Tottenham Hotspur fans are desperate for the club to sign Alex Grimaldo from Benfica.
Calciomercato, via A Bola, claim that Spurs are among a number of clubs chasing the left-back, with Arsenal and Napoli also interested.
And fans have been left rather excited by the news of their club’s interest.
A Spain U21 international, Grimaldo has made 131 appearances for Benfica, scoring 11 goals and registering 26 assists.
This season already, the former Barcelona B man has one goal and four assists to his name in 14 outings.
Indeed, Spurs have struggled at the start of the 2019/20 campaign and Danny Rose has looked out of his depth at times at left-back, picking up five yellow cards in just nine games and averaging 1.6 fouls per game from just 1.8 tackles, per WhoScored.
A number of supporters believe Grimaldo, who is reportedly valued at €40m (£34.4m) is exactly what Tottenham need as they approach the transfer window.
Leeds United are four games into the 2024/25 Championship season after they failed to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Whites have won two and drawn two of their opening four matches in the second tier, with wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull in their last two.
It has been a solid enough start to the campaign after a summer transfer window that was full of turbulence for Daniel Farke and his first-team squad.
Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Archie Gray, who were all key cogs in the system last season, were all sold, to Rennes, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
That meant that the Whites had to dip into the market to sign Jayden Bogle, Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon, Ao Tanaka, Alex Cairns, Joe Rothwell, Isaac Schmidt, and Joe Rodon.
Farke had to bring in attacking reinforcements to bolster his squad after Rutter and Summerville moved to the Premier League, particularly due to the creativity that the former provided through the middle of the pitch for the Yorkshire-based outfit last term.
Georginio Rutter's creativity for Leeds
The French wizard, who is now looking to make his mark in the top-flight with Brighton, showcased his creative quality throughout the 2023/24 campaign for Leeds.
Rutter had produced zero goals and one assist in 11 matches for the Whites in his short time in the Premier League with them during the second half of the 2022/23 season.
The club's relegation to the Championship and the arrival of Farke, with his possession-based style of play, allowed the former Hoffenheim man to flourish at Elland Road.
Appearances
45
Goals
6
Assists
15
Big chances created
22
Key passes per game
1.9
Pass accuracy
69%
As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old wizard was directly involved in 21 goals in 45 appearances during the regular season, whilst he also scored against Norwich in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals.
Rutter racking up 15 assists from 22 'big chances' created also suggests that his teammates let him down at times with their wasteful finishing, as they did not make the most of the high-quality opportunities that he created.
In fact, the French starlet ranked within the top 2% of forwards in the Championship for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.29) and the top 2% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.41), which shows that he was one of the most creative players in his position in the division.
One player who did manage more assists in the Championship last season, though, was a player who was once fumbled by Leeds and Jesse Marsch.
Leeds fumbled Leif Davis
The Whites swooped to sign the teenager from Morecambe U18s in the summer of 2018 and Marcelo Bielsa almost immediately handed him opportunities in the first-team.
Davis featured five times for the senior side, including four matches in the Championship, during the 2018/19 campaign, despite not having played any first-team football for Morecambe prior to his move to Elland Road.
The promising young left-back then played three times in the second tier the following season, as Leeds won the title and earned promotion to the Premier League.
Former Leeds defender Leif Davis.
That rise to the top-flight restricted Davis' chances in the first-team and, after two Premier League outings in the 2020/21 campaign, he was sent out on loan to Bournemouth in the 2021/22 season.
The English defender produced one assist in 12 appearances in the Championship for the Cherries, where he was dubbed an "animal" by boss Scott Parker, in the second half of that term and returned to find Jesse Marsch in charge, having left with Bielsa at the helm.
That summer, in 2022, Marsch decided that Davis did not have a future under him at Elland Road and sanctioned a permanent transfer to League One side Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys reportedly saw off Championship competition to secure his services for a fee of at least £1m, and it is a move that has turned out to be a blinder by Kieran McKenna.
Marsch and Leeds must regret cashing in on the exciting full-back because his career has gone from strength to strength since moving on from the club, to the point where he is now playing in the league above them.
Leif Davis' form for Ipswich
The left-footed wizard hit the ground running in Suffolk with an eye-catching return of three goals and 14 assists in 43 League One appearances during the 2022/23 campaign.
His attacking impetus from left-back helped Ipswich to finish second in the division and earn promotion up to the Championship, where Davis thrived last season.
The Tractor Boys went on to finish second in the league and beat Leeds, who placed third, to an automatic promotion place, with the former Whites man playing a pivotal role in their success.
In the 2023/24 campaign, as you can see in the graphic above, Davis racked up a staggering 21 assists in the Championship for Ipswich, which was six more than Rutter managed for Leeds in the same league.
The 24-year-old star was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award alongside the French attacking midfielder, although the award was eventually won by Summerville.
Davis, unsurprisingly, ranked within the top 1% of full-backs in the division for assists per 90 (0.43) and the top 1% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.91), averaging more of both per 90 than Rutter did.
These statistics suggest that Leeds would have had an even greater creative threat than the now-Brighton star had Marsch not cashed in on the defender back in 2022, due to his exceptional statistics as a creator of goals for the Tractor Boys last season.
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Davis, who has registered one assist in three matches in the Premier League this term, has developed into a sensational attacking threat from left-back over the last two years or so, and the Whites selling him for £1m+ currently looks like it was a huge error on their part.
Liverpool supporters' transfer-window discontent went into remission following a stunning 3-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford to maintain Arne Slot's 100% start.
Few could have envisaged such a scoreline in spite of recent history, regardless of the wall-to-wall disparity between the arch-rivals over the past decade. Slot, indeed, designed success through every department on Sunday afternoon, and is yet to drop points or even concede after three Premier League fixtures.
Surely it wasn't supposed to be this way? Farewell, Jurgen Klopp – rival fans cheer, for Liverpool are headed for the scrap. But no, Slot looks every bit the elite-level boss, every inch the fitting leading coach for Anfield's red-golden array of talent.
There is so much still to do; Slot and his Liverpool squad will not get carried away. The Reds will pause for the imminent international break before jumping into the thick of more action in the league, wedged by Champions League and Carabao Cup ties that will put the club's depth to the test.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot-1
One man, it will not be surprising, is performing with some level of gusto right now. Mohamed Salah's future is an anxious thing, but the Egyptian dominated the Theatre of Dreams, as is his way.
Mohamed Salah's incredible form
Salah fizzled out toward the end of the 2023/24 campaign, and with Klopp leaving and the soon-to-be 32-year-old about to enter the final year of his £350k-per-week deal, many thought he had reached the end of his glory days.
How wrong they were. Salah has scored three goals from three matches under Slot, claiming three assists and leaving Manchester United icon Roy Keane in awe of his "world-class performance", having dismantled the Red Devils in their own backyard. Again.
Premier League
14
12
6
FA Cup
2
3
0
Luis Diaz carried a brace into the half-time break, supplied by Salah from the right both times. He's evergreen, and more dangerously for his rivals, he's revitalised. Salah might have lost some of the snap-jerk motion that saw him obliterate Premier League backlines upon arriving back in 2017, an electric-paced superstar with a deadly ball-striking ability, but he's morphed into a first-rate playmaker.
His intelligence is second to none, and there's simply little chance that Salah will not play an instrumental role in Liverpool's campaign, rivalling the younger Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka to take the crown as the division's foremost forward.
United were abject on Sunday, pulled apart by their nemeses blistering counters and struck further by their own internal malfunction. But mistakes are a part of football, and Salah's creative balls for Diaz were pinpoint, his first-time finish after latching onto Dominik Szoboszlai's exquisite pass, placed with the deftness of an artist applying the finishing touch.
It's a measure of Liverpool's brilliance that Salah actually squandered a glorious opportunity to make it four shortly after netting, and while he was the attacking architect, his headline display was enabled by Ryan Gravenberch, who was the real hero on a victorious day.
Why Ryan Gravenberch is Slot's real hero
You can't help but wonder if Martin Zubimendi cast a rueful gaze Liverpool's way on Sunday evening, watching the Premier League outfit maintain their perfect record with some style, while Real Sociedad suffered a goalless draw against Getafe in La Liga, consigned to 12th place and one win from four attempts.
Zubimendi, of course, made his choice and deserves a measure of praise for his loyalty in an ever-more perfidious landscape, but he was perfect for Slot's Liverpool, who fought fiercely to bring him to Merseyside in August, felt they were set to win the battle, but didn't.
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi
Sociedad refused to let up and the Spanish Euro 2024 champion stayed put, leaving sporting director Richard Hughes in dismay, with the 25-year-old profiled as the dream addition. FSG, who never jump the gun, did not find an apt alternative.
Luckily, Liverpool already have one in Gravenberch, who has long carried the properties for a deep-lying midfield role but lacked temperament, holding a boyish immaturity that is starting to dissipate.
Gary Neville said that the Dutchman, 22, "absolutely destroyed" Man United's midfield last weekend, having now performed three matches as Slot's anchorman to a top standard.
There's so much to like, three games into the new era. Gravenberch has averaged 74 touches per Premier League game so far, as per Sofascore, completing 89% of his passes and averaging 2.7 tackles and 5.7 ground duels per game.
What's more, Gravenberch ranks among the top 19% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and the top 16% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, further emphasising the technical skill he possesses, tailored for success in his new position.
His press resistance and smooth forward passing have raised chatter that his boss Slot, a fellow Dutchman, is sculpting him into a world-beater at no. 6.
Indeed, he was so good against Erik ten Hag's men, so dominant in the central battle, that The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle awarded him a 9/10 match rating, writing: 'Helped Liverpool increasingly dominate midfield, played important role in opener and kept the visitors nabbing possession in key areas. Superb performance.'
Liverpool are only three games into the season. There will come a point when Slot will taste defeat, and Gravenberch will shake his head following a poor performance – these things are certainties, not eventualities.
But the idea of a prosperous new age at Anfield has taken root within the mind of the fanbase, and Gravenberch has showcased his acumen and suitability. Given that Zubimendi's signing fell through, he might just be the most important cog in the system.
As good as Diaz & Salah: Liverpool star is becoming a monster under Slot
The Reds maestro is enjoying a fantastic start to the campaign under the Dutchman.
Nottingham Forest have had a relatively quiet summer transfer window compared to their usual standards, with just seven first-team additions arriving at the City Ground.
The Reds infamously went crazy during the summer window of 2022, making over 20 new additions in a bid to remain competitive in their first Premier League campaign in over two decades.
However, the club are known for making frantic moves on deadline day, as demonstrated this time last year, making seven signings in one day – which included the club-record deal for midfielder Ibrahim Sangare.
It’s highly unlikely Nuno Espírito Santo’s side will replicate such numbers today, but there is a high likelihood that a variety of new players could arrive on Trentside.
One player in particular has caught the eye, with a deal potentially being completed before tonight’s 11pm deadline.
Nottingham Forest in talks to sign Premier League star
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest have placed James Ward-Prowse on their shortlist, with the transfer guru revealing late last night on a live stream (23mins:17secs) that talks are "ongoing" regarding a potential move to the East Midlands.
West Ham player James Ward-Prowse.
It’s unclear at this stage whether a move would be a loan move or a permanent one, but the 29-year-old is on the club’s radar.
The former Southampton ace could be brought in on a temporary basis, acting as cover for Danilo after it was confirmed that the Brazilian would be out until December at least after surgery on his ankle issue sustained against Bournemouth.
The Hammers ace would be an excellent addition to Nuno’s side, potentially becoming the Reds’ new version of a talent who has starred since his move to the City Ground.
Why Ward-Prowse could be Gibbs-White 2.0 for Forest
Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has been a crucial player for Forest following his £25m move from Wolves during the summer of 2022.
Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates for Nottingham Forest
Eyebrows were raised at the magnitude of the fee given his lack of impact in England’s top flight, however, the deal looks to be a superb one two years on, with the 24-year-old securing his first senior England call-up for the fixtures against Ireland and Finland next month.
He’s enjoyed a brilliant start to the new campaign, scoring the decisive goal in the 1-0 win against Southampton last weekend – securing a first win of the campaign for Nuno’s side.
With Ward-Prowse, the Reds have the opportunity to replicate a deal for Gibbs-White, with FBref ranking the duo as similar players based on their respective stats from last season.
When delving into their stats, the “unbelievable” West Ham ace, as described by former boss Ralph Hassenhuttl, matched Gibbs-White for combined goals and assists, despite featuring in a deeper role than the England international.
Games played
38
37
Goals + assists
15
15
Progressive passes
4.5
4.8
Shot-on-target accuracy
39%
19%
Pass accuracy
83%
71%
Tackles won
1.3
1
Interceptions made
1.1
0.5
Whilst he managed slightly fewer progressive passes per 90, Ward-Prowse achieved a higher pass completion rate, winning more tackles – demonstrating his excellent qualities as a box-to-box midfielder.
However, arguably his biggest asset is his set-piece ability, with the 29-year-old scoring 17 direct free-kicks in the Premier League – the second most in history, just one behind the legendary David Beckham.
James Ward-Prowse for West Ham
The Reds have struggled with their set-pieces in recent times, scoring the fourth-lowest number of goals from corners and free kicks last season – managing just seven over the course of the campaign.
If he were to move to the East Midlands, Ward-Prowse would be a superb addition and one that would further improve the options at Nuno’s disposal in the midfield department.
He could link up well with Gibbs-White, providing added ammunition for the attacking midfielder to further improve his sensational goal return from last season – whilst adding a different dimension in attacking areas with his ability to cause issues with his quality from a dead ball situation.
He wants to join: Nottingham Forest make late bid for £25m Awoniyi upgrade
The club may finally be able to finish their centre-forward hunt.
Arsenal are ready to launch a bid for Southampton star Romeo Lavia after completing their Declan Rice deal, according to reports.
Who are Arsenal signing?
After weeks of protracted negotations, the Gunners are now set to sign Rice, just over a week after they initially agreed a fee in principle with West Ham.
Both Arsenal and the Irons compromised on a £105 million total price (£100m + £5m in add-ons), but much of the talks since then have been regarding payment structure.
In the last 24 hours, there has been an agreement for Arsenal to pay the initial £100m over a 24-month period, with Rice now set for a medical this week ahead of signing a long-term contract.
After that huge boost for manager Mikel Arteta, it is believed the north Londoners are also closing in on a deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, as transfer chief Edu gets to work on backing Arsenal this summer transfer window.
Both players look highly likely to join Kai Havertz at Arsenal, coming after the Germany international put pen to paper on a £65 million move from Chelsea.
This window's outlay could total well over £200 million, but according to reports in the last 48 hours, they certainly aren't done there.
Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
Indeed, Southampton's Lavia is still firmly on their radar, with Arteta's side readying a bid for the 19-year-old who starred at St. Mary's Stadium last season.
That is according to The Times and journalist Tom Allnutt, who claim they're set to make a move for Lavia.
"Arsenal are ready to make a move for the Southampton midfielder Roméo Lavia once the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham United is completed," wrote Allnutt
"Arsenal want to continue their summer spending spree by bidding for Lavia, although they expect to face strong competition from Liverpool for the 19-year-old.
"Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in Lavia, with Southampton wanting £50 million for the Belgium player."
Who is Romeo Lavia?
Boasting the highest pass accuracy percentage of any Southampton regular, Lavia stood out as one of their best-performers per 90 according to WhoScored.
The Belgium international is one of huge potential, as already explained by Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who admitted that he has been "very impressed" with Lavia's progress on the south coast.
"I am really impressed with what Roméo has done and is doing,” Guardiola said.
"We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not [get] enough minutes like he has in Southampton.”
Meanwhile, members of the press have called Lavia a "sensational midfielder", with journalist Sam Tighe even believing the teenager is a "shining star" of Southampton's relegated side.
"I watched every game Roméo Lavia played last season and he was absolutely incredible," explained Tighe.
"A shining star despite playing in terrible circumstances most of the time. Arsenal reportedly advancing on a deal…one to be very excited about."
The former City starlet played 29 league games last season, scoring once and picking up nine yellow cards.
Nottingham Forest may have found the perfect Brennan Johnson replacement as the Tricky Trees eye Sydney van Hooijdonk, according to reports from Italy.
What's the latest Nottingham Forest transfer news? – Sydney van Hooijdonk identified
After escaping relegation last season, Forest are keen to strengthen their squad and build on the back of their first season back in the Premier League, with the club linked to a number of different players.
Former Premier League defender Roman Saiss is reportedly on the club's radar, with Steve Cooper determined to strengthen the team's back line.
Forest have also identified a Keylor Navas replacement after the goalkeeper returned to Paris Saint-Germain, with Citta Celeste reporting that the club have made an offer for Lazio's Luis Maximiano.
On the flip side, one man that may be leaving the Forest Ground is talisman Johnson.
According to reports, the 22-year-old has caught the attention of Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton, so the club have begun searching for a possible successor.
Well, it seems they've found the perfect replacement in Bologna's van Hooijdonk, according to Corriere Di Bologna.
How does Sydney van Hooijdonk compare to Brennan Johnson?
While the 23-year-old dynamo was primarily played as a centre-forward last season during his loan spell at Eredivisie side, SC Heerenveen, he is also more than capable of putting a shift in on the left wing and Forest have identified him as a possible successor to Johnson.
On paper, the two men aren't all that similar, but in van Hooijdonk, Forest would replace Johnson with a natural goalscorer.
The Dutch forward scored 19 goals in all competitions last season, double the tally that the Englishman put up himself, whilst in the past, talent scout Jacek Kulig has described the "prolific" frontman as a "target man" who has "athleticism," with the latter attribute comparing well to Cooper's current gem.
With an average WhoScored rating of 6.83, van Hooijdonk out-performed Johnson who averaged a score of 6.49, and the two men put up a similar number of key passes, with van Hooijdonk averaging 0.5 a game, while the Forest man averaged 0.7.
Having controlled the ball with his feet 426 times last season, the Dutchman showed a similar ability to Johnson, who controlled the ball 450 times with his feet last season.
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With the Forest man set to fetch the club at least £30m in any potential move away, and van Hooijdonk valued at just £2.5m, the forward would be a bargain for the club and offer a worthy successor to the talented Englishman.
Interestingly, the 6 foot 3 Bologna man's father Pierre played for Forest in the late 1990s, and the deal ended sourly when the former player refused to play for the club towards the end of his time there, drawing criticism from fans and his teammates, so the 23-year-old could potentially offer the chance to rewrite the van Hooijdonk name in the eyes of the club and everyone surrounding it.
Football supporters have flocked to social media to express their sympathy for Luka Modric after he failed to win silverware with Croatia once again.
How many trophies has Luka Modric won in his career?
At club level, the midfield maestro has won essentially every major honour available to a European footballer. Indeed, with Real Madrid he has lifted the Champion League five times, La Liga three times, the Copa del Rey twice, the Spanish Super Cup four times, and the Club World Cup five times.
On top of that, he won the Croatian national league three times with GNK Dinamo Zagreb, as well as two domestic cups in his native country too.
While he has also won numerous individual accolades – such as Croatia’s Player of the Year five times – and most notably the 2018 Ballon d’Or.
Sadly, however, Modric has yet to win a trophy with his country and this unfortunate run continued over the weekend as Spain beat Croatia on penalties in the UEFA Nations League final.
After the game, the 37-year-old was seen looking dejected as he wandered around the pitch – even though his own fans showed him plenty of love.
Despite having been part of an excellent national side that keeps performing far above expectations, Modric doesn’t quite have a trophy to show for all his efforts.
After all, in the 2018 World Cup they picked up a silver medal after losing to France in the final. While at Qatar 2022, they came away with bronze.
And now, this time in the Nations League, the veteran Real Madrid star has fallen just short once again, with another silver medal to add to his international collection.
With all this in mind, fans took to social media to outline just how gutted they were for Modric. Here are some of the best reactions…
There was still plenty of love for Modric and his achievements though.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey could be set for a summer exit from the Emirates over the coming weeks.
Who will Arsenal sign this summer?
The Gunners enjoyed a seriously impressive 2022/23 campaign which saw them provide Manchester City with some stern competition at the top of the table.
However, Mikel Arteta's side were unable to prevent Pep Guardiola and his team from retaining their Premier League crown.
And as a result, it is believed the Gunners will be looking to make some major moves in this summer transfer window which could see some movement in the midfield.
Indeed, reports have suggested the north London club are seriously keen on making West Ham United's Declan Rice an Arsenal player this summer.
This comes amid claims the current Arsenal star Granit Xhaka could be set for a potential return to his homeland with Bayer Leverkusen reportedly interested in acquiring him.
And as the speculation surrounds a potential incoming and outgoing in north London, it appears Xhaka may not be the only Arsenal midfielder to leave in the coming months.
Speakng on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Ghanaian midfielder, Partey, could also be heading for the exit doors at the Emirates:
"So guys, let me start with Arsenal because I have important updates to give you about the Gunners."
"Thomas Partey could be on the move this summer. It's a possibility for Thomas Partey to leave Arsenal.
"I'm told this is a very concrete chance for Thomas Partey to find the solution and to leave Arsenal Football Club.
"There are conversations ongoing. This is still not advanced, for example, Xhaka to Leverkusen is more than advanced. It's almost done just waiting for the green light from Arsenal.
"For Thomas Partey, still time to look at options and then discuss with Arsenal but Thomas is a concrete name in the potential exits of Arsenal."
How long is left on Thomas Partey's contract?
This summer will mark Partey's third year since joining the north London side from Atletico Madrid for a fee believed to be worth in the region of £45m.
And in that time he has played a significant role in the middle of Arsenal's side having made 99 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions (via Transfermarkt).
In the Premier League alone last season, Partey was able to rack up a third of those 99 appearances where he contributed with three goals.
But the – dubbed "monster" – Ghanaian has also battled with numerous injuries over his time in north London which could be a reason behind his potential departure from the Emirates.
On the back of an impressive campaign for the Gunners, the 30-year-old now has just two years remaining on his deal with the north London side.
And with reports suggesting Arteta's side are hoping to bring in Rice over the coming weeks, perhaps Partey is not viewed as a long-term option anymore.
If they are to wait another year to potentially sell the Ghanaian then they could receive a much lower return on their £45m investment.
Aston Villa have been linked to a relegated Premier League ace ahead of the transfer window, as Unai Emery prepares to bolster his squad this summer.
While the Spaniard is reportedly set to be given a £150m transfer kitty to spend, Villa could land a budget signing from a newly relegated side as per recent reports.
What’s the latest on Crysencio Summerville to Aston Villa?
As reported by sports outlet in the Netherlands FC Update (via Sport Witness) Aston Villa have their eye on potentially signing Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville.
The narrative of the report surrounds the forward’s potential move to PSV, however, mentions that both RB Leipzig and Villa are also interested in the player.
Valued at €11.6m (£10m) by Football Transfers, the young attacker could be a steal for Emery’s side.
What could Crysencio Summerville offer to Aston Villa?
Hailed as being “absolutely incredible” by pundit Nedum Onuoha on BBC’s Match of the Day, the 21-year-old Dutchman could be a revelation under Emery.
It’s been a difficult season for the young forward, who experienced relegation with Leeds in a campaign of poor performances.
The winger, who signed from Feyenoord’s academy to Leeds’ U21s in the summer of 2020, made an impression at times this campaign, as shown through his six goal contributions in 28 appearances, scoring four and assisting two – via FBref.
In the build-up to the World Cup last year, the Rotterdam-born ace was the talk of all things Leeds, as he scored in four consecutive Premier League games, including an emphatic late winner against Liverpool at Anfield. Such impressive form saw Statman Dave applaud his "unstoppable" performances.
It went from all to nothing for the Dutchman, who struggled to re-find his form in a depleted side after the winter break.
All is far from lost for the young forward, however, who could find his form rejuvenated under Emery, and could be a valuable asset to Villa Park.
Aptly described as having an opposition defence in a “tumble dryer” by journalist Joe Donnohue, the Dutchman could replicate the feats of Anwar El Ghazi at Villa, with whom he shares a variety of attributes.
The fellow Netherlands representative was “magnificent” for Villa, as lauded by pundit Michael Brown, scoring 26 goals during his stay in the Midlands, including a crucial goal in the play-off final a few years ago.
Like El Ghazi, the 21-year-old is strong playing on the wing and is extremely direct in his play, as signified by his average of 3.22 progressive carries and 1.51 successful take-ons per 90 – as per FBref.
Similar numbers were recorded by El Ghazi in his final season at Villa Park, who registered 2.79 progressive carries and 1.45 successful take-ons per 90 on average.
The comparison between the potential summer target and the former Villa winger implies the impact the Dutchman could have in Emery’s side, and at just 21 years old, he could become a dangerous talent under the Spaniard’s care.
Aston Villa are battling Everton for the signing of Almeria attacker Largie Ramazani ahead of the summer transfer window, a new report has claimed.
Has Ramazani had a good season?
The Villans enjoyed such an impressive 2022/23 season in the end, with Unai Emery completely transforming the club's fortunes and getting them into Europe. It is an achievement that seemed scarcely believable at one point, and it puts the club in a strong position heading into the summer.
The upcoming window has the potential to be one of the most exciting at Villa Park in a number of years, with funds available for new signings and Emery's pull potentially allowing them to snap up some top-quality additions.
One player who has been linked with a move to Villa in recent days is Ramazani, who proved to be a key figure for Almeria throughout the campaign. The £2,499-a-week forward has scored three times in La Liga for a side who only just avoided relegation, and he may feel that he could thrive more in a stronger outfit.
UD Almeria forward Largie Ramazani.
Could Ramazani be off to Villa?
According to Football Insider, Villa are "tracking" the 22-year-old ahead of a potential summer move, although they aren't alone in expressing an interest. Everton are also name-checked in the report, while other unnamed clubs are also believed to be in the running.
Ramazani, who was once a youth team player at Manchester United between 2017 and 2020, is "attracting admiring glances from across Europe after starring for the Rojiblancos on their return to the Spanish top flight."
The Almeria favourite could be a really shrewd signing by Villa this summer – not necessarily the big name that many supporters will be hoping for, but someone who could be a strong squad addition. He is out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 season, so his current club may feel that now is the right time to cash on him, with his stock arguably never higher.
Ramazani has played all across the front-line for Almeria this season, proving to be adept on either flank and in a central attacking role, and his versatility could be something that really appeals to Emery, providing depth in a number of positions.
The youngster has been hailed as "explosive", "dynamic" and "the Mini-Vinicius" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, which says a lot about his ability and potential as a player, and why Villa would be wise to make a move for him.