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Manchester City are certainly not hanging about in the January transfer window. Pep Guardiola has already made three signings, with Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis making the move to The Etihad this money to bolster the squad.

Considering the poor run of form that the club have been on since November last year, winning just five times in all competitions during that time, some fresh additions were needed.

With just over a week left of the winter window, it doesn’t look like Guardiola is finished there, as he could be set to sign another player or two ahead of a crucial few months.

One move might be closer than the rest…

Man City ready bid for Juventus star

According to the Gazzetta, City will make a bid for Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso sooner rather than later in an attempt to lure him from the Serie A side.

The report goes on to state that a bid of around €65m (£54m) could be made, although the Italian side value the 24-year-old at €80m (£67.5m), which could make a deal slightly more difficult to seal.

It remains to be seen, though, whether or not the Cityzens are prepared to go as high as £67.5m to strike an agreement to bring the Juventus ace to England this month.

It is clear that Guardiola is now building a team for the future. After their poor displays, the current era of City dominance could come to an end unless they move quickly to rebuild their side, which is what they appear to be doing.

Cambiaso would be an excellent addition, especially as he is similar to another City transfer target…

Andrea Cambiaso could be City’s own Joshua Kimmich

Guardiola is showing plenty of interest in reuniting with Kimmich. His contract expires at the end of the season, although Bayern Munich are keen on extending his deal.

The 29-year-old has amassed over 400 competitive appearances for the Bavarian side, which speaks to his experience at the top level.

While signing him would be a statement of intent, Cambiaso has displayed qualities recently that could make him a better signing, especially in the long run.

According to FBref, Kimmich is the sixth-most comparable player to Cambiaso over the previous 365 days based on their respective statistical profiles.

Indeed, the pair have even registered similar statistics across a range of metrics this season, including pass success rate (89.4% vs 89.8%), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.88 vs 4.89), tackles won (21 vs 19) and percentage of dribblers tackled (60.6% vs 66.7%) for their respective teams.

Hailed as “versatile” by commentator Leonardo Bertozzi, Cambiaso can play across the entire back four, which is a big bonus for Guardiola.

He has missed only three matches for Juventus this season, primarily playing on the left side of the defence, but he has been deployed on the right flank at times too, even playing once as a right-winger.

At 24, Cambiaso has yet to reach his peak years and if City can secure a deal to sign him before the window closes, it will be another excellent signing made by the club this month, no doubt about that.

Man City may regret selling £50m ace who could have been their own Marmoush

Man City may regret selling this star when they’ve just spent so much on Marmoush.

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By
Joe Nuttall

Jan 24, 2025

With the Belgian linked to a MLS move, GOAL US writers debate the best landing spot for the Manchester City star

Kevin De Bruyne gets closer to an MLS move with every headline. There are a few things we know for certain here. The first is that the Belgian will leave Manchester City upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the season. The second is that he has a long-standing interest in playing in MLS.

The third is that some configuration of Chicago Fire, D.C. United, Inter Miami and NYCFC are interested – in some form – of securing his signature. If De Bruyne is playing in the U.S. this summer, he'll likely do so with a club in a sizable and attractive market.

These are all good things from an American point of view. Big names are still necessary for a league that is trying to grow its global footprint. De Bruyne may not be a megastar, but he is one of the finest midfielders to ever grace the game.

Miami reportedly own his MLS discovery rights, but could the Man City star legitimately co-exist with Lionel Messi in South Beach? Morever, Miami’s three designated player spots are already occupied by Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Chicago now reportedly hold the priority to negotiate with De Bruyne

He will certainly have an impact – good or bad – wherever he plays. But what about the specifics? Where, exactly, should he play? Where would he be an unmitigated disaster? And what impact could have have on the league?

GOAL US writers debate it all in the latest edition of … The Rondo.

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  Which MLS club is the best fit for Kevin De Bruyne?

  Tom Hindle: Unfortunately, it's not Miami. As much as it would be fun to see them continue to farm European stars, it makes absolutely zero sense. The issue is, none of the other three significant links are particularly exciting. NYCFC adds up due to City Group association. Chicago could probably do with some midfield creativity, and they did previously pursue Neymar. And D.C. United are simply thirsty for any big name they can, in theory, get their hands on. Let's go with NYCFC, if only because they've lost a couple of creative presences, and could do with a star man.

