All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has been out of action since February with an ankle injury and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

The Ivorian starlet had been one of the standout performers for Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League before the season-ending injury blow, with nine goals and seven assists in all competitions from a wide position.

United will be hoping that he can return from injury to carry that form into the 2025/26 campaign and beyond, as he could be a future star for the club.

Where Amad Diallo ranks in Man Utd's top earners

Despite his impressive form for the Red Devils this season, Amad is not among the top few earners within the squad with his weekly wage of £120k.

As you can see in the table below, the left-footed wizard only just cracks the top ten list, below the likes of Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, who have either been bit-part players or unavailable for most of the season.

Casemiro

£350k

Bruno Fernandes

£300k

Mason Mount

£250k

Matthijs De Ligt

£195k

Harry Maguire

£190k

Christian Eriksen

£150k

Luke Shaw

£150k

Noussair Mazraoui

£135k

Victor Lindelof

£120k

Amad Diallo

£120k

You can also see that Swedish central defender Victor Lindelof earns as much as Diallo per week, and Manchester United must decide to finally axe him from the squad in the summer transfer window when his contract expires.

Wage Burners

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

His current deal is due to run out at the end of June and Amorim should cut him from the group, because he has already drained the club of millions in wages throughout his career so far.

How much money Victor Lindelof has earned at Man Utd

Manchester United swooped to sign the centre-back from Benfica for a reported fee of £31m in the summer of 2017, and the defender has earned even more than that transfer fee in wages in the subsequent eight years.

24/25

£120k

£6.24m

23/24

£120k

£6.24m

22/23

£120k

£6.24m

21/22

£120k

£6.24m

20/21

£120k

£6.24m

19/20

£120k

£6.24m

18/19

£75k

£4.65m

17/18

£75k

£4.65m

As you can see in the table above, Lindelof has already earned over £40m in wages during his time at Old Trafford to date, and will have earned a reported £46.64m in wages by the end of his contract this year.

That is a sum of £77.64m in total, including his transfer fee, and the 30-year-old has only played 30 or more league matches in two of his eight seasons in Manchester.

He has only started two of his eight appearances in the Premier League this season and has been an unused substitute 11 times across all competitions, which shows that the experienced defender is a bit-part player at best under Amorim.

Compare that to Amad Diallo’s importance to the team, with his aforementioned goals and assists, on the same weekly wage and that shows why United must finally part ways with the Sweden international this summer.

He's ideal for Amorim: Man Utd could make £67m bid for "incredible" striker

The Red Devils are now willing to make a huge offer for a forward, who fits Amorim’s system “perfectly”.

ByDominic Lund Mar 27, 2025

Amorim should move him on from Old Trafford when his contract expires, as he has not provided good value for the wage the club are paying him, and attempt to bring in a replacement that will be a part of his plans moving forward.

Nottingham Forest are considering making a move to sign a “skilful” £20 million star in the summer, according to a new report.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

The Reds have nine games to go in the Premier League to fulfil their dream and secure a place in next season’s Champions League. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been outstanding all campaign, with midfielder and captain Morgan Gibbs-White at the heart of that.

Nottingham Forest join battle to sign "monster" Gibbs-White replacement

He’s one of Europe’s most impressive young talents.

ByTom Cunningham Mar 16, 2025

His performances have caught the attention of some of the big teams in the Premier League, but according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Forest will “do everything they can” to keep hold of the Englishman this summer. O’Rourke goes on to add that securing Champions League qualification will put the Reds in a stronger position to retain their best players.

As they look to keep hold of Gibbs-White, according to TEAMtalk, Forest are keeping a close eye on Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham ahead of the summer.

Forest are among the Premier League teams keeping a watchful eye on the Black Cats midfielder and could be ready to pounce should Sunderland fail to seal promotion. However, the Championship side are not looking to sell or negotiate with any team, meaning a big offer may have to arrive for them to be tempted.

Nottingham Forest considering move to sign £20m+ star

It is not only a new midfielder the Midlands side want, as according to reports from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are weighing up a move to sign defender Fikayo Tomori from Italian giants AC Milan.

