Manchester City are undoubtedly set for another huge transfer window as the summer window of 2024 approaches. After winning just one trophy in the 2023/24 season, Pep Guardiola will be desperate for his side to bounce back as they hunt to reclaim their treble.

Despite winning the Premier League by two points, pipping Arsenal at the final hurdle on the last day of the season, City failed to reclaim their crown in both the Champions League and the FA Cup and were ultimately unsuccessful in their quest to win back-to-back trebles, or a double treble as many dubbed it.

In the Champions League, Guardiola’s side were eliminated by Real Madrid on penalties in the quarter-final stage.

The Citizens then fell at the final hurdle in the FA Cup, losing to their bitter rivals, Manchester United, thanks to goals from academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. A goal from Jeremy Doku could not quite claw City back into the game.

Now, in a quest to reclaim all of their titles next season City have begun to look at strengthening their squad over the summer. They have already been linked to one world star.

Man City looking to sign Bundesliga defender

The player in question here is Bayern Munich and Canada left-back Alphonso Davies. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away in the last few months, with City his latest potential destination.

According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester City and Premier League rivals Chelsea are both “keen” on signing the Canadian, with a move away from Munich a “real possibility”.

With that being said, however, Davies does not necessarily view a move to the Etihad Stadium as his priority this summer. That is because Real Madrid hold keen interest in the 23-year-old, and could make a move for the defender. However, Los Blancos are “waiting on Bayern’s demand” for Davies, and could try and wait it out, given he can be signed for free next summer.

A deal for Davies is likely to cost City a huge amount, probably even more than his value of £51m according to CIES Football Observatory. If they paid this amount, he would be the fourth most expensive defender in the club’s history, after Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.

How Davies compares to Gvardiol

Davies’ quality is clear to see when watching him. His attacking prowess is second to none, and former United States of America international Alexi Lalas even described him as the “best left back in the world” in 2020.

Indeed, Davies registered six assists, as well as scoring twice in the Bundesliga for Bayern this season, a campaign where he played 29 top-flight games. He also got himself on the scoresheet in the Champions League, in a losing cause against Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final clash.

Davies is a very different type of left-back to City’s first choice, Gvardiol, who was originally signed as a centre-back.

Davies is much more creative than the Croatian, as his stats via Fbref show. The Canadian averages 1.43 key passes per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 18% of positionally similar players in Europe. In comparison, as per Fbref, Gvardiol averages 0.75 key passes per 90 minutes, placing him in the 32nd percentile.

Davies is also a wonderful ball carrier, averaging 5.03 take-ons and 2.92 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, which both rank him in the top 1%. In contrast, City's current left-back averages just 1.68 take-ons per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the 59th percentile, and 0.99 successful take-ons per 90 minutes ranking him in the 74th percentile.

Stat (per 90)

Davies

Gvardiol

Key passes

1.43

0.75

Take-ons

5.03

1.68

Take-ons completed

2.92

0.99

Perhaps surprisingly to some, the Bayern star also trumps Gvardiol when it comes to out-of-possession work. He averages 7.41 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 2%. This is largely helped out by the fact he is lightning-quick, making recovery runs quite easy for him.

The Croatia international's average of 5.62 ball recoveries per 90 minutes ranks him in just the 75th percentile, although he does just pip Davies in combined tackles and interceptions. The City transfer target averages 2.99 per 90 minutes, placing him in the 54th percentile, with Gvardiol’s 3.01 placing him just higher, in the 56th percentile.

Singing Davies does statistically seem to be a big upgrade at left-back for City. He is wonderful going forward and a more than competent defender. It also allows the Croatia international Gvardiol to slot back into his usual centre-back role. Perhaps signing the Bayern Munich number 19 could be the catalyst to help City to another treble next season.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is facing months on the sidelines after suffering a serious injury in Barcelona's 5-1 win against Villarreal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ter Stegen suffers knee injury in win
• Goalkeeper carried off on a stretcher
• Flick admits "it doesn't look good"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Barcelona goalkeeper was carried off on a stretcher in tears after injuring his right knee in the first half of Sunday's 5-1 win against Villarreal in La Liga. Ter Stegen landed awkwardly after claiming a corner, and players immediately called for medical help. He was taken to a hospital close to Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica for assessments.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 32-year-old is now expected to be out for a considerable length of time. According to RAC1, per ESPN, he could be sidelined for eight months, which would end his season.

