Aston Villa are now ready to sign a “sensational” £42m midfielder on a loan deal, as he has been made available by his current club, according to a report.

Villa still in the race for the Champions League

Villa have failed to hit the heights of last season, but they are still very much in the race for the Champions League, currently sitting just six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea as we enter the second half of the campaign. In order to aid the Villans’ top four push and ongoing Champions League campaign, however, Unai Emery is looking at making a number of additions during the January transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen is one of Emery’s main targets, and it appears as though the forward is keen on the move to Villa Park, having now verbally agreed to join.

Not only is Emery keen on strengthening in attack, but he is also weighing up his options in defence, and the Villans are now lining up a move for Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, who has a release clause of £16.5m in his contract.

Back in the summer, one of the big disappointments for Villa was the fact they had to sell Douglas Luiz to Juventus, but a new report from The Boot Room has detailed the midfielder could be on his way back to England.

Aston Villa’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Everton (a)

January 15th

Arsenal (a)

January 18th

West Ham United (h)

January 26th

Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

February 1st

Ipswich Town (h)

February 15th

Villa are now ready to re-sign Luiz on a loan deal, with Juventus willing to sanction the midfielder’s departure this month, as he has failed to impress since completing a move to the Allianz Stadium.

The Italian club are looking to sell the Brazilian, who they paid £42m for, on a loan-to-buy deal, but it is deemed unlikely that an agreement of that nature will be possible this month.

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ByBarney Lane Jan 7, 2025 Luiz deal could make sense for all parties

Juventus clearly have no intention of keeping hold of the 26-year-old, and he has already proven himself at Villa Park, so a deal could make sense for all parties. Even though his move to the Serie A has not worked out, the central midfielder received high praise from members of the media during his time in the Midlands.

The Brazil international was rated Villa’s second-best performer in the Premier League last season, averaging a 7.27 match rating as they secured their spot in the Champions League.

As such, if Luiz is able to perform at a similar level for the Villans during the rest of the current campaign, he could be a real boost to their chances of reaching Europe’s elite competition for the second season on the bounce.

That’s two successive Premier League draws for title-chasing Liverpool, and though it can feel frustrating to have ceded ground once again, it was an electrifying contest between the top-placed sides.

Liverpool still have a sizeable lead at the top of the table. Second-placed Nottingham Forest stay six points behind and while Arsenal, one point further behind, host Tottenham this evening, they have played an extra game.

Arne Slot’s second-half changes proved to ignite a ferocious Reds comeback save for Matz Sels’ incredible preventive display between the sticks.

The Tricky Trees goalkeeper was a redoubtable wall in front of goal, with broadcaster Jamie Martin even hailing him as “the best goalkeeper in the league” after five spectacular stops.

That said, it was a pretty dismal display as far as Mohamed Salah was concerned, especially when considering his outrageous standards.

Mohamed Salah's performance vs Forest

Salah was silenced by Nottingham Forest for the second time this season. The Egypt star has only failed to register a goal contribution in three Premier League matches this year, with two coming against Nuno Espirito Santo’s resilient side.

Liverpool toiled through the first half without threatening the City Ground’s goalmouth, skewing a series of shots wide. Salah was culpable throughout, forcing Sels into two expert saves but also wasteful with a host more.

Moreover, the 32-year-old lost each of his eight contested ground duels while also failing with all four of his dribble attempts. He’ll see better games ahead, but Salah will want to bury this one swiftly.

Minutes played

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

61

Shots (on target)

6 (2)

Pass completion

27/36 (75%)

Key passes

4

Dribbles (completed)

4 (0)

Ground duels (won)

8 (0)

The same could be applied to Andy Robertson’s performance, although the Scotland left-back has flattered to deceive all term and might need to be dropped going forward.

The Liverpool star who was worse than Salah

Robertson has been a faithful servant for Liverpool over the most illustrious period in Anfield’s modern history, but every dog has his day and this one appears to have run his energy tank into the ground, with the Scotsman’s 323rd Reds appearance one to be forgotten.

As per Sofascore, Robertson only won a single duel all match, not even attempting a dribble as his developing weaknesses were brutally exposed by a Forest side riding the crest of a wave under Nuno.

Liverpool World could only give the veteran a 4/10 match score as he failed to inspire confidence – for Slot’s side anyway, for Antony Elanga seemed to fancy his chances with each exchange.

The 30-year-old’s struggle was perfectly illustrated by Slot’s decision to withdraw him after just 65 minutes, recognising the difficulty he was having.

Kostas Tsimikas’ instant impact with a corner-swept assist for Diogo Jota to restore parity will have given the Dutch tactician food for thought, to be sure. Chatter has simmered away around the need to replace Robertson this season, and this might just have been the final nail in the coffin with the January market in swing.

