West Ham nearly signed £38m star to partner Bowen but got Kudus instead

West Ham held more possession than the opposition for the third Premier League game this season, out of a possible seven, something Julen Lopetegui is trying to slowly integrate to his side.

The Hammers held 53% of the ball against Ipswich, but have averaged 45.4% possession this campaign so far, as the Spaniard has tried to implement a new style of football at the London Stadium.

Plenty of good performances could be picked out for the Hammers, but after scoring four goals having only scored ten all season, the attack deserves extra credit this week for finding their shooting boots and putting their chances away.

Jarrod Bowen and Mohamed Kudus were chief among their stars on Saturday afternoon,

Bowen and Kudus in 2024/25

Both Bowen and Kudus were on the scoresheet for the Hammers against Ipswich, after both having fairly slow starts by their standards this campaign.

Bowen has two goals and two assists in seven Premier League games now, following his goal and assist on Saturday.

Kudus, on the other hand, got his first goal contribution in the league this season, making seven appearances in the Premier League this and only scoring once in 579 minutes. Considering how good the latter, in particular, was last term, his form was a big cause for concern.

Indeed, the pair were heavily relied upon in 2023/24, having 50 goals and assists between them in all competitions, which shows how much of West Ham’s output comes from the attacking duo.

West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen

Can you imagine a world in which the Irons didn’t have Bowen or Kudus at their disposal? They may well have signed a different player instead of the latter last summer…

When West Ham wanted to sign Harvey Barnes

According to the Telegraph back in early June 2023, West Ham were leading the race to sign Harvey Barnes from Leicester with Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa all also linked at the time.

Mohammed Kudus celebrates for West Ham

In July, Newcastle ended up signing Barnes for around £39m, which then saw the Clarets sign Kudus in August for around £38m. West Ham’s earlier interest in the “efficient” winger, as he labelled by Statman Dave, could have seen the Hammers not sign the Ghanaian if they had got Barnes over the line.

So, was that a good piece of business? The stats help us to understand the difference between both players.

Goals

0.52

0.37

Assists

0.31

0.17

xG

0.40

0.25

xAG

0.36

0.15

Progressive Carries

5.06

4.07

Progressive Passes

3.82

2.94

Shots Total

3.23

2.52

Key Passes

1.46

1.18

Shot-Creating Actions

3.26

3.62

Successful Take-Ons

0.79

4.04

Tackles

0.67

2.36

It is important to note when analysing these metrics from last season that Barnes only played 862 minutes, largely due to injury, whereas Kudus played 3,678 minutes. But you can see from these stats that when the Toon ace was available, he was performing at the top level.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

Kudus had a great season, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in the Premier League last campaign, but it was his direct nature, and ability in 1v1s that really impressed, averaging 4.04 take-ons per 90, and even tracking back to win 2.36 tackles per 90, affecting the game on both sides of the ball.

Barnes started this season faster than Kudus with his output, already scoring three times and providing one assist in his seven Premier League appearances. The metrics analysed above and the output already in 2024/25 tell us Barnes is perhaps more precise with his final action (shot, pass etc), whereas Kudus has a more maverick in his approach to making things happen.

West Ham fans will be happy things panned out the way they did, as Kudus has quickly become a fan favourite, but imagine they had signed the Newcastle winger instead, lining up with him on the left (his preferred side) and Bowen on the right, two Englishman in their natural positions.

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Ratcliffe and Ashworth want "incredible" £100m Eriksen replacement at Man Utd

Manchester United are planning to move one of their current players out the door in a bid to help them sign a promising Premier League player, according to a new report.

The Red Devils had a productive summer, moving players on and bringing in fresh faces, but as of yet it hasn’t had the effect on the pitch that they would have hoped for. It seems that while Erik ten Hag’s future remains up for discussion, United’s hierarchy have plans to be busy in 2025.

