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Celtic: Kyogo stole the show in Hearts win

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou guided his rampant side to victory over Hearts on Wednesday evening in what was the 57-year-old’s 100th game in charge of the Old Firm outfit, with the Hoops coming from behind to seal a 3-1 win at Parkhead.

That triumph – which was the Greek-Aussie’s 74th win of his tenure thus far – has ensured that the Glasgow giants remain nine points above bitter rivals Rangers at the summit, with the Scottish champions looking rather imperious in the pursuit of their league crown.

On that landmark night for the experienced coach, Postecoglou was largely left to thank prolific marksman Kyogo Furuhashi for powering the Bhoys to three points, with the Japan international having simply stolen the show once again in attack.

How did Kyogo perform against Hearts?

With the hosts having suffered an early setback as Josh Ginelly fired Robbie Neilson’s men ahead inside six minutes, up stepped Kyogo to drag his side back into the game, with the 28-year-old producing a stunning, driven cross to tee up compatriot Daizen Maeda at the back post, with the latter man duly prodding home for his tenth goal of the season in all competitions.

That crucial assist had seen the former Vissel Kobe ace showcase his relentless dynamism to latch onto Anthony Ralston’s threaded pass down the flanks, with that expert movement having again been evident as the £19k-per-week man then completed the turnaround on the hour mark.

The diminutive striker showed “ridiculous movement” – in the words of journalist John McGinley – to make space for himself inside the area, before powering his fierce effort past a helpless Zander Clark following a typically pin-point pass from playmaker, Aaron Mooy.

Those two moments of magic – which were followed by a late stunner from substitute Sead Haksabanovic – further rubberstamped the 5 foot 7 gem’s importance to Postecoglou’s side, having again proven himself a truly “clever player”, as per journalist Liam O’Hare.

It is also remarkable that the 16-cap speedster was able to make such an impact despite having largely been on the periphery of the game, as he made just a solitary pass and was restricted to just 14 touches in total in his 70-minute outing – fewer than teammate Joe Hart recorded in the sticks (39).

Even after that starring role – which saw Kyogo record the highest match rating on the night of 7.8, as per Sofascore – Postecoglou was clearly frustrated at the inability to get the in-form asset further involved in proceedings, having stated post-match:

“Kyogo makes fantastic runs and sometimes I get really frustrated that after 18-20 months we still don’t see them. Could he be doing even more damage? Absolutely.

“We didn’t use him well but the beauty of it is that he doesn’t get frustrated, he keeps making those runs.”

It is a credit to the ‘electric’ talent – as described by Glasgow Live’s Matthew Fulton – that he is still able to steal the limelight even with his opportunities restricted, although it is a mouthwatering prospect to think that a player who already boasts 20 Scottish Premiership goals this season could be ‘doing even more damage’.

The rest of the division, beware…

Newcastle Enter Race For £2.6m-Rated Youngster

Newcastle United have thrown their hat into the ring in the race for youngster Adama Bojang, according to a report from The Guardian.

Who is Adama Bojang?

The 19-year-old may not be familiar to many because of where he currently plies his trade but it appears as though he is catching the eye of those who have been able to see him in action.

Despite his age, he has already been given the opportunity to play for his country for example in The Gambia Under-20 team. He has eight caps for them so far and has hit the back of the net six times – an incredible rate.

As for his club side, he currently plays Steve Biko FC in his home country and therefore a move to Europe is somewhat of a risk considering that he has yet to test himself at a really high level. However, it is testament to his abilities that so many clubs have now watched him and consider him to be worth the money that is being demanded. One such side now considering a move for him is Newcastle.

According to a report from The Guardian, the Toon are one of a growing number of Premier League sides – and German teams – who are keeping tabs on the player and are considering stumping up the asking price to seal his signature.

What is Bojang's transfer value?

It appears as though his club would want around 3 million Euros in order to let him leave (or about £2.6m). It's a large fee for a player who is so young and has little experience in the game but again, it showcases the potential interested parties are clearly seeing. In fact, the report adds that there has already been an offer from an unnamed team in Germany for Bojang.

Despite being only 19-years-old, his talent already appears to be clear to those who have seen him. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig for example called him "the future of Gambian football" based on his showings for his international team's Under-20 side. It shows that he is already displaying his potential – and he could be a really good signing for the future if the Toon are able to snap him up and add him to the likes of Garang Kuol.

Aston Villa Could Sign Defensive ‘Monster’

Aston Villa are on the path towards an exciting time ahead with Unai Emery at the helm on his Premier League return.

When the club hired the Spaniard in November, not many would have dreamed how the season could end, with Villa still in contention for a top-six finish and European football next campaign.

The four-time Europa League-winning coach has installed a new sense of belief in the squad, taking players to the next level and placing the club in a positive direction.

While things are ticking at Villa Park this season, the Spaniard has been linked with a number of players that could improve his squad in terms of depth and in signing future stars.

Earlier this week, the Villans were linked with a potential double swoop for a Serie A pair, in a move that could have a positive influence on Villa’s hopes to compete at this level again next season.

What’s the latest on Denzel Dumfries to Aston Villa?

As reported by InterLive – via SportWitness – Villa are planning a €55m (£48m) offer to sign Inter Milan duo Marcelo Brozovic and Denzel Dumfries.

denzel-dumfries-inter-milan-transfer-newcastle-united-premier-league

Both players have been linked with a move away from Inter this summer, with InterLive’s report claiming that Mateu Alemany – who had been set to join Villa until a change of heart – could be the key influence in any move.

However, since revelations regarding Alemany's own future, there has been no update on whether Dumfries remains a target.

What could Denzel Dumfries bring to Aston Villa?

Lauded as a “monster” by journalist Alan Rzepa on Twitter, the right-back is one of the top performing in his position in Europe over the past year as per FBref.

The 27-year-old ranks in the top 4% in Europe’s top five leagues in his position for his rate of aerials won, with 1.97 per 90.

The most dominating attribute the Dutchman offers is his ability to get forward, which is a key strength for a full-back when entering the Premier League.

Having caught the eye for his pace and directness, the £55k-per-week defender is a threat in attack on the flanks.

Such a claim is supported by the £35m-rated full-back's numbers which rank him in the top 1% of those in his position in Europe for most touches in the attacking penalty area, averaging a huge 4.01 per 90.

While Ashley Young is a seasoned professional in the Premier League, having made 421 appearances in the league over the years, the 37-year-old is nearing the end of his playing career.

The Stevenage-born right-back has been a key member of Emery’s squad, however, finding depth in his position is vital.

Dumfries could opt as a worthy heir to the Englishman, as a player that is experienced himself having played among Europe’s elite in his career at Inter.

Only time will tell if the Dutchman will reside at Villa Park come the end of summer, however, his talent and suitability to Emery’s squad is an exciting prospect.

Wolves Now Eyeing Up Deal To Sign £34m Ace at Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers target El Bilal Toure is a potential 'upgrade' on the likes of Diego Costa at Molineux as the Old Gold look to add some firepower in attack, says journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving El Bilal Toure?

According to Football Insider, Toure has attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs this summer, including Wolves, Everton, West Ham United and Burnley.

The report states that Almeria have put a £34 million price tag on the head of the Mali international, who has also drawn admiration from the likes of Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen.

As per The Daily Mail, Wolves have a good working relationship with Almeria, which could come in handy in their efforts to try and land the 21-year-old.

Toure is a physical striker that is said to have been likened to former Chelsea icon Didier Drogba and looks odds on to seek a new challenge this window.

Diario De Almeria via Sport Witness claim that ‘the first approaches are already taking place’ between Everton, Wolves as the race to sign the youngster gathers pace.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Toure would add a new flavour to the Wolves attack at Molineux if he were to join the Premier League outfit.

Jones told FFC: "There's obviously an agent hard at work here to try and get him a move, but he's a fast and awkward player to handle.

"I think at Wolves he would add an edge to their attack. He also could be quite frustrating at times, to be honest, but he's definitely a very different option from Diego Costa. If they want someone who's more mobile, then this is an upgrade."

How did El Bilal Toure fare in 2022/23 with Almeria?

Toure enjoyed a commendable campaign with Almeria and showed flashes of his undoubted potential, which has, in turn, attracted interest from the Premier League.

In 2022/23, the 21-year-old made 22 appearances for Almeria, encompassing all competitions, registering seven goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

UD Almeria forward El Bilal Toure.

WhoScored show that Toure carried a keen goal threat during the season and averaged around 1.4 shots per match in the Spanish top flight.

As per FBRef, Toure also carried out 2.36 shot-creating actions per match for Almeria, showing his ability to fashion chances for himself and his teammates.

Wolves could do with some fresh blood in attack ahead of next term and Toure could be an exciting arrival with lots of potential at Molineux.

Arsenal Could Repeat Pepe Disaster With £70m Star

Arsenal have been linked to Serie A hitman Dusan Vlahovic, however, the Gunners could miss a potential disaster by avoiding signing the striker.

Mikel Arteta’s side were the second-highest-scoring side in the Premier League last season, however, links to the big-money forward could reinforce that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Are Arsenal linked to Dusan Vlahovic?

Sources in Italy mentioned earlier this year the north Londoners in relation to the potential destiny of Vlahovic, claiming that the Gunners have ‘never given up’ on the prospect of signing the 23-year-old.

The report comes from the angle that the forward is ‘no longer’ considered to be ‘untouchable’ in terms of Juventus’ value of the goalscorer, making Arsenal’s rumoured interest a subject to be cautious over.

How many goals has Dusan Vlahovic scored?

A 23-year-old with 95 domestic career goals is never going to be short of attention in the transfer window, however, the Serbian has struggled with a dip in form since trading Fiorentina for Juve, signalling a risk for potential Premier League suitors.

In his first two seasons in Turin, Vlahovic has hardly been the "monster" that Carlo Garganese bestowed on him, netting 17 goals in Serie A in a decline compared to his form at Fiorentina in where he scored 38 goals in his final two Serie A campaigns.

While it takes time to adapt to new surroundings, the striker made the move to a side with more attacking prowess around him while remaining in the same league that he dominated just one season prior.

It has been a recurring narrative for prolific players from fellow top leagues in Europe are unable to hit former heights in the Premier League, a trait that Arsenal know too well.

The Gunners’ current record signing Nicolas Pepe signed for the club back in 2019 from Lille, where he caught the eye of Unai Emery after registering a monstrous 33 goal contributions in 38 Ligue 1 games in 2018/19.

Four years down the line and the winger is set to return to the club after a season-long loan at Nice after a poor opening three years in north London.

In three campaigns, the £72m forward scored 16 Premier League goals before falling down the pecking order and being replaced rightly by Bukayo Saka.

The Ivory Coast international has shown little promise of living up to his lucrative price tag since trading Ligue 1 for the Premier League, in a risk that has not paid off for Arsenal. Indeed, in his final season before being loaned back to France, he found the net on just three occasions for the Londoners.

Signing high-cost players from abroad is an area that the Gunners should tread carefully around, with warning signs flagging around the interest in £70m Vlahovic, who has already shown frailties to his consistency in Serie A.

The 'unsettled' striker should be a player for Arsenal to steer clear of, with Arteta having the foundations to bolster his side without having to risk spending sensational money on players that aren’t guaranteed to perform.

Edu should revise the past mistakes made in the transfer of Pepe when considering the clubs’ interest in the Serbian, who has averaged fewer non-penalty goals per 90 to Gabriel Jesus over the past year, with 0.35 to the Brazilian’s 0.39, via FBref.

Crystal Palace star has seen his value soar by a whopping 525%%

Crystal Palace have been the home to a host of fine talent over the years, with the club making valuable purchases in the transfer window throughout their time in the Premier League.

Roy Hodgson continued the fashion of bringing in young talent this summer, welcoming 19-year-old Matheus Franca for a fee of £26m, making him the Eagles’ fifth most expensive addition of all time.

