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Gary Lineker came up with a shock recommendation for Manchester United's potential next manager as the club look to replace Erik ten Hag.

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• Lineker recommends Carsley
• Red Devils in talks with Amorim
• United next face Leicester City

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils parted ways with the Dutch coach on Monday, a day after the club suffered yet another disappointing defeat against West Ham. It was the team's fourth loss in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, and they dropped to 14th. After Ten Hag's departure, his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge of the club as an interim coach while the search gets underway for a new permanent boss.

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  United have been strongly linked with a move for Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim while several other names have also cropped up in media reports. Now Gary Lineker has come up with a strange recommendation as he named current England interim coach Lee Carsley as the next Red Devils boss. Carsley took charge of the Three Lions after Gareth Southgate's exit and will remain in charge of the team for their upcoming UEFA Nations League clashes in November. In January, he'll formally hand over the reins to Thomas Tuchel.

• WHAT GARY LINEKER SAID

  Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the BBC Match of the Day host said: "I'm going to throw in a name here. I think it would be very interesting, he's certainly a brilliant coach. A certain Lee Carsley – who they probably won't think about. He's a really imaginative coach, he plays attacking football. From what I heard from England players, they thought he was really good. Really interesting and thoughtful on the game."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Amid the search for a new head coach, the club will play their first match under Van Nistelrooy's tutelage this Wednesday as they take on Leicester City in a League Cup fourth round clash.

It goes without saying that if West Bromwich Albion have any chance of getting Mikey Johnston back this summer on a permanent deal, they will go all out guns blazing in a bid to win his coveted signature.

The £6m-rated man took the Championship by storm for just half a season when joining from Glasgow giants Celtic in January, making the Baggies a terrifying prospect to contain for many second-tier defences, whilst other attackers in the side struggled to be as tricky donning a West Brom strip.

It arguably shone a light on how many underperformers there are up top for Carlos Corberan's men, who had been content with putting in largely sub-par performances before Johnston's eye-opening arrival, with Grady Diangana very much a guilty culprit in this regard.

Once purchased for a bumper £18m after being let go of by West Ham United, the Congolese attacker was the bright spark the Baggies were longing for once upon a time, before fading away into the background as of late, compared to exploits of the Bhoys loanee.

Diangana's situation at West Brom

Once described as being an attacker who can make "defenders dizzy" by football journalist Dean Jones, Diangana, unfortunately, in the here and how is a forward player for the Baggies who blows hot and cold far too often.

The 26-year-old struggling to grab the bull by the horns in the Championship play-offs would have irritated those with West Brom connections watching on, especially in the second leg of the semi-finals away at Southampton, where the out-of-sorts forward would only amass 27 touches of the ball.

He ended up being hauled off in the second half by Corberan as the West Midlands outfit bowed out of the knockout format as 3-1 losers, as the likes of the ex-Hammers man – alongside fellow goal-shy attacking teammate Brandon Thomas-Asante – failed to ever spark into life.

This could trigger West Brom into offloading their inconsistent attacker soon, who is attracting interest from his former club no less according to a report by Africa Foot last month, alongside further interest coming from Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in England.

Once stunning supporters at the Hawthorns with regular sublime strikes like the one above, Diangana's goal contributions last season sitting at 15 from 38 games felt somewhat underwhelming, especially when you consider only six of those came in 2024.

Johnston, on the other hand, was rather marvellous.

Johnston's time at West Brom

Entering the building at West Brom at the turn of the year and becoming an instant fan's favourite with electric attacking displays, the winger amassed nine goal contributions of his own from just 20 games.

Setting the league alight by scoring every 168 minutes for his new loan side in the regular season as a full-throttle forward player, Diangana exiting this summer could free up space on the wage bill for the Baggies to go back in for Johnston, alongside adding more to the transfer kitty, to try win back the Republic of Ireland international for his hefty £6m price-tag.

Constantly a thorn in the side of the defences that had to be alert to his tricky feet in the second tier, West Brom supporters everywhere would be in dreamland if Johnston was to return, even if that did result in Diangana exiting.

Described by Corberan himself as being "special" last season, the 25-year-old could be an even more petrifying prospect for Championship defences next campaign when unleashed over a full 46-game schedule, as opposed to just experiencing the latter half of the season.