The report claims that there is a concrete possibility that Milan look to sell the English defender this summer as long as they receive a €25 million transfer fee, which is roughly £21 million. Forest are keeping an eye on his situation, but they are not alone, as Newcastle United are also weighing up whether to make a move or not.

However, they may hold a small advantage, as Tomori already knows two Forest players in Ola Aina and Callum Hudson-Odoi, as he played with the pair at Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Tottenham could also be potentially interested in a deal for Tomori after they looked to sign the centre-back during the January transfer window. The Italian giants already have in mind replacements for Tomori should he leave the San Siro.

Apps

14

Starts

11

Clean sheets

1

Interceptions per game

0.8

Tackles per game

1.6

Balls recovered per 90

3.0

Clearances per game

2.2

Touches per game

56.7

Passing accuracy per game

45.4 (93%)

The 27-year-old has been with Milan since July 2021, and while he was an instant regular in the team, this season he has lost his place, playing just 14 times in Serie A. Despite the disappointment of this season, Tomori has been largely successful in Italy, with him being described as a “skilful” defender by Franco Baresi.

He previously told The Daily Mail: “He is young and has played well so far when he’s had the chance. He is skilful and has great physical attributes. He is still adapting to the Italian league, and I think he can only grow as a defender and help us out.”

Manchester United, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and manager Ruben Amorim are ready to axe 10 players this summer on a combined salary of £1.8m-a-week.

Ratcliffe calls some Man Utd players ‘overpaid’ and ‘not good enough’

The Red Devils and Ratcliffe have been in the headlines this week, and before plans for a new 100,000 capacity stadium were unveiled, the main talking points were on the co-owners’ comments to the media.

Talking on various topics, including Erik ten Hag, Amorim, the squad and Old Trafford finances to the likes of Gary Neville and the BBC, Ratcliffe took aim at some of the current Man Utd squad.

“If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, we’re buying Sancho. These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.

“For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea [on loan] and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17m to buy him in the summer. It takes time for us to move away from the past into a new place in the future.

“Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.”

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He hasn’t held back.

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Amorim has since responded to Ratcliffe’s comments on some of the squad being ‘overpaid’ and ‘not good enough’, saying: “If you’re a top player playing in this club, even me – a lot of people say I am not good enough for the club – my feeling is that you can change that with results. In training, I feel that they want this really bad.”

It promises to be a busy summer ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge of Man Utd, and by the looks of things, a mass overhaul of the playing squad is on the cards.

Ratcliffe and Amorim ready to move on 10 Man Utd players this summer

According to a recent report from Spain, Man Utd are preparing to get rid of 10 players who are on a combined £1.8m-a-week at Old Trafford.

Casemiro (£350,000-a-week), Marcus Rashford (£300,000-a-week), Mason Mount, (£250,000-a-week), Jadon Sancho, (£250,000-a-week), Antony (£200,000-a-week), Christian Eriksen (£150,000-a-week), Victor Lindelof (£120,000-a-week), Rasmus Hojlund (£85,000-a-week), Jonny Evans (£85,000-a-week) and Tom Heaton (£45,000-a-week) are all in line to leave Old Trafford over the coming months.

Patrick Dorgu

Lecce

Ayden Heaven

Arsenal

As we know, Rashford, Sancho and Antony are on loan at Aston Villa, Chelsea and Real Betis respectively, whereas Eriksen, Evans, Lindelof and Heaton are out of contract at the end of the season.

INEOS will look to move all 10 on ‘in an attempt to generate income and free up space for new signings’ and Amorim has given the green light regarding the exits.

Should the three loanees complete permanent moves to their new employers, United will only need to find homes for Casmeiro, Mount and Hojlund.

Tottenham Hotspur will attempt to sign an England star who Real Madrid were pushing to sign last year, with chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange showcasing some ambition already before the summer transfer window.

Ange Postecoglou praises Tottenham players despite Man City loss

Spurs’ brief winning streak came to an abrupt end against Premier League champions Man City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Ex-Tottenham chief tips £55m forward to join Spurs for less than half price

Postecoglou would greatly benefit from his arrival.