  Ryan Tolmich: The rumor mill keeps linking him with the Chicago Fire and, yup, that checks out. The Fire seem close to arriving, both on and off the field, and De Bruyne is exactly the type of signing that can take this team forward. He'd have pieces in front of him that are legitimately goal-dangerous and, in many ways, would be a perfect mentor for rising star Brian Gutierrez. Off the field, this is exactly the type of big-time signing this club needs to make a statement locally and nationally, while proving that this ownership group is serious about winning. It all makes so much sense, which is why it's the most likely to happen of any of the options.

  Alex Labidou: Thank goodness, it's not likely to be Miami. The three other teams De Bruyne has been linked with – NYCFC, D.C. and Chicago – are all fighting for the same thing: relevancy. While it would be interesting to see how the Belgian connection between De Bruyne and Christian Benteke would play out, it is more vital for MLS to get a shot in the arm in one of its two biggest markets of Chicago and New York. And those two are really neck and neck. Considering Gregg Berhalter's ties to the USMNT and his former players there, it is probable that he will sign an American star at some point – likely after the World Cup. So this seems a move NYCFC HAVE to make. It's hard to envision where the club is going to find another marketable star. Soccer is almost an afterthought in the Big Apple, despite both teams being among MLS's most successful clubs. KDB wouldn't be a cure-all, but he would be a signal of intent for The Pigeons, who are opening their new stadium in two years.

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  Where would he be the worst fit?

  TH: Miami, which fills me with a deep sadness.

  RT: A word of advice to Miami: don't even think about it. This week's CONCACAF Champions Cup loss exposed just how unbalanced this team is, and bringing in another older midfielder – even one of De Bruyne's quality – would only further unbalance it. The team's entire transfer strategy has centered around Messi's friends and South American journeyman. Ahe while they have signed a few young stars, the club needs to be targeting more of those players. The Herons need more runners anywhere on the field, and De Bruyne isn't that.

  AL: Outside of Miami, the other three clubs would be an excellent fit for the Belgian. That said, D.C. would still be a far cry from contending, even if De Bruyne joins. That club has holes in every position outside of striker and at 33, De Bruyne is likely just an outstanding playmaker at this point. He's never been one to impact a game defensively and he hasn't scored more than 10 goals since 2022. It would be an expensive luxury for D.C., but it is a potential game-changer for the Fire and NYCFC, as both are in the playoff hunt.

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  Will De Bruyne succeed in MLS?

  TH: Honestly, no.MLS is brutally unkind to former Euro stars without legs, and De Bruyne's hamstrings are made of rubber bands at this point. He's immobile in the Premier League, and unless someone can throw a bag at building a roster around him – unlikely – then he might struggle in this league. More Marco Reus than Lionel Messi, at the moment.

  RT: Definitely, but he has to have the right team around him. MLS is one of the remaining few leagues in which a team can carry one or two players defensively, which means De Bruyne can just focus on what he does best: creating. Surround De Bruyne with younger, hungry players and let him ping passes to whichever of them is making the best run. If that's the recipe in place, De Bruyne should thrive while helping take a team from good to great.

  AL: Depends on where he lands. In some ways, this is similar to when Andrea Pirlo came to MLS. The skill was evident for anyone to see, but he was extremely limited in what he could offer when he wasn't on set pieces or threading the needle on key plays. The Premier League is a world apart from MLS, but if there's one similarity between the two leagues, it's the required athleticism to be successful. Miami have struggled recently as teams are punishing them with their pace and physical superiority. If De Bruyne goes to a team at which the midfield can cover for his deficiencies, he will be a success. But if he goes to a situation where he's expected to cover several gaps, he won't. It's that simple.

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  Would he be a 'needle-moving' signing for MLS?

  TH: The good barometer for this is always "Has my mum heard of this player?" She knows the names Messi, Suarez, Beckham, Ibrahimovic and Neymar. Ask her who De Bruyne is, and she will probably be clueless. This is a long-winded way of saying he might hit with the Premier League truthers, but won't bring in any eyes outside of them. Sure, it'll be good for the league, but the star power isn't really there.

  RT: It's not in the Messi-Beckham tier, and it might not be quite in the Zlatan tier, either. But it is just below that. De Bruyne is a big name and, at one point, he was right there among the best players in the world. Personality-wise, though, he doesn't have that star-power charisma that Zlatan has – and it remains to be seen how active he'd be in promoting his club. Still, this is a player that adds gravitas to MLS, even if he doesn't change the game by himself.

