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Following what has been another turbulent start to the campaign for Manchester United, the days of glorious success under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson appear no closer to being emulated, with it now over a decade since the Red Devils last tasted Premier League title glory.

It also just over 15 years since the Old Trafford outfit were last crowned kings of Europe after edging past rivals Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow back in 2008, with Ferguson having assembled a truly "unbelievable team" that was stuffed full of "world-class" talents, as per club legend Gary Neville.

At the forefront of that iconic side – which also claimed three successive league titles between 2006 and 2009 – was the dynamic duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, with the pair having simply tormented defences both domestically and on the continent.

As Neville has argued, that pairing was crucial in helping to build arguably the "greatest Manchester United team of all time", with the two men, alongside Argentine workhorse Carlos Tevez, establishing a front three that was simply at a "different level" to anything in the current era.

With the present United now forced to turn to the likes of Anthony Martial and Antony – two figures who scored just ten league goals combined last term – to lead the line in attack, it is easy to see just how far the mighty have fallen.

How many goals did Ronaldo score for Man United?

The name Ronaldo no longer perhaps has the same shine to it at the Theatre of Dreams following the sour end to his second stint at the club, as the veteran marksman was sent packing after publicly calling out manager Erik ten Hag, yet those recent exploits should not too greatly overshadow the genius of his first spell in Manchester.

While it may have been Real Madrid who witnessed the Portuguese icon at his clinical, prolific peak – as he bagged 450 goals in just 438 games all competitions for Los Blancos – those of a United persuasion were afforded the chance to witness a promising teen blossom into a devastating superstar following his arrival from Sporting CP back in 2003.

31

5

6

346

145

64

438

450

131

134

101

22

24

20

7

The Madeira-born marksman truly came alive following his return from the World Cup in the summer of 2006, helping to end what was then a 'lengthy' four-year wait for the title after plundering 17 league goals, before netting a further 31 times in the top-flight the following season.

A man made for the big occasion, it was the fleet-footed forward who fired his side ahead against the Blues in that European showpiece in '08, leaping superbly at the back post in trademark fashion to open the scoring on the day.

That effort epitomised the world-class performer that Ronaldo had developed into at the time as he was subsequently handed the Ballon d'Or award later that year, before moving to the Bernabeu 12 months later – with his total tally for the Red Devils standing at 145 goals in 346 games, including his recent second spell.

How many goals did Rooney score for Man United?

While Ronaldo may have been the shining, obvious poster boy for Ferguson's golden side, it was Rooney who provided the work-manlike, relentless presence as a vital part of the attacking triumvirate, despite also contributing himself in the final third.

Currently the club's record scorer with 253 goals in all competitions, the former England captain was a true machine when in his pomp, combining beautifully on the counter-attack and in transition, in particular, with his Portuguese teammate.

The two men notably wreaked havoc on rivals Arsenal in the semi-final of the Champions League back in 2009, rounding off a sparkling breakaway that saw United turn defence into attack in an instant, as Ronaldo duly prodded home Rooney's perfectly-placed pull-back.

Such speed and dynamism had also been evident a few years earlier as the lethal pairing ripped Bolton Wanderers to shreds on the counter on home soil, with 'Wazza' that time rounding off a sweeping move following Ronaldo's assist.

Those of a United persuasion likely yearn to see the like of those goals again, yet for all the club's current woes, hope could have presented itself in the form of Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho – two men who could well represent a "dream partnership", according to journalist Dean Jones.

What are Hojlund's strengths?

Despite having thus far only seen the £72m Dane during a brief 20-minute cameo against the Gunners, there was enough there for United supporters to get excited about, with the former Atalanta gem seemingly relishingly the physical battle with opposition defender, Gabriel.

Previously described as "scary quick" by journalist Sacha Pisani during his time in Italy, Hojlund illustrated his explosive speed as he regularly looked to run in behind, having at one stage burst forward in an attempt to get on the end of a pass from Marcus Rashford, only for the Englishman to spurn the opportunity.

It was his involvement in Garnacho's eventual disallowed goal that may have also forced those watching to sit up and notice, with the towering Dane producing a delightful backheeled flick to find Casemiro, who subsequently sent the Argentina international through on goal.

