All posts by z3u9t.icu

Aston Villa have been linked with a Bundesliga ace, in a signing that could start Monchi’s tenure as president of football operations with a bang.

Unai Emery will be joined by his fellow Spaniard in the bid to replicate the duo’s success in the transfer windows they endeavoured in together at Sevilla.

The latest link suggests that the pair could enjoy a lavish summer in the Midlands, in a signing that could bolster the squad.

What’s the latest on Manu Kone to Aston Villa?

As reported by the Daily Mail earlier this week, Aston Villa are interested in Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone.

The report claims that the Villans have joined ‘the race’ for the 22-year-old, following Liverpool and Wolves in their pursuit of the youngster.

Valued at £35m, the Frenchman is contracted to Gladbach until 2025 with the club holding the option to extend for an additional year.

What could Manu Kone offer to Aston Villa?

Emery has unveiled the best out of midfield dynamos Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara, who when interchanged with the likes of John McGinn have proved their worth in the Premier League.

The Spaniard could now add additional power to the middle of the park by signing the Bundesliga talent, who could prove to be the perfect partner for Kamara who joined the club last summer.

The former Marseille gem had a stop-start opening campaign at Villa, missing periods due to injury with the club treading carefully in integrating him into the midfield to avoid prolonged absence.

Lauded as a “phenomenon” by former teammate Rolando, Kamara is destined for stardom in Emery’s midfield and could be taken to the next level in being paired with Kone.

The attributes that the duo share suggest that they could be a strong pairing in the set-up at Villa Park.

When comparing both players via FBref based upon their averages over this season in their respective league’s there is sufficient evidence to imply the success the French core could impose in the Midlands.

Hailed as a “one-man army” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Kone averaged an impressive 2.55 tackles per 90 which was slightly bettered by Kamara in the Premier League who ended the campaign making an average of 2.94 per 90.

It’s not just the defensive areas of midfield that the pair excel at, as they both portray an impressive rate of passing both in general play and progressively.

As per FBref, the Bundesliga gem averaged a pass completion rate of 86.2% followed closely by the Villa ace’s 84.8%, with both players ranking highly in terms of progressive passes with the summer target averaging 5.73 to Kamara’s 4.25 per 90.

Having two players equipped with strong abilities in both defensive and offensive attributes is essential in creating the perfect pivot in the engine room.

Emery could take his squad a step further in purchasing Kone, who could prove to be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Khephren Thuram this summer and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the club's progress in getting a deal done.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Khephren Thuram?

According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, the Merseyside giants could be handed the opportunity to sign the OGC Nice midfielder, despite the French club being keen to hold onto him.

Jacobs revealed on The Football Terrace YouTube channel: "I still think Khephren Thuram is the one to watch now in terms of Liverpool.

"It seems like there is less now in terms of Kone, who is another player who Liverpool have looked at. There are reports Nice wants to keep the player but the feeling is that Nice are going to have to sell some of their assets, so there is an opportunity there for Liverpool."

Will Liverpool sign another midfielder this summer?

The Reds have already secured the signing of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister this summer in an attempt to add more quality and youth to the centre of the pitch.

A midfield rebuild has been long overdue at Anfield with the former Brighton and Hove Albion star becoming the first permanent midfielder signing since the arrival of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich three years ago.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner have all been moved on upon the expiry of their contracts this summer and Thuram could be the dream replacement for the latter who will be joining Brighton this summer.

Milner has played a huge part in Liverpool's success over the last half a decade with the 37-year-old playing a number of midfield roles, and his versatility is something that the centre of the pitch has sorely missed as he has reached the latter stages of his career and seen less game time.

Now Klopp can replace that unrivalled work ethic and diversity in skill by landing a deal for Thuram who is renowned for his wide range of capabilities and has no trouble gliding from a deeper role in midfield to break the lines of attack.

Over 35 Ligue One appearances last season, the Frenchman offered a potent attacking threat with two goals scored, four assists registered and nine big chances created, as well as averaging 1.1 shots on goal, 1.1 key passes and 1.3 successful dribbles per game.

