Aston Villa aren’t giving up their pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson, as Unai Emery bids to bolster his side ahead of the 2023/34 campaign.
Following his arrival in October, the Spaniard has transformed the outlook at Villa Park, taking the Midlands club to the next level alongside president of football operations, Monchi.
The former Sevilla business marvel could be on course to complete another coup in securing the signing of Johnson.
Who wants to buy Brennan Johnson?
The 22-year-old frontman has been rumoured to have been of interest to a number of Premier League clubs, with Villa and Brentford credited most recently, via the Daily Mail.
This week, an update from the Telegraph mentioned Forest’s ongoing battle regarding the Welshman’s future, who is ‘likely’ to be sold if a club can offer a fee in the region of £50m.
Whilst the Reds are reluctant to allow their star player to depart, the potential sale of the forward would relieve the financial pressures lingering over the City Ground at present.
How good is Brennan Johnson?
Following a season-long loan at Lincoln City in League One, the versatile forward has become at the forefront of everything threatening in the final third for Forest.
That year, the Nottingham-born gem scored 10 goals and registered 12 assists for the Imps, adding to his Football League tally the year after on his return to his birthplace.
During the 2021/22 Championship, the tenacious Wales international scored 16 goals along with nine assists to fire the Reds to promotion to the Premier League, where he has continued to rise in the top-flight.
Last season, the 22-year-old netted eight goals and provided three assists in his debut in the first division, attracting interest from elsewhere in the league this transfer window.
brennan-johnson-nottingham-forest-villa
For Villa, the youngster could provide Emery’s side with an updated version of a former hero in the Midlands, with the Forest man posing similarities to academy graduate Jack Grealish.
The treble-winner, like Johnson, is deployable across the front line behind the striker, with the versatility to play on the flank as well as in central attacking midfield.
Having once been lauded as a “real handful” by scout Antonio Mango, the Welshman could replicate the threat of the treble winner at Villa Park.
As per analyst VisualGame on Twitter, the 22-year-old gem ranked higher than the 27-year-old in terms of take-ons completed at the beginning of last season, showcasing the way that he could give the Midlands a refreshed aura of their former star.
Identifiable as two strong carriers of the ball, Grealish averaged 1.97 successful take-ons per 90 in the Premier League last season, with Johnson following behind with 1.01 successful take-ons per 90 at Forest, via FBref.
The City Ground sensation averaged a higher percentage of shots on target per 90 compared to the Englishman, averaging 46.2% shots on target to the former Villa man’s 36.6% per 90, highlighting the level of threat he could provide in the Midlands.
If equipped in a much stronger side, the Welsh sensation could elevate his game in a way similar to Grealish, given Villa’s rise up the table and change in direction with reference to the Reds pottering on the relegation line.
Aston Villa were thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle on the opening weekend but the most disappointing news to come out of that game was a long-term injury to Tyrone Mings.
The 30-year-old centre-back suffered a serious injury which has sidelined him for the remainder of the season and left him requiring surgery.
Mings featured in all but three Premier League games last season, becoming a key player under Unai Emery.
With Villa facing the exciting but daunting prospect of juggling domestic and European football, defensive reinforcements are a must and a significant update has emerged regarding their chase of a World Cup-winning left back.
Aston Villa transfer news – What's the latest?
According to Diario de Sevilla (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa have 'made their move' for Sevilla's Marcos Acuna over the last week having seen two bids rejected, with the first being deemed 'far too low'.
A third bid is reportedly in the pipeline, however, the Spanish giants are only open to a potential deal if they can secure the right price for the 31-year-old. It's said a deal is now 'getting closer'.
Acuna is open to a move to Villa, so if the correct price can be negotiated, the Argentinian will be Emery's latest recruit.
How good is Marcos Acuna?
The "quality" Acuna – as dubbed by journalist Zach Lowy – has played for Sevilla since 2020, making 125 appearances and recording 18 goal involvements with the most joyous moments of his career coming in recent times.
From featuring in all but one of Argentina's matches on their way to a World Cup triumph in Qatar to lifting the Europa League trophy in June, it's fair to say that it's been a whirlwind 12 months for Acuna.
