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Leeds United’s injury list has grown with Ilia Gruev the latest concern, and Daniel Farke provided an update after the 1-1 Championship draw with Norwich City.

Leeds come away from Carrow Road with a point after Ramazani equaliser

The Whites faced an in-form Canaries side on Tuesday evening, looking to pick up where they left off on Saturday after a 3-0 home victory over Coventry City.

Farke was forced to make one change to the team that beat the Sky Blues, with captain Ethan Ampadu now out for 10 weeks with a knee injury. Ao Tanaka came in to partner Gruev for his first start, whereas Junior Firpo and Pascal Struijk were passed fit to keep their place in the backline.

However, in midfield, Gruev was replaced after just 20 minutes, with loanee Joe Rothwell coming on to play alongside Tanaka. At the time, Leeds were trailing after a Josh Sargent penalty, however, Largie Ramazani netted his second goal for the club on the hour mark to earn the Whites a point.

Talking after the game, Farke said as relayed by Leeds Live’s Beren Cross: “Good point on the road. Good advert for the Champ. Two in form sides. Good game. Tight game. Decisive moments are crucial. Norwich good side. Unbeaten at home.

“Two in-form teams on the pitch. We allowed one mistake in our defending over the last six games. Allowed the winger to cut inside and then tackled in the box for the penalty. Difficult here at 1-0 down. Stadium buzzing. Confident players. Not easy.

“We had chances. Gnonto hit the post. Unlucky we were back at half-time. Encouraged them to keep going. Not the easiest time. Injuries. Another important player out of the game. Played with a new centre. Praise my lads. Rothwell’s first start in a long time. We had the edge to win the game. Bogle great chance. Aaronson great chance. Penalty against Gnonto. Close to three points, but Norwich in form. Sainz and Sargent. Open game. Basketball game. Both teams can live with this point.”

Ilia Gruev injury update shared by Farke

A main talking point from the evening was Gruev’s injury, with Leeds United reporters reacting to the issue for the Bulgaria international. Cross said at the time: “Gruev is going off with an injury. Rothwell coming on. Quite possibly the worst injury they could have picked up tonight.”

Meanwhile, The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth added: “Gruev is down again, in need of more treatment. Rothwell is getting stripped off. Nothing short of disastrous.”

Farke admitted after that the problem sustained by Gruev doesn’t look good and it will require further assessment on Wednesday.

This is far from ideal for Leeds, who now are down to just two fit central midfielders in Tanaka and Rothwell and two available senior central defenders in Joe Rodon and Struijk. Gruev could now join the likes of Ampadu, Dan James, Manor Solomon and Max Wober on the sidelines, highlighting Leeds’ lack of depth in midfield and at the back.

Ipswich Town are seemingly hard at work behind the scenes extending contracts to some of their promotion heroes.

Ipswich Town searching for first Premier League win

Kieran McKenna and those at Portman Road were extremely productive during the summer transfer window, bringing in 12 new players after winning promotion to the Premier League.

Player

Fee (as per Transfermarkt)

Omari Hutchinson

€23.5m

Jacob Greaves

€21.5m

Liam Delap

€17.85m

Jack Clarke

€17.7m

Dara O’Shea

€14.2m

Sammie Szmodics

€10.6m

Arijanet Muric

€9.55m

Chiedoze Ogbene

€9.5m

Conor Townsend

€590k

Jens Cajuste

Loan

Kalvin Phillips

Loan

Ben Johnson

Free

However, the club are still awaiting their first victory back in the top flight, losing two and drawing two of their opening four fixtures. There have been promising signs and McKenna will be hoping that Ipswich’s first league win is just around the corner, with an away trip to Southampton and home clash against Aston Villa the remaining games for September.

However, away from the pitch, the club have secured new deals for winger Wes Burns and goalkeeper Christian Walton, who recently joined Sam Morsy in extending their Portman Road stays. Now, they could be joined by some more promotion heroes.

