Jamal Musiala delivered an honest update on his Bayern Munich contract situation while admitting that he "can't give the fans a Christmas present".
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Musiala has a contract with Bayern until 2026No agreement has been reached on a fresh dealGerman playmaker shared an update on his futureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! đ˘đąWHAT HAPPENED?
The 21-year-old midfielder, whose current contract with Bayern extends until 2026, remains non-committal about his future, emphasizing the need for careful consideration. His next deal could reportedly make him the highest-paid player in Bayern's history, surpassing stars like Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski.
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In an interview with , Musiala clarified the status of his contract discussions and stated: "Unfortunately I can't give the fans a Christmas present. There won't be any news in the near future."
He reiterated his desire to approach the decision without haste, adding: "We've had a lot of games recently, a lot of travelling. My focus is to concentrate on the games. I want to be free on the pitch, even if there's a lot of pressure from outside."
While a decision on a contract extension is pending, Musiala has expressed a clear vision of his future with Bayern.
"I would like to leave my mark on an era at FC Bayern. If I extend my contract with FC Bayern, that's my ambition and my goal," he said.
"But I also know that you have to work for it, with victories, titles and major trophies. Then you get that kind of prestige: I want to earn that at FC Bayern."
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Reports recently surfaced claiming that Manchester City are mulling a bid worth âŹ100m to sign Musiala from Bayern as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who is believed to be in talks with MLS expansion side San Diego FC. However, City face competition from Real Madrid, who are also reportedly keeping tabs on the talented German.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Musiala's standout performances for both Bayern Munich and the German national team have not gone unnoticed. Last week, he was named Player of the Year for the German men's national team, securing 56% of the vote. Bayer Leverkusenâs Florian Wirtz finished second with 38%, while Arsenalâs Kai Havertz garnered just 6%.
Katie Perkins, Holly Huddleston, Anna Peterson and Natalie Dodd left out of the list
ESPNcricinfo staff26-May-2021
“It gives me that reassurance that I do belong in the White Ferns environment” – Brooke Halliday•Getty Images
Brooke Halliday, Frances Mackay and Jess McFadyen are the brand-new faces in the list of centrally contracted New Zealand Women players, while Thamsyn Newton has made a comeback after featuring in the contracts last in 2018. Missing out in the latest list are Katie Perkins, Holly Huddleston, Anna Peterson and Natalie Dodd.A total of 17 cricketers have been awarded contracts by NZC in what is a World Cup season – the global 50-over competition is scheduled to be played at home for New Zealand in March-April next year. “The overriding criteria is a player’s likely playing value to NZC for the contract year ahead with some emphasis on their performance in the previous 12 month period,” the board said in a statement.NZ Women – 2021-22 contracts
Halliday, a 25-year-old batter, made a bright start to her ODI career when she hit 50 and 60 in her first two games in the format, against England at home in February this year. She averages 34.00 and strikes at 75.55 in six games.”Getting a contract tells me that what I’ve done in the last four months in the White Ferns environment has impressed the coaches and selectors,” Halliday said. “It gives me that reassurance that I do belong in the White Ferns environment and that I’m good enough to be there. It gives me more confidence and reassurance going into the camps for the England tour.”Mackay, meanwhile, is an experienced 30-year-old allrounder who has played 21 ODIs and 30 T20Is since her international debut in 2011, and McFayden is a 29-year-old wicketkeeper who hasn’t played internationally yet.”Brooke and Frankie’s performances last season were very encouraging and we’re looking forward to working closely with those two over the winter,” head coach Bob Carter said. “Both have leadership experience at the domestic level and have plenty to add to the group off the park as well as on it. Jess McFadyen is an exciting prospect and had strong campaigns in both the Dream11 Super Smash and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.”We need to develop our wicketkeepers and Jess has shown ability over several seasons now. She has a wise head on her shoulders and will be an asset to the group, I’m sure.”Medium-pacer Newton earned a recall to the New Zealand T20I squad earlier this year following a strong showing in the Super Smash competition, where she picked up seven wickets with an economy rate of 7.05 while also scoring some useful runs with the bat. Overall, the 25-year-old has played ten ODIs and 12 T20Is, for a total of 20 wickets. Newton had been contracted between 2016 and 2018 but was dropped after that.The team will assemble at Lincoln University on June 7 for a training camp. They are expected to travel to England in late August for a series of three T20Is and five ODIs, all in September.
Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League season kicked off on Friday night with a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. It was the curtain-raiser for the English top-flight campaign, with Old Trafford arguably the perfect venue to get another exciting season underway.
A debut goal from new signing Joshua Zirkzee gave the Red Devils all three points against the Cottagers, with the Dutchman capping off a well-worked move to introduce himself to the United faithful in the perfect way. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Erik ten Hag’s side, who had to cope with dangerous Fulham counter-attacks, but they rode those waves well and came out with three points.
Unsurprisingly, given the fact Friday night’s affair was the first game of the season, both sides looked tired as the minutes ticked by. In particular, United made some substitutions in midfield to freshen things up in the middle of the park to help cope with Fulham in transition.
United lacked midfield options off the bench, with Scott McTominay making an appearance and Christian Eriksen an unused substitute. Youngster Toby Collyer was also on the bench but did not feature.
It is no secret the Red Devils are looking to strengthen in the centre of the park before deadline day on 30th August to add depth and more quality in midfield. They have recently been linked with one player who could prove to be an excellent option to do just that.
Man United target Bundesliga midfielder
The player in question here is Borussia Monchengladbach and France midfielder Manu Kone. The 23-year-old has impressed during recent seasons for the German outfit and could well leave the club this summer, with some clubs circling.
According to a recent report from Graeme Bailey, Kone is one of the names on an extensive midfield list for United as they look to add depth in the centre of the park. The midfielder has 'been discussed internally' by the United hierarchy.
Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone.
However, they are not alone in their bid to acquire the 23-year-old’s services this summer, as Italian giants Juventus and Milan are also thought to be interested in the Frenchman. As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, the Rossoneri are set to complete a deal for French midfielder Youssouf Fofana in the coming days, meaning United could have an edge over the seven-time Champions League winners.
In terms of a price for the midfielder, Bailey reports that a deal for the Monchengladbach midfielder could cost less than £30m to get over the line.
Why Kone would be a good signing
Kone was an important cog in the Monchengladbach system last season. He featured 22 times in the top flight, chipping in with one goal and two assists. However, the Frenchman did struggle with injuries at times and had two notable spells on the sidelines last campaign.
The 23-year-old could prove to be a brilliant alternative to Sander Berge, who has also been linked with United this summer. The Red Devils are believed to have pursued a deal for the Burnley and Norway midfielder in a deal that could cost them £30m.
Sander Berge for Burnley
Not only that but former Toulouse man Kone could be an exciting upgrade on United’s No 18, Casemiro. Despite a good showing against Fulham on Friday, the Brazilian struggled last campaign, to the point that Jamie Carragher suggested the vastly experienced midfielder 'needs to call it a day at this level and move' during the transfer window, although that is yet to happen, despite reports.
Should United end up moving Casemiro on, they will need to bring in a replacement, and Kone – who has been compared to Paul Pogba – could prove to be the better option ahead of Berge. The Frenchman is of a similar profile to the United midfielder. That is to say, he is a tough-tackling ball-winner and could be a more like-for-like replacement than if they signed Berge.
Manchester United player Casemiro
In fact, this is also backed up by the stats on analysis site FBref. On average, the 23-year-old midfielder completes 3.47 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes. That is more than Berge, with the Burnley man averaging just 2.96, although Casemiro trumps them both, with an impressive 4.59 per 90.
When breaking that statistic down further, it is worth noting that the Gladbach man finishes far ahead of the other two on interceptions. He makes 0.87 interceptions per 90, with Casemiro ranking second at 0.82, and Berge last with just 0.69.
Interestingly, Kone wins more ball recoveries on average than Berge and Casemiro, showing his mobility and dynamism off the ball. The French midfielder makes an average of 6.42 each game, with the Burnley midfielder and United's Brazilian midfielder both averaging 6.05.