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1 ByBrett Worthington Oct 2, 2024 Man Utd transfer news

Man United will be hoping 2025 will be a better year for them than how 2024 has gone so far, and it appears it could be a busy calendar year, as they have their eye on several incomings. It emerged earlier this week that Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is on the radar of the Red Devils, as they potentially eye more defensive reinforcements in the New Year. Guehi’s stock has risen quite considerably in recent months, and that has put him on United’s radar, but they are unlikely to be the only team chasing his signature.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi

As well as Guehi, United are also looking at signing another defender in Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. The Red Devils are looking to progress their plans to sign a left back and have had Robinson on their radar for some time. Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested in the player, but United are planning to test Fulham’s resolve next year, meaning a formal bid is probably in the offing.

£100m star on United's radar as Eriksen exit beckons

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are planning to move Christian Eriksen on so they can make a move to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace. The report states that the Red Devils are ready to let Eriksen leave, as he is out of contract at the end of the season, and replace him with a younger player.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and sporting director Dan Ashworth are keen to see the best British talent at Old Trafford, and Wharton has caught the eye of the recruitment team with his performances for Palace. United, as well as Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bayern Munich, have all been keeping an eye on his progress, which has been hailed as “incredible” by Gareth Southgate, who even likened his rise to current United sensation Kobbie Mainoo.

United see Wharton as a replacement for Eriksen, who is unlikely to seal a new contract at Old Trafford – The Premier League side wants to keep the average age of the squad down and focus on the best young talent in England.

Apps

23

Goals

0

Assists

4

Wharton’s chances of leaving Selhurst Park in January are slim, but United are plotting a move next summer, and it is a deal that won’t come cheap. The midfielder is considered one of the biggest rising stars in the league, and many believe he has the same trajectory as Arsenal’s Declan Rice, as Palace believe he should be valued higher than the £100 million spent on Rice and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.

Southampton now handed major boost in third attempt to sign Yuri Alberto

Following a difficult start to their Premier League return, Southampton have reportedly been handed a much-needed boost as they plot a third attempt to sign a forward who dreams of a move to England’s top flight.

Southampton transfer news

On paper, the Saints enjoyed a solid summer transfer window. They welcomed experience in the form of Adam Lallana, reunited Russell Martin with Flynn Downes on a permanent basis and signed Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal in a deal that stole the headlines. Those reinforcements are yet to bear fruit, however, with their one point coming last time out against fellow promoted side Ipswich Town.

The one positive for the Saints to cherish has been the form of young winger Tyler Dibling, with the 18-year-old impressing against Manchester United before then scoring against Ipswich to once again steal the spotlight.

At just 18 years old, however, Dibling needs help in the Southampton attack if Martin’s side are to avoid Premier League relegation at the first time of asking since last season’s promotion. And it seems as though the Saints are well aware of that.

According to Trivela via Sport Witness, Corinthians are now willing to let Yuri Alberto leave for the right price in January, which is a major boost for Southampton who are plotting a third move to sign the young striker.

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Those at St Mary’s will be desperate to make it a third time lucky, having reportedly attempted to sign Alberto last January and then placing a loan offer worth €3m (£2.5m) with a buy option of €20m (£17m), only to see their bid turned down.

At the time, Corinthians reportedly cited a lack of time to find a replacement as the reason why they rejected such a respectable offer for their forward, but since welcoming the likes of Memphis Depay, the Brazilian club are now reportedly open to selling Alberto.

"Clinical" Alberto would make the difference for Southampton

There’s no doubt that Southampton’s frontline needs a consistent goalscorer in the Premier League. It’s something that can instantly make the difference between relegation and survival, and Alberto can offer exactly that, whilst realising a Premier League dream of his own.

The forward revealed as relayed by Sport Witness: “There was an offer from England. The board chose to decline. Everything is fine. I’m happy and will continue to be happy. It’s my dream to play in Europe, to compete in the Premier League, but everything has its time, and those who control this know everything. If I’m here today, it’s because there’s something very big for me and for Corinthians.”

After scoring 17 goals and assisting a further six for Corinthians in their current campaign in Brazil, the timing of his move could be sooner than he thinks, with the January window presenting the perfect opportunity for Southampton to make their third and perhaps finally successful attempt to secure his signature.

Dubbed “clinical” by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, Alberto could quickly emerge to become a key player if Southampton make their move this winter.

Priority target: Man City want to sign £97k-p/w star to replace De Bruyne

Manchester City have identified a £97,000 per week international as a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, according to a new report.

The Blues have made a very good start to the 2024/25 Premier League season, and that continued on Saturday as they claimed a 2-1 win over Brentford to make it four wins from four.

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1 ByHenry Jackson Sep 15, 2024 Possible Kevin De Bruyne replacements

No transfer business can be conducted now until January, but that hasn’t stopped the transfer speculation from continuing. Man City added just two players to their squad over the summer, so they could have their eye on potentially one or two additions in the new year.

One area that Pep Guardiola could be looking to address is finding a suitable replacement for De Bruyne. The Belgian international is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad, but he has indicated that talks over a new deal will likely proceed during the campaign.

However, it is unlikely going to be a long-term deal, given the players’ age and injury problems. Therefore, Man City are looking at long-term replacements for De Bruyne, and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is said to be open to joining City in 2025. The German has delayed agreeing a new deal with the Bundesliga giants, meaning he will enter the final year of his contract next summer if a new deal isn’t agreed. That has alerted City, and they could be ready to make a move in the summer.

Germany star Jamal Musiala

But while the Blues and Guardiola look at Musiala as a possible replacement for de Bruyne. They have also said to have identified another player, who could be in the running as well.

Man City identify £97k-p/w international as possible de Bruyne successor

According to Football Insider, Manchester City have set their sights on signing PSG midfielder Xavi Simons as a long-term replacement for De Bruyne. The 21-year-old is said to be a priority target for the Premier League side, but they face competition from Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Simons, who is said to be on a weekly wage of £97,000, has been at PSG since July 2023, when he re-joined the club from PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch international spent last season on loan at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, where he scored eight goals and recorded 13 assists in 32 league games.

The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer, but a move never worked out, and instead, he has re-joined Leipzig on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.

Apps

47

Goals

11

Assists

16

Simons, who was once described as being a “complete” player by former teammate Dani Olmo, has started all three of Leipzig’s games this season in the Bundesliga but is yet to get on the scoresheet. Simons, who can operate in a number 10 role as well as out wide, is contracted to PSG until the summer of 2027. The 21-year-old had an impressive summer away with the Netherlands, as he started five of his country’s six games in the tournament, scoring in the semi-final against England.

Newcastle Could Sign £39m Lascelles Upgrade At St James’

Newcastle United are reportedly interested in Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio, as the Magpies eye a busy summer ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Eddie Howe is expected to continue to deliver in the transfer window, after the North East side confirmed the marquee signing of AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali for a fee of £55m this week.

Having gained access to the Champions League for the first time since 2002/03, Newcastle have a bolstered pull going into the window, with added financial reassurance from Saudi Arabia’s lucrative Public Investment Fund.

Howe could add to the joy of securing Tonali by setting his sights on Inacio, who is a player in demand this summer.

What’s the latest on Goncalo Inacio to Newcastle United?

As reported by Football Insider on Monday, Newcastle are ‘plotting’ a move for Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

The report claims that the Magpies are ‘exploring’ the idea of signing the defender, who “fits the profile” of the individual the club are wanting to hire.

Spanish publication AS listed Arsenal and Liverpool as other candidates eyeing the 21-year-old, who is valued by his club at €45m (£39m).

What could Goncalo Inacio offer to Newcastle United?

Despite discovering the perfect balance in central defence between Sven Botman and Fabian Schar, the Magpies could bolster their back line this summer to add depth and competition in the position.

Another area that sparks rumours that Newcastle could recruit a defender this summer is the uncertainty surrounding the future of Jamaal Lascelles, who has just one year remaining on his contract.

The club captain made just 11 appearances in all competitions last season, registering just two starts in the Premier League all year.

As reported by Football Insider this week, the Englishman will have a ‘decision to make’ this summer on whether he opts to depart or risk facing another campaign deprived of game time.

Should the 29-year-old decide to leave, Howe could find his perfect replacement in Inacio, who had impressed as a standout centre-back in Europe last term.

Lauded as “complete” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 21-year-old flexed his ability in being an assured presence in Sporting’s defence, contributing to seven clean sheets in 26 Liga Portugal starts.

As per Sofascore, the Portuguese ace won 59% of his total duels in the league, as well as averaging 1.4 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game to cement himself as one of the most important figures in Ruben Amorim’s side.

One of the most impressive areas of the defender's game is his ability on the ball, with Kulig describing him as being ‘one of the most interesting’ centre-backs in Europe.

As per FBref, the central defender could add an alternate strength to Newcastle’s side, highlighted through his monstrous average of 9.04 progressive passes per 90, showing his ability to get the ball forward from the back.

To put into comparison the new outlet that Inacio could hand to Howe at St James’ Park, Schar averaged an average of 3.90 progressive passes per 90, with Botman following with an average of 2.50, via FBref.

Newcastle could add a new layer of solidity by signing Incacio, who could not only allow Lascelles to leave without repercussion on numbers in the squad, but also prove to be an upgrade to those already on show in the North East.

Man United Now Targeting "Brilliant" £6k-p/w Ace

Manchester United are now targeting Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, who could be brought in alongside Andre Onana, according to reports from the Netherlands.

Which goalkeeper are Man United signing?

Man United goalkeeper David de Gea officially became a free agent on Friday following the expiration of his contract, and it is now looking increasingly likely that the Spaniard will not return to Old Trafford for the upcoming campaign.

As such, Erik ten Hag is tasked with bringing in a suitable replacement, and Onana is at the top of the list, as the manager retains a good relationship with the Inter shot-stopper from their time working together at Ajax.

The Cameroonian is viewed as a huge upgrade on De Gea due to his distribution and reading of the game, however, he will not come cheap, as it is believed it will take offers in excess of £50m for Inter to consider a sale this summer.

Not only is Onana emerging as a key target, but Dutch outlet 1908 reports the Red Devils hold a concrete interest in signing Bijllow, who could arrive at Old Trafford in addition to the Inter 'keeper (via Sport Witness).

The report explains that United are looking to replace De Gea, though Feyenoord are apparently not interested in allowing the £6k-per-week goalkeeper to leave and are pushing for him to sign a new contract.

Voetbal International reports the player himself would love to make the switch to Old Trafford, but at the moment, it appears as though Feyenoord will stand in his way.

Who is Justin Bijlow?

The Rotterdam-born goalkeeper has played for Feyenoord throughout his entire career, and he has impressed enough to be called up for The Netherlands on several occasions, amassing a total of eight caps for his national side.

Hailed as "brilliant" by members of the media, the 25-year-old has recorded a very impressive average clean sheet percentage over the past year, placing in the 92nd percentile compared to his positional peers playing at a similar level.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag

Given his international experience and impressive performances at club level, it is unclear whether the Dutchman would be happy playing second fiddle to Onana, who would surely be first-choice if he costs over £50m.

If he is willing to accept a more limited role, Bijlow could be a fantastic addition to Ten Hag's squad, who could even be capable of pushing for a starting spot.

Yannick Carrasco Weighs In On Thibaut Courtois Belgium Drama

Yannick Carrasco has spoken out against his Belgium teammate Thibaut Courtois following the goalkeeper's fallout with national team coach Domenico Tedesco.

What has happened between Thibaut Courtois and the Belgium manager?

Earlier this week, Tedesco announced that the Real Madrid keeper had left the national team set-up, after confronting him and revealing he felt he'd been disrespected when Romelu Lukaku was appointed captain in Kevin De Bruyne's absence.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said:

"Together we decided that Romelu would be captain against Austria and Thibaut tomorrow against Estonia.

"That was OK for everyone but after the match [Courtois] suddenly wanted to talk to me and said he was going home because he was disappointed and felt offended."

Courtois took to Instagram to hit back at the claims, revealing he'd left due to an injury and no other reason and was "surprised" to hear the comments from his manager, noting: "I am deeply disappointed with this, but I want to make it clear that the coach's assessments do not fit with reality."

Belgium'sThibautCourtois

While it's currently unclear what actually went down between the two, and the real reasons for the former Chelsea goalkeeper's departure from the national team this week, Carrasco has spoken out publicly about the situation, and it's pretty clear where his opinion lies right now.

