Both Liverpool and Reading fans have been reacting to Ovie Ejaria’s performance during the Royals’ 2-2 draw against QPR at Loftus Road on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old was one of the bright sparks for the visitors as Reading took a point back to Berkshire, but they still remain in 20th in the Championship table.
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Ejaria provided the assist for George Puscas’ equaliser in the first half and played a big part in his side’s performance. He accumulated a pass success rate of 74%, made four successful tackles and won seven of his 13 ground duels.
The Liverpool loanee will spend the season at the Madejski Stadium, with a view to a permanent move.
Supporters of both Liverpool and Reading were pleased to see the former Rangers man performing the way he did.
One Liverpool fan said that he has a playing style similar to the Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, while another said that he would be a big loss if he leaves the Reds for good.
Here you will find some of the best responses from Liverpool fans:
Last week, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claimed that Xherdan Shaqiri was not too far away from returning to training following a calf issue.
However, it has now been revealed that the Switzerland international will be unavailable until after the November international break as he battles the injury.
Shaqiri has only played 11 minutes of Premier League football this season.
The 28-year-old was available for the club’s first six matches of the 2019/20 campaign but was an unused substitute in four of those encounters.
Liverpool’s first game after the next international break will be away to Crystal Palace on November 23, but it remains to be seen whether the attacker will be involved against the Eagles.
As expected, a number of the Merseyside club’s fans have been on social media offering their views on the latest update surrounding the former Stoke City man.
And a selection of the Twitter reaction is available to view below:
Saudi’s PIF have opened talks with an Arsenal star and personal terms have already been discussed ahead of a move to the Middle East in 2025.
Arsenal stars attracting serious interest from Europe and beyond
The London heavyweights have emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting sides under manager Mikel Arteta, who has steered the ship well and truly back on course as he seeks to end Arsenal’s 21-year wait for a Premier League title.
"Extremely quick" player has been in constant contact over joining Arsenal
He’s been reaching out via his representatives.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 19, 2024
They pushed current champions Man City – who’ve clinched title glory in each of the last four seasons – right to the final day last term and accumulated an impressive 89 points, which actually would’ve been enough to win the league in many campaigns prior.
Barring a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton, Arsenal have recorded a promising start to 2024/2025 – most recently beating Tottenham 1-0 in the North London Derby despite fielding a much-weakened team minus Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and captain Martin Odegaard.
Man City (away)
September 22
Leicester City (home)
September 28
Southampton (home)
October 5
Bournemouth (away)
October 19
Liverpool (home)
October 27
Arsenal are set to be without Odegaard for weeks after the Norway star injured his ankle on international duty, so the emphasis falls on other key players to guide the Gunners through a difficult run of games.
Arteta will be heavily reliant on centre-back pairing William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes during their next round of matches, including an all-important trip to Man City on Sunday this weekend.
The pair have starred as Arteta’s first-choice central defenders since the beginning of 2022/2023, with Saliba attracting interest from Real Madrid and PSG as a result of his rapid rise.
“It’s only natural that some of the top clubs in Europe would be interested in the Arsenal defender. PSG’s interest is nothing new – he’s Paris-born and hails from the Bondy region, like Kylian Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani,” said Ligue 1 expert and CBS reporter Jonathan Johnson to CaughtOffside.
“However, at the moment, whether it’s PSG, Real Madrid or another top European club, it’s very hard to see them being able to prise Saliba away from Arsenal. He’s one of their top talents at the moment, and one of the best defenders in world football.”
Arsenal will also be thankful they kept hold of Jorginho and Thomas Partey in the summer, who will now prove crucial in the midfield to cover both Odegaard and Merino.
Partey has attracted interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia within the last few months, as the Ghanaian’s £200,000-per-week deal ticks down towards expiry in 2025.
Partey "almost certain" to leave Arsenal as PIF open talks
The 31-year-old has started all four of their opening Premier League games this season, featuring in the middle of the park on each occasion, with Partey also given the nod during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw away to Atalanta on Thursday.
