All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

One reporter has been reacting to an “interesting” new Manchester United takeover update that could be “very promising” for the Red Devils.

Man Utd takeover latest; Ratcliffe, Jassim

The Glazers put the cub up for sale almost 12 months ago now and it looks as if the end to the takeover saga is in sight. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim have been the two main contenders to deal with the current owners, with a big development emerging on the weekend.

A Man Utd takeover involving Jassim will not materialise, with the Qatari businessman withdrawing from the process after refusing to pay more than double the club’s worth, with one source telling Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol:

"What is happening is totally unreal. The Glazers valuation is insanely fanciful. Sheikh Jassim offered them almost double the market capitalisation. He was a cash buyer, he was going to clear all their debts, there would have been no new debt and he was going to put in another £1.4 billion for the stadium and the team."

The source added:

"It’s a joke. If they just wanted to sell a minority stake, they could have done it privately last November. The market dictates what United are worth, not the Glazers or Raine. Remember when there were apparently eight serious bidders? All along there has only been one bidder for 100 per cent of the club so why should he bid against himself?"

As a result, the Man Utd takeover latest looks as if Ratcliffe and INEOS are now on course to secure a 25% stake in the club and are expected to run Manchester United's football operations as part of the deal. Reacting to the sporting decision update, reporter Alex Turk said:

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s initial 25% deal is premised on INEOS influence over sporting decisions, @TheAthleticFC report. Well that is… interesting… and potentially very promising news, no matter how thick your state ownership sunglasses are.”

Key Man Utd takeover updates

Date

Glazers put club up for sale

November 2022

Ratcliffe and Jassim make bids

February 2023

Glazers split on a sale

February 2023

Ratcliffe and Jassim make second bids

March 2023

Ratcliffe and Jassim make third bids

April 2023

Ratcliffe and Jassim make fourth bids

May 2023

Jassim makes fifth bid

June 2023

Are the Glazers leaving Man Utd?

At this moment in time, it appears as if the Glazers will be sticking around at Old Trafford and will remain in majority control. However, as mentioned, Ratcliffe and INEOS could soon be the decision-makers when it comes to what’s happening on the sporting side of the club, such as transfers.

Therefore, the deal would leave the Glazers in majority control, but it could turn out to be the first step in a phased takeover where Ratcliffe and INEOS eventually take a majority share. Some have been left fuming at the news of Jassim’s withdrawal, including pundit Frank McAvennie, but as Turk claims, this could be “very promising news” knowing that the new investors will be playing a big part in football decisions.

Former Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta went through the highs and the lows in the transfer market throughout his six seasons at Elland Road.

The Spanish chief, who moved to Sevilla earlier this year after being relieved of his duties in Yorkshire, unearthed some gems and signed some duds during his spell with the Whites.

One of his transfer success stories, that some supporters may not even be aware of, was the sale of academy graduate Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who has struggled since his exit from the club.

How much did Leeds sell Peacock-Farrell for?

TEAMtalk reported that Burnley agreed a £3.5m deal to sign the Northern Ireland international from Leeds during the summer transfer window in 2019.

His move to the Premier League side came after a disappointing 2018/19 campaign, in which he lost his place in the starting XI to Spanish shot-stopper Kiko Casilla.

The young titan started 28 Championship games for Marcelo Bielsa and only saved 65% of the efforts on his goal, to go along with two errors that directly led to a goal or a penalty for the opposition, as per Sofascore.

That came after he had made 11 league appearances for the Whites during the previous season and saved 67% of the shots against him, along with one error that directly led to a goal.

In total, the young prospect featured in 41 first-team matches for the club and conceded 53 goals as he failed to nail down the number one position on a regular basis.

What happened to Peacock-Farrell?

Despite being signed for £3.5m, Peacock-Farrell has only played 24 games for Burnley over the last four seasons as he has been unable to emerge as the club's first-choice option between the sticks.

Appearances

121

Goals conceded

144

Clean sheets

43

The English-born giant only made four Premier League appearances over his first two years at Turf Moor and conceded a staggering 14 goals in those matches.

That led to a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday for the 2021/22 campaign and the shot-stopper enjoyed a respectable campaign, with 15 clean sheets in 43 League One outings.

However, that was not enough to convince Vincent Kompany or Burnley that he was ready to be their number one and Peacock-Farrell made just eight league appearances for the Clarets last season.