Not only that, Thuram has not sacrificed his consistency in his defensive responsibilities as the Nice star averaged 1.1 interceptions, 3.8 duels won and 1.5 tackles per game, according to SofaScore.

For context, no Liverpool central midfielder provided more goal contributions in the Premier League, whilst only three players in the squad averaged more key passes. Meanwhile, defensively, he managed more tackles per outing than the likes of Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip, via WhoScored.

Milner, meanwhile, could only average 0.8 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per game with 0.4 key passes to show for his efforts. Thuram, therefore, would represent a colossal upgrade at Anfield.

Possessing a reported €40m (£34m) price tag – he has been attracting a lot of attention and earning high praise over his short career so far, with U23 scout and football journalist Antonio Mango outlining the Frenchman's super capabilities:

"At a staggering 6'4ft, Khéphren's presence can't go unnoticed as he stands out above most players on the field. Khéphren excels in his defensive duties, ball-carrying & retention. Khéphren is big, strong, physical, athletic and brilliant in possession, a true diamond, right?"

With that being said, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will add more depth to the centre of the pitch this summer but Thuram is looking like the one to watch and could be a huge presence in midfield if a deal is done ahead of next season.

To say that Ange Postecoglou has hit the ground running at Tottenham Hotspur would be an understatement. The former Celtic boss has breathed new life into the Lilywhites, who are now finally blossoming once again in the early stages of the campaign.

When Spurs lost Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window, without really replacing him, some may have been quick to worry about Spurs' ability to keep up with the rest of the Premier League's top six. With four games gone, however, only Manchester City have earned more points than Postecoglou's side, who have already defeated Manchester United this season.

Spurs deserve credit for replacing Kane's goals through other sources, sharing the goals round. And, now, a forgotten man could finally play his part, with Alasdair Gold suggesting that he'd slot in well in the current system.

What did Alasdair Gold say?

In his latest Q&A, Gold spoke about the options at Postecoglou's disposal, including those who are yet to play. Of course, with no European football this season, opportunities may be hard to come by for fringe players, but Gold believes that certain players can put themselves in contention.

Among those that Gold spoke about was Bryan Gil, who enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Sevilla last season, starting in the La Liga side's Europa League final victory over AS Roma but is yet to feature this season.

Speaking about Gil, Gold said, via Football London:

“Gil can play on either flank. I’m fascinated to see whether he can force his way into Postecoglou’s thinking.

“There’s a lot of competition now for those wide spots but the little Spaniard will fit nicely into the way the Australian wants his players to play. It’s all about whether he gets the minutes to show it though.”

The winger, himself, suggested on social media that he is ready to kickstart his Spurs career, posting a picture in the Spurs gym, with the caption saying, soon. With that said, it will certainly be interesting to see whether he can force his way into Postecoglou's plans after the international break.

Should Spurs play Bryan Gil?

Given Dejan Kulusevski's slow start to the season, scoring just once in five games in all competitions, it could be a more than warranted decision by Postecoglou to hand Gil a chance over the coming months.

Statistically speaking, if the Spaniard took his Sevilla form to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, then the Lilywhites would have themselves an excellent attacking option. Gil's biggest asset could come through his ability to win the ball back, given Postecoglou's need for players who are able to press high up the pitch.

As per FBref, Gil is in the top 94 percentile for interceptions per 90, with 0.94, whilst also sitting in the top 85 percentile for tackles, making 1.93 per 90. So, it's clear that the winger can, in fact, slot straight into the system that is currently having so much success at Spurs, giving Postecoglou plenty to think about.

Looking to kickstart his Lilywhites career, Gil may well be desperately hoping to receive plenty of opportunities in the Premier League under Postecoglou this season, so he could be a player to keep an eye on.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are not willing to match the £25m price-tag set by Bristol City for young midfield star Alex Scott, according to Dean Jones.

Scott has been linked with a move this summer after impressing for the Robins in the Championship last season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer news – Alex Scott

Several Premier League clubs have entered the chase to sign Scott this summer, according to TalkSPORT, with Wolves among those.

The Midlands club reportedly face competition from West Ham United and Bournemouth for the teenager's signature this summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool previously sent scouts to watch the midfielder, before cooling their interest.