He scored away to Aston Villa in their 2-0 Midlands victory as well, and it is safe to say he will play a crucial role in the next two months. Beyond that, it appears the curtain is closing on Partey’s five years at Arsenal.
According to TEAMtalk, Partey is “almost certain” to leave Arsenal when his contract expires next year, with there being no sign of a contract renewal for the ex-Atletico Madrid star who joined for £45 million in 2020.
The Saudi-backed PIF and their chief negotiators have held talks with Partey over personal terms already. PIF’s plan, as per the report, is to agree a pre-contract with the midfielder in January – ahead of a free move later in the year.
Juventus are also contending for Partey’s signature, but as things stand, Saudi have laid the most groundwork. Since his move to England from La Liga, Partey has managed 120 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring six goals and assisting four others from midfield.
“Thomas is a super important player for us,” said Arteta on Partey after he was linked with a move away last year.
“Every time I had a conversation with him, he says he wants to stay with us. There is nothing there at all.”
The summer transfer window for Glasgow Rangers ended at the end of August and it was a few months that were full of change for Philippe Clement.
Head of recruitment Nils Koppen was tasked with recruiting young and exciting players to be developed and improved over the years to come, in order to generate quality players and valuable assets.
Mohammed Diomande, Oscar Cortes, Clinton Nsiala, Connor Barron, Robin Propper, Vaclav Cerny, Hamza Igamane, Nedim Bajrami, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, and Jefte all came through the door to bolster the squad.
Eight of those 11 additions are aged 25 or under and four of them are 21 or younger, which illustrates the style of recruitment that Koppen and Clement aimed for.
In order to facilitate these moves, Rangers parted ways with Scott Wright, Sam Lammers, Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, Kemar Roofe, Borna Barisic, and Todd Cantwell, among others, on permanent deals.
Bar Cantwell, who chose to leave, all of those players are 27 or older and this shows that the Light Blues looked to remove some of the declining experienced professionals from the squad.
That may not be the end of the club's business on that front, however, as the transfer window is still open in some countries and there is interest in a Rangers veteran.
Rangers star open to leaving
According to GIVEMESPORT, Light Blues right-back James Tavernier has interest in him from clubs in Qatar and Turkey, as their windows are yet to close.
The report claims that the Gers captain is open to moving on from Ibrox this month but would be more receptive to a switch to Turkey, rather than Qatar.
It states that Super Lig side Trabzonspor had an offer of £1m turned down for the English right-back earlier in the summer, as it did not meet their valuation of the veteran defender.
James Tavernier
However, GIVEMESPORT does not mention the teams that are currently chasing a deal for the former Newcastle United gem, or how much Rangers value him at.
The report does add, though, that the Scottish Premiership giants are open to the idea of cashing in on the defender if a reasonable offer lands on their desk.
GIVEMESPORT reveals that there is a 'genuine chance' that the 32-year-old star moves on to Turkey or Qatar this month, before their respective transfer windows slam shut, despite Rangers not being able to dip into the market to sign a replacement, outside of the free agent pool.
Why Rangers should cash in on James Tavernier
If the Gers do not sell Tavernier now or in the January transfer window, the full-back will only have 12 months left to run on his contract with the club next summer.
That could devalue him as an asset, as teams would know that he could run down his deal and leave for nothing the following year, and that makes this, potentially, the perfect time to move him on.
With this in mind, Clement must brutally ditch the veteran right-back from the club if an acceptable offer comes in from a team in Turkey, Qatar, or elsewhere.
James Tavernier
£30k
Ben Davies (on loan at Birmingham)
£27k
Cyriel Dessers
£27k
Danilo
£26k
Jack Butland
£25k
As you can see in the table above, Tavernier is currently the highest earner at the club, by £3k-per-week, and this means that the Gers would save a significant sum of money by allowing him to move on from the club.
The 32-year-old dynamo, who has produced 125 goals and 131 assists in 467 matches in all competitions for Rangers, has provided a huge attacking threat from right-back throughout his time at the club.
