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It is hard to describe the summer transfer window as anything other than a disappointment for Leeds United after they failed to make any further additions to their squad on deadline day.

Speaking ahead of the deadline, Daniel Farke said: “In defence and midfield, goalkeeper position and full-back position, we’ve done really good business. But we spoke quite open and honest about it, we would need to add some more quality up front. We need to stay awake until the last hour of this window.”

Journalist Graham Smyth added that the German head coach claimed that it would be “difficult” for the Championship champions to avoid relegation if they did not strengthen their attack in the final days of the window.

The same reporter noted after the deadline passed that the day was a “disaster” for the 49ers, who failed to back their manager with what he felt they needed to avoid relegation.

Leeds have only scored one goal, a penalty against Everton, in three Premier League matches so far, and there are big concerns over the quality of their frontline.

The Whites were linked with plenty of attackers heading into the deadline, but they were ultimately unable to land Facundo Buonanotte or Harry Wilson.

How Leeds failed Farke this summer

Leeds may well go on to achieve survival and enjoy a fantastic first season back in the Premier League, but it is worrying when the manager states outright that it will be difficult to avoid the drop without signings and the club fail to bring any players in.

The Whites were reportedly hopeful of signing Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the final few days of the window, after he scored five goals on loan at Leicester City in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore.

However, Chelsea, despite their vast resources and the incredible talent they already possess in attacking areas, decided to sign the Argentine youngster on a season-long loan to compete with Estevao, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Tyrique George, Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez for a starting berth in the attacking midfield positions.

After their move for Buonanotte fell through, Leeds entered into talks with Fulham over a permanent deal to sign Wales international Harry Wilson to bolster their squad.

Appearances

35

25

xG

3.38

4.21

Goals

4

6

Big chances created

5

2

Key passes per game

0.7

0.8

Assists

6

1

The left-footed star, who scored ten goals in the last two Premier League seasons combined, did not end up at Elland Road on deadline day, though, because the Cottagers pulled the plug.

Fulham reportedly had a late change of heart and decided to keep Wilson as part of their squad after a deal for Tyrique George from Chelsea fell through for them.

This meant that Leeds ended the day without any reinforcements to their attack, and that they ended the window with Noah Okafor as the only attacking signing who was signed for a transfer fee.

The situation is what it is now, though, and Farke has to work with what he has to achieve what he feels is now unlikely – survival. One of the players he is tasked with getting the best out of is Wilfried Gnonto, who is currently worth more than both Buonanotte and Wilson.

Leeds have hit the jackpot with Wilfried Gnonto

The West Yorkshire outfit paid a fee of £3.8m to sign the versatile forward from Zurich back in the summer of 2022, and he is now worth significantly more than that.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Leeds targeted Buonanotte and Wilson to bolster the team in the positions that Gnonto plays for the Whites, but the Italian youngster is worth even more than both of them, per Transfermarkt.

The Chelsea loanee is valued at £17.3m and the Wales international is valued at £13m by Transfermarkt, which shows that both players are highly valued players, thanks to their respective performances in the Premier League in recent seasons.

Gnonto may still be waiting for his first goal contribution in the Premier League this season, but he is an exciting young talent who has the potential to develop into a terrific option for Farke if he can hit his stride in the top-flight.

At the age of 21, the Leeds forward still has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, with every match in the Premier League another piece of valuable experience for him.

Gnonto, who was hailed as “electric” by Statman Dave when the Whites were last in the top-flight, has already shown plenty of signs of progression throughout his career at Elland Road, as illustrated by his soaring market value.

September 2022

£3.8m move from Zurich

March 2023

£15.8m

December 2023

£13.8m

May 2024

£13.8m

December 2024

£15.8m

May 2025

£19m

As you can see in the table above, the Italy U21 international is currently valued at around £19m by Transfermarkt, which means that he is worth even more than both Buonanotte and Wilson.

This also shows that Leeds have hit the jackpot with the 21-year-old starlet because his value has soared from £3.8m to £19m in the space of three years, suggesting that the club could make a gigantic profit on him in the future if they ever decide to cash in.

Gnonto’s next step is to show that he can deliver consistent quality and consistent all-round performances in the Premier League with Leeds this season to help them avoid the drop, and to show that the club did not need the attackers that they targeted in his position.

The Italian ace produced nine goals and six assists in 26 starts in the Championship last season, per Sofascore, and may be able to provide a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals if given the chance to start regularly in the top-flight this term.