As the summer goes on, it looks like Scott will have a big decision to make regarding his future.

What has Dean Jones said about Alex Scott and Wolverhampton Wanderers?

Speaking to Football FanCast, when asked about Scott and Wolves, Jones said: "Scott’s an interesting one. Bristol City value him at around £25m at the moment.

"That’s been quite off-putting for a lot of teams, it’s not just Wolves that aren’t willing to get to that make, so I think as the window goes further in, we might find that price-tag comes down a little."

How did Alex Scott perform in the Championship last season?Reports over a potential Premier League move for Scott come as no surprise after the Bristol City youngster picked up the Championship's Young Player of the Year award.

Many were quick to praise the 19-year-old throughout the season, with Robins manager Nigel Pearson saying, via Bristol World: "He’s just a very unique talent and he’s got a very impressive temperament.

“I think he’s destined for the very top, but football dictates to you what’s going to happen because you can’t always be in control of your own destiny.

"Alex Scott will, I think, continue to progress and he’ll be a top player. But he also knows that he’s got to do it for us while he’s here, he just enjoys playing football so it's good to have young hungry players at the club as well as senior players who want to continue to perform and get better.”

In total, the man in demand was involved in seven goals from midfield in the Championship last season, as well as particularly impressing through his progressive dribbling ability, making 2.34 progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Wherever he ends up this summer, there is no doubt that Scott has all the tools to become a top talent.

Arsenal are still potentially in the market to launch moves for both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo this summer as they aim to bolster their midfield.

How much is Declan Rice worth?

Although Mikel Arteta and his men may have narrowly missed out on landing the Premier League title, it seems they are not looking to dwell on what could have been.

It was a mightily impressive 2022/23 campaign for the north London side until the final stages of the season where their grip on the title faded.

However, looking ahead to the summer, it seems as if Arsenal are looking to make some significant upgrades to their starting XI to launch another title charge for next season.

Indeed, the Gunners have been strongly linked with a potential move for West Ham United's captain with reports claiming they have their opening bid at the ready for the £100m-rated midfielder.

But it also seems as if the north London club could look to add more than just Rice to their midfield this summer with the Brighton & Hove Albion man also on their radar.

And speaking on TalkSPORT, insider Alex Crook has suggested this could be the case with Arsenal potentially launching what would be a huge double swoop this summer:

"Arsenal are still there. I wouldn't rule out Arsenal signing both Declan Rice and Caicedo because we know that Granit Xhaka is going to leave Arsenal. Midfield was an area where they looked a bit light at the end of the season anyway."

What is Arsenal's transfer budget?

According to reports, Arteta is set to be handed a £150m transfer kitty ahead of the summer window which would leave Arsenal seemingly needing to sell a number of players to fund a potential double swoop.

It has also been suggested that Brighton will be looking for a deal in the region of £80m for their Ecuadorian midfielder.

But there is the belief that Arsenal are already eyeing up a number of potential departures from the Emirates Stadium over the coming months.

Indeed, the likes of Jorginho and Granit Xhaka are two midfielders who could soon be packing their bags to join a new club over the summer.

Although that may provide Arsenal some much-needed funds if they are to pursue these two Premier League midfielders, it may not quite be enough.

Neither West Ham nor Brighton will feel pressured into allowing their star talents to depart for a cheaper fee to accommodate Arsenal's transfer budget.

This will potentially leave Arsenal with a decision to make as to whether they need to spend in the region of £180m on two midfielders or whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Arsenal are set for an insanely busy summer.

Mikel Arteta and his hungry, inexperienced side were on the cusp of immortality when they were on course for the club’s first league title since the invincible season in 2004, but were narrowly warded off by the irrepressible Manchester City.

Ultimately, the main factor that allowed Pep Guardiola’s outfit to prevail was their vastly superior squad depth.

Despite missing out on silverware, the outlook for Arsenal is much different from previous years as they prepare to play in the Champions League and look to simply add more talent to a setup already brimming with potential.

One name who has emerged as one of the Gunners’ main targets is Kai Havertz.

