Las Águilas drew 0-0 with Cruz Azul in Matchday 15 of the Clausura 2025
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América lost first place in the standingsRecorded fourth consecutive match without a winIn three of those four games, they failed to scoreFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
It was a tough week for América – one in which they were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals by Cruz Azul and lost the top spot in the Clausura 2025 after a goalless draw on Saturday, also against La Máquina.
They are now on a four-game winless streak, and in three of those matches, they failed to score.
André Jardine, the team’s coach, denied that the slump is due to a lack of motivation. Instead, he insisted the issue has been a lack of finishing, pointing out that the Águilas have been missing strikers Henry Martín and Rodrigo Aguirre due to injury.
"What other team has won a four-peat? None. We want to keep making history," he said. "We’re not superheroes, but there will always be a team hungry for more success. When one goal slips away, we aim to win everything. In the Liguilla, there will be more chances to make history."
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It’s fair to say that the regular season and the Liguilla have been two different tournaments. América had held the top spot for most of the Clausura 2025, but injuries have taken a toll on André Jardine’s squad.
Without Henry Martín – out indefinitely with an ankle injury – and Rodrigo Aguirre, who has been dealing with muscle issues, the Brazilian coach has been forced to improvise, playing recent matches without a natural striker.
This has also impacted the productivity of Alejandro Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez. Both were having strong tournaments, but in recent weeks, they haven’t been able to contribute with goals or assists either. América will look to recover its key players in time for the Liguilla and continue their pursuit of a fourth consecutive Liga MX title.
Getty Images SportWHAT ANDRÉ JARDINE SAID
"Aguirre will be available. Henry is being given more time to recover so we don’t rush him back. Most likely, we’ll wait until the Liguilla to have him at his best – the same goes for all of my players. I’m not worried about the lack of finishing," Jardine said.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AMÉRICA?
The Azulcremas will face Monterrey Wednesday in Week 16, the penultimate round of the Clausura 2025.
“Everything is very tight," Jardine said. "We’re going to Monterrey, and the toughest matches are coming. This battle at the top is intense, the tournament has been spectacular – there are six teams fighting for the title. I imagine a very close end to the regular season and a Liguilla that will be extremely competitive."
The January transfer window is officially set to open for business next month and it remains to be seen whether or not Celtic will be busy in the market.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have already won a trophy this season, beating Rangers on penalties in the League Cup final on Sunday, and have been impressive in the Scottish Premiership and the Champions League.
Celtic came out on top on penalties against their Glasgow rivals at Hampden Park at the weekend after a thrilling 3-3 draw during regular time.
The Hoops have also won 14 of their 15 matches in the top-flight and are already nine points clear of Aberdeen in second place, which shows that they are well on their way to sealing a fourth straight title.
Meanwhile, they have only lost one of their six matches in the Champions League, with a 7-1 hammering by Borussia Dortmund their only defeat of the season in all competitions so far.
Despite the team’s fantastic performances, domestically and in Europe, Rodgers and the club are reportedly looking at possible signings to bolster the playing squad when the January transfer window opens up.
Celtic's interest in English defender
According to Football Insider, Celtic are ‘pushing’ to sign Hertha Berlin right-back Jonjoe Kenny to add to their defensive depth ahead of the second half of the season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The report claims that the Hoops are monitoring the 2. Bundesliga full-back ahead of a possible swoop for his services next month, although there is no mention of how much the German side would want for his services.
It states that Rodgers is hoping to make additions to his playing squad in January to ensure that his team can continue to compete on all fronts, with the Premiership, the SFA Cup, and the Champions League still to play for in the coming months.
Football Insider adds, though, that it is currently unlikely that Kenny will complete a move to Parkhead because of his existing history with the Scottish giants.
The English defender spent time on loan in Glasgow in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign and the report claims that his bad experience during that spell is a stumbling block ahead of a possible return to Celtic.
Football Insider reveals that the Hoops are pushing to get a deal done, though, and they could be, as a result, pushing to repeat the same error that Neil Lennon made in 2021.
Jonjoe Kenny's first spell with Celtic
The England U21 international arrived at Parkhead on loan from Premier League Everton in the winter transfer window at the start of 2021, as the club were looking for a replacement for Jeremie Frimpong.
