West Ham academy grad is now worth even less than Ings after mega £18m sale

This summer has been a huge change for West Ham United, with numerous new signings at London Stadium alongside a new manager taking the reins.

Julen Lopetegui came into the club to take over from David Moyes, splashing over £100m on new transfers to try and push for another European finish in the Premier League this season.

However, the Spaniard has endured a tricky start to life as Hammers boss, winning just one of the opening three league outings with the club currently occupying 13th place.

As well as incomings, Lopetegui has also made some key departures, freeing up potential transfer funds whilst clearing some of the players who unfortunately are no longer at the level required in England’s top flight.

Despite the recent sales, there’s one player who’s often looked past his best. That man remains at the London Stadium a couple of years after his big-money transfer to East London.

Danny Ings’ time at West Ham United

After moving from Aston Villa in a £15m move during January 2023, striker Danny Ings arrived with huge expectations of bringing much-needed goals to the West Ham side.

West Ham striker Danny Ings.

However, his switch to the capital has been anything but that, failing to make a huge impact despite his big-money move and hefty wages. The 32-year-old, who earns £125k-per-week as per Capology, has made 53 appearances for the Hammers, scoring on just four occasions.

Ings has often been utilised as a bit part player during his time at the club, but after the arrival of Niclas Füllkrug, he could find himself as the third choice slotting in behind the German and Michail Antonio.

He’s only managed five minutes of first-team action so far this campaign, with his market value dropping as a result.

That said, he still boasts a higher price tag than former wonderkid Grady Diangana, a fact that illuminates the remarkable fall in stock of their academy graduate.

Grady Diangana’s market value in 2024

Winger Diangana had huge potential to be a success at West Ham after breaking through the academy and enjoying a successful spell out on loan at West Brom.

Grady Diangana for West Ham.

He registered 14 goal contributions during the 2019/20 campaign, prompting vast interest from the Baggies on a permanent basis – to the displeasure of many at the club.

Club legend Mark Noble expressed his disappointment with the transfer on social media, but Diangana swapped London for the West Midlands in a deal that reached £18m including add-ons.

However, his move to Albion has been anything but successful, only registering 14 goals over the last five seasons – with his market value taking a hit as a result of his poor form.

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20

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0

2021/22

41

2

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2022/23

31

4

3

2023/24

36

7

8

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The 26-year-old is now only valued at just £3.3m as per Transfermarkt, with the aforementioned Ings still valued at £6.7m despite his own lack of goals for the Hammers.

Whilst at the time it may have been seen as a terrible decision to sell the forward, his recent lack of form in the Championship proves it was the right call to cash in on Diangana whilst his stock was at its highest.

West Brom winger Grady Diangana.

As for Ings, his lack of goals will be a concern for the club – especially considering his hefty wages – with the club desperately needing to address his situation at the next available opportunity.

It’s safe to say that both players’ careers haven’t gone in the direction they were wishing for.

West Ham hit gold on "generational" talent who's now worth more than Rice

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1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 10, 2024

Rashid Khan crucial in sending Trent Rockets into knockout phase, Dawid Malan seals the deal

Winner takes all when Brave and Invincibles contest final spot on Monday, Superchargers eliminated

