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Leeds United are currently sat at the top of the pile in the Championship after their 3-0 win over recently-relegated Luton Town at Elland Road on Wednesday night.

The Hatters came down from the Premier League at the end of last season but played more like a team that had just come up from League One, as the Whites swatted them aside with relative ease.

Daniel Farke’s men were incredibly dominant, ending the match with 76% of the possession, and goals from Sam Byram, Joel Piroe, and Dan James ensured that the side came away with all three points.

However, the West Yorkshire outfit are only above Sheffield United on goal difference and are only two points above Sunderland in fourth place, which illustrates how tight it is at the top of the table.

This means that Leeds must remain consistent and avoid too many slip-ups, which was not the case in the second half of last season as they ended up in the play-offs.

To give themselves the best possible shot at automatic promotion to the Premier League, the Whites could dip into the market in the January transfer window, but they may have to cash in on a few players to make room for new additions.

Players Leeds should look to cash in on

Firstly, Farke must look to cash in on Joe Gelhardt amid reported interest from Scotland, England, and Belgium for the 22-year-old forward.

The Yorkshire Evening Post recently reported that there is interest building in the former Wigan Athletic youngster, with the likes of Stoke and Rangers keen on landing him on loan.

Gelhardt has only started two matches and made 12 appearances in the Championship since the start of last season for Leeds, which is why the manager should attempt to sell him – rather than sanction a loan – as he is seemingly not in his plans for the first-team.

Football FanCast also recently posted an article explaining why the former Norwich City head coach should cash in on Austria international Max Wober when the January transfer window opens for business.

The left-footed defender is reportedly on £35k-per-week at Elland Road and is yet to start a game, with two appearances in total, in the Championship this season, which is why Farke should look to move him on as the centre-back is one of the highest earners in the squad whilst not contributing much on the pitch.

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What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Another player the Whites should brutally bin ahead of the second half of the 2024/25 campaign is a forward who former sporting director Victor Orta once lauded.

The Leeds star who Victor Orta thought was a "top player"

Back in August of 2021, Patrick Bamford was called up to the senior England squad under Gareth Southgate for the first time and it led to high praise from Orta.

The Spanish chief hailed the former Chelsea and Middlesbrough marksman as a “top player” who had “developed magnificently” under the coaching of Marcelo Bielsa.

It was deserved praise at the time for the English centre-forward because he had just enjoyed a terrific 2019/20 Premier League campaign under the Argentine head coach, which earned him a place in Southgate’s squad.

Appearances

38

Goals

17

Big chances missed

21

Big chances created

5

Assists

7

As you can see in the table above, the Leeds striker plundered an eye-catching 17 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances in the top-flight, more than one goal contribution every other game on average.

The Whites forward had proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer at Premier League level, at that time, and it had come after his return of 16 goals in 45 matches during their promotion-winning season in the Championship the previous year.

This meant that Bamford had produced 33 league goals in two seasons with the West Yorkshire outfit, which is why Orta felt compelled to describe him as a “top player”.

The Leeds sporting director added that he was “sure” that there would be “more success” to come for the England international in the years to come.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case for the now-31-year-old number nine and, in the present day, Farke must ruthlessly cash in on the dud.

Why Leeds should cash in on Patrick Bamford

The experienced forward has not been a reliable goalscorer for Leeds for a number of seasons, now, and is reportedly the highest earner in the squad on £70k-per-week.

After his 17-goal haul in the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign, Bamford managed a return of just six goals in 37 top-flight matches in two seasons.

That included four goals from 8.61 xG in 28 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign, which shows that the attacker significantly underperformed as a finisher in the season that Leeds were relegated in.

Relegation down to the Championship provided Bamford with a chance to get back on track and start scoring goals on a regular basis again. Unfortunately, the English striker’s finishing left a bit to be desired, yet again.

Appearances

33

xG

9.52

Big chances missed

9

Goals

8

Assists

1

As you can see in the table above, the Leeds centre-forward underperformed his xG, again, and missed more ‘big chances’ than he scored goals in the second tier.

