Wolverhampton Wanderers are now keen on signing a "talented" starlet, who is wanted by a whole host of Europe's top clubs, according to a report.
What's the latest Wolves transfer news?
Wolves have not made the best of starts to the Premier League season, currently sitting in 16th place, having lost four of their opening five matches, and they have been particularly disappointing in a defensive sense.
At this early stage in the campaign, the Old Gold have already shipped 11 goals, the second-highest amount of any side in the top flight, most recently suffering a 3-1 defeat at home against Liverpool.
However, it is still too early for Gary O'Neil to hit the panic button, given that his side have faced tough opposition in Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool, and there have been very few recent links to any new signings.
One of the few players Wolves have been credited with an interest in is Portuguese free agent Xeka, with the central midfielder attracting the attention of a number of Premier League's clubs after his Rennes contract came to an end.
According to a report from 90min, the Old Gold are also keen on signing Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco, but it may be very difficult to win the race for the 19-year-old, as a number of Europe's top clubs are now vying for his signature.
Brighton are leading the race for the youngster, but the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Brentford and Nottingham Forest have all watched him in recent weeks, with Wolves also sending scouts to check on him.
Boca Juniors are keen to agree a new contract with the defender, as his current deal includes a release clause of just £8m, and they are hopeful he will be willing to extend his stay at La Bombonera.
Despite the £8m release clause, Football Insider have recently reported it may take a fee of around £15m to tempt the Argentine Primera Division club into a sale, although that is not likely to present an obstacle for the top English sides.
Should Wolves sign a left-back?
It may not be prudent for the Molineux outfit to shell out £15m on a new left-back, considering O'Neil already has a talented young option available to him in Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has featured in all five Premier League games this season.
Ait-Nouri ranks in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers, and the 97th percentile for successful take-ons, displaying his attacking threat, so left-back is not a position O'Neil urgently needs to strengthen.
Boca Juniors defender Valentin Barco.
That said, if Wolves were able to win the race for Barco's signature, he could be a fantastic long-term addition to the squad, having been hailed as "one of the most talented left-backs in world football" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Kulig has also claimed the Boca starlet is "the future" of Argentinian football, but it seems unlikely he will make the switch to Molineux, considering the likes of Man City, Brighton and Newcastle are interested.
Manchester United have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just five times across four matches while securing only two wins from these Premier League ties, and it’s evident that Erik ten Hag has to change things up if he wants his team to contend for the title.
Marcus Rashford led the way last season, scoring 30 goals across all competitions, yet he has yet to catch fire this term, netting only once in four league outings, indicating that perhaps he needs more time to get back into his stride.
Bruno Fernandes also proved to be a key attacking outlet for the Red Devils last season, netting 14 times, but like Rashford, he has failed to really get going thus far and Ten Hag will require others to step up and begin contributing.
The Dutchman went all out to sign Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund in the summer transfer window, spending £72m to secure one of the most highly-rated talents on the continent.
Having missed the start of the season due to injury, the youngster will need to hit the ground running and prove to the United faithful why this sort of money was splashed out on him.
How good is Rasmus Hojlund?
During the 2022/23 campaign, the Dane scored 16 goals in all competitions, which included nine for Serie A side Atalanta, having made the move to Italy from Sturm Graz last summer.
He only started 20 league matches for the club, yet ranked third for goals and assists (11), second for shots per game (1.7) and eighth for successful dribbles per game (0.9), indicating that he settled into life well in Serie A, despite his tender years.
Despite these encouraging statistics, when compared to positional peers, Hojlund only ranks in the top 30% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.42), while also ranking in the top 33% for total shots per 90 (2.81), demonstrating that he isn’t quite the finished article yet and there is still some developing to do.
The striker has only scored 27 senior club career goals and Ten Hag is perhaps expecting too much with regard to the youngster leading the line for the Old Trafford side, thus putting a heap of pressure on his shoulders already.
Given their struggles in the final third, what the former Ajax boss would give to have a former United sensation as his main striker right now. The likes of Andy Cole is one such player. He had everything to thrive under the Dutchman, certainly proving to be a bigger talent than Hojlund is currently.
How much did Manchester United sign Andy Cole for?
Sir Alex Ferguson was the master at signing players who were either just about to hit their peak years or had proven that they could thrive in the Premier League.
