Well, that wasn't in the script, was it?

Arsenal went into their Champions League Round of 16 first leg game against Portuguese side Porto as firm favourites following their genuinely impressive run of form in the Premier League. Still, you wouldn't have known that from the game itself.

Competition

Opponent

Result

Premier League

Crystal Palace

5-0 Win

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

2-1 Win

Premier League

Liverpool

3-1 Win

Premier League

West Ham United

6-0 Win

Premier League

Burnley

5-0 Win

It's not necessarily that Mikel Arteta's men were notably worse than their opposite numbers – neither side were great – they just couldn't create a single threatening attack.

The home side had less control of the game, as evidenced by their 35% possession, but they fashioned the clearer chances and should've gone 1-0 up through Wenderson Galeno in the first half, something he made up for with a 94th-minute wonder strike.

Ultimately, it's not terminal for the Gunners' European ambitions, but it's thrown a wrench in the works and while the entire team were subpar, two players were particularly ineffective.

Bukayo Saka's performance in numbers

The first player who was notably poor today was Bukayo Saka.

Now, Mr Arsenal himself has been in scintillating form of late, so his underwhelming showing against the Dragões was all the more noticeable and certainly won't help his case in the recent discussions on his 'world-class' status.

The Standard's Simon Collings gave the Hale End gem a 5/10 for his showing and described him as 'not really in the game very much' and that when he was, he 'lacked end product.'

It's a harsh appraisal of the usually brilliant 22-year-old, but it's not unfair, and his numbers from the game show that.

In his 94 minutes of football, he registered a paltry expected goals figure of just 0.02, had no shots on or off target, just one that was blocked, only three of his 11 crosses were accurate, and lost possession 13 times.

Minutes played

94

Goals

0

Assists

0

Expected Goals

0.02

Shots on Target

0

Shots off Target

0

Shots Blocked

1

Crosses (Accurate)

11 (3)

Possession Lost

13

Fouls

2

In all, it was a game to forget for the club's talisman, although there was a man on the opposite wing who probably had an even worse night in red and white.

Gabriel Martinelli's performance in numbers

While Saka struggled to have any sort of impact on the game from the right-hand side, Gabriel Martinelli was finding it just as challenging to exert an influence from the left.

Unlike his performance against Burnley last time out, the Brazilian was practically anonymous in Portugal, and when he did have the ball, he struggled to do anything with it.

The former Ituano man was also given a 5/10 for his showing by Collings, who simply described him as 'quiet for much of the game.'

However, while he received the same match rating from the Standard journalist, his numbers from the night are even more worrying than Saka's.

In 94 minutes of action, he registered just 0.01 expected assists, had zero shots of any kind, failed in five of his eight dribbles, averaged a passing accuracy of just 69%, was inaccurate with both of his crosses, lost 16 of his 18 ground duels, and most damning of all, he lost possession 27 times – once every 3.48 minutes.

Minutes played

94

Goals

0

Assists

0

Expected Assists

0.01

Shots

0

Dribbles (Successful)

8 (3)

Accurate Passes

18/26 (69%)

Key Passes

0

Crosses (Accurate)

2 (0)

Ground Duels (won)

18 (2)

Possession Lost

27

Fouls

3

In all, it was not a good day at the office for Arsenal's attackers, and they'll be looking to make amends for their poor performances when Porto travel to the Emirates on March 12th for the second leg.

Stone has had a recurrence of the lower back injury that had kept him out of England’s tour of the Caribbean earlier this year