Kone, Berge and Casemiro defensive stats 2023/24
Stat (per 90)
Kone
Berge
Casemiro
Tackles + interceptions
3.47
2.96
4.59
Ball recoveries
6.42
6.05
6.05
Blocks
1.27
1.47
3.36
Clearances
0.92
1.8
3.23
Stats from FBref
In terms of their in-possession quality, it is once again very close. Casemiro averages the most progressive passes with 5.09, while Berge comes in at a close second with 4.91. The Monchengladbach number 17 does rank last, although his numbers are not exactly poor, averaging 4.05 per game.
Kone also averages more completed take-ons per 90 than the duo. He boasts an impressive 65.4% success rate, completing 2.14 per game. Casemiro comes in second, completing 0.41 (50% completion) and Berge is third on the list, averaging 0.6 (48.8% completion).
Whilst Casemiro and Berge perhaps excel at some areas of the game more than Kone, the Monchengladbach midfielder brings balance between the two. In signing the Frenchman, United could bring in someone who possesses the best aspects of their current number 18 and former Sheffield United midfielder Berge. He could be a dream upgrade to Casemiro, by keeping a similar profile within the squad while having someone better at carrying the ball, and someone who can last the full 90 minutes more regularly.
Should United get this deal over the line for up to £30m, it could be a superb piece of business, bringing in an "exceptional" midfielder, as football scout Antonio Mango has described him in the past. It could well be money well spent on a well-rounded No 6 who could help revolutionise the United midfield as Ten Hag looks to challenge for further honours this season and push for a top-four finish.
Not just Mount: Ten Hag should instantly drop 5/10 Man Utd man after Fulham
The Red Devils got off to a winning start in the Premier League, but not everyone was up to scratch…
Marketing agency Ban Tech won the bid after quoting an offer just above the floor price
Mohammad Isam17-May-2021The BCB has sold its 2021-23 TV rights to marketing agency Ban Tech for a reported price of BDT 161.5 crore ($19.07 million approx). The company won the bid after quoting an offer price just above the $19 million floor price set by the board last month. The Bangladesh-Sri Lanka ODI series, to be held in Dhaka next week, will be the first home series under this deal, which runs up to October 2023.The amount is 5% less than BCB’s previous long-term broadcast deal with Gazi TV, which was $20.02 million for six years. It is understood that the BCB is pleased with the deal, and will make a formal announcement on Tuesday.”We will disclose the deal after the board’s approval tomorrow. It is definitely a good thing, given the circumstances. They were the only bidders, and they met the floor price,” Jalal Yunus, BCB’s media committee chairman, said.Ban Tech had previously bid successfully for the Bangladesh-West Indies home series in January-February this year, for a reported $2.12 million (approx.) price, bidding $620,000 more than the floor price on that occasion. One major difference between previous TV deals and the new one is that BCB will produce the home series during this period after they also separately advertised for offers from production companies. This is the first time that the BCB will produce the broadcast on their own.ESPNcricinfo understands that both Gazi TV and T-Sports, the two major sports channels in Bangladesh, will be buying the rights from Ban Tech. T-Sports had previously shown the Bangabandhu T20 Cup and this year’s Bangladesh-West Indies home series.The new TV deal includes ten home series including tours of Australia and England this year, and India’s tour next year. Australia are supposed to play only T20Is (the number of matches are not yet confirmed) and according to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, England have three ODIs and three T20Is scheduled just before the World Cup T20 this year.India are scheduled to play two Tests and three ODIs in November 2022. Apart from these teams, Sri Lanka (twice), New Zealand, Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Indies are also scheduled to tour Bangladesh till January 2023. In the previous six-year cycle that contained 80 international matches, India toured Bangladesh twice, in 2014 and 2015, while England and Australia toured once each.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits his side are 'living in a parallel' as their dire run of form continues.
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City lose again, this time to Aston Villa
Guardiola at a loss to explain downturn
Admits City 'living in a parallel'
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Manchester City are struggling for form this season following Rodriâs season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The defending Premier League champions have only won once in 12 matches in all competitions, a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the league.