Andy Cole fits into both of these categories, having spent the previous two and half seasons scoring for fun at Newcastle United.
The Englishman netted 12 goals in the old First Division as the Magpies gained promotion to the Premier League and during the 1993/94 campaign, he exploded into life, making the top flight his stage.
Andy Cole
Cole scored a staggering 34 goals across 40 matches as Newcastle finished the season in a wonderful third spot under Kevin Keegan and the good times finally looked to be coming back to St James’ Park.
Ferguson needed another goalscorer and earmarked Cole as the player who could spearhead the United attack for the foreseeable future.
The wily Scot eventually secured his signature for a fee of £7m in January 1995 and although his signing couldn’t help United win a third consecutive league crown, the future was bright.
How many goals did Andy Cole score for Manchester United?
His first two full seasons saw Cole hit just 11 and six league goals respectively as he struggled to live up to the vast hype, numbers indicative of Hojlund's embryonic years in football. Yet, the former finally hit the ground running during the 1997/98 campaign, scoring 25 goals across all competitions.
Having lost the league to Arsenal, Ferguson made sure there wouldn’t be a repeat of this by luring striker Dwight Yorke to the club, and it proved to be a stroke of genius, with him and Cole forming a deadly partnership when deployed up front together.
Their stunning link-up play against Barcelona in the Champions League during their first season together was a joy to behold, and the duo received praise from a variety of figures, including Ferguson himself.
He said: “Andy Cole had a great time with us. He and Dwight Yorke had that fantastic season in 1999 that year they were the best partnership in Europe.”
Commentator Clive Tyldesley even lauded the pair, saying “They are out of this world,” as they led United to a stunning treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup during the 1998/99 season.
Cole would remain at Old Trafford for the next two and half years before making the move to Blackburn Rovers in 2002, where he won the League Cup just a few weeks after his arrival.
Overall, the 15-cap Englishman made 275 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 121 times in the process while winning five league titles and the coveted Champions League in what was a golden era for the club.
Can you imagine a player like this in the current United team? With creative talents such as Fernandes and Mason Mount producing chance after chance for the striker, and Rashford linking up well from a wide position, it would be a match made in heaven.
Hojlund is still young and relatively experienced at senior level, playing just 88 matches over the previous three seasons but will need to start scoring before the pressure hits unbearable levels. He could well use Cole's example as inspiration.
The latter had everything to be a top-level centre-forward. He was pacy, and could outmanoeuvre even the best of defenders while having a ruthless streak which enabled him to be the main man at Old Trafford for over half a decade.
Hojlund is a wonderful talent and has already shown glimpses of his ability in Italy, but the pressure is greater in Manchester and in order to build on his solid start to life in senior football, he could certainly learn a thing from the success Cole enjoyed at the club.
Plenty of strikers have already tried to crawl out of Cole's shadow and failed; it's now time for the Norwegian to show he won't have the same difficulties. Over to you, Rasmus.
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has advised Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck to reject a potential move to Bayern Munich if Dayot Upamecano remains at the club. The pundit believes the centre-back would struggle for game time in Bavaria and suspects that Schlotterbeck is currently stalling on a new contract because he is holding out for a lucrative transfer to the Premier League.
Schlotterbeck considering his options
Former Bayern Munich and Germany captain Matthaus has urged Schlotterbeck to think twice before swapping Borussia Dortmund for the Allianz Arena, warning the defender that he risks stalling his career if he moves to Bavaria while Upamecano is still present. The future of the 26-year-old centre-back has become a dominant topic in the Bundesliga with his contract at Dortmund expiring in the summer of 2027 and Bayern Munich monitoring his situation closely.
Schlotterbeck, who has established himself as a cornerstone of the Dortmund defence since his arrival from Freiburg, is currently at a career crossroads. With his contract winding down and no extension yet signed, despite Dortmund's clear desire to tie him to a new deal, speculation has mounted that the German champions could look to poach another key asset from their fierce rivals. However, Matthaus believes such a move would be fraught with risk for the player, particularly given the current hierarchy in Vincent Kompany’s squad.
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The Upamecano obstacle
Speaking to Sport Bild, Matthaus analysed the potential transfer and identified French international Dayot Upamecano as the primary barrier to Schlotterbeck’s success in Munich. Despite Schlotterbeck’s evident quality, the World Cup winner feels the tactical setup at Bayern does not currently have a vacancy for him.