4 ByEmilio Galantini Feb 26, 2025

Erling Haaland’s eventual winner proved the difference between Ange Postecoglou and Pep Guardiola’s sides, but the former still found positives to take away from the 90 minutes, despite it being their fourteenth top flight loss of the campaign.

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Chelsea (away)

April 2nd

Southampton (home)

April 5th

Wolves (away)

April 12th

“Yeah I think so. First half we were just a little bit too eager to get forward with the ball,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham’s positive second-half against Man City.

“I thought we were really wasteful and when you are (like that) against City it allows them to get into a rhythm of their game. They can pick you off at different times and we just didn’t handle that part of the game well. They scored and had a couple of good chances to get further ahead.

“I certainly felt second half we dominated the game and territory. We were pretty relentless. Much better with the ball and a lot calmer but just missing a goal and ultimately fell short.

“It did look more like us today. At least from my perspective. We were really relentless. We played aggressive football. We took it to a very good opponent. We never tapered off at all. If anything, like you said, bringing the guys on made us stronger towards the end of the game. Disappointing to lose but I think you see the benefit of us being refreshed and going into a game well prepared. That level of performance in the second half, if we can begin to get consistent with that then we will be able to push on.”

Overall, it’s been a disappointing second campaign in charge for Postecoglou, who is relying on a good run in the Europa League to end Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought.

Preparations are already underway to bolster the squad ahead of next campaign, with Tottenham believed to be targeting a new centre-back this summer.

Tottenham set to attempt move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite

According to CaughtOffside, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is on their transfer shortlist in that regard, following the Lilywhites’ repeated shortages at centre-half throughout 2024/2025.

Tottenham are ready to rival Man United in the race for Branthwaite this summer, as per this report, and it is believed even Real Madrid were once pushing to land the England international, though a move failed to materialise.

The 22-year-old will apparently command a price tag of around £70 million, though, so Levy will need to invest heavily in his acquisition. That being said, he currently stands out as one of the country’s most promising centre-backs.

“Branthwaite has been outstanding,” said Jamie Carragher last year. “I think this lad is pretty special. He’s a big part of why Everton in my eyes have a good chance of staying up, him and his partnership with [James] Tarkowski.”

Arsenal are looking at new forward options ahead of the summer transfer market, with Mikel Arteta’s side now believed to be in contention for a homegrown, marquee attacker.

Arsenal identifying transfer targets before next season

The Premier League title race is out of Arsenal’s hands, and while there is still an outside hope they could catch Liverpool amid the Reds’ drop in form, the odds are stacked against Arteta’s injury-ridden side.

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The Gunners boss is a real admirer.

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Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both out for the rest of this season after sustaining long-term injuries, while Arteta is also waiting to have both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka back in contention for their final run of matches.

This has left Arsenal short of top-quality options in the final third, with Arteta forced to deploy a front three of Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri in their last Premier League clash against Leicester City.

West Ham (home)

February 22nd

Nottingham Forest (away)

February 26th

Man Utd (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

Emergency striker Mikel Merino saved the day with a dramatic brace in the final 10 minutes after coming off Arteta’s bench, and the Gunners board will be very keen to ensure they won’t have to resort to such desperate measures next season.

Arsenal are believed to be shortlisting forward targets ahead of another potential title challenge next term as the club look to bolster Arteta’s options.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Juventus star Dušan Vlahović, Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres, Eintracht Frankfurt gem Hugo Ekitiké, ex-Liverpool talisman Roberto Firmino and even Real Madrid duo Endrick and Rodrygo are all strikers linked with moves to Arsenal following reports from this last week alone.

Arsenal "said to be offering £83m" for Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Gittens

Now, as per reliable Bundesliga insider Christian Falk, Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Gittens is attracting interest from the Emirates as a potential wide alternative to the likes of Saka, Martinelli and Trossard.

The England Under-21 international has been in fantastic form this campaign, scoring 11 goals and registering 4 assists across all competitions, with Premier League sides taking note.

Arteta’s side are among them, with Falk claiming that Arsenal are “said to be offering” €100m (£83m) for Gittens.

“Dortmund crashed in the league, the Champions League is getting further and further away, and with that, the income from the Champions League next season,” said Falk on SportBILD (via Sport Witness).

“They have to win it to be in it again. If they miss out, they’ll have to sell players and Gittens is highly regarded. Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be offering €100m. You have to say that would be nice money.”

Falk went on to add that “a transfer for Gittens could happen”.

The 20-year-old played for both Man City and Chelsea’s academies before pursuing regular first-team football at Dortmund. Former BVB manager Nuri Şahin praised Gittens’ development this season, calling him a “very important” player.

“He’s a very important player for us,” said Sahin.

“Jamie himself wants to take the next step, and we want him to take that step. Now he’s scoring goals and playing more mature football.”

Tottenham are set to sign West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus for £55 million, but he’s not the only player who could join Thomas Frank’s side in the coming weeks.

AC Milan identify £43m Tottenham star as top target, he's keen to join Allegri

He could be tempted away from north London.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

Kudus will undergo a medical in north London today ahead of his proposed move across the English capital, with Spurs and the Hammers finally reaching an agreement over the Ghanaian’s transfer.

It will be the first deal between both sides since Scott Parker’s move to White Hart Lane in 2011, ending the rivals’ unofficial transfer embargo whilst significantly reinforcing Frank’s attacking options.

Kudus was criticised for underperforming at times last season, but he can be a truly exceptional forward on his day, as evident by his debut campaign at the London Stadium.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

The 24-year-old also boasts Champions League experience with Ajax, scoring four goals and bagging a further two assists in a group including eventual Serie A champions Napoli, Liverpool and Rangers during the 2022/2023 campaign.

Kudus can be deployed in a number of attacking roles as well, providing yet another boost for Frank, as the 51-year-old gears up for his first-ever year in charge of a ‘big six’ Premier League club.

Frank is expected to be backed with more useful additions before deadline day on September 1, with L’Equipe reporting earlier this week that Spurs have reopened discussions with Burnley over a deal for Maxime Esteve.

Scott Parker definitely won’t be keen on losing the towering 6 foot 4 Frenchman, who was a mainstay of his Clarets backline en route to their top flight return, and similar can be said of new Brentford boss Keith Andrews and star striker Yoane Wissa.

Tottenham are reportedly expressing a serious interest in Wissa, and the Bees are anticipating a proposal.

Brentford braced for Tottenham bid to sign Yoane Wissa

That is according to talkSPORT, who report that Brentford are braced for an offer from Tottenham to sign Wissa.

The Congolese centre-forward was just as crucial for Frank last season as Bryan Mbeumo, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, with 19 of them coming in the Premier League.

Brentford are very unlikely to green-light exits for both men in the same window, amid Man United’s ongoing talks for Mbeumo, but talkSPORT state that Wissa is keen on a move to Spurs as he eyes a reunion with Frank.

The price to get a potential deal done would be around £40 million, and Frank has already made his feelings on the 28-year-old crystal clear – branding Wissa one of his “super players” at the Gtech Community Stadium.

“I think they are super players,” said Frank about Wissa.

“Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. He scored seven goals in the first season and seven in the second in the Premier League, for a player that didn’t play much. It’s remarkable. I definitely think he is best as a 9. He’s got that nose for goals.”

Newcastle United are now leading the race to sign a “priceless” international midfielder this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Newcastle eyeing sensational attacking signing

The Magpies and PIF are doing all they can to keep hold of Alexander Isak this summer, but even if the Swede stays put, it looks as though they are still eyeing outstanding competition for him.

RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko and Eintract Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike have both been linked with a summer move to Newcastle, with the former being eyed up by some huge clubs, including Liverpool and Arsenal. Sesko’s agent has even contacted the Magpies regarding a potential move to St James’ Park.

Talks have also been held between Newcastle and Ekitike ahead of the new Premier League season, and those at St James’ Park have now made a bid for the Frankfurt forward.

While a new attacker appears to be the order of the day for Newcastle, additions are also needed in other areas of the pitch, and a new midfielder who supporters know fairly well has now been mentioned as an option.

Newcastle in pole position to sign Conor Gallagher

According to a fresh update from Caught Offside, Newcastle are providing the “most serious interest” in Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer and are in the lead for his signature.

Eddie Howe is a big admirer, with the report claiming Gallagher is seen as “a key figure in Newcastle’s midfield revamp as they prepare for a return to European competition”, with Atletico potentially accepting offers of up to £43m.

Gallagher has matured as a player since his move to Atletico last year, enjoying an impressive first season and being lauded by manager Diego Simeone.

“When we think of him we think of his youth, energy and intensity in the game. He also strikes the ball very well. It’s never easy for players coming from England to adapt to the Spanish championship, to the language. He has competed very well in different places and in positions where he doesn’t feel more comfortable. He will evolve, he has room for growth. He is very intense in offensive and defensive play, he brings a lot to us.”

Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino described Gallagher as “priceless” during their time together at Chelsea, and he has the energy and quality to be a great addition for Newcastle in the middle of the park.

Appearances

32

Starts

19

Minutes played

1637

Goals

3

Assists

3

Tackles per game

1.4

Shots per game

0.7

Interceptions per game

0.6

Pass completion rate

86.6%

Granted, the current go-to trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton will be difficult to break into, but improved squad depth is required and the England international’s versatility allows him to shine in both defensive and attack-minded midfield roles.

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BySean Markus Clifford Jul 13, 2025

Gallagher’s stock has arguably risen after showing that he can impress abroad, and the fact that Howe likes him so much as a player means Newcastle should be looking to get a deal over the line.

When Arne Slot spoke in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United, it was pretty sobering for the head coach to suggest that the focus is on securing a place in next year’s Champions League proper, and not battling to defend their hard-won Premier League title.

Slot’s right, of course, with Liverpool so far removed from last year’s indomitable success that talk of mounting a challenge against high-flying Arsenal would be scoffed at by even the most ardent supporters.

Among Liverpool’s biggest problems this season has been a struggle in the build-up, especially on the right side. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence is keenly felt, and sporting director Richard Hughes is looking to replace the former vice-captain’s creativity.

Liverpool looking to replace Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool have technically replaced Alexander-Arnold already, signing Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m this summer. However, neither Frimpong or Conor Bradley boast the same playmaking ability as the 27-year-old, who plies his craft for Real Madrid after leaving Anfield at the end of his contract in June.

The £116m signing of Florian Wirtz was meant to help the passing of the creative torch, but Wirtz’s struggles have been well-documented this season, and, as analyst Raj Chohan puts it, “the build-up combination is horrible” on Liverpool’s right-hand side this season.

Those around him know Wirtz has world-class potential in the Premier League and could become a superstar playmaker, a poster boy. However, he doesn’t really operate down the right lane, and this is where Slot and Hughes need to fix Liverpool’s progressive passing.

Perhaps that’s why FSG are showing an interest in signing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, having shortlisted the France international this week, according to German outlet BILD.

Olise, 23, has only gone from strength to strength since swapping Crystal Palace for the Allianz Arena in 2024, and if Liverpool want to secure his signature, ostensibly as Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement, they will need to pay over £100m.

BILD believe that Liverpool have placed Olise back onto their shortlist despite Bayern’s not-for-sale stance.

What Olise would bring to Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold’s influence at Liverpool cannot be understated. Quite simply, he is a one-of-a-kind type of player, and his departure to Santiago Bernabeu was always going to be more than just a blow to the Anfield side’s pride.

1

Trent Alexander-Arnold

64

2

Andy Robertson

60

3

Leighton Baines

53

4

Graeme Le Saux

44

5

Kieran Trippier

38

Olise might not be a right-back, but he would prove the perfect Salah replacement at right wing in that he would not try to mimic the Egyptian’s clinical output, and instead bring his own flavour to Merseyside.

At Bayern, the former Palace star has posted 29 goals and 34 assists across 76 matches. He is regarded as “one of the best players in the world” by teammate Serge Gnabry.

Physical and athletic, Olise is also near matchless when it comes to creating for his peers, setting up passing patterns and adding pressure in the final third with unplayable passing.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90.

That is not to say he’s a one-trick pony, with fearsome ball-striking qualities that the Premier League’s many defenders and goalkeepers know only too well.