  AL: No. De Bruyne will certainly elevate whatever team he signs with, and likely will put fans in the stands in that specific market. But will he have the impact of Messi – fans literally paying thousands on resale markets to see him play – or David Beckham, who sold out entire NFL stadiums his first year Unfortunately not. But MLS is a stronger league with De Bruyne playing in the U.S.

As those at Elland Road look to get their January business underway late on in the transfer window, Leeds United are reportedly eyeing a move to sign a Premier League and Champions League winning midfielder who once cost £40m for Daniel Farke.

Leeds transfer news

Still top of the Championship despite their bore draw against Burnley, Leeds have their sights set on a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking under Farke and the January transfer window could yet help accelerate that ambition. With just under a week until the window slams shut, the Whites have been linked to moves for the likes of Danilo Barbosa and Louie Barry.

The latter would be a particularly impressive addition given how he stole the show in the first-half of the season on loan at Stockport before he was recalled by parent club Aston Villa. Now potentially on the move again, it could be Leeds who benefit this time around.

Of course, any arrivals must also have the potential to step into the Premier League should the Yorkshire club earn promotion as is currently expected. And there may be no better way to ensure that than by signing a player who’s been there and done it at the very top of England’s top flight.

He won 0 duels: Farke must drop Leeds dud who proved he's not PL class

The Leeds United attacker should be dropped back down to the bench next time out.

By
Dan Emery

Jan 28, 2025

According to The Sun, Leeds are now eyeing a battle to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Besiktas alongside the likes of Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.

The former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder, who swapped North London for Anfield in a £40m deal in 2017, has fallen down the pecking order in Turkey and even though the arrival of new manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer could wipe the slate clean, he’s reportedly keen on a return to the Premier League.

Whilst Leeds will have to fend off plenty of competition to get a deal done this month, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s arrival would undoubtedly push them ever closer to promotion back to the big stage this season.

"Outstanding" Oxlade-Chamberlain would be impressive coup

A Premier League and Champions League winner at Liverpool, Oxlade-Chamberlain would undoubtedly be an impressive signing at Elland Road. For a side in the Championship to attract a player who has done it all in English football would represent the lure that Leeds still have in abundance. At 31 years old, the midfielder still has one final run left in the tank too.

After making just six Super Lig appearances all season, meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain needs a return to English football almost just as much as the likes of Leeds could do with a player of his calibre.

The former Liverpool man earned plenty of praise during his Anfield days, including from Jurgen Klopp, who told reporters in 2020: “Ox is an outstanding player, an outstanding player, was always and will always be.

“In training, what Ox did so far you can see his quality immediately. Immediately. He is a difference-maker, you can see that. Did he always play perfectly well? No. But he had a few really good games that helped us a lot.

“The longer he can stay without injury the better he will be. This time we are really confident we can do that until the end of his career.”

On the injury front, a positive sign for Leeds will be that Oxlade-Chamberlain has missed just one game in the current campaign and recovered well from a frustrating thigh injury last season – making his signature all the more tempting to chase.

Manchester United are reportedly set to sign Le Havre wonderkid Enzo Kana-Biyik as the 18-year-old has travelled to England to complete his move.

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• Man Utd looking to conduct squad overhaul
• Set to sign Le Havre striker Kana-Biyik as free agent
• The 18-year-old will be sent out on loan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United are looking to improve their squad following their disappointing season, which has seen them take just 10 wins in 34 Premier League games. The Red Devils are planning another squad overhaul as they look to build a team more to coach Ruben Amorim's liking.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  French publication has now reported that 18-year-old Kana-Biyik is set to become United's first signing of the summer as they are close to reaching an agreement with the striker. Kana-Biyik's contract with the Ligue 1 side is set to run out this summer, and the Red Devils are keen on signing him as a free agent.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Kana-Biyik will follow the exact transfer path as France legend Paul Pogba, who left Le Havre to join United in 2009 as a highly-rated 16-year-old midfielder.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR KANA-BIYIK?

  The report has also suggested that Kana-Biyik will be immediately sent out on loan to fellow INEOS-owned club FC Lausanne-Sport, as they are keen to see the striker develop his skill set before he returns to join the first-team dynamics at Old Trafford.

Chelsea chiefs have held “fresh” negotiations over signing a marquee centre-forward this week, following a personal request from manager Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea targeting new forward and midfielder before deadline day

The Premier League top four chasers have suffered a slight dip in form lately, winning just one of their last five top flight matches, and their latest defeat at the hands of Man City was swiftly followed by a behind-closed-doors meeting.