Looking at their head-to-head numbers as progressive players trying to drive the Baggies forward, as per FBRef, Johnston just about edges his Congolese counterpart, alongside amassing stronger numbers in terms of both their outputs recently, over Diangana who looked bereft of confidence in the play-off clash at St. Mary's.

The West Brom number 11's high wage will also be another sticking point as to why Corberan and Co might not be completely against the idea of parting ways, with the 5 foot 11 attacking midfielder banking £20.3k-per-week last season for his employers, as per Capology.

West Brom's wage bill in 2023/24

Away from Johnston's price-tag potentially denting the Baggies bank account, with West Brom chairman Shilen Patel stating that the club will have to be "resourceful" this summer, his wage is significantly lower than that of Diangana's.

The current Celtic man earns just £10k-per-week in contrast, with the ex-West Ham attacker earning double Johnston's salary as a result.

At this moment in time, Diangana's pay-packet actually puts him quite near the top of the highest earners at the Hawthorns, with many scratching their heads at the likes of Daryl Dike earning £32k-per-week meaning he is the club's top earner, despite regularly being in the treatment room.

Allowing many of those who had been on healthy salary to leave this summer already, with Adam Reach's exit revealed recently on the club's retained list after the experienced figure had been pocketing an extortionate £40k-per-week last campaign, there could be an argument that Diangana might well follow suit out of the door.

It would be a dour note to end on for the 26-year-old, who was beloved when first joining as a dynamic maverick who got supporters out of their seats frequently, but if West Brom can gain a similar style player with Johnston re-joining, the shock of a long-standing servant leaving won't be as hard to take.

West Brom's exciting academy gem can help them forget Kipre

West Bromwich Albion will have plans already in place for Cedric Kipre’s expected exit.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 18, 2024

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has seen two qualities picked out that make him better than England team-mates Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

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• Swapped Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge
• Enjoyed stunning debut campaign in London
• Face competition for places with Three Lions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At 22 years of age, Palmer has seen his stock soar over the course of the last 18 months. After taking the decision to leave Manchester City for Stamford Bridge for £40 million ($52m) in the summer of 2023, the talented playmaker has enjoyed a meteoric rise.

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  Palmer plundered 25 goals across his debut campaign for Chelsea, earning him a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024 – where he scored in the final defeat to Spain. He has a further six efforts to his name this season – including a record-setting four-goal first-half haul against Brighton – and is considered by some to be a hotter prospect than former City colleague Foden and Real Madrid superstar Bellingham.

• WHAT NEVIN SAID

  Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has told of that standing: “If you’ve watched football for a long time, you can just tell when a player has that special something. The first time I watched Cole Palmer, he was seeing things that other players weren’t. Every time other top players, like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, got the ball, they were looking up and pinging it straight to Palmer. You don’t do that to average players, you do it to seriously good players.

  “To some degree it’s a shame for England that they’ve got Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish all in a similar position. However, I think Palmer has vision and skill levels that just set him apart from those players. I’m slightly hesitant to say that because I love Foden as a player, but Palmer has everything. If you wanted to buy an English player, I don’t know that there’s anyone you’d pick ahead of Cole Palmer.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Palmer fills a No.10 role for Chelsea, while being pushed wide by club and country at times, but Nevin sees him as a playmaker cut from the same cloth as a Belgian legend that has also graced the books in Manchester and west London. The Scot added: “When Cole Palmer first broke through at Manchester City he came on as a sub and after just three or four touches I said, ‘I think I’ve seen the new Kevin De Bruyne’, which shocked a lot of people.

  “In terms of comparing him to former Chelsea players, I think De Bruyne comes closest. He’s not a winger, he’s more of a wide attacker or a number 10. People throw in names like Eden Hazard and Frank Lampard but he’s not like either of those two, he’s just Cole Palmer. When you think about players in their first season at a club, not many have been better than him. Especially when you consider the fact that Chelsea only paid £40 million for him; it’s the best piece of business they’ve done by a country mile.”

Enzo Maresca has been tasked with the job of returning Chelsea to the top of the Premier League following his appointment from Leicester City earlier this month.