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Aug-2019Fast bowler Olly Stone has joined James Anderson and Mark Wood in the list of injured England fast bowlers after hurting his lower back during a training session on Tuesday.The injury is a recurrence of the stress fracture in his lower back that ruled him out of England’s Caribbean tour earlier this year.Stone has been ruled out for at least two weeks – meaning he is likely to miss both the second and third Ashes Tests – and will undergo a scan on Wednesday afternoon to determine the exact severity of the injury.”It’s really disappointing for Olly that he’s been ruled out of action for such an important two weeks of cricket because of a reoccurrence of his back injury,” said Warwickshire’s sport director Paul Farbrace.”At the moment there’s a bit of inflammation, but he will undergo a scan later this afternoon so that we know the full course of treatment that he can undertake with the club’s medical team and with the support of the ECB.”In the meantime, he needs to rest up before he can get his body strong again and ready to deal with the demands of being a fast bowler.”Stone’s career has regularly been set back by injuries. In 2016, he suffered a freak knee injury while celebrating a wicket in the T20 Blast playing for Northamptonshire, which kept him out for over a year.Last year, he broke into England’s squads for the tour of Sri Lanka, and was picked for four ODIs, impressing with his pace despite only taking one wicket in his 16 overs.But after being named in the Test squad to play the West Indies, he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back only days after arriving in Barbados.Only weeks after making his comeback for Warwickshire in the County Championship, Stone took 3 for 29 on his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s, and according to coach Trevor Bayliss, was one of the bowlers in contention to come in for the injured Anderson in the second Ashes Test.Stone’s injury effectively leaves Jofra Archer and Sam Curran as the two candidates to replace Anderson at Lord’s. Archer himself was sent away to “give him time to get absolutely ready and fit” as he continued his rehabilitation from a side strain suffered during the World Cup, but he proved his fitness by bowling 12.1 overs for Sussex’s 2nd XI yesterday, taking 6 for 29 and adding a rapid century for good measure.Another potential replacement, Lewis Gregory, who was named in the squad to play Ireland, is also out of contention after suffering a stress injury to a bone in his left foot.

MatériaMais Notícias

A semana do Internacional começou com uma chamada de atenção da diretoria em Nonato, Heitor e Dourado, que apareceram curtindo uma festa com amigos neste fim de semana.

+ Confira a tabela detalhada da 1ª fase da Libertadores

Em imagens que circularam nas redes sociais, o trio apareceu em confraternização ao lado de outras pessoas e sem máscara, fato que incomodou a gerência do Colorado.

Apesar da ‘bronca’, o Inter não vai punir os atletas financeiramente, pois eles estavam de folga no fim de semana.

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كشفت وسائل إعلامية إسبانية عن خطط ريال مدريد بفترة الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة بيناير للموسم الجاري 2024/25.

يذكر أن اخر تعاقد لـ ريال مدريد في الميركاتو الشتوي كان الدولي المغربي، إبراهيم دياز، قبل خمس سنوات.

ويحتل ريال مدريد المركز الثاني في سلم ترتيب الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم “لاليجا”، برصيد 21 نقطة.

اقرأ ايضاً.. ريال مدريد يعلن تشخيص إصابتي كارفاخال وفينيسيوس.. ومدة غيابهما

وذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية أن ريال مدريد سيعود من جديد لإجراء تعزيزات في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية القادمة بهدف تدعيم خط الدفاع.

وتابعت أن ريال مدريد يبحث عن التعاقد مع مدافع وظهير أيمن وذلك بعد تعرض داني كارفاخال للإصابة بقطع في الرباط الصليبي ونهاية موسمه الحالي مع الفريق.

ويعد كل من كاستيلو لوكيبا مدافع فريق لايبزيج الألماني، وفيكتور ريس مدافع نادي بالميراس البرازيلي على رأس أولويات ريال مدريد لتعزيز مركز قلب الدفاع.

أما عن مركز الظهير الأيمن، يعد مدافع ليفربول ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد أبرز المرشحين لتعزيز مركز الظهير الأيمن، لكن إدارة الفريق الملكي تفضل التعاقد معه كلاعب حر بداية من الصيف القادم.

حيث سينتهي عقد أرنولد مع ليفربول في نهاية الموسم الحالي، صيف 2025.

ومن المقرر أن تشهد الفترة المقبلة تحديثات جديدة حول تعاقد ريال مدريد مع صفقتين قبل إغلاق نافذة الانتقالات الشتوية القادمة.

Throughout the 2023/24 summer transfer window, Liverpool made an abundance of signings to enhance their engine room. Although the Reds have had a successful campaign of late, the 2022/23 season was far from that, failing to even qualify for the Champions League.

Often, bad seasons can be ruled down to things such as injuries or a lack of confidence, but this wasn't the case for Jurgen Klopp's men.

They had just come off one of their most gruelling seasons in recent memory as they played every single game they possibly could during the 2021/22 campaign.

This resulted in the entirety of Liverpool's squad becoming dilapidated and tired, which resulted in them having one of their worst Premier League finishes during the Klopp era; a fifth-place finish.

With a massive influx of new midfield signings, this meant players needed to be shipped out. The likes of Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were all sold, which helped the Reds generate a kitty of around £51m, leaving the Reds in need of a rebuild.

One player who was certainly a surprise addition to the squad was that of Wataru Endo. Due to the sale of Fabinho, Klopp's men were in dire need of a defensive-midfielder which is why the Japan international was brought into the squad for a fee worth around £15.4m.

