كشف داني كارفاخال عن تفكيره في مستقبله مع ريال مدريد أو ما بعد الرحيل عن النادي الملكي، مشيدًا بالرئيس فلورنتينو بيريز، باعتباره الأفضل في التاريخ.

كارفاخال حاليًا هو قائد ريال مدريد بعد رحيل ناتشو في الصيف، ويقود النادي الملكي في موسمه الأخير بالعقد الحالي الذي يربطه للعام الـ12 داخل جدران سانتياجو بيرنابيو.

وقال كارفاخال في تصريحات لصيحفة “نيويورك تايمز” الأمريكية: “لدي عقد حتى نهاية الموسم، لا أفكر في الاعتزال حاليًا، أتحدث مع عائلتي بأنني أريد الاستمتاع بكل مباراة وكل جلسة تدريب”.

وأضاف: “مع مرور السنين، تدرك أنه يتعين عليك إعطاء قيمة أكبر لكل لحظة والاستمتاع بها قدر المستطاع، علاقتي بالنادي شفافة وواضحة للغاية. إذا وافق الطرفان على الاستمرار سأبقى، وأتمنى أن أستمر هنا لسنوات عديدة”.

طالع أيضًا | كارفاخال: لامين يامال لا يزال طفلًا.. ونعتذر عن هتافات إسبانيا بعد اليورو

وعن فلورنتينو بيريز، قال: “إنه أفضل رئيس في تاريخ النادي، لم يفعل شيئًا سوى تحسين المجتمع الرياضي، والاستاد، ولدينا قدرة مالية جيدة للتعاقد مع لاعبين جدد، هو القائد المطلق لريال مدريد، عمله في النادي مذهل، أمر لا يمكن أبدًا تخيله”.

كارفاخال أصيب قبل بطولتي يورو 2016 و2020، مما جعل انطلاقته في اليورو تتأخر للبطولة التي أقيمت في الصيف 2024، بألمانيا وتوج بها المنتخب الإسباني.

وعلق: “أحب التدريب وممارسة تمارين القلب والأوعية الدموية، أحب رياضة الكيك بوكسينج لأنني ألإضلها على الجري، ودائمًا ما أعمل على تحسين لياقتي البدنية”.

وأكمل: “إصابتي منذ عامين جعلتني أجد مفتاح الراحة والنظام الغذائي والروتين اليومي، ربما اكتشفت ذلك في وقت متأخر، ولكنني فخور بما أقدمه الآن، عندما تسقط وتنهض من جديد، يصبح طعم الأشياء أفضل بكثير”.

وعن مستقبله ما بعد ريال مدريد: “الولايات المتحدة احتمال وارد، عندما أرحل عن ريال مدريد لن ألعب في أوروبا، كما أن البدائل المتاحة أصبحت محدودة للغاية، قد أذهب إلى الولايات المتحدة أو السعودية، وكذلك قطر ضمن الخيارات”.

واختتم بالحديث عن اللاعبين الشباب في ريال مدريد: “نيكو باز كان رائع، وانضم إلى كومو، وكذلك ماريو مارتن، وكلاهما رحل في الصيف، لكن أيضًا لدينا جاكوبو رامون وجوان مارتينيز، يمكن ان يكون لهم مستقبل رائع في ريال مدريد”.

The wheels are seemingly starting to fall off for Arsenal, who have found themselves in a Premier League title race for the second season running. Just like the previous campaign, however, the Gunners could be set to suffer the heartbreak of failure, with consecutive defeats against West Ham United and Fulham making it a December to forget for Mikel Arteta.

Now that the January transfer window is open, those in North London do at least have the opportunity to solve the issues standing between them and silverware. And as they look to close the five-point gap on league leaders Liverpool, Arsenal could yet move to sign a forward who has starred for his current side this season.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal enjoyed a successful summer transfer window, signing Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, David Raya and Kai Havertz, but remain on course to fall short in their title pursuit. The January transfer window has made all the difference in previous seasons though, and this time it can more than play its part for the Gunners looking to finally find a clinical striker to lead the line. In that search, those at The Emirates have now turned towards a Feyenoord star.

