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Leeds United failed to deliver on what Daniel Farke wanted from the end of the summer transfer window, as he wanted further attacking reinforcements added to his squad.

The German head coach wanted the 49ers to bring in more quality to bolster his options at the top end of the pitch, to add to Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Lukas Nmecha.

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

Leeds were interested in a deal to sign Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, before Chelsea swooped in to sign him on loan to push the Whites out of the way.

The Argentine attacking midfielder reportedly earns £25k-per-week and could have been a shrewd and cost-effective signing for the Championship champions on loan.

Why Buoanotte would have been a value-for-money signing for Leeds

When you consider some of the wages that are being paid by Leeds within their current first-team squad, Buoanotte could have been a value-for-money addition to the group on a season-long loan.

Per Capology, for example, Jack Harrison is the top earner in the squad on a weekly wage of £90k, despite the fact that he scored one goal in the Premier League on loan at Everton last term and is not currently a starting XI player for Farke.

Whilst it is worth noting that Noah Okafor (£72.5k-per-week) is the only new signing whose wage is reported on Capology, Harrison does not appear to be providing value-for-money for the output that he offers on the pitch.

Particularly when you consider that Buonanotte scored five goals on loan at Leicester, per Sofascore, in the top-flight last season and only earns £25k-per-week, suggesting that he would offer more value for money than the English dud does.

Top 10 Leeds earners (excluding new signings)

Player

Weekly wage

Jack Harrison

£90k

Dan James

£70k

Pascal Struijk

£50k

Brenden Aaronson

£45k

Joe Rodon

£40k

Ethan Ampadu

£40k

Wilfried Gnonto

£30k

Illan Meslier

£30k

Jayden Bogle

£30k

Karl Darlow

£30k

Wages via Capology

As you can see in the table above, Brenden Aaronson, Karl Darlow, and Illan Meslier also feature within the top ten earners who were at the club at the start of the window, yet they have not started any games this season in the Premier League.

Aaronson, though, has at least come on as a substitute in all three of the team’s league matches so far, which shows that he is still part of Farke’s frontline plans.

The same cannot be said for Meslier, though, as the French goalkeeper has not made any of the matchday squads in any competition for the first-team this season.

He currently earns £5k more per week than Buonanotte does at Brighton/Chelsea, which emphasises how little the Whites are getting back for the wages they are paying him.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast’s Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

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The 49ers should be pushing to cash in on Meslier before the transfer windows in other countries around the globe slam shut, so that they can save roughly £1.5m-per-season on the shot-stopper.

Why Leeds should sell Illan Meslier

Leeds missing out on signing Buonanotte at £25k-per-week, when he scored five goals in the Premier League last season, puts into perspective how little the club are getting back from the wages that they are spending on some of their current squad.

As aforementioned, Meslier has not even made the bench for a match this season, with Lucas Perri and Darlow both ahead of him in the pecking order as it stands, yet he is earning even more than the promising Argentine playmaker.

This is why the 49ers should be pushing to sell him to any potentially interested clubs, whether that is in Turkey or elsewhere, in the coming weeks, if not then in the January transfer window.

Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans told The Athletic that there was some interest in Meslier before the English window slammed shut, but that it was not as strong as he expected for “a player of his calibre”.

Whilst the club are entitled to value the Frenchman as they wish, there has to be a degree of realism because the left-footed dud was unlikely to attract much high-level interest, in terms of clubs or possible transfer fees, after being dropped last season and demoted to third-choice at the start of the current campaign.

The 25-year-old dud made three errors that directly led to goals and conceded 2.73 more goals than expected in the Championship before being dropped for Darlow, per Sofascore, which speaks to how underwhelming his performances were.

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Meslier’s struggles in the 2024/25 campaign were far from unpredictable, though, as he has rarely been an impressive or consistent shot-stopper in his career at Elland Road.

Illan Meslier’s shot-stopping form before 2024/25

Season

Goals conceded

Post-shot xG minus goals conceded

23/24 (Championship)

40

-3.1

22/23 (Premier League)

67

-12.4

21/22 (Premier League)

79

-16.2

20/21 (Premier League)

52

-3.4

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, the French flop conceded a staggering 32 goals more than the post-shot xG expected him to in his three seasons in the Premier League.

