كشفت تقارير إعلامية اليوم الأحد، عن سعي نادي برشلونة للتعاقد مع أحد اللاعبين الموهوبين في الدوري الألماني الممتاز، خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي العام المقبل.

برشلونة يسعى إلى تدعيم صفوفه بقوة خلال الفترة المقبلة، وذلك من أجل تلبية طلبات المدرب هانز فليك والذي يطالب بصفقات قوية من أجل الاستمرار في التنافس على كافة الألقاب.

وكان الميركاتو الصيفي لـ برشلونة مخيبًا للآمال، بعدما اكتفى البلوجرانا بالتعاقد مع كل من ماركوس راشفورد من مانشستر يونايتد بجانب ضم روني بردجي من إف سي كوبنهاجن.

اقرأ أيضًا .. برشلونة يفك لغز سوء حالة هانز فليك بعد الفوز على ألافيس

وعلى الرغم من مستويات راشفورد الجيدة هذا الموسم، إلا أن مركز الجناح يمثل أولوية بالنسبة لبرشلونة بناءً على طلب فليك.

وذكرت صحيفة سبورت، أن نادي برشلونة يراقب عن كثب أنتوني نوسا، نجم نادي لايبزيج للتعاقد معه خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وأضافت الصحيفة، أن جواو أمارال، رئيس قسم الكشافة الجديد في برشلونة، بجانب المدير الرياضي للبرسا، ديكو، قد حضروا في ميلانو، وذلك من أجل مشاهدة مباراة منتخب إيطاليا أمام النرويج، لحساب التصفيات المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم العام المقبل.

وأوضحت سبورت، أن برشلونة أبدى إعجابه كثيرًا بمستوى نوسا في تلك المباراة، حيث سجل اللاعب الشاب الهدف الأول للنرويج وقدم مردودًا مميزًا.

ويلعب نوسا في مركز الجناح الأيسر، ويستطيع كذلك اللعب في مركز المهاجم الصريح وكذلك الجناح الأيمن ويبلغ من العمر 20 عامًا فقط.

Arsenal might just have landed two of South America's most exciting young talents in Independiente del Valle's Quintero twins, Edwin and Holger. The duo, who are currently 16 years old, are set to complete their paperwork in London this week and will officially complete their switch from the Ecuadorian side in August 2027, when they will have turned 18.

• Arsenal secure double Ecuadorian coup

  According to , Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to secure the signings of Edwin and Holger Quintero, Ecuadorian twins who are currently plying their trade in the youth academy for Ecuador's Serie A giants Independiente del Valle. The former, in particular, has drawn comparisons to Neymar from the Ecuadorian media, making waves for his trickery as a right winger. Holger, on the other hand, is an attacking midfielder. Having already represented the Independiente under-20 team at the age of 15, the 16-year-old duo are believed to soon break into the senior side. 

  also claim that the Gunners had been monitoring the Quintero brothers' progress for well over a year. Arsenal’s academy recruitment team view their latest signings as a significant step toward securing the club’s long-term future. The success of the pathway to the first team – highlighted by the rapid progress of Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman – has played a key role in persuading the Quintero twins to join the project. The pair are in London this week to finalise contractual formalities, with a formal announcement to follow at a later date. They are set to complete their move to the Emirates in August 2027, when they turn 18, for an undisclosed fee at this time.

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• AFP
  

  Ecuador's brightest stars are shining in the Premier League

  Ecuador have slowly but surely emerged as one of the more intriguing talent exporters in the world, especially for clubs battling for the ultimate crown in the Premier League. Moises Caicedo, the former holder of the record for the most expensive British transfer when Chelsea sensationally splashed £115 million (€130m/$152m) in 2023, arrived at Brighton for just £4m. Now, he is considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Piero Hincapie, who arrived at the Emirates from Bayer Leverkusen on a loan with an option to buy for £45m (€52m) next summer, earned the reputation of having the potential to be one of the best players in his position.

  Kendry Paez, one of South America's biggest talents to have emerged in recent memory, is also playing for Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg on loan from the Blues. The common denominator? All these aforementioned names have emerged from the Independiente youth academy. 