  His injury marred an otherwise fine afternoon for Barcelona, who made it six wins from six in the league thanks to two goals each from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, along with Pablo Torre's strike.

• WHAT FLICK SAID

  "It doesn't look good for Marc," Flick said after the game. "We have to wait to know the full diagnosis of the injury, but it's true it does appear to be really serious. This injury makes us sad. I think the injury will be huge, but we have to wait for information."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Barcelona's injury list is mounting, with Ter Stegen joining Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo on the sidelines.

With all eyes on the future, Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on signing a Championship wonderkid to hand Eddie Howe a project for years to come.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies aren't messing around, that's for sure, with a deal to sign Lloyd Kelly upon the expiry of his Bournemouth contract reportedly on the cards and a similar deal to sign Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo being lined up. The duo will instantly ease Howe's defensive depth concerns following long-term injuries to both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman.

Howe could bin Longstaff in Newcastle swoop for "immense" £30m award-winner

The player has produced an excellent campaign in 2023/24.

ByEthan Lamb May 31, 2024

What's more, reports also suggest that those at St James' Park are working on signing a new goalkeeper, with Villarreal's Filip Jorgensen the latest name to be linked with a move this summer. The young shot-stopper would deputise Nick Pope before eventually replacing the England international, who is currently 32 years old and just back from a long-term injury blow.

It's clear that Newcastle are hoping to put their European failure behind them as they look to make up for a disappointing campaign next season. To avoid a repeat of such failure, however, signing future stars would certainly help, which is where one deal could come in.

According to NUFC Blog, Newcastle are closing in on signing Rory Finneran from Blackburn Rovers this summer. The defensive midfielder is yet to sign his first professional contract, making any deal that much easier, and impressed many in English football by becoming Blackburn Rovers' youngest ever player at just 15 years old. Now 16, Finneran looks set to take his biggest step yet.

Newcastle, of course, have proven their pathway to the first-team in the last year, with Lewis Miley becoming a consistent part of Howe's side in the Premier League.

"Talented" Finneran can follow Miley path

Miley, still only 18 years old, himself, has been quite the revelation for Newcastle in the last year, making 26 appearances for Howe's side in total with three of those coming in the Champions League.

The young central midfielder even came away with one goal and four assists, with one of those assists coming in a 2-1 defeat against AC Milan. It is the type of first season that every young player dreams of having and one that Finneran will be desperate to replicate if he completes a move.

If the praise of former Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson is anything to go by, then Newcastle will be getting a true gem. Tomasson told The Lancashire Telegraph after handing the teenager his debut: "Rory is a talented boy, he can play with his left or right feet and has great vision. We shouldn’t forget he is still very young for this level but I thought it was a good opportunity to give him that experience.

"I have worked a lot with him already. He has been away a bit with the national teams but he has been training with me a lot of days over Christmas and the past few days."

While Everton have suffered a turbulent few months with off-the-field issues resulting in an eight-point deduction, manager Sean Dyche has impressed this season with the Toffees' securing their Premier League status for next term.

The Merseyside club have turned their form around in recent weeks, with their four-game unbeaten run enough to pull themselves clear of any looming danger despite the troubles with PSR.

The financial problems behind the scenes at Goodison Park have been well documented and have prevented Dyche from investing heavily in his squad, restricting him to working with players who were at the club before his appointment.

Injuries and various other reasons have seen the Toffees' boss rely on some younger players to do the business this season, with Jarrad Branthwaite the main beneficiary – starting 33 times in the Premier League this campaign.

However, the manager has been let down by some of his first-team squad this season, with one player, in particular, struggling with his fitness and yet to showcase his best at Goodison Park.

Nathan Patterson's stats at Everton

After joining the club in January 2022 under boss Rafa Benitez, full-back Nathan Patterson had high hopes of being the club's long-term Seamus Coleman replacement.

He joined from Rangers for a fee in the region of £16m, a figure that was then the highest figure ever received for a player from Ibrox, with the youngster signing a five-and-a-half-year deal at Goodison Park.

However, over two years on from his arrival on Merseyside, he's only made 48 appearances for the club, with only 20 coming during the 2023/24 campaign.

Patterson has only started 25% of matches under Dyche this season, missing the last four Premier League outings with a fresh hamstring issue.

At just 22, the Scotsman could still prove to be a success at Goodison, but for the time being he's failed to prove his worth, with his market value taking a nose dive as a result of his lack of game time.