It’s harsh and poignant to watch Robertson, one of Liverpool’s greatest left-backs, struggle to scrape the vestiges of his one-time quality together, and Slot must surely propose a winter transfer to FSG now.

Too much hinges on the next few months. Liverpool are still in the driving seat, but it’s clear that Robertson could hinder the title charge on more than a few occasions, and he needs to be replaced.

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أثارت واقعة اعتداء لويس إنريكي، مدرب باريس سان جيرمان، على لاعب تشيلسي جواو بيدرو، عقب نهاية نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، جدلًا واسعًا بين جماهير ومحللي كرة القدم حول العالم.

الواقعة حدثت مباشرة بعد صافرة النهاية، حين توجه إنريكي نحو اللاعب البرازيلي ودفعه بشكل واضح أمام عدسات الكاميرات، مما قد يضع المدرب الإسباني تحت طائلة العقوبات الانضباطية من “فيفا” إذا قرر فتح تحقيق بشأن الأمر، رغم عدم طرده أثناء المباراة.

ورغم أن قوانين البطولة تنص على أن البطاقات الحمراء أو الإنذارات لا تنتقل إلى مسابقات أخرى، إلا أن “فيفا” يحتفظ بحق اتخاذ إجراءات منفصلة في حالات السلوك العنيف، خصوصًا إذا وردت في تقارير منسق المباراة.

اقرأ أيضًا | أنا أحمق.. إنريكي يقر بخطئه بعد اعتدائه المثير للجدل على لاعب تشيلسي وعقوبة محتملة

بحسب صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”، فإن تقرير المنسق قد يلعب دورًا حاسمًا في فتح ملف انضباطي ضد إنريكي، والذي قد يُعاقب بالإيقاف لثلاث مباريات على الأقل، بناءً على لائحة الانضباط الخاصة بالاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم.

وتنص المادة الثانية من الفصل الثاني في لائحة العقوبات على توقيع إيقاف لثلاث مباريات أو لفترة مناسبة بحق أي شخص يعتدي على لاعب أو شخص آخر ليس من طاقم التحكيم، سواء بالضرب أو الدفع أو البصق أو غيرها من الأفعال العنيفة.

وفي حال إدانته رسميًا، قد تبدأ عقوبة الإيقاف مع أولى مباريات الفريق في المسابقات الدولية المقبلة، سواء في النسخة القادمة من كأس العالم للأندية أو في مباريات دوري أبطال أوروبا، حسب قرار لجنة الانضباط بالفيفا.

The Ireland captain was struck on the helmet after scoring a century in the first ODI

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jan-2023Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie has been withdrawn from the ODI series against Zimbabwe after getting hit on the helmet in the opening match. Left-hand batter Murray Commins has received his first call-up as Balbirnie’s replacement and Paul Stirling will stand-in as captain.Balbirnie scored his eighth ODI hundred and was on 121 when a low full toss from Brad Evans deflected off his bat onto his helmet. A stretcher brought out but he managed to walk off the field, and Ireland did not use the concussion substitute.”Andrew Balbirnie sustained a suspected mild concussive episode after being struck on the helmet while batting in yesterday’s match against Zimbabwe,” Mark Rausa, head of physiotherapy and medical services for Cricket Ireland, said. “He retired hurt and did not take the field in the second innings in line with concussion protocols. He was reassessed this morning, but the decision has been made to withdraw him from the remaining two matches of this series as a precaution.”Related

Zimbabwe clinch last-ball thriller in rain-hit game against Ireland

When Zimbabwe had toured Ireland in 2021, Commins, playing for the A side, scored a half-century at the top of the order. He had low returns in Ireland’s domestic 50-overs competition last year but struck a century in the T20 competition.”It’s extremely disappointing to lose our skipper in this manner, particularly after his outstanding century in his 200th match for Ireland,” Ireland selector Andrew White said. W”e all hope his recovery is quick and he is back on the park soon.”With Andrew’s withdrawal, we have called up Murray Commins. Murray is a talented top-order batter that we see as a direct replacement – we know he has the stroke play, technique and mindset to build big scores and being left-handed, he will also add a new dimension to the top order. Given the volume of cricket coming up, this is also an opportunity to give Murray exposure to the international arena.”After losing the T20I series 1-2, Ireland lost the opening ODI – a rain-hit contest – by three wickets off the final delivery. The second and third ODIs will be played on January 21 and 23 at Harare Sports Club.