• Arsenal investing heavily in youth

  One of the regularities at Arsenal under the reign of head coach Mikel Arteta has been the trust him and his coaching staff have placed on the prodigies emerging at the Hale End Academy. Lewis-Skelly was integrated into the first team dynamics in 2024, with his debut coming in September last year. Since then, he has emerged as one of the most exciting young full-backs in Europe, aggregating 53 appearances in total and becoming a full-time England international. 

  Arsenal now boast the two youngest players ever to debut in Premier League history. Nwaneri set the record in 2022, making his debut at just 15 years and 181 days old, while Dowman followed closely behind, debuting earlier this season at 15 years and 235 days.

  The trio are expected to become the cornerstones of the Gunners' project in the future. Given everything we've seen from these young talents, it's safe to say that Arsenal's future is in good hands.

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  Gunners look primed to lift major silverware this season

  Arteta's troops have begun the 2025-26 season exceptionally. They currently top the Premier League charts, bagging 30 points after 13 games to hold a healthy five-point lead over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. They have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in Europe at the moment, as evidenced by their 3-1 hammering of Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week. 

  However, Arteta and his players will be well aware of not paying heed to any labels or shouts terming them as the 'favourites' to win major silverware this season, even though there will undoubtedly be a lot of belief within the team that they can achieve magical things this season. 

  The 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday may not have proved that they can be easily beaten, but it definitely served a reminder that the seemingly unshakeable Arsenal team can be rattled. A lot of work is left to be done, but the early signs have been promising.

Australia allrounder Matt Short prefers opening the batting, but has revealed his best chance of playing at next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka is in the middle and lower order.The 29-year-old toured the West Indies for Australia’s underwhelming 2024 World Cup showing as a reserve player outside of the 15-man squad and did not play.The current T20 series against India, which concludes in Queensland with matches on the Gold Coast and at the Gabba, has a lot riding on it for Short.Related

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His best innings for Australia, including a dynamic 66 off 30 deliveries against South Africa in 2023, have come as an opener. However, Short, who played his first two matches of the current series at No.7, has been given a clear picture of his path to T20 World Cup inclusion by the side’s brains trust.”Personally I think I am suited to the top of the order, but having conversations with selectors and coaching staff, I think, looking forward to that T20 World Cup, I know that our top four or five is going to be pretty locked in,” Short said.”If I was to make the XI in the World Cup, I think my best chances are in the middle or lower order. We are probably using this series to see guys in different positions and looking ahead to that World Cup.”[To play at the World Cup] would be massive. I missed out on the one in the West Indies where I was a travelling reserve, but I love playing cricket for Australia no matter if it’s in the World Cup or a series like this. I am happy taking what I am getting, whether that is in the top order or through the middle.”The Adelaide Strikers captain confirmed himself as a cricketer of absolute class when he was player of the tournament in BBL 12 and BBL 13, where his powerful batting and crafty offspin stole the show.That high level of consistency was the stepping stone for Short to gain selection in both the Australian T20 and ODI sides, where he debuted in 2023.Short enjoys the ball coming onto the bat, but has set himself a goal of upping the ante when facing spinners.”There’s always ways to improve,” he said. “Looking at the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, it is probably my game against spin that probably needs a little bit of work.”Especially when you look at our squad and the power hitters we have got through the middle like Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis … guys that have had that experience in India before and have that real power game against spin.”It is obviously a challenge, and playing for Australia is not easy, so we will have to wait and see.”

The Miami Marlins took on the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Unfortunately for Ryan Weathers, the matchup featured some friendly fire between innings.

In Weathers's fifth start of the season he got absolutely beaned in the head by his own catcher. During warm-ups Weathers threw his last pitch and began to walk off the mound. Catcher Nick Fortes reared back to fire the baseball to second base to practice against steal attempts. But either Weathers walked where he wasn't supposed to or Fortes didn't get enough air under the ball, because the throw ended up drilling Weathers right in the dome.

He fell to the ground in immediate pain but would stay in the game.

Ouch. Don't see that very often.

Weathers did stay in the game but gave up four runs in three innings before he was yanked, making for another tough day for the 23-38 Marlins.

It was like déjà vu all over again at American Family Field on Wednesday afternoon, as for a second consecutive game, the Boston Red Sox lost to the Milwaukee Brewers on a walk-off in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Even after losing on a grand slam by Christian Yelich on Tuesday, Wednesday's defeat may have been even worse. Tied 4-4 heading into extra innings, Boston scored on a David Hamilton fielder's choice to take a one-run lead in the 10th. The bottom of the frame, however, turned into a horrid one for the Sox.