His return of 256 goal contributions in 467 games illustrates exactly that, as the Light Blues penalty taker has been a consistent source of quality in the final third.
However, his work out of possession has been questionable on more than one occasion. Last year, former Gers right-back Steven Whittaker stated that Tavernier needs to work on the defensive side of his game, after errors in Old Firm matches against Celtic.
His recent performance in the 3-0 loss to the Hoops last week did little to put that narrative to bed. The Englishman lost six of his 13 duels and, crucially, allowed Daizen Maeda to get the run on him for the opening goal for the hosts, as shown in the clip above.
Rangers could, potentially, benefit from replacing Tavernier with a right-back who can offer more defensive solidity in the big games, and then hoping that it frees up the attackers to step up and flourish in the final third.
Cyriel Dessers' strong start to the season
One player who has already stepped up during the 2024/25 campaign so far is centre-forward Cyriel Dessers, who earns £3k less per week than the Gers captain.
The Nigeria international has racked up five goals and one assist in seven appearances in all competitions so far this term, which is just under one goal contribution per game on average.
In four Scottish Premiership starts, the former Cremonese man has plundered three goals and missed three 'big chances', with an impressive conversion rate of 25%.
His superb form in the top-flight so far this season suggests that he is on course to improve upon his wasteful debut campaign in the division.
Appearances
35
Goals
16
Big chances missed
27
Conversion rate
16%
Assists
4
As you can see in the table above, Dessers missed a staggering 27 'big chances' in the league and only enjoyed a conversion rate of 16%, which led to 16 goals in 35 matches.
This shows that the Nigerian attacker has upped his game and stepped up for Clement in the 2024/25 campaign and, hopefully, that will continue to be the case for the next eight months or so.
Rangers may already have Souttar upgrade in exciting star who's out on loan
The Light Blues sent the young defender out on loan to League One this summer.
ByDan Emery Sep 5, 2024
Rangers will need the experienced forward to provide a reliable source of goals if the club brutally ditch Tavernier this month and the early signs are looking good for Clement and his team.
Newcastle United may have dropped points in the Premier League for the first time this season after a 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, but this will be the least of Eddie Howe’s concerns.
With just five days left of the summer transfer window, the Magpies have failed to significantly strengthen their first-team squad.
Howe will need to act swiftly if this is going to change between now and Friday evening, although he is working on a few deals, including a South American starlet…
Newcastle eyeing move for Argentine sensation
According to news outlet Sportime (via Newcastle World), the club are interested in signing Olympiacos midfielder Santiago Hezze before the end of the summer window.
The report goes on to state that the Magpies are even preparing a bid worth around €20m (£17m) in order to secure his signature ahead of the deadline on Friday evening.
While Hezze might not be the marquee name the Toon Army are crying out for Howe to buy, there is no doubting his ability, and it could prove to be a wise investment indeed by the club.
Santiago Hezze
Santiago Hezze’s 2023/24 season in numbers
The 22-year-old joined the Greek side from Huracan last summer, immediately settling in well on the continent.
He made a total of 50 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring once and grabbing three assists. His most telling contribution, however, was playing a key role in Olympiacos’ triumph in the Europa Conference League, the first European trophy for a Greek side.
Metric (per 90)
Super League
Conference League
Accurate passes
43.4
36.3
Tackles
2.4
1.9
Interceptions
1.4
1.3
Total duels won
4.3
4.8
Possession lost
9.5
13.4
Balls recovered
6.3
6.4
Among his teammates, Hezze ranked fourth for accurate passes per game (43.4) in the top flight last term, while also ranking first for tackles (2.4) and fourth for interceptions (1.4) per game, showcasing his defensive and passing abilities.
These traits as a deep-lying midfielder could work wonders alongside Bruno Guimaraes, who could push into a more advanced role should Hezze join the club.
When compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the Brazilian ranks in the top 3% for successful take-ons (1.86) per 90, while also ranking in the top 10% for shot-creating actions (3.82) and assists (0.22) per 90, underlining how important he was when going forward.