This is why there needs to be some realism around a potential sale of Meslier because other teams will look at these performances, and the fact that he has dropped to third-choice this season, and wonder if it is worth spending millions to sign him for their club.

The left-footed goalkeeper, who was once dubbed a “massive liability” by journalist David Kent, has been too poor for too long between the sticks for Leeds, hence why he has found himself in this awkward position at the start of the season.

Therefore, the 49ers must finally try to work out a deal with any of the aforementioned interested teams that Robbie Evans mentioned, if their respective transfer windows are still open, in order to part ways with Meslier.

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It may have to wait until January when more teams are available to snap him up, but the lack of quality performances, or any performances at this moment in time, on the pitch shows that the club are not getting value for money out of his wages.

Liverpool will be under no illusions that retaining their newly won Premier League trophy will be a steep hill to climb next season, especially now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave when his contract expires in the summer.

However, Arne Slot and his squad will also be determined to break ahead of Manchester United as the most successful outfit in the history of England’s top division.

For sure, the Merseysiders are absorbing a blow in Alexander-Arnold’s departure, with his destination set to be Real Madrid, but Liverpool have overcome adversity countless times before and are gearing up for an exciting summer of spending.

Full-backs and central defenders are both needed at Anfield, but there’s no question that Slot needs a high-level centre-forward to take his project to the next level.

Darwin Nunez, sadly, isn’t cutting the mustard, paling in comparison to predecessors such as Luis Suarez and Bobby Firmino.

Darwin Nunez and the ones before

Nunez’s total transfer fee when leaving Benfica for Liverpool comes to a club-record £85m figure. This is more than Suarez (a £23m addition from Ajax), Firmino (who cost £21m in 2015) and Mohamed Salah (who joined from Roma for £34m) combined.

Sure: inflation, clauses, ifs and buts. The plain truth is that Nunez alighted on Merseyside to much fanfare and has failed to respond to the tactical demands of not one but two coaches, both illustrious Premier League champions.

After the towering achievements of central forwards such as Suarez and Firmino, Nunez always had big shoes to fill, but it’s probably fair to say he’s fallen miserably by the wayside in his efforts to succeed as Liverpool’s focal frontman.

Chance after chance after chance; miss, miss, miss. The Uruguay international has only scored 25 times in the Premier League across 92 appearances, across three years. As per Sofascore, he’s missed 53 big chances.

Darwin Nunez – Premier League Career at Liverpool

Season

Apps (starts)

Minutes

Goals

Assists

24/25

27 (8)

1,039′

5

3

23/24

36 (22)

2,045′

11

8

22/23

29 (19)

1,698′

9

3

Stats via Transfermarkt

Erling Haaland, who arrived in England in the same transfer window as Nunez, has scored 84 goals across 94 Premier League games, missing 82 big chances.

At his best, Nunez is as tenacious as a bloodhound. His unpredictability beguiles the Liverpool supporters, strikes fear into the veins of rival fans. If he doesn’t know what’s coming next, how can his opponents?

Sadly, his methods have produced infrequent results on Merseyside, and it’s a shame to say that Slot’s smoothed-out system has actually pushed Nunez back a few steps, whereas so many others have struck a chord with the Dutchman and reached new levels.

Is it any surprise he’s expected to be among the first out of the door this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano? In fact, sporting director Richard Hughes is already preparing a bid for a new phenom at number nine.

Liverpool preparing bid for new striker

Well, according to Caught Offside, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has been identified as the man for the job. Though Arsenal are said to be ‘particularly keen’ on the Slovenia international, Liverpool are warming to the idea of signing Sesko as an alternative to Isak.

While Leipzig are holding out for more, suitors have made it clear that they are willing to pay €70m (about £60m) for the 21-year-old but no more.

In fact, the report claims that the suitors, also made up of Chelsea and Manchester United, are actually preparing bids as you read these words.