With transfer links drawn towards the 5 foot 8 ace, Villa supporters would have kept a close eye on his performance in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
Despite losing on penalties to Manchester City, the World Cup winner played a full 90 minutes and provided the assist for Youssef En-Nesyri's goal, which was later cancelled out by Cole Palmer's equaliser.
Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna.
While Sevilla would have been disappointed by this defeat, Acuna was subject to high praise from Pep Guardiola when discussing Palmer's future.
He said: "it’s not easy to play against defenders like [Marcos] Acuna, for example, who is a top defender."
When one of the best managers in the world directs high praise towards a player, it's difficult not to take notice, especially after a phenomenal 2022/23 season.
Acuna stands-out out in La Liga when comparing his attacking stats to his positional peers, ranking in the top 10% for non-penalty goals (0.14), expected assists (0.27), shot-creating actions (4.80), crosses (6.92) and key passes 1.79), via FBref.
With Alex Moreno and Lucas Digne to compete against in his position, those attacking stats, in particular, prove that he has the quality to challenge or perhaps even make that spot his own.
Having already signed a Europa League-winning defender in Pau Torres, adding Acuna to the ranks is a mouth-watering proposition with the pair looking tailor-made to form a strong partnership.
Torres happened to replace the aforementioned Mings in light of his horrendous injury against Newcastle and then made his first start against Everton on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet.
He won 100% of his aerial duels and completed 90% of his passes from a left centre-back berth, as per Sofascore.
Such a role could see him thrive alongside Acuna, with a solid and dependable left-sided combination set to emerge for Emery.
Wolverhampton Wanderers could eventually be stumped in their bid to land Bristol City playmaker Alex Scott as they struggle to scramble funds together to acquire the England youth international, according to journalist Dean Jones.
Is Alex Scott moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers?
As per The Express & Star, Wolves are in a precarious position with regard to their pursuit of Scott after seeing separate bids of £18 million and £20 million turned down for his services by Bristol City.
The report states that the money needed to sign the 19-year-old is 'unavailable' due to a risk of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, potentially putting their efforts to buy Scott in doubt.
Football Insider have revealed that Bristol City chairman John Lansdown is holding out for a fee of £25 million before he will agree to sanction the Guernsey-born playmaker's exit from Ashton Gate.
Last term, the youngster established himself as a key player for Bristol City, registering two goals and five assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.
Over the course of the window, Bournemouth, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan have all been linked with Scott, which is a testament to his potential despite his relative inexperience in the game.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks that Wolves could eventually be upended in their efforts to land Scott as his other suitors may spot an opportunity to take advantage of their financial irregularities.
Jones stated: “This has become very frustrating. One week ago, Wolves looked like they might be able to start moving forward, but these FFP fears continue to hold them back.
“So… While they have intentions over a third bid for Scott, they must be careful. I still think they can get him, but that is as long as no one else makes a massive bid while they are trying to clear more players from the squad, but it’s a bit at risk as we get to August and a key time for recruitment.
“At some point, someone will meet Bristol City’s valuation, and sources close to the selling club say there is not much optimism of Wolves stepping forward with £25m in the coming days.
“But, at the same time, others touted, like Spurs, aren’t moving either. If anyone is a threat, it might be Bournemouth. They have gone a little quiet and may be working on something.”
What now for Wolverhampton Wanderers?
In all honesty, Wolves have endured a torrid transfer window and only Republic of Ireland international Matt Doherty and experienced stopper Tom King have been added to Julen Lopetegui's thin squad as new additions this summer, as per Transfermarkt.
Big-name departures such as Ruben Neves and Nathan Collins haven't helped their cause, while dressing room presences such as Diego Costa and Joao Moutinho have also left the building, which is hardly cause for optimism around Molineux as the new Premier League campaign draws closer.
West Ham'sAaron Cresswell
Wolves had been in negotiations with West Ham in an attempt to acquire veteran full-back Aaron Cresswell ahead of the new campaign; however, the Hammers pulled the plug on any notion of a deal as a fee couldn't be agreed between both parties, as per The Daily Mail.