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Guardiola is said to be working overtime to try to resurrect Cityâs form and had revealed earlier in the month that the nosedive has seen him adopt an unhealthy lifestyle. The former Barcelona man spoke to the media after Cityâs 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday – their third straight loss – and revealed that he is baffled by the alarming downturn.
WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
The Catalan tactician said: âAlways when we win a lot of games and titles I say we are going to lose games. When we won 13 or 14 games or 10 games and we lose one or draw one and it is, âwhat happened? Why you draw or lose a game?â So it is football.
âWe won a lot, it was exceptional, and now we are living the parallel. We didnât expect [it], I didnât personally and I donât know what will be the outcome after that, so life gives you that. We have to deal with it.â
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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?
Guardiolaâs side now have two games that can be considered somewhat easier as they will take on Everton on Boxing Day before travelling to King Power Stadium to face off against Leicester City on December 29. City fans will be hopeful their side can utilise the two clashes to turn around their form as the year comes to a close.
Sri Lanka Cricket has suspended* Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka after the three admitted to breaching the team’s bio-secure bubble in Durham on Sunday night.The three are being flown home immediately from the tour of England, but it is understood that the series is not in any jeopardy at this stage.Overnight, a video had emerged showing Mendis and Dickwella out in a public place. Gunathilaka was not seen in the video, but the three are believed to have stepped out together. The touring players had been categorically told that they were not allowed to go towards Durham’s City Centre, but that is exactly where the trio have admitted to have gone, according to SLC officials. In the video, shot from a vehicle, Mendis and Dickwella are seen looking around the square. Although both players have their masks handy, neither is wearing them.Related
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SLC’s medical staff are understood to only have found out about the bubble-breach via social media, but had made sure to isolate the three players in their rooms when they were made aware of the excursion. The players had supposedly returned to their rooms around midnight, and are not believed to have jeopardised the biosecure bubble for others in the touring contingent.”The players have been suspended pending a full inquiry, but have confessed to having gone out,” SLC vice-president Mohan de Silva said. “They are being recalled from the tour with immediate effect.”Early indications from the SLC are that the board is viewing the breach as a serious offence and will likely impose severe penalties. Gunathilaka, in particular, has a history of poor behaviour, having been suspended for an indifferent attitude towards training in 2017 and violating curfew in the middle of a Test in 2018.This breach of Covid-19-related health protocols, and the consequent suspension, will substantially weaken a Sri Lanka side that had already been struggling on this tour. All three players were likely to be in Sri Lanka’s first-choice XI for the first ODI on Tuesday; with Avishka Fernando ruled out with a quadriceps injury, Sri Lanka have a very limited batting group available to pick from.The team was already facing criticism for their woeful performance in the T20Is, where they were swept 3-0. None of the three had been good in the three matches. Mendis scored 54 across three innings, Gunathilaka made a total of 26 in three, and Dickwella hit 14 runs in his two outings to go with a barren run behind the stumps. They will now likely be subject to substantial criticism over their off-field behaviour.The first of three ODIs against England is scheduled for Tuesday.
Newcastle Unitedâs recruitment since the takeover by the Saudi PIF has improved dramatically, with their increased investment seeing the club push further up the Premier League table.
Theyâve recruited key first-team members such as Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes, whilst also placing an impetus on investing in youth prospects to set the club up for the years ahead.
Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall are just examples of this form of recruitment, with both now crucial members of Eddie Howeâs first team squad.
The duo have formed an excellent partnership down the Magpiesâ left-hand side, handed the task of helping the club secure another season of Champions League football after narrowly missing out on any European competition at the end of last term.
Despite their recent success under Howe at St Jamesâ Park, another youngster has also impressed with regular game time, with his market value skyrocketing since the 46-year-oldâs appointment.
Tino Livramento’s market value when Howe was appointed
Magpies boss Howe was appointed as the clubâs new manager back in November 2021, with the expectation of pulling the club clear of the relegation zone before overseeing a transformation.
Itâs safe to say the Englishman has done just that, working wonders in allowing the club to reach the Champions League group stages for the first time in a generation.
