Newcastle United's attacking department is down to the bare bones right now amidst an injury crisis that has plagued the squad. Star strikers Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak were both ruled out with injury issues, leaving Eddie Howe without a centre-forward in the build-up to the international break.

During Newcastle's disappointing 2-0 defeat away at Bournemouth, Howe deployed Anthony Gordon through the middle but the results were disastrous as the £45m winger had merely one attempt on goal, registering an xG of 0.07 on the night.

Situations like this serve as a reminder to clubs to always have as much depth in each position as possible. Newcastle have had some excellent centre-forwards over the past decade, including Ivan Toney and Adam Armstrong, who never had a fair crack of the whip at St. James' Park but are players that Howe would be delighted to have in the squad right now.

Nevertheless, there is one more striker that many forgot even played for the Mags who has been ripping it up this season.

Luuk de Jong's stats at Newcastle

In January 2014, Newcastle United announced the signing of Luuk de Jong on loan until the end of the campaign as Alan Pardew sought to add further depth to his forward department. The Dutchman had been with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga but limited game-time was the catalyst behind a temporary move to the North East of England.

Unfortunately, the striker endured a turgid time under Pardew and struggled to hit any kind of form. De Jong made his debut for the Magpies in the Tyne-Wear Derby against bitter rivals Sunderland. However, after the 3-0 home defeat, De Jong admitted his first display for the club was "terrible".

Overall, the Dutch striker failed to score a single goal for Newcastle during his half-season at the Geordie club in 12 appearances in the Premier League. De Jong's only goal contribution came in the form of an assist in a 2-1 loss at home to Swansea City and the number '9' returned to his parent club empty-handed at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

De Jong's current form in 2023

After his loan at St. James' Park expired, De Jong went on to play twice for PSV Eindhoven, Sevilla, and even Barcelona when Ronald Koeman took charge of the Catalan club.

The most prolific de Jong has ever been is with PSV, though. Across two different spells with the Eredivisie giants, the experienced striker has scored 147 goals and recorded 75 assists in 264 games in all competitions.

De Jong bagged 14 goals in the Dutch top flight last season under Ruud van Nistelrooy but is well on his way to beating this tally in the current campaign and has already hit 17 in 21 appearances since Peter Bosz took charge, with the team running away with the Eredivisie title after picking up 12 wins from 12.

As it happens, the 33-year-old is currently outscoring both of Newcastle United's star strikers Wilson and Isak (seven goals each this season) and has been outperforming the prolific pair in a number of key attacking metrics.

Goals

0.84

0.96

0.84

Expected Goals

0.8

0.9

0.73

Shots

3.85

3.01

2.65

Shots On Target

1.26

1.78

1.57

Goals Per Shot

0.15

0.23

0.27

Aerial Duels Won %

53.7%

42.1%

27.3%

Stats via FBref

Newcastle United don't need a new striker to replace Wilson and Isak in the long term but De Jong could have been an excellent squad player for the Magpies had his fortunes in front of goal been different ten years ago.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been slammed by fans after turning in a dire performance against Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• PSG lost 3-2 to Barcelona
• Donnarumma holds responsibility for all three goals
• Fans slammed Italy international's performance

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Paris Saint-Germain were beaten 3-2 by Barcelona in a see-saw Champions League quarter-final first leg, with Donnarumma thrice at fault. First, he made a terrible attempt to claim a cross from Lamine Yamal and only pushed the ball into Raphinha's path. Then, he gave the ball away in build-up before Raphinha scored his second goal of the game, and was rooted to his line when Sergi Roberto floated a cross in for Andreas Christensen to score.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  @WolfRMFC wrote: "DONNARUMMA is the worst goalkeeper I have ever seen."

  @Totalcristiano added: "Donnarumma when the Champions League lights are on has got to be the worst GK in the world."

  @YashRMFC said: "This gotta be the biggest hall of shame performance by Donnarumma."

  @Idoxvi followed their lead, adding: "Donnarumma is by far the worst UCL performer I've ever seen."

  @EuroExpert_ also weighed in: "I've said it before and I'll say it again: Donnarumma would have been one of the world's best GKs in the early 2010s, today he is sadly a liability."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  PSG go into next week's return leg in Spain well aware that they will need to score at least twice to guarantee victory, as one will only force extra time and penalties. Donnarumma's errors, then, could prove immensely costly.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  PSG have a rest this weekend, while Barca take on Cadiz in La Liga before the return leg.