Old Gold boss Lopetegui has admitted he is "worried" about the size of the squad he has to work with at Wolves this term and the collective anxiety around the club is likely to continue the longer the window drags on if further reinforcements don't appear between now and the close of play in the market.
Manchester United are considering a player-plus-cash swoop for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, in a deal worth over £100million, according to reports.
Where would Rice play at United?
Rice would be an amazing signing for United, acquiring a player who is attracting interest from multiple top sides. The Irons captain is an incredibly versatile midfielder capable of playing multiple roles, from centre-back to defensive midfield to being a box-to-box player.
Former West Ham defender James Collins has referred to Rice as "outstanding" and "incredible", a sentiment many United fans would echo.
And the England star could be implemented in a variety of ways at Old Trafford with much depending on who else United bring in. Rice could play deep next to Casemiro, this would be an incredible pivot which would boss games, with the 24-year-old having the ball skills to drive United forward.
Alternatively, with a move for Mason Mount increasingly likely, Erik ten Hag could shake up his midfield, potentially opting for a style similar to Man City in possession, a 3-2-4-1.
One final option, probably least likely, would be Rice as a defender, who has the ball playing ability to step into midfield while in possession, with the defensive acumen to be solid at the back.
What could Manchester United offer for Rice?
With Rice having a transfer value set at around £100m, United are unlikely to want to stump this up in a simple cash deal. Therefore, it appears that a cash-plus player deal is a better fit for the Glazers, who have often been criticised by fans for their lack of funding.
United's hopes will have been boosted since reports suggested West Ham United are 'targeting' Scott McTominay according to The Guardian. Therefore, this could be a logical move for both clubs involved. There have also been reports that Harry Maguire would also be considered by West Ham.
This makes suggestions of a player-cash deal seem more likely than previously thought when initially reported. The Telegraph now report that United chiefs are set to challenge Arsenal for the Conference League winner, in a move which would greatly impact both teams.
With McTominay currently valued all the way up to £50m according to reports from TalkSport and Maguire being valued around £30m, it would likely cost United at least £30-40m plus those two.
This could be a brilliant deal for all parties involved, as West Ham would receive two players they want along with some cash, while United would be allowing two players to leave who have no place in the squad at Old Trafford.
Jurrien Timber “wants to join Arsenal,” and with the deal getting “the green light by all parties”, it shouldn’t take long for the player to officially join the North London side, claims journalist Paul Brown.It has been a busy start to the transfer window for Arsenal, with the deal for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz reportedly reaching its conclusion, the ongoing saga over West Ham United’s Decan Rice, and now the rapid pace at which the deal for Timber seems to be developing.
Arsenal transfer news – what’s the latest on Jurrien Timber?
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group A – Napoli v Ajax Amsterdam – Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy – October 12, 2022 Napoli's Victor Osimhen in action with Ajax Amsterdam's Jurrien Timber REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
The Dutch defender has impressed for Ajax for several years now, and this time last summer, it looked like his performances had earned him a move to Manchester United with former manager Erik ten Hag.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side now looks to be in the driving seat for the player’s signature, with David Ornstein first confirming the Gunners’ interest in the 22-year-old on June 19th.
The deal looks to have rapidly developed since then, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Arsenal have submitted a second bid for the 5 foot 10 dynamo in the region of €45/48m (£39/41m) and that the Timber “loves Arsenal’s project and wants to join them.”
What has journalist Paul Brown said about Jurrien Timber to Arsenal?
Brown was very confident that Timber’s move to North London was just around the corner as all parties seemed to be nearing an agreement on the transfer.
Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: “Timber clearly wants to join Arsenal. It seems to have been given the green light by all parties so far, so I do think that one will happen and it won’t take very long to get done.”
How good is Jurrien Timber?
Timber has been one of Ajax’s stand-out stars for a couple of years, first making his debut for the club on March 7th 2020, in a 3-1 win over SC Heerenveen.
Since that game, he has pulled on the famous red and white of the Netherlands’ biggest team 121 times, scoring six goals and assisting another four.
Despite not getting his move to United last summer, he still had a great season in the Dutch capital, averaging an impressive rating of 6.89 across his 34 Eredivisie matches, per WhoScored.