Nathan Patterson's market value in 2024

After just two appearances in 2024, the Scotsman's value has decreased to just £6m, as per Football Transfers – a drop of £10m from the fee that the club paid for him in January 2022.

His subsequent value is now less than defender James Tarkowski, who joined the club on a free transfer from Burnley just six months prior to Patterson's arrival at the club.

The centre-back is now worth £17.8m, a huge jump from his transfer that cost the club nothing – another example of the excellent dealings conducted by the Toffees in recent seasons.

Patterson undoubtedly still has the potential to be a hit at the club, but for now, he's got to bide his time with Ben Godfrey currently looking undroppable after his recent stint covering at right-back.

However, he has the opportunity during pre-season to stake his claim for a starting spot, with the defender needing to grasp the next opportunity that comes his way if he's to become a regular under Dyche next season.

Having spent over two years now on Merseyside, time is perhaps running out for the former Gers man to make an impact…

Everton played a blinder on Koeman signing who's now worth less than Keane

He failed to demonstrate his qualities during his time at Goodison Park.

By
Ethan Lamb

May 9, 2024

The season-long batting woes for the defending champion the Barbados Tridents hit rock bottom on Tuesday night in a lopsided eight-wicket loss to the Guyana Amazon Warriors. After choosing to bat first, the Tridents were reduced to 27 for 8 after 12 overs, committing more run outs (two) than boundaries (zero) at that stage.Only a face-saving innings from Mitchell Santner, who made 36 off 27 balls including a 48-run partnership with Rashid Khan for the ninth wicket, spared them further humiliation after they were in serious danger of breaking the mark for the CPL’s lowest score, recorded by the then Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel in 2013 who were bowled out for 52. Chris Green completed the astonishing figures of 4-2-3-1.Unlike the St Lucia Zouks, who successfully defended a total of 92 against the Tridents just a few days earlier, the Tridents could not contain the Amazon Warriors in the chase. After a conservative start in which they scored just three boundaries in their own Powerplay, the Amazon Warriors lost their second wicket in the seventh to give the Tridents brief hope.Unlike his unbeaten 45-ball hundred two days earlier, Nicholas Pooran was circumspect upon his arrival at the crease going without a boundary in his 33-ball 18 not out. Brandon King, who has struggled throughout the first half of CPL 2020, survived a testing spell from Khan to notch his first half-century of the tournament and eventually ended on 51 not out to complete a 58-run stand with Pooran to end the match with 20 balls to spare.Tri-dented confidenceThough the scorecard may read the Tridents won the toss and elected to bat, a more accurate description might have been that they won the toss and elected to repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot before crawling into a shell. It was evidence that their mental scars have not healed from the previous match against the Zouks in which they failed to chase 93.After a leg bye to get the team off the mark, Justin Greaves became the first wicket of the night when he missed a sweep to a seam-up delivery from Green and was struck on the back leg in front of off stump five balls into the match. Johnson Charles tried to be positive in the second over, aiming to heave Kevin Sinclair’s offspin straight down the ground, but Shimron Hetmyer produced a spectacular effort running 25 yards to his left from long-on before diving to pull off a pivotal catch in the context of what was to follow, making it 2 for 1.It was to be one of the rare attempts by a Tridents batsmen to target the ropes in the first half of the innings as their approach turned increasingly negative. Jason Holder was run out after confusion over a second run – Holder was halfway down the pitch looking for two while Kyle Mayers was far less ambitious before belatedly turning Holder down as Kissoondath Mangram’s relay to Pooran found Holder short.Shai Hope’s poor form continued when he chipped a gentle return catch to Sinclair in the fourth to make it 9 for 4. Mayers was a culprit in the second run out of the innings when, grustrated by Mayers’ inability to rotate the strike, Jonathan Carter called for a single from the non-striker’s end on a ball guided toward Keemo Paul at backward point.Two balls after play resumed, Mayers top edged a pull against Naveen-ul-Haq that was well taken by Pooran running back toward the boundary. Naveen took two more to reduce the Tridents to 27 for 8 and after a counterattacking partnership between Santner and Khan, he removed his Afghan compatriot at deep midwicket to round out a four-wicket haul and cement Man-of-the-Match honors.Kevin Sinclair celebrates the wicket of Shai Hope•Randy Brooks – CPL T20 / Getty