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The forward has departed Elland Road.

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Irrespective of what happens this season, though, Leeds have undoubtedly hit the jackpot with Gnonto, who is an incredibly valuable asset for the club at this moment in time.

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Warriorz’s fielding lapses of three dropped chances and misfields in the last over cost them the game after Lanning smashed 69

Vishal Dikshit19-Feb-2025The Delhi Capitals middle order stepped up for the first time in this WPL and didn’t squander the blazing start provided by their prolific opening pair of Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning to consign UP Warriorz to their second straight loss. Capitals’ seven-wicket win ended the Vadodara leg of the tournament with the chasing team winning all six games, before the action moves to Bengaluru, and then Lucknow and Mumbai.It was not all smooth and easy for Capitals though. Once Lanning fell for 69, they needed a tricky 48 off 32 on a pitch that was keeping low. The ever-dependable Marizanne Kapp tilted the game in their favour with consecutive fours off Sophie Ecclestone when the equation read 31 off 17 and Annabel Sutherland all but sealed the chase in the last over – off which they needed 11 – by handing similar treatment to Grace Harris. This was also the highest total chased by Capitals in WPL.Related

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Warriorz’s fielding lapses of three dropped chances and misfields in the last over cost them the game, after their own middle order was unable to capitalise on the rapid start given by Kiran Navgire’s 51 off 27.Navgire’s big hits against the big namesNavgire put all the doubts around Warriorz’s inexperienced top order to bed by taking on the big names in Captilas’ attack. She got going from ball one, smacking Kapp for back-to-back fours with a pull and straight loft. In the next over she repeated the act by making room against Shikha Pandey’s inswingers with glorious drives. She upped the level further when she walloped Kapp and Jess Jonassen for two sixes and a one-bounce four all within the space of three balls to race to 35 off 13. With a straight six off Pandey at the start of the fifth over, Navgire brought up Warriorz’s fastest team fifty, off 25 balls, and then brought up her own fifty off 24 balls, the joint-fastest by a Warriorz batter.Kiran Navgire got UP Warriorz off to a flying start•WPLSutherland sends Warriorz ‘scrambling’After starting this WPL with a three-for last week, Sutherland showed her bowling smarts again by sending down short balls with scrambled seams and the bigger boundary on the leg side. Both Vrinda Dinesh and Navgire couldn’t clear the rope and Warriorz went from 66 for 0 to 73 for 2.The Capitals spinners stepped up from the other end. Jonassen fired one outside off to have Tahlia McGrath stumped and Deepti Sharma suffered the same fate when she couldn’t connect against the drift and turn of offspinner Minnu Mani. In a matter of 23 balls, Warriotz had lost 4 for 16 that eventually cost them the match.Henry shines on WPL debutWarriorz were headed towards more misery when Harris miscued an offcutter for 12 and they were reeling at 118 for 5. But with five overs to go, it was WPL debutant Chinelle Henry who struck the big hits as Shweta Sehrawat also showed her hitting skills with 37 off 33. Henry, who had scored 61 in her last game at the same ground for West Indies, lifted Warriorz from 128 to 150 single-handedly by smashing Pandey all around the park for three sixes and a four in four balls for a 23-run 17th over. Capitals, however, bounced back to concede just 16 runs in the last three as Jonassen varied her pace and Arundhati Reddy and Kapp took the pace off.Lanning and Shafali pepper the boundaries, againThat Lanning and Shafali brought up their second fifty stand in three games was nothing new in the WPL, but this time it was with Lanning looking far more confident. Following two scratchy innings, she led her team for nearly three-fourths of the chase with a solid 69 off 49 after Shafali’s 26 off 16 deflated UPW in the powerplay. Shafali punished Kranti Goud in the first over, Lanning dabbed Sophie Ecclestone for two fours in the second, they went after Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Goud together in the third and fifth, and with three fours off Henry’s two overs, Capitals had 59 in the powerplay and the batting pair had their tenth 50-plus opening stand in WPL, the most by a distance.Meg Lanning brought up a quick half-century•BCCISutherland, Kapp see Capitals home after a stutterWarriorz put down their first chance when Henry dropped Shafali on 25 at deep midwicket although it didn’t cost them much because the batter pulled again to Henry four balls later on 26. It became two wickets in five balls when Jemimah Rodrigues paddled to short fine leg for her third duck in WPL. Once the wickets slowed things down briefly, Lanning’s nifty footwork fetched her three fours in two overs to pull things back while a steady Sutherland kept going at run a ball.Once Ecclestone and Harris sent down two boundary-less overs to bring the equation from 57 off 42 to 47 off 30 along with the wicket of Lanning, Warriorz were clawing back in the game. But Eccelstone put down a sitter of Sutherland and Kapp reeled off boundaries with placement and power to bring Capitals back and she also got a life in the penultimate over.With 11 needed from six, Warriorz conceded two fours that could have been stopped in the outfield and McGrath failed to collect the ball at the bowler’s end from mid-on which could have led to a run-out but turned out to be the winning run.