Matt Roller15-Aug-2021Rashid Khan took three wickets and two catches to spark a collapse of 6 for 28 and send Trent Rockets into the knockout stages of the Hundred, with Dawid Malan shuffling up the order to hit his third half-century of the tournament to seal a straightforward chase.Manchester Originals, who had already been eliminated after consecutive defeats, were 70 for 1 after 40 balls when Rashid came into the attack, but he struck three times in his first six balls to set a middle-order slide in motion which proved decisive. He was unusually subdued in his celebrations, with the crisis unfolding at home in Afghanistan seemingly on his mind, but still delivered a clutch performance in a must-win game to set up an easy win.In the chase, Originals were unable to take the early wickets they needed as Malan put on 50 for the first wicket with Alex Hales, moving up to open in a bid to find some form before the knockout stages. Matt Parkinson struck twice through the middle, having Hales caught behind and Steven Mullaney top-edging to mid-on, but Samit Patel’s 35 not out saw them across the line.The result sets up a winner-takes-all fixture between Southern Brave and Oval Invincibles at the Ageas Bowl on Monday night and means that Northern Superchargers have been eliminated. In the event of a no-result or a tie on Monday, Invincibles would pip Brave to the final spot in the top three. Rockets are likely to play in Friday’s eliminator, though could go straight into Saturday’s final if Superchargers thrash Phoenix on Tuesday.King Khan
Rashid gave an interview to the in the build-up to the Hundred in which he revealed he had spent 25 nights at home in the last five years, during which time both of his parents have passed away. He has been tweeting with increasing despair over the last month about the humanitarian crisis and deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and in the context of Kabul being seized by force on Sunday, it was a credit to his professionalism that he managed to keep his focus on the matter at hand at Trent Bridge.He came on with Colin Munro set on 25 off 12 balls and playing with the uninhibited calmness of a man whose team had nothing riding on the result, and his Sussex and Adelaide Strikers team-mate Phil Salt looking to accelerate after making it through the Powerplay. His first ball was his worst, a full toss sliding down the leg side, but Salt top-edged a sweep to short fine leg to give Rashid an early breakthrough.Two balls later, he pushed through a googly which struck Colin Ackermann on the shoulder as he got low in an optimistic attempt to sweep. After a long delay due to technical difficulties, ball-tracking confirmed it was hitting the top of leg stump and Rashid had two in three balls. He changed ends for his second set of five, immediately yorking Carlos Brathwaite, and conceded four runs across a set of 10 from the same end.His final set went for two boundaries through third man – once via the outside edge, the other through a late dab – but as if to make up for those runs, he held onto a superb running catch at deep square leg, to go with an earlier effort at long-on. It was not far off a one-man show.Malan’s the man
Malan started the season with a fluent innings of 62 not out off 43 balls to help Rockets cruise to victory against Southern Brave, but managed only 86 off 79 across his next six knocks – after his sluggish 51 against Birmingham Phoenix, Moeen Ali even joked: “we kept Malan in, which was great for us”.This chase was an ideal situation for him, with limited pressure on the required rate, and he got up and running in the Powerplay with a series of trademark drives and punches through the off-side ring. He slowed down slightly through the middle and fell for a low-key 52 off 46, when miscuing to extra cover via the top edge, but had provided a foil for the right-handers and left an equation of 12 off 10 balls.Patel, who had earlier celebrated exuberantly after bowling his Nottinghamshire team-mate Joe Clarke, put the finishing touches to the chase with a pair of late sixes, before D’Arcy Short – shuffling down to No. 5 as Rockets ensured left-right partnerships throughout – thumped a full toss for four to seal the win.

'Sorry, can you tell me again?!' – Pep Guardiola reveals shock at learning length of Erling Haaland's new 10-year Man City contract

Pep Guardiola has revealed his reaction to Erling Haaland’s new contract, with the Manchester City boss left saying: "Sorry, can you tell me again."

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Signed deal through to 2034Release clause removed from termsBoss delighted with stunning agreementFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner Haaland, who helped City to a historic treble triumph during his debut campaign in England, has penned a new 10-year deal through to the summer of 2034. He will be 34 by the time that those terms come to a close.

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City’s stunning agreement appears to have brought unwelcome transfer talk around Haaland to a close, with there no longer a release clause in his contract. Even those at the Etihad Stadium were a little surprised to learn that the Norway international was committing his future to the club for quite so long.

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

Guardiola told when discussing Haaland’s new deal and his reaction to it: "When Ferran [Soriano] told me, I said ‘sorry, can you tell me again!?’ Because I could not believe it. It never happened before. After that it happened, but I don't think anybody pushed the other one. I think both [parties] wanted it. It is great news for the club, I hope [and expect] he is happy, otherwise he would not do it. To have this incredible talent, unique player and striker for the club, for the next decade, is really important.

"He would not sign a contract if he could not visualise his future as a football player at this club, and the potential and the challenge here – it would be impossible. I am really pleased, especially pleased he has done it in not an easy moment for us in terms of results.

