Mikel Arteta will head into the World Cup break as a happy man. His Arsenal side are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, while they are also through to the Europa League knockout stages.
His thoughts will now turn to how he can improve his squad ahead of a crucial second half of the season which could see the club win their first league title since 2003/2004.
The North London side will be aiming to add some midfield cover for Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard, with Brazilian prodigy Danilo high on the list.
Arsenal had initially hoped to sign the Palmeiras youngster in the summer, with the Brazilian club slapping a €35m (£30m) price tag on the player, however, no move materialised.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes that Arteta could revive a deal for the 21-year-old, revealing in a recent interview with Football FanCast: “He’s been a long-term target, Danilo.
“Arsenal have been watching him for a long time, they did consider trying to sign him in the summer but were not able to get that deal done. So it’s something they’re planning to revisit in January.”
The Brazilian has played 34 league matches this season, chipping in with three goal contributions. Despite his age, he constantly wants the ball in order to generate attacks, averaging 51.3 touches per match while also making 0.8 key passes.
With games coming thick and fast during the second half of the season, injuries are likely to be common and Arteta could maybe do with adding in a couple of fresh faces.
Zach Lowy claimed back in August that signing Danilo “would be a shrewd pickup” for Arsenal and with his impressive performances for Palmeiras this season, the praise is certainly justified.
Although £30m was the price tag in the summer, this may have risen off the back of his splendid displays. The Spaniard’s priority now will be to sign his long-term target before interest in the player spreads to other European heavyweights, and this is inevitable given the 21-year-olds impressive development in his homeland.
This season is shaping up to be another dismal one for Leeds United with Jesse Marsch becoming sick of the sight of losing.
After beating Chelsea back in August, this season was supposed to be different for the Yorkshire club but it has not worked out that way.
Patrick Bamford has had his injury problems again and it looks as though the sales of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha in the same window has done them few favours.
They were eight matches without a win before facing Liverpool on Saturday night but Marsch’s men responded to their critics emphatically by beating the Reds on their own patch.
That simply doesn’t happen to Jurgen Klopp’s team but Rodrigo and Crysencio Summerville were both on form to take three points back to Elland road.
For the Dutchman, it was undoubtedly the best moment of his career to date and he will now be hoping to emulate the aforementioned Raphinha.
His arrival on the scene has been timely and is rather coincidental with recent claims suggesting Leeds’ chase of Summerville’s compatriot, Cody Gakpo, is essentially dead in the water with the Dutch menace now one of the most feared players on the continent.
Indeed, the PSV star has had a staggering season so far that has seen him register a jaw-dropping 13 goals and 16 assists in 22 outings.
Form like that will likely take him to the world’s elite but Victor Orta could rescue Marsch’s side by identifying a suitable alternative.
One suggestion of late has been that of Noah Okafor with recent reports claiming Leeds are one of the teams taking an interest in the RB Salzburg forward.
The 22-year-old is a dynamic talent and would be a superb addition to the Leeds ranks, particularly if he can follow in the footsteps of Erling Haaland, a man who like Okafor has torn the Austrian Bundesliga to shreds.
There is plenty in common between the two, much more than just the Austrian club, with Marsch having managed them both in his coaching career.
The current Salzburg livewire has made a real name for himself and it’s in 2022/23 that he’s begun to become more of a household name.
He has found the net on nine occasions this season with 1/3 of those strikes coming in the Champions League.
Those three goals have ensured that only Haaland has scored more in Europe’s elite competition for the Red Bull club.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian powerhouse is the only other player at an Austrian club, besides Okafor to score on each of the first three matchdays of a Champions League campaign.
Clearly blessed with immense talent, both players were scouted by the great Christoph Freund, a layer that adds further substance to the comparison at hand.
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group E – FC Salzburg v AC Milan – Red Bull Arena Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria – September 6, 2022 FC Salzburg’s Noah Okafor celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
In the words of talent scout, Jacek Kulig, the young forward is “simply phenomenal” and as a consequence, it might not be long before he’s settling down in Leeds.
Such an eventuality, however, will likely fall by the wayside unless Orta can lure him away from other prying eyes.