King for a dayThe leading runscorer in CPL 2019 with 496 runs, Brandon King entered Tuesday night with just 60 runs in seven innings in this year’s tournament. He nearly doubled that against the Tridents with a patient but productive knock.King’s first boundary came off the 10th ball of the chase when Santner dropped short outside off, giving him the width to crack four through cover. His bigger blows came against Holder though. After a sustained ploy bowling bouncers wide outside off, King shuffled well across his stumps to counter Holder by flicking another short ball high over fine leg for six. With the score 52 for 2 at drinks in 10 overs, King greeted Holder upon the resumption of play by swatting a length ball flat over midwicket for another six.Even better evidence that King’s confidence was restored came in the 13th when he went down on one knee to slog Khan against the turn through wide long-on. More audacious was his flick over fine leg for four against Raymon Reifer to end the 14th, picking a full delivery off middle stump after walking across his stumps.The only blemish came at the end of the 16th over when he was spilled on 45 off a difficult diving chance at deep midwicket off Rashid by Hayden Walsh Jr. His next stroke to start the 17th brought up 1,000 runs in T20 cricket and he brought up his half-century off 48 balls. Another set of singles between King and Pooran iced the match, giving the Amazon Warriors sole possession of third place on the CPL points table while the Tridents teeter in fifth on the brink of missing the playoffs.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo está escalado para a 14ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, em duelo diante do Corinthians, na Neo Química Arena, a iniciar às 16h deste domingo. Embalado com cinco vitórias consecutivas sob o comando da equipe, Renato Gaúcho não promoveu novidades, sem poder contar com Rodrigo Caio.

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Assim, o Rubro-Negro vai a campo com:Diego Alves; Isla, Gustavo Henrique, Léo Pereira e Filipe Luís; Willian Arão, Diego, Everton Ribeiro e Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique e Gabigol.

Em relação ao último jogo (goleada sobre o ABC na Copa do Brasil), as únicas mudanças no Flamengo são as voltas de Filipe Luís e Gustavo Henrique, poupados no meio da semana. Veja todos os atletas disponíveis:

Nosso Time é a Gente em Campo! O Mengão está escalado para enfrentar o Corinthians, na Neo Química Arena, pelo Brasileirão. Pra cima! #CORxFLA #VamosFlamengo #TodoAmorDePai pic.twitter.com/cds1WRhuuE

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) August 1, 2021

Cabe destacar que o Flamengo não perde para o Corinthians no Brasileirão desde julho de 2016, quando foi derrotado por 4 a 0 na Arena. Desde então, são nove duelos, com seis vitórias rubro-negras e três empates. A mais recente foi um acachapante massacre por 5 a 1, na edição passada da competição, quando o time ainda era comandado por Domènec Torrent.

+ Fla na cola do G-4: veja a tabela completa do Brasileirão

Com 21 pontos em 11 jogos, o Flamengo ocupa a 6ª posição no Brasileiro.

Everton have come perilously close to losing their ever-present Premier League status in the last couple of years, claiming a couple of last-day victories to preserve their record for another year.

However, in 2023/24, Sean Dyche’s side managed to finish 14 points clear of the relegation zone, despite receiving an eight-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s PSR rules during the previous financial year.

It was a brilliant achievement from Dyche’s side and one that was thoroughly deserved with the Toffees boasting the best defensive record of any side in the division – bar the top three of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Despite the achievement given the circumstances, this summer remains crucial for the club if they are to build on the successful campaign, with new players needed to take Dyche’s side to the next level.

The club have already announced who will be departing Goodison Park this summer – namely Andre Gomes – with the Merseysiders reportedly identifying one player as a replacement for one of the outgoings.

Everton interested in German Bundesliga star

According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Everton are one of five clubs to enquire about the availability of Heidenheim winger Jan-Niklas Beste ahead of the opening of the summer window.

The 25-year-old, who is also subject to interest from Villarreal, Fiorentina, Genoa and Galatasaray, enjoyed an excellent campaign in the Bundesliga during 2023/24, scoring eight and providing 11 assists for his teammates – a tally that was the second-highest in the league that season.

It was Heidenheim’s first time in Germany’s top flight since their reform back in 2007, with Beste one of the players who caught the eye in their staggering eighth-placed finish.

Whilst Plettenberg claims that the winger would like to stay in the Bundesliga, Dyche’s side must try and convince him to move to England, with the club getting a bargain at £8.5m and signing an upgrade on one player in the process.