These abilities led the 26-year-old to score seven times while registering ten assists for the Magpies last season. These numbers would likely have increased had Howe been able to utilise him in a more advanced role in the centre.
Should Hezze sign, this could see the Argentinian drop deeper into the slot that Guimaraes usually operates in, allowing him the freedom to cause further devastation to opposition defences.
The 22-year-old could subsequently help Guimaraes turn to a level of form that would inspire a return to European competition next year.
The next few days could potentially make or break Howe’s season in charge of Newcastle. Sign a few high-quality players and last season will be forgotten. Fail to add another new signing, however, and the supporters may just start getting restless.
Joelinton 2.0: Howe chasing Newcastle move for "extraordinary" gem
Eddie Howe faces competition for a French midfielder…
Liverpool are one of the suitors appealing to Benjamin Pavard ahead of a potential transfer move this summer, according to a report from Christian Falk, via Caught Offside.
How has Benjamin Pavard performed this season?
Having been with Bayern Munich for the last four seasons, he has been a part of domestic dominance which has seen them rack up four consecutive Bundesliga titles. He's had a key part to play in all of them too, never dipping below a total of 20 league outings for the side and he managed a further 30 for the club over the course of the 2022/23 season.
his led to the defender bagging himself four goals and one assist along the way. They're his best totals for the side since he initially moved to the club back in 2019/20.
The France international – who can feature as either a central defender or on one of the flanks – also ranks favourably against others in his position. When you look at his FBRef scouting report amongst centre-backs in the Men's 'Top Five' big leagues in Europe for example, he ranks within the top five percent on nearly every offensive stat that there is.
His 0.18 non-penalty goals per 90 puts him within the top one percent for example, as does his progressive passes rate per 90 of 7.59. It shows that Pavard has the passing ability and end product to perform a similar role to Trent Alexander-Arnold, creating attacks from deep.
It's previously been stated that Pavard could actually be on his way out this summer despite these impressive stats. Liverpool had been linked, only for the Reds to apparently not be prepared to make a move for him.
Now, in another twist, a new report from Christian Falk, via Caught Offside, has revealed that the Premier League outfit are actually one of four clubs still in the mix to make something happen.
There has been no "concrete" bid yet for the £116,000-a-week player but that the Reds are an intriguing proposition for him – as are Barcelona, Chelsea and Man City – and they've already spoken to his agents, claims Falk.
He's clearly still viewed in high regard, with football journalist Josh Bunting stating that a recent goal was "stunning" and "top class" from Pavard. The 27-year-old then still has plenty to offer a club and if Liverpool want to strengthen their backline and potentially mix up Alexander-Arnold's position next season, then they could do a lot worse than adding the Bayern Munich man to their ranks.
Liverpool have been interested in Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah for a long time now, with the USMNT international attracting attention from many of Europe's top outfits despite his LaLiga side's lacklustre campaign.
What's the latest on Yunus Musah to Liverpool?
That's following recent reports from Spanish sources, claiming that Liverpool remain at the forefront of the attention on the 20-year-old ace as Valencia deliberate over his availability.
Musah has a release clause of €100m (£88m) and could provide Anfield with the youthful exuberance it needs to return to prominence after falling by the wayside this season and failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would welcome such a prodigious talent with open arms, and while his release clause threatens to be an insurmountable stumbling block, there would be every belief that a cheaper deal could be struck despite being contracted until 2026.
How good is Yunus Musah?
Despite his youthful age, Musah is an experienced midfielder, having racked up 108 appearances for Valencia after joining from Arsenal's academy ranks and starring for USA at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 24-cap international started all four of his nation's matches at the prestigious tournament and earned an average rating of 6.75 – as per Sofascore – completing 87% of his passes and averaging two tackles per game, notably producing a gritty display against England in a hard-fought group stage draw, with Joey Barton waxing lyrical and saying he even "dusted [Jude] Bellingham".