What did Yannick Carrasco say about Thibaut Courtois?

The Atletico Madrid man spoke after Belgium's 3-0 win against Estonia, and revealed how he felt about the entire situation and his disappointment in Courtois.

Speaking to Manuel Jous, the 29-year-old said:

"We more or less understood what happened. We had a meeting with the coach who was clear with us. We, the old ones, have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Thibaut. But we were disappointed with his reaction."

Carrasco revealed he thought that as a leader, Courtois had a responsibility to set an example for the younger members of the squad and didn't feel as though he'd done that with his reaction, adding:

"In the end, he is a manager of the team, he is one of the three captains. An armband is just a detail. You have to show that you are a leader and a captain with your personality. He chose to leave. He was embarrassed or not, we don't know. But one of the reasons for his departure was also the armband."

The comments revealed the winger doesn't believe Courtois left the Belgium team due to an injury, and in fact, went home as a result of Lukaku being handed the captain's armband.

After over 100 international caps, it remains to be seen what long-term implications this will have on the goalkeeper's future with the national team and whether his relationship with Tedesco is fractured beyond repair.

Tottenham: "Sensational" Star "Likelier" To Join Spurs

Leicester City star James Maddison is “likelier” to join Tottenham Hotspur than Premier League rivals this summer, according to journalist Miguel Delaney of The Independent.

Who will Tottenham sign?

Ange Postecoglou’s arrival from treble-winning Celtic marks the dawn of a new era and attacking football’s return to N17, coming after the more pragmatic eras of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte before him.

The domestic transfer window is officially open for business and it is now the task of chairman Daniel Levy to scour the market for much-needed Spurs upgrades.

A major rebuild is on the cards at Tottenham, with Hugo Lloris, Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks facing uncertain futures (The Telegraph).

There have been suggestions that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be facing the axe as well, meanwhile major doubts surround 2022 summer signing Richarlison.

Of the players who could come in, Postecoglou apparently wants a new centre-back, a goalkeeper to replace Hugo Lloris, forward additions and Leicester star Maddison.

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.

Going back to the latter player, reliable reporter Delaney of The Independent has shared an update, with Spurs battling Newcastle for the 26-year-old’s signing.

However, despite Eddie Howe enjoying the luxury of Champions League qualification for next season, Maddison is actually “likelier to go to Spurs”.

It is stressed in his report, though, that neither side are that close to agreeing a fee for the midfielder – with Enzo Maresca’s side demanding almost double £45 million.

How many goals has James Maddison scored for Leicester?

Maddison, during his time at the King Power, has racked up an impressive 55 goals and 41 assists in all competitions.

Last season, the former Norwich City star totalled 10 goals and nine assists in the league alone – standing out as Leicester’s best-performing player by average match rating (WhoScored).

Journalist Rob Blanchette also hailed Maddison for his “sensational” form last year he got the England nod over Man United winger Jadon Sancho.

“James Maddison is an easy pick ahead of Sancho,” said Blanchette on Twitter.

“His form for Leicester has been sensational, while Jadon has declined.”

Man Utd Could Repeat Boehly Disaster On £38m Rock

There has been an update regarding Manchester United's reported interest in Napoli defender, Kim Min-jae…

What's the latest on Kim Min-jae to Man United?

According to journalist Santi Aouna, the 26-year-old is believed to be a standout target for Erik ten Hag this summer, albeit with the Red Devils seemingly making little headway in their bid to sign the South Korean centre-back.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider stated: "Kim Min-jae remains Manchester United's top priority. However, negotiations with the player have made little progress in recent weeks.

"Newcastle pass the second these last weeks. PSG & Chelsea have also an eye on him."

As per 90min, the former Fenerbahce ace is believed to have a release clause in his existing deal worth in the region of €45m (£38m), albeit with that option only set to be active in the first two weeks of the window.

What is Kim Min-Jae's style of play?

While hailed as arguably the "best centre-back in the world right now" by Napoli's departing boss, Luciano Spalletti, it is perhaps uncertain as to whether Kim would be able to replicate his recent heroics in the Premier League, particularly amid his apparent statistical and stylistic similarity to current Chelsea flop, Kalidou Koulibaly, according to FBref.