To kick things off, they gifted Milwaukee the tying run before an out was even recorded thanks to a brutal throw home by second baseman Kristian Campbell. Then, with runners on second and third, third baseman Caleb Durbin hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring Sam Frelick and sealing the deal on a very quick come-from-behind victory.

The win for Milwaukee brings them to 29-28 while the Red Sox—after finally climbing out to an above .500 record this week—have now lost five straight games, sit at 27-31, and have fallen to fourth place in the AL East.

Dealing with a slew of injuries and in turn calling up top prospect Marcelo Mayer this weekend, Boston's road ahead doesn't get much easier. They're off to Atlanta for a three-game series against the Braves before returning home to take on the Los Angeles Angels.

Liverpool have now received the green light to make their move for a defensive reinforcement in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Slot: Teams "think they can get a result" against Liverpool

It wasn’t a disaster at Anfield as Liverpool came from behind to rescue a draw against Sunderland, but it was hardly an inspiring performance from the Premier League champions yet again.

Despite breaking their transfer record to sign Alexander Isak in the summer, the Swede was back to his subdued ways just days after netting his first Premier League goal for the club against West Ham United. And whilst Florian Wirtz at least played a part in the equaliser and looked bright throughout, Liverpool’s attack was a far cry from their scintillating best of past campaigns.

What should concern Arne Slot the most is his own admission that teams now believe they can “get a result” against his Liverpool side. That should never be the case at the home of the champions, but the Dutchman also denied that Anfield’s fear factor has evaporated this season.

He told reporters: “No, not Anfield. For sure. But it’s clear that teams that play us now think they can get a result. Not only think, because that has been shown this season.

“And even in the games we’ve won, they also fuelled the confidence for other teams like, ‘Hmm, something is possible’ because the wins we had at the beginning of the season weren’t easy ones as well.”

The only positive for Slot to take from the Sunderland game is that his side, whilst found wanting in attack, were harder to break down defensively. With fixtures coming thick and fast, that defensive foundation will be important but so will any depth that Liverpool add in that area in January, especially if they sign Joel Ordonez.

Liverpool receive green light to make Ordonez move

As reported by TeamTalk, Liverpool have received a green light to make their move for Ordonez after maintaining contact with the defender’s camp. Racing alongside Tottenham Hotspur in pursuit of the Club Brugge defender, the Reds could land an ideal alternative for Marc Guehi.

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Despite reportedly reopening talks to sign the Crystal Palace man, Liverpool may be forced to wait until next summer when his contract expires to secure his signature. If that does prove to be the case, then those at Anfield should turn to Ordonez.

Although Como scout Ben Mattinson aired caution around Ordonez’s “aggressive” nature last year, it’s the exact trait that Liverpool have been lacking this season. The Reds have been physically outmatched and the arrival of the 21-year-old would go a long way towards solving that problem.

Jamie Carragher slams £280k-p/w Liverpool star who had no "excuses" vs Sunderland

Glasgow Rangers decided to sack sporting director Kevin Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart at the end of last month after a dismal start to the season and a managerial change.

Russell Martin was brought in by Thelwell and subsequently replaced by Danny Rohl after just 17 matches, whilst the former Everton chief’s work in the transfer market was also called into question.

The £8m signing of Youssef Chermiti from Everton, for example, has been in the spotlight because the Portuguese striker has only scored one goal so far this season, per Sofascore.

English club pushing to sign Rangers flop

Whilst there are question marks over the Portugal U21 international, the Gers look set to cash in on a player who has been an even worse signing than the centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to the Daily Record, English Championship side Sheffield United are ‘pushing’ to secure a deal to sign Glasgow Rangers central midfielder Joe Rothwell in the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Blades are in pole position to snap up the experienced Englishman ahead of the second half of the season, and that they are confident that they can get a deal over the line.

It adds that moving Rothwell on from Ibrox would free up ‘substantial’ funds, possibly in wages, to allow Rohl to dip into the market for a replacement.

Why Rothwell has been a worse signing than Chermiti

The criticism of the deal to bring Chermiti to Ibrox for £8m is completely understandable. He is a striker who has scored one goal in 17 matches after being their most expensive signing in 25 years, since Tore Andre Flo signed for £12m in 2000.