Chelsea in January talks for £40m forward with elite club open to selling

The west Londoners want a new attacker.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 28, 2025

That is according to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, who also claimed that Maresca reiterated his desire to bring in a new striker during these internal talks with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.

The tactician also apparently shared how he’s still minus a particular profile of midfielder, which has led to Chelsea’s reliably reported interest in Man United starlet Kobbie Mainoo throughout January, but Maresca is also believed to be keen on players with more experience.

Chelsea’s decision to activate their recall clause and bring back Trevoh Chalobah solves their centre-back issue, and the Englishman may even act as a possible replacement for Axel Disasi, who is being seriously targeted by Aston Villa amid reports of agreed personal terms.

However, Maresca is still allegedly in the market for both a striker and engine room technician. Interestingly, as per Phillips, Villa’s serious interest in both Disasi and summer signing João Félix could re-open the door for Chelsea to swoop for Jhon Duran.

Chelsea hold fresh talks over signing Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran

It is believed that Chelsea sense an opportunity to reignite a move for the Colombian, and Disasi would be used as a sweetener in any deal, as the Blues attempt to make Villa relax their reported £85 million price tag.

After being given encouragement in the form of Unai Emery targeting Maresca’s outcasts, Phillips writes that Chelsea have held “fresh talks” over signing Duran this week, and they’ve also approached the player’s agents to gauge whether he’d be keen on swapping the Midlands for London.

“Chelsea are sensing a deal for Jhon Duran potentially being back on the cards,” wrote Phillips.

“They have asked about him in recent conversations with Villa for Axel Disasi and Felix. Disasi would be sent on loan as a ‘sweetener’ to any Duran deal, although he could still end up going there anyway because the player has expressed his desire to go out and play this window.

“Villa told Chelsea a high price tag for Duran when they enquired again last week, but fresh talks have happened again this week. Chelsea feel that if Villa were open to offers that came in for Duran last week (from West Ham), then they would be up for a discussion, especially if they want Felix and Disasi. On the player side, I have no idea if he would accept a move to Chelsea, but we have been speaking to his agents again this week to see if it is possible.”

The 21-year-old has bagged 12 goals in 29 appearances throughout 2024/2025, mainly as a very impactful substitute behind Ollie Watkins, and he could be an excellent alternative to Nicolas Jackson.

Departing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker is set to quit the BBC entirely, meaning that he won't form part of their 2026 World Cup coverage.

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• Ex-England international courting controversy
• Social media activity has posed problems
• Ready to sever professional ties with the BBC

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former England international Lineker has courted controversy of late through a number of statements made on the podcasts that he fronts and through his social media channels. A recent post on Instagram has caused another storm, and as a result his exit seems set to be brought forward.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Lineker recently shared a post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat, which is historically considered to be an antisemitic insult. The 64-year-old apologised and deleted the image in question, claiming to have not intentionally shared the image.

• WHAT THE BBC SAID

  BBC director general Tim Davie did, however, state that: “The BBC's reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.” It is now being claimed, by the themselves, that Lineker’s position may have become “untenable”.

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  TELL ME MORE

  He was temporarily suspended in March 2023 after becoming caught up in an impartiality row after claiming in another social post that the language used in UK government asylum policy was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.

As they aim to make it a third game without defeat following victories over Arsenal and Birmingham City in cup competitions, Newcastle United could be without two top defenders against Manchester City this weekend.

Newcastle injury news

The Magpies know all about injury struggles, having had their fair share of sidelined stars in the last campaign. Barring early season frustration, this time around has been slightly different. Alexander Isak is now back to his best and firing on all cylinders, as is Newcastle’s midfield with Botman also recently returning in defence to hand Howe a major boost.

Their injury fortunes paid dividends against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, as they swept Arsenal aside to win 4-0 across two legs and book their place at Wembley where they’ll face Premier League leaders Liverpool.

That said, Newcastle couldn’t keep their injury problems away forever and Eddie Howe is now facing concerns regarding Botman, Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn, who all recently had scans.

According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Botman and Burn could now miss this weekend’s game against Manchester City in what would leave Newcastle short at the back once again.

Newcastle planning £33m offer for "dangerous" star who destroyed Liverpool

He would complete Eddie Howe’s attack.

By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 12, 2025

Meanwhile, in more positive news, Gordon could yet make the trip to The Etihad as he looks to become the latest winger to take advantage of an injury-ridden Manchester City backline.

Whilst Botman missed Birmingham altogether last time out, Burn made the first-half only to be subbed off through injury. Without both, Howe could be forced to form a makeshift backline and once again rely on Emil Krafth to step up for his side.