Liverpool appear to be closing in on Jurgen Klopp's successor as they will meet with the agent of Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim on Monday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Liverpool already in talks with AmorimKey meeting scheduled for MondayReds close in on Klopp's replacementWHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds reportedly opened talks with the 39-year-old's agent last week and journalist Pedro Sepulveda has now claimed that another meeting was scheduled for Monday to discuss the final terms of his contract with the Anfield club. However, the Premier League side have made no contact with Sporting so far.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Amorim has emerged as a top candidate to take Klopp's place in the Liverpool hot seat next season after Xabi Alonso confirmed he will not be leaving Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Amorim has refused to guarantee that he would still be at Sporting in 2024-25, admitting that he would leave the club if they fail to win any trophies this term.

DID YOU KNOW?

Amorim took charge of Sporting four years ago and guided the club to the Primeira Liga title in his first season, winning the first of his two Taca da Liga crowns in the same season. His contract with the Portuguese club runs until 2026.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Sporting are closing in on the Liga Portugal title this season after beating rivals and nearest challengers Benfica 2-1 on Saturday to move four points clear with a game in hand. Liverpool, meanwhile, continue their fight for the Premier League crown in Klopp's last season as they sit level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table.

تحدث جمال علام رئيس مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة، عن أزمات لجنة الحكام وإمكانية اعتذار الأهلي عن المشاركة في بطولة كأس مصر موسم 2024-2025 بعد الاعتراض على المواعيد الجديدة للبطولة. 

وقال جمال علام في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر فضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “رابطة الأندية هي المسؤولة عن كل مباريات الدوري، وهم مجبرون على مواعيد معينة بسبب منافسات الاتحاد الإفريقي، ومواعيد التوقفات هي السبب في التأخير الحالي”.

وأضاف: “نقيم حاليًا تجربة الخبير الأجنبي في لجنة الحكام، توجد أخطاء في التحكيم وهو أمر وارد ونحن نعاني منه سواء مع المنتخبات أو مع الأندية المشاركة في البطولات القارية، أخطاء التحكيم واردة”.

وواصل: “بيريرا سيقدم تقريره يوم 18 أغسطس الجاري، وبعد ذلك سنقييم كمجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة، ولا أستطيع تقييم التجربة بالنجاح أو الفشل إلا بعد أن أرى تقرير بيريرا”.

ورد علام على سؤال الأفضل لإدارة لجنة الحكام المصري أم الأجنبي: “المصري أفضل في كل شيء، الخلافات التي تحدث في اللجان تجعلنا نختار الأجنبي، كما يوجد اتفاق على تعديل المعدات وأدوات الـvar مع الشركة المسؤولة”.

وتابع: “لا أريد الحديث عن انتخابات اتحاد الكرة، سنرى اللائحة هل تسمح لي بالترشح في الانتخابات المقبلة أم لا”.

جمال علام يُحفّز منتخب مصر الأولمبي وكلمات مؤثرة من النني للاعبين

وأكد: “روجيرو ميكالي المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر الأولمبي، مدرب كبير وصاحب فكر كبير جدًا، وكنت أتوقع نجاحه مع المنتخب الأولمبي، أتمنى استمراره معنا وسنتحدث معه، هو أخذ على عاتقه مباريات الأولمبياد وعانى كثيرًا في البداية وخصوصًا في اختيارات اللاعبين الكبار، هذا الجيل يضم لاعبين على مستوى عالي وسيكون امتدادًا للمنتخب الأول”.

وكشف: “نفكر في استمرار ميكالي، سيكون مسؤولًا عن منتخب وليس مشرفًا، لديه رؤية بشأن الناشئين ونريد أن نستفيد من خبراته”.

واستكمل: “سألت فيتور بيريرا شخصيًا لماذا اختار الحكم محمود البنا لمباراة الزمالك والمقاولون العرب رغم اعتراض الفريق الأبيض عليه، ولكن بيريرا كان قناعاته أن الخطأ لم يكن من البنا”.

وأتم: “أشكر مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك لأن حسين لبيب تفهم الموقف، والحكم أدى دوره في مباراة المقاولون العرب، واقتنعت بما قاله بيريرا لي، البنا حكم كبير جدًا وأدى مباراة جيدة وقتها”.