His side were promoted to the Premier League and decided that the former Leeds man would not be needed. This led to a loan move to Aarhus GF in Denmark, where the 26-year-old stopper has struggled of late.

Peacock-Farrell, who was recently described as "shaky" by journalist Josh Bunting, had a nightmare last month as he gave away a penalty and was sent off in a 3-0 defeat to Brondby, which earned him a Sofascore rating of 4.3/10.

The ex-Whites colossus returned from suspension for AGF's clash with Kobenhavn last weekend but was an unused substitute for their 1-1 draw.

Therefore, Orta played a blinder with his sale of the £3.5m liability, who is currently valued at €1m (£860k) by Transfermarkt, as his performances have been poor since moving on from Elland Road and his market value has dipped significantly below the fee that the club received for his services.

Derby County's fall from grace has been an agonising watch for those at the club who have seen the Rams go from play-off hopefuls in the Championship to League One stagnation. Off-field issues certainly haven't helped, but Paul Warne's time in charge has so far not been up to the standard of a club that is in desperate need of a return to England's second tier.

The manager may have bought himself some time with Derby's 4-0 thrashing of Northampton, but with the Midlands club still sitting outside the play-off places, another manager is reportedly being targeted to step in if needed.

Paul Warne's Derby record

Having spent over a year in charge at the club, Warne's Derby record looked on course to reflect well on the manager, but recent results have left his job at risk. As things stand, he has won 28 of his 62 games in charge, drawn 15 and lost 19. During his last five games, though, Derby have won three times and suffered defeats against Shrewsbury and Stevenage.

Derby are yet to act, but if they do then they reportedly have a plan in place and a manager in mind to replace Warne. According to Football Insider, Derby are interested in John Eustace to replace Warne, should they make the decision to sack their current boss.

The former Birmingham City manager recently left his old club in harsh fashion, as they opted to welcome Manchester United legend and ex-Derby boss Wayne Rooney, and could now get an instant chance to step into the technical area again. The Rams could also be boosted by the fact that Eustace played for the club as a player. As of right now, however, Warne remains in a job with a crucial few weeks ahead for Derby's decision makers.

John Eustace would be a "great appointment"

Eustace would be a solid option to turn to if Derby dismiss Warne. The former Birmingham boss took his old side from relegation fears to play-off hopefuls in the Championship, before his shock exit from the club. Birmingham's loss could be Derby's gain, however, as they look to work their way back to England's second tier this season.

Eustace has earned deserved praise in recent months, including from EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton, who posted on X: "John Eustace is 7+/10 on every attribute: man management, media & fan relations, developing a style, nurturing individuals, quality of coaching. Can lead a wafer-thin squad away from trouble, or with resources, build a side to challenge. Great appointment."

If Derby are to make the decision to sack Warne, then it will have to come sooner or later, given how in demand Eustace is likely to be in the coming months. With the festive fixtures coming thick and fast, too, those in the Midlands will be well aware of the need for a settling in period if they are to turn to a new manager with fresh ideas. It will now be all eyes on Warne and his side's next game against Crewe Alexandra.

EA FC 24 is the latest footballing video game to be released as the follow-on from the infamous FIFA franchise.

Including a number of players plying their trade in Major League Soccer, Football FanCast runs you through the 15 smallest male players available to be used in the game, according to Futbin.

The 15 Tallest Players on EA FC 24

15 Lameck Banda (Lecce)

Height: 5ft 4 inches

Lameck Banda gets this list kicked off, a Zambian winger who plays his football in the Serie A.

The Lecce player is 5ft 4, has 89 pace and is a 70-rated silver card.

14 Mats Kohlert (FC Heerenveen)

Height: 5ft 4 inches

Mats Kohlert of FC Heerenveen comes in at the same height as Banda.

The German’s original position is at LB but he can be changed into either a LWB or a LM.

13 Pranjal Bhumij (Mumbai City FC)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

Dropping down from 5ft 4 to 5ft 3 with one of three consecutive Indian players.

Pranjal Bhumij is a right-winger who plays for Mumbai City and is a bronze card in the game.

12 Fardin Ali Molla (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

One rating higher than Bhumij at 51 is Fardin Ali Molla.

He is a CF who can also be used as a ST and the best stat on his card is his 68 pace.

11 Boris Singh (FC Goa)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

Boris Singh continues the 5ft 3 trend and is the final of the Indian players, his club being FC Goa.