Interest in Okafor is high and with a World Cup around the corner he looks set to take Qatar by storm. The Switzerland international is already in “crazy form” in the words of Kulig and with two goals in eight caps, he’s hit the ground running positively for his nation.
Many already know his name but he could truly announce himself on the world stage over the winter as he looks to put himself in the shop window ahead of January by enjoying a ‘crazy’ tournament.
Leeds, however, will hope that he doesn’t impress too much and their pursuit, as it did with Gakpo, doesn’t become impossible.
The attacker is one of the finest young talents in the game but Leeds could be a happy stepping stone for the Swiss. After all, Marsch has shown recently that he’s willing to trust in youth – just ask Summerville.
Okafor should also be comforted by the fact that he already has a relationship with the American manager. He was his coach at Salzburg when he arrived and under the 48-year-old’s tutelage, the bustling attacker scored ten times in 44 outings.
There is so much to like about the 6 foot 1 striker and Haaland is already a shining example that investing in those plying their trade in Austria is a wise idea. Over to you, Orta.
Liverpool have seen an abundance of talent take to the pitch at Anfield over the years, with Jurgen Klopp’s current crop of stars on track to have a successful season after their questionable form last term.
The Reds finished in fifth at the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign, marking their first finish outside of the top-four since 2016, forcing them to settle with Europa League football instead of the Champions League.
The season prior, Klopp led his side to a narrow second-place finish, missing out on their second Premier League title by a single point to Manchester City, however things look to be back on track for the squad.
2023 has seen the price of midfielders inflate dramatically, from Chelsea’s £106.8m capture of Enzo Fernandez in January, to the Blues’ £115m deal to sign Moises Caicedo, which has only made Klopp’s summer business more admirable.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The German recruited Dominik Szoboszlai for £60m and Alexis Mac Allister for £35m early into the window, telling of the strength of the deals as both of the acquisitions continue to impress early into their Anfield careers.
It wouldn’t be the first time that Liverpool have struck gold with signings, most notably through the £8.5m capture of Philippe Coutinho in 2013, whom the Reds eventually sold for an eye-watering £142m.
Coutinho wasn’t the only piece of highly profitable business Liverpool had exchanged with Barcelona, with none other than Luis Suarez being one of the club’s biggest sales.
How much did Liverpool pay for Luis Suarez?
In January 2011, Liverpool captured the signature of Suarez from Eredivisie giants Ajax in a deal worth just £23m.
Signed at the age of 24, the Reds locked him down on a five-and-a-half year contract, in what was a stellar piece of business by manager at the time, Kenny Dalglish.
Nowadays, spending around £23m for a natural goal-scoring striker would be considered a vast underpayment, however, journalist Tim Vickery told BBC Radio 5 live at the time that the Reds had paid “top whack” for the Uruguayan.
It was admittedly a lot of money to spend on a player at the time, yet when revisiting the calibre of player that Liverpool had signed in the 24-year-old Suarez, it all made more sense.
Why was he worth that much?
In 159 appearances for Ajax, Suarez contributed directly to 179 goals, scoring 111 and assisting 68 in a remarkable three-and-a-half-year stay in Amsterdam.
Prior to his move to Anfield, the striker had scored 12 goals and registered 11 assists in 24 appearances during the 2010/11 campaign, reinforcing just how hot Dalglish’s signing of the forward was at the time.
Suarez was far more than just a poacher at Ajax, however he fit the description of one extremely well, with his highest scoring season coming in the 2009/10 season in which he netted an astounding 49 goals in 48 appearances, 35 of which came in the Eredivisie.
There was a feeling at the time at Anfield that equipping the side with a reliable goalscorer could pave a lot of cracks, and in adding Suarez to the mix, the Reds were well poised to progress.
How many goals did Luis Suarez score for Liverpool?
The evidence was there instantly that Dalglish had made the correct call on Suarez, as he scored on his Premier League debut in a 2-0 win against Stoke City in February 2011.
During his opening spell in the Premier League, the Uruguayan scored four goals and recorded five assists, showing a sign of things to come.
