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An update has emerged on Turkish midfielder Ozan Tufan, regarding Leeds’ interest in the Fenerbahce man.

What’s the talk?

Turkish journalist Talha Arslan has reported that Leeds scouts watched Ozan Tufan against Switzerland in the European Championships on Sunday. Arslan has claimed that Victor Orta sent scouts to watch both Tufan and Okay Yokuslu, as they competed for their country against Switzerland.

Crystal Palace, Everton and Fulham were all linked with a swoop for the midfielder earlier this year. Although, it remains to be seen if Fulham will still be in the race following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

Former Fenerbahce boss Vitor Pereira previously claimed that Tufan, who is reportedly valued at £18m by Fenerbahce had the potential to be as good as retired Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure. He said:

“He still has a lot to learn and that is my job, but the world will soon have a central midfielder on the level of [Toure] on their hands.”

Forget Klich

Mateusz Klich has been a key player for Leeds in recent seasons and deserves respect for the service he has provided the club, but it is time to forget about the Poland international as a starting player in the Premier League.

Of the ten players to make the most appearances for Leeds in the Premier League, Klich had the lowest average WhoScored rating at a disappointing 6.55. This also placed him 16th in the squad overall, suggesting that his position could be an area Leeds look to improve upon this summer.

With Tufan, Leeds could find the upgrade they need. The Turkish international averaged an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.00 in the Super Lig for Fenerbahce, whilst providing six goals and eight assists from midfield.

Tufan averaged more tackles and interceptions per game than Klich, whilst also averaging more dribbles and key passes combined than the Leeds man. This suggests that Tufan, who is five years younger, could be an excellent signing by Victor Orta to replace Klich in the starting XI.

This is not to say that Leeds should be selling Klich, though. The 31-year-old could still provide value as a rotation option or off the bench for the club. He still contributed with four goals and five assists in the Premier League from midfield, which is a decent return from a central midfielder.

Tufan could take his place in the XI whilst also learning from the Polish veteran – as he knows exactly what Marcelo Bielsa wants from his number eight. This is why Victor Orta must sanction a deal to sign Tufan after watching him play for his country this summer.

AND in other news, Promising update emerges on £13m Leeds-linked dynamo that will leave Bielsa buzzing…

Benjamin Cremaschi admits that he “didn’t want to let him go” after being jumped upon by Lionel Messi during an Inter Miami goal celebration.

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• Argentine superstar in the United States
• Has made an immediate impact
• Team-mates love having him around

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cremaschi is, as an 18-year-old of Argentine decent, living the dream in 2023 after being joined in Florida by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi. He is taking as many lessons as possible from the all-time great, with rapid progress on his part earning a call-up to the senior United States squad for the last round of international fixtures – with a debut taken in for the USMNT against Oman.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The teenager’s exploits at club level have made such recognition possible, with the youngster thriving alongside Messi. He teed up one effort for the 2022 World Cup winner during a MLS clash with the New York Red Bulls in August, allowing him to take in the most memorable of celebrations.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Cremaschi has told the podcast of seeing Messi acknowledge his efforts before leaping into his arms: “Obviously he just pointed at me, kind of like dedicated it. He’s an amazing person and will never celebrate by himself. It’s incredible and just the moment he jumps on me… it was like another dream. You know, like the best player you’re celebrating a goal, incredible goal with him. I called my family after and they’re like ‘oh, how was it?’ I was like, I didn’t want to let him go!”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Cremaschi has scored three goals of his own this season as his personal stock continues to rise. Messi has plundered 11 through 12 appearances, helping Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory and the final of the U.S. Open Cup, but he is currently nursing a knock and will be handled with care over the coming weeks in an ongoing MLS play-off bid.

Lionel Messi – along with ex-Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – are at Inter Miami because “Tata Martino’s there”, says Jim Curtin.

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• All-time great now in Florida
• Working with a familiar coach
• Made immediate impact in America

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Argentine icon confirmed his stunning switch to MLS after reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. It was announced shortly before that deal was completed that fellow countryman Martino would be taking the reins at DRV PNK Stadium following the dismissal of former England Women’s manager Phil Neville.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi opened a door to the United States that Busquets and Alba have subsequently walked through, with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s presence in America expected to see more household names tread a similar career path in transfer windows to come.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Messi has stated that he was looking for a new challenge and a fresh start outside of Europe after stints at Barca and PSG, with Curtin claiming that Martino helped to tempt the all-time great to Florida. The head coach of the Philadelphia Union has told the of ex-Barcelona and Argentina boss Martino: “Sometimes people forget, he was the first piece. I think Messi comes because Tata’s there. Busquets comes because Tata’s there. And Alba, as well. He was the first move in this whole thing that really transformed the club.