Despite bringing in the 30-year-old to the squad, in Liverpool's youth ranks there was an abundance of talent waiting to be brought into the first-team.

Each of Tyler Morton and Stefan Bajcetic have made their senior debuts for the squad and were each vying for their shot at first-team football.

However, due to the injury to Bajcetic, this was met with no avail in the case of the Spaniard. Morton, on the other hand, was sent out on loan to Championship side, Hull, and looks to be having a stellar season.

Tyler Morton's season in numbers

Morton has been at the helm of many-a-compliment from Tigers manager, Liam Rosenoir with the manager even stating "he can do anything."

"Some of his play, honestly," Rosenoir gushed via the Echo. "He can do everything as a midfield player. When we were recruiting in the summer, he fits completely into the way we want to play."

His praise has been well met by the youngsters' performances, as he has played in 26 games across all competitions and contributed to seven goals.

Due to his stellar performances, the "incredible" 21-year-old – as dubbed by one Blackburn onlooker last term – will likely be looking to make an impact on Liverpool's first-team squad next season.

According to Sofascore, Morton has been defensively sound, with the midfielder recovering 4.5 balls per Championship game and making 1.5 tackles. For context, when these statistics are compared to those of £105m Arsenal star Declan Rice, the 21-year-old isn't far off.

In the Premier League, Rice has made 2.1 tackles and five ball recoveries per game. Although they aren't the exact same, it is clear to see why comparisons have been made between the pair.

How Morton's style of play compares to Declan Rice

Morton has recently featured on a list of the top 100 midfielders across the world of football for one specific metric; ball retention under high pressure. This list includes the likes of Manchester City's Rodri and the aforementioned Rice, something that showcases how well the Liverpool youngster has developed this season.

As per CIES Football Observatory, Morton sits in 74th place with 86.9% successful ball retentions, whilst Rice has a percentage of 89%. Morton's 74th place in the table happens to rate the youngster ahead of the likes of Amadou Onana and Douglas Luiz.

The 21-year-old looks set to have a bright future ahead of him if he can continue his development. Much like Rice, he isn't an out-and-out defensive midfielder, but rather a mixture of a ball-winning midfielder and an attacking trojan. Clearly both adept at evading the press, Morton is an exciting all-round star.

So long as Morton doesn't get injured, he could be in line to get a starting position within the Anfield club's starting XI next season.

Sunderland will be glad that there's a lack of mid-week fixtures in the Championship this week, Michael Beale's men needing time to recuperate and digest what's really going wrong at the Stadium of Light after a torrid recent run of form has seen the Black Cats drop out of the playoff picture.

Three defeats in a row in all competitions has led to Beale's position in the Stadium of Light dug-out come under rightful scrutiny, with supporters already fearing another home defeat this coming weekend at the hands of Stoke City after losing 1-0 to Hull City last time out on their own patch.

Beale could be an even more unpopular figure if Alex Pritchard is sold this January, but he could go some way to appeasing the Black Cats fanbase on his back if he can land this exciting replacement for the 30-year-old.

Sunderland search for a Pritchard replacement

It looks as if Pritchard, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, could well be heading out the exit door this transfer window – Football Insider revealing that former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray is very keen to add Pritchard to his new roster at Birmingham City, with an official approach being made.

Even Turkish club Sivasspor have reportedly got a deal in the works to sign the attacking midfielder, with the Black Cats scrambling around now to sign an adequate replacement for their out-going creator.

Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles could well be that man, with the Northern Echo reporting on Wednesday that Sunderland are in advanced talks to sign the Hungary international after Sky Sport's Keith Downie first broke the second-tier outfit's interest.

It's reported a deal is moving closer to completion with further talks set to take place in the next 24 hours of the transfer window.

Able to play down the left wing as well as playing in an attacking midfield role Pritchard excels in, Styles could well be the perfect purchase to make if the 5 foot 7 midfielder does up and leave this month.

How Styles would fit into the Sunderland team

Styles' main joy in a Tykes shirt to date has come from playing down the left wing, Beale keeping in mind the 23-year-old's flexibility if Jack Clarke also leaves the Championship giants this month.

Playing in that role predominantly during the 2020/21 season at the level with the now League One side, Styles managed eight goal contributions as Barnsley shocked everyone by getting into the second tier playoffs that campaign.

This season, Styles has three goals and two assists next to his name in the third tier with Neill Collins using him more as an attacking midfielder.

One of those goals came away at Northampton Town in September, showcasing Styles' urgent approach to instinctively loop a shot over the lackadaiscal Cobblers goalkeeper without a second thought.