The latter man was snapped up from the Serie A outfit by Blues owner Todd Boehly on a £33m deal last summer after previously starring in Naples, having been described as "remarkable" and an "extraordinary leader" by the aforementioned Spalletti.

Since the move to Stamford Bridge, however, the Senegalese colossus simply "hasn’t been the formidable defender that he was when he was at Napoli", according to pundit ESPN pundit Stewart Robson, having also been described as looking "nervy" by ex-Arsenal man, Ian Wright.

Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly

While somewhat impacted by injury, the 31-year-old has seemingly proven something of a disaster as far as Boehly is concerned, with recent reports suggesting that the American could already be looking to cash in on the struggling asset.

To think then that United could be landing Koulibaly 2.0 with the signing of Kim is then likely to be of concern to Ten Hag, with the Dutchman no doubt wanting to avoid a repeat of Chelsea's dismal error.

The likeness between the two defenders is shown by the fact that both attempt to play out from the back, with Kim averaging 80.35 attempted passes per 90 across the last 365 days, as well as 4.81 progressive passes per 90, while the Blues dud has a similar record after averaging 69.59 and 4.07 for the same two metrics, respectively.

In a defensive sense, the pair are also alike as the latter man racked up 45 tackles and 30 blocks in the league in the 2022/23 campaign, while the one-time Beijing Guoan man recorded only just ahead with 55 tackles and 36 blocks.

As such, the likeness between the duo may have alarm bells ringing back at Old Trafford, with United needing to be careful that they don't follow in Boehly's footsteps.

Forest could sign "impressive" £12k-p/w ace

Nottingham Forest are ready to turn their attention to the transfer window, as Steve Cooper prepares for a busy summer in charge.

The reds will aim to make improvements over the break to ensure they can cement their stay in the Premier League for another season, after confirming their safety in the penultimate fixture.

Latest news links a Serie A ace with a potential move to the City Ground this summer.

What’s the latest on Carlos Augusto to Nottingham Forest?

As reported by Fabrizio Romano earlier this week, Monza left-back Carlos Alonso has emerged as a potential target for Forest.

"Nottingham Forest also appreciate the Brazilian LB but Inter are now ahead," the Italian transfer guru revealed in an update on Twitter.

With one year remaining on his contract, Monza risk losing the 24-year-old next summer for free, sparking news that they could cash in on his talents this window to gain profit, with Inter leading the race.

What could Carlos Augusto offer to Nottingham Forest?

Once hailed as “impressive” by journalist Josh Bunting, the Brazilian has impressed in Serie A this campaign for his contributions to Monza’s attack.

The left-back found the net six times this season, as well as assisting five goals for his teammates in a joyous term for the Italian club following their promotion from Serie B last summer.

Despite having contact with Inter Milan, the 24-year-old could be a perfect fit for Forest if a deal can become more concrete between the two parties.

Ranking in the top 5% of full-backs in Europe in terms of non-penalty goals, averaging 0.18 per 90 via FBref, to cement the abstract element the defender can bring to his game.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper

It’s a playing style lauded by managers in the Premier League to have full-backs capable of being attacking savvy, making Augusto a suitable fit for the Reds.

When comparing the left-back to current Forest defender Harry Toffolo, his form this season indicates that the Brazilian could be Cooper’s answer to a significant upgrade on the Englishman to boost the overall quality of his side.

Putting his attacking quality aside, the £12k-per-week target averages 2.13 tackles per 90 to the 27-year-old’s 1.63 per 90, as well as winning a total of 56% of his duels in Serie A this campaign to the Forest man's 50%.

While his goal contributions are glaringly impressive, his general activity on the ball proves that he would be a more influential figure to Cooper’s plans than his current options.

As per FBref, the Monza gem averages 50.18 attempted passes per 90 with Toffolo averaging considerably less with 37.05 per 90, highlighting the Forest target’s desire to make a difference on the ball.

With Inter reportedly in the lead to capture the Brazilian’s signature, only time will tell if Forest can turn the tide, however, there is no denying that the 24-year-old would be a significant upgrade in the club’s squad.

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