Despite Perth Scorchers still being in finals contention, Richardson set for his third shoulder surgery this week with an aim to be fit for the 2025-26 Ashes

Alex Malcolm12-Jan-2025

Jhye Richardson has had long standing issues with his shoulder•Getty Images

Cricket Australia contracted fast bowler Jhye Richardson will undergo shoulder surgery this week which will end his summer, despite Perth Scorchers still being in contention to play finals, with the aim of being fully fit for the 2025-26 Ashes series.Richardson, 28, has already had two surgeries on his right bowling shoulder since initially dislocating it while fielding in an ODI in March of 2019. His last shoulder surgery was in 2020 but he has had multiple dislocations since, including while celebrating a wicket on his Sheffield Shield return in November.Richardson did get through that match, which was his first first-class match in 12 months, but had to ban himself from high fives due to his shoulder instability. He has had a number of other injury issues including undergoing hamstring surgery last summer.Related

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Fielding has been a major issue for Richardson ever since his first dislocation in 2019. He was previously a livewire in the field but has since been limited in the outfield because of his inability to throw. He has bowled balls to the keeper from the outfield or underarmed from in close and has not been able to dive having suffered multiple dislocations when doing so. He also dropped a catch in Scorchers’ loss to Sydney Sixers, in part due to his hesitation in trying to get his arms above his head quickly.But even with that injury, Australia’s selectors decided he was fit enough to be added to the Test squad for the fourth and fifth Tests against India in Melbourne and Sydney although he didn’t play. He was not selected for the Test tour of Sri Lanka with Australia opting to take Sean Abbott as the third pacer alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood unavailable.Richardson has only played five of Scorchers’ eight BBL matches due to his inclusion in the Test squad. Scorchers currently sit fifth on the table and could still technically play in the finals despite having lost their last three matches.Jhye Richardson could only low-five due to his shoulder issues•Sarah Reed – CA / Getty Images

But it is understood that a decision was made on Richardson’s surgery a week ago and CA announced it just a day out from Scorchers’ next match against Sydney Thunder.”After careful consideration and many discussions with my medical team, I’ve made the decision to undergo shoulder surgery to improve stability and reduce the risk of future injury,” Richardson said in the statement.”For the past few years, I have been limited by my shoulder in the field and know how increasingly important it is to be capable to back up my teammates. While it’s a tough call, especially as it means I won’t be able to finish the season with the Scorchers, this is the best option to set me up for a strong and healthy return to cricket.”The timing of the surgery is crucial to ensure I have the best possible build-up, including Shield cricket leading into next summer. I’ll be giving everything I’ve got to the rehab process, determined to come back as the best version of myself.”

Inter’s Denzel Dumfries says he is open to a Premier League switch, with Manchester City reportedly interested in signing the right-back.

Dumfries is open to a move to the Premier LeagueCity and Barcelona are interested in a move for himHe has a contract with Inter until 2028Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dumfries, who is contracted with Italian club Inter until 2028, reportedly attracted interest from the Premier League side in the summer while Barcelona had also been eyeing him before they wrapped up Jules Kounde's contract extension. 

While the Netherlands international ended up staying at San Siro, he has admitted that he would be open to offers from the English top-flight in the near future.

AdvertisementWHAT DUMFRIES SAID

"I'm happy at Inter, but I'd like to play in the Premier League. I could see myself in England," he said. "The Premier League is a fantastic league, and I think I could perform at my best there too. If a professional opportunity arose, I'd be interested."

AFPTHE BIG PICTURE

Inter signed Dumfries from PSV in 2021 as a replacement for Achraf Hakimi who departed to join Paris Saint-Germain. In four seasons in Italy, Dumfries has scored 23 goals and provided 26 assists making him a key player for Inter. City had expressed an interest for the player while his €25 million (£21m/$29m) release clause was in effect but did not make the decisive move.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR DUMFRIES?