According to The Times, Arsenal are considering a move to sign Santiago Gimenez in the January transfer window. Any deal for a forward likely rests on the future of Eddie Nketiah, but if Arsenal do show the striker the exit door, then Gimenez could arrive.

Arsenal rumoured striker targets for January

Latest update

Ivan Toney

1st January

Serhou Guirassy

19th December

Dominic Solanke

17th December

Boulaye Dia

16th December

Kylian Mbappe

15th December

Marcos Leonardo

14th December

Those at The Emirates would also be getting one over on North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have also been linked with a move for Gimenez in the past. An upgrade on both Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, the Mexican would certainly improve Arsenal's title chances if he made the move this month.

"Sensational" Gimenez would be a major upgrade on Nketiah

The one standout weakness in this current Arsenal side comes in their frontline, with their lack of out-and-out goalscorer a growing issue. As good as Jesus is from a tactical standpoint in Arsenal's system, whether it be at Manchester City or in North London, he has never been a classic number nine.

Meanwhile, although Nketiah is more of an old-fashioned forward, he does not impact the game enough to warrant a permanent starting place. So, that leaves the door open for a fresh option for Arteta. And Gimenez's stats, outscoring Nketiah and Jesus combined, prove exactly why he should be that option.

Player

Goals

Assists

Progressive Passes

Expected Goals

Santiago Gimenez

18

4

22

14.2

Gabriel Jesus

5

1

15

4.1

Eddie Nketiah

3

1

28

4.8

It's no surprise, given the numbers, that Gimenez has been at the centre of praise this season, including from journalist Graeme Bailey. Bailey told the Talking Transfers Podcast, via The Boot Room: “Santiago Gimenez looks sensational by the way, he looks so good. He looks amazing to me. Teams have been watching Feyenoord, of which there is a few, they are the best team in Holland, we know Arsenal and Tottenham have been watching Gimenez as of late.”

The festive period was not a very joyful one for Arsenal this season, as the Gunners followed up their draw away at Anfield with three losses on the bounce to leave themselves down in fourth in the Premier League and out of the FA Cup.

At present, the Gunners look miles from their best, but with the January transfer window comes the opportunity for Edu and Co to improve the squad, and the latest player touted for a move to N5 would do precisely that, Everton's Amadou Onana.

Arsenal's £195k-p/w star was as bad as Havertz v Liverpool

Arsenal were torrid in attack as they limped out of the FA Cup to Liverpool.

ByMatt Dawson Jan 7, 2024

The Belgian would improve Arsenal's already impressive midfield and could become the perfect partner for Declan Rice.

Arsenal transfer news – Amadou Onana

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are looking for a new midfielder this winter and are currently 'exploring' a marquee deal for Everton star Onana.

The Toffees are understandably reluctant to sell one of their best players amid a relegation-threatened season, but according to the report, offers of around £60m – almost twice the £33m they paid for him in 2022 – could be enough to tempt them into selling.

Other reports on Monday have stated that talks are ongoing between the two parties over a respective move this winter.

Amadou Onana's season in numbers

The former LOSC Lille man has played 16 league games for the Toffees this season, scoring one goal, maintaining a passing accuracy of 84.8%, winning 2.3 aerial duels per game, winning one Man-of-the-Match award and averaging a match rating of 6.82, per WhoScored.

While the fee is certainly high, the prospect of seeing a player that talent scout Jacek Kulig described as a "one-man army in midfield" alongside Rice should be all the convincing Arsenal need to get it done.

That said, if they do need more convincing, they need not look further than the highlights of their game at Goodison Park last season.

Why Onana is a perfect partner for Declan Rice

If Arteta were to pick his strongest XI, you can be pretty sure that Rice and Martin Odegaard would be in the midfield three, which means that the only spot up for grabs is the role alongside the former West Ham captain, be that as a left eight or number six.

Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny have proven themselves useful as temporary solutions in that role. Still, their age means that they cannot be the long-term solution, and while Partey isn't necessarily too old yet, his injury record has become a genuine concern.