What’s the latest on Kai Havertz to Arsenal?

According to the Guardian, the North London outfit are confident of securing a deal £60m deal for Havertz.

The Blues are willing to sell the 23-year-old, who has informed the club of his desire to depart Stamford Bridge this summer.

The German’s contract doesn’t expire until 2025, and he won’t sign an extension, and with Chelsea under pressure to raise funds to dodge FFP and having a policy of selling players who are unwilling to commit to long-term deals, Havertz looks set for the Emirates Stadium.

The outlet also details that Arsenal is willing to match Havertz’s current wages, which are around £220k-per-week.

Who can Kai Havertz emulate at Arsenal?

Since arriving at Chelsea in the summer of 2020, the former Bayer Leverkusen has recorded 47 goal contributions in 132 appearances in England.

However, he has endured a tricky season, assisting just once in 47 outings, and was a regular starter in a Chelsea team that ended in a miserable 12th place.

He has been misprofiled at Stamford Bridge, as the German has often been started as the solo focal point, tasked with holding up the ball with his back to play, which has shunned the 24-year-old's involvement and creative influence

Outside of goals and assists, the 36-cap international has demonstrated himself to be a valuable asset – this is showcased by the fact he ranks within the highest 19% for progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.

Havertz, therefore, is at his best when he is feeding off a striker, and he can undertake a free-flowing playmaking role, similar to what Mesut Ozil performed under Arsene Wenger.

The 34-year-old notched 123 goals and assists in 254 games in England, forging a generational reputation as one of the modern era’s most intricate creators.

Ozil and Havertz possess similar builds, relatively slim magicians with a silky touch and impudent close control, who lack meaningful physicality. That's not to mention their remarkable left-footed nature with the duo two of the most easy on the eye you'll see in football.

Described as “outstanding” by Owen Hargreaves, a move across the capital could reignite Havertz’s career and if he can follow his compatriot’s footsteps in North London, then he’s destined for greatness.

Predicting the future of football is never easy, especially when looking at players who could really have legacy-defining eras. With the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it seemed pretty guaranteed where football's crown was heading for as long as they were playing at the top of European football.

Back in 2019, however, French outlet L'Equipe attempted to predict the stars that would come next, tipping six young players to dominate European football.

Since the prediction four years ago, those players have had incredibly mixed spells, though, and it's fair to say that some have simply failed to live up to their potential.

With that said, we've taken a look at just how their respective careers have gone so far.

6 Karamoko Dembele

Tipped to become the next best thing, Karamoko Dembele was 16 at the time of his inclusion on L'Equipe's 2019 list. Now only 20, it's far too early to completely write off the former Celtic winger.

The pressure at 16 would have been incredibly difficult, and since leaving Scotland, Dembele has struggled to ever kickstart what is still an early career. At Brest last season, though, summing up recent years, the 20-year-old failed to score a single goal.

5 Ansu Fati

Also included on the list was Barcelona's Ansu Fati. And this came as no surprise, considering the winger's emergence as one of the most exciting players at the Nou Camp. Injury issues have halted his rise to the top since, however, with the Spaniard missing 35 games since the 21/22 season.

In the last campaign, he at least started getting things back on track as Barcelona won their first La Liga title under Xavi, and Fati scored seven goals.

4 Sebastiano Esposito

You'd be forgiven for not exactly knowing the name Sebastiano Esposito. Once tipped for great things at Inter Milan, the forward has so far failed to reach his potential.

Still only 21, he has plenty of time to become the player that L'Equipe once tipped him to become back in 2019, but after a failed loan spell at Anderlecht, it's far from looking promising for Esposito.

3 Joelson Fernandes

Once again a name that may not be too familiar with a number of fans, Joelson Fernandes has never really got going at Sporting, despite initially being tipped to become the next best thing.

Making just four appearances for the first team, the winger never looked like reaching his potential in Portugal, and has since spent a season on loan at FC Basel, where he scored four goals, before ending up at Turkish side Hatayspor.

2 Mohamed Amine Ihattaren

Mohamed Amine Ihattaren has had the most difficult journey of these players since being included in L'Equipe's list of young players. There was even a point that the midfielder was reportedly considering retirement due to mental health issues.

