Liverpool have finalised the signing of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez from Dutch giants Ajax for a fee of 26.5 million Euros.
The two clubs agreed a fee on Friday for the 24-year-old forward but the transfer was not completed until Monday, after the player passed a medical and was granted a work permit.
Suarez has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with the Merseyside club.
“The club agreed a fee of up to 26.5 million Euros with Ajax for the transfer of the Uruguayan international on Friday,” a Liverpool statement read.
“The deal was subject to the completion of a medical, which the player has now passed. Luis Suarez will wear the No.7 shirt for Liverpool.”
After signing from Groningen in 2007, Suarez scored an incredible 81 goals in 110 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax.
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He scored 49 goals in all competitions for Ajax in the 2009-10 season before starring for his country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he netted three goals in six matches.
Glasgow Rangers lost in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since Danny Rohl replaced Russell Martin in the dugout as they were beaten 2-1 by Hearts on Sunday.
The Light Blues were unable to get one over the league leaders, who continue to march towards an unlikely title, and the German head coach has now won six, drawn two, and lost one in the division.
Rangers found themselves 2-0 down by the break and that convinced the ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss to ruthlessly withdraw Mohamed Diomande from the pitch to bring on Youssef Chermiti.
Why Mohamed Diomande was unlucky to be taken off
The Ivorian central midfielder, who is available because he did not make his country’s AFCON squad, was unfortunate to be the one who had to go off at the break, because he was far from the worst performer on the pitch.
Per Sofascore, Diomande won 100% of his tackles and 100% of his aerial duels, and was not dribbled past a single time. He only made one foul, which he was fortunate not to receive a yellow card for, and recovered the ball twice.
In possession, the left-footed star only lost possession five times from 20 touches, completing 90% of his attempted passes, and created one chance for the side.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
These statistics show that he was far from horrendous in or out of possession in the middle of the park, which was also the impression from watching the game live. He was not playing amazing and dominating the midfield, but Diomande was not a liability who had to be taken off.
Meanwhile, a poor Rangers performer who should be ruthlessly dropped from the starting line-up by Rohl is an experienced star who has started every game under the new boss.
The Rangers flop who must finally be dropped
The Light Blues head coach should finally drop Jack Butland from the team for the clash with Motherwell at Ibrox next time out, after a disappointing display against Hearts.
Per Sofascore, the former Stoke star has started every single game under Rohl in all competitions so far, but the English shot-stopper showcased the worst of himself at Tynecastle.
Firstly, it was his poor distribution that led to the set-piece that brought the first goal, as his telegraphed clipped pass was easily read and intercepted by Cammy Devlin.
Then, as shown in the clip above, he had a nightmare for the second goal as Lawrence Shankland, astonishingly, found a way to beat him at his near post from a tight angle.
Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar described it as an “unforgivable” error and journalist Jonny McFarlane noted that Butland “will always make three or four howlers a season”, which speaks to how frequent his mistakes have become.
The former England international was even worse than Diomande on Sunday because his two errors were costly for two goals, whilst the central midfielder simply put in an average display and was slightly harshly withdrawn at the break.
Butland’s errors have become far too frequent in the 2025/26 campaign. His mistake against Hearts is the fifth error that has led to a shot or goal in the Premiership, the most he has ever made in one season for Rangers, despite the fact it is only December.
Jack Butland’s Rangers regression
Season
Error led to shot
Error led to goal
25/26 Premiership
3
2
25/26 Europa League
1
1
24/25 Premiership
2
2
24/25 Europa League
0
1
23/24 Premiership
1
0
23/24 Europa League
0
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 32-year-old flop has already made more errors in the Premiership and the Europa League than he did last term.
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His regression between the sticks is perfectly illustrated by these statistics because they show that he has made more errors each season since he signed in the summer of 2023. To put it simply, he is getting worse.
Liam Kelly showed himself to be an able deputy in the 2024/25 campaign, with five clean sheets in 12 appearances, and should be given an opportunity to make his first league appearance of the season against Motherwell next time out.
Then, the Light Blues can take a look at the situation when the January transfer window opens for business to see if there is an opportunuity for them to move Butland on and bring in a new number one who is less prone to making significant errors.
