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While Everton have suffered a turbulent few months with off-the-field issues resulting in a ten-point deduction, manager Sean Dyche has impressed this season with the Toffees' Premier League status in their own hands with 13 games remaining.

Dyche's side currently sit in 17th place, outside the relegation zone on goal difference ahead of Rob Edwards' Luton Town. However, had the Merseysiders not received that points deduction for the FFP breach, the club would be sitting in 12th and comfortably clear of any potential relegation to England's second tier.

The financial problems behind the scenes at Goodison Park have prevented Dyche from bringing in any new signings, with the former Burnley boss only able to work on a shoestring budget.

The Englishman has often put trust in some of his younger first-team members, such as Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner – with the pair both cementing their places in Everton's starting eleven.

However, the manager has been let down by some of his senior first-team members this season, with one player, in particular, struggling with the demands of the Premier League.

The fee Everton paid for Michael Keane

Everton forked out a huge £30m for defender Michael Keane from Burnley during the summer of 2017, with Keane impressing for the Clarets in a season where they survived by six points.

Keane impressed in his first season at Goodison, starting 30 times over the course of the campaign and helping the Toffees secure an 8th-place finish in the Premier League, with his former side Burnley finishing five points ahead – reaching the Europa League qualifiers.

The defender remained a crucial part of the Toffees' backline for the 2018/2019 campaign, with Keane making 33 appearances in the top flight and looking good value for his hefty price tag.

His place as a starting centre-back would remain until the 2022/23 season, with the defender starting to allow mistakes to creep into his game. His mistakes, coupled with the signing of James Tarkowski, saw his game time drop, with Keane only featuring 12 times in the Premier League last season.

Michael Keane's market value in 2024

Now aged 31, Keane finds himself as Everton's third-choice centre-back behind Tarkowski and emerging talent Branthwaite, who has been subject to £50m interest from multiple other Premier League outfits.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Keane, who is "always struggling" according to talkSPORT's Perry Groves, is now only worth £4m, as per CIES Football Observatory – a drop of £26m from the fee the club paid for him six years ago.

The defender has only featured seven times in the league this season, with the one-time Manchester United man having 18 months left on his current contract at Goodison.

The defender, who earns £80k-per-week, only averages 0.9 tackles per 90 in the last year – ranking in just the bottom 10% among his peers across Europe's top five leagues. Keane also has a pass completion rate of 72%, with his figure in the lowest 2% of other centre-backs in Europe's top five divisions.

With Keane – who was reportedly told he could leave last month – on such a high wage, the club may look to move him on in the summer, with the United academy graduate now looking like a shadow of his former self.

Manchester City have been rocked by the news that a "world-class" star could leave to join a European giant this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Man City transfer news

Pep Guardiola may have built one of the greatest squads in the history of English football, but he is always on the lookout for new signings, in order to keep his current players on their toes.

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been linked with a move to the Etihad at the end of the season, with the Hammers unlikely to keep hold of him after he nearly moved to Manchester last summer.

Young Brazilian sensation Savio is expected to join from Girona in the summer, with the 19-year-old a forward with a bright future, currently on loan in Spain from another City Football Group club in Troyes.

It is also vital that City retain the services of the most important players at the club, not least star striker Erling Haaland, whose future has been in the news at times of late. They are confident that they can tie him down to a new deal, though.

Another crucial figure is now being linked with a move away from the Etihad in the summer transfer window, however, in an update that will concern many supporters.

Man City could lose Bernardo Silva

According to Telefoot on X, Bernardo Silva could leave Manchester City for Paris Saint-Germain this summer, having even "agreed" to join them last summer.

"Another avenue studied: Bernardo Silva, who already agreed to join Paris last season, before being retained by Pep Guardiola at City. The Portuguese is still in PSG's little papers."

Bernardo has been a sensational player for City ever since arriving from Monaco back in 2017, producing so many memorable moments along the way and winning five Premier League titles. For that reason, it doesn't bear thinking about him moving on, considering he is still only 29 years of age and in his prime as a player.