وعلق علام على إمكانية اعتذار الأهلي عن المشاركة في كأس مصر: “ستكون خسارة كبيرة، نأمل أن تقام مباريات الكأس في موعدها”.

خاص | موقف الأهلي من المشاركة في كأس مصر

وأشار: “تواصلت مع حسام حسن بشأن التجمع المقبل لمنتخب مصر، ويأمل مدرب منتخب مصر في حضور اللاعبين يوم 25 أغسطس”.

واستأنف: “لم نتخذ قرارًا نهائيًا بشأن إقامة مباريات الكأس في موعدها، سنحسم ذلك بعد الحديث مع التوأم، ما يهمني هو منتخب مصر في المقام الأول لأن المباراتين المقبلتين في غاية الأهمية”.

وأتم: “رمضان صبحي كان في حسابات حسام وإبراهيم حسن، لم أتحدث عنه ولم أقل اسمه، أعاني من نقل تصريحات عني لم أدلي بها، وإذا شعر أنني أخطأت في حقه فلا يوجد لدي أزمة أن أعتذر له”.

James Maddison has been a tremendous acquisition for Tottenham Hotspur ever since joining the London club from Leicester City following the Foxes' relegation from the Premier League last season, having bagged eight goal contributions under Ange Postecogou this term.

However, Spurs suffered a massive blow during the side's 4-1 defeat at home to Chelsea on Monday as the £40m man was taken off in the first half with an ankle problem and Postecoglou admitted that the England international is still being assessed ahead of this weekend's clash away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A potential long-term absence for the 26-year-old would be a big dampener for Spurs' early title bid but there is one youngster at the club who should be given a fair crack of the whip by the Australian coach.

Maddison's stats this season

Statistically, Maddison has been one of the best number '10s' in European football over the past year, according to data from FBref, which compares the ex-Norwich City star with all players in the same position from Europe's top-five leagues as well as the Champions League and the Europa League.

Maddison is in the top 2% for assists per 90, the top 15% for shots per 90, the top 1% for shot-creating actions per 90, the top 5% for expected assisted goals per 90 and the top 11% for xG per 90.

Furthermore, the Spurs man has showcased his creative talent too, sitting in the top 5% for progressive carries per 90, the top 7% for key passes per 90, the top 4% for passes into the final third per 90 and the top 3% for through balls played per 90. FBref have concluded that Maddison's data during the calendar year has been most comparable to Roma's Argentine talisman Paulo Dybala and Manchester United's club captain Bruno Fernandes.

James Maddison's most similar players
#1 Paulo Dybala	Roma
#2 Leroy Sane	Bayern Munich
#3 Bruno Fernandes	Manchester United
#4 Brahim Diaz	Real Madrid
#5 Ousmane Dembele	PSG
#6 Remy Cabella	Lille
List compiled by FBref.

Following a 2-0 win over Fulham two weeks ago, Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher claimed that Maddison is "the most influential player in the Premier League" right now. Joe Cole piled on the praise for the Spurs playmaker too, calling him the "signing of the summer".

Jamie Donley's stats this season

Tottenham Hotspur have had some top talents pass through their academy system in years gone by, including the likes of Harry Kane, Sol Campbell and Peter Crouch.

Even England icon David Beckham spent a few years in the club's school of excellence before switching to Manchester United in the early 1990s. However, the star from Spurs' current crop of youngsters is certainly 18-year-old Jamie Donley.

After scoring in a 3-0 win for Tottenham's U19s against French side Marseille back in September 2022, journalist Josh Bunting described Donley as a "fantastic young talent" and a "natural finisher".

The Northern Irish youngster has already had experience with the first team, having made his debut over the summer during a pre-season game against Motherwell, replacing Harvey White with fifteen minutes left in the match.

Donley has scored six goals and registered 11 assists for Tottenham's U23s this season in all competitions, an average of 1.67 goal contributions per game from 11 outings after also creating three goals in the EFL Trophy. Having played in a number of positions, including up top, his preferred '10' role and as a deeper-lying midfielder, according to Transfermarkt, his versatility is impressive.

In a Q&A interview with Football.London, Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold even stated that he believes Donley can even "emulate James Maddison" and his role under Ange this season.

It would be a massive gamble for Postecoglou to hand the reins to a player who has yet to make his competitive debut for the club. However, as the old cliche goes, if you're good enough, you're old enough, and Donley definitely looks good enough.