The 31-year-old dud, simply, did not provide consistent quality over the course of the season and was, therefore, not a reliable option for the manager.

That may be why he has started the current season as the third-choice number nine for Farke, with academy graduate Mateo Joseph and Dutchman Joel Piroe both preferred ahead of him in the pecking order as it stands, with six appearances and zero stars in the league so far.

Therefore, the manager must ruthlessly ditch Bamford, who is the highest earner in the squad, because he is not a regular on the pitch and has struggled to provide consistent quality in recent years.

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Farke must cash in on the forward in January, if there is enough interest in him, as the £70k-per-week wages he is currently on could be put to better use by finding a player who can contribute week-in-week-out to the promotion push.

Matt Milnes leads Kent attack as 170th Canterbury Festival gets underway

ECB Reporters Network11-Jul-2022Northamptonshire 303 (Gay 112, Rickelton 55) vs KentNorthamptonshire were all out for 303 against Kent, after a fluctuating first day in the LV= Insurance County Championship match at Canterbury.Emilio Gay hit 112 after the visitors lost Ricardo Vasconcelos to the first ball of the day and Ryan Rickelton was the next highest scorer with 55, but having reached 205 for two, they lost their next eight wickets for 98 runs.Matt Milnes had Kent’s best bowling figures with three for 47, while Joe Denly took two for 31 and Matt Quinn two for 51.The 170th Canterbury Festival began with the temperature already over 25 degrees in the shade and in the day’s least surprising development, Northamptonshire chose to bat after winning the toss.The pitch, however, didn’t look benign early on. Vasconcelos went for a platinum duck when he was caught behind off Quinn and Rickelton and Gay then endured a torrid hour, during which they struggled to score at over two an over. Both survived, however, and as the session ground on, the runs came more freely, leaving the visitors on 95 for one at lunch.An elegant cover drive off Milnes took Rickelton to 50 just after the restart, but he then edged the same bowler behind.It was otherwise a session of few chances. Luke Procter was dropped at leg slip when on 12 off Linde and Gay reached his century with a glanced two off George Linde, but he fell in the penultimate over before tea. Kent skipper Sam Billings threw the ball to occasional red-ball spinner Denly and his second ball was pulled to Linde at midwicket, leaving Northants on 206 for three at the interval.Denly struck again soon after the resumption, getting Procter caught and bowled for 33 and Jack Leaning then bowled Rob Keogh for six.The new ball accounted for Josh Cobb who went for nine. He tried to cut Milnes and was caught by Ben Compton at point.Milnes then splayed Jimmy Neesham’s off and middle stumps, bowling him for 33, before Quinn bowled Lewis McManus for four.Ben Sanderson made 23 from 18 balls before he edged Grant Stewart and fell to a juggling catch by Billings and George Linde wrapped up the innings by bowling Simon Kerrigan for seven with the final ball of the day, leaving Jack White unbeaten on six.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has provided an injury update regarding winger Chiedozie Ogbene, having been stretchered off away to Brentford.

Ogbene injured in Ipswich defeat to Brentford

The Tractor Boys suffered a heartbreaking day at the office on Saturday afternoon, eventually losing 4-3 to Thomas Frank’s Bees side.

Ipswich led 2-0 in the first half, only to see that lead evaporate and for the visitors to trail 3-2, but it looked as though Liam Delap had earned his side a point with a late equaliser, despite Harry Clarke’s red card.

There was still time for Brentford to find a winner, however, and Bryan Mbeumo struck deep into stoppage time to inflict a cruel loss on the Tractor Boys, who are still searching for their first win back in the Premier League after nine matches.

Not only was Ipswich’s defeat tough to take, but a serious-looking injury to Ogbene compounded their misery, with the 27-year-old forced off on a stretcher after picking up an Achilles issue. Now, further information has emerged regarding the severity of the issue.

McKenna provides Ogbene injury update

Speaking after the game on Saturday [via RTE], McKenna revealed that Ipswich ace Ogbene could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with his injury described as “serious”:

“It looks serious, unfortunately. It looks like it could be an Achilles tear, so that would be devastating for him and for us. That’s what I’ve been told at the moment. We hope that won’t be the case but I think that’s what looks most likely.