Selhurst Park has seen some great success stories and disappointing transfer playouts in new signings, with the club showing the rest of the Premier League that cost doesn’t always define the quality of the talent that comes with the price tag.

A prime example of such is arguably the current poster boy of the club, Eberechi Eze, who cost just £20m in 2020 after making the move from Queens Park Rangers.

The winger was quoted to be valued around £70m this summer by Palace by Manchester Evening News, who suggested that treble winners Manchester City were interested in signing the 25-year-old.

Eze wasn’t the only talent that was eyed by other Premier League sides in the window, with the south Londoner’s potential for future profit an interesting topic of conversation with reference to the quality they have in their squad at present.

How much did Crystal Palace sign Michael Olise for?

Last month, Palace were worried by the news that Chelsea had activated the £35m release clause of Michael Olise, a move that the 21-year-old snubbed in favour of staying at Selhurst.

The Frenchman penned a new four-year deal with the Eagles in response to the Blues’ attempt to capture his signature, prompting the club to reconsider the value of his current release clause.

michael-olise-crystal-palace-arsenal-transfer-gossip-edu-arteta-trossard

As reported by the Evening Standard this week, Olise’s release clause is now ‘significantly higher’ than it was at the point of Chelsea’s activation.

Signed for just £8m from Reading in 2021, the youngster’s value has rocketed thanks to his strong performances in red and blue, leaving Palace in an inevitably profitable situation should another side come knocking in the future.

What is Michael Olise worth now?

Now that a clause higher than £35m has been added to his contract, as well as additional years on his new deal, the Eagles can heavily increase their asking price for the exciting young talent, perhaps more in line with the £50m asking price that was set when PSG were interested.

That is quite the price hike, one that represents a staggering 525% increase on their initial investment.

When Brighton learned of the interest in Moises Caicedo in January, the Seagulls agreed an extended deal with the Ecuadorian in the bid to bolster his value in the summer, a move that paid off as the south coast side earned a record £115m for his services.

Considering this, imagining just how much Olise is worth to his club is near impossible, with the versatile attacker being at the heart of most things impressive in the current side.

Michael-Olise

Last term, the £100k-per-week France U21 international scored two goals and registered an impressive 11 assists in 37 Premier League appearances for Palace, showcasing his talents to those admiring his work in the side.

What makes Olise so attractive to other clubs is his versatility in the front line, with the ability to play central as a striker or attacking midfielder, as well on either flank as a direct winger, with his style identified as “dangerous” by scout Antonio Mango.

Mango also hailed as a “wonderful technician” for his creative ability, telling of the calibre of player Palace have on their hands and the levels he is yet to hit in the Premier League.

The Eagles struck gold in bringing the Frenchman to south London, in an £8m dip that will almost certainly equate to far more in the future.

Wolves: Lopetegui struck gold with £18m-rated threat

Wolves’ January signing of Pablo Sarabia looks to have been a masterclass by Julen Lopetegui, as the Spaniard has quickly established himself as an important member of the squad at Molineux.

How has Pablo Sarabia performed at Wolves?

Wolves brought in the 30-year-old winger from PSG in a deal worth just £4.4m in January as he continued to struggle for game time with Les Parisiens, which is perhaps unsurprising when you consider the quality on offer in Christophe Galtier’s attack.

That said, he is still a highly-talented player with Thomas Tuchel singing his praises during the German’s time with the French giants.

He said: “He’s really impressive. He runs well, with and without a ball. His game without the ball is a great example. He plays with a lot of intensity and does not stop [working] defensively.”

Last season saw the Spain international spend time on loan with Sporting Lisbon where he was a huge success, notching a remarkable 21 goals and ten assists in just 45 appearances for Ruben Amorim’s side.

Given Wolves’ struggles in front of goal so far this season, which sees them ranked as the joint-lowest scorers in the division, adding quality in the final third was always going to be a priority for Lopetegui in the January window, and he appears to have done just that.

The former Sevilla man scored his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw with Fulham last week, although he couldn’t follow that up, having “faded badly” and been “frustrating” – as per Steve Madeley – in the 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in midweek and was duly subbed at half time.

However, when considering the bigger picture, there is no doubt that he has made a big impact on Wolves’ threat in the final third, despite making just six appearances thus far. Indeed, no player at Molineux has created more than his seven chances since his league debut.

WhoScored further ranks him third for shots and joint-second for key passes per game in the Premier League out of anyone in Wolves’ squad, which emphasises just how profound an impact he has had in his limited time in England.

If Sarabia can play a big part in keeping Wolves in the Premier League, the £4.4m fee will certainly prove to be a bargain, but it already looked to be a masterclass when you consider the winger’s market value.

Transfermarkt still values the 30-year-old at €20m (£18m), so if he were to leave Molineux for any reason before his contract expires, it seems clear that the Old Gold will be able to make a profit on him.

Therefore, Lopetegui deserves a lot of credit for bringing in Sarabia for such a bargain fee, and if the 30-year-old can continue his fine start to life in the Midlands, then he will quickly establish himself as a great transfer from a footballing perspective as well as a financial one.

Newcastle: Howe Must Unleash "Unreal" £166k-p/w Duo

Newcastle United have not been short of memorable performances this Premier League season and Eddie Howe will surely be thrilled with the quick progression his team has made over the last 12 months.

The Magpies are currently third in the top-flight table with the chances of Champions League football next season becoming a real possibility should they keep up their phenomenal form after going unbeaten in their last five outings following the victory over Brenford this weekend.

It was by no means an easy battle won at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon and for the first 45 minutes it looked like Newcastle could be in trouble, as many players looked exhausted and their successful system looked to be disjointed – giving two penalties away before half-time.

However, the Newcastle boss displayed exactly why he has comfortably led his squad to bigger things this season, with his impeccable in-game management paying off massively in the second half.

Howe decided to take drastic action during the break, replacing Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy with Anthony Gordon and Callum Wilson, slightly tweaking the formation by moving Isak into a shadow striker role behind the England international, as the Swede has often displayed his ability to drop deeper.

To say it paid off is an understatement as it was a game-changing move that ultimately helped the Geordies become much more offensive and energetic, which led to a well-fought 2-1 victory.

Should Howe play Wilson and Isak together more often?

There is no doubt that Howe has a headache worth having when it comes to selecting his starting striker, as both Wilson and Isak have been massively influential in the position over the season so far.

The £46k-per-week goal machine has scored ten goals and delivered four assists in 27 appearances, with his form in front of goal earning him a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year.

Wilson's £120k-per-week competitor for the striker role, Isak, was a monumental signing for the Magpies last summer, making the move to Tyneside for a club-record fee of £63m and has been a joy to watch ever since – scoring nine goals and registering one assist in 13 appearances.

The two goal-scorers boast different qualities, with Wilson an incredible finisher who thrives as a fox in the box, whilst Isak plays his best football when he is given the freedom to drop deeper and drifts into wider positions to receive the ball from midfield, often utilising his impeccable dribbling skills to trouble his opponents in the final third.

The St James' Park faithful welcomed the partnership when Howe made the change yesterday, with The Chronicle's Ciaran Kelly heaping praise on the pair for the build-up to Isak's winning goal:

"Callum Wilson lays it off on the edge of the area and Alexander Isak arrows it into the top corner first time. Unreal. They can play together, all right."

With that being said, Howe could have the perfect attacking formula for the rest of the season to unlock Champions League football for the North East club, as it is clear that Isak and Wilson can not only deliver apart but shine together too.

Wolves willing to make bid for Ezzalzouli

Wolverhampton Wanderers are willing to make an offer to bring Barcelona forward Abde Ezzalzouli to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Lowdown: The story so far

The Morocco international is currently out on a season-long loan at CA Osasuna, where his impressive performances appear to have caught the eye of Julen Lopetegui.

In January, Sport credited the Old Gold with an initial interest in the 21-year-old and it was claimed that they were one of the ‘most interested teams’ when it comes to securing his signature.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Pete O’Rourke insisted that it would be difficult to sign the winger permanently but thinks that the boss could have a significant role to play. He said:

“I think if any deal was to happen, it would probably only be a loan deal because Barcelona see him as being a long-term part of their plans. So as I said, it’ll be a hard deal to do, but it does show that Lopetegui is using his Spanish connections to look for potential transfer targets.”