The Juventus midfielder didn't feature last season, and it remains to be seen where his future lies in football.

1 Karim Adeyemi

Onto a player that everyone should be familiar with, Karim Adeyemi is well on his way to reaching his potential at Borussia Dortmund. After making the move to the Bundesliga giants back in the summer of last year, and has since enjoyed a promising debut campaign.

Ending the season with nine goals, and six assists, the only way is up for the 21-year-old.

Arsenal are currently flying high in the Premier League, and despite the recent home defeat to title rivals Manchester City knocking the Gunners off top spot, avoiding victory in their game in hand would re-establish their lead.

Having failed to qualify for Champions League football in each of the past six campaigns, Mikel Arteta must be praised for the manner in which he has maintained an upward trajectory since his arrival at the helm, having previously starred for the club during his playing career.

After winning the FA Cup in 2019/20, his debut managerial campaign, the 40-year-old has made steady improvements at the Emirates Stadium, with the current campaign leaving the club firmly on course for a return to Europe’s premier club competition, 11 points above fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and with a game in hand.

Arteta can indeed take pride in the job he is doing at Arsenal, but he might have never had the foundation to build upon had the club succeeded in a past bid for Thomas Lemar…

Were Arsenal right to reject Thomas Lemar?

In 2017, AS Monaco seismically triumphed in Ligue 1, defeating overwhelming favourites Paris-Saint Germain to the crown and enjoying a memorable Champions League run to the semi-finals.

Winger Lemar, who was then 21, was integral in these endeavours with £92m bid for the pacy Frenchman, which the player rejected following concerns over the club’s failure to clinch Champions League football that year.

Last year, L’Equipe reported that the Gunners turned down the opportunity to dive back in for the now 27-year-old, who has succumbed to a significant plummet from the prominence of his early feats in his homeland.

In hindsight, Arsenal can be glad with that decision, with his fall from grace laid bare since moving to Atletico Madrid for £53m in 2018, one year after Arsenal’s exorbitant attempt to land him from Monaco.

As evidenced by the graphic displayed above, Lemar’s decline has been stark, and those close to the 27-cap dud must be somewhat incredulous as to quite how it happened.

At Diego Simeone’s Atletico, he has only scored nine goals and provided 19 assists from 163 appearances, and his current market value of just £11m (via Football Transfers) is indeed an illustration of the player’s bitter woes.

Once heralded as “lethal” by compatriot Hugo Lloris, Lemar now offers little more than a toothless bite, having failed to score from 20 appearances this season, setting up a mere two goals.

While his transitional play remains impressive – the 27-year-old ranks among the top 8% of positional peers over the past year for progressive carries and successful take-ons – his lack of dynamism would not knock Arsenal’s established wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka off their respective perches.

The club did sign Nicolas Pepe in a £72m deal two years after their failed Lemar bud, a transfer which was widely acknowledged as a failure, with former Gunners boss Unai Emery saying of the Ivorian: “He didn’t give me the performances.”

Arsenal dodged a bullet, and despite the club being grazed by the expensive and lacklustre deal for Pepe in 2019, Arteta will count his lucky stars that both deals were not completed.

It’s hard to imagine that the club’s meteoric rise of late would have been quite so fluid had they blundered on Lemar too.

Football is one of the most loved sports globally. For this reason, people will join fantasy football and compete with their friends upon the team members they select and how well they play. Did you know that you can get entertainment from sports and at the same time reap profits? What could be better than watching your favorite players win and earning cash from that too? Most people consider betting on sports a hobby and consider it a friendly and entertaining way to pass the time.

Sports betting offers great and consistent ways of making money. The trick lies around knowing how to make smart bets, understanding the odds, etc., before you start betting; it is crucial you understand that making money requires dedication and time. It is not about giving it one shot and making huge amounts of money once.

Here are some on how sports fans can turn their love for the game into profitable wagers.

First, you must be willing to dive into real sports betting. However, you must understand the following before you do.