“Is it a six-to-nine-month injury? You’ll have to get a medical opinion on that but an Achilles tear is a big injury, so we hope that it won’t be that but I think the consensus at the moment is that it is.”

This is an added headache that McKenna could really do without, even if Ogbene hasn’t yet been a hugely important player for Ipswich since arriving from Luton Town in the summer transfer window.

He has featured in five Premier League games so far this season, starting just three of them, but Jamie Carragher waxed lyrical about the Republic of Ireland international last season, saying:

“For me, Chiedozie Ogbene has been absolutely outstanding every time I watch him. He has played on the left and the right and at the moment he is playing right wing back. He’s supporting the play, we know he’s an absolute flying machine. A lot of criticism of a flying winger is if you drop off, has he actually got the quality to thread a little pass or put a nice cross into the box? He has that.”

Squad depth is going to be so vital for Ipswich, in terms of their Premier League survival battle this season, so to suddenly have Ogbene out injured for many months would be an almighty blow.

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Hopefully, his layoff won’t be as lengthy as McKenna fears, but given how serious it looked at the time, Ipswich supporters will be understandably concerned about how long he will be unavailable.

Arsenal were denied a famous victory at The Etihad on Sunday as John Stones struck in the 98th minute to secure a 2-2 draw for Manchester City. There was a full Gunners debut for Riccardo Calafiori at left-back and it was a mixed evening for the Italy international, who arrived from Bologna in the summer.

Savinho beat him with ease on the half-turn to set up Erling Haaland for the opener but he reacted to that by scoring a stunning goal from distance to level the game at 1-1.

Calafiori started due to a slight injury concern with Ben White, who then came on at half-time, and the England international is not the only player Mikel Arteta may be worried about.

Latest Arsenal injury news

After the 2-2 draw with City, the Spanish head coach revealed that his coaching staff did not want the versatile English defender to feature at The Etihad, but they turned to him at the break after Leandro Trossard’s sending-off. White made it through to the end of the match without any major issues, fitness-wise, and Arsenal will now be hoping to have him fully fit for their next Premier League clash with Leicester City.

However, the Gunners may have a new injury concern to be worried about after goalkeeper David Raya was spotted limping with a bandage around his knee after the match.

The Spaniard has a wrapping around his right knee and was not walking comfortably, whilst declining to speak to reporters in the mixed zone. The former Brentford man did drop to the floor before a goal kick in the second half and needed treatment on the pitch, which gave Arteta a chance to speak with his players. Hopefully, the bandage was a precaution.

Losing David Raya would be a big blow

If Arsenal do end up being without Raya for any period of time, it would be a blow for the Premier League giants as he has been in fantastic form this season.

The 29-year-old stopper made a whopping nine saves in the 2-2 draw with City and came into that game off the back of an extraordinary double save against Atalanta in the Champions League.

He has kept three clean sheets and prevented 1.36 xG in five appearances in the Premier League so far this season, whilst his ability to claim crosses has also been extremely valuable for Arsenal.

Last 365 days (Big 5 leagues + European competitions)	David Raya	Percentile rank vs goalkeepers
Goals against per 90	0.76	Top 1%
Clean sheet percentage	48.9%	Top 1%
Percentage of crosses stopped	12.1%	Top 1%
Average distance of defensive actions	16.9 yards	Top 8%
Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, Raya ranks incredibly highly against his positional peers in the top leagues across Europe in a number of key statistics, including claiming crosses. The Spaniard is quick off his line to sweep up danger, whether that is from through balls to crosses, to take some of the pressure off William Saliba and Gabriel.

Therefore, losing a player of his immense quality, as a shot-stopper and a dominant force in the box, would be a blow for Arteta and his defence.

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تمكن الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، من تسجيل الهداف الرابع، في شباك منافسه المصري، خلال اللقاء الجاري بينهما ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز بينما سجل أبناء بورسعيد الهدف الثاني.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع المصري، على أرضية استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية، في الجولة الخامسة من المرحلة النهائية لتحديد بطل الدوري الممتاز.