"He is one of the best central defenders we have in Germany," Matthaus stated, acknowledging Schlotterbeck's rise to prominence. However, he quickly qualified that praise with a stark warning about the competition for places.
"I think it depends a lot on Upamecano," Matthaus continued. "If Upamecano stays, then it will be very difficult for Nico Schlotterbeck to become a regular player at Bayern. But we are not there yet. I don't know what Nico is planning."
The comments highlight the resurgence of Upamecano, who has seemingly solidified his place in the Bayern starting XI. Matthaus argues that unless the Frenchman departs, Schlotterbeck would likely find himself warming the bench – a scenario that would be detrimental to his ambitions with the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Eyes on England?
Matthaus also offered a theory regarding the delay in Schlotterbeck’s contract renewal at Signal Iduna Park. While Dortmund are keen to tie their defensive leader down to a long-term deal, the player’s camp has remained non-committal. The German legend suspects that this hesitation is not about leverage for a better salary in the Bundesliga, but rather a desire to test himself in England where Liverpool are said to be eyeing him.
"In Dortmund he has his position," Matthaus observed. "I don't know what he is waiting for: probably still for offers from England."
The Premier League has long been touted as a potential destination for Schlotterbeck, whose physical profile, left-footed distribution, and ability to drive into midfield make him an attractive proposition for top English clubs. A La Liga adventure has also been touted as a possibility for the Germany international, with Real Madrid said to be interested. Barcelona had also been linked due to his connection with coach Hansi Flick but recent reports claim the club are reluctant to move for him over concerns about his playing style.
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'At the back of the queue'
Ultimately, Matthaus’s advice was clear: stay where you are a guaranteed starter, or move abroad, but do not go to Munich to be a backup. He reiterated that as long as the current defensive partnerships at Bayern are functioning, Schlotterbeck would be taking a significant gamble by moving south.
"But if Bayern get along with Upamecano, then I wouldn't necessarily advise Nico to go to Bayern Munich, because then he will be at the back of the queue for the time being," Matthaus concluded.
The intervention from such a high-profile figure adds pressure on Schlotterbeck to clarify his future. For Dortmund, the priority remains securing the signature of their defensive talisman to avoid losing him on a free transfer or for a reduced fee. Bayern, meanwhile, are confident of convincing Upamecano to sign a new contract as the threat of a free transfer looms, suggesting Schlotterbeck may have to give some real thought to Matthaus' comments.
England captain Harry Kane scored twice to carry Bayern Munich to a scrappy win over RB Leipzig and stay in the Bundesliga title race.
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Kane scored before Sesko equalisedEngland captain won it in stoppage timeBayern eight points behind LeverkusenTELL ME MORE
Kane came the closest for the Bavarians in the first half, seeing a free header denied by an acrobatic stop. He didn't miss in the second half, creating space inside the box before lashing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner. But Leipzig battled their way back, Sesko bagging the equaliser with 20 minutes to play. Kane had the last laugh, though, guiding home a fine finish in second half stoppage time.
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It hasn't been an easy few weeks for Kane. The English striker was toothless against first Leverkusen, then Lazio, going missing in the Bavarians' biggest games of the season. And although he scored in a losing effort against Bochum last week, he failed to convince. On Saturday, he turned in a far more convincing performance. He was unlucky not to open the scoring after five minutes, and took first his goal well when the moment came. The second was even better – a fine left footed finish. A welcome return to form.
GettyTHE BIG LOSER
It's on nights like these that big players need to show up. And Leipzig's Lois Openda simply didn't. The pacey forward has been excellent in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 16 goals and adding four assists. But he was almost anonymous here. He managed just 27 touches – only four of which came in the Bayern box – and didn't put a shot on goal. In the end, Leipzig were perhaps unlucky that the opposition had a truly elite striker leading their line. But they could have done with a better contribution from their own centre-forward in this one.
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Bayern will face a scrap to stay in the Bundesliga title race – as current leaders Bayer Leverkusen keep winning. Thomas Tuchel's side continue that effort with a clash with Freiburg on Friday, before turning their attention to the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash with Lazio.