Appearances

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63

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He has rightly been hailed as a "world-class" footballer by Dion Dublin, and meanwhile, Guardiola has spoken about him in the most glowing way possible in the past, even comparing him to all-time great Lionel Messi:

"He is an extraordinary player, he made two great goals. The action from the second goal looks like Messi, Messi has done that many times. Everyone is so happy to have him here."

Bernardo is the perfect midfielder for City, not only possessing the elite technical brilliance to thrive in such a special team, but also having an incredible engine and winning mentality, allowing him to dig deep in big games and act as a nuisance to opponents.

Manchester City now eyeing £200m double deal for “bulldog” and “strong” player

The Premier League champions are not messing around…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 19, 2024

It does feel as though the Portuguese is linked with a move away every year, only to end up staying put, and the hope is that the same thing happens this summer, with his current City deal not expiring until 2026.

England lost on penalties to Italy in the final of Euro 2020, and here is how Gareth Southgate plans to avoid the same heartbreak.

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Southgate planning to avoid penalty issuesEngland players undergoing extra penalty sessionsLost the Euro 2020 final on penaltiesGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

England came close to their first men's international title since 1966 when they took on the Azzurri in the shootout. However, misses from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka meant that the Three Lions faltered yet again in a major tournament.

AdvertisementTHE EXPLANATION

As per The Daily Mail, England players have been undertaking extra sessions to focus on penalty-taking as Southgate wants all the players to be properly prepared in case there is a shootout in the current tournament. Even defenders like Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi are being put to the test.

WHAT KONSA AND GUEHI SAID

Speaking to the media, Konsa said: "We've been practising it after training, a few players go off and practice penalties. Look, we're not thinking about going to penalties on Sunday, but if it comes to it, we'll be well prepared."

Guehi added: "We’ve been doing a lot of work. The work’s been going really well across the team on penalties. It’s important to make sure we’re ready."

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Southgate is no stranger to heartbreak in shootouts as he missed a crucial penalty for England against Germany in the semi-final of the Euro 1996. Hence, he has tried to make sure all his players are confident from 12 yards.

Arsenal have yet to delve into the transfer market and sign anyone this month despite being linked with numerous players over the previous few weeks.

Ivan Toney has been perennially linked with a move to the Emirates, while Mikel Arteta has even shown interest in bringing Karim Benzema to north London for the second half of the season.

Both of these moves look unlikely now, especially with just a few days left until deadline day, but that is not to say the Spaniard won't try to sign at least one player.

Arsenal’s search for new signings

Despite a plethora of marquee names being linked with a move, it could be a player thriving in the Championship who Arteta may look to sign. That’s according to journalist David Ornstein, who gave an update on the future of Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

“Brighton in negotiations with Leicester to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. LCFC want ~£30m.

“Gap in valuations but talks ongoing. Competition from Brentford (Arsenal + Fulham admire too) but European football puts BHAFC in driving seat.”

Although he states that Brighton are leading the chase, the nature of the transfer window suggests that anything could happen over the coming days.

The Gunners are currently in contention to win their first Premier League title for 20 years, while the north Londoners are through to the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign.

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With a month remaining in the transfer window, Arsenal are busy lining up their transfer targets.

ByHal Fish Jul 31, 2024

Adding a new signing or two could give Arteta some added squad depth ahead of a crucial few months and Dewsbury-Hall may even be a long-term replacement for Thomas Partey.

Thomas Partey’s future at Arsenal is unclear

It is no secret that Arteta is filling his squad with hungry young talent that he hopes will dominate England over the next few years.

Signing players such as Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz last summer is evidence of this philosophy and a move for Dewsbury-Hall would certainly fit into his vision.

This could mean moving a player or two on and Partey is one of the ageing midfielders in his squad who could be on the way out of the Emirates.

Since arriving from Atlético Madrid ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, the Ghanaian midfielder has made 104 appearances for Arsenal, yet has played over 24 league matches just once in his first three full seasons.

So far this season, the 30-year-old has missed 20 matches due to injury, and with just 18 months left on his current contract, could he be approaching the end of his spell in London?

Back in October, 90min claimed that Partey could consider a move away from Arsenal if he was not given more opportunities in the starting XI.

Fast-forward three months and he has started just three league games this term, with the last coming against Fulham in August.

According to reports in Spain (via the Daily Express), Barcelona are showing interest in the midfielder and his time in the Premier League could be about to come to an end.

Dewsbury-Hall is five years younger than Partey, and he could turn out to be an ideal replacement for the former Atlético gem, who looks certain to leave sooner rather than later.

The stats show why Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would be a good signing for Arsenal

Since making his debut for the Foxes during the 2019/20 campaign, the midfielder has racked up 114 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals and registering 14 assists in the process.

Despite their relegation last season, the Englishman was one of Leicester's more impressive performers, and it showed that they still had plenty of talent among their ranks.

Indeed, the 25-year-old ranked third among the squad for successful dribbles per game (1.3) along with ranking third for key passes per game (1.3) and he has taken his game to another level in the second tier during 2023/24.

Not only does the midfielder currently rank first in the squad for key passes per game (2.7) and combined goals and assists (18), but he also ranks second for big chances created (12) and fourth for successful dribbles per game (1.3), clearly showcasing his abilities in the Championship as he aims to bring Leicester back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Writer Kyle Boas lavished praise on the midfielder amid his links to the Premier League, saying he is “one of the most press-resistant midfielders in England” and he would certainly offer a greater attacking threat to Partey judging by his statistics this season.

His manager, Enzo Maresca, has also lauded the player following his performances, saying back in November:

"He is so dangerous near the box, and has the quality to score or assist from anywhere. He could already have had 10 or 12 assists. He is probably the most-improved for us and he's in the perfect position."

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2

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2.7

3

12

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Dewsbury-Hall has not just impressed among his current teammates, but also when compared to positional peers in similar leagues.

Over the previous 365 days, the 25-year-old is currently ranked in the top 2% for assists, shot-creating actions, progressive carries, touches in the opposition penalty area and none-penalty goals per 90 when compared to players who play in a similar position, and showcases how much he has improved.

Signing the Foxes gem could give Arteta the licence to drop Rice slightly deeper and allow Dewsbury-Hall the freedom to further demonstrate his attacking attributes as he aims for another crack at the top flight.

A fee of £30m would not break the bank either, and the Spaniard could recoup some of that by moving on Partey during the summer transfer window, knowing that he has a more than able replacement within his squad.

The 5 foot 10 maestro can operate across a few positions, with either a central or defensive midfield slot his preferred option, but he has been pushed further forward a few times during his career.

This versatility could be a big bonus for Arteta as he looks to fill his squad with adaptable players, and Dewsbury-Hall could take the next step by joining Arsenal.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been relaxing in bed and by the pool with Georgina Rodriguez as the Al-Nassr superstar recharges ahead of Euro 2024.

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Portuguese forward chilling with familyHas international duty to come this summerRegistered another 50 goals at club levelGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese icon is ready to lead his country into another quest for continental glory this summer. He is, however, making the most of an opportunity to enjoy some down time with his family before competitive action resumes.

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Ronaldo enjoyed a productive 2023-24 campaign on a personal level, as he hit 50 goals across all competitions and made more history as the highest-scoring player in a single Saudi Pro League campaign and became the first man to claim Golden Boots in four different countries.

THE GOSSIP

He did, however, end the season without major silverware – with tears shed following a Kings Cup of Champions final defeat to Al-Hilal. The 39-year-old is over that setback and chilling with his partner and children in the sunshine before readying himself for international duty in Germany.

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WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Ronaldo has earned 206 caps for Portugal, registering a record-breaking tally of 128 goals along the way, and is showing no sign of slowing down at the very highest level. There has been talk of his lucrative contract in the Middle East being extended well beyond his 40th birthday in February 2025.

Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is set to take over at Liverpool from Jurgen Klopp and the Reds' captain Virgil van Dijk has given his opinion on the switch.

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Klopp departs Liverpool with grand farewellArne Slot set to take over at AnfieldVan Dijk talks about life post KloppGOAL/GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Klopp announced his exit from Liverpool earlier this year and Slot has all but been confirmed as the new boss. Van Dijk has given his opinion on life after Klopp and how scary the change is for the players going forward.

AdvertisementWHAT VAN DIJK SAID

Speaking to the media, Van Dijk said [via The Athletic]: "I can only see what is in there [the dressing room] and how we have been performing the whole season. There is so much room for improvement, so much room to develop. I am looking forward to next season already.

"Change is sometimes a little bit scary as you are in the unknown but the only thing you can do is trust the club. I am very curious and have a lot of questions. The Premier League and Liverpool are obviously a different ball game but we are here for him [Slot].

"I'll be here for him, whatever he needs. It is all about sticking together and giving him the chance to show what he is capable of with the other guys who will come in. Everyone knows our expectations are always huge and it is about managing that in the right way and getting the maximum out of all of our players. It starts with having a good break and then we will be ready to go again."

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

With just 12 months left on his current contract, Van Dijk's personal future is still up in the air, despite his insistence that there is nothing on the table. However, after witnessing Klopp leave Anfield on Sunday, he acknowledges it will be difficult if he does leave the club at some point.

"My future is not important at the moment. The only thing I can say now is if I have a farewell I don't think I would keep it dry [not cry]! Nothing has changed and nothing is on the table either. No changes in my situation at all."

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WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The Merseyside club will now look to announce the signing of Slot as soon as possible to begin preparations for their post-Klopp era.

Crystal Palace have submitted an offer to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, with those at Selhurst Park already receiving a response.

Crystal Palace target January signings

The Eagles appear to be after some winter window additions before the deadline, with rumours suggesting Palace would like to sign a new central midfielder and left-back. Roy Hodgson admitted last month the need for new signings due to a number of injury problems within his squad.

“All clubs have a very strong department in terms of recruitment and scouting, and so it seems to me that's an ongoing process.

“Sometimes [that] gets accelerated at a time if a club finds itself in a position where there are a lot of players that perhaps have got to be replaced for one reason or another and, as a result, the jeopardy becomes a bit stronger because you suddenly start to realise that our squad has been seriously depleted and in order to get back up the strength we have to do something about it.”

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Alongside a new midfielder and a new full-back, another attacking addition could be required, with Jean-Philippe Mateta ready to leave the club. West Ham striker Danny Ings has been rumoured as a Palace target, however, the club have already made an offer for another Premier League striker in Nketiah.

Crystal Palace make Eddie Nketiah bid

According to Football Transfers in the last 48 hours, Palace have already submitted a loan offer with an obligation to buy Nketiah in the summer. The report adds that the Gunners ‘are still not close to signing a striker this window so any possible sale of Nketiah is off the table for now’, and as a result, have turned down Palace's proposal.

Arsenal could still land a new attacker of their own before the deadline, though, which may well open the door for Nketiah, on £100,000-a-week, to leave the Emirates later this month.

The 24-year-old has been on Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman’s radar for some time now, with reports last summer claiming he was their number one target. Although they have been knocked back with their loan-to-buy bid, it does seem as if a move isn’t completely dead this month, should Arsenal land a forward of their own.

If the Englishman makes the move across London, then Palace would be getting themselves a forward who has already registered 10 goal contributions this season and has made over 100 Premier League appearances.

Eddie Nketiah career stats

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9

Leeds

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5

1

England U21

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Earning the praise of Arteta as a result of his performances, the Arsenal manager has labelled Nketiah as "incredible".

“It was a great goal but I think overall his performance was incredible. The way he understood the pressing, his intensity, the way he counter-attacked certain spaces, the composure he showed. And then he stayed patient. And in the box he produced a moment of real quality to win us the game.”

Troyes’ home match against Valenciennes had to be abandoned after supporters at the Stade de l'Aube turned on the club after a season of struggles.

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Players threw flare back into standsBought by City Football Group in 2020Ligue 2 survival chances dwindlingWHAT HAPPENED?

Troyes are on the brink of successive relegations having dropped out of Ligue 1 last season. They are currently 17th in Ligue 2, just three points ahead of both Quevilly-Rouen and Concerneau. With the team drawing 1-1 with rock-bottom Valenciennes, fans had seen enough and hurled flares onto the pitch – and some Troyes players responded by throwing them back into the stands.