"And to do it in this moment, I think, means a lot for the trust in everyone at this club. He knows in 10 years – I don't know what's going to happen – but he will have different backroom staff and players. So I think he signs, because he sees City in the Premier League of course, and he sees the potential [and] that the club has been one decade at the top, for many, many years.

"I think the fact that he loves to play in the Premier League is a big compliment to the Premier League, to the whole organisation, to everyone and he wants to play for the club for many reasons – incredible clubs, incredible teams, year-by-year it's getting better, and that is it."

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Haaland has been a revelation for City since signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. He hit 52 goals in his first season with the Blues and now has 111 efforts to his name through 126 appearances – with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah being chased down in another Golden Boot race this term.

Romano shares Calafiori injury update direct from Arsenal boss Arteta

Arsenal fans have been handed a much needed fitness update on Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori after speculation swirled on social media suggesting he had picked up a knock against Leicester City.

Arsenal leave it late to beat Leicester City

Mikel Arteta’s side needed two stoppage time goals to claim all three points against a resolute Leicester City side at the Emirates Stadium, despite leading 2-0 at half time and seemingly comfortable. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard put them in the driving seat to continue their unbeaten start to the Premier League, but a complacent second half saw them pegged back to 2-2 thanks to two goals from Leicester defender James Justin.

Arsenal vs Leicester City Match stats

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36

5

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3

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Heroics from Mads Hermansen threatened to deny Arsenal, with the Foxes goalkeeper making 13 saves to keep his side in the game.

However, he was eventually beaten as a set-piece took a deflection off Wilfred Ndidi deep in stoppage time, before Kai Havertz added a fourth with the last kick of the game to ensure all three points for Arsenal, which moved them within a point behind league leaders Liverpool after six games.

Though far from their fluent best and still without several first team options including talisman Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s start to the season suggests that they should be firmly in the mix for the title come the end of it.

However, there was concern on the injuries front after Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu all missed the clash with the Foxes, leaving Calafiori and Jurrien Timber as the only options for Mikel Arteta at full back.

Calafiori concern and latest injury news

And in the aftermath of the game, Arsenal insider TeamNewsandTix set alarm bells ringing by telling his followers of “unconfirmed reports that Riccardo Calafiori suffered a knee injury”, which left him “apparently in tears after the game”.

Eagle-eyed fans spotted the moment that he appeared to suffer an issue when challenging for the ball late on, before photos surfaced of the Italian defender with his left knee in a compression sleeve in the aftermath of the win.

Having suffered a horror injury to that knee during his time at Roma, and with Timber having suffered a serious knee injury in August last year, there were fears that history may be repeating itself. However, the same source has now since confirmed that Calafiori’s scans have shown no sign of a major injury, which will come as a major relief to Arsenal fans, while Fabrizio Romano has shared an update directly from the manager on Monday morning.

“Calafiori? We’ll see how he feels today, he was a bit emotional after the game,” Arteta has admitted about the Italian’s injury scare.

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It may also mean that Calafiori keeps his place as the Gunners welcome PSG to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, looking for their first win in the Champions League this season after drawing with European Champions Atalanta in Bergamo last week. That news will come as a major boost to Arteta, who is already a big fan of his latest defensive addition.

“He’s really good. He’s adapted really well to the group, his understanding is exceptional and you see he’s a player with an enormous courage and personality to play, so he’s going to give us a lot”, he told the media after he scored in their draw against Manchester City.

With left-back options at a premium in north London, his fitness could be key across the course of the season.

Lizelle Lee's 75 sets up South Africa's series lead

Ayabonga Khaka and Marizanne Kapp took a combined five wickets to restrict West Indies to 115 for 8