McKenna shares exciting Ipswich Town contract update

Stuart Watson, chief writer for The East Anglian Daily Times, relayed some exciting comments from McKenna in recent days regarding talks over more new contracts. The Tractor Boys boss said he thinks “conversations” are ongoing when it comes to more players signing new deals, reflecting on deals for Burns and Walton in the process.

“It’s very important we keep a good core of players who have been a really, really important part of the journey over the last couple of years. As we grow and develop now as a football club, and as we bring new players in, those players who have been part of the journey are going to help with integration both on and off the pitch.

“These players have been a big part of the culture that has been built at the training ground. Christian, in his role in the goalkeeper department, is very much an example of that. Wes has produced performances that we hoped for and expected in the Premier League – he had a really good start against Liverpool – and also he is a positive and popular character around the training ground. Both have important roles to play.

“We want to keep that balance this season of players who have been with us and having new players we think can help us and add to us. I think where we’ve ended up at the end of the transfer window is a good balance and pretty much where we wanted to be.

“Getting that blend right is how we want to build and develop the squad. Those two boys signing contracts is a pretty good sign of the model that we want to follow. I think there are conversations ongoing with some others in terms of them receiving and committing to new contracts.”

Ipswich Town now eyeing move to sign "fantastic" £200k-p/w ace for McKenna

It would be another statement addition for the newly-promoted side.

1 ByBen Browning Sep 16, 2024

Some of the promotion heroes who the club could be speaking to are Leif Davis, Luke Woolfenden, Axel Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess, who are all out of contract at the end of the campaign, although Ipswich have an option to extend Davis’ by a further 12 months.

Sunderland have suffered a setback ahead of their clash with Middlesbrough this weekend, with an “outstanding” player out of the game through injury.

Sunderland prepare for huge Middlesbrough clash

The Black Cats were stopped in their tracks last Saturday after a perfect start to their Championship season, losing 3-2 away to Plymouth Argyle in the dying seconds. It was a result that acted as a reality check for Regis Le Bris and his players, but they still look like an impressive outfit.

On Saturday lunchtime, Sunderland host Middlesbrough in a mouthwatering derby, as Le Bris and his team look to get back on track. Michael Carrick’s side are in 10th place and four points adrift of the Black Cats, so the hosts know that victory at the Stadium of Light will take them seven points clear of their rivals even this early in the campaign.

This game could tell us a lot more about Sunderland as a team, in terms of their ability to react to a bad result, with a resounding victory further suggesting that they are going to be one of the contenders to earn promotion to the Premier League this season.

Injury problems are threatening to be an issue for them, however, with Alan Browne seen in a knee brace during a Q&A in midweek, leading to concerns about his involvement this weekend. Dan Ballard also limped off against Plymouth, giving Le Bris an added concern.

Sunderland team news before Middlesbrough

According to an update from The Sunderland Echo, Le Bris has confirmed that, while Ballard looks set to be available for the game, Browne is out of Saturday’s clash with his aforementioned knee issue.

The report does state that “the prognosis is again better than initially thought”, however, which has to be taken as a positive for Sunderland, although not in the short term ahead of the match with Boro.

Browne will be a miss this weekend, having made four Championship appearances out of a possible five so far this season, starting two of those matches. He arrived from Preston North End as an experienced head during the summer transfer window, so not having his nous in a local derby could be a loss.

The 29-year-old has even scored once for good measure, coming in the 3-1 win away to Portsmouth, while former Preston teammate Brad Potts heaped praise on him last season, having made his 400th appearance for the club:

“Yeah, it is an amazing achievement. He has obviously been an outstanding player ever since I came to the club. I am sure, if he stays at the club, he is going to break a few more records. I am really happy for him and all the lads are just proud of him and proud to say he is our captain really.”

Sunderland show "interest" in 19 y/o gem also wanted by Boehly at Chelsea

The update comes from a top foreign source.

ByHenry Jackson Sep 17, 2024

The hope is that Browne returns to the fold sooner rather than later, which Le Bris appears to think will be the case, proving to be as great a stalwart for Sunderland as he was in a Preston shirt.

Arsenal may have not signed a striker in the transfer window, but a very enticing option for 2025 has now emerged this week.

Why Edu and Arteta didn't sign a striker for Arsenal this summer

The north Londoners concluded their summer business with major signings for Mikel Arteta, as David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Neto and Raheem Sterling all joined for around £91 million in total.

Arsenal gifted injury boost with £265k-per-week star in line to play Spurs

The north London derby looms this weekend.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 12, 2024

Raya's £27 million move from Brentford was a formality, with the keeper initially joining on loan last summer, but there was an obligation to buy clause inserted into the deal. Arteta brought in both Merino and Calafiori to strengthen Arsenal's left-side, while Neto and Sterling both made last-gasp moves to Arsenal on deadline day.

Sterling could make his Arsenal debut in a false-nine role against Tottenham, but Merino will miss the next two months for Arsenal after fracturing his shoulder in training.

Tottenham (away)

September 15

Man City (away)

September 22

Leicester City (home)

September 28

Southampton (home)

October 5

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

Arsenal are waiting to find out whether Calafiori will be available this weekend, after the defender suffered a calf injury in a freak collision with Ousmane Dembele on international duty with Italy.

In an alternate universe, Arteta would have a world-class new striker to call upon for their looming North London Derby, but Edu Gaspar and the club's recruitment team couldn't quite get one over the line.

Arsenal did make an offer to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, but the Slovenian ultimately snubbed their advances and chose to remain in the Bundesliga, until next summer at least.

Meanwhile, it is believed Arteta rejected the chance to move for Ivan Toney, before the Englishman elected to make a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, where he is now pocketing around £330,000-per-week at Pro League side Al-Ahli.

Victor Osimhen was also sporadically linked with a move to Arsenal, but that didn't come to fruition, with the 25-year-old instead forced to accept a shock loan move to Galatasaray.

For the rest of 2024/2025, Arteta will have Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as his main strikers to call upon, not to mention Sterling, who can play in that position when required.

Arsenal could sign Jonathan David with an offer above £96,000-per-week

According to Tutto Juve, a very astute option for next year could come in the form of Lille star Jonathan David, who is out of contract at the end of this season and allowed to negotiate a pre-contract in January – ahead of a free move next summer.

It is believed Arsenal could sign David with an offer of above £96,000-per-week, which comes as quite a temptation given just how prolific the Canada international has been these last few years.

The 24-year-old boasts a career total of 153 goals for club and country combined, so the prospect of signing David on a free will put a host of top clubs on alert. Tutto Juve write that Arsenal are among the frontrunners for his signature, alongside rivals Spurs and Newcastle United.

Nottingham Forest are in talks over a summer swoop to sign Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

What’s the latest Nottingham Forest transfer news?

The Reds and Steve Cooper made close to 30 signings during the 2022/23 season following their return to the Premier League, and the club managed to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

However, the club are yet to really make their mark in the window this summer, with the only real piece of business seeing Chris Wood’s loan move becoming permanent from Newcastle United.

The Reds could soon be on the search for another attacking addition, though, especially with Premier League rivals Brentford confident of signing Brennan Johnson. Forest have already rejected a £30m offer from the Bees for the Wales international, but they will consider accepting an offer in the region of £50m.

As a result, the club have been linked with a move for Iheanacho, who was a part of the Foxes side that suffered relegation last season.

According to journalist Santi Aouna in the last 48 hours, Forest have recently opened talks over a move for Iheanacho and have made the Leicester man a top target. The Reds are even hoping to seal a deal in the next days.

“Nottingham Forest have opened talks to sign Kelechi Iheanacho from Leicester.

“He’s on top of list. Nottingham want to close the deal in the next days.”

Who is Kelechi Iheanacho?

Iheanacho has been on the books at the King Power Stadium since 2017 after leaving Manchester City. Since then, the Nigeria international has made 206 appearances for his current employers in all competitions, scoring 55 times, one of which came at the City Ground in a FA Cup clash.

The 26-year-old is into the final 12 months of his Foxes deal and is valued at €18m by Transfermarkt, so a deal could be there to be done for the left-footed forward.

He is known for his quality in front of goal, and back in 2021, following a goal against Crystal Palace, former forward Tony Cottee hailed Iheanacho as “class”.

“With Kelechi, you’ve got that class. If you watch the slow-motion, you’ll see him take just a little glance up. His head goes up, ‘where is the goal?’. What am I going to do?’ and he just made it look so easy.”

“That’s the biggest compliment I can pay him. If you can just stroke and side-foot the ball past the goalkeeper, you’re doing something right, and it shows you’ve got a special talent.

“So let’s give him praise for two things: the closing down and then the quality of the finish.”

As per FBref, Iheanacho has been compared to the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Marcus Rashford and Christopher Nkunku in the last year, and he even ranks in the top 2% of forwards for assists, showing he has more to his game than just goals.

Therefore, should Johnson leave, bringing in an experienced Premier League striker like Iheanacho could be a wise move, and by the looks of things, it could be one to keep an eye on over the coming days.

Leeds United are still without manager after falling from the Premier League this year, but that has not stopped rumours filtering through of the club's interest in Amad Diallo.

According to The Mirror, the Manchester United winger has emerged as an option for a loan move this summer with Wilfried Gnonto eyeing a departure from Elland Road after relegation from the Premier League.

The Championship outfit's soon-to-be-confirmed owners, the 49ers, will be targetting a swift return to the top-flight, and the Ivorian could hold the formula after a prolific loan spell with defeated Championship play-off semi-finalists Sunderland.

Signing for the Red Devils from Atalanta for a fee potentially rising to £37m in January 2021, the 20-year-old is certainly an unlikely candidate given the historic rivalry between the respective outfits but it could serve as a move to fit the interests of all parties.

How would Amad Diallo perform at Leeds?

The £29k-per-week winger has only made nine appearances for Manchester United since his arrival, scoring one goal and supplying one assist, and after an indifferent loan spell with Scottish giants Rangers, Diallo has found his feet in England's north east.

With Sunderland returning from the obscurity of the third tier last term, a stellar season is the only way to describe the job that Tony Mowbray did in mounting a promotion push, with the one-year deal for Diallo proving a masterstroke as the prodigious talent served as the offensive centrepiece.

Indeed, the three-cap gem scored 14 goals and supplied four assists from 43 matches across all competitions, including a goal against promoted Luton Town in the play-offs – his feats are even more impressive when noting that he blanked across his first eight matches in the Championship.

Earning an average Sofascore rating of 6.98 after complimenting his direct return with an 86% pass completion rate, averaging 1.8 shots and 1.1 key passes per game, Leeds would inject a "wizard" of a winger, as he has been called by journalist James Copley.

He could even emerge as Elland Road's next Raphinha, with the Brazilian "magician" – as he has been hailed by Dan James – departing the club for Barcelona for £55m last summer.

Like Diallo, Raphinha is an electric flanker with the capabilities to conjure up something out of nothing from the right wing, darting inside onto his favoured left foot to wreak havoc.

Indeed, for the Whites, he posted 17 goals and 12 assists across his two Premier League campaigns with the outfit, and given that he averaged 2.2 and 2.5 shots, and 2.1 and 1.9 key passes a game – as per WhoScored -across the two terms, it's clear that Diallo can match his presence in the second tier as Leeds target an instant return.

Perhaps their dynamic nature can be best compared via their dribble success. Both can beat an opponent with ease out wide, with Diallo registering 3.72 progressive carries per 90 in the last year to Raphinha's four per 90.

Blessed with trickery and speed to bamboozle any defender, such a signing would surely have fans at Elland Road standing to attention.

Arsenal supporters have been told to get “very excited” as they reportedly advance on a move to sign Southampton star Romeo Lavia this summer.

Who will Arsenal sign this summer?

The Gunners are aiming to seriously back manager Mikel Arteta in the transfer market this summer, so much so that they have already had two bids rejected for West Ham star Declan Rice.

One of those offers was a club record, and despite their approaches being snubbed, it is believed they’re preparing a third attempt to land the England international.

Meanwhile, it is reliably believed that Chelsea’s Kai Havertz is about to make the switch to Arsenal, with the north Londoners apparently sealing a £60 million deal (plus £5m in add-ons) for the forward.

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is also being targeted by Arteta’s side amid reports of an offer for the 22-year-old Netherlands ace, but he isn’t the only starlet who could join Arsenal.

According to reports in the last few days, Arsenal are advancing in talks to sign Lavia from Southampton, with some sources even claiming that personal terms are almost agreed.

Amid these claims, former Southampton FC and Bleacher Report journalist Sam Tighe has told supporters to get “very excited” about Lavia’s possible signing. Tighe claims the 19-year-old has been a “shining star” on the south coast, having watched him throughout the entirety of last season.

Taking to Twitter, he said:

What’s been said about Romeo Lavia?

The impressive teenager has once been likened to former Man City captain and mainstay Fernandinho, with Pep Guardiola holding him in very high esteem.

“I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing,” said Guardiola to City’s official website.

“We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton.

“(It’s a) good experience to go to the Premier League and play at this early age. So important.”

According to WhoScored, Lavia also averaged Southampton’s second-highest rate of tackles per 90 in the top flight last season, eclipsed only by Mohammed Salisu, whilst also amassing a higher pass accuracy than any other Saints player (86.4%).

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has been praised for his work at Spurs after off-field news that he is become the highest-paid director in Premier League football.

How much does Daniel Levy earn?

As Lilywhites chairman, Levy ultimately oversees both on-field and off-field operations in N17, at least until they hire a new sporting director to replace Fabio Paratici.

Incoming Chief Football Officer Scott Munn is also due to start work in July, alongside new manager Ange Postecoglou, but until then, it appears Levy may be spearheading Tottenham's charge in the summer transfer market.

The Spurs chief, alongside these duties, is apparently attempting to seal a deal for Tottenham's stadium naming rights – with reports suggesting he is holding out for a record-breaking deal.

Levy, however, cuts a polarising figure among the Spurs fanbase. Indeed, supporters protested the leadership of him and club majority owners ENIC during a march back in April.

The board member has also been subject to criticism for not backing certain managers financially, with an off-field report by The Daily Mail recently revealing that he is England's highest-paid director on £3,265,000 per year.

Following this news, finance expert Kieran Maguire praised Levy for his efforts in some respects, claiming he is worth every penny of that lucrative wage packet.

“If you separate Tottenham in terms of what happens on the pitch and what happens off of it – Daniel Levy probably is worth every penny that he earns,” said Maguire to Football Insider.“He has created a stadium that will at the very least be in the top two in terms of matchday income in the UK.“They will be challenged for the top spot by Arsenal next season after they qualified for Europe.“The ability to sign commercial arrangements is very good, and the wage control is absolutely excellent.“However, a cynic would argue that not having to pay bonuses for winning trophies or qualifying for Europe would contribute to that low wage bill."

Who is Daniel Levy?

Graduating from Cambridge University in 1985 with a First Class Honours Degree in Economics and Land Economy, Levy has gone on to serve as Spurs chairman since December 2000.

He is also the longest-reigning chairman in the Premier League right now, alongside his role as Managing Director of the ENIC Group.

Levy also oversaw the recent appointment of former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, which marks the return of attacking football to N17.

"Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play," said Levy.

He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy – everything that is important to our Club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead."

Hollywood A-lister Julia Roberts has congratulated Manchester City and Pep Guardiola for winning the Champions League after he called her one of his biggest idols earlier in the season.

What happened between Pep Guardiola and Julia Roberts?

Back in March, the City manager told the press that he had three idols in his life in Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Julia Roberts.

However, Guardiola went on to say that he was left disappointed when she came to England and went to Old Trafford and not the Etihad.

He explained: “Julia Roberts years ago came to Manchester – not in the 90s when Sir Alex [Ferguson] was winning titles and titles and titles. She came in the period where we were better than United, in these four or five years, right?

“And she went to visit Man United. She didn't come to see us. That's why even if I win the Champions League it will not compare for the fact that Julia Roberts came to Manchester and didn't come to see us."

He joked: “Even if I win the Champions League it will not compare to this disappointment I had.”

Well, on the weekend, Man City finally did manage to go all the way in Europe's most prestigious football competition, with a 1-0 win against Inter Milan.

And it seems Roberts has taken notice of all this as she took to Instagram to post a message of support.

He wrote: "Congratulations @pepteam for leading your team to be UCL champions. #pep #soccermom"

Why did Pep Guardiola say he is a failure?

It was no doubt a brilliant day for all those involved with City as a single goal from Rodri was enough to seal the victory in Istanbul.

Not only did that give the Manchester outfit their first-ever Champions League trophy, it also sealed the treble, having already won the Premier League and the FA Cup during the season.

After managing all that, Guardiola won't have had many better weeks during his many fears as a top coach and this personal message from one of his idols would have been the sweetest of cherries on top.

Indeed, back when first talking about Roberts, he claimed: “I am a failure in the Champions League. If I win the Champions League three times in a row I will be a failure."

This was all because of Robert's past snub, but now he's won the trophy and been acknowledged by the Hollywood star, perhaps he can feel like more of a success.

Liverpool "could yet become involved" in the race to sign Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to reliable journalist Sam Dean.

Is Moises Caicedo leaving Brighton?

The Ecuador international first arrived in the Premier League back in 2021 and has since gone on to become an integral member and regular feature of Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, starting 34 out of the 38 games in the top-flight last season, establishing himself as the top-performing defensive player at The Amex.

Back in January, Arsenal saw two bids for the 21-year-old rejected as he even penned an open letter on his social media channels expressing his desire to leave, as per Sky Sports, but despite wanting to embark on a new challenge, he then signed a new long-term contract keeping him at the club until 2027.

Speaking on his YouTube channel in February, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Reds and Chelsea were also following the Seagulls talisman but claimed that Jurgen Klopp hadn’t made a formal approach due to his top target at the time being Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, but with that pursuit now over, they could have a change of heart over the south coast star.

Are Liverpool signing Caicedo?

Taking to Twitter, Dean revealed that Liverpool aren't yet fully ruled out of the running for Caicedo and could be tempted to try their luck should they feel his price tag is reasonable. He wrote:

"Brighton will demand significantly more than £70m for Moises Caicedo this summer. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all shown interest — and Liverpool could yet become involved, depending on the eventual cost."

Should FSG make a move for Caicedo?

Liverpool will already have a strong existing relationship with Brighton due to the deal for Alexis Mac Allister, and with him completing a switch to Anfield, FSG should definitely enquire to see if the Argentine’s former teammate could follow in his footsteps to Merseyside.

The World Cup participant is naturally a defensive midfielder which is proven by him recording a total of 100 tackles over the course of the last campaign, higher than any of his fellow peers, via FBRef, alongside averaging 1.5 interceptions per top-flight game, so he’s a real rock and protector of the backline.

Brighton’s “Machine Man”, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would also add wonderful versatility to the squad, so could well be worth his "astronomical" price tag of well over £70m. He has previously operated at right-back and slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his usual role in front of the defence, so should the opportunity to sign him arise, the board shouldn’t even have to think twice about wrapping this one up.