His 4-star weak foot is a standout feature and, he can play LW, RW, RM and even RB too.

10 Jordhy Thompson (Colo-Colo)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

This list is taking us on a tour of the world with the next destination being Santiago, Chile.

Jordhy Thompson is the player and Colo-Colo is the club, he is just 19 and graduated from the academy into the first-team in 2021.

9 Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

North America is the fourth continent to be ticked off and the club in question are FC Cincinnati, who were recently crowned as the Supporters’ Shield champions.

Luciano Acosta has been a stalwart for them since arriving in Ohio and he even has a trailblazer card to show for it in the game. His standard card meanwhile is a 77-rated gold with 5-star skill moves and a 3-star weak foot.

8 Steven Sserwadda (Red Bulls)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

Remaining in Major League Soccer and like a lot of the players on this list, Steven Sserwadda is also 5ft 3.

The New York Red Bulls midfielder from Uganda is just 21 and so still has further growth to come in his career on the field.

7 Rikelmi (RWD Molenbeek)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

Returning to Europe now with Rikelmi, who plays his football for Belgian side RWD Molenbeek.

The Brazilian winger has 3-star skill moves and a 3-star weak foot which is very handy but his overall is 61, making him a bronze card.

6 Alan Mino (Belgrano)

Height: 5ft 3 inches

Alan Mino is next up and he has the same skill moves and weak foot ability on EAFC as Rikelmi.

He plays for Belgrano in his home country of Argentina and 71 short passing is one of his better statistics.

Arsene Wenger is a Premier League great; he helped revolutionise the English game, but he doesn't half love to go on about players he could have signed.

The Frenchman has helped mould some of the greatest players we've ever seen, Thierry Henry to name just one. His trophy-laden career is nothing to be baulked at, but what if he had signed Lionel Messi?

Football FanCast takes a look at the players Wenger almost signed for Arsenal.

Gianluigi Buffon (2001)

Joined Juventus

As David Seaman reached the climax of his career, Wenger had his heart set on a move for then-Parma goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. It's reported that they even shared a meal together, where Wenger tried to persuade him to make the move to Highbury.

Unfortunately, Juventus were also interested, and at the time, Arsenal just couldn't compete with the allure of the Old Lady. Buffon would go on to become one of the best goalkeepers ever.

The Gunners eventually moved for Jens Lehmann in 2003, who went on to become an Invincible.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2001)

Joined Ajax

Arsène Wenger almost signed the enigmatic Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović during his early days at Arsenal. In 2000, Wenger invited Ibrahimović to Arsenal's training ground for a trial, but the Swede declined, allegedly saying the famous line: "Zlatan doesn't do trials." He opted for a move to Ajax instead.

It was a near-miss for Wenger, as Ibrahimović went on to have a stellar career at numerous top clubs, including Barcelona, Inter, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, winning plenty of trophies along the way.

Didier Drogba (2002)

Joined Guingamp

Didier Drogba was Arsenal's bane – he was the man who scored 13 goals in 15 games against them – yet he could have been playing for them instead. Before he joined Chelsea, before he joined Marseille, Wenger had his eyes on the Ivorian when he was still playing in Ligue 2 for Le Mans.

Amid his impressive record, Wenger laments missing out on Drogba to this day. He would later move to Guingamp and Marseille before heading to Chelsea in 2004. He became a legend in west London, leading them to their first-ever Champions League triumph in 2012.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2003)

Joined Manchester United

Perhaps the most famous near-miss in Arsenal's history, Wenger had the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before he joined Manchester United.

In 2003, the transfer merry-go-round was spinning out of control. David Beckham went to Real Madrid, while Manchester United's main target, Ronaldinho, joined Barcelona.

Wenger had his eyes on a Portuguese youngster named Cristiano Ronaldo, but Manchester United secured his signature from under his nose, and Ronaldo became a global superstar. It's a failure that Wenger and Arsenal fans may forever regret.

Lionel Messi (2003)

Stayed at Barcelona

Believe it or not, Wenger nearly signed a young Lionel Messi in 2003. Messi was just 16 years old at the time, and Arsenal had him, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Piqué in their sights.

Wenger reportedly offered Messi a contract and even showed him around the club's facilities. Unfortunately, work permit issues prevented Messi from joining Arsenal, and he stayed at Barcelona, where it's fair to say he did OK. Messi just won his 8th Ballon d'Or after finally getting his hands on the World Cup. Safe to say, this one probably still hurts.