Why Benjamin Sesko would be perfect for Liverpool

Nunez hasn’t grown into the complete and devastating striker Jurgen Klopp thought he saw in Benfica’s raw, thrash-metal prospect. He certainly hasn’t reached the levels of his countryman, Suarez.

No one expected the 25-year-old to hit such staggering levels, but Slot is searching for a centre-forward who can provide some of the same gusto and guile in the final third, with Suarez one of the trickiest and most dynamic forwards in the business.

Given that Firmino was never really Liverpool’s principal goalscorer and instead a sort of connective conduit who elevated Salah and Sadio Mane, only scoring 111 goals across 362 fixtures (0.31 per game), Sesko could become Liverpool’s most prolific central goalscorer since Suarez, should he make the move to Merseyside this summer.

The Slovenia international is still so young but already boasts an impressive track record in Germany, scoring 39 goals and supplying eight assists for Leipzig across 85 matches, winning this year’s DFL-Supercup.

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He’s powerful, pacy and ever-improving, ranking among the top 12% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, while exceeding his xG (expected goals) haul by 0.14 goals per game.

This basically means he is driving into the danger area with consistency and making excellent use of the opportunities that fall into his path.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has also commented on the rising star’s “ridiculous” ball-striking power, so deadly when accurately channelled.

On top of all this, Sesko has scored 16 times in the Bundesliga this season while only missing 14 big chances. Detractors will point out the several chances that have gone begging this term, but the proof is in the pudding here, and he’s not yet even half-baked.

Suarez is one of the deadliest marksmen of his generation, hailed by Steven Gerrard as “the best I’ve played with.”

Transfer Focus

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

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Sesko would need to shift quite the haul to reach the same lofty standard, but he’s definitely got the potential to become something special, outstripping Nunez and maybe even rivalling Suarez down the line too.

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Ipswich Town are set for a busy month in January, with the club looking at bringing in as many as five new players inm the transfer market, according to a new report.

Ipswich on the up heading into January

Ipswich pulled off one of the scalps of the season earlier this week by beating high-flying Chelsea 2-0 at Portman Road. It was striker Liam Delap, who is reportedly a target for the Blues, who was the star on the day, opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, and then teeing up former Chelsea star Omari Hutchinson for the second after the break.

Speaking after the victory, which was Ipswich’s first at home this season, head coach Kieran McKenna said: “It was a special night. It’s the first Premier League win at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against a team like Chelsea under the lights, during the Christmas period, makes it pretty special.

“The performance was what it needed to be to compete with a team like Chelsea who have world class players and substitutes.”

Delap said: “It’s a terrific performance from everyone that played. That win has been coming for a long time. It was good to finally get it. I think the performances that we’ve been putting in deserve it. We’ve probably been conceding late goals and not finishing our chances as well as we should’ve.”

Ipswich set for busy January

The manager will no doubt be looking to kick on from his side’s win over Chelsea, and to do that, the Northern Irishman is reportedly preparing to dip his hands into the transfer market. According to a report from Sky Sports, McKenna wants no less than five players in a range of different positions to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season.

Sky claim that the Tractor Boys “are looking at strengthening down the right-hand side of the team, as well as looking at new strikers and midfielders”. Among those players they are said to be interested in are Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, whom they tried and failed to land in the summer.

Latte Lath scored 18 goals in all competitions for Michael Carrick’s side last season, and has nine to his name this term. West Ham United are also understood to be interested in the Ivory Coast international, 26.

While Ipswich may sign a host of new players in January, there could also be a fair few departures. According to Sky Sports, Cameron Burgess, Luke Woolfenden and Massimo Luongo could all leave Portman Road over the next few weeks. All three players’ contracts expire at the end of the season, meaning they are free to talk to new clubs this month.

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The future of Delap is also in question. Not only are Chelsea said to be interested in the former Manchester City star, Manchester United and their new manager Ruben Amorim are now looking at signing him in the summer.