One of the Utrecht-born gem’s biggest strengths is his positional versatility, having played as both a centre-half and right-back during his career, something that has unsurprisingly caught the eye of Arteta.
The Spaniard has developed a system in which the team’s right-back often tucks in as a third centre-half when the team has the ball, and while Ben White has proven to be excellent in this role, he would likely benefit from some competition and some cover, which is where Timber could truly add value to the team.
If Arsenal really are about to sign the “unbelievable” player – as once described by national teammate Daly Blind – their backline could be much scarier next season.
Having beaten Chelsea in their last outing, Nottingham Forest will be desperate to get back amongst it in the Premier League following an international break.
Anthony Elanga, who joined Forest from Manchester United in the summer, scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge.
Burnley meanwhile fell at home to Tottenham Hotspur despite taking an early lead. The Clarets were ahead thanks to South African international Lyle Foster after just 4 minutes but a Heung-min Son hat-trick made all the difference in a 5-2 win for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
That win for Nottingham Forest takes them into the top half whilst Burnley remain at the foot of the table as one of only two teams, along with Luton Town, yet to pick up a point this term.
Next time out, the pair will face off at the City Ground and we at Football FanCast have peeled the curtain back on the history of this fixture, so you don’t have to.
Nottingham Forest vs Burnley: Who has the better head-to-head record (competitive games only)?
This year’s form doesn’t in any way reflect how these two teams have fared against each other in the past with Burnley having the slight edge. These games have been fairly well spread out between top-tier football and life in the second division too.
Nottingham Forest wins 37 Draws 28 Burnley wins 43 Nottingham Forest vs Burnley: Who has more wins at the City Ground?
Home form prevails for Nottingham Forest with their 55% win rate in this fixture at the City Ground being very respectable indeed.
Forest bounced around a few different stadiums in the area before arriving at The City Ground in 1898, where they’ve been ever since.
Nottingham Forest wins 29 Draws 13 Burnley wins 11 Nottingham Forest vs Burnley: Who has more wins at Turf Moor?
Unlike Nottingham Forest, Burnley have never known anything different than Turf Moor. Similarly though, they have won more often than not on their own patch, at a rate of 58%, slightly higher than that of their upcoming opponents.
The club became one of the first professional teams in all the land in 1883 and they have that one ground since then.
Nottingham Forest wins 08 Draws 15 Burnley wins 32 Nottingham Forest vs Burnley: Who has the better cup record?
Cup meetings between Nottingham Forest and Burnley have been few and far between with the two crossing paths just eight times since their first ever meeting in 1906.
Twice in the FA Cup these two teams have played but both of these outings came in the 1934/1935 season with the first attempt being drawn 0-0, before Burnley won the replayed game 3-0.
Nottingham Forest wins 02 Draws 01 Burnley wins 05 Nottingham Forest vs Burnley: How have the last 5 meetings played out?
Burnley’s recent stints in the Premier League have not coincided with that of Nottingham Forest until now, meaning that this will be the first meeting of the pair since the competition was created three decades ago.
30th August 2023- Nottingham Forest 0-1 Burnley:
Whilst it isn't a league meeting, these two teams will be familiar with each other after they were drawn together in the second round of the League Cup, which was played just a couple of weeks ago.
Some key players were rested but others remained in the XIs for the respective managers and so Steve Cooper wouldn’t have been particularly impressed to be eliminated so early. It was a stalemate for the majority of the game until Swiss substitute Zeki Amdouni sent the away fans into raptures at the City Ground in the 90th minute.
23rd February 2016- Burnley 1-0 Nottingham Forest:
We now travel back several years to the last league matchup between Nottingham Forest and Burnley.
The latter won the title that year in emphatic fashion but this dominance wasn’t necessarily reflected when crossing paths with Forest. Once again, it was decided by a single goal and the scorer this time was Sam Vokes.
20th October 2015- Nottingham Forest 1-1 Burnley:
In the reverse fixture, with Nottingham Forest’s season not yet having been derailed, they were able to hold Sean Dyche’s side to draw in a dreaded EFL midweek game.
