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Manchester United were quite busy in the ongoing summer transfer window but they are also not showing any signs of stopping any time soon. Of course, the Jadon Sancho saga is bound to last for at least a while longer as the Red Devils look to secure their primary target.

However, even though they usually have the financial power to get the players they want, it still feels like they are not exactly that prolific on the market.

That’s what Gary Neville, a Man United icon himself, thinks. Here’s what he said about their transfer business as of late, as quoted by The Daily Mail:

“Like everyone else they had three months off because of coronavirus, so I don’t think it should be the case they didn’t have the resource or time to get things done. Chelsea got their business done, [Manchester] City have got three or four pieces done. I don’t think timing’s the issue.

“It’s just a thing with United that every time they go for a player in the last four, five, six years it feels they are a little bit desperate. They think they can hang on but they always pay it [the asking price] in the end. That’s sometimes where I think you can take control, give a hard deadline and say ‘we’re moving away from this deal'”

And maybe Neville really does have a point. Other clubs know Man United have the money and because of that, they tend to bump up the prices and the Red Devils always end up paying them.

This might also be true for Sancho as well. Even though they are refusing to meet Borussia Dortmund’s asking price at this moment in time, it does feel inevitable.

And their rivals are already taking advantage of that sloppy approach.

Verdict

Only time will tell if Man United have finally learned their lesson. But can they really get Sancho for a reduced price?

After all, the youngster is already a superstar and they simply don’t come cheap.

David Moyes’ decision to end plans to sell Andriy Yarmolenko in the summer transfer window backfired on Wednesday night when the Ukraine international offered a dismal display in the EFL Cup.

What’s the word?

Reports early in the summer by the Mirror named Yarmolenko as one of the high-earning outcasts expected to leave the London Stadium this year, with Moyes deciding that he, Felipe Anderson and Albian Ajeti would help raise funds for any needed investment in the squad.

Yarmolenko was brought to England during Manuel Pellegrini’s expensive tenure in charge of the Irons, with the Chilean signing off on a £17.5million deal and awarding the former Borussia Dortmund forward a £115,000-per-week, five-year contract that runs until 2023.

In return, West Ham fans have seen the 30-year-old feature in just 38 games for their club and play a role in 14 goals (nine scored, five assisted) across all competitions, with Yarmolenko also suffering two lengthy muscle injuries.

But Moyes had a change of heart during the summer and opted to keep Yarmolenko at the London Stadium, with ExWHUemployee stating on The West Ham Way podcast in August that the Scottish coach had liked what he’d seen from the attacker and was now keen to retain his services.

Moyes’ decision has only backfired, though, as Yarmolenko displayed all the reasons why he was initially deemed surplus to requirements as West Ham crashed out of the Carabao Cup away to Everton on Wednesday night.

A night to forget for Yarmolenko

The EFL Cup clash at Goodison Park was a night to forget for Yarmolenko as the now £8.55m-rated forward hindered more than he helped by holding West Ham back whenever the visitors sought to push forward.

Yarmolenko began well – much like his West Ham career, having scored twice against the Toffees in what was his fifth Premier League appearance – but a refusal to shift the ball onto his weaker right foot brought an end to many attacks, while football.london went as far as to say the 30-year-old “almost looked disinterested and offered nothing”.

Statistics collated by SofaScore do show Yarmolenko was an attacker responsible for 49 of the Irons’ touches and 27 accurate passes with a 73% success rate that led to two key chances, but also a player who lost five of his seven ground duels, lost possession 17 times and failed to deliver a single accurate cross.

Having failed to start any of West Ham’s Premier League fixtures so far this season and failing to enter the action at all as the Hammers hit four past Wolverhampton Wanderers, Yarmolenko should have been expected to push on against Everton rather than fall into the shadows. It was in the Carabao Cup he shone with two goals and two assists only a week before against Hull City, but he has now left Moyes with much to answer for.

AND in other news, West Ham have submitted an offer to sign David Moyes’ top striker target.

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, Steve Howey has claimed his former side Newcastle should have signed Southampton star Danny Ings.

The England international enjoyed a sparkling campaign last year for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, netting 22 Premier League goals and finishing joint-second in the race for the Golden Boot, with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy taking the crown with 23.

When asked by FFC’s James Beavis about which summer signing from another club Newcastle should have made themselves, Howey said: “I don’t think it was this summer in fairness, but I know for a while, a long while, I was singling out Danny Ings. I thought Newcastle could have benefitted from somebody like him. I think Steve McClaren was the manager, and having a quick conversation with Steve, I think the fee was something like £12m and they were quite happy to pay that. Then it went up to £15m, and it was a case of we’re not paying that fee for him.

“For me it would have been him. Having said that, I was really pleased with Callum Wilson. I’ve always liked Callum Wilson, and I like Josh King. But as I said, I think Danny Ings would have been the one.”

Wilson’s start to life on Tyneside has been a very encouraging one, with the former Bournemouth man bagging four goals in six games – the exactly same amount as Ings.

The latter however, appears to have moved up the pecking order at international level, with England manager Gareth Southgate calling him up for the recent friendlies and Nations League clashes.

Valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, Ings could have been a real marquee signing for the Magpies. But as Howey himself points out, Newcastle have still got a very good striker in the shape of Wilson.

Even though he is on the market for a couple of reinforcements himself, Steven Gerrard just might have his hands full with fending off potential suitors for Rangers stars.

According to the latest exclusive report from The Scottish Sun, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United are interested in Ryan Kent and want to buy the wide forward in the ongoing summer transfer window.

The same outlet also states the Whites are planning to table a £10m bid in an attempt to convince Rangers to part ways with their star man. At the moment, however, it does seem like Kent is very much settled in Glasgow and wouldn’t mind staying put.

But, it will be up to Bielsa to convince Gerrard to sell with an official transfer bid that could indeed make the Rangers think twice before immediately shutting them down.

Of course, Kent is not the only wanted man at Ibrox and the Gers are very much used to declining offers left and right for their players. For that reason, Bielsa is aware of the fact that he may have to pay a lot of money to get his man.

He is, however, pretty adamant on securing the signing since Leeds are going into the Premier League for the upcoming campaign and they will need all the reinforcements they can possibly get.

Will £10m actually be enough this time around? At the moment, we still don’t know but going back to England is something Kent would possibly be open to. After all, he’s already had spells at Coventry, Barnsley and Bristol City and always wanted to make it in the Premier League.

Leeds can certainly use that to their advantage.

Verdict

Losing Kent now would undoubtedly be a big hit for Rangers and their quest of breaking Celtic’s domestic dominance.

It goes without saying, for that reason, that Gerrard should do everything to ensure he stays put in the Scottish Premier League.

Referees aren’t just the guys in the middle of the pitch making sure the rules are being followed anymore, now they’re almost just as talked about as the players themselves.

Nine times out of ten they’re making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Whether it’s a dodgy penalty, missed handball, a goal kick given instead of a corner, and more recently, VAR and goalline technology mishaps, referees all around the world are now well-known names amongst the fans.

As a result, many are accused of favouring certain clubs over others and some have built reputations for being either no-nonsense or just a soft touch. Whether it’s Mike Dean or Michael Oliver, fans will have their opinions on them, mostly without much substantiation other than the fact they made one or two mad decisions that went against their team once upon a time.

Judging referees is a football fans’ favourite pastime in modern football, but do the stats back up the opinions? Well, TOFFS have recently completed a very interesting referee report that will completely change some fans’ opinions on the most recognised referees in the Premier League.

Click through the gallery to see what clubs are favoured more by certain referees, and those who should always dread having a specific man in the middle the next time they play…

Arsenal

Over the last decade, Mike Jones is the referee who has overseen the highest Arsenal win percentage (80%) when refereeing games involving the Gunners, while Michael Oliver has the lowest win percentage (22.22%).

As for cards, Stuart Attwell has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Arsenal matches in the Premier League with 2.67, although Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Arsenal players than anyone else.

Aston Villa

Lee Probert is Aston Villa’s luckiest referee over the last 10 years with a win percentage 42.86%, while Phil Dowd only ever refereed one Aston Villa victory during his career in the middle!

Mark Clattenburg has shown more cards to Villa players in the Premier League than any other referee, while Neil Swarbrick’s average of 2.13 cards-per-game is the highest ratio where Villa matches are concerned.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth fans will be hoping to see more of Kevin Friend in the near future, with the referee officially being the Cherries’ luckiest referee.

That said, Friend also loves to show Bournemouth players cards!

Bournemouth’s unluckiest referee is Lee Mason, who has only overseen one Bournemouth victory from the 12 games involving the club in which he has refereed.

Brighton

John Moss is the referee Brighton fans will not want to see in the middle of their matches in future as the referee has never been involved in a Seagulls victory from six Premier League matches.

But Craig Pawson is Brighton’s luckiest, ref, with a 50% win percentage!

John Moss also holds the record for the highest cards-per-game average for Brighton with 2.67 while Chris Kavanagh is the referee who has shown Brighton the most cards in the Premier League – 20!

Burnley

Martin Atkinson dominates the rankings here for Burnley.

He’s not only Burnley’s luckiest ref with a win percentage of 55% from 20 matches involving the Clarets, but he’s also the man who has shown more cards to their players than any other referee over the last 10 years in the top-flight – 45 yellows and 1 red, averaging 2.3 cards-per-game.

Burnley will dread seeing Michael Oliver appear in the middle of the park for their matches in future, as the ref has only see Burnley win once from 12 games he’s been involved in.

Chelsea

Over the last decade in the Premier League, Neil Swarbrick has been Chelsea’s luckiest referee with a win percentage of 83.33% from 12 games.

While Kevin Friend is the ref who has the lowest win percentage for Chelsea – 45%.

Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Chelsea players over the last 10 years (88), while Anthony Taylor has the highest cards-per-game average with 2.23.

Crystal Palace

Lee Mason is Crystal Palace’s luckiest referee with a 50% win percentage from the 12 Eagles matches he’s refereed. Kevin Friend is their unluckiest, having been in charge of one Crystal Palace victory in 13.

John Moss is the man who seems to love showing Palace players cards, having dished out 52 to Eagles stars with an average of 2.26 per-match.

Everton

Everton’s favourite referee over the last 10 years is Paul Tierney, who has a win percentage of 60%. Then man in the middle they’ll dread seeing in future is Craig Pawson, who has reffed three Toffees victories out of a possible 15!

Michael Oliver has dished out the most cards to Everton players over the last decade with 53, but Bobby Madley has the highest cards-per-game average with 2.2.

Leicester City

Anthony Taylor has overseen the highest win percentage for Leicester City over the last decade, with 53.33%. Martin Atkinson is the Foxes’ unluckiest ref with a win percentage of just under 19%.

Mike Dean is the man who loves showing Leicester players a card the most, with 37 cards shown in 21 games, but Chris Kavanagh is the most card happy where Foxes players are concerned – he averages 2.27 cards-per-game.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s luckiest referee over the last 10 years is Lee Probert, who has reffed a Reds victory in almost 77% of the 13 games he’s been involved in.

Howard Webb is Liverpool’s unluckiest referee, so Reds fans will be delighted that he’s no retired.

Martin Atkinson is the man in the middle who loves giving Liverpool players cards the most – he’s handed Reds players a whopping 71 cards in the 44 games he’s been involved in.

Manchester City

Over the last decade, Neil Swarbrick is the referee who has overseen the highest Man City win percentage (90%) when refereeing games involving City, while Mark Clattenburg has the lowest win percentage (39.29%).

As for cards, Chris Foy has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Man City matches in the Premier League with 2.12, although Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Man City players than anyone else.

Manchester United

Over the last decade, Lee Probert is the referee who has overseen the highest Manchester United win percentage (75%) when refereeing games involving the Red Devils, while Michael Oliver has the lowest win percentage (39.29%).

As for cards, Mike Dean leads way for cards in Man United matches. He’s dished out 96 cards at an average of 2.34 cards-per-game – more than any other referee over the last 10 years.

Newcastle United

Over the last decade, Chris Foy is the referee who has overseen the highest Newcastle win percentage (47.37%) when refereeing games involving the Magpies, while Mike Jones has the lowest win percentage (16.67%).

As for cards, Howard Webb has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Newcastle matches in the Premier League with 2.34, although Andre Marriner has dished out more cards to Newcastle players than anyone else.

Norwich City

Over the last decade, Howard Webb is the referee who has overseen the highest Norwich win percentage (55.56%) when refereeing games involving the Canaries, while Mike Jones has the lowest win percentage (0%).

As for cards, Kevin Friend leads way for cards in Norwich matches. He’s dished out 29 cards at an average of 2.23 cards-per-game – more than any other referee over the last 10 years.

Sheffield United

Andrew Madley, Jon Moss, Peter Bankes and Robert Jones have all refereed a Sheffield United win in the one and only game they’ve overseen involving Chris Wilder’s side.

Lee Mason, Mike Dean and Simon Hooper are all among the most card-happy referees in games involving the Blades.

Southampton

Over the last decade, Martin Atkinson is the referee who has overseen the highest Southampton win percentage (57.14%) when refereeing games involving the Saints, while Lee Probert has the lowest win percentage (0%).

As for cards, Bobby Madley has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Southampton matches in the Premier League with 2.3, although John Moss has dished out more cards to Saints players than anyone else.

Tottenham

Over the last decade, Neil Swarbrick is the referee who has overseen the highest Tottenham win percentage (81.82%) when refereeing games involving Spurs, while Lee Probert has the lowest win percentage (25%).

As for cards, Craig Pawson has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Tottenham matches in the Premier League with 2.4, although Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Spurs players than anyone else.

Watford

Over the last decade, Roger East is the referee who has overseen the highest Watford win percentage (50%) when refereeing games involving the Hornets, while Martin Atkinson has the lowest win percentage (16.67%).

As for cards, Mike Dean has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Watford matches in the Premier League with 2.64, although Anthony Taylor has dished out more cards to Watford players than anyone else.

West Ham United

Over the last decade, Martin Atkinson is the referee who has overseen the highest West Ham win percentage (41.94%) when refereeing games involving the Hammers, while Phil Dowd has the lowest win percentage (7.14%).

As for cards, Neil Swarbrick has the highest cards-per-game ratio for West Ham matches in the Premier League with 2.21, although Martin Atkinson has dished out more cards to Hammers players than anyone else – 65!

Wolves

Over the last decade, Phil Dowd is the referee who has overseen the highest Wolves win percentage (50%) when refereeing games involving the Molineux club, while Peter Walton has the lowest win percentage (11.11%).

As for cards, Stuart Attwell leads way for cards in Wolves matches. He’s dished out 38 cards at an average of 2.92 cards-per-game – more than any other referee over the last 10 years.

He may not have spent too long at Leeds United, but it’s fair to say Ian Rush fondly remembers his time with the club.The Liverpool icon played 39 times for the Whites, scoring three times, and after seeing them clinch their return to the Premier League, took to Twitter to pass on his congratulations.

It speaks volumes of the kind of affinity players build up with Leeds, that even someone who played less than 40 games for them is still absolutely buzzing to see them do well.

Can you name every one of the Leeds’ top goalscorers from the past 15 seasons? It’s a tricky one…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Two of Rush’s former sides in Liverpool and Leeds have both enjoyed historic seasons this year, and the prospect of seeing those two giants of English football face off once more in the Premier League is a mouth-watering prospect.

Despite still having a couple of games to play in the Championship, you can forgive anyone of a Leeds persuasion from looking past that and already eyeing up their first game back in the promised land.

Who’s excited?

After the roller-coaster ride of their 4-3 triumph over Leeds United last weekend, Liverpool enjoyed a more comfortable win against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds took home all three points thanks to a double from Sadio Mane, with Andreas Christensen’s red card at the end of the first-half ensuring Jurgen Klopp’s side didn’t have to sweat too much.

Can you spot your Xabi Alonso from your Bruno Cheyrou? This Liverpool quiz will have you questioning your knowledge…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

One man who didn’t enjoy the greatest of games for the Merseyside club however, was Georginio Wijnaldum. The Netherlands international has got greater competition for his place following Thiago’s arrival, and on the basis of his display against Chelsea, he’s certainly the one whose place is most under threat.

As per Sofascore, three of his four shots were off target, was dribbled past three times, and lost possession on eight separate occasions. And after watching his performance, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their frustrations.

A couple of Liverpool fans seemed to have had enough with Wijnaldum, and suggested that he should leave – reports of course have claimed that Barcelona are very much interested in luring him away from Anfield.

If Liverpool fans were waiting to see how Thiago would start life on Merseyside, then the Spain international didn’t disappoint with his second-half appearance.

Despite playing just 45 minutes, he made more passes than anyone for Chelsea, and Klopp will be keen to get him into the starting line-up as soon as possible.

Wijnaldum’s ineffectiveness against the Blues may just give him the reason to get the former Bayern Munich man integrated immediately.

Many Everton fans have responded to further claims linking Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish with a summer move to the club.

Arguably one of the best performers in the Premier League season this term, Grealish has attracted interest from a number of sides ahead of the summer transfer window.

Manchester United have been extremely keen, whilst Everton have been recently linked with a move for Villa’s club captain.

Villa, who sit 19th in the Premier League table as things stand, will have a hard task keeping the academy graduate at the club past the summer, and it has now emerged that Everton officials are ‘confident’ they can seal an agreement although the Villans want around £70m.

Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to bring in a new number of faces to the club in what will be his first summer transfer window since taking over from Marco Silva in December.

Grealish has featured 26 times in the league this season for Villa, scoring seven goals and gaining six assists in the process.

Reacting to a tweet by fan account @TheGwladysSt, fans gave their opinion on Grealish’s potential arrival:

Toffees fans, would Grealish be a good signing? Let us know below…

This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.

There have been few players to make an impact at Ibrox for Rangers in recent years quite like Alfredo Morelos.

As per Transfermarkt, the Gers signed the Colombian for £1.08m in 2017. He was purchased off the back of a stunning spell with HJK Helsinki, where he managed to score 46 times in 62 matches. However, the Finnish league is not known for its competitiveness – it remained to be seen whether he could cut it in Scotland.

Three years down the line, it is fair to say he has been a roaring success. His first term north of the border saw him score 18 goals in 43 matches – a decent return in his first year in a new country. He then followed that up with a huge 30 strikes in 48 matches during the 2018/19 campaign, before continuing to hit the back of the net on a regular basis this term as well – he already has 29 in 46 matches in all competitions.

There are some issues with him – his temperament is a problem, with him already picking up four red cards during his time at the club – but overall, he has been a brilliant signing. His performances have seen him earn six caps for his nation, scoring once, whilst he is now valued at £10.8m as per Transfermarkt.

There is plenty of interest in his services, with several clubs in England, as well as the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid said to be in pursuit. He may well leave at some point, but he has been worth every single penny since he joined – he is the jewel in former sporting director Mark Allen’s crown.

Let us know what you think below!

Loads of Tottenham fans have been drooling over an iconic goal from Gareth Bale, as Tuesday marked seven years since his final strike in the Premier League at White Hart Lane. 

Bale has scored plenty of incredible screamers throughout his career so far, including an acrobatic finish in the Champions League final, and it is fair to say this stunning goal is certainly no exception to the rule.

Fan accounts @LastWordOnSpurs and @thespursweb shared footage of the Welshman’s long-range effort against Sunderland in 2013, a match-winning strike that put the game beyond the Black Cats and propelled Spurs to 72 points, which was a record for the club. Taking a pass in the final minute of the game, he cut inside from 25 yards out, and curled the ball into the top corner.

The £28.8m-valued winger scored 56 goals and created 58 assists in 203 appearances for the Lilywhites, before leaving for La Liga giants Real Madrid, but it seems a large section of the THFC faithful still have plenty of fond memories about the “Welsh wizard.” One supporter tweeted the video is “stunning,” while another added his “technique is unbelievable.”

Scroll through some of the glowing reactions down below…

Tottenham fans, do you want the board to bring Gareth Bale back to the club in the future? Let us know in the comments section!