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Aug-2015Chamu Chibhabha held one end up with a 44-ball 42, until he was stumped off a Sodhi delivery in the 18th over•AFPSikandar Raza then began the repair work, getting involved in partnerships with Sean Williams and Tinashe Panyangara on his way to a third ODI ton that helped Zimbabwe to 235 for 9 – a target that seemed quite beyond them at one point•AFP

Still looking to turn their season around, Wolverhampton Wanderers look set to welcome their second signing of the January transfer window, with a new midfielder thought to be on his way to Molineux.

Wolves transfer news

Those in the Midlands have already added one reinforcement this month in the form of Emmanuel Agbadou, who has finally ended their search for a much-needed central defender. But they’re seemingly not done there and rightly so.

As things stand, Vitor Pereira’s side are destined for a Premier League relegation scrap right up until the bitter end, which could end in disaster if they fail to welcome further key additions before the end of the month.

On the transfer front, the rumours have continued to arrive regarding potential moves for the likes of Renato Veiga, who has found himself on the fringes of Enzo Maresca’s strongest Chelsea side.

It’s not the versatile Swiss midfielder who’s stealing the biggest headlines, however. Instead, those in the Midlands have reportedly turned their attention towards Portugal in what has become quite the trend at the Molineux over the years.

According to reports in Portugal (as relayed by Sport Witness), Wolves have now all but sealed a deal to sign Manu Silva from Vitoria Guimaraes – with the midfielder already “on his way” to the Midlands to join up with Pereira’s side, as per Jornal de Noticias.

In a package worth a reported €12m (£10m) this month, Wolves look set to get their man, and in doing so, an ideal replacement for Mario Lemina, who currently looks destined for Saudi Arabia.

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Signing from Portugal has certainly gone well in the past, and after earlier reports indicated their interest, it looks as though Wolves are set to sign Manu Silva and hand Pereira another welcomed boost this month.

"Strong" Manu Silva brings key versatility

Whilst he is likely to be used primarily as a midfielder, Manu Silva’s ability to also play as a centre-back will undoubtedly help a Wolves side often left short on defensive options, even after the arrival of Agbadou earlier this month.

The 23-year-old has unsurprisingly found himself at the centre of praise since Wolves’ interest emerged, with Rising Star, which takes a closer look at emerging talents, praising his “strong” aerial ability and “effective ball distribution” earlier this week.

For just £10m, Manu Silva could quickly become a bargain buy at Wolves if he goes on to play an integral part in their survival. Potentially following the same path as Ruben Neves from Portugal to the Midlands, the young midfielder will be one to watch at the heart of Pereira’s side.

Potentially two signings down, Wolves have so far enjoyed a successful January transfer window, to say the least.

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2016Tim Ambrose pulled off a sharp leg-side stumping to remove Steven Davies•Getty ImagesOliver Hannon-Dalby claimed the huge wicket of Kumar Sangakkara when he edged behind•Getty ImagesJeetan Patel was again outstanding with his offspin…•Getty Images…and removed Zafar Ansari for a duck the day after his England call-up•Getty ImagesPatel also pulled off a sharp piece of work to complete the run out of Tom Curran as Surrey subsided for 136•Getty ImagesAnsari removed Sam Hain but Surrey were never in the game during the chase•Getty ImagesJonathan Trott was always in control…•Getty Images…and eased his way to an unbeaten 82 to secure the trophy for Warwickshire•Getty Images

da realbet： Chelsea are believed to be targeting another Man United star alongside their interest in Kobbie Mainoo, with two players in Enzo Maresca’s squad heading towards the exit door.

Chelsea approach Kobbie Mainoo's agents over transfer

da blaze casino： In the last week, credible media sources revealed Chelsea’s serious interest in signing Mainoo, who is currently in the midst of a contract debacle, as the England international sets his sights on improved terms.

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The 19-year-old rising star is on just £20,000-per-week at United, which hardly reflects his status as a Three Lions midfielder and crucial player to Ruben Amorim, but rumoured PSR concerns are stalling an agreement over a new contract for Mainoo.

As a result of this, it is reliably believed that Chelsea have approached Mainoo’s agents in an attempt to lure him, as reported by journalist and Stamford Bridge insider Simon Phillips on his Substack.

Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures

Date

Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)

January 20

Man City (away)

January 25

West Ham (away)

February 3

Brighton (away)

February 14

Aston Villa (away)

February 22

“Chelsea also still want to bring in a new midfielder this window on request of Enzo Maresca,” wrote Phillips earlier this week.

“However, that does not need to be a new midfielder, and there are still chances that either Lesley Ugochukwu or Andrey Santos could be recalled, SPTC sources have heard again yesterday.

“There’s a chance Santos is recalled too by the way, something that we were not expecting to happen at all, until now, potentially.