The Latest: Wolves eyeing Ezzalzouli

Now, according to La Razon (via Sport Witness), Wolves and Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest are both ‘willing to bid’ for Ezzalzouli later in the summer.

Currently, there is ‘no clarity’ on where he will be playing his football next season with Barcelona having not yet decided whether to include him in the first team or cash in during the upcoming window.

Xavi’s outfit, however, could ‘seek to obtain liquidity’ given the strong admiration from England, with Atletico Madrid and Real Betis also ‘showing interest’.

The Verdict: One for the future

Ezzalzouli has been dubbed a player known for ‘destroying defences’ by talent scout Shay Hicks and he would be an excellent signing for the future of Wolves.

The Blaugrana starlet has chipped in with three goals and two assists in 23 appearances for CA Osasuna, where he currently ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and the 91st percentile for most progressive carries per game (FBRef).

The Beni-Mellal native would also offer wonderful versatility having operated in four various positions throughout his career, including on both flanks and as a centre-forward.

Lopetegui’s target already has international experience at the highest level having reached the semi-finals of the World Cup with Morocco in 2022 ,so will know what it takes to be successful.

Therefore, Ezzalzouli will be able to bring this winning mentality to the Midlands should he put pen to paper in the months ahead.

Tottenham: Spurs Working On Deal For "Lion" Striker

Tottenham Hotspur have Brentford striker Ivan Toney in their sights as journalist Dean Jones shares a transfer update out of north London.

Who will Spurs sign?

The departure of star striker Harry Kane has left a gaping hole in quality going forward for new manager Ange Postecoglou, and the England international will be a very, very hard man to replace.

Kane not only guarantees 20-plus-goals-per-season, but his ability to drop back and link up play will also be a sore miss for Spurs, who must now contend without their club legend and serial record-breaker.

One small silver lining for the club is the possible £103 million fee they'll get for his services, if certain add-ons are met, and it will be interesting to see how they'll reinvest that financial windfall.

Postecoglou has admitted that Tottenham need to offload certain players first given they already have a bloated squad, but reporters like Alasdair Gold believe Spurs have a few deals "lined up" for when they do.

Tottenham's Heung-min Son and Ange Postecoglou.

“Postecoglou said that himself in his press conference on Friday he pretty much said how there’s areas in defence, midfield and attack that they can upgrade on as well," said Gold on his YouTube channel (via TBR).

“I would keep an eye on what happens.

“I kind of get the feeling that Spurs have got a number of deals lined up ready to go if they can get the players out of the squad first.”

A striker could be seen as one priority given their sale of Kane, and there have been many forwards linked with a move to north London, particularly highly-rated Gent striker Gift Orban.

Another to be mentioned is Toney of Brentford, who despite his ban for gambling breaches, remains of interest to Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy.

That is according to reporter Jones, who told GiveMeSport that Spurs are actively exploring a deal to sign the English top flight marksman.

Ivan-Toney-Brentford

“Toney is a deal that they have started to explore," said Jones.

"But that will come down to how realistic Brentford are in terms of what his value is. It seems they might price him out of a move like this.

“So, there’s no particular optimism at this stage for Tottenham making much headway with that. If they were to look for another forward, they’ve been linked with Romelu Lukaku, but I’m very sceptical about that. I don’t think that’s something that is going to happen.”

How good is Ivan Toney?

The Englishman scored a brilliant 20 goals last season and added a further four assists, having marked himself out as one of the division's most consistent goalscorers.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank said clubs will have to pay a £100 million price tag to prise him away from west London, with the Dane also heaping praise on him back in 2021 for his "lion" mentality.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

"He’s coming across so fantastically: he’s humble, calm, but with a mindset of a lion," said Frank.

"I think for every person or player the sky’s the limit, then we will see in the future where they go.

"First I just want to enjoy Ivan here in my team, and see him grow and be as good as possible, and then we’ll see what happens in the future."

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