Inter suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Udinese, and Dumfries will aim to bring his best form to this weekend’s Derby d’Italia clash against Juventus.

عزز الفرنسي كيليان مبابي مهاجم ريال مدريد، رصيد أهدافه في جدول ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني، بعدما أحرز هدفًا في شباك إسبانيول.

وواجه ريال مدريد خصمه إسبانيول على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” ضمن مباريات الجولة الخامسة للدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.

وسجل مبابي الهدف الثاني لريال مدريد بشباك إسبانيول في الدقيقة 47 مع بداية شوط المباراة الثاني، بعد تمريرة من فينيسيوس جونيور.

ورفع فيران توريس رصيده في ترتيب الهدافين حيث أحرز هدفين لصالح برشلونة أمام خيتافي، بمنافسات الجولة ذاتها في الدوري الإسباني. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني

1. كيليان مبابي، ريال مدريد، 5 أهداف.

2. فيران توريس، برشلونة، 4 أهداف.

3. فيدات موريكي، مايوركا، 4 أهداف.

4. إيتا إيونج، ليفانتي، 3 أهداف.

5. رافينها، برشلونة، 3 أهداف.

6. تاجون بوكانان، فياريال، 3 أهداف.

7. أدريان ليسو، خيتافي، 3 أهداف.

8. مير، إلتشي، 3 أهداف.

9. روميرو، ليفانتي، 3 أهداف.

10. لامين يامال، برشلونة، هدفان.

11. فينيسيوس جونيور، ريال مدريد، هدفان.

ويمكنك متابعة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بشكل محدث من هنا.

علق أحمد حسن، قائد منتخب مصر السابق، على التصريحات التي أدلى بها حسام غالي عضو مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، بشأن الملفات التي تحدث عنها داخل القلعة الحمراء.

وكان حسام غالي أدلى بتصريحات في إحدى البرامج حول موقفه من الترشح في انتخابات الأهلي، كما تحدث عن الملفات التي تدور داخل مجلس إدارة الأهلي، مما أدى جود حالة من الغضب داخل مجلس إدارة القلعة الحمراء.

وقال حسن خلال برنامجه “الكابتن” المذاع على قناة “النهار”: “ليس لدي تعليق على تصريحات حسام غالي، لكن لا أحد يشكك في حسام غالي أنه رجل صاحب مواقف وشخصية وواضح، أنا حديثي عن الاختلاف في وجهات النظر”.

وأضاف: “حسام غالي أخطا أو لم يخطئ ليس موضوعي، لكن لماذا في خلال 24 ساعة فقط تم الهجوم على غالي بهذا الشكل من خلال لجان إلكترونية وشن هجوم غريب ضده”.

وتابع: “أريد أن أسال سؤال، بمناسبة التوقيت، حسام غالي لو تحدث بعد خروجه من مجلس الإدارة كان سيقال له لماذا لم تتحدث وأنت موجود، عندنا تحدث وهو موجود يُلام ويقال التوقيت خطأ، هو تحدث وانتهى وأوضح رأيه، لماذا التشكيك فيه أنه لا يحب النادي الأهلي ويغل على النادي الأهلي؟ الجميع يخرج له الدفاتر القديمة”.

وأكمل: “لما لا توجد ثقافة اختلاف، لا اختلاف أن حسام غالي هو تاريخ وأسطورة في النادي الأهلي، لماذا نهدر تاريخ شخص عندما يتحدث عن وجهة نظره؟ قد تصيب وتخطأ”.

طالع | ميدو يُعلق على قرار اعتذار الخطيب عن رئاسة الأهلي: “بلاش تقطيع دلوقتي”

وواصل: “حسام غالي كان داعمًا لـ محمود الخطيب، وجماهير الأهلي هي من أطلقت عليه أسطورة وكابتانو وترى فيه رئيس الأهلي القادم، لماذا تم محو كل هذا بعد الإعلان عن وجهة نظره”.

وأتم: “مثلما قال الكابتن محمود الخطيب، الكيان هو الباقي، فلابد من الالتزام بذلك واحترام وجهات النظر للجميع، إذ يوجد خطأ في توقيت الحديث من حسام غالي، نتحدث معه ولكن لا نمحوا كل شيء”.

Birmingham City won the League One title with a staggering 111 points in the 2024/25 season and are now preparing for a campaign in the Championship.