Praised as being a "excellent" midfielder by his Tykes manager in Collins during pre-season, Styles has shown why he's so highly regarded at Oakwell with standout displays in League One.

With Sunderland looking passive recently in attack – a limp performance against Hull City allowing the Tigers to pick up a narrow away win last game – Styles could inject more energy and bite into proceedings wherever he is selected.

Also, with Jobe Bellingham being arguably overused by Beale and Pritchard's future being up in the air, Styles could well be a fantastic option to rely upon in attacking midfield if signed.

Adept at also rolling his sleeves up and launching into tackles on top of helping out in attack, Styles could also be utilised alongside either Dan Neil or Pierre Ekwah further back.

Losing a figure like Pritchard would be a major blow, but signing such a versatile replacement in Styles could see the Black Cats win in the long term with the 23-year-old midfielder keen to impress in the division above again.

Chelsea star Conor Gallagher revealed that he was rejected by Scotland as a teenager for not being "good enough".

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Gallagher was eligible to represent ScotlandAppeared in youth trials during his teensWas turned down due to lack of qualityWHAT HAPPENED?

The 24-year-old footballer, who has Scottish ancestry through his maternal grandfather, had an uncertain start to his youth career as he was rejected by both England and Scotland. Nonetheless, he persevered and has since carved out a name for himself in the English international setup.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT GALLAGHER SAID

"My dad’s side is Irish and my mum’s dad is Scottish," Gallagher shared. "When I was 15 or 16, I wasn’t good enough to play for the England youth team, so I think I went to train with one of the Scotland teams to see what I was like, and I wasn’t good enough for them either. I managed to work my way back into the England youth setup and was lucky enough to stay in it".

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite his earlier setbacks, Gallagher now finds himself part of Gareth Southgate’s team, preparing for Euro 2024. Amid his busy schedule, he will still eke out time and watch the tournament opener which will involve hosts Germany and Scotland – especially to root for The Tartan Army.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Gallagher said. “It’s a great opening game for the tournament and I’m sure all the lads will be watching. It’s a massive game, two great teams. Germany are obviously a top team and I know Scotland will make it hard for them. It will be an interesting game.”

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DID YOU KNOW?

Gallagher's journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. He was in the Three Lions squad for the 2022 World Cup but did not get a chance to play. However, on the back of an impressive season at Stamford Bridge, he will be hoping for more involvement in England's quest for glory. He will probably be fielded in a deeper role and the midfielder remains focused on delivering the goods regardless of his position on the pitch.

“I’m always ready to play in whatever position. I don’t mind if it’s more attacking or defensive – I can do both, which is a good thing," he said.

“There are a lot more talented attacking players than myself. If I was to choose to take on three players and have a shot, or pass to Phil Foden or Jude, I’d probably pass to them.”

It took Pat Cummins until day five of the first Ashes Test to find his best rhythm. When he did, he conjured life from the Edgbaston pitch where previously there had been none.Just ask Rory Burns, taken in the gully off a short ball that reared in a fashion more common in Perth than Birmingham. Or perhaps Jos Buttler, bowled by a ripping delivery that held its line to flick the outside of the off stump immediately after lunch.These are the kinds of spells for which Cummins has fast developed a reputation, delivering the big wickets for Australia in the way that Glenn McGrath once did in England, or Merv Hughes before him. For this reason alone, Cummins is shaping as the one member of the Australian pace attack to play all five Tests, in a year where he has also crossed the 100-wickets barrier in just 21 matches and been rewarded with the world No. 1 spot on the ICC rankings.”It’s those kinds of spells you remember the most when it’s to win a Test match,” Cummins said of his fourth-innings effort at Edgbaston. “Day-five wicket, didn’t feel like there was a lot in it for us bowlers up to that point, but one of those moments where I felt in really good rhythm, the ball was hard, there seemed to be a bit of zip in the wicket and that’s when I love it. Trying to break up a partnership or get that crucial wicket to win the match – I love that, so I enjoy that role when it comes off, when it doesn’t, it’s normally pretty hard work, but yeah I enjoyed that day five.”I felt like with each spell I got a little bit better and better. I haven’t played a lot of red-ball [cricket] coming into the first day’s play, and I think just trying to find that tempo of Test cricket – it’s slightly different to white ball, and I think mixed into that the excitement and the nerves of first spell in Ashes over here. I was pretty pumped up and felt probably by the lunch session I was into my work and pretty happy how I was going. Definitely by the end of the game I felt a lot better than that first spell.”First Test I came in pretty fresh for that Test match and luckily we had a big break, so I knew that was the carrot at the end of the game that we were going to get 10 days off, so it was pretty easy to tear in that last day. I feel really good; [I] haven’t really done much in the last few days and [have] just build up nicely. I feel 100%.”Cummins’ dual defeats of Buttler were a feature of the Test, unsettling England’s middle order and demonstrating the value of a tight line with bounce. Eight balls, two wickets and no runs conceded were a considerable feather in Cummins’ cap, given Buttler’s destructive capabilities for England in any format of the game. Buttler has conceded that Australia won the battle of “who can own the top of off stump” in Birmingham, something Cummins will want to do again at Lord’s.”I felt like both times I was into my work and my rhythm was pretty good,” Cummins said. “We’ve all got our plans, but most of the times its around off stump or fourth stump and for the most part of the game we bowled well to everyone. Fortunately it came off against someone like Jos both times early, but we’ve got our plans to all of them, none of them too flamboyant, they’re normally just around that off stump, but he’s a dangerous player, and if you can get him early, it goes a long way towards winning the game.”Pat Cummins removed the dangerous Jos Buttler•Getty Images