He has proven himself to be a superstar in the English game, and since levelling up in Germany, Olise has fostered the playmaking brilliance that would see him reinvent Slot’s right flank and rekindle the presence of Trent at Anfield.

Huge Gakpo upgrade: £70m "superstar" now keen to join Liverpool in January

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1 ByAngus Sinclair 6 days ago

Everton supporters are starting to get excited ahead of the new season.

Star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite signed a new five-year contract last week, which is great news for Evertonians everywhere.

Meantime, it is being widely reported that striker Thierno Barry travelled to Merseyside on Tuesday, ahead of finalising a £32.5m move from Villarreal.

Now, could David Moyes bolster his midfield options as well?

Everton targeting a new midfielder

Ahead of moving into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, much of the positivity is rooted in Moyes, considering the Toffees won eight of 19 Premier League matches following his reappointment in January, including each of the last three.

The 62-year-old returned to the club 13 years after leaving for Manchester United, having enjoyed so much success during his first stint at Goodison.

2002/03

7th

59

2003/04

17th

39

2004/05

4th

61

UCL qualification

2005/06

11th

50

2006/07

6th

58

2007/08

5th

65

League Cup semi-finals

2008/09

5th

63

FA Cup Finalists

2009/10

8th

61

2010/11

7th

54

2011/12

7th

56

FA Cup semi-finals

2012/13

6th

63

As the table outlines, under Moyes, the Blues regularly finished in the top six of the Premier League, something they’ve not achieved for 11 years, and he enjoyed having countless top-class players at his disposal during this period.

One of the best players during Moyes’ later years at Goodison was Marouane Fellaini, more on the big Belgian shortly, so are Everton about to sign Moyes’ best midfielder since him?

Well, as reported by TEAMtalk, Everton have ‘made an enquiry’ to Juventus over the possibility of signing Douglas Luiz.

They add that the Brazilian ‘has been transfer-listed’ by la Vecchia Signora, with the Italian giants willing to sell him for half of the £43m fee paid to Aston Villa just 12 months ago, with Manchester United and Fulham also showing ‘strong interest’.

So, could Luiz swap Turin for Hill Dickinson Stadium?

How Douglas Luiz would improve Everton

The reason Luiz is on the market this summer is because, as described by Juventus legend Alessio Tacchinardi, the Brazilian’s transfer to I Bianconeri has been a “disaster”.

Since making the move from Villa, the 27-year-old has racked up just 877 minutes of action in a black and white striped shirt, starting just nine Serie A matches.

Before that though, brand strategy consultant Adam Gilks asserted that he was “one of the best sixes in the Premier League”, while Alex Keble of the Premier League added that he had become ‘the most important Villa player’ towards the end of his time in the Midlands.

So, let’s assess that assertion.

Minutes

2,993

41st

Goals

9

31st

Completed passes

1,800

23rd

Key passes

53

29th

Progressive passes

168

26th

Crosses

115

21st

Tackles

58

55th

Ball recoveries

184

27th

Fouls

51

10th

As the table outlines, during his final season at Aston Villa, Luiz ranked highly for most passing metrics, but also out of possession metrics too, namely ball recoveries, underlining his all-action style and hence, why Owen Hargreaves once described him as an “elite” defensive midfielder.

These statistics are certainly more impressive than those of any current Everton midfield options, namely Idrissa Gana Gueye, James Garner, Carlos Alcaraz or Tim Iroegbunam.

Thus, one would have to go back to Moyes’ first stint in charge to find an equally pivotal central midfield, and the star of the 2012/13 side was the aforementioned Fellaini.

After a sequence of impressive performances in 2010, Moyes asserted that “Marouane is probably the best midfielder in the country at the moment”.

Meantime, Barney Ronay of the Guardian outlined how Fellaini’s ‘sheer physical scale tended to generate a buzz’, but that he can be ‘unplayable’ at times, believing he remains one of the most unique players to ever grace the Premier League.

While, in terms of stature, demeanour and playing style, Luiz and Fellaini could hardly be much more different, but should the Brazilian arrive this summer, he would almost unquestionably be the best midfielder Moyes has worked with on Merseyside since the unmistakable Belgian.

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Everton are looking to sign a former Premier League midfielder

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