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Wrexham's new minority investors the Allyn family revealed why they chose to invest in the League One club.

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• Wrexham roped in Allyn family as investors
• New York-based business family revealed real reason
• Wrexham face Harrogate Town on Sunday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Allyn Family, based out of New York, recently formed the Red Dragon Ventures LLC with Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney which helped them to buy minority stakes in the Welsh club. The family-owned Welch Allyn, Inc., a world-renowned medical device company, will now support Reynolds and McElhenney as they try to take the Red Dragons to the Premier League.

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• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Speaking to Syracuse.com, Welch Allyn vice president, Eric Allyn said, "Wrexham was a mining town, a steel town, working-class oriented with lots of breweries. Then the steel and mining collapsed and the breweries collapsed, and the city really collapsed in on itself. We know we can't reproduce Welch Allyn, but at least we can have investments we can connect to. We love to invest in great companies."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham have made significant progress since the actor duo arrived at the club in 2021. They gained promotions in consecutive years and are now plying their trade in the English third tier. Reynolds and McElhenney, however, dream of competing in the Premier League in the near future and as a result are trying to attract more investment in the club.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Phil Parkinson's side, who are third in the league and are on a two-game winless run, will aim to get back to winning ways on Sunday as they take on Harrogate Town in an FA Cup first-round clash.

Newcastle United look set for a busy summer, looking to make multiple signings and bolster their squad in several positions.

Having suffered 14 losses in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, nine more than their five in the prior season, the Magpies will be looking to bounce back and make some additions to their side to rectify their drop-off this season.

One of the names being linked could be a brilliant complement to forward Alexander Isak, who scored 25 goals in all competitions last season for Newcastle, also providing two assists and playing 40 games in total.

Newcastle transfer news

According to reports from Football Insider, Newcastle are interested and keeping tabs on Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville.

The report states Summerville alongside another option in West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, whilst also mentioning there are other names on their radar.

If Newcastle manage to make a right-winger signing, Miguel Almiron will reportedly be allowed to leave the club this summer, with strong interest in the Paraguay international.

How Summerville complements Isak

The 22-year-old winger is coming off the back of his POTY campaign for Leeds United, scoring 21 goals, providing ten assists and making 49 appearances for the club.

The Dutchman was awarded with the Championship POTY at the EFL Awards, after scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists in the Championship this season.

Primarily, Summerville excels as a creative outlet, posting exceptional metrics on that side of his game. The star produces 6.1 shot-creating actions per 90, has an xAG (expected assisted goals) of 0.3 per 90, and makes 2.88 key passes per 90.

He would instantly offer that extra creative edge for Newcastle, making more key passes, producing more xAG and more shot-creating actions than the club's current wide forwards.

This would perfectly complement the Magpies' clinical goalscorer in Isak, who, as mentioned previously, scored 25 goals in all competitions last campaign. The Sweden international does create his own shots at a good rate, producing 2.7 shot-creating actions per 90, however by adding more creativity around him, it would allow the talisman to flex those goalscoring muscles even more.

But it's not just Summerville's creative passing that would help Newcastle. His ability to drive the ball forwards, beat his man and progress play would help get the side up the pitch with intention, and add more attacking thrust.

The Dutchman completes 5.04 progressive carries per 90, 2.52 successful take-ons per 90, and 3.01 carries into the final third per 90. The attention he draws by driving forwards and beating his man 1v1 creates space for others.

This is another factor that could help Isak go up another level, giving him more space to operate and stopping teams from doubling up on the talented centre-forward.

Adding the "world-class" Summerville – as he was described by journalist Jake Winderman – would not only improve Newcastle as a whole with the metrics being quoted, but also help to raise the level of their talisman, forcing attention to be focused elsewhere and creating more chances for the Swede to unleash that lethal right-footed strike of his.

Newcastle could sign "unstoppable" Calvert-Lewin alternative

He has a release clause this summer

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 26, 2024

Phil Parkinson is eager to turn things around against Mansfield Town in League One after an FA Cup exit to Harrowgate Town.

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• Wrexham crashed out of the FA Cup
• Parkinson wants to return to winning ways
• Eager to make the most of home advantage against Mansfield

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons, who are sitting in third place in League One, remain unbeaten at home this season. However, they face a formidable challenge in Mansfield, who trail closely in fourth position, just a single point behind Wrexham.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Last season, Wrexham and Mansfield faced each other three times, with the Welsh side coming out on top twice and drawing once. In March, Wrexham claimed a 2-0 victory at the Stok Racecourse, with goals from Sam Dalby and Paul Mullin. The Dragons also triumphed in the FA Cup meeting between the two sides, while the third encounter ended in a goalless draw. These past performances offer Wrexham a confidence boost heading into Saturday’s match, especially as they return to The Stok Racecourse which has been a fortress for Wrexham this season.

• WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Parkinson is eager to capitalize on the home advantage and told reporters: "I’m looking forward to getting back on home turf again. The great thing there’s always a buzz about the build-up to a home game, there really is. You can feel it in the area so we’ve got to get this place absolutely rocking for the weekend."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  While the FA Cup loss was a setback, Parkinson and his squad are focused on their primary goal: climbing higher in League One. If Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's men can pull off a win, they will not only extend their unbeaten home record but also keep the pressure on Wycombe and Birmingham – the top two in the standings.

The trouble with surging up the Premier League table is that other teams start to pick off your best talent, and unfortunately for Crystal Palace, that looks to be happening to them this summer.

Oliver Glasner has only been in the job for four months but is already set to lose Michael Olise to German behemoths Bayern Munich, and Tottenham Hotspur are ominously circling above Eberechi Eze.

However, with the club now looking like a great environment to play football, attracting exciting players should be a lot easier, and one of the stars touted for a move to Selhurst Park could be the ideal Olise replacement.

Crystal Palace transfer news

A report last month from journalist Bobby Manzi revealed that Palace were interested in Norwich City's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara following his magnificent form in the second tier, which was then corroborated by the BBC a couple of weeks later.

The good news for the Eagles is that Manzi's initial report claimed that the Canaries would be tempted by offers in excess of £20m.

However, the bad news is that more recent reports from this week suggest that Serie A giants AS Roma are now keen to bring the player to Italy in the coming weeks.

It could be a complicated deal to get over the line, but Sara looks like an exceptionally talented player, and if Steve Parish and Co can get ahead of the Giallorossi, then they absolutely should, as he could be the ideal Olise replacement.

Why Sara would be a great Olise replacement

Unfortunately for Palace, it's unlikely that they will be able to find a like-for-like replacement for Olise in the market this summer simply because the Frenchman is such an exceptional player.

However, Sara certainly seems to be someone who could provide Glasner with some of the attacking impetus he'll lose following the former Reading man's departure.

For example, in his 53 appearances for Norwich last season, he scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists, meaning he maintained an impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.9 games. In comparison, the South Londoner's star attacker scored ten goals and provided six assists in 19 games, equating to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.1 games.

Now, the Hammersmth-born gem's numbers are more impressive. However, it should be noted that the Brazilian started 15 games in defensive midfield and still managed to provide a goal contribution more than once every other game, suggesting he could become a potent force under the tutelage of the progressive Glasner.

Moreover, according to FBref, which compares players in a similar position across the next best 14 competitions, the "outstanding" 25-year-old, as dubbed by former manager David Wagner, sits in the top 2% of midfielders for non-penalty goals, expected assists and shot-creating actions, the top 3% for non-penalty expected goals and assists, the top 4% for assists and the top 6% for total shots, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Olise will be near enough impossible to replace in a single player, Sara looks like he'd at least be able to help replace some of the Frenchman's output, and under Glasner, who knows how good he could become?

Palace can repeat Wharton masterclass by signing £20m "wonderkid"

The promising talent could develop in the same way as the Palace star.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 28, 2024

Three years ago, Aston Villa resigned themselves to the bitter loss of their talisman. Jack Grealish was one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League, and so Manchester City took it upon themselves to launch a £100m bid to bring him up the M6 and join Pep Guardiola's imperious operation.

Since leaving Villa Park, his boyhood club, his stomping ground, the England international, 28, has won hordes of major honours, bathed in illustrious heights with one of the greatest football teams in English history, an all-conquering mega-power that would fancy its chances against any of the great sides of years past, domestically and abroad.

Last season, though, the £100m man clinched three goals and three assists apiece over 36 appearances in all competitions. He's lost some of his flair and gusto. Gone is the fleet-footed brilliance of a truly unforgettable phenomenon; hello, industrial efficacy, mechanical motions chipped and tinkered at to maximise control and – this part is crucial – winning.

Could Grealish return to Villa?

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are actually interested in bringing Grealish back to Birmingham, with the Citizens tempted to cash in on their record signing following his crash in form and perceived partying antics.

Grealish does not appear to be the same player that he was at Villa Park, but this is a point in tactics, not an evaporation of dizzying ability.

However, City are hoping to recoup much of the lofty outlay paid to NSWE three years back. This isn't particularly realistic: it was an exorbitant sum anyway and Grealish has suffered of late, missing out on the Three Lions' Euro 2024 squad.

But perhaps it could materialise – especially when it was reported earlier this week that Jhon Duran seemed to be closing on a transfer to Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The fearless Colombian has erected quite the presence despite his young years (he's only 20), expressing power, pace and prodigious potential in a wonderful mingle. But he's not unexpendable, and while the Villans appear to have placated PSR, completing such a sale would place them in a positive long-term financial position.

Both players, Grealish and Duran, possibly one out, one in, are talented and highly valued in a competitive transfer market, but there's one recently sold Lions man worth even more. His name is Douglas Luiz, and Aston Villa well and truly hit the jackpot on him.

Why Aston Villa sold Douglas Luiz

Back in 2017, Aston Villa's dismal tumble into the second tier made a poignant comment on one of English football's foremost outfits. The Villa Park halls are rich in silver-gleaming history, having reached the pinnacle of European football and been one of the most prominent top-flight teams for an age.

All seemed lost, especially after Fulham landed a 1-0 victory over Steve Bruce's side in 2018, confining them to a second successive year in the Championship. But second time lucky, Aston Villa surged back into the big time and have since been on an upward curve. Luiz has been one of the chief architects.

Signed from Manchester City in a £15m deal five years ago, the Brazilian was welcomed to Dean Smith's brood at the dawn of a second shot in the Premier League, and he made 204 appearances, scoring 22 goals and assisting 24 more.

Luiz, now 26, was described as "one of the Premier League's standout midfielders" by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell for his exploits under Unai Emery last season, having also been crowned the club's Player of the Season during the 2022/23 term.

Emery has done a wonderful job of propitiating Aston Villa's fanbase with an incredible resurgence, but without Luiz's brilliance, it simply wouldn't have happened.

The table above shows just how remarkable his level has been in the English top flight over the past few years, instrumental in qualifying for the Europa Conference League and then the Champions League.

But all good things… as they say. With PSR concerns rife over the past month, it became clear that the 5 foot 10 midfielder might have to be sacrificed to avoid a breach that could result in a hefty fine or a points deduction.

Juventus were keen on his signature, and so completed Luiz's signing for £42.5m at the end of June, with the Premier League side claiming Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea in part of the deal.

It means that Luiz – who was hailed as Villa's "star man" by journalist Graeme Bailey – actually stands above Duran in market value and indeed in Grealish, with Football Transfers reflecting the Englishman's true market price with a £32m tag.

Football Transfers actually mark Luiz's valuation at £43m themselves, suggesting that Juventus have struck a deal for a fitting price.

It might be a bitter pill to swallow, watching Luiz jet off to the Serie A, where he will compete for Juventus and seek to orchestrate the Italian side's own revival after a regression over recent years.

Villa's newfound position among Europe's elite means that a reunion between the player and the Midlands club is a very real possibility next season, but should it happen, he will be met with a warm embrace, for he has been one of the most important cogs at a golden period in Aston Villa's history.

Aston Villa could sign £40m Diaby upgrade who PSG want to replace Mbappe

Emery is eyeing a move for the Championship player of the year in 2023/24…

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 9, 2024

A former Manchester United striker has named his ideal lineup for new boss Ruben Amorim – and Kobbie Mainoo is not in it.

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• Amorim Man Utd's new boss
• Ex-player names ideal starting XI
• Red Devils ace Mainoo not in it

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ahead of new boss Amorim taking charge of his first United game, ex-Red Devils forward Louis Saha has named his dream lineup for the current players at the club's disposal. The Frenchman appears to want a back three of Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, and Matthijs de Ligt, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui as wing-backs. He also wants a midfield of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, and Rasmus Hojlund ahead of them. That means no place for Mainoo or Amad Diallo, either.

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  WHAT LOUIS SAHA SAID

  He told BoyleSports: "At the back I’m a big fan of Leny Yoro, he is a confident young player who has a lot to offer the team. He is a real star and I’m very confident about that. He also needs leaders to help him progress and I think Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez can provide that. Harry Maguire is another option, but I don’t expect to see Jonny Evans or Victor Lindelof. If he plays two in midfield, it is a very important position. Kobbie Mainoo is very good on the ball but you also need players who have power in there, you need to find that balance. Mainoo has quality but he needs to be given a more creative role. I could see Manuel Ugarte there in some games because he is what teams need at times, a monster in midfield. Out wide would be Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, they have shown plenty of versatility and ability to think quickly and bring the wingers into play. They even at times drift into the middle of the pitch to provide another option. I can see Rasmus Hojlund up front but he needs to improve, plus Marcus Rashford. I'm also a huge fan of Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho so it’s very hard to choose between them. It will be a case of who impresses Ruben Amorim the most in training.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After Erik ten Hag's sacking, pressure is on for former Sporting CP boss Amorim to hit the ground running at United. He has a huge task on his hands, especially as they are 13th in the Premier League, but getting his team selection right early on may be vital.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Amorim's first match in charge at United is an away trip to lowly Ipswich Town at Portman Road on November 24 in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see what team the 39-year-old picks for that one.

Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as they aim to sign a centre-forward in January.

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• Mikel Arteta wants new No.9
• Scouts sent to watch Atalanta's clash with Young Boys
• Retegui in fine form

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per journalist Maurizio Russo, Arsenal sent scouts to watch Atalanta play Young Boys in the Champions League, with Retegui the focus of their attentions. The 25-year-old scored twice in a 6-1 win, in a performance that may well have piqued Mikel Areta's interest.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Per the report, the Gunners want to sign a striker in January as they aim to bolster their title credentials. The club are currently fourth, nine points behind leaders Liverpool, and have scored the fewest goals of any club in the top four. Retegui has 14 goals this season, and a contract until 2028.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be interested in signing the Italy international, who has 18 caps and six goals under his belt. Atalanta only signed the striker in the summer, spending a reported €28 million (£23m/$29m) to bring him in from Genoa. He scored nine goals in 31 games for the club prior to his transfer.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal face West Ham in a big London derby this weekend before taking on Manchester United next week.

Everton are battling against ominous external forces this summer but Sean Dyche and his transfer team are working hard to reinforce the first team after impressive work last season.

Despite an eight-point deduction in the Premier League for financial breaches, the Toffees comfortably finished in 15th, and while avoiding relegation will be the first port of call this term, there is cautious optimism that the talented crop can push toward the upper end of the top-flight table.

But with Amadou Onana sold to Aston Villa for £50m after Andre Gomes, Ben Godfrey and Lewis Dobbin previously took their leave from Goodison Park, signings are needed.

Everton transfer news

Everton have already welcomed Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye to the fold but more is projected to be happening on the blue side of the River Mersey.

Jesper Lindstrom is closing on a move too, but Dyche must ensure that the attacking influx does not stop there, with a report from Football Insider earlier this week claiming that Wilfried Gnonto is also on the radar.

It's written that Everton are not going to close the door on attacking additions after Lindstrom is formally welcomed, with preliminary talks held over signing the Leeds United dynamo.

Everton failed with three bids to sign Gnonto last summer, the third of which – £26m – fell short of the £30m asking price, but after failing to restore Premier League status last year, the Whites would now entertain offers of £25m for their versatile forward.

Imagine Wilfried Gnonto & Jesper Lindstrom

Gnonto enjoyed intermittent success in the 2022/23 Premier League season, notching six goal contributions across 14 starts, and he's now ready for a second shot at the big time after sharpening his tools in the second tier.

Still only 20, the bundling winger grew in importance under Daniel Farke last season, playing a core part in the Elland Road side's third-place finish across the second half of the season, making good on past praise from talent scout Jacek Kulig that he's an "absolute nightmare for defenders."

Ranking among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Championship last season for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, he would bring the perfect element of electricity to lift Everton to another level, with such ball-carrying prowess even set to forge a partnership with Lindstrom.

Lindstrom is positionally fluid like Gnonto and demonstrated his aptitude across both flanks for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany over a number of years. Last season, he transferred to Napoli in Serie A but fell by the wayside, unable to play more than a minute role and starting just three times across all competitions, unable to score or assist.

Still, demonstrably one of the most creative and progressive flankers in the Bundesliga previously, the 23-year-old ranked among the top 19% of positional peers in the division during the 2021/22 campaign for shot-creating actions and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90.

Just imagine the injection of pace and dynamism to an Everton side already steeped in resilient, gritty togetherness. Dyche could land a masterful boost to his Toffees team's hopes of bettering last season's success with this double deal, and he must now get both done.

Everton make contact to sign £5m striker with same agent as Jordan Pickford

The striker could be on his way to Goodison Park.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 25, 2024

Harry Kane shared a positive injury update despite suffering a blow in Bayern Munich's Klassiker draw with Borussia Dortmund.

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• Kane had to be subbed after 33 minutes vs BVB
• Felt a discomfort in his thigh
• Focused on his recovery to make a quick comeback

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kane was forced off the field after just 33 minutes due to discomfort in his thigh. Dortmund had already taken the lead through Jamie Gittens before Kane’s substitution, leaving Bayern in a challenging position. However, Jamal Musiala stepped up with an 85th-minute equalizer, salvaging a crucial 1-1 draw for the Bundesliga leaders.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bayern Munich have not officially provided a timeline for Kane’s recovery, but reports from suggest he could be sidelined for approximately two weeks. If the recovery progresses as expected, Kane may make his comeback in Bayern’s final match of 2024, a pivotal home fixture against RB Leipzig on December 20.

• WHAT KANE SAID

  Nonetheless, Kane shared a positive message with fans on social media, writing: "A little muscle strain so just time to recover now. Great header by @jamalmusiala10 yesterday to get a good point. Thanks for all the messages 🙌."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

  While Kane recuperates, Bayern Munich face a packed schedule. The team is set to compete against Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, followed by a Bundesliga clash with Heidenheim at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

Liverpool are believed to have made a U-turn regarding the future of an "exceptional" player, according to an intriguing transfer update.

Liverpool transfer news

The Merseysiders continue to be linked with moves for various players in the current transfer window, with Hoffenheim and Germany forward Max Beier emerging as one option. The 21-year-old is a highly-rated attacking talent with great pace, and could feel that this summer is the right time to enjoy a new challenge.

Bringing in a new centre-back has to be seen as a primary piece of business for Liverpool before the new Premier League season gets underway, and Juventus ace Gleison Bremer is someone who Arne Slot personally wants to bring to Anfield in the coming weeks.

Further up the pitch, the Reds are said to have made an approach for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is coming off the back of a magnificent season with the Portuguese giants. The Swede scored 29 goals in 32 starts in the Primeira Liga, but looks to be heading towards Arsenal.

This summer has also seen Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon linked with Liverpool many times, having grown up a boyhood Reds supporter. The Magpies are insistent that the England international is going nowhere, but if he makes it clear that he wants to move to Anfield, they could find it hard to keep hold of him.

Now, a significant update has emerged regarding a current Liverpool player, with a big U-turn happening.

"Exceptional" Liverpool ace could now stay

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are now "very unlikely" to let Wataru Endo leave the club this summer, despite reports suggesting otherwise. Recent reports have suggested that he would be allowed to move on, not suiting Slot's style of play, but the new Reds manager is "unwilling" to weaken his midfield, instead preferring the Japanese to stay put and bolster his options.

Keeping hold of Endo certainly wouldn't be a bad thing, even though he arguably feels limited in a technical sense, compared to elite-level defensive midfielders in the modern game. That being said, Jurgen Klopp was a big admirer during their one year together at Liverpool.

"He’s a machine. He is footballing-wise exceptional. His defensive brain is outstanding. He gives us a lot of freedom for a lot of things. Yeah, top development. Very helpful, very helpful."

At 31, Endo needs to be considered nothing more than a squad player if he does stay put, but with injuries so often hurting the Reds in recent years, so retaining his services would aid the depth at Slot's disposal.

Liverpool could ditch Endo with move for "world-class" £25m maestro

His outfit would field bids this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 30, 2024

That being said, if the Dutchman decides that he doesn't need the £50,000-a-week Japan international, supporters will likely see sense in the decision, given his age and the fact that another midfielder could still come in.

Ultimately, it feels like a win-win situation for Liverpool, with Endo producing some excellent performances in a Reds shirt, making 29 league appearances last term, but also not representing the future.