Cummins spoke, too, about how Australia’s belief had grown across the five days of the opening match, a sequence that should have them in decent fettle for Lord’s. He is certainly eager to play in all five Tests, if possible, a scenario that will be opened up by how much rest is attained between innings and matches, with the relatively generous 10-day break between Edgbaston and Lord’s not to be repeated again this series.”I think the good thing was, the first couple of days we were behind in the game and with each day, we felt like we were getting more and more into the game, so it was a continual build-up of, ‘are we really going to do this; we’re on top now; all right, it’s ours to win,'” Cummins said. “So it’s one of those moments you finish the game, you sit together and have a beer in the change room and you reflect on what you’ve achieved.”We’ve had a bit of a break, so we’ve been able to reflect on that before we now come up here and concentrate on the next game. I don’t think it was lost on any of us. For more than half the team it was our first Ashes win here in England, so it’s big. I think everyone would like to play all five.”I think it’s one of those things where it’s just great that we’ve got that flexibility, so I think every game you’re going to pick your best three bowlers you think are going to win that match. I guess we’re lucky we’ve got six guys here who are a real chance of playing every game. Personally, I’ll be hoping to play every game, and if I’m fully fit and bowling well I expect to, but it’s good we’ve got plenty of bowlers here.”Lord’s, with all of its history, pomp and circumstance, invariably provides Australian teams with a lift, even if Cummins’ first experience of a Test here was to hear a sound other than that of bat on ball. Keeping things simple has long been a strength of Cummins in knowing how to handle any given match or scenario, and he has taken a similar view about the Lord’s slope.”I was running drinks during 2015 and a pretty special occasion,” he said. “The first thing that stuck out to me was everyone starts popping champagne bottles with the first ball, so on the sideline I remember dodging corks for the first hour. So, its going to be pretty exciting.”It’s a funny one, it seems like everyone has a theory on which end to bowl here. People reckon they nip it down the hill, people reckon they nip it up the hill, I’ve got no idea. You normally settle into an end. I haven’t bowled enough here, played one-dayers and haven’t found too much of a difference, but [I] don’t know. I’m sure it’ll come up but it’s not a massive factor I don’t think.”

After welcoming Andreas Weimann to boost their attacking options amid their push to secure a Championship play-off place, there's now reportedly a high chance that West Bromwich Albion sanction the sale of one of Carlos Coberan's consistent starters.

West Brom transfer news

It comes as no surprise that the Baggies are stealing the headlines over a potential departure, given that Lai Guochuan is still at the helm, yet to complete the sale of the club. Speaking on the club's financial situation just before the January transfer window opened, Corberan said via Birmingham Live: "There are no excuses not to be fully focused.

“We have all the things we need. The financial situation at the club is a challenge. It’s something we’ve said since the summer and it doesn’t change – it’s exactly the same. It’s a challenging year for West Bromwich.”

Those in the Midlands have already lost right-back Taylor Gardner-Hickman to Bristol City this month and could now suffer another departure before the end of the window in just under a week. According to Beyaz Gazete, there's a high chance that Okay Yokuslu will leave West Brom this month amid talks to rejoin former club Trabzonspor. The Turkish club have reportedly opened talks to complete a deal for the midfielder this month but may face an obstacle in the form of his contract, which still has 18 months remaining.