However, as much as some supporters may not want to hear it when they want instant results, he is also a 21-year-old prospect who needs time to find his feet and find his confidence.

This means that the Portugal U21 international still has time on his side to make a success of his Rangers career and prove that Thelwell was right to splash £8m on his services in the summer.

Rothwell, meanwhile, is a 30-year-old midfielder who is at the other end of his career and is unlikely to improve much past this point, which is why selling him to Sheffield United after half a season makes sense, given his struggles in a Rangers shirt.

Since signing from Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee, the Englishman has provided no goals and two assists in 19 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Last 10 Premiership games

Opposition

Joe Rothwell

Kilmarnock

Not in squad

Dundee United

Not in squad

Falkirk

Not in squad

Livingston

Unused sub

Dundee

Not in squad

Hibernian

Unused sub

Kilmarnock

Unused sub

Dundee United

83 minutes

Falkirk

70 minutes

Livingston

17 minutes

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Rothwell has either been an unused substitute or has failed to make the matchday squad for the last seven games in the Scottish Premiership.

Chermiti, meanwhile, has had minutes in all nine of the matches that he has been available for in the Premiership this season, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he is still trusted by Rohl.

Rothwell, it seems, is not trusted by the German head coach, as evidenced by his lack of minutes on the pitch and this potential transfer to Sheffield United in January. Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar even went as far as to describe him as a “rotten” signing.

The former Leeds United star was signed, as an experienced 30-year-old midfielder, to make an immediate impact for Martin in the middle of the park, but it clearly has not worked out for him at Ibrox, which is why a move to Bramall Lane in January appears to suit all parties involved.

His age and experience are why he has been such a disappointing signing for the Light Blues, because he should have been the anchor of the midfield to provide a platform for the rest of the team to build from in possession, as a reliable and experienced performer.

It has not worked out like that, though, and now he looks set to move on from Glasgow after less than a year at the club, which speaks to how much of a flop he has been.

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That also shows that he has been an even worse signing than Chermiti, despite the money involved in that deal, because the Portuguese talent, at least, appears to have a future at Ibrox under Rohl in the short term and has plenty of time left ahead of him to improve and develop

Leeds United reportedly submitted a late offer in an attempt to sign Aston Villa attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia at the end of the summer transfer window, only to be blocked by their Premier League rivals.

The Argentina international scored 24 goals and provided 41 assists in 121 matches for Norwich under Daniel Farke, per Transfermarkt, and the German was looking for a reunion with him at Elland Road.

Unfortunately, Villa decided to keep hold of the 28-year-old star, which turned out to be a brilliant decision. Per Sofascore, Buendia has delivered five goals and three assists in all competitions for the Villans this season, recently scoring the winner against Arsenal.

Whilst the former Norwich star is now out of their reach, due to his fantastic form for Villa, the Whites could land their own version of him next month.

Leeds eyeing move for Champions League forward

The January transfer window is only a matter of weeks away from opening for business, and the West Yorkshire outfit have their eye on a potential target to add more quality to their squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs lining up a move to sign Bodo/Glimt star Jens Petter Hauge in the winter window.

The report claims that Crystal Palace, Brentford, Leeds, and Brighton are all interested in signing the former AC Milan attacking midfielder, as they look to bolster their respective squads ahead of the second half of the season.

It adds that the Whites were keen on signing the Norwegian talent back in 2020, before his move to Milan, and they are looking to finally snap him up, five years later.

TEAMtalk, however, does not reveal how much money Bodo/Glimt are set to demand from any of the interested Premier League teams, should offers come in for his services.

Why Leeds should sign Jens Petter Hauge

Leeds should test the Norwegian side’s resolve with an offer for Hauge when the January transfer window opens for business, because he has the quality to be Farke’s new Buendia.

Like the Villa star, the attacking midfielder is a versatile playmaker who can play on the left, through the middle, or off the right to provide goals and assists on a regular basis.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “sensational” player who had lost his way, and the 26-year-old star is seemingly back to his ‘sensational’ ways in Norway.