The Blues are already being linked with plenty of players, including Reading’s Charlie Savage, Swansea City’s Harry Darling, and Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper James Beadle.

Chris Davies is also looking to bolster his attacking options ahead of a season in the second tier, as Birmingham have been linked with a loan move for Aston Villa winger Louie Barry.

The English dynamo scored 15 goals in League One on loan at Stockport County in the 2024/25 campaign, but is unproven above the third tier, and the club are reportedly eyeing a star who would be an even better signing this summer.

Birmingham enquire about move for £8m star

Whilst Barry may be an exciting signing on loan because of his impressive performances in League One, with 15 goals, he has yet to prove himself in the Championship and would be a risky addition.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Birmingham have made an enquiry over a deal to bring Demarai Gray back to the club in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Jamaica international is exploring the possibility of a return to England ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and that Sunderland are another English side with an interest in the winger.

Jacobs’ GIVEMESPORT article adds that Al-Ettifaq, his current team, would be willing to cash in on him for a fee of £8m this summer, as they are willing to accept that he would like to return to England.

The report reveals that Birmingham have made contact to enquire about a deal, but states that it remains to be seen whether or not he would be willing to drop down to the Championship instead of exploring a Premier League move.

Why Birmingham should sign Demarai Gray

Davies should work hard to convince the 28-year-old wizard to make the move to St. Andrew’s this summer because he would be an even better signing than Barry, due to his pedigree at the top level.

Birmingham will have ambitions of eventually making their way back to the Premier League and the Al-Ettifaq star is vastly experienced at that level, with 200 appearances under his belt.

Gray, who was described as “electric” by journalist Scott Saunders during his time at Everton, produced nine goals and five assists in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Premier League seasons combined for the Toffees.

This shows that he can make a decent impact at the top end of the pitch in the top-flight, whilst Barry has yet to score or assist a goal in either of the top two divisions in his career to date.

Demarai Gray’s league career
League	Games	Goals	Assists
Premier League	200	19	14
Championship	72	8	3
Saudi Pro League	47	4	4
Bundesliga	10	1	2
Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Gray has plenty of experience in the top two leagues in England as well as 57 matches in the Pro League and the Bundesliga.

The £8m-rated star would, therefore, arrive as a high-profile addition for the Blues and one that would align with a long-term ambition to return to the Premier League, as he has proven that he has the quality to play at an even higher level than the Championship.

Gray could realistically follow the club on a journey from the second tier to the top-flight and be a useful player at both levels, given what he has already achieved in his career.

Whereas, there is no guarantee that Barry can make the step up to the Championship, as he is yet to prove it, let alone the Premier League, which is why it would be a bigger risk to sign the Aston Villa youngster.

Norwich City now join Birmingham in race to sign "fantastic" ace for £0

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1

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Brett Worthington

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With this in mind, Gray would be a better signing for the Blues with the long-term goal of reaching the Premier League because of his experience and quality, as well as it being a permanent move rather than a loan, as Barry would be.

Despite losing sporting director Paul Mitchell, Newcastle United are pushing on with their summer transfer plans and could now sign one of their top targets for £65m when the window swings open.

Paul Mitchell to depart Newcastle

After just one season at the club, Mitchell has made the decision to leave St James’ Park and hand Newcastle the job of finding a new sporting director this summer. In truth, Mitchell never truly made his mark in Tyneside and always had a tough job on his hands after replacing Dan Ashworth, only to enter a club desperately looking to comply with PSR regulations.

The sporting director released a statement after his departure was confirmed, saying: “I’d like to thank everyone at Newcastle United for their support over the last year, including Eddie Howe, Becky Langley, the players, staff, owners and fans. It has been an honour to be part of the club and to work with some incredible people.

“I’m leaving at a time that is right for me and the club, particularly with Darren Eales – someone who I have worked so closely with in my career – moving on soon. The club is in great hands on and off the pitch, and is in a fantastic position to continue building. I’d like to wish everyone connected with Newcastle United a bright and successful future.”

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Off the pitch, the Magpies will suddenly be an intriguing side to watch this summer as they look towards the market not just for fresh arrivals for Eddie Howe’s squad, but also a new name behind the scenes.

With Champions League qualification only boosting their spending power ahead of the window too, whoever comes in to replace Mitchell could have quite the job on their hands. Their first move, no matter the new name, may even be to sign a Premier League rival for a hefty price.