The drama came in the last fifteen minutes with Forest shooting themselves in the foot just moments after taking the lead. Eric Lichaj found the back of the net only for Henri Lansbury to be sent off a couple of minutes later. An experienced and versatile Matthew Taylor was on hand to equalize in the dying embers.
22nd February 2014- Burnley 3-1 Nottingham Forest:
We’re again talking about a season that saw Burnley promoted to the Premier League and again, they came out on top against Nottingham Forest at Turf Moor.
Burnley stormed into a 3-0 lead before half-time thanks to a Scott Arfield strike and a Vokes brace. Djamel Abdoun missed from the penalty spot and then proceeded to convert the rebound but it was nothing more than a consolation.
23rd November 2013- Nottingham Forest 1-1 Burnley:
Sam Vokes continued his streak of bothering the Forest backline with his goal in their 1-1 draw in Nottingham coming from twelve yards out.
Who has played for both Nottingham Forest and Burnley?
Chris Wood (Burnley 2017-2022; Nottingham Forest 2023-current)
The first of three players to have played for both Nottingham Forest and Burnley is still currently active for the former.
Chris Wood performed well for Leicester City and Leeds United but he truly made his name as a Burnley player. He enjoyed both Premier League and Championship football with the Clarets before moving on to Newcastle United last summer. That transfer didn’t really work and after being loaned to Forest for the second-half of last season, he has now joined Cooper’s ranks on a permanent basis.
George Boyd (Nottingham Forest 2010; Burnley 2014-2017)
George Boyd is another player who enjoyed the highs of promotion and lows of relegation with Burnley and played some of his best football for them.
His spell with Nottingham Forest was a brief one, joining on loan from Peterborough United before he eventually established himself as a key player with the Posh. The Scottish international most recently played for Salford City before announcing his retirement in late 2021.
All three of these players incidentally played for Burnley in 2017 but Tendayi Darikwa is more closely associated with Nottingham Forest and may even be a sort of cult hero in and around the Trent.
The Zimbabwe international was actually born in Nottingham and yet it was Chesterfield where he played as a youngster. He eventually gravitated towards the City Ground where he played under the likes of Aitor Karanka and Sabri Lamouchi. Darikwa is currently plying his trade in Cyprus having left Wigan Athletic earlier this year.
What is Nottingham Forest’s biggest victory over Burnley?
18th September 1957: Nottingham Forest 7-0 Burnley
Nottingham Forest’s biggest win over Burnley saw them score seven unanswered goals nearly 70 years ago. Stewart Imlach and Tommy Wilson were amongst the scorers as they got two-a-piece.
They finished second in the second division the year prior and so were promoted to the top flight where this 7-0 pasting took place. At the end of the 1957/58 season, Forest ended up, very respectably, in tenth.
What is Burnley’s biggest victory over Nottingham Forest?
Destiny Udogie
21st November 1959: Burnley 8-0 Nottingham Forest
It didn’t take long for Burnley to get their own back and they went one step further in fact.
Their 8-0 drubbing of Forest took place in the 1959/60 season and saw Jimmy Robson notch five goals. Also on the score sheet were Brian Pilkington and Ray Pointer (2).
Nottingham Forest vs Burnley: Key stats This will be the 1st ever league meeting between the two clubs in the Premier League era Burnley haven’t lost to Nottingham Forest in their last 8 meetings Neither team have drawn a single game so far this season Nottingham Forest vs Burnley: Famous fixtures
22nd February 2014- Burnley 3-1 Nottingham Forest:
The first of two famous meetings between these clubs has already been talked about with Burnley’s eventual promotion being the headline.
Sean Dyche’s side enjoyed automatic promotion alongside champions Leicester City whilst Nottingham Forest only ended up six points away from the playoff spots. Had this game gone differently then maybe we would be discussing a very different story.
23rd October 1976- Nottingham Forest 5-2 Burnley:
Our other famous fixture instead favours Nottingham Forest and it took place nearly 50 years ago. They beat Burnley 5-2 at the City Ground on their way to a promotion of their own. It was just the third game of the season and so this victory propelled Brian Clough’s team onto greatness.