However, one current first-team star wasnât at the club when Howe moved to Tyneside, with Tino Livramento still featuring for fellow Premier League side Southampton.
The right-back joined the Saints during the summer of 2021 from Chelsea in a ÂŁ5m deal, in a move that would allow the then 18-year-old to flourish with regular game time.
He featured 32 times during his first season on the South Coast, before suffering an ACL injury that would rule him out for the majority of the following season.
However, it wouldnât stop his market value from skyrocketing, with Livramento valued at around ÂŁ10m at the time of Howeâs appointment, before being valued at ÂŁ21m by the end of his first full professional campaign.
Tino Livramento’s market value in 2024
After Southamptonâs relegation to the Championship at the end of 2022/23, Newcastle decided to fork out ÂŁ32m for the defenderâs services – once again placing an emphasis on building for the future.
Whilst last season he was mainly a squad player, making just 11 league starts, the 2024/25 campaign has allowed the 21-year-old to secure a greater role in Howeâs side – becoming the clubâs starting right-back over the experienced Kieran Trippier.
So far this campaign, heâs started all four Premier League outings, with his excellent form not going unnoticed, receiving his maiden call-up to the England squad under Lee Carsley during the recent international break.
Games played
4
Minutes played
302
Pass accuracy
75%
Tackles won
5
Duels won
23
Recoveries
18
Dribbles completed
67%
Aerials won
4
His recent achievements have seen his market value increase as a result, with Livramento now valued at ÂŁ30m as per Transfermarkt, a 200% increase since Howe was appointed as Magpies boss nearly three years ago.
Livramento, whoâs previously been dubbed a âmonsterâ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is the perfect modern-day full-back with his pace and ability to provide opportunities for the forward line always a threat, but he’s also able to hold his own defensively – with the youngster having huge potential to improve further on Tyneside.
Howeâs trust in him is evident given his recent purple patch in the first team, which could allow his market value to increase further should he continue on his current trajectory.
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The former England coach is returning to Australian cricket while Saker will have the task of reviving the Renegades
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jun-2021
Trevor Bayliss and David Saker are back in the BBL•Sydney Thunder and Getty Images
Trevor Bayliss and David Saker have returned to the BBL in head coach roles for Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades respectively.Bayliss, the former England coach who led them to the 2019 World Cup, has signed for three years and replaces Shane Bond at the Thunder after he opted against a contract extension to spend more time at home.Saker, who has been a fast-bowling coach for Australia, England and Sri Lanka, will have the task of turning around the fortunes of the Renegades who have finished bottom in the last two seasons with just seven wins in 28 matches.Both have previously been head coaches in the BBL. Bayliss was in charge of Sydney Sixers from 2011 to 2015 which included their title success in the inaugural 2011-12 season while Saker was a past Renegades coach for one campaign in 2015-16.Bayliss, who is currently coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, is also a former New South Wales coach and was excited at the prospect of rejoining the cricket system in the state.”It’s great to be home and involved in New South Wales cricket,” he said. “The Thunder have done well over the last few years⌠hopefully we can go one or two steps further this summer.”One of Bayliss’ early jobs will be deciding on a new captain following the departure of Callum Ferguson who was not offered a new contract after last season.Saker’s deal is for two seasons and despite back-to-back wooden spoons since the club won the title in 2018-19 he is confident with the players that have been retained.”We’ve got a talented squad with some class and power at the top of the order, complemented by a strong bowling attack and some exciting young talent,” he said. “We’ll be looking to add to this group over the next few months to ensure we’ve got plenty of options when the season gets underway.”The Big Bash has continued to grow since my last involvement and it’s more competitive than ever on the field so I’m looking forward to working with the playing group to ensure we give ourselves every chance of success.”Current Thunder squad Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Chris TremainCurrent Renegades squad Cameron Boyce, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Josh Lalor, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland
It's not been the brightest of starts to the season for Everton, who have lost each of their three Premier League fixtures, the last of which stung keenly, letting a late two-goal lead slip.