10 potential future Ballon d'Or award winners after Lionel Messi

The Messi and Ronaldo duopoly looks set to be coming to an end as new heirs battle to take the throne from the little boy from Rosario…

ByRobin Mumford Oct 30, 2023 Yaya Toure (2003)

Joined Metalurh Donetsk

Wenger himself admitted that missing out on Yaya Toure was particularly hard to take. "It would be up at the top [of my list of regrets]," he said.

Toure would have been exactly what Arsenal needed, and even played for them in a pre-season game against Barnet. Unfortunately, passport troubles made it impossible for him to make the move, and he moved from Belgian outfit Beveren to Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk instead.

Vincent Kompany (2006)

Joined Hamburg

In 2006, Vincent Kompany was making a real name for himself back in his native Belgium, and a number of top European clubs were circling for his signature, including Arsenal. Annoyingly for Wenger, Kompany's own agent didn't believe he was ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

Kompany made the move to German giants Hamburg before heading to Manchester City. He now has a statue dedicated to him outside Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. He is their most successful captain.

Gareth Bale (2007)

Joined Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale was heavily linked with a £5m move to Arsenal while he was still at Southampton in 2007. He was a left-back at the time, and was seen by many at the club as a long-term heir to Ashley Cole, who had left the previous summer.

In the end, Wenger just didn't really fancy him. Bale would move to their north London rivals, Spurs, and after a slow start, became one of their greatest-ever players before moving to Real Madrid, winning five Champions Leagues in the process (all at Madrid, of course).

Xabi Alonso (2009)

Joined Real Madrid

In 2020, ex-Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas admitted that Xabi Alonso was "desperate" to join Arsenal in 2009. Liverpool had stepped up their pursuit of Gareth Barry, and then-manager Rafael Benitez was willing to let him join their Premier League rivals.

Arsenal delayed, however, and Real Madrid came calling. He joined Los Blancos along with Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema.

The Gunners, meanwhile, came up short in the title race once again the following year, as Alonso won it all over in Spain.

Raphael Varane (2011)

Joined Real Madrid

In 2011, Raphael Varane was considered the best young centre-back in the world; his ability was undeniable, even though he was a bit of a rough diamond. Arsenal were interested, but he was a little too rough for Wenger.

Real Madrid didn't have the same doubts, and they snapped him up sharpish. He's now at Manchester United where injuries have limited his game time, but he's another player who could have spent his best years in north London.

Arsenal would go on to sign Per Mertesacker that same summer.

West Ham United secured a massive win over Arsenal in their most recent Premier League match, yet David Moyes was forced to operate with Jarrod Bowen leading the line once again.

There is nothing wrong with his ability in front of goal, as the Englishman has netted 13 goals so far this term, but Moyes desperately needs some strength in depth in this area.

With the January transfer window opening shortly, could the Scot lure another striker to the club?

West Ham United transfer news – Sasa Kalajdzic

According to Sport1, both Fulham and West Ham are keen on making a loan move for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sasa Kalajdzic during the January transfer window.

West Ham could land Antonio upgrade in £40m gem who's "very Ian Wright-like"

West Ham are currently interested in a fellow Premier League striker

ByRoss Kilvington Dec 30, 2023

The Austrian has been with the Old Gold since the summer of 2022, yet suffered a serious knee injury during his first appearance, and this has disrupted his stint in England so far.

Eintracht Frankfurt are also keen on a deal for the striker, but with Moyes keen on landing another centre-forward next month, he will be hoping West Ham are at the head of the queue.

The Scot could also brutally ditch Michail Antonio in the process.

Sasa Kalajdzic could be a threat for West Ham

Antonio has contributed just two Premier League goals so far this season and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it makes sense to think about moving him on.

Even when he does play, the 33-year-old fails to offer much as he currently ranks seventh in the squad for goals and assists (four), along with ranking eighth for key passes per game (0.5) and seventh for shots on target per game (0.3).

It is clear Antonio isn’t the answer for West Ham and while Kalajdzic has only played 157 minutes of Premier League football this term, he has scored just as often as Antonio (two) and if given a regular opportunity in the first team, he could sparkle.

Journalist Josh Bunting claimed that the Austrian could have been a “big threat” for Wolves had he remained injury-free last season, and he has shown glimpses of his talent this term.

During his brief time on the pitch in the top flight this season, the £35k-per-week striker has managed to create two big chances, made 0.4 key passes and has scored a goal every 88 minutes.