"Incredible" Burn still important at Newcastle

Although Lewis Hall has made the left-back spot his own, Lloyd Kelly’s January departure to join Juventus means that Burn still has an important part to play at the heart of Newcastle’s defence.

Amid Botman’s fresh return from a lengthy absence, it could be the towering defender selected when the fixtures come thick and fast to partner Fabian Schar as his teammate gets back to full fitness.

Many may not be quick to hand Burn praise, but Howe is not one of those. The Newcastle boss had nothing but positives for his £55,000-a-week defender last year, telling BBC Sport: “He’s been an incredible signing for me and much better than I had hoped.

“He’s helped to galvanise the players and I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s been a huge player for us. I understand it as it’s football and everyone has an opinion, but Dan has been such a big player for us in many ways. He’s pivotal to how we play without giving too many tactical things away.”

That praise will make Burn’s potential absence that much more frustrating against Manchester City, as Newcastle look to earn what would be a crucial victory in the race for Champions League qualification.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have revealed Sir Elton John's admiration of their work with Wrexham on a recent podcast experience.

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• Reynolds revealed the legendary singer had called him
• Sir Kenneth Brannagh also spoke tactics with the Wrexham owners
• Revelation came after McElhenney praised 'Sunderland 'til I Die'

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Wrexham owners were speaking on the fan podcast, 'Rob. Ryan. Red'. The conversation turned to the influence of 'Sunderland 'til I Die', the Netflix documentary series which inspired the pair to purchase the Red Dragons. Out of nowhere, Reynolds revealed he answered an unsolicited phone call from the 'Crocodile Rock' singer after the famous 3-2 win over Notts County during Wrexham's National League winning season in 2021/22.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McElhenney and Reynolds also shared that legendary actor Sir Kenneth Brannagh was enthralled by their project, and the Dunkirk star talked tactics with them at an awards show. The duo of course sprinkled the conversation with their trademark irony and humour, but were obviously amazed that such prominent people had been inspired by their work with the club.

• WHAT RYAN REYNOLDS AND ROB McELHENNEY SAID

  Reynolds said: "Elton John was the biggest surprise phone call I ever got, after the Ben Foster save against Notts County. I don't pick up numbers I don't recognise, I must have had some sense this means something.

  McElhenney interjected: "Do knights get a different country code?"

  Reynolds: "Your phone is first inspected, then lit on fire before you get access to the knight. Sir Elton was very in to the Wrexham experience. Kenneth Brannagh as well. I would love hearing his analysis, because he knew so much more than I did."

  McElhenney: "I'd never met him before and we were at an awards show, and he made a beeline for me. I got out of the way, assuming he was walking towards somebody behind me. But he cornered me, and he walked me through the table and where we stood, and what our chances were… It's amazing to hear who's so in to it."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  As the Red Dragons ascent up the pyramid continues, they will likely pick up even more celebrity admirers with the added scrutiny and exposure of Championship football.

When David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in the Goodison Park dugout, it was the beginning of a defining period for Everton, and one they have passed with flying colours.

Everton’s battling win over Crystal Palace last weekend has made it four wins from five Premier League matches, with James Tarkowski’s thunderbolt also salvaging a last-gasp draw in the Merseyside Derby one week ago.

The skipper came up trumps, but Beto’s goal may prove to be more significant, for the centre-forward has finally hit his goalscoring stride for the Toffees.

Why Beto's form is so significant

Four goals in his past three top-flight fixtures. It’s as if Moyes has taken the lid off a boiling pot of potential within this Everton squad, and players are finally realising that, actually, they can play.

Everton signed Beto, 26, from Italian club Udinese for a tall £26m fee in August 2023, with Dyche and Farhad Moshiri seeking cover for the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Calvert-Lewin is sidelined at the moment but he’s enjoyed a comparatively injury-free term for Everton, but with only three goals from 22 league matches, it’s clear he’s flattering to deceive.

Combine that with the fitness woes of Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti and you’ve got something of a conundrum. It was vital that Beto stepped up, and he has.

However, the Guinea Bissau international has been linked with a move back to the Serie A across the past two windows, and with DCL out of a deal this summer, it would be neat if Moyes could promote Everton’s next academy star.

Everton's next academy star

Beto’s form suggests that he could be an attractive long-term option for Moyes’ project, with his powerful running and bullish presence perfect for the Premier League. It’s almost surprising that it’s taken him so long to get going.

Finding a homegrown prospect to learn from his ways could bear dividends for the team over the coming years, and Moyes may find his man in 19-year-old Omari Benjamin.

Benjamin is a dynamic forward who has been a steady source of goals for U21s manager Paul Tait, scoring seven and assisting two more across all competitions this term – the same haul as Beto for the senior team.

Benjamin, who was poached from Arsenal’s Hale End last summer after a trial, has excellent technique and impressive hold-up play, with his ability to mix it up across various positions and indeed style of play suggesting that he could be Moyes’ next version of Michail Antonio.

Antonio, 34, has been out of action for several months following a horrific car accident that he is making good progress in recovering from, but he’s been regarded as a “monster” of a forward by journalist Paul Brown, owing to his strength and focal presence in the final third.

In The Pipeline

The Jamaican international – who is also West Ham’s record scorer in the Premier League – was so often Moyes’ go-to man at the London Stadium, having scored 55 goals and registered 26 assists in 182 games under the Scotsman. Only Jarrod Bowen (60), Tim Cahill (68) and Leon Osman (70) have scored more goals for Moyes in his entire managerial career, as per Transfermarkt.

Benjamin, then, could well look to emerge as the new Antonio for the experienced coach. The teen star stands at 6 foot and has also been hailed as a “prolific” striker during his formative years at Arsenal by youth reporter Jeorge Bird.

Moyes proved with Antonio that he can eke out every bit of quality from such a profile, and given the security that Beto is currently providing the front of the Everton ship, now might be the perfect time to promote an academy gem and ease the injury issues.

Everton flop was "better than Gerrard", now he's worth less than Keane

He failed to live up to the hype at Goodison Park during his time with Everton.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 16, 2025

Sheffield United are expected to seek reinforcements in the summer window, especially if they are a Premier League club by the time the market opens for business.

Blades continue their hunt for automatic promotion

With this weekend’s round of EFL Championship fixtures set to produce more drama, Sheffield United’s automatic promotion hopes remain on a knife edge heading into their clash with Preston North End. Reacting from a bitterly disappointing defeat to Leeds United last Monday, the Blades saw off Queens Park Rangers to maintain their two-point advantage over Burnley.

Chris Wilder’s experience of battles to reach the top-flight could prove invaluable over the last 11 matches of the season. However, Rhys Norrington-Davies will join Harry Clarke, Tom Davies and Alfie Gilchrist on the sidelines after being forced off during an Under-21 fixture against Birmingham City.

Confirming the extent of his absence, the 57-year-old stated: “Rhys Norrington-Davies got injured in the U21 game, so that isn’t looking too good at the moment. He’s had a scan, we have taken him down to a specialist, and he won’t be available definitely for the next three games.”

Although the thought of Premier League promotion is a tantilising prospect, nobody at Bramall Lane will be going overboard. The Blades still have to travel to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday later this month alongside a potential campaign-defining clash against Burnley in their penultimate away league encounter.

Sheffield United must rue selling £5m ace who's ruining their title bid

Sheffield United must regret signing off on this sale now.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Mar 4, 2025

Regardless, Sheffield United have taken Partick Thistle youngster Jack Braid on trial, indicating they are already building for the future irrespective of what division they end up in come 2025/26.

Exploiting avenues to acquire prodigious talent may save the club millions down the line, and Wilder’s outfit appear to be vying for a slot at the front of the queue for another Scot who is reported to be on their wishlist.

Sheffield United want to bring Lennon Miller to Bramall Lane

According to Graeme Bailey speaking to EFL Analysis, Sheffield United have joined the hunt to sign Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller. Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland among the other Championship sides believed to be vying for his signature.

In the top-flight, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are monitoring his situation, while Celtic could also strike to keep him north of the border.

Viewed by the journalist as someone who ‘is going to be sold for a lot of money’ this summer, he is valued at a minimum of £5 million by his current employers. Other outlets claim Miller could be worth up to just short of £10 million following his exploits at Fir Park, where he has yielded six goals and four assists in 30 outings this term.

Presumably, Sheffield United’s main obstacle will be edging Leeds out in the race for his signature, given their status as the Blades’ direct competitor at this point in time. Should both enter the Premier League picture over the next few months, it would be intriguing to see who out of the duo possesses more gravitational pull for a young star.

Despite operating in a crowded marketplace, it may be worth Wilder’s while to test the water this summer for Miller to ascertain if a deal to bring the Scotland Under-21 international to Bramall Lane is workable.