West Brom conceded in the final dying moments at the Hawthorns last match to lose to Leicester City 2-1, exposed on the break after overcommitting numbers with Harry Winks sliding in to convert a crucial winner for Enzo Maresca's Foxes.
Carlos Corberan will hope that his Baggies side won't be too disheartened by the nature of narrow defeat, that loss was only West Brom's second loss from their last five Championship matches with wins coming in the other contests.
Grady Diangana continues to underperform for the West Midlands side which will be a worry for Corberan, the exciting Congolese forward coming away from the Leicester match with a dire overall 6.2 Sofascore rating.
It was a lacklustre 75-minute display from the Baggies number 11 – only mustering up one shot all game which was blocked – with his first team future in jeopardy if he continues to underwhelm.
On the contrary, former West Brom dud Kamil Grosicki – who can usually operate on the opposite flank to where Diangana regularly features for his team – is now outperforming the misfiring 25-year-old with his new employers back in his native Poland.
How much West Brom signed Kamil Grosicki for
West Brom must have thought they'd struck gold when they signed a then in-form Grosicki for a reported fee of £800k with add ons, poaching the winger from Hull City.
Grosicki had been a consistent bright spark for the Tigers amidst turmoil off the field alongside Jarrod Bowen, the popular Polish attacker breaking Hull hearts when he moved on – scoring 26 goals and assisting a further 27 over four seasons at the MKM Stadium.
The move to West Brom just didn't work out for Grosicki however, leaving the Hawthorns on a free transfer after a torrid short stay at the club.
Kamil Grosicki's statistics at West Brom
Grosicki would only manage to score one goal for the Baggies from 19 appearances, the attacking midfielder never acclimatising to his new surroundings in the west Midlands fully.
It led to Grosicki having a frosty relationship with then West Brom boss Sam Allardyce, the one-time Bolton Wanderers boss turned Baggies short-term appointment calling the former Tigers man out for rejecting a move away from the club that could have been a lifeline.
Allardyce was rather blunt when questioned about Grosicki's lack of opportunities at the Hawthorns in the first team: "He could've gone to Nottingham Forest, but he refused."
Instead, Grosicki would have to pick up the pieces of his disintegrating football career back in his native Poland when he was released by the Baggies in 2021 with the 35-year-old now having the last laugh.
Grosicki would rejoin Pogoń Szczecin, the club that started the Polish winger's footballing journey in 2006 that saw him play in the EFL and beyond.
Kamil Grosicki's statistics since leaving West Brom
The 35-year-old, who now wears the captain's armband for his hometown club, has been the standout performer this season for Pogoń Szczecin.
Scoring 13 times in total during his first full season back on home soil, the experienced attacker has eight goals and nine assists in all competitions so far this campaign.
Three of those goal contributions even came in Europa Conference qualifying for Pogoń Szczecin, helping his team beat Northern Irish opposition Linfield 5-2 away at Windsor Park.
In contrast, Diangana for the Baggies only has three goals and three assists in Championship action this season.
Grosicki will continue firing in goals and providing teammates with assists out in Poland to end his career with a bang, whilst Diangana back at the Hawthorns needs to pick up form quickly or face the axe by an impatient Corberan.
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has launched a scathing critique of Real Madrid's hierarchy, accusing Florentino Perez of leaving Xabi Alonso "isolated" at the Bernabeu. The German club's chief claims the culture in the Spanish capital treats managers as a "necessary evil", contrasting it sharply with the support Alonso enjoyed at the BayArena.
Shaky run for Real Madrid
Alonso's tenure at Real Madrid, once viewed as the homecoming of a managerial prodigy, has quickly turned into a trial by fire. Back-to-back home defeats to Celta and Manchester City added fuel to reports that Alonso's future at the club is in doubt heading into the weekend clash against Deportivo Alaves, which they won 2-1. Amidst growing reports that the 44-year-old is facing the sack already, his former boss at Leverkusen has spoken out to defend the coach, pointing the finger squarely at the structural differences between the two clubs. Carro, the CEO of the Bundesliga side, believes that Alonso has been left exposed by a Madrid board that fails to protect its managers in times of crisis.
Alonso departed Leverkusen in the summer to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu, tasked with leading a new era for Los Blancos. However, results have been mixed, and the Spanish press has already begun to sharpen its knives. For Carro, who oversaw Alonso’s historic unbeaten domestic double in Germany, the issue lies not with the tactician’s ability, but with the ruthless and often lonely environment fostered by Madrid president Florentino Perez.