Bayer Leverkusen had swooped for the Dutch starlet in January and Kenny was subsequently brought in on a short-term deal to start at right-back until the end of the season.
Former Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong.
Unfortunately, the Englishman ended up playing a part in the team that failed to secure a tenth straight Premiership title, with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side ultimately winning the division.
Lennon, who brought Kenny to the club on loan, was sacked later the same month and John Kennedy was in interim charge for the remainder of the campaign, before being replaced by Ange Postecoglou – who arrived after the Everton loanee had returned to Goodison Park.
20/21 Premiership
Jonjoe Kenny
Appearances
14
Starts
14
Goals
0
Assists
2
Error led to shot
2
Duel success rate
53%
Possession lost per game
15.6x
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Kenny started all 14 of his appearances in the Premiership but failed to impress, making as many errors that led to opposition shots as he registered assists.
Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan accused him of “schoolboy” defending after his poor pass that led to a corner and then subsequent marking led to a goal from Alfredo Morelos in the Old Firm, in a 1-1 draw.
The same pundit went on to say that Kenny was one of the players who was “not good enough” and would likely leave to never return at the end of the season, as his loan came to an end.
Why Celtic should avoid Jonjoe Kenny
Celtic are reportedly pushing to bring the 27-year-old dud back for a second spell and are in danger of repeating Lennon’s flop with the “schoolboy” defender.
Firstly, signing a player who has already tried and failed to impress at Parkhead, as part of a poor team that failed to win the title, would immediately put him on the back foot with the fanbase, which is not an ideal situation for a player coming in midway through a season.
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
Also, his performances in the 2. Bundesliga for Hertha Berlin this season do not suggest that he would come in and improve the Celtic squad, which would mean that the Hoops would be taking a big gamble – given his disastrous first spell – by bringing him back.
The £13k-per-week defender has started 16 matches in the second division of German football and contributed with one goal and two ‘big chances’ created for his side.
This shows that he has not provided a consistent, quality, threat at the top end of the pitch from a right-back position, which Rodgers does get from his current first-choice in that role – Alistair Johnston.
24/25 season
Kenny (2. Bundesliga)
Johnston (Premiership)
Appearances
16
15
Goals
1
4
Big chances created
2
9
Dribbled past per game
0.8x
0.6x
Duels won per game
3.9
4.1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Canada international offers significantly more as an attacking threat whilst also being less vulnerable defensively.
These statistics suggest that it is unlikely that Kenny, who has already struggled at Parkhead in the Premiership once, would come in to offer an upgrade on Johnston.
This is why Rodgers and the recruitment team must opt to avoid a move for the Hertha Berlin defender next month, and identify alternative targets to come in and bolster their squad.
Celtic star "just secured his departure" with 5/10 cup final showing
The Celtic defender endured a difficult afternoon in the League Cup final against Rangers.
تحدث الدولي الإنجليزي ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، عن الفوز على دورتموند والتأهل لمواجهة باريس سان جيرمان في نصف نهائي كأس العالم للأندية 2025.
وفاز ريال مدريد على بوروسيا دورتموند بثلاثية مقابل هدفين، في المباراة التي جمعتهما مساء السبت الماضي، ضمن منافسات ربع نهائي بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.
ويلتقي النادي الإسباني نظيره باريس سان جيرمان مساء غدٍ الأربعاء، في المباراة التي تجمعمها ضمن منافسات دور نصف نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، والتي تقام بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.
وقال أرنولد، في تصريحات لموقع الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” الرسمي: “شعوري بعد المباراة الخامسة؟ أتأقلم بشكل جيد، ريال مدريد نادي مختلف، وأسلوب لعب مختلف، كما أن المشاركة في بطولة مثل هذه تختلف عن خوض الدوري”.
اقرأ أيضًا | أرنولد ينعى جوتا: كنت زميلاً رائعًا وسأتذكرك بابتسامة عريضة
وأكمل: “كل شئ يسير بشكل جيد حتى الآن، علاقتي جيدة مع اللاعبين داخل وخارج الملعب، أشعر براحة أكبر مع كل دقيقة ألعبها وآمل أن أواصل التحسن في تمريرات الحاسمة”.