"Mind-blowingly bad" Rangers flop even makes Dessers look amazing
This Glasgow Rangers forward has flopped so badly that he makes Cyriel Dessers look amazing.
Sheffield Wednesday are in a state of constant change, but their internal situation hasn’t slowed the Owls’ mission to bring in new blood as they now have a potential recruit on trial.
Danny Rohl leaves Sheffield Wednesday
Following a summer of turbulence, David Ornstein has confirmed that Danny Rohl has left his post at Sheffield Wednesday after informing his players and staff this morning of his intention to depart Hillsborough.
“Danny Rohl exits position as Sheffield Wednesday head coach. Agreement finalised for 36yo to depart SWFC – players + staff being informed this morning. German boss free to pursue next steps; expected to take some time to consider options.”
Financially, Sheffield Wednesday are in a frail position and have been unable to pay players on time in recent months. Rohl opting to leave is just the latest in a long line of exits, including Josh Windass and Michael Smith.
Dejphon Chansiri’s mismanagement of club affairs has left fans irate. On the same token, uncertainty over whether club captain Barry Bannan will commit to the Owls is another frustrating element of the current state of play.
With no imminent takeover in sight, it is hard to envisage when things will start to take a turn in the other direction. Sheffield Wednesday are in a dark period, but supporters will cling on to the hope that light exists at the end of the tunnel.
Derby battle Sheffield Wednesday to sign defender with over 300 EFL games
He could be a strong addition to the back-line.
ByHenry Jackson
Finding a manager to steer the club through difficult moments will be a stern task, though there is one small nugget of positivity for the Owls to cling on to amid recent developments.
Sheffield Wednesday take Reece Clairmont on trial
According to The Star, Sheffield Wednesday have signed former Arsenal winger Reece Clairmont for a trial after he left the Gunners on a free transfer at the end of last season.
The 18-year-old winger is reported to have started for an Under-21 Owls side in a 2-0 defeat to Derby County over the weekend. Whether or not he earns a contract remains to be seen, though the academy pathway is set to be heavily utilised this term in light of off-field problems.
Reece Clairmont in 2024/25 – Under-18 Premier League
Appearances
6
Goals
0
Assists
0
Alexander Asaba has also been at Sheffield Wednesday on a trial basis and started the clash, and it remains to be seen if either are set to be involved in Friday night’s clash against Scarborough Athletic.
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Cost-effective solutions on the pitch will need to come into effect this season. Ultimately, budget restrictions and the threat of a Championship points deduction don’t help matters whatsoever.
Nevertheless, there is still talent in the building at Hillsborough and allowing youth a chance to flourish under new management may unearth some prodigious talent that can be sold later down the line, potentially easing the financial situation while Chansiri attempts to find a buyer.
Attempting to rebuild their side in the vision of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United have reportedly made their first move to sign an impressive winger who’s valued at just £25m this summer.
Man Utd plot bargain playmaker move
The Red Devils’ financial woes are no secret these days and the summer transfer window may well reflect that. Reinforcements are undoubtedly still needed, however, and INEOS will simply have to seek any bargain opportunities they can get. Meanwhile, as that search goes on they’d be wise to clear out any unwanted stars in search of adding to their own spending power.
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That could yet include the likes of Alejandro Garnacho when the summer arrives. Although the Argentine winger has worked his way back into Amorim’s side at times in recent weeks, his Old Trafford future is far from certain amid interest from Serie A giants Napoli. For the right price, it wouldn’t be a great shock to see Manchester United cash in on their young star this summer.
Manchester United's AlejandroGarnachocelebrates after the match
What that sale would do is hand Amorim the chance to finally stamp his mark at Old Trafford and perhaps welcome a player who would be perfect for his 3-4-2-1 system. According to The Boot Room, Manchester United have now made contact over signing Rayan Cherki from Lyon, asking the French club to keep them informed about the 21-year-old’s transfer status.
Valued at just £25m this summer, the young winger has quite the queue forming for his signature, which includes United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea ahead of the transfer window.
That interest should come as no surprise either, particularly from United, given that the Frenchman would be the perfect candidate to play in one of the two advanced midfield roles in Amorim’s system. A winger by trade at Lyon, Cherki has operated in the past as a No.10 and it could even be said that it is his best role.
"Special" Cherki is perfect for Amorim
Some will feel as though it’s about time that Cherki finds himself on the radar of several top sides. For some time, a top move looked unlikely to balance as questions came over his ability away from possession. Following his most impressive season yet, however, it’s hard for even the likes of Manchester United to ignore the Frenchman’s clear quality.
Dubbed a “special creator” and a “proper 10” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Cherki is exactly the type of player that would thrive in a system that not many have since Amorim’s Old Trafford arrival.
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With as many as 18 assists to his name so far this season in all competitions, the 21-year-old would instantly form one of the deadliest partnerships in the Premier League next to Bruno Fernandes and all for just £25m. It’s a deal that ticks all boxes for Manchester United and one they should go all out for this summer.
Arsenal are considering a new striker target in one £42 million Premier League player, who’s also attracting attention from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and a plethora of other clubs after his excellent start to the season.
Arsenal draw up striker shortlist as Mikel Arteta chases Kai Havertz alternative
Mikel Arteta has been heavily reliant on makeshift centre-forward Kai Havertz to deliver the goods up front, with £265,000-per-week number nine Gabriel Jesus out-of-form and bagging just one goal in all competitions this season.
Arsenal ready to attempt £80m offer for "Thierry Henry-esque" forward
He could be a hugely popular addition.
ByEmilio Galantini
This has led to consistent reports in the press that Arsenal could look to sign a new striker next year, and there are many names on their agenda as we approach 2-2025.
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is a top target for Arsenal, according to various public sources, with CaughtOffside claiming that they could try offering around £80 million to secure the Sweden international’s signature.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
West Ham United (away)
November 30
Man United (home)
December 4
Fulham (away)
December 8
Everton (home)
December 14
Crystal Palace (away)
December 21
However, he is likely to cost in excess of £100 million, so the Gunners would need to invest heavily in one of the Premier League’s best strikers. A more astute alternative could be summer target Benjamin Sesko, who had an offer to join Arsenal before deadline day (Fabrizio Romano), but ultimately chose to rebuff their advances in favour of remaining in the Bundesliga.
The Slovenian bagged 18 goals in all competitions last season and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young number nines. There is a belief that Sesko has a “gentleman’s agreement” with Leipzig that he can leave in 2025 or 2026, so this potential transfer saga could be one to watch in the near future.
Other interesting strikers linked with moves to Arsenal include Juventus star Dušan Vlahović, Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Jhon Duran of Aston Villa and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush – who’ve all been mentioned by media sources in the last two months.
According to CaughtOffside this week, a new striker target has found his way onto their growing shortlist – Ipswich Town star Liam Delap.
Arsenal considering Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap
The Englishman has started this season in fine fashion at Portman Road, netting six goals in 12 Premier League appearances, and his form is turning heads across Europe.
Arsenal are now considering a move for Delap – alongside the likes of Bayern, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven – and Ipswich could demand as much as £42 million to sanction his sale.
It is worth noting that his former club Man City inserted a buy-back clause in their deal to sell Delap to Ipswich, which is worth just £20 million, so Pep Guardiola’s men have an advantage over every other suitor – should they decide to bring him back to Eastlands.
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Delap’s excellent run showcases the limitless potential in his locker, leaving little wonder why Arsenal are now one of his possible landing spots, with England Under-21s boss Ben Futcher calling him a “real handful”.
“Absolute handful. If you want to go and fight him, he’ll match you. If you want to race him, he’ll win the race,” said Futcher.
“He’s very difficult to deal with, he’s quick, he’s powerful, he’s in good form in the Premier League. Liam’s a top number nine and he’s going to keep developing.”
Manchester City are constantly looking to improve and upgrade their team where possible each year as they chase continued success on the pitch.
The Cityzens may have been disappointed with only one major trophy won last season as they lifted the Premier League title but did not win the Champions League or either of the two domestic cups.
Pep Guardiola may, therefore, want to bolster his options across the pitch in order to add more pieces of silverware to the trophy cabinet next campaign.
Brazil international Savinho – a left-footed forward who typically plays on the flank – has arrived on a permanent deal to compete for a spot in the attack.
He may not be the only player to be brought in by the Premier League champions, though, as they could look to make further additions to their forward options.
One player they could look to upgrade on is winger Jack Grealish, who the Cityzens are reportedly willing to cash in on before the end of the window.
Aston Villa are said to be keen on a deal to bring the England international back to Villa Park but City would want to recoup a large portion of the £100m they spent on him.
Man City's interest in Dutch playmaker
Guardiola could land a big upgrade on Grealish by swooping to sign one of the club's reported transfer targets ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Earlier this summer, TEAMtalk claimed that Paris Saint-Germain starlet Xavi Simons is one of the talented midfielders on Man City's radar this window.
The report stated that the Cityzens are keeping tabs on his situation with the French giants, after a loan spell with RB Leipzig in Germany last season.
It revealed that Bundesliga side Bayern Munich are currently leading the race for Simons, who played against them for Leipzig last term, but no deal has been finalised yet.
TEAMtalk added that PSG are willing to cash in on the attacking midfielder for the right price and it has been reported elsewhere that a fee of £85m would be needed to secure his services on a permanent basis.
It remains to be seen whether or not City will find enough interest, at the price they want, to offload Grealish before the end of the transfer window.
However, even if he stays, Guardiola could land a big upgrade on the former Villans captain by securing a deal to sign Simons from the Ligue 1 champions.
Jack Grealish's struggles for City
Since his £100m move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, Grealish has failed to consistently provide quality at the top end of the pitch for City.
Supporters and the club could be forgiven for expecting big things from a player with such a gigantic price tag but the winger has not lived up to the hype yet.
The 28-year-old attacker has produced just 14 goals and 18 assists in 125 games in all competitions for the English giants, which averages out as one direct goal contribution every 3.9 matches.
He managed just three goals and three assists in 26 Premier League outings during his debut campaign with the Cityzens. That was an underwhelming start to life at The Etihad after his blockbuster move from Villa, as he rarely threatened the opposition's goal.
Grealish did follow that up with an improved five goals and seven assists in 28 league games during the 2022/23 season, as City won the title as part of the treble.
23/24 Premier League
Jack Grealish
Appearances
20
Starts
10
Goals
3
Assists
1
Key passes per game
1.4
Dribbles per game
0.9
Stats via Sofascore
However, as you can see in the table above, the English winger struggled again last term with a lack of appearances, starts, goals, and assists in the top-flight.
Overall, Grealish has not done enough in his three seasons with City so far to have justified a £100m price tag, due to his lack of goals and assists as an attacking player, and that is why now could be the right time for them to cash in on him.
Selling the England international would then free up space, and potentially some funds, to splash £85m on Simons, who could be a big upgrade on the current Cityzens flanker.
Why Xavi Simons could be an upgrade on Jack Grealish
The Netherlands international, who England fans will recognise as the player who scored against them in the semi-final at the Euros, is coming off the back of a sublime season with RB Leipzig on loan.
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He had enjoyed a terrific campaign with PSV in his home country in 2022/23 with a return of 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances for the Dutch giants.
PSV's Xavi Simons
Just like Grealish, Simons is an attacking midfielder who can operate centrally but is typically deployed on the left flank, cutting inside onto his favoured foot to wreak havoc in the final third.
However, unlike Grealish, the Dutch wizard, who was hailed as "wonderful" and an "artist" by analyst Ben Mattinson, has the quality to make a consistently big impact at the top end of the pitch.
His ability to make things happen as both a scorer and a creator of goals from a left wing position suggests that he could come in and provide far more to City's team than the Englishman.
23/24 season
Xavi Simons (Bundesliga)
Jack Grealish (Premier League)
Appearances
32
20
Goals
8
3
Assists
11
1
Big chances created
14
3
Key passes per game
2.5
1.4
Dribbles completed per game
2.6
0.9
As you can see in the table above, Simons wiped the floor with Grealish's contributions as a scorer, a creator, and a dribbler in the 2023/24 campaign.