The 2011/12 campaign marked Suarez’s first full season at Liverpool, and after his 35-goal heroics in Eredivisie in his final full term at Ajax, ending the season on 11 goals was marginally underwhelming, but again, it was just the beginning.
Very quickly, the £23m signing became an unstoppable force, as in his second season, he scored 23 Premier League goals, followed by scoring a magnificent 31 during the 2013/14 campaign, seeing him win the Golden Boot by a sizable margin.
Luis Suarez's Liverpool career
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
2010/11
13
4
5
2011/12
39
17
9
2012/13
44
30
13
2013/14
37
31
19
Figures via Transfermarkt
Suarez became the benchmark for strikers in England to follow during his time at Liverpool, showing a combination of skill, desire, flair and controversy to make him unforgettable.
In 2014, Gary Lineker dubbed the Reds’ hero a “phenomenon” for his ability in front of goal, which was reinforced by the 82 goals and 46 assists he’d secured in a total of 133 appearances for Liverpool.
How much did Liverpool sell Luis Suarez for?
Unfortunately for Brendan Rodgers, who became manager after Dalglish, it wasn’t only Lineker who saw the 'phenomenon' in Suarez, as Barcelona came knocking that summer.
After three-and-a-half years on Merseyside, Liverpool made the decision to allow Suarez to fulfil his dream and join the Catalan giants, receiving a fee of £75m for his services in 2014.
It was a difficult time for Rodgers to part ways with his formidable scorer, as his final season at Anfield concluded with the Reds missing out on the title, after looking as though they would be crowned champions throughout the campaign.
Liverpool finished second that year, and following his big-money exit, Rodgers’ side crumbled, finishing sixth in the 2014/15 term, their first without Suarez leading the line.
How much is Luis Suarez worth now?
In selling Suarez, Liverpool bid farewell to their reliable source of goals, however they did receive a sizable profit for his sale, creditable to how well the club had managed their player and squeezed the very best out of him in England.
The Uruguay international went on to score 195 goals and record 113 assists in 283 appearances for Barcelona, as well as winning the prestigious Champions League alongside his attacking partners Lionel Messi and Neymar.
messi-suarez-neymar
Now 36, Suarez resides in Brazil, representing Brazilian Serie A club Gremio with a market value of €11.5m (£10m), showing a career that has gone full circle from his time in the Premier League.
While the sale of Suarez was detrimental to Rodgers’ squad’s progression, Liverpool struck gold in signing him in the first place, receiving a fee 226% higher from Barcelona than the mere £23m paid to retrieve him in 2014.
After scoring 11 goals in his first full season, there was little indication that the Uruguayan would hit the heights that he soon after did at Anfield, which is a credit to the club and the player himself.
All the factors along the way of Suarez’s career on Merseyside were attributable to the mega-fee that Liverpool were rewarded with in 2014, in a transaction that will go down as one of the Reds’ best buys and sales of the Premier League era.
Everton correspondent for The Liverpool Echo Joe Thomas has revealed an update on the potential takeover by Maciek Kaminski.
The Lowdown: Kaminski takeover bid
As per The Financial Times, Kaminski has launched a new takeover bid at Goodison Park, with the American businessman in talks with Farhad Moshiri over a reported £400m deal.
He was part of the group spearheaded by former Manchester United and Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon who reportedly had a ‘phone call’ with Moshiri over a potential takeover in the summer, but that deal never materialised, with the Merseyside club’s owner thought to be reluctant to sell.
The Latest: No significant progress
When asked by a Toffees supporter if the club is still up for sale and whether Kaminski is indeed interested in buying, Thomas replied in a Q&A for The Liverpool Echo that while Kaminski still holds an interest, there has not been any significant progress since the summer, and Moshiri is keen to deliver the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which is set to cost around £500m:
“There is still an interest in Everton from Maciek Kaminski, though my understanding is there has not been any significant progress on his ambitions since the summer – when, of course, Farhad Moshiri said the club was not for sale.
“Moshiri has said he is interested in finding support in financing Bramley-Moore, so conversations about the club, the stadium and investment will be ongoing. ”
“Where they could lead, I don’t know, and currency fluctuations that improve the dollar against sterling will only increase the buying power of a potential US investor.