AdvertisementAFPCarrow pledges support to Alonso
Speaking to , Carro did not mince his words when comparing the supportive environment of Leverkusen with the cut-throat politics of Madrid.
"We didn't advise him on anything," Carro said when asked if he had spoken to Alonso about his current predicament. "At the time we would have liked him to stay here, but we know he is a coach with enormous talent who, yes, finds himself in a different context in Madrid.
"If the president says that a coach is a necessary evil, if the coach is left alone and it is always he who receives the criticism, well then the situation is very different from the one he experienced in Leverkusen, where we all rowed in the same direction and did not leave the coach politically alone."
A bond that remains unbroken
Despite the tense situation surrounding Alonso’s future, Carro revealed that his personal relationship with the Basque coach remains incredibly strong. The two forged a close bond during Alonso’s three-year stint in Germany, a period that transformed Leverkusen from underachievers to history-makers.
Carro confirmed that he recently visited Alonso in the Spanish capital, emphasising that their connection transcends the professional sphere.
"During the international break I was in Madrid for a weekend, and the coaching staff and the family were at our house twice," Carro revealed. "We have a very good relationship; after all, during those three years we were like a family. I also know that they follow our matches and we follow theirs, we follow each other. We feel a lot of appreciation for each other and maintain very close contact."
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Getty Images SportThe pressure cooker of the Bernabeu
The contrast described by Carro serves as a warning to Madrid fans and pundits calling for Alonso’s head. However, pressure will only continue to build on the coach unless he brings consistency after a stunning start to his tenure. They started the season with 13 wins from their first 14 games under Alonso, including a victory against Barcelona, but a defeat to Liverpool sparked a dismal run that saw them drop four points behind in La Liga and in danger of falling out of the Champions League's top eight.
While Leverkusen soldier on without him, watching their former manager struggle under the weight of the "white house" expectations has evidently struck a nerve with the German club's hierarchy. Whether Perez heeds the subtle warning from his counterpart remains to be seen, but as the sack rumours intensify, the accusation that Alonso has been "left alone" will likely resonate with those who feel the manager is being made a scapegoat for wider structural issues.
Alexia Putellas has confirmed that she is nearing a return after being included in Spain's squad for their Nations League final against France.
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Putellas included in squad
Recovering from ACL injury
Did not get on the pitch
WHAT HAPPENED?
Putellas is recovering from an ACL injury but was included in Spain's squad for their Nations League final against France, which they won 2-0. Putellas did not get on the pitch but she confirmed after the game that she is very close to returning to action.
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WHAT PUTELLAS SAID
The Barcelona star told reporters: "Very good, I'm super happy, goal accomplished, let's go to the Olympic Games as champions.
"I feel good, looking forward to playing, there isn't much time left."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Putellas has been absent since November, when she was injured in Barcelona's Champions League clash with Benfica. She subsequently underwent surgery, but now looks poised to make a return. She won the Ballon d'Or back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.
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WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona Femeni are next in action Athletic Bilbao in the Copa de la Reine, before returning to league action next weekend against Real Sociedad.
Liverpool have made some pretty historic January signings in recent history, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and Virgil van Dijk all completing moves in the winter transfer window, before going onto enjoy great success for the Reds.
Now, Jurgen Klopp has reportedly already turned his attention to January reinforcements, despite the summer transfer window just coming to a close, and his side's solid start to the Premier League campaign.
So far this season, Liverpool have remained unbeaten, only dropping points on the opening day of the season against Chelsea. Following that disappointing draw, the Reds went onto defeat Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa.
Nonetheless, those at Anfield are still looking to strengthen, particularly when it comes to options for the future, having reportedly joined the race for one particular standout player.
What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?
Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
Throughout the summer, Liverpool's midfield rebuild didn't exactly follow the script, having initially welcomed both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, before then losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
Failed pursuits for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia left the Reds without a defensive midfielder, but the arrival of Wataru Endo and the late signing of Ryan Gravenberch signalled a sigh of relief around Anfield.
Now, according to Tipsbladet, via Sport Witness, Liverpool are among the clubs to show "strong interest" in Tromso IL youngster Jens Hjerto-Dahl, having watched him play for Norway U18's win over Dennmark U18s.