وعن مباراة دورتموند أضاف: “بدأنا المباراة بشكل جيد جدًا، وتمكنا من تسجيل هدفين سهلوا لنا المهمة، لم نمنحهم أي فرصة وحققنا ما أردناه ومنعنا تسديداتهم، وخلقنا فرصًا جيدة، أردنا تسجيل هدف آخر مع بداية الشوط الثاني ولم ننجح، ثم حدثت بعض الفوضى في الدقائق الأخيرة لكننا في النهاية حققنا الفوز وتأهلنا”.
وأتم: “لقد لعبت ضد باريس هذا الموسم وكانوا رائعين، ستكون مباراة صعبة، نحن في الأدوار النهائية وكل فريق هنا يستحق مكانه، أي فريق يمكنه هزيمة الآخر، سنعمل بجد ونبذل قصارى جهدنا ونقوم بالتحضير الجيد ونرى من سيتمكن من الفوز”.
The Scottish Premiership table doesn’t lie, with reigning champions Celtic sitting pretty at the summit courtesy of a commanding 13-point lead over their closest title ‘rivals’.
That said, the shock 3-0 defeat away at Ibrox – as well as Tuesday’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Dundee – has shown that this Hoops side is far from the finished article, with Brendan Rodgers in need of further reinforcements if he is to kick on in the remainder of 2025.
While the midweek trip to Dens Park may have exposed the Glasgow side’s woes defensively, with Auston Trusty notably coming under fire from his manager, the attacking unit could also do with a fresh lick of paint, particularly amid reports that Luis Palma could be on his way before the month is out.
With Adam Idah having now failed to score in any of his last ten league outings – while Yang Hyun-jun has registered a measly total of six goals and assists in 49 total games for the club – the need for additional firepower is evident, with Rodgers far too reliant on the attacking trio of Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo Furuhashi. That triumvirate have netted 42 goals between them in 2024/25 in all competitions.
Thankfully, it would appear that new signings are set to lie in store for the Parkhead giants, all being well, with Rodgers and co seemingly looking to make a move for what could prove to be their next Jota…
Celtic's attacking transfer target
As reported by Daily Mail journalist Stephen McGowan, the Old Firm side are said to be weighing up a bid for Real Valladolid sensation, Raul Moro, with the 22-year-old also earning admiring glances from Ajax.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
As per the report, the Dutch outfit are yet to firm up their interest in the promising Spaniard despite publicly confirming their admiration for the young winger, thus offering Celtic the chance to pounce should they so desire.
Any deal this month would require a significant offer, however, with Valladolid having set an asking price of around £8.5m.
Raul Moro
That figure would be just behind what Rodgers forked out for both Idah (£9.5m) and Arne Engels (£11m) over the summer, as well as with the £9m signing of Odsonne Edouard back in 2018, thus potentially making it one of the biggest deals during his time at Parkhead should it go through.
Celtic could land the next Jota
Whether Celtic can edge the mighty Ajax to Moro’s signature remains to be seen, although it is certainly an encouraging sign for Rodgers and Co to also be in the equation, with the £17k-per-week forward deservedly catching the eye of late.
Indeed, the fleet-footed talent has been earning rave reviews ever since his days in the Barcelona youth set-up, no less, with his agent Junior Minguella having previously said of his time at La Masia:
That likeness to the great Argentine stems most notably from Moro’s diminutive 5 foot 6 frame, as well as his elite dribbling prowess, shown by the fact that he averages 1.9 successful dribbles per game in La Liga this season.
Stat (*per game)
Jota (2022/23)
Moro (2024/25)
Games
33
18
Goals
11
3
Assists
11
1
Big chances created
13
4
Pass accuracy*
80%
75%
Key passes*
1.9
1.5
Tackles*
1.2
0.8
Interceptions*
0.4
0.5
Successful dribbles*
1.5
1.9
Possession lost*
14.5
11.4
To put that into context, as indicated above, former Celtic talisman, Jota, was ‘only’ averaging 1.5 in that regard during his final season in the Premiership, indicating just what a wizard Moro truly is down the flanks.
While the former Lazio starlet – who, like Jota, also primarily operates on the left flank – does only have three goals and one assist to his name thus far in 2024/25, it is worth remembering the relatively limited impact of Jota in the senior game, before his move to Glasgow.
The Portuguese sensation had scored just three goals and registered only two assists in 34 games for Benfica, while also, ironically, enduring a mixed loan spell at Moro’s current side, Valladolid, where he scored just twice in 18 appearances.
The 25-year-old would then go on to rip up Scottish football with 54 goal involvements in just 83 games in that famous green and white shirt, with Moro – who has 13 goals and assists in 50 games in total in Spain – boasting all the credentials to potentially emulate his fellow winger.
Rodgers does already have Kuhn and Maeda to call upon in those wide roles, yet, as mentioned previously, quality competition and cover certainly needs to be on the agenda.
Celtic make enquiry to sign exciting star who could be their next Tim Weah
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seeking to improve his squad in January, so could a 21-year-old star be arriving in Glasgow on loan this month?
It is learnt that he will recover in time for the WTC final in England, starting June 7
ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2023
Jaydev Unadkat went wicketless in the three IPL games he has played this year•Getty Images/NurPhoto
Lucknow Super Giants’ quick Jaydev Unadkat has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2023 because of a left-shoulder injury, which he picked up while training in the nets on Sunday. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that he will be fit in time for the WTC final against Australia, starting on June 7 at The Oval.Unadkat was going to bowl his first ball in the Lucknow nets on Sunday when he ran in from around the wicket and his left foot got stuck in the rope that keeps the net up. He had a nasty fall on his bowling elbow. He clutched his left shoulder while still on the ground and was seen with his arm in a sling and an ice pack on his shoulder not long after.It is learnt that Unadkat travelled to Mumbai for scans and visited one of the specialist consultants appointed by the BCCI. In consultation with the board’s medical staff, Super Giants decided to withdraw Unadkat from the IPL. He is expected to head to the NCA in Bengaluru for rehab to get fit to travel to England for the WTC final against Australia.
Unadkat’s injury came on the same day as that of KL Rahul, who hurt his right leg while chasing a ball in the outfield in the second over against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday evening. Results of Rahul’s scans and the extent of the injury are still awaited.Unadkat had gone wicketless in the three IPL games this season and has leaked 92 runs in the eight overs he has bowled.He is among the five fast-bowling options – along with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav and allrounder Shardul Thakur – in India’s squad for the WTC final. Rahul is also in the WTC squad but his participation is unclear as of now.
da leao： O Fluminense volta ao Maracanã neste domingo, às 18h, para medir forças com o América-MG, pela 31ª rodada do Brasileirão. Sem vencer há duas partidas, a equipe aposta no apoio da torcida para manter o bom desempenho como mandante e voltar ao G4 da competição nacional.
+Justiça indefere ação de pré-candidato para implementar voto on-line na eleição do Fluminense
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da dobrowin： Além disso, o Tricolor das Laranjeiras defenderá uma escrita curiosa entre duas equipes que disputam a primeira divisão do futebol brasileiro. O time carioca jamais foi derrotado pelo Coelho no estádio deste domingo. Os mineiros já venceram no Rio de Janeiro, porém o duelo de 2011 foi realizado no Nilton Santos.
+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro
Curiosamente, o primeiro duelo entre as equipes aconteceu no Campeonato Brasileiro de 1971, o primeiro pós-Taça Brasil. Na época, ambos não conseguiram estufar a rede e o zero não saiu do placar. Depois disso, o segundo confronto aconteceu quarenta anos depois, em 2011. O saudoso Kempes e o atacante Alessandro marcaram para os mineiros, enquanto Rafael Moura descontou.
Dessa forma, o América-MG ficou quarenta anos sem enfrentar o Tricolor no Rio de Janeiro. Em 2016, o confronto aconteceu no Estádio Kléber Andrade, em Cariacica, no Espírito Santo. Henrique Dourado estufou a rede e sacramentou a vitória para o Fluminense.