Why Beste would be an upgrade on Jack Harrison

Attacker Jack Harrison joined Everton on a season-long loan last season after Leeds United’s relegation back to the Championship, with the 27-year-old managing a tally of three goals and three assists in his 29 Premier League outings.

Upon the completion of the 2023/24 campaign, the Toffees announced he would be returning to his parent club, but as a result of Daniel Farke’s side losing in the play-off final, it was reported that they would reconsider another loan move for the one-time England U21 international.

However, with the emergence of the Beste link, the club should avoid another tempora move for Harrison, with the German a clear upgrade on the 27-year-old former loanee.

Beste has averaged 2.8 progressive carries in the Bundesliga this season, also posting a tally of 0.4 assists per 90 – a figure that is four times higher than the Leeds United attacker.

Harrison vs Beste in 2023/24

Statistics

Harrison

Beste

Progressive carries

2.6

2.8

Assists

0.1

0.4

Shots

1.4

1.7

Tackles

1.5

2.7

Blocks

1

1.7

Stats via FBref

It’s clear that from the table above, Beste is dominant in attacking areas, but, the 25-year-old has also excelled defensively, averaging 2.7 tackles per 90 – a tally that ranks him in the top 1% of all attackers in the Bundesliga for 2023/24.

The “world-class” talent, as described by UEFA B license coach Invert The Wing, has proved his worth in the Bundesliga in recent months and is more than deserving of an opportunity in England’s top flight.

Whilst they may face tough competition for signature, the Toffees must push hard to win the race for his signature if they are to build on what they achieved this season.

Related Everton eyeing move for PL gem who could be Anthony Gordon 2.0

He’s enjoyed an excellent campaign during 2023/24.

Posts ByEthan Lamb May 28, 2024

Feels it will provide a chance to “showcase the women’s game on an international scale”

Annesha Ghosh21-Aug-20200:50

Alyssa Healy: Maybe label 2020 as ‘International Women’s Year’

Alyssa Healy, the Australia wicketkeeper-batter, believes the prospect of playing four major women’s competitions – the rescheduled ODI World Cup, a T20 World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, and a part of the Ashes – in 2022 is “obviously daunting”. However, in her view, a glut of high-profile international events in a single year could also serve as an “exciting” opportunity to “showcase the women’s game” further, should teams have adequate preparation.”Maybe we could label it ‘International Women’s Year’ if that’s going to happen, and have four big major events all throughout that year and no men’s sports being played – that would be fantastic,” Healy said in jest during a chat with ESPNcricinfo about Beyond the Boundary, the ICC’s recently released documentary on the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup.Originally scheduled for February-March next year in New Zealand, the ODI World Cup was recently deferred until 2022, with the event’s CEO Andrea Nelson confirming that the uncertainty around the preparedness of the teams for the qualifying tournament being the prime reason behind the postponement. The rescheduling added a fourth major women’s event to the 2022 calendar, with a T20 World Cup in South Africa, the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the women’s Ashes, due to begin late next year in Australia, also jostling for space.”Look, it will be interesting to see how they [the ICC] are able to balance all those events,” Healy said. “Enabling all the international sides to have proper preparation for those big tournaments is key, and if that’s not able to take place, then they’re obviously going to look at rescheduling some of the events.”The opportunity to play four big major worldwide events in one year is obviously daunting, but it’s also exciting for us to showcase the women’s game on an international scale as big as that. I think most of the girls around the world would be chomping at the bits to be part of it.”Healy, who was named in the 18-member national squad on Friday for the upcoming series against New Zealand, is gearing up for a busy home season ahead. The pandemic permitting, Australia’s limited-overs bilateral assignment – three T20I and as many ODIs – against New Zealand begins on September 27, which will be followed by the sixth edition of the WBBL in October-November and a three-match ODI series in January against India.Alyssa Healy was the Player of the Match in the 2020 T20 World Cup final, which was attended by a record 86,174 spectators•Getty ImagesThe T20 World Cup in Australia was the last multi-team tournament this year before the sport came to a shuddering halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And while international cricket has resumed, the cancellation of India and South Africa women’s tours to England in the last two months and the postponement of the 2021 ODI World Cup have taken away the opportunity to build on the success of the T20 World Cup. In such a climate, Healy believed the ICC’s documentary, which premiered last week, rekindled the desire among women cricketers to get back on the field.”The last thing that everyone remembers [about women’s cricket] is the [T20] World Cup, and to relive that through the documentary was timely, in my mind. For us players, it reignites the craving to go out there and play cricket,” Healy said. “Fortunately for us, we are lucky enough to have a series against New Zealand that’s looking like it’s going to go ahead. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of series around the world that aren’t happening. We are really grateful for the opportunity to be able to go out and play cricket for our country.”The ODI World Cup postponement was obviously a disappointing thing for the women’s game, but there are bigger factors are at play here. We need everyone to be safe, we need everyone to be healthy. For us, hopefully, we can be best prepared for the next ODI World Cup. Hopefully, we can see some bilateral series popping up in the near future when they’re safe to do so.”Earlier in the day, Australia captain Meg Lanning said although the 2021 ODI World Cup seemed like “a bit of light at the end of the tunnel” amid the current uncertainties hampering women’s tours, she was hopeful that Australia’s home series against New Zealand would be a good starting point to lead into 2022, which, in her assessment, is set to be a “massive year”.”No doubt we were disappointed the World Cup got pushed back by a year; we were gearing up for that as a bit of light at the end of the tunnel but at the same time we understand the decision,” Lanning said during a video press conference. “There’s so much that goes into those things and probably a lot we don’t know or understand and that’s the decision the ICC has made.”Now we’re just looking towards 2022, which is going to be a massive year for us and could potentially be a couple of world tournaments in there and a Commonwealth Games. So that’s something we’re looking forward to and we’ll get started with this series coming up and then build toward 2022.”

Manchester United are set for a busy summer transfer window, as it has emerged that they want to sign three more players on top of Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, according to journalist David Ornstein.

Manchester United want Jarrad Branthwaite

Manchester United's 2024 summer transfer window looks to be in full swing following the news that the club were set to keep Erik ten Hag on as their manager heading into the 2024/25 campaign. The Dutchman was only able to guide the Red Devils to an 8th-place finish in the Premier League last season and will need to kick on this time around if he is to maintain his position in the Old Trafford dugout.

Related £50,000-a-week Wolves star now wanted by Manchester United in summer deal

His departure could free up some much-needed funds though.

Posts ByBen Browning Apr 29, 2024

One of Manchester United's main problem areas last season was their defence. The Red Devils let in 58 goals in 38 league matches across 2023/24. In comparison, Manchester City and Arsenal conceded 34 and 29 respectively. As a result, it is clear that United need to shore up their backline if they are to return to the top of the English game and end what will be a 12-year wait for another league title.

In a bid to solve their defensive woes, Manchester United are reportedly targeting Everton and England centre-back, Jarrad Branthwaite. Earlier this week, it was claimed that Man Utd have agreed personal terms with Branthwaite over an Old Trafford transfer, with a contract worth between £150-160k per week on the table. However, the transfer fee looks set to be an issue, with Everton having already knocked back a £45m bid as they hold out for around £65-70m to allow the 21-year-old to depart Goodison Park.

Manchester United want to sign 3 players alongside Jarrad Branthwaite

Despite potentially having to spend big money on Branthwaite this summer, United are seemingly looking to get a few more names through the door before the transfer window slams shut later this summer.

This news comes via reliable journalist David Ornstein, who told The Athletic FC podcast that the Premier League giants want a centre-back, a midfielder and a striker – while a move for a left-back could also transpire.

"They want a centre-back, they want a midfielder, they want a striker," Ornstein said, via Football365. "There may be a need for a left-back.

"So there’s work to be done, and now comes the moment where they need to crack on with that. We know they like Branthwaite. They wanted [Benjamin] Sesko, but, obviously, they were probably never at the front of the queue for him and he’s now staying at Leipzig, so they’ll have to look elsewhere."

Ornstein does not give too much away when it comes to specific targets, but Man Utd have already been linked with a number of names who fit the criteria. Hoffenheim striker Maximilian Beier, Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka and Lille centre-back Leny Yoro are all said to be of interest to the club.

When the first ball is kicked to start Ipswich Town's mission to stay up in the Premier League next season, this will be the first time the Tractor Boys have tasted football in the elite division since the close of the 2001/02 campaign.

George Burley was the iconic manager in the dug-out at the time, managing to steer the Suffolk-based side to fifth in the Premier League standings before relegation occured, and the new top-flight outfit will hope Kieran McKenna can be their next legendary boss in the top league akin to the Scotsman if he doesn't walk away in the off-season unexpectedly.

Ipswich won't go through a whole host of players in the summer you imagine, having stuck by their successful model in League One moving up to the Championship, with Luke Woolfenden raring to go and succeed again having been in and around the Portman Road ranks since 2017.