A powerful and energetic ball carrier, Musah flourishes by providing defensive support and sweeping away danger before progressing the ball upfield, with ESPN writing: 'His speed of dribbling with the ball and eagerness to press opponents are other attributes that keep Premier League clubs alert to his availability.'
While the exorbitant fee touted for his services would no doubt dissuade the Reds' technical director Jorg Schmadkte from initiating formal negotiations, there is indeed every belief that the fee could be whittled down and a swoop as shrewd as the recent £35m acquisition of Alexis Mac Allister could be clinched.
Yunus-Musah-Valencia
And what a duo that could unfurl at the heart of Klopp's outfit as the German manager looks to craft a resurgence; Mac Allister's forward-pushing dynamism and Musah's robustness in the tackle could combine to return the intensity and balance on the red half of Merseyside to its former illustrious glory, scaling the lofty heights that have clinched the whole gamut of silverware – barring the Europa League – at the 56-year-old's disposal.
Mac Allister ranks among the top 20% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
The £25k-per-week Musah, comparatively, ranks among the top 8% for progressive carries per 90, while also averaging 1.5 tackles per match in the Spanish top-flight this term.
Signing Musah, if the staggering valuation could depreciate with the opening of transfer talks, it would be a stunning move for the Anfield side, and he could be moulded into a first-rate star under Klopp's wing, concurrently absorbing the fruits of Mac Allister's labour and complementing the 24-year-old with a progressive approach to match his own.
Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be eyeing a summer swoop for Fulham defender, Tosin Adarabioyo, with manager Ange Postecoglou seemingly keen to strengthen his centre-back ranks ahead of next season.
What's the latest on Adarabioyo to Tottenham?
As per journalist Lyall Thomas, writing on Twitter: "Exclusive: Tosin Adarabioyo is among the centre-back options being considered by #Tottenham this summer. One year left on his deal at #Fulhamfc + he is open to an exit #thfc #ffc."
In his subsequent piece for Sky Sports, Thomas reveals that negotiations regarding a move for the imposing giant are at an 'early stage', with the Lilywhites contemplating whether to formalise their interest in the 25-year-old.
The report suggests that the former England youth international is seeking a new challenge with just a year left to run on his existing deal, having spent the last three years at Craven Cottage.
Should Tottenham sign Adarabioyo?
With Clement Lenglet having made his return to Barcelona – and with the likes of Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez facing uncertain futures at N17 – it does appear that Postecoglou is in need of extra bodies to help bolster the backline this summer, with Adarabioyo potentially set to prove a wise, albeit surprise investment for the club.
The "very solid" ace – as previously hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – has been tipped for big things stretching back to his early days at Manchester City, having been hailed by former boss Pep Guardiola back in 2016:
"He has all the quality. He is fast. He is faster than the people can believe it and he's strong in the air. He has the quality to look behind the line for the next step, the next pass."
Having been just a teenager at the time of that praise from the serial-winning Spaniard, the £40k-per-week titan has since blossomed into a fine asset at top-flight level, having helped to keep ten clean sheets in 25 Premier League games last season as part of a Fulham side that finished tenth.
Man United's Raphael Varane
The 6 foot 5 gem's stellar performances in that standout campaign are also bolstered by the fact that he is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with Manchester United star, Raphael Varane, according to FBref.
That likeness to the "world-class" Frenchman – as lauded by pundit Paul Robinson – is notably showcased by the duo's quality on the ball, with Varane having racked up 17 progressive carries and 63 progressive passes last season from his 24 league outings, while the Cottagers' ace recorded 16 and 95 for those same two metrics, respectively.
In a defensive sense, the pair are also alike due to their dominance in the air, with the United man having won a standout 72% of his aerial duels in 2022/23, while Adarabioyo averaged only slightly lower at 69% in that regard.
To be likened to a figure who has a World Cup and five Champions Leagues under his belt is a clear sign of the latter man's quality, with Postecoglou and co no doubt set to jump at the chance to sign a Varane-esque talent in their bid to strengthen the backline.
Arsenal could complete the signing of West Ham United star Declan Rice "within the next week" after verbally agreeing personal terms, according to reports.