Indeed, despite winning 2-0 at home to Bournemouth, having played with confidence and style, Everton inexplicably capitulated and the Cherries lashed in three strikes to send the atmosphere at Goodison Park spiralling through the floor.
It cast a black blanket over an already disappointed fanbase, having lost 3-0 and 4-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur previously, but there were positives to take from last weekend's result.
Sean Dyche and his Toffees team have been mired in the trenches before, and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit and firing, they might just have the firepower to shoot away from the relegation fodder this season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's resurgence
Calvert-Lewin, of course, will need to stay fit, something that he has not done with consistency over the past several years.
2024/25
3 (3)
1
1
2023/24
32 (26)
7
2
2022/23
17 (15)
2
1
2021/22
17 (15)
5
2
2020/21
33 (32)
16
1
2019/20
36 (30)
13
1
2018/19
35 (19)
6
2
2017/18
32 (18)
4
5
2016/17
11 (5)
1
0
Not including the current fledgling campaign, Calvert-Lewin has only started over half the fixtures in the Premier League season on three of eight attempts.
But when he's on top, he's on top. The 11-cap England international has scored 55 goals across 216 Premier League appearances and is regarded for his physicality and quality as the focal frontman.
Last season, he enjoyed a revival that saw him feature across 32 top-flight fixtures, lacking his former prolificness but finding his feet toward the end, posting four goals and an assist across the final seven fixtures as Dyche's outfit clicked into gear.
It's important to put things in perspective. Four matches into the 2023/24 season, Everton had lost their opening three top-flight fixtures while defeating Doncaster Rovers in the second round of the Carabao Cup, identical to present results.
Everton also finished comfortably in 15th place, and had they not suffered an eight-point deduction, they would have finished 12th.
Calvert-Lewin's late-season resurgence proved vital in hitting a winning patch of form and steering away from the dreaded drop zone. The Athletic's Patrick Boyland even remarked that he looked "like the DCL of old" following a commanding display against Liverpool.
Everton have bolstered their No. 9 spot by signing Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea with the option to make the deal permanent for £30m next summer, but Calvert-Lewin's early-season form, scoring a goal and an assist apiece already, suggests that he could take some shifting from the starting spearhead spot.
He will need to juggle the workload, however, for an extended layoff could prove to be ruinous for Dyche and his plans. Everton could do with another dynamic attacking presence – Broja, aged 22, is talented but scored only two goals across 27 matches last year.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja.
Casting our mind back, Everton could definitely make good use of two former players, namely Anthony Gordon and Ademola Lookman, who have both shot to the upper echelon of the world's pantheon of players.
The latter, in particular, might just be the biggest regret when it comes to player departures.
How Gordon compared to Lookman in 2023/24
Atalanta superstar Lookman once plied his trade in Merseyside blue, signing from Charlton Athletic for a fee rising to £11m way back in January 2017.
A versatile winger with a love for scoring, he's one of Everton's brightest attacking talents of the past decade, with Gordon another to have carried high potential throughout his early days at the club before being sold and since realising his potential elsewhere.
Gordon was sold to Newcastle United for £45m in January 2023, and while the England international has since gone from strength to strength and been the subject of interest from Liverpool, who eyed a £75m deal this summer, Lookman would give him a good run for his money in claiming the tag of the player at the higher point.
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon
It's quite simple really; after all, Gordon isn't on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, is he? He also posted 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions last season for the Toon, winning their Player of the Year award. But alas, Lookman trumped him – and won gold during his continental campaign besides.
Indeed, Lookman's tally of 32 goals for the Bergamo-based outfit to date is more than Gordon has achieved in his entire senior career, with the Englishman netting just 21 times for the Toffees and the Magpies, respectively.
Still only 26 years old, the Nigerian forward has plenty yet to give but has recently hit the pinnacle of his career, scoring an emphatic hat-trick against previously invincible Bayer Leverkusen in last term's Europa League final to hand the Serie A side their first-ever European title.
He joined as a teenager, and this 19-year-old prospect carried exciting qualities under both Ronald Koeman and then Sam Allardyce but failed to bring it together on English shores, despite scoring on his debut against Manchester City's Pep Guardiola.