وجاء هدف الأهلي الرابع، عن طريق إمام عاشور في الدقيقة 78 من عمر المباراة عن طريق ركلة جزاء.

ورد المصري البورسعيدي، عن طريق فخر الدين بن يوسف في الدقيقة 81 بالهدف الثاني للمصري من كرة رأسية.

وتقدم المصري بهدف في الدقيقة 6 من عمر الشوط الأول، بعد كرة عرضية من كريم العراقي قابلها صلاح محسن برأسية متقنة سكنت الشياك.

ثم سجل إمام عاشور هدف تعادل الأهلي في الدقيقة 35، بعد تمريرة من وسام أبو علي داخل منطقة الجزاء قابلها إمام بتسديدة قوية سكنت الشباك.

طالع أيضاً.. رامي ربيعة يغادر مباراة الأهلي والمصري مصابًا

وتقدم طاهر محمد طاهر بالهدف الثاني للأهلي في الدقيقة 45 من عمر الشوط الأول، بعد عرضية من أحمد نبيل كوكا قابلها طاهر بتسديدة سكنت الشباك.

وأحرز وسام أبو علي الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 58 من عمر اللقاء بتسديدة متقنة من ركلة حرة مباشرة خارج منطقة الجزاء، سكنت شباك محمود جاد.

 ويدخل الأهلي المباراة محتلاً المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري برصيد 46 نقطة، بينما يتواجد المصري بالمركز الرابع برصيد 35 نقطة. هدف الأهلي الرابع أمام المصري

هدف المصري الثاني أمام الأهلي

Royal Challengers’ poor net run rate makes their final league match, against Gujarat Titans, almost a must-win contest

S Rajesh15-May-2022

Super Giants are comfortably placed to qualify for the playoffs because of Royal Challengers’ poor NRR•BCCI

Rajasthan Royals: Mat 13, Pts 16, NRR 0.304
A comfortable 24-run win against Lucknow Super Giants means Rajasthan Royals are almost certain of qualifying for the playoffs. Only five teams can now get to 16 or more points – Delhi Capitals play Punjab Kings, so only one of them can reach that tally – and Royals’ excellent net run rate (NRR) of 0.304, coupled with Royal Challengers Bangalore’s poor -0.323, means Royals are very well placed. For them to drop below Royal Challengers, they will have to lose to Super Kings by a huge margin and Royal Challengers will need a big win against Gujarat Titans – the combined margin of those two results will need to be around 160 runs. (If Royal Challengers win by 70, Royals will need to lose by around 90.)They also play their last game after Royal Challengers, so they will know exactly what they need to do to finish in the top four. The target for Royals will now actually be to win their last game and finish among the top two.Lucknow Super Giants: Mat 13, Pts 16, NRR 0.262
In their last two matches, Super Giants’ NRR has dropped from 0.703 to 0.262, thanks to losses in these games by a combined margin of 86 runs. However, like Royals, Super Giants are also comfortably placed to qualify because of Royal Challengers’ poor NRR. For them to lose out on a playoffs spot, the combined margin of their defeat and Royal Challengers’ win will have to be around 150 runs.Like Royals, Super Giants, too, have the chance to finish among the top two. If both these teams win their last match, they will finish on 18 points each and NRR will decide who finishes second.Delhi Capitals: Mat 12, Pts 12, NRR 0.210
With Royals also reaching 16 points, there is less wriggle room for teams which are at the middle of the table. Delhi Capitals are still the best placed among those teams, thanks to their excellent NRR of 0.210. If they win their last two matches, they will go through. Even if they lose one of those matches and finish on 14, they could still qualify if Kings and Royal Challengers don’t reach 16, and if Knight Riders and Sunrisers don’t win their last games and go past Capitals on run rate. In fact, it is still possible for all these five teams to finish on 14 points, fighting for the last playoff spot.Punjab Kings: Mat 12, Pts 12, NRR 0.023
Kings currently have an NRR of 0.023, which is lower than Capitals’ 0.210 whom they play on Monday. If they win that game and their last one against Sunrisers, they will qualify.If they lose to Capitals, they will have to win their last game against Sunrisers, and then hope that Capitals and Royal Challengers lose theirs. It will then come down to NRR among the teams on 14 points.For instance, if Kings lose to Capitals by a run on Monday and beat Sunrisers by 25 runs after scoring 180, their NRR will improve to 0.112; if Capitals lose their last game against Mumbai Indians by 25 runs, their NRR will drop to 0.086. Thus, it’s possible for Kings to stay in contention even if they lose to Capitals, as long as they lose by a small margin.Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mat 13, Pts 14, NRR -0.323
Given their poor NRR, Royal Challengers will probably have to win their last game to stand a chance of qualification. If they lose that, it is highly unlikely that they can survive the NRR battle against the other team(s) on 14.Even if they lose by just one run and Punjab Kings beat Capitals by a run, Punjab Kings will have to lose to Sunrisers by around 90 runs for their NRR to drop below that of Royal Challengers. Thus, a defeat against Titans will effectively end their qualification chances. A victory might not be enough either, if Capitals or Punjab Kings also finish on 16.Kolkata Knight Riders: Mat 13, Pts 12, NRR 0.160
Knight Riders can reach a maximum of 14, which means they too must hope that no other team reaches 16. Their NRR of 0.160 is quite healthy; if they score 180 and win their last game by 25 runs, it will improve further to 0.241, which means they will be in the hunt for the playoffs if none of the other teams go up to 16.Sunrisers Hyderabad: Mat 12, Pts 10, NRR -0.270
Sunrisers will have to win their last two games by big margins, and then hope that no other team moves up to 16 points. They will obviously stand a better chance if Capitals lose both matches and stay on 12, and if Knight Riders lose their last game too.If Sunrisers win their last two by 30 runs each, then their NRR will be -0.010. If Kings beat Capitals by a run and lose to Sunrisers by 30, their NRR will drop to -0.085 (assuming scores of 180 and 150).