Cricket South Africa has announced two changes to the squad for the Women’s World T20, which begins on November 9. While one of the changes – the naming of a replacement for offspinner Raisibe Ntozakhe – was expected, the other comes after a surprise injury to one of the team’s rookie members.Ntozakhe was suspended for an illegal bowling action in October and was replaced by Yolani Fourie, another offspinner from Gauteng, while she works on remodelling her bowling action. Left-arm medium pacer Moseline Daniels was also called up after Saarah Smith sustained a proximal phalanx basal fracture on her pinky finger during a practice session on Saturday. The injury will take four to six weeks to resolve.”It’s very unfortunate,” said coach Hilton Moreeng of Smith’s injury. “We feel her pain as one of our squad members who worked extremely hard through the winter to find herself in her very first World Cup. To end it so prematurely for her it’s very disappointing and we wish her a speedy recovery and we know that she will make a good come back. She’s got a strong head on her shoulders.”Going forward now, after a discussion with the rest of the selectors, the players coming in are both suitable replacements, players who have both been to World Cups before so we will have that experience to fall back on and we know that they will be able to add value to the team from game one.”South Africa will play in Group A in St Lucia against defending champions West Indies, England, Sri Lanka and World Cup Qualifier winners Bangladesh, with their opening game against Sri Lanka on 12 November. In two unofficial warm-up games so far, they have lost to England by 17 runs and India, narrowly, by three runs.South Africa squad: Dané van Niekerk (captain), Chloe Tryon, Lizelle Lee, Suné Luus, Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt, Zintle Mali, Robyn Searle, Tumi Sekhukhune, Trisha Chetty (wk), Yolani Fourie, Moseline Daniels

Pujara returned to bat after retiring hurt because of stiff neck while Ashwin hastened MP’s collapse in Dindigul

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Nov-2018

Getty Images

Pujara returns with half-century after ‘stiff neck’
Fresh and well rested after a stiff neck forced him to retire hurt on 30, Cheteshwar Pujara returned to bat on the second day in Rajkot to make a half-century in Saurashtra’s first-innings total of 475 against Chhattisgarh. Pujara returned to bat after the fall of the fifth wicket and added a 65-run partnership with Sheldon Jackson who top scored with 147. Chhattisgarh were solid: 88 without loss in response with two days remaining.R Ashwin with a bagful of wickets
After toiling hard to pick up just one wicket in 21 overs on the first day in Dindigul, R Ashwin was rewarded for his persistence. He picked up three wickets on the second day to finish with figures of 4 for 85 as Madhya Pradesh were bowled out for 393 after being handily placed at 359 for 4 at one stage. In all, Ashwin sent down 38.4 overs, with five maidens. Ashwin was complemented by fast bowler M Mohammed, who picked up a hat-trick to trigger MP’s collapse. At stumps, M Vijay had faced six deliveries and was yet to get off the mark.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag might approach the upcoming January transfer market with some trepidation, especially with how badly his side needs rejuvenated.

The summer transfer window promised so much, yet it failed to really deliver. Mason Mount arrived from Chelsea, but he is yet to record a single goal contribution in the Premier League or Champions League this season.

Andre Onana was expected to fill the void left by David De Gea, who departed United after 12 years, yet the Cameroonian has kept just six clean sheets across his 18 matches for the club, conceding 30 goals in the process.

One of Ten Hag’s main priorities was to improve his attacking options and this led to him splashing the cash on Rasmus Hojlund, although the Dane has yet to sparkle in the Premier League.

The former Atalanta striker has failed to find the back of the net in the top flight this term, and he will need to find his feet fast, otherwise the pressure will continue to build up.

With just weeks until the winter window opens, Ten Hag will be looking to add another new signing or two if his budget allows, with a particular focus on defensive and attacking reinforcements.

Man Utd transfer news

Back in the summer, the Red Devils were linked with Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo following his exploits at the U20 World Cup for Brazil.

There were plenty of other clubs mentioned, most notably Arsenal and Chelsea, but as the transfer window rumbled on, no move ever materialised, and he remained at Santos.

The Old Trafford side could potentially be boosted by the news that the youngster looks set to leave Brazil in January, as his agent has discussed what is next for Leonardo.