While not a true end-to-end counter like the days of Ronaldo and Rooney, the way in which that attack seemingly sprung to life in an instant will have evoked memories of that iconic duo, with the hope being that Hojlund can provide the attacking thrust through the middle, flanked by the electric Garnacho.

What are Garnacho's strengths?

With Hojlund – who 'put himself about without having much of the ball', in the words of journalist Samuel Luckhurst – potentially offering the selfless, hard-working nature of Rooney in a number nine berth, it is fair to say that Garnacho is the player who has the best chance of emulating his idol Ronaldo, having even been compared to his former teammate by treble winner, Paul Scholes:

"He almost reminded me of a young Cristiano with his skill and taking the ball down with confidence. I was impressed with the way he could attack on both feet and the unpredictability."

Wearing the boots that 'CR7' previously wore against the Gunners back in 2009, the teen speedster showed his ruthless and clinical brilliance following his late arrival against Mikel Arteta's side at the weekend, having only been denied what was a truly sumptuous finish due to the tightest of offside calls.

Even so, that surging run and finish past a helpless Aaron Ramsdale emphasised just why Garnacho is a player that "could be in any stadium in the world and he wouldn’t care", as he looks to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps by regularly stealing the limelight – as per youth coach Travis Binnion.

Described as a "full-back’s nightmare" by MUTV pundit Febian Brandy, the former Atletico Madrid ace "can go either side, cut inside, [make] it difficult for defenders all game", again showcasing just why he could be the perfect heir to Ronaldo on the flanks.

With five goals and five assists to his name at first-team level, the future looks incredibly bright for United's new number 17, with the addition of Hojlund set to ensure that Ten Hag has a youthful, attacking partnership that he can build his side around for the long-term.

The two promising forwards – who earn a combined £135k-per-week in wages – are still far from the finished article, yet there are signs that the days of Rooney and Ronaldo could be able to return sooner rather than later.

Leeds United were forced to act promptly when Deadline Day came around, such was the unrelenting unpredictability of Daniel Farke’s first summer in charge at Elland Road.

Having overseen the departure of no less than 15 players, it could have been a crisis that the Whites failed to deal with after the crushing blow that relegation provided. However, they remained relatively incisive in the market, spending wisely when necessary and bringing in nine players of their own.

Despite that, it was their final day of the window that saw the most business, as they sealed deals for three new signings, two of whom are poised to revolutionise a midfield already stacked before their arrival.

Ethan Ampadu and Archie Gray have struck a fine partnership since the new campaign began, blending youth, energy and experience to offer one of few shining lights given they have won just once in their opening five Championship matches.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

However, there could be some major alterations now made in order to turn that form around, with the Wales international set to be the catalyst for such a change.

After all, his versatility lends to such a switch, which could see new signing Glen Kamara take his place in the engine room whilst the former Chelsea man moves into centre-back, where he has featured for much of his career.

Why did Leeds United sign Glen Kamara?

With their interest in the Finland international one which seemingly lasted throughout the entire window, it was a refreshing change of pace to see the Yorkshire outfit actually get their man after weeks of trying.

Joining for what was thought to be a £5.5m fee from Rangers, the 27-year-old brings a wealth of experience alongside unparalleled quality for this level, as a tireless midfield general with a history of pushing forward to contribute to attacks too.

After all, during the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season, Kamara maintained a 7.01 average rating, buoyed by his 91% pass accuracy, three goals and three assists alongside 1.3 key passes and one tackle per game, via Sofascore.

When on form, there is little the former Dundee man cannot do, which makes his potential presence beside Gray so exciting.

The 17-year-old has taken to the challenge of Championship football with ease, as a combative midfielder with the ability to pick a pass too. The defensive foundation he offers could allow Kamara to recapture that form that saw him lauded.

Former boss Steven Gerrard has often been the first to praise the 5 foot 11 ace, who he actually brought to Ibrox: “He was a class act the other night, I thought he was superb from start to finish. Without Alfredo's goals he would certainly have been man of the match.

"It was nice to see midfielders taking the ball off the guys at the back and making us tick. Glen connected the game really well. He was also very aggressive out of possession and that's where I believe he can keep improving and moving forward and become an even better player than he is now.”