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The chants of ‘Merci City’ are damning for the City Football Group, who purchased a majority stake in Troyes in September 2020. The CFG takes its name from Premier League champions Manchester City and the holding company has various other high-profile subsidiaries, including Girona, Melbourne City, New York City FC and Mumbai City. It is fronted by Khaldoon Al-Mubarak.

DID YOU KNOW?

Troyes won the now discontinued UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2001 by beating Newcastle in a two-legged final. The two teams drew 4-4 at St James’ Park, with the French outfit claiming victory courtesy of the away goals rule.

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WHAT NEXT FOR TROYES?

As Troyes await potential punishments for the game against Valenciennes being abandoned and a possible rescheduling, they can look towards their final two matches of the campaign. With Ligue 2 survival on the line, first up is a trip to Stade Laval next week before a home meeting with Annecy on May 17.

Chasing 240, Chittagong Vikings could manage only 167 for 8 despite Yasir Ali’s 48-ball 78

The Report by Mohammad Isam25-Jan-2019How the game played outRilee Rossouw and Alex Hales put on a T20 batting masterclass, scoring centuries that helped Rangpur Riders ease past the Chittagong Vikings by 72 runs. It is only the third time in T20 history that two batsmen scored hundreds in the same team innings.Their 174-run second-wicket stand, which came at a run rate of 13.38, was also the fastest 100-plus partnership in the BPL history. Hales, whose 100 came off 47 balls, struck two of his five sixes straight and two slogged over midwicket, after having whipped the first one over long-leg in the fifth over. What also powered the run-rate were the 19 fours that Hales and Rossouw hit between them.Riders’ 239 for 4 also broke the BPL record for the highest team total, which was previously made against them when Dhaka Gladiators reached 217 for 4 in 2013.Vikings couldn’t get close but Yasir Ali continued to impress with another half-century, this time making a 48-ball 78 with six fours and three sixes.Turning points The 108 runs Hales and Rossouw blasted in the eight overs between the ninth and 16th. During this period, none of the overs going for less than 10 runs. Nazmul Islam removing Mushfiqur Rahim in the seventh over after he had struck three sixes in the previous over by Shafiul Islam. It was a body-blow to the Vikings’ 240-run chase.Star of the dayRossouw was batting on five when Hales reached his fifty in the sixth over. By the time Hales reached his century, Rossouw had raced to 72 off 36 balls. He got into top gear from the 14th over when he slogged Robiul Haque for two sixes and then lifted Sikandar Raza, Khaled Ahmed and Abu Jayed for a six each in the following three overs. Rossow’s tournament tally of 459 runs is now just 27 short of Ahmed Shehzad’s BPL record of most runs (486) in a single edition.The big missThe ball after Rilee Rossouw reached his fifty, Sunzamul Islam dropped him after getting under the ball left of long-off. On its way out of his grasp, the ball also hit Sunzamul in the chin. To make matters worse, Rossouw struck Robiul for two sixes off the next two balls.Where the teams standVikings remained at the top spot with 12 points from eight games, but the Riders win boosted them to the third place, with ten points from nine outings.

Phil Parkinson suggests Wrexham's promotion is even sweeter because the publicity generated by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney motivates opponents.

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• Parkinson reflects on reaching League One
• Makes claims about Wrexham's profile
• Club promoted in consecutive seasons

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Reflecting on securing promotion for the second year running after thrashing Forest Green, having gone from the National League to League Two in 2023, to now securing a place in League One in 2024, Parkinson alluded to other sides putting a target on Wrexham's back because of the club's high profile.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Since acting duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney first made known their intention to take over Wrexham in 2020, global interest in the Welsh side has snowballed, thanks in no small part to the internationally streamed series.

• WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Parkinson told Wrexham's official website: "It's a very proud moment for myself and all the staff but we always speak about how everybody has to pull together in a football club to achieve days like this – we've certainly had that since I came in.

  "It means so much because getting promotions and getting over the line at the end of the season is hard because everybody has wanted to beat us this season as we know, with the publicity that we got last year, teams have had that extra edge to try and beat us."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Parkinson has achieved five promotions during his managerial career to date. Two have been with Wrexham, this season and last, but his first was taking Colchester into the Championship in 2006, before getting Bradford into League One in 2013 and going up to the Championship with Bolton in 2017.