Despite the summer transfer window coming to a close in England, Manchester United could still lose one of Erik ten Hag's midfielders amid interest from a European side.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils, on paper at least, can dub this summer a success, having welcomed defensive reinforcements in the form of Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazaroui and Matthijs de Ligt; an attacking addition in Joshua Zirkzee; and a potential solution to their midfield problem in Manuel Ugarte. Arriving on deadline day, the Uruguay international could make an instant impact to end United's Casemiro issue in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, on the departures front, the Red Devils' two major exits were Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho, who left for Napoli and Premier League rivals Chelsea respectively.

However, that could yet change, with Belgium's extended transfer window compared to England's potentially resulting in yet another Old Trafford exit. According to Belgian outlet Het Belang van Limburg (via Sport Witness), Anderlecht CEO Jesper Fredberg now wants to make a "persistent attempt" to sign Christian Eriksen before Belgium's deadline on 6th September.

Eriksen's exit after England's deadline would be quite the twist, of course, given that Manchester United reportedly rejected Real Betis' attempt to sign the Dane on loan late in the window due to his place in Ten Hag's plans.

However, at 32 years old and with just one year left on his current Old Trafford contract, it's now or never for the Red Devils to cash in, potentially presenting Anderlecht with an opportunity to get their man.

With options such as Mason Mount, Casemiro, Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes all ahead of Eriksen in the pecking order, the argument could be made that United are better off cashing in on the veteran midfielder in the coming week.

Man Utd should cash in on "Incredible" Eriksen

There was once a time when many believed Eriksen's career in football was over after his on-pitch collapse at Euro 2020, only for the midfielder to make an extraordinary comeback at Brentford and earn his way back to the top in a move to Manchester United. The Dane has been at the centre of one of football's most admirable stories in the last four years, but it is a story that he can tick off as complete in the Premier League.

At 32 years old, United would be wise to cash in amid Anderlecht's reported attempts, in a move that would see Eriksen become one of the main men one last time in Europe.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star earned the praise of Thomas Frank during his short but impressive Brentford spell. The Bees boss said after Eriksen made his comeback (via talkSPORT): "I would say incredible, I would say the 90 minutes [was] fantastic.

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"As I said earlier and in some of the press conferences, it would take him some time to get up to that top level. But you still saw three, four, five top actions, I think the delivery for the first goal, I think there were some balls in behind for his teammates where you could just see 'wow, that’s another level'. But also in situations where he could have done a bit better, done better on the ball, which is good."

Leeds United will really be worrying now that this isn't their year to immediately return to the Premier League, with another disappointing result in the Championship last time out against Blackburn Rovers.

The 1-0 loss means Daniel Farke's once-confident Whites are without a win in their last three second-tier matches, Sammie Szmodics' late strike silencing a shell-shocked Elland Road.

It's not as if Leeds have been leaking goals for fun however in this sticky patch of form, with Leeds' number one goalkeeper Illan Meslier still boasting the most clean sheets in the division as a minor plus – amassing 19 from 40 appearances in-between the sticks.

Only costing £5m to bring him into the building in 2020 after an initial loan spell, the permanent signing of the French shot-stopper continues to look like a smart bit of business when you glance at his transfer value four years on.

Illan Meslier's time at Leeds

Often a scapegoat when Leeds perform poorly, with the lofty 6 foot 6 keeper even labelled as a "liability" last season when Leeds suffered relegation by football journalist David Kent, Meslier deserves some praise based on his campaign to date and his past exploits in the Championship.

In the second tier alone over his five-year Whites stay, Meslier has accumulated 26 clean sheets from 50 appearances. There will be question marks about his ability in the top flight to answer for however if Leeds do seal promotion, with the 24-year-old only keeping 21 clean sheets from 107 games at that level.

Still, Leeds would much rather have Meslier in the net now than past figures such as Kiko Casilla with the Frenchman keeping a first-team spot in West Yorkshire ever since Marcelo Bielsa gambled on the young keeper during his celebrated tenure at Elland Road.

Meslier would keep seven clean sheets from ten appearances during the 2019/20 campaign that saw Bielsa guide the Whites to the Championship title, drafted in and performing exceptionally well under pressure.

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If Leeds decide to cash in on their former Lorient keeper down the line having lost patience with his sometimes shaky performances, they would make a generous profit on the £5m they originally purchased him for.