Em 2018, enfim, as equipes voltaram a se enfrentar no Maracanã quarenta e oito anos depois do primeiro duelo de 1971. Na ocasião, o volante Richard marcou o gol da vitória para a equipe comandada por Fábio Moreno, de forma interina. Na última temporada, mais uma vitória para os donos da casa, com gols de Luiz Henrique e Fred.
+Fred começa curso de treinador da CBF, fala sobre futuro e elogia Diniz, do Fluminense: ‘É um gênio’
Para o duelo deste domingo, o Fluminense soma 51 pontos, mas deixou o G4 com os triunfos de Corinthians e Flamengo. Sem vencer há dois jogos, precisa voltar a pontuar para seguir na luta por uma vaga na Libertadores. Com 42, o Coelho também sonha com a competição continental e está no possível G8.
Confrontos entre Fluminense e América no Maracanã
27/10/1971 – Fluminense 0 x 0 América (Campeonato Brasileiro) 02/12/2018 – Fluminense 1 x 0 América (Campeonato Brasileiro ) 21/11/2021 – Fluminense 2 x 0 América (Campeonato Brasileiro)
* 14/08/2016 – Fluminense 1×0 América (Foi no Kléber José Andrade) * 12/11/2011 – Fluminense 1×2 América (Foi no Nilton Santos)
Two successive Championships and a strong White Rose flavour to the national side and already they are wondering in the Broad Acres whether Yorkshire would beat England
Alan Gardner22-Sep-2015During the 2012 Olympics it became a popular exercise to work out where Yorkshire would be on the medal table if it were an independent country. For a good stretch of the Games they were ahead of Australia and, to general delight in the Broad Acres, the efforts of Jessica Ennis, Nicola Adams and the Brownlee brothers saw Yorkshire finish a very respectable (and entirely theoretical) 12th.That same summer, Jason Gillespie got started on the business of reviving Yorkshire cricket. Relegation in 2011 had provoked another famous Yorkshire characteristic: plain speaking. Colin Graves, the club’s chairman, called performances a “disgrace”, and although what followed was hardly the doldrums – a year in Division Two, during which they were unbeaten – it was easier to express pride in Yorkshire’s Olympians than their cricketers.Three years on and Yorkshire have celebrated back-to-back Championship titles for the first time since the 1960s, when God’s Own County seemingly had a divine right to the trophy. To the surprise of no one, Yorkshiremen all over the land are rather happy again. Their bubble may have been burst by defeat at Lord’s three days after retaining the pennant – thus allowing Yorkshire supporters the existential ambrosia of being able to crow and grumble at the same time – but by then the nationhood question had raised its flat-capped head once again.Essentially, could Yorkshire beat England?Club-versus-country arguments in English cricket have become less vociferous since the advent of central contracts but the rumblings were there at the start of the season, when six Yorkshire players were whisked off to the Caribbean just as the Championship began. To make matters worse, England only deigned to pick three of them against West Indies. In all, Yorkshire donated seven of their number to the national team over the summer but shrugged off such privations (eventually) to win the title with two and a half games to spare.Where would Yorkshire rank as a Test nation, asked the agents provocateur excitedly on Twitter. Joe Root had led the way with the bat as England regained the Ashes but what if he swapped his brilliant-whites for the White Rose and took guard against Jimmy and Broady?It is here we move back into the realms of the hypothetical. England would clearly have to allow the likes of Root, Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid to turn out for their county – you might say they began the process this summer by unceremoniously handing back Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance – but who would take their places? And where would the match be played? Headingley would only provide one of the two with home advantage, while Lord’s, the only place Yorkshire have lost over the last couple of years, seems the natural counterbalance. Perhaps the Midlands could host a series decider.England actually lined up against county opposition in recent years, generally avoiding embarrassment during drawn Ashes warm-up matches, against Warwickshire in 2009 and Essex in 2013. This would not be quite the same as making a few runs against Naqaash Tahir or struggling to dismiss Jaik Mickleburgh, however.Many feel that Ryan Sidebottom is still wily enough to perform in Tests and he would surely give Alastair Cook, who is regularly troubled by left-arm seam, a thorough working over. Rashid has not yet been trusted at that level, but given how often English batsmen have been befuddled by legspin over the years, he would have a decent chance of upstaging Moeen Ali.While the first-class stats of England’s Yorkshire replacements in the batting order* – Alex Hales, James Taylor and James Vince – stand up to scrutiny, the inclusion of all three in the Test side would perhaps best be described as experimental. And while Jos Buttler is the England incumbent behind the stumps, Jonny Bairstow’s 1071 Championship runs at an average of more than 100 suggests Yorkshire would have the form man.Yorkshire can rely on passionate support at Headingley, as Gary Ballance can testify•Getty ImagesShould James Hildreth get a mention? Who decided to drop Steven Finn? Could Yorkshire still field an overseas player? These are all imponderables that I am going to ask here before you do.It’s unfortunate, at least in the matter of petty parochial rivalries, that there is only one Lancastrian in the England XI – though Jimmy Anderson would happily wage a War of the Roses on his own. This selection also features a broad mix of north and south, which might produce an inclusive and harmonious environment that blends together the best aspects of the United Kingdom; or quite possibly see their weak regional bonds torn apart by the juggernaut belligerence of England’s largest county.Then again, as David Cameron alluded to in his surprisingly astute/gravely offensive (delete as preferred) comments about Yorkshire folk last week, membership of the White Rose is hardly a guarantee of unity. Both the Yorkshire committee and the ECB seem to have put the infighting behind them but the chances of the cricket not being overshadowed by a barney must be minimal during what many are already calling the hold-a-grudge match.Anyway, the lobbying for this fixture to replace the MCC-Champion County match at the start of the season begins here. The only thing that we can agree on is total disagreement. You can, of course, have your druthers below.*As selected on last week’s county blogEngland (probable) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Alex Hales, 3 Ian Bell, 4 James Taylor, 5 James Vince, 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jos Buttler, 8 Moeen Ali, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James AndersonYorkshire (probable) 1 Adam Lyth, 2 Alex Lees, 3 Gary Ballance, 4 Joe Root, 5 Andrew Gale (capt), 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Adil Rashid, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Liam Plunkett, 10 Jack Brooks, 11 Ryan Sidebottom
West Bromwich Albion are seemingly coming to the end of their search for a new manager, amid rampant speculation surrounding Raphael Wicky, albeit with the Baggies still heading into their fifth game in all competitions without Carlos Corberan at the helm today in the FA Cup.
This will be a tough test for the Baggies as they travel to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, hopeful that an upset could be on the cards for interim boss Chris Brunt.
West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan.
Away from the ongoing managerial situation, the Baggies have also started to be linked with January additions on the pitch, with this potential deal now looking dead in the water.
West Brom's interest in Isaiah Jones
It did look as if West Brom were going to secure an early January purchase in the form of Middlesbrough attacker Isaiah Jones, with a bumper £5m deal reportedly on the table.
However, no such deal ultimately occurred, with Express and Star journalist Lewis Cox taking to his X account to reveal that links between the two sides had been “wide of the mark”.
This might well come as a blessing in disguise for those at the Hawthorns, with £5m a steep amount to fork out for a winger who is yet to register a single goal or assist for Boro this season, with Luton Town subsequently winning the race for his signature.
Moreover, if West Brom can keep a firm grip on Tom Fellows across January, this development would have made the move for Jones feel even more redundant, considering the homegrown ace’s heroics down Jones’ right flank so far this campaign.
Tom Fellows celebrates for West Brom.
Fellows' market value at West Brom
After being thrown into the deep end once or twice under Corberan during the 2023/24 season, Fellows has since taken to the demands of the Championship like a duck to water.
Market Movers
Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
Indeed, the super confident 21-year-old boasts a stellar goal contribution total of 12 in league action to date, with ten of those startlingly being assists, which often come about when the West Brom youngster is darting forward with pace before setting up chances for clinical players such as Josh Maja to tap home.
Of course, there will be lots of joy in the air that Fellows is continuing to rip the second tier to shreds, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig labelling his sensational showings as “explosive.”
But, the big anxiety will be that a higher up poacher will put forward a sizeable bid for the 21-year-old at some point this hectic month, with Everton previously noted as an interested party watching the Solihull-born forward with intrigue.
Southampton even reportedly had a bid turned down last summer as they went about assembling a new squad for the Premier League, as the Baggies now brace for more frenzied interest.