The 25-year-old, who would have been just three years of age when Ipswich were last positioned in the top-flight, has been there through all the recent ups and downs in Suffolk before the surreal success story got underway and continues to go from strength to strength with two promotions in his back pocket now under McKenna's guidance.

Luke Woolfenden's rise at Ipswich

Given his first-team debut by divisive ex-Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy back in 2017, Woolfenden's rise has been a slow and gruelling one from his perspective.

The homegrown centre-back would only make five first-team appearances during his first two full campaigns pulling on a Tractor Boys jersey, before starting to leave an impression on the men's team during Ipswich's collapse all the way down to League One.

1. GK – Bartosz Bialkowski

2. RB – Jordan Spence

3. CB – Adam Webster

4. CB – Luke Woolfenden

5. CB – Jonas Knudsen

6. LB – Myles Kenlock

7. CM – Tristan Nydam

8. CM – Callum Connolly

9. RM – Ben Folami

10. LM – Mustapha Carayol

11. ST – Martyn Waghorn

Woolfenden is the only surviving member of the XI from his debut clash now, going on to become a main first-team presence during Ipswich's stint in the third tier.

It wouldn't be until McKenna's emergence onto the scene that his spot would become set in stone for good however, with 87 league appearances managed three seasons on the trot in the league before the ex-Manchester United man arrived, which has resulted in his transfer value skyrocketing – according to Football Transfers.

Now, the 25-year-old has only missed ten league games over the last two campaigns and will want to remain as important to the Ipswich cause for the foreseeable, even whilst the underdogs make the colossal leap up to the Premier League.

Woolfenden's season in numbers

The defenders at Portman Road have, arguably, not been given their moment in the spotlight this season with the full-throttle nature of McKenna's men going forward meaning the attackers will always steal the plaudits – with 92 goals scored in total across 46 games.

Still, the likes of Woolfenden and his frequent partner in the heart of defence, Cameron Burgess, have been equally as important, with the 25-year-old living up to his label as a "leader" by his manager which was given to him just this February before promotion was officially sealed.

Passes attempted

61.50

67.64

Pass completion %

87.8%

81.7%

Tackles

0.92

0.66

Interceptions

1.15

1.29

Blocks

1.25

1.34

Clearances

3.79

4.84

Aerials won

1.77

4.04

Complementing each other well at the back, with Woolfenden the more measured operator on the ball – when looking at the table above – compared to the brute strength of his ex-Accrington Stanley teammate, the Ipswich Academy graduate will hope he can hack the step-up to the top-flight after excelling in the two divisions below.

The dependable Tractor Boys number six demonstrated his calmness under pressure on the final day against Huddersfield Town, picking up his 14th clean sheet of the season in the 2-0 win, whilst also only misplacing five of his 64 passes as his boyhood club pulled off the unthinkable to finally return to the Premier League.

He won't want to stop here though, eager to keep progressing at a club very much on the rise, after not feeling that secure about his future in Suffolk before McKenna's arrival onto the scene.

The 6 foot 4 warrior's transformative arc in becoming one of the first names on the Ipswich team sheet has coincided in his transfer value also going through the roof, with his valuation – at this current moment in time – making him worth three times more than Wes Burns, who has shone for the promotion-winners in his own right this season alongside Woolfenden.

Woolfenden's transfer value in 2024

Woolfenden actually boasts the tag of being the most valued asset in the jubilant Ipswich camp at the moment, according to Football Transfers, with his valuation sitting pretty at a handsome £7.2m.

To add further context to his hefty price tag, Woolfenden's defensive teammate in Leif Davis – despite picking up a monumental 21 assists from left-back – is worth nearly £3m less at £4.8m.

Burns also finds that his valuation pales into insignificance when glanced at side-by-side with the centre-back's, worth just £2.3m despite opening the scoring on the final day to calm any nerves that Ipswich might slip up against the Terriers.

The Welshman's ten goal contributions from 38 games overall this campaign shows off his importance in Ipswich moving up to the top-flight regardless of this low estimated value, but with his 30th birthday coming towards the end of the calendar year, he doesn't arguably have the same time on his side that Woolfenden has to blossom into an even better talent.

Once only valued in the £800k region back in 2020, Woolfenden will hope he doesn't crash back to reality when lining up to face the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City next season, and he can just continue riding this wave of success for as long as he possibly can.

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