Meslier's transfer value in 2024

According to Football Transfers, Meslier is now worth in the region of €24.2m (£20.7m) for his stuttering promotion hopefuls.

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That makes the ex-Lorient goalkeeper the most valued asset in the Leeds squad currently, worth around £5m more than Crysencio Summerville – even after the Dutchman's standout campaign to date – who has a €17.9m (£15.3m) price-tag next to his head.

Leeds' most valuable players – 2023/24

1. Illan Meslier

€24.2m (£20.6m)

2. Ethan Ampadu

€23.9m (£20.4m)

3. Wilfried Gnonto

€20.3m (£17.3m)

4. Archie Gray

€19.8m (£16.9m)

5. Crysencio Summerville

€17.9m (£15.3m)

Sourced by Football Transfers

Ethan Ampadu, Wilfried Gnonto and Archie Gray all also fall behind Meslier's increased value, with the 24-year-old more focused on picking up clean sheets between now and the close this season – away from his transfer worth – to play his part in Leeds winning promotion.

Meslier will hope if Leeds do win promotion that he can answer to his nay-sayers by establishing himself as a trusted top-flight goalkeeper, with a bumper move away from Elland Road always on the cards if he feels the time is right to leave as well.

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?

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Manchester United have been one of the most confusing teams to watch this year, as despite enjoying an excellent campaign last season, they have seemingly fallen apart this year, with shocking performances in the Premier League and an almost guaranteed exit from the Champions League.

Yet, after their convincing win over Chelsea on Wednesday night, they somehow find themselves just three points behind Manchester City in fourth place.

If Erik ten Hag can get his team to maintain the levels they showed against the Blues over the next few months, the Red Devils could even find themselves ahead of their noisy neighbours come May.

That goal might be easier to achieve if United sign the incredibly exciting midfielder they have recently been linked to, Florian Wirtz – a move that would allow Bruno Fernandes to take up a more permanent role out wide.

Manchester United transfer news – Florian Wirtz

According to a report from Sky Sports Germany last month, Manchester United are watching Florian Wirtz 'closely' and while they have yet to make contact with the club or player, are still very interested in the young Bayer Leverkusen star.

One of the most significant obstacles to the three-time European champions getting this deal done will be the other interested parties, as both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are said to be incredibly keen on the promising midfielder as well.

Furthermore, any deal will likely cost an arm and a leg, with Sky Sports claiming that Leverkusen value their man at over €120m, equating to roughly £103m.

However, the "elite talent", as described by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, appears as if he would be worth the massive outlay as he has already registered eight goal involvements in just 12 Bundesliga starts for Leverkusen this year.

Plus, his arrival at Old Trafford could allow Fernandes to fill in on the right.

Ten Hag could unleash Bruno on the wing to accommodate Wirtz

Some may question the value of playing the team's best player and captain out of position to accommodate a new, young signing.

However, if United were to land Wirtz, his current output and future potential would justify him occupying the attacking midfield role. Plus, Fernandes is more than capable of being effective from the wing.

Wirtz vs Fernandes

Stats (per 90)

Wirtz

Fernandes

Non-Penalty Goals

0.36

0.15

Assists

0.66

0.25

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.65

0.57

Shot-Creating Actions

6.40

5.25

Progressive Carries

4.89

1.65

Progressive Passes

7.74

8.05

Successful Take-Ons

3.36

0.85

Stats vis FBref

The Portuguese international played on the right wing seven times for club and country last season, scoring three goals and providing four assists, proving that he can maintain his impressive output even when he isn't starting in the centre.

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Ten Hag even backed his ability to deal with the defensive responsibilities of a modern-day winger, saying: "From the side, he's a very good presser; he understands the moment when to close down when to put an opponent into trouble.

"He knows when to track back and close passing lines, close opponents, even if our press gets beat he tracks back, he can play in between lines and then get behind lines."

Furthermore, United are hardly stacked in that department, with Antony, Facundo Pellistri, and Marcus Rashford all flattering to deceive as things stand – the trio scoring just two goals between them this season.

Ultimately, the arrival of the "magic" German, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, would likely push Fernandes out to the wing, but the team would undoubtedly benefit from having them both in it.