Club captain stands down for family reasons after struggling for form in two seasons

ESPNcricinfo staff22-May-2022

Peter Handscomb has helped guide Middlesex to the top of Division Two•Getty Images

Peter Handscomb, Middlesex’s club captain, is standing down from his role, and will not return to complete the 2022 season following his involvement with next month’s Australia A tour of Sri Lanka.A statement from the club confirmed that Handscomb would be returning to Australia after the Sri Lanka tour for family reasons, and that Tim Murtagh would be taking over as club captain in both the four-day and 50-over formats.”We would like to thank Pete for all he has contributed to the club throughout his time with us,” Alan Coleman, Middlesex’s head of men’s performance cricket. “He is a fabulous bloke to have around the dressing room and has led us with distinction this year on the field.”He is a natural leader and inspires those around him to perform, and many of the younger players within our squad have learned an enormous amount from him during the time he’s been at the club.”Despite leading Middlesex to the top of the LV= County Championship Division Two – a position that he helped to consolidate with an unbeaten 39 in their six-wicket win over Durham at Lord’s on Sunday – Handscomb’s own form has been intermittent, with a solitary half-century in five appearances this season, to go with his average of 17.46 in his seven matches in 2021.The news follows the confirmation that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Middlesex’s other overseas player, will not be returning to the club this season either, due to Pakistan’s busy international schedule. The club confirmed that they were in negotiations for a replacement top-order batter for the remainder of the season, and were hopeful of making an announcement in the near future.”I’ve really enjoyed my time here at Middlesex and it’s been a pleasure to have played with such a great bunch of blokes,” Handscomb said. “To have started the season in the manner we have is testament to the amount of hard work the playing group and coaches have put in, and I wish Middlesex every success for the remainder of the season and moving forwards.”It’s been an honour to have been able to call Lord’s my home, and my thanks go to everyone at the Club for their support in allowing me to head home to spend time with my family after my international commitments with Australia A.”