Since returning to Bodo/Glimt in January 2024, Hauge has been in impressive form that suggests that he could be an exciting addition to Farke’s squad ahead of the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Norway international, who has been the most prolific dribbler in the competition, has scored three goals in six matches in the Champions League this season, after delivering four assists in two Champions League qualifiers, per Transfermarkt.

Since his return to Bodo/Glimt, Hauge has produced 24 goals and 22 assists in 93 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he has provided goals and assists on a regular basis from attacking midfield positions.

Appearances

28

Goals

8

Minutes per goal

279

Key passes per game

2.1

Big chances created

8

Assists

4

As you can see in the table above, the Leeds transfer target ended the 2025 Eliteserien campaign with 16 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 28 outings for Bodo/Glimt.

This shows that, like Buendia, Hauge is another right-footed attacking midfielder who can provide quality in the final third as both a scorer and a creator in equal measure, which makes him an incredibly valuable player.

Of course, he is unproven in the Premier League and it remains to be seen whether or not he can translate his current performances over to English football, but a return of three goals in six Champions League matches, including a goal against Borussia Dortmund this week, shows that he can perform at a high level.

This suggests that Hauge is a player who is worth taking a gamble on in the January transfer window in an attempt to add more quality to the side at the top end of the pitch.

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Leeds were unable to sign Buendia from Villa in the summer to reunite him with Farke, but the German head coach may see shades of the Argentine magician in this Bodo/Glimt star.

Newcastle United are now only a day away from facing off against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, in a Premier League fixture that will both excite and stress out Magpies fans in equal measure.

Those wearing black and white making the short journey to Wearside for the Tyne-Wear Derby will feel uneasy about what they’ll see from their very up-and-down team, having had to make do with a late point last time out on the road versus Bayer Leverkusen.

The travelling Toon also doesn’t have a glowing record at the Stadium of Light, with their last success at Sunderland’s home ground coming all the way back in 2011, when a Ryan Taylor free-kick won the jubilant Magpies the tight 1-0 contest.

Looking at the bigger picture beyond this vital showdown, Newcastle also have the January transfer window to look forward to, as Eddie Howe and the Saudi PIF surely plan some major new signings to push his team away from their current mid-table position.

Newcastle's transfer latest

Heading into what will likely be a bumper mid-season window in the Premier League, Newcastle look to be on the hunt for some new options in central midfield.

Indeed, the rumour mill has already suggested that PIF are keen on acquiring Tochukwu Nnadi from Zulte Waregem to bolster in the middle of the park, alongside also still being on high alert about a £30m move for AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit.

On top of both Smit and Nnadi’s names floating about, reports from Spain are also now indicating that Newcastle have made Valencia’s Javi Guerra a standout target, as yet another midfielder catches their eye.

The report states that Guerra’s future in La Liga is up in the air after a disappointing season to date.

Still, that hasn’t stopped suitors from the Premier League, like Newcastle, from remaining keen, with it being alleged that the Toon have watched the Spaniard for many years now, ever since he exploded onto the senior scene at the Estadio Mestalla.

£22m is the alleged amount that could be enough for Carlos Corberan and Co. to part ways with the 22-year-old, with such a deal perhaps spelling the end for Jacob Ramsey already at St James’ Park, only a matter of months on from his £43m switch from Aston Villa.

How Guerra signing could end Ramsey's career

Eyebrows would surely have been raised when Ramsey entered through the door in the summer for such an extortionate amount.

He did have 28 goal contributions next to his name for the Villans before moving to Tyneside, but in the here and now, the Birmingham-born midfielder is looking like an expensive flop at St James’ Park, having failed to collect a single goal or assist from 12 outings to date.

To make matters worse for the below-par number 41, he was also at fault in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Burnley earlier in the month for the Clarets being handed a lifeline late on, as his clumsy handball allowed Zian Flemming to score from the penalty spot.

On top of that, Ramsey would also only manage one weak effort at the away side’s goal, as his previous Villa spark was nowhere to be found.

If Guerra were to arrive in January, too, Ramsey would surely be even more fearful of his long-term career at the Toon, with the 22-year-old definitely a better bargain for Newcastle’s buck at the £22m price range, having been branded a “joy to watch” and a “versatile” performer at his Valencia peak by scout Jacek Kulig.