Glasgow Rangers will take some confidence from their midweek victory in the Champions League Qualifiers against Servette as they head into their first home tie of the 2023/24 Premiership campaign.

Michael Beale will know all three points is a requirement having slipped to defeat to Kilmarnock last weekend and there could be a few changes from the squad that took to the field against the Swiss side on Wednesday evening.

What is the latest Rangers team news ahead of Livingston?

Beale spoke to the press before the game today and claimed there could be a few players missing due to injury, yet he kept the names close to his chest.

He said: "We have one or two bumps and bruises. We just have to assess now.

"One or two will miss out. I am not going to give you any names, or I am not going to give Davie (Martindale) any names.

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

"There are one or two that we will need to protect this weekend.”

Beale also confirmed that summer signing Jose Cifuentes will make his first start for the Light Blues, saying: “Jose is playing against Livingston.

“He didn’t get in until late on the Thursday before Kilmarnock and had a bit of jet lag, but with eight subs I just wanted him to see Scottish football.

“I felt he was good when he came on the other night in the small glimpse, but I think he is ready.”

What could Jose Cifuentes offer Rangers?

The former Los Angeles FC midfielder finally linked up with the Gers at the start of the month following a chase which lasted throughout the transfer window.

A fee of £1.2m was enough to secure his services as his contract was due to expire in December, and it looks as though it could be a shrewd investment by Beale.

The Ecuadorian arrived at Ibrox having already played 19 MLS matches during 2023, showcasing his attacking abilities from the heart of midfield by creating five big chances and averaging 1.7 key passes per game, and it’s clear Beale could terrorise Livingston by unleashing him this afternoon.

Indeed, he made his debut against Servette, coming on for the final 13 minutes, yet he wasn’t shy in getting involved. The 24-year-old succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts, made two tackles and won all but one of his six duels, suggesting he could be a vital cog in the midfield for the Light Blues this season.

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South American football expert Tim Vickery lauded Cifuentes back in 2019 after he shone for Ecuador at the U20 World Cup, saying: "He was the beating heart of that side and I think he’s a terrific midfielder. He’s strong, he’s got quality, he’s got a good engine – he’s one of the best all-round midfielders, potentially, that I’ve seen come out of South America in a while.”

Alongside Nicolas Raskin, Beale could form a midfield which has everything and the duo could compliment each other well.

Livingston will prove to be a tough side to break down, applying the low block, especially away from home, but including Cifuentes from the start should see the Gers ease to a first league win of the season.

Burnley romped their way to the Championship title in exciting fashion as they accumulated 101 points to secure their promotion to the Premier League.

Vincent Kompany must now use the upcoming summer transfer window to build a squad that is capable of surviving, and thriving, in the top-flight, instead of suffering an instant relegation back down to the second tier.

One area in which he is reportedly looking to strengthen is the centre-forward position following the departure of Ashley Barnes on a free transfer to Norwich City.

It was recently reported that the Clarets are one of the teams interested in signing Metz number nine Georges Mikautadze, who has been the subject of a €10m (£8.7m) offer from Italian giants AC Milan.

Who is Georges Mikautadze?

He is a 22-year-old Georgian international who has caught the eye with his impressive performances in the second tier of French football this season and the ace could come in as a big upgrade on current Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez.

In the Championship this term, the ex-Southampton man averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.93 and contributed with ten goals and two assists in 28 appearances – a strike every 2.8 outings on average.

Mikautadze, however, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.25 and plundered 23 goals and eight assists in 36 clashes in Ligue 2 for Metz – a goal every 1.56 matches on average.

This shows that the marksman has been lethal in front of goal as the gem has been able to score more than once every other game, which is far more impressive than Rodriguez's return.

The dynamo also produced 1.5 key passes per appearance and delivered seven 'big chances' on a plate for his teammates throughout the campaign, which shows that the young whiz has the vision and passing range to regularly open up the opposition's defence.

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Meanwhile, the Englishman created 0.5 chances per game for his teammates in the second division and this indicates that the Metz star would provide far more creativity in the number nine role, as Rodriguez does not set up his fellow attackers on a regular basis.