The teenager has been described by Sport Witness as "one of the Nordics’ most exciting players" in what is high-praise for the youngster. As things stand, Hjerto-Dahl will reportedly sign a contract extension until 2027, when he turns 18 on October 31, potentially making any deal for his signature more difficult to negotiate for the likes of Liverpool.
Who is Jens Hjerto-Dahl?
Liverpool already reduced the age of their midfield in the summer transfer window by swapping Henderson, 33, and Fabinho, 29, for Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, who are yet to even turn 25-years-old. But, that doesn't mean they haven't got an eye on future talent, and their reported interest in Hjerto-Dahl proves that.
The 17-year-old can play in both central midfield and defensive midfield, and has already made 13 appearances for the Tromso first-team this season, scoring three goals and assisting a further two, for five goal involvements in total. For a player who is yet to turn 18, those numbers show someone who may have the world at his feet before too long.
If he does make the move to Liverpool, then Hjerto-Dahl will need plenty of patience, given the competition for places under Klopp. As proved by 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, however, if a player is talented enough, they will get an opportunity at Liverpool. The Spaniard made four appearances in the Champions League, as well as a further 11 appearances in the Premier League last season, and even managed to get himself a goal along the way.
Hjerto-Dahl may be looking at Bajcetic's path as one he can replicate, if he does get a move to the English giants in January.
With Manchester United currently enduring a dismal start to the season after slipping to a sixth defeat in all competitions against Galatasaray earlier this week, the focus is once again on the club's recruitment following a mixed summer of business.
While £72m man Rasmus Hojlund has begun to fire with three Champions League goals under his belt so far, fellow marquee additions Mason Mount and Andre Onana have failed to convince in recent months, with the latter having been particularly culpable in the defeat on Tuesday night.
Unsurprisingly, there will be those questioning the decision to let former number one David De Gea depart on a free transfer over the summer, although the Spaniard was seemingly allowed to leave at the right time, having become "a big problem" for Erik ten Hag last season – as per pundit Jamie Carragher.
There are other figures whom the club have let go in the recent past that were possible errors of judgement, however, with promising playmaker Angel Gomes now flourishing after leaving Old Trafford on a free during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time at the helm.
The diminutive midfielder – who was part of England's European Championship success at U21 level earlier this year – is now even being considered for a senior call-up by Gareth Southgate, indicating just how far the 23-year-old has come since moving on from Manchester.
Gomes isn't alone in having made Solskjaer look rather silly, however, with former academy colleague, Largie Ramazani, also now flourishing elsewhere following his departure from the Theatre of Dreams back in 2020.
Why did Largie Ramazani leave Man United?
Much like in the case of Gomes, the 5 foot 6 sensation had opted for a fresh start just over three years ago after failing to force his way into the first-team reckoning in Manchester, with the youngster's only senior outing coming in the Europa League dead rubber against Astana back in November 2019.
That late substitute appearance in the 2-1 group stage defeat had come amid Ramazani's sparkling form in the youth set-up for United, notably bagging 12 goals and assists in just 30 games at U18 level, before scoring 11 goals and contributing two assists in only 11 games for the U21's.
Largie Ramazani
The promising Belgian had begun life on the books at Anderlecht before making the move to England in order to join Charlton Athletic, with that followed by his eventual switch to United on a scholarship contract in 2017, at the age of just 16.
Despite his promise in the youth ranks, it looked unlikely that the wideman would ever force his way into Solskjaer's plans, with the player ultimately rejecting the offer of a contract extension in 2020 after demanding a wage that the club are said to have deemed 'excessive' – as per Manchester Evening News.
With the Red Devils not necessarily viewing him as a player with a 'long-term future at the club' – as per MEN – there was seemingly an acceptance to let him depart, as Ramazani went on to join Spanish outfit, Almeria following the expiry of his deal.
How much is Largie Ramazani worth now?
The decision to not give the fleet-footed forward a proper chance to impress in the first team – and the subsequent decision to allow him to move on – appears to be a notable blunder as far as those at Old Trafford are concerned, with the 22-year-old having thrived since his move to Andalusia.
Having departed United for nothing under Solskjaer's watch, the Belgium U21 international is now valued at around €10m (£9m), according to CIES Football Observatory, with that only set to rise even further over the coming months and years.