Indeed, in total, four goals across 48 matches were registered for the Blues, but his talent was recognised by Germany's RB Leipzig, who signed him for £22.5m in July 2019 during Marco Silva's time at the helm, after enjoying his performances on loan in 2017/18 – where he scored five goals and added four assists across just 11 outings in the Bundesliga.
Now playing for Atalanta, he's positively exploded. Last year, Lookman bagged 17 goals and ten assists across 45 matches in all competitions to outshine Gordon's return, now honoured with a nomination for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
And why not? On top of his extraordinary performance on one of the biggest nights in Atalanta's storied history, he has maintained a fierce threat throughout, ranking among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, as per FBref.
Such a meteoric rise has even earned the £38k-per-week talent a summer of interest from high-profile suitors such as Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, though Italian sources' suggestions that Atalanta were looking for a €70m (£59m) figure appears to have dissuaded the interested parties.
This transfer price means that Lookman is worth more than any of Everton's forwards. Calvert-Lewin was pursued by Newcastle United in the summer but the Magpies were put off by Everton's demands of £40m earlier in the summer.
Ademola Lookman for Atalanta
Of course, Lookman's post-Toffees career has been cardinal for his development; remaining on Merseyside, he may not have found the gusto to propel him to the 2024 Ballon d'Or candidate list or hit such a value, having now become an undoubted "superstar", as per 90min's Sean Walsh.
But one can't help but rue the failure of Silva and Co to keep a hold of him and ignite his career. Given that the likes of PSG and Arsenal hold a vested interest, it's clear that quite the pretty penny could have been fetched.
Everton have hit the jackpot on "monster" who's worth more than Broja
The Chelsea forward has joined on loan with an option to buy for ÂŁ30m…
Injuries to Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal forced the selectors to recall the senior batter
Mohammad Isam26-Jun-2021Mahmudullah has been added to Bangladesh’s Test squad three days after the line-ups for the three formats were announced for the tour of Zimbabwe starting next month. ESPNcricinfo has learned that injuries to Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal led to the selectors turning to Mahmudullah, the T20I captain, after more than a year’s absence from Test cricket.Iqbal withdrew from the Super League stage of Prime Bank Cricket Club’s campaign in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) after suffering a knee injury, while Rahim has a fractured finger, which he sustained last week.Related
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“During an emergency meeting yesterday that included the selectors, the board president [Nazmul Hassan] and myself, we decided that we can’t take a chance with the injuries,” Akram Khan, BCB cricket operations chairman, said. “Because of the situation, we decided to make the squad bigger. We are 80% sure that he [Rahim] can play, but we don’t want to take a chance. We want to have a back-up batsman in the squad.”Mahmudullah played the last of his 49 Tests in January 2020, against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, and was subsequently left out of the series against Zimbabwe last year and against West Indies and Sri Lanka this year. He was also among a handful of cricketers to be given a white-ball-only central contract in 2020.Never a consistent performer in Test cricket – he averages 31.77; 2764 runs from 93 innings – his form didn’t show much sign of improvement in the lead-up to his axing. He was on song in early 2019, scoring 22, 146, 13 and 67 in the two-Test series in New Zealand, but then had a top score of 39* in four Test matches, where he totalled only 109 runs in eight innings.Though out of the red-ball side, the 35-year-old has been a regular in the Bangladesh white-ball teams, and in the domestic circuit, has led Gazi Group Cricketers to the Super League of the DPL T20s. His own run-scoring form has, however, been patchy: 207 runs in 14 innings with a best of 62*, at an average of 23.00 and a strike rate of 111.89.Bangladesh’s touring party is scheduled to leave Dhaka on June 28, and they will play a one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20Is, all behind closed doors in Harare.The inclusion of Mahmudullah means the Bangladesh contingent has seven players who are available for selection in all three formats, the others being Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam. Rahim has been granted leave from the T20I series.Test squad: Mominul Haque (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful IslamODI squad: Tamim Iqbal (capt), Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Shoriful IslamT20I squad: Mahmudullah (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam