of Luke Shaw, Gareth Bale, you could even put."
The end to that stellar season also earned the youngster lofty praise from manager Slavisa Jokanovic, with the one-time Watford boss describing the precocious talent as "a mix between Marcelo and Bale".
Such hype was followed by a respectable first season in England's top flight as Sessegnon contributed two goals and six assists in 35 league games, prior to those at Spurs having come calling…
How much did Tottenham pay for Ryan Sessegnon?
The buzz around the 5 foot 10 whiz had ensured that the Lilywhites weren't alone in their interest, with rivals Manchester United believed to have made contact regarding a possible move for the wideman in the summer of 2019, while Serie A giants Juventus were also said to be keen at the time.
Despite that growing list of suitors, it was Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino who eventually won the race in that same window, forking out a reported fee of around £25m.
That appeared something of a bargain considering figures of closer to £50m had been suggested prior to that, with Sessegnon quickly raising the excitement levels after scoring on his first Champions League start away to Bayern Munich.
Such an introduction onto the European stage unsurprisingly had supporters dreaming that an heir to Bale had finally been found, with the Welshman memorably announcing himself to the wider world after scoring a hat-trick against Inter Milan back in 2010.
Described as a "massive asset" by pundit Noel Whelan amid that promising start to the 2019/20 campaign, Sessegnon had also talked up the likeness to the ex-Real Madrid star, having stated in January 2020:
"I think [the comparisons are] definitely a confident boost. [Bale] was one of the players that I looked up to when I was younger, especially when he was at Southampton bombing up on the wing."He has attributes that I want to add to my game. In terms of attacking intent, the mentality to get in behind on the left flank and dribble with the ball, I'm trying to add a little bit of that into my game."If I could ever become as great as he has become it would be a massive achievement. I'm so far off at the moment."
Manager
Games
Goals
Assists
Ryan Mason
7
6
Jose Mourinho
27
10
3
Andre Villas-Boas
44
26
14
Harry Redknapp
137
27
39
Juande Ramos
13
0
1
Martin Jol
9
3
1
Total
237
72
58
As the Englishman stated in that final line, he was still 'so far off' emulating the one-time Southampton gem, however, with that still looking like the case today…
What has gone wrong for Ryan Sessegnon at Tottenham?
There may be a sense of what might have been had Pochettino remained in charge to help guide the emerging sensation, although with Jose Mourinho appointed in late 2019, Sessegnon's hopes of regular game time were inhibited, as he subsequently joined Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for the 2020/21 season.
Following his return from Germany it has largely been a tale of woe for the £55k-per-week asset, with injuries restricting him to just 15 and 17 league appearances across the last two seasons, respectively.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Sessegnon.
When the 23-year-old – who has scored just three times and chipped in with only four assists in 56 games in all competitions for the club – has featured he has also hardly set the world alight, with Spurs insider John Wenham brutally describing him as "a Championship player" earlier this year, while going on to add:
"We bought him as this kid with great potential and all of the attributes. I was so excited when we got him, he was exactly the signing I wanted the club to make. But you can have hindsight and you can be allowed to be wrong about things. I was absolutely wrong about Sessegnon.
"He has no pace. Ever since he had his hamstring injury he doesn’t take players on. What is the point of setting your team up to benefit from attacking wing-backs if you have a wing-back who can’t beat a man, has no pace, has no strength and cannot deliver a cross?"
It is then fair to say that the struggling dud – who is yet to feature this season due to injury – has come nowhere close to making the same impact as Bale, with the latter man having only been a year older when he sealed his £85m move to Madrid in 2013.
While it may be too soon to completely write off Sessegnon, he has certainly not built on his strong first impression, with it yet to be seen what his future will be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – if he has one at all that is.
Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Tottenham Hotspur and their reported potential move for a "unique" star.
What's the latest Spurs transfer news?
Spurs signed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, assured defender Micky van de Ven, England midfield star James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, exciting striker Alejo Veliz and Wales forward Brennan Johnson over the 2023 summer transfer window, but according to reports, they may not be done there as January slowly approaches.
The north Londoners attempted to sign a back-up defender to van de Ven in the latter stages of the summer, but a move failed to materialise for rumoured target Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth. There are suggestions that Tottenham could go back in for the Englishman when the new year hits, and Juventus star Gleison Bremer is another player apparently attracting their interest.
Ange Postecoglou's side also opted not to bring an out-and-out replacement for star striker Harry Kane through the door, despite their repeated links to Gent striker Gift Orban among others. However, Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who is also being chased by Chelsea and Arsenal, is said to be in their thinking for 2024.
Who could Tottenham sign in January?
So far, Postecoglou have enjoyed an absolutely brilliant start to the Premier League campaign without a natural replacement for Kane – with new captain Son Heung-min thriving in a more central attacking role. Even Richarlison has chipped in with some crucial contributions this season, namely against Sheffield United, where the Brazilian provided a late goal and assist to seal a 2-1 comeback deep into added time.
Despite their success on the field with Postecoglou's current system, there have been reports that the likes of Toney are serious targets heading into next year. The England international, who is currently serving a ban for alleged gambling breaches, scored 20 league goals last season – numbers which have apparently turned heads at Tottenham.
Romano, sharing an update on their possible move for the striker, said this to the Here We Go podcast:
“We have to wait, let’s see what happens. At the moment we have Tottenham in the rumours. At the moment there’s still no formal approach. We have Chelsea, they are interested in Ivan Toney. They asked in June, July for in 2024, but now he’s changed his agent so they will have to restart the conversation, but the interest is still there."
While Spurs are yet to make a formal move for the 27-year-old, it could be in their best interest to do so, as Brentford boss Thomas Frank has previously revered his quality.
“Ivan is amazing in many, many aspects,” Frank said.
“The way he copes with pressure and distractions is amazing. He’s been scoring goals, performing for the team and driving the team. He’s remarkable. I can only talk about the Ivan that I see every day around the place and he’s a fantastic person around the group. He’s got that unique emotional intelligence to be aware of all the players, and every staff member."
Crystal Palace are back in action this evening as the Eagles welcome Nottingham Forest to Selhurst Park.
Roy Hodgson will be hoping that his side can build on their impressive result against Manchester United last time out in the league, where they defeated the Red Devils 1-0 at Old Trafford.
This evening’s fixture is set to be another test for the hosts, with both sides evenly matched ahead of the showdown in south London based on their respective starts to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
With Palace occupying ninth with three wins from seven, and Steve Cooper’s side sitting in 12th with two wins, the stage is set for a closely contested affair at Selhurst as both teams will push for three points.
What is the latest Crystal Palace team news?
After suffering a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup earlier last week, Palace eliminated the disappointment of the result by winning in Manchester that weekend.
It was an assured and brave performance by Hodgson’s side, who took three points back to the capital with just 23% of possession and facing 19 shots from Erik ten Hag’s struggling 11, via Sofascore.
Unfortunately for Palace, it was not all rosy for the Eagles, as star player Eberechi Eze was withdrawn just before the full-time whistle after suffering an injury, which has since been revealed as a hamstring blow.
The Englishman will be unavailable for around six weeks, adding him to the club’s growing list of absentees with Dean Henderson also being replaced early against his former club with injury.
In lighter news, summer signing Matheus Franca has begun full training after nursing an injury and building his fitness, meaning that the 19-year-old could make his debut in some capacity against Forest.
The main concern is obviously the blow to Eze, however, Hodgson could be spared of worry by unleashing one of the club’s most exciting prospects, who is on the fringe of the first team.
Should Jesurun Rak-Sakyi start against Nottingham Forest?
After a phenomenal loan spell at Charlton Athletic in League One last season, versatile winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi could be the ideal replacement for Hodgson to exert over Eze this evening.
While the 21-year-old, who celebrated his birthday this week, has had a fast start with the academy in the Premier League 2, making two goal contributions in two appearances, he has also made his mark in the top flight.
rak-sakyi-crystal-palace
The Palace academy graduate has made three appearances in the Premier League this campaign, more than he has previously for the Eagles, suggesting that he could be on the cusp of a full breakthrough with his boyhood club.
At Charlton, Rak-Sakyi directly had a hand in 23 goals in League One, scoring 15 and assisting eight to claim the club’s Supporters Player of the Year award.
Once described as “lively” by journalist Joe Donnohue, the 21-year-old could be given the chance to showcase his threat against Forest, and earn further appearances in the side as Eze recovers from injury.
As told by Palace’s official site, the winger continues “modelling his game” on Eze, adding further fuel to his claim to replace the Englishman during his spell on the sidelines.
In what is set to be an even affair against Forest, Rak-Sakyi could cause Cooper’s side some problems if he is handed the chance to show his worth from the off this evening.
Newcastle United have set their sights on bringing an exciting young defender to the Premier League, according to a fresh report.
Who have Newcastle signed in 2023?
PIF and Eddie Howe brought five fresh faces to the club over the summer in the form of Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Yankuba Minteh on a permanent basis, whilst Lewis Hall joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
With regards to outgoings, Allan Saint-Maximin, Chris Wood and Karl Darlow were the three senior stars to leave the northeast for good, alongside the likes of Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis and Isaac Hayden, who were temporarily sent out on the road to receive more regular game time.
The St. James’ Park outfit have therefore created space in the squad for further recruits in January having sanctioned plenty of exits before the previous deadline, and one player that they appear to be targeting is Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo.
The Brazil youth international still has another three years remaining on his contract, but having impressed at the highest level since getting promoted to the first-team from the academy last summer, the 19-year-old has caught the eye of the hierarchy in NE1.