Then, the midfielder would give his own reasons for trading Scotland for England in his first interview: ”I’ve been at Glasgow Rangers for four-and-a-half years now and I feel I just needed a change in my career and Leeds is the perfect place to kick-start my career again.

“Last season was quite tough for me personally, but I can’t wait to get going now, we have a great manager and fanbase here, along with good players.”

One benefit that this aforementioned reshuffle could offer is to finally rid the starting line-up of Pascal Struijk, who has remained in the side despite his consistently poor performances last season as they fell to the drop.

How has Ampadu played this season?

With Ampadu taking his place in the back four, to partner Liam Cooper when fit or Joe Rodon for now, already a backline that has shipped seven goals in five games would be bolstered, whilst also placing an incisive passer at centre-back.

With the added time on the ball the Welshman would receive in such a role, perhaps he could elevate his 1.2 key passes per game to new heights from deeper.

After all, during his recent loan spell at Spezia where he featured in defence, he was the sole shining light for his side that also ended up being relegated from Serie A, as his 6.91 average rating was the highest of anyone else within the squad.

That was a figure upheld by his 1.2 interceptions, 2.1 tackles and three clearances per game, via Sofascore.

How has Pascal Struijk played this season?

To compare this with Struijk from last term, there is little competition.

The Dutchman maintained a 6.75 average Sofascore rating of his own as he proved to be one of many defensive liabilities within a side that shipped 78 goals, the most of anyone in the Premier League. He also would clumsily give away two penalties, and make another error that directly led to goal.

One particularly poor showing saw him lambasted by former Newcastle United and England legend Alan Shearer, who told Match of the Day (28 May):

“Defensively, they’ve been an embarrassment. Some of the defending today was under-10s level, let alone in the Premier League. Yes, Tottenham have some really good players – particularly in forward positions – but when you’re seeing errors like this [footage of Struijk], basic errors.

“It was mistake after mistake, after mistake. It’s happened all season. 78 goals they’ve conceded. It’s embarrassing"

Whilst he might have started this new season slightly better, the £50k-per-week dud has already done enough damage to the club to continue being trusted as one of the starting pillars of their backline. Especially when these fresh signings make it so easy to shift personnel around to negate his importance at the back.

This Championship campaign has seen him maintain a 6.94 average rating, which whilst on the surface might seem solid, makes him the 14th-best within the squad, via Sofascore.

It still remains to be seen whether he has managed to recover from such a trying term most recently, given they are yet to receive a truly tough test for this level.

Perhaps the tactical shift in question could mark the perfect way to get all of their best players within the starting lineup, making each position stronger as Farke flexes his managerial muscle to rid his side of potential liabilities.

Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow hasn't made the move from Champions League playing Newcastle United to just "sit on the bench" this season, according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.

Will Karl Darlow replace Illan Meslier at Leeds United this summer?

After a few months of bad news and general misery for Leeds and their supporters, the team managed to inject a bit of life and hope back into the club after fighting back from 2-0 down to earn a hard-fought draw against Cardiff City on the opening weekend of the Championship season.

That said, the fact that the side went 2-0 down to a club that just managed to avoid relegation to the third tier by the skin of their teeth last season is still a significant concern, and one of the players that did little to help their case was goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

While he wasn't directly at fault for any of the goals, he was still unimpressive and could have done better with the first goal, with Leeds Live reporter Beren Cross giving him just a five out of ten for his performance.

Read the latest Leeds United transfer news HERE…

The Frenchman will need to do better than that over the next few games, as with the £400,000 signing of Darlow from Newcastle last month, his spot is likely to be under serious threat from the former Nottingham Forest man, per Phil Hay.

He gave his opinion on The Square Ball YouTube channel, saying:

"Darlow I think will come into the frame before long I don't really don't think Farke has signed him to sit on the bench."

How old is Karl Darlow?

Born October 8 1990, the former Newcastle keeper is 32-years-old, which while just beyond the peak years for a goalkeeper – according to The Athletic – is a good age for a team's number one and should he perform well for the Whites, he could be there for several years to come.