“Chelsea have tried to turn the head of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United by approaching his agents, and this one is still potentially one that could happen this month, if the player decides he is keen on the move.”

While this is far from advanced, it appears Chelsea are seriously pursuing Mainoo, but he isn’t the only Red Devils sensation on their radar.

Chelsea target Alejandro Garnacho with Disasi and Nkunku set to leave

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, exciting United winger Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as a target for Maresca.

The Argentine is attracting reported interest from Antonio Conte’s Napoli, who appear to have set their sights on him as a potential replacement for the PSG-bound Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

However, Conte now faces competition from his former club. Chelsea are targeting Garnacho and have “launched” an operation over his potential signing, according to L’Équipe, who also provided an update on the futures of Christopher Nkunku and Axel Disasi.

The £275,000-per-week duo are apparently set to depart west London before deadline day on February 3, with Maresca’s squad facing a serious overhaul in the latter stage of this transfer window.

Going back to Garnacho, the 20-year-old has bagged eight goals and five assists in 31 appearances so far this campaign, putting in some exceptional displays, and he fits the mould of a young, exciting player that BlueCo has repeatedly targeted since Chelsea’s takeover.

Garnacho is also highly versatile, capable of playing anywhere across the attack – including the left-hand side, right-hand side, through the middle as a central attacking midfielder and even as a second striker. However, he won’t come cheap, as some reports suggest the South American could cost £70 million.

In his absence, Ryan van Niekerk will oversee Netherlands for their tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa

Matt Roller19-Mar-2023Ryan Cook, the Netherlands head coach, will miss his team’s next two international series after his appointment as fielding coach at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.Cook, who oversaw Netherlands’ successful T20 World Cup campaign in Australia in October-November 2022, has been replaced by Ryan van Niekerk on an interim basis for their tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa.At the SA20 as well Cook had worked as fielding coach of Sunrisers’ franchise, the eventual champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape. He arrived in India on Sunday ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s first game of IPL 2023 against Rajasthan Royals on April 2.Cook replaces Hemang Badani in the role; Badani has become Sunrisers’ batting coach, the same role he filled at the SA20.Brian Lara, who was Sunrisers’ batting coach last season, has become head coach ahead of IPL 2023. Dale Steyn (fast-bowling coach), Muthiah Muralidaran (spin-bowling coach) and Simon Helmot (assistant coach) return in the same roles they held in 2022.Netherlands won their first match of van Niekerk’s temporary spell on Sunday, beating a Zimbabwe XI by nine runs in Harare. They will play three ODIs on March 21, 23 and 25 before two further ODIs against South Africa, on March 31 and April 2.Allrounder Bas de Leede has been ruled out of the Zimbabwe series through a heel injury and has been replaced by Aryan Dutt.

وجه محمد صبحي، حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، رسالة قوية مثيرة للجدل، وسط أنباء رحيله عن صفوف القلعة البيضاء، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

وشهدت الفترة الأخيرة، ترديد أنباء عن رحيل محمد صبحي من نادي الزمالك إلى بيراميدز، وذلك بعد تراجع أدائه مع الفارس الأبيض.

وقال محمد صبحي في ستوري عبر موقع التواصل “انستجرام”: “متستغربش لما تلاقى حد كارهك وإنت معملتش معاه أي حاجة وحشة ولا تتصدم لما تعمل الخير مع حد ويردهولك في الآخر أذية، نفوس الناس مش زي بعضها وفي قلوب كثير حوالينا ماليها الحقد والغل، مش كل الناس هتحبك وتتمنالك الخير”.

طالع أيضاً.. يورتشيتش يُعلن عن تشكيلتين لـ بيراميدز أمام باندرما سبور التركي

وتابع: “مهما قدمتلهم حاجات حلوة، مهما كان قلبك أبيض وبتحب الخير للكل، هتتشاف وحش في عيون ناس كتير، مهما كانت تصرفاتك تلقائية وطبيعية ناس هتشوفها مقصودة ومدروسة حتى جدعنتك إللي بالفطرة هتتحسب منظرة وحب للظهور، مش كل الناس هتحب تعرفك ع حقيقتك ولا كل الناس هاتشوفك زي ما إنت، ناس كتير جدًا بيشوفوك بطباعهم وسواد قلوبهم”.

وأتم: “بقينا في زمن العجايب، ف توقع الغير متوقع، امشي زي ما إنت وزي ما إنت إتربيت، وما تستناش خير من حد وإياك تعافر عشان تثبت لحد إنك كويس، ومش مهم أبدًا تكون عند الناس إيه، ولا هما باصينلك إزاي، لينا رب هو اللي عارفنا وشايف قلوبنا وعارف نوايانا وهو ده بس المهم مش البشر أبدًا”.