“But while I couldn’t rule anything out, I think Moshiri is keen to deliver the stadium if he can.”
While it seems for now that Kaminski’s bid is being put on hold, it would be best for the Blues if Moshiri were to sell the club.
Since increasing his stake as the major shareholder back in 2018, they have finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table in three of the last four seasons, including narrowly avoiding relegation last term (Transfermarkt).
Moshiri has also spent nearly £400m in transfers during that time as well, with the club accumulating heavy losses and flirting with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations (Sky Sports).
Nonetheless, before things potentially get worse financially, along with the huge cost of the new stadium, now would be the best time for Moshiri to finally sell up.
The Rangers Review journalist Jonny McFarlane has revealed that Glasgow Rangers’ UEFA Champions League fixture in midweek will not be reversed.
The Lowdown: Uncertainty
There is some uncertainty whether Champions League fixtures involving British teams, especially if they are playing at home, will be allowed to go ahead in midweek.
This is after the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and to pay respects, the Ibrox outfit’s proposed match at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership this weekend has been postponed, as has every other football match in the country which was set to take place.
The Latest: Reversing fixture not an option
Taking to Twitter, McFarlane has revealed that a proposal for the Gers to play their proposed home fixture against Napoli in midweek in Naples instead as a reverse fixture ‘categorically won’t happen’, amid uncertainty whether the game will be played in Scotland following The Queen’s passing.
He stated: “I understand Rangers travelling to Italy on Tuesday to play Napoli in a Champions League fixture reverse is not an option that’s been considered by the club and it categorically won’t happen.”
The Verdict: Waiting game
It is now a waiting game to see if the fixture will be played at Ibrox, amid uncertainty over the length of the mourning period following The Queen’s passing.
Footballing bodies felt as if the postponement of this weekend’s fixtures were needed in order to pay respects to The Queen, and now all eyes will be on whether the next set of fixtures for British teams – the Champions League in midweek – will go ahead or also be postponed.
Nonetheless, supporters who have already bought their tickets for the clash, and may have already sorted out travelling and accommodation arrangements, face a wait over whether they will now have to cancel their plans, or can indeed go and watch the game.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte wants to sign Nicolo Zaniolo from AS Roma before the summer transfer window closes, according to reports…
What’s the word?
Italian journalist Xavier Jacobelli delivered an update on the situation to Radio Radio (via Tutto Juve), he said:
“Zaniolo depends on Tottenham. Since when and how the English club wants to move. They have so much money. Conte wants Zaniolo at Tottenham, he values him very much.”
The north London side have been linked with a move for the attacking midfielder for several weeks and it’s believed that the Serie A outfit would sell the Italy international for around £50m.
Eriksen’s true heir
It’s no secret that Spurs are in the market for a creative influence in the engine room and it’s easy to see why as it has been something they have lacked ever since the departure of Christian Eriksen back in January 2020.
Over a seven-year spell in N17, the Danish playmaker provided the team with 69 goals and 90 assists across 305 appearances, averaging one direct contribution every 151 minutes, via Transfermarkt.
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Such form led to some high praise indeed – journalist Josh Wright dubbed him a “wizard,” whilst his former manager Mauricio Pochettino once lauded him as a “special person” too.
Since his departure two-and-a-half years ago, the likes of Tanguy Ndombele (one contribution every 272 minutes) and Giovani Lo Celso (one contribution every 326 minutes) have failed to step up, with Dele Alli even being sold.
The £150k-per-week playmaker is now at Premier League rivals Manchester United, having enjoyed a six-month spell at Brentford last campaign.
Zaniolo would be an intriguing candidate to fill that void at Hotspur Way heading into the final two weeks of the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old, who is capable of playing through the middle as a no.10 or second striker as well as out on the right flank, provided the Giallorossi with eight goals and nine assists last season as they clinched the Europa Conference League trophy.
That’s either better or close to what both Lo Celso and Ndombele have managed in their three years at the club.
His ability to deliver from a deep-lying midfield role has seen the Italian dynamo compared to both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, whilst journalist Zach Lowry once labelled him a “lethal playmaker” and the “crown jewel” of Roma.