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Sep-2021Opener Lizelle Lee’s 75 off 52 balls helped South Africa set up a 50-run win over the hosts West Indies in the second T20I in Antigua and move up 1-0 in the series.The visitors, who were put in to bat, were off to a strong start with Lee and Dane van Niekerk combining to put up a 53-run opening stand. It was left-arm quick Qiana Joseph who made the breakthrough with van Niekerk’s wicket in the seventh over. But Lee continued on, partnering with Marizanne Kapp this time for the second wicket as the duo put up a 69-run stand. Lee brought up her fifty off 39 balls.The duo kept the runs flowing before Hayley Matthews thwarted them with a double strike in the 18th over. Lee departed for 75, hitting 12 fours and one six while Kapp was dismissed for a 32-ball 24. Laura Wolvaardt then provided the perfect finish with a nine-ball 33 in which she cracked four consecutive sixes off Matthews in the last four balls of the innings, taking the total to 165.The hosts made a good start in the chase, racing to 21 in 2.3 overs. But following Matthews’ dismissal off the next ball, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Kapp struck regularly to keep West Indies’ top-order batters in check with the asking rate climbing. Ayabonga Khaka was frugal in her four overs, conceding just eight runs and picking two wickets.”We are very happy with how we handled ourselves in today’s match against the West Indies,” Wolvaardt said after the match.”As a team I feel we did what was required from us and executed our plans very well. This result goes a long way in lifting our confidence for the rest of series against a very strong Windies team and hopefully keep that good performance going.”The sides will meet in the decider in the third and final T20I, scheduled to take place at the same venue on September 5. The first T20I was called off due to rain.

Newcastle to scout two countries as insider shares exciting 3-word message

Preparing to make up for a frustrating summer transfer window, one Newcastle United insider has shared an exciting message amid Paul Mitchell’s decision to send scouts to two specific countries.

Newcastle transfer news

A rethink was needed at St James’ Park after Newcastle ended the summer transfer window without reinforcement within their backline and without an attacking addition to replace the likes of Miguel Almiron and the injury-prone Callum Wilson.

It is failure that Mitchell is well aware of after his first window at the helm, explaining in a recent interview relayed by The Athletic: “There are things we got wrong in our strategy, for sure. If we could have signed a player that we actively felt could make a really good squad better, would we? Of course we would have done.”

International manager drops hint over "excellent" Newcastle star's injury

More frustration for the Magpies…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 3, 2024

Amid the constraints of PSR, the Magpies, for all their riches these days, found themselves limited on the spending front before failing to agree deals for the likes of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. In a summer-long pursuit, Newcastle went all-in on Guehi, only for the England centre-back to stay put at Selhurst Park.

Summing up their struggles, Mitchell and Newcastle have since been forced to have a rethink it seems. According to Mark Douglas of iNews, Mitchell has picked out Germany and France for Newcastle to scout intensively, with one insider revealing that the Magpies want to be “best in class” when it comes to recruiting, developing and either utilising or selling young talents from around the globe.

Newcastle are also hiring a full-time psychologist to work with the loans team in an attempt to boost their young players and loanees. They expect the development of a massive pool of Yankuba Minteh style talents to help avoid any future PSR sanctions – Liverpool’s £50m+ influx from selling Fabio Carvlaho and Sepp van den Berg to Brentford this summer is seen as the perfect example.

Finding a way past the rules that limited them in the summer would, of course, be the key to further arrivals in 2025.

Newcastle must get 2025 transfer windows right

After suffering as a result of their squad depth – or lack thereof – last season, Newcastle should have had a plan in place. Months later, of course, it quickly became apparent that any plan had been scuppered by PSR concerns and all their eggs had been thrown in one basket for a Guehi deal which they never managed to get over the line.

Things must be different in 2025. The likes of Mitchell should match the strong start of Eddie Howe’s side with key additions that may even bring the Magpies back to the Champions League level they found themselves at just a couple of years ago.

The rumours have already started on the reinforcements front too. The likes of Jonathan David have especially stolen the headlines, with the Lille forward set to become a free agent upon the expiry of his current contract to ring the alarm bells of clubs looking to land a top striker and avoid spending big.

Canada's Jonathan David

Following the tough fallout of his first window in charge, there’s no doubt that Mitchell will be keen to earn instant redemption at St James’ Park, whilst once again avoiding the dreaded PSR sanctions.

Jorginho nears Arsenal exit as talks begin with Flamengo – but midfielder needs Gunners' help to complete free transfer

Flamengo have opened talks over a deal to sign Jorginho from Arsenal in January.