The Italian comes in to replace Mauricio Pochettino who was relieved of his duties despite leading the Blues to automatic qualification for the Europa League ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Maresca arrives at Stamford Bridge with a talented young squad following huge investment from owner Todd Boehly who has splashed over £1bn on new transfers since his takeover of the club back in 2022.

However, despite the huge influx of incomings, the new Chelsea boss will undoubtedly want to bolster the squad, looking to make more new additions following the arrival of Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham upon the conclusion of his current deal at Craven Cottage.

As a result, numerous players currently playing their trade at the club will have to make way to allow for more investment, with a plethora of players being linked with an exit.

One player in particular has been subject to huge interest, potentially ending his longstanding affiliation with the Blues this summer.

Chelsea could sell £20m star this summer

Chelsea forward Armando Broja has recently been linked with a big-money move away from Stamford Bridge in the hopes of reigniting his once-promising career at the club.

The Albanian striker suffered an ACL injury in a friendly against Aston Villa during the break for the World Cup in 2022, looking a shadow of his former self upon his return to action.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at fellow Premier League side Fulham, failing to score a single goal and only featuring eight times in a disappointing move for the 22-year-old.

However, despite his dismal spell under Marco Silva, he’s been subject to £20m interest from the likes of Wolves, Crystal Palace and Everton – with all three battling to win the race for his signature ahead of next season.

Broja is currently representing his nation at Euro 2024, and after his display against current holders Italy on Saturday night, the club should look to cash in on him as soon as possible.

Armando Broja’s stats against Italy

Undoubtedly, Albania were underdogs going into the clash against the Italians this weekend, but Broja failed to have any real impact on the game, subsequently being replaced with just under 15 minutes remaining.

The 22-year-old forward failed to register a single shot during the entirety of the encounter, only managing 22 touches – an average of one touch every three and a half minutes.

He also only completed six passes, giving possession away six times and committing two fouls, picking up a yellow card for his troubles during the 2-1 defeat.

Broja only managed to complete 50% of his attempted dribbles in Dortmund, with his display unable to catapult Albania to a shock victory despite taking the lead in the first minute of the game.

Saturday's display was further evidence of his huge decline since his horrific injury, with Broja unable to match his previous from before his extended spell on the sidelines which saw him score nine times on loan at Southampton during the 2021/22 season.

The club and player desperately need to part ways, with Chelsea receiving a hefty sum to reinvest in their battle to return to Premier League glory, with the striker presented with a fresh start to reignite his career away from Stamford Bridge.

Enquiry made: Chelsea could repeat Lukaku mess by signing £65m star

The Chelsea target can be bought for £65m this summer.

By
Tom Lever

Jun 13, 2024

Manchester United have reportedly earmarked Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag if the Dutchman is sacked.

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• Amorim on shortlist alongside Tuchel & Lampard
• Sporting manager praised by Bruno Fernandes
• Ten Hag could face sack if results don't improve

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Man Utd chiefs have placed Amorim on their list of potential successors to Ten Hag, according to . The Portuguese boss has impressed with Sporting in recent seasons and was this week described by Fernandes as a manager who "plays the best football" and "could do it in England".

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  Ten Hag has come under intense pressure after a poor start to the season, which sees United sit 14th in the Premier League after just two wins in their opening seven games. The Dutch boss has seemingly clung onto his job after talks were held over his future this week but another poor run of form could see United manager relieved of his duties.

• WHAT FERNANDES SAID

  "Since Mister Amorim arrived at Sporting, they have been one of the teams to play the best football," Fernandes said while on international duty with Portugal. "They have been consistent, the signings have been right and they are in a very good moment. It’s a very well prepared team.

  “In relation to Amorim, he shows that he is prepared at this moment. Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy, Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and has already won two, this shows that the work has been done well. If he could manage to do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you will never know until you get there, but I’m sure their qualities are there for everyone to see.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FERNANDES AND MAN UTD?

  Fernandes will feature for Portugal in their Nations League games this week before returning to action with United next Saturday as they host Brentford. Like Ten Hag, Fernandes has also come under pressure, with the United skipper having yet to score this season and admitting he needs to improve.

Arsenal came agonisingly close to lifting the Premier League title for the second year running this season, losing out to Manchester City on the final day of the campaign.

However, there is no time to mourn what could have been for Mikel Arteta, Edu Gaspar, and the club's recruitment team, as they now have to turn their attention to the transfer window, which is just around the corner.