Tom Harrison has denied that he is “clinging on for grim death” amid a wave of post-Ashes sackings, and insists that he will walk away from his role as chief executive when the time is right, as the ECB grapples with a succession of crises, both on and off the field.Harrison, who has been in his role since 2015, was instrumental in securing the £1.1 billion rights deal with Sky and the BBC in 2017, and also oversaw the structures that enabled England’s white-ball team to become World Cup winners in 2019.He was credited, too, for keeping English cricket solvent during the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, when the successful hosting of England men’s home-summer series against West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia helped to mitigate the board’s multi-million pound losses.However, more recently, Harrison has come under intense pressure for his handling of the racism scandal that has engulfed English cricket since Azeem Rafiq’s revelations at Yorkshire, including a succession of unconvincing appearances before Parliament’s DCMS select committee.The fall-out from the Ashes has intensified the scrutiny as well, particularly in light of Harrison’s call for a “red-ball reset” in response to the declining standards of the Test team. As one of the primary advocates of the Hundred, the ECB’s new competition that took place in the prime summer months of July and August last summer while forcing the County Championship ever further into the margins of the season, many critics doubt whether he is the right man to oversee that change of priority.Other mis-steps include the ECB’s unilateral cancellation of England’s goodwill T20I tour of Pakistan in October – a trip that would have been England’s first to the country since 2005, and which was a factor in the subsequent resignation of Ian Watmore as chair – and the awarding of a £2.1 million bonus pool for the board senior executives off the back of the Hundred’s launch. The pay-out for that bonus scheme is anticipated in April, and comes in spite of the extensive round of redundancies that the ECB underwent last year in the wake of the pandemic.”I’d like not to be seen to be running away from the challenge of addressing the issues,” Harrison said in a press conference at Lord’s, as he and Andrew Strauss, the interim England director, addressed England’s preparations for this month’s tour of West Indies, which include the retention of Joe Root as captain, but the removal of Graham Thorpe as assistant coach – the third sacking in as many days following the departures of Ashley Giles and Chris Silverwood.”We’re in a particular moment, we’re looking for an interim coach, we have an interim chair, we’re looking for a full-time chair. We’ve got a lot of discussions underway,” Harrison said. “This is a moment where I think I have the support of the board and it is a very tough moment. And honestly, the toughest moment that I’ve experienced in my career, but I’m not running away.Related

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“I just feel that I have to keep going. I want to take English cricket back to a place where there’s some stability, there’s some calmness, frankly, and a sense that we are heading in the right direction.”England’s 4-0 Ashes loss was the culmination of a terrible 12 months for England’s Test team, which has now lost 10 of its last 14 matches with a solitary win over India at Headingley. But Harrison was insistent that English cricket’s achievements in 2021 – including record crowds for domestic women’s matches during the first season of the Hundred – were still worth celebrating.”I know we had a terrible Test summer and no one’s trying to disguise that, but the incredible growth in the women’s game, the impact of the Hundred, going back on free-to-air television and 16 million people seeing a tournament and viewing figures being the best they’ve ever had for Test cricket and for white-ball cricket … there is an awful lot to be building on.”I know that’s not something to be talking about in the wake of an Ashes defeat and we do have to reflect hard on what happened. But I’m not clinging on for grim death, that is not what I’m doing.”I’m doing this because I think it’s the right thing for English cricket right now. And as soon as that is not the case, you will not have to push me.”

An "unbelievable" Newcastle United player has a "willingness" to come to an agreement over a new contract at St James' Park, in a deal that would be worth more than £3.1m per year.

Newcastle eyeing future signings

The Magpies continue to be linked with new signings in the future, following a summer transfer window that many supporters weren't overly enamoured with. There is a feeling that Eddie Howe's squad wasn't strengthened sufficiently enough, with the manager himself even hinting at his own frustration surrounding the situation.

One report has claimed that Adam Wharton is being looked at as a potential target for Newcastle ahead of next summer, with the Crystal Palace midfielder impressing so much last season that he received a call-up to England's squad for Euro 2024. Liverpool and Manchester City are also keen on snapping him up, though.

Rumours linking the Magpies with a move for Barcelona winger Raphinha are also refusing to go away, with a fresh update stating that the Premier League side are happy to match the La Liga giants' £52m valuation of him. The Brazilian could be an ideal improvement on Miguel Almiron and his impressive spell at Leeds United showed that he is capable of thriving in English football.