West Brom will take some solace in the fact that if Fellows was to depart, at least he was a product of their own academy who they managed to snap up for nothing, with the electric number 31 surely worth many millions now.
Player
League games played
G/A numbers combined
1. Josh Maja
26
14
2. Tom Fellows
26
12
3. Karlan Grant
25
8
4. Alex Mowatt
24
6
5. Michael Johnston
22
4
If past transfer window rumours are anything to go by, Fellows could go for around the £15m mark this January, which would amazingly be more than Maja’s reported £10m valuation, with clubs sniffing around too for West Brom’s top goalscorer.
That is £10m more than Jones’ reported value as well, with the Baggies no doubt expanding their horizons away from the Boro attacker if Fellows was to be sold.
Ideally, Fellows would be kept around, but West Brom will know all too well how hard it can be to keep top assets when bigger clubs start lurking.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers have now been handed an opportunity to sign an “unbelievable” Premier League attacker, according to a report.
Wolves remain in relegation dogfight
The Vitor Pereira era is off to a largely positive start, but Wolves are outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone, and Ipswich Town have started to put in some improved performances over the past few weeks.
As such, the Old Gold may have to strengthen this January to give themselves the best possible chance of avoiding the drop, and it is vitally important they sign a new centre-back, given their very poor defensive record.
Pereira has moved swiftly to rectify his side’s defensive woes, having now reached an agreement to sign Stade Reims’ Emmanuel Agbadou in a deal worth a reported €20m (£16.6m).
The lack of defensive solidity has been the main factor in Wolves’ disappointing first half of the season, as they have been impressive at times in an attacking sense, with Matheus Cunha already notching 10 Premier League goals.
However, the Old Gold are still looking to strengthen in midfield, having held agent talks over a deal for Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios, and they have now been offered the opportunity to sign an attacking midfielder.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ upcoming Premier League fixtures
Date
Newcastle United (a)
January 15th
Chelsea (a)
January 20th
Arsenal (h)
January 25th
Aston Villa (h)
February 1st
Liverpool (a)
February 16th
According to a report from Caught Offside, Newcastle United have decided to let Miguel Almiron leave this month, with the Magpies looking to receive a fee of around €20m – €25m (£17m – £21m).
Almiron’s services have been offered to a number of Premier League clubs, namely Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Wolves, while there are also a number of foreign clubs interested.
Newcastle United's MiguelAlmironbefore the match
Although he was once considered an important player by Eddie Howe, the Paraguayan has fallen down the pecking order at St. James’ Park, and it looks like he could be on the move this month.
Almiron still has a lot left to give
Although the 30-year-old is out of favour at Newcastle, there is no reason why he wouldn’t be a good signing for Wolves, having proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years.
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He’s been described as a “machine.”
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Former Hibernian man Tam McManus lauded the attacker just over two years ago, saying: “He has that pace to get in behind and he has been integral to Newcastle this season, there seems to be a real steel about Newcastle.
“It’s ever since those comments Jack Grealish made about Almiron, maybe that spurred him on. That can happen to a player.
“But Almiron, in any case, has been absolutely unbelievable for Newcastle so far this season and hopefully it continues.”
During the 2022-23 campaign, the Paraguay international bagged 11 goals in 34 games, and if he is able to rediscover that form, he could play a key role in helping Wolves avoid relegation from the Premier League.
da gbg bet： Speculation season is upon us and Celtic will have to navigate the next few weeks of the January transfer window, which officially opened for business last week.
da esport bet： The Hoops confirmed their first piece of business of the month earlier this week, as central defender Stephen Welsh completed a short-term loan move to Belgian side Mechelen until the end of the season.
He had only featured in one match in the Scottish Premiership during the first half of the season and Brendan Rodgers has decided that the centre-back will not be needed in the coming months.
Celtic defender Stephen Welsh.
The Scottish academy graduate is not the only Celtic player who could be on his way out of Parkhead before the end of the January transfer window, however, as there are a number of stars in a similar position to the one he was in.
Odin Thiago Holm falls into that category and he is reportedly on the verge of a loan move to MLS side LAFC until the end of their 2025 season.
Another Celtic man who could find himself playing for a new club by February is winger Luis Palma, who has been linked with a move away from Glasgow this month.
The latest on Luis Palma's Celtic future
The Honduras international has only started one game in the Scottish Premiership so far this season, and that has, naturally, led to speculation over his long-term future at Paradise.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph recently reported that Spanish side Rayo Vallecano are interested in a deal to sign the former Aris sensation in the January transfer window.
The reporter claimed that the LaLiga outfit have already made an approach to snap up the left-sided attacker, with a proposal that would see him initially join them on loan with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Celtic forward Luis Palma.
Joseph added that Celtic are reluctant to move the forward on from Parkhead at this moment in time, but they are also open to offers for his services, which shows that he is not untouchable and that their stance can be changed.
It now remains to be seen whether or not Rayo Vallecano’s proposal is tempting enough for the Premiership champions to sanction an exit for the winger, who has featured in the club’s last two league matches.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Joseph reported earlier this month that Genoa and Olympiacos are also interested in signing Palma, though, which suggests that there is not a shortage of suitors for the 24-year-old ace and that the competition for his signature could drive an auction that increases the fee Celtic can rake in for him.
The question for Rodgers and the Hoops board, however, is whether the money on offer is enough to compensate for what they would lose by allowing him to leave, and his performances over the past 12 months or so suggest that the Scottish giants would not be missing much.
Why Celtic should sell Luis Palma
Whether it is on an initial loan or a permanent deal right away, Celtic should cash in on the Honduran forward because his form has, simply, not been good enough to warrant keeping him amid such intense interest from elsewhere.
Since the start of 2024, Palma has produced two goals and zero assists in 20 appearances in the Premiership for the Hoops, including zero goal contributions in seven league outings this season.
The 24-year-old ace had scored five goals and provided nine assists in 15 league matches for Celtic during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign but his form since the turn of the year in that season has been dismal.
Luis Palma
24/25 Premiership
Appearances
7
Starts
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Big chances created
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Palma has offered very little to Rodgers on the pitch in the Premiership this term, with zero goal contributions and one ‘big chance’ created for his teammates.
Ahead of the January window, Belgian outlet Gazet van Antwerpen, via the Daily Record, reported that Celtic target Michel Ange Balikwisha is set to be available for a fee of £7.5m, and the Antwerp winger could come in to replace the Honduran attacker.
Why Celtic should sign Michel Ange Balikwisha
The Hoops should swoop to sign the Belgian youngster this month because he could come in as a big upgrade on Palma in the left wing position for Rodgers.
Celtic’s current forward has, as aforementioned, produced very little of note in the last year, with his struggles at the top end of the pitch, and Balikwisha could come in to offer more than him in the final third.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha for Royal Antwerp.
It would not be a transfer without risk, though, as the 23-year-old star struggled with injuries this season, missing 21 matches with thigh and muscle issues.
Celtic could, in theory, use that to their advantage and look to negotiate a lower price with Antwerp, due to his lengthy absence from the pitch this term, and then hope that they can help him to avoid any further fitness problems.
His form, when fit, during the 2023/24 campaign suggests that the potential is there for him to come in as a fantastic addition to the squad if they can keep him fit.
23/24 Pro League
Michel-Ange Balikwisha
Appearances
33
Starts
27
xG
6.46
Goals
7
Big chances created
6
Assists
5
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha was fit enough to feature in 33 league games last term, having also scored ten goals in 42 matches in all competitions in the previous season.
In those matches, the Hoops target, who was once described as one of a number of “incredible” young talents by U23 scout Antonio Mango, showcased his quality in the final third, with 13 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined.
Whilst they are not outstanding, Nicolas Kuhn level, statistics, Balikwisha is capable of consistently chipping in with goal contributions, which is something that Palma has not done for 13 months or so now.
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Therefore, the Belgian star, who also has plenty of room left to develop at the age of 23, could come in as a big upgrade on the wanted forward, by offering more quality and consistency at the top end of the pitch.
This is why Celtic should gamble on a deal for Balikwisha and swoop for the Antwerp dynamo before the end of the transfer window, whilst allowing Palma to join one of the sides interested in signing him.