Given that sales were always apparently on the cards if West Brom's takeover failed to go through, however, Yokuslu may well find himself heading out the exit door this month to force Corberan into a change within his starting side. Currently fifth and on course to secure a play-off place, the last thing the manager needs is a late winter departure, though the Baggies are linked with Jordan James as a replacement.

West Brom must keep "impressive" Yokuslu

Yokuslu's game time speaks for itself about just how important the midfielder has become at The Hawthorns. The 29-year-old has started 25 of West Brom's 27 Championship games so far this season, helping them into a solid position when it comes to secure a place in the play-offs come the end of the campaign. Yokuslu's all-round stats in those games have been equally as impressive, meanwhile.

Okay Yokuslu's stats	Rank vs other midfielders in comparable leagues
Pass Completion (85.8%)	79th percentile
Interceptions Per 90 (1.51)	82nd percentile
Clearances Per 90 (1.60)	76th percentile
Aerials Won Per 90 (2.58)	96th percentile

Highlighting his importance, it's clear that West Brom, even under Lai's seemingly never-ending reign, must do everything in their power to keep hold of Yokuslu this month. Corberan will certainly hope that's the case too, having praised his midfielder this season.

The Baggies manager said via the club's official website: “The finish from Okay for the first goal was unbelievable. He’s been so impressive over the last few weeks and has shown a brilliant level of commitment and personality."

Ahead of a crucial few months, losing such an important player could quickly derail the Midlands club's push for what would be a shock promotion amid their ownership situation, though it may be a reality that West Brom will have no choice but to face this month.

West Ham United are approaching the culmination of the January transfer window having signed Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City, but David Moyes is not finished yet.

With the market shutting this evening, the Hammers are pushing to complete deals across multiple fronts, and while much of the chatter has surrounded the attacking ranks, reports suggest that the Irons are closing on an exciting defensive prospect.

Who West Ham could sign today

With Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals both touted for an exit from the London Stadium today, Moyes have been in pursuit of new attacking options such as Al-Ittihad's Jota and teenage whiz Ibrahim Osman.

West Ham could forget Jota with D-day move for “electric” Benrahma upgrade

David Moyes is eager to strengthen before the market shuts this evening.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 1, 2024

Eager to strengthen in other areas too, a recent report from Football Insider suggests that Le Havre central defender Arouna Sangante is closing in on a loan move to east London, in advanced talks to bring the 21-year-old in before the deadline.

The suggestion is that the Hammers are closing in on a deal with negotiations said to be at an 'advanced stage'.

Arouna Sangante's style of play

Described as a "star" by journalist Pete O'Rourke, Sangante has been in fine fettle for Le Havre this season and would represent a shrewd piece of business to strengthen West Ham's backline, especially at this late stage.

While he is still young, Sangante could prove to be an instant upgrade on Konstantinos Mavropanos, a £19m summer signing from Stuttgart, who has only started six Premier League matches so far.

#

Player

Club

1.

Lisandro Martinez

Manchester United

2.

Igor Julio

Brighton & Hove Albion

3.

Wesley Fofana

Chelsea

4.

Joel Matip

Liverpool

5.

Benoit Badiashile

Chelsea

Source: Football Transfers

A creative and robust defender, the 5 foot 11 Sangante ranks among the top 4% of centre-halves across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 1% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref, with such attributes attractive for a Hammers side reliant on progression through transition-based swiftness.

Mavropanos, by comparison, also offers a modern and progressive skill set but ranks only among the top 37% of defenders for shot-creating actions per 90, also, to his credit, among the top 13% for progressive carries, the top 3% for interceptions and the top 15% for aerial duels won per 90.

In Ligue 1 this term, Sangante, who captains Le Club Doyen despite his relative youth, has started 16 times in the French top division this season and has completed 84% of his passes, averaging 0.6 key passes, 2.5 interceptions, 1.9 tackles, 5.2 ball recoveries, 2.9 clearances and 4.8 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

Mavropanos has only completed 76% of his passes in the English top-flight and while he is seeking to be enterprising with his distribution, 0.1 key passes per outing highlights the lack of success in this regard.

The 24-cap Greece international also averages 1.3 interceptions, 1.0 tackles, 3.1 recoveries and 4.0 clearances per game, so Sangante could certainly emulate and perhaps even surpass the 26-year-old's activeness in his defensive duties under Moyes' wing.

It's a move that Moyes has to complete, with the business end of the campaign tantalising riches but also calling for sturdy support to help realise the Scotsman's ambitions.