Newcastle could now sign Kudus for £65m

According to Football Insider, Newcastle could now sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for £65m this summer, with the London club ready to sell one the Magpies’ top targets for a hefty fee in the coming months. However, it is a fee that his £20m less than the attacker’s release clause, which should come as a boost to PIF.

It’s a deal that PIF have already explored and one that certainly seems feasible following the Hammers’ disastrous season. As Kudus eyes bigger and better things, those at St James’ Park could spend big to come swooping in.

Despite enduring a frustrating season in a poor West Ham side, Kudus has still found himself at the centre of Graham Potter’s praise. The 50-year-old manager told reporters at the end of March: “I think Mo has had probably a season that, from his perspective, would be a little bit disappointing, not because of his lack of effort or anything like that, but sometimes these things happen.

“Speaking personally, he’s been great with us in terms of how he’s worked every day, fantastic. He has built his fitness up, built his condition up to the point where he can sustain things a lot better now.”

Having reportedly explored a deal to sign the winger, whether Newcastle decide that Kudus’ £65m valuation is worth pursuing will be the big question when the transfer window opens.

Manchester City now find themselves deep in a purple patch of positive form in the Premier League with Pep Guardiola’s bruised side unbeaten through April to date.

City’s latest victory saw them overcome David Moyes’ determined Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday, meaning their grip on a place inside the coveted Champions League spots is strengthened even more all the way up in fourth position.

Yet, Guardiola will be all too aware that a rebuild is still needed this coming summer with his team largely underperforming for the majority of the season, with a statement move allegedly in the works to land this sensational midfield star.

Man City preparing to bid for "the best midfielder in the world"

City kickstarted the rebuild in January by signing the likes of Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez but with the possibility of players like Kevin De Bruyne exiting, Guardiola will need even more fresh faces in the squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Well, as per reports from Spain, the reigning Premier League champions are preparing to ‘break the market’ to land Barcelona ace Pedri with a staggering £170m bid being prepared.

Indeed, the report states that City are looking at alternative targets away from Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz who could be set to stay in Germany over relocating to England, leading them down this new expensive avenue where a record-breaking move could come to fruition.

Of course, this will be a challenging deal to get over the line, but Guardiola and Co would be able to send shockwaves through the Premier League if the 21-year-old was to leave Catalonia behind for a top-flight adventure elsewhere.

Once heralded as “the best CM in the world” by football analyst Ben Mattinson, Pedri’s unbelievable arrival would undoubtedly improve City centrally, with the 30-time Spain international a big improvement on an ever-waning Ilkay Gundogan.

How Pedri is better than Gundogan

Much like the revered De Bruyne, Gundogan has shown off his obvious class in the top-flight previously for the Citizens, with 62 goals and 42 assists notched up from a bumper 348 appearances.

But, only seven goal contributions have come the ageing German’s way this season across 44 appearances, with a new ace arguably needed in the middle of the park at the Etihad with Gundogan no longer at his vibrant best, alongside De Bruyne exiting Manchester shortly.

This is where the elegance of City’s potential new £170m man could come in handy, with the Spaniard’s “transcendent” game in the midfield areas at the Camp Nou – as he was once lauded by ex-Barca great Xavi – aiding his side’s progression in the Champions League this campaign.

Two of Pedri’s 12 goal contributions for the season have come in the illustrious competition, with the much-talked-about 22-year-old also boasting four goals and four assists in La Liga action this season to trump Gundogan’s unconvincing five assists and zero goal haul in the Premier League.

Shot-creating actions

4.53

3.61

Attempted passes

78.87

77.57

Pass completion %

87.5%

90.2%

Progressive passes

10.14

6.34

Progressive carries

2.32

2.51

Successful take-ons

1.23

0.73

Touches in attacking penalty area

1.57

2.85

Progressive passes received

3.87

3.74

Looking at the table above, whilst Gundogan does have the better of Pedri in terms of pass completion statistics, it appears that the Barca number eight plays with a lot more intent and purpose than his former Borussia Dortmund counterpart when roaming forward, with a high 10.14 progressive passes averaged per contest across the last year.

This alone would be music to the ears of the likes of Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland back in Manchester, knowing that Pedri could unlock a defence at a moment’s notice with a killer pass.

With Pedri also noted as being similar to Bernardo Silva’s wonderful game at the Etihad, according to FBref, this feels like a switch that would allow City to enter into a new chapter with confidence sky-high, even if that comes at a cost of having to wave goodbye to esteemed servants such as Gundogan.

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