The game becomes all the more significant when you consider that after this season, the pair wouldn’t cross paths in a league fixture for another 23 years or so as promotions and relegations continued to keep them apart. All the leagues game that followed were in the Championship because, as previously mentioned, these two teams haven’t clashed in the Premier League (until this weekend).
Crystal Palace admire Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier, and a new report has made it clear whether they will stand a chance of signing him before the end of the transfer window…
What's the latest Crystal Palace transfer news?
Palace have had a very quiet summer transfer window up to this point, only signing Jefferson Lerma and Matheus Franca, but there have been plenty of outgoings, with star player Wilfried Zaha joining Galatasaray, and Michael Olise could also be off.
Chelsea have activated Olise's £35m release clause, and he is now poised to move to Stamford Bridge, meaning Roy Hodgson may have to strengthen his squad considerably before the transfer window closes in just over two weeks time.
The Eagles have started to identify some new attacking targets, with Sporting CP's Issakau Fatawu recently emerging as an option, and Hodgson is also keen on signing Southampton striker Che Adams, in what could be a £10m deal.
Although the main outgoings this summer have been in attack, Hodgson could also look at bolstering their backline this summer, and his side have now been named as potential suitors for Dier.
According to a report from 90min, Palace are one of several clubs that admire the Tottenham defender alongside Celtic, AS Monaco, a number of unnamed Bundesliga teams and Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Sporting CP would also contemplate a reunion with their former player, if they were to sell Goncalo Inacio in the next few weeks, with Benfica also monitoring him, so the 29-year-old is unlikely to have a shortage of offers on the table.
The report makes it clear that Spurs would be open to selling their £85k-per-week defender, given that he has fallen down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou, indicating that Palace, and all the other potential suitors could stand a good chance of signing him.
Why is Eric Dier not playing for Spurs?
The England international underwent surgery at the end of the season, meaning he was not central to Postecoglou's plans, and he has since been snubbed by the new Tottenham manager, having been overlooked for captaincy duties.
Having been omitted from the squad for Spurs' Premier League opener against Brentford, in what was purely a tactical decision, it appears as though the former Sporting man's time in north London is coming to an end.
A move across the capital may be exactly what he needs to reignite his career, and the centre-back could be a solid addition to Hodgson's squad, having been hailed as a "fantastic player" by former teammate Harry Kane.
Spurs defender Eric Dier.
Gareth Southgate has also hailed the Englishman for the influence he has both on and off the pitch, saying:
"We know what a good character he is. He fits in with the culture and has great international experience and leadership qualities."
Dier has a huge amount of Premier League experience, making 270 top-flight appearances, and he could help shore up the Palace backline. However, Hodgson's main aim currently should be to bring in some new attacking options, given that Zaha has already left, and Olise is set to sign for Chelsea, but a move for Dier looks like one to watch.
Southampton ‘have had interest’ from former Premier League manager Frank Lampard in the vacant role on the south coast, according to recent reports.
The Lowdown: Marsch talks break down…
It was widely believed just two days ago that former Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch was set to take charge at St Mary’s after positive talks.
However, after a managerial twist, negotiations with the American broke down, with reliable sources suggesting that the main reason was down to contract length.
After sacking the under-fire Nathan Jones last weekend, Southampton are now back to square one in their search for his successor, and Sport Republic’s next move could be crucial.
The Latest: Southampton attracting Lampard’s interest?
According to The Guardian, in terms of alternatives to Marsch, there could be a handful of contenders for the vacancy at St Mary’s, with some big names displaying an interest in the role.
One of those is former Chelsea and Everton boss Lampard, with the report stating that apparently the Southampton board ‘have had interest’ from the 44-year-old among other candidates.
The Verdict: Good option?
The Premier League playing legend’s last two high-profile jobs at Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park ended in his prompt dismissal, but Lampard did guide Derby County to the Championship play-off final in 2019, and he has managerial experience in both of the top two divisions in England.
He has also survived relegation battles before, having steered Everton away from the drop zone towards the end of last season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also once heralded the ‘exceptional job’ that he feels Lampard performed at Chelsea back in 2020 before his eventual sacking, so the 44-year-old does come with some credentials.
However, given that the majority of his roles have ended in disappointment, Southampton must be wary of hiring the former Everton boss and perhaps ascertain why – if they do indeed regard Lampard as a viable candidate.
Erling Haaland has shown he doesn’t save all of his goals for games, scoring an unbelievable volley during training for Norway.
What’s the latest on Erling Haaland?
The 22-year-old had an explosive first season in England, scoring 52 goals and creating nine assists across all competitions after joining Manchester City last summer.
His goalscoring prowess isn’t just saved for club football, though, with Haaland scoring for Norway during the nation’s recent 2-1 loss to Scotland, and now he’s shown that he keeps finding the back of the net, even in training as a video of him scoring a spectacular volley has surfaced on Twitter.
After the ball was played in his direction, the forward controlled it with his chest, before letting it bounce. Then he took aim and unleashed a ferocious effort that struck the inside of the post before sailing into the back of the net.
No keeper in the world would have been able to keep it out, and it serves as a reminder of just how good Haaland is in front of goal. The striker has, at times, been accused of only scoring from close range, so the goal will silence the critics and prove he is capable of scoring from anywhere.
Check out the effort in all its glory below.
Here are some of the best fan reactions on Twitter to the sublime finish…
The plaudits kept coming, with fans comparing Haaland to a certain Transformer, an extraterrestrial and even an ancient Norse warrior…
One fan was quick to point out the goal was quite different to the close-range finishes he’d become known for, while another questioned why we don’t see more of those from the forward in games…
An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their pursuit of a deal to further bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…
What's the latest Rangers transfer news?
According to The Athletic's Jordan Campbell, the Light Blues are "edging closer" to an agreement with Feyenoord to sign Brazilian centre-forward Danilo during the transfer window.
The reporter has stated that the Gers have upped their offer from €3.5m (£3m) to €6m (£5.2m) including realistic add-ons as Michael Beale closes in on his eighth signing of the summer.
Sam Lammers, Leon Balogun, Cyriel Dessers, Abdallah Sima, Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, and Jack Butland have all joined the club to date.
Campbell claims that the two clubs are not far apart in their valuations and that there is a belief on both sides of the deal that this transfer will go through eventually.
How many goals did Danilo score last season?
The 24-year-old marksman scored an eye-catching ten Eredivisie goals in 14 starts for Feyenoord throughout the 2022/23 campaign and has the potential to be an excellent partner for Dessers.
Campbell has claimed that the possible signing would be used as a "hybrid" forward alongside the former Cremonese number nine in attack next season for the Light Blues.
This suggests that Danilo could play in a role that would allow him to join Dessers in a front two to spearhead the attack whilst also being given the freedom to drop deeper and move out wide in order to link up play with the midfield and wingers, which would allow the Nigerian international to remain through the middle as the focal point for Beale.
Former Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers.
The ex-Brazil U23 international has been a prolific scorer throughout his youth and senior career to date and could form a lethal partnership with the 28-year-old dynamo.
Danilo's impressive Eredivisie return last term came after he managed 15 goals in 26 matches for Ajax's first-team and reserves combined, which included six goals in three cup games. He also caught the eye during the 2020/21 campaign on loan at FC Twente with 17 strikes in 33 league outings.
The £5.2m-rated ace, who scored 31 goals in 51 U21 clashes for Ajax, has proven himself to be a reliable scorer, which could strike fear into opposition defenders if they see him lining up alongside Dessers, whose form for Feyenoord – prior to Danilo's move there – suggests that he can also be a monster in front of goal.
Throughout the 2021/22 season, the Nigerian goal machine plundered an outstanding 19 goals in 16 starts across the Europa Conference League and Eredivisie, which included nine goals in nine Dutch top-flight starts.
No Rangers striker found the back of the net more than 14 times in the Scottish Premiership for Beale last term. Both Dessers, who scored 22 goals and provided 13 assists in 36 games for NAC Breda in 2016/17, and Danilo have the potential to score 15 or more league goals in a season.
Therefore, the possible strike partnership for the Light Blues could be one that causes panic among opposition defences over the coming months as centre-backs could have two prolific and consistent number nines to deal with throughout matches, which could cause havoc in the box.