The Gunners produced the best defence in the league this year but scored five fewer goals than the Sky Blues, so it's not all that surprising that the latest player touted for a move to N5 operates at the sharp end of the pitch. Interestingly, he has been compared to a former Arsenal striker, Alexandre Lacazette.

Arsenal's striker search

According to a recent report from Dean Jones via GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are still interested in RB Leipzig's star striker, Benjamin Šeško, ahead of the summer transfer window.

The journalist revealed that, alongside the Gunners, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are both keen on signing the Slovenian international, although the former poses the biggest threat to the North Londoners.

The report claims that the Premier League runners-up value the Bundesliga striker at around £45m, but other outlets claim the 21-year-old has a €65m – £55m – release clause in his contract, suggesting that there is some room to make up on Arsenal's side.

It looks like it might be a tough deal to get over the line with Chelsea now firmly in the mix, but based on his performances this year, it might be worth pursuing.

How Šeško compares to Lacazette

So, it's quite the comparison to make, but it hasn't come out of nowhere. In fact, it comes from FBref, which looks at all the players in Europe's top five leagues and then creates a list of the ten most similar players for each one based on their positions. In Šeško's case, Lacazette is considered to be the ninth most similar striker over the last 365 days.

Now, as the Leipzig "monster", as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, is 21 and 6 foot 5, while the Lyon star is 33 and 5 foot 9, their similarity doesn't stem from physical attributes. Instead, it stems from their underlying numbers.

For example, the pair produce an identical expected goal and assists figure, score a similar number of goals, provide a similar number of assists, and are incredibly similar in a number of other metrics such as progressive passes received, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles, shots on target, live passes, and successful take-ons, all per 90.

However, it's not just their underlying numbers that are similar, as the pair have both been on fire for their respective teams this year.

In just 35 games this season, the former Arsenal striker scored 22 goals and provided five assists, whereas the 28-capped Slovenian racked up 18 goals and two assists in 42 games for Leipzig in what was his first season for a club in Europe's top five leagues.

Ultimately, when looking at their underlying numbers and raw output from last year, it's easy to see why FBref considers them to be similar players.

However, while Lacazette is approaching the end of his career, Šeško is just starting his, and with how well he's performed this year, it would be hard to disagree with Mattinson's assertion that his "instincts are next level."

Arsenal make offer to sign "dangerous" £51m Saka & Foden hybrid

The incredible winger could finally see Saka spend some time on the bench.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

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Therefore, while securing his signature with Chelsea and PSG in the picture might be challenging, Edu and Co must do what they can to bring the exciting 21-year-old to North London this summer, as he could be the difference-maker next season and a brilliant first signing of the summer.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson has delivered his verdict on Liverpool securing the future of Joe Gomez. 

The lowdown: New contract for Gomez

Following increased speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield, the 25-year-old recently opted to sign a new deal which will keep him on Merseyside until at least 2027.

The England international had previously been a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp’s side but slipped down the pecking order with the Reds after the arrival and subsequent impact of Ibrahima Konate, as well as the impressive form of first-choice partnership Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.

Despite an apparent lack of a clear pathway back into Klopp’s starting plans, Gomez committed his future to the Reds, a decision that one pundit has heralded as somewhat of a masterstroke from the club.

The latest: Robinson praises Gomez

Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds United stopper Robinson claimed that tying down the 11-cap England defender is a huge feather in Liverpool’s cap, adding that the Reds could demand up to £60m for him further down the line.

The Sky Sports contributor said of Gomez: “I think he’s obviously got a great relationship with Jurgen Klopp. Klopp has promised him that there is some kind of future there, and I think it’s a fantastic signing for Liverpool.

“They’ve secured their asset for the next five years, and they now go into this season with four top-class centre-halves.

“It’s brilliant because if he plays then they have the player they wanted, but if he only plays a bit-part role – his value will only go up. They could have a £50-60million centre-half on their hands.”

The verdict: On the money

Make no mistake, had a player of Gomez’s calibre been on the market this summer, clubs would have been queueing up to take the Englishman from Liverpool for a hefty fee.

Already boasting a trophy cabinet containing the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the former Charlton academy prospect has played an integral role in much of the Reds’ success in the Klopp era, amassing 142 senior appearances since joining the club.