These statistics show that the £85m-rated star can chip in with an impressive goal threat whilst also progressing his team up the pitch through dribbles, and then having the composure in dangerous positions to pick the right pass to create a chance for his teammates.
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ByDan Emery
This is why Guardiola must now swoop to sign the PSG youngster as a big upgrade on Grealish, as he could come in and offer significantly more in the final third – as suggested by his last two seasons for Leipzig and PSV.
Tottenham are now thought to be looking at signing a new midfield target who Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta called "extraordinary".
Spurs chasing top four as Lange prepares for summer
Ange Postecoglou's side are currently locked in a fierce battle with Aston Villa for the coveted fourth spot and Champions League qualification for next season.
BBC pundit says "astonishing" forward may decide to join Tottenham
He’s been on fire for his club this season.
ByEmilio Galantini
Postecoglou's debut season has been an undoubted success thus far, as the Australian's arrival has lifted the entire mood around Spurs when compared to Antonio Conte's disastrous final campaign in charge.
Tottenham's next league fixtures
Date
Aston Villa (away)
March 10th
Fulham (away)
March 16th
Luton Town (home)
March 30th
West Ham (away)
April 2nd
His style of high-pressing football has won over supporters and the appeal of Tottenham is also growing as a result, with the club even managing to pip both Bayern Munich and Barcelona to the signings of Radu Dragusin and Lucas Bergvall respectively.
The summer transfer window will be a very interesting one where Spurs are concerned, especially if they secure a spot in Europe's most prestigious competition for next term.
Reports suggest technical director Johan Lange wants to strengthen a few key areas of the squad, including central midfield, as Spurs remain serious contenders to sign Chelsea star Conor Gallagher this summer.
"Tottenham appreciate the player [James Garner], but there's nothing advanced at this stage," said journalist Ben Jacobs to GMS recently.
"Conor Gallagher, is perhaps the more likely target. I also think that if Gallagher doesn't sign a new Chelsea deal, and nothing is advanced, the package that Tottenham may be able to offer will be a little bit less. I'm sure that Chelsea will point towards Mason Mount and say, he had a year left on his contract, and was a £60m total package to Manchester United, and Gallagher is in better form. So they may hold out for that £55m to £60m valuation. But I think that Tottenham feel that by the time the summer comes, if Gallagher has not signed a new deal, he may be available for close to £45m to £50m."
The Englishman's contract at Stamford Bridge expires next year as things stand, which has alerted Lilywhites chiefs amid his excellent campaign. However, if Gallagher does opt to put pen to paper, then Spurs may need to consider midfield alternatives.
Tottenham looking at signing Quinten Timber
According to HITC and journalist Graeme Bailey, Tottenham have their eyes on star Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber, who is currently enjoying a fantastic campaign in the Eredivisie.
Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber.
The 22-year-old has bagged six assists and six goals in 23 Dutch top-flight appearances this season, and his performances have impressed Spurs, who are now keeping a very close watch on the player.
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The brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, Arteta has called Quinten "extraordinary" like his sibling.
"Yeah, the parents have done a really good job I think! I know the brother [Quinten] a little bit, I know the family. Really good footballers and two extraordinary kids. I don’t know the rest because they’re a big family but congratulations to the parents," said Arteta.
Leeds United endured a dismal 2022/23 campaign as they were relegated from the Premier League after three seasons at the top level.
The Whites were promoted under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020 and enjoyed two seasons of survival before eventually going down under a combination of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia, and Sam Allardyce.
They are now back in the Championship and are looking to return to the top-flight at the first time of asking, with German head coach Daniel Farke at the helm.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
Leeds brought the former Norwich City and Borussia Monchengladbach boss in to bolster their chances of promotion and he has enjoyed a strong start to life in Yorkshire, with five wins and two defeats in 11 league outings.
A drop down to the second tier has afforded a number of players the opportunity to regain form and confidence at a lower level and one ace who could have benefitted from that was central midfielder Mateusz Klich, who left the club in January.
The Poland international moved on at the start of the year and former Whites boss Marsch seemingly had a mare with his decision to part ways with the talented gem, as he has more goals and assists than some of the club's current attackers – like Crysencio Summerville – this year.
How much did Leeds sell Klich for?