If given more regular game time, there is no doubt he could improve these statistics at West Ham and benefit from players such as James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta behind him providing the giant striker with excellent service.

Despite currently occupying sixth position in the league table, their tally of 33 goals is the third lowest out of all the clubs in the top half.

Bowen is doing a wonderful job filling in as a centre-forward, but he can't do it all on his own. The likes of Antonio and Danny Ings aren’t the answer for West Ham heading into the second half of the season and this makes a loan move for Kalajdzic a wise one if Moyes looks to maintain West Ham's recent form.

There's still a long season left to play for all involved, but Tottenham Hotspur deserve credit for the start they've made under Ange Postecoglou. After losing Harry Kane in the summer, some may have expected the Lilywhites to fall apart, but they've looked at their best since Mauricio Pochettino's best seasons in North London, with the likes of James Maddison taking centre stage.

What's scary for the rest of the Premier League is that Postecoglou's side are far from the finished article. They could still do with a number of additions, be that a striker or perhaps even one particular La Liga gem, who they have reportedly sent scouts to watch in the last few weeks.

Spurs transfer news

Spurs recruited well in the summer, and Maddison's stats have been some of the most impressive in the Premier League so far this season. The England international has contributed to seven goals in eight league games, with two goals and five assists to his name in a blistering start at his new club. Those in North London, including chairman Dani Levy, will be hoping that every addition follows in the midfielder's footsteps, whether it be in January or next summer.

The latest Javi Guerra transfer news suggests that the Valencia midfielder could be among those additions. According to 90min, Spurs are among the sides to have sent scouts to watch the young Spaniard in recent weeks, ahead of a potential move. Any deal will be an expensive one, however, with Guerra's release clause reportedly sitting at £86m (€100m), and his Valencia contract expiring in 2027.

The La Liga side are keen to keep hold of their youngster, too, with Valencia sporting director Miguel Angel Corona saying:

"We are fully aware that we have a player with enormous potential for the future and the ability to perform at a good level now. That is why the club have decisively moved him up to the first team in recent months. It is not in our plans to sell him to any club."

Javi Guerra stats

Throughout his short senior Valencia career, Guerra's stats have always been impressive, and this season has been no different. The 20-year-old has been involved in four goals in nine La Liga games, with three goals, and one assist from midfield. Compared to some of Spurs' current midfield options, too, he has more than kept up in certain areas, as per FBref.

Player

Goals + Assists

Progressive Carries

Take-ons completed

Javi Guerra

4

17

16

Yves Bissouma

0

25

17

Pape Matar Sarr

2

11

6

At just 20 years of age, Guerra has plenty of time to improve and move beyond Postecoglou's current options, should a move materialise. It remains to be seen whether Spurs push on in an attempt to secure the Valencia man's signature, especially given his hefty release clause, but it is clear that Guerra has the talent to possibly improve the Lilywhites' current squad.

If Spurs qualify for a place in Europe this season, be it in the Europa Conference League, Europa League, or the Champions League, then adding depth in the form of players like Guerra could be the key to success.

Sunderland will be eager to win away at Plymouth Argyle this Saturday in Championship action, a potentially pivotal three points for the Black Cats could be secured at the expense of Carlos Corberan's West Bromwich Albion if the Baggies slip up versus Ipswich Town in the evening.

West Brom are directly below Tony Mowbray's playoff chasers at the moment in seventh spot, only behind Sunderland on goal difference at this moment in time with the Black Cats' potency in front of goal giving them a slight edge in this early season butting of heads for the final playoff position.

6th – Sunderland: 26 points, GD: +10

7th – West Brom: 26 points, GD +9

8th – Hull City: 26 points, GD +3

Plymouth are an opponent Sunderland cannot take lightly this weekend, however, especially with the Pilgrims hosting the contest at Home Park – Steven Schumacher's men picking up four wins from eight home games in the Championship so far after lifting the League One title at the end of last campaign.

A selection conundrum that Mowbray will contend with prior to this game in Devon will be who starts in the centre-back positions, with young defender Jenson Seelt underwhelming in the 3-1 home win over Birmingham City despite the positive result.

Jenson Seelt's numbers vs Birmingham

The 20-year-old, who was a summer buy from PSV Eindhoven to add some more bodies defensively, has shown signs of nerves when fielded by Mowbray in the starting line-up this season.