Who could Arsenal sign this summer?
The Gunners are aiming to back manager Mikel Arteta in the transfer market this summer and have already earmarked their targets for central midfield.
According to reports, the position is a real priority for Arsenal to reinforce, leading to their serious interest in Rice, Brighton star Moises Caicedo and Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan.
As well as the aforementioned trio, talks could accelerate for Galatasary's Sacha Boey, with a new right-back also thought to be on Arteta's agenda this summer.
Going back to Rice, though, it is believed Arsenal are favourites to sign the 24-year-old who has been heavily linked with a move to north London.
West Ham chief David Sullivan, speaking to talkSPORT recently, even confirmed that he will be on the move.
"I think it has to be," said the Irons board member."We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going."In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements. It's not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down."
According to Football Insider, there has been quite a big update on his potential move to Arsenal, coming after he already verbally agreed personal terms.
Indeed, it is now believed that the Gunners could complete his signing "within the next week", and a deal which could be worth close to £100 million is edging closer.
Arsenal have been laying the groundwork for months on a potential agreement and there is a belief that they could reach a compromise of £92m with West Ham.
It's added that Rice is set to replace Granit Xhaka, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Bayer Leverkusen.
Who is Declan Rice?
The Englishman was West Ham's star player last season, averaging a higher match rating per 90 than any player in their squad over 2022/2023 (WhoScored).
Former Hammers defender Matthew Upson, speaking before their UEFA Europa Conference League final win over Fiorentina on Wednesday, raved over his maturity at such a young age.
"He is a very mature player for his age," said Upson."He can handle responsibility amazingly well, which is why he was such a young captain in the Premier League."Players don't usually come into their own in that position until their late 20s. For someone of Declan's age, the level he is playing at now is exceptional."
Manchester United will need to pay in excess of £60 million this summer if they are to land a new striker at Old Trafford, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
What's the latest transfer news on Manchester United's striker search?
Manchester United have been linked with several strikers this summer as they look to add an elite forward to their attack, with Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane being among the leading names, though the Red Devils will need to part with around £100 million to land the England international, as per The Daily Mail.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is also a target for Erik Ten Hag heading into the forthcoming transfer window alongside Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani, according to The Manchester Evening News.
As per The Mirror, Benfica frontman Goncalo Ramos is also highly thought of at Manchester United and is seen as a 'brilliant prospect' for the future by Old Trafford chiefs.
Calciomercato claimed in March that Juventus hitman Dusan Vlahovic is also being considered by the Red Devils, providing an intriguing mix of strikers that Manchester United could choose to pursue once the window opens for business.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that Manchester United may have to shell out a significant sum of cash to be in with a chance of landing any of these reported targets.
Jacobs told FFC: "I think the last point I would make is that Manchester United are going to have to balance lots of priorities here. If they, for example, want a traditional number nine striker, which is a key and urgent priority position, should that opportunity present itself early in the window. Whether that is for a Kane, which we know is going to be difficult, or Victor Osimhen, which we know is going to be expensive, Gonzalo Ramos, which again will come with a big price tag or a Dusan Vlahovic, which there's a real possibility he'll leave, but again, it's going to be well in excess of £60 million at a minimum."
Who is the most likely target to end up at Manchester United?
All strikers who have been linked with Manchester United will prove to be difficult to attain; however, this may well become an easier task to manage financially once the ownership situation at Old Trafford has been rectified.
One thing we do know is that Red Devils boss Ten Hag is said to be 'obsessed' with Tottenham icon Kane and will act early as they try to secure a deal to entice the 29-year-old away from N17, as per The Guardian.
Tottenham Hotspur'sHarryKane
It is easy to see why Kane is so highly rated by the Manchester United boss, given that he managed to notch 32 goals and five assists from 49 appearances in 2022/23 for a struggling Spurs side, as per Transfermarkt.
Kane may prove to be one of the more tricky deals to complete, though the fact that he is desperate to become the all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League may just give Manchester United enough leg room to seriously tempt him into considering his future this summer.