Leeds did not receive a single penny in return for Klich as they opted to release him from his contract, despite having 18 months left to run on his deal at the time.
Marsch stated that it was a mutual decision as the club allowed the central midfielder to move on from the then-Premier League side for £0 after he had made 14 top-flight appearances during the first half of the campaign.
The veteran maestro was then able to complete a transfer to D.C. United, who were managed by Wayne Rooney at the time of the move, on a free transfer in January.
How many goals did Klich score for Leeds?
He racked up 24 goals in 195 appearances for the Whites in all competitions during his time in England, which began after a switch from FC Twente ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
The 33-year-old dynamo spent time on loan with FC Utrecht in his first season with Leeds before making his breakthrough as a regular under Bielsa the following term.
Klich exploded onto the scene with a phenomenal 2018/19 campaign as the club fell just shy of the play-off final. He contributed with ten goals and eight assists in 46 Championship starts from a midfield position.
The Polish whiz only missed two 'big chances' and created nine of them for his teammates, which shows that he was ruthless in front of goal and had the quality to provide his fellow attackers with excellent opportunities at the top end of the pitch.
He followed that up with six goals and five assists in 45 league starts throughout the 2019/20 season as Bielsa led the side to a Championship title and promotion to the Premier League. Klich only recorded five assists in spite of ending the campaign with ten 'big chances' created, which suggests that his teammates let him down in the final third.
The former Twente ace was then able to make the step up to the top-flight as he chipped in with four goals and five assists in 28 starts in his first year at that level.
After 18 more months in the Premier League with Leeds, Klich moved on from England with 24 goals and 21 assists in his 195 appearances.
How has Klich performed for D.C. United?
The 33-year-old gem has enjoyed a fantastic year in the MLS since his switch to America in January, with a string of impressive performances in midfield.
Klich has hit the ground running for D.C. United and has proved himself to be a consistent attacking threat from the middle of the park.
Statistic
Klich vs New York City (08/10/2023)
Sofascore rating
8.1
Goals
One
Chances created
Two
Pass accuracy
91%
Duels won
Four
Klich's most recent performance for D.C. United (via Sofascore)
The veteran wizard has contributed with four goals and seven assists in 32 MLS outings throughout 2023, which shows that the talented ace is getting back to the impressive form that he displayed under Bielsa earlier in his Leeds career.
He has only missed one 'big chance' and has showcased his terrific creativity with 2.5 key passes per game, as per Sofascore, and no Leeds player has managed more per match this term.
How many goals has Summerville scored this year?
Meanwhile, Summerville has scored three goals for Leeds over the course of 2023, whilst playing in the Premier League and the Championship.
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He racked up one goal and one assist in 19 appearances in all competitions from January until the end of the 2022/23 campaign as the Dutch ace struggled to find consistency at the top level.
Leeds forward Crysencio Summerville.
The 21-year-old wizard has contributed with two goals and two assists in nine outings so far this season under Farke, which mean that he has produced three goals and three assists in 28 matches in total this year.
This is five fewer goal contributions than Klich, who plays in a central midfield role, has managed in 2023, despite playing out on the wing.
Summerville is not the only Leeds attacker with fewer goals and assists than the Poland international in that time, though, as Italian winger Wilfried Gnonto has three goal and five assists in 28 games in all competitions for Leeds this year.
Was it a mistake to move Klich on?
These statistics suggest that Marsch had a mare by allowing Klich, who Rooney hailed as a "leader", to move on from the club on a free transfer in January as the talented maestro could have been a big player at Championship level this season.
His form in the MLS suggests that the 33-year-old technician still has the quality to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch from a midfield position, with goals, assists, and key passes.
He has been able to outperform exciting attackers like Summerville and Gnonto throughout 2023 and it is a shame that Farke did not get the opportunity to work with the former Eredivisie star at Elland Road this term.
Tottenham Hotspur star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is "closer" to joining La Liga giants Atletico Madrid with the player agreeing personal terms, according to reports.
Who will leave Spurs?
As new manager Ange Postecoglou seeks to rebuild this Spurs side in his own image, certain squad members will inevitably have to make way this summer.
The north Londoners have already put pen to paper on deals for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, playmaker James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon – but Harry Winks remains their only confirmed departure.
A succession of players have been linked with an exit, though, including Hugo Lloris, Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier and Ben Davies. Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon, who spent parts of last season on loan elsewhere, are also candidates for the chopping block (The Telegraph).
Some Spurs players have come out to confirm they could indeed move elsewhere, with long-serving number one Lloris saying as much to French news outlet Nice-Matin.
"We are coming to an important moment, whether for the club or for me," explained Lloris.
"It’s the end of an era. I have desires for other things, I will ask myself quietly to study what will be possible.
"But I don’t forget that I still have a year of contract with Tottenham and that in football it is always difficult to predict what will happen.
"What is essential at the moment is to recover well from my injury. I’m on vacation but I continue to talk and do my training. My goal is to be on top in July, then we’ll see what the future holds."
Hojbjerg, who has been attracting real interest from Atletico Madrid recently, could also end up departing this summer as Postecoglou aims to reinvent the midfield with more creativity.
pierre-emile-hojbjerg
Tottenham have apparently had their eyes on the likes of Chelsea star Conor Gallagher and Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie as possible replacements for the Dane.
According to The Times, it appears Hojbjerg is edging nearer and nearer to the Spurs exit door just three summers after they signed him from Southampton.
The 27-year-old has apparently agreed personal terms with Atletico, and after this development, Hojbjerg "has moved closer" to a move across the continent.
Nothing else is said beyond that line, but we can safely assume Tottenham's mainstay from last season may well be on the move pretty soon.
How good is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg?
The former Saints star was one of Tottenham's most regularly-used assets over 2022/2023.
Indeed, only superstar striker Harry Kane played more league minutes than Hojbjerg last season, with the Denmark international bagging four goals and five assists from midfield (WhoScored).
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Hojbjerg also averaged an impressive passing accuracy of around 88.6%, so selling him could leave a gaping hole behind for Postecoglou and co to fill.
Members of the press called him "sensational" at times for Tottenham last campaign, with former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson left "surprised" by his brief turnaround in form under Antonio Conte late last year.
"“Hojbjerg has surprised me this season," said Robinson to Football Insider.
“There was a point where it looked like he would be on his way but now he is one of the first names on the team sheet.
Crystal Palace are believed to be interested in signing Celtic attacker Kyogo Furuhashi during the summer transfer window, according to a new update.
Is Kyogo having a good season?
The 28-year-old has become an influential player for the Hoops since arriving from Vissel Kobe back in 2021, scoring 48 goals in just 74 appearances, as well as chipping in with 10 assists. This season, he has netted 22 times in 26 Scottish Premiership matches, standing out as one of the most effective attacking players in the division.
Kyogo's brilliance stood out again on Saturday as Celtic beat bitter rivals Rangers 3-2 at Parkhead, with the Japanese scoring two of his side's goals on the day, as they edge closer to the title glory this season.
While the forward's current Hoops deal doesn't expire until the end of the 2024/25 season, it could be that he looks for a new challenge this summer, with a move to the Premier League possibly on the cards. That's where Palace come into play, as they look to make some key signings during the upcoming window.
Could Palace snap up Celtic man this summer?
According to Football Insider, the Eagles have "watched the 28-year-old regularly this season and have been left impressed by his performances". Celtic are believed to be "braced for offers" for one of their most important players, while a "bid of £15million could be enough to prise the forward away from Parkhead".
Kyogo could be a really shrewd signing by Palace this summer, coming in as a slightly different option than the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. The 16-cap and three-goal Japan international leads the line with a combination of quality, hard work and team ethic, not only scoring goals at a regular rate but also providing for others, as his aforementioned assist tally highlights.
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The Eagles are lacking a ruthless goalscorer currently, with Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Matete scoring just five times between them in the Premier League. Granted, Kyogo could find the step up from the Scottish Premiership tough to adjust to, but he should still be a strong option than the current Palace attacking central pair, having been called "outstanding" by Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.
At 28, Kyogo is at peak age to come in and make an immediate impact at Selhurst Park, possessing plenty of experience at this point in his career, but also still hopefully remaining in and around his prime years for the foreseeable future.