"Already in the previous transfer window, he had the possibility of being sold.” Said his agent Rafaela Pimenta.

"But Santos' sporting situation was very particular. He accepted to stay because he wanted to help out until the end of the season. He didn’t want to leave because it wasn’t the right thing to do.

"But the time has come for the transfer. He wants to have a European experience, and his time will come this winter."

According to 90min, the forward could be signed for a fee in the region of £20m and considering how impressive he has been in South America over the previous three years, it’s hardly a surprise there are so many clubs showing interest.

With his agent confirming he is leaving, now is the time for Ten Hag to swoop, and he could even unearth a bigger talent than Hojlund in the process.

Rasmus Hojlund’s career statistics

Both Hojlund and Leonardo are the same age, but the Dane has struggled to really make an impact since moving to the Old Trafford side.

Of course, he has netted five times in the Champions League, yet all those goals came in three defeats.

There is no doubting his long-term potential, yet the Copenhagen native had scored only 27 professional goals before moving to Manchester in the summer, indicating that he still has a lot of learning to do.

Rasmus Hojlund's stats this season

Premier League

Champions League

Goals

0

5

Assists

0

0

Shots on target per game

0.6

1.5

Big chances created

0

0

Successful dribbles per game

0.9

1

Stats via Sofascore

The youngster has also missed eight big chances in the top flight so far this term, along with winning only 32% of his total duels, indicating that he is easily brushed off the ball.

There are several things for the young sensation to work on and once he scores his first league goal, it should certainly lead to many more.

In Leonardo, however, Ten Hag could sign a player who has already amassed much more professional experience than the former Atalanta striker, while scoring more goals in the process.

Is his ceiling higher? That remains to be seen, but making a move for him in January should be Ten Hag’s main priority.

Marcos Leonardo’s season in numbers

South American football expert Nathan Joyes hailed Leonardo as a “special talent” and it’s hard to argue with him, especially with his splendid record.

Across 164 senior matches, the in-demand talent has already netted 54 times and grabbed 11 assists, and he finally emerged from a promising teenager into a striker who could make the grade in Europe during 2023.

During the 2023 Brazilian Serie A campaign, the 20-year-old not only ranked first across the squad for goals and assists (15), but he also ranked first for shots on target per game (1.1) and second for scoring frequency (a goal every 180 minutes), certainly proving himself as one of Santos’ main attacking talents.

Overall, the Brazilian scored 21 goals in 45 matches during all competitions and his next step should be a move to Europe, where he can play against better opposition while getting a taste of the Champions League.

Not only has Leonardo shone on the domestic scene with Santos, but the young gem burst onto the international scene back in May at the U20 World Cup with his country.

His performances during the competition were the catalyst for all this attention from Europe and he ranked third for goals and assists (six), along with ranking fourth for big chances created (three) and for penalties won (one), suggesting he isn’t just about scoring goals on a regular basis.

These attributes suggest he could have a wonderful chance at succeeding in Manchester, as his all-round abilities prove he won't be isolated during matches, something which Hojlund has been guilty of, especially in the Premier League.

Signing the Brazilian would signal a massive statement of intent by Ten Hag, especially with all the interest in the player from several different clubs and, as previously mentioned, Utd could be the best place for him to continue his development.

Hojlund has yet to hit the ground running in England, but over time, he should eventually repay the faith shown in the Dutchman for signing him in the first place.

Leonardo, on the other hand, already looks like the real deal, and the former Ajax boss may just be able to unearth a bigger talent than Hojlund with the current Santos man.

All eyes will be on the transfer window, which opens in just a few weeks.

Bangladesh’s resistance crumbled against the spinners, as they sank to a 151-run defeat

The Report by Mohammad Isam in Sylhet06-Nov-2018Brandon Mavuta celebrates a wicket with his teammates•Getty ImagesThe moment arrived at 1.46pm on the fourth afternoon in Sylhet. Ariful Haque swung hard at Wellington Masakadza, but suffered a fate that most Bangladesh batsmen have off late, his top-edge being caught by a jubilant Regis Chakabva. Zimbabwe fought odds that were stacked against them, but won most sessions in the game with patient batting and bowling. They held their catches too, and dismantled Bangladesh for a 151-run win.It is only their third overseas Test win and first since November 2001, when the world of cricket was considerably different. That win in 2001 also came against Bangladesh, when Zimbabwe won by eight wickets in Chittagong under Stuart Carlisle.Brandon Mavuta, Sikandar Raza, Kyle Jarvis and Wellington combined brilliantly to bowl Bangladesh out for 169 in the second innings. Mavuta was introduced late in the first session, but ended with four wickets, three of which came after lunch. His 4 for 21 were the third-best innings figures by a Zimbabwe bowler on debut. But it was Raza who broke Bangladesh’s back by removing Imrul Kayes, Liton Das and Mahmudullah at a crucial time. Wellington finished with two wickets while Jarvis took one.Bangladesh had gone into lunch reeling on 111 for 5, having just lost captain Mahmudullah caught at square leg attempting a sweep, and Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who timed a rank long hop to Raza at cover.Mushfiqur Rahim was the first wicket to fall after the lunch break, when he swept Mavuta down deep-backward square leg’s throat. Wellington took a great catch diving forward, but the choice of the shot remained baffling. Soon, Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam fell within six balls of each other, getting caught behind and holing out to long-on respectively.Mavuta, who had removed Mehidy, then took the wicket of Nazmul Islam to complete his fourth wicket before Ariful fell for a 37-ball 38 to end Bangladesh’s innings in 63.1 overs.At the start of the day, there was some hope for Bangladesh when Imrul and Liton put on 56 for the opening wicket, the first half-century opening stand for Bangladeshi since January this year. But Imrul, who came into the Test having made 349 runs in the ODI series and had worked hard to reach 43 off 102 balls in this innings, missed a sweep off Raza to be bowled around his legs.Raza had also taken the first wicket of the Bangladesh innings, trapping Liton lbw even though umpire Richard Kettleborough had initially given him not out. But upon review, the spinning delivery was seen hitting middle stump. While the openers did share a crucial stand, the pair survived three chances in total. Brendan Taylor dropped Imrul at first slip while Brian Chari couldn’t reach two chances at short leg, once off each batsman in the 15th over.Mominu Haquel’s woeful Test run continued after he was dismissed for 9, which included two well-struck fours. Jarvis tested Mominul outside the off stump and it was this interplay that brought about his downfall. After beating his tentative push with a delivery that held its line, Jarvis followed it with another that was leaving the batsman, but a weak push took the inside edge and thudded into the stumps.

Aston Villa are reportedly eyeing the acquisition of a "magnificent" defender on a free transfer next year.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans are absolutely flying under Unai Emery this season, having recovered so well from the shock 5-1 defeat away to Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Emery's men now sit fifth in the Premier League table, and only four points behind current leaders Tottenham, and there is no reason why they can't mount a genuine push for Champions League football given their ability to score goals so freely.

Villa have been linked with a move for a number of players recently as the look to add even more attacking quality, including Besiktas forward Semih Kilicsoy, but they may also need to add to their defensive departments, with the likes of Alex Moreno and Tyrone Mings suffering long-term injuries.

It looks as though the Midlands side are now eyeing a player who is already plying his trade in British football – one with plenty of experience at both club and international level.

Aston Villa eyeing Borna Barisic as a free agent

According to a new report from Italian publication Calciomercato, Villa are interested in signing Rangers defender Borna Barisic in the near future. The Villa target is out of contract at the end of this season, at which point he will be available on a free transfer, and Emery could be ready to pounce.

Barisic's statistics for Rangers show what a consistent player he has been for them down the years, with 215 appearances coming his way and an overall tally of 52 assists. He has also won 35 caps for an impressive Croatia team, during a generation that has seen him play alongside the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic.

This all outlines why the left-back could be a really shrewd signing by Villa in one of the next couple of transfer windows, bringing plenty experience to the squad, as well as attacking quality, all without a transfer fee.

Appearances

215

Goals

9

Assists

52

At 30 years of age, Barisic wouldn't necessarily be seen as a long-term option for Emery, but he still has enough years left in him to be an important figure for a while, especially at a time when footballers can often tend to peak later.

Journalist Quentin Gesp has lauded the Rangers ace as "magnificent" in the past, and he could come in and provide good competition for Lucas Digne and Moreno at left-back, allowing Emery to shuffle his pack more often and have even more depth at his disposal.

It could be that next summer is the most likely time for Villa to sign Barisic, with a January switch likely to require a transfer fee, but either way, he would be an astute addition if he does complete a move to Villa Park.