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Flamengo in negotiations with GunnersWant to sign Jorginho this month Require help from Mikel Arteta's side Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per Globo, Flamengo have opened talks with Arsenal over a deal to sign the Italy international. The Gunners midfielder has a deal until this summer and can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in January, but the Brazilian side are hopeful of securing his signature this month.

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If Flamengo are to bring him in this month, Arsenal would have to agree to let him go for nothing, and the report states they are hopeful Jorginho's good relationship with the Gunners board will sway matters. If Arsenal say no, however, Flamengo will pursue other targets.

DID YOU KNOW?

Jorginho has only made six starts for Arsenal in the Premier League this season. He is said to be encouraged by the idea of playing in Brazil for the first time in his career.

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Arsenal play Tottenham in a major north London derby in midweek. It remains to be seen if the Italy star will be involved.

Michael Oliver's family reportedly 'under police protection' with referee left off Arsenal's next Premier League fixture with Man City

Michael Oliver's family are reportedly 'under police protection' after threats were made to the referee following Arsenal's win at Wolves.

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Oliver sends off Arsenal's Lewis-SkellyReferee receives 'threats and abuse' He and his family under 'police protection'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , specialist officers at the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) are investigating threats made to Oliver and his family after the referee decided to send off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly in their 1-0 Premier League victory at Wolves. The report adds police patrols are operating in the vicinity of the official's family home and he has not been selected to take charge of Arsenal's game at home to Manchester City this weekend.

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While Arsenal won their appeal against Lewis-Skelly's red card, no official should be subjected to this sort of abuse. The report adds the UKFPU are working with social media companies to track down those responsible for aiming threats at the 39-year-old referee.

DID YOU KNOW?

Oliver will reportedly be in charge for the last ever league Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park next month after it was postponed due to Storm Darragh back in December. He was the referee for Arsenal's last meeting with City, during which Leandro Trossard was also sent off in controversial circumstances.

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Instead of being in charge for the Arsenal match, Oliver will referee Ipswich Town's league clash against Southampton on Saturday.

Allen and Latham secure consolation New Zealand victory

Bangladesh had left out several first-choice picks and looked a bit rusty as they lost by 27 runs

Mohammad Isam10-Sep-2021New Zealand saved their best batting display for the last game as they revelled in the leniency showed by Shere Bangla National Stadium curator Gamini Silva. On a pitch much more conducive for strokeplay, they piled up 161 for 5 and beat Bangladesh by 27 runs. Tom Latham struck his second fifty of the series and Finn Allen played a telling innings as well. His 41 off 24 balls gave the visitors the perfect start after they decided to bat first for the fourth time in the series.Bangladesh were, predictably, off colour, having chosen only three specialist bowlers in the XI, leaving nine overs in the care of part-timers. Shoriful Islam, playing for the first time in the series, took two wickets but looked rusty.Chasing 162, Bangladesh made a poor start, leaving too much for the middle-order to do in the last ten overs. Afif Hossain blazed briefly to make an unbeaten 49, but ran out of partners.Ajaz Patel, once again, led the way with 2 for 21 from his four overs, but it was how New Zealand batted that made most of the difference.Allen lives by the sword, dies by the sword
Allen promised that he will bat in his own way. He failed to launch in the previous two matches, but lived up to his billing in this game. He began by pulling a Nasum Ahmed half-tracker for six, before taking Shoriful apart with two fours and a six in the fourth over.Allen repeated the dose, hitting Shoriful for another four and six, this time waiting on the slower-ball to hammer it over deep square leg. But Shoriful struck back in the same over, first removing Rachin Ravindra for 17, before clean bowling Allen as well. Against what was the last ball of the powerplay, Allen missed a hoick going across his stumps, staying true to his style.Latham provides final flourish
Taking two more wickets, Bangladesh left New Zealand (83 for 4 in the 11th over) with the same problem of the previous four matches. But Latham kept them on track, with a nice blend of ones and twos and boundaries. He added 35 runs for the fifth wicket with Henry Nicholls, who was brilliantly caught behind by Nurul Hasan.Latham then went for the jugular, adding 43 in the last 3.3 overs with Colin McConchie. In the process, the New Zealand stand-in captain raised his second fifty of the series, which has been played on some very tricky pitches. He struck two fours and two sixes, both off Taskin Ahmed in the 19th over and both hammered over midwicket.Bangladesh sink fastThe home side couldn’t adjust to a better pitch, getting bogged down during the powerplay, unable to reach even a six an over. Liton Das finished the series poorly, falling for 10 thanks to Scott Kuggeleijn taking a brilliant one-handed catch at backward point.Soumya Sarkar was also caught at point, cutting at a ball without any balance. Next over, Ben Sears took his maiden T20I wicket, getting Mohammad Naim caught behind for 23. Mushfiqur Rahim became the third batter to fall in as many overs when he holed out to Colin de Grandhomme, off Ravindra. On 48 for 4 at the half-way mark, Bangladesh were sinking fast.NZ douse a brief spark
Mahmudullah and Afif revived Bangladesh’s innings with a 63-run fifth wicket stand. There were some breathtaking shots, particularly Afif’s flicked four and six off Sears, which led to two big overs, the 14th and 15th, that yielded 24 for the home side.But when Mahmudullah holed out at sweeper cover for 23, the sting was gone. Nurul and Shamim Hossain made 4 and 2 respectively, before the tail caved in. Afif struck two fours and three sixes in his 33-ball stay.Every New Zealand bowler took a wicket, with Patel and Kuggeleijn taking two each. It was a fine effort, one that they can take to Pakistan for the ODIs and T20Is as encouragement.

Ex-scout says Newcastle want to sign £323,000-a-week star on free transfer

Newcastle United want to complete the signing of an “exceptional” attacking player on a free transfer in 2025, according to former Premier League scout Mick Brown.

Newcastle transfer rumours

The Magpies’ interest in Lille striker Jonathan David isn’t showing any sign of going away, and they could even be the club most likely to snap him up next summer. That’s because their financial muscle may give them the edge over Inter Milan and Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is also said to be of interest to Newcastle, as Paul Mitchell and Eddie Howe eye an upgrade on Miguel Almiron.

Eberechi Eze celebrates for Crystal Palace

Another rumoured target is Red Star Belgrade prodigy Andrija Maksimovic, with scouts sent to watch the highly-rated 17-year-old in action, ahead of a potential long-term move to St James’ Park.

Omar Marmoush has made a sensational start to the Bundesliga season for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in just six appearances. He is seen as an attacking option for Newcastle, too, as they look to add more firepower in the final third.

Newcastle linked with Bayern Munich star on free transfer

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Man United, Sunderland and Tottenham chief scout Brown claimed he’s heard that Newcastle want to sign Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane on a free transfer next summer:

“Given their financial situation as it has been, they’ll be pushing to get this one over the line. I’ve often wondered why he left City, to be honest, and I know clubs have been tracking him since then. I’m surprised nobody here took him in the first place before he went to Bayern Munich, but there’s definitely interest.

“He’s 28 now and he still looks the type of player that has something to offer at the top level. I’ve heard Newcastle are among those clubs who will be looking to bring him in, and I’d be surprised if they didn’t at least try to get it done. Given his availability on a free, they’ll be looking to get him in with no outgoing fee which would be perfect for their finances.”

Sane’s pedigree as a top-level player is undeniable, with the £323,000-a-week winger arguably one of the most naturally gifted attacking players in Europe.

The fact that he has enjoyed long stints at Manchester City and Bayern is proof of his ability, and his former manager Thomas Tuchel is a huge admirer of his compatriot, saying earlier this year:

“You always try to have a bond with the sensitive and exceptional players. We want Leroy to be a team player. I know that he has been training with pain for seven or eight weeks – and yet he still makes himself available for the team. He’s played with pain that was almost unbearable. He deserves the highest praise for that.”

This also hints at a potential attitude issue, however, which has been aimed at Sane before, but if Howe can get him firing on all cylinders, he could be a sensational signing by Newcastle next year.

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The Magpies transfer guru isn’t messing around.

1 ByHenry Jackson Oct 8, 2024

The fact that he would be available on a free transfer makes it even more of a no-brainer, allowing the Magpies to offer him huge wages, not to mention taking away a slight risk element if it doesn’t work.

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