Finally, while Kai Havertz has looked better in recent weeks – scoring four goals in the run up to Christmas – he has yet to convince many that he should be a starter in this team.

Therefore, there is a spot for Onana to come in and make his own, but how do his underlying numbers stack up alongside Partey, given that the Ghanaian would probably lose out with his arrival?

Well, when comparing their numbers from last season – when Partey was fit – it's the Toffees ace that comes out ahead in most essential metrics.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.20

0.14

Shots on Target

0.22

0.14

Passing Accuracy

83.3%

87.2%

Tackles Won

1.56

1.45

Interceptions

1.34

1.01

Aerial Duels Won

2.17

1.34

Dispossessed

0.62

0.69

In fact, the only area in which the 30-year-old comes out on top is his passing accuracy. In all areas relevant to an all-action defensive midfielder, such as tackles won, interceptions, and aerial duels won, the Belgian comes out on top, very much living up to the "complete package" label that Jacek Kulig gave him in December.

Ultimately, playing Onana in the six role could allow Rice to move into the left-eight position permanently, which in turn could lead to Arsenal's midfield becoming one of the most formidable units to break down in European football.

The £105m summer signing has been exquisite playing further back but his explosive ball-carrying abilities mean he could well be suited to playing further forward.

Agreeing a move for another holding midfielder, be it Onana or someone else, could well allow this to happen. Therefore, the club should be pushing to get this deal over the line in the coming weeks.

U.S. international Lynn Williams bagged her 79th career goal Sunday, becoming the NWSL's all-time leading scorer in Gotham's victory over Chicago.

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• Gotham beat Chicago 2-1
• Williams becomes NWSL all-time leading scorer
• Striker scores 79th career goal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Williams opened the scoring of the match in the 57th minute with a perfectly-placed header, much to an eruption of celebration from her teammates on the pitch. The momentous goal cemented her name in history as she passed Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr's record that has stood since 2019.

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• USA Today Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Williams has long been a star for club and country, but now, she will forever be recognized as one of the best goalscorers women's soccer has ever seen.

  The 30-year-old U.S. international was drafted into the league in 2015 by the Western New York Flash – who eventually became the North Carolina Courage. She followed the club to the southeast coast of the U.S. where she bagged 45 goals in a four-year span.

  Williams was traded to the KC Current in 2022, but only made one appearance due to injury. She then joined Gotham in 2023 via trade and has since made history, helping them to their first-ever NWSL title last season while smashing the scoring record in 2024.

  Williams herself has claimed four NWSL titles, three NWSL shields, a league MVP award and one Golden Boot award. She has 63 international caps with the USWNT, as well.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Both Kerr and Williams have both played for the Flash and Gotham, and the two overlapped as teammates in 2014 with the Western New York side.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WILLIAMS AND GOTHAM?

  The veteran striker returns to the pitch Friday evening against Bay FC in NWSL action. However, she will be hoping that her performances of late will have caught the eye of incoming USWNT boss Emma Hayes – who will announce her June camp roster in the coming days.

The editor of the Wisden Almanack has said that Australia had got to a stage where they believed they were above the law

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-2019

Cameron Bancroft and Steven Smith leave the press conference where they admitted to ball tampering•Gallo Images/Getty Images

The editor of the , Lawrence Booth, has said Cricket Australia’s investigation into the ball-tampering scandal “felt more like a whitewash” and called out the Australians for believing they had been “above the law”.The comments, part of the traditional Notes by the Editor, in the 156th edition of the Almanack which was published on Wednesday, come as Steven Smith and David Warner are eligible for international cricket again having served their one-year bans. Both are set to be included in the World Cup squad next week and will also feature in the Ashes.Although a number of individuals at CA quit or lost their jobs in the wake of the ball-tampering, which led to a cultural review of the board, Smith and Warner along with Cameron Bancroft, who was handed a nine-month ban, were the only people directly punished.Booth said the reaction to the ball-tampering itself had been over the top, but that it stemmed from the way Australia had gone about their cricket well before the headline-grabbing incident in South Africa.”An inquiry by Cricket Australia felt more like a whitewash: there had been no previous tampering, and only three players were involved,” Booth writes. “Fancy that…The outrage was disproportionate: fiddling with the ball, if not rubbing it with sandpaper, happens.”But there was more to it than outrage. Australia had been undone by the hubris-nemesis one-two, which has kept playwrights in business since Ancient Greece.”With their prattle about the line – where it should be drawn (just beyond whatever the Australians had just done) and by whom (the Australians, naturally) – Smith’s side forfeited the last drop of goodwill. This wasn’t just English tittering: many of their compatriots were sick of them too. To cheat so brazenly confirmed a widely held suspicion: Australia believed they were above the law.”There has been a sense over the last 12 months that the full story has not emerged, something Mark Taylor, the former Australia captain and CA board director, suggested recently when he said the scope of the initial investigation after Cape Town was too limited. It is also understood that David Saker, who recently quit as Australia’s assistant coach and was part of the set-up during Newlands, is under a non-disclosure agreement until late September.Kevin Roberts, the CA chief executive, has said that he would welcome hearing from anyone who had more information about the events.”We’re really serious about addressing any unresolved issues and we’re sincere in the way we’re going about that,” Roberts said. “So if there are any reports or allegations as opposed to innuendo, then we will investigate that thoroughly.”

The winner of the 2023 Puskas Award has now been revealed, so Football FanCast has taken a look at all of the winners, dating back to 2009 – the edition's inaugural year.

It's been a difficult list to rank, with so many goals worthy of placing higher up, but we've tried our best.

Without further ado, here are our selections!

15 Mohamed Salah v Everton 2018

Mohamed Salah enjoyed an electrifying start to his Anfield career after making a £34.3m switch from Serie A side Roma in the summer of 2017.

His debut season saw him net a whopping 32 times in the Premier League, but it was his sublime effort against Everton in the Merseyside derby that was the pick of the bunch.

The Liverpool wideman received the ball from Joe Gomez on the right-hand side of the penalty area before shrugging off his marker, gliding past the second onrushing defender, and shaping up to perfectly curl the ball home past the helpless Jordan Pickford in goal.

As the snow fell, Salah wheeled away in celebration, lifting his hands aloft with a relatively emotionless face, personifying a cool figure, befitting of the English weather!

A stunner, but was it really the best goal scored that year?

14 Wendell Lira v Atlético Clube Goianiense 2015

Wendell Lira was involved in the slick build-up play prior to his first-time bicycle kick finish – which he had to adapt brilliantly to, turning in a 360-degree motion.

Lira's marvellous goal beat stiff competition that year in the form of Lionel Messi, who came runner-up to the right-winger.

Messi's magnificent solo goal against Athletic Bilbao wasn't enough to overthrow the Brazillian's effort, evincing just how ridiculous it was.

13 James Rodriguez v Uruguay 2014

Next up is James Rodriguez's iconic World Cup goal against Uruguay. The Colombian enjoyed a magnificent campaign at the 2014 tournament, scoring six goals and collecting the Golden Boot award.

His Puskas-winning goal was out of this world, as he controlled the ball on his chest before pivoting to release a dipping left-footed volley that struck the crossbar on its way in.

From an aesthetic viewpoint, seeing the ball hit the bar before bouncing down and back up into the roof of the net made the goal that extra bit special and certainly one worthy of winning the prestigious award.

His glittering performances at the World Cup prompted La Liga giants Real Madrid to outlay £71m to sign him from AS Monaco, adding to their star-studded squad of Galacticos.

12 Hamit Altıntop v Kazakhstan 2010

Hamit Altıntop was known for his long-range shooting ability, but even by his standards, the Turkey international must've surprised himself when he powered home a thunderous 20-yard volley against Kazakhstan back in 2010.

Though, his fairly muted celebration – considering the quality of the goal – would suggest it's nothing wildly out of the ordinary for him, just another wonder-strike to add to his growing dossier.

Even his comments after winning the esteemed award appeared nonchalant: "It's not that bad to write a bit of history," Altıntop said.

11 Son Heung-min v Burnley 2020

Just missing out on the top 10 is Son Heung-min's 70-yard solo run that ended with a cool and composed finish. Had it not been for the poor Burnley defending, this goal would've placed much higher.

Notwithstanding that, it still took a tremendous amount of close control whilst running at speed with the ball, gliding past several opposition players.

And to have the composure to steady himself before stroking the ball past the imposing 6-foot-6 presence of Nick Pope was extraordinary.

It is certainly a goal that will live long in the memories of Spurs fans.

10 Erik Lamela v Arsenal 2021

Erik Lamela's jaw-dropping 'rabona' goal in the north London derby a few years back left Sergio Reguilon in complete amazement.

His reaction to the Argentinian's strike was almost as good as the goal itself as he immediately put his hands on his head in utter disbelief.

Lamela could hardly believe it either, though his euphoria quickly turned to red mist later in the game after receiving a second yellow card for catching Kieran Tierney in the face with his arm.

Nevertheless, a terrific bit of imagination from the wide player to flick the ball with his 'wrong foot' through the legs of Thomas Partey and into the back of the net.

9 Guilherme Madruga vs Novorizontino 2023

Guilherme Madruga took the prize for the 2023 award with his stunning overhead kick from around 25 yards out. Playing for Botafogo-SP in the Brazilian second tier, the midfielder scored the goal in a victory against Novorizontino.

Surrounded by defenders and with his back to goal, Madruga was forced to produce a moment of creativity that left many in disbelief as his looping overhead kick dipped under the bar to beat the goalkeeper.

And it was apparent even the player himself was left stunned by what he had done as he spoke about the sensational goal which saw him beat the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion's Julio Enciso to the award:

“After the game, I watched the video of the goal again and only then did I realise what I’d done,” Madruga said.

8 Mohd Faiz Subri v Pahang 2016

Mohd Faiz Subri struck a long-range free-kick effort against fellow Malaysian side Pahang in 2015 that had the most incredible amount of unpredictable swerve on it.

In fact, it's the type of strike that when described to you, sounds inconceivable, but thankfully, the wondergoal was captured on film for the world to marvel at.

The opposing goalkeeper stood helplessly, watching the ball fly into the top corner, as the home fans were sent into raptures at the Bandaraya Pulau Pinang Stadium.

7 Miroslav Stoch v Gençlerbirliği S.K. 2012

Outside-of-the-area volleys are always special, but this one is even more so. The technique Miroslav Stoch went for is unequivocally more difficult than a typical 'laces through the ball' strike.

The Slovakian wideman beautifully struck the ball into the reverse corner, leaving the goalkeeper with absolutely no chance. The assist is certainly worth noting, too, as the ball was perfectly flighted from corner taker Alex onto the right boot of Stoch.

He was quick to give credit to the Brazilian in his winning speech: "But, first of all, I would say big credit for our ex-captain Alex (de Souza), who took the corner. He played me a perfect ball."

6 Cristiano Ronaldo v Porto 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo – during his final season at Manchester United – produced an absolute showstopper in the Champions League quarter-finals to silence the boos that rung around Porto's imposing Estadio do Dragao.

The Portuguese superstar, on his return to his home nation, leathered the ball from 39.6 yards out into the top corner, with the strike clocking in at a remarkable 64.2mph. To put that into context, the speed of his shot would exceed the speed limit on a single carriageway in England…

It also turned out to be the winning goal as United progressed through to the semi-finals of the competition.

PCB grants all-rounder time off to deal with ‘personal issues’

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Apr-2019Senior Pakistan allrounder Shoaib Malik has been given ten days’ leave from his team’s pre-World Cup trip of England to deal with “personal issues”.Malik will miss Sunday’s T20I and the first ODI against England on May 8. He is expected to rejoin the side before the second ODI on May 11. The reason for his unexpected exit has not been revealed by PCB.”The Pakistan cricket team management has given leave to Shoaib Malik so that he can return home to deal with a personal issue,” PCB said. “He is expected to rejoin the team in 10 days’ time. The PCB will not be making any further comments and fully expects all concerned to respect Shoaib’s privacy.”Malik’s selection for the World Cup raised eyebrows, given that he averages 13.6 with the bat in 23 innings in England. This year’s World Cup will be his last as he has confirmed he will retire from ODIs after the tournament.He made a comeback in Pakistan ODI side in a home series against Zimbabwe in 2015 after being dropped for two straight years following the 2013 Champions Trophy. Since his return he has become an integral part of the side.His career average in 282 games is 35.12 with a strike rate of 81.75, which, since his return, has risen to 44.24 and 93.16 respectively. However, in ten of his last 11 ODI innings, the 37-year-old Malik has been dismissed between 10 and 31. He has struggled to serve as the launchpad Pakistan want at No. 5.Pakistan won their tour match against Northamptonshire by eight wickets on Monday.

FC Dallas academy graduate and Duke University goalkeeper Julian Eyestone is set for a transfer to England with Brentford.

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Brentford eyeing USYNT star EyestoneGoalkeeper could be next U.S. star in EnglandStands six-foot-sevenWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , the U.S. youth international is set to join the ranks of the Bees this summer. He'll compete with the likes of Mark Flekken, Thomas Strakosha and Hakon Valdimarsson – the goalkeepers in Brentford's senior squad.

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Eyestone played with the U.S. Under 19 squad in March and is highly thought. He is an FC Dallas academy graduate and competed with the MLS side's reserve team, North Texas SC, where he made his professional debut at 16-years-old.

The six-foot-seven shot stopper was named the best goalkeeper at the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup as well.

DID YOU KNOW?

Eyestone started 18 games as a Freshman for Duke University this past season. The highly-rated goalkeeper is one of the top prospects across U.S. Soccer.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR EYESTONE?

Eyestone will travel to England to undergo a medical before completing his move to Thomas Frank's squad. The USYNT star will look to break into the first-team this Fall.

Tottenham recruitment chiefs and chairman Daniel Levy are now said to have their eyes on a "scintillating" new target as the club's transfer plans take further shape.

Spurs aiming to sign midfielder after Dragusin and Werner

According to widespread reports since Spurs completed deals to sign Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, the Lilywhites are also now looking to sign a midfield number eight.

Club willing to sell as Spurs in regular talks for signing after Dragusin

They’re actively pursuing another new addition.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 13, 2024

Both Werner and Dragusin made their debuts in Tottenham's 2-2 draw away to Man United on Sunday, with the visitors coming back from behind twice to take a point away from Old Trafford.

Manager Ange Postecoglou will be thrilled by his side's early moves in the January transfer market, especially to shore up key positions and provide him with a much-needed alternative centre-back option.

However, it is believed Postecoglou is keen on a new midfield running man who can alternate with playmaker James Maddison. Much could depend on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's future at the club in that regard, as Spurs will need to free up squad space and bring in funds to make that potential transfer happen.

That being said, Tottenham are apparently pressing for a third January signing in the form of a new midfield engine, with links still surrounding Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

Reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold backs the 'Hojbjerg out, new midfielder in' hypothesis in a report this week, but the Spurs correspondent also suggests that isn't their only transfer plan.

Tottenham eyeing Jonathan Rowe move

Indeed, according to Gold, the north Londoners will explore deals for young stars on the rise.

One of them is Norwich City sensation Jonathan Rowe, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign for the Canaries with 11 goals and two assists in the Championship so far.

It is believed this has grabbed attention from Levy, technical director Johan Lange and co, with Tottenham now interested in signing Rowe from Norwich. There has been no official move made just yet, but the 20-year-old attacking midfielder is a new name on their radar.

Rowe has been "making a lot of noise" amid his "scintillating" season in England's second tier, as said by former Three Lions international and pundit Cole Palmer.

Norwich City 2-1 Hull

8.44

Hull 1-2 Norwich City

8.04

Huddersfield Town 0-4 Norwich City

7.94

Norwich City 2-0 Birmingham City

7.75

Coventry City 1-1 Norwich City

7.70

"One player making a lot of noise is Jonathan Rowe, Norwich's 20-year-old winger has scored five goals in nine appearances and was named EFL Young Player of the Month in August," said Carlton Palmer to Football League World in October.

"His scintillating form has seen him earn a call-up to England's under-20 squad. If he can keep producing performances like he's doing then he's going to become a very hot commodity."

Rowe would also do wonders to fill Spurs' homegrown quota, though it is unclear just how much Norwich would demand for their starlet.

Newcastle United endured a dismal end to 2023 and start to 2024 by losing seven from nine matches in all competitions which has left the Magpies 11 points behind the top four already in the Premier League.

Injuries were the catalyst behind the Geordie outfit’s season getting derailed. One of the reasons for Newcastle’s injury woes could be the fact that there are numerous players in the squad on the wrong side of 30.

As a result, head coach Eddie Howe is reportedly looking to add some fresher faces to the side before the January window comes to a close.

Newcastle transfer news – on the hunt for a striker

It was reported by Mike McGrath of The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday afternoon that Newcastle have made an enquiry to Bournemouth about centre-forward Dominic Solanke in the hopes of signing the frontman before the winter market slams shut once more.

While the report doesn’t reveal the Cherries’ asking price, the CIES Football Observatory have placed the striker’s market value at a whopping £34m after a tremendous season in England’s top flight. This is almost double the £19m that Bournemouth paid Liverpool for Solanke back in 2019, although the Reds will earn 20% of any potential sell-on fee.

This past week, the Geordie club were also rumoured to be keeping tabs on Bologna’s star attacker Joshua Zirkzee who is said to have a £34m release clause, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. However, due to having had many years of experience in the Premier League, Solanke could be the obvious choice for a wounded Newcastle.

Dominic Solanke’s stats this season

Having made his debut all the way back in 2014 for Chelsea, Solanke didn’t exactly burst onto the scene and tear the Premier League asunder. In fact, up until the beginning of the 2020/21 season, the Englishman had scored only 12 senior goals, spread across his spells with Vitesse, Liverpool and his first campaign with the Cherries.

However, once the 2020/21 season commenced, Solanke became a different animal. Even football scout Jacek Kulig remarked that the frontman “was written off by many”. Since then, Solanke has found the net 65 times for Bournemouth in all competitions, including a career-high 30 in the 2021/22 campaign as the Cherries were promoted back to England’s top flight.

This term, the 26-year-old is the joint-third top scorer in the Premier League with 12 goals to his name already. Only goal-machines Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have managed to convert more opportunities than the Bournemouth talisman.

Solanke has even scored more league goals than both of Newcastle’s star strikers Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has described him as a "complete" centre-forward. In all competitions, Isak is the Magpies’ top goalscorer with 13, but time may be running out for Wilson.

Now on the wrong side of 30, the England international has only managed to score once in his last nine appearances for the Toon. Between Wilson and Isak, it looks as though the former is more at risk of losing his place in the squad if Solanke moves to St. James’ Park. Additionally, Solanke has statistically beaten Wilson in the 2023/24 season so far.

Stats – 2023/24

Dominic Solanke

Callum Wilson

Goals

13

8

Expected Goals

11

8.1

Assists

1

1

Expected Assists P/90

0.05

0.03

Shots P/90

3.52

2.99

Goals Per Shot

0.16

0.16

Key Passes P/90

0.74

0.56

Passes To Penalty P/90

0.64

0.09

Stats via FBref

Like Solanke, Wilson also played at the Vitality Stadium, where he scored 67 goals and bagged 30 assists in 187 appearances, before going on to have a wonderful spell in the Northeast after signing on a £20m deal back in 2020. Perhaps Solanke could follow these exact footsteps.

Howe has always preferred having two strikers in his team since arriving at the club, whether it be Wilson and Wood or Isak and Wilson, but it looks as though a passing of the guard could be set to take place in the near future with Solanke.