While new faces are vital for Newcastle moving forward, retaining the services of the most important players at St James' Park is just as key. Now, a fresh update has emerged regarding the future of one such figure.

Newcastle plan contract talks with "unbelievable" ace

According to a fresh update from Football Insider, Newcastle are planning talks with Antony Gordon over a contract extension at St James' Park, which would earn him more than his current £3.1m-a-year wages.

The report states that "despite links with a move to Liverpool in the summer, Gordon remains focused" on playing for the Magpies currently, adding that "there is a willingness to reach an agreement over a new contract".

Tieing Gordon down to an extension would feel significant for Newcastle, following strong reported interest from his boyhood club Liverpool during the summer window. Even if he does decide he wants to leave soon, it would also put the Magpies in a strong bargaining position, in terms of demanding huge money for him.

The hope is that the 23-year-old now sees his long-term future at St James', however, having become a popular player in a short space of time, not least with Bruno Guimaraes: "He has been unbelievable, always scoring and giving some assists.

"He is a lovely guy as well, I am very happy for him and hope he can get some minutes for England. For me to play against him will be massive for both of us and the club as well."

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Gordon hasn't yet found his top form this season – he is still waiting for his first assist of the campaign – but he is a massive player for Newcastle and should only get better as his prime approaches.

da bet vitoria： Leeds United have reached an agreement to sign a young player very early in the post-transfer window period, according to a new report.

da prosport bet： The West Yorkshire side were very busy during the recent window in terms of incomings and outgoings, but that uncertainty hasn’t affected them on the pitch, as they have made a steady start to the new season.

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Leeds United have a new hero they can rely on in attack.

Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Sep 1, 2024 Leeds United missed out on key signings

Leeds added eight new players to their squad over the course of the summer, with those additions including Joe Rodon returning to the club on a permanent basis. They also added Jayden Bogle, Largie Ramazani and Isaac Schmidt to their squad.

Leeds United's summer signings

Joe Rodon

Tottenham

Largie Ramazani

UD Almeria

Jayden Bogle

Sheff Utd

Ao Tanaka

F. Düsseldorf

Isaac Schmidt

FC St. Gallen

Alex Cairns

Salford City

Manor Solomon (Loan)

Tottenham

Joe Rothwell (Loan)

Bournemouth

However, the Whites also lost some big players over the last few months, as Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville all left the club to join teams in the Premier League.

Therefore, heading into the final day of the window, Leeds were still looking to do business, and one player they were looking to sign was Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer.

The Whites made an offer that included a fee plus Joel Piroe going the other way, but the Blades rejected this offer as the club’s coaching staff wasn’t interested in a deal that involved Piroe, who wouldn’t fit into what they were looking for. This wasn’t the only bid the club made for Hamer, as they also saw an offer before this one was turned down by their Yorkshire rivals.

As well as looking at a late move for Hamer, Leeds had also reportedly agreed a deal worth £25 million to sign Martin Baturina from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. However, the deal didn’t materialise, as the midfielder refused to move to Elland Road, which meant Daniel Farke was unable to get one of his targets through the door. It is thought that the 21-year-old was not ready to swap his homeland for football in the English Championship, with him believing "it was not the best place for his football development".

But while these deals didn’t work out for Leeds, it appears they have all but got their hands on a new signing even though the transfer window has shut.

Leeds United agree early out-of-window deal

According to journalist Alan Nixon, relayed by Inside Futbol, Leeds United have agreed a pre-contract agreement with 16-year-old defender Leonard Ngenge. Leeds added to their defensive ranks towards the end of the transfer window by adding Schmidt, and the club have now secured another defensive signing – this time, a player for the future.

Ngenge has already been at the club, having had a trial with the Championship side, where he clearly caught the eye and impressed. The left-back has done enough to earn himself a contract, but he can’t join Leeds until he is 18 due to FIFA rules.

Leeds have successfully tied Ngenge to a contract at Elland Road, and once he turns 18, he will join the club’s youth team. The defender was also of interest to Swedish side Hammarby, but they also faced the same rules as Leeds.