This was particularly evident against Birmingham, but his poor showing didn't derail his side at all to the relief of the die-hard Stadium of Light faithful watching on.

Seelt was weak when it came to asserting himself up against the Blues attackers, only winning half of his overall duels, as per Sofascore.

Whereas, his defensive colleague Trai Hume won six of his nine ground duels on the day to make up for Seelt's below-par display.

It led to Roker Report journalist Andy Tomlinson giving Seelt a 5/10 rating in an article after the game, saying the pace of the game was 'too much' for the 20-year-old to cope with.

Bellingham rested in Sunderland's predicted lineup vs Plymouth

Jobe Bellingham could be rested for Sunderland’s next Championship match away in Devon against Plymouth Argyle.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 23, 2023

The former PSV youngster could well be dropped from Mowbray's first team for the trip down to Devon as a result, especially with the news that senior centre-back option Luke O'Nien will be back and ready for action after serving a suspension.

Luke O'Nien as Seelt's replacement

Predominantly playing as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder throughout his career, O'Nien has excelled under Mowbray this campaign featuring even further back in the heart of defence.

O'Nien's own hot-headedness can be his undoing – picking up his fifth yellow card of the season already against Swansea meant he was unavailable for the Birmingham win – but the commitment and determination shown by Sunderland's number 13 on a regular basis when picked is a trait the Black Cats masses can't help but love.

Winning four out of his five aerial duels in that Swansea 0-0 draw, O'Nien's ability on the ball – which has seen him play centrally under Mowbray – also shone even from the back.

Sunderland's captain was accurate with both of his crosses into the Swans area on the day, attempting to unlock a dogged defence all afternoon, even whilst carrying out his standard defensive duties.

For a tough test away at the Pilgrims, Mowbray could well opt to start the former Wycombe Wanderers man over his promising Dutch defender to give Seelt a breather and to ensure Sunderland are rock solid up against Schumacher's Argyle.

Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign an "expensive player" who would now "love to join", according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd transfer news – defender

The Red Devils were busy in the summer and made a number of new signings, splashing the cash on three big-money moves for Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund.

Man Utd's summer signings

Player

Previous club

Fee

Rasmus Hojlund

Atalanta

£72 million

Jonny Evans

Leicester City

Free transfer

Andre Onana

Inter Milan

£47.2 million

Mason Mount

Chelsea

£60 million

Sergio Reguilon

Tottenham Hotspur

Loan

Sofyan Amrabat

Fiorentina

Loan

Altay Bayindir

Fenerbache

£4.3 million

However, the club didn’t invest heavily in a new marquee centre-back and Harry Maguire ended up remaining at Old Trafford, leaving the England international to rival the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans for a starting spot.

With the January window fast approaching, though, a new defender was reportedly Man Utd's top transfer priority in 2024. The likes of Jean-Clair Todibo and Goncalo Inacio have been linked, although recent Man Utd transfer reports claimed moves for the top targets were off the table due to limited Old Trafford resources.

In a new Jean-Clair Todibo transfer update, though, Romano, relayed by United in Focus, said that the centre-back would still “love” to make a move to Old Trafford and remains a player of interest to those at the club.

“Todibo is a player in the list of Manchester United already since June, July, they had very positive conversations on player side.

“From what I’m hearing still now, the ideas not changed, Todibo would love to join Manchester United. He’s really attracted by the opportunity to play in the Premier League. He’s an expensive player. He remains a player appreciated by United’s scouring department… not the only one.”

Jean-Clair Todibo profiled

Todibo is an out-and-out centre-back who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high valuation of €30m. The France international began on the books with Toulouse but made the switch to Barcelona in 2019. (Jean-Clair Todibo profile – Transfermarkt)

However, the defender struggled to make an impact at the Nou Camp and was sent out on loan to Schalke, Benfica and Nice before making a move permanent in 2021.

Since then, the player has made more than 100 appearances for his current employers, featuring heavily in the last two seasons and also making his international debut back in September. (Jean-Clair Todibo stats – Transfermarkt)

German legend Lothar Matthaus has also hailed Todibo in the past, previously saying:

"Todibo is the best centre back I’ve seen in a long time.”

United haven’t had much luck at the back this season with injuries to the likes of Varane and Martinez, so looking at a move for Todibo appears to make sense, and with the player seemingly keen, it could be one to watch heading into the New Year.

Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with Bosnian side Zrinjski on Thursday evening in their final Europa Conference League group stage match allowed them to secure top spot in the group.

The result ensured they would miss the knockout round playoffs which take place in February and progress straight to the round of 16, thus enjoying an extended break from European football.

This will give Unai Emery the chance to devote his energy to maintaining the wonderful Premier League form that they have displayed over the previous few months.

Latest Aston Villa transfer news: Unai eyes £40m deal; Saudi club want star

It’s a huge summer for Aston Villa and Unai Emery as they prepare for the Champions League.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2024

With ties coming up against Brentford, Sheffield United, Manchester United and Burnley before 2024, the Spaniard will surely be aiming for 12 points from 12 and this could transform the Midlands side from top four hopefuls to title challengers.

With the tie against the Bees coming just three days after another energy-sapping continental match, Emery could well rotate his squad and we at Football FanCast predict what his starting XI will be…

1 GK – Emiliano Martínez

The Argentinian was given a rest against the Bosnian outfit on Thursday as youngster Filip Marschall was making his first start of the campaign.

Martinez has missed the previous two European ties, but against Manchester City and Arsenal in his last two league outings, he has kept two clean sheets and another one against the Bees on Sunday would go a long way to securing another important three points.

2 RB – Matty Cash

Matty Cash was solid against Zrinkjski in midweek, but he was withdrawn after 69 minutes and replaced by Calum Chambers and this was perhaps in order to manage his game.

He should be unleashed against Brentford and in the top flight this term, the right-back has registered two goals and an assist, showcasing his attacking skills in the process.

3 CB – Pau Torres

Prior to their final group stage tie, Torres had played just one minute of Conference League football, and it looked as though Clement Lenglet would once again come into the starting XI.

The 26-year-old was given his first start of the group stage, however, and he recorded a pass success rate of 91% while winning 100% of his aerial duels.

He will retain his place against Brentford and the former La Liga star is becoming one of the finest players at the club.

4 CB – Diego Carlos

Ezri Konsa was given the nod in midweek, but the Brazilian will likely return to the starting XI for the away tie on the weekend.

Carlos has started the previous four Premier League matches for Villa and the club have conceded just three goals in that time.

Alongside Torres, the former Sevilla defender can keep Brentford at bay this weekend and help the club secure another league win.

5 LB – Alex Moreno

With Lucas Digne suspended for the clash against Brentford, it looked as though Alex Moreno would be rested in midweek in preparation for the tie this weekend, but Emery unleashed him from the start on Thursday evening.

He netted the winner in the previous European clash but didn’t have quite the same impact against Zrinjski, and he will need to improve against Thomas Frank’s men on Sunday afternoon.

6 RM – Moussa Diaby

The French winger made his first start since the previous European clash against Legia Warsaw in November and was deployed out on the right wing.

He succeeded with 50% of his attempted dribbles and had a 97% pass success during his spell on the pitch, and although he didn’t score or grab an assist, his performance indicates that he deserves a first league start since the match against Tottenham Hotspur.

7 CM – John McGinn

The Scot has often found himself performing on the left of the midfield this season, but with Douglas Luiz suspended this weekend, Emery may well move him back into a more central role.

McGinn has started all but two of Villa’s 25 games so far during 2023/24 and has established himself as an integral part of Emery’s side.

He assisted Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal against the Bosnian side on Thursday evening, and he could cause plenty of damage from a central role against the Bees.

8 CM – Boubacar Kamara

Another player who was given a rest for the continental clash and this ensures he will be raring to come tomorrow afternoon.

Kamara has firmly established himself as one of Emery’s standout performers and the only match he has missed in the top flight this season was against Bournemouth and that was due to a suspension.

The 24-year-old will slot in alongside McGinn for the trip to London, and he will be hoping for another excellent showing.

9 LM – Nicolo Zaniolo

The Italian has endured a tough start to life in the Midlands as he failed to score and grab an assist during his first 17 matches for the club.

That run came to an end against Zrinjski as he slotted home the opener and while the match finished 1-1, the goal will surely have given him plenty of confidence to chip in with a few more goal contributions between now and the end of the year.

10 AM – Youri Tielemans

While the Belgian is typically a central midfielder, Emery has utilised his skills slightly further forward during the wins over City and Gunners and this is a tactic he will be keen on using again tomorrow.

He even grabbed an assist against the current Premier League champions and Emery will be hoping he can replicate that performance when they face Brentford on Sunday.