Aerial duels
n/a
(Information via WhoScored)
Are Newcastle signing Lucas Beraldo?
According to Spanish reports (via Sport Witness), Newcastle, Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all “expressed their interest” in Beraldo ahead of the transfer window opening in January.
The Premier League trio have been impressed with their target’s performances which have “caught the attention” of his admirers, who also include Benfica, Porto and Monaco overseas.
St. James' Park scouts are now considering a “promising investment for the future”, but as the outlet states, it won’t be an easy task to fend off other potential suitors at the start of 2024.
Sao Paulo defender Lucas Beraldo.
How good is Lucas Beraldo?
According to talent scout Jacek Kulig, Beraldo is a “fearless” defender, and that is exactly the attitude and mindset that you want your younger players to possess as a manager, so should Newcastle be able to beat their fellow competitors in the race for his signature, it could be a massive coup.
Sponsored by Nike, the left-footed ace ranks in the 93rd percentile for pass completion by centre-backs so is extremely calm and composed on the ball throughout the backline, and he also looks to push his team as high up the pitch as possible, listing in the 95th percentile for progressive passes, via FBRef.
Furthermore, Piracicaba’s native has even scored two goals himself since the start of his career so he’s shown that he can make himself a threat in the opposition’s box when it comes to set pieces, despite only standing at 5 foot 11.
Finally, Beraldo earns just £770-per-week at Sao Paulo – that would make him the lowest-earner on the books compared to the current squad’s salaries and is a tiny number in Premier League terms – so this is a no-brainer of a deal to pursue should the opportunity present itself.
Chelsea are a club synonymous with transfer failures and several misguided decisions have racked up overtime, draining the club of its resources without having the success to show for it.
Following their Champions League triumph in 2021, which feels like an eternity ago now, the Blues have endured a dramatic tumble from the summit of Europe's elite and have been made to swallow the bitter pill that comes with constantly sacking managers and misfiring in the transfer window.
Chelsea are widely recognised for handing out P45s like hotcakes and a remarkable three managers have taken to the helm since Thomas Tuchel was sacked in September 2022, including Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino.
Whilst managerial mistakes have proven to be detrimental to their progress on the pitch, their ventures into the transfer market have hardly proven more fruitful.
With the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga marking two of their most lucrative failures, Nicolas Jackson is the latest arrival to be met with adulation and criticism in equal measure.
What was said about Jackson when he signed for Chelsea?
Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal for £32m this summer and the media instantly latched onto the towering marksman, drawing comparisons to Blues legend, Didier Drogba.
The Frenchman had starred across a glittering career, enjoying spells in Ligue 1, the Turkish Super Lig and the MLS but it would be in the Premier League where he'd truly set the world alight.
Calling time on his period playing, the now 45-year-old finished having scored a staggering 302 goals, 164 of which came at Chelsea, and won all manner of trophies, including the memorable Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich in 2012, four FA Cups and four Premier League titles.
Didier Drogba with the Champions League trophy.
Lavished by his Blues teammates for being "irreplaceable", Drogba was unstoppable in his heyday and was widely recognised for bullying opposition defenders with his strength, rising to the occasion in big game moments and being unbelievably clinical in the final third.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, the former Ivory Coast international truly reached the pinnacle of his powers with Jose Mourinho formerly praising him as "the best striker in the world" in 2007.
Whilst it is too early to say whether Jackson will come close to reaching Drogba's level, sections of the media are planting a heavy weight on the youngster's shoulders and former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tends to agree.
He told Sky Sports [via Daily Mail]: "If you talk about Didier Drogba that’s not fair on the boy."
Irrespective of comparisons to Drogba, the sky is the limit for Jackson's potential and he can become a top striker for Chelsea in his own right.
How has Nicolas Jackson performed this season?
Despite struggling in the early stages of his Blues career, media outlets have still lavished praise on Jackson's talents.
Speaking to talkSPORT, former Chelsea defender Scott Minto said: "I really like Nicolas Jackson, and I think if you give him time, he will be a top Premier League striker.
"I look at him and his strong, he is fast, he has defenders hanging off him, he's sharp, and wants to work back for the team. The only thing he is lacking at the moment, is sticking the ball in the back of the net."
Whilst the Senegal international has shown glimpses of Drogba-like talents, namely his strength up against defenders, electric pace and clever movement, the bread and butter of any striker is finishing – and that is where the £65k per-week dynamo has fallen short.
In seven appearances for Chelsea, he's scored twice, although his attacking metrics suggest he could have had many more, missing an astonishing seven big chances, accumulating an xG of 4.09 and a goal conversion rate of 10%, as per Sofascore.
The early stages of Jackson's Premier League career have been marred by lacklustre finishing but considering the physical components of his game are already there, he isn't far away from becoming a very good striker as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of Drogba's near untouchable legacy.