However, he endured a dramatic reduction in game-time last season, with Gomez only managing 21 appearances across all competitions, completing 90 minutes on just 11 occasions.

That could easily have led to disenchantment for the Londoner, but FSG and Julian Ward have managed to keep their man in situ, having already secured new terms for Mohamed Salah before seemingly moving onto an injury-hit Diogo Jota next.

Potentially fighting on all four fronts once again this coming season, with five substitutes now also in play and a World Cup in the middle of the campaign, Klopp will no doubt have made certain guarantees to the defender – who he once dubbed ‘a sensational footballer’ – regarding forthcoming opportunities to prove his worth once again.

Tottenham Hotspur will need a “crazy fee” that would smash their club record to sign mooted target Josko Gvardiol this summer…

What’s the word?

The RB Leipzig defender is someone hugely admired by the Spurs hierarchy as they look to bolster Antonio Conte’s backline for the 2022/23 campaign but according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, it’s going to take an extortionate amount to lure him to north London.

“Gvardiol’s always been super appreciated by Tottenham and also by Chelsea because also Chelsea are big fans of Gvardiol. But at the moment, Leipzig have no intention to negotiate for a normal fee,” he told GIVEMESPORT.

“They want a crazy fee to let Gvardiol leave this summer, so it will be difficult.”

As per CIES Football Observatory, the young Croatian gem is valued in the region of €120m (£102m).

Meanwhile, Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic claimed back in April that it could take a fee of around £80m to secure his signature, some £25m more than what Spurs paid for Tanguy Ndombele in 2019.

Best signing since Son?

If the 20-year-old colossus is indeed of interest to Spurs, then sporting director Fabio Paratici ought to try and secure him as it would be a major coup heading into a massive season.

The Lilywhites will be competing in the Champions League and will be wanting to contend on all fronts, meaning rotation and strength in depth will be required.

Conte has some solid defensive options already, with Cristian Romero and Eric Dier two of the first names on the teamsheet but adding Gvardiol could genuinely be a game-changer for the squad.

Spurs have had plenty of success when signing players from the Bundesliga, with Heung-min Son’s move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 most notable. Well, signing a player of Gvardiol’s potential could certainly eclipse that one day – you’d very much hope so considering the price tag.

Already in his relatively short career to date, the Croatia international has earned comparisons to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, as well as plenty of praise from those that have watched him in action regularly.

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“Since he was a child, he’s been built like a tank. He can go forward, he can jump, he can tackle – he can do everything you want,” once claimed Germania Sport assistant editor Izak Ante Sucic.

“In Croatia, we like to compare him to Virgil van Dijk, because he’s built that way (6 foot 1). He’s one of his role models in football and he’s also mentioned Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos.”

Meanwhile, former Bayern striker and Croatia international Ivica Olic believes he is an “extraordinary talent” and a “fine technician.”

Gvardiol is one of Europe’s hottest defenders right now, when compared to his positional peers across the ‘big five’ divisions, he ranks inside the top 3% for interceptions (3.29) per 90, as well as the top 1% for dribbles completed (0.89), the top 3% for progressive passes (5.31) and the top 4% for passes attempted (77.33) per 90.

With those stats coming from FBref, it suggests that the Leipzig man has solid defensive intelligence and awareness, being able to read the game to a top 3% level in Europe, whilst also being equally adept with the ball at his feet.

As such, on the above evidence, it’s easy to see why Spurs would be interested in signing Gvardiol. If they can manage to seal him for what would be a club-record signing, then Conte and Paratici may well seal the club’s best signing since Son.

He’d be worth every penny of that £80m.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Spurs transfer claim…

There has been an update regarding Aston Villa’s reported interest in veteran striker Luis Suarez…

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has revealed that the Midlands club are not pursuing a deal for the Uruguay international, despite having been heavily linked with a move for the 35-year-old earlier in the transfer window.

The transfer insider stated: “I do know that one or two superstar names have been mentioned. Luis Suárez is of no interest to Aston Villa.

“Signing Luis Suárez is obviously a lazy link there between Gerrard and Suárez, but I’m told that’s not one that they’re exploring.”

The 35-year-old – who is currently a free agent following his departure from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid – had played alongside Villa boss Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, with the Englishman believed to be keen on a reunion with his former team-mate this summer.