Check Out Several Bookmakers

Instead of sticking to one bookmaker, it is important to shop around. While there is significant emphasis on brand loyalty in the betting industry, most companies will do their best to retain existing customers. The emphasis on brand loyalty comes especially because the betting industry is such a competitive sector. Nevertheless, it would be best not to let the betting companies get into your head. While your current bookmaker might seem the best, there is no harm in shopping around. This way, you can easily discover which bookmaker offers the best price for your respective market.

Take Advantage of Promotions and Bonuses

Typically, most betting sites will offer welcome bonuses to their new clients. Also, betting sites will keep on having promotions to motivate their clients to bet and win more. Look for sites to check this list offering the best available promotions and bonuses. However, you must read and understand the conditions linked to those bonuses. This will allow you to utilize them wisely and be capable of making withdrawals.

Remember, bonuses and promotions will not work directly like your regular deposits. You can check this list of best sports betting bonuses.

The Fewer the Selections, the Better

While it might seem like common sense, most bettors will always forget it. Having reduced selections for your bet increases the chances of your winnings. Although it might sound off, you should think small and not big if you want to make money from sports betting. However, you can increase the selection when you perfect your betting skills.

Learn All the Basics

Even though sports betting is very simple, it can be complicated, especially if you lack basic knowledge. You will be much better when you learn all the sports betting basics before you begin placing the wagers. This way, you can enjoy the betting experience and make profits as well.

Manchester United have previous for leaving things late in the transfer window and it looks like it could be yet another hectic period for the club ahead of Friday's looming deadline, with a number of issues still to resolve.

As Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst revealed earlier this week, there could still be multiple new signings made over the coming days, with the addition of a new left-back a particular priority following the loss of Luke Shaw to injury.

There is also a belief that United could target another midfield signing despite already bringing in the club's new number seven, Mason Mount, earlier in the summer, with various reports indicating that a late move for Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be the on the cards.

What's the latest on Hojbjerg to Man United?

As 90min's Graeme Bailey revealed on Tuesday, the Red Devils are said to have been offered the chance to sign the Denmark international from their Premier League rivals, with the 28-year-old set to be allowed to leave if a suitable offer were to arrive from a potential suitor.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

The former Southampton man has been of interest to La Liga side Atletico Madrid throughout the summer window, although a possible £30m switch to the Spanish capital failed to pan out, thus opening the door for United to pounce.

The suggestion is that Erik ten Hag and co are considering midfield alternatives to Fiorentina ace, Sofyan Amrabat, hence the interest in prising Hojbjerg from north London in what would be a surprise, last-gasp approach.

How good is Hojbjerg?

There may be those of a United persuasion who would be concerned at the prospect of signing a player who is seemingly surplus to requirements at one of their rivals, although such a move could well prove particularly astute if Hojbjerg – who has been described as a "warrior" by Sky Sports reporter Nubaid Haroon – is to hit the ground running at Old Trafford.

One particularly intriguing factor regarding the £100k-per-week Dane is the comparison that can be made between himself and Arsenal's recent £105m addition, Declan Rice, with the pair said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, according to FBref.

That likeness between the Spurs destroyer and Rice – who had been a reported target for the Red Devils prior to joining the Gunners – can notably be seen by their forward-thinking approach from midfield, with the Gunners ace averaging 6.84 progressive passes per 90, while Hojbjerg is only just behind as he averages 6.51 in that regard, across the last 365 days.

The pair are also both seemingly adept at dictating the tempo in the centre of the park as the latter man ranks in the top 8% among his European peers for pass completion, while the England international ranks in the top 16% for that same metric.

It is the duo's ball-winning prowess that particularly catches the eye, however, with Hojbjerg having averaged a solid three tackles and interceptions per game last term, while Rice was only just ahead after averaging 3.8 tackles per game in the 2022/23 campaign.

Equally, much like the former West Ham United man – who chipped in with six goals and assists in the league last season – the Tottenham titan can also impact proceedings in the final third, having registered ten goals and assists for the Lilywhites last term in the top flight.

With Rice evidently a highly-rated talent – as his lofty transfer fee would attest to – for Ten Hag to find his own version of the 24-year-old for potentially a fraction of the cost could well be an exciting prospect.