Mikautadze, who writer Andres Ramos claimed is "shining" in Ligue 2, could, therefore, come in and provide Kompany's side with far more quality in the final third.

Their respective statistics this season suggest that the Georgian has the quality to score more goals and create more chances for others in comparison to Rodriguez, which is why he would come in as a big upgrade on the English veteran.

Liverpool would be an ‘attractive proposition’ for Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount this summer, according to former goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The Lowdown: Mount on the move?

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Anfield in recent times, as Jurgen Klopp looks to make significant changes to his midfield next season.

Mount’s current Chelsea deal runs out next year and he is yet to come close to agreeing an extension, suggesting that he could be contemplating a fresh challenge.

It looks set to be a key period in the midfielder’s career, as he continues to weigh up his options.

The Latest: Liverpool transfer backed

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Robinson said that Mount could jump at the chance to sign for Liverpool:

“I still think it would be an attractive option for Mount. Liverpool are an attractive proposition for player even when they are not in the Champions League. It was not so long ago that they were in the Champions League final.

“I think Mount would see it as a great opportunity despite the recent struggles.

“Liverpool have to invest. I know that the owners are trying to sell the club but they have to invest at the same time. The must protect the club and protect their asset. You have to speculate to accumulate. Champions League football is imperative.”

The Verdict: Great option but unlikely

Mount could be an inspired signing by Liverpool this summer, bringing the legs, tactical nous and end product – 33 goals and 37 assists for Chelsea overall – that has so often been missing this season.

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At 24, he is far younger than the likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho, with two tackles per game in the Champions League this season highlighting his off-the-ball work.

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Mount can operate as a No.8 or a No.10, with that versatility likely to appeal to Klopp, and he has been hailed as an ‘unbelievable’ player by ex-Reds man Joe Cole.

In truth, it still feels more likely that the 36-cap England international will end up committing his future to Chelsea, given his love for the club, but Liverpool should be ready to pounce just in case.

BBC pundit Alan Hutton has been left thrilled by Tottenham Hotspur as they eye a move for World Cup wing-back Denzel Dumfries.

The Lowdown: Conte’s wing-back woes…

Spurs head coach Antonio Conte has had to pick from Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal for his all-important right-wing-back role as he seeks to guide the north Londoners to a top four Premier League finish, with youngster Djed Spence virtually out of the picture.

Reports however have suggested that the Italian has been left less-than impressed with the duo and either one of them could even leave as the Lilywhites scour for upgrades.

Dumfries is allegedly one of the targets who could come in for Conte and claims have recently emerged that there has even been contact with Inter Milan for the Netherlands international.

The Latest: Hutton thrilled as Spurs eye Dumfries…

Speaking in an interview, former Spurs right-back Hutton claims Dumfries is the ‘ideal’ player for Conte – urging the club to make a move.

He claims that the 26-year-old could be one of these star signings who could take Tottenham to the ‘next level’ – but first chairman Daniel Levy must loosen the purse strings.

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Hutton stated to Football Insider:

“In the formation that they play he is an ideal player.

“At this moment in time they are quite weak in that position when you think of Emerson Royal, I do not think he ticks all the boxes. Doherty has been very up and down with injuries.

“For someone like that to come in, with the experience that he has got, I think he would be a brilliant buy. That is what Tottenham are looking to get into the club, these superstars that are going to push them to the next level.

“He is going to cost a lot of money there is no doubting that. When you see him for the national team you can see he fits into the style Conte wants to play.

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“So I think he would be an ideal player to come in, if Daniel Levy loosens the purse strings again.“

The Verdict: Go all out?

Dumfries has been called a ‘very exciting’ and ‘effective’ wing-back by members of the Italian media, while pundits closer to home have also called him ‘big’ and a potentially ‘really good signing’ for Spurs (Kevin Campbell).

Levy and co, it seems, are currently being told by multiple sources to make a move for the Dutchman but it certainly won’t be cheap – with reports suggesting he could cost €40 million (£35 million.)

However, if Conte is to seal a second-consecutive top four finish, he will need sufficient backing.