However, it would appear that no move to the English Midlands is on the cards, amid reports that the 132-cap superstar is on his way to Argentine outfit River Plate.

Supporters gutted

While signing a player who is no longer at his peak may not have been a wholly attractive prospect anyway, in the case of Suarez it would appear that he still has plenty to offer as an attacking force, even if he may not be the dynamic, prolific machine who previously dazzled the Premier League during his time at Anfield.

Plucked from Ajax on deadline day in January 2011 – alongside the more high profile capture of £35m man Andy Carroll – the one-time Groningen star went on to quickly assume talismanic status on Merseyside, eventually netting 82 goals and providing 46 assists in 133 games for the Reds in all competitions.

That form unsurprisingly caught the attention of Barcelona, with the sometimes controversial figure making the switch in the summer of 2014. He went on to win a plethora of major honours at Camp Nou and scored a quite remarkable tally of 194 goals, with a further 113 assists in just 281 games.

Having been deemed over the hill by former boss Ronald Koeman in 2020, the £7.2m-rated hotshot went on to prove the doubters wrong by firing Atletico to the title in his debut campaign at the Wanda Metropolitano, scoring 21 league goals in what was a truly blistering season in the Spanish capital.

Even last term, while his role may have been somewhat reduced – making just 20 starts from his 35 league outings – the £263k-per-week brute still plundered an impressive 11 goals in La Liga, with his total haul in all competitions standing at 13 goals.

That tally may have been far from his best for a season, although it still saw him outscore any member of the current Villa squad, with Ollie Watkins having led the way during the 2021/22 campaign with 11 goals – all of which came in the Premier League.

The standard of the two leagues may be different, although Suarez would seemingly have still been able to pose an attacking threat for Gerrard’s side, with the penalty box poacher having been one of the most ruthless finishers in Europe over the last decade or so.

As it is, it looks as if that quality will be heading elsewhere, with Villans surely gutted not to see another marquee name walk through the door this summer.

AND in other news, Lange eyeing Villa move for £30m “goalscoring machine”, he’d be their own Darwin Nunez

West Ham are reportedly plotting a swoop for Chelsea striker Armando Broja this summer, and signing the Albanian forward could end David Moyes’ three-year nightmare at the London Stadium.

The Hammers last signed a striker in 2019, when Sebastien Haller arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in a club-record £45m deal. However, his time at the club was less than successful, as he managed just 14 goals in 54 appearances, and he was sold to Ajax two years later.

Since then, Moyes has been completely reliant on the injury-prone Michail Antonio as the club’s only natural centre-forward, with the Jamaica international often forced to run himself into the ground due to a lack of options on the bench.

He will also turn 33 next season, so it is more important than ever that West Ham bring in a long-term replacement for him this summer, and Broja could be the ideal man.

The 20-year-old caught the eye on loan at Southampton last term, contributing nine goals in all competitions for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side as he enjoyed his first taste of regular senior football in England.

Despite Chelsea’s striking woes last season, with Romelu Lukaku seemingly set to return to Inter after a disastrous spell at Stamford Bridge, it seems as if the Blues are willing to sell Broja this summer, and West Ham could be the team to benefit.

Reports have suggested that the young forward could cost around £30m this summer, but given the Irons’ desperate need for a forward, GSB must pay up or risk seeing next season tail off as the last one did, when the Hammers’ lack of squad depth really hurt them as they battled on two fronts.

At 20, Broja still has a huge amount of potential and could be excellent competition for Antonio next term, especially if the former Nottingham Forest man hits his seemingly customary poor run of form.

Albania assistant manager Sergio Porrini was full of praise for Broja last season, saying: “From last year to this he has grown a lot, and at Southampton, he has exploded.

“His greatest qualities are in progression, especially the ball and chain. (He’s) less good, on the other hand, with his back to the goal, in the construction of the action. But, in the spaces, he is devastating!”

Given the lack of strikers at West Ham in recent years, Moyes will be keen to make sure that the next one to arrive is the right one, and there seems little to suggest that Broja wouldn’t be a quality addition at the London Stadium.

In other news… West Ham can sign their own De Bruyne in 162-assist maestro, he’s a “magician on the ball”