Over the last two Serie A campaigns, Zaniolo has averaged at least 1.3 key passes per 90, highlighting his ability to get on the ball and create in the final third. And when compared to his positional peers across Europe, the £75k-per-week star ranks inside the top 6% for total shots (3.25 per 90) and the top 16% for touches in the opposition’s box (5.67 per 90).
Therefore, it would make sense to follow up Conte’s demands to sign Zaniolo as he could well emerge as the true heir to Eriksen’s throne at Tottenham Hotspur.
It’ll have taken a while but if the Italian head coach wants him, then sporting director Fabio Paratici ought to deliver for the benefit of the club.
AND in other news, After Udogie: Spurs plotting swoop for £17m “playmaker”, he’s better than Zaniolo…
Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Juan Mata.
What’s the latest?
In a recent post on Twitter, the Italian journalist revealed that, despite a number of reports suggesting that the former Manchester United attacking midfielder is close to agreeing a move to Leeds this summer, there are currently no talks ongoing between the 34-year-old and Jesse Marsch’s side.
However, the transfer insider did go on to suggest that Victor Orta does appreciate the former Spain international, something that would appear to back up a report by Spanish publication AS back in July – which suggested that the director of football had contacted Mata’s father regarding a potential switch to Elland Road.
In his post, Romano said: “There’s nothing agreed between Juan Mata and Leeds, despite rumours. He’s appreciated as a top professional and person but no talks ongoing as things stand. Also links to Real Oviedo are wide of the mark – Mata will make a decision on future soon.”
The next Hernandez
While the potential signing of a 34-year-old would not exactly be a deal with the long-term in mind, considering the experience the Spaniard boasts, in addition to the talent the midfielder still possesses, should Orta manage to convince Mata of a move to LS11 this summer, he could well prove to become the Whites’ next Pablo Hernandez.
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Indeed, having scored 31 goals and registered 58 assists over 134 appearances for Chelsea, bagged 46 goals and provided 52 assists over 171 fixtures for Valencia, notched 51 goals and registered 47 assists over 285 appearances for Manchester United and scored ten goals over 41 outings for Spain, it is evident that Mata is an extremely deadly asset in and around the opposition penalty area.
Not only would this attacking nouse prove incredibly useful for Marsch and his side on the pitch, but with the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville having recently made the step up to senior football, the guidance of a player who has won the World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League and two Europa Leagues would be invaluable to the Whites’ up and coming attacking prospects.
However, in terms of his impact on the pitch, considering the high-pressing system Marsch deploys at Elland Road, it is unlikely that the 34-year-old would be a regular fixture in the 48-year-old’s starting XI – although the player who earned £135k-per-week at United could perhaps be used in the same way Hernandez was towards the end of his Leeds career.
Indeed, the Spaniard started just two of the Whites’ last eight Championship fixtures in their promotion-winning campaign back in 2019/20, however, he still managed to play a starring role in the club’s return to the Premier League – bagging a crucial three goals and providing three assists over those eight appearances.
As such, should Mata be willing to play a bit part role under Marsch this season, the 34-year-old could well prove to be an extremely astute addition for the Whites to bring into the club this summer as he could well prove to be Leeds’ Premier League standard version of the 37-year-old playmaker, someone who was also well accustomed to creating and scoring goals on a regular basis himself.
According to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, Manchester City are ‘strongly considering’ making a move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer.
The Lowdown: Top of Guardiola’s wish list
The Croatian is believed to have been a long-time target of City’s Premier League rivals Tottenham, but the Sky Blues haven’t been deterred, with the Daily Mail claiming that the 20-year-old is at the top of Pep Guardiola’s transfer wish list.
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath backed this up even further on Twitter last week, stating that the English champions could weigh up an approach for the Leipzig centre-back as a potential replacement for Nathan Ake if the Dutchman is to leave the club in the coming weeks.
The Latest: City debating Gvardiol bid
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs outlined that City are in the process of deciding whether or not to submit an official bid for Gvardiol.