UD Almeria forward Largie Ramazani.
There was even talk that the young dynamo had caught the attention of a raft of Premier League clubs during the recent summer window, with Everton having been quoted a fee of around €40m (£35m), amid their interest in the former Carrington gem.
That hefty price tag is yet another indication of the potential jewel that Solskjaer let slip from his grasp, with the Norwegian having overlooked a player who is now being described as the "Mini-Vincius" – according to talent scout Jacek Kulig – in relation to Real Madrid's Brazilian star.
How good is Largie Ramazani?
After previously flourishing in Spain's second tier – notably scoring eight league goals during the 2021/22 campaign – the £2.5k-per-week asset has made a smooth transition to life in La Liga since then, scoring three goals and contributing two assists last term.
As for this season, the "explosive" talent – as lauded by Kulig – already boasts four assists from just eight league outings, notably providing all three assists for teammate Luis Suarez – not that one – in the draw with Granada at the weekend.
That haul of four goal contributions is even more than young Alejandro Garnacho has achieved so far this term, with the Argentine international scoring just once and providing no assists in eight games in all competitions.
Unsurprisingly, Ramazani ranks in the top 8% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for assists per 90, as well as in the top 11% for successful take-ons, indicating his elite dribbling prowess and creativity from the flanks.
That is ahead of what the United teenager has recorded of late, with Garnacho ranking in just the top 42% and the top 37% for those same two metrics, respectively, showcasing that there is still room for improvement from this emerging superstar.
Alejandro Garnacho
One further benefit that Ramazani also offers is his defensive work ethic as he ranks in the top 1% for interceptions per 90 – ahead of Garnacho (top 6%) – having been hailed as a "counter-attacking weapon" by Kulig.
With Ten Hag's attacking options currently failing to fire – with the likes of Antony and Jadon Sancho having been sidelined in recent weeks – having a player like Ramazani in the fold could have been hugely beneficial, yet alas, the Belgian gem is now shining elsewhere.
If they aren't already, United will increasingly grow to regret moving on Ramazani, such is his undoubted talent.
In the race to win the Premier League title once again, Arsenal are on course for yet another action-packed campaign under Mikel Arteta. This time around, as we approach Christmas, the Gunners are above champions Manchester City for a second consecutive season at this stage, having already achieved something they failed to do last time out in defeating the Citizens.
Given how tight things are at the top, the January transfer window could make all the difference. And that could see Arsenal welcome some extra firepower in the form of one particular forward, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far.
Arsenal transfer news
Perhaps aware that last season was no fluke under Arteta, Arsenal splashed the cash to improve the Spaniard's side even further during the summer, welcoming Declan Rice, David Raya, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, with the former particularly flourishing at The Emirates. Now, those in North London could look to repeat their transfer trick by adding more goals to their side in the winter window.
According to The Daily Star, Arteta could now push to sign Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke in January if the Gunners fail to land Ivan Toney from Brentford. Those around the Emirates have reportedly been impressed by the former Liverpool man, who has also attracted interest from West Ham United.
Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also eyeing moves for Toney, so Solanke could be the perfect alternative for Arsenal, as they search for another goalscorer to lead the line. After excelling in the Premier League for Bournemouth so far this season, Solanke could now get his big move when the winter window swings open.
"Complete" Solanke could make surprise difference in title race
When Solanke left Liverpool on a permanent deal in 2019, it was uncertain whether he'd bounce back at Bournemouth. But almost five years later, it's clear that the forward always had plenty of talent. Current Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is certainly a big fan, praising the Chelsea academy graduate by saying:
“I think he’s really complete. He helps us without the ball, on the ball he can go, he’s good technically too. He can play well with his feet, he uses his body well, and if they leave him space at the back he can also exploit it. He had his chances, he scored, he hit the post, I think he was really dangerous and he helped his teammates a lot, so I’m really happy for him.”
Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke.
Solanke's stats compared to Gabriel Jesus' numbers this season show that he could be the goalscoring forward that Arsenal are crying out for. The Bournemouth star has scored nine goals in all competitions – eight of which have been in the Premier League. Jesus, meanwhile, has scored just three of his seven goals in all competitions in England's top flight this season – proving the extra firepower that Solanke could bring to north London.