Games played

36

15

Goals scored

3

0

Assists

3

2

Touches*

49.8

42.0

Accurate passes*

28.0 (80%)

23.9 (79%)

Big chances created

6

3

Total duels won*

3.5

2.4

Much like Ramsey, Guerra – who Como scout Ben Mattinson also lauded as a “special player” – has been thrust into the pressures of the senior game from a very early age.

But, unlike his English counterpart, who has struggled this season to make an impact at Newcastle, the number eight has managed to still stand out for Valencia, as they fight near the bottom of La Liga, with two assists collected from 12 league encounters.

Moreover, with his very best last season seeing him average an energetic 4.7 ball recoveries per league contest, there really doesn’t seem to be room for Ramsey in Howe’s first team plans moving forward, if the new £22m recruit is preferred.

It could be seen as harsh to dismiss the 24-year-old so early into his playing days at the Toon, with the 5-foot-11 midfielder clearly once seen as a bright future talent at Villa Park.

But, Newcastle can’t wait around forever for Ramsey to come good, and with it clear that the Magpies want reinforcements here this January, Guerra might well prove to be an inspired pick-up.

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Leeds United are on a roll at the moment. Daniel Farke’s side have gone unbeaten in their last two games, beating Chelsea and drawing against Liverpool, with both games coming at Elland Road.

The game prior to playing the Blues, Manchester City only beat them due to a stoppage-time winner.

At the start of the gameweek, the Whites were out of the relegation zone. Now, a clash away to Brentford in the prime time slot on Sunday afternoon represents a chance for the West Yorkshire side to put even more distance between themselves and the drop zone.

Leeds will not have a full squad for their trip to West London to face the Bees, however.

Leeds’ team news vs. Brentford

Unfortunately for Farke, he has a few players missing for the game against Keith Andrews’ side. Someone who remains sidelined after picking up an injury in November is midfielder Sean Longstaff.

He is yet to recover from the calf injury he suffered against Aston Villa.

The Whites will also be without winger Daniel James. He suffered a long-term injury against Man City, with the hamstring tendon issue keeping him out for at least two months.

Leeds will be hoping to have him back sooner rather than later, but that layoff could be longer depending on whether he needs surgery.

The player who might have made it back for this game was Lukas Nmecha. However, Farke confirmed that the striker’s injury has “still not completely healed,” before going on to confirm that the German is “definitely out” against Brentford.

That is a huge blow for Leeds. Although he missed the game against Liverpool, Nmecha has been one of their most in-form players.

He’s bagged four goals in 14 Premier League games this season, a tally surpassed by no other Leeds player.

Despite these injuries in attack, there is a Leeds forward who Farke might well need to drop after a poor performance against Liverpool.

The Leeds star who Farke must axe

Despite managing such a brilliant result against Arne Slot’s side last weekend, there was one Leeds player in particular who struggled to make an impact.

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That was a rarity across the board, with Farke’s side generally impressing.

It was a really poor performance from Noah Okafor. The Swiss star was one of Leeds’ summer additions from AC Milan, but he has struggled to hit the ground running since moving to West Yorkshire.

25-year-old Okafor, who earns £72.5k per week at Elland Road and is one of the top earners, has only managed two goals for the club so far.

Those have come in 12 Premier League appearances, including the club’s 800th in the competition against Tottenham Hotspur.

Against Liverpool, Okafor put in a 5/10 performance and ‘didn’t add a huge amount’, according to Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post.

He did struggle to get into the game, having just 14 touches, completing five out of six passes and losing the ball five times.

Touches

14

Passes completed

5/6

Number of times ball lost

5

Duels won

2/6

Shots

2

Expected goals

0.13xG

It was certainly a disappointing performance from the Swiss attacker, who showed great promise in the first few days of his Leeds career, with content creator Alex Moneypenny even suggesting that he is “so close to exploding”.

Perhaps playing as a number nine alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not how to get the best out of him.

If Farke is to drop Okafor this weekend against Brentford, there are options to replace him despite the injury issues.

Wilfried Gnonto is the most likely one, with the Italian getting back to full fitness after a fitness issue himself. Jack Harrison could also slot into the team, although he might not thrive as a number nine, or Farke could even bring teenager Harry Gray into the fold.

Regardless, Leeds will want to keep this impressive, and crucial, run of form going.

Thus, Okafor may be rotated out of the side after a poor showing last weekend, with Farke choosing someone who can have more of an overall impact.

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