He said: “Man City are looking at RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol. He’s also been heavily linked with Spurs. City are yet to place a bid but are strongly considering it. The only downside is the fee Leipzig want, which could be as high as £75 million.”
The Verdict: Strong physical presence
With Ake looking highly likely to make the move to Chelsea, Guardiola must now be on the hunt for reinforcements, and Gvardiol could add a fantastic physical presence to the Spaniard’s backline at the Etihad Stadium.
Standing at 6 foot 2, the Leipzig gem was once dubbed a ‘tank’ by Izak Ante Sucic, assistant editor of Germania Sport, and with good reason. He averaged 1.9 clearances and won 1.8 of his aerial duels per Bundesliga match last term, via WhoScored.
Whether or not City would be willing to cough up £75m after recently splashing out on big-money moves for the likes of Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips remains to be seen, but Guardiola has seemingly cast a watchful eye over Gvardiol, and who’s to say that the young Croatian won’t be the next marquee arrival at the Etihad…
West Brom are still in the market for midfield reinforcements during the summer transfer window, according to reliable journalist Joseph Masi.
The Lowdown: Crucial summer for West Brom
The Baggies endured a disappointing 2021/22 campaign, starting as one of the favourites to be promoted to the Premier League but ultimately falling away.
There is now pressure on Steve Bruce and his players to improve drastically next term, and summer signings will be needed in order for that to happen.
Some new faces have already come in, including John Swift and Jed Wallace, but it looks as though West Brom’s business isn’t done just yet.
The Latest: Masi drops midfield claim
Writing for The Express & Star on Monday, Masi outlined that Bruce is ‘eager to strengthen’ in midfield this summer, seeing it as a key area to focus on, with the West Brom manager himself admitting that his squad is “short” in that position.
Swift may already be a strong option in the middle of the park, but more quality is seemingly needed to meet the manager’s demands, with conventional wingers Callum Robinson and Adam Reach used in central roles against Stevenage at the weekend.
The Verdict: New midfielder is needed
Midfield is an influential area of the pitch for any team, and Bruce’s mix-and-match line-up on Saturday suggests that West Brom need to go up a level there if they want to mount a genuine promotion bid in 2022/23.
Swift looks set to play an attack-minded role, having scored 11 goals and registered 13 assists in the league for Reading last season, so a more defensive figure could be an ideal foil for the ex-Chelsea man.
Robinson and Reach have been used centrally during pre-season but a more tailor-made enforcer needs to come in, ideally someone who is going to provide stability and consistency in front of the defence.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in signing River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer, according to Jornal de Noticias.
The lowdown: Rising star
A product of the youth system at the Buenos Aires club, Fernandez has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence in his homeland and is already an established member of the senior team.
Despite his tender years, the 21-year-old has already flourished in Argentina, having amassed 80 first-team outings across spells for his parent club and on loan at Defensa, directly contributing to 23 goals in the process.
Recently linked with a move to Manchester United, it now appears as though a switch to the Black Country could be on the cards for the cultured midfield ace…
The latest: Wolves ‘very close’ to Fernandez
As per Jornal de Noticias, Wolves are believed to be ‘very close’ to signing Fernandez this summer.
It’s claimed that Benfica and AC Milan are also in contention but it’s the Old Gold who have now emerged as the frontrunners for the Argentina under-20 starlet.
The report suggests that Wolves have sent a representative to South America to tie up a deal for the youngster, who was dubbed an ‘orchestrator’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, as Bruno Lage prepares for life after wantaway midfielder Ruben Neves at Molineux.
The verdict: Superb business
Completing a swoop for Fernandez this summer would be a sensational piece of business from Wolves’ ownership group Fosun and Jeff Shi, particularly in the face of competition from some European giants.
The specialist playmaker has scored nine times and provided six assists in 24 appearances across all competitions so far this season. In the current Libertadores Cup campaign, he has earned an astonishing 7.77 Sofascore rating whilst winning five duels, completing one dribble and hitting the target with 1.8 of his shots per match.
Valued at £13.5m and under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), signing Fernandez for the mooted £17m release clause would be a wholly worthwhile outlay for Wolves and would see Lage supplement the squad at Molineux with a seemingly ready-made Neves successor.