Worryingly for Meslier, the Englishman has already demonstrated his ability to perform to a high level in the second tier on multiple occasions in his career, most recently with Hull City.

In his 12 appearances for the Tigers last season, he maintained a passing accuracy of 76.3%, won one Man-of-the-Match award and averaged a respectable match rating of 6.87, per WhoScored.

In fact, in his four spells in the Championship, he has never dipped below an average rating of 6.72, proving that he is more than equipped to step between the sticks should even the faintest opportunity present itself.

While he might've not quite had the quality to firmly establish himself as the Magpies' number one following their takeover and rise up the league, he certainly had his moments in the famous black and white, with club legend Alan Shearer lauding him for a particular performance against defending champions Liverpool in 2020, when he said:

"He should be very, very proud of his performance. When required, he came up with the goods. He was big and strong. He just kept them out. There was no way they were going to get past him this evening.

"The defenders in front of him had to work extremely hard, but when they got past the defenders he was just exceptional, superb."

Watching the battle for Leeds' number-one shirt this season will undoubtedly be enjoyable, but if Hay is correct, the writing may be on the wall for Meslier.

Arsenal seem all but set to announce their latest signing, as Mikel Arteta continues to bolster his squad…

How much is David Raya worth?

That's according to Football Transfers, who claim that their move for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is now a done deal.

All of the terms have been agreed between both clubs and the player, who had agreed personal terms with Gunners a while ago. The only hold-up on the switch is regarding Matt Turner going to Nottingham Forest, although David Ornstein did recently suggest that they too had reached an agreement.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

The north London outfit are expected to pay between £25m and £30m for his services, as the Spaniard is set to battle with Aaron Ramsdale for that number one spot.

Football Transfers value the 27-year-old at just €11.8m (£10m), likely dragged down due to his dwindling contract. He has just one year left on his £25k-per-week deal.

Why are Arsenal signing David Raya?

Many questioned the desire behind such a switch, given how impressive Arteta's current number one has been since his 2021 move from Sheffield United. The 25-year-old – dubbed "phenomenal" by club legend David Seaman – has grown into a fine option for this division, more than capable of competing at the top level.

And yet, the Spain international emerges as a fine alternative, with all the ball-playing attributes to help tie their philosophy together and propel the squad to new heights.

That is not to suggest that his ability to keep the ball out of his net wanes either though, as he was undoubtedly one of the Premier League's finest goalkeepers last season.

In fact, he made the most saves out of any in the division by some distance, shipping just 46 goals in 38 games, the fifth-least of the 20 sides. Even Ramsdale, starring for a far greater side, only conceded three less.

It was therefore no surprise to see him lauded as “a top-class goalkeeper” by former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen (Premier League Productions, 06/03/2023, 19:35)

However, it is Raya's ability with the ball at his feet that set him apart, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp even suggesting: "The goalkeeper could have the shirt with number 10," given his proficiency in possession.

When compared to other shot-stoppers across Europe, he ranks in the top 6% for touches per 90, highlighting his desire to always be involved in the play. This is certain to aid the centre-backs, who could split into even wider areas, where they will be more free to drive into space and exert their influence on the play.

Gabriel Magalhaes would likely love such a shift in style, given how he too shines when allowed to show off his creative qualities. Last season saw him maintain a 90% pass accuracy and a 100% dribble success rate in the league, with his powerful 6 foot 3 frame hard to stop when he gets going.

The Brazilian also regularly looks to attempt to play out from the back – as he ranks in the top 22% among his European peers for progressive passes – with that knack only set to be aided by having a 'keeper behind who will regularly look to pick him out.

To imagine just how often Raya will find him in space must have Arteta excited, especially given his apparent preference to play out to the left side too – as The Athletic recently noted. His 7.18 average rating in the league last term, which made him the joint-best-performing keeper too, was bolstered by his 61% pass accuracy, which rose to 87% when passing to those in his own half, via Sofascore.

All signs point towards this innocuous signing, which has left many puzzled, actually revolutionising Gabriel's already impressive career at the Emirates.

Aston Villa are reportedly ready to make a move for Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams, as Unai Emery eyes further reinforcements ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Emery and Monchi have teamed up to deliver a strong summer window so far for the Villans, in which they have secured the signings of Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Moussa Diaby.

With European football set to dawn on Villa Park, the Spaniards are aiming to bolster the depth of the squad, with the spending not expected to be over just yet.

What’s the latest on Tyler Adams to Aston Villa?

The saga between Adams and Villa has been ongoing this window, with the Daily Mail reporting in June that the Midlands side had enquired over the 24-year-old.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

Developments have reportedly been made, with the Mail claiming this week that the Villans are ‘willing’ to trigger the USMNT international’s £25m relegation release clause.

It’s speculated that the club are ‘waiting on an answer’ from the Leeds midfielder, who is reportedly of interest to Chelsea as well.

How good is Tyler Adams?

After a testing season at Elland Road, the American could be handed an escape route from the Championship that could bring his Yorkshire adventure to an end after just one season.

Despite suffering relegation with the Whites, the 24-year-old made an instant impact in the Premier League, earning him sufficient interest to make an immediate return to the top-flight.

Hailed last season as a “lion” by TEAMtalk editor James Marshment, Adams showcased his versatility in the engine room last term and most importantly his suitability to the demands and pace of the English game.

A strong tackler and assured passer of the ball, the midfielder has a rounded talent that could bolster Emery’s side at Villa Park by adding another combative presence to the middle of the park.

It wouldn’t be the first time that the claret and blues had witnessed a spark of individual brilliance in such an area, with Gareth Barry gracing the pitch in the Midlands on 438 occasions for Villa.

Once lauded as a “top quality player” by Martin O’Neill back in 2008, the Englishman was a reliable performer in midfield, showing his capabilities of defending and being of significant use in the spine of the side.

In his first season at Manchester City after leaving the Midlands, the Villa veteran averaged a monstrous 3.3 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game as per WhoScored, suggesting that Emery could deploy his own edition of Barry in obtaining Adams.

Last term for Leeds, the American machine averaged a monstrous 3.72 tackles and 1.46 interceptions per 90, via FBref, comparable to the numbers registered by the former Villa ace to implement the importance he could have in Emery’s budding squad.

With a pass completion rate of 82.5% per 90 last season, the 24-year-old has the feel of a complete talent with the ability to grow with his prime years still ahead of him.

Leeds’ misfortune could be Monchi’s treasure with a relegation clause sitting at just £25m for a talent that could be pivotal to the plans for progression at Villa Park, however, the Spanish duo must act fast with other clubs circling his moves this summer.

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has suffered a car accident in Gopalganj, according to . Razzak has been reported to be ‘out of danger’ after receiving preliminary treatment. The accident took place when he was travelling from Khulna with his family. The local police came to their rescue after they suffered minor injuries.Razzak is the third-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in ODIs with 207 wickets in 153 matches. He last played international cricket in August 2014.

Celtic moved swiftly to appoint Brendan Rodgers as their new head coach last month after Ange Postecoglou departed to move down south.

The Australian manager joined Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and that allowed Dermot Desmond to swoop for the Northern Irish tactician, who is now in his second spell at Parkhead.

Rodgers won seven trophies in less than three years with the Hoops between 2016 and 2019 before a move to Leicester City in England, where he won the FA Cup in 2021.

What's the latest Celtic transfer news?

The 50-year-old boss could now use his time with the Foxes to bolster his squad in Glasow as the club have been linked with interest in free agent centre-back Jonny Evans, who could join the likes of Hyun-jun Yang, Marco Tilio, and Odin Thiago Holm in signing this summer.

His contract at the King Power expired at the end of last season and the veteran defender is now available for nothing, which could make him a bargain addition to the squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Football Scotland have stated that no approach has been made by Celtic to the player but the manager must now pursue a deal for his former defensive rock as he could form an excellent partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back.

How old is Jonny Evans?

Evans, who Rodgers once described as "super-intelligent", is a 35-year-old centre-back who would not come in with the expectation of playing 50 matches across all competitions or being a starter week-in-week-out during the Scottish Premiership campaign.

He has only averaged 19.6 Premier League appearances per season over the last three years but could arrive at Parkhead with the quality to step in when needed or for stints in the team before being taken out for a rest.

His former Northern Ireland teammate Keith Gillespie once claimed that the towering 6 foot 2 titan was equally good at distributing the ball with either foot, which suggests that the ex-Manchester United man would be comfortable playing on the left of a defensive pairing – next to Carter-Vickers.

Across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Premier League campaigns under Rodgers' management, Evans showcased his defensive strength as he won at least 67% of his duels, which included a success rate of at least 72% in aerial contests, over that two-year spell.

The Belfast-born veteran also made at least 2.4 tackles and interceptions per match in that time, whilst no current Celtic centre-back managed more than 1.3 per outing last term. This suggests that the ex-Leicester titan could provide an injection of defensive quality to Rodgers' options at the back in terms of how frequently he is able to win the ball back for his side.

Carter-Vickers could be a dream partner for Evans as the USA international is also a dominant enforcer who is capable of coming out on top in his physical battles.

The former Spurs colossus won 69% of his duels, which included a 74% success rate in the air, for the Hoops across 29 Premiership clashes last season. This came after the 25-year-old colossus won 68% of his overall battles during the 2021/22 campaign, which shows that he has been consistently able to dominate opposition attackers.

Evans won three Premier League titles and a Champions League throughout his time at Manchester United and could impart his wisdom to Carter-Vickers, who is ten years his junior, whilst being able to form a strong defensive partnership with him for Celtic.

Therefore, the free-agent monster could be a fantastic addition to Rodgers' team due to the ability he could provide on the pitch to go along with the experience and knowledge the ex-Sunderland ace could bring to the younger players at the club.

كشف لاعب وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، إلكاي جوندوجان، عن ما سيفعله بعد الاعتزال النهائي خاصة أنه سيكمل في أكتوبر المقبل عامه الرابع والثلاثين.

وانتقل جوندوجان إلى صفوف برشلونة في الميركاتو الصيفي الماضي قادمًا من مانشستر سيتي بالمجان، بعد انتهاء عقده مع النادي الإنجليزي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رئيس أتلتيكو مدريد يقدم ردًا قاطعًا بشأن مستقبل فيليكس مع برشلونة

2 Spiele, 2 Siege gegen starke Gegner! 🇫🇷🇩🇪🇳🇱 So kann es weitergehen! 💪🏼 @DFB_Team #völliglosgelöst ✈️🎶 pic.twitter.com/6oGRBO3oQg — Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) March 26, 2024

وتحدث جوندوجان عن مستقبله بعد الاعتزال خلال حوار مع صحيفة “سبورت” الكتالونية، وقال: “أفكر في التدريب بكل صراحة”.

وتابع: “سأكون مجنونًا إذا لم أفكر في التدريب، لأنني محظوظ وكان لدي مدربين استثنائيين طوال مسيرتي وقد تعلمت منهم”.

وتدرب جوندوجان تحت قيادة يورجن كلوب في بوروسيا دورتموند، بيب جوارديولا في مانشستر سيتي، تشافي في برشلونة، يواخيم لوف وهانزي فليك ويوليان ناجلسمان في منتخب ألمانيا.

وأضاف: “لقد رأيت كيفية تعاملهم مع بعض المواقف الصعبة، لذلك أتخيل نفسي مدربًا عندما اعتزل نهائيًا”.

Arsenal have been linked to Inter maestro Nicolo Barella as the Gunners aim to recruit reinforcements this summer.

Mikel Arteta’s quest to secure the signature of Declan Rice was reported to have taken a turn on Thursday, with journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that Manchester City were ‘getting closer’ to signing the Englishman.

The news has come as a shock for the north Londoners, who have been in pursuit of the West Ham United captain for weeks. However, Arteta could land a strong alternative in the Nerazzurri star.

What’s the latest on Nicolo Barella to Arsenal?

As reported by Italian outlet FC Inter News, Arsenal hold an interest in Inter midfielder Barella, with the report claiming that both Manchester United and the Gunners are eyeing the Serie A ace.

The report claims that Inter are expecting ‘two very important offers’ from Arsenal and United in the ‘coming days’ following the 26-year-old’s decision to reject Newcastle United.

A separate report from CalcioMercatoWeb stated that Inter have priced the Italian at €50m (£44m).

What could Nicolo Barella offer to Arsenal?

The prospect of missing out on Rice at the hands of City would be a tough pill for Arsenal to swallow, though the blow could be significantly softened should the Gunners strike a deal for Barella.

Branded as an “exceptional player” by scout Antonio Mango, the Cagliari-born sensation has lit up the San Siro this past campaign, assisting his side in getting to the Champions League final and a third-placed Serie A finish.

Likened to Arsenal’s very own Martin Odegaard based on his statistics by FBref, the Italian has operated as one of the most impressive box-to-box midfielders in Europe over the past year.

Such praise is supported by his numbers, with Barella contributing six goals and six assists in 34 Serie A appearances from the middle of the park, maintaining an average match rating of 7.08, via Sofascore.

As well as his efforts in the final third, the 26-year-old is defensively competent, as highlighted by him winning 55% of his total duels in the league this term, averaging 4.4 per game.

An area of Rice’s game that attracted Arteta to the 24-year-old appears to have been his progressive play, with the Englishman averaging 6.6 progressive passes and 2.42 progressive carries per 90 over the past year, via FBref.

While the Hammers captain’s numbers are impressive, his efforts are not just matched but slightly improved upon by Barella, who averaged 6.62 progressive passes and 2.8 progressive carries per 90 – showing the player Arteta could recruit in the event of talks over Rice falling through.

Only time will tell how the saga plays out, but the Gunners must recruit sensibly this summer in order to remain tight to champions City, with a defensive midfielder a priority.

Aston Villa have formed quite the link with Villarreal this summer, with a host of Unai Emery’s former talents reportedly wanted at Villa Park, including latest target Alex Baena.

With Monchi onboard, the West Midlands club are reportedly looking to add a Spanish essence to the Premier League, with one of La Liga’s exciting young talents in Baena on Emery's shortlist.

The 21-year-old is linked with a reunion with Emery, with Spanish publication AS claiming both Villa and Barcelona hold interest in the midfielder – as relayed by Sport Witness.

The newspaper states that the Spaniard is valued by his club at €50m (£43m), with a release clause that exceeds €60m (£51m) which was put in place when he signed a new deal with the Yellow Submarine in January.

Regardless of the actual buying price, the range of the two sums listed in the report would break Villa’s record transfer fee, showing how much the club rate the youngster.

What could Alex Baena offer Aston Villa?

Rising up the ranks at Villarreal, Baena was integrated into the first team by Emery before the manager departed for the West Midlands last season.

Since his introduction to the La Liga side, the 21-year-old has not looked back, scoring six goals and registering two assists in 35 league appearances.

Hailed as being an “extremely interesting” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the midfielder has excelled this term, which has subsequently linked him with a move to the Premier League.

The versatile technician can be deployed all across the attacking line behind a striker, featuring on both flanks as well as in central attacking midfield – which has seen him compared to some of the best in the position on the continent.

As per FBref, based on his statistics over the past year, the Roquetas de Mar-born gem is most likened to Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, who was voted the north Londoner's Player of the Season this past campaign.

Emery could land himself his answer to the Norwegian sensation this summer in a player that could be perfect as the Spaniard aims to take Villa to further heights next term.

Lauded as “spectacular” by members of the media, the 24-year-old was one of the Premier League’s best performers this season, registering 22 goals and assists in 37 appearances – scoring 15 and assisting seven from central midfield.

While Baena’s numbers in front of goal aren’t quite as comparable to the former Real Madrid starlet just yet, the Spaniard possesses a wave of attributes mirrored to those in the Arsenal captain’s locker.

As per FBref, the 21-year-old excelled in terms of progressive play, averaging 2.31 progressive carries per 90 with a number comparable to Odegaard, who averaged 2.46 per 90 over the past year.

A similar pattern is identifiable in terms of their creative play, with the Villarreal academy graduate averaging 0.24 xAG (expected assisted goals) to the Norwegian’s 0.26 xAG, as well as creating 12 big chances to the Gunners star’s 14.

Taking into consideration Odegaard’s period in the spotlight spanning over eight years after signing for Real Madrid as a youngster, Baena’s progression is something to monitor, with his statistics suggesting a capability to operate at a similar level to the Premier League star in the years to come.