  “He’s the leader, an incredible coach, an incredible person. When you think of Tata, you can see how his players respond and react to him almost like a father figure who is an incredible soccer mind, as well.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Inter Miami were inspired to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of Messi’s arrival, while also reaching the final of the U.S. Open Cup and giving themselves a chance of reaching the MLS play-offs, but the 2022 World Cup winner is currently nursing a knock and will not figure in the derby date with Orlando City on Sunday.

An update has emerged regarding Wolfsburg’s interest in Southampton transfer target Arnaut Danjuma.

What’s the talk?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga club have joined the Saints in the race to sign the Bournemouth winger Arnaut. The journalist claimed that there is a chance Danjuma will leave the Cherries, with Champions League outfit Wolfsburg now eyeing him up.

Southampton have reportedly held an interest in signing the Dutch international this summer. Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to add at least one winger to his squad to bolster his attacking options heading into next season.

Earlier this year, Clinton Morrison lauded Danjuma as an exceptional talent and stated that he will be playing Premier League football next season. He told Quest, via Football League World: “Danjuma is an excellent player .Whatever happens, he will be playing Premier League football next year, whether it’s with Bournemouth or without them. He’s an exceptional talent.”

Ralph needs him

Martin Semmens must sanction a swoop for Danjuma this summer following this latest update. The Southampton chief needs to act quickly to ensure that the Saints do not miss out on the 24-year-old’s signature to Wolfsburg, with the German club now showing an interest in the Dutchman.

Hasenhuttl needs Danjuma at St Mary’s as he would provide the Austrian with something the Saints were desperately lacking last season; goals from out wide.

Stuart Armstrong was Southampton’s top scorer in terms of attacking midfielders with four goals in the Premier League. He was also the most prolific supplier from out wide, with five assists to his name, whilst Theo Walcott and Nathan Redmond managed three and two goals respectively.

This suggests that Southampton were bereft of quality in the wide midfield positions in Hasenhuttl’s favoured 4-2-2-2 formation, and he needs a quality winger to come in and provide frequent goals and assists in the Premier League.

Danjuma could be that man as he produced 24 goals and assists for Bournemouth in the Championship. The 24-year-old scored 17 and set up another seven in 31 Championship starts for the Cherries, averaging a superb WhoScored rating of 7.21. He also showed that he has the bottle to turn up in big games, with goals in both legs of their play-off semi-final clash with Brentford, only to be let down by his teammates as they lost out to the eventual play-off winners.

Therefore, Danjuma could have the quality Hasenhuttl needs from his wide attacking midfielders. The Bournemouth man has shown that he can be an outstanding talent in the Championship and Southampton need to give him the chance to prove that he can do it in the Premier League as well. Hopefully Semmens can swoop in ahead of Wolfsburg and secure a deal for the winger in the coming weeks and months.

AND in other news, Semmens facing Saints disaster over “outstanding” £75k-p/w beast, fans would be livid…

Manchester City fans are livid at Pep Guardiola after it was revealed that up to seven Citizens players could leave the club this summer during a meeting with Barcelona officials Mateu Alemany and Joan Laporta.

It has already been a busy start to the summer transfer window for City, at least in terms of outgoings. Both Sergio Aguero (fcbarcelona.com) and Eric Garcia have completed moves to the Camp Nou, and there have been suggestions Aymeric Laporte could soon join them (Sport).

According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Guardiola met with Alemany and Laporta last week, and said up to seven players could be available for purchase from the Etihad Stadium, which does not appear to have gone down well with the club’s supporters.

The news was relayed on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the fans. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the matter, and in particular about Guardiola.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Guardiola below

“Sack Pep & his friends..”

Credit: @Reallywasco

“Who is Pep working for these days?”

Credit: @tfbubendorfer

“I swear Pep will be the downfall of City”

Credit: @HerveMugabo

“Yeah, Pep is playing against us”

Credit: @onemilli19

“Pep is a spy, he was actually building a team for Barca while waiting for Laporte return!!”

Credit: @M_Muhairi93

“What is going on?”

Credit: @Harry_MCFC891

In other news, Man City fans rage at news on this striker.

Liverpool hope that the injury suffered by Trent Alexander-Arnold against Aston Villa is “not too serious”, with the right-back forced off.

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• Defender forced off against Villa
• Now nursing a hamstring complaint
• Will undergo further medical tests

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international, who was included in the Three Lions’ latest squad, lasted 71 minutes at Anfield before limping from the field. Fears were immediately raised as to the severity of the problem that he has picked up.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gareth Southgate has alternative options at his disposal for Euro 2024 qualification duty and a friendly date with Scotland, but Liverpool will be worried about losing Alexander-Arnold for a prolonged period of time. He remains a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans – especially since being moved into a hybrid role that allows him to drift into midfield.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Liverpool have confirmed that Alexander-Arnold will undergo a scan in a bid to discover the full extent of his injury, but Klopp is hoping for good news. He said when asked for an update on the Reds’ home-grown star: “I don’t know exactly. I asked him, he said it’s [his] hamstring. 'Not too serious’ is his opinion, but we obviously have to wait for the scans and then we will know more.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Alexander-Arnold had inherited the captain’s armband for Liverpool against Villa, with skipper Virgil van Dijk serving a suspension on the back of the red card that he picked up at Newcastle, and the Reds were able to collect a 3-0 win that has extended their unbeaten start to the 2023-24 campaign.

Representing her country on the biggest stage and set to make a massive transfer decision, it's a huge summer for the 19-year-old

As the clock ticked into the third minute of stoppage-time, the Netherlands still needed a goal to send them to the Women's World Cup. The 2019 runners-up had produced 21 shots, 10 on target, and hit the post three times but the scores remained goalless between them and Iceland, who were on the verge of qualifying for their first tournament instead. But then, with mere seconds remaining, 18-year-old Esmee Brugts sent those in the stands at Stadion Galgenwaard absolutely crazy.

Picking the ball up on the left wing, Brugts whipped in a dangerous cross with her right foot, one which left Iceland goalkeeper Sandra Sigurdardottir helpless as she waited to react to any contact on the delivery. But it evaded all in the box and, to the despair of those in blue, nestled right in the bottom far corner. The Netherlands had won it.

As the visiting players dropped to their knees in disappointment, fighting back tears, those in orange celebrated wildly, the entire bench racing down the touchline to join in. Entering her third season with PSV, Brugts’ talent had been known about for a while now – but this was the biggest moment of her career to date.

Ten months on, the teenager is at that very World Cup, her first at any level, as part of what is going to be an absolutely massive summer in these early years of her very promising career.

Praised for her work-rate, technical ability and wonderful footballing intelligence, let GOAL introduce you to a player who could be signing for one of Europe’s elite once her work in Australia and New Zealand is done…

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  Where it all began

  Brugts started playing football around the age of five for SV Heinenoord, the team based in the village where she was born and raised. She stayed there for eight years before joining FC Binnenmaas, having been spotted by coach Marius Heinerman and persuaded to move.

  Despite being the only girl in a team full of boys, Brugts regularly stood out. “She did so well that when I was putting the names on paper, she was always the first one,” Heinerman told GOAL last year. “She always wanted to give her best.”

  Also a star in the Netherlands youth teams, putting up incredibly prolific numbers with the Under-17s, the young forward was very highly sought after when she turned 16 years old. In the end, she would sign for PSV and quickly become a regular in their starting XI, winning the Dutch Cup in her first season.

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  The big break

  After steadily building a reputation with her domestic performances, either as a wide player or as a No.10, Brugts was given her international debut by then-head coach Mark Parsons in February 2022. With it the second-to-last international break before the Netherlands squad for the Euros would be announced, she didn’t have a lot of time to make an impression and get herself on the roster – but she still managed to do so.

  Still just 18 years old at the time, it was the biggest moment of her career to date, and Brugts showed why she was chosen in the three substitute appearances she made, adding energy and creativity whenever she had the chance to.

  While her role at the tournament wasn’t huge, it certainly raised her profile and marked her out as one to watch for the years to come.

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  How it's going

  Brugts only became more and more important for PSV as each season went by, improving her goal contributions year on year before departing the club this summer.

  Unsurprisingly, a whole host of Europe’s elite clubs have been keeping tabs on her, with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Paris-Saint Germain, Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt all linked with the teenager in recent months.

  With the national team, meanwhile, Brugts’ role has changed dramatically. She was largely operating in the forward areas in her first experiences with the senior team, sometimes from the start but more often from the bench.

  Now, she’s become a regular in the Netherlands line-up, though usually playing as an orthodox left-back or left wing-back under new head coach Andries Jonker.

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  Biggest strengths

  There’s a lot that stands out about Brugts. Heinerman said the first thing that caught his eye when he started to coach her as a young girl was her mentality. “Even when the season ended, she still wanted to train,” he explained. “With the boys, when we lost a game, she was always critical of herself. ‘That must be better. That must be better. That must be better.'"

  As for her footballing traits, Brugts’ footwork is a huge strength, as is her creativity. “You just pass the ball to her and you just look and enjoy what is about to happen,” Maxime Snellenberg, her team-mate at PSV, told GOAL. “She's very good, I think, in the small spaces – one, two touches and then she can be gone. She has very good shots, very hard and strong. That's also a very good quality. She's a hard worker as well. Sometimes she's so tired that she can't walk anymore! She runs a lot for the team. She's a very good team-mate.”

  Meanwhile, when GOAL asked Parsons about his decision to include the teenager in his Euros squad last year, the coach spoke highly of her “scanning, awareness and game insight”.

  “She can dribble, pass, shoot, cross, defend – with one-v-one defending, defend with one-v-one pressing," he said. "But it's the game insight and intelligence that I think we're going to be enjoying for a few years.”

  Also on that list of top qualities has to be Brugts’ versatility. She’s excellent coming off the left, onto her stronger right foot, in particular, but can play on either wing, as an attacking midfielder or, as we’ve learned in recent months, in a defensive role.

A double from Rodrygo rescued a forgettable performance from Los Blancos to seal a narrow win.

Rodrygo scored Madrid's equaliser and eventual winner, a brace that redeemed yet another flat showing from Los Blancos, giving his side a 2-1 win against Sevilla.

Neither side has much to play for at this point. Madrid are confined to second place, while Sevilla's focus is trained on the Europa League final midweek — a mindset clear in the home side's much-changed lineup.

Still, Sevilla didn't make things easy for Los Blancos. They took the lead early, with Rafa Mir latching onto a loose ball and guiding his shot into the roof of the net. The home side could've had a second, and hit the woodwork with Thibaut Courtois beaten.

Still, Madrid enjoyed extended spells of possession and eventually capitalised. In the 28th minute, Erik Lamela clipped Aurelien Tchouameni's heels outside the box. Rodrygo lashed home the ensuing free-kick.

The Brazilian was at it again in the 70th minute, winding through the Sevilla defence before coolly side-footing his finish past a frozen goalkeeper. Rodrygo has found his scoring touch of late, with three in his last two fixtures — a welcome return with Benzema out.

And although his fine vein of form will have little impact on Madrid's season, it has served as a much-needed boost for a side stumbling across the finish line.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

  Couldn't do much about Sevilla's goal. Not called into action otherwise.

  Lucas Vazquez (6/10):

  A solid shift, although Marcos Acuna got the better of him at times.

  Eder Miliato (5/10):

  Perhaps could have gotten rid of the ball in the build-up to Sevilla's opener. Needs a break.

  David Alaba (7/10):

  Made a couple of excellent recovery tackles and distributed well. In terrific form.

  Ferland Mendy (6/10):

  Working his way back into the side after a few months out. An agreeable performance with his Madrid future in jeopardy.

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  Midfield

  Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):

  Won the free-kick that led to Madrid's equaliser. Made a rash tackle or two. Some encouraging moments, but he's still learning.

  Luka Modric (6/10):

  Finally looking tired. Didn't exert his usual influence on the game. Short of his lofty standards.

  Toni Kroos (6/10):

  Completed the most passes in the match, although he wasn't very expansive in his distribution.

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  Attack

  Federico Valverde (5/10):

  Cut inside too often when Madrid sorely lacked width. Deservedly subbed after 54 mins.

  Rodrygo (9/10):

  Deployed in a central role, despite not liking the position. Scored two excellent goals. Do Madrid need to sign a striker this summer?

  Dani Ceballos (6/10):

  Looked very uncomfortable at a modified left-wing position. Much better in central midfield, where he had some nice moments. Clattered by Acuna.

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• Subs & Manager

  Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

  Brought on to play left-midfield. Put in a good shift. Then moved to left-back, when he was even better.

  Alvaro Rodriguez (6/10):

  Perhaps unlucky not to start. Madrid had a far more obvious target when he was on.

  Nacho (N/A):

  No time to make an impact

  Antonio Rudiger (N/A):

  No time to make an impact.

  Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

  Working with limited resources with Benzema and Vinicius out, but decided to play five central midfielders and a winger up front — a configuration that didn't exactly spell success. Was saved by the ever-improving Rodrygo to snatch three points on the road.

Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Crystal Palace or any other club currently in need of a manager should be looking at Eddie Howe.

Howe was on course to succeed Neil Lennon at Celtic; however, talks to take him to Glasgow broke down at the end of last month.

It leaves the 43-year-old still without a job following his departure from Bournemouth last year, though that could easily change, with so many Premier League opportunities currently available.

That includes Palace, who have parted ways with Roy Hodgson, and when asked by FFC if Howe is someone they should now be looking at, Palmer replied:

“Yeah. I’d take him anywhere, me. I’d take him at any club, anywhere. I like him. He’s innovative, he’s forward thinking, he’s always learning and he’s done a fantastic job at Bournemouth over the years.

“Any of the clubs that have been mentioned that manager jobs are available, I’d take Eddie Howe, all day long.”

Howe had actually been linked with Crystal Palace amid all of that Celtic talk, so perhaps that is something the south London club could visit now that joining the former Scottish Premiership champions is definitely off the table.

Blackpool must land 22-year-old Sunderland midfielder Elliott Embleton after a report claimed the club are trying to sign him on a permanent basis.

What’s the talk?

Newly-promoted Blackpool are reportedly set to make a ‘significant’ transfer offer for Sunderland’s Elliott Embleton after the midfielder helped them secure promotion to the Championship.

According to The Northern Echo, Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has told the club to do everything possible to land Embelton on a permanent basis following an impressive loan stint. Blackpool have been given a £6m bonus for winning the play-off final and Critchley would like the club to use some of those funds to sign Embleton this summer.

Sunderland’s Max Power was full of praise for Embleton back in September 2020, labeling him as “brilliant” and a “nightmare to play against” in training. He told SAFC Unfiltered:

“He’s technically one of the best players I’ve seen. A good mark of knowing someone’s technically good is he can take corners with both feet.

“I think Elliot’s at that age now where he knows that he needs to stay fit. I know it must be tough for him because I thought last season, he was brilliant in pre-season and then he done his hamstring away at Sheffield United in the [League] Cup.

“He’s someone who sees that pass that other players don’t. He’s a nightmare to play against in training, because he can go either way, shoot off both feet.”

Fans would love it

Blackpool fans would love it if Embleton arrived at the club on a permanent deal ahead of next season. Just under 4,000 supporters were able to watch Embleton in action for the club for the first time in the play-off final at Wembley against Lincoln last weekend and the 22-year-old did not disappoint. Embleton provided the assist for Blackpool’s equaliser, spurring them on to go on and win the game 2-1, despite going 1-0 down in the opening minute due to an own goal.

The £4.3k-per-week midfielder recorded an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.00 in the final. He completed two dribbles and 80.8% of his passes, whilst creating two chances for his teammates – one of which created the first goal for Douglas. He endeared himself to the Blackpool faithful by showing that he can put in quality performances on the biggest stage, which is why the fans would love to see him come back for a second season with the club in the Championship.

Embleton played 21 games in League One for Blackpool during his loan spell. He produced two goals and four assists and averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.75. Looking at these statistics and seeing how he fared in the play-off final, it makes sense for Blackpool to attempt to sign him on a permanent basis, so the club should complete this deal and bolster Critchley’s squad for the 2021/22 campaign.

AND in other news, SAFC